Audio visual player apparatus and system and method of content distribution using the same

Abstract

A system is presented providing content to a plurality of handheld devices (including musical selections). The devices can access a server over the Internet via a Wi-Fi or other similar wireless interconnection and can download songs requested by a user from the server or from other users using, e.g., a P2P protocol. All downloads may be governed by applicable DRM rules. Content and playlists may also be pushed by a server from other sources and means including, e.g., podcasting, based on predetermined rules, favorite preferences of users, and other criteria.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for distributing and playing musical selections comprising:
 a server;   a plurality of portable devices, each device including a music selector and a music player, said devices being selectively connected to said server through a distributed computer network;   wherein said server provides lists of musical selections to said devices;   wherein a user can select specific musical selections for his device using said music selector, said selections being transmitted to said server; and   wherein said server sends musical selections to the devices based on the specific musical selections selected by each user.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the user makes his specific selection while his device is offline. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said server communicates external sources for the transmission of musical selections to said devices. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said musical selections are podcasts. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said server pushes musical selections to said device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said server delivers and updates playlists of musical content. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said content incorporates content-protection security means. 
     
     
         8 . A system providing content to multiple users, wherein said content is protected by DRM rules comprising:
 a plurality of devices, each device having input members receiving content requests from respective end-users; and   an intermediate server connected between said devices and at least one content provider, said intermediate server receiving a request from one of said end-users, translating said request into a new request compatible with DRM rules and transmitting said new request to a content provider.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6  wherein said intermediate server exchanges information with several content providers and wherein said intermediate server sends said new request to the content provider associated with the requested content. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6  wherein said intermediate server receives requests from several devices, said intermediate server generating said new request by aggregating the requests from the several devices. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6  wherein an alternate security means or access protocol is utilized in place of or in addition to the DRM system.