US6504571B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and methods for querying digital image archives using recorded parameters
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1998-05-18
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Granted: 2003-01-07
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Expires: 2018-05-18
Abstract
Abstract System and methods for querying digital image archives containing digital photographs and/or videos (collectively, "digital images"). The digital images are indexed in accordance with a plurality of recorded parameters including time, date and geographic location data (altitude and longitude), as well as image data such as lens focal length, auto focus distance, shutter speed, exposure duration, aperture setting, frame number, image quality, flash status and light meter readings, which are used for searching a database consisting of the digital images. These images are preferably generated by an image capturing system which is capable of measuring and recording a plurality of parameters with each captured digital image. The image retrieval system allows a querying user to search the image archive by formulating one or more of a plurality of query types which are based on the recorded parameters, and then retrieve and display those images having the specified parameters.
Inventors
- 👤 Chandrasekhar Narayanaswami
- 👤 Edward Scott Kirkpatrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/50; G06F16/58; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3212; H04N2201/3214; H04N2201/3215; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3252; H04N2201/3253; H04N2201/3274
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A digital image retrieval system, comprising: an image database comprising a plurality of digital images, wherein the digital images are indexed in the database using a plurality of recorded parameters, and wherein each digital image comprises at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters; a user interface for generating at least one of a plurality of query types; a first query module for processing a first query type comprising an attribute that specifies at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters, wherein the first query module retrieves, from the image database, digital images having the at least one recorded parameter; and a second query module for processing a second query type comprising a request for photo navigation from a specified origin to a specified destination, wherein the second query module (i) retrieves, from a routing system, routing data corresponding to a route between the specified origin and destination, (ii) searches the image database for digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the routing data and (iii) generates, from the routing data, corresponding text directions comprising hyperlinked text that links to at least one image in the database associated with the hyperlinked text.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A digital image retrieval system, comprising: an image database comprising a plurality of digital images, wherein the digital images are indexed in the database using a plurality of recorded parameters, and wherein each digital image comprises at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters; a user interface for generating at least one of a plurality of query types; a first query module for processing a first query type comprising an attribute that specifies at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters, wherein the first query module retrieves, from the image database, digital images having the at least one recorded parameter; and a second query module for processing a second query type comprising a request for photo navigation from a specified origin to a specified destination, wherein the second query module (i) retrieves, from a routing system, routing data corresponding to a route between the specified origin and destination, (ii) searches the image database for digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the routing data and (iii) generates, from the routing data, corresponding text directions comprising hyperlinked text that links to at least one image in the database associated with the hyperlinked text.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the second query module comprises image rendering means for providing simulation of travel along at least a portion of the route using a plurality of digital images from the database.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a query mapping module for converting a query comprising at least one attribute that specifies a non-recorded parameter into a query comprising at least one attribute that specifies a recorded parameter corresponding to the non-recorded parameter, based on pre-defined conversion rules.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
139 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising: a region boundary database; a third query module for processing a third query type comprising a request for digital images corresponding to a specified geographic region, wherein the third query module (i) accesses the region boundary database to retrieve geographic boundary data associated with the specified geographic region and (ii) retrieves, from the image database, the digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the retrieved geographic boundary data; and a fourth query module for processing a fourth query type comprising a request for digital images corresponding to a geographic region or route that is marked on a displayed map, wherein the fourth query module retrieves, from the image database, digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to geographic data associated with the marked geographic region or route on the map.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising an image capturing device comprising means for generating the plurality of recorded parameters, means for generating the digital images having at least one of the recorded parameters, and means for downloading the digital images to the image database.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the plurality of recorded parameters used for indexing and searching the image database comprise geographic location, image mode, image quality, exposure duration, aperture length, light meter reading, flash status, lens focal length, auto focus distance, frame number, information transmitted from an object captured in a digital image, time of capture of a digital image, date of capture of a digital image, orientation of the image capturing device, and an identity of a creator of a digital image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a speech recognition system for processing voice queries.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising an image annotation module for annotating a digital image in the image database with additional parameters or keywords, wherein the digital images are further indexed in the database using the additional parameters or keywords.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for retrieving digital images from an image database, comprising the steps of: indexing digital images in the image database using a plurality of recorded parameters, wherein each digital image comprises at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters; generating a first query type comprising an attribute that specifies at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters; in response to the first query type, retrieving, from the image database, digital images having the at least one recorded parameter; generating a second query type comprising a request for photo navigation from a specified origin to a specified destination; and in response to the second query type, (i) retrieving routing data corresponding to a route between the specified origin and destination, (ii) searching the image database to locate digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the routing data and (iii) generating, from the routing data, corresponding text directions comprising hyperlinked text that links to at least one image in the database associated with the hyperlinked text.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for retrieving digital images from an image database, comprising the steps of: indexing digital images in the image database using a plurality of recorded parameters, wherein each digital image comprises at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters; generating a first query type comprising an attribute that specifies at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters; in response to the first query type, retrieving, from the image database, digital images having the at least one recorded parameter; generating a second query type comprising a request for photo navigation from a specified origin to a specified destination; and in response to the second query type, (i) retrieving routing data corresponding to a route between the specified origin and destination, (ii) searching the image database to locate digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the routing data and (iii) generating, from the routing data, corresponding text directions comprising hyperlinked text that links to at least one image in the database associated with the hyperlinked text.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of simulating travel along at least a portion of the route using a plurality of digital images from the database, in response to the second query type.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of converting a query comprising at least one attribute that specifies a non-recorded parameter into a query comprising at least one attribute that specifies a recorded parameter corresponding to the non-recorded parameter, based on pre-defined conversion rules.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
153 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising the steps of: generating a third query type comprising a request for digital images corresponding to a specified geographic region; in response to the third query type, (i) retrieving geographic boundary data associated with the specified geographic region and (ii) retrieving, from the image database, digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the retrieved geographic boundary data; generating a fourth query type comprising a request for digital images corresponding to a geographic region or route on a displayed map; and in response to the fourth query type, (i) displaying a map, (ii) marking a desired geographic region or route on the displayed map, (iii) obtaining geographic data associated with the marked geographic region or route, and (iv) retrieving, from the image database, digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the geographic data associated with the marked geographic region or route on the map.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of recorded parameters used for indexing and searching the image database comprise geographic location, image mode, image quality, exposure duration, aperture length, light meter reading, flash status, lens focal length, auto focus distance, frame number, information transmitted from an object captured in a digital image, time of capture of a digital image, date of capture of a digital image, orientation of the image capturing device, and an identity of a creator of a digital image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of annotating a digital image in the image database with additional parameters or keywords, wherein the digital images are further indexed in the database using the additional parameters or keywords.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
190 words
A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for retrieving digital images from an image database, the method comprising the steps of: indexing digital images in the image database using a plurality of recorded parameters, wherein each digital image comprises at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters; generating a first query type comprising an attribute that specifies at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters; in response to the first query type, retrieving, from the image database, digital images having the at least one recorded parameter; generating a second query type comprising a request for photo navigation from a specified origin to a specified destination; and in response to the second query type, (i) retrieving routing data corresponding to a route between the specified origin and destination, (ii) searching the image database to locate digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the routing data and (iii) generating, from the routing data, corresponding text directions comprising hyperlinked text that links to at least one image in the database associated with the hyperlinked text.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
190 words
A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for retrieving digital images from an image database, the method comprising the steps of: indexing digital images in the image database using a plurality of recorded parameters, wherein each digital image comprises at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters; generating a first query type comprising an attribute that specifies at least one of the plurality of recorded parameters; in response to the first query type, retrieving, from the image database, digital images having the at least one recorded parameter; generating a second query type comprising a request for photo navigation from a specified origin to a specified destination; and in response to the second query type, (i) retrieving routing data corresponding to a route between the specified origin and destination, (ii) searching the image database to locate digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the routing data and (iii) generating, from the routing data, corresponding text directions comprising hyperlinked text that links to at least one image in the database associated with the hyperlinked text.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The program storage device of claim 15 , further comprising instructions for performing the step of simulating travel along at least a portion of the route using a plurality of digital images from the database, in response to the second query type.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
The program storage device of claim 15 , further comprising instructions for performing the step of converting a query comprising at least one attribute that specifies a non-recorded parameter into a query comprising at least one attribute that specifies a recorded parameter corresponding to the non-recorded parameter, based on pre-defined conversion rules.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
158 words
The program storage device of claim 15 , further comprising instructions for performing the steps of: generating a third query type comprising a request for digital images corresponding to a specified geographic region; in response to the third query type, (i) retrieving geographic boundary data associated with the specified geographic region and (ii) retrieving, from the image database, digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the retrieved geographic boundary data; generating a fourth query type comprising a request for digital images corresponding to a geographic region or route on a displayed map; and in response to the fourth query type, (i) displaying a map, (ii) marking a desired geographic region or route on the displayed map, (iii) obtaining geographic data associated with the marked geographic region or route, and (iv) retrieving, from the image database, digital images having recorded parameters that correspond to the geographic data associated with the marked geographic region or route on the map.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
86 words
The program storage device of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of recorded parameters used for indexing and searching the image database comprise geographic location, image mode, image quality, exposure duration, aperture length, light meter reading, flash status, lens focal length, auto focus distance, frame number, information transmitted from an object captured in a digital image, time of capture of a digital image, date of capture of a digital image, orientation of the image capturing device, and an identity of a creator of a digital image.
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