Imaging service for automating the display of images

Abstract

An imaging service for automating the display of a plurality of images to create to create a visual presentation is disclosed. The imaging service accesses images of a location, arranges them such that they create a desired visual effect when displayed, and combines them in a visual presentation. The imaging service may employ a client/server system, in which case images and information are uploaded from a client, and the visual presentation is downloaded to the client. The imaging service may also receive compensation from a computer user for using the imaging service.

1 . A method for receiving compensation for use of an imaging service by a computer user comprising:
 determining by a server an amount of compensation based upon use of the imaging service by the computer user;   sending a request for payment of the amount of compensation to the computer user from the server; and   receiving by the server the amount of compensation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein use of the imaging service comprises the server:
 accessing the imaging service; 
 sending information to the imaging service; and 
 downloading a visual presentation. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein use of the imaging service comprises the server:
 selecting a plurality of presentation images from a plurality of sources, the plurality of presentation images to be displayed in the visual presentation, wherein the plurality of sources includes a remote source and a local source. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the use of the imaging service comprises the server:
 organizing the plurality of presentation images in the visual presentation based on at least one characteristic provided by the computer user.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one characteristic being one of a distance, a perspective, a magnification, and an angle. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein organizing includes automatically modifying at least one inconsistent presentation attribute of the plurality of presentation images to have consistent presentation attributes. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one inconsistent presentation attribute being at least one of exposure, size, and color. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein determining the amount of compensation comprises:
 determining which of the plurality of sources is accessed to retrieve a plurality of presentation images, wherein the remote source is more expensive to access than the local source.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the local source is the computer user's client computer and the remote source is a database. 
     
     
         10 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method comprising:
 accessing a plurality of presentation images from a plurality of sources, the plurality of sources including a remote source and a local source;   organizing the plurality of presentation images in a visual presentation; and   requesting and receiving compensation from the computer user before the visual presentation is sent to the computer user, an amount of compensation varies depending on the plurality of sources being accessed to retrieve the plurality of presentation images, where the remote source is more expensive to access than the local source.   
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein organizing the plurality of presentation images in the visual presentation is based on at least one characteristic provided by a computer user. 
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one characteristic being one of a distance, a perspective, a magnification, and an angle. 
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein organizing includes automatically modifying at least one inconsistent presentation attribute of the plurality of presentation images to have consistent presentation attributes. 
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one inconsistent presentation attribute being at least one of exposure, size, and color. 
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein the local source is the computer user's client computer and the remote source is a database. 
     
     
         16 . A method of receiving compensation for use of an imaging service by a computer user comprising:
 accessing by a server a plurality of presentation images from a plurality of sources, the plurality of sources including a remote source and a local source;   organizing by the server the plurality of presentation images in a visual presentation; and   requesting and receiving compensation from the computer user before the visual presentation is sent to the computer user, an amount of compensation varies depending on the plurality of sources being accessed to retrieve the plurality of presentation images, where the remote source is more expensive to access than the local source.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein organizing the plurality of presentation images in the visual presentation is based on at least one characteristic provided by the computer user. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one characteristic being one of a distance, a perspective, a magnification, and an angle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein organizing includes automatically modifying at least one inconsistent presentation attribute of the plurality of presentation images to have consistent presentation attributes. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one inconsistent presentation attribute being at least one of exposure, size, and color.