Patent Publication Number: US-2018033055-A1

Title: Image processing, classification, and trend analysis system and method for selfie-enabled product promotion

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This U.S. Non-Provisional Application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/531,927, filed Nov. 3, 2014, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     This U.S. Non-Provisional Application is related to International Application No. PCT/US15/16399, filed Feb. 18, 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of image capture, processing and classification using methods in machine learning, and more particularly to methods and systems for capturing, processing, and classifying relationships between images and image ratings using machine learning algorithms for selfie images associated with brand promotion in a social network. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Selfies, which are self-photographs usually taken with an extended arm holding a hand-held digital camera or smart phone, have become a part of pop-culture in recent years. 
     Selfies are often shared on social networks, and some users post selfies on a daily basis on social networks, such as INSTAGRAM™ or FACEBOOK™. Followers or friends can then comment on, like, or rate the selfies, and engage in other common social media interactions. 
     However, there are no available systems, applications, or devices that enable a user to promote or sell a brand or product in conjunction with the sharing of a selfie, and while selfies are increasingly used by celebrities as a part of ongoing communication with fans, these selfies are not associated with any systemic capabilities for brand or product promotion. 
     As such, considering the foregoing, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for novel and improved devices and methods for managing posting of selfies on a social network in conjunction with promotion and sales of products or brands. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in aspects of this invention, enhancements are provided to the existing models for sharing and posting of selfies and social network. 
     In an aspect, an image processing and classification system for selfie-enabled product promotion enables users to take pictures or short videos of themselves, associate the pictures or videos, also known as selfies, with a brand or product, and post the selfies with the brand or product association, in the form of a selfie promotion, on a social network. 
     In an aspect, an image processing and classification system for selfie-enabled product promotion can include: 
     a) a selfie promotion server; and 
     b) a selfie promotion device, 
     such that the selfie promotion device communicates with the selfie server via a network, and such that a user can create and store a selfie promotion via the selfie promotion devices, such that the selfie promotion is stored on the selfie promotion server, such that the selfie promotion server publishes the selfie promotion on a social network system. 
     In related aspects, users can use the selfie promotion device to share, rate, and comment on selfie promotions. 
     In related aspects, a promotion type of a selfie promotion can be: 
     a) A single product promotion, wherein the selfie promotion includes one product only; 
     b) A compare promotion, wherein the selfie promotion compares at least 2 products; 
     c) A challenge promotion, wherein a selfie promotion with one product challenges followers to post selfies with similar products; or 
     d) A product story promotion, the selfie promotion includes a product, which can be associated with two or more selfies, such that each selfie displays an element of an evolving story associated with the product. 
     In a related aspect, the selfie promotion server can further include: 
     a) An image rating classifier; 
     such that the image rating classifier can use a machine learning algorithm to calculate an image rating classification function based on analysis of a plurality of selfie promotion campaigns that are stored on the selfie promotion server, wherein the machine learning algorithm optimizes the image rating classification function to map a selfie to an aggregated follower rating by training the image rating classification function over a plurality of historical selfie captures and their corresponding historical aggregated follower ratings from the plurality of selfie promotion campaigns; 
     such that the image rating classification function can be used to calculate an estimated aggregated follower rating from a test selfie capture. 
     In related aspects, a product category of a product in selfie promotion can include a physical product; a service; a person, such as a celebrity or other public persona; a place, including a country, region, or city, etc. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic diagram illustrating an image processing and classification system for selfie-enabled product promotion, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic diagram illustrating a technical architecture for the image processing and classification system, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a selfie promotion server, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a selfie promotion device, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating a selfie promotion campaign data structure, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating steps that may be followed, in accordance with one embodiment of a method or process of image processing and classification for selfie-enabled product promotion. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before describing the invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obvious combination of elements and process steps. So as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art, certain conventional elements and steps have been presented with lesser detail, while the drawings and specification describe in greater detail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding the invention. 
     The following embodiments are not intended to define limits as to the structure or method of the invention, but only to provide exemplary constructions. The embodiments are permissive rather than mandatory and illustrative rather than exhaustive. 
     In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of an image processing and classification system  100  for selfie-enabled product promotion with reference to  FIG. 1A , in such manner that like reference numerals refer to like components throughout; a convention that we shall employ for the remainder of this specification. 
     In an embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1A , an image processing and classification system  100  for selfie-enabled product promotion can include: 
     a) a selfie promotion server  102 ; and 
     b) a selfie promotion device  104 , such that the selfie promotion device  104  communicates with the selfie server  102  via a network; 
     wherein the selfie promotion device  104  can be configured to allow a user  130  to capture a selfie, and create a selfie promotion campaign, which includes the selfie in association with a product, such that the selfie promotion server  102  can be configured to store the selfie promotion campaign, in communication with the selfie promotion device, and post the selfie promotion campaign on a social network system  112 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a selfie promotion server  102  can include: 
     a) A processor  202 ; 
     b) A non-transitory memory  204 ; 
     c) An input/output component  206 ; 
     d) A product storage  210 , which saves, stores, and retrieves product information from the memory  204  via the processor  202 , wherein the product information includes product descriptions and photographs; 
     e) A selfie promotion storage  212 , which saves, stores and retrieves selfie promotions  400  from the memory  204  via the processor  202 , wherein a selfie promotion  400  includes product information for at least one selected product  420 , which is associated with at least one selfie picture or video  454 ; 
     f) A selfie promotion manager  214 , which can retrieve, process, and save a selfie promotion  400  in communication with the selfie promotion storage  212 ; and 
     g) A social network manager  216 , which can be configured to retrieve, process, and save a selfie promotion  400  in communication with the selfie promotion manager  214 , and can create social media postings on a social network system  112 , such that the social media postings include a reference to the selfie promotion  400 , for example as a description, mention, a link, an embedded selfie  454 , or combination of these; all connected via 
     h) A data bus  220 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a selfie promotion device  104  can include: 
     a) A processor  302 ; 
     b) A non-transitory memory  304 ; 
     c) An input/output component  306 ; 
     d) A promotion designer  310 ; 
     e) A product selector  312 ; 
     f) A selfie capture component  314 ; and 
     g) A device camera  318 ; all connected via 
     h) A data bus  320 ; 
     wherein the selfie capture component is configured to manage capture of a selfie, i.e. a self-photograph or a self-video, in communication with the device camera  318  or an external camera  106 ; 
     wherein the product selector  312  is configured to allow a user  130  to select a product for promotion from the product storage  210  of the selfie promotion server  102 ; and 
     wherein the promotion designer  310  is configured to allow a user  130  to edit a selfie promotion campaign, wherein the selfie promotion campaign includes the selfie such that the selfie promotion campaign is stored by the selfie promotion storage  212  of the selfie promotion server  102 , for distribution on a social network system  112 . 
     In related embodiments, the selfie promotion device  104  can include configurations as: 
     a) A web application, executing in a Web browser; 
     b) A tablet app, executing on a tablet device, such as for example an ANDROID™ or IOS™ tablet device; 
     c) A mobile app, executing on a mobile device, such as for example an ANDROID™ phone or IPHONE™, or any wearable mobile device; 
     d) A desktop application, executing on a personal computer, or similar device; or 
     e) An embedded application, executing on a processing device, such as for example a smart TV, a game console or other system. 
     In a related embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1B , a technical architecture  160  for the image processing and classification system  100 , can include: 
     a) A database server  170 , including a database access layer  172  and at least one or a plurality of databases  174 , such that the database access layer  172  is configured to provide access to the plurality of databases  174 ; 
     b) An application server  180 , which can be designed according to well-known methods for configuration of web application servers, to including: a web server  182 , a web controller  184 , an application programming interface  186 , and a content delivery network  188 ; 
     c) A file server  190 , which can be configured to store content to be delivered via the content delivery network  188 ; and 
     d) A plurality of selfie promotion devices  104 , which are connected to the application server  180 ; 
     Wherein the selfie promotion server  102  includes the database server  170 , the application server  180 , and the file server  190 . 
