Printing digital images using a print utilization file

Abstract

An electronic printing system comprises a digital camera and a separate printing device for printing images captured by the digital camera. The digital camera comprises a sensor for capturing images, a memory for storing the captured images, a processor, and a communication interface. The processor produces a print utilization file based on user input regarding selection of particular ones of the captured images for printing by the separate printing device, and the print utilization file identifies at least two of the captured images to be printed by the printing device. The interface transmits the print utilization file and the selected captured images so as to permit printing of the selected captured images by the printing device.

1 . A digital camera for capturing images that can be printed by a separate printing device, the digital camera comprising: 
 a sensor for capturing images;    a memory for storing the captured images;    a processor for producing a print utilization file based on user input regarding selection of particular ones of the captured images for printing by the separate printing device, the print utilization file identifying at least two of the captured images to be printed by the printing device; and    a communication interface for transmitting the print utilization file and the selected captured images so as to permit printing of the selected captured images by the printing device.    
     
     
         2 . The camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the memory comprises at least one of an internal memory of the camera and a removable memory card of the camera.  
     
     
         3 . The camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the separate printing device comprises a printer which is coupled to the camera via the interface.  
     
     
         4 . The camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the separate printing device comprises a computer configured to communicate with the camera via the interface.  
     
     
         5 . The camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the separate printing device comprises a service provider configured to communicate with the camera via the interface.  
     
     
         6 . The camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the separate printing device comprises a kiosk configured to communicate with the camera via the interface.  
     
     
         7 . The camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the interface comprises a wired interface.  
     
     
         8 . The camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the interface comprises a wireless interface.  
     
     
         9 . The camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the print utilization file further indicates the quantity of prints to be printed for each of the selected images.  
     
     
         10 . The camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the print utilization file further indicates the size of the prints to be printed for each of the selected images.  
     
     
         11 . The camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the print utilization file further includes a name and mailing address of an owner of the camera.  
     
     
         12 . The camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the print utilization file further includes a credit card number.  
     
     
         13 . The camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the print utilization file further indicates a particular creative background to be utilized in printing at least one of the selected images.  
     
     
         14 . An electronic printing system comprising: 
 a digital camera; and    a separate printing device for printing images captured by the digital camera;    the digital camera comprising:    a sensor for capturing images;    a memory for storing the captured images;    a processor for producing a print utilization file based on user input regarding selection of particular ones of the captured images for printing by the separate printing device, the print utilization file identifying at least two of the captured images to be printed by the printing device; and    a communication interface for transmitting the print utilization file and the selected captured images so as to permit printing of the selected captured images by the printing device.    
     
     
         15 . The printing system as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the separate printing device comprises a printer which is coupled to the camera via the interface.  
     
     
         16 . The printing system as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the separate printing device comprises a computer configured to communicate with the camera via the interface.  
     
     
         17 . The printing system as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the separate printing device comprises a service provider configured to communicate with the camera via the interface.  
     
     
         18 . The printing system as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the separate printing device comprises a kiosk configured to communicate with the camera via the interface.  
     
     
         19 . A method for use in a digital camera for capturing and selecting images to be printed by a separate printing device, the method comprising the steps of: 
 storing a plurality of captured images;    producing a print utilization file based on user input regarding selection of particular ones of the captured images for printing by the separate printing device, the print utilization file identifying at least two of the captured images to be printed by the printing device; and    transmitting the print utilization file and the selected captured images so as to permit printing of the selected captured images by the printing device.    
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the transmitting step further comprises transmitting the print utilization file and the associated captured images to a computer having an associated printer.