Abstract:
A method, system and computer program product for embedding news agency specific information into an image data stream, including a server configured to process and route an image file according to information included in a data stream corresponding to the image file; a cloud based database configured to transmit news agency specific information; and a computer device including a software application configured to receive the news agency specific information from the cloud based database, embed the news agency specific information into the image file, and transmit the data stream corresponding to the image file to the server.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/017,346 of Jenkins et al., entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME AGGREGATION OF IMAGES,” filed on Jun. 26, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for image processing, and more particularly to a method and system for real-time aggregation of images on smart phone, applications, and the like. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Background 
         [0005]    Currently, organizations are collecting images from multiple smartphones via email, upload to a web address, application, posting to social media, and the like. For example, in typical systems, a smartphone owner, operator, contributor, and the like, can generate an image, and then deliver the image to an organization, such as a newspaper, magazine, website, company and the like. However, such systems and methods suffer from lack of robustness and efficiency with respect to image delivery time that still require a manual process to keep track of who sent which image, and time lost in aggregation of many images in one view, and the like. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Therefore, there is a need for a method and system that addresses the above and other problems. The above and other problems are addressed by the illustrative embodiments of the present invention, which provides a more efficient real-time process to aggregate images from multiple users of devices, such as smartphone, laptop, desk top PC, and the like, into one view that can be uploaded directly to a gallery for an organization, and with identifying information about the attached image, and the like. For example, in the news industry, the novel system and method facilitates access to contributors that are attending community news events, advantageously, while incentivizing contributors with a potential for compensation for sending images through a suitable application  401  (e.g., in Apple App Store (iOS), Android App on Google Play, etc.). A discriminator is used to identify clients in the news industry  402  and provides a purchasing platform that also enables subscribing organizations to share, purchase pictures from various contributors, and the like. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, in illustrative aspects of the present invention there is provided a system, method, and computer program product for embedding news agency specific information into an image data stream, including a server configured to process and route an image file according to information included in a data stream corresponding to the image file; a cloud based database configured to transmit news agency specific information; and a computer device including a software application configured to receive the news agency specific information from the cloud based database, embed the news agency specific information into the image file, and transmit the data stream corresponding to the image file to the server. 
         [0008]    The news agency specific information configured to allow tracking of a news correspondent by a news agency for submission. 
         [0009]    The news agency specific information configured to allow automatic routing of the image file. 
         [0010]    The news agency specific information configured to allow tracking of payment tied to amateur correspondents submissions. 
         [0011]    The news agency specific information configured to associate information in a cloud service to an image submission. 
         [0012]    The software application configured to allow submission by an amateur correspondent, and consolidates news gathering image capabilities. 
         [0013]    Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, by illustrating a number of illustrative embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. The present invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
           [0015]      FIGS. 1A-1C  are used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including client subscription; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 2A-2B  are used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including contributor targeting; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including upload of an image via an application; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including an organization viewing an image; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including purchasing of an image; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including a graphic example of marketing/advertising to potential contributors; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including a graphic example of the application downloaded on a cellular telephone; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including additional graphic examples of the application downloaded on cellular telephones; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including a graphic example of accessing the application on a cellular telephone; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including a graphic example of using a cellular telephone to capture and upload an image. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The present invention includes recognition of problems associated with conventional image delivery systems and methods, including image delivery consuming time, requiring a manual process to keep track of who sent which image, and the like. In addition, with organizations in the news industry, reduction in staff photographers has resulted in the inability to cover most community news events that readers want to hear about. Furthermore, even when having a staff photographer equipped with a smartphone, and the like, the photographer still has to get to the location of most community news events, and the like. 
         [0026]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1A-1C  thereof, there is illustrated a system and method for real-time image aggregation from multiple contributors into one view, including client subscription. In  FIG. 1A , a master potential client marketing list  101  is created and advertised to a potential client at step  102 . At step  103 , an interested client can log onto a website at step  104  via a web server  105  to interface within a website  106  hosted on the web server  105 . The web server  105  includes a master database  107  for storing relevant subscription information, buying decision, and the like, at step  108 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 1B  illustrates how the client subscribes. In  FIG. 1B , the client accesses the master database  107  and inputs relevant information at step  201  that is processed via suitable program logic at step  202 , for example, including a credit card routine, and the like, to pay a subscription fee, and the like, at step  203 . The resulting output at step  204  can include a client subscription number, and the like, at step  205 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 1C  illustrates client setup in a suitable application, including identification (ID) and password (PW) setup. In  FIG. 1C , the client input from step  201  is used in creation of a unique ID and password at step  301 . The created ID and password is then logged in an ID/PW table at step  302 , and then in the master database  107 . Step  303  then links or associates the client subscription number from step  205  with the newly created ID and password from step  302 . Now with such unique identifiers, an email at step  304  is sent to the client advising the client of their ID and password. At step  305 , the client information is updated in the application. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 2A-2B  are used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including contributor targeting. In  FIG. 2A , the application, for example, is added to Apple App Store (iOS), as Android App on Google Play, and the like, at step  401 . A suitable discriminator can be used to identify clients in the news industry at step  402 . The news industry client can market/advertise to potential contributors starting at step  403 , ending news industry discriminator at  404 . Once a contributor is interested, at step  405 , the contributor downloads the application at step  406 , and enters suitable information at step  408  into the application database at step  407 , for example, via suitable registration or login steps, and the like.  FIG. 2B  illustrates how a contributor accesses to the application via a registration step  409  or login step  410 . Depending if the contributor is a first time user or not, the application at step  407  can display suitable screens. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including upload of an image via an application. In  FIG. 3 , the contributor is able to take an image with the option to access an “Ask a Pro” function at step  501 , for example, for providing tips on how to capture a quality image, and the like. Once the image is captured, suitable copyright rules are initiated at step  502 . Each image can employ, for example, metadata fields, and the like, that store unique information (e.g., image name, timestamp, size, pixel count, other image information, etc.) about the image, thus, allowing the contributor to upload more than one image under a caption and/or independently caption each image for batch submissions, for example, employing multiple File Transmission Protocol (FTP) locations, and the like, at step  501 . The contributors then selects a client, caption, personal watermark, and the like, at step  503 , and the image with caption is sent at step  504  and uploaded at step  505  into the master database  107 . 
         [0031]    Even after the image is uploaded with a caption, and the like, the contributor can retrieve the caption, for example, by date and headline, and the like, to provide additional information about the image at step  501 . Many contributors can upload images, in real-time, to a “grid” of a client, wherein a “Customer Type” denotes which client grid the image is uploaded. For example, if client type equals newspaper at step  506 , an editor can perform review at step  508 , identify a suitable quality image at step  509 , tag the identified image with an originating zone and confirm the time the image is received at step  510 . At step  511 , the edited image is moved to the grid and a unique identifying security mechanism, watermark, and the like, is associated with the image at step  512 . If client type does not equal newspaper at step  507 , the image is uploaded to a “private” grid of the client, and a unique identifying security mechanism, watermark, and the like, is associated with the image at step  512 . The contributor is able to use a navigation button to transmit the destination option at step  503 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including an organization viewing an image. In  FIG. 4 , the client logs onto the website at step  601 , clicks on their gallery at step  602 , and views their private gallery of images at step  603 . For clients in the news industry, a push notification at step  604  is sent alerting of a community news image from your zone having been added to the grid, after which the client logs onto the website at step  605 , enters their ID and password at step  606 , and views edited images at step  607 . Trending media, and the like, can also be displayed via hashtags, and the like, at step  607 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including purchasing of an image. In  FIG. 5 , at step  701 , the client clicks on an image to download the image, which removes the watermark and initiates a checkout routine. If the client is not in the news industry, as determined by step  702 , logging of the image and client information to the master database  107  is performed at step  703 , and the client is billed for image download. 
         [0034]    If the client is in the news industry, a trigger initiates a routine  702  to confirm program call  36 H to check if purchase is less than or greater than predetermined purchase window. If less than predetermined window, the purchase information  706  is updated in the master database  107 . If greater than predetermined window, a trigger initiates a pricing algorithm program call  36 A based on current supply and demand variables for that image  704  and logs the outcome  705  of program call  36 A to the master database  107 . In either instance of an image purchase less than or greater than the predetermined purchase window, a notification is sent to the contributor and the client&#39;s accounts of the image download  707  and program call  21 AP which is the affiliate program  708  updates master database  107  with the contributor&#39;s monetary share and the client&#39;s credits to purchase more images  709  each time a subscribing client purchase images from each other&#39;s contributors. An illustrative implementation of the application graphical user interface is shown in the following figures. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including a graphic example of marketing/advertising, and the like, to potential contributors, and the like.  FIG. 6 , for example, corresponds to  FIG. 2A  at step  403 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including a graphic example of the application downloaded on a cellular telephone.  FIG. 7 , for example, corresponds to  FIG. 2A  at step  406 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including additional graphic examples of the application downloaded on a cellular telephone.  FIG. 8 , for example, also corresponds to  FIG. 2A  at step  406 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including a graphic example of a contributor accessing the downloaded application via login step  410  or registration step  409  as shown on  FIG. 2B . 
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is used to illustrate a system and method for real-time image aggregation, including a graphic example of a contributor using a cellular telephone to upload an image.  FIG. 10 , for example, corresponds to  FIG. 3  at steps  501 - 504 . 
         [0040]    As previously described, simultaneous transmissions, for example, through multiple FTP sessions, and the like, applied to each photo can be employed, as will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the relevant art(s). 
         [0041]    In further illustrative embodiments, video, moving pictures, and the like, can be employed based on the teachings of the present invention, as will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the relevant art(s). 
         [0042]    The above-described devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can include, for example, any suitable servers, workstations, PCs, laptop computers, PDAs, Internet appliances, handheld devices, cellular telephones, wireless devices, other devices, and the like, capable of performing the processes of the illustrative embodiments. The devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can communicate with each other using any suitable protocol and can be implemented using one or more programmed computer systems or devices. 
         [0043]    One or more interface mechanisms can be used with the illustrative embodiments, including, for example, Internet access, telecommunications in any suitable form (e.g., voice, modem, and the like), wireless communications media, and the like. For example, employed communications networks or links can include one or more wireless communications networks, cellular communications networks, G3 communications networks, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTNs), Packet Data Networks (PDNs), the Internet, intranets, a combination thereof, and the like. 
         [0044]    It is to be understood that the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments are for illustrative purposes, as many variations of the specific hardware used to implement the illustrative embodiments are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s). For example, the functionality of one or more of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can be implemented via one or more programmed computer systems or devices. 
         [0045]    To implement such variations as well as other variations, a single computer system can be programmed to perform the special purpose functions of one or more of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments. On the other hand, two or more programmed computer systems or devices can be substituted for any one of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments. Accordingly, principles and advantages of distributed processing, such as redundancy, replication, and the like, also can be implemented, as desired, to increase the robustness and performance of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments. 
         [0046]    The devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can store information relating to various processes described herein. This information can be stored in one or more memories, such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM, and the like, of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments. One or more databases of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can store the information used to implement the illustrative embodiments of the present inventions. The databases can be organized using data structures (e.g., records, tables, arrays, fields, graphs, trees, lists, and the like) included in one or more memories or storage devices listed herein. The processes described with respect to the illustrative embodiments can include appropriate data structures for storing data collected and/or generated by the processes of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments in one or more databases thereof. 
         [0047]    All or a portion of the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can be conveniently implemented using one or more general purpose computer systems, microprocessors, digital signal processors, micro-controllers, and the like, programmed according to the teachings of the illustrative embodiments of the present inventions, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the computer and software arts. Appropriate software can be readily prepared by programmers of ordinary skill based on the teachings of the illustrative embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the software art. Further, the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can be implemented on the World Wide Web. In addition, the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can be implemented by the preparation of application-specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the electrical art(s). Thus, the illustrative embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and/or software. 
         [0048]    Stored on any one or on a combination of computer readable media, the illustrative embodiments of the present inventions can include software for controlling the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments, for driving the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments, for enabling the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments to interact with a human user, and the like. Such software can include, but is not limited to, device drivers, firmware, operating systems, development tools, applications software, and the like. Such computer readable media further can include the computer program product of an embodiment of the present inventions for performing all or a portion (if processing is distributed) of the processing performed in implementing the inventions. Computer code devices of the illustrative embodiments of the present inventions can include any suitable interpretable or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLLs), Java classes and applets, complete executable programs, Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) objects, and the like. Moreover, parts of the processing of the illustrative embodiments of the present inventions can be distributed for better performance, reliability, cost, and the like. 
         [0049]    As stated above, the devices and subsystems of the illustrative embodiments can include computer readable medium or memories for holding instructions programmed according to the teachings of the present inventions and for holding data structures, tables, records, and/or other data described herein. Computer readable medium can include any suitable medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium can take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, transmission media, and the like. Non-volatile media can include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, and the like. Volatile media can include dynamic memories, and the like. Transmission media can include coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optics, and the like. Transmission media also can take the form of acoustic, optical, electromagnetic waves, and the like, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) communications, infrared (IR) data communications, and the like. Common forms of computer-readable media can include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other suitable magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other suitable optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other suitable physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other suitable memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave or any other suitable medium from which a computer can read. 
         [0050]    While the present inventions have been described in connection with a number of illustrative embodiments, and implementations, the present inventions are not so limited, but rather cover various modifications, and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims.