Abstract:
A system and method are provided for organizing a number of digital images. The system and method advantageously provide a geographical context for viewing the digital images. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes the steps of associating the number of digital images with a digital map in a computer system, and geographically indexing each of the digital images on the digital map in the computer system. To geographically index each of the digital images, the present invention further provides the steps of obtaining a set of geographical coordinates associated with each of the digital images, and identifying a position on the digital map that represents the geographical coordinates for each of the digital images. In addition, the present method may include the step of positioning an image icon on each of the positions on the digital map, thereby indicating the geographical location of the corresponding digital image.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    The present invention is generally related to the field of data storage and, more particularly, is related to a system and method for geographically indexing a number of stored images.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Since the advent of photography, people have stored collections of photographs to store memories of days past. Typically, such photos are stored in photo albums for future viewing and preservation. In more recent times, the advent of digital photography has provided alternative storage options for photographs and other images. Now, digital images may be stored, for example, on a memory device in a computer system. The accumulation of a number of images over time may result in a significant number of stored images.  
           [0003]    To keep track of the images, a database may be employed, for example, to index the stored images. In particular, various image parameters may be included that provide a basis for a search for a desired image. In particular, an individual or other entity may provide a description of an image so that desired images may be found for viewing among many stored. However, even with word descriptions, identifying a particular image that one wishes to view may be a bit cumbersome as the database of images grows.  
           [0004]    In addition, a number of images are viewed, an individual inevitably suffers due to a lack of positional or geographical context. Specifically, without the actual location at which a particular image or picture was taken or the direction of the view depicted, it is difficult to appreciate how the various views relate to each other given the geography in which they were taken. For example, two different pictures may be taken from the same spot, but facing different directions. When one views both pictures, they may get the false impression that the images or pictures were taken at two entirely different locations. The sense would be that the area was much larger than its actual size and that the features in the views depicted were farther apart or are unrelated in terms of proximity.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In light of the foregoing, a system and method are provided for organizing a number of digital images. The present invention advantageously provides a geographical context for viewing the digital images. In this respect, the method provides for the steps of associating the number of digital images with a digital map in a computer system, and geographically indexing each of the digital images on the digital map in the computer system. To geographically index each of the digital images, the present invention further provides the steps of obtaining a set of geographical coordinates associated with each of the digital images, and identifying a position on the digital map that represents the geographical coordinates for each of the digital images. In addition, the present method may include the step of positioning an image icon on each of the positions on the digital map, thereby indicating the geographical location of the corresponding digital image.  
           [0006]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, a system in a server is provided for organizing a number of digital images. In this regard, the present system comprises, for example, a processor circuit having a processor and a memory and an indexing system stored on the memory and executable by the processor. The indexing system includes logic to associate the number of digital images with a digital map, and logic to geographically index each of the digital images on the digital map. The indexing system further includes, for example, logic to obtain a set of geographical coordinates associated with each of the digital images, and logic to identify a position on the digital map that represents the geographical coordinates for each of the digital images. In addition, the indexing system includes logic to position an image icon on each of the positions on the digital map, thereby indicating the geographical location of the corresponding image.  
           [0007]    In addition, the present invention provides for a second method for indexing a number of digital images. The second method comprising the steps of displaying a digital map of a geographical area on a display device of a computer system, displaying an image icon generated by an indexing system on the digital map, the image icon being associated with a digital image accessible by the computer system, and, displaying the digital image upon a manipulation of the image icon.  
           [0008]    The system and methods of the present invention provide a distinct advantage in that digital images are indexed according to geographical location, thereby providing an individual with a geographical context of the views within each digital image. In addition, images are organized in a manner that makes it very easy to find and access a desired digital image for viewing.  
           [0009]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to a person with ordinary skill in the art in view of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included herein within the scope of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The invention can be understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Also, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network that employs an image indexing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a drawings of an image indexing interface generated by the image indexing system of FIG. 1 according to an aspect of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a drawing of an image viewing interface generated by the image indexing system of FIG. 1 according to an aspect of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a drawing of an image filter interface generated by the image indexing system of FIG. 1 according to an aspect of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a drawing of a slide show interface generated by the image indexing system of FIG. 1 according to an aspect of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a drawing of an image addition interface generated by the image indexing system of FIG. 1 according to an aspect of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a flow chart further depicting an image indexing system of FIG. 1; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a flow chart further depicting an image indexing system of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]    With reference to FIG. 1, shown is a client/server arrangement  100  that is employed to geographically index a number of digital images according to an aspect of the present invention. The client/server arrangement  100  includes a map index server  103  and a client  106 , both of which are coupled to a network  109 . The map index server  103  and the client  106  may comprise, for example, computer systems or other device with suitable capability to perform the functionality as discussed herein. Map index server  103  includes a processor  113  and a memory  116 , both of which are coupled to a local interface  119 . The local interface  119  may be, for example, a data bus with an accompanying control bus as is generally understood by those with ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0020]    Stored on the memory  116  and executable by the processor  113  are an operating system  123  and a web server  126 . The web server  126  includes a map generation system  131 , an indexing system  133 , and an image index database  136 . Alternatively, the map generation system  131  may be stored and executed in a separate server coupled to the network  109 . The operation of the operating system  123  is generally known to those with ordinary skill in the art and, consequently, is not discussed herein in detail. The operation of the web server  126  and the components contained therein will be discussed in the text that follows. The web server  126  is actually representative of the various types of servers that may be employed according to the principles of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention may be accomplished using other servers that operate according to protocols other than that employed on the World Wide Web.  
         [0021]    The client  106  includes a processor  153  and a memory  156 , both of which are coupled to a local interface  159 . The local interface  159  may comprise, for example, a data bus with an accompanying control bus as is generally known by those with ordinary skill in the art. The client  106  also includes one or more peripheral devices such as, for example, a display device  163 , a keyboard  166 , a mouse  169 , and/or a printer  173 . The client  106  also includes a display interface  176 , one or more input interfaces  179 , and a printer interface  183 . The display interface  176  couples the display device  163  to the local interface  159 . The display device  163  may be, for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display screen, a gas plasma-based flat panel display, indicator lights, light emitting diodes, or other suitable display device.  
         [0022]    Similarly, the keyboard  166 , mouse  169 , and printer  173  are coupled to the local interface  159 , for example, through the input interfaces  179  and the printer interface  183 , respectively. The display interface  176 , input interfaces  179 , and printer interface  183  may comprise, for example, various interface cards or other such devices that couple the respective devices to the local interface  159  to enable data communication between the processor  153  and the respective input/output device. Note that other interfaces may be employed to a couple various peripheral devices to the local interface  159  as is generally known by those with ordinary skill in the art. Such other peripheral devices that may be employed with the client  106  include, for example, a keypad, touch pad, touch screen, microphone, scanner, joystick, or one or more push buttons, indicator lights, speakers, etc.  
         [0023]    Stored on the memory  156  and executable by the processor  153  are an operating system  186  and a browser  189 . The operating system  186  is executable by the processor  153  to control basic operation of the client  106  as is generally known by those with ordinary skill in the art. Also the browser  189  is executable by the processor  153 , for example, to provide access to the web server  126  or other type of server stored on the map index server  103 . The browser  189  may also provide access to other servers on the network  109  as is generally known by those with ordinary skill in the art. When executed, the browser  189  displays a graphical user interface  193  on the display device  163  that is manipulated to view various pages of sites stored on various web servers coupled to the network  109  as is generally understood by those with ordinary skill in the art. For example, the browser  189  may be employed to access pages stored in the web server  126  as will be discussed.  
         [0024]    Next a general discussion is provided of the geographical indexing of a number of images on a digital map as accomplished in the client/server arrangement  100  according to an aspect of the present invention. To begin, a user manipulates the browser  189  to access various pages on the web server  126 . Specifically, the browser  189  generates a request for the desired page  129 . In response, the web server  126  transmits the various images and graphical user interface components that are associated with the requested page  129 . In doing so, the web server  126  may employ the map generation system  131  and the indexing system  133  to generate various images and components for display with the requested page  129 . For example, one of the images to be generated and displayed on the display device  163  as requested for a particular page  129  is a digital map that is generated by the map generation system  129 . The indexing system  133  generates a number of icons that are then located on the digital map by the browser  189 .  
