Abstract: An audio or video enhancement module incorporates advanced audio enhancement effects. These advanced effects cover a wide range including but not limited to 3D audio spatialization (virtualization) and transient enhancement. The device is configured for receiving an audio input signal, in analog or digital form, enhancing the received signal, and transmitting an output audio signal having the enhanced effects embedded in the signal. The output signal may be either digital or audio. Further, the output signal may be a mono signal, a stereo signal, a MIDI signal, or a multichannel signal (such as 2.1, 5.1, 7.1, etc.). User input to the module is provided to control the amount of audio enhancement.

Abstract: There is provided a portable media player including: a non-volatile memory; a decoder for playing back media files stored in the memory; a display unit for displaying information from the media files stored in the memory; a MIDI synthesizer coupled to the processor; a sound input for passing sound signals through an analog-digital converter and subsequently, the synthesizer. There is also a sound output for transmitting sound signals from the synthesizer; and a port for the coupling of a sound composition apparatus to the media player. A method for composing music using the portable media player is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided apparatus comprising a user interface for displaying a plurality of items. The apparatus is arranged: a) to receive at least one instruction, by which instruction or instructions, one or more of a plurality of items initially displayed on the user interface is or are categorized as an item or items to be hidden and the remaining one or more of the plurality of items initially displayed on the user interface is or are categorized as an item or items to be displayed; b) to receive an instruction to hide, from the user interface, the one or more items to be hidden; and c) to hide from the user interface, the one or more items to be hidden, such that the item or items categorized as items to be displayed are displayed on the user interface, and the item or items categorized as items to be hidden are not displayed on the user interface. In one preferred arrangement, the apparatus is an electronic device.

Abstract: A portable data storage device (100) for connection with an electronic device (51), the device (100) comprising: a first data connector (110) for connecting to a host port (50) of the electronic device (51), a second data connector (120) for connecting to a second portable data storage device (200), wherein the first and second data connectors (110, 120) comply with a common connector standard.

Abstract: There is a provided a method and apparatus for enabling a user to amend an audio file, via a user interface for controlling a driver for re-authoring the audio file. The method comprises the following steps: a) associating an icon on said user interface with one or more instruments or sets of instruments in said audio file; b) providing a selection of possible trajectories for each said icon, each trajectory defining the virtual path, relative to said user, of the associated instrument or set of instruments; c) providing a display on said user interface for showing the position of each said icon, each position defining the virtual position, relative to said user, of the associated instrument or set of instruments; d) the user selecting an icon; e) the user assigning a position and/or a trajectory from the selection, to the selected icon; and g) indicating, on said display, the position of the selected icon and whether a trajectory has been assigned to the selected icon.

Abstract: A memory-based audio player with illumination comprising a casing and an audio system within the casing. The audio system is able to be powered by an energy source when the energy source is operatively connected to the audio system. At least one light source is mounted to a first wall of the casing and is able to be energized by the energy source when the energy source is located within the audio player. A switch is mounted to the casing for controlling the energization of the light source by the energy source. There is also a rewritable memory for storing digital media tracks. The audio system comprises an audio processor for playing media tracks stored in the rewritable memory; and an output coupled to the audio processor.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to process a digital image is provided. The method may comprise receiving host image data, receiving audio data and embedding the audio data within the host image data to provide an embedded image wherein the audio data if freely recoverable from the embedded image. The method may comprise processing the audio data using a Short Term Fourier Transformation (STFT) prior to embedding the audio data within the host image data. The method may reduce an amount of digital data that represents an audio signal included in the audio data prior to embedding the audio data within the host image. In one embodiment, the method comprises quantizing magnitude data and discarding phase data of the audio signal to provide the audio data for embedding. The method may comprise quantizing the audio data to match a shell of a D4 Lattice.

Abstract: A system for forming a panoramic image, the system comprising: (a) a digital still camera for taking still images and having a panoramic mode for creating a panoramic image, the camera comprising a photographic imaging system for capturing a plurality of still photographic images used to form the panoramic image; (b) a transfer module for receiving the plurality of still photographic images to be automatically stitched together to form the panoramic image, the transfer module comprising a processor; (c) the processor being for automatically processing the plurality of still photographic images to automatically form the panoramic image, the processor comprising a stitching engine to automatically form the panoramic image; and (d) a memory for storing at least one of the panoramic image and the plurality of still photographic images.

Abstract: A digital still camera comprises an imaging system for capturing a single image of printed material containing a printed audio format; a processor for extracting encoded audio data from the image; a decoder for receiving and decoding the encoded audio data to an audio signal; and an audio output for outputting the audio signal as audio.

Abstract: A method to alter the pitch of a portion of a music keyboard by a transposition, including: upon a prescribed function key being activated to provide the transposition function for the portion, and upon a music key of the music keyboard being activated; determining if the transposition function has been activated and, if the music key is in the portion and checking a lookup table and altering a note corresponding to the music key by the transposition. Also disclosed is a method for enabling a bending of at least one note produced by a musical keyboard such that, upon a bending function being activated and a range for the bending being selected and set, and upon at least one music key of the music keyboard being pressed by a user to cause the at least one note to be produced and the bending function being instructed, bending the at least one note in accordance with the selected and set range for the bending. Keyboards for performing the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An alphanumeric keyboard has a plurality of alphanumeric keys and includes at least one built-in microphone. The at least one microphone is controlled by a processor such that the at least one microphone is able to be operated in an automatic mode. When in the automatic mode and an alphanumeric key is activated, the at least one microphone is deactivated for a predetermined period. The predetermined period is controlled by a timer. Also disclosed is the inclusion in the keyboard of one or more of: echo cancellation; a card reader; a wireless data receiver; and a contactless induction charger.

Abstract: A multimedia console incorporating an alphanumeric keyboard, and a musical key-bed is described for generating multimedia work product conveniently when coupled with a digital personal computer or optionally as a stand alone music equipment. The musical key-bed is optionally detachably coupled with a protective cover for providing ergonomic support when said musical key-bed is not being used.