Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.p.

Marisa B O'Neil

Barbara Spencer Brogliatti

Thomas G Smith

Lisa A Janney

Christopher Grakal

A method and apparatus for securely archiving, searching, and retrieving images from a centralized image location are provided. Along with the goal of protecting a major corporate asset from theft and damage with the passage of time, the present invention provides an economical way for users from different divisions to share previously produced images and composites. Furthermore, by utilizing ultra-high resolution scanning in the archival process, re-creation of images that are of substantially the same quality as the original is achieved. Thus, ultra-high scanning allows re-creation of images that are photo-quality acceptable for commercial use in magazines, video packaging, movie posters, etc. With a centralized system of storage and distribution of images, it is possible for users to take advantage of a single and comprehensive catalog/index of all content. By using pre-defined image content criteria, users locate, select, and retrieve particular images stored in the system. Users are then able to create folders to place selected images and send the contents to others for approval or comments. Folders containing selected images may also be sent to fulfillment departments such as photo labs for re-creation of images in a variety of formats, including transparencies (from 35 mm to 8&times;10 to 12&prime; murals), prints (both in color and in B&W), CD-ROMs for Macintosh&trade; and PC platforms, ZIP&trade; disks, JAZZ&trade; disks, any electronic mail formats, and File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Users may also track, in real-time, the status of their order during the fulfillment process.

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Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Marisa B O'Neil