Web-based image extraction
View Patent ↗Images may be extracted from a site in a network for further processing, such as storing or printing. The extraction process may change depending on the site type or classification. Sites may be categorized as belonging to one or more predetermined types. Sites may be categorized as belonging to a recognized site list. An image extraction process may be associated with each predetermined type or each recognized site. Upon browsing to a site and initiating the extraction process, the site is identified as belonging to one of the predetermined types or recognized sites. Then, one or more images is extracted from the site using the associated extraction process.
1. A method of extracting images from a site in a network as candidates for further processing, comprising:
categorizing sites as belonging to one or more predetermined types, the one or more predetermined types being a photo album site comprising albums of thumbnail images providing links to higher resolution images;
associating an image extraction process for each predetermined type;
identifying the site as belonging to one of the predetermined types;
extracting an image from the site using the extraction process associated with the identified predetermined type; and
identifying album pages from the photo album site, the identifying the album pages including identifying addresses having lengths within a first predetermined range of one another and having a number of common characters, with a second predetermined range of one another,
wherein at least one of the categorizing, the associating, the identifying the site, the extracting and the identifying the album pages is performed by a processor.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the extracting the image from the site comprises extracting one or more of the higher resolution images.
3. A method of extracting images from a site in a network as candidates for further processing, comprising:
categorizing sites as belonging to one or more predetermined types;
associating an image extraction process for each predetermined type;
identifying the site as belonging to one of the predetermined types; and
extracting an image from the site using the extraction process associated with the identified predetermined type,
wherein the predetermined type is a generic site comprising a first displayed image, the step of extracting the image from the site comprises extracting the first displayed image if the first displayed image satisfies a predetermined condition and wherein at least one of the categorizing, the associating, the identifying, and the extracting is performed by a processor.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the predetermined condition is where the first displayed image is the largest image on the generic site.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the predetermined condition is where the first displayed image is larger than a predetermined size.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the predetermined size is adjustable.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined types comprises sites that are contained within a stored list of recognized sites.
8. A non-transitory computer readable medium which stores computer-executable process steps for extracting images from a site in a network as candidates for further processing, said computer-executable process steps causing a computer to perform the steps of:
recognizing sites as belonging to one or more predetermined types;
accessing an image extraction algorithm for each predetermined type;
identifying the site as belonging to one of the predetermined types;
extracting an image from the site using the extraction algorithm associated with the identified predetermined type; and
identifying album pages from a photo album site comprising albums of thumbnail images having links to duplicate higher resolution images,
wherein the identifying album pages from a photo album site includes identifying addresses having lengths within a first predetermined range of one another and having a number of common characters within a second predetermined range of one another.
9. The computer readable medium of claim 8 , further comprising providing a browser toolbar button for initiating the process steps for extracting images.
10. The computer readable medium of claim 8 , further comprising providing a stand-alone application for initiating the process steps for extracting images.
11. The computer readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the step of extracting the image from the site comprises extracting the higher resolution images from the identified album pages.
12. The computer readable medium of claim 8 wherein one of the predetermined types comprises sites that are contained within a stored list of recognized sites.