DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ADDING CONTENT-RELATED PHOTOFILTERS

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a divisional application of EP 15819676.6 (WO2015US37251) filed 23 June 2015.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to photographs taken by a mobile device operative in a networked environment. More particularly, this invention relates to supplying such a mobile device with content aware photo filters.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The number of digital photographs taken with mobile wireless devices is increasingly outnumbering photographs taken with dedicated digital and film based cameras. Thus, there are growing needs to improve the experience associated with mobile wireless digital photography.

[0004] WO 2013 / 008238 Al discloses a method of adjusting visual content. A client terminal extracts visual content data pertaining to the visual content, forwarding a request which includes the visual content data to a network node via a network, receiving, in response to the request, a list of a plurality of visual content editing functions from the network node, presenting, on the client terminal, the plurality of visual content editing functions to a user, receiving a selection of at least one member of the list from the user, adjusting the visual content using the at least one member, and outputting the adjusted visual content.

[0005] EP 2 418 606 A2 discloses an Augmented Reality (AR) apparatus and method for recognizing objects and synthesizing a virtual object or virtual information with a real environment such that the virtual object or virtual information appears like a real object or real information that may exist in the real world environment.

[0006] EP 2 482 537 A1 describes processing video data of an augmented reality image produced by adding information about objects in the image taken by the camera of the terminal in real time are provided. The method includes displaying (515) an image in augmented reality mode, requesting (525) augmented reality information of objects constituting the image, presenting (535), if the augmented reality information is received, the augmented reality information in relation to the respective objects, merging (545), if a message transmission is requested (540), the image and the augmented reality information; and transmitting (540) the merged image as an augmented reality image. The image processing method of the present invention is advantageous for the terminal to provide the user with information related to the objects presented in an image produced using the augmented reality function.

[0007] US 2014 / 032546 A1 concerns customization of a list of properties associated with media files based at least in part on user's preferences. In some examples, a method may include receiving, by a server, a plurality of user inputs that respectively identify the user's designated favorites from among a plurality of media files; determining, by the server, the user's preferences from among a plurality of properties associated with the user's designated favorites from among the plurality of media files, based at least in part on the received user inputs; and providing, by the server, the user with a list of the plurality of properties based at least in part on the user's preferences from among the plurality of properties.

[0008] US 2013 / 218968 A1 describes the provision of a communication between users of a computer network are provided, the method including the steps of storing, in a database, received geo-location information, object information, brand information or other information, from a user; providing to the user a subset of previously stored digital media templates from the database for user selection; combining a user-selected digital media template with a user-selected media data object file received from the user; and tagging the geo-location information, object information, brand information or other information, to the combined user-selected digital media template and user-selected media data object file for communicating between users of the computer network.

[0009] WO 2013 / 175784 A1 concerns an electronic camera that comprises a display means further comprising an image display region for displaying an image, a console means for movably designating a prescribed region of the image display region, and a filter means for carrying out a filter process on an image corresponding to the prescribed region which is movably designated with the console means. Thus, it is possible, without carrying out a complex filter operation, to easily carry out an operation which overlays a plurality of filter effects or compare an image with and without a filter effect or with different filter effects.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The invention is a system, method and computer storage product as defined in the appended claims. In the system, a server includes a photo filter module with instructions executed by a processor to identify when a client device captures a photograph. Photograph filters are selected based upon attributes of the client device and attributes of the photograph. The photograph filters are supplied to the client device.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] The invention is more fully appreciated in connection with the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 illustrates an electronic device utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIGURE 2 illustrates a networked system utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIGURE 3 illustrates processing operations associated with an embodiment of the invention. FIGURE 4 illustrates a photograph taken by a digital mobile device. FIGURE 5 illustrates a general filter applied to the photograph. FIGURE 6 illustrates a feature specific filter applied to the photograph. FIGURE 7 illustrates a different feature specific filter with a branded element applied to the photograph.

[0012] Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates an electronic device 100 utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 is a Smartphone with a processor 102 in communication with a memory 104. The processor 102 may be a central processing unit and / or a graphics processing unit. The memory 104 is a combination of flash memory and random access memory. The memory 104 stores a photo controller 106. The photo controller 106 includes executable instructions to coordinate the capture, display and archiving of digital photographs. The photo controller 106 may include photo filter processing disclosed herein, which augments or replaces such photo filter processing that is described below in connection with a server based photo filter module.

