System and Method for Embedding Symbology in Digital Images and Using the Symbology to Organize and Control the Digital Images

Abstract

A method and system for designing and affixing symbology, e.g., an identifier, into digital and printed images and using that symbology to link these images to a global computer network to allow the organization and processing of these images both while in digital form, and later when in printed form are provided. The method includes the steps of capturing an image with a digital image capture device and creating a digital image file; associating at least one identifier to the digital image file; and encoding the at least one identifier of the digital image file. The identifier includes a site location number (SLN), a customer identification number (CIN), a date the image was taken (DIT) and a picture sequence number (PSN). The identifier will be printed with the image and be used to retrieve the image at a later date and process user requests.

1 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A method for managing a plurality of digital images over a network comprising:
 receiving, at an imaging web server coupled to the network, a digital and associated information of the digital image file, wherein the digital image file comprises data representing a digital image;   parsing the associated information to extract multiple pieces of information from the associated information;   coding the multiple pieces of extracted information of the associated information to create an identifier for the digital image file;   storing the digital image file and the identifier in a database coupled to the imaging web server;   receiving a search request;   querying the database with the search request;   retrieving at least one requested digital image file and displaying information relating to the digital image file matching the search request; and   presenting at least one requested digital image to a user and displaying information relating to the digital image corresponding to the at least one requested digital image file   
     
     
         41 . The method as in  claim 40 , wherein the identifier is the printed digital image. 
     
     
         42 . The method as in  claim 40 , wherein the identifier is symbology associated with the digital image file. 
     
     
         43 . The method as in  claim 40 , wherein the identifier is a bar code. 
     
     
         44 . The method as in  claim 40 , wherein the search request includes a target digital image. 
     
     
         45 . The method as in  claim 40 , wherein the search request includes symbology associated with the digital image. 
     
     
         46 . The method as in  claim 40 , wherein the search request includes a second bar code. 
     
     
         47 . A method for managing a plurality of digital images over a network comprising:
 receiving, at an imaging web server coupled to the network, a digital image file and associated information of the digital image file, wherein the digital image file comprises data representing a digital image;   parsing the associated information to extract multiple pieces of information from the associated information;   generating one or more identifiers capable of being displayed with the image;   receiving a request to display the digital image;   displaying the digital image with the one or more identifiers.   
     
     
         48 . The method as in  claim 47 , wherein the one or more identifiers includes one or more person identifiers having the name of one or more persons captured in the digital image. 
     
     
         49 . The method as in  claim 47 , wherein the one or more identifiers includes one or more description identifiers describing the digital image. 
     
     
         50 . The method as in  claim 47 , wherein the one or more identifiers includes one or more object identifiers describing the digital image such that each object identifier describes an object in the digital image. 
     
     
         51 . The method as in  claim 48 , wherein the one or more person identifiers are displayed with the digital image after the digital image is scanned with a scanning device. 
     
     
         52 . The method as in  claim 49 , wherein the one or more description identifiers are displayed with the digital image after the digital image is scanned with a scanning device. 
     
     
         53 . A system for managing a plurality of digital images over a network comprising:
 a database;   an imaging web server coupled to the database, the imaging web server: (i) receives a digital image file and associated information of the digital image file, wherein the digital image file comprises data representing a digital image; (ii) parses the associated information to extract multiple pieces of information from the associated information; (iii) codes the multiple pieces of extracted information of the associated information to create an identifier for the digital image file; (iv) storing the digital image file and the identifier in a database coupled to the imaging web server; (v) receives a search request; (vi) queries the database with the search request; (vii) retrieves at least one requested digital image file and display information relating to the digital image file matching the search request; and (viii) presents to a user at least one requested digital image file and display information relating to the digital image corresponding to the at least one requested digital image file   
     
     
         54 . The system as in  claim 53 , wherein the identifier is the printed digital image. 
     
     
         55 . The system as in  claim 53 , wherein the identifier is symbology associated with the digital image file. 
     
     
         56 . The system as in  claim 53 , wherein the identifier is a bar code. 
     
     
         57 . The system as in  claim 53 , wherein the search request includes a target digital image. 
     
     
         58 . The system as in  claim 53 , wherein the search request includes is symbology associated with the digital image. 
     
     
         59 . The system as in  claim 53 , wherein the search request includes a second bar code. 
     
     
         60 . The method as in  claim 40 , wherein the display information includes a link to other information on the Internet. 
     
     
         61 . The method as in  claim 53 , wherein the display information includes a link to other information on the Internet.