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`
`(i9) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (i〇) Pub. n 〇.: us 2006/0008256 Ai
`Jan. 12,2006
`Khedouri et al,
`(43) Pub, Date:
`
`(54) AUDIO VISUAL PLAYER APPARATUS AND
`SYSTEM AND 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:
`GOTTLIEB RACKMAN & REISMAN PC
`270 MADISON AVENUE
`8TH FLOOR
`NEW YORK, NY 100160601
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/953,746
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep. 29, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/507,110, filed on Oct.
`1, 2003.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04N 51781
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl............. .................................. 386/124; 386/125
`
`(57)
`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 preferaoly implemented in accordance
`with the WiFi protocol, which allows connectivity to the
`Internet by being in proximity with a local base station or
`Wi^i 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.
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12,2006 Sheet 1 of 17
`
`US 2006/0008256 Al
`
`100
`
`VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`(SDRAM)
`
`VOLATILE
`MEMORY
`(FLASH)
`
`COMPUTER CONTROLLER
`
`{6| COMM. MODULE
`
`ENCRYPT.
`UNIT
`
`169
`
`DATA
`PROCESSING
`
`RECHARGABLE
`BATTERY
`
`HEAD PHONE
`JACK
`
`SOFTWARE
`MODULES
`
`107
`
`M 0 1
`
`FIG. 1
`FIG. 1
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 2
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12,2006 Sheet 2 of 17 FIG. 2
`
`□口
`□ □□
`
`US 2006/0008256 Al
`
`□
`
`205、
`206、
`
`201、
`
`FIG. 2
`
`209、
`
`202-
`
`204
`FIG. 2A
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 3
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 3
`
`

`

`p - e n t Application Publication J a n •一 2,200泰
`
`¥
`
`U S 2006/0008256A1
`
`i \FIG. 3
`
`DESKTOP OR
`
`COMPUTER
`LAPTOP
`
`314^
`
`OTHER
`
`AUDIO DEVICES
`AUDIO DEVICES■M-----♦AUDIO DEVICESM-----於COMPATIBLE
`
`A 313
`
`#2
`
`PORTABLE
`
`A
`
`312
`
`t
`
`#1
`
`PORTABLE
`
`PUBLIC OR PRIVATE INTERNET CONNECTION AND OPTIONAL WFI LOCAL
`
`ACCESS HUB (I.E., LOCAL BASE STATION RECEIVER^TRANSCEIVER)
`
`8
`
`WEBSITE FRONT-END AND USER
`
`INTERFACE SOFTWARE
`
`315
`
`SECURE NETWORK GATEWAY USING SSL
`
`s
`7r T
`
`DAT
`IO
`
`sE
`s
`
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`WEBSITE APPLICi
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`SUBSCR旧ER AND USAGE DATAB』
`
`AUTHENTIFICATION
`-306
`
`SERVER
`
`MANAGER
`UPLOAD
`/304
`
`ENCRYPTION
`
`ENGINE
`
`\ •
`
`i i
`
`'
`
`AUDIO CONTENT
`
`DATABASES
`
`311
`
`305^
`
`303ノ
`
`301-
`-309
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication J a n •一 2,2006 Sheet 4 of 17
`
`U S 2006/0008256 A 1
`
`405
`
`FIG. 4
`
`315
`
`305
`
`403
`
`GATEWAY
`NETWORK
`SECURE
`
`SSL
`USING
`
`302
`
`301
`
`402
`
`401
`
`SUBSCRIBER AND
`
`DATABASES
`
`USAGE
`
`CONTENT AND
`
`DATABASES
`METADATA
`
`APPLICATION AND
`
`LOGIC ENGINE
`
`NETWORK
`
`TRANSMISSION
`UPLOAD AND DATA
`
`MANAGER
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication J a n •一 2,2006 Sheet 5 of 17
`
`U S 2006/0008256 A 1
`
`--------
`
`-------
`
`--- --- --- I---
`
`丨—丨1J
`
`311
`
`302
`
`DATABASES
`AND USAGE
`SUBSCRIBER
`
`FIG. 5
`
`504
`
`301
`
`DATABASES
`INDEXED
`
`FIRMWARE AND
`
`OPERATING
`
`SOFTWARE.
`
`DATABASES
`METADATA
`
`CONTENT
`
`AND
`
`501
`
`CONNECTIONS
`
`MANAGER
`
`DOWNLOAD
`
`AND
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12,2006 Sheet 6 of 17
`
`US 2006/0008256 Al
`
`FIG.6
`
`9
`
`did
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 7
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 7
`
`

`

`/
`
`
`
`7 0 9
`
`DEVICE #1
`"JILL'S PLAYER"
`
`"JACK'S PLAYER"
`
`Y = PRIVACY
`A W MODE
`
`DEVICE H
`FIG. 7
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12,2006 Sheet 8 of 17
`
`US 2006/0008256 Al
`
`802
`
`Alternatives, The Featured:
`
`spoken
`word
`
`Alan Menkin
`Allen Brad
`Alvarez, Jorje
`Algonquin, The
`Alkaline Trip
`
`Coldplay
`
`805
`
`(@QOOoa
`
`FIG. 8
`FIG. 8
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 9
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 9
`
`

