System and method of sharing images

• US 20040122918A1
• Filed: 12/19/2002
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Fredlund, John R., Manico, Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US10/325,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20040122918A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/60 Scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests, e.g. requests for application data transmissions using the analysis and optimisation of the required network resources admission control or resource allocation H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/324 intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32438 Informing the addressee of reception
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32771 in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

A system and method for facilitating asynchronous transmission of digital data between at least two parties over a communication network. The system comprises a digital data facilitator having a digital storage device for storing digital data transmitted over the communication network from a first party, the digital data facilitator having the ability to review a request transmitted from a second party, the digital data having an associated first and second identifier, the second identifier being associated with the second party, the second identifier being associated with a telephone number, the first identifier being associated with an electronic identifier of the first party.

Claims

1. A system for facilitating asynchronous transmission of digital data between at least two parties over a communication network, comprising:

a digital data facilitator having a digital storage device for storing digital data transmitted over the communication network from a first party, the digital data facilitator having the ability to review a request transmitted from a second party, the digital data having an associated first and second identifier, the second identifier being associated with the second party, the second identifier being associated with a telephone number, the first identifier being associated with an electronic identifier of the first party.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first identifier is an email or IP address.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a monitor for monitoring the transmission of the digital data.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the digital data facilitator is adapted to initiate the transmission of the digital data to the second party after reviewing the request.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a monitor for monitoring a length of storage of the digital data on the storage device.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transaction facilitator adapted to monitor the transmission of the digital data for a purpose of determining a transaction fee.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a billing application for preparing a billing statement comprising the transaction fee.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a display device having a communications link programmed to communicate only with the digital data facilitator.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a display device having means for selecting the identity of the first party from whom the digital data will be accepted.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for directing fees for system usage to the first party.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for directing fees for system usage to the second party.

12. A method for facilitating asynchronous transmission of digital data between a first and second party over a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting the digital data over the communication network from the first party to a digital data facilitator having a digital storage device, the digital data having an associated first and second identifier, the first identifier being associated with an electronic identifier of the first party, the second identifier being associated with a telephone number of the second party;

storing the digital data on the digital storage device;

reviewing a request transmitted from the second party to the digital data facilitator;

employing the digital data facilitator to identify the first party and the second party;

determining the absence or presence of the digital data stored on the digital storage device having the associated first and second identifier associated with the first and second party, respectively; and

fulfilling the request if the digital data is present.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of, prior to fulfilling the request, determining if the second party will accept transmission of the digital data from the digital data facilitator to the second party.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of fulfilling comprises the step of transmitting the digital data to the second party.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the electronic identifier of the first party is a telephone number of the first party.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of monitoring the digital data being transmitted.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring the transmission of the digital data over the communication network to the digital data facilitator; and

billing the first or second party for the transmission of the digital data over the communication network to the digital data facilitator.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

generating an image bearing product comprising the digital data;

delivering the image bearing product to the second party at the second party address; and

billing the first or second party for the generation of the image bearing product.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

monitoring the storage of the digital data on the storage device; and

billing the first or second party for the storage of the digital data on the storage device.

73. A computer storage product having at least one computer storage medium having instructions stored therein causing one or more computers to perform the method of claim 12.

20. A method for facilitating asynchronous transmission of digital data between a first and second party over a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting the digital data over the communication network from the first party to a digital data facilitator having a digital storage device, the digital data having an associated first and second identifier, the first identifier being associated with an electronic identifier of the first party, the second identifier being associated with a telephone number of the second party;

storing the digital data on the digital storage device;

reviewing a request transmitted from the second party to the digital data facilitator, the request comprising the first identifier;

accessing the first identifier from the request;

accessing the second identifier of the second party transmitting the request;

accessing the digital data stored on the digital storage device having the associated first and second identifier; and

fulfilling the request.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of fulfilling comprises the step of transmitting the digital data to the second party.

74. A computer storage product having at least one computer storage medium having instructions stored therein causing one or more computers to perform the method of claim 20.

22. A system for facilitating asynchronous transmission of digital data between a first and second party over a communication network, comprising:

a digital data facilitator having a digital storage device for storing the digital data transmitted over the communication network from the first party, the digital data facilitator having the ability to transmit the digital data to the second party in response to a request transmitted to the digital data facilitator from the second party subsequent to a communication sent to the second party from the digital data facilitator, a first identifier and a second identifier being associated with the digital data, the first identifier being associated with the first party, the second identifier being associated with a telephone number of the second party;

a communication device for sending the communication to the second party over the communication network; and

a transaction facilitator adapted to monitor the digital data being transmitted over the communication network.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the transaction facilitator is further adapted to monitor a length of storage of the digital data on the storage device.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the transaction facilitator is further adapted to determine a transaction fee in accordance with the monitoring of the digital data.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising a billing application for preparing a billing statement comprising the transaction fee.

26. The system of claim 22, further comprising a display device having a communications link programmed to communicate solely with the digital data facilitator.

27. The system of claim 22, further comprising a display device having means for selecting the identity of the first party from whom the digital data will be accepted.

28. The system of claim 22, further comprising a means for directing fees for system usage to the first party.

29. The system of claim 22, further comprising a means for directing fees for system usage to the second party.

30. A method for facilitating asynchronous transmission of digital data between a first and second party over a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting the digital data over the communication network from the first party to a digital data facilitator having a digital storage device, the digital data having an associated first and second identifier, the first identifier being associated with an electronic identifier of the first party, the second identifier being associated with a telephone number of the second party;

storing the digital data on the digital storage device;

employing the digital data facilitator to identify the first party and the second party;

sending a communication to the second party over the communication network;

reviewing a request transmitted from the second party to the digital data facilitator in response to the communication sent to the second party; and

transmitting the digital data to the second party in response to receiving the request from the second party.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the communication sent to the second party comprises a telephone call.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of monitoring the digital data being transmitted.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring the transmission of the digital data over the communication network to the digital data facilitator; and

billing the first or second party for the transmission of the digital data over the communication network to the digital data facilitator.

34. The method of claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

generating an image bearing product comprising the digital data;

delivering the image bearing product to the second party at the second party address; and

billing the first or second party for the generation of the image bearing product.

35. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of:

monitoring the storage of the digital data on the storage device; and

billing the first or second party for the storage of the digital data on the storage device.

36. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of specifying to the digital data facilitator the display capabilities of a display device.

75. A computer storage product having at least one computer storage medium having instructions stored therein causing one or more computers to perform the method of claim 30.

37. A method for facilitating asynchronous transmission of digital data between a first and second party over a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting the digital data over the communication network from the first party to a digital data facilitator having a digital storage device, the digital data having an associated first and second identifier, the first identifier being associated with an electronic identifier of the first party, the second identifier being associated with a telephone number of the second party;

storing the digital data on the digital storage device;

employing the digital data facilitator to identify the first party and the second party associated with the digital data;

receiving a request transmitted from the second party to the digital data facilitator over the communication network;

reviewing the request transmitted from the second party; and

transmitting the stored digital data to the second party in response to receiving the request from the second party after determining that the second identifier is associated with the stored digital data.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the request transmitted to the digital data facilitator comprises a telephone call.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of billing the telephone number of the second party for the transmission of the digital data.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of monitoring the digital data being transmitted.

41. The method of claim 37, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring the transmission of the digital data over the communication network to the digital data facilitator; and

billing the first or second party for the transmission of the digital data over the communication network to the digital data facilitator.

42. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of:

monitoring the storage of the digital data on the storage device; and

billing the first or second party for the storage of the digital data on the storage device.

43. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of specifying to the digital data facilitator the display capabilities of a display device.

76. A computer storage product having at least one computer storage medium having instructions stored therein causing one or more computers to perform the method of claim 37.

44. A system for facilitating asynchronous transmission of digital data between at least two parties over a communication network, comprising:

a digital data facilitator having a digital storage device for storing the digital data transmitted over the communication network from a sender, a recipient identifier and a sender identifier being associated with the digital data, the digital data facilitator having the ability to transmit the digital data to a recipient, the recipient identifier being associated with the recipient, the digital data facilitator having an associated facilitator identifier associated with the digital data facilitator; and

an identification system for detecting the facilitator identifier.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the identification system is disposed proximate the digital data facilitator.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein the identification system is disposed remotely from the digital data facilitator

47. The system of claim 44, further comprising a transaction facilitator monitoring the digital data being transmitted over the communication network.

48. The system of claim 44, wherein the identification system is a caller-id telephonic system.

49. The system of claim 44, further comprising an audio massaging device adapted to indicate to the recipient the availability of the digital data.

50. The system of claim 44, further comprising a visual massaging device adapted to indicate to the recipient the availability of the digital data.

51. The system of claim 44, further comprising a display device having a communications link programmed to communicate solely with the digital data facilitator.

