Abstract: A method for providing digital images over a communication network to a user using instruction obtained from a roll of film containing images or wireless image capture device. The instruction may be obtained by analyzing the image for an image content identifier. The instructions may include the obtaining of an offer by a third party over the communication network for providing the service.

Abstract: A method of purchasing image bearing products, including the steps of providing a plurality of network connected kiosks having image input and product output capability; generating an identifier; inputting an image at one of the plurality of network connected kiosks; storing the image at a network accessible location; notifying a recipient of the identifier after providing payment for the image bearing product; and using the identifier to retrieve the image from any one of the plurality of network connected kiosks.

Abstract: A receiver for receiving a water-based colorant image transferred by a stamp or the like, including an image receiving structure having a support; an information receiving layer which contains recorded information, such information receiving layer being formed over the support; and a clear hydrophobic protective layer formed over the information receiving layer; and a hydrophilic layer formed over the information receiving layer and selected so as to be able to receive a water-based colorant image.

Abstract: A method for specialized photofinishing goods and/or services produced from a one-time-use camera, including providing a label on the one-time-use camera, with at least one area containing first instructional information, that identifies particular photofinishing goods and/or services to be applied to images captured by the one-time-use camera. Subsequently, displaying a second instructional information according to the first instructional information. Finally, capturing a second instructional information onto a film residing in the one-time-use camera and resulting in a latent image, the second instructional information for use by a photofinisher for producing the specialized photofinishing goods and/or services from latent images on the film.

Abstract: A method of selecting images from a plurality of images previously stored in a local digital memory, ordering services to be provided utilizing the images, and transferring such images over a channel to a remote digital memory where the services are to be provided includes storing a plurality of images in the local memory location along with corresponding thumbnail images and displaying at least a subset of the thumbnail images for viewing by a user. The user selects those images to be transferred after viewing the displayed thumbnail images and provides image identifiers for each selected image to be uploaded to the remote location and a service order which specifies the services to be provided utilizing such selected images. The remote location confirms the receipt of the service order. The images are transferred over the channel to the remote memory location at a suitable time for effective data transfer whereby the ordered services can be subsequently provided.

Abstract: A method for scheduling motion picture and promotional content for an audience at an exhibitor site includes the steps of: assembling an electronic play list (62) for the motion picture and for related promotional content. The play list (62) identifies at least one time slot (64) for presentation of the promotional content. An ad auction entry (32) is posted, soliciting a bid from an advertisement provider for purchase of the time slot (64). In response to a received bid, an advertisement is provided for the time slot (64) so that the advertisement can be downloaded from a networked advertisement provider.

Abstract: A print and method of making a print having a invisible coordinate system on the same side as the image using a digital printer. The print may include additional invisible information which relates to specific parts of the image.

Abstract: A method for broadcasting a promotional message (304) for an entertainment event, where the promotional message (304) is directed to recipients having at least one predetermined attribute. A database (314) is queried by an exhibitor (320) to obtain a network address for each of a plurality of users having said at least one predetermined attribute. The promotional message (304) for the event is then broadcast to provide an offer to these addresses. Upon receipt of an acceptance response to the offer, a token (306), such as a pass or coupon, is provided to the responding recipient to be presented by the user for admission.

Abstract: A method and digital camera for capturing images for requesting and confirming an image order to be provided by a service provider. The camera includes a capture device for capturing digital images and an interface for storing the captured digital images on a removable digital storage media in a first directory, and for reading digital images from both the first directory and from a second directory on the removable digital storage media. A user interface is provided for selecting the first directory or the second directory. The camera also has a display for displaying information and image stored in the selected directory. The second directory can be used for placing an image order and/or reviewing confirmation provided by a service provider of an image order.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically forwarding digital images to a service provider. The apparatus includes a reading device for reading said digital images from a removable digital storage medium and a communication device for automatically forwarding said digital image data over a network to said service provider when a predetermined criteria is met. The service provider may send transmission to the communication device so as to activate the apparatus for transmitting digital images. The apparatus has a unique ID known by the service provider which can be used to identify the apparatus.

Abstract: A removable data bearing medium having a display which displays images in response to applied voltage and a data containing memory, including an structure for coupling the memory to a first source of voltage for retrievably storing data files; and a structure disposed in the removable image bearing medium for selectively coupling a voltages to the image bearing medium from a second source of voltage, the image bearing medium including material which is effective in a first condition in response to a selectively applied first voltage for displaying an image and effective in a second condition in response to a second voltage lower than the first voltage to prevent the display of an image, the material being selected so that after displaying the image such material continues to display the image after the removal of the applied voltages from the second source of voltage.

