Eric Gar Win Eng

US Patent:

20080002839, Jan 3, 2008

Filed:

Jun 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/478265

Inventors:

Eric D. Eng - Kirkland WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

H03G 5/00

US Classification:

381103

Abstract:

An equalizer setting is stored for an audio file or an audio portion of an audio/video file and is then processed when the audio file is selected for playback. When a user operating a media device adjusts an equalizer setting of an audio file, the setting is associated with the audio file as part of the metadata of the audio file. Upon selection of the audio file, the metadata is examined to determine if an equalizer setting has been established for the audio file. The audio file is then played with the established equalizer setting. If an equalizer setting is not defined for the selected file, it may be played based upon a genre setting, which may be associated as part of the audio file's metadata, or based upon a distinguishing metadata attribute setting. A synchronization operation serves to provide consistent versions of the audio file on multiple devices.

US Patent:

20070101264, May 3, 2007

Filed:

Nov 1, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/264848

Inventors:

Thamer Abanami - Seattle WA, US
Brian King - Carnation WA, US
Eric Eng - Kirkland WA, US
Julian Selman - Redmond WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G11B 27/00

US Classification:

715716000, 715723000, 715719000

Abstract:

Improved scanning of digital video programs is provided for by adjusting scanning rates according to the length of the video program and/or the length of the remaining portion of the video program to be scanned. Shorter video programs are scanned at a slower speed, and longer video programs at a faster speed. In alternate embodiments, scanning speed is based in part on the length of the portion of the video program remaining to be scanned. Thus, when scanning in a video program a forward direction (“fast forward”) when only a given amount of the program remains to be scanned, the scanning speed is slowed. The amount of the program may be determined either according to a fixed length or relative to the length of the entire program. Additionally, in some embodiments, different scanning techniques are used based on the length of the video program being scanned or the length of the video program portion remaining to be scanned.