(12) United States Patent
`Henrick
`
`USOO6507727B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,507,727 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jan. 14, 2003
`
`(54) PURCHASE AND DELIVERY OF DIGITAL
`CONTENT USING MULTIPLE DEVICES AND
`DATA NETWORKS
`
`(76) Inventor: Roi Et. FSGS
`
`5,914.941 A 6/1999 Janky
`5,930,765 A 7/1999 Martin
`5,949.877 A * 9/1999 Traw ........................... 705/51
`5.991,737 A * 11/1999 Chen ........................... 705/26
`6,233,682 B1
`5/2001 Fritsch ........................ 705/27
`2002/0049037 A1
`4/2002 Christensen et al. ....... 455/3.06
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`y
`
`- - -
`
`9
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 6 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/689,336
`(22) Filed:
`Oct. 13, 2000
`H04H 7700
`(51) Int. Cl."
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................... 455/3.06; 455/412; 705/26
`(58) Field of Search ............................... 455,30-396,
`455/412, 418-420, 186.1; 725/91, 134;
`705/26, 27, 51
`
`O
`
`-1 - O
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`
`SS
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3/1993 Hair
`5, 191573 A
`5,440,336 A 8/1995 Buhiro et al.
`5,583,763 A 12/1996 Atcheson ....................... 707/3
`5,594.779 A * 1/1997 Goodman .....
`... 455/30.4
`5,727,048 A
`3/1998 Hiroshima ................... 705/27
`
`c:
`
`and Video content (e.g., entertainment media) over the
`
`cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Vivian Chin
`ASSistant Examiner-James K Moore
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pennie & Edmonds LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A System that facilitates the purchase and delivery of audio
`Internet is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the dis
`closed System allows a user who hears or Sees an audio or
`Video broadcast to use a cell phone or other wireleSS device
`to order the broadcast material, and have it remotely deliv
`ered to an independent device (e.g., the user's personal
`computer) without further user intervention. Thus, the Sys
`tem allows the user to order the desired content using a
`wireless device that the user will often have in his or her
`possession when he or she hears or Sees the desired content,
`but to have the content delivered to a Second remote device.
`
`USER HEARS DESRE)
`SONG ONRADO
`STATION
`
`302
`
`
`
`USER ACCESSES
`SRVCE
`
`304
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USERLOGS ONTO
`WEBSERVER
`
`306
`
`USER DENTIFIES
`RADIO STATION
`
`308
`
`SERVER PRESENTS
`USER WITHSONG
`DEAS
`
`310
`
`USER SELECTS
`PURCHASE OPTION
`
`312
`
`
`
`SERVER DOWNLOADS
`SOFTWARE AGENT TO
`PC
`
`314
`
`27 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`Netflix v. GoTV
`IPR2023-00757
`Netflix Ex. 1012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 14, 2003
`Jan. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`
`
`s
`
`US 6,507,727 B1
`US 6,507,727 B1
`
`FIG.1
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 6,507,727 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USER CONNECTS TO
`INTERNE FROM PC
`
`202
`
`USERNAVIGATES TO WEB 204
`SERVER
`
`USER PROMPTED FOR
`REGISTRATION AND
`BLLING DETALS
`
`206
`
`USERENTERS
`REGISTRATION AND
`BLLNG DETALS
`
`208
`
`REGISTRATION AND
`BLNG DETALS
`TRANSMITTED TO SERVER
`
`210
`
`SERVER CREATES USER
`ACCOUNT
`
`212
`
`SERVER DOWNLOADS
`SOFTWARE AGENT TO PC
`
`214
`
`FG. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 6,507,727 B1
`
`
`
`USER HEARS DESRED
`SONG ON RADO
`STATION
`
`302
`
`USER ACCESSES
`SERVICE
`
`3O4.
`
`USER LOGS ONTO
`WEB SERVER
`
`306
`
`USER DENTFES
`RADIO STATION
`
`3O8
`
`SERVER PRESENTS
`USER WITHSONG
`DETALS
`
`310
`
`USER SELECS
`PURCHASE OPTION
`
`312
`
`SERVER DOWNLOADS
`SOFTWARE AGENT TO Y314
`PC
`
`FIG. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 14, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 6,507,727 B1
`
`
`
`410
`DOWNLOAD
`PROCESS
`TERMINATED
`
`WEBSERVER ACCESSES
`REGUEST FOR SONG
`
`402
`
`WEB SERVER DENTIFIES
`PC TO DOWNLOAD TO
`
`404
`
`
`
`
`
`PC REGISTERED
`WITH WEB SERVERP
`
`YES
`WEBSERVER CONTACTS -408
`SOFTWARE AGENT ON PC
`
`WEB SERVER CONFIRMS -412
`CORRECT PC CONTACTED
`
`WEB SERVER TRANSMTS
`SONG DETAILS, AUTH.
`CODE TO SWAGENT
`
`414
`
`SWAGENT DOWNLOADS 415
`SONG
`
`USER'S ACCOUNT
`CHARGED
`
`416
`
`
`
`420
`TRANSFER SONG\ YES
`TO DEVICE
`
`
`
`418
`PORTABLE DEVICE
`AVAILABLE 2
`
`
`
`NO
`
`422
`SONG OUEUED
`UNTIL DEVICE
`AVAILABLE
`
`FG. 4
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 14, 2003
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`Sheet 5 of 5
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`US 6,507,727 B1
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`o S ‘??H
`
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`uo?dO XOIA
`909
`
`S09
`
`
`
`I’AA 10 |
`
`
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`S0) LIOAe H
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`v S ·??H
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`

`

`US 6,507,727 B1
`
`1
`PURCHASE AND DELIVERY OF DIGITAL
`CONTENT USING MULTIPLE DEVICES AND
`DATA NETWORKS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The invention relates to the field of delivering digital
`entertainment media.
`
`2
`computer) without further user intervention. Thus, the Sys
`tem allows the user to order the desired content using a
`wireless device that the user will often have in his or her
`possession when he or she hears or Sees the desired content,
`but to have the content delivered to a Second remote device.
`In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed System com
`prises a Web site that is accessible via a digital wireleSS
`device to allow a user to request Selected entertainment
`content for download to a Second device. This System
`architecture makes it simple to deploy the present System as
`a Service to be provided to users.
`The user preferably pre-registers with the Web site, typi
`cally from the Second device. A Software agent is installed
`on the Second device that acts as an agent for the Service and
`facilitates downloading of requested content to the Second
`device. In a preferred embodiment, the Second device may
`be a personal computer owned by the user that is connected
`to the Internet via an always-on connection, Such as a cable
`modem. In an alternative embodiment, the Software agent
`may periodically dial to the Internet to check for content to
`be delivered. A payment arrangement may also be estab
`lished during the registration process.
`Once registered, the user may log on to the Web site from
`his or her cellphone or other wireless device (e.g., a personal
`digital assistant (PDA)). The service provided by the Web
`Site is Synchronized with the broadcast content of a broad
`cast network, Such as a broadcast radio Station, a cable
`network, or a digital Satellite network. In a preferred
`embodiment, a user listening, for example, to a radio Station
`may transmit a station identifier to the Web site. The Web
`Site identifies the content currently being broadcast on the
`Station, and then downloads a Screen to the user's wireleSS
`device that displays information concerning the broadcast
`content and gives the user the option of downloading that
`content (e.g., the current Song) to the Second device. If the
`user selects this option, the Web site contacts the software
`agent in the Second device and arranges for download and
`archiving of that content in that device or to another con
`nected device or Storage medium.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`These and other aspects of the invention will be better
`appreciated when taken in conjunction with the detailed
`description and accompanying drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of
`a System for delivering audio content;
`FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a preferred embodiment of
`a registration process and installation of the Service client;
`FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting a preferred embodiment of
`user interaction with the System in requesting and authoriz
`ing download of content;
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the server to client download of
`the audio content in a preferred embodiment; and
`FIGS. 5A-C are illustrative examples of screens that may
`be displayed on a digital-cell-phone display in a preferred
`embodiment of the present System.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`A preferred embodiment of a system 100 for delivering
`media content is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1,
`system 100 preferably comprises a broadcast radio station
`101 that broadcasts music at a predesignated frequency. This
`broadcast signal is preferably received by a radio 103 owned
`by a user. The user also preferably has in his or her
`
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The Internet is changing the distribution of music and
`Video content. Recent advances in audio and Video
`compression, higher bandwidth Internet connections, and
`the decreasing cost of memory have made it practical for
`users to download audio and Video content via the Internet
`to personal computers and other dedicated digital devices.
