Abstract: A method for simultaneously recording motion and still images, includes the steps of: capturing a motion image sequence and accompanying audio of a scene with a digital video camera adapted to record both motion and higher resolution still images; simultaneously capturing a still image sequence having a higher resolution and lower frame rate than the motion capture sequence; compressing the motion image sequence using interframe compression and the accompanying audio and storing the compressed motion image and audio data; and compressing the still images using intraframe coding and storing the compressed still image data.

Abstract: A database has chronologically ordered images classified into event groups based upon a time difference threshold, and into subgroups based upon a similarity measure. In a method and system for combining new images into such a database, new image are ordered into clusters based upon assessed image features. A representative image is selected in each cluster. A database segment chronologically overlapping the new images is designated and a set of database images similar to each representative image are identified in the segment. Different subgroups including one or more retrieved images are associated with each of cluster to provide matched subgroups. The new images are assigned to matched subgroups associated with respective clusters.

Abstract: A method, system and software program for automatically organizing digital images obtained from a plurality of hardcopy media. A plurality of hardcopy media are scanned so as to obtain both the image side and non-image side the of hardcopy media including capturing any watermark present on non-image side. The watermark on the non-mage side is used for automatically organizing digital images.

Abstract: In an image classification method, a plurality of grouping values are received. The grouping values each have an associated image. An average of the grouping values is calculated. A variance metric of the grouping values, relative to the average is computed. A grouping threshold is determined from the variance metric. Grouping values beyond the grouping threshold are identified as group boundaries. The images are assigned to a plurality of groups based upon the group boundaries.

Abstract: In a method for classifying a sequence of records into events based upon feature values, such as time and/or location, associated with each of the records, feature differences between consecutive records are determined. The feature differences are ranked. A sequence of three or more clusters of feature differences is computed. The clusters are arranged in decreasing order of relative likelihood of respective feature differences representing separations between events. The records can be inclusive of images.

Abstract: An automated method for creating an image storage device such as a disk, and more particularly a DVD, CD, or CD-ROM for playback on a playback mechanism entails initiating a device with a processor. A user is instructed to connect a digital image capture device to the device, wherein digital records with image content and metadata are downloaded from the digital device into the processor's memory. Metadata extracted from the image metadata is sorted into groups based upon set parameters. The groups are mapped into a digital file template forming a digital file with chapters, wherein each group corresponds to a chapter. A bit stream representing the chapters is a sequential order is created from the digital file. The bit stream is saved to memory, sent to a writer, and written to a DVD, CD or CD-ROM. The written DVD, CD or CD-ROM is provided to the user.

Abstract: A display system and method for operating a display and a collection of digital multimedia objects are provided. A first selection set of predefined organizational metaphors is presented and a selection of a first organizational metaphor from the first selection set is received. A second selection set of predefined organizational metaphors other than the first selected organizational metaphor is presented and a selection of a second organizational metaphor from the second selection set is received. A result is presented on the display having one of at least two group icons, each group icon indicating a group of digital multimedia objects chosen from the collection according to rules associated with the selected organizational metaphors and the content of the digital multimedia objects or any metadata associated with the digital multimedia objects. Wherein the group of digital multimedia objects indicated by each group icon are chosen according to result presentation rules.

Abstract: A method for organizing visual digital objects into a histogram timeline having a first axis with a timeline representing a range of time organized into separate time periods and a second axis orthogonal to the timeline axis representing a number of digital multimedia objects corresponding to portions of the histogram timeline. Each time period is associated with a graphical metaphor extending from the first axis in a direction along the second axis to an extent that indicates a relative number of visual digital objects associated with the time periods. Each said graphical metaphor comprises event icons which group the visual digital objects associated with the selected time period according to events. The icons are proportionately sized to indicate the number of visual digital objects in the group relative to the total number of visual digital objects associated with the selected time period.

Abstract: A method for generating customized photo album pages for a collection of digital images comprises the steps of: (a) obtaining a plurality of digital images; (b) automatically grouping the images into one or more image sets based on at least one of grouping by events and grouping by people present in the images; (c) automatically profiling the images within each image set according to image content, thereby relating a particular image set to one or more design themes; (d) providing a database of design elements that may be used to generate customized photo album pages; (e) utilizing the design themes generated by the profiling step to automatically suggest one or more design elements from the database of design elements; and (f) automatically generating a customized photo album page layout for each image set by applying one or more of the suggested design elements to the page layout.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adding graphical material to a digital graphics album is disclosed. Reference material in a digital graphics album is specified. Annotation data is extracted from the reference material and may be processed by a natural language processor to produce search keywords. In addition to the keywords, user directives may be provided, both of which are used to conduct a search for related graphical materials. The search is conducted by querying a graphical material database through a network connection. The search results are received and the user can select from the resultant materials for inclusion in the digital graphics album. If no satisfactory material is found, the user can specify a reference graphical image that is processed to produce search criteria that are image content descriptors. The database is again queried in accordance with these descriptors to provide search results for possible inclusion.

Abstract: An insulated glove construction having a strip of mesh-like insulation material extending over the front, back and tip portions of each of the fingers and of the thumb of the glove and positioned between outer and inner linings making up the glove body. Heating means may be provided to warm the tips of the front of the fingers and the tip of the front of the thumb of the glove. Battery means may be carried in the glove body to provide a source of energy for the heating means.

Abstract: An insulated insole construction comprising a layer of plastic mesh material shaped such that when inserted in a shoe, it will have a portion extending over the inner sole of the shoe. A portion of the insole may be bent to form a toe cap to encircle the inner toe area of the shoe and the insole may have an additional portion engaging the inner sides of the shoe in the heel and arch area. The plastic mesh material comprises two spaced mesh-like plastic fabrics separated by a plastic separating material, all of which are encased within plastic films to form a non-collapsible chamber between the plastic films.