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`
`USOU7765482B2
`
`(12}
`
`United States Patent
`Wood et a].
`
`[10) Patent No.:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,765,482 32
`Jul. 27, 2010
`
`WEB-BASED MEDIA SUBMISSION TOOL
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors; Lisa T. Wood. Danville, (TA (US); Scott
`M. Lewis. Damville. CA (US): Robin '1‘.
`Fried. Berkeley. CA (US)
`
`(73}
`
`Assignee: Summit 6 1.1.(1. Dallas. TX (US)
`
`t”)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer. the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`use. 15403) by 737 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 10961320
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 8. 2004
`
`(65)
`
`((13)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2(X152’LH360180AI
`
`Mar. 17. 2005
`
`Related 0.8. Application Data
`
`Continuation ot‘application No. 09f357.836. tiled on
`Jul. 2]. I999. now Pat. No. 6.895.557.
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 3/00
`U.S. Cl.
`
`(2006.01)
`715N441715l748:715f769:
`709l201; 709i219
`715i744.
`Field ofClassifieatlon Search
`7I5t748. 769.704: 709120]. 219
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4.802.008 A
`4.862.200 A
`5.001.628 A
`5.327.265 A
`
`131989 Walling
`8-‘1989 Hicks
`3’ I99}
`Johnson et al.
`11994 McDonald
`
`El’
`
`0930 774 AE
`
`7-' I999
`
`(Continual)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Office Action dated Sep. 6. 2002 for [1.8. Appl. No. 095440.461.
`
`{Continued}
`
`Priiimrj‘ Examiner—Tadeese Hailtl
`[74) Attorney. Agent. or firm" -l)uane S. Kobayashi
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`invention, generally speaking. provides an
`The present
`improved web-based media submission too]. As with some
`existing tools. operation ot'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 opportu-
`nity to caution 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 ol‘images or other media objects.
`Submission from a web page to a web page is also provided
`for. The submission tool is configurable to perfonn a variable
`amount of intell igent preprocessing on media objects prior to
`upload. In the case of digital images. the too] can perform
`sizing and I'omiatting. for example. Information capture is
`perlomied with informal ion being uploaded together with the
`media objects. In an exemplary embodiment. information
`capture is both user—transparent (cg. user ID andt'or pass—
`word) and user-visible (e.g.. the user can provide captions for
`media objects). The submission oi'inl'ormat ion about the user
`and the media objects facilitates automatic integration of the
`media objects within existing databases.
`
`(Continued)
`
`5] Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`Picture? PIC
`Cl ".25 diet-gel (option ul)
`
`
`mgilul hogs Processing
`item
`by Picturem
`hitting a photo of your
`
`
`66! better exposure for your
`Home by hdutling a picture. its easy! Just innate the
`folder on
`your computer containing )ou photos. and then drag o photo into the
`box below.
`
`
`
`
`
`SurroundVIevr?
`ntszoo charge) (optional)
`
`
`019th Image Processing
`Adding a SurroundView
`by Plottin'lloms
`
`
`Really short oft your item Add 0 Smoundt'iaw. Its easii Just locate the folder
`on your computer containing
`your photos, and then drag up to six photos into the
`
`bones below. The photos will be contorted 'nto an animated presentation.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`0001
`
`Apple/Twitter
`Apple/Twitter
`Ex. 1001
`EX. 1001
`IPR2 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,765,482
`IPR2 of US. Pat. No. 7,765,482
`
`

`

`US 7,765,482 B2
`
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
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`
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`
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`572000 1166361711.
`7097219
`
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`772000 110711
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`5404-463 7‘ *
`873000 1307111517519 9181‘
`vvvvvvv 355718
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`705726
`
`9123500 A 7
`[072000 Imamuraetal.
`705-127
`*
`
`6.128.655 A "‘
`[072000 Fieldselal.
`7- 7997219
`6-133‘985 A 7
`1072000 (371177011119 01317
`355740
`6.167.382 A "‘
`1272000 SW!“ 9751‘
`795725
`6.167.568 A ‘3
`1272000 Gandelela].
`.. 7177176
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`6~l77~934 Bl *
`172001
`39811177191317
`7- 715-"748
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`6.182.l[6 131*
`..... 7097204
`17200] Nammaetal.
`----- 7177100
`0183-279 131*
`17200]
`3931011
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`372001 Ferrcletal. ..
`.. 7157205
`6.199.082 131*
`372001 K995151913]-
`9202-951 Bl 7
`70773
`
`.. 7157201
`6.233.590 151*
`572001 Shaw et a1.
`
`6.237.010 131*
`572001
`1111161211.
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`5331-374 Bl
`372001 SIVfl-fl El 31‘
`6.301.586 B1 “‘ 107200] Yangetal.
`630L607 32
`[07300] Barraclough 9131‘
`6330-573 Bl
`1272001 Sitka
`6.343.302 131*
`172002 Graham .... 7.157205
`6.374.260 B1 ‘5
`47.2002 H0110“. at 31.
`............ 70771041
`5.381.029 Bl
`472002 Tipimeni
`6.456.591. 151*
`972003 Mishra ....................... 3707229
`----- 7157733
`6339354 131*
`[273002 ?0W1°tt€
`
`6.489.980 Bl "
`1272002 500110121].
`7157854
`6505-150 Bl
`”2003 Levy 9131-
`6.510.418 31*
`172003 ('asectal.
`6515-340 32
`272003 Boys
`0.522.418 BE 7
`27-2003 YOkOI'l‘IiZO at al.
`6.535.296 Bl *
`372003 Oak
`6.539.420 Bl
`372003 Fields elal.
`6.542.936 Bl
`472003 M81710 eta].
`6.567.983 131*
`572003 Shiimori ..................... 7257105
`
`..
`
`70771041
`
`705726
`
`.......... 35871.15
`35871.15
`
`6.583.799 Bl
`6.621.938 Bl
`5.5231417 131
`6.657.702 131*
`6.693.635 131*
`6.711.297 81*
`5332.152 131
`6.799.165 Bl
`6.853.461 131*
`6.871.231 132
`6.895.557 Bl
`5330309 131
`7.010.587 Bl
`7.032.030 Bl
`7.036.081 132*
`7.043.527 B2
`7.146.575 132
`7.1531172 B2
`7.246.147 82“
`7.257.158 81*
`7.280.702 132*
`7.308.413 Bl *
`7.313.604 32
`7.315.386 151*
`200270067500 41*
`200570239454 .711
`200570262437 711*
`200870201236 Al’“
`
`672003 Manolis eta].
`972003 'l‘anakaetal.
`972003 Nam) 01 31‘
`1272003 Chuietal.
`272004 Yokomim
`372004 06265561711.
`572004 Woodctal.
`9.72004 Bocsjcs
`272005 Shiimori
`372005 Morris
`5.72005 Woodetal.
`872005 Creamoretal.
`372006 517011-1671
`4.72005 Codigrmlto
`472006 1760716116
`572006 51101667161711.
`1272006 81717161166161.
`172007 Kawaokaetal.
`772007 Kimetal.
`872007 Figueredo 61711.
`1072007 Changetal.
`1272007 Totaela].
`1272007 Woodeta].
`172008 Shiimoricta].
`672002 Yokomizoclal.
`1072005 Kawashima 81211.
`1172005 Pattersonetal.
`872008 Fieldetal.
`
`
`
`355740
`3457428
`3827240
`
`35871.15
`
`7157747
`
`7097203
`375.72.40.01
`3827240
`70577
`
`
`
`35871.15
`35871.15
`
`7157517
`705726
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`‘
`91’
`11’
`JP
`1"
`“’0
`“’0
`W0
`
`27.2001
`1075302 7‘1
`54995
`3453133
`377999
`“'59072
`771999
`”-1.34943
`271997
`“’0 97704353 7“
`“"1998
`“’0 937.495“ A3
`471999
`“0997198“ A3
`4
`.
`.
`.
`-:
`OIEILR PUBLJCAI‘IONS
`Office Action dated Apr.21.2003 for US. App]. No. 097440.461.
`Office Action dated Nov. 23_ 2001 for U.S.Appl.1516097357836.
`Office A3110]. dated 1.... 5‘ 2003 forU.S.Appl.190097357336.
`Office Action dated Nov. 8. 2002 for U.S.Appl. 010.097.357.836.
`OfficeAcliondaledJuri.4.200310111.8.Appl.190.097.357.836.
`’I‘hiloIIorstrnanriand Richard Bentley.“DistributedAuthoringorithe
`chwithtlicBSC‘W SharodWorkspaccSystcm".StandardVicwvol.
`5.No. 1.17;). 9-15‘ Mar. 1997
`Doug Dean. 15 Seconds: Down and Dirty BmwserUploading witha
`VB Asp Componenfl, pp, 1-11:1 Mar. 11. 1990
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`4375‘ Copyright 199421990113.
`EmilyCohcn. "SetYour SitcsIligh.“1-’C Magazine. May 26. 1998.
`Plante er al.. “The NCSA Astronomy Digital Image Library: From
`DataArchivingto Data I’ublishing."Sep. 21. 1999
`Augol e! 111.. “Secure Delivery of Images over Open Networks.“
`ProceedingsoftheIEEE. vol. 87. Issue 7. pp. 1251-1266101. 1999.
`PCTSilS, P956312 “Browser.Based File Uploading Under the Micro.
`scope.“ 15 Seconds. Nov, 21‘ [998_
`Dean. Doug. “Down and Dirty 87667567 Uploading 67101 a VB ASP
`COIUPORCEL” Mal- [L 1999
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`SharedWorkspace System."StandardVrew.vol.5.No. 1.10131: 1991
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`211999
`Steinberg. Jill. “New Start-Up Releases Java Application and
`Enabling SoftwarefjavaWorld. Oct, L [996.
`Bilsorl. Rob. “Net—It Central 1.0." IDM. Jul. 3|. I997.
`Warp 10 Technologies 100.. Jul. 10. 1998.
`Pietra Incorporated. Nov. 1]. 1998.
`Letter from Terry Anderson to Craig 11811167632061. 16. 1997.
`0002
`0002
`
`

`

`US 7,765,482 BZ
`
`Page 3
`
`PictureWorks .ADP Demo. May I. 1998.
`Letter from Terry Anderson to Ken Karutz. May I. 1998.
`Email from Scott Lewis to Lisa Wood. Jul. 2. 1998.
`Email from Robin Fried to Scott Lewis et al.. Jul. 5. 1998.
`Email from Scott LeWis to Robin Fried. Jul. 8. [998.
`Email from Robin Fried to Martha White. Jul. 9. 1998.
`Email from Robin Fried to Scott Lewis ct al.. Jul. 9. 1998.
`Email from Don Strickland to Lisa Wood et al.. Jul. 14. I998.
`Emails from Scott Lewis to Lisa Wood el al.. Jul. l'.-‘-18. 1998.
`PictureWorks Technology, Inc. Board Update. Jun. 20. 1998.
`Letter front Terry Anderson. Jul. 22. 1998.
`Email from Don Strickland to Lisa Wood et al.. Jul. 22. I998.
`Emails from Don Strickland. Jul. 2? and Aug. '1. 1998.
`Email from Robin Fried to Scott Lewis et al.. Jul. 23. 1998.
`Email from Scott Lewis to Lisa Wood et al.. Jul. 29. 1998.
`Prioritizcd Activities For Enterprise‘l‘carn. Jul. 3 l. 1998.
`Email from Don Strickland to Criag Hamway. Aug. 2. 1998.
`Board Update tlrom Don Strickland. Aug. T. 1998.
`Email from Lisa Wood. Aug. ll). 1998.
`Email from Scott Lewis to Teny Anderson. Aug. 13. 1998.
`Letter from Terry Anderson to Randy Kau. Aug. 14. 1998.
`Email from Kirby Longer to Don Strickland etaJ..Aug. 14. 1998.
`Email from Kirby Lunger to Lisa Wood. Aug. 26. 1998.
`Email from Terry Anderson to Don Strickland. Aug. 25. 1998.
`Email from Kirby Lunger to Lisa Wood. Aug. 31. 1998.
`Email from Robin Fried to Scott Lewis et al.. Sep. 1. 1998.
`Email from Scott Lewis to Lisa Wood etal.. Sep. I. 1998.
`Email from Don Strickland to Terry Anderson el al.. Sep. 8. 1998.
`Email from Scott Lewis to Jeff Paradise. Sep. 1 I, 1998.
`Letter from Terry Anderson to Iloward Latham. Sep. 15. 1998.
`Email from Scott Lewis to Jim McCarthy. Sep. 17. 1998.
`Email from Terry Anderson to Don Strickland el al.. Sep. 18. 1998.
`Email from Scott Lewis to Lisa Wood ct al.. Sep. 22. 1998.
`Letter from Anthony Delli Colli to Wayne Marigold. Sep. 18. 1998.
`Email from Scott Lewis to Lisa Wood et al.. Sep. 23, 1998.
