Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Automated maintenance of media content such as digital photographs and video in a pool is provided by an arrangement where the time interval that each piece of media content remains in the pool is tracked and modified by user-behavioral factors. This “virtual age” of the media content is depicted on a representative image displayed by a graphical user interface through the use of visual metaphors that simulate the physical characteristics of an object such as a printed photograph as it ages. As the virtual age of the content increases, visual metaphors including fading or yellowing, and physical deterioration such as tattering, creasing, and ripping are overlaid as effects onto the displayed image. Older content is displayed using other respective images which have increased fading or yellowing and greater physical deterioration until, in one example, an image appears to crumble to dust, at which point the associated media content is automatically deleted from the pool.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for applying localized image effects to digital images is provided. The method includes receiving a selection representing a location in proximity to a region in the digital image requiring one or more correction. The region requiring correction is processed by an image processing engine to determine the boundaries of the region. The image processing engine applies one or more image effects to the region and varies an intensity level associated with each image effect according to the number clicks received at the location in proximity to the region requiring the correction.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A computer readable medium and method to generate a multimedia database that represents a collection of files having different file extensions is provided. The method includes receiving the collection of files from a file system, extracting and storing metadata in multimedia objects stored in the multimedia database. The metadata includes fast and slow metadata associated with the collection of files, which are extracted from the collection of files. Policies associated with the file extensions are applied to the collection of files to determine the fast metadata that should be extracted before the slow metadata. The multimedia objects are created to store the fast metadata and references to the collection of files. After extracting the fast metadata from the collection of files, the slow metadata is extracted and stored in the multimedia objects.

Abstract: A method and machine-readable medium for adjusting image saturation is disclosed. A designation of a change in a selected saturation distribution value of an image is received from a user. A saturation curve is automatically generated on a saturation histogram so that the saturation curve passes through the changed saturation distribution value. Saturation of the image is automatically adjusted based on the saturation curve.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of automatically suggesting a cropped area of a digital image. An area of interest in an original image is determined. A design rule is applied to the area of interest to determine a suggested crop area of the original image. The suggested cropped area of the original image is presented to a user such that the suggested crop area may be resized, relocated, or accepted by the user. The cropped image may be presented to the user. Also, a computer-implemented method of automatically cropping a digital image. An area of interest in an original image is determined. A design rule is applied to the area of interest to determine a suggested crop area of the original image. The original image is cropped according to the suggested crop area. The cropped image is presented to a user or is stored. The design rule may be the Rule of Thirds or another, more sophisticated rule.

Abstract: A system and related techniques generate and present a set of linked, dynamically interactive image processing controls for image editing and optimization tasks. In embodiments a user interface may present a set of global editing modes such as color manipulation, exposure correction or others. Each mode may contain a hierarchical set of basic, intermediate and advanced controls such as one-button automatic fixes, color or saturation sliders or editable histograms or other curves. When a user wishes, for instance, to achieve a warmer color balance or perform other color-correction tasks, the system may automatically detect adjustments in one or more parameters, such as CMYK values, and automatically adjust the values of other parameters to enhance the intended correction or action. For instance when the magenta content on a CMYK slider is increased, the color saturation may be slightly increased or color temperature may be slightly raised, to create a warmer appearance in the color cast of the image.

Abstract: A system and a method for a user interface which presents a table of contents to a user. The interface includes an item presentation area that displays items to the user in one or more groups according to a selected characteristic. The interface further includes a table of contents area that displays a listing of the groups and an indicator showing which of the groups contain items currently visible in the item presentation area. Optionally, the interface is configured to control navigation of the presented items, and the table of contents may indicate the volume of items in the groups.

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: A system and a method for a user interface that presents items to a user in accordance with default groupings. The interface includes a filter selection area that provides a listing of one or more filters that may be selected by a user. Each of the filters has an associated default grouping. The interface further includes an item presentation area that displays filtered items to the user in accordance with a default grouping associated with a selected filter.

Abstract: A process for comparing two digital images is described. The process includes comparing texture moment data for the two images to provide a similarity index, combining the similarity index with other data to provide a similarity value and determining that the two images match when the similarity value exceeds a first threshold value.