Patent Application
20090117846
This relates to media distribution and, more particularly, to controlling media distribution to personal media devices using a media distribution kiosk.
The proliferation of compact portable personal media devices (e.g., portable MP3 players, portable video players, and media capable cellular telephones) has enabled users to conveniently carry and interact with such compact portable media devices during virtually any type of activity and in virtually any location. The interaction may include accessing multimedia such as video and audio (e.g., voice and music) and sending or receiving communications via the media device. The types of activities could be personal, social, work-related, or recreational. The activities could occur under various conditions, at various times or dates, in various social settings, or in various personal settings.
In recent years, for example, music delivery or distribution over the Internet to media devices has become popular. Due to the advances in efficient file formats, such as MP3 and MPEG4, the size of media files have become small enough to make their download via the Internet practical. Also, technological advances have led to higher-speed Internet connections and lower cost of memory. The combination of these advances make downloading media files, such as for music and videos, manageable and not too time consuming, even to personal media devices.
One popular approach to music distribution is, for example, mp3.com which uses a centralized server for storage of the numerous songs that are available for download. Another popular example of an approach to music distribution is Napster where peer-to-peer sharing has been utilized. With peer-to-peer sharing, the numerous songs reside on the computer systems of the many users, not on a centralized server.
One problem with these media distribution and sharing systems may be that a user must have access to a computer system to access the centralized server or other computers in the distributed sharing system. Accordingly, there is a need for providing a user of a media device with the ability to conveniently access or download media (e.g., songs) without the need to use their own or another's personal computer system, especially while the user may be traveling or away from their own computer system.
Another problem with existing media distribution systems may be that a user's media device (e.g., portable music player) often must be physically connected to a computer system or media distribution system in order to download the media content. The continuous engagement and disengagement of the media device connector may result in excessive wear and failure of the connector. Also, because certain media distribution systems may be located in public places, a connector of the media distribution system may be exposed to tampering by users or excessive exposure to environmental conditions. Accordingly, there is a need to enable the distribution of media content to a media device while limiting the wear on the device's connector and/or while limiting the need for the media device to connect with a possibly damaged connector of a public media distribution system.
One known alternative to a physical connection is a wireless connection. However, there are numerous problems with a wireless connection which may include susceptibility to eavesdropping, hacking, and overloading where excessive numbers of devices attempt to access the same wireless connection. Accordingly, there is a need for minimizing these issues with wireless connections.
The invention, in various embodiments, addresses deficiencies in the prior art by providing systems, methods and devices that enable a media distribution system to conveniently distribute media content to a media device via one or more media distribution kiosks that may be located in virtually any geographic location or venue. Each media distribution kiosk may be connected via a data network to a centralized media storage server to enable the efficient distribution of media content from the storage server to the media distribution kiosk and, ultimately, to a user's media device. The storage server may provide new media content for purchase by a user and/or provide remote user access to one or more of the user's existing libraries of media content.
Unlike a conventional mechanical connector, each media distribution kiosk is configured to provide a virtual physical connection to one or more media devices. By establishing a virtual physical connection as opposed to using the media device's actual connector, the wear on the media device's connector is minimized. The virtual physical connection also reduces the likelihood of eavesdropping, hacking, and overloading of a wireless connection between the media distribution kiosk and a media device. The virtual physical connection further eliminates the need for a media device to connect with a possibly damaged, worn, or unreliable connector of a publicly or environmentally exposed media distribution device.
In one aspect, a media distribution device includes a presence sensor that generates a presence indicator when the physical presence of a media device in proximity to the media distribution device is detected. The media distribution device also includes a wireless transceiver that establishes a wireless data connection with the media device. Further, the media distribution device includes a processor that controls access from the media device to the media distribution device via the wireless data connection based, at least in part, on the presence indicator.
In one configuration, the media device is in proximity to the media distribution device when a portion of the media device housing is in contact with the media distribution device. In another configuration, the media device is in proximity to the media distribution device when the presence sensor detects the physical presence of a portion of the media device housing. The presence sensor may include, without limitation, at least one of an optical sensor, pressure sensor, magnetic sensor, electromagentic sensor, inductive sensor, acoustic sensor, RF sensor, weight sensor, proximity sensor, and video sensor.
In one feature, the media distribution device includes a directional antenna or directional emitter/receiver in communication with the wireless transceiver that directs a radio frequency (RF) signal or other wireless signal associated with the wireless data connection in a selected direction. The RF signal strength may be set to a level to limit the range of the RF signal. The level of RF signal strength and selected direction of the antenna may be set to establish a RF region in which the media device is capable of establishing the wireless data connection, while other media devices outside of the RF region are not able to establish a wireless data connection.
In another feature, the processor controls access to the media distribution device based, at least in part, on information provided by a user of the media device. The user information may include at least one of a username and password. In a further feature, the processor controls access to the media distribution device based on at least one of a token, credit card, access card, debit card, loyalty card, and vendor-specific commerce card.
In another configuration, the media distribution device communicates with an authentication server to obtain authorization to allow media device access to the media distribution device. The media distribution device may also communicate with a media storage server to exchange media content.
In another aspect, a media distribution system includes: a media distribution kiosk that distributes media content, a media device that receives a portion of the media content from the media distribution kiosk, a media commerce server that processing commerce information associated with the distribution of the media content, and a media storage server that distributes the media content from a media store to the media distribution kiosk. The media distribution kiosk also establishes a virtual physical connection with the media device that enables the distribution of a portion of the media content to the media device. In one configuration, the virtual physical connection is established by the media distribution kiosk i) determining the physical presence of the media device in proximity to the media distribution kiosk and ii) establishing a wireless data channel with the media device.
A further aspect includes a method for selectively establishing a wireless data connection that includes: determining the physical presence of a first media device in proximity to a media distribution device, establishing an access region via a directional wireless transceiver associated with the media distribution device, establishing a wireless data connection with the first media device while in the access region, and controlling access from the first media device to the media distribution device via the wireless data connection.
In yet another aspect, a media device includes a presence sensor that generating a presence indicator when the physical presence of a second media device in proximity to the media distribution device is detected. The media device also includes a wireless transceiver that establishes a wireless data connection with the second media device. Further, the media device includes a processor that controls access by the second media device via the wireless data connection based, at least in part, on the presence indicator.
Various advantages and applications of establishing a data connection between elements of a media distribution system in accordance with principles of the present invention are discussed in more detail below.
The above and other features of the present invention, its nature and various advantages will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
In one embodiment, each MDK 104 functions as an intermediate server to enable the distribution of media content, items, and/or files (e.g., mp3 files, video files, audio files, and other like media content) to one or more media devices 108. In certain embodiments, each MDK 104 includes a processor and memory to enable each MDK 104 to interface with and provide media distribution services to one or more media devices 108. An MDK 104 may communicate with and/or exchange data with a media device 108 via a wireless interface 112. An MDK 104 may communicate with and/or exchange data with a media device 108 via a wired and/or physical connection-based interface 114. The capabilities and features of certain types of personal media devices 108 are described in further detail later herein.
In one embodiment, the media distribution system 100 includes a media storage server 110 and a media store 116. In certain embodiments, the media storage server 110 operates as a remote storage server for the one or more MDKs 104 while being in electronic communications with the MDKs 104 via the data network 106. In one embodiment, the media store 112 provides mass data storage of media content and/or media files that are available for distribution and/or purchase via the media distribution system 100. In one embodiment, the media commerce server includes an on-line media content store that is accessible via a MDK 104, but may also be accessible via any client 118 that is connected to the network 106. One example of a media content storage and distribution system includes the Apple iTunes® on-line media store, provided via the Internet by Apple, Inc.
In certain embodiments, the media distribution system 100 allows a user of a media device 108 to use a graphic user interface (GUI) or other interface of an MDK 104 to access, review, purchase, synchronize, download to, upload from, and exchange media content and/or other information between the user's media device 108 and an MDK 104. In another embodiment, an MDK 104 functions as a media access point, gateway, and/or intermediate server whereby a user may utilize the GUI of their media device 108 to interface with the media storage server 110 or another remote media content server via the MDK 104 to enable the distribution of media content to or from the media device 108.
