Method and apparatus for browsing content files

An approach is presented for browsing content files. The data manager determines to present a file at a device. Further, the data manager receives an input for selecting one or more of elements of metadata associated with the file based, at least in part, on the presentation of the file. Then, the data manager determines to select one or more other files based, at least in part, on the input.

BACKGROUND

Service providers and device manufacturers (e.g., wireless, cellular, etc.) are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling network services. Many of these services (e.g., image-sharing services, social networking services, etc.) involve the generation, retrieval, and/or access of potentially large volumes of content files (e.g., images, videos, etc.). Accordingly, service providers and device manufacturers can face significant technical challenges to enabling a user to efficiently sift through the content files and discover files that are interesting or otherwise relevant. Traditionally, users can use conventional search techniques (e.g., search engines) to locate files of interest, but may quickly become jaded or bored with such conventional approaches. As a result, service providers and device manufacturers face additional technical challenges to improving user experience by implementing innovative approaches for accessing content.

Some Example Embodiments

Therefore, there is a need for an approach for efficiently browsing and/or selecting files (e.g., content files such as images, videos, etc.) for access.

According to one embodiment, a method comprises determining to present a file at a device. The method also comprises receiving an input for selecting one or more of elements of metadata associated with the file based, at least in part, on the presentation of the file. Further, the method also comprises determining to select one or more other files based, at least in part, on the input.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause, at least in part, the apparatus to determine to present a file at a device. The apparatus is further caused to receive an input for selecting one or more of elements of metadata associated with the file based, at least in part, on the presentation of the file. Further, the apparatus is also caused to determine to select one or more other files based, at least in part, on the input.

According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium carries one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in part, an apparatus to determine to present a file at a device. The apparatus is further caused to receive an input for selecting one or more of elements of metadata associated with the file based, at least in part, on the presentation of the file. Further, the apparatus is also caused to determine to select one or more other files based, at least in part, on the input.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for determining to present a file at a device. The apparatus further comprises means for receiving an input for selecting one or more of elements of metadata associated with the file based, at least in part, on the presentation of the file. Further, the apparatus also comprises means for determining to select one or more other files based, at least in part, on the input.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a diagram of a system capable of browsing content files, according to one embodiment. Methods to locate and obtain data (e.g., content files, documents, etc.) that satisfy the user's selection criteria have been developed over the years. These methods have been improving with development of new data technologies (e.g., data structures such as metadata) as well as new hardware features (e.g., touch screens) enabling user-friendly ways to define selection criteria. However, the methods to locate, select and obtain data are still often based on traditional approaches (e.g., manual searches using keywords or terms). The methods based on the traditional approaches may be a time-consuming way to search or browse through a collection of data, especially if the collection of the data is large. Further, because the traditional approaches are based on the user manually entering keywords or criteria for search and browse related data, this may not always provide the most user-friendly way to browse the data. Therefore, new methods to select data based on criteria need to be further exploited to enhance user experience in browsing data.

To address this problem, a system100ofFIG. 1introduces the capability to analyze elements of metadata associated with a file, in order to select more files that match the metadata. More specifically, the system100presents a file at the UE101and determines metadata associated with the file rendered at the UE101. The file may be any type of data (e.g., image, video, document, website) that may be presented at the UE101. In one embodiment, the file may be presented by rendering or visual presentation of the information in the file on a display device. Thus, for example, presentation of a file such as an image file may include displaying the image file on a screen (or any other type of display device) at the UE101, via an image viewing application. The UE101may include a data manager103to manage the files or any other data, and present them at the UE101. The file presented at the UE101may be retrieved from a communication service107or a service storage111connected to the communication service107. The files presented at the UE101may also be a file already existing in the UE101or may be retrieved from a data storage109connected to the UE101.

Then, the system100receives an input at the UE101for selecting elements of metadata associated with the file presented at the UE101, based on the presentation of the file, and selects other files based on the input. The metadata associated with the file being presented may contain elements. As used herein, an element of the metadata may be a term or a field in the metadata that contains specific information about the file, such as technical properties of the file as well as information about the content of the file. In one embodiment, these elements may be displayed in a list such that the elements may be selected via the input. In another embodiment, the input may select areas of the file, and wherein the areas are associated with the elements. In this case, these elements of the metadata may be associated with distinct areas in the presented file. By way of example, if the file is an image file of a cat, the system100may receive an input as a user tapping on the area of the image that has a cat, and the element associated with this area may indicate a keyword “cat.” Then, based on this keyword in the element, the other files that have a similar keyword may be selected.

In one embodiment, the system100identifies figures and/or objects in the selected areas, and then selects the files based further on the identification. For example, if the element is descriptive of an object in the file, the system100can identify the object in the file (e.g., using identification or recognition algorithms commonly known in the art) and then delineate an area corresponding to the object in the file. In this example, the system100may identify the object “cat” in the selected area of the image file, if the selected area contains the image object “cat”, and select the other image files further based on the identified object “cat.”

In another embodiment, the input for selecting the areas of the file also selects from the set of the elements, and selecting of the other files is further based on the selected set of elements. In one example, the elements may be presented at the UE101such that the elements may be selected. For an image file containing a cat, the element with a keyword “cat” may be displayed as a text “cat” at the UE101, and upon selection of this element, the system100selects the other files based on this selected element “cat,” thus selecting image files containing a cat.

The metadata may include elements with technical properties obtained from the device that was used to create the file. The technical properties may include information regarding a creator of the file, time of creation, location, heading, zoom setting, image/audio/video setting or any other settings. The metadata may also include information regarding the purpose of the file as well as the details of contents or background or types included in the file. For example, if the file is a picture image of a cat and a mouse sharing a bowl, the contents included in the file include a cat, a mouse, and a bowl, and thus the metadata may contain the keywords “cat,” “mouse,” and “bowl.” Further, the file and/or the other files may include images, videos, web pages, documents, etc. or any combination thereof.

The system100may select the other files from one or more of the data storages109a-109nand/or from the communication service107as well as the service storage111. The system100may enable a user to define the preferred sources to select these other files. Then, these other files may be organized in the order of preferences of the sources. These files may be organized in manner to have a compilation of the files in a slide show format. For example, if the selected element has a keyword “cat,” and thus the selected other image files also have the keyword “cat,” then the selected other image files can consist a slide show of a cat. Further, based on the user input or settings, one slide show may be presented or multiple slide shows may be presented at the same time by arranging the slide shows in parallel.

In one embodiment, the elements of the metadata may be displayed at the UE101as elements, and these elements may be selected such that the other files may be selected based on the selected elements. In another embodiment, the elements of the metadata may be presented as representations of the elements at the UE101. The representations may be presented as superimposed on the presented file, based on the association between the elements and the areas of the presented file. The representations may include a text label, icon, a box, graphics, a boundary, etc. and represent the information in the corresponding elements. For example, if the file is an image of a cat, a graphical icon of a cat's face may be displayed at the UE101, for an element that has a keyword “cat” on the area associated with the element. This cat graphical icon may be superimposed on the area of the presented file that has a picture of a cat, if that area is associated with the element having the keyword “cat.” If the input is by touch, these representations may also be presented based on touch inputs, gestures, or combination thereof with respect to the presented file. For example, a user may tap an area of the presented file that was displayed on a touch screen of the UE101, and such tapping may show the element of the metadata corresponding to the area that is tapped by the user. In another embodiment, if the input is by touch, the system100may determine touch pressure information for the respective selected areas, and present other files based on the respective touch pressure information. If there are elements that are not associated with any areas of the presented file, then representations of these elements may not be displayed or may be displayed at predetermined areas in the presented file.

In another embodiment, the input also includes a sequence of the selected elements of the metadata in the presented file. For example, a user may select #1as an input for one element and select #2as another element, to place these elements in a sequence. Then, the system100presents the other files based on the sequence. For example, the other files that are related to the selected element that is defined by the input as first in sequence (e.g., #1mark) may be presented before the other files that are related to another selected element that is defined by the input as second in sequence (e.g., #2mark). Further, in another embodiment, the system100may determine degrees of matching of the other files to the elements, and present the other files based on the respective degrees of matching. For example, the other files that match well with the selected elements (e.g., thus having more similar properties) may be presented before the other files that do not match well.

Therefore, the advantage of this approach is that the UE101provides a novel way to select and obtain files based on the metadata elements of the files and selection of such metadata elements of metadata associated with the file. This approach provides a novel browsing experience for a user who wants to find other files based on the information within the file presented at the UE101. Further, this approach may be applied to any files that may be presented (e.g., rendered) visually at the UE101and contains metadata, and thus provides flexibility in application of this approach. Accordingly, means for browsing content files is anticipated.

As shown inFIG. 1, the system100comprises a user equipment (UE)101having connectivity to the communication service107via a communication network105. By way of example, the communication network105of system100includes one or more networks such as a data network (not shown), a wireless network (not shown), a telephony network (not shown), or any combination thereof. It is contemplated that the data network may be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., the Internet), short range wireless network, or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network, and the like, or any combination thereof. In addition, the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), wireless LAN (WLAN), Bluetooth®, Internet Protocol (IP) data casting, satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), and the like, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 2is a diagram of the components of the data manager103, according to one embodiment. By way of example, the data manager103includes one or more components for browsing content files. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, the data manager103includes a controller201, a communication module203, an analysis module205, an input module207, and a presentation module209. The controller201oversees tasks, including tasks performed by the communication module203, the analysis module205, the input module207and the presentation module209. The communication module203manages and controls any incoming and outgoing communications such as transfer of the files to be presented at the UE101and the other files selected by the UE101. The communication module203may also manage and control receiving various requests from other UEs101or the communication service107as well as telephone calls, text messaging, instant messaging and Internet communications.

The UE101may also be connected to storage media such as the data storage media109a-109nsuch that the data manager can retrieve or store files. By way of example, if the data storage media109a-109nare not local, then the UE101may access them via the communication network105. The UE101may also be connected to the service storage111via the communication network105such that the data manager103may be able to manage or access media data or any other related data in the service storage medium111. The analysis module205performs various analysis based on the metadata, the presented file, available sources for the files, and etc., so as to select other files based on the information about the file being rendered at the UE101. The input module207manages various type of input entered into the UE101. For example, the input module207manages receiving an input for selecting elements of metadata associated with the file, to select other files based on the input. The presentation module209controls display of a user interface such as a graphical user interface, to convey information and to allow user to interact with the UE101via the interface. The presentation module209interacts with the controller201, the communication module203and the analysis module205to display any information generated during their operation (e.g., displaying the files, presenting other selected files, elements of metadata, and any other information).

In one embodiment, the presentation module209first presents a rendering of a file at the UE101. The file may be any type of file including a content that can be rendered (e.g., displayed via a display screen) at the UE101. The file may be stored locally in the data storage109or may be obtained from an external source, such as another device or the communication service107, via the communication module203. The presentation module209may also present other options such as a hierarchy option to select different hierarchies of the elements of the metadata as well as a zooming option to zoom in and out the rendering of the file. The analysis module205reads metadata associated with the file. The metadata may be contained within the file and/or may be acquired separately from another source, such as the communication service107. The metadata has elements that are specific portions of the metadata that represent particular type of information, and thus each element may have different information about the file. For example, respective elements may contain information regarding the file, including technical properties (e.g., date, time and location of creation of the file, creator of the file, settings for the file, etc.) as well as properties of contents of the file (e.g., type of the content, names of people, etc.). The analysis module205also determines association between elements of the metadata and areas of the rendering of the file, as particular areas of the rendering may correspond to specific elements of the metadata. Thus, in one embodiment, by selecting an area, the element associated with the selected area is also selected. For example, an area of an image file having a cat may be associated with the element having a keyword “cat,” such that selecting this area would result in selection of the keyword “cat.”

The input module207receives an input for selecting elements of metadata associated with the file, based on the presentation of the file. The input may be received by pressing a button or an icon displayed in an area of the presented file. The input may also be received by a touch or a tapping of a touch screen such that the touch or the tapping corresponds to the area to be selected. The analysis module205then selects other files based on the input. Thus, the analysis module205may select other files that are related to the file presented at the UE101, according to the elements selected via the input. In one example, the analysis module205may select the other files according to the elements associated with the areas, wherein the input selects the area of the presented file. Further, the settings may be configured such that the analysis module205may also select other files that are not related to the file. Further, if there are multiple elements on which the selection is based, then the settings may be configured such that the selection is based on any combination of the elements. The selection based on the combination of the elements may include selecting files that include at least one of the elements, all of the elements, none of the elements or any logical combination of the elements, for example. These other files may consist of a compilation or a slide show of the files that the user wants to view, based on the selected elements.

In one embodiment, the presentation module209presents elements with the file, such that the elements may be selected by an input. The input for selecting the areas of the file may also select the elements presented at the UE101, and then the analysis module205selects the other files further based on the selected elements. In one example, the presentation module209may display a list of elements that can be selected. In another example, the presentation module209may present the representations of the elements superimposed on the presented file based on the association between the elements of the metadata and the areas of the rendering. Thus, each representation may be superimposed in a distinct area of the rendering, and the user may choose the representation to choose what element is used to select other files related to the rendered file. The representation may be a graphical icon, a text, or a combination thereof, and may represent a type or a content of the element that the representation is associated with. The user may define what elements are presented as representations superimposed on the rendering. For example, the user may choose to display representations for the creator and the time of the file on the rendering, but hide representations for other elements. For an input that is entered by touch, the input module207may receive an input as touch inputs, gestures, or combination thereof with respect to the presented file. For example, the representations may be invisible, but may become visible on the rendering with an triggering action, such as touching, gestures, tapping on the rendering, as well as selecting via pressing a button. The presentation module209may automatically select the representations to be displayed, especially if there are too many representations to be displayed on the presented file. By way of example, the analysis module205may organize the elements in a hierarchy such that only representations of the elements in high hierarchy are displayed on the rendering while the subsets of such elements are not displayed. The subsets may be displayed after a user selects the representation of the element to which the subsets belong.

In another embodiment, the input module207and/or the analysis module205identifies figures and/or objects in the selected areas of the presented file. Then, the selection of the other files is further based on this identification of the figures and/or the objects. For example, for elements descriptive of the figures/objects in the file, the figures and/or objects in the selected area may be identified based on this description. For example, if the selected area in the file has an image of a cat and an element of the metadata is related to the keyword “cat,” then the analysis module205identifies the object as a cat, and the other files may be selected further based on the keyword “cat.”.

Further, for an input that is by touch, the input module207determines touch pressure information for the selected areas in the presented file, and determines to present other files based on the touch pressure information. For example, a duration of a touch pressure on an area associated with an element may determine how many files related to the element are to be selected, wherein a longer duration would result in more files to be selected. As another example, when multiple touch pressures are applied in the multiple elements in multiple areas, selection of the multiple elements may be applied in determining the files to be selected. Additionally, the analysis module205may also be capable of automatically finding the most suitable selection of files related to the file being presented (e.g., via collaborative filtering or a learning system that learns the user's preferences based on statistics in selection and other user behaviours and available information).

The input module207may also receive an input that includes a sequence of the selected elements. Then, the analysis module205determines to present other files based on the sequence. For example, if the first selected element is set as first and the second selected element is set as second in sequence, the files selected based on the first selected element are presented first and then the files selected based on the second selected element are presented. In addition, the input module207may receive preference information for sources that may contain files to be selected. Then, the analysis module205selects the other files based on the preference information. For example, if the preference information indicates that the service storage111is more preferred as a source than the data storage109, then the other files are selected from the service storage111first and then are selected from the data storage109. In this example, if ten other files are selected from the sources, and each of the data storage109and the service storage111has eight files, then eight files may be selected from the service storage111first and then two files may be selected from the data storage109. In addition, the analysis module205may determine degrees of matching of the other files to the elements, and determine to present the other files based on the respective degree of matching.

FIG. 3is a flowchart of a process for browsing content files, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the data manager103performs the process300and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown inFIG. 7. In step301, the data manager103presents a file at the UE101. The file may be presented as a graphical presentation being rendered on a screen. For example, an image file may be rendered by being displayed on a screen of the UE101via a software application that can read the image. The file may be any type of file that can be presented at the UE101, such as an image, a video, a document, web page and etc. This file may be a file being accessed locally at the UE101or remotely at another device such as the communication service107.

In step303, the data manager103receives an input for selecting one or more of the elements of metadata associated with the file based, at least in part, on the presentation of the file, and then in step305, the data manager103selects other files based, at least in part, on the input. In one example, the elements may be displayed at the UE101as a list, and may be selected by selecting the elements on the list. Further, the input may select one or more areas of the file, and wherein the one or more areas are associated with the one or more elements. Thus, in another example, the presented file may have areas that are associated with the respective elements of the metadata. Thus, these areas of the presented file may be associated with the respective elements, and selecting certain area of the rendering may be interpreted as selecting an element of the metadata that corresponds to the selected area. Further, to select and retrieve the other files, various settings may be configured using the selected elements. For example, the settings may be configured such that the data manager103selects files that include all of the selected elements, or at least one of the selected elements. As another example, the settings may be configured to select the files that do not include the selected elements associated. The settings for these criteria may be customized according to any combination or in any logical expression with the selected elements.

The metadata may be contained within the file and/or may exist separately from the file. If it is determined that the file's metadata is separate from the file, the metadata may be obtained from a source containing the metadata. The metadata associated with the file have elements that contain information regarding the file. The elements may be segments of the metadata, wherein each segment represents different type of information about the file. The information about the file may include technical properties as well as properties of contents of the file and any other information. The technical properties of the file may include properties obtained from a device used to create the file, such as the type of means to create the file (e.g., camera, video camera, software applications, etc.), the creator of the file, the time and date of creation, the location, zoom settings, other image quality settings, header information. For example, if the file is an image file, then the metadata may include elements having information about a camera used to capture the image file, the time and the location of the image capture, creator of the image, image quality setting, and etc. The properties of contents of the file may include keywords describing the type of the content in the file (e.g., portrait photo, group photo, cat, rat, animals, etc.) as well as designated words. The designated words may include names of people, location and etc in a picture file, and descriptive keywords describing, for example, specific events (e.g., birthday) or circumstances (e.g., cold winter) shown in the file. Thus, the designated words may be defined by a user and/or manually entered into the metadata by the user. By way of an example, an image file with a family portrait and a pet cat may have designated words for names of the family members in the image file as well as the words such as “family” and “cat” as a type of the content in the image file, and these designated words are contained within the metadata as elements.

In one embodiment, the data manager103may present the elements of the metadata of the presented file at the UE101. These elements may be selected by an input. For example, the elements may be presented at the UE101as a list of elements that can be selected via the input. In another example, an area of the presented file that displays an element may be selected to select the element of the metadata, thereby selecting the other files based, at least in part, on the selected element. In one example, the data manager103may list the elements of the metadata and display the list at the UE101such that the elements may be selected. In another example, the data manager may display the elements via the representations of the elements superimposed on the rendering based on the association between the elements and the areas of the presented file. The representations may be graphical icons, keywords or shapes that correspond to the respective elements of the metadata, and may be located in the areas that correspond to the respective elements. For example, in an image file of a cat, the keyword “cat” as a representation of the element “cat” may be presented superimposed on the area where the cat is located in the image if that area is associated with the element “cat.” In addition, only predetermined elements may be shown on the presented file, without showing other elements. In one example, a user may determine what elements are to be shown as representations on the presented file. The data manager may be capable of learning to automatically suggest or select elements to be displayed based on the user's past behaviors. Further, the elements may be shown depending on the situations or any other context information. For example, the type of elements to be displayed with the presented file when the UE101indicates that the user is in a meeting may be different from the type of elements to be displayed when the UE101indicates that the user is on vacation. Further, in one embodiment, the representations may be displayed on the presented file only when trigger actions with respect to the presented file are applied. The trigger actions may include touch inputs, gestures, or combination thereof, for the input that is by touch, as well as pressing a button. For example, the representations may be displayed only when the touch screen displaying the file is touched or buttons are pressed at the UE101. Further, the data manager103may place the elements in hierarchy such that only representations for elements in high hierarchy may be displayed on the presented file, while hiding subsets of such elements. If the representation of the element displayed on the presented file is selected, the subsets of the element may also become visible.