     In a further related example embodiment, the database, application, and file servers  170   180   190 , can be configured as dedicated Linux servers, for example using Linux CentOS 6+. In such an example embodiment, the web server  182  can use APACHE TOMCAT™, and the database server  170  can use MariaDB. The application server  180  can for example use FFmpeg as a media processing library. 
     In a related embodiment, users  130   140   150  of the image processing and classification system  100  can have at least three types of access defined by user type, including: 
     a) an administrator  130 , which has access to all administrative features that includes moderating to content and getting application statistics 
     b) a business user  130   140 , which is a user who registers as a business and can use all non-administrative features, to act like a general user; and/or 
     c) a general use user  140   150 , which is an end user, who can use the image processing and classification system  100  to share selfies/poll and perform all features provided to non-administrative users. 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a selfie promotion campaign  400  data structure can include: 
     a) A promotion type  402 ; 
     b) An enhanced selfie  410 ; including:
         i. At least one product  420 , including:
           1. A product category  422 ;   2. At least one product web link  424 ;
               A web link type  425 ;   
               3. Optionally, at least one product picture  426 ;   4. A promotion text  428 , which is a text describing and promoting the product  420 ; and   5. A rating  430 ; which can be a numerical rating, which can further include:
               Promoter rating  432 ; which is a rating of the user  130 , who is promoting the product; and   Follower ratings  434 , which can further be aggregated to an aggregated follower rating;   
               
           ii. At least one selfie  450 , including:
           1. A selfie category  452 ;   2. A selfie capture  454 , which can be a selfie picture  454  or a selfie video  454 ;   
               

     In related embodiments, a selfie capture  454 ; is a picture or video that is taken by the user  130 , with a hand-held self-promotion device  104 , which can for example be a smart phone, or with another external camera  106 , such that the selfie capture  454  contains a self-portrait picture or video of the user  130 . 
     In a further related embodiment, the selfie capture  454  can include a self-portrait of the user wearing or otherwise using a product  420 . 
     In a further related embodiment, wherein the selfie capture  454  is a selfie video, a length of the selfie video can be limited to a predetermined maximum selfie video length. Such a maximum selfie video length can for example be 3, 6, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, or 45 seconds; or 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, or 15 minutes; or some other predetermined maximum length. 
     In a related embodiment, a promotion type  402  can be: 
     a) A single product promotion type, such that the selfie promotion campaign  400  is a single product promotion  400 , such that the selfie promotion campaign  400  includes one product  420  only, which can be associated with one or more selfies  450 ; 
     b) A compare promotion type, such that the selfie promotion campaign  400  is a compare promotion  400 , such that the selfie promotion campaign  400  includes two or more products  420 , which can each be associated with one or more selfies  450 , such that the purpose is to compare the products  420 , by promoter and follower ratings  432   434 , such that the selfie promotion device  104  can be configured to allow/enable the user  130  to compare the two or more products  420 , by promoter and follower ratings  432   434 , whereby a user  130  for example can compare different clothing, hair, or make up, and a business user  130  can determine which product variations are preferred amongst the customer followers  140 ; 
     c) A challenge promotion type, such that the selfie promotion campaign  400  is a challenge promotion  400 , such that the selfie promotion campaign  400  includes at least one original product  420 , which can be associated with at least one selfie  450 , such that the purpose is to challenge followers to post selfies (in the social network system  112 ) with similar products  420 , such that the selfie promotion device  104  can be configured to allow followers  140  of the user  130  to post selfies  454  (in the social network system  112 ) with similar products  420  , such that the original product  420  and the similar products  420  can be compared by promoter and follower ratings  432   434 ; or 
     d) A product story promotion type, such that the selfie promotion campaign  400  is a product story promotion  400 , such that the selfie promotion campaign  400  includes a product  420 , which can be associated with two or more selfies  450 , such that each selfie  450  illustrates an element of an evolving story associated with the product. 
