Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090058842 | Devices and methods for controlling a display to conserve power - Devices and methods for controlling display output based application class and/or on one or more monitored device parameters are described herein. These devices and methods can be advantageous because they can reduce power consumption, and can improve user experience. For example, devices and methods comprising determining an application class, wherein for the first class of applications no display simplifications are used, and wherein for the second class of applications a device parameter is monitored such that if a first state is detected, full graphics are displayed, and if the second state is detected, simplified graphics are displayed are described. In some embodiments, the applications can include video applications, audio applications, and radio applications, for example. In some embodiments, the device parameter can comprise user input frequency, power supply charge, and backlight intensity, for example. | 03-05-2009 |
20090062944 | Modifying media files - The present invention includes apparatuses, methods, computer readable media and systems comprising means for using a portable, handheld electronic device (such as Apple's iPod™) to capture analog signals, convert them into digital signals and store the digital signals as media files (e.g., audio files, video files, image files, etc.). The electronic device can subsequently be used to modify the media files. The modifications can be virtual modifications, in which metadata is stored on the electronic device in a manner that does not alter the media file. The virtual modifications can be used by the electronic device to give the perception to the user that a media file has been actually modified. In addition, the virtual modifications can be used by an application running on a host device, such as a home computer or network server (like Apple's .MAC™ servers), to actually modify the digital media file. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063542 | Cluster Presentation of Digital Assets for Electronic Devices - Improved approaches to present groups of digital assets in a dynamic, graphical manner are disclosed. The groups to be presented can be automatically formed in accordance with grouping criteria. Each of the resulting groups can then be visually represented by a set of images. The sets of images for the different groups can be dynamically visually presented in a sequential manner. The plurality of images that represent a particular group can be concurrently presented in a partial overlapped arrangement. Optionally, user interaction can affect the group(s) being presented, alter the images visually representing the group(s), or cause other navigational actions with respect to the digital assets. The presentation of the groups (e.g., clusters) can serve to assist a user in understanding what digital assets (e.g., digital media assets) are available on an electronic device. The electronic device typically permits the user to utilize (e.g., play, view, etc.) the digital assets. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063972 | Multi-Pane Graphical User Interface for Mobile Electronic Device - Improved approaches to display information on a portable computing device having a display with limited display area are disclosed. The information displayed can, for example, assist a user in navigating a hierarchical menu system operable on the portable computing device to browse, search or play media items. In one embodiment, the information displayed can be presented in a multi-pane display screen (or graphical user interface). One pane can present a list of selectable items, such as a list of selectable media items. The list can represent one menu in the hierarchical menu system. Another pane can present other information that can be related to the list being displayed. For example, the other information can be data contextually related to the list. In one embodiment, the size of the panes of a multi-pane display screen can adapt dependent on user interaction and/or characteristics of the data being display. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063976 | Generating a playlist using metadata tags - Systems and methods are provided for on-the-fly playlist shuffling. There can be multiple ways to perform the shuffling. In one instance, the electronic device can organize a new playlist by sorting the media files based on a parameter. In another instance, the electronic device can organize a new playlist by shuffling the media files. In yet another instance, the electronic device can first sort the media files into groups of media files based on a parameter. The electronic device can then shuffle the media files within each group. In this manner, the media files can be randomized but only within each group. In all instances, the current media file can continue to play without any interruption. Finally, the electronic device can sort the media files based on the context of the media file that is currently playing. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063980 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLAYBACK OF MULTI-PART MEDIA CONTENT - The individual parts of a media presentation are associated with one another, and in addition to maintaining pointers in individual parts which indicate the last point at which playback was stopped, a pointer is maintained for the “container” created by the association. This pointer indicates the last part in the “container” that was played. When the presentation is played back, the user can select a particular part or can select “resume.” If “resume” is selected, the pointer is retrieved and used to select the part to be played. Within the part, a further pointer may indicate where in the part to begin playback, based on where playback was last stopped. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064031 | Scrolling techniques for user interfaces - Systems and methods for improving the scrolling of user interfaces of electronic devices are provided. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064041 | Method and apparatus for providing a user with dynamic sync status - Data files are selected for downloading from a host device to an electronic device via a sync process. Once the sync process starts, the electronic device provides the user with dynamic sync status information so that the user, for example, knows how much data has been downloaded, how much time is remaining in the download, what data files are being downloaded, etc. In addition, the user is also provided with the capability to obtain general summary information about the data files downloaded after the sync process is complete, as well as detailed summary information that may, for example, provide the user the names of each song downloaded and the size of each file. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064057 | Graphical User Interface for Mobile Electronic Device - Improved approaches to display information on a portable computing device having a display with limited display area are disclosed. The information displayed can, for example, assist a user in navigating a hierarchical menu system operable on the portable computing device to browse, search or play media items. The information displayed can include a menu of the hierarchical menu system along with other information. The menu can include selectable media items. The other information can be related to the menu being displayed. In one embodiment, the invention can use a display screen having at least first and second portions, with the first portion displaying selectable media items (e.g., menu) and with the second portion displaying media information (e.g., graphical image) that is dependent on media items in the first portion or resident on the portable electronic device. | 03-05-2009 |
20090153288 | HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONALITY AND GESTURE RECOGNITION - Handheld electronic devices are provided that have remote control functionality and gesture recognition features. The handheld electronic device may have remote control functionality in addition to cellular telephone, music player, or handheld computer functionality. The handheld electronic devices may have a touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may recognize gestures performed by a user on the touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may generate remote control signals from gestures that the handheld electronic device may recognize. A media system may receive the remote control signals and may take appropriate action. The touch sensitive display screen may be used to present the user with information about the media system such as the current volume. | 06-18-2009 |
20090153289 | HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH BIMODAL REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONALITY - Handheld electronic devices are provided that have bimodal remote control functionality and gesture recognition features. The handheld electronic device may have gestural interface functionality in a first mode and graphical interface functionality in a second mode. The handheld electronic device may have remote control functionality in addition to cellular telephone, music player, or handheld computer functionality. The handheld electronic devices may have a touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may recognize gestures performed by a user on the touch sensitive display screen. The handheld electronic devices may generate remote control signals from gestures that the handheld electronic device may recognize. A media system may receive the remote control signals and may take appropriate action. The touch sensitive display screen may be used to present the user with information about the media system such as listings of media on the media system and system parameters such as the current volume. | 06-18-2009 |
20090182597 | Monitoring Capabilities for Mobile Electronic Devices - Improved computer-implemented techniques for providing relevant information to mobile electronic devices are disclosed. According to one aspect, usage of mobile electronic devices can be monitored and usage data can be formed. The usage data can then be used to perform an action. The action can operate to provide more relevant information, such as digital (e.g., online) information or rewards, to the user. In one embodiment, usage of mobile electronic devices can be monitored and users of such mobile electronic devices can be provided with rewards based on their usage. Another aspect pertains to monitoring locations of a mobile electronic device for a duration of time and then providing location-specific information based on the locations of the device. | 07-16-2009 |
20090187491 | Activation of Digital Products on Mobile Electronic Device - Systems, methods and apparatus for distribution of digital products to portable electronic devices are disclosed. Digital products, such as digital assets or digital gifts, can be a purchased from a centralized location and associated with particular ones of the portable electronic devices. In one embodiment, the digital product is a digital asset (e.g., digital media asset) that is pre-stored to a portable electronic device, and after the digital asset is purchased, the digital asset can be activated on the portable electronic device. In another embodiment, the digital product is a digital gift that can be associated with a portable electronic device or a user account for a user of the portable electronic device. Optionally, a personalized message can be provided and associated with a portable electronic device. | 07-23-2009 |
20090313544 | System and methods for adjusting graphical representations of media files based on previous usage - Systems and methods for adjusting playback and graphical representations of media files are provided. The systems and methods can monitor playback and access of media files to create usage metadata. The usage metadata can then be used to adjust the playback of the media file. For example, the usage metadata may indicate that a user skips, on average, the first 22 seconds of a particular song so the next time that song is played, the first 22 seconds will automatically be skipped. The usage metadata can additionally or alternatively be used to adjust a graphical representation of the media file. For example, the usage metadata may indicate that a user rarely accesses a particular song so the graphical representation of that song will be small and faded. This change in graphical representation can help a user find more commonly used media files. | 12-17-2009 |
20100011388 | System and method for creating playlists based on mood - Suggested media playlists are created by an electronic device based upon the mood of a user as analyzed by the electronic device. The electronic device may suggest media items for playback based upon the user's past preferences for certain media items during previously similar moods. | 01-14-2010 |
20100058251 | OMNIDIRECTIONAL GESTURE DETECTION - An omnidirectional electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device can perform operations associated with a combination of inputs that can, in some cases, be recognized irrespective of the position or orientation in which they are applied to the electronic device. The inputs can include, for example, single or multi-touch taps, presses, swipes, rotations, characters and symbols. The inputs can be provided one or more times in succession and can be held for an amount of time. In one embodiment, an omnidirectional media player can perform media operations associated with a combination of inputs that can be recognized irrespective of the position or orientation in which they are applied to an input area of the media player. | 03-04-2010 |
20100064255 | CONTEXTUAL MENUS IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A system and method for displaying menus of selectable options to a user are provided. The menus may include options that are contextually related to a current mode of the device to provide relevant options to a user. The electronic device modes may include, for example, a media mode, a radio mode, a workout mode, a calendar or event mode, a clock mode, a stopwatch mode, or any other suitable mode. To further enhance a user's experience, the displayed menus may not cover the entirety of the screen such that a portion of the content associated with a current mode or application may be visible, thus providing context to the displayed options. | 03-11-2010 |
20100198453 | Systems and Methods for Integrating a Portable Electronic Device with a Bicycle - Systems and methods are providing for interfacing an electronic device with a bicycle system. The electronic device can receive the output from sensors coupled to the bicycle and generate riding characteristics for display to the user. The electronic device can in addition receive communications from other electronic devices and provide the communications to the user. In some embodiments, the electronic device can be paired with the devices of one or more other cyclists so that the cyclists can share riding characteristics and other information. This can allow the cyclists to ride as a team and better assist each other. | 08-05-2010 |
20140298176 | SCROLLING TECHNIQUES FOR USER INTERFACES - Systems and methods for improving the scrolling of user interfaces of electronic devices are provided. | 10-02-2014 |