US 5,974,401 A · Digital print order and delivery method and system

Abstract

According to the method and system of the present invention, digital image data is input in a personal computer, through an image input device. The order sender processes the image data with reference to a display on the screen of the personal computer, and then inputs print order data. The print order data includes print option data designating size and number of prints, expected delivery date data, delivery option data designating the way of delivery, and user ID data for identifying the order sender. Then an order receiver or a particular photofinisher is designated. The processed digital image data and the print order data are sent to the designated photofinisher. The reception processing device of the order receiver stores the digital image data and relating print order data, and commands a digital printer to make prints from the digital image data in accordance with the print order data.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method of ordering and delivering digital prints comprising the steps of:

sending digital image data and related print order data from an order sender to a reception processing device of an order receiver, the print order data including user ID data having a user ID number;
storing the image data and the related print order data in a storage device by the reception processing device;
allocating an order number to the print order data and storing the print order data along with code data indicating the user ID number and the order number, so that the print order data may be retrieved from the storage device based on the code data;
making digital prints based on the stored image data and print order data;
and
delivering the digital prints to the order sender.

3 more elements

A digital print order and delivery system comprising:

an image input device for inputting digital image data;
a data processing device for processing the input digital image data while displaying the image data, the data processing device being also used for inputting print order data, the print order data including user ID data having a user ID number;
a data transfer device for transferring the processed digital image data and the print order data;
a reception processing device for receiving the transferred digital image data and print order data and executing a reception process;
the reception processing device allocating an order number to the print order data and storing the print order data along with code data indicating the user ID number and the order number, so that the print order data may be retrieved from the storage device based on the code data;
a storage device for storing the received digital image data and print order data;
and
a digital printer for making prints based on the stored digital image data and print order data, wherein the image input device, the data processing device and the data transfer device are provided on the side of an order sender, whereas the reception processing device, the storage device and the digital printer are provided on the side of an order receiver.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Digital print order and delivery method and system

Life of this patent

Digital print order and delivery method and system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14