Abstract:
Techniques of digital media categorization are described. An exemplary technique can include receiving a plurality of media objects that includes a first media object and a second media object. Each media object may comprise one or more images. The exemplary technique can also include detecting a first feature in the first media object and a second feature in the second media object and determine that the first and second features are similar based on comparing the first and second features. Furthermore, the exemplary technique can include associating the first media object with the second media object based on metadata describing the first media object. The association can be performed based on the determined similarity. The exemplary technique can also include grouping the first and second media objects in response to the association. Other embodiments and/or techniques are possible.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to digital media categorization. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Digital media such as digital images or video can be generated, for example, by a digital camera, camcorder, television camera, or mobile phone. These digital images or videos can be labeled with descriptive information for future viewing, browsing, or searching. Such descriptive information can include, for example, a name of a person, a name of place, or event information. For example, a user can label a digital image depicting a person with the name of that person. Later, a user can search for images labeled with that person&#39;s name. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    This specification describes technologies that, among other things, categorize digital media. 
         [0004]    The subject matter described can be implemented in methods that include receiving information including a plurality of media objects and a metadata tag descriptive of at least a first media object; comparing the first media object with a second media object; and selectively associating the first media object&#39;s metadata tag with the second media object based on a result of the comparison. Each media object can include a digital image. Other implementations can include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products. 
         [0005]    These, and other aspects, can include one or more of the following features. The comparing can include detecting a first feature of the digital image of the first media object; detecting a second feature of the digital image of the second media object; and comparing the first feature with the second feature. The first feature can be a depiction of at least a portion of a person. The metadata tag can include a name of the person. The comparing can include accessing a first timestamp of the first media object; accessing a second timestamp of the second media object; and comparing the first timestamp with the second timestamp. The comparing can include accessing first geographical coordinates of the first media object; accessing second geographical coordinates of the second media object; and comparing the first geographical coordinates with the second geographical coordinates. The features can also include providing a user interface to present the first media object to a user and displaying in the user interface a prompt that requests a metadata tag for the first media object. The digital image of the first media object can include a frame of a first digital video. The digital image of the second media object can include a frame of either the first digital video or a second digital video. 
         [0006]    The subject matter described can also be implemented in methods that include receiving multiple media objects, each media object including a digital image, wherein one or more of the received media objects are associated with one or more metadata tags; performing one or more comparisons between the received media objects; generating a digital media album responsive to results of the one or more comparisons, wherein the digital media album comprises at least a portion of the received media objects; and associating a metadata tag of a media object in the digital media album with the digital media album. Other implementations can include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products. 
         [0007]    These, and other aspects, can include one or more of the following features. One or more of the comparisons can be based on time. One or more of the comparisons can be based on geographical coordinates of a media object. One or more of the comparisons are based on a feature of a digital image. The feature can be a facial feature. 
         [0008]    A system can include a communication interface and a processor coupled with the communication interface. The processor can be configured to perform operations including receiving information from the communication interface, the information including a plurality of media objects, each media object comprising a digital image, and a metadata tag descriptive of at least a first media object; comparing the first media object with a second media object; and selectively associating the first media object&#39;s metadata tag with the second media object based on a result of the comparison. 
         [0009]    The system can include one or more of the following features. The system can include a storage medium. The communication interface can be coupled with a storage media medium, a communication network, or both. The comparing can include detecting a first feature of the digital image of the first media object; detecting a second feature of the digital image of the second media object; and comparing the first feature with the second feature. The first feature can be a depiction of at least a portion of a person. The metadata tag can include a name of the person. The comparing can include accessing a first timestamp of the first media object; accessing a second timestamp of the second media object; and comparing the first timestamp with the second timestamp. The comparing can include accessing first geographical coordinates of the first media object; accessing second geographical coordinates of the second media object; and comparing the first geographical coordinates with the second geographical coordinates. The features can also include providing a user interface to present the first media object to a user and displaying in the user interface a prompt that requests a metadata tag for the first media object. The digital image of the first media object can include a frame of a first digital video. The digital image of the second media object can include a frame of either the first digital video or a second digital video. 
         [0010]    Particular implementations of the subject matter described in this specification may be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. Selectively associating the metadata tag of a media object with another media object based on a result of a comparison between the media objects can save a user from manually making the association. The comparison methods can be used to automatically generate digital media albums. 
         [0011]    The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIGS. 1A , B show different examples of systems for uploading media objects. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2A , B, C show different examples of associations between digital images. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows an example of user interface for entering tags. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows an example of an association process. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 5A , B show different examples of a comparison between media objects. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows an example of an association process relating to feature detection. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  shows an example of a process that performs comparisons between multiple media objects. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Devices such as digital cameras, camcorders, television cameras, or mobile phones can produce multiple media objects. A media object can be labeled with one or more metadata tags. A metadata tag can be descriptive of a media object&#39;s content. For example, a digital image depicting Bob can be labeled with a metadata tag of “Bob.” 
         [0021]    Labeling media objects with metadata tags can be beneficial for future access of the media objects. But manually labeling media objects with metadata tags can be a time consuming process. The time for such a process can be reduced by labeling just a portion of the media objects, automatically detecting similarities between the media objects, and then associating a tag of one media object to another media object if at least one similarity exists between the two media objects. In other words, a large set of media objects can effectively be labeled based on labels manually designated for fewer than all of the media objects in the set. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1A  shows an example of a system for uploading media objects. A photographic device such as a camera  105 , a mobile phone with a camera, or camcorder can produce media objects. A media object can include a digital image represented in a format defined by standards such as the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) standard or Graphics Interchange Format (GIF). 
         [0023]    A photographic device can record the location of where of a digital image was taken and/or a timestamp of when the digital image was taken. The location information and/or timestamp can be associated with the digital image. In some implementations, photographic devices can be equipped with a text entry device such as a keyboard to allow a user to label a digital image with a metadata tag. In some implementations, photographic devices can be equipped with a microphone to allow a user to record speech or sounds as a metadata tag. 
         [0024]    The camera  105  can transfer data such as media objects and associated metadata to a computer  110  over a communication link  115 . The communication link  115  can be wireless, wired, or a combination thereof. A wireless communication link can use protocols such as Bluetooth®, IEEE 802.11 standards, or other wireless protocols for sending and receiving data. The communication link  115  can include a data cable such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable. In some implementations, the camera  105  can include a removable digital storage medium such as a USB memory stick or card. The removable digital storage medium can store media objects and associated data. A user can upload media objects to the computer  110  by removing the storage medium from camera  105  and inserting the storage medium into a corresponding slot on computer  110 . The computer  110  can transfer data from the storage medium into a local storage medium such as a hard drive of computer  110 . The process of uploading data via a removable digital storage medium can be used in lieu of or in combination with the communication link  115 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 1B  shows a different example of a system for uploading media objects. A camera  105  can upload media objects to computer  110  over a communication link  115 . The computer  110  can upload media objects to a server  120 . The computer  110  and server  120  can be connected to a communication network  125  such as the Internet or a Local Area Network (LAN) via network links  130 . The server  120  can be coupled to one or more communication interfaces that can couple to a communication network or storage mediums such as hard drives or USB non-volatile memory devices. In some implementations, a camera  105  can communicate with server  120  to upload media objects. 
         [0026]    A wireless device such as a camera equipped mobile phone  135  can upload media objects to server  120  via a wireless link  140  to the communication network  125 . The wireless link  140  can be provided by a mobile phone network or a local area wireless network. The server  120  can stored and process the uploaded media objects for a user. A user can use multiple cameras or wireless devices to upload media objects. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2A  shows an example of an association between digital images based on one or more similar features between digital images. Features can include, for example, a person, a face, an object, and colors of the image. Multiple media objects including digital images  200 ,  210 ,  220  can be compared for similarities. For example, digital image  200  can depict a person  205 , digital image  210  can depict the same person  205  at a later time, and digital image  220  can depict the person  205  standing with other people  225 ,  230 . Because digital image  200  and digital image  210  have a person  205  in common, they can have an association between them. Digital image  220  can have an association with either or both images  210 ,  220  because of having person  205  in common. Other associations between images  210 ,  210 ,  220  can be possible. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2B  shows an example of an association between digital images based on time. Digital images  240  can be taken over time. Time, in  FIG. 2B , can be represented by a time axis  245  where time advances from left to right. The digital images  240  can be arranged on the axis  245  according to timestamps of the digital images  240 . The digital images  240  can be grouped together by partitioning axis  245  into intervals  250 ,  255 ,  260 . Each digital image of an interval can be associated with the other digital images of the interval. The time period and properties for defining an interval can be user, software, and/or server configurable. In some implementations, intervals can be defined by a fixed amount of time. For example, for every 24 hour period, a new interval can be defined. In some implementations, an interval can be defined by an amount of time starting at a specified digital image. Other techniques for defining a subinterval can be possible. Further, other associations between images  240  can be possible. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2C  shows an example of an association between digital images based on geographic location. A group  266  of digital images  265  can be taken in or around a geographic location  270 . In some implementations, a center of location  270  can be defined by geographic coordinates such as coordinates specified by a line of latitude  280  and a line of longitude  285 . Other coordinate systems can be used to represent location  270 . The boundary for location  270  can be defined by a user, geometric shapes, and/or additional geographic coordinates. Digital images  265  can be associated together by a common location  270  of the images  265 . Other associations between images  265  can be possible. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows an example of user interface for entering tags. A user interface  300  can be generated by a standalone application or generated by a server such as server  120 . The user interface  300  can be displayed, for example, on computer  110 . After media objects such as digital images have been uploaded to either computer  110  or server  120 , the user interface  300  can display at least a portion of the uploaded digital images  305 ,  310 ,  315 . An image can be selected in the user interface  300  by a user input such as a mouse click on an image  305 ,  310 ,  315 . A selected image  310  can be highlighted to denote that the image  310  has been selected. For example, a dashed box  320  can be displayed around the selected image  310 . A prompt  325  for entering one or more tags can be displayed in the user interface  300  along with a text entry box  330 . After entering a tag, a user can select another image. In some implementations, the user interface  300  can advance to the next image. Images that have tags already can be skipped or revisited depending on user preferences or application defaults. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows an example of an association process. An association process can run on processor electronics such as computer  110  or server  120 . An association process can receive  401  multiple media objects. Receiving techniques can include receiving data from a storage medium, over a communication network, over a communication interface, or a combination thereof. A first media object can be selected  402  from the media objects by either a user or automatically by the process. The process can receive  403  a metadata tag descriptive of the first media object. Sources for the metadata tag can include the user interface  300 , a file associated with the media object, or a tag embedded in the media object. More than one tag can be received for a media object. In some implementations, multiple tags can be treated as a single tag. For example, a tag can include a space delimited list of names. The process can select a second media object  404  from the received media objects. The first media object can be compared  405  to the second media object. If the comparison  406  is true, then the metadata tag can be associated  407  with the second media object. If there are more media objects remaining  408 , then another second media object can be selected  409  from the remaining media objects and a new comparison can be made  405 . If there are no more media objects remaining, then the process can finish  410 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5A  shows an example of a comparison between media objects based on timestamps. The comparison  405  of  FIG. 4  can employ one or more types of comparison methods. In some implementations, the comparison  405  can include accessing  501  a timestamp of a first media object and a timestamp of a second media object. A timestamp can be included within a media object or in a file or data structure associated with the media object. A timestamp can be indicative of when the media object was produced. For example, a camera can record the time of when a digital image was taken and store the time as a timestamp along with the digital image as a media object. The comparison  405  can include comparing  502  the first media object&#39;s timestamp with the second media object&#39;s timestamp. If the difference between the first media object&#39;s timestamp and the second media object&#39;s timestamp is within a specified time criterion, then an association can be made between the first media object and the second media object. The timestamp of the second media object can chronologically come after or before the timestamp of the first media object. Thus, in some implementations, an absolute value of the difference can be compared to the time criterion to determine an association. The specified time criterion can be configured by a user, a process performing the comparison, or by a default value. For example, the time criterion can be 3-5 second for associating media objects taken in rapid succession. In another example, the time criterion can be 24 hours for associating media objects taken during a day. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5B  shows an example of a comparison between media objects based on geographic coordinates. In some implementations, the comparison  405  of  FIG. 4  can include accessing  511  geographic coordinates of a first media object and geographic coordinates of a second media object. In some implementations, geographic coordinates can include values for latitude and longitude. Geographic coordinates can be included within a media object or in a file or data structure associated with the media object. For example, a media object can include a digital image, and geographic coordinates representing a location of where the digital image was captured. The comparison  405  can include comparing  512  the first media object&#39;s geographic coordinates with the second media object&#39;s geographic coordinates. A distance between the first media object&#39;s geographic coordinates and the second media object&#39;s geographic coordinates can be computed. If the distance is less than or equal to a specified distance criterion, an association between the first and second media objects can be made. The specified distance criterion can be configured by a user, a process performing the comparison, or by a default value. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  shows an example of an association process relating to feature detection. An association process can select  601  a first media object from a group of media objects. In some implementations, an association process can automatically select the first media object or can provide a user interface for a user to make the selection. The association process can receive  602  a metadata tag descriptive of the first media object. The metadata tag can be a text string and can include information such as a name or an attribute of the media object. A metadata tag can be generally associated with the media object or can be associated with a specified person or object of the media object&#39;s digital image. A feature of the first media object&#39;s digital image can be detected  603 . Features can include people, a portion of a person, objects, landforms, buildings, and other characteristics of the media object such as color and hue. For example, a person&#39;s face can be a detectable feature. Facial recognition software can be used to detect a presence of a person&#39;s face. Other visual recognition software can be used to detect other features. In some implementations, detecting  603  can be combined with receiving a metadata tag  602 . For example, a user can select a feature of a digital image such as a region including a face, which acts as detecting  603 , and the user can supply a corresponding metadata tag such as a name for the face to the association process. 
         [0035]    The association process can select  604  a second media object from the group of media objects. A feature of the second media object&#39;s digital image can be detected  605 . The association process can compare  606  the first media object&#39;s feature with the second media object&#39;s feature. For example, facial recognition software can be used to detect and compare a feature of the second media object with a feature of the first media object. If the faces match or approximately match, then the comparison can be true. 
         [0036]    If the comparison is true  607 , the process can associate  608  the metadata tag with the second media object and can finish  609 . The metadata tag can be stored with the second media object, included in the media object, or can be associated with the media object by a link. 
         [0037]    If the comparison is false  607 , the process can determine  610  if there are more features in the second media object&#39;s digital image. If there are more features, then another feature of the second media object&#39;s digital image can be detected  611  and the process continues at comparison  606 . For example, a digital image can include multiple faces and the facial detection software can be used to match a face to any or all of the faces included in the digital image. If there are no more features in the second media object  610 , then the process can finish  609 . 
         [0038]    The comparison  606  can take in to account variations in the compared features. Variations can include differences in shading, proportions, colors, hues, and other user configurable or process generated parameters. The degree of an acceptable variation can be configured by a user or an association process. 
