Dolcera System

EP0959418

Digital image retrieval system and method
Assigned To:International Business Machines Corporation
[Published 2000-02-23] [Filed 1999-04-28] [Priority 1998-05-18]

Derwent Title
Digital image retrieval such as photographs from a multimedia database

Dolcera Analysis
This patent describes a system for recording metadata for images such as location etc and retrieval of the same for various purposes including driving directions.

Abstract
System and methods for querying digital image archives 216 containing digital photographs and/or videos (collectively, "digital images"). The digital images are indexed in accordance with a plurality of recorded parameters including time, date and geographic location data (altitude and longitude), as well as image data such as lens focal length, auto focus distance, shutter speed, exposure duration, aperture setting, frame number, image quality, flash status and light meter readings, which are used for searching a database consisting of the digital images. These images are preferably generated by an image capturing system 200 which is capable of measuring and recording a plurality of parameters with each captured digital image. The image retrieval system 200 allows a querying user to search the image archive by formulating one or more of a plurality of query types 300 which are based on the recorded parameters, and then retrieve 306, 330, 350, 318, 344 and display those images 308, 320, 332, 344, 352 having the specified parameters.

IPMap

Claims	D1:'116 Sony	D2:'418 IBM	D3:'054 Xerox	D4:'535 None	D5:'908 None	D6:'672 None	D7:'533 None
1. A server for use in a system (9, 9a) which provides information to a user terminal (11, 31, 41'), characterized by comprising: [x]a database (15) for retaining bubble data in which spatial range information []in a three-dimensional space is associated with retrieval information for obtaining service information to be provided; [x]an extracting section (40) for extracting, on the basis of positional information transmitted from said user terminal (11, 31, 41'), specified retrieval information corresponding to specified spatial range information including said positional information, of said spatial range information retained in said database (15); and [x]a providing section (41') for providing, to said user terminal (11, 31, 41'), specified service information corresponding to said specified retrieval information extracted in said extracting section (40).	[X]	[X]		[X]	[X]	[X]	[A]