Digital media distribution system and method

• US 8,843,947 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2012
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silver Union Worldwide Limited
• Original Assignee: Gofigure Media, LLC
• Inventors: Rolf, Devon A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bruckart, Benjamin R
• Assistant Examiner(s): THOMAS, JASON M
• Application Number:
  US13/679,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20130081070A1
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 725/86, 725/87, 725 91- 93, 725/98, 725/99, 725/1, 725/2, 725/37, 725/62
• US Class Current: 725/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/57 for mobile receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/27 specially adapted for broadcast systems covered by groups H04H20/53 - H04H20/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/60 Scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests, e.g. requests for application data transmissions using the analysis and optimisation of the required network resources admission control or resource allocation H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4126 The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format

Abstract

A system and method employs an online site for making stored digital video recordings available for selection and download to a wireless communications device. Upon receipt of a selection for a digital video recording, the system and method causes the selected digital video recording to be wirelessly transmitted to the wireless communications device. The selected digital video recording is also made available to a personal computer associated with the user who made the selection. At least a title of the selected digital video recording is stored in a personal storage account of the user.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a source of digital media recordings;

wherein said source of digital media recordings is accessible via a communications network and stores in a database memory and makes available for purchase a plurality of digital media recordings;

a mobile communications device associated with a user, wherein said mobile communications device has an operating system and is for wireless communication and comprises

a processor,

a display,

a digital media player application that is pre-installed in the mobile communications device before the mobile communications device is provided to the user;

a memory, and

an input;

an account associated with the user of said mobile communications device, wherein said account is accessible to the user using said mobile communications device, and wherein said account comprises a directory of a plurality of digital media recordings that have been obtained by the user;

wherein said source of digital media recordings processes a request, received from said mobile communications device, to purchase a digital media recording, wherein said request to purchase said digital media recording is input via said mobile communications device by the user of said mobile communications device;

wherein, when said digital media recording is purchased from said source, said source of digital media recordings makes said purchased digital media recording available for transmission to said mobile communications device;

wherein, said system does not transmit, at the time said digital media recording is purchased from said source, said purchased digital media recording to said mobile communications device for either (i) play;

or (ii) complete storage and subsequent play of said purchased digital media recording in said mobile communications device;

wherein, when said digital media recording is purchased from said source, said system identifies said purchased digital media recording in said directory of obtained digital media recordings in said account of the user;

wherein, said source of digital media recordings receives from said mobile communications device, via a communications interface initiated subsequent to said purchase of said digital media recording and by the user using the mobile communications device, a selection to transmit to said mobile communications device said purchased digital media recording that was previously purchased by the user using said mobile communications device and was identified by said system in said account of the user in the directory of digital media recordings obtained by the user;

wherein, based on said selection to transmit said purchased digital media recording to the mobile communications device of the user, said source of digital media recordings accesses in said database memory said digital media recording that was purchased by the user and transmits said purchased digital media recording to said mobile communications device of the user;

wherein said mobile communications device wirelessly receives said purchased digital media recording and stores said purchased digital media recording in said memory of said mobile communications device; and

wherein said purchased digital media recording stored in said memory of said mobile communications device is available for play in said mobile communications device with said pre-installed digital media player application.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a computing device of the user, wherein said system enables the user to select whether to play in said computing device the obtained digital media recording, that is accessible via said account of the user, as said digital media recording is received in said computing device from said source of digital media recordings, or to download said obtained digital media recording for storage in said computing device of the user, wherein said source of digital media recordings receives a selection input by the user using said computing device to transmit to said computing device of the user said digital media recording that was purchased by the user using said mobile communications device and was identified by said system in said account of the user in the directory of digital media recordings obtained by the user, and wherein, based on said selection to transmit said purchased digital media recording to the computing device of the user, said system accesses said digital media recording that was purchased by the user and initially transmits said purchased digital media recording to said computing device of the user.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a computing device of the user and said source of digital media recordings further comprises streaming digital audio functionality, wherein said source streams to said mobile communications device, via a radio communications link with said mobile communications device, a digital music recording followed by an advertisement, said system further comprising enabling the digital music recording that is streaming to said mobile communications device to be purchased from said source of digital media recordings while said digital music recording is streaming to said mobile communications device, wherein said source receives from said mobile communications device a request to purchase said streaming digital music recording while said digital music recording is streaming to said mobile communications device, wherein said source processes said request to purchase said streaming digital music recording and identifies said purchased digital music recording in said directory of digital media recordings in said account of the user, wherein said purchased digital music recording that is identified in said directory of digital media recordings is accessible by said computing device of the user, and wherein said source of digital media recordings downloads said purchased digital music recording to said mobile communications device for storage in said mobile communications device without terminating said radio communications link with said source.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said purchased digital media recording comprises a digital music recording.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said purchased digital media recording comprises a video recording.

6. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a computing device of the user, wherein said source of digital media recordings comprises a first source, said system further comprising a downloadable music player application that is compatible with said operating system of said mobile communications device, wherein said system receives a request from said mobile communications device to download said downloadable music player application, wherein said system causes said requested downloadable music player application to be transmitted to said mobile communications device, wherein said mobile communications device wirelessly receives said music player application, and wherein said received music player application is operable to play digital music recordings as they are received from a streaming source of digital music, wherein said streaming source of digital music comprises a second source that is different from said first source, and wherein said system further enables a digital music recording that is streaming to said mobile communications device from said second source to be purchased from said first source of digital media recordings while said digital music recording is streaming to said mobile communications device from said second source, wherein said first source of digital media recordings receives from said mobile communications device a request to purchase a streaming digital music recording while said digital music recording is streaming to said mobile communications device via a radio communications link from said second source, wherein said first source processes said request to purchase said streaming digital music recording and identifies said purchased digital music recording in said directory of obtained digital media recordings in said account of the user, wherein said purchased digital music recording that is identified in said directory of obtained digital media recordings in said account of the user is accessible by the computing device of the user, and wherein said first source of digital media recordings downloads said purchased digital music recording to said mobile communications device for storage in said mobile communications device without terminating said radio communications link with said second source.

7. The system as set forth in claim 1, said system further comprising a television that is enabled to receive digital media recordings from said source of digital media recordings.

8. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said account further comprises memory storage for storing digital music files that have been obtained by the user.

9. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said system does not transmit said purchased digital media recording to said mobile communications device when said digital media recording is purchased based on a selection, input by the user, using said mobile communications device when said digital media recording is purchased.

10. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said account of the user is established and provided to the user before said purchase by the user of said digital media recording, wherein said system does not transmit said purchased digital media recording to said mobile communications device when said digital media recording is purchased based on a selection of the user entered into said pre-established account of the user.

11. The system as set forth in claim 1, said system further comprising:

a media unit located in a residence of the user, wherein said media unit comprises a memory and a digital media decoder;

wherein, when said digital media recording is purchased based on said request to purchase said digital media recording received from said mobile communications device, said source of digital media recordings transmits said purchased digital media recording to said media unit located in the residence of the user.

12. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said media unit further comprises a television.

13. The system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said not transmitting said purchased digital media recording to said mobile communications device and transmitting said purchased digital media recording to said media unit is based on a selection entered into said system by the user.

14. The system as set forth in claim 1, said system further comprising:

a media unit located in a residence of the user, wherein said media unit comprises a memory and a digital media decoder;

wherein said directory of said plurality of digital media recordings that have been obtained by the user is stored in said memory of said media unit, and wherein said source of digital media recordings retrieves said purchased digital media recording and transmits said purchased digital media recording to said media unit based upon a selection of said purchased digital media recording by the user using said directory stored in said memory of said media unit.

15. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said media unit further comprises a television.

16. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said purchased digital media recording comprises a first purchased digital media recording, said system further comprising:

wherein said source of digital media recordings processes a request input by the user from said mobile communications device to purchase a second digital media recording;

wherein, when said second digital media recording is purchased, said second digital media recording is downloaded to said mobile communications device for storage in said memory of said mobile communications device, wherein said downloaded second digital media recording is available in said mobile communications device for subsequent play with said pre-installed digital media player application.

17. The system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said second digital media recording is downloaded to said mobile communications device when said second digital media recording is purchased based on a selection, input by the user, using said mobile communications device when said digital media recording is purchased.

18. The system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said second digital media recording is downloaded to said mobile communications device when said second digital media recording is purchased based on a selection of the user entered into said account of the user.

19. The system as set forth in claim 16, wherein said input comprises an input that is accessible to the user via said pre-installed digital media player application, wherein said request to purchase said second digital media recording is made via a connection, between said mobile communications device and said source of digital media recordings, initiated by the user using said input that is accessible via said digital media player application.

20. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said input comprises an input that is accessible to the user via said pre-installed digital media player application and is for initiating an interface with said source of digital media recordings.

21. The system as set forth in claim 20, said system enables the user to select to access via the mobile communications device said directory of said plurality of obtained digital media recordings in said account of the user and to select a new recording that is available for purchase at said source of digital media recordings.

22. A method comprising:

providing a source of digital media recordings that is accessible via a communications network and stores and makes available a plurality of digital media recordings;

providing to a user a mobile communications device that comprises

a processor;

an operating system;

a display;

a memory;

a digital media player application that is pre-installed in said mobile communications device before the mobile communications device is provided to the user;

an input;

providing an account to the user of said mobile communications device,

wherein said account is accessible to the user using said mobile communications device,

wherein said account comprises a directory of a plurality of digital media recordings that have been obtained by the user from said source of digital media recordings;

receiving, from the mobile communications device of the user, a request to purchase a digital media recording, wherein said request to purchase said digital media recording is received in a communication initiated from said mobile communications device by the user;

processing a purchase of said digital media recording;

when said digital media recording is purchased, making said purchased digital media recording available for transmission to said mobile communications device of the user;

identifying said purchased digital media recording in said directory of obtained digital media recordings in said account of the user and not transmitting, at the time said digital media recording is purchased from said source, said purchased digital media recording to said mobile communications device for either (i) play;

or (ii) complete storage and subsequent play;

