Abstract: Methods and systems of reversing edit operations of a media-rich project are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises, offering to a user an editing action on a pre-edited view of a media-rich project, in which the editing action after being performed on the pre-edited view displays a first-edited view of the project; saving, in response to the user switching to a second view, the first-edited view as a last-edited view; and reversing, in response to a user reverse action, the editing action of the last-edited view by initiating a reverse function, in which the reverse function comprises two steps, in which a first step causes the editor to exit from the second view and to land on the last-edited view, and a second step causes the last-edited view to revert to the pre-edited view.

Abstract: A method for managing layers across multiple pages of a photo project, comprising recording a position and a layer value for each of a plurality of objects in the photo project, wherein the plurality of objects are positioned on a first page of the photo project, wherein the plurality of objects occupy a plurality of layers; receiving an instruction to move the plurality of objects simultaneously from the position on the first page to a new position on a second page of the photo project; after receiving the instruction to move the plurality of objects, assigning the recorded layer values to the plurality of objects; and moving the plurality of objects, at the recorded layer values, from the first page to the second page while preserving the recorded layer values across pages, wherein each of the plurality of objects moved is placed in a corresponding layer on the second page.

Abstract: A system for working with image and or text-based projects includes a server having access to a processor and a data repository, the server including a non-transitory physical medium and software running from the non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a first function for establishing a client-server connection between the server and at least one user-operated computing appliance connected to the network, a second function for initiating and maintaining an active data session between one or more users involved in working with the image and/or text-based projects through a graphics user interface (GUI), a third function for acquiring and recording current font attributes for text-based items on a page that is to be remixed, and a fourth function for calculating a best unified set of font attributes for the text-based items subject to the remixed page.

Abstract: A system for creating image and or text-based projects includes a server connected to a network, the server having access to least one processor and a data repository, the server including a non-transitory physical medium, and software running from the non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a first function for establishing a client server connection between the server and at least one user-operated computing appliance connected to the network, a second function for initiating and maintaining an active data session between one or more users involved in project creation and or in project editing through a graphics user interface (GUI), a third function for establishing a cache memory on the at least one operated computing appliance, the cache dedicated for caching user and server-side data, a fourth function for caching user actions in the cache memory, and a fifth function for persisting the cached data to the server.

Abstract: Methods and systems of inter-relating themes via a design and a layout relationship are disclosed, offering flexibility in design and data relationships of media-based projects. In one embodiment, an Internet user at a user-device selects a theme from a plurality of available themes, the theme being a collection of designsets. The system automatically selects a design from the designsets that best fits the content provided by the user. The design automatically inherits a layout from a layoutset corresponding to the automatically selected design. The design defines style and formatting over the layout, while the layout defines the locations of photos and text. When a user selects a different theme, the system can quickly adjust the design without input from the user, increasing user friendliness and usability. The user can create additional personal customizations, and print the final design to create a photobook or other media-based project.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automating insertion of content into media-based projects are disclosed. In one embodiment, images are uploaded from a user device to a server. The server performs image analysis on the uploaded images and obtains automatic image information. After presentation of the initial project, the user manually interacts with the uploaded images to provide user inputs to the project. The system observes the user interactions to generate manual image information based on the user interactions with the project. Based on the automatic image information and the manual image information, the present invention automatically updates a printable photobook or other media-based project after automatically inserting relevant content into the project. This produces a faster and more seamless user experience, and increases the number of customers purchasing the ultimate product by minimizing friction points to purchase.

Abstract: Methods and systems for background uploading of media files are presented that greatly improve efficiency and user-experience in creating media-based projects. In one embodiment, a user selects original media files at a user-device for an upload. The user-device first resizes the original files to resized files and uploads them to a server, and second the original files start uploading in a background computer process. The server then allows the user to create, edit, manipulate, and even finish building the project without having to wait for the original files to upload completely, during which time the user-device gives the user an illusionary impression of a completed upload, even while the original files are still uploading. Finally, the user-device completes the upload of the original files to the server, either while the user is editing the project, or after the user has completed editing the project using an upload widget.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a server, system, and method for automatically creating a photo-based project based on photo analysis and image metadata is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: receiving a plurality of images from a user-device, reading embedded metadata from the plurality of images, and storing said plurality of images in a data repository; performing photo analysis on the plurality of images in the data repository to determine a visual content and relevant metadata in the images; customizing the photo-based project automatically by performing one or more automatic customization actions based on the visual content in and the relevant metadata in the plurality of images; placing the plurality of images automatically in one or more particular page layouts of the photo-based project based on the customization performed; and generating a printed product comprising the plurality of images based on the customization performed.

Abstract: A system for staging printable assets included in an electronic print order submitted by users through a graphics user interface for printing by one or more print vendors over a data network includes a server connected to the network, the server having access to least one processor and a data repository, the server including a non-transitory physical medium, and software running from the non-transitory physical medium, the software providing for receiving the electronic print order, recording the positional data of each of the printable assets included for printing, compressing and rasterizing certain printable assets of the electronic order, selecting certain printable assets of the electronic printing order and including those items as vector assets, and reconstructing the printable assets, page, or pages for a printer or printers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for background uploading of media files are presented. Background uploading improves efficiency and user-experience in creating media-based projects online. In one embodiment, a user selects original media files at a user-device for an upload. The user-device at first resizes the original files to resized files and uploads them to a server along with meta-data, and at second the original files start uploading in the background computer process. The user is provided the resized images to create a project. The server converts each resized media file into compressed media files, and provides the compressed files to the user to continue or finish building the project, during which the user-device renders to the user an illusionary impression of a completed upload of the original files when the original files are still uploading. Finally, the user-device completes the upload of the original files to the server.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a server for creating photo-based projects is disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a server for creating photo-based projects is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for background uploading of media files are presented. Background uploading improves efficiency and user-experience in creating media-based projects online. In one embodiment, a user selects original media files at a user-device for an upload. The user-device at first resizes the original files to resized files and uploads them to a server along with meta-data, and at second the original files start uploading in the background computer process. The user is provided the resized images to create a project. The server converts each resized media file into compressed media files, and provides the compressed files to the user to continue or finish building the project, during which the user-device renders to the user an illusionary impression of a completed upload of the original files when the original files are still uploading. Finally, the user-device completes the upload of the original files to the server.

Abstract: An electronic messaging system includes a server connected to the network, the server having access to a processor and a data repository, and including and software running from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing for linking the electronic messaging system to the image-based project accessible through the electronic interface, facilitating calling the message system from within the image-based project by executing a link resulting from execution of the first function to receive a messaging interface, detecting and monitoring any online collaborators working on the image-based project and any online web visitors allowed to view the image-based project under construction, assigning for each message submitted, at least a collaborator identification stamp, a digital time stamp, and a digital location of the collaborator within the project at the time the message was submitted, and publishing the aggregated messages in one or more live broadcast to relevant online collaborators and project vi

Abstract: A system for working with image and or text-based projects includes a server having access to least one processor and a data repository, the server including a non-transitory physical medium and software running from the non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a first function for establishing a client-server connection between the server and at least one user-operated computing appliance connected to the network, a second function for initiating and maintaining an active data session between one or more users involved in working with the image and/or text-based projects through a graphics user interface (GUI), a third function for linking a multi-part text resizing tool to one or more user-input actions on one or more text-based assets added to or pre-existing on a page layout, and a fourth function for retrieving and presenting the text-resizing tool in the GUI upon detection of one of the user-input actions.

Abstract: A system for creating image and or text-based projects includes a server connected to a network, the server having access to least one processor and a data repository, the server including a non-transitory physical medium, and software running from the non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a first function for establishing a client server connection between the server and at least one user-operated computing appliance connected to the network, a second function for initiating and maintaining an active data session between one or more users involved in project creation and or in project editing through a graphics user interface (GUI), a third function for establishing a cache memory on the at least one operated computing appliance, the cache dedicated for caching user and server-side data, a fourth function for caching user actions in the cache memory, and a fifth function for persisting the cached data to the server.

Abstract: A method for optimizing storage space and data reproduction performance for an image-based layout created through an electronic interface has steps: (a) separating to at least a first degree, the content data from the structure data in the image-based layout, (b) during active user session with the image-based layout, determining the nature of the modifications to the data according to the at least the first degree of separation, and (c) writing new data modifications to storage in the form of a new addressed data source mapped to or indexed to the parent data source reflecting either content data changes to the image-based layout, structural data changes to the image-based layout, or both.

Abstract: A system for creating image and or text-based projects includes a server, the server having access to a processor, a data repository, and a non-transitory physical medium. Software running from the non-transitory physical medium provides a first function for establishing a client server connection between the server and at least one user-operated computing appliance connected to the network, a second function for initiating and maintaining an active data session between one or more users involved in project creation and or in project editing through a graphics user interface (GUI), a third function for detecting user-execution of a project template, a fourth function for analyzing the exact nature and state of the template and any content associated therewith, a fifth function for assembling a customized editing interface according to needs determined by the analysis of the fourth function, and a sixth function for presenting the customized interface to the user.

Abstract: A system for staging printable assets included in an electronic print order submitted by users through a graphics user interface for printing by one or more print vendors over a data network includes a server connected to the network, the server having access to least one processor and a data repository, the server including a non-transitory physical medium, and software running from the non-transitory physical medium, the software providing for receiving the electronic print order, recording the positional data of each of the printable assets included for printing, compressing and rasterizing certain printable assets of the electronic order, selecting certain printable assets of the electronic printing order and including those items as vector assets, and reconstructing the printable assets, page, or pages for a printer or printers.

Abstract: A system for working with image and or text-based projects includes a server having access to a processor and a data repository, the server including a non-transitory physical medium and software running from the non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a first function for establishing a client-server connection between the server and at least one user-operated computing appliance connected to the network, a second function for initiating and maintaining an active data session between one or more users involved in working with the image and/or text-based projects through a graphics user interface (GUI), a third function for acquiring and recording current font attributes for text-based items on a page that is to be remixed, and a fourth function for calculating a best unified set of font attributes for the text-based items subject to the remixed page.