US007107045B1
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Knoop
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,107,045 B1
`Sep. 12, 2006
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
`DISTRIBUTION OF MEDIA
`(75) Inventor: Dale Knoop, Leawood, KS (US)
`(73) Assignee: Serly spectrum L.P., Overland Park,
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 554 days.
`
`y
`6,628,928 B1* 9/2003 Crosby et al. ................ 455/77
`2003/0221127 A1* 11/2003 Risan et al. ................ T13 201
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Temica Beamer
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`Dec. 3, 2002
`
`A method and system for playing a media sample represent
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/308,940
`ing a full media selection on a wireless handset and, in turn,
`1-1.
`requesting the full media selection to be sent to a client
`(22) Filed:
`station other than the wireless handset. The method and
`(51) Int. Cl
`system provides for a user of a wireless handset to receive
`(2006.01)
`itou? sA2
`one or more media samples from a media content provider,
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................... 5th: Such as a media server. The user can then request one or
`• us
`more full media selections from the media server, and the
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ ... None
`media server can, in turn, e-mail to the user a hyperlink for
`See application file for complete search history.
`each full media selection selected by the user. The user can
`References Cited
`then invoke the hyperlink to access a full media selection at
`a client station other than the wireless handset.
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`5,303,393 A * 4, 1994 Noreen et al. ............. 455,302
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`27 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
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`START
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`WIRELESS HANDSET INITIATES A
`CONNECTION WITHAMEDIASERVER
`
`WIRELESS HANDSET REQUESS ONE
`ORMOREMEDIA SAMPLES FROM THE
`MEDIASERVER
`
`MEDIA SERVER SENS ONE ORMORE
`MEDIA SAMPLES TO THE HANDSET
`
`USER SELECTS ANY MEDIA SAMPLES
`FOR WHICHUSERWOULD LIKE
`ACCESS TO FULL CONTENT
`
`WRELESS HANDSET REQUESTS THE
`FUL MEDA SELECTIONOR
`SELECTIONS FROM THE MEDIA
`SERVER
`
`MEDIA SERVER PROVIDES THE USER
`WTH ACCESS TO THE FULMEDIA
`SELECTION OR SELECTIONSATA
`CLIENT STATION OTHER THAN THE
`WIRELESS HANDSET
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`50
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 12, 2006
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`Sheet 1 of 6
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`US 7,107,045 B1
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`START
`
`WIRELESS HANDSET INITIATES A
`CONNECTION WITHAMEDIA SERVER
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`
`
`WIRELESS HANDSET REQUESTS ONE
`ORMORE MEDIA SAMPLES FROM THE
`MEDIA SERVER
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`MEDIA SERVER SENDS ONE OR MORE
`MEDIA SAMPLES TO THE HANDSET
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`USER SELECTS ANY MEDIA SAMPLES
`FOR WHICH USER WOULD LIKE
`ACCESS TO FULL CONTENT
`
`WIRELESS HANDSET REQUESTS THE
`FULL MEDIA SELECTION OR
`SELECTIONS FROM THE MEDIA
`SERVER
`
`MEDIA SERVER PROVIDES THE USER
`WITH ACCESS TO THE FULL MEDIA
`SELECTION OR SELECTIONS AT A
`CLIENT STATION OTHER THAN THE
`WIRELESS HANDSET
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`50
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`52
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`54
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`58
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`60
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`END
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`Fig. 1
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 12, 2006
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`Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 7,107,045 B1
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`114
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`SAMPLE
`MEDIA
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`MEDIA
`SERVER
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`USER
`PROFILES
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`CLIENT STATION
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`Fig. 2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 12, 2006
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`Sheet 3 of 6
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`US 7,107,045 B1
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`NPUT/OUTPUT COMPONENTS
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`DISPLAY
`SCREEN
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`AUDIO
`SPEAKER
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`KEYPAD
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`PROCESSOR
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`COMMUNICATIONS
`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
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`N TO/FROM
`7A WEESS
`Na NETWORK 120
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`DATA STORAGE
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`APPLICATIONS
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`134
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`MEDIA PLAYER
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`WEB BROWSER
`APPLICATION
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`Fig. 3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 12, 2006
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`Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 7,107,045 B1
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`112
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`PROCESSOR
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`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
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`TO/FROM
`INTERNET 110
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`DATA STORAGE
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`APPLICATIONS
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`WEB SERVER
`APPLICATION
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`MEDIA
`APPLICATION
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`E-MAIL
`APPLICATION
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`DATABASES
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`SAMPLE MEDIA
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`FULL MEDIA
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`ER PROFILES
`US
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`Fig. 4
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 12, 2006
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`Sheet 5 of 6
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`US 7,107,045 B1
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`INPUT/OUTPUT COMPONENTS
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`DISPLAY
`SCREEN
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`AUDIO
`SPEAKER
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`KEYBOARD
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`1.