In another example, the data manager103may identify figures and/or objects in the selected areas, and then the selection of the other files is further based on this identification. For example, the data manager103may identify an object such as a “cat” in a selected area of an image file. Then, the data manager103may select the other files based on the object “cat.” This object may be associated with an element. For example, the object “cat” may be associated with the element with the keyword “cat.” In another example, a user may select an area in the presented file, with a selection box, for example, and the data manager103may recognize the objects and/or the elements specific to the area within the selection box, and the association may be determined based on the objects and/or the elements and this area. Then, the other files may be selected based on these objects and/or elements and the area in the presented file.

Additionally, as previously discussed, the selection of the elements or the areas of the presented file may be made by touching the elements or the areas. In one embodiment, an input may be entered to define a sequence of the selected elements. Then, the other files are selected and/or presented based on the sequence. For example, a metadata element with a keyword “cat” may be defined as earlier in sequence than another metadata element with a keyword “rat”. Then, the files selected based on the keyword “cat” are presented first, and then the files selected based on the keyword “rat” are presented. The sequence may also defined by the sequence of the touch. For example, if the user input selects the element with the keyword “cat,” and then selects the element with a keyword “rat,” then the sequence is determined based on this order. In another example, a duration or a strength of the touch pressure may define the sequence. Further, the presentation of the other files may depend on the touch input on the touch screen of the UE displaying the presented file. The data manager103may determine respective touch pressure information for the selected areas. The touch pressure strength as well as the duration of the touch pressure may be considered in presenting the other files. For example, the stronger the touch pressure is and/or the longer the duration of the touch pressure is, the number of the other files to be selected may be increased or decreased. Further, the data manager103may also determine degrees of matching of the other files to the elements, and present the other files based on the degrees of matching. The elements of metadata of the file being rendered may not completely match with the other files. Therefore, for example, the files with the best matches with the selected elements may be presented before the files with little matches. As another example, the files having all of the selected elements may be presented before the files having only one of the selected elements.

Further, if there are more suitable files that may be selected in the sources that are not defined by the settings of the UE101, then the UE101may automatically suggest or select those files. Additional criteria may be applied for selecting the files (e.g., collaborative filtering or machine learning about the user's preferences or past behaviors).

When the selected files are presented, the elements that are selected for selecting the files may be hidden, since those selected the elements are already considered in the selecting of the files. However, the elements that are not selected may still be displayed in the selected files. Then, the user may select these elements that had not been selected previously, to collect a new set of files based on the newly selected elements. Further, in one example, these selected files may be acquired and then compiled as a slide show of the files. This slide show will have files that have similar properties according to the selected elements. This slide show may be shared with users of other devices, or may be uploaded to a web site, such as a social networking site.

This process is advantageous in that it provides a user of the UE101a convenient way to select, compile and present the other files based on the metadata information of a file. Thus, this process enhances the user experience in browsing other files based on the metadata information of the file rendered at the UE101as well as the information presented at the presented file. The data manager103is a means for achieving this advantage.

FIGS. 4A-4Dare diagrams of user interfaces utilized in the processes ofFIG. 3, according to various embodiments.FIG. 4Ashows a user interface400that displays a file that presents an image file of a cat401and a rat403as well as information regarding elements of the metadata of the file. This user interface400also displays several representations of elements of metadata superimposed over the rendering of a presented image file. The representations in this example are elements for technical properties such as representations for the location of creation405, the date and the time of creation407, which shows that this image file is created in New York, N.Y. at 12:30 pm on May 5, 2010. The representation for the creator of the file409is shown as an avatar image and a user id “Mike213” representing the creator of the file. Further, the representation for the means of creation411shows a picture of a camera, and indicates that this image file is captured with a 5.1 megapixel camera. Further, the properties of the content of the file are also displayed as representations of the metadata. In this example, in the area of the presented file that displays the cat401, the representation “CAT”413is superimposed. Similarly, in the area of the rendering that displays the rat403, the representation “RAT”415is superimposed. Further, the user interface also shows the representation “ANIMALS”417, since this image file shows two animals. These representations of the metadata may be selected such that the data manager103may select other files based on the selection of the representation. For example, if the user touches the area for the representation of the location of creation405to select the representation405, then selection of the other files may be based on the location “New York, N.Y.”

Further, because elements of metadata may be associated with respective areas of the rendering, certain areas may be selected to select their respective elements of the metadata. Thus, an area selector such as the first box selector419and the second box selector421may be used to select an area, which will result in selection of an element of the metadata associated with the selected area. In this example, the area with the picture of the rat403may be associated with the element of the metadata that includes the keyword “rat.” Thus, by using the second box selector421to select the area with the picture of the rat403, the element of the metadata “rat” may be recognized. Then, the other files may be selected based on this selection of the element “rat.” Further, in this example, the first box selector419is in a normal dotted line, to represent that the first box selector419has not selected the area, whereas the second box selector421is in a fine dotted line to represent that the second box selector421has selected the area. Therefore, if the other files are selected based on the area selector, then the files will be selected based on the “rat” because the second box selector421has selected the area with the picture of the rat403, but the first box selector419has not selected any area. The area selector including the first box selector419and the second box selector421may also be movable and customizable in the rendering. For example, the user may touch the screen to change the size or the shape of the area selector.

The user interface400also includes an option button423, which, upon selection of the option button423, enables display of selectable options425. The selectable options425may include “Select Files” option to select the other files based on the selected representations or the selected areas, “No. of Files to Select” option to define the number of the other files to be selected, “Define Sources” option to define the sources from which the other files are selected, and “Settings” option to customize various settings. The user interface400also includes a sequence button427to number the representations or the areas on the rendering, such that the numbers represent the sequence on which the selection or the presentation of the other files are based. Further, the user interface400may also include a hierarchy selector429with a scroll bar431to enable scroll along various hierarchy levels for the elements of the metadata. For example, if the scroll bar431is scrolled closer to the plus sign, then the representations for the elements show the elements of the metadata in a higher hierarchy. As the scroll bar431is scrolled closer to the minus sign, the representations show the elements of the metadata in a lower hierarchy, and thus may show more details or subset information for the corresponding elements. This example is illustrated more in detail inFIG. 4B.

FIG. 4Bshows a user interface440that is similar to the user interface400, but shows representations of the elements in a lower hierarchy than the representations in the user interface400. The hierarchy selector441inFIG. 4Bshows that the scroll bar443is located closer to the minus sign than the scroll bar431inFIG. 4A. Thus, the representations in the user interface440show the elements of the metadata in a lower hierarchy than what is shown in the user interface400. The representation for the location of the creation445shows that the file was created in “My House in NYC”, which is subset information of “New York, N.Y.” shown in the representation405inFIG. 4A. Similarly, and representation for the time of creation447shows that the file was created at 12:30 pm and 32 seconds when it was sunny, which is subset information of the information showing the time 12:30 pm on May 5, 2010 shown in the representation407inFIG. 4A. Further, the representations “Siamese Cat”449and “Black Rat”451, are subsets of the representations “CAT”413and “RAT”415inFIG. 4B, and thus the representations “Siamese Cat”449and “Black Rat”451show more detailed information about the cat and the rat. Similarly, the representation “Pet & Pest”453shows subset information of the representation “ANIMALS”417inFIG. 4A. In addition, the representation for the means of creation455shows that the file was captured in a 5.1 megapixels landscape mode, which shows additional information to the representation411inFIG. 4A.

FIG. 4Cshows a user interface460that does not show the representations of the elements of the metadata. The user may hide the representations of the elements of the file by configuring a setting or pressing a button. For a touch screen interface, the user may also hide or show the representations by double-tapping on a blank screen twice. For example, if the user taps on a blank screen461twice, then the user interface may show the representations, thus displaying a user interface similar toFIGS. 4A and 4B. Further, if the user taps on a screen showing a user interface with the representations, which is similar toFIG. 4Aor4B, then the representations may be hidden to show a user interface similar to the user interface460.

FIG. 4Dshows a user interface480for another embodiment that has an option to list the elements of the metadata that can be selected. The metadata button481may be selected to open a list of metadata elements483. The list483includes the elements of metadata corresponding to the hierarchy set by the hierarchy option485and the scroll bar487. The list483inFIG. 4Dshows elements including cat, rat, animal, time (time of creation of the file), location (location of creation of the file), user (user who created the file) and device (means for creating the file). This list483would change if the scroll bar487was moved to change the hierarchy of the elements to be shown.

FIGS. 5A-5Dare diagrams utilized in the processes ofFIG. 3, when selecting the files, according to various embodiments.FIG. 5Ashows an example in a diagram500of selecting the other files based on the selection of one area on the rendering/representation. InFIG. 5A, the first box selector501has not selected the area with the cat, as shown by the normal dotted line, and the second box selector503has selected the area with the rat, as shown by the fine dotted line. Thus, the other files including the keyword “rat” as a metadata element have been selected. As shown, the selected other files505,507and509show pictures of rat, since the selection of the other files were based on the keyword “rat.”

FIG. 5Bshows another example in a diagram530of selecting the other files based on the selection of another area on the rendering/representation. InFIG. 5B, the first box selector531has selected the area with the cat, as shown by the fine dotted line, whereas the second box selector533has not selected the area with the rat, as shown by the normal dotted line. Therefore, the other files including the keyword “cat” as a metadata element have been selected. The selected other files535,537and539show pictures including cats. The file539is selected later than the other two files535and537because the file539has a picture of both a dog and a cat (e.g., having keywords “dog” and “cat” as metadata elements), and thus is not as relevant as the files535and537that have a picture of only a cat. Further, an area may be selected using a third box selector541from the rendering of the file539to select additional files based on the area selected using the third box selector541. In this example, the area selected using the third box selector541shows a dog, and thus the selected file543has a picture of a dog.

FIG. 5Cshows an example in a diagram550of selecting other files based on the selection of two areas/representations. InFIG. 5C, the first box selector551has selected the area with the cat, as shown by the fine dotted line, and the second box selector553has also selected the area with the rat, also as shown by the fine dotted line. In this example, because the metadata element keywords corresponding to the selected area are “cat” and “rat,” the selection of the other files is based on both of the keywords “cat” and “rat.” Therefore, the other files555and557that are selected based on “cat” and “rat” have pictures of both “cat” and “rat.”

FIG. 5Dshows another example in a diagram550of selecting other files based on the selection of two areas/representations. InFIG. 5D, both the first box selector571and the second box selector573are selected, as shown by the fine dotted lines. Further, the first box selector571is designated with a #1mark575in sequence and the second box selector573is designated with a #2mark577in sequence. These sequence marks are activated by selecting the sequence button579. Because “cat” is designated as #1in sequence and “rat” is designated as #2in sequence, the data manager103selects the other files based on “cat” first and then “rat.” Therefore, in this example, the first two files581and583that were selected contain pictures of cats, and the last two files585and587contain pictures of rats.

FIGS. 6A-6Care diagrams utilized in the processes ofFIG. 3, when selecting the files, according to another embodiment.FIGS. 6A-6Care based on the example shown as a user interface400inFIG. 4A.FIG. 6Ashows available slide shows of the files selected based on the elements of the metadata, wherein these slide shows are displayed in parallel. In this example, because multiple elements are selected, multiple slide shows are displayed in one screen. InFIG. 6A, the user interface600displays four slide shows of image files selected based on four respective elements, “cat”601, “rat”603, “animals”605and “New York, N.Y.”605. These four elements601,603,605and607are the elements displayed in the user interface400inFIG. 4A. The cat slide show609and the rat slide show611show slide shows of image files related with a cat and a rat, respectively. The animal slide show613shows a slide show of image files related with all types of animals. The New York slide show615shows a slide show of image files that are related with New York, N.Y. The arrow button617may be selected to go to the next screen that shows another sets of available slide shows of the files selected based on different elements of the metadata than the elements displayed in the user interface600. A finger629may be used to tap one of the slide shows to select the tapped slide show and display it in a full screen.

FIG. 6Bshows an example user interface620for a slide show for the element “New York, N.Y.” If the finger629inFIG. 6Ataps the New York slide show615, then the user interface620inFIG. 6Bis displayed. The image file presented in the user interface620is one of the image files in the slide show. This image file shows an image related to New York, N.Y., and thus includes pictures of the statue of liberty621, buildings623and a cab625. The user interface620also displays representations of the elements such as the statue of liberty element627, the buildings element629, the cab element631and the New York element. Further, the user interface620displays a representation for the creator of the file633shown as an avatar image and a user id “Jess213,” and the representation for the means of creation635indicating that this image file is captured with a 3.1 megapixel camera. Further, the user interface620may also include a hierarchy selector637with a scroll bar639having the same features of the hierarchy selector429and a scroll bar431ofFIG. 4A. The user interface620may also have a sequence button641having the same feature as the sequence button427ofFIG. 4A. The option button643and the selectable options645also have the same features as the option button423and the selectable option425ofFIG. 4A.

FIG. 6Cshows an example user interface660for displaying available slide shows of the files selected based on the elements of the metadata, wherein these slide shows are displayed in parallel. If the “Select Files” option is selected from the selectable option645in the user interface620, then the user interface660is displayed to show slide shows of selected image files. InFIG. 6C, the user interface660displays four slide shows of image files selected based on the statue of liberty element661, the cab element663, the buildings element665and the New York element667. These four elements661,663,665and667are the elements displayed in the user interface620inFIG. 6B. The statue of liberty slide show669, the cab slide show671, the buildings slide show673, the New York slide show675show slide shows of image files related with the statue of liberty, a cab, buildings, New York, N.Y., respectively. The arrow button677may be selected to go to the next screen that shows another sets of available slide shows of the files selected based on different elements of the metadata than the elements displayed in the user interface660. Further, one of these slide shows may be selected to be displayed in a full screen.

The processes described herein for browsing content files may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware, firmware or a combination of software and/or firmware and/or hardware. For example, the processes described herein, may be advantageously implemented via processor(s), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc. Such exemplary hardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.

A bus710includes one or more parallel conductors of information so that information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus710. One or more processors702for processing information are coupled with the bus710.

Computer system700also includes a memory704coupled to bus710. The memory704, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for selecting additional files according to metadata of a file. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by the computer system700. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory704is also used by the processor702to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. The computer system700also includes a read only memory (ROM)706or other static storage device coupled to the bus710for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the computer system700. Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost. Also coupled to bus710is a non-volatile (persistent) storage device708, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the computer system700is turned off or otherwise loses power.

Information, including instructions for selecting additional files according to metadata of a file, is provided to the bus710for use by the processor from an external input device712, such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, or a sensor. A sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections into physical expression compatible with the measurable phenomenon used to represent information in computer system700. Other external devices coupled to bus710, used primarily for interacting with humans, include a display device714, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD), or plasma screen or printer for presenting text or images, and a pointing device716, such as a mouse or a trackball or cursor direction keys, or motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display714and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display714. In some embodiments, for example, in embodiments in which the computer system700performs all functions automatically without human input, one or more of external input device712, display device714and pointing device716is omitted.

Computer system700also includes one or more instances of a communications interface770coupled to bus710. Communication interface770provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to a variety of external devices that operate with their own processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with a network link778that is connected to a local network780to which a variety of external devices with their own processors are connected. For example, communication interface770may be a parallel port or a serial port or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some embodiments, communications interface770is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, a communication interface770is a cable modem that converts signals on bus710into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another example, communications interface770may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also be implemented. For wireless links, the communications interface770sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, that carry information streams, such as digital data. For example, in wireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell phones, the communications interface770includes a radio band electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certain embodiments, the communications interface770enables connection to the communication network105for selecting additional files according to metadata of a file.

Network link778typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information. For example, network link778may provide a connection through local network780to a host computer782or to equipment784operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP equipment784in turn provides data communication services through the public, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly referred to as the Internet790.

A computer called a server host792connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to information received over the Internet. For example, server host792hosts a process that provides information representing video data for presentation at display714. It is contemplated that the components of system700can be deployed in various configurations within other computer systems, e.g., host782and server792.

At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use of computer system700for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computer system700in response to processor702executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained in memory704. Such instructions, also called computer instructions, software and program code, may be read into memory704from another computer-readable medium such as storage device708or network link778. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory704causes processor702to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as ASIC720, may be used in place of or in combination with software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.

The signals transmitted over network link778and other networks through communications interface770, carry information to and from computer system700. Computer system700can send and receive information, including program code, through the networks780,790among others, through network link778and communications interface770. In an example using the Internet790, a server host792transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent from computer700, through Internet790, ISP equipment784, local network780and communications interface770. The received code may be executed by processor702as it is received, or may be stored in memory704or in storage device708or other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In this manner, computer system700may obtain application program code in the form of signals on a carrier wave.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequence of instructions or data or both to processor702for execution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host782. The remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the computer system700receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as the network link778. An infrared detector serving as communications interface770receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data onto bus710. Bus710carries the information to memory704from which processor702retrieves and executes the instructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. The instructions and data received in memory704may optionally be stored on storage device708, either before or after execution by the processor702.

In one embodiment, the chip set or chip800includes a communication mechanism such as a bus801for passing information among the components of the chip set800. A processor803has connectivity to the bus801to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory805. The processor803may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor803may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus801to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. The processor803may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP)807, or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC)809. A DSP807typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor803. Similarly, an ASIC809can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a more general purpose processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein may include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) (not shown), one or more controllers (not shown), or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.

In one embodiment, the chip set or chip800includes merely one or more processors and some software and/or firmware supporting and/or relating to and/or for the one or more processors.

The processor803and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory805via the bus801. The memory805includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to select additional files according to metadata of a file. The memory805also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps.

Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main Control Unit (MCU)903, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP)905, and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain control unit. A main display unit907provides a display to the user in support of various applications and mobile terminal functions that perform or support the steps of selecting additional files according to metadata of a file. The display907includes display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile terminal (e.g., mobile telephone). Additionally, the display907and display circuitry are configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal. An audio function circuitry909includes a microphone911and microphone amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone911. The amplified speech signal output from the microphone911is fed to a coder/decoder (CODEC)913.

A radio section915amplifies power and converts frequency in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a mobile communication system, via antenna917. The power amplifier (PA)919and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to the MCU903, with an output from the PA919coupled to the duplexer921or circulator or antenna switch, as known in the art. The PA919also couples to a battery interface and power control unit920.

The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer925for compensation of any frequency-dependent impairments that occur during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizing the bit stream, the modulator927combines the signal with a RF signal generated in the RF interface929. The modulator927generates a sine wave by way of frequency or phase modulation. In order to prepare the signal for transmission, an up-converter931combines the sine wave output from the modulator927with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer933to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. The signal is then sent through a PA919to increase the signal to an appropriate power level. In practical systems, the PA919acts as a variable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP905from information received from a network base station. The signal is then filtered within the duplexer921and optionally sent to an antenna coupler935to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna917to a local base station. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver. The signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may be another cellular telephone, other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks.

Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal901are received via antenna917and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA)937. A down-converter939lowers the carrier frequency while the demodulator941strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream. The signal then goes through the equalizer925and is processed by the DSP905. A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC)943converts the signal and the resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker945, all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU)903—which can be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) (not shown).

The MCU903receives various signals including input signals from the keyboard947. The keyboard947and/or the MCU903in combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone911) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input. The MCU903runs a user interface software to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal901to select additional files according to metadata of a file. The MCU903also delivers a display command and a switch command to the display907and to the speech output switching controller, respectively. Further, the MCU903exchanges information with the DSP905and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card949and a memory951. In addition, the MCU903executes various control functions required of the terminal. The DSP905may, depending upon the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP905determines the background noise level of the local environment from the signals detected by microphone911and sets the gain of microphone911to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of the mobile terminal901.

An optionally incorporated SIM card949carries, for instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security information. The SIM card949serves primarily to identify the mobile terminal901on a radio network. The card949also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobile terminal settings.