Method and system for collecting images from a plurality of customers

• US 7,599,854 B1
• Filed: 08/02/2000
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shutterfly, LLC
• Original Assignee: Shutterfly Incorporated (Shutterfly, LLC)
• Inventors: Bleiweiss, Avi, Wen, Xin, Baum, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MISIASZEK, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US09/630,752
• Time in Patent Office: 3,352 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/77, 705/72, 705/75, 705/27, 709/23, 709/219
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 15/005 Order systems, e.g. printsorter
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42
• 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 1/00145 from a remote location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00172 directly from a still digital camera or from a storage medium mounted in a still digital camera H04N1/0018 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00175 from a still image storage medium H04N1/00172, H04N1/0018 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00259 with an apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/34 for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems

Abstract

System and method for collecting customers'"'"' images into a kiosk, and transferring images to an image-processing provider for processing. The kiosk includes a computer, a data storage device, an upload port, and an interface for capturing digital images. One method includes accepting image information from a customer into the interface of the kiosk, accepting user-identifier and order information into the kiosk computer, storing a digital representation of the image and associated user-identifier and order information for each customer into a data structure, and sending the data structure to the image-processing provider via the upload port connected to a communication medium such as the internet. Some embodiments also include accepting credit-card payment information, displaying to the customer at least one image from the image information and/or a plurality of thumbnail images from the image information, and/or printing a receipt and/or a printout of thumbnail images from the image information. Optionally, the user specifies a modification to be made to the image information and/or specifies a plurality of delivery addresses. Optionally, the kiosk includes optical scanning of film or prints to generate digital images, transferring image data directly from a digital camera, transferring image data directly from a storage medium, and/or transferring image data into a kiosk data port. Some embodiments include accepting a container of undeveloped film into the kiosk, processing the undeveloped film in the kiosk, and optically scanning the developed film to generate digital representations of the developed film.

Claims

1. A method of collecting images from a plurality of customers into a kiosk, and transferring images from the kiosk to an image-processing provider, wherein the kiosk includes a computer, a data storage device and an interface for capturing digital images, wherein the data storage device includes computer readable media for storing information representative of the digital images, the method comprising:

accepting image information from a customer into the interface of the kiosk;

accepting user-identifier information into the computer, the user-identifier information corresponding to the customer;

accepting order information into the computer, the order information specifying a service to be provided relative to the image information;

storing into a local storage connected to the computer, a digital representation of the image information and associated user identifier information and order information for each of a plurality of different customers into a data structure;

in response to receipt of a first poll request at the kiosk and upon detecting the availability of the data structure, sending data structure address information corresponding to the available data structure from the kiosk to the image-processing provider via the communications medium;

in response to receipt of the sent data structure address information at the image-processing provider, sending a data-structure-fetch request across the communications medium from the image-processing provider to the kiosk;

sending the data structure to the image-processing provider via a communication medium, and

storing the data structure in the image-processing provider.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

removing the data structure from the local storage after the data structure has been sent to the image-processing provider.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data structure includes a reel-control data structure and a plurality of roll data structures.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accepting credit-card payment information into the computer; and

storing into the local storage connected to the computer, a digital representation of the credit-card information associated with the user identifier information.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying to the customer at least one image from the image information.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

displaying to the customer a plurality of thumbnail images from the image information.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

printing a receipt describing the order and including a printout of a plurality of thumbnail images from the image information.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the order information further includes a modification to be made to at least one image from the image information.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the order information further includes a plurality of delivery addresses to which at least one print from the image information is to be delivered.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the accepting image information includes optical scanning of film images and generating digital representations of the film images.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the accepting image information includes transferring image data directly from a digital-image storage medium.

12. The method of claim, 11, wherein the accepting image information includes reading image data directly from a memory stick into the kiosk.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the accepting image information includes reading image data directly from a rotatable storage disk into the kiosk.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the accepting image information includes transferring image data into a universal serial bus (USB) port of the kiosk.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the accepting image information includes transferring image data into a wireless receiver port of the kiosk.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the accepting image information includes:

accepting a container of undeveloped film into the kiosk;

processing the undeveloped film to generate developed film in the kiosk; and

optically scanning the developed film and generating at least one digital representation of the developed film.

