Content selection and retrieval system
The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for providing more content choices to consumers ( 14 ) independent of their geography. In one embodiment of the invention, a consumer ( 14 ) uses a content terminal ( 18 ) to enjoy and audio and/or video content based on a customized set of content preferences ( 36 ). The present invention retrieves this preferred content utilizing a wired or wireless Internet connection ( 20 ), irrespective of the location of the user ( 14 ). In one embodiment of the invention, the content terminal ( 18 ) is a personal computer, cell phone, portable television or some other appropriate content replication appliance.
1 . A method comprising the steps of:
specifying a plurality of content preferences for a user;
storing said plurality of content preferences in a network cache;
connecting said user to a network;
associating each one of said plurality of content preferences with one of a plurality of content sources;
each of said plurality of content sources being accessible by said user when connected to said network;
retrieving a plurality of content selections based on said plurality of content preferences by automatically downloading each of said content selections from one of said plurality of content sources;
storing said plurality of content selections in said network cache; and
reproducing a selected one of said plurality of content selections using a content terminal.
2 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said plurality of content preferences includes a radio program.
3 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said plurality of content preferences includes a television program.
4 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said plurality of content preferences includes an audio recording.
5 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said plurality of content preferences includes a video recording.
6 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said user is traveling away from home.
7 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said network cache is a server; said server being connected to said network.
8 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said network cache further comprises a plurality of storage devices in a peer-to-peer network.
9 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said network cache is located in said content terminal.
10 . A method as recited in claim 9 , in which said network cache which is located in said content terminal is a hard drive.
11 . A method as recited in claim 9 , in which said network cache which is located in said content terminal is a non-volatile, sold-state memory.
12 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said network is the Internet.
13 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said network is a private network.
14 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said plurality of content preferences is stored in a subscriber identity module in said content terminal.
15 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said plurality of content sources includes a website.
16 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said website provides access to one of said plurality of content selections.
17 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said automatic downloading occurs at a time selected by said user.
18 . A method as recited in claim 17 , in which said automatic downloading conveys one of said plurality of content selections from one of said plurality of content sources to said network cache.
19 . A method as recited in claim 17 , in which said automatic downloading conveys one of said plurality of content selections from one of said plurality of content sources to said content terminal.
20 . A method as recited in claim 17 , in which said automatic downloading conveys one of said plurality of content selections from said network cache to said content terminal.
21 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said content terminal is a mobile telephone.
22 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said content terminal is a portable computer.
23 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said content terminal is a personal digital assistant.
24 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said content terminal is installed aboard an aircraft.
25 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said content terminal is installed aboard an automobile.
26 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said content terminal is installed in a hotel.
27 . A method as recited in claim 1 , in which said content terminal is installed in a residence.