System and method for selecting photographic images using index prints
View Patent ↗A method for selecting and ordering photographic prints, includes the steps of: obtaining a digital image file containing a plurality of images; employing the digital image file to produce an index print having the plurality of images along with an index number associated with each image and a customer order number; prior to making any individual prints, delivering the index print to a customer; selecting images for which prints are desired from the index print; using the index print to order prints of selected images; making prints of the selected images; and delivering the selected prints to the customer.
1. A method for selecting and ordering photographic prints, comprising the steps of:
a) obtaining a digital image file containing a plurality of images;
b) employing the digital image file to produce an index print having the plurality of images along with an index number associated with each image and a customer order number;
c) prior to making any individual prints, delivering the index print to a customer;
d) selecting images for which prints are desired from the index print;
e) using the index print to order prints of selected images;
f) making prints of the selected images; and
g) delivering the selected prints to the customer.
2. The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of obtaining a digital image file includes the steps of:
h) delivering a photographic film bearing a plurality of latent images to a photofinisher;
i) developing the photographic film to produce visible images; and
j) scaning the visible images to create the digital image file.
3. The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein the digital image file is deleted after a specified period of time.
4. The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein the selected images are ordered using a touch tone telephone by entering the order number and the index numbers of images for which prints are to be made.
5. A method for selecting and ordering photographic prints, comprising the steps of:
a) delivering a photographic film bearing a plurality of latent images to a photofinisher;
b) developing the photographic film to produce visible images;
c) scaning the visible images to create a digital image file;
d) employing the digital image file to produce an index print having a plurality of images from the photographic film along with a frame number associated with each image and a customer order number;
e) prior to making any individual prints from the film, delivering the index print to a customer;
f) selecting images for which prints are desired from the index print;
g) using the index print to order prints of selected images;
h) making prints of the selected images; and
i) delivering the selected prints to the customer.
6. The method claimed in claim 5 , wherein the photofinisher keeps the developed photographic film and makes the selected prints from the film.
7. The method claimed in claim 6 , wherein the developed photographic film is returned to the customer after a specified period of time.
8. The method claimed in claim 6 , wherein the developed photographic film is destroyed by the photofinisher after a specified period of time.
9. The method claimed in claim 5 , wherein the photofinisher keeps the digital image file and makes the selected prints from the digital image file.
10. The method claimed in claim 5 , wherein the digital image file is deleted by the photofinisher after a specified period of time.
11. The method claimed in claim 5 , wherein the selected images are ordered using a touch tone telephone by entering the order number and the frame numbers of images for which prints are to be made.