Method and System For Processing Digital Images with Annotations

Abstract

An annotated digital photograph processing system that forms a plurality of composite image files from a plurality of corresponding digital images, annotation information and process control information, and prints them as a plurality of composite images on a roll of photographic medium. Each composite image file may be generated by a server computer, which also receives the components thereof, the file comprising the image and a first symbol. The first symbol includes process control information, and may optionally include annotation information. A roll containing the composite images is processed by a novel printing apparatus that comprises a scanner and inkjet print-heads connected to a control computer, to print the annotation and a second symbol, which includes process control information, directly behind the image to which they correspond after the destructive effects of photo-processing chemicals occur. Then, the first barcode is severed from the medium for each printed image.

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       45 . A method for processing and printing electronic images on a medium, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a database for storing predetermined first image processing information;    printing an image on the front surface of a print medium;    providing a first symbol on the front surface of the medium in association with the image;    reading the first symbol associated with an image after printing the image;    utilizing information in the first symbol to retrieve predetermined first image processing information from the database; and    utilizing retrieved predetermined first image processing information in a subsequent image processing operation.    
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the subsequent image processing operation comprises printing selected first image processing information on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the printing of selected first image processing information on the reverse surface of the medium comprises printing a second symbol on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the second symbol comprises a barcode.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the second symbol contains process control information extracted from the predetermined first image processing information.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the selected first image processing information comprises annotation information.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the subsequent image processing operation comprises printing selected first image processing information on the front surface of the medium.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the printing of selected first image processing information comprises overprinting selected first image processing information on the image on the front surface of the medium.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the selected first image processing information comprises annotation information.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the subsequent image processing operation comprises printing annotation information on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the annotation information comprises information that is particular to the associated printed image other than a date and/or time at which the image was printed.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the annotation information comprises information corresponding to a time, place, and/or subject matter contained in an image.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the annotation information is obtained from reading the first symbol.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving annotation information; and    storing the annotation information in the database indexed to an associated image using a unique image number that is generated when the image is received.    
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the annotation information is received via an Internet browser interface that includes a command item.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the command item comprises a text entry box for receiving annotation text.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the command item comprises a link to a database entry and/or computer object that contains text, a symbol, and/or another image.  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the database stores images that have been uploaded for printing, and wherein images are associated with annotation information prior to uploading image information and annotation information for printing.  
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the annotation information is extracted from an electronic image file.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising the step of sensing annotation information from the electronic image file, extracting the annotation information from the image file, storing the annotation information in the database, and printing the annotation information on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the step of providing the first symbol comprises printing the first symbol on the front surface of the medium adjacent to the printed image.  
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the first symbol is a barcode.  
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the predetermined first image processing information comprises one or more of the following: annotation information, process control information, a customer order number, an image number, a customer number.  
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the step of providing a network accessible user interface for receiving predetermined image processing information and storing the predetermined image processing information in the database in association with a digital file representing the image.  
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the steps of: 
 printing a plurality of images and associated first symbols on a continuous medium,    taking up the continuous medium on a take up spool,    separating the images and associated first symbols into discrete prints containing an image and a first symbol, and subsequently carrying out the steps of reading the first symbol, utilizing information in the first symbol to retrieve predetermined first image processing information from the database, and utilizing retrieved predetermined first image processing information in a subsequent image processing operation.    
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising the step of printing cut-marks on the front surface of the medium to indicate boundaries so that an image print may be cropped to leave only the printed image with an annotation on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the first symbol is encoded with predetermined second image processing information.  
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the predetermined second image processing information comprises process control information derived from the predetermined first image processing information.  
   
   
       73 . A system for processing and printing electronic images on a medium, comprising the steps of: 
 a database for storing predetermined first image processing information;    a printer for printing an image and a first symbol on the front surface of a medium;    a symbol reader for reading the first symbol on the front surface of the medium; and    a programmed controller operative to carry out the computer-implemented steps of: 
 printing an image on the front surface of the medium;  
 printing a first symbol on the front surface of the medium in association with the image;  
 reading the first symbol associated with an image with the symbol reader after printing the image;  
 utilizing information in the first symbol to retrieve predetermined first image processing information from the database; and  
 utilizing retrieved predetermined first image processing information in a subsequent image processing operation.  
   
   
   
       74 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the subsequent image processing operation comprises printing selected first image processing information on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       75 . The system of  claim 74 , wherein the printing of selected first image processing information on the reverse surface of the medium comprises printing a second symbol on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       76 . The system of  claim 75 , wherein the second symbol comprises a barcode.  
   
   
       77 . The system of  claim 75 , wherein the second symbol contains process control information extracted from the predetermined first image processing information.  
   
   
       78 . The system of  claim 74 , wherein the selected first image processing information comprises annotation information.  
   
   
       79 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the subsequent image processing operation comprises printing selected first image processing information on the front surface of the medium.  
   
   
       80 . The system of  claim 79 , wherein the printing of selected first image processing information comprises overprinting selected first image processing information on the image on the front surface of the medium.  
   
   
       81 . The system of  claim 79 , wherein the selected first image processing information comprises annotation information.  
   
