WO2016005751A1

WO2016005751A1 - System and method for storage and display of pictures

Info

Publication number: WO2016005751A1
Application number: PCT/GB2015/051984
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Evans
Original assignee: KOMMANDO Ltd
Current assignee: KOMMANDO Ltd
Priority date: 2014-07-08
Filing date: 2015-07-08
Publication date: 2016-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2017-01-08
Also published as: GB201412103D0; GB2529800A

Abstract

A system for the creation, storage and display of images includes one or more image capture devices each of which includes wireless communication means for communication with the internet; a remote server arranged to store images as a series of galleries, each gallery comprising a plurality of related images; and one or more display devices operable to communicate with the server to display images from one or more galleries. The image capture device associates a unique code with each image and uploads the image and code.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORAGE AND DISPLAY OF PICTURES

Field of the invention This invention relates to the storage and display of pictures. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and method whereby digital pictures can be uploaded to a remote web-hosted gallery and accessed for display, and to a computer program product and a digital camera for use in such systems and methods. Background to the invention

It is common practice to take digital photographs at a social or commercial event, such as a product launch or a wedding, and to post these as a gallery on a website for viewing and possibly download by interested parties. However, this is conventionally done by recording all the images on a camera memory medium such as an SO card, and subsequently transferring the card to a computer or similar device for uploading to the website.

There are known systems which rely on a barcode or Quick Response (QR) code on a card. The card is scanned before the picture is taken and the code embeds the image for download. The traffic is taken to a standalone site where a gallery is opened. The code identifies only the event, not individual pictures within it.

It would be desirable to create the gallery more quickly and in a more flexible manner, for example such that individual pictures can be viewed as the event proceeds.

It is also desirable to make it easier to manipulate and edit the pictures, and one way in which this would be particularly useful for events of a commercial nature would be to incorporate corporate logos and messages.

The present invention seeks to address these wants. Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a system for the creation, storage and display of images, the system comprising:

one or more image capture devices each of which includes wireless

communication means for communication with the internet;

a remote server arranged to store images as a series of galleries,

each gallery comprising a plurality of related images; and

one or more display devices operable to communicate with the server to display images from one or more galleries;

and in which the image capture device, in use, associates a unique code with each image and uploads the image and code.

The image and code may be uploaded using (secure) FTP.

The data capture device may also operate as the display device or one of the display devices.

The image capture device may be a digital still camera including 3G (or higher) mobile phone connectivity.

The image capture device may include user-operable data input means.

The server, or gallery, may be configured to associate one or more branded images, words or straplines with each image. This may be carried out after the image is uploaded to the server or gallery. The one or more branded images, words or straplines may be a client's brand. The one or more branded images, words or straplines may be located at any position on the image. The one or more branded images, words or straplines may be located around the periphery of the image. In this arrangement the server, or gallery, has the ability to embed branding into the image with the unique code from the image capture device. The image capture device may include a local wireless communication means (e.g. Bluetooth) for communicating with a local printer.

From another aspect, the invention provides a method of creating, storing and displaying images, comprising:

capturing a series of digital images;

associating a unique code with each image as it is captured;

uploading each image together with its unique code to a remote server via the internet, the image and code being uploaded immediately if an internet is available, failing which the image and its unique code are stored locally until an internet connection is available; and

storing the images and codes as a gallery on the server for viewing access by one or more remote viewing devices. Each image and its associated code may be uploaded using (secure) FTP.

The method may comprise the further step of associating one or more branded images, words or straplines with each image. This may be carried out as the image is captured, or after the image is uploaded to the server or gallery. The one or more branded images, words or straplines may be a client's brand. The one or more branded images, words or straplines may be located at any position on the image. The one or more branded images, words or straplines may be located around the periphery of the image. In this arrangement the server, or gallery, has the ability to embed branding into the image with the unique code from the image capture device.

Connection of the display device to the server may require a login defining

gallery/galleries accessible to a given user.

The method may include gathering subject-related data associated with each image, and uploading such data to the server.

The subject-related data may be used for subsequent marketing or promotional purposes. In certain embodiments, the method may include editing or manipulation of the images on the server. The editing or manipulation of the images on the server may include one or more filtering effects, or special effects.

Other aspects of the present invention provide a computer program product carrying code enabling an image capture device to operate within the foregoing system or method; and a digital camera having 3G (or higher) connectivity, the camera being loaded with an app enabling the camera to operate within the foregoing system or method.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic overview of one system embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating one example of taking and uploading pictures;

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a browse routine;

Figs. 4 to 7 show screens available to the camera user; and

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing possible uses of the website. In the flowcharts, the term "angel" refers to a camera operator and the term "PixAngels gallery" refers to a photo gallery.

Description of example embodiments The embodiments of the invention make use of a digital camera with wireless connectivity, such as mobile communications technology (for example, 2G, 3G, 4G 5G), Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for example. In principle, any camera-equipped smartphone could be used, but it is preferred to use a professional quality camera. Referring to Fig. 1, the system comprises one or more such cameras 10, a remote server 12 having storage means 14 (which could be hard storage within the server 12, or cloud storage), and one or more viewing devices 16. The viewing device 16 is conveniently a customer's computer, tablet or smartphone, and the camera 10 may also be used as a viewing device. All of these are connectable via the internet 20.

The basis of the invention is that as each picture is taken, it is uploaded to the server 12 immediately if an internet connection is availabl. If not, it is stored temporarily in camera memory and uploaded as soon as an internet connection is available. Also, each picture is combined with a unique code before being uploaded, the image and code being stored and transmitted in File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or secure file transfer protocol (SFTP). In a preferred embodiment a user (camera operator) can log into the camera and activate the application, so that an operator ID (operator code) and/or camera number may form part of the unique code. This in combination with a camera- generated image number uniquelyl identifies specific images from multiple cameras stored in the same gallery.

Also, the server 12 (or gallery) is configured to associate one or more branded images, words or straplines with each image uploaded from the camera 10. This may be carried out after the image is uploaded to the server 12 (or gallery). The one or more branded images, words or straplines may be a client's brand. The one or more branded images, words or straplines may be located at any position on the image. The one or more branded images, words or straplines may be located around the periphery of the image. In this arrangement the server 12 (or gallery), has the ability to embed branding into the image with the unique code from the camera 10.

The camera 10 is loaded with an application (app) which provides it with the required functionality. The application selects the picture taken and embeds the unique code into the image file as it is transferred wirelessly to the gallery.

Typically, the photographic service is provided by a specialist provider to a client who is organising the event. The gallery may be hosted on a website provided by the specialist provider. The gallery is hosted on the client's website, or is accessed by a link from the client's website such that it appears to the end user (viewer of photographs) that the gallery resides on the website of the client/event organiser. There will now be described a specific example of use of the system. This example relates to an event, for example a product launch, at which a camera operator takes photographs of participants which are uploaded to a gallery. As will be described, individual images in the gallery may be available for general public viewing, or may be restricted to an individuals or individuals. The individual images in the gallery will also have the client's brand embedded as part of the image, as described above.

The process flow is as follows:

1. Administrative staff set up the event within the Content Management System (CMS) on the website.

2. Administrative staff customise the gallery for this event via the CMS.

3. Administrative staff assign staff resources to the event.

4. Event staff member logs into camera.

5. Event staff chooses event they are working at from a list of events.

6. Event staff selects user profile.

7. Event staff takes a picture including one or more attendees.

8. Event staff adds user data to the picture, uploads the data and uploads the image via the camera.

9. The web application scans both the database and image folders for new data.

10. Once found, the application transforms the data into web-friendly content and notifies the subject that their photograph is ready. The subject receives a link to view their image and any others they may be within.

11. The user (subject) can then filter, share or make a composite image from the server. An important aspect of the invention is that the camera uploads the image (step 8) by sending both the image and a unique code via (secure) FTP. The unique code may be generated automatically by the camera app, or may consist of some or all of the manually added user data. Another important aspect of the invention is that the server, or gallery, is configured to associate the client's brand with each image uploaded from the camera 10. This is done by embedding the brand into the image along with the unique code.