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`PROCESSOR
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`NETWORK
`INTERFACE
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`TO/FROM
`INTERNET 110
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`DATA STORAGE
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`APPLICATIONS
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`MEDIA PLAYER
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`E-MAIL CLIENT
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`Fig. 5
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 12, 2006
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`Sheet 6 of 6
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`US 7,107,045 B1
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`START
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`USER INVOKES AN APPLICATION TO INITIATE
`ONE ORMORE RECQUESTS OF MEDIA SAMPLES
`
`WRELESS HANDSET INITIATES A CONNECTION
`WITH THE MEDIA SERVER
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`MEDIA SERVER SENDS TO THE WIRELESS
`HANDSET IDENTIFICATION OF AVAILABLE
`MEDIA CONTENT
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`WIRELESS HANDSET REQUESTS ONE OR
`MORE MEDIA SAMPLES FROM THE MEDIA
`SERVER
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`MEDA SERVER SENDS ONE OR MORE MEDIA
`SAMPLES TO THE WIRELESS HANDSET
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`WIRELESS HANDSET REQUESTS ONE OR
`MORE FULL MEDIA SELECTIONS FROM THE
`MEDIA SERVER
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`MEDIA SERVER EMALS TO THE USERA
`HYPERLINK FOREACH OF THE FULL MEDIA
`SELECTIONS
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`USER INVOKES A HYPERLINKATA CLENT
`STATION OTHER THAN THE WIRELESS
`HANDSET AND THE MEDA SERVER
`RESPONSIVELY SENDS FULL MEDIA CONTENT
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`END
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`Fig. 6
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`

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`US 7,107,045 B1
`
`1.
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
`DISTRIBUTION OF MEDIA
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to distribution of media,
`Such as music or video, for instance. More specifically, it
`enables a user to sample media at a wireless handset, Such
`as a mobile station, and, if desired, to then receive a full
`version of the media at another computing device. Further,
`the user might elect to receive the full version of the media
`through a less-expensive distribution channel Such as a
`networked personal computer.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`A wireless handset, such as a mobile station, can receive
`media content from a media content provider by connecting
`to a media server. Once connected to the media server, the
`wireless handset might receive media content from the
`media server. For example, the wireless handset might
`receive a video file that the wireless handset can play on its
`display Screen. Simultaneously, the wireless handset might
`receive audio that the wireless handset can play on an audio
`speaker and that accompanies the video file. The media
`server might also send other media content, such as audio
`only files, still images, or video games, for example, to the
`wireless handset. The wireless handset might play media
`content using a media player application.
`It may not always be desirable or cost-effective, however,
`to send entire media content, for example, an entire song, to
`the wireless handset. It can be time consuming and/or
`expensive for a user to receive entire media content at a
`wireless handset. Further, a user might not find it convenient
`to receive entire media content at that user's wireless hand
`Set.
`Thus, there exists a need to provide a better way to select
`and receive media content.
`
`SUMMARY
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`An exemplary embodiment enables a user to sample
`media content at a wireless handset, such as a mobile station,
`and, if desired, to then receive a full version of the media
`content at another computing device. The specification and
`claims will refer to a computing device that receives a full
`version of media content as a "client station.”
`According to the exemplary embodiment, a user will first
`operate a wireless handset (e.g., a third generation (3G)
`mobile station) to receive a media sample. For instance, the
`50
`user might navigate to a wireless web site that allows the
`user to select from a menu of various media samples (e.g.,
`the latest song releases or news stories), and a media server
`might then send a selected sample to the users handset. The
`media server might stream the sample, send the sample as a
`bulk data file, or send the sample to the wireless handset in
`another way. In any case, the sample might represent a full
`version of the media content.
`In turn, through use of the wireless handset, the user might
`signal to a server (e.g., the media server) that the user wants
`to receive (and, preferably, agrees to pay for) the full version
`of the media, as represented by the sample. In doing so, the
`user could provide the server with an e-mail address to
`which the server should send a hyperlink to the full version.
`Alternatively, the server might already have a stored indi
`cation of an e-mail address to which the server should send
`the hyperlink.
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`The server might then send to the user at the designated
`e-mail address a hyperlink to the full version of the media.
`For instance, the server might send an e-mail to the user and
`include the hyperlink in the message body. The user might
`then retrieve the e-mail at a client station other than the
`users wireless handset. And the user might then click on the
`hyperlink to invoke or to cause a media server to send the
`full version of the media to that client station. The media
`server might stream the full version of the media, send the
`full version of the media as a bulk data file, or send the full
`version of the media to the client station in another way.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are
`described herein with reference to the drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a process carried out by
`a computer system in accordance with an exemplary
`embodiment;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary architecture in
`accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary compo
`nents of a wireless handset:
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary compo
`nents of a media server,
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary compo
`nents of a client station; and
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a
`process carried out by a computer system in accordance with
`an exemplary embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`99 &g
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`1. Terminology
`Terms such as "computer,” “computing device.” and
`“computer system,” and related terms used in this specifi
`cation and claims are to be construed broadly to encompass
`any computing device or combination of computing devices.
`In addition, the term “media' is to be construed broadly to
`encompass, for example, audio, video, text, speech, and
`Video games or gaming, or any combination thereof. Other
`examples of “media are possible as well.
`2. Overview of Exemplary Embodiment
`Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a
`process carried out in accordance with an exemplary
`embodiment. At block 50, a wireless handset initiates a
`connection with a media server. Then, at block 52, the
`wireless handset requests one or more media samples from
`the media server. At block 54, the media server sends any
`media samples requested by the wireless handset to the
`wireless handset. When sending each sample, the media
`sever might stream the sample or the media server might
`send the sample as a bulk data file to facilitate playback at
`a later time.
`Then, at block 56, a user might enter into the wireless
`handset a selection of one or more media samples for which
`the user wants the full media content. At block 58, the
`wireless handset requests the full media selection or selec
`tions from the media server. Next, at block 60, the media
`server makes available a full media selection to the user at
`a client station other than the wireless handset. In an
`exemplary embodiment, the media server will e-mail to the
`user a hyperlink that the user can invoke to cause a server to
`send a full media selection to the client station. The media
`sever might stream the full media selection or the media
`
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`US 7,107,045 B1
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`server might send the full media selection as a bulk data file
`to facilitate playback at a later time.
`3. Exemplary Architecture
`FIG. 2 shows an exemplary architecture for facilitating
`communication between a wireless handset 100, a media
`server 112, and a client station 108. It should be understood,
`however, that this and other arrangements described herein
`are set forth for purposes of example only. As such, those
`skilled in the art will appreciate that other arrangements and
`other elements (e.g., machines, interfaces, functions, orders
`of functions, etc.) can be used instead, and some elements
`may be omitted altogether. Further, those skilled in the art
`will appreciate that many of the elements described herein
`are functional entities that may be implemented as discrete
`or distributed components or in conjunction with other
`components, and in any suitable combination and location.