         [0025]    Upon manipulating each of the icons, a digital image that is stored in the image index database  136  is displayed on the display device  163  as will be discussed. In this manner, a number of digital images stored in the image index database  136  may be indexed according to a location on the digital map, i.e. geographical indexing. The indexing system  133  also provides various graphical user interface components that allow a user to perform various functions with regard to the geographical indexing of the digital images on the digital map as will be described.  
         [0026]    The network  109  includes, for example, the Internet, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks, or other suitable networks, etc., or any combination of two or more such networks. The map index server  103  and the client  106  are each coupled to the network  109  to facilitate data communication to and from the network  109  in any one of a number of ways that are generally known by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the map index server  103  and the client  106  may be linked to the network  109  through various devices such as, for example, network cards, modems, or other such communications devices.  
         [0027]    In addition, the memories  116  and  156  may include both volatile and nonvolatile memory components. Volatile components are those that do not retain data values upon loss of power. Nonvolatile components are those that retain data upon a loss of power. Thus, each of the memories  116  and  156  may comprise, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk drives, floppy disks accessed via an associated floppy disk drive, compact disks accessed via a compact disk drive, magnetic tapes accessed via an appropriate tape drive, and/or other memory components, or a combination of any two or more of these memory components.  
         [0028]    Also, the processors  113  and  153  each may represent multiple processors and the memories  116  and  156  each may represent multiple memories that operate in parallel. In such a case, the local interfaces  119  and  159  each may be an appropriate network that facilitates communication between any two of the multiple processors or between any processor and any of the memories, etc. The local interfaces  119  and  159  each may facilitate memory to memory communication as well. The processors  113 / 153 , memories  116 / 156 , and local interfaces  119 / 159  may be electrical or optical in nature. Also, the memories  116 / 156  may be magnetic in nature.  
         [0029]    With reference to FIG. 2, shown is a graphical user interface  193   a  that is displayed on the display device  163  (FIG. 1) by the browser  189  (FIG. 1). The graphical user interface  193   a  displays a first page  129   a  that includes a digital map  203  with a map control interface  206 . The map control interface  206  provides the ability to manipulate the view of the digital map  203  to focus on a different area or to zoom in on a particular location as is generally known by those with ordinary skill in the art. The map control interface  206  is representative of other various map control interfaces that may be included according to the principles of the present invention.  
         [0030]    A number of image icons  209  are positioned on the digital map  203 . The graphical user interface  193   a  also includes a digital image  213  with an associated direction indication  216  and an associated caption  219 . The digital image  213  is associated with one of the image icons  209 . The direction indication  216  indicates a direction in terms of North, South, East or West, for example, etc., of the view depicted in the digital image  213 . Note that the direction indication  216  may also provide the directional information in terms of degrees or other indication. For example, the direction indication  216  indicates a direction in which a camera was pointed upon taking the picture that resulted in the digital image  213 . The caption  219  is associated with the digital image  213  and may be entered by the user. For example, the caption  219  may describe the subject matter of the digital image  213 . The graphical user interface  193   a  also includes a “Filter images” button  223 , a “slide show” button  226 , and a “add new picture” button  229 , and a “remove picture” button  233 , the function of which is described in the following text.  
         [0031]    Next, a discussion is provided of how the digital map  203  provides for the geographical indexing of one or more digital images  213 . To begin, the digital map  203  is generated on the graphical user interface  193   a  when the first page  129   a  is accessed from the web server  126  (FIG. 1) by the browser  189  (FIG. 1) as is generally understood by those with ordinary skill in the art. The user may alter the geographical area depicted in the digital map  203  by manipulating the map control interface  206 . The manipulation of map control interfaces  206  to display a particular digital map  203  is generally understood by those skilled in the art and not discussed herein in detail. For example, to manipulate a particular button or other component, the user may position the cursor thereon using, for example, the mouse  169  and press the button of the mouse  169 . This is often referred to as “clicking” on a particular component as is generally understood by those with ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0032]    A number of image icons  209  are displayed at predetermined positions on the digital map  203 . A user may highlight one of the image icons  209 , for example, by placing a cursor  236  over the respective image icon  209 . In response, the image icon  209  may change to a different color to indicate that it has been selected by the user. Note that the cursor  236  may be moved around the digital map  203  and the graphical user interface  193   a  by manipulating the mouse  179  (FIG. 1) as is generally known by those with ordinary skill in the art. When one of the image icons  209  is highlighted having been pointed to by the cursor  236 , the digital image  213  that is associated with the selected image icon  209  is shown. Likewise, the directional indication  216  and the caption  219  that are associated with particular the digital image  213  are displayed. The digital image  213  may be, for example, a picture that was taken at the location at which the respective image icon  209  is placed.  
         [0033]    Note that the digital image  213  as shown in FIG. 2 is in thumbnail size. To obtain the desired thumbnail view, when an image icon  209  is selected by manipulation of the cursor  236  as above, a request is transmitted to the web server  126  (FIG. 1) to download the thumbnail view of the associated digital image  213  stored in the image index database  136  (FIG. 1). In response, the web server  126  obtains the thumbnail view of the associated digital image  213  from the image index database  136  and transmits it to the client  106  for display. Alternatively, all of the thumbnail views of the digital images  213  with associated image icons  209  displayed on the digital map  203  may be downloaded to the client  106  and stored on the memory  156  when the user first accesses the first page  129   a.    
         [0034]    Note that the image icons  209  that are displayed on the digital map  203  are depicted since they fall within the geographical region that is displayed in the digital map  203 . That is to say, if the digital map  203  focuses on a different geographical area, different icons  209  may be displayed that are associated with different digital images  213  that are associated with geographical coordinates within the new geographical area depicted in the digital map  203 .  
         [0035]    In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, the digital images  213  that are geographically indexed on the digital map  203  by positioning respective image icons  209  may be limited to a select few based upon a predetermined criteria or filter. In order to create the particular filter or criteria by which the digital images  213  are indexed on the digital map  203 , the user may click on the filter images button  223 . To view a number of digital images  213  in full size in a slide show format, a user may click on the slide show button  226 . Further, if a user wishes to index a new digital image  213  on the digital map  203 , then the user may click on the add new picture button  229 . This causes an appropriate user interface to appear that facilitates the geographical indexing of an additional digital image  213  by placing a new image icon  209  on the digital map  203  that is associated with the new digital image  213 . Finally, given that a user has highlighted one of the image icons  209  associated with a particular digital image  213 , a user may remove the geographical indexing of the digital image  213  by clicking on the remove picture button  233 . Assuming that a user has clicked on the remove picture button  233 , for example, the highlighted image icon  209  is removed from the digital map  203  and the corresponding digital image  213  is also removed from the image index database  136 .  
         [0036]    With reference to FIG. 3, shown is a second graphical user interface  193   b  that depicts a second page  129   b  from the web server  126  (FIG. 1). The second page  129   b  is generated by clicking on the thumbnail view of the digital image  213  as depicted with respect to FIG. 2. In such a case the digital image  213  is depicted in full size with the direction indication  216  and the caption  219  displayed thereunder. Specifically, when the user clicks on the thumbnail view of the digital image  213 , the client  106  transmits a request to the web server  126  (FIG. 1) for the full size view of the digital image  213 . In response, the web server  126  obtains the full size view of the digital image  213  from the image index database  136  (FIG. 1) and transmits it to the client  106  for display in the second graphical user interface  193   b . Note that other information associated with the digital image  213  beyond the direction indication  216  and the caption  219 , if any, may be displayed as well. Such other information may include, a value ranking the importance of a particular image among all that are indexed, a date associated with an image, or other information. To go back to the first page  129   a  (FIG. 2), the user may click on the back button  239 .  
         [0037]    Turning then to FIG. 4, shown is a third graphical user interface  193   c  that includes a third page  129   c  that is generated by the web server  126  (FIG. 1). The third page  129   c  is generated when the user clicks upon the filter images button  223  (FIG. 2) with the desire of setting criteria used to determine which digital images  213  (FIG. 2) are to be geographically indexed on the digital map  203  (FIG. 2). As shown, the user may toggle between representing all digital images  213  or to select digital images  213  based upon a predetermined criteria  253 . The predetermined criteria  253  may comprise, for example, a digital image rank  256  that is associated with each digital image  213 , a date range  259 , or description key words  263 . The description key words  263  may be used, for example, to search the captions  219  (FIG. 2) associated with each of the digital images  213 . Note that other criteria may be employed as well.  
         [0038]    Once a user has selected the predetermined criteria  253 , the user may click on the redraw map button  266 . The browser  189  (FIG. 1) then transmits a message to the web server  126  to regenerate the digital map  203  with the image icons  209  (FIG. 2) that are associated with digital images  213  that fall within the predetermined criteria  253 . Otherwise, the user may click on the cancel button  269  to go back to the first page  129   a  where upon the digital map  203 , image icons  209 , digital image  203  (FIG. 2), and other components are displayed according to the preexisting criteria. When the first page  129   a  is first accessed, default criteria are included to filter the digital images  213  that are displayed on the digital map  203 . The default criteria may be, for example, the “show all images on this map” selection to represent all of the digital images  213  with a corresponding image icon  209 .  
         [0039]    With reference to FIG. 5, shown is a fourth graphical user interface  193   d  that depicts a fourth page  129   d  that is served by the web server  126  (FIG. 1). The fourth page  129   d  is served to the client  106  (FIG. 1) in response to a message received from the client  106  when the user clicks on the slide show button  226  (FIG. 2) on the first page  129   a  (FIG. 2). The fourth page  129   d  includes a digital image  213  and the associated caption  219 . The fourth page  129   d  might also display the direction indication  216  (FIG. 2) and any other information associated with the digital image  213 .  
         [0040]    The fourth page  129   d  also includes slide show controls such as, for example, a reverse button  283 , a stop button  286 , a play button  289 , and a fast forward button  293 . The fourth page  129   d  also includes a time delay  296  and a “back” button  299 . By pressing the play button  289 , a number of digital images  213  are displayed one at a time for a period of time equaling the time delay  296 . To stop the progressive display of the digital images  213 , the user may click on the stop button  286 . To go back and display digital images  213  that had previously been displayed in reverse order, the user may click on the reverse button  283 . To move on to the next digital image  213  before the time delay  196  has tolled, the user may click on the fast forward button  293 . If a user wishes to go back to the first page  129   a  (FIG. 2), then the user may click on the back button  299 . Thus, the fourth page  129   d  provides a means of displaying all of the digital images  213  associated with the digital map  203  (FIG. 2) based upon the predetermined criteria  253  (FIG. 4). Those digital images  213  that do not fall within the predetermined criteria  253  (FIG. 4) are not displayed.  
         [0041]    With reference to FIG. 6, shown is a fifth graphical user interface  193   e  that includes a fifth page  129   e  according to an aspect of the present invention. The fifth page  129   e  is employed to allow a user to index a new digital image  213  (FIG. 2) on the digital map  203 . The fifth page  129   e  is served to the client  106  (FIG. 1) in response to a request generated by the client  106  when the user clicks on the “add new image” button  229  (FIG. 2) from the first page  129   a  (FIG. 2). The fifth page  129   e  includes the digital map  203 , a picture field  303 , a caption field  306 , a direction field  309  and an “enter image” button  313 .  
         [0042]    When the fifth page  129   e  is displayed, the user may position the cursor  236  at a location on the digital map  203  that corresponds with the geographical location associated with the digital image  213  to be added. By clicking on the position, the geographical coordinates that correspond to the position are selected. Alternatively, the digital image  213  to be added may include the desired geographical coordinates as part of the image file. In such a case, the geographical coordinates may be automatically detected in the image file, thereby eliminating the need for a user to enter the same. Next, the user is required to identify the digital image  213  by virtue of its file name and storage location with the picture field  303 . Specifically, the user may enter in the filename and storage location in the picture field or may click on the browse button thereunder to allow the user to choose from the various digital images stored, for example, in the memory  156  (FIG. 1). The user then may enter the caption  219  (FIG. 2) and the direction indication  216  (FIG. 2) in the caption and direction fields  306  and  309 , respectively. Thereafter, the user may click on the enter picture button  313  and the digital image  213  is downloaded from the client  106  to the web server  126  (FIG. 1) where it is stored in the image index database  136  (FIG. 1). Thereafter, an image icon  209  is displayed on the digital map  203  at the identified location that is associated with the newly added digital image  213 .  
