Method and system for sharing goods and/or service shared over communication network between multiple user

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a method and system for sharing an image on a communication network among a plurality of individuals.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In the prior art, sharing of a digital image on a communication network (eg, the Internet) is done by attaching it to a file by e-mail and sending it, and the recipient retrieves the image file, stores it, and browses it. Was there. If the recipient intends to send the image file to another individual, he will know the electronic address, go through the process of opening a new document, attach the received image file, and attach their arbitrary image to the attachment. Is selectively added. This is a relatively tedious process. Adding additional users and attachments further complicates the problem of sharing multiple images.

【0003】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

Kodak's Photoquilt is a classic example of prior art. There are multiple users, and by uploading the image to a web-based application, multiple users can see the image independently. In this system, users upload their own images, which is a cumbersome process. Images are hand screened for objectable content and loaded into the quilt overnight. The content is managed for each theme, and the theme may be searched. In addition, users who want to view images must always connect and reconnect to view updates.

【0004】

There is an online photo system provided by Ofoto, in which the user's image is shared so that a third party can access the specified image. Further, the second person who browses the image is limited to a specific user and is limited to the specified image.

【0005】

The present invention solves many problems in the prior art when a plurality of images are shared by a plurality of users. Further, according to the present invention, the system can provide comments and edits regarding a particular image for a particular individual or for the entire group.

【0006】

[Means for solving problems]

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for sharing a digital image edit on a communication network among a plurality of users of a user display device using a control computer, according to a predetermined user sequence. A step of controlling transmission of the edited material to the plurality of users by the control computer on the communication network, wherein each user outputs an image to the edited material and / or the edited material in the edited material. It is characterized in that it can be added to the information related to the image, and each of the following users can browse the image and / or data edit provided by the preceding user in the predetermined user sequence. The method having said steps to do is provided.

【0007】

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for distributing a digital image edit over a communication network to a plurality of users using a control computer in a predetermined user sequence, a. The predetermined user. The edit, along with the steps of transmitting the image edit to the first user in the sequence and b. the modification made by the first user to the edit of the digital image to create the first modified edit. A step of returning an object from the first user to the control computer, c. a step of transmitting the first modified edit to the next user in the predetermined user sequence, and d. creating a second modified edit. In order to do so, the step of returning the first modified edit to the control computer together with the modification made to the edited by the next user, and e. Each user of the above method is provided with a step of repeating steps c and d.

【0008】

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is a method for distributing a digital image edit to a plurality of users on a communication network by using a control computer in a predetermined user sequence. The first user controls the step of transmitting an object to a first user in the predetermined user sequence and b. the first user makes modifications to the edited object of a digital image in order to create the first modified edited object. A step of transmitting to a computer, c. a step of transmitting the first modified edit to the next user in the predetermined user sequence, and d. A step of returning the first modified edit to the control computer by the next user, and a step c for each of the following users in the user sequence who browses the edit. The method is provided with a step of repeating d.

【0009】

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a computer software program for sharing images on a communication network, the plurality of users in a predetermined user sequence using the control computer on the communication network. Each user can add an image to the edit and / or information related to the image in the edit, which is a step of controlling the transmission of the edit to the computer. The computer software program causes the computer to perform the steps, characterized in that each of the following users can view an image and / or data edit provided by a preceding user in the predetermined user sequence. Provided.

【0010】

According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer software program for sharing an image on a communication network, a. A step of transmitting the image edit to a first user in the predetermined user sequence. b. A step of returning the edit from the first user to the control computer, along with the modifications made by the first user with respect to the edit of the digital image in order to create the first modified edit. c. The step of transmitting the first modified edit to the next user in the predetermined user sequence, and d. In order to create the second modified edit, the next user responds to the edited. Along with the modifications made, the computer includes a step of returning the first modified edit to the control computer, and e. A step of repeating steps c and d for each of the following users in the user sequence viewing the edit. The computer software program to be executed by the computer when loaded into is provided.

【0011】

According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer software program for sharing an image on a communication network, a. A step of transmitting the image edit to a first user in the predetermined user sequence. b. The step of the first user transmitting to the control computer the modifications made to the edit of the digital image in order to create the first modification edit, and c. Along with the steps to send to the next user in a given user sequence and the modifications made to the edit to create the d. Second modified edit, the next user submits the first modified edit. When the computer is loaded, the step of returning to the control computer and the step of repeating steps c and d for each of the following users in the user sequence for viewing the edited material are executed by the computer. A computer software program is provided.

【0012】

According to still another aspect of the present invention, it is a system for sharing a digital image edit on a communication network among a plurality of users on a user display device, and is on a communication network according to a predetermined user sequence. , A control computer that controls the transmission of the edited material to a plurality of users, and each user may add an image to the edited material and / or information related to the image in the edited material. The system comprising the control computer, wherein each of the following users can view an image and / or data edit provided by a preceding user in the predetermined user sequence.

【0013】

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a system for sharing a digital image edit on a communication network among a plurality of users, wherein each user has a user computer and follows a predetermined user sequence. A control computer that controls transmission of the edited material to the user computer on a communication network, wherein each user outputs an image to the edited material and / or information related to the image in the edited material. The control computer can be added to, and the next user can view an image and / or data edit provided by a preceding user in the predetermined user sequence. Has said system moth, provided.

【0014】

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for sharing a digital image edit on a communication network among a plurality of users on a user display device using a control computer operated by an Internet service provider. , A step of controlling transmission of the edited material to the plurality of users by a control computer on a communication network according to a predetermined user sequence, wherein each user outputs an image to the edited material and / or said. It can be added to the information related to the image in the edit, and each next user browses the image and / or data edit provided by the preceding user in the predetermined user sequence. The method is provided, which comprises the steps characterized by the ability to:

【0015】

These and other aspects, features, features and advantages of the present invention are clearly understood with reference to the drawings from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, claims.

【0016】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of a system 10 for sharing digital images according to the present invention is shown. The system 10 can share a digital image or a computer file for an application (represented by a digital image) among a plurality of remote users who use computers 14, 16, 18 and 20 on a communication network 12. .. In the specific embodiment shown, each of the computers 14, 16, 18 and 20 is connected to a plurality of communication service providers 13A, 13B and 13C to a communication network 12 (which constitutes the Internet in this example). Access becomes possible. However, the communication network 12 may be any system as long as the individual computers can communicate with each other electronically. It is understood that access to the communication network 12 provided by the communication service providers 13A, 13B, 13C is achieved using one service provider or a plurality of service providers, depending on the user and his / her preference. In the specific embodiment shown, one of the computers 14, 16, 18 and 20 manages image sharing between designated users on the communication network 12. In the specific embodiment shown, the computer 14 is a host / control computer, and the computers 16, 18 and 20 form a list of participating users, based on which the sequential becomes clear from the following description. Used in any order. It is understood that the control computer 14 does not have to be directly related to the designated user (viewing the image). This will be described later. Suitable sharing software that enables image sharing according to the present invention is provided in each of the control computer 14 and the computers 16, 18 and 20, respectively.

【0017】

With reference to FIG. 2, a flowchart for starting digital image sharing is shown. In order to share an image between designated users, start, i.e., the host user must first start the software program on the host computer (step 22). In this example, the host computer controls the computer 14 and registers an image sharing event. The image sharing event may be, but is not limited to, the period during which the digital image is shared (determined by start time, date, duration). In setting the image sharing event, the control computer 14 assigns a unique number of events in relation to the start or host user.

【0018】

In the next step 24 of this initiation process, the host user supplies information or event criteria to the control computer 14. The computer also defines image sharing events (such as shared digital image themes). Themes are, for example, (but not limited to) image categories such as "baby" images, "birthday" images, common events such as Christmas, Easter, and US Independence Day, sales, and vacations. It may be a specific product for Christmas, a specific product for an auction, or category information viewed in accordance with the present invention. Further information or event criteria (eg, the minimum amount of time a shared image circulates in a list of participating users (hereinafter referred to as a round)) contributes to the definition of an image sharing event. One round does not mean that each participating user views the shared digital image. Rather, one round gives each participant the opportunity to view the shared image in a given sequence. The image sharing event can have criteria (such as a specific minimum number of rounds in which the image sharing event can cause the maximum event duration to be exceeded). Similarly, the duration of the image sharing event may exceed the time required for the sharing software to collect all the images shared in the specified minimum number of rounds. In these cases, the host gives the control computer 14 instructions on how to handle these exceptions.

【0019】

Other relevant information may include permission for the control computer 14 to use the collected shared image sharing event during the sharing event period. In addition, the host user can provide a payment instrument (eg, a credit card number or a debit account). This is to redeem the selected product and / or service supply during the period when the host user browses the event for the image to be shared. To clarify the explanation, a group of shared images is called a compilation of digital images. The presentation format of the edited version of the digital image may be any and is referred to as a series of images or reduced images (imagettes). For example (but not limited to), a series of reduced images can be moved in a sequential display stream (see Figure 8-12) on a computer display used during shared events. In another example, the image occupies a fixed area of the display device, replaces it with the previously displayed reduced image, and displays one subsequent reduced image at a time.

【0020】

In step 26, the control computer 14 issues a unique number of events to manage and track image sharing events and related activities (eg, orders for goods and / or services). In step 28, the first user decides whether to share an image sharing event created by someone with someone using installed sharing software and make it a public event. Make a decision. If the shared event is not public, it is private by definition. The user then prepares a list of invited guest users in step 30. The guest list is the guest user's electronic address (email address or America Online).^TM(Temporary message address such as "Buddy List" implemented by Instant Message from) is written.

【0021】

In step 32, in the embodiment, the control computer represented by reference numerals 16, 18, 20 sends an invitation to the designated guest user. Typically, these event email invitations identify the host user and guide image sharing, along with instructions for attending the event. If the invited user has never participated in this type of image sharing, the instructions include instructions for obtaining the sharing software. It is directed in the form of an electronic address (where you can download shared software). The electronic address may be of hyperlink type. This causes the user to activate the link, causing the computer to go directly to the site of the coded electronic address. As a result, the labor of the user is further reduced. However, in a preferred embodiment, the event email instruction has an attachment with shared software. In this case, the user simply detaches the file that installs the required shared software during operation. It should be noted that only the installation of shared software is required. To issue a series of invitations to other shared events, simply launch the installed shared software. However, the shared software may be sent to the recipient in any way. For example, they may be placed in a computer storage medium (eg, a computer disk or CD) and sent. They allow the user to manually install the software.

【0022】

In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the host user specifies that the image sharing event is public in step 28, but the destination of the branch will be described. The control computer 14 generates a number of unique image sharing events (anyone can see using the sharing software) in the public event list (step 34) and creates a new one to operate according to the information provided in step 24. Create a schedule for image sharing events.

【0023】

The flowchart in Figure 3 illustrates how guests invited to a scheduled private image sharing event participate. Start with step 36 first. Invited guests will receive an electronic invitation with the participation instructions given for Figure 2 above. The invitation includes event information such as the theme, the number of events, and the event organizer (host). If the invited guest user does not have the shared software (step 38), the guest will obtain the software described with respect to FIG. 2 (installed in step 40) according to the electronic invitation instructions. In step 42, when the guest user launches the shared software, the guest user is ready to enter a name (email address) and password (which is provided as part of the installation).

【0024】

As is normally done, the user registers with the host. The host then gives a password to a specific address for security, which is commonplace in this area. It is understood that the shared software can use either approach without departing from the scope of the invention. At step 42, information related to the event, such as the number of events, is provided. When the information is entered, the shared software on the guest user's computer transfers the computer's electronic address (Internet Protocol (IP) address) from the computer 16 to the control computer 14. In step 44, the guest user gives more information and initializes the shared software. Further information includes, for example, the designation of an image to be shared (see FIG. 5) and the selective credit card number to be charged when the guest user desires a product and / or service with respect to the shared image. It is a means of payment. The above is the process of participating in a specific private image sharing event.

【0025】

The flowchart of FIG. 4 shows how an image is shared with various designated users based on the present invention. The control computer 14 has a reduced image sequence and data (arrows A, B, C, D, E, Manages communication (between designated users indicated by F). In the specific embodiment shown, the control computer 14 may initiate a shared event and send a plurality of reduced images in a predetermined sequence to the first designated user of the computer 16 as indicated by the path of arrow A. it can. At the start of the shared event, the control computer 14 gives the first reduced image of the sequence. When the control computer 14 is intended for business users, this reduced image may be an advertisement, a trademarked graphic image of the transaction (see Figures 8A-E), or a representative reduced image of the theme of an image sharing event. it can. The control computer 14 can collect a fee and display this reduced image according to the information collected from the host user in step 24 of FIG. Factors that determine these fees are the number of invited guests, the number of times the participating user has viewed a reduced image sequence, or the parameters of other events (which can be measured by the shared software on the computer 14). It should be noted that the first sequence of reduced images need not be limited to a single reduced image. The host user may pre-populate the reduced image sequence with one or more reduced images associated with the theme. In this example, the first user using computer 16 will view one or more reduced images in the first round.

【0026】

Continue the explanation. The first user using computer 16 views the reduced image sequence. An image is displayed on the display device of computer 16 and is viewed by the user. The sharing software, on the other hand, finds the digital image that the user of computer 16 has specified to share and the next part of the reduced image sequence (next). Select at least one image that will be part). Images are frequently captured in landscape and portrait modes. It should be correctly recognized that properly oriented portrait images (vertical) are rare. The sharing software uses an algorithm to automatically rotate the image to be shared. The properly rotated image is provided for an image sequence on the user's display device and is transferred to the control computer 14 along the path indicated by the arrow B. The provided image is added to a digital image edit of the shared image held by the control computer 14. To maintain the transfer bandwidth, the sharing software resizes the selected image to a reduced image size suitable for the reduced image sequence. If the user requests goods and / or services for this particular image, the control computer 14 may include the image list, its owner, and a storage location for providing the requested goods and / or services (computer 16). Manage and maintain (which may or may not exist above). In another embodiment, the sharing software sends a copy of the shared image at 100% resolution back to the control computer 14. The control computer 14 then stores the full-size shared image, facilitating the provision of goods and / or services requested by the participating users.