`Email from Robin Fried Io Stu Roberson. Sep. 2]. 1998.
`Letter from Terry Anderson to Sei—Wai Lee. Sep. 24. 1998.
`Email from Scott Lewis to Lisa Wood. Sep. 25. 1998.
`Email from Terry Anderson to Lisa Wood et al.. Sep. 29. 1998.
`Letter from Scott Lewis to Karim El-Fishaway. Oct. 2. 1998.
`Email from Anthony Dclli ('olli to Stu Roberson et al.. Oct. 2. 1998.
`PictureWorks presentation to eBay. Oct. 16. 1998.
`Letter from Scott Lewis to Gary Dillabough. Oct. 20. 1998.
`Email from Don Strickland to PWT Employees. Oct. 31. 1998.
`Press Release. Moore Data Management Services and PictureWorks
`Technology Inc.. Announce Partnership to Revolutionize UM of Real
`Estate Photos on the Internet. Nov. 6. 1998.
`Press Release. PictureWorks Technology Inc.. Streamlines Posting of
`Photos to the intemet. Nov. 6. 1998.
`Email from Laurie Fleming to Andrew Hunter et al.. Nov. 13. 1998.
`Letter from Scott Lewis to Wayne Graves. Nov. 16. 1998.
`Email from Scott Lewis to Terry Anderson et al.. Nov. 20. I998.
`Screenshots from Prepare and Post Video. N0v. 20. 1998.
`Laura Roe. "New Software Gives Real Estate aView ol'the Future.”
`National Real Estate Investor. Dec. 1. 1998.
`PicturcWorks Information. Dec. 9. 1998.
`PictureWorks Prepare 8: Post. Fourth Quarter. 1998.
`Prepare & Post Product Overview. Founh Quarter. 1998.
`
`Letter from Terry Anderson to Neil Shat'ran. Jan. 12. 1999.
`Letter from Stu Roberson to James Rowley, Jan. 29. 1999.
`Product Picks. Realtor Magazine. Feb. 1. 1999.
`PictureWorks Kodak Presentation. Feb. 24. 1999.
`Letter from Don Strickland to Phil Ashe. Mar. 2. I999.
`PictureWorks ADP Presentation. Mar. 11. 1999.
`PicturcWorks Press Release. “Picture Works Releases New l‘roe
`Digital Imaging Software; Mediatfenter Offers Essential Tools for
`Web Imaging." Mar. 31. 1999.
`PictureWorks Press Release. “PictureBay.com to Give-Away 30
`Digital Cameras in 30 Days.“ Apr. 12, I999.
`Technology‘s
`PictureWorks
`Press Release.
`“PictureWorks
`Pictuchay Solves it I Frustration ofeBay Members. Adding Pictures
`to Auctions." Apr. 12. I999.
`PictureWorks Press Release. "PictureWorks Technology's Rimfire
`Empowers any Website to Easily Accept. Process. and Display Visi-
`tor Photos and Media." Apr. 12. I999.
`Rimfire real-time integrated media brochure. Apr. 12. 1999.
`Letter from Terry Anderson to Jonathan Grail". Apr. 26. 1999.
`Sales Update. Apr. 30. 1999.
`“Picture Works Plans to Become Powerhouse in Internet Imaging-
`Fxlusive Interview with CEO." The Future Image Report. vol. 7.
`Issue 1. May 1. 1999.
`Email from Laurie Fleming to Terry Anderson et al.. May 'i’. 1999.
`Roland Woerrrer et al.. “eBay for Dummies.” Chapter 12. May 10.
`I999.
`I.et1er from Scott Lewis to Rolan Woerner. May 10. 1999.
`Letter from Stu Roberson to Jim Ferras. May 25. 1999.
`Rirnfire real-time integrated media. May 27. 1999.
`Letter from Scott Lewis to Candace Gates. May 28. 1999.
`Letter of Intent between PicttlreWorks Technology. Inc. and Auct ion
`Universe. May 31. 1999.
`Letter from Scott Lewis to Matthew Lengfelder. Jun. 1. 1999.
`“Casio and PictureWorks Announce (To-Branding and Distribution
`Agreement; MediaCenter Ofl'ers Essential Tools for Web Imaging."
`Jun. 3. 1999.
`Sales Update. Jun. 4. 1999.
`Email from Laurie Fleming to 'l'crry Anderson et al.. Jun. '5’. I999.
