Abstract:
A communications system comprising a computer device connected to a communications network. The computer device having one or more computer-based multimedia applications downloaded from the communications network. The computer-based multimedia applications being connected to respective servers through the communications system and the computer device. The computer device also having a computer-based multimedia application reader downloaded from the communications network that communicates with one or more of the computer-based multimedia applications. The computer-based multimedia application reader capable of copying all multimedia files stored in the computer device and/or the computer-based multimedia applications. The computer-based multimedia application reader is also connected to a respective server through the communications network and/or computer device, which is capable of storing all multimedia files copied by said computer-based multimedia application reader.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a computer method and system for integrating multiple multi-media computer applications into a single multi-media application, and more particularly, to a method and system for reading multi-media files in multiple computer applications in a single computer application. 
       CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0002]    (Not applicable) 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0003]    (Not applicable) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Over the past decade, people have turned more and more to the Internet to purchase items. This is overwhelmingly the scenario when it comes to the purchase of music, movies, books and other multi-media entertainment. Today&#39;s computer users download many multi-media files through various computer-based multimedia. applications such as iTunes®, Barnes &amp; Noble&#39;s Nook®, Amazon&#39;s Kindle®, etc. Most computer device users use more than one multi-media computer-based application to download their multi-media files, requiring the user to keep multiple computer-based applications on their computer device and access each depending on the type of multimedia the user wishes to access. 
         [0005]    Additionally, when a user downloads multiple multi-media files through the various multi-media computer-based applications, the user is required to use the computer based application from which the file was downloaded to view or listen to the file or go through a complicated series of steps to move the files into a cloud and then access the cloud from another device or application. For instance, when a user downloads a movie from iTunes®, the user cannot open the movie in another computer-based multi-media application such as the Kindle® unless they first upload the movie into cloud and then transfer the file to their Kindle. 
         [0006]    Another aspect of present day multi-media computer-based applications is that the multimedia files once downloaded are stored on the user&#39;s hard drive. This allows the user to access the file and strip the file of any protections the file may have. Therefore, the user can download a song file and then remove any digital protections on the file and then share the file with others freely. Thus, resulting in a loss of profit for the record label, production company, artist, etc. because the file will be available for free to people who normally have had to purchase the file in order to listen to it. 
         [0007]    Yet another downfall of current computer-based multimedia applications is the inability to separate out multiple multimedia files that have been combined, for example pictures contained within an electronic book, or accompanying music within an electronic book. 
         [0008]    Therefore, a need exists for a single computer-based application that can read a variety of multi-media files that have been downloaded from other computer-based applications and sync all of those multi-media files in one place, while maintaining the integrity and security of the files. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A communications system comprising a computer device connected to a communications network. The computer device having one or more computer-based multimedia applications downloaded from the communications network. The computer-based multimedia applications being connected to respective servers through the communications system and the computer device. The computer device also having a computer-based multimedia application reader downloaded from the communications network that communicates with one or more of the computer-based multimedia applications. The computer-based multimedia application reader capable of copying all multimedia files stored in the computer device and/or the computer-based multimedia applications. The computer-based multimedia application reader is also connected to a respective server through the communications network and/or computer device, which is capable of storing all multimedia files copied by said computer-based multimedia application reader. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The operation of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1   a  is a flowchart illustrating a general overview of the inventive system; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1   b  is a flowchart of the method used by the inventive system; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of yet another inventive method used by the inventive system in which the inventive system searches computer-based multimedia applications; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of yet another inventive method used by the inventive system in which the inventive system searches for multimedia files based on account information; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of the inventive system in which the system copies all aspects of a single multimedia file and separates all individual files according to format; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of the inventive system in which the system stores notes made by a user; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
           [0034]      FIG. 23  illustrates a possible graphical user interface for use with the inventive system and method; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an overview of the inventive system  50  may be understood. A user with computer device  52  would connect to a communications system  54 , such as the Internet and download computer-based multimedia applications  56   a - 56   c.  Computer-based multimedia applications  56   a - 56   c  may be of any multimedia type, such as movies, electronic books, music, images, etc. For example, computer-based multimedia applications  56  may include, but are not limited to, iTunes, Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, etc. The user is also not limited in the amount of computer-based multimedia applications he/she may download over communications system  54 . The user may download as many computer-based multimedia applications as his/her computer device  52  will allow. Computer-based multimedia applications  56   a - 56   c  communicate through computer device  52  over communications network  54  to servers  58   a - 58   c,  respectively; that is computer-based multimedia application  56   a  communicates through computer device  52  over communications network  54  to server  58   a.  For example, a user&#39;s iTunes application communicates to the iTunes server through the user&#39;s device over the Internet. The user also downloads the inventive application reader  60 , which communicated with computer device  52 , computer-based multimedia applications  56 , communications network  54 , and its own server  60 . In this way, application reader  60  is resident on computer device  52  and able to communicate directly with computer-based multimedia applications  56 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 1   a , an overview of the inventive method may be understood. A user  102  logs into computer-based applications at step  104   a - 104   c  and downloads various multimedia files at step  106   a - 106   c.  User  102  may log into a single computer-based application  104   a  or many computer based applications  104   a - 104   c.    FIG. 1  illustrates three computer based applications, but the inventive system is not restricted to just three computer-based applications. It is very possible for user  102  to log-in to as many computer-based applications that the user&#39;s device will allow. Computer-based applications may be any computer-based multimedia application, for example, iTunes, Kindle, KindleFire, Nook, etc. Multimedia files can be of any multimedia format, including but not limited to .mov, .mp4, .m4v, .mp3, .wav, .mpeg, .jpg, .png, .aef, .epub, .lrf, .lrx, .cbr, .cbz, .cb7, .cbt, .cba, .chm, DAISY, .html, .djvu, .azw, .lit, .exe, etc. Once user  102  has downloaded multimedia files at step  106  through a computer-based application, the multimedia files are stored at step  108  in user  102 &#39;s computer device. The computer device may be any computer device including but not limited to a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a smartphone, etc. At step  110 , user  102  logs into the inventive computer based application. The inventive computer-based application then searches for all multimedia files stored on the user&#39;s device at step  112  and downloads those multimedia files at step  114  and stores the multimedia files at step  116 . The inventive application reader stores the multimedia files according to category of file type at step  115 . For example, all video files are stored in one place, for example, a folder, within the application reader, while electronic book files are stored in another, and movie files in yet another, etc. User  102  is now able to access all of his/her multimedia files through the inventive application reader at step  118  by selecting a folder/category of multimedia, and listen, watch, or read, his/her multimedia files of that type through the inventive application reader at step  120   
         [0037]    Another embodiment of the inventive system is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, User  102  proceeds through steps  104 - 110  as described above. Here, the inventive computer-based application reader searches all the multimedia computer-based applications that are on the user&#39;s computer device at step  122 . This is on contrast to searching for the files in the user&#39;s device&#39;s memory itself. In this embodiment, the inventive computer-based application reader is able to connect directly to computer-based multimedia applications such as iTunes and search for the multimedia files associated with each computer-based multimedia application, essentially reading all the device&#39;s computer-based multimedia applications. The inventive application reader then syncs all the multimedia files from the computer-based applications by downloading the multimedia files at step  124 . The inventive application reader then stores the multimedia files as described above in step  116  and user  102  may access and use the multimedia files as described in steps  118  and  120  above. 
         [0038]    The inventive application reader stores all the multimedia files as described above in step  116  on its own servers. Therefore, when a user logs into the inventive application reader, the multimedia file are accessed from the applications servers, not from the user&#39;s hard drive. Thus, once the multimedia files are downloaded and stored on the inventive application reader&#39;s servers, they are protected from piracy by others and by the user since the underlying file is not on the hard drive. In order to access to the multi media file through the inventive application a user would have to hack into the servers. Therefore, the inventive system provides an extra layer of security and integrity to the underlying multimedia files. 
         [0039]    Furthermore, the inventive application reader may read all multimedia filed associated with a user&#39;s computer-based application account name as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . User  102  logs into the inventive application reader at step  110  as described above. The inventive application reader then detects all of the users account information, including username and password, from all computer-based multimedia applications at step  302 . Alternatively, user  102  may input all of his account information, including username and password, into the inventive applications reader at step  304 . If the inventive application reader cannot detect any account information, the reader will go to step  304  and ask the user to input the account information. Once the account information has been obtained the system moves to step  306  and searches for all multimedia files associated with the accounts. The system then proceeds through steps  114 - 420  as described above. 
         [0040]    Yet another feature of the inventive application reader is the ability to separate out individual multimedia files that have been combined and store them. For instance, the inventive application reader can take an image file from an electronic book and separate that image file from the book file and store the image file in a separate image library. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , User  102  follows steps  104 - 416  as described above At step  118 , User  102  then opens an electronic book from within the application reader. The application reader then searches all the multimedia files contained within the electronic book at step  402 . The multimedia files may include, but are not limited to, images in the book, music that is to be played along with the book, sound clips, movie clips, etc. The application reader then proceeds to copy the various multimedia files associated with the book at step  404 . Then, depending on the type of multimedia file, the file is stored within a specific area of the application reader that stores all files of that category at step  406 . Once the multimedia files have been downloaded, separated, and stored, user  102  proceeds to step  120  as above to read the book or view the other multimedia files. If the electronic book does not have any other multimedia files associated with it, then the system will proceed from step  402  to step  120 . 
         [0042]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the inventive application reader does no disrupt the original electronic book file. The application reader merely copies the associated multimedia files, separates them into categories based on their format type, and stores them within a specific area of the application reader that stores all files of the same category. Thus, a user may use the inventive application reader to read the electronic book with all the associated multimedia content as originally downloaded or the user may choose to view specific multimedia files that have been separated from the original. For instance, a user may just want to listen to a music file that came with the electronic book, or a user may want to look at the images that came with the electronic book. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , yet another feature of the present invention may be understood. The inventive application reader allows a user to take notes within an electronic book inside the application and then stores that note with the electronic book file and separately in a notes category within the application reader. User  102  follows steps  104 - 416  above. At step  118 , user  102  opens an electronic book multimedia file from within the book category of the application reader. Once the electronic book file is open, user  102  may take notes on any page of the electronic book. User  102  may either click on a note icon at step  502  or simply tap the location on the book page where he/she wishes to write the note and clicks the notes icon, step  504 . If the user has already written notes, those previous notes will be available to view at step  502  and  504 . if the user clicks on the notes icon, the user will have to further click the add icon at step  503 . A text box then opens at step  506  and user  102  writs his/her note at step  508 . User  102  then saves his/her note at step  510  by clicking a save button/icon. The inventive application reader then stores the note. The note is stored with the electronic book&#39;s multimedia file at step  512 , so that a user may open the note whenever he/she is at that particular page in the book or whenever the user opens the electronic book file. The note is also stored simultaneously in the notes category of the application reader separate from the electronic book file at step  514 . User  102  may then open the notes folder within the application reader at step  516  and view all the notes he/she has taken in any electronic book at step  518 . 
         [0044]    The above embodiment also works for highlights and underlines made in any electronic book file, enabling a user to view the highlights and underlines from electronic books in the notes category in the application reader. 
         [0045]    The above embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  and described in detail above allow a user to access parts of an electronic book, such as images, and notes, highlights, and underlines made in the electronic book even after the user has deleted the electronic book from the application reader or even deleted the book from the original computer-based multimedia application. 
         [0046]    The system, while it may be implemented with a variety of graphical user interfaces, one such graphical user interface is illustrated in  FIGS. 6-23 . 
         [0047]    While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, it is noted that various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the above description and drawings. Such modifications are within the scope of the invention which is limited and defined only by the following claims.