(12) United States Patent
`Salvador
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,859,543 B2
`Dec. 28, 2010
`
`US007859.543B2
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`(54) DISPLAYING IMAGES
`
`(75) Inventor: Richard H. Salvador, Hawthorne, CA
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 929 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/478,761
`(22) Filed:
`Jun. 29, 2006
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`Jan. 3, 2008
`
`2002/0032696 A1* 3/2002 Takiguchi et al. ........ 7O7/5OO1
`2002fOO69218 A1* 6, 2002 Sull et al. .........
`... TO7,501.1
`2003/0095.197 A1* 5/2003 Wheeler et al. ............. 348,241
`2003/0154190 A1* 8, 2003 Misawa et al. ................. 707/1
`2005/012.5454 A1* 6/2005 Hung ............
`... 707,104.1
`2006/0129933 A1* 6/2006 Land et al. .................. 71.5/723
`2006, O146075 A1* 7, 2006 Weiss et al. ...
`... 345,660
`2008.0007788 A1
`1/2008 Good et al. ................. 358,302
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`JEITA CP-3451. “Exchangeable image file format for digital still
`cameras: Exif Version 2.2”. Standard of Japan Electronics and Infor
`mation Technology Industries Association, Apr. 2002.*
`Flickr, “Popular Tags on Flickr Photo Sharing” printed Sep. 27, 2006,
`http://www.flickr.com/photoStags, pp. 1-2.
`“Aperture
`Manual,
`Apple
`Computer,
`Inc.
`Technical
`Getting
`Started”
`2006,
`http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/
`Aperture Getting Started.
`US 2008/OOO5771 A1
`pdfisearch=%22%22Introducing%20Aperture%20%22%20%2
`B%22Learning%20About%20the%20Aperture%20Interface
`(51) Int. Cl.
`%22%22, pp. 1-222.
`(2006.01)
`G09G 5/00
`* cited by examiner
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................ 345/581: 715/765; 382/100
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................. 395/326,
`Primary Examiner—Andrew WJohns
`395/606,348; 38.2/100, 181, 189, 190, 195,
`Assistant Examiner Tahmina Ansari
`382/209, 220, 224, 227, 282,305, 112113,
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Hickman Palermo Truong &
`382/128, 130-132,141, 254. 255, 307, 309,
`Becker LLP
`382/311, 232; 715/205, 723, 762, 764,765,
`715/766, 767, 768,769, 770, 771, 772, 773,
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`715/774, 775, 776, 777,778, 779, 780,781,
`715/782, 783,784; 725/105: 707/3, 6; 34.5/156,
`Displaying an image is described. A method for displaying an
`345/30: 354/410
`image includes determining, for each of multiple images,
`See application file for complete search history.
`metric associated with the image. The multiple images are
`displayed in a view in which each of the multiple images is
`References Cited
`associated with at least one visually perceivable attribute that
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`reflects at least the determined metric. The attributes that
`M
`reflect the metrics are logically independent of the metrics. In
`6,097,389 A * 8/2000 Morris et al. ............... T15,804
`one implementation, the metric relates to a significance value
`6,311, 180 B1* 10/2001 Fogarty ......................... 707/4
`associated with the image. In one implementation, the visu
`6,362.900 B1
`3/2002 Squilla et al. ............. 358,442
`ally perceivable attribute relates to a size with which the
`6,476,858 B1 * 1 1/2002 Ramirez Diaz et al. ..... 348.159
`E. R
`S. New - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SS multiple images are displayed in relation to each other.
