Apple Inc.

Eric Hanson

Nikhil M Bhatt

Joshua Fagans

Alexander David Wallace

Tim Cherna

Mark Lee Kawano

Timothy Benjamin Martin

Jeff Robbin

William Martin Bachman

Hemal Shah

Some embodiments of the invention provide a computer-based application that allows its users to insert their pictures in a variety of different photo books. Each photo book has several pages that have one or more picture fields for presenting pictures. Different photo books can differ in their size, themes, covers, page designs, page colors, picture-field designs, picture-field layouts, and/or other attributes. In some embodiments, the application also allows the users to modify photo books that they select. For instance, a user can modify the page design, color, frame design, and/or other thematic aspects of a selected photo books. Also, in some embodiments, the user can add picture and text fields to the photo book. Once the user has completed designing the photo book and inserting pictures in the photo book, the user can order the photo book through an online transaction that is initiated through the application.

Application for designing photo albums

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for creating presentations using digital media content. In one aspect, input is received to position a first graphical element, such as a digital image, over a second graphical element to create a digital presentation. By analyzing a first feature associated with the first graphical element, it is determined that the first feature is incompatible with a second feature associated with the second graphical element. The second feature is dynamically and automatically modified to be compatible with the first feature, and the first graphical element is displayed over the second graphical element that is associated with the modified second feature, in response to the input.

Creating presentations using digital media content

Methods and systems are disclosed for identifying waypoints. In one aspect, a method performed by an application executing on a computer system, includes receiving at least two sets of digital images including a first set of digital images for which image acquisition times are known and a second set of digital images for which image acquisition times and image acquisition locations are known. The method further includes overlaying waypoint identifiers over a map image. The waypoint identifiers correspond to geographical coordinates and to time acquisitions of one or more of the second set of images. Furthermore, the method includes receiving from a user associated with the application a waypoint selection of the overlaid waypoint identifiers and one or more image selections of the first set of images. In response to receiving the selections, the method includes associating the selected ones of the first set of images with the selected waypoint, and generating a trip-descriptor including the first set of images associated with the overlaid waypoint identifiers.

Associating digital images with waypoints

Methods and systems are disclosed for associating non-geographical information to track paths. Among other things, meaningful labels for the track paths can be formulated. In one aspect, a method performed by an application executing on a computer system includes receiving a set of images taken during a trip, a corresponding set of acquisition times, and a track path of the trip. The method further contains identifying landmarks near the received track path. Furthermore, the method includes receiving from a human user of the application a landmark selection from the identified landmarks and one or more image selections from the received set of images. In response to receiving the human user's selections, the method can associate the one or more selected images with the selected landmark. Additionally, the method included matching the received set of images to the received track path based on the association.

Reverse geo-coding for track path

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for generating digital media presentation layouts dynamically based on image features. Multiple digital images are received. Features are identified for one or more of the digital images based on metadata associated with and content included in the digital images. Significance measures are associated with the one or more digital images based on the features. A digital presentation of the one or more digital images is generated and the digital images are displayed according to the significance measures associated with the respective digital images.

Generating digital media presentation layouts dynamically based on image features

A computing device includes a memory configured to store position data and images. The computing device also includes a processor configured to execute instructions to perform a method that includes receiving position data that represents the positions of a position tracking device over a period of time. The position data includes a group of position coordinates that represent a location. The method also includes receiving images that include a group of images associated with the location. The method also includes aligning the group of position coordinates that represent the location and the group of images associated with the location. The method also includes presenting a representation of the alignment of the group of position coordinates and the group of images.

Tracking device movement and captured images

Among other things, methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed for manipulating media. In one aspect, one or more processes executing on a host computer system detect that a portable electronic device is within a predefined communications proximity relative to the host computer system, establish wireless communications and exchange information with the portable electronic device sufficient to determine that metadata relating to one or more items of visual media content reside on the portable electronic device. The metadata is used to retrieve the one or more items of visual media content from a storage location separate from the portable electronic device. The retrieved one or more items of visual media content are added to a list of visual media content available for presentation on a presentation device associated with the host computer system.

Proximity based networked media file sharing

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for grouping digital media items based on shared features. Multiple digital images are received. Metadata about the digital images is obtained either by analyzing the digital images or by receiving metadata from a source separate from the digital images or both. The obtained metadata is analyzed by data processing apparatus to identify a common feature among two or more of the digital images. A grouping of the two or more images is formed by the data processing apparatus based on the identified common feature.

Grouping digital media items based on shared features

Methods, systems, and apparatus are presented for associating a point of interest with a captured image. In one aspect, metadata associated with a digital image can be accessed, the metadata identifying an image capture location. Further, a depth of field corresponding to the digital image can be determined and one or more points of interest can be identified that are located within the determined depth of field. Additionally, one of the one or more identified points of interest can be selected as an image subject and the metadata associated with the digital image can be edited to include data identifying the selected point of interest.

Landmark identification using metadata

Some embodiments of the invention provide a computer-based application that allows its users to insert their pictures in a variety of different photo album books (called photo books below). Each photo book has several pages that have one or more picture fields for presenting pictures. Different photo books can differ in their size, themes, covers, page designs, page colors, picture-field designs, picture-field layouts, and/or other attributes. In some embodiments, the application also allows the users to modify photo books that they select. For instance, in some embodiments, a user can modify the page design, color, frame design, and/or other thematic aspects of a selected photo books. Also, in some embodiments, the user can add picture and text fields to the photo book. Once the user has completed designing the photo book and inserting pictures in the photo book, the user can order the photo book through an online transaction that is initiated through the application.

Growing community of inventors

Emeryville, CA, United States of America

Eric Hanson