This process is illustrated in Fig. 2.

Optionally, images from the camera may also be printed locally, most conveniently by Bluetooth to a local printer.

During this process the system records various statistics, offering insight and reporting tools to give the administrative staff insight into the success of each campaign. These statistics are made available via a combination of the CMS reporting tools and Google Analytics.

The website interacts with the camera via an application programming interface (API). The API is a restful API which provides the camera app developer with means to retrieve and send data to the web application.

Fig. 3 shows a process for the camera user to browse events in order to check that all images have been uploaded to the website.

The camera app will preferably meet the following functional requirements:

Fetch events and camera operator information

1) Fetch all active events on the present day from the gallery

2) Allow user to choose one event

3) Fetch a list of camera operators assigned to that event

4) Allow choice of one camera operator from list.

Taking a picture

Allow user to take picture in landscape mode. Other camera features may also be made available. Saving pictures

1) Save the image in the SD card on the camera

2) Save the image in the gallery at the same time, if internet connection is available.

Uploading pictures

Allow camera operator to upload pictures from the app, if not previously uploaded due to lack of internet connection. Data collection

1) Allow camera operator to collect data and send it to the gallery database

2) Fields suitably include email ID, name and telephone number. Other fields may be used.

3) None of the fields should be mandatory

4) Optionally, data for an image may be entered.

Printing pictures

Allow user to choose Bluetooth paired printer and initiate a print. Camera and printer need to be paired externally.

Figs. 4 to 7 illustrate camera screens available to the user, according to one example embodiment. Before these are available, the user must log in and comply with any security or licensing procedures. Fig. 4 is the default screen. Button 1 takes a picture, button 2 allows use of the gallery, including viewing the images already taken, button 3 operates the camera flash on/off, and button 4 operates the zoom.

Fig. 5 shows the screen which is opened by pressing button 2 in Fig. 4. In Fig. 5, button 1 uploads the current image, button 2 opens a "Data Capture" view to enter data relating to the subject (see Fig. 6), button 3 opens the Bluetooth dialog for printing the picture on a selected printer, button 4 enables a larger format of the picture to be displayed, button 5 deletes the image, button 6 returns the user to the screen of Fig. 4, and button 7 allows the user to upload all images in one click in a Sync function (This function will check if the image is already uploaded; if not it will upload, and if so it will not be uploaded again). The item labelled 8 in Fig. 5 is the code which must be given to subjects to enable them to access the image on the gallery.

Figs. 6 and 7 show, in two parts, a single data capture screen, which enables data regarding the subjects to be captured, and includes:

1) Full name of the subject/guest

2) Email: This field captures the guest's email. There can be multiple emails separated by commas if there are multiple guests in the picture. A branded e-mail may be sent to a guest telling them that their image is ready to be accessed from the gallery.

3) Telephone number

4) Notify checkbox: if this is checked, the guest will be notified when the picture is available

5) Offers checkbox: if checked, the guest will be contacted for further offers and marketing

6) Consent: if checked, the guest has given consent for the image to be uploaded

7) Aged over 18: if checked signifies that the guest is aged over 18

8) Upload button: uploads the data to the gallery backend, only if internet connection available

9) Save button: saves the data in the camera for uploading in a subsequent Sync operation

10) Cancel: closes the Data Capture view. In one specific example of the invention, the website utilises open source technologies including Linux, Apache, MySQL database system, PHP scripting languages, Javascript, ImageMagik for image manipulation, jQuery library for animation and data

manipulation, CSS, and HTML5. Functionally the website has the following features:

• Log-in/log-out functionality which allows the end user to access images

uploaded from the camera via the API • view all images within an event

• view private images locked to a user

• filtering and/or editing of images using ImageMagik library or similar, allowing the end user to retouch their image as they wish

• creation of composite or collage images using with standard photos or filtered images

• overlaying of client supplied frame, such as one or more branded images, words or straplines on top of any system image

• embedding client supplied brand, artwork etc. into any system image

• customisation of the interface based upon client requirements

• sharing features, in order to share to the most popular social networks, and

including combination of multiple social media options.

