Dynamic-template incorporation of digital images in an electronic mail message

• US 20040183830A1
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Joshi, Tanuja Abhay, Day, DeEtte M., Fortini, Christian, Cody, Brian R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,380,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/752
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

A method and system for execution in a graphical user interface environment are provided to incorporate digital image files in an email message. A template layout gallery is presented that includes a plurality of template layouts for digital image files for possible inclusion in the email message. When an indication is received that at least one digital image file is selected to be included in the email message and that one of the template layouts is to be applied to the at least one selected digital image file, the selected layout is created within the email message body according to the selected template. Prior to sending, the images are compressed.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for execution in a graphical user interface environment to incorporate digital image files in an email message, comprising:

presenting on the graphical user interface a template layout gallery including a plurality of template layouts for digital image files for possible inclusion in the email message;

receiving an indication that at least one digital image file is selected to be included in the email message;

receiving an indication that one of the template layouts is to be applied to the at least one selected digital image file; and

creating within the email message body a layout according to the selected template layout and incorporating the selected digital image file into the layout.

2. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

compressing, prior to sending the message, the at least one image file; and

sending the email message.

3. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the layouts within the layout gallery include at least one layout for display of a first size image on the graphical user interface and at least one layout for display of a second size image on the graphical user interface.

4. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 3, wherein the layouts within the layout gallery include at least one layout having images with associated text boxes and at least one layout having images without associated text boxes.

5. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising first creating the layout gallery by defining the plurality of layouts for images within the email message.

6. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 5, wherein, prior to the presenting step, the method comprises:

monitoring for a user indication of the desire to send image files in the email message; and

upon receiving a user indication of the desire to send image files, presenting the layout gallery on the graphical user interface.

7. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising, upon incorporating the image into the email message, presenting image editing options to the user on the graphical user interface.

8. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, further comprising monitoring for a user change of desired image layout, and upon receiving a user change, redisplaying the selected images according to the desired change of image layout.

9. A computer system having a processor, a memory and an operating environment, the computer system operable to execute the method as recited in claim 1.

10. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for executing the method of claim 1.

11. In a computer-implemented email application, an image layout manager implemented in software stored in the computer, comprising:

a user interface presenting an image layout gallery upon receiving an indication of a desire to send images within the email message; and

a backing data structure to store image information corresponding to images selected by the user for sending.

12. An image layout manager as recited in claim 11, wherein the layout gallery includes layouts having images with corresponding text, and layouts having images without corresponding text.

13. An image layout manager as recited in claim 11, wherein the backing data structure persistently stores any inputted text associated with an image, and wherein the inputted text is only displayed upon selection of a layout having images with corresponding text.

14. An image layout manager as recited in claim 12, further comprising a compression agent to compress any images within the email message prior to sending the email message

15. An image layout manager as recited in claim 14, wherein the backing data structure is stored until the email message is sent.

16. An email image program embodied on a computer readable medium, comprising instructions for:

presenting on a graphical user interface a template layout gallery for images within an email message, the layout gallery including a plurality of template layouts for digital image files for possible inclusion in the email message;

receiving an indication that one of the template layouts is to be applied; and

creating within the email message body a layout according to the selected template layout.

17. An email image program as recited in claim 16, further comprising instructions for:

monitoring for a user selection of image files to be included in the email message; and

incorporating the user-selected image files into the created layout.

18. An email image program as recited in claim 17, further comprising instructions for:

compressing, prior to sending the message, the user selected image files; and

sending the email message.

19. A user interface for use in an email context and embodied on a computer readable medium and executable on a computer, comprising:

a message body area; and

a template layout gallery of possible image layouts, displayed upon receiving an indication from a user a desire to include images within the message body.

20. A user interface as recited in claim 19, wherein the layouts within the layout gallery include at least one layout for display of a first size image on the graphical user interface and at least one layout for display of a second size image on the graphical user interface.

21. A user interface as recited in claim 20, wherein the layouts within the layout gallery include at least one layout having images with associated text boxes and at least one layout having images without associated text boxes.

22. A user interface as recited in claim 21, wherein each layout within the layout gallery is graphically represented.

23. A computer-readable medium containing a data structure for storing image information used within an email message, comprising:

an image table containing an entry for each of a plurality of selected images, each entry containing an image field and a text field, wherein the entries in the image table reflect the positioning of the respective images within the email message.