System and method for managing creative assets via a rich user client interface

• US 20060184540A1
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Createthe Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Createthe Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Kang, Albert, King, Tony, Gardner, Russell, Kung, Allen
• Granted Patent: US 7,296,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/188 Virtual file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/913 Multimedia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A method and system according to the present invention provide integrated virtual asset management and publishing capabilities via a Rich user client interface. The client user, via a Rich user client interface, communicates with a central application server to store and manage creative assets or works, and to publish those works to other end users. The user interaction is conducted within a single instance of a Web browser session.

Claims

1. A system for managing virtual assets stored remotely from an end user comprising:

a storage system to store virtual assets in the form of files;

a management processing system coupled to said storage system to manage said stored virtual assets, wherein said management processing system includes;

a file manager module to manage said stored virtual assets arranged within a hierarchy including a plurality of tiers in the form of folders with each folder including at least one virtual asset file; and

a portfolio manager module to manage said stored virtual assets arranged within portfolios with each portfolio including at least one virtual asset file selected by a user; and

at least one end user system each remote from and in communication with said management processing system via a network and including a user interface module to enable a user to interact with said file and portfolio manager modules to manage said stored virtual assets, wherein said user interface module facilitates application of file system operations performed locally by said user to said remotely stored virtual assets to manage those assets.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said network includes the Internet.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said user interface module includes a Rich Client user interface.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said file manager module includes:

an explorer module to display and enable manipulation of said stored virtual assets within said hierarchy;

an upload module to transfer virtual assets from said at least one end user system to said management processing system for storage in said storage system; and

a view module to display stored virtual assets within a folder selected by said user.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said view module includes:

a thumbnail module to display said virtual assets within said selected folder in the form of thumbnail images, wherein dimensions of said displayed thumbnail images are adjustable by said user;

a list module to display said virtual assets within said selected folder in the form of a list of files; and

an enlarge view module to display a selected virtual asset of said selected folder in the form of an enlarged image with corresponding asset attributes and to enable user selection of another creative asset within said selected folder.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said upload module includes:

a local file module transferable to at least one end user system to retrieve information from a local file system of a corresponding end user system relating to local files selected by a user for transference from that end user system to said management processing system;

an upload interface module transferable to said at least one end user system to maintain a list of said selected local files and initiate transference of those files to said management processing system;

an intermediate module transferable to said at least one end user system and in communication with said local file and upload interface modules to notify said upload interface module that local files have been selected by said user; and

a file module to process said selected files transferred from said end user system to said management processing system for storage in said storage system.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said portfolio manager module includes:

an explorer module to display and enable manipulation of said virtual assets within said portfolios;

a view module to display stored virtual assets within a portfolio selected by said user;

a publish module to send a selected portfolio to another user;

a log module to maintain and display a log of portfolio activity; and

a preview module to preview a portfolio.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said view module includes:

a thumbnail module to display said virtual assets within said selected portfolio in the form of thumbnail images, wherein dimensions of said displayed thumbnail images are adjustable by said user;

a list module to display said virtual assets within said selected portfolio in the form of a list of files; and

an enlarge view module to display a selected virtual asset of said selected portfolio in the form of an enlarged image with corresponding asset attributes and to enable user selection of another creative asset within said selected portfolio.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said publish module includes:

a mail module to transmit an electronic mail message to a recipient of said selected portfolio including access information enabling said recipient to access said selected portfolio, wherein said access information includes a network address to access said selected portfolio.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said access information further includes a password in response to said selected portfolio including password protection.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein said preview module includes:

a thumbnail module to display said virtual assets within said selected portfolio in the form of thumbnail images;

an enlarge view module to display a selected virtual asset of said selected portfolio in the form of an enlarged image;

a thumbnail view module to display a selected virtual asset of said selected portfolio in the form of an enlarged image and remaining virtual assets within said selected portfolio in the form of scrollable thumbnail images;

a comment module to facilitate insertion of user comments for a selected virtual asset within said selected portfolio; and

a download module to facilitate transference of at least one of a selected virtual asset and said selected portfolio to at least one end user system.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said file and portfolio manager modules enable files to be uploaded from an end user system directly into a portfolio, and said file manager module includes:

a hidden upload module to transfer selected files from at least one end user system to said management processing system for storage in an arbitrary folder, wherein said transference is transparent to said user; and

said portfolio manager module includes;

a portfolio upload module to receive said selected files from said arbitrary folder and place those files within a selected portfolio.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said local file system operations include at least one of a drag and drop operation and selection of a local file system operation from a popup menu.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said management processing system further includes:

a transfer interface module to transfer user selected virtual asset files between folders managed by said file manager module and portfolios managed by said portfolio manager module.

35. The system of claim 4, wherein said upload module includes:

a mail module to transmit an electronic mail message including at least one virtual asset to upload said at least one virtual asset to said management processing system.

15. A method of managing virtual assets stored remotely from an end user via a management processing system and at least one end user system each remote from and in communication with said management processing system via a network, said method comprising:

(a) storing virtual assets in the form of files in a storage system;

(b) managing, via said management processing system, said stored virtual assets arranged within a hierarchy including a plurality of tiers in the form of folders with each folder including at least one virtual asset file;

(c) managing, via said management processing system, said stored virtual assets arranged within portfolios with each portfolio including at least one virtual asset file selected by a user; and

(d) applying file system operations performed locally by a user on an end user system to said remotely stored virtual assets to enable a user to remotely manage said virtual assets.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said network includes the Internet.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein step (d) further includes:

(d.1) applying said locally performed file system operations to said remotely stored virtual assets via a Rich Client user interface.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.1) displaying and enabling manipulation of said stored virtual assets within said hierarchy in response to a corresponding user action;

(b.2) transferring virtual assets from said at least one end user system to said management processing system for storage in said storage system in response to a corresponding user action; and

(b.3) displaying stored virtual assets within a folder selected by said user in response to a corresponding user action.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein step (b.1) further includes:

(b.1.1) displaying said virtual assets within said selected folder in the form of thumbnail images in response to a corresponding user action, wherein dimensions of said displayed thumbnail images are adjustable by said user;

(b.1.2) displaying said virtual assets within said selected folder in the form of a list of files in response to a corresponding user action; and

(b.1.3) displaying a selected virtual asset of said selected folder in the form of an enlarged image with corresponding asset attributes and enabling user selection of another creative asset within said selected folder in response to corresponding user actions.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein step (b.2) includes:

(b.2.1) retrieving information from a local file system of a corresponding end user system relating to local files selected by a user for transference from that end user system to said management processing system;

(b.2.2) detecting said selection of local files by said user and providing notification of said selection;

(b.2.3) maintaining a list of said selected local files in response to said notification and initiating transference of those files to said management processing system in response to a corresponding user action; and

(b.2.4) processing said selected files transferred from said end user system to said management processing system for storage in said storage system.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein step (c) includes:

(c.1) displaying and enabling manipulation of said virtual assets within said portfolios in response to a corresponding user action;

(c.2) displaying stored virtual assets within a portfolio selected by said user in response to a corresponding user action;

(c.3) sending a selected portfolio to another user in response to a corresponding user action;

(c.4) maintaining a log of portfolio activity and displaying said log in response to a corresponding user action; and

(c.5) previewing a portfolio in response to a corresponding user action.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein step (c.1) includes:

(c.1.1) displaying said virtual assets within said selected portfolio in the form of thumbnail images in response to a corresponding user action, wherein dimensions of said displayed thumbnail images are adjustable by said user;

(c.1.2) displaying said virtual assets within said selected portfolio in the form of a list of files in response to a corresponding user action; and

(c.1.3) displaying a selected virtual asset of said selected portfolio in the form of an enlarged image with corresponding asset attributes and enabling user selection of another creative asset within said selected portfolio in response to corresponding user actions.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein step (c.3) includes:

(c.3.1) transmitting an electronic mail message to a recipient of said selected portfolio including access information enabling said recipient to access said selected portfolio, wherein said access information includes a network address to access said selected portfolio.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said access information further includes a password in response to said selected portfolio including password protection.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein step (c.5) includes:

(c.5.1) displaying said virtual assets within said selected portfolio in the form of thumbnail images in response to a corresponding user action;

(c.5.2) displaying a selected virtual asset of said selected portfolio in the form of an enlarged image in response to a corresponding user action;

(c.5.3) displaying a selected virtual asset of said selected portfolio in the form of an enlarged image and remaining virtual assets within said selected portfolio in the form of scrollable thumbnail images in response to a corresponding user action;

(c.5.4) facilitating insertion of user comments for a selected virtual asset within said selected portfolio in response to a corresponding user action; and

(c.5.5) facilitating transference of at least one of a selected virtual asset and said selected portfolio to at least one end user system in response to a corresponding user action.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein files are uploaded from an end user system directly into a portfolio, and step (b) includes:

(b.1) transferring selected files from at least one end user system to said management processing system for storage in an arbitrary folder, wherein said transference is transparent to said user; and

step (c) includes;

(c.1) receiving said selected files from said arbitrary folder and placing those files within a selected portfolio.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein said local file system operations include at least one of a drag and drop operation and selection of a local file system operation from a popup menu.

