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`EXHIBIT E
`EXHIBIT E
`
`
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0008256A1
`Khedouri et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jan. 12, 2006
`
`US 20060008256A1
`
`(54) AUDIO VISUAL PLAYER APPARATUS AND
`SYSTEMAND METHOD OF CONTENT
`DISTRIBUTION USING THE SAME
`
`(76) Inventors: Robert K. Khedouri, Roslyn, NY
`(US); Jonathan N. Axelrod, New York,
`NY (US); Harold E. Price, Bethel
`Park, PA (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`GOTTLEB RACKMAN & REISMAN PC
`27O MADSON AVENUE
`8TH FLOOR
`NEW YORK, NY 100160601
`Appl. No.:
`10/953,746
`Filed:
`Sep. 29, 2004
`
`(21)
`(22)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60)
`
`Provisional application No. 60/507,110, filed on Oct.
`1, 2003.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04N 5/781
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................................ 386/124; 386/125
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`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 com
`munications Subscriber audio and/or Video player apparatus
`and System preferably include a Security means for moni
`toring 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.
`
`309
`301
`
`303
`
`
`
`305
`
`
`
`
`
`AUDIO CONTENT
`DATABASES
`
`SUBSCRIBERAND USAGE DATABASES
`
`302
`
`ENCRYPTION
`ENGINE
`
`307
`306
`304
`UPLOAD AUTHENTIFICATION WEBSITEAPPLICATIONS
`MANAGER
`SERVER
`AND FRONTEND DATA
`
`SECURE NETWORK GATEWAY USING SSL
`
`
`
`WEBSITE FRONT-END AND USER
`INTERFACE SOFTWARE
`
`PUBLIC OR PRIVATE INTERNET CONNECTION AND OPTIONALWF LOCAL
`ACCESS HUB (1.E., LOCAL BASE STATION RECEIVER/TRANSCEIVER)
`
`310
`
`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 2 of 38
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`
`
`311
`
`PORTABLE
`AUDIO DEVICES
`#1
`
`PORTABLE
`AUDIODEVICES
`i2
`
`
`
`DESKTOP OR
`LAPTOP
`COMPUTER
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 1 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
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`
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`68 COMM. MODULE
`
`ENCRYPT.
`UNIT
`
`109
`
`DATA
`PROCESSING
`
`INPUT
`DEVICE
`
`118
`
`VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`(SDRAM)
`
`VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`(FLASH)
`
`RECHARGABLE
`BATTERY
`
`SOFTWARE
`MODULES
`
`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 3 of 38
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`HEAD PHONE
`JACK
`
`107
`COMPUTER CONTROLLER
`
`FIG. 1
`
`
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 2 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
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`
`
`FIG 2
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`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 5 of 38
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12,2006 Sheet 3 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256 Al
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 4 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
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`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 6 of 38
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`
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 5 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
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`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 7 of 38
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 6 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
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`–-R-Os
`
`88 rocese
`
`s
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 8 of 38
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`
`
`88 Eas
`
`
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`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 7 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
`
`
`
`704
`
`
`
`/ 709
`
`Sexx23
`DEVICE #1
`"ULL'S PLAYER"
`
`X PRIVACY
`"ON" MODE
`
`
`
`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 9 of 38
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`
`
`
`
`Q) SS SK3
`
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`7 N
`
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`
`DEVICE G
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 8 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
`
`
`
`A
`
`Allman Brothers, The
`Allman, Greg
`Almand MarC
`Alannah Myles-N-803
`Alan Menkin
`
`Alvarez, Jorje
`Algonquin, The
`Alkaline Trip
`Alternatives, The
`
`neW
`
`Gremlists
`
`WOrd
`
`Featured:
`Coldplay
`
`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 10 of 38
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`202
`
`202
`
`202
`
`804
`
`FIG. 8
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 9 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
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`
`
`Allman Brothers, The N-901
`
`one
`
`CW
`
`Featured:
`
`StatesbOrO Blues
`JeSSica
`Midnight Rider
`Gems HOOChie COOChie Man
`One Way Out
`Spoken
`Whipping Post
`WOrd
`True Fine Blues
`Great Train Robbery
`Fragile Tender Heart
`Hard TimeS A Plent
`
`A
`
`V
`
`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 11 of 38
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`FIG. 9
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 10 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
`
`
`
`1001
`
`JeSSica
`Legendary Hits S.C.
`
`1003
`
`Free
`
`Free
`
`$0.99
`
`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 12 of 38
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`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 11 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
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`O MusicGremlin Home
`
`
`
`
`
`Why Georgia
`Room For Squares
`John Mayer
`
`
`
`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 13 of 38
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`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 12 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
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`
`
`What's neW:
`Madonna,
`Coldplay
`
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`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 13 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
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`
`
`home
`
`my
`SOngS
`
`playlists
`
`Gremlists
`
`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 15 of 38
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 14 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
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`
`
`neW
`USIC
`
`Gremlists
`
`Alternative rOCk-N-1401
`This Week in the ClubS
`Hottest pop
`Aerobic WOrkOut
`Guitar Spotlight
`
`WOrd
`
`Country Charts
`
`Featured:
`Latin in
`Deep
`
`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 16 of 38
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 15 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
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`
`
`my music
`
`Current Gremlist
`SubSCriptions
`
`ty Jimmy
`Buffet'S
`Top Ten
`
`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 17 of 38
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`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 16 of 17
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`US 2006/0008256A1
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`my music
`
`Alternative ROCK
`last update 6/10/03-N-1601
`
`A
`
`
`
`home
`my
`
`SOngS
`
`my
`playlists
`
`my
`Gremlists
`
`modity Gremlist
`
`V
`back
`
`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 18 of 38
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`
`
`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12, 2006 Sheet 17 of 17
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`Gremlist:
`Alternative ROCk
`
`Timing: Weekly
`
`Length: 20 Songs
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1702
`
`1701
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`neW
`USIC
`
`hOme one
`Gens
`
`Gremlists
`
`
`
`
`
`Spoken
`WOrd
`
`FIG. 17
`
`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 19 of 38
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`
`
`US 2006/OOO8256 A1
`
`Jan. 12, 2006
`
`AUDIO VISUAL PLAYERAPPARATUS AND
`SYSTEMAND METHOD OF CONTENT
`DISTRIBUTION USING THE SAME
`
`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 par
`ticipant devices, and more particularly to a portable player
`apparatus that is in wireleSS communications with an Inter
`net-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 (MC), ATRAC, WMA, FLAC,
`Ogg-Vorbis and others enabled the growth in popularity of
`recording, Storing, transferring, and playing back digital
`audio and Video data on computers, including personal
`desktop and laptop computers. In particular, compressed
`digital audio and Video formats enabled more efficient
`Storage and transmission of high-quality audio and Video
`content by reducing the amount of digital data that needed
`to be Stored and transmitted, resulting in data files that could
`be Smaller than /10th of the original uncompressed digital
`file without unacceptably degrading the quality of the out
`put. However, due to computational requirements, consum
`ers 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 Ste
`reos 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
`C.
`0006 More recently, relatively low-cost, lightweight,
`compact, portable digital media players (“DMPs') have
`been developed, e.g., Rios Karma MP3 player, and Cre
`ative's Portable Media Center. These portable devices
`enable consumers to transfer compressed digital audio and/
`or video files stored on their computers to the portable
`devices through the use of associated computer-based Soft
`ware via an external connection, Such as a USB or
`“FireWire” cable, and to play the corresponding media
`on-demand through their DMPs while not in proximity to
`
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`their computer. Users most commonly accessed the audio on
`the device by connecting headphones via a Standard jack on
`the device, although it was also possible to connect a
`line-out cable to other audio output or recording devices,
`Such as a microphone- or line-input of a Standard home
`Stereo System.
`0007 Such DMPs originally tended to rely on the use of
`flash memory, Such as compact flash or Secure digital, for the
`Storage of audio content, and were capable of holding a
`maximum of approximately 0.5 to 1 gigabyte of memory.
`More recently, so-called “portable jukeboxes” have been
`introduced that can hold an estimated 10,000 songs or more
`of musical entertainment by including a miniature hard disk
`recorder in the housing of the device, which can have 40
`gigabytes or more of capacity. Portable video players with
`even greater hard disk capacity have also been developed.
`0008. In general, conventional DMPs are capable of
`allowing their users to (1) transfer compressed media files
`from a computer to the device through the use of associated
`transfer management Software installed on the computer and
`a physical connection to the computer, Such as a USB cable;
`(2) Store Such compressed media files in non-destructive
`memory; (3) decode for playback any of a variety of
`compression algorithms; (4) convert a compressed or
`uncompressed digital file to an analog format, potentially
`also processing the Signal to enhance the resulting Sound and
`images; (5) process and amplify the resulting analog signal;
`and (6) produce high-fidelity Sound and video for the user,
`which may be played, paused, fast-forwarded, rewound,
`skipped or replayed instantly and on-demand. Also, typically
`in the case of audio DMPs (e.g., the Rio Karma), the devices
`feature a relatively Small digital display window that pro
`vides information regarding the audio content Stored on the
`device, Such as the title and artist, and enables viewing (and
`in Some cases modifying) the Sequence of the audio tracks
`that are currently Stored on the device.
