Patent Publication Number: US-2013254259-A1

Title: Method and system for publication and sharing of files via the internet

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a method and system of publishing and sharing files via the internet, and, more particularly, to a method and system wherein one or more files are uploaded from a software application on a client device to a web server which substantially immediately generates a uniform resource locator (URL) location for the file(s) that is transmitted back to the client device. The URL location may then be transmitted from the client device, while the file(s) continue to upload on the web server in the background, in such a way as to allow third-party devices to access the file(s) on the web server. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Internet usage has increased dramatically in recent years with the sophistication of smart-phones and tablet computers in addition to traditional desktop and note book computers. In many ways, the internet-using public suffers from productivity delays caused by ineffective technology solutions that require undue time and effort in order to accomplish online tasks. Effective communication, audience engagement, file sharing and publishing on remotely connected devices over the internet using current methods are often seriously lacking in usability, functionality and time effectiveness. 
     Presently, the publishing or sharing of any file types and their related text descriptions over the internet is typically a lengthy and cumbersome process, often involving numerous steps, and, in some cases, multiple software applications. For example, in one commercially available process and method an initial screen appears on one&#39;s smart phone or other device requesting the user to choose a file such as a photo or video from the memory of the device, or employ the camera of the device to take a photo. By way of example, and depending on internet speeds and device capabilities, if a 20 second video is selected for publication it first must be compressed, e.g. the device creates a compressed version of the video suitable for web publishing. This process may take up to about 30 seconds for a 20 second video. A screen is then provided to the user allowing he or she to initiate uploading of the compressed version of the video, which, in the example of a 20 second video, takes about 2-3 minutes. When uploading has been completed, another screen is presented to the user with options on sharing the file, such as via e-mail, a social networking site like “Twitter” and others. During the entire process of file selection, file compression, uploading and sharing, which may take about 4 minutes or longer in the case of a 20 second video, the user must monitor the progress of each step in the process in order to proceed to the next step. This is extremely inefficient and a waste of valuable time, particularly for users wishing to send a high volume of publications to third parties from the same device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a method and system of publishing and sharing files over the internet wherein one or more files are uploaded from a software application on a client device to a web server which generates a URL location for the file(s) that is transmitted back to the client device. The URL location may then be transmitted from the client device, while the file(s) continue to upload on the web server in the background, in such a way as to allow third-party devices to access the file(s) on the web server. 
     In the presently preferred embodiment, the software application of this invention is downloaded to the client device from the web server or other server via the interne. The software application may be employed to create a new file, or select one or more existing files stored on the client device, which are then uploaded to the web server creating a publication, optionally with a privacy setting selected by the user. In response, the web server creates a URL location and a displayable web page containing the file(s) which is easy to interact with, view and display. The web server transmits the URL location to the software application on the client device, preferably accompanied by a text message created by the web server that may be modified at the option of the user. Generation of the URL location and text message, and transmission of same to the client device, occurs substantially immediately following commencement of uploading the file(s) to the web server from the software application on the client device. 
     Upon receipt of the URL location and associated text message from the web server, the user may immediately begin sharing the URL location of the file(s), and creating a description of the file(s) published to the web page, while they are still being background uploaded to the web server. In one embodiment, the URL location and text message may be copied to a clipboard function on the client device and then pasted into any application supported by the client device capable of sharing with third party devices. Alternatively, the URL location and text message may be transmitted from the client device to third-party devices via e-mail or using one of a number of publically accessible sites such as a web site, bookmarking site, social networking site, blogging site etc. In either case, third parties may employ the URL location to link to the web page created on the web server where they may access the file(s) that the user has, or is in the process of, uploading to the web server as a web publication. 
