Audio visual player apparatus and system and method of content distribution using the same

Abstract

A system is presented providing content to a plurality of handheld devices (including musical selections). The devices can access a server over the Internet via a WIFI or other similar wireless interconnection and can download songs requested by a user from the server or from other users using, e.g., a P2P protocol. All downloads are governed by applicable DRM rules. Content and playlists may also be pushed by a server from other sources and means including, e.g., podcasting, based on predetermined rules, favorite preferences of users, and other criteria.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A portable device comprising:
 a wireless communications interface for transferring and receiving digital data and digital media and related files to and from a second device;   a media output unit for rendering said files;   a touch-sensitive visual input/output unit for displaying video and user interface information and for user control of the device;   a controlling computing unit comprising a microprocessor; and   a digital storage means for storing digital data wherein the digital data comprises digital media content and playlists.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the wireless communications interface is used to communicate with external devices, including peer devices and digital computers. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the wireless communications interface implements a peer-to-peer protocol. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the wireless communications interface implements at least one of a Wi-Fi protocol and an 802.X protocol. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the wireless communications interface utilizes Wi-Fi in ad hoc mode to connect at least two of said devices. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the visual output unit is comprises an LCD screen. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the visual output unit is equipped to display menu-driven content. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the menu-driven visual output is selectable by the user to control the device. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the graphical elements rendered on the touch-screen are such that they permit a user to select items by touch. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the graphical elements rendered on the touch-screen are such that they permit a user to select items using a stylus. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the media output unit comprises at least one of speakers or headphones. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the user input unit additionally comprises at least one of buttons, keys, joysticks, toggles, switches, and keyboards. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 9 , which may additional comprise infrared, resistive, inductive or capacitive sensing means. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the user input unit's interface includes a set of interactive screens displayed on the visual output unit. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the device includes a security module used in interacting with other devices. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the wireless communications interface is able to connect to a wireless network to receive communications from said second device. 
     
     
         25 . A portable device comprising:
 a wireless communications interface for receiving at least one of digital text files, digital video files, or related files from a content source;   a visual output unit for displaying text and user interface information;   a controlling computing unit comprising a microprocessor; and   a digital storage unit for storing digital data wherein the digital data comprises textual information.   
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the device receives, stores and renders electronic books distributed by a content source. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the device automatically downloads one of textual information, audio files, or video files wireless from a content service provider after the time the content service provider publishes said textual information, audio files, or video files. 
     
     
         28 . A portable device comprising:
 a wireless communications interface for receiving digital files from a content source;   a controlling computing unit comprising a microprocessor;   a user input/output means; and   a digital storage means for storing digital data;   wherein the device is configured with software prior to sale to consumers to enable users to wirelessly download and render content files from a designated content service.   
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein new software may be wirelessly sent to the device to update the software on said device that relates to said content service. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the wireless communications interface implements an 802.X protocol. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein new content may be wirelessly sent to the device without manual user actions on the device at such time. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein available content selections of the content service can be searched via the user input/output means and items may be selected for download. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein a user may select more than one of said items and said items are added to a queue stored on the device to be downloaded sequentially.