Web-based media submission tool

• US 7,765,482 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2004
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lupercal LLC (IPValuation Partners, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Summit 6 LLC
• Inventors: Wood, Lisa T., Fried, Robin T., Lewis, Scott M.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAILU, TADESSE
• Application Number:
  US10/961,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20050060180A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,118 Days
• Field of Search: 715/744, 715/748, 715/769.704, 709/201, 709/219
• US Class Current: 715/744
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1091 Interfacing with client-server systems or between P2P systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

The present invention, generally speaking, provides an improved web-based media submission tool. As with some existing tools, operation of the tool is drag and drop or the user can “click” to browse a directory to select media objects. Unlike existing tools, the tool provides the user an opportunity to confirm the submission, for example by generating a thumbnail image of an image file that has been dragged and dropped. Batch submission is provided for in which a user drags and drops a plurality of images or other media objects. Submission from a web page to a web page is also provided for. The submission tool is configurable to perform a variable amount of intelligent preprocessing on media objects prior to upload. In the case of digital images, the tool can perform sizing and formatting, for example. Information capture is performed with information being uploaded together with the media objects. In an exemplary embodiment, information capture is both user-transparent (e.g., user ID and/or password) and user-visible (e.g., the user can provide captions for media objects). The submission of information about the user and the media objects facilitates automatic integration of the media objects within existing databases.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of pre-processing digital content in a client device for subsequent electronic publishing, comprising:

a. receiving pre-processing parameters from a remote device, said pre-processing parameters including a specification of an amount of digital content, said digital content including one or more of image content, video content, and audio content;

b. receiving an identification of a group of one or more items of digital content for transmission, a collective digital content of said group of one or more items of digital content being limited by said received pre-processing parameters;

c. pre-processing said identified group of one or more items of digital content using said received pre-processing parameters, said received pre-processing parameters controlling said client device in a placement of said identified group of one or more items of digital content into a specified form in preparation for publication to one or more devices that are remote from a server device and said client device; and

d. transmitting said pre-processed group of one or more items of digital content to said server device for subsequent publishing to said one or more devices that are remote from said server device and said client device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving pre-processing parameters comprises receiving a specification of a number of items of digital content.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving pre-processing parameters comprises receiving a specification of a maximum number of items of digital content.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving an identification comprises receiving an identification of a plurality of items of digital content.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving an identification comprises receiving a click command at said client device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said pre-processing comprises reducing a file size or compressing said digital content.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said pre-processing comprises changing a quality of said digital content.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting identifying information for said pre-processed group of one or more items of digital content.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said previously received pre-processing parameters enable said client device to place said identified group of one or more items of digital content into a specified form in preparation for publication to one or more devices on which said identified group of one or more items of digital content is to be electronically displayed.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said pre-processing comprises resizing said digital content.

11. A computer implemented method of pre-processing media objects in a local device for subsequent transmission to a remote device, comprising:

a. receiving pre-processing parameters from a remote device, said pre-processing parameters including a specification of an amount of media data;

b. receiving an identification of a group of one or more media objects for transmission, a collective media data of said group of one or more media objects being limited by said received pre-processing parameters;

c. pre-processing said identified group of one or more media objects using said received pre-processing parameters, wherein said pre-processing comprises changing a file format of said media object; and

d. transmitting said pre-processed group of one or more media objects to the remote device.

12. A computer implemented method of pre-processing media objects in a local device for subsequent transmission to a remote device, comprising:

a. receiving pre-processing parameters from a remote device, said pre-processing parameters including a specification of an amount of media data;

b. receiving an identification of a group of one or more media objects for transmission, a collective media data of said group of one or more media objects being limited by said received pre-processing parameters;

c. pre-processing said identified group of one or more media objects using said received pre-processing parameters, wherein said pre-processing comprises encoding or otherwise converting said media object; and

d. transmitting said pre-processed group of one or more media objects to the remote device.

13. A computer implemented method of pre-processing digital content in a client device for subsequent electronic publishing, comprising:

a. receiving an identification of digital content, said digital content including one or more of image content, video content, and audio content;

b. pre-processing said identified digital content at said client device in accordance with one or more pre-processing parameters that are received from a device separate from said client device to produce pre-processed digital content, said one or more pre-processing parameters controlling said client device in a placement of said digital content into a specified form in preparation for publication to one or more devices that are remote from a server device and said client device;

c. retrieving information that enables identification of a user, said retrieved information being available to said client device prior to said received identification; and

d. transmitting a message from said client device to said server device for subsequent publishing device to said one or more devices that are remote from said server device and said client device, said transmitted message including said pre-processed digital content and said retrieved information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said pre-processing comprises reducing a file size or compressing said digital content.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said pre-processing comprises changing a quality of said digital content.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said pre-processing comprises pre-processing in accordance with one or more pre-processing parameters that have been previously downloaded to said client device.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said pre-processing comprises pre-processing in accordance with one or more pre-processing parameters that have been downloaded to said client device prior to said identification.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said pre-processing comprises pre-processing in accordance with one or more pre-processing parameters that have been stored in memory of said client device prior to said identification.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein said retrieving comprises retrieving a user identifier.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein said retrieving comprises retrieving a password.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein said retrieving comprises retrieving in a manner that is transparent to said user.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein said one or more pre-processing parameters enable said client device to place said digital content into a specified form in preparation for publication to one or more devices on which said digital content is to be electronically displayed.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein said pre-processing comprises resizing said digital content.

24. A computer implemented method of pre-processing media objects in a local device for subsequent transmission to a remote device, comprising:

a. receiving an identification of a media object for transmission to said remote device;

b. pre-processing said identified media object at said local device in accordance with one or more pre-processing parameters that are received from a device separate from said client device to produce a pre-processed media object, wherein said pre-processing comprises changing a file format of said media object;

c. retrieving information that enables identification of a user, said retrieved information being available to said local device prior to said received identification; and

d. transmitting a message from said local device to said remote device, said transmitted message including said pre-processed media object and said retrieved information.

25. A computer implemented method of pre-processing media objects in a local device for subsequent transmission to a remote device, comprising:

a. receiving an identification of a media object for transmission to said remote device;

b. pre-processing said identified media object at said local device in accordance with one or more pre-processing parameters that are received from a device separate from said client device to produce a pre-processed media object, wherein said pre-processing comprises encoding or otherwise converting said media object;

c. retrieving information that enables identification of a user, said retrieved information being available to said local device prior to said received identification; and

d. transmitting a message from said local device to said remote device, said transmitted message including said pre-processed media object and said retrieved information.

26. A computer implemented method of distributing digital content that is pre-processed by a client device, comprising:

a. transmitting, to a client device, pre-processing parameters for digital content at said client device, said digital content including one or more of image content, video content, and audio content, said pre-processing parameters enabling said client device to place said digital content into a specified form in preparation for distribution to one or more devices that are remote from a server device and said client device;

b. receiving, from said client device, a plurality of pre-processed digital content items that have been pre-processed using said pre-processing parameters;

c. combining at least two of said plurality of pre-processed digital content items into a presentation; and

d. distributing said presentation to one or more devices that are remote from said server device and said client device.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said pre-processing parameters include a file format for said digital content items.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said pre-processing parameters include a compression ratio for said digital content items.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein said pre-processing parameters include a media size or aspect ratio for said digital content items.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein said pre-processing parameters include a quality setting for said digital content items.

31. The method of claim 26, further comprising transmitting media object identifier code that enables identification of digital content items.

32. The method of claim 26, further comprising receiving information associated with said plurality of pre-processed digital content items.

33. The method of claim 26, wherein said presentation is animated.

34. The method of claim 26, wherein said pre-processing parameters enable said client device to place said digital content into a specified form in preparation for distribution to one or more devices on which said digital content is to be electronically displayed.