     The ability to publish and share web-based publications with others nearly instantaneously following initiating the uploading of file(s) to the web server allows the user of the software application to proceed with other tasks rather than waiting around until all processes are completed. For example, after initiating the upload of one created file, or one or more existing files, the user may proceed with the creation or selection of additional files for publication to the same URL location as the initial file(s). Further, the description of the published file(s), the content of the text message accompanying the URL location, and, the privacy setting selected for the publication, may be changed at any stage during the process or deleted before a “finish” button is activated. All of these tasks may be performed “on the fly,” e.g. in real time, provided the client device remains connected to the internet and while the initial file(s), and any subsequent files, are being uploaded in the background to the web server. Accordingly, the method of this invention greatly increases the productivity of the user and enhances the functionality and time-effectiveness of the client device. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The structure, operation and advantages of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of the overall configuration of the system employed in the method of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram relating to the creation or selection of files for uploading to the web server; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of the interaction between the web server and software application on the client device; and 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of the step for sharing files with third parties. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, the system  10  of this invention is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The system  10  includes a web server  12  that may be connected via the internet to a client device  14 . The client device  14  may be a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a smart phone, a tablet computer or essentially any other device that may be connected to the internet. The third party devices  16 ,  18  and  20  depicted in  FIG. 1  may be the same type of device as the client device  14 , and each may be connected to the web server  10  and to the client device  14  by the internet. For purposes of the following discussion, a “connection” to the internet is meant to encompass any present or future means of connection such as cable, telephone lines, wireless and the like. Three third party devices  16 - 20  are shown in  FIG. 1  for purposes of illustration only, it being understood that any number of third party devices may be employed in the system and method of this invention. The interaction of the components shown in  FIG. 1  is described below in connection with a discussion of the method of this invention. 
     Initially, it is contemplated that the user of a client device  14  may be provided with a link to the web server  12 , or to another web site, where he or she may download the software application of this invention to the client device  14 . See box  22 . Once the software application is available on the client device  14 , the user may open the software and view a screen that presents the options of creating a new file or selecting an existing file or files, as represented by box  24  in  FIG. 2 . In the event the user declines to create a new file, he or she may browse existing files stored on the client device (box  26 ) and then select one or more files for publication to the web server  12 , as discussed in detail below. See box  28 . Once one or more files are selected by the user, he or she may decide on a privacy setting for such file(s), as represented by box  30  in  FIG. 2 . Details of the privacy settings available with the software application of this invention are described below in connection with a discussion of the method steps denoted in  FIG. 3 . After a privacy setting has been selected by the user, he or she may click on a “save and continue” button displayed on the screen provided by the software application at this stage of the process. See box  32 . For purposes of the present discussion, the term “save” noted in regard to box  32  refers to the instantaneous capability of the software application of this invention to store a created file and, one or more selected files, as well as privacy settings, for transmission to the web server  12 . 
     Alternatively, the user may chose to create a new file for his or her publication as schematically represented at the bottom portion of  FIG. 2 . Depending on what is permitted by the existing functionality of a given client device  14 , various files may be created using the software application of this invention such as an audio recording represented by box  34 , a photograph denoted by box  36 , a video recording referenced by box  38 , and/or combinations thereof, e.g. a photograph plus an audio recording, for example. It should be understood that the created files represented by boxes  34 - 38  are for purposes of illustration only and other files may be created including those containing text, data and the like. Additionally, it is contemplated that a single created file would be the subject of a publication to the web server  12 , in the manner described below, since as a practical matter only one audio recording, photo or video may be created by a client device  14  at a time. A privacy setting may be selected after the file is created, as at box  40 , followed by clicking a save and continue button displayed on the screen provided by the software application. See box  42 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , once one of the save and continue buttons is clicked, as represented by boxes  32  and  42  of  FIG. 2 , the file(s) that have either been selected or created in the previous steps are background uploaded to the web server  12 . See box  44 . The term “background upload” or “background uploading” as used herein is meant to refer to the transmission of one or more files from the software application on the client device  14  to the web server  12  which is capable of proceeding at the same time that other tasks are being performed on the client device  14 , either using the software application of this invention or other functionality of the client device  14 . As soon as a file(s) begins uploading to the web server  14 , it assigns a URL location to the file(s) as represented by box  46  and creates a web page, linked to the assigned URL location, to display the file(s). See box  48 . In the presently preferred embodiment, the web server  14  may also creates a generic text message that may be associated with the URL location, such as, for example, “please view/play/listen to this/these files and view their related descriptions by clicking on this link: http://website.com/xyz.” 
     Depending on internet speeds and the capabilities of a particular client device  14 , large audio, video and other files may take some time to upload from the software application on the client device  14  to the web server  12 . Unlike prior art methods and systems for sharing files via the internet, the present invention allows the user to avoid time-consuming and inefficient delays involved in the uploading and sharing process. Substantially immediately after the web server  12  creates the URL location at box  46 , and preferably a generic text message as noted above, it transmits them to the client software  14  via the internet as represented by box  50  in  FIG. 3 . The user is given the option of editing the text message, as at box  52 , and, if desired, may compose his or her own customized message for sharing with third parties. See box  54 . Editing of the text message may proceed while the file(s) continue to be uploaded to the web server  12  in the background. 
     As noted above in connection with a discussion of  FIG. 2 , the user may select one or more privacy settings for the files that he or she has selected or created that comprise the publication on the web page of the web server  12 . See boxes  30  and  40 . It should be understood that privacy settings may be selected at the time a file is created, or when one or more files are selected, or when the user is given the opportunity to edit the text message (box  52 ), or at essentially any other time during the process of this invention prior to clicking on a “finish” button as described below in connection with a discussion of  FIG. 4 . A screen is provided on the software application of this invention presenting the user with privacy setting buttons identified as private, direct or public. A “private” privacy setting allows only the user to have access to the publication which has been uploaded to the web server  12 . A “direct” privacy setting means that only those third parties with whom the user has shared the URL location and text message may have access to the publication, plus any others that those third parties share it with. The term “third parties” in this context may include individuals or groups. A “public” privacy setting is one in which anyone may see the publication and associated text message, such as on a web site, a social networking site etc. The user may change a privacy setting, once selected, at any time. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the method steps of this invention for sharing of the URL location and associated text message with third parties is schematically illustrated. When the URL location and text message have been received by the client software, it populates a message box on the client device  14 . As represented by box  56  in  FIG. 4 , the user is given the option in the message box to copy the URL location and text message, edited or unedited, to the clipboard of the client device  14 . The device clipboard may then be employed to paste the URL location and text message to any application or service supported by the client device  14  capable of transmitting same via the internet for access by third party devices, such as e-mail, social networking sites etc. See box  58 . The user is then given the option to click on a “finish” button, represented by box  60  in  FIG. 4 , or repeat the process of creating a new file or selecting existing file(s) beginning at box  24  in  FIG. 2 . In the event the user chooses to add one or more files to the publication on the web server, the process discussed with reference to  FIG. 2  may be substantially repeated. Any newly created files or additional existing files intended for publication on the web server  12  are uploaded to the same URL location as the initially uploaded file(s). 
     The software application on the client device  14  provides other options for sharing the URL location and text message with third parties besides copy to clipboard. As represented by box  62  in  FIG. 4 , the user may e-mail the URL location and text message to third party devices prior to clicking on a finish button depicted by box  64 . Alternatively, as schematically represented by boxes  66 - 74  in  FIG. 4 , the URL location and text message may shared via one or more public or social networking solutions (box  66 ) such as a web page (box  68 ), bookmarking site (box  70 ), social networking site (box  72 ), blogging site (box  74 ) and others. After transmitting the URL location and text message to any of the options denoted in boxes  68 - 74  (or other options), and prior to clicking on a finish button depicted by box  76 , the user may return to the message box and copy the URL location and text message to the device clipboard. See box  56 . Further, the user may substantially repeat the process of creating a new file or selecting existing file(s) beginning at box  24  in  FIG. 2  and proceeding as described above, prior to clicking on either of the finish buttons  64  or  76 . As noted above, any newly created files or additional existing files for publication to the web server  12  are uploaded to the same URL location as the initially uploaded file(s). 
     The discussion above with reference to  FIG. 4  related to returning to box  24  prior to clicking on “finish” buttons  60 ,  64  or  76  should not be construed to require actuation of a “save and continue” button  32  or  42  as schematically depicted in  FIG. 2 . In fact, provided the client device  14  remains connected to the internet, most of the tasks that can be undertaken on the software application may be performed “on the fly,” e.g. in real time, and at any time following the commencement of background uploading of the initial file(s) to the web server  12  as represented by box  44 . Specifically, the user is free to change or delete privacy settings, to create, modify or delete a description of the publication on the web server  12  resulting from the upload of one or more files thereto, and/or to create, change or delete the text message that may accompany the URL location for the publication, all “on the fly” in real time, and all while the initially uploaded file(s) or newly created or selected files are uploading in the background. Consequently, as a user types a new publication description or a new text message on his or her client device  14 , or changes to ones previously published, for example, such new material or modifications are substantially instantaneously transmitted to the publication displayed on the web server  12  where they appear on the web page virtually in real time. 
     The method and process of this invention is highly efficient and much less time consuming compared to prior art methods of file sharing or file publishing via the internet. Background uploading of one or more files from the software application on the client device  14  to the web server  12  can take place at the same time that the user: (i) shares the location of such files with others, (ii) creates new files or selects existing ones for publication at the same URL location as the initially uploaded file(s), (iii) edits privacy settings, (iv) edits the text message, (v) modifies the description of uploaded files, or, (vi) proceeds with other tasks on the client device  14  unrelated to such publication. There is no more waiting for the entire file sharing process to be completed before another task can be undertaken, as in many prior art systems. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents 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 embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.