Abstract: A media data tagging method. The media data includes one or a combination of audio, video and textual data. The method includes surveying at least a portion of media data received by a device, the media data having metadata associated therewith. The surveying process is preferably performed during playback of the media data. The method further includes detecting generation of a tagging instruction. The tagging instruction can be generated via a user interface. A tag data indicative of the media data is then generated in response to the generation of the tagging instruction. The tag data is then transmitted to the device. The tag data is for subsequent at least one of identification and location of the media data.

Abstract: System and method are disclosed for programming a user input device such as a computer mouse or computer keyboard. The user input device features memory for storing programming information associated with various user inputs, such as buttons or keys. The user may define macros, shortcuts, programs and other functions associated with any or all of user profiles so that the user may switch between various programmed data sets with ease.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for adjusting the depth of view in an optical sensor of a pointing device (see FIG. 4). The method and system of the invention allow a user to select a depth of views from multiple depths of view. The user may select the depth of view using an appropriate graphical user interface. The depth of view may also be selected by the pointing device with no user input. In either case, the depth of view of the optical sensor may be adjusted to more accurately account for different levels of contrast in the micro-texture of the user's work surface.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a profile management comprising receiving short profile data of a user from a device, the short profile data comprising an identifier element and being associated with long profile data of the user in a database on a network, the short profile data being indicative of at least one of data format of the short profile data and location of the database on the network; locating the database on the network based on at least one of the identifier, the data format of the short profile data and the location of the database on the network, the long profile data comprising a plurality of data elements; and retrieving at least one of the plurality of data elements of the long profile data from the database upon the database being located.

Abstract: A method for presenting visual interface content comprising adjunct visual interface content during application program execution, and the adjunct visual interface content provides visual information associated with application program execution. The method comprising displaying the adjunct visual interface content using a first interface, displaying the adjunct visual interface content using a second interface, and displaying the updated adjunct visual interface content on the at least one of the first and second interfaces based on actuation of the first and second interfaces.

Abstract: A user interface including a display screen and an input device. The input device is for example a touchscreen, a touch pad, and one or more proximity sensors. The input device detects an input event, more specifically a pointing object placed in proximity therewith. Parameters of the input event include distance of the pointing object from the input device, speed of displacement of the pointing object towards the input device, direction of displacement of the pointing object towards the input device, and direction of displacement of the pointing object relative a plane of the input device. The display screen effects output events or magnification events. A field of view on the display screen (i.e. an area on the display screen) is magnified. At least one of scale of magnification, size of field of view to be magnified and size of resultant magnified field of view is dependent on at least one of the parameters of the input event.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for capturing information associated with wireless audio sounds among a plurality of users. When a user encounters audio sound files of interest, the user can capture information regarding the audio sounds, such as title, artist, collection, genre, year, encoding rate, size, playlist, a unique identifier, or other desired information. The information can be used to seamlessly purchase the sound files from a remote digital repository.

Abstract: A computer keyboard is disclosed to remediate the phantom key or ghosting problem. Diodes are added to the PCB or contact-receptive membrane to eliminate reverse current, which is responsible for phantom key strikes. These one-way diodes increase the number of possible concurrent combinations that a microcontroller with limited inputs can support.

Abstract: A method and system for rating media. The media is one or a combination of audio, video and textual data. The media rating method comprises surveying at least a portion of media data received from a device and detecting generation of rating data, the rating data for appraising the media data. The method further comprises transmitting the rating data to the device. The system comprises a device-readable medium having programming instructions stored therein. The instructions when executed on a first device cause the first device to survey at least a portion of media data received from a second device, detect generation of rating data and transmit the rating data to the second device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for wireless sharing of audio sounds among a plurality of users. A user of the present invention can communicate his or her audio sounds to other users, who can receive the audio sounds wirelessly and choose to rebroadcast them. Along with the audio sound files users can share information regarding the audio sounds being shared, such as title, artist, collection, genre, year, encoding rate, size, playlist, and other desired information. The user of device can opt to set the device to transmit, re-transmit, broadcast, re-broadcast, receive or not to receive play-list information in addition to the audio sound files and the information regarding the audio sounds themselves.

Abstract: Most computer operating systems are able to automatically configure the coupled computer peripheral device for use with the computer operating system without the need for installation of a specific driver. However, when these peripheral devices are detected by the computing system, a generic UI control configuration is often assigned to them and whatever customised settings previously configured by the user will be lost and replaced with a new set of unfamiliar setting. This poses much inconvenience and hassle to gamers when they use a different computing system or machine. Described according to an embodiment of the invention is a profile management method, operating on a computing cloud, comprising steps for receiving client data provided by a computing system detecting coupling of a user-interface (UI) thereto and for retrieving configuration data corresponding to the client data for use in configuring the UI by the computing system.

