Abstract:
Exemplary embodiments include methods, systems, and storage mediums for providing multi-media content storage and management services. From a single user interface, the method includes creating a library of content items including at least one of a photo library and a video library, creating at least one other content item including at least one of a web page, newsletter, message board, email, instant message, chat room text message, and electronic greeting, associating at least one component of the library with the at least one other content item to form an arrangement, and designating access restrictions to the arrangement. The access restrictions include the option of applying no restriction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to online services, and more particularly, to methods, systems, and storage mediums for providing multi-media content storage and management services over a network.  
         [0002]     Advancements in the networking technologies have stimulated the development of new ways of communicating. For example, network communications include email, instant messaging, chat rooms, message boards, and text messaging, to name a few. Advancements in technologies have also provided consumers with new tools for managing their electronic content such as digital photos, videos, music, etc. Service providers generally offer a limited set of services to its customers for implementing these types of communications and managing their content, primarily because of the obstacles they face in handling the various types of content (e.g., text, images, video, audio, etc.) and the very different system and software requirements associated with managing these types of content. As a result, consumers must choose a service provider and/or service system that best meet their individual needs, which may force the consumers to forego other desired services.  
         [0003]     What is needed, therefore, is a way to integrate multi-media content items and services that enable individuals to manage and communicate these items within the context of a single system and service.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0004]     Exemplary embodiments of the invention include methods, systems, and storage mediums for providing multi-media content storage and management services over a network. From a single user interface, the methods include creating a library of content items including at least one of a photo library and a video library, creating at least one other content item including at least one of a web page, newsletter, message board, email, instant message, chat room text message, and electronic greeting, associating at least one component of the library with the at least one other content item to form an arrangement, and designating access restrictions to the arrangement. The access restrictions include the option of applying no restriction.  
         [0005]     Exemplary embodiments of the invention also include a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a selection device and a method of providing and selecting from a menu on the display. The method includes creating a library of content items including at least one of a photo library and a video library, creating at least one other content item including at least one of a web page, newsletter, message board, email, instant message, chat room text message, and electronic greeting, associating at least one component of the library with the at least one other content item to form an arrangement, and designating access restrictions to the arrangement. The access restrictions include the option of applying no restriction.  
         [0006]     Exemplary embodiments further include systems for providing multi-media content storage and management services over a network. Systems include a host system comprising at least one server executing a web server application, a real-time media delivery application, and a multi-media content storage and management application. Systems also include a link to a client system. The multi-media content storage and management application provides a user interface to the client system and is operable for enabling the client system to create a library of content items including at least one of a photo library and a video library, create at least one other content item including at least one of a web page, newsletter, message board, email, instant message, chat room text message, and electronic greeting, associate at least one component of the library with the at least one other content item to form an arrangement, and designate access restrictions to the arrangement. The access restrictions include the option of applying no restriction.  
         [0007]     Exemplary embodiments also include storage mediums including machine-readable program code for providing multi-media content storage and management services over a network. The program code includes instructions for causing a computer to implement a method. The method includes creating a library of content items including at least one of a photo library and a video library, creating at least one other content item including at least one of a web page, newsletter, message board, email, instant message, chat room text message, and electronic greeting, associating at least one component of the library with the at least one other content item to form an arrangement, and designating access restrictions to the arrangement. The access restrictions include the option of applying no restriction.  
