Abstract: According to a preferred aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a system and method that allows an individual to upload any combination of still images, video images, and/or audio files to a central server. Then, the system will automatically and dynamically create a slide show using the materials provided. The images might be shown sequentially or randomly. The user's video files will be incorporated into the show and the audio data will be used to create a background soundtrack when displaying still images. Additionally, the resolution and the data values of specific multimedia files comprising the slide show will be modified dynamically to fit the user's bandwidth, with high resolution images/videos being used if the user has a high speed connection to the central server.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for generating music on multiple cell phones or other mobile computing devices, wherein two or more users (to include a user and a computer) acting together may create a joint musical work. The instant methods enable multiple users to create music in a synchronized fashion by using their cell phones or other portable electronic devices as musical instruments. The instant invention has been made possible because of the enhanced processor power within mobile electronic devices and has the potential to create added value in such devices by assisting users in exploiting multimedia features of their cell phones.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for automatically enhancing or creating ringtones for use on cellular phones. In the preferred embodiment, a user will be able to create an enhanced ringtone that is recognizable and distinct when played via a cell phone. The user will preferably begin by selecting the input audio material. An automatic analysis of the audio material is preferably conducted in order to determine a synthetic tone series that best represents it. An enhanced ringtone is then created by combining the original audio material with the tone series to form a unified audio work. The instant invention is primarily intended for use with cell phones but would also be useful elsewhere and this is especially so where the device that plays the enhanced audio material has limited audio capabilities.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for automatically creating digital video works within a remote server based on digital image content contained in a user's camera cell phone or attached memory card. In the preferred arrangement, the cell phone owner will begin by selecting digital content (e.g., still images and/or video clips) that is to appear in the video work. Optionally, the user will also select a video theme or style that is to be given to the video. The details of the user's choices and the selected video images will be sent to a remote server where the video work will be automatically created. The completed video will then be transmitted back to the user for viewing on his or her own cell phone, thereby creating a custom video work without requiring interaction with a desktop or laptop personal computer.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for creating and storing encrypted digital media files that are compatible with a base audio work and that provide the artist some degree of control over how the encrypted files are used. The encrypted files will preferably be stored on an audio CD along with conventional/unencrypted audio in such a fashion that the user will be able to immediately play the audio material. Preferably, the encrypted information will include auxiliary audio information such as additional music tracks, remixes of some of the songs, and other materials that allow a user to create remixes. Additionally, the creator of the encrypted material will be able to specify rules that define how the user can use the encrypted information. Preferably, the encrypted information will be created by the artist during the creation of the CD's unprotected audio content.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for enabling a user of digital video editing software to automatically create an emotionally controlled soundtrack that is matched in overall emotion or mood to the scenes in the underlying video work. In the preferred arrangement, the user will be able to control the generation of the soundtrack by positioning emotion tags in the video work that correspond to the general mood of each scene. The subsequent soundtrack generation step will utilize these tags to prepare a musical accompaniment to the video work that generally matches its on-screen activities.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for the efficient creation of a digital video work from a number of digital still images. The instant method will provide the essential functions required for the creation of such a video work via an intuitive and easy to use graphical user interface. Additionally, the instant invention will enable the user to select and apply transformations and effects with only minimal user interaction, preferably via a single mouse click.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for generating music on multiple cell phones or other mobile computing devices, wherein two or more users (to include a user and a computer) acting together may create a joint musical work. The instant methods enable multiple users to create music in a synchronised fashion by using their cell phones or other portable electronic devices as musical instruments. The instant invention has been made possible because of the enhanced processor power within mobile electronic devices and has the potential to create added value in such devices by assisting users in exploiting multimedia features of their cell phones.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for automatic adaptation of the graphical user interface of computer program to accommodate a wide variety of display devices, thereby ensuring that the user of the software is supplied with a graphical user interface that is designed to be viewable and operable on a wide variety of connected display devices. The instant invention is further designed to assist the user that wishes to work with two different display devices, either simultaneously or one after the other. The selection of the appropriate graphical user interface is preferably carried out after an automatic detection step that determines the technical specifications of the connected display devices and matches those specifications with GUIs that have been previously developed for use on particular sorts of displays.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for adapting high resolution input material to display specifications of a particular display device, thereby ensuring that the high quality of the input material is preserved as best as possible in the final video work. The instant invention is an improvement over traditional media editing programs, in that controls are provided to ensure the quality of the final product. Additionally specific movement effects selectable when working with still images are also separately monitored by the instant invention to ensure an efficient application of these effects, thereby preserving the visual quality of the material.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for enabling a digital photo device to create pictures that contain live images that have been combined with predefined templates in real time, wherein the user selects graphical or effect templates which have been provided by the software developer. Preferably the combination of the templates and subject image will be displayed in real-time so that the user will know exactly how the final product will appear before the image is captured. Preferably, a preview screen will be used to display the combined templates/subject image in real time and the final digital image is similarly captured, calculated, and stored in real time.

Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment, there is provided a computer program for use in the creation and editing of multimedia works which provides a much simplified method of selecting and placing multimedia clips into a composition. In one preferred embodiment, the user is provided with a graphical user interface which might appear to be similar to that of a traditional multimedia editing program, but wherein the user can add to or modify the multimedia content contained therein by simply clicking the mouse above an empty track location, with the replacement clips being chosen and inserted into the work automatically. In another embodiment, clips presently within a multimedia work are automatically replaced with commonly themed or compatible clips upon user selection.

Abstract: There is provided herein a method of defining and storing remixing of existing musical and video works. As a first step, various segments of a digital song or video work are identified, preferably in terms of their starting and ending times. Given the defined loops or video clips, the user next forms a remix of the selected song/video work using those components. The final product, i.e., the resulting remix, can then be completely specified in terms of the loop/clip definitions together with the time at which each of the defined loops/clips appears in the final mix. The remix can thus be compactly stored as a computer file.

Abstract: There is provided herein an invention that utilizes a themed template which is designed to assist novice video editors quickly compose a complete video work which memorializes a particular familiar occasion such as, for example, a birthday, a wedding, a trips to a theme park, etc. The template for each such occasion will be customized with predefined cells that are annotated with descriptions of events that might occur during said occasions. A user will be able to drop his or her own video and/or audio clips taken at the occasion into the cells and, if this is done according to the annotations, thereby create a complete video work that memorializes the selected occasion.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing song-to-song transitions in a multi-channel audio environment, preferably a surround environment. In the inventive method, by independently manipulating the volumes of the various channels of each program during transitions, an illusion of motion is imparted to the program which is ending to create an impression that the song is exiting while motion is imparted to the program which is starting to create an impression that the song is entering. Optionally delay may be used to further enhance the effect. In a preferred system, each audio channel includes inputs for both the ending and starting programs, independent volume controls for each program. In one preferred embodiment, the system further includes a means for imparting delay to each program and volume control for the delayed audio to provide greater depth to the illusion of motion.

Abstract: There is provided an improved system and method of determining the tempo of a digitized musical work that, optionally, allows a user to participate in the BPM determination. A first preferred aspect includes determination of estimates of the BPM of a musical work by utilizing at least two different algorithms, thereby producing a plurality of separate BPM candidates. As a further preferred aspect, the method utilizes, as an optional step, input from the user to assist in selecting the “best” BPM from among the plurality of BPMs determined previously. Preferably, the user is given the option of “tapping along” with the music by pressing the mouse or a key on the computer in time to the music as it is played. The program analyzes the first few taps and, from that input, selects from the BPMs the one that is most consistent with the user's input.

Abstract: There is provided herein a method of defining and storing remixing of existing musical and video works. As a first step, various segments of a digital song or video work are identified, preferably in terms of their starting and ending times. Given the defined loops or video clips, the user next forms a remix of the selected song/video work using those components. The final product, i.e., the resulting remix, can then be completely specified in terms of the loop/clip definitions together with the time at which each of the defined loops/clips appears in the final mix. The remix can thus be compactly stored as a computer file.

Abstract: There is provided an improved system and method of determining the tempo of a digitized musical work that, optionally, allows a user to participate in the BPM determination. A first preferred aspect includes determination of estimates of the BPM of a musical work by utilizing at least two different algorithms, thereby producing a plurality of separate BPM candidates. As a further preferred aspect, the method utilizes, as an optional step, input from the user to assist in selecting the “best” BPM from among the plurality of BPMs determined previously. Preferably, the user is given the option of “tapping along” with the music by pressing the mouse or a key on the computer in time to the music as it is played. The program analyzes the first few taps and, from that input, selects from the BPMs the one that is most consistent with the user's input.