Proximity synchronization of audio content among multiple playback and storage devices

Abstract

A wireless communication system and in particular to a wireless communication system for digital audio players that provides for increased functionality, such as communication, interaction and synchronization between a computing platform and various mobile, portable or fixed digital audio players, as well as providing a communication link between the various digital audio players themselves. The computing platform may act, for example, through a wireless network or wireless communication platform, to control the digital audio players; to act as a cache of digital audio data for the digital audio players; as well as provide a gateway to the Internet to enable the digital audio players to access additional digital audio content and other information. The computing platform may also be used to automatically update digital audio content on the digital audio players; synchronize digital audio content and playlists between digital audio players; and automatically continue a particular playlist as the user moves from one digital audio player to another.

What is claimed and desired to be covered by a Letters Patent is as follows: 
     
         1 . A local wireless communication network for digital audio players, the network comprising:
 a host;   a first wireless communication platform coupled to said host; and   one or more digital audio players having a second wireless communication platform coupled to each of said one or more digital audio players for establishing a communication link between said host and said one or more digital audio players.   
     
     
         2 . The network as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said host and said first wireless communication platform are configured as a gateway. 
     
     
         3 . The network as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said host is a personal computing platform. 
     
     
         4 . The network as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said host is a set top box. 
     
     
         5 . The network as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said host is a stand alone audio gateway. 
     
     
         6 . A local wireless communication network for digital audio players, the network comprising:
 one or more digital audio players; and   one or more wireless communication platforms, said one or more wireless communication platforms coupled to said one or more digital audio players for establishing a communication link between at least two of said one or more digital audio players.