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Method of processing digital images and distributing visual prints produced from the digital images

Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
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Filing: 1999-05-12
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Granted: 2000-10-17
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Expires: 2019-05-12
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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 11:04
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: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim 162 words
A method of processing digital images from a digital camera and then selectively distributing visual prints produced from the digital images comprising the steps of: selecting at least one image server where the digital images can be stored; assigning an authorization code to the digital images which identifies which at least one image server was selected; uploading the digital images from the digital camera to at least one image server at a first location; storing the digital images and the assigned authorization code on the at least one image server at the 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 or 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 162 words
A method of processing digital images from a digital camera and then selectively distributing visual prints produced from the digital images comprising the steps of: selecting at least one image server where the digital images can be stored; assigning an authorization code to the digital images which identifies which at least one image server was selected; uploading the digital images from the digital camera to at least one image server at a first location; storing the digital images and the assigned authorization code on the at least one image server at the 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 or 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 51 words
The method of claim 1 wherein selective authorized access is provided through an interface by associating an access code with the at least one acquired digital image to allow only authorized access to the at least one image from a second location in order to view the at least one image.
Claim 4
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 5
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the physical representation is an index print.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the index print is assigned a code and each image in the index print is marked with a different number.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of associating with the at least one digital image product and pricing information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 6 wherein an administrative account and password is required in order to receive the at least one order.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 6 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 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 8 wherein each price sheet includes a table of products to offer and the prices for the products.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 9 wherein when the at least one order is received the at least one image server collects billing and shipping information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one digital image is accessed and at least one visual print ordered from multiple locations.
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 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 24
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one digital image is maintained at the at least one image server for a fixed period of time.
Claim 25
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 26
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the administrative interface permits access to data pertaining to all activities performed on the at least one image server.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the at least one image server includes a disbursement sheet identifying how profits obtained from the at least one order are distributed.
Claim 28
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 29
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 30
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.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-10-17 2004-04-17 2004-10-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-10-17 2008-04-17 2008-10-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-10-17 2012-04-17 2012-10-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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