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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A method for providing customized photo services by a service provider
using images transmitted from a digital camera to the service provider.
The service provider provides photo services after a user service
account containing data identifying a photo service.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A method for providing customized photo services by a service
provider, using images transmitted from a digital camera to the
service provider, comprising: a) a service provider providing a
menu identifying a plurality of different photo services that can
be selected by a user; b) the service provider establishing a user
service account containing data identifying a photo service selected
by the user from the menu; c) storing, in the digital camera, a
service account identifier which can be transmitted from the camera
to the service provider in order to identify the user service account;
d) the service provider communicating with a modem in the digital
camera and receiving the service account identifier and a plurality
of digital images captured using the digital camera; e) the service
provider using the service account identifier to identify the user
service account, f) the service provider reading the identified
user service account and data identifying the photo service selected
by the user from the menu, and; g) the service provider providing
the photo service previously selected by the user from the menu,
using the plurality of digital images received from the digital
camera.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the modem transmits the plurality
of digital images over a network to the service provider.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the network is the Internet.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein service account identifier is
stored in firmware memory in the digital camera
5. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of digital
images is stored in an image file and the service account identifier
is also stored in such image file.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider also receives,
from the digital camera, a utilization file.
7. The method of claim 6 where the utilization file identifies
transferred digital images to be printed.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the user service account further
includes an address of a designated recipient.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected photo service provides
prints of the plurality of digital images.
10. The method of claim 9 further including the step of delivering
the prints to indicated locations of one or more designated recipients.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein one of the plurality of different
photo services provides album pages.
12. The method of claim 11 further including providing the album
pages in different layout formats.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the plurality of different photo
services includes a plurality of different size prints.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the user service account includes
a payment identifier that specified the account to be charged for
services.
15. A method for providing customized photo services by a imaging
service provider, using images transmitted by a digital communications
network provider from a digital camera, comprising: a) an imaging
service provider providing a menu identifying a plurality of different
photo services that can be selected by a user; b) the imaging service
provider establishing a user service account containing data identifying
a photo service selected by the user from the menu; c) storing,
in the digital camera, a service account identifier which can be
transmitted from the camera through the digital communications network
to the imaging service provider in order to identify the user service
account; d) the imaging service provider communicating via the digital
communications network with a modem in the digital camera and receiving
the service account identifier and a plurality of digital images
captured using the digital camera; e) the imaging service provider
using the service account identifier to identify the user service
account, f) the imaging service provider reading the identified
user service account and data identifying the photo service selected
by the user from the menu, and; g) the imaging service provider
providing the photo service previously selected by the user from
the menu, using the plurality of digital images received from the
digital camera.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein each of the plurality of digital
images is stored in an image file and the service account identifier
is also stored in such image file.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the service provider also receives,
from the digital camera, a utilization file identifying transferred
digital images to be printed.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the user service account further
includes an address of a designated recipient.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the selected photo service provides
prints of the plurality of digital images.
20. The method of claim 1 wherein the user service account includes
a payment identifier that specified the account to be charged for
services.
Digital Camera Patent Description
textCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/576,288
filed May 23, 2000. Reference is made to commonly assigned U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/534,469, filed Mar. 24, 2000, entitled
"Configuring and Purchasing Imaging Devices" to Kenneth
A. Parulski.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to customizing photo products
incorporating images and, more particularly, to using the Internet
or other electronic network for providing customized photo products.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Digital images, from digital cameras or scanned photographic
film, can be uploaded to a web site for viewing, as described in
commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,215 to Fredlund, et al. Using
a web browser, a group of these digital images can be viewed and
selected for printing, for example using the Kodak Photonet Service.
The user can select the size of each print to be produced, and the
quantity of prints to be made from each image.
[0004] Album pages can be produced from digital images by arranging
numerous images on the same page, as described in commonly assigned
U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,061 to Manico, et al. These album pages can
be customized in terms of the size and arrangement of images on
the page, the size and finish of the album pages, and the background
color or patterns used.
[0005] Some web sites, such as the site provided by OFOTO at www.ofoto.com,
enable a user to upload a group of digital images for sharing with
others over the internet and for providing digital printing services.
