Method and apparatus for archiving in and retrieving images from a digital image library

• US 6,564,225 B1
• Filed: 07/14/2000
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Warner Bros Entertainment Incorporated (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Entertainment Company LP (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smith, Thomas G., Brogliatti, Barbara Spencer, Janney, Lisa A., Grakal, Christopher, OʼNeil, Marisa B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Metjahic, Safet
• Assistant Examiner(s): THAI, HANH B
• Application Number:
  US09/616,546
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/9-10, 707/104.1, 707/204
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/532 Query formulation, e.g. graphical querying
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A method and apparatus for securely archiving, searching, and retrieving images from a centralized image location are provided. Along with the goal of protecting a major corporate asset from theft and damage with the passage of time, the present invention provides an economical way for users from different divisions to share previously produced images and composites. Furthermore, by utilizing ultra-high resolution scanning in the archival process, re-creation of images that are of substantially the same quality as the original is achieved. Thus, ultra-high scanning allows re-creation of images that are photo-quality acceptable for commercial use in magazines, video packaging, movie posters, etc. With a centralized system of storage and distribution of images, it is possible for users to take advantage of a single and comprehensive catalog/index of all content. By using pre-defined image content criteria, users locate, select, and retrieve particular images stored in the system. Users are then able to create folders to place selected images and send the contents to others for approval or comments. Folders containing selected images may also be sent to fulfillment departments such as photo labs for re-creation of images in a variety of formats, including transparencies (from 35 mm to 8×10 to 12′ murals), prints (both in color and in B&W), CD-ROMs for Macintosh™ and PC platforms, ZIP™ disks, JAZZ™ disks, any electronic mail formats, and File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Users may also track, in real-time, the status of their order during the fulfillment process.

Claims

1. A method of providing a remote user with a centralized image processing environment, comprising the steps of:

assigning an access level to the remote user based in part on predetermined criteria;

archiving images in a storage area;

searching said archived images to provide a search result set of images;

retrieving said search result set of images to permit user selection of images from said search result set of images;

permitting the user to view images selected for viewing in a format that is based in part on the access level of the user;

processing of images selected for processing; and

tracking status of said processing step in real-time.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said archiving step further comprises ultra-high resolution digital scanning of said images.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said archiving step further comprises storing said images in a digital tape library.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said searching step further comprises searching for matching terms within image content descriptors associated with respective ones of said archived images.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said permitting step further comprises providing said images selected for viewing to said user in a thumbnail format.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said permitting step further comprises providing said images selected for viewing to said user in a medium-resolution format.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said archiving step further comprises designating image content descriptors for each one of said archived images.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said assigning step further comprises assigning an administrator level governing addition and restriction of other ones of said users.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said assigning step further comprises assigning a cataloger level governing addition, editing, and deletion of cataloging information for said images.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said assigning step further comprises assigning a scanner level governing scanning and loading of said images into said storage area.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said assigning step further comprises assigning a circulation level governing transmission of images selected for transmission to another one of said users.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said permitting step further comprises embedding a watermark in said images selected for viewing, based on the access level of the user.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said retrieving step further comprises adding images selected for adding to a lightbox.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising adding notes to said lightbox.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein said processing step further comprises approving/disapproving delivery of said images selected for processing to a particular one of said users.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein said processing step further comprises transmitting online of said images selected for processing to another one of said users.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein said processing step further comprises delivering re-created images of said images selected for processing to one of said users in a tangible form, said re-created images substantially similar in resolution quality to original images.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein said processing step further comprises downloading of said images selected for processing selected ones in an high-resolution format to one of said users.

19. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a Web-accessible graphical user interface usable for said searching and permitting steps.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein said images comprise of audio.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein said images comprise of video.

22. A computer-implemented image processing system, comprising:

a Web server connected to a network, said Web server coupled to a memory comprising a digital archive of images, wherein said Web server is responsive to search requests from users of said network for particular images from said database; and

,

an administrator processor coupled to said Web server, said administrator processor executing instructions to provide the functions of;

assigning an access level to the users based in part on predetermined criteria;

archiving said images in said memory;

searching said digital archive based on user-defined search criteria;

retrieving images selected for viewing that satisfy said user-defined search criteria in a preview format that is based in part on the access level of the user; and

,

delivering images selected for delivering in a user selected format.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein said network comprises an Intranet.

24. The system according to claim 22, wherein said network comprises an Internet.

25. The system according to claim 22, wherein said digital archive further comprises a digital tape library.

26. The system according to claim 22, wherein said digital archive further comprises ultra-high resolution scans of said images.

27. The system according to claim 22, wherein said searching function further comprises matching said user-defined criteria within image content descriptors associated with respective ones of said archived images.

28. The system according to claim 22, wherein said preview format comprises a thumbnail format.

29. The system according to claim 22, wherein said preview format comprises a medium-resolution format.

30. The system according to claim 22, wherein said archiving function further comprises designating image content descriptors for each one of said archived images.

31. The system according to claim 22, wherein said assigning function further comprises assigning an administrator level governing addition and restriction of other ones of said users.

32. The system according to claim 22, wherein said assigning function further comprises assigning a cataloger level governing addition, editing, and deletion of cataloging information for said images.

33. The system according to claim 22, wherein said assigning function further comprises assigning a scanner level governing scanning and loading of said images into said memory.

34. The system of according to claim 22, wherein said assigning function further comprises assigning a circulation level governing transmission of images selected for transmission to another one of said users.

35. The system according to claim 22, wherein said retrieving function further comprises embedding a watermark in said images, based on the access level of the user.

36. The system according to claim 22, wherein said retrieving function further comprises adding images selected for adding to a lightbox.

37. The system according to claim 36, wherein said retrieving function further comprises adding notes to said lightbox.

38. The system according to claim 22, wherein said delivering function further comprises approving/disapproving delivery of said images selected for delivering to a particular one of said users.

39. The system according to claim 22, wherein said administrator processor further provides the function of transmitting online of images selected for transmitting to another one of said users.

40. The system according to claim 22, wherein said user selected format comprises re-created images in tangible form of said images selected for delivering, said re-created images substantially similar in resolution quality to original images.

41. The system according to claim 22, wherein said user selected format comprises high-resolution computer downloads of said images selected for delivering.

42. The system according to claim 22, wherein a Web-accessible graphical user interface provides access to said searching and retrieving functions.

43. The system according to claim 22, wherein said images comprise of audio.

44. The system according to claim 22, wherein said images comprise of video.