`0009 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.
`0010) 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. Programmed
`
`
`
`US 2006/OOO8256 A1
`
`Jan. 12, 2006
`
`entertainment of this Sort is currently available to consumers
`through traditional broadcast media and through other
`means that generally require the use of a device connected
`to a wired input, Such as Internet-based Streaming, acces
`Sible through laptop and desktop computers (and certain
`Specialized wired devices, Such as the Streamium audio
`device made by Royal Philips Electronics), and digital cable
`television and radio Services, accessible through cable
`connected television Sets. More recently, Subscription-based
`commercial Satellite broadcast Services have been intro
`duced, Such as DirecTV for television and Sirius and XM for
`radio, which enable consumers to receive hours of program
`ming by Selecting among available Stations.
`0.011
`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. Accordingly, for the convenience of receiving
`programming with existing DMPS, the user is required to
`cede control over delivered content for convenience, or will
`be required to choose to cede convenience for control.
`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. Further, of the forms
`of media Services (e.g., TV and radio) available, only
`Internet-based Streaming and digital cable, each of which
`require the user to use a Stationary wired-device for acceSS
`(e.g., television set and digital cable decoding box), and
`Satellite broadcasts, which do not permit on-demand acceSS
`or control by the user, provide digital-quality output, which
`may be a benefit required by users.
`0012. 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. Content owners and users
`would also benefit from a way content can be shared
`laterally acroSS peer-to-peer device transferS to other users
`of both the personal playlists and the media data content that
`may be Stored in the player device in a way that is Secure and
`that permits only authorized sharing activities. It can be
`appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that the
`terms “audio”, “video”, “media', and words of similar
`import may be used interchangeably throughout this docu
`ment to describe the relevant content, Since methods of
`digital Video content compression, Storage, transfer, play
`back and control can be accomplished by using very similar
`methods and technologies and are similarly well-known by
`those skilled in the art. Note that “content,” as used in this
`document, shall accordingly mean any audio or video
`recording that a user may seek to access, and also shall
`include any other file type capable of being interpreted by a
`user, Such as a written document Stored in digital form or a
`
`ss
`
`digitally Stored and compressed photograph, which may be
`Similarly transferred, shared and used.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0013 The present invention addresses the problems with
`the prior art described above. A preferred embodiment of the
`present invention consists of a portable wireleSS audio
`and/or Video player apparatus having one or more of the
`following elements: a peer-to-peer audio and/or Video data
`transfer module to allow communications with another
`wireleSS audio and/or Video player apparatus, a wireleSS
`communication link to an Internet-connected base, a com
`munication Software module for requesting one or more
`audio and/or Video data files from an Internet-based database
`Server via the Internet-connected base Station; a first Security
`means for enabling the downloading and Storage of the
`requested files, a Second Security means for the management
`and playing of the Stored files, and one or more Software
`modules for interfacing with a user to effect the foregoing
`features using a easy to understand interface.
`0014) More specifically, the player apparatus according
`to the present invention is able to function as a Standalone
`device to generate, Search and obtain new audio and/or video
`digital data files (containing content and associated metadata
`(as defined below)) wirelessly over the Internet, without the
`need to use an intervening device, Such as a desktop or
`laptop computer that temporarily Stores the content data files
`to be transferred to the portable device, or software that runs
`on a laptop or desktop computer to manage the transfer and
`arrangement of content on the portable device. This feature
`enables a non-technical user to access and use digital audio
`and/or video content without knowledge of how to operate
`a computer. Further, to overcome the limitations of the
`display interface of the prior art, the user interface Software
`according to embodiments of the present invention is
`designed to enable more complex user functions and data
`organization, and to display these simply and clearly. Such
`user interface Software permits the device to reasonably and
`comfortably function for the user as a Standalone device
`while permitting the user to Search for new content, manage
`and modify large Volumes of content, and share content
`acroSS a large number of potential users who may be listed
`by user ID or name. Moreover, the device obtains files from
`a Server or laterally from another device without using a
`browser-type application.
