Method for managing images over a communication network

• US 20020196344A1
• Filed: 06/26/2001
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Fredlund, John R., McIntyre, Dale F., Manico, Joseph A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,995,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• 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 1/0014 via e-mail
• 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 1/00177 from a user terminal, e.g. personal computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 Printing, e.g. prints or reprints H04N1/0019, H04N1/00196 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3222 of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users

Abstract

A method for providing digital images over a communication network to a user using instruction obtained from a roll of film containing images or wireless image capture device. The instruction may be obtained by analyzing the image for an image content identifier. The instructions may include the obtaining of an offer by a third party over the communication network for providing the service.

Claims

1. A method for providing digital images of a first resolution to a user comprising the steps of:

processing roll of film and digitizing images on said roll of film and forming said first resolution digital images;

recognizing a content identifier said roll of film by analyzing said digital images, said content identifier providing information or instructions; and

transmitting said first resolution digital images to a service provider over a communication network, said service provider forwarding said first resolution digital images to a computer of a recipient over said communication network after forming a copy of each of said first resolution digital images in accordance with said instructions.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:

said service provider storing said copy of each first resolution digital image for future access by the user and/or authorized third parties over said communication network.

3. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

said service provider using content identifiers associated with said user to automatically recognize content within said digital images; and

automatically transmitting over said communication network said content information correlated to said transmitted first resolution digital images.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said copy comprises a resolution less than said first resolution image.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said service provider storing high resolution images for an ordering period after which said high resolution images are automatically transferred to the user computer and said stored high resolution images are converted to low resolution images and added to the user'"'"'s low resolution image collection.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein said service provider either automatically or on request can look for images to which an icon provided by a user has been applied and automatically forward the identified images to said user.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein a bill is generated for payment upon the providing of the requested service.

14. A method according to claim 12 wherein a debt is generated against an account as a result of providing of the requested service.

15. A method according to claim 12 wherein loyalty points are generated as a result of said request service.

16. A method according to claim 12 wherein said requested services includes the providing additional information such as content identifiers useful in completing the service.

17. A method according to claim 12 wherein said requested service comprises cataloging the media files.

18. A method according to claim 12 wherein a fee is charged based on actions of the users of the images.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein said action comprises the adding or deleting of images.

5. A method for providing first resolution digital images to a user comprising the steps of:

obtaining instructions with respect to a user account;

receiving first resolution digital images from a wireless capture device via a communications network; and

transmitting said high resolution digital images to a service provider, said service provider forwarding said first resolution digital images to a user computer after forming a copy of each of said first resolution digital images.

6. A method according to claim 5 further comprising the step of:

said service provider storing said copy of each high resolution digital image for future access by the user and/or authorized third parties.

7. A method according to claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

said service provider using content identifiers associated with said user to automatically recognize content within said digital images; and

automatically transmitting over a communication network said content information correlated to said transmitted first resolution digital images.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein said copy comprises a resolution copy less than said first resolution image.

9. A method according to claim 6 wherein said wireless capture device comprises an electronic camera.

12. A method of requesting services from a third party, comprising the steps of:

providing instructions to a service provider over a communication network with respect to a digital image that is contained in a digital image media file;

said service provider making available said request for a service over said communication network;

obtaining an offer by a third party over said communication network for providing said service;

upon accepting of said offer, said service provider providing access to said digital image media file for fulfillment of said service.