【0027】

The sharing software can be configured to calculate the number of user images selected and added to the digital image edit for each round. For example, if the host user has a shared event in 10 rounds and the invited guest user has 20 digital images in common, the invited guest sharing software will select 2 images in each round and digital images. Add to edits. In this way, the control computer 14 collects all the designated images and shares them with all participating users. If the invited guest does not have a shared image, this invited guest's sharing software simply displays the current reduced image sequence, sends a control signal to the control computer (14), and edits the digital image. Indicates that there are no images to add to.

【0028】

When the shared event sequence is continued, the control computer 14 proceeds along the path indicated by the arrow B described above, receives a reduced image (or image), and the reduced image is placed in the digital image edit. The list of images in the digital image edit is retained and displayed as a sequential list of images. Control computer 14 looks to the next participating user (who was attending an image sharing event (in this case, represented by computer 18)). When the sharing software of the computer 18 participates in the image sharing event Using the IP address provided by the computer 18, the control computer 14 sends a new image sequence to the computer 18 along the path specified by the arrow C. The reduced image sequence is enlarged and grown by adding a shared reduced image (or image). The image is transferred to the control computer 14 according to the path of arrow D and added to the digital image edit. Similarly, a reduced image sequence is provided on the computer 20 at the path of arrow E to the next participating user, and a new reduced image (or image) is returned at the control computer 14 at the path of arrow F to the digital image editor. Will be added to. Of course, it is understood that the desired number of users may be connected as part of this event sharing system. In the illustrated specific embodiment, the host / control computer 14 manages the sharing of the image and the sequence for sharing the image. In order to understand the operation of this system well, the method of image sharing will be explained in detail here.

【0029】

In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the user of the control computer (14) may wish to share an image of a vacation recently taken with relatives (owning computers 16, 18, 20). Therefore, the user launches a shared software program. This will eventually generate an invitation to send to the designated individual and decide whether or not they want to participate in the image sharing event. If you wish to participate, you will have the appropriate software described above, and each person can share the images already described. Since the control computer 14 is a host computer, it is preferable that the computer 14 always has access to the communication network 12. Computers 16, 18 and 20 may view images by running their own shared software, which allows the computer to be actively involved in the sharing process. it can. The control computer 14 creates a predetermined shared sequence or list of participating users (used to determine the order in which the reduced image sequence progresses among the participating users). In this embodiment, the user of computer 16 is the first user to view the reduced image sequence. The reduced image is sent to computer 16 and displayed on the current working screen of the display device of computer 16 (Fig. 8-12) used by the user. Similarly, the reduced image sequence proceeds from computer 18 to computer 20 to complete one round. If a certain minimum number of rounds is not satisfied, the sequence is repeated along the above path. The shared software of computer 14 continues to collect images from each participating user's computer in collaboration with the shared software of guest computers 16, 18 and 20.

【0030】

When one of the users receives the reduced image without using online, the reduced image is sent to the next user in the order in which the image is desired to be viewed. For example, if computer 16 is not online, or if the user does not want to view the image provided for sharing, then a second individual seeking to view a digital image compilation is computer 18. You are a user. Hereinafter, the next user is assumed to be the user of the computer 20.

【0031】

The next time the designated user browses the digital image edit, if the designated user comes online at a certain point, it is preferable to browse the digital image edit from the beginning. Editing continues as each user viewing the image in the digital image edit corrects. For example, when the users of computers 18 and 20 are online, the users of computers 18 are the first to use the shared system. If users of computers 18 and 20 decide to add images and / or comments, these images and / or comments are stored in the digital image editor. Thus, when the user of computer 16 chooses to view the digital image edit, the user of computer 16 views the image sequence from the beginning and the additions and / or additions made by the predecessor users of computers 18 and 20. Or you will browse including comments.

【0032】

Of course, common applications such as image sharing produce a large number of users and a large number of images. If the control computer 14 does not manage properly, the users below the registered user list may have to wait an unbearably long time to receive the digital image edit. To avoid this situation, the sharing software of the control computer 14 sends a subset of images or a subcompilation of images to the participating computers in the image sharing event. The number of images in this sub-edited material can be adjusted by the user of the control computer 14, or can be automatically adjusted as a function of the number of images in the digital image-edited material. In this way, each user views the image at the same time. However, the sub-edit of the image viewed by each user is unique to that user until the sub-edit is passed to the next user in the sequence.

【0033】

An important consideration for image-sharing events with large numbers of images is for users who drop out of the event after viewing hundreds of images. When the user decides to rejoin the event, he does not necessarily want to see the images he has already viewed. The user's sharing software can track the location of the last viewed digital image edit. This information is transferred to the control computer 14 when returning to the image sharing event. When returning to an image sharing event, the user can identify the last viewed image (automatically as described above) or specify the desired point (digital image edit) to start first. Can be done. For the specified starting point, the control computer 14 must place the user at some point in the user's sequential list. Other forms of image sharing events with large numbers of images will be described where FIG. 23 is described.

【0034】

In Figure 5, the user launches their sharing software (step 46) and decides if there is a public image sharing event that they are interested in attending. When the shared software is launched (step 46), the user is connected to the control computer 14. The computer then asks the user whether to search the event database by theme (step 48) or by specific user (step 52). When the user identifies the theme or user in steps 50 and / or 54, the event database is searched (step 60) and the control computer 14 returns a sorted event list to the user (step 56). When the user wants to see all the events, no is selected in steps 48 and / or 52, and the control computer 14 returns a complete list of events sorted by default criteria from the event database (step 56). The default sort criteria are, for example, (but not limited to) an event start time or an alphabetical list of owners or themes. The user browses the returned event list and selects the event they want to attend (step 58). Users are not limited to attending a single image sharing event. At step 59, the user may choose to participate in another event by returning to step 58, or may end the process at step 61.

【0035】

In Figure 6, the process of specifying the image to be shared begins (step 62). The user computer's shared software then looks for the existence of an image management database structure and searches the computer's file system (step 64). If the database structure is not found, the user's shared software asks the user if they want to use the default folder (step 74). It should be noted that if the default folder is the designated folder (step 78), the user must find the shared image and move it to the default folder. If the user does not want to use the default folder, specify the folder that contains the shared images (step 76). It should be noted that the user can also specify folders stored in remote locations. For example, on a popular online image sharing website such as Ofto Inc., the user can specify the images stored on the site (commonly referred to as an online album). Using this method, high-definition image sharing events are sent to the service provider (Ofto). Already available at (such as Inc.), it facilitates ordering of goods and services for shared images, and the business uses high-bandwidth communication networks to speed up image transfers.

【0036】

If the database structure is found in step 64, the user's shared software searches for accumulated event themes using the user's shared software, as described in Figure 5 (step 66). The theme is queried in the database, searched for images related to the theme, and retrieved. This association is achieved by matching themes with keywords. The keyword is called as metadata (accumulated in association with the image). An example of commercially available is Image Expert from Sierra Imaging. The database used by 2000. The set of images found and retrieved is displayed (step 68). The user confirms that these are shared images (step 70). The process of specifying images is completed when the set of found images is confirmed (step 78). If the user cannot confirm the set found, another method (step 72) is automatically initiated and the user finds a suitable shared image. Each found set is displayed in step 68, and the search / confirmation cycle is repeated until the desired set of images is specified. One of the alternatives involves commonly used natural language processing techniques (searching for synonyms for the subject or searching for these themes). Another alternative to searching the database is to use themes to search for image filenames. Yet another method is to provide the user with a searchable term list and select from a text input box, or to provide a text input box for the user to manually enter a search term.

【0037】

Figure 7 is used to illustrate the process used by the control computer's sharing software to manage image sharing events. Starting from step 80, the control computer 14 creates a sequential list of multiple users who have decided to participate in a particular image sharing event. The sequence of multiple users is defined by the order of participation of the users, or other criteria (eg, but not limited to, how often the user participates in an image sharing event or alphabetically or the network origin of the user's network connection. Can be determined in a specific geographical order). There are many ways to determine the sequence of users. In step 82, after starting the round count, the control computer 14 starts executing the software loop and checks the round count (step 84) to see if the next user is the last user in the sequence. Then (step 86), make sure the user is online (step 92), send the user a digital image compilation (compilation), and retrieve a new image from the participating users, preferably in low resolution (step 96). , Add the image to the shared digital image editor. Steps 88 and 98 are counting steps to confirm that each sequential user has been counted before the round count changes. In step 92, if the user is no longer online, the control computer 14 marks a point on the image sequence of the last viewed image (step 95) and automatically emails the user. (Step 97). The message contains an electronic link to that point in the image sequence. In the future, upon receiving an email message, the user will be able to re-enter the image sequence at the appropriate point. When the user count is increased in step 98, the control computer 14 returns to the next user in the sequence in step 86, as described above.

【0038】

It is for viewing shared images used by other users at 20. The sent image is displayed in the specified pattern. Specifically, as shown, a plurality of reduced images (imagettes) are prepared. The first reduced image 104 is simply an icon representing a business that sponsors the current image sharing event. This icon provides additional information (eg, desired information such as image name, host computer, or promotion, brand message, or other predetermined image (which the owner of the information may pay for)). May be good. Reduced images 106, 108, 110 are images in a shared digital image compilation between the control computer 14 and the computer 16. For example, but not limited to this, the reduced images 104, 106, 108, 110 are preferably designed to move from left to right along the display screen at a predetermined time and at a predetermined rate. As described in FIG. 8, the reduced images 104, 106, 108, 110 move along the display path indicated by arrow 101. The reduced images 104, 106, 108, 110 move on the path indicated by the arrow 101, and the path may have any desired pattern. For example, the path indicated by arrow 101 may be along the bottom position of display device 100 or along the top of display device 100, as illustrated in FIG. Similarly, in FIG. 10, the path indicated by the arrow 101 is a pattern along the outer circumference of the display device 100. As shown, the shared software on computer 16 displays a reduced image along the path indicated by arrow 101, and the user sees the main application window 102 (work on.

【0039】

9 and 10 show the various paths indicated by the arrows 101 (taken when the reduced image is displayed on the display device 100). It goes without saying that the particular path, size and display of the reduced image will vary as desired. FIG. 11 shows a path similar to the path shown in FIG. 8, but the style display format is different. FIG. 11 shows, for example, (but not limited to) a projection slide style display. In fact, the shared software allows the user to select a display style from multiple display styles (installed as part of the shared software settings or at a later date to compliment the default setting selection). can do.

【0040】

The shared software allows the user to manually navigate the path, as a display path, such as the path indicated by arrow 101 in FIG. 8, can annoy the user for a primary application. To move the display path, the user simply uses the general click-drag sequence with the mouse to move the cursor over the display device 100 beyond the image sequence to display the display path. Drag to the part of device 100 (less noticeable).

【0041】

In the illustrated specific embodiment, a relatively small number of images will be used for description. However, it should be understood that the display device 100 may display a desired number of reduced images, from a small number as shown to a predetermined maximum number. The number of images shared in the digital image edit is expected to be greater than or equal to the maximum number of images displayed on the display device 100. Under such an environment, the reduced image moves (scrolls) along the display device 100 in a preselected pattern. You can freely change the rate at which the reduced image moves on the screen. The sequence of reduced images may be displayed for a relatively short time (eg, for a relatively long time of a few seconds to 20-30 minutes). In the illustrated embodiment, the reduced image moves along the screen at such a speed that the reduced image is present on the screen for about 30 seconds.

【0042】

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the display format. In this embodiment, a specific display position is shown such that only one reduced image is displayed in the sequence. Arrows 103 and 105 indicate that the reduced image moves to the display position on the display device 100 (occupied by the reduced image 106 in the example) and moves away from the display device. Similarly, as described above, the shared software allows the user to manually move the display position.

【0043】

Referring to FIG. 13, when a user wants to view an image of interest, the user, for example, double-clicks on the desired image (reduced image 106) to select that image and magnifies the image further. An image (reduced image 106') can be obtained and / or information related to the selected image can be obtained. When displaying a larger image, the viewing computer may need access to the control computer 14 to obtain sufficient data and display a larger, perhaps higher resolution image. unknown. Alternatively, or in addition to the larger image, an information box 114 (display) may be generated in which information related to the image is provided. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the information display 114 prepares a comment from the owner of the image in the comment box 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the comment entered by the user in the comment input box 120 may be readable by the owner and / or subsequent user of the reduced image. After entering a comment in the comment input box 120, the user activates the "ADD" button 118. This causes the sharing software to add the input text to the comment box 116 and attach the indicator 112 to the reduced image 106 in the image sequence. Indicator 112 is a visual display with at least one criterion that the sharing software assigns to that particular image, indicating that comments in comment box 116 are available in the example of FIG. Other examples of criteria for assigning images are: 1) item pictured for sale, 2) image for sale, 3) image or image content is the most popular and can be associated with other images. Information. The indicator 112 can take many different shapes (general icons that convey different information). For example (but not limited to), the reduced image 106 shows dog s

【0044】

The information display surface 114 includes buttons 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 130 for initiating other functions using shared software. The button 130 is, for example, for the user to rotate the image in the proper direction when the sharing software does not automatically rotate the image properly as described above. When the button 126 is turned on, the control computer 14 is notified and the selection screen is added to the CD (the CD created for the selected user at the end of the image sharing event). The CD stores an image edit selected by the selected user during the image sharing event period. The user can select such a service as described in FIG. Similarly, button 128 allows the user to order printing of the selected image. The control computer 14 compiles the images selected for printing by each individual user and creates a print request list for each user during the image sharing event period. Button 127 is for transferring the selected image from the image owner's computer to the requesting user. This feature depends on the permission of the participants during the registration process. If one user shares an inappropriate or offensive image, another user may press button 125 to either ban the offensive user or send a request to the control computer to ban the offensive user. Can be done. Obviously, the image-sharing event owner / initiator has the privilege of banning other users, but participants attending the image-sharing event can only request to ban offensive users. In a further embodiment, the initiator can specify other users, monitor unpleasant things, and ban the user who provided the things.

【0045】

In this embodiment, if a reduced image is selected for printing or other goods and / or services, the control computer 14 must retrieve the associated high resolution image from the various participant computers. .. In another embodiment, each user's shared software tracks a user-selected individual image and retrieves a high-resolution image from its source computer. To facilitate this retrieval, the control computer 14 provides the electronic address of the participant computer in which the image is stored. An image owner permission step can optionally be provided for retrieving high resolution images. In yet another embodiment, each user's shared software returns a shared high resolution image to the control computer 14. The image is for the control computer 14 predicting and accumulating the possibility of being used for executing various goods and / or services.

【0046】

In the illustrated specific embodiment, the reduced image stops its movement when the user selects one image. The current user has a limited amount of time to comment to avoid long delays in the image before moving on to the next user. In another embodiment, the reduced image continues to move along the display path. In the illustrated embodiment, the time for additional comments by the user is limited to within 5 minutes. However, it is understood that the limited time may be the desired time. When the user performs the information display 114, the window for the information display 114 is closed when the selection button 115 is pressed.

【0047】

With reference to FIG. 14, the deformation system 10A according to the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, to which user computers 15, 17, 19, and 21 are added, an example of network photo service provider 134 is Ofoto Inc. Computers 15, 17, 19, and 21 are connected to the communication network 12 via communication service providers 23A, 23B, and 23C. The network photo service provider 134 controls a large number of different users to simultaneously display a large number of sequences of reduced images. In this way, a particular user can electronically connect to the network photo service provider 134 and launch a private image sharing event for himself and the guests he invites.

【0048】

The advantage of this specific system is that the initiating user does not have to maintain the host system on his computer and can free his computer for other tasks. Note that the photo service provider 134 can provide this service (each person has his or her own individual image sharing event) to a large number of different individuals at the same time, and the economy of use. And can provide services that individuals cannot provide. The network photo service provider 134 can also host multiple public image sharing events at the same time. The event can be provided in collaboration with the sponsoring entity, if desired as described above. The network photo service provider 134 may, for example, be able to provide high-speed communication capacity that a person who initiates personally cannot have.

【0049】

Network Photo Service Provider 134 can also provide goods and / or services to users at a professional level. For example, Network Photo Service Provider 134 may ship and bill for ordered goods and / or services. In addition, Network Photo Service Provider 134 may have an additional business relationship with at least one Fulfillment Provider 146, thereby providing image-based products and / or sharing during image sharing events. It will be easier to provide services. Fulfillment Provider 146 is shown as a separate entity, but the invention is not so limiting. Network photo service provider 134 can further complete the role of fulfillment provider 146. In addition, Network Photo Service Provider 134 provides users with information about discounts on image products for display images or advice (additional images, products and / or services are advice obtained on special themes related to shared images). Can be provided.

【0050】

Continuing with FIG. 14, the network photo service provider 134 is provided with a web server 136 for communicating with users via the communication network 12 and a computer 142 for managing image sharing events registered by a plurality of users. There is. Computer 142 has an event database 138, which associates a particular event with a registered user (held in user list 140). The event database 138 also stores information about public image sharing events. To facilitate ordering of goods and / or services related to shared images, the order creation / tracking (track) block 144 provided in computer 142 monitors specific events and accumulates participants and shared images for each event. Monitor the location, each participant's order and the content of each participant's order. In this way, the network photo service provider 134 fulfills the role of control computer 14 in FIG. All other forms of operation of system 10A are similar to system 10 described above.

【0051】

In another embodiment, the network photo service provider 134 negotiates with the user of computer 19 to comply with, for example, moral and ethical standards or themes for the network photo service provider 134. promise. Users of computer 19 can participate in image sharing events and view different types of images provided by different participating users. If the image is not properly related to the theme of the image sharing event, the user of computer 19 with event management privileges can determine and remove the reduced image in question. If a user whose image has been removed adds a similar image, the admin user of computer 19 will remove the sick user from the participating user list so that the sick user cannot rejoin the event. To.

【0052】

In another embodiment of System 10A, the network photo service provider 134, along with the sharing software of each participating computer, sequentially collects digital image sharing events from each participating computer and does not transfer the image sequence to each participant. , Can create edits of digital images. After a digital image compilation is created, it can be published as part of a website, and the presentation can be viewed by hundreds or thousands of viewers at the same time. In this embodiment, the network photo service provider does not transfer the image sequence. All modifications to the image edits are made via the website hosting the presentation of the image sequence.

【0053】

Moving to FIG. 15, a modification system 10B for shared digital images, traversing multiple communication networks and devices, according to the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the network photo service provider 134 manages an image sharing event among a plurality of users having various electronic devices (each device can display a digital image). In system 10B, the first user of computer 150 is connected to communication network 12 (eg, the Internet) in a conventional manner via communication service provider 148A. A second user with an Internet capable (web) phone 152 is connected to the communication network 12 via the communication service provider 148B. In this case, the communication service provider 148B is Sprint PCS and its wireless Web.^TMIs a digital communication provider with digital internet access to provide to telephone users such as.

【0054】

The third user in FIG. 15 is equipped with a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA) 154 and is connected to the communication network 12 via the communication service provider 148C (Ricochet Wireless Service of Aerie Networks Inc.). A fourth user of system 10B is connected to communication network 12 via communication service provider 148D (in this case, the cable television network provider). Manufacturers of digital cable network equipment (eg, Scientific Atlanta Inc) are now working with owners of independent cable companies to allow television users access to telecommunications networks (such as the Internet). In this way, images of shared events can be viewed on television system 156. The system is Scientific Atlanta It has a digital cable set-top box and a standard television set (for receiving signals from the digital cable set-top box) manufactured by Inc. All other forms of operation of System 10A are similar to those of System 10 described above, except that the shared software must be appropriately modified to operate properly in the individual electronic devices. (See other patent applications showing digital cameras that connect to set-top boxes and store images on the Internet).

【0055】

With reference to FIG. 16, another modification system 10C according to the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the user computers 160, 162, 164, 166 are all online community service providers 170 (America Online).^TMConnected to (like (AOL)). It will be appreciated that members of this community can efficiently connect computers 160, 162, 164, 166 to the online community service provider 170 using a local communication network. The online community service provider 170 also connects to a wide area communication network 12 (such as the Internet), provides other content to community members, and provides goods and / or services to third party fulfillment providers 146. Fulfillment (order to shipping, billing, deposit processing) order can be communicated to.

【0056】

The only form of System 10C involves the community members already giving their electronic address to the online community service provider 170 in the process of connecting to the community using their login name and password. .. This process supports a widely popular instant messaging form for communications such as AOL Instant Messenger. If part of this community, the few steps required by the other systems 10, 10A, 10B are omitted. This is because the user's electronic address has already been established. Next, the user's shared software is modified appropriately to omit unnecessary steps.

【0057】

FIG. 17 shows the remaining steps required for the sharing software to manage an image sharing event for community members who wish to have it. In step 172, the member needs to select another community member who wishes to share the image. This list may be, for example, (but not limited to) the buddy list provided by AOL Instant Messenger. Such a list has already established which members are online, their electronic addresses, and the availability of participation in their instantaneous image sharing events. The founding members provide information about events such as the themes described above (step 174). After providing the event information, the founding member specifies an image to be shared (step 176). In this regard, the sharing software sends an instant message to the invited user (step 177), and the process ends at step 178, where the founding member simply waits for the shared image in the manner described above.

【0058】

Figure 18 shows the remaining steps that an invited community member must take to participate in an image sharing event. Upon receiving an instant message to participate in the image sharing event (step 180), the invited community member chooses to participate in the image sharing event (step 182) and specifies the shared image (step 186). If the invited community member chooses not to participate in the image sharing event in step 182, an instant message to decline the invitation is automatically created for the event owner (step 184). At step 188, the setup is complete.

【0059】

Turning to FIG. 19, a display device with a first application 102 is illustrated. The first application 102 is a word processor in this example and is running in the background. The transmitted image is displayed in a specified pattern along the path represented by arrow 101, as described in the previous embodiment (having similar parts representing similar behavior). In this embodiment, the shared software is used to run a photo contest, especially to monitor a user's vote for a particular image. The reduced image 106 has an indicator 112. This indicator indicates that a particular image is an important image in voting by various users participating in an image sharing event. When selecting and browsing the reduced image 106, the information window 190 provided by the sharing software includes a larger display of the reduced image 106 (reduced image 106') and a title box representing the title of the image sharing event. The information window 190 further includes buttons 194, 196, 198. When the user presses these buttons, the vote is registered. The button overlay mark 200 overlays the button 198, which indicates to users of the shared software that they have already voted for the third place. Others related to images sent to vote on reduced images 106, 108, 110, etc. for voting on images in contests, for the person represented by reduced images, or to users with sharing software. Can be used for elements (dimensions). It should be noted that in this embodiment there are two different types of users. One group can choose to put their images into the contest and vote for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Other groups may choose to vote only, not in the contest. Furthermore, holding an image sharing event is, for example, (not limited to this). However, it is also possible to limit the participating users to list only one image. In this way, a large-scale photo contest can be run efficiently.

【0060】

With reference to FIG. 20, a display device 100 with a first application 102 running in the background is illustrated. Also in this embodiment, the word processor is shown as the first application 102 (having similar parts representing similar behavior). The reduced image sequence is not displayed because it is viewed on another user's computer. As such, it is desirable for the user to determine other valuable information about where the reduced image sequence is viewed and the status of the image sharing event. The sharing software can operate a tray icon (not shown) to display a status window 210. The tray icon is Windows95^TM, Windows98^TM, Or a typical implementation for software written for the Windows operating system provided by Microsoft.

【0061】

This is a preferred embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The status window 210 is displayed using various techniques specific to other operating systems (in which the shared software can operate). The status window 210 includes a larger reduced image 106', which is currently the preferred image according to the voting mechanism described with respect to FIG. The image sharing event status information 212 shown in the status window 210 includes the current number of rounds and the remaining time of the image sharing event (images are sent in display format). At the end of the image sharing event, all images can be collected and displayed in one edit on a website like Ofoto Inc. Also included in the status window 210 is a user table 214, which records the email addresses (or screen names) of all users, the online status and the current viewer of the digital image edit. ing. This helps alert users who are waiting for their next browsing time.

【0062】

FIG. 21 illustrates a computer display device 100, such as the computer 17 of FIG. 14 (in this embodiment, running the first application 102, which is a word processor). In this embodiment, the image sharing software on the computer 17 displays a window 222 for the user to draw attention to the randomly selected shared image at the image sharing event. The shared image sharing event is displayed as a reduced image 106'in this embodiment. Window 222 gives the user multiple choices (represented by buttons 216, 218, 220) for the reduced image 106'. When the button 216 is selected, the sharing software is notified that the reduced image 106'may be shared at the image sharing event defined by the image sharing event status information 212. Similarly, selecting button 218 allows the sharing software to select another random image, and selecting button 220 allows the user to select the image they want to share.

【0063】

FIG. 22 illustrates a computer display device 100, such as the computer 17 of FIG. 14 (in this embodiment, running the first application 102, which is a word processor). In this embodiment, the image sharing software on the computer 17 displays on the window 224 to pay attention to the fact that the display of the image sharing event is directly approaching on the user computer 17. The event information 132 identifies the event content and informs the user, and the total image count 226 informs the user of the scale of the image sharing event. Based on this information, the user selects buttons 228, 230, 232, 234. If the user does not have a shared image, button 234 is selected and the sharing software is used to display the image sequence without adding an image from the user computer 17. If button 228 is selected, the image sequence will efficiently skip computer 17 and will not be displayed or added. In the default mode represented by the button 232, the image sequence is displayed and the image from the computer 17 is added to the image sequence as described above. In a further selection, if the select button 230 is pressed, the image from computer 17 is added to the image sequence, but the sequence is not displayed on computer 17. In this mode, the user decides to participate in the shared image on the computer 17 without interrupting his or her work. An action button 236 may be provided to request that the dialog not be displayed again.

【0064】

FIG. 23 illustrates a computer display device 100, such as the computer 17 of FIG. 14 (in this embodiment, running the first application 102, which is a word processor). In this embodiment, the image sharing software running on the computer 17 displays the browsing favorite window 240. This allows the user to sort the images in the image sharing event according to the selection criteria in Listing 246. The criteria in Listing 246 include general categories, which also include subcategories or other attributes of image sharing events. Select selection box 244 to display the list to the user. In the default mode of this window 240, a preselected selection box 242 is displayed and the sharing software displays the entire sequence image without sorting.

【0065】

In FIG. 24, an image sequence from an image sharing event is shown. This sequence has reduced images 104, 106, 108, 110 behind the path 101, as described above. Each reduced image 104, 106, 108, 110 has visual indicators 250, 252, 254, 256, respectively. The visual indicators 250, 252, 254, 256 give the user a visual indication of the file type represented by the reduced images 104, 106, 108, 110. When the user selects one of the reduced images 104, 106, 108, 110, the shared software retrieves the actual file from the computer and adds the reduced image. For example, the visual indicator 250 has a file type of .mov (this is Quicktime).^TM It is a file extension related to a movie file). Similarly, visual indicator 252 represents an audio file in which the reduced image 108 is of the ".mp3" type, which is a common audio file for playing music on a computer. In another embodiment, reduced images 104, 106, 108, 110 represent various news stories at a news sharing event. These are provided by Content Provider 306 (see Figure 31). In this example, the visual indicators 256, 254, 252, 250 give the user a visual representation of the news article represented by the reduced images 104, 106, 108, 110. In this way, the user can select a news article and select the individual reduced images 104, 106, 108, 110 by the method described above to obtain further information about the news article.

【0066】

Figure 25 shows the chat request window 258. This is what the shared software will display to the user who previously selected button 124 (Figure 13). Button 124 (shown in the image information window 114) requests the owner (receiver) of the image in the image sharing event to chat. In this example, the user requesting a chat session is identified in chat field 260. The image event information 132, along with the information in the chat field 260, helps the receiving user decide whether to chat with the requesting user. The receiving user selects button 262 to accept the chat request or button 264 to reject the request. If the request is rejected, a message (not shown) is returned to the requesting user. In another case, shown in FIG. 26, a chat window 266 is provided to both users, in which a dialogue box 268, which is common in chat and instant messaging systems, is displayed. The reduced image 106'is further equated with the image sharing event information 132. The user writes information in the chat input box 270, adds a chat comment, and selects the submit button 272. The receiving user's shared software can accumulate this dialog related to the reduced image 106'.

【0067】

FIG. 27 illustrates another embodiment within systems 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D of the chat session described with reference to FIGS. 25, 26. In this type of chat session, an image belonging to a specific image sharing event represents a product for sale by the image owner. These products can be personal products provided by an individual. Alternatively, they can be catalog products provided by the entity (described later in FIG. 29). In this example, the user who uses the shared software fills out the necessary items in the form included in the offer creating window 310, and prepares the product sales information 312 that efficiently promotes the product to be sold. Similarly, the window 310 displays the appropriate sales event information 314. This is assigned by Network Photo Service Provider 134. After providing the product sales information 312, the user saves the offer at the specified location in the storage location box 316 on the user computer 17.

【0068】

Moving on to FIG. 28, a negotiation chat session takes place on the negotiation window 274. The reduced image 276 represents a truck that the image owner is offering to sell. The reduced image 276 is part of an image sharing event and is identified by the image sharing sale event information 278. The buyer (requesting user) and the seller (receiving user) prepare a negotiation box 284 for negotiating the price of the goods represented by the reduced image 276. The Negotiation Dialogue Box 284 can also be used to answer questions about the condition of goods, shipping and payment terms, and other interests required for negotiations. In this case, the content of the negotiation dialogue box 284 is the required documentation (managed by the network photo service provider 134). A negotiation comment input box 290 is prepared, and each user can input a comment for negotiation in the box 290. The comment entered in the box 290 is added to the negotiation dialogue box 284 when the sending user presses the send button 286. The negotiation window 274 is provided with confirmation buttons 280 and 282 for confirming comments in the negotiation window. When both parties confirm the results of the negotiations conducted in the Negotiation Dialogue Box 290, the photo service provider sends a printed confirmation to both parties, transfers the necessary funds between the parties, and participates in the shared event. Complete negotiations based on the information provided when you do.

【0069】

The above example relates to the sale of goods and / or services, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, an individual may provide an image showing the product he or she wants to buy. The buying event proceeds in the same way as the selling event described above.

【0070】

As described above, an image sharing event can have a desired number of images. Therefore, a shared digital image editor can have hundreds or thousands of images. In such a situation, the online user may not be able to view the entire image of the digital image edit. For this purpose, the control computer 14 stores the last viewed image by the user and restarts from the digital image at the same point as the last viewed by the user. After the last viewing of a digital image edit in default mode, the user will see someone's additional updates. If desired, the user rejoining the image sharing event can select the starting point shown in FIG. FIG. 29 illustrates a computer display device 100, such as the computer 17 of FIG. 14 (in this embodiment, running the first application 102, which is a word processor). In this embodiment, the image sharing software on the computer 17 displays the rejoin event window 350 and welcomes the user to return to an event they have previously attended. The event information 132 identifies the content of the event and informs the user, and the total image count 226 informs the user of the scale of the image sharing event. The shared software on the computer 17 stores event information, including the identifier of the last image viewed by the user. Alternatively, the network photo service provider 134 can track this information and give it to the shared software when the user attempts to rejoin an event that he or she has attended. A list of user-selectable criteria 352 is provided in window 350. The list determines where the user starts viewing the image of the shared digital image edit. In the default mode, the user starts viewing the image sequence from the last viewed point. Other options (but not limited to) are to start with a specific image or after a specific date and / or a specific time.

【0071】

In FIG. 30, a control panel 292 is shown for controlling the viewing of edited digital images. The control panel 292 has control buttons 294, 296, 298, 300, 302, 304. Control buttons 294, 296, 298, 300, 302, 304 are used to control the flow of reduced images in the display formats previously shown in Figures 8-12. For example, control button 298 aborts the image sequence. Similarly, the control button 302 rapidly scans the image sequence in the return direction during operation. Control button 296 rapidly scans the image sequence in the forward direction during operation. Control buttons 304 and 294 return to the start of the image sequence or jump to the end of the image sequence, respectively. These controls are especially useful when the image sharing event has a large shared digital image edit.

【0072】

Another way for a digital image editor to manage an image sharing event with a large number of digital images is to partition the viewing of the image sequence. In a system such as 10A, the network photo service provider 134 can perform the sharing of the edits as previously described and sequentially send the digital images to the users in the list. However, at some point, if it takes a long time to browse a large number of digital images of a sequence, the rest of the users in the event list will have to wait a long time to browse the sequence. For example (but not limited to), a network photo service provider initiates a shared event as described above and, in order, to users of the event list until the number of images exceeds 25. The entire sequence can be provided. At this point, the network photo service provider 134 automatically switches to supplying partial sequences in parallel to multiple users, as shown in FIG. Computers 17 and 19 are part of a list of users who participate in image sharing events.

【0073】

As shown, the image sequence (S0-S19) is divided into two subsequences 354 and 356. Each partial sequence is sequentially presented to each user. In other words, the user of computer 17 is given a partial sequence 354 containing reduced images S0-S9. Computer 19 users, on the other hand, are given a partial sequence 356 containing reduced images S10-S19. Subsequences 354 and 356 and subsequent user modifications are given to the next user in the user list. In this example, the user of computer 17 browses the partial sequence 354 and then the partial sequence 356. This parallel approach to image sharing management allows all users of the event list to participate at the same time. When the total number of images is managed by the parallel sharing approach method described above, the partial sequence is created by simply dividing the total number of images by the total number of users.

【0074】

With reference to FIG. 31, a modified system 10D according to the invention (with similar parts representing similar functionality) is shown. In this embodiment, the content provider 306 is connected to the communication network 12 and supplies the content to the network photo service provider 134. In this example, content provider 134 can supply all shared images to network photo service provider 134, which provider manages shared events. As described above, content provider 306 can provide news articles represented by reduced images 104, 106, 108, 110 (see FIG. 24) of the image sequence. In this way, content provider 306 publishes content for selection by users of computers 15, 17, 19, and 21. Users of computers 15, 17, 19, and 21 select from an image sequence an image that they want to view in more detail or search for more information. Network photo service provider 134 can track various parameters (number of single users attending an event, number of times a particular image is accessed or selected for further information, or other parameters of a shared event). The report is produced for a fee and provided to the content provider. This report contains details of data tracked by statistical analysis or network photo service provider 134.

【0075】

In another embodiment, content provider 306 supplies an image to a digital image editor. These digital images are stock images, or professional images for sale and / or printing. In a further embodiment, Content Provider 306 provides content related to the theme of a shared event advertised to purchase third party goods and / or services.

【0076】

Referring to FIG. 32, a geographic data confirmation window 320 is displayed to confirm the physical position of a user for the purpose of conducting a virtual garage sale between users who are geographically in the same area. Using commonly known network route tracing techniques, a user's network connection origin or IP address is translated into a geographic area displayed by zip code. Garage sale event information 322 is presented to the user, which identifies the particular event in which the user intends to participate. Address information 324 and instruction 326 are shown in window 320. The user presses buttons 328 and 330 to check the translated IP address or cancel the operation, respectively. The merchandise sales folder information 332 is either a designated folder or a storage location for merchandise (provided for sale at a garage sale event). location). Using this information, the network photo service provider 134 or control computer 14 can provide a sorted event list to new users by knowing where they physically reside, between buyers and sellers. You can make convenient transactions for collection and delivery.

