Method and apparatus for image distribution using a cellular phone
First Claim
1. A method of automatically printing digital images, comprising the steps of:
- creating, by a user, at least one digital image using a digital imaging device;
uploading, by said user, said at least one digital image from said digital imaging device via a wireless link to a server remote to said digital imaging device;
automatically storing at least one digital image in an image store responsive to at least one instruction loaded on said server;
automatically-printing said at least one digital image responsive to at least one instruction stored via a web-site on said server by said user prior to said creating said digital image;
automatically sending said at least one printed image to a destination remote to said server corresponding to at least one address stored via said web-site on said server by said user prior to said creating said digital image; and
wherein said instructions comprise waiting to proceed with said automatically printing and said automatically sending until said image store contains a predetermined plurality of images, said predetermined plurality being selected on said server by said user prior to said creating said digital image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling the distribution, including printing, of digital images using a wireless enhanced, digital imaging device, such as a cellular phone equipped with a digital camera. A picture created using the digital camera is uploaded to a remote server. Arrival of the digital image, activates the automatic printing and automatic delivery of that image, according to instructions placed on the server by the creator of the digital image, prior to its creation. Information attached to the digital image may be used to route and process the uploaded image, in accordance with a set of predetermined user preferences. The single action of sending a digital image to a web address from a cellular phone may cause the image to be stored, printed and delivered as a print to an address, with the printing and mail delivery being automatically charged to an account or credit card.
69 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of automatically printing digital images, comprising the steps of:
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creating, by a user, at least one digital image using a digital imaging device; uploading, by said user, said at least one digital image from said digital imaging device via a wireless link to a server remote to said digital imaging device; automatically storing at least one digital image in an image store responsive to at least one instruction loaded on said server; automatically-printing said at least one digital image responsive to at least one instruction stored via a web-site on said server by said user prior to said creating said digital image; automatically sending said at least one printed image to a destination remote to said server corresponding to at least one address stored via said web-site on said server by said user prior to said creating said digital image; and wherein said instructions comprise waiting to proceed with said automatically printing and said automatically sending until said image store contains a predetermined plurality of images, said predetermined plurality being selected on said server by said user prior to said creating said digital image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of automatically printing digital images, comprising the steps of:
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creating, by a user, at least one digital image using a digital imaging device; uploading, by said user, said at least one digital image from said digital imaging device via a wireless link to a server remote to said digital imaging device; and automatically storing at least one digital image in an image store responsive to at least one instruction loaded on said server; automatically printing said at least one digital image responsive to at least one instruction stored via a web-site on said server by said user prior to said creating said digital image; automatically sending said at least one printed image to a destination remote to said server and corresponding to at least one address stored via said web-site on said server by said user prior to said creating said digital image; and wherein said instructions comprise waiting to proceed with said automatically printing and said automatically sending until a predetermined time specified on said server by said user prior to said creating said digital image. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for automatically printing digital images, comprising:
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digital imaging means for creating, by a user, at least one digital image; uploading means, functionally connected to said digital imaging means, for uploading, by said user, said at least one digital image from said digital imaging device via a wireless link to a server remote to said digital imaging device; means for automatically storing images in an image store; means, responsive to at least one instruction stored via a web-site on said server by said user prior to said creating said image, for automatically printing said at least one digital image; means for automatically sending said at least one printed image to a destination remote to said server and corresponding to at least one address stored via said web-site on said server by said user prior to said creating said image; and means for waiting to proceed with said automatically printing and said automatically sending until said image store contains a predetermined plurality of images, said predetermined plurality selected on said server by said user prior to said creating said digital image. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification