Internet-based synchronized imaging

• US 20070291323A1
• Filed: 06/05/2007
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ranald Gabriel Roncal
• Original Assignee: Ranald Gabriel Roncal
• Inventors: Roncal, Ranald Gabriel
• Granted Patent: US 7,936,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/402
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00137 Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00156 with a group of selected individuals or correspondents
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00164 at a remote location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00169 Digital image input
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00177 from a user terminal, e.g. personal computer
• 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

Abstract

A internet based method and apparatus is described from automatically processing a captured digital image taken by a smart device at a fixed-location, mobile or virtual event, and synchronizing the combination of that captured primary image with a secondary image, be it a picture frame, or a watermark to create a combined media image. If desired, the combined image may also contain an audio file. Once combined, the image may be stored for later viewing, and/or automatically returned to the user of the smart device or the PC of the user who captured the primary image, forwarded to an online print service website, posted to a photo sharing website, and/or forwarded to a distribution list. The automated post processing of said captured images is handled by a process engine hosted at an Application Provider'"'"'s website, the process engine containing instructions for the media combining and metadata tagging of said images.

Claims

1. A method for creating, transmitting, modifying and posting a digital image file including the steps of:

digitally capturing a photographed image;

creating a first digital file of the captured image;

transmitting the captured first digital image file to an internet based web service; and

,

thereafter appending to the first digital image file a second digital file to create a combined file.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first digital image file is wirelessly transmitted to said internet based web service.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the web service comprises an application web site which hosts a process engine for appending said second digital file.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the captured first digital image file comprises a digital still image.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the captured first digital image file comprises a digital video image.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the second digital file includes a digital frame which is configured to surround the captured first digital image.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the digital frame includes media selected from text and graphics disposed there within.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the second digital file includes a digital image which creates a text or graphic overlay onto the captured first digital image.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the second digital file is combined with an audio file.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the second digital file is combined with an appended marketing message.

11. The method of claim 1 further including the step of storing the combined first and second images in an online media depository.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the transmitted digital image file has an associated alias, which alias includes or is associated with one or more of the following attributes:

the date, time, place of image file creation, and the identity of the image taker.

13. The method of claim 12 in which a configuration file reads the alias, and based on said alias selects from within a menu of instructions which stored instructions are to be applied to the further processing of the captured digital image file.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said processing instructions include instructions for;

combining a second digital image file with an incoming first digital image file; and

transmitting the combined file.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the instructions for transmitting the combined image files includes instructions for transmitting said files back to the sender of the image file.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the instructions for transmitting the combined files include instructions for forwarding the combined files to a destination other than the destination of the first image file sender.

17. A method for synchronizing digital images from an input device such as a cell phone camera, digital camera or smart device with imaging capabilities to an online destination through use of a software program embedded in such device, the method including the steps of:

creating a digital image file;

securing the digital image file within the memory of the digital input device;

combining the secured digital image file with a second digital image file resident in the memory of the digital input device;

wirelessly connecting the digital image device to an image synchronization destination; and

thereafter wirelessly transmitting said combined digital image file from the digital input device to a remote storage medium maintained by said image synchronization destination.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said stored digital image file is synchronized to a user'"'"'s account and further processed.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein such further processing includes one or more of the following steps:

synchronize and email, synchronize and print, synchronize, print and ship, and synchronize and distribute to selected destinations.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said print step is performed by a location based kiosk or a printer maintained by an internet based print service company.

21. A process engine for synchronizing captured digital images with stored media files, including:

an event configuration file which receives a forwarded digital image, and read its associated metadata;

a directory file which contains sponsored location event based instructions for image processing;

an instructions file which includes among other things instructions for post processing of the forwarded digital image; and

,

a tagging file which includes the digital image files, audio files and metadata to be synchronized with said captured digital image.

22. The process engine of claim 23 further including an event management system database for storage of said synchronized digital images.