`The downloaded content can also be transferred to CDs,
`mini-discS, or digital Video discS and played on other audio
`and video devices such as MP3 players.
`Typically, a user who wishes to download a particular
`album or video via the Internet searches for the title at a Web
`Site, finds the title, and requests that it be downloaded. A
`digital file containing the requested content is then trans
`ferred to the user's computer using the File Transfer Proto
`col (FTP) and stored on the computer's hard disc. Even with
`high-Speed lines, the download time may be ten minutes or
`more, depending on the amount and type of data requested
`by the user.
`This practice of using the same computer to Search for and
`then download requested content has Several disadvantages.
`To begin with, the downloading proceSS may occupy most or
`all of the bandwidth of the user's connection and may
`prevent or degrade Simultaneous activities Such as browsing
`or viewing a streaming multimedia program. In addition, the
`user is often not at his or her PC when he or she hears music
`or Sees a Video that he or She wishes to request. Accordingly,
`the user must later remember to download the desired
`material. This may require the user to write down the music
`title of interest on a piece of paper and Save the paper until
`he or she logs on to the Internet.
`Another alternative for downloading digital content is to
`download the desired content to a wireleSS device, Such as
`a WAP-enabled cell phone. But this alternative also has
`certain drawbackS. Current wireleSS data networks used for
`cell phones, pagers, and Personal Digital ASSistants (PDAS)
`are limited to connection rates of approximately 10 kilobits
`per Second and lower transfer rates. Consequently, Such
`devices are unsuitable for transferring quality media
`recorded in the hundreds to millions of kilobits per second
`range. Moreover, even if wireless-download data rates
`increase in the future, the cost of wireless bandwidth is
`likely to remain significantly higher than the cost of wired or
`fiber bandwidth. In addition, downloading content to the
`user's wireleSS device occupies available bandwidth and
`decreases the amount of data that the user may receive
`during the download.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The System disclosed herein facilitates the purchase and
`delivery of audio and video content (e.g., entertainment
`media) over the Internet. In a preferred embodiment, the
`disclosed System allows a user who hears or Sees an audio
`or Video broadcast to use a cell phone or other wireleSS
`device to order the broadcast material, and have it remotely
`delivered to an independent device (e.g., the user's personal
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`US 6,507,727 B1
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`possession a digital cellular phone 104 that is capable of
`accessing the Internet 102 through a Standard protocol Such
`as WAP over a wireless connection 105. The user also
`preferably owns a PC 108 that may be located, for example,
`in the user's home or office. PC 108 is preferably connected
`to the Internet 102 via a wired connection 107. PC 108 is
`also preferably connected to a portable music device 110,
`such as an MP3 player. A software agent 112 is preferably
`downloaded and stored on PC 108, as described in more
`detail below.
`System 100 further comprises a Web server 106 that is
`adapted to provide a downloading Service in accordance
`with the present disclosure. Both cellphone 104 and PC 108
`are preferably adapted to communicate with Web server 106
`via Internet 102.
`Operation of the present System comprises three main
`Segments: user registration, ordering of content by the user,
`and delivery of the ordered content. Before describing each
`of these Segments in detail, a brief overview of a preferred
`embodiment of System operation is first provided.
`The user first registers and establishes an account with
`Web server 106 via PC 108. A software agent 112 is loaded
`on PC 108. Software agent 112 is adapted to facilitate
`downloading of content from Web server 106 to PC 108.
`Subsequently, radio Station 101 broadcasts a Song on its
`predesignated frequency. The broadcast Song is received and
`played by radio 103. If the user (i.e., the listener) wishes to
`purchase the Song (or the album on which the Song appears)
`for download, the user navigates to Web server 106 from his
`or her cell phone 104, authenticates himself or herself, and
`identifies the Station he or She is listening to. The down
`loading service provided by Web server 106 then provides
`the user with a Screen indicating the name of the Song and
`album that he or she is listening to, as well as other
`information Such as the group name and information related
`to the band. The user may then indicate through cell phone
`104 a desire to buy the song or album. During and after this
`interaction with Web server 106, the user may continue to
`listen to the radio as other Songs, entertainment, or adver
`tising are broadcast.
`The requested Song or album is queued by Web server 106
`which then contacts PC 108 without further intervention by
`the user. Web server 106 downloads the requested Song or
`album to PC 108. Software agent 112 running on PC 108
`facilitates this downloading and Stores the received content
`to a mass storage device such as a hard disk. Web server 106
`then bills the user's account for the cost of the song. The
`Song or album may then be uploaded to portable music
`device 110.
`Each Segment of System operation in this preferred
`embodiment will now be described in more detail. A pre
`ferred registration Sequence is illustrated in FIG. 2. In Step
`202, the user connects to the Internet 102 from PC 108. In
`step 204, the user navigates to Web server 106, typically by
`55
`entering a URL associated with the Web server on a com
`mand line of a browser running on PC 108. Alternatively, the
`user may click on a hyperlink to Web server 106 that is
`included in an advertisement or e-mail received by the user.
`In step 206, the service prompts the user to enter his or her
`registration and billing information. In step 208, the user
`enters this information and, in step 210, transmits it to Web
`server 106. In step 212, Web server 106 selects a user name
`and password for the user and then creates an account for
`that user. Alternatively, Web server 106 may allow the user
`to create his or her own user name and password, Verify that
`the user name is unique among existing user accounts, and
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`then create an account for that user. The advantage of having
`a user create his or her own user name and password is that
`the user is more likely to be able to remember a user name
`and password that he or she created.
`In step 214, Web server 106 downloads software agent
`112, a thin client, to PC 108 which is stored by the PC as an
`executable file that is automatically run whenever PC 108 is
`turned on. When run, this executable file registers with Web
`server 106 in a manner well known in the state of the art, as
`for example, is done by programs Such as AOL instant
`messaging. This allows the Server to initiate a conversation
`with the client without intervention by the user.
`A preferred process for Selecting a Song for download is
`depicted in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, in step 302, the user
`hears a song broadcast by radio station 101 that he or she
`wishes to download or regarding which he or She wishes to
`receive further information. In step 304, the user accesses
`the service of the present system via digital cell phone 104
`which is provided with wireleSS Internet-access capability.
`In particular, the user may navigate to Web server 106 by
`manually entering the URL of the Service, by clicking on a
`hyperlink to the Service, or by opening a bookmark to the
`Service.
`An illustrative Screen display that a user might see in
`reaching Web server 106 by opening a bookmark is shown
`in FIG. 5A. As shown in FIG. 5A, digital cell phone 104 is
`preferably provided with a digital display 502 for displaying
`information, buttons 504 for scrolling and selecting dis
`played options, and a keypad 506 for entering information.
`As further shown in FIG. 5A, display 502 displays a
`plurality of bookmarks 508 including a bookmark “RAD
`WAP” (TM) which, illustratively, may be the identifier for
`the content-download Service described in the present appli
`cation. The user uses buttons 504 to Scroll down and select
`the RADWAP bookmark. Alternatively, the user accesses
`the RADWAP service through a voice recognition applica
`tion that selects the service after the user speaks “RAD
`WAP” into digital cell phone 104.
`In step 306, the user logs on to Web server 106 by entering
`his or her user name and password. Alternatively, the Service
`may permit automatic log on by identifying the user's cell
`phone 104 in a Secure and reliable manner using Security
`features that are part of the cellphone or network or by using
`a voice recognition System as described above.
`In step 308, the user enters an identifier (e.g., the call
`letters or frequency) of the radio station to which he or she
`is listening. An illustrative example of how display 502 of
`digital cellphone 104 might appear after the user has entered
`the station identifier is shown in FIG. 5B. Alternatively, the
`user employs the Voice recognition System described above
`or places a voice call to a human or voice response System
`to transmit the log on and broadcast identifier data.
`In a preferred embodiment, Web server 106 tracks the
`Songs being played on one or more radio Stations in one or
`more geographic regions. This tracking may be achieved
`using the techniques described in my copending patent
`application Ser. No. 09/571,337, filed May 16, 2000, and
`entitled Enhancement of Broadcast Signals Through Auto
`matic Signal Detection and Providing of Services Through
`Data Networks and Devices. Alternatively, Web server 106
`may track the Songs being played on a radio Station in other
`ways Such as by obtaining a copy of the Station Schedule.
`In step 310, Web server 106 uses the information it
`obtains from tracking the radio Station to which the user is
`listening to generate a Screen with information Such as the
`identity of the Song, album, and artist. In addition, this
`
`

`

`S
`Screen may provide the user with one or more options. In a
`preferred embodiment, one of the options is to purchase the
`current Song or album. This Screen is downloaded to cell
`phone 104 where it is displayed to the user. An illustrative
`example of how this Screen might appear is shown in FIG.
`5C. Alternatively, Song information is conveyed to the user
`during a voice call with a human or Voice response System.
`In Step 312, the user Selects the purchase option. In Step
`314, Web server 106 logs this selection. The user then
`returns to or continues listening to radio 103.
`A preferred process for downloading Selected content to
`the second device is depicted in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG.
`4, in step 402, Web server 106 accesses a request to purchase
`content from a queue of requests. In step 404, Web server
`106 identifies the PC 108 to which the user wishes the
`requested content to be downloaded. In step 406, Web server
`106 determines if PC 108 is currently registered with Web
`server 106, and, if so (406-Yes) contacts software agent 112
`on PC 108 in step 408. If PC 108 is not registered with Web
`server 106 (406-No) the download process is terminated in
`step 410. In step 412, Web server 106 confirms that the
`correct client has been contacted by, for example, Securely
`identifying PC 108.
`In step 414, Web server 106 transmits to software agent
`112 the name and location of the requested Song, as well as
`an authorization code for downloading. Software agent 112
`is then able to download the song, in step 415, from Web
`server 106 or another location authorized by the service by
`transmitting the authorization code to a Server Storing a copy
`of the requested Song. In one embodiment, the Song is
`downloaded from Web server 106. In another embodiment,
`the Song is downloaded from a Second Server operated by the
`Service. In yet another embodiment, the Song is downloaded
`from a third party authorized by the Service; this arrange
`ment would be practical, for example, if the Service did not
`itself have the desired Song or content on its own Servers, or
`if the Service Specialized in finding the most cost effective
`third party Source from which to download content.
`Alternatively, rather than issue an authorization code to PC
`108, Web server may instead simply push the requested
`digital content to PC 108 or issue a command to the second
`server or third party server to do so. Once the download is
`complete and Verified, in Step 416, the user's Service account
`is charged and any required payments are made to the
`content owners or download Source.
`In a preferred embodiment, Software agent 112 may be
`adapted to automatically transfer the file to another device
`for portability or archive. In this preferred embodiment, in
`step 418, software agent 112 searches for the availability of
`that device and, if available (418-Yes), transfers the down
`loaded song to it (step 420). If the device is unavailable
`(418-No), the file is queued until the device is available (step
`422).
`AS will be apparent, the particular preferred embodiment
`described above is for a system that facilitates download of
`music by permitting a radio listener to order content through
`a cell phone with background delivery to a separate device,
`Such as the user's home computer. It will be recognized,
`however, that the principles of the present invention may
`alternatively be applied to other environments and compo
`nentS.
