Dynamic interactive processes for unaided browsers

• US 20020049847A1
• Filed: 04/24/2001
• Published: 04/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cardblast.com
• Original Assignee: Cardblast.com
• Inventors: Lo, Daniel, McArdle, Wendy C., DʼSouza, Val
• Application Number:
  US09/841,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20020049847A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions

Abstract

A method and computerized system for creation, assembling, sending, exchanging and receiving of digital images via an unassisted web browser is disclosed. The method facilitates secure collaborative work between separated individuals across the internet.

Claims

1. A method for using at least a pair of computers interconnected by means of one or more networks and each provided with a typical internet browser, a color-display screen and input devices including at least a pointing device and a keyboard, whereby information exchange is facilitated between them utilizing a remote, contactable website, the method comprising:

(A) said first individual inputting into first computer parameters sufficient to achieve a workable network connection to said contactable website;

(B) after establishment of a workable network interconnection, first said individual further providing inputs into first computer consisting of;

(1.) a job identifier and password for a previously-stored, still-active-status and website-stored job file containing all prior work on said job, said identifier being associated with the password-secured job file as most-recently modified, or

(2.) keyboard or pointer responses to predetermined input data- or selection-field prompts displayed by said remote site i. sufficient to initiate, create and password-save an identified new job;

(C) first said individual further inputting into first computer inputs sufficient to produce one or more changes of said identified job file selected from;

(1.) original-input graphic or text elements, (2.) additional site-displayed graphic or site-displayed text files, (3.) additional executable program files capable of modifying any existing elements, (4.) reformatting, correcting or rewording of a text element and (5.) modifying color, appearance, position, spatial arrangement or form of a graphic element, using customized graphic and text tools provided at said contact site;

(D) first said individual further inputting into the computer command parameters to cause the site system to save said resulting job file in a designated portion of site memory and exiting from said remote site;

E) at a subsequent point in time and during said active-interval for said job file,

(1.) said first individual communicates sufficient “

password”

data to said second user that latter may access said stored job on a computer,

(2.) second said individual further inputting into second computer said “

password” and

sufficient other selection parameters to cause said site to display said job file and permit a full range of creative actions including but not limited to editing, printing, emailing,

(3.) said second individual further inputting text, options, elections and selections as desired to interact with said job file,

(4.) upon completion of said interaction steps, said second individual providing computer inputs sufficient to cause said site system to save changed job file in a designated portion of site memory and upon completion of the save, exiting from said remote site;

whereupon subsequently said first, second or both or other designated individuals may continue to interact repeatedly and sequentially with said job file using said computers and said contactable site.

2. An online system for creating and exchanging electronic images-messages, including an internet-connectable remote computer system provided with a website system for online interactive image-message creation and communication-message exchange between users of said website, said website system comprising:

(a) a server comprising at least a digital memory store with connected processor and having graphic-management programs removably rigged therein,

(b) a user-friendly online screen-prompt environment which facilitates user'"'"'s access to an array of manipulation tools and an array of predetermined graphic resources, said tools and resources engageable by a keyboard and/or known pointing device for creating images and sending electronic messages containing images and other data formats, said resources including one or more topical image categories, each said category including at least one displaceable background graphic, one or more displaceable main graphic elements and other linkable files including but not limited to animation, audio, video each said file being provided with a distinctive, displaceable icon, said resources further including certain user-specific data selected from;

(1) one or more address books containing addresses for persons belonging to a selected class or possessing certain interests whose interests may be similar to those of the user, (2) a user-related personal database and (3) other personal data, said tools including at least preview and send functions;

(c) a short-term dynamic image database for drag-and-drop electronic image creation steps and data manipulation including handling;

(1) one or more said topical background canvases and (2) one or more said topical elements, said topical elements including but not limited to text, graphics, animations, sounds and video clips to be placed upon or associated with said backgrounds;

(d) a long-term user database for storing an array of user-specific information, said database having provisions for indexing and storing any type of electronic information including one or more of;

user'"'"'s contact data files, user'"'"'s browser-type user electronic address books and other electronic media files containing still graphics, text, data, animation, audio and video and;

(e) sufficient designated memory space to store user-related database records on messages for immediate transmission or for storage including;

(1) details of every real-time or online transmission including time, site, address, message size and (2) for storing complete messages in addition to attachments being held in draft form or for transmission at a designated future date-time.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said website system includes site-unique programs adapted to perform an array of image-generation steps, said programs providing image-manipulation capabilities further comprising:

(a) providing user with an online access to the following site-generated pages;

(a1) image creation page linked to an image database and

(a2) one or more send pages linked to said user graphics database and user'"'"'s recipient addresses in said user'"'"'s address book

(b) providing user with access to graphic backgrounds and elements and allowing the user to use one of;

(b1) a computer mouse and

(b2) other computer pointing device, to drag and drop said elements on the said backgrounds thereby dynamically creating electronic images;

(c) providing users with access to said send database, thereby allowing users to send said dynamically-created images to a designated recipient via email;

(d) providing user with access to his own previously created images by linking them with said user database, whereby user is provided an opportunity to edit or delete previously-created images;

(e) providing user with access to a supplemental custom address book within or linked to said user database;

whereby said user may electronically send images to addresses or persons listed in said user'"'"'s address book.

3. A unique collaboration result defined by progressive mutual agreement and the related information-exchange method between two or more individuals accomplished using at least a pair of computers interconnected by means of one or more networks and each provided with a typical internet browser, a color-display screen and input devices including at least a pointing device and a keyboard, and a third site-server-computer rigged with user-accessible graphics and text management algorithms and located at a contactable internet website, the information-exchange method comprising the steps:

(A) said first individual inputting into first computer parameters sufficient to achieve a workable network connection to said contactable website;

(B) after establishment of a workable network interconnection, first said individual further providing inputs into first computer consisting of;

(1.) a job identifier and password for a previously-stored, still-active-status and website-stored job file containing all prior work on said job, said identifier being associated with the password-secured job file as most-recently modified, or

(2.) keyboard or pointer responses to predetermined input data- or selection-field prompts displayed by said remote site sufficient to initiate, create and password-save an identified new job;

(C) first said individual further inputting into first computer inputs sufficient to produce one or more changes of said identified job file selected from;

(1.) original-input graphic or text elements, (2.) additional site-displayed graphic or site-displayed text files, (3.) additional executable program files capable of modifying any existing elements, (4.) reformatting, correcting or rewording of a text element and (5.) modifying color, appearance, position, spatial arrangement or form of a graphic element, using customized graphic and text tools provided at said contact site;

(D) first said individual further inputting into the computer command parameters to cause the site system to save said resulting job file in a designated portion of site memory and exiting from said remote site;

(E) at a subsequent point in time and during said active-interval for said job file,

(1.) said first individual communicates sufficient “

password”

data to said second user that latter may access said stored job on a computer,

(2.) second said individual further inputting into second computer said “

password” and

sufficient other selection parameters to cause said site to display said job file and permit a full range of creative information-exchange actions including but not limited to editing, printing, emailing,

(3.) said second individual further inputting text, options, elections and selections as desired to interact with said job file,

(4.) upon completion of said interaction steps, said second individual providing computer inputs sufficient to cause said site system to save changed job file in a designated portion of site memory and upon completion of the save, exiting from said remote site;

(F) subsequently said first, second or both individuals continue to interact sufficiently and sequentially with said job file until both individuals are satisfied with all aspects of the job, whereby said information-exchange process produces a unique collaboration result.

5. The information-exchange method of claim 3 wherein the collaboration result is a greeting card sent to one or more user-selected recipients and the information-exchange method involves a single individual creating said card by one or more of:

(a) selecting site-available graphics and text, (b) utilizing features provided by computer inputs and internet connection to generate new graphics and text, and (c) uploading files from an external source containing text or graphics to said contactable website.

6. The information-exchange method of claim 3 wherein the collaboration result is a technical graphic to specify a mechanical or architectural design and the information-exchange method involves participation from two or more individuals representing different professional disciplines, said technical graphic being created by one of more of:

(a) selecting site-available graphics, spreadsheets and text, (b) utilizing features provided by computer inputs and internet connection to generate new graphics, spreadsheets and text, and (c) uploading files from an external source containing text, spreadsheets or graphics to said contactable website.

7. The information-exchange method of claim 3 wherein the collaboration result is a gift certificate sent to a selected recipient and information-exchange method involves a single individual creating said certificate by one or more of:

(a) selecting site-available graphics and text (b) utilizing features provided by computer inputs and internet connection to generate new graphics and text, and (c) uploading files from an external source containing text or graphics to said contactable website.

8. The information-exchange method of claim 3 wherein the collaboration result is an invitation sent to a selected recipient and information-exchange method involves a single individual creating said invitation by one or more of:

(a) selecting site-available graphics and text, (b) utilizing features provided by computer inputs and internet connection to generate new graphics and text, and (c) uploading files from an external source containing text or graphics to said contactable website.