Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for on-screen display that indicates to the user the current point in the playback of the video within the context of the chapter delineations. The user can access a chapter selection feature that presents a preview image from each chapter along with a timeline representing the video, and an indication on the timeline of where the chapters fall along the timeline. Alternatively, short video segments replace the still images as representing the chapters for some or all of the chapters. The user can select a chapter in which to resume playing the video by selecting one of the images or video segments.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for on-screen display that indicates to the user the current point in the playback of the video within the context of the chapter delineations. The user can access a chapter selection feature that presents a preview image from each chapter along with a timeline representing the video, and an indication on the timeline of where the chapters fall along the timeline. Alternatively, short video segments replace the still images as representing the chapters for some or all of the chapters. The user can select a chapter in which to resume playing the video by selecting one of the images or video segments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include efficient and dynamically self-adaptive digitally-encoded-information distribution systems that monitor digitally-encoded information transactions in order to continuously reconfigure themselves by redistributing stored digitally-encoded information among computer systems that together compose the digitally-encoded-information distribution systems and by dynamically balancing tradeoffs between storing particular encodings of particular information objects and generating particular encodings of particular information objects only as needed to satisfy requests. Distribution efficiency is further optimized by ensuring that the types, configurations, capacities, and capabilities of requesting consumer-electronics devices are accurately and precisely determined, so that stored information appropriately encoded for requesting consumer-electronics devices can be efficiently located or generated for rapid delivery to requesting devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include efficient and dynamically self-adaptive digitally-encoded-information distribution systems that monitor digitally-encoded information transactions in order to continuously reconfigure themselves by redistributing stored digitally-encoded information among computer systems that together compose the digitally-encoded-information distribution systems and by dynamically balancing tradeoffs between storing particular encodings of particular information objects and generating particular encodings of particular information objects only as needed to satisfy requests. Distribution efficiency is further optimized by ensuring that the types, configurations, capacities, and capabilities of requesting consumer-electronics devices are accurately and precisely determined, so that stored information appropriately encoded for requesting consumer-electronics devices can be efficiently located or generated for rapid delivery to requesting devices.

Abstract: A portable audio playing device implements a jukebox manager function to permit the simple generation of musical playlists and the alteration or editing of existing playlists. Data, such as MPEG-3 data or other conventional audio format data, may be readily downloaded into the system for storage in a solid state memory or in a spinning media device. The audio tracks are associated with one or more metatags that are used to describe the content of each track. The metatags and associated audio tracks are stored in a data structure that may be implemented as a database or other convenient data structure that readily permits searching by user-specified search terms. The user generates a new playlist by selecting one or more metatags corresponding to the desired musical tracks. The system queries the data structure using the user-specified metatags and automatically generates a playlist containing one or more audio tracks whose metatags correspond to the user-specified metatags.

Abstract: A portable digital audio device is capable of playing a number of different data file types, such as music data files, speech data files, video data files, and the like. Different CODECs are generally used for different data types. The system determines the data file type and selects the appropriate CODEC based on the reported data file type. In addition, the reported data file type is used to select the appropriate media interface manager and appropriate user interface. The user interface, or “skin” is selected for compatibility with the media interface manager and selected CODEC. The appropriate controls are enabled and displayed for user operation. As new CODECs are added to the system, appropriate media interface managers and skins are also added to provide the necessary user interface compatibility.

Abstract: A portable audio playing device implements a jukebox manager function to permit the simple generation of musical playlists and the alteration or editing of existing playlists. Data, such as MPEG-3 data or other conventional audio format data, may be readily downloaded into the system for storage in a solid state memory or in a spinning media device. The audio tracks are associated with one or more metatags that are used to describe the content of each track. The metatags and associated audio tracks are stored in a data structure that may be implemented as a database or other convenient data structure that readily permits searching by user-specified search terms. The user generates a new playlist by selecting one or more metatags corresponding to the desired musical tracks. The system queries the data structure using the user-specified metatags and automatically generates a playlist containing one or more audio tracks whose metatags correspond to the user-specified metatags.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed wherein a battery-powered portable audio device utilizes a spinning media device for data storage. To conserve batter power, the motor in the media storage device is not powered unless an actual data transfer is required. A processor calculates the amount of data remaining in a data buffer and considers a number of factors, such as the type of spinning media storage device, amount of available buffer space, the type of CODEC used to implement the system, and the type of data to determine when it will be necessary to power up the spinning media storage device and transfer data to assure that a continuous stream of data is provided to the CODEC.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and articles for regional and enterprise servers in a media object partial publication and inventory maintenance system are described herein. In various embodiments, a regional server may repeatedly request and receive, from an enterprise server, media objects of a collection of media objects based on actual and/or perceived demand, achieving a partial publication of the collection of media objects. Also, the regional server may monitor a physical inventory associated with a media object and, when the inventory falls below a threshold, facilitate the creation of additional physical inventory using the media object. Additionally, the regional server may notify the enterprise server of the creational of inventory to facilitate the enterprise server in acquiring digital rights associated with the media object.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and articles for a service provider capable of providing transactional services to mobile device users are described herein. In one embodiment, the service provider is adapted to receive a request from a mobile device known to the service provider to transfer value associated with the mobile device, the request specifying a recipient of the value and, in response, request, of a financial institution having an account associated with the mobile device, the transfer of value from the account to an account associated with the specified recipient. Also, in some embodiments, the service provider is adapted to receive a request from a mobile device known to the service provider to transfer value associated with the mobile device, the request specifying a mobile device service feature to be purchased with the value and, in response, exchange the value for the mobile device service feature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include efficient and dynamically self-adaptive digitally-encoded-information distribution systems that monitor digitally-encoded information transactions in order to continuously reconfigure themselves by redistributing stored digitally-encoded information among computer systems that together compose the digitally-encoded-information distribution systems and by dynamically balancing tradeoffs between storing particular encodings of particular information objects and generating particular encodings of particular information objects only as needed to satisfy requests. Distribution efficiency is further optimized by ensuring that the types, configurations, capacities, and capabilities of requesting consumer-electronics devices are accurately and precisely determined, so that stored information appropriately encoded for requesting consumer-electronics devices can be efficiently located or generated for rapid delivery to requesting devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to enhancing mobile-phone networks to allow mobile-phone users to exchange value among themselves through mobile-phone networks. In certain embodiments of the present invention, mobile-phone users exchange value among themselves by exchanging minutes of mobile-phone usage purchased by the mobile-phone users from their carrier-service providers. Minutes-based value exchanges are particularly useful in developing countries, where users may not have bank accounts, and where the overheads associated with traditional financial transactions are too great to allow for use of traditional-financial-transaction services to carry out the many relatively low-value transactions in which mobile-phone users may wish to engage.

Abstract: A single sheet of non-woven material is provided with sufficient strength and durability to store two compact discs without the necessity of laminating or otherwise interconnecting the non-woven sheet to a backing sheet or other materials for strength. The single sheet of non-woven material is positioned between the playing surfaces of the two compact discs to provide a non-scratching, protective surface and to reduce the costs associated with manufacturing the sleeves used to store the CDS.

Abstract: A single sheet of non-woven material is provided with sufficient strength and durability to store one or more compact discs without the necessity of laminating or otherwise interconnecting the non-woven sheet to a backing sheet or other materials for strength. The single sheet of non-woven material is positioned opposite the playing surfaces of the compact disc to provide a non-scratching, protective surface and to reduce the costs associated with manufacturing the sleeves used to store the CDs.

Abstract: A single sheet of non-woven material is provided with sufficient strength and durability to store two compact discs without the necessity of laminating or otherwise interconnecting the non-woven sheet to a backing sheet or other materials for strength. The single sheet of non-woven material is positioned between the playing surfaces of the two compact discs to provide a non-scratching, protective surface and to reduce the costs associated with manufacturing the sleeves used to store the CDS.

Abstract: A single sheet of non-woven material is provided with sufficient strength and durability to store one or more compact discs without the necessity of laminating or otherwise interconnecting the non-woven sheet to a backing sheet or other materials for strength. The single sheet of non-woven material is positioned opposite the playing surfaces of the compact disc to provide a non-scratching, protective surface and to reduce the costs associated with manufacturing the sleeves used to store the CDs.

Abstract: A portable audio playing device implements a jukebox manager function to permit the simple generation of musical playlists and the alteration or editing of existing playlists. Data, such as MPEG-3 data or other conventional audio format data, may be readily downloaded into the system for storage in a solid state memory or in a spinning media device. The audio tracks are associated with one or more metatags that are used to describe the content of each track. The metatags and associated audio tracks are stored in a data structure that may be implemented as a database or other convenient data structure that readily permits searching by user-specified search terms. The user generates a new playlist by selecting one or more metatags corresponding to the desired musical tracks. The system queries the data structure using the user-specified metatags and automatically generates a playlist containing one or more audio tracks whose metatags correspond to the user-specified metatags.