`PictureWorks pricing for prototype. Jun. 9. I999.
`PictureWorks proposal. Jun. 9. 1999.
`PictureWorks scope of work. Jun. 9. 1999.
`Letter from Terry Anderson to Amazon. Jun. 9. I999.
`“PictureWorks Announces Co-Branding and Distribution Agree-
`ments with On-Line Photo Services Companies.” Jun. 14. I999.
`PictureWorks Polaroid presentation. Jun. 15. I999.
`Email from Lisa Wood to Don Strickland et al.. Jun. 30. 1999.
`East Bay Business Times. “PicturcWorks I‘ounder Keeps True to
`Original Vision.”Jul. 2. I999.
`PictttreWorks Technology Proposal. Jul. 9. 1999.
`Press Release. “Picture Works Releases New. Free Imaging Weblica-
`lion: Media('enter 1.1 Offers Essential Photo Tools for Internet Imag-
`ing and Web Publishing. Ideal for Digital Camera Users." Jul. 19.
`[999.
`Press Release. “Pictru'ehay is the Fastest and Easiest Way to Add
`Pictures to Auctions,” Aug. 3. I999.
`Picturcbay Screenshot. Oct. 13. 1999.
`
`"‘ cited by examiner
`
`0003
`0003
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
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`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 27, 2010
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 7,765,482 B2
`
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 27, 2010
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 7,765,482 B2
`
`8T9£33aw$393“.
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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 27,
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`2010
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`Sheet 4 of 5
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`US 7,765,482 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 27, 2010
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
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`US 7,765,482 BZ
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`

`

`1
`WEB-BASED MEDIA SUBWSSION TOOL
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`US 1763482 B2
`
`This application is a continuation of US. application
`Ser. No. (BEE-57.836. tiled Jul. 21. 1999 now U.S.
`Pat. No. 6.895.557. Priority to or reliance on all
`other applications is expressly disclaimed.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to the handling. manipulation
`and processing of digital content and more particularly to the
`transportation and Internet publishing of digital content, par-
`ticularly image media objects and rich media.
`2. State of the Art
`
`Much ofthe phenomenal success oftlie web is attributable
`to its graphical nature. Literally. a picture is worth a thousand
`words. The capture of digital images has become routine.
`using digital cameras and scanners. Nevertheless. although
`the handling of images by web—site creators has achieved a
`high degree of automation. for the average technology user
`(the “imaging civilian"). manipulating and sharing digital
`images over the Internet remains a cumbersome and daunting
`process. Piecemeal solutions that have been devised for han-
`dling digital images require a level of sophistication that is
`beyond that of the ordinary user. For example. transferring a
`digital image may require first downloading a FTP program.
`then installing it. then running it and connecting to an FTP
`server by typing the server name in the connection dialog.
`then navigating to the proper subdirectory. selecting the files
`to be uploaded. making sure that the program is in binary
`transfer mode. then sending the files. For the imaging civilian.
`such an involved process can be daunting to say the least.
`Additionally. as technologies advance and casual users
`begin to experiment with other media objects. such as stream-
`ing video. 3i.) objects. slide shows. graphics. movies. and
`even sound files that accompany imaging data. the processes
`required to share these rich media types on the Internet
`becomes exponentially more complicated and prohibitive. As
`the realization of the Inteniet as an interactive, content rich
`medium becomes more and more a reality. the need for
`enabling the use and distribution ol'rich content and media on
`the lntcmet will become the gating factor to its long term
`success.
`
`A broad-based solution to the foregoing problem requires
`a web-based media submission tool that allows for submis-
`
`sion of media objects in a convenient. intuitive manner. A
`company named Caught in the Web. has attempted to create a
`broad—based media submission tool known as “ActiveUp—
`load“. ActiveUpload allows an arbitrary file to be dragged and
`dropped onto a web page control for upload to the web server.
`An ActiveUpload control allows users to. without leaving a
`web page. transfer files to a server (Internet or intranet) by
`selecting the files on the user” 5 desktop that the user wants to
`transfer. then dragging them onto the web page. For example,
`a user. having visited a web page. can contribute pictures.
`documents. zip files, ctc.. without having to leave the web
`page and use an FTP program. Standard web authoring tools
`can be used to integrate ActiveUpload into web pages and
`change the behavior of the control.
