`
`U300689555'7Bl
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Wood ct a1.
`
`{10) Patent No.:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,895,557 B1
`May 17, 2005
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`WEB-BASED MEDIA SUBMISSION TOOL
`
`Inventors:
`
`Lisa T. Wood, [)anville, CA (US);
`Scott M. Lewis, Danville, (TA (US);
`Robin T. Fried, Berkeley, CA (US)
`
`(73}
`
`Assignee:
`
`II’IX Corporation, San
`(US)
`
`Ramone, CA
`
`(‘7
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to an)r disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(1)) by 0 days.
`
`(31}
`
`{22
`
`(51}
`{52}
`
`(58}
`
`(56}
`
`Appl. No:
`Filed:
`
`[197357,836
`
`Jul. 21, 1999
`
`Int. Cl.7
`U.S. CI.
`
`“G09G 5700
`7157744 7157748; 7157769;
`7077102; 7097236
`Field of Search
`7'0771, 10, 3, 4,
`7(1772,ul00”102”, 513, 523, 101; 345''418,
`473, 769, 770, 744; 7097219, 246, 232;
`3827305
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,001 ,0 28
`5.327.255
`5,555 ,388
`5 1578,0471
`5,7507; 17
`5,75 1 ,4714
`5,781,773
`5 799.0133
`5,313,009
`5,319,032
`5,845,299
`5.390.170
`6,012,068
`5,017,157
`6,028,603
`9,035,321
`73,202,091
`{7.3111 .607
`9,381 1129
`5,489,980
`
`Johnson elal.
`371991
`3(74721’10
`A
`771994 McDonald
`.. 3587527
`A
`
`971996 Shaughnessy
`.. 3957427
`A
`
`1071997 Cahill el al.
`3957616
`A
`671998 Sheridan
`.. 3587442
`A
`
`671998 Murakami et al .....
`. 3957182
`A
`771998 Vanderpool e1 £11.. 3957611
`A *
`
`871998 Krane
`A
`971998 Johnson et :11.
`A
`7077101]
`A * 1071998 De Vries el al.
`7097250
`A " 1271998 Arora el al
`71177513
`
`A “
`3719.99 Sidana
`.. 7077501
`A *
`172000 Boezeman et al
`7077104
`A
`1720017 Garlinkle et al
`. 3967639
`
`A 7‘
`272000 Wang eta].
`. 3437350
`A *
`3720111.} Narayen et a1.
`. 711972111
`B1 "‘
`372001 Khosla et al
`.
`70773
`
`B2 * 10721101 Barraclough et al.
`71197204
`“35871 [4
`*
`4721102 Tipirrierti
`"' 1272002 Scott ct a1.
`3457854
`
`Bl
`
`levyetal.
`172003
`5,505,150 B1 ==
`272003 Boys
`5.515340 112
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7047270
`
`EP
`
`0930 774 A2
`
`771999
`
`.
`
`I-IO4N71721
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Thilo I-Iorstmann and Richard Bentley, “Distributed Author-
`ing on the Web with the BSCW Shared Workspace System,”
`StandardView vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 9—16, Mar. 1997’“
`Doug Dean, 15 Seconds: Down and Dirty Browser Upload—
`ing with a VB ASP Component, pp. 1—10, Mar. 11, 1999*
`Peter Persits, 15 Seconds: Browser—based uploading Under
`the Microscope, pp. 1—7, Nov. 21, 1998.‘
`Netscape Communications Corp, Help File of Netscape
`Composer 4.75, Copyright 1994—1998, p, 93"
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Exmtriner
`John Cabeca
`Assisrrmr Examiner—Tadesse Hailu
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Frost Brown Todd LLC
`
`(57}
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`invention, generally speaking, provides an
`The present
`improved web-based media submission too]. 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 01‘ 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 intellegent preprocessing on
`media objects prior to upload. 1n 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 and7or password) and user-visible (e.g., the
`user can provide captions for media objects). The submis-
`sion of information about
`the user and the media objects
`facilitates automatic integration of the media objects within
`existing databases.
`
`74 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Homes
`
`neuter Germ:
`Gatling Started 5...: 911m Homes anhg caesium, it.»
`
`Today‘s Rates
`11.751:
`50-111: Flud
`5.453
`15-7" Fm
`5.61:
`1-7" 7.7 31:19.
