Method and apparatus for photograph finding
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
- collecting digital image data comprising a plurality of discrete photographic images in digital form;
collecting source information for each of the plurality of discrete photographic images;
analyzing the digital image data to assign descriptions of objects appearing in each of the plurality of discrete photographic images;
providing the digital image data for storage in a database in association with the source information and the assigned descriptions of objects appearing in the images;
receiving requests to search the digital image data, wherein the requests comprise search criteria specifying descriptions of objects; and
serving responses to the requests, the responses comprising identifiers for discrete photographic images in the database at least partially matching the search criteria.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Digital image data including discrete photographic images of a variety of different subjects, times, and so forth, are collected and analyzed to identify specific features in the photographs. In an embodiment of the invention, distinctive markers are distributed to aid in the identification of particular subject matter. Facial recognition may also be employed. The digital image data is maintained in a database and quarried in response to search requests. The search requests include criteria specifying any feature category or other identifying information, such as date, time, and location that each photograph was taken, associated with each photograph. Candidate images are provided for review by requesters, who may select desired images for purchase or downloading.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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collecting digital image data comprising a plurality of discrete photographic images in digital form; collecting source information for each of the plurality of discrete photographic images; analyzing the digital image data to assign descriptions of objects appearing in each of the plurality of discrete photographic images; providing the digital image data for storage in a database in association with the source information and the assigned descriptions of objects appearing in the images; receiving requests to search the digital image data, wherein the requests comprise search criteria specifying descriptions of objects; and serving responses to the requests, the responses comprising identifiers for discrete photographic images in the database at least partially matching the search criteria. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system, comprising:
a server having a memory holding an application, wherein the application is configured for; collecting digital image data comprising a plurality of discrete photographic images in digital form; collecting source information for each of the plurality of discrete photographic images; analyzing the digital image data to assign descriptions of objects appearing in each of the plurality of discrete photographic images; providing the digital image data for storage in a database in association with the source information and the assigned descriptions of objects appearing in the images; receiving requests to search the digital image data, wherein the requests comprise search criteria specifying descriptions of objects; and serving responses to the requests, the responses comprising identifiers for discrete photographic images in the database at least partially matching the search criteria. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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analyzing digital image data associated with a plurality of photographic images to identify feature information present in respective photographic images; providing the digital image data for storage in a data structure in association with the respective identified feature information; receiving requests to access the digital image data, wherein the requests comprise search criteria corresponding to categories of the feature information; providing responses to the requests, the responses comprising identifiers for discrete photographic images in the data structure at least partially matching the search criteria. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A system, comprising:
a server having a memory holding an application, wherein the application is configured to; analyze digital image data associated with a plurality of photographic images to identify feature information present in respective photographic images; provide the digital image data for storage in a data storage in association with the respective identified feature information; receive requests to access the digital image data, wherein the requests comprise search criteria corresponding to categories of the feature information; provide responses to the requests, the responses comprising identifiers for discrete photographic images in the data storage at least partially matching the search criteria. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. An article of manufacture including a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a computing system, cause the computing system to perform operations comprising:
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collecting digital image data comprising a plurality of discrete photographic images in digital form; collecting source information for each of the plurality of discrete photographic images; analyzing the digital image data to assign descriptions of objects appearing in each of the plurality of discrete photographic images; providing the digital image data for storage in a data storage in association with the source information and the assigned descriptions of objects appearing in the images; receiving requests to search the digital image data, wherein the requests comprise search criteria specifying descriptions of objects; and serving responses to the requests, the responses comprising identifiers for discrete photographic images in the database at least partially matching the search criteria. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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41. An article of manufacture including a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a computing system, cause the computing system to perform operations comprising:
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analyzing digital image data associated with a plurality of photographic images to identify feature information present in respective photographic images; providing the digital image data for storage in a data structure in association with the respective identified feature information; receiving requests to access the digital image data, wherein the requests comprise search criteria corresponding to categories of the feature information; providing responses to the requests, the responses comprising identifiers for discrete photographic images in the data structure at least partially matching the search criteria.
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Specification