`7,095,907 B1 * 8/2006 Berkner et al. .............. 382,298
`7,400,761 B2 * 7/2008 Ma et al. .................... 382,162
`
`(56)
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`52 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
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`Metadata 513
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`Metric 511
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`Metadata 503
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`Storage 591
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`Stored image
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`Image Retrieval
`576
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`Display550
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`Display-Image
`506
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`Display
`-Image
`56
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`SO6
`Associations
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`500
`Novel Image Display
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`Display-Images are Readily
`Distinguishable with a
`Visually Perceivable Attribute
`(e.g., Size)
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 28, 2010
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`Sheet 1 of 12
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`10 Method for Displaying an Image
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`
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`Determine at least one Metric Associated with each of Multiple Images
`11
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`Display Multiple Images in View with each Image Associated with at least
`one Visually Perceivable Attribute that Reflects (but is Logically
`Independent of) the Metric 12
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`Fig. 1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 28, 2010
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`Sheet 2 of 12
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`20 Method for Displaying Electronically Stored Images
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`For each of Multiple Images, Determine at Least One Metric
`Associated with the Image that Corresponds to a
`Significance Rating Associated with the Image 21
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`Display the Multiple Images in a View in which each Image is
`Associated with at Least One Visually Perceivable Attribute
`that is Logically Independent of the Metric and Reflects the
`Metric and Allows each of the Multiple Images to be
`Distinguishable from each other of the Multiple Images 22
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`Fig. 2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 28, 2010
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`Sheet 3 of 12
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`30 Method for Displaying Electronically Stored Images
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`Array each Image of Multiple Electronically Stored Images in a Display with
`each of the Other Multiple Images 31
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`Determine for each of the Multiple Images at least one Metric Associated
`with each of the Multiple Images that Corresponds to a Significance Rating
`Associated with each of the Multiple Images 32
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`Arrange the Display so that each of the Multiple Electronically Stored Images is
`Displayed in a View in which each Image is Shown with at least one Visually
`Perceivable Attribute that is Logically Independent of the Metric and Reflects
`the Metric to Allow each of the Images to be Distinguishable from each other in
`the View Based on the Visually Perceivable Attribute 33
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`Fig. 3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 28, 2010
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`Sheet 4 of 12
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`MemoryWeb Ex. 2101
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 28, 2010
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`Sheet 5 of 12
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`Suo?epoossy
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`Dec. 28, 2010
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`Sheet 6 of 12
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`879
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 28, 2010
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`Sheet 7 of 12
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`US 7,859,543 B2
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`Dec. 28, 2010
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`Sheet 8 of 12
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`Display 801
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`Metric Weight
`Selector
`823
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`825 Cursor
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`Visible
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`(e.g., size)
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`Fig. 8A
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`(Metric
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`Metric Weight
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`825 Cursor
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`Visible
`Attribute
`(e.g., size)
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`Fig. 8B
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 28, 2010
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`Sheet 9 of 12
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`(Metric
`8B)
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`844
`Visible
`Attribute
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`transparency)
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`Metric Weight
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`Display 801
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`Metric Weight
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`Attribute
`(e.g.,
`transparency)
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`Fig. 8D
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 7,859,543 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 28, 2010
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`Sheet 11 of 12
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`Select Metric upon User input or Use Default Metric
`81
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`Select Visible Attribute upon User input or Use Default
`Attribute 82
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`Arrange Display Images ACCording to Metric &
`Attribute Settings or Use Default Arrangement 83
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`Fig. 8F
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 28, 2010
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`Sheet 12 of 12
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`US 7,859,543 B2
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`1.
`DISPLAYING MAGES
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to visually presented infor
`mation. More particularly, embodiments of the present inven
`tion relate to methods for displaying an image.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`10
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`2
`The display-images of all of the photographs in a particular
`collection may be displayed together on the monitor, if the
`collection is Small enough and the monitor is large enough. In
`this context, 'Small enough” means that the cumulative reso
`lution of the display-images of the photographs in the collec
`tion does not exceed the resolution of the display screen.
`Image management applications have been developed for
`digital image management on computers. Such applications
`provide convenient and powerful image processing, storage,
`and production capabilities. Image management applications
`can utilize the great power, speed and capacity that are avail
`able with the processing, memory, and storage components
`on modern computer platforms, as well as the high display
`qualities of graphics hardware, Software, interfaces and
`monitors.
`Modern image management applications allow computers
`to process “information content associated with photo
`graphs and other images. The information content associated
`with a digital image may include metadata about the image, as
`well as data that describes the pixels of which the image is
`formed. The metadata can include, for example, text and
`keywords for an image's caption, version enumeration, file
`names, file sizes, image sizes (e.g., as normally rendered upon
`display), resolution and opacity at various sizes and other
`information.
`Image keywords, Exchangeable Image File (EXIF) and
`International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC) may
`also be associated with an image and incorporated into its
`metadata. EXIF metadata is typically embedded into an
`image file with the digital camera that captured the particular
`image. These EXIF metadata relate to image capture and
`similar information that can pertain to the visual appearance
`of an image when it is presented.
`EXIF metadata typically relate to camera settings that were
`in effect when the picture was taken (e.g., when the image was
`captured). Such camera settings include, for example, shutter
`speed, aperture, focallength, exposure, light metering pattern
`(e.g., center, side, etc.) flash setting information (e.g., dura
`tion, brightness, directedness, etc.), and the date and time that
`the camera recorded the photograph. Embedded IPTC data
`can include a caption for the image and a place and date that
`the photograph was taken, as well as copyright information.
`The user of an image management application can use the
`image management application to add other information to an
`image's content. For instance, a user-specified rating, or other
`metric, may be stored as part of the metadata for an image.
`Such ratings and metrics can relate to information of particu
`lar value to the user. The ratings and metrics may add objec
`tive information to the metadata associated with a photo
`graph, such as data that reflects a category to which the image
`is assigned within a collection of images, a source of the
`image (such as a particular photographer or artist), a project
`or purpose to which the image relates, and a value, intrinsic or
`extrinsic, that the image possesses.
`Such ratings and metrics however may also convey more
`Subjective user-assigned information, such as a quality level
`that the user ascribes to a photograph, or a level of artistic or
`aesthetic merit ascribed thereto. Similarly, the ratings and
`metrics can simply convey a level of favor, satisfaction and
`personal liking with which the user holds a particular image.
`Further, their metadata, including Such ratings and metrics,
`whether objectively or subjectively ascribed or both can allow
`multiple stored photographs to be compared relative to each
`other.
`When multiple photographs are displayed together, they
`may be arranged on the monitor screen by the user in accor
`dance with their relationships and comparisons. For example,
`
`15
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`Information exists in many forms, some of which are vis
`ible. Visible information exists in a form that is visually
`perceivable by sighted humans. Visible information includes
`images. Graphical images are those that are rendered in some
`format that is typically characterized by Some degree of per
`sistence or durability. Drawings, for instance, are images that
`are typically recorded for viewing on a medium Such as paper.
`Photographs are images captured with a camera or a similar
`device.
`Cameras are apparatus that record photographic images in
`Some medium. Legacy cameras record photographs with a
`chemical medium, typically silver based preparations sus
`pended in gelatinous film emulsions. The silver particles
`therein oxidize to varying degrees based upon their exposure
`to light by the camera and change their visually perceivable
`25
`hue and brightness to record the image as a film based pho
`tograph. More modernly, digital cameras capture images
`electronically.
`Digital cameras typically capture images with light sensi
`tive charged coupled devices (CCDs). They record photo
`graphs with processing of signals from the CCDS into data.
`These data are typically stored in flash memory as a digitally
`rendered record of the image. Such digital photographs enjoy
`many advantages. Digital photographs may be transferred
`from the camera with which they were captured to other
`electronic media including those with information processing
`capability Such as a computer.
`Modern computers have capabilities that allow them to
`easily, efficiently and economically store, handle and process
`digital photographs and other graphical images with great
`effect. The capabilities of computers and digital cameras
`provide powerful tools to photographers and graphic artists,
`professional and amateur alike. In fact, computers allow digi
`tal photographs to be printed and legacy photographs to be
`scanned, thus allowing photographs to transcend media limi
`tations and change format.
`Digital photographs may be viewed on a computer display.
`The visual depiction of a digital photograph on a display is
`referred to herein as the display-image of the photograph.
`Frequently, the display-image of the photograph has a lower
`resolution than the photograph itself. Relatively low-resolu
`tion display-images of photographs are often referred to as
`thumbnails.
`The display-images of multiple digital photographs may be
`simultaneous displayed on a computer monitor. The simulta
`neous display of multiple display-images can be useful for a
`variety of photographic processing tasks, such as editing. The
`editing function itself can include other functions that are
`amenable to displaying multiple photographs together. Two
`Such editing functions include sorting and grouping.
`In presenting multiple photographs for display together on
`the same monitor, there are a variety of ways in which the
`display-images of the photographs can be visually arranged.
`For instance, the display-images may be arranged manually,
`e.g., as desired by the user. Alternatively, the display-images
`may be automatically arranged in a grid-like arrangement.
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`users may decide to place their favorite photographs along the
`top of a group of photographs, or down a particular side of the
`monitor Screen, or in Some other position that, to a particular
`user, conveys the subjective and/or objective criteria with
`which that user decided to have them displayed.
`Sucharrangements can provide usefulness in the display of
`multiple photographs, such as directing attentiveness to cer
`tain images and/or away from others, conveying a graphical
`emphasis, and promoting organization. This utility can
`increase the effectiveness and efficiency of editing and other
`tasks and functions.
`However, the procedures and criteria used to display pho
`tographs and other images are typically selected on an ad hoc
`basis, which can sometimes be inefficient. Further, the ad hoc
`basis with which photographs are conventionally displayed
`can require significant forethought and planning by the user
`to implement. To implement the arrangement once it is
`planned, the user may also have to execute significant manual
`programming or operating tasks, which can be time consum
`ing, distracting and tedious and may introduce more ineffi
`ciency.
`Moreover, for each group of multiple photographs that a
`user may want to display together, these ad hoc arrangement
`procedures must be applied anew. However, where different
`groups of multiple photographs are to be arranged or where
`certain photographs are included in various groups, the ad hoc
`procedures must be repeated, yet the criteria with which the
`images are rated may not hold between the various groupings.
`This can add a confusion factor to the display arrangement
`procedure that can cause even greater inefficiency, as it
`requires additional thought, planning, control and adjustment
`to implement.
`FIG. 4 depicts a typical image storage and display tech
`nique 400 familiar in the conventional art. Images 405 and
`415 are stored electronically within storage unit 491, which
`can comprise memory, drives, servers, a storage area network
`(SAN) or any other medium, apparatus or network capable of
`image storage. While only two images are shown for simplic
`ity and brevity, as well as to avoid confusion, the number of
`images storable is limited only by the storage capacity of
`40
`storage unit 491.
`Stored with images 405 and 415 are metadata 403 and 413.
`which are respectively associated each therewith. These
`metadata respectively include metric values 401 and 411.
`Metric value 401 is associated with image 405 and metric
`value 411 is associated with image 415 according to the
`associations 406. Images 405 and 415 are retrieved (e.g.,
`accessed in storage 491, processed, etc.) and transmitted via
`image retrieval path 476 for display with display 450. Image
`retrieval path 476 can include one or more buses, wire line
`50
`and/or wireless transmission media. Display 450 can com
`prise a computer monitor or other display vehicle and image
`processing means such as a graphics card. Display 450 dis
`plays display-images 406 and 416 as graphical representa
`tions of the images 405 and 415, respectively.
`The metric values 401 and 411, which respectively relate to
`images 405 and 415, may vary. Upon image retrieval via
`image path 476, display-images 406 and 416 are displayed
`conventionally by display 450. However, the display-images
`406 and 416 as thus conventionally displayed proffer no way
`to tell, by looking at these display-images of the images 405
`and 415, that they are associated with very different metrics.
`As conventionally displayed, notwithstanding any difference
`in their respective metric values 401 and 411, the display
`images 406 and 416, are displayed with visually perceivable
`attributes that are virtually indistinguishable from each other.
`In order to visually distinguish the display-images 406 and
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`4
`416, a user viewing conventional display 450 must resort to
`comparison of the content of the images or similar conven
`tional techniques.
`In as much as visually distinguishing the display-images
`406 and 416 may be a significant function in editing and other
`applications, a user is forced to conventionally arrange dis
`play-images 406 and 416 on display 450 according to some
`basis. That basis may be taking metrics 401 and 411 into some
`account. However, the basis is conventionally an ad hoc one
`made for each grouping of images, such as images 405 and
`415. And for other images, the user is forced to repeat the
`process. This can be tedious, time consuming and inefficient.
`The approaches described in this section are approaches
`that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that
`have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless
`otherwise indicated, it is not to be assumed that any of the
`approaches described in this section qualify as prior art,
`merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`A method for displaying an image is disclosed. One
`method comprises determining, for each of multiple images,
`at least one metric associated with the image. The multiple
`images are displayed in a view in which each of the multiple
`images is associated with at least one visually perceivable
`attribute that reflects at least the determined metric. The
`attributes that reflect the metrics are logically independent of
`the metrics. In one embodiment, the metric relates to a sig
`nificance value associated with the image. In one embodi
`ment, the visually perceivable attribute relates to a size with
`which the multiple images are displayed in relation to each
`other.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
`not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying
`drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar
`elements and in which:
`FIG. 1 depicts a flowchart for an exemplary method for
`displaying an image, according to an embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart for an exemplary method for
`displaying electronically stored images, according to an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart for an exemplary method for
`displaying electronically stored images, according to an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 depicts a typical image storage and display tech
`nique familiar in the conventional art;
`FIG. 5 depicts image display, according to an embodiment
`of the present invention;
`FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary computer system, upon which
`embodiments of the present invention may be implemented
`and
`FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary digital image management
`system flow, with which embodiments of the present inven
`tion may be implemented.
`FIGS. 8A-8F depict exemplary use of a graphical user
`interface (GUI), according to an embodiment of the present
`invention.
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`FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary modular display system,
`according to an embodiment of the present invention.
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`US 7,859,543 B2
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`The embodiments of the present invention described herein
`relate to a method for displaying an image. In the following
`description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous spe
`cific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough under
`standing of the present invention. It will be apparent, how
`10
`ever, that the present invention may be practiced without
`these specific details. In other instances, well-known struc
`tures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to
`avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.
`
`Overview
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`Techniques are described hereafter for displaying multiple
`digital images on a display, where the display-image of each
`digital image reflects some metric associated with the image.
`According to one embodiment, the digital images are dis
`played in a manner in which the display-image of each of the
`multiple images has at least one visually perceivable attribute
`that (1) reflects a metric, but that is (2) logically independent
`of the metric.
`For example, the metric may be "significance values' asso
`ciated with the images, and the visually perceivable attribute
`may be the size of the display-images of the images. Thus, in
`this example, the display-images of images that have higher
`significance values may be bigger than the display-images of
`images that have lower significance values.
`Using the techniques described herein, the ad hoc proce
`dures and criteria that are conventionally used to display
`photographs and other images are obviated. Further, the sig
`nificant forethought and planning needed to implement con
`ventional arrangements are also obviated, along with the pos
`sibly significant manual programming or operating tasks.
`Thus, the embodiments described herein can save time and
`avoid the distractions and tedium that can characterize con
`ventional display techniques and may thus increase effi
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`ciency. Moreover, the advantages enabled with the present
`embodiments apply even where multiple images are grouped
`in various groupings. This has the additional benefit of reduc
`ing the possibility of confusion and loss of efficiency.
`Exemplary Methods for Displaying an Image
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`FIG. 1 depicts a flowchart 10 for an exemplary method for
`displaying an image, according to an embodiment of the
`present invention. Method 10 begins with a block 11, wherein
`at least one metric associated with each image of multiple
`images is determined. The metric corresponds, in one
`embodiment, with a significance rating associated with each
`of the multiple images.
`In block 12, the display-image of each of the multiple
`images is displayed in a view. The display-image of each
`image has at least one visually perceivable (e.g., discernable)
`attribute that reflects the metric, but that is logically indepen
`dent thereof. In one embodiment, the visually perceivable
`attribute of each image comprises a displayed characteristic
`of that image that allows that image to be visually distinguish
`able from each of the other multiple images.
`In one embodiment, the visually perceivable attribute is the
`size of the display-image of the image. For instance, the
`display size reflects a metric that corresponds to a signifi
`cance of that image relative to each of the other multiple
`images. Thus, by looking at the size of the display-images, a
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`user may easily tell the how “significant the underlying
`images are relative to each other.
`In one embodiment, where the significance metric of one
`image comprises a high value relative to the other images
`(e.g., the image has higher significance, relative to the other
`images), the size with which that image is displayed, relative
`to the others, is greater as well. Correspondingly, where the
`significance metric of one image comprises a low value rela
`tive to the other images (e.g., the image has lower signifi
`cance, relative to the other images), the size with which that
`image is displayed, relative to the others, is Smaller as well.
`While the visually perceivable attribute reflects a metric
`that is logically independent of the attribute, the attribute may
`also reflect logically-related attributes. Thus, in the example
`given above, where the visually perceivable attribute is the
`size of the display-image of an image, the size of the display
`image may also reflect any of a variety of other metrics with
`which an image may be associated.
`For example, the “default size of a display-image may
`initially be based on the inherent size (i.e. resolution) of the
`image. The actual size of the display image may result from
`adjusting that default size up or down based on the signifi
`cance value associated with the image.
`Thus, while the inherent "size' associated with an image
`may set the default size of its display-image, the significance
`attribute is still reflected in the adjustments made to the dis
`play-image size based on the significance value of the image.
`After the significance-based adjustments, an inherently
`Smaller image may actually have a display-image that is
`larger than the display-image of an inherently larger image.
`
`Metrics
`
`In the example given above, the metric that is reflected by
`the size of the display-image is a significance value assigned
`to the corresponding image. However, significance value is
`merely one example of a metric that may be visually reflected
`in a visual attribute that is not logically related to the metric.
`In one embodiment, any metric may be selected for reflec
`tion. The metric can comprise a default selection or one
`programmed by a user, an editor, an administrator, manager
`or the like.
`In one embodiment, the metric comprises metadata stored
`in relation to the image. Those skilled in the relevant arts will
`realize that metadata tags may be electronically stored in
`association with a graphical image. The metric can comprise
`an objective rating of the image. Such as a user assigned value
`that corresponds to a photographic quality associated with the
`image. The metric may also (or alternatively) comprise a
`Subjective rating of the image. Such as a user assigned value
`corresponding to aesthetic merit and/or a personal preference
`associated by the user with the image.
`The metadata can comprise Exchangeable Image File
`(EXIF) data associated with the image and/or International
`Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC) data associated
`therewith. These data can comprise one or more of caption
`text and/or keywords that may be associated with the image,
`version enumeration values associated therewith, a file name
`and/or a file size that may be associated with the image.
`The metric can also comprise data that relates to one or
`more camera settings with which the image was captured.
`Such data can include shutter speed, aperture opening, focal
`length, exposure, information relating to a flash used in
`exposing the image (e.g., brightness, duration and/or direc
`tionality), a metering pattern, a date and/or a time of exposure
`of the image.
`
`MemoryWeb Ex. 2101
`Apple v. MemoryWeb - IPR 2022-00031
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`US 7,859,543 B2
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`7
`The metric can also comprise embedded data, Such as those
`which relate to an editing function. Such embedded data can
`comprise one or more of a caption, a place and/or a date at
`which the image was captured, an opacity or transparency
`value corresponding to said image as stored and copyright
`information associated with the image. The metric may also
`relate to a photographic identity, e.g., to a particular photog
`rapher, a photographic entity, or another source of the image.
`
`Attributes
`
`In the example given above, the attribute that reflects the
`significance metric is the size of the display-image of the
`image. However, the size of the display-image is merely one
`example of a visual attribute that may reflect a metric that is
`not logically related to the attribute. Any visually perceivable
`attributes that can be displayed may be selected. One may
`comprise a default; others may be programmed by a user, an
`editor, an administrator, manager or the like.
`Thus, the visually perceivable attribute may be other than
`display size. For example, the visually perceivable attribute
`can be brightness. The display-images of images with higher
`significance values may be brightened, while the display
`images of images with lower significance values may be
`darkened.
`Embodiments of the present invention may be imple
`mented with other visually perceivable attributes reflecting,
`yet logically independent of the metrics associated with the
`images. For instance, in addition to or instead of the relative
`display size, metrics may be reflected in the relative degrees
`of brightness, clarity, contrast, tone, coloration, fuZZiness,
`trim or border enhancements, transparency, opacity, shape,
`text based comments, and the like.
`
`Flowcharts
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`view. The display size reflects a significance value of each of
`the multiple images, relative to the others, and the other
`images are similarly displayed with their own display sizes,
`each of which reflects their own significance value. The sig
`nificance value of the metric for the image is thus displayable
`relative to that of each of the other multiple images. Each of
`the other multiple images is likewise displayed with its own
`display size representative of a significance value its own
`metric.
`In one embodiment, where the significance metric of one
`image comprises a high value relative to the other images
`(e.g., the image has higher significance, relative to the other
`images), the size with which that image is displayed, relative
`to the others, is greater as