In one embodiment, a media device 108 user utilizes a browser application of the MDK 104 to browse, search or sort through a plurality of media items that can be purchased from the media commerce server 102 and downloaded from the media storage server 110. The MDK 104 may also allow the user to preview media content such as, without limitation, media clips, video clips, movies, songs, pictures, ringtones, audio files, podcasts, electronic books, and the like. In the event that the user of the media device 108 desires to purchase a particular media item, the user (via the MDK 104 and/or media device 108) and the media commerce server 102 may engage in an on-line commerce transaction in which the user pays for access rights to a particular media item (e.g., a song, video, movie, music video, and like media content).
In one embodiment, each MDK 104 may include an application and/or interface for inputting and processing credit cards, loyalty cards, debit card, vendor-specific commerce cards, and for processing other credit and/or financial transactions. Thus, a user may, for example, effect a purchase of a media item using a credit card associated with the user that is credited for the purchase amount of the particular media item. In another embodiment, the media commerce server 102 or an authentication server may include account information associated with one or more users. The account information may include a user identifier, a media device identifier, a user password and/or passcode, a media device secret key and/or authenticator. The media commerce server 102 may include credit card information associated with a particular user or have the capability to access credit information about a particular user. Thus, in certain embodiments, the media commerce server 102 may authorize a media device 108 user to access media content, purchase media content, and/or distribute media content. Other types of electronic payment and/or authorization may be employed such as, without limitation, PayPal, Neteller, micro-payments, and/or pre-paid ATM. Other types of user and/or device authentication may be employed which may include cryptographic authentication using Public-key and/or Private-key cryptography.
In one embodiment, the media device 108 user may be required to enter their user identifier and their associated private password at the GUI of the MDK 104. The user identifier and password may then be sent from the MDK 104 to the media commerce server 102 to allow the media commerce server 102 to verify that the user-entered user identifier and password match the server 102 user identifier and password. Once verified, the media commerce server 102 may then authorize the media device 108 user to access media content via the MDK 104 and/or via media device 108 through a data connection with the MDK 104. Other forms a user and/or device authentication may be employed to authenticate and/or authorized user access to media content.
In certain embodiments, media items are stored in the media store 112 and retrieved via the media storage server 110. Hence, the media commerce server 102 need not burden its resources to deliver any media items to an MDK 104 and, ultimately, to an media device 108 that is linked to a particular MDK 104. Instead, in certain embodiments, on purchasing a particular media item, the media commerce server 102 sends download information to the MDK 104. The download information may then be used by the MDK 104 to retrieve the media content by interacting with the media storage server 110 through the data network 106. In certain embodiments, the MDK 104 may function as an intermediary and/or intermediate server and, thereby, allow an application client, running on a media device 108, to interact with the media storage sever 110.
In certain embodiments, the media storage server 110 obtains the media content from the media store 112 and downloads such content through the data network 106 to a client application running on, for example, a media device 108 via a link 112 and/or 114 with an MDK 104. The downloaded media content may then be accessed by a client media application of the media device 108. In one embodiment, the downloaded media content is stored on the media device 108 as received. In another embodiment, the downloaded media content is decrypted using a first cryptographic key and re-encrypted using a second cryptographic key before being stored in a memory (e.g., hard drive) of a media device 108. Further details regarding various encryption and media purchase techniques are described in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/833,267 and 10/832,812, both filed on Apr. 26, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In a certain embodiments, the media distribution system 100 may use at least one of a number of secure media distribution mechanism or standards. The media distribution system 100 may employ a public and/or proprietary digital rights management (DRM) system or technology. The DRM technology may include, without limitation, at least one of the Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP) standard, the Advanced Access Content System (AACS), Content Scrambling System (CSS), DeCSS, Windows DRM (WDRM), Protected Media Path, Protected Video Path (PVP), Blu-ray, OZAuthors, and any like DRM mechanism.
Once media content is downloaded, the media device 108 may present (e.g., play) the media content via one or more media applications. The data connection or connections through the data network 106 between the media commerce server 102, a MDK 104, a media device 108, and the media storage server 110 may include other secure connection links and/or data tunnels, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), a virtual private network (VPN), symmetric encryption links, and/or asymmetric encryption links. Further, the media content may be stored at the MDK 104 and/or a media device 104 in an encrypted manner. These secure data connection links may be employed in addition to or as an added layer of protection for one or more DRM techniques.
In one embodiment, the media distribution system 100 advantageously enables the distribution of media content to a media device 108 via a MDK 104 residing in virtually any location such as an airport, hotel, stadium, train station, shopping mall, stores, planes, ships, public transportation vehicles, and the like. Even a wireless media device 108 may have limited or no access to a particular wireless service provider's data network in certain geographic areas or locations. Thus, a MDK 108 may enable the media device 108 to access the media distribution system 100 even where a wireless service provider's network is not available.
In certain embodiments, each of the MDKs 104 may be linked wirelessly in a daisy-chain and/or serial manner to enable connections with the data network 106. In one embodiment, each MDK 104 includes at least a portion of the media content and/or other data stored by the media store 116. Thus, a MDK 104 may function as a mirror site for the media storage server 110. By functioning as a media mirror site, a MDK 104 may advantageously reduce the latency of accessing or downloading data from the media store 116 by a media device 108 that is linked to the MDK 104 because the media content can be download directly from the MDK 104. In other embodiments, portions of the data of media store 116 are distributed among a plurality of MDKs 104 to provide more efficient media content distribution, redundancy, and disaster recovery for the media store 116. Thus, in a situation where the media storage server 110 fails or becomes inaccessible, a first MDK 104 may access a second MDK 104, acting as a mirror site, to obtain the requested media content and/or other data.
In certain embodiments, an MDK 104 may include metadata associated with various media content. The metadata may, for example, enable a MDK 104 to present information about media content stored both locally and remotely from the MDK 104. In one instance, the MDK 104 may present information associated with media content stored by at least one of the media store 116, a client 118, another MDK 104, a media device 108, and another media content source in communications with the network 106. Thus, in certain embodiments, a MDK 104 is able to present information regarding a relatively large amount of media content while actually only storing of portion of that media content locally within its own local data storage. Further details regarding the use of metadata to enable an MDK 104 to provide a user with access to a distributed library of media content is provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/701,823, filed on Feb. 2, 2007, having Apple Docket No. P4603US1, entitled “Remote Access of Media Items,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In certain embodiments, an MDK 104 employs a statistical model, policy, usage history, usage algorithm and/or mechanism to determine which media content items and/or types of media content are stored locally, while other media content, being referenced by metadata, is stored remotely at, for example, the media store 116. In one exemplary approach, an MDK 104 may maintain a history of the types of media content that users have accessed and/or downloaded over a period of time. If a majority of users have downloaded R&B music over a period of time, e.g., certain R&B music is relatively popular, the MDK 104 may download a library of R&B media content from the media store 116 so that R&B music content can be more efficiently downloaded from a memory of the MDK 104 to a media device 108. The types of media content may depend on other factors such as, without limitation, a geographic location, a venue, a type of store in which the MDK 104 is located, and demographics of users within the vicinity of the MDK 104.
In one embodiment, the display 202 may include a GUI that supports a web browser and/or other media distribution application. The keypad 204 may include a pointer component or mouse to enable navigation within the web browser and/or media distribution application. In another embodiment, the display 202 includes a touch screen to enable a user to navigate through a media distribution application.
The MDK 200 may include a wireless interface capable of communicating with a media device 214 via a wireless antenna 218 and wireless interface. The MDK 200 may support one or more wireless interface technologies. The MDK 200 may support, without limitation, 802.1x, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, CDMA, CDPD, TDMA, GSM, EV-DO, EV-DV, GSM Edge, 3GSM, and other public or proprietary wireless and/or mobile interfaces. The MDK 200 may also support an infrared, acoustic, inductive, and/or light-based interface with a media device 214. Accordingly, a media device 214 may communicate with the MDK 200 via an infrared link or a inductively-coupled link to facilitate the exchange of data including media content. Thus, the term “antenna” includes an RF antenna for propagating RF signals and other types of emitter/receiver elements that are used for propagating other types of wireless signals.
