Web-based media submission tool

• US 6,895,557 B1
• Filed: 07/21/1999
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lupercal LLC (IPValuation Partners, LLC)
• Original Assignee: IPIX Corporation
• Inventors: Wood, Lisa T., Lewis, Scott M., Fried, Robin T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cabeca, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hailu, Tadesse
• Application Number:
  US09/357,836
• Time in Patent Office: 2,127 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/10, 707/3, 707/4, 707/2, 707/100, 707/102, 707/513, 707/523, 707/101, 345/418, 345/473, 345/769, 345/770, 345/744, 709/219, 709/246, 709/232, 382/305
• US Class Current: 715/744
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1091 Interfacing with client-server systems or between P2P systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

The present invention, generally speaking, provides an improved web-based media submission tool. As with some existing tools, operation of the tool is drag and drop or the user can “click” to browse a directory to select media objects. Unlike existing tools, the tool provides the user an opportunity to confirm the submission, for example by generating a thumbnail image of an image file that has been dragged and dropped. Batch submission is provided for in which a user drags and drops a plurality of images or other media objects. Submission from a web page to a web page is also provided for. The submission tool is configurable to perform a variable amount of intellegent preprocessing on media objects prior to upload. In the case of digital images, the tool can perform sizing and formatting, for example. Information capture is performed with information being uploaded together with the media objects. In an exemplary embodiment, information capture is both user-transparent (e.g., user ID and/or password) and user-visible (e.g., the user can provide captions for media objects). The submission of information about the user and the media objects facilitates automatic integration of the media objects within existing databases.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

accessing at least one media object identifier, the media object identifier being embedded within a third-party web site, the media object identifier including a graphical user interface for acquiring media objects;

associating a media object with the media object identifier; and

pre-processing the media object by the media object identifier for the requirements of the third-party web site, the pre-processing being done without additional user selection of the pre-processing.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the pre-processing includes one of the following steps:

reducing the file size of the media object,

compressing the media object for purposes of transportation,

changing the file format of the media object,

changing the aspect ratio or otherwise cropping the media object,

adding text or other annotation to the media object,

encoding or otherwise converting the media object,

processing the media object in a manner that completely fills the media object identifier or maintains the aspect ratio of the media object within the media object identifier,

changing the orientation or otherwise rotating the media object,

combining (including stitching) of multiple media objects, or

enhancing the image by changing its contrast or saturation values.

3. The methods of claims 1 or 2 wherein the media object is associated with the media object identifier by dragging a visual representation of the media object to the graphical user interface of the media object identifier.

4. The methods of claims 1 or 2 wherein the media object is associated with the media object identifier by browsing and selecting files.

5. The methods of claims 1 or 2 wherein more than one media object is associated or processed simultaneously.

6. The methods of claims 1 or 2 wherein more than one media object identifier is generated dynamically or generated from pre-set instructions.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the pre-processing includes reducing the size of the media object.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the pre-processing includes modifying the format of the media object.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the media object identifier allows display of the media object in context on the web page.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the media object is a digital image.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the media object identifier is configurable to control the pre-processing.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the media object identifier is configurable by operators of the third party web site to control the pre-processing.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein requirements relate to presentation requirements of the third party web site.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-processed media object is uploaded to a remote server which enables the media object to be displayed on the web site.

15. A method comprising the steps of:

accessing a web site containing a media object identifier, the media object identifier including a graphical user interface for acquiring media objects;

associating a media object with the media object identifier; and

pre-processing the media object by the media object identifier for the requirements of a web site, the pre-processing including checking a file size of the media object and if the file size of the media object is larger than a predetermined maximum file size reducing the file size of the media object, the pre-processing being done without user selection of the pre-processing.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the pre-processing further includes one of the following steps:

compressing the media object for purposes of transportation,

changing the file format of the media object,

changing the aspect ratio or otherwise cropping the media object,

adding text or other annotation to the media object,

encoding or otherwise converting the media object,

processing the media object in a manner that completely fills the media object identifier or maintains the aspect ratio of the media object within the media object identifier,

changing the orientation or otherwise rotating the media object,

Combining (including stitching) of multiple media objects, or

Enhancing the image by changing its contrast or saturation values.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the media object is associated with the media object identifier by dragging a visual representation of the media object to the graphical user interface of the media object identifier.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the media object is associated with the media object identifier by browsing and selecting files.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein more than one media object is associated or processed simultaneously.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein more than one media object identifier is generated dynamically or generated from pre-set instructions.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein the media object identifier allows display of the media object in context on the web page.

22. The method of claim 15 wherein the media object identifier is embedded in the web site.

23. The method of claim 15 wherein the media object is a digital image.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the media object identifier is configurable to control the pre-processing.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the media object identifier is configurable by operators of the web site to control the pre-processing.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein requirements relate to presentation requirements of the web site.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein the pre-uploaded processed media object is uploaded to a remote server which enables the media object to be displayed on the web site.

28. A computer readable medium containing a program adapted to implement the method of:

associating a media object with a media object identifier, the media object identifier being embedded within a third-party web site, the media object identifier including a graphical user interface for acquiring media objects; and

pre-processing the media object by the media object identifier for the requirements of the third-party web site, the pre-processing being done without user selection of the pre-processing.

29. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 28 wherein the pre-processing includes one of the following steps:

reducing the file size of the media object,

compressing the media object for purposes of transportation,

changing the file format of the media object,

changing the aspect ratio or otherwise cropping the media object,

adding text or other annotation to the media object,

encoding or otherwise converting the media object,

processing the media object in a manner that completely fills the media object identifier or maintains the aspect ratio of the media object within the media object identifier,

changing the orientation or otherwise rotating the media object,

combining (including stitching) of multiple media objects, or

enhancing the image by changing its contrast or saturation values.

30. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 28 wherein more than one media object identifier is generated dynamically or generated from pre-set instructions.

31. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 28 wherein the pre-processing includes reducing the size of the media object.

32. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 28 wherein the pre-processing includes modifying the format of the media object.

33. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 28 wherein the media object is a digital image.

34. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 28, wherein the media object identifier is configurable to control the pre-processing.

35. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 34, wherein the media object identifier is configurable by operators of the third party web site to control the pre-processing.

36. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 28, wherein requirements relate to presentation requirements of the third party web site.

37. A computer readable medium containing a program adapted to implement the method of:

associating a media object with a media object identifier at a web site, the media object identifier including a graphical user interface for acquiring media objects; and

pre-processing the media object by the media object identifier for the requirements of a web site, the pre-processing including checking a file size of the media object and if the file size of the media object is larger than a predetermined maximum file size reducing the file size of the media object, the pre-processing being done without user selection of the pre-processing.

38. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 37 wherein the preprocessing further includes one of the following steps:

compressing the media object for purposes of transportation,

changing the file format of the media object,

changing the aspect ratio or otherwise cropping the media object,

adding text or other annotation to the media object,

encoding or otherwise converting the media object,

processing the media object in a manner that completely fills the media object identifier or maintains the aspect ratio of the media object within the media object identifier,

changing the orientation or otherwise rotating the media object,

combining (including stitching) of multiple media objects, or

enhancing the image by changing its contrast or saturation values.

39. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 37 wherein more than one media object identifier is generated dynamically or generated from pre-set instructions.

40. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 37 wherein the media object identifier is embedded in the web site.

41. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 37 wherein the media object is a digital image.

42. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 37, which the media object identifier is configurable to control the pre-processing.

43. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 42, wherein the media object identifier is configurable by operators of the web site to control the pre-processing.

44. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 37, wherein requirements relate to presentation requirements of the web site.

45. A method comprising:

acquiring a media object with a web page displayed at a local computer;

pre-processing the media object at the local computer without user selection of the pre-processing, wherein the web page contains parameters used to control the pre-processing; and

uploading the pre-processed media object from the local computer to a remote server.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the web page includes an embedded graphical user interface for acquiring media objects.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the graphical user interface embedded in the web page is positioned within a rectangular region of the web page display.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the media object is acquired by a user dragging and dropping the media object into the graphical user interface.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein the graphical user interface can be used to select media objects from a file system of the local computer.

50. The method of claim 45, wherein the web page includes code for acquiring the media object.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the code includes media object identifier.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the media object identifier is an active X or Java applet component.

53. The method of claim 45, wherein the remote server enables the media object to be displayed in a destination web site.

54. The method of claim 45, wherein the pre-processing includes changing a file type of media object.

55. The method of claim 45, wherein pre-processing comprises resizing the media object.

56. The method of claim 45, wherein the local computer displays the web page using a browser.

57. The method of claim 45, wherein the media object is a digital image.

58. The method of claim 45, wherein the uploading is done after the user selects a submit button displayed on the web page.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the pre-processing occurs after the user selects the submit button but before the uploading.

60. A computer readable medium containing a program adapted to implement a method of:

acquiring a media object with a web page displayed at a local computer;

pre-processing the media object at the local computer without user selection of the pre-processing, wherein the web page contains parameters used to control the pre-processing; and

uploading the pre-processed media object from the local computer to a remote server.

61. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 60, wherein the web page includes an embedded graphical user interface for acquiring media objects.

62. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 61, wherein the graphical user interface embedded in the web page is positioned within a rectangular region of the web page display.

63. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 61, wherein the media object is acquired by a user dragging and dropping the media object into the graphical user interface.

64. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 61, wherein the graphical user interface can be used to select media objects from a file system of the local computer.

65. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 60, wherein the web page includes code for acquiring the media object.

66. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 65, wherein the code includes a media object identifier.

67. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 66, wherein the media object identifier is an active X or Java applet component.

68. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 60, wherein the remote server enables the media object to be displayed in a destination web site.

69. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 60, wherein the pre-processing includes changing a file type of media object.

70. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 60, wherein pre-processing comprises resizing the media object.

71. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 60, wherein the local computer displays the web page using a browser.

72. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 60, wherein the media object is a digital image.

73. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 60, wherein the uploading is done after the user selects a submit button displayed on the web page.

74. The computer readable medium containing a program of claim 73, wherein the pre-processing occurs after the user selects the submit button but before the uploading.