Abstract

A dedicated ratings input is presented for a portable media player. The input may take the form of a physical switch or pre-identified movements recorded by an accelerometer. Movement of the switch into one of the two positions sets a rating for the currently playing media file. The physical ratings switch is not used during the playing of media files for any purpose other than the rating of media files. This allows the user to alter the rating by moving the switch without requiring any visual interaction with the portable media player. Audio feedback is provided when the switch is used to change the ratings of the media files.

IPC Classes  ?

• G11B 20/10 - Digital recording or reproducing
• G11B 33/10 - Indicating arrangementsWarning arrangements
• G11B 33/02 - CabinetsCasesStandsDisposition of apparatus therein or thereon

Abstract

A wireless audio signal transmitter is presented that routes audio signals to either a wired or a wireless sound output device. The transmitter selects whether the audio signal is transmitted over a wireless antenna to a wireless device, or is transmitted to a physically attached device. The transmitter may take the form of a USB dongle or a wireless device charging station. The transmitter detects whether the wireless audio output device is powered on and in communication with the transmitter to determine how to route the audio signal received from the computer. If the wireless audio output device is connected to the transmitter, the audio signal is routed to the wireless audio output device. If there is no connection, then the audio signal is routed to the wired audio output device.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 7/24 - Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field for communication between two or more posts
• H04R 3/00 - Circuits for transducers

Abstract

The present invention is a method and apparatus for multitrack recording of audio information using handheld digital electronic devices such as suitably equipped portable digital music players. Recording of video tracks by digital electronic devices to complement the audio is also contemplated. One device serves as a master; the remainder are slaves. A key aspect of the invention is the transmission of start and stop recording signals by the master, which facilitates synchronization of the various tracks. In certain embodiments of the invention, some slaves may begin preliminary sampling of audio information prior to the start recording signal. This prepares these slaves to begin the actual track recording without delay. Upon receiving the command to start recording, each slave chooses as the first frame of its, say, audio track that sample closest to the time the signal to record was received. The task of stopping recording is typically handled similarly. A recording device may store an indicator whereby the time offset of its first frame from the start recording signal can be determined, thus facilitating time interpolation of the samples in its track. In this way, all audio tracks, for example, might be transformed to a common set of time points. In a typical configuration, the master might also record a sound track or a video track.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions

Abstract

A media player is presented that scans the media files stored on an external memory card in order to update the internal database of the player. Media manager software on a personal computer sets a dirty bit in the internal memory of the media player whenever the media files on the external memory card are altered. The media player checks the dirty bit on start up or when the memory card is inserted. If the dirty bit is set, the media player scans the media files on the memory card, updates its database, then clears the dirty bit. If the dirty bit is not set, the media player does not scan the memory card. The dirty bit is associated in the internal memory with an identifier for the memory card, allowing the use of multiple memory cards.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 9/00 - Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units

Abstract

An integrated breakaway package with one or more stored value card is presented in which a card magnetic stripe is found on each stored value card and a package magnetic stripe is found on an end portion of the breakaway packaging. Each card magnetic stripe identifies an account associated with the stored value card. The package magnetic stripe contains both a Universal Product Code associated with the package as well as account activation information. The Universal Product Code identifies the package and card at a point of sale device to allow completion of a sales transaction. The activation information identifies all of the accounts associated with the stored value cards attached to the package. The breakaway package can also be attached to or enclosed within a card carrier package.

IPC Classes  ?

• B42D 107/00 - with magnetic or magnetisable material

Abstract

A media player is presented that is capable of playing time-limited media files such as those made available through subscription-type digital rights management schemes. Upon accessing a protected media file, the present invention analyzes the appropriate license. If the license has not expired, but will expire soon, the media player will provide a notification of impending expiration to the user immediately before or during the playing of the media file. This notification can be audible, visual, or physical, such as through an audible beep, a visual notification on a display screen, or the activation of a vibration device.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04K 1/00 - Secret communication

Abstract

An indicator on the exterior surface of the wireless router is described that shows the current number of wireless connections. The indicator can be a digital display, or a plurality of light or LED sets. If separate lights are used for each connection, the lights could also indicate the connection speed or strength of the relevant connection. With this invention, a person would be able to look at their router and see how many connections have been made. If the router showed two connections, and the user has only a single wireless computer in the home, the user would instantly know that somebody outside the home is connected to his or her network. The router may also allow an alarm limit to be set, whereby an audible alarm can be created if the number of connections to the router exceeds the alarm limit.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04B 7/216 - Code-division or spread-spectrum multiple access

Abstract

The present invention automates the operation of multiple malware removal software products [figure 3, 76, 78] using a computerized system that systematically operates the multiple selected software products. These products are operated them in a customized 'Safe Mode' using a shell that is different than the computer's other shell environments. Unlike the ordinary Safe Modes shells, the Custom Safe Mode prevents malware from functioning that ties itself to the normal shell, such as the Windows Explorer shell. In addition, the Custom Safe Mode allows the automation of tasks beyond that which is available under the standard command line shell.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 11/00 - Error detectionError correctionMonitoring

Abstract

The present invention is a sensor for installation within a handheld device, such as a portable media player or a mobile phone, that turns on illumination of controls for the device (graphical user interface, buttons, etc.) while the device is being gripped by a user, and turns off control illumination when the device leaves the hand of the user.

IPC Classes  ?

• G09G 5/00 - Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators

Abstract

The present invention is a router with extended capabilities allowing it to make digital media content on a home local area network accessible over a wide area network such as the Internet, and a method for using such a media content router. The router can provide automated services for the local files such as photolab processing of digital images, or file backups. A pair of the routers can collaborate to play home media content at an away location when feasible, or transfer such files for away storage.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06F 15/16 - Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs

Abstract

Information about desired songs is collected on a portable memory device in communication with a radio tuner. The radio tuner may receive signals from a terrestrial or satellite digital radio transmission, or from an analog radio transmission. These transmissions may include text data about the current song being played. Upon activation by a user, song data is stored on the memory device. The memory device is then connected to a computer system, which uses software to extract the song data and uniquely identify the song. The identified songs are stored on the computer system, and can be used to allow the user easy access to the identified song through prior art techniques. If no textual data is stored about a song, the song is identified by identifying the radio station that played the song and the time at which the user activated the mechanism.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06Q 30/00 - Commerce