System for providing a digital media service

Abstract

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 providing digital media by a service provider connected to a network, said system comprising:
 a digital media download service comprising a controller and a content storage connected to the network, and operated by the service provider; and   a plurality of user devices, each user device running software to enable users to access items for download from said service by connecting to the network, wherein each device renders content from said service.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said service provider is enabling the distribution of one of digital text, audio, video, images which is protected by digital rights management technology. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said devices include a wireless data communications interface. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the cost of the service is subsidized by the purchase of said devices by consumers. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the cost of said devices is subsidized by purchases of the service by consumers. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said devices are pre-loaded with said device software prior to the sale to consumers. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said devices are portable. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the service provides updates to the software on said devices, said service prohibiting downloading content to devices that do not have updated software. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the service provider enforces the terms and conditions of access by making changes on said controller and verifying the version of said device software prior to selectively allowing access. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said network is implemented on the Internet. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each said device includes an output control for controlling the transfers of media off the device by users. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the user device includes software that restricts access one or more designated services. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein users are charged on their credit card for digital media items purchased. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein users are charged on their credit card for a digital media subscription. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein users purchase credits and use said credits to acquire items of digital media. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein users are charged on one of their cable, telephone, utility, mobile wireless bills. 
     
     
         17 . A system of distributing digital media from a content storage over the Internet comprising:
 a digital media download service connected to the Internet that controls the download of digital media items from the content storage;   a plurality of networked devices having communication interfaces for connecting to the Internet to download content from said content storage and software controlling the operation of said devices, each device including at least one security component on said device to restrict users from further unrestricted transfers off said device of content downloaded from said service.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein said devices include a wireless data communications interface and are portable. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the cost of the service is subsidized by the purchase of said devices by consumers. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the cost of said devices is subsidized by purchases of the service by consumers. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the service provider can require users to update the software on said device in order for it to download media items. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the user device is only permitted to access one or more designated services. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 17  wherein users are charged on their credit card for digital media items purchased or for a subscription. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 17  wherein users purchase credits and use said credits to acquire items of digital media. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 17  wherein users are charged on one of their cable, telephone, utility, mobile wireless bills.