U.S. patent application number 13/194905 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-08 for system and method for visual communication between buyers and sellers.
Invention is credited to Danette Gorman, Joseph Shohfi.
Application Number | 20120060102 13/194905 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45771562 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120060102 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shohfi; Joseph ; et
al. |
March 8, 2012 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VISUAL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN BUYERS AND
SELLERS
Abstract
A visual communications (VC) tool enables visual communication
over a data communications network. An email is sent to a recipient
containing a link to a first visual arrangement generated by a
sender. The first visual arrangement may include images of various
products. The first visual arrangement is displayed via a web
browser in a first display area of the VC tool in response to
actuation of the link in the email message. The recipient then
selects a first image in the first display area. The selection may
include dragging and dropping the first image into a second display
area of the VC tool. The selection triggers the generating of a
second visual arrangement which includes a copy of the first image.
The copy of the first image is displayed in a second display area
concurrently with the display of the first image in the first
display area.
Inventors: |
Shohfi; Joseph; (New York,
NY) ; Gorman; Danette; (New York, NY) |
Family ID: |
45771562 |
Appl. No.: |
13/194905 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12012279 |
Feb 1, 2008 |
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13194905 |
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11053235 |
Feb 7, 2005 |
7426693 |
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12012279 |
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PCT/US03/24695 |
Aug 7, 2003 |
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11053235 |
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60401806 |
Aug 7, 2002 |
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60635808 |
Dec 13, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/752 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0482 20130101;
G06Q 30/04 20130101; H04L 51/34 20130101; G06F 16/951 20190101;
G06Q 10/107 20130101; G06F 3/0486 20130101; G06F 3/04845 20130101;
H04L 51/10 20130101; G06F 40/134 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/752 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048; G06F 15/16 20060101 G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A method for visual communication over a data communications
network comprising: receiving from a recipient of an email message,
actuation of a link included in the email message, wherein the link
is associated with a first visual arrangement generated by a
sender, the first visual arrangement including a plurality of
images for a plurality of products; providing to the recipient a
visual communications tool including a first display area and a
second display area; causing display of the first visual
arrangement including the plurality of images in the first display
area of the visual communications tool in response to receipt of
the actuation of the link in the email message; receiving from the
recipient selection of a first image from the plurality of images
displayed in the first display area; and in response to the
selection of the first image, generating a second visual
arrangement including a copy of the first image and causing display
of the copy of the first image in a second display area of the
visual communications tool concurrently with the display of the
first image in the first display area.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating the second visual
arrangement includes: storing the copy of the first image in an
image database; storing an association between the copy of the
first image and the recipient; storing an association between the
copy of the first image and the second visual arrangement; and
storing an association between the second visual arrangement and
the recipient.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of images
in the first visual arrangement is associated with information for
a product depicted in the corresponding image, wherein the
generating the second visual arrangement includes: making a copy of
the information for the product depicted in the first image; and
storing an association between the copy of the information and the
copy of the first image.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second visual arrangement
includes a plurality of other images, the method further
comprising: causing display of the copy of the information in
response to actuation of the copy of the first image; receiving a
modification to the displayed information; receiving identification
of one or more of other images in the second visual arrangement;
and applying the modification to the displayed information and to
information for products depicted in the identified one or more of
the other images.
5. The method of claim 3 further comprising: receiving a user
command to replace the copy of the first image; and replacing the
copy of the first image with a second image in response to the user
command without replacing the information for the product depicted
in the first image.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection of the first image
includes dragging and dropping the first image into the second
display area.
7. The method of claim I further comprising: providing via the
visual communications tool a notes option to enter notes for a
particular image included in the first visual arrangement;
receiving actuation of the notes option; and causing display of a
window for entering notes for the particular image in response to
the actuation of the notes option.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising: receiving the notes
entered for the particular image; in response to receipt of the
notes, associating the notes to a copy of the particular image and
adding the copy of the particular image to the second visual
arrangement, wherein the notes are retrieved in response to
selecting the copy of the particular image in the second visual
arrangement.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising: identifying a user
selected display layout; identifying a recipient of the second
visual arrangement; and causing display of the second visual
arrangement for the recipient according to the selected layout.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving a search
term entered via the visual communications tool; invoking a search
of images stored in one or more remote information sources based on
the search term and displaying one or more matching images in the
first display area of the visual communications tool; receiving
user selection of one of the matching images; and in response to
the user selection, adding a copy of the selected image to the
second visual arrangement and causing display of the copy of the
selected image in the second display area of the visual
communications tool concurrently with the display of the selected
image in the first display area.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the user selection of the
matching image includes dragging and dropping the matching image
into the second display area.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving a change
associated with the first visual arrangement; and taking a snapshot
of the first visual arrangement including the change; storing the
snapshot in a database.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the taking the snapshot
includes making a copy of information records associated with the
first visual arrangement.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the change is adding a new
image to the first visual arrangement, or deleting one of the
plurality of images included in the first visual arrangement.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the change is modifying
information of a product depicted in one of the plurality of images
included in the first visual arrangement.
16. The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving a user
command to view a history of revisions associated with the first
visual arrangement; causing display of a plurality of revision
entries in response to the user command; receiving user selection
of one of the revision entries; retrieving a first snapshot of the
first visual arrangement associated with the selected revision
entry; retrieving a second snapshot of the first visual arrangement
associated with a revision entry prior to the selected revision
entry; comparing the first snapshot with the second snapshot and
identifying differences in the first visual arrangement between the
first and second snapshots; and causing a display of a list of the
differences.
17. The method of claim 1 further comprising: providing via the
visual communications tool an order option for placing an
electronic order for a particular product depicted in an image
included in the first visual arrangement; receiving actuation of
the order option; causing display of an order pad for the
particular product; receiving via the order pad a quantity of the
product to be ordered.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the each of the plurality of
images are associated with a group and displayed according to the
group to which the image belongs, the method further comprising:
providing a visual order confirmation including an image for each
ordered product, wherein the image of the ordered product is
displayed according to the group to which the image belongs.
19. The method of claim 1 further comprising: tracking status of
the email; updating a report for the sender based on the tracked
status.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the tracking includes tracking
whether the email was viewed by the recipient.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the tracking includes tracking
whether one or more of the plurality of the products was ordered by
the recipient.
22. A computer apparatus adapted for visual communication over a
data communications network comprising, the computer apparatus
comprising: a processor; and a memory operably coupled to the
processor and having program instructions stored therein, the
processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the
program instructions including: receiving from a recipient of an
email message, actuation of a link included in the email message,
wherein the link is associated with a first visual arrangement
generated by a sender, the first visual arrangement including a
plurality of images for a plurality of products; providing to the
recipient a visual communications tool including a first display
area and a second display area; causing display of the first visual
arrangement including the plurality of images in the first display
area of the visual communications tool in response to receipt of
the actuation of the link in the email message; receiving from the
recipient selection of a first image from the plurality of images
displayed in the first display area; and in response to the
selection of the first image, generating a second visual
arrangement including a copy of the first image and causing display
of the copy of the first image in a second display area of the
visual communications tool concurrently with the display of the
first image in the first display area.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 12/012,279 (attorney docket 61332), filed on
Feb. 1, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,426,693
which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 60/635,808, filed on Dec. 13, 2004 and is a
continuation-in-part of International Application No.
PCT/US2003/024695, filed on Aug. 7, 2003 (attorney docket
50897.PCT), which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/401,806, filed on Aug. 7, 2002, the content of
all of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] People in the fashion and lifestyle-driven industries often
struggle to communicate their ideas with each other in an efficient
and safe manner. The increase in the usage of electronic
communication, such as, for example, electronic mail (e-mail) has
somewhat helped their communication efforts. However, traditional
e-mail is not catered to the fashion and lifestyle-driven
industries where a lot of the information transmitted is visual
information, such as pictures. This is because the application
generating the pictures is separate from the e-mail application
used for their transmission. Thus, the pictures are generally
transmitted by the e-mail application in the form of an
attachment.
[0003] The use of e-mails with attachments is undesirable for
various reasons. First, any comment in the body of the e-mail about
an attached image is separate from the attachment itself This makes
it difficult to maintain multiple comments received about the image
correlated and organized with the image. Furthermore, people
receiving an image attachment and responding with a comment on the
image may not reattach the image to the responding e-mail, leaving
it to the recipient to figure out which images go with which
e-mails.
[0004] Second, some company networks do not allow employees to
receive e-mails that contain attachments. Employees in such
situations may have to utilize other mechanisms for receiving the
attachments to which comments are desired.
[0005] Third, when changes are made to a presentation, it must
generally be reattached to an e-mail and retransmitted to ensure
that all recipient have the latest version of the presentation.
During a development phase where there may be constant feedback and
modification to the presentation, such retransmission of
attachments puts a strain on a company's bandwidth.
[0006] Finally, there is currently no mechanism to prevent a person
receiving a picture in the form of an attachment from reproducing
and forwarding the attachment to others. Thus, the author of the
picture runs a risk that this or her copyright rights for the
picture may be violated by providing the picture in an
attachment.
[0007] Current e-mail technology, even without attachments, also
does not provide an efficient way to track comments about a given
topic. A receiving person needs to make sure that the most recent
e-mail about the topic is opened to make sure that he or she has
the most recent comments. Also, when comments are transmitted
concurrently by different people, the recipient generally has to
open multiple e-mails to make sure that all of the comments are
reviewed.
[0008] Traditional electronic mail, therefore, is difficult and
frustrating to use for designers, suppliers, and retailers in the
fashion and lifestyle-driven industries. Accordingly, what is
desired is a visual communications tool catered to the fashion and
lifestyle-driven industries where a majority of the information
being communicated is visual information, and where there is
constant feedback about the visual information that needs to be
tracked and correlated to the visual information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to one embodiment, the present invention is
directed to a method for visual communication over a data
communications network. The method includes receiving from a
recipient of an email message, actuation of a link included in the
email message. The link is associated with a first visual
arrangement generated by a sender, where the first visual
arrangement includes a plurality of images for a plurality of
products. The method further includes providing to the recipient a
visual communications tool including a first display area and a
second display area. The first visual arrangement is displayed in
the first display area of the visual communications tool in
response to receipt of the actuation of the link in the email
message. When the recipient selects a first image in the first
display area, a second visual arrangement is generated which
includes a copy of the first image. The selection may include
dragging and dropping the first image into the second display area.
The copy of the first image is displayed in a second display area
of the visual communications tool concurrently with the display of
the first image in the first display area.
[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, generating the
second visual arrangement includes storing the copy of the first
image in an image database, storing an association between the copy
of the first image and the recipient, storing an association
between the copy of the first image and the second visual
arrangement, and storing an association between the second visual
arrangement and the recipient. According to one embodiment, the
associations are based on unique identifiers assigned to the
recipient, to the images, and to the visual arrangements.
[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the
plurality of images in the first visual arrangement is associated
with information for a product depicted in the corresponding image.
According to this embodiment, the generating of the second visual
arrangement includes making a copy of the information for the
product depicted in the first image, and storing an association
between the copy of the information and the copy of the first
image. According to one embodiment, the association is based on
unique identifiers assigned to the copy of the information and the
copy of the first image.
[0012] The copy of the information may be displayed in response to
actuation of the copy of the first image. A modification may then
be received for the displayed information, and identification one
or more of other images in the second visual arrangement may be
received for applying the modification to the displayed information
and to the information for products depicted in the identified one
or more of the other images.
[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, a user command
is received to replace the copy of the first image. The copy of the
first image is replaced with a second image in response to the user
command. The replacing of the first image occurs without replacing
the information (metadata) for the product depicted in the first
image.
[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, a notes option
is provided via the visual communications tool to enter notes for a
particular image included in the first visual arrangement.
Actuation of the notes option is received, and a window is
displayed in response for entering notes for the particular image.
When the notes entered for the particular image are received, the
notes are associated to a copy of the particular image, and the
copy is added to the second visual arrangement. The notes may be
retrieved and displayed in response to selecting the copy of the
particular image in the second visual arrangement.
[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, a user
selected display layout is identified, and a recipient of the
second visual arrangement is also identified. The second visual
arrangement is displayed for the recipient according to the
selected layout.
[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, a search term
entered via the visual communications tool is received, and a
search of images stored in one or more remote information sources
is invoked based on the search term. One or more matching images
are then displayed in the first display area of the visual
communications tool. When user selection of one of the matching
images is received, a copy of the selected image is added to the
second visual arrangement, and the copy of the selected image is
displayed in the second display area of the visual communications
tool concurrently with the display of the selected image in the
first display area. The user selection of the matching image may
include dragging and dropping the matching image into the second
display area.
[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, a change
associated with the first visual arrangement is received, and a
snapshot of the first visual arrangement is taken including the
change. The snapshot is stored in a database. The taking of the
snapshot may include making a copy of information records
associated with the first visual arrangement. The change may be
adding a new image to the first visual arrangement, deleting one of
the plurality of images included in the first visual arrangement,
and/or modifying information of a product depicted in one of the
plurality of images included in the first visual arrangement.
[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, a user command
is received to view a history of revisions associated with the
first visual arrangement. A plurality of revision entries are
displayed in response to the user command. User selection of one of
the revision entries is received, and a first snapshot of the first
visual arrangement associated with the selected revision entry is
retrieved. A second snapshot of the first visual arrangement
associated with a revision entry prior to the selected revision
entry is also retrieved. The first snapshot and the second snapshot
are compared, and differences in the first visual arrangement are
identified between the first and second snapshots. A list of those
differences are then displayed.
[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, an order
option is provided via the visual communications tool for placing
an electronic order for a particular product depicted in an image
included in the first visual arrangement. Actuation of the order
option is received, an order pad is displayed for the particular
product, and a quantity of the product to be ordered is received
via the order pad. A visual order confirmation may then be provided
including an image for each ordered product according to the group
to which the image belongs.
[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the status of
the email sent to the recipient is tracked, and a report is
generated for the sender based on the tracked status. The tracking
may include tracking whether the email was viewed by the recipient,
and/or whether one or more of the plurality of the products was
ordered by the recipient.
[0021] According to one embodiment, the invention is also directed
to a computer apparatus adapted for visual communication over a
data communications network. The computer apparatus includes a
processor and a memory. The memory stores program instructions
which are configured to be executed by the processor to provide the
functionalities described above.
[0022] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will be more fully understood when considered
with respect to the following detailed description, appended
claims, and accompanying drawings. Of course, the actual scope of
the invention is defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a visual communications system
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a process implemented by a
visual communications (VC) tool according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a screen shot of a graphical user interface
provided by the VC tool of FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of
the invention;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a screen shot of updated navigator and work areas
upon user selection of an inbox folder according to one embodiment
of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a screen shot of updated navigator and work areas
upon user selection of a work folder according to one embodiment of
the invention;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a screen shot of a picture information window
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a screen shot of a folio generated by the VC tool
of FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a screen shot of an exemplary storyboard generated
by the VC tool of FIG. 2 according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a screen shot of an exemplary presentation
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a screen shot of information displayed on a
details area upon selection of a mail tab according to one
embodiment of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a screen shot of a contacts window according to
one embodiment of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 12 is an exemplary web page accessed by a non-VC tool
recipient according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a visual communications system
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a schematic layout diagram of a database model
for storing and organizing information in a database of a central
data store according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a screen shot of a VC tool according to one
embodiment of the invention;
[0038] FIG. 16 is a screen shot of a VC tool displaying a reply
history window according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0039] FIG. 17 is a screen shot of an exemplary visual arrangement
published via a vmail that is displayed in a first display area of
a VC tool according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0040] FIG. 18 is a screen shot of the exemplary visual arrangement
of FIG. 17, showing a selection of an image published to the user
via the vmail according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0041] FIG. 19 is a screen shot of a VC tool showing a copy of the
image selected in FIG. 18, in a second display area of the VC tool
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0042] FIG. 20 is a screen shot of a VC tool depicting a dragging
and dropping of an image from a first display area to a second
display area of the VC tool according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0043] FIG. 21 is a screen shot of a VC tool including a web images
tab for searching for web images according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0044] FIG. 22 is a screen shot of a VC tool showing a notes option
with respect to a displayed image according to one embodiment of
the invention;
[0045] FIG. 23 is a screen shot of a VC tool displaying a notepad
upon selection of a notes option according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0046] FIG. 24 is a screen shot of a VC tool showing a copied image
in a second display area of the VC tool according to one embodiment
of the invention;
[0047] FIG. 25 is a screen shot depicting display of metadata
information stored for the copied image of FIG. 24 according to one
embodiment of the invention;
[0048] FIG. 26 is a screen shot of the metadata information of FIG.
25 including changes entered by an author according to one
embodiment of the invention;
[0049] FIG. 27 is a screen shot of an edit image option according
to one embodiment of the invention;
[0050] FIG. 28 is a screen shot of a VC tool displaying a replace
image pop-up window in response to selection of the edit image
option of FIG. 27, according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0051] FIG. 29 is a screen shot of a VC tool displaying a set
layout option according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0052] FIG. 30 is a screen shot of a VC tool displaying a pop-up
window for sharing a visual arrangement in a vmail according to one
embodiment of the invention;
[0053] FIG. 31 is a screen shot of a vmail received by a recipient
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0054] FIG. 32 is a screen shot of the visual arrangement that is
displayed upon selection of a link in the vmail depicted in FIG. 31
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0055] FIG. 33 is a screen shot of an exemplary visual arrangement
shared with a recipient via a vmail and which displays an order
option according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0056] FIG. 34 is a screen shot of a VC tool displaying an order
pop-up window in response to selection of the order option of FIG.
33, according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0057] FIG. 35 is a screen shot of a user's shopping cart with
images and information of all products that have been selected for
purchase, according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0058] FIG. 36 is a screen shot of a VC tool providing a visual
order confirmation of purchased items according to one embodiment
of the invention;
[0059] FIG. 37 is a screen shot depicting a user dragging and
dropping an image displayed in the visual order confirmation of
FIG. 36, into a second display area of a VC tool according to one
embodiment of the invention;
[0060] FIG. 38 is a screen shot of an order confirmation pop-up
window with details on products that have been ordered along with
images for the ordered products according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0061] FIG. 39 is a screenshot of a VC tool allowing a user to view
activities surrounding vmails according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0062] FIG. 40 is a screenshot of a VC tool allowing a user to view
detailed information about activities surrounding vmails according
to one embodiment of the invention;
[0063] FIG. 41 is a screenshot of a VC tool displaying an executive
dashboard according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0064] FIG. 42 is a screen shot of a breakdown of total sales
revenue by customer name according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0065] FIG. 43 is a screen shot of detailed information about a
sale to a particular customer according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0066] FIG. 44 is a screen shot of detailed information about
customers who have viewed vmails but have not placed orders
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0067] FIGS. 45A-45C are flow charts of a process for generating a
new visual arrangement based on a visual arrangement published to a
recipient according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0068] FIG. 46 is a more detailed flow chart of generating a new
visual arrangement including a selected image according to one
embodiment of the invention;
[0069] FIG. 47A is a screen shot of a VC tool providing a history
pop-up window according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0070] FIG. 47B is an exemplary screen shot of a VC tool providing
another history pop-up window according to one embodiment of the
invention;
[0071] FIG. 48 is a flow diagram of a process for publishing and
republishing visual arrangements according to one embodiment of the
invention; and
[0072] FIG. 49 is a flow diagram of a process for outputting
revision information in response to selection of a particular
revision entry from the history pop-up window of FIG. 47A according
to one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0073] The various embodiments of the present invention are
directed to a visual communications tool for creating visual
arrangements and presenting the visual arrangements to others for
feedback and comment in an efficient and secure manner. The
comments received for the visual arrangements are tracked and
automatically correlated to the arrangements, allowing them to be
concurrently displayed on a single screen, using a single
application.
