Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of offering imaging service to a customer in which an adhesive label with encoded information thereon is affixed to digital image storage medium such as a memory card, and the encoded information is entered into a master database. The encoded information on the adhesive label is linked to the information in the master database and includes a significant amount of photofinishing customization and billing information for the customer. In a preferred feature of the present invention, default information could include customer billing information as well as a preferred type of photofinishing service that is to be done on images provided from the memory card having the label affixed thereon. Thus, every time a customer places the memory card into a reader at a photofinishing station such as a kiosk, the encoded information would be read by the reader and linked to the master database.

Abstract: A method for capturing metadata in a captured scene, the method comprises determining attributes in the scene which may be used for deriving metadata about the scene; after capture of the scene by a user, reading the metadata of the captured scene from a digital representation of the captured scene; and uniquely processing the digital representation based on the discerned metadata.

Abstract: A method and system for light beam communication between a camera and a computer is provided by adapting an existing light beam auto-focus system of a conventional automated camera, such as a conventional automated film-based camera or a conventional automated electronic camera, and by adapting a conventional computer to provide a light beam communication linkage with the adapted camera. The light beam auto-focus system of such automated cameras is modified to include a mode selector providing a selection of the conventional light beam auto-focus mode and alternatively for selection of a light beam communication mode. The camera has a microprocessor and an erasable electrically programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). In the light beam communication mode, a light beam emitter driver circuit and a light beam sensor timing circuit and signal processor are provided.