Abstract: The invention describes a method of updating content of a portable device (1) with a file system (14) for managing the content (F1, F2, . . . , Fn), an associated file system table (2), and a content database (3) for presenting the content (F1, F2, . . . , Fn) according to content metadata (M1, M2, . . . , Mn), which method comprises establishing a connection between the portable device (1) and a main device (4), replicating at least part of the current file system table (2) to give a primary file system table replica, modifying the content (F1, F2, . . . , Fn) of the portable device (1) by means of the main device (4), comparing the modified file system table (2?) to the primary file system table replica (2) and updating the content database (3) of the portable device (1) on the basis of the comparison results. Furthermore, the invention describes a system (5) for updating content (F1, F2, . . . , Fn) of a portable device (1), and a portable device (1).

Abstract: Kiosk/Download Stations (2) are located in public places, such as retail establishments, malls, and so forth, for providing customers who own or newly purchase portable audio and/or audio/visual playback/recording devices (8) to be provided a service for rapidly downloading from the Kiosk (2) into a given device (8) newly purchased program material and/or previously purchased program material of the associated customer, the Kiosk (2) encoding the program material in a manner to only permit the customer to produce a backup copy by uploading the program material into the customer's PC (12), and only download the program material from the PC (12) into the customer's single device (8), while preventing any other copying of the program material from either the customer's device (8) or PC (12).

Abstract: Content is transferred between a first storage device (50) and a second storage device (20) when the devices are selectively connected. An order of priority is determined for content which requires transfer The content is then transferred according to the determined order of priority. This allows content to be transferred in an order which should ensure that the second storage device stores as much useful data as possible after interruption of the transfer The order of priority can be based on importance of the content (e.g. user defined importance settings, historical usage information, context information) or on size of the items. The order can also be based on the preferences of a user of one of the devices, which are either explicitly defined by the user or learned by the device. Individual items of content can be sub-divided and transferred in a different order, e.g. multi-layered audio or video.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reduction of power consumption of electronic mass storage devices, and more particularly to such a reduction of power consumption in mobile infotainment products. These devices are equipped with a subsystem comprising a mass storage device (48) and a buffer memory (43, 44). The size of the buffer memory (43, 44) is adapted in such a way that optimally low power consumption is achieved. This accomplishment by activating or deactivating memory banks (45) comprised in the buffer memory chips. The amount of memory banks (45) activated is determined by operating characteristics of the subsystem, e.g. a desired bit-rate to be achieved for transmissions to/from the mass storage device (48).

Abstract: A playback device for playback of a media stream stored on a storage medium, the device comprising control means for controlling the reading, buffering and playback of the media stream. During playback a buffer is filled by reading means and emptied by a playback unit. At each buffer filling a buffer refilling time, i.e. the moment when the buffer will be empty and thus has to be refilled, is calculated. After each buffer filling the storage medium can change to standby mode till buffer refilling is to occur. Thus power consumption by the storage medium is minimized. The buffer refilling time (28) depends on the total consumption time (27) and the buffer filling period (22). The total consumption time (27) is determined depending on playback mode control information. The buffer filling period (22) is calculated depending on information about the retrieval of the media stream or an estimation of the buffer filling period (22) is made.

Abstract: A battery powered device (1) for playback of a media title from a storage medium (6). The device comprises reading means (7, 8) for reading the media title and for retrieving playback control information concerning the media title from the storage medium (6). Playback control information may contain for example frame rate, playing time, resolution or compression rate of a media title. Before playback a voltage detection circuit (3) determines the amount of power available in the battery (2) and a calculation unit (4) calculates the power required for playing back the media title to the end. The playback control information is used by the calculation unit (4) for calculating the required power in relation to the available power. Warning means may warn the user for an upcoming power shortage. Different options for coping with an upcoming power shortage may be presented to the user.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling to establish a connection between multiple UpnP-compliant resources, wherein each of the resources has a respective ConnectionManager service. The method comprises configuring the respective ConnectionManager services so to enable a UpnP Control Point to use the respective services for negotiating the connection between the respective resources to be established at a time determined in advance.

Abstract: The method for recording data comprised in a real time data stream sequentially on multiple recording media reduces the buffer required to temporarily store data from the data stream by starting the change of recording medium when an interruption in the program to be recorded is detected. At least part of the data during the change of recording medium is of less interest to the user and the loss of this data is thus preferred over the loss of data belonging to the program that is to be recorded. By allowing selective loss of data the buffer size is reduced.

Abstract: Portable devices for rendering multimedia data objects are widely known; mainly for reproducing audio, but also for reproducing video. These devices are powered by battery, which is known to have a limited amount of energy available. This carries the risk that no energy is available any more, while a multimedia data object that is rendered, is not rendered in full this leaves a user unsatisfied. Therefore, the amount of energy of the battery is checked and when a multimedia data object selected to be rendered can be rendered in full, it is rendered. When it cannot be rendered in full, it is not rendered. In an embodiment according to the invention, this check is made for a group of selected multimedia data objects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating edit effects on compressed video data is disclosed. First, an edit point is selected. Two anchor pictures on each side of the edit point are then selected. A series of frames is created to create an edit transition at the edit point. The series of frames can be B-picture frames, I-picture frames, or B-picture frames which contain Intra-coded macroblocks.

Abstract: A system 100 includes a plurality of devices 150, 160, 162, 164, 166 that can communicate via a network (110). The server device 150 includes a content directory service (hereinafter “CDS”) with a dynamic, hierarchical structure of containers, each capable of storing objects; each object including an object description and an object content or object content locator, such as a URL. The CDS includes a predetermined upload container. The other devices in the system can make an object available via the CDS to devices in the system by uploading the object to the predetermined container. The server determines for an uploaded object a container in the CDS based on the object description and/or object content, and moves the uploaded object to the determined container.

Abstract: A method (2) of controlling memory usage in a portable streaming device (100), a portable streaming device (100) and a computer readable medium (110). The portable streaming device (100) comprises at least one memory (102), at least one processing unit (101), and at least one storage device (103) being operatively connected with said memory (102) under control of said processing unit (101). The size of a disk scheduler buffer memory within said memory in said portable streaming device is adaptively maximised by said method (2) at all times. Free memory available within the portable streaming device is continuously allocated (50) and at least a portion of said allocated free memory is designated as disk scheduler buffer memory (60). Thus results improved solid state memory utilisation of the portable streaming device, and due to larger available disk buffer memory size, less start-stop-cycles of the storage device are initiated, which leads to a longer life-cycle of said portable streaming device.

Abstract: A service that provides playback of media content, that may include advertising content, to a user. The system comprises device, that may be a portable wireless device, where the wireless device has a media drive and an application that reads content from a medium inserted in the media drive. The system further comprises a service that communicates with the wireless device via a wireless network. The service provides control commands to the application program for controlling playback of content from the medium when inserted in the media drive. The service may also provide advertising content to the user based on a user profile. A fee may be paid for the delivery of the content and/or the advertising to the user.

Abstract: A system for providing playback of media content to a user. The system comprises a portable wireless device, where the wireless device has a media drive and an application that reads content from a medium inserted in the media drive. The system further comprises a service that communicates with the wireless device via a wireless network. The service provides control commands to the application program for controlling playback of content from the medium when inserted in the media drive.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for obtaining updated information using a portable disk-based information device. The disk-based information device may be included within or attached to a portable networking device such as a personal data assistant (PDA) or a cellular telephone. Update information may be received from a data provider through, for example, a mobile telephone network. The update information may be compared with information provided on the disk. Updated information may then be delivered to a user in response to a user request, reporting new information and replacing outdated information provided on the disk with information received from the data provider.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording a data stream on a storage medium for improving non-linear playback performance of the recorded data is disclosed. First, the data stream is received. The I-pictures from the data stream are stored in a first buffer and the remaining data from the data stream is stored in a second buffer. Each time the first buffer becomes full, the I-pictures stored in the first buffer are written onto an intra-coded allocation unit on the storage medium. Then, the contents of the second buffer are written onto preferably a subsequent inter-coded allocation unit.

Abstract: The apparatus is suitable for managing a data carrier (1) obtaining a fast data transfer from it to the apparatus when the carrier is driven with a constant angular velocity (CAV). It comprises a motor (3) for driving the carrier, an optical head having light source (16) for reading and/or writing data stored form and in it. Furthermore, it comprises means, involving a processor set (50) for determining the frequency of the use of files contained in the data carrier, such that the more frequently used ones are put in a location for a faster transfer. While the transfer is being performed, the motor and the light source arc stopped so that supply energy is economized, which is interesting for a battery-operated apparatus. Application: The invention is well suited for small size R/W optical discs (SFFO).

Abstract: A device for scanning a record carrier has a head for scanning a track for reading and/or writing information. A disc scheduler controls receiving requests for accessing the record carrier, the requests including streaming requests regarding real time information and auxiliary requests (44) regarding auxiliary information. The disc scheduler reduces power consumption of the device by switching the scanning means to a stand-by mode when no requests are pending and switching the scanning means to an operational mode when a request has to be executed. The auxiliary requests are executed in a processing interval (45) in combination with a selected one of the streaming requests. Hence the number of spin-ups of the record carrier is reduced.

Abstract: A method, a media system of/for recommending media content on the media system (103) by use of a first set (300) of preference profiles stored on the media system and a second set (301) of preference profiles stored on a server (101), wherein each preference profile of said two sets of preference profiles comprises preferred media content saved with characteristics of a community on the server, and saved with characteristics of a user on the media system. The media system can be a TV, a computer, a personal video recorder, a set-top box or a radio. The media content can be TV, video, a radio broadcasting, Internet or Internet sites. The community characteristics can be a community name, a profession, an employer, a department of the employer, a group, a sub-group, a region of living, a sex, sexual preferences, etc. The preferred media content can be categories such as comedy, horror, sport, opera, news, etc.

Abstract: A method and a system for mobile ad-hoc Internet sharing. The system comprises a first portable device (10) that is provided with wireless communication capability (11) and that is enabled to identify a user A of the device (10), a second device (20I;20II) that is provided with wireless communication capability (21I;21II) and with capability (22I;22II) to connect to the Internet via an ISP, and that is enabled to identify a user B responsible for the connection, and an ISP (30). The method comprises wirelessly sending information from the first device (10) to the second device (20I;20II), for initiating a connection between the first device (10) and the ISP (30), forwarding the information from the second device (20I;20II) to the ISP (30), identifying, at the ISP (30), that the information is sent from user B and originates from user A, and initiating, at the ISP (30), registration for charging of an account (36) of user A for said connection.