Abstract: Methods and systems are described that greatly enhance a user's experience when playing various media (e.g. CDs and DVDs). One or more databases, managed by a server, maintain metadata associated with various media. Through inventive mapping techniques, physical IDs that are associated with a user's specific media are mapped to logical IDs. The logical IDs then serve as the basis for database queries that retrieve the metadata. The retrieved metadata can then be sent to a client computer and displayed for the user. In one embodiment, a set of extensible markup language (XML) schema are provided for data exchange between client and server. Additional embodiments allow users to immediately contribute to the set of understood ID mappings. Further, a Wizard is provided and can be used to assist in mapping physical IDs to logical IDs.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that enhance a user's experience when playing a DVD through an enabled media player. One or more databases, managed by a server, maintain metadata associated with DVDs. When a DVD is loaded using the enabled media player, a DVD ID is automatically determined and used to search the metadata database. A user can confirm metadata that is found, causing the metadata to be stored in a local media library. Alternatively, the user can enter other search criteria to be used to locate different DVD metadata. Additionally, a user can either edit metadata that is returned from the metadata database, or manually enter metadata to be associated with a particular DVD. The user-edited or user-entered metadata can then be stored in the local media library.

Abstract: A method and system for transparently combining remote and local storage to provide an extended file system such as a virtual local drive for a computer system client/user, e.g., a user of a pocket sized personal computer or a cable set-top box. A client device may load file system object data, storing the directories and files remotely, and retrieving the files only when required. Via its local storage, the extended file system handles unreliable connections and delays. When a connection to an extended file system server is present, the extended file system provides automatic downloading of information that is not locally cached, and automatically uploading of information that has been modified on the client. Extended file system attributes are employed to determine the actual location of file system data, and a lightweight protocol is defined to download or upload remote data by low-level components that make the remote source transparent from the perspective of the application.

Abstract: Systems and methods for data publishing. A back end server collects source data and generates a current publication database from the collected source data. The back end database server also copies the current publication database to an offline database. A front end server directs queries to an online database. After the current publication database is copied to the offline database, the front end server alternates the online and offline databases so that the offline database becomes online for data delivery and the online database becomes offline to prevent data delivery. An automation control database managed by the back end server contains job control data for instructing the front end server which of the associated databases is online and which of the associated databases is offline.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that enhance a user's experience when playing a DVD through an enabled media player. One or more databases, managed by a server, maintain metadata associated with DVDs. When a DVD is loaded using the enabled media player, a DVD ID is automatically determined and used to search the metadata database. A user can confirm metadata that is found, causing the metadata to be stored in a local media library. Alternatively, the user can enter other search criteria to be used to locate different DVD metadata. Additionally, a user can either edit metadata that is returned from the metadata database, or manually enter metadata to be associated with a particular DVD. The user-edited or user-entered metadata can then be stored in the local media library.

Abstract: A method and system for transparently combining remote and local storage to provide an extended file system such as a virtual local drive for a computer system client/user, e.g., a user of a pocket sized personal computer or a cable set-top box. A client device may load file system object data, storing the directories and files remotely, and retrieving the files only when required. Via its local storage, the extended file system handles unreliable connections and delays. When a connection to an extended file system server is present, the extended file system provides automatic downloading of information that is not locally cached, and automatically uploading of information that has been modified on the client. Extended file system attributes are employed to determine the actual location of file system data, and a lightweight protocol is defined to download or upload remote data by low-level components that make the remote source transparent from the perspective of the application.

Abstract: System and methods for processing user feedback data corresponding to digital media files. Client computers execute a media player program for rendering media files to their users. A server receives user-provided data entries relating to content of the media files and performs per field conflict resolution to determine relationships between the entries. Based on the relationships, the server aggregates the data entries and then defines new metadata records from the aggregated data for publishing to the users. The invention is directed to a user feedback data schema.

Abstract: Systems and methods for data publishing. A back end server collects source data and generates a current publication database from the collected source data. The back end database server also copies the current publication database to an offline database. A front end server directs queries to an online database. After the current publication database is copied to the offline database, the front end server alternates the online and offline databases so that the offline database becomes online for data delivery and the online database becomes offline to prevent data delivery. An automation control database managed by the back end server contains job control data for instructing the front end server which of the associated databases is online and which of the associated databases is offline.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that greatly enhance a user's experience when playing various media (e.g. CDs and DVDs). One or more databases, managed by a server, maintain metadata associated with various media. Through inventive mapping techniques, physical IDs that are associated with a user's specific media are mapped to logical IDs. The logical IDs then serve as the basis for database queries that retrieve the metadata. The retrieved metadata can then be sent to a client computer and displayed for the user. In one embodiment, a set of extensible markup language (XML) schema are provided for data exchange between client and server. Additional embodiments allow users to immediately contribute to the set of understood ID mappings. Further, a Wizard is provided and can be used to assist in mapping physical IDs to logical IDs.