Abstract: A digital video camera system that provides a video summary using a method that includes: designating a reference image containing a particular person; capturing a video sequence of the scene using the image sensor, the video sequence including a time sequence of image frames; processing the captured video sequence using a video processing path to form a digital video file; during the capturing of the video sequence, analyzing the captured image frames using a person recognition algorithm to identify a subset of the image frames that contain the particular person; forming the video summary including fewer than all of the image frames in the captured video sequence, wherein the video summary includes at least part of the identified subset of image frames containing the particular person; storing the digital video file in the storage memory; and storing a representation of the video summary in the storage memory.

Abstract: Portable communication devices transmit digital images and their location information to a central server. If a particular location is often photographed it can be designated as a hot spot. Thereafter, if a communication device is currently transmitting from within a vicinity of the hot spot, based on the location data received from the communication device, notification data can be transmitted to the communication device for notifying the user of the hot spot. The notification data can include directional information for the user to access on the communication device for enabling the user to find the hot spot.

Abstract: A method for transforming an image expressed in terms of a first image encoding to a second image encoding, includes converting a set of original scene exposure-factor values into corresponding first and second image encoding values. A transform is then derived between the first image encoding values and the second image encoding values. The transform is then applied to an image encoded in said first image encoding. Examples of different encoding that can be transformed include Rec. 709, sRGB and other known image encoding standards. A system for performing such transformations as well as an electronic device that is capable of performing such transformations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Access is provided to information related to a digital image record on a data processing device. Presentation of the digital image record on a display is instructed. An indication of user interaction with the displayed digital image record is received. In response to the received indication, presentation of a tab on the display is instructed. The tab displays or emanates near or from an edge of the displayed digital image record or from an edge of a displayed digital image record container including the digital image record. The tab includes an access point configured to allow a user to access a category of information related to content contained within the digital image record, and the tab is labeled according to the category of information for user access.

Abstract: A data processing device for providing access to information related to a digital image record includes a display for presenting the digital image record. A user interface system receives an indication of user interaction with the displayed digital image record. A data processing system responsive to the received indication presents tab on the display. The tab displays or emanates near or from an edge of the displayed digital image record or from an edge of a displayed digital image record container including the digital image record. The tab includes an access point configured to allow a user to access a category of information related to content contained within the digital image record, and the tab is labeled according to the category of information for user access.

Abstract: A method for determining an event classification for digital images, comprising: receiving one or more digital images; detecting one or more lit candles within the one or more digital images; using a data processor to automatically determine an event classification responsive to analyzing a spatial arrangement of the detected lit candles in the one or more digital images; and storing metadata in a processor-accessible memory associating the determined event classification with each of the one or more digital images.

Abstract: A method for determining an event classification for digital images, comprising: receiving one or more digital images; detecting one or more man-made light emitting sources within the one or more digital images; using a data processor to automatically determine an event classification responsive to analyzing a spatial arrangement of the detected man-made light emitting sources in the one or more digital images; and storing metadata in a processor-accessible memory associating the determined event classification with each of the one or more digital images.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reading a machine-readable optical code encoding information formed in an image that is presented to a user. The method includes using a processor to receive the image with the machine-readable optical code; using a graphic user interface to visually present the received image on a display; using the graphic user interface to receive a user selection of the machine-readable optical code; using a processor to decode the selected machine-readable optical code; and using the graphic user interface to present information referenced by the decoded information on the display.

Abstract: A method of combining an image with an imaging-related product, comprising: providing an image; forming an image-color histogram of spatially-coherent color clusters within the image, the image-color histogram indicating the frequency of occurrence of spatially-coherent related colors in the image; selecting one or more of the image colors having a frequency of occurrence in the image high enough to be visible to an image observer; selecting an imaging-related product having one or more of the selected high-frequency colors within the imaging-related product or having a color complementary to one or more of the selected high-frequency colors within the imaging-related product; and combining the image and the imaging-related product.

Abstract: An image file for storing a still digital image and metadata related to the still digital image, the image file including digital image data representing the still digital image, and metadata that categorizes the still digital image as an important digital image, wherein the categorization uses a range of levels and the range of levels includes at least three different integer values.

