Abstract: A method to expose information about a set of data objects to a master device is provided. A benchmark sequence indicator is used in connection with a set of sequence indicators that are each related to data objects (such as media files on a device) to satisfy multiple independent requests for information about certain objects that satisfy sequence criteria conveyed from multiple requesting applications. An embodied data structure includes a set of properties associated with a data object as well as a sequence-identification field that also corresponds to the data object and that is populated with an object sequence indicator that indicates when a change occurred to the data object.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling multiple types of media devices. The method and system also facilitate communication between a computing device and one of a plurality of types of media devices. The system includes device retrieval modules controlled by the computing device for retrieving information from a group of device data sets controlled by the media device. The device data sets including a device information data set that includes a set of properties specific the type of media device. The computing device also includes object retrieval tools for retrieving object information from a group of object data sets stored on the media device and control command modules controlling objects on the media device.

Abstract: A system and related techniques relate to the retrieval of a media object list with associated properties from a media device such as a digital video camcorder, audio player or other source or device. According to embodiments the retrieved list or set of media objects and their attributes or properties, for example a song list along with song length, codec, artist and other information may be retrieved from the source device, along with a representative sample of the media or content of each object. So the title which identifies a song may be accompanied by a short sound clip of a representative sample of that song, or a title identifying a digital video movie may be accompanied by a short video clip of an introductory portion of that movie.

Abstract: A protocol and related techniques and platforms allow vendors to selectably extend the Media Transport Protocol (MTP), or other defined protocols to implement vendor-specific commands, data fields, instructions and other extension sets. According to embodiments of the invention in one regard, one or more extension space may be utilized to derive independent extension sets, in part by separating the extension space according to a unique identifier assigned to or associated with a given vendor. In embodiments that unique identifier may be or include an Internet DNS (Domain Name System) domain name, or other extension set name or identifier. According to the invention in one regard, because a DNS domain name may be independently registered and secured by participating vendors or manufacturers and by definition uniquely assigned, the separation of vendor extension sets by that type of name may be automatic and free from conflict.

Abstract: A system and related techniques are provided in the present invention, which generate an interrogation request from an initiator device, to a mobile or other media player. The binary objects which encode the content may include or have associated with them a set of corresponding object properties which help to define each object. According to embodiments of the invention, the initiator may communicate with the responding device using a media-aware protocol such that the initiator may identify one or all of the set of properties paired with all of the objects to be returned. The initiator may then present the objects along with the corresponding properties to a user to manipulate. Because properties may be retrieved in conjunction with, at the same time and using a unified retrieval scheme, the need to query each object identifier one by one for associated properties is removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for receiving and storing data from a first host device and performing actions or events on a second host device based on the stored data. Also, a priority factor value may be determined for the stored data such that actions or events performed on the second host device may be based on the priorities of the stored data. For example, a removable, portable device may be connected to the first or the second host device. The stored data is accessed by the second host device and the stored data and the action or event on the second host device is performed based on the stored data. In another example, the stored data is not stored on the second host device. Thus, the stored data may be secure and trusted.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for allowing a user to improve the quality of photographs. The system is capable of optimizing an image capturing device in order to achieve this goal. The system includes data collection apparatus for collecting data related to a captured image from the image capturing device and for sending the data to a storage device. The system additionally includes data analysis tools for comparing captured data to previously stored data and optimization tools for optimizing the image capturing device based on the data analysis. The data analysis tools may include multiple filters for analyzing different types of image-related information. A real-time wireless link may be maintained between the system and the image capturing device. The ability to accumulate and maintain statistical data enables a historical analysis that results in higher quality photographs.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling multiple types of media devices. The method and system also facilitate communication between a computing device and one of a plurality of types of media devices. The system includes device retrieval modules controlled by the computing device for retrieving information from a group of device data sets controlled by the media device. The device data sets including a device information data set that includes a set of properties specific the type of media device. The computing device also includes object retrieval tools for retrieving object information from a group of object data sets stored on the media device and control command modules controlling objects on the media device.