GB2390791A - Editing a gallery of digital images - Google Patents

Editing a gallery of digital images Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2390791A
GB2390791A GB0215756A GB0215756A GB2390791A GB 2390791 A GB2390791 A GB 2390791A GB 0215756 A GB0215756 A GB 0215756A GB 0215756 A GB0215756 A GB 0215756A GB 2390791 A GB2390791 A GB 2390791A
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Prior art keywords
digital
editing
gallery
digital image
data
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GB0215756A
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GB0215756D0 (en
GB2390791B (en
Inventor
Rakefet Sagman
Lee Rickler
Simon Parker
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Canon Europa NV
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Canon Europa NV
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/50Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor of still image data
    • G06F16/51Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system for editing a digital gallery of at least one digital image on a user terminal. The editing system comprises a server computer adapted to communicate with at least one user having a user terminal via a network, means for communicating adapted to exchange data between the user terminal and the server computer. The server computer further comprises means for editing adapted to generate data representing a document to be displayed by display means of the user terminal. The document comprises in a first region a collection (400) of digital images (403) and in a second region (401) a layout of the digital gallery, said layout comprising at least one representative means representing the position of a digital image in the digital gallery. The editing means is adapted to process at least one assignment request, generated by the user terminal and sent by said communicating means, and to assign at least one digital image of the digital collection displayed in the first region to a representative means displayed in said second region.

Description

239079 1
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EDITING A DIGITAL
GALLERY OF DIGITAL IMAGE ON A USER TERMINAL
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating and editing electronic documents on digital processing systems, more particularly to a method and apparatus for creating andlor editing digital galleries or albums of digital images, or digital video films.
2. Related Art Recently, digital images and video films became increasingly popular, the use of digital cameras and digital video cameras expanded. Memory is also becoming available in increasingly large capacities. For instance, a large amount of digital images or video can be stored on Digital Versatile Disks, Compact Disks, memory cards, hard disks, digital tape cartridges, etc. As a consequence, retrieving digital images or digital video films from such a large collection stored on different data recording media becomes difficult and time-consuming.
Therefore, for users, it became necessary to classify all their digital images or digital video films to retrieve and display them easily, without loosing track of them. A solution consists in creating and displaying digital albums on a computer. To assist users in creating and displaying digital albums on computer system, graphical interfaces are already available to the public. However, the user interface of these systems often constitutes an obstacle to their use. For instance, some of these systems opt for displaying the entire image. Downloading full images takes lots of time, and it may happen that the size of images is larger than the size of the computer screen. To access different images, users have to display, to handle different pages, and to use scrolling bars, which can rapidly become complicated.
Some other systems opt for the use of miniaturized digital images, socalled "thumbnails", to represent full digital images or video films. These graphical interfaces commonly display, on a single page, as much information as possible, namely the entire collection of thumbnails, as well as a display of the digital album and different complicated menus' aimed at assisting the user in creating his album.
Choosing an item among a large collection of thumbnails displayed on screen is difficult; the size of thumbnails displayed can be very small and it is often impossible to have a clear view of a digital picture's content without displaying it full-size. Furthermore, the use of scroll bars is often required.
Creating a digital album with many of the graphical user interfaces currently available involves the use of only a small portion of the screen to visualise the digital album. As a consequence, the digital album is either displayed in full size, scroll bars being required, or in a reduced view. In both cases, it is difficult to have an exact idea of the final aspect of the digital album once displayed in its true size.
Digital images and video films are increasingly popular amongst professional photographers, journalists, etc. For instance, professional photographers use the Internet to promote their work and to sell their products. Consequently, they must be able to design as well as easily and rapidly create digital albums, which highlight their work in the best possible way.
To assist users, such as professional reporters and photographs, in designing digital albums, Internet services offer to store user digital albums as well as user digital images or digital video films on remote large capacity memories. These services also provide online editing solutions to create digital albums.
Nevertheless, such editing solutions present the disadvantages of conventional graphical user interfaces as outlined above. They are also not suitable as online services. Most of the editing solutions use graphical interfaces, where it is
necessary to open lots of pages and documents and to download lots of data from a server. Often communications between servers and user terminals are slow or are even subject to failure, especially when the network is overloaded or when the amount of data transferred is too large. Using current online editing solution is inefficient, complicated and time-consuming.
3. Summary of the invention
The present invention aims at overcoming the disadvantages of the conventional systems for editing and creating online digital album. Embodiments of the present invention seeks to provide a method and system that allow users to rapidly and easily select, via a network, for instance a digital image or a digital video film from a digital collection stored in a remote location and to rapidly and easily create and design, through a network, his own digital gallery with said selected file.
The present invention discloses a system for editing a digital gallery of at least one digital image on a user terminal. The editing system comprises a server computer adapted to communicate with at least one user having a user terminal via a network, means for communicating adapted to exchange data between the user terminal and the server computer. The server computer further comprises means for editing adapted to generate data representing a document to be displayed by display means of the user terminal. The document comprises in a first region a collection of digital images and in a second region a layout of the digital gallery, said layout comprising at least one representative means representing the position of a digital image in the digital gallery. The editing means is adapted to process at least one assignment request, generated by the user terminal and sent by said communicating means, and to assign at least one digital image of the digital collection displayed in the first region to a representative means displayed in said second region.
