System and method for providing content, management, and interactivity for client devices

Abstract

A system and a method for providing content, management and interactivity for client devices are provided. Digital data based on user specified preferences is automatically obtained and transferred from a wide area network to a computer. The digital data is then automatically sent from the computer to a client device using a wireless data transceiver. In one embodiment, the client device is a television.

1 . A method comprising: 
 using previously provided user specified preferences to automatically obtain and transfer digitally encoded, playable media content from a wide area network to a computer; and    at a specified time based on the user specified preferences, turning on a media playback device in communication with the computer via a wireless data transceiver and causing the media playback device to play a representation of the digitally encoded, playable media content.    
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the digitally encoded, playable media content comprises digitally encoded, audiovisual content, the media playback device comprises a television, and the method comprises turning on the television in communication with the computer via the wireless transceiver and causing the television to play a representation of the digitally encoded, audiovisual content.  
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , comprising manipulating the play of the representation of the digitally encoded, audiovisual content on the television from a portable electronic device.  
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , comprising shutting the television off for a predetermined period of time in response to a remote controller sending a signal to the computer.  
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the representation of the digitally encoded, audiovisual content comprises the digitally encoded audiovisual content converted to a format capable of being displayed on the television.  
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , comprising manipulating the play of representation of the digitally encoded audiovisual content on the television using the computer.  
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , comprising storing the user specified preferences in a database on the computer.  
   
   
       8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the digitally encoded, playable media content comprises digitally encoded, audio content, the media playback device comprises an audio playback device, and the method comprises turning on the audio playback device in communication with the computer via the wireless transceiver and causing the audio playback device to play a representation of the digitally encoded, audio content.  
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , comprising shutting off the audio playback device for a predetermined period of time in response to a remote controller sending a signal to the computer.  
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the representation of the digitally encoded, audio content comprises the digitally encoded audio content converted to a format capable of being played on the audio playback device.  
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , comprising manipulating the play of the representation of the digitally encoded, audio content on the audio playback device using a portable electronic device.  
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 8 , comprising storing the user specified preferences in a database on the computer.  
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , comprising displaying on the portable electronic device ancillary content related to the play of the representation of the digitally encoded, audio content on the audio playback device.  
   
   
       14 . A computer readable media having computer executable instructions, the instructions performing steps comprising: 
 using previously provided user specified preferences to automatically obtain and transfer digitally encoded, playable media content from a wide area network to a computer; and    at a specified time based on the user specified preferences, turning on a media playback device in communication with the computer via a wireless data transceiver and causing the media playback device to play a representation of the digitally encoded, playable media content.    
   
   
       15 . The computer readable media as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the digitally encoded, playable media content comprises digitally encoded, audiovisual content, the media playback device comprises a television, and the instructions perform steps of turning on the television in communication with the computer via the wireless transceiver and causing the television to play a representation of the digitally encoded, audiovisual content.  
   
   
       16 . The readable media as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the instructions provide for manipulation of the play of the representation of the digitally encoded, audiovisual content on the television from a portable electronic device.  
   
   
       17 . The readable media as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the instructions shut the television off for a predetermined period of time in response to a remote controller sending a signal to the computer.  
   
   
       18 . The readable media as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the representation of the digitally encoded, audiovisual content comprises the digitally encoded, audiovisual content converted by the instructions to a format capable of being displayed on the television.  
   
   
       19 . The readable media as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the instructions provide for manipulation of the play of representation of the digitally encoded audiovisual content on the television using the computer.  
   
   
       20 . The readable media as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the instructions store the user specified preferences in a database on the computer.  
   
   
       21 . The readable media as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the digitally encoded, playable media content comprises digitally encoded, audio content, the media playback device comprises an audio playback device, and the instructions perform steps of turning on the audio playback device in communication with the computer via the wireless transceiver and causing the audio playback device to play a representation of the digitally encoded, audio content.  
   
   
       22 . The readable media as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the instructions shut off the audio playback device for a predetermined period of time in response to a remote controller sending a signal to the computer.  
   
   
       23 . The readable media as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the representation of the digitally encoded, audio content comprises the digitally encoded audio content converted by the instructions to a format capable of being played on the audio playback device.  
   
   
       24 . The readable media as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the instructions provide for manipulation of the play of the representation of the digitally encoded, audio content on the audio playback device using a portable electronic device.  
   
   
       25 . The readable media as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the instructions store the user specified preferences in a database on the computer.  
   
   
       26 . The readable media as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the instructions cause displaying on the portable electronic device ancillary content related to the play of the representation of the digitally encoded audio content on the audio playback device.