Abstract: Described herein is a multi-user retail photo kiosk system that includes multiple touch screen and Graphic User Interface (GUI) controlled consumer photo editing, photo print and product selection, and photo order placement terminals and multiple photo printers. The user photo kiosk terminals can receive images. Billing and payment is accomplished using barcoded receipts provided at the user terminal for payments for purchased photo products. A printer array incorporating various printers capable of producing prints or various sizes and formats can be configured as a horizontal counter or as a vertical tower and includes means to alert the user that their photo print order is complete. In addition, the system automatically notifies operators if equipment service, maintenance, media refilling, and/or post printing finishing procedures are required.

Abstract: Data points, calendar entries, trends, and behavioral patterns may be used to predict and pre-emptively build digital and printable products with selected collections of images without the user's active participation. The collections are selected from files on the user's device, cloud-based photo library, or other libraries shared among other individuals and grouped into thematic products. Based on analysis of the user's collections and on-line behaviors, the system may estimate types and volumes of potential media-centric products, and the resources needed for producing and distributing such media-centric products for a projected period of time. A user interface may take the form of a “virtual curator”, which is a graphical or animated persona for augmenting and managing interactions between the user and the system managing the user's stored media assets. The virtual curator can assume one of many personas with each user and can interact with the user via text/audio messaging.

Abstract: A method for reducing the number of images or the length of a video from a digital image collection using a social network, includes receiving a digital image collection captured by a user to be viewed by a viewer; wherein the viewer and the user are members of the same social network and using a processor to access the social network to determine a relationship between a viewer and the user. The method further includes using the processor to determine a set of summarization parameters based on the relationship between the viewer and the user and using the processor to reduce the number of images or the length of the video from the digital image collection using the determined set of summarization parameters to be viewed by the viewer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method that obtains a digital image. The method includes extracting a word block from the digital image. The method includes processing the word block by evaluating a value of the word block against a dictionary. The method includes outputting a prediction equal to a common word in the dictionary when a confidence factor is greater than a predetermined threshold. The method includes processing the word block and assigning a descriptor to the word block corresponding to a property of the word block. The method includes processing the word block using the descriptor to prioritize evaluation of the word block. The method includes concatenating a first output and a second output. The method includes predicting a value of the word block.

Abstract: A modular simplex thermal printer that produces full color dye sublimation prints. Two individual modular printer units are stackable so that when the two simplex modular units are combined the lower printer unit can be loaded with duplex thermal receiver media which is printed on one side by the lower unit and then transferred through a slot and print transport path to the upper printer unit where the upper printer unit prints on the other non-printed side of the duplex receiver media.

Abstract: A method and system for automated creation of collages from a video sequence is provided. The system and method dynamically extracts key frames from a video sequence, which are used to create the collages shown on a display. By changing the position of cursors, a new set of key frames is extracted and the content of the collage will change correspondingly reflecting the changes in the key frames selection. The method also includes user interface elements to allow a user to change the layout design (e.g., rotate, overlap, white space, image scaling) of the video frames on the collage. In addition, the method includes different ways for browsing the video sequence by using automatically detected semantic concepts in various frames as indexing points. Further, the method includes defining swiping attributes based on motion characteristics (e.g., zoom/pan, motion of object), audio activity, or facial expression for browsing the video sequence.

Abstract: A method for selecting important digital images in a collection of digital images, comprising: analyzing the digital images in the collection of digital images to identify one or more sets of similar digital images; identifying one or more sets of similar digital images having the largest number of similar digital images; selecting one or more digital images from the identified largest sets of similar digital images to be important digital images; and storing an indication of the selected important digital image in a processor accessible memory.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments directed to a multi-media image system, which includes using a processor for forming a multi-media image product. According to certain embodiments, the system stores an image collection on a digital storage system; associates an identifier with the image collection: provides the identifier for distribution to a plurality of individuals; receives images from the recipients of the identifier; and forming a multi-media image product using the images stored on the digital storage system and received from the recipients of the identifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure a method for determining product relevancy including extracting metadata from an image file of a digital image collection, the metadata being indicative of at least one feature of the image file. The method includes creating an input profile corresponding to the metadata extracted from the image files of the digital image collection. The method includes comparing the input profile to a product profile, the product profile having one or more rules corresponding to a consumer product, wherein the rules are indicative of the requirements of the product. The method includes determining a match score, the match score indicative of a relevancy of the product profile to the input profile such that a high relevancy correlates to a consumer product that is suited to the input profile and a low relevancy correlates to the consumer product that is not suited to the input profile.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems and methods that facilitate printer calibration. According to certain embodiments, calibration methods comprise a printer printing a calibration target and cutting a calibration target using an inline slitter. The printer then determines a calibration offset based on the position of the cut on the calibration target. The printer can then be calibrated according to gross amounts on the slitter and fine amounts at an ink applicator.