     In a further related embodiment, a compare promotion  400  can include a first selfie  450  and second selfie  450 , which are associated with pluralities of first and second ratings  430  respectively, including first and second follower ratings  430  respectively, which can be summed to calculate first and second aggregate follower ratings respectively. 
     A product promotion  400 , such as a single product promotion  400 , compare promotion  400 , challenge promotion  400 , or product story promotion  400  can also be referred to as respectively a poll  400  (or product poll  400 ), single product poll  400 , compare poll  400 , challenge poll  400 , or product story promotion  400 , since the product promotions/polls  400  are soliciting/polling followers  140  for ratings/likes. 
     In a related embodiment, a product category  422  can be: 
     a) A physical product; 
     b) A service; 
     c) A person, such as a celebrity or other public persona; 
     d) A place, including a country, region, county, city, etc.; 
     e) Any other category of objects that can be subject to a promotion in order to gain followers, sales, publicity, etc.; or 
     f) Combinations thereof, such as for example a combination of a physical product and a service, or a combination of a person and a place, etc. 
     In a related embodiment, a product web link  424  can be a uniform resource locator, which can further include: a product web link type  425 , which can be: 
     a) a product information type, such that the product web link  424  provides a link to information about the product; 
     b) a product shopping type, such that the product web link  424  provides a link to an item for sale in an e-commerce system  114 ; 
     c) a social media type, such that the product web link  424  provides a link to an object in a social network system  112 , such as a posting or member; or 
     d) an image type, such that the product web link  424  provides a link to an image of the product, or the image is otherwise associated with the product, such as showing use of the product, or directly or indirectly referencing the product. 
     In a related embodiment, the selfie promotion server  102  can further include: 
     An image rating classifier  219 ; 
     such that the image rating classifier  219  can be configured to use a machine learning algorithm to calculate an image rating classification function based on analysis of a plurality of selfie promotion campaigns  400  that are stored in the selfie promotion storage, wherein the machine learning algorithm optimizes the image rating classification function to map a selfie image  454  to an aggregated follower rating  434  by training the image rating classification function over a plurality of historical selfie captures  454  and their corresponding historical aggregated follower ratings  434  from the plurality of selfie promotion campaigns  400 , wherein the aggregated follower rating  434  is an aggregated value of follower ratings  434  for the selfie image  454 ; 
     such that the image rating classification function can be used to calculate an estimated aggregated follower rating  434  from a test selfie capture  454 . 
     In related embodiment, the plurality of historical selfie captures  454  and their corresponding historical aggregated follower ratings  434  can be selected from a period within a predetermined period from the present time, such as for example within one week, one month, two months, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 2 year, 3 years, 1-6 months, or 2-6 months from the present time, such that the image rating classification function is trained to learn recent preferences among the followers, which for example can indicate current fashion or emerging trends. 
     In related embodiment, the plurality of historical selfie captures  454  and their corresponding historical aggregated follower ratings  434  can be selected from a specific group of followers  140 , for example selected based on age, interests, which followee/celebrity  150  they follow, or other attributes, such that the image rating classification function is trained to learn preferences among the followers  140 , which for example can indicate preferences in the specific group of followers  140 . 
     In related embodiment, the plurality of historical selfie captures  454  and their corresponding historical aggregated follower ratings  434  can be associated with a specific brand, for example such that the promoter  130  is a brand promoter  130  for the brand, such that the image rating classification function is trained to learn preferences among the followers  140  of the brand. 
     In further related embodiments, the machine learning algorithm can use well-known methods of machine learning, including artificial neural networks, such as deep learning feed-forward neural networks with back-propagation learning; genetic algorithms; support vector machines; and cluster classification. 
     In a further related embodiment, the machine learning algorithm can be a convolutional artificial neural network with at least two hidden layers, such that the image rating classification function is implemented by the optimized/trained convolutional artificial neural network, which can be trained/optimized using well-known artificial neural network deep learning methods, including backpropagation and other non-linear function optimization methods. In many related embodiments, learning/training can be unsupervised, in order to ensure hidden/unknown rating bias is found/incorporated, but in some embodiments, learning may be supervised or partially supervised, and may employ reinforcement learning. 
     In a further related embodiment, the image rating classification function can be a convolutional artificial neural network with at least two hidden layers, wherein the convolutional artificial neural network is trained over the plurality of historical selfie captures  454  and their corresponding historical aggregated follower ratings  434 , by using a deep learning method, such as backpropagation or other function optimization methods, including newton&#39;s method, quasi-newton methods, gradient descent, etc., 
     In related embodiments, a follower rating can be a “like”, which can be numerically quantified as +1. A “dislike” or “thumbs down” can be numerically quantified as −1. Follower ratings can alternatively be numeric, for example in a range of 1-10, or 1-5; or can be a set of options, such that each option is quantified to a corresponding rating value, for example such that rating descriptors &lt;“love”, “like”, “dislike”, “hate”&gt; is mapped to rating values &lt;+3, +1, −1, −3&gt;, respectively; or alternatively for example to &lt;+5, +1, −1, −5&gt; or &lt;+2, +1, −1, −2&gt;. 
     In related embodiments, the aggregated follower ratings can be normalized, for example to fit a range from 0-10, which can facilitate comparison across a plurality of sponsors 
     In a related embodiment, the selfie promotion device  104  can further include an image rating tester  319 , such that the image rating tester  319  is configured to store an image rating classification function that has been calculated on the selfie promotion server  102 , such that the image rating classification function has been configured by training the image rating classification function over a plurality of historical selfie captures  454  and their corresponding historical aggregated follower ratings  434  from the plurality of selfie promotion campaigns  400 , such that the image rating classification function can be used to calculate an estimated aggregated follower rating from a test selfie capture  454 . Thereby, in such an embodiment, the image rating classification function can be trained on the selfie promotion server  102 , and executed/used for analysis on the selfie promotion device  104 . 
     In a further related embodiment, the image rating classifier  219  can be configured to process selfie videos  454 , such that the image rating classifier  219  can be configured to use a machine learning algorithm to calculate an image rating classification function based on analysis of a plurality of selfie promotion campaigns  400  that are stored in the selfie promotion storage, wherein the machine learning algorithm optimizes the image rating classification function to map a selfie video  454  to an aggregated follower rating  434  by training the image rating classification function over a plurality of historical selfie videos  454  and their corresponding historical aggregated follower ratings  434  from the plurality of selfie promotion campaigns  400 , wherein the aggregated follower rating  434  is an aggregated value of follower ratings  434  for the selfie video  454 ; 
     such that the image rating classification function can be used to calculate an estimated aggregated follower rating  434  from a test selfie video  454 . Alternatively, the image rating classifier  219  can process a video  454 , as a sample of at least one, or a plurality selfies images  454 , such as 2-10 selfie images  454 . Similarly, the image rating tester  319  can process selfie captures  454 , in the form of a selfie video  454 . 
     In a related example embodiment, tabs of a main window in the graphical user interface for the selfie promotion device  104  can include: 
     a) My Pictures, where users  130  can store their selfie pictures  454 . They can create folders and save their pictures categorically, for easy viewing at a later time; 
     b) My Videos, where users  130  can store their selfie videos  454 . They can create folders and save their videos categorically, for easy viewing at a later time; 
     c) Followers, which can contain a list of all the followers  140  that are following the user  130 . The followers  140  can view the profile, selfies  450 , and selfie promotion campaigns  400 , which are associated with the user  130 . 
     d) Follows, which can contain a list of followees  150  that the user  130  is following. The user  130  gets access to their images and profile information. 
     e) Capture Selfie, which enables the user  130  to take a selfie capture  454 , with a camera. 
     f) Upload Selfie, which enables the user  130  to upload his/her selfie capture  454  to his/her profile once he/she takes a selfie; 
     g) Top Selfies, which shows the highest ranked selfie captures  454  for the user  130 ; 
     h) Circle Top, which shows the highest ranked selfie captures  454  of followers  140  and follows; 
     i) Search, wherein the user  130  can search other users, using search criteria such as age or gender. The user  130  can then select identified users/followees  150  to follow; 
     j) Profile, wherein the user  130  can upload selfie captures  454 , edit them and update them; 
     k) Edit Selfie Promotion, wherein the user  130  can edit a selfie promotion, including selecting and editing products  420  and selfies  450 ; and 
     l) Rate Selfie, wherein the user  130  can send followers a request for rating a selfie promotion campaign  400 . 
     In a related embodiment, the selfie promotion device  104  can further include a social network controller  316 , such that the social network controller  316  is configured to allow a user  130  to interact with a social network system  112 , in communication with the social network manager  216  of the selfie promotion server. 
     In a related embodiment, a user  130  can receive notifications via the social network controller  316  of the selfie promotion device  104 , such that notifications can include: 
     a) Direct comment notification, issued when a follower  140  of the user  130  comments on a selfie promotion campaign  400  of the user  130 ; 
     b) Direct rating notification, issued when a follower  140  of the user  130  rates a selfie promotion campaign  400  of the user  130 ; 
     c) Indirect comment notification, issued when a followee  150 , followed by the user  130 , receives a comment on a selfie promotion campaign  400  of the followee  150 ; or 
     d) Indirect rating notification, issued when a followee  150 , followed by the user  130 , receives a rating of a selfie promotion campaign  400  of the followee  150 . 
     In related embodiments, selfie captures  454  can become social referrals for a brand or product  420 , and customers can become brand ambassadors via the social referrals. 
     In related embodiments, a user  130  can be a celebrity or public persona, such that the brand of the user  130  is associated with and strengthens the brand of a product  420 , via a selfie promotion campaign  400 . 
     In a related embodiment, the selfie promotion server  102  can further include: 
     a reward manager  218 ; 
     such that the reward manager  218  can be configured to manage a reward program, such that the selfie promotion manager  214  tracks user actions, and accumulate points for user actions, such as: 
     i. voting in a poll, i.e. submitting a rating  430   432   434  in a selfie promotion  400 , which for example can be a single product promotion or a compare promotion; 
     ii. Creating a selfie promotion  400 ; 
     iii. Sharing a selfie promotion  400 ; and 
     iv. Inviting friends to join as users  130   140   150 . 
     In a further related embodiment, the reward manager  218  can track and accumulate points per individual user  130   140   150 , according to a point reward plan, which for example can reward 10 points for creating a selfie promotion  400 , 2 points for voting/submitting a rating in a selfie promotion  400 , 2 points for sharing a selfie promotion and 3 points for inviting a friend to join as a user  130   140   150 . 
     In another further related embodiment, the reward manager  218  can allow users to redeem points once a month for a gift card or a product from a merchant rep or a brand. The reward manager  218  can permit an administrative user  130  to approve or reject a reward redemption from a user  130 , to permit close monitoring of the redemption process for fraud prevention purposes. 
     In yet a further related embodiment, brand representatives/promoters  130  and their brands offered in selfie promotion  400  can offer a monthly allocation of gift cards, such as for example a minimum of 2 gift cards of at least $10 per product per month for followers  140  to redeem based on their accumulated points, thereby providing a connection between the brands  130   150  and the followers  140 , and increase the content, the participation of the brands in the app, and the engagement of users in the app. 
     In an embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a method for selfie-enabled product promotion  500  can include: 
     a) Selecting a product  502 ; wherein a user  130   150  selects a product  420  from a product storage  210 , stored in a non-transitory memory  204 ; 
     b) Capturing a selfie  504 , wherein the selfie  454  is a self-photograph  454  or self-video  454  that is captured with a camera  106  held by the user, which camera  106  typically will be selfie promotion device  104  that includes a camera  106 , such that the selfie  454  includes the product, for example by including use or display of the product; and 
     c) Promoting the selfie  506 , wherein a selfie promotion campaign  400 , which further includes the selfie  454  in association with the product, is promoted on a social network  112 , wherein the promotion can include posting the selfie with web links that contain information or connect the user to an e-commerce system  114 . 
     In a related embodiment, the method for selfie-enabled product promotion  500  can further include: 
     Selling the product  508 , wherein a follower of the user  130  in the social network completes a sales transaction in the e-commerce system  114 . 
     In a related embodiment, the method for selfie-enabled product promotion  500  can further include: 
     Calculating an image rating classification function  510 , by using a machine learning algorithm to analyze a plurality of selfie promotion campaigns  400 , wherein the machine learning algorithm optimizes the image rating classification function  400  to map the selfie  454  to an aggregated follower rating  434  by training the image rating classification function over a plurality of historical selfie captures  454  and their corresponding historical aggregated follower ratings  434  from the plurality of selfie promotion campaigns  400 , such that the image rating classification function is used to calculate an estimated aggregated follower rating  434  for the selfie  454 . 
     It shall be understood that an executing instance of an embodiment of the image processing and classification system  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , can include a plurality of selfie promotion devices  104 , which are each tied to one or more users  130 , and one or more followers  140 . 
     An executing instance of an embodiment of the system for selfie-enabled product promotion  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , can similarly include a plurality of selfie promotion servers  102 . 
       FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, and 3  are block diagrams and flowcharts, methods, devices, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. It shall be understood that each block or step of the block diagram, flowchart and control flow illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagram, flowchart and control flow illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions or other means. Although computer program instructions are discussed, an apparatus or system according to the present invention can include other means, such as hardware or some combination of hardware and software, including one or more processors or controllers, for performing the disclosed functions. 
     In this regard,  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, and 3  depict the computer devices of various embodiments, each containing several of the key components of a general-purpose computer by which an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a computer can include many components. However, it is not necessary that all of these generally conventional components be shown in order to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing the invention. The general-purpose computer can include a processing unit and a system memory, which may include various forms of non-transitory storage media such as random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The computer also may include nonvolatile storage memory, such as a hard disk drive, where additional data can be stored. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a depiction of an embodiment of the image processing and classification system  100 , including the selfie promotion server  102 , and the selfie promotion device  104 . In this relation, a server shall be understood to represent a general computing capability that can be physically manifested as one, two, or a plurality of individual physical computing devices, located at one or several physical locations. A server can for example be manifested as a shared computational use of one single desktop computer, a dedicated server, a cluster of rack-mounted physical servers, a datacenter, or network of datacenters, each such datacenter containing a plurality of physical servers, or a computing cloud, such as AMAZON EC2™ or MICROSOFT AZURE™. 
     It shall be understood that the above-mentioned components of the selfie promotion server  102  and the selfie promotion device  104  are to be interpreted in the most general manner. 
     For example, the processors  202   302  can each respectively include a single physical microprocessor or microcontroller, a cluster of processors, a datacenter or a cluster of datacenters, a computing cloud service, and the like. 
     In a further example, the non-transitory memory  204  and the non-transitory memory  304  can each respectively include various forms of non-transitory storage media, including random access memory and other forms of dynamic storage, and hard disks, hard disk clusters, cloud storage services, and other forms of long-term storage. Similarly, the input/output  206  and the input/output  306  can each respectively include a plurality of well-known input/output devices, such as screens, keyboards, pointing devices, motion trackers, communication ports, and so forth. 
