Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Described is the adding of padding to a content file (e.g., image and/or audiovisual file) for anticipated subsequent use such that the content file need not be re-encoded to add metadata and other data to it. For example, padding may be added to an image file directly after an image file directory, whereby the directory can grow as needed into the padded space. Metadata can likewise be added to the padding, e.g., from the opposite direction that the directory extends into the padding. The padding may be added on the first re-encoding of the file, reducing or eliminating the need for subsequent re-encoding. The padding also may be used to track dead space in the file, with adjacent regions of dead space coalesced into a single region of dead space.

Abstract: Network-based and client-based operating environments implement computerized systems and techniques for organizing and discovering digital media objects originating from personal digital media sources. The association between a user-selected computer-usable descriptor and a particular digital media object serves as a semantic medium for exchange of information about the digital media object via a network, independent of whether the digital media object is registered with an established digital content sharing service. A user-selected computer-usable descriptor is part of one or more collections of such descriptors that are organized into published data structures having data elements corresponding to particular real-world meanings. Leveraging the consistent associations of computer-usable descriptors with the subject matter of personal digital media content within digital media objects enables the widespread and efficient computerized discovery of relevant digital media objects.

Abstract: A unified method for processing Raw and pre-processed digital images is provided. The method may include receiving digital image data and determining if the data is Raw or pre-processed. If the digital image data is Raw, the method may further include receiving modifications to the Raw image data, applying a sensor profile and an output profile to the data to create output-ready digital image data, and outputting the output-ready digital image data. If, on the other hand, the digital image data is pre-processed, the method may further include receiving a sensor profile that has been applied to the pre-processed image data (or a proxy therefore), converting the pre-processed image data to linear image data using the sensor profile, receiving modifications to the linear image data, applying the sensor profile and an output profile to the data to create output-ready digital image data, and outputting the output-ready digital image data.

Abstract: Topic-centric-media sharing allows a user to search for and share media objects related to a topic. The user can associate media objects with other sets of media objects related to the topic. Subscription software can be configured to locate possible sets of media objects of interest to the user. The subscription software can also be configured to register the user to automatically receive media objects associated with various sets. Once registered, the media objects in the set can automatically be distributed to the user, including new media objects when they are associated with the set.

Abstract: Topic-centric-media sharing allows a user to search for and share media objects related to a topic. The user can select media objects stored on a client computing device to share with other users. The client computing device contains software that, in operation, searches for a set of media objects related to the same topic as the selected media objects. If such a set is located, the software on the client computing device can associate the selected media objects with the set. If no such set is located, the user can create a new set to share with other users.

Abstract: Applications that extend the basic concept of determining spatial relationships between images and generating a model allowing users to experience the images in a 3D environment are provided. One application is directed to the creation of documents that may be readily shared, viewed, and edited, wherein the documents include references to underlying content comprising a 3D environment and images positioned therein and captures connections between images. Another application relates to ranking images based on user viewing information, such as the number of users who have viewed an image and how long an image was viewed. Yet another application is directed to analyzing the spatial density of images within a 3D environment to determine points of user interest. A further application relates to using spatially indexed images to navigate between webpages and 3D environments.

Abstract: A method, system and media for generating and querying spatial multimedia indices are provided. A multimedia corpus representing varying view points and distributed across a large network, such as the Internet, is crawled to extract properties from the multimedia. The extracted properties and relationships among multimedia are stored and indexed in clusters associated with a space-scale hierarchy. Accordingly, a spatial multimedia service may utilize the space-scale hierarchy to update the spatial multimedia indices and to respond to user queries.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically modifying a media presentation is disclosed. A first presentation theme associated with a media presentation is determined. A plurality of multi-media data files are accessed, wherein each of the plurality of multi-media data files comprises associated metadata. A first of the plurality of multi-media data files are associated with the first presentation theme based on the associated metadata and the first of the plurality of multi-media data files is presented.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for associating metadata with an identifier for the author thereof and for communicating metadata to one or more users having shared copies of the associated file, such communication being independent of communicating the associated file. Context is provided for each metadata value associated with a shared file as each metadata value is associated with an identifier for the author thereof. Additionally, each user of a shared file may be presented with metadata associated with a file that was not associated with the file at the time the file was shared.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing, e.g., non-destructively processing, digital image data utilizing one or more Effect Layers are provided. Effect Layers combine Effects in useful ways that simplify the process of creating Effect graphs. Each Effect Layer contains a logical Effect sub-graph that includes a plurality of logical Effects, e.g., a main Effect, a blend Effect, and a mask Effect. In one embodiment, a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes receiving input regarding processing of digital image data, determining the impact that input will have on each logical Effect upon processing of digital image data, and creating a physical Effect sub-graph in accordance with the determined impact. The physical Effect sub-graph may closely resemble or appear nothing like the logical Effect sub-graph. Images may subsequently be rendered utilizing the physical Effect sub-graph.