Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for recording or auditing events. In one example, a device is connected to a first host device and may receive data from the first host device. The first host device may further be connected in a network of devices. The device may be disconnected from the first host device and may be connected to a second host device, the second host device not being fully connected to the network. The device may store data and may further contain a log file in memory for tracking or auditing events that occur associated with the data and/or associated with the second host device. The log file may be transferred to the first host device after the device is re-connected with the first host device.

Abstract: Enhancing user experiences using aggregated device usage data includes receiving aggregated usage data for a device, such as a computing device and/or a peripheral device. A current user context for the device is identified, and based on the aggregated usage data and the current user context an enhanced user interface is generated.

Abstract: A software design process includes three elements—an object/component driven element, a situation/scenario driven element, and an arbitrator/communicator element that is logically interposed and serves as an intermediary between the object/component driven and the situation/scenario driven elements. Through an iterative communication process overseen by the arbitrator/communicator, software design can take place and be measured against a metric. The communication process overseen and implemented by the arbitrator/communicator can allow ideas and developments provided by one element to be translated into a format that the other element understands. Once the metric has been achieved, the design process can be terminated.

Abstract: An electronic document has a plurality of parts including a root relationship part, a payload part, and a glossary part. The root relationship part identifies the various parts of the electronic document. The payload part stores data for the electronic document including one or more links to relationship entries of the glossary part. The glossary part stores relationship entries, the relationship entries identifying locations of resources for the one or more links.

Abstract: In accordance with certain aspects of the removal of redundant information from electronic documents, a package for an electronic document includes a plurality of parts. The package is accessed, and redundant information in one or more of the plurality of parts is identified. The identified redundant information is removed from the package.

Abstract: A document with one or more analog markups is obtained. An original electronic document corresponding to the document is also identified. The one or more analog markups are converted to one or more digital annotations, and the one or more digital annotations are stored in one or more parts of a package of the original electronic document.

Abstract: A plurality of parts for an electronic document are generated. The plurality of parts include a root relationship part that identifies one or more of the plurality of parts, a payload part that stores data for the electronic document, and a tracking information part that stores tracking information for the electronic document. All of these parts are stored in a single package.

Abstract: A system and method for image acquisition enables selective automated application of color management to color image data generated by an image-capturing device by the device driver for the device. In the image acquisition system, each image-capturing device has properties or operation parameters that can be set to control the operation of the device. During an image acquisition operation, color image data generated by the image-capturing device are transmitted to the device driver. If the operation parameters of the device are set to indicate that color management is to be performed, the device driver calls color management functions provided by the operating system to perform the desired color operation, such as a color space conversion, on the received color image data. The processed color image data are then sent to the image-processing application for further processing or editing.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for allowing a user to manage captured images automatically. The method includes establishing a connection between a computing device and an image capturing device and defining a set of rules pertaining to an image using the computing device. The method additionally includes transferring captured images from the image capturing device to the computing device. The set of rules governs actions performed after acquisition of each image. In order to manage the captured images, the receiving computing device interprets the associated rules. The method additionally includes managing the captured image in accordance with the associated image rule. The system includes the tools necessary to execute the aforementioned method.

Abstract: The Universal Plug and Play architecture contemplates devices and control points that can automatically integrate themselves into a network and provide functionality to a user. Extensions are provided that allow an information presentation appliance to identify categories of information the user wishes that appliance to display. The appliance, acting as a device, can advertise functionality that only allows for the display of information that matches the categories selected by the user. Alternatively, the appliance can act as a control point and request information from information storage devices that matches the categories selected by the user. Using either alternative, the user is allowed to tune, at the appliance, the information that the appliance presents.

Abstract: A computer system uses simplified device drivers for operating hardware devices. A simplified device driver for a hardware device of a given device type, such as a flatbed scanner, works with a system-supplied common driver for that given device type. The common driver and the simplified driver together function like a regular device driver. The simplified device driver implements a small number of entry point functions corresponding to a pre-selected set of operation commands “generic” to hardware devices of that given device type. When an application makes a request for an operation by the device, the request is passed through a device driver interface (DDI) to the common driver. The common driver then calls the entry point functions in the simplified device driver to carry out the requested operation.

Abstract: A technology for enabling a plurality of devices to control each other is disclosed. In one method approach, a constellation is created by associating a plurality of devices with each other. At least one device that is associated with the constellation is used to control an activity associated with at least one other device that is associated with the constellation.

Abstract: Enabling global applications and services available to a user to service an action for content on a content device associated with the user is provided. A network device detects a device event for the content device. One or more applications and services available to service one or more actions for content stored on the content device are determined. The one or more applications and services may include applications installed on any of a plurality of computing devices associated with the user. The one or more applications and services may also include web services for which the user is registered. A user interface is generated based on the one or more applications and services, and the user interface is communicated for presentation.

Abstract: A system, a method and computer-readable media for collecting device usage information from portable devices. The portable devices are enabled to maintain device operation parameters. This information is communicated from a portable device to a host device. The host device may communicate the received information over a network to a database. The database may consolidate the device operation parameters from multiple portable devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for orchestrating synchronizations between different targets in a synchronization community. The order and nature of synchronizations may depend on multiple factors, including the initiator of the synchronization, the data being synchronized, and other characteristics of the synchronization participants and synchronization community.

Abstract: A technique and associated mechanism is described for registering event metadata at a first site, transferring the event metadata to a second site using a portable module, and processing the event metadata at the second site. A user can register the event metadata at the first site in the course of consuming broadcast content. Namely, when the user encounters an interesting portion of the broadcast content, the user activates an input mechanism, resulting in the storage of event metadata associated with the interesting s portion on the portable module. The second site can upload the event metadata from the portable module and, in response, provide content associated with the event metadata, including recommended content associated with the event metadata.

Abstract: Access rights may be managed using non-volatile memory. The charge retention characteristics in devices with non-volatile memory are used to establish time-limited rights. Time duration is calculated using the floating gate in a storage cell. First, time-limited rights are determined from a license. Second, a set of computer software selects a time-sensitive storage cell, containing the floating gate, in the non-volatile memory that approximates the required time duration in the license.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system are provided for supporting hardware devices that are connected to the computer via a network. The existence of any hardware device connected on the network is detected in the method. Information descriptive of the connected device is then obtained, either from the device or from the user. Based upon the obtained information, a logical representation of the connected device is created. The driver for the detected device is then located and installed. From this point on, the network-connected hardware device appears to the computer in the same manner as a locally connected hardware device.

Abstract: Multimedia and multi-content capture device and integration model. A capture device takes raw sensor data and processes it using a set of algorithms stored on the capture device. A processing device communicates with the capture device to reprocess the raw sensor data using the set of algorithms stored on the capture device. The quality of the output from the capture device and the processing device may differ due to the processing capabilities of each device.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a Mass Storage Class Digital Imaging Device using a SCSI pass through protocol. The protocol is based on industry standard SCSI protocol with modifications and extensions to allow transparent communication over a medium and is referred to as SCSI Pass Through (SPT). This protocol defines a set of commands that are initiated in a computer. The commands also include and extend industry standard Picture Transfer Protocol and are targeted for application and execution in a Mass Storage Class Digital Imaging Device. The invention includes the definition of data buffers in the form of data structures that can be used for packaging, passing, and receiving information related to the digital imaging device. The protocol is applicable to communication mediums that can be utilized in connecting any digital storage device to a computing device.