Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling access of a mobile audio device to a cluster of compatible devices. More particularly, the invention pertains to a method to establish communications between a portable audio player and one or more audio players within a cluster. By way of example, users can use identifiers and matching to decide whether to accept or reject a requesting audio player to join the cluster. Further, the identifiers may be stored on the audio players for future reference. Also, directional exchange of information can allow a user to visually select members of the cluster. In a further example, a mobile audio device is configured to communicate within a cluster of audio devices. In addition, the broadcasting responsibility can be transferred among members of the group.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for distributing music to members of a music sharing group. In one aspect, the method can include identifying a mobile audio player device that introduces a music selection to another mobile audio player device. A signal comprising the music selection, a musical identifier that identifies the music selection and an identifier that identifies the transmitting device is transmitted from a first mobile device to a second mobile device. The second device stores the musical identifier and the identifier of the transmitting device in association with one another. In another aspect, the devices are enabled to connect over a wide area network and use the identifiers to obtain the music selection from a music distributor over the network. In yet another aspect, the transmitting device receives points or other compensation for introducing the music selection to the second device.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for identifying a first mobile device that introduces a music selection to a second mobile device. In one aspect, the first device transmits a music signal to a second device. The music signal comprises a music selection, a music identifier and an identifier of the first device. The second device is enabled to store the identifier of the first device and the music identifier in association with each other. In another aspect, a computerized database is disclosed for the purposes of transacting with the second device, wherein transacting may include storing the music identifier, the first user identifier and the second user identifier in the database, providing a requested music selection to the first user, registering the first user as a broadcaster, awarding points for purchasers of the music selection broadcast by the first user, or storing and providing ratings of devices of a cluster.

Abstract: An event translator system for receiving input information, parsing event data on the input information to produce a result event data set and generating an event list based on an analysis of the event the result data set, performing an event listing and displaying event list to a user interface module. The event translation system translating event data also include receiving user feedback on the event listing and using the user feedback to improve subsequent operations of at least one harvesting algorithm. Translating event data also includes at least two harvesting algorithms for performing the input information to generate a plurality of result event data sets and creating an event listing for display to a user interface module based on an analysis of the plurality of result event data sets.

Abstract: An event translator system may perform at least three tasks: (1) extract or “harvest” date, time, description, and other information from digital files generated for human reading, such as web calendars or other event lists, emailed calendars, and imported files; (2) present the extracted event data to a user for modification, management, and monitoring; and (3) export the events to PIM software, web pages and/or application programming interfaces as appropriate file formats. The event translation system may be incorporated into a web site that is accessed by the user who enters a desired web address for event translation or otherwise transmits the digital files for translation. Alternatively, the system may be incorporated into a webpage as a browser plug-in that provides a user-selectable option to extract event information from a visited webpage.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for identifying a first mobile device that introduces a music selection to a second mobile device. In one aspect, the first device transmits a music signal to a second device. The music signal comprises a music selection, a music identifier and an identifier of the first device. The second device is enabled to store the identifier of the first device and the music identifier in association with each other. In another aspect, a computerized database is disclosed for the purposes of transacting with the second device, wherein transacting may include storing the music identifier, the first user identifier and the second user identifier in the database, providing a requested music selection to the first user, registering the first user as a broadcaster, awarding points for purchasers of the music selection broadcast by the first user, or storing and providing ratings of devices of a cluster.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling access of a mobile audio device to a cluster of compatible devices. More particularly, the invention pertains to a method to establish communications between a portable audio player and one or more audio players within a cluster. By way of example, users can use identifiers and matching to decide whether to accept or reject a requesting audio player to join the cluster. Further, the identifiers may be stored on the audio players for future reference. Also, directional exchange of information can allow a user to visually select members of the cluster. In a further example, a mobile audio device is configured to communicate within a cluster of audio devices. In addition, the broadcasting responsibility can be transferred among members of the group.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for distributing music to members of a music sharing group. In one aspect, the method can include identifying a mobile audio player device that introduces a music selection to another mobile audio player device. A signal comprising the music selection, a musical identifier that identifies the music selection and an identifier that identifies the transmitting device is transmitted from a first mobile device to a second mobile device. The second device stores the musical identifier and the identifier of the transmitting device in association with one another. In another aspect, the devices are enabled to connect over a wide area network and use the identifiers to obtain the music selection from a music distributor over the network. In yet another aspect, the transmitting device receives points or other compensation for introducing the music selection to the second device.

Abstract: Individuals share music through portable audio devices that synchronously play music by transmitting music signals from one device to the other. Upon request, other individuals can join such a sharing group as a member, and these new members can either be accepted automatically, or through voting by existing group members. So that members of a group can converse, the fraction of ambient sound admitted by the earphones of the portable device can be manually set. In order to enhance the enjoyment of the music, wearable transducers, such as light emitting diodes, respond to signals related to the beat of the music. Signals can be automatically generated, or manually specified, and signals thereafter stored for playback with the music to which it is related.