{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854160","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9854160","title":"Systems and methods for autonomously generating photo summaries","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2016-10-21T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04N","G06F","G06F","G06F","G06F","G06T","G06V","G06V","H04N","H04N"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"Implementations of the disclosed technology include techniques for autonomously collecting image data, and generating photo summaries based thereon. In some implementations, a plurality of images may be autonomously sampled from an available stream of image data. For example, a camera application of a smartphone or other mobile computing device may present a live preview based on a stream of data from an image capture device. The live stream of image capture data may be sampled and the most interesting photos preserved for further filtering and presentation. The preserved photos may be further winnowed as a photo session continues and an image object generated summarizing the remaining photos. Accordingly, image capture data may be autonomously collected, filtered, and formatted to enable a photographer to see what moments they missed manually capturing during a photo session."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Systems and Methods for Autonomously Generating Photo Summaries patent introduces a technology designed to address the common problem of missing key moments during photographic events. The core innovation lies in autonomously collecting image data, filtering it intelligently, and generating photo summaries based on the most compelling content. This patent seeks to solve the problem of photographers missing critical moments due to the inability to constantly monitor and manually capture every image.\n\nThe key technical approach involves sampling a plurality of images from a live stream of image data, such as that from a smartphone camera. These images are then subjected to a filtering process that winnows out less interesting photos, preserving only the most significant ones. An image object is then generated, summarizing the remaining photos, allowing a photographer to see what they missed manually capturing.\n\nThe business value of this technology resides in its ability to enhance user experience by automating the selection of key moments. This can save users significant time and effort, particularly in scenarios where large volumes of images are captured. The market opportunity spans various sectors, including consumer photography, event photography, and surveillance systems. The system can be integrated into smartphones, digital cameras, and other image capture devices, providing a competitive advantage.\n\nThis innovation has the potential to disrupt traditional photography workflows by automating the curation process. This makes it easier for both amateur and professional photographers to capture and share the most important moments from their photo sessions. The ability to autonomously collect, filter, and format image capture data represents a significant step forward in the field of image processing and has wide-ranging implications for various industries. The patent's focus on autonomous operation and intelligent filtering sets it apart from existing technologies, positioning it as a valuable asset in the evolving landscape of image capture and summarization.","layman_explanation":"The Systems and Methods for Autonomously Generating Photo Summaries patent addresses a common frustration: capturing countless photos only to miss the most important moments or spend hours sorting through duplicates and low-quality images.\n\n**1. What Problem Does This Solve?** (100-150 words)\nWe've all been there – at a concert, a birthday party, or a scenic vista – snapping away with our phones. But often, we're too busy enjoying the moment to ensure every shot is perfect. The result? A digital clutter of blurry photos, duplicates, and missed opportunities. Existing camera apps capture everything, but they don't help us find the gems. This patent solves the problem of photo overload and missed memories by automating the selection of the best shots.\n\n**2. How Does It Work?** (200-300 words)\nThink of it like a smart assistant for your camera. Instead of just recording every image, the system continuously analyzes the incoming stream of photos. It looks for key indicators of a great shot: smiles, action, good lighting, and interesting composition. It then automatically selects and saves the best images, while discarding the rest. It's like having a professional photographer built into your phone, but instead of clicking the shutter, this technology uses complex algorithms to ensure you get the best photo summary.\n\nInstead of manually reviewing hundreds of pictures, you can now easily share a curated collection of the most memorable moments. The system does the hard work for you. It's like having a highlight reel created automatically!\n\n**3. Why Does This Matter?** (150-200 words)\nThis technology has significant market impact. Imagine being able to quickly share a perfect collection of photos from your child's soccer game or a corporate event, without spending hours sorting and editing. This saves time, reduces frustration, and enhances the overall user experience. The patent has competitive advantages by automating the entire curation process, making it easier for everyone to capture and share their experiences. This leads to increased user engagement and satisfaction.\n\nThis innovation can be a game-changer in the photography and social media industries, increasing engagement and simplifying the user experience. It also has potential applications in security and surveillance, where it could automatically identify and flag important events.\n\n**4. What's Next?** (50-100 words)\nFuture applications could include integration with cloud storage services for automatic backup and organization, as well as advanced features like facial recognition and scene understanding. Market adoption is expected to increase as smartphone manufacturers and app developers integrate this technology into their products. Investment implications are positive, as this patent addresses a clear market need and has the potential to generate significant revenue through licensing and product integration.","technical_analysis":"The Systems and Methods for Autonomously Generating Photo Summaries patent details a system designed to streamline image capture and summarization through automated processes. The technical architecture centers around an image capture device providing a live stream of data to a processing unit, such as a smartphone. The core innovation involves autonomously sampling a plurality of images from this stream.\n\nThe implementation relies on algorithms designed to filter the sampled images based on criteria such as image quality, content relevance, and the presence of specific features like faces or objects of interest. The filtering process assigns scores to each image, prioritizing those deemed more significant for preservation. Machine learning techniques could be employed to adapt the filtering criteria based on user preferences and contextual information.\n\nIntegration patterns involve seamlessly incorporating the system into existing camera applications or operating systems. Performance characteristics are crucial, requiring optimization to minimize processing overhead and battery consumption on mobile devices. The algorithms must be efficient enough to process a high volume of image data in real-time while maintaining accuracy in identifying key moments.\n\nCode-level implications involve developing efficient image processing routines, potentially leveraging hardware acceleration capabilities of the target device. The system may utilize APIs for accessing camera data and storage, as well as libraries for image analysis and machine learning. The technical challenge lies in balancing computational complexity with real-time performance, ensuring a smooth user experience without significant battery drain. The filtering algorithms must be robust to variations in lighting conditions and image quality, maintaining accurate moment detection across diverse scenarios.\n\nThe patent's focus on autonomous operation necessitates careful consideration of power management and resource allocation. The system should be designed to minimize its impact on overall device performance, allowing it to seamlessly integrate into existing workflows without hindering other applications. The choice of programming languages and development tools will depend on the target platform and the specific requirements of the implementation. Thorough testing and optimization are essential to ensure the system's reliability and performance in real-world conditions.","business_analysis":"The Systems and Methods for Autonomously Generating Photo Summaries patent presents a significant business opportunity within the image capture and processing market. The core value proposition lies in automating the curation of photo sessions, saving users time and effort while ensuring they capture the most important moments. The market opportunity size is substantial, encompassing both consumer and professional photography segments.\n\nCompetitive advantages stem from the system's autonomous operation and intelligent filtering capabilities. By automatically identifying and prioritizing key moments, the technology differentiates itself from traditional manual curation methods. Revenue potential can be realized through licensing the technology to smartphone manufacturers, camera companies, and software developers. Business models could include per-device licensing fees, subscription-based access to advanced features, or integration into existing photography platforms.\n\nStrategic positioning involves targeting both consumer and professional markets. For consumers, the technology offers a convenient way to capture and share memories without the hassle of manual curation. For professionals, it provides a valuable tool for streamlining workflows and maximizing efficiency. ROI projections are promising, given the potential for increased user engagement, reduced development costs, and expanded market reach.\n\nThe business impact extends beyond the immediate photography market. The technology could be adapted for use in surveillance systems, autonomous vehicles, and other applications where automated image analysis is critical. The ability to autonomously collect, filter, and summarize image data has wide-ranging implications for various industries, positioning the patent as a valuable asset in the evolving landscape of image processing. The key to success lies in effectively marketing the technology to target audiences and building strategic partnerships with key players in the industry.","faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Systems and methods for autonomously generating photo summaries","description":"Implementations of the disclosed technology include techniques for autonomously collecting image data, and generating photo summaries based thereon. In some implementations, a plurality of images may ","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854160","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854160","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Systems and methods for autonomously generating photo summaries\" (US-9854160). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854160","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854160","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9854160","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T01:04:14.541Z"}