IP Library Granted Patent US 10,346,525
Granted Patent B2
US 10,346,525 · App. 15/006,466 · Granted Jul 9, 2019

Electronic newspaper

Inventors: Allan James Block (Toledo, OH); John David Crisp (Sylvania, OH); Erlend I. Viddal (Tampa, FL); Ronnie Jack Willis, Jr. (Tampa, FL)
Assignee: BLOCK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
G06F17/2288G06F3/0483G06F3/0487G06F16/958G06F17/211G06F17/2205G06F17/2235G06F17/2247G06F17/24G06F17/248G06Q30/0277G06F2203/04806
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,346,525
App. No.
15/006,466
Granted
Jul 9, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for creating static and dynamic formats of an electronic newspaper, including importing data files containing newspaper content having a PDF or PNG format from a database, converting the imported data files to a HTML format, creating daily newspaper pages in an HTML format from the HTML converted data files using HTML daily page templates, presenting the created newspaper pages in the HTML format in an HTML environment through a web browser of a user interface device, converting the created newspaper pages in the HTML format to a PNG format, and presenting the created daily newspaper pages in the PNG format through the web browser of the user interface device as a static digital replica of a printed newspaper.

Claims (29)

1. A method for creating a first version of an electronic newspaper in a dynamic format and a second version of the electronic newspaper in a static format, comprising the steps of:

importing data files from a database, the data files containing one or more of stories, articles and advertisements;

converting the imported data files to a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) format;

creating the first version newspaper in an HTML format from the HTML converted data files using page templates;

presenting the first version newspaper in the HTML format in an HTML environment through a web browser of a remote user interface device, the first version newspaper in the HTML format being in the dynamic format interactive by a user of the remote user interface and dynamically updateable by a creator of the newspaper;

converting the imported data files to a Portable Network Graphics (PNG) format;

creating the second version newspaper in PNG format pages from the PNG converted data files using the same page templates of the first version;

presenting the second version newspaper in the PNG format being in the static format as a static digital replica of a printed newspaper on the remote user interface device; and

automatically updating the first version newspaper as changes to the data files and new data files become available, and updating the second version newspaper at predetermined intervals;

wherein the created newspaper presented in either one of the HTML format and the PNG format is presented as any of a single page, two-page reader spread with zoom, and full two-page spread.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein page advance arrows are presented with the created newspaper to navigate through pages of the created newspaper in a sequential manner.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the created newspaper in the HTML format includes an embedded advertisement configured to disappear from the user interface after a predetermined time period.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of generating data tracking feedback about the data files presented to a user.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the HTML environment enables mouse-following navigation through the created newspaper.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the HTML format page templates comprise page layouts for linking articles, viewing articles assigned to the newspaper, associating articles with shapes on a page, text editing, and multi-page story jumps.

7. A method for creating a first version of an electronic newspaper in a dynamic format and a second version of the electronic newspaper in a static format, comprising the steps of:

importing data files from a database, the data files containing one or more of stories, articles and advertisements;

converting the imported data files to a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) format;

creating the first version newspaper in an HTML format from the HTML converted data files using page templates;

presenting the first version newspaper in the HTML format in an HTML environment through a web browser of a remote user interface device, the first version newspaper in the HTML format being in the dynamic format interactive by a user of the remote user interface and dynamically updateable by a creator of the newspaper;

converting the imported data files to a Portable Network Graphics (PNG) format;

creating the second version newspaper in PNG format pages from the PNG converted data files using the same page templates of the first version;

presenting the second version newspaper in the PNG format being in the static format as a static digital replica of a printed newspaper on the remote user interface device;

automatically updating the first version newspaper as changes to the data files and new data files become available, and updating the second version newspaper at predetermined intervals;

wherein the created newspaper presented in either one of the HTML format and the PNG format is presented as any of a single page, two-page reader spread with zoom, and full two-page spread;

wherein page advance arrows are presented with the created newspaper to navigate through pages of the created newspaper in a sequential manner;

wherein the created newspaper in the HTML format includes an embedded advertisement configured to disappear from the user interface after a predetermined time period;

generating data tracking feedback about the data files presented to a user; wherein the HTML environment enables mouse-following navigation through the created newspaper; and

wherein the HTML format page templates comprise page layouts for linking articles, viewing articles assigned to the newspaper, associating articles with shapes on a page, text editing, and multi-page story jumps.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2026
From: BLOCK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
To: COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 074910/0806 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT (SUPPLEMENTAL FILING) Recorded May 24, 2023
From: BLOCK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 063741/0795 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2016
From: BLOCK, ALLAN JAMES; CRISP, JOHN DAVID; VIDDAL, ERLEND I.; WILLIS, RONNIE JACK, JR
To: BLOCK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 037889/0015 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 13449973 · Apr 18, 2012
Provisional Application 61606073 · Mar 2, 2012
Provisional Application 61476411 · Apr 8, 2011
Related Publication 20160140093A1 · May 19, 2016