Purchase and delivery of digital content using multiple devices and data networks
OwnerRobert F. Henrickinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system that facilitates the purchase and delivery of audio and video content (e.g., entertainment media) over the Internet is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed system allows a user who hears or sees an audio or video broadcast to use a cell phone or other wireless device to order the broadcast material, and have it remotely delivered to an independent device (e.g., the user's personal computer) without further user intervention. Thus, the system allows the user to order the desired content using a wireless device that the user will often have in his or her possession when he or she hears or sees the desired content, but to have the content delivered to a second remote device.
Claims27
A system for the delivery of digital content corresponding to content received by a broadcast receiver in the possession of an individual, the individual also possessing a first device adapted to transmit and receive data messages and having access to a second device adapted to receive digital files, comprising:
- a server having access to titles of songs included in broadcast content, and to titles of albums associated with the songs;
- the first device adapted for use by the individual to interactively access the server and identify to the server a station being received by the broadcast receiver;
- the server being further adapted to provide the user via the first device information concerning the broadcast song and the broadcast album;
- the first device being further adapted to facilitate selection by the user of desired content from the provided information;
- wherein, before the individual interactively accesses the server via the first device, the server is previously accessed by the individual from the second device to configure a software agent on the second device that is adapted to act autonomously for the user in delivering content to the second device;
- the software agent on the second device being automatically initiated with initiation of the second device, and adapted to automatically register with the server upon such automatic initiation so as to be available to communicate with the server without the intervention or presence of the individual;
- the server and the software agent being adapted, upon selection of desired content by the individual, to exchange information to securely identify the second device and convey authorization to have the desired content delivered to the second device without the intervention or presence of the individual;
- and
- the software agent being adapted, upon the authorization being conveyed, to facilitate the delivery and storage of the desired content without the intervention or presence of the individual.
A system for the delivery of digital content, comprising:
- a broadcast receiver in the possession of an individual;
- a first device in the possession of the individual and adapted to transmit and receive data messages;
- a server adapted to be accessed in an interactive manner by the individual using the first device to select desired content corresponding to content received by the broadcast receiver;
- a second device, comprising:
- a thin client adapted to facilitate the downloading of digital content from the server by automatically interacting with the server after selection of desired content by the individual;
- wherein the server is adapted to:
- identify the second device from among a plurality of devices;
- determine whether the second device is currently registered with the server;
- if the second device is currently registered with the server, determine the name and location of the desired content selected by the individual and transmit said name and location to said thin client on said second device;
- and wherein said thin client is adapted to transmit a request for said desired content using said name and location and to receive said desired content in response to said request.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.