`.mdwm
`
`Higiigils
`Henna In Home!
`
`71de Photos to your listings
`hyiidufllglunapiehmoilhe
`Ham
`report; It: as)! bailout: 1119
`yes-photos. mdlhandmglhunii
`mMmmlu-mmm
`bullion.
`
`
`
`.-
`
`Apple/Twitter
`Apple/Twitter
`Ex. 1024
`EX. 1024
`IPR2 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,765,482
`IPR2 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,765,482
`
`Ii Imp. you up}! our it: Gelbelltuupwalermlbfilgl
`
`Home -a ma
`swarms-u
`HUI“ & Role Tmflters “w m
`Ruin tree e—Inul martin
`
`0001
`
`
`.
`
`0001
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`May 17, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 0f 5
`
`US 6,895,557 B1
`
`7113,
`
`39.535
`
`22..
`
`22E3.5
`
`So:
`
`325was
`
`Bo:
`
`225mos
`
`So:
`
`Eli.
`
`_nml§_
`
`El;
`
`mmmlg;
`
`.cotfln
`
`90:9:85a.85@5085...
`
`
`
`3.252%.atom9.58
`
`88°:
`mmEoz
`
`
`
`
`«333$325$.
`
`
`
`2:ho3.303083EBB;3macaw:So».8838%“...6:3wow
`
`
`
`
`
`353:8.33285%sohis05282$2.38»m:.33qu
`
`35%:so»88.25363
`
`«m;85...307%
`
`8.8..362:
`
`8«Stage
`BE$533
`
`
`
`:8on2.0m:05xo=o:2:2632.;zoomL8cozqco953.8%o623.323mean2.:BEE05m8...:2:26$3935%
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.3on80:52»;
`
`3?3o353%one;o;
`
`
`
`Boam:ucmm082m
`
`x8988
`
`3:929:
`
`
`
`«38%=oEuooutozooom
`
`
`
`29.8:33.a25:
`
`
`
`N96vefi58,19
`
`
`
`Red03232.8»;
`
`
`
`
`
`E_i..o....5....:.53::$80338:02.,
`
`0002
`
`0002
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`May 17, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 0f 5
`
`US 6,895,557 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`2:35223o9%:2:was.33350>325:8.23585%co.628
`
`
`
` mom—:5620m220:isQ
`
`.323x3
`
`2:380.7.2.138m:.8393a9.5305E95:5%8»,8:898.552.“we
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`«$2,83qu.3Em:.53hoSosao053$2988;3.6::.235
`
`
`
`23233$9933.80Ba«2305
`
`
`
`
`
`050ER5235.».2a:met:2:9553235%353:8839:85%:o
`
`
`
`
`
`8282:382“ma..38m:.aancaotsmcRE.5»:5%to:23363.
`
`
`
`
`
`.83358383.58535cocBES3=3mogofi9:..323mean
`
`gosccaotzmo9.63
`
`
` x).E33383052mcfimuuaiomuEH.355
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`93233$9269330
`
`§m5vc=otzm
`
`0003
`
`0003
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`May 17, 2005
`
`Sheet 3 0f 5
`
`US 6,895,557 B1
`
`m.6E
`
`35m.8.6586»met\Ecxumbxxmt35m
`
`
`nEqEE£980.538m3mEuE‘anSefiEmcm
`
`87c..c335,m<\t‘ggwmb
`
`
`c332.»mw33$»me
`
`@5552‘
`
`5635nomcoxmcmgammcgu
`
`66.5%no25Sausage
`
`.3853‘£§§n
`
`uS.608E
`
`«E\CquEfi
`
`$9:«62$S5.9.6
`
`
`
`35m.muuEuzuE0Eb3«:6235m.mEuzuE
`
`mGENmBum
`
`«3&quth
`\CquEflm833
`5.:33803%
`5$5553
`
`lg;$535%
`
`
`
`”muegota\obcooumuEasl
`
`
`
`
`
`\mmuENmBumScubesto33%523$wuufiamxuum
`
`
`
`EEG.no6302383qumum\Eckomfixut35m3303:323qu
`
`
`
`msQEQMSSbaa
`
`.3..qu«.5Eek
`
`“x3EconoERS
`
`baaomox
`
`
`
`QmuoEEcmG305..ms986«3.5606
`
`
`
`
`
`meta..3mEoZmqu‘$8..2.3;meta.
`
`x3to:6....m6§
`
`mEoZuuo§
`
`0004
`
`
`
`..a.656.“£ca?3.5....5.0303.
`
`
`
`
`
`itht01.5!k0
`
`.Ea.6
`
`1kg.FeteSas?95.5
`Atmqeq
`
`33.2.me
`
`0004
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`May 17, 2005
`
`Sheet 4 0f 5
`
`US 6,895,557 B1
`
`
`
`
`bcaomnm.oohsuwmmufi‘u‘.c335atwampfim‘e
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`32%BEN%.56.£335.av.mboghmabfi
`
`ROSS}:goLmol...$th«V«Kb350%
`
`
`
`EoimmoqESSA.memm<529.6me
`
`
`
`Q3baton”63:“3‘atom:amESE.26
`
`:ég$585%
`
`
`
`BasisEEéEfigEEQ
`
`
`
`EmmaumkofioxtsgmmugsEmtmcckSaga.muaomkofiwx‘tEnzm
`
`
`
`
`
`k:d&whenESE
`
`msh$3303
`
`2k.mboumash.
`
`MKcocoa
`
`ESE2313:
`
`
`
`«SE30.88
`
`£28.."Subunnm63.4».32.:3‘«830
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`«8.68a:encuxcmua..mctrw3x5%?me
`
`Egomum:3ch8«63”.:mo3.3.on
`
`3.30:32:2:58E35..uctumav.QNQSGERE
`
`
`
`been8at.mSEm.«woEatmE
`...3%Q$323.38:
`
`
`mxtumuukgotom
`
`.883o5“
`
`$325.3Eazmutgummgbm:
`
`
`
`$30Pow.62.3%«V3me
`
`
`
`Egomam..msSh3‘momma
`
`usShatMome
`
`
`
`0005
`
`EEG.muoxSmEngEummemwukgggmm
`
`
`
`ES“.man;580%
`
`
`
`
`
`82m
`
`3vGE
`
`V$560.5%56.:
`
`.2:26389.5m
`
`.233%.2i
`
`20300Ezoo.fi
`
`.Egommpsmiéfim
`
`buuqeq
`
`0005
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`May 17, 2005
`
`Sheet 5 0f 5
`
`US 6,895,557 B1
`
`
`.NmmcEBEQ“8.30egg2:«Bow.3.mm9%GNQmmuENmBom.NouoEEEQNmEGEEQEeg
`
`B::8ES33555.kmmaumtgom‘figgmumficotxosutaumg
`
`«329mQCmEonm«683
`
`.\g.0«Eb«6.36m.
`
`.mmmgbbv‘q.‘
`
`.305ch
`
`grams
`
`,mEcszqEE
`
`
`
`638».5338
`
`.wtboomuog
`
`.mboo&N
`
`.Nummb
`
`.33
`
`0006
`
`mv6Q
`
`(wGEvatm».GE
`
`
`
`3%1E22:33%.,mEQEmthfimmcEEEQN.2me
`
`0006
`
`
`
`1
`WEB-BASED MEDIA SUBMISSION TOOL
`
`US 6,895,557 B1
`
`2
`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 several
`unique and valuable functions. For example, the tool pro
`vides the user an opportunity to con?rm the submission With
`a visual representation, for example by generating a thumb
`nail image of the rich media ?le 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. Submission from a Web page to a Web page is also
`provided for. Even more importantly, the submission tool is
`con?gurable 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 infor
`mation 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.
`
`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. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary Web page providing
`media object acquisition functions;
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of another exemplary Web page
`providing image acquisition functions;
`FIG. 3 is a table pertaining to a ?rst 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 PRFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The folloWing describes the Prepare and PostTM tools,
`Which prepares and submits media objects from inside a
`standard broWser, referred to as the ?rst location, to a second
`location or server. The media objects may be pictures
`(images), 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 obejcts of all descriptions.
`The Prepare and Post tools refers to broWser-side com
`ponents Which together provide the ability to submit and
`transport 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
`sophistication is required. In particular, understanding tech
`nical terms such as JPEG, resolution, pixel, kilobyte, trans
`fer protocol, IP address, FTP etc., is not required, since the
`Prepare and Post tools handles all of these tasks for the user.
