Abstract: A mobile device, such as a media player, a telephone, or a gaming console, concurrently produces multiple content streams based on differing playlists. The mobile device includes a memory, a controller, and at least two output interfaces. The controller processes concurrently the content stored in the memory to produce a first content stream according to a first playlist and a second content stream according to a second playlist. More content streams may be produced based on additional playlist, all of which playlist differ from each other. The content streams may include audio content, video content, or a combination thereof. For each content stream, an output interface is available to convey the content stream. Also disclosed is a method of processing content to produce and send content streams to output interfaces.

Abstract: A digital pen comprising a skeleton and a removable skin: the skeleton holding together in fixed relationship: an electric circuit; an acoustic transmitter, detached from said electric circuit, and configured to transmit acoustic signals; and a resilient holder, configured to mechanically press said electric circuit into electrical contact with said transmitter, so as to electrically connect said electric circuit and said transmitter; and the removable skin comprising a housing fitting over said skeleton.

Abstract: A method may be performed in a data storage device while the data storage device is operatively coupled to a host device that is registered at a network server as a designated recipient of access requests directed to the data storage device. The data storage device includes a controller and a memory storing one or more files. The method includes receiving an access request originating from a second device that is distinct from the host device. The host device is accessible to the second device via the network server. The method also includes, when the second device is authorized to access the data storage device, sending a response with access information to the second device via the network server.

Abstract: A digital pen comprising: an electric circuit, an acoustic transmitter, detached from the electric circuit, and configured to transmit acoustic signals, and a resilient holder, configured to mechanically press the electric circuit into electrical contact with the transmitter, so as to electrically connect the electric circuit and the transmitter.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone comprising: a) a case with an open front side; b) a MEMS membrane mounted on one face of a base, the base being mounted inside the case on a substantially closed side; and c) a mesh covering the front side, substantially transparent acoustically to at least some of a range of operating frequencies at which the microphone is sensitive.

Abstract: A method may be performed in a data storage device while the data storage device is operatively coupled to a host device that is registered at a network server as a designated recipient of access requests directed to the data storage device. The data storage device includes a controller and a memory storing one or more files. The method includes receiving an access request originating from a second device that is distinct from the host device. The host device is accessible to the second device via the network server. The method also includes, when the second device is authorized to access the data storage device, sending a response with access information to the second device via the network server.

Abstract: A method may be performed in a data storage device that stores one or more files and that is operatively coupled to any host device that is accessible to another device via a network. The method includes receiving an access request originating from the other device. The access request is received via a particular host device registered as a recipient of requests for access to the data storage device via the network while the data storage device is operatively coupled to the host device and while the host device is accessible via the network. The method also includes, in response to receiving the access request, sending a response with access information to the other device. The response is provided to the particular host device to be sent to the other device via the network.

Abstract: Data to be screened for undesired content can be quickly downloaded into a non-volatile storage of a system, stored in a manner so as to be unavailable to the system for general use, and then screened later at a convenient time regardless of whether the data source is still available. At the time of screening, a screening module retrieves the data objects stored in the non-volatile storage and indicates whether they comply with screening criteria. Data objects not complying with the screening criteria are either deleted or otherwise made unavailable for general use by the system. By retaining the data objects that do not comply with the screening criteria, the downloaded content remains available for a different system having less restrictive or otherwise different screening criteria.

Abstract: A method may be performed in a data storage device that stores one or more files and that is operatively coupled to any host device that is accessible to another device via a network. The method includes receiving an access request originating from the other device. The access request is received via a particular host device registered as a recipient of requests for access to the data storage device via the network while the data storage device is operatively coupled to the host device and while the host device is accessible via the network. The method also includes, in response to receiving the access request, sending a response with access information to the other device. The response is provided to the particular host device to be sent to the other device via the network.

Abstract: A powerfully simple digital media player and methods for use therewith are disclosed. In one embodiment, a digital media player with a simplified user interface is disclosed that, like an FM radio, allows a user to easily select a category of digital media for playback. In another embodiment, to make the experience more FM-radio-like for a user, instead of charging the user for the digital audio files, digital media files can be distributed for free (or at a reduced charge) by playing advertisements before, during, or after the playback of a digital audio file. In yet another embodiment, an exemplary network infrastructure is provided. In another embodiment, a generic streaming content file interface is presented. Other embodiments are disclosed, and any of these embodiments can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: A digital pen comprising: an electric circuit, an acoustic transmitter, detached from the electric circuit, and configured to transmit acoustic signals, and a resilient holder, configured to mechanically press the electric circuit into electrical contact with the transmitter, so as to electrically connect the electric circuit and the transmitter.

