Abstract:
A system and method for image sharing is disclosed. The method of the present invention discloses: receiving a set of images and a transmit images command in response to the transmit images command; selecting a subset of the images in response to the transmit images command; formatting the subset of images in response to the transmit images command; and transmitting the formatted images to a recipient in response to the transmit images command. The system of the present invention discloses means for performing the method.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for image management, and more particularly to for image sharing. 
     2. Discussion of Background Art 
     Communicating product information, recording conference events, sharing experiences, vacations, memories, and the like through photos essays are often very succinct ways of communicating a significant amount of information in a relatively compact format. However, while taking pictures can be quite straightforward, systems and methods for getting such pictures in the hands of their intended recipients is rather awkward, requiring substantial manual user intervention that often adds a relatively long delay between when a picture is taken and when the intended recipient views it. 
     Currently, if a user takes pictures to send to another, the user must connect their camera, or flash memory, to a computer or printer, transfer the images to the device, manually organize the pictures (often this step is skipped due to the time involved), manually select a set of organized pictures to be sent to the other person, and then manually select how those pictures are to be rendered. 
     Each of these manually directed steps, while permitting a certain amount of discretion and flexibility, nonetheless can be so laborious that users often skip some steps or avoid sending photos at all, preferring instead to verbally describe their information by phone. 
     In response to the concerns discussed above, what is needed is a system and method for image management that overcomes the problems of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a system and method for image sharing. The method of the present invention includes: receiving a set of images and a transmit images command in response to the transmit images command; selecting a subset of the images in response to the transmit images command; formatting the subset of images in response to the transmit images command; and transmitting the formatted images to a recipient in response to the transmit images command. 
     The system of the present invention includes all means for performing the method. 
     These and other aspects of the invention will be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of the detailed description, drawings, and claims set forth below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a dataflow diagram of one embodiment of a system for image sharing; 
         FIG. 2  is a pictorial diagram of one embodiment of a photo postcard created by the system; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of one embodiment of a root method for image sharing; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of one expanded embodiment of the root method. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention is a complete “end-to-end” system for automatically or even spontaneously capturing, vaulting, clustering, transmitting, and rendering a user&#39;s photo or image logs, herein both defined as a plogs. The present invention eliminates many, if not all, of the manual steps users are currently tasked with by using current photo management systems and methods. No conscious effort or real-time decisions are required by a user who is capturing a set of photos or other images in order to have such images organized, laid out and transmitted to one or more intended recipients. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention can automatically create and deliver personalized plog renderings, complete with descriptive metadata, directly to a recipient&#39;s e-mail box, printer, or other destination. Such renderings are herein defined as plogcards. 
     For instance, using the present invention, a user can transmit a vignette of images directly from a cell phone camera to another&#39;s printer in a postcard format. The present invention automatically clusters the captured images according to a set of clustering criteria, before generating a plogcard which selectively includes various metadata and advertisements with the set of images. 
       FIG. 1  is a dataflow diagram of one embodiment of a system  100  for image sharing. The imaging system  100  includes an image capture device  102 , an image processing and repository device  104 , and an image rendering device  106  each in communication over a network  108 . 
     The network  108  will typically include a variety of communication links. For instance between the image capture device  102  and image processing and repository device  104  the network could be a cellular link, while between the image processing and repository device  104  and the image rendering device  106  could be an internet link. Other intermediary devices and services may also facilitate communication over the network  108  such as a wireless network, a Bluetooth service, or a telecom service. In some instance of the present invention where the functionality within the image processing and repository device  104  is assimilated by perhaps both image capture device  102  and the image processing and repository device  104  (e.g. a camera hooked directly to a printer) the network  108  might be a short one meter cable. 
     To follow is a discussion of the present invention&#39;s functionality as distributed between three hardware devices  102 ,  104 , and  106 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that in alternate embodiments of the present invention, some or all of this functionality may be located in only one device, or distributed over many devices. 
     To begin, the image capture device  102  captures a set of images and contemporaneous image metadata, using an image capture module  110 , which is then stored in memory  112 . The image metadata is either captured in real time (e.g. time and location metadata), using various sensors and timers, or if less variable (e.g. author, title, or annotation metadata), retrieved from memory  112 . While the image capture device  102  is preferably a camera cell phone, in alternate embodiments digital cameras, digital scanners, handheld computers, and other capture devices work as well. 
     A user preference module  114 , within the image capture device  102 , solicits a plogcard author, a plogcard title, and a set of plogcard annotations. This information can be either in whole or in part supplied by the user in real-time or retrievable from memory  112 . 
