Abstract: A portable audio device capable of providing extended information to a user. The portable audio device includes a store of audio data files, a store of extended data associated with the audio data files and an audio converter to convert the audio data files to audio signals and to convert the extended data to audio signals. The converted audio signals are then presented to the user via a speaker.

Abstract: A digital audio device. The device includes a communications port to connect the device to a server and a controller to allow transfer of digital audio files from the server. The digital audio files may include non-audio data interleaved with the digital audio files and the device will include a decoder to decode the non-audio data.

Abstract: A media system. The system includes a store of individual files of media content and a repository of meta-information that is related to the individual files of media content. The system also includes a query interface enabling creation of queries that are used on a database to identify files of media content that satisfy the query.

Abstract: A remote media player and methods for managing content. The media player includes storage to store content files. A user interface allows the user to make content selections. The content selections are used with a content database to manage the relationships between the selections and the content files. The player also includes a processor to perform organization tasks on the content files based upon the content selections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically creating a play list from search criteria. A user inputs at least one search parameter for a store of music files. The player then builds a search query from the search parameter and any other search parameters entered. The query is stored in such a manner that the query is associated with a particular play list name. When the user desires to play that play list, the entry of the play list name causes the query to be executed and a list of objects is obtained. The list of objects may in turn contain other queries, which are then executed as well.

Abstract: A portable audio device. The portable audio device includes a digital audio player that converts digital signals stored in a memory to audio signals and audio outputs that allow a user to hear the audio signals. The audio device also includes an expansion module residing separate from the player that provides extra capacity. The extra capacity may be memory or battery capacity. It may reside on a remote control or in the earphones, among other locations.

Abstract: A method for sorting music files. A parameter to be used in sorting is selected, either by the player or by the user. A random number is generated and weights are assigned to the parameter and the random number. These values are then used to calculate sorting criteria for each file. The files are then sorted by their sorting criteria, generating a playlist.