Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/47—End-user applications
  • H04N21/475—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
  • H04N21/4753—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/21—Server components or server architectures
  • H04N21/214—Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel, hospital
  • H04N21/2146—Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel, hospital located in mass transportation means, e.g. aircraft, train or bus
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/27—Server based end-user applications
  • H04N21/278—Content descriptor database or directory service for end-user access
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
  • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
  • H04N21/8146—Monomedia components thereof involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
  • H04N21/8153—Monomedia components thereof involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics comprising still images, e.g. texture, background image
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
  • H04N21/83—Generation or processing of protective or descriptive data associated with content; Content structuring
  • H04N21/835—Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates
  • H04N21/8352—Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates involving content or source identification data, e.g. Unique Material Identifier [UMID]
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N7/00—Television systems
  • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
  • H04N7/162—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
  • H04N7/165—Centralised control of user terminal ; Registering at central

Definitions

• This invention relates to photography and more specifically to photographic image capture, and management of output control.
• photography is managed, displayed, and merchandised in much the same way it was fifty years ago.
• These photographs are indexed by a reference number, then printed and randomly thrown up for display (such as by the "day of the week” or "event") in a photographic display area of the ship.
• conventions, conferences, weddings, etc. utilize a system of taking the photograph, printing, and having the physical photographs manually reviewed. Most of the printed photographs are not purchased and eventually are disposed of.
• Photographic development centers such as Kodak, Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and many other centers.
• a methodology and system provide for automated and semi-automated associative tagging of photo images, indexed storage of the image data, and selective retrieval and output of photographic images.
• An output controller provides for interface to the stored database, and provides a user interface that permits a user to provide for interfacing with the stored database to allow for selection and retrieval of selected images based on the associated tag.
• the output controller can be distributed or centralized, separate from, or part of, the system controller.
• FIG. 1 shows a state flow diagram, flow chart, and system functional block diagram provided in an integrated form
• FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of the stored indexed photo database (275 of FIG. 2 and 145 of FIG. 1), showing a preferred embodiment where the accumulated entered contents are presorted prior to storage for search by associative tags;
• FIG.7 is a block diagram of a system for utilizing the present invention for conventional film-based photography .
• a state flow diagram, flow chart, and system functional block diagram are provided in an integrated form.
• a photographic or other digital image data is provided, illustrated as the digital image 110.
• a photographer can shoot a still photograph with a digital camera.
• a computer based generation e.g., computer generated or scanned, analog to digital converter, etc.
• a computer based generation e.g., computer generated or scanned, analog to digital converter, etc.
• Assembled data packets for each digital image with associated tag data are then output at 135 to the database storage system 140 comprising a system controller 144 providing processing, logic, and other controller functions, coupled to the database storage 145, which can be a combination of semiconductor memory (non- volatile and/or volatile in combination with non-volatile backup), and/or magnetic storage ⁇ medium such as hard disk, optical storage, etc.
• An output display and user interface controller 150 is coupled to the database storage system 140 to provide for selective access to the stored database of assembled data packets for selective retrieval from the database storage 145.
• the output display and user interface controller 150 as shown is comprised of a user interface 151, a digital output interface 152, a database storage system interface 153, and an analog/digital TV output interface 155.
• a backup subsystem 180 can be provided, where desired and cost available, that is coupled to the communications medium, to provide redundancy and backup capabilities, such as for works in process, and/or items being viewed and utilized by users currently, as well as for archival storage. Also illustrated are multiple, physically separate photographic labs 191 and 192, which perform the actual photographic processing of the digital image data to provide final photographic print output for sale to customers responsive to received orders.
• the analog/digital TV output interface 155 provides a video or audiovisual output 157 to a cable head distribution subsystem 160.
• Additional video input 165 is coupled to the cable head distribution subsystem 160.
• the additional video input 165 includes television programming, straight video, audiovisual, computer generated data, music, and other audio, visual, and audiovisual presentation materials.
