Purchase and delivery of digital content using multiple devices and data networks

Abstract

A system that facilitates the purchase and delivery of audio and video content (e.g., entertainment media) over the Internet is disclosed. 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 computer) without further user intervention. Thus, the system 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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for the delivery of digital content corresponding to content identified by a media source viewed or heard by an individual, the individual possessing a first data device adapted to transmit and receive data messages and having access to a second data device adapted to download digital data files, comprising: 
 a server that is accessed in an interactive manner by the individual using the first data device to select desired content by entering a content identifier;    a piece of software adapted to be installed on the second data device to facilitate the downloading of digital content from the server;    the server being adapted to download the selected content to the second data device with the aid of the piece of software.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the media source is a source selected from the group of: a billboard, a poster, a newspaper, a book, a magazine, and a catalog.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the media source is a source selected from a group of: a compact disc, a video tape, a cellular telephone network, and the Internet.  
     
     
         4 . 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.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the wireless connection is established via a local area wireless network  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first data device is a PDA or other appliance with a wireless connection.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first data device is a PC with a wired Internet connection.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the content received by the broadcast receiver is broadcast via a digital satellite network.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the content received by the broadcast receiver is broadcast via a cable network  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interactive manner in which the first device communicates with the server is via a voice telephone call.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the voice call is taken by a human.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the voice call is taken by a voice response system.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein selected content is downloaded through a community or subscription service that does not charge for each download.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein selected content is downloaded from a second server upon authorization.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second server is operated by the same entity that operates the first server.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second server is operated by a distinct entity from the entity that operates the first server.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second data device is a PC.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second data device is a music playback client that has connectivity to the Internet  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second data device is preconfigured with the piece of software before being purchased by the individual.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second data device communicates with the first server via a wireless connection.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first server is further adapted to stream said digital content to the first data device or the second data device at a time specified by the individual.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , where the second data device maintains an always-on connection to the Internet.  
     
     
         23 . 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.  
     
     
         24 . 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.  
     
     
         25 . 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 content.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a digital recording device for recording the downloaded music.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the digital recording device comprises a recordable CD ROM, DVD, hard disk, or minidisk.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the digital recording device comprises removable FLASH or other memory usable in a portable MP3 player.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server is adapted to bill the individual for downloaded content.  
     
     
         30 . A system for the delivery of digital content corresponding to content received by an audiovisual receiver in the possession of an individual, the individual also possessing a first data device adapted to transmit and receive data messages and having access to a second data device adapted to download digital data files, comprising: 
 a server that is accessed in an interactive manner by the individual using the first data device to select desired content;    a piece of software adapted for installation on the second data device to facilitate the downloading of digital content from the server;    the server being adapted to download the selected content to the second data device with the aid of the piece of software.    
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the audiovisual receiver is a television.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the content received by the audiovisual receiver is broadcast from a television station.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the content received by the audiovisual receiver is broadcast via a cable television network.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the content received by the audiovisual receiver is broadcast via an Internet netcast.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the first data device is a digital cell phone adapted to communicate with the server via a wireless connection.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the wireless connection is established via a local area wireless network  
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the first data device is a PDA or other appliance with a wireless connection.  
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the first data device is a PC with a wired Internet connection.  
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the content received by the broadcast receiver is broadcast via a digital satellite network.  
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the content received by the broadcast receiver is broadcast via a cable network  
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the interactive manner in which the first device communicates with the server is via a voice telephone call.  
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the voice call is taken by a human.  
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the voice call is taken by a voice response system.  
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein selected content is downloaded through a community or subscription service that does not charge for each download.  
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein selected content is downloaded from a second server upon authorization.  
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the second server is operated by the same entity that operates the first server.  
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the second server is operated by a distinct entity from the entity that operates the first server.  
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the second data device is a PC.  
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the second data device is a music playback client that has connectivity to the Internet  
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the second data device is preconfigured with the piece of software before being purchased by the individual.  
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the second data device communicates with the first server via a wireless connection.  
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the first server is further adapted to stream said digital content to the first data device or the second data device at a time specified by the individual.  
     
     
         53 . The system of  claim 30 , where the second data device maintains an always-on connection to the Internet.  
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 30 , 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.  
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 30 , 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.  
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the second data device comprises a digital receiver for a digital radio broadcast and is given instructions to save a particular content.  
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising a digital recording device for recording the downloaded music.  
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the digital recording device comprises a recordable CD ROM, DVD, hard disk, or minidisk.  
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the digital recording device comprises removable FLASH or other memory usable in a portable MP3 player.  
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the server is adapted to bill the individual for downloaded content.