This site permits a user to obtain an account using their e-mail
address as the account name, and to provide a password and address
information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method
for providing customized photo services by a service provider, using
images transmitted from a digital camera to the service provider,
comprising:
[0007] a) a service provider providing a menu identifying a plurality
of different photo services that can be selected by a user;
[0008] b) the service provider establishing a user service account
containing data identifying a photo service selected by the user
from the menu;
[0009] c) storing, in the digital camera, a service account identifier
which can be transmitted from the camera to the service provider
in order to identify the user service account;
[0010] d) the service provider communicating with a modem in the
digital camera and receiving the service account identifier and
a plurality of digital images captured using the digital camera;
[0011] e) the service provider using the service account identifier
to identify the user service account,
[0012] f) the service provider reading the identified user service
account and data identifying the photo service selected by the user
from the menu, and;
[0013] g) the service provider providing the photo service previously
selected by the user from the menu, using the plurality of digital
images received from the digital camera.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention for providing
customized photo services by an imaging service provider, using
images transmitted by a digital communications network provider
from a digital camera, comprising:
[0015] a) an imaging service provider providing a menu identifying
a plurality of different photo services that can be selected by
a user;
[0016] b) the imaging service provider establishing a user service
account containing data identifying a photo service selected by
the user from the menu;
[0017] c) storing, in the digital camera, a service account identifier
which can be transmitted from the camera through the digital communications
network to the imaging service provider in order to identify the
user service account;
[0018] d) the imaging service provider communicating via the digital
communications network with a modem in the digital camera and receiving
the service account identifier and a plurality of digital images
captured using the digital camera;
[0019] e) the imaging service provider using the service account
identifier to identify the user service account,
[0020] f) the imaging service provider reading the identified user
service account and data identifying the photo service selected
by the user from the menu, and;
[0021] g) the imaging service provider providing the photo service
previously selected by the user from the menu, using the plurality
of digital images received from the digital camera.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B;
[0023] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict block diagrams of a system that implements
this invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a typical transaction for providing
customized photo products over a network;
[0025] FIG. 3 depicts a selection of print sizes, picture frame
styles, and picture frame mattes provided by the system of FIGS.
1A and 1B;
[0026] FIG. 4 depicts an album page that can be provided by the
system of FIGS. 1A and 1B;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting the service account information
stored;
[0028] FIG. 6 depicts in more detail a digital camera shown as
a block in FIGS. 1A and 1B that is connected to a network service
provider using a built-in modem; and
[0029] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a typical transaction for printing
images uploaded from the digital camera of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] In accordance with the present invention, a method for providing
customized photo products uses an Internet accessible server which
accesses an electronic database and provides information on service
options to a user at a remote location. The photo products can include
standard print sizes and finishes, enlargements and frames, and
complete album pages. These photo products can be customized to
further include customized graphics, text, or image templates. The
user establishes a service account and uploads a first group of
digital images to be printed. The user selects the type of photo
products that they prefer, and selects all of the options they prefer.
This customer preference information is retained as part of the
service account stored by the service provider, or using a special
file on the user's computer accessible to the service provider.
When the user subsequently accesses their account to upload a second
group of digital images, this user service account data is recalled
and can be used to providing matching photo products using the second
group of digital images. In this way, the user can easily get the
same type of digital prints, or other photo products, as in an earlier
order, and does not need to remember and re-enter their choices
to the numerous options. The user can access the digital printing
service from their home PC via a modem, or from a retail kiosk.
[0031] The following discussion is for the situation where the
user prefers to have images arranged and printed as album pages.
On the user's first visit to the service provider web site, a user
can select an album page size, an album cover, and preferred layout
formats, background colors, patterns, and/or templates. The user
then uploads the images to be printed and provides a payment identifier
and shipping address. The images are then arranged on album pages,
printed, inserted in the album (which can use a 3-ring binder) and
then mailed to the customer. Many weeks or months later, the user
returns to the same web site to upload and print an additional group
of digital images. The service provider recognizes (through the
use of a "cookie" or via an account number) that the user
has previously ordered services, and accesses the stored account
information for that user. The user is then presented with the option
of printing the new images using the same album page size, finish,
layout, etc. This permits the user to obtain album pages that match
those previously purchased. The new pages are mailed to the user.
The service provider also keeps track of the album capability and
the number of pages used, to automatically print ascending page
numbers and suggest that the user purchase a new album when the
new album pages will exceed the capability of the user's present
album.
[0032] In an alternate embodiment, the user decides to produce
a number of framed images of a certain size, with a specific border
matte color and type of picture frame. This information is stored
as part of the user account. When the user returns at a later time
to print additional images that will be displayed in the same way
(e.g. that will be displayed alongside some of the originally printed
images on the same wall of the user's family room, for example)
information on the border matte color and type of picture frame
is recalled from the user account, and the user is able to immediately
order new photo products having the same size, matte color, and
type of picture frame.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the system includes a home
computer system (with associated peripherals) 10 located at the
customer location (e.g., their home). The system also includes equipment
located at a network service provider 30, such as an internet service
provider (ISP), which communicates with the home computer system
10 to provide a network connection for the customer to a channel
36, such as the Internet. The system also includes a retail kiosk
80 that communicates with the channel 36. The system further includes
a fulfillment center 40 which communicates with the home computer
system 10 and the retail kiosk 80 via the channel 36 and the network
service provider 30 to perform the steps of selecting, configuring,
purchasing, billing, and shipping a photo product 66. The fulfillment
center 40 includes an electronic database 44, which is located remote
from the computer 10 and the retail kiosk 80.
[0034] The various portions of the fulfillment center 40 can be
located in a single building or complex of adjacent buildings, or
can be geographically disbursed over several sites in different
cities or even different continents. For example, the electronic
database 44 and the production controller 52 can be provided by
computers located in different cities and interconnected via a suitable
digital communications network, such as the Internet. Furthermore,
the electronic database 44 can itself be distributed over several
computers in several different locations.
[0035] The home computer system 10, which can be, for example,
a Dell Dimension XPS M200, includes a CPU motherboard 12, using,
for example, a Pentium 200 MHz MMX processor as well as RAM memory.
The CPU motherboard 12 executes software stored on a hard drive
20, for example, the well known Windows 98 operating system software
and the Internet Explorer web browser software, both provided by
Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash. The CPU motherboard 12 is coupled
to a display monitor 14 and a keyboard 16. A mouse 18 permits the
customer to readily communicate with the CPU motherboard 12. The
customer's computer 10 also includes a dial-in modem 22 for communicating
with the network service provider 30 in order to connect to a channel
36, such as the Internet.
[0036] The CPU motherboard 12 communicates with a color scanner
4, such as a Microtek ScanMaker E6, which can scan color photographs
(not shown) and store digital images of the photographs on the hard
drive 20. The CPU motherboard 12 also communicates with a CD reader
2. The CD reader 2 can be used to input digital images from a CD-R
disc, such as a Kodak PictureCD (not shown). The CPU motherboard
12 also communicates with a digital camera 6 via a suitable interface,
such as the well known USB or RS-232 serial interfaces. The digital
camera 6, for example a Kodak DC280 Zoom digital camera, can be
used to provide digital images. The digital images provided by the
CD reader 2, scanner 4, and digital camera 6 can be uploaded from
the home computer system 10 to the fulfillment center 40 via network
service provider 30 and channel 36.
[0037] The network service provider 30, for example, Earthlink
Network, Inc. of Pasadena, Calif., includes banks of modems 32,
one of which is connected to communicate with the modem 22 of the
customer's computer 10. The modem 32 in turn communicates with computers/routers
34 in order to provide a connection to the channel 36 using equipment
and techniques well known to those skilled in the art.
[0038] A retail kiosk 80 is located at a retail site, such as a
photo specialty store in a shopping mall. The retail kiosk 80 includes
a CPU motherboard 82, using, for example, a Pentium II 400 MHz processor
as well as RAM memory. The CPU motherboard 82 executes software
stored on a hard drive 86, for example, the well known Windows NT
4.0 operating system software provided by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond,
Wash. The CPU motherboard 82 is coupled to a touchscreen display
84 which permits the customer to readily communicate with the CPU
motherboard 82. The retail kiosk 80 also includes network interface
88 for communicating with the channel 36.
[0039] The CPU motherboard 82 communicates with a color scanner
94, which can scan color photographs (not shown) and store digital
images of the photographs on the hard drive 86. The CPU motherboard
82 also communicates with a CD reader 92. The CD reader 92 can be
used to input digital images from a CD-R disc, such as a Kodak PictureCD
(not shown). The CPU motherboard 82 also communicates with a card
reader 96 via a suitable interface, such as the well known USB or
RS-422 parallel interfaces. The card reader 96 reads digital images
from a memory card, such as a Compact Flash memory card used to
record digital images in the Kodak DC280 Zoom digital camera. The
digital images provided by the CD reader 92, scanner 94, and card
reader 96 can be uploaded from the retail kiosk 80 to the fulfillment
center 40 via channel 36.
[0040] Images can also be uploaded directly from a digital camera
300, which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6.
[0041] The fulfillment center 40 is connected to the channel 36,
such as the Internet, by a network server 42, such as an Internet
server, which is comprised of one or more computers and associated
peripherals. The electronic database 44 provides information describing
numerous photo product options, including printing a group of digital
images onto album pages. The electronic database 44 can be contained
on the same computer as the network server 42, or can utilize a
separate computer, or can be distributed over several computers
at the same physical site, or at different sites.
[0042] The electronic database 44 includes information describing
different features of the albums and other photo products 66 that
can be selected and customized by the customer at the remote location,
using the customer's computer 10 or retail kiosk 80. The electronic
database 44 includes information describing photo product options,
for example album features such as providing various background
colors or textures, page numbers, page captions, image captions,
etc. The album pages can be bound in a cover, or can include holes
to permit the pages to be inserted into a standard binder, such
as a three-ring binder. These album feature options can be demonstrated
via software programs, for example, JAVA applets, MPEG or QuickTime
movies, or Shockwave files, which depict the functionality of features
that the customer can choose.
[0043] When a photo product 66 is purchased, the electronic database
44 communicates with a billing system 46 to verify that the payment
identifier (e.g., credit card or debit card number) provided by
the customer is valid, and to debit the account for the purchase.
As shown in block 48, the bill is issued. The customer's account
that is debited can, of course, be located at a remote financial
institution. Typically, as with credit cards, this financial institution
will make payment to the direct provider or seller of shippable
photo product 66. This is generally done by wiring the amount into
the direct provider's account, generally an account established
with another financial institution.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the electronic database 44
is connected to production controller 52. The production controller
52 controls one or more color hardcopy printers 54 which can produce
album pages 56 or separate hardcopy prints 58. The hardcopy prints
can be placed in frames 68. The production controller 52 is also
connected to an album label printer 60 which produces labels that
can be attached to a standard album cover to provide custom album
cover 62.
[0045] The production controller 52 also controls a shipping label
printer 70 to produce a shipping label 74. The shipping label 74
is attached to a shipping container 64 (e.g., a cardboard box containing
packing material) that contains and protects the photo product 66
during shipment (e.g., via air express mail, ground carrier, etc.)
to the customer or the customer's designee.
[0046] Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a flow diagram of
a typical purchase transaction for providing personalized digital
imaging products. As shown in block 100, the customer, using a digital
communication network, logs onto the channel 36, which can be the
Internet. The customer can, of course, use a service provider, such
as the network service provider 30, to gain access to the channel
36. The network service provider 30 uses an address, such as an
Internet protocol (IP) address, to establish a connection between
the customer's computer 10 and a product provider or seller which
owns or controls the fulfillment center 40. The customer can also
use retail kiosk 80 to obtain access to the fulfillment center 40.
[0047] In block 102, the customer enters their name, selects a
password, and provides delivery and billing information. This information
identifies the customer and the customer's designee (e.g. the person
to whom the photo product 66 should be shipped, which can of course
be the customer). It includes addresses of both the customer and
one or more of the customer's designees. The customer also identifies
an account to be debited to pay for the photo product(s) to be purchased.
Often this will be a credit card having a payment identifier that
specifies the account of the customer to be charged or debited.
Frequently, this will be in a financial institution. The payment
identifier can be a credit card number that specifies a particular
credit card account. As used in this specification, a credit card
will also include a debit card.
[0048] In block 104, a user service account is established for
the customer. This service account includes the information entered
by the customer in block 102, which will later be augmented by additional
information listing the photo product options selected by the customer.
FIG. 5 provides an example of the service account information. The
billing information (e.g. credit card number) and other sensitive
information provided in the service account can be encrypted to
prevent discovery and unauthorized use.
[0049] In block 106, the fulfillment center 40 provides the customer
with a menu of photo products 66 that are available for customization
and purchase, such as standard service prints, framed hardcopy prints
as depicted in FIG. 3, and customized photo albums as depicted in
FIG. 4. In block 108 the customer selects what type of products
(e.g. standard service prints, framed hardcopy prints, or customized
photo albums) to purchase.
[0050] In block 110, the network server 42 provides a menu of customizable
features for the type of product selected by the user. This menu
is displayed on display monitor 14 if the user is located at the
home computer system 10, or on touchscreen display 84 if the user
is located at retail kiosk 80. In block 112, the customer selects
preferred features for the product type they selected in block 108.
[0051] The options for standard prints include providing the prints
in various sizes (e.g. 3".times.5", 4".times.6",
etc.) and various surface finishes (e.g. glossy, matte finish, etc.).
The standard prints can also include text, such as the date the
picture was captured or printed. The date the pictures were captured
can be obtained from the digital image file to be uploaded, if the
picture was taken by a digital camera or by an APS film camera having
a real-time clock. The user can select whether or not to include
this date stamp, where to position the text (e.g. on the front at
the lower left, or on the back of the print.). The user can also
select the color (e.g. white or yellow) and the font (e.g. Helvetica
or Script) for the date stamp. The user can alternately enter a
text message (e.g. "Photos by Ray" or "Copyright
2000 by Pam") or graphic to overlay a specified area of the
images to be printed.
[0052] FIG. 3 depicts framed options that can be selected by the
user. The options include selecting the size of the print from a
plurality of print sizes 150, including 4".times.6" size
152, 5".times.7" size 154, 8".times.10" size
156, and 14".times.16" size 158. The user selects the
size by selecting the appropriate print size icon (e.g. icon 152,
14, 156, or 158). The options also include selecting a matte style
from a plurality of styles 160, including solid mattes 162 in gray,
tan, and blue, textured mattes 164 in woodgrain, straw, or marble,
and background image mattes 166 including clouds, water, or flowers.
