US5680558A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multimedia file management in which specialized icons can be created for different file types
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1994-12-06
•
Granted: 1997-10-21
•
Expires: 2014-12-06
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Koji Hatanaka
- 👤 Hideo Takiguchi
- 👤 Takashi Aizawa
- 👤 Fumiaki Takahashi
- 👤 Akira Mamiya
- 👤 Kenji Hatori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:04
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04817; G06F16/00; G06F16/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
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.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
158 words
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.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
158 words
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.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
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.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
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.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
204 words
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.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
204 words
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.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
59 words
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.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
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.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
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.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
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.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
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.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
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.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
191 words
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.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
191 words
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.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
56 words
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.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
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.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
37 words
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.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
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.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
37 words
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.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPH01120598A
Cited
JPH0311482A
Cited
JPH03127269A
Cited
US5367626A
Cited
US5321800A
Cited
US5136655A
Cited
US5257349A
Cited
JPH05108774A
Cited
US5448375A
Cited
US5467288A
Cited
US5414808A
Cited
JP3011482U
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-10-20 | 2001-04-21 | 2001-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-20 | 2005-04-21 | 2005-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-20 | 2009-04-21 | 2009-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |