Method and System for Distributing Digital Images

Abstract

A system and method are provided for distributing digital images to a user. The system includes an image capture device for creating digital images, and at least one image server in communication with the image capture device via a communication network, such as the Internet. The image server is operable to receive and store the digital images transmitted from the image capture device. At least one programmable software agent in communication with the image server via the communication network automatically selects a subset of the digital images provided by the image server for distribution to the user. The system further includes one or more display devices for displaying the digital images selected by the software agent.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method, comprising:
 storing, by a computing device, digital images received from one or more image sources; and   configuring an image display device to display one or more of the digital images based on user-specified image criteria comprising a desired source of digital images, a desired image type, an image rotation schedule, and a price negotiation rule.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the user-specified image criteria further comprises a time duration. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising enforcing one or more display usage restrictions associated with an image displayed on the image display device. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising displaying one or more of a video program's tie-in images on the image display device during presentation of the video program on a consumption device proximate to the image display device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising displaying one or more of the video program's tie-in images on the image display device prior to presentation of the video program on the consumption device. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising including, in an image rotation for the image display device, a vendor image containing a displayed coupon. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the image criteria identifying a desired source of digital images identifies a gallery image server. 
     
     
         28 . A method, comprising:
 receiving digital images from at least one image source;   configuring an image display device to update displayed images from the digital images for a predetermined time, from a predetermined source, according to an image rotation schedule, and based on user-specified criteria and metadata of the digital images, during a first time period;   receiving additional digital images; and   configuring the image display device to update additional displayed images from the additional digital images for a predetermined time, from a predetermined source, according to an image rotation schedule based on user-specified criteria and metadata of the additional digital images, during a second time period.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising establishing a purchase cost limit for the image display device, and using the purchase cost limit when periodically obtaining new images for display on the image display device. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the purchase cost limit is a cost limit for a recurring period of time. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising receiving a user request to subscribe to a gallery of images, and using the gallery of images to periodically select new images for display on the image display device. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising displaying a first image on the image display device as a tie-in to a video program being consumed on another device. 
     
     
         33 . A method, comprising:
 storing information identifying digital image selection criteria for each of a plurality of electronic picture frames at a premises, the criteria for each electronic picture frame comprising information identifying a desired digital image source and a time schedule for selection of new digital images; and   coordinating, by a computing device, display and updating of digital images on the plurality of electronic picture frames at a premises using the information identifying the digital image selection criteria.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the information identifying digital image selection criteria further identifies a price limit for obtaining digital images for a first one of the electronic picture frames; and wherein the method further comprises:
 the computing device using the price limit to negotiate acquisition of new digital images from a first digital image source.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the information identifying digital image selection further identifies a time duration for the price limit. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising displaying a video program tie-in image on a first one of the electronic picture frames. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising coordinating display of the video program tie-in image on the first one of the electronic picture frames with display of the video program on a consumption device at the premises. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the coordinating display of the video program tie-in image on the first one of the electronic picture frames with display of the video program on a consumption device at the premises further comprises using a scheduled broadcast time of the video program to determine a time to display the video program tie-in image on the first one of the electronic picture frames. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the coordinating display of the video program tie-in image on the first one of the electronic picture frames with display of the video program on a consumption device at the premises further comprises selecting a consumption device proximate to the computing device. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the video program tie-in image is a vendor coupon associated with the video program.