The user selects the matte by selecting the appropriate radio button
(e.g. one of buttons 162, 164, or 166) for their preferred matte
style. The user then selects a picture frame style from a variety
of styles 170, including modern styles 172 in white, red, and black,
classic styles 174 in walnut, oak, and black, and antique styles
176 in gold and silver. The user selects the picture frame style
by selecting the appropriate radio button (e.g. one of buttons 172,
174, or 176) for their preferred frame style. Of course, many more
size, matte, and frame options can be presented to the user using
various types displays, such as pull-down menus, scroll bars, etc.
The selected combination of print size, matte style and frame style
is then presented to the user. For example, if the user selects
a classic walnut frame with a texture wood grain matte, the internet
server 42 would present to the user an image depicting this combination
for the user to review.
[0053] FIG. 4 depicts album options that can be selected by the
user. The options include selecting the size of the album from a
plurality of sizes 200, including 5".times.7" size 202,
8".times.10" size 204, and 10".times.12" size
206. The user selects the size by selecting the appropriate print
size icon (e.g. icon 202, 204, or 206). The options also include
using radio buttons 208 to select single-sided pages (e.g. print
only on 1 side of the album page) or double-sided pages. The options
further include selecting a preferred background style from a plurality
of styles 210, including solid backgrounds 212 in white, gray, or
tan, textured backgrounds 214 in wood grain, straw, or marble, and
background images 216 including clouds, water, or flowers. The user
selects the background style by selecting the appropriate radio
button (e.g. one of buttons 212, 214, or 216). The user then selects
whether to include a page number from a plurality of options using
radio buttons 220. The options include no page numbers and several
different styles of page numbers. The color, size, and font of the
text used for the page numbers and image captions could also be
selected using a separate menu (not shown). Finally, the user selects
an album type from a plurality of album types 230. The album type
is selected by the user by selecting one of the radio buttons for
bound albums 232, 3-ring albums 234 (including 1", 2",
and 3" thick 3-ring albums) or 20-ring albums 236 (including
1" and 2" thick albums). Of course, many more size, background,
and album type options can be presented to the user using various
types displays, such as pull-down menus, scroll bars, etc. The selected
combination of album size, background, page numbers, and album type
is then presented to the user. For example, if the user selects
a 8".times.10" double-sided album pages in a 3-ring, 2"
thick binder with a marble texture background and a particular page
number style, the internet server 42 presents to the user an image
depicting this combination for the user to review.
[0054] In step 114, the customer's selected photo product options
are added to the user's service account information. As depicted
in FIG. 5, the service account information can include information
for several products having different identifiers (ID) such as Product
ID-1 (lines 13-22) which specifies a customized album, Product ID-2
(lines 24-28) which specifies a framed print, and Product ID-3 (lines
30-34) which specifies customized service prints. The album related
information (lines 13-22) includes the page size, album type, and
background style selected. It also includes page number information,
such as the style, font, and color of the text, and the last page
number printed. The last page number information is updated each
time new album pages are printed. It can be used to automatically
tell the user when an album has been filled, and a new album needs
to be purchased. The framed print information (lines 24-28) specifies
the frame size, frame style and color, and matte style. The service
print information (lines 30-34) specifies the print size, print
finish, and the location, font style, size, and color of the date
to be overlaid in the print. The service print information could
also specify other text or graphics selected by the user that should
be added to the images when they are printed. The service print
information is stored in electronic database 44. Alternatively,
the service print information could be stored on hard drive 20 of
home computer system 10 or hard drive 86 of retail kiosk 80.
[0055] In block 116, the customer uploads a first digital image,
or group of digital images, from the home computer system 10 or
retail kiosk 80. This can be done by selecting to upload all the
images from a particular CD inserted in CD reader 2 or CD reader
92, or stored in digital camera 6 or card reader 96, or by individually
selecting images to be uploaded. Alternatively, the customer can
specify a web address or Internet account containing the images
to be uploaded, if the images have previously been uploaded either
by the user or by a service provider, such as the Kodak PhotoNet
service which scans film negatives and uploads the images to a web
site accessible by the customer.
[0056] In block 118, the production controller 52 produces the
customized photo products using the uploaded images and the service
print information stored in electronic database 44. If the user
has ordered an album, the uploaded digital images can be automatically
arranged on the pages and printed by color hardcopy printer 54 to
produce album pages 56 as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat.
No. 6,636,648 issued Oct. 21, 2003 to Alexander C. Loui, et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,181 issued May 14, 2002 to Stephen L. Shaffer,
et al., and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/199,724, filed Nov.
25, 1998 by Stephen L. Shaffer, et al., now abandoned, the disclosure
of which is herein incorporated by reference. Alternatively, the
user can manually arrange the images on the pages. The last page
number (line 22) in the service account information depicted in
FIG. 5 is updated to reflect the number of album pages that will
be produced to show the uploaded images. The user can also select
preferred colors, messages, logos, or images for the custom album
cover 62.
[0057] At this point, the can be presented with one or more display
screens showing the final products to be delivered, and confirming
the cost of the products. The user can then approve the order and
log off of the Internet site.
[0058] If the user has ordered framed prints, the digital image
is printed using color hardcopy printer 54 to produce hardcopy print
58. The hardcopy print 58 includes the user selected matte border,
for example the texture-wood grain border specified in line 28 of
FIG. 5. The hardcopy print 58 is then framed using the appropriate
frame 68, for example the classic-walnut frame specified in line
27 of FIG. 5. If the user has ordered service prints, the digital
images are printed using color hardcopy printer 54 to produce hardcopy
prints 58. The hardcopy prints 58 use the size and finish specified
in lines 32-33 of FIG. 5. Before printing, the digital image is
overlaid with the date stamp as specified in line 34 of FIG. 5.
[0059] In block 120, the production controller 52 in FIGS. 1A and
1B controls the shipping label printer 70 to produce the shipping
label 74 using the shipping address of the customer or customer's
designee provided in the service account information (FIG. 5). The
shipping label 74 is attached to the shipping container 64 which
is used to ship the photo product 66.
[0060] In block 122, the customer account provided in the service
account information (FIG. 5) is billed for the order. At this point,
the financial institution having the customer's account designates
such funds for transfer to the product provider or seller.
[0061] In block 124, the photo product 66 incorporating the first
group of digital images is delivered to the customer or the customer's
designee. The term "delivery" means that the photo product
66 can be shipped to the customer or the customer's designee by
the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) or by a carrier service, such as
the United Parcel Service (UPS) or Federal Express. Alternatively,
the photo product 66 can be delivered to a location such as the
store where the retail kiosk 80 is located, where the customer can
pick it up. In this case, the billing provided in step 122 can be
delayed until the customer picks up the photo product 66, and the
customer can then pay for the photo product 66 using cash, check,
or a charge/debit card.
[0062] After the photo products are shipped to the user in block
124, the first set of digital images uploaded by the user in step
116 can be deleted from electronic database 44 in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
The service account information in FIG. 5 is retained, however,
so that it can be used for subsequent orders by the same customer.
[0063] Block 130 typically occurs many weeks or months later. At
this time, the customer returns to the home computer system 10 or
retail kiosk 80 with additional digital images to be printed. In
block 130, the customer again logs onto the internet site and enters
their name and password, similar to block 100. Alternately, the
home computer system 10 can include a "cookie" created
and stored on hard drive 20 when the user first accessed the internet
site in step 100. This "cookie" can automatically identify
the user account.
[0064] In block 132 the network server 42 accesses, from the electronic
database 44 in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the service account information
for the customer. The network server 42 provides a display for the
user based on the Product ID information stored in the user's service
account. For example, if the user had selected a classic walnut
frame with a texture wood grain matte in step 112, the internet
server 42 would present to the user an image depicting this combination
for the user to review. If the user had also selected a 8".times.10"
double-sided album pages in a 3-ring, 2" thick binder with
a marble texture background and a selected page number style in
step 112, the internet server 42 would also present to the user
an image depicting this combination for the user to review. These
images are displayed on display monitor 14 if the user is located
at the home computer system 10, or on touchscreen display 84 if
the user is located at retail kiosk 80. The network server 42 also
allows the user to select new types of products to purchase, and
to customize the products, as provided earlier in blocks 106 to
114.
[0065] In block 134, the customer uploads a second digital image,
or group of digital images, from the home computer system 10 or
retail kiosk 80. As in block 116, this can be done by selecting
to upload all the images from a particular CD inserted in CD reader
2 or CD reader 92, or stored in digital camera 6 or card reader
96, or by individually selecting images to be uploaded. Alternatively,
the customer can specify a web address or Internet account containing
the images to be uploaded, if the images have previously been uploaded
either by the user or by a service provider, such as the Kodak PhotoNet
service which scans film negatives and uploads the images to a web
site accessible by the customer.
[0066] In block 136, the production controller creates additional
photo products, as described earlier in relation to block 118. The
production controller 52 produces the customized photo products
using the second group of images uploaded in step 134 and the service
print information stored in electronic database 44. If the user
has ordered an album, the last page number (line 22) in the service
account information depicted in FIG. 5 is updated to reflect the
number of album pages that will be produced to show the uploaded
images. If the number of new album pages to be produced will exceed
the capacity of the customer's current album (e.g. if the print
count will be 54, which is more than 50 pages for the 2" thick
binder in FIG. 4), the user is automatically advised that a new
album will be ordered to store some of the new album pages, and
the page numbers printed on the album pages are number accordingly.
In the above example, the last 4 pages (e.g. prints 51 to 54) are
given page numbers 1 to 4 and provided in a new album, while the
other pages will be included in the earlier 3-ring album provided
as part of the earlier order.
[0067] At this point, the customer can be presented with one or
more display screens showing the final products to be delivered,
and confirming the cost of the products. The user may then approve
the order and log off of the Internet site.