17. A kiosk for accepting image-processing orders from a customer for processing at a remote image-processing provider, the kiosk comprising:

a controller;

a storage device operatively coupled to the controller;

an image input device operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller transfers digital image information from the image input device to the storage device;

a user input device operatively coupled to the controller to produce user-identifier information and order information based on input from the customer, wherein the order information specifies a service to be provided relative to the image information, and wherein the controller associates the user-identifier information and the order information with the digital image, information; and

a data transmission interface operatively coupled to the controller and to a communication medium, wherein the controller sends the digital image information and its associated user-identifier information and order information to the image-processing provider via a communication medium, wherein in response to receipt of a first poll request at the kiosk and upon detecting the availability of the data structure, the controller sends data structure address information corresponding to the available data structure from the kiosk to the image-processing provider via the communications medium; and

in response to receipt of the sent data structure address information at the image-processing provider, the controller sends a data-structure-fetch request across the communications medium from the image-processing provider to the kiosk.

18. The kiosk according to claim 17, further comprising:

a credit-card information input device operatively coupled to the controller.

19. The kiosk according to claim 17, further comprising:

a display that shows to the customer at least one image from the image information.

20. The kiosk according to claim 19, wherein the user input device further accepts input from the customer to specify a modification to be made to at least one image from the image information, and wherein the display provides a visual indication of the image as modified by the modification.

21. The kiosk according to claim 17, further comprising:

a display that shows to the customer a plurality of thumbnail images from the image information.

22. The kiosk according to claim 21, further comprising:

a printer that prints a receipt that describes the order and includes a printout of the plurality of thumbnail images from the image information.

23. The kiosk according to claim 17, wherein the user input device further accepts order information indicating a plurality of delivery addresses to which at least one print from the image information is to be delivered.

24. The kiosk according to claim 17, wherein the image-input device includes an optical scanner of film images that generates digital representations of the film images.

25. The kiosk according to claim 17, wherein the image input device includes a digital camera interface that transfers image data directly from a digital camera.

26. The kiosk according to claim 17, wherein the image input device includes a storage medium interface that transfers image data directly from a storage medium.

27. The kiosk according to claim 26, wherein the storage medium interface includes a memory stick port into the kiosk.

28. The kiosk according to claim 26, wherein the storage medium interface includes a disk interface that reads image data directly from a rotatable storage disk into the kiosk.

29. The kiosk according to claim 26, wherein the storage medium interface includes a universal serial bus (USB) port into the kiosk.

30. The kiosk according to claim 26, wherein the storage medium interface includes a wireless receiver port into the kiosk.

31. The kiosk according to claim 17, wherein the image input device includes:

a mechanical port that accepts a container of undeveloped film into the kiosk;

a film processor coupled to the mechanical port that processes the undeveloped film to generate developed film in the kiosk; and

an optical scanner that scans the developed film and generates at least one digital representation of the developed film.

32. A remote film processing system for obtaining digital image data from a customer and remotely processing image prints, the system comprising:

a network;

a kiosk coupled to the network; and

means for obtaining the digital image data into the kiosk and locally storing the data, and for transferring the data to a repository system interconnected to the kiosk by the network

means, in response to receipt of a first poll request at the kiosk and if a data structure is available, for sending data structure address information corresponding to available data structure from the kiosk via the communications medium; and

in response to receipt of the sent data structure address information at the image-processing provider, sending a data-structure-fetch request across the communications medium to the kiosk.

33. A computer-implemented method of business comprising:

accepting image information at a first business location;

accepting user-identifier information and order information associated with the image information at the first business location;

processing and digitally storing a plurality of images from the image information at the first business location;

accepting payment at the first business location;

transferring the digital stored images to a second business location across a communications medium;

storing the digital images at the second business location;

processing prints of the stored images at the second business location; and

deliver the processed prints to a customer

in response to receipt of a first poll request and if data structure is available, sending data structure address information corresponding to the available data structure via the communications medium; and

in response to receipt of the sent data structure address information at the image-processing provider, sending a data-structure-fetch request across the communications medium.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the first business location includes an automated kiosk.

35. The method according to claim 33, further comprising:

displaying the images to the customer at the first business location.

36. The method according to claim 35, further comprising:

accepting input from the customer specifying a modification to be made to at least one image; and

displaying a modified image resulting from the modification.

37. The method according to claim 33, further comprising:

accepting a payment from the customer into the kiosk.

38. The method according to claim 33, further comprising:

accepting a credit-card payment from the customer into the kiosk.

39. The method according to claim 33, further comprising:

accepting input from the customer specifying a delivery address for the processed prints.

40. The method according to claim 33, further comprising:

accepting input from the customer specifying a plurality of delivery addresses for the processed prints.

41. The method according to claim 33, further comprising:

accepting input from the customer specifying at least one delivery address for the processed prints;

displaying the images to the customer at the first business location;

accepting input from the customer specifying a modification to be made to at least one image;

displaying a modified image resulting from the modification; and

accepting a payment from the customer into the kiosk.

42. The method according to claim 33, further comprising:

transferring a data structure that includes image data of a plurality of customers across an Internet correction within a single Internet session.

43. An automated kiosk for accepting image-processing orders from a customer for processing at a remote image-processing provider, the kiosk comprising:

a controller;

a storage device operatively coupled to the controller;

a plurality of image input devices operatively coupled to the controller, each input device accepting a different type of image information, wherein the controller transfers digital image information from the image input devices to the storage device;

a credit-card reader operatively coupled to the controller, the reader operable to read data of a credit card;

a user input device operatively coupled to the controller to produce user-identifier information and order information based on input from the customer, wherein the order information specifies a service to be provided relative to the image information, and wherein the controller associates the user-identifier information and the order information with the digital image information;

a display that displays the digital image information, user-identifier information, and order information; and

a data transmission interface operatively coupled to the controller and to a communication medium, wherein the controller sends the digital image information and its associated user-identifier information and order information to the image-processing provider via a communication medium, wherein in response to receipt of a first poll request at the kiosk and upon detecting the availability of the data structure, the controller sends data structure address information corresponding to the available data structure from the kiosk to the image-processing provider via the communications medium; and

in response to receipt of the sent data structure address information at the image-processing provider, the controller sends a data-structure-fetch request across the communications medium from the image-processing provider to the kiosk.

44. A method of collecting images from a plurality of customers into an image-upload kiosk, and transferring images from the kiosk to an image-processing provider, wherein the kiosk includes a data storage device and an input interface for capturing digital images, wherein the data storage device includes computer readable media for storing information representative of the digital images, the method comprising:

storing image and associated user-identification and order information from each of the plurality of customers into the storage device of the kiosk;

connecting the kiosk to a telecommunications channel; and

transferring the information over the telecommunications channel from the kiosk to the image-processing provider, wherein transferring the information over the communications channel includes storing the information to a storage device at the image-processing provider;

in response to receipt of a first poll request at the kiosk and upon detecting the availability of the data structure, sending data structure address information corresponding to the available data structure from the kiosk to the image-processing provider via the communications medium; and

in response to receipt of the sent data structure address information at the image-processing provider, sending a data-structure-fetch request across the communications medium from the image-processing provider to the kiosk.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the image-upload kiosk includes a receptacle, wherein storing image and associated user-identification and order information includes:

removing a data-storage medium from a digital imaging system; and

inserting the data-storage medium in the receptacle.

46. The method according to claim 44, wherein the image upload kiosk includes a receptacle and a button, wherein storing image and associated user-identification and order information includes:

removing a data-storage medium from a digital imaging system;

inserting the data-storage medium in the receptacle; and

depressing the button.

47. The method according to claim 44, wherein the telecommunications channel includes a telephone network.

48. The method according to claim 47, wherein the image upload kiosk includes a receptacle, wherein storing image and associated user-identification and order information includes:

removing a data-storage medium from a digital imaging system;

inserting the data-storage medium in the receptacle; and

wherein transferring the information over the communications channel further includes establishing a telephone connection between the image upload device and the image-processing provider.