`The bene?ts 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 modi?
`cations to the media objects prior to sending.
`c) to PictureWorks Web site partner, access to a uniform,
`standardiZed, reliable and secure channel for media
`acquisition;
`
`15
`
`25
`
`The present application is related by subject matter to
`US. application Ser. No. 09/440,461, now US. Pat. No.
`6,732,162.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to the handling, manipula
`tion and processing of digital content and more particularly
`to the transportation and Internet publishing of digital
`content, particularly image media objects and rich media.
`2. State of the Art
`Much of the phenomenal success of the Web is attribut
`able 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 Website 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 cumber
`some and daunting process. Piecemeal solutions that have
`been devised for handling digital images require a level of
`sophistication that is beyond that of the ordinary user. For
`example, transferring a digital image may require ?rst
`doWnloading a FTP program, then installing it, then running
`it and connectting to an FTP server by typing the server
`name in the connection dialog, then navigating to the proper
`subdirectory, selecting the ?les to be uploaded, making sure
`that the program is in binary transfer mode, then sending the
`?les. 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
`streaming video, 3D objects, slide shoWs, graphics, movies,
`and even sound ?les that accompany imaging data, the
`processes required to share these rich media types on the
`Internet becomes exponentially more complicated and pro
`hibitive. As the realiZation of the Internet as an interactive,
`content rich medium becomes more and more a reality, the
`need for enabling the use and distribution of rich content and
`media on the Internet Will become the gating factor to its
`long term success.
`Abroad-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
`45
`a broad-based media submission tool knoWn as “ActiveU
`pload”. ActiveUpload alloWs an arbitrary ?le 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 ?les to a server (Internet or
`intranet) by selecting the ?les on the user’s 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 ?les, etc., Without hav
`ing 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
`?es the user experience, it does little toWard furthering
`“backend” 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.
`
`40
`
`55
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention, generally speaking, provides an
`improved Web-based media submission tool. As With some
`
`0007
`
`
`
`US 6,895,557 B1
`
`3
`d) to PictureWorks Web site partner, access to contributed
`media “made to order”, it meets their imaging speci
`?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
`contribute 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 1) the media object
`identi?er and 2) the media sender.
`In general, the media object identi?er 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 of transmitting media objects
`to a second location.
`There are tWo Ways media objects on the ?rst location
`become associated With a media object identi?er. The ?rst 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 identi?er.
`Releasing the mouse button associates the media object With
`the media object identi?er. This behavior is alloWed in Web
`broWsers that support drag and drop functionality. The
`Prepare and Post tools enable these broWsers to accept
`media objects via drag and drop by providing the media
`object identi?er as an ActiveX component.
`The second Way to associate a media object on the ?rst
`location With the media object identi?er is to click on the
`media object identi?er to broWse for media objects, then
`select the media object of choice. This method is made
`available for Web broWsers Where the media object identi?er
`needs to be a pure Java 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 ?le to be opened, either by graphical
`navigation or by specifying a path name. For example, a
`prompt associated With the media object identi?er may be
`displayed prompting the user to click Within the media
`object identi?er. Clicking Within the media object identi?er
`brings up a broWse dialog. Using the broWse dialog, the user
`selects the desired media object, Which is then placed in the
`media object identi?er. The Prepare and Post tools Will
`generate a visual representation or thumbnail of the media
`object, a feature currently not available 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 avail
`ability of images. The Prepare and Post tools make real
`estate images readily available With a minimal amount of
`effort.
`Referring to FIG. 1, an eXample is shoWn of a realty Web
`page featuring the described Prepare and Post tools func
`tionality. The user associates images With a media object
`identi?er via the methods described above and selects appro
`priate 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
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`4
`immediately according to the con?guration of the Prepare
`and Post tools.
`The Prepare and Post tools also support a batch interface,
`alloWing a plurality of images to be submitted simulta
`neously as in the case of a professional photographer, for
`eXample. The opportunity for user con?rmation is again
`provided, e.g., by displaying a visual representation of the
`images in the batch.
`If a mistake is made such that the Wrong image is placed
`in a media object identi?er, the correct image may be placed
`in the media object identi?er. The correct image Will replace
`the mistaken image. Alternatively, the user may remove an
`image from a media object identi?er by right-clicking on the
`media object identi?er and selecting Remove Within a
`resulting pop-up menu.
`Note that any number of media object identi?ers may be
`provided on a Web page and that the media object identi?ers
`may be separate or grouped. This is evident in FIG. 2. The
`number of media object identi?ers provided on a page can
`be pre-con?gured and ?xed, alloWing no user intervention,
`or the media object identi?ers can be generated dynamically,
`alloWing the user to determine hoW many media object
`identi?ers they need for media submission. FIG. 2 shoWs a
`Web page With various siZes of media object identi?ers. If a
`media object identi?er is separate, its image Will be trans
`mitted separately to the second location. If an media object
`identi?er is part of a 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 iden
`ti?ers that are associated together as a group are noted as
`such in the Web page interface and transparently in the media
`object identi?er object code. Moreover, a Web page may
`have multiple groups of media object identi?ers, or “groups
`of groups.”
`The usefulness of images is greatly enhanced by capturing
`and identifying information about the images and submitting
`the identifying information With the images. Information
`may be image-speci?c, user-speci?c or both. The submis
`sion of information 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 selections of appropriate captions as illustrated in FIG.
`1, or to make teXt entries Within teXt ?elds, or both. The
`Prepare and Post tools are easily customiZed to accept menu
`selections and teXt ?elds for different applications. Covert
`information capture occurs by having the Web broWser
`automatically pass to the Prepare and Post tools knoWn
`information such as a user ID or, passWord used to access the
`Web page.
`A key differentiator of the Prepare and Post tools is the
`broWser, or client-side intelligence built 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 identi?ers dynamically or in a
`pre-set manner. Other features are also provided via this
`intelligence, speci?cally, the ability to control the Width and
`height of the media object identi?er and the ability to
`
`0008
`
`
`
`US 6,895,557 B1
`
`5
`preprocess the media objects in any number of Ways prior to
`transporting to a second location. In the case of an image
`media object for example, the Prepare and Post tools may
`resiZe the image, (i.e., increase or decrease its siZe as de?ned
`by either physical dimensions, pixel count, or kilobytes).
`Compression, for example, is a type of siZing. The Prepare
`and Post tools may also change the image’s ?le format (a
`Way of a media object being identi?ed as to a “type” or
`“kind” of media), change the quality setting of the image,
`crop the image or change the aspect ratio, add text or
`annotations, encode or combine (including stitching) the
`media object, or enhance the media object by changing
`image values, for example, relating to contrast or saturation.
`This intelligence may be executed in a manner that is
`transparent to the end user. This transparency alloWs the end
`user to submit media to the Prepare and Post tools “as is,”
`since the tools Will automatically prepare it to meet the
`requirements of the second location. Note that, although
`image submission may involve client-side processing, image
`processing is not required.
`The Prepare and Post tools are available for customers to
`integrate into their oWn Web pages. The Prepare and Post
`tools are easily integrated into Web sites (customers) to
`alloWs those sites to accept media objects from Web site
`visitors (users). Appendix A is a generic HTML HostTem
`plate illustrating hoW Prepare and Post components are
`integrated into a Web page. The HTML template ?le (Which
`is a complete Working example) contains instructions and a
`feW small code snippets that the customer pastes into the
`Web page. Integrating the Prepare and Post components
`requires an InitialiZation Section, a Con?guration Section,
`an ImageWell (media object identi?er) Section, a Submis
`sion Section and an ImageUpIJoad Control Section. To
`include the Prepare and Post tools media object identi?ers
`on a Web page, the customer cuts and pastes code snippets
`for these sections from the template into the Web page.
`The InitialiZation Section consists of a feW lines of
`J avaScript code that Will doWnload all of the needed Prepare
`and Post submission components.
`The Con?guration Section overrides various con?gurable
`default settings that the customer can control. In the Con
`?guration Section, the media object identi?er component is
`siZed and con?gured to perform any preprocessing of the
`image that may be desired prior to upload. Con?gurable
`parameters include both ?xed values for all submissions (per
`submission values) and ?xed values for all images Within a
`submission (per image values), as Will be explained pres
`ently.
`Fixed values for all submissions include DefaultImage
`Width and DefaultImageHeight, as Well as include Default
`ControlWidth and DefaultControlHeight. The former
`specify the default Width and height of the images after they
`have been compressed for transmission. The latter specify
`the default Width and height of all media object identi?ers.
`To create media object identi?ers having different siZes, the
`customer speci?es the desired siZe When creating the media
`object identi?er. Another ?xed value for all submissions is
`Quality. This determines the quality level of the images after
`they have been compressed for transmission (0 is the loWest
`quality/highest compression and 100 is the highest quality/
`loWest compression).
`Fixed values for all media objects Within a submission
`include Keyl and Key2. Keyl is the primary value that
`determines the ?lename of the resulting image ?le and,
`consequently, its URL. It is important that each submitted
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`6
`image have a unique name to prevent one image from
`overWriting another. Key2 is an optional secondary key that
`is appended to Keyl before the image’s ?lename and URL
`are created. While default values for Keyl and Key2 can be
`speci?ed in the con?guration section, more likely this value
`Will be supplied from a ?eld in the Web form. If the Web page
`form contains a control named “Keyl,” then its value Will be
`used for this key. For example, the ?eld Keyl might be
`labeled as “MLS Number” on the Web page. Similarly, the
`?eld KeyZ-might be labeled “Zip Code” on the Web page. A
`sequence number is appended to the Key1/Key2 combina
`tion. When there are multiple media object identi?ers on a
`page, this Will ensure that each image has a unique key.
`All media object identi?ers on a Web page must be
`contained Within an HTML form. A single line of J avaScript
`code is inserted into the Web page (Within the HTML form)
`in each place Where a media object identi?er is desired. The
`Media object identi?er Section can specify the Width and
`height for each media object identi?er. If the Width and
`height are omitted, then the default Width and heigth from
`the Con?guration Section are used.
`The Submission Code Section contains HTML code that
`creates the button that submits both the images to the second
`locations and the form to the customer’s server. Within the
`Submission Code Section, an HTML “href” parameter is
`required for the Send Button that causes the images to be
`sent. After the images have been sent, the Web page form
`Will be submitted in the standard manner. The form must
`de?ne tWo hidden ?elds named “url” and imagecount.” The
`imagecount ?eld Will contain the number of images actually
`transmitted. In an exemplary embodiment, the URL for
`images 2 through “n” are generated by replacing the initial
`sequence number at the end of the returned URL With the
`desired image number.
`The ImageUpload Control Section holds a small piece of
`JavaScript code that is placed at the very end of the body
`section of the Web page. This code creates the non-visible
`Image Upload control, or media sender, that performs the
`transfer of images from the user’s machine to the second
`location.
`The Prepare and Post components support multiple
`broWsers and dynamically adjust their behavior according to
`the type of broWser that is currently running. For example,
`under supported versions of Microsoft’s broWsers, media
`object identi?ers are implemented as ActiveX controls,
`While under supported Netscape broWsers, media object
`identi?ers are implemented as Java Applets. This multiple
`broWser support is completely automatic.
`FIGS. 3 and 4 present further details of the media object
`identi?er and media sender components, respectively.
`From the foregoing description, it Will be appreciated that
`the present media submission tool, besides offering conve
`nience to the end user, offers convenience and ?exibility to
`technology partners. In particular, Web page integration is
`designed to facilitate automatic server-side integration of
`media content.
`It Will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that
`the present invention can be embodied in other speci?c
`forms Without departing from the spirit or essential character
`thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore
`considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restric
`tive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended
`claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes
`Which come Within the meaning and range of equivalents
`thereof are intended to be embraced therein.
`
`0009
`
`
`
`US 6,895,557 B1
`
`APPENDIX A
`
`HostTernplate generic.htrn
`
`<!__********************************************* Begin Initialization Section __>
`<!——***** This section of code must appear at
`——>
`<!——***** the beginng of the <HEAD> section of
`——>
`<!——***** your Web page. Copy this code and
`——>
`<!——***** paste it directly into your Web page.
`——>
`<SCRIPT type=“teXt/javascript” src=“http://157.22.134.49/cornpany/pWtcornponents.js”> </SCRIPT>
`<SCRIPT type=“teXt/javascript” src=“http://157.22.134.49/cornpany/cornpany.js”> </SCRIPT>
`<y__********************************************* End Initialization Section __>
`</HEAD>
`<BODY>
`
`<!——** ** * This section of code must appear
`<! —— * * * * * anyWhere after the initialization
`
`<! —— * * * * * section (above), and before the
`<!——** ** * the <FORM> that contains the image
`<!——***** Wells.
`
`——>
`——>
`
`——>
`——>
`——>
`
`——>
`——>
`
`——>
`
`<! —— * * * * * This section de?nes data values
`<!——***** needed by the image Wells. You can
`<!——** ** * modify these values to suit ——>
`<!——***** your needs.
`<SCRIPT Language=“Javascript”>
`PWT. Keyl = “narne-your-irnage here”;
`PWT. Key2 = “ ”;
`PWT. Quality = 93;
`PWT. DefaultIrnageWidth = 640;
`PWT. DefaultIrnageHeight = 480;
`PWT. DefaultControlWidth = 326;
`PWT. DefaultControlHeight = 246;
`</SCRIPT>
`
`// If the <FORM> contains ?elds narned ‘ Keyl ’
`// & ‘ KeyZ’ their values Will be used.
`
`// Includes a 3 piXel border
`// Include a 3 piXel border
`
`<FORM>
`This sample displays a Working irnage Well.
`
`<!——***** This code creates an image Well on
`<!——** ** * the Web page. While this template
`<!——** ** * only contains a single image Well,
`<!——***** you can use as many as you like.
`<!——***** Copy this code into your Web page
`<! —— * * * * * anyWhere Within your <FORM> Where
`<!——***** you Want an image Well to appear.
`<SCRIPT Language=“Javascript”>
`PWT. addirnagecontrol( );
`
`——>
`——>
`——>
`——>
`——>
`——>
`——>
`
`// or “PWT.addirnagecontrol(640,480);” to override
`// the default Width and height.
`
`</SCRIPT>
`
`<BR>
`This teXt is after the image Well.
`
`<!——***** You can use any type of button you
`<!——***** Wish, but rather than it being a
`<!——***** standard SUBMIT button, it must
`<!——***** instead contain the parameter:
`
`onclick=“PWT.Subrnit( )”
`
`<!--*****
`<!__*****
`<!--***** (as shoWn in the example beloW).
`<!——***** After the images have been sent,
`<!——***** your Web page FORM Will be submitted
`<!——***** in the standard rnanner.
`
`<!——***** Your FORM rnust de?ne tWo hidden
`<!——***** ?elds narned “url” & “irnagecount”
`<!——***** (see examples beloW). The “url”
`<!——***** ?eld Will be populated With the
`<!——***** resulting URL of the ?rst (or only)
`<!——***** irnage submitted, and the “irnagecount”
`<!——***** ?eld Will contain the number of
`<!——***** irnages actually transrnitted. The URL
`<!——***** for images 2 thru n can be generated
`<!-—***** by replacing the initial sequence
`<!--***** number (which Will alWays be “1”)
`<!——***** at the end of the returned URL With
`
`——>
`——>
`——>
`——>
`
`——>
`——>
`——>
`——>
`——>
`——>
`
`——>
`——>
`——>
`——>
`——>
`——>
`——>
`——>
`——>
`
`——>
`——>
`
`0010
`
`
`
`US 6,895,557 B1
`
`9
`
`APPENDIX A-continued
`
`HostTemplate generic.htm
`
`10
`
`—>
`<!——***** the desired image number.
`<INPUT type=“hidden” name=“url”>
`<INPUT type=“hidden” name=“imagecount”>
`<INPUT type=“button” value=“Submit Images” onclick=“PWT.Submit( )”>
`</FORM>
`<y__**w‘w‘xw‘w‘w‘xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx*xwwwww End Submission Code Section __>
`<y__**w‘w‘xw‘w‘w‘xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx*xwwwww Begin lmageUpload Control Section __>
`<!——***** This section of code must appear at
`<!——***** the end of the <BODY> section of
`<!——***** your web page. Copy this code and
`<!——***** paste it directly into your web page.
`<SCRIPT Language=“Javascript”>
`PWT.adduploadcontrol( );
`</SCRIPT>
`<y__********************************************* End lmageUpload Control Section __>
`</BODY>
`</HTML