Device for accessing 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 device for accessing a digital media service comprising:
 a display;   a user input interface;   a content storage;   a processor;   a communication interface selectively connecting the device to the Internet without using a PC;   software operating said controller, said software receiving a selection for an item from an item list presented to the user through said user interface and in response downloading the selected item from said server storing said content on said content storage and selectively rendering said content to the user.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said communication interface is a wireless interface and the device is portable. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein several digital media services are available through the Internet and wherein the software inhibits access to some of said digital media services. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said software allows a user to obtain content by purchasing the content or by subscription and pay by credit card. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said software and said communication interface cooperate to exchange items from the content storage between several devices. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  further comprising a security member that monitors and limits the transfer of items from the content storage using a predetermined set of rules. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5  wherein software on the device places restrictions on said content transfers. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 4  wherein said software presents said list to the user on the display. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said devices transfer content over a network, at least a portion of which is wireless. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said content storage stores a listing of available content items on said device and the controller is adapted to allow a user to search or browse said items in the list using said display and said user interface. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein said user interface includes a touch screen. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said communication interface connects periodically to said server, and downloads content automatically according to user preferences. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein said device downloads more than one item of content in a playlist that designates an order for the multiple items of content. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the user previously designated a category of content and new content matching said category is downloaded. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said communication interfaces operates using a broadband wireless protocol. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1  wherein in the event there is an error in communication, an appropriate error message is shown on the display. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 2  wherein in the event a data transmission is interrupted, the communication interface resumes transmission when it is connected. 
     
     
         19 . Computer software executable by a computer processor for connecting to a server on the Internet and downloading content comprising: computer code for connecting to a local network, for generating authentication data, for transmitting said authentication data to a server over the Internet, for generating messages for ordering content and transmitting said messages to said server, for receiving messages from said server, and for downloading content from an address designated in data transmitted by said server. 
     
     
         20 . The computer software code as recited in  claim 19  further comprising: computer code for generating a valid digital rights management license request and for fetching said license. 
     
     
         21 . The computer software code as recited in  claim 19  further comprising: computer code for transmitting a copy of a locally stored content item to another device or receiving content from another device. 
     
     
         22 . The computer software code as recited in  claim 19  further comprising: computer code detecting the availability of a broadband wireless connection and automatically carrying out certain tasks upon such event. 
     
     
         23 . The computer software code as recited in  claim 19  further comprising: computer code for downloading a listing of available content, storing said listing on the local storage of said device, presenting said items on the display of the device, recording a selection of an item by a user using user input means of said device, and transmitting said selection to said server. 
     
     
         24 . The computer software code as recited in  claim 19  further comprising: computer code for automatically connecting to a Wi-Fi access point that requires a login or a security code prior to providing access to the Internet. 
     
     
         25 . The computer software code as recited in  claim 19  further comprising: computer code that stores a series of items to be downloaded, and displays a listing of said items queued for future download.