System for Establishing Online Collaborators for Collaborating on a Network-Hosted Project
A system for hosting multiple collaborators in real time, the collaborators contributing content and or edits to content in an image and or text-based project hosted on a data network through a Website accessible to the collaborators by computer browser includes a server connected to the data network, the server having access to a digital medium containing an executable graphics user interface (GUI) for contributing content and for editing content, and a collaborator configuration interface available through the Website enabling a user to designate one or more other users as approved for collaboration on a given project. Users who are approved to collaborate have real time access to the image and or text-based project through their own versions of the network-based GUI.
1 . A system for hosting multiple collaborators in real time, the collaborators contributing content and or edits to content in an image and or text-based project hosted on a data network through a Website accessible to the collaborators by computer browser comprising:
a server connected to the data network, the server having access to a digital medium containing an executable graphics user interface (GUI) for contributing content and for editing content; and
a collaborator configuration interface available through the Website enabling a user to designate one or more other users as approved for collaboration on a given project;
characterized in that users who are approved to collaborate have real time access to the image and or text-based project through their own versions of the network-based GUI.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the data network is the internet network.
3 . The system of claim 1 wherein the project is one of a photo book, a photo card, or a photo calendar.
4 . The system of claim 1 wherein the collaborator configuration interface includes a mechanism for enabling the user to browse online and offline contact lists for potential collaborators.
5 . The system of claim 1 wherein the collaboration configuration interface is integrated with the GUI and is accessible from within the GUI.
6 . The system of claim 1 wherein the collaborators are registered members of the Website.
7 . The system of claim 1 further including a posting mechanism allowing collaborators to post messages about the collaborative effort.
8 . The system of claim 1 further including a real-time messaging application allowing collaborators to communicate with one another in real time.
9 . The system of claim 1 wherein the collaborators are family and or friends of the designating user.
10 . The system of claim 1 further including an automatic invitation service adapted to send invitations to collaborate to users designated as potential collaborators on a project.
11 . The system of claim 1 wherein the server pushes real-time edits made by contributors to the other contributors using open socket connections.
12 . In a system for creating and editing an image and or text-based project, the system including a networked server having access to a GUI implemented in software on a digital medium, the GUI for contributing content and for editing content, a method for establishing real-time collaborators to contribute and edit content relative to the project comprising the steps:
(a) accessing through a Website, an electronic form for indicating one or more users who are approved for real-time collaboration on the image and or text-based project;
(b) indicating one or more users as collaborators on the project; and
(c) utilizing an automated electronic invitation system, sending invitations to the collaborators.
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein in step (a) the Website is hosted on the internet network.
14 . The method of claim 12 wherein in step (b) the project is one of a photo book, a photo card, or a photo calendar.
15 . The system of claim 12 wherein content includes images, text, and graphics.
16 . The method of claim 12 wherein in step (a) the electronic form is integrated with a graphics user interface (GUI).
17 . The method of claim 12 wherein in step (b), the collaborators are members of the Website.
18 . The method of claim 12 wherein in step (b), the collaborators are friends and or family of the designating user.
19 . The method of claim 12 wherein in step (c), the invitations are automated email, screen pop-up, short message service (SMS), or media message service (MMS) messages.
20 . The method of claim 12 wherein in step (b), potential collaborators are located by browsing online and or offline contact lists.