Method system and software for ordering goods and/or services over a communications network

• US 7,069,237 B1
• Filed: 11/10/2000
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Tate, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): McAllister, Steve
• Assistant Examiner(s): THEIN, MARIA TERESA T
• Application Number:
  US09/709,143
• Time in Patent Office: 2,055 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/28, 705/29, 707/104.1, 709/206, 709/207
• US Class Current: 705/26.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• 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 1/00137 Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0014 via e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00145 from a remote location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00161 Viewing or previewing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 Printing, e.g. prints or reprints H04N1/0019, H04N1/00196 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0019 on souvenir-type products or the like, e.g. T-shirts or mugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00453 arranged in a two dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00461 marking or otherwise tagging one or more displayed image, e.g. for selective reproduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00482 outputting a plurality of job set-up options, e.g. number of copies, paper size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32053 Delayed transmission, e.g. to make use of reduced connection rates H04N1/32074 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

A system, computer software product and a method for ordering goods and/or services with respect to digital images over a communication network. A server provided for sending e-mail to a receiving site of a customer over the communication network. The e-mail has a static section for containing static text and/or graphics and a dynamic area/section for containing dynamic data, the dynamic data is automatically forwarded to the receiving site only upon opening of the e-mail at the receiving site. The dynamic data comprising at least digital data files containing digital images. The static section contains an order section for ordering of goods and/or services with respect to said dynamic data. The order is automatically forwarded to and fulfilled by a remote service provider.

Claims

1. A method for ordering goods or services over a communication network, comprising:

providing a server of a first party for sending e-mail to a receiving site of a customer over the communication network, said server having a low resolution digital image file including at least one digital image, said e-mail having a static section for containing static text and graphics including an order section, and a dynamic area/section for containing dynamic data including said low-resolution digital image file;

automatically forwarding said dynamic data by said server to said receiving site only upon opening of said e-mail at said receiving site;

creating an order for goods or services at said receiving site using said order section by selecting the at least one digital image; and

automatically sending said order to a second part upon placement of said order by using a URL address of the second party included in said e-mail.

2. A method according to claim 1 when said URL address of said second party is different from the URL address of said first party.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said second party will fulfill said order placed by said customer.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein a portion of the money paid by said customer to said second party is allocated to said first party.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said portion of the money paid to said second party is forwarded to said first party upon or after receipt of payment by said customer to said second party.

6. A method according to claim 2 wherein a notice is send to said first party by said second party when said order is placed with said second party.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said e-mail includes the ability for the customer to send an e-mail to a third party for allowing access to said images at said server and for placement of an order by said third party.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein said customer further permits said third party to provide additional data to said images.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said server allows sad third party to provide data to said dynamic data.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said communication network comprises the Internet.