Time-based image management

• US 7,636,733 B1
• Filed: 10/03/2003
• Issued: 12/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adobe Inc.
• Original Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated (Adobe Inc.)
• Inventors: Rothmuller, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo; Isaac M
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARPER, ELIYAH STONE
• Application Number:
  US10/678,606
• Time in Patent Office: 2,272 Days
• Field of Search: 707/3, 707/100, 707/10, 707/1, 707/104.1, 707/7, 707/6, 707/5, 705/9, 705/10, 715/259, 715/759
• US Class Current: 382/305
• 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: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/953 Organization of data
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• 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

Methods and apparatus for digital image management. In general, in one aspect, a method for digital image management includes receiving a digital image associated with a specific time. The method includes receiving a data unit associated with a time interval. The method includes associating the data unit with the digital image when the time interval associated with the data unit includes the specific time.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for digital image management, comprising:

receiving input defining a plurality of calendar entries, each calendar entry in the plurality of calendar entries comprising a respective topic and a respective time interval, wherein a rule specifies the respective topic for at least one calendar entry;

identifying a digital image, the digital image being associated with a time stamp;

automatically selecting a calendar entry in the plurality of calendar entries, the selected calendar entry having a time interval that includes the time stamp of the image, wherein calendar entry selection includes comparing overlap of the time interval to designate a parent calendar entry and comparing specificity of the topic, wherein the calendar entry is split absent complete overlap, the comparison is based on configurable rules, the rules including one or more of;

(a) if one calendar entry'"'"'s time interval is longer than and totally overlaps the other calendar entry'"'"'s time interval, the calendar entry having the longer time interval is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the calendar entry having the shorter time interval, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

(b) if neither calendar entry'"'"'s time interval lies completely within the other calendar entry'"'"'s time interval, then the shorter calendar entry is split into a third and fourth calendar entry, the third calendar entry being the part overlapping the longer calendar entry and the fourth being the part not overlapping the longer calendar entry, then the longer calendar entry is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the third calendar entry, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

(c) if the two time intervals are coextensive, then the calendar entry with a less specific topic is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the calendar entry with a more specific topic, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

or

(d) so long as the two topics do not both represent geographic locations, both calendar entries are associated with the image; and

automatically associating the selected calendar entry with the digital image; and

displaying a presentation of the time interval and the digital image.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein:

the storing of the association includes tagging the digital image with an identifier of the calendar entry.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein:

the digital image is stored in a file that includes a metadata field;

the calendar entry includes a label; and

the tagging includes storing the label in the metadata field.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein rules specify the topic of the calendar entry represents one of a person, a geographic location, a logical location and an object.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an image grade definable by input, the image grade specifying a level of interest for the digital image;

associating the image grade with the digital image; and

storing an association between the image grade and the digital image on the computer-readable medium.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving search criteria specifying a threshold grade; and

searching the computer-readable medium for digital images that have grades exceeding the threshold grade.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an image grade definable by input, the image grade specifying a level of quality for the digital image;

associating the image grade with the digital image; and

storing an association between the image grade and the digital image on the computer-readable medium.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving search criteria specifying a threshold grade; and

searching the computer-readable medium for digital images that have grades exceeding the threshold grade.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving one of a text file, audio file or video file; and

associating the text file, audio file, or video file with the digital image.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving search criteria specifying a particular calendar entry in the plurality of calendar entries; and

searching for digital images associated with the particular calendar entry.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting a link with the selected calendar entry, the link being configured to return any digital images associated with the selected calendar entry.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the selected calendar entry further includes a note field, the method further comprising:

receiving input specifying a topic; and

storing the input into the note field.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting the selected calendar entry on a display device, the calendar entry being presented in a calendar-centric representation including a presentation of;

the time interval, and

the digital image.