[0014] The processor 102 is also coupled to image sensors 115. The image sensors 115 may be known digital image sensors, such as charge coupled devices. The image sensors capture visual media, which is presented on display 116, as coordinated by the photo controller 106.

[0015] A touch controller 118 is connected to the display 116 and the processor 102. The touch controller 118 is responsive to haptic signals applied to the display 116. In one embodiment, the photo controller 106 monitors signals from the touch controller 118 to coordinate the capture, display and archiving of digital photographs. The electronic device 100 may also include other components commonly associated with a Smartphone, such as a wireless signal processor 120 to support wireless communications, a power control circuit 122 and a global positioning system processor 124.

[0016] Figure 2 illustrates a system 200 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The system 200 includes a set of client devices 100_1 through 100_N. The client devices 100 are connected to a network 206, which is any combination of wireless and wired network communication devices. A server 204 is also connected to the network 206. The server 204 includes standard components, such as a central processing unit 210 and input / output devices 212 connected via a bus 214. The input / output devices 212 may include a keyboard, mouse, display and the like. A network interface circuit 216 is also connected to the bus 214 to provide connectivity to network 206. A memory 220 is also connected to the bus 214. The memory 220 includes modules with executable instructions, such as a photo filter module 222. The photo filter module 222 implements photo evaluation and filter selection operations, as discussed below.

[0017] Figure 3 illustrates processing operations associated with an embodiment of the invention. The operations are performed by the photo filter module 222 of server 204 in combination with one or more client devices 100. Initially, the photo filter module 222 serves a photo prompt 300. For example, the photo filter module 222 may form a segment of a network executed application that coordinates taking photographs and appending messages to such photographs for delivery from one user to another. In this context, client 100_1 accesses the photo filter module 222 over network 206 to activate the application, which serves the photo prompt to the client 100_1. A user at the client 100_1 takes a photo 302.

[0018] Figure 4 illustrates client device 100_1 with a display 400 that presents a photo prompt 402. Activation of the photo prompt 402 results in a picture 404. The photo filter module 222 monitors the client device activity to determine if a photo is taken 304. If so, the attributes of the photograph and client device are evaluated 305. Photo filters are selected and supplied 306 based upon the evaluation.

[0019] The attributes of the client device include geolocation of the client device, which is collected from the GPS processor 124. The geolocation is used to designate photo filters relevant to the geolocation. For example, if the geolocation is proximate to a beach, then photo filters to augment a beach setting (e.g., a color filter for water, sand and / or sky) may be supplied. The geolocation may be used to select a filter with a brand associated with an establishment proximate to the geolocation. For example, a restaurant or store may sponsor a photo filter that includes a brand associated with the restaurant or store. In this case, in addition to the brand, the photo filter may include other indicia associated with the restaurant (e.g., an image of a hamburger or taco) or store (e.g., an image of a surf board or sun glasses).

[0020] The attributes associated with the client device may include established preferences associated with the client device. The established preferences may be defined by explicitly stated preferences supplied by a user. Alternately, the established preferences may be derived from prior use patterns. For example, explicitly stated or derived preferences may indicate that photo filters with a temperature overlay, date and / or time overlay be supplied.

[0021] The attributes of the photograph may include the physical environment captured in the photograph. For example, the photograph may be evaluated to identify an urban setting, a rural setting, a sunset a seascape and the like. Filters applicable to the physical environment may then be supplied.

[0022] The attributes of the photograph include an object depicted in the photograph. For example, the evaluation may identify a building, a building feature (e.g., door or roof), a flower, an individual, an animal and the like. Filters applicable to such objects are then be supplied.

[0023] The next operation of Figure 3 is to apply the photo filters 308. A swipe across the display of a client device 100_1 causes a photo filter to slide across the original photo. Figure 5 illustrates the result of a first swipe motion, which results in a darkening filter 500 being applied to the original photo. Another swipe motion may result in another filter being presented. For example, Figure 6 illustrates the result of a second swipe motion, which results in an object specific filter 600 being presented. In this case, the object specific filter 600 relates to the identification of a door in the photo. The identification of the door may result in the supply of a variety of filters for different door colors. Another swipe of the display may result in still another filter, such as shown in Figure 7. The filter of Figure 7 includes an object specific filter 700, in this case for a roof of a building. The filter also includes a brand component 702. This filter also includes an overlay of the temperature 704 when the photo was taken. A time overlay 706 and date overlay 708 are also supplied.

[0024] Returning to Figure 3, the next operation is to select a photo filter 310. Selection of a photo filter includes selection of one or more available filters. The photo may then be saved with the applicable filter or filters. The photo and filter are also sent to another user 312. In this case, the server 204 routes 314 the photo to another client 100_2, which displays the photo with the filter 316.

[0025] Photograph filters may also be selected based upon popular filters. Branded filters may be supplied based upon an auction mechanism. For example, vendors may bid on photo filters to be supplied based upon characteristics of a user, location of a user, content of a photograph and the like.

[0026] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer storage product with a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer code thereon for performing various computer-implemented operations. The media and computer code may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to: magnetic media, optical media, magneto-optical media and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and execute program code, such as application-specific integrated circuits ("ASICs"), programmable logic devices ("PLDs") and ROM and RAM devices. Examples of computer code include machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher-level code that are executed by a computer using an interpreter. For example, an embodiment of the invention may be implemented using JAVA ®< , C++, or other object-oriented programming language and development tools. Another embodiment of the invention may be implemented in hardwired circuitry in place of, or in combination with, machine-executable software instructions.

[0027] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A system comprising a server (204) and a plurality of client devices (100_1 - 100_N), wherein each client device comprises a processor (102), a touch controller (118) and a display (116), the touch controller being responsive to haptic signals applied to the display, and wherein the server (204) comprises: a processor (210); and a memory (220) including a photo filter module (222) with instructions executable by the processor (210) to: identify (304) when a client device (100_1) captures a photograph; select a plurality of photograph filters based upon attributes of the client device and attributes of the photograph, wherein the attributes of the client device include geolocation of the client device and the attributes of the photograph include an object depicted in the photograph, and wherein the filters are selected so as to be relevant to the geolocation and so as to be applicable to the object; supply (306) the photograph filters to the client device, wherein the photograph filters are configured to be independently selectable in response to a swipe gesture applied by the user via the touch controller (118) to the photograph as presented on the display (116) of the client device, wherein each photograph filter is an overlay on top of the photograph to augment the photograph, wherein: a first filter of the plurality of photograph filters is a general filter configured to be selected in response to a first swipe motion detected by the touch controller (118), the general filter being applied to the whole of the photograph; and a second filter of the plurality of photograph filters is an object specific filter configured to be selected in response to a second swipe motion detected by the touch controller (118), the object specific filter being applied to a portion of the photograph associated with the object; wherein the instructions further include instructions executable by the processor to: in response to a photograph with an independently selected one or more photograph filters being received (312) from the client device, route (314) the one or more photograph filters and the photograph to another client device (100-2).

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the attributes of the client device include established preferences of the client device.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the established preferences are derived from prior use patterns.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the attributes of the photograph include the physical environment captured in the photograph.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the photograph filters include temperature indicia (704).

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the photograph filters include time and / or date indicia (706).

7. A method executed by a server in cooperation with a plurality of client devices, the method comprising: the server identifying (304) when a client device (100_1) captures a photograph; the server selecting a plurality of photograph filters based upon attributes of the client device and attributes of the photograph, wherein the attributes of the client device include geolocation of the client device and the attributes of the photograph include an object depicted in the photograph; the server supplying (306) the photograph filters to the client device, wherein the photograph filters are configured to be independently selectable in response to a swipe gesture applied by the user via a touch controller of the client device to the photograph as presented on a display of the client device, wherein each photograph filter is an overlay on top of the photograph to augment the photograph, wherein: a first filter of the plurality of photograph filters is a general filter configured to be selected in response to a first swipe motion detected by the touch controller, the general filter being applied to the whole of the photograph; and a second filter of the plurality of photograph filters is an object specific filter configured to be selected in response to a second swipe motion detected by the touch controller, the object specific filter being applied to a portion of the photograph associated with the object; and in response to a photograph with an independently selected one or more photograph filters being received (312) from the client device, the server routing (314) the one or more photograph filters and the photograph to another client device (100-2).

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the attributes of the client device include established preferences of the client device, the established preferences being explicitly stated preferences supplied by a user and / or being derived from prior use patterns.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the attributes of the photograph include the physical environment captured in the photograph.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the photograph filters include temperature indicia (704) time indicia and / or date indicia (706).

11. A computer storage product comprising instructions for causing a server (104) to perform the server steps of the method of any of claims 7 to 10 in combination with a computer storage product comprising instructions for causing a processor (102) in a client device (100) to perform the client device steps of the method of any of claims 7 to 10.