Content distribution system

Abstract

A system is presented providing content to a plurality of handheld devices (including musical selections). The devices can access a server over the Internet via a Wi-Fi or other similar wireless interconnection and can download songs requested by a user from the server or from other users using, e.g., a P2P protocol. All downloads may be governed by applicable DRM rules. Content and playlists may also be pushed by a server from other sources and means including, e.g., podcasting, based on predetermined rules, favorite preferences of users, and other criteria.

Description

[0001] Related Application Cross-References [0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS: This application claims serial numbers 60 / 807,840 filed July 20, 2006 and 60 / 943,675 filed June 13, 2007 and filed September 29, 2004 Priority to provisional application continuation-in-part of S.N. 10 / 953746, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] The invention relates to the field of digital audio and video player devices, preferably portable and receiving content from secure subscription-based services ("per menu" content delivery services) or from other participant devices, And more particularly, to a portable player device that at least periodically communicates wirelessly with an Internet-based file server and / or peer player device. The invention also relates to a system and method for delivering and managing the content for the device, and improvements to the system and method. Background technique [0004] Compressed digital audio and ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, these devices typically have certain limitations: (1) the device can only locally store digital content as it is broadcast, requiring the user to wait for the broadcast to occur and not giving the user the opportunity to access missed broadcasts

(2) In the case of music, specifically, if these devices enable the user to exert a significant amount of control over content playback and management, for example, the ability to rewind or repeat a recording of a satellite radio broadcast, or enable the user to It is possible to predict with certainty that music with a particular copyright will be broadcast at a particular time to enable users to capture digital recordings, then copyright and related laws restrict the reception of said devices to be legally manufactured and sold without the express approval of the content owner The ability to broadcast to consumers

[0011] Another shortcoming of the prior art is that it does not provide a secure method for enabling a content owner to use only a stand-alone DMP (which does not depend on using associated desktop or laptop software) on a subscribed Basic distribution of content to users, management of content and deletion / termination of their content, while still maintaining royalty records and rights, especially for secondary delivery

Images