Abstract: A unique material identifier (UMID) for a media file that was not provided with a UMID at its point of origination is generated by using the content of the file, and is independent of the time of file import or accessing. For a given item of media material, the UMID remains unchanged and uniquely identifies the item when such a file is imported or accessed multiple times. The UMID may be generated by hashing together selected portions of the metadata and essence of the media file. The amount of metadata and essence sampled is chosen to provide a high degree of assurance that the UMID will be unique, but is kept small enough so as to avoid causing a perceptible lag when the UMID is generated. In various embodiments the UMID is based purely on one or more selected portions of the media file essence.

Abstract: A unique material identifier (UMID) for a media file that was not provided with a UMID at its point of origination is generated by using the content of the file, and is independent of the time of file import or accessing. For a given item of media material, the UMID remains unchanged and uniquely identifies the item when such a file is imported or accessed multiple times. The UMID may be generated by hashing together selected portions of the metadata and essence of the media file. The amount of metadata and essence sampled is chosen to provide a high degree of assurance that the UMID will be unique, but is kept small enough so as to avoid causing a perceptible lag when the UMID is generated. In various embodiments the UMID is based purely on one or more selected portions of the media file essence.

Abstract: Computer-based methods for time-based media composition of programs that include secondary material. The methods involve searching for secondary media available from secondary material providers over a wide-area network, selecting secondary material, receiving metadata pertaining to the selected secondary material, inserting a representation of the selected secondary media into a media composition, playing back a sequence of the media composition that includes the secondary media, wherein playback of the secondary media involves playing an evaluation version of the secondary media streamed to a media composition system over the wide area network, and displaying metadata pertaining to the selected secondary material. The media composition system facilitates purchasing and transfer, and re-linking of the secondary media for inclusion within the media composition.

Abstract: Computer-based methods for time-based media composition of programs that include secondary material. The methods involve searching for secondary media available from secondary material providers over a wide-area network, selecting secondary material, receiving metadata pertaining to the selected secondary material, inserting a representation of the selected secondary media into a media composition, playing back a sequence of the media composition that includes the secondary media, wherein playback of the secondary media involves playing an evaluation version of the secondary media streamed to a media composition system over the wide area network, and displaying metadata pertaining to the selected secondary material. The media composition system facilitates purchasing and transfer, and re-linking of the secondary media for inclusion within the media composition.

Abstract: Computer-based methods for time-based media composition of programs that include secondary material. The methods involve searching for secondary media available from secondary material providers over a wide-area network, selecting secondary material, receiving metadata pertaining to the selected secondary material, inserting a representation of the selected secondary media into a media composition, playing back a sequence of the media composition that includes the secondary media, wherein playback of the secondary media involves playing an evaluation version of the secondary media streamed to a media composition system over the wide area network, and displaying metadata pertaining to the selected secondary material. The media composition system facilitates purchasing and transfer, and re-linking of the secondary media for inclusion within the media composition.

Abstract: Methods and Apparatus for identifying numerical digits in voice mail messages are provided. In one aspect, a voice mail system identifies digit strings, such as telephone numbers, in voice mail messages and allows a user of the voice mail system to move ahead to a next digit string or to move back to a prior digit string in the voice mail message. The voice mail system may also include a caller identification system that identifies the telephone number of a caller that has left a voice mail message, and allows automatic call back if a digit string in the voice mail message matches the telephone number of the caller.