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 system for acquiring and distributing user profile data in a networked environment, the system comprising:
 a user profile storage storing a user profile;   a user-operated device including a communications system for determining when there is network connectivity to the user profile storage and for establishing a communication pathway to the user profile storage when available, using said communication pathway;   a media player for storage and playback of digital media content;   a user profile content selector operated by the user to make a selection for a user profile;   a transmitter for communicating the user profile to the user profile storage; and   a receiver that receives user profile from the user profile storage.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said user-operated device operates without control commands from a user. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein an authentication system is used in connection with the user profile content source and wherein the authentication system verifies the identity of the user to the user profile content source. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said user-operated device includes a memory storing content lists descriptive of content available from a content source. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said media player is operated wirelessly. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said content source is shared by several user-operated devices. 
     
     
         15 . A method of acquiring and distributing digital media content in a networked environment comprising:
 storing digital media content data on a media storage means;   storing user profile data on a data storage means,   creating communication pathways to said media storage means and said data storage means,   creating a list of modifications to said user profile data,   modifying said user profile data on said data storage means based upon said list,   selecting content from within said media storage means based upon said modified data, and   transmitting content data to the portable device based upon said modified data.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , where the step of creating a list is accomplish through manual selection by a user. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , where said user profile data comprises groupings of digital media content. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , where said user profile data comprises personal characteristics of said user. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  where the step of creating a list is accomplished through an automated process that comprises:
 generating lists in several categories;   tabulating the categories for digital media presented to at least one user;   selecting the categories using predetermined criteria; and   placing the selected categories on the list.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said media categories include at least one of audio and audiovisual presentation. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , where the communication pathway is created after the identity of the user is authenticated. 
     
     
         22 . A system for acquiring and distributing digital media content in a networked environment, the system comprising:
 a content source storing user content,   a user-operated device including a communications subsystem for determining when there is network connectivity to the content source and for establishing a communication pathway to the user profile content source when possible, using said communication pathway,   a media player for storage and play back of digital media content,   a content selector operated by the content source to make a selection based upon said user profile content, and   a receiver that receives selected content from said content source;   wherein said content source releases the selected content to said user-operated device if said user operated device is authenticated by said authentication system.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein an authentication system in connection with the user profile content source wherein the authentication system verifies the identity of the user to the content source. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22  wherein said content source is shared by a plurality of user-operated devices. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22  wherein said list is downloaded to a user-operated device. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 22  wherein said content is downloaded to a media player.