Scott Dart

A user of a device has an account with a service that stores copies of common data that is automatically made available to any of the user's devices and also stores copies of device-specific data that is available to the user on particular user-selected devices but is not automatically made available to all of the user's devices. A set of backed up devices can be displayed to the user of a particular device with various information describing the devices to facilitate user selection of a… Show more

A user of a device has an account with a service that stores copies of common data that is automatically made available to any of the user's devices and also stores copies of device-specific data that is available to the user on particular user-selected devices but is not automatically made available to all of the user's devices. A set of backed up devices can be displayed to the user of a particular device with various information describing the devices to facilitate user selection of a device, such as a visual representation of the type of the device that was backed up, a visual representation of a desktop or start screen display of the device that was backed up, and so forth. The user can select one of the displayed devices, and in response have the backed up device-specific data for the selected device copied to the particular device. Show less

Metered network synchronization techniques are described. A current network connection of a computing device is checked as to whether the current network connection has been identified as a metered network. Access by a synchronization engine of the computing device to communicate via the current network connection to synchronize data of the computing device with another computing device is managed based at least in part on a setting associated with the metered network.

A method to expose status information is provided. The status information is associated with metadata extracted from multimedia files and stored in a metadata database. The metadata information that is extracted from the multimedia files is stored in a read queue to allow a background thread to process the metadata and populate the metadata database. Additionally, the metadata database may be updated to include user-define metadata, which is written back to the multimedia files. The… Show more

A method to expose status information is provided. The status information is associated with metadata extracted from multimedia files and stored in a metadata database. The metadata information that is extracted from the multimedia files is stored in a read queue to allow a background thread to process the metadata and populate the metadata database. Additionally, the metadata database may be updated to include user-define metadata, which is written back to the multimedia files. The user-defined metadata is included in a write queue and is written to the multimedia files associated with the user-defined metadata. The status of the read and write queues are exposed to a user through a graphical user interface. The status may include the list of multimedia files included in the read and write queues, the priorities of each multimedia file, and the number of remaining multimedia files. Show less

A method, system and medium suitable for rendering substantially instantaneously thumbnail data pre-cached in a volatile memory. The thumbnail data is rendered once an indicator or pointer is hovered over an icon that has associated thumbnail data stored in the volatile memory.

A system, a method and computer-readable media for presenting groups of items to a user. Items are divided into groups, and a group header is associated with each group. The items and group headers are presented on a screen display, and the displayed content is subject to navigational requests from a user. When one of the group headers is located near an edge of the screen display, its position is fixed to prevent the header from being removed from the screen display.

A system and method for automatically grouping items, e.g., digital photographs, by analyzing the statistical distributions of at least one piece of information associated with each of the items, for instance, creation time, are provided. In one embodiment, the creation time may be converted into a numeric value and the numeric values placed in ascending order such that gaps between adjacent numeric values may be determined. Subsequently, a median difference may be determined as well as an… Show more

A system and method for automatically grouping items, e.g., digital photographs, by analyzing the statistical distributions of at least one piece of information associated with each of the items, for instance, creation time, are provided. In one embodiment, the creation time may be converted into a numeric value and the numeric values placed in ascending order such that gaps between adjacent numeric values may be determined. Subsequently, a median difference may be determined as well as an optimum difference. The items may then be organized into groups such that an additional group is created each time the difference between the numeric value for an item and the numeric value for the adjacent item located therebelow in the ascending array is greater than the optimum difference. Show less

A system and method for presenting images and related items to a user. A digital image from a data store is assessed, and a portion of the image is defined as a region of interest. Properties are associated with this defined region, and these properties are utilized to infer relationships between the region of interest and related items in the data store. Optionally, a user input indicating a desire to view related content may be received and such content may be presented to the user.

A method, system and article of manufacture suitable for rendering a graphical user interface including at least one viewable graphical element, the graphical element having a filename associated therewith, the filename being absent from the user interface.

In an Item-based system, Images (e.g., JPEG, TIFF, bitmap, and so on) are treated as core platform objects ("Image Items" or, more simply, "Images") and exist in an "Image Schema" that provides an extensible representation of an Image in the system--that is, the characteristics of an Image and how that Image relates to other Items (including but not limited to other Images) in the system. To this end, the Image Schema defines the properties, behaviors, and relationships for Images in the… Show more

In an Item-based system, Images (e.g., JPEG, TIFF, bitmap, and so on) are treated as core platform objects ("Image Items" or, more simply, "Images") and exist in an "Image Schema" that provides an extensible representation of an Image in the system--that is, the characteristics of an Image and how that Image relates to other Items (including but not limited to other Images) in the system. To this end, the Image Schema defines the properties, behaviors, and relationships for Images in the system, and the Schema also enforces rules about Images, for example, what data specific Images must contain, what data specific Images may optionally contain, how specific Images can be extended, and so on and so forth. Show less

Techniques for modes for applications are described. In one or more implementations, multiple operational modes are provided for an application. The operational modes can be associated with different resource access permissions, trust statuses, graphical user interfaces, and so on. An application can be launched in a particular one of the operational modes based on a context in which a request to launch the application is received. In one or more implementations, correlations between launch… Show more

Techniques for modes for applications are described. In one or more implementations, multiple operational modes are provided for an application. The operational modes can be associated with different resource access permissions, trust statuses, graphical user interfaces, and so on. An application can be launched in a particular one of the operational modes based on a context in which a request to launch the application is received. In one or more implementations, correlations between launch request contexts for an application and operational modes can be configured to enable different launch requests to cause an application to launch into different operational modes. Show less

A method to expose status information is provided. The status information is associated with metadata extracted from multimedia files and stored in a metadata database. The metadata information that is extracted from the multimedia files is stored in a read queue to allow a background thread to process the metadata and populate the metadata database. Additionally, the metadata database may be updated to include user-define metadata, which is written back to the multimedia files. The… Show more

A method to expose status information is provided. The status information is associated with metadata extracted from multimedia files and stored in a metadata database. The metadata information that is extracted from the multimedia files is stored in a read queue to allow a background thread to process the metadata and populate the metadata database. Additionally, the metadata database may be updated to include user-define metadata, which is written back to the multimedia files. The user-defined metadata is included in a write queue and is written to the multimedia files associated with the user-defined metadata. The status of the read and write queues are exposed to a user through a graphical user interface. The status may include the list of multimedia files included in the read and write queues, the priorities of each multimedia file, and the number of remaining multimedia files. Show less

A connected account provider system allows a user of multiple electronic devices to set up a user account on one device with the device's settings saved in the cloud for application across different devices. A user can obtain secure access to the saved settings using a second (or subsequent) device and can select settings from the initial device to be synchronized to the second device. The system employs client account provider (CAP) software that can be obtained from an independent software… Show more

A connected account provider system allows a user of multiple electronic devices to set up a user account on one device with the device's settings saved in the cloud for application across different devices. A user can obtain secure access to the saved settings using a second (or subsequent) device and can select settings from the initial device to be synchronized to the second device. The system employs client account provider (CAP) software that can be obtained from an independent software provider and is installed on different devices of a user. The CAP client software creates an architecture on a user's device with a CAP client software layer conceptually separate from the device's operating system software. The CAP client software provides extension points for facilitating connection between connected user devices' operating systems and a cloud services layer typically provided by the CAP client software vendor. Show less

A system, a user interface and computer-readable media for associating metadata with digital media. Tags are associated with single-action user inputs. Entry of one of the single-action user inputs is detected. The tag associated with the detected input is stored as metadata associated with a selected item of digital media.

A method to organize multimedia files in a hierarchy having a plurality of nodes is provided. The nodes of the hierarchy are lists that store references to the multimedia files. Additionally, each node of the hierarchy is associated with properties representing activities to be performed on the multimedia files. The multimedia files are stored in the lists associated with activities that the multimedia files require. Accordingly, the multimedia files are organized based on a relationship… Show more

A method to organize multimedia files in a hierarchy having a plurality of nodes is provided. The nodes of the hierarchy are lists that store references to the multimedia files. Additionally, each node of the hierarchy is associated with properties representing activities to be performed on the multimedia files. The multimedia files are stored in the lists associated with activities that the multimedia files require. Accordingly, the multimedia files are organized based on a relationship between the activities and each multimedia file. Show less

Methods and systems that permit a user to associate metadata representing one or more workflow-related actions with an image file are provided. Workflow-related actions describe one or more actions which may be undertaken with respect to the associated image file. For instance, workflow-related actions may include, by way of example only, printing, editing, reviewing, sharing, deleting, and the like. Once associated with metadata representing one or more workflow-related actions, the image file… Show more

Methods and systems that permit a user to associate metadata representing one or more workflow-related actions with an image file are provided. Workflow-related actions describe one or more actions which may be undertaken with respect to the associated image file. For instance, workflow-related actions may include, by way of example only, printing, editing, reviewing, sharing, deleting, and the like. Once associated with metadata representing one or more workflow-related actions, the image file may be retrieved based upon a query for at least one of the workflow-related actions. If more than one workflow-related action is represented in the metadata associated with the image file, the image file may be retrieved based upon a query for each workflow-related action individually or multiple workflow-related actions concurrently. Show less

System and methods are herein disclosed for reconciling image metadata in an image file between different metadata schemas, both in the utilization of said metadata by an application or device, as well as proactively reconciling conflicts when detected in said image file. Several embodiments are directed to logically reconciling conflicting metadata between two or more metadata components related to read or write operations of said metadata by applications or devices. Several other embodiments… Show more

System and methods are herein disclosed for reconciling image metadata in an image file between different metadata schemas, both in the utilization of said metadata by an application or device, as well as proactively reconciling conflicts when detected in said image file. Several embodiments are directed to logically reconciling conflicting metadata between two or more metadata components related to read or write operations of said metadata by applications or devices. Several other embodiments are directed to proactively finding conflicts in metadata components of a file and proactively reconciling them for present and future utilization of said file. Show less

Computer system navigation tools provide "links" to various different files, lists, folders, and/or other storage elements and allow users to organize files, e.g., by hierarchical properties, lists, auto lists, folders, and the like. Such systems and methods allow users to assign properties to a file (optionally in a hierarchical manner), to change assigned properties, to search, view, and retrieve information based on the assigned properties, and the like.