An index is provided that holds information about each image content item in a collection of items, For each image content item, a first information item identifying the image content item and its location on a network, and at least one of (i) a second information item identifying a signature value of an object in the image content, or (ii) identification of a recognized object in the image content.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The disclosed embodiments relate generally to the field of digital image processing. More particularly, the disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for enabling the use of captured images.
BACKGROUND
Digital photography has become a consumer application of great significance. It has afforded individuals convenience in capturing and sharing digital images. Devices that capture digital images have become low-cost, and the ability to send pictures from one location to the other has been one of the driving forces in the drive for more network bandwidth.
Due to the relative low cost of memory and the availability of devices and platforms from which digital images can be viewed, the average consumer maintains most digital images on computer-readable mediums, such as hard drives, CD-Roms, and flash memory. The use of file folders are the primary source of organization, although applications have been created to aid users in organizing and viewing digital images. Some search engines, such as GOOGLE, also enables users to search for images, primarily by matching text-based search input to text metadata or content associated with images.
Patent History
Patent number: 7945099
Type: Grant
Filed: Apr 28, 2009
Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
Patent Publication Number: 20090208116
Assignee: Like.com (San Mateo, CA)
Inventors: Salih Burak Gokturk (Mountain View, CA), Munjal Shah (Los Altos, CA), Azhar Khan (San Francisco, CA)
Primary Examiner: John B Strege
Attorney: Mahamedi Paradice Kreisman LLP
Application Number: 12/431,706