System for providing content, management, and interactivity for thin client devices

Abstract

A system is provided for delivering Internet and digital content to a variety of thin client devices. A web portal for accessing and selecting content is used in conjunction with graphical user interfaces on a personal computer for setting up and controlling the content channels. The user interfaces, scheduling, and communication management are controlled by a system control software application running on a local server with an Internet connection. A high speed local area network provides for streaming content from the Internet or local server to thin client devices. A digital audio playback device is connected to the local server via the local area network connection and decodes streamed audio files, and converts them into analog audio signals for input into a conventional stereo. Digital content is streamed automatically from the local server to another Internet playback device, based on end user content preferences and schedule selections.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A system for channeling content to computer devices, comprising in combination, 
 a connection to the Internet,    a local server with a mass storage device,    a web site for providing access to content selections,    a means for associating a content selection for streaming with a client device,    a local area network connecting the local server to a client device, and    a client device for receiving and decoding content selections.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  where the client device is a digital audio decoder.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  where the means for associating a content selection for streaming with a client device is a drag and droppable content object.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  where the mass storage device is a personal computer.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  where the mass storage device is a storage gateway.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  where the mass storage device is a storage gateway peripheral.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  where the local area network is a wireless network.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  where the client device is a webpad.  
     
     
         9 . A method for delivering digital content from to client computer devices including: 
 a. Associating a content selection with a client device.    b. Activating the streaming of the content selection to the client device, via a local storage device.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  where the association between a content selection and a client device is a drag and drop interface between and web page and a content editor on a PC.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  where the client device is a digital audio decoder.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  where the activation of the streaming of the content selection is performed at the client device.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  where the local storage device is a storage gateway.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  where the local storage device is a storage gateway peripheral.  
     
     
         15 . A system for channeling content to client devices, comprising in combination, 
 a local computing and mass storage device comprising a hard disk drive, a    microprocessor, and a local area network connection,    a broadband connection for connecting the local computing device to the Internet,    Content objects located on a web page on the Internet,    a means for associating content objects located on the Internet with content object editors on the local computing device whereby content represented by content objects is downloaded and stored on the local computing device, and,    a means for streaming content stored on the local computing device to client devices.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  where the local computing device is a storage gateway.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  where the local computing device is a storage gateway peripheral.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  where the means for associating content objects on the Internet with content object editors on the local computing device is a drag and drop interface.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  where the client device is a audio playback device.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15  where the client device is a webpad.