US6883146B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Picture database graphical user interface utilizing map-based metaphors for efficient browsing and retrieving of pictures
Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures LLC
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Filing: 2000-12-20
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Granted: 2005-04-19
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Expires: 2020-12-20
Abstract
Abstract In contrast to prior art picture database browsing and retrieving methods which require the tedious opening and perusing of directories, folders and files, the present-inventive graphical user interface system ( 500 ) and method produces several display levels ( 100,200,300,400 ) of user-friendly geographical/map metaphors from picture metadata with picture icons ( 116, 216, 316 ) representing pictures captured at locations on maps. The characteristics of the display levels ( 100, 200, 300, 400 ) are programmable by the user. In the preferred embodiment, the size of the picture icons ( 116, 216, 316 ) is proportional to the number of pictures captured at the icon location. Further features of the present-inventive graphical user interface (GUI) include a “tool tip” which appears indicating the number of pictures represented by a picture icon ( 116, 216, 316 ), when the screen cursor is placed over the picture icon ( 116, 216, 316 ). In an example according to the present-inventive GUI, the first display level ( 100 ) includes a world map metaphor ( 114 ) with picture icons ( 116 ) located at the global capture locations of the pictures in the picture database. Each additional display level ( 200, 300, 400 ) provides greater geographic specificity of the picture capture locations. Such additional display levels include continent or country of capture ( 200 ), state or territory of capture ( 300 ), and city or town of capture ( 400 ), etc., with the last display level including thumbnail representations ( 430-448 ) of the pictures captured at the specified capture locations.
Inventors
- 👤 Prasad V. Prabhu
- 👤 Douglas B. Beaudet
- 👤 Elizabeth Rosenzweig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F16/00; G06F16/50; G06F16/58; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/961; Y10S715/965; Y10S715/966; Y10S715/968
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
278 words
A method for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database via a graphical user interface (GUI), said method comprising the steps of: capturing a digital image; receiving position information in the form of metadata corresponding to a geographical location where said digital image is captured; storing digital images and associated metadata in said picture database; generating a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; generating at least a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said second geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and generating an additional display level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said second display level, wherein said second display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said main display level, and wherein the additional display level is generated by activating a picture icon in the second display level a picture icon in said main display level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
278 words
A method for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database via a graphical user interface (GUI), said method comprising the steps of: capturing a digital image; receiving position information in the form of metadata corresponding to a geographical location where said digital image is captured; storing digital images and associated metadata in said picture database; generating a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; generating at least a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said second geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and generating an additional display level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said second display level, wherein said second display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said main display level, and wherein the additional display level is generated by activating a picture icon in the second display level a picture icon in said main display level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method in claim 1 , wherein the relative size of said picture icons is proportional to the number of pictures captured at the locations on the geographical metaphor where said picture icons are placed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method in claim 1 , wherein the geographic specificity of each display level is configurable by a user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method in claim 1 , wherein said metadata further comprises temporal capture information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method in claim 4 , wherein the temporal specificity of each display level is configurable by a user.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
374 words
A method for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database via a graphical user interface (GUl), said method comprising the steps of: capturing a digital image; receiving position information in the form of metadata corresponding to a geographical location where said digital image is captured; storing digital images and associated metadata in said picture database; generating a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; generating at least a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said second geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and generating a third display level linked to said second display level, said third display level having a third geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said second geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said second geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the third geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and generating an additional display level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said third display level, wherein said third display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said main display level, said third display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said second display level, and wherein the additional display level is generated by activating a picture icon in third display level.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
374 words
A method for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database via a graphical user interface (GUl), said method comprising the steps of: capturing a digital image; receiving position information in the form of metadata corresponding to a geographical location where said digital image is captured; storing digital images and associated metadata in said picture database; generating a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; generating at least a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said second geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and generating a third display level linked to said second display level, said third display level having a third geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said second geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said second geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the third geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and generating an additional display level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said third display level, wherein said third display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said main display level, said third display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said second display level, and wherein the additional display level is generated by activating a picture icon in third display level.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
478 words
A method for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database via a graphical user interface (GUI), said method comprising the steps of: capturing a digital image; receiving position information in the form of metadata corresponding to a geographical location where said digital image is captured; storing digital images and associated metadata in said picture database; generating a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; generating at least a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said second geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; generating a third display level linked to said second display level, said third display level having a third geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said second geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said third geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the third geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; generating a fourth display level linked to said third display level, said fourth display level having a fourth geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said third geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said second geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the fourth geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and generating an additional display level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said third display level, wherein said second display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said main display level, said third display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said second display level, said fourth display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said third display level, and wherein the additional display level is generated by activating a picture icon in the fourth display level.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
478 words
A method for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database via a graphical user interface (GUI), said method comprising the steps of: capturing a digital image; receiving position information in the form of metadata corresponding to a geographical location where said digital image is captured; storing digital images and associated metadata in said picture database; generating a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; generating at least a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said second geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; generating a third display level linked to said second display level, said third display level having a third geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said second geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said third geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the third geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; generating a fourth display level linked to said third display level, said fourth display level having a fourth geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said third geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said second geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the fourth geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and generating an additional display level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said third display level, wherein said second display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said main display level, said third display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said second display level, said fourth display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said third display level, and wherein the additional display level is generated by activating a picture icon in the fourth display level.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