     Furthermore, it shall be understood that the selfie promotion server  102  and the selfie promotion device  104  can each respectively include a number of other components that are well known in the art of general computer devices, and therefore shall not be further described herein. This can include system access to common functions and hardware, such as for example via operating system layers such as WINDOWS™, LINUX™, and similar operating system software, but can also include configurations wherein application services are executing directly on server hardware or via a hardware abstraction layer other than a complete operating system. 
     An embodiment of the present invention can also include one or more input or output components, such as a mouse, keyboard, monitor, and the like. A display can be provided for viewing text and graphical data, as well as a user interface to allow a user to request specific operations. Furthermore, an embodiment of the present invention may be connected to one or more remote computers via a network interface. The connection may be over a local area network (LAN) wide area network (WAN), and can include all of the necessary circuitry for such a connection. 
     In a related embodiment, the selfie promotion device  104  communicates with the selfie promotion server  102  over a network, which can include the general Internet, a Wide Area Network or a Local Area Network, or another form of communication network, transmitted on wired or wireless connections. Wireless networks can for example include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH™, ZIGBEE™, and NFC. The communication can be transferred via a secure, encrypted communication protocol. 
     In a related embodiment, the selfie promotion server  102  communicates with a social network system  112  over a network, which can include the general Internet, a Wide Area Network or a Local Area Network, or another form of communication network, transmitted on wired or wireless connections. Wireless networks can for example include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH™, ZIGBEE™, and NFC. The communication can be transferred via a secure, encrypted communication protocol. 
     In a related embodiment, the selfie promotion server  102  communicates with an e-commerce system  114  over a network, which can include the general Internet, a Wide Area Network or a Local Area Network, or another form of communication network, transmitted on wired or wireless connections. Wireless networks can for example include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH™, ZIGBEE™, and NFC. The communication can be transferred via a secure, encrypted communication protocol. 
     Typically, computer program instructions may be loaded onto the computer or other general-purpose programmable machine to produce a specialized machine, such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable machine create means for implementing the functions specified in the block diagrams, schematic diagrams or flowcharts. Such computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that when loaded into a computer or other programmable machine can direct the machine to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the block diagrams, schematic diagrams or flowcharts. 
     In addition, the computer program instructions may be loaded into a computer or other programmable machine to cause a series of operational steps to be performed by the computer or other programmable machine to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable machine provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the block diagram, schematic diagram, flowchart block or step. 
     Accordingly, blocks or steps of the block diagram, flowchart or control flow illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block or step of the block diagrams, schematic diagrams or flowcharts, as well as combinations of blocks or steps, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions, that perform the specified functions or steps. 
     As an example, provided for purposes of illustration only, a data input software tool of a search engine application can be a representative means for receiving a query including one or more search terms. Similar software tools of applications, or implementations of embodiments of the present invention, can be means for performing the specified functions. For example, an embodiment of the present invention may include computer software for interfacing a processing element with a user-controlled input device, such as a mouse, keyboard, touch screen display, scanner, or the like. Similarly, an output of an embodiment of the present invention may include, for example, a combination of display software, video card hardware, and display hardware. A processing element may include, for example, a controller or microprocessor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), arithmetic logic unit (ALU), or control unit. 
     The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
     For example, alternative embodiments can reconfigure or combine the components of the selfie promotion server  102  and the selfie promotion device  104 . The components of the selfie promotion server  102  can be distributed over a plurality of physical, logical, or virtual servers. Parts or all of the components of the selfie promotion device  104  can be configured to operate in the selfie promotion server  102 , whereby the selfie promotion device  104  for example can function as a thin client, performing only graphical user interface presentation and input/output functions. Alternatively, parts or all of the components of the selfie promotion server  102  can be configured to operate in the selfie promotion device  104 . 
     Many such alternative configurations are readily apparent, and should be considered fully included in this specification and the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and thus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.