Abstract:
A computer program and method are used in connection with a system article of manufacture, operator-system interface, and propagated signal for processing digital images, which are extremely flexible in terms of availability, connectability, and the number and types of receivable input formats and outputs. The computer program, article of manufacture, propagated signal, system, and operator/system interface permit users to input image information in a wide variety of formats, input the image information in many different ways, process the image information utilizing various techniques, in various languages, and produce outputs in a plurality of different format types and as a plurality of different products.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application of Milton Smith entitled “Global Lab Software”, Ser. No. 60/182,380, filed on Feb. 14, 2000, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to image processing, and more particular to the remote and local processing of digital picture image data. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There are many conventional techniques and systems for developing image data and processing digital images. However, most of these conventional systems are limited in their flexibility in terms of availability, connectability, a wide variety of receivable input formats, and their variety in potential output. This lack of flexibility has made it fairly difficult for users to process digital image files in a variety of input formats, into a plurality of different types of outputs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention solves these problems by providing a system, software, hardware, and an operator-system interface, which permit users additional flexibility regarding image processing. The system, software, hardware, and OSI interface permit a user to input image information in a wide variety of formats, input the image information in many different ways, process the image information utilizing various techniques, in various languages, and produce outputs in a plurality of different format types and as a plurality of different products. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a system of the present invention in one exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the main modules and the interaction therebetween of the global lab software (GLS) in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a hardware arrangement of the global lab (GLH) hardware in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a hardware arrangement of the Kiosk sub-system in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the image data flow for a remote initiated service request in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a flow chart of the actions taken to process a remote initiated service request in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the image data flow for a remote Kiosk initiated service request in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate a flow chart for a remote Kiosk initiated service request in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the image data flow for a digital media input initiated service request in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate a flowchart for a digital media input initiated service request in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a new order screen in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an order list screen in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a pop-up selection box in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an image display screen in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a rotation feature in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates adjustment of a color/density feature in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a customer information page in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 18–24  illustrate a set of administrative screens in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     1 Global Lab Software Overview 
     1.1 Objective 
     The present invention provides inexpensive high quality photo-color printing service to the general public from a digital image file. To accomplish this, the present invention includes Global Lab Software (GLS)  100  (illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) which receives user order commands, stores and processes customers&#39; digital images, and controls the quality of the print operation. GLS  100  permits the addition of new input/output devices and is adaptable to provide multi-language support for different countries. GLS  100  can be network connected, can store the customer&#39;s digital images at an Image Center  700 , and can output digital image files (including printer controls) to different input/output devices with a broad range of service offerings. 
     1.1.1 Customer Services 
     GLS  100  provides the following customer services:
         print service media input   network reprint service   net registration service (upload to the Internet)   CD-R writing service   CD-R reprint service   floppy disk writing service   Zip/Jaz writing service
 
1.2 GLS  100  Applicability
       

     GLS  100  is usable with a wide range of system configurations from small-scale, in-store platforms to large-scale lab environments. GLS  100 &#39;s scalability is accomplished by increasing the number of CPU&#39;s, memory size, disk storage, and other peripherals within a single server. 
     GLS  100  also may interact with existing digital imaging manager (DI Manager) software and digital imaging architecture software to enable automatic image processing and color-space correction for a wide variety of digital products. 
     GLS  100  also performs image optimization including:
         color correct selected images for red, green, and blue (RGB) and density;   zoom and crop;   preview corrected images;   rotate image or pan image; and   “auto scan” an entire roll of film.       

     GLS  100  can also interface seamlessly with existing print systems, such as for example, the Fuji Frontier 350/370 Printing Sub-system. GLS  100  can also interface with a broad range of digital image input and output devices. 
     1.2.1 Overview of Services 
     GLS  100  may perform the following basic functions: 
     1. print service media input including:
         index print of digital still camera (DSC) images;   3, 4, 5 and 8 inch wide prints—printed to a network printer;   up to 40 images on a sheet;   multiple input formats accepted including Exif-JPG, JPG, BMP, FPX, TIFF, GIF, PCD, PCT, COS, DPC, CAM;   DSC images can be transferred to an Image Center  700 , CD-R, floppy disk, Zip/Jaz, or printer; and   the Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) standard format.       

     2. network registration service and network reprint service 
     3. CD-R media service including in-store writing Image CD and reprint from CD-R
         scanned film, single roll per CD-R;   DSC images, one CD per media card;   images format of 4base JPEG (approx. 500 Kbytes per image);   ISO 9660 “Hybrid” CD-ROM for Mac and Windows;   Up to 750 images on a CD-ROM; and   provide an image viewer.   4. floppy disk media service—images on a photo floppy   3.5″ PC formatted (1.44 MB) floppy disk;   maximum of 30 images per disk;   image format 1Base JPEG (approx. 30 Kbytes per image); and   provide an image viewer.   5. Zip/Jaz Media Service   100/250 Zip formatted;   1 Gb/2 GB Jaz formatted;   number of images;   50 images for 100 MB Zip;   150 images for 250 MB Zip;   500 images for 1 GB Jaz;   1000 images for 2 GB Jaz;   image format 4base JPEG (approx. 500 K Bytes per image); and   provide an image viewer.
 
The services performed by the GLS  100  will be described in more detail below.
 
1.3 Digital Imaging System
       

     The digital imaging system  10 , which includes GLS  100 , is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The digital imaging system  10  includes the GLS  100 , Global Lab Hardware (GLH)  200 , a printer sub-system  300 , and a Kiosk sub-system  400 . Each of the GLS  100 , GLH  200 , printer sub-system  300 , Kiosk sub-system  400 , and a router  500 , may be co-located as evidenced by the rectangular box illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The digital image system  10  may also include remote elements, such as a remote Kiosk  600 , an image center  700 , and a customer terminal  800 , each of which may be connected to the GLS  100  via the router  500  and/or the image center  700  and the internet  900 . 
     1.4 GLH  200   
     The GLH  200  hardware illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes a GLS central processor  210 , an interface unit  220 , and a display  230 . The GLS central processor  210  may include any number of processors operating at any acceptable speed, including the necessary RAM, ROM, and other memory, input unit, such as a keyboard or mouse, communications card and/or communication elements. The interface unit  220  permits the GLS central processor  210  to interface with the various perpheral devices. In one embodiment, the interface unit is an external SCSI unit. The interface unit also permits the GLS central processor  210  to interface with the display  230 . The display  230  may be a touch screen monitor, a color monitor and/or a flat screen display. As set forth above, the GLH  200  is usable with a wide range of system configurations. The amount of processing power, memory, memory types, other peripherals, input modes, and output modes, depends largely, on the capabilities necessary for each individual configuration. The GLH hardware  200  also utilizes standard software components such as an operating system, such as Microsoft Windows NT Workstation V4.0. Symantec PC Anywhere V8.03, Oracle 8.0 Personal Edition, the GLS  100 , and Adaptec Easy CD. An uninterruptable power system, such as APC 1000 Smart UPS should also be utilized. 
     The GLS  100  may accept image input from multiple networked devices and sources such as Zip Disk (Zip/Jaz), Floppy Disk, Flash ATA (PC Card), Smart Media, Compact Flash, Magneto-Optical Disk, CD-ROM, and the Internet. 
     The GLS  100  accepts, among others, the following industry standard image file formats such as FPX, TIFF, JPEG, Exif, Fuji DiPP-raw, GIF, BMP (Windows NT/95), PCD, PCT, COS, DPC, and CAM. 
     1.5 Global Lab Software (GLS)  100   
     GLS  100  includes several programming modules, including a user services module  102 , a Business Services module  104 , an Image Manager module  106 , a Device Services module  108 , a Data Services module  110  which work together seamlessly to perform the above functions. The Device Services module  108  may also include a Point of Sales Service module  112 . The GLS  100  may also include a data base  114 . In one embodiment, the programming modules function on a single hardware server. The controlling module is the Business Services Module  104 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the GLS  100  modules. 
     1.5.1 User Services Module  102   
     The User Services module  102  provides the front-end user interface to the image workstation operator with a friendly graphical interface display and touch-screen sensitive selection to input information. In one embodiment, the User Services module  102  is a graphical user interface. Input data is processed and sent to the Business Services module  104 . The User Services module  102  also provides password protected administrative services for setup and configuration. Two types of data are received and processed: the image data (in the various formats described in Secton 1.4) and customer order data. The customer order formats are defined below in Section  5 . 
     1.5.2 Business Services Module  104   
     The Business Services module  104  receives the User Services module  102  requests, validates the request and processes the orders. The Business Services Module  104  contains format conversion module to convert BMP, FPX or Exif-Jpeg formats to a common format (in one example, DiPP-Raw format) which are then passed to the Digital Image Manager module  106 . 
     1.5.3 Digital Image Manager Module  106   
     The Digital Image Manager (DI Manager) module  106  performs color-space correction (SRGB) while running in a background mode and outputs image data to the Printer Sub-System  300 . In one embodiment, the Printer Sub-System  300  is a Fuji Frontier Printer, which interacts with the DI Manager module  106  via a query order-polling sequence. In one example, the DI Manager  106  is a Fuji Digital Imaging (F-DIA) image manager. 
     1.5.4 Device Services Module  108   
     The Device Services module  108  receives commands from the Business Services module  104  and uses the Data Services module  110  to communicate with the database  114  to store and retrieve images locally. The Device Service module  108  also transmits image data to the printer sub-system  300 . The image data transmitted to the Device Services module  108  may originate from any one of the Kiosk Sub-System  400 , a remote Kiosk  600 , customer terminal  800 , or any other connected location. 
     1.5.5 Data Services Module  110   
     The Data Services module  110  receives commands from the Device Services module  108  and structures the data to be stored in the database  114 . On readout from the database  114 , the Data Services module  110  parses the data into image data and customer order data. 
     1.5.6 Operational Data Flow 
     The operational data flow between GLS modules, is shown by arrows in  FIG. 2  and is further described below in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     A service request and the resulting flow of image data can be initiated by an end-user at customer terminal  800  via the Internet  900 , an Image Center operator processing work order from the Image Center  700 , or a remote Kiosk initiated service request from the remote Kiosk  600  via the Internet  900 . In each case, the resulting GLS Order File (which is discussed in detail in Section 3.1) and the transfer of image data is processed by GLS  100  before it is stored. 
     In more detail, the User Services module  102  provides a graphical user interface (GUI) sub-module for communication with the user, via display  230 . The user creates an order specifying input and output media type and, if the order is to be printed, the size of the print. 
     The order file and image file, are received and validated by the GUI sub-module of the User Services module  102 , and then passed to the Business Services module  104 . As is evident, the Business Services module  104  controls many of the GLS  100  data flow operations. The Business Services module  104  processes the order file and passes the order file and image file to the Data Services module  110 , which further passes the order file and image file to the Device Services module  108 . If the order is to be stored locally, the Data Services module  110  also passes both files to the database  114 , which stores and retrieves the data as necessary. In one example the database  114  is an Oracle™ 8.0 personal edition. Oracle™ 8.0&#39;s strength is it&#39;s capability to store and retrieve data reliably and it&#39;s support of the Unicode Character Set which supports multi-languages. 
     If the image data needs to be translated to another format, the Business Services module  104  sends the image data to the Digital Image Manager (DI Manager) module  106 . The DI Manager module  106  performs conversion from BMP, FPS or Exif and outputs the image in a standard (in one example, DiPP-Raw) format. The DI Manager Module  106  performs any necessary color correction based on the input type-format data via API calls. After the DI Manager Module  106  processes the image data, the image data can be passed to the Device Services Module  108 , then to the Data Services Module  110  to be stored in the database  114 , or sent to the printer sub-system  300  for printing. 
     The DI Manager Module  106  does not communicate with the printer sub-system  300  directly, but rather the printer sub-system  300  uses a polling technique to query orders and obtain the specific order information from the DI Manager Module  106  when the printer sub-system  300  requires the information. The DI Manager Module  106  may be a client, sitting on GLS  100  and running in the background. 
     1.6 Global Lab System Hardware (GLH  200 ) Configuration 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the GLH  200  hardware in more detail. 
     1.7 Universal Kiosk 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the kiosk  400 / 600  hardware in more detail. 
     1.8 Remote Initiated Service Request 
       FIGS. 5–10  illustrate the data flow and flow charts for work-flow for order information processing and image format processing originated by:
         1. a service request from the Image Center  700  where the user uploads a processed order;   2. a service request from remote Kiosk  600 , where the user uploads image and order information; and   3. a service request from customer terminal  800 , where the user inputs image and order information via a PC application.       
     1.8.1 The Image Data Flow for Remote Initiated Service Request as Illustrated in  FIG. 5  is as Follows. 
     A user  1000  uploads images  1020  created on a PC for printing on the printer sub-system  300 . Image formats accepted remotely may include: Exif-JPG, JPG, BMP, FPX, TIFF, GIF, PCD, PICT, COS, DPC, and CAM. The user  1000  requests reprints (using a standard web browser  1010 ) of an image scanned and uploaded by GLS  100  by sending a reprint request  1030 . The user  1000  may also upload images  1040  taken from a DSC camera, where the image format (such as EXIF), should be compatible for printing on the printer sub-system  300  (for example, a Fuji Frontier Printer). 
     The user  1000  can also create images using a PC application  1050  and upload for printing on the printer sub-system  300  using (FNAP)  1060 . The FNAP module is described in detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/372,750, filed Aug. 11, 2000, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Once received at the Image Center  700 , the data is then routed via a transmission line to a server running GLS  100 , where the primary image processing and color correction takes place before it is sent to the printing sub-system  300 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , image format conversion takes place in a Format Conversion module. If the data is in FPX 4Base format or BMP, the Order Information is read before it is passed to the DI Manager module  106 . If the data is in Exif format, it is sent to a DSC Module  118  for reading DPOF (or COS) information, before it is color corrected by the DI Manager module  106  (which converts to a standard format such as DiPP-Raw) and stored in the database  114 . From there, the image data is sent to the printer sub-system  300  or output to any specified media device. 
     1.9 Internet Initiated Work Flow 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the actions taken to process a remote initiated service request. 
     1.10 Remote Kiosk  600  Initiated Service Request 
     1.10.1 The Image Data Flow for a Remote Kiosk  600  Initiated Service Request as Illustrated in  FIG. 7  is as Follows: 
     The user  1000  creates images on a PC and/or the internet  900 , for printing on the printer sub-system  300 . The image may be in Exif-JPG, JPG, BMP, FPX, TIFF, GIF, PCD, PICT, COS, DPC, or CAM image formats. 
     The user  1000  inserts media into the Kiosk  600  and uses an input device (for example a touch screen) to select images and order information. The media may be a DSC media, a zip disc, a floppy disc, a compact disc, or other similar medium. 
     Software at the Kiosk  600  then sends the customer images and order file to GLS  100  (via FTP or other similar standard) for printing on the printer sub-system  300 . 
     1.11 Kiosk Initiated Data Flow 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the actions taken to process a remote kiosk initiated service request. 
     1.12 Digital Media Input Initiated Service Request 
     The image data flow of a digital media input initiated service request as illustrated in  FIG. 9  is as follows: 
     A user  1000  creates images on a PC and/or the internet  900 , for printing on the printer sub-system  300 . Image formats may include Exif-JPG, JPG, BMP, FPX, TIFF, GIF, PCD, PICT, COS, DPC, or CAM. 
     A lab operator downloads the images from the Image Center  700  and selects images and order information. The lab operator inserts a medium and uses an input device (for example a touch screen) to select images and order information. The media may be a DSC media, a zip disc, a floppy disc, a compact disc, or other similar medium. 
     The GLS  100  sends the image for printing on the printer sub-system  300 . 
     1.13 Digital Media Input Initiated Work Flow 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the actions taken to process a digital media input initiated service request. 
     2 Detail Media and Formats 
     2.1 Input Media Type 
     The following are exemplary input media types for the Digital Imaging System  10 : CD-R (CD-R74 with CD-ID bar-code), Floppy Disk (FD) (1.44 MB with DOS and Mac standard format), PC card, Smart Media, Compact Flash, Zip Drive (100 MB and 250 MB with DOS/Windows and Mac standard), Jaz Drive (1 GB and 2 GB), and HiFD (200 MB Floppy Disk). 
     2.2 Output Media Type 
     The following are exemplary output media types for the Digital Imaging System  10 : CD-R (CD-R74), FD (1.44 MB with DOS/Windows), Zip Drive (100 MB and 250 MB with DOS/Windows), and Jaz Drive (1 GB and 2 GB). 
     2.3 Input File Format 
     The following are exemplary input file formats for the Digital Imaging System  10 : FPX (1Base or 4Base), JPG (JPEG), Exif-JPG (Exif Ver.1.0, 2.0, 2. 1, R98), Exif-TIFF, TIFF, BMP, COS order file, FUJI-DPC order file, Fuji order file specification for F-DI media print service, GIF, DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), DPOF (the GLS  100  Order File format), PhotoCD, and PICT for MAC. 
     2.4 Output File Format 
     The following are exemplary output file formats for the Digital Imaging System  10 : FPX (4base) and JPG (4base and 1base). These output file format types are selectable; however, for Floppy Disk (FD) writing, normally only JPG is used. 
     2.5 Output Services 
     2.5.1 Digitized Images may be Output to CD-R, Zip, Jaz, FD, and MO. 
     Exemplary details of image digitizing is set forth below. 
     2.6 Detailed Image Digitizing Parameters 
     2.6.1 CD-R Zip/Jaz Writing 
     Film or slide media can be digitized using the printer sub-system 300 (in one example, a Frontier 350/370). Data is converted to FPX or Exif-JPG and written to CD-R, Zip or Jaz drive in accordance with the exemplary parameters of Table 1. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Scanner 
                 Frontier 350 
               