`Although Caught in the Web‘s ActiveUpload tool simpli-
`fies the user experience. it does little toward furthering “back-
`end" automation in the handling and distribution of media
`objects and has no built in “intelligence” to streamline the
`process of handling and transporting rich media objects from
`the front end.
`
`UI
`
`10
`
`'
`
`3o
`
`35
`
`4t]
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`on
`
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`
`The present invention. generally speaking. provides an
`improved web-based media submission too]. As with some
`existing tools. operation ofthc tool is drag and drop or the user
`can “click" to browse a directory to select media objects.
`Unlike existing tools. the tool provides several unique and
`valuable functions. For example. the tool provides the user an
`opportunity to conlinn the submission with a visual represen-
`tation. for example by generating a thumbnail image of the
`rich media file that has been selected. Additionally. batch
`submission is provided to allow a user to drag and drop or
`select a plurality of images or other media objects. Submis-
`sion from a web page to a web page is also provided for. Even
`more importantly. the submission tool is configurable to per-
`form a variable amount of intelligent prepmcessing on media
`objects prior to upload. In the case ofdigital images. the tool
`can perform sizing and formatting. for example. lnfonnation
`capture is pertbnued with information being uploaded
`together with the media objects. In an exemplary embodi-
`ment. information capture is both user—transparent (e.g.. user
`ID andfor password) and usernvisible (eg. the user can pro-
`vide captions for media objects). The submission of infonna-
`tion about the user and the media objects facilitates automatic
`integration of the media objects within existing databases.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`
`The present invention may be further understood from the
`following description in conjunction with the appended
`drawing. In the drawing:
`FIG. I is a diagram of an exemplary web page providing
`media object acquisition functions:
`FIG. 2 is a diagram ol‘anotlter exemplary web page pro-
`viding image acquisition functions:
`FIG. 3 is a table pertaining to a first portion of the Prepare
`and Post component design; and
`FIG. 4 is a table pertaining to a second portion of the
`Prepare and Post component design.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`tools.
`The following describes the Prepare and Post'r-V‘
`which prepares and submits media objects from inside a
`standard browser. referred to as the first location. to a second
`location or server. The media objects may be pictures (im-
`ages). movies. videos. graphics. sound clips. etc.Although in
`the following description the submission of images is
`described in greatest detail. the same principles apply equally
`to media objects of all descriptions.
`The Prepare and Post tools refers to browser-side compo-
`nents which together provide the ability to submit and trans-
`port media objects over the web to be stored and served.
`Using the Prepare and Post tools. end users can submit images
`in an immediate. intuitive manner. No technical sophistica-
`tion is required. In particular. understanding technical terms
`such as .IPI iG. resolution. pixel. kilobyte. transfer protocol. IP
`address. P'l'l’ etc._. is not required. since the Prepare and Post
`tools handles all ot'these tasks for the user. The benefits of the
`
`Prepare and Post tool are:
`a) to the image submitter. the ability to submit media
`objects to web pages immediately without needing to
`overcome technical obstacles;
`b) to the image submitter. the ability to submit media
`objects to web pages “as is" without making modifica-
`tions to the media objects prior to sending.
`
`0009
`0009
`
`

`

`3
`
`4
`
`US 1763482 B2
`
`The opportunity for user confirmation is again provided. e.g..
`by displaying a visttal representation of the images in the
`batch.
`
`It]
`
`c) to PictureWorks web site partner. access to a uniform.
`standardized, reliable and secure channel
`for media
`acquisition;
`(1) to PictureWorks web site partner. access to contributed
`media “made to order“. it meets their imaging specifi-
`cations every time without human intervention:
`e) to PictureWorks web site partner. the ability to provide
`web site visitors with an easy. error free way to contribu
`ute media:
`f) to PictureWorks web site partner. access to contributed
`media in “real time“ with no time delays.
`The two primary components used in the Prepare and Post
`tools which carry out these functions are l ) the media object
`identifier and 2) the media sender.
`In general. the media object identifier functions to provide
`a graphical interface for placing and associating a media
`object from a user’s desktop onto a web page. The media
`sender carriers out the function ol'transmitting media objects
`to a second location.
`
`There are two ways media objects on the first location
`become associated with a media object identifier. The first is
`through a “drag and drop" behavior where the user clicks on
`a media object to select the one they want to submit. The
`media object is then dragged to the media object identifier.
