(i9) United States
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication oo) Pub. No.: US 2006/0181963 Al
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.2 US 2006/0181963 A1
`Aug. 17, 2006
`Aug. 17, 2006
`Clayton et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Clayton et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`Illlllllllllllllllllllllllll
`
`US 20060181963A1
`US 20060181963A1
`
`76
`(76)
`(
`)
`
`(54) WIRELESS ADAPTOR FOR CONTENT
`(54) WIRELESS ADAPTOR FOR CONTENT
`TRANSFER
`TRANSFER
`_
`~
`_
`Inventors: Richard M. Clayton, Phoenix, AZ
`Inventors‘ Rlchard_M' Clayton’ Phoemx’ AZ
`(US); Michael T. Gaumond,
`(US); Michael T. Gaumond,
`Scottsdale, AZ (US); David E. Ulmer,
`Scottsdale, AZ (US); David E. Ulmer,
`Phoenix, AZ (US); Jean-Marc A.
`Phoenix, AZ (US); Jean-Marc A.
`Villevieille’ Phoenix’ AZ (Us)
`Villevieille, Phoenix, AZ (US)
`
`_
`Correspondence Address:
`Correspondence Address.
`GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATION
`GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATION
`DBA THE CONNECTED
`DBA THE CONNECTED
`HOME SOLUTIONS BUSINESS OF
`HOME SOLUTIONS BUSINESS OF
`MOTOROLA, INC.
`MOTOROLA, INC.
`101 TOURNAMENT DRIVE
`101 TOURNAMENT DRIVE
`HORSHAM, PA 19044 (US)
`HORSHAM, PA 19044 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`(21) Appl. NO.I
`_
`'
`(22) Filed:
`(22) Flled'
`
`11/296,975
`11/296,975
`
`Dec. 8, 2005
`Dec‘ 8’ 2005
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Related US Application D at a
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/651,961, filed on Feb.
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/651,961, ?led on Feb.
`11, 2005. Provisional application No. 60/651,963,
`11, 2005. Provisional application No. 60/651,963,
`
`filed on Feb. 11, 2005. Provisional application No.
`?led on Feb. 11, 2005. Provisional application No.
`60/651,960, filed on Feb. 11, 2005. Provisional appli­
`60/651,960, ?led On Feb. 11, 2005. Provisional appli
`cation No. 60/651,958, filed on Feb. 11, 2005. Pro­
`cation No. 60/651,958, ?led on Feb. 11, 2005. Pro
`visional application No. 60/651,959, filed on Feb. 11,
`visional application No. 60/651,959, ?led on Feb. 11,
`2005
`2005.
`'
`
`Publication Classification
`.
`.
`.
`.
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. CI.
`(51) Int. Cl.
`GHB 19/00
`G11B 19/00
`52 U 5 Cl
`(52) U.S. CI
`(
`)
`.
`.
`.
`
`(200601)
`(2006.01)
`
`........................................................ ..
`
`369/24 01
`369/24.01
`.
`
`(57)
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`ABSTRACT
`
`Described herein are embodiments that wirelessly provide
`Described herein are embodiments that Wirelessly provide
`content from a content source to a content player. In one
`content from a content source to a content player. In one
`embodiment, there is provided a wireless adaptor that
`embodiment, there is provided a Wireless adaptor that
`includes a wireless interface operable to receive the content
`includes a Wireless interface operable to receive the content
`from the content source and a wired interface for a wired
`from the content source and a Wired interface for a Wired
`connection with the content player to route the content, as
`connection W1th the content player to route the content, as
`received by the wireless interface, for playback by the
`received by the Wireless interface, fOr playback by the
`content player.
`content player.
`
`HOT SPOT
`HOT SPOT
`133
`m
`
`TARGET
`TARGET
`DEVICE MS
`DEVICE J55
`
`INTERNET
`121
`
`CONTENT
`CONTENT
`PROVIDERS +-*
`PROVIDERS <-—>
`110
`1111
`
`200
`299
`
`CONTENT SERVICE 12Q
`CONTENT SERVICE 120
`
`SERVERS 121
`SERVERS 121
`MANAGEMENT MODULE
`MANAGEMENT MODULE
`123
`1Q
`CONTENT DISTRIBUTION
`CONTENT DISTRIBUTION
`MODULE 124.
`MODULE 124
`
`AGGREGATION
`AGGREGATION
`MODULE 125
`MODULE 1Z5
`I
`CELLULAR
`- CELLULAR
`NETWORK
`DATABASE
`DATABASE
`NETWORK
`132
`122
`122
`1&2
`
`173
`
`n
`
`WIRELESS
`INTERFACE 148
`INTERFACE 148
`
`APPLICATION 174
`WIRELESS APPLICATION 174
`WIRELESS
`INTERFACE 150
`'NTERFACE 15° \ \ CELLULAR PHONE 152
`CELLULAR PHONE 142
`CAR AUDIO
`CAR AUDIO
`"
`SYSTEM 153
`:' MANAGEMENT MODULE J12
`MANAGEMENT MODULE 1Z2
`SYSTEM 143
`173 V
`UPDATE AGENT 162
`UPDATE AGENT LL62
`USER
`USER
`INTERFACE m
`H
`USER INTERFACE 152
`USER INTERFACE 152
`INTERFACE 153
`i
`WIRELESS / IE1
`CONTENT 181
`
`HOME
`HOME
`DEVICES
`DEVICES
`1AA
`
`144 I
`
`APPLICATION 170
`APPLICAlTION 170
`$
`\ PERSONAL COMPUTER 1A1
`PERSONAL COMPUTER 141
`MANAGEMENT MODULE 1L1
`MANAGEMENT MODULE 111
`UPDATE AGENT 161
`UPDATE AGENT 1.61
`USER INTERFACE 1m
`USER INTERFACE 151
`i
`CONTENT 180
`
`‘
`
`TOYOTA Ex. 1002
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 17, 2006 Sheet 1 0f 6
`
`FIG. 1
`
`F .QI
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`DEVICE
`TARGET
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`141
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`UPDATE AGENT 161
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`CONTENT 12Q
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`
`CONTENT 181
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`
`USER INTERFACE 152
`
`UPDATE AGENT 162
`
`MANAGEMENT MODULE 111
`
`MANAGEMENT MODULE 112
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`L
`
`r]
`
`INTERFACE 148
`
`WIRELESS
`
`173 V
`
`INTERFACE 153
`
`USER
`
`SYSTEM 143
`CAR AUDIO
`
`PERSONAL COMPUTER 141
`
`CELLULAR PHONE 142
`
`
`
`1'
`
`APPLICATION 170
`
`APPLICATION 174
`
`INTERFACE 150
`
`WIRELESS
`
`DEVICES
`
`HOME
`
`144
`
`DEVICE 145
`
`TARGET
`
`HOT SPOT
`
`133
`
`INTERNET
`
`131
`
`NETWORK
`CELLULAR
`
`132
`
`200
`
`DATABASE
`
`122
`
`T
`
`MODULE 125
`AGGREGATION
`
`CONTENT DISTRIBUTION
`
`MODULE 124
`
`MANAGEMENT MODULE
`
`123
`
`SERVERS 121
`
`CONTENT SERVICE 12Q
`
`PROVIDERS «
`CONTENT
`
`110
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 17, 2006 Sheet 3 of 6
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 17, 2006 Sheet 3 0f 6
`
`US 2006/0181963 A1
`US 2006/0181963 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 17, 2006 Sheet 4 0f 6
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`FIG. 4
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`w GE
`
`OS KERNEL 415
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`3 .Ezmwx wO
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`*
`
`DECODER
`CONTENT
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`44£
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`DECODER
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`DECODER 440
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`COMMANDS
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`MANAGER
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`495
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`[TRANS LAT1 Of
`fCOMMANDS
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`490
`
`MANAGER
`NETWORK
`PROXIMITY
`WIRELESS
`
`430
`
`WIRELESS ADAPTOR 113
`
`APPLICATION
`
`PROFILES
`
`STACK
`
`420
`
`AVRCP, SPP,
`(e.g. A2DP,
`
