System, method and software product for ordering image products over a communication network from a plurality of different providers having various business relationships
View Patent ↗The present invention is directed to a system, method, and software product for ordering of digital photo services over a communication network among a plurality of photo service providers from a plurality of order terminals, each of the order terminals being associated with a one of a plurality of business entities. The method includes maintaining information with respect to business relationships between the photo service providers and the plurality of business entities and providing an offering at one or more of the plurality of order terminals based on the business relationships associated with the one or more of the order terminals.
1. A method for ordering digital photo services over a communication network comprising:
maintaining a registry of a plurality of photo service providers and business entities on a server;
associating a selection of offerings of goods and services with respect to each of said plurality of photo service providers;
communicating with a plurality of order terminals over said communications network by said server, each of said order terminals being associated with one of the plurality of business entities, wherein said association identifies said business entity that controls said each of said order terminals;
maintaining information on said server with respect to business relationships between said plurality of photo service providers and said plurality of business entities;
transmitting an offer for said desired good or service on behalf of two or more of said plurality of photo service providers from said server to one of said order terminals, wherein said offer presented at said order terminal is based on said business relationships between said business entity who controls said order terminal and said plurality of photo service providers; and
selecting the desired good or service by a user of said order terminal.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said offering is displayed in a presentation format that is also based on said business relationship.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said order terminal comprises one of the following:
an automated teller machine;
a photo kiosk;
a personal computer;
a wireless imaging device;
a cell phone;
a personal digital assistance; and
wireless devices.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of business entities comprises one or more of the following:
a retail store;
a manufacturer of an imaging device;
an automatic teller machine owner.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of photo service providers provide one or more of the following services:
printing of digital images;
on-line storage of digital images;
providing digital storage media containing digital images; and
providing associated goods and/or services with respect to hard copy prints.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said business relationships include friendly, neutral, and hostile relationships.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said business relationships are maintained in a services directory by a service manager.
8. A system for facilitating ordering digital photo services over a communication network by a user among a plurality of photo service providers from a plurality of order terminals comprising:
a control server maintaining a registry of a plurality of service providers and business entities, said control server maintaining information with respect to business relationships between said plurality of photo service providers and said plurality of business entities, and said control server maintaining offerings of goods and services by said plurality of said service providers;
a plurality of order terminals in communication with said control server over said communication network, each of said order terminals being associated at said control server with one of said plurality of business entities, wherein said association identifies said business entity that controls said each of said order terminals;
a communication device of said control system communicating with said plurality of order terminals over said communication network, each of said order terminals being used by said user displaying a selection of offerings with respect to two or more of said plurality of service providers based on said business relationships and the selection of a desired goods or services by said user of said order terminal, wherein said selection of offerings displayed at said order terminal is based on said business relationships between said business entity who controls said order terminal and said plurality of photo service providers.
9. The system according to claim 8 wherein said offering is displayed in a presentation format that is also based on said business relationship.
10. The system according to claim 8 wherein said order terminal being used by said user comprises one of the following:
an automated teller machine;
a photo kiosk;
a personal computer;
a wireless imaging device;
a cell phone;
a personal digital assistance; and
wireless devices.
11. The system according to claim 8 wherein said plurality of business entities comprises one or more of the following:
a retail store;
a manufacturer of an imaging device;
an automatic teller machine owner.
12. The system according to claim 8 wherein said plurality of photo service providers provide one or more of the following services:
printing of digital images;
on-line storage of digital images;
providing digital storage media containing digital images; and
providing associated goods and/or services with respect to hard copy prints.
13. The system according to claim 8 wherein said business relationships include friendly, neutral, and hostile relationships.
14. The system according to claim 8 wherein said business relationships are maintained in a services directory by a service manager.
15. A computer software program having instructions such when loaded on to a computer said program executes a method for ordering digital photo services over a communication network among a plurality of photo service providers from a plurality of order terminals, said program instructions comprising:
maintaining a registry of a plurality of photo service providers and business entities on a server;
associating a selection of offerings of goods and services with respect to each of said plurality of photo service providers;
communicating with a plurality of order terminals over said communications network by said server, each of said order terminals being associated with one of the plurality of business entities, wherein said association identifies said business entity that controls said each of said order terminals;
maintaining information on said server with respect to business relationships between said plurality of photo service providers and said plurality of business entities;
transmitting an offer for said desired good or service on behalf of two or more of said plurality of photo service providers from said server to one of said order terminals, wherein said offer presented at said order terminal is based on said business relationships between said business entity who controls said order terminal and said plurality of photo service providers; and
selecting the desired good or service by a user of said order terminal.