Multimedia file management in which specialized icons can be created for different file types

• US 5,680,558 A
• Filed: 12/06/1994
• Issued: 10/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Hatori, Kenji, Takahashi, Fumiaki, Aizawa, Takashi, Takiguchi, Hideo, Hatanaka, Koji, Mamiya, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Loomis, John C.
• Application Number:
  US08/354,113
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 364/514, 395/154, 395/155, 395/159, 395/161, 395/600, 395/604, 395/326, 395/333, 395/334
• US Class Current: 715/838
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34

Abstract

There are disclosed a method and system for managing a file that allows an operator to easily select, specify, and manage a multimedia file (including audio data, text, still image, moving image, etc.) via a display screen. The type of a file is identified. If the file is an audio data file, then an icon is generated with an image representing an amplitude waveform or a frequency distribution waveform of the audio data, or, the icon is generated with an image including a color or a pattern preassigned to the frequency distribution or both. If the file is a text file, then an icon is generated with an image representing an arbitrary area of an arbitrary page of the text file. If the file is a still image file, then an icon is generated with an image obtained by reducing an arbitrary area of the still image. If the file is a moving image file, then an icon is generated with an image obtained by reducing an arbitrary area of an arbitrary scene of the moving image.

Claims

1. A multimedia file management method of managing a multimedia file including audio data, said method comprising:

an input step of inputting a multimedia file;

an identifying step of identifying a type of the multimedia file input in said input step as an audio data file, a text data file, or an image data file from identification information stored in the multimedia file;

a characteristic feature extraction step of, when the type of the multimedia file has been identified as an audio data file, extracting a part of said audio data according to an instruction issued by an operator; and

a display step of displaying said extracted part of the audio data as an icon related to said multimedia file.

2. A multimedia file management method according to claim 1, wherein the icon is represented by an amplitude waveform, a sound pressure waveform, or a frequency distribution waveform of said extracted part of the audio data.

3. A multimedia file management method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the icon is represented by a color or brightness corresponding to an amplitude, a frequency, or a distribution density of said extracted part of the audio data.

4. A multimedia file management method according to claim 3, wherein a multimedia name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

5. A multimedia file management method according to claim 4, wherein complementary image data is added to said extracted part of audio data so that the icon has a predetermined form.

6. A multimedia file management method according to claim 3, wherein complementary image data is added to said extracted part of audio data so that the icon has a predetermined form.

7. A multimedia file management method according to claim 2, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

8. A multimedia file management method according to claim 7, wherein complementary image data is added to said extracted part of audio data so that the icon has a predetermined form.

9. A multimedia file management method according to claim 2, wherein complementary image data is added to said extracted part of audio data so that the icon has a predetermined form.

10. A multimedia file management method according to claim 1, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

11. A multimedia file management method according to claim 10, wherein complementary image data is added to said extracted part of audio data so that the icon has a predetermined form.

12. A multimedia file management method according to claim 1, wherein complementary image data is added to said extracted part of audio data so that the icon has a predetermined form.

13. A multimedia file management system for managing a multimedia file including audio data, said system comprising:

input means for inputting a multimedia file;

identifying means for identifying a type of the multimedia file input by said input means as an audio data file, a text data file, or an image data file from identification information stored in the multimedia file;

characteristic feature extraction means for, when the type of the multimedia file has been identified as an audio data file, extracting a part of said audio data according to an instruction issued by an operator;

icon generating means for generating an icon related to said multimedia file, said icon including said extracted part of audio data;

icon management means for managing the icon generated by said icon generating means;

display means for displaying the icon managed by said icon management means; and

selection means for selecting an arbitrary multimedia file via an icon displayed on said display means.

14. A multimedia file management system according to claim 13, wherein the icon is represented by an amplitude waveform, a sound pressure waveform, or a frequency distribution waveform of said extracted part of the audio data.

15. A multimedia file management system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the icon is represented by a color or brightness corresponding to an amplitude, a frequency, or a distribution density of said extracted part of audio data.

16. A multimedia file management system according to claim 15, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

17. A multimedia file management system according to claim 16, wherein complementary image data is added to said extracted part of audio data so that the icon has a predetermined form.

18. A multimedia file management system according to claim 15, wherein complementary image data is added to said extracted part of audio data so that the icon has a predetermined form.

19. A multimedia file management system according to claim 14, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

20. A multimedia file management system according to claim 19, wherein complementary image data is added to said extracted part of audio data so that the icon has a predetermined form.

21. A multimedia file management system according to claim 14, wherein complementary image data is added to said extracted part of audio data so that the icon has a predetermined form.

22. A multimedia file management system according to claim 13, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

23. A multimedia file management system according to claim 22, wherein complementary image data is added to said extracted part of audio data so that the icon has a predetermined form.

24. A multimedia file management system according to claim 13, wherein complementary image data is added to said extracted part of audio data so that the icon has a predetermined form.

25. A multimedia file management method of managing various data in the form of a multimedia file, said method comprising:

an input step of inputting a multimedia file;

an identifying step of identifying a type of the multimedia file input in said input step as an audio data file, a text data file, or an image data file from identification information stored in the multimedia file;

a step in which, when the type of the multimedia file has been identified as an audio data file in said identifying step, a part of audio data displayed on display means is extracted and an icon is generated from the extract part of audio data;

a step in which, when the type of the multimedia file has been identified as a text data file in said identifying step, a part of text data displayed on display means is extracted and an icon is generated from the extracted part of text data; and

a step in which, when the type of the multimedia file has been identified as an image data file in said identifying step, a part of image data displayed on display means is extracted and an icon is generated from the extracted part of image data.

26. A multimedia file management method according to claim 25, further comprising a step in which when the type of a file has been identified as a moving image data file in said identifying step, a part of moving image data displayed on display means is extracted and an icon is generated from the extracted part of moving image data.

27. A multimedia file management system according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the icon is represented by an amplitude waveform, a sound pressure waveform, or a frequency distribution waveform of said extracted part of the audio data.

28. A multimedia file management system according to claim 27, wherein the icon is represented by a color or brightness corresponding to an amplitude, a frequency, or a distribution density of said extracted part of audio data.

29. A multimedia file management system according to claim 28, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

30. A multimedia file management system according to claim 27, wherein a file name or a title of the file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

31. A multimedia file management system according to claim 26, wherein the icon is represented by a color or brightness corresponding to an amplitude, a frequency, or a distribution density of said extracted part of audio data.

32. A multimedia file management system according to claim 31, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

33. A multimedia file management system according to claim 26, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

34. A multimedia file management system according to claim 25, wherein the icon is represented by a color or brightness corresponding to an amplitude, a frequency, or a distribution density of said extracted part of audio data.

35. A multimedia file management system according to claim 34, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

36. A multimedia file management system according to claim 25, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

37. A multimedia file management system of managing various data in the form of a multimedia file, said system comprising:

input means for inputting a multimedia file;

identifying means for identifying a type of the multimedia file input by said input means as an audio data file, a text data file, or an image data file from identification information stored in the multimedia file;

means that, when the type of the multimedia file has been identified as an audio data file by said identifying means, extracts a part of audio data displayed on display means, and generates an icon from the extracted part of audio data;

means that, when the type of the multimedia file has been identified as a text data file by said identifying means, extracts a part of text data displayed on display means and generates an icon from the extract part of text data; and

means that, when the type of the multimedia file has been identified as an image data multimedia file by said identifying means, extracts a part of image data displayed on display means and generates an icon from the extracted part of image data.

38. A multimedia file management method according to claim 37, further comprising means that, when the type of a multimedia file has been identified as a moving image data file by said identifying means, extracts a part of moving image data displayed on display means and generates an icon from the extracted part of moving image data.

39. A multimedia file management system according to claim 37 or 38, wherein the icon is represented by an amplitude waveform, a sound pressure waveform, or a frequency distribution waveform of said extracted part of the audio data.

40. A multimedia file management system according to claim 39, wherein the icon is represented by a color or brightness corresponding to an amplitude, a frequency, or a distribution density of said extracted part of the audio data.

41. A multimedia file management system according to claim 40, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

42. A multimedia file management system according to claim 39, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

43. A multimedia file management system according to claim 38, wherein the icon is represented by a color or brightness corresponding to an amplitude, a frequency, or a distribution density of said extracted part of the audio data.

44. A multimedia file management system according to claim 43, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

45. A multimedia file management system according to claim 38, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

46. A multimedia file management system according to claim 37, wherein the icon is represented by a color or brightness corresponding to an amplitude, a frequency, or a distribution density of said extracted part of the audio data.

47. A multimedia file management system according to claim 46, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.

48. A multimedia file management system according to claim 37, wherein a multimedia file name or a title of the multimedia file related to the icon in a one-to-one fashion is displayed together with the icon.