   
       82 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the subsequent image processing operation comprises printing annotation information on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       83 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the annotation information comprises information that is particular to the associated printed image other than a date and/or time at which the image was printed.  
   
   
       84 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the annotation information comprises information corresponding to a time, place, and/or subject matter contained in an image.  
   
   
       85 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the annotation information is obtained from reading the first symbol.  
   
   
       86 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the controller is further operative for: 
 receiving annotation information; and    storing the annotation information in the database indexed to an associated image using a unique image number that is generated when the image is received.    
   
   
       87 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the annotation information is received via an Internet browser interface that includes a command item.  
   
   
       88 . The system of  claim 87 , wherein the command item comprises a text entry box for receiving annotation text.  
   
   
       89 . The system of  claim 87 , wherein the command item comprises a link to a database entry and/or computer object that contains text, a symbol, and/or another image.)  
   
   
       90 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the database stores images that have been uploaded for printing, and wherein images are associated with annotation information prior to uploading image information and annotation information for printing.  
   
   
       91 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the annotation information is extracted from an electronic image file.  
   
   
       92 . The system of  claim 91 , wherein the controller is further operative for sensing annotation information from the electronic image file, extracting the annotation information from the image file, storing the annotation information in the database, and printing the annotation information on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       93 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the step of printing the first symbol comprises printing the first symbol on the front surface of the medium adjacent to the printed image.  
   
   
       94 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the first symbol is a barcode.  
   
   
       95 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the predetermined first image processing information comprises one or more of the following: annotation information, process control information, a customer order number, an image number, a customer number.  
   
   
       96 . The system of  claim 73 , further comprising a network accessible user interface for receiving predetermined image processing information and wherein the controller is further operative for storing the predetermined image processing information in the database in association with a digital file representing the image.  
   
   
       97 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the controller is further operative for: 
 printing a plurality of images and associated first symbols on a continuous medium,    taking up the continuous medium on a take-up spool,    separating the images and associated first symbols into discrete prints containing an image and a first symbol, and subsequently carrying out the steps of reading the first symbol, utilizing information in the first symbol to retrieve predetermined first image processing information from the database, and utilizing retrieved predetermined first image processing information in a subsequent image processing operation.    
   
   
       98 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the controller is further operative for printing cut-marks on the front surface of the medium to indicate boundaries so that an image print may be cropped to leave only the printed image with an annotation on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       99 . A method for providing an annotation on an electronic image, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an annotation information database;    providing a user interface for receiving annotation information for an image input by a user;    storing annotation information input by a user in the database in association with identifying information for an image;    printing an image on the front surface of a print medium;    printing a first symbol on the front surface of the medium in association with the image;    reading the first symbol associated with an image after printing the image;    utilizing information in the first symbol to retrieve annotation information from the database; and    printing the annotation information on the medium.    
   
   
       100 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the annotation information is a computer object.  
   
   
       101 . The method of  claim 100 , wherein the computer object is one or more of the following: text, a symbol, another image.  
   
   
       102 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the annotation information is printed on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       103 . The method of  claim 102 , further comprising the step of printing a second symbol on the reverse surface of the medium together with the annotation information.  
   
   
       104 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein the second symbol comprises a barcode.  
   
   
       105 . The method of  claim 103 , wherein the second symbol contains process control information.  
   
   
       106 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the annotation information is printed on the front surface of the medium.  
   
   
       107 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein annotation information is overprinted on the image on the front surface of the medium.  
   
   
       108 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the annotation information comprises information that is particular to the associated printed image other than a date and/or time at which the image was printed.  
   
   
       109 . The method of  claim 108 , wherein the annotation information comprises information corresponding to a time, place, and/or subject matter contained in an image.  
   
   
       110 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the annotation information is obtained from reading the first symbol.  
   
   
       111 . The method of  claim 99 , further comprising the step of storing the annotation information in the database indexed to an associated image using a unique image number that is generated when the image is received.  
   
   
       112 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the user interface is an Internet browser interface that includes a command item.  
   
   
       113 . The method of  claim 112 , wherein the command item comprises a text entry box for receiving annotation text.  
   
   
       114 . The method of  claim 112 , wherein the command item comprises a link to a database entry and/or computer object that contains text, a symbol, and/or another image.  
   
   
       115 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the annotation information database also stores images that have been uploaded for printing, and wherein images are associated with annotation information prior to uploading image information and annotation information for printing.  
   
   
       116 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein at least some annotation information is extracted from an electronic image file.  
   
   
       117 . The method of  claim 116 , further comprising the step of sensing annotation information from the electronic image file, extracting the annotation information from the image file, storing the annotation information in the database, and printing the annotation information on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       118 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the first symbol is printed on the front surface of the medium adjacent to the printed image.  
   
   
       119 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the first symbol is a barcode.  
   
   
       120 . The method of  claim 99 , further comprising the step of storing predetermined first image processing information in the annotation information database.  
   
   
       121 . The method of  claim 120 , wherein the predetermined first image processing information comprises one or more of the following: process control information, a customer order number, an image number, a customer number.  
   
   
       122 . The method of  claim 99 , further comprising the step of receiving predetermined image processing information and storing the predetermined image processing information in the database in association with a digital file representing the image.  
   
   
       123 . The method of  claim 99 , further comprising the steps of: 
 printing a plurality of images and associated first symbols on a continuous medium,    taking up the continuous medium on a take-up spool,    separating the images and associated first symbols into discrete prints containing an image and a first symbol, and subsequently carrying out the steps of reading the first symbol associated with an image after printing the image, utilizing information in the first symbol to retrieve annotation information from the database, and printing the annotation information on the medium.    
   
   
       124 . The method of  claim 99 , further comprising the step of printing cut-marks on the front surface of the medium to indicate boundaries so that an image print may be cropped to leave only the printed image with an annotation on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       125 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the first symbol is encoded with predetermined second image processing information.  
   
   
       126 . The method of  claim 125 , wherein the predetermined second image processing information comprises process control information derived from the predetermined first image processing information.  
   
   
       127 . A system for providing an annotation on an electronic image, comprising: 
 an annotation information database;    a user interface for receiving annotation information for an image input by a user;    a printer for printing an image and a first symbol on the front surface of a medium;    a symbol reader for reading the first symbol on the front surface of the medium; and    a programmed controller operative to carry out the computer-implemented steps of: 
 storing annotation information input by a user in the database in association with identifying information for an image;  
 printing an image on the front surface of a print medium;  
 printing a first symbol on the front surface of the medium in association with the image;  
 reading the first symbol associated with an image after printing the image;  
 utilizing information in the first symbol to retrieve annotation information from the database; and  
 printing the annotation information on the medium.  
   
   
   
       128 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the annotation information is a computer object.  
   
   
       129 . The system of  claim 128 , wherein the computer object is one or more of the following: text, a symbol, another image.  
   
   
       130 . The system of  claim 127 , further comprising a printer for printing on the reverse surface of the medium, and wherein the annotation information is printed on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       131 . The system of  claim 130 , further comprising the step of printing a second symbol on the reverse surface of the medium together with the annotation information.  
   
   
       132 . The system of  claim 131 , wherein the second symbol comprises a barcode.  
   
   
       133 . The system of  claim 131 , wherein the second symbol contains process control information.  
   
   
       134 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the annotation information is overprinted on the image on the front surface of the medium.  
   
   
       135 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the annotation information comprises information that is particular to the associated printed image other than a date and/or time at which the image was printed.  
   
   
       136 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the annotation information comprises information corresponding to a time, place, and/or subject matter contained in an image.  
   
   
       137 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the annotation information is obtained from reading the first symbol.  
   
   
       138 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the controller is further operative for storing the annotation information in the database indexed to an associated image using a unique image number that is generated when the image is received.  
   
   
       139 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the user interface is an Internet browser interface that includes a command item.  
   
   
       140 . The system of  claim 139 , wherein the command item comprises a text entry box for receiving annotation text.  
   
   
       141 . The system of  claim 139 , wherein the command item comprises a link to a database entry and/or computer object that contains text, a symbol, and/or another image.  
   
   
       142 . The system of  claim 127 , further comprising a database for storing images that have been uploaded for printing, and wherein images are associated with annotation information prior to uploading image information and annotation information for printing.  
   
   
       143 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein at least some annotation information is extracted from an electronic image file.  
   
   
       144 . The system of  claim 143 , wherein the controller is further operative for sensing annotation information from the electronic image file, extracting the annotation information from the image file, storing the annotation information in the database, and printing the annotation information on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       145 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the first symbol is printed on the front surface of the medium adjacent to the printed image.  
   
   
       146 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the first symbol is a barcode.  
   
   
       147 . The system of  claim 127 , further comprising the step of storing predetermined first image processing information in the annotation information database.  
   
   
       148 . The system of  claim 147 , wherein the predetermined first image processing information comprises one or more of the following: process control information, a customer order number, an image number, a customer number.  
   
   
       149 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the controller is further operative for receiving predetermined image processing information and storing the predetermined image processing information in the database in association with a digital file representing the image.  
   
   
       151 . The system of  claim 127 , further comprising a take-up spool for receiving a continuous medium from the printer, wherein the printer is operative to print on a continuous medium, and wherein the controller is further operative for: 
 printing a plurality of images and associated first symbols on the continuous medium,    taking up the continuous medium on the take-up spool,    separating the images and associated first symbols on the take-up spool into discrete prints containing an image and a first symbol, and subsequently carrying out the steps of reading the first symbol associated with an image after printing the image, utilizing information in the first symbol to retrieve annotation information from the database, and printing the annotation information on the medium.    
   
   
       152 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the controller is further operative for printing cut-marks on the front surface of the medium to indicate boundaries so that an image print may be cropped to leave only the printed image with an annotation on the reverse surface of the medium.  
   
   
       153 . The system of  claim 127 , wherein the first symbol is encoded with predetermined second image processing information.  
   
   
       154 . The system of  claim 153 , wherein the predetermined second image processing information comprises process control information.