Abstract:
A method of providing photographic products and services, includes the steps of: selling a photographic film product to a customer; partially exposing the photographic film product; returning the partially exposed photographic film product to a photofinisher; and providing credit to the customer for the unexposed portion of the photographic film product.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to sales of photographic products and photofinishing services, and more particularly to the sale of photographic film.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In photography, it is often the case that the photographer will have a partially completed roll of film in the camera at the end of a vacation or special event. Oftentimes the photographer will wait until the roll is completely exposed before submitting the roll for photofinishing. This is believed to be due to the frugal nature of the consumer. This behavior often results in a delay of several months, or even years before the roll of film is processed, thereby delaying the viewing of the captured images and reducing the satisfaction of the overall picture taking experience. At the output of photofinishing operations, it is common to see Christmas pictures on the same roll as summer vacation pictures. This delay is believed to be a significant restriction on the overall growth of the photographic market. With the recent development of widely available film scanning and digitization and Internet sharing of images, this delay can be an even greater impediment to the expanded use of these digital image services.  
           [0003]    It has long been recognized that chemical-based imaging provides a superior format for creating digital pictures. One severe limitation to use of digitization is the delay involved in completing a roll of film. Images recorded on film may change during extended storage between the time the picture is taken and the time the picture is processed. Harsh storage conditions—high temperature and/or high humidity—can deteriorate the image; radiation damage can also affect high-speed films. It is therefore desirable to process images as soon after they are exposed as is reasonably possible.  
           [0004]    There is a need therefore for an improved method for providing photographic products and services that avoids the problems of delay noted above.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The need is met according to the present invention by providing a method of providing photographic products and services, that includes the steps of: selling a photographic film product to a customer; partially exposing the photographic film product; returning the partially exposed photographic film product to a photofinisher; and providing credit to the customer for the unexposed portion of the photographic film product.  
         ADVANTAGES  
         [0006]    The present invention has the advantage that the cost barrier to developing partial rolls is eliminated when credit is given for the unused frames. Without fear of wasting money, the photographer feels free to immediately process any partial rolls of film and obtain the images. Thus a photographer can “file” or utilize pictures in an event-based time frame. With this invention, the photographer need not wait to complete the roll, and can feel free to immediately process and digitize—again without fear of wasting money invested in the whole roll of film.  
           [0007]    Many events occur under varying lighting conditions. For example, a wedding may involve indoor and outdoor photography. The desire to match film capability to the conditions can proceed without penalty. Some film format systems, such as APS, are designed to allow mid-roll film changes. With this invention any film can be used in this manner. This invention encourages the photographer to process the film immediately and deliver the best possible images. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the conventional model for providing photographic products and services; and  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a model for providing photographic prints according to the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 illustrates the conventional model for providing photographic products and services for amateur photographers. A customer  10  purchases film  12  (or a one time use camera) from a sales channel  13 , such as a drug store or photo shop. The film can be for example conventional 35 mm or APS film. The customer  10  uses the film in a camera  14  to capture images of scenes such as a holiday image  16 , a birthday image  18 , and a vacation image  20  until the entire roll of film is exposed. The customer  10  submits the film  12  for processing, and photographic prints  22  are returned to the customer. This activity may occur over a period of time stretching from hours to months, sometimes even to years.  
         [0011]    Referring to FIG. 2, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a customer  10  purchases a roll of film  12  from a sales channel  13  and uses the film to capture one or more images  16  of a single event such as a holiday celebration. After the event, the film  12  is submitted to the sales channel  13  for processing and prints  22  and/or digital image file or image bearing products such as T-shirts, mugs, mouse pads, album pages, etc. are returned to the customer. The customer  10  may purchase a new roll of film  12 ′ at this time. The film may be purchased at any film sales location, or via the internet. Any unused frames of film from the original roll  12  are counted and credited to the customer  10 . The credits can be given and/or taken in various forms such as coupons which could be redeemed for discounts, or free films and processing; reprints; digitization and digital services; picture CDs; digital picture storage; etc. Credits can be awarded to a customer account, for example if the customer is a member of an online image fulfillment service. Credits may also be awarded and tracked using a customer loyalty card that contains a link to a customer database where credits are stored until they are used.  
         [0012]    The process can then be repeated for different occasions such as birthdays  18  and vacations  20 , each time giving the customer a credit for unused frames on the rolls of film  12 ′,  12 ″,  12 ′″, etc. The process of giving credits for the unused frames of film constitutes the invention that has not been practical and is not practiced at this time. This novel practice provides advantages to the customer as well as to the photo products sales channel since the customer gets more timely access to their pictures and the photo products sales channel does more business.  
         [0013]    The process can also be used for special events like a visit to a theme park, a ballgame, concert or auto race. In this scenario, the customer purchases a one-time use camera or a roll of film from a vendor at the event, uses the camera or roll of film at the event, returns the camera or film roll to the vendor when leaving the event and receives credit for unused frames on the roll of film. The credit would arrive with delivery of photographic prints or other photographic products or services, such as digital images, mugs, T-shirts, key chains, etc. The credit can be limited to purchasing event related memorabilia, or event related images taken by a professional photographer.  
         [0014]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
       Parts List  
       [0015]    [0015]                                                       10   customer           12, 12′, 12′′, 12′′′   film           13   sales channel           14   camera           16   holiday image           18   birthday image           20   vacation image           22   photographic prints