Abstract: A method and system for transcoding for a mobile device. The method includes accepting a master file, processing the master file with steps laid out in a definition file, the definition file providing instructions for converting the master file to a derivative file appropriate for playback on a pre-specified mobile handset, and outputting the results of the processing step into the derivative file. The system includes a definition file, the definition file providing instructions for converting a master file to a derivative file appropriate for playback on a pre-specified mobile handset. A plurality of modules is employed that are controlled by the definition file and which perform a corresponding plurality of functions on the master file or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: For possible use in an electronic content distribution system, automatic recognition of compact discs or other storage media containing particular content, and corresponding account crediting is described. In an electronic content distribution system, such as those providing music available by digital downloading or streaming technologies, a user may ordinarily pay a full price to receive the music. A user who possesses and apparently owns a compact disc containing particular content can be conveniently offered a discount or credit usable towards the purchase of the analogous particular content in a form provided by the electronic content distribution system. Preferably, compact discs are uniquely identified by determining whether their digital fingerprint matches a known reference fingerprint for a compact disc containing the particular content.

Abstract: For possible use in an electronic content distribution system, automatic recognition of compact discs or other storage media containing particular content, and corresponding account crediting is described. In an electronic content distribution system, such as those providing music available by digital downloading or streaming technologies, a user may ordinarily pay a full price to receive the music. A user who possesses and apparently owns a compact disc containing particular content can be conveniently offered a discount or credit usable towards the purchase of the analogous particular content in a form provided by the electronic content distribution system. Preferably, compact discs are uniquely identified by determining whether their digital fingerprint matches a known reference fingerprint for a compact disc containing the particular content.

Abstract: For possible use in an electronic content distribution system, automatic recognition of compact discs or other storage media containing particular content, and corresponding account crediting is described. In an electronic content distribution system, such as those providing music available by digital downloading or streaming technologies, a user may ordinarily pay a full price to receive the music. A user who possesses and apparently owns a compact disc containing particular content can be conveniently offered a discount or credit usable towards the purchase of the analogous particular content in a form provided by the electronic content distribution system. Preferably, compact discs are uniquely identified by determining whether their digital fingerprint matches a known reference fingerprint for a compact disc containing the particular content.

Abstract: A method for generating a unique identifier that can be used to integrate an offline experience of a user with an online experience of the user, including establishing an offline experience identifier that can be used to access at least one offline experience data item. The method further includes, as part of a transaction related to at least one of the offline experience and the online experience, collecting at least one user data item, the user data item being a data item relevant to the user. The method further includes establishing a user identifier that can be used to access the user data item; and using at least one of the offline experience identifier and the user identifier to establish the unique identifier. The unique identifier can be subsequently used to obtain at least one of the offline experience identifier and the user identifier.

Abstract: A transaction for downloadable digital data is facilitated over an electronic network. A presence is maintained on the electronic network to which a consumer may connect. A page is transmitted from the presence to the consumer over the electronic network, the page including information concerning the downloadable digital data. A command is received from the consumer over the electronic network indicating that the consumer wishes the transaction for the downloadable digital data.

Abstract: A method of using a unique identifier to integrate an offline experience of a user with an online experience of the user. The method includes receiving a unique identifier during a transaction related to the online experience. The method further includes using the unique identifier to obtain at least one of an offline experience identifier and a user identifier, the offline experience identifier being usable to access at least one offline experience data item which is relevant to the offline experience, the user identifier being usable to access at least one user data item which is relevant to the user. The method further includes tailoring the online experience based on at least one offline experience data item and at least one user data item.

Abstract: For possible use in an electronic content distribution system, automatic recognition of compact discs or other storage media containing particular content, and corresponding account crediting is described. In an electronic content distribution system, such as those providing music available by digital downloading or streaming technologies, a user may ordinarily pay a full price to receive the music. A user who possesses and apparently owns a compact disc containing particular content can be conveniently offered a discount or credit usable towards the purchase of the analogous particular content in a form provided by the electronic content distribution system. Preferably, compact discs are uniquely identified by determining whether their digital fingerprint matches a known reference fingerprint for a compact disc containing the particular content.

