System for coding a recorded image, and method therefor

• US 7,466,909 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2005
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Meininger Beheer
• Original Assignee: Maxifoto International, N.V.
• Inventors: Meininger, Peter Cornelis
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey; W. B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Strieb; Michael A
• Application Number:
  US10/556,523
• Publication Number:
  US 20070172225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,433 Days
• Field of Search: 396/2, 396/429, 705/14
• US Class Current: 396/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for making, viewing and/or ordering a photographic image, comprising the following steps of:—making a recorded image with a digital camera;—wirelessly sending the image, immediately after it has been made, to a processing unit for processing of the digital data from the digital camera; and—wirelessly sending a code to a printing unit during processing of the digital data, which printing unit is disposed close to or at a predetermined distance from a digital camera, wherein the person of whom an image is made receives a receipt with a code with which he/she can view and/or order the recorded image.

Claims

1. Method for making, viewing and, optionally ordering one or more photographic images, comprising the following steps of:

making a recorded image with a mobile digital camera;

wirelessly sending the image, immediately after it has been made, to a processing unit for processing of the digital data from the digital camera; and

exchanging a code between the processing unit and an issue location to a printing unit during processing of the digital data, which issue location is close to or at a predetermined distance from the digital camera, wherein a person of whom an image is made receives a receipt with the code with which he/she can view and, optionally order the recorded image.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein wireless transmission takes place within a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) wherein the digital camera or the printing unit is provided with a WiFi antenna.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the digital camera or the printing unit are connected to a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) which is also provided with means for wireless communication.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the code is issued by a printer unit disposed close to the digital camera, the code being transmitted wirelessly to the printer.

4. A system for coding a recorded image, comprising:

a camera for making the recorded image;

a transmitter/receiver for sending the recorded image;

a central processing unit for receiving and processing the recorded image and for assigning thereto a code for identification of the image; and

a code printer for printing on a receipt the code generated by the processing unit.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, also comprising means for wireless communication in accordance with a WLAN or WiFi protocol between the camera, the central processing unit, and the code printer.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, also comprising a code reader for reading the code on the receipt and displaying the associated image on a screen in response to the read code.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, also comprising printing means for printing the recorded image associated with the code.

8. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the camera, processing unit and code printer communicate wirelessly with each other over a relatively large distance, for instance in the order of magnitude of about 3 km.

10. A method for obtaining one or more photographic images for use by a person at a ski resort, the method comprising the steps of:

making a recorded image with a digital camera;

sending the image via a cable, immediately after it has been made, to a processing unit for processing of the digital data from the digital camera; and

exchanging a code between the processing unit and an issue location to a printing unit during processing of the digital data, which issue location is close to or at a predetermined distance from the digital camera, wherein the person of whom an image is made receives a receipt with this code with which he/she can view and/or order the recorded image.