Clustered presentation of objects with group and individual identity in, and virtual layered composition of, electronically recorded, computer presented media

[0001] This Non-Provisional U.S. patent Application claims the benefit of the May 7, 1999 filing date of Provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/133,115.

[0002] Contained herein is material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent disclosure by any person as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all rights to the copyright whatsoever.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention is related to the collaged, clustered, and integrated presentation of multiple objects stored in electronic media, assigning group identities, memory addresses and link-tokens to the integrated or collaged clusters, while also partition and assign individual identifies, memory addresses and link-tokens to individual objects in the cluster. The invention further relates to active virtual-layering of an electronic media page, providing simultaneous yet differentiated presentation, perception, and linking for subjects and objects of different nature, connotation, category and/or connectivity. Also related are concept, methods, and apparatus for layering, clustering, composing and active linking of such multidimensional electronic media pages.

[0005] 2. Description of Related Art

[0006] The application of hyper text mark up language (HTML), scripting languages such as Java, Common Gateway Interface (CGI), Practical Extraction and Report Language (PERL), Visual Basic Script Language, VB (Visual Basic)Script, and derivatives thereof, other languages, markup languages, or meta-languages, such as the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML-ISO 8879), extensible Markup Language (XML), Cascading Style Sheet (CSS), and Java Speech Markup Language (JSML), allows the static and dynamic linking of computer/electronically stored objects (texts, graphics, icons, parts, items, lists, audio and video segments, etc.) from a container of objects to related information and/or other objects and containers via software link-tokens.

[0007] A link-token is an addressing pointer, pointing to the memory location of the link destination. A link-token is represented by an underline, bolded text-string, a bullet, an icon, a graphical thumbnail, a text-string of distinguishable color, or a text-string that changes color when the cursor of the computer screen is placed on top of it. The presence of a link-token is indicated in state-of-the-art “browsers” such as Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator by a “hand” symbol that appears when the cursor of the computer screen is placed on top of an object that has a link-token associated with it. An electronic media “page” has a single and unique LRL (Universal Resource Locator) address. It can physically occupy less, equal to, or more than one or many computer-screen lengths and producing one or many conventional 8½″ by 11″ printed paper pages, when printed. Graphical thumbnails are small images frequently used in on-line or other computer viewable recording media (such as CDROM) to represent objects that are best represented by images. When a link-token associated with a particular object is selected and invoked, for example, by clicking a computer “mouse” button while the pointer is resting at the object or token, the destination object that is linked by the link-token is brought forth from the database or memory bank in the connected storage media addressed by the link-token, and presented for viewing or examination by humans, devices, or computer software.

[0008] In the prior art, only one link can be selected and invoked from a segment or a page of electronic media being displayed via its memory address or URL, where numerous hyper-linked objects and link-tokens are present. Only the destination object addressed by, and connected to this particular selected and invoked link-token is brought forth for viewing or examination from the recording media addressed by the particular link-token. If one or more additional objects from the starting page of media is of interest, one must return to the page to make a single selection, and evoke its associated link-token, again, one at a time, from each one page. Moving forward and backward between segments (pages) of media linked by the link-tokens in this manner is a slow and labor intensive procedure.

[0009] In this “one object, one-link” and “one page, one link-selection” prior-art operation in the Internet, Intranet, Extranet “Web Media” and CDROM or other digitally stored and computer viewable media, objects are also represented and presented singly and individually by an icon, a word, an individual text-string, an individual graphic thumbnail, or a stand alone graphics, as a single entity in its entirety, either with no more than a single link to a single container/segment/page of related information.

[0010] For example, in the field of Electronic Commerce, buying and selling merchandise on the Internet, multiple “featured items,” “top sellers,” or “hot items” are used for promotional and sales purposes. They are shown as a list of text-strings, a list of graphical thumbnails, individual one-item images arranged over a page with or without text descriptions. Or, the featured items would time-share the home page one-at-a-time, each appearing at a different time.

[0011] FIG. 1A illustrates the text-string listing of ebaY's “featured” items on its Home-Page at the center of the page. FIG. 1B illustrates the static graphical representation and text descriptions of the EBAY memorabilia-shop items arranged over the page. FIG. 2A, Yahoo Shopping Home & Garden Page, illustrates the text-string list of “top sellers” on the left margin. Yahoo Shopping's Home-Page “featured” items “time-share” the Site Home-Page. Each item is shown individually with its picture and brief description in a box that takes a top portion of the left side of the page at a different, as shown in FIGS. 2B, 2C, 2D. These Figures are screen prints of the Yahoo Shopping Home-Page at different times. FIGS. 2A and 2E illustrate Yahoo Shopping's fixed “featured item” for Category (apparel and home & garden categories) Home-Pages. FIG. 3 illustrates “banner” type boxed feature listing at NetGrocer. FIG. 4A illustrates Shop4Home Mother's Day “featured buys” graphical thumbnail listing. FIG. 4B is the description page linked to the first “featured buy” item in FIG. 4A. FIGS. 5A &5B illustrate Sharper image's Auction Home-Page with its text-string “featured products” and “items recently added.” FIGS. 5C, 5D, 5E illustrate Sharper Image Auction's thumbnail listing of “brand new products.” FIG. 5F shows the item description page linked to a particular thumbnail item. FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate the graphical thumbnail listing and text-string listings of CyberShop.COM's “hot deals.” FIG. 6D is the description page linked to item 5 on FIG. 6C's text-string list. All the above examples typify the discrete, discontinuous, E-presentation of objects in the Web and other electronic media of the prior art.

[0012] Human perception and human mind, on the other hand, prefer the continuous and connected, beautiful objects beautifully grouped together, presented with befitting background or natural setting and harmonious companion objects. Human perception also prefers harmonious differentiation of classes of objects or subjects with different context, connotation, and meaning. Skillful and pleasant presentation not only is known to improve perception and impression, increase the speed and depth of understanding, learning and remembering, but also works well in alluring and enticing human desire and fondness for the objects thus skillfully presented.

[0013] Macys.Com uses un-boxed inactive thumbnail to represent its on-line shopping categories, with link-tokens embedded in the accompanying text headings as shown in FIG. 7A. Macys.Com's next pages uses a boxed thumbnail and a text-string list as shown in FIG. 7B. FIGS. 7C and 7D are two of the description pages with boxed images and text descriptions connected to indices in the text-string list in FIG. 7B under the boxed thumbnail on the right side of the page. The “headline” banner graphics common to FIGS. 7B, 7C, and 7D is static and decorative, having no link or dynamic function associated with it. FIG. 8 illustrates the Home-Page layout of GreatFood.Com, The central graphics shows a pleasing cluster of foodstuff. However, it is a decorative single entity static image with no link, no partition, and no function other than decorative.

[0014] The merchandising and advertising images in print and television media are entirely different from the discrete, abrupt, single item electronic media presentation of the electronic media prior art. FIGS. 9A and 9B are joint print advertisements of CHANEL No. 5 and MACY'S, appearing in magazines, respectively. Products are grouped, and presented with a beautiful young woman, a pleasing pastel purple case, and blissful butterflies, implying that beautiful and leisurely people use Chanel No. 5 and shop at MACY'S. The images further suggest that if you use Chanel No. 5 and shop at MACY'S, (you or your wife or girlfriend) would be just as beautiful, and your life would be just as blissful.

[0015] FIGS. 10A and 10B are promotional photographs from Northern California Home & Design, a print magazine of interior furnishing products and trades. Furniture and accessories are arranged in room settings, suggesting the fine workmanship, class, and tasteful home setting with rugs, fireplaces, and nice tall windows. The images intend to transport viewers to the frame of mind of desiring these products. FIGS. 11A and 11B are full-page images from Hamilton Jewelers' catalog. Grouping and clustering of products are photographed against soft and classy background to convey a sense of richness, refinement, and luxury. Such examples are routine and abundant in the world of static, however, un-actionable print and television media. It is apparent that the prior-art single object, stand-alone presentation used in electronic-media and electronic-commerce, although dynamic and actionable, is not consistent with the well known perceptional and sensual preferences in human, and most likely possesses less potential for achieving desired goal to impress and entice buyers. The prior art of advertising in printed media, however, produces images that is static, unseparable, and unactionable.

[0016] The present invention provides for the actively layered, clustered, integrated, and collaged graphical presentation of multiple graphic subjects/objects in electronic media, while assigning layer and group identities, memory addresses, and link-tokens to the layers and clusters, and individual identities, memory addresses, and link-tokens to each and all individual objects. The invention allows the assigning of different designation information and object(s) specifically linked and accessed through each layer and each cluster, as well as assigning designation information and objects specifically linked and accessed through individual objects in the cluster. Such provisions enable the deployment of well-researched human perception preferences and artistic presentation techniques to the electronic media, while also maximizing and optimizing the dynamic linking and large storage capabilities of the electronic media, as well as optimizing the usefulness of the “real-estate,” i.e., the viewing-area of an electronic media page.

[0017] The invention further relates to methods and apparatus for composing the layered images from multiple images, layering an existing image, composing clustered images from multiple images of individual objects, partitioning an existing image of multiple objects, or a combination of the two methods. In all methods, layer identities and link-tokens are assigned to layers, group identities and link-tokens are assigned to clustered partitions linking to different destination objects and information, and individual identity and link-tokens are assigned to each individual object for accessing the destination objects and information assigned to individual objects. The methods and apparatus enable the deployment of artistic know-how and human-factor techniques to the electronic, Internet, Web, and computer commerce and presentation applications, as opposed to the currently artistically-challenged and human-perception-wise inferior status of the web. The methods and apparatus, on the other hand, also allow adding tremendous value to costly images developed for the print and television media by using them in electronic media, electronically layering and partitioning the images, and embedding the layers and partitions with active and actionable links.

[0018] The virtual layered composition of an electronic media page provides a tool to present to viewers differentiated intensity level and differentiated connectivity to each layer. Therefore, subjects or objects of different nature, category, connotation, and connectivity can be presented and comprehended simultaneously at appropriate and differentiated context, without causing confusion.

[0043] Described is a method and apparatus for the clustered, collaged, integrated, and humanly pleasing presentation of digitally stored objects and their images and related information. Further described are methods of embodying the clusters with their own link-tokens and connecting each cluster to a different set of related information and objects. The clustering also enables simultaneous and collective access of information associated to all objects in the cluster. Additionally described are methods and apparatus for composing the clustered image from individual images, partitioning existing integrated images or photograph of multiple objects, and composing and partitioning clustered images from multiple sources, for the purpose of presenting, associating, and grouping access of categorically related objects and their associated detailed information.

[0044] Also described are methods and apparatus to virtually layer the composition of an electronic media page for imparting differentiated perception and context for subjects or objects of different nature, category, or connotation, and provide separate and different connectivity to each virtual layer. The methods of composing and presentation described in the present invention maximize the utilization and dynamic functions of the viewing-area/real-estate of an electronic-mediapage real-estate/viewing-area, optimize presentation efficiency and effectiveness, while minimize, or eliminate the elaborate information access process steps and confusion in the prior art.

[0045] Simultaneous presentation of multiple objects as one clustered and integrated body in electronic media that is given a cluster identity and link-token, enables simultaneous access to associated information and related objects linked to all of the clustered objects, collectively, when desired. This cuts short the awkward, repetitive, time consuming, and labor intensive process of going back and forth from the starting page to destination pages for each starting object, one at a time, and at times at many link-depth, to view and examine information/destination-objects linked to each starting object in sequence as practiced in prior art. Individual object identities can also be assigned for individual or selected access when desired. In addition, the described method of clustered and integrated presentation and identity, with retained individual object identity, allows more pleasing, continuous, and associated presentation and perception, and maximized, efficient use of electronic media page, in contrast to the discrete, discontinuous, and abrupt single object representation, presentation, and linking in the prior art. While specific and exact object/product information related to all of the objects in the cluster are assigned to the cluster collectively, the individual elements or objects in the cluster are free to be used for widened options, purposes and connectivity, such as association to other related information or other destinations of interest. Each individual starting object can also be linked to specific information and destination objects related to the particular individual starting object.

[0046] In the following descriptions, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known architectures, steps, and techniques have not been shown to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

[0047] Composition of electronic media pages using the present invention can be accomplished in many ways. The clusters can be composed from individual object images, individual layer images, from object images cut out from multiple existing images containing the desired object images, or partitioning a photograph taken with desired or interested objects arranged together in a desired setting, such as FIGS. 9 through FIGS. 11. Such methods and apparatus allow active utilization of costly developed print and television media images by embedding meaningful and actionable electronic link tokens to elements in the images, and associating the links with meaningful information and actionable venues.

[0048] FIG. 12 illustrates an implementation example of the present invention, a hyper-linked electronic media page with 3 virtual layers. The background pyramid layer is a black and white photograph from Chris Rainier, an assistant to Ansel Adams. This virtual layer is linked to the Chris Rainier Gallery page (FIG. 13). It can equally easily be linked to a photography and photograph equipment site, an advertisement for art galleries or photo equipment maker, or information and articles related to photography. The second layer image of a jet, is imported and modified from a print media image (see FIG. 14). As a practical example for this invention, the static image is imported to an electronic database, selected as an element to compose FIG. 12, and a link-token created to link the image of the jet on FIG. 12 to the Robb Report advertising image, which is further partitioned and activated so as to be linked to other active aircraft pages. The jet image in FIG. 12 could equally serve as a link to information, images, or Web-site pages of airlines, jet manufacturers, jet leasing merchant such as Net Jet, articles and information about jet flying or piloting, or a category page regarding airlines, jet manufacturers, jet leasing merchants, etc.

[0049] The third layer demonstrated in FIG. 12 is an integrated cluster of “featured products.” The cluster is defined by partitioning a viewing area around the cluster, and subtracting the area further partitioned out for individual objects in the cluster. The cluster domain is associated/assigned a “cluster identity” and a “cluster link.” In our example implementation, the cluster identity and link, when invoked, bring forth the images, descriptions, and purchase information of all “featured products” in one web-page (FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C when printed on paper). Any other information, objects and content can be assigned to associate to this “clustered group,” depending on the design intent. All of the seven objects in our design example are partitioned individually with their own domain as shown in FIG. 16. An individual identity and link is assigned to each partition. When the mouse-pointer is moved to any domain, such as a layer or a partition, a script box appears to indicate what the domain is, and what it is linked to. For example, when the pointer is resting at the domain containing the Champagne with the flute, the small text script-box can state “click to wines' ONE page” (or any suitable textual description of the destination page) (FIG. 17). The destination of that link in the example implementation is the Wine Category Home-Page, shown in FIG. 18. One can as well partition the flute separately from the bottle to link it to a wine accessory or a crystal manufacturer's page or its site home page. Alternatively, where the small script-box appears in FIG. 17 when the computer-mouse pointer is resting over a particular domain, one can script in the title and the price of the item to be shown in the script-box. For example, instead of “click to wine's ONE page”, the script could shoe key product information, such as “Cognac Champagne, France, 1811, 750 ml, $4500.00”. When the link is clicked, the page containing detailed product description is brought forth. The Harley Cycle domain (FIG. 19) is linked to a Harley product description page (FIG. 20), while it can just as well be linked to any other motorcycle manufacturer, parts, or club sites, again, depending on the design intent. The Qing Vase is linked to an Art & Antique page (FIG. 21). In FIG. 19, alternatively, one can script the key product information and the price of the Motorcycle, and when the link is clicked, the detailed product information or the Harley home page can be brought forth, depending on the design intent.

[0050] To demonstrate the various ways one can compose such a multi-layer, multi-domain, active electronic media page using elements in the present invention, FIG. 12, an active Web page, is composed from a web page designed by the inventor with a static cluster image (see FIG. 15A) as the “featured products” foreground layer. The Chris Rainier photograph was added to the background. The jet layer is imported from FIG. 14, with the size and image intensity reduced, a technique we call “ghosting.” Each layer was given a domain on the page. The “featured product layer” takes the domain around the cluster and the lower portion of the page. The jet layer takes a rectangular area around the jet as its domain. The background layer takes the rest of the screen area as its domain. The vase in the static image (FIG. 15A) is cut out, and replaced with the Qing Vase imported from FIG. 21. An image of a bracelet is imported from FIG. 11 and added to the “featured product” cluster. The individual objects in the cluster are then further partitioned as shown in FIG. 15.

[0051] To demonstrate the “ghosting process,” we use an unprocessed full-bodied image of the Bel'em Tower at Lisbon Harbor in 22A for its background layer. FIG. 22B illustrates “ghosted” background layer, where the color intensity of the full-bodied image is reduced. The heading layer, the jet layer, and the “featured product” layer all over-lay the “background” layer. In FIG. 22C the color tone of the background layer image is changed for contrast. The “background” image size can also be moved, reduced, or enlarged as desired. Any degree of “ghosting,” color-tone change, and image-size reduction, and some degree of enlargement can be implemented at will or artistically for desired effects. We then link the layer to our travel page that contains the original unprocessed image and information about cruising with Seabourn Cruise Lines from Ft. Lauderdale to Lisbon (FIG. 23).

[0052] One can also layer and partition existing artistically and expertly staged static photographs or images from traditional print advertising media sources, such as FIGS. 9 through FIGS. 11, and FIG. 24. By converting these images into electronic form, and then partitioning and linking them to further detailed information and active E-commerce functions with methods and apparatus of the present invention, these images can now become functional, dynamic, and actionable, on-line. Thus, the invention adds tremendous value to the static print advertising images. For example, each furniture grouping in FIGS. 10A and 10B can be partitioned as a cluster which is linked to the manufacturer and the designer's profile, the product information and specifications, as well as ordering and purchasing information and functions. The rug can be a layer. The windows, wall, drapes, and the fire place can be other layers. Domains can be created to associate with individual layers, objects, or object groups for assigning dynamic link-tokens. Specific information, objects, or any form of electronic media and E-commerce functions can be assigned to link to each layer, object, or object group for differentiated purposes and results. FIGS. 24 illustrate this particular aspect of the current invention. FIG. 24A is a print media advertising of a GE Monogram Kitchen. The photograph is used in the prior-art GE website as a static decorative photograph without any link. The present invention imports the image, and partitions the range, the refrigerator, the dishwasher, the wine-cooler, etc., to separate domains, each embedded with link-tokens linking to related/relevant information or action pages. For Example, when the range image in FIG. 24A is clicked, a range configuration page is brought forth as shown in FIG. 24B. When the refrigerator image in FIG. 24A is clicked, the information page of the refrigerator is brought forth as shown in FIG. 24C. When the dishwasher image in FIG. 24A is clicked, the information page for the dishwasher is brought forth as shown in FIG. 24D. When the wine cooler image is clicked, the information page for the wine-cooler is brought forth as shown in FIG. 24E.

[0053] The present invention is implemented using software, which can be written in many computer languages. The present invention can be used on a global or local computer network, on a personal computer, on viewable storage media such as a CD ROM, on a wireless telephone, on a wireless personal assistant such as a Palm Pilot®, or on any type of wired or wireless device that enables digitally stored information to be viewed. Also, information displayed and viewed using the present invention can be printed, stored to other storage medium, and electronically mailed to third parties.

[0054] Numerous modifications to and alternative embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled to the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. Details of the structure may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention and the exclusive use of all modifications that come within the scope of the appended claims is reserved.