Methods for Optimizing Storage Space and Reducing Redundancy in Data Reproduction for Data Stored for Creating Image-Based Products through an Electronic Interface

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS[0001]The present invention claims priority to a U.S. provisional patent application 61 / 707,007, filed Sep. 28, 2012 and entitled “Method and Apparatus for Creating Photobooks”, disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety at least by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention is in the field of electronic commerce and pertains particularly to methods and apparatus for streamlining creation and editing of photo-based projects using a graphics user interface on a data network.[0004]2. Discussion of the State of the Art[0005]In the field of electronic commerce also known as ecommerce, there are project-oriented Websites where users may create and edit works including models, poems, art, and photo-based products. Websites catering to photo-based editing promote online publishing and online transacting relative to printed works. The current state of such electronic services leaves much...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a method for optimizing storage space and data reproduction performance for an image-based layout created through an electronic interface. The method involves separating content data from structural data in the image-based layout and determining the nature of modifications to the data during an active user session. The modifications are then written to storage in a new addressed data source mapped to or indexed to the parent data source. Structural data is separated into at least two classes, with one class being read-only and the other being modified and stored separately from the layout. The system can also perform a lookup to determine if a modification to a structural component produces a new component that is identical to a previously modified and versioned component in storage, and use the previously modified component in the project layout if a match is found.

Problems solved by technology

The current state of such electronic services leaves much to be desired.

Many of these services have fixed templates and multiple interfaces for project editing, making it tedious to get the desired output.

Other problems with the current state of photo-based services include inflexibility of the editor interface relative to process steps for editing content.

Most such processes are not transparent and could lead to errors in printing and therefore in the final output product.

Furthermore, each typical project is initiated from scratch in a way that does not promote efficiency from start to finish of a project.

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