               
                 Film type 
                 135/IX240 negative or positive film 
               
               
                 Output media 
                 CD-R, Zip, Jaz 
               
               
                 Writing 
                 Exif-JPG 4base, 750frame/CD-R 
               
               
                 format 
                 The estimate capacity was scanned with 3R print size, 
               
               
                   
                 FSCA use 4R and update capacity. 
               
               
                   
                 FlashPix 4base□300frame/CD-R 
               
               
                   
                 The estimate capacity was scanned with 3R print size, 
               
               
                   
                 FSCA use 4R and update capacity. 
               
               
                 Writing 
                 Writing to blank CDs and CDs which already contains 
               
               
                   
                 data, is possible. 
               
               
                 Index print 
                 40 frames/print 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     2.6.2 Reading from DSC Data 
     The DI Manager  106  converts image to FPX. GLS  100  converts images to JPG and writes to CD-R, Zip, Jaz or FD in accordance with the exemplary parameters of Table 2. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Input file type 
                 Exif-JPG, FPX, CAM 
               
               
                 Output media 
                 CD-R, Zip, Jaz 
               
               
                 Writing 
                 JPG 4base/frame□frame/CD-R 
               
               
                 format 
                 FlashPix 4base/frame□frame/CD-R 
               
               
                 Viewer 
                 Synchronous writing 
               
               
                 Writing 
                 Writing to blank CDs and CDs which already contain 
               
               
                   
                 data, is possible. 
               
               
                 Index print 
                 40 frames/print 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     File sizes will differ depending on the Horizontal/Vertical (H/V) aspect ratio of the DSC image and image size. 
     2.6.3 Floppy Disk Writing 
     Digitizing the film using the printer sub-system  300  (Frontier  350 / 370 ), converts the data to FPX. The GLS  100  converts the data to JPG and writes the images to FD in accordance with the exemplary parameters of Table 3. 
                                 TABLE 3                           Scanner   Frontier 350           Film type   135/IX240 negative or positive film           Output media   FD           Writing   JPG 30KB/frame, 30frame/FD           format           Viewer   Synchronous writing           Writing   Only writing to a blank FD is possible.           Index print   None                        
2.7 Image Digitizing and Printing
 
     The following nine print scenarios are described below in detail.
         1. CD-R Reprint from CD-R   2. FD Reprint from FD   3. Media print   4. Digital camera print   5. CD-R/Zip/Jazz index print   6. Print from Kiosk  400 / 600     7. Reprint from Zip   8. Reprint from Jazz
 
Detailed Printing Parameters:
       

     (1) Reprint from CD-R 
     The GLS  100  prints the images from CD-R in accordance with the exemplary parameters of Table 4. The print size is selectable: L/Hv/P or C/H/P can be selected. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Input media 
                 CD-R 
               
               
                   
                 File format 
                 FPX, JPG 
               
               
                   
                 Printer 
                 Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                   
                 Print size 
                 All print sizes supported by Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     (2) Reprint from FD 
     The GLS  100  prints the images from FD in accordance with the exemplary parameters of Table 5. Print size is selectable: L/Hv/P or C/H/P can be selected. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Input media 
                 FD 
               
               
                   
                 File format 
                 JPG 
               
               
                   
                 Printer 
                 Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                   
                 Print size 
                 All print sizes supported by Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     (3) Media Print 
     The GLS  100  prints images processed on user&#39;s PC in accordance with th exemplary parameters of Table 6. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Input media 
                 CD-R, FD, PC card, Zip, Smart Media 
               
               
                   
                 Compact Flash, Jaz, HiFD (refer to 2-1) 
               
               
                 File format 
                 Exif-JPG, JPG, BMP, FPX, TIFF, GIF, PCD, PICT, 
               
               
                   
                 COS, DPC, CAM 
               
               
                 Printer 
                 Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                 Print size 
                 All print sizes supported by Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     (4) Digital Camera Print 
     The GLS  100  prints raw (unedited) images from digital cameras in accordance with th exemplary parameters of Table 7. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 7 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Input media 
                 CD-R, FD, PC card, Zip, Smart Media 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Compact Flash, Jaz, HiFD (refer to 2-1) 
               
               
                   
                 File format 
                 FPX, Exif-JPG, CAM 
               
               
                   
                 Printer 
                 Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                   
                 Print size 
                 DSC size 8.9 × 11.9 cm/10.2 × 13.6 cm and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 All print sizes supported by Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Note 1: The aspect ratio of the original DSC images differs depending on the manufacturer. The DI Manager 106 adapts to a print size of 3:4 (DSC size) which has been widely adopted. 
               
               
                   
                 Note 2: The DI Manager 106 automatically detects the aspect ratio of the original image then finds the best fit print size, or selects the ‘all image print’. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
     (5) CD-R/Zip/Jaz Index Print 
     The GLS  100  creates an index print from images written to the CD-R, Zip or Jaz in accordance with th exemplary parameters of Table 8. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 8 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Input 
                 CD-R/Zip/Jaz 
               
               
                   
                 Printer 
                 Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                   
                 Print size 
                 4 × 4.7 in. (10.2 × 12 cm) CD-R jacket size 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     (6) Print from Kiosk 
     The GLS  100  prints files which have been ordered using the printer sub-system  300  in accordance with th exemplary parameters of Table 9. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 9 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Input 
                 Network or via media 
               
               
                   
                 File format 
                 COS, .ORD 
               
               
                   
                 Printer 
                 Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                   
                 Print size 
                 All print sizes supported by Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     (7) Reprint from Zip 
     The GLS  100  prints the images from CD-R in accordance with th exemplary parameters of Table 10. The print size is selectable: L/Hv/P or C/H/P. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 10 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Input media 
                 Zip 
               
               
                 File format 
                 Exif-JPG, JPG, BMP, FPX, TIFF, GIF, PCD, PICT, 
               
               
                   
                 COS, DPC, CAM 
               
               
                 Printer 
                 Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                 Print size 
                 All print sizes supported by Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     (8) Reprint from Jaz 
     The GLS  100  prints the images from CD-R in accordance with th exemplary parameters of Table 11. The print size is selectable: L/Hv/P or C/H/P. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 11 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Input media 
                 Jaz 
               
               
                   
                 File format 
                 Exif-JPG, JPG, BMP, FPX, TIFF, GIF, PCD, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 PICT, COS, DPC, CAM 
               
               
                   
                 Printer 
                 Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                   
                 Print size 
                 All print sizes supported by Frontier 350/370 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     3 GLS 100 Interface Specifications 
     3.1 Order Purchase File 
     The inbound and outbound order purchase file requirements for GLS  100  are defined by a GLS Order File (identified as .ORD). The Image Center  700  and the Kiosk  400 / 600  generate a GLS Order File and send it (via FTP) with the associated images, to the Global Lab Software (GLS)  100  for processing. These files are received into a specific directory and are identified by order number. Software will poll for these .ORD files and process them. The GLS Order File, which is a text format file, contains order parameters for the different types of services requested, such as print, reprint, T-shirt purchases, etc. 
     3.1.1 Digital Lab System Inbound &amp; Outbound Requirements 
     GLS  100  also supports existing order purchase specifications for existing lab systems. Hence, GLS  100  will be responsible for processing the existing .ord, order file format. The GLS Order File for the Image Center  700  and Kiosk  400 / 600  support has similar but expanded order parameters (described in more detail in Section 7). When processing an inbound or an outbound order file, the GLS  100  first checks parameters in the order file to distinguish one of these formats before processing:
         Existing Case       

     The Image Center  700  FTPs an order file to GLS  100  using an existing order file format.
         GLS Order File Case       

     The Image Center  700  FTPs an order file to the GLS  100  using the new order file format. In this process, the Image Center  700  remotely creates a directory on the GLH  200 . The name of the directory is the order id. (i.e. FSC121212121). Once the directory is created, individual images are copied into it, then the related .ord file is also copied into the directory. 
     New Kiosk Case (For Local  400  and Remote  600  Kiosks) 
     A remote Kiosk  600  sends an order file via FTP to GLS  100  using the Kiosk order file format. A local Kiosk  400  has a shared drive where Lab Software resides, the GLS Order file on the Kiosk  400  can be accessed. In both the remote and local Kiosk scenarios, the Kiosk  400 / 600  will be responsible for creating a directory on the Lab Software machine. Its directory name is the order id name. (i.e. FSC12121212). Once the directory is created, individual images are copied into it, then the related .ord file is also copied into this directory. 
     An example of an Order File is shown as follows:
         [JOB]   SenderID=   RollID=album   OrderID=97   Tracknum=PICPIT0009798   StoreName=&lt;unknown&gt;   StoreID=0   LabID=SFS   LabFTPAddress=207.135.84.33   LabFTPUsemame=anonymous   LabFTPPassword=foobar   LotNo=0001   Origin=0   NoOfScanImage=4   Source=4   Date=08/12/1998 14:42:26.000   [Print]   ImageFile=3.fpx,4.fpx,1.fpx,2.fpx   ProductCode=802,808,802,816   ProductAttrs=,Size:L,,Size:XL   ImageSize=4×6,5×7,4×6,4×6   Border=0,0,0,0   NoOfPrint=3,2,1,1   FilmType=URL,URL,URL,URL   Orientation=0,0,0,0   BackPrint=card1f1.fpx,pcdgirl.jpg,ct0645.mix,ct0823.mix   [text]   OrderID: 97   Tracking Number: PICPIT0009798   Roll ID:   Store ID: 0   Store Name: &lt;unknown&gt;,&lt;unknown&gt;,&lt;unknown&gt;   Member ID: 3HS8ETVBP9   Date: 08/12/1998 14:42:26.000   ORDER DETAILS:       

     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Item 
                 Roll 
                 Frame 
                 Quant. 
                 Price 
                 Total 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Adult&#39;s Photo T-Shirt 
                 album 
                 2.fpx 
                 1 
                 $19.99  
                 $19.99  
               
               
                 (Extra large) 
               
               
                 Photo Reprints 
                 album 
                 3.fpx 
                 3 
                 $0.99 
                 $2.97 
               
               
                 (4 × 6 inch reprints f 
               
               
                 Photo Reprints 
                 album 
                 1.fpx 
                 1 
                 $0.99 
                 $0.99 
               
               
                 (4 × 6 inch reprints f 
               
               
                 Photo Reprints 
                 album 
                 4.fpx 
                 2 
                 $4.99 
                 $9.98 
               
               
                 (5 × 7 inch enlargemen 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Item Sub-Total: 
                 $0.00 
               
               
                   
                 Shipping &amp; Handling: 
                 $0.00 
               
               
                   
                 Tax: 
                 $0.00 
               
               
                   
                 Total: 
                 $0.00 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
         
         
           
             MAIL TO: 
             SHIP VIA: 
             CyberCash Authorization Code: 
             Customer Transaction ID: 980626221700153 
             Customer Transaction Number: 
           
         
       
    
     5 Operator Interface 
     5.1 Global Lab Software (GLS  100 )—Operator Selection Screens 
     When the operator runs GLS  100  on the imaging workstation, the New Order screen  1100 , illustrated in  FIG. 11 , is displayed first. The areas and layout of the New Order screen  1110  are described below. 
     Generally, the operator screens of the present invention are divided into several general areas. At the very top of the screen is a Toolbar Area  1102  and usually has File and Help selection tools. Just below that is the Banner  1104  and below that are the Navigation buttons  1106 . The lighter oval (highlighted) Navigation button  1106  indicates the title of the page displayed in the area below: the Selection Display Area  1108 . Areas displayed on multiple screens include: the Tool Bar Area  1102 , the Banner  1104 , the Navigation buttons  1106  and a Status Bar  1110 . The Selection Display area  1108  changes depending on the tab selected. 
     In the Selection Display Area  1108 , GLS  100  displays a page of operator information for operator to make various selections. In the example in  FIG. 11 , the New Order screen  1100  is displayed and the operator selects from: area ( 1108 - 1 ) the input media for the new order (one type); area ( 1108 - 2 ) the output media for the order (one or more types); and area ( 1108 - 3 ) the type of processing desired: Automatic, Semi-automatic, or Manual processing. 
     At the bottom of the screen the Status Bar  1110  shows all pending orders as buttons. The individual paper widths are highlighted if any of the pending jobs require that magazine. The individual output media types are highlighted if any of the pending jobs use that type. At the very bottom are the three selection buttons: All Pending Orders  1110 - 1 , Completed Orders  1110 - 2  and Order Detail  1110 - 3 . All Pending Orders  1110 - 1  brings up another window showing all orders currently pending. Completed Orders  1110 - 2  brings up another window showing all orders which have been completed. Order Detail  1110 - 3  shows specific information on a job which the user specifies. 
     Since, in a preferred embodiment, data entry is performed using a touch screen or mouse, all the input buttons and icons areas are big enough to allow operator selection with different size fingers. For Input Media Select  1108 - 1  the operator selects only one type of media by touching the desired media icon and that media is highlighted. For Output Media Select  1108 - 2 , the operator can select one or more types of output media and they are each highlighted. 
     To advance to the next selection screen, the operator selects a mode button  1108 - 3 : Automatic, Semi-Automatic or Manual processing. Pressing the Automatic button causes a pop-up screen to be displayed for selecting the quantity and print size for the order. 
     There are three buttons on the right side of the Selection Display area  1106  titled Reset  1112 , Administration  1114 , and Quit  1116 . The Reset button  1112  will clear the order selection; the Administration button  1114  goes to the Administration Setup screens (discussed below in conjunction with  FIGS. 2   18 – 24 ); and the Quit button  1116 , goes to the Order List screen  1200  (discussed below). 
     5.2 Order List 
     The Order List page  1200 , illustrated in  FIG. 12 , is another main starting point for an order. The Order List page  1200  can be displayed by pressing the Order List button in the Navigation Bar  1106  and shows all customer orders (for example “namel” in  FIG. 12 ) listed vertically and the number and size of the output prints desired. Selecting one of these orders displays the details of this customer order. 
     The Order List page  1200  is displayed by depressing the Order List navigation button in the Navigation Bar  1106 . 
     A user may select and delete an order  1202 , process the order  1204  or cancel the order  1206  selected using the buttons on the lower right. Pressing New Order navigation returns to the New Order screen  1100 . 
     5.3 Automatic Processing 
     From the New Order screen  1100 , selecting one of the Mode buttons  1108 - 3 ; Automatic, Semi-automatic or manual advances to the next set of screens. 
     If Automatic is selected, a pop-up selection box  1300  appears (illustrated in  FIG. 13 ), to allow the operator to change the quantity and size of the prints. The title of this box is dependent on the output media and may be: Floppy Disk to Print, Zip to Print, CD-ROM to Print, Network to Print, or DSC to Print. 
     Pressing the Process button causes the order to process and display the Customer Information Page (discussed below in conjunction with  FIG. 17 ). 
     5.4 Image Display Page 
     From the New Order screen  1100 , if the Semi-automatic or the Manual button is pressed, the Image Display page  1400  illustrated in  FIG. 14  is shown. The Image Display page  1400  allows operator selection of a specific image DSC00001 and DSC 00003 (in  FIG. 14 ) from icons displayed near the bottom of the page. For each image, the operator may make changes to the Print Setup for the number of prints, size of print, rotation of the image on the print, and minor adjustments to color and density. It is noted that the image shown in the following screens is not representative of the image quality of an actual image. 
     After selecting the image from the icons displayed near the bottom of the page, the image is displayed in the preview area  1402  (in one embodiment, 300 by 300 pixels). Just to the right of the preview area  1402  are three selection tabs: Print Setup  1404 , Rotation  1406 , and Color/Density  1408 . Selecting the Print Setup tab  1404  as shown in  FIG. 14 , allows the operator to set the number of prints and size of the prints for the image in the preview area  1402 . 
     Selecting the Rotation tab  1406  allows the operator to adjust the rotation of the image printed to 90 degrees clockwise, 180 degrees clockwise, 270 degrees clockwise, etc. as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
     Pressing the Next button advances to the Customer Information page (discussed below in conjunction with  FIG. 17 ) or pressing the Color/Density tab  1408  shows the color and Density adjustments panel, illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
     Selecting the Color/Density tab  1408  on the right side of the Image Display page  1400  displays to the operator Color/Density adjustment buttons −C, +C, −M, +M, −Y, +Y, −D, +D. 
     The Color/Density adjustment buttons allow the operator to change the cyan (c), magenta(m), and yellow (y) channel levels by using the minus (−) buttons or plus (+) buttons in any combination. The changes may be shown (in one exemplary embodiment) in increments of 5 units and range from −25 to +25. Touching the +C button permits adjusting the cyan channel for more cyan. Touching the +M permits adjusting the magenta channel for more magenta. Touching the +Y permits adjusting the yellow channel for more yellow. Conversely, touching the minus (−) button of any of these results in the reduction of the associated color channel. The resulting image is displayed in the image preview area  1402 . 
     The density of the printed image may also be adjusted using the −D and +D buttons, in increments (in one exemplary embodiment) of 15 units, and range from −75 to +75 units. Plus (+) darkens the image and minus (−) lightens the image. The resulting image is displayed in the image preview area  1402 . 