One problem with employing an wireless access point for media devices is that many devices within the vicinity of the MDK 200 may attempt to access the MDK 200 which could overload the wireless interface. Also, an eavesdropper may attempt to intercept communications between the MDK 200 and a media device 214, and possibly acquire media content, media device, and user personal information.
Returning to
The MDK 200 may also include a docking station 208 having a physical connector to enable a media device 214 to physically connect to a mechanical data port of the MDK 200. In one embodiment, the physical connector supports at least one of a USB and Firewire data interface. One problem with using a docking station 208 with a physical connector is that the MDK 200 connector and/or the mating media device 214 connector may wear, become damaged, or fail mechanically due to continuous physical engagement and disengagement of the connectors between the MDK 200 and a media device 214. However, in certain embodiments, the MDK 200 avoids physical wear of the media device 214 and MDK 200 connector by advantageously employing a virtual physical connection.
In one embodiment, by employing a presence sensor 216 in conjunction with a wireless interface via the antenna 218 or another wireless data port (e.g., infrared), the MDK 200 confirms the physical presence of the media device 218 and establishes a data connection wirelessly without the need to physically connect to the media device 218. Accordingly, the MDK 200 may employ a virtual connector by sensing the physical presence of a media device 214 and establishing a wireless data connection with the media device 214. In other words, in one embodiment, a virtual physical connection is established by sensing the media device's physical presence and establishing a wireless data connection. However, to enable backwards compatibility with versions of media devices that do not have a wireless interface, the MDK 200 may include a media device docking station 208 having a physical connector that is mounted on or embedded within a portion of the MDK 200 housing 212.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the housing 502 includes a first housing portion 504 and a second housing portion 506 that are fastened together to encase various components of the media device 500. The housing 502 and its housing portions 504 and 506 may include polymer-based materials that are formed by, for example, injection molding to define the form factor of the media device 500. In one embodiment, the housing 502 surrounds and/or supports internal components such as, for example, one or more circuit boards having integrated circuit components, internal radio frequency (RF) circuitry, an internal antenna, a speaker, a microphone, a hard drive, a processor, and other components. Further details regarding certain internal components are discussed later with respect to
The media device 500 may include a wireless communications device such as a cellular telephone, satellite telephone, cordless telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), pager, portable computer, or any other device capable of wireless communications. In fact,
The media device 500 may also be integrated within the packaging of other devices or structures such a vehicle, video game system, appliance, clothing, helmet, glasses, wearable apparel, stereo system, entertainment system, or other portable devices. In certain embodiments, the media device 500 may be docked or connected to a wireless enabling accessory system (e.g., a wi-fi docking system) that provides the media device 500 with short-range communicating functionality. Alternative types of media devices 500 may include, for example, a media player such as an iPod® or Apple® iphone available by Apple Inc., of Cupertino, Calif., pocket-sized personal computers such as an iPAQ® Pocket PC available by Hewlett Packard Inc., of Palo Alto, Calif. and any other device capable of communicating wirelessly (with or without the aid of a wireless enabling accessory system).
In certain embodiments, the media device 500 may synchronize with, for example, a remote computing system or server, such as media storage server 110, to receive media (using either wireless or wireline communications paths). Wireless syncing enables the media device 500 to transmit and receive media and data without requiring a wired connection. Media may include, without limitation, sound or audio files, music, video, multi-media, and digital data, in streaming and/or discrete (e.g., files and packets) formats.