`Releasing the mouse button associates the media object with
`the media object identifier. This behavior is allowed in web
`browsers that support drag and drop fitnctionality. The Pre-
`pare and Post tools enable these browsers to accept media
`objects via drag and drop by providing the media object
`identifier as an ActiveX component.
`The second way to associate a media object on the first
`location with the media object identifier is to click on the
`media object identifier to browse for tnedia objects.
`then
`select the media object of choice. This method is tnade avail-
`able forweb browsers where the media object identifierneeds
`to be a pure lava component. (Such “signed applet browers"
`like Netscape Navigator] in this instance. the user may be
`asked to choose a media object in a similar manner as when
`choosing a file to be opened. either by graphical navigation or
`by specifying a path name. For example. a prompt associated
`with the media object identifier may be displayed prompting
`the user to click within the media object identifier. Clicking
`within the tnedia object identifier brings up a browse dialog.
`Using the browse dialog. the user selects the desired media
`object. which is then placed in the media object identifier. The
`Prepare and Post tools will generate a visual representation or
`thumbnail of the media object. a feature currently not avail-
`able in signed applet browsers.
`Real estate is an example of a prime application of the
`Prepare and Post tools. “Curb appeal" is of great importance
`in the realty industry and can only be judged by “drive—bys."
`which are time-consuming and laborious, or by the availabil-
`ity of images. The Prepare and Post tools make real estate
`images readily available with a minimal amount of eflort.
`Referring to FIG. I. an example is shown ofa realty web
`page featuring the described Prepare and Post tools function—
`ality. The user associates images with a media object identi—
`fier via the methods described above and selects appropriate
`captions for the images. e.g., living room, family room, etc.
`"The captions may be typed in or selected from menus. The
`user also supplies identifying information. in this instance the
`MLS listing number. When the user clicks the Send button.
`the images are uploaded and processed immediately accord-
`ing to the configuration of the Prepare and Post tools.
`The Prepare and Post tools also support a batch interface.
`allowing a plurality of images to be submitted simultaneously
`as in the case of a professional photographer. for example.
`
`Ifa mistake is made such that the wrong image is placed in
`an media object identifier. the correct image may be placed in
`the media object identifier. The correct image will replace the
`mistaken image. Alternatively. the user may remove an image
`front a media object identifier by rightelicking on the media
`object identifier and selecting Remove within a resulting pop-
`up menu.
`Note that any number of media object identifiers may be
`provided on a web page and that the media object identifiers
`may be separate or grouped. This is evident in FIG. 2. The
`number ol‘media object identifiers provided on a page can be
`pie-configured and fixed. allowing no user intervention. or
`the media object identifiers can be generated dynamically.
`allowing the user to determine how many media object iden-
`tifiers they need for media submission. FIG. 2 shows a web
`page with various sizes ol‘media object identifiers. Ifa media
`' object identifier is separate.
`its image will be transmitted
`separately to the second location. If an media object identifier
`is part ofa group. its image will be transmitted to the second
`location as part of a group of images that are stored together
`and cataloged together. Media object identifiers that are asso-
`ciated together as a group are noted as such in the web page
`interface and transparently in the media object identifier
`object code. Moreover. a web page may have multiple groups
`of media object identifiers. or “groups of groups.“
`The usefulness ofimages is greatly enhanced by capturing
`and identifying information about the images and submitting
`the identifying information with the images. lnl'omtation may
`be image-specific. user-specific or both. The submission of
`inlormation about the user and the media objects facilitates
`automatic integration of the media objects within existing
`databases. Information capture may be overt or covert or both.
`This unique automatic database integration enables the
`images to be served with the proper web page data. Overt
`information capture relies upon the user to make menu selec-
`tions of appropriate captions as illustrated in FIG. 1. or to
`make text entries within text fields. or both. The Prepare and
`Post tools are easily customized to accept menu selections
`and text fields for different applications. Covert infomtation
`capture occurs by having the web browser automatically pass
`to the Prepare and Post tools knowtt information such as a
`user ID or password used to access the web page.
`A key difl’erentiator of the Prepare and Post tools is the
`browser. or client-side intelligence bttilt into the tools. This
`intelligence directly provides
`features
`including those
`already outlined such as associating data with media objects.
`generating a visual representation of the media objects and
`generating media object identifiers dynamically or in a pre—
`set manner. Other features are also provided via this intelli-
`gence. specifically. the ability to control the width and height
`oftlte media object identifier and the ability to preprocess the
`media objects in any number ol‘ways prior to transporting to
`a second loc