Abstract: Known computer peripheral devices are typically interchangeable and can be used with different computers systems and platforms. Most computer operating systems are able to automatically configure the coupled computer peripheral device for use with the computer operating system without the need for installation of a specific driver. However, when these peripheral devices are detected by the computer system, a generic UI control configuration is often assigned to them and whatever customised settings previously configured by the user will be lost and replaced with a new set of unfamiliar settings. Described according to an embodiment of the invention is a collaboration management system initiating a collaboration session for a plurality of computing systems having user-interfaces (UIs) coupled thereto.

Abstract: A visual indication of user proficiency at interacting with an application program such as a computer game can be provided through a system and/or method configured to determine an actions count corresponding to a number of input device signals generated and/or application program actions initiated during application program execution; normalize the actions count to determine an actions per minute value; and output illumination signals during application program execution using a set of illumination devices such as LEDs carried by an input or output device, where the illumination signals indicate a user performance level relative to a set of actions per minute thresholds. Actions per minute thresholds and/or particular illumination devices corresponding thereto can be selected or programmably specified in response to user input received by way of an illumination control GUI.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for capturing information associated with wireless audio sounds among a plurality of users. When a user encounters audio sound files of interest, the user can capture information regarding the audio sounds, such as title, artist, collection, genre, year, encoding rate, size, playlist, a unique identifier, or other desired information. The information can be used to seamlessly purchase the sound files from a remote digital repository.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for wireless sharing of audio sounds among a plurality of users. A user of the present invention can communicate his or her audio sounds to other users, who can receive the audio sounds wirelessly and choose to rebroadcast them. Along with the audio sound files users can share information regarding the audio sounds being shared, such as title, artist, collection, genre, year, encoding rate, size, playlist, and other desired information. The user of device can opt to set the device to transmit, re-transmit, broadcast, re-broadcast, receive or not to receive play-list information in addition to the audio sound files and the information regarding the audio sounds themselves.

Abstract: System and method are disclosed for programming a user input device such as a computer mouse or computer keyboard. The user input device features memory for storing programming information associated with various user inputs, such as buttons or keys. The user may define macros, shortcuts, programs and other functions associated with any or all of user profiles so that the user may switch between various programmed data sets with ease.

Abstract: Wireless headphones receive music and video from media devices via different wireless transmission methods such as using Bluetooth. However, wireless headphones suffer from limitations despite the convenience they offer to users. Some such wireless headphones allow one user to share the music experience by passing one side of the wireless headphone to a third party. The third party does not however get to experience and enjoy the full stereo experience of the music. In addition, sharing of music by transfer of media files from one storage medium to other storage medium often infringes upon third party intellectual property rights. An embodiment of the invention describes a method and a system that enable wireless sharing of audio sounds among a plurality of users.

Abstract: A device peripheral is disclosed. The device peripheral comprises a controller having a plurality of converters, a transceiver controllable by the controller for performing a signaling operation, the signaling operation being one of receiving reception signals, transmitting transmission signals and simultaneously receiving the reception signals and transmitting the transmission signals, and a data interface couplable to a device for communicating the controller with the device, the controller for identifying one of the plurality of converters for use during data communication with the device. More specifically, first media data provided by the device to the controller is converted by the identified one of the plurality of converters into transmission data for transmission by the transceiver as the transmission signals, and reception data received by the transceiver as the reception signals is converted by the identified one of the plurality of converters for into second media data for provision to the device.

Abstract: Disclosed are single or unified execution context systems and processes for managing relationships between physical input device controls and application program actions in a manner that automatically accommodates firmware and/or device driver configuration operations. A process involves establishing an application program execution context; establishing a relationship (e.g., graphically) between a first physical input device control element and a first user-selectable action; and automatically maintaining the relationship between the first physical control element and the first user-selectable action such that the first user-selectable action is consistently initiated in response to user interaction with the first physical control element independent of an input device firmware or device driver reconfiguration that may change a control element signal generated by the first physical control element.

Abstract: A user interface including a display screen and an input device. The input device is for example a touchscreen, a touch pad, and one or more proximity sensors. The input device detects an input event, more specifically a pointing object placed in proximity therewith. Parameters of the input event include distance of the pointing object from the input device, speed of displacement of the pointing object towards the input device, direction of displacement of the pointing object towards the input device, and direction of displacement of the pointing object relative a plane of the input device. The display screen effects output events or magnification events. A field of view on the display screen (i.e. an area on the display screen) is magnified. At least one of scale of magnification, size of field of view to be magnified and size of resultant magnified field of view is dependent on at least one of the parameters of the input event.