Abstract: A media identifier registry for managing metadata records. The registry stores a unique logical identifier for each of the records as well as a base type corresponding to each of the logical identifiers. The base types are representative of the information contained in the respective metadata records for the corresponding logical identifiers. The registry further defines associations between the logical identifiers and base types. Improvements in identifying media content and related information according to the invention permit building a media data warehouse capable of aggregating data from many different sources, uniquely identify the same piece of content from different data providers, in different cultures, and in different physical forms to allow a consistent set of data to be stored and retrieved.

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.