Abstract: A system, including: a first network coupled to at least a first server and a second server; the first server comprising: storage configured to store media data, and a network media channel manager configured to send and receive the media data according to one or more network media channels; a publishing client coupled to the first server, the publishing client configured to publish the media data using a first network media channel selected from the one or more network media channels.

Abstract: The present invention is an information processing apparatus which obtains identification information of an electronic device and makes communication with the electronic device via a network based on the identification information. When a portable telephone (11) is placed on an input display section (2) of a personal computer (1), a reader/writer built in the personal computer (1) reads a telephone number of the portable telephone (11) stored in an RF tag built in the portable telephone (11). Based on the telephone number, a telephone line is connected between the portable telephone (11) and the personal computer (1). Data is interchanged between the portable telephone (11) and the personal computer (1) via the telephone line.

Abstract: The present invention is an information processing apparatus which obtains identification information of an electronic device and makes communication with the electronic device via a network based on the identification information. When a portable telephone (11) is placed on an input display section (2) of a personal computer (1), a reader/writer built in the personal computer (1) reads a telephone number of the portable telephone (11) stored in an RF tag built in the portable telephone (11). Based on the telephone number, a telephone line is connected between the portable telephone (11) and the personal computer (1). Data is interchanged between the portable telephone (11) and the personal computer (1) via the telephone line.

Abstract: An instrument includes a display screen which includes a bitmap graphical user interface including an on-screen menu, and a control element which enables movement of the on-screen menu corresponding to movement of the control element, enables the user to manipulate and select graphic images for executing selected instrument functions. The instrument is adapted to enable manipulation of a plurality of graphic elements in an on-screen menu such that the user is able to form a graphic image on the display screen.

Abstract: A device for managing image and audio files displays thumbnails, which are representative of the files, on a screen in different arrangements, depending on the selected layout and order. When the user enters input to indicates that he or she wishes to browse through the thumbnails, the thumbnails move across the screen in sequence, following a path through a focus outline in the center of the screen. The path followed by the thumbnails depends on the selected layout.

Abstract: A user interface for a network media channel allows subscribers to share media files according to ad-hoc specification via kernels. The user interface may be accessed via a device and it may be utilized to create and/or modify media files and/or kernels and to transmit them to one or more networks including one or more servers that stores the media files according to the kernels. The user interface may be used further to receive one or more media files and to display them according to the kernels. The user interface may be used further to navigate thru the media files by clicking (activating) the media files.

Abstract: This invention discloses a network media channel that can be used by the subscribers of the channel to share media files based on ad-hoc specifications. Temporal, spatial, channel identity and mask components, or any combination thereof, are among the specifications that subscribers can use to create ad-hoc specifications. A transmitting subscriber creates a media file and a kernel containing the ad-hoc specifications, wherein the media file is stored according to the first kernel. Access to the media file is according to the first kernel. A receiving subscriber can in turn create a second kernel to introduce additional refinements to the ad-hoc specification and be notified according to the first and second kernel. The receiving subscriber may retrieve the media file upon reception of the notice.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing an interface for media publishing. In one implementation, a method of publishing media data includes: accessing a media interface of a media device; capturing media data using a media capture component of said media device; storing said captured media data in a media file in storage of said media device; modifying said captured media data; and publishing said modified media data to a network server; wherein said capturing, modifying, and publishing are performed using said media interface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing network media channels. In one implementation, a system for providing a network media channel includes: a network; a server connected to said network, wherein said server includes storage for storing media files, and a network media channel manager for receiving and sending media files according to one or more media network channels; a publishing client connected to said network, wherein said publishing client includes a media capture component for capturing media data and storing captured media data in a media file, a media editing component for editing media files, and a publishing component for publishing to said server a media file corresponding to a network media channel; and a subscribing client connected to said network, wherein said subscribing client includes a subscribing component for subscribing to one or more network media channels, and a browsing component for accessing media files received according to subscribed network media channels.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing network media channels. In one implementation, a system for providing a network media channel includes: a network; a server connected to said network, wherein said server includes storage for storing media files, and a network media channel manager for receiving and sending media files according to one or more media network channels; a publishing client connected to said network, wherein said publishing client includes a media capture component for capturing media data and storing captured media data in a media file, a media editing component for editing media files, and a publishing component for publishing to said server a media file corresponding to a network media channel; and a subscribing client connected to said network, wherein said subscribing client includes a subscribing component for subscribing to one or more network media channels, and a browsing component for accessing media files received according to subscribed network media channels.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus publishing media data includes: accessing a media interface of a media device; capturing media data using a media capture component of said media device; storing said captured media data in a media file in storage of said media device; modifying said captured media data; and publishing said modified media data to a network server; wherein said capturing, modifying, and publishing are performed using said media interface, which is accessed through a single and same operation of said media device; wherein said performance of said capturing, modifying, and publishing using said instant publish command is made possible by initially configuring the media device with settings for edits, user metadata, and automatic metadata to be added to said captured media data, and by selecting a publishing recipient and any desired publishing rules provided by a selected publishing service.

Abstract: The present invention is an information processing apparatus which obtains identification information of an electronic device and makes communication with the electronic device via a network based on the identification information. When a portable telephone (11) is placed on an input display section (2) of a personal computer (1), a reader/writer built in the personal computer (1) reads a telephone number of the portable telephone (11) stored in an RF tag built in the portable telephone (11). Based on the telephone number, a telephone line is connected between the portable telephone (11) and the personal computer (1). Data is interchanged between the portable telephone (11) and the personal computer (1) via the telephone line.

Abstract: An instrument includes a display screen which includes a bitmap graphical user interface including an on-screen menu, and a control element which enables movement of the on-screen menu corresponding to movement of the control element, enables the user to manipulate and select graphic images for executing selected instrument functions. The instrument is adapted to enable manipulation of a plurality of graphic elements in an on-screen menu such that the user is able to form a graphic image on the display screen.

Abstract: An apparatus that controls the action of a pet robot. The apparatus includes a portable terminal (3) having an electrode that may contact a user (2). When the user touches the electrode provided on the head of the robot (1), the user ID stored in the memory section of the portable terminal (3) is transmitted to the robot (1) through the user (2). The robot (1) retrieves the information associated with the user ID it has received, thereby identifying the user (2). The robot (1) may determine that the user (2) touched it in the past. In this case, the robot (1) performs an action in accordance with the information about what the user (2) did to it in the past.

Abstract: An instrument includes a display screen which includes a bitmap graphical user interface including an on-screen menu, and a control element which enables movement of the on-screen menu corresponding to movement of the control element, enables the user to manipulate and select graphic images for executing selected instrument functions. The instrument is adapted to enable manipulation of a plurality of graphic elements in an on-screen menu such that the user is able to form a graphic image on the display screen.

Abstract: A device for managing image and audio files displays thumbnails, which are representative of the files, on a screen in different arrangements, depending on the selected layout and order. When the user enters input to indicates that he or she wishes to browse through the thumbnails, the thumbnails move across the screen in sequence, following a path through a focus outline in the center of the screen. The path followed by the thumbnails depends on the selected layout.

Abstract: A device for managing image and audio files displays thumbnails, which are representative of the files, on a screen in different arrangements, depending on the selected layout and order. When the user enters input to indicates that he or she wishes to browse through the thumbnails, the thumbnails move across the screen in sequence, following a path through a focus outline in the center of the screen. The path followed by the thumbnails depends on the selected layout.

Abstract: A device for managing image and audio files displays thumbnails, which are representative of the files, on a screen in different arrangements, depending on the selected layout and order. When the user enters input to indicates that he or she wishes to browse through the thumbnails, the thumbnails move across the screen in sequence, following a path through a focus outline in the center of the screen. The path followed by the thumbnails depends on the selected layout.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing an interface for media publishing. In one implementation, a method of publishing media data includes: accessing a media interface of a media device; capturing media data using a media capture component of said media device; storing said captured media data in a media file in storage of said media device; modifying said captured media data; and publishing said modified media data to a network server; wherein said capturing, modifying, and publishing are performed using said media interface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing network media channels. In one implementation, a system for providing a network media channel includes: a network; a server connected to said network, wherein said server includes storage for storing media files, and a network media channel manager for receiving and sending media files according to one or more media network channels; a publishing client connected to said network, wherein said publishing client includes a media capture component for capturing media data and storing captured media data in a media file, a media editing component for editing media files, and a publishing component for publishing to said server a media file corresponding to a network media channel; and a subscribing client connected to said network, wherein said subscribing client includes a subscribing component for subscribing to one or more network media channels, and a browsing component for accessing media files received according to subscribed network media channels.