System and Method for Ordering a Print Product Using a Mobile Computing Device

Abstract

A system and method for ordering a print product using a mobile computing device is provided. The system includes a photofinisher configured for receiving a print order from the mobile computing device and producing the print product based upon the print order. Further, a print product ordering module is configured for allowing the print order to be completed using the mobile computing device, wherein the print order includes the digital image and the print product selected using the mobile computing device. A wireless local area network is configured for placing the mobile computing device in communication with the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is located within a range of the wireless local area network. The print order completed using the mobile computing device is communicated to the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is located within the range of the wireless local area network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for ordering a print product using a mobile computing device, the print product is a good that can incorporate a selected digital image printed thereon, the system comprising:
 a photofinisher for receiving a print order uploaded by the mobile computing device and producing the print product based upon the print order;   computer executable instructions that are configured for allowing the print order to be completed electronically through the mobile computing device, the print order including the selected digital image electronically accessed from a memory and the print product selected using the mobile computing device, wherein the computer executable instructions are configured to filter the print products available to be selected by the mobile computing device by automatic removal of print products not available for selection based upon at least one capability of the photofinisher; and   a wireless access point device providing a wireless local area network for automatically placing the mobile computing device in communication with the photofinisher upon the mobile computing device entering a range of the wireless local area network, and   wherein the print order completed using the mobile computing device via the computer executable instructions is automatically communicated to the photofinisher by the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is located within the range of the wireless local area network.   
     
     
         2 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the print order includes a price for the selected print product, wherein the price is applicable to the photofinisher. 
     
     
         3 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the computer executable instructions are configured to allow for payment of the print order using the mobile computing device, and
 generating an order identifying indicator that is displayed on the mobile computing device after payment is completed.   
     
     
         4 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the computer executable instructions are stored in a memory located in either the mobile computing device or the photofinisher. 
     
     
         5 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the system includes a plurality of photofinishers, the system further comprising a photo lab system in communication with the plurality of photofinishers,
 wherein the photo lab system is configured to receive the print order from the mobile computing device and communicating the print order to one of the plurality of photofinishers, and   wherein the computer executable instructions are configured to filter the print products available to be selected by the mobile computing device by automatic removal of print products not available for selection based upon at least one capability of the plurality of photofinishers.   
     
     
         6 . A system in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the computer executable instructions are stored in a memory located in the photo lab system. 
     
     
         7 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the memory is located in the mobile computing device or a digital image data storage server accessible by the mobile computing device through a wide area network. 
     
     
         8 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the computer executable instructions are configured to send a notification to the mobile computing device indicating that the ordered print product has been produced by the photofinisher and is ready to be picked up. 
     
     
         9 . A system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the computer executable instructions are configured to allow a user of the mobile computing device to capture, save, and/or edit digital images in the memory, wherein the memory is located in the mobile computing device or a digital image data storage server accessible by the mobile computing device through a wide area network. 
     
     
         10 . A method for ordering a print product using a mobile computing device, the print product is a good that can incorporate a digital image printed thereon, the method comprising:
 providing a photofinisher configured for receiving a print order uploaded from the mobile computing device and producing the print product based upon the print order;   providing a wireless access point device for automatically placing the mobile computing device in communication with the photofinisher via a wireless local area network upon the mobile computing device entering a range of the wireless local area network;   automatically communicating a print order inquiry to the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device enters the range of the wireless local area network;   providing computer executable instructions that are configured to allow the print order to be completed electronically utilizing the mobile computing device after the print order inquiry is communicated to the mobile computing device, the print order including the digital image selected and electronically accessed from a memory and the print product selected using the mobile computing device, wherein the selection of the print product is based at least in part on at least one capability of the photofinisher;   providing for the communication of the completed print order to the photofinisher when the mobile computing device is located within the range of the wireless local area network; and   receiving the completed print order at the photofinisher.   
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the print order includes a price for the selected print product, wherein the price is applicable to the photofinisher. 
     
     
         12 . A system for ordering a print product using a mobile computing device, the print product is a good that can incorporate a selected digital image printed thereon, the system comprising:
 a photofinisher for receiving a print order uploaded by the mobile computing device and producing the print product based upon the print order;   computer executable instructions that are configured for allowing the print order to be completed electronically through the mobile computing device, the print order including the selected digital image electronically accessed from a memory and the print product selected using the mobile computing device, wherein the computer executable instructions are configured to filter the print products available to be selected by the mobile computing device by automatic removal of print products not available for selection based upon at least one attribute of the digital image selected by the mobile computing device; and   a wireless access point device providing a wireless local area network for automatically placing the mobile computing device in communication with the photofinisher upon the mobile computing device entering a range of the wireless local area network, and   wherein the print order completed using the mobile computing device via the computer executable instructions is automatically communicated to the photofinisher by the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device enters the range of the wireless local area network.   
     
     
         13 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the computer executable instructions are configured to allow for payment of the print order using the mobile computing device, and
 generating an order identifying indicator that is displayed on the mobile computing device after payment is completed.   
     
     
         14 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the computer executable instructions are stored in a memory located in either the mobile computing device or the photofinisher. 
     
     
         15 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the system includes a plurality of photofinishers, the system further comprising a photo lab system in communication with the plurality of photofinishers, wherein the photo lab system is configured to receive the print order from the mobile computing device and communicating the print order to one of the plurality of photofinishers. 
     
     
         16 . A system in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein the computer executable instructions are stored in a memory located in the photo lab system. 
     
     
         17 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the memory is located in the mobile computing device or a digital image data storage server accessible by the mobile computing device through a wide area network. 
     
     
         18 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the computer executable instructions are configured to send a notification to the mobile computing device indicating that the ordered print product has been produced by the photofinisher and is ready to be picked up. 
     
     
         19 . A system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the computer executable instructions are configured to allow a user of the mobile computing device to capture, save, and/or edit digital images in the memory, wherein the memory is located in the mobile computing device or a digital image data storage server accessible by the mobile computing device through a wide area network.