Advantageously, the invention discloses a method for editing a digital gallery of at least one digital image on a user terminal, wherein a server computer communicates with at least one user having a user terminal via a network and
data are exchanged between the user tenninal and the server computer. The method comprises the steps of: generating data representing a document to be displayed by a display means for the user terminal, wherein the document comprises in a first region a digital collection of digital images and in a second region a layout of the digital gallery, the layout comprising at least one representative means representing the position of a digital image in the digital gallery, processing at least one assignment request, generated by the user terminal and sent by said communicating means, assigning at least one digital image of the digital collection displayed in the first region to a representative means displayed in the second region.
Advantageously, the present invention discloses a method and apparatus for editing a digital gallery of digital still images as well as for editing a digital gallery of digital moving images, also called digital video films.
Furthermore, the invention consists in a server programmed to become operable to become operable to perform a method as described above.
The invention also consists in a storage medium for storing instructions for programming a processing apparatus to become operable to perform a method as described above.
The invention discloses a computer program for programming a processing apparatus to become operable to perform a method as described above.
Moreover the invention describes a signal carrying instructions for programming a processing apparatus to become operable to perform a method as described above
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure I is an overview of a network system according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 schematically represents functional units of an embodiment of the invention, together with their interconnections' as part of a processing unit of the server as illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 3A, figure 3B, figure 3C represent the communication between the server, as illustrated in Figure 2, and user terminals.
Figure 4 illustrates a digital gallery editor, as generated by the Editing Module (202) and displayed by user terminal.
Figure 5A illustrates a digital archive, as generated by the Editing Module (202) and displayed by user terminal.
Figure 5B illustrates a representative means displayed in a digital archive, as illustrated in Figure 5A.
Figure 6A illustrates information relating to a digital gallery.
Figure 6B represents information relating to a digital archive as illustrated in Figure 5A.
Figure 7 presents the successive steps, carried out by the editing module, in the process of generating data, to be sent to a user terminal in order to display a digital archive, as illustrated in Figure 5A.
Figure presents the successive steps, carried out by the Editing Module (202), in the process of editing and modifying a digital gallery, when using a digital archive, as illustrated in Figure SB.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 is an overview of a network system according to an embodiment of the invention. Reterring to Figure l, an embodiment of the invention comprises a server computer (105) adapted to communicate with a user having a user terminal (102), (103), (104) via a network (101).
Preferably, the network (101) is an Internet network. For instance, communication between the server and user terminals can set through a TCP/IP protocol. Alternatively, the user communicates with the server (105) via an intranet network.
Preferably, the user terminal (102) is a personal computer connected, via a modem or telephone lines or a special network connection (ISDN, etc.) to the server (105). The user terminal (102), such as a personal computer, contains, in a conventional manner, one or more processors, memories, graphics cards, etc. together with a display means and user input devices (keyboard, mouse, trackball...). The user terminal (102) also comprises or is connected to some data storage means (109, 110), such as hard disks, floppy disks, DVD, CD, disk/tape cartridges, flash memory cards...
Optionally, the user can be connected to the network through other equipments, such as cellular phones, laptop PCs, Set Top Boxes, PDAs, digital TV, etc. The server (105) comprises or is connected to data storage means (106) having a large storing capacity. As an example, hard disks, tape or disk cartridges can be used. The server (105) hosts an interactive online data service, such as file digital image data or video film data.
After being connected to the server (105) in a conventional manner, a user can transfer digital image or video film data, stored on any of the storage means
(109) (110) linked to his terminal (104), from his terminal (104) to the server (105). The user can either transfer data representing full digital images or digital video films or compressed data or data representing miniaturized digital images, so called thumbnails.
Henceforth, it will only be referred to digital images, though it Is understood that digital video films can be used instead of digital images.
Optionally, a digital camera (111) provided with a flash memory card or a flash memory box (112) can be connected to the terminal (104), digital pictures being transferred from the flash memory card to a storage means of the computer (104).
The user can, at anytime, connect himself to the server via his terminal (102), (103), (104) and view the digital image, he has previously downloaded on the server (105). Optionally, he can allow, in a conventional manner, other users (selected or not) to view said digital image.
As will be described in more details below, the user can also organise, online, his digital images in digital galleries, for instance via HTML pages transferred from the server (105) to a user terminal (104).
Referring to Figure 2, the server (105) is described in more detail according to an embodiment of the invention.
The server (105) comprises a processing unit (201), containing, in a conventional manner, one or more processing units, memories, graphics cards, etc. together with a display device and user input controller (keyboard, mouse, trackball...). Such a processing apparatus can be thought of as being configured as a number of functional units for performing processing operations.
Examples of such functional units and their interconnections are shown in Figure 2. The units and interconnections, illustrated in Figure 2, are notional and are shown only for illustration purposes in order to assist understanding; they do not
necessarily represent units and connections, into which the processors, memory, etc. of the processing unit (201) actually become configured.
A central controller (205) is arranged to process inputs from the user input devices (21 1) and to provide control for the other functional units.
A display controller (03) is arranged to output image data to a display device (210).
An output/input interface (206) is arranged to control the storage of digital image data input to the server (105) through the network (101). Namely, through such an output/input interface (206), the processing unit (201) has access to large capacity data storage means (106), on which the digital image data that the sender (105) has received from user terminals (102), (103), (104), are stored. The processing unit (201), when receiving digital image data from a user, records them on such storage means. Similarly, on user request. the processing unit (201) will retrieve digital image data, specified by the user, to be processed by the processing unit (201). Optionally, through the input/output data interface (206), the processing unit (201) can have access, through the network, to information relating to remote servers or storage means, where digital image data are located. Such data will allow the processing unit (101) to retrieve the digital image data. The data can consist of the address of a remote computer server (e.g. an IF address) or of the address of a storage means, together with identification data (such as the name) of the digital image. It can also consist of identification data of the digital image-only, such as a H11P link to the digital image, etc. For instance, these data can be stored in a memory unit (204).
A memory unit (204) is configured to store information relating to user digital galleries and to digital archives (400). Such information will be described in more details below. Optionally, part of the information can be stored in a memory unit located in the user terminal (104). In such a case, the memory unit (204) is also configuredto store the minimum information required for the processing unit (201) to retrieve data stored in the memory unit located in the user terminal (104).
A thumbnail creating module (207) is arranged to create miniaturized digital images thumbnails, to represent digital image. In a conventional manner, the thumbnails consist in small sized and compressed version of original digital images. Preferably, thumbnails can represent small sized and compressed version of a specific digital image from digital video films. In an embodiment of the invention, the thumbnail creating module creates thumbnails, when the Server Communication Module (208) receives digital image data and before these digital image data are stored in a storage means (106). The created thumbnails are stored in the memory unit (204).
Optionally, users can provide the server (105) with thumbnails only. In this case, a thumbnail creating module should be provided within a processing unit of the user tenninal (104) or within a processing unit of digital image apparatus (111) connected to the user terminal (104).
An Editing Module (202), according to an embodiment of the invention is a means of editing, arranged to generate, under the control of the central controller (205), data, which represent digital gallery documents. These data are generated, under requests, from other data. The user can, through his terminal (104), provide such requests and data. The Editing Module (202), as part of the process of creating digital gallery documents, generates a Digital Gallery Data (501), relating to the created digital gallery. These data are stored in the memory unit (204). Optionally, the Digital Gallery Data (501) can be directly sent to the user, without being stored in the memory unit (204).
The processing unit (201) further comprises, as a mean.c of communicating, a server Communication Module (208), which enables communication between the server (105) and different users through the network (101). More specifically, the server communication module (208) is adapted to exchange data between user terminals (102), (103), (104) and the server (105). The server communication module (208) processes requests and data sent by users from their terminals (104) through the network (101) and delivers them to a correct finctionaliby unit of tale processing unit (201). Similarly, the server
Cormnunication Module (20X) outputs and communicates data files, or requests to user terminals (102), (103), (104).
According to an embodiment of the invention, the Server Communication Module (208) will receive and process display requests and data (Steps Slot to S105) received from terminal (102), (103)' (104), as illustrated In Figure 3A.
The Server Communication Module (208) retrieves, from the memory unit (204), Digital Gallery Data (501), relating to the Digital Gallery that the user desires to access (Step S108). Such Digital Gallery Data (501) have been created by the Editing Module (202) and stored in the memory unit (204). The editing module (208) generates data from the Digital Gallery Data (501). When receiving said generated data, the processing unit of the user terminal (102), (103), (104) will process them to display the Digital Gallery on the terminal display means, in a conventional manner. For instance, the Digital Gallery can consist in a HTML page, which is transmitted from the server (105) to the user terminal (104).
Preferably, the Server Communication Module (208) can request from the terminal (102), (103), (104) data relating to the type of the display means provided with the terminal (102), (103), (104), onto which the digital gallery will be displayed (Step S106 and S107). Such data can be stored in the memory unit (204) together with user identification data (such as his name, his user-id, his login password, etc.) Preferably the data can be stored in a buffer memory, so long as the user remains connected to the server (105). The data will be provided to the Editing Module (202) together with the Digital Gallery Data (501) relating to the digital gallery, the user wishes to have access to, in order to generate new data. These newly generated data are specifically compatible with said display means, and will be sent to the user terminal (102)7 (103), (104) by the Service Communication Module (208) (Step S108). Thus, the display of digital galleries can be adapted according to the kind of display means, provided with user terminals (102), (103), (104); for instance, a digital gallery will be differently displayed on a cellular phone or on a personal computer.
Referring to Figure 3B, the Server Communication Module (308) is configured, according to an embodiment of the invention, to process user requests for modifying existing digital galleries or for creating new digital galleries. To modify existing digital galleries or create new ones, a user needs to have access, through his terminal (104), to a Digital Gallery Editor (300) (step S201).