     The user preference module  114  solicits a set of plogcard delivery criteria for directing how the plogcards are to be processed and transmitted to recipients. Various embodiments of the present invention permit the user to specify either: what type of plogcard is to be generated (e.g. a postcard, a slide show, etc.); which set of images and metadata are to be included within the plogcard; how the set of images and metadata are to be clustered for the plogcard; a set of recipients to whom the plogcards are to be delivered or permitted access to (i.e. access control); or how the plogcards are to be delivered (e.g. e-mail, to a printer, etc.). If an embodiment of the present invention does not permit the image capture device  102  to specify one or more of these criteria, then such functionality is instead included within either the image processing and repository device  104  or the image rendering device  106  as previously indicated. 
     In one embodiment, the image capture device  102  specifies in real time only which set of images and metadata are to be included within the plogcard, and a set of recipients. All of the other specifications are preferably defined based on a service contract the user has with one or more service providers who charge various fees for generating different types of plogcards, clustering the set of images and metadata, and how the plogcards are to be formatted and delivered. 
     This information also can be either in whole or in part supplied by the user in real-time or retrievable from memory  112 . For instance, the user may have preprogrammed in memory that all of the user&#39;s plogcards are to be rendered as postcard, and similarly, the user may have preprogrammed in memory that the set of recipients include all those contacts within a particular cell phone contact folder. 
     In response to a transmit images command, the image capture device  102  transmits a set of information (i.e. the set of images, metadata, user preference data, and criteria) over the network  108  to the image processing and repository device  104 . The transmit images command is preferably a single button press received from the user of the image capture device  102 . 
     The image processing and repository device  104  includes various fuinctional modules and devices for clustering, formatting, storing, and permitting access to the plogcards. The image processing and repository device  104  may include one or more computers having various digital archiving and web hosting capabilities. 
     The image processing and repository device  104  receives the uploaded information from the image capture device  102  and stores the information in a database  118 . However, in an alternate embodiment, instead of passively waiting for images to be sent from the image capture device  102 , the image processing and repository device  104  actively searches the network  108  for a predefined set of images. For example, the image processing and repository device  104  could be programmed to search the network for all images currently at a particular web address (i.e. URL) and download those images. Or the image processing and repository device  104  could get a message from a user directing the image processing and repository device  104  that a new set of images are ready for uploading at a particular network  108  address. 
     A clustering module  116 , within the image processing and repository device  104 , uses a set of clustering criteria to select a set of images (i.e. a vignette) and metadata from the database  118  for the plogcard. Preferably the clustering criteria is predefined within the image processing and repository device  104  based on a service agreement (see previous discussion). However, in an alternate embodiment, the clustering criteria is included within the user preference data transmitted from the image capture device  102 . 
     The clustering criteria selects the images and metadata based on one or more temporal sorting and metadata attribution algorithms. For example, the clustering criteria may direct the clustering module  116  to sort the images based on time and then select those images recorded within a single day, or other time period. Another set of clustering criteria selects and sorts the images by one of the metadata attributes, such as author, title, location, annotation, etc. so that perhaps all images from a particular business trip or vacation can be clustered together. In a preferred embodiment, a simple “daily” clustering algorithm is used, where all pictures taken on a same day are part of a cluster so that a user can send a “daily postcard” to their friends, family, or others to keep in touch in a very personal and convenient way while on vacation. 
     A formatting module  120 , within the image processing and repository device  104 , uses a set of formatting criteria to arrange the set of images and metadata on the plogcard. Preferably the formatting criteria is predefined within the image processing and repository device  104  based on a service agreement (see previous discussion). However, in an alternate embodiment, the formatting criteria is included within the user preference data transmitted from the image capture device  102  or within a set of recipient preference data transmitted from the image rendering device  106 . In this way, control over the plogcard format can be flexibly delegated to either the user, the image processing and repository device  104 , the recipient, or some combination of the three parties based on various service agreements each has with the other. 
     The formatting criteria arranges the images, metadata, and any additional information (e.g. advertising) into one or more plogcard types (e.g. a postcard, a slide show, an e-mail, etc.) using either fixed templates, a best-fit algorithm (i.e. divide the plogcard space up by the number of images to create a grid of slots; place the images in each slot; and scale to fit), or some other layout algorithm. Advertisements added to plogcards by the formatting module  120  may enable some plogcard embodiments to be transmitted to recipients or rendered free of charge. 
       FIG. 2  is a pictorial diagram of one embodiment of a photo postcard  200  created by the system  100  and formatted by the formatting module  120 . In this example embodiment, the plogcard  200  resembles a postcard. The plogcard  200  includes: a vignette of one day&#39;s images  202  arranged using a best-fit algorithm; a title  204  retrieved from the image metadata sent by the image capture module  102 ; a byline or author&#39;s name  206  also retrieved from the image metadata; a URL to the author&#39;s plog website  208  which may either have been retrieved from the image metadata or correspond to a network address from which the image processing and repository device  104  retrieved the uploaded image information; a stamp field  210  which in other embodiments may be configured to resemble a faux stamp of a corporate or service provider logo; and an address field  212  which in an alternate embodiment may be replaced with an advertisement. In the plogcard  200  shown, all of the information has been placed on one side, thereby allowing the recipient to enjoy all of the plogcard  200  information without having to turn the plogcard over. In alternate embodiments dates of creation, location information, watermarks, background images, and other annotations may also be included in the plogcard  200 . 
