System, method and apparatus for converting and integrating media files

• US 20030033331A1
• Filed: 04/10/2001
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated (Adobe Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated (Adobe Inc.)
• Inventors: Lynch, Kevin, Sena, Raffaele, Kitani, Keith, Monson, Nathaniel D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,039,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/513
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9577 Optimising the visualization of content, e.g. distillation of HTML documents
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/972 Access to data in other repository systems, e.g. legacy data or dynamic Web page generation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/913 Multimedia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/952 Malicious software
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/959 Network
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users

Abstract

The present invention teaches a digital media file conversion and integration system including a server coupled to the Internet to allow users to download media files to a server the Internet. The system contains devices to screen, compress, and update the media files, devices to break down the media files into low level components, devices to convert one or media files to an intermediate format and then combine the intermediate formats to create an output format, devices to convert output formats to a presentation file, electronic storage to allow third party access to the presentation file through the Internet or email. Presentation files can be created for electronic devices such as portable digital assistants or cellular phones. Users can choose from several output formats. Users can subscribe to the presentation service or pay per use. In an alternate embodiment, users can author digital media files on a personal computer and download the authored file to the presentation conversion system.

Claims

1. A digital media conversion and integration system, which comprises:

(a) a central processing unit (CPU);

(b) a communication device capable of sending electronic files to the Internet or an email account;

(c) a communication device capable of receiving electronic files from the Internet or an email account;

(d) a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, the computer program comprising;

(1) an input handler code segment stored on a computer readable medium executable at said digital media conversion and integration system, said input handler code segment for checking incoming digital media files;

(2) a publishing manager code segment stored on a computer readable medium executable at said digital media conversion and integration system;

said publishing manager code segment for controlling and scheduling said digital media conversion and integration system;

(3) a digital media transformation code segment stored on a computer readable medium executable at said digital media conversion and integration system, said digital media transformation code segment for converting at least one input digital media file into an output digital media file of a different type;

(4) a presentation formatting code segment stored on a computer readable medium, executable at said media conversion and integration system, said presentation formatting code segment for converting said output digital media file so that it may be viewed by a third party;

(e) an electronic data storage device, which includes a computer readable medium; and

(f) a computer memory coupled to said central processing unit.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said publishing manager code segment includes a customer request input page, said input page for a customer to request a digital media output format.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer program embodied on a computer readable medium further comprises a device building code segment, said device building code segment for allowing said output digital media file to be viewed by at least one type of electronic device.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, where said input handler code segment includes a screening code segment said screening code segment for screening incoming digital media files for viruses.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, where said input handler module includes a file error detection module, said file error detection module for screening said incoming digital media files for file errors.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, where said input handler code segment includes an update screening code segment said update screening code segment for screening said incoming digital media files to determine if the said digital media file format is in a current format.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, where said input handler code segment includes an updating code segment said updating code segment for converting said incoming digital media files to a current software file format.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, where said input handler code segment includes a compression code segment said compression code segment for compressing said incoming digital media files.

9. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said digital media transformation code segment further comprises a Powerpoint conversion code segment for converting a Powerpoint file to an output digital media file.

10. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein said Powerpoint conversion code segment further comprises a Powerpoint-audio code segment said Powerpoint-audio code segment for converting said Powerpoint file and an audio file into a single presentation file.

11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said digital media transformation code segment further comprises a digital audio code segment said digital audio code segment for converting an audio file into another type of audio file.

12. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said digital media transformation code segment further comprises a digital video code segment said digital video code segment for converting an video file into another type of video file.

13. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said digital media transformation code segment further comprises a XML conversion code segment said XML conversion code segment for converting a digital media file into an XML file.

14. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein said Powerpoint conversion code segment further comprises a Powerpoint-XML code segment said Powerpoint-XML code segment for converting said Powerpoint file into an XML file.

15. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said digital media transformation code segment further comprises a timing code segment, said time code segment for placing markers in a stream of data from a digital media file which notifies that an audio file code segment is to be integrated with said digital media file.

16. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein said Powerpoint conversion code segment further comprises a Powerpoint-animation code segment said Powerpoint-animation code segment for converting said Powerpoint file and an animation file into a single presentation file.

17. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said digital media transformation code segment further comprises a supporting presentation code segment, said supporting presentation code segment for marking media file data with a data code segment that indicates that additional text or graphics is to be added to a presentation file at that point and then adding code representing said additional text or graphics to said media file data at said point.

18. The system recited in claim 1, wherein said digital media transformation code segment further comprises a Flash conversion code segment, said Flash conversion for converting an XML file to an output digital media file which can be viewed by a player which uses Flash.

19. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the presentation formatting code segment comprises a presentation player execution code segment, said presentation player execution code segment for displaying a presentation file over the Internet on a third party said third party viewing the presentation file using a personal computer.

20. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein said presentation player execution code segment is stored on a computer readable medium, which can be accessed by a third party and downloaded through said communications device.

21. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the presentation player execution code segment is further comprised of a Flash player code segment, said Flash player code segment for viewing a presentation which contains animation.

22. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the presentation player execution code segment is further comprised of a DHTML player code segment, said DHTML player code segment for viewing a presentation by said third party over the Internet.

23. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the presentation player execution code segment is further comprised of a DHTML-32 bit audio player code segment, said DHTML-32 bit audio player code segment for viewing a presentation by said third party over the Internet.

24. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the in said digital media transformation code segment further comprises a wav conversion code segment, said wav conversion code segment for converting a .wav file to a 32-bit .au file.

25. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein said device building code segment includes a cellphone device code segment, said cellphone device code segment for enabling a presentation to be viewed on a cellular telephone screen.

26. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein said device building code segment includes a PDA device code segment, said PDA device code segment for enabling a presentation to be viewed on a Personal Digital Assistant screen.

27. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein said device building code segment includes a real media format code segment, said real media format code segment for enabling a presentation to be viewed by a Real®

player.

28. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein said device building code segment includes a windows media format code segment, said windows media format code segment for enabling a presentation to be viewed by a Windows Media®

player.

29. The system as recited in claim 1, which further comprises an additional preliminary authoring and preparation code segment, which is executable at an off-site personal computer.

30. The system as recited in claim 29, in which said additional preliminary authoring and preparation code segment can be downloaded onto said personal computer from the Internet.

31. The system as recited in claim 29, in which said additional preliminary authoring and preparation code segment further comprises a powerpoint-audio add in code segment, said powerpoint-audio add in code segment for adding an audio file to a Powerpoint®

presentation to create a powerpoint with audio media file.

32. The system as recited in claim 31, which further comprises a means to download said powerpoint with audio media file into said input handler code segment.

106. The system as recited in claim 19, further comprised of means for resizing a window, said window for displaying said presentation file.

109. The system as recited in claim 1, wherin said digital media transformation code segment is further comprised of at least one of the following:

a). a code segment stored on a computer readable medium, said code segment for examining a digital media file for picture primitives;

b). a code segment stored on a computer readable medium, said code segment for examining a digital media file for audio primitives;

c). a code segment stored on a computer readable medium, said code segment for examining a digital media file for text primitives;

d). a code segment stored on a computer readable medium, said code segment for examining a digital media file for animation primitives;

e). a code segment stored on a computer readable medium, said code segment for examining a digital media file for graphics primitives; and

f). a code segment stored on a computer readable medium, said code segment for examining a digital media file for supporting material primitives;

110. The system as recited in claim 1, wherin said digital media transformation code segment is further comprised of at least one of the following:

a). a code segment stored on a computer readable medium, said code segment for breaking down picture primitives into components;

b). a code segment stored on a computer readable medium, said code segment for breaking down audio primitives into components;

c). a code segment stored on a computer readable medium, said code segment for breaking down text primitives into components;

d). a code segment stored on a computer readable medium, said code segment for breaking down animation primitives into components;

e). a code segment stored on a computer readable medium, said code segment for breaking down graphics primitives into components; and

f). a code segment stored on a computer readable medium, said code segment for breaking down supporting material primitives into components.

33. A method for converting and integrating at least one digital media file, said method comprising the acts of:

a. transferring said at least one digital media file from a computer to another computer through a communications device;

b. loading said at least one digital media file onto a computer readable medium;

c. preparing said at least one digital media file for conversion by screening for viruses and file errors and compressing the file;

d. converting said at least one digital media file to an intermediate digital media format file;

e. if there are more than one of said at least one digital media files, integrating said intermediate digital media format files so that there is a single intermediate digital media output, and then converting said single intermediate digital media output to a digital media output format;

f. if there is not more than one of said at least one digital media files, converting said single intermediate digital media format file to a digital media output format into a digital media output file;

g. storing said digital output media file on a computer readable medium;

h. allowing access to said digital output media file by a third party.

