Abstract: A cloud-based computer system changes the modern paradigm from being device-centric to being person-centric. The system makes all user data, software settings, device settings, and licensed content for a user available in the cloud. The system includes a conversion mechanism that can convert information intended for one device type to a different device type. Thus, a user changing smart phone platforms can convert their current smart phone settings to equivalent settings on the new phone platform, and their new phone can then be configured using the user's converted settings stored in the cloud. By storing all the user's relevant information in the cloud, this information may be accessed anywhere and may be used to configure a large number of different devices according to the user's settings.

Abstract: A cloud-based computer system changes the modern paradigm from being device-centric to being person-centric. The system makes all user data, software settings, device settings, and licensed content for a user available in the cloud. The system includes a conversion mechanism that can convert information intended for one device type to a different device type. Thus, a user changing smart phone platforms can convert their current smart phone settings to equivalent settings on the new phone platform, and their new phone can then be configured using the user's converted settings stored in the cloud. By storing all the user's relevant information in the cloud, this information may be accessed anywhere and may be used to configure a large number of different devices according to the user's settings.

Abstract: A device allows dynamically programming the device according to location. The device includes a communication interface that allows the device to communicate with a remote database. A location is specified, and the location and stored user settings corresponding to a user determine suitable settings for the device at that location. The device is then dynamically reprogrammed according to the location information and the user settings to make the device suitable to the user and the location.

Abstract: A universal remote control allows dynamically programming the remote control according to location. The remote control includes a communication interface that allows the remote control to communicate with a remote database. A location is specified, and the remote control uses the location information to access corresponding programming information for the remote control. The remote control is then dynamically reprogrammed according to the location information to make the remote control suitable to the location.

Abstract: A cloud-based computer system changes the modern paradigm from being device-centric to being person-centric. The system makes all user data, software settings, device settings, and licensed content for a user available in the cloud. The system includes a conversion mechanism that can convert information intended for one device type to a different device type. Thus, a user changing smart phone platforms can convert their current smart phone settings to equivalent settings on the new phone platform, and their new phone can then be configured using the user's converted settings stored in the cloud. By storing all the user's relevant information in the cloud, this information may be accessed anywhere and may be used to configure a large number of different devices according to the user's settings.

Abstract: A cloud-based computer system changes the modern paradigm from being device-centric to being person-centric. The system makes all user data, software settings, device settings, and licensed content for a user available in the cloud. The system includes a conversion mechanism that can convert information intended for one device type to a different device type. Thus, a user changing smart phone platforms can convert their current smart phone settings to equivalent settings on the new phone platform, and their new phone can then be configured using the user's converted settings stored in the cloud. By storing all the user's relevant information in the cloud, this information may be accessed anywhere and may be used to configure a large number of different devices according to the user's settings.

Abstract: A cloud-based computer system changes the modern paradigm from being device-centric to being person-centric. The system makes all user data, settings, and licensed content for a user available in the cloud. The user's information may be made available in a vehicle. The system includes a conversion mechanism that can convert information intended for one device type to a different device type. Thus, a user driving a Chevrolet can store the settings for the Chevrolet, which can then be converted to equivalent settings for any other vehicle, including vehicles from different manufacturers.

Abstract: A computer system includes a photo processing mechanism that allows cataloging and storing a user's photos using relationships between people that allow the user's photos to be retrieved using a search engine. A user enters people and specifies relationships, and may also enter locations, events, and other information. Photos are then processed, and indexing info is generated for each photo that may include any or all of the following: user-defined relationships, system-derived relationships, user-defined locations, system-defined locations, user-defined events, and system-derived events and ages for the people in the photos. The indexing info may be stored as metadata with the photo or may be stored separately from the photo. The indexing info allows photos to be retrieved using a powerful search engine.

Abstract: A cloud-based computer system changes the modern paradigm from being device-centric to being person-centric. The system makes all user data, settings, and licensed content for a user available in the cloud. This allows transferring user settings from a first device to a second device that is of the same type. A conversion mechanism also allows converting user settings for a first device to corresponding user settings for a second device that is of a different type. In addition to transferring user settings from the cloud, the user settings for the first device can be transferred to an external memory device, which may then be removed and connected to a second device, which can then use the user settings on the external memory device to program the second device.

Abstract: A universal remote control allows dynamically programming the remote control according to location. The remote control includes a communication interface that allows the remote control to communicate with a remote database. A location is specified, and the remote control uses the location information to access corresponding programming information for the remote control. The remote control is then dynamically reprogrammed according to the location information to make the remote control suitable to the location.

Abstract: A cloud-based computer system changes the modern paradigm from being device-centric to being person-centric. The system makes all user data, settings, and licensed content for a user available in the cloud. Multiple templates provide mapping information from physical devices to a master template that serves as a central repository for all of a user's settings for all of a user's devices. The templates also provide mapping information that allow for mapping settings between different physical devices, between physical devices and other templates, and between templates. A user settings mechanism uses the mapping information to propagate user settings stored in one template to other templates and to one or more physical devices, and to propagate user settings stored in a physical device to multiple templates, including a master template that serves as the central repository for all of a user's settings.

Abstract: A cloud-based computer system changes the modern paradigm from being device-centric to being person-centric. The system makes all user data, software settings, device settings, and licensed content for a user available in the cloud. The system includes a conversion mechanism that can convert information intended for one device type to a different device type. Thus, a user changing smart phone platforms can convert their current smart phone settings to equivalent settings on the new phone platform, and their new phone can then be configured using the user's converted settings stored in the cloud. By storing all the user's relevant information in the cloud, this information may be accessed anywhere and may be used to configure a large number of different devices according to the user's settings.

Abstract: A computer system and method inhibit interruption of a user that is actively using the computer system. A user is actively using the computer system if the user has provided defined input within a time period specified in a “do not disturb” specification. For example, if the time period in the “do not disturb” specification is set to ten seconds, a user will not be interrupted by a potential interrupting event if the user has, for example, pressed a keyboard key or clicked a mouse key within ten seconds of the potential interrupting event. In this manner a user that is actively using a computer system will not be interrupted by potential interrupting events. In a first embodiment, the do not disturb mechanism is defined globally in the operating system. In a second embodiment, each software application may include a “do not disturb” specification.

Abstract: A light fixture includes multiple sets of light-producing devices, such as bulbs. A first set of bulbs is illuminated. When one or more bulbs in the first set of bulbs fails, the failure is detected, and a second set of bulbs is illuminated: If a number of good bulbs remaining falls below a predetermined threshold, the light fixture provides a notification that a bulb change is required. The notification may include visual, audio, or electronic notification. By providing multiple sets of bulbs and a controller to detect a bulb failure and automatically switch to a different set of bulbs, the light fixture and method of the preferred embodiments provide high-reliability lighting that automatically compensates when a bulb burns out.