The present invention relates generally to a social media application for uploading, storing, organizing, enhancing, and displaying electronic representations of memorabilia and in particular to a computer based system which stores, organizes and displays the electronic representations of memorabilia, based on the type of memorabilia and input from the user, in electronic storage bins.
Some people collect and accumulate memorabilia commemorating events that have had significance during their lifetime. Such memorabilia can include a child's artwork, photographs from a vacation, an acceptance letter to a college, a sound recording, a video recording, work from school projects, a child's report card, a copy of a winning lottery ticket and first imprints of a child's hands or feet.
Some people display the memorabilia on their refrigerator, for example, by securing the memorabilia to their refrigerator with one or more magnets. Over time, collection of the memorabilia can cause clutter. As a result of the clutter, some people store the memorabilia in boxes or bins and others discard it. The amount of memorabilia can become so extensive that it becomes difficult to access, sort through, view, share, listen to and/or display. For example, finding and flipping through hard copy photo albums and finding and playing home movies can be a cumbersome and time consuming task. In addition, capture of still images and video are typically done independent of one another and once created, cannot be easily altered or edited. As a result, the essence, meaning, story line or sense of the moment captured in a still image, video or audio recording is lost.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a computer based system for management of memorabilia including a processor coupled to memory and an input-output controller, a data store in communication with the processor, an input device coupled to the input-output controller and a display device coupled to the input-output controller. The memory includes at least one algorithm comprising an initial processing section configured to upload a plurality of images and audio files having a plurality of data file formats. The memory includes an organization and storage section configured to determine at least one location within the data store for storage of each of the plurality of images (e.g., still images, photos, artwork and videos) and audio files. The memory also includes an access and display section configured for at least one of creating, retrieving, viewing, moving, annotating and transmitting the images and audio files.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the memorabilia management system is a MOMENTAGE™ system which provides computer-implemented tools and methods, an application (“app”) based solution and a web site that gives users the ability to upload, store, view, organize, enhance, digitize, alter, comment upon, exchange, share and display memorabilia such as, but not limited to, photographs, artwork, video and audio works in a data store, such as, but not limited to a STORYBOX™ or STORYBIN™; and to print and generate two and three dimensional replicas, objects and designs of artwork and photographs, and to generate video and audio recordings and files. MOMENTAGE™ (U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 85/642,332, filed Jun. 4, 2012); STORYBOX™ (U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 85/642,362, filed Jun. 4, 2012); and STORYBIN™ (U.S. Trademark Application Serial No. 85/642,409, filed Jun. 4, 2012) are trademarks of Castineiras Companies, LLC of 270 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, Conn. 06032.
As described herein, the memorabilia management system 10 includes the following and other functions:
1. A single smartphone application (App) with an integrated computer interface that cooperate with one another to capture, immediately organize and display still images, audio and video recordings.
2. A memorabilia management system that is configured for on-line, point-of-capture, and remote creation of, uploading data to and access to a plurality of data storage bins, for example, STORYBOXES™ identified by icons and or indicia and that store electronic representations of images, audio and video in various segmentable compartments or categories, such as but not limited to holidays, baby, school, sports, art & crafts, vacations and new still images, audio and video.
3. A memorabilia management system that is configured to accept and integrate multiple formats of digitized still images, audio, video and still images with text, still image, video and audio annotations and comments.
4. Single point control, such as but not limited to “play button” initiation, selection and control of display and performance of still images, audio, video and still images with text, still image, video and audio annotations and comments.
5. Automatic updating, sorting and populating of the data stores and/or STORYBOXES™ triggered by the creation of a still image (e.g., taking of a photograph), uploading of a scanned image, recording of video images and/or recording of audio data or by user commands.
6. Selective transmission and sharing of electronic representations of images, audio, video and still images with text, still image, video and audio annotations and comments to and with a predetermined population.
7. Configured to communicate with and receive images, audio, video and still images with text, still image, video and audio annotations and comments from a plurality of predetermined sources, either simultaneously or sequentially.
8. Cloud based secure storage of images, audio, video and still images with text, still image, video and audio annotations and comments, for access from multiple locations at any time.
9. Packaging of the contents of or preselected portions of the data store and/or STORYBOXES™ for distribution and/or sale for retail purposes, fundraising activities and/or gifts.
