Disambiguation refers to the process of splitting an audio stream into separate audio files. These files may or may not be tagged with metadata

Metadata

The term metadata is an ambiguous term which is used for two fundamentally different concepts . Although the expression "data about data" is often used, it does not apply to both in the same way. Structural metadata, the design and specification of data structures, cannot be about data, because at...

 which gives information about the track, such as the title or artist.

TimeTrax

While the idea probably did not start here, TimeTrax

TimeTrax

TimeTrax is a software program, as well as the parent company, which allows audio recording from satellite radio.The original software was created by Scott MacLean to time shift XM Satellite Radio programming using the $50 XM PCR PC-connected satellite radio—doing so by recording the audio to MP3...

 is one example of a software program that disambiguates audio tracks. Specifically, TimeTrax does so with the help of identification data that is transmitted as part of an XM or Sirius satellite audio stream.

RDS

More recently, the Radio Data System

Radio Data System

Radio Data System, or RDS, is a communications protocol standard for embedding small amounts of digital information in conventional FM radio broadcasts. RDS standardises several types of information transmitted, including time, station identification and programme information.Radio Broadcast Data...

 has developed as a way for radio stations to transmit ID information to FM receivers. Assuming a compatible interface, a computer could use the RDS data from an FM receiver to separate the audio in to separate songs, then label them with artist and title data.

PERFORM Act

In 2006, and again in 2007, the PERFORM Act, a bill proposed to the United States Senate, would make it illegal for companies to provide software or hardware to disambiguate audio tracks.