Media File Upload Segmentation for Photobook Projects
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing online photobook creation platforms face inefficiencies in media file uploading, leading to prolonged wait times for users, which degrades the user experience and increases the likelihood of users canceling their orders due to the need to wait for large image uploads to complete before customizing or ordering.
Innovation Solution
The system resizes original media files to smaller, resized files, allowing them to be uploaded in the background while the user can immediately customize and order the media-based project, with the original files completing their upload separately, providing an illusion of immediate upload completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If original large media files are uploaded first before customization, then upload completion is guaranteed, but user waiting time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the upload process into two independent parts: uploading resized thumbnail versions of media files and uploading original full-resolution files. The thumbnail upload is completed first to enable immediate customization, while the original file upload continues in the background. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to guarantee upload completion (through background continuation) while minimizing user waiting time (by using smaller thumbnails first).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-processing original media files into smaller resized versions before the upload process begins. These pre-resized thumbnails are then uploaded first, allowing users to start customization immediately. The original files are uploaded in the background afterward, eliminating the need for users to wait for complete original file uploads before proceeding with project creation.
2Reliability
If users must wait for upload completion before customization, then data integrity is ensured, but user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the file handling process into two segments: thumbnail processing and original file processing. Thumbnails are processed and uploaded first, enabling immediate data access and customization. Original files continue uploading in the background, ensuring eventual data integrity. This segmentation allows the system to provide good user experience (immediate access) while maintaining reliability (complete uploads).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thumbnails as an intermediary element between the user and the original large media files. Instead of requiring direct access to original files for customization, the system uses thumbnail versions as mediators that are smaller and upload faster. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by enabling immediate customization (good user experience) while the original files complete their upload in the background (data integrity maintained).
Data Source
AI summary
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.