



Patent number 20090313544 is for systems 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. The inventors are Policarpo, Benjamin Andrew Rottler, Kourtny Minh Hicks and Eric James Hope.
Similarly, Patent number 20090313564 involves a systems and methods of adjusting playback of media files based on previous usage. The inventors are the same as for the previous patent.
Patent number 20090313484 is for a method and apparatus for prolong the battery life of a media player. A method of operating a media player is provided. In one embodiment the method includes receiving a plurality of initially configured video settings for viewing a video segment on the media player for a desired playback duration. The method further includes determining power required to play the video segment based on the initial video settings and playing the video segment if the required power matches or is less than total power available to the media player. In another embodiment, the method may further include, if the required power exceeds the total power available to the media player, adjusting one or more of the initial video settings, either automatically or by user inputs, to reduce the power required to play the requested video segment for the desired playback duration. The inventors are Timothy J. Millet, Michael Culbert and William Athas.
Patent number 20090313369 involves network-assisted remote media listening. Improved approaches for media listening amongst different users are disclosed. For example, methods, systems or computer program code can enable users to have a remote listening experience in real time. Advantageously, a remote user at a remote client device can in effect listen to a particular digital media asset that is being played at a local client device of a local user. Media information and/or user profiles can also be provided about themselves and shared with other users. The inventors are Catherine Wormington, Camille Hearst and Steve Saro Gedikian.
Patent number 20090309745 is for a system and method for accessing diagnostic information. A technique is provided for accessing diagnostic information in an electronic device. In accordance with this technique, a system is provided for determining diagnostic information about a power source. In one embodiment, the system provides an interface to provide access to the diagnostic information. The system may further provide a memory, wherein the diagnostic information may be stored. The system may further be configured to provide access to the diagnostic information when the electronic device is non-operational. The inventor is Timothy Michael Johnson.
Patent number 20090309552 is for a power source switchover apparatus and method. The apparatus is switching from a first power supply to a second power supply. Such an apparatus may determine which of the first and second power supplies has a greater voltage, and may power a device from the power supply having the greater voltage or charge. A single boost converter may be used regardless of which power supply is providing power. The inventors are Christoph H. Krah and Ronil Patel.
Patent number 2009030685 is for an exemplary video coder and video coding method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary video coder includes a scheduler, a plurality of processors and a multiplexer. The scheduler can examine processing units in an input buffer to determine an order for the processing unit to be coded by a processor. If the processing unit under examination depends on a processing unit not yet processed, the processing unit under examination can be merged with other processing units, if any, that share a similar dependency. If the processing unit under examination does not depend on any processing units not yet processed, it can be sent to a next available processor for coding. When a processing unit is sent to a processor, any merged processing units that depend on sent processing unit can also be sent to a next available processor. The inventors are Jochen Christian Schmidt, Paul Seung Ho Chang, Chris Yoochang Chung, Christian Luc Duvivier, Ionut Hristoderescu, Hsi-Jung Wu and Dazhong Zhang.
Patent number 20090311915 involves low profile bugs. An apparatus, systems, and methods for assembling a plug with a low profile for use with an electronic device are provided. In some embodiments, a 4-pin plug may include a diameter similar to the diameter of a 3-pin plug. In some embodiments, the fourth pin may be coupled to the plug such that a portion of the fourth pin may be coupled to any suitable device on an internal surface of the plug. In some embodiments, the fourth pin may dive into the plug at the same depth as one of the other three pins of the plug. The pins within the plug may be coupled (e.g., soldered) at the ends that may emerge underneath an overmold to any other suitable device to form electrical connections. The plug may be used to transmit audio or transfer data to a user of the electronic device. The inventor is Kurt Stiehl.
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