     An access control module  122 , within the image processing and repository device  104 , uses a set of access control criteria to control delivery of the plogcard to various recipients. Preferably the access control criteria is predefined within the user preference data generated by the image capture module  102 . However, in other embodiments of the present invention, the access control criteria can be based on a service agreement which either the user or one or more recipients has with the image processing and repository device  104  service provider. Delivery to various recipients may be either active or passive. With an active delivery service, the access control module  122  sends a plogcard to a recipient&#39;s image rendering device  106  without requiring a request from the recipient. With a passive delivery service, the access control module  122  only sends the plogcard to the recipient&#39;s image rendering device  106  if the recipient has requested the plogcard. In a preferred embodiment, the user designates the set of recipients from within the user&#39;s cell phone address book and the access control module  122  actively sends the plogcard to those designated recipients. 
     Actual transmission of the plogcards may be effected through any media conduit, such as electronically over the internet or physically using regular postal mails. Note that if a physical shipping option is selected, the plogcard must be rendered prior to shipping. Physical shipping may be preferred when control over the plogcard&#39;s quality is desired, such as to ensure that the plogcard is printed on only high-quality glossy card stock. 
     A download module  124  within the image rendering device  106  receives one or more plogcards transmitted from the access control module  122 . If the plogcard were passively delivered, the download module  124  would have previously requested their transmission. A rendering module  126  within the image rendering device  106  renders the plogcard. Rendering can be either digital, such as on a display screen, transmitted to a handheld computer, into an e-mail in-box, or etc., or physically such as on paper from a printer. Depending upon the system&#39;s  100  embodiment, the rendering module  126  may or may not have some control over the plogcard&#39;s format and how the plogcard is rendered. For example, in one embodiment, the image rendering device  106  receives the plogcard but can not adjust the plogcard&#39;s format, and can only print the plogcard to a printer. However, in another embodiment, the recipient can use the rendering module  126  to request additional images and metadata from the image processing and repository device  104  and can rearrange the images or even the type of plogcard generated. Preferably the plogcard is rendered as a postcard which can either be digitally viewed or printed. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of one embodiment of a root method  300  for image sharing. In step  302 , the image processing and repository device  104  receives a set of images and a transmit images command from the image capture device  102  in response to the user selecting the transmit images command on the image capture device  102 . In step  304 , the clustering module  116  selects a subset of the images in response to the transmit images command selected by the user. In step  306 , the formatting module  120  formats the subset of images in response to the transmit images command selected by the user. Then in step  308 , the access control module  122  transmits the formatted images to a recipient at the image rendering device  106  in response to the transmit images command selected by the user. Thus the user need only issue one transmit images command for this entire end-to-end set of steps to be automatically effected. The root method  300  is discussed in further detail with respect to  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of one expanded embodiment  400  of the root method  300 . To begin, in step  402 , the image capture device  102  captures a set of images and contemporaneous image metadata, using an image capture module  110 , which is then stored in memory  112 . In step  404 , a user preference module  114 , within the image capture device  102 , solicits a plogcard author, a plogcard title, and a set of plogcard annotations. In step  406 , the user preference module  114  solicits a set of plogcard delivery criteria for directing how the plogcards are to be processed and transmitted to recipients. 
     In step  408 , in response to a transmit images command, the image capture device  102  transmits a set of information over the network  108  to the image processing and repository device  104 . In step  410 , the image processing and repository device  104  receives the uploaded information from the image capture device  102  and stores the information in a database  118 . 
     In step  412 , a clustering module  116 , within the image processing and repository device  104 , uses a set of clustering criteria to select a set of images and metadata from the database  118  for the plogcard. In step  414 , a formatting module  120 , within the image processing and repository device  104 , uses a set of formatting criteria to arrange the set of images and metadata on the plogcard. In step  416 , an access control module  122 , within the image processing and repository device  104 , uses a set of access control criteria to control delivery of the plogcard to various recipients. 
     In step  418 , a download module  124  within the image rendering device  106  receives one or more plogcards transmitted from the access control module  122 . In step  420 , a rendering module  126  within the image rendering device  106  renders the plogcard. 
     While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications may be made. Variations upon and modifications to these embodiments are provided by the present invention, which is limited only by the following claims.