US 6,950,989 B2 · Timeline-based graphical user interface for efficient image database browsing and retrieval

Abstract

A multi-layer graphical user interface (GUI) using metadata, provides for timeline metaphoric representations (100A, 100B, 200A, 200B, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900) of pictures in a digital picture database. Icons (104A, 106B, 204A, 208B, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904) representing the points of time by which all of the pictures are categorized are sized according to the relative number of corresponding pictures. The most general view is in the form of a timeline (102A, 102B, 202A, 206B, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902) using either years or decades (when the pictures were taken) as the measuring units. Views linked to the general view further refine the general view with icons (104A, 106B, 204A, 208B, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904) proportionately sized according to the number of pictures corresponding to the categorization represented by the particular icon. The aforementioned further refining views further categorize the pictures according to, for example, month, day of the week, time of day, identified events, and identified people in the pictures.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A graphical user interface adapted to browse and retrieve pictures stored in a digital image database, said graphical user interface comprises:

a metadata decoder adapted to decode metadata stored in digital image files;
a first display level constructed with the aid of decoded metadata, said first display level comprising a first metaphor representing the span of time over which pictures stored in said database were captured, and a plurality of first icons placed on said first metaphor representing predefined temporal intervals, said first icons being proportionately sized to correspond to the number of pictures captured during a predefined temporal interval;
and
at least a second display level constructed with the aid of decoded metadata and linked to said first display level and triggered by activating one of said first icons, said second display level comprising a second metaphor, and second icons placed on said second metaphor for grouping the pictures represented by the activated first icon, said second icons being proportionately sized to correspond to the number of pictures captured for each grouping.

1 more element

A method of producing a graphical user interface (GUI) adapted to browse and retrieve pictures stored in a digital image database, said method comprising the steps of:

decoding metadata stored in digital image files;
providing a first GUI level constructed with the aid of decoded metadata, said first GUI level comprising a first metaphor representing the span of time over which pictures stored in said database were captured, and a plurality of first icons placed on said first metaphor representing predefined temporal intervals, said first icons being proportionately sized to correspond to the number of pictures captured during a predefined temporal interval;
and
providing at least a second GUI level constructed with the aid of decoded metadata, linked to said first GUI level and triggered by activating one of said first icons, said second GUI level comprising a second metaphor, and second icons placed on said second metaphor for grouping the pictures represented by the activated first icon, said second icons being proportionately sized to correspond to the number of pictures captured for each grouping.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Timeline-based graphical user interface for efficient image database browsing and retrieval

Life of this patent

Timeline-based graphical user interface for efficient image database browsing and retrieval

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32