         [0008]     Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computer program products be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system upon which the multi-media content storage and management system may be implemented in exemplary embodiments;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a flow diagram describing a process for implementing the multi-media content storage and management system in exemplary embodiments;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a sample user interface screen and main menu for accessing the features provided by the multi-media content storage and management system in exemplary embodiments;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a sample user interface screen for creating a photo album and related content items in exemplary embodiments;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a sample user interface screen for uploading and editing images and associating the images with a photo album in exemplary embodiments;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a sample user interface screen including a photo album and related content items created via the user interface screens of  FIGS. 4 and 5  in exemplary embodiments;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a sample user interface screen for creating a newsletter and associating the newsletter with a photo album in exemplary embodiments;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates a sample user interface screen and newsletter including photo album images created via the user interface screen of  FIG. 7  in exemplary embodiments;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  illustrates a sample user interface screen for creating an electronic greeting via the multi-media content storage and management system in exemplary embodiments;  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  illustrates a sample user interface screen for attaching one or more music selections to an electronic greeting created via the user interface screen of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  illustrates a sample user interface screen with selected music items, prices, and payment instructions for attaching a music selection to an electronic greeting created via the user interface screen of  FIGS. 9 and 10 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  illustrates a sample electronic greeting created via the user interface screens of  FIGS. 9-11 ; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  illustrates a sample user interface screen for retrieving a music selection acquired by a recipient of an electronic greeting in exemplary embodiments.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]     The multi-media content storage and management system merges a variety of different services into a single user interface for providing a comprehensive and efficient means for creating, communicating, and managing multi-media content materials. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a system for providing multi-media content storage and management services will now be described with respect to  FIG. 1 . The system of  FIG. 1  includes a host system  102  comprising servers  104  and a data storage device  106 . In exemplary embodiments, host system  102  refers to an entity providing at least a portion of the multi-media content and storage management services as described further herein. Host system  102  may comprise a service provider such as an Internet service provider, web hosting service provider, a web portal provider, or similar type of business enterprise. As shown and described with respect to  FIG. 1 , host system  102  is an Internet service provider that provides a web portal, web hosting services, messaging services, as well as the multi-media content storage and management services to its customers. Host system  102  provides a web portal interface for its customers through which various services may be accessed and implemented. The web portal interface may include general information and links to external sources of information and may also provide the main interface for initiating the services available through the multi-media content storage and management system.  
         [0024]     Servers  104  may comprise any suitable high-speed processors or combination of processors for handling the volume of activities conducted on behalf of customers of the host system  102 . Servers  104 , for example, may comprise a Real Helix™ server by RealNetworks, Inc., of Seattle, Wash. Servers  104  may also include a web hosting server application, one or more messaging server applications, and database management server applications for handling the content in data storage device  106 . Messaging applications may include email, text messaging, chat rooms, message boards, newsletters, instant mail, etc. One or more of servers  104  may also execute a billing application, a firewall or security software, content editing tools, and an application for providing the multi-media content and storage management services. The billing application may be linked to the multi-media content storage and management system whereby customers are billed for the services provided by the multi-media content storage and management system as well as other network services (e.g., Internet access, web hosting, music downloads, etc.)  
         [0025]     One or more of servers  104  may also provide customers with a link to a domain name registration service provider for establishing a domain name. The multi-media content storage and management system provides customers with a single interface for implementing a variety of services such as online storage of digital, video, and/or audio content, web hosting services, messaging services, music selection and storage, and provides templates for creating content arrangements, accessing external resources over a network  110 , and communicating created content arrangements to others. These features are described further herein.  
         [0026]     Servers  104  may communicate with storage device  106  over a network  108  such as an Intranet, Extranet, local area network, or similar networking topology. Storage device  106  houses content provided by customers and provides access to the content upon request to the customers and the customers&#39; designated recipients. Content includes, e.g., digital images and albums, video and video libraries, audio libraries, etc. Storage device  106  may also store a music base, movie base, and/or computer games for selection by customers as will be described further herein. Large downloads/uploads relating to image files and video files may be facilitated by a turbo feature incorporated into the multi-media content storage and management system as described further herein.  
         [0027]     Client devices  112 - 114  are also included in the system of  FIG. 1  in accordance with exemplary embodiments. Client devices  112 - 114  refer to devices operated by customers of host system  102 . Client devices  112 - 114  may include wireline computer devices, wireless mobile computing devices and telephones, and similar network-enabled devices. A mobile telephone client device may include a built-in digital camera/video recorder and features for transmitting images, video and sound by telephone to host system  102 . Similarly, a digital/video camera may be coupled to a computer client device whereby images/video (and audio) is uploaded to host system  102 .  
         [0028]     Client devices  112 - 114  may communicate with host system  102  over a communications network such as a packet-switched network (Internet, Extranet, Virtual Private Network) using various packet-switching technologies such as Internet Protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), among others. Client devices may also communicate over a wireless network, e.g., a cellular or satellite communications network. Client devices  112 - 114  access the network  110  via, e.g., a modem and dial up service, broadband cable Internet service, wireless service provider, etc. Client devices  112 - 114  may include web browsers, messaging applications, content player applications (e.g., video and/or audio), and may also execute a portion of the multi-media content storage and management system as described further herein. Internet enabled, web browser, downloaded invention software, repository for media (digital images, video), media player, digital camera, video camera with upload ability to transfer media to computer; telephone may have built in camera and wireless service provider for sending images and video over network to host system;  
         [0029]     Host system  102  may outsource a portion of the services it offers to third party service provider systems such as service provider system  116  as shown in the system of  FIG. 1 . For example, third party service provider system  116  may provide streaming video services to customers of host system  102 . Alternatively, third party service provider system  116  may provide digital image processing services such as those provided by Ofoto, Inc., of Emeryville, Calif., Snapfish, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif., or other similar service provider entities.  
         [0030]     The multi-media content storage and management system merges a variety of different services into a single user interface for providing a comprehensive and efficient means for creating, communicating, and managing multi-media content materials.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary process for executing the multi-media content storage and management system will now be described. A user of one of client systems  112 - 114  logs in to the multi-media content storage and management system at  202  and the main menu screen  300  of  FIG. 3  is presented. As is shown in main menu screen  300 , a user may select from a listing of service options  302 - 310  relating to multi-media content such as images, video, audio, text, as well as the creation, storage, and messaging of this multi-media content. Additionally, these services are linked together in such a manner that, for example, a user may create a photo album via option  302  and associate the photo album with a music selection without returning to the main menu  300 .  
         [0032]     Returning now to  FIG. 2 , a user who wishes to create a music library, edit a music library, or otherwise access music from a music library selects the ‘my music library’ option  306  from main menu screen  300  at  204 . A music base of song content may be stored in storage device  106  for quick access and retrieval. When the user has completed the transaction at  206 , the multi-media content storage and management system transmits the details to a billing application on one of servers  104  for tracking and billing the user&#39;s account at  208 . The user then logs out of the application at  238 . In alternate embodiments, the music base may be provided by a third-party service provider. In yet further embodiments, other types of content in addition to, or in lieu of, music may be provided such as movies and computer/video games.  
         [0033]     If the user has not completed the transaction at  206 , the user may continue on to  210  to create or modify a photo album or video library or, alternatively, the user may proceed directly to this option from  202  by selecting ‘my photo albums’ option  302  or ‘my video library’ option  304  from main menu screen  300 . For example, a user selects my photo albums option  302  in order to upload digital images to online storage allocated for the user in storage device  106 . The multi-media content storage and management system may provide software for the user (e.g., via download) for assisting the user throughout the process. The software may include editing tools for enhancing the images&#39; quality and appearance and for designing a photo album. The user may optionally select music to be associated with the album/library from a personal music library or directly from the music base if desired at  212 . The processes involved with respect to these features are similar and so the photo album feature only will be described for illustrative purposes.  
         [0034]     In alternate embodiments, host system  102  may outsource an image processing service to a third party service provider at  214 . The images are either directly uploaded to the third party service provider by a link or may be transmitted by the host system  102 . A user selects my photo albums option  302  on main menu screen  300  and the user interface screen  400  of  FIG. 4  is presented to the user. User interface screen  400  provides fields for selection and input by the user including a name field for the album to be created in ‘Name of Album’ field  402  and an album description field of the album in ‘Description of Album’ field  404 . Additional options are also available to the user, such as adding content communications (e.g., a message board, a chat room, and/or a newsletter) via fields  406  as shown in  FIG. 4 . These features are described further herein. The user is also queried whether the photo album and related content communications should be available to the public via ‘Display to Public’ field  408 . Access to the photo album and related content may be provided by invitation only using ‘Invite others to view’ field  410 . The user may also password protect the photo album and related content if desired by selecting ‘Yes’ from the ‘Password protect’ field  412 .  
