Method of sharing images allowing third party print orders via a web site

• US 7,050,994 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2000
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: McIntyre, Dale F., Jensen, Thomas D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RHODE JR, ROBERT E
• Application Number:
  US09/717,448
• Time in Patent Office: 2,010 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/40, 358/442, 358/487, 396/6, 396/429, 235/380, 355/40, 355/48, 710/52
• US Class Current: 705/26.41
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/48 adapted for combination with other photographic or optical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 15/001 Counting; Classifying; Marking
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 15/005 Order systems, e.g. printsorter
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• 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 1/00145 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 1/00249 with a photographic apparatus, e.g. a photographic printer or a projector photographic apparatus per se G03B, G03D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00251 with an apparatus for taking photographic images, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00259 with an apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 Transmission

Abstract

A method of providing image goods and/or services to more than one party located at different locations. The method includes providing a camera for substantially simultaneously capturing an image both electronically and on a photosensitive media by a customer and transmitting the electronic image to a third party at a location remote from the customer along with additional data. The additional data identifying the image with respect to the photosensitive media. The customer and/or the third party placing an order with a service provider for at least one good and/or service with respect to the image. The service provider assembles the order upon receipt of the photosensitive media.

Claims

1. A method of providing image goods and/or services to more than one party located at different locations, comprising the steps of:

capturing substantially simultaneously an image both electronically and on a photosensitive media by a customer using a camera;

transmitting via a computer network said electronic image to a third party at a location remote from said customer along with additional data, said additional data identifying said image with respect to said photosensitive media;

placing an order via a computer network by said customer and/or said third party with a service provider for at least one good and/or service with respect to said image on said associated photosensitive media associated using said electronic image prior to said service provider receiving said photosensitive media; and

assembling by said service provider said order upon receipt of the photosensitive media.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said additional data comprises a database location at which said order may be electronically accessed by said service provider for determining if additional orders exist with respect to said images.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said customer advises said service provider that said image has been forwarded to said third party for potential placement of an order with respect to said image.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said customer forwards to said service provider the e-mail address of said third party to which said digital image has been forwarded.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said service provider forwards electronically to said customer and said third party confirmation that said order has been received.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said customer provides a predetermined amount of credit which may be charged to said customer with respect to the ordering of goods and/or services by said third party.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said information forwarded to said third party further includes a computer software program whereby the order can be automatically forwarded to said service provider by said third party by selecting from pre-designated options provided in addition to said images.

8. A method of providing image goods from a service provider and/or services to a plurality of customers located at different locations, comprising;

capturing substantially simultaneously an image both electronically and on a photosensitive media by a customer using a camera, said electronic image comprising a predetermined image resolution, said camera having a selection switch that results in the creation of identifying data that identities that digital images are or have been forwarded to a third party for ordering of goods and/or services made using said photosensitive media;

forwarding via a computer network said identifying data to said service provider prior to execution of providing goods and/or services with respect to images on said photosensitive media;

transmitting via a computer network said electronic images to said third party along with said identifying data with respect to said images transmitted; and

placing an order by said third party for goods and/or services with respect to said images on said photosensitive media using said identifying data and said digital images from which the order may be placed.