Abstract: A microprocessor based system provides a media player with access to remotely-stored digital media content and/or its associated metadata. The system is capable of accessing the content, so that the media player is provided, by the system, with a suitable interface, accessible by that media player, for interacting with the content. The system may be packaged as a USB memory stick and can be inserted into, for example, a PC running a legacy media player with no intrinsic ability to access remotely stored content. The PC can in this way be enabled to access the remote content.

Abstract: Synchronising digital media content to a device is achieved using the following steps: (a) identifying a digital media collection linked to a given user; (b) analysing the content of the digital media collection to derive a “taste signature” for that user; (c) identifying, based on the “taste signature” analysis, the priority order in which media content files are to be provided to the device during a synchronisation; (d) providing one or more media content files to the device during the synchronisation.

Abstract: The invention permits a user to be given access to digital media content on one set of conditions, for a limited time period made known to the consumer, but then automatically forces migration to a different set of conditions to retain access to digital media content already listened to and to gain access to new digital media content, without the consumer having to manually download or install new software or in some other manner interact in a manner that will lessen the chance of the consumer embracing or accepting the migration.

Abstract: The invention is a method for enabling digital content to be downloaded to and used on multiple types of computing device by (i) linking user accounts on each device to a “master” user account defined and stored on a remote server; and (ii) managing the user's access to a defined service using his devices via the said master user account; and (iii) allowing the download of digital content to each said device on which the user is permitted to access the said service using a file format which is appropriate for use on each said device type. A user may manage and access the same user account from multiple types of computing devices. Furthermore, the number of device platforms accessible in a similar manner by the user is extensible and the user's information is kept automatically synchronized across all devices.

Abstract: A method for improving the responsiveness of a client application by providing that application with a local database which is a replicated subset of a database held on a remote server.

Abstract: In contrast to the traditional approach of defining relationships between data collections using complex groups of cross-reference database tables, the present invention makes use of generic sets to represent relationships between complex collections of interrelated data. The complexity of a database schema can be greatly reduced by representing the relationships between data items as these data sets (sets of data items). These sets of data items may be defined in one or more database tables in a database. This approach provides for much simplified database data management and control. It enables the easy pre- or re-calculation of sets and provides for the easy creation of hierarchical meta-data trees, which are ideal for the targeted delivery of data to the user.

Abstract: A method for defining a collection of digital media content for playback using a digital media player where (a) the collection is defined using specific criteria; and (b) the collection is not static but can alter or grow even after being made available to the digital media player; and (c) the said digital media files form a subset of a catalogue of digital media files available for the digital media player to play.

Abstract: A method, and an automated system or tool, for interrogating networks, and most significantly mobile networks, in order to identify network and gateway issues at the earliest point. The method uses the combination of a client device and a server to execute one or more test cases on the network and thereby determine those characteristics of the network which are relevant to the implementation of a network-based service on the said network. The network characteristics include one or more of data fidelity, protocol support, data timeout periods, data length restrictions and network performance.

Abstract: A computer implemented process encompasses the following steps: Identify the user's current media content library/ies; Analyse the content of those libraries, deriving a “taste signature” for the user from that analysis; Match the derived “taste signature” to other media content and to other users; and provide the user with recommendations based on that automatic matching process.