         [0035]     In creating a photo album, the multi-media content storage and management system may prompt the user to select frames, mats, backgrounds, etc. (not shown) for the photos to be included in the album. These selections may be provided via the software downloaded as described above. Once the selections have been made, the user selects the particular photos to be included in the album. These photos may come from images already stored online or may reside on the user&#39;s client system. If the photos reside on the user&#39;s client system, the user selects the UPLOAD PHOTOS option  416  on user interface screen  400  and the multi-media content storage and management system presents the user interface screen  500  as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0036]     The user may browse existing photos stored on the client system via field  502  and select the ‘Add to Album’ option  504  when a photo or collection is found. Uploading large digital image files may consume a significant amount of time and resources of the client system. The multi-media content storage and management system may include a ‘turbo’ feature that enables the user to upload (or download) content at speeds much faster than the speeds at which the client system normally functions. This ‘turbo’ feature may be provided as a value-added service to the user and billed each time the feature is accessed, or may be factored into the fees associated with a user account. Alternatively, a user may be granted a specific number of ‘free’ turbo accesses over a specified length of time and any additional use is charged to the user account.  
         [0037]     The photos to be added to a photo album selected by the user are shown in frame  506  of user interface screen  500 . Additional functionality that may be provided by the multi-media content storage and management system via the user interface screen  500  includes an editing option. A user may click on a collection of photos from frame  506  and the photos are displayed along with an editing tool for removing red-eye, size reduction, etc. The user may also add a caption by selecting the ‘Add caption’ option  508  next to the desired photo group. A photo may be removed from the group by selecting the ‘Remove’ option  510  next to the photo group presented in frame  506 .  
         [0038]     If the user has not selected any of the options provided in fields  406 - 412  (e.g., the user desires only to create and store the photo album), the process is finished at  216 , the user&#39;s account is billed by the billing application at  218 , and the user logs out of the multi-media content storage and management system at  238 . A sample photo album is shown in  FIG. 6 . Interactive functionality may be added to the photo album as shown in  FIG. 6  such as ‘discuss photo’  602 , ‘Start a Chat’  604 , ‘View Newsletter’  606 , ‘Email to a friend’  608 , and ‘View all Albums’  610 . Also, a slide show option  612  may be included that enables the viewer to view the album in full screen. The multi-media content storage and management system also enables a viewer to download the photo  614 , download the album  616 , and order prints  618 . The downloading features may be enhanced via the ‘turbo’ option described above. Additionally, the order prints option  618  may be linked to a third party photo service provider that processes the photo and enhances its quality, size, or other editing options.  
         [0039]     If, on the other hand, the user is not finished with the photo album at  216  (e.g., the user wishes to create and associate one or more of content communications listed in fields  406 ), then the process continues at  220  whereby the user selects ‘Yes’ from one or more of fields  406 . Alternatively, the user may directly access this function by selecting ‘my site’ option  308  or ‘e-greetings &amp; gifts’ option  310  from main menu screen  300 . Host system  102  may provide users with web hosting services as described above with respect to  FIG. 1 . The web hosting services may include providing the user with a direct link to a domain name registration service provider for acquiring a domain name, as well as web page creation services, and web page hosting and content storage services. A user who has acquired this service may add, modify, and communicate content via a personal web site hosted by host system  102 . The user may select ‘my site’ option  308  in order to link content in their personal photo albums, video libraries, music libraries, and communications functions (e.g., newsletter, chat room, message boards, etc.) to their personal web page using the multi-media content storage and management system.  
         [0040]     A user who wishes to add additional content to a photo album, or create new content for a personal web site selects the appropriate option on screen  300  of  FIG. 3  (e.g., ‘my site’  308  or if in the photo album module, selects one of fields  406 ). For illustrative purposes, it is assumed that the user has selected a newsletter for creation. The multi-media content storage and management system displays a user interface screen  700  of  FIG. 7  for creating a newsletter at  222 . A user selects a newsletter template, a sample of which is shown in frame  702 . A field is provided for adding a headline for the newsletter  704 . The user then enters the main text for the news item in field  706 . If desired, the user may add a photo to the newsletter via frame  708 . This may be accomplished by uploading an image file from the user&#39;s directory on a client system or may be selected from uploaded content in the user&#39;s photo album stored in storage device  106 . If the user uploads a photo from a client system, the multi-media content storage and management system provides the option of linking the photo to an existing photo album via link  714  which, upon selection, provides a pull down menu of the user&#39;s albums. Once completed, the user selects &#39;save news item’  716  or may select ‘cancel’  718  as desired. Additionally, a user may associate selected music items from the user&#39;s music library or directly from the music base in storage device  106  if desired at  224 .  
         [0041]     Access permissions may be selected by the user at  226  for controlling the access of the created content. The user may also designate specified recipients with which the content will be shared at  228 . For example, the user may provide email addresses for desired recipients of the content.  
         [0042]     A sample newsletter created by the multi-media content storage and management system is shown in  FIG. 8 . The photos provided in the newsletter may be linked to a photo album whereby a viewer can select ‘view the entire photo album’  804  and the collection of photos associated with the album are displayed for the viewer. The newsletter photos may also be linked to an email server (e.g., one of servers  104 ) whereby a viewer may send a newsletter photo to a recipient by selecting ‘email to a friend’ option  806 .  
         [0043]     Other content communications may be selected by a user in addition to newsletters as described above at  220 . The multi-media content storage and management system includes an electronic greetings (e-greetings) and gifts module  310  as described herein. E-greetings may comprise an electronic card with a personalized text message, and may also include an attached photo, video, music, movie, or other similar type of content (e.g., a gift from the user). A user accesses this feature by selecting ‘e-greetings &amp; gifts’ option  310  from main menu screen  300  and the user interface screen  900  of  FIG. 9  is presented. If desired, the user selects a photo via field  902  or may simply select an e-card without a photo via field  904 . Field  904  may include a drop down list of available cards for selection. A personalized message may be added via text box  906 . The user enters the email address of the recipient in field  908 . Optionally, the user may associate a song, movie, video, or other item to the e-card via field  910 . Once selected, the multi-media content storage and management system presents the user interface screen  1000  of  FIG. 10 . Screen  1000  displays the selections  1002 , along with a link to purchase the item  1004 , and may include an option to preview the selection before purchasing via field  1006 . The user may then perform a new search if desired via field  1008  if the current selection is not satisfactory. Once the selections have been made, the multi-media content storage and management system presents a user interface screen  1100  of  FIG. 11  displaying the selections  1102  and their costs  1104 . The user interface screen  1100  also prompts the user to proceed to a payment screen (not shown) via field  1106 .  
         [0044]     A sample e-greeting is shown in  FIG. 12 . If a ‘gift’ has been associated with the e-greeting, instructions are provided in screen  1200  for accessing the gift. A web site address may be provided to the recipient of the e-greeting for retrieving the gift item as well as a unique code. A sample user interface screen for retrieving the gift is shown in  FIG. 13 . A field  1302  is shown that prompts the recipient to pick up their gift. The recipient enters the code provided to them in the e-greeting and a link for downloading the gift item is presented to the recipient. Host system  102  may employ digital rights management techniques for controlling access to content that may be protected by copyright, licensing, etc.  
         [0045]     As described above, the present invention can be embodied in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into an executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.  
         [0046]     While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.