2. A computer-implemented method for digital image management, comprising:

receiving a digital image, the digital image being associated with a time stamp;

receiving input defining a first calendar entry comprising a first topic and a first time interval, the first time interval including the time stamp, wherein a rule specifies the first topic for the first calendar entry;

receiving input defining a second calendar entry comprising a second topic and a second time interval, the second time interval overlapping with the first time interval and including the time stamp;

comparing specificity of the first topic with second topic and overlap of the first time interval with the second time interval to designate a parent calendar entry, wherein the calendar entry is split absent complete overlap, the comparison based upon configurable rules, wherein the comparison is based on configurable rules, the rules including one or more of;

(a) if one calendar entry'"'"'s time interval is longer than and totally overlaps the other calendar entry'"'"'s time interval, the calendar entry having the longer time interval is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the calendar entry having the shorter time interval, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

(b) if neither calendar entry'"'"'s time interval lies completely within the other calendar entry'"'"'s time interval, then the shorter calendar entry is split into a third and fourth calendar entry, the third calendar entry being the part overlapping the longer calendar entry and the fourth being the part not overlapping the longer calendar entry, then the longer calendar entry is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the third calendar entry, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

(c) if the two time intervals are coextensive, then the calendar entry with a less specific topic is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the calendar entry with a more specific topic, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

or

(d) so long as the two topics do not both represent geographic locations, both calendar entries are associated with the image;

based upon the comparison, automatically selecting one of the calendar entries to associate with the digital image; and

storing an association between the selected calendar entry and the digital image on a computer-readable medium.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein:

each calendar entry further includes a note, the note including a classification for the topic represented by the calendar entry; and

the selecting is based on classifications of the topics represented by the calendar entries.

15. A computer-program product, tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium, for digital image management, the product comprising instructions to cause a processor to:

receive input defining a plurality of calendar entries, each calendar entry in the plurality of calendar entries comprising a respective topic and a respective time interval, wherein a rule specifies the respective topic for at least one calendar entry;

identify a digital image, the digital image being associated with a time stamp;

select a calendar entry in the plurality of calendar entries, the selected calendar entry having a time interval that includes the time stamp of the image, wherein calendar entry selection includes comparing overlap of the time interval to designate a parent calendar entry and comparing specificity of the topic, wherein the calendar entry is split absent complete overlaps the comparison is based on configurable rules, the rules including one or more of;

(a) if one calendar entry'"'"'s time interval is longer than and totally overlaps the other calendar entry'"'"'s time interval, the calendar entry having the longer time interval is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the calendar entry having the shorter time interval, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

(b) if neither calendar entry'"'"'s time interval lies completely within the other calendar entry'"'"'s time interval, then the shorter calendar entry is split into a third and fourth calendar entry, the third calendar entry being the part overlapping the longer calendar entry and the fourth being the part not overlapping the longer calendar entry, then the longer calendar entry is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the third calendar entry, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

(c) if the two time intervals are coextensive, then the calendar entry with a less specific topic is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the calendar entry with a more specific topic, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

or

(d) so long as the two topics do not both represent geographic locations, both calendar entries are associated with the image;

automatically associate the selected calendar entry with the digital image; and

displaying a presentation of the time interval and the digital image.

22. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein:

the storing of the association includes tagging the digital image with an identifier of the calendar entry.

23. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein:

the digital image is stored in a file that includes a metadata field;

the calendar entry includes a label; and

the tagging includes storing the label in the metadata field.

24. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein rules specify the topic of the calendar entry represents one of a person, a geographic location, a logical location and an object.

25. The computer program product of claim 15, the product further comprising instructions to cause a processor to:

receive an image grade definable by input, the image grade specifying a level of interest for the digital image;

associate the image grade with the digital image; and

store an association between the image grade and the digital image on the computer-readable medium.

26. The computer program product of claim 25, the product further comprising instructions to cause a processor to:

receive search criteria specifying a threshold grade; and

search the computer-readable medium for digital images that have grades exceeding the threshold grade.

27. The computer program product of claim 15, the product further comprising instructions to cause a processor to:

receive an image grade definable by input, the image grade specifying a level of quality for the digital image;

associate the image grade with the digital image; and

store an association between the image grade and the digital image on the computer-readable medium.

28. The computer program product of claim 27, the product further comprising instructions to cause a processor to:

receive search criteria specifying a threshold grade; and

search the computer-readable medium for digital images that have grades exceeding the threshold grade.

29. The computer program product of claim 15, the product further comprising instructions to cause a processor to:

receive one of a text file, audio file or video file; and

associate the text file, audio file, or video file with the digital image.

30. The computer program product of claim 15, the product further comprising instructions to cause a processor to:

receive search criteria specifying a particular calendar entry in the plurality of calendar entries; and

search for digital images associated with the particular calendar entry.

31. The computer program product of claim 15, the product further comprising instructions to cause a processor to:

present a link with the selected calendar entry, the link being configured to return any digital images associated with the selected calendar entry.

32. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the selected calendar entry further includes a note field, the product further comprising instructions to cause a processor to:

receive input specifying a topic; and

store the input into the note field.

33. The computer program product of claim 15, the product further comprising instructions to cause a processor to:

present the selected calendar entry on a display device, the calendar entry being presented in a calendar-centric representation including a presentation of;

the time interval, and

the digital image.

16. A system for digital image management comprising:

a processor for executing digital image management instructions;

means for receiving input defining a plurality of calendar entries, each calendar entry in the plurality of calendar entries comprising a respective topic and a respective time interval, wherein a rule specifies the respective topic for at least one calendar entry;

means for identifying a digital image, the digital image being associated with a time stamp;

means for selecting a calendar entry in the plurality of calendar entries, the selected calendar entry having a time interval that includes the time stamp of the image, wherein calendar entry selection includes comparing overlap of the time interval to designate a parent calendar entry and comparing specificity of the topic, wherein the calendar entry is split absent complete overlap, the comparison is based on configurable rules, the rules including one or more of;

(a) if one calendar entry'"'"'s time interval is longer than and totally overlaps the other calendar entry'"'"'s time interval, the calendar entry having the longer time interval is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the calendar entry having the shorter time interval, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

(b) if neither calendar entry'"'"'s time interval lies completely within the other calendar entry'"'"'s time interval, then the shorter calendar entry is split into a third and fourth calendar entry, the third calendar entry being the part overlapping the longer calendar entry and the fourth being the part not overlapping the longer calendar entry, then the longer calendar entry is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the third calendar entry, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

(c) if the two time intervals are coextensive, then the calendar entry with a less specific topic is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the calendar entry with a more specific topic, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

or

(d) so long as the two topics do not both represent geographic locations, both calendar entries are associated with the image;

means for automatically associating the selected calendar entry with the digital image; and

means for displaying a presentation of the time interval and the digital image.

34. The system of claim 16, wherein:

the storing of the association includes tagging the digital image with an identifier of the calendar entry.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein:

the digital image is stored in a file that includes a metadata field;

the calendar entry includes a label; and

the tagging includes storing the label in the metadata field.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein rules specify the topic of the calendar entry represents one of a person, a geographic location, a logical location and an object.

37. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for receiving an image grade definable by input, the image grade specifying a level of interest for the digital image;

means for associating the image grade with the digital image; and

means for storing an association between the image grade and the digital image on the computer-readable medium.

38. The system of claim 37, further comprising:

means for receiving search criteria specifying a threshold grade; and

means for searching the computer-readable medium for digital images that have grades exceeding the threshold grade.

39. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for receiving an image grade definable by input, the image grade specifying a level of quality for the digital image;

means for associating the image grade with the digital image; and

means for storing an association between the image grade and the digital image on the computer-readable medium.

40. The system of claim 39, further comprising:

means for receiving search criteria specifying a threshold grade; and

means for searching the computer-readable medium for digital images that have grades exceeding the threshold grade.

41. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for receiving one of a text file, audio file or video file; and

means for associating the text file, audio file, or video file with the digital image.

42. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for receiving search criteria specifying a particular calendar entry in the plurality of calendar entries; and

means for searching for digital images associated with the particular calendar entry.

43. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for presenting a link with the selected calendar entry, the link being configured to return any digital images associated with the selected calendar entry.

44. The system of claim 16, wherein the selected calendar entry further includes a note field, the system further comprising:

means for receiving input specifying a topic; and

means for storing the input into the note field.

45. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for presenting the selected calendar entry on a display device, the calendar entry being presented in a calendar-centric representation including a presentation of;

the time interval, and

the digital image.

18. A computer program product, encoded on a computer-readable medium, operable to cause data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:

receiving a digital image, the digital image being associated with a time stamp;

receiving input defining a first calendar entry comprising a first topic and a first time interval, the first time interval including the time stamp, wherein a rule specifies the first topic for the first calendar entry;

receiving input defining a second calendar entry comprising a second topic and a second time interval, the second time interval overlapping with the first time interval and including the time stamp;

comparing specificity of the first topic with second topic and overlap of the first time interval with the second time interval to designate a parent calendar entry, wherein the calendar entry is split absent complete overlap, the comparison based upon configurable rules, wherein the comparison is based on configurable rules, the rules including one or more of;

(a) if one calendar entry'"'"'s time interval is longer than and totally overlaps the other calendar entry'"'"'s time interval, the calendar entry having the longer time interval is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the calendar entry having the shorter time interval, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

(b) if neither calendar entry'"'"'s time interval lies completely within the other calendar entry'"'"'s time interval, then the shorter calendar entry is split into a third and fourth calendar entry, the third calendar entry being the part overlapping the longer calendar entry and the fourth being the part not overlapping the longer calendar entry, then the longer calendar entry is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the third calendar entry, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

(c) if the two time intervals are coextensive, then the calendar entry with a less specific topic is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the calendar entry with a more specific topic, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

or

(d) so long as the two topics do not both represent geographic locations, both calendar entries are associated with the image;

based upon the comparison, automatically selecting one of the calendar entries to associate with the digital image; and

storing an association between the selected calendar entry and the digital image on a computer-readable medium.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein:

each calendar entry further includes a note, the note including a classification for the topic represented by the calendar entry; and

the selecting is based on classifications of the topics represented by the calendar entries.

20. A system comprising:

a processor for executing instructions;

means for receiving a digital image, the digital image being associated with a time stamp;

means for receiving input defining a first calendar entry comprising a first topic and a first time interval, the first time interval including the time stamp, wherein a rule specifies the first topic for the first calendar entry;

means for receiving input defining a second calendar entry comprising a second topic and a second time interval, the second time interval overlapping with the first time interval and including the time stamp;

means for comparing specificity of the first topic with second topic and overlap of the first time interval with the second time interval to designate a parent calendar entry, wherein the calendar entry is split absent complete overlap, the comparison based upon configurable rules, wherein the comparison is based on configurable rules, the rules including one or more of;

(a) if one calendar entry'"'"'s time interval is longer than and totally overlaps the other calendar entry'"'"'s time interval, the calendar entry having the longer time interval is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the calendar entry having the shorter time interval, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

(b) if neither calendar entry'"'"'s time interval lies completely within the other calendar entry'"'"'s time interval, then the shorter calendar entry is split into a third and fourth calendar entry, the third calendar entry being the part overlapping the longer calendar entry and the fourth being the part not overlapping the longer calendar entry, then the longer calendar entry is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the third calendar entry, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

(c) if the two time intervals are coextensive, then the calendar entry with a less specific topic is designated to be a parent calendar entry of the calendar entry with a more specific topic, and the parent calendar entry is associated with the image;

or

(d) so long as the two topics do not both represent geographic locations, both calendar entries are associated with the image;

means for based upon the comparison, automatically selecting one of the calendar entries to associate with the digital image; and

a database for storing an association between the selected calendar entry and the digital image on a computer-readable medium.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein:

each calendar entry further includes a note, the note including a classification for the topic represented by the calendar entry; and

the selecting is based on classifications of the topics represented by the calendar entries.