Abstract: A system and method including an agent for selecting a song among simultaneously streaming songs based on user information is presented.

Abstract: Electronic Music Distribution (EMD), wherein music stored as digital files is downloadable by end users from retail computer databases or from Peer to Peer “file sharing” databases such as Napster, has developed rapidly in the recent past as an alternative to the traditional distribution channels for recorded music. While EMD holds great promise as a distribution vehicle, certain limitations exist with regard to the capability of existing distribution models to classify or characterize the audio quality of the files available for download. This limitation is particularly acute in the Peer-to-Peer context where the downloadable database consists of files from a multiplicity of sources. The present invention utilizes an objective measure of audio quality that is, in one embodiment, presented as part of a response to a user or subscriber search query.

Abstract: A system and method including an agent for selecting at least two songs among simultaneously streaming songs based on user information and inserting additional content in the duration of time between the end of the earlier song and the start of the later song.

Abstract: A method for generating a unique identifier that can be used to integrate an offline experience of a user with an online experience of the user, including establishing an offline experience identifier that can be used to access at least one offline experience data item. The method further includes, as part of a transaction related to at least one of the offline experience and the online experience, collecting at least one user data item, the user data item being a data item relevant to the user. The method further includes establishing a user identifier that can be used to access the user data item; and using at least one of the offline experience identifier and the user identifier to establish the unique identifier. The unique identifier can be subsequently used to obtain at least one of the offline experience identifier and the user identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the use and duplication of digital content distributed on removable media are described. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention digital content is protected by allowing a particular number of protected (e.g., encrypted) copies of the digital content to be made. Typically, these copies may only be used on and moved between authorized devices. In one embodiment, if copies are desired, the maximum number of allowable copies of the protected digital content are made and stored on a computer's hard drive when the storage medium (e.g., a CD) containing the content is inserted into the computer. Each copy can then be moved but not copied to other devices (e.g., portable solid state devices). In an alternative embodiment, the storage medium containing the digital content is writable (e.g., a CD-R).

Abstract: A system and method including an agent for selecting a song among simultaneously streaming songs based on user information is presented.

Abstract: A system and method including an agent for selecting at least two songs among simultaneously streaming songs based on user information and inserting additional content in the duration of time between the end of the earlier song and the start of the later song.

Abstract: A system and method including an agent for selecting at least two songs among simultaneously streaming songs based on user information and storing one of the songs for later playback if the two songs overlap.

Abstract: A method of using a unique identifier to integrate an offline experience of a user with an online experience of the user. The method includes receiving a unique identifier during a transaction related to the online experience. The method further includes using the unique identifier to obtain at least one of an offline experience identifier and a user identifier, the offline experience identifier being usable to access at least one offline experience data item which is relevant to the offline experience, the user identifier being usable to access at least one user data item which is relevant to the user. The method further includes tailoring the online experience based on at least one offline experience data item and at least one user data item.

Abstract: A method of sampling a music selection to produce a music clipping suitable for super distribution. A computer readable music file is sampled by defining a starting point for the sample at a fixed time from the beginning of the music selection. The stopping point is similarly selected as a fixed time from the starting point for the sample. The actual fixed times can be varied based upon the genre of the music when another embodiment flags or headers can be used to define the starting and ending time of the sample. Once the sample has been defined, data from the sample is extracted and compressed to reduce the file size to a size suitable for super distribution.

Abstract: A portable communications device enables identification and purchasing of a full audio work from a sampled portion of the work. The device includes an input for receiving a sampled portion of a full audio work, a memory for storing the sampled portion, a communications module for communicating with an audio recognition service and/or an audio purchasing service, an input device for user commands, an interface such as display and a processor. The portable device records and stores the sampled portion and uploads the sample to the audio recognition service, or compares the sampled portion to a local database, to identify the full audio work from the sampled portion. The device displays identification information about the identity of the full audio work and purchasing information to allow purchase of the full audio work. A method and system incorporating the portable device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method including an agent for selecting at least two songs among simultaneously streaming songs based on user information and inserting additional content in the duration of time between the end of the earlier song and the start of the later song.