Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for updating a configuration of a device. An indication of an intended action to be performed by the device is obtained. A configuration list of program components required to perform the intended action is prepared based on the intended action and configuration information for the device. For each program component in the configuration list it is determined whether the program component is installed on the device. Each required program component that is not installed on the device is transferred to the device and the program component is installed on the device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and system, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for delivery of media content. A communication channel is established between a particular digital media playback device and a content server on which media content is stored. Device-identifying information relating to the particular digital media playback device is received through the communication channel. A request for media content to be delivered to the digital media playback device is received. It is determined, based on the device-identifying information, whether the requested media content is playable on the digital media playback device. If the requested media content is playable on the digital media playback device, the requested media content and metadata associated with the media content are obtained and formatted, based on the device-identifying information, for playback on the digital media playback device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and system, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for delivery of media files to a particular digital media playback device. The system comprises a content server and a download manager located in the digital media playback device. The content server receives device-identifying information obtained from the digital media playback device, and distributes media files in response to the received device-identifying information. The download manager forwards device-identifying information to the content server over a public communication network and receives media files over the public communication network from the content server for playback on the particular digital media playback device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and system, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for delivering media files to a particular digital media playback device. The system includes a content server and a download manager. The content server receives device-identifying information obtained from a particular digital media playback device and distributes media files in response to the received device-identifying information. The download manager obtains device-identifying information from a particular digital media playback device that is in communication with the download manager, forwards the obtained device-identifying information to the content server over a public communication network, receives media files over the public communication network from the content server, and distributes the received media files to the particular digital media playback device for playback on the particular digital media playback device.

Abstract: System and methods for performing search and retrieval operations over multiple databases, the system and methods being suitable for use in combination with databases of different kinds managed by different database management systems, the system and methods also being suitable for use in combination with databases resident on different computers in a computer network environment. The system and methods in their simplest application search each of a pair of database segments incrementally, using the incremental results of one search to direct the processing of the other search. The methods may be nested, and the system may be used in multiple instances, to effect searches on combinations of any number of database segments.