During synchronization, a host system, e.g., media storage server 110 or MDK 200, may provide media to a client system or software application embedded within the media device 500. In certain embodiments, media and/or data is “downloaded” to the media device 500. In other embodiments, the media device 500 is capable of uploading media to a remote host or other client system. Further details regarding the capabilities of certain embodiments of the media device 500 are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/423,490, filed on Apr. 25, 2003; U.S. application Ser. No. 11/770,641, filed Jun. 28, 2007; and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/834,604, filed Aug. 6, 2007, entitled “Synching Data” (Apple Docket No. P5436US1), the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Storage element 804 may store media (e.g., music and video files), software (e.g., for implanting functions on device 800, preference information (e.g., media playback preferences), lifestyle information (e.g., food preferences), exercise information (e.g., information obtained by exercise monitoring equipment), transaction information (e.g., information such as credit card information), wireless connection information (e.g., information that may enable media device to establish wireless communication with another device), subscription information (e.g., information that keeps tracks of podcasts or television shows or other media a user subscribes to), and any other suitable data. Storage device 804 may include one more storage mediums, including for example, a hard-drive, permanent memory such as ROM, semi-permanent memory such as RAM, flash memory, or cache.
Memory 820 may include one or more different types of memory which may be used for performing device functions. For example, memory 820 may include cache, ROM, flash, and/or RAM. Bus 818 may provide a data transfer path for transferring data to, from, or between at least storage device 804, memory 820, and processor 802. Coder/decoder (CODEC) 812 may be included to convert digital audio signals into an analog signals for driving the speaker 824 to produce sound including voice, music, and other like audio. The CODEC 812 may also convert audio inputs from the microphone 826 into digital audio signals. The CODEC 812 may include a video CODEC for processing digital and/or analog video signals.
User interface 808 may allow a user to interact with the media device 500 or MDK 200. For example, the user input device 808 can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, keyboard, dial, a click wheel, or a touch screen. Communications circuitry 822 may include circuitry such as a wireless transceiver for wireless communication (e.g., short-range and/or long range communication). For example, the wireless communication circuitry may be Wi-Fi enabling circuitry that permits wireless communication according to one of the 802.1x standards. Other wireless network protocols standards could also be used, either in alternative to the identified protocols or in addition to the identified protocol. Other network standards may include Bluetooth, the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and code division multiple access (CDMA) based wireless protocols. Communications circuitry 822 may also include circuitry that enables the media device 500 or MDK 200 to be electrically coupled to another device (e.g., a computer or an accessory device) and communicate with that other device. In certain embodiments, the wireless communications may include infrared, inductive, magnetic, electromagnetic, spread spectrum, and like wireless mechanisms. Thus, a wireless transceiver, in certain embodiments, includes a infrared transceiver, inductive transceiver, magnetic transceiver, and the like.
In one embodiment, the computing environment 800 is included in a portable computing device dedicated to processing media such as audio and video. For example, the environment 800 may be included in a media device 500 that includes a media player (e.g., MP3 player), a game player, a remote controller, a portable communication device, a remote ordering interface, an audio tour player, or other suitable personal device. The media device 500 may be battery-operated and highly portable so as to allow a user to listen to music, play games or video, record video or take pictures, communicate with others, and/or control other devices. In addition, the media device 500 may be sized such that it fits relatively easily into a pocket or hand of the user. By being handheld, the media device 500 (or media device 600 shown in
In another embodiment, the computing environment 800 is included in a computer server operating as, for example, an MDK 200. In such an embodiment, the storage 804 may include a relatively large data storage capacity as compared with the storage capacity for a media device 500. Also, for example, the processor 802 may have greater processing power and speed relative to a portable computing device such as the media device 500.
In one embodiment, a media device user may be prompted via the display 202 to enter a username and password into an access application of the MDK 200 (Step 906). Alternatively, the user may be prompted to insert a credit card, loyalty card, service/vendor-specific commerce card, and/or token into the receptacle 210 to enable the MDK 200 and/or media commerce server 102 to authenticate the media device user's access to the media storage server 110. A token, card, or any other like authorization article may include identity information such as, without limitation, a user name, address, and one or more passwords and/or secret keys. A token, card, or any other like authorization article may include personal financial information, credit information, purchase information, media information, media metadata, and any other information associated with a user. As another alternative, the media device 214 may send its device identifier to the MDK 200 via the wireless connection (Step 908). The MDK 200 may then forward the identifier to the media commerce server 102 or another server to obtain user account information associated with the media device 214 identifier.
