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: 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.

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: Displaying and navigating items in an ordered list within a graphical user interface for viewing and utilizing the data are disclosed. An ordered list of data items can be used to generate an icon that represents the contents of the list. The icon can comprise images that best represent the items in the ordered list by choosing images associated with the highest ranked items in the ordered list. When the ordered list is selected by selecting the icon with a pointing device or keyboard the icon transforms to display an image of a currently selected data item with navigational controls. The navigational controls can receive inputs from a pointing device or keyboard to allow a user to navigate or browse through the items in the list without having to open a new view.

Abstract: Devices are identified by their owners and authorization to network two or more devices is based on device ownership. Data structures such as address books can store information about an owner of a device and maintain an entry indicating that a particular entry identifies the owner of the device. Other entries in the address book are contacts of the owner. A host device can authorize a client for communication with the host based on a relationship between the owner of the client and the owner of the host as indicated by the presence of the contact information of the client's owner in the host's address book. Devices and can enable communication and sharing of services and levels of access permissions based on the relationship of the owners' of the respective devices.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for organizing digital images based on locations of capture. On a small scale map of a geographic region that is displayed on a device, an object representing digital media items associated with a location in the geographic region are displayed. In response to receiving an input to display a portion of the map that includes the object, in a larger scale, multiple objects are displayed in the larger scale map, each of which represent a location of at least one of the multiple digital media items represented by the object in the small scale.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for organizing images including receiving an image that includes a representation of a human face; generating a correlation value indicating a likelihood that the human face corresponds to a stored facial profile associated with one or more profile images including a human face; evaluating the received image and the generated correlation value to determine, depending on a result of the evaluating, whether the image corresponds to the stored facial profile; associating the received image with the stored facial profile; and storing an indication of the associating.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for organizing images. In one aspect, a method can include generating a correlation value indicating a likelihood that a face included in a test image corresponds to a face associated with a base image, determining that a correlation threshold exceeds the correlation value and that the correlation value exceeds a non-correlation threshold, generating a similarity score based on one or more exposure values and one or more color distribution values corresponding to the test image and the base image, combining the similarity score with the correlation value to generate a weighted correlation value, and determining that the test image and the base image are correlated when the weighted correlation value exceeds the correlation threshold.

Abstract: A song audio is played and a graphical representation of a musical instrument contributing to the audio is displayed. A fingering display is overlayed on the graphical representation of the instrument during the playing of song. The fingering display is synchronized to the song audio. During the playing of the song audio, the tempo of the song is adjusted. The pitch of the song is substantially preserved in real-time despite the tempo adjustment. In addition, the synchronization between the fingering display and the audio are maintained in real-time in view of the adjusted tempo.

Abstract: System and method for categorizing digital media based on correspondence between characteristics of individual digital media items and characteristics associated with one or more calendar events is disclosed. Data is acquired and processed for each of a plurality of digital media items that is representative of characteristics of each of the respective digital media items. Further, data is acquired and processed for each of a plurality of calendar events that is representative of characteristics of each of the respective calendar events. Then, a group of digital media items are related together based on matching characteristics of each digital media item in the group to characteristics of a calendar event.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for automatically organizing and presenting photographs based on the date information associated with photographs. In one embodiment, a calendar-like user interface is provided. By interacting with the user-interface, the user can select specific dates. In response to the user's selections of the specific dates, the image organization tool displays all photographs that are associated with date information that falls within the specific dates.

Abstract: As the user operates the straighten control, the rotational orientation of a selected image is changed. According to one embodiment, a grid is superimposed over the image while the straighten control is being operated, to assist the user in selecting the proper rotational orientation. In addition, after a rotational adjustment, the image is automatically cropped to ensure that the orientation of the peripheral shape of the image remains unchanged.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for automatically organizing and presenting photographs based on the date information associated with photographs. In one embodiment, a calendar-like user interface is provided. By interacting with the user-interface, the user can select specific dates. In response to the user's selections of the specific dates, the image organization tool displays all photographs that are associated with date information that falls within the specific dates.

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: Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for implementing an automated presentation of media content having associated metadata. The system provides an automated transition that corresponds to a relationship between a first media content item's metadata and metadata associated with a second media content item. The automated system also provides an automated information overlay that corresponds to a relationship between a first media content item's associated metadata and metadata associated with a second media content item. The automated system also can obtain information corresponding to metadata of the media content and provides automated information overlays while displaying the media content in a presentation.

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: 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: 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: 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: This invention is directed to defining quick groups for easily associating keywords with an object (e.g., a media objection) accessible using an electronic device. The user of an electronic device may define several keywords that identify attributes of an object accessible using the electronic device. The user may associate keywords with an object to link the attribute of the keyword with the object (e.g., associate a keyword entitled “vacation” to vacation pictures). The user may assign a shortcut key to each of a subset of the keywords, referred to as quick groups, by which the user may rapidly associate the keyword to an object. In some embodiments, the electronic device may select the shortcut key of a quick group from the letters of the quick group to help the user remember the shortcut key.