Abstract: Methods for encoding user data into an audio file, and for decoding of the same, are provided. Embodiments include preparing user data for encoding into the audio file including writing user data in blocks of data including header and other information in addition to the user data. An audio file is read and parsed into words of audio data. In each word of audio data, a least significant bit is replaced with one bit of the prepared user data, and the audio data with the encoded user data is saved to a file. Methods of decoding the encoded audio file include extracting the user data from each least significant bit, verifying header information, and re-constructing the user data to a file.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for automatically preparing removable media for content, such as by automatically formatting media such as CDs and DVDs. A drive type is determined for a drive present on a computer system. The drive type defines characteristics of the drive. In addition, a media type is detected for removable media, such as a compact disc or floppy disk, present in the drive. Similar to the drive type, the media type defines characteristics of the removable media. Based on the drive type and media type, the removable media is automatically prepared for content in response to receiving a request to write to the removable media.

Abstract: A method for encrypting a block-based removable media includes identifying a file system for the media, and receiving a selection of data to be written to the media. The identified file system designates specific logical block addresses for file system structures and files which enable the media to mount and enable the locating of recorded data on the media. When recording the block-based removable media, logical block addresses for blocks containing both file system structures and files as well as blocks containing the selection of data are randomized throughout the block based removable media. A decryption key is required to first locate the file system and enable the media to mount, and ultimately to locate and access the selection of data recorded thereon.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling a user to import a user-defined graphics edit into at least one template, the method including the steps of selecting, by the user, at least one first editable object, editing, by the user, at least part of the at least one first editable object, thereby producing a user-defined graphics edit, saving the user-defined graphics edit, selecting, by the user, a template containing at least one second editable object; and applying at least part of the user-defined graphics edit to at least part of the at least one second editable object within the template.

Abstract: A device for creating a panoramic image from a plurality of images taken by a digital camera. The device comprising: an input for receiving a current image which is updated in real time when a digital image capture mechanism coupled to the input is repositioned. The device further includes a preview generator for warping or mathematically adjusting perspective of a portion of a stored previous image so as to generate an overlap portion for optimal alignment by a user of the overlap portion to the current image therewith. The warped overlap portion of the stored previous image along with the current image is presented to a viewfinder. In an alternate embodiment, a method and computer readable medium corresponding to the above system is described.

Abstract: A audio data collection and management system is provided for extracting music data from an optical media and managing the music data. The system is configured to extract at least a portion of an initial track of music data at an extracting rate that is different than the recording rate. The system simultaneously records the extracted portion of the initial track of music data to a storage media at the extracting rate while performing the extracting. The system is configured to be implemented in an automobile, a home stereo system, or a personal computer system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automobile audio system. The automobile audio system includes a control panel for displaying audio data, and a control unit that is wired to the control panel. The control unit includes a hard disk and a compact disc player capable of playing at least one compact disc. Interface circuitry enables the wiring of the control unit to the control panel, and a processor and memory are connected to the interface circuitry. The memory is configured to store program instructions for extracting music data from the at least one compact disc and for recording the extracted music data to the hard disk.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the orientation of an image of a picture within a scanned image, including the steps of locating in the scanned image the contour of the image of the picture, determining a plurality of bounding boxes confining the contour of the image of the picture, selecting one of the plurality of bounding boxes that is substantially aligned with the contour of the image of the picture, and calculating an angle of rotation of the picture based on the selected bounding box.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for a caching mechanism which improves system performance are provided. One exemplary method includes reading files in response to a request from an operating system. Then, copies of the read files are stored in a cache where the cache is located within a random access memory of the computer. Next, frequency factors are assigned to each of the files stored in the cache, where the frequency factors indicate how often each of the corresponding files has been accessed by the operating system. Then, the frequency factors are scanned in response to a capacity of the cache being attained. Next, a least frequently and least recently used file is identified. Then, the least frequently and least recently used file is eliminated to liberate capacity of the cache.

Abstract: A method in a digital camera for image capturing at least two perspective images at a constant focal length from the digital camera, where both images share a common edge portion. The method including: recording a first image from a first perspective; displaying a preview of a second image from a second perspective; simultaneously with displaying the preview, presenting an overlapping edge region of the first image to allow alignment of the first image with the preview of the second image; and correcting the perspective of at least one image in an overlapping edge region. In an alternate embodiment, a digital camera and computer readable medium corresponding to the above method is described.

Abstract: A method for image processing in a computerized system reduces the amount of memory required for image processing and produces a layered effect which permits complex manipulation such as scaling and rotation without long delay, while allowing earlier versions of the visual image to be recalled. The method involves pre-processing, image editing and raster image processing.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a photo kiosk having a scanner therein, including positioning a user-provided picture on a scanner bed of the kiosk scanner in an arbitrary orientation, and automatically determining an orientation of the picture by pre-scanning, using the kiosk scanner, at least an area of the kiosk scanner bed having the picture positioned therein at a low resolution, to produce a pre-scanned image containing pixels therein, and scanning, using the kiosk scanner, an area of the scanner bed at a high resolution to provide a photo product having the picture in a desired orientation therein irrespective of the arbitrary orientation.

Abstract: A system for transmitting digital data to an active desktop of a user with push pull functionality, the system comprising a digital data transmitter operative to transmit the digital data to the active desktop in blocks which are sequentially transmitted to the active desktop, each block being an incomplete collection of data and being viewable even when less than all of the blocks have been received, receipt of subsequent blocks by the receiver serving to cumulatively improve the quality of the digital data received by the receiver, at least one but not all of the blocks being transmitted to the active desktop in a push manner, and at least one of the remaining blocks being transmitted to the active desktop in a pull manner, when specifically actuated by the user. A method is also described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention contained herein describes a use-sensitive system for distribution of data files between users in a networked community of users. The system comprises each user having a distribution application that has at least one data file repository that has the ability to store at least one data file. The distribution application additionally includes a data file transfer server which makes available all data files located in the data file repository for download by other users, a file transfer client, and a user interface for displaying the actions and status of the distribution application to the user. In the system the file transfer client connects to the file transfer server and downloads a data file, and when the downloaded file is placed in the repository, the distribution application automatically makes available the downloaded data file to other distribution applications in the community of users.

Abstract: This invention discloses apparatus and a method for producing a moving picture including providing a digital image including the content of a multiplicity of individual images defining a view window which may be selectably superimposed over at least a portion of the digital image at a given time, and moving the view window over the digital image such as to view at least portions of the multiplicity of the individual images in a desired sequence thereby to define the moving picture.

Abstract: Methods and computer readable media generate a page file representing a compact disc label sheet having label blanks thereon for one or both of a compact disc case or a compact disc. The sheet may have a label for one or both of the compact disc case and the compact disc. The method provides such sheet, wherein the sheet supports the labels at any of a plurality of locations. The sheet with the labels supported at particular locations define a particular geometric layout configuration. One or more images may also be on the sheet. Operations of the method optically accent the particular configuration, and then scan the optically accented configuration to generate a digital representation of the sheet. All of the images are then excluded from the digital representation so that the remaining digital representation represents only the labels. The remaining digital representation is analyzed to determine the location on the sheet of the labels.

Abstract: A method for estimating the motion between a first image and a second image in a system for creating a panoramic image from a plurality of images taken by a camera, the method comprising the steps of: downsampling a first image in a first direction and in a second direction; downsampling a second image in a first direction and in a second direction; filtering the first and the second image so as to filter out any global illumination changes between the first image and the second image; calculating a first displacement along the first direction between the first downsampled image along the first direction and the second downsampled image along the first direction; and calculating a second displacement along the second direction between the first downsampled image along the second direction and the second downsampled image along the second direction. In an alternate embodiment, a device and computer readable medium corresponding to the above method is described.

Abstract: A method and system for on-line proofing of documents, including the steps of sending by a client computer a document request to a document server computer, transmitting a proof document from the document server computer to the client computer in response to the document request, sending by the client computer an image data request to an image server computer, transmitting image data from the image server computer to the client computer in response to the image data request, and combining the image data with the proof document.

Abstract: A method of determining a relationship between a search item provided by a user and a plurality of objective items, wherein each objective item in the plurality includes a plurality of objective item properties and the search item includes one or more search item properties, the method comprising: grouping a subset of objective items based on an objective relationship between one or more of the plurality of objective item properties and the one or more search item properties; modifying the subset based on a subjective relationship, wherein the subjective relationship indicates an association between objective items in the subset and the search item, thereby calculating an affinity value between each objective item in the subset and the search item; and ranking the objective items in the modified subset based on the affinity value calculated.

Abstract: Methods for maximizing recording efficiency when recording data from a source to an optical media are provided. In one example, a method includes identifying a list of files to be recorded, and then generating a plurality of recording orders for the list of files. A plurality of writing speeds supported by a target optical media recording device are determined, and then each of the plurality of recording orders for the list of files at each of the plurality of writing speeds are evaluated to determine the amount of system cache required and the projected recording time for recording the data. The method selects a single recording order and a single writing speed that minimizes system cache utilization and minimizes actual recording time to record the data from the source to the optical media.