588 words
A method for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database via a graphical user interface (GUI), said method comprising the steps of: generating a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a second display generator adapted to generate a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a third display level generator adapted to generate a third display level linked to said second display level, said third display level having a third geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said second geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said third geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the third geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a fourth display generator adapted to generate a fourth display level linked to said third display level, said fourth display level having a fourth geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said third display level having a fourth geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said second geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said fourth geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the third geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a fifth display generator adapted to generate a fifth display level linked to said fourth display level, said fifth display level having a fifth geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said fourth geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said fifth geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the fourth geograophical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and an additional level generator adapted to generate an additional display level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said fifth display level; wherein said second display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said main display level, said third display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said second display level, said fourth display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said third display level, said fifth display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said fourth display level, and wherein the additional display level is generated by activating a picture icon in the fifth display level.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
588 words
A method for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database via a graphical user interface (GUI), said method comprising the steps of: generating a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a second display generator adapted to generate a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a third display level generator adapted to generate a third display level linked to said second display level, said third display level having a third geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said second geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said third geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the third geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a fourth display generator adapted to generate a fourth display level linked to said third display level, said fourth display level having a fourth geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said third display level having a fourth geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said second geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said fourth geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each said picture icon positioned within the environment of the third geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a fifth display generator adapted to generate a fifth display level linked to said fourth display level, said fifth display level having a fifth geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said fourth geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said fifth geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the fourth geograophical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and an additional level generator adapted to generate an additional display level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said fifth display level; wherein said second display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said main display level, said third display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said second display level, said fourth display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said third display level, said fifth display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said fourth display level, and wherein the additional display level is generated by activating a picture icon in the fifth display level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method in claim 1 , wherein said first geographical metaphor is a world map.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method in claim 1 , wherein said first geographical metaphor is a world map, and said second geographical metaphor is a continent map.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method in claim 1 , wherein said first geographical metaphor is a world map, and said second geographical metaphor is a country map.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method in claim 6 , wherein said first geographical metaphor is a world map, said second geographical metaphor is a continent/country map, and said third geographical metaphor is a state/territory map.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method in claim 7 , wherein said first geographical metaphor is a world map, said second geographical metaphor is a continent/country map, said third geographical metaphor is a state/territory map, and said fourth geographical metaphor is a city/town map.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
266 words
A graphical user interface (GUI) system adapted for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database, said system comprising: a memory adapted to store digital images and associated metadata corresponding to capture location in said picture database; a main display level generator adapted to generate a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a second display generator adapted to generate a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and an additional display level generator adapted to an additional display level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said second display level; wherein said second display generator is triggered via activating a picture icon in said main display level, and wherein the additional display level is generated by activating a picture icon in the second display level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
266 words
A graphical user interface (GUI) system adapted for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database, said system comprising: a memory adapted to store digital images and associated metadata corresponding to capture location in said picture database; a main display level generator adapted to generate a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a second display generator adapted to generate a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and an additional display level generator adapted to an additional display level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said second display level; wherein said second display generator is triggered via activating a picture icon in said main display level, and wherein the additional display level is generated by activating a picture icon in the second display level.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system in claim 14 , wherein the relative size of said picture icons is proportional to the number of pictures captured at the locations on the geographical metaphor where said picture icons are placed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system in claim 14 , wherein the geographic specificity of each display level is configurable by a user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system claim 14 , wherein said metadata further comprises temporal capture information.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system in claim 17 , wherein the temporal specificity of each display level is configurable by a user.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
377 words
A graphical user interface (GUI) system adapted for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database, said system comprising: a memory adapted to store digital images and associated metadata corresponding to capture location in said picture database; a main display level generator adapted to generate a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a second display level generator adapted to generate a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a third display level generator adapted to generate a third display level linked to said second display level, said third display level having a third geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said second geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said third geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the third geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and an additional display level generator adapted to an additional display level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said third display level; wherein said second display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said main display level, said third display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said second display level, and wherein the additional display level is generated by activating a picture icon in the third display level.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
377 words
A graphical user interface (GUI) system adapted for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database, said system comprising: a memory adapted to store digital images and associated metadata corresponding to capture location in said picture database; a main display level generator adapted to generate a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a second display level generator adapted to generate a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a third display level generator adapted to generate a third display level linked to said second display level, said third display level having a third geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said second geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said third geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the third geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and an additional display level generator adapted to an additional display level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said third display level; wherein said second display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said main display level, said third display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said second display level, and wherein the additional display level is generated by activating a picture icon in the third display level.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
484 words
A graphical user interface (GUI) system adapted for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database, said system comprising: a memory adapted to store digital images and associated metadata corresponding to capture location in said picture database; a main display level generator adapted to generate a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a second display generator adapted to generate a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a third display level generator adapted to generate a third display level linked to said second display level, said third display level having a third geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said second geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said third geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the third geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a fourth display generator adapted to generate a fourth display level linked to said third display level, said fourth display level having a fourth geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said third geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said third geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the third geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and an additional level generator adapted to generate an additional level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said fourth display level; wherein said second display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said main display level, said third display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said second display level, said fourth display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said third display level, and wherein the additional display level is generated by activating a picture icon in the fourth display level.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
484 words
A graphical user interface (GUI) system adapted for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database, said system comprising: a memory adapted to store digital images and associated metadata corresponding to capture location in said picture database; a main display level generator adapted to generate a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a second display generator adapted to generate a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a third display level generator adapted to generate a third display level linked to said second display level, said third display level having a third geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said second geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said third geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the third geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a fourth display generator adapted to generate a fourth display level linked to said third display level, said fourth display level having a fourth geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said third geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said third geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the third geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and an additional level generator adapted to generate an additional level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said fourth display level; wherein said second display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said main display level, said third display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said second display level, said fourth display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said third display level, and wherein the additional display level is generated by activating a picture icon in the fourth display level.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
547 words
A graphical user interface (GUI) system adapted for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database, said system comprising: a memory adapted to store digital images and associated metadata corresponding to capture location in said picture database: a main display level generator adapted to generate a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a second display generator adapted to generate a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a third display level generator adapted to generated a third display level linked to said second display level, said third display level having a third geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said second geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said third geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and a fourth display generator adapted to generated a fourth display level linked to said third display level, said fourth display level having a fourth geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said third geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said fourth geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the fourth geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a fifth display generator adapted to generated a fifth display level linked to said fourth display level, said fifth display level having a fifth geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said fourth geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon corresponding to a specific location in said fifth geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and an additional level generator adapted to generated an additional level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said fifth display level; wherein said second display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said main display level, said third display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said second display level, said fourth display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said third display level, said fifth display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said fourth display level.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
547 words
A graphical user interface (GUI) system adapted for browsing and retrieving pictures in a picture database, said system comprising: a memory adapted to store digital images and associated metadata corresponding to capture location in said picture database: a main display level generator adapted to generate a main display level having a first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the first geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a second display generator adapted to generate a second display level linked to said main display level, said second display level having a second geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said first geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said first geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured; and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a third display level generator adapted to generated a third display level linked to said second display level, said third display level having a third geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said second geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said third geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the second geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; and a fourth display generator adapted to generated a fourth display level linked to said third display level, said fourth display level having a fourth geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said third geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon indicating a specific location in said fourth geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and each picture icon positioned within the environment of the fourth geographical metaphor at a location that corresponds to the specific location at which the group of pictures was captured; a fifth display generator adapted to generated a fifth display level linked to said fourth display level, said fifth display level having a fifth geographical metaphor with greater geographical specificity than said fourth geographical metaphor with picture icons, each said picture icon corresponding to a specific location in said fifth geographical metaphor at which a group of pictures in said picture database was captured, and an additional level generator adapted to generated an additional level comprising digital representations of the pictures corresponding to icons in said fifth display level; wherein said second display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said main display level, said third display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said second display level, said fourth display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said third display level, said fifth display level is generated via activating a picture icon in said fourth display level.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system in claim 14 , wherein said first geographical metaphor is a world map.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system in claim 14 , wherein said first geographical metaphor is a world map, and said second geographical metaphor is a continent map.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system in claim 14 , wherein said first geographical metaphor is a world map, and said second geographical metaphor is a country map.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system in claim 19 , wherein said first geographical metaphor is a world map, said second geographical metaphor is a continent/country map, and said third geographical metaphor is a state/territory map.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system in claim 20 , wherein said first geographical metaphor is a world map, said second geographical metaphor is a continent/country map, said third geographical metaphor is a state/territory map, and said fourth geographical metaphor is a city/town map.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-04-18 | 2008-10-18 | 2009-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-04-18 | 2012-10-18 | 2013-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-04-18 | 2016-10-18 | 2017-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |