Abstract:
A system for disseminating content, comprising digital storage apparatus for storing and organizing the content, the content having portions in a plurality of formats; a processor for generating a message to alert users of the system of availability of the content; a message sender for sending the message to users of the system; a selector for a user to select which portions of the content the user wishes to receive; a delivery function for delivering portions of the content selected by the user using the selector; and apparatus for tracking and generating records of what content, or portions thereof, has been sent to each user. A method for disseminating content, using the system. A computer readable non-transitory storage medium storing instructions of a computer program, which when executed by a computer system results in performance of steps of the method for disseminating content.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/452,030, filed on Mar. 11, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety (including the appendix thereof), for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to dissemination of information, and more specifically a system and method for dissemination of media information. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, the approaches described in this section may not be prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
         [0006]    End-users of data typically require the data to be in a particular format. For example, a video broadcaster typically requires video files formatted in accordance with a particular technical standard, for example, standard definition (SD) or high definition (HD). As such, if a content creator wishes for a broadcaster to broadcast a video, it is desirable for the content creator to provide the video to the broadcaster in an appropriate format, i.e., SD or HD. 
         [0007]    Conventional techniques for dissemination of information from a content creator to a media outlet, e.g., a broadcaster, typically includes tasks of identifying the media outlet and providing the information, i.e., data files, to the media outlets in a particular format. These tasks can be laborious and require dedicated staff and resources to ensure that the information is successfully transmitted and received. In addition the content creator may wish to keep track of to whom the information is being disseminated, but such tracking is not readily provided by existing systems. 
         [0008]    There exist systems for creating information, systems for formatting the information, systems for storing the information, systems for advertising the presence of the stored information, systems downloading the information, and systems for tracking the downloading of the information. However, such systems are typically independent of one another, and therefore, a person wishing to utilize such systems much also utilize a variety of tools, e.g., software products. 
         [0009]    There is a need for a consolidated system that provides the functionality of all of the independent systems. Such a system should allow a content creator to easily prepare the information, and allow a media outlet to easily obtain the information in an appropriate format. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In general, an embodiment of the invention is directed to system for disseminating content, comprising digital storage apparatus for storing and organizing the content, the content having portions in a plurality of formats; a processor for generating a message to alert users of the system of availability of the content; a message sender for sending the message to users of the system; a selector for a user to select which portions of the content the user wishes to receive; a delivery function for delivering portions of the content selected by the user, using the selector; and apparatus for tracking and generating records of what content, or portions thereof, has been sent to each user. 
         [0011]    The processor can produce a message in the form of a digital press release, and can assigns a URL to the digital press release. The digital press release can be sent by one of email having a link to the press release, a link to a web page having access to the press release and the press release being included in the email. The digital press release can contain a plurality of fields selected from the group consisting of a headline, a quote title, a quote, a quote author, an address, a website, content, and a logo. 
         [0012]    Users of the system can be at least one of advertisers and media outlets. Content can be supplied by an entity wishing to conduct at least one advertising campaign. The content can be organized in memory with respect to the at least one campaign. Each campaign can has, associated with it, a plurality of digital press releases. 
         [0013]    The content can include at least a plurality of computer files stored in the digital storage apparatus, for items selected from the group consisting of text, image, audio, standard definition video, high definition video, brand information, contact information, publishing information and Add Docs. 
         [0014]    The system can further comprise a report generator for generating a usage report in response to the records. Data for usage reports can be obtained by software which parses user identification data obtained for a variety of log-in sources, and converts the data to a format for storage in a CVS file format. 
         [0015]    All of the elements of the system can be consolidated into a single system for performing all functions. The system can be used in combination with a plurality of devices for accessing the system, the devices being connected to the system via the Internet. The system can be configured to allow users to receive the messages and to access the content with the devices. The system can be configured to allow content providers to produce the content and upload the content to the system by using one of the devices. The system can provide a template to be supplied to a content creator, so that portions of the content are placed in the template. At least a portion of the users can have a password for the system, and the password can permit a user to access portions of the content that are not accessible without having a password. Provisions may be made for editing or deleting the content, or portions of the content. 
         [0016]    The selector can comprise a carousel for selecting content to be supplied to a user. 
         [0017]    An embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for disseminating content, comprising storing and organizing the content, the content having portions in a plurality of formats, in a digital storage apparatus; generating a message to alert users of the system of availability of the content; sending the message to users of the system; the user selecting which portions of the content the user wishes to receive; delivering portions of the content selected by the user; and tracking and generating records of what content, or portions thereof, has been sent to each user. 
         [0018]    Yet another embodiment of the invention is directed to a computer readable non-transitory storage medium storing instructions of a computer program which when executed by a computer system results in performance of steps of a method for disseminating content, comprising storing and organizing the content, the content having portions in a plurality of formats, in a digital storage apparatus of the computer system; a processor of the computer system generating a message to alert users of the system of availability of the content; the computer system sending the message to users of the system; the user selecting which portions of the content the user wishes to receive; the computer system delivering portions of the content selected by the user; and the computer system tracking and generating records of what content, or portions thereof, has been sent to each user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of system that disseminates and tracks information. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1A  is a block diagram of a database showing that the database is being used to store information for a plurality of media campaigns. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 2-5  are illustrations of a user interface that is presented on a device to facilitate an uploading of content to a database. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a user interface that is presented on a device to facilitate an end-user&#39;s review and downloading of a media release from a database to a device. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a dialogue box that is presented by a user interface. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram that shows that a media release is being distributed in a particular version, and to various devices. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart of a method for disseminating and tracking of information. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    A component or a feature that is common to more than one drawing is indicated with the same reference number in each of the drawings. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of system  100  that disseminates and tracks information. System  100  includes a device  135 , a device  145 , a network  130 , e.g., the Internet, a computer  105 , and a database  155 . Device  135  is utilized by a content creator  140 . Device  145  is utilized by an end-user  150 , e.g., a media outlet. 
         [0028]    Computer  105  includes a processor  120  and a memory  110 . Although computer  105  is represented herein as a standalone device, it is not limited to such, but instead can be coupled to other devices (not shown) in a distributed processing system. 
         [0029]    Processor  120  is an electronic device configured of logic circuitry that responds to and executes instructions. 
         [0030]    Memory  110  is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with a computer program. In this regard, memory  110  stores data and instructions that are readable and executable by processor  120  for controlling the operation of processor  120 . Memory  110  may be implemented in a random access memory (RAM), a hard drive, a read only memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. One of the components of memory  110  is a program module  115 . 
         [0031]    Program module  115  contains instructions for controlling processor  120  to execute methods described herein. The term “module” is used herein to denote a functional operation that may be embodied either as a stand-alone component or as an integrated configuration of a plurality of sub-ordinate components. Thus, program module  115  may be implemented as a single module or as a plurality of modules that operate in cooperation with one another. Moreover, although program module  115  is described herein as being installed in memory  110 , and therefore being implemented in software, it could be implemented in any of hardware (e.g., electronic circuitry), firmware, software, or a combination thereof. 
         [0032]    While program module  115  is indicated as being already loaded into memory  110 , it may be configured on a storage medium  125  for subsequent loading into memory  110 . Storage medium  125  is also a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and can be any conventional storage medium that stores program module  115  thereon. Examples of storage medium  125  include a floppy disk, a compact disk, a magnetic tape, a read only memory, an optical storage media, universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, a digital versatile disc, or a zip drive. Alternatively, storage medium  125  can be a random access memory, or other type of electronic storage, located on a remote storage system and coupled to computer  105  via network  130 . 
         [0033]    Device  135  and device  145  are devices that are capable of communicating with computer  105  via network  130 . Each of device  135  and device  145  may be implemented, for example, as a computer. 
         [0034]    Content creator  140  uploads content  160  from device  135  to database  155 , via network  130  and computer  105 . Content  160  includes any or all of content items of text  165 , images  170 , audio  175 , SD video  180 , HD video  185 , and brand info  190 . Text  165  is in a text format or a word processor format. Images  170  are in an image format. Audio  175  is in an audio format. SD video  180  is video in SD format. HD video  185  is video in HD format. Brand info  190  is brand information, such as a logo, and can be in any appropriate data format, e.g., a logo in an image format. 
         [0035]    From content  160 , processor  120  generates a media release  195  in accordance with instructions in program module  115 . Media release  195  is also designated herein as a digital press release (DPR). Media release  195  is assigned a uniform resource locater (URL), and through use of the URL, is accessible by devices coupled to network  130 . 
         [0036]    End-user  150  receives a communication that notifies end-user  150  of the existence of media release  195 . For example, content creator  140  can provide the notification by way of an email to end-user  150 , where the email includes a link to media release  195 , or a link to a webpage that in turn provides access to media release  195 . As an alternative, processor  120  can transmit the email to end-user  150 . 
         [0037]    It is noted that other types of messages besides email, such as instant messages, tweets, etc. may sent by the system. As an alternative, to the system sending out the messages directly, a service may be used which has adequate resources and bandwidth to reach millions of end users. 
         [0038]    End-user  150  using device  145 , accesses media release  195 , and if desired, downloads to device  145 , some or all of content  160 . 
         [0039]    A company may release a product or service, and organizes information relating to a product or a service according to a campaign. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1A  is a block diagram of database  155  showing that database  155  is being used to store information for a plurality of media campaigns. Database  145  includes a plurality of digital press releases organized in a campaign  156  and a campaign  157 . Each of campaign  156  and campaign  157  is for a different media strategy. For example, campaign  156  may contain DPRs for a particular service or a particular product, and campaign  157  may contain DPRs for publicizing changes of management. Media release  195 , which as mentioned above is also referred to as a DPR, is a part of campaign  157 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 2-5  are illustrations of a user interface  200  that is presented on device  135  to facilitate the uploading of content  160  to database  155 . User interface  200  is generated by processor  120  in accordance with instructions in program module  115 . 
         [0042]    User interface  200  includes tabs  202  that are selectable by content creator  140  to provide DPR Content, Add Brand &amp; Contact Info, Videos, Photos, Add Docs, and Publishing Options (Pub Op). After selecting DPR content, content creator  140  can enter text into a template, and upload it to database  155 , and thereafter edit or delete the text. After selecting Add Brand &amp; Contact Info, content creator  140  can upload add brand information and contact information to database  155 , and thereafter edit or delete the brand information and contact information. After selecting Videos, content creator  140  can upload a video to database  155 , and thereafter edit or delete the video. After selecting Photos, content creator  140  can upload images to database  155 , and thereafter edit or delete the images. After selecting Add Docs, content creator  140  can upload a document to database  155 , and thereafter edit or delete the document. After selecting Pub Op, content creator  140  can specify publishing options, and thereafter edit or delete the publishing options. 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 2 , the tab for DPR Content is selected, and content creator  140  has provided information in fields for each of a headline  205 , a quote title  210 , a quote  215 , a quote author  220 , an address  225 , a website  230 , content  235 , and a logo  240 . Headline  205 , quote title  210 , quote  215 , quote author  220 , address  225 , website  230 , and content  235  are stored in text  165 . Logo  240  is stored in brand info  190 . 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 3 , the tab for Videos is selected, and content creator  140  has uploaded several videos, one of which is named “John Doe—New MD (SD)”, and designated as video  305 , and one of which is named “John Doe—New MD (HD)”, and designated as video  310 . Video  305  is in SD format and stored in SD video  180 , and video  310  is in HD format and stored in HD video  185 . Ordinarily, if content creator  140  wishes for a video to be available in media release  195  in both SD format and HD format, content creator  140  must upload a video in SD format, e.g., video  305 , and a video in HD format, e.g., video  310 . However, computer  105  could also include a reformatting application (not shown) that content creator  140  could invoke through user interface  200  to reformat a video that content creator  140  provides in a first format, to a second format. 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 4 , the tab for Photos is selected, and content creator  140  has uploaded several photos, i.e., images, one of which is designated as image  405 . Image  405  is stored in images  170 . 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 5 , the tab for Publishing Options is selected, and content creator  140  has specified publishing options. 
         [0047]    Although not shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , user interface  200  also facilitates an uploading of audio information that is stored in audio  175 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a user interface  600  that is presented on device  145  to facilitate end-user  150 &#39;s review and downloading of media release  195  from database  155  to device  145 . Thus, user interface  600  is effectively a visual representation of media release  195 . User interface  600  is generated by processor  120  in accordance with instructions in program module  115 . 
         [0049]    User interface  600  includes fields for a logo  605 , a headline  610 , a video  615 , a quote title  620 , a quote  625 , a quote author  630 , an address  635 , a website  640 , and image  650 , a headline  660 , and content  665 . Logo  605  is derived from logo  240 . Headline  610  is derived from headline  205 . Video  615  is derived from video  305  or video  310 . Quote title  620  is derived from quote title  210 . Quote  625  is derived from quote  215 . Quote author  630  is derived from quote author  220 . Address  635  is derived from address  225 . Website  640  is derived from website  230 . Image  650  is derived from image  405 . Headline  660  is derived from headline  205 . Content  665  is derived from content  235 . 
         [0050]    End-user  150  can play video  615 . However, on user interface  600 , video  615  is not necessarily presented in either of SD or HD format, but instead, a relatively low-quality, or low resolution, format. If end-user  150  wishes to download video  615 , end-user  150  would then utilize a download control  645  and select the desired format. For example, if end-user  150  wished to download video  615  in SD format, end-user  150  would select “SD (4.2 MB)” from within download control  645 , and accordingly, processor  120  will (a) obtain video  305  from database  155 , and (b) transmit video  305  to device  145 . Similarly, if end-user  150  wished to download video  615  in HD format, end-user  150  would select “HD (42.7 MB)” from within download control  645 , and accordingly, processor  120  will (a) obtain video  310  from database  155 , and (b) transmit video  310  to device  145 . 
         [0051]    Tabs  655  provide for a selection of videos, images, audio, and documents to be presented on a carousel  655 . In  FIG. 6 , the tab for images is selected, and accordingly, a plurality of images that are presented on carousel  655 . Image  650  is one of the plurality of images. Carousel  655  includes controls for left rotation and right rotation of the plurality of images. If one of the other tabs (video, audio or documents) is selected, then carousel  655  presents thumbnail images that represent available videos, audio or documents. 
         [0052]    If a broadcaster desires a press pack, then the broadcaster may select a Download Press Pack control  657 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a dialogue box  705  that is presented by user interface  600  in a case where end-user  150  selects Download Press Pack control  650 . Dialogue box  705  includes boxes that end-user  150  can check to identify one or more items of content  160  that end-user  150  wishes to download. For example, if end-user  150  is a television broadcaster, then end-user  150  may desire SD video or HD video. If end-user- 150  is a newspaper or magazine publisher, then end-user  150  may desire documents or images. If end-user  150  is a radio broadcaster, then end-user  150  may desire audio. Processor  120  will obtain from database  155 , and transmit to device  145 , the items that are selected in dialogue box  705 . One of the boxes is identified as “ALL (.zip)”, which, when selected, causes processor  120  to provide all of the content items, effectively all of media release  195 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram that shows that media release  195  being distributed in a LITE version  805 , and to various devices  810 ,  815  and  820 . 
         [0055]    LITE version  805  is a relatively static version of media release  195  that is similar in appearance to user interface  600 , but does not include all of the functionality of user interface  600 . For example, LITE version  600  may include an image similar to that of carousel  655 , but does not itself provide for the rotation of images. However, the entire image presented in LITE version  805 , or a substantial portion of that image, is itself a hyperlink to the URL through which media release  195  is accessed. Therefore, when end-user  150  clicks on LITE version  805 , device  145  is placed in communication with processor  120 , and in turn, presented with a proper version of user interface  600 . LITE version  805  can be sent in an email to device  145 , and may be, for example, in the email described above that notifies end-user  150  of the existence of media release  195 . 
         [0056]    Device  810  is a tablet-type device for viewing a MOBILE version of media release  195 . Processor  120  interacts with device  810  via a version of user interface  600  that is suitable for device  810 . 
         [0057]    Device  815  is a mobile device, e.g., a cell phone, which views either a FEED or MOBILE version of media release  195 . Processor  120  interacts with device  815  via a version of user interface  600  that is suitable for device  815 . 
         [0058]    Access device  820  is a computing device, e.g., a laptop, which views a FULL version or the FEED version of media release  195 . Processor  120  interacts with device  820  via a version of user interface  600  that is suitable for device  820 . 
         [0059]    In view of the increasing functionality present on most portable devices, content may be created on any of devices  810 ,  815  or  820  for uploading to the database  155  for use in a campaign. While an application for this purpose may be provided on devices  810 ,  815  or  820 , generally no special application will be required. 
         [0060]    Processor  120 , prior to downloading information to device  145 , requires that end-user  150  have an account that provides information about end-user  150 , such as a name, an email address, an organization, an employer, a country, a city, a website, a telephone number, a date of information request, a content request, a gender, and an age. The account may be an account that is managed by processor  120 , and accordingly, processor  120  provides for the creation and storage of account information. Alternatively, the account may be a preexisting account with a third-party service such as an Internet portal or a social networking site. In the case of the login information being provided from a third-party service, end-user  150  would typically be logged into the third-party service, and while using the third-party service, click on a link that initiates communication between device  145  and processor  120 . 
         [0061]    In addition, when providing a download of information, processor  120  prepares a transaction report. The transaction report indicates that end-user  150  has requested particular items of content from media release  195 , and also includes information about end-user  150 , such as a name, an email address, an organization, an employer, a country, a city, a website, a telephone number, a date of information request, a content request, a gender, and an age. This information about end-user  150  is part of the account information that is provided by end-user  150 , or obtained from the third-party service. The transaction report thus provides information that content creator  140  can utilize to track and monitor the dissemination of the information requested by end-user  150 . 
         [0062]    Transaction reports can be further processed to reveal information about end-users as a group. For example, such information may include a frequency of requests for information and demographic information of end-users that have requested downloads of media release  195 . 
         [0063]    Data for user or transaction reports may be obtained regardless of the manner in which a user logs onto the system. For example, logging on may be accomplished by way of a user name, an account name, or any other terminology that is used for a variety of sources such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. All of this information is parsed, converted as may be appropriate, and stored in a CVS file format, which may be exported to be used with, for example, Excel or other spread sheet programs to allow the data to be viewed and processes as desired. 
         [0064]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart of a method  900  for disseminating and tracking of information. Method  900  is performed by processor  120  in accordance with instructions in program module  115 . Method  900  commences with step  905 . 
         [0065]    In step  905 , receives a communication from device  145  indicating that device  145  is seeking to access media release  195 . The communication may result, for example, from end-user  150  clicking on a link in an email or on a website. Accordingly, processor  120  presents, to device  145 , user interface  600 , which is effectively a representation of media release  195 . End-user  150  interacts with processor  120  via user interface  600 . From step  905 , method  900  advances to step  910 . 
         [0066]    In step  910 , end-user  150 , via user interface  600 , selects content for downloading. Accordingly, processor  120  receives, from device  145 , a communication that indicates end-user  150 &#39;s selection. From step  910 , method  900  progresses to step  915 . 
         [0067]    In step  915 , processor  120  verifies that end-user  145  is entitled to receive selected content. The verification requires that end-user  145  provides login information. As mentioned above, the login information may be directly provided by end-user  145 , or by way of a communication from a third-party service such as an Internet portal or a social networking website with which end-user  150  is registered. 
         [0068]    Step  915  may require additional information such as an organization name or a company name. If the verification is successful, method  900  progresses to step  920 . If the verification is not successful, method  900  advances to step  930 . 
         [0069]    In step  920 , processor  120  obtains the desired content from database  155 . Processor  120  also generates a transaction report. From step  920 , method  900  progresses to step  925 . 
         [0070]    In step  925 , processor  120  sends the content to device  145 . From step  925 , method  900  progresses to step  930 . 
         [0071]    In step  930 , method  900  ends. 
         [0072]    It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in a computer readable non-transitory storage medium storing instructions of a computer program which when executed by a computer system results in performance of steps of the method described herein. Such storage media may include any of those mentioned in the description above. 
         [0073]    The techniques described herein are exemplary, and should not be construed as implying any particular limitation on the present disclosure. It should be understood that various alternatives, combinations and modifications could be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, steps associated with the processes described herein can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified or dictated by the steps themselves. The present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0074]    The terms “comprises” or “comprising” are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components, but not precluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof.