`J ebens et al.
`
`US006321231B1
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 6,321,231 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Nov. 20, 2001
`
`(54) DATA MANAGEMENT AND ORDER
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`DELIVERY SYSTEM
`
`(75) Inventors: John H. Jebens, Tierra Verde, FL (US);
`Lowel] I)_ Carlson, Moline, IL (Us);
`Je?'rey Scott James, Bettendorf, IA
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Marshall, O’Toole, Gerstein, Murray
`8‘ B0run> Chicag9> IL (Us)
`
`*
`
`(
`
`) Nonce'
`
`.
`
`_
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`_
`
`Thls patent Issued on a Con?rmed pros
`ecution application ?led under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the tWenty year
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`1 54(21)(2)'
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 68 days.
`
`_
`
`_
`
`_
`
`_
`
`Armstrong, “For This Prmter, Scanmng’s a Snap”, Business
`Week> P- 16> Aug 11> 1997
`RoWley, “Israeli Firm Puts Photos On—line”, Chicago Tri
`blme, Aug 6, 1997
`Spinner, “Going With The FloW”, CFO, table of contents
`and pages 53—57, Aug. 1997.
`Capturing & Saving Digital Images.
`Manual: Media Asset Management, GISTICS Incorporated,
`1997.
`Brochure: Media Bank, Digital Asset Management by
`Archetype.
`Brochure: Media Bank, The PoWer of Digital Asset Man
`agement by Archetype.
`Brochure: Media Assets 1.6 by Media Way.
`Brochure: Job Manager, Information Management System
`for the Graphic Arts Industry by Meta Communications.
`Brochure: Telescope, Client Server Media Management
`Database by North Plains Systems, Inc.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 08/908,046
`(22) Filed:
`Aug. 11, 1997
`
`7
`(51) Int. Cl. .................................................... .. G06F 17/30
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`Primary Examiner—Hosain T. Alam
`Assistant Examiner—Ella Colbert
`(74) Attorney) Agent) or Firm_MarshalL 0%016,
`
`(52) US. Cl. .......................... .. 707/104; 707/10; 707/102;
`345/428; 355/40; 355/70; 396/639
`
`Gerstem’ Murray 8‘ Born“
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`(58) Field of Search .............................. .. 707/3, 102, 530,
`707/104. 705/33 42. 345/132 302 428,
`382/2841 276 2,49. 39500056 26033?
`586/124. 364/468_02. 355/40 70, 396/639
`’
`’
`’
`’
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U~S~ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4495 582 * 1/1985 Dessert et al. ..................... .. 700/124
`4,688,181
`8/1987 Come“ et at
`364/521
`4,799,156
`1/1989 Shavit et a1, ,,,,,,,, ,,
`__ 364/401
`4,933,880
`6/1990 Borgendale et a1. .
`.. 364/523
`4,956,769
`9/1990 Smith .............. ..
`364/200
`4,992,940
`2/1991 Dworkin ............................ .. 364/401
`
`A digital data management and Order delivery System is
`provided. The system includes a storage device for storing
`digital data and a searching engine for developing a subset
`of the digital data stored in the storage device in response to
`inputs received from a ?rst user. The system is also provided
`With a job order developer responsive to inputs received
`from the ?rst user for developing a job order Which includes:
`a) at least one copy of the digital data contained in the subset
`and identi?ed by the ?rst user; and b) a ?le Containing
`information developed by the ?rst user outside the system.
`In addition, the system includes a router for electronically
`routing the job order compiled by the job order developer to
`a Second user Speci?ed
`the ?rst 115611
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`74 Claims, 27 Drawing Sheets
`
`10
`
`Has! Sgstem
`
`Nelwnlk
`
`Nelwolk
`
`Telecom
`lnlelnelllnllanel
`
`Browsers
`and
`Cllenl Orders
`
`‘I2
`
`I...
`
`Browsers
`
`and
`
`l
`
`~
`
`i i
`
`c
`
`Image Pmvlders
`
`Supphers
`
`.
`
`i
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 1
`
`
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,065,447 * 11/1991 Barnsley et al. ................... .. 382/249
`5,144,556
`9/1992 Wang et al.
`364/419
`5,153,936 * 10/1992 Morris et al. ..
`345/428
`5,263,157
`11/1993 Janis ............. ..