10. The ability to transform all or portions of still images, audio recordings (e.g., digital electronic recordings) and video recordings (e.g., digital electronic recordings) into two or three dimensional objects and to distribute the same to predetermined recipients.
11. The ability to link to social media systems (e.g., FACEBOOK® and TWITTER®) to present a tiered pricing structure for access to and use of the services and products made available via the memorabilia management system 10.
12. The memorabilia management system 10 includes a capture verification module that is configured to verify the images, such as the still images, the audio recordings, and the video recordings are captured and stored in the storage bins (e.g., STORYBOXES™) and generates a delete permissive signal to prompt deletion of the still images, audio recordings, and video recordings from the device which captured them (e.g., a smart phone, an I-phone or a camera).
13. Provides image, video and audio capture, edit, annotation, storage, displaying and playing the images, the video recordings and the audio recordings in a single device, without the need for ancillary devices such as cameras, video recorders, photo albums, CDs, DVDs, CD and DVD players and the like.
14. Provides back-up storage capability in multiple remote locations to prevent loss of the images, the video recordings and the audio recordings, for example due to fire, theft or the like.
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In one embodiment, the server 40 of the memorabilia management system 10 is located at the cloud device 111 or site providing computer services to a plurality of users. In one embodiment, the server 40 and/or the data store 80 are cloud computing devices. The one or more client devices 20 include computing devices operated by the one or more users that are accessing the functions and features of the memorabilia management system 10 (described herein) in locations that are remote from the server 40, via the network 60.
The processors 22 and 42 execute computer-implemented steps and/or algorithms for memorabilia management 24A and 44A (hereinafter memorabilia management algorithms (MMA) 24A and 44A) stored in the memory 24 and 44 of the client devices 20 and the server 40, respectively. A person operating the memorabilia management system 10 may execute the MMA 24A and 44A, view still images, audio and video recordings outputted, for example, exhibited on the display device or display devices coupled to their computing devices (e.g., the display devices 34 and 54), and create and name STORYBOXES™, upload and comment on the still images, audio and video recordings and share the still images, audio and video recordings and comments annotated therewith with a plurality of predetermined entities, as described in further detail herein. It should be appreciated that the MMA 24A and 44A generally require manipulation of data in the form of electrical, magnetic and/or optical signals that may be inputted, stored, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated to provide a desired result. For example, the MMA 24A and 44A may direct the processors 22 and 42, the input-output controllers 26 and 56, and/or the displays 34 and 54 to exhibit one or more user interfaces, e.g., application generated user interfaces, web pages, and the like, shown generally at 34A and 54A. Exemplary user interfaces 34A and 54A depicting the computer based system 10 and MMA 24A and 44A, are described below.
In one embodiment, the server 40 hosts the user interfaces 54A such as a home page and other web pages or a mobile phone App, that are requested by the user through designation of a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) identifying the web pages and providing access to the server 40 from other computing devices (e.g., the client devices 20) on the network 60. In one embodiment, access to the web pages 54A, server 40, the data store 80, selected portions thereof, and/or to selected services and functionality provided by the memorabilia management system 10, is restricted to registered or otherwise authorized users, administrators and others, as is described below. The client devices 20 execute programs such as, for example, web browser software to request, receive and process the web pages 54A from the server 40, for example, as web pages 34A exhibited on the display devices 34 of the client devices 20. The web pages 34A and 54A are generally written in a language that permits a graphical presentation of information (text, images, audio, video, and the like) to persons operating a computing device such as one of the client devices 20. Languages include, for example, the Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML), Extensible Markup Language (XML) or another Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), as are generally known in the art.
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The shipping and coding module 122 generates coding information for use in transmitting, shipping, identifying and categorizing the memorabilia. The shipping and coding module 122 includes an algorithm for generating coding information, such as unique identification codes (e.g., alpha-numeric characters) that are used to identify each item of memorabilia. In one embodiment, the unique identification codes are automatically assigned according to characteristics of the memorabilia including memorabilia format (e.g., image, sound recording, video recording, etc.), date (e.g., creation date, submittal date, event date, etc.), event type (e.g., birthday, holiday, vacation, graduation, etc.), subject (e.g., daughter, son, pet, etc.) and/or other characteristics of the memorabilia, identified by the user. In one embodiment, the coding information is provided in a catalogue format. The shipping and coding module 122 is configured to generate the coding information in electronic format for use in submittal of the electronic representations of the memorabilia and/or in printable format (e.g., for printing on labels) for affixing to the memorabilia to be shipped to a receiving area.
