Method and apparatus for archiving and visualizing digital images
US7970240B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F16/54
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer based, digital image management system that visually presents an entire archive in a manner that facilitates easy, non-textual, searching for specific images. The system consists of two main elements; a file management methodology, and a graphical user interface. The file management method utilizes reference files that contain multiple properties (metadata) relating to each image file. Image files are grouped into a multiplicity of collections based on user-defined associations of the properties. The graphical user interface visually represents the groups of image files on 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional graphic metaphors. In addition, the graphical interface uses multiple display variables such as icons, mnemonics, size, movement, color, and luminance to signify relationships between groups, and/or communicate key properties of individual or groups of images.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.