Content Distribution Systems and Methods

Abstract

An electronic device comprises a first interface operable to receive from a user a selection of a first data set and a processor coupled to the first interface. The processor is operable to access the selected first data set, determine if the user is authorized to receive the first data set, and store the first data set on a memory device.

1 . A content dispensing system, comprising:
 a machine-readable storage medium storing a plurality of data sets and one or more executable programs, including distinct versions of one or more executable programs, each version compatible with a respective client system type, and each version of the one or more executable programs for enabling performance of a respective data set by client devices having the corresponding client system type; and   at least one interface configured to wirelessly transfer information to a target device, wherein the information transferred to the target device includes (A) a data set of the plurality of data sets selected by a user of the target device, and (B) the version of an executable program of the one or more executable programs that is compatible with the respective client system type of a particular client device;   wherein the particular client device comprises a device having a respective client system type and is configured to execute programs compatible with the respective client system type.   
     
     
         2 . The content dispensing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a system transmitter that transmits the information set via wireless signals to a receiver of the target device. 
     
     
         3 . The content dispensing system of  claim 2 , wherein the signals are infrared signals or radio-frequency signals. 
     
     
         4 . The content dispensing system of  claim 2 , wherein the signals conform to a Bluetooth, Wi-fi or other wireless standard communication protocol. 
     
     
         5 . The content dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein each version of the one or more executable programs is compatible with a respective operating system. 
     
     
         6 . The content dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the client device is a cellular phone, a personal computer, a hand held electronic device, or other portable device. 
     
     
         7 . The content dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the data set includes encoded information comprising a unique serial number. 
     
     
         8 . The content dispensing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface configured to receive identification of the target device. 
     
     
         9 . The content dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the target device is a removable memory device. 
     
     
         10 . The content dispensing system of  claim 9 , wherein the removable memory device operates in accordance with a plug-and-socket connection standard. 
     
     
         11 . The content dispensing system of  claim 9 , wherein the removable memory device operates in accordance with a USB standard. 
     
     
         12 . The content dispensing system of  claim 9 , wherein the removable memory operates in accordance with an IEEE 1394 standard. 
     
     
         13 . The content dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless interface allows near-proximity wireless connectivity. 
     
     
         14 . The content dispensing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface configurable to select a requested data set. 
     
     
         15 . The content dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to determine whether the user is authorized to receive the data set before the data set is wirelessly transferred to the target device. 
     
     
         16 . The content dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein the content dispensing system comprises a self contained vending machine. 
     
     
         17 . The content dispensing system of  claim 1 , wherein a data set of the plurality of data sets comprises digital multimedia content and the one or more executable programs comprises one or more player/decoder programs. 
     
     
         18 . The content dispensing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface configured to receive payment for content. 
     
     
         19 . A method of dispensing content, comprising:
 in a self contained device:
 storing a plurality of data sets and one or more executable programs, including distinct versions of one or more executable programs, each version compatible with a respective client system type, and each version of the one or more executable programs for enabling performance of a respective data set by client devices having the corresponding client system type; and 
 transferring information via a wireless interface, to a target device; 
 the information transferred to the target device includes (A) a data set of the plurality of data sets selected by a user of the target device, and (B) a executable program of the plurality of executable programs that is compatible with a respective client system type of a particular client device; 
   wherein the particular client device comprises a device having a respective client system type and is configured to execute programs compatible with the respective client system type.   
     
     
         20 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 19 , wherein each version of the one or more executable programs is compatible with a respective operating system. 
     
     
         21 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 19 , wherein the client device is a cell phone, a personal computer, a hand held electronic device, or other portable electronic device configured to store the transferred data set. 
     
     
         22 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 19 , wherein transferring information via the wireless interface comprises transmitting wireless signals to a receiver of the target device. 
     
     
         23 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 22 , wherein the signals are infrared signals or radio-frequency signals. 
     
     
         24 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 22 , wherein the signals conform to a Bluetooth, Wi-fi or other wireless standard communication protocol. 
     
     
         25 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 19 , wherein the data set includes encoded information comprising a unique serial number. 
     
     
         26 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 19 , further comprising receiving identification of the target device. 
     
     
         27 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 19 , wherein the target device is a removable memory device. 
     
     
         28 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 27 , wherein the removable memory device operates in accordance with a plug-and-socket connection standard. 
     
     
         29 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 27 , wherein the removable memory device operates in accordance with a USB standard. 
     
     
         30 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 27 , wherein the removable memory device operates in accordance with an IEEE 1394 standard. 
     
     
         31 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 19 , wherein the wireless interface allows near-proximity wireless connectivity. 
     
     
         32 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 19 , further comprising receiving, via a user interface, selection of a requested data set. 
     
     
         33 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 19 , further comprising determining whether the user is authorized to receive the data set before the data set is wirelessly transferred to the target device. 
     
     
         34 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 19 , wherein the self-contained device comprises a self contained vending machine. 
     
     
         35 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 19 , wherein the data sets comprises digital multimedia content. 
     
     
         36 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 19 , further receiving payment for content. 
     
     
         37 . A content dispensing system, comprising:
 a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing a plurality of data sets and one or more executable programs, including distinct versions of one or more executable programs, each version compatible with a respective client system type, and each version of the one or more executable programs for enabling performance of a respective data set by client devices having the corresponding client system type; and   at least one interface configured to wirelessly transfer information to a respective client device, wherein the information transferred to the respective client device includes (A) a data set of the plurality of data sets selected by a user of the respective client device, and (B) the version of an executable program of the one or more executable programs that is compatible with the client system type of the respective client device;   wherein the respective client device comprises a device that is configured to execute programs compatible with the client system type of the respective client device.   
     
     
         38 . A method of dispensing content, comprising:
 in a self-contained device:
 storing a plurality of data sets and one or more executable programs, including distinct versions of one or more executable programs, each version compatible with a respective client system type, and each version of the one or more executable programs for enabling performance of a respective data set by client devices having the corresponding client system type; and 
 transferring information via a wireless interface, to a respective client device; 
 the information transferred to the respective client device includes (A) a data set of the plurality of data sets selected by a user of the particular client device, and (B) a executable program of the plurality of executable programs that is compatible with the client system type of the respective client device; 
   wherein the particular client device comprises a device that is configured to execute programs compatible with the client system type of the respective client device.   
     
     
         39 . The method of dispensing content of  claim 38 , further comprising requesting that the user identify the client device on which the data set shall be stored.