Server for providing media files for download by a user and the corresponding system and method

A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by one or more computer processors of a server to perform a method for rendering a user interface for interacting with a server for providing media files for downloading by a playback device remote from the server, the server including an operating system for creating at least a first user and a second user for a same playback device;

• a media table stored in a memory in which at least a first media ID is assigned to a first media file, and a second media ID is assigned to a second media file;
• an authorization table stored in a memory in which the first media ID and the second media ID are assigned to a user group comprising the at least first user and the second user;
• an identifier table stored in a memory in which a first and a second identifier, each of the identifiers capable of assignment to an identification carrier for the same playback device, are assigned to one of the first and the second user respectively;
• and an allocation table stored in a memory in which the first media ID and second media ID are assignable to one of the identifiers for the same playback device;
• an authorization table containing assignments of media IDs with users or user groups;
• wherein the user interface includes a UI change routine which transmits a change signal to the server for changing content of the allocation table, the change signal containing:
• a) a media ID;
• or b) a media ID and an identifier;
• and
• wherein the server further includes a program routine configured to (1) allow the first user for the same playback device to, in communicating with the server independent of the same playback device cause the server to, in response to receipt of the change signal, change the allocation table and assign at least the first media ID to the first identifier for the same playback device in the allocation table;
• and (2) allow the second user for the same playback device to, in communicating with the server independent of the same playback device, cause the server to, in response to receipt of the change signal, change the allocation table and assign the second media ID to the second identifier for the same playback device in the allocation table;
• whereby, responsive to receipt by the server from the same playback device of a signal indicative of detection by the playback device of an identification carrier assigned to the first identifier for the same playback device, the first media file is downloaded to the same playback device;
• and whereby, responsive to receipt by the server from the same playback device of a signal indicative of detection by the same playback device of an identification carrier assigned to the second identifier for the same playback device, the second media file is downloaded to the same playback device.

A system comprising:

• a server for providing media files for download by a playback device remote from the server;
• a user interface and an external device on which the user interface is executed, the user interface communicatively coupled with the server;
• the playback device;
• an identification carrier removably attachable to a portion of the playback device;
• wherein the identification carrier has an identifier readable by a reading device;
• and
• wherein the server has an operating system in which at least a first user and a second user are created for a same playback device;
• and a media table stored in a memory in which at least a first media ID is assigned to a first media file, and a second media ID is assigned to a second media file;
• an authorization table stored in a memory in which the first media ID and the second media ID are assigned to a user group comprising the at least first user and the second user;
• an identifier table stored in a memory in which a first and a second identifier, each of the identifiers capable of assignment to the identification carrier for the same playback device, are assigned to one of the first and the second user respectively;
• an allocation table stored in a memory, wherein in the allocation table, the first media ID and the second media ID are assignable to one of the identifiers for the same playback device, and the first media ID is not initially assigned to the first identifier;
• and
• wherein a program routine on the server is configured to (1) allow the first user for the same playback device to, in communicating with the server independent of the same playback device, change the allocation table and assign the first media ID to the first identifier for the same playback device in the allocation table;
• and (2) allow the second user for the same playback device to, in communicating with the server independent of the same playback device, change the allocation table and assign the second media ID to the second identifier for the same playback device in the allocation table;
• whereby, responsive to receipt by the server from the same playback device of a signal indicative of detection by the playback device of an identification carrier assigned to the first identifier for the same playback device, the first media file is downloaded to the same playback device;
• and whereby, responsive to receipt by the server from the same playback device of a signal indicative of detection by the same playback device of an identification carrier assigned to the second identifier for the same playback device, the second media file is downloaded to the same playback device.

A method for providing by a server a media file for download by a playback device remote from the server, the server containing an operating system in which at least a first user and a second user is created for a same playback device, comprising:

• storing a media table in a memory, in which at least a first media ID is assigned to a first media file and a second media ID is assigned to a second media file,
• storing an authorization table, wherein in the authorization table the first media ID and the second media ID are assigned to a user group comprising the at least first user and the second user,
• storing an identifier table in a memory, in which a first and a second identifier, each of the identifiers assignable to an identification carrier for the same playback device, are assigned to one of the first and the second user respectively,
• storing an allocation table in a memory, wherein in the allocation table:
• i. the first media ID and the second media ID are assignable to one of the identifiers for the same playback device, and
• ii. the first media ID initially is not assigned to the first identifier for the same playback device;
• and
• executing a program routine on the server configured to (1) allow the first user for the same playback device to, in communicating with the server independent of the same playback device, change the allocation table and assign the first media ID to the first identifier for the same playback device in the allocation table;
• and (2) allow the second user for the same playback device to, in communicating with the server independent of the same playback device, change the allocation table and assign the second media ID to the second identifier for the same playback device in the allocation table;
• whereby, responsive to receipt by the server from the playback device of a signal indicative of detection by the same playback device of an identification carrier assigned to the first identifier for the same playback device, the first media file is downloaded to the same playback device;
• and
• whereby, responsive to receipt by the server from the same playback device of a signal indicative of detection by the same playback device of an identification carrier assigned to the second identifier for the same playback device, the second media file is downloaded to the same playback device.