`For example, the downloaded content may be delivered to
`the user via an alternative broadcast network, Such as digital
`Satellite radio Over a cable network or other wireleSS net
`work. Alternatively, the downloaded content may be deliv
`ered via a broadband network.
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`This may be especially appropriate in the case of digital
`video.
`In addition, instead of digital cellphone 104, the user may
`alternatively interact with the service via a PDA, a dedicated
`music device with an Internet connection, or a PC having a
`wireleSS connection. Connection from the user's wireleSS
`device to Web server 106 may also be established via a
`wireless local area network or other wireleSS network Such
`as a Satellite network.
`In an alternative preferred embodiment, rather than have
`the user enter an identifier for the radio station that he or she
`is listening to, the System may instead be adapted to receive
`the complete or partial name of a Song, artist, or album from
`the user. The System may then identify one or more Songs on
`the basis of the information entered by the user and provide
`an interface for Selecting and ordering one or more of the
`identified Songs, in a manner analogous to that described
`above.
`In another preferred embodiment, a Service that provides
`a registered community with unlimited downloads (e.g., the
`Napster Service) may deliver the requested content, So that
`there is no charge for an individual download. In another
`preferred embodiment, the Server that communicates with
`the user client may initiate the transfer directly to the client
`in a well known manner such as by FTP transfer. In another
`preferred embodiment, the Server that communicates with
`the user client may multicast large amounts of audio content
`to multiple clients. In this embodiment, each user client
`preferably comprises a digital receiver for a digital media
`broadcast and is adapted to Select and record only requested
`and authorized content by providing the user client with a
`code that permits it to decrypt and Save portions of the
`digital media broadcast for which it is authorized. In yet
`another preferred embodiment, the user client may periodi
`cally connect to the Internet and check with the Server to
`determine whether there is content for the client to
`download, either from the Server or a third party Source.
`In an alternative preferred embodiment, rather than down
`load the requested content to a PC 108, the content may
`instead be downloaded to a special purpose appliance
`intended for music download and playback with an Internet
`connection. In another preferred embodiment, Software
`agent 112 may come preconfigured on the client, So that it
`need not be downloaded when the user registers. In another
`preferred embodiment, connection to the device receiving
`the download may be via wireleSS Internet connection. In
`another preferred embodiment, portable music device 110
`may comprise digital media for recording Such as a write
`able CD ROM or flash memory storage suitable for use in,
`for example, a portable MP3 player.
`In yet another preferred embodiment, the requested con
`tent is Streamed, rather than downloaded, to a device Speci
`fied by the user, at a time specified by the individual. This
`embodiment allows the individual to listen or view the
`requested content on demand, for a fee, and has the advan
`tage of affording the digital content owner greater protection
`against unauthorized copying of the requested content.
`It will be appreciated that, although the invention has been
`described in the context of Specific illustrative embodiments,
`those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous
`alternative arrangements which, although not explicitly
`shown or described herein, nevertheless embody the prin
`ciples of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A System for the delivery of digital content correspond
`ing to content received by a broadcast receiver in the
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`US 6,507,727 B1
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`possession of an individual, the individual also possessing a
`first device adapted to transmit and receive data messages
`and having access to a Second device adapted to receive
`digital files, comprising:
`a Server having access to titles of Songs included in
`broadcast content, and to titles of albums associated
`with the Songs,
`the first device adapted for use by the individual to
`interactively access the Server and identify to the Server
`a Station being received by the broadcast receiver,
`the Server being further adapted to provide the user via the
`first device information concerning the broadcast Song
`and the broadcast album;
`the first device being further adapted to facilitate Selection
`by the user of desired content from the provided
`information;
`wherein, before the individual interactively accesses the
`Server via the first device, the Server is previously
`accessed by the individual from the second device to
`configure a Software agent on the Second device that is
`adapted to act autonomously for the user in delivering
`content to the Second device;
`the Software agent on the Second device being automati
`cally initiated with initiation of the Second device, and
`adapted to automatically register with the Server upon
`Such automatic initiation So as to be available to
`communicate with the server without the intervention
`or presence of the individual;
`the Server and the Software agent being adapted, upon
`selection of desired content by the individual, to
`eXchange information to Securely identify the Second
`device and convey authorization to have the desired
`content delivered to the second device without the
`intervention or presence of the individual; and
`the Software agent being adapted, upon the authorization
`being conveyed, to facilitate the delivery and Storage of
`the desired content without the intervention or presence
`of the individual.
`2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first data device is
`a digital cell phone adapted to communicate with the Server
`via a wireleSS connection.
`3. The system of claim 2, wherein the wireless connection
`is established via a local area wireleSS network.
`4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first data device is
`a PDA with a wireless connection.
`5. The system of claim 1, wherein the content received by
`the broadcast receiver is broadcast via a digital Satellite
`network.
`6. The system of claim 1, wherein the content received by
`the broadcast receiver is broadcast via a cable network.
`7. The system of claim 1, wherein the interactive manner
`in which the first device communicates with the server is via
`a voice telephone call.
`8. The system of claim 7, wherein the voice call is taken
`by a human.
`9. The system of claim 7, wherein the voice call is taken
`by a voice response System.
`10. The system of claim 1, wherein selected content is
`downloaded through a community or Subscription Service
`that does not charge for each download.
`11. The system of claim 1, wherein selected content is
`downloaded from a Second Server upon authorization.
`12. The system of claim 11, wherein the second server is
`operated by the same entity that operates the first Server.
`13. The system of claim 11, wherein the second server is
`operated by a distinct entity from the entity that operates the
`first server.
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`14. The system of claim 1, wherein the second data device
`is a PC.
`15. The system of claim 1, wherein the second data device
`is a music playback client that has connectivity to the
`Internet.
`16. The system of claim 1, wherein the second data device
`is preconfigured with the piece of Software before being
`purchased by the individual.
`17. The system of claim 1, wherein the second data device
`communicates with the first Server via a wireless connection.
`18. The system of claim 1, where the second data device
`maintains an always-on connection to the Internet.
`19. The system of claim 1, wherein the second data device
`periodically connects to the Internet and checks with the first
`server to determine whether there is content for the second
`data device to download.
`20. The system of claim 1, wherein the server multicasts
`content and the Second data device is provided with a code
`that permits it to decrypt and Save a particular portion of the
`multicast content.
`21. The system of claim 1, wherein the second data device
`comprises a digital receiver for a digital radio broadcast and
`is given instructions to Save a particular Song.
`22. The System of claim 1, further comprising a digital
`recording device for recording the downloaded music.
`23. The System of claim 22, wherein the digital recording
`device comprises a recordable CD ROM or minidisk.
`24. The System of claim 22, wherein the digital recording
`device comprises removable FLASH memory usable in a
`portable MP3 player.
`25. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is adapted
`to bill the individual for downloaded content.
`26. The system of claim 1, wherein the second data device
`is a PC with a wired Internet connection.
`27. A System for the delivery of digital content, compris
`ing:
`a broadcast receiver in the possession of an individual;
`a first device in the possession of the individual and
`adapted to transmit and receive data messages,
`a Server adapted to be accessed in an interactive manner
`by the individual using the first device to select desired
`content corresponding to content received by the broad
`cast receiver;
`a Second device, comprising:
`a thin client adapted to facilitate the downloading of
`digital content from the Server by automatically
`interacting with the Server after Selection of desired
`content by the individual;
`wherein the Server is adapted to:
`identify the Second device from among a plurality of
`devices,
`determine whether the Second device is currently regis
`tered with the server;
`if the Second device is currently registered with the Server,
`determine the name and location of the desired content
`Selected by the individual and transmit Said name and
`location to Said thin client on Said Second device;
`and wherein Said thin client is adapted to transmit a
`request for Said desired content using Said name and
`location and to receive Said desired content in
`response to Said request.
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