`395/600
`5,276,901
`1/1994 Howell et al
`395/800
`5,315,693
`5/1994 HirosaWa ........................... .. 395/128
`5,319,401 * 6/1994 Hicks ................................... .. 354/76
`
`5,319,402
`
`6/1994 Hicks . . . . .
`
`. . . . .. 354/76
`
`364/401
`6/1994 Wihhelm
`5,319,543
`358/296
`5,383,027 * 1/1995 Harvey et al. .
`5,426,594 * 6/1995 Wright et al. ................. .. 395/20036
`5,440,401 * 8/1995 Parulski et al. .................... .. 386/124
`5,463,555 * 10/1995 Ward etal.
`.. 364/468.02
`5,469,353
`11/1995 Pinsky et al. ..
`.. 364/413.01
`5,493,677 * 2/1996 Balough et al.
`..... .. 707/104
`5,539,906
`7/1996 Abraham et al. ..
`395/600
`5,553,281
`9/1996 Brown et al.
`395/600
`5,581,749
`12/1996 Hossain et al.
`395/600
`5,584,022
`12/1996 Kikuchi et al.
`395/609
`5,625,776
`4/1997 Johnson ....... ..
`395/227
`5,630,125
`5/1997 Zellweger
`.. 395/614
`5,666,215
`9/1997 Fredlund et al.
`358/487
`5,696,901 * 12/1997 Konrad ......... ..
`395/20033
`5,784,461
`7/1998 Shaffer et al. .
`386/21
`5,845,263 * 11/1999 Camaisa et al.
`705/27
`5,852,435 * 12/1998 Vigneaux et al. .
`345/302
`5,875,268 * 2/1999 Miyake ........ ..
`382/276
`
`5,978,804 * 11/1999 DietZman . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . .. 707/10
`
`6,017,157
`6,154,755
`
`396/639
`1/2000 Gar?nkle et al.
`11/2000 Delbert et al. ..................... .. 707/526
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Brochure: Luminous Media Manager by Luminous Tech
`nology Systems, Inc.
`Brochure: Luminous Media Manager Background by Lumi
`nous Techology Systems, Inc.
`Brochure: Destiny, Focusing the PoWer of Your Digital
`Information by Centillion Digital Systems.
`Brochure: DAX, File Transfer by Digital Art Exchange, Inc.
`Brochure: DAX Database Access by Digital Art Exchange,
`Inc.
`
`Brochure: DAX, Remote Proo?ng by Digital Art Exchange,
`Inc.
`Brochure: DAX. Computer—to—Plate by Digital Art
`Exchange, Inc.
`Brochure: DAX, Interactive Mark—up by Digital Art
`Exchange, Inc.
`Brochure: Digital Art Exchange, The Connectivity Solution
`by Digital Art Exchange, Inc.
`Brochure: Cascade MediaSphere W3 by Cascade Systems,
`Inc.
`Brochure: Cascade DataFloW by Cascade Systems, Inc.
`Brochure: Cascade Product Overview by Cascade Systems,
`Inc.
`Brochure: Cumulus Media Management System 3., by
`Canto.
`Brochure: Hynet Digital Library System, Version 1.5 by
`Hynet Technologies.
`Brochure: Galerie, Media Asset Management by Dalim.
`Brochure: DALIM, TWist by Dalim.
`Brochure: Cascade MediaSphere by Cascade Systems, Inc.
`Brochure: Luminous PrintersWeb by Luminous Technology
`Corporation.
`Martin, James A., “Moving Images Without Tears,” Mac
`World, v12, n12, p. 121 (2), Dec., 1995.
`“Methods For Image Management,” (Seybold Special
`Report, Part II), Seybold Report on Publishing Systems,
`v24, n18, p. S44 (6), May 15, 1995.
`“More Notes From Nexpo: Image Handling, Digital Cam
`eras and Links To Presses: Image Handling: Archiving,
`Retrieval, Eta,” (Includes ARelated Article On Companies
`Offering Newspapers Pre—Made Comic Pages), Seybold
`Report on Publishing Systems, v25, n1, p. 28 (II), Sep. 1,
`1995.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 2
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 0127
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
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`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 3
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`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 0f 27
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
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`PETITIONERS EX. 1005. p. 4
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 4
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 0f 27
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
`
`( START I
`
`‘I
`
`100
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`FIG. 3A
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 5
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 0127
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
`
`/-124
`
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`ADMIN.