     In  FIGS. 14–16 , the buttons just below Print Setup  1404 , Rotation  1406 , and Color/Density  1408  are used as follows: the Reset button  1410  is used to clear the image adjustments for the image in the Preview Area  1402  and start over. The Save button  1412  is used to keep the settings with the image for future reference. The Apply to All button  1416  applies the settings to all images. The Cancel button  1418  cancels the order and returns to the New Order page  1100 . The Remove button  1420  removes the image from the print process. Finally, the Next button  1422  is used to advance to the Customer Information page, described below in conjunction with  FIG. 17 . 
     5.5 Customer Information Page 
     Selecting the Next button  1422  from the Image Display page  1400 , advances to the Customer Information page  1700 . This page  1700  is used to record the customer&#39;s name, address, city, state and Zip code. 
     Pressing the Process button causes the progress indicator bar to be displayed in a pop-up box and when the progress bar achieves 100%, the New Order page  1100  is again displayed. 
     5.6 Manual Selection 
     On the New Order page  1100 , pressing the Manual Mode button allows the operator to manually select the directory and individual images on any file or directory, using the standard Windows open dialog box. The operator must search and select the images to be used manually. Once a directory and file or group of files is selected, the Image Display page  1400  is again displayed. Navigation and selection continues as described above. 
     6 Administration Interface 
     6.1 Global Lab Software (GLS  100 )—Administration Setup Screens 
     Pressing the New Order button of the Navigation Buttons  1106  illustrated in  FIG. 11  produces the first of a set of administration screens  1800  (illustrated in  FIGS. 18–24 ) which are used to define the input devices  1802 , output devices  1804 , supervisor options  1806  and to identify the type of user  1808 . All of these screens are selected by clicking on the Navigation Buttons  1106 . 
     The selection and operation of the administration screens  1800  are somewhat different from the previously described operator screens. As illustrated in the example in  FIG. 18  in the left window is an Available List  1810 , in the right window, a Selected List  1812 . The user selects one of the items from the Available List  1810 , and presses the Add button between the windows to move the selected item to the Selected List  1812 . The user may also double-click on the item in the Available List  1810  to move it to the Selected List  1812 . If the user makes an error, the user can select the item in the Selected List  1812  and press the Remove button (or double click on the item) to return it to the Available List  1810 . 
     The user may also select all items from the Available List  1810  and move them to the Selected List  1812  by pressing the Add All button. Pressing the Clear button causes all selected items to be returned to the Available List  1810 . If the Selected List  1812  is very long, there are two buttons under the window, an up and a down button to scroll the list. When the user is satisfied with the Selected List  1812 , pressing the Set Options button causes the list to be saved. 
     If the user activates the button  1808 , the exemplary Users Folder  1900 , illustrated in  FIG. 19 , is then displayed. 
     Selecting Operator in the Available Users List  1910 , allows the administrator to add more users and selecting Kiosk Customer allows the administrator to add more Kiosk customers. One can also select the Supervisor/Admin. by moving it to the Selected Users List  1912  by pressing the Add button (or double clicking on the Supervisor/Admin). Pressing the Set Options button saves the selection, and permits navigation as the Supervisor/Administrator user. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates the use of the administration screen  1800  of  FIG. 18  in more detail; in particular, the Selected List  1812 .  FIG. 20  illustrates that the CD-ROM, Floppy Disk, and PC Card have each been selected one at a time and by pressing the Add button for each input device have been added to the Selected Input List  1812 . Pressing Set Options saves this list. 
     For each of the input devices, selecting the device from the Selected Input List  1812  and pressures the Details button produces the drop-down box  2100  illustrated in  FIG. 21 . The drop down-box  2100  may be used to enter the input device path (such as a:), and an icon path). Pressing OK accepts the entered path; cancel takes the user back to the previous Input Device Folder of  FIG. 20 . 
     In  FIG. 18 , if Output Devices  1804  is selected, a folder similar to  FIG. 18  (illustrated in  FIG. 22 ) is displayed. Highlight the PG3000/4000 printer and pressing the Add buttons move it from the Available Output Device List  2210  to the Selected List  2212 . Highlighting the PG3000/4000 line again and pressing the Details button produces the Output Details drop-down box  2300  illustrated in  FIG. 23 . 
     The drop down-box  2300  may be used to enter the output device path (such as J\P(G)), and an icon path. Pressing OK accepts the entered path; cancel takes the user back to the previous Input Device Folder of  FIG. 20 . 
     In  FIG. 18 , if Supervisors Options  1806  is selected. Supervisor Options folder  2400 , illustrated in  FIG. 24 , is displayed. From Folder  2400 , a user may set the local language, the monetary units, the operating time zone, units of measurement, print sizes available, paper type (Glossy and/or Matte) and identify a specific Save As directory as the default output directory path. 
     In the language box, clicking on the down triangle opens a drop-down box and permits selection of the appropriate language for the displayed screens: English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese. etc. 
     In the Currency box, clicking on the down triangle opens the drop-down box and permits selection of the appropriate currency from the selections available. 
     In the Time Zone box, clicking on the down triangle opens the drop-down box and permits selection of a time zone, such as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), Eastern Standard Time (EST), Pacific Standard Time (PST), etc. 
     For Print Sizes, a user may check all print sizes available to be printed on the printer sub-system  300 . 
     For Paper Selection, a user may check each box: Glossy and/or Matte as appropriate. 
     In the Save as Directory box, a user may enter specific Save As directory default as the output disk drive and directory. 
     When the user has completed all selections, the user may press the Set Options button to save the selections and close the Supervisor Options file. 
       FIGS. 18–24  describe the Administration Setup Screens in detail. Pressing Cancel to return to  FIG. 11 . 
     7 GLS  100  Purchase Order File 
     The following described a GLS  100  purchase order file in more detail. 
     7.1 GLS Purchase Order File Specifications 
     The Image Center  700  and the Kiosk sub-system  400 / 600  generate a GLS Purchase Order File and send it (via FTP) with the associated images, to the Global Lab Software (GLS)  100  for processing. 
     7.1.1 Existing Order File Parameters Description 
     The Existing Order File parameters are defined as follows:
         [Job] : This tab indicates this is an existing order file format used by the system  10 .   SenderID: The Sender id (string 128 char)   RollID : Roll id (string, 128 char)   OrderID : Order Id, this should be an unique number (string, alphanumeric 128 char)   Tracknum : This contains a variable number of alphabet characters followed by the order number. (string, 128 char)   StoreName: The name of the store that first receives the input (string 128 char)   StoreID : The id of the store   LabID : The id for the processing lab using lab software (string 128 char)   LabFTPAddress: ftp address where the order file and images are to be sent (alphanumeric 24 char)   LabFTPUsername: FTP login user name (alphanumeric 7min, 12 max)   LabFTPPassword: FTP password name (alphanumeric 7min, 12 max)   LotNo: Lot number (string 128 char)   Origin: Origin (string 128 char)   NoOfScanImage: Number of Scanned images (int 999 max)   Source: Source (string 128 char)   Date: Send date (string 128 char)   [Print]: This describes the print information.   ImageFile: Contains one or more image file names   ProductCode: The product code (string 128 char)   ProductAttrs: The attributes of the product such as: size, colors and etc. . . . (string 128 char).   ImageSize: The output image sizes for the respective image files   Border: The border info for respective images   NoOfPrint: The number of prints for the respective images (int 999max)   FilmType: File Type of the respective images (string 128 char)   Orientation: Orientation of the respective images   BackPrint : Back print for the respective images (two lines 40 char max)   [text]: This section contains text to be printed on the invoice.
 
GLS Order File (Image Center 700 Case) Parameters Description
       

     A sample of the GLS Order File for the Image Center  700  is as follows:
         [IMAGE CENTER 700 JOB]   SenderID=   RollID=album   OrderID=97   Tracknum=PICPIT0009798   StoreName=&lt;unknown&gt;   StoreID=0   LabID=SFS   LabFTPAddress=207.135.84.33   LabFTPUsemame=anonymous   LabFTPPassword=foobar   NoOfScanImage=4   Source=4   Date=08/12/1998 14:42:26.000   [Print]   ImageFile=3.fpx,4.fpx,1.fpx,2.fpx   ProductCode=802,808,802,816   ProductName=T-shirt, T-shirt, T-shirt, T-shirt,   ProductAttrs=,Size:L,,Size:XL   ImageSize=4×6,5×7,4×6,4×6   Border=0,0,0,0   NoOfPrint=3,2,1,1   Orientation=0,0,0,0   BackPrint=card1f1.fpx,pcdgirl.jpg,ct0645.mix,ct0823.mix   [Invoice]   OrderID: 97   Tracking Number: PICPIT0009798   Roll ID:   Store ID: 0   Store Name: &lt;unknown&gt;,&lt;unknown&gt;,&lt;unknown&gt;   Member ID: 3HS8ETVBP9   Date: 08/12/1998 14:42:26.000   Item: Adult&#39;s Photo T-Shirt (Extra large), Photo Reprints (4×6 inch reprints f,   Photo Reprints (4×6 inch reprints f   Roll: album, album, album, album   Frame: 2.fpx, 3.fpx, 1.fpx, 4.fpx   Quantity: 1,3,1,2   Price: $19.99, $0.99, $0.99, $4.99   Total: $19.99, $2.97, $0.99, $9.98   Item Sub-Total: $0.00   Shipping &amp; Handling: $0.00   Tax: $0.00   Total Amount: $120.00   CyberCash Authorization Code:   Customer Transaction ID: 980626221700153   Customer Transaction Number:   [text]   OrderID: 97   Tracking Number: PICPIT0009798   Roll ID:   Store ID : 0   Store Name: &lt;unknown&gt;,&lt;unknown&gt;,&lt;unknown&gt;   Member ID: 3HS8ETVBP9   Date: 08/12/1998 14:42:26.000   ORDER DETAILS:       

     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Item 
                 Roll 
                 Frame 
                 Quant. 
                 Price 
                 Total 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Adult&#39;s Photo T-Shirt 
                 album 
                 2.fpx 
                 1 
                 $19.99  
                 $19.99  
               
               
                 (Extra large) 
               
               
                 Photo Reprints 
                 album 
                 3.fpx 
                 3 
                 $0.99 
                 $2.97 
               
               
                 (4 × 6 inch reprints f 
               
               
                 Photo Reprints 
                 album 
                 1.fpx 
                 1 
                 $0.99 
                 $0.99 
               
               
                 (4 × 6 inch reprints f 
               
               
                 Photo Reprints 
                 album 
                 4.fpx 
                 2 
                 $4.99 
                 $9.98 
               
               
                 (5 × 7 inch enlargemen 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Item Sub-Total: 
                 $0.00 
               
               
                   
                 Shipping &amp; Handling: 
                 $0.00 
               
               
                   
                 Tax: 
                 $0.00 
               
               
                   
                 Total: 
                 $0.00 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
         
         
           
             MAIL TO: 
             SHIP VIA: 
             CyberCash Authorization Code: 
             Customer Transaction ID: 980626221700153 
             Customer Transaction Number: 
           
         
       
    
     The GLS Order File (for the Image Center  700 ) parameters are very similar to that of the existing order file with the following distinctions:
         [IMAGE CENTER JOB]       

     This first tag indicates that this order file is sent using the new GLS Order File format. 
     The [invoice] section is added to the existing parameters to captures invoice information. These parameters are extracted from the unformatted [text] section so the GLS  100  can easily process them. 
     GLS Order File (Kiosk Case) Parameters Description 
     A sample of the GLS Order File for the Kiosk sub-system  400 / 600  is as follows:
         [KIOSK]   SenderID=   RollID=album   OrderID=97   Tracknum=PICPIT0009798   StoreName=&lt;unknown&gt;   StoreID=0   LabID=SFS   LabFTPAddress=207.135.84.33   LabFTPUsemame=anonymous   LabFTPPassword=foobar   NoOfScanImage=4   Date=08/12/1998 14:42:26.000   [INPUT]   InputType=CD ROM   [FLOPPY DISK READ]   ImageFile=1.FPX,2,FPX,2,FPX,2,FPX   InputDirPath=d:\image\,d:\image   Orientation=0,0,0,0   [CD-ROM]   ImageFile=1.FPX,2,FPX,2,FPX,2,FPX   InputDirPath=d:\image\,d:\image   Orientation=0,0,0,0   [ZIP READ]   ImageFile=1.FPX,2,FPX,2,FPX,2,FPX   ImageType-4xbase,1xBase,1xBase,1xBase   InputDirPath=e:\image,e:\image,e:\image,e:\image   Orientation=0,0,0,0   [FLATBED SCANNER]   DeviceName=   ImageFile=1.FPX,2,FPX   ImageType-4xbase,1xBase   Orientation=0,0   [DSC READ]   DeviceName=   ImageFile=1.FPX,2,FPX   ImageType-4xbase,1xBase   Orientation=0,0   [OUTPUT]   Output=PRINT, CD WRITE, MO WRITE, JAZZ WRITE, ZIP WRITE, FLOPPY   DISK WRITE   [PRINT]   Print=Yes   ImageFile=3.fpx,4.fpx,1.fpx,2.fpx   ProductCode=802,808,802,816   ProductName=T-shirt,T-shirt,T-shirt,T-shirt   ProductAttrs=,Size:L,,Size:XL   ImageSize=4×6,5×7,4×6,4×6   Border=0,0,0,0   NoOfPrint=3,2,1,1   FilmType=URL,URL,URL,URL   Orientation=0,0,0,0   BackPrint=card1f1.fpx,pcdgirl.jpg,ct0645.mix,ct0823.mix   [CD WRITE]   NewSession=yer   InputImageFile=3.fx,4.fpx,1fpx,2.fpx   ServiceCode=602,602,602,602   ServiceName=CD Writing, CD Writing, CD Writing, CD Writing   OutputImageFile-3.jpg,2.jpg,1.jpg,2.jpg   OutputDirectory=E:\image, E:\image, E:\image, E:\image   Orientation=0,0,0,0   [ZIP WRITE]   InputImageFile=3.fpx,4.fpx, 1.fpx,2.fpx   ServiceCode=102,102,102,102   ServiceName=ZIP Writing, ZIP Writing, ZIP Writing, ZIP Writing   OutputImageFile=3 .jpg,2.jpg,1jpg,2.jpg   OutputDirectory=E:\image,E:\image, E:\image, E:\image,   Orientation=0,0,0,0   [FLOPPY DISK WRITE]   InputImageFile=3.fpx,4.fpx, 1.fpx,2.fpx   ServiceCode=203,203,203,203   ServiceName=FLOPPY Writing, FLOPPY Writing, FLOPPY Writing, FLOPPY   Writing   OutputImageFile-3.jpg,2.jpg, 1.jpg,2.jpg   OutputDirectory=E:\image, E:\image, E:\image, E:\image   Orientation=0,0,0,0   [JAZZ WRITE]   InputImageFile=3.fpx,4.fpx,1.fpx,2.fpx   ServiceCode=402,402,402,402   ServiceName=JAZZ Writing, JAZZ Writing, JAZZ Writing, JAZZ Writing   OutputImageFile-3.jpg,2.jpg,1.jpg,2.jpg   OutputDirectory=E:\image, E:\image, E:\image, E:\image   Orientation=0,0,0,0   [Invoice]   OrderID: 97   Tracking Number: PICPIT0009798   Roll ID:   Store ID: 0   Store Name : &lt;unknown&gt;,&lt;unknown&gt;,&lt;unknown&gt;   Member ID: 3HS8ETVBP9   Date: 08/12/1998 14:42:26.000   Item: Adult&#39;s Photo T-Shirt (Extra large), Photo Reprints (4×6 inch reprints f,   Photo Reprints (4×6 inch reprints f   Roll: album, album, album, album   Frame: 2.fpx,3.fpx,1.fpx,4.fpx   Quantity: 1,3,1,2   Price : $19.99, $0.99, $0.99, $4.99   Total : $19.99, $2.97, $0.99, $9.98   Item Sub-Total: $0.00   Shipping &amp; Handling: $0.00   Tax: $0.00   Total Amount: $120.00   CyberCash Autorization Code:   Customer Transaction ID: 980626221700153   Customer Transaction Number:   [text]   OrderID: 97   Tracking Number: PICPIT0009798   Roll ID:   Store ID: 0   Store Name: &lt;unknown&gt;,&lt;unknown&gt;,&lt;unknown&gt;   Member ID: 3HS8ETVBP9   Date: 08/12/1998 14:42:26.000
 
Order Details:
       

     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Item 
                 Roll 
                 Frame 
                 Quant. 
                 Price 
                 Total 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Adult&#39;s Photo T-Shirt 
                 album 
                 2.fpx 
                 1 
                 $19.99  
                 $19.99  
               
               
                 (Extra large) 
               
               
                 Photo Reprints 
                 album 
                 3.fpx 
                 3 
                 $0.99 
                 $2.97 
               
               
                 (4 × 6 inch reprints f 
               
               
                 Photo Reprints 
                 album 
                 1.fpx 
                 1 
                 $0.99 
                 $0.99 
               
               
                 (4 × 6 inch reprints f 
               
               
                 Photo Reprints 
                 album 
                 4.fpx 
                 2 
                 $4.99 
                 $9.98 
               
               
                 (5 × 7 inch enlargemen 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Item Sub-Total: 
                 $0.00 
               
               
                   
                 Shipping &amp; Handling: 
                 $0.00 
               
               
                   
                 Tax: 
                 $0.00 
               
               
                   
                 Total: 
                 $0.00 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
         
         CyberCash Authorization Code: 
         Customer Transaction ID: 980626221700153 
         Customer Transaction Number: 
       
    
     The GLS Order File (for the Kiosk sub-system  400 ) parameters include:
         a first tag [Kiosk] indicating the order is generated by the Kiosk sub-system  400 / 600  using the GLS  100  order file format; and   an [invoice] section is added to capture the invoice information. These parameters are extracted from the unformatted [text] section so the GLS  100  can more easily process them.   The [INPUT] tag specifies the input media for the Kiosk machine. There can be only one input with one or multiple outputs. The [OUTPUT] tag specifies the output device(s) for the kiosk order file. The [PRINT] specifies the attributes for printing on the Frontier printer.       

     1.1.1 GLS  100  Upload Requirements 
     When a user  1000  submits a roll of film, it is scanned and processed by the GLS  100 . A .rol file is then generated. The images and this file are uploaded to the Image Center  700  via FTP. A sample of the current .rol file is shown as follows:
         LabID: FSC   EnvelopeID: 651   RollID: FSC35198000651   NumberOfExposures: 1   Password: r7iu5a29   CustomerID: 1k   FirstName:   MiddleInitial:   LastName:   Email:   Addr1:   Addr2:   City:   State:   Country:   Zip:   Phone:   MediaName:   MediaType:   Expiration: 45   Retail ID : 2   Retail Name: FSCA       

     1.1.1 Parameters Description of .rol File 
     The following key parameters in the .rol file are defined as follows:
         LabId: Lab id   EnvelopID: The id on the film envelope   RollID : This is the unique roll id to access the roll of film on the net   Password: This is password to access the roll of film on the net   Expiration: The number of days that digital images will be stored by the system   MediaType: Media type i.e. 1x fpx or 4x fpx image.       

     As set forth above, the GLS  100  has been described as a separate functional entity. The functionality that represents the GLS  100  could also be built-in to a hardware suite or could be loaded into a hardware suite as an article of manufacture or as a propogated signal. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.