Abstract: A frequency domain method for phase-amplitude matrixed surround decoding of 2-channel stereo recordings and soundtracks, based on spatial analysis of 2-D or 3-D directional cues in the recording and re-synthesis of these cues for reproduction on any headphone or loudspeaker playback system.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method, system and apparatus for enabling the sharing of computer system resources by multiple input devices. The multiple input devices utilize a device driver for all of the multiple input devices, with the method comprising: the device driver allocating a device identifier to each of the multiple input devices; the device driver receiving data from each of the multiple input devices by reference to the device identifier; and the device driver passing the received data to an application for processing.

Abstract: There is provided a method for charging a power source of a digital media player (20) using a cable (24) connected to a computer (34), and also a method for activating a lower volume during playback of content on the digital media player (20). Both methods may be triggered by a toggling switch (22) on the media player (20).

Abstract: There is provided a first dock for a portable hard disk, where the first dock is connectable to a host device. There is also provided a corresponding method for accessing content on the host device during use of the dock. It is advantageous that the host device is able to access content from portable hard disks that are docked with the first dock and a second dock.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for transient detection and modification in audio signals. Digital signal processing techniques are used to detect transients and modify an audio signal to enhance or suppress such transients, as desired. A transient audio event is detected in a first portion of the audio signal. A graded response to the detected transient audio event is determined. The first portion of the audio signal is modified in accordance with the graded response. The extent of enhancement or suppression (as applicable) may be determined at least in part by a measure of the significance or magnitude of the transient.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus that is connectable wirelessly with a mobile phone. The apparatus includes a casing for encasing components of the apparatus. A display unit is mounted within the casing for the display of content to a user. There is a processor coupled with the display unit to control the content displayed in the display unit. There is also a transceiver coupled to the processor within the casing to enable the wireless connection between the apparatus and the mobile phone. A memory module is coupled to the processor, the memory module being for storage of data and applications. There may be a positioning module coupled to the processor, the positioning module being for provision of a location of the apparatus to the mobile phone. It is preferable that a set of controls is coupled to the processor for controlling the apparatus, and the set of controls may be controllable by the user either via touch or voice.

Abstract: There is provided an assembly for a sound reproduction apparatus included with a communications apparatus. The assembly includes an ear bud earphone that anchors to an ear of a user; a cable of the ear bud earphone, a portion of the cable being attached to a reel axle onto which the cable is windable, the reel axle being connected to a revolution counter which tracks a number of revolutions of the reel axle in a first direction, the revolution counter being reset to zero when the cable is fully wound onto the reel axle; with a first end of the cable being functionally connected to the communications apparatus to enable sound signals to be reproduced in the ear bud earphone. The functional connection to the communications apparatus may be either via a solder joint or a detachable connector.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and methods for optimizing playback of media content from a digital handheld device. The apparatus may be functionally connected to the digital handheld device, and for allowing placement of the digital handheld device at a receptor. Correspondingly, the methods for optimizing playback of media content from a digital handheld device preferably entail a usage of the aforementioned apparatus.

Abstract: A processing apparatus which is suitable for signal communication with a system having at least one of an input module and an output module. The processing apparatus can be configured to receive input signals from the input module of the system. The processing apparatus includes a first channel processing portion to which the input signals are communicable. The first channel processing portion can be configurable to receive and process the input signals in a manner such that bass frequency audio signals are extracted from the input signals. The bass frequency audio signals can be further processed via at least one of linear dynamic range processing, manipulation of dynamic range via compression and manipulation of dynamic range via expansion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a multi-chamber ported stereo speaker is disclosed. The stereo speaker is a single unit with multi-chambers in an enclosure box. The multi chamber ported speaker comprises an enclosure housing a shared acoustic chamber having an external port for allowing air external of the enclosure box to flow into the shared acoustic chamber, and at least two additional chambers comprising a corresponding internal port in each additional chamber for forming an air pass from each additional chamber with the shared chamber, each additional chamber comprising a corresponding driver mounted through a wall of the chamber and enclosure box for forming the ported speaker.

Abstract: Methods of enabling access to data using a portable electronic device within a private network protected by firewall are disclosed. The data may be transmitted in packets to the portable electronic device and may be consumed either instantly or subsequently. The methods may utilise either at least one web storage or an agent server.

Abstract: Separating a source in a stereo signal having a left channel and a right channel includes transforming the signal into a short-time transform domain; classifying portions of the signals having similar panning coefficients; segregating a selected one of the classified portions of the signals corresponding to the source; and reconstructing the source from the selected portions of the signals.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for reverse printing a plurality of images interlaced with each other on an underside surface of an appropriate flexible lenticular substrate. The method includes analyzing a viewing orientation of either portrait configuration or landscape configuration of at least one of the plurality of images; determining whether the appropriate flexible lenticular substrate is used for the printing of the plurality of images interlaced with each other in accordance with the viewing orientation of one of the plurality of images; analyzing an orientation of a first marker on the underside surface of the appropriate flexible lenticular substrate; and printing the plurality of images interlaced with each other in accordance with the orientation of the first marker on the underside of the appropriate flexible lenticular substrate.

Abstract: A method of acoustically rendering a virtual environment is described. The method includes receiving a subset of polygons derived for an acoustic display from a set of polygons generated for a graphical display. Acoustic reflections are determined from a sound source that bounce off of polygons in the subset of polygons to a listener position in the virtual environment. It is determined whether a polygon in the subset of polygons causes an occlusion of the sound source at the listener position, and a play list of sounds is generated based on the reflections and occlusions.

Abstract: A data file having more than one modes of operation. The data file comprises an image component for storing an image as a representation of the data file and one or more data components appended to the image component. The image component comprises metadata associated with the one or more data components. In a first mode of operation, the image component of the data file is readable for viewing the image by an image viewer while the image component is part of the data file. The one or more appended data components are unreadable by the image viewer in the first mode of operation. In a second mode of operation, the image component and the one or more appended data components are readable by a file reader.

Abstract: A method and system is provided to control playback of digital media on a playback device. The system may include a playback unit including at least one digital media storage communication interface to communicate with a media storage device, and a bi-directional remote control communication interface. Further, the system may include a separate remote control device to control the playback of the digital media on the playback device. The remote control device may include a complemental remote control communication interface for bi-directional communication with the remote control communication interface of the playback unit. The remote control device may also include a display screen, wherein the remote control device receives data from the playback unit for display on the display screen. The invention extends to a playback unit and to a remote control device.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for sound reproduction which is able to vary transmission of sound. The apparatus includes a plurality of speaker casings, with each of the plurality of speaker casings including at least one speaker driver; and a plurality of bases for each of the plurality of speaker casings, with a top portion of each base being for securable placement of a foot of one of the plurality of speaker casings, and a bottom face of each base being for securable attachment to the bottom face of another of the plurality of bases. In a first configuration of the apparatus, the plurality of speaker casings is securely placed on the top portion of each of the plurality of bases, and independently rests on the bottom face of each base. In a second configuration of the apparatus, the plurality of speaker casings is securely placed on the top portion of each of the plurality of bases, and is attached to one another at the bottom face of each base.