`0015. It is also a feature of the embodiments of the
`present invention to provide the user with a flexible pro
`gramming capability both as to time and Selection for the
`playing of the individual audio and/or Video files or groups
`of files. This includes allowing a user to Select and play
`individual content Selections from a broad content library
`Stored in a network on-demand, and alternatively to request
`that hours of continuous programmed content be playable on
`demand, which programming will be updated on a periodic
`basis (e.g., daily), without limiting the user's ability to start,
`Stop, rewind or fast-forward through the program.
`0016. It is also a feature of the embodiments of the
`present invention to provide a means for exporting the data
`content to one or more of a plurality of output devices,
`including headphones or a home or car Stereo, or another
`Storage and/or playback apparatus Such as a desktop or
`laptop computer. Such export may be via either a wired or
`a wireleSS communications link.
`
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`0.017. It is a feature of the embodiments of the present
`invention to provide a portable player apparatus that is not
`dependent on favorable physical terrain and geographic
`features that are typically associated with wireleSS commu
`nications devices. This is mainly accomplished by the pre
`Storing of desired audio and/or video data and metadata
`content while in the presence of a communications uplink
`for accessing/playing at a later time, at which time a
`continuous wireleSS connection is not required for navigat
`ing the metadata database or for a Satisfactory output of the
`Stored audio and/or video content.
`0.018. It is a feature of the embodiments of the present
`invention to provide a Secure method for content owners to
`enable distribution of their audio and/or video content to
`mass-market consumers on a Subscription basis.
`0019. In a preferred embodiment according to the present
`invention, a media distribution System preferably consists of
`a broadband network system for wirelessly distributing
`digital media files to multiple Standalone portable digital
`media player devices in which the devices are: (1) dedicated
`to and optimized for Searching for, receiving and playing
`audio and/or Video files, authorized obtainment from a
`network or peer device, management and Search of metadata
`and media content (even while no network or Internet
`connection is present), authorized playback and authorized
`transfer (Such as to a peer device or digital computer) of
`digital audio and/or video files by a user; (2) capable of
`wirelessly transmitting and receiving audio and/or video
`data files at “broadband' speeds via conventional broadband
`protocols, Such as that promulgated in the 802.11 Standard,
`both to and from a local network which preferably includes
`Internet connectivity; and (3) able to communicate with an
`application Service in order to request and download
`encrypted audio and/or Video content and associated meta
`data. Each portable player device preferably includes at least
`a first Security means that disables playback and transfer of
`media files, or that Selectively enables Such playback and
`transfer when a Subscription Service is activated. The media
`distribution System preferably includes one or more Internet
`based database Servers wherein are Stored digital audio
`and/or Video data content in compressed or uncompressed
`form and associated metadata (i.e., descriptive or associative
`data concerning the content-in the case of audio, this may
`include Such items as length of track, name of artist, name
`of Song, name of album, encoding format and bit rate), an
`Internet application Server interface that communicates indi
`vidually with each portable device via a Secure certification/
`authentication link, an upload manager that ensures the
`Secure and efficient delivery of data content files to each of
`the portable devices, and the communications network,
`thereby allowing the user to request, download, and Store
`individual titles, groups of titles (i.e. a playlist,) and/or
`preprogrammed entertainment that fit particular criteria
`(Such as genre or purpose (e.g., Work-out, dancing)) on a
`periodic basis.
`0020. The audio and/or video content may be distributed
`to the portable player devices in encrypted form, capable of
`being played only when decrypted with a particular private
`digital decryption key. The portable player device (or appa
`ratus) is preferably constructed with an internal clock that is
`not settable or re-settable by the user (which is a necessary
`part of preventing a user from avoiding the expiration and
`disablement of content for time-based Subscriptions), 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. The
`portable player device preferably also includes a monitoring
`module that records the time and date each time a content
`selection is played or transferred by the device. The moni
`toring module also preferably includes a reporting module
`for transferring the monitoring results to the network (via the
`network's upload manager) when connection is made
`between the portable player device and the network for any
`CaSO.
`0021. In a second embodiment according to the present
`invention, a portable peer-to-peer wireleSS communication
`player device for transferring audio and/or Video and related
`files to and from a Second portable peer-to-peer wireleSS
`communication player device, the portable peer-to-peer
`wireleSS communication player device preferably com
`prises: a wireleSS transceiver unit for wirelessly communi
`cating with external devices (Such as peer devices and digital
`computers); an audio output unit for playing audio files, a
`Visual output unit for displaying Video and/or displaying
`user interface information (e.g., LCD Screen or other exist
`ing or hereafter created output technology, which, in the case
`of user interface information, may also be replaced (as is
`familiar to those experienced in the art) with a menu-driven
`audio output means); a controlling computing unit having a
`user input interface and a microprocessor, a digital Storage
`means for Storing digital data; and an included Software
`method for operating the device, wherein the digital data
`preferably includes audio and/or Video data content and
`playlists. Further, the audio output unit preferably includes
`one or more from the group consisting of Speakers and
`headphones, and the user input unit may consist of one or
`more from the group consisting of buttons, keys, joysticks,
`toggles, Switches, keyboards, touch-pads and touch-Sensi
`tive Screen locations, which may include infrared, resistive,
`inductive and capacitive Sensing means. The Software may
`include one or more of the following modules: a commu
`nications module; a processing module; a Security module;
`a user interface module; a resident database management
`module; a storage and retrieval module; and a play module.
`0022. The user input interface of the second embodiment
`preferably includes a set of interactive Screens displayed on
`the Video output device, further including: the StepS required
`for Selection of one or more titles in response to Screen
`display pages in order to generate a content request list for
`transmitting to the audio and/or Video content distribution
`center upload manager and database. The Security module
`preferably includes means for interaction with upstream
`base Station to enable the operation of the portable peer-to
`peer wireleSS communication player device, interaction with
`at least one Second portable peer-to-peer wireleSS commu
`nication player device, and expiration of audio and Video
`content files according to a set of Subscription and usage
`rules that may be modified through programmed changes at
`the network. Such rules may include, for example, prohibi
`tion on playing any Subscription-based content resident on
`the portable device unless the network has authenticated and
`validated the Subscription on the device within the past 30
`days.
`0023. In a third embodiment according to the present
`invention, a portable peer-to-peer wireleSS communication
`player device for generating and wirelessly transmitting a
`
`Case 4:20-cv-07572-JSW Document 70-5 Filed 11/11/21 Page 22 of 38
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`US 2006/OOO8256 A1
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`Jan. 12, 2006
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`playlist to local base Station having an Internet connection to
`an Internet-based database Server, and receiving an associ
`ated plurality of audio and/or video data content files,
`preferably comprises: a portable peer-to-peer wireleSS com
`munication player device as in the Second embodiment
`communicatively coupled to an Internet-based database
`server via a local wireless base station. In the third embodi
`ment, the wireleSS communications are preferably accom
`plished using a WiFi protocol. The Internet-based database
`server: distributes stored audio and/or video content files in
`response to playlist transmission request after first verifying
`that the requesting device has an authorized Subscription;
`Sends re-enabling messages to the requesting device to reset
`a local Security module to generate a first enabling action;
`Sends disabling messages to the requesting device to cause
`the local Security module to generate a disabling action if the
`device does not have an authorized Subscription.
`0024.
`In a fourth embodiment according to the present
`invention, a Secure Subscription-protected communications
`System for distributing audio and/or Video data content to a
`portable peer-to-peer wireleSS communication player device,
`preferably comprises: 1) a portable peer-to-peer wireless
`communication player device that generates a content
`request list via an interactive user interface or by automati
`cally determining a list of one or more Selections the user
`desires but which are not currently stored on the device (e.g.,
`based on a preferred Sequence of Songs or Videos the user
`has compiled (a "playlist”), only Some of which are cur
`rently stored on the portable device); transmits the content
`request list to a local base Station; receives and Stores
`asSociated audio and/or Video files transmitted from the local
`base Station; transmits to and receives from, on-demand or
`in an automated fashion, content files from other peer-to
`peer devices, displays a list of available content on the
`device to its user, as well as to other users who establish a
`wireleSS connection with the device, displays a list of
`possible content choices, even if not resident on the device,
`to the user; enables management of a large quantity of digital
`content, including the development and modification of
`custom playlists, playS audio and/or Video files in response
`to user Selection, if the Subscription is valid; and expires
`content if the Subscription is invalid, Such that the user is not
`able to play the content on the device; 2) the local base
`Station receiver that receives the content request from the
`peer-to-peer portable wireless communication player
`device; and transmits the received request to an Internet
`based database Server via the Internet communication link,
`3) the Internet-based database server that: Stores and man
`ages a plurality of audio and/or video files that are accessible
`by inputting associated titles or file IDs, tracks Subscription
`information (e.g., Such as access rights and expiration tim
`ing) for a plurality of portable peer-to-peer wireless com
`munication player devices, tracks artist proprietary material
`and rights, tracks usage of proprietary material on each one
`of the portable peer-to-peer w