Remotely configured media device

Abstract

A portable wireless communications subscriber audio and / or video player apparatus and system and method for selecting, requesting, downloading, and playing audio and / or video data content files from an Internet-based database server. The wireless link is preferably implemented in accordance with the WiFi protocol, which allows connectivity to the Internet by being in proximity with a local base station or WiFi hotspot (i.e., publicly available local wireless access hub connected to the Internet). The portable wireless communications subscriber audio and / or video player apparatus and system preferably include a security means for monitoring and blocking unauthorized use of the player apparatus and system. The player apparatus further preferably has the capability to communicate with other neighboring player apparatus for the purpose of exchanging content data files, playlists and personal messages.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 507,110 filed Oct. 1, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]a. Field of Invention[0003]The present invention relates to the field of digital audio and video player devices that are preferably portable and receive content either from a secure subscription-based or “a-la-carte” content delivery service or from other participant devices, and more particularly to a portable player apparatus that is in wireless communications with an Internet-based file server and laterally to a peer player apparatus. The present invention also relates to a system and method for delivery and management of such content to such devices.[0004]b. Description of the Prior Art[0005]The development of compressed digital audio and video formats, such as the Motion Picture Experts Group—Layer 3 (MP3) audio compression standard, MPEG 21, Advanced Audio Coding (A...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a portable wireless audio and video player apparatus that allows users to access and play new audio and video content without needing a desktop or laptop computer. It has a peer-to-peer audio and video data transfer module, a wireless communication link to an Internet-connected base, software for requesting and downloading content from a database server, and a user interface to access and play the content. The apparatus is designed to be a standalone device with simple and clear user interface. It can play, search, and manage large volumes of content and can be easily shared with other users. The invention also provides secure methods for content owners to distribute their content to mass-market consumers on a subscription basis. The portable player device includes a first security means that disables playback and transfer of media files, but can be activated when a subscription service is activated. The media distribution system includes an Internet-based database server, an Internet application server, and a communications network for secure and efficient delivery of data content files to each portable device. The content can be distributed in encrypted form, only to be played when decrypted with a private digital decryption key. The portable player device has an internal clock that cannot be set or reset by the user, but rather can only be digitally set by establishing a secure and authenticated connection to a secure subscriber network that provides it with accurate time and date information.

Problems solved by technology

However, due to computational requirements, consumers were generally only able to access and use compressed and uncompressed digital audio and video on their personal laptop and desktop computers (except for conventional commercially-sold pre-recorded CDs and DVDs, which were playable on standard players connected to home stereos and the like).

This severely limited portable use and access to such digital audio and video content in that it required the user to be present at or near his or her computer to see and / or hear the playback, which typically could only be through speakers and / or a screen internal to or connected to the computer and not easily transported in digital format to more favorable listening environments, such as the user's car.

Disadvantageously, however, data transfer and advanced sorting and sequencing of selections are difficult or impossible for a user to accomplish unless the DMP is connected to the computer, which does not allow the user to obtain new content or to make other desirable modifications to the content stored on the DMP, such as easily modifying the sequence of the content selections stored on the device while the player device is not connected to the computer.

Further, in the case of audio, these players typically do not enable a non-technical user to create and manage custom “playlists” (i.e., fixed song sequences), such that a user can easily develop and use a variety of personalized playlists for use at different times. Also disadvantageously, the display and user interface on these audio devices is typically limited in size, involves the use of multi-functional buttons which are complex for many users and is not touch-sensitive, thereby preventing non-expert users from easily viewing and modifying the listing and sequence of audio tracks stored on the DMP.

A further disadvantage of the prior art is that users are typically required to select content selections one-by-one and then to add them to the device.

Such requirement creates an inconvenience for the user since typically the user may prefer variety in the programming, and in many cases may not want to create a selection-by-selection sequence of entertainment, especially in the case of music.

However, in all cases involving terrestrial and satellite broadcasts, the user does not have the control to stop, start, rewind, fast-forward, replay or skip any portion of the programming.

Also, neither terrestrial and satellite broadcasts, nor Internet-based media services allow the user to call up and access specific new selections on-demand on a portable device that does not have full PC functionality (e.g., a lap top) and is not connected to a wired Internet connection.

Further, in the case of radio-linked audio player devices, player device reception is typically limited due to physical terrain and geographic features, which can distort radio signals that in all cases need to be continuously present and stable during the audio output to provide the user with a satisfactory entertainment experience.

A further disadvantage of the prior art is that a security method is not provided for content owners to enable distribution of content to users, management of the content and deletion / expiration of their content on a subscription basis using only a standalone DMP that is not reliant on the use of associated desktop or laptop computer software, while still maintaining royalty records and rights, especially against secondary party transfers.

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