Effective transfer of images from a user to a service provider

1. A method of selecting images from a plurality of images uploaded by a user and previously stored in a local memory location, ordering services to be provided utilizing the images, and transferring such images to a remote memory location over a channel where the services are to be provided, comprising:

a) storing a plurality of images in the local memory location along with corresponding thumbnail or lower resolution corresponding images;

b) displaying at least a subset of the thumbnail images for viewing by a user;

c) the user selecting those images to be transferred after viewing the displayed thumbnail images;

d) providing image identifiers for each selected image to be uploaded to the remote memory location and a service order which specifies the services to be provided utilizing such selected images;

e) providing a plurality of user selectable times for the transfer of images over the channel from the local memory location to the remote memory location and the user selecting one of the selectable times; and

f) transferring such images over the channel to the remote memory location at the selected time whereby the ordered services can be subsequently provided.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the services to be provided are making an album containing the selected images.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the services ordered are selected from prints having plurality of print sizes or picture frames for mounting the selected prints.

4. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of a user providing a payment identifier specifying an account to be charged for servicing the order.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the selectable times include a particular time input by the user.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the particular time input by the user is used in place of a default time.

7. A method of selecting images from a plurality of images uploaded by a user and previously stored in a local memory location, ordering services to be provided utilizing the images, and transferring such images to a remote memory location over a channel where a service provider provides the services, comprising:

a) establishing a service account with the service provider and furnishing a user with an identifier for such service account to permit a user to have access to ordered services;

b) storing a plurality of images in the local memory location;

c) displaying at least a subset of the images for viewing by a user and displaying a plurality of user selectable times for the transfer of images over the channel from the local memory location to the remote memory location;

d) the user selecting those images to be transferred after viewing the displayed images and selecting one of the selectable times;

e) providing a service account identifier and image identifiers for each selected image to be uploaded to the remote memory location and a service order which specifies the services to be provided utilizing such selected images;

f) the remote memory location confirming the receipt of the service order; and

g) transferring such images over the channel to the remote memory location at the time selected by the user whereby the ordered services can be subsequently provided.

8. The method of claim 7 further including completing the ordered services and sending images for which ordered services have been provided to a third party.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the images for which services have been ordered are sent electronically.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the images for which services have been ordered include hard copy prints which are sent by the U.S. postal service or a private carrier.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the selectable times include a particular time input by the user.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the particular time input by the user is used in place of a default time.