Abstract: A mechanism is described herein to drive slitter and cutter waste in a direction that allows for a more advantageous use of the waste collection bin's volume. The waste drive mechanism allows for at least one armature that drives the waste in a desired direction. The armature is made from a material that is flexible, with a curved shape to allow a pre-loaded force against a contact surface of the waste collection bin. The pre-loaded flexible armature against a contact surface of the collection bin provides sufficient force to drive the waste it in a desired direction, allowing for a more consistent use of the waste collection bin spatial volume.

Abstract: A method of providing photofinishing services to a user including choices of photofinishing services, retailers, retail locations, delivery, and payment options, using a computer processor, communications network, and user interface. The user can send one or more digital images to the selected retailer and retail location via the communications network. Once the user selects the type and amount of photo products to be made from the provided digital images, the user can select any additional retail products, selects a delivery means, and payment option. The processor can coordinate the communications for production of the photofinishing order, billing, and any other retail purchase selected by the user. The processor also communicates the additional retail items to the retail staff and/or personal shopper and coordinates the production of the photofinishing order.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a modular photo kiosk system that produces prints that include printed templates, guides, and instructions for use with matching designated user provided photo. The systems are configurable so that they can be easily combined to adapt the kiosk system to meet the productivity, capacity, product range, inventory control, and physical conditions of a selected retail environment. The kiosk can include remote access for customers and kiosk owners to place remote orders and manage kiosk inventory and further include a secured product display area featuring photo products for sale. A further aspect of the technology described herein comprises a software application for use by clerks for monitoring, maintaining, and operating the photo kiosk system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure a method for determining product relevancy including extracting metadata from an image file of a digital image collection, the metadata being indicative of at least one feature of the image file. The method includes creating an input profile corresponding to the metadata extracted from the image files of the digital image collection. The method includes comparing the input profile to a product profile, the product profile having one or more rules corresponding to a consumer product, wherein the rules are indicative of the requirements of the product. The method includes determining a match score, the match score indicative of a relevancy of the product profile to the input profile such that a high relevancy correlates to a consumer product that is suited to the input profile and a low relevancy correlates to the consumer product that is not suited to the input profile.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments for operating a retail photo kiosk and establishing a dedicated access for a remote mobile device to the photo kiosk. Certain embodiments of the photo kiosk incorporate anchored connector cables to connect remote mobile devices to the photo kiosk. According to one embodiment, the photo kiosk detects when a remote mobile device is connected to the kiosk via an anchored connector cable. Upon receiving user information, the photo kiosk generates and sends an access message comprising to the connected mobile device. Following the access message, the user may establish dedicated access to the photo kiosk through the mobile device, which allows the user to utilize and leverage photo processing features of the kiosk.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure a method for determining product relevancy including extracting metadata from an image file of a digital image collection, the metadata being indicative of at least one feature of the image file. The method includes creating an input profile corresponding to the metadata extracted from the image files of the digital image collection. The method includes comparing the input profile to a product profile, the product profile having one or more rules corresponding to a consumer product, wherein the rules are indicative of the requirements of the product. The method includes determining a match score, the match score indicative of a relevancy of the product profile to the input profile such that a high relevancy correlates to a consumer product that is suited to the input profile and a low relevancy correlates to the consumer product that is not suited to the input profile.

Abstract: A system and method for creating customized, personally relevant greeting cards, e-cards, mementos, invitations, decorations, and other types of printed and virtual media to convey affection, friendship, emotional connections, celebration, gratitude, condolence and other types of sentiments to relatives, friends, coworkers, business associates, and acquaintances regardless of the cultural backgrounds of the giver and the recipient.

Abstract: A computer system for selecting image products includes a display for displaying digital images, and for displaying representations of image products. Digital images are composited into the displayed representations to form digitally composited image product views. Programming controls displaying the composited image product views separately from the unselected representations. One or more of the displayed composited image product views are selected and assembled or fabricated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method that obtains a digital image. The method includes extracting a word block from the digital image. The method includes processing the word block by evaluating a value of the word block against a dictionary. The method includes outputting a prediction equal to a common word in the dictionary when a confidence factor is greater than a predetermined threshold. The method includes processing the word block and assigning a descriptor to the word block corresponding to a property of the word block. The method includes processing the word block using the descriptor to prioritize evaluation of the word block. The method includes concatenating a first output and a second output. The method includes predicting a value of the word block.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed at a systems, methods, and apparatuses for automatically aligning the lead edges of a document stack loaded in a scanner system. An automated jogger system includes feeder gate elements which are driven forward and backwards in an oscillating motion. This motion causes the documents in the stack to slide between each other, causing the documents to move and rotate towards the feeder gate elements, aligning the lead edges of the stack prior to being fed into the document scanner.