Interactive image storage, indexing and retrieval system

• US 6,408,301 B1
• Filed: 02/23/1999
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Ashe, Philip R., Patton, David L., Manico, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HOMERE, JEAN RAYMOND
• Application Number:
  US09/256,652
• Time in Patent Office: 1,211 Days
• Field of Search: 707/102, 707/3, 707/5, 707/512, 707/104, 355/27, 434/317
• US Class Current: 707/741
• 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: G11B 2220/218 Write-once discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/61 wherein solid state memory is used for storing A/V content storing computer data in solid state memories G06F
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/65 wherein solid state memory is used for storing indexing information or metadata
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/002 Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/28 by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording G11B27/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/329 on a disc [VTOC]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/915 Image
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

An image storage, indexing and retrieval system is disclosed in which a plurality of images are storable in digital form (on a writeable DVD), each with an associated information file, the associated information file including metadata which has been automatically captured and stored and/or input by a user. Metadata is automatically captured via the camera. The user can also input metadata via the camera at the time of image capture, or via a player/recorder system and its various interfaces when the captured images are added to an interactive database stored in random access memory. The user may designate one or more elements of the metadata of the associated information file as an image link for each of the image files, and further the user may specify more than one image links for each of the image files. All of the images having a common image link form a group of images, and the user can determine a sequence of display of all of the digital image files any group. An index is created of all of the image links associated with any of the image files and this index is communicated to the user. The user can, via a selected image link, retrieve the group of images having that associated image link with such group of images being retrieved in the sequence predetermined by the user. The sequence can be preset either at the time the user stores the group in the interactive database, or during subsequent editing of the group of images associated with the selected image link. The index can be communicated audibly or by visual display.

Claims

1. An image storage, indexing and retrieval system comprising:

(a) at least one image storable in digital form as an image file;

(b) an information file associated with each of said at least one image file, said information file including metadata related to a subject of said at least one image file which has been input by a user;

(c) interface means for allowing a user to designate at least one element of the metadata of the associated information file as an image link for each of said at least one image file;

(d) an interactive database for storing said at least one image and said information file associated therewith therein; and

(e) an index communicating all of said image links to the user, said image links allowing the user to retrieve any of said at least one image files having a selected image link.

2. An image storage, indexing and retrieval system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a camera for capturing said at least one image in digital form.

3. An image storage, indexing and retrieval system comprising:

(a) a plurality of images storable in digital form, each as an image file;

(b) an information file associated with each of said image files, said information file including metadata which has been automatically captured and stored and/or input by a user;

(c) interface means for allowing a user to designate at least one element of the metadata of the associated information file as an image link for each of said image files, and further allowing a user to specify more than one of said image links for each of said image files said interface means further allowing the user to determine an automatic sequence of display of said image files for each of said image links;

(d) an interactive database for storing said image files and said information files associated therewith therein; and

(e) an index communicating all of said image links to the user, said image links allowing the user to retrieve any of said image files having a selected image link.

4. An image storage, indexing and retrieval system as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

a camera for capturing said plurality of images in digital form.

8. A method as recited in claim 4 further comprising the step of:

retrieving all of the digital image files associated with the selected image link.

9. A method as recited in claim 8 further comprising the step of:

displaying all of the digital image files associated with the selected image link.

10. A method as recited in claim 8 further comprising the step of:

electronically transmitting all of the digital image files associated with the selected image link.

11. A method as recited in claim 8 further comprising the step of:

printing all of the digital image files associated with the selected image link.

12. A method as recited in claim 4 further comprising the step of:

allowing the user to add additional digital image files and the information files associated therewith to the database.

13. A method as recited in claim 12 further comprising the step of:

allowing the user to designate at least one element of the associated information file as an image link for each of the additional digital image files wherein more than one image link can be designated for each of the additional digital image files.

14. A method as recited in claim 4 further comprising the step of:

adding additional digital image files and the information files associated therewith to the database.

15. A method as recited in claim 14 further comprising the step of:

designating at least one element of the associated information file as an image link for each of the additional digital image files wherein more than one image link can be designated for each of the additional digital image files.

16. A method as recited in claim 8 where in:

said retrieving step is performed using tactile actuation.

17. A method as recited in claim 8 wherein:

said retrieving step is performed using voice actuation.

18. A method as recited in claim 8 wherein:

said retrieving step is performed by remote actuation.

19. A method as recited in claim 4 wherein:

said communicating step is performed by displaying the index visually.

20. A method as recited in claim 4 wherein:

said communicating step is performed by communicating the index orally.

5. A method for image storage, indexing and retrieval comprising the steps of:

(a) storing a plurality of images, each as a digital image file;

(b) associating an information file with each of the digital image files, each information file including automatically captured and stored metadata and/or metadata input by a user,

(c) allowing the user to designate at least one element of the associated information file as an image link for each of the digital image files wherein more than one image link can be designated for each of the digital image files;

(d) allowing the user to determine an automatic sequence of display of the digital images associated with a user selected image link;

(e) communicating an index of all of the image links to the user; and

(f) allowing the user to retrieve all of the digital image files associated with the user selected image link.

6. A method as recited in claim 5 further comprising the step of:

creating a database comprised of the digital image files and the information files associated therewith.

7. A method as recited in claim 6 further comprising the step of:

allowing the user to edit any of the information files.

21. A method for image storage, indexing and retrieval as recited in claim 5, further comprising the step of:

capturing said plurality of images in digital form.

22. A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the step of:

allowing the user to create at least one image link for each of the digital image files using metadata input by the user.

23. A method for image storage, indexing and retrieval comprising the steps of:

(a) storing a plurality of images, each as a digital image file in random accessible memory;

(b) associating an information file with each of the digital image files, each information file including automatically captured and stored metadata and/or metadata input by a user,

(c) allowing the user to designate at least one element of the associated information file as an image link for each of the digital image files wherein more than one image link can be designated for each of the digital image files;

(d) allowing the user to determine an automatic sequence of display of the digital images associated with a user selected image link;

(e) creating a master index directory of all of the image links and storing the master index directory in random access memory;

(f) communicating the master index directory of all of the image links to the user; and

(g) allowing the user to retrieve all of the digital image files associated with the user selected image link from the random accessible memory.

24. A method as recited in claim 23 further comprising the step of:

capturing a plurality of images.

25. A method as recited in claim 24 wherein:

the plurality of images are captured digitally.

26. A method of image storage, indexing and retrieval as recited in claim 23, further comprising the step of:

capturing said plurality of images in digital form.