System and methods for displaying user modifiable server-rendered images

• US 8,775,920 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2011
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cimpress Schweiz GmbH (Cimpress Plc)
• Original Assignee: Vistaprint Schweiz GmbH (Cimpress Plc)
• Inventors: Eilers, Laban, Moody, Jay T.
• Primary Examiner(s): RIES, LAURIE ANNE
• Application Number:
  US13/205,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20110296296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 715/205, 715/206, 715/208, 715/221, 715/243, 715/246, 715/230, 715/255
• US Class Current: 715/205
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9577 Optimising the visualization of content, e.g. distillation of HTML documents

Abstract

A system and method permits design of customized items on a client device using a web page. The client device receives a web page from a web server that includes, among other things, a design document encoding graphic elements that completely characterize a design image. The client device receives edits to the graphic elements, and sends a modified design document back to the server. The server then uses the design document to render an image, and sends to the client the server-rendered image for display in the web page. The web page may define an area in which to display the server-rendered image. The server may use a database to store the rendered image and use it in completing a customer order.

Claims

1. A method of designing customized items comprising:

a. receiving from a web server a web page containing (i) a design document encoding graphic elements having properties, (ii) a first server-rendered composite image of an item bearing a design characterized by the graphic elements, and (iii) a form for sending properties of the graphic elements to the web server, the form targeting a defined area of the web page;

b. displaying the web page using a display device;

c. receiving edits to the properties of the graphic elements;

d. sending a modified design document to the web server using the form, the modified design document including (i) data that reflect the received edits and (ii) all image state information necessary to render a composite image;

e. receiving a second server-rendered composite image of the item from the web server, the second server-rendered composite image having been rendered using the sent modified design document; and

f. displaying the second server-rendered composite image of the item in the area of the web page targeted by the form.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the defined area of the web page is defined by an IFRAME.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the web page comprises a link to a design image editor for editing the properties of the graphic elements.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising repeating steps (c)-(f) to change the customized image.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising submitting notice to the web server that the process of customization is complete.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising submitting order information to the web server to purchase a customized item bearing the design characterized by the graphic elements.

7. A user computer system for designing customized items comprising:

an input device;

a display device; and

a processor configured to;

a. receive, from a web server, a web page containing (i) a design document encoding graphic elements having properties, (ii) a first server-rendered composite image of an item bearing a design characterized by the graphic elements, and (iii) a form for sending properties of the graphic elements to the web server, the form targeting a defined area of the web page;

b. cause the web page to be displayed using the display device;

c. receive, from the input device, edits to the properties of the graphic elements;

d. send a modified design document to the web server using the form, the modified design document including (i) data that reflect the received edits and (ii) all image state information necessary to render a composite image;

e. receive, from the web server, a second server-rendered composite image of the item, the second server-rendered composite image having been rendered using the sent modified design document; and

f. cause the second server-rendered composite image of the item to be displayed, using the display device, in the area of the web page targeted by the form.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the input device, display device, and processor comprise one of a personal computer, a portable computer, a tablet computer, a wireless handheld device, a product design kiosk, a workstation, or a computer terminal.

9. A system according to claim 7, wherein the web page comprises a link to a design image editor for editing the properties of the graphic elements.

10. A system according to claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to repeat steps (c)-(f) to change the customized image.

11. A system according to claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to submit notice to the web server that a process of customization is complete.

12. A system according to claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to submit order information to the web server to purchase a customized item bearing the design characterized by the graphic elements.

13. A computer program product for designing customized items comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium on which is stored computer program code for:

a. receiving from a web server a web page containing (i) a design document encoding graphic elements having properties, (ii) a first server-rendered composite image of an item bearing a design characterized by the graphic elements, and (iii) a form for sending properties of the graphic elements to the web server, the form targeting a defined area of the web page;

b. displaying the web page using a display device;

c. receiving edits to the properties of the graphic elements;

d. sending a modified design document to the web server using the form, the modified design document including (i) data that reflect the received edits and (ii) all image state information necessary to render a composite image;

e. receiving a second server-rendered composite image of the item from the web server, the second server-rendered composite image having been rendered using the sent modified design document; and

f. displaying the second server-rendered composite image of the item in the area of the web page targeted by the form.

14. A product according to claim 13, wherein the defined area of the web page is defined by an IFRAME.

15. A product according to claim 13, further comprising program code for activating a link in the web page to a design image editor for editing the properties of the graphic elements.

16. A product according to claim 13, further comprising program code for repeating steps (c)-(f) to change the customized image.

17. A product according to claim 13, further comprising program code for submitting notice to the web server that the process of customization is complete.

18. A product according to claim 13, further comprising program code for submitting order information to the web server to purchase a customized item bearing the design characterized by the graphic elements.

19. A method of customizing items for purchase, the method comprising:

a. providing, to a client device, a product design web page containing (i) a design document encoding graphic elements having properties, (ii) a first rendered composite image of an item bearing a design characterized by the graphic elements, and (iii) a form for sending properties of the graphic elements to the web server, the form targeting a defined area of the web page;

b. receiving, from the client device using the form, a modified design document that includes (i) data that reflect edits to the properties of the graphic elements and (ii) all image state information necessary to render a composite image;

c. rendering a second composite image of the item using the received modified design document; and

d. sending the rendered second composite image of the item to the client device for display in the area of the web page targeted by the form.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the defined area of the web page is defined by an IFRAME.

21. A method according to claim 19, further comprising repeating steps (b)-(d) until a design process is complete.

22. A method according to claim 19, further comprising:

receiving, from the client device, a final design document and a customer order for production of a customized item corresponding to the final design document; and

writing the design document and customer order into a database for production of the customized item.

23. A system for customizing items for purchase, the system comprising:

a web server programmed to;

provide, to a client device, a web page containing (i) a design document encoding graphic elements having properties, (ii) a first rendered composite image of an item bearing a design characterized by the graphic elements, and (iii) a form for sending properties of the graphic elements to the web server, the form targeting a defined area of the web page,

receive, from the client device using the form, a modified design document that includes (i) data that reflect edits to the properties of the graphic elements and (ii) all image state information necessary to render a composite image,

render a second composite image of the item using the received modified design document, and

send the rendered second composite image of the item to the client device for display in the area of the web page targeted by the form; and

a database for storing a final design document and a customer order for use in producing the customized item.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein the defined area of the web page is defined by an IFRAME.

25. A computer program product for customizing items for purchase comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium on which is stored computer program code for:

a. providing, to a client device, a product design web page containing (i) a design document encoding graphic elements having properties, (ii) a first rendered composite image of an item bearing a design characterized by the graphic elements, and (iii) a form for sending properties of the graphic elements to the web server, the form targeting a defined area of the web page;

b. receiving, from the client device using the form, a modified design document that includes (i) data that reflect edits to the properties of the graphic elements and (ii) all image state information necessary to render a composite image;

c. rendering a second composite image of the item using the received modified design document; and

d. sending the rendered second composite image of the item to the client device for display in the area of the web page targeted by the form.

26. A product according to claim 25, wherein the defined area of the web page is defined by an IFRAME.

27. A product according to claim 25, further comprising program code for repeating steps (b)-(d) until a design process is complete.

28. A product according to claim 25, further comprising program code for:

receiving, from the client device, a final design document and a customer order for production of a customized item corresponding to the final design document; and

writing the design document and customer order into a database for production of the customized item.