Method and apparatus for sharing music content between devices

• US 6,372,974 B1
• Filed: 01/16/2001
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Jacobs, Robert A., Gross, Mark T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fletcher, Marlon T.
• Application Number:
  US09/761,513
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 846/00, 846/01--02, 846/09--10, 846/34, 846/45, 846/49--50, 846/66, 704/200, 704/270, 704/272, 704/275, 704/500, 704/503
• US Class Current: 84/609
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0058 Transmission between separate instruments or between individual components of a musical system G10H1/0083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/026 File encryption of specific electrophonic music instrument file or stream formats, e.g. MIDI, note oriented formats, sound banks, wavetables digital rights management [DRM] G06F21/00; encryption H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/061 MP3, i.e. MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, lossy audio compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838

Abstract

A digital music player. The player includes a memory capable of storing music files. The player has a user interface allowing a user to select and access the music files. A port on the player allows the user to establish a connection to other digital music players. The user can then send and receive music files without an intervening host.

Claims

1. A digital music player, comprising:

ECH

a) a memory operable to store music files;

b) a user interface operable to allow a user to select and access the music files;

c) a decoder operable to convert selected music files into audio signals;

d) a port operable to allow the user to establish a no-host connection to other digital music players; and

e) a processor configured to mark and delete any of the music files transmitted across tie no-host connection.

2. The music player of claim 1, wherein the music player includes communication software that, when executed, allows the user to transfer music files to other users through the port.

3. The music player of claim 1, wherein the music player includes an audio output operable to make the audio signals audible.

4. The music player of claim 1, wherein the port is an infrared port.

5. The music player of claim 1, wherein the port is a USB port.

6. The music player of claim 1, wherein the decoder is an MP3 decoder.

7. The music player of claim 1, wherein the decoder is a digital-to-analog converter and the audio signals are analog.

8. A method for sending music files from a sending music player, the method comprising:

a) establishing a no-host peer-to-peer connection with a receiving music player through a port;

b) selecting at least one file on the sending music player;

c) notifying the receiving music player of an imminent file transfer;

d) receiving signals from the receiving music player indicating readiness to receive music files;

e) transmit at least one selected file from the sending music player through the port over the no-host peer-to-peer connection; and

f) marking and deleting any transmitted files and transmitting a final authentication key to the receiving music player.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein establishing a peer-to-peer connection farther comprises establishing cryptographic session keys for the transfer of secure musical content.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein transmitting is performed across a secure authentication channel.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises authentication and validation of reception of the sent file to the sending music player.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises updating data on a local storage nodule wherein the data updated changes the reference count.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein establishing a peer-to-peer connection further comprises establishing cryptographic session keys for the transfer of secure musical content.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises receiving a final authentication key from the sending music player.

14. A method for receiving music files with a receiving music player, the method comprising:

a) establishing a no-host peer-to peer connection with a sending music player through a port;

b) receiving signals from the sending music player through the port indicating an imminent music file transfer;

c) responding to the signals through the port indicating preferences for receiving music files;

d) if the preferences for receiving are positive, receiving music files through the port;

e) marking and deleting any files transferred through the port.