System and Method for Virtual Kiosk Stored Photo-image Reproduction
A virtual kiosk system and method are provided for stored photo-image reproduction. A photo-image discovery device, having no dedicated display, scans communication interfaces for photo-capable devices, and determines if detected photo-capable devices have stored electronically formatted photo-images. The photo-images are acquired into the photo-image discovery device, and the acquired photo-images are uploaded to a network-connected storage site. Subsequently, the photo discovery device may be interfaced to a display monitor. A menu of photo-image user prompt options is depicted on the display monitor, originating from the photo discovery device. The storage site is accessed from the photo discovery device in response to a first user prompt. In response to a second user prompt, a stored photo-image is selected. In one aspect a delivery option for the selected photo-image is selected in response to an additional user prompt.
1 . A virtual kiosk method for stored photo-image reproduction, the method comprising:
a photo-image discovery device, having no dedicated display, scanning communication interfaces for photo-capable devices;
determining if detected photo-capable devices have stored electronically formatted photo-images;
acquiring the photo-images into the photo-image discovery device;
uploading the acquired photo-images to a network-connected storage site;
interfacing the photo discovery device to a display monitor;
presenting a menu of photo-image user prompt options on the display monitor, originating from the photo discovery device;
in response to a first user prompt, accessing the storage site from the photo discovery device; and,
in response to a second user prompt, selecting a stored photo-image.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the network-connected storage site from the photo discovery device includes:
accessing a storage site including a plurality of photo-image folders;
the photo discovery device presenting the folders on the display monitor;
wherein selecting stored photo-image includes selecting a folder in response to a user prompt.
3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
in response to a third user prompt, selecting a delivery option for the selected photo-image.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein selecting the delivery option for the selected photo-image includes selecting a media option from a group consisting of printed medium pictures, DVD, video tape, and secure digital (SD) memory card.
5 . The method of claim 3 wherein transferring the photo-images to the storage site includes transferring the photo-images to a first storage site;
wherein accessing the network-connected storage site from the photo discovery device includes accessing the first storage site; and,
wherein selecting the delivery option for the selected photo-image includes receiving delivery from a retailer associated with the first storage site.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the network-connected storage site from the photo discovery device includes establishing an IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) link between the photo discovery device and the storage site.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein accessing the network-connected storage site from the photo discovery device includes:
the photo discovery device initiating an inquiry to the storage site requesting an inventory of stored photo-images;
the photo discovery device receiving the inventory results; and,
the photo discovery device presenting the inventory results on the display monitor.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein receiving the inventory results includes receiving a photo-image in a first photo-image file format; and,
wherein presenting the inventory results on the display monitor includes converting the first photo-image file format to a second file image format.
9 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:
subsequent to selecting the stored photo-images, accepting user prompts for transforming the photo-image selected from a group consisting of resizing, zooming, placement, cropping, rotation, resolution, compression, color editing, lightness editing, and red-eye removal.
10 . The method of claim 1 wherein presenting the menu of photo-image user prompt options on the display monitor includes presenting a source profile menu for options selected from a group consisting of photo-capable devices originating the photo-images transferred to the storage site, and file formats.
11 . The method of claim 1 wherein interfacing the photo discovery device to the display monitor includes using an interface selected from a group consisting of USB, HDMI, and wireless.
12 . A virtual photo-image reproduction kiosk comprising:
a photo discovery device having no dedicated display including:
a network module for automatically uplinking photo-images to a network-connected storage site, accessing the storage site, and downloading selected photo-images; and,
a user interface (UI) module having an interface for connection to a display monitor for presenting a menu of photo-image user prompt options, the prompt options selecting stored photo-images in response to the network module accessing the storage site.
13 . The virtual kiosk of claim 12 wherein the network module accesses a storage site including a plurality of photo-image folders; and,
wherein the UI module presents the folders on the display monitor and provides prompts for selecting a folder.
14 . The virtual kiosk of claim 12 wherein the UI module selects a delivery option for selected photo-images; and,
wherein the network module sends selected delivery options to the storage site.
15 . The virtual kiosk of claim 14 wherein the UI module receives prompts for selecting a delivery media option from a group consisting of printed medium pictures, DVD, video tape, and secure digital (SD) memory card.
16 . The virtual kiosk of claim 14 wherein the network module automatically uplinks photo-images to a first storage site and accesses the first storage site in response to prompts received by the UI module; and,
wherein the UI module receives prompts for selecting a delivery option from a retailer associated with the first storage site.
17 . The virtual kiosk of claim 12 wherein the network module uplinks and downloads photo-images from the storage site using an IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) link.
18 . The virtual kiosk of claim 12 wherein the network module sends an inquiry to the storage site requesting an inventory of stored photo-images and receives the inventory results; and,
wherein the UI module presents the inventory results on the display monitor.
19 . The virtual kiosk of claim 18 wherein the network module receives a selected photo-image in a first photo-image file format; and,
wherein the UI module converts the first photo-image file format to a second file image format.
20 . The virtual kiosk of claim 12 wherein the UI module, subsequent to receiving the selected photo-images, receives prompts for transforming the photo-image selected from a group consisting of resizing, zooming, placement, cropping, rotation, resolution, compression, color editing, lightness editing, and red-eye removal.
21 . The virtual kiosk of claim 12 wherein the UI module presents a source profile menu for options selected from a group consisting of photo-capable devices originating the photo-images that are uplinked to the storage site and file formats.
22 . The virtual kiosk of claim 12 wherein the UI module interfaces the photo discovery device to the display monitor using an interface selected from a group consisting of USB, HDMI, and wireless.