Method and system of displaying, managing and selling images in an event photography environment

• US 8,392,268 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2010
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Image Holdings Corporation (Lap-Shun Hui, MBA)
• Original Assignee: Image Holdings Corporation (Lap-Shun Hui, MBA)
• Inventors: Smith, Caine, Davies, Brynley, Weil, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Civan, Ethan D
• Application Number:
  US12/883,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20110066494A1
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 705 26- 27
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/54 about vertical axes
• 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 1/00169 Digital image input
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 Printing, e.g. prints or reprints H04N1/0019, H04N1/00196 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0019 on souvenir-type products or the like, e.g. T-shirts or mugs
• 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 1/00198 Creation of a soft photo presentation, e.g. digital slide-show
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00458 Sequential viewing of a plurality of images, e.g. browsing or scrolling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00525 Providing a more compact apparatus, e.g. sheet discharge tray in cover
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00938 Software related arrangements, e.g. loading applications program loading in general G06F9/445
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/34 for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 : of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3246 : of data relating to permitted access or usage, e.g. level of access or usage parameters for digital rights management [DRM] related to still images
• 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 2201/3253 : Position information, e.g. geographical position at time of capture, GPS data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 : of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3273 : Display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 : Transmission

Abstract

A system for displaying photographs is provided. The display system includes a plurality of rotatable carousels that each possess a plurality of slots for receiving folders that hold photographs taken by an event organizer.

Claims

1. A method for providing images to an event attendee, comprising:

obtaining an image of the attendee with a camera associated with an event server;

accessing said event server to access said image;

printing said image;

placing said image in an attendee-specific folder;

placing said attendee-specific folder in a display device, said display device employing at least one

carousel; and

providing a visual indication of the location of said folder within said display device when the attendee scans a code, swipes a card, enters a code, or swipes an RFID key card, said visual indication reminding the attendee of at least one of a physical location of said carousel and a physical location of said attendee-specific folder.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said display device is automated wherein upon receiving an attendee prompt, said at least one carousel will rotate to place said folder adjacent to the attendee.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one carousel is comprised of independently rotating tiers.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said display device includes at least one storage location.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising linking said image with the attendee.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said linking is achieved by facial recognition.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the attendee is given a code that is used to link them to said image.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the attendee links to said image by accessing a code from a wireless device and conveying said code to an event holder after said image is obtained.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said code is conveyed wirelessly to said event holder.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein a photographer receives said code.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating image-related products and placing said image-related products into said folder.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the attendee provides an intention to review an image before said image is printed.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said display device comprises at least one video monitor that is adapted to display advertisements related to image-related items.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying the attendee that said image has been placed in said folder.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said event server comprises the hardware and operational software that stores images and attendee information, provides access to said images, and permits copying and manipulation of images.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting a signal to said event server that would contain data identifying the attendee and the image.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein in notifying comprises sending a message to the attendee by way of at least one of a text, an email, the Internet, or an intranet site associated with the event.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing the attendee with access to a software application;

providing the attendee with access to a digital version of said image; and

allowing the attendee to purchase images using said software application.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein providing the attendee with access to digital versions of said image comprises establishing a connection to said event server that allows the attendee to view said image using the software application.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein establishing a connection to said event server using the software application comprises accessing the software application at a website using the internet.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein providing the attendee with access to digital versions of said image and providing the attendee with access to a software application comprises forwarding said image and said software application to the attendee.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

storing said image and said software application on an electronic readable medium and forwarding said electronic readable medium to the attendee.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein said visual indication comprises blinking lights on said carousel.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein said visual indication comprises blinking lights associated with the specific location of said attendee-specific folder.

23. A method for providing images to an event attendee, comprising:

obtaining an image of the attendee;

printing said image;

placing said image in an attendee-specific folder;

placing said attendee-specific folder in a display device, said display device employing at least one carousel; and

providing a visual indication of the location of said attendee-specific folder within said display device when the attendee scans a code, swipes a card, enters a code, or swipes an RFID key card, said visual indication reminding the attendee of at least one of a physical location of said carousel and a physical location of said attendee-specific folder.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing a card reader in the general vicinity of said carousel, said card reader reminding the attendee of the location of said attendee-specific folder when said card is scanned, swiped, or otherwise accessed by said card reader.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein a visual indication of said attendee-specific folder location triggered when said card is scanned, swiped, or otherwise accessed by said card reader.