PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7839420-B2
Application Number: US-15486405-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Auto stacking of time related images

Abstract:
Digital images may be grouped based on attributes of the images. To represent this grouping, the representations of the digital images are arranged into stacks.

Claims:
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
 storing a threshold time value; 
 automatically arranging a set of digital images into a plurality of stacks based on the threshold time value; and 
 causing display of a graphical representation of each of the plurality of stacks; 
 wherein automatically arranging includes:
 comparing a creation date and time associated with a first digital image from a set of digital images with a creation date and time associated with a second digital image from the set of digital images to determine a first difference value that reflects a difference between the creation date and time associated with the first digital image and the creation date and time associated with the second digital image; 
 comparing the creation date and time associated with the second digital image with a creation date and time associated with a third digital image from the set of digital images to determine a second difference value that reflects a difference between the creation date and time associated with the second digital image and the creation date and time associated with the third digital image; 
 in response to determining that the first difference value is less than the threshold time value, automatically selecting the first and second digital images for inclusion within a first stack of the plurality of stacks; 
 
 in response to determining that the second difference value is greater than the threshold time value, automatically selecting the third digital image for inclusion within a second stack the plurality of stacks;
 wherein the first stack does not include the third digital image; 
 wherein the second stack does not include either the first digital image or the second digital image; 
 
 wherein the method is performed by a computing device. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving the threshold time value in response to input. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein causing display of a graphical representation of each of the plurality of stacks includes causing display of animation showing digital images in the first stack coalescing into a stack and causing display of animation showing digital images of the second stack coalescing into a stack. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in response to input selecting a new threshold time value,
 determining that the second difference value is less than the new threshold time value; and 
 automatically selecting the second and third digital images for inclusion within the same stack. 
 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in response to input that selects a new threshold time value,
 determining that the first difference value is greater than the new threshold time value; and 
 automatically selecting the first and second digital images for inclusion within separate stacks of digital images. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving input that drags one of the first and second stacks onto the other of the first and second stacks; 
 in response to receiving the input, causing display of a graphical representation of a stack that represents a combination of the first and second stacks. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 assigning a digital image in the first stack to be a pick image for the first stack; and 
 wherein causing display of a graphical representation of the first stack includes causing display of the pick image to represent the first stack. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 selecting one or more additional digital images from the set of digital images for inclusion within the first stack; 
 selecting one or more additional images from set of digital images for inclusion within the second stack; 
 causing display of the graphical representations of the first and second stacks to be updated as additional digital images from the set of digital images are being selected for inclusion with the first and second stacks. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold time value is between three and five seconds inclusive. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in response to input, causing display of all digital images in the first stack. 
 
     
     
       11. A machine-readable volatile or non-volatile medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform:
 storing a threshold time value; 
 automatically arranging a set of digital images into a plurality of stacks based on the threshold time value; and 
 causing display of a graphical representation of each of the plurality of stacks; 
 wherein automatically arranging includes:
 comparing a creation date and time associated with a first digital image from a set of digital images with a creation date and time associated with a second digital image from the set of digital images to determine a first difference value that reflects a difference between the creation date and time associated with the first digital image and the creation date and time associated with the second digital image; 
 comparing the creation date and time associated with the second digital image with a creation date and time associated with a third digital image from the set of digital images to determine a second difference value that reflects a difference between the creation date and time associated with the second digital image and the creation date and time associated with the third digital image; 
 in response to determining that the first difference value is less than the threshold time value, automatically selecting the first and second digital images for inclusion within a first stack of the plurality of stacks; 
 in response to determining that the second difference value is greater than the threshold time value, automatically selecting the third digital image for inclusion within a second stack of the plurality of stacks; 
 wherein the first stack does not include the third digital image; 
 wherein the second stack does not include either the first digital image or the second digital image. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The machine-readable volatile or non-volatile medium of  claim 11 , further storing instructions for:
 receiving the threshold time value in response to input. 
 
     
     
       13. The machine-readable volatile or non-volatile medium of  claim 11 , wherein causing display of a graphical representation of each of the first and second stacks includes causing display of animation showing digital images of the first stack coalescing into a stack and causing display of animation showing digital images of the second stack coalescing into a stack. 
     
     
       14. The machine-readable volatile or non-volatile medium of  claim 11 , further storing instructions for:
 in response to input selecting a new threshold time value,
 determining that the second difference value is less than the new threshold time value; and 
 automatically selecting the second and third digital images for inclusion within the same stack. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The machine-readable volatile or non-volatile medium of  claim 11 , further storing instructions for:
 in response to input selecting a new threshold time value,
 determining that the first difference value is greater than the new threshold time value; and 
 automatically selecting the first and second digital images for inclusion within separate stacks. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The machine-readable volatile or non-volatile medium of  claim 11 , further storing instructions for:
 receiving input that drags one of the first and second stacks onto the other of the first and second stacks; 
 in response to receiving the input, causing display of a graphical representation of a stack that represents a combination of the first and second stacks. 
 
     
     
       17. The machine-readable volatile or non-volatile medium of  claim 11 , further storing instructions for:
 assigning a digital image in the first stack to be a pick image for the first stack; and 
 wherein causing display of a graphical representation of the first stack includes causing display of the pick image to represent the first stack. 
 
     
     
       18. The machine-readable volatile or non-volatile medium of  claim 11 , further storing instructions for:
 selecting one or more additional digital images from the set of digital images for inclusion within the first stack; 
 selecting one or more additional digital images from set of digital images for inclusion within the second stack; 
 causing display of the graphical representations of the first and second stacks to be updated as additional digital images from the set of digital images are being selected for inclusion with the first and second stacks. 
 
     
     
       19. The machine-readable volatile or non-volatile medium of  claim 11 , wherein the threshold time value is between three and five seconds inclusive. 
     
     
       20. The machine-readable volatile or non-volatile medium of  claim 11 , further storing instructions for:
 in response to input, causing display of all digital images in the first stack. 
 
     
     
       21. A system comprising:
 one or more processors; and 
 logic encoded in one or more machine-readable volatile or non-volatile media wherein execution by the one or more processors causes:
 storing a threshold time value; 
 automatically arranging a set of digital images into a plurality of stacks based on the threshold time value; and 
 causing display of a graphical representation of each of the plurality of stacks; 
 wherein automatically arranging includes:
 comparing a creation date and time associated with a first digital image from a set of digital images with a creation date and time associated with a second digital image from the set of digital images to determine a first difference value that reflects a difference between the creation date and time associated with the first digital image and the creation date and time associated with the second digital image; 
 comparing the creation date and time associated with the second digital image with a creation date and time associated with a third digital image from the set of digital images to determine a second difference value that reflects a difference between the creation date and time associated with the second digital image and the creation date and time associated with the third digital image; 
 in response to determining that the first difference value is less than the threshold time value, automatically selecting the first and second digital images for inclusion within a first stack of the plurality of stacks; 
 in response to determining that the second difference value is greater than the threshold time value, automatically selecting the third digital image for inclusion within a second stack of the plurality of stacks; 
 wherein the first stack does not include the third digital image; 
 wherein the second stack does not include either the first digital image or the second digital image. 
 
 
 
     
     
       22. A computing device comprising:
 a data port capable of operatively coupling to a peripheral device for receiving a set of digital images; 
 the computing device configured to:
 store a threshold time value; 
 receive a set of digital images from a peripheral device operatively coupled to the data port; 
 automatically arrange the set of digital images into a plurality of stacks based on the threshold time value; and 
 cause display of a graphical representation of each of the plurality of stacks; 
 wherein the computing device is configured to automatically arrange the set of digital images by:
 comparing a creation date and time associated with a first digital image from the set of digital images with a creation date and time associated with a second digital image from the set of digital images to determine a first difference value that reflects a difference between the creation date and time associated with the first digital image and the creation date and time associated with the second digital image; 
 comparing the creation date and time associated with the second digital image with a creation date and time associated with a third digital image from the set of digital images to determine a second difference value that reflects a difference between the creation date and time associated with the second digital image and the creation date and time associated with the third digital image; 
 
 in response to determining that the first difference value is less than the threshold time value, automatically selecting the first and second digital images for inclusion within a first stack of the plurality of stacks; 
 in response to determining that the second difference value is greater than the threshold time value, automatically selecting the third digital image for inclusion within a second stack of the plurality of stacks; 
 wherein the first stack does not include the third digital image; 
 wherein the second stack does not include either the first digital image or the second digital image.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/960,888, filed on Oct. 6, 2004, invented by Randy Ubillos, Laurent Perrodin, Dan Waylonis, Stan Jirman, Sarah Brody and Mike Mages, entitled “Displaying Digital Images using Groups, Stacks, and Version Sets,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     Application Ser. No. 10/960,888 is related to co-pending application Ser. No. 10/960,339, filed on same day herewith, invented by Randy Ubillos and Stan Jirman, entitled “Viewing Digital Images on a Display Using a Virtual Loupe,” and co-pending application Ser. No. 10/960,163, filed on same day herewith, invented by Randy Ubillos and Laurent Perrodin, entitled “Viewing Digital Images Using a Floating Controller,” and co-pending application Ser. No. 10/960,887, filed on same day herewith, invented by Randy Ubillos, Laurent Perrodin and Dan Waylonis, entitled “Techniques for Displaying Digital Images on a Display,” the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to displaying digital images, and more specifically, grouping digital images based upon attributes of the digital images. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is common for photographers to take multiple pictures of their subjects. Modern cameras enable this by allowing for multiple pictures to be taken as long as the shutter button is depressed. Photographers may also manually take several shots of a subject within a brief period of time. For example, a photographer may take ten consecutive photographs of a subject, either automatically in one or multiple bursts or manually over a span of time. The object of this is to increase the odds of getting at least one good photograph, as the photographer will often choose the best photograph from a set and discard the rest. 
     The ability to take multiple images is advantageous by allowing the photographer to pick and choose the best photograph from a group, but a disadvantage is the increased work that must be done in reviewing each image and choosing the best one. 
     Photographers may use a software system in managing and organizing digital images. Often, photographers may need to display a large number of digital images on a display. The number of digital images that the photographer wishes to visually represent on the display may be too large or unwieldy for each of the digital images to be visually represented on the display unobstructed or clearly delineated. This is especially true where a photographer has taken multiple photographs of a subject and needs to review each one in order to choose the best photograph of the group. 
     Consequently, there is a need in the art to improve the display, management, and organization of digital images shown on a display. 
     The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, the approaches described in this section may not be prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a display of a digital image system according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating the steps of visually depicting images in a stack, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of two states of a stack according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a display showing a pick image containing a control to change the state of a stack according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the movement of images in a stack when an image in the stack is promoted according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration depicting a change in the pick image of a stack according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating the steps of automatically stacking images according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. 
     Functional Overview 
     A stack is a set of ordered digital images that may be visually represented, in a contracted state, using a representative image (referred to as a “pick image”), and in an expanded state in which all digital images associated with the stack are displayed rather than just the pick image. The pick image of the stack, which is displayed on a display, may be used to represent each digital image of the stack, thereby reducing the number of digital images displayed on the display. It is understood that in the preferred embodiment of the invention, actual digital images may be graphically represented by small likenesses, called “thumbnail” images. For purposes of this disclosure, operations on a thumbnail image are mirrored to the actual image that the thumbnail represents; therefore, the term “image” shall be construed to mean one of a large image, its representative thumbnail, or both. 
     A user, such as a photographer, may use a stack to represent multiple digital images on a display by displaying only the pick image. The user may change the state of the stack to display all digital images associated with the stack if the user desires to view all of the images of the stack, rather than just the pick image. Stacks allow a user to organize and manage large amounts of digital images by visually representing multiple digital images by displaying just the pick image, thereby promoting organization and minimizing the amount of visual information needed to be displayed on the screen to identify each digital image of the stack to the user. 
     Each image of a stack is associated with a rank value. Images of a stack may be promoted to a higher rank or demoted to a lower rank. Images of a stack may be shown in order of their associated rank value, e.g., the pick image of the stack may be the digital image of the stack that has the highest rank. 
     A user, such as a photographer, may manage and organize a collection of digital images using a digital image system that displays digital images using stacks according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1  is an illustration of a display  100  and storage  100  of several digital images by a digital image system, according to one embodiment of the invention. As explained in further detail below, a digital image system may include a computer system that displays one or more digital images upon a display, e.g., display  100  of  FIG. 1 . As  FIG. 1  shows, four different digital images, namely image A, image B, image C, and image D, are visually depicted on display  100 . While only four digital images are shown for ease of explanation, display  100  may easily display an unwieldy number of digital images, e.g., two-thousand or more, thus creating difficulties for a user to view and manage all of the digital images shown on display  100 . 
     The images displayed on display  100  are stored in storage  110 . Storage  110  may be implemented using any mechanism for storing digital images, e.g., a database, file server, or volatile memory. A digital image stored in storage  110  has a file image resolution, which is the resolution of the digital image when it is stored. Digital images may be displayed at a different level of resolution than that of the file image resolution, e.g., a particular image may be shown magnified resolution level. The level of resolution of a displayed image shall be referred to as the displayed image resolution. 
     To assist the user in the management and organization of his or her digital images, one or more digital images may be arranged into a stack.  FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating the steps of visually depicting images in a stack according to one embodiment of the invention. In step  210 , set data is stored that (a) identifies an association between a plurality of images, (b) identifies a representative image, and (c) identifies a current state of the plurality of images. When one or more digital images are arranged into a stack, set data is generated and stored that identifies the one or more digital images and whether the one or more digital images are arranged into a formal group, a stack, as a version set, or any combination thereof (as explained below, formal groups and stacks are alternative embodiments of the invention and may be nested). The performance of the remainder of steps of  FIG. 2  shall be described in further detail below with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     As mentioned earlier, stacks may be visually represented, in a contracted state, using a pick image, and in an expanded state in which all digital images associated of the stack are displayed.  FIG. 3  is an illustration of two states of a stack according to one embodiment of the invention. Each digital image in a stack has a rank, and each digital image in the stack is depicted in order of its rank. For example, in the stack in the expanded state as shown in  FIG. 3 , pick image A has the highest rank, image B has the next highest rank, image C has the next highest rank, and so on. 
     The digital image system may depict images of a stack based on metadata stored with the stack in storage  310 . The metadata stored in storage  310  identifies the stack, each image in the stack, which image of the stack is pick image, the rank of each image in the stack, and the state of the stack. For example, metadata  320 , associated with the stack in the contracted state, stores data that (a) identifies the stack, (b) identifies image A, image B, image C, image D as belonging to the stack, (c) identifies the current state of the stack as the contracted state, (d) identifies a rank associated with each image of the stack, and (e) identifies image A as the pick image. Metadata  322 , associated with the stack in the expanded state, stores data that (a) identifies the stack, (b) identifies image A, image B, image C, image D as belonging to the stack, (c) identifies the current state of the stack as the expanded state, (d) identifies a rank associated with each image of the stack, and (e) identifies image A as the pick image. The digital image system displays images of the stack based on the stored metadata associated with the stack, e.g., as metadata  320  indicates the stack associated with it is in the contracted state, digital image system displays only image A (which is the pick image) on display  300 . 
     Returning again to  FIG. 2 , in step  220 , when the current state of a stack is the contracted state, the images of the stack are visually depicted by displaying only the representative image, or the pick image. For example, as shown by the state in the contracted state depicted in  FIG. 3 , image A, image B, image C, and image D are represented by visually depicting only image A. 
     In step  230  of  FIG. 2 , when the current state of the stack is the expanded state, the images of the stack are visually depicted by displaying two or more images of the stack in order of the rank associated with each displayed image. For example, as shown by the images in the stack in the expanded state depicted in  FIG. 3 , image A, image B, image C, and image D are represented by visually depicting image A, image B, image C, and image D. Note that in step  230 , the images of the stack may be visually depicted by displaying less than all of images of the stack, as long as two or more images of the stack are visually depicted, e.g., in step  230 , image A, image B, image C, and image D may be visually depicted by showing only image A and image B. When the stack is in the expanded state, images are shown in order of the rank associated with each displayed image. For example, in the stack in the expanded state depicted in  FIG. 3 , image A (which is first) has the highest rank, image B (which is displayed next) has the next highest rank, and so on. 
     Changing the Display State of a Stack 
     A user may change the state of the stack between the contracted state and the expanded state. In one embodiment of the invention, the state of the stack may be changed by the user submitting input to a computer system. Input may be submitted to a computer system by a variety of means, including one or more sequences of keystrokes or one or more mouse clicks. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the state of the stack may be changed by the user selecting a control associated with the stack.  FIG. 4  depicts a display  400  showing a pick image containing a control  410  to change the state of a stack according to one embodiment of the invention. The stack of  FIG. 4  may be changed from the contract state to the expanded state by the user selecting the control  410  displayed on the pick image of  FIG. 4 . Control  410  may be implemented using any graphical component that allows a user to select the control, e.g., by clicking on it. Note that the control  410  need not be displayed on the pick image, but rather, may be displayed anywhere on a screen visible to a user, e.g., control  410  may be displayed on a toolbar. Accordingly, control  410  may be implemented using any mechanism for receiving user input, such as one or more sequences of keystrokes or one or more mouse clicks. 
     When the state of a stack is changed, the number of digital images that are visually represented on the display is changed (i.e., either the pick image is shown or two or more digital images of the stack are shown). The process of changing the number of digital images that are visually represented on the display may be performed in a manner that allows the user to visualize what is happening to the stack. One way to accomplish this is to provide an animation showing the change in the number of digital images visually depicted by the stack to allow the user to understand that the state of the stack has changed. In other words, in order to avoid confusing a viewer by changing the visual depiction of the stack instantaneously when the state of the stack is changed, the change in the visual depiction of the stack may occur incrementally over a noticeable period of time to allow the user to fully comprehend the change in state of the stack by watching the change on the display. For example, one or more intermediate states of the stack may be displayed as the stack transitions from the visual depiction of the contracted state to the visual depiction of the expanded state. 
     Promoting Images in a Stack 
     Digital images in the stack may be promoted to a higher rank or demoted to a lower rank. A user may use a stack to decide which digital image in a set of related digital images is favored by promoting favored digital images in the stack, and demoting unfavored digital images in the stack. A user may cause a particular image in the stack to be promoted or demoted by selecting a control on the particular image, similar to control  410  of  FIG. 4 . 
     When an image in a stack is promoted or demoted, the visual display of the stack may be updated in a manner that allows the user to visualize the change in the order of images in the stack.  FIG. 5  is an illustration  500  of the movement of images in a stack when an image in the stack is promoted according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , image C is promoted, thereby causing it to have a higher rank than image B. Consequently, image C is shown to move from its current location to the location formerly held by image B by passing through one or more intermediate locations, such as temporary position  1 . Image B may also be shown to move from its current location to the location currently occupied by image C by passing through one or more intermediate locations, such as temporary position  2 . In this way, the user may fully comprehend the change in the order of images in the stack by watching the movement of the members of the stack. When an image in the stack is promoted or demoted, the metadata associated with the stack is updated to reflect the changing in ranking of each image of the stack. 
     Changing the Pick Image of a Stack 
     The user may change the pick image of a stack.  FIG. 6  is an illustration  600  depicting a change in the pick image of a stack according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 6  shows the result of receiving user input to cause image C to be the pick image of the stack. The pick image is displayed in position  610 , which is currently occupied by image A. User input may be submitted via a variety of mechanisms, including input device  814  and cursor control  816 . When a new pick image of a stack is identified by the user, the new pick image is promoted to the first position of the stack, and other images in the stack remain in their same relative order. The change in the pick image may be performed in a manner that allows the user to visualize what is happening to the group. 
     For example, as  FIG. 6  illustrates, image C may be shown to move from its current location to position  610  by passing through one or more intermediate locations, such as temporary position  1  and temporary position  2 . After image C is promoted to position  610 , images A, B, and D remain in the same relative order with respect to each other. Thus, images A and B may be shifted a position to the right on the display to visually represent their change in relative position within the stack. Image A may be shown to move from its current location to the location occupied by image B by passing through one or more intermediate locations. Image B may be shown to move from its current location to the location previously occupied by image C by passing through one or more intermediate locations. In this way, the user may fully comprehend the change in the pick image of the group by watching the movement of the digital images of the group on the display. 
     Generating a Stack Based Upon Attributes 
     While stacks may be created manually, it would be advantageous to generate a stack of images based upon attributes of the images. One embodiment of the invention stacks digital images based upon the creation date and time of the images being within a certain threshold, or time value. The time value can be preset, adjusted by a user, or automatically generated. In one embodiment, the threshold is set by a slider control, although other means are possible, such as direct input, dialog boxes, menu items, or other input or user control. This approach is advantageous because it offers a visual grouping of related images, so that a user may simply look at each image within a stack in order to choose the best one, rather than review images from several different locations of a screen. Also, a stack gives a user a tool to rank pictures within the stack. For example, as a user is reviewing images within a stack, the user may “promote” images to a higher rank based on the quality of the image as compared to another image. 
     In one embodiment, in response to an importation of digital images from a storage device such as a flash memory card, the file creation date and time of each image is read. Based upon the current position of a slider control, all images created within the time value represented by the slider, in relation to each other, are automatically stacked. For example, if the slider position represents a time value of three seconds, all images created within three seconds of another image are automatically stacked. In one embodiment, the image created earliest within a stack is assigned to be the pick image. 
     The process of stacking may be performed in a manner that allows a user to visualize what is happening. One way to accomplish this is to provide an animation showing the digital images coalescing into a stack. Other means of accomplishing this are envisioned, as well as different types of animations. 
     In one embodiment, if the time value is changed by a user, for example by manipulating the slider control, all images created within the new time value in relation to another image are automatically stacked. For example, if images within a three second time value have already been stacked, and a user adjusts the time value to five seconds, all images created within five seconds of another image are automatically stacked. This would most often increase the number of images within a given stack, and may cause two or more stacks to be combined into one. This can occur in real-time, with the results of the stacking visually represented to a user. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating the steps of one embodiment of the invention whereby images are stacked based upon the image creation date and time. In the preferred embodiment, this is a continuing process, so that images may be appropriately stacked in real time as images are added to the set or the time value is changed. In step  710  a threshold time value is read and stored, for example as variable X. In the preferred embodiment, this would be the time value represented by a user interface control such as a slider. In step  720 , all images within the set of images to be operated upon (the “comparison set”) are examined for each one&#39;s file creation date and time, and this date and time is stored along with an identifier linking each image with its particular creation date and time value. In step  730 , all stored creation dates and times are compared, and all stored creation dates and times within X seconds of any other are identified and the respective images stacked. In step  740 , it is determined if the threshold time value has changed. If so, control reverts to step  710 . If not, it is then determined if images have been added to the comparison set  750 . If so, control reverts to step  710 . If not, the process loops back to step  740 . 
     Embodiments of the invention may be performed during importation of images or at any time thereafter. One embodiment is envisioned wherein, in response to user input, images are automatically stacked based upon a certain criteria. This may be performed on all images stored on one or more storage devices or a chosen subset. Other embodiments are possible where pictures from several different cameras may be automatically stacked based upon certain criteria. 
     It is envisioned that a user may manually add images to an automatically-created stack. For example, a user takes ten pictures of a tree within three seconds of each other. One minute later, the user takes ten pictures of a boat within three seconds of each other. One minute later, the user takes five more pictures of the original tree subject within three seconds of each other. If the user sets the time value to three seconds for automatic stacking, there will be three stacks: one containing the original ten tree pictures, one containing the ten boat pictures, and a last stack containing the last five tree pictures. If the user desires to include the last five tree pictures in the first stack of ten tree pictures, the user may manually affect this on a per-instance basis. For example, in one embodiment, a user would drag a stack of images onto a single image or another stack, the effect being to combine the images into one stack. 
     In another embodiment, automatic stacking is performed based upon other criteria. One embodiment may use image comparison techniques to stack images where the images have similar content. Other embodiments are envisioned where the criteria used for stacking includes aperture and exposure values, image orientation, or user-created criteria. 
     In alternate embodiments of the invention, digital images may be grouped into collections such as formal groups or version sets. A formal group is a set of unordered digital images that may be visually represented, in a first state, using a representative image, referred to as a “pick image.” A formal group may also be visually represented, in a second state, by displaying all digital images in the formal group, rather than just the pick image. The pick image of the formal group, which is displayed on a display, may be used to represent each digital image of the formal group, thereby reducing the number of digital images displayed on the display. A version set refers to a set of related digital images that may be visually represented, in a first state, using a representative image (or pick image), and in a second state by each digital image associated of the version set. Version sets are similar to groups, except that the images in the version set are derived, directly or indirectly, from the same original digital image. 
     The term “formal group” is distinct and different from the general definition of “group” or “grouping,” where “group” or “grouping” comprises a general term. For example, one may “group” images into a stack, a formal group, or a version set. Likewise, a stack, a formal group, or a version set may be referred to generally as a “group” of images. 
     Hardware Overview 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system  800  upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Computer system  800  includes a bus  802  or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor  804  coupled with bus  802  for processing information. Computer system  800  also includes a main memory  806 , such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to bus  802  for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor  804 . Main memory  806  also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor  804 . Computer system  800  further includes a read only memory (ROM)  808  or other static storage device coupled to bus  802  for storing static information and instructions for processor  804 . A storage device  810 , such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus  802  for storing information and instructions. 
     Computer system  800  may be coupled via bus  802  to a display  812 , such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user. An input device  814 , including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus  802  for communicating information and command selections to processor  804 . Another type of user input device is cursor control  816 , such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and command selections to processor  804  and for controlling cursor movement on display  812 . This input device typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in a plane. 
     The invention is related to the use of computer system  800  for implementing the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computer system  800  in response to processor  804  executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory  806 . Such instructions may be read into main memory  806  from another machine-readable medium, such as storage device  810 . Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in main memory  806  causes processor  804  to perform the process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. 
     The term “machine-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing data that causes a machine to operation in a specific fashion. In an embodiment implemented using computer system  800 , various machine-readable media are involved, for example, in providing instructions to processor  804  for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device  810 . Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory  806 . Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus  802 . Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infra-red data communications. 
     Common forms of machine-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punchcards, papertape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read. 
     Various forms of machine-readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor  804  for execution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system  800  can receive the data on the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitter to convert the data to an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector can receive the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriate circuitry can place the data on bus  802 . Bus  802  carries the data to main memory  806 , from which processor  804  retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by main memory  806  may optionally be stored on storage device  810  either before or after execution by processor  804 . 
     Computer system  800  also includes a communication interface  818  coupled to bus  802 . Communication interface  818  provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link  820  that is connected to a local network  822 . For example, communication interface  818  may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. As another example, communication interface  818  may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation, communication interface  818  sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information. 
     Network link  820  typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices. For example, network link  820  may provide a connection through local network  822  to a host computer  824  or to data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP)  826 . ISP  826  in turn provides data communication services through the world wide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the “Internet”  828 . Local network  822  and Internet  828  both use electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals through the various networks and the signals on network link  820  and through communication interface  818 , which carry the digital data to and from computer system  800 , are exemplary forms of carrier waves transporting the information. 
     Computer system  800  can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), network link  820  and communication interface  818 . In the Internet example, a server  830  might transmit a requested code for an application program through Internet  828 , ISP  826 , local network  822  and communication interface  818 . 
     The received code may be executed by processor  804  as it is received, and/or stored in storage device  810 , or other non-volatile storage for later execution. In this manner, computer system  800  may obtain application code in the form of a carrier wave. 
     Computer system  500  can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), network link  520  and communication interface  518 . In the Internet example, a server  530  might transmit a requested code for an application program through Internet  528 , ISP  526 , local network  522  and communication interface  518 . 
     The received code may be executed by processor  504  as it is received, and/or stored in storage device  510 , or other non-volatile storage for later execution. In this manner, computer system  500  may obtain application code in the form of a carrier wave. 
     In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicator of what is the invention, and is intended by the applicants to be the invention, is the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Any definitions expressly set forth herein for terms contained in such claims shall govern the meaning of such terms as used in the claims. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature, advantage or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of such claim in any way. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20050615
Publication Date: 20101123
Grant Date: 20101123
Priority Date: 20041006
Inventors: UBILLOS RANDY
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/0483", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06T7/97", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04842", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0483", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06T11/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06T7/97", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 35706540