Abstract: A powered device includes a powerhead unit and an attachment unit selectively attachable to and powered by the powerhead unit. The powerhead unit includes a motor, a first shaft segment having a first driveshaft segment coupled to the motor, and a first connecting portion attached to the first shaft segment. The attachment unit includes an operational unit configured to be driven by the motor, a second shaft segment having a second driveshaft segment coupled to the operational unit, and a second connecting portion attached to the second shaft segment for coupling to the first connecting portion. One of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion defines an axial opening having a keyway and includes a button having a hook portion. The other of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion defines a slot and includes a key.

Abstract: A discharge accessory for a lawnmower includes an inlet end and a hook disposed at the inlet end. The hook defines a channel. A lever arm extends from the hook in a direction transverse to the channel, and a protrusion is disposed in the channel. The protrusion extends in a first direction transverse to the channel and to the lever arm, and the protrusion extends in a second direction transverse to the channel.

Abstract: A method of downloading digital content to be rendered is provided in which a list of content servers that are capable of serving requested digital content is downloaded from a network accessible server. Service level statistics are tracked for the content servers in the list of content servers. A first content server to serve the requested digital content is selected from the list of content servers in dependence upon the service level statistics. A first segment of the requested digital content is downloaded from the first content server for rendering. In the event of a degradation in service, a second content server to replace the first content server is selected from the list of content servers in dependence upon the service level statistics, wherein the server replacement is substantially imperceptible. A second segment of the requested digital content is downloaded from the second content server for rendering.

Abstract: An image stream of static graphic images and a corresponding audio stream (e.g., a comic book image stream and an audio narration stream) are simultaneously rendered. One or more images from the image stream, which are each associated with time information relative to a timeline of the audio stream, are downloaded to the client device. A page is assembled from the images and is assigned time information relative to the timeline of the audio stream on the basis of the time information for the images. A portion of the audio stream including a time offset corresponding to a position on the page is downloaded to the client device. The page and the portion of the audio stream are simultaneously rendered on the client device by using the time information for the images or for the page, the portion of the audio stream being rendered in dependence upon the time offset.

Abstract: A method of downloading digital content to be rendered is provided in which a list of content servers that are capable of serving requested digital content is downloaded from a network accessible server. Service level statistics are tracked for the content servers in the list of content servers. A first content server to serve the requested digital content is selected from the list of content servers in dependence upon the service level statistics. A first segment of the requested digital content is downloaded from the first content server for rendering. In the event of a degradation in service, a second content server to replace the first content server is selected from the list of content servers in dependence upon the service level statistics, wherein the server replacement is substantially imperceptible. A second segment of the requested digital content is downloaded from the second content server for rendering.

Abstract: An image stream of static graphic images and a corresponding audio stream (e.g., a comic book image stream and an audio narration stream) are simultaneously rendered. One or more images from the image stream, which are each associated with time information relative to a timeline of the audio stream, are downloaded to the client device. A page is assembled from the images and is assigned time information relative to the timeline of the audio stream on the basis of the time information for the images. A portion of the audio stream including a time offset corresponding to a position on the page is downloaded to the client device. The page and the portion of the audio stream are simultaneously rendered on the client device by using the time information for the images or for the page, the portion of the audio stream being rendered in dependence upon the time offset.

Abstract: A plurality of digital media streams are synchronized by using a descriptor file. The plurality of digital media streams includes a first digital media stream containing a digital audio narration of an originating work and a second digital media stream containing digital media content corresponding to the same originating work. The descriptor file contains location information for the plurality of digital media streams, synchronization time offsets in a timeline of the digital audio narration of the first digital media stream, and synchronization points in the digital media content of the second digital media stream that correspond to the synchronization time offsets. Two or more of the plurality of digital media streams, including the second digital media stream, are simultaneously rendered in a synchronized manner by accessing the descriptor file and correlating the synchronization points and the synchronization time offsets.

Abstract: A method of downloading digital content to be rendered is provided in which a list of content servers that are capable of serving requested digital content is downloaded from a network accessible server. Service level statistics are tracked for the content servers in the list of content servers. A first content server to serve the requested digital content is selected from the list of content servers in dependence upon the service level statistics. A first segment of the requested digital content is downloaded from the first content server for rendering. In the event of a degradation in service, a second content server to replace the first content server is selected from the list of content servers in dependence upon the service level statistics, wherein the server replacement is substantially imperceptible. A second segment of the requested digital content is downloaded from the second content server for rendering.

Abstract: A method and a system for rendering digital content across multiple client devices are provided. At least a portion of first digital content is rendered on a first client device. An identifier corresponding to the first digital content, which identifies a descriptor of the first digital content, and a first position in the first digital content are determined on the first client device. The identifier and the first position are transferred from the first client device to a second client device via a network accessible library. The descriptor is downloaded from the network accessible library to the second client device by using the identifier. At least a portion of ancillary digital content associated with the first digital content is rendered on the second client device by using the descriptor and the first position. Thus, rendering of the first content and the ancillary digital content may be synchronized across multiple devices.

Abstract: A method and a system for rendering digital content across multiple client devices are provided. Digital content is downloaded to a first client device from a network accessible library. As the digital content is rendered, a current position is tracked. A bookmark is created by setting the current position as a bookmarked position. The bookmark is transferred to a second client device, and digital content including the bookmarked position is downloaded to the second client device from the network accessible library, enabling a continuous user experience across multiple client devices.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable code for the management of digital media on a device with memory and storage restrictions. As with any device, memory and storage is limited. With the ultimate goal of providing a user with a hands-off literary experience involving multiple media types, it is necessary to automate the clean-up of unneeded content that has previously been transferred to the device. Utilizing bookmark information that describes various positions in one or more media streams, time information that describes the various media streams and related content used to integrate various types of content for each media stream, content and storage can be managed such that the user never has to interact directly with stored content beyond the controls provided with a basic media player. The user still experiences a completely automated and seamless literary experience regardless of the number of open media streams, bookmarks and various related content the user has.

Abstract: A plurality of digital media streams are synchronized by using a descriptor file. The plurality of digital media streams includes a first digital media stream containing a digital audio narration of an originating work and a second digital media stream containing digital media content corresponding to the same originating work. The descriptor file contains location information for the plurality of digital media streams, synchronization time offsets in a timeline of the digital audio narration of the first digital media stream, and synchronization points in the digital media content of the second digital media stream that correspond to the synchronization time offsets. Two or more of the plurality of digital media streams, including the second digital media stream, are simultaneously rendered in a synchronized manner by accessing the descriptor file and correlating the synchronization points and the synchronization time offsets.

Abstract: A method is provided in which a descriptor file is created for synchronizing a plurality of digital media streams. A plurality of time offsets are identified in a timeline of a digital audio narration of a first digital media stream, and the plurality of time offsets and a corresponding plurality of content points are stored in the descriptor file in a manner indicating a correlation therebetween. Synchronization points are identified in digital media content of one or more other digital media streams, and synchronization time offsets are selected that correspond to the synchronization points from the plurality of time offsets. The synchronization time offsets and the corresponding synchronization points are stored in the descriptor file in a manner indicating a correlation therebetween, such that the descriptor file allows a synchronized rendering of the plurality of digital media streams on a client device.

Abstract: A method and a system for rendering digital content across multiple client devices are provided. At least a portion of first digital content is rendered on a first client device. An identifier corresponding to the first digital content, which identifies a descriptor of the first digital content, and a first position in the first digital content are determined on the first client device. The identifier and the first position are transferred from the first client device to a second client device via a network accessible library. The descriptor is downloaded from the network accessible library to the second client device by using the identifier. At least a portion of ancillary digital content associated with the first digital content is rendered on the second client device by using the descriptor and the first position. Thus, rendering of the first content and the ancillary digital content may be synchronized across multiple devices.

Abstract: A method is provided in which a descriptor file is created for synchronizing a plurality of digital media streams. A plurality of time offsets are identified in a timeline of a digital audio narration of a first digital media stream, and the plurality of time offsets and a corresponding plurality of content points are stored in the descriptor file in a manner indicating a correlation therebetween. Synchronization points are identified in digital media content of one or more other digital media streams, and synchronization time offsets are selected that correspond to the synchronization points from the plurality of time offsets. The synchronization time offsets and the corresponding synchronization points are stored in the descriptor file in a manner indicating a correlation therebetween, such that the descriptor file allows a synchronized rendering of the plurality of digital media streams on a client device.

Abstract: A method and a system for rendering digital content across multiple client devices are provided. Digital content is downloaded to a first client device from a network accessible library. As the digital content is rendered, a current position is tracked. A bookmark is created by setting the current position as a bookmarked position. The bookmark is transferred to a second client device, and digital content including the bookmarked position is downloaded to the second client device from the network accessible library, enabling a continuous user experience across multiple client devices.

Abstract: A system and method for rendering digital content includes a media player having access to at least one server via a network. In addition to storing digital data corresponding to a printed document, such as an eBook, the one or more servers also stores a descriptor file. The descriptor file includes time information for defining the digital data, which is determined relative to a timeline of an audio recording of the text of the printed document. The digital content to be rendered is selected using the time information in the descriptor file and a time offset external to the descriptor file.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable code for the management of digital media on a device with memory and storage restrictions. As with any device, memory and storage is limited. With the ultimate goal of providing a user with a hands-off literary experience involving multiple media types, it is necessary to automate the clean-up of unneeded content that has previously been transferred to the device. Utilizing bookmark information that describes various positions in one or more media streams, time information that describes the various media streams and related content used to integrate various types of content for each media stream, content and storage can be managed such that the user never has to interact directly with stored content beyond the controls provided with a basic media player. The user still experiences a completely automated and seamless literary experience regardless of the number of open media streams, bookmarks and various related content the user has.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable code for segmenting an audio stream into a plurality of small digital audio files using gaps in the natural language of the audio stream is provided. The small digital audio files are transmitted, loaded, and played in a specific order, such that from the user's perspective, the audio stream is reproduced in an apparently seamless manner. This is done without reassembling the audio stream, either in whole or in part. The small digital audio files are created using natural language gaps, and are generally small enough to ensure that a first small digital audio file can be downloaded and played without significant delay, while successive small digital audio files are downloaded to be played in the future. Accordingly, the user receives audio-on-demand in a timely manner.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable code for segmenting an audio stream into a plurality of small digital audio files using gaps in the natural language of the audio stream is provided. The small digital audio files are transmitted, loaded, and played in a specific order, such that from the user's perspective, the audio stream is reproduced in an apparently seamless manner. This is done without reassembling the audio stream, either in whole or in part. The small digital audio files are created using natural language gaps, and are generally small enough to ensure that a first small digital audio file can be downloaded and played without significant delay, while successive small digital audio files are downloaded to be played in the future. Accordingly, the user receives audio-on-demand in a timely manner.