Methods and systems for sharing images synchronized across a distributed computing interface

Abstract

Computer implemented methods and systems for sharing pictures among a plurality of clients within a collaborative work space are disclosed. Each client device has a local instantiation of the collaborative work space including a collaborative interface. In response to receiving or dragging an image object into the collaborative interface or work space, a presentation corresponding to the image object happens with the work space in a manner synchronized across the collaborative interfaces. Other objects, such as audio objects, can be brought into the work space and synchronized accordingly.

1 . A computer-implemented method for sharing pictures within a distributed computing interface among a plurality of clients, the method comprising:
 accessing a collaborative interface, wherein the collaborative interface comprises persistent shared space, and wherein a visual representation of the collaborative interface is equivalent for each client accessing the collaborative interface;   dragging a picture object into the collaborative interface in a single action, the picture object representing a collection of pictures, wherein the collection of pictures are displayed in real time in the collaborative interface, wherein the picture object is accessible to other clients in the collaborative interface, wherein the state of the picture object is continuously substantially synchronized the distributed computing interface;   manipulating the picture object in the collaborative interface; and   viewing other clients accessing the collaborative interface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising editing the picture object in the collaborative interface. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising deleting the picture object from the collaborative interface. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising exporting the picture object to a client system from the collaborative interface. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 dragging an audio object into the collaborative interface; 
 playing audio associated with the audio object in the collaborative interface while displaying the collection of pictures. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the collaborative interface comprises a video chat interface. 
     
     
         7 . A computer implemented method for sharing pictures among a plurality of clients within a distributed computing interface, the method comprising:
 providing a collaborative interface at each of a plurality of client devices;   wherein each specific collaborative interface represents a specific instantiation of the distributed computing interface local to a corresponding specific client device, each specific interface suited for the corresponding specific client device;   at a first client device having a first collaborative interface, receiving instructions from a first client to engage an image object within the first collaborative interface;   initiating a presentation of the image object within the collaborative workspace;   displaying, in a synchronized manner, the presentation within each collaborative interface at each client device.   
     
     
         8 . A computer implemented method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 providing controls to at least one of the plurality of clients enabling manipulation of the image object within at least one collaborative interface.   
     
     
         9 . A computer implemented method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 in each collaborative interface, providing video-chat capability with other clients.   
     
     
         10 . A computer implemented method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 at a second client device having a second collaborative interface, receiving instructions from a second client to engage an audio object within the second collaborative interface;   playing audio associated with the audio object within the distributed computing interface;   synchronizing audio across the distributed computing interface and within each collaborative interface at each client device.   
     
     
         11 . A computer implemented method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first client device and the second client device are a same device. 
     
     
         12 . A computer implemented method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising
 providing controls to at least one of the plurality of clients enabling manipulation of the image object within at least one collaborative interface;   in each collaborative interface, providing video-chat capability with other clients;   at a second client device having a second collaborative interface, receiving instructions from a second client to engage an audio object within the second collaborative interface;   playing audio associated with the audio object within the distributed computing interface;   synchronizing audio across the distributed computing interface and within each collaborative interface at each client device.   
     
     
         13 . A system for sharing pictures among a plurality of clients within a distributed computing interface, the system comprising:
 a plurality of client devices, wherein each client device includes a processor, memory, a display, and a network interface;   a server including a server processor, a server memory, and a server network interface;   a network coupling the plurality of client devices and the server;   
       wherein the system is arranged to provide a collaborative interface displayed on each display at each of the plurality of client devices;
 wherein each specific collaborative interface represents a specific instantiation of the distributed computing interface local to a corresponding specific client device, each specific interface suited for the corresponding specific client device; 
 wherein the distributed computing interface is implemented across the server and the plurality of client devices; 
 wherein a first client device includes a first collaborative interface, and the distributed computing interface is configured for:
 receiving instructions from a first client to engage a picture object within the first collaborative interface; 
 initiating a presentation of the picture object within the collaborative workspace; and 
 displaying, in a synchronized manner, the presentation within each collaborative interface at each client device. 
 
 
     
     
         14 . A system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the system is further configured for providing controls to at least one of the plurality of clients enabling manipulation of the picture object within at least one collaborative interface. 
     
     
         15 . A system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the system is further configured for, in each collaborative interface, providing video-chat capability with other clients. 
     
     
         16 . A system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the system is further configured for:
 at a second client device having a second collaborative interface, receiving instructions from a second client to engage an audio object within the second collaborative interface;   playing audio associated with the audio object within the distributed computing interface;   synchronizing audio across the distributed computing interface and within each collaborative interface at each client device.   
     
     
         17 . A system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the first client device and the second client device are a same device. 
     
     
         18 . A system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the system is further configured for:
 providing controls to at least one of the plurality of clients enabling manipulation of the picture object within at least one collaborative interface;   in each collaborative interface, providing video-chat capability with other clients;   at a second client device having a second collaborative interface, receiving instructions from a second client to engage an audio object within the second collaborative interface;   playing audio associated with the audio object within the distributed computing interface;   synchronizing audio across the distributed computing interface and within each collaborative interface at each client device.   
     
     
         19 . A computer system for sharing pictures within a distributed computing interface, the system comprising:
 means for accessing a collaborative interface, wherein the collaborative interface comprises persistent shared space, and wherein a visual representation of the collaborative interface is identical for each client accessing the collaborative interface;   means for dragging a picture object into the collaborative interface in a single action, the picture object representing a collection of pictures, wherein the collection of pictures are displayed in real time in the collaborative interface, wherein the picture object is accessible to other clients in the collaborative interface, wherein the state of the picture object is continuously synchronized;   means for manipulating the object in the collaborative interface; and   means for viewing other clients accessing the collaborative interface.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising means for editing the picture object in the collaborative interface. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising means for deleting the picture object from the collaborative interface. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising means for exporting the picture object to a client system from the collaborative interface. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19  further comprising:
 means for dragging an audio object into the collaborative interface; 
 means for playing audio associated with the audio object in the collaborative interface in conjunction with displaying the collection of objects. 
 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the collaborative interface comprises means for a video chat interface.