System and Method for Media Submission

Abstract

The present invention, generally speaking, provides an improved web-based media submission tool. As with some existing tools, operation of the tool is drag and drop or the user can “click” to browse a directory to select media objects. Unlike existing tools, the tool provides the user an opportunity to confirm the submission, for example by generating a thumbnail image of an image file that has been dragged and dropped. Batch submission is provided for in which a user drags and drops a plurality of images or other media objects. Submission from a web page to a web page is also provided for. The submission tool is configurable to perform a variable amount of intelligent preprocessing on media objects prior to upload. In the case of digital images, the tool can perform sizing and formatting, for example. Information capture is performed with information being uploaded together with the media objects. In an exemplary embodiment, information capture is both user-transparent (e.g., user ID and/or password) and user-visible (e.g., the user can provide captions for media objects). The submission of information about the user and the media objects facilitates automatic integration of the media objects within existing databases.

1 . A computer implemented method for pre-processing digital content in a local device for subsequent electronic distribution, said digital content including one or more of image content, video content, and audio content, comprising:
 a. initiating, by said local device, a transfer of digital content from said local device to a location that is remote from said local device;   b. pre-processing digital content at said local device in accordance with one or more pre-processing parameters that have been provided to said local device, said one or more pre-processing parameters being supplied by a device separate from said local device, said one or more pre-processing parameters controlling said local device in a placement of digital content into a specified form in preparation for publication to a plurality of devices that are remote from said local device and said remote location; and   c. transmitting said pre-processed digital content from said local device to said remote location.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said initiating comprises identifying digital content for transfer to said remote device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said pre-processing comprises pre-processing digital content that has been identified for said transfer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving configuration information from a device separate from said local device, said configuration information including said one or more pre-processing parameters. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said receiving comprises receiving configuration information in a file that is downloaded from a server device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more pre-processing parameters enable said local device to place said digital content into a specified form in preparation for distribution to said plurality of devices on which said pre-processed digital content is to be electronically displayed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more pre-processing parameters enable said local device to place said digital content into a specified form in preparation for web distribution. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said pre-processing comprises reducing a file size or compressing said digital content. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said pre-processing comprises resizing said digital content. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said pre-processing comprises changing a file format of said digital content. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said pre-processing comprises changing a quality of said digital content. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said pre-processing comprises encoding or otherwise converting said digital content. 
     
     
         13 . A computer implemented method for digital content that has been pre-processed by a content originating device, said digital content including one or more of image content, video content, and audio content, comprising:
 a. receiving, in a local device from said content originating device, digital content that has been pre-processed at said content originating device in accordance with one or more pre-processing parameters that have been provided to said content originating device, said one or more pre-processing parameters being supplied by a device separate from said content originating device, said one or more pre-processing parameters controlling said content originating device in a placement of digital content into a specified form in preparation for publication to a plurality of devices that are remote from said local device and said content originating device; and   b. publishing, by said local device via an electronic network, information based on said pre-processed digital content to said plurality of devices that are remote from said local device and said content originating device.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising receiving configuration information in said content originating device from a device separate from said content originating device, said configuration information including said one or more pre-processing parameters. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said receiving comprises receiving configuration information in a file that is downloaded from a server device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said pre-processing comprises reducing a file size or compressing said digital content. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said pre-processing comprises resizing said digital content. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said pre-processing comprises changing a file format of said digital content. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said pre-processing comprises changing a quality of said digital content. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said pre-processing comprises encoding or otherwise converting said digital content. 
     
     
         21 . A computer implemented method for pre-processing digital content in a local device for subsequent electronic transmission to a remote device, said digital content including one or more of image content, video content, and audio content, comprising:
 a. initiating, by said local device, a transfer of digital content from said local device to a device that is remote from said local device;   b. pre-processing digital content at said local device in accordance with one or more pre-processing parameters that have been provided to said local device, said one or more pre-processing parameters being supplied by a device separate from said local device, said one or more pre-processing parameters controlling said local device in a placement of digital content into a form specified for said remote device; and   c. transmitting said pre-processed digital content from said local device to said remote device.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said initiating comprises identifying digital content for transfer to said remote device. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said pre-processing comprises pre-processing digital content that has been identified for said transfer. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising receiving configuration information from a device separate from said local device, said configuration information including said pre-processing parameters. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said receiving comprises receiving configuration information in a file that is downloaded from a server device. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said pre-processing parameters enable said local device to place said digital content into a specified form in preparation for distribution to one or more devices on which said pre-processed digital content is to be electronically displayed. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said pre-processing comprises reducing a file size or compressing said digital content. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said pre-processing comprises resizing said digital content. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said pre-processing comprises changing a file format of said digital content. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said pre-processing comprises changing a quality of said digital content. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said pre-processing comprises encoding or otherwise converting said digital content. 
     
     
         32 . A computer implemented method for digital content that has been pre-processed by a content originating device, said digital content including one or more of image content, video content, and audio content, comprising:
 a. receiving, in a local device from said content originating device, digital content that has been pre-processed at said content originating device in accordance with one or more pre-processing parameters that have been provided to said content originating device, said one or more pre-processing parameters being supplied by a device separate from said content originating device, said one or more pre-processing parameters controlling said content originating device in a placement of digital content into a form specified for said local device; and   b. preparing, by said local device, said pre-processed digital content for electronic display in said specified form.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising receiving configuration information in said content originating device from a device separate from said content originating device, said configuration information including said one or more pre-processing parameters. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said receiving comprises receiving configuration information in a file that is downloaded from a server device. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said pre-processing comprises reducing a file size or compressing said digital content. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said pre-processing comprises resizing said digital content. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said pre-processing comprises changing a file format of said digital content. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said pre-processing comprises changing a quality of said digital content. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said pre-processing comprises encoding or otherwise converting said digital content.