Preferably, a Digital Gallery can be modified only by its owner or by any user to which a user has given such permission (Steps 202, 203). The Server Communication Module (208) will receive information (Steps S204, S205), relating to the Digital Gallery the user wishes to create or modify. If the user requests modifications, these information will be provided to the Editing Module (202) together with the Digital Gallery Data (501), relating to said existing Digital Gallery, which are stored in the unit memory (204), The Editing Module (202) will generate data using the Digital Gallery Data (501). Said generated data are sent to the user terminal (104) via the Server Communication Module (208) (Step S206). The processing unit of the user terminal (104) will process these data, so as to display a Digital Gallery Editor (300) on the display means of the computer (104). The user will be allowed to modify the existing Digital Gallery through the interface of the Digital Gallery Editor (300). User modifications will be transmitted via the Server Communication Module (208) to the Editing Module (202) (step S207). The Editing Module (202) modifies the Digital Gallery Data (501) accordingly and generates updated data to be sent to the user terminal (104). The processing unit of the user terminal (104) will process these updated data to display the Digital Gallery Editor (300), taking the user modifications into account. The updated Digital Gallery Data (501) are stored in dhe memory unit (204) and if necessary, sent to the user terminal (104). For instance, the Digital Gallery Editor (300) can consist in a HTML page, which is transmitted from the server (105) to the user terminal (104).
Referring now to Figure 3C, the user can, in an embodiment of the invention, request access to a collection of digital images, he has previously transferred to the server (105) and which are stored in the storage means (106). For instance,
such access can be requested through the Digital Gallery Editor (300) (Step 301). To answer such a request, the Editing Module (202) will fetch in the memory unit (204) all the thumbnails, representing the digital images owned by the user and stored in the storage means (106). User Identification data (514C) can be associated to each thumbnail, representing a digital image owned by said user.
The Editing Module (202) can use such user Identification data (514C) to retrieve thumbnails.
Preferably, the Editing Module (202) will retrieve, in the memory unit (204), data relating to the location where the digital image data are stored. The Editing Module (202) will then fetch in the storage means (106) the digital image data and ask, if necessary, to the Thumbnail Creating Module to create thumbnails representing the digital images.
The Editing Module (202) generates data using Digital Archive Data (511), (512), (513), (514). Said data are sent to the user terminal (104) via the Server Communication Module (208) (Step S302). The processing unit of the user terminal (104) will process these data to display a Digital Archive (400) on the display means of the user terminal (104). The user will then be allowed, through the interface of the Digital Archive (400), to select digital images, represented by thumbnails, and to add them into his Digital Gallery. User modifications will be transmitted, as requests, via the Server Communication Module (208) to the Editing Module (202) (step S303). The Editing Module (202) will modify the Digital Gallery Data (514) and generate updated data to be sent to the user terminal (104) (Step 304). The processing unit of the user terminal (104) will process these data to display the Digital Archive (400), taking the user modifications into account. If necessary, the updated Digital Gallery Data (501) are stored in the memory unit (204) and sent to the user terminal (104). For instance, the Digital Archive (400) can consist in a HTML page, which is transmitted from the server (105) to the user terminal (104).
According to an embodiment of the invention, a Digital Gallery Editor (300), as generated by the Editing Module (202), is illustrated in Figure 4. It comprises a menu (301) to modify parameters relating to the edited digital gallery (302), or to edit new galleries, or to edit and delete existing galleries, etc. The digital Gallery Editor (300) comprises a fixed number Num_N of thumbnails (303) together with different information (304), (305), (306) relating to these thumbnails. These thumbnails represent digital nonages, already allocated to the edited digital gallery and which will be displayed in said Digital Gallery.
According to an embodiment of the invention, part of the information (304) , (305), (306) consist of a number corresponding to the position (306) allocated to the related digital image within the Digital Gallery.
The fixed number, Num_N, corresponds to the maximum number of digital images allowed in a Digital Gallery, in such a way that the Digital Gallery is displayed full screen, on the terminal display means, the use of a scroll bar not being required. The number Num_N can also depend on the size of the digital image to be displayed and on the screen size. A compromise should be found between the maximum number of digital images that can be displayed and the size of the digital images. This number is either a fired parameter or can be calculated and dynamically allocated to the Digital Gallery Data according to the information relating to the display means of the terminal (102), (103), (104), which have been requested by the server (105) when a user accesses to the server (105) (step S 106, S1 07).
According to an embodiment of the invention, a Digital Archive (400), as created by the Editing Module (202) is illustrated in Figure SA. For instance it comprises menus (406A), (406B), (406C), such as navigation menus, menus to modify parameters relating to the edited Digital Archive (400A), menus to edit, or to modify or to delete existing Archives, etc. The edited Digital Archive (400A), displayed in a first region (402) consists in a collection of Num_M thumbnails (403) displayed together their respective parameters (404). As an example, some thumbnail parameters can consist in owner identification data,
the title, and the date of shooting of the digital image, etc. Optionally, the edited Digital Archive (400A) can consist in any collection of digital images.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the fixed number, Num_M, corresponds to the maximum number of thumbnails (403) allowed in a Digital Archive (400), In such a way that the Digital Archive (400) is displayed full screen, on the terminal display means, the use of a scroll bar not being required.
The number Num_M can also depend on the size of the thumbnails (403) to be displayed and on the screen size. A compromise should be found between the maximum number of thumbnails (403) that can be displayed and the size of thumbnails (403). This number, which can be stored within Digital Archive Data (501), either is a fixed parameter or can be calculated according to the information relating to the display means of the terminal (102), (103), (104), which have been requested by the server (105), when a user accesses to the server (105) (step S106, S107).
According to an embodiment of the invention, thumbnails (403) are displayed together with a specific parameter (404A). If a digital image, represented by a thumbnail (403), is inserted in a digital gallery, this parameter (404A) is a number, which corresponds to the position of said digital image, within the Digital Gallery. Obviously a similar digital image can be inserted in different digital galleries. However, only the parameter (404A) corresponding to the position of digital images within the digital gallery edited in the Digital Gallery Editor (300) will be displayed. Optionally, some indicating means can be displayed together with thumbnails to indicate the related digital images are inserted in other digital galleries.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the Digital Archive (400) comprises in a second region (401) a visual representation (405) of the digital gallery layout. Such a visual representation (405) comprises representative means (407), which represent the position of the N_Num digital images in the digital gallery. The visuad representation can consist of a matrix (405), within which a cell (407) represents the position of a digital image in said digital gallery, as illustrated infigure SB. When a digital image is inserted in the digital
gallery at a position represented by a cell (407A), a special mark, such as a cross or any other distinguishing means, is displayed within the cell (407A). Similarly, when no digital image has been assigned to a position in the digital gallery, a number corresponding to the position, where a digital image could be inserted' is displayed within the cell (407B). Alternatively, the number corresponding to the position of a digital image inserted in the digital gallery could be displayed withm the corresponding representative means, while a cross would be displayed, when no digital image is assigned to a position.
In such a way, the user has a constant and cl ear idea of what his digital gallery will look like. A maximum space of the terminal display means is allocated to display the thumbnails relating to the digital image collection, while only a relatively small space of the terminal display means is required to display the representation means (406). A maximum number of thumbnails can be displayed at the same tinge; the use of scrolling tools is not required. This maximum number of thumbnails is limited to num_M, so that the size of displayed thumbnails is sufficiently large to be good quality representation of digital images. Advantageously, through the representation means (406) of the digital gallery layout, the user can design his digital gallery in a fast and easy manner. With the representation means (406), the user avoids to constantly and frequently download, from the server (105), lots of different and new pages or documents, as well as to switch from one page to another one. It is less time consuming, since downloading and opening online documents takes time, especially when the network is overloaded or when the amount of data transferred is too large.
Editing or modifying digital galleries online with the help of the Digital Archive is more efficient, more simple and faster.
If the user owns more than Num_M digital images, a navigation menu (406B) allows the user to have access to all the thumbnails of the edited Digital archive (400A). When such a navigation menu (406B) is activated, the following next Num_M thumbnails from the owner digital collection will be displayed. The
navigation within the digital archive is simple, efficient and fast as well, displaying thumbnails being a rapid process.
When the user wishes to add a digital image from his collection, represented by the Digital Archive (400A), he first selects, through user input means (keyboard, mouse, trackball...) connected to his terminal (104), a representative means (407). Preferably the selected representative means is highlighted. If he then selects a thumbnail (403) from the edited Digital Archive (400A), said thumbnail (403) is highlighted; an assigning request is automatically generated by said user terminal (104) and sent by the server communication module (208) to the editing module (202). The editing module (202) processes this assigning request, together with the Digital Gallery Data (501), which are visually represented by the matrix (405): new Digital Gallery Data (501) are generated, wherein the digital image represented by the selected thumbnail (403) is inserted into the Digital Gallery, at the position indicated by the represented means (407).
Furthermore, the Editing module (202) generates new Digital Archive Data (514), taking into account the new assignment. The editing module (202) generates new data to be sent to the user terminal (104) to display an updated Digital Archive (400). Thus, a position number will appear within the cell (407A), which has been previously selected, and the same position number will be displayed under the thumbnail (403), which has been previously selected.
For instance, the control and animation of the representative means can be achieved with JavaScript.
To modify a digital gallery, only few data, such as the assigrnent request, are exchanged between the server (105) and the user terminal (104). Such communications between the server (105) and the user terminal (104) is fast, even if the network (101) is overloaded, as the amount of data transferred is not significant. Editing or modifying digital galleries online in such a way is efficient, simple and fast.
Alternatively, the user can select first a thumbnail (403) and then a representing means (407). Alternatively, an assigning request is generated only when an update button (408) is activated. Optionally, a releasing request will be
generated by said user terminal (104), when a remove button (409) is activated.
Similarly to the assigning procedure, a releasing procedure can be provided. A releasing request is sent, through the server communication module (208), to the editing Module (202). The editing Module (202) generates new digital gallery data (500); the digital image represented by the selected thumbnail (403) is deleted from the Digital Gallery, at the position indicated by the represented means (407). Furthermore, the Editing module (202) generates new Digital Archive data (514). taking into account the releasing request. These updated data are sent to the user terminal (104) in order to display an updated Digital Archive (400).
When activated, remove buttons (404B) linked to every displayed thumbnail (403), allow a user to remove, from the edited Digital Archive (400A), the digital image represented by the thumbnail (403).
Referring to Figure 6A, digital gallery data (501) according to an embodiment of the invention are illustrated. These data, which can be stored in a memory unit (204) for instance, can consists of: Gallery_Name (502) relating to the name of the digital gallery, À Gallery_FreeText (503) corresponding to some text the user wants to be displayed with the digital gallery, Gallery_Display_Parameters (504) corresponding to some parameters for displaying the digital gallery, e.g. the background colour, etc.,
Num_N (505) corresponding to the maximum number of digital images that can be allowed in a digital gallery.
Digital_lmage Size (506) corresponding to the size, the digital gallery allocated to its digital images, Preferably, Digital_Image Size_i can be allocated for each Num_N digital image. Digital_Image_Adress i (507) corresponding to the address, where the digital image inserted in the position_) in the Digital Gallery, is stored, Optionally, Digital_Image_Adress_i (507) can correspond to the address name of a thumbnail (403).
À Digital_Image_Coord_i (508) corresponding to the coordinates where the digital image (i) will be display in the digital gallery, Digital_Image_Text_i (509) corresponding to the text which will be displayed together with the digital image (i) in the digital gallery Digital_Other_Parameter (510) corresponding to some other parameters relating to the digital gallery, such as the name of the owner, the type of copyright rights, etc. Preferably, the parameters, such as the Num_N (505), Digital_Medum_Size (50G). D'gital_lmage_Coord (508) can be fixed. Optionally, they can be automatically allocated, or modified by the user.
Referring to Figure 6B, digital archive data (511), (512), (513), (514) according to an embodiment of the invention are illustrated. These data, which can be stored in a memory unit (204), can, for instance, comprise Digital_Image_ldentification_(;) (514A) corresponding to data, which allows digital image data, which have been recorded in storage means (106) under user request, to be retrieved.
Such data can consist of a thumbnail file name with the address where the digital image data are stored. Preferably such thumbnail file can include the address of the digital image data. Optionally, such data comprises only the address where the digital image data or the related thumbnail is stored.
Assignment_Data_(j) (514B) corresponding to data, which allows the Editing Module (202) to retrieve digital gallery data (501) into which the digital image (j) has been inserted.
A digital image (j) can be inserted in different digital galleries.
Assinent_Data_(j) (514B) can consist of the Gallery_Name (502). It can also include the Digital_Image_Coord_(i) (508) or a number corresponding to the position of digital image in the digital gallery.
À Other_Parameter_(j) (514C) corresponding to other parameters relating to the digital image, such as owner identification data (his name, his login identification data e.g.), the date of shooting, the copyrights, the format of the digital image, its compression rate, etc.
À Num_M corresponding to the maximum number of digital images that can be displayed at one time in digital archive (400).
As an embodiment of the invention, Figure 7 presents in more detail how the editing module (202) generates Digital Archive Data (514), allowing a user to access the Digital Archive (400) from a Digital Gallery Editor (300), through his terminal (104).
The start step (S601) is triggered when a user sends (step S301) a request to the server for accessing the Archive Editor.
Once the server communication Module (208) has transmitted the user request to the editing module (202), the editing module in step (S602) retrieves information relative to his terminal display, which have been requested by the server (105) in steps (Sl06, S107).
In step (S603), the editing module (202) retrieves Digital Gallery Data (501).
In step (S604), the editing module (202) reads the parameter Num_N amongst the Digital Gallery Data (501). Preferably, the editing module (202) calculates Num_N with the information relative to the terminal display and with other Digital Gallery Data (501), such as the Digital Image_Size (506), etc. In step (S605), the editing module (202) reads the parameter Num_M amongst the Digital Archive Data (514). Preferably, the Editing module calculates Num M with information relative to the terminal display and with other Digital Archive Data, such as the size of the thumbnails.
In step (S606) the Editing Module (202) will fetch in the memory unit (204) the first Num_M thumbnails, representing the digital images owned by the user and stored in the storage means (106).
Optionally, the Editing Module will retrieve, in the memory unit (204), information relating to the location where the digits! image data are stored; the
Editing Module (202) will then fetch in the storage means (106) the digital image data. In step (S607), the editing Module (202) requests to the Thumbnail Creating Module (207) to create thumbnails representing said digital images and which might be stored in a buffer memory or in the memory unit (204). Only thumbnails corresponding to Num_N digital images can be created. Preferably, thumbnails corresponding to all the digital images stored in the storing means ( 106) can be created at that time.
In step (S608), the Editing Module (202) will retrieve, in the memory unit (204), the Assigarnent Data (51 4B).
In step (S609), the editing module (202) generates data. Such data are sent, through the Server Communication Module (208), to the user terminal. The processing unit of the user terminal (102), (103)' (104) processes the data, so as to display the Digital Gallery Editor (400) on the display means of the terminal, in a conventional manner.
As an embodiment of the invention, Figure 8 presents in more detail how a user can modify, through his terminal, a digital gallery, from the digital Archive (400).
The start step (S701) is triggered when a user sends (step S301) a request to the server for accessing the Archive Editor.
In step (S702), the Digital Archive (400) is displayed on the user terminal display, according for instance to the procedure as presented in figure 7.
In step (S703), the processing unit of the user terminal (104) determines if a navigation tool (406A), (406B), (406C) is selected. If so, a navigation request is sent, through the server communication module (208) to the editing module (202); the editing module (202) generates updated data in order to display the Digital Archive (400) with for instance the Num_M next thumbnails (403). In case the user wants to return to the Digital Gallery Editor (300), the editing
module (202) generates updated data in order to display the Digital Gallery Editor (300).
If not in step (S704), the processing unit of the user terminal (104) determines whether any representative means (407) has been selected. In this case, the editing module (202) retrieves some information relating to said representative means in step (S705).
In step (S706)7 the processing unit of the user terminal (104) determines if any thumbnail (403) has been selected.
If not, the processing unit of the user terminal (104) determines in step (S710) whether the releasing button (409) has been activated. In such a case, the processing unit of the user terminal (104) sends a releasing request to the editing module (202). The editing module (202) takes this releasing request into account, in assigning the value NIL to the digital_image_address (i) (507). A new digital archive will be displayed according to step (S702).
If a thumbnail has been selected, the editing module (202) retrieves in step (S707) assignment_data (514B) relating to said thumbnail (403).
In step (S708), the editing module (202) checks whether a thumbnail (403) has already been assigned to said selected representative means (407). In such a case, in step (S712), a confirmation request is sent to the user, asking him whether he wants to assign a new thumbnail to the selected representative means (407).
Then, in the case where any representative means were assigned to the selected means (407) or in the case where the user has confirmed he wanted to modify the previously existing assignment of the selected representative means (407), the processing unit of the user terminal (104) sends a assigning request to the editing module (202). In step (S709) and (S713) respectively, the editing module (202) takes this assignment request into account, in assigning the value Digital_Image_Identification (514A) relating to the selected thumbnail to the
Digital_Image_address (i) (507). A new digital archive will be displayed according to step (S702).

Claims (1)

  1. CLAIMS:
    Claim 1 - System for editing a digital gallery of at least one digital image on a
    user terminal, comprising a server computer adapted to communicate with at least one user having a user terminal via a network, means for communicating adapted to exchange data between the user terminal and the server computer, the server computer comprising means for editing adapted to generate data representing a document to be displayed by display means of the user terminal, wherein the document comprises in a first region a collection of digital images and in a second region a layout of the digital gallery, said layout comprising at least one representative means representing the position of a digital image in the digital gallery, said editing means being further adapted to process at least one assignment request, generated by the user terminal and sent by said communicating means, and to assign at least one digital image of the digital collection displayed in the first region to a representative means displayed in said second region.
    Claim 2 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claim 1, wherein said representative means consists in a cell of a position matrix, each cell representing the position of digital images in the digital gallery.
    Claim 3 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claims I to 2, wherein said editing means is adapted to generate data corresponding to the assignment request. Claim 4 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claim 3, wherein the data' generated by said editing means, are sent by said communicating means to
    the user tenninal in order to display in the first region, the digital collection according to the assignment request.
    Claim 5 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claim 3, wherein the data, generated by said editing means, are sent by said communicating means to the user terminal in order to display in the second region, the representative means according to the assignment request Claim 6 - System for editmg a digital gallery according to claims 1 to S. wherein said computer server comprises a memory unit to store data generated by said editing means.
    Claim 7 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claim 6, wherein said data comprise information relating to the digital collection.
    Claim 8 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claim 6, wherein said data comprises information relating to the digital gallery.
    Claim 9 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claim 6, wherein said data comprises information relating to the digital image of the digital collection.
    Claim 10 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claim 9, wherein the said data comprise information required by the server to retrieve the digital image of the digital collection.
    Claim 11 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claim 9, wherein the said data comprises a number corresponding to the position of a digital image in the digital gallery assigned to the digital image of the digital collection.
    Claim 12 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claim 11, wherein the digital image of the digital collection is displayed in the first region together with the number.
    Claim 13 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claims 11 to 12, wherein said representative means represents the position of the digital image within the digital gallery and is displayed in the second region together with a special mark.
    Claim 14 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claim 1 to 13 wherein the digital image of the digital collection is a small sized or compressed digital image.
    Claim 15 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claims 6 to 14, wherein the digital image of the digital collection represents a second digital image, information required by the server to retrieve the relating second digital image being stored in the memory unit.
    Claim 16 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claim 15 wherein said server comprises means for creating, from the second digital image, a small sized or compressed digital image, to be used as the digital image of the digital collection. Claim 17 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claims 14 to 16, wherein said representative means represents the position of the digital image in the digital gallery, no digital image being displayed with the representative means. Claim 18 System for editing a digital gallery according to claims 1 to 17, wherein said means for editing being further adapted to process at least one releasing assignment request, generated by the user terminal and sent by said means for communicating, and to release a representative means from a previous assignment with a digital image of the digital collection.
    Claim 19 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claim 14 or 17, wherein second digital image consists in a still image.
    Claim 20 - System for editing a digital gallery according to claim 14, wherein second digital image consists in a moving image.
    Claim 21 - Method for editing a digital gallery of at least one digital image on a user terminal, wherein a senter computer communicates with at least one user having a user terminal via a network and data are exchanged between the user terminal and the server computer, said method comprises the steps of: generating data representing a document to be displayed by a display means for the user terminal, wherein the document comprises in a first region a digital collection of digital images and in a second region a layout of the digital gallery, the layout comprising at least one representative means representing the position of a digital image in the digital gallery, processing at least one assignment request, generated by the user terminal and sent by said communicating means, assigning at least one digital image of the digital collection displayed in the first region to a representative means displayed in the second region.
    Claim 22 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claim 21, wherein the representative means consists in a cell of a position matrix, each cell representing the position of digital images in the digital gallery.
    Claim 23 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claims 21 to 22, wherein said method further comprises the step of generating data corresponding to the assignment request.
    Claim 24 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claim 23, wherein said method further comprises the step of sending data to the user terminal in order to display in the first region, the digital collection according to the assignment request.
    Claim 25 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claim 23, wherein said method furler comprises the step of sending data to the user tenninal in order to display in the second region, the representative means according to the assignment request Claim 26 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claims 22 to 25, wherein said method further comprises the step of storing said generated data in a memory unit.
    Claim 27 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claim 26, wherein said generated data comprises information relating to the digital collection.
    Claim 28 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claim 26, wherein said generated data comprises infonnation relating to the digital gallery.
    Claim 29 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claim 26, wherein said generated data comprises information relating to the digital image of the digital collection.
    Claim 30 - Method for editing a distal gallery according to claim 21 to 29, comprising the step of assigning a number, corresponding to the position of a digital image in the digital gallery, to the digital image of the digital collection.
    Claim 31 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claim 30, wherein the digital image of the digital collection is displayed in the first region together with said number.
    Claim 32 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claims 29 to 30, wherein the representative means represents the position of the digital mage in the digital gallery and is displayed In the second region together with a special mark.
    Claim 33 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claims 21 to 32 wherein the digital image of the digital collection is a small sized or compressed digital image.
    Claim 34 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claims 26 to 33, wherein the digital image of the digital collection represents a second digital image, information being required by the server to retrieve the relating second digital image being stored in the memory unit.
    Claim 35 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claim 34 wherein said method comprises the step of creating, from the second digital image, a small sized or compressed digital image.
    Claim 36 - Method for editing a distal gallery according to claims 33 to 35, wherein the representative means represents the position of the digital image in the digital gallery, no digital image being displayed with the representative means. Claim 37 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claims 21 to 36, wherein said method comprises the step of processing a releasing request, generated by the user terminal and sent by said communicating means and the step of releasing a representative means from a previous assignment with a digital image ofthe digital collection.
    Claim 38 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claim 34, wherein second digital image consists in a digital still image.
    Claim 39 - Method for editing a digital gallery according to claims 34, wherein second digital image consists in a digital moving image.
    Claim 40 - A server programmed to become operable to become operable to perform a method as set out in at least one of claims 21 to 39.
    Claim 41 - A storage medium storing instructions for programming a processing apparatus to become operable to perform a method as set out in at least one of claims 21 to 39.
    Claim 42 - A computer program for programming a processing apparatus to become operable to perform a method as set out in at least one of claims 21 to 39. Claim 43 - A signal carrying instructions for programming a processing apparatus to become operable to perform a method as set out in at least one of claims 21 to 39.
GB0215756A 2002-07-08 2002-07-08 Method and system for editing a digital gallery of digital image on a user terminal Expired - Lifetime GB2390791B (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0382550A2 (en) * 1989-02-09 1990-08-16 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Electronic filing apparatus
US6028603A (en) * 1997-10-24 2000-02-22 Pictra, Inc. Methods and apparatuses for presenting a collection of digital media in a media container
US6111586A (en) * 1996-03-15 2000-08-29 Fujitsu Limited Electronic photo album editing apparatus
EP1182585A2 (en) * 2000-08-17 2002-02-27 Eastman Kodak Company A method and system for cataloging images

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0382550A2 (en) * 1989-02-09 1990-08-16 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Electronic filing apparatus
US6111586A (en) * 1996-03-15 2000-08-29 Fujitsu Limited Electronic photo album editing apparatus
US6028603A (en) * 1997-10-24 2000-02-22 Pictra, Inc. Methods and apparatuses for presenting a collection of digital media in a media container
EP1182585A2 (en) * 2000-08-17 2002-02-27 Eastman Kodak Company A method and system for cataloging images

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GB2390791B (en) 2005-09-28

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Expiry date: 20220707