Concierge—shopping assistant

1. A method for providing access to information related to a digital image record on a data processing device, the method comprising the steps of:

instructing presentation of the digital image record on a display;

receiving an indication of user interaction with the displayed digital image record; and

in response to the received indication, instructing presentation of a tab on the display, the tab emanating from an edge of the displayed digital image record or from an edge of a displayed digital image record container including the digital image record, wherein the tab comprises an access point configured to allow a user to access a category of information related to content contained within the digital image record, wherein the tab is labeled according to the category of information for user access; and

wherein the category of information comprises shopping information associated with a particular product or service provider and indicates products or services related to the content contained within the digital image record and offered by the particular product or service provider.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the content contained within the digital image record comprises metadata.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the content contained within the digital image record comprises a portion of the displayed digital image record.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of instructing presentation of a second tab on the display, the second tab emanating from the edge of the displayed digital image record or from the edge of the displayed digital image record container including the digital image record, wherein the second tab comprises an access point configured to allow a user to access a second category of information related to content contained within the digital image record.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the second category of information comprises event information relating to the content contained within the digital image record.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the event information is associated with a particular activity, and the event information indicates performances or sporting events related to the content contained within the digital image record.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the event information is hierarchically organized into layers, and wherein the method further comprises the step of instructing, upon receipt of an indication of user-interaction with the tab, presentation of at least one of the layers of event information.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein one of the layers of event information comprises a location related to the content contained within the digital image record.

9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the content contained within the digital image record comprises an object represented by at least a portion of the digital image record, and wherein one of the layers of event information comprises an activity related to the object.

10. The method of claim 4 , wherein the second category of information comprises event information relating to the content contained within the digital image record.

11. The method of claim 4 , wherein the second category of information comprises personal information relating to the content contained within the digital image record.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the personal information relates to an identity of an individual with an image captured within the digital image record.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the personal information is hierarchically organized into layers, and wherein the method further comprises the step of instructing, upon receipt of an indication of user-interaction with the tab, presentation of at least one of the layers of event information.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein one of the layers of personal information comprises a family or other social association related to the content contained within the digital image record.

15. The method of claim 4 , wherein the second category of information comprises similar image information relating to the content contained within the digital image record.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the similar image information is hierarchically organized into layers, and wherein the method further comprises the step of instructing, upon receipt of an indication of user-interaction with the tab, presentation of at least one of the layers of similar image information.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein one of the layers of similar image information comprises an image related to the content contained within the digital image record.

18. The method of claim 4 , further comprising the step of instructing presentation of a third tab on the display, the third tab emanating from the edge of the displayed digital image record or from the edge of the displayed digital image record container including the digital image record, wherein the third tab comprises an access point configured to allow a user to access a third category of information related to content contained within the digital image record.

19. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of instructing the display of the image of a logo for a product or service provider on the tab in response to interaction with the tab,

wherein the logo relates to shopping information.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user-interaction is a mouse hovering over the displayed digital image record.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the shopping information is hierarchically organized into layers, and wherein the method further comprises the step of instructing, upon receipt of an indication of user-interaction with the tab, presentation of at least one of the layers of shopping information.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein one of the layers of shopping information comprises a product or service related to the content contained within the digital image record.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the content contained within the digital image record comprises an object represented by at least a portion of the digital image record, and wherein one of the layers of shopping information comprises a product or service related to the object.

24. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of instructing the display of the image of a logo for a host of an event on the tab in response to interaction with the tab,

wherein the logo relates to information about the event.

25. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user interaction comprises one of a mouse hovering, a mouse click, a physical touch of a touch-screen display, a point using a motion sensor, a remote control device, or a voice command.

26. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of instructing the absence of the presentation of a tab on the display in response to a lack of information.

27. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tab is configured based upon the content contained within the digital image record.

28. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of receiving an indication of a mode switch, wherein the receiving step occurs prior to the instructing steps.

29. The method of claim 28 , wherein the mode switch allows a user to toggle between passive browsing and active shopping.

30. A method for providing access to information related to a digital image record on a data processing device comprising:

presenting the digital image record on a display;

receiving user interaction with the displayed digital image record; and

in response to the received user interaction, presenting at least one tab on the display, the tab emanating from an edge of the displayed digital image record or from an edge of a displayed digital image record container including the digital image record, wherein the tab comprises an access point configured to allow a user to access a category of information related to content contained within the digital image record, wherein the tab is labeled according to the category of information for user access; and

wherein the category of information comprises shopping information associated with a particular product or service provider, the shopping information indicating products or services related to the content contained within the digital image record and offered by the particular product or service provider.

31. An apparatus for providing access to information related to a digital image record on a data processing device comprising:

a data processing device that presents the digital image record on a display, receives user interaction with the displayed digital image record and in response to the received user interaction presents at least one tab emanating from an edge of the displayed digital image record or from an edge of a displayed digital image record container including the digital image record,

wherein the tab comprises an access point configured to allow a user to access a category of information related to content contained within the digital image record, wherein the tab is labeled according to the category of information for user access; and

wherein the category of information comprises shopping information associated with a particular product or service provider, the shopping information indicating products or services related to the content contained within the digital image record and offered by the particular product or service provider.