Abstract: Methods, systems and machine-readable instructions for managing images are described. In one aspect, images are segmented into image clusters. A page layout for a contact sheet comprising thumbnail clusters each comprising thumbnails of the images in respective ones of the image clusters is generated. The page layout divides at least a portion of the contact sheet into regions each containing a respective one of the thumbnail clusters and at least one associated user input field. A description of the page layout is stored on a machine-readable medium.

Abstract: A broadcast oriented architecture for a data storage access system is disclosed. The architecture permits the implementation of high capacity query intensive data bases for mass market public applications such as directory assistance systems. In the architecture, a record storage pump cyclically transmits the entire data base over a downstream channel formed from a transmission medium such as an optical fiber. Record retrieval elements located at different positions along the downstream channel read the entire data base during each cycle and pick out requested records from the data base. An upstream channel between the record retrieval elements and the record storage pump is used to transmit data base update information from the record retrieval elements to the record storage pump to provide each record retrieval element with a consistent view of the updated data base during subsequent data base broadcast cycles.

Abstract: A single chip high speed VLSI data filter is disclosed. The data filter performs relational and simple numeric operations on a high speed input data stream using a unique instruction set containing no branching instructions.