         [0043]    Turning to FIG. 7, shown is a flowchart of the indexing system  133  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, the flow chart of FIG. 7 may be viewed as a method executed in the map index server  103  (FIG. 1). The indexing system  133  is executed by the processor  113  (FIG. 1) to geographically index the digital images  213  (FIG. 2) stored in the image index database  136  (FIG. 1) onto the digital map  203  (FIG. 2) that is generated by the map generation system  131  (FIG. 1). The indexing system  133  is executed as needed in conjunction with the activity of the web server  126  (FIG. 1) in responding to the requests from the client  106  (FIG. 1).  
         [0044]    Beginning with block  333 , the indexing system  133  requests a new digital map  203  from the map generation system  131  to be transmitted to the client  106  in response to a request by the client  106  for the first page  129   a  (FIG. 2). Thereafter, in block  336  a map coordinate plane is obtained from the map generation system  131 . The map coordinate plane identifies a coordinate system that is associated with a digital map  203  that may be, for example, the geographical coordinates according to global longitude and latitude or other coordinate system. Thus, in block  336  the indexing system  133  obtains a reference coordinate plane by which the image icons  209  (FIG. 2) may be positioned on the digital map  203  (FIG. 2).  
         [0045]    Then, in block  339 , the image index database  136  is searched for all digital images  213  that include geographical coordinates that fall on the digital map  203  obtained from the map generation system  131 . These digital images  213  are obtained based upon whether they fall within the digital map  203  as determined from the reference coordinate plane and upon the current criteria  253  (FIG. 4). For each digital image that falls within the digital map  203 , a position of an associated image icon  209  is determined on the digital map  203  that corresponds with the geographical coordinates of the digital image  213 . In particular, the geographical coordinates of the digital image  213  is cross referenced onto the reference coordinate plane and the position on the digital map  203  is determined therefrom.  
         [0046]    Thereafter, in block  343 , the image icons  209  (FIG. 2), a thumbnail view of a default on of the digital images  213 , and the various buttons  223 ,  226 ,  229 , and  233  (FIG. 2) are transmitted to the client  106  as requested by the browser  189  for display on the display device  163  as the first page  129   a . Note that the digital map  203  may be transmitted separately by the map generation system  131 . The first page  129   a  is displayed by the browser  189  on the display device  163 .  
         [0047]    Next, the indexing system  133  determines whether the digital map  203  (FIG. 2) is to be repositioned based upon a request for a different digital map based upon the manipulation of the map control interface  206  (FIG. 2) by the user of the client  106  (FIG. 1). Specifically, when the user manipulates the map control interface  206  to focus on a different area, zoom in, or zoom out, etc., a request is generated by the client  106 , for example, that is transmitted to the web server  126  for a digital map  203  that covers the new desired geographical area. If such is the case then the indexing system  133  reverts back to block  333  where a new digital map  203  is generated and the process is begun once again. Otherwise, the indexing system  133  moves to block  349 .  
         [0048]    In block  349 , the indexing system  203  determines whether the filter that is applied to determine which of the digital images  213  are geographically indexed is to be altered. This situation occurs, for example, when the user clicks on the “filter images” button  223  and a request for the third page  129   c  is transmitted to the web server  126  by the client  106 . In response, in block  353  the third page  129   c  is transmitted to the client  106  to allow the user to alter the criteria  253  (FIG. 4) as discussed above. Then in block  356 , the indexing system  133  waits to receive the new criteria  253 . In block  359  the new criteria  253  is stored as the current criteria to be employed in filtering the digital images  213 . Thereafter, the indexing system  133  reverts to block  339  to generate the new digital map and identify the respective image icons  209  that are displayed by the client  106 .  
         [0049]    Referring back to block  349 , assuming that the filter is not to be changed, the indexing system  133  moves to block  363  to determine whether a slide show of the digital images  213  is to be presented without geographical indexing. This is determined, for example, when a request is received from the client  106  generated in response to the user clicking on the slide show button  226 . If the slide show is to be performed, then the indexing system  133  moves to connector B. Otherwise, the indexing system  133  moves on to block  366  as shown.  
         [0050]    In block  366 , the indexing system  133  determines whether a new digital image  213  is to be geographically indexed on the digital map  203 . This is determined, for example, by the receipt of a message generated by the client  106  in response to a user clicking on the “add new image” button  229 . If such is the case then the indexing system  133  moves to connector C. Otherwise, the indexing system  133  proceeds to block  369 .  
         [0051]    In block  369 , the indexing system  133  determines whether a digital image  213  geographically indexed on the digital map  203  is to be removed. This is determined, for example, by the receipt of a message generated by the client  106  in response to a user clicking on the “remove image” button  233 . If such is the case then the indexing system  133  moves to block  373 . Otherwise, the indexing system  133  reverts back to block  346 . In block  373 , the digital image  213  is removed from the image index database  136 . Thereafter, the indexing system  133  reverts back to block  339  to generate the digital map  203  depicted previously minus the image icon  209  associated with the deleted digital image  213 .  
         [0052]    Referring then, to FIG. 8, shown is a flow chart that further illustrates the indexing system  133 . From block  363  (FIG. 7), the indexing system  133  proceeds to block  376  in which the fourth page  129   d  is transmitted to the client  106  with the digital images  213  for viewing in sequential format as discussed with reference to FIG. 5. When finished as indicated by the user clicking on the back button  299  (FIG. 5), the indexing system  133  reverts back to block  333  (FIG. 7).  
         [0053]    With reference to FIG. 9, shown is another flow chart that further illustrates the indexing system  133 . From block  366  (FIG. 7), the indexing system  133  proceeds to block  379  in which the fifth page  129   e  (FIG. 6) is transmitted to the client  106  to enable a user to add a new digital image  213  (FIG. 2) to the image index database  136  for geographical indexing. Thereafter, the indexing logic  133  moves to block  383  to wait for the new digital image  213  to be received from the client  106  along with the associated direction indication  216 , caption  219 , date, and any other information. Then, the indexing system  133  moves to block  386  in which the digital image  213  and the associated information is stored in the image index database  136  (FIG. 1). The indexing system  133  then reverts back to block  333  (FIG. 7).  
         [0054]    Although the indexing system  133  (FIG. 1) of the present invention is embodied in software executed by general purpose hardware as discussed above, as an alternative the indexing system  133  may also be embodied in dedicated hardware or a combination of software/general purpose hardware and dedicated hardware. If embodied in dedicated hardware, the indexing system  133  can be implemented as a circuit or state machine that employs any one of or a combination of a number of technologies. These technologies may include, but are not limited to, discrete logic circuits having logic gates for implementing various logic functions upon an application of one or more data signals, application specific integrated circuits having appropriate logic gates, programmable gate arrays (PGA), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other components, etc. Such technologies are generally well known by those skilled in the art and, consequently, are not described in detail herein.  
         [0055]    The flow charts of FIGS.  7 - 9  show the architecture, functionality, and operation of an implementation of the indexing system  133 . If embodied in software, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that comprises one or more executable instructions to implement the specified logical function(s). If embodied in hardware, each block may represent a circuit or a number of interconnected circuits to implement the specified logical function(s). Although the flow charts of FIGS.  7 - 9  show a specific order of execution, it is understood that the order of execution may differ from that which is depicted. For example, the order of execution of two or more blocks may be scrambled relative to the order shown. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession in FIGS.  7 - 9  may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence. It is understood that all such variations are within the scope of the present invention. Also, the charts of FIGS.  7 - 9  are relatively self-explanatory and are understood by those with ordinary skill in the art to the extent that software and/or hardware can be created by one with ordinary skill in the art to carry out the various logical functions as described herein.  
         [0056]    Also, the indexing system  133  can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system such as a computer/processor based system or other system that can fetch or obtain the logic from the computer-readable medium and execute the instructions contained therein. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be any medium that can contain, store, or maintain the indexing system  133  for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system. The computer readable medium can comprise any one of many physical media such as, for example, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor media. More specific examples of a suitable computer-readable medium would include, but are not limited to, a portable magnetic computer diskette such as floppy diskettes or hard drives, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory, or a portable compact disc.  
         [0057]    Although the invention is shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalents and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. The present invention includes all such equivalents and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the claims.