WO2008106777A1

WO2008106777A1 - Photo kiosk controlled by rotational hand movement

Info

Publication number: WO2008106777A1
Application number: PCT/CA2008/000410
Authority: WO
Inventors: Murray Macdonald
Original assignee: Storefront.Com Online Inc.
Priority date: 2007-03-02
Filing date: 2008-02-29
Publication date: 2008-09-12

Abstract

A photo kiosk (10, 50) is provided with a rotary knob (20, 30, 40) that a user manipulates to perform various selection, ordering, and image editing operations. User rotation (22, 44) of the knob causes corresponding adjustments to the user's order or images.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO CONTROL A PHOTO KIOSK IN RESPONSE TO ROTATIONAL HAND MOVEMENT

Related Application

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U. S. C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/892,770, filed March 2, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

[0002] The field of the present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling a photo kiosk using rotational hand movement.

Background Information

[0003] Photo kiosks are computing devices commonly available and located in retail environments that allow customers to order customized photographic products that embody customer supplied images. Such photographic products can include photographic prints, photo gifts, photo mugs, posters, CDs, DVDs, and numerous other products that embody customer supplied images.

[0004] Like most computerized kiosks, photo kiosks are typically equipped with a touch sensitive screen or a mouse that allows user interaction with the computer system to select, edit, modify, and order customized products that embody one or more of the customer's images. Although suitable for many operations, the nature of a touch screen interface restricts the intuitiveness and speed of certain image editing and purchasing operations. In addition, mice detect only linear hand or finger movement. Thus, the present inventor has recognized a need for improved devices and methods for interfacing with a photo kiosk.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0005] This disclosure presents an alternative human interface for use with photo kiosks that allows users to perform various selection, ordering, and image editing operations by using rotary hand motion. By providing a universal rotary knob connected to the photo kiosk, a retailer can provide an improved and intuitive interface for image rotation, image editing, image zooming, image gallery scrolling, and other operations common to photo kiosk operation.

[0006] According to one embodiment, a rotary knob including a rotary encoder is provided with a photo kiosk. As the user rotates the rotary knob, the rotary encoder also rotates and sends to a computing device within the photo kiosk information corresponding to the user's rotation of the knob and thereby causes corresponding adjustments to the user's order or images.

[0007] Additional aspects and advantages of various embodiments will be apparent upon reading the following.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Figure 1 is side elevation view of a photo kiosk incorporating a rotary knob, according to one embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 is side elevation view of a photo kiosk incorporating a push knob, according to another embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 is side elevation view of a photo kiosk incorporating a rotary push knob, according to yet another embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary front view of the rotary push knob illustrated in Figure 3.

[0012] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing operational components of a photo kiosk, according to one embodiment.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0013] With reference to the above-listed drawings, this section describes particular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation. The embodiments described herein are set forth by way of illustration only. In light of the teachings herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that there may be equivalents to what is expressly or inherently taught herein. For example, variations can be made to the embodiments described herein and other embodiments are possible. It is not always practical to exhaustively catalog ali possible embodiments and all possible variations of the described embodiments.

[0014] For the sake of clarity and conciseness, certain aspects of components or steps of certain embodiments are presented without undue detail when such detail would be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings herein and/or when such detail would obfuscate an understanding of more pertinent aspects of the embodiments.

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates a photo kiosk 10 incorporating a rotary knob 20 for detecting user-applied rotational hand movement 22 and controlling photo kiosk 10, according to one embodiment. Rotary knob 20 includes a rotary encoder (not shown) for converting an angular position of rotary knob 20 to an analog or digital code or signal. The rotary encoder may comprise an absolute or incremental encoder and may detect rotation using a variety of techniques (e.g., optically and magnetically). Thus, a controller may be provided to couple the rotary encoder to a processor of photo kiosk 10. According to one embodiment, the rotary encoder is housed within rotary knob 20. However, the rotary encoder may be coupled to a shaft (not shown) extending from rotary knob 20.

