Abstract: A method and architecture for obtaining a desired frame and identifying a selected frame in an image container. A request for a frame of an image is received. The request may include an identifier that identifies a type of frame. In response thereto, a frame is located corresponding to the identifier and a reference to the frame is provided. In another aspect, a request is received to identify a frame of an image. A determination is made as to what identifier identifies the frame. The identified frame is returned to the requesting component.

Abstract: Methods for creating computer-readable image files having annotation data, e.g., one or more audio annotations, embedded therein are provided. The method may include receiving an image file having image data therein, receiving annotation data, e.g., one or more audio annotations, relating to the image data, and embedding the annotation data into the image file to create a modified image file. Computer-readable media having stored thereon a data structure which includes a first portion containing data representing an image and a second portion containing data representing annotation information relating to the image, wherein the first portion is embedded in the second portion, are also provided. Still further, a computer-readable image file having image data and annotation data relating to the image data is also provided.

Abstract: A system and related techniques provide a uniform abstraction layer for accessing and manipulating Raw image files, with the necessity for proprietary application tools. According to embodiments in one regard, an operating system or other platform may expose a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) to general purpose image processing, photo album, printing or other applications through which a Raw API layer may be accessed. That layer may in turn communicate via a set of Raw codecs or other protocols or channels with a hardware-specific Raw plugin layer, which may host a set of Raw format specifications supplied, for instance, by digital still camera manufacturers or other vendors. Those hardware-specific, low-level specifications may specify or encapsulate, for example, the Raw container or file format, Raw file metadata, thumbnail representations or other details for individual Raw formats.

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 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.