28. The method of claim 15, wherein step (d) includes:

(d.1) transferring user selected virtual asset files between said folders and said portfolios.

36. The method of claim 18, wherein step (b.2) further includes:

(b.2.1) transmitting an electronic mail message including at least one virtual asset to upload said at least one virtual asset to said management processing system.

29. A system for managing virtual assets stored remotely from an end user within a storage system in the form of files, wherein at least one end user system enables a user to manage said stored virtual assets over a network, said system comprising:

a management processing system coupled to said storage system and remote from and in communication with said at least one end user system via said network to manage said stored virtual assets, wherein said management processing system includes;

a file manager module to manage said stored virtual assets arranged within a hierarchy including a plurality of tiers in the form of folders with each folder including at least one virtual asset file;

a portfolio manager module to manage said stored virtual assets arranged within portfolios with each portfolio including at least one virtual asset file selected by a user; and

an interface module to interact with an end user system and apply file system operations performed locally by said user on that end user system to said stored virtual assets to manage those assets.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein said network includes the Internet.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein a Rich Client user interface is employed between said management processing and end user systems.

32. The system of claim 29, wherein said file manager module includes:

an upload module to transfer virtual assets from said at least one end user system to said management processing system for storage in said storage system, wherein said upload module includes;

a local file module transferable to at least one end user system to retrieve information from a local file system of a corresponding end user system relating to local files selected by a user for transference from that end user system to said management processing system;

an upload interface module transferable to said at least one end user system to maintain a list of said selected local files and initiate transference of those files to said management processing system;

an intermediate module transferable to said at least one end user system and in communication with said local file and upload interface modules to notify said upload interface module that local files have been selected by said user; and

a file module to process said selected files transferred from said end user system to said management processing system for storage in said storage system.

33. The system of claim 29, wherein said portfolio manager module includes:

a publish module to send a selected portfolio to another user, wherein said portfolio module includes;

a mail module to transmit an electronic mail message to a recipient of said selected portfolio including access information enabling said recipient to access said selected portfolio, wherein said access information includes a network address to access said selected portfolio, and wherein said access information further includes a password in response to said selected portfolio including password protection.

34. The system of claim 29, wherein said file and portfolio manager modules enable files to be uploaded from an end user system directly into a portfolio, and said file manager module includes:

a hidden upload module to transfer selected files from at least one end user system to said management processing system for storage in an arbitrary folder, wherein said transference is transparent to said user; and

said portfolio manager module includes;

a portfolio upload module to receive said selected files from said arbitrary folder and place those files within a selected portfolio.

37. A system for transferring virtual assets in the form of files from an end user system over a network, said system comprising:

a processing system remote from and in communication with said at least one end user system via said network to perform a file transfer, wherein said processing system includes;

a local file module transferable to at least one end user system to retrieve information from a local file system of a corresponding end user system relating to local files selected by a user for transference from that end user system to said processing system;

an upload interface module transferable to said at least one end user system to maintain a list of said selected local files and initiate transference of those files to said processing system;

an intermediate module transferable to said at least one end user system and in communication with said local file and upload interface modules to notify said upload interface module that local files have been selected by said user; and

a file module to process said selected files transferred from said end user system to said processing system for storage.

38. A method of transferring virtual assets in the form of files from at least one end user system to a processing system remote from and in communication with said at least one end user system via said network to perform a file transfer, said method comprising:

(a) retrieving information from a local file system of a corresponding end user system relating to local files selected by a user for transference from that end user system to said processing system;

(b) detecting said selection of local files by said user and providing notification of said selection;

(c) maintaining a list of said selected local files in response to said notification and initiating transference of those files to said processing system in response to a corresponding user action; and

(d) processing said selected files transferred from said end user system to said processing system for storage.

39. A program product apparatus including a computer readable medium with computer program logic recorded thereon for transferring virtual assets in the form of files from an end user system over a network to a remote processing system, said program product apparatus comprising:

a local file module transferable to at least one end user system to retrieve information from a local file system of a corresponding end user system relating to local files selected by a user for transference from that end user system to said processing system;

an upload interface module transferable to said at least one end user system to maintain a list of said selected local files and initiate transference of those files to said processing system;

an intermediate module transferable to said at least one end user system and in communication with said local file and upload interface modules to notify said upload interface module that local files have been selected by said user; and

a file module to process said selected files transferred from said end user system to said processing system for storage.