`Still further, various functions described herein as being
`performed by one or more entities may be carried out by
`hardware, firmware, and/or software logic. For instance,
`various functions may be carried out by a processor (i.e., one
`or more processors) executing a set of machine language
`instructions stored in memory. Provided with the present
`disclosure, those skilled in the art can readily prepare
`appropriate computer instructions to perform Such functions.
`As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless handset 100, media
`server 112, and the client station 108 might connect to and
`communicate with each other through the Internet 110. For
`example, the wireless handset 100 might wirelessly connect
`to a wireless telecommunications network (“wireless net
`work) 120, such as a cellular network, which can comprise
`a base station 102, a base station controller (“BSC) 104,
`and a packet data serving node (“PDSN) 106. The wireless
`network 120 might connect to the Internet 110. A client
`station 108 and a media server 112 might also connect to the
`Internet 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the media server
`112 might communicate with a sample media database 114,
`a full media database 116, and a user profile database 118.
`In another embodiment, the data in these three databases
`might reside in one database. In yet another embodiment, the
`data in these three databases might reside on a data storage
`medium in the media server. Other examples are possible as
`well.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing some of the compo
`nents of an exemplary wireless handset 100. The wireless
`45
`handset 100 may be any device that can wirelessly receive
`media content. In an exemplary embodiment, for instance,
`the wireless handset 100 is a 3G (or later) mobile station. In
`other embodiments, the wireless handset 100 might be a
`personal digital assistant ("PDA") that is capable of receiv
`ing wireless communications or a personal computer that is
`capable of receiving wireless communications. Still other
`examples of wireless handsets are possible as well.
`As shown in FIG. 3, an exemplary wireless handset 100
`might include a processor 124, data storage 126, and
`machine language instructions stored in the data storage 126
`and executable by the processor 124 to perform various
`functions described herein. The machine language instruc
`tions might define applications 162 that might also be stored
`in the data storage 126. The wireless handset 100 might also
`comprise a wireless network interface component 144
`through which the wireless handset 100 can communicate
`with a wireless network 120. Further, the wireless handset
`100 might comprise input and output components 130. The
`various components of the wireless handset 100 (including
`the processor 124, the data storage 126, the wireless network
`interface 144, and the input and output components 130)
`
`4
`might be coupled together directly or via a system bus 136,
`for instance. Other arrangements are possible as well.
`As shown by way of example in FIG. 3, the input and
`output components 130 might comprise a display Screen
`138, an audio speaker 140, and a keypad 142. The wireless
`handset 100 might also comprise other or additional input or
`output components, and the wireless handset 100 might also
`have fewer input or output components than that shown in
`FIG. 3. In an exemplary embodiment, the wireless handset
`100 might have multimedia capabilities such as an ability to
`display video and play audio. In other embodiments, how
`ever, the wireless handset 100 might be capable of only
`playing audio or of only displaying video, or it might be
`limited in some other way.
`Applications 146 might be stored in the data storage 126
`and executed by the processor 124. In an exemplary embodi
`ment and as shown in FIG. 3, the data storage 126 might
`contain a media player application (“media player) 134 and
`a web browser application 132. The applications 146 might
`utilize the various input and output components 130 of the
`wireless handset 100 and, thereby, interact with the user. For
`example, an application might output video on the display
`screen 138, it might play audio on the speaker 140, it might
`receive input from the keypad 142, or it might perform a
`combination of these or other actions.
`The media player 134 might be suitable to present media
`content that the media sever 112 might send to the wireless
`handset 100. The media player 134 might be an industry
`standard MP3 audio and/or MPEG video player, or other
`Such players Supporting media encoding now known or later
`developed. A wireless handset 100 might support more than
`one media player, and a user may add or remove media
`players from the wireless handset 100.
