Method and system for managing images over a communication network

• US 7,124,191 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2001
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: McIntyre, Dale F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coulter, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US09/892,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20030009568A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,939 Days
• Field of Search: 709/229, 709216-219, 709/227, 709223-225, 726 2- 8, 726 26- 30, 726/21
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/51 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• 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 1/00151 with selective access
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00161 Viewing or previewing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00164 at a remote location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00177 from a user terminal, e.g. personal computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 Printing, e.g. prints or reprints H04N1/0019, H04N1/00196 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00193 to a portable storage medium, e.g. a read-writable compact disk
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00196 Creation of a photo-montage, e.g. photoalbum H04N1/0019 takes 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 1/32122 in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3214 of a date
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3215 of a time or duration
• 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: H04N 2201/3273 Display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 : Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 : Transmission

Abstract

A method and system for managing digital image media files. A server is provided for managing access to a digital image media collection stored on a remote user computer of a user. The digital image media collection has at least one digital media file having at least one image file of a predetermined resolution. The server communicates over a communication network with a user computer that provides initial authorization for managing of the digital images. The system provides automatic controlled access to the at least one digital media file in the user computer without any further authorization by the user.

Claims

1. A method for managing digital image media files comprising the steps of:

providing a server for managing access to a digital image media collection stored in a remote computer of a user, said digital image media collection having at least one digital media file, said at least one digital media file having at least one image file of a predetermined resolution, said server capable of communicating over a communication network with said user computer, said user providing an initial authorization for managing of said at least one image file by said server; and

controlling automatic periodic access by said server to said digital image media collection in said user computer without any further authorization by said user, said server automatically creating a copy of said at least one image file in said digital image media collection, said copy having a resolution lower than said predetermined resolution for utilization by said server.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein each of said at least one image media file of said digital image media collection includes additional data with respect to said at least one digital image file.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein said additional data comprises audio data.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein said additional data comprises data structure information relating to said at least one digital image media file.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said utilization comprises:

forwarding said copy to a third party.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said utilization comprises:

forwarding said copy to a fulfillment provider for providing of goods and/or services with respect to said copy.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein said fulfillment provider automatically accesses said at least one image file of a predetermined resolution from said user computer over said communication network wherein said predetermined resolution is less than the resolution of the image in said image media collection.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein instructions regarding providing of goods and/or services are provided automatically.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein said instructions are obtained by analyzing said digital image files with respect to a predefined icon representative of said instructions.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein said icon is at least a portion of an image of an individual.

11. A method for managing digital image media files comprising:

providing a server for managing a digital media collection stored on a remote computer of a user, said digital media collection having at least one digital media file, said at least one digital media file having at least one digital image file of a predetermined resolution, said server capable of communicating over a communication network with said remote computer;

said server obtaining authorization for managing and accessing of said at least one digital image file in said digital media collection on said remote computer;

creating a copy of said at least one digital image file at a resolution lower than said at least one digital image file stored on said remote computer;

storing said copy in a low-resolution digital image collection associated with said user on said server; and

periodically accessing said digital media collection by said server for updating said low-resolution digital image collection with copies of new digital media files that are stored in and at a resolution lower than said digital media collection on said remote computer.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein said low-resolution digital image collection is accessible by said user over said communication network from a remote device.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said user is able to purchase goods and services with respect to at least one digital image in said low-resolution digital image collection.

14. The method according to claim 13 further comprising:

said server accessing said digital media collection stored on said remote computer of said user; and

forwarding a digital image file from said digital media collection associated with said at least one digital image in said low-resolution digital image collection to a fulfillment provider for producing said purchased goods and services.