[0016] While rotary knob 20 may include a rotary encoder to detect rotational motion of the user's hand, rotational motion may be detected in other ways. For example, rotary knob 20 may be coupled to a potentiometer so that a change in resistance indicates a certain rotation. By way of another example, rotary knob 20 may be coupled to a switching device having a plurality of spaced apart contacts that indicate an angular position of rotary knob 20. Of course, other techniques may be used as well, such as video technology, ultrasound technology, and other techniques for detecting rotational hand movement.

[0017] The response by photo kiosk 10 to rotary hand movement 22 includes, but is not limited to, modification of one or more of the following photo kiosk operations: Control Image Rotation, Control Image Zooming, Control Image Cropping, Control Image Selection, Control Image Editing, Control Image Brightness, Control Image Contrast, Control Image Sharpness, Control Image Color, Control image Gallery Scrolling, Control Product Selection, and Control Product Quantities. [0018] Figure 2 illustrates photo kiosk 10 incorporating a push knob 30 for detecting a user-applied pushing force 32. Push knob 30 includes a switch coupled to the processor of photo kiosk 10 to indicate an axial position of push knob 30. Of course, photo kiosk 10 may detect axial displacement of push knob 30 in other ways, such as by using an optica! or magnetic type switch. In addition, photo kiosk 10 may include a push button, such as a concentric push button installed on rotary knob 20, or a separate button may be installed on photo kiosk 10. As wili be described in more detail later, by pressing push knob 30, the user changes what function or adjustment push knob 30 is controlling. For example, by pressing push knob 30, the user is able to navigate user-adjustable parameters and select discrete menu options. Photo kiosk 10 may incorporate both rotary knob 20 and push knob 30. In addition, rotary knob 20 and push knob 30 may be incorporated into an axial displaceable rotational input device 40 (Figures 3 and 4). [0019] As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, photo kiosk 10 incorporates an axial displaceable rotational input device 40. Put another way, photo kiosk 10 includes a rotary push knob 40 having an axial degree of freedom 42 and rotational degree of freedom 44. Axial degree of freedom 42 detects when the user depresses rotary push knob 40, and rotational degree of freedom 44 detects when the user rotates rotary push knob 40. Rotary push knob 40 may include any of the devices described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 to detect rotation and displacement of rotary push knob 40. As will be described in more detail later, by rotating rotary push knob 40, the user adjusts certain parameters (e.g., color, brightness, and contrast) or navigates various menus (e.g., a product selection menu, a paper selection menu, and a shipping location menu). By depressing rotary push knob 40, the user switches from one parameter to another or selects a desired menu. [0020] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating a photo kiosk 50 according to one embodiment. Photo kiosk 50 includes a processing unit 52. Processing unit 52 may be any of various commercially available processors and may include dual microprocessors or other multi-processor architectures. [0021] Rotary push knob 40 is coupled to processing unit 52 via an input controller 54 and bus 56. While according to one embodiment, rotary push knob 40 is integrated into an enclosure of photo kiosk 50, rotary push knob 40 may also connect to photo kiosk 50 via other interfaces, such as one or more connector(s) (not shown). Likewise, photo kiosk 50 may include other input devices coupled to input controller 54, such as a keypad or keyboard (not shown), a pointing device (not shown), a trackball (not shown), or other wired/wireless input devices. Accordingly, input controller 54 may include hardware, software, and/or firmware to implement one or more protocols, such as stacked protocols along with corresponding layers. Thus, input controller 54 may function as a RS232 port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, an Ethernet port, a parallel port, an IEEE 1394 serial port, and an IR interface. Input controller 54 may also support various wired, wireless, optical, and other communication standards, in addition, a printer controller 55 is provided to interface with a printer 57 (e.g., via a bi-direction port, such as a !EEE 1284 parallel port, or a wired or wireless network connection).

[0022] Photo kiosk 50 presents data, photographs, menus, prompts, and otherwise communicate with the user via one or more display devices 58, such as an integrated cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), or other display device. A display controller 60 drives display device 58 and is coupled to bus 56. [0023] Photo kiosk 50 may also include a network interface (not shown) to communicate with an external network (not shown). The network interface may facilitate wired or wireless communication with other devices over a short distance (e.g., Bluetooth™) or nearly unlimited distances {e.g., the Internet). In the case of a wired connection, a data bus may be provided using any protocol, such as IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet), Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA), Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA), and/or USB, for example. A wireless connection may use low or high powered efectromagnetic waves to transmit data using any wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth™, IEEE 802.11 b (or other WiFi standards), Infrared Data Association (IrDa), and/or Radio Frequency Identification (RFlD), for example.

[0024] Photo kiosk 50 further includes a memory 62, which may be implemented using one or more standard memory devices. The memory devices may include, for instance, RAM 64, ROM 66, and/or EEPROM devices, and may also include magnetic and/or optical storage devices, such as hard disk drives, CD-ROM drives, and DVD-ROM drives. Photo kiosk 50 also includes an interface 68 coupled to an internal hard disk drive 70. interface 68 may also be coupled to a magnetic floppy disk drive (not shown), an optical disk drive (not shown), or another drive. Further, interface 68 (and/or input controller 54) may be configured for external drive implementations, such as, for example, over a USB, IEEE 1194, or PCMCIA connection.

[0025] In one embodiment, any number of program modules are stored in the drives (e.g., drive 70) and RAM 64, including an operating system (OS) 72, one or more application programs 74, other program modules 76, and data 78. All or portions of the program modules may also be cached in RAM 64. Any suitable operating system 72 may be employed, such as Windows® 2000, 2003, XP, or other commerciaiiy available or proprietary operating systems. [0026] As previously described, the user is able to vary a user-adjustable photograph parameter by rotating rotary push knob 40 (or rotary knob 20 or other rotary motion detection device). In addition, the user is able to sequence through user-adjustable photograph parameters by depressing rotary push knob 40 (or push knob 30 or other selecting device). By way of example, the user is able to adjust various parameters or properties of a photograph using a photo kiosk. According to one embodiment, a photo kiosk supports a set N (where N ≥ 1) of user-adjustable parameters that allow a user to edit one or more photographs. For example, by applying rotational hand movement, the user is able to adjust a photograph's color (e.g., red/blue/green), brightness, contrast, and sharpness, and is able to rotate, crop, and zoom in on a certain portion of the photograph. Of course other user- adjustable parameters are possible. While a modified photograph may be displayed on display device 58 and continuously updated as the user varies a user-adjustable parameter, the changes may simply be stored (e.g., in RAM 64 or hard disk drive 70) or a modified photograph may be printed (via printer 57). [0027] By depressing rotary push knob 40 (or push knob 30 or other selecting device), the user is able to sequence through the user-adjustable parameters in the set. In other words, the user may rotate a knob to adjust a photograph's brightness, depress the knob to switch to another user-adjustable parameter (e.g., contrast), rotate the knob again to vary the contrast, and so forth. According to another embodiment, by depressing the knob, the user returns to a main menu. [0028] In addition, any of the knobs described herein may be used by the user to navigate a plurality of discrete menus. For example, according to one embodiment, the photo kiosk includes a set of menus (that are presented to the user on display device 58), such as an image selection menu, an image editing menu, a product selection menu, a product quantity menu, a paper selection menu, and a shipping instruction menu. Of course, other menus may be provided. In addition, any number of sub-menus may be provided. For example, by applying rotational hand movement, the user navigates to a desired menu, such as the image selection menu. By depressing the knob, the user selects the desired menu (e.g., the image selection menu). In response to selecting the desired menu, the user drills down to another menu, such as the imaging editing menu. By applying rotational hand movement, the user navigates to a photograph so that the user may edit the photograph. By again depressing the knob, the user selects the desired photograph (which is then edited as previously described). According to one embodiment, an indication of what menu the user has navigated to is presented to the user (such as by highlighting the menu or providing a box surrounding a menu description) so the user knows what menu they will select upon depressing the knob. [0029] The methods and systems for controlling a photo kiosk using rotational hand movement may be implemented in and/or by any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. Accordingly, as used herein, a component or module may comprise hardware, software, and/or firmware (e.g., self-contained hardware or software components that interact with a larger system). Embodiments may include various steps, which may be embodied in machine-executable instructions to be executed by processing unit 52 or another processor. Thus, embodiments may be provided as a computer program product including a machine- readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions (in compressed or uncompressed form) that may be used to program a computer (or other electronic device) to perform processes or methods described herein. In addition, the steps may be performed by hardware components that include specific logic for performing the steps or by a combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. A result or output from any step, such as a confirmation that the step has or has not been completed or an output value from the step, may be stored (in a memory (not shown)), displayed (on a display (not shown)), printed (on a printing device (not shown)), and/or transmitted over a wired or wireless network (via a network interface (not shown)). For example, a user modified photograph may be stored, displayed, or transmitted over a network.