`The web browser application 132 might be an application
`Suitable for connecting to and transferring data with the
`media server 112. For example, the web browser might be an
`OpenWaveTM Microbrowser web browser. Other examples
`are also possible.
`Referring to FIG. 2, the wireless handset 100 might
`communicate with the media server 112 over the Internet
`110. In other embodiments, the wireless handset 100 might
`communicate with the media server 112 over another public
`or private network. In an exemplary embodiment, the wire
`less handset 100 might connect to the Internet via a wireless
`network 120 that might provide telecommunications service
`to the wireless handset 100. The wireless handset 100 might
`communicate with the wireless network 120 through the
`network interface 144.
`In an exemplary embodiment, the wireless network 120
`might provide an air interface 122 for coupling with the
`wireless handset 100. In particular, the air interface 122
`might link the wireless handset 100 to the base station 102.
`In the arrangement of FIG. 2, the wireless handset 100
`might communicate with the base station 102 using any of
`a variety of different protocols. For instance, the wireless
`handset 100 might communicate with the base station 102
`using Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA'). CDMA
`provides a method for sending wireless signals between the
`wireless handset 100 and the base station 102. In a CDMA
`system, the base station 102 communicates with the wireless
`handset 100 over a spread spectrum of frequencies. Typical
`components for CDMA systems include those described in
`the Telecommunications Industry Association (“TIA) stan
`dard, ANSI/TIA/EIA-95-B-99, dated Feb. 3, 1999, which is
`incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Time Divi
`sion Multiple Access (“TDMA) is another popular method
`for wireless communications. In TDMA systems, the base
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`station 102 typically communicates on a group of frequen
`cies, and each frequency may itself carry at least one
`multiplexed call. The Global System for Mobile Commu
`nications (“GSM) or another method may also be used.
`The base station 102 might be coupled to the BSC 104.
`The BSC 104 might, in turn, connect with the PDSN 106 and
`the PDSN 106 might provide connectivity to a packet
`switched network, such as the Internet 110. Once the wire
`less handset 100 connects to the Internet 110 through the
`wireless network 120, it can exchange data with other
`devices also connected to the Internet 110, including the
`media server 112, for instance.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing some of the compo
`nents of an exemplary media server 112. The media server
`112 may be any computing device capable of sending media
`content. In an exemplary embodiment, for instance, the
`media server 112 might be a server class computer.
`As shown in FIG. 4, an exemplary media server 112 might
`include a processor 150, data storage 152, and machine
`language instructions stored in the data storage 152 and
`executable by the processor 150 to carry out various func
`tions described herein. The machine language instructions
`might define applications 162 that might also be stored in the
`data storage 152. The media server 112 might also comprise
`a network interface component 156 through which the media
`server 112 might communicate with the Internet 110, for
`instance. The various components of the media server 112
`(including the processor 150, the data storage 152, and the
`network interface 156) might be coupled together directly or
`via a system bus 158, for instance. Other arrangements are
`possible as well.
`The data storage 152 of media server 112 might include
`any number of databases 160 (or other files of information)
`for facilitating the selection and distribution of media con
`tent. In an exemplary embodiment, the data storage 152
`might include (i) a sample media file database 114, (ii) a full
`media file database 116, and (iii) a user profile database 118.
`Other database arrangements are possible. For example, the
`sample media database 114 and the full media database 116
`might be combined and/or there might not be a user profile
`database 118. In another example, information for facilitat
`ing the selection and distribution of media content might be
`combined into one database or file.
`An exemplary sample media database 114 might include
`a plurality of records, and each record might comprise an
`identification of a media sample as well as data representing
`the media sample. Likewise, an exemplary full media data
`base 116 might also include a plurality of records, and each
`record might comprise an identification of a full media file
`as well as data representing the full media file. In another
`embodiment, the sample media database 114 and the full
`media database 116 might be combined such that each
`database record might comprise an identification of the
`media content, data representing the sample media file, and
`data representing the full media file. In yet another embodi
`ment, each instance of media might be stored as a file in the
`data storage 152 and might not correspond to a record in a
`database. Other examples or arrangements are possible as
`well.
