US6862038B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Efficient image categorization
Assignee: IPAC SUB
•
Filing: 2000-02-11
•
Granted: 2005-03-01
•
Expires: 2020-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A method for efficiently categorizing images on a computer system is disclosed. A series of related images that are to be categorized are ordered by time of capture, and category levels for input of category information by a user are displayed. The category levels include a highest-category level and a lowest-category level, where the highest-category level has a low frequency of data change between the series of related images, and the lowest-category level has a high frequency of data change between the series of images. A first image is then categorized by allowing the user to enter highest-category level data and lowest-category level data. A next image in the series is then categorized by leaving the highest-category level data unchanged, and automatically selecting the lowest-category level data for reentry by the user, thereby eliminating the need for the user to reenter the highest-category level data.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric C. Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:09
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B27/00; G11B27/10; G11B27/102; G11B27/105; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/50; G06F16/58; G06F16/587
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for efficiently categorizing images on a computer system, comprising the steps of: (a) ordering a series of related images that are to be categorized by time of capture; (b) displaying category levels for input of category information by a user, wherein the category levels include a highest-category level and a lowest-category level, the highest-category level having a low frequency of data change between the series of related images, and the lowest-category level having a high frequency of data change between the series of related images, wherein any intermediate category levels have medium frequency of data change between the series of related image; (c) categorizing a first image by allowing the user to enter highest-category level data and lowest-category level data, and as the user enters data, comparing the data with previous entries, and when a match is found, automatically entering the previous entry to thereby reduce inconsistent terminology; (d) categorizing a next image in the series by leaving the highest-category level data unchanged, and automatically selecting the lowest-category level data for reentry by the user, thereby eliminating the need for the user to reenter the highest-category level data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for efficiently categorizing images on a computer system, comprising the steps of: (a) ordering a series of related images that are to be categorized by time of capture; (b) displaying category levels for input of category information by a user, wherein the category levels include a highest-category level and a lowest-category level, the highest-category level having a low frequency of data change between the series of related images, and the lowest-category level having a high frequency of data change between the series of related images, wherein any intermediate category levels have medium frequency of data change between the series of related image; (c) categorizing a first image by allowing the user to enter highest-category level data and lowest-category level data, and as the user enters data, comparing the data with previous entries, and when a match is found, automatically entering the previous entry to thereby reduce inconsistent terminology; (d) categorizing a next image in the series by leaving the highest-category level data unchanged, and automatically selecting the lowest-category level data for reentry by the user, thereby eliminating the need for the user to reenter the highest-category level data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) further includes the step of: (i) comparing date and time differences between the first image and the next image to automatically detect a category change from the first image to the next image; and (ii) if a category change is detected, automatically selecting an appropriate category level for reentry by the user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 wherein step (b) further includes the step of: (ii) displaying a thumbnail of the current image being categorized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
194 words
A computer readable medium containing program instructions for efficiently categorizing images on a computer system, the instructions for: (a) ordering a series of related images that are to be categorized by time of capture; (b) displaying category levels for input of category information by a user, wherein the category levels include a highest-category level and a lowest-category level, the highest-category level having a low frequency of data change between the series of related images, and the lowest-category level having a high frequency of data change between the series of related images, wherein any intermediate category levels have medium frequency of data change between the series of related images; (c) categorizing a first image by allowing the user to enter highest-category level data and lowest-category level data, and as the user enters data, comparing the data with previous entries, and when a match is found, automatically entering the previous entry to thereby reduce inconsistent terminology; (d) categorizing a next image in the series by leaving the highest-category level data unchanged, and automatically selecting the lowest-category level data for reentry by the user, thereby eliminating the need for the user to reenter the highest-category level data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
194 words
A computer readable medium containing program instructions for efficiently categorizing images on a computer system, the instructions for: (a) ordering a series of related images that are to be categorized by time of capture; (b) displaying category levels for input of category information by a user, wherein the category levels include a highest-category level and a lowest-category level, the highest-category level having a low frequency of data change between the series of related images, and the lowest-category level having a high frequency of data change between the series of related images, wherein any intermediate category levels have medium frequency of data change between the series of related images; (c) categorizing a first image by allowing the user to enter highest-category level data and lowest-category level data, and as the user enters data, comparing the data with previous entries, and when a match is found, automatically entering the previous entry to thereby reduce inconsistent terminology; (d) categorizing a next image in the series by leaving the highest-category level data unchanged, and automatically selecting the lowest-category level data for reentry by the user, thereby eliminating the need for the user to reenter the highest-category level data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 4 wherein step (d) further includes the step of: (i) comparing date and time differences between the first image and the next image to automatically detect a category change from the first image to the next image; and (ii) if a category change is detected, automatically selecting an appropriate category level for reentry by the user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer readable medium of claim 5 wherein instruction (b) further includes the instruction of: (ii) displaying a thumbnail of the current image being categorized.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5796428A
Cited
US5845166A
Cited
US5940121A
Cited
US6335742B1
Cited
US6462778B1
Cited
US6603489B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-02-29 | 2008-08-30 | 2009-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-02-29 | 2012-08-30 | 2013-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-02-29 | 2016-08-30 | 2017-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |