Apparatus and method for managing media content

Abstract

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media server and parsing engine, 3rd party mobile aggregator, client servers, and a plurality of communication devices that are each associated with a user and a user profile. The media server can provide one or more of the plurality of communication devices with access to media content, with the access being provided at a time selected by the user. At least one of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices can transmit a critique of the media content. The media server can award points to the user based on performing the critique, and can transmit the critique and user information from the user profile to the client server. The media server can provide the at least one of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices with access to at least one of services or goods to be purchased with the points. The media server can redeem the points based on a purchase of the at least one of the services or goods using the points. Other embodiments such as the obtaining of end user preferences of content in a natural environment are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage medium for managing media content, comprising computer instructions for:
 providing a user of a communication device with limited access to media content, the limited access being provided at a time selected by the user;   receiving a critique of the media content from the user;   awarding points to the user based on performing the critique;   providing the critique to at least one of an originator or distributor associated with the media content;   providing access to at least one of services or goods to be purchased with the points; and   redeeming the points based on a purchase of the at least one of the services or goods.   
     
     
         2 . The storage medium of  claim 1 , further comprising computer instructions for:
 providing a request for the critique of the media content, the request being based at least in part on a user profile associated with the user; and   providing the limited access to the media content in response to the user accepting the request.   
     
     
         3 . The storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the originator or distributor is a media provider and has a playlist that includes the media content, and wherein the playlist is adjusted based at least in part on the critique. 
     
     
         4 . The storage medium of  claim 1 , further comprising computer instructions for providing the user of the communication device with unlimited access to the media content in response to the user requesting purchase of the media content. 
     
     
         5 . The storage medium of  claim 2 , further comprising computer instructions for providing user information from the user profile to the originator or distributor. 
     
     
         6 . The storage medium of  claim 1 , further comprising computer instructions for obtaining and storing keywords associated with the at least one of the originator or distributor and presenting the keywords to the user. 
     
     
         7 . The storage medium of  claim 1 , wherein a playlist of the user is updated based on the critique. 
     
     
         8 . A media management system comprising:
 a media server;   a client server; and   a plurality of communication devices that are each associated with a user and a user profile, wherein the media server provides one or more of the plurality of communication devices with access to media content, the access being provided at a time selected by the user, wherein at least one of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices transmits a critique of the media content, wherein the media server awards points to the user based on performing the critique, wherein the media server transmits the critique and user information from the user profile to the client server, wherein the media server provides the at least one of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices with access to at least one of services or goods to be purchased with the points, and wherein the media server redeems the points based on a purchase of the at least one of the services or goods using the points.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the media server transmits a request for the critique of the media content to at least a portion of the plurality of communication devices, the request being based at least in part on the user profile associated with each of the plurality of communication devices, and wherein the media server provides the access to the media content in response to the user accepting the request. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one of an originator and distributor associated with the media content, wherein the client server is associated with the at least one of an originator and distributor, wherein the client server maintains a playlist that includes the media content, and wherein the playlist is adjusted based at least in part on the critique. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the critique is a plurality of critiques, and wherein the media server stores the plurality of critiques and transmits the plurality of critiques to the client when a desired sampling size is reached. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the media server awards the user with other points based on participation in activities managed by the media server. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the media server obtains and stores keywords associated with the client server and transmits the keywords to the user. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein a playlist of the at least one of the one or more of the plurality of communication devices transmitting the critique is updated based on the critique. 
     
     
         15 . A method for managing media content, the method comprising:
 providing a user of a communication device with access to media content;   obtaining a critique of the media content from the user;   awarding points to the user based on performing the critique;   providing the critique to a client associated with the media content;   providing access to at least one of services or goods to be purchased with the points; and redeeming the points based on a purchase by the user of the at least one of the services or goods.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising awarding other points based on user participation in activities associated managed by a media server. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the activities are at least one of contests and auctions. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further providing real time updates of accrual of the points. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing the user with a request for the critique of the media content, the request being based at least in part on a user profile associated with the user; and   providing the access to the media content in response to the user accepting the request.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising adjusting a playlist of at least one of the client or the user based at least in part on the critique. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising providing user information from the user profile to the client. 
     
     
         22 . A method for managing media content, the method comprising:
 providing a user of a communication device with access to media content;   obtaining a critique of the media content from the user in real-time; and   providing a client associated with the media content with real-time access to the critique.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 awarding points to the user based on performing the critique;   providing access to at least one of services or goods to be purchased with the points; and   redeeming the points based on a purchase by the user of the at least one of the services or goods.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 providing a user with identification information associated with media content that is at least one of currently being presented or previously presented.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 selling the media content from a distributor to the user, wherein the media content is selected by the user from a play list of the distributor.