• the cable head distribution subsystem 160 provides an output distribution 163 which ultimately couples to each of a plurality of televisions with receiver set-top boxes 166 such as those located in various rooms of a hotel or cruise ship.
• the output 163 is coupled to the receiver set- top box 166 and therefrom to the respective television or viewing device in each of the cabins 162-a, 162-b, .... 162-n.
• FIG. 2 a detailed electrical system block diagram is provided of the hardware and software combination utilized in achieving the methodology and system of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 corresponds in state flow and functionality to the " system and methodology as described above with reference to FIG. 1.
• FIG. 2 provides a specific illustrated embodiment of a system in accordance with FIG. 1.
• a user data entry workstation 220 provides for user data entry, such as via keyboard 222 and mouse, a microphone 224, or other input device.
• the workstation provides for user data entry, such as via keyboard 222 and mouse, a microphone 224, or other input device.
• the 220 provides for display (of video, audio, or audiovisual output) to the user from the user data entry workstation 220.
• the user data entry workstation 220 provides an output 221 which is coupled to a tag controller 230 which provides for intelligent generation of an output 235 responsive to the associated tag data to rooms, viewing centers and photographic labs (which is output in FIG. 1 as 125) for combining the digital image output 245 (115 of FIG. 1) into an assembled data packet output 255 with digital image and associative tag (output 135 in FIG. 1) for storage in the database storage system 270 (140 of FIG. 1).
• the associated tag data can also be generated through the user data entry workstation 220 (along with I/O devices keyboard 222, microphone 224, display 226, etc.) and output 221 as associated tag data.
• the associated tag data can also be provided by alternative input means, such as magnetic card strip reader 210, which reads the magnetic data strip 212 on a data ID card 213 to provide an output 211 of associated tag information.
• the associated tag controller 230 provides for the intelligent generation of associated tag data and provides an output 235 of the associated tag data (corresponding to output 125 of associated tag data in FIG. 1).
• the associated tag data output 235 is input to a packet assembly controller 250.
• the system controller provides computing, processing, data manipulation, and storage management to facilitate the management of accumulated plurality of photographic images, either stored in a single location of database storage 275 or distributed among many separate storage sub-elements which are managed as a whole.
• the database storage can be on a magnetic hard disk, optical storage technology, semiconductor-based, or other.
• the database storage system 270 provides selective output 288 of image data (and in some embodiments, of additional associated tag data) to the output controller 280 responsive to selection control signals
• the output controller 280 is also coupled to a cable head distribution and interactive user remote interface controller 295 to provide for communications of the data to each of a plurality of in-room televisions in rooms 162-a - 162-n via set-top boxes 166 coupled to each of the in-room TVs 162.
• the set-top box 166 also selectively provides signals to selected TVs responsive to the output 296 of the cable head distribution and interactive user remote interface controller 295 and provides outputs 297 to the cable head distribution and interactive user remote interface controller 295 responsive to in-room user remote control devices 267 (167 of FIG. 1) to provide for selection, in accordance with the associated tag data, of selected associated photo images, for recall from storage.
• the output controller 280 is responsive to control signals 299 from the cable head distribution and interactive user remote interface controller 295 generated responsive to output 297.
• the output controller 280 requests via the selection control signal 289 of the database storage system 270, image data retrieved from the database storage 275 responsive to the associated tag data and the user input entered via remote control device 267.
• the database storage system 270 provides for output 288 to the output controller 280 for coupling via signals 298 to the cable head distribution and interactive user remote interface controller 295 which provides an output 296 of the presentation signals for coupling to the set-top boxes 166 of each of the requesting in-room televisions 162 associated with the respective remote control device 267 that has selected a particular set of photo images.
• PIN Personal Identification Number
• other security method can be provided to preclude non-authorized people from viewing other people's photo images.
• the output controller 280 is also coupled to a digital interface controller 290 which provides for a digital output via communications interface and protocol to a number of subsystems for utilization of the image data and associated tag data as contained in the database storage 275.
• a remote control device 267 provides for user interface with an associated digital interface set- top box 266 which provides for interface to the communications and protocol and standards necessary to be compatible with the digital interface controller 290. For example, Ethernet could be utilized, separate direct communications lines can be utilized, or other techniques can be utilized.
• a user at one of the photolab locations 291 (one or a plurality of photolabs physically separate from each other), a backup facility 292, or a photo viewing center 293 provides for user input via the remote control device 267 (which can be a separate computing system, a keyboard, a mouse, magnetic card strip reader, etc.) to permit the user to request information via the communications interface channel 294 from the digital interface controller 290 which provides a request signal 284 to the output controller 280 corresponding to the input request via remote control device 267 to provide a selection control signal 289 to the database storage system 270 for selectively retrieving the respective associated image data associated tag data from the database storage 275 and to provide the data signals back via output 288 to the output controller 280 for coupling at 286 to the digital interface controller 290 which provides an output back via communications interface channel 294 to the set-top box 266 for the respective requesting subsystem 291, 292, or 293.
• the communications interface channel 294 can be a common interface to each of the set-top boxes or there can be separate communication coup
• the system controller 271 can provide many additional functions to the database storage, management, sorting, and image processing and tracking.
• database storage system 270 can also provide, either alone or in conjunction with other subsystems, the counting for the photographs taken, utilization of people and equipment, demographics of people buying photos, etc.
• the set-top box 320 is responsive to the user input subsystem remote control 340 (such as a keyboard, TV remote control, or other input interface such as touch screen, voice recognition, etc.) and responsive to the user input, as communicated via the remote control signal 342 broadcast from the transmitter 341 of the remote control 340 to the receiver 321 of the set-top box 320, providing for output of user subsystem request information 326 to the cable head distribution system 310 for permitting the selection request 317 signal output to receive back digital photograph image data 315 which is coupled via the cable head distribution system 310, and output 316 as broadcast presentation which is interfaced via the set-top box 320 and provided as output 322 to the in-room television 332 to provide for a display presentation of the requested photographic image data.
• the user input subsystem remote control 340 such as a keyboard, TV remote control, or other input interface such as touch screen, voice recognition, etc.
• set-top boxes include digital cable boxes which provide audio, visual and audiovisual presentations to TVs.
• the digital cable boxes are also responsive to a user remote control, which allows for selection of different channels, video, audio, and audiovisual, and allows for selection of special events and movies that are normally unattainable, via user selection of the event or movie via the remote control, responsive to some identifying code or tag entered into the remote control.
• the cable head distribution system is also partially responsible for making sure that the unattainable event or movie is now available to the user on their TV .
• FIGS.4A-4C a sample set of screen displays corresponding to the in-room request process of FIGS. 1-3 is illustrated.
• the display screen 410 provides for user entry of room number or other associated tag identification information at 411, for entry of the user's name or a selected photo name at 412, and, in a preferred embodiment, provides for security for entry of a personal identification number at 413 for security purposes. Any or all of these can be excluded or other items added in accordance with the desired functionality of the final system.
• the display interface 420 provides for the responsive display presentation to the user's entry of room number, name, and PIN.
• the display includes the room number and name information, verifying that which had been entered, and identifying the contents of the remainder of the display.
• Section 425 of the display provides for the image data content to be displayed as thumbnails for a plurality of responsive digital images. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, there are nine photographic images 426 recalled based on the associated search criteria.
• the display is shown as comprising a matrix identifier, such as A, B, or C, 429 and designating the row and a column designator 1 , 2, 3, 4 428.
• a user interface display portion 427 is provided, and as illustrated in a touch screen mode embodiment, provides for the ability of the user to touch the screen and to choose which of the images to expand and to look at.
• a remote control can be used with arrow keys to move around to choose which of the images to expand.
• the letters Al , A2, etc. can be chosen to indicate the column and row location and select the image to expand.
• the next step of the display process is illustrated, corresponding to a user selecting the image Al from FIG. 4B.
• the chosen Al cell of the photographic images 426 of FIG. 4B is expanded, showing the details in an expanded figure 431.
• the image cell being expanded is denoted on the display at 432.
• the user interface display portion is provided at 433.
• the display screen 430 provides for a blow-up of a particular individual photo.
• the user is provided navigational information and control to look at all the pictures, as well as the ability to select and order particular pictures once having viewed them.
• FIG. 5 a portion of the database storage 275 of FIG. 2 (and 145 of FIG. 1) is illustrated, showing a preferred embodiment where the accumulated entered contents are presorted prior to storage for search by associative tags.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of the set up of the associative linking and mapping.
• the portion of the memory 510 is shown as storing, in an indexed fashion, the associative tag information (here illustrated as room number/name, indicating one or more fields can be used for indexing, depending on system design and cost constraints) where a display is provided to the user on a screen with the heading 511 room number/name for one column and the corresponding associated photo image index address 515 as illustrated in FIG. 5.
• the associative tag information here illustrated as room number/name, indicating one or more fields can be used for indexing, depending on system design and cost constraints
• the room number is indexed to the photo image index address which is a pointer to the addresses containing photo images for that associative tag.
• room 128 could have had photos taken on three different occasions, each time having one or more photos taken.
• the image index addresses 516 correspond to one or more photo images being associated with the associative tag ID.
• Many different ways of providing for sorting can be implemented, for example, either by leaving original data in its ad hoc order as accumulated, and indexing it separately for look-up, or sorting and restoring the accumulated data in a sorted order and format. In this regard, FIGS.
• FIG. 6A and 6B illustrate the process, methodology, and system, wherein photographic image data is entered in an ad hoc fashion by numerous photographers at numerous times on numerous occasions, but each time with "keyed associative data", associated and affiliated with the photographic data, as shown in FIG. 6A.
• the photo data is stored with an index or in a structure such that the photo data 615 is shown as stored relative to a heading 611 and the corresponding room number ID tag data 616 is shown under a heading 612.
• the portion of memory 610 differs from that of 510, in that the actual photo image data 615 is stored and associatively mapped to the associative tag data 616.
• the photo image index address 516 is associatively mapped with the associative tag ID 512.
• the direct availability of the actual photo image data 615 provides for quicker look-up and access based on the associative tag data 616, than would be required with the extra step of the index addressing of FIG. 5, but requires possible additional storage requirements.
• a controller sorts or otherwise indexes the accumulated stored database represented by the portion of memory 610 from FIG. 6A (according to any one of a number of well-known sorting techniques) to provide for quick user access to the associated photo image data responsive to the associated tag data.
• the photo image data is accumulated in the order entered into the database storage (275 of FIG. 2).
• the associated tag data 616 are in the order of entry , showing room 28 , room 37 , room
• the ordering of the associated tag data 626 reorders the photo data 625, correspondingly, so that the ordering in the portion of memory 620 is in the order of room numbers (i.e., room 28, room 28, room 37, room 152).
• the sorting can be actual physical sorting so that a new entire stored database is created, either instead of or in addition to the original stored database represented by the portion of memory 610, or can be virtual, such as indexed as discussed above with reference with FIG. 5, or a combination of the two.
• the stored database provides adequate unused storage capacity to permit storage of both the original stored database represented by the portion of memory 610 and the sorted stored database represented by the portion of memory 620. This not only provides for redundancy and backup, but also provides options for different types of sorts. Thus, where adequate stored database capacity (such as database storage 275 of FIG. 2) is available, then multiple sorts on multiple criteria can be stored, either in an indexed format as illustrated in FIG. 5, or as multiple sorted databases where each sort is based on a different criteria. An example would be where one criteria might be the room number. Another example criteria might be the last name. Another criteria might be the date, time, location, etc.
• Imaging means can be any form of video input to the system, providing image data units .such as digital cameras, computers, and photographic scanners of negatives (or prints).
• the image data units are associatively tagged (e.g., indexed) for storage and retrieval.
• wasted prints can be virtually eliminated.
• workflow processing is altered significantly as is the front end equipment (e.g., camera, etc.)
• the developed negatives are scanned 910, tagged 930, and stored 940.
• a person (the user 901), with a user input device (remote 905) utilizes a local computing and video subscription (set-top box 950). Coupled via a communications medium 951 to an output interface controller 960 which selectively retrieves image data units per one of a plurality of protocols or modes (e.g., by room number, by name, by the associative tag, by event name, by date, random, etc.) The retrieved image data units are coupled to the requesting set-top box 950 which provides for a display presentation on the in-room television 955, or via the video display (such as ethernet computer link, firewire link, USB link, etc.)
• a system is taught for managing the storage and delivery of image data (see, FIGS. 1-3, 6).
• the system is comprised of image means, tag means, database storage means, a system controller, an output interface controller and a display means.
• the image means generates a plurality of image data units.
• the image data can be computer generated, scanned, and analog, digital, etc.
• the tag means provides associated tag data, for identifying a respective one of the plurality of image data units.
• the tag means provides associated tag data comprised of entering at least one of a room number, a last name, social security number, unique identifying data, and reading a magnetic stripe on a card.
• the database storage means stores as a stored database the plurality of image data units.
• the database storage means can be comprised of at least one of semiconductor memory, non- volatile, volatile, magnetic storage medium, hard disk, and optical storage.
• the system controller provides processing, storage and logic, functions and is coupled to the database storage means.
• the output interface controller is coupled to the database storage means and provides for access to the stored database for selective retrieval of selected ones of the image data units from the database storage means.
• the output interface controller can be comprised of a user interface, a digital output interface, a database storage system interface, or an analog/digital TV delivery output interface.
• the user interface may be comprised of one or more of a keyboard, a touch screen, a remote control, a magnetic stripe card reader, or other input device.
• the user interface provides for user access to the database storage means and provides means for selection by the user from the database storage means
• the digital output interface provides a digital output which is coupled to at least one of a plurality of subsystems via a communications medium.
• the communications medium can be wired or wireless.
• the communications medium facilitates connect and disconnect, handshake, and high speed communications.
• the digital output couples to at least one photographic viewing center, or to a plurality of photographic viewing centers located at multiple locations.
• At least one photographic viewing center is transportable and moveable to various locations.
• the transportable viewing center is coupled to the output interface controller.
• the photographic viewing center can couple to the digital output via the communications medium.
• one of the plurality of the subsystems is a backup subsystem, such as for archival storage.
• one of the plurality of subsystems can be one or more physically separate photographic labs, wherein said physically separate photographic lab performs processing of the digital image data to provide final photographic print output, wherein said final photographic print out is sold to customers responsive to received orders.
• the display means provides a display presentation responsive to the output interface controller.
• the analog/digital TV delivery output interface provides an output to a cable head distribution subsystem coupled to an additional video input.
• the cable head distribution subsystem provides an output distribution which couples to at least one of a plurality of televisions with receiver set-top boxes.
• the additional source of video input can include one or more of television programming, straight video, audiovisual, computer generated data, music, and other audio, visual, and audiovisual presentation materials.
• a set-top box remote control provides communication of user input via the set- top box communicating with the cable head distribution subsystem and therefrom via output of the cable head distribution subsystem to the user interface of the output display and user interface controller allowing the user entry of identifying associated tag information via the set-top box remote control, and a request for presentation on a user's local display, wherein the set-top box provides a selection output which couples via the cable head distribution subsystem to the output interface controller to provide for user selection of stored digital images for display to the user on the respective local display responsive to the selection output.
• the interface from the output interface controller can be one or more of Ethernet, analog television, analog, wired or wireless, and digital television, other digital, etc.
• the image means can be one or more photographers shooting photographs with an analog or digital camera, wherein the image data is photographic preferably an analog or preferably digital image data.
• the image means can alternatively be any source of image data, including scanned photographic negatives, slides and prints, computer generated, etc.
• the database storage means can be distributed among a plurality of subsystems and linked, or can be centralized.
• system is further characterized as utilized aboard a cruise ship, within a convention center, a hotel, an amusement park, etc.
• an assembly controller couples and assembles the image data unit with the associated tag data into an assembled data packet and stores the assembled data packet in the database storage means, wherein the stored database is comprised of the assembled data packets
• the display means provides for viewing of the digital image data, such as on a local user display or other displays as appropriate.
• the system manages the storage and retrieval of a plurality of separately identifiable image data words.
• the system is comprised of an entry workstation, a tag controller, a database storage system and a display means.
• the entry workstation provides for entry of associated tag data, associatively identifying a respective one of the image data words.
• the tag controller is coupled to the user data entry workstation and combines a respective one of the image date words with a respective one of the associated tag data to provide an assembled data packet.
• the database storage subsystem stores a plurality of the assembled data packets.
• the display means provides a presentation output responsive to the storage controller.
• the database storage subsystem is comprised of a storage controller for computing, processing, data manipulation, and storage and retrieval management to facilitate the management of an accumulated plurality of image data words.
• the system can further comprise a communications controller for communication of the assembled data packets to the database storage subsystem, the accumulated plurality of image data words are representative of photographic images.
• the database storage subsystem is distributed among many separate storage sub-elements which are managed as a whole.
• the system is further comprised of a display apparatus for providing at least one of an audio display, a video display and an audiovisual display presentation responsive to the presentation output.
• a display apparatus for providing at least one of an audio display, a video display and an audiovisual display presentation responsive to the presentation output.
• the system additionally comprises a selection controller associated with respective ones of the display apparatus, for selecting one of the image data words from the database storage means for local display on the respective display apparatus.
• the selection controller is further comprised of a user remote for providing user signals; and a set-top box responsive to the user remote for coupling selection signals to the database storage subsystem.
• the selected image data words are communicated to the respective set-top box, and the respective associated display apparatus provides a local visual presentation of the selected image data word responsive to the set- top box.
• An interactive interface controller is coupled to each of the set-top boxes, and the set- top boxes selectively provide signals to selected respective ones of the display apparatus responsive to the selection controller for selection, in accordance with the associated tag data, of selected associated ones of the image data words, for recall from the database storage subsystem.
• the image data words are preferably photographic images.
• the user data entry workstation is comprised of at least one of any input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and a magnetic strip reader.
• the image means can be comprised of one or more of a digital camera, computer generated image data, photographic scanner, and analog-to-digital conversion of analog image source data, etc.
• the system additionally comprises a cable head distribution subsystem for coupling from the database storage subsystem to the set-top boxes responsive to the selection signals from the set-top boxes.
• the output controller is responsive to the associated tag data and a user input entered via a remote control device.
• the database storage subsystem provides an output for coupling via the cable head distribution subsystem to provide an output for coupling to the set-top boxes to provide for a respective display presentation on a respective associated display apparatus associated with the respective user remote associated with selection of the selected image data word.
• the display apparatus can be television sets, LCD's, monitors, etc.
• the output from the cable head distribution subsystem are presentation signals, which control the display apparatus presentation.
• Security means can be provided to prevent non-authorized viewing of the image data words.
• the security means can utilize a Personal Identification Number (PIN) password protection.
• the system additionally comprises a digital interface controller coupled to the output controller.
• the digital interface controller provides an output for utilization of the image data words and associated tag data as contained in the database storage subsystem.
• the user interface apparatus utilizes an associated one of the set-top boxes for interface with the digital interface controller from at least one location.
• the digital interface controller is responsive to one or a plurality of locations of the respective set- top boxes. The locations can be one or more of a plurality of photolabs physically separate from each other, a backup facility, and a photo viewing center providing for the user to request information via the digital interface controller.
• the output controller is responsive to the digital interface controller to provide a selection control signal to the database storage subsystem for selectively retrieving from the database storage subsystem the respective associated image data word with the associated tag data from the database storage subsystem to provide output to the respective set-top box for a respective requesting location.
• the user interface apparatus can be comprised of a separate computing system, a keyboard, a mouse, and/or a magnetic card strip reader.
• the digital interface controller is coupled via a communications interface channel comprising at least one of a common interface to each of the set-top boxes and separate communication couplings between each of the set top boxes and the digital interface controller.
• the storage controller provides for at least one of database storage, management sorting, image processing, image tracking, accounting for the photographs taken, utilization of people and equipment, and demographics of people buying photos.
• the system is located on a cruise ship with guest cabins.
• a portion of the plurality of display apparatus can be located in some of the guest cabins
• a communications management system comprising a first source of photograph image data, a second source of movie/television programming, a cable head distribution subsystem coupled to the first source and the second source for selectively providing a distribution output, a set-top box, coupled to the cable head distribution subsystem, a remote control for providing user signals, and an in-room television.
• the set- top box is responsive to the user signals from the remote for selecting and coupling the distribution output to provide a set-top output for presentation on the in-room television.
• the remote control communicates with the set-top box, preferably wirelessly, such as via one of infrared, ultrasonic, radiowave or microwave communications.
• the set-top box is responsive to the user signals to provide an output of user input request information to the cable head distribution subsystem.
• the cable head distribution subsystem is responsive to the user input request signal output to selectively couple the requested photograph image data via the cable head distribution subsystem, to the in- room television to provide for a display presentation of the requested photograph image data.
• User signals are provided via a user input entered via any input device such as at least one of: a keyboard, TV remote control, touch screen, and voice recognition.
• the in-room television (or other display apparatus) provides a display user interface screen for user entry of room number, associated tag identification information, user name, and/or a selected photo identification.
• the system can further provide for security for user entry of a personal identification number for security purposes.
• a display apparatus such as the in-room television, provides for the photograph image data to be displayed as a display presentation comprising a plurality of thumbnails (e.g., reduced size images) for a plurality of photographic images.
• the display presentation of the thumbnails further comprises a matrix identifier, and designates a row and a column designator associated with each of the thumbnail photographic images.
• the display presentation provides a user interface display which provides for the user selection of which of the thumbnail photographic images to expand and display.
• the user interface display is responsive to any input device such as at least one of : a touch screen, a remote control device, a keyboard, and voice recognition.
• the display presentation shows details in an expanded figure view of a user selected thumbnail.
• the user is provided navigational information to control looking at a plurality of the photographic images, and an ability to select and order particular ones of the photographic images.
• the image data words can be sorted by any means, such as associative tags, and stored in the database storage the database storage subsystem.
• the database storage subsystem stores the image data words in an indexed relation according to the associative tag information.
• the photograph image data can be entered in an ad hoc fashion numerous times, each time with associative tag data associated and affiliated with the photograph image data, and is stored such that all of the photograph image data is stored as associated with the respective associated tag data.
• the storage system controller can sort the accumulated stored database to provide for quick user access to the associated photograph image data responsive to the associated tag data.
• the photographic image data can alternatively be accumulated in the order entered into the database storage, and sorting creates a new stored database.
• the stored database can provide adequate unused storage capacity to permit storage of both the database as originally stored database and the sorted stored database.

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  • 2001-10-17 AU AU2002213402A patent/AU2002213402A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-10-17 EP EP01981782A patent/EP1350186A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-10-17 WO PCT/US2001/032603 patent/WO2002033656A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation

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