Method and system for assisting in the reconstruction of an image database over a communication network

• US 6,959,122 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2001
• Issued: 10/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: McIntyre, Dale F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehta, Bhavesh M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rosario, Dennis
• Application Number:
  US09/891,546
• Publication Number:
  US 20020196986A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,582 Days
• Field of Search: 382/305, 382/158, 382/274, 382/299, 707/202, 707/204, 709/203, 709/217
• US Class Current: 382/305
• 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 1/00135 Scanning of a photographic original
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0014 via e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00145 from a remote location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00148 Storage information retrieval G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00164 at a remote location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00169 Digital image input
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00185 Image output for details of particular output arrangements see the relevant sub-class, e.g. B41J, G03B, G09G, G11B
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 Printing, e.g. prints or reprints H04N1/0019, H04N1/00196 take precedence
• 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 1/32112 in a separate computer file, document page or paper sheet, e.g. a fax cover sheet H04N1/32122 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/34 for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3207 of an address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3246 of data relating to permitted access or usage, e.g. level of access or usage parameters for digital rights management [DRM] related to still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/325 Modified version of the image, e.g. part of the image, image reduced in size or resolution, thumbnail or screennail
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

A method and system for providing assistance in recreating a digital image file on a user computer from information obtained over a communication network retained at a remote location with respect to the image file. Images store on a user computer are so as to obtain a low resolution digital image files of high resolution digital image files stored on the storage device along with storage parameters of the high resolutions digital image files. This information is used in the reconstruction of the user image data base.

Claims

1. A method for providing assistance in recreating a digital image file on a user computer from information obtained over a communication network retained at a remote location with respect to said image file, comprising:

analyzing a user storage device in a user computer over said communication network so as to obtain low resolution digital image files of high resolution digital image files stored on said storage device and storage parameters of the high resolutions digital image files;

storing said low resolution digital image files and said storage parameters at a remote server of a provider; and

transmitting from said remote location of said remote serve of a provider said image storage parameters over said communication network to said user computer so as to assist in reconstructing the high resolution digital image files in said user storage device that has had some loss of data.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said storage parameters comprises data structure information of said high resolution digital image files.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said storage parameters are updated at routine communication intervals.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein said storage parameters comprises data structure information of said high resolution digital image files.

4. A system for providing assistance in recreating a digital image file on a user computer from information obtained over a communication network retained at a remote location with respect to said image file, comprising:

a provider having a provider computer that analyzes a user storage device in said user computer over said communication network so as to obtain low resolution digital image files of high resolution digital image files stored on said storage device and storage parameters of the high resolutions digital image files;

said provider storing said storage parameters at a remote server of a provider; and

said provider transmitting from said remote location said image storage parameters over said communication network to said user computer so as to assist in reconstructing the high resolution digital image files in said user storage device that has had some loss of data.

6. A method according to claim 4 wherein said storage parameters are updated at routine communication intervals.