Efficient image categorization

• US 20050140791A1
• Filed: 02/18/2005
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chemtron Research LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: FotoMedia Technologies LLC (Scenera Research LLC)
• Inventors: Anderson, Eric C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,411,606 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.990
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/58 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs

Abstract

A method for efficiently categorizing images on a computer system is disclosed. A series of related images that are to be categorized are ordered by time of capture, and category levels for input of category information by a user are displayed. The category levels include a highest-category level and a lowest-category level, where the highest-category level has a low frequency of data change between the series of related images, and the lowest-category level has a high frequency of data change between the series of images. A first image is then categorized by allowing the user to enter highest-category level data and lowest-category level data. A next image in the series is then categorized by leaving the highest-category level data unchanged, and automatically selecting the lowest-category level data for reentry by the user, thereby eliminating the need for the user to reenter the highest-category level data.

Claims

1. A method for efficiently categorizing images on a computer system, comprising the steps of:

(a) ordering a series of related images that are to be categorized by time of capture;

(b) displaying category levels for input of category information by a user, wherein the category levels include a highest-category level and a lowest-category level, the highest-category level having a low frequency of data change between the series of related images, and the lowest-category level having a high frequency of data change between the series of related images;

(c) categorizing a first image by allowing the user to enter highest-category level data and lowest-category level data;

(d) categorizing a next image in the series by leaving the highest-category level data unchanged, and automatically selecting the lowest-category level data for reentry by the user, thereby eliminating the need for the user to reenter the highest-category level data.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein categorizing a next image further includes the step of:

(i) comparing date and time differences between the first image and the next image to automatically detect a category change from the first image to the next image; and

(ii) if a category change is detected, automatically selecting an appropriate category level for reentry by the user.

3. The method of claim 1 further including:

(e) in response to a user pressing a key, moving a cursor from the lowest-category level to a higher-category level for data entry.

4. The method of claim 3 further including:

(f) categorizing another image in the series by leaving the cursor at the higher-category level for data entry.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein displaying category levels further includes the step of:

(i) displaying an intermediate category level having medium frequency of data change between the series of related images.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the categorizing a first image further includes:

(ii) as the user enters data, comparing the data with previous entries, and when a match is found, automatically entering the previous entry to thereby reduce inconsistent terminology.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein displaying category levels further includes:

(ii) displaying a thumbnail of the current image being categorized.

8. A system for efficiently categorization digital images, comprising:

input means for receiving a series of digital images;

a display;

a computer;

interface means for a user to operate the computer;

storage means for storing the digital images; and

an image management application executed by the computer, wherein the image management application includes means for;

ordering the series of digital images by time of capture;

displaying category levels on the display for input of category information by a user using the interface means, wherein the category levels include a highest-category level and a lowest-category level, the highest-category level having a low frequency of data change between the series of related images, and the lowest-category level having a high frequency of data change between the series of digital images,

categorizing a first image by allowing the user to enter highest-category level data and lowest-category level data,

categorizing a next image in the series by leaving the highest-category level data unchanged, and

automatically selecting the lowest-category level data for reentry by the user, thereby eliminating the need for the user to reenter the highest-category level data.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the image management application further includes means for comparing date and time differences between the first image and the next image to automatically detect a category change from the first image to the next image, and if a category change is detected, automatically selecting an appropriate category level for reentry by the user.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the computer comprises a web server that is remote from the display and interface means.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the display is a television.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the interface means comprises a keyboard and a mouse.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the interface means comprises voice recognition.

14. A computer readable medium containing program instructions for efficiently categorizing images on a computer system, the instructions for:

(a) ordering a series of related images that are to be categorized by time of capture;

(b) displaying category levels for input of category information by a user, wherein the category levels include a highest-category level and a lowest-category level, the highest-category level having a low frequency of data change between the series of related images, and the lowest-category level having a high frequency of data change between the series of related images;

(c) categorizing a first image by allowing the user to enter highest-category level data and lowest-category level data;

(d) categorizing a next image in the series by leaving the highest-category level data unchanged, and automatically selecting the lowest-category level data for reentry by the user, thereby eliminating the need for the user to reenter the highest-category level data.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein instruction (d) further includes:

(i) comparing date and time differences between the first image and the next image to automatically detect a category change from the first image to the next image; and

(ii) if a category change is detected, automatically selecting an appropriate category level for reentry by the user.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 14 further including the instruction of:

(e) in response to a user pressing a key, moving a cursor from the lowest-category level to a higher-category level for data entry.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 16 further including the instruction of:

(f) categorizing another image in the series by leaving the cursor at the higher-category level for data entry.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 17 wherein instruction (b) further includes the instruction of:

(i) displaying an intermediate category level having medium frequency of data change between the series of related images.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18 wherein the instruction (c) further includes the instruction of:

(ii) as the user enters data, comparing the data with previous entries, and when a match is found, automatically entering the previous entry to thereby reduce inconsistent terminology.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 19 wherein instruction (b) further includes the instruction of:

(ii) displaying a thumbnail of the current image being categorized.

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