SYSTEM SHARING CONTENT
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 preferably implemented in accordance with the WiFi protocol, which allows connectivity to the Internet by being in proximity with a local base station or WiFi hotspot (i.e., publicly available local wireless access hub connected to the Internet). The portable wireless communications subscriber audio and/or video player apparatus and system preferably include a security means for monitoring 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.
1 . A system for storing and distributing digital media in a networked environment, the system comprising:
a content source storing content connected to a communications interface;
a user-operated device including a communications subsystem for determining when a network connectivity is available and for establishing a connection to the content source when possible;
an authentication system in communication with the content source;
a content selector operated by the user to make a selection from said content;
wherein said content source provides access to selected content by said user-operated device if said user-operated device is authenticated by said authentication system.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein said user-operated device connects to the content source without any input from the respective user.
3 . The system of claim 1 wherein said user-operated device includes a memory storing content lists descriptive of content available from the content source.
4 . The system of claim 3 wherein said device selects content based on said content lists.
5 . The system of claim 1 wherein said device communicates with said content source wirelessly.
6 . The system of claim 1 wherein said content source is shared by several user-operated devices.
7 . The system of claim 1 wherein said content source is another user-operated device.
8 . The system of claim 1 wherein said content source generates a list indicative of its content.
9 . The system of claim 8 wherein said list is downloaded to the user-operated device.
10 . The system of claim 8 wherein said list is downloaded at regular intervals.
11 . The system of claim 8 wherein said list is downloaded after it has been updated.
12 . A method of registering a user of a portable wireless device to a service, the method comprising:
obtaining payment information from the user via the user interface of the device;
securely storing said information on the device;
securely transmitting said information to the service after a network connection is detected; and
processing the registration and sending back a verification or error message to the device.
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein the user obtains a verification code prior to registration via a telephone, in person, or via the Internet, and enters such verification code on the device in the obtaining step.
14 . The method of claim 12 wherein the user makes a purchase from the service and is charged.
15 . The method of claim 12 wherein the user's credit card is charged by the service via an Internet gateway.
16 . A method of distributing media content from a server to a media player device comprising:
providing a media content device which includes a wireless communications subsystem using a protocol selected from broadband wireless protocols;
providing a catalog of content available from a remote server in said media content device;
receiving a list of desired content from a user based on said catalog; and
downloading the selected media content.
17 . The method of claim 16 further comprising exchanging content with a second media player based on said catalog.
18 . The method of claim 16 further providing transmitting e-mail messages between said media player device and said server.
19 . The method of claim 18 wherein said messages include at least one of a billing message, a message with new TOS information, and new content information.
20 . The method of claim 18 wherein said message appears in a pop-up for a user.