A computer-implemented method includes receiving, from a remote communication device and at a server system, information that indicates a unique identifier for a physical item that corresponds to media content, the identifier differing from identifiers for other physical items that correspond to the same content; associating the received information with an account of a first user of a hosted internet service; and subsequently providing, by the hosted internet service, content that matches the content that corresponds to the physical item, based on a determination that the received information authorizes the first user to obtain the content provided by the hosted internet service.

An automatic playback overshoot correction system predicts the position in the program material where the user expects to be when the user stops the fast forward progression of the program material. The system determines the position where the program material was stopped and transitions to the new mode that the user selected, starting at the stopped position with an overshoot correction factor subtracted from it. The system uses a prediction method to correctly place the user within the program upon transition out of fast forward mode and determines if the speed of the fast forward mode and then automatically subtracts a time multiple to the frame where the transition was detected and positions the user at the correct frame. The time multiple is fine tuned if the user is consistently correcting after the fast forward mode stops.

A system and method for the simultaneous creation, assembly and transmission of synchronous multiple personalized messages to specific targeted individuals or other entities. The system can send rich media distinctly personalized messages such as commercials to a small or large group of selected individuals through any appropriate distribution media. A personalized message is created based on segmenting a message into multiple slots, and providing different selectable segments for each slot. The multiple segments are then simultaneously broadcasted over multiple data streams to a receiver, wherein the receiver switches between the data streams to assemble the personalized message in a just-in-time fashion. Other data including overlays, animation, frame transitions etc. may also be transmitted and used to assemble the personalized message.

A communication apparatus configured to transmit data to an apparatus, the communication apparatus including: a storage medium configured to store management information of data to be transferred to the apparatus; a communicator configured to communicate data with the apparatus; a detector configured to detect whether the communication apparatus and the apparatus are connected; an editor configured to select certain data to be transferred and to edit the management information based on the selection without regard to the connection of the communication apparatus and the apparatus; and a controller configured to control transfer of the selected data stored in the communication apparatus to the apparatus via the communicator based on the management information edited by the editor when the detector detects that the communication apparatus and the apparatus are connected, wherein the controller is configured to compare the management information edited by the editor with management information of data stored in the apparatus, determine the size of the selected data in the communication apparatus, and transmit data in the communication apparatus based on result of the comparison and the determination.

A communication apparatus configured to transmit data to an apparatus, the communication apparatus including: a storage medium configured to store management information of data to be transferred to the apparatus; a communicator configured to communicate data with the apparatus; a detector configured to detect whether the communication apparatus and the apparatus are connected; an editor configured to select certain data to be transferred and to edit the management information based on the selection without regard to the connection of the communication apparatus and the apparatus; and a controller configured to control transfer of the selected data stored in the communication apparatus to the apparatus via the communicator based on the management information edited by the editor when the detector detects that the communication apparatus and the apparatus are connected, wherein the controller is configured to compare the management information edited by the editor with management information of data stored in the apparatus, determine the size of the selected data in the communication apparatus, and transmit data in the communication apparatus based on result of the comparison and the determination.

A data recording apparatus including: a data reading device configured to read data from a first recording medium and configured to store data and first management data for managing the data by file; a data recording device configured to record data on a second recording medium; a management data producing device configured to produce second management data for managing data recorded on the second recording medium based on the first management data of the first recording medium on which the data recorded on the second recording medium has been recorded; a data determining device configured to determine data unrecorded on the second recording medium by comparing the first management data read by the data reading device from the first recording medium with the second management data recorded on the second recording medium; a control device configured to read the data determined by the data determining device from the first recording medium and cause the recording device to record the read data onto the second recording medium; and a display device configured to display the recording status of data, managed by the first management data read by the reading device from the first recording medium, on the second recording medium, wherein the recording status includes one of recording of data complete, recording of data in progress, and recording of data yet to begin.

A communication apparatus configured to transmit data to an apparatus, the communication apparatus including: a storage medium configured to store management information of data to be transferred to the apparatus; a communicator configured to communicate data with the apparatus; a detector configured to detect whether the communication apparatus and the apparatus are connected; an editor configured to select certain data to be transferred and to edit the management information based on the selection without regard to the connection of the communication apparatus and the apparatus; and a controller configured to control transfer of the selected data stored in the communication apparatus to the apparatus via the communicator based on the management information edited by the editor when the detector detects that the communication apparatus and the apparatus are connected, wherein the controller is configured to compare the management information edited by the editor with management information of data stored in the apparatus, determine the size of the selected data in the communication apparatus, and transmit data in the communication apparatus based on result of the comparison and the determination.

A data recording apparatus including: a data reading device configured to read data from a first recording medium and configured to store data and first management data for managing the data by file; a data recording device configured to record data on a second recording medium; a management data producing device configured to produce second management data for managing data recorded on the second recording medium based on the first management data of the first recording medium on which the data recorded on the second recording medium has been recorded; a data determining device configured to determine data unrecorded on the second recording medium by comparing the first management data read by the data reading device from the first recording medium with the second management data recorded on the second recording medium; a control device configured to read the data determined by the data determining device from the first recording medium and cause the recording device to record the read data onto the second recording medium; and a display device configured to display the recording status of data, managed by the first management data read by the reading device from the first recording medium, on the second recording medium, wherein the recording status includes one of recording of data complete, recording of data in progress, and recording of data yet to begin.

An apparatus and method for providing information in conjunction with media content, including a receiver, wherein the receiver receives at least one of a transmission of media content and a broadcast of media content, wherein the media content includes at least one of broadcast media content and entertainment media content, and further wherein the receiver receives information regarding the media content, a processor for processing at least one of the received media content and the received information regarding the media content, a display device for visually displaying the information regarding the media content, and/or a speaker device for audibly announcing the information regarding the media content.

A communication apparatus configured to transmit data to an apparatus, the communication apparatus including: a storage medium configured to store management information of data to be transferred to the apparatus; a communicator configured to communicate data with the apparatus; a detector configured to detect whether the communication apparatus and the apparatus are connected; an editor configured to select certain data to be transferred and to edit the management information based on the selection without regard to the connection of the communication apparatus and the apparatus; and a controller configured to control transfer of the selected data stored in the communication apparatus to the apparatus via the communicator based on the management information edited by the editor when the detector detects that the communication apparatus and the apparatus are connected, wherein the controller is configured to compare the management information edited by the editor with management information of data stored in the apparatus, determine the size of the selected data in the communication apparatus, and transmit data in the communication apparatus based on result of the comparison and the determination.