Digital Content Distribution Systems and Methods

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention enable a user to acquire an item (e.g., a digital song, digital video, etc.) using one device (e.g., a portable device) and to easily move a copy of the acquired item from the one device to another device so that a user of the other device can play the item.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for enabling a user having a portable device to acquire an item, comprising:
 a computer server apparatus receiving a signal indicating that a portable device has been connected to the computer server apparatus; and   the computer server apparatus, after receiving the signal, transmitting to the portable device (1) a helper application and (2) a copy of an item requested by the user, wherein the portable device is configured to store the helper application and the copy of the requested item on a storage unit contained within or connected to the portable device, wherein   the helper application is configured to download a second helper application after the portable device connects to a user computer, and   the portable device comprises a speaker for outputting an audio signal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the helper application is configured to download the second helper application in response to i) the user connecting the portable device to the user computer and ii) a determination that the second helper application is not installed on the computer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second helper application is configured to store a copy of the item stored on the storage unit in a content library stored in a second storage unit that is contained within or connected to the computer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the second helper application is configured to prompt the user to select at least one content player and then store the copy of the item in the content library. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second helper application is configured to automatically store a copy of the item stored on the storage unit in a content library stored in a second storage unit that is contained within or connected to the computer in response to the user connecting the portable device to the computer and to a determination that no copy of the item is stored in the content library. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the computer server apparatus is openly accessible to the public. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the computer server apparatus is located within a retail establishment. 
     
     
         8 . A method for enabling a user having a portable device to acquire an item, comprising:
 a computer server apparatus receiving a signal indicating that a portable has been connected to the computer server apparatus; and   the computer server apparatus, after receiving the signal, transmitting to the portable device (1) a helper application and (2) a copy of an item requested by the user, wherein the portable device is configured to store the helper application and the copy of the requested item on a first storage unit contained within or connected to the portable device, wherein   the helper application is configured such that, in response to the user connecting the portable device to a particular computer, the helper application automatically stores a copy of the item stored on the first storage unit in a content library stored in a second storage unit, said second storage unit being contained within the particular computer or connected to the particular computer, and   the portable device comprises a speaker for outputting an audio signal.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the computer server apparatus is openly accessible to the public. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the computer server apparatus is located within a retail establishment.