35. A computer implemented method for pre-processing digital content at a client device for subsequent electronic publishing, comprising:

a. receiving a command that moves a graphical user interface element in a graphical user interface displayed at said client device, said received command enabling selection of digital content, said digital content including one or more of image content, video content, and audio content;

b. pre-processing said selected digital content in accordance with one or more pre-processing parameters that are received from a remote device to produce pre-processed digital content, said one or more pre-processing parameters enabling said client device to place said digital content into a specified form in preparation for publication to one or more devices that are remote from a server device and said client device;

c. displaying a preview image of said selected digital content, said preview image having a reduced size relative to said selected digital content; and

d. transmitting a message that includes said pre-processed digital content to said server device for subsequent publishing to said one or more devices that are remote from said server device and said client device.

36. A computer implemented method of publishing digital content that has been pre-processed by a client device, comprising:

a. receiving, from said client device, a pre-processed group of one or more items of digital content that includes one or more of image content, video content, and audio content, wherein a collective digital content of said group of one or more items of digital content is limited by a specification of an amount of digital content, said group of one or more items of digital content being pre-processed in accordance with pre-processing parameters that were provided to said client device by a device separate from said client device, said pre-processing parameters controlling said client device in a placement of said identified group of one or more items of digital content into a specified form in preparation for distribution to one or more devices that are remote from a server device and said client device; and

b. distributing, by said server device via an electronic network, information based on said pre-processed group of one or more items of digital content to one or more devices that are remote from said server device and said client device.

37. A computer implemented method of distributing digital content that has been pre-processed by a client device, comprising:

a. receiving, from said client device, pre-processed digital content that includes one or more of image content, video content, and audio content, and information retrieved by said client device that enables identification of a user, said retrieved information being available to said client device prior to an identification of said digital content at said client device, wherein said digital content is pre-processed by said client device in accordance with pre-processing parameters that were provided to said client device by a device separate from said client device, said pre-processing parameters controlling said client device in a placement of said digital content into a specified form in preparation for distribution to one or more devices that are remote from a server device and said client device; and

b. distributing, by said server device via an electronic network, information based on said pre-processed digital content to one or more devices that are remote from said server device and said client device.

38. A computer implemented method for pre-processing digital content in a client device for subsequent electronic distribution, comprising:

a. initiating, by said client device, a transfer of digital content from said client device to a server device, said digital content including one or more of image content, video content, and audio content;

b. pre-processing said digital content at said client device in accordance with one or more pre-processing parameters, said one or more pre-processing parameters being provided to said client device from a device separate from said client device, said one or more pre-processing parameters controlling said client device in a placement of said digital content into a specified form in preparation for publication to one or more devices that are remote from a server device and said client device; and

c. transmitting a message from said client device to said server device for subsequent distribution to said one or more devices that are remote from said server device and said client device, said transmitted message including said pre-processed digital content.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said pre-processing comprises pre-processing said digital content in accordance with pre-processing parameters that are provided to said client device by said server device.

40. The method of claim 38, further comprising receiving an identification of said digital content for transmission prior to said pre-processing.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein said pre-processing comprises reducing a file size or compressing said digital content.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein said pre-processing comprises resizing said digital content.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein said pre-processing comprises changing a file format of said digital content.

44. The method of claim 38, wherein said transmitted message includes identifying information for said digital content.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said identifying information is retrieved from storage in said client device.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein said identifying information includes a file name.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein said identifying information includes location information.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein said identifying information includes zip code information.

49. The method of claim 45, wherein said identifying information includes user information.

50. The method of claim 45, wherein said identifying information includes information describing said digital content.

51. A computer implemented method for distributing digital content that has been pre-processed by a client device, comprising:

a. receiving, from said client device, digital content that has been pre-processed at said client device in accordance with one or more pre-processing parameters that have been provided to said client device from a device separate from said client device, said digital content including one or more of image content, video content, and audio content, said one or more pre-processing parameters controlling said client device in a placement of said digital content into a specified form in preparation for distribution to one or more devices that are remote from a server device and said client device; and

b. publishing, by said server device via an electronic network, information based on said pre-processed digital content to one or more devices that are remote from said server device and said client device.