Systems and methods for managing data, such as metadata. In one exemplary method, metadata from files created by several different software applications are captured, and the captured metadata is searched. The type of information in metadata for one type of file differs from the type of information in metadata for another type of file. Other methods are described and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.

Methods And Systems For Managing Data

A system allows a user to submit an ambiguous search query and to receive potentially disambiguated search results. In one implementation, a search engine's conventional alphanumeric index is translated into a second index that is ambiguated in the same manner as which the user's input is ambiguated. The user's ambiguous search query is compared to this ambiguated index, and the corresponding documents are provided to the user as search results.

Methods and apparatus for using a modified index to provide search results in response to an ambiguous search query

Textual Disambiguation Using Social Connections

Audiovisual reproduction system comprising a central unit managing a sound control circuit, and a telecommunications modem connected to a distribution network controlled by a host server, through a multitask operating system created around a tools and services library, characterized in that the operating system comprises a function that adjusts the sound control circuit to couple volumes in the various areas in which the loudspeakers in the audiovisual reproduction system are used, this function being accessible through a management mode of the multitask operating system, the coupling maintaining the ratios between the various volumes in each area when the volume in one area is modified.

Audiovisual reproduction system

A digital downloading jukebox system including a mechanism for delivering custom services to a recognized user, including services for creating playlists, communicating with others, accessing other features, etc. is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, after a user is recognized, the jukebox system allows users to access a special front-end via an Internet-enabled device or on an actual jukebox. Then, the user may, for example, create playlists, share songs with friends, send messages to friends, and access other value-added content. Such a system preferably learns about networks of friends, and enables managers to send similar messages to regular customers and/or others known to the system. In some exemplary embodiments, changes via a first user interface on a first device are reflected on second user interface on other properly-configured devices.

Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools

A system and method that enhances the index processing performance of a multi-layer relational database manager by expanding the code generation component layer of the database manager to include an index processing performance enhancing subroutine designed to execute functions performed by lower component layers substantially faster than if the functions were executed by such lower component layers. The subroutine includes logic for establishing the conditions under which the particular subroutine is invoked during the execution of a SQL request. The output code generated to execute a specific SQL query, including calls to the index processing subroutine in place of normally included calls to the lower component layer. This enables the generated code to perform lower component layer functions with specialized code designed to increase performance.

Todd Kneisel

Papers

Method and system for using dynamically generated code to perform index record retrieval in certain circumstances in a relational database manager