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The electronic receiving module 123 is configured to receive the electronic representations of the memorabilia, for example e-mail or electronic messages transmitted from the client devices 20. The electronic receiving module 123 includes a storage device 123S that automatically stores the e-mails, messages (e.g., text messages, voice messages, sound recordings, etc.) and attachments thereto (pictures, videos, sound recordings, text messages, etc.), received from each particular user in a unique user designated portion of the storage device 123S, such as a unique URL. The storage device 123S is configured to store the e-mails, messages and attachments until the user decides to catalogue or organize them or until the memorabilia management system 10 automatically organizes them, as described below.
The electronic receiving module 123 includes a checking and registering unit 123CR configured to check for and register the coding information associated with the electronic representations of the memorabilia.
The electronic receiving module 123 also includes a transmitter 123T for transmitting the electronic representations of the memorabilia to the access and display section 160 or a memorabilia processing module 124 (described below). The electronic receiving module 123 is also configured to optimize the electronic representations of the memorabilia, including cropping, rotating, straightening, sizing and framing the electronic representations of the memorabilia.
The initial processing section 120 also includes a memorabilia processing module 124 for processing memorabilia and the electronic representations of the memorabilia which do not include the coding information. The memorabilia processing module 124 is configured for creating an electronic representation of the memorabilia in a suitable format, such as a scanned image (e.g., a pdf or jpeg file), a text document (e.g., a pdf or MS Word doc file), a sound recording, a video recording and/or a photograph. For example, the memorabilia processing module 124 includes equipment for creating the electronic representations of the memorabilia from the memorabilia shipped to the receiving area. The equipment for creating the electronic representations includes, but is not limited to, a scanner 125, a camera 126 (e.g., still camera, video camera) and a recorder 126A (e.g., audio or video recorder). In addition, the memorabilia processing module 124 includes a checking and registering unit 124CR configured to check for and register the coding information associated with the memorabilia. The memorabilia processing module 124 is in communication with the shipping and coding module 122 for adding the coding information to the memorabilia if required.
In one embodiment, the electronic receiving module 123 is in communication with the camera 126 via the communication link C4, the scanner 125 via the communications link C5 and the recorder 126A via the communications link C6. The electronic receiving module 123 is configured to upload a plurality of images and audio files from the camera 126, the scanner 125 and the recorder 126A coincident with a point-of-capture of the images and audio files by the camera 126, the scanner 125 and/or the recorder 126A. The organization and storage section 140 and in particular the algorithm 142 configured to determine a location of the images, video recordings, audio recordings and audio files is configured determine at least one location within the data store 80 for storage of each of the plurality of images and audio files coincident with the point-of-capture of the images and audio files by the by the camera 126, the scanner 125 and/or the recorder 126A. Thus the possibility for misplacing, misclassifying, loosing or erasing the plurality of images and audio files in the camera 126, the scanner 125 and/or the recorder 126A or on other intermediate storage medium such as flash drives, memory cards, CD's and DVDs is minimized or eliminated.
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The access and display section 160 includes a login module 161, a viewing mode selection module 162, a shop and send module 163 and an interactive module 164 interconnected with one another via suitable communication links. The login module 161 is configured to request the users' username and password, compare the username and password to those established in the initial processing section 120 and authorizing access to portions of the memorabilia management system 10. For example, the login module 161 authorizes access to the viewing mode selection module 162, the shop and send module 163 and the interactive module 164. In one embodiment, the access and display section includes and a fundraising module 165. The login module also can authorize access to the fundraising module 165.
