Abstract: A method for reviewing a virtual 3-D environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, a persistent virtual 3-D environment is generated. Additionally, all virtual activity taking place in the persistent virtual 3-D environment is recorded. The recording of the virtual activity is then stored in a central location. In so doing, the virtual activity in the persistent virtual 3-D environment may then be replayed, wherein the replaying may be performed by remote access.

Abstract: Application program sharing systems, processing devices and application program sharing methods are described.

Abstract: A method, program product and system for warping image data, the method comprising in one embodiment: receiving image data for an image; segmentation of the image into a plurality of regions based on regional classification of the image; obtaining a set of warping rules; and warping the image based on the classification of each region and the warping rules.

Abstract: A method for automatically determining device settings based on usage history. The method includes determining a characterization for a device operation in terms of a set of features and selecting a previous device operation having a characterization which is similar to the characterization of the device operation. The device settings which are associated with the characterization of the selected previous device operation may then be employed in performing the device operation.

Abstract: A method of visualizing and retrieving data files includes displaying a plurality of images representing data files on a display device using a first distance metric between each data file. A portion of the images is redisplayed on the display device using a refined distance metric. Optionally, the method repeats the redisplaying step until a desired data file is identifiable. Then, the desired data file is retrieved.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for accessing a collection of images in a database. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each of the images is sorted into one of a plurality of time-based clusters. A weighted quality metric is used to assign to each image a quality number as a function of an image analysis heuristic. A representative image is automatically selected from each time-based cluster based on the quality number.

Abstract: A system and method for browsing, retrieving, and recommending information from a collection uses multi-modal features of the documents in the collection, as well as an analysis of users' prior browsing and retrieval behavior. The system and method are premised on various disclosed methods for quantitatively representing documents in a document collection as vectors in multi-dimensional vector spaces, quantitatively determining similarity between documents, and clustering documents according to those similarities. The system and method also rely on methods for quantitatively representing users in a user population, quantitatively determining similarity between users, clustering users according to those similarities, and visually representing clusters of users by analogy to clusters of documents.

Abstract: A method and system for creating a musical query are disclosed that graphically generate a musical segment that represents a portion of a desired piece of music. Audio feedback is provided to a user by playing the musical segment. Then, a musical query is generated based on the musical segment. Optionally, the graphical generation the musical segment and audio feedback steps can be repeated until the user acknowledges the musical segment is acceptable. Then, after the user has acknowledged the musical segment is acceptable, the musical query is generated.

Abstract: Selecting from currently available television programs or other commercial broadcasts is enabled by clustering the broadcasts on the basis of program categories and by simultaneously displaying video information from all of the broadcasts. The channels through which the commercial broadcasts are received are monitored in order to detect any changes in program categorization. Thus, the clustering of the broadcasts is dynamic with respect to the number of broadcasts in the different clusters. Each broadcast is displayed as a reduced-scale presentation that is based upon the video information specific to the broadcasts. In one embodiment, at least one of the clusters can be split into sub-clusters, such as splitting a movie cluster or a sports cluster on the basis of genres. Optionally, the different reduced-scale presentations are continuously updated, other than during commercial times.

Abstract: Image browsing through memory-stored items, such as a library of images or desktop windows, is efficiently performed by arranging images in partially overlapping fashion and generating a second-level image for each overlapped image that is contacted by a user-manipulated cursor. The second-level image is a “transitory” image, since it is removed as soon as the cursor is displaced from the corresponding first-level image. Thus, by placing the first-level images in a diagonally extending stack, straight line movement of the cursor will initiate a sequential presentation of transitory images for the images in the stack. In one embodiment, the display also includes an incrementing icon and a decrementing icon that are employed to provide substitute stacks. Moreover, a third-level image is formed in a separate window when the user selects one of the images from the stack. This third-level image has more permanency, since it remains in the display window after the stack has been substituted.