Abstract: An audio system and method are disclosed. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an electronic device having a display, a wireless receiver, and a housing component at least partially defining a cavity in which the wireless receiver is secured. The system may also include a device interface system that has a sound system connector and a mounting region. The sound system connector may communicatively coupled the device interface system to an existing sound system, and the mounting region may be capable of releasably engaging the electronic device such that a contact portion of the device interface system contacts a conductive element of the electronic device to form at least a portion of a communication path interconnecting the sound system and the electronic device.

Abstract: A therapeutic floor mat system and method are disclosed. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mat having an aromatherapy cavity. The aromatherapy cavity may be formed to at least partially hold an aromatic substance. In some cases, the mat may be operational as a shower mat and may have a top surface with a shape that defines a perimeter, and a bottom surface spaced apart from the top surface. Depending upon design detail, the aromatherapy cavity may be at least partially located beneath the top surface.

Abstract: A method for conducting a collaborative web-based whiteboard session, including receiving one or more whiteboard annotations in first units in a first client application component, converting the one or more whiteboard annotations from the first units into second units by utilizing a software component associated with the first client application component, sending the one or more whiteboard annotations, in the second units, to a second client application component, converting the one or more whiteboard annotations received from the first client application component from the second units into coordinates specific to the second client application component, and presenting the one or more whiteboard annotations using the coordinates specific to the second client application component to a user through the second client application component.

Abstract: A method for providing broadcast content is disclosed. The method maintains a system to deliver regionally broadcasted content to an electronic device located outside a region of the regionally broadcasted content, provides an application for the electronic device that allows the electronic device to request a streaming media signal representing the regionally broadcasted content even if the electronic device is located outside of the region, and communicates the streaming media signal to the electronic device responsive to a user request.

Abstract: A media managing method is disclosed. A method links a graphical interface soft button with a media file saved in a memory system of a portable electronic device, maintains a collection of information that represents the graphical interface soft button in the memory system, and communicates at least some of the collection to a different electronic device in order to allow a user to view a representation of the graphical interface soft button on an associated display of the different electronic device. The method further receives a signal to begin playing the media file in response to a selection of the representation.

Abstract: A method for content delivery is disclosed. The method provides a digital engine accessible by a wireless communication device via an information network, maintains selectable content digitally formatted, receives a user selection of a content file, initiates transmission of the content file to the wireless communication device for storage and processing, and initiates transmission of additional information associated with the content file to the wireless communication device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring the athletic performance of a user while also providing the user with entertainment such as an outputting of music. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a housing component at least partially defining an enclosure. A performance engine may be located within the enclosure and may utilize a signal from a motion sensor to generate a performance metric like current speed, distance traveled, or cadence. The system may also include an audio and/or a visual output mechanism such as a speaker assembly or a display device. The output mechanism may be capable of presenting the performance metric to a user.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for monitoring the athletic performance of a user while also providing the user with entertainment such as an outputting of music. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a housing component at least partially defining an enclosure. A performance engine may be located within the enclosure and may utilize a signal from a motion sensor to generate a performance metric like current speed, distance traveled, or cadence. The system may also include an audio and/or a visual output mechanism such as a speaker assembly or a display device. The output mechanism may be capable of presenting the performance metric to a user.

Abstract: A content delivery system and method are disclosed. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a personal computer having a storage device. The personal computer may have a software application saved on the storage device. In practice, the application may be capable of directing the personal computer to communicatively couple with a network based resource and to initiate presentation of a graphical user interface (GUI) at the user computer system. In some cases, the GUI may act as a user interface for the network based resource. The system may also include a portable audio file player with a collection of locally saved instructions. The instructions may direct a processor of the player to maintain an updateable user interface that includes a menu of selectable icons and to modify the updateable user interface in connection with receiving an audio file from the personal computer.

Abstract: A media managing method is disclosed. The method links a graphical interface soft button with a media file saved in a memory system of a portable electronic device, maintains a collection of information that represents the graphical interface soft button in the memory system, and communicates at least some of the collection to a different electronic device in order to allow a user to view a representation of the graphical interface soft button on an associated display of the different electronic device. The method further receives a signal to begin playing the media file in response to a selection of the representation.