49. The method according to claim 44, wherein the telecommunications channel includes a cable network.

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein the image upload kiosk includes a receptacle, wherein storing image and associated user-identification and order information includes:

removing a data-storage medium from a digital imaging system;

inserting the data-storage medium in the receptacle; and

wherein transferring the information over the communications channel further includes establishing a connection through the cable network between the image upload device and the image-processing provider.

51. The method according to claim 44, wherein the image upload kiosk includes a cradle having a data transfer interface and wherein storing image and associated user-identification and order information includes placing a digital imaging system in the cradle.

52. The method according to claim 51, wherein the digital imaging system includes a rechargeable electrical-energy source and wherein the cradle includes a battery-recharge circuit, wherein connecting the data storage device to the image upload device includes recharging the rechargeable electrical-energy source.

53. The method according to claim 44, wherein the image upload kiosk includes a cradle and a button, wherein storing image and associated user-identification and order information includes placing the digital imaging system in the cradle and depressing the button.

54. The method according to claim 53, wherein the digital imaging system includes a rechargeable electrical-energy source and wherein the cradle includes a battery recharge circuit, wherein connecting the data storage device to the image upload device includes recharging the rechargeable electrical-energy source.

55. A digital image transfer system, comprising:

a processor;

memory connected to the processor;

a digital imaging system interface corrected to the processor, wherein the digital imaging system interface is capable of receiving information representative of digital images from a digital imaging system;

a user interface connected to the processor, the user interface capable of inputting user-identification, order, and payment information from each one of a plurality of customers;

a storage device coupled to the processor, that stores the digital images and the associated user-identification and order information;

an event detector coupled to the processor; and

an image-processing provider interface connected to the processor, wherein the image-processing provider interface is capable of connecting to a communications medium in order to transfer digital images from the digital imaging system interface and the image information and the user-identification and order information from the user interface through the communications medium to an image-processing provider in response to an event detected by the event detector, wherein in response to receipt of a first poll request at the kiosk and upon detecting the availability of the data structure, the processor sends data structure address information corresponding to the available data structure from the kiosk to the image-processing provider via the communications medium; and

in response to receipt of the sent data structure address information at the image-processing provider, the processor sends a data-structure-fetch request across the communications medium from the image-processing provider to the kiosk.

56. The system according to claim 55, wherein the event detector includes a timer and wherein the event is a time-based event.

57. The system according to claim 55, wherein the event detector includes an Internet connection and wherein the event is a poll message from the image-processing provider.

58. The system according to claim 55, wherein the event detector includes a storage space detector and wherein the event is a predetermined amount of image data being stored in the storage device.

59. The system according to claim 55, wherein the user interface further includes an image display that displays digital images to the customer.

60. A digital image upload apparatus comprising:

a digital data interface for receiving digital image data, and means, coupled to the interface, for storing and later uploading the digital image data across a communications medium;

means, in response to receipt of a first poll request at the kiosk and if the data structure is available, for sending data structure address information corresponding to the available data structure from the interface via the communications medium; and

means, in response to receipt of the sent data structure address information, for sending a data-structure-fetch request across the communications medium to the interface.

61. A method of collecting images and order information by an image-processing provider from at least one image kiosk, wherein the image kiosk includes a computer, a data storage device and an interface for capturing digital images, wherein the data storage device includes computer readable media for storing information representative of the digital images, the method comprising:

accepting image information from a customer into the interface of the kiosk;

storing the image information into a local storage;

sending inquiring signal from the image-processing provider to the kiosk;

replying the inquiring signal with an image use signal;

transferring the image data to the image-processing provider via a communication medium;

in response to receipt a first poll request at the kiosk and upon detecting the availability of the data structure, sending data structure address information corresponding to the available data structure from the kiosk to the image-processing provider via the communications medium; and

in response to receipt of the sent data structure address information at the image-processing provider, sending a data-structure-fetch request across the communications medium from the image-processing provider to the kiosk.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising:

removing the image information from the local storage after the image-data transfer.