System and Method for Ordering a Print Product Using a Mobile Computing Device

• US 20140040065A1
• Filed: 08/05/2013
• Published: 02/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm North America (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm North America (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: DuBois, Charles L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,965,786 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization

Abstract

A system and method for ordering a print product using a mobile computing device is provided. The system includes a photofinisher configured for receiving a print order from the mobile computing device and producing the print product based upon the print order. Further, a print product ordering module is configured for allowing the print order to be completed using the mobile computing device, wherein the print order includes the digital image and the print product selected using the mobile computing device. A wireless local area network is configured for placing the mobile computing device in communication with the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is located within a range of the wireless local area network. The print order completed using the mobile computing device is communicated to the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is located within the range of the wireless local area network.

Claims

1. A system for ordering a print product using a mobile computing device, the print product incorporating a digital image, the system comprising:

a photofinisher configured for receiving a print order from the mobile computing device and producing the print product based upon the print order;

a print product ordering module configured for allowing the print order to be completed using the mobile computing device, the print order including the digital image and the print product selected using the mobile computing device; and

a wireless local area network configured for placing the mobile computing device in communication with the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is located within a range of the wireless local area network,

wherein the print order completed using the mobile computing device is communicated to the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is located within the range of the wireless local area network.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the print product ordering module is stored in a memory located in the mobile computing device.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the print product ordering module is stored in a memory located in the photofinisher.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the system includes a plurality of photofinishers, the system further comprising a photo lab system in communication with the plurality of photofinishers, wherein the photo lab system is configured for receiving the print order from the mobile computing device and communicating the print order to one of the plurality of photofinishers.

5. A system in accordance with claim 4, wherein the print product ordering module is stored in a memory located in the photo lab system.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the digital image is stored in a memory located in the mobile computing device.

7. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the digital image is stored in a memory located in a digital image data storage server accessible by the mobile computing device through a wide area network.

8. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the wide area network is the Internet.

9. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the print product ordering module is configured to allow for payment of the print order using the mobile computing device.

10. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the print product ordering module is configured to generate a bar code that is displayed on the mobile device after payment is completed.

11. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the print product ordering module is configured to send a notification to the mobile computing device indicating that the ordered print product has been produced by the photofinisher.

12. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the print product ordering module is configured to allow for the digital image to be edited prior to completing the print order.

13. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the print order created by the mobile computing device is automatically communicated to the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is located within the range of the wireless local area network.

14. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the print product ordering module is configured to filter the print products available to be selected by the mobile computing device based upon the digital image selected by the mobile computing device.

15. A method for ordering a print product using a mobile computing device, the print product incorporating a digital image, the method comprising:

providing a photofinisher configured for receiving a print order from the mobile computing device and producing the print product based upon the print order;

providing a wireless local area network configured for allowing the mobile computing device to communicate with the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is located within a range of the wireless local area network;

allowing the print order to be completed using the mobile computing device, the print order including the digital image and the print product selected using the mobile computing device;

allowing for the communication of the completed print order from the mobile computing device to the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is located within a range of the wireless local area network;

receiving the print order at the photofinisher; and

producing the print product specified in the print order using the photofinisher.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15, further comprising storing the print product ordering module in a memory located in either the mobile computing device or the photofinisher.

17. A method in accordance with claim 15, further comprising:

providing a plurality of photofinishers;

providing a photo lab system in communication with the plurality of photofinishers;

receiving the print order from the mobile computing device at the photo lab system; and

communicating the print order to one of the plurality of photofinishers.

18. A method in accordance with claim 17, further comprising storing the print product ordering module a memory located in the photo lab system.

19. A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein the digital image is stored in a memory located in the mobile computing device.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19, further comprising the step of communicating a print order inquiry to the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device enters the range of the wireless local area network.

21. A method in accordance with claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

recognizing that one or more digital images have been stored in the memory located in the mobile computing device within a predetermined time period when the mobile computing device enters the range of the wireless local area network; and

communicating a print order inquiry to the mobile computing device, wherein the recognized one or more digital images are the subject of the print order inquiry.

22. A method in accordance with claim 15, further comprising:

providing a remote digital image server; and

allowing for the storage of the digital image in a memory located in the remote digital image server accessible by the mobile computing device through a wide area network.

23. A method in accordance with claim 22, wherein the wide area network is the Internet.

24. A method in accordance with claim 15, further comprising allowing for payment of the print order using the mobile computing device.

25. A method in accordance with claim 24, further comprising generating a bar code that is displayed on the mobile device after payment is completed.

27. A method in accordance with claim 15, further comprising sending a notification to the mobile computing device indicating that the ordered print product has been produced by the photofinisher.

28. A method in accordance with claim 15, further comprising allowing the digital image to be edited prior to completing the print order.

29. A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein the print order created by the mobile computing device is automatically communicated to the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is located within the range of the wireless local area network.

30. A method in accordance with claim 15, further comprising filtering the print products available to be selected by the mobile computing device based upon the digital image selected by the mobile computing device.