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`TIME
`
`FIG. 3B
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 6
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 0f 27
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
`
`START
`AUTOLOG
`
`DECOMPRESS
`202‘-
`FILE
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`STORE TO
`204-‘ TEMP. FILE
`
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`
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`APPEND
`SUFFIX
`
`V
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`CREATE &
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`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 7
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 0127
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
`
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`THUMBNAIL
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`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 8
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`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 0f 27
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
`
`FIG. 4C
`
`UPDATE ITEM
`RECORD
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`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 9
`
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`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 0127
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
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`S'FATRT
`HOUSEKEEPING
`
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`
`UPDATE __7Q4
`DATABASES
`
`FIG. 5
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 10
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 0127
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
`
`FIG. 6
`
`308..- RECORD LOG
`IN TIME
`
`306
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`A
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 11
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`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 0f 27
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
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`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 12
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`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 11 0f 27
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
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`414
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`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 13
`
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 12 0f 27
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
`
`RECORD --426
`ACTIVITY
`
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`FIG. 7C
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 14
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 13 0f 27
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
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`FIG. 8A
`
`START
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`1
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`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 15
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 14 0f 27
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
`
`SAVE ~ 510
`PATHNAME
`
`512
`
`SEND?
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`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 16
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 15 0f 27
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
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`FORWARD
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`FIG. 8C
`
`CONFIRM
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`
`II
`
`LOG ACTIVITY
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 17
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 16 0f 27
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
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`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 18
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`
`Nov. 20, 2001
`
`Sheet 17 0f 27
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
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`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 19
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`Nov. 20, 2001
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`Sheet 18 0f 27
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`US 6,321,231 B1
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`Nov. 20, 2001
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`US 6,321,231 B1
`
`1
`DATA MANAGEMENT AND ORDER
`DELIVERY SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to data manage(cid:173)
`ment and publishing, and, more particularly, to a data
`management and order delivery system for providing stor(cid:173)
`age of data such as digital images and for routing and
`delivering orders incorporating a selected subset of the
`stored data to a publishing facility or the like.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`digital images to the printer must be repeated. Such a
`process leads to undesirable costs and possible differences
`between publication runs due to differences in any correc(cid:173)
`tions or modifications made to the digital image in the two
`5 separate digitization processes. These same costs and diffi(cid:173)
`culties can arise in instances where it becomes desirable to
`re-use a digital asset in a different publication or in a
`different format altogether (e.g., utilizing an image from a
`movie in an advertizing brochure).
`
`10
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`As computers have attained more and more of a promi(cid:173)
`nent role in virtually every aspect of life and every type of
`business, the need to effectively and efficiently store digital
`data has intensified. This need is particularly acute in the
`context of digital images where large amounts of computer
`memory can be consumed by a single high resolution image.
`Thus, businesses and the like that frequently develop digital
`images can find themselves quickly depleting their in-house,
`on-line storage capabilities for such assets. Businesses in
`such a position have often reacted by storing these assets
`off-line, in magnetic or optical storage mediums such as
`floppy disks and compact disks. In some instances, the
`digital asset is deleted and retained only in the form of a hard
`copy, such as a transparency that can be digitized through a
`scanning process should a future use for the image arise.
`While these approaches have alleviated some of the
`capacity problems associated with storing digital assets, they 30
`have suffered from certain deficiencies. For example, off(cid:173)
`line storage such as that described above inherently leads to
`inefficiencies such as administrative costs associated with
`cataloging digital assets, delays in locating digital data and,
`in some instances, loss of the asset altogether. Moreover, in 35
`those instances where assets are stored in hard copy form as
`transparencies or the like, re-scanning an image for future
`use can lead to inefficient redundancies such as repeating
`digital re-touching, image correction, or color correction
`procedures and the like. Further, the conversion from digital 40
`data to hard copy form and back can result in degradation of
`image quality.
`The rapidly increasing value of digitized images has
`heightened the importance of efficiently and safely storing
`and managing digital assets. Indeed, the explosive growth of
`the internet is indicative of an unprecedented demand for
`digital media assets and the corresponding increased value
`such assets are presently enjoying.
`The advertizing and publishing industries are both sig(cid:173)
`nificantly impacted by the ready accessibility (or lack
`thereot) of digital images. By way of example, advertizing
`agencies often utilize images of products or the like in the
`publications they create for their clients. Often these images
`take the form of photographs or transparencies. To create a
`distributable product, these agencies often forward the trans(cid:173)
`parencies or photographs to be published to an outside
`facility for digitizing. After the digital image is created, the
`outside agency typically stores the data on a floppy disk or
`the like, and then either ships the digital data to a printer or
`returns the data to the agency for incorporation in a docu(cid:173)
`ment to be printed. The printer can then print the desired
`quantity of the publication.
