Abstract: A method and system is provided for the creation and playback of multiple independently produced and distributed media intended for synchronized playback. One embodiment of the invention overcomes variances in independently produced and distributed media that make accurate synchronization impossible today. The system utilizes both authoring and playback processes. During authoring, a relative virtual time code profile is generated based on the original source media in a defined associated media set. The system employs an extensible framework of multiple synchronization recognizers that analyze the source media to generate a relative virtual time code profile for the associated media set. During playback, the system's client can access the relative virtual time code profile to coordinate the synchronized playback of an associated media set. The system generates an absolute time code using the available associated media and the original relative virtual time code profile.

Abstract: A method for creating a scalable graphic image for display by a pixel-oriented display device. A pixel-based design of the desired graphic image is created and thereafter separated into constituent parts. A geometric descriptor is created for each constituent part. These geometric descriptors are then hinted to ensure that the constituent parts represented by these descriptors can be overlaid or combined to form a display of the desired graphic image for various point sizes. The hinted geometric descriptors for the graphic image are stored in a font file that can be accepted by a rasterizer. In response to a request to display a graphic image, the rasterizer reads the corresponding hinted geometric descriptors from the font file and generates character bitmaps defining the pixels to be illuminated to display the constituent parts. This allows the scaling of the displayed graphic image at different sizes based upon the particular requirements of the user.