[0074] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a visual communications system
according to one embodiment of the invention. The system includes a
visual communications (VC) server 10 coupled to various end devices
12, 14, 16, over a data communications network 18. The data
communications network may be a local area network, a private wide
area network, public wide area network (e.g. the Internet), and the
like, implemented via one or more known wired or wireless
solutions. The end devices 12, 14, 16 may take the form of a
personal computer, laptop, or consumer electronics device, or the
like.
[0075] According to one embodiment of the invention, a generating
end device 12 includes a VC tool 20a used for generating a visual
arrangement and storing the visual arrangement in a local data
store 24a. The generating end device 12 may obtain the VC tool 20
in any manner conventional in the art, such as, for example, by
downloading the tool from the VC server 10. The generating end
device 12 uses the VC tool 20 to further publish the generated
visual arrangement to commenting end devices 14 and 16.
[0076] According to one embodiment of the invention, the commenting
end device 14 also includes a copy of the VC tool 20b which is used
to view the arrangement transmitted by the generating and device
12. If allowed by the generating end device 12, the images in the
visual arrangement may be stored in the commenting end device's
data store 24b, and reused in generating other visual arrangements
via the VC tool 20b. The commenting end device 14 may further use
the VC tool 20b to generate and transmit comments with respect to
the arrangement. The comments may be transmitted to only the
generating end device 12, or to both the generating end device and
another commenting end device 16.
[0077] A commenting device need not include the VC tool to view and
comment on a presented visual arrangement. For example, the
commenting end device 16 may still view and comment on the
arrangement even without the VC tool. This may be done, for
example, via a web browser 22 or like software application used to
access the VC server 10 and retrieve a web page of the visual
arrangement. The VC server 10 provides an interface on the web page
allowing the commenting end device 16 to add comments for the
presented visual arrangement. The comments may be transmitted to
only the generating end device 12, or to both the generating end
device and the other commenting end device 14.
[0078] The images included in the visual arrangement may not be
copied or re-used by the commenting end device 16 given that it is
not equipped with a copy of the VC tool. Even with the VC tool, a
commenting end device such as end device 14 may not copy or re-use
the images unless the images are transmitted to the end device 14
in a "shared" mode.
[0079] According to one embodiment of the invention, all
communication between the end devices 12, 14, 16 occur under the
control of the VC server 10. According to one embodiment, all
information associated with a new visual arrangement that is to be
published to the commenting end device 14 and/or 16 is initially
uploaded to the VC server 10 and stored in a central data store 28.
A first time recipient of the visual arrangement equipped with a
copy of the VC tool, such as the end device 14, initially downloads
the images in the visual arrangement in its own local data store,
such as data store 24b. Thereafter, if the recipient desires to
transmit a comment on the visual arrangement back to the creating
author, only the comment is transmitted to the VC server 10 along
with a link or reference to the corresponding visual arrangement.
The VC server 10 then forwards the comment and the link/reference
to the author. According to one embodiment of the invention, the VC
server 10 maintains a copy of the received comment in the central
data store 28.
[0080] It should be appreciated that the actual images in the
visual arrangement are not retransmitted after the initial
uploading and downloading to the recipient(s). If, however, changes
are made to the images included in the visual arrangement, the
changed images are uploaded to the VC server 10 for updating the
arrangement in the central data store 28, and the changed images
then forwarded to the recipient(s) equipped with the VC tool.
[0081] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a process implemented by the
visual communications (VC) tool 20a according to one embodiment of
the invention. In step 50, the VC tool 20a generates a visual
arrangement, and in step 52, stores the visual arrangement in the
local data store 24a. The visual arrangement may be, for example, a
folio organizing different types of pictures, sketches, swatches,
and colors. The visual arrangement may also be a storyboard
providing a collage of pictures, shapes, annotation, and text, for
visualizing concepts and ideas. The visual arrangement may further
be a slide show of pictures, folios, or storyboards, for
communicating concepts and ideas in an organized manner.
[0082] Once generated, the visual arrangement is, in step 53,
presented or published to the commenting end device 14 and/or 16 as
desired by the author. In this regard, all information associated
with the visual arrangement, including all images, descriptions,
and comments, hereinafter simply referred to as the visual
arrangement, are initially uploaded by the VC tool 20a to the VC
server 10. The uploaded information is stored in the central data
store 28, and a link or reference generated for the visual
arrangement.
[0083] The VC server 10 then publishes the visual arrangement to
the commenting end devices 14 and/or 16. The initial publication of
the visual arrangement to the commenting end device 14 with the VC
tool 20b involves the actual downloading of the arrangement by the
commenting end device 14. The publication of the visual arrangement
to the commenting end device 16 without the VC tool involves the
transmission of a link to a web page generated for the visual
arrangement. In either case, the recipient receives a notification
that the visual arrangement has been published.
[0084] The users of the commenting end devices 14, 16 review the
visual arrangement and provide comments in response. The comments
are then received by the generating end device 12 in step 54. The
comments from the commenting end device 14 include a reference to
the portion of the visual arrangement to which the comment relates,
but does not include the actual images in the visual arrangement.
The comments and the link to the relevant portion of the visual
arrangement are received by the VC server 10 and forwarded to the
appropriate recipients.
[0085] In step 56, the VC tool 20a correlates a received comment to
a relevant portion of a corresponding visual arrangement in the
local data store 24a. The relevant portion of the corresponding
visual arrangement may be identified via the link or reference that
is transmitted with the comment. The identified visual arrangement
is then updated based on the received comment.
[0086] In step 58, the VC tool 20a displays the visual arrangement
with the correlated comment in response to a user command. The user
command may be, for example, a single user action which opens a
notification in the user's inbox that a comment has arrived.
[0087] The process described with respect to FIG. 2 allow comments
to be kept together with the visual arrangement to which the
comments are directed. Furthermore, the user need not manipulate
different programs for concurrently viewing the visual arrangement
and the associated comments. In addition, bandwidth savings may be
achieved by avoiding constant re-transmission of the images in the
visual arrangement.
[0088] FIG. 3 is a screen shot of a graphical user interface
provided by the VC tool 20a, 20b (collectively referred to as 20),
according to one embodiment of the invention. The interface
includes a navigator area 100, work area 102, menu bar 103, and
main tool bar 104. The navigator area 100 includes a work folder
114 for storing imported pictures and visual arrangements generated
by the author using the VC tool.
[0089] The navigator area 100 further includes an inbox folder 106,
an outbox folder 108, a sent items folder 110, and a deleted items
folder 112. The inbox folder 106 stores notifications that
arrangements or comments have been published. The outbox folder 108
stores copies of arrangements or comments that are to be published
by the VC tool 20, but have not yet been delivered to the VC server
10 due to, for example, a lack of connection to the server. The
sent items folder 108 stores information on the visual arrangements
and notifications that have been published by the VC tool 20. The
deleted items folder 112 stores all pictures, arrangements, and
notifications deleted by the VC tool. According to one embodiment
of the invention, the various folders 106-112 may be integrated
with similar folders used in typical e-mail application, such as,
for example, Microsoft Outlook.TM..
[0090] The menu bar 103 contains menu items for accessing the
various features provided by the VC tool 20. The more common tasks,
such as, for example, the creating, opening, and editing of
different types of visual arrangements, importing of pictures,
sending/receiving of information related to the visual
arrangements, and the like, may be accessed via one or more buttons
incorporated into a main tool bar 104.
[0091] According to one embodiment of the invention, the work area
102 displays a quick start page when the VC tool is invoked. The
quick start page provides the user with the following options: (1)
option to view the contents in the inbox folder 116; (2) option to
create a folio 118; (3) option to create a storyboard 120; (4)
option to create a presentation 122; and (3) option to search 124
for an item in one of the folders listed in the navigator area.
[0092] FIG. 4 is a screen shot of the updated navigator and work
areas 100, 102 upon user selection of the inbox folder 106
according to one embodiment of the invention. The navigator area
100 is updated to include a list of the visual arrangements 130
that have been published to the VC tool by others.
[0093] The work area 102 is updated to include information on
notifications received by the VC tool 20. According to one
embodiment of the invention, the VC tool periodically contacts the
VC server 10 for any new notifications while the VC tool is
connected to the data communications network 18. Such notifications
may include a name for the notification 132, a sender of the
notification 134, a portion of the message 136, and a date 138.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the name 132
identifies a visual arrangement if the notification is linked to
the visual arrangement.
[0094] If the notification is not linked to a visual arrangement,
it is simply a textual notification identified by a generic name.
For example, the textual notification may be an invitation
transmitted by the VC server 10 prior to publishing an arrangement
to the VC tool for the first time. The invitation invites the user
to accept or decline receipt of the arrangement.
[0095] According to one embodiment of the invention, a first type
of selection of a notification (e.g. highlighting the notification)
causes the display of a message that is delivered with the
notification, on a portion 142 of the work area 102. The message
may be a personal message provided by the sender, or a default
message provided by the VC server 10. A default message may provide
information, for example, as to when and who has viewed the visual
arrangement published by the VC tool 20.
[0096] If the notification is for a published comment, the first
type of selection of the notification further displays the text of
the comment 150 on another portion 144 of the work area 102. Also
displayed is a reference 146 to the portion of the visual
arrangement to which the comment relates, and the person 148
publishing the comment. The reference 146 may be the name of the
portion of the visual arrangement and/or one or more thumbnails of
images to which the comment relates.
[0097] FIG. 5 is a screen shot of the updated navigator area 100
and work area 102 upon user selection of the work folder 114
according to one embodiment of the invention. The navigator area
100 is updated to include a list of folders 160 containing the
visual arrangement generated via the VC tool 20. The name of each
folder may indicate the name of the visual arrangement.
Furthermore, different icons 162 may be used to easily identify the
type of visual arrangement (e.g. a folio, storyboard, or
presentation).
[0098] The work area 102 is updated to include information on
current work stored in the local data store 24a, 24b (collectively
referred to as 24). Such information includes, for example, a name
164 of the work, a type 166 of work, date 168 in which the work was
modified, and an author 170 of the work.
[0099] According to one embodiment of the invention, only pictures
that have been imported into the VC tool, or included in a visual
arrangement shared with the VC tool may be used by the VC tool for
generating the visual arrangements. A picture may be imported into
the work folder 114 directly upon selection of an import button 172
from the main tool bar 104. Pictures may also be imported at any
time during the creation of a visual arrangement. In this case, the
pictures are imported directly in the particular folder 160 storing
the visual arrangement. Selection of a particular folder causes the
work area 102 to display a list of pictures and/or other visual
arrangements included in the folder.
[0100] A user command to import a picture causes a display of a
browser that the author may use to browse and select different
picture files that are to be imported into the VC tool 20.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the tool allows the
importing of all types of images, including JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF,
and PDF files. According to one embodiment of the invention, PDF
files are first converted to JPEG images before importing into the
VC tool. To get around the problem of low quality printouts from
JPEG images converted from a PDF file, the VC tool provides a zoom
option that allows the JPEG images to be viewed in more detail.
[0101] The author may provide additional information about the
picture during the importing process. FIG. 6 is a screen shot of a
picture information window 200 displayed during the importing
process for allowing the author to provide information on an
imported picture according to one embodiment of the invention. The
picture information window 200 includes a thumbnail 220 of the
picture, an author 202, and a current date 204, and prompts the
user for a picture type 206, name 208, season 210, delivery 212,
source 214, and/or style number 216 information. The user may
further provide a free-text description of the picture in a
description area 218. Selection of a finish button 222 causes the
entered information to be stored in the local data store 24 in
association with the picture.
[0102] FIG. 7 is a screen shot of a folio generated by the VC tool
20 according to one embodiment of the invention. A new folio may be
generated, for example, upon the selection of a folio button 176
(FIG. 5) from the main tool bar 104. Pictures may then imported
into the folio by selecting an import button 254. Other visual
arrangements (e.g. storyboards), pictures that have already been
imported, or all or portions of visual arrangements shared by
others may also be included in the folio by selecting an insert
button 256.
[0103] Thumbnails of pictures included into the folio are displayed
in a picture area 258 of the screen, and details about the folio or
individual pictures in the folio are concurrently displayed in a
details area 260 of the screen. The picture area 258 includes one
or more rows 250a, 250b, 250c with each row identified by a
user-entered row label 252a, 252b, 252c. The rows may be used, for
example, to organize the picture thumbnails into particular
categories. The pictures may be re-organized by clicking and
dragging the pictures from one row to another. A new row may
further be generated by clicking and dragging a picture into the
picture area below the last row. The picture is then inserted into
the newly generated row.
[0104] Double clicking on a particular thumbnail allows the
associated picture to be displayed on a separate window in a
picture editing mode. From this window, the author may crop,
resize, rotate, and otherwise manipulate the picture. If the
changes are saved, the changes are reflected in the picture
thumbnail.
[0105] The details area 260 provides detailed information on the
entire folio or individual pictures included into the folio. In the
example screen shot of FIG. 7, the details area 260 displays
detailed information on the entire folio under a folio details tab
278. Such details are provided by the user of the VC tool 20, and
may include a name of the folio 262 as well as season 262, delivery
266, and source 268 information. The user may further provide a
detailed description of the folio in a folio description section
270.
[0106] A user may also add or view comments with respect to the
folio by selecting a folio comments tab 280. The feature of adding
and viewing comments is described in further detail below with
respect to FIG. 9. The user may then transmit the comments by
selecting a mail tab 350. The mail feature is described in further
detail below with respect to FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0107] As the user navigates from thumbnail to thumbnail, the
user-entered picture information relevant to the selected thumbnail
is displayed on the details area 260. The folio details tab 278 and
the folio comments tab 280 are respectively replaced with a picture
details tab (not shown) and a picture comments tab (not shown) when
displaying picture details. The format of the picture details and
comments may be same as the folio details and comments. In this
manner, visual arrangements/pictures and the textual information
describing such arrangements/pictures may be maintained together
and concurrently displayed on a single screen.
[0108] The picture and details area 258, 260 contain similar
information for other visual arrangements, such as a storyboard or
presentation. The picture area 258 for a storyboard or presentation
includes pictures or other visual arrangements included into the
storyboard or presentation, and the details area 260 includes
details on the storyboard or presentation. Furthermore, clicking on
a particular picture or visual arrangement included into the
storyboard or presentation causes details on the individual picture
or arrangement to be displayed in the details area 260.
[0109] FIG. 8 is a screen shot of an exemplary storyboard according
to one embodiment of the invention. A new storyboard may be
generated, for example, upon the selection of a storyboard button
174 (FIG. 5) from the main tool bar 104. A storyboard may be used
to combine and edit pictures for generating mood boards, product
groups, fabric collections, and the like. As with a folio, pictures
may be imported or inserted into the picture area 258. Unlike a
folio, however, the pictures are not inserted into rows. Instead, a
picture is first inserted into a corner 304 of the picture area,
and may then be clicked and dragged to a new desired location
within the picture area.
[0110] Clicking on a particular picture also displays the picture's
boundary line 306, and may be manipulated to resize, rotate, or
crop the picture. Text and shapes may also be inserted into the
picture area 258 upon selection of text and shape icons 300, 302 in
a secondary tool bar 308.
[0111] Clicking on a particular picture further causes the details
area 260 to switch from displaying storyboard details to displaying
details of the selected picture under a picture details tab 307.
Comments on the selected picture may be viewed or added by
selecting a picture comments tab 309.
[0112] FIG. 9 is a screen shot of an exemplary presentation
according to one embodiment of the invention. A new presentation
may be generated, for example, upon the selection of a presentation
button 178 (FIG. 5) from the main tool bar 104. A presentation
allows the author to generate a slideshow of pictures, folios, or
storyboards that have been imported or inserted into the
presentation. The slideshow is displayed on a slideshow area 330,
and may include a customized cover page picture 334 and other
pictures/arrangements 336 that have been imported or inserted into
the presentation. An import cover page option allows the importing
of a cover page. Unlike the importing of other pictures, importing
of a cover page does not require detailed information about the
cover page picture.
[0113] A viewer may move forward on the slideshow by selecting a
forward button 332. Furthermore, view editors 338, 340 may be
manipulated to zoom in and out of the pictures displayed on the
slideshow area 330.
[0114] Selection of a presentation comments tab 310 allows the
author to view, add, or delete comments 320 on the entire
slideshow. Each comment includes information on the person 322
making the comment, the date and time 324 in which the comment was
added 324, and the text 326 of the comment itself. A private
comment directed to only the author is marked with a "private"
label. Similar information is provided for comments provided for
individual pictures upon the selection of a picture and a
corresponding picture comments tab, such as, for example, the
picture comments tab 309 of FIG. 8.
[0115] It should be appreciated that the comments 320 that are
displayed, if not added by the user of the VC tool 20, are comments
that have been transmitted by others in notifications received by
the VC tool and stored in the inbox folder 106. As discussed above,
such notifications do not include the actual picture or arrangement
to which the comment relates, but a link to the picture or
arrangement, allowing the VC tool to automatically associate the
received comment to the corresponding picture or arrangement. Upon
selection of the presentation comments tab 310, the VC tool
automatically retrieves all comments that have been correlated to
the current presentation and concurrently displays such comments on
a single screen with the corresponding images.
[0116] The user of the VC tool 20 may make changes to a current
visual arrangement, such as, for example, by changing the images,
descriptions, or comments in the arrangement, and publish the
modified arrangement to one or more recipients via a mail feature
invoked upon selecting the mail tab 350. FIG. 10 is a screen shot
of information displayed on the details area 260 upon selection of
the mail tab 350 according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0117] A selection recipients option 352 causes display of all
contact information maintained by the VC tool in a separate
contacts window, such as the window displayed on FIG. 11. The user
of the VC tool 20 selects a desired recipient from a list of
contacts 400, and adds the recipient to a share list 362 upon
selecting add button 402, or to a present list 364 upon selecting
add button 404. The recipients in the share list 362 may copy and
re-use the pictures and arrangements published to such recipients,
in their own work. According to one embodiment of the invention,
only other VC tool users may be included as share recipients.
[0118] The recipients in the present list 364 may view and respond
with comments, but may not copy the published pictures. Any person
with an e-mail account may be included as a recipient in the
present list. Such persons need not be VC tool users.
[0119] According to one embodiment of the invention, the author of
the visual arrangement may set a comment preference as public 358
or private 360. Selection of the public preference causes response
comments to be sent to all the recipients identified by the author.
Selection of the private preference causes response comments to be
only sent back to the author.
[0120] Prior to making a publication to a non-VC tool recipient who
is to view the publication as a web page, the author may select a
web preview icon 354 and receive a link to the web page in an
e-mail to the author's e-mail account. Selection of the link allows
the author to view the web page as it would be viewed by the non-VC
tool recipient.
[0121] Once the author is ready to publish the visual arrangement
or comments in response to a published visual arrangement, the
author selects a send button 356. In response, the VC tool causes
display of separate message window where the author may enter an
optional message to be provided in the notification delivered to
the VC tool recipient, or in the e-mail delivered to the non-VC
tool recipient.
[0122] After entry of the optional message, the VC tool 20 stores a
copy of the information to be published in the outbox folder 108 if
the VC tool is in an offline mode, and transmits it the next time a
connection is made to the VC server 10. If the VC tool is in an
online mode, the information to be published is uploaded to the VC
server 10 for presenting to the recipients.
[0123] FIG. 12 is an exemplary web page accessed by a non-VC tool
recipient according to one embodiment of the invention. The web
page is accessed via a link provided by the VC server 10 in an
e-mail addressed to the recipient's e-mail account. Upon selection
of the link, the recipient may view the web page via the
recipient's web browser, such as the web browser 22 of FIG. 1.
[0124] The web page displays the published images in a pictures
area 430. Details on the images are displayed on a details area
432, and comments associated with the images displayed in a
comments area 410. The recipient may add new comments by selecting
an add comments button 420, or check for new comments by selecting
a check new comments button 422.
[0125] Selection of the add comments button 420 causes display of a
separate comments window (not shown) where the user may enter his
or her comments and further select whether the entered comments are
to be delivered to only the publishing author, or to all recipients
designated by the publishing author.
Alternative Embodiment
[0126] There is also a need for a visual communications tool for
use in business-to-business transactions that allows for efficient
identification and organization of products to be sold/purchased,
as well as conversations around images of those products to be sold
and/or purchased. According to one embodiment of the invention, the
VC tool is accessed via a web browser over the Internet. The
browser-based VC tool allows end users to generate visual
arrangements (also referred to as lookbooks) and share them with
other end users without having to download a stand-alone copy of
the VC tool. The visual arrangements are shared/published via
email. Emails are generated with links to the visual arrangements
which eliminates the need to send the visual arrangements as
attachments. Such emails are hereinafter referred to as vmails
(visual emails). The browser-based VC tool also allows end users to
view the shared visual arrangements, transmit comments, make notes,
generate new visual arrangements based on shared visual
arrangements, and place orders for products depicted in the visual
arrangements, all without downloading the VC tool on the end
devices.
[0127] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the visual communications
system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
visual communications system of FIG. 13 is similar to the visual
communications system of FIG. 1, except that none of the end user
devices need to download the VC tool in order to take advantage of
the various functionalities of the system. Of course, the tool can
be downloaded if desired as described above with respect to FIG.
1.
[0128] The visual communications system includes a VC server 10a
which may be similar to the VC server 10 of FIG. 1. The VC server
10a includes an addressable memory for storing computer program
instructions to be executed by a processor. The memory is
implemented using standard memory devices such as a random access
memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM). In one embodiment, the
memory stores a number of software objects or modules including a
VC tool module 20c. The VC tool module 20c is configured to provide
a VC tool to end devices 12a-12c (collectively referred to as 12)
over a data communications network 18a. The data communications
network 18a may be similar to the data communications network of
FIG. 1. According to one embodiment, the VC tool module 20c
provides the VC tool as a web application that is accessed by the
end devices via a web browser 19a-19c (collectively referred to as
19).
[0129] The end devices 12a-12c may be similar to the end devices
12, 14, and 18 of FIG. 1. Thus, like the end devices of FIG. 1,
each of the end devices of FIG. 13 may be a personal computer,
laptop, tablet computer, smart phone, or other consumer electronics
device conventional in the art. Each of the end devices 12a-12c
have a processor and memory including computer program
instructions, which, when executed by the processor of the end
device, causes the end device to achieve the visual communication
functionalities of the system. The end devices are also equipped
with one or more input devices (e.g. physical/onscreen keyboard,
mouse, stylus, multi-touch screen, etc.) for receiving user inputs,
and one or more output devices (e.g. display screen, printer, etc.)
for providing user outputs.
[0130] According to one embodiment, the VC server 10a is coupled to
a central data store 28a which may be similar to the central data
store 28 of FIG. 1. The central data store 28a includes an image
repository which stores all images uploaded to the server 10a by
the end devices 12. The central data store 28a also includes a
database of tables and records that stores information useful for
implementation of the various visual communication functionalities
of the system.
[0131] FIG. 14 is a schematic layout diagram of a database model
for storing and organizing information in the database of the
central data store 28a according to one embodiment of the
invention. The database includes a person table 500 storing a
person record for each end user who generates a visual
arrangement.
[0132] The person table 500 is associated with a saved lookbook
table 504 and a published lookbook table 506. The saved lookbook
table 504 stores a saved lookbook record for each visual
arrangement created and saved by a person in the person table. Each
saved lookbook record is identified by a lookbook ID, and is
associated with a saved picture record in a saved picture table
502. The saved picture record identifies an image included in the
associated lookbook, via an image ID. The actual images are stored
in the image repository. Metadata information about the images and
products depicted in the images are stored in saved picture
metadata records and associated with the corresponding saved
picture records. The metadata records are stored in a saved picture
metadata table 510.
[0133] Once the visual arrangement is published to a recipient in a
vmail, a published lookbook record is created and stored in the
published lookbook table 506 for the particular lookbook. Each
published lookbook record includes a published lookbook ID and a
revision number. The revision number is 0 for a first version of
the visual arrangement published by the author. A published picture
record is generated for each picture in the published lookbook, and
stored in a published picture table 508 in association with the
corresponding published lookbook record. Metadata information for
each published picture is stored in a published picture metadata
record and associated with the corresponding published picture
record. The published picture metadata records are stored in a
published picture metadata table 512.
[0134] Each time the particular lookbook is republished with
content changes, the current record in the lookbook table 504 for
the lookbook is saved into a history table (not shown), and the
current record is replaced with an updated lookbook record
reflecting the changes. The revision number in the updated lookbook
record is increased by one relative to the revision number in the
prior lookbook record. The revision number therefore identifies the
number of times the particular lookbook has been republished with
changes. In this manner, the published lookbook table 504 contains
a single lookbook record for a lookbook with information on the
most current revision published for the lookbook. On the other
hand, the history table contains a lookbook record for each
revision of the lookbook. Each lookbook record in the history table
is uniquely identified by a combination of lookbook ID and revision
number. In this manner, the history table maintains a snapshot of
each revision of the lookbook allowing identification of the
changes made from revision to revision.
[0135] A vmail table 514 stores a vmail record for each person with
whom a lookbook is shared. Thus, each vmail record is a unique
combination of a lookbook ID and a recipient ID. According to one
embodiment, the vmail record contains data that helps control user
level access to information contained in the associated
lookbook.
[0136] FIG. 15 is a screen shot of a VC tool 601 provided by the VC
tool module 20c according to one embodiment of the invention. The
VC tool is accessed and displayed by the web browser 19 on a
display screen coupled to an accessing end device 12. According to
one embodiment of the invention, the VC tool 601 includes a first
display area 600 and a second display area 602. A list of vmails,
replies, and notifications (e.g. view receipt notifications)
transmitted to the user of the end device are displayed in the
first display area 600 upon selection of an inbox icon 604.
According to one embodiment, the vmails, replies, and notifications
are transmitted and received via traditional email.
[0137] A recipient of a vmail may transmit his or comments in
regards to a shared visual arrangement by transmitting a reply to
the vmail. According to one embodiment, the database model includes
a comments table (not shown) storing all comments transmitted for
each published visual arrangement. By maintaining track of the
comments, the VC tool can display a numerical alert 606 next to the
vmail sharing the visual arrangement. The numerical alert indicates
the total number of comments made for the visual arrangement.
[0138] According to one embodiment, selection of the numerical
alert 606 invokes a reply history window 608 such as the one
depicted in the screen shot of FIG. 16. The reply history window
includes a list of comments 610 published for the visual
arrangement. Each comment in the list is identified by an author's
name as well as a date of the comment. Selecting a particular
comment from the reply history window allows a recipient of the
comment to in turn reply directly to the sender. In this regard,
each comment record in the comments table includes information of
the commenting person. The comment record is generated when the
commenting person sends the reply. The reply also causes increase
of the numerical alert 606 reflecting the total reply count for the
visual arrangement.
