System and method of changing attributes of an image-based product

• US 6,941,276 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2002
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shutterfly, LLC
• Original Assignee: Shutterfly Incorporated (Shutterfly, LLC)
• Inventors: Haeberli, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Bella, Matthew C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brautigam, Alysa N
• Application Number:
  US10/287,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20030065590A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,038 Days
• Field of Search: 705 26- 27, 345/619, 345/629, 345/636, 315/551, 358/1.15, 709/250
• US Class Current: 705/26.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text

Abstract

A system and method for changing attributes of an image-based product in which an attribute of a first image is automatically identified and a new value for a product attribute of the image-based product is automatically selected based on the image attribute. Also, a user interface can be provided that allows a user to actuate a user interface control in order to select a new value for a product attribute of an image-based product. Such techniques can be used to offer image-based products for sale over a computer network such as the Internet so that the user can change attributes of the image-based products before ordering.

Claims

1. A method for providing a user on a client computer an interface for changing one or more product attributes of an image-based product that incorporates at least a portion of a first image, the client computer being in communication with a server and having a display and a pointing device operatively coupled to a cursor displayed on the display, the method comprising:

displaying an image selection control that, when actuated, supplies an image selection to the server, the image selection identifying an image;

displaying an image feature control for controlling a feature associated with the identified image; and

displaying a preview image of the image-based product;

receiving text;

wherein the image feature control includes a text entry control that, when actuated, supplies the received text to the server; and

displaying a text position selection control including a plurality of versions of the image, each version of the image including at least a portion of the received text located in a different text position on the image, wherein the text position selection control, when actuated, supplies a text position selection to the server, the text position selection corresponding to one of the text positions, wherein a user can actuate the text position selection control by clicking on one of the versions of the image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the image feature control includes a control of border width that, when actuated, supplies a new border size value to the server so that the server can change a border product attribute of the image-based product to the new border size value.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the border width control is a button associated with a minimum border size.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the border width control is part of web page that is downloaded by a browser executing on the client computer.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

displaying a print-size control that, when actuated, supplies a new print-size value to the server so that the server can change a print-size product attribute of the image-based product to the new print-size value.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the print-size control is a selection box having a plurality of print-size selections a user can select.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the print-size control is part of web page that is downloaded by a browser executing on the client computer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the text entry control is a text entry field in which a user can enter text.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the text entry control is part of a web page that is downloaded by a browser executing on the client computer.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the text position selection control is part of a web page that is downloaded by a browser executing on the client computer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the image selection control is part of web page that is downloaded by a browser executing on the client computer and includes a plurality of thumbnail images, wherein the user can actuate the image selection control by clicking on a thumbnail image.

12. A method for providing a user on a client computer an interface for changing one or more product attributes of an image-based product that incorporates at least a portion of a first image, the client computer being in communication with a server and having a display and a pointing device operatively coupled to a cursor displayed on the display, the method comprising:

displaying an image selection control that, when actuated, supplies an image selection to the server, the image selection identifying an image;

receiving text;

displaying a text entry control that, when actuated, supplies the received text to the server; and

displaying a text position selection control including a plurality of versions of the image, each version of the image including at least a portion of the received text located in a different text position on the image, wherein the text position selection control, when actuated, supplies a text position selection to the server, the text position selection corresponding to one of the text positions, wherein a user can actuate the text position selection control by clicking on one of the versions of the image.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the image selection control is part of web page that is downloaded by a browser executing on the client computer and includes a plurality of thumbnail images, wherein the user can actuate the image selection control by clicking on a thumbnail image.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the text entry control is a text entry field in which a user can enter text.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the text entry control is part of a web page that is downloaded by a browser executing oui the client computer.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the text position selection control is part of a web page that is downloaded by a browser executing on the client computer.