Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for seamlessly switching media playback between a media broadcast, such as a radio broadcast, and media from a local media library. When an electronic device determines that an upcoming media item in a media broadcast is not of interest to a user, the electronic device can switch playback from the media stream to a media item from the electronic device local library. The selected local media item can be related to a previously broadcast media item to ensure continuity in the user's listening or viewing experience. The electronic device can switch away from the local media item and return to the media stream when the media stream again broadcasts media items or segments of interest to the user.

Abstract: Methods for establishing a direct peer-to-peer (“P2P”) connection between two computers are disclosed. In particular, the methods are designed to work in cases where one or both of the computers are connected to a private network, such private networks being interconnected via a public network, such as the Internet. The connections between the private network and the public network are facilitated by network address translation (“NAT”).

Abstract: Methods for establishing a direct peer-to-peer (“P2P”) connection between two computers are disclosed. In particular, the methods are designed to work in cases where one or both of the computers are connected to a private network, such private networks being interconnected via a public network, such as the Internet. The connections between the private network and the public network are facilitated by network address translation (“NAT”).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for radio link control during network congestion in a mobile wireless communication device connected to a radio network subsystem in a wireless cellular network. The mobile wireless communication device detects a pending uplink control message. The mobile wireless communication device determines that an uplink channel on which the pending uplink control message is to be sent has insufficient bandwidth for uplink transmission. After waiting a congestion delay time interval, the mobile wireless communication device sends the pending uplink control message on an uplink signaling channel instead of on the uplink channel. In some embodiments, the uplink channel is associated with a radio access bearer and the uplink signaling channel is associated with a signaling radio bearer.

Abstract: The techniques disclosed herein use a compass, MEMS accelerometer, GPS module, and MEMS gyrometer to infer a frame of reference for a hand-held device. This can provide a true Frenet frame, i.e., X- and Y-vectors for the display, and also a Z-vector that points perpendicularly to the display. In fact, with various inertial clues from accelerometer, gyrometer, and other instruments that report their states in real time, it is possible to track the Frenet frame of the device in real time to provide a continuous 3D frame-of-reference. Once this continuous frame of reference is known, the position of a user's eyes may either be inferred or calculated directly by using a device's front-facing camera. With the position of the user's eyes and a continuous 3D frame-of-reference for the display, more realistic virtual 3D depictions of the objects on the device's display may be created and interacted with by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packet classification and prioritization using an internet protocol (IP) header in a mobile wireless device. The mobile wireless device includes an application processor and a transceiver. The transceiver in the mobile wireless device receives a higher layer packet from the application processor and reads a value of a field embedded in the higher layer packet. The transceiver creates at least one lower layer protocol data unit from the higher layer packet and maps the at least one lower layer protocol data unit to a wireless access channel having a quality of service property. The mapping of the lower layer protocol data unit is based on the value of the field read by the transceiver. In representative embodiments, the higher layer packet is an internet protocol datagram, and the field is a differentiated services code point field.

Abstract: Reference adding behavior in a formula editing mode is disclosed. In some embodiments, in response to receiving an indication of a selection of a cell, a reference to the selected cell is inserted into a formula being entered into a host cell if the host cell is not a header cell, and a reference to a row or column with which the selected cell is associated is inserted into a formula being entered into a host cell if the host cell is a header cell.

Abstract: A method for a portable media player to control power provided an accessory is disclosed. The method includes requesting information about the power capabilities of the accessory by the portable media player. The method further includes providing information about the power capabilities of the accessory by the accessory to the portable media player, and utilizing the information to set the power of the accessory. A method and system in accordance with the present invention provides a system that allows a portable media player to obtain information from an accessory concerning its power requirements. A portable media player can then utilize the power requirements information to allow for the powering of the accessory when connected to the portable media player.

Abstract: A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer.

Abstract: A mobile communications device has an outer housing with a front wall in which an acoustic opening is formed. A tub is disposed inside the housing, wherein an acoustic opening is formed in a bottom of the tub and is positioned to be aligned with the acoustic opening in the outer housing. A receiver is disposed within the tub so that a sound port hole of the receiver faces an inside face of the tub and is aligned with the acoustic openings in the outer housing and in the tub. A plate piece is disposed between an inside face of the housing and the face of the receiver in which the sound port hole is formed. An acoustic opening is formed in the plate piece and positioned to be aligned with the sound port hole of the receiver and the acoustic openings in the outer housing and in the tub. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligently routing and managing audio signals within an electronic device is disclosed. The routing is responsive to a set of logical and physical policies which are stored in data tables which can be updated as needed.

Abstract: A portable multimedia player is used to wirelessly access and control a media server that is streaming digital media by way of a wireless interface to a media unit such as a stereo/speakers in the case of streaming digital audio. In one embodiment, the portable multimedia player is wirelessly synchronized to a selected one(s) of a number of digital media files stored on the media server in such a way that digital media file metadata (song title, author, etc.) associated with the selected digital media file(s) only is transferred from the media server to be stored in the portable media player.

Abstract: Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for providing trickle syncing. In one aspect, a system includes a data repository to store one or more data records and a server in communication with the data repository. The server is designed to access the data repository in response to a user request to perform at least one of the following: access the one or more data records, add a data record, and modify the one or more data records. The system also includes a client application in communication with the server. The client application is designed to receive the user request through a client process; encapsulate a protocol that provides communications between the client process and the server; and forward the received user request to the server using the encapsulated protocol.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for encoding a video signal that is formed by a series of successive images. Each image includes several sections, and each section has a set of image values. To encode a particular section of a particular image, the method initially partitions the particular section into several sub-sections. For each of at least two particular sub-sections, the method then computes a statistical parameter regarding the image values of the particular sub-section. The method compares the computed statistical parameters, and based on the comparison, selects an encoding technique from a set of encoding techniques to encode the particular section. In some embodiments, the set of encoding schemes includes a first scheme that encodes the selected section without reference to any other section of any other image, and a second scheme that encodes the selected section by reference to at least one other section.

Abstract: A method for creating a book using a network, comprising using a processor to create a website to entice a user to become a subscriber. Computer instructions are used to provide a welcome message, provide a security feature to the user, provide a free tour of the service for creating the book, and offer a search tool to browse a dynamic information database containing artwork, text, characters, contact information for artists and authors to provide commissioned work, and rules of usage. The computer instructions also offer viewing of artwork having high viewing frequency, provide a payment selection to become a subscriber, and process payment by the user. A subscriber is then allowed to create a unique book, store selections and work under an account having a secure account number, and print at least a portion of the unique book on a printer owned, controlled, or designated by the subscriber.

Abstract: Improved techniques and systems to facilitate use of credit to acquire digital media assets from a network-based media server are disclosed. Digital media assets can include media items such as songs, albums, images, slideshows, audiobooks, podcasts, or videos. A user can acquire credit in a variety of different ways including, for example, through redeeming a credit invitation. Once a user has available credit by whatever means, the user can acquire one or more digital media assets from the network-based media server using his/her available credit. In one embodiment, the credit is provided as item credits, whereby each item credit can be used to acquire a selected digital media asset. However, not all of the digital media assets available from the network-based media server are permitted to be acquired using item credits. In some cases, the digital media assets that can be acquired with credit can be designated by their cost.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for reducing direct current bias and/or enabling a simplified manner of polarity inversion in liquid crystal display (LCD) devices are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a device may include a processor, a memory device, and a liquid crystal display having a pixel array including rows and columns of pixels. Each pixel of the pixel array may include a pixel electrode separated from a common electrode by a dielectric passivation layer, and may include a transistor to provide a data signal when the transistor is activated. The pixel array is configured such that a neutral amount of direct current bias is generated on the passivation layer when each row of pixels is activated. The common electrodes of certain pixels may be disposed above their respective pixel electrodes, while the common electrodes of certain other pixels may be disposed below their respective pixel electrodes.

Abstract: A handheld wireless communications device has an adjustable volume setting. The communications device also has a downlink audio processor containing a digital audio filter. Storage in the device contains a first set of filter coefficients that configure the filter to enable the device to pass a wireless communications device certification process while sacrificing sound quality, at a low volume setting. The storage also contains a second set of filter coefficients that configure the filter to enhance sound quality while sacrificing passing the wireless communications device certification process, at a high volume setting. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.