US7130864B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system for accessing a collection of images in a database
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 2001-10-31
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Granted: 2006-10-31
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Expires: 2021-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and system are disclosed for accessing a collection of images in a database. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each of the images is sorted into one of a plurality of time-based clusters. A weighted quality metric is used to assign to each image a quality number as a function of an image analysis heuristic. A representative image is automatically selected from each time-based cluster based on the quality number.
Inventors
- 👤 Qian Lin
- 👤 Ullas Gargi
- 👤 Hojohn Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/50; G06F16/58; G06F16/587; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99942; Y10S707/99943; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99948
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for accessing a collection of images in a database, comprising the steps of: sorting each of the images into one of a plurality of time-based clusters; using a weighted quality metric to assign to each image a quality number as a function of an image analysis heuristic, the quality number being based on at least contextual information relating to usage history of the image; and automatically selecting a representative image from each time-based cluster based on the quality number.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for accessing a collection of images in a database, comprising the steps of: sorting each of the images into one of a plurality of time-based clusters; using a weighted quality metric to assign to each image a quality number as a function of an image analysis heuristic, the quality number being based on at least contextual information relating to usage history of the image; and automatically selecting a representative image from each time-based cluster based on the quality number.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , comprising the steps of: maintaining a contextual information database for the images; and accessing the contextual information database to determine the quality number for each image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the contextual information database stores at least one attribute of image use for each of the images.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of accessing comprises the steps of: updating the contextual information database when at least one attribute of image use changes for at least one of the images; updating the weighted quality metric corresponding to the at least one of the images using the updated contextual information database; and updating the quality number for the at least one of the images using the updated weighted quality metric.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting comprises the steps of: selecting a time scale within which to view the images; automatically selecting the representative image from each time-based cluster associated with the selected time scale; and displaying the representative image within the selected time scale.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of displaying comprises the step of: hierarchically ordering each representative image of each time-based cluster within the selected time scale based on at least one of time and the quality number.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for accessing a collection of images in a database, comprising: a memory that stores the steps of a computer program to: sort each of the images into one of a plurality of time-based clusters, use a weighted quality metric to assign to each image a quality number as a function of an image analysis heuristic and contextual information relating to usage history of the image, and automatically select a representative image from each time-based cluster based on the quality number; and a processor for accessing the memory to execute the computer program.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for accessing a collection of images in a database, comprising: a memory that stores the steps of a computer program to: sort each of the images into one of a plurality of time-based clusters, use a weighted quality metric to assign to each image a quality number as a function of an image analysis heuristic and contextual information relating to usage history of the image, and automatically select a representative image from each time-based cluster based on the quality number; and a processor for accessing the memory to execute the computer program.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the memory stores steps of a computer program to: select a time scale within which to view the images; automatically select the representative image from each time-based cluster associated with the selected time scale; and display the representative image within the selected time scale.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein the memory stores steps of a computer program to: hierarchically order each representative image of each time-based cluster within the selected time scale based on at least one of time and the quality number.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the memory stores steps of a computer program to: maintain a contextual information database for the images; and access the contextual information database to determine the quality number for each image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the contextual information database stores at least one attribute of image use for each of the images.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the memory stores steps of a computer program to: update the contextual information database when at least one attribute of image use changes for at least one of the images; update the weighted quality metric corresponding to the at least one of the images using the updated contextual information database; and update the quality number for the at least one of the images using the updated weighted quality metric.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
A computer-readable medium containing a computer program that performs the steps of: sorting each of the images into one of a plurality of time-based clusters; using a weighted quality metric to assign to each image a quality number as a function of an image analysis heuristic, the quality number being based on contextual information relating to usage history of the image; and automatically selecting a representative image from each time-based cluster based on the quality number.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
A computer-readable medium containing a computer program that performs the steps of: sorting each of the images into one of a plurality of time-based clusters; using a weighted quality metric to assign to each image a quality number as a function of an image analysis heuristic, the quality number being based on contextual information relating to usage history of the image; and automatically selecting a representative image from each time-based cluster based on the quality number.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the computer program performs the steps of: selecting a time scale within which to view the images; automatically selecting the representative image from each time-based cluster associated with the selected time scale; and displaying the representative image within the selected time scale.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein the computer program performs the step of: hierarchically ordering each representative image of each time-based cluster within the selected time scale based on at least one of time and the quality number.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 13 , wherein the computer program performs the steps of: maintaining a contextual information database for the images; and accessing the contextual information database to determine the quality number for each image.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the contextual information database stores at least one attribute of image use for each of the images.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
75 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the computer program performs the steps of: updating the contextual information database when at least one attribute of image use changes for at least one of the images; updating the weighted quality metric corresponding to the at least one of the images using the updated contextual information database; and updating the quality number for the at least one of the images using the updated weighted quality metric.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-10-30 | 2010-05-01 | 2010-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-10-30 | 2014-05-01 | 2014-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-10-30 | 2018-05-01 | 2018-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |