Method and system for sharing imags over a communication network between multiple users

• US 20030234953A1
• Filed: 06/19/2002
• Published: 12/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: McIntyre, Dale F., Telek, Michael J., Ortiz, Juan E., Dawson, Mark D., McBride, John K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,966,565 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32502 in systems having a plurality of input or output devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32507 a plurality of input devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0046 Software interface details, e.g. interaction of operating systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0089 Image display device

Abstract

A system and a method for sharing a compilation of digital images over a communication network among a plurality of users on user display devices using a controlling computer. The controlling computers controls the forwarding of the compilation to the plurality of users over the communication network in accordance with a predetermined user sequence. Each of the users have the ability to add an image to the compilation and/or information with respect to the images in the compilation and each of the subsequent users are able to view the compilation of images and/or data provided in association with the images.

Claims

1. A method for sharing a compilation of digital images over a communication network among a plurality of users on user display devices using a controlling computer, comprising the steps of:

controlling the forwarding of said compilation to said plurality of users over said communication network by said controlling computer in accordance with a predetermined user sequence, wherein each of said users having the ability to add an image to said compilation and/or information with respect to said images in said compilation and each of said subsequent users are able to view said compilation of images and/or data provided by previous users in said predetermined user sequence.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said controlling computer is operated by one of said plurality of users.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of users may ban another of said plurality of users from further participation in the sharing of said compilation of digital images.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said controlling computer is operated by a service provider.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said sharing is initiated by an initiator.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said initiator controls what may be shared among said plurality of users.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said compilation of digital images corresponds to a selected theme.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein metadata associated with the digital images of at least one of said plurality of users permits automatic selection of said user'"'"'s digital images to add to said compilation of digital images.

9. A method according to claim 5 wherein said predetermined sequence is determined by the said initiator.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein additional data may be associated with any of said images of said compilation.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said additional information is related to said associated image.

12. A method according to claim 10 wherein said additional data comprises sound.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein said sequence of users is dependant upon which of said users is actively connected to said controlling computer over said communication network.

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said compilation is presented to each of said users in a preselected pattern.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein said preselected pattern comprises scrolling said compilation of images on said display device being used by said user.

16. A method according to claim 1 wherein said user display device is controlled by a computer, said compilation is scrolled across said display device.

17. A method according to claim 14 wherein said user display device is controlled by a computer, said compilation is presented atop another program being run by said computer.

18. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of said user making an inquiry with respect to one of said images of said compilation.

19. A method according to claim 1 wherein a selection button is provided for allowing a user to control the presentation of said compilation on said user display device.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein said selection button allows the user to pause the presentation of said compilation.

21. A method according to claim 19 wherein said selection button allows the user to fast forward the presentation of said compilation.

22. A method according to claim 19 wherein said selection button allows the user to rewind and/or reverse the presentation of said compilation.

23. A method for sharing a compilation of digital images over a communication network to a plurality of users in a predetermined user sequence using a controlling computer, comprising the steps of:

a. forwarding said compilation to a first user in said predetermined user sequence;

b. returning said compilation from said first user to said controlling computer along with any modifications made to said compilation of digital images by said first user so as to create a first modified compilation;

c. forwarding said first modified compilation to the next user in said predetermined user sequence;

d. returning said first modified compilation to said controlling computer along with any modifications made to said compilation by said subsequent user so as to create a second modified compilation;

e. repeating steps c and d for each successive user that views said compilation in said predetermined sequence.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein said modification comprises the addition of at least one image.

25. A method according to claim 23 wherein said modification comprises information with respect to at least one of said images.

26. A method for sharing a compilation of digital images over a communication network to a plurality of users in a predetermined user sequence using a controlling computer, comprising the steps of:

a. forwarding said compilation to a first user in said predetermined user sequence;

b. said first user sending to said controlling computer modifications made to be applied to said compilation of digital images so as to create a first modified compilation;

c. forwarding said first modified compilation to the next user in said predetermined user sequence;

d. returning said first modified compilation to said controlling computer along with any modifications made to said compilation by said subsequent user so as to create a second modified compilation; and

e. repeating steps c and d for each successive user that views said compilation in said predetermined sequence.

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein said modification comprises the addition of at least one image.

28. A method according to claim 26 wherein said modification comprises information with respect to at least one of said images.

29. A computer software program for sharing images over a communication network, said computer software program when loaded onto a computer will cause said computer to perform the steps of:

controlling the forwarding of said compilation to said plurality of users over said communication network by said controlling computer in accordance with a predetermined user sequence, wherein each of said users having the ability to add an image to said compilation and/or information with respect to said images in said compilation, wherein each of said subsequent users are able to view said compilation of images and/or data provided by previous users in said predetermined user sequence.

30. A computer software program for sharing images over a communication network, said computer software program when loaded onto a computer will cause said computer to perform the steps of:

a. forwarding said compilation to a first user in a predetermined user sequence;

b. returning said compilation from said first user to said controlling computer along with any modifications made to said compilation of digital images by said first user so as to create a first modified compilation;

c. forwarding said first modified compilation to the next user in said predetermined user sequence;

d. returning said first modified compilation to said controlling computer along with any modifications made to said compilation by said subsequent user so as to create a second modified compilation; and

e. repeating steps c and d for each successive user that views said compilation in said predetermined sequence.

31. A computer software program for sharing images over a communication network, said computer software program when loaded onto a computer will cause said computer to perform the steps of:

a. forwarding said compilation to a first user in a predetermined user sequence;

b. said first user sending to said controlling computer modifications made to be applied to said compilation of digital so as to create a first modified compilation;

c. forwarding said first modified compilation to the next user in said predetermined user sequence;

d. returning said first modified compilation to said controlling computer along with any modifications made to said compilation by said subsequent user so as to create a second modified compilation; and

e. repeating steps c and d for each successive user that views said compilation in said predetermined sequence.

32. A system for sharing a compilation of digital images over a communication network among a plurality of users on user display devices, comprising:

a controlling computer for controlling the forwarding of said compilation to said plurality of users over said communication network by said controlling computer in accordance with a predetermined user sequence, wherein each of said users having the ability to add an image to said compilation and/or information with respect to said images in said compilation, wherein each of said subsequent users are able to view said compilation of images and/or data provided by previous users in said predetermined user sequence.

33. A system for sharing a compilation of digital images over a communication network among a plurality of users, each of said users having a user computer, comprising:

a controlling computer for controlling the forwarding of said compilation to said user computers over said communication in accordance with a predetermined user sequence, wherein each of said users having the ability to add an image to said compilation and/or information with respect to said images in said compilation, wherein each of said subsequent users are able to view said compilation of images and/or data provided by previous users in said predetermined user sequence.

34. A method for sharing a compilation of digital images over a communication network among a plurality of users on user display devices using a controlling computer operated by an internet service provider, comprising the steps of:

controlling the forwarding of said compilation to said plurality of users over said communication network by said controlling computer in accordance with a predetermined user sequence, wherein each of said users having the ability to add an image to said compilation and/or information with respect to said images in said compilation and each of said subsequent users are able to view said compilation of images and/or data provided by previous users in said predetermined user sequence.

35. A method according to claim 34 wherein said internet service provider tracks the viewing habits of said plurality of users.