Patent Application
20130212080
The present invention relates to the layout of multiple images obtained in a search of multimedia objects on a display/interface.
Search engines and search tools provide limited support for search with respect to presentation materials that may comprise a large number of slides. Search requests, also known as queries, are typically formulated as sets of keywords with search results being an entire presentation or, in some systems, single presentation slides. These query responses can be difficult to employ efficiently. When entire presentations are returned, the user must search through the presentation for desired material. If single slides are returned, the user may lack context to aid in determining whether they are actually the material that is desired. This is particularly true when a user is searching his/her own material via, for example, a desktop search. Similar difficulties are applicable to video productions and other visual media.
Principles of the invention provide a system and techniques for displaying relevant images obtained from a search of a digital object collection in the context of additional images from the same media objects from which the relevant images were obtained. In one aspect, an exemplary method includes the step of searching a digital object collection comprising a plurality of digital objects having sequences of images, thereby obtaining a plurality of search result images from the sequences of images in the plurality of digital objects. The search result images obtained from the digital objects are displayed on a screen of a computer interface in order of relevance. Local context images in association, respectively, with the search result images are displayed, wherein each local context image is obtained from the same digital object as the search result image with which it is associated. The search result images may be advantageously displayed in vertical alignment on the screen of the computer interface while displaying the local context images in horizontal alignment with respect to the search result images with which they are associated.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a system is provided that comprises a memory, a digital object collection comprising a plurality of digital objects having sequences of images, a search engine, a computer interface including a screen, at least one processor, coupled to the computer interface and memory, and operative to: 1) cause the search engine to search the digital object collection in response to a query; 2) obtain a plurality of search result images from the sequences of images in the plurality of digital objects; 3) display the search result images obtained from the digital objects on the screen of the computer interface in order of relevance; and 4) display local context images in association, respectively, with the search result images, wherein each local context image is obtained from the same digital object as the search result image with which it is associated.
In accordance with another aspect, a further exemplary method includes accumulating search result images based on a query from a database comprising digital objects having sequences of images, accumulating local context images associated, respectively, with the search result images from the digital objects; forming a plurality of local context sets, each of the local context sets comprising one of the search result images and one or more associated local context images from a same one of the digital objects; forming a plurality of containers on a display of a computer interface; causing the search result images to be visually distinguished from the local context images; and displaying the local context sets within the containers on the computer interface in an order based on relevance to the query.
As used herein, “facilitating” an action includes performing the action, making the action easier, helping to carry the action out, or causing the action to be performed. Thus, by way of example and not limitation, instructions executing on one processor might facilitate an action carried out by instructions executing on a remote processor, by sending appropriate data or commands to cause or aid the action to be performed. For the avoidance of doubt, where an actor facilitates an action by other than performing the action, the action is nevertheless performed by some entity or combination of entities.
One or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of a computer program product including a tangible computer readable recordable storage medium with computer usable program code for performing the method steps indicated. Furthermore, one or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of a system (or apparatus) including a memory, and at least one processor that is coupled to the memory and operative to perform exemplary method steps. Yet further, in another aspect, one or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of means for carrying out one or more of the method steps described herein; the means can include (i) hardware module(s), (ii) software module(s), or (iii) a combination of hardware and software modules; any of (i)-(iii) implement the specific techniques set forth herein, and the software modules are stored in a tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium (or multiple such media).
Techniques of the present invention can provide substantial beneficial technical effects. For example, one or more embodiments may provide one or more of the following advantages:
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
A method and system as described herein provide local context for a set of visual media objects returned from a search of a collection of digital objects. Searches of such collections may be specified via keywords, by providing a single image, a set of images, or an entire media object as the query. Those skilled in the art are familiar with searching using such approaches as well as other types of query specifications that may be employed to obtain desired results. Sets of search results, including search recommendations, are arranged vertically on a screen of a computer display/interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment discussed below. For each search result, local context is shown, arranged horizontally. Each image returned as a search result is visually presented to the user accompanied by a set of additional images from the same media object. A media object can be, for example, a presentation created using presentation software, a video, and/or an audio work that is stored in a memory and accessible via user query. The additional images provide contextual cues, facilitating a user's recall and recognition of a work stored in a digital memory. If desired, the horizontal dimension may instead be used to arrange search results and the vertical dimension to arrange local context.
Digital media object collections such as slide presentations are useful for educational and business purposes. Such presentations often include charts, graphics, text and pictorial information that are formatted as slides. Commercially available presentation software, such as IBM Lotus Symphony Presentations, allows users to create slide shows from a computer interface. Presentation software is available from a variety of vendors and is in widespread use today. Documents created using such presentation software can be stored electronically for subsequent access by the author or other persons. Depending on formatting and storage location, presentations can be accessible from corporate databases, local area networks, the World Wide Web, and other sources. The method and system provided herein facilitate extracting desired information from presentations and other digitally stored works comprised of a sequence of images by allowing the user to view selected images in the context of other images from the same work.
Referring to
For example, in one embodiment each result bar 22 is scrollable to view images that may not be visible on the display screen as originally presented following the search.
An exemplary method for providing local context for a set of visual media objects returned from a search is illustrated through the flow chart shown in
A rectangular on-screen container or background, such as a search result bar 22 as shown in
The local context sets and images comprising such sets that appear at any one time on the display are preferably limited in number on the screen so that they are of sufficient size to be easily viewed by the user. As discussed above, the search result image is distinguished from the additional context images. While the border is employed to distinguish the search result image 24 in the embodiment of
The computer display 20 as shown in
Given the discussion thus far, it will be appreciated that, in general terms, an exemplary method, according to an aspect of the invention, includes the steps of searching a digital object collection comprising a plurality of digital objects having sequences of images and obtaining a plurality of search result images from the sequences of images in the plurality of digital objects. The search result images obtained, respectively, from the digital objects are displayed on a screen of a computer interface in order of relevance. The method further includes displaying local context images in association, respectively, with the search result images, wherein each local context image is obtained from the same digital object as the search result image with which it is associated. By having context images adjoining the search result image from the same work in which the search result image was obtained, the user can more readily determine whether the search has yielded the desired result.
A further exemplary method includes accumulating search result images, such as search result images 24 in
A system disclosed herein includes a memory, a digital object collection comprising a plurality of digital objects having sequences of images, a search engine, a computer interface including a screen, and at least one processor, coupled to the computer interface and memory. The processor is operative to cause the search engine to search the digital object collection in response to a query, obtain a plurality of search result images from the sequences of images in the plurality of digital objects, display the search result images obtained from the digital objects on the screen of the computer interface in order of relevance, and display local context images in association, respectively, with the search result images, wherein each local context image is obtained from the same digital object as the search result image with which it is associated. The processor as shown and described with respect to
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.
One or more embodiments of the invention, or elements thereof, can be implemented in the form of an apparatus including a memory and at least one processor that is coupled to the memory and operative to perform exemplary method steps as discussed above with respect to
One or more embodiments can make use of software running on a general purpose computer or workstation. With reference to
Accordingly, computer software including instructions or code for performing the methodologies of the invention, as described herein, may be stored in one or more of the associated memory devices (for example, ROM, fixed or removable memory) and, when ready to be utilized, loaded in part or in whole (for example, into RAM) and implemented by a CPU. Such software could include, but is not limited to, firmware, resident software, microcode, and the like.
A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing program code will include at least one processor 402 coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements 404 through a system bus 410. The memory elements can include local memory employed during actual implementation of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage during implementation.
Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards 408, displays 406, pointing devices, and the like) can be coupled to the system either directly (such as via bus 410) or through intervening I/O controllers (omitted for clarity).
Network adapters such as network interface 414 may also be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of network adapters.
As used herein, including the claims, a “server” includes a physical data processing system (for example, system 412 as shown in
As noted, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Media block 418 is a non-limiting example. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).
Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart of
These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The flowchart and block diagram in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
It should be noted that any of the methods described herein can include an additional step of providing a system comprising distinct software modules embodied on a computer readable storage medium; the modules can include, for example, any or all of the elements depicted in the block diagrams and/or described herein; by way of example and not limitation, a screen position initialization module, a local context object accumulation module, a container creation module, an image addition module and vertical and horizontal incrementing modules. The method steps can then be carried out using the distinct software modules and/or sub-modules of the system, as described above, executing on one or more hardware processors 402. Further, a computer program product can include a computer-readable storage medium with code adapted to be implemented to carry out one or more method steps described herein, including the provision of the system with the distinct software modules.
In any case, it should be understood that the components illustrated herein may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, or combinations thereof; for example, application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASICS), functional circuitry, one or more appropriately programmed general purpose digital computers with associated memory, and the like. Given the teachings of the invention provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the related art will be able to contemplate other implementations of the components of the invention.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