receiving from said mobile communications device at said source of digital media recordings, via a communications interface initiated subsequent to said purchase of said digital media recording and by the user using the mobile communications device, a request to transmit said purchased digital media recording to said mobile communications device; and

in response to said receiving said request to transmit said purchased digital media recording to said mobile communications device, transmitting said purchased digital media recording to said mobile communications device for play of the digital media recording as it is received in said mobile communications device;

playing said transmitted digital media recording in said mobile communications device as it is received from said source;

enabling, via said mobile communications device, the user to select to download said purchased digital media recording to said memory of said mobile communications device so that said purchased digital media recording is available in said mobile communications device for subsequent play with said pre-installed digital media player application in said mobile communications device;

receiving, from a computing device of the user, a request to access said account of the user;

providing access to said account of the user by the computing device of the user;

receiving, from the computing device of the user, a request to transmit to the computing device of the user said digital media recording that was purchased by the user using the mobile communications device and was identified in said account of the user in the directory of digital media recordings obtained by the user; and

based on said request to transmit said purchased digital media recording to the computing device of the user, accessing said requested digital media recording at said source of digital media recordings and causing said requested digital media recording to be initially transmitted to the computing device of the user.

23. The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein said source of digital media comprises a first source of digital media and said digital media player application comprises a first digital music player application, said method further comprising providing a second digital music player application that is compatible with said operating system of said mobile communications device and is downloadable to said mobile communications device, wherein said second digital music player application enables streaming digital radio functionality for streaming digital music recordings to said mobile communications device from a second source of digital media that streams digital music recordings.

24. The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein said digital media player application comprises a first digital music player application and said operating system comprises a first operating system, said method further comprising providing a second downloadable digital music player application that is compatible with a second operating system of said mobile communications device, wherein said second digital music player application is operable to play said obtained digital media recordings identified in said directory of digital music recordings.

25. The method as set forth in claim 22, said method further comprising enabling digital media files of the user to be stored in said account that is provided to the user.

26. The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein said digital media recordings comprise digital music recordings, said method further comprising enabling the user to mix, via said account associated with the user, a plurality of digital music recordings that have been obtained by the user.

27. The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein said not transmitting said purchased digital media recording to said mobile communications device when said digital media recording is purchased is based on an input by the user when making said purchase.

28. The method as set forth in claim 22, wherein said not transmitting said purchased digital media recording to said mobile communications device when said digital media recording is purchased is based on an input by the user via said account.

29. A system comprising:

a source of digital media recordings;

wherein said source of digital media recordings is accessible via a communications network and stores in a database memory and makes available for purchase a plurality of digital media recordings;

a mobile communications device associated with a user, wherein said mobile communications device has an operating system and is for wireless communication and comprises

a processor,

a display,

a digital media player application that is pre-installed in the mobile communications device before the mobile communications device is provided to the user;

a memory, and

an input;

an account associated with the user of said mobile communications device, wherein said account is accessible to the user using said mobile communications device, and wherein said account comprises a directory of a plurality of digital media recordings that have been obtained by the user;

a media unit located in a residence of the user, wherein said media unit comprises a memory and a digital media decoder;

wherein said source of digital media recordings processes a request, received from said mobile communications device, to purchase a digital media recording, wherein said request to purchase said digital media recording is input via said mobile communications device by the user of said mobile communications device;

wherein, when said digital media recording is purchased from said source, said source of digital media recordings makes said purchased digital media recording available for transmission to said mobile communications device;

wherein, said system does not transmit, at the time said digital media recording is purchased from said source, said purchased digital media recording to said mobile communications device for either (i) play;

or (ii) complete storage and subsequent play of said digital media recording in said mobile communications device;

wherein, when said digital media recording is purchased from said source, said system identifies said purchased digital media recording in said directory of obtained digital media recordings in said account of the user;

wherein, when said digital media recording is purchased from said source based on said request to purchase said digital media recording received from said mobile communications device, said source of digital media recordings transmits said purchased digital media recording to said media unit located in the residence of the user;

wherein said source of digital media recordings receives from said mobile communications device, via a communications interface initiated subsequent to said purchase of said digital media recording and by the user using the mobile communications device, a selection to transmit to said mobile communications device said purchased digital media recording that was previously purchased by the user using said mobile communications device and was identified by said system in said account of the user in the directory of digital media recordings obtained by the user;

wherein, based on said selection to transmit said purchased digital media recording to the mobile communications device of the user, said source of digital media recordings accesses in said database memory said digital media recording that was purchased by the user and transmits said purchased digital media recording to said mobile communications device of the user;

wherein said mobile communications device wirelessly receives said purchased digital media recording and stores said purchased digital media recording in said memory of said mobile communications device; and

wherein said purchased digital media recording stored in said memory of said mobile communications device is available for complete play in said mobile communications device with said pre-installed digital media player application.

30. The system as set forth in claim 29, wherein said transmitting said purchased digital media recording to said media unit is based on a selection entered into said system by the user using said mobile communications device.

31. The system as set forth in claim 29, wherein said media unit further comprises a television.