`

`home
`
`new
`music
`
`Gremlists
`
`spoken
`word
`
`Featured:
`Coldplay
`
`________________________search
`I Allman Brothers,
`
`901
`
`r-----------VIA
`
`C j)
`
`Vk----------- K
`back
`
`■
`
`Statesboro Blues
`Jessica
`Midnight Rider
`Hoochie Coochie Man
`One Way Out
`Whipping Post
`True Fine Blues
`Great Train Robbery
`Fragile Tender Heart
`Hard Times A Plenty
`
`sort by
`
`track
`
`FIG. 9
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12,2006 Sheet 10 of 17
`
`US 2006/0008256 Al
`
`1001
`1001
`
`
`
`
`
`Allman Brothers, The
`
`
`
`Jessica
`Aman
`
`
`Legendary Hits
`Brothers
`new
`
`
`music
`1002
`
`
`1003
`
`Gremlists
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` 1004
`
`
`
`
`Fee
`
`Fee
`
`$099
`
`Correos) | Ca)
`
`FIG. 10
`FIG. 10
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 11
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12,2006 Sheet 11 of 17
`
`US 2006/0008256 Al
`
`MusicGremlin Home
`
`
`
`
`
` Why Georgia
`
`i>
`Room For Squares
`John Mayer
`
`
`
`1102
`
`1101
`
`FIG. 11
`FIG. 11
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 12
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12,2006 Sheet 12 of 17
`
`US 2006/0008256 Al
`
`search
`
`Coldplay
`
`what's new:
`Madonna,
`
`FIG. 12
`FIG. 12
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 13
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 13
`
`

`

`home
`
`my
`songs
`
`my
`playlists
`
`my
`Gremlists
`
`my music
`
`1301
`
`△
`
`-v
`
`O p la y O e d it
`0 beam
`
`V
`
`back
`
`FIG. 13
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 14
`
`

`

`US 2006/0008256 Al Featured:
`
`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12,2006 Sheet 14 0f 17
`
`Latin In
`Deep
`
`
`
`
`
`203
`
`FIG. 14
`FIG. 14
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 15
`
`

`

`Current Gremlist
`subscriptions
`
`Alternative rock (20
`Jogging mix (5)
`Beach mix (25)
`Hottest pop (15)
`Modern rock (10)
`
`my
`playlists
`
`my
`Gremlists
`
`try Jimmy
`Buifet's
`
`Top Ten
`
`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12,2006 Sheet 15 of 17
`
`US 2006/0008256 Al
`
`my music
`
`L\
`
`V
`
`FIG. 15
`FIG. 15
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 16
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 16
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 12,2006 Sheet 16 of 17
`
`US 2006/0008256 Al
`
`
`
`_— eSSsSsESeaaoaoooaoooaoaoeaeeeeoeee
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`my
`songs
`
`my
`playlists
`
`my
`Gremlists
`
`
`
` <]SE
`
`
`
`
`
`Alternative Rock
`last update 6/10/03—_1601
`
`modify Gremlist
`
`FIG. 16
`FIG. 16
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 17
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 17
`
`

`

`search
`
`Gremlist:
`Alternative Rock
`
`Gremlists
`
`Timing: Weekly
`
`Length: 20 songs
`
`subscribe
`
`1702
`
`1701
`
`FIG. 17
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 18
`
`

`

`AUDIO VISUAL PLAYER APPARATUS AND
`SYSTEM AND 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 Vioth 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
`car.
`
`[0006] More recently, relatively low-cost, lightweight,
`compact, portable digital media players (“DMPs”） have
`been developed, e.g., Rios5 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
`
`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.
`
`In general, conventional DMPs are capable of
`[0008]
`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
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 19
`
`

`

`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.
`[0011] 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 activmes. 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
`
`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^ 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.
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 20
`
`

`

`It is a feature of the embodiments of the present
`[0017]
`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.
`
`It is a feature of the embodiments of the present
`[0018]
`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.
`
`In a preferred embodiment according to the present
`[0019]
`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
`reason.
`
`In a second embodiment according to the present
`[0021]
`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.
`
`In a third embodiment according to the present
`[0023]
`invention, a portable peer-to-peer wireless communication
`player device for generating and wirelessly transmitting a
`
`IPR2017-02056, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1009, p. 21
`
`

`

`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.
`
`In a fourth embodiment according to the present
`[0024]
`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 iiplaylist,,)? 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 wireless communication
`devices; receives the content request list from the local base
`station via an Internet communications connection; retrieves
`selected audio and/or video files indicated by the received
`playlist; transmits the selected audio and/or video files to the
`local base station for re-transmission to the portable peer-
`to-peer wireless communication player device; and 4) a local
`base station transmitter that receives transmitted audio and/
`or video files from an upstream database server via the
`Internet communi