List building system

A system comprising:

• a user station which includes a programmable processor and an associated control program for storing at least one previously created play list, and for retrieving and modifying existing entries of the stored list whereby an updated list to be executed can be created:
• a communications link, coupled to the processor, at least intermittently for receipt of at least some of the works specified by the updated list from a displaced source wherein the control program in response to the entries on the updated list, downloads, from the source, via the link, and then presents at least some of the items on the list to a local user and wherein the control program maintains billing information for transmission to the source for billing the user:
• and
• wherein the processor includes instructions for receiving some of the works corresponding to the entries on the play list from the displaced source via the communications link after determining the work is unavailable from local sources.

A system for building a plurality of play lists having entries selected from an inventory which can be obtained at least in part from different sources, the system comprising:

• a data base for storing a plurality of user created pre-stored play lists:
• a play list editing system having a graphical display and a plurality of instructions which enables a user to simultaneously display portions of an inventory of the stored items and portions of a selected play list including editing instructions enabling a user to select a displayed inventor item and to insert it into the displayed portion of the list thereby creating a modified list and additional instructions for storing the modified list in the data base and for subsequently displaying a plurality of pre-stored lists, each of which can be selected for execution;
• which includes a communications link for downloading at least some members of a selected play list to be presented;
• and
• wherein the system includes further instructions for downloading at least some members of a selected play list to be presented via the communications link after determining the work is unavailable from local sources.

A system for creating and editing play lists comprising:

• a graphical display;
• a data base for storage of a media inventory including at least audio items:
• a processor, coupled to the display and the data base with a plurality of instructions executable by the processor wherein some of the instructions present on one part of the display at least a part of a media inventory listing of at least the stored audio items from which a user can select a plurality of items to be presented and wherein others of the instructions enable the user to select a named, prestored play list and display at least part of the selected list simultaneously on another part of the same display including additional instructions enabling the user to select at least one entry from the media inventory listing and insert the selected entry into the selected play list thereby creating a modified play list, including instructions enabling the user to save the modified play list and to designate a different, named, play list to be displayed on the same display and edited by the user;
• a communications link for acquisition from a displaced source of at least some of the media items on a play list selected for execution;
• and
• wherein the processor includes instructions for acquiring from a displaced source at least some of the media items on a play list selected for execution after determining the media items are unavailable from local sources.

A system comprising:

• a user station which includes a programmable processor and an associated control program for storing at least one previously created play list, and for retrieving and modifying existing entries of the stored list whereby an updated list to be executed can be created;
• a communications link, coupled to the processor, at least intermittently, for receipt of at least some of the works specified by the updated list from a displaced source wherein the control program, in response to the entries on the updated list, downloads, from the source, via the link, and then presents at least some of the items on the list to a local user and wherein the control program maintains billing information for transmission to the source for billing the user;
• and
• wherein for at least some of the works specified by the updated list the processor includes additional instructions for downloading the corresponding item from the displaced source via the communications link each time the corresponding item is presented to the user.

A system comprising:

• a user station which includes a programmable processor and an associated control program for storing at least one previously created play list, and for retrieving and modifying existing entries of the stored list whereby an updated list to be executed can be created;
• a communication link, coupled to the processor, at least intermittently, for receipt of at least some of the works specified by the updated list from a displaced source wherein the control program., in response to the entries on the updated list, downloads, from the source, via the link, and then presents at least some of the items on the list to a local user;
• and
• wherein for at least some of the works specified by the updated list the processor includes instructions for downloading the corresponding item from the displaced source via the communications link each time the corresponding item is presented to the user.

A system for building a plurality of play lists having entries selected from an inventory which can be obtained at least in part, from different sources, the system comprising:

• a data base for storing a plurality of user created pre-stored play lists;
• a play list editing system having a graphical display and a plurality of instructions which enables a user to simultaneously display portions of an inventory of the stored items and portions of a selected play list including editing instructions enabling a user to select a displayed inventory item and to insert it into the displayed portion of the list thereby creating a modified list and additional instructions for storing the modified list in the data base and for subsequently displaying a plurality of pre-stored lists, each of which can be selected for execution;
• and
• a communication link for downloading members to be presented which are not available in the local inventory.

A system for executing play lists comprising:

• a graphical display;
• a processor, coupled to the display with a plurality of instructions executable by the processor wherein some of the instructions present on one part of the display at least a part of a play list and other instructions download, from a displaced source, items on a play list being executed;
• and
• which includes instructions for determining if the respective items are unavailable locally before downloading them.

A system for executing play lists comprising:

• a graphical display;
• a processor, coupled to the display with a plurality of instructions executable by the processor wherein some of the instructions present on one part of the display at least a part of a play list and other instructions download, from a displaced source, items on a play list being executed;
• and
• which includes instructions wherein items on a list being executed are downloaded each time the respective item is presented to a user.

A system comprising:

• a workstation which includes a programmed processor and executable instructions for presenting a plurality of works to a user;
• a communications link coupled to the workstation, at least intermittently, for downloading each work from a remote source each time the work is presented to a user;
• and
• executable instructions for keeping track of works presented to the user.

A system comprising:

• a workstation which includes a programmed processor and executable instructions for presenting a plurality of works for a user;
• a communications link coupled to the workstation, at least intermittently, for downloading each work from a remote source each time the work is presented to a user;
• and
• wherein some of the works presented include advertisements and including executable instructions for accumulating billing information based on presented advertisements.

A method of executing play lists based on a media inventory comprising:

• providing an inventory of at least audibly presentable media items;
• presenting visually at least a part of a preestablished play list based on some of the media items simultaneously while presenting visually, at least in part, a list of media items from the inventory;
• editing the play list by selecting at least one media item from the inventory list and inserting it into the play list at a selected location within the list thereby forming a revised play list;
• and
• executing selected play list and accumulating royalty payment information.

A method of executing play lists based on a media inventory comprising:

• providing an inventory of at least audibly presentable media items;
• presenting visually at least a part of a preestablished play list based on some of the media items simultaneously while presenting visually, at least in part, a list of media items from the inventory;
• editing the play list by selecting at least one media item from the inventory list and inserting it i the play list at a selected location within the list thereby forming a revised play list;
• and
• executing a selected play list and accumulating item popularity information.

A system comprising:

• a workstation which includes a programmed processor and executable instructions enabling a user to create at least one play list and for presenting works from the list to the user;
• a communications link coupled to the workstation, at least intermittently, for downloading each work from a remote source each time the work is presented to the user;
• and
• wherein some of the presented works include advertisements and including executable instructions for establishing popularity information indicative of plays of works during predetermined time intervals.