Abstract: A digital pen comprising: an electric circuit, an acoustic transmitter, detached from the electric circuit, and configured to transmit acoustic signals, and a resilient holder, configured to mechanically press the electric circuit into electrical contact with the transmitter, so as to electrically connect the electric circuit and the transmitter.

Abstract: A digital pen comprising a skeleton and a removable skin: the skeleton holding together in fixed relationship: an electric circuit; an acoustic transmitter, detached from said electric circuit, and configured to transmit acoustic signals; and a resilient holder, configured to mechanically press said electric circuit into electrical contact with said transmitter, so as to electrically connect said electric circuit and said transmitter; and the removable skin comprising a housing fitting over said skeleton.

Abstract: A receiving unit for receiving an acoustic signal from a digital pen, comprises: at least two ultrasound receivers, for receiving ultrasound signals from the digital pen; an electric circuit connected to said ultrasound receivers, and configured to extract ultrasound signals received by said ultrasound receivers, to enable tracking a position of said pen, and a biased clip for holding paper in fixed relationship to said ultrasound receivers. The clip may be metal, and alignment and location features may be provided for fitting sheets of paper for writing.

Abstract: A receiving unit for receiving an acoustic signal from a digital pen, comprises: a housing; at least two ultrasound receivers, for receiving ultrasound signals from the digital pen, the ultrasound receivers comprising electret microphones, the electret microphones being located in location holes in the housing; and an electric circuit connected to said electret microphones, to extract ultrasound signals received by the ultrasound receivers. An attachment device may removably attach the receiving unit to another item.

Abstract: A method of managing local and remote data storage including displaying to a user, as a single logical volume, file names referencing both local data files and remote data files. The user individually selects file names and assigns a location attribute to the file names: residing only on the remote data storage, residing only the local data storage; residing on both the local data storage and the remote data storage. The location attribute of residing only on the remote data storage causes the local data file to be erased. The location attribute of residing only on the local data storage causes the remote data file to be erased. The location attribute, of residing on both the local data storage and the remote data storage, causes the files to be synchronized.

Abstract: A digital pen input system for allowing a user to write or draw by interacting with sheets of paper and allowing electronic tracing of pen movements for digital storage or display, the input device comprising a holder for sheets of paper, and a unit for detecting exchange of a current sheet, the system comprising: an autonomous page changing detector for autonomously detecting an action being a direct part of the exchange of a current sheet; and a data-stream insertion unit for inserting a new page indicator into a data stream emerging from the pen movements, at a location in the stream indicated by a time of the detecting, the new page indicator being a display instruction to separately display pen movements located before and after the new page indicator as separate pages.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone comprising: a) a case with an open front side; b) a MEMS membrane mounted on one face of a base, the base being mounted inside the case on a substantially closed side; and c) a mesh covering the front side, substantially transparent acoustically to at least some of a range of operating frequencies at which the microphone is sensitive.

Abstract: A powerfully simple digital media player and methods for use therewith are disclosed. In one embodiment, a digital media player with a simplified user interface is disclosed that, like an FM radio, allows a user to easily select a category of digital media for playback. In another embodiment, to make the experience more FM-radio-like for a user, instead of charging the user for the digital audio files, digital media files can be distributed for free (or at a reduced charge) by playing advertisements before, during, or after the playback of a digital audio file. In yet another embodiment, an exemplary network infrastructure is provided. In another embodiment, a generic streaming content file interface is presented. Other embodiments are disclosed, and any of these embodiments can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: A mobile device, such as a media player, a telephone, or a gaming console, concurrently produces multiple content streams based on differing playlists. The mobile device includes a memory, a controller, and at least two output interfaces. The controller processes concurrently the content stored in the memory to produce a first content stream according to a first playlist and a second content stream according to a second playlist. More content streams may be produced based on additional playlist, all of which playlist differ from each other. The content streams may include audio content, video content, or a combination thereof. For each content stream, an output interface is available to convey the content stream. Also disclosed is a method of processing content to produce and send content streams to output interfaces.