`If, subsequently, the need for additional copies of the
`publication arises and none of the involved entities has
`maintained a copy of the digital image, the entire process of
`shipping the transparencies or photographs to the digitizing
`facility, scanning the images, and forwarding the re-created
`
`The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the
`prior art by providing a digital image management and order
`delivery system. The system is provided with a storage
`15 device for storing digital images. It also includes a searching
`engine for developing a subset of the digital images stored
`in the storage device in response to inputs received from a
`first user. The searching engine is adapted to download low
`resolution copies of the subset to the first user. The system
`20 is also provided with a job order developer responsive to
`inputs received from the first user for developing a job order
`which includes: a) at least one high resolution copy of a
`digital image contained in the subset and identified by the
`first user, and b) a file containing information developed by
`25 the first user outside of the system. In addition, the system
`includes a router for electronically routing the job order
`developed by the job order developer to a second user
`specified by the first user.
`In some embodiments the system is provided with one or
`more of the following: an image handler for processing
`digital images input into the system; a user identifier for
`discriminating between users communicating with the sys(cid:173)
`tem to control access to the digital images stored in the
`storage device; an event tracker for monitoring and record(cid:173)
`ing predefined events occurring in the system; means for
`developing a charge to be accessed a user for at least one of
`the events recorded by the event tracker; a communication
`device for receiving and transmitting data to one or more
`remote users; and means for developing miniaturized depic(cid:173)
`tions of the subset developed by the searching engine. In
`some preferred embodiments, the file in the job order
`developed by the job order developer defines a document to
`be printed; the second user is a printer; and the at least one
`45 high resolution image is to be printed as part of the docu(cid:173)
`ment.
`Further, any of the foregoing embodiments can be pro(cid:173)
`vided with means for receiving digital data from a data
`provider user to be stored in the storage device; and, means
`50 for compressing the digital data received by the receiving
`means in accordance with a parameter set by the data
`provider user. In some embodiments, the parameter defines
`a compression format to be employed by the compressing
`means. In others, the parameter defines a degree of com-
`55 pression to be employed by the compressing means. Any of
`the foregoing embodiments can be provided with means for
`developing an indication of a charge to be assessed the data
`provider user for storing the digital data in the storage
`device. In instances where such a charge developing means
`60 is provided, it can develop a charge based on the amount of
`storage memory utilized by the digital data; based on the
`amount of time the digital data is stored in the storage
`device; or both.
`A method of managing digital images is also provided to
`65 overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. The method
`comprises the steps of: storing a high resolution and a low
`resolution copy of each of a plurality of digital images in an
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 30
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`
`US 6,321,231 B1
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`3
`4
`a host server, and a remote server in selective communica(cid:173)
`electronically searchable format; permitting a first user to
`locate and download a low resolution copy of at least one of
`tion with the host server. The remote server includes means
`the digital images; receiving an electronic file defining a
`for requesting a first set of data from the host server and
`document from the first user, the document being designed
`means responsive to the requesting means for developing a
`to incorporate the at least one digital image and data 5
`second set of data defining instructions and identifying a
`developed outside of the system; receiving instructions from
`third set of data corresponding to the first set of data. The
`the first user directing that the electronic file be delivered to
`host server includes means for developing a fourth set of
`a second user; and, automatically routing the electronic file
`data in accordance with the instructions in the second set and
`and a high resolution copy of the at least one digital image
`means for routing the fourth set of data to a jobber. In some
`to the second user identified by the first user for publication. 10
`embodiments, the second set of data includes a page descrip(cid:173)
`The noted deficiencies of the prior art are also overcome
`tion language file; the first set of data comprises a low
`by providing a data management system of the following
`resolution image, and the third set of data includes a high
`type. Such a data management system includes means for
`resolution image corresponding to the low resolution image;
`storing first and second sets of data. Each of the first sets of
`and/or, the host server, the remote server and the job are
`data has a first bandwidth communication requirement. Each 15 interconnected via a network. In any of the foregoing
`of the second sets of data is representative of an associated
`embodiments, the third set of data can be the first set of data
`one of the first sets of data and has a second bandwidth
`and/or the second set of data can include the first set of data.
`communication requirement less than the first bandwidth
`communication requirement. The system also includes
`means for allowing a user to download a particular second 20
`set of data from the storing means and means for accepting
`a work order from a first location wherein the work order
`identifies the particular second set of data and includes
`further data developed outside the system. The system is
`also provided with means for electronically routing a job
`order to a second location, and means for downloading the
`first set of data associated with the second set of data to the
`second location.
`Pursuant to another important aspect of the invention, a
`digital data storage facility for providing storage for a 30
`plurality of third party users is provided. The storage facility
`is provided with a storage device; means for receiving
`digital data from a user in the plurality; means for com(cid:173)
`pressing the digital data received by the receiving means in
`accordance with a parameter set by the user; and, means for 35
`storing the digital data compressed by the compressing
`means in the storage device. In certain preferred
`embodiments, the parameter defines a compression format
`to be employed by the compressing means. In other
`embodiments, the parameter defines a degree of com pres- 40
`sion to be employed by the compressing means. In any of
`these embodiments, the storage facility may be provided
`with means for developing an indication of a charge to be
`assessed the user for storing the digital data in the storage
`device. The charge developing means may develop charges 45
`based on the amount of storage memory utilized by the
`digital data; on the amount of time the digital data is stored
`in the storage device; or both.
`The deficiencies of the prior art are also overcome by
`providing a digital data management and order delivery 50
`system of the following type. Such a system includes a
`storage device for storing digital data; a searching engine for
`developing a subset of the digital data stored in the storage
`device in response to inputs received from a first user; a job
`order developer for receiving a work order from the first user 55
`and for developing a job order based on the work order; and,
`a router for electronically routing the job order developed by
`the job order developer to a second user specified by the first
`user. In some embodiments the work order includes a file
`containing information developed by the first user outside of
`the system and the job order includes the file. The file may
`comprises a page description language file. In any of the
`foregoing embodiments, the work order can identify digital
`data contained in the subset and the job order can include the
`digital data identified in the work order.
`The present invention also overcomes drawbacks of the
`prior art by providing a data management system comprising
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates generally a data management and work
`order delivery system constructed in accordance with the
`teachings of the present invention and shown in one possible
`environment of use.
`FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodi-
`25 ment of the inventive system shown in an environment of
`use.
`FIGS. 3A-3B together comprise flow charts illustrating
`the overall operation of the system of FIG. 1.
`FIGS. 4A-4C together comprise flow charts illustrating
`one possible embodiment of the autolog routine of the
`system of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating one possible embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the housekeeping routine of the system of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating one possible embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the login routine of the system of FIG. 1.
`FIGS. 7A-7C together comprise flow charts illustrating
`one possible embodiment of the browse routine performed
`by the system of FIG. 1.
`FIGS. SA-SC together comprise flowcharts illustrating
`one possible embodiment of the order routine of the system
`of FIG. 1.
`FIGS. 9A-9B together comprise flowcharts illustrating
`one possible embodiment of the administration routine of
`the system of FIG. 1.
`FIGS. lOA-IOJ are system diagrams illustrating the pre(cid:173)
`ferred operation of the system of FIG. 2.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`A data management and work order delivery system
`constructed in accordance with the teachings of the inven(cid:173)
`tion is illustrated generally in FIG. 1. As detailed below, the
`system is implemented to provide a centralized database that
`can be accessed, searched and modified by authorized users.
`Although the system can be used to store any type of digital
`data, in the most preferred embodiments it is primarily
`utilized to store digital images. As explained below, the
`60 system is also adapted to serve as a job order developer and
`conduit for routing files from a browser or client such as an
`advertizing agency to a jobber or supplier such as a printer.
`Thus, the system is preferably adapted both to store digital
`assets and to facilitate use of those assets by providing a
`65 ready means for distributing assets to authorized users.
`This combination of capabilities renders the system ide(cid:173)
`ally suited for facilitating publication and the like. For
`
`PETITIONERS Ex. 1005. p. 31
`
`
`
`US 6,321,231 B1
`
`5
`example, a first user such as a corporation, may have a
`number of digitized images of its products. In order to
`provide easy access to those images and to efficiently utilize
`its in-house computer storage facilities, that corporation can
`save these digital assets on the data management system. If,
`on occasion, the corporation wishes an advertizing agency to
`create a publication, such as a brochure or web page,
`incorporating one or more of those digital images, the
`corporation need only provide the agency with access to the
`system.
`Once given permission