[0068] In step 138, the shipping label 74 is produced and attached
to the shipping container 64, the customer account is billed for
the order, a the photo product(s) incorporating the second group
of images are shipped to the customer or customer's designee, as
described earlier in relation to blocks 120 to 124.
[0069] The user can of course repeat steps 130 to 138 many times,
with new groups of digital images, to simply and easily obtain similarly
customized photo products. For example, the user can, over the course
of several years, obtain a set of frame prints having similar frame
styles and matte colors, without needing to re-enter, or even remember,
the choices they had made for their earlier orders.
[0070] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electronic camera
300 in more detail, which includes a modem 390 to communicate with
the network service provider 30 depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The
electronic camera 300 produces digital images that are stored on
the removable memory card 330. The electronic camera 300 includes
a zoom lens 312 having zoom and focus motor drives 310 and an adjustable
aperture and shutter (not shown). The zoom lens 312 focuses light
from a scene (not shown) on an image sensor 314, for example, a
single-chip color CCD image sensor, using the well known Bayer color
filter pattern. The image sensor 314 is controlled by clock drivers
306. The zoom and focus motors 310 and the clock drivers 306 are
controlled by control signals supplied by a control processor and
timing generator circuit 304. The control processor and timing generator
304 receives inputs from autofocus and autoexposure detectors 308
and controls a flash 302. The analog output signal from the image
sensor 314 is amplified and converted to digital data by the analog
signal processing (ASP) and analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuit
316. The digital data is stored in a DRAM buffer memory 318 and
subsequently processed by a processor 320 controlled by the firmware
stored in the firmware memory 328, which can be flash EPROM memory.
[0071] The processed digital image file is provided to a memory
card interface 324 which stores the digital image file on the removable
memory card 330. Removable memory cards 330 are known to those skilled
in the art. For example, the removable memory card 330 can include
memory cards adapted to the CompactFlash Specification Version 1.3,
published by the CompactFlash Association, Palo Alto, Calif., Aug.
5, 1998. Other types of digital memory devices, such as magnetic
hard drives, magnetic tape, or optical disks, could alternatively
be used to store the digital images.
[0072] The processor 320 performs color interpolation followed
by color and tone correction, in order to produce rendered sRGB
image data. The rendered sRGB image data is then JPEG compressed
and stored as a JPEG image file on the removable memory card 330.
The processor 320 also creates a "thumbnail" size image
that is stored in RAM memory 326 and supplied to the color LCD image
display 332, which displays the captured image for the user to review.
The electronic camera 300 is controlled by user controls 303, such
as a series of user buttons including a shutter release (e.g., capture
button) (not shown) which initiates a picture taking operation.
The graphical user interface displayed on the color LCD image display
332 is controlled by the user interface portion of the firmware
stored in the firmware memory 328.
[0073] After a series of images have been taken and stored on the
removable memory card 330, the removable memory card 330 can be
inserted into the card reader 96 in retail kiosk 80. Alternatively,
an interface cable 342 from Host PC 340 can be used to connect between
the host interface 322 in the electronic camera 300 and the CPU
motherboard 12 in home computer system 10. The interface cable 342
can conform to, for example, the well known universal serial bus
(USB) interface specification.
[0074] The camera 300 can transmit images to the network service
provider 30 using the modem 390, as described in commonly assigned
U.S. Pat. No. 6,784,924 issued Aug. 31, 2004 to Joseph W. Ward,
et al. The camera 300 can also create and transmit a utilization
file listing the images to be printed, as described in commonly
assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,927 issued Jun. 3, 2003 to Kenneth
A. Parulski, et al. The camera can store a service account identifier
in the firmware memory 328, as described in commonly assigned U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/534,469, filed Mar. 24, 2000 to Kenneth
A. Parulski, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
The service identification number can then be stored onto the removable
flash memory 330, either as part of each image file, or as a separate
digital record, so that it can be used to automatically access the
service account for the user to determine what services should be
provided.
[0075] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a typical transaction for printing
images uploaded from the digital camera of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is similar
to FIG. 2 except that block 116 of FIG. 2 has been replaced by blocks
115 and 117. Blocks 118-131 of FIG. 2 have been deleted in FIG.
7, and block 134 of FIG. 2 has been also been deleted.
[0076] Where the blocks carry the same reference numerals, they
have the same functions. In blocks 100-114 of FIG. 7, a customer
logs onto an internet site, a service account is established for
the customer, the customer selects the type of product to purchase,
and selects preferred features, which are stored in the user account.
In block 115, the customer logs off the internet site without having
uploaded any digital images. The customer then uses digital camera
300 to capture digital images which are stored on removable memory
card 330. In block 117, the customer connects via modem 390 in FIG.
