Abstract: An improved graphical user interface (GUI) is for use with an audio player or other device having a touchscreen or similar display, according to one embodiment of the invention. The content that is available for playing is represented on the GUI by a plurality of thumbnails, such as for example jacket cover art, displayed in a matrix. The matrix includes multiple playlists stacked vertically. A highlighted cursor or other selection indicator can be moved across the touchscreen and the thumbnails by a user, thus allowing the user to listen to the music or other content associated with a selected thumbnail. As the selection indicator moves between two thumbnails, the song/content associated with the first thumbnail crossfades into the song/content associated with the next thumbnail.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods for use in remote controlling devices including consumer electronic devices. Some embodiments provide a remote control system that comprises a processor, a display driver coupled with the processor, a touch screen display coupled with and receiving display control signals from the display driver such that the touch screen display displays one of a plurality of control views with a fixed number of function buttons displayed in each of the plurality of control views, a tactile screen cover extending over and covering the touch screen display through which selections of one or more of the function buttons is detected, and a wireless transmitter coupled with the processor that wirelessly transmits function signals in response to a detection of a selection of one of the function buttons.

Abstract: A computerized method, in accordance with various embodiments, for visual notification comprising detecting a device that is newly in communication with a computer; determining a type information for the device; and outputting an animated visual representation or a large visual representation on a display device corresponding to the type information for the device that is newly in communication with the computer.

Abstract: An interface apparatus includes a main unit, an array of interface modules, driver circuitry, and a remote unit. The main unit outputs files to an output unit, is detachably couplable to interface modules and assigns content identifiers to interface modules. The array presents an image to the user and each interface module can be engaged by a user. The driver circuitry is adapted to drive the array to present an image to the user based upon the user's engagement with an interface module. The remote unit is coupled to the output unit and can be detachably coupled to the interface module. When coupled to the interface module, the remote unit can access the assigned identifier and transmit a request signal to the main unit based on the identifier. The request signal is adapted to cause the main unit to output a file identified by the identifier to the output unit.

Abstract: A visual display interface is provided that comprises an associated display icon. The display icon is dragged across the visual display interface in a movement so as to cause the mixing of a plurality of media streams. The output is a new mix of the various media streams.

Abstract: A controller for use by a user is utilized to select media for playback by an entertainment system. A display displays a hierarchy of levels of options to the user. One level of the hierarchy of levels is displayed at a time. A physical dial is utilized to select an option on the one level of the hierarchy of levels in response to a physical movement of the physical dial. A processing device updates the display of the hierarchy of levels in response to selection of the option by the user. The processing device performs one of the following in response to the user selecting the option on the one level: (a) displaying a higher level of the hierarchy of levels, or (b) generating an instruction to cause media corresponding to the option to be played by the entertainment system.

Abstract: This invention is relative with a text displaying terminal unit used for preparation, transmission/reception and display of a text message. A text message entered by a user is collated to a keyword and, if there is a keyword in the text, displaying attributes of the text and/or the background image are added to the text to send the resulting text added by the displaying attributes to a server (400). Alternatively, the server may collate the text to the keyword to add the displaying attributes of the text and/or the background image to the text. A receiving side terminal unit receives an XML document (240b), added by the displaying attributes, from the server to display the XML document added by the displaying attributes as a motion text message. This motion text message may also be provided by the server to the user as the Web information.

Abstract: This invention is relative with a text displaying terminal unit used for preparation, transmission/reception and display of a text message. A text message entered by a user is collated to a keyword and, if there is a keyword in the text, displaying attributes of the text and/or the background image are added to the text to send the resulting text added by the displaying attributes to a server (400). Alternatively, the server may collate the text to the keyword to add the displaying attributes of the text and/or the background image to the text. A receiving side terminal unit receives an XML document (240b), added by the displaying attributes, from the server to display the XML document added by the displaying attributes as a motion text message. This motion text message may also be provided by the server to the user as the Web information.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, while composing a textual message, a portion of the textual message is dynamically indicated as having heightened emotional value. In one embodiment, this is indicated by depressing a key on a keyboard for a period longer than a typical debounce interval. While the key remains depressed, a plurality of text parameters for the character associated with the depressed key are accessed and one of the text parameters is chosen. Animation processing is then performed upon the textual message and the indicated portion of the textual message is visually emphasized in the animated text message.