Abstract: There is provided a system for downloading digital content to a portable media player, the digital content being published in a media channel by a content creator. The system may reside on a server accessible via the Internet. The system may comprise: a data receiver module to receive the digital content from the media channel via a communication medium; a conversion module to convert the received digital content to at least one format for consumption by the player; and a download module to copy the at least one file to the portable media player. The system may further comprise a player detection module to detect file formats compatible with the portable media player. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A content management method and apparatus for storing and deleting content, backing up content, and restoring the backup content are provided. The method includes receiving the content from a first server and storing the content, and generating and storing content information including information about a location from which the content can be downloaded.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a user communication interface, a memory for storing music tracks, a music player capable of playing back the music tracks, and a processor provided for measuring, for each of the music tracks, how many times the music track is played back and how long time the music track is played back each time; calculating a parameter value for each of the music tracks based on how many times the music track is played back and how long time the music track is played back each time; and creating a play list of music tracks based on the parameter values.

Abstract: Media collections (MC) service embodiments are presented which generally facilitate access to diverse forms of media by resolving an identifier tuple assigned to a content item into a set of one or more Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) which point to an instance of the content item. This scheme supports the upload and query of collections of media elements such as images, audio, video, deep zoom images, photosynth and so on. In addition, the foregoing scheme affords a standard way to bind to media that persists, and makes it easier to author and play content while being flexible about where the media is located.

Abstract: A method and system for generating playlists for content items is provided. Generating a playlist involves monitoring user interaction with one or more content items as user-content interactions, determining a context associated with one or more user-content interactions, and generating a playlist of the content items based on the user-content interactions and the associated context.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture for providing list of a plurality of media programs responsive to a user search query is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of accepting an general search query from a user computer, identifying a synonym for the general search query, identifying a category for the general search query according to the identified synonym, performing a categorical search of a media program database using the identified synonym and the identified category to obtain a search result, and transmitting the search result to the user computer for presentation on a display communicatively coupled to the user computer.

Abstract: There is presented a system for providing a content stored on a medium, the system comprising a media presentation module including a processor. The processor is configured to retrieve a content payload including a digital content from a data structure residing on the medium, and to retrieve a content-describing metadata stored separately from the digital content, from the data structure. The content-describing metadata provide content information including media encoding information for the digital content and a media profile information for the digital content. The content-describing metadata are configured to provide the content information to the media presentation module prior to rendering the digital content. In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to configure the media presentation module based on the media encoding information and the media profile information, and to present the content on a display.

Abstract: The overall architecture and details of a scalable video fingerprinting and identification system that is robust with respect to many classes of video distortions is described. In this system, a fingerprint for a piece of multimedia content is composed of a number of compact signatures, along with traversal hash signatures and associated metadata. Numerical descriptors are generated for features found in a multimedia clip, signatures are generated from these descriptors, and a reference signature database is constructed from these signatures. Query signatures are also generated for a query multimedia clip. These query signatures are searched against the reference database using a fast similarity search procedure, to produce a candidate list of matching signatures. This candidate list is further analyzed to find the most likely reference matches. Signature correlation is performed between the likely reference matches and the query clip to improve detection accuracy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media for representing media assets. The method includes receiving an original media asset and derivative versions of the original media asset and associated descriptors, determining a lineage to each derivative version that traces to the original media asset, generating a version history tree of the original media asset representing the lineage to each derivative version and associated descriptors from the original media asset, and presenting at least part of the version history tree to a user. In one aspect, the method further includes receiving a modification to one associated descriptor and updating associated descriptors for related derivative versions with the received modification. The original media asset and the derivative versions of the original media asset can share a common identifying mark.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for displaying real-time computer mediated user consumption data, comprising: accessing consumption data corresponding to real-time computer mediated user consumption behavior; parsing the consumption data to identify one or more events comprising one or more instances of consumption data and wherein each event is associated with a user; adding the events to an event stack comprising a predetermined stack limit; and storing the consumption data for each event in a data structure configured to correlate related consumption data and provide a temporal context to the stored consumption data wherein addition of graphical symbols to a visualization display is responsive to the arrangement of the consumption data in the data structure.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example network device having a controller to receive multiple streams of content for portions of a multimedia work (MMW), perform a high level analysis for features in each of the streams for the MMW, perform a specialized analysis on the portion having a detected general feature to generate a content analysis output, correlate the content analysis output with other content analysis of the MMW, and output a weighted content description based on the correlation function. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) and a method for creating summaries of multimedia documents, the device comprising a storage means and means enabling a user to view a multimedia document. According to the invention, the device comprises means of automatically weighting multimedia documents stored in the storage means according to the frequency with which the different stored documents are viewed by said user, means of creating a summary of the multimedia documents stored on the storage means according to the weighting assigned to each multimedia document.

Abstract: A method of determining an appropriate response to an input includes linking a plurality of attributes to a plurality of response templates using a plurality of Boolean expressions. Each attribute is associated with a set of patterns. Each pattern within the set of patterns is equivalent. The method also includes determining an appropriate response template from the plurality of response templates based on the input.

Abstract: An information processing system includes a plurality of first information processing apparatuses, each of the plurality of first information processing apparatuses being configured to add search information and post content, and a second information processing apparatus for holding the search information matching the content posted from at least one of the plurality of first information processing apparatuses. Upon receipt of a request to provide the content which is previously retrieved from one of the first information processing apparatus, the second information processing apparatus performs another search based on a search condition stored at a last search by the second information processing apparatus itself or by the one of the first information processing apparatuses, and provides the content which is newly retrieved to the one of the first information processing apparatus in response to the request.

Abstract: Presented is a method for obtaining a single set of media search results from a search of media sources. The method includes providing a search query, executing a search of each of the media sources for media based on the provided search query, generating results of the searches, and consolidating the results of the searches into the single set of search results that include a list of media items with associated metadata. The method further includes organizing the media items into groups. Each of the groups includes media items that have similar content. The similarity of the content is defined by the media items' associated metadata meeting a metadata matching threshold. The method further includes filtering the groups, sorting the groups of media items with respect to each other, sorting the media items within the groups, and displaying the groups of media items.

Abstract: A link information generation apparatus records a link information file on a recording medium on which a first folder holding a still picture file that includes still picture data and still picture imaging time information and a second folder holding one or more moving picture files each of which includes moving picture data are recorded at positions that are not in a containment relationship with each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing representative information for a geographic area of interest are disclosed. In one embodiment, a media service tracks media interaction histories (e.g., play histories) for a number of users registered with the media service, where each media interaction history identifies media items interacted with by the corresponding user as well as the locations at which at least a subset of the media items were interacted with by the corresponding user. The media service receives a request from a requesting user for representative information for a geographic area of interest. In response to receiving the request, the media service determines representative information for the geographic area of interest based on at least a subset of the media interaction histories of the users and effects presentation of the representative information to the requesting user.

Abstract: A database system includes a processor configured to receive broadcasts according to a plurality of broadcast formats. The processor determines broadcast information associated with each received broadcast. The processor stores a database entry for each received broadcast within a database stored in the memory. Each database entry is indicative of the broadcast information associated the received broadcast. The processor continuously populates the database with broadcast information associated with received broadcasts. The database is user-accessible, allowing database entries to be viewed and altered. Ratings for various broadcast information are user-provided allowing preferred broadcast content to be user-designated based on the broadcast information. The ratings are used to notify a user of preferred broadcast content being broadcast according to at least one of the broadcast formats allowing the user to select receipt of the preferred broadcast content while available.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying a new set of media items in response to an input set (or “query set”) of media items and knowledge base metrics. The system uses a knowledge base consisting of a collection of mediasets. Various metrics among media items are considered by analyzing how the media items are grouped to form the mediasets in the knowledge base. Such association or “similarity” metrics are preferably stored in a matrix form that allows the system to efficiently identify a new set of media items that complements the input set of media items.

Abstract: Identification and Surfacing of related pieces of content, such as user-provided content, enables users of a merchant website to more easily find related items. A server associated with the website may receive, from a user, an image that illustrates items offered for sale on the site. The site may then enable this and other users to annotate the image by, for example, associating the illustrated items with hyperlinks to respective item detail pages. When a user views this page, the site may surface the most related other user-uploaded images that also illustrate items. To determine the most related images, the website may analyze, for each of the other images, the similarity between the items illustrated in the image and the items illustrated in the currently-displayed image. The website may also analyze the tags applied to the items and the images themselves, as well as multiple other types of criteria.

Abstract: An archiving system is provided for archiving a user's media collection and refining recommendations made to the user by an e-commerce service, such as an e-commerce website, based on the archive of the user's media collection. In general, a central archiving system interacts with a user system to archive a user's media collection. Thereafter, while the user is interacting with the e-commerce service, a list of recommended media for the user is generated and provided to the archiving system. The archiving system refines the list based on the archive of the user's media collection. Optionally, the list of recommended media may be further refined based on a user profile and play history of the user. The refined list of recommended media is returned to the e-commerce service and presented to the user.

Abstract: A method of storing information for recorded information and a source document is provided. The method comprises: determining a first piece of information included in the recorded information; determining at least a first source document from one or more source documents that comprises information that matches the first piece of information; and storing information identifying the recorded information, information representative of the first piece of information, and information identifying the first source document such that the information identifying the first source document can be determined given the information identifying the recorded information and the information representative of the first piece of information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide real-time or near real-time streaming of content using transfer protocols such as an HTTP compliant protocol. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a request for a playlist file (e.g. an updated playlist) and specifying a compression protocol with or for the request; the request can come from a client device which is requesting the playlist from a web server. The web server can provide the playlist in a compressed format.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and storage media to build a music metadata library from music collections stored on a plurality of client computing devices. A music server may receive, from a first client computing device of the plurality of client computing device, a unique identifier for a track stored in the first client computing device. The music server may determine if the track is a known track corresponding to acoustic metadata that is already contained in the music metadata library. When the track is not a known track, the music server may send a message indicating the track is a new track to the first client computing device. The music server may then receive acoustic metadata for the track from the first client computing device and store the received acoustic metadata in the music metadata library.

Abstract: A rule discovery program which enables discovery of a rule by automatically searching for a feature portion which is effective for generation of a rule in multimedia data. When sample data items are inputted, a search unit selects evaluation positions on a data array constituting each of the sample data items so as to generate a selection pattern. Next, an integration unit integrates the evaluation positions in the selection pattern so as to generate a predetermined number of evaluation regions, and a rule-candidate generation unit generates a rule candidate indicating a relationship common to the sample data items. A rule-candidate evaluation unit evaluates the generated rule candidate, and an output unit outputs, as a rule, the rule candidate when the rule candidate satisfies a predetermined criterion.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a multimedia data encoding/decoding method and apparatus. In some aspects, an encoding method includes generating a file type area having information on a file format; generating a data area comprising a plurality of media data areas; and generating a media information area comprising a plurality of track areas corresponding to the plurality of media data areas, respectively. According to one aspect, the multimedia data encoding/decoding method and apparatus can construct a slide show using only a small amount of multimedia data. Thus, a time taken to process and transmit the multimedia data can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multimedia data encoding/decoding method and apparatus. The encoding method includes generating a data area including a plurality of media data areas; and generating a media information area including a plurality of track areas corresponding to the plurality of media data areas, respectively. According to the present invention, the multimedia data encoding/decoding method and apparatus has an effect of being capable of constructing a slide show by only a small amount of multimedia data. Thus, a time taken to process and transmit the multimedia data can reduce.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multimedia data encoding/decoding method and apparatus. The encoding method includes generating a file type area having information on a file format; generating a data area comprising a plurality of media data areas; and generating a media information area comprising a plurality of track areas corresponding to the plurality of media data areas, respectively. According to the present invention, the multimedia data encoding/decoding method and apparatus has an effect of being capable of constructing a slide show by only a small amount of multimedia data. Thus, a time taken to process and transmit the multimedia data can reduce.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multimedia data encoding/decoding method and apparatus. The encoding method includes generating a data area comprising a plurality of media data areas; generating a plurality of track areas corresponding to the plurality of media data areas, respectively; and generating a meta area comprising a first area comprising identification information on media data and a second area comprising position information on the media data. According to the present invention, the multimedia data encoding/decoding method and apparatus has an effect of being capable of constructing a slide show by only a small amount of multimedia data. Thus, a time taken to process and transmit the multimedia data can reduce.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a multimedia data encoding/decoding method and apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a multimedia data encoding/decoding method and apparatus.

Abstract: Multimedia content can be incorporated into a message handled by a mobile device with minimum invasiveness by utilizing linking mechanisms that are visually identifiable with certain content and can reveal the multimedia content, e.g. an advertisement, upon selection. This may be done by examining content in the message handled by a mobile device and matching portions of the message with predetermined criteria such as keywords or phrases. Upon finding matches, corresponding multimedia content is associated with a respective portion of the message content and access to the multimedia content is enabled through selection of a linking mechanism that is visually identifiable with the respective portion of the message. The message is modified to include such linking mechanisms such that upon viewing the modified message, a user may reveal the multimedia content by selecting the linking mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing access for a networked device to a directory service for terrestrial broadcasts. A networked-based directory service that includes broadcasting data for one or more broadcasting stations within various geographical locations is provided. The broadcasting data includes tuning information that enables receivers to tune in one or more terrestrial broadcasts transmitted by the one or more broadcasting stations. A request is received from a networked device to obtain information about an availability of terrestrial broadcasts at a geographical location of the networked device. The directory service is queried using the geographical location as a query parameter. A response is transmitted to the networked device. The response includes tuning information that enables a receiver to automatically tune to one or more terrestrial broadcasts associated with the geographical location of the networked device.

