System and method for requesting digital imaging services using a cable tv communications unit

Abstract

A system and method for obtaining photographic products and/or services comprises bundling image capture and printing technologies into products and/or services that are paid for by a consumer with monthly or yearly subscription fees. The system and method involves selecting a camera and selecting a photographic products/service plan which designates photographic products and/or services which are to be associated with the selected camera. The system and method gives the consumer the option of selecting a specific camera from a menu of cameras, and a specific photographic product/service plan which is to be associated with the selected camera from a product/service menu. As a further option, the consumer can customize his/her product/service plan in accordance with his/her preference. The plan can provide for products and/or services for images captured and/or film exposed by the camera for a predetermined amount of time at a predetermined fee. At the end of the plan, the consumer could have the option of returning the camera, exchanging the camera for a different camera, or keeping the camera at no cost or for a reduced price. The photographic products and/or services provided by the plan could be products and/or services such as film developing, printing, image products, scanning, photo CDs, image storage, etc.

1 . A method for ordering digital imaging services, the method comprising: 
 storing high resolution digital images at a service provider using an image database capable of communicating over a broadband communication network;    providing a cable TV communication unit, said cable TV communication unit being operationally associated with a monitor, said cable TV communication unit being capable of communicating with the service provider over the broadband communication network;    the service provider producing low resolution digital images from the high resolution digital images;    forwarding the low resolution digital images to the cable TV communication unit;    displaying the low resolution digital images on the monitor;    enabling a user to select one of the low resolution digital images displayed on the monitor and to select a digital imaging service;    communicating a customer order from the cable TV communication unit to the service provider, the order identifying the selected low resolution digital image and the selected digital imaging service; and    using the stored high resolution image corresponding to the selected low resolution digital image identified in said order to provide the selected imaging service identified in said order.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said cable TV communication unit is a set top box operationally associated with a television.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said cable TV communication unit is a broad band digital cable set top box included within a television.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said service provider comprises a cable server and a digital storage device for storing digital images and associated information.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said service provider also receives and stores images transferred from said cable TV communication unit.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said selected digital imaging service comprises the electronic forwarding of the stored high resolution image corresponding to the selected low resolution digital image to a designated recipient.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said selected digital imaging service comprises printing said stored high resolution image corresponding to the selected low resolution digital image to produce a print and delivering said print to a designated recipient.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein selected digital imaging service comprises storing said stored high resolution image corresponding to the selected low resolution digital image on an electronic media and delivering said electronic media to a designated recipient.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said selected digital imaging service comprises producing at least one of a mug, mousepad, puzzle, t-shirt, album page or sweatshirt having said image associated therewith.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising transferring said high resolution digital images from a second cable TV communication unit to the service provider prior to storing said high resolution digital images at a service provider.  
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein said second cable TV communication unit receives said high resolution digital images from a digital capture device.  
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein said image capture device is a digital camera.