[0139] Referring again to FIG. 15, selection of a particular vmail
620 in the user's inbox causes a display of the visual arrangement
shared by the vmail, in the first display area 600. FIG. 17 is a
screen shot of an exemplary visual arrangement 630 that is
displayed in the first display area 600. The shared visual
arrangement may be the basis of one or more new visual arrangements
generated by the recipient of the vmail 620. For example, a visual
arrangement of suggested buys may be shared with a potential buyer
via vmail. The buyer may select one or more of the suggested buys
and generate a new visual arrangement based on the selected items.
For example, the buyer may wish to create a new visual arrangement
containing only the items that he or she will purchase. Instead of
going through the process described above of generating a folio,
storyboard, or presentation, the buyer may simply click and drag
the desired images in the shared visual arrangement, and drop those
images in the second display area 602 to generate the new visual
arrangement with the dropped images.
[0140] FIG. 18 is a screen shot of the exemplary visual arrangement
of FIG. 17, showing a selection of one of the images 632 published
to the user via the vmail 620. Displayed adjacent to the image is a
product information box 634a which provides metadata information
about the product depicted in the image. The product information
box 634a appears next to the image as soon as the user manipulates
the user input device to hover over the image. According to one
embodiment, the VC tool module 20c retrieves the metadata
information from the published picture metadata record stored in
the published picture metadata table 510.
[0141] According to one embodiment of the invention, the user drags
and drops the image 632 into the second display area 602 in order
to automatically create a new visual arrangement. In response to
the image being dropped into the second display area 602, the VC
tool module 20c creates the new visual arrangement including the
dropped image. The second display area 602 thus functions as a
template for generating new visual arrangements.
[0142] FIG, 19 is a screen shot of the VC tool showing a dropped
image 636 in the second display area 602. The dropped image is
displayed concurrently with the image 632 in the first display area
600 that was published to the user via the particular vmail
620.
[0143] FIG. 20 is another screen shot of the VC tool depicting the
dragging and dropping of an image 638 from the first display area
to the second display area 602. A person of skill in the art should
recognize that other selection mechanisms conventional in the art
may also be employed, and the invention is not limited to dragging
and dropping. For example, instead of dragging and dropping, a user
may click on an image and select a "send to new" option to
automatically transfer a copy of the image to the second display
area 602,
[0144] According to one embodiment of the invention, in addition to
generating visual arrangements from other visual arrangements
published to a user, the user may also generate visual arrangements
from images obtained from the Internet. As depicted in FIG. 21, the
VC tool 601 includes a web images tab 640 which may be accessed to
enter a search term in a search area 642. In response to receipt of
the search term, the VC tool module 20c invokes a search engine to
search for images based on the entered search term. The results of
the search are displayed by the VC tool module 20c in the first
display area 600 of the VC tool 601. Specific images may be
selected from the first display area and dragged to the second
display area 602. In response to dropping an image in the second
display area, the VC tool module 20c generates a new visual
arrangement including the image, or adds the image to a current
visual arrangement already on the works. Thus, the user of VC tool
can search for images on the Internet and add those images to a
visual arrangement without leaving the VC tool.
[0145] According to one embodiment of the invention, a user may
also add notes for a particular product depicted in a shared image
displayed in the first display area 600, without leaving the VC
tool. The notes are maintained in association with the image.
[0146] FIG. 22 is a screen shot of the VC tool showing a notes
option 650 with respect to a particular image 656. According to one
embodiment, the notes option 650 is provided in the product
information box 634b which appears when the user manipulates the
user input to hover over the particular image 656. The product
information box 634b may also appear upon clicking the particular
image 656.
[0147] Selection of the notes option 650 causes display of a
notepad 652 in a separate pop-up window as depicted in the screen
shot of FIG. 23. A user may enter any desired text into the notepad
652 and select an add option 654 when he or she is finished. In
response to receipt of the add option 654, the VC tool module 20c
generates a copy of the image 656 and adds the copy to a new visual
arrangement or a visual arrangement already in the works in the
second display area 602. Thus, the user need not open a separate
application if he or she wants to create and store his thoughts or
observations with respect to a product depicted in a image. Also,
the entered notes remain associated with the image 656 so that a
user can easily identify the product to which the notes
pertain.
[0148] FIG. 24 is a screen shot of the VC tool 601 showing a copied
image 658 in the second display area 602. In the example depicted
in FIG. 24, the copied image 658 is added to a visual arrangement
670 in the works in the second display area 602, in response to
selection of the add option 654 in the notepad 652. According to
one embodiment of the invention, the added notes are stored in a
metadata record for the copied image 658. In this regard, the
published picture metadata record stored in the published picture
metadata table 510 for the image 656 is copied first, and the notes
are then added to the copied metadata record. If the image was
shared with any prior notes, such notes are copied when the
metadata record is copied, and the new notes added by the recipient
are tacked onto the prior notes and saved.
[0149] FIG. 25 is a screen shot depicting display of metadata
information 660 stored for the copied image 658. According to one
embodiment, the display of the metadata information is invoked upon
selection of the image. The metadata information provides various
details about the image, including, for example, the date in which
the image was created, the author creating the image, and product
information depicted in the image. With respect to the author and
creation date, the information identifies the person creating the
copy of the image, and date in which the copy was made, and not the
author and creation date of the original image 656. In addition,
the metadata information includes any prior notes that may have
been made with respect to the image and shared with the recipient,
as well as any new notes added by the recipient.
[0150] According to one embodiment, the author of the image may
make modifications, additions, and/or deletions to the metadata
information 660. The author may also apply the same modifications
to the other images in the current visual arrangement 670,
eliminating the need to manually re-enter the same modifications to
each of the other images. In this regard, the author selects an
apply to many icon 662 to automatically apply the modifications to
multiple images.
[0151] FIG. 26 is a screen shot of the metadata information 660
including two changes 674, 676 entered by the author. In the
illustrated example, the changes relate to a delivery field and a
target retail field. According to one embodiment, the changes are
highlighted for easy identification. Selection of the apply to many
icon 662 causes display of a window 672 including thumbnails of
images in the current visual arrangement 670 to which the
modifications to the metadata may automatically be applied. The
user may select one or more images, such as, for example, image
636, and the VC tool module 20c saves the changes entered for the
image 658, in the metadata record associated with the selected
image 636.
[0152] According to one embodiment of the invention, the author may
also swap an image in the current visual arrangement 670 with
another image. In this regard, the author selects a desired image
680 and actuates an edit image option 682, as depicted in the
screen shot of FIG. 27. In response to the actuation, the VC tool
module 20c displays a replace image pop-up window 684 as depicted
in FIG. 28, which the author may use to browse existing images and
select an image that he or she would like to use to replace the
current image 680. Identification of such an image and selection of
a replace option 686 causes the current image 680 to be swapped
with the selected image. The selected image is uploaded to the
image repository and assigned a unique image ID. A saved picture
record is generated for the uploaded image, and the record is
stored in the saved picture table 502. The VC tool module 20c uses
the image ID of the uploaded image to generate an association
between the saved picture record and the picture metadata record of
the image 680 that was swapped out. Thus, the swapping feature
replaces an image without deleting the metadata information. This
may be useful, for example, when an image of a not-yet-finalized
product is temporarily used for generating the visual arrangement,
and the temporary image is then replaced with a final image of the
finalized product.
[0153] According to one embodiment of the invention, the author of
the current visual arrangement 670 may identify a layout that he or
she wants to use to present the images in the visual arrangement to
a selected recipient. In this regard, the VC tool 601 provides a
set layout option 690 as depicted in the screen shot of FIG. 29.
Selection of the set layout option 690 causes the VC tool module
20c to display a layout pop-up window 692 that includes various
preset layouts that the author may select. Selection of a specific
layout 700 causes the VC tool module 20c to save the selected
layout in association with the saved lookbook record for the
current visual arrangement 670.
[0154] When the author is done adding images to the current visual
arrangement 670, he or she may share it with one or more recipients
via vmail by selecting a share option 712 as depicted in the screen
shot of FIG. 30. Selection of the share option 712 causes the VC
tool module 20c to display a share pop-up window 714 prompting the
author to identify the recipients of the vmail. In doing so, the
author may indicate whether any comments made by the recipients
will be viewed by the author only, or sent to all recipients. The
author may also indicate, by selecting option 716, that the vmail
is to be sent with any notes that may have been added to one or
more images of the visual arrangement.
[0155] Actuation of a send button 718 causes the VC tool module 20c
to generate a record in the published lookbook table for the
particular visual arrangement that is shared. The VC tool module
20c also generates a vmail record in the vmail table 514 for each
recipient of the lookbook. The VC tool module 20c further generates
an email with a link to the visual arrangement and transmits the
email to each recipient. According to one embodiment of the
invention, the link identifies the published visual arrangement.
The published visual arrangement is rendered in a browser according
to conventional mechanisms when this link is accessed using the
browser.
[0156] FIG. 31 is a screen shot of a vmail received by a recipient
according to one embodiment of the invention. The vmail is received
by the recipient's email application, and includes a link 800 for
accessing the shared visual arrangement. Selection of the link 800
by the recipient invokes the user's web browser 19 and causes the
web browser to access the VC tool provided by the VC tool module
20c to display the shared visual arrangement in the first display
area 600 of the VC tool. The images of the shared visual
arrangement are displayed according to the display layout selected
by the sender.
[0157] FIG. 32 is a screen shot of the visual arrangement that is
displayed upon selection of the link 800 in the vmail depicted in
FIG. 31. According to one embodiment of the invention, the VC tool
module 20c controls the access to the information contained in the
lookbook based on the vmail record generated for the particular
recipient. For example, the recipient may not be allowed to view
notes or comments associated with the lookbook.
[0158] According to one embodiment of the invention, a recipient of
the vmail may place an order for one or more products depicted in a
shared visual arrangement. FIG. 33 is a screen shot of an exemplary
visual arrangement 940 shared with the recipient via a vmail. The
images of the products contained in the visual arrangement 940 are
displayed in the first display area 600 of the VC tool. Information
of each product, such as, for example, product 924, is displayed in
a product information box 634c next to the product as the user
input device hovers over the image of the product. According to one
embodiment of the invention, the product information box 634c
includes an order pad option 900 which the user may actuate to
place an order for the particular product 924 to which the product
information box pertains.
[0159] Upon receipt of the selection of the order pad option 900,
the VC tool module 20c invokes an order pop-up window 920, as
depicted in the screen shot of FIG. 34. The order pop-up window
includes a picture of the selected product 924 along with product
information such as, for example, style number, price, colors,
sizes, and the like, in a grid-like form. The user places an order
right from the pop-up window by selecting a quantity of the various
sizes and/or colors that are desired, and selects an add to cart
option 926 for causing the VC tool module 20c to add the selected
product in his or her shopping cart.
[0160] FIG. 35 is a screen shot of the user's shopping cart with
images and information of all products that have been selected for
purchase. The user may choose to save the items in the cart by
selecting a save option 954. Selection of the save option stores
the shopping cart in an order folder 952. When the user is ready to
purchase the items, he or she selects a proceed to checkout option
956, which causes the VC tool module 20c to process the purchase
order according to conventional online order processing
mechanisms.
[0161] According to one embodiment, the VC tool module 20c provides
a visual order confirmation for the purchased items, as is depicted
in the screen shot of FIG. 36. In this regard, the VC tool module
20c creates a new visual arrangement 942 containing images of the
purchased products and displays the visual arrangement in the first
display area 600 of the VC tool. According to one embodiment, the
visual order confirmation may be shared with the buyer in a vmail.
According to one embodiment, the visual arrangement 942 is
displayed according to the format employed for the visual
arrangement 940 (FIG. 33) from which the order was placed. That is,
the visual arrangement 942 groups the products according to the
grouping employed in the visual arrangement 940. In this manner,
the integrity of the group/structure of the original presentation
is maintained for the ordered items so that the buyer and seller
may visually confirm that the right products have been selected
from the right groups.
[0162] The generating of a visual arrangement 942 of the purchased
items also allows the buyer to manipulate the images in the visual
arrangement to generate other new visual arrangements. For example,
the user may drag and drop particular images 960 from the first
display area 600 to the second display area 602 to generate a new
visual arrangement, as is depicted in FIG. 37. The user may then
reorganize the images in the new visual arrangement to change, for
example, the grouping of the images.
[0163] Referring again to FIG. 36, the buyer may also print an
order confirmation upon selecting a print order confirmation option
946. FIG. 38 is a screen shot of an order confirmation pop-up
window 950 with details on the products that have been ordered
along with images for the ordered products.
[0164] According to one embodiment of the invention, the VC tool
module 20c tracks activities surrounding vmails and generates
reports of such activities in response to a user command. FIG. 39
is a screenshot of the VC tool allowing a user to view such
activities. In this regard, the VC tool includes a sales dashboard
option 970 which, when actuated by a user, causes the VC tool
module 20c to display a window prompting input of one or more
categories 978 of activities for which a report may be generated,
as well as time frame 978 of those activities.
[0165] In response to a user selection of a generate option 976,
the VC tool module 20c displays a summary of the selected
activities for the identified time frame, both graphically and in
number format. For example, in response to a user input, the VC
tool module 20c may display a total number of vmails sent 972
within the specified period of time and a total number of vmails
that have been viewed 974 during that time period. The user may
also view additional information about those activities as is
displayed in FIG. 40. For example, the user may view detailed
information about those recipients that have viewed the vmails and
use this information to follow-up with the recipients.
[0166] Referring again to FIG. 39, the VC tool also includes an
executive dashboard option 1006 for an administrator which allows
him or her to view activities of multiple users of the system, as
is depicted in FIG. 41. For example, the VC tool module 20c may
track for the multiple users, an aggregate number of vmails sent
990, vmails viewed 992, and a total number of purchase orders 1000
received from those vmails. The executive dashboard also provides a
total number of vmails that have been viewed but for which no
orders have been received 1002, and a total number of vmails that
have not yet been viewed, prompting follow-up with those
non-responsive recipients. The executive dashboard further includes
a chart of total sales revenue 1008 across the multiple users.
[0167] Selection of the total sales revenue chart 1008 causes
display of the breakdown of the total sales revenue by customer
name as is depicted in FIG. 42. Selection of an entry pertaining to
a particular customer 1100 causes display of detailed information
about the sale to that customer as is depicted in FIG. 43.
[0168] Referring again to FIG. 41, selection of the entry listing a
total number of vmails that have been viewed but for which no
orders have been received 1002 causes display of detailed
information of such customers as is depicted in FIG. 44. Based on
this information, the administrator may prompt a salesperson to
follow up with those customers.
[0169] FIGS. 45A-45C are flow charts of a process for generating a
new visual arrangement based on a visual arrangement published to
an recipient according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0170] In step 1200, the VC tool module 20c transmits a vmail to a
recipient with a link for accessing a visual arrangement/lookbook
containing one or more images/pictures. The vmail is transmitted
over the data communications network 18a as an email message where
the link is included in the body of the email. The link may be, for
example, a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that renders a web page
containing the visual arrangement. The email recipient accesses the
vmail via his or her standard browser application.
[0171] In step 1202, the VC tool module 20c receives actuation of
the link included in the email message, and in step 1204,
identifies a web page associated with the visual arrangement.
[0172] In step 1206, the VC tool module 20c causes display of the
visual arrangement on the recipient's end device 12. In this
regard, the VC tool module 20c provides the VC tool for display by
the recipient's web browser 19, and further transmits the visual
arrangement to the end device 12 via the VC tool. The visual
arrangement is then displayed in the first display area of the VC
tool via the web browser.
[0173] The recipient manipulates his mouse or other input device to
select an image from the visual arrangement displayed in the first
display area. The selection may be clicking on the image, simply
hovering the user's input device over the image, or any mechanism
of selecting the image that may be conventional in the art.
[0174] In step 1208, the VC tool module 20c receives selection of
the image and in step 1210, causes display of metadata stored in
association with the selected image in a product information box,
such as, for example, product information box 634a (FIG. 18)
adjacent to the image. In this regard, the VC tool module
identifies the picture metadata record stored in the picture
metadata table 512 for the particular picture, retrieves the
information stored in the metadata record, and transmits the
retrieved information to the end device 12 over the data
communications network.
[0175] In step 1212, the VC tool module 20c makes a determination
is made as to whether the selected picture is dragged and dropped
in the second display area 602 of the VC tool. If the answer is
YES, the VC tool module 20c proceeds to create, in step 1214, a new
visual arrangement containing the dropped image.
[0176] In step 1214, the VC tool module causes concurrent display
of the new visual arrangement including the copied image in the
second display area 602 of the VC tool, along with the visual
arrangement which was shared via the vmail, in the first display
area 600.
[0177] Referring again to step 1212, if the selected image is not
dragged and dropped into the second display area 602, the VC tool
module 20c makes a determination as to whether the recipient has
selected to add notes for the selected image. This may be done, for
example, by selecting a notes option such as, for example, notes
option 650 (FIG. 22), from a product information box such as, for
example, product information box 643b.
[0178] If the notes option is selected, the VC tool module 20c
causes display of a note pad in step 1302. The note pad may be
similar to the note pad 652 of FIG. 23.
[0179] In step 1304, the VC tool module 20c determines whether,
after entering desired notes, the user selected an add option such
as, for example, the add option 654 of FIG. 23. If no notes are to
be added as determined in step 1310, the process exits.
[0180] If notes are to be added, the VC tool module 20c generates a
new visual arrangement containing the selected image and any notes
added with respect to that image, in step 1306. The new visual
arrangement is concurrently displayed, in step 1308, in the second
display area 602 of the VC tool along with a display of the visual
arrangement shared with the recipient via the vmail and displayed
in the first display area 600 of the VC tool.
[0181] Referring again to step 1300, if the recipient has not
selected to add notes for the selected image, a determination is
made in step 1320 as to whether the recipient has selected to place
an online order for the product depicted in the selected image.
This may be done, for example, by selecting an order option such
as, for example, order option 900 (FIG. 33), from a product
information box such as, for example, product information box
634c.
[0182] If the order option is selected, the VC tool module 20c
causes display of an order pad in step 1322. The order pad may be
similar to the order pad 920 of FIG. 34, with information on the
particular product selected and a prompt for entry of desired
quantities of the particular product.
[0183] In step 1324, a determination is made as to whether the
product is to added to the user's shopping cart. If the product is
not to be added to the shopping cart, as determined in step 1326,
the process ends. However, if the product is to be added, a
conventional shopping cart algorithm is invoked in step 1328 to
place the ordered item into the user's shopping cart.
[0184] In step 1330, a determination is made as to whether the
items in the user's shopping cart are to be purchased. If the items
are not to be purchased, but the shopping cart is to be saved 1332
or updated 1334, the VC tool module 20c proceeds to save 1336 or
update 1338 the shopping cart respectively. If, however, the items
in the shopping cart are to be purchased, the VC tool module 20c
processes the purchase according to conventional online ordering
mechanisms, in step 1340.
[0185] In step 1342, the VC tool module 20c generates a new visual
arrangement including images of the purchased items.
[0186] In step 1344, the VC tool module 20c provides a visual order
confirmation based on the generated new visual arrangement. The
visual order confirmation may be similar to the visual order
confirmation of FIG. 36.
[0187] FIG. 46 is a more detailed flow chart of steps 1214, 1306,
and 1342 for generating a new visual arrangement including a
selected image according to one embodiment of the invention. In
step 1400, the VC tool module 20c creates a new lookbook record for
the new visual arrangement for storing in the saved lookbook table
504.
[0188] In step 1402, the VC tool module 20c adds the selected image
to the visual arrangement. In this regard, the VC tool module 20c
generates a new picture record for the selected picture and stores
the picture record in the saved picture table 502.
[0189] In step 1218, the VC tool module 20c copies the metadata of
the selected image. In this regard, the VC tool module identifies a
metadata record for the dropped picture from the published picture
metadata table 508, and copies and stores the values in that record
in a new metadata record of a saved picture metadata table 502. If
the new visual arrangement is generated in response to adding notes
to the selected picture, the newly added notes are stored in a
notes field of the new metadata record.
[0190] In step 1220, the VC tool module 20c creates a copy of the
selected image and stores the copy of the image in the image
repository of the central data store 28a. The copy of the image is
assigned a new image ID, and the generated lookbook record, picture
record, and metadata record, are all associated with the copy of
the image based on the new image ID. The VC tool module 20c further
associates the new visual arrangement, the copied image, and copied
metadata with the vmail recipient by storing the ID corresponding
to the vmail recipient into an author field of the various
records.
[0191] According to one embodiment of the invention, the VC tool
allows a user to view a history of updates to a shared visual
arrangement. FIG. 47A is a screen shot of the VC tool providing a
history option 1500 which the user may select for viewing the
history of updates for a current visual arrangement 1504 displayed
in the first display area 600.
[0192] Selection of the history option 1500 causes display of a
history pop-up window 1502 with an entry 1506 for an original
published version of the visual arrangement, as well as entries
1508, 1510 for each published revision of the visual arrangement.
According to one embodiment, the entries with revisions are
highlighted via, for example, an update symbol 1512.
[0193] Selection of an entry for a particular published revision of
the visual arrangement, such as, for example, entry 1510, provides
information on the updates that were made relative to a prior
revision of the visual arrangement, such as, for example, entry
1508. A list of the changes 1514 in the selected revision of the
visual arrangement relative to the prior revision are listed in a
preview area 1516 of the pop-up window.
[0194] FIG. 47B is an exemplary screen shot depicting another
history pop-up window 1502b with details on modifications 1514b
made to a selected revision 1510b of a lookbook. In this example,
the details indicate that specific images have been deleted from
the lookbook.
[0195] FIG. 48 is a flow diagram of a process for publishing and
republishing visual arrangements according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0196] In step 1600, the VC tool module 20c publishes an original
visual arrangement generated by an author. In this regard, the VC
tool module 20c transmits an email to a recipient including a link
for accessing the visual arrangement.
[0197] In step 1602, the VC tool module 20c determines whether
content changes have been made to the visual arrangement. For
example, an author of the visual arrangement may make changes to
the visual arrangement after it has been shared with a list of
recipients, including, for example, adding, deleting, or modifying
images and/or adding, deleting or modifying product
descriptions.
[0198] If the original visual arrangement has been changed, the VC
tool module 25c, in step 1604, first copies the published lookbook
record that is currently stored for the visual arrangement in the
published lookbook table 506, and adds the copied lookbook record
to a lookbook history table (not shown). All other associated
records such as, for example, the metadata records and picture
records are also copied to their respective history tables.
According to one embodiment, the lookbook record and lookbook
metadata records are always copied to the corresponding history
tables whenever there is a change to a published lookbook. For the
pictures associated with this published lookbook, the published
picture records and published picture metadata records are copied
to the corresponding history tables if there is a change to the
published picture record or published picture metadata record.
[0199] After a snapshot of the existing data is preserved in the
history tables, the VC tool module 25c proceeds to update the
current published lookbook record with the relevant changes
including, for example, increasing the revision number to reflect
the current revision. The updated published lookbook record is then
stored in the published lookbook table 504. According to one
embodiment, the lookbook ID does not change when the lookbook is
updated--only the revision number changes. The published picture
records are also updated if the images have been updated. The
published metadata records are further updated if the product
descriptions have been updated.
[0200] In step 1608, the VC tool module 25c identifies the
recipients to receive the updated visual arrangement, and in step
1610, the VC tool module publishes the updated visual arrangement
to the identified recipients. In determining whether a user needs
to get a copy of the updated lookbook, the VC tool module retrieves
the lookbook ID and revision fields stored in the current lookbook
record and compares it with the lookbook ID and revision fields of
the vmail record of the user. The user gets a copy of the updated
lookbook if the user does not have a record in the vmail table 514
for this lookbook. In this regard, the VC tool module 25c searches
the vmail table 514 for a record containing the user's recipient ID
as well as the lookbook ID for the updated lookbook.
[0201] The user also gets a copy of the updated lookbook if the
revision field in his or her vmail table contains a lower value
than the revision field in the published lookbook table for this
lookbook for this user.
[0202] Referring again to step 1602, if the content of the visual
arrangement has not been changed, but the lookbook needs to be
republished because a new recipient has been added, as determined
in step 1612, the VC tool module 20c proceeds to step 1608 to
identify the recipient(s) who should receive the visual
arrangement, and proceeds to publish the visual arrangement to the
identified recipient(s). According to one embodiment of the
invention, adding a new recipient does not cause a change in the
revision number. Hence, adding the new recipient does not cause
execution of steps 1604 and 1606.
[0203] FIG. 49 is a flow diagram of a process for outputting
revision information in response to selection of a particular
revision entry from the history pop-up window 1502 (FIG. 47A)
according to one embodiment of the invention. In step 1700, the VC
tool module 20c identifies a selected revision entry such as, for
example, entry 1510.
[0204] In step 1702, the VC tool module 20c retrieves lookbook
information for the selected revision. In this regard, the VC tool
module 20c retrieves the lookbook record for the selected revision
from the lookbook history table.
[0205] In step 1704, the VC tool module 20c identifies a prior
revision number. This may be done by decreasing the revision number
for the selected revision by one.
[0206] In step 1706, the VC tool module 20c retrieves the lookbook
record for the prior revision from the lookbook history table.
[0207] In step 1708, the VC tool module 20c compares details for
the retrieved lookbook records and identifies differences between
the two lookbooks. In doing so, the VC tool module 20c may also
retrieve and compare history records of pictures and metadata
associated with the retrieved lookbook records.
[0208] In step 1710, the VC tool module 20c outputs the results of
the comparison. The results provide details on how the selected
revision of the lookbook has changed relative to the prior
revision.
[0209] It will be understood that the processes of FIGS. 45A-45C,
FIG. 46, and FIGS. 48-49 may be described in terms of a software
routine executed by the processor in the server 10a based on
instructions stored in the server's memory. The instructions may
also be stored in other non-transient computer readable media such
as, for example, a CD-ROM, flash drive, or the like. A person of
skill in the art should also recognize that the routine may be
executed via hardware, firmware (e.g. via an ASIC), or in any
combination of software, firmware, and/or hardware. Furthermore,
the sequence of steps of the process is not fixed, but can be
altered into any desired sequence as recognized by a person of
skill in the art.
[0210] A person of skill in the art should recognize that
embodiments of the present invention allow efficient communication
of visual arrangements, and intuitive and simple creation of new
visual arrangements based on received arrangements. For example,
sales teams can simply drag and drop pictures into vmail templates
and create a new visual arrangement with the dropped pictures for
potential buyers. Pertinent details stay right next to pictures
complete with a comments history making the experience faster and
easier for buyers to see and respond to products. Buyers can also
see products quickly via a simple link in an email message instead
of attachments with pertinent details in full-view right next to
pictures. Buyers can respond with orders and reorders right next to
pictures and easily print in neatly organized formats perfect to
take to a merchandise meeting. Sales teams receive visual
notifications giving them immediate awareness of viewing activity
and comments from their buyers. Costs are significantly reduced by
eliminating wasted samples, color copies and overnight shipping
expenses. Sales are also dramatically increased because the VC tool
makes it easier for buyers to see and respond to products.
[0211] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described
above in detail and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be
understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not
restrictive of the broad invention. In particular, it should be
recognized that the teachings of the invention apply to a wide
variety of systems and processes. For example, the various
embodiments of the present invention may be extended to systems and
processes outside the fashion and lifestyle-driven industries.
Furthermore, although the visual arrangements are described with
respect to still images and pictures, a person of skill in the art
should recognize that the visual arrangements may take the form of
any multimedia presentation or arrangement conventional in the art.
The comments may also not be limited to text comments, but may also
extend to audio comments and the like. It will thus be recognized
that various modifications may be made to the illustrated and other
embodiments of the invention described above, without departing
from the broad inventive scope thereof. In view of the above it
will be understood that the invention is not limited to the
particular embodiments or arrangements disclosed, but is rather
intended to cover any changes, adaptations or modifications which
are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
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