Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method that defines several menu items having a particular order. The method provides a display area for displaying a portion of the menu items in the particular order. The method provides a selection window in the display area for indicating that a menu item is presently selectable. The display area is also for receiving input to (i) scroll the menu items through the selection window in the particular order and (ii) select a particular menu item when the particular menu item is displayed in the selection window. In some embodiments, the display area is a linear display area, while in some embodiments it is a semi-circular display area or other shape.

Abstract: A computer readable medium (CRM) storing a media editing application for creating media presentations is described. The application includes a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI has (1) a display area for displaying a composite presentation that the application creates by compositing a plurality of media clips, (2) a composite display area for displaying graphical representations of a set of media clips that are part of the composite presentation, (3) an audition display area for displaying graphical representations of a set of media clips that are candidates for adding to the composite presentation at a particular location, and (4) an audition tool for creating an audition set for a particular location in the composite display area, where the audition set is a user modifiable set of clips, each of which is for individual placement at the particular location for inclusion in the composite presentation.

Abstract: A card reader for use with a mobile device includes a rotatable face that can be rotated over a portion of the mobile device so that when the user slides a card through the card reader, the overlapping portion of the rotatable face prevents the card reader from spinning or rotating. A foot and/or a housing for a jack on the bottom of the card reader prevents the card reader from accidently turning off the mobile device during use.

Abstract: When a user shakes a mobile device, such as a smart phone, new content is shown on the display of the mobile device. In one embodiment, the content depends on the page or location the user is currently on within the mobile app or mobile browser page and can depend also on the history or experience level of the user.

Abstract: An X-Y interaction (XYI) facilitates rapid relationship pairing by creating tap or selection zones that intersect variables. The y-axis contains an indefinite number of variables (items) that can be assigned to x-axis variables (groups). “Items” are individual bits of information or data, like a transaction, song, item, or a to-do task. “Groups” are predefined buckets that apply specific rules or actions or represent specific things or people. Items get assigned to groups, and then the rules are applied to them. Items along the y-axis can be organized based on where along an x-axis a user selects an item. The selection can be by tapping, and one item can be selected for multiple groups.

Abstract: A method for changing a value displayed on a screen is provided. In response to receiving a user input indicating motion in a particular direction, changing the value independent of where the position of a cursor is on the screen. The value being changed may comprise of a series of segments, and each segment value can be changed individually. In addition, a different user input device that does not indicate motion in a particular direction may be used to change segment values and to select other segment values. Methods for automatically formatting a segmented values and calculating a base time rate based on two different frame rates are also provided.

Abstract: A method for changing a value displayed on a screen is provided. In response to receiving a user input indicating motion in a particular direction, changing the value independent of where the position of a cursor is on the screen. The value being changed may comprise of a series of segments, and each segment value can be changed individually. In addition, a different user input device that does not indicate motion in a particular direction may be used to change segment values and to select other segment values. Methods for automatically formatting a segmented values and calculating a base time rate based on two different frame rates are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnifying selected portions of visual information on a screen is provided. In response to receiving first user input, displaying, within a first bounded region that encloses a first portion of visual information, (a) the first portion at a same magnification level as the visual information that is outside of the first bounded region, and (b) a visual indication of a second bounded region that encloses a second portion of the visual information. In response to receiving second user input, displaying, within the first bounded region, the second portion of the visual information at a magnification level that is greater than the magnification level of the visual information that is outside of the first bounded region.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a computer readable medium storing a media editing application for creating multimedia presentations. The application includes a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI includes a composite display area for displaying graphical representations of a set of media clips that are part of a composite presentation. Each graphical representation of a particular media clip is assigned to a particular row in the composite display area, where each row corresponds to a particular track in the composite presentation. Some embodiments of the GUI include a compression tool for assigning the graphical representations to new rows so as to reduce blank space in the composite display area, where the assignment of the graphical representations to new rows eliminates the correspondence between the rows and the tracks. Some embodiments include a collapsing tool for reducing a size of graphical representations in the composite display area.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method that defines several menu items having a particular order. The method provides a display area for displaying a portion of the menu items in the particular order. The method provides a selection window in the display area for indicating that a menu item is presently selectable. The display area is also for receiving input to (i) scroll the menu items through the selection window in the particular order and (ii) select a particular menu item when the particular menu item is displayed in the selection window. In some embodiments, the display area is a linear display area, while in some embodiments it is a semi-circular display area or other shape.

Abstract: A computer readable medium (CRM) storing a media editing application for creating media presentations is described. The application includes a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI has (1) a display area for displaying a composite presentation that the application creates by compositing a plurality of media clips, (2) a composite display area for displaying graphical representations of a set of media clips that are part of the composite presentation, (3) an audition display area for displaying graphical representations of a set of media clips that are candidates for adding to the composite presentation at a particular location, and (4) an audition tool for creating an audition set for a particular location in the composite display area, where the audition set is a user modifiable set of clips, each of which is for individual placement at the particular location for inclusion in the composite presentation.

Abstract: A user interface comprises a control for adjusting a numeric field value. The control includes controls for editing the numeric field text directly and for dynamically incrementing and decrementing the value. In addition, the control includes controls for combining several functions into one control, allowing for quicker numeric value editing, control of multiple parameters, and taking up less user interface space.

Abstract: A timeline-based approach for selecting and manipulating audio tracks is presented. This is accomplished via a graphical user interface that provides users with a series of visual cues and enhancements when selecting a particular area of an audio track depicted within the interface. These visual cues are rendered as a display region having multiple other display areas, components or interface components that provide the user with a location for initiating actions upon the file. User input provided to the timeline component generates a selection overlay that indicates a selected area of the audio file. The user can perform numerous actions with that audio file, such as copying and pasting. The user can do this more quickly and efficiently because the user is not required to switch tools. Everything is accomplished “modelessly.” Multiple instances of the selection overlay applied, for example, across multiple audio tracks may achieve even more powerful results.

Abstract: A user interface comprises a control for adjusting a numeric field value. The control includes controls for editing the numeric field text directly and for dynamically incrementing and decrementing the value. In addition, the control includes controls for combining several functions into one control, allowing for quicker numeric value editing, control of multiple parameters, and taking up less user interface space.

Abstract: A user interface comprises a control for adjusting a numeric field value. The control includes controls for editing the numeric field text directly and for dynamically incrementing and decrementing the value. In addition, the control includes controls for combining several functions into one control, allowing for quicker numeric value editing, control of multiple parameters, and taking up less user interface space.

Abstract: Techniques are described for displaying projects of images as “collages”. Collages differ from conventional thumbnail displays of projects in that collages display an entire project as if the project were a single image. Consequently, collages better convey the characteristics of projects as a whole, while de-emphasizing the distinctiveness of individual images within the projects. When displayed as collages, side-by-side comparisons may be readily performed between projects as a whole. For example, a single display may include collages for multiple projects, thereby allowing viewers to quickly tell how the projects differ in a variety of ways, including but not limited to size of shoot or density of shoot, dominant color, mood, time of day, bracketed shots or bursts, location and subject matter. The content of the collage for a project is based on the individual images that belong to the project.

Abstract: A method for changing a value displayed on a screen is provided. In response to receiving a user input indicating motion in a particular direction, changing the value independent of where the position of a cursor is on the screen. The value being changed may comprise of a series of segments, and each segment value can be changed individually. In addition, a different user input device that does not indicate motion in a particular direction may be used to change segment values and to select other segment values. Methods for automatically formatting a segmented values and calculating a base time rate based on two different frame rates are also provided.

Abstract: Visual media can be edited by displaying a maximum amount of content on screen. To do so, a user can select a full-screen mode, which expands the visual media to fill the entire screen space. In full-screen mode, more of the screen is used to display the visual media as it is edited. In addition, the user can define bump areas in the visual media editing application, where the user can hide user interface controls while in full screen mode. From a user perspective these controls are sitting off screen and then brought into view as needed. The user accesses the user interface controls by bumping his mouse against the bump area, which causes the controls assigned to that region to come into view. In addition to defining bump areas, a user can decide which user interface controls to place at each different bump area.

Abstract: Techniques described herein allow user sort data objects in a user interface. The user is able to sort the data objects by throwing them in the user interface. For example, a user imports a collection of data objects into a user interface. The data objects are then displayed graphically in the user interface. The user sorts the data objects by selecting them with an input device and throwing them toward a separate location on screen. The location on screen where the user throws the data objects is called a bucket. A bucket captures data objects thrown in its direction. Once, the data objects have been sorted, the user can use controls to refine the way the data objects are sorted. For example, the user can sort data objects within a bucket, modify the data objects, add additional buckets to the user interface, and perform other similar functions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnifying selected portions of visual information on a screen is provided. In response to receiving first user input, displaying, within a first bounded region that encloses a first portion of visual information, (a) the first portion at a same magnification level as the visual information that is outside of the first bounded region, and (b) a visual indication of a second bounded region that encloses a second portion of the visual information. In response to receiving second user input, displaying, within the first bounded region, the second portion of the visual information at a magnification level that is greater than the magnification level of the visual information that is outside of the first bounded region.