Graphic user interface that is usable as a PC interface and an A/V interface

A graphic user interface, comprising:

• means for determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of recording media retained within said multi-recording medium storage apparatus;
• means for accumulating statistical information regarding the identity of said at least one of said plurality of recording media;
• means for obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said plurality of recording media based upon the identity thereof;
• and
• means for obtaining from an external information source further additional information in accordance with said statistical information;
• wherein said graphic user interface allows a user to view and manipulate said additional information and said further additional information;
• and
• means for accumulating statistical information representing the frequency with which at least one particular recording medium is played by a user.

A graphic user interface, comprising:

• means for determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of recording media retained within said multi-recording medium storage aparatus;
• means for accumulating statistical information regarding the identity of said at least one of said plurality of recording media;
• means for obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said plurality of recording media based upon the identity thereof;
• and
• means for obtaining from an external information source further additional information in accordance with said statistical information;
• wherein said graphic user interface allows a user to view and manipulate said additional information and said further additional information;
• and
• wherein said statistical information includes information representing the frequency of play of retained recording media of at least one particular artist.

A graphic user interface for use with a multi-disc CD player, comprising:

• means for determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of CDs retained within said multi-disc CD player;
• and
• means for accumulating information regarding playback frequency for said at least one CD;
• means for obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said CDs based upon the identity and accumulated information thereof;
• wherein said graphic user interface displays said additional information.

A method for controlling a multi-recording media storage apparatus by a graphic user interface, comprising the steps of:

• determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of recording media retained within a multi-recording medium storage apparatus;
• accumulating statistical information regarding at least the identity and loading or playback frequency of said at least one of said plurality of recording media;
• obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said plurality of recording media based upon the identity thereof;
• obtaining from an external information source further additional information in accordance with said accumulated statistical information;
• and
• manipulating said additional information and said further additional information by using said graphic user interface.

A method for controlling a multi-recording media storage apparatus by a graphic user interface, comprising the steps of:

• determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of recording media retained within a multi-recording medium storage apparatus;
• accumulating statistical information regarding the identity of said at least one of said plurality of recording media;
• obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said plurality of recording media based upon the identity thereof;
• obtaining from an external information source further additional information in accordance with said statistical information;
• manipulating said additional information and said further additional information by using said graphic user interface;
• and
• obtaining statistical information representing the frequency with which at least one particular recording medium is played by a user.

A method for controlling a multi-recording media storage apparatus by a graphic user interface, comprising the steps of:

• determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of recording media retained within a multi-recording medium storage apparatus;
• accumulating statistical information representing the identity of said at least one of said plurality of recording media and the frequency of play of retained recording media of at least one particular artist;
• obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said plurality of recording media based upon the identity thereof;
• obtaining from an external information source further additional information in accordance with said statistical information;
• and
• manipulating said additional information and said further additional information by using said graphic user interface.

A method for controlling a multi-disc CD player by a graphic user interface, comprising the steps of:

• determining the identity of at least one of a plurality of CDs retained within said multi-disc CD player;
• accumulating information regarding loading or playback frequency for said at least one CD;
• obtaining from an external database additional information regarding said at least one of said CDs based upon the identity and accumulated information thereof;
• and
• displaying said additional information on a graphic user interface.