`PAN)
`
`AI
`
`STREAM! N® AUDIO
`
`COMMAND/CONTROL
`
`310
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`HOST
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`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 17, 2006 Sheet 6 of 6
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 17, 2006 Sheet 6 0f 6
`
`US 2006/0181963 A1
`US 2006/0181963 A1
`
`600
`6.0.0
`
`ESTABLISH A WIRED COMMUNICATION
`ESTABLISH A WIRED COMMUNICATION
`LINK WITH A CONTENT PLAYER
`LINK WITH A CONTENT PLAYER \ 610
`610
`
`'
`
`V
`
`DETECT A PRESENCE OF NEARBY
`DETECT A PRESENCE OF NEARBY
`CONTENT SOURCE
`CONTENT SOURCE
`
`\620
`620
`
`V
`
`ESTABLISH A WIRELESS
`ESTABLISH A WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATION LINK WITH A CONTENT
`COMMUNICATION LINK WITH A CONTENT \
`630
`SOURCE
`SOURCE
`630
`
`W
`
`RECEIVE CONTENT FROM THE CONTENT
`RECEIVE CONTENT FROM THE CONTENT
`SOURCE VIA THE WIRELESS
`SOURCE VIA THE WIRELESS \
`640
`COMMUNICATION LINK
`COMMUNICATION LINK
`64°
`
`W
`
`RECEIVE REQUEST FROM THE CONTENT
`RECEIVE REQUEST FROM THE CONTENT
`PLAYER FOR A FUNCTIONAL CONTROL
`PLAYER FOR A FUNCTIONAL CONTROL \
`650
`OF THE CONTENT SOURCE
`OF THE CONTENT SOuRCE
`650
`
`V
`
`PROVIDE ACCESS BY THE CONTENT
`PROVIDE ACCESS BY THE CONTENT
`PLAYER TO A FUNCTIONAL CONTROL OF
`PLAYER TO A FUNCTIONAL CONTROL OF \
`660
`THE CONTENT SOURCE
`THE CONTENT SOURCE
`660
`
`V
`
`ROUTE CONTENT FROM THE CONTENT
`ROUTE CONTENT FROM THE CONTENT
`SOURCE TO THE CONTENT PLAYER FOR
`SOURCE TO THE CONTENT PLAYER FOR
`CONTENT PLAYBACK AND CONTROL BY
`CONTENT PLAYBACK AND CONTROL BY \ 670
`670
`THE CONTENT PLAYER
`THE CONTENT PLAYER
`
`FIG. 6
`FIG. 6
`
`

`
`US 2006/0181963 A1
`US 2006/0181963 A1
`
`1
`
`Aug. 17, 2006
`Aug. 17,2006
`
`WIRELESS ADAPTOR FOR CONTENT TRANSFER
`WIRELESS ADAPTOR FOR CONTENT TRANSFER
`
`PRIORITY
`PRIORITY
`[0001] This application claims the benefit of the following
`[0001] This application claims the bene?t of the following
`prior filed U.S. Patent Applications: U.S. Provisional Patent
`prior ?led US. Patent Applications: US. Provisional Patent
`Application No. 60/651,961, filed on Feb. 11, 2005, and
`Application No. 60/651,961, ?led on Feb. 11, 2005, and
`entitled,
`"SEAMLESS TRANSACTIONS ACROSS
`entitled, “SEAMLESS TRANSACTIONS ACROSS
`DOMAINS AND DEVICES"; U.S. Provisional Patent
`DOMAINS AND DEVICES”; US. Provisional Patent
`Application No. 60/651,963, filed on Feb. 11, 2005, and
`Application No. 60/651,963, ?led on Feb. 11, 2005, and
`entitled, "WIRELESS AUDIO ADAPTOR FOR CAR
`entitled, “WIRELESS AUDIO ADAPTOR FOR CAR
`RADIOS"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/651,
`RADIOS”; US. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/651,
`960, filed on Feb. 11, 2005, and entitled, "ZERO INSTALL
`960, ?led on Feb. 11, 2005, and entitled, “ZERO INSTALL
`WIRELESS AUDIO ADAPTOR"; U.S. Provisional Patent
`WIRELESS AUDIO ADAPTOR”; US. Provisional Patent
`Application No. 60/651,958, filed on Feb. 11, 2005, and
`Application No. 60/651,958, ?led on Feb. 11, 2005, and
`entitled, "DALY SET WITH MULTIPLE CONTENT
`entitled, “DALY SET WITH MULTIPLE CONTENT
`CHANNELS"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
`CHANNELS”; US. Provisional Patent Application No.
`60/651,959, filed on Feb. 11, 2005, and entitled, "SUPPLE­
`60/651,959, ?led on Feb. 11, 2005, and entitled, “SUPPLE
`MENTING DAILY SET WITH HOT CONTENT." All of
`MENTING DAILY SET WITH HOT CONTENT.” All of
`the aforementioned provisional applications are hereby
`the aforementioned provisional applications are hereby
`incorporated by reference in their entireties.
`incorporated by reference in their entireties.
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`[0002] This application incorporates by reference in their
`[0002] This application incorporates by reference in their
`entireties the following U.S. Utility Patent Applications all
`entireties the following US. Utility Patent Applications all
`of which are assigned to the assignee of the present appli­
`of Which are assigned to the assignee of the present appli
`cation: "WIRELESS ADAPTOR FOR CONTENT TRANS­
`cation: “WIRELESS ADAPTOR FOR CONTENT TRANS
`FER" (Attorney Docket No. BCS03803); "GRANTING
`FER” (Attorney Docket No. BCS03803); “GRANTING
`GREATER RIGHTS TO STORED CONTENT," (Attorney
`GREATER RIGHTS TO STORED CONTENT,” (Attorney
`Docket No. BCS03804); "AUTOMATIC CONTENT
`Docket No. BCS03804); “AUTOMATIC CONTENT
`UPDATE FOR A TARGET DEVICE" (Attorney Docket No.
`UPDATE FOR ATARGET DEVICE” (Attorney Docket No.
`BCS03805); and "HOT CONTENT UPDATE FOR A TAR­
`BCS03805); and “HOT CONTENT UPDATE FOR A TAR
`GET DEVICE" (Attorney Docket No. BCS03806); all of
`GET DEVICE” (Attorney Docket No. BCS03806); all of
`which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entire­
`Which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entire
`ties.
`ties.
`
`BACKGROUND
`BACKGROUND
`[0003] Portable content players and other devices capable
`[0003] Portable content players and other devices capable
`of playing content, such as media like music or videos, are
`of playing content, such as media like music or videos, are
`becoming increasingly popular and are typically designed to
`becoming increasingly popular and are typically designed to
`play the personal content of users. Users tend to use multiple
`play the personal content of users. Users tend to use multiple
`media devices, such as an MP3 digital music player, cellular
`media devices, such as an MP3 digital music player, cellular
`telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal com­
`telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal com
`puter, and a car audio system, and many of these devices are
`puter, and a car audio system, and many of these devices are
`capable as content players for playing the personal content
`capable as content players for playing the personal content
`of the users. However, there is currently no fast and conve­
`of the users. HoWever, there is currently no fast and conve
`nient way to transfer content between a user's multiple
`nient Way to transfer content betWeen a user’s multiple
`devices. Furthermore, the devices tend to have different user
`devices. Furthermore, the devices tend to have different user
`interfaces, so it is inconvenient for a user to learn and
`interfaces, so it is inconvenient for a user to learn and
`operate each device to play music or other content. For
`operate each device to play music or other content. For
`instance, some automobile manufacturers offer connector
`instance, some automobile manufacturers offer connector
`kits for connecting portable music players, such as MP3
`kits for connecting portable music players, such as MP3
`players, to the car audio systems in their vehicles. However,
`players, to the car audio systems in their vehicles. HoWever,
`these existing connector kits require users to wire connect
`these existing connector kits require users to Wire connect
`the portable music players to docks, which further are wire
`the portable music players to docks, Which further are Wire
`connected to the car audio systems in the vehicles. When a
`connected to the car audio systems in the vehicles. When a
`portable music player is docked, its own user interface
`portable music player is docked, its oWn user interface
`(display and control buttons) is typically disabled, and the
`(display and control buttons) is typically disabled, and the
`user must use the control buttons belonging to the vehicle's
`user must use the control buttons belonging to the vehicle’s
`car audio system for limited control of the docked portable
`car audio system for limited control of the docked portable
`music player. Furthermore, the user is typically provided
`music player. Furthermore, the user is typically provided
`with a limited display of a numeric number to indicate the
`With a limited display of a numeric number to indicate the
`playing track on the vehicle's dashboard display. Other
`playing track on the vehicle’s dashboard display. Other
`existing vehicle connector kits are capable of adopting the
`existing vehicle connector kits are capable of adopting the
`
`title navigation of a portable music player for display on a
`title navigation of a portable music player for display on a
`vehicle's dashboard to provide more detailed content infor­
`vehicle’s dashboard to provide more detailed content infor
`mation to users. However, such connector kits also require
`mation to users. HoWever, such connector kits also require
`the docking of the portable music player and disabling of the
`the docking of the portable music player and disabling of the
`player's user interface (displays and control buttons) when
`player’s user interface (displays and control buttons) When
`the player is docked.
`the player is docked.
`
`SUMMARY
`SUMMARY
`[0004] Accordingly, described herein are embodiments
`[0004] Accordingly, described herein are embodiments
`that wirelessly provide content from a content source to a
`that Wirelessly provide content from a content source to a
`content player. In one embodiment, there is provided a
`content player. In one embodiment, there is provided a
`wireless adaptor that includes a wireless interface operable
`Wireless adaptor that includes a Wireless interface operable
`to receive the content from the content source and a wired
`to receive the content from the content source and a Wired
`interface for a wired connection with the content player to
`interface for a Wired connection With the content player to
`route the content, as received by the wireless interface, for
`route the content, as received by the Wireless interface, for
`playback by the content player.
`playback by the content player.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0005] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example
`[0005] Embodiments are illustrated by Way of example
`and not limited in the following figure(s),
`in which like
`and not limited in the folloWing ?gure(s), in Which like
`numerals indicate like elements, in which:
`numerals indicate like elements, in Which:
`[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for content distribution,
`[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for content distribution,
`according to an embodiment;
`according to an embodiment;
`[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the system for
`[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the system for
`content distribution shown in FIG. 1, according to an
`content distribution shoWn in FIG. 1, according to an
`embodiment;
`embodiment;
`[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates an operation environment of a
`[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates an operation environment of a
`wireless adaptor, according to an embodiment;
`Wireless adaptor, according to an embodiment;
`[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates the wireless adaptor in further
`[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates the Wireless adaptor in further
`detail, according to an embodiment;
`detail, according to an embodiment;
`[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates the wireless adaptor in further
`[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates the Wireless adaptor in further
`detail, according to an alternate embodiment; and
`detail, according to an alternate embodiment; and
`[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for wireless content
`[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for Wireless content
`transfer, according to one embodiment.
`transfer, according to one embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`[0012] For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the prin­
`[0012] For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the prin
`ciples of the embodiments are described by referring mainly
`ciples of the embodiments are described by referring mainly
`to examples thereof. In the following description, numerous
`to examples thereof. In the folloWing description, numerous
`specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
`speci?c details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
`understanding of the embodiments. It will be apparent
`understanding of the embodiments. It Will be apparent
`however, to one of ordinary skill in the art, that the embodi­
`hoWever, to one of ordinary skill in the art, that the embodi
`ments may be practiced without limitation to these specific
`ments may be practiced Without limitation to these speci?c
`details. In other instances, well known methods and struc­
`details. In other instances, Well knoWn methods and struc
`tures have not been described in detail so as not to unnec­
`tures have not been described in detail so as not to unnec
`essarily obscure the embodiments.
`essarily obscure the embodiments.
`[0013] 1. System Overview
`[0013]
`1 . System OvervieW
`[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for content distri­
`[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for content distri
`bution according to an embodiment. The system 100
`bution according to an embodiment. The system 100
`includes content providers 110, content service 120, network
`includes content providers 110, content service 120, netWork
`130 and target devices 140. The content providers 110
`130 and target devices 140. The content providers 110
`include entities configured to provide content that may be
`include entities con?gured to provide content that may be
`played or otherwise consumed by users. Content may
`played or otherWise consumed by users. Content may
`include: media such as audio, video, text; multimedia that
`include: media such as audio, video, text; multimedia that
`includes two or more of audio, video and text; or other types
`includes tWo or more of audio, video and text; or other types
`of data. Examples of content include but are not limited to
`of data. Examples of content include but are not limited to
`media files, such as MP3 files, other types of audio files,
`media ?les, such as MP3 ?les, other types of audio ?les,
`video files, textual music play lists, and other types of files.
`video ?les, textual music play lists, and other types of ?les.