`An exemplary user profile database 118 might include a
`plurality of records, and each record might correspond to a
`user who might request media content. The records in an
`exemplary user profile database 118 might comprise infor
`mation related to each particular user, Such as user prefer
`ences and user e-mail addresses. Other examples or arrange
`ments are possible as well.
`
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`In an exemplary embodiment, the data storage 152 might
`reside on the media server 112. In other embodiments, some
`or all of the data in data storage 152, including some or all
`of the data in the databases 160, might reside on other
`devices. For instance, the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2
`shows the sample media database 114, the full media data
`base 116, and the user profile database 118 each residing on
`a separate database server. In such a case, each data storage
`device might communicate with the media server 112 via a
`link such as a T1, IEEE 488, or Ethernet link, for example.
`In an exemplary embodiment, a given instance of media
`content (either a media sample or a full media selection)
`might be stored as one or more files in the media server's
`data storage 154 (for example, in the sample media database
`114 or the full media database 116). The media server 112
`might send the data representing the media content to the
`wireless handset 100 or the client station 108 at a high bit
`rate, a low bit rate, or other specific bit rates. The media
`server 112 might send the media content as video only, audio
`only, video plus audio, or periodic stills plus audio. Other
`examples are possible as well.
`The media server 112 might send each instance of media
`content in one or more different encoded formats. The
`wireless handset 100 or client station 108 that receives the
`media content might then have a decoder for each format, to
`facilitate decoding the underlying information representing
`the media content. Once decoded, the wireless handset 100
`or the client station 108 can play the media content.
`Examples of common formats include JPEG, MPEG, and
`MP3, but many other formats for media content are avail
`able, and these might also be used.
`The data storage 152 might also comprise applications
`162, which might include a web server application 164, a
`media application 166, and an e-mail application 168. In
`other embodiments, the functionalities of each of the web
`server application 164, the media application 166, and the
`e-mail application 168 might be combined into the same
`application, or any number of different applications, and
`could, alternatively, reside on separate network components.
`In an exemplary embodiment, the web server application
`164 generally might allow users to interact with the media
`server 112 from computing devices Such as wireless handset
`100 or client station 108. For example, a user might use a
`web browser application 132 on the wireless handset 100 to
`access the web server application 164 and view available
`media content on media server 112. The web server appli
`cation 164 might Support other methods of access, as well.
`In an exemplary embodiment, the media application 166
`might send media files from the media server 112 to another
`device, such as the wireless handset 100 or the client station
`108. The media application might send media files as bulk
`data files. In Such a case, a device receiving a media file
`might download each file and play it back at a later time. In
`another embodiment, the media application might stream
`media files. In Such a case, a device receiving a media file
`might play out the file as it receives the file. Other examples
`are possible as well.
`In an exemplary embodiment, the e-mail application 168
`might send to a user a message that includes a hypertext link.
`The user might then invoke that hyperlink at a client station
`108, and the media server 112 might responsively send to
`that user media content using the media application 166.
`The media server 112 might connect to the Internet 110
`through a local area network (“LAN”). The media server 112
`might connect to the LAN using a network interface 156,
`such as a network interface card (“NIC), and the LAN, in
`turn, might provide connectivity to the Internet 110 through
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`an Internet Service Provider ("ISP") or another gateway.
`Alternatively, the media server 112 might connect to a
`private intranet (e.g., a core packet network of a wireless
`service provider) or to another network that provides con
`nectivity to the Internet 110. Further, the media server 112
`might connect directly to the Internet 110 without connect
`ing through a LAN. The media server 112 might also
`wirelessly connect to the Internet 110.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing some of the compo
`nents of an exemplary client station 108. The client station
`108 may be any computing device, other than the wireless
`handset 100, that is capable of receiving and playing media
`COntent.
