Abstract: A software control mechanism is disclosed for use with a plurality of media applications. The software control mechanism comprises a media control panel structured for use with a plurality of media applications. The media control panel is independent of each media application. Each media application is displayed within a computer screen. The software control mechanism is structured to control a function of a presently interfaced media application on the display screen. Further, as the presently interfaced media application changes on the display screen, the media control panel for that media application is displayed along a same boundary of the computer screen.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for configuring a device for receipt of data corresponding to broadcast media signal. The system and method include selecting a metadata preference for use in a search of metadata associated with the broadcast media signals and selecting a notification preference for a notification format. The selected metadata preference and the selected notification preference are transmitted to a hosting system. The device can then receive, in the selected notification format, data corresponding to a broadcast media signal, the broadcast signal corresponding to the metadata preference. In one embodiment, the broadcast media signal is an analog or digital video signal. The metadata can be in a non-video portion of the broadcast television signal, for example, a vertical blanking interval or header field.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for optimally viewing a non-square aspect ratio photo or video within a non-square aspect ratio display area of a screen. In addition, a system and a method are disclosed for positioning and storing a reference point (e.g., a relative center point) of an image within a display area of a screen. Further, in a slideshow configuration, a system and a method allows for transition between images using sound annotations associates with a particular image.

Abstract: A software control mechanism is disclosed for use with a plurality of media applications. The software control mechanism comprises a media control panel structured for use with a plurality of media applications. The media control panel is independent of each media application. Each media application is displayed within a computer screen. The software control mechanism is structured to control a function of a presently interfaced media application on the display screen. Further, as the presently interfaced media application changes on the display screen, the media control panel for that media application is displayed along a same boundary of the computer screen.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for optimally viewing a non-square aspect ratio photo or video within a non-square aspect ratio display area of a screen. In addition, a system and a method are disclosed for positioning and storing a reference point (e.g., a relative center point) of an image within a display area of a screen. Further, in a slideshow configuration, a system and a method allows for transition between images using sound annotations associates with a particular image.

Abstract: A software control mechanism is disclosed for use with a plurality of media applications. The software control mechanism comprises a media control panel structured for use with a plurality of media applications. The media control panel is independent of each media application. Each media application is displayed within a computer screen. The software control mechanism is structured to control a function of a presently interfaced media application on the display screen. Further, as the presently interfaced media application changes on the display screen, the media control panel for that media application is displayed along a same boundary of the computer screen.

Abstract: A navigation and execution mechanism for a computing device includes a navigation interface and a toolbar. The navigation mechanism includes a center selectable switch bounded by first and second selectable switches opposite each other and third and fourth selectable switches opposite each other and adjacent to the first and the second selectable switches. The toolbar is displayed on a screen of the computing device in response to execution of an application within the computing device. The toolbar is configured to display a set of operations corresponding to the application, the toolbar further configured to execute a first operation in response to triggering the center selectable switch, a second operation in response to triggering the first selectable switch, a third operation in response to triggering the second selectable switch. Further, the toolbar is extendable to include two additional toolbars accessible directly through the a single action of the navigation mechanism.

Abstract: Media data files stored in a first computing device are transcoded for transferring to a second, portable computing device. The device parameters of the second computing device are determined by determining the type of the second computing device, and selecting one from a plurality of sets of predetermined, pre-stored device parameters for different types of second computing devices, based on the type of the second computing device. A selected media data file is transcoded in accordance with the determined device parameters of the second computing device, regardless of whether the second computing device is connected to the first computing device. When the second computing device is connected to the first computing device, the transcoded media data file is transferred from the first computing device to the second computing device.

Abstract: A server configured to provide media to devices remote from the server is configured to provide different media to different devices at substantially a same time. The is server configured to recognize a device that requests media. The server is configured to automatically set a resolution at which a media is provided to the device based on the recognition of the device.

Abstract: A mobile computing device has a radio frequency transceiver and a processing circuit. The radio frequency transceiver is configured to communicate over a wireless network with a remote server. The processing circuit is configured to receive subscribed content from the remote server. The processing circuit is configured to determine a status of at least one local system resource and to determine whether to proceed with accessing the subscribed content based on the status.

Abstract: A device is configured to enhance operation using non-image data in an image file. This non-image data may be added to the image file by the device. The non-image data may include event information such as events from a user's calendar application, public event information, etc. The non-image data could include data based on a recognition program (e.g. photo-recognition program) run on the image. The non-image data could be added by associating images together. The non-image data could also be from any number of other sources. One embodiment for enhancing operation is the ability to access images in unique ways, such as access all images associated with an event using a calendar application. Another example is to access all images of a contact using a contacts application.

Abstract: A device may process images (e.g. sort, group, file, e-mail, etc.) using various filters. The filters may relate to non-image data in the image files to be processed. The filters may include time and location filters.

Abstract: A device simplifies uploading of images from a device to a network site (e.g. a website). The device or a remote server stores public upload information for one or more websites. The images are then formatted in accordance with the public upload data and/or personal configurations. The formatting may be directed, at least in part, to changing a format in which non-standard data is stored in an image file to be uploaded, such as location information. Information from an uploaded image file may be displayed directly, may be used in a mash-up, or may have some other use.