`Examples of content providers 110 include but are not
`Examples of content providers 110 include but are not
`
`

`
`US 2006/0181963 A1
`US 2006/0181963 A1
`
`2
`
`Aug. 17, 2006
`Aug. 17,2006
`
`limited to news providers (such as local and cable news
`limited to neWs providers (such as local and cable neWs
`television stations), television studios, movie studios, music
`television stations), television studios, movie studios, music
`labels, online music (or other media) providers, and others.
`labels, online music (or other media) providers, and others.
`[0015] Generally speaking, the content providers 110 pro­
`[0015] Generally speaking, the content providers 110 pro
`vide content to the content service 120, such that the content
`vide content to the content service 120, such that the content
`service 120 may provide several functions. One of the
`service 120 may provide several functions. One of the
`functions includes receiving new content from the content
`functions includes receiving neW content from the content
`providers 110 on a substantially regular basis. Another of the
`providers 110 on a substantially regular basis. Another of the
`functions includes making the content received from the
`functions includes making the content received from the
`content providers 110 available to users. In addition, the
`content providers 110 available to users. In addition, the
`content service 120 may receive content from multiple
`content service 120 may receive content from multiple
`content providers 110 to provide users with a relatively large
`content providers 110 to provide users With a relatively large
`content selection. Users may obtain the content made avail­
`content selection. Users may obtain the content made avail
`able by the content service 120 through, for instance, one or
`able by the content service 120 through, for instance, one or
`both of subscription services and on-demand services.
`both of subscription services and on-demand services.
`
`[0016] The content service 120 may also automatically
`[0016] The content service 120 may also automatically
`organize content for users and continually provide new
`organiZe content for users and continually provide neW
`content to users. In addition, the content service 120 may
`content to users. In addition, the content service 120 may
`perform other functions, such as billing, user information
`perform other functions, such as billing, user information
`tracking, historical data tracking, etc. The content service
`tracking, historical data tracking, etc. The content service
`120 may include a server 121 and a database 122 for storing
`120 may include a server 121 and a database 122 for storing
`user information and content. The server 121 may facilitate
`user information and content. The server 121 may facilitate
`the downloading of content to the taiget devices 140 used by
`the doWnloading of content to the target devices 140 used by
`the users. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
`the users. It Will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
`art that the server 121 may include multiple servers and the
`art that the server 121 may include multiple servers and the
`database 122 may include multiple databases depending on
`database 122 may include multiple databases depending on
`the size and complexity of the content service 120. For
`the siZe and complexity of the content service 120. For
`example, to support a relatively laige number of users,
`example, to support a relatively large number of users,
`several servers 121 and databases 122 may be needed to
`several servers 121 and databases 122 may be needed to
`harvest content from the content providers 110 and provide
`harvest content from the content providers 110 and provide
`content to users with minimal delay.
`content to users With minimal delay.
`
`[0017] The network 130 may represent one or more net­
`[0017] The netWork 130 may represent one or more net
`works. The network 130 may include one or more of private
`Works. The netWork 130 may include one or more of private
`networks, public networks, such as the Internet, wireless
`netWorks, public netWorks, such as the Internet, Wireless
`networks, such as satellite and cellular networks, and local
`netWorks, such as satellite and cellular netWorks, and local
`area wireless networks, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth net­
`area Wireless netWorks, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth net
`works, wired networks, local area networks, wide area
`Works, Wired netWorks, local area netWorks, Wide area
`networks, and any other type of communication network.
`netWorks, and any other type of communication netWork.
`[0018] The content service 120 may provide content to the
`[0018] The content service 120 may provide content to the
`target devices 140 via the network 130. The target devices
`target devices 140 via the netWork 130. The target devices
`140 may download the content from the content service 120,
`140 may doWnload the content from the content service 120,
`may receive content from one or more other target devices,
`may receive content from one or more other target devices,
`or may be operable to both download content from the
`or may be operable to both doWnload content from the
`content service 120 and receive content from another target
`content service 120 and receive content from another target
`device. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, target devices 141
`device. For example, as shoWn in FIG. 1, target devices 141
`and 142 are operable to download content from the content
`and 142 are operable to doWnload content from the content
`service 120 and may be operable to receive content from
`service 120 and may be operable to receive content from
`another taiget device. As also shown in FIG. 1, the target
`another target device. As also shoWn in FIG. 1, the target
`device 143 is operable to receive content from another target
`device 143 is operable to receive content from another target
`device, such as the target device 142. In this example, the
`device, such as the target device 142. In this example, the
`target device 142 may download content from the content
`target device 142 may doWnload content from the content
`service 120 or receive content from the target device 141,
`service 120 or receive content from the target device 141,
`and the target device 142 transmits content to the target
`and the target device 142 transmits content to the target
`device 143. The content service 120 and taiget devices 140
`device 143. The content service 120 and target devices 140
`are described in further detail with respect to FIG. 2.
`are described in further detail With respect to FIG. 2.
`Examples of suitable target devices 140 include but are not
`Examples of suitable target devices 140 include but are not
`limited to personal computers, personal digital assistants,
`limited to personal computers, personal digital assistants,
`cellular telephones, car radio, home stereos, set-top boxes,
`cellular telephones, car radio, home stereos, set-top boxes,
`MP3 players, portable video players, and other end-user
`MP3 players, portable video players, and other end-user
`devices.
`devices.
`
`[0019] 2. Overview of Functionality and Advantages of
`[0019] 2. OvervieW of Functionality and Advantages of
`Content Service
`Content Service
`[0020] The system 100 provides a media experience for
`[0020] The system 100 provides a media experience for
`users without requiring a user to change conventional behav­
`users Without requiring a user to change conventional behav
`ior to utilize the content service 120 providing the media
`ior to utiliZe the content service 120 providing the media
`experience. For example, the system 100 allows a user to
`experience. For example, the system 100 alloWs a user to
`play his or her selected audio content, such as music stations,
`play his or her selected audio content, such as music stations,
`talk radio, personal content, etc., on one of several taiget
`talk radio, personal content, etc., on one of several target
`devices 140 that the user may be using at any particular time,
`devices 140 that the user may be using at any particular time,
`such as a car radio in the car, a cellular telephone when the
`such as a car radio in the car, a cellular telephone When the
`user is on the go, a personal computer or home stereo at
`user is on the go, a personal computer or home stereo at
`home. A target device may carry content selected by the user
`home. Atarget device may carry content selected by the user
`in a set of channels which are seamlessly available through­
`in a set of channels Which are seamlessly available through
`out the day on any one of many target devices. The system
`out the day on any one of many target devices. The system
`100 manages the content and ensures the content is auto­
`100 manages the content and ensures the content is auto
`matically replenished as it is consumed. Furthermore, an
`matically replenished as it is consumed. Furthermore, an
`interface that is the same as or similar to a conventional
`interface that is the same as or similar to a conventional
`device interface may be provided on the taiget devices 140,
`device interface may be provided on the target devices 140,
`so the user may play desired content on any target device in
`so the user may play desired content on any target device in
`a relatively quick and easy manner.
`a relatively quick and easy manner.
`[0021] According to an embodiment, the content service
`[0021] According to an embodiment, the content service
`120 allows a user to configure one or more sets of channels
`120 alloWs a user to con?gure one or more sets of channels
`for one or more of the target devices 140. Each channel is
`for one or more of the target devices 140. Each channel is
`populated with content from a content provider or content
`populated With content from a content provider or content
`provided by the user, referred to as the user's personal
`provided by the user, referred to as the user’s personal
`content. A channel is a data set of content, which may be of
`content. A channel is a data set of content, Which may be of
`a particular type of content. For example, the content service
`a particular type of content. For example, the content service
`120 may make available hundreds of stations of content or
`120 may make available hundreds of stations of content or
`individual pieces of content. Webcast radio and webcast
`individual pieces of content. Webcast radio and Webcast
`television are some examples of stations of content. The
`television are some examples of stations of content. The
`content service 120 may provide one or more of the stations
`content service 120 may provide one or more of the stations
`of content to users as a subscription service, where one or
`of content to users as a subscription service, Where one or
`more stations are subscribed to by a user and the content for
`more stations are subscribed to by a user and the content for
`the stations is sent to one or more target devices for the user.
`the stations is sent to one or more target devices for the user.
`In one example, one or more stations provide large or
`In one example, one or more stations provide large or
`continuous blocks of Digital Millennium Copyright Act
`continuous blocks of Digital Millennium Copyright Act
`(DMCA) compliant streaming content. Some examples of
`(DMCA) compliant streaming content. Some examples of
`individual pieces of content include single songs or albums,
`individual pieces of content include single songs or albums,
`movies, video clips, etc.