Abstract: A camera is adapted for electronically capturing an image by using a memory card that includes an integrated image sensor and a memory device for storing images captured by the image sensor when it is located in an optical path inside the camera. In one embodiment, the camera includes a film drive for positioning a photographic film in a first image exposure plane within the camera enclosure; an optical system defining an optical path for forming the image on the first image plane; a receptacle for receiving the removable memory card through an exterior opening in the enclosure and guiding the memory card into the optical path. The presence of the memory card in the receptacle is sensed and a camera control stage then adjusts the optical system to form the image at a second image plane on the surface of the image sensor and disables the film drive, thereby preventing the film from being advanced when the image sensor is used to capture the image.

Abstract: A method for dynamically altering content of digital cinema image frames (200) having a variable content display area (204). Metadata corresponding to each alterable image frame (200) is provided, the metadata defining boundaries of the variable content display area (204). Alternate content (208) is provided and is adapted for the variable content display area (204), according to the metadata. Alternate content (208) is then inserted into the digital cinema image data stream.

Abstract: A method for displaying a motion picture received as a digital data stream and having selectable scene content, by obtaining audience metrics, such as demographic data, and, based on these metrics, selecting replaceable image elements (202) from alternate frame (200) content or from selectable scenes (174a1, 174a2) to be inserted into the image display data stream (180).

Abstract: A method for displaying a motion picture received as a digital data stream and having selectable scene content, by obtaining audience metrics, such as demographic data, and, based on these metrics, selecting replaceable image elements (202) from alternate frame (200) content or from selectable scenes (174a1, 174a2) to be inserted into the image display data stream (180), as purchased by an advertiser (260).

Abstract: A method for classifying images according to features that are relevant to potential therapeutic effect, comprising: providing an image; and classifying said image according to one or more of the following classes, landscapes, people-activity, people-expression, people-type, animals, color (dominant hue(s)), direction of light, type of light, distance, travel/offset(direction of motion/travel).

Abstract: A photographic system is described for producing enhanced products from pictures of one or more known picture sites situated at predetermined locations and representing content of interest to a photographer. The system includes (a) a database containing content pertaining to the picture sites; (b) a camera for capturing images of the picture sites; (c) a processor for relating the captured images to the locations of picture sites, thereby identifying locations of the images, where the processor uses the locations of the images to access selected content in the database pertaining to the picture sites; and (d) a product generator for generating enhanced image products. In one embodiment, the data base contains stock images pertaining to the picture sites and the product generator combines the stock images pertaining to the content of the picture sites with the captured images of the picture sites to generate a new image product.

Abstract: A method of offering a promotional product to a user at a digital imaging device having a display. The method comprises the steps of: receiving an order from the user at the digital imaging device for an imaging service or product; and simultaneously processing the order for the imaging service or product at the display and displaying, on the display, a motion image comprising the promotional product, wherein the promotional product is different than the imaging service or product. In a preferred embodiment, the promotional product displayed on the display comprises a user-supplied image.

Abstract: A method of offering a customized promotional product to a user. The method comprises the steps of: accessing a user-supplied digital image at a digital imaging device; providing a digital image representative of a promotional product, the promotional product digital image having a predetermined image location adapted to receive at least a portion of the user-supplied digital image; generating a modified user image by modifying the at least a portion of the user-supplied digital image to simulate an application of the at least a portion of the user-supplied image to the promotional product; generating a customized digital image representative of the customized promotional product, the customized digital image comprising the promotional product digital image having the modified user image disposed within the predetermined image location; and displaying the customized digital image to the user on a display of the digital imaging device.

Abstract: A kiosk for capturing an image. The kiosk includes a housing having a width and a continuous curved surface; a digital image capture device adapted to capture an image, the image capture device disposed in a portal in the curved surface; a display disposed on the curved surface adapted to display the image captured by the image capture device; a light source disposed within the housing for illumination during the capture of an image by the image capture device, the image capture device being disposed intermediate the display and light source, the light source being configured along the width of the housing; and a data entry device adjacent the curved surface such that the distance from the digital image capture device to an outboard edge of the keyboard defines a minimum image capture distance.