32 results about "Sequential media" patented technology

Techniques and systems for intelligent navigation of sequential media content are disclosed. The intelligent navigation is well suited to enable users to better control media playback with regards to a media playback application operating on a computing device.

A system and method for generating collections of media are provided. A media collage is constructed such that all its contained media, such as digital images, are selected and organized according to an associated characteristic. Sequential media collages can be generated by the same selection and organization approach.

A system and method for providing advertising to a user of a computer capable of displaying Internet based media, such as sequential media, played by a media player in a display. The method includes the steps of providing a media object, wherein the media object contains sequential media and advertising information encapsulated within the media object. Encapsulating the sequential media and advertising information within the media object prevents rogue users from simply stripping away the sequential media from the advertising information.

A random access read / write media format that enables segments of media to be read, written, accessed, and streamed in a non-sequential order. A media file is divided into a series of timeblocks TB0 to TBn-1 wherein each timeblock consists of media packets of a short non-overlapping time span. Each media packet in the media file is also divided into data units identifiable by data unit ID. A timeblock index table, with an entry for each timeblock in the series, and a media packet index field with a data unit ID entry for each data unit in the media packet (located in each timeblock header), are used to quickly locate portions of desired data. This two-level index hierarchy, the timeblock index table and the media packet index table, eases the locating, reading and writing of non-sequential media packets. The timeblock index allows data to be quickly found in terms of time, while the media packet index allows data to be quickly found by data unit ID.

A method and system for processing of media items includes a separator system feeding a series of media items onto a transport system. The separator system is controlled to feed onto the transport system groups of sequential media items having similar information and to separate and feed onto the transport system sequential media items having dissimilar information spaced apart on said transport system from the group of media items having similar destination information. The separator system may be controlled to limit the thickness of each group of media items not to exceed a predetermined thickness. The separator system may also be controlled to separate and feed onto the transport system any subsequent media items which would cause said group of media items to exceed the predetermined thickness. In one arrangement, a series of media items are fed onto the transport system transport path for sortation into two or more sortation bins. The separator is controlled such that adjacent media items destined for the same sortation bin are transported along said transport path as a group of media items to the same sortation bin and such that adjacent media items destined for different sortation bins are separated for separate transport along the transport path to the different sortation bins. The order of the media items within groups created by said separator system may be controlled by an order diverter such that subsequent sortation of groups of media items will further differentiate the media items by media item order sequence of media items in each of the groups of media items. Additional controllable separators may be connected to the media item transport. The system may group media items for unescorted transport on a sorter or may group media items for escorted transport such as by being place in a carrier.

An apparatus for providing voice titles for recorded programs includes a recorder (11,19) for recording on a sequential recording medium, which has an audio recording portion (242) and a control recording portion (246). A control input (222) is provided for indicating a start of a voice title and the start indicator (252) is recorded on the control recording portion of the sequential medium. A microphone (264) or other device is provided for entering a voice title and for recording the entered voice title onto the audio recording portion of the sequential medium sequentially following the recorded indication of the start of the voice title in the control recording portion. A control input (222) is provided for indicating an end of the voice title and the end indicator (254) is recorded onto the control recording portion of the sequential medium sequentially following the recorded voice title in the audio recording portion. The apparatus includes an analog to digital converter (270) for digitizing the entered voice title and a memory (33) for storing the digitized voice title. Another embodiment of the apparatus includes a voice synthesizer (260) for synthesizing a voice from the stored digitized voice title.

A media transport array for forming sequential media streams feeding a media processing system in which serial flows, parallel flows, or both are desired are structured from standard, batch fabricatable media path modules. Each media path module includes a frame unit, intermodule latching means, media control electronics, and media state sensing electronics. Within each media path module, at least one media transport nip receives media and passes it to an independently actuated media director. Media guides support media as it moves into and out of the media director.

Sequential media reclamation is usually performed after portions of a sequential access volume's data are no longer needed and the unused portion of the volume exceeds a threshold. Improved sequential media reclamation is provided by using a sequential access disk volume (for example, a volume of a virtual tape library (VTL)) embodied as a sparse file. Reclamation of objects stored in the volume is accomplished by nulling out regions of the sparse file that contain the objects that are no longer needed. A replication method is also provided in which information about the objects stored in the sparse file (such as offset and length) is used during replication to enable the correct portions of a target volume (embodied as a sparse file) to be nulled out to match a source volume (also embodied as a sparse file).

A tray assembly which may include a single well or a plurality of wells that will contain specimens for cryo-preservation, freezing, thawing, or warming. The assembly will include a structure whereby a sequence of different media solutions can be introduced into a well or wells in the assembly without the need to move the specimens and without disturbing an overlying oil layer which floats on top of the media solutions. The media solutions will be introduced into the specimen wells through adjunct passages which communicate with the interior of the wells. The adjunct passages will preferably be integral with the wells and will be formed at the same time the wells are formed. Thus manufacturing the assembly of this invention will be inexpensive and repetitive. The adjunct passages can be used to infuse different media solutions into the wells at different stages of the protocols in question. The wells can be inverted cones or pyramids in shape. This shape allows the infusion of sequential media solutions beneath the overlying oil layer, without disturbing the specimen and without significantly elevating the solution level in the wells. The conical or pyramidal shapes also enable the user to readily locate and handle the specimens because the specimens will always gravitate to the nadir of the conical or pyramidal bottom of the wells. This shape also allows the user to see any media level indices placed on the side walls of the wells.

A random access read / write media format that enables segments of media to be read, written, accessed, and streamed in a non-sequential order. A media file is divided into a series of timeblocks TB0 to TBn-1 wherein each timeblock consists of media packets of a short non-overlapping time span. Each media packet in the media file is also divided into data units identifiable by data unit ID. A timeblock index table, with an entry for each timeblock in the series, and a media packet index field with a data unit ID entry for each data unit in the media packet (located in each timeblock header), are used to quickly locate portions of desired data. This two-level index hierarchy, the timeblock index table and the media packet index table, eases the locating, reading and writing of non-sequential media packets. The timeblock index allows data to be quickly found in terms of time, while the media packet index allows data to be quickly found by data unit ID.

A system and method for generating collections of media are provided. A media collage is constructed such that all its contained media, such as digital images, are selected and organized according to an associated characteristic. Sequential media collages can be generated by the same selection and organization approach.

Techniques and systems for intelligent navigation of sequential media content are disclosed. The intelligent navigation is well suited to enable users to better control media playback with regards to a media playback application operating on a computing device. One embodiment of a method for playing sequential media content by a media playback application operating on a computing device includes at least the acts of: initiating playing of the sequential media content by the media playback application; receiving a user input requesting to start playing at a new position in the sequential media content; marking a current position in the sequential media content; thereafter initiating playing of the sequential media content at the new position; receiving a user input requesting to reset playing to the marked current position; and subsequently initiating playing of the sequential media content at the marked current position.

A method and apparatus distributes video packets over multiple bearers for providing unequal packet loss protection. The method includes a packet processing function receiving a plurality of packets collectively comprising a flow of sequential data included in a sequence of media frames. For each packet, the packet processing function: applies a bearer selection process to select one of a plurality of bearers for transporting the packet over an access network, wherein each bearer has a different quality of service level which influences the probability of the transported packets being intentionally discarded by the access network, wherein the bearer selection process causes distribution of the plurality of packets across the plurality of bearers such that each bearer carries non-consecutive packets both within any given media frame and across sequential media frames and provides unequal packet loss protection for the packets in the plurality; and provides an indication of the selected bearer.

In a method and a device for reading and a method and a device for recording files on a sequential medium as well as the sequential medium itself, in order to enable the use of sequential write-once mediums, the file system descriptor pointing to a current version of a management information area, is recorded on a reserved track being located at the beginning of the volume. Thereby, the management information area is recorded at a location behind files being recorded onto the volume.

A tray assembly which may include a single well or a plurality of wells that will contain specimens for cryo-preservation, freezing, thawing, or warming. The assembly will include a structure whereby a sequence of different media solutions can be introduced into a well or wells in the assembly without the need to move the specimens and without disturbing an overlying oil layer which floats on top of the media solutions. The media solutions will be introduced into the specimen wells through adjunct passages which communicate with the interior of the wells. The adjunct passages will preferably be integral with the wells and will be formed at the same time the wells are formed. Thus manufacturing the assembly of this invention will be inexpensive and repetitive. The adjunct passages can be used to infuse different media solutions into the wells at different stages of the protocols in question. The wells can be inverted cones or pyramids in shape. This shape allows the infusion of sequential media solutions beneath the overlying oil layer, without disturbing the specimen and without significantly elevating the solution level in the wells. The conical or pyramidal shapes also enable the user to readily locate and handle the specimens because the specimens will always gravitate to the nadir of the conical or pyramidal bottom of the wells. This shape also allows the user to see any media level indices placed on the side walls of the wells.

A streaming file is constructed with a file header section that includes a file header object, a media data file descriptor, and an index descriptor. A hinting index section includes a first level hinting index with a linear organization corresponding to timing tick key values. A second level hinting index has a non-sequential organization corresponding to such timing tick key values. A special mark in the second level hinting index indicates that the first level hinting index must be consulted for a next timing tick key value. Such mark is positioned in the last of a sequential run of timing tick key values associated with its entries. A data section that can be put in a separate file, and it accepts media data blocks associated in sequential runs of timing tick key values as its entries. Thus hinting is provided for a non-sequential media data file.

Sequential media reclamation is usually performed after portions of a sequential access volume's data are no longer needed and the unused portion of the volume exceeds a threshold. Improved sequential media reclamation is provided by using a sequential access disk volume (for example, a volume of a virtual tape library (VTL)) embodied as a sparse file. Reclamation of objects stored in the volume is accomplished by nulling out regions of the sparse file that contain the objects that are no longer needed. A replication method is also provided in which information about the objects stored in the sparse file (such as offset and length) is used during replication to enable the correct portions of a target volume (embodied as a sparse file) to be nulled out to match a source volume (also embodied as a sparse file).

A system and method for providing network services to a user of a computer capable of displaying Internet based media, such as sequential media, played by a media player in a display. The method includes the steps of providing a media object, wherein the media object contains sequential media and network services information encapsulated within the media object. Encapsulating the sequential media and network services information within the media object prevents rogue users from simply stripping away the sequential media from the network services information.

An apparatus for providing voice titles for recorded programs includes a recorder (11,19) for recording on a sequential recording medium, which has an audio recording portion (242) and a control recording portion (246). A control input (222) is provided for indicating a start of a voice title and the start indicator (252) is recorded on the control recording portion of the sequential medium. A microphone (264) or other device is provided for entering a voice title and for recording the entered voice title onto the audio recording portion of the sequential medium sequentially following the recorded indication of the start of the voice title in the control recording portion. A control input (222) is provided for indicating an end of the voice title and the end indicator (254) is recorded onto the control recording portion of the sequential medium sequentially following the recorded voice title in the audio recording portion. The apparatus includes an analog to digital converter (270) for digitizing the entered voice title and a memory (33) for storing the digitized voice title. Another embodiment of the apparatus includes a voice synthesizer (260) for synthesizing a voice from the stored digitized voice title.

Method and apparatus for teaching a student the pronunciation of alphabet characters of an unfamiliar language include providing a group of distinct sequential narrative media segments, each narrative media segment including a partial transliterated narrative text comprising words of a base language known to the student formed by base characters of a base alphabet, and wherein a number of target characters comprising a subset of the target alphabet are substituted in the text for corresponding base characters of the base alphabet, the sequential media segments containing successively increasing numbers of target characters of the target alphabet substituted for corresponding base characters of the base alphabet; and displaying each narrative media segment to the student sequentially.

A method for controlling transfer of black color toned images during simplex printing. The method comprises identifying a first image of a print job is a black-only image, determining whether or not the print job includes at least one color image, upon determining that the print job includes at least one color image, rotating only the black photoconductive (PC) drum and transferring a black-only toned first image thereon onto a rotating intermediate transfer member (ITM) belt and subsequently onto a surface of the media sheet at the image transfer roll, and moving color transfer rolls into engagement the color PC drums and pausing their rotation, and, upon determining that the print job does not include at least one color image, moving the color transfer rolls to disengage the ITM belt from the color PC drums and rotating only the black PC drum to sequentially transfer each remaining black-only toned image onto the ITM belt for printing on a surface of a corresponding next sequential media sheet at the image transfer roll.

A converter is utilized with at least one implicit addressing sequential media device to simulate explicit addressing sequential media device performance from the perspective of host applications. Responsive to receiving explicit addressing read / write commands from the host application, the converter converts the explicit addressing read / write commands into implicit addressing read / write commands and passes the implicit addressing read / write commands through to the device. Optionally, responsive to device capability queries from a host application, the converter reports that the device utilizes explicit addressing. As another option, responsive to receiving commands other than explicit addressing read / write commands from the application host, the converter examines the commands to monitor sequential media address, and relays the commands to the device substantially free of any modification.

A system and method of providing sequential media content. The system of some embodiments provides a library that displays representations of media items stored on a device. The library displays representations of a series object. Activating the series object displays purchased media items in a series of media items. After a threshold amount of a media item in the series has been consumed, the series object displays a representation of a next media item in the series along with a control for purchasing the next media item in the series.

The invention provides a packet header design method based on an MMT (MPEG media transport) protocol transmission and recombination non-sequential media. According to the method, necessary information for non-sequential media recombination is increased in an MMTP packet header structure, the transmission reliability of the non-sequential media is increased, and transmission and recombination of the non-sequential media are realized by employing the MMT protocol. According to the method, the technical vulnerability that an existing MMT protocol standard cannot realize transmission and recombination of the non-sequential media is effectively filled and completed.

The present invention relates to the field of storage management of sequential media and more particular it relates to autonomous reclamation processing of virtualized sequential media such as virtual tapes in a virtual tape library. In order to provide an improved method and system for managing virtual tapes in a virtual tape library system, the inventional system comprises a storage management application managing virtual tapes in a virtual tape library system (VTL-system) which is capable to identify all block addresses of active data for a given source virtual tape; said storage management application is connected via a network to said virtual tape library system and is capable to send a command instructing said VTL-system to perform autonomous reclamation. The VTL-system is characterized by an inventional reclamation logic which uniquely maps each host block written by the storage management application to a block on the disk system of said VTL-system. In conjunction with the storage management application it performs a method to perform autonomous reclamation.