Method for avoiding refreshing a database of metadata associated with digital media content

• US 20080288098A1
• Filed: 05/18/2007
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sandisk Technologies Incorporated (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Yoon, In-Soo, Kwon, Hyuk-Il, Jeppson, David, Meza, Joseph R., Thanos, William
• Granted Patent: US 8,655,463 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/61 wherein solid state memory is used for storing A/V content storing computer data in solid state memories G06F
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier

Abstract

A method for avoiding refreshing a database of metadata associated with digital media content is disclosed. In one embodiment, a digital media player storing a database of metadata associated with digital media content determines whether a removable memory device was connected with the digital media player while the digital media player was powered down. The digital media player refreshes the database only if it is determined that the removable memory device was connected with the digital media player while the digital media player was powered down. In another embodiment, the digital media player determines whether the digital media content stored on the removable memory device changed since the database was last updated. The digital media player refreshes the database if it is determined that the digital media content stored on the removable memory device changed since the database was last updated.

Claims

1. A method for avoiding refreshing a database of metadata associated with digital media content, the method comprising:

with a digital media player storing a database of metadata associated with digital media content;

(a) determining whether a removable memory device was connected with the digital media player while the digital media player was powered down; and

(b) refreshing the database only if it is determined that the removable memory device was connected with the digital media player while the digital media player was powered down.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) comprises checking a latch in the digital media player for data indicating that the removable memory device was connected with the digital media player.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the latch comprises a D flip-flop.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein (a) and (b) are performed during power-up of the digital media player.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the database comprises a user interface database.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the digital media player further stores a media transfer protocol database.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein (b) comprises refreshing the user interface database but not the media transfer protocol database.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein (b) comprises refreshing both the user interface database and the media transfer protocol database.

9. A method for avoiding refreshing a database of metadata associated with digital media content, the method comprising:

with a digital media player storing a database of metadata associated with digital media content stored on a removable memory device;

(a) determining whether the digital media content stored on the removable memory device changed since the database was last updated; and

(b) refreshing the database if it is determined that the digital media content stored on the removable memory device changed since the database was last updated.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein (a) is performed by generating a check sum value from a file allocation table directory structure of the removable memory device and comparing the check sum value with a previously-generated value from the file allocation table directory structure of the removable memory device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein (a) is performed by comparing a value of an FSI_Free_Count field in a file allocation table of the removable memory device with a previously-stored value of the FSI_Free_Count field in the file allocation table of the removable memory device.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein (a) is performed by comparing a value of an FSI_Nxt_Free field in a file allocation table of the removable memory device with a previously-stored value of the FSI_Nxt_Free field in the file allocation table of the removable memory device.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein (a) is performed by comparing a list of details of a plurality of digital media files on the removable memory device.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein (a) and (b) are performed during power-up of the digital media player.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein (a) and (b) are performed while the digital media player is powered-up.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the database comprises a user interface database.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the digital media player further stores a media transfer protocol database.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein (b) comprises refreshing the user interface database but not the media transfer protocol database.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein (b) comprises refreshing both the user interface database and the media transfer protocol database.