         [0039]    In some implementations, receiving  602  a metadata tag can be performed in a separate process. For example, a user can selectively tag a portion of the media objects included in a group. In photographic devices that are equipped with a text entry capability, a user can enter a tag and associate the tag to a media object such as a recently captured digital image. The association process can access this group and the associated tags. For each of the media objects with a metadata tag, the association process can automatically select each of the other media objects within the group as the second media object and perform items  605 - 611  as appropriate. In some implementations, a media object can obtain one or more associations through association  608 . 
         [0040]    Different comparison methods such as methods  502 ,  512 ,  606  can be used together. A union of multiple comparison methods between two media objects can be performed. For example, if any of the comparisons  502 ,  512 ,  606  are true, then a metadata tag of the first media object can be associated with the second media object. 
         [0041]    An association process can be executed again when additional media objects are received or when a user adds additional metadata tags to existing media objects. Further, an association process can be executed again with different comparison criteria. 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  shows an example of a process that performs comparisons between multiple media objects. The process can receive  705  multiple media objects. The media objects can be displayed  710  through a user interface. A user of the user interface or the process can select  715  a media object. The process can receive  720  a metadata tag for the media object. The metadata tag can be associated  725  with the selected media object. In some implementations, the received media objects can already be associated with one or more metadata tags. If a media object is associated with a tag, then the received  720  information can be used to edit, replace, or append the tag. The new or modify tag can be stored within the media object or separately from the media object. If the user wishes to select additional media objects or if there are more media objects to select  730 , selection  715  can reoccur to select a different media object. Otherwise, the process can perform  735  comparisons between two or more of the received media objects. The process can select media objects, each associated with at least one metadata tag, to perform comparisons with other media objects. The comparison methods can include one or more method such as methods  502 ,  512 ,  606 . The process can selectively associate  740  metadata tags to media objects based on the comparisons. For example, once the process yields a true comparison between a pair of media objects, a metadata tag of one of on the media objects in the pair can be associated with the other media object of the pair. Metadata tag information can be shared between both media objects in the pair, if both media objects are associated with metadata tags. 
         [0043]    The process can generate  745  a digital media album from at least a portion of the media objects. Media object properties such as time, geographical coordinates, and features can be used to group media objects together to form a digital media album. In some implementations, the process can allow a user to select media objects to form an album. Metadata tags of the digital media album&#39;s media objects can be associated  750  with the digital media album. Likewise, a digital media album can be associated with metadata tags, and those metadata tags can be automatically associated with media objects of the album. Metadata tags can be searched, browsed, or displayed. Search results can be used to display matching album(s) and/or matching media object(s). 
         [0044]    The subject matter described herein can also be applied to digital video. Digital video can include a sequence of frames. Each frame can be considered a digital image. A digital video can be represented by a sequence of media objects, each media object including a different frame of the digital video, or a media object that includes the sequence of frames. For labeling media objects, comparisons can be made between different media objects of a digital video or between media objects of different digital videos. For example, consider a filmmaker shooting a scene of a movie. The movie&#39;s script calls for Bob to enter the scene, say some dialog, and then walk out of the scene. The filmmaker or an editor can apply the present techniques to label movie frames with actors&#39; names and later search for those frames that are associated with a specified actor or actors. A frame can also be labeled with information such as whether an actor is speaking. 
         [0045]    Implementations of the subject matter and the functional operations described in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer-readable medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. The computer-readable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, or a combination of one or more of them. The term “data processing apparatus” encompasses all apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. The apparatus can include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them. A propagated signal is an artificially generated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal, that is generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus. 
         [0046]    A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network. 
         [0047]    The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). 
         [0048]    Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices. Moreover, a computer can be embedded in another device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio player, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, to name just a few. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry. 
         [0049]    To provide for interaction with a user, implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, near-touch input, or tactile input. 
         [0050]    Implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front-end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described is this specification, or any combination of one or more such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network (“WAN”), e.g., the Internet. 
         [0051]    The computing system can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. 
         [0052]    While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of the disclosure. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination. 
         [0053]    Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. 
         [0054]    A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.