Network based system and method to process images

• US 20050063613A1
• Filed: 09/24/2004
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kevin Casey, Norm Racine
• Original Assignee: Kevin Casey, Norm Racine
• Inventors: Casey, Kevin, Racine, Norm
• Application Number:
  US10/950,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20050063613A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/305
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop

Abstract

A file is uploaded to the system provider. The uploaded file contains at least one of color images scanned from film photographed at an event, black and white images scanned from film photographed at the event and digitally captured images photographed at the event and a text data file. Images from the uploaded file are sorted, via a graphical user interface, into a series of images based on a user defined sorting sequence. After the sorting, at least one image product is selected, via the graphical user interface. The image product is comprised of at least one of an event web site, a client proofing product, a CD/DVD slide show, a proof book and proofs. After the selecting, one or more image product categories corresponding to the selected image product are associated, via the graphical user interface with the images.

Claims

1. A method to process images comprising the steps of:

uploading to a system provider a file comprised of at least one of color images scanned from film photographed at an event, black and white images scanned from film photographed at the event and digitally captured images photographed at the event, along with a text data file;

after the uploading, via a graphical user interface, sorting images from the uploaded file into a series of images based on a user defined sorting sequence wherein the user defined sorting sequence may be comprised of at least one of a chronological order of the event, a grouping of images related to at least one individual, a grouping of images related to at least one subject, and a grouping of images related to holidays;

after the sorting, selecting, via the graphical user interface, at least one image product comprised of at least one of an event web site, a client presentation product, a CD/DVD slide show, a proof book and proofs; and

after the selecting, associating, via the graphical user interface, one or more image product categories corresponding to the at least one selected image product with the images.

2. The method as in claim 1, wherein the uploading is via a graphical user interface.

3. A method to process images comprising the steps of:

uploading a first file from a first source,

wherein the first file is comprised of images of a first media type and the first media type is selected from the group consisting of color images scanned from film photographed at an event, black and white images scanned from film photographed at the event and digitally captured images photographed at the event;

uploading a second file from a second source,

wherein the second file is comprised of images of a second media type and the second media type is selected from the group consisting of color images scanned from film photographed at the event, black and white images scanned from film photographed at the event and digitally captured images photographed at the event,

wherein the first and second sources are different, and the first and second media types are different;

sorting, via a graphical user interface, images from the first uploaded file into a series of images based on a chronology of the event;

sorting, via the graphical user interface, images from the second uploaded file into a series of images based on the chronology of the event; and

merging images from at least the first and second files into a common file.

4. A method to fulfill an order for photographs comprising the steps of:

presenting online to a user a plurality of images associated with an event;

receiving online from the user selection information including images from the plurality of images associated with the event and reproduction criteria for each image selected;

providing online the selection of information to a photographer that photographed the plurality of images at the event; and

providing a graphical user interface, responsive to the selection information, that allows the photographer to direct that at least a first image from the plurality of images be fulfilled by at least one of a first photography laboratory and a local printing device and to direct a second image from the plurality of images be fulfilled by at least one of a second photography laboratory or a second local printing device,

wherein the user is not the photographer.

5. The method as in claim 4 further comprising:

directing a third image from the plurality of images be fulfilled by at least one of a third photography laboratory or a third local printing device.

6. A method to collaboratively select images comprising the steps of:

uploading to a system provider a file comprised of at least one of color images scanned from film photographed at an event, black and white images scanned from film photographed at the event and digitally captured images photographed at the event, along with a text data file;

presenting, via a graphical user interface, a selection of images from the uploaded file to at least one user, wherein the user is at least one of a photographer, an image subject and an event attendee not located at the same site as a first user;

selecting, via a graphical user interface, at least one image from the file;

reviewing, via the graphical user interface, the selected image by the first and second user;

assigning control over the graphical user interface by the first user to the second user; and

directing, via the graphical user interface, the reviewed image for fulfillment at a photography laboratory.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the reviewing step comprises comparing at least two selected images from the file.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the reviewing step comprises manipulating the selected image from the file.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the manipulating step is comprised of at least one of rotating, cropping, zooming, previewing the selected image in black and white, adjusting the brightness and adjusting the contrast.