Methods and systems for managing the distribution of image capture devices, images, and prints

• US 7,013,288 B1
• Filed: 05/26/2000
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cedar Lane Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH (Renesas Electronics Corporation)
• Inventors: Olsen, Ian, Reifel, Mitchell, Urban, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RHODE JR, ROBERT E
• Application Number:
  US09/579,789
• Time in Patent Office: 2,118 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/40, 717/11, 358/1.15, 358/442, 396/429, 455/406, 380/10, 398/3.2, 709/217, 713/193
• US Class Current: 705/14.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0617 Representative agent

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems for distributing image capture devices, images, and prints. One embodiment of the present invention advantageously provides cameras, such as digital cameras or film cameras, to consumers for free or at a discounted cost. In exchange, the consumer makes a commitment that a certain number of image reproduction or prints will be purchased by the consumer and/or by others. In another embodiment, a user receives prints with associated advertisements attached at a reduced price.

Claims

1. A method for providing cameras to consumers in exchange for a commitment, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an electronic network through which a camera provider electronically communicates with a consumer to generate a contract, said contract comprising the terms for;

offering by said camera provider to provide said camera for a commitment by the consumer to purchase at least a first amount of image reproductions from a specified image processor within a selected amount of time, and

committing by said consumer to purchase at least the first amount of image reproductions from said image processor within the selected amount of time;

determining via said electronic network that the consumer has at least one of a plurality of financial instruments;

providing the consumer with the camera, in response to the consumer entering into the commitment and determining via said electronic network that said consumer has at least one of the plurality financial instruments;

connecting said camera to electronically communicate via said electronic network to said image processor and transferring images acquired by said camera to said image processor; and

printing reproductions of at least one of the images having access restricted to said image processor.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of connecting said camera to electronically communicate via said electronic network for granting access to low resolution versions of images taken with the camera to be transferred from the camera.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

connecting someone other than the consumer to communicate via said electronic network;

receiving an order via said electronic network under said contract for at least one image print from someone other than the consumer; and

crediting under said contract the consumer'"'"'s commitment fulfillment based on said order.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

connecting someone other than the consumer to communicate via said electronic network;

receiving an order via said electronic network under said contract for an image reproduction from someone other than the consumer; and

providing under said contract the consumer with a benefit based on said order.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one image is received from a terminal connected to communicate via said electronic network to which at least one of said images has been transferred from the camera.

6. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein access to said images taken by the camera is restricted by the camera until the consumer has fulfilled the commitment and an unlocking code has been received via said electronic network by the camera.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of connecting said camera to electronically communicate via said electronic network for restricting access by said consumer to images acquired by the camera and retained within said camera to prevent the consumer from obtaining reproductions of the images made from a source not associated with the camera provider.

8. The method as defined in claim 7, further comprising the step of connecting said camera to electronically communicate via said electronic network for granting access to images taken with the camera to be displayed on a camera display.

9. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein the step of restricting access to said images comprises the step of encrypting by the camera of at least a first image captured by said camera to prevent the user from having prints of at least the first image from a source not associated with a provider of said camera.

10. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the camera is provided, at least partly, in response to an amount paid by the consumer for the camera, wherein the amount is related to the number of reproductions the consumer has committed to purchase under said contract.

11. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of transferring camera usage information to a user information database connected to said electronic network, whereby said camera usage information includes:

average number of pictures captured before upload of pictures;

average number of pictures captured vs. number of pictures printed;

time of day or year when camera is most likely to be used and frequency of flash usage;

amount of time spent viewing each image on the LCD viewfinder;

amount of time spent editing each image on-camera;

number of images captured over a given time period;

typical or average preferences for print numbers, sizes, and other products ordered;

track which advertisements/promotions the user investigated or generated a “

click-through”

experience;

track how many different locations to which the user had prints shipped;

track the user classification of a photo gallery.

12. The method as defined in claim 11, further comprising the step of selecting advertising to be presented to the user based at least in part on the camera usage information.

13. The method as defined in claim 11, further comprising the step of modifying camera performance based at least in part on the camera usage information.

14. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the type of camera provided is based, at least in part, on the extent of the commitment.

15. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first amount is a dollar amount.

16. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the first amount is a quantity of image reproductions.

17. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving user profile information via said electronic network; and

storing at least a portion of the user profile information in the camera.

18. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the commitment is to be fulfilled within a predetermined amount of time.

19. The method as defined in claim 18, further comprising the step of fixing the price to the user of at least a first type of image reproduction provided under said contract for at least the predetermined amount of time.

20. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving an order for hard copy image reproductions, where the user places the order using a camera user interface connected to communicate via said electronic network.

21. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of downloading via said electronic network an advertisement into the camera and displaying the advertisement on a camera display.

22. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a designation from the user as to which print house is to print images ordered by the user.

23. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the camera is provided by a print house.

24. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the camera is provided by a camera manufacturer to an intermediary at a discount, who then provides the camera to the user, and the intermediary causes the camera manufacturer to be paid an amount based at least in part on user orders for image reproductions.

25. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the camera is provided with no initial cost or charge to the user.

26. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the camera is provided at a reduced cost to the user in exchange for the commitment.

27. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein providing said camera comprises the steps of:

offering to rent said camera to consumer in exchange for a first fee; and

offering to reduce said first fee for said camera for a commitment to purchase at least a first amount of reproductions of images from said camera.

28. The method as defined in claim 27, wherein the camera is rented at an automated kiosk.

29. The method as defined in claim 27, wherein the consumer is charged an additional fee if the camera is not returned within a predetermined amount of time.

30. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the camera provider is a camera distributor.

31. The method as defined in claim 30, where the camera manufacturer provides the camera at a discount in return for a commitment on the part of the distributor that the camera manufacturer will be paid at least said first amount.

32. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein providing said camera comprises the steps of:

offering to lease said camera for a predetermined period wherein said lease includes providing said consumer with a first number of prints at no additional cost as part of the lease, and

receiving a commitment electronic network by said consumer to lease the camera for the predetermined period;

providing said consumer with the first number of prints at no additional cost as part of the lease; and

providing additional prints beyond the first number of prints for no more than a predetermined fee.

33. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

transferring personal information via electronic network from said consumer to said camera provider; and

retaining said personal information within a consumer database.

34. The method as defined in claim 33 wherein said personal information comprises

consumer name;

consumer identification code;

mailing address;

billing address;

e-mail address;

other contact information such as phone numbers and fax numbers;

billing information, including credit card information;

preferred print image provider;

reprint/enlargement size preference;

reprint/enlargement size preference;

finish preference;

camera brand, type, and specifications;

internet service type and connection speed;

contract data;

picture development and reproduction counters, number of prints remaining to meet contract commitment;

security settings, unlocking keys, activation code; and

usage pattern information.

35. The method as defined in claim 34 further comprising the step of providing advertising to said consumer through said camera transferred over said electronic network when said camera is connected to communicate via said electronic network based on said personal information.

36. The method as defined in claim 34 further comprising the step of providing coupons to said consumer based on said personal information.

37. A camera distribution system for providing cameras to consumers in exchange for a commitment comprising:

a camera providing entity for supplying at least one of said cameras for a commitment by the consumer to purchase at least a first amount of image reproductions within a selected amount of time from a specified image processor;

a camera distributed by said camera providing entity to said consumer said camera programmed to restricted access;

an electronic network that allows electronic communication between said camera providing entity and said consumer wherein said consumer commits via said electronic network to purchase of at least the first amount of image reproductions within the selected amount of time and the camera providing entity supplies the consumer with at least one of said cameras, in response to the consumer entering into said commitment via said electronic network;

said specified image processor for communication with said consumer via said electronic network to receive images acquired by said camera and provide said image reproductions based on said commitment; and

an image printing device having access restricted to said specified image processor for reproduction of at least a first image from said camera.

38. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37, wherein images taken with the camera are permitted to be displayed on a camera display.

39. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37 further comprising:

a consumer database in communication with the camera providing entity retaining personal information transferred from said consumer to said camera providing entity.

40. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 39 wherein said personal information comprises:

consumer name;

consumer identification code;

mailing address;

billing address;

e-mail address;

other contact information such as phone numbers and fax numbers;

billing information, including credit card information;

preferred print image provider;

reprint/enlargement size preference;

reprint/enlargement size preference;

finish preference;

camera brand, type, and specifications;

internet service type and connection speed;

contract data;

picture development and reproduction counters, number of prints remaining to meet contract commitment;

security settings, unlocking keys, activation code; and

usage pattern information.

41. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 39 further comprising an advertising provider in communication via said electronic network with the consumer database and image processor to associate advertising information with said image reproductions based on said personal information in return for credit toward said commitment for image reproductions.

42. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 41 wherein the advertising provider imparts coupons to said consumer based on said personal information.

43. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37, wherein said camera is connected to communicate via said electronic network to grant permission for low resolution versions of images taken with the camera to be transferred from the camera.

44. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37, wherein the image processor receives an order for an image print from someone other than the consumer;

and said image processor credits the consumer'"'"'s commitment fulfillment based on the order.

45. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37, wherein the image processor receives an order for an image reproduction from someone other than the consumer;

and said image processor provides the consumer a benefit based on the order.

46. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37, wherein said images are secured within said camera such that at least said first image may only be transferred to said image processor and said secured first image is received from a terminal connected to communicate via said electronic network to which said secured first image is transferred from the camera.

47. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37, wherein images taken by the camera are secured by the camera until the consumer has fulfilled the commitment and an unlocking code has been received by the camera when said camera is connected to communicate via said electronic network.

48. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37, wherein the image processor receives via said electronic network in association with the first secured image at least one of ISO equivalency information, aperture setting information, and shutter speed information.

49. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37, wherein the camera provided is at least partly in response to an amount paid by the consumer for the camera, wherein the amount is related to the number of reproductions the consumer committed to purchase.

50. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37 further comprising an image securing device associated with said camera to prevent reproduction of at least a first image acquired from the camera by a source not associated with the camera providing entity, wherein the image securing devise encrypts said first image within said camera upon receipt of an encryption key from said camera providing entity via said electronic network.

51. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37 wherein the camera providing entity discounts the price of said camera for the commitment by said consumer to purchase at least the first amount of image reproductions.

52. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37 wherein the camera providing entity leases said camera as a result of the commitment by said consumer to the purchase of at least the first amount of image reproductions.

53. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37 wherein the camera providing entity offers said camera at no cost as a result of the commitment by said consumer to the purchase of at least the first amount of image reproductions.

54. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37 wherein the camera providing entity and the image processor are associated with the camera manufacturer.

55. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37 wherein the consumer reviews said images acquired by said camera and selects desired images acquired by said camera for transfer to said image processor for reproduction.

56. The camera distribution system as defined in claim 37 further comprising an image database associated with said image processor to receive and retain said images acquired by said camera and transferred to said image processor.

57. A computer readable medium retaining a computer code which, when executed on a computing system performs a program process for providing cameras to consumers in exchange for a commitment, said program process comprising the steps of:

providing an electronic network through which a camera provider and a consumer electronically communicates to generate a contract where said consumer acquires at least one camera in exchange for said commitment, wherein said contract comprises the terms for;

offering by said camera provider to provide said camera for a commitment by the consumer to purchase at least a first amount of image reproductions from a specified image processor within a selected amount of time, and

committing by said consumer to the purchase of at least the first amount of image reproductions from said image processor within the selected amount of time;

determining via said electronic network that the consumer has at least one of a plurality of financial instruments;

providing the consumer with the camera, in response to the consumer entering into said commitment and determining that the consumer has at least one of the plurality of financial instruments;

connecting said camera to electronically communicate via said electronic network with said image processor;

transferring images acquired by said camera to said image processor; and

printing reproductions of at least one of images having access restricted to said image processor.

58. The medium as defined in claim 57, wherein said program process further comprises allowing images taken with the camera to be displayed on a camera display.

59. The medium as defined in claim 57, wherein said program process further comprises allowing low resolution versions of images taken with the camera to be transferred from the camera.

60. The medium as defined in claim 57, wherein said program process further comprises:

connecting someone other than the consumer to said electronic network;

receiving an order via said electronic network for an image print from someone other than the consumer; and

crediting the consumer'"'"'s commitment fulfillment based on the order.

61. The medium as defined in claim 57, wherein said program process further comprises:

connecting someone other than the consumer to communicate via said electronic network;

receiving an order via said electronic network for an image reproduction from someone other than the consumer; and

providing the consumer a benefit based on the order.

62. The medium as defined in claim 57, further comprising the step of connecting said camera to communicate via said network for restricting access to images acquired from the camera to prevent the consumer from obtaining reproductions of images made from a source not associated with the camera provider.

63. The medium as defined in claim 62 wherein the step of restricting access to said images comprises the step of encrypting at least said first image within said camera.

64. The medium as defined in claim 57, wherein images taken by the camera are secured by the camera until the consumer has fulfilled the commitment and an unlocking code has been received by the camera.

65. The medium as defined in claim 57, wherein said program process further comprises receiving, in association with the first secured image, at least one of ISO equivalency information, aperture setting information, and shutter speed information.

66. The medium as defined in claim 57, wherein the camera is provided, at least partly, in response to an amount paid by the consumer for the camera, wherein the amount is related to the number of reproductions the consumer committed to purchase.

67. The medium as defined in claim 57 wherein said program process further comprises the steps of:

transferring personal information via said electronic network from said consumer to said camera provider; and

retaining said personal information within a consumer database.

68. The medium as defined in claim 67 wherein said personal information is selected from the set of personal information consisting of:

consumer name;

consumer identification code;

mailing address;

billing address;

e-mail address;

other contact information such as phone numbers and fax numbers;

billing information, including credit card information;

preferred print image provider;

reprint/enlargement size preference;

finish preference;

camera brand, type, and specifications;

internet service type and connection speed;

contract data;

picture development and reproduction counters, number of prints remaining to meet contract commitment;

security settings, unlocking keys, activation code; and

usage pattern information.

69. The medium as defined in claim 67 wherein said program process further comprises the step of providing coupons to said consumer based on said personal information.

70. The medium as defined in claim 67 wherein said program process further comprises the step of providing advertising to said consumer based on said personal information.

71. The medium as defined in claim 57 wherein the camera provider discounts the price of said camera for committing by said consumer to the purchase of at least the first amount of image reproductions.

72. The medium as defined in claim 57 wherein the camera provider leases said camera for committing by said consumer to the purchase of at least the first amount of image reproductions.

73. The medium as defined in claim 57 wherein the camera provider provides said camera at no cost for committing by said consumer to the purchase of at least the first amount of image reproductions.

74. The medium as defined in claim 57 wherein the camera provider and the image processor are associated with the camera manufacturer.

75. The medium as defined in claim 57 wherein said program process further comprises the step of:

reviewing, by the consumer, of said images acquired by said camera; and

selecting desired images acquired by said camera for reproduction.

76. The medium as defined in claim 75 wherein said images acquired by said camera are retained in an image database of said image processor.