34. The method as recited in claim 33, with the additional act of receiving a request from a client for a desired digital media output format.

35. The method as recited in claim 33, with the additional act of placing said digital output media file on a server so that it may be viewed by said third party via the Internet.

36. The method as recited in claim 33, where said act of loading at least one digital media file includes the act of communicating between a remote party and a central database processing resource through a computer network, providing credit card information of the remote user prior to providing access to the system and allowing access to the remote user after charging a credit card for such access.

37. The method as recited in claim 33 with the additional act of converting said digital media output file to a presentation file for an electronic device.

38. The method as recited in claim 33 which further comprises of the additional act emailing said digital media output file to a third party, so that a third party may store said digital media output file.

39. The method as recited in claim 33 comprised of the additional act of hosting said at least one web page for said third party allowing said third party to view said desired digital media output.

41. A method for converting and integrating multiple digital media files as recited in claim 33 wherein the user subscribes to a service in which said user is entitled to use said method a set number of times per period of time.

42. A method for converting and integrating multiple digital media files as recited in claim 33 wherein the user pays for a one time conversion and posting.

43. The method for converting and integrating multiple digital media files as recited in claim 33 wherein the user purchases software on a computer readable medium which allows access to the digital media file conversion service.

44. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein said act of converting said digital media output file to a presentation file for an electronic device, where said electronic device is a cellular telephone.

45. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein said act of converting said digital media output file to a presentation file for an electronic device, where said electronic device is a personal digital assistant.

46. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein said act of converting said digital media output file to a presentation file for an electronic device, where said electronic device is a computer with a Flash plug-in.

47. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein said act of converting said digital media output file to a presentation file for an electronic device, where said electronic device is a computer.

48. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein said act of converting said digital media output file to a presentation file for an electronic device, where said electronic device is a hand-held computer.

52. A method a recited in claim 36 with the additional act of scaling an amount charged to the user based on the complexity of the digital media file conversion.

88. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said act of converting said at least one digital media file further comprises the act of converting a Powerpoint®

file to an intermediate digital media format file.

89. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said act of converting said at least one digital media file further comprises the act of converting a Powerpoint®

file and an audio file into an intermediate digital media format file.

90. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said act of converting said at least one digital media file further comprises the act of converting an audio file of one type and an audio file of another type into an intermediate digital media format file.

91. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said act of converting said at least one digital media file further comprises the act of converting a video file into an intermediate digital media format file.

92. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said act of converting said at least one digital media file further comprises the act of converting said at least on digital media file into an XML file.

93. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said act of converting said at least one digital media file further comprises the act of converting a Powerpoint®

file into an XML file.

94. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said act of converting said at least one digital media file further comprises the act of converting a timing file into an intermediate digital media format file, said act for placing markers in a stream of data from a digital media file which notifies that an audio file code segment is to be integrated with said digital media file.

95. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said act of converting said at least one digital media file further comprises the act of converting a Powerpoint®

file and an animation file into an intermediate digital media format file, said act for converting said Powerpoint®

file and an animation file into a single presentation file.

96. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said act of converting said at least one digital media file further comprises the act of converting a supporting presentation file into an intermediate digital media format file, said conversion for marking media file data with a data code segment that indicates that additional text or graphics is to be added and then adding code representing said additional text or graphics to said media file data.

97. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said act of converting said at least one digital media file further comprises the act of converting an XML file to an output digital media file which can be viewed by a player which uses Flash.

98. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the act of converting said digital media output file to a presentation file comprised the additional act of converting a digital media output file so that it may be viewed by a Flash player.

99. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the act of converting said digital media output file to a presentation file comprised the additional act of converting a digital media output file so that it may be viewed by a Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language player.

100. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the act of converting said digital media output file to a presentation file comprised the additional act of converting a digital media output file so that it may be viewed by a DHTML-32 bit audio player over the Internet.

101. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said act of converting said at least one digital media file further comprises the act of converting a .wav file to a 32-bit .au file.

102. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein said act of converting said digital media output file to a presentation file for an electronic device, where said electronic device is a computer using a Real Player®

.

103. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein said act of converting said digital media output file to a presentation file for an electronic device, where said electronic device is a computer using a Windows Media Player®

.

105. The method as recited in claim 33 comprised of the additional act of scaling a presentation window.

107. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein said act of converting said at least one digital media file to an intermediate digital media format file is further comprised of at least one of the following acts:

a). examining said file for picture primitives;

b). examining said file for audio primitives;

c). examining said file for text primitives;

d). examining said file for animation primitives;

e). examining said file for graphics primitives; and

f). examining file for supporting material primitives;

40. A method for converting and integrating at least one digital media file, said method comprising the acts of:

(a) obtaining access to an Internet site from which software may be downloaded;

(b) downloading digital media preparation software onto a personal computer;

(c) installing said digital media preparation software on said personal computer;

(d) editing a digital media file using said digital media preparation software;

(e) running a web preparation code segment executable at said personal computer, said web preparation code segment for assisting a user in authoring a presentation;

(f) loading said digital media file into a database through a Internet connection or email;

(g) loading at least one digital media file onto a database;

(h) loading a desired digital media output format from a user;

(i) converting said at least one digital media file to an intermediate digital media format output;

(j) converting said intermediate digital media format in a presentation file;

(k) if there are more than one of said at least one digital media files, integrating said intermediate digital media format, so that there is a single intermediate digital media output;

(l) converting said single intermediate digital media output into a digital output media file;

(m) storing said digital output media file on a computer readable medium;

(n) allowing a third party to access said digital output media file.

104. The method as recited in claim 40, in which said act of editing a digital media file further the act of editing a Powerpoint®

file and an audio file.

49. A data structure stored on a computer readable medium for determining a desired output presentation format, in which said data structure stores a user'"'"'s desired output presentation format, said desired output presentation format chosen from a presented list of formats.

50. A data structure stored on a computer readable medium for determining a desired device presentation format, in which said data structure stores a user'"'"'s request for desired device presentation format, said desired device presentation format chosen from a presented list of devices available.

51. The data structure as recited in claim 50, which is comprised of a plurality of said desired device presentation formats.

53. A digital media conversion and integration system comprising:

a. means for receiving at least one input digital media file;

b. means for testing said at least one input digital media file;

c. means for converting at least one input digital media file into at least one output digital media file of a different type;

d. means for storing said at least one output digital media file so it may be accessed by a third party; and

e. means for publishing said at least one output digital media file so that said file may be view by third parties.

54. The digital media conversion and integration system as recited in claim 53, wherein said means for testing at least one input digital media file for errors further comprises means for checking said at least one input digital media file for computer viruses.

55. The digital media conversion and integration system as recited in claim 53, wherein said means for testing at least one input digital media file includes a means for compressing said at least one digital media file.

56. The digital media conversion and integration system as recited in claim 53, wherein said means for testing at least one input digital media file includes means for updating said at least one digital media file to a current format.

57. The digital media conversion and integration system recited in claim 53, wherein said at least one input digital media file is a Powerpoint®

file.

58. The digital media conversion and integration system claim 53 wherein said means for converting at least one input digital media file further comprises means for converting a plurality of at least one input digital media files into at least one output digital media file.

59. The digital media conversion and integration system recited in claim 58, wherein said plurality of at least one input digital media files is a Powerpoint®

file and a digital audio file.

60. The digital media conversion and integration system claim 53, wherein said means for means for converting at least one digital media file into at least one output digital media file of a different type occurs on a Windows®

platform.

61. The digital media conversion and integration system claim 53, wherein said means for means for converting at least one digital media file into at least one output digital media file of a different type occurs on a LINUX platform.

62. The digital media conversion and integration system claim 53, wherein said means for means for converting at least one digital media file into at least one output digital media file of a different type occurs on a UNIX platform.

63. The digital media conversion and integration system claim 53, wherein said means for means for converting at least one digital media file into at least one output digital media file of a different type occurs on a Macintosh®

platform.