Based on the media device 214 identifier and the username information provided by the user, the MDK 200 may confirm that the wireless data connection is with the proper media device 214. Once the requested user information and/or media device information is received, the MDK 200 may then forward this information to the media commerce server 102 or another authentication server (Step 910). The media commerce server 102 or an authentication server may then authenticate that the user information (e.g., username and password) and/or media device information is consistent with its own account information (Step 912).
Once the user is authenticated, the media commerce server 102 allows the user to access the media content via the media storage server 110 (Step 914). The media device 214 user may then enable the download of media content from the media storage server 110 to the MDK 200 and/or to the media device 214 via the MDK 200 (Step 916). Once the transaction is complete, the media commerce server 102 may then apply the appropriate charges to the user's account and/or credit source associated with access to the media content.
In certain instances, a media device user may desire to only sync their media device with an existing personal data store of media content. In other instances, a media device user may desire to purchase media content via the MDK 200 for their personal media device. In another instance, a personal media device user may desire to purchase or download media content to a media article such as a CD-ROM. In yet another instance, a media device user may desire to purchase access to certain media content, e.g., a movie, for a limited period of time. The media distribution system 100 at least supports any one of the foregoing instances of media distribution.
A media device 214 may include a presence trigger for indicating the physical presence of the media device 214 in proximity to a media distribution device such as an MDK 104. The presence trigger may include an active and/or passive trigger. The presence trigger may include a physical element, structure, and/or component.
For example, a portion of the housing may include a particular metal or alloy that is detectable by the presence sensor 216 of an MDK 200. The presence trigger may include a magnet that is embedded within or attached to a portion of a media device 214, while the presence sensor 216 includes a magnetic switch. Thus, when the media device 214 is in proximity to the presence sensor 216, the magnetic field of the magnet may trigger the switch within the presence sensor 216 and, thereby, enable the presence sensor 216 to generate a presence indicator signal.
In another embodiment, the presence trigger may include a RF signal, acoustic signal, light signal, or other emitted signal. For example, an RF signal may include a periodic wireless beacon, intermittent signal, continuous signal, and/or other designated signal that provides any other device within the media device's vicinity with an indication of the media device's presence. Similar variations or types of signal emissions may be employed using acoustic, light, and/or optical signals. The emitted signal strength may be adjusted and/or limited such that only a device within a limited range or distance of the media device 214 may be able to detect the emitted presence trigger signal.
In certain embodiments, the presence trigger may only be activated when the media device 214 is positioned or orientated in a particular manner and/or arrangement in relation to another device such as an MDK 104. For example, an MDK 104 may include a vertical slot such that a media device 214 must be positioned on one side. A media device 214 environmental sensor (e.g., accelerometer) may detect this positioning and, in response, activate a presence trigger of the media device 214, which may then be detected by a presence sensor 216 of an MDK 104.
In other embodiments, the presence trigger may include a data signal, one or more data flags, and/or one or more message indicators within a data message and/or packet that act as a presence trigger to another device, such as an MDK 104. The presence trigger signal, for example, may indicate to a MDK 104 that a data connection should be established with a particular media device 214 or limited set of media devices 214. For instance, a master (e.g., MDK 104) of a Bluetooth piconet may limit the number of slaves (e.g., media devices) with access to the piconet to a single slave (e.g., media device 214) based on a presence trigger signal sent by the media device 214. Similar types of presence trigger signals, flags, and/or indicators may be employed in other wireless protocols such as 802.1x, GSM, CDMA, mobile networks, and other wireless systems.
It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that methods involved in the present invention may be embodied in a computer program product that includes a computer usable and/or readable medium. For example, such a computer usable medium may consist of a read only memory device, such as a CD ROM disk or conventional ROM devices, or a random access memory, such as a hard drive device or a computer diskette, or flash memory device having a computer readable program code stored thereon.
It is understood that the various features, elements, or processes of the foregoing figures and description are interchangeable or combinable to realize or practice the invention describe herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation, and the invention is limited only by the claims which follow.