`As shown in FIG. 5, an exemplary client station 108 might
`include a processor 180, data storage 182, and machine
`language instructions stored in the data storage 182 and
`executable by the processor 180 to carry out various func
`tions described herein. The machine language instructions
`might define applications 200 that might also be stored in the
`data storage 182. The client station 108 might also comprise
`a network interface component 186 through which the client
`station 108 might communicate with the Internet 110, for
`instance. Further, the wireless handset 100 might comprise
`input and output components 192. The various components
`of the client station (including the processor 180, the data
`storage 182, the network interface 186, and the input and
`output components 192) might be coupled together directly
`or via a system bus 188, for instance. Other arrangements are
`possible as well.
`As further shown in FIG. 5, the input and output com
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`ponents 192 might comprise a display screen 194, an audio
`speaker 196, and a keyboard 198. The client station 108
`might comprise other or additional input or output compo
`nents, and the client station 108 might also have fewer input
`or output components 192 than that shown in FIG. 5. In an
`exemplary embodiment, the client station 108 might have
`multimedia capabilities such as displaying video and playing
`audio. In other embodiments, however, the client station 108
`might be capable of only playing audio or of only displaying
`video, or the client station 108 might be limited in some
`other way.
`Applications 200 might be stored in the data storage 182
`and executed by the processor 180. In an exemplary embodi
`ment, the data storage 182 might contain an e-mail client
`202 and a media player 190. The e-mail client 202 might be
`any industry standard application that is Suitable for receiv
`ing e-mails or other messages containing hyperlinks. The
`media player 190 might be an application suitable to present
`media content that the media sever 112 might send to the
`client station 108. The media player 190 might be an
`industry standard MP3 audio and/or MPEG video player, or
`other Such players Supporting media encoding now known
`or later developed. The client station 108 might support
`more than one media player, and a user may add or remove
`media players from the client station 108. Further, the client
`station 108 might Support other applications, such as a web
`browser application, for instance.
`Referring to FIG. 2, the client station 108 and the media
`server 112 might communicate over the Internet 110. In
`other embodiments, the client station 108 might communi
`cate with the media server 112 over another public or private
`network. The client station 108 might connect to the Internet
`110 in any number of ways. The client station 108 might use
`a network interface 156, such as a NIC, to connect to a LAN,
`for instance. The LAN, in turn, might provide connectivity
`to the Internet 110 through an ISP or another gateway.
`Alternatively, the client station 108 might connect to a
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`private intranet or to another network that might provide
`connectivity to the Internet 110. Further, the client station
`108 might connect directly to the Internet 110 without
`connecting through a LAN. In other embodiments, the client
`station 108 might also connect to the Internet 110 using a
`wireless access network.
`The foregoing discussion illustrates one exemplary
`embodiment of a system for communication between a
`wireless handset 100 and a media server 112 and between a
`client station 108 and a media server 112. Many variations
`may be made to the system shown in FIG. 2, and many other
`systems may also be used. As an example, changes may be
`made to the configuration of the cellular network. As another
`example, the media server 112 might interface with the
`Internet in a different manner. And as yet another example,
`the wireless handset 100 and the media server 112, or the
`client station 108 and the media server 112, might reside on
`the same network, and they might communicate with each
`other over a path other than the Internet. These examples are
`not exhaustive, and other variations are also possible.
`4. Exemplary Operation
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart that depicts a set of functions that
`might be involved in selecting one or more media samples
`from a wireless handset 100 and, in turn, accessing one or
`more full media selections at a client station 108 other than
`the wireless handset 100. At block 250, when a user wishes
`to obtain media content from a media server 112, the user
`might invoke a suitable application on the wireless handset
`100. For instance, the user might start a media player 134,
`a web browser 132, or another application.
`At block 252, the invoked application might then cause
`the wireless handset 100 to attempt to connect to the media
`server 112. To connect to the media server 112, the wireless
`handset 1