6 to network service provider 30 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The customer
uploads the first group of digital images from removable memory
card 330 to fulfillment center 40 via channel 36, which can be the
internet. Alternatively, the customer takes the removable memory
card 330 to retail kiosk 80 and inserts it in card reader 96. The
first group of digital images is then uploaded from retail kiosk
80 to the fulfillment center 40 via channel 36. The customer's service
account identifier is also transferred along with the first group
of digital images.
[0077] In block 132 the network server 42 accesses, from the electronic
database 44 in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the service account information
for the customer. For example, if the user selects and customizes
an album in blocks 106-114 of FIG. 7, the service account information
specifying this customized album (e.g. lines 14-22 in FIG. 5) is
recalled from the user account. In block 136, the production controller
52 creates photo products using digital images uploaded from the
digital camera 300 in step 117. In block 138, the customer account
is billed for the order, and the product is shipped to the customer.
Steps 117-138 in FIG. 7. can be repeated each time the customer
takes a new group of digital images. Using the method of FIG. 7,
the fulfillment center 40 can create album pages using the uploaded
digital images and stored user account information.
[0078] A computer program product can include one or more storage
medium, for example; magnetic storage media such as magnetic disk
(such as a floppy disk) or magnetic tape; optical storage media
such as optical disk, optical tape, or machine readable bar code;
solid-state electronic storage devices such as random access memory
(RAM), or read-only memory (ROM); or any other physical device or
media employed to store a computer program having instructions for
practicing a method according to the present invention.
[0079] The invention has been described in detail with particular
reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will
be understood that variations and modifications can be effected
within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Parts List
[0080] 2 CD reader
[0081] 4 color scanner
[0082] 6 digital camera
[0083] 10 home computer system
[0084] 12 CPU motherboard
[0085] 14 display monitor
[0086] 16 keyboard
[0087] 18 mouse
[0088] 20 hard drive
[0089] 22 dial-in modem
[0090] 24 color scanner
[0091] 30 network service provider
[0092] 32 modem
[0093] 34 computers/routers
[0094] 36 channel
[0095] 40 fulfillment center
[0096] 42 network server
[0097] 44 electronic database
[0098] 46 billing system
[0099] 48 bill issuing
[0100] 50 product configuration system
[0101] 52 production controller
[0102] 54 color hardcopy printers
[0103] 56 album pages
[0104] 58 hardcopy prints
[0105] 60 album label printer
[0106] 62 custom album cover
[0107] 64 shipping container
[0108] 66 photo product
Parts List (con't)
[0109] 68 frames
[0110] 70 shipping label printer
[0111] 72 shipping label printer
[0112] 74 shipping label
[0113] 80 kiosk
[0114] 82 CPU motherboard
[0115] 84 touchscreen display
[0116] 86 hard drive
[0117] 88 network interface
[0118] 92 CD reader
[0119] 94 color scanner
[0120] 96 card reader
[0121] 100 block
[0122] 102 block
[0123] 104 block
[0124] 106 block
[0125] 108 block
[0126] 100 block
[0127] 110 block
[0128] 112 block
[0129] 114 block
[0130] 115 block
[0131] 116 block
[0132] 117 block
[0133] 118 block
[0134] 120 block
[0135] 122 block
[0136] 124 block
[0137] 130 block
Parts List (con't)
[0138] 132 block
[0139] 134 block
[0140] 136 block
[0141] 138 block
[0142] 150 print sizes
[0143] 152 print size
[0144] 154 print size
[0145] 156 print size
[0146] 158 print size
[0147] 160 matte styles
[0148] 162 solid mattes
[0149] 164 textured mattes
[0150] 166 background image mattes
[0151] 170 picture frame styles
[0152] 172 modem picture frame style
[0153] 174 classic picture frame style
[0154] 176 antique picture frame style
[0155] 202 album size
[0156] 204 album size
[0157] 206 album size
[0158] 208 radio buttons
[0159] 210 background style
[0160] 212 solid background style
[0161] 214 textured backgrounds
[0162] 216 background images
[0163] 220 radio button
[0164] 230 album types
[0165] 232 bound albums
[0166] 234 3-ring albums
Parts List (con't)
[0167] 236 20-ring albums
[0168] 300 digital/electronic camera
[0169] 302 flash
[0170] 303 users controls
[0171] 304 control processor and timing generator circuit
[0172] 306 clock drivers
[0173] 308 autofocus and autoexposure detectors
[0174] 310 zoom and focus motor drives
[0175] 312 zoom lens
[0176] 314 image sensor
[0177] 316 analog signal processing and analog-to-digital converter
circuit
[0178] 318 DRAM buffer memory
[0179] 320 processor
[0180] 322 host interface
[0181] 324 memory card interface
[0182] 326 RAM memory
[0183] 328 firmware memory
[0184] 330 removable memory card
[0185] 332 color LCD image display
[0186] 340 Host PC
[0187] 342 interface cable
[0188] 390 modem |