Abstract: A method for providing audio data corresponding to a requested musical note is disclosed, the method comprising: (a) providing a render cache having a plurality of cache entries, each of the cache entries corresponding to a different note; (b) receiving a request for a first note from a client; (c) identifying a first cache entry corresponding to the first note; (d) determining that a first audio segment corresponding to the first cache entry is not available; (e) identifying a second audio segment corresponding to a near-hit cache entry in the render cache; and (f) processing the second audio segment into a third audio segment that is substantially similar to the first audio segment.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a musical composition comprising an audio interface, and audio converter module, and a multi-track compositor module is disclosed. The audio interface operably receives audio from an audio input device and outputting audio to an audio output device. The audio converter module is operably connected to the audio interface to convert audio received via the audio interface into an audio track having one or more partitions. The multi-track compositor module is configured to receive a first audio track and a second audio track and automatically score each partition of the first and second audio tracks based on one or more criteria. The multi-track compositor module is then configured to construct a third audio track from the partitions of the first and second audio tracks based on the scores for each partition. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a musical composition comprising an audio interface, an audio converter and a live looping recording session is disclosed. The audio interface operably receives audio from an input device and outputs audio to an audio output device. The audio converter module is operably connected to the audio interface to convert audio received via the audio interface into an audio track. The recording session module is configured to repeatedly playback a live loop that includes at least a portion of a first audio track, and to add at least a portion of a second audio track to the live loop during repeated playback. The first audio track may be a pre-existing track stored in a data storage medium. The recording session module may be configured to add at least a portion of a third audio track to the live loop during playback, which may be automatically generated based on one or more musical criteria of the first or second tracks.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing audio comprising a first interface and a harmonizing module is disclosed. The first interface receive a first audio segment from a first source. The harmonizing module is coupled to the first interface. The harmonizing module is configured to identify at least one musical property of the first audio segment; calculate a subset of notes that are harmonious with the first audio segment based on the at least one musical property; and select from the subset of notes to generate an audio track to be played substantially synchronously with the first audio segment. A second interface may also be provided to receive a second audio segment from a second source. In this case, the harmonizing module may be configured to generate the audio track by transforming one or more notes of the second audio segment. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving visual acuity when providing a visual image from a “high” resolution input device to a “low” resolution output device. The described invention is of particular use when the output device is an array of electrodes as part of a retinal prosthesis used to restore vision to a visually-impaired patient. In that various limitations may, within the foreseeable future, limit the density of such an electrode array (and thus the resolution of the output image), the present invention teaches techniques to assign processed pixel subsets of a higher resolution image to a single electrode. By varying the pixel subsets, e.g., by jittering, and/or altering the processing criteria, the perceived visual acuity may be further improved. Alternatively and additionally, such processing may be further extended to drive neighboring electrodes in combination to thus stimulate virtual electrode sites and thus further enhance visual acuity.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method is directed to transcoding broadcast content, such as in a DVB, ATSC, and MPEG based network, to secure content suitable for an Internet Protocol (IP) based network. In one embodiment, a single multifunctional convergence appliance is employed to enable such transcoding actions as encryption, encoding, and/or encapsulation. For example, in one embodiment, an MPEG transport stream associated with the broadcast content may be transcoded to an IP-based transport stream. In addition, the transport stream may be decrypted, transrated to another rate, and re-encrypted using a different control word for re-encrypting, but a same service key to encrypt the different control word. The system is also enabled to transcode content formatted for the IP-based network to a content format suitable for the broadcast network.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are directed towards generating chains of encrypted decryption keys for content in a highly distributed environment. In one embodiment, the key chain may be provided within an Entitlement Control Message (ECM). An access key that enables decryption of a current link within the chain of decryption keys may be provided to a downstream recipient using an out-of-band mechanism. Alternatively, the access key may be provided through an in-band mechanism, such as through the use of Entitlement Management Message (EMM), or the like. In one embodiment, the access key within the EMM may be further encrypted by another encryption key that may be unique to the downstream recipient.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are directed towards managing motion picture film print marking and tracking using a reel changeover marking (RCM) to encode a unique identifier. In one embodiment, an Encoded RCM (ERCM) is located within a print during a print duplication process. The ERCM is arranged to persist through a variety of transformations, including camming, compression, and so forth. In one embodiment, an identification extraction component is configured to analyze a digital copy print to extract the unique identifier from within an ERCM. A print tracking component may then search a data store to determine a corresponding source print to the digital copy print based on the extracted unique identifier. A source of piracy may be determined, at least in part, by identifying possible security weaknesses in a distribution chain that may be associated with unauthorized duplication of the film print, and so forth.

