METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIGITALLY CLIPPING
AND TRANSFERRING CONTENT
Field of the Invention This invention relates to digital communication. Specifically, it relates to identifying and transferring digital content between digital devices. More specifically, it relates to methods and systems for digitally clipping and transferring content.
Background of the Invention Mobile computing devices or mobile devices, such as smart phones and tablets, allow people to access and consume content in a variety of ways. Generally, mobile devices are connected to the Internet via a wireless communications network, such as a cellular network or WI-FI TM. Many mobile devices are generally carried with a person at all times.
These mobile devices provide the user with a variety of applications or apps.
These applications for mobile devices are generally computer software programs designed to be used specifically on a mobile device. These applications may allow the user to access the Internet via a web browser, download applications via a distribution network, take and store photos, listen to and play music, make telephone calls, and consume content on an on-demand basis in a variety of locations.
Mobile devices also allow users to keep track of a variety of things in a variety of ways.
For example, a user can record or take note of something they want to remember or use at a future date by, for example, email, photographs, specialized productivity applications, or a notes tool. When accessing content through a web browser, web page locations are stored by using a bookmark. The bookmark can be used to retrieve the web page at a later date. Usually, connecting to content via a web browser on a mobile device is only available when there is an active network connection to the Internet.
Social bookmarking allows for users with similar interests to share bookmarks with each other, or to store their bookmarks on the Internet for access from other computing devices or web browsers. The stored bookmarks are generally only available to a mobile device with a network connection to the Internet.
Many content publishers have created mobile device applications to deliver their content to users. Access to content while offline, that is without a network connection, is subject to the functionality of the application. Some applications provide access to data offline by storing or caching a local copy, while others applications require connectivity to access any data.
Presently, content is generally delivered to the user in a uni-directional manner. That is, a user opens a content publishers' website or application, reads content published by the publisher, and may save the content or a link to the content for reading later by bookmarking the page, marking it as a favourite; or copying and pasting the content or the link into another vehicle such as an email, note, organizational application; or share the content or the link, via any of the number of social media web sites or applications for sharing content.
Summary of the Invention - -This invention in its general form will first be described, then its implementation in terms of specific embodiments will be detailed with reference to the drawings following hereafter. These embodiments are intended to demonstrate the principles of this invention and the manner of its implementation. The invention in its broadest sense and in more specific forms will then be further described and then defined in the individual claims which conclude this specification.
One broad aspect of this invention provides a system for digitally clipping and transferring content. The system includes the following: a user application running on a computing device for submitting a clipping code to a server and receiving a clipping; a clipping creator program for creating the clipping and transferring the clipping to the server; and the server for performing analytics, processing commands for creating and storing the clipping and the clipping code, and transferring the clipping.
Another broad aspect of this invention provides a method for digitally clipping and transferring content. The method includes the following steps: creating a clipping and transferring the clipping to a server; running a user application on a computing device for submitting a clipping code to the server and receiving the clipping; and enabling the server to perform analytics, process commands for creating and storing the clipping and the clipping code, and transferring the clipping.
One feature of this invention provides a method and system for digitally clipping and transferring, publisher created and branded content to the user's computing device via a communications network, so the system and method can digitally clip printed content and online content.
Another feature of this invention provides a system and method for editing, creating and delivering, a digital clipping of an article or other content found in print, online, mobile, TV, packaging, outdoor or other places to a computing device.
Another feature of this invention provides a method and system allowing a user to request, transfer and store content from any participating publisher or content owner in an application that may run on a computing device, including a mobile computing device, thereby eliminating the requirement to remember where the user read said content and then find a related bookmark or favourite through a browser or other mobile app.
Another feature of this invention proves a method and system to connect printed content to digital applications and to provide publishers and advertisers with more data.
Another feature of this invention provides a method and system to provide context aware integration allowing for two way communication or interactive exchange between the owner of the content and the user, or between the content and the user, beyond that initial impression.
One advantage of the method and system of this invention is that the publisher's branding and content may be perpetuated or used by the user, and not trashed or deleted. A component of the method and system is the context integration that transforms what information is useful, to why that information is useful to the particular user. With the data that can be tracked or logged or generated from the method and system, publishers can define their content management system to provide better and more useful content or information to users in order to promote their brand as providers of information. Also, Advertisers may have a clearer picture of the return on investment
- 2 -(ROI) for media buys based on the data from the method or system of this invention, which may be useful for making future decisions affecting marketing and advertising.
The foregoing summarizes the principle features of this invention and some of its optional aspects. This invention may be further understood by the description of some preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the drawings which now follow.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a system diagram for an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2(a)-2(j) are examples of the graphical user interface for an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 3A-3M are examples of database tables and query results used by an embodiment of the invention:
Fig. 3A illustrates an example table for a digital clipping, the table name is Qlips and shown are the fields that comprise the table;
Fig. 3B illustrates an example query result for the Qlips database;
Fig. 3C illustrates an example table for an advertisement, the table name is Ad and shown are the fields that comprise the table;
Fig. 3D illustrates an example query result for the Ad database;
Fig. 3E illustrates an example table for a user profile, the table name is Profile and shown are the fields that comprise the table;
Fig. 3F illustrates an example query result for the Profile database;
Fig. 3G illustrates an example table for a publisher profile, the table name is Publisher and shown are the fields that comprise the table;
Fig. 3H illustrates an example query result for the Publisher database;
Fig. 31 illustrates an example table for a clipping request log, the table name is QlipsLog and shown are the fields that comprise the table;
Fig. 3J illustrates an example query result for the QlipsLog database;
Fig. 3K illustrates an example table for details of a clipping request that has been logged, the table name is QlipsLogLink and shown are the fields that comprise the table;
Fig. 3L illustrates an example query result for the QlipsLogLink database; and Fig. 3M illustrates an example table for a clipping sharing log, the table name is QlipsLogShare and shown are the fields that comprise the table.
Description of Preferred Embodiments
- 3 -L System Components The system components of an embodiment of the invention will now be described.
Referring now to Fig. 1, an embodiment of the system and method is shown, a server 11 communicates with a user's computing device 13 and a digital clipping creator 19. A
content owner may publish content 17, using the digital clipping creator 19 to create a digital clipping 21 that is transferred to the server 11, the clipping may include a context integration 23. A user 15 may use their computing device 13 to request a clipping from the server 11.
Digital Clipping In an embodiment, a digital clipping or clipping, is similar to the digital version of taking a pair of scissors to a print article so you can use or share the information later. The clipping may contain a branded synopsis of key information from any content that is published in print or digital media, with a link to full content, downloadable to a computing device upon request. The author or publisher of the article's content determines the content of the clipping or synopsis. The content could also be digital version of a print, mobile or online advertisement or any specific content curated to provide information, such as information on retail packaging or labels.
Generally, the clipping and the content of the clipping are analogous. A skilled person would understand that generally there is no limitation as to the information that may comprise the clipping or content of a clipping.
Additionally, in another embodiment, the clipping may also contain various kinds of data associated with the content, such as meta-data or context integrations, which will be described in detail below.
Digital Clipping Creator In an embodiment, a digital clipping is created with a digital clipping creator program or clipping creator program whereby the customer or publisher will summarize the key points and information about the content that the reader may find useful, for example, titles, authors, product references, web links, locations, addresses, pricing, time events, calendar events, related links, and descriptions to support the information.
The clipping creator program for creating a digital clipping allows the publisher to populate designated fields through a user interface of the clipping creator program by direct entry or cut and paste or automated methods. These fields allow for the content of the clipping to be delivered to the user in a readable and visual format, within the user application on the user's computing device, and provide contextual interactions, as well tracking and data tags that allow the customer to track and manage certain data points.
The clipping is a digital file residing with the publisher, on the sever, or at the location of the publishers' choice, as it is their content to manage and remain responsible for, which may reduce copyright infringement concerns among others.
The clipping creator program may provide for embedding of the content publisher's chosen branding image within a clipping, and also may provide for the optional embedding of a uniquely targeted mobile ad, thereby providing monetization opportunities for publishers. In another embodiment, it is possible to provide specific customer application programming interface (API) integration for direct product or reference search.
- 4 -For example, using an embodiment of the invention, a print publisher has a review of a cycling trip in a wine region in their weekly column on wine or travel. The clipping is created using the clipping creator program with the publishers' branding image, the author, date of original publication and allows for an image, which may be associated with the original article, to be uploaded to the clipping server. The title used by the clipping creator program most likely matches the original article, or it may be altered.
The original text of the review is curated to identify the key article points, and may integrate specific hyperlinks from the original article for user interactions, for example those hyperlinks may link to websites for booking accommodations, or airline transport, or there may be a map integration to link to as well.
Additionally, the publisher may use the clipping creator program to include in the clipping additional information such as a specific time and date for an event that can be further associated with a time/calendar context alert that the user can manipulate. The clipping may also provide a link to a digital version of the original article located on a website or mobile website, or contact information such as an e-mail address, or a phone number, or geolocation information, or data subject tags can be entered (e.g.
travel, finance, wine, cars, books) to allow for data cross-referencing for subject tracking, internal search mechanisms, advertising cross-reference (e.g. banner ads) or popularity/trending within a social or subject graph, or context integration.
Clipping Code In an embodiment, once the clipping has been created it will be assigned a clipping code that may be associated with a designated portfolio or column or subject for a publisher's account, and which identifies the specific clipping and where it may be published (i.e. geo-demographics). The clipping code can be generated manually, or automatically using an algorithm. If the code is generated automatically, the clipping code may be generated by the server or clipping creator. The clipping code may be preferably optimized for human readability, e.g. like a uniform resource locator (URL) or email address, and it may have requirements for uniqueness in order to specifically identify a clipping.
The clipping code, may be in one embodiment, a specific alpha numeric code that is published in the print edition, along with an icon for identifying the clipping code to a user, in much the same manner as the author's e-mail, phone number, or brief biography might appear at the end of an article. The publisher will include this clipping code into their print edition as part of their workflow process. In alternate embodiments, the clipping code may be a machine readable code such as a QR code.
For example, using an embodiment of the invention, a print publisher or advertiser may run the same content in five regional editions and desires to have a different clipping code for the same piece of content so that they can track the popularity of the content by geographic or distribution channel (e.g. west coast edition vs. east coast edition).
There is no limitation that the content be specifically print or online. The reader, also using an embodiment of the invention, who has enjoyed the content or article and finds it useful, will see the identifying icon and clipping code as part of the content or article.
The reader would launch the user application on their computing device, which may be a mobile device, and enter the clipping code from the content or article into the user application either manually, or use a means for automatically entering the clipping code into the user application. One embodiment of the means for automatically entering the clipping code may be the use of optical character recognition (OCR). If the computing device has an active internet connection, the user application may attempt to retrieve the clipping immediately to the mobile device by sending the clipping code to the server
- 5 -for processing. The user application may allow the user to enter and batch requests for clippings while reading in an environment where the computing device has no network connectivity, e.g. on an airplane, and then have the user application send out the requests for clippings to the server upon connection to the Internet.
Server In an embodiment, the server contains in databases information such as, the user account and profile, the requesting computing device's operating system (OS).
Additionally, all the user data may be de-personalized, secured, encrypted or a combination of the previous steps. A skilled person would understand that the database may be searchable and that requests for searching may be submitted remotely from other computing devices.
The database may in one embodiment be implemented using a relational database.
Referring now to Figs. 3A to 3M, a skilled person would understand that what is shown are database tables and SQL query results showing example results from a query of a database for those tables, which may be used in an embodiment of the invention. A
skilled person would understand that the tables illustrated describe the required fields, types for the fields, whether a null value is allowed for the field, the default value of the field, and any additional comments. Also shown are indexes such as the primary key for the table.
The server will direct requests for clippings to the appropriate content publisher's servers or wherever the clipping is determined to be held in order to retrieve the file representing the clipping, and the file is transmitted to the server, where the server may perform data analytics and billing. The server then sends the clipping to the user application running on the user's mobile device. The user application may in some embodiments display information that indicates to the user that a new clipping has been retrieved.
The server may perform data tracking or data analysis of the requests for clippings, clipping codes, clippings, or other data that the server has access to.
Preferably, the data, and results of the data tracking and data analysis resides only within the server.
Customer, that is publisher or advertiser, specific data reports may be generated and made available or accessible to each customer as required.
The server may format the clippings so that they can be processed by the user application running on any computing device with a supported operating system.
Additionally, the server will format the clippings so that they can be shared among different user applications running on computing devices with supported operating systems.
The clippings may be shared by sharing the clipping code, which a skilled person would understand as functioning similar to a URL, alternatively, the actual contents of the clipping may be shared or transferred to the computing device, or both the clipping code and the content of the clipping could be shared or transferred. Generally, the sharing of the content of the clipping may occur between a user application on a computing device and the server. Transferring just the clipping code is data efficient, but transferring just the clipping code does not include transferring the contents of the clipping.
User Application
- 6 -In the practice of preferred embodiments of this invention, in an embodiment, the user application provides the user with a graphical user interface (GUI) for interacting with the clipping system, such as entering clipping codes to retrieve the contents of a clipping from the server, and other actions that a user may want to perform.
Examples of such actions are described below along with an illustrative example of the GUI.
Referring now to Figs. 2(a) ¨ 2(j) a skilled person would understand that these are screenshots of one embodiment of the GUI for the user application for a computing device.
Fig. 2(a) illustrates an example of the QLIP IT TM page, where a user may enter a clipping code or select an icon to scan the clipping code using, for example, optical character recognition and may also include a menu bar with various icons that can be selected to view different GUI pages in the user application.
Fig. 2(b) illustrates an example of an inbox where newly transferred clippings can be stored.
Fig. 2(c) illustrates an example of a clipping viewing page, where the contents of a clipping are displayed for viewing.
Fig. 2(d) illustrates an example of a set alert page, where the user may set a time based alert or location based alert for the clipping shown greyed out in the background.
Fig. 2(e) illustrates an example of a filing cabinet page, where the user may store and organize clippings that have been transferred. The categorization of the clippings may happen automatically or manually.
Fig. 2(f) illustrates an example of a create new category page, where the user may create a new category for use in organizing clippings that have been transferred.
Fig. 2(g) illustrates an example of a set alert page page, where the user can schedule the alert and enter comments associated with the alert, the alert being associated with a clipping.
Fig. 2(h) illustrates an example alert confirmation page, where the user receives confirmation that the alert for the clipping has been set.
Fig. 2(i) illustrates an example clipping sharing page, where the user may share a clipping by email, facebook, or twitter.
Fig. 2(j) illustrates an example settings page, where the user may enter their email and password for logging on to the clipping system, select whether they want automatic updates to the user application, select whether they want downloads to occur only when WiFi connections are available, and select whether they want the user application to start on the inbox page.
The user may at their convenience launch the user application where the clipping may be retrieved, transferred, viewed, categorized, left in the inbox, searched, set an alert, or perform other actions as may be allowed by the user application. In an embodiment, the clipping may be shared via several methods such as e-mail, twitter, facebook, or other desired methods.
- 7 -Alternatively, a skilled person would understand that the user application may be a website running in a web browser that performs substantially the same functions as described above.
Context Integration In an embodiment, the user application may provide several context integrations or context interactions that may be defined by the user or the content publisher or both. A
context integration is analogous to an action that may be performed in association with a clipping. A date or time or both related alert with a clipping is one type of context integration. Also, a location or geo-location based alert related with a clipping is another type of context integration. Entering a comment to be associated with a clipping may also be a type of context integration.
For example, the user may allow alerts that cause push notifications to be generated from the user application when the clipping provides information on when such an alert might apply (e.g. three days left until event), or the user can set their own preference in the user application for a local alert based on the location associated with the clipping for a geo-location type of alert, or the user may simply add comments.
Alternatively, the alerts associated with a clipping may be set by the creator of the clipping, then the user may be able to control whether they want to receive the automatically generated alerts through the user application.
These user defined alerts and comments may be local to the user application or computing device, and may or may not be tracked by the server. Alternatively, alerts set by the creator of the clipping will probably intend for the server to track and monitor the alerts.
A clipping may also be tracked based on its popularity, how often it is repeated or shared, or based on a social graph. This tracking by the server may be facilitated by the clipping creator or server allowing for the creation of tags related to the clipping. It may be an option for the user to select in order to allow, i.e. opt-in, for transferring of clippings or notifications from clippings based on, for example, popularity.
II. General Embodiments General embodiments of the invention will now be described.
System One embodiment of the system aspect of this invention comprises:
A a user application comprising a user interface accessed through the user's computing device for submitting a clipping code to a server;
A a clipping creator program for creating the clipping and transferring the clipping to the server; and A the server for performing analytics and processing commands for creating and transferring clippings.
Another embodiment of the system aspect of this invention comprises:
- 8 -A a user application running on a computing device for submitting a clipping code to a server;
A the server for performing analytics and transferring the clipping associated with the clipping code to the user application.
Another embodiment of the system aspect of this invention comprises:
A a clipping creator program for creating a clipping and transferring the clipping to the server;
A the server for performing analytics, receiving the clipping and assigning a clipping code to the clipping.
Another embodiment of the system aspect of this invention comprises:
A a user application running on a computing device for submitting a clipping code to a server and receiving a clipping;
A a clipping creator program for creating the clipping, transferring the clipping to the server, and providing context integration for the clipping; and A the server for performing analytics and processing commands for creating and storing the clipping and the clipping code, transferring the clipping to a user application, and providing context integration for the clipping.
Method In an embodiment of the method aspect of this invention, in order to access clippings on a computing device, the user will be required to download the user application to their computing device. The user application will be transferable through the distribution networks available to the computing device, e.g. !TUNES TM for mobile computing device such as the !PHONE TM, or a website for other computing devices.
The user may create an account located on the server upon initial set up of the user application. Basic information (user id/email address and password) about the user may be required, e.g. user identification/email address and password, with optional additional information to allow for better context integration and bi-directional interaction with the system. The user may also set preferences for receiving content through communication networks such as WIFI or cellular networks.
The user may request a digital clipping from a participating publisher, advertiser or content owner in one of several ways:
For one embodiment of a method to request a digital clipping using a computing device, the user may access the user application. Then the user will enter the clipping code or content's unique identifier that is published and placed near the content either, manually using the computing device's available input devices, or automatically, for example, by scanning the clipping code with the computing device's camera and then using optical character recognition (OCR) technology to extract the clipping code from the image.
- 9 -Alternatively in another embodiment, a user could be using a computing device such as a desktop, a laptop, or mobile computing device to read online articles, web or mobile-based advertisements, or other digital content. If the digital content has a clipping code available, a small icon may reside near the digital content, which will be actionable. The user may click on the icon representing the clipping code to request the clipping. The user will be asked for the user's id of the system or server account to which the content should be transferred, this information could optionally be mapped by the server via a cookie, such that future requests from the same user client or user application, do not need to have this additional step and may be a single click action to request and download the clipping. The clipping will then be transferred to the user's computing device.
In another embodiment, the request for a clipping or sending a clipping code, may be sent to the server or owner of the content at a user defined point in time, for example defined by preference settings in the user application such as immediately using any network connection or WIFI only. The request including a clipping code may pass through the server and be redirected to the applicable owner of the clipping's content's server system or only to the server. The contents of the clipping may then be transferred to the user from the owner of the clipping's content's server system and through the server, or the server may transfer the contents of the clipping.
Certain data elements may be stored on or gathered by the server system related to each clipping or clipping code request. The data may be anonymized for sharing per a company's privacy policy, except when given permission by the user to share certain data elements or aggregations of data elements or results of data analytics.
The types of anonymized data that may be shared with customers include but are not limited to:
how many times a clipping has been downloaded, shared and by which method or methods and from which type of computing device. Other data may be edition, publication date, or the website from where the clipping or clipping code was requested.
A clipping may have data subject tags (for example, travel, finance, wine, cars, books) to allow for data cross-reference for subject tracking, internal search mechanisms, ad-vertising cross-reference (banner ads) or popularity/trending within a social or subject graph. It may also allow for "smarter" contextual integration.
The clipping may then be received at a user defined point in time (immediately using any network connection, or WIFI only) on the computing device in the user applications inbox. The clipping may be highlighted until reviewed and can then be filed under a user defined category for easy location in the future. The user may also have the ability to share the clipping via social media networks including, but not limited to, facebook and Twitter, or via email.
The user may be able to interact with the content in a user defined context integration as well as opt-in from content defined context integration. The user may define certain context alerts, such as (but not limited to) date, time, location. The user may also opt-in to interact with content defined context alerts such as but not limited to content updates, time alerts, geo-location actions, or offerings from the publisher/advertiser.
The content residing in the user application on the computing device will be available at any time, even when the computing device is not connected to a network or the Internet.
Additionally, the user may be able to create and batch requests for clippings while offline, in "airplane mode" for example, and have the requests for clippings comprising clipping codes sent once reconnected to the appropriate network.
-10-In another embodiment of the invention, a publisher or advertiser may create the clipping of their content using the clipping creator software application.
This clipping creator content tool may allow publishers to edit their content for the clipping, comprising typically a synopsis of an article with a link to a full article, an associated image, and any related information or links such as but not limited to, contact information (e.g. phone or e-mail, or website), location or maps, and calendar/time information. The clipping will also provide for the publishers' logo or masthead within the clipping. Additionally for publishers, they will have the ability to embed a mobile-style ad within the clipping. The clipping may reside on the publishers' server and be sent to the user upon request via the server system, or they may reside on the server after being uploaded by the creator of the clipping either manually or with the clipping creator application.
Advertisers, including but not limited to print, on-line, mobile banner, billboard, may have the ability to use an ad that has a clipping or clipping code as the image with additional space for more content related to the ad. This could be in the form of an offer or expiry date for example. A "shop now" button could be included, rather than the "link back to full article" component of the publishers' version.
Both publishers and advertisers may have the ability to 'tag' the clipping for context related items, such as key dates, times, and locations. Users may then have the ability to opt in and have contextual interactions or alerts related to those key components provided to them if they choose.
The clipping itself may be in or the server may provide for a clipping format that can be transferred and accessed on many computing devices or computing platforms.
Each clipping has a clipping code. Additionally, the same clipping could have different clipping codes assigned to it depending on when and where the content may appear.
This may allow a customer such as a publisher or advertiser to identify which edition or region that particular article was from, based on the clipping code for the clipping, for an article or ad that is running across multiple editions, publications, or distribution platforms.
III. Alternative Embodiments Online While the above description explains the embodiments of the method aspects of this invention principally within the context of print media via the clipping code being manually or automatically entered, another embodiment of the method aspect of this invention translates to online digital publishing as well, through a clickable icon or action widget or 'share this' type of method for submitting the clipping code to the server.
Depending on the computing device, e.g. desktop or mobile, the clickable action may take you to an account page, with username and password mechanisms to confirms identity and send the request for the clipping. The login information or username and password may be cached or remembered as explained above. The method follows a similar set of steps via the server and the contents of the clipping is sent to the computing device.
Software as a Service
- 11 -Another embodiment of the invention will include the development of a software as a service (SaaS) platform using the above described system or systems. The system may be have the ability to be offered under a "white label" platform such that a customer with a specific audience could use the platform to provide a solution for providing clippings within their company's published content vehicles directed to a defined user group, such as, employees, for example.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
The foregoing has constituted a description of specific embodiments showing how the aspects of the invention may be applied and put into use. These embodiments are only exemplary. The aspects of this invention in their broadest and specific aspects is further defined in the claims which follow.
These claims and the language used therein are to be understood in terms of the variants of this invention which have been described . They are not to be restricted to such variants, but are to be read as covering the full scope of this invention as is implicit within this invention and the disclosure that has been provided.
-12-J