[0030] The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as iimitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations can be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should therefore be determined only by the following claims (and their equivalents) in which all terms are to be understood in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

1. A device that sends information corresponding to the rotation of a user's hand to a photo kiosk allowing a user to control editing or ordering functions of the photo kiosk.

2. The device of claim 1 , in which the device is wirelessiy connected to the photo kiosk.

3. The device of cfaim 1 , in which the device is physically connected to the photo kiosk.

4. The device of claim 1 , in which the device is electrically connected to the photo kiosk.

5. The device of claim 1 , in which the device is logically connected to the photo kiosk.

6. The device of claim 1 , in which the device is optically connected to the photo kiosk.

7. The device of claim 1 in which the user's hand rotates a knob, and in which a user pressing the knob can cause a function of the photo kiosk to change.

8. A method of controlling a photo kiosk, comprising: using rotary motion of a user's hand to produce information that is interpreted by a computing device of the photo kiosk to control one or more features or operations of the photo kiosk.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: using a pushing motion of a user's hand to produce second information that is interpreted by the computing device of the photo kiosk to sequence through the one or more features or operations of the photo kiosk.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: providing an axially displaceabie rotational input device for detecting a user applied rotary hand motion and a user applied pushing motion.

11. A method for adjusting in a photo kiosk a user-adjustable photograph parameter using an axially displaceabie rotational input device, the method comprising: providing an axially displaceabie rotational input device for detecting a user applied rotational hand movement and a user applied pushing force; in response to the user applied rotational hand movement, adjusting a first user-adjustabie photograph parameter in a set of user-adjustable photograph parameters; and in response to the user applied pushing force, switching from the first user- adjustable photograph parameter in the set to a second user-adjustable photograph parameter in the set.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising: in response to a second user applied rotational hand movement, adjusting the second user-adjustable photograph parameter.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising: presenting to the user a photograph on a display device of the photo kiosk; modifying the photograph based on the adjustment of the first user-adjustable photograph parameter; and presenting to the user the modified photograph on the display device.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising: in response to a second user applied rotational hand movement, navigating from a first menu in a set of menus to a second menu in the set of menus; and in response to a second user applied pushing force, selecting the second menu in the set.

15. The method of claim 14, in which the set of menus includes an image selection menu, an image editing menu, a product selection menu, a product quantity menu, a paper selection menu, and a shipping instruction menu.

16. The method of claim 11 , in which the first user-adjustable photograph parameter includes a brightness of a photograph.

17. The method of claim 11 , in which the first user-adjustable photograph parameter includes a contrast of a photograph.

18. The method of claim 11 , ϊn which the second user-adjustable photograph parameter includes a brightness of a photograph.

19. The method of claim 11 , in which the second user-adjustable photograph parameter includes a contrast of a photograph.

20. The method of claim 11 , in which the set of user-adjustable photograph parameters includes color, brightness, contrast, rotation, zoom, crop, and sharpness of a photograph.