System and method for searching digital images
AssigneeGetty Images, Inc.
InventorKelly Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for automatically analyzing and searching a database of digital content items includes a process for analyzing digital content items to identify portions capable of receiving text. In one implementation user input is received, where the user input helps construct a set of ordered values representing digital content item features desired by the user. The constructed set of ordered values is compared to sets of ordered values corresponding to digital content items in the database of digital content items, and digital content items are retrieved with sets of ordered values corresponding to the constructed set of ordered values.
Claims20
A method for selecting digital content items having desired features from multiple digital content items, the digital content items consisting of one or more still or moving digital images, the method comprising:
- a. processing each digital content item to identify contiguous areas of predetermined pixel variations, wherein:
- the identified contiguous areas represent desired features;
- and
- the desired features correspond to contiguous areas of pixel variations having portions thereof capable of receiving text or other displayable information without obscuring or distorting the text or other displayable information;
- b. assigning a numerical value to each such identified area to produce a set of ordered values for each digital content item;
- c. storing the set of ordered values for each digital content item;
- d. receiving a user specified set of ordered values corresponding to features desired by the user;
- e. comparing the user specified set of ordered values to the stored values;
- and
- f. retrieving one or more digital content items having a set of ordered values matching the set of user specified ordered values.
A tangible computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer select digital content items having desired features from multiple digital content items, comprising:
- a. processing each digital content item to identify contiguous areas of predetermined pixel variations, wherein:
- the digital content items comprise one or more still or moving digital images,
- the identified contiguous areas represent desired features, and
- the desired features correspond to contiguous areas of pixel variations having portions thereof capable of receiving text or other displayable information without obscuring or distorting the text or other displayable information;
- b. assigning a numerical value to each such identified area to produce a set of ordered values for each digital content item;
- c. storing the set of ordered values for each digital content item;
- d. receiving a user specified set of ordered values corresponding to features desired by the user;
- e. comparing the user specified set of ordered values to the stored values;
- and
- f. retrieving one or more digital content items having a set of ordered values matching the set of user specified ordered values.
A system for selecting digital content items having desired features from multiple digital content items, the digital content items consisting of one or more still or moving digital images, comprising:
- means for processing each digital content item to identify contiguous areas of predetermined pixel variations, wherein:
- the identified contiguous areas represent desired features;
- and
- the desired features correspond to contiguous areas of pixel variations having portions thereof capable of receiving text or other displayable information without obscuring or distorting the text or other displayable information;
- means for assigning a numerical value to each such identified area to produce a set of ordered values for each digital content item;
- means for storing the set of ordered values for each digital content item;
- means for receiving a user specified set of ordered values corresponding to features desired by the user;
- means for comparing the user specified set of ordered values to the stored values;
- and
- means for retrieving one or more digital content items having a set of ordered values matching the set of user specified ordered values.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.