Abstract: A method of computing at least one photogenic route from a starting location to a destination location, including; computing photogenic values for images in a large collection representing a geographic region that includes the starting location and the destination location; computing a photogenic index for each route segment based on computed photogenic values of images taken along the route segment; computing at least one photogenic route from the starting location to the destination location and presenting the route(s) to a user

Abstract: A method of identifying groups of related digital images in a digital image collection, comprising: analyzing each of the digital images to generate associated feature descriptors related to image content or image capture conditions; storing the feature descriptors associated with the digital images in a metadata database; automatically analyzing the metadata database to identify a plurality of frequent itemsets, wherein each of the frequent itemsets is a co-occurring feature descriptor group that occurs in at least a predefined fraction of the digital images; determining a probability of occurrence for each the identified frequent itemsets; determining a quality score for each of the identified frequent itemsets responsive to the determined probability of occurrence; ranking the frequent itemsets based at least on the determined quality scores; and identifying one or more groups of related digital images corresponding to one or more of the top ranked frequent itemsets.

Abstract: A network connected computer receives data from a wireless communication device including location data and user data. The computer is programmed to determine if the wireless communication device is in a vicinity of a preselected location, stored on the computer, based on the data for identifying the location of the wireless communication device. The computer transmits data to the communication device for notifying the user of the communication device that the user is in the vicinity of the preselected location. Directional information can then be sent to the communication device for the user to access in order to assist the user in finding the preselected location.

Abstract: A program storage device and method for creating an electronic icon containing information unique to a category and to a network address including information for associating the icon with a digital image and sending the digital image over a network to the network address.

Abstract: A method for ranking key video frames for a digital video having a time sequence of video frames, comprising using a processor to perform the steps of: analyzing the digital video to determine a camera fixation pattern; determining a set of key video frames for the digital video; and ranking the key video frames responsive to the camera fixation pattern.

Abstract: A method for producing an image template having one or more openings for displaying images. The openings as well as the images are each associated with a season. The images are automatically analyzed to determine 5 which season they most likely depict. Images are then selected to be placed in a template opening designated for a particular season. This method can be used to automate calendar production.

Abstract: A method for storing a video summary for a digital video sequence captured with a digital video capture device, comprising: capturing a digital video sequence with the digital video capture device, wherein the digital video sequence includes a plurality of video frames; storing the digital video sequence in a processor-accessible memory; identifying one or more key video snippets, each key video snippet corresponding to a set of video frames from the stored digital video sequence; assembling the key video snippets to form a video summary; and storing the video summary in a processor-accessible memory by storing metadata associated with the stored digital video sequence, wherein the metadata provides an indication of the video frames corresponding to the video summary.

Abstract: A method of automatically classifying images in a consumer digital image collection, includes generating an event representation of the image collection; computing global time-based features for each event within the hierarchical event representation; computing content-based features for each image in an event within the hierarchical event representation; combining content-based features for each image in an event to generate event-level content-based features; and using time-based features and content-based features for each event to classify an event into one of a pre-determined set of semantic categories.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining photographic products and/or services comprises bundling image capture and printing technologies into products and/or services that are paid for by a consumer with monthly or yearly subscription fees. The system and method involves selecting a camera and selecting a photographic products/service plan which designates photographic products and/or services which are to be associated with the selected camera. The system and method gives the consumer the option of selecting a specific camera from a menu of cameras, and a specific photographic product/service plan which is to be associated with the selected camera from a product/service menu.

Abstract: A switchable imaging apparatus having an image display mode and an image capture mode, comprising: a display screen to provide a displayed image when the display screen is in a first display state, wherein the display screen is at least partially transparent when the display screen is switched to a second transparent state; an optical beam deflector switchable between a first non-deflecting state and a second deflecting state, such that when the optical beam deflector is in the second deflecting state imaging light from a scene is deflected into a camera positioned in a location peripheral to the display screen; and a controller which synchronously switches the display screen between the first display state and the second transparent state, and the optical beam deflector between the first non-deflecting state and the second deflecting state, thereby providing the image display mode and the image capture mode.