US6017157A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of processing digital images and distributing visual prints produced from the digital images
Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
•
Filing: 1996-12-24
•
Granted: 2000-01-25
•
Expires: 2016-12-24
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip N. Garfinkle
- 👤 Yaacov Ben Yaacov
- 👤 Elliot D. Jaffe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:41
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00132; G; G03; G03D; G03D15/00; G03D15/001; G03D15/005; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0641; G06Q30/0643; H04N1/00135; H04N1/00137; H04N1/0014; H04N1/00143; H04N1/00145; H04N1/00148; H04N1/00151; H04N1/00161; H04N1/00164; H04N1/00169; H04N1/00172; H04N1/00177; H04N1/00185; H04N1/00188; H04N1/0019; H04N1/00204; H04N1/00244; H04N1/32; H04N1/34; H04N1/44; H04N1/4406; H04N1/4413; H04N1/4426; H04N1/444
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of processing a roll of exposed photographic film containing photographic images into corresponding digital images and then selectively distributing visual prints produced from the digital images comprising the steps of: receiving a roll of exposed photographic film containing photographic images; scanning the roll of exposed photographic film to acquire digital images corresponding to the photographic images contained on the roll of exposed photographic film; assigning an authorization code to the digital images; storing the digital images and the assigned authorization code on at least one image server at a first location; facilitating selective authorized access using the authorization code from a second location to the digital images stored at the first location; receiving at least one order at the at least one image server for at least one visual print corresponding to at least one of the stored digital images from the second location; producing the at least one visual print; and distributing the at least one visual print.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of processing a roll of exposed photographic film containing photographic images into corresponding digital images and then selectively distributing visual prints produced from the digital images comprising the steps of: receiving a roll of exposed photographic film containing photographic images; scanning the roll of exposed photographic film to acquire digital images corresponding to the photographic images contained on the roll of exposed photographic film; assigning an authorization code to the digital images; storing the digital images and the assigned authorization code on at least one image server at a first location; facilitating selective authorized access using the authorization code from a second location to the digital images stored at the first location; receiving at least one order at the at least one image server for at least one visual print corresponding to at least one of the stored digital images from the second location; producing the at least one visual print; and distributing the at least one visual print.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein selective authorized access is provided through an interface by associating an access code with the digital images to allow only authorized access to the digital images from a second location in order to view the digital images.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the access code is based upon a preassigned number for the exposed photographic film and a bar code associated with the exposed photographic film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the access code includes an identifier which indicates the location of the at least one image server where the at least one image is stored.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: providing exposed photographic film including at least one photographic image; and developing the at least one photographic image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the at least one digital image is acquired at a different location than the at least one photographic image is developed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the at least one visual print is produced at a different location than the at least one photographic image is developed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the at least one digital image is accessed and at least one visual print ordered from multiple locations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the interface is a physical representation of the at least one image which is delivered to a specified recipient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the physical representation is an index print.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the index print is assigned a code and each image in the index print is marked with a different number.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one image is accessed at the at least one image server through an interface from a second location in order to view the at least one image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one order is received by a fulfillment center through the interface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the interface is an electronic medium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the electronic medium is a computer network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the interface comprises a client interface over a computer network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the interface is HyperText Markup Language (HTML) pages on the WWW (World Wide Web).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the interface accepts the access code and provides access to digital images at the image server.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the interface facilitates electronic transfer of the digital image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the interface facilitates ordering at least one visual print in a variety of formats and sizes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the formats include photographic prints, enlargements and merchandise.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of scanning includes scanning a negative strip.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of scanning includes scanning at least one developed photographic print.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one image server is at least one computer and each digital image is stored in a computer database on at least one computer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the digital images are maintained at the at least one image server for a fixed period of time.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of associating with at least one digital image product and pricing information.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 26 wherein an administrative account and password is required in order to receive the at least one order.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the access code facilitates access to a price sheet at the at least one image server associated with the at least one digital image.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 28 wherein each price sheet includes a table of products to offer and the prices for the products.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 29 wherein when the at least one order is received the at least one image server collects billing and shipping information.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one image server includes an administrative interface accessible by an account number and a password.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the administrative interface permits access to data pertaining to all activities performed on the at least one image server.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the at least one image server includes a disbursement sheet identifying how profits obtained from the at least one order are distributed.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one visual print is produced from the at least one digital image using a film recorder.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one visual print is produced by generating a photographic negative from the digital image and then using the photographic negative to generate a visual print which is identical to the digital image.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one visual print is produced by printing an image directly from the digital image and then adhering the image to an item using a heat transfer system.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one acquired digital image on at least one image server at a first location is modified and then stored.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of verifying the quality and orientation of the digital images and then collectively transmitting the digital images to at least one image server at a first location.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4417811A
Cited
US4432637A
Cited
US4862222A
Cited
US4862200A
Cited
US4918484A
Cited
US4935809A
Cited
US4974096A
Cited
US4951086A
Cited
US5319401A
Cited
US5097292A
Cited
US5023655A
Cited
US5093682A
Cited
US5072254A
Cited
US5070677A
Cited
US5072256A
Cited
US5321465A
Cited
US5512396A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-24 | 2003-07-26 | 2004-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-24 | 2007-07-26 | 2008-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-24 | 2011-07-26 | 2012-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |