Use of image similarity in annotating groups of visual images in a collection of visual images

Claim 3

A method as in claim 1 , wherein the image representation of at least one group of visual images is a representative visual image selected from the group of visual images.

Claim 4

A method as in claim 2 , wherein the step of determining similarity comprises the step of producing a process-response statistical model of the representative visual image for each of the at least one groups of visual images.

Claim 5

A method as in claim 2 , further comprising the step of ascertaining the one or more image characteristics for one or more representative visual images.

Claim 6

A method as in claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying an image representation comprises the step of determining, for each of the at least one groups of visual images, an average process-response statistical model for visual images of the group of visual images.

Claim 7

A method as in claim 1 , wherein the step of annotating groups of visual images comprises the step of assigning each group of visual images to one of a plurality of groups of groups of visual images, based on the similarity of the image representation for that group to one or more other image representations.

Claim 8

A method as in claim 1 , wherein the collection of visual images comprises a visual recording.

Claim 9

A method as in claim 7 , wherein the groups of visual images comprise scenes in the visual recording.

Claim 10

A method as in claim 8 , wherein the step of annotating groups of visual images comprises the step of assigning each scene to one of a plurality of groups of scenes, based on the similarity of the image representation for that scene to one or more other image representations.

Claim 11

A method as in claim 9 , wherein the step of assigning each scene comprises the step of assigning each scene to one of a plurality of chapters for placement on a DVD.

Claim 12

Apparatus for annotating a plurality of groups of visual images in a collection of visual images, the apparatus having computational capability operable to: identify an image representation for each of the plurality of groups of visual images, wherein the image representation of at least one group of visual images is an average of one or more image characteristics for visual images of the group of visual images; determine the similarity of each of the image representations to one or more other image representations for the plurality of groups of visual images; and annotate the plurality of groups of visual images based on the similarity of each image representation to the one or more other image representations.

Claim 13

Apparatus for annotating a plurality of groups of visual images in a collection of visual images, the apparatus having computational capability operable to: identify an image representation for each of the plurality of groups of visual images, wherein the image representation of at least one group of visual images is an average of one or more image characteristics for visual images of the group of visual images; determine the similarity of each of the image representations to one or more other image representations for the plurality of groups of visual images; and annotate the plurality of groups of visual images based on the similarity of each image representation to the one or more other image representations.

Claim 14

Apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein the apparatus has a primary purpose of recording and/or playing back visual images.

Claim 15

Apparatus as in claim 12 , wherein the apparatus comprises a DVD recorder or player.

Claim 16

Apparatus as in claim 12 , wherein the apparatus comprises a personal video recorder.

Claim 17

Apparatus as in claim 12 , wherein the apparatus comprises a visual recording camera.

Claim 18

Apparatus as in claim 12 , wherein the apparatus comprises a still visual image camera.

Claim 19

Apparatus as in claim 12 , wherein the apparatus comprises a personal media recorder or player.

Claim 20

Apparatus as in claim 12 , wherein the apparatus comprises a mini-lab or kiosk.

Claim 21

A computer readable storage medium or media encoded with one or more computer programs and/or data structures for use by apparatus having computational capability in performing functions that enable annotating a plurality of groups of visual images in a collection of visual images, comprising: computer code for identifying an image representation for each of the plurality of groups of visual images, wherein the image representation of at least one group of visual images is an average of one or more image characteristics for visual images of the group of visual images; computer code for determining the similarity of each of the image representations to one or more other image representations for the plurality of groups of visual images; and computer code for annotating the plurality of groups of visual images based on the similarity of each image representation to the one or more other image representations.

Claim 22

A computer readable storage medium or media encoded with one or more computer programs and/or data structures for use by apparatus having computational capability in performing functions that enable annotating a plurality of groups of visual images in a collection of visual images, comprising: computer code for identifying an image representation for each of the plurality of groups of visual images, wherein the image representation of at least one group of visual images is an average of one or more image characteristics for visual images of the group of visual images; computer code for determining the similarity of each of the image representations to one or more other image representations for the plurality of groups of visual images; and computer code for annotating the plurality of groups of visual images based on the similarity of each image representation to the one or more other image representations.

Claim 23

A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 19 , wherein the image representation of at least one group of visual images is a representative visual image selected from the group of visual images.

Claim 24

A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 20 , wherein the computer code for determining similarity comprises computer code for producing a process-response statistical model of the representative visual image for each of the at least one groups of visual images.

Claim 25

A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 19 , further comprising computer code for ascertaining the one or more image characteristics for one or more representative visual images.

Claim 26

A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 19 , wherein the computer code for identifying an image representation comprises computer code for determining, for each of the at least one groups of visual images, an average process-response statistical model for visual images of the group of visual images.

Claim 27

A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 19 , wherein the computer code for annotating groups of visual images comprises computer code for assigning each group of visual images to one of a plurality of groups of groups of visual images, based on the similarity of the image representation for that group to one or more other image representations.

Claim 28

A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 19 , wherein the collection of visual images comprises a visual recording.

Claim 29

A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 25 , wherein the groups of visual images comprise scenes in the visual recording.

Claim 30

A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 26 , wherein the computer code for annotating groups of visual images comprises computer code for assigning each scene to one of a plurality of groups of scenes, based on the similarity of the image representation for that scene to one or more other image representations.

Claim 31

A computer readable storage medium or media as in claim 27 , wherein the computer code for assigning each scene comprises computer code for assigning each scene to one of a plurality of chapters for placement on a DVD.

Claim 32

Apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein the image representation of at least one group of visual images is a representative visual image selected from the group of visual images.

Claim 33

Apparatus as in claim 29 , wherein determining similarity comprises producing a process-response statistical model of the representative visual image for each of the at least one groups of visual images.

Claim 34

Apparatus as in claim 11 , having computational capability further operable to ascertain the one or more image characteristics for one or more representative visual images.

Claim 35

Apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein identifying an image representation comprises determining, for each of the at least one groups of visual images, an average process-response statistical model for visual images of the group of visual images.

Claim 36

Apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein annotating groups of visual images comprises assigning each group of visual images to one of a plurality of groups of groups of visual images, based on the similarity of the image representation for that group to one or more other image representations.

Claim 37

Apparatus as in claim 11 , wherein the collection of visual images comprises a visual recording.

Claim 38

Apparatus as in claim 34 , wherein the groups of visual images comprise scenes in the visual recording.

Claim 39

Apparatus as in claim 35 , wherein annotating groups of visual images comprises assigning each scene to one of a plurality of groups of scenes, based on the similarity of the image representation for that scene to one or more other image representations.

Claim 40

Apparatus as in claim 36 , wherein assigning each scene comprises assigning each scene to one of a plurality of chapters for placement on a DVD.