Online digital image-based product ordering system

• US 7,343,320 B1
• Filed: 08/02/1999
• Issued: 03/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Susan M. Treyz, Treyz G. Victor
• Inventors: Treyz, Susan M., Treyz, G. Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CUONG H
• Application Number:
  US09/365,651
• Time in Patent Office: 3,144 Days
• Field of Search: 705 26- 27, 705/39, 358/1.2, 358/909.1, 358/1.12, 358/1.15, 358/527, 358/487, 358/612, 382/162, 345/428, 396638-639, 355/40, 355/77
• US Class Current: 705/26.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• 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 1/00137 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 1/00164 at a remote location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00167 Processing or editing H04N1/00196 - H04N1/00201 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00185 Image output for details of particular output arrangements see the relevant sub-class, e.g. B41J, G03B, G09G, G11B
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00196 Creation of a photo-montage, e.g. photoalbum H04N1/0019 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00251 with an apparatus for taking photographic images, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00411 the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0096 Portable devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 705/903 Adding plural layer of rights or limitations by other than the original producer

Abstract

A system is provided that allows a photographer to take images for a customer and provide those images to order servicing equipment with which the images are placed on-line for the customer to view. The customer may place orders for the images and products and services related to the images. The order servicing equipment may credit the photographer when the customer orders images, products, or services. Images may be manipulated before images, products, or services are ordered. Images may be taken using film-based cameras or digital image acquisition equipment. Image presentation options may be selected. Content may be appended to the images. Web sites and digital albums may be created using the images. The photographer may check the status of assignments that have been submitted to the order servicing equipment and may check on account status. Different rights levels may be established for different parties. Loyalty rewards may be awarded for frequent use of the system.

Claims

1. Order servicing equipment for an on-line system that allows a user to order image-based products over the Internet, comprising:

at least one order servicing computer that receives an uploaded digital image over the Internet; and

digital printing equipment, wherein the order servicing computer is configured to present the user with an opportunity to view the uploaded digital image on-line over the Internet, wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide the user with an opportunity to edit the uploaded digital image on-line over the Internet, wherein the digital printing equipment is configured to print the edited digital image to create a print for framing, and wherein the order servicing computer is configured to present the user with an opportunity to select a given type of frame for the print, wherein the order servicing computer is configured to e-mail a message to a party other than the user over the Internet, wherein the message includes a URL that allows the party to view and order prints of the edited digital image on-line using a web browser.

2. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 1 wherein the print is framed using the selected frame after the user places an order, and wherein the order servicing equipment further comprises packaging equipment that is used in packaging the framed print that the user ordered for mailing.

3. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 1 wherein the order servicing computer is configured to allow the user to crop the uploaded digital image on-line.

4. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 3 wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide the user with an opportunity to set up an account at the order servicing equipment by providing a name, e-mail address, and password and is configured to provide the user with an opportunity to provide text associated with the uploaded digital image using the Internet.

5. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 3 wherein the order servicing computer is configured to allow the user to change the uploaded digital image from color to black-and-white during editing on-line.

6. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 5 wherein the order servicing computer is configured to allow the user to change the uploaded digital image contrast during editing on-line.

7. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 1 wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide the user with an on-line opportunity to order frames of different colors and is configured to provide the user with an on-line opportunity to order albums of different materials.

8. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 1 wherein the order servicing computer is configured to allow the user to add audio to the uploaded digital image over the Internet.

9. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 1 wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide the user with an on-line opportunity to select from frames of different colors and mats of different colors and is configured to provide the user with an on-line opportunity to order a framed print of the digital image, wherein the framed print uses the selected frame and the selected mat.

10. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 9 wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide the user with an on-line opportunity to select from different mat styles, wherein the framed print uses the selected mat style.

11. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 1 wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide the user with an opportunity to order a print of a digital image that includes the user as a subject and that includes a background different than the background against which the user was originally photographed.

12. Order servicing equipment that allows customers to place on-line orders for prints of digital images taken by a photographer at an event, comprising:

at least one order servicing computer, wherein the order servicing computer is provided with the digital images taken by the photographer and is provided with customer information including a customer list that includes names of the customers for the event, wherein the order servicing computer uses an assignment title to identify the event, wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide the customers with an on-line opportunity to select the given event from a list of events, wherein in at least some of the digital images a customer in the customer list is a subject of the digital image, wherein the order servicing computer is configured to use the customer information in providing each of the customers with an opportunity to place an on-line order for a print of at least one of the digital images to be mailed to the customer.

13. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 12 wherein at least one of the customers was originally photographed against a solid color background to produce a digital image and wherein that digital image was manipulated to replace the solid color background with a new background, and wherein a print of the digital image that includes the customer with the new background is provided for on-line ordering by the customer over the Internet.

14. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 12 wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide each of the customers with an on-line opportunity to select a frame and to order a print of one of the digital images in the selected frame.

15. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 12 wherein the order servicing computer is configured to allow the customers to crop the digital images on-line before placing orders for the digital images.

16. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 12 wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide opportunities for on-line customer editing of the digital images, wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide the customers with on-line opportunities to order framed prints of the digital images, wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide the customers with on-line opportunities to order prints of digital images of customers in which original backgrounds have been replaced by new backgrounds, and wherein the new backgrounds contain images of people.

17. Order servicing equipment that allows customers to place on-line orders for prints of digital images taken by a photographer at an event, wherein at least some of the digital images include the customers, comprising:

at least one order servicing computer, wherein the order servicing computer is provided with the digital images taken by the photographer and is provided with customer information identifying at least some of the customer in the digital images, wherein the order servicing computer is configured to allow the customers to view the digital images over the Internet using a web browser, wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide the customers with opportunities to order wood and metal framed prints of the digital images over the Internet, wherein at least one of the customers was originally photographed against a solid color background to produce a digital image and wherein that digital image was manipulated to replace the solid color background with a new background, and wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide the customer with an on-line opportunity to order a print of the digital image that includes the customer with the new background.

18. The order servicing equipment defined in claim 17 wherein the order servicing computer is configured to provide the digital images to a processing lab in a different city than the order servicing computer for printing.