Apple Inc.

Jeff Miller

David Heller

Jeffrey L Robbin

Jesse William Boettcher

Greg Marriott

Thomas E Dowdy

Timothy E Wasko

Steve P Jobs

Scott A Grant

Improved techniques for transferring media assets between a host computer and a media device are disclosed. The transfer of media assets between a host computer and a media device can be referred to as synchronization. According to one aspect of the invention, media assets being transferred can be formatted (e.g., rendered) in advance at the host computer and then delivered to the media device. According to another aspect of the invention, media assets can be grouped into collections and transferred on a collection basis. According to still another aspect of the invention, media assets to be transferred can be limited based on an amount of storage capacity available at the media device. According to yet another aspect of the invention, media assets of different media types can be transferred in accordance with different priorities.

Multiple media type synchronization between host computer and media device

A programming interface for a media management application is described herein. The programming interface allows a media bundle to induce a media presentation at the media management application. More particularly, a media bundle can be provided at a client device, and the media bundle can include program instructions that at least in part use the programming interface to cause the media presentation to be provided at the client device. The media presentation can make use of digital media assets that are stored at a media library on the client device, that are stored within the media bundle, or that are remotely accessible to the client device. The media presentation can provide a multimedia experience for the user of the client device.

Programming interface for use by media bundles to provide media presentations

Methods and system for transferring images between devices is disclosed. For example, differently scaled images by a host device may automatically and/or selectively be transferred to a media player for display. In turn, appropriately scaled images may be transferred automatically and/or selectively to another display device for example a TV, camera or printer. The selectivity may occur either at the host level or at the player level.

Image scaling arrangement

Improved techniques to utilize and manage a group of media items (or media assets) on a computing device are disclosed. The group of media items can be utilized and managed at a host computer for the host computer as well as a media device (e.g., media player) that can couple to the host computer. One popular example of a group of media items is know as a playlist, which can pertain to a group of audio tracks. One aspect pertains to a graphical user interface that enables a user to trade-off storage capacity of a media device between media asset storage and data storage. Another aspect pertains to a graphical user interface that assists a user with selecting media items to fill a group of media items. Still another aspect pertains to providing a persistent media device playlist at a host computer. Yet still another aspect pertains to imposing capacity limits to a playlist, such as a media device playlist.

Media management for groups of media items

Methods and system for transferring images between devices are disclosed. For example, differently scaled images by a host device may automatically and/or selectively be transferred to a media player for display. In turn, appropriately scaled images may be transferred automatically and/or selectively to another display device for example a TV, camera or printer. The selectivity may occur either at the host level or at the player level.

Improved graphical user interfaces suitable for restricting the availability of media items and/or podcasts are also disclosed. The graphical user interfaces are particularly useful for a system that provides purchase and distribution of media in a client-server environment.

Growing community of inventors

Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Jeff Miller