64. The digital media conversion and integration system recited in claim 53 wherein said means for converting said at least one input digital media file into said at least one output digital media file of a different type wherein said at least one digital media file is a Powerpoint®

file and said at least one output digital media file is an XML file.

65. The system as recited in claim 53, further comprised of means for sending a file through the Internet.

66. The system as recited in claim 53, wherein the system is further comprised means for screening said input digital media file in order to determine if said input digital media file is in an acceptable format for processing by said system.

67. The system as recited in claim 53, wherein said means for converting said at least one input digital media file into at least one output digital media file of a different type, further comprises means for converting an audio file into another type of audio file.

68. The system as recited in claim 53, wherein said means for converting said at least one input digital media file into at least one output digital media file of a different type further comprises means for converting an video file into another type of video file.

69. The system as recited in claim 53, wherein said means for converting said at least one input digital media file into at least one output digital media file of a different type further comprises means for converting an XML file into a presentation file, which can be viewed over the Internet.

70. The system as recited in claim 53, wherein said means for converting said at least one input digital media file into at least one output digital media file of a different type further comprises means for converting Powerpoint®

file into a presentation file, which can be viewed over the Internet.

71. The system as recited in claim 53, wherein said means for converting said at least one input digital media file into at least one output digital media file of a different type further comprises means for adding timing information into said at least one input digital media file.

72. The system as recited in claim 53, wherein said means for converting at least one input digital media file into at least one output digital media file of a different type further comprises means for converting a Powerpoint®

file and a digital media file containing animation into a presentation file which can be viewed over the Internet.

73. The system as recited in claim 53, wherein said means for converting at least one input digital media file into at least one output digital media file of a different type further comprises means for adding a presentation supporting file information to said at least one input digital media file.

74. The system as recited in claim 53, wherein said means for converting at least one input digital media file into at least one output digital media file of a different type further comprises means for converting an XML file to an output digital media file which can be viewed by a player which uses Flash.

75. The system as recited in claim 53, which further comprises means for allowing a viewer to view a presentation file over the Internet.

76. The system as recited in claim 75, which further comprises means for allowing a viewer with a Flash plug-in to view a presentation over the Internet.

77. The system as recited in claim 75, which further comprises means for allowing a viewer to view a presentation in DHTML with 32 kbs format.

78. The system as recited in claim 75, wherein said means for converting at least one input digital media file into at least one output digital media file of a different type further comprises means for converting a .wav file to a 32-bit .au file.

79. The system as recited in claim 53, further comprised of means for creating a presentation that can be shown on a cellular telephone screen.

80. The system as recited in claim 53, further comprised of means for creating a presentation that can be shown on a personal digital assistant screen.

81. The system as recited in claim 53, further comprised of means for creating a presentation which can be shown on a viewed by a Real®

player.

82. The system as recited in claim 53, further comprised of means for creating a presentation which can be shown on a viewed by a Windows Media®

player.

83. The system as recited in claim 53, which further comprises means for allowing a third party to add sound to a Powerpoint®

file on a personal computer.

84. The system as recited in claim 83, in which said for allowing a third party to add sound to a Powerpoint®

file on a personal computer further comprises means to download the file to said system from said personal computer.

85. The system as recited in claim 53, which further comprises the means to compile an error log, said error log for detecting and reporting events during the process of loading and converting digital media files.

86. The system as recited in claim 53, which further comprises the means for notifying a customer of the progress of a digital media project, said means for notifying a customer in real-time or substantial real-time of the progress of a digital media conversion and integration project.

87. The digital media conversion and integration system recited in claim 53, wherein said means for converting said at least one input digital media file into said at least one output digital media file of a different type further comprises at least one of the following:

(a) a set of media breakdown means, said breakdown means for converting a digital media input file into at least one set of low-level components;

(b) a set of integration means, said integration means for combining said at least one set of low-level components into an intermediate digital media file;

(c) A set of media output conversion means, said media output conversion means for converting said intermediate digital media file into a desired out media file.

108. The method as recited in step 107 wherein said act of converting said at least one digital media file to an intermediate digital media format file is further comprised of at least one of the following acts:

a). breaking down said picture primitives into components;

b). breaking down said audio primitives into components;

c). breaking down said text primitives into components;

d). breaking down said animation primitives into components;

e). breaking down said graphics primitives into components; and

f). breaking down said supporting material primitives into components.