The viewing mode selection module 162 includes a browse setting which allows the user to select and view the electronic representations of the memorabilia at the discretion of the user. The viewing mode selection module 162 also includes an automatic setting which triggers a random or predetermined display of the electronic representations of the memorabilia. The viewing mode selection module 162 also includes a user preference selector (not shown) which enables the user to select viewing preferences and commands such as, but not limited to adjusting contrast, color, volume, size and orientation; adjusting special effects, such as animation and three dimensional effects; printing; e-mailing; and playing, pausing, fast forwarding and reversing videos, of the electronic representations of the memorabilia. The viewing mode selection module 162 includes a play button 162B which is configured to be activated by a user to initiate display and performance of still images, audio, video and combinations thereof and contents of the data store 80 (e.g., one or more STORYBOXES™ 82) in chronological sequence or a predetermined sequence, speed, volume, order and direction, in one or more steps (e.g., viewing sequences or sweeps). The viewing mode selection module 162 includes a share button 162S which is configured to be activated by the user to share and transmit still images, audio, video and combinations thereof and contents of the data store 80 (e.g., one or more STORYBOXES™ 82) to one or more predetermined users, addresses, FACEBOOK® friends or the like. The viewing mode selection module 162 includes a comment button 162C which is configured to be activated by a user to comment on or add audio, video, text, doodles and/or still images to other add audio, video, text, doodles and/or still images.
The shop and send module 163 includes a catalog and order processing section (not shown) which is configured to enable the user to select and purchase one or more of the electronic representations of the memorabilia, coloring books (e.g., three dimensional coloring books), access to electronic coloring books (e.g., electronic three dimensional coloring books, on-line art tools and three dimensional illustration software), three dimensional renditions of the electronic representations of the memorabilia (e.g., three dimensional figures created by a three dimensional printer), accessories (e.g., microphones, recording devices, voice recording software and art forms) and custom designed postage (e.g., Artstamps@https://www.artstamps.com/). In one embodiment, the shop and send module 163 includes a template section 163T for ordering and purchasing templates, for example, models, body parts, structural components and patterns for creating three dimensional objects, such as three dimensional renditions of memorabilia and figurines. The users can assemble, paint, dress or otherwise decorate the three dimensional objects.
The interactive module 164 includes a module for initiating and conducting contests, including submitting and tallying votes, collecting contest fees, announcing contest winners and awarding prizes, for example monetary awards. The interactive module 164 also includes a module for enabling authorized users to comment on and or annotate the electronic representations of the memorabilia. The interactive module 164 also includes a module for the online electronic creation of and/or remote submittal of memorabilia, for example client devices 20. In addition, the interactive module 164 is configured for users to create electronic three dimensional images using the three dimensional illustration software. The interactive module 164 is in communication with the shop and send module 163 to enable the user to save the three dimensional images in electronic format in the viewing and selection module 162. In one embodiment, the interactive module 164 is in communication with the shop and send module 163 to enable the user to purchase, create (e.g., via a printer configured to create three dimensional objects) and send three dimensional renditions of the three dimensional images.
For example, the user can use on-line art tools for creating original or custom artwork via a computer. The user can access a website by entering an access code to gain access to the website. The website includes software programs that simulate, drive and allow the user to manipulate icons of tools, artforms and/or materials for creating the original or custom artwork on-line. The on-line tools, the artforms and/or the materials for creating the original or custom artwork on-line include, but are not limited to, on-line forms of paints, paint brushes, crayons, markers, color palettes (e.g., a display of a complete range of colors made available by a computer graphics card, from which the user or a computer program may choose those to be displayed), shapes, graphics and images. The website includes a catalog of the on-line tools, the artforms and/or the materials for creating the original or custom artwork, for selection by the user.
In one embodiment, the on-line art tools include software for transforming the artwork or images into a three dimensional object or body or into an electronic image having a three dimensional appearance, such as that disclosed in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/409,781, entitled System and Method for Transformation and Animation of Images, filed Mar. 1, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In one embodiment the interactive module 164 includes, a transformation subsection 164T for transforming the artwork and images into a three dimensional physical body or object. In one embodiment, the transformation subsection 164T is a printer which creates a three dimensional object based on and representative of the artwork and/or image. In addition, the transformation subsection 164T includes, for example a device for creating a digital rendering of the modified image with three dimensional appearances. The transformation section 164A is configured to enable the user to select images of such as, but not limited to, human or animal body parts (e.g., arms, legs, necks and torsos), structural components (frames, ship hulls, windows, doors and chimneys) and assembly them to form a three dimensional body or structure. In addition, the transformation section 164A is configured to enable the user to select clothing and dress or undress the three dimensional body. The three-dimensional bodies or structures can be used as memorabilia, toys, figurines, promotional material and/or a collectible item. In one embodiment, the transformation section 164A is configured to create audio and video recordings, transmit the recordings via electronic data transmission (e.g., e-mail, mobile phone), copy the audio and video recordings on suitable electronic media (e.g., DVDs, CDs, flash drives, etc.) and create website links for the audio and video recordings accessible through the internet.