【0077】

Referring to FIG. 33, display device 100 displays a first application 102 running on a computer (participating in a publicly open image sharing event). When the user runs the shared software, the image event route tracking window opens. In this window 340, a visual path display 342 is provided to the user in the map. In this example, the map correlates the approximate physical positions of all users participating in the image sharing event. The position of each user is indicated by point P, and each point P is sequentially connected to points P before and after it. The user can use the visual path display 342 to know how far the image sequence is being transferred between the users. Point P can change color or flash, and other visually clear techniques can be used. With this technique, it is possible to know where the image sequence is currently displayed. In addition, the shared software can provide paper output for Visual Path 342 if desired.

【0078】

Moving on to FIG. 35, the display device 100 displays the first application 102 running on the computer (participating in the image sharing event). When the user runs the shared software, the post-event process window 364 opens. Window 364 includes event information, magnified image 106'of selected reduced image 106, buttons 358, 360, 362. In an image sharing event with hundreds of digital image edits, the user may want to view the edits asynchronously with the occurrence of the actual event. In this case, the user can provide information (at the time of registration) that he / she wants to receive the compressed edit of the digital image as an e-mail for viewing asynchronously. A typical application that compresses multiple files into a single file is the well-known WinZip application. This creates a compressed file with a ".zip" file extension.

【0079】

In window 364, pressing button 362 prompts network photo service provider 134. The provider emails the compressed edit to the requesting user. If the image sharing event lasts for several days, Network Photo Service Provider 134 supplies the compressed edits periodically, for example once a day. Button 360 works in conjunction with Button 358 to identify the image you want to mark with Button 358. By marking an image, the user is informed that he or she wants to do something in the future with respect to the image he or she has marked or the information represented by the marked image. This is useful when the user scans an image sequence but does not have time to retrieve the relevant information or wants to view the relevant information and / or images at some point. As is well known in the art, marking an image is performed by right-clicking the mouse to select it and selecting an option from the list of results (not shown). Button 360 allows the user to selectively request a compressed subcompilation of a digital image edit for an image sharing event.

【0080】

In FIG. 36, the display device 100 displays a first application 102 running on a computer (three of which participate in a plurality of image sharing events, three of which are displayed at the top of the first application). As described earlier, users can participate in multiple image sharing events. Then, for example, the sharing software operating on the user computer can display the plurality of image sequences generated as a result of participating in the plurality of image sharing event. A first image sharing event 380 is shown, which includes reduced images 104, 106, 108, 110 followed by path 101. The second image sharing event 382 includes reduced images 366, 368, 370 and path 101'. Similarly, the third image sharing event 384 includes reduced images 372, 374, 376, 378 and path 101 . Many image sharing events are duplicated on the display screen 100 and efficiently participate in the image sharing event. The number of concurrent image-sharing events that a user can participate in is limited by the size of the display device before reducing the ability of the user to do so.

【0081】

Referring to FIG. 37, a composite image sharing event 390 with an interleaved display format is shown to display multiple concurrent image sharing events. The composite image sharing event 390 includes reduced images 104, 366, 372, 106, 368 and path 101. The shared software on the computer 17 provides an interleaved display format that allows the user to optimize the working area of the display screen 100. To distinguish which images belong to which image sharing event, the sharing software provides framing indicators 386 and 388. As indicated by the thick border and the dashed line, visually distinguishing features can be used and considered within the scope of the present invention. For example (but not limited to) the color of the frame may be specified for a particular image sharing event.

【0082】

[Effect of the invention]

The present invention solves many problems in the prior art when a plurality of images are shared by a plurality of users. Further, according to the present invention, the system can provide comments and edits regarding a particular image for a particular individual or for the entire group. It will be appreciated that various modifications and modifications may be made without departing from the present invention and that the present invention is defined in the claims.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system to which various users are connected.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart relating to the start of an image sharing event.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart relating to participation of an invited guest user in an image sharing event.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a flow of images shared among a plurality of users.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart relating to the operation of the process of designating a shared image according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart relating to the operation of a process participating in a public image sharing event according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart relating to the operation of the sharing process according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a screen screen showing a state in which images are shared according to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a screen screen showing a state in which images are shared according to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a screen screen showing a state in which images are shared according to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a screen screen showing a state in which images are shared according to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a screen screen showing a state in which images are shared according to one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a screen screen showing comments provided or can be provided with respect to a shared image.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention illustrating a system in which images are shared and products related to the images are provided.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of another system according to the present invention to which various users are connected.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of another system according to the present invention to which various users are connected.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating the remaining steps required for sharing software to manage image sharing events for community members.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the remaining steps for invited community members to participate in an image sharing event.

FIG. 19 is a display screen of a display device used in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is another display screen of the display device used in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is another display screen of the display device used in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is another display screen of the display device used in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is another display screen of the display device used in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing how an image sharing event moves along a display path.

FIG. 25 is a chat request window displayed on a display device used in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a chat window displayed on a display device used in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a display window displayed on a display device used in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a display window on a display device used in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 29 is another display screen of the display device used in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a control panel for controlling viewing of an image edited object.

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram of another system according to the present invention to which various users are connected.

FIG. 32 is a confirmation window displayed on a display device operating in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 33 is another display screen of the display device used in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a partial sequence of images displayed on a display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 35 is another display screen of the display device used in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 36 is another display screen of the display device used in the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 37 is another display screen of the display device used in the system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... System 12 ... Communication Network 14 ... Computer 23A ... Communication Service Provider 100 ... Display 102 ... Main Application Window 106 ... Reduced Image 112 ... Indicator 114 .. Information Display Box 116 ... Comment Box 118 ... Add Button 120 ... Comment Input Box 124 ... Button 134 ... Network Photo Service Provider 136 ... Web Server 138 ... Database 140 ... User List 142 ... Computer 144 ... Tracking Block 146 ... Third Party Fulfillment Provider 150 ... Computer 152 ... Internet Capable Webphone 154 ... Information Portable Device 170. .. Online Communication Service Provider 190 ... Information Window 192 ... Title Box 200 ... Button Overlay Mark 210 ... Status Window 212 ... Image Sharing Event 214 ... User Table 226 ... All image count 240 ... Favorite browsing window 242 ... Selection box 246 ... List 250 ... Visual indicator 258 ... Chat request window 260 ... Chat field 266 ... Chat window 268 .. .Dialogue Box 270 ... Chat Input Box 272 ... Send Button 274 ... Negotiation Window 278 ... Image Sharing Sales Event Information 280 ... Confirmation Button 284 ... Negotiation Box 290 ... Negotiation Dialogue Box 292 ... Control panel 294 ... Control button 306 ... Content provider 312 ... Product sales information 314 ... Sales event information 316 ... Storage location box 320 ... Geographic location confirmation window 322. .. Garage Sale Event Information 324 ... Address Information 326 ... Instructions 332 ... Product Sales Folder Information 340 ... Image Event Root Trace Window 342... Visual path display 354 ... Partial sequence 364 ... Process window 380 ... 1st image sharing event 382 ... 2nd image sharing event 386 ... Visual framing indicator 390 ... Integrated image sharing event