Abstract: There is provided a multimedia data decoding method and apparatus. The decoding method includes generating a data area comprising a first media data area, a second media data area, and a third media data area, and generating a media information area comprising first, second, and third track areas each corresponding to the first, second, and third media data areas. The multimedia data decoding method and apparatus has an effect of being capable of constructing a slide show by only a small amount of multimedia data. Thus, a time taken to process and transmit the multimedia data can reduce.

Abstract: A method for processing video data involves receiving data from a series of images and analyzing the data to identify geometric forms. The forms are stored as metadata of a first data level and are linked by time stamps to the images in which the forms were identified. The metadata from an image and the previous image are compared, and delta metadata is generated from the difference. Delta metadata is also marked with time stamps. Metadata and delta metadata are analyzed, and objects are extracted from the geometric forms. The objects are stored as time-stamped metadata and delta metadata of a second data level. The process is repeated for higher data levels. A user inputs a database query to identify from among the stored input images that particular image sequence in which the extracted object is recorded. Queries started at higher data levels are quicker but less accurate.

Abstract: A method for merging media includes the steps of obtaining a first input from a first media device, the first input comprising first data corresponding to properties of one or more first media files, obtaining a second input from a second media device, the second input comprising second data corresponding to properties of one or more second media files, generating a merged list comprising one or more first selected media files of the first media files sharing a common property with at least one of the second media files and second selected media files of the second media files sharing the common property, and causing execution of one of the first selected media files, one of the second selected media files, or both.

Abstract: An object contents search support apparatus supporting a user to search for desired object contents information, the object contents search support apparatus including an operating part, an information collecting part collecting composite operation information including all of contents information, an overall operation history database recording the collected composite operation information, a matching part matching historical records and extracting at least one item of contents information, a display part generating display information and displaying the generated display information, a feedback part accepting the operation input, holding the object contents information, comparing the composite operation information included in the operation input after displaying the generated object contents information, and generating effective contents information from a comparison result, and a verifying part accepting the effective contents information and the composite operation information, extracting effective opera

Abstract: Provided are method and apparatus for writing and reproducing a multimedia service using a tag in order to provide an intuitive interface for a user using a multimedia service. The method includes selecting a multimedia service to be written; generating tag information identifying the selected multimedia service; and writing the generated tag information to a tag. Accordingly, multimedia service information and content information can be stored in a tag by being written to tag information using a common format, and thus the user can later execute a service operation by easily writing information of a desired service operation to a tag and then simply connecting the tag to a tag reading device.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention relate to method for image-based retrieval of an image or text, comprising capturing a digital image; matching the digital image against digitally-stored documents; and retrieving one or more of the digitally-stored documents that match the digital image. Other embodiments relate to a device for image-based retrieval and rendering, comprising an image capturing device for capturing digital image; a device for processing the digital image to match it against digitally-stored documents; a device for retrieving a digitally-stored document that matches the digital image; and a device for rendering the selected retrieved image.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling access to electronic content stored on a content provider's server is provided. A content provider may control and restrict unauthorized access to electronic content through an identified user account by limiting a number of devices from which requests to access the content through the account have been received. A content provider may also collect usage information of interest by monitoring authorized access to electronic content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing, finding and displaying objects such as digital images. Objects are tagged (“associated”) with descriptive textual and numeric data (“metadata”), and stored in a relational database from which they can be selected, sorted, and found. Tags can be defined by name, tag type, and associated attributes. Objects can be tagged by dropping a tag onto the object, or relating a database record for the tag to a database record for the object. Tagged objects can be searched for and displayed according to the degree to which their metadata matches the search criteria. Visual cues can indicate whether displayed objects match all, some but not all, or none of the search criteria. Database object distributions can be displayed as histograms or scatter plots, including timelines, calendars or maps. Object distributions can be used to search for objects or to limit search results for a previous search.

