Classification and retrieval of digital photo assets

• US 7,702,186 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2006
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kaboodle, Inc. (The Hearst Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kaboodle, Inc. (The Hearst Corporation)
• Inventors: Chandra, Manish
• Primary Examiner(s): Kassa; Yosef
• Application Number:
  US11/377,088
• Time in Patent Office: 1,497 Days
• Field of Search: 382/165, 382/278, 382/305, 707/3, 707/6
• 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

Abstract

A digital image manager classifies digital images such as digital photographs for efficient retrieval. The digital image manager assigns a when value, a where value, a who value and a why value to digital images. Much of the value assignment process is automated to make digital image management easy for the user. The digital image manager classifies the digital images according to the assigned property values. The user subsequently enter search requests for digital images meeting desired criteria. The digital image manager uses the assigned values to locate and retrieve digital images that satisfy the user'"'"'s request.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for classifying and retrieving digital images, the method comprising the steps of:

assigning, by a computer, values to at least a when property, a where property, a who property and a why property for at least some of a plurality of digital images;

receiving, by a computer, a search request for digital images meeting specific criteria;

searching, by a computer, the plurality of digital images for digital images with property values that meet the specific criteria; and

providing, by a computer, located digital images with property values that meet the specific criteria responsive to the search request.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein assigning, by a computer, a value to the when property for a digital image further comprises:

automatically assigning, by a computer, a date on which the digital image was created.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

displaying, by a computer, the automatically assigned when value to a user;

receiving, by a computer, a change to the automatically assigned when value from the user; and

updating, by a computer, the when value responsive to the received change.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein assigning, by a computer, a value to the where property for a digital image further comprises:

prompting, by a computer, a user to enter the where value;

receiving, by a computer, the entered where value from the user; and

assigning, by a computer, the received where value to the digital image.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

automatically assigning, by a computer, the received where value to a plurality of additional digital images which are logically associated with the digital image for which the user entered the where value.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

displaying, by a computer, the automatically assigned where value to a user;

receiving, by a computer, a change to the automatically assigned where value from the user for at least one of the additional digital images; and

updating, by a computer, the where value of the at least one of the additional digital images responsive to the received change.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein assigning, by a computer, a value to the who property for a digital image further comprises:

prompting, by a computer, a user to enter the who value;

receiving, by a computer, the entered who value from the user; and

assigning, by a computer, the received who value to the digital image.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

automatically assigning, by a computer, the received who value to a plurality of additional digital images which are logically associated with the digital image for which the user entered the who value.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

displaying, by a computer, the automatically assigned who value to a user;

receiving, by a computer, a change to the automatically assigned who value from the user for at least one of the additional digital images; and

updating, by a computer, the who value of the at least one of the additional digital images responsive to the received change.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein assigning, by a computer, a value to the why property for a digital image further comprises:

prompting, by a computer, a user to enter the why value;

receiving, by a computer, the entered why value from the user; and

assigning, by a computer, the received why value to the digital image.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

automatically assigning, by a computer, the received why value to a plurality of additional digital images which are logically associated with the digital image for which the user entered the why value.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

displaying, by a computer, the automatically assigned why value to a user;

receiving, by a computer, a change to the automatically assigned why value from the user for at least one of the additional digital images; and

updating, by a computer, the why value of the at least one of the additional digital images responsive to the received change.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving, by a computer, a search request for digital images meeting specific criteria further comprises:

receiving, by a computer, a search request for digital images with a specific value for at least one property from a group of properties consisting of a when property, a where property, a who property and a why property.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving, by a computer, a search request for digital images meeting specific criteria further comprises:

receiving, by a computer, a search request for digital images with any of a group of values for at least one property from a group of properties consisting of a when property, a where property, a who property and a why property.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving, by a computer, a search request for digital images meeting specific criteria further comprises:

receiving, by a computer, a search request for digital images with a set of values created by combining at least two values with at least one Boolean operator, for at least one property from a group of properties consisting of a when property, a where property, a who property and a why property.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving, by a computer, a search request for digital images meeting specific criteria further comprises:

receiving, by a computer, a search request for digital images with a value within a range of dates for the when property.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving, by a computer, a search request for digital images based on at least one specified keyword;

automatically mapping, by a computer, the at least one specified keyword to at least one value for at least one property from a group of properties consisting of a when property, a where property, a who property and a why property; and

searching, by a computer, the plurality of digital images for digital images with the at least one mapped value.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

assigning, by a computer, a value to at least one additional property for at least some of a plurality of digital images;

receiving, by a computer, a search request for digital images meeting specific criteria concerning at least the at least one additional property; and

searching, by a computer, the plurality of digital images for digital images with property values that meet the specific criteria.

19. At least one computer readable medium containing a computer program product for classifying and retrieving digital images, the computer program product comprising:

program code for assigning values to at least a when property, a where property, a who property and a why property for at least some of a plurality of digital images;

program code for receiving a search request for digital images meeting specific criteria;

program code for searching the plurality of digital images for digital images with property values that meet the specific criteria; and

program code for providing located digital images with property values that meet the specific criteria responsive to the search request.

20. A computer system for classifying and retrieving digital images, the computer system comprising:

a software portion configured to assign values to at least a when property, a where property, a who property and a why property for at least some of a plurality of digital images;

a software portion configured to receive a search request for digital images meeting specific criteria;

a software portion configured to search the plurality of digital images for digital images with property values that meet the specific criteria; and

a software portion configured to provide located digital images with property values that meet the specific criteria responsive to the search request.