52. The system of claim 44, further comprising a display device having means for selecting the identity of the first party from whom the digital data will be accepted.

53. The system of claim 44, further comprising a means for directing fees for system usage to the first party.

54. The system of claim 44, further comprising a means for directing fees for system usage to the second party.

55. A method for facilitating asynchronous transmission of digital data between a first and second party over a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting the digital data over the communication network from the first party to a digital data facilitator having a digital storage device, a first identifier and a second identifier being associated with the digital data, the second identifier being associated with the second party, a facilitator identifier being associated with the digital data facilitator;

storing the digital data on the digital storage device;

employing the digital data facilitator to identify the second party associated with the transmitted digital data;

transmitting the digital data to the second party, the digital data including the facilitator identifier;

employing an identification system, located remotely from the digital data facilitator, to determine if the facilitator identifier transmitted with the transmitted digital data is associated with the digital data facilitator; and

receiving the transmitted digital data if the facilitator identifier transmitted with the transmitted digital data is determined to be associated with the digital data facilitator.

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of employing the identification system at the digital data facilitator to determine the identity of the first party and the second party.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising the step of assigning the determined identity of the first party to the digital data.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step of transmitting the digital data to the second party as determined by the identification system matching the identity for the second party associated with the digital data.

59. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step of transmitting the digital data to the second party only if the identity of the first party determined by the identification system matches the identity for the first party specified by the second party.

60. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of transmitting an audio message to the second party indicating availability of the digital data.

61. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of transmitting a visual message to the second party indicating availability of the digital data.

62. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of employing a digital camera for transmitting the digital data to the digital data facilitator.

63. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of monitoring the digital data being transmitted.

64. The method of claim 55, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring the transmission of the digital data over the communication network to the digital data facilitator; and

billing the first or second party for the transmission of the digital data over the communication network to the digital data facilitator.

65. The method of claim 55, further comprising the steps of:

generating an image bearing product comprising the digital data;

delivering the image bearing product to the second party at the second party address; and

billing the first or second party for the generation of the image bearing product.

66. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of:

monitoring the storage of the digital data on the storage device; and

billing the first or second party for the storage of the digital data on the storage device.

67. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of specifying to the digital data facilitator the display capabilities of a display device.

71. The method of claim 55, prior to transmitting the digital data to the service provider, further comprising the step of transmitting a second request to the first party to re-transmit the digital data.

68. A system for generating an image bearing product,

comprising:

a digital data facilitator having a digital storage device for storing digital data transmitted from a first party, the digital data facilitator having the ability to review a request for the image bearing product transmitted by the first party with regard to the digital data, the digital data having an associated first and second identifier, the second identifier being associated with a delivery address of the second party, the first identifier being associated with a telephone number of the first party;

a communication network for transmitting the digital data from the first part to the digital data facilitator and for transmitting the digital data to a service provider for generating the image bearing product in accordance with the request;

delivery means for delivering the image bearing product to the second party at the second party address; and

a transaction facilitator for monitoring the transmission of the digital data and generation of the image bearing product and transmitting a bill to the telephone number of the first party.

69. A method for generating an image bearing product, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting digital data over a communication network from the first party to a digital data facilitator having a digital storage device, the digital data having an associated first and second identifier, the second identifier being associated with a delivery address of the second party, the first identifier being associated with a telephone number of the first party;

storing the digital data on the digital storage device;

the digital data facilitator reviewing a request for an image bearing product with regard to the digital data;

transmitting the digital data to a service provider to generate the image bearing product in accordance with the request;

delivering the image bearing product to the second party at the second party address; and

billing the telephone number of the first party for the generation of the image bearing product.

70. The method of claim 69, further comprising the step of specifying to the digital data facilitator the display capabilities of a display device.

72. A method for generating an image bearing product, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting digital data over a communication network from the first party to a digital data facilitator having a digital storage device, the digital data having an associated first and second identifier, the second identifier being associated with a telephone number of the second party, the first identifier being associated with a telephone number of the first party;

storing the digital data on the digital storage device for a predetermined period of time;

receiving a product request from the second party for the image bearing product after the elapse of the predetermined period of time;

transmitting a data request to the first party for the digital data;

receiving the digital data in response to the data request;

transmitting the digital data to a service provider to generate the image bearing product in accordance with the request;

delivering the image bearing product to the second party at the second party address; and

billing the telephone number of the first party for the generation of the image bearing product.