Abstract: A machine-implemented method: (A) maintains a value of a data time parameter representing an amount of time required by a rendering system to render a portion of temporal sequence presentation data at a default presentation rate; (B) provides the value of the data time parameter to a first component of the rendering system; (C) calculates, based on the value of the data time parameter, a value of a presentation time parameter representing an amount of time elapsed during rendering of the portion of the temporal sequence presentation data; and (D) provides the value of the presentation time parameter to a second component of the rendering system; wherein the value of the presentation time parameter is not equal to the value of the data time parameter.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method: (A) maintains a value of a data time parameter representing an amount of time required by a rendering system to render a portion of temporal sequence presentation data at a default presentation rate; (B) provides the value of the data time parameter to a first component of the rendering system; (C) calculates, based on the value of the data time parameter, a value of a presentation time parameter representing an amount of time elapsed during rendering of the portion of the temporal sequence presentation data; and (D) provides the value of the presentation time parameter to a second component of the rendering system; wherein the value of the presentation time parameter is not equal to the value of the data time parameter.

Abstract: One embodiment is a method of presenting an audio or audio-visual work which includes: (a) detecting media work content properties in an audio portion of the audio or audio-visual work using a media work content properties detection apparatus; (b) associating a presentation rate of the audio of the audio portion of the audio or audio-visual work with the detected media work content properties; and (c) presenting the portion of the audio or audio-visual work using the media work content properties detection apparatus so that the audio is presented at the presentation rate; wherein the media work content properties comprise one or more indicia of words of interest; and wherein the audio or audio-visual work includes conversations.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for broadcasting information to one or more client devices from a broadcaster that is not a client device, which one or more client devices utilize presentation rates to present audio in broadcast information at various presentation rates using time-scale modification, and which method includes: (a) the broadcaster broadcasting the information; and (b) the broadcaster broadcasting guidance information used to determine presentation rates for use by the one or more client devices in presentation of audio in the broadcast information using time-scale modification; wherein the guidance information is transmitted at or not at a time of broadcast of the broadcast information.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method: (A) maintains a value of a data time parameter representing an amount of time required by a rendering system to render a portion of temporal sequence presentation data at a default presentation rate; (B) provides the value of the data time parameter to a first component of the rendering system; (C) calculates, based on the value of the data time parameter, a value of a presentation time parameter representing an amount of time elapsed during rendering of the portion of the temporal sequence presentation data; and (D) provides the value of the presentation time parameter to a second component of the rendering system; wherein the value of the presentation time parameter is not equal to the value of the data time parameter.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method of presenting at least a portion of an audio or audio-visual work including: (a) retrieving an average speed contour or a democratic speed contour from a database apparatus; and (b) presenting the at least a portion at a playback apparatus using the retrieved average speed contour or democratic speed contour to provide presentation rates.

Abstract: One embodiment is a method of presenting an audio-visual work which includes: (a) detecting media work content properties in a visual portion of the audio-visual work using a media work content properties detection apparatus; (b) associating a presentation rate of the portion of the audio-visual work with the detected media work content properties; and (c) presenting the portion of the audio-visual work using the media work content properties detection apparatus; wherein the media work content properties comprise one or more of a predetermined number of items in a video frame, a predetermined number of moving items in a video frame, and one or more predetermined individuals; and wherein the audio-visual work is output from a surveillance camera.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for enhancing a digital rendering system to enable the digital rendering system to distinguish Presentation Time from Data Time.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for enhancing a digital rendering system to enable the digital rendering system to distinguish Presentation Time from Data Time.