Abstract: A photographic article. According to one embodiment, the photographic article comprises: a first image area comprising a photographic film negative of an image; and a second image area, different than the first image area, comprising a positive image of the image.

Abstract: An electronic printing system for printing images stored on a removable memory card. The electronic printing system includes a memory card interface for receiving the removable memory card, the removable memory card having stored thereon a plurality of digital image files and a print utilization file, wherein the print utilization file including the names of at least two digital image files stored on the removable memory card to be printed. The electronic printing system further includes a processor coupled to the memory card interface for reading the print utilization file stored on the removable memory card and the digital image files identified in the print utilization file; and a print engine coupled to the processor for producing prints of the at least two stored digital image files identified in the print utilization file.

Abstract: A lightmeter-remote is usable in a system with a remotely settable camera and a plurality of remotely settable photolamps. The lightmeter-remote has a body, and a lightmeter, exposure controller, and transmitter disposed in the body. The exposure controller can be selectively actuated to set aperture, exposure time, and gain parameters of the camera and to set output parameters of each of the photolamps. The transmitter operatively and wirelessly connects the camera and photolamps with the exposure controller. The lightmeter-remote can have a plurality of lighting models, each providing user instructions defining a lighting setup and requiring one or more light measurements.

Abstract: A method and system that is adapted to print order files that are customized for a particular printer. The method and system includes a digital printer that has specific printing capabilities and involves the production and storage of a profile that defines the printing capabilities of the printer.

Abstract: An electronic still camera for capturing images to be transferred to at least one e-mail address is disclosed. The electronic still camera includes an image sensor for capturing a plurality of images of scenes and for producing image signals representative of the corresponding scenes; an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing the image signals to produce digital images; and a removable memory card for storing a plurality of digital image files corresponding to the digital images. The electronic still camera also includes an internal memory for storing at least one digital image to be displayed and a plurality of e-mail addresses; a processor for controlling the transfer of the digital images from the removable memory card to the internal memory and for producing a utilization file; and a display coupled to the internal memory for displaying at least one digital image.

Abstract: In a camera and method, a scene is captured as an archival image, with the camera set in an initial capture configuration. Then, a plurality of parameters of the scene are evaluated. The parameters are matched to one or more of a plurality of suggested capture configurations to define a suggestion set. User input designating one of the suggested capture configurations of the suggestion set is accepted and the camera is set to the corresponding capture configuration.

Abstract: A method of transferring images captured by a digital capture device to a remote memory location over a channel includes capturing a plurality of digital images using the digital capture device and storing the plurality of images in a local memory. The method also includes providing a plurality of user selectable times for the transfer of images over the channel from the local memory to the remote memory location and a user selecting one of the user selectable times, and transferring the plurality of images over the channel to the remote memory location at the user selected time.

Abstract: An image storage product is configured to identify a specific imaging service to be provided by an imaging service provider. The method includes providing an image storage product that is capable of storing a plurality of images captured by a camera and that is removable from the camera, and configuring the image storage product by storing data identifying at least one specific imaging service to be provided by the imaging service provider.

Abstract: A method of detecting and correcting camera rotation in a digital camera, that includes the steps of: capturing a digital image to provide a captured digital image; and analyzing the captured digital image to detect a set of lines. The set of lines are used to determine a rotation angle of the captured digital image; and the captured digital image is modified based on the rotation angle, before storing the modified digital image.

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: An image processing system (10) obtains image sequences and assembles a presentation therefrom. The system has a camera (12) for capturing image sequences, a random-access electronic memory (16) for temporary storage of the image sequences, an input reader for accepting pre-programmed instructions from a first storage medium, a control panel with a display (18) for viewing image sequences (64) and presenting pre-programmed instructions to the operator and an operator interface for accepting responses to the pre-programmed instructions. A control logic processor (20) executes pre-programmed instructions and arranges the presentation from the captured image sequences stored in random-access electronic memory (16), according to operator responses. An output writer records the presentation onto a storage medium.

Abstract: A camera and method usable for capturing images of scenes illuminated by ambient light. The camera has a body and an electronic imager disposed in the body. The electronic imager captures an ambient light image as a multicolored electronic image. A color detector assesses the ambient light to provide a color value. A white balancing circuit determines a white balance color space vector defining a white balancing of the electronic image from the color value to a white point for a predetermined designated illuminant. A reversal circuit determines a reverse color space vector originating at the color value and extending opposite the white balance color space vector. A color balance adjusting circuit color balances the electronic image at a compensation point located on the reverse color space vector to provide a compensated image. An image display, disposed on the outside of the body, shows the compensated image.

Abstract: Imaging devices are configured and purchased by the steps of providing an electronic database of information describing a plurality of differently configured imaging devices which have different features that can be selected by a purchaser via a digital communications network and programs which depict the functionality of such features; displaying at the purchaser's location remote from the electronic database various configuration features of imaging devices that are available for purchase and selecting programs which depict the functionality of features that the purchaser may purchase; the purchaser selecting various features to provide a desired configuration of an imaging device and providing a payment identifier specifying an account to be debited to pay for the configured imaging device; configuring the imaging device adding at least one program which provides one feature selected by the purchaser; and sending the configured imaging device to a designee of the purchaser.

Abstract: A method for customizing a digital imaging device for at least one particular user is disclosed. The digital imaging device includes a programmable memory for storing at least one firmware component which controls the operation of the digital imaging device. The method includes providing customization software which can access a plurality of firmware components providing different image appearances, the customization software producing a plurality of images of the same scene having a corresponding plurality of different appearances. The user selects one of the plurality of images having a preferred appearance to cause the customization software to access the corresponding firmware component(s). The selected corresponding firmware component(s) are provided to the digital imaging device and the programmable memory of the digital imaging device is reprogrammed to store the corresponding firmware component(s) to thereby customize the digital imaging device.

Abstract: A method for providing customized photo services by a service provider using images transmitted from a digital camera to the service provider. The service provider provides photo services after a user service account containing data identifying a photo service.

Abstract: In a camera and method, a scene is captured as an archival image, with the camera set in an initial capture configuration. Then, a plurality of parameters of the scene are evaluated. The parameters are matched to one or more of a plurality of suggested capture configurations to define a suggestion set. User input designating one of the suggested capture configurations of the suggestion set is accepted and the camera is set to the corresponding capture configuration.

Abstract: A network configuration file is generated at a host computer and downloaded to a digital camera. This file contains instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface. The digital camera includes a “send” button or LCD icon which allows the user to easily transmit one or more images via a wired or wireless communications interface to a desired destination, which among other possibilities may be an Internet Service Provider or a digital photofinishing center. When the user selects this option, the communications port settings, user account specifics, and destination connection commands are read from the network configuration file on the removable memory card. Examples of these settings include serial port baud rate, parity, and stop bits, as well as account name and password.

Abstract: An electronic printing system comprises a digital camera and a separate printing device for printing images captured by the digital camera. The digital camera comprises a sensor for capturing images, a memory for storing the captured images, a processor, and a communication interface. The processor produces a print utilization file based on user input regarding selection of particular ones of the captured images for printing by the separate printing device, and the print utilization file identifies at least two of the captured images to be printed by the printing device. The interface transmits the print utilization file and the selected captured images so as to permit printing of the selected captured images by the printing device.

Abstract: A digital photography system includes a digital camera and a digital printer. The digital camera includes an image display and the digital printer includes user interface controls to control the images displayed on the camera and to select images to be printed.

Abstract: A method for providing customized digital printing services over a network to provide a photo product including images including providing an electronic database of information describing a plurality of photo product options that can be selected by a user via a digital communications network and displaying at a location remote from the electronic database the plurality of photo product options. The user provides a first group of digital images and selects at least one photo product from the plurality of digital printing service options and provides a payment identifier specifying a payment account to be debited to pay for the selected photo product, establishing a service account for the user containing an identifier for the selected photo product and storing the service account data which includes information related to the format of the photo product.