Abstract: The invention relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for assessing a musical performance. The musical performance can include a user's performance of a musical instrument. MIDI or audio notes are input and compared to the notes of a music track. An indication is provided to assess the musical performance. The assessment can be on the basis of timing and/or pitch errors.

Abstract: Information is presented to a user by accessing a library of electronic publications that includes a first publication, generating a representation of the first publication in an electronic bookshelf, determining a state for the first publication and modifying the representation of the first publication to reflect the state of the first publication.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device with a touch interface detects one or more user gestures that correspond to instructions to vary the playback speed of a media file that is being played on the device. In response, the device initiates a variable rate scan through the media file, forward or backward. The touch interface can be a touch screen or touch pad.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for managing access to a digital content item (such as an ebook, music, movie, software application) to be transferred from one user to another. The transferor is prevented from accessing the digital content item after the transfer occurs. The entity that sold the digital content item to the transferor enforces the access rights to the digital content item by storing data that establishes which user currently has access to the digital content item. After the change in access rights, only the transferee is allowed access to the digital content item. As part of the change in access rights, the transferee may pay to obtain access to the digital content item. A portion of the proceeds of the “resale” may be paid to the creator or publisher of the digital content item and/or the entity that originally sold the digital content item to the original owner.

Abstract: A method at a client device includes displaying media library information corresponding to a set of media items. The media items include one or more local media items, the one or more local media items including media items stored at the client device, and one or more remote media items, the one or more remote media items including media items stored at a remote system and not at the client device. The method also includes displaying, concurrently with displaying the media library information, affordances identifying the remote media items; detecting user interaction with an affordance identifying a respective remote media item; and in response to detecting the user interaction, initiating a process for downloading a copy of the respective remote media item to the client device for storage at the client device.

Abstract: Playlists having media items from more than one source are described. Media items in a first library are mapped to media items from an online media item store. Media items within the playlist that can be found in the first library will be played from the first library, while media items not within the first library will be played from the online media store. By identifying media items present in both libraries and playing them only from the first library, the described method can reduce the royalties needing to be paid by the online media store. Further methods are disclosed for setting limits on the number of media items that can be shared by a second library.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for assessing a musical performance. The musical performance can include a user's performance of a musical instrument. MIDI or audio notes are input and compared to the notes of a music track. An indication is provided to assess the musical performance. The assessment can be on the basis of timing and/or pitch errors.

Abstract: Playlists having media items from more than one source are described. Media items in a first library are mapped to media items from an online media item store. Media items within the playlist that can be found in the first library will be played from the first library, while media items not within the first library will be played from the online media store. By identifying media items present in both libraries and playing them only from the first library, the described method can reduce the royalties needing to be paid by the online media store. Further methods are disclosed for setting limits on the number of media items that can be shared by a second library.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are described for selecting an image of a caller associated with an incoming call. In one aspect, a method includes identifying a caller associated with an incoming call from an originating telecommunications device. The method also includes locating plurality images of the identified caller, and randomly displaying on the mobile telecommunications device's display screen one or more images from among the located plurality images of the identified caller.

Abstract: Information is presented to a user by accessing a library of electronic publications that includes a first publication, generating a representation of the first publication in an electronic bookshelf, determining a state for the first publication and modifying the representation of the first publication to reflect the state of the first publication.

Abstract: Digital media categorization can include receiving information including a plurality of media objects and a metadata tag descriptive of at least a first media object; comparing the first media object with a second media object; and selectively associating the first media object's metadata tag with the second media object based on a result of the comparison. Each media object can include a digital image.

Abstract: To help a reader of an electronic document, e.g., an eBook, find his or her reading location following a repagination event, an electronic reader application executing on an electronic device displays a first portion of content of the electronic document, detects that the reader has performed a predetermined action that triggers repagination of the electronic document, and repaginating the electronic document to cause the reader application to display a second portion of content of the electronic document, the second portion including at least some of the first portion of content and at least some newly visible content of the electronic document, such that the newly visible content appears visually different, at least temporarily, from the first portion of content that remains visible.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes displaying multiple content items in a user interface, where each content item has an initial time value. Input is received to modify time values of the multiple content items. Input of a new time value for a content item of the multiple content items is also received. A change amount value is determined based on the difference between an initial time value of the content item and the new time value. For each content item, the initial time value is modified to a different time value by applying the change amount value to the initial time value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided providing users with the ability to create and produce multimedia devices. In one aspect of the present invention, users are provided with the capability to easily and seamlessly create slideshows using multiple forms of graphic elements instead of just still pictures. In another aspect of the present invention, users are provided with the capability to create and modify the DVD menu that is required for DVDs to function properly on conventional DVD players. In still another aspect of the present invention, users are provided with an intuitive graphic interface that simply and clearly explains the trade offs the user must make in deciding which mode to record the DVD.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a computer-based application that allows its users to insert their pictures in a variety of different photo books. Each photo book has several pages that have one or more picture fields for presenting pictures. Different photo books can differ in their size, themes, covers, page designs, page colors, picture-field designs, picture-field layouts, and/or other attributes. In some embodiments, the application also allows the users to modify photo books that they select. For instance, a user can modify the page design, color, frame design, and/or other thematic aspects of a selected photo books. Also, in some embodiments, the user can add picture and text fields to the photo book. Once the user has completed designing the photo book and inserting pictures in the photo book, the user can order the photo book through an online transaction that is initiated through the application.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are described for resolving duplicate images. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining a selection of a single image from among a plurality of duplicate images. Each duplicate image has an associated set of metadata. The method also includes aggregating each set of metadata into aggregated information, and storing the selected image together with the aggregated information on data storage accessible to a data processing apparatus.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are described for selecting an image of a caller associated with an incoming call. In one aspect, a method includes identifying a caller associated with an incoming call from an originating telecommunications device. The method also includes locating plurality images of the identified caller, and randomly displaying on the mobile telecommunications device's display screen one or more images from among the located plurality images of the identified caller.

Abstract: Among other things, methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed for manipulating media. In one aspect, a first set of media item images is displayed in a first region of a display screen. The media item images are moved about a predetermined path within the first region in response to a received input. A second set of media item images is displayed in a second region of the display screen where the second set of media item images are associated with an indicated media item image displayed in the first region. At least one of the media item images in the second set of media item images displayed in the second region is different from the indicated media item image.

Abstract: Playlists having media items from more than one source are described. Media items in a first library are mapped to media items from an online media item store. Media items within the playlist that can be found in the first library will be played from the first library, while media items not within the first library will be played from the online media store. By identifying media items present in both libraries and playing them only from the first library, the described method can reduce the royalties needing to be paid by the online media store. Further methods are disclosed for setting limits on the number of media items that can be shared by a second library.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a computer-based application that allows its users to insert their pictures in a variety of different photo album books (called photo books below). Each photo book has several pages that have one or more picture fields for presenting pictures. Different photo books can differ in their size, themes, covers, page designs, page colors, picture-field designs, picture-field layouts, and/or other attributes. In some embodiments, the application also allows the users to modify photo books that they select. For instance, in some embodiments, a user can modify the page design, color, frame design, and/or other thematic aspects of a selected photo books. Also, in some embodiments, the user can add picture and text fields to the photo book. Once the user has completed designing the photo book and inserting pictures in the photo book, the user can order the photo book through an online transaction that is initiated through the application.