Method of processing a roll of exposed photographic film containing photographic images into corresponding digital images and then distributing visual prints produced from the digital images

• US 7,199,860 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2005
• Issued: 04/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Garfinkle, Philip N., Jaffe, Elliot D., Yaacov, Yaacov Ben
• Primary Examiner(s): MATHEWS, ALAN A
• Application Number:
  US11/109,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20050206864A1
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 355/18, 355/40, 355/77, 396/311, 396/429, 705/1, 705/26, 705/27, 705/40, 705/51, 705/57, 705/58, 705/59, 707/104.1, 709/217, 709/219, 358/1.15, 358/506, 358/487, 358/527, 348/96, 348/211, 348/552
• US Class Current: 355/40
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 15/005 Order systems, e.g. printsorter
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• 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 1/0014 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 1/00172 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 1/00185 Image output for details of particular output arrangements see the relevant sub-class, e.g. B41J, G03B, G09G, G11B
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 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 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/34 for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4426 involving separate means, e.g. a server, a magnetic card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/444 : to a particular document or image or part thereof

Abstract

This invention is directed to a method of processing at least one digital image of at least one photographic image and distributing at least one visual print produced from the at least one digital image. The method includes the steps of storing at least one digital image of at least one photographic image on at least one image server at a first location. Selective authorized access to the at least one digital image of the at least one photographic image from a second location is then facilitated. Orders are received for at least one visual print of the at least one photographic image from the second location. Based upon the orders, at least one visual image is produced from the stored digital image at the first location in response to the at least one order.

Claims

1. A method for ordering digital image products over a communication network, comprising:

a. storing at least one digital image on a remote server of a service provider;

b. placing an order by a user for at least one image product using a remote computer over a communication network with respect to said at least one digital image and said user designating the location at which said image product is to be picked up at which said designated location said order was fulfilled;

c. producing said at least one image product; and

d. picking up said image product at said designated location.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one image product is produced at a location separate from said designated pick-up location.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one digital image was obtained by scanning a roll of photographic film.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one digital image was obtained from a digital capture device.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein said digital capture device comprises a digital camera.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said at least one digital image was obtained from a user uploading said at least one digital image to said remote server over a communication network.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein said remote server controls access to said at least one image.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said service provider controls access to said at least one image.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein said user picks up said order at said designated location.

10. A method for ordering digital image products over a communication network, comprising:

a. storing at least one digital image on a remote server of a service provider;

b. placing an order by a user for at least one image product with respect to said at least one digital image over a communication network using a remote computer and said user selecting a fulfillment center at which said product is to produced; and

c. producing said at least one image product.

11. The method according to claim 10 further comprising delivering said order to said user.

12. The method according to claim 10 further comprising delivering said order to a designated third party.

13. The method according to claim 10 wherein said at least one image product is delivered at said designated fulfillment center.

14. The method according to claim 10 wherein said at least one digital image was obtained by scanning a roll of photographic film.

15. The method according to claim 10 wherein said at least one digital image was obtained from a digital capture device.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein said digital capture device comprises a digital camera.

17. The method according to claim 10 wherein said at least one digital image was obtained from said user uploading said at least one digital image to said remote server over a communication network.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein said remote server controls access to said at least one digital image.

19. The method according to claim 10 wherein said service provider controls storage and access to said at least one image.

20. The method according to claim 10 wherein said user picks up said order at said designated location.