System and methods for querying digital image archives using recorded parameters
First Claim
1. A digital image retrieval system, comprising:
- an image database comprising a plurality of digital images, wherein the digital images are indexed in the database using a plurality of recorded parameters, and wherein each digital image comprises at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters;
a user interface for generating at least one of a plurality of query types;
a first query module for processing a first query type comprising an attribute that specifies at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters, wherein the first query module retrieves, from the image database, digital images having the at least one recorded parameter; and
a second query module for processing a second query type comprising a request for photo navigation from a specified origin to a specified destination, wherein the second query module (i) retrieves, from a routing system, routing data corresponding to a route between the specified origin and destination, (ii) searches the image database for digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the routing data and (iii) generates, from the routing data, corresponding text directions comprising hyperlinked text that links to at least one image in the database associated with the hyperlinked text.
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Abstract
System and methods for querying digital image archives containing digital photographs and/or videos (collectively, “digital images”). The digital images are indexed in accordance with a plurality of recorded parameters including time, date and geographic location data (altitude and longitude), as well as image data such as lens focal length, auto focus distance, shutter speed, exposure duration, aperture setting, frame number, image quality, flash status and light meter readings, which are used for searching a database consisting of the digital images. These images are preferably generated by an image capturing system which is capable of measuring and recording a plurality of parameters with each captured digital image. The image retrieval system allows a querying user to search the image archive by formulating one or more of a plurality of query types which are based on the recorded parameters, and then retrieve and display those images having the specified parameters.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A digital image retrieval system, comprising:
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an image database comprising a plurality of digital images, wherein the digital images are indexed in the database using a plurality of recorded parameters, and wherein each digital image comprises at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters;
a user interface for generating at least one of a plurality of query types;
a first query module for processing a first query type comprising an attribute that specifies at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters, wherein the first query module retrieves, from the image database, digital images having the at least one recorded parameter; and
a second query module for processing a second query type comprising a request for photo navigation from a specified origin to a specified destination, wherein the second query module (i) retrieves, from a routing system, routing data corresponding to a route between the specified origin and destination, (ii) searches the image database for digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the routing data and (iii) generates, from the routing data, corresponding text directions comprising hyperlinked text that links to at least one image in the database associated with the hyperlinked text. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
a region boundary database;
a third query module for processing a third query type comprising a request for digital images corresponding to a specified geographic region, wherein the third query module (i) accesses the region boundary database to retrieve geographic boundary data associated with the specified geographic region and (ii) retrieves, from the image database, the digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the retrieved geographic boundary data; and
a fourth query module for processing a fourth query type comprising a request for digital images corresponding to a geographic region or route that is marked on a displayed map, wherein the fourth query module retrieves, from the image database, digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to geographic data associated with the marked geographic region or route on the map.
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5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an image capturing device comprising means for generating the plurality of recorded parameters, means for generating the digital images having at least one of the recorded parameters, and means for downloading the digital images to the image database.
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6. The system of claim 5 wherein the plurality of recorded parameters used for indexing and searching the image database comprise geographic location, image mode, image quality, exposure duration, aperture length, light meter reading, flash status, lens focal length, auto focus distance, frame number, information transmitted from an object captured in a digital image, time of capture of a digital image, date of capture of a digital image, orientation of the image capturing device, and an identity of a creator of a digital image.
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7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a speech recognition system for processing voice queries.
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8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an image annotation module for annotating a digital image in the image database with additional parameters or keywords, wherein the digital images are further indexed in the database using the additional parameters or keywords.
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9. A method for retrieving digital images from an image database, comprising the steps of:
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indexing digital images in the image database using a plurality of recorded parameters, wherein each digital image comprises at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters;
generating a first query type comprising an attribute that specifies at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters;
in response to the first query type, retrieving, from the image database, digital images having the at least one recorded parameter;
generating a second query type comprising a request for photo navigation from a specified origin to a specified destination; and
in response to the second query type, (i) retrieving routing data corresponding to a route between the specified origin and destination, (ii) searching the image database to locate digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the routing data and (iii) generating, from the routing data, corresponding text directions comprising hyperlinked text that links to at least one image in the database associated with the hyperlinked text. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
generating a third query type comprising a request for digital images corresponding to a specified geographic region;
in response to the third query type, (i) retrieving geographic boundary data associated with the specified geographic region and (ii) retrieving, from the image database, digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the retrieved geographic boundary data;
generating a fourth query type comprising a request for digital images corresponding to a geographic region or route on a displayed map; and
in response to the fourth query type, (i) displaying a map, (ii) marking a desired geographic region or route on the displayed map, (iii) obtaining geographic data associated with the marked geographic region or route, and (iv) retrieving, from the image database, digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the geographic data associated with the marked geographic region or route on the map.
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13. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of recorded parameters used for indexing and searching the image database comprise geographic location, image mode, image quality, exposure duration, aperture length, light meter reading, flash status, lens focal length, auto focus distance, frame number, information transmitted from an object captured in a digital image, time of capture of a digital image, date of capture of a digital image, orientation of the image capturing device, and an identity of a creator of a digital image.
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14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of annotating a digital image in the image database with additional parameters or keywords, wherein the digital images are further indexed in the database using the additional parameters or keywords.
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15. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for retrieving digital images from an image database, the method comprising the steps of:
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indexing digital images in the image database using a plurality of recorded parameters, wherein each digital image comprises at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters;
generating a first query type comprising an attribute that specifies at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters;
in response to the first query type, retrieving, from the image database, digital images having the at least one recorded parameter;
generating a second query type comprising a request for photo navigation from a specified origin to a specified destination; and
in response to the second query type, (i) retrieving routing data corresponding to a route between the specified origin and destination, (ii) searching the image database to locate digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the routing data and (iii) generating, from the routing data, corresponding text directions comprising hyperlinked text that links to at least one image in the database associated with the hyperlinked text. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
generating a third query type comprising a request for digital images corresponding to a specified geographic region;
in response to the third query type, (i) retrieving geographic boundary data associated with the specified geographic region and (ii) retrieving, from the image database, digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the retrieved geographic boundary data;
generating a fourth query type comprising a request for digital images corresponding to a geographic region or route on a displayed map; and
in response to the fourth query type, (i) displaying a map, (ii) marking a desired geographic region or route on the displayed map, (iii) obtaining geographic data associated with the marked geographic region or route, and (iv) retrieving, from the image database, digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the geographic data associated with the marked geographic region or route on the map.
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19. The program storage device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of recorded parameters used for indexing and searching the image database comprise geographic location, image mode, image quality, exposure duration, aperture length, light meter reading, flash status, lens focal length, auto focus distance, frame number, information transmitted from an object captured in a digital image, time of capture of a digital image, date of capture of a digital image, orientation of the image capturing device, and an identity of a creator of a digital image.
Specification