Abstract: A multimedia player includes an execution button for generating an execute instruction when operated, an auxiliary card associated with a file managing instruction, an auxiliary card reader for electrically connecting with the auxiliary card, and a control unit electrically connected to the execution button and the auxiliary card reader. The control unit is operable, in response to the execute instruction from the execution button, to execute the file managing instruction associated with the auxiliary card that is electrically connected to the auxiliary card reader.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that allow the delivery of location based services within a communication network. The location information can be retrieved using information from the mobile node when the mobile node registers in the network. The location information can then be cached or stored in one or more places in the communication network and correlated with the mobile node's addressing information. If a request for location based services is received without location based information, the gateway can use location based information regarding the mobile node to provide location based services. The gateway can enable non IMS mobile nodes to obtain IMS location based services or incompatible mobile nodes to obtain location based services.

Abstract: In an information providing system, a virtual three-dimensional space is established. Users of mobile communication terminals virtually move in the virtual space by manipulating an avatar representing the user and obtain advertisement information through electronic signboards. Users of information providing terminals place electronic signboards at appropriate positions in the virtual space and provide announcement information for the users of the mobile communication terminals. An information management server manages the announcement information provided by the information providing terminals and generates links each of which lead from advertisement information to other advertisement information. The information management server determines priorities for such links, based on use of advertisement information by the users of the mobile communication terminals. The information management server displays the links differently depending on the priorities.

Abstract: Systems, products, and methods are disclosed for providing an indication of unavailable media products. An illustrative method includes referencing one or more attributes of a currently present media file, based on the attributes, determining a set of absent media files that are related to the present media file but not currently available for presentation via the device, and presenting indications of at least a portion of the absent media files of the set. An indication of one or more absent media files may be presented to a user so that the user may recognize absent media files. In one embodiment, such an indication may include an identifier, such as text or a symbol, that is positioned adjacent a media attribute that describes the absent media file.

Abstract: A system for interaction with datasets includes a computer having a processor, a memory, and modules with code that executes in the processor. An editor module creates a dataset container file (DCF) in which a location and a structure of one or more datasets is defined and used to select positions for commentary within a presentation of the DCF contents. An import module is operative to import a first dataset from the defined location. An interface module is operative to obtain author-commentary and associate the author-commentary with the first dataset in response to interaction with a user. A synchronization module is operative to coordinate on a display a presentation of a portion of at least one of the datasets defined in the DCF in accordance with a selected position on a timeline. The presentation includes the author-commentary within the timeline. The datasets and the author-commentary are included in the DCF.

Abstract: A portal server 4 determines that a user C, . . . whose taste information INCc, . . . include URLs corresponding to all the music information pages that a user A is interested in are persons each having a similar taste to the user A and introduces, to the user A, the “Japanese nursery rhymes group”, . . . that the user C, . . . belong to. As a result, the user A can receive introduction of a group that is likely to match his or her taste simply by requesting the introduction of a group that matches his or her taste.

Abstract: In a system that performs object division of a manuscript and adds metadata, a method is provided which can edit the metadata by an intuitive operation when no appropriate metadata is added or when it is desired that the metadata be increased by adding. An image processing device, which divides an manuscript acquired through an input component into a plurality of objects and adds the metadata, has a user interface for editing the metadata of the objects, and switches, after selecting first and second objects, a retouching method of the metadata in accordance with the contents of the respective metadata of the first object and second object.

Abstract: A digital content transmission apparatus, method and medium, and a digital content reception apparatus, method and medium enable multimedia content, extracted according to the location and time of a transmitting mobile terminal, and alphanumeric text, to be combined into a single message sent to a receiving mobile terminal, thereby allowing a user of the transmitting mobile terminal to reflect the circumstances facing the user in the message. The digital content transmission apparatus includes an input module to receive an alphanumeric message, a state searching module to search for time information and location information of the message, a control module to extract a serial number of a first multimedia content corresponding to the time information and the location information, and a communication module to transmit data into which the message and the extracted serial number are combined.

Abstract: There is provided an imaging device including a first processor for, when a group and a data position in a group are specified for data divided to one or plurality of groups, transmitting data of the specified data position through a first signal line; and a second processor including a first display for displaying a group element for selecting each group by a number determined based on number of groups, a second display for displaying, when the group element displayed is selected, data element for selecting each data by a number determined based on number of data belonging to the group of the selected group element, and a data transmission requesting unit for, when the data element is selected, specifying a group to which the data of the selected data element belongs and the data position in the group, and requesting data transmission to the first processor.