Abstract:
A photobooth/e-mail center for taking a digitized photographic image of a user at a first station and retrieving and electronically displaying the digitized photographic image at a second station comprising: one or more first stations, comprising, a unit for taking the digitized photograph of the user; a first display for displaying the digitized photograph; a generator for generating a code corresponding to the digitized photographic image; printer for printing and delivering a hardcopy of the photograph to the user at the first station; and a circuit for transmitting the digitized photograph and the code to a first database residing in one or more second stations; the second station, comprising, an input circuit for electronically entering the code; a circuit for retrieving the stored digitized photograph from the first database in response to the input circuit for electronically entering the code; a receiver for receiving and storing the digitized photograph in response to the circuit for retrieving the stored digitized photograph from the first database; and a second circuit for transmitting the digitized photograph to one or more third stations.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/969,976 filed on Nov. 13, 1997. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a combination photobooth/e-mail center adapted to take a digitized photograph of a user at a first station at the center and to transmit the photograph via electronic mail from a second location at the center to a remote location. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Self-photography booths have been used for years. The traditional booths included a camera that was actuated once the user inserted the correct amount of money. A time mechanism was employed to take a specific number of flash pictures of the occupant or occupants of the booth. With the advent of computer and video technology, the booths have been modernized. Video cameras allow a live image of the user to be taken. Video processing of the image then allows a photograph to be generated from that live image. 
     Stand alone postcard e-mail devices are also known. These devices enable a user to send an electronic postcard to another person by electronic mail by scanning a photograph provided by the user and sending the scanned image as instructed by the user. Other similarly known scanning devices enable a user to scan a photograph into a printer which, in turn, reproduces the scanned image onto a variety of fanciful objects such as a mug or a t-shirt. However, the necessary step of scanning the image into these secondary devices reduces the quality of the reproduced image. 
     Stand alone photo or video e-mail devices are also known. These devices enable a user to send an electronic postcard or an electronic video clip of the user in a digitized form and then send this image to any e-mail address right from this stand alone station. However, these devices inconveniently combine two very different functions: photo taking function and the e-mail function. Photo taking function usually takes three to five minutes and typically includes: inserting money into a bill acceptor; selecting various backgrounds; freezing and unfreezing the desired pose; and actually printing the photo using a printer. During this time, the photobooth is occupied by one customer and no one else can use the booth. After the user&#39;s image is captured, the e-mail function starts. The customer must then begin using a keyboard to type in his or her name and e-mail address, the addressee&#39;s name and e-mail address, the message and the command to “save”. The combination of these functions is a deterrent to the uninitiated, is time consuming for the user and limits the economic return on the photobooth. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It therefore an object of this invention to provide a combination photobooth/e-mail center having separate function stations to facilitate concurrent use by more than one user. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a combination photobooth/e-mail center which enables a user to send a copy of a digital photograph taken at the photobooth using electronic mail, or otherwise purchase additional copies of the photograph, via the Internet, having the same picture quality as the original digital photograph. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a device for taking a live photograph and for sending a digitized postcard of the photograph to someone else via electronic mail. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a device for taking a live photograph at a first station and for sending a digitized postcard of the photograph to someone else via electronic mail at a second station. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a photobooth which creates a digitized photograph imprinted with a code number which can later be electronically retrieved by the user at a remote computer terminal via the Internet, at which point the user may send a copy of the photograph to another person by electronic mail or may purchase alternative print forms of the photograph. 
     This invention results from efforts to provide users of self-photography booths with a device and method for sending a digital photograph taken at the booth to another person by electronic mail and/or for purchasing additional prints of the photograph in various print forms. These efforts were also intended to create opportunities for the owner of the self-photography booths to generate additional income from use of the booths after the first original print is delivered to the user at the booth. In effect, the invention relates to an indexed database of digital negatives. The database is then used to support insertion, deletion and retrieval of digitized photographic images taken at a plurality of remotely located photobooths connected to a central computer via a modem or other available communication means. 
     The preferred embodiment of the photobooth/e-mail center of the invention for taking a digitized photographic image of a user at a first station and retrieving and electronically displaying the digitized photographic image at a second station comprises: one or more first stations, comprising, a means for taking the digitized photograph of the user; a first means for displaying the digitized photograph; a means for generating a code corresponding to the digitized photographic image; means for printing and delivering a hardcopy of the photograph to the user at the first station; and a means for transmitting the digitized photograph and the code to a first database residing in one or more second stations; the second station, comprising, a means for electronically entering the code; a means for retrieving the stored digitized photograph from the first database in response to the means for electronically entering the code; a means for receiving and storing the digitized photograph in response to the means for retrieving the stored digitized photograph from the first database; and a second means for transmitting the digitized photograph to one or more third stations. 
     The photobooth/e-mail center may further comprise a means for transmitting the digitized photograph to a second database residing in a remote computer, wherein the remote computer is preferably a web server. The means for transmitting the digitized photograph to the web server may comprise one or more lines selected from a group consisting of a laplink, modem, TS and ISDN line. Depending on the location of the stations of the invention, the means for transmitting the digitized photograph and the code to the first database may also comprise one or more lines selected from a group consisting of a laplink, modem, TS and ISDN line. 
     The photobooth/e-mail center may also comprise one or more fourth stations from which the second database is capable of being accessed. The means for electronically entering the code preferably includes a means for entering a message; and wherein the second means for transmitting the digitized photograph to one or more third stations is further capable of transmitting the message with the digitized photograph to the one or more third stations. 
     The preferred method of the invention for use at a photobooth/e-mail center for taking a digitized photographic image of a user at one or more first stations, retrieving and electronically displaying the digitized photographic image at one or more second stations, and transmitting the digitized photographic image to one or more third stations, comprises the steps of: taking the digitized photograph of the user at the first station; displaying the digitized photograph; generating a code corresponding to the digitized photographic image; transmitting the digitized photograph and the code to a first database residing in the second station; accessing the first database at the second station; entering the code at the second station; retrieving the stored digitized photograph from the database in response to entering the code; receiving and storing the digitized photograph in response to retrieving the stored digitized photograph from the first database; displaying the digitized photograph; and transmitting the digitized photograph to a third station. The method preferably comprises the steps of providing a second database residing in a remote computer; accessing the second database at a fourth station; entering the code at the fourth station; retrieving the stored digitized photograph from the second database in response to entering the code; and receiving and storing the digitized photograph in response to retrieving the stored digitized photograph from the second database. The method may also include the step of printing and delivering a hardcopy of the photograph to the user at the first station. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the photobooth/e-mail center of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the photobooth/e-mail center of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the e-mail station of the photobooth/e-mail center of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B are a block diagram of the steps of the method of the invention; 
     FIG. 5A is a detailed view of steps  104 - 106 ; 
     FIG. 5B is a detailed view of steps  114 - 116 ; 
     FIG. 5C is a detailed view of step  118 ; 
     FIG. 5D is a detailed view of step  120 ; 
     FIG. 5E is a detailed view of alternate step  120 ; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the e-mail station of the photobooth/e-mail center of the invention; 
     FIG. 7A is a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of the e-mail station of the photobooth/e-mail center of the invention; 
     FIG. 7B is a top view of the e-mail station of FIG. 7A; and 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the photobooth/e-mail center of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     This invention generally relates to a photobooth/e-mail center which enables a user of the photobooth to send copies of the digital photograph taken at the photobooth to another person by electronic mail and/or purchase additional copies or alternative print formats of the photograph after the user has completed the initial transaction at the photobooth. It is envisioned that a user of the photo booth of this invention will purchase a photo, on which appears a code that is unique to and corresponding to the user&#39;s photograph, and a telephone number or e-mail address for ordering additional copies and/or a catalog of alternative print formats. The code and telephone number or e-mail address may also be delivered to the user on a separate receipt or visually on a monitor provided at the photo booth. The digitized photograph and corresponding code are automatically transmitted to a first database residing in an e-mail station located proximate to the photobooth and to a second database residing in a remote computer which acts as a web server. 
     At some later time determined by the user, the user has the option to send a copy of the digital photograph, such as a digital postcard, to another person by accessing the coded digital photograph in the e-mail station proximate to the photobooth and/or from the central database of the web server via the Internet and sending the digital photograph, via the Internet or electronic mail, to one or more target e-mail addresses. The user may also, using the same database of the web server, order additional copies of the coded digital photograph or alternative print forms. 
     A preferred embodiment of the photobooth/e-mail center of the invention is shown in FIG.  1  and is generally referred to as center  10 . Center  10  is provided with a first station, photobooth station  12 , and a second station, e-mail station  14 . The preferred embodiments of the photobooth of the invention are shown and more specifically described in U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 08/969,976 and 08/961,780, incorporated herein by reference. Generally, photobooth station  12  comprises personal computer  16  used to process and at least temporarily save the digitized photograph and to generate a code corresponding to the digitized photograph. The station also includes video camera  18  for taking the digitized photograph of the user, monitor  20  for displaying the digitized photograph and printer  26  for printing a hardcopy of the digitized photograph on which the generated code is printed along with various other desired information. Such information may include fanciful composite designs, Internet addresses, telephone numbers, facsimile numbers, ordering information, slogans and/or advertisements. 
     Video camera  18  is positioned to capture a portrait image or bust of a user standing or sitting in front of the station. A bill acceptor  22  and monitor  20  are positioned on the front surface of photobooth station  22  for easy access and visibility. Photobooth station  12  also comprises a means  28  for transmitting the digitized photograph and code to computer  36  residing in e-mail station  14 . Means  28  for transmitting is preferably a Windows NT network connection, although other means for suitably transmitting known in the art may also be used. 
     E-mail station  14  also is fitted with keyboard  38  for entering the code and any other information, such as an e-mail message, into the computer; and bill acceptor  34 . The digitized photograph and code are likewise transmitted via transfer means  40  to a remote computer preferably residing at web server  30 . 
     The computer of web server  30  is preferably a central processor used to manage a website and to process, manage and store a database of the digital photographs taken at a plurality of satellite photobooths at various locations remote from the central processor. Each of the satellite e-mail stations is preferably configured to communicate with web server  30  via means for transmitting  40 . The means for transmitting  40  may comprises an analog and/or digital line including but not limited to laplink, modem, TS or ISDN lines. In the preferred embodiment, the data stored in the first database residing in e-mail station  14  is uploaded to web server  30  every few hours. Web server  30  may also be configured to download new services, advertisements and new coding information during periods of the day or night when the photobooth and e-mail stations are not in use. 
     Web server  30  may then be accessed by any computer (fourth station  43 ) linked to the Internet. Once the web site name (URL) is accessed via the Internet, the user may then enter the code corresponding to the digitized photograph to order additional copies or alternative print formats of the photograph or otherwise retrieve and display the photograph stored in the second database of the web server. 
     The second station of center  10 , e-mail station  14 , is shown in cross-section in FIG.  3 . Station  14  comprises computer  36  for accessing the database in computer  30  through means  40  and for retrieving and temporarily storing the digitized photograph transmitted from computer  16  through means  28  for communicating with computer  36  in response to keyboard  38  used to enter the code for the digitized photograph. Once retrieved from the first database in computer  36 , the digitized photograph is preferably displayed on monitor  32  along with or in connection with e-mail or ordering information. Means  39  is used to transmit the digitized photograph with an e-mail message to one or more target e-mail addresses (third station  41 ) which is configured to receive information through electronic mail and/or the Internet. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the steps of method  102  utilized by the photobooth/e-mail center of the invention. Method  102  begins with step  104  in which a digital image of the user, positioned in front of photobooth  12 , is taken using video camera  18  and processed by computer  16 . A unique code corresponding to the user&#39;s photographic image is generated by computer  16  in step  106 . The digital image may be displayed on monitor  20  as shown in FIG. 5A, before or after step  106 . In response to the user&#39;s command, a first hardcopy of the digital image is printed and delivered to the user in step  108  while at booth  12 . Both the code and complete instructions for obtaining additional original copies and/or alternative forms of print media are preferably printed on the front or back of the first hardcopy of the digital image delivered to the user at booth  12 . Alternatively, the code and/or instructions may be printed on a separate receipt which is delivered to the user at the booth or may be displayed on monitor  20 . 
     The code effectively identifies each photographic image from all other photographic images. The codes preferably comprise alphanumerical codes. For example, the code may comprise a twelve digit code such as 10289675.425 wherein the first six digits represent the date the photograph was taken, Oct. 28, 1996; the next two digits represent the sequential position of the photograph among all photographs taken on that day, namely, the 75th photograph saved on Oct. 28, 1996; and the last three digits represent the specific photobooth at which the photograph was taken. In summary, this code indicates that the photograph was the 75th photograph taken by photobooth #425 on Oct. 28, 1996. 
     Both the digital image and the code is transmitted in step  110 , via transmitting means  28 , to and stored in a first database residing in computer  36  at e-mail station  14  in step  112 . The user may then, in step  114 , using e-mail station  14 , retrieve the stored digitized photograph from computer  36  as shown in FIG.  5 B. In response to a prompt displayed on monitor  32 , the user enters the code in step  116  printed on the photograph printed at the photobooth using keyboard  38 . Once the photograph is retrieved in step  118 , the user has the option to send the photograph to one or more e-mail addresses with or without a personalized message and music by entering instructions in step  120 . The digital photograph may also be sent and reproduced at one or more target e-mail addresses using an animated artist&#39;s simulation as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/961,780. The animated rendering of the photograph via electronic mail increases the entertainment value to the e-mail recipient. Computer  36  processes the user&#39;s instructions in step  122 . 
     The device and method of the invention are both intended for use with a plurality of photobooths and e-mail stations linked to a central process server. The data from all of the photobooths and e-mail stations is transferred in step  124  via an uplink to the web server as shown in FIG.  4 B. The transferred data, including all the digitized photographs and corresponding codes are stored in step  126  in a database residing in the web server which in linked to the Internet. The web server&#39;s database may be accessed by any computer connected to the Internet in step  128 . As shown in FIGS. 5C-5E, once a user accesses the web site of the web server, they are prompted to enter the code, corresponding to the digitized photograph, in step  130 . In response to the entered code, the photograph is retrieved from the web server&#39;s database in step  132  and displayed on the user&#39;s computer screen. The user is further prompted to select from several options including, but not limited to, sending an e-mail, ordering additional copies of the digital image and/or ordering alternative print formats imprinted on a variety of novelty items including, but not limited to, sports apparel, mugs, plates, enlargements, frames, plastic cards, key-tags, mousepads and screen savers. Once the user enter&#39;s their instructions in step  134 , the user&#39;s instructions are then processed in step  136  by sending the e-mail or by processing and shipping the user&#39;s order. 
     The e-mail station of the invention may be a single station as shown in FIG. 1 or a two-sided station  50  shown in FIG. 6 having two terminals,  52  and  54 , or a foursided station  60  shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B having four terminals,  62 ,  64 ,  66  and  68 . 
     Computer  16  and computer  36  are preferably configured to interface directly without intermediate communication with remote computer  30 . It is also possible to configure both stations of the photobooth/e-mail center, as shown in FIG. 8, to share a single computer and a single means for communicating with a centralized database in a remote computer. 
     As noted, in any of the preferred embodiments, the photo identification numbers or codes may be generated by a server database in the remote central computer and downloaded periodically to the computers in the satellite photobooths. Additionally, advertisements may be downloaded periodically to use as printed banners and/or slogans on the printed photographs delivered to the users at the photobooths. 
     Composing, typing and sending an e-mail message can be time consuming. If the photobooth and the e-mail stations were combined into a single station, the photobooth would be undesirably occupied for long periods of time. Such a configuration reduces the profitability of the device. The invention solves this problem by separating the e-mail station from the photobooth station and their respective functions, thereby increasing the income potential of the center. In addition, positioning the e-mail station on the outside of the center creates traffic, which draws attention to the e-mail function, which in turn persuades passers-by to have their photographs taken because the resulting photograph may also be sent as an e-mail postcard. It is also advantageous to provide the user with a hardcopy photograph at the separate photobooth because the user will be more likely to send an e-mail postcard having first seen the photograph. 
     Although specific features of this invention are shown in some drawings and not others, this is for convenience only as some feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. 
     Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims.