Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a personalized entertainment experience, which may be customized for each user. A user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions may be captured and associated with each played/presented composition. A target time for playback/presentation of a composition to the user may be determined by using a user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions. A customized sequence of compositions may be automatically generated for each user. The personalized sequence may automatically adapt to changing user actions and preferences over time. In one embodiment, a target time for playback or presentation of a composition to a user, is at least partially based on: a count of playbacks or presentations of the composition to a user, and a time when the composition was previously played or presented to the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a personalized entertainment experience, which may be customized for each user. A user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions may be captured and associated with each played/presented composition. A target time for playback/presentation of a composition to the user may be determined by using a user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions. A customized sequence of compositions may be automatically generated for each user. The personalized sequence may automatically adapt to changing user actions and preferences over time. A user rating (preference) may be explicitly provided by the user or may be determined at least partially based on a count, a cumulative-time and/or control-action(s) by the user, that are related to the composition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the creation and playback of music and/or sound, so that sound sequences are generated that vary from one playback to another playback. In one embodiment, during composition creation, artist(s) may define how the composition may vary from playback to playback using visually interactive display(s). The artist's definition may be embedded into a composition dataset. During playback, a composition data set may be processed by a playback device and/or a playback program, so that each time the composition is played-back a unique version may be generated. Variability during playback may include: the variable selection of alternative sound segment(s); variable editing of sound segment(s) during playback processing; variable placement of sound segment(s) during playback processing; the spawning of group(s) of alternative sound segments from initiating sound segment(s); and the combining and/or mixing of alternative sound segments in one or more sound channels.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for Newness Control of a Personalized Music and/or Entertainment Sequence. Apparatus for personalized music or entertainment may include a newness control, configured to be adjustable by a user, to indicate an amount or portion of new compositions that the user desires to experience. A processor or processors may be configured to generate a sequence of compositions for said user; so that the amount or portion of new compositions in the sequence of compositions, varies in response to the newness control. Compositions that are new to the user may be determined by a history or information about the user; and/or history or information about other users that are determined to be friends-with or similar to the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system that enables a user to find and act-upon a sound-containing composition, in a group of compositions. One or more sound-segments, which are intended to prompt a user's memory, may be associated with each composition in a group of compositions. A recognition sound-segment may include a portion of its associated composition, which is more recognizable to users than the beginning part of its associated composition. A recognition-segment may contain one or more highly recognizable portion(s) of a composition. When the user is trying to locate or select a particular composition, the recognition-segments are navigated and played-back to the user, based upon a user-device context/mode. When a user recognizes the desired composition from its recognition-segment, the user may initiate a control action to playback; arrange; and/or act-upon, the composition that is associated with the currently playing recognition-segment.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system that enables a user to find and act-upon a sound-containing composition, in a group of compositions. One or more sound-segments, which are intended to prompt a user's memory, may be associated with each composition in a group of compositions. A recognition sound-segment may include a portion of its associated composition, which is more recognizable to users than the beginning part of its associated composition. A recognition-segment may contain one or more highly recognizable portion(s) of a composition. When the user is trying to locate or select a particular composition, the recognition-segments are navigated and played-back to the user, based upon a user-device context/mode. When a user recognizes the desired composition from its recognition-segment, the user may initiate a control action to playback; arrange; and/or act-upon, the composition that is associated with the currently playing recognition-segment.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system that enables a user to find and act-upon a sound-containing composition, in a group of compositions. One or more sound-segments, which are intended to prompt a user's memory, may be associated with each composition in a group of compositions. A recognition sound-segment may include a portion of its associated composition, which is more recognizable to users than the beginning part of its associated composition. A recognition-segment may contain one or more highly recognizable portion(s) of a composition. When the user is trying to locate or select a particular composition, the recognition-segments are navigated and played-back to the user, based upon a user-device context/mode. When a user recognizes the desired composition from its recognition-segment, the user may initiate a control action to playback; arrange; and/or act-upon, the composition that is associated with the currently playing recognition-segment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the creation and playback of music and/or sound, so that sound sequences are generated that vary from one playback to another playback. In one embodiment, during composition creation, artist(s) may define how the composition may vary from playback to playback using visually interactive display(s). The artist's definition may be embedded into a composition dataset. During playback, a composition data set may be processed by a playback device and/or a playback program, so that each time the composition is played-back a unique version may be generated. Variability during playback may include: the variable selection of alternative sound segment(s); variable editing of sound segment(s) during playback processing; variable placement of sound segment(s) during playback processing; the spawning of group(s) of alternative sound segments from initiating sound segment(s); and the combining and/or mixing of alternative sound segments in one or more sound channels.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a personalized entertainment experience, which may be customized for each user. A user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions may be captured and associated with each played/presented composition. A target time for playback/presentation of a composition to the user may be determined by using a user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions. The target time for playback/presentation may incorporate a target time between playbacks/presentations of a composition, which may be at least partially based on a user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions. A customized sequence of compositions may be automatically generated for each user. The personalized sequence may automatically adapt to changing user actions and preferences over time. The user's collection of compositions may be automatically integrated with the generated customized sequence.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a personalized entertainment experience, which may be customized for each user. A user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions may be captured and associated with each played/presented composition. A target time for playback/presentation of a composition to the user may be determined by using a user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions. The target time for playback/presentation may incorporate a target time between playbacks/presentations of a composition, which may be at least partially based on a user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions. A customized sequence of compositions may be automatically generated for each user. The personalized sequence may automatically adapt to changing user actions and preferences over time. The user's collection of compositions may be automatically integrated with the generated customized sequence.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a personalized entertainment experience, which may be customized for each user. A user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions may be captured and associated with each played/presented composition. A target time for playback/presentation of a composition to the user may be determined by using a user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions. The target time for playback/presentation may incorporate a target time between playbacks/presentations of a composition, which may be at least partially based on a user's playback/presentation history and/or user actions. A customized sequence of compositions may be automatically generated for each user. The personalized sequence may automatically adapt to changing user actions and preferences over time. The user's collection of compositions may be automatically integrated with the generated customized sequence.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system to enable a user to find and act-upon an audio-containing composition in a group of compositions. A sound-segment (recognition-segment) intended to prompt a user's memory, may be associated with each composition in a group of compositions. A recognition-segment may contain one or more highly recognizable portion(s) of a composition. When the user is trying to locate or select a particular composition, the recognition-segments are navigated and played-back to the user, based upon a user-device context/mode. When a user recognizes the desired composition from its recognition-segment, the user may initiate a control action to playback; arrange; and/or act-upon, the composition that is associated with the currently playing recognition-segment.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing an adaptive personalized entertainment experience that is customized for each user. Details of playback or presentation of a composition to a user may be captured at one or more use-devices. The captured details may include user actions and user control actions that are associated with each played or presented composition. A target time for the playback or presentation of a composition to a user, and/or a targeted time between playbacks or presentation of a composition to a user, may be determined by using the captured details of the playback or presentation of compositions. A customized sequence of compositions may be automatically generated for each user by utilizing a history of the details of playback and/or presentation associated with the user; and/or the user actions and/or control actions. The personalized sequence may automatically adapt to changing user preferences and feedback over time.

Abstract: A method for identifying and providing a composition or digital-work to a user. The user may explicitly and/or implicitly indicate an interest in a composition that is discovered during everyday activities. The “interesting” composition and/or information associated with the composition may be emanating from an external source (e.g., background music in a restaurant) or may be encountered while using an interactive device (e.g., surfing the web); or information (e.g., a magazine article or advertisement) about/associated with a composition may be encountered by the user. A portion of the “interesting” composition and/or information about/associated with the “interesting” composition may be captured and the composition identified. A composition or composition-highlight related to the identified-composition may be provided one or more times; within a customized sequence of compositions that is generated and/or adapted for each user. The provided-composition may be added to the user's favorites or library.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the remote control and/or interaction-with electronic-devices such as computers; home-entertainment-systems; media-centers; televisions; DVD-players; VCR-players; music systems; appliances; security systems; toys/games; and/or displays. A user may orient a pointer (e.g., laser pointer) to place a pointer-spot on/near object(s) on an active-display(s); and/or a fixed-display(s); and/or on real-world object(s) within a display region or pointer-spot detection-region. Detectors, imager(s) and/or camera(s) may be connected/attached to the display region and/or a structure that is connected/attached to display region. When the user initiates a “select”, the detectors/cameras may detect the location of the pointer-spot within the display region. Corresponding to the user's selection(s); control action(s) may be performed on the device(s) being controlled/interacted-with and additional selection-menus may be optionally presented on an active-display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the creation and playback of music and/or sound, so that sound sequences are generated that vary from one playback to another playback. In one embodiment, during composition creation, artist(s) may define how the composition may vary from playback to playback using visually interactive display(s). The artist's definition may be embedded into a composition dataset. During playback, a composition data set may be processed by a playback device and/or a playback program, so that each time the composition is played-back a unique version may be generated. Variability during playback may include: the variable selection of alternative sound segment(s); variable editing of sound segment(s) during playback processing; variable placement of sound segment(s) during playback processing; the spawning of group(s) of alternative sound segments from initiating sound segment(s); and the combining and/or mixing of alternative sound segments in one or more sound channels.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a personalized entertainment experience that is customized for each user. User actions and user control actions may be associated with each played composition and captured as user feedback about each composition. A targeted time between playbacks of a composition may be determined by using said control actions. A customized sequence of compositions may be automatically generated for each user by utilizing a history of the user actions and/or control actions. The personalized sequence may automatically adapt to changing user preferences and feedback over time. The user's collection of compositions may be automatically integrated with the generated customized sequence. Additional compositions and samples, that are new to a user, may be automatically chosen based on the prior user feedback/history and may be added to the user's collection when indicated by user action(s).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically distributing, as needed, a user's digital-works and usage-rights to one or more user-devices. A definition of the usage-rights for a digital-work may be stored at one or more locations on a network. A version of said digital-work suitable for a user-device may be provided by one or more locations on said network. When a user who is authorized to utilize said digital-work is active at a user-device, a version of said digital-work and authorization to utilize is automatically transferred when needed to a user-device. The digital-work and authorization may be automatically transferred as needed to any user-device where an authorized user is active. The usage-rights may only be valid for one or more specific users. The usage authorization at each user-device may be less than defined in the full usage-rights maintained on the network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the remote control and/or interaction-with electronic-devices such as computers; home-entertainment-systems; media-centers; televisions; DVD-players; VCR-players; music systems; appliances; security systems; toys/games; and/or displays. A user may orient a pointer (e.g., laser pointer) to place a visible pointer-spot on/near object(s) on an active-display(s); and/or a fixed-display(s); and/or on real-world object(s) within a display region or pointer-spot detection-region. Detectors and/or camera(s) may be connected/attached to the display region and/or a structure that is connected/attached to display region. When the user initiates a “select”, the detectors/cameras may detect the location of the pointer-spot within the display region. Corresponding to the user's selection(s); control action(s) may be performed on the device(s) being controlled/interacted-with and additional selection-menus may be optionally presented on an active-display.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically distributing, as needed, a user's digital-works and usage-rights to one or more user-devices. A definition of the usage-rights for a digital-work may be stored at one or more locations on a network. A version of said digital-work suitable for a user-device may be provided by one or more locations on said network. When a user who is authorized to utilize said digital-work is active at a user-device, a version of said digital-work and authorization to utilize is automatically transferred when needed to a user-device. The digital-work and authorization may be automatically transferred as needed to any user-device where an authorized user is active. The usage-rights may only be valid for one or more specific users. The usage authorization at each user-device may be less than defined in the full usage-rights maintained on the network.