# How Computers Automatically Organize and Search Photos Using Contextual Data > A system for indexing images by attaching descriptive data to objects within them and adjusting search rankings based on how often a user searches for those specific items. - **Patent:** US 8862582 - **Original title:** System and method of organizing images - **Owner:** AT&T Intellectual Property I LP - **Granted:** 2014 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 2 - **Field:** software, ai_ml, consumer_electronics ## What it does This patent describes a method for making photo libraries smarter by attaching 'scene description information'—such as audio, device orientation, or object detection data—to images. It creates a data structure where each object identified in a photo is assigned a weight, which determines how relevant that object is to a search. Crucially, the system tracks a user's search habits and updates these weights over time. For example, if you frequently search for 'dog,' the system increases the weight of 'dog' objects in your photos, making them appear higher in search results. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover simple image tagging based solely on manual user input. - Does not cover geographic-based image sorting, as the claims explicitly state the weights are independent of location. - Does not cover basic image retrieval that lacks the specific 'infinite array' data structure for object weights. - Does not cover image processing that does not incorporate user search history to modify object weights. ## The clever bit The system uses an 'infinite array' to store weights for objects, allowing the database to dynamically adjust the importance of specific items (like a dog or a car) based on the user's personal search history rather than just generic metadata. ## Real-world examples 1. Google Photos search functionality 2. Apple Photos object recognition and search 3. Smart home security camera indexing ## Why it matters This patent represents an early effort to move beyond simple file-name searching toward semantic, context-aware image retrieval. It highlights the shift from static databases to systems that learn from user behavior to improve relevance, a core component of modern digital photo management. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How Computers Automatically Organize and Search Photos Using Contextual Data cover? A system for indexing images by attaching descriptive data to objects within them and adjusting search rankings based on how often a user searches for those specific items. ### Who owns patent US 8862582? AT&T Intellectual Property I LP owns this patent, granted in 2014. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on October 14, 2034, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 8862582 cited by? This patent has been cited by 2 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This patent represents an early effort to move beyond simple file-name searching toward semantic, context-aware image retrieval. It highlights the shift from static databases to systems that learn from user behavior to improve relevance, a core component of modern digital photo management. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover simple image tagging based solely on manual user input. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8862582/amazon-redshift **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US8862582 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Google Automatically Groups Photos and Contextual Data into Moments](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10318574/arkit) — A method for automatically grouping photos from front and rear cameras with related data like audio, weather, and location to create a rich, interactive digital memory. - [How eBay Uses Image Fingerprints to Search for Products](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8825660/sql-server) — A system that lets you search for items on a marketplace by uploading a photo instead of typing text, using image 'fingerprints' to find matching products. - [How Voice Commands Help Computers Find Objects in Pictures and Videos](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9098533/amazon-kinesis) — A method for using voice commands to tell a computer which object in a photo or video you want to search for, allowing it to automatically isolate that object and perform a visual search. - [How to Search Through Long Videos Using a Compressed Visual Timeline](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10311112/github-acquisition-integration) — A method for searching large collections of video or image data by condensing them into a single, scrollable visual strip that triggers automated searches as you move a slider. - [Google's System for Auto-Searching Text on Your Device](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8990235/bing-image-search) — Google's 2015 patent describes a system that automatically finds and displays relevant information online based on text it detects on your device, even without you asking it to.