Method for acquiring digital content

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 method of acquiring digital media content, the method comprising:
 storing a plurality of selections on a media storage means;   creating a list of desired media content on a device;   ordering selections on said list from said media storage means independently of whether said device is in communication with said media storage means; and   transmitting the selections to said device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  where the step of creating is accomplished through a manual selection by at least one user. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  where the step of creating 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 a predetermined criteria; and   placing the selected categories on the list.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said selecting step is based on one of dynamic user-driven data, predetermined data, statistical algorithms, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said media categories including at least one of audio content, video content, images, text. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said media categories correspond to genres associated with said presentations. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the content includes audio selections. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the content is user-generated content. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said device is a stationary device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said device is a portable device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 3  wherein in the user interface of said device, a new list in a category that is received automatically replaces the older list on said device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said transmitting is performed in response to a command initiated from said device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said transmitting is performed in response to a command not initiated from the device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising generating a demand from the device in response to a request from the user and transmitting content in response to said demand. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising establishing a subscription service, associating the user with said subscription service and transmitting content based on information from said subscription service. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising obtaining information relevant to the user and transmitting content based on said information. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising generating a profile for the user, said profile, identifying content that is desirable to many users having similar user profiles, and transmitting the identified content. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising obtaining preferences from the user and transmitting content based on said preferences. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising sending to the user device suggestions based on user information, said suggestions including information related to content, receiving choices from the user from said suggestions, and transmitting the content corresponding to the choices. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein content is transmitted to the device periodically. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising sending a suggestion defining suggested content to the device periodically, receiving a response from the device affirming that the user wants the content described in the suggestion and then transmitting the suggested content. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising generating a playlist containing a sequence of musical selections. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said playlist is generated at said device. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said playlist is generated on a second device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said playlist is generated by a remote content server. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said list is updated periodically. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the user determines the frequency of updating. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising generating said list by one of a user and a system operator using an Internet-connected device and then transmitting said list to the server. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising generating one of a billing information, user preferences, user profiles, user subscriptions on an Internet-connected device by one of a user and a system operator and transmitting the same. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising connecting the device to a network and downloading the list. 
     
     
         31 . A method of acquiring digital media content, the method comprising:
 storing a plurality of content selections on a dedicated electronic database;   creating a list of all the available media content on such electronic database;   determining when access to said electronic database is available;   electronically transmitting a copy of all or a portion of such list to a plurality of user devices which is locally stored on such devices and available to users;   further electronically transmitting to such user devices any modifications to the initial list;   enabling users to select for acquisition at least one item from such list;   recording such selection on the user device; and   transmitting the request for such selection from the user device to the electronic database when there is an available network connection;   transmitting the requested item to the user device;   storing the item locally on the device.   
     
     
         32 . A method of acquiring digital media content, the method comprising:
 storing a plurality of content selections on a dedicated electronic database;   creating a list of all available playlist subscriptions;   determining when access to said electronic database by any of a plurality of user devices is available;   electronically transmitting a copy of the list of available playlist selections to a plurality of user devices, a copy of which is locally stored on each such device and available to users;   further electronically transmitting to such user devices any modifications that are made to the initial list, which modifications are processed on the devices so as to reflect the current updated list of available playlist selections;   enabling users to select, one or more of the available playlist selections from the list displayed on the user devices, even in the absence of any available network connection;   recording such selection on the user device, and transmitting the request for such selection from the user device to the electronic database as soon as the device detects an available network connection;   electronically transmitting a specified updated playlist in accordance with each of each user's selections, along with the media content files that correspond and are indicated in the updated playlist, when the device is connected to a network, and repeating this process periodically;   enabling users to access and render the playlist and content files on the device.