In one embodiment, the fundraising module 165 includes a virtual on-line store 65V, which can be used for distributing, trading, collecting, buying and/or selling memorabilia, including but not limited to the three dimensional objects and the electronic images having a three dimensional appearance. The virtual on-line store 165V includes software (not shown) configured to establish a store name, domain name and URL, add serial numbers to memorabilia, control the number of and time at which the memorabilia are available for sale and collect and distribute proceeds from such sales to a plurality of entities. The virtual on-line store 165V is in communication with one or more websites (e.g., www.artstamps.com) to leverage sales of the memorabilia.
The interactive module 164 also includes a module for users to request and pay for elaborate design of a personal electronic museum or STORYBOX™ 82 (e.g., multiple architectural designs, colors, patterns, floor plans, number of floors, landscape, internal decorations, etc,) expanded electronic storage and downloading specialized online art tools.
In one embodiment, the financial module 165 which includes a fundraising module 165F and a retail module 165R. The fundraising module 165F configured to interact with non-profit organizations or other entities for the management and generation of income. In one embodiment, the fundraising module 165F includes an advertising module for linking to and/or creating advertising for fundraising or other purposes. For example, the fund raising module 65 includes fundraising systems and method such as, but not limited to, those defined in the copending and commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/975,928, filed Dec. 22, 2010.
The retail module 165R is configured to establish a portal or website for on-line retail transactions, of memorabilia management services and products stemming therefrom. For example, all or portions of the data store 80 or STORYBOXES™ 82 may be purchased, sold or traded or sent as gifts via the retail module 165R. As illustrated in
Once the log-in process is complete, users are directed to one or more user interfaces of the memorabilia management system 10. For example,
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In one embodiment, the MMA 24A, 44A is in communication with a social media system (e.g., FACEBOOK®, TWITTER®) via the network 60. For example, the MMA 24A, 44A and the social media system 169 exchange information, the images, video recordings, audio recordings via the network 60. In one embodiment, the retail module 165R is in communication with the social media system (e.g., FACEBOOK®, TWITTER®) via the network 60. The retail module 165R is configured to present a tiered pricing structure for purchase of the products and services offered through the memorabilia management system 10. For example, individual tiers and pricing are defined for access to and utilization of the audio comment on image webpage 600, the sounds effects webpage 700, the doodle on image webpage 800, and/or the video effects webpage 1300.
Although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, upon a reading and understanding of the foregoing disclosure, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that numerous variations and alterations to the disclosed embodiments will fall within the scope of this invention and of the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/496,207, filed Jun. 13, 2011 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/658,620 filed Jun. 12, 2012, the entirety of which are incorporated by reference herein. The present application also claims priority to and is a continuation in part of copending and commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/975,928, filed Dec. 22, 2010 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/867,745 filed Oct. 5, 2007, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/863,931 filed Sep. 28, 2007, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/854,577 filed Sep. 13, 2007, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/652,998 filed on Jan. 12, 2007, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/490,726 filed on Jul. 21, 2006, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/396,895 filed Apr. 3, 2006, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/168,651, filed on Jun. 27, 2005 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61658620 | Jun 2012 | US | |
61496207 | Jun 2011 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12975928 | Dec 2010 | US |
Child | 13495450 | US | |
Parent | 11867745 | Oct 2007 | US |
Child | 12975928 | US | |
Parent | 11863931 | Sep 2007 | US |
Child | 11867745 | US | |
Parent | 11854577 | Sep 2007 | US |
Child | 11863931 | US | |
Parent | 11652998 | Jan 2007 | US |
Child | 11854577 | US | |
Parent | 11490726 | Jul 2006 | US |
Child | 11652998 | US | |
Parent | 11396895 | Apr 2006 | US |
Child | 11490726 | US | |
Parent | 11168651 | Jun 2005 | US |
Child | 11396895 | US |