Abstract: An audio system and method are disclosed. A method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, making a user interface available to a user. In practice, the user may indicate a desire to download a content file by selecting a link on the user interface page, which may be a webpage. In response, a first copy of the content file having an appropriate format may be made available for download to the user's cellular telephone over a wireless link and second copy of the content file having a different format may be made available to the user's personal computer.

Abstract: An audio system and method are disclosed. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an electronic device having a display, a memory, an audio file player, and a housing component at least partially defining a cavity in which the memory and the audio file player are secured. In one embodiment, the electronic device may be a portable MP3 player. The system may also include a processor or playlist engine that can maintain a first playlist and a second playlist. In practice, the first playlist may include a selection of audio content having a corresponding audio file saved in the memory of the electronic device. In one embodiment, the system may also include an automobile having an automobile sound system that has a speaker and an in dash sound system component, which may be removably coupled to the electronic device via a cable.

Abstract: An athletic performance monitoring system and method are disclosed that assist a user in monitoring an athletic endeavor. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a local area wireless transceiver capable of receiving a signal from a motion sensor. A performance engine may be communicatively coupled to the local area wireless transceiver. In operation, the performance engine may utilize the signal from the motion sensor to generate a performance metric like average speed or distance traveled. The system may also include an output mechanism such as an audio device capable of presenting the performance metric to a user in an audible message while also being capable of playing an audio representation of music to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for communicating selected information to an electronic device. The disclosed system may include a digital engine operable to maintain data representing the selected information in a digital format. In some embodiments, the digital engine may be communicatively coupled to a graphical user interface that allows a user to identify the selected information. The system may also include a communication engine communicatively coupled to the digital engine, the communication engine may be operable to wirelessly communicate the data representing the selected information to an electronic device.

Abstract: A pedometer system and method of use are disclosed that assist a user in monitoring an athletic endeavor. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a pedometer housing component at least partially defining an enclosure. A local area wireless transceiver capable of receiving a signal from a motion sensor may be located within the enclosure. A performance engine may also be located within the enclosure and may be communicatively coupled to the local area wireless transceiver. In operation, the performance engine may utilize the signal from the motion sensor to generate a performance metric like average speed or distance traveled. The system may also include an output mechanism such as an audio device capable of presenting the performance metric to a user in an audible message. A device embodying the performance engine may also embody an audio file player such as an MP3 player.

Abstract: A device and method for imparting movement to a selected line are disclosed. A device incorporating teachings of the present invention may include a motion arm extending through an opening in the housing of the device. The arm may be coupled to a connection clip that can grip a selected line. The selected line may include, for example, twisted pair, coaxial cable, optical cable, shielded high-gauge wire, etc. In some embodiments, the arm of the device is coupled to a motion generator that imparts movement to the motion arm in at least one direction. In operation, the imparted movement may be conveyed through the motion arm and the connection clip to the selected wire.

Abstract: A digital video recorder (DVR) has a memory to simultaneously store consecutive video programs in a sequence of video programs. An automatic program selector automatically adds a video program from the sequence to a download schedule in response to playback of a first of the consecutive video programs in the memory, the video program sequentially following a last of the consecutive video programs stored in the memory. A modem downloads the video program from a video server based on the download schedule for storage in the memory.

Abstract: A list of video programs downloadable via a digital subscriber line, including a presently-unavailable video program and its associated date of download availability, is presented to a user. A user selection of the video program is received. Based on the user selection, an entry is added to a download schedule to schedule downloading the video program on or after its associated date of download availability. The video program is downloaded via the digital subscriber line based on the download schedule.

Abstract: A device and method for imparting movement to a selected line are disclosed. A device incorporating teachings of the present invention may include a motion arm extending through an opening in the housing of the device. The arm may be coupled to a connection clip that can grip a selected line. The selected line may include, for example, twisted pair, coaxial cable, optical cable, shielded high-gauge wire, etc. In some embodiments, the arm of the device is coupled to a motion generator that imparts movement to the motion arm in at least one direction. In operation, the imparted movement may be conveyed through the motion arm and the connection clip to the selected wire.