CA2357173A1

CA2357173A1 - Automated photo-system

Info

Publication number: CA2357173A1
Application number: CA002357173A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Karl Kenny; Anthony Paul
Original assignee: TELEPIX IMAGING Inc
Current assignee: TELEPIX IMAGING Inc
Priority date: 2001-09-10
Filing date: 2001-09-10
Publication date: 2003-03-10
Also published as: WO2003024087A1

Description

AUTOMATED PHOTO-SYSTEM
A full print-from-home system, which will allow consumers to quickly and easily print their digital pictures at a professional lab from their own personal computer.
Consumers create an order by being able to select a picture stored on their personal computer, select a lab for processing, and then select products such as (but not limited to) 4x6 prints, mugs, and T-shirts. The completed orders are then automatically sent to the photofinisher, where they are fulfilled and returned to the consumer or forwarded to an address chosen by the consumer.
Digital processing lab (Pro Lab) operators that do not have in-house fulfillment capabilities may also utilize the present system. Lab operators will be able to select a client's digitally captured image (or numerous images) stored on their Pro-Lab computer system, select a lab for processing, and then select products such as (but not limited to) 4x6 prints and enlargements. The completed orders will be then automatically sent to the photofinisher lab for processing, where they will be fulfilled and returned to the Pro-Lab or forwarded to the address of the client of the Pro-Lab.
The present system consists of three main components: a home client (client), a fulfillment client (fulfiller), and an image server (server). The home client will provide a user interface that will query the server for a list of labs, a list of products, and the latest prices. The fulfiller will be a series of scalable modules that will allow the photofinisher to retrieve orders manually or automatically, to verify purchasing information with a clearinghouse, and to process the orders. The server will be the transparent intermediary between the consumer and the photofinisher. The server will store the product and price list for the retailer. Orders are temporarily stored on the server, so that retailers without a persistent Internet connection can still offer consumers the system at any time.

The system will incorporate branding capabilities including, but limited to, the branding of system that produces the CDs such that the programs included with the digital images are branded, automatic branding of client software/window, and direction to corporate URL.
The system will have a provision for access to limited parsed information for billing purposes, auditing, and market trend evaluation, and may also have a provision for access to the operating system for auditing, maintenance, and upgrade purposes.
The present system:
1. Support multiple retailers with unique (per lab) product lists and prices.

2. Provide end-to-end security of credit card information.

3. Permit automatic and manual fulfillment

4. Support home consumers as well as businesses

5. Support central credit card verification with remote fulfillment Client Description:
The Client will be an application that a consumer can either download from the web, or install from a CD. It will provide an interface for the consumer to select digital pictures stored on local drives, and then to choose products for order. Customization of products will be possible.
Features:
~ Easy-to-use graphical user interface ~ View local images ~ Examine photographic products and prices from retailer ~ Photo manipulation (crop, rotate) ~ Secure, automatic order transmission ~ Order tracking via email updates ~ Targeted for a single retailer.
The client will:
1. Allow consumer to select fulfillment lab based on Retailer's criteria 2. Allow easy image and product selection 3. Ensure secure communications with server 4. Permit consumer to abort at anytime before sending order 5. Show up-to-date product prices

6. Show up-to-date lab information and availability

7. Obtain current branding logos and background images for client window Server Description:
The Server will act as a digital image way station and transaction tracking system. When a customer orders products, the images and order information will be stored at the server until the fulfiller retrieves it. Tracking of transactions will allow both retailers and consumers to determine the current status. Credit card information will be stored in encrypted form, and will be deleted as soon as the credit card transaction is approved.
Features:
~ Hosts products and prices for retailers ~ Web-based administration module for tracking transactions and updating products/prices ~ Temporary storage of orders for retailers with no fixed Internet connection The Server will:
1. Validate submitted prices that have changed in the last X hours (24 hours default). Old prices will be stored for at least 24 hours. Longer periods of storage will be available for auditing purposes.
2. Handle applicable taxes for multiple locations and multiple tiers of taxes (like GST, PST) 3. Create directories for uploads and apply applicable access permissions.
4. Have mechanisms for the provision of shipping information 5. Securely store credit card information with highly restricted access, not in plaintext and utilizing a separately stored encryption key.
6. Poll the client version, compare to current client versions and offer client version upgrade to provide the information to clients.
7. Employ a store/head office administration module for customizing the list of products, updating the prices available at the Server and setting/modifying lab details.
Fulfiller Description:
There will be two available options with respect to the Fulfiller software:
manual fulfillment and fully automated fulfillment. There will be a migration path from manual to automated fulfillment, and the two aspects are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, even in a fully automated environment, operators can use the manual tools to examine order status and change orders. The fulfillment software will be a suite of tools available to the photofinisher. The system will have the capability to assign a "Head Office" fiilfiller that will have the ability to assume or delegate responsibilities/processes of the overall fulfillment process.
The overall fulfillment capabilities provided will include:
1. Order retrieval from Server (Manual, Automated) 2. Printing (Automated) 3. Credit Card verification 4. Order tracking Features:
~ Support for multiple output devices from a variety of manufacturers ~ Automated order download capability ~ Distribution of Home Client through in-store CD creation ~ Administration tool to update prices and products ~ Credit card authorization management ~ Order processing and production integration ~ Use of Templates to insure product output matches client display.
Manual Fulfillment Specific Features:
1. Simple order retrieval 2. Sign-in security 3. Credit card accept/deny (external authorization) 4. Order printing 5. Image crop/rotate 6. Order management including but not limited to tracking and deleting Automated Fulfillment Specific Features:
1. Automated sign-on and download of orders 2. Manual or automated accept/deny of credit card 3. Auto redirect to output device 4. Auto print of orders, with indications for manual fulfillment 5. Order status tracking Head Office Fulfillment Specific Features:
1. Download of new orders information (not images) 2. Credit card accept/deny (external authorization) 3. Order redirect to labs a. Entire order to lab based on geography or other characteristic b. Order split and distributed based on products c. Combination of ~~a" and ~~b"