• information gathering, follow on surveys and client feedback assessments.

• Multiple log-in mechanisms.

• A responsive design.

• System feeds the camera's configuration parameters via a fully featured Web API.

An overview of such a system is given in Fig. 8. The process can be understood as (i) using the camera to capture the picture, (ii) uploading the image with unique user code by mobile or wireless communication to the online branded gallery, (iii) the online branded gallery embeds the client branding with the unique code entry for image retrieval and sharing across all popular social networks.

The gallery may be hosted as a stand alone website, or may be included on a client's website. The gallery may also exist as a stand alone site on one or more social media platforms.

The invention provides a much improved speed of delivery. A picture is typically live on the website within five minutes of being taken. The invention also provides a means of improving social reach and engagement. Various embodiments are described herein with reference to block diagrams or flowchart illustrations of computer-implemented methods, apparatus (systems and/or devices) and/or computer program products. It is understood that a block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer instructions that are performed by one or more computer circuits. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor circuit of a general purpose computer circuit, special purpose computer circuit, and/or other programmable data processing circuit to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, transform transistors, values stored in memory locations and other hardware components within such circuitry to implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks, and thereby create means (functionality) and/or structure for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagram and/or flowchart block(s).

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer- readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagram and/or flowchart block(s).

A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium may include an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic or semiconductor data storage system, apparatus or device. More specific examples of the computer-readable medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM) circuit, a readonly memory (ROM) circuit, an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and a portable digital video disc read-only memory (DVD/Biu- ray).

The computer instructions may also be loaded onto a computer and/or other

programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of opera tions/steps to be performed on the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a computer- implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions /acts specified in the block diagram and/or flowchart block(s).

Accordingly, the invention may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.) that runs on a processor, which may collectively be referred to as "circuitry", "a module" or variants thereof. It should also be noted that in some alternate implementations, the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the flowcharts. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Moreover, the functionality of a given block of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be separated into multiple blocks and/or the functionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be at least partially integrated. Finally, other blocks may be added/inserted between the blocks that are illustrated. The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problem disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the invention may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for the creation, storage and display of images, the system comprising: one or more image capture devices each of which includes wireless

communication means for communication with the internet;

a remote server arranged to store images as a series of galleries, each gallery comprising a plurality of related images; and

2. The system of claim 1, in which the image and code are uploaded using File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2, in which the data capture device also operates as the display device or one of the display devices.

4. The system of any preceding claim, in which the image capture device is a digital still camera including 3G (or higher) mobile phone connectivity.

5. The system of any preceding claim, in which the image capture device includes user-operable data input means.

6. The system of any preceding claim, in which the server or gallery is configured to associate one or more branded images, words or straplines with each image.

7. The system of any preceding claim, in which the image capture device includes a local wireless communication means (e.g. Bluetooth) for communicating with a local printer.

8. A method of creating, storing and displaying images, comprising:

capturing a series of digital images; associating a unique code with each image as it is captured;

uploading each image together with its unique code to a remote

server via the internet, the image and code being uploaded immediately if an internet is available, failing which the image and its unique code are stored locally until an internet connection is available; and

storing the images and codes as a gallery on the server for viewing access by one or more remote viewing devices.

9. The method of claim 8, in which each image and its associated code are uploaded using File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

10. The method of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the method may comprise the further step of associating one or more branded images, words or straplines with each image.

11. The method of any of claims 8 to 10, in which connection of the display device to the server requires a login defining gallery/galleries accessible to a given user.

12. The method of any of claims 8 to 11, including gathering subject- related data associated with each image, and uploading such data to the server.

13. The method of any of claim 12, in which the subject-related data is used for subsequent marketing or promotional purposes.

14. The method of any of claims 8 to 13, including editing or manipulation of the images on the server.

15. A computer program product carrying code enabling an image capture device to operate within the system of claim 1 or the method of claim 8.

16. A digital camera having 3G (or higher) connectivity, the camera being loaded with an app enabling the camera to operate within the system of claim 1 or the method of claim 8.