Template Processing System and Method

Abstract

A system and method for processing digital templates having one or both of a pre-filled image and text field. Optional image and/or text fields are provided for filling in by the customer using customer-selected data. As the customer adds text and images to the template, a data file is created having an indication of the template style selected as well as the optional data fields filled in by the customer including one or more of the location, orientation, size and font thereof. The data file is transmitted to a photofinisher which has access to a high resolution copy of the template, which is populated by the data in the data file to create the finished template print. Since only the data file is transmitted to the photofinisher, the file size is kept to a relative minimum and is thus relatively quick and easy to transmit to the photofinisher.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and be better understood by reference to the following description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a prior art template processing system; and

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an embodiment of the inventive template processing system and method.

Claims

1. A digital template processing system for creating customized digital template prints, said system comprising: a) a first digital template including at least one pre-filled field, said first digital template including at least one open field to be populated by a customer;b) a data file created in response to the customer populating said at least one open field, said data file including an identification of said first digital template and at least one of the location, orientation, size and font of said at least one open field; andc) a second digital template corresponding to said first digital template accessible by said photofinisher, wherein said data file is sent to said photofinisher for creating said customized digital template prints using said data file and said second digital template.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first digital template is a low resolution digital template, and wherein said second digital template is a high resolution digital template.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one pre-filled field is either a pre-filled text field or a pre-filled image field.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one open field is either an open text field or an open image field.

5. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first digital template is accessible by the customer on a home computer.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first digital template is accessible by the customer on a kiosk.

7. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one open field is populated by the customer using customer-selected data.

8. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said data file is sent to said photofinisher electronically.

9. A system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said data file is transmitted by the customer over the internet to said photofinisher.

10. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the location, orientation, size and font of said pre-filled field is modified by the customer.

11. A method of processing a digital template order from a customer to a photofinisher, said method comprising: a) providing the customer with a first digital template including at least one pre-filled field, said first digital template including at least one open field to be populated by a customer;b) providing a data file in response to the customer populating said at least one open field, said data file including an identification of said first digital template and at least one of the location, orientation, size and font of said at least one open field;c) providing a second digital template corresponding to said first digital template accessible by said photofinisher; andd) communicating said data file to said photofinisher for creating a customized digital template print using said data file and said second digital template.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein said first digital template is a low resolution digital template, and wherein said second digital template is a high resolution digital template.

13. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein said at least one pre-filled field is either a pre-filled text field or a pre-filled image field.

14. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein said at least one open field is either an open text field or an open image field.

15. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein said first digital template is accessible by the customer on a home computer.

16. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein said low resolution template is accessible by the customer on a kiosk.

17. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein said at least one open field is populated by the customer using customer-selected data.

18. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein said data file is communicated to said photofinisher electronically.

19. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein said data file is transmitted by the customer over the internet to said photofinisher.

20. A method in accordance with claim 11 further comprising allowing the customer to modify at least one of the location, orientation, size and font of said pre-filled field.