Self-Service Kiosk Augmented Map for Remote Photo Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mass market digital photography customers lack easy access to share photographs with remote family members due to limited internet access and complex user interfaces in self-service digital photograph processing stations, making it difficult to identify and send prints to convenient locations.
Innovation Solution
A method for self-service digital photograph processing stations to receive photographic image data and a recipient's telephone number, display an augmented map showing nearby printing facilities, and send the image to selected facilities for remote printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple touch screen interface is used in the self-service digital photograph processing station, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to locate remote printing facilities is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that automatically geocodes telephone numbers to geographic locations and generates map displays. This intermediary process bridges the gap between the simple telephone number input and the complex location search function, allowing users to benefit from both interface simplicity and location finding capability without manual ZIP code entry or complex searches.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ZIP code or city state searches are implemented for locating retail stores, then location search capability is improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring users to input location data (ZIP codes, cities, states) to find stores, the patent inverts the approach by having users input their telephone number and automatically displaying stores near the recipient's location on a map. This reversal eliminates the need for complex location search interfaces while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If full user interfaces with mouse or keyboard driven searches are provided, then location search capability is improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic geocoding of telephone numbers and generation of map displays with printing facility locations without requiring user interaction with complex search tools. The kiosk automatically resolves the telephone number to a geographic location and presents the information in an easily interpretable visual format, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for mouse or keyboard driven searches.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for a self-service digital photograph processing station user to send data representative of a photographic image to a photograph printing facility located in or near a geographic region remote from the self-service digital photograph processing station, but near an intended recipient of the photographic image. The method includes entering at least a portion of the intended recipients telephone number, which may include the area code and exchange number. An augmented map is displayed showing a map of the geographic area that corresponds with the area code and exchange number, and one or more available photograph printing facilities superimposed on the map. One or more of the available photograph printing facilities are selected and sent the data representative of the photographic image. The intended recipient may then pick up the photograph image after it is printed by the selected photograph printing facility.