Abstract: A method for identifying a media file transmitted over a network includes creating a plurality of known media file identifiers, each for a respective one of a plurality of known media files, using an identifier generating algorithm, storing the known media file identifiers in a database, creating a media file identifier for an unknown media file with the identifier generating algorithm and comparing the media file identifier for the unknown media file with known media file identifiers in order to produce an identification of the unknown media file.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving visual acuity when providing a visual image from a “high” resolution input device to a “low” resolution output device. The described invention is of particular use when the output device is an array of electrodes as part of a retinal prosthesis used to restore vision to a visually-impaired patient. In that various limitations may, within the foreseeable future, limit the density of such an electrode array (and thus the resolution of the output image), the present invention teaches techniques to assign processed pixel subsets of a higher resolution image to a single electrode. By varying the pixel subsets, e.g., by jittering, and/or altering the processing criteria, the perceived visual acuity may be further improved. Alternatively and additionally, such processing may be further extended to drive neighboring electrodes in combination to thus stimulate virtual electrode sites and thus further enhance visual acuity.

Abstract: System, apparatus, and methods are directed to preventing a media player from playing a pirated media file, such as a pre-release motion picture. The invention treats the pirated media file as an infection and develops an immune system for the media player. The invention may be taught how to recognize an infection by using an immunization record for each media file that is to be treated as an infection. As the media file is played in real-time, a fingerprint is determined. A comparison is performed between the immunization records and the determined fingerprint. If a match is determined, then an alert may be provided. The alert may be employed to perform any of a variety of actions, including disabling the media player, sending a message to an owner of a digital right for the media file, and the like.

Abstract: A system and method for locating objects such as people, pets, and personal articles is described. A transceiver is attached to the person, animal, or item to be tracked and a handheld locator device is employed to transmit a locator signal containing an address code to the transceiver. Upon receipt of a signal, the transceiver compares the address code contained in the locator signal with an address code stored in the transceiver. If the two codes are same, the transceiver sends a return signal back to the locator device. The locator device uses this return signal to determine the distance and/or direction of the transceiver from the user's location. The system allows a user to select from a multiple number of items to locate and allows multiple users to search for different articles within the same general area without interference.

Abstract: Method and devices are directed to uniquely identifying content in a highly distributed content delivery system such that an origin of unauthorized content use may be more accurately determined. Content received from a content owner is distributed to a persistent security database and a key manager, which manages encryption and decryption keys for content that may be already encrypted. Decrypted content is fingerprinted or watermarked by a fingerprinter/watermarker module such that a recipient of content is identifiable, and saved in a separate database. Information about fingerprinted/watermarked content may be reported back to content owner for tracking purposes. A key wrap module wraps and attaches aggregator's encryption key to the content before it is transmitted to downstream service operators or users.

Abstract: A method of pre-caching data using thread lists, and a multi-media editing system using such a pre-caching method, are disclosed. A list of data which will be required by a host application is passed to a data storage device such as a hard disk drive, CDROM drive, or other data storage device. The data storage device locates the data and stores it in its own storage device buffer. Thus, the data is immediately available when requested by the host. The pre-caching method may be used in a multimedia or video editing system to quickly retrieve data from storage devices. The thread list may include a video thread, an audio thread and a data access parameter reflecting host data application requirements. The data access parameter may include at least one of data prioritization, cache management, error processing including resend capability, and data supply rate.