Abstract:
A method of music distribution. A computer readable music file is sampled by any suitable sampling technique. The sample of the original file is then easily attached to an email for distribution using a function of the email application. In one embodiment, the sample can be attached using a one-click or other technique. In another embodiment, all outgoing email messages are provided with the music sample attachment. The music sample can be upgraded to a full copy of the music selection upon payment of a fee. The distributor of the sample can be awarded affinity credits for participation in distribution of the sample.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to the field of electronic distribution of audio (or video) recordings. More particularly, this invention relates to a so-called super distribution techniques.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In recent years, providing samples of a musical selection has become a popular marketing tool for record companies as well as other organizations marketing music. By creating electronic samples of a computer readable audio file, the samples can be distributed as a marketing tool according to various electronic schemes often referred to as super distribution. Unfortunately, current electronic mail applications do not provide a convenient mechanism for a user to distribute such music samples. This limits the effectiveness of super distribution techniques.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to electronic distribution of audio and other content. Objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention.  
           [0004]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of transmitting an audio sample using electronic mail includes, within an email application program, providing a platform for a sender to generate an electronic mail message to a recipient; receiving a single command from the sender to attach a predefined audio sample; and responsive to the sender&#39;s command to attach the predefined audio sample, attaching the predefined audio sample.  
           [0005]    A method of transmitting an audio sample using electronic mail, consistent with an embodiment of the invention includes, within an email application program, providing a platform for a sender to generate an electronic mail message to a recipient; automatically attaching an audio sample to the electronic mail message; receiving a command from the sender to send the electronic mail message; and sending the electronic mail message to the recipient.  
           [0006]    An electronic mail system consistent with an embodiment of the invention includes a programmed processor and an electronic mail application running on the programmed processor, the electronic mail application having a user interface including a plurality of user controls to permit a sender to create and send an electronic mail message to a recipient. A program forms a part of the electronic mail application to attach an audio sample to an electronic mail document upon a user&#39;s actuating of a single control on the user interface.  
           [0007]    Another electronic mail system consistent with an embodiment of the invention includes a programmed processor and an electronic mail application running on the programmed processor, the electronic mail application having a user interface including a plurality of user controls to permit a sender to create and send an electronic mail message to a recipient. A program forming a part of the electronic mail application, attaches an audio sample to all electronic mail documents.  
           [0008]    Another electronic mail system consistent with an embodiment of the invention includes a computer network. A programmed processor forms a part of the computer network. An electronic mail application runs on the programmed processor, the electronic mail application having a user interface including a plurality of user controls to permit a sender to create and send an electronic mail message to a recipient. An enterprise email server forms a part of the computer network, wherein email messages created using the electronic mail application are passed through the email server. A program running on the enterprise email server, attaches a audio sample to an electronic mail document sent from the electronic mail application to the recipient.  
           [0009]    In certain embodiments, consistent with the invention, an electronic storage medium contains instructions that, when executed on a programmed processor, carry out methods as described above.  
           [0010]    An enterprise mail server consistent with embodiments of the invention includes a mechanism for receiving an email message from a connected computer. A program attaches an audio sample to the email message and sends the email message with the attached audio sample to a recipient.  
           [0011]    The above summaries are intended to illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, which will be best understood in conjunction with the detailed description to follow, and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, which describes certain exemplary embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 illustrates a music or other audio sample within a digital music file.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a high level flow chart of a music clipping process consistent with embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 illustrates a music sample within a digital audio file using start and stop flags.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 illustrates a music sample within a digital audio file using a header to define a sample.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a sampling technique consistent with certain embodiments of the invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of another embodiment of a sampling technique consistent with certain embodiments of the invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a third embodiment of a sampling technique consistent with certain embodiments of the invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user interface of a media player that can employ a music clipping process according to embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a music clipping and distribution process consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating another music clipping and distribution process consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user interface of an electronic mail application consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user interface of an electronic mail application showing an “Attach Menu” consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user interface of an electronic mail application showing an attached audio file consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user interface of an electronic mail application showing an attached link to an audio sample consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 15 is an exemplary system block diagram of an email system using an enterprise email server according to certain embodiments of the invention.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the email server of FIG. 15 according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating a process for awarding affinity points consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating another process for awarding affinity points consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user interface of an electronic mail application showing an attached audio file and link to purchase options consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0032]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIG. 1, a music file, or other audio file, is generally represented as  100 . The music file can be viewed as a linear file of data extending from left to right as time increases in FIG. 1. When streamed from a server or disc drive or the like, the music file  100  will play for a time duration shown as T SONG . The desired music sample including the so-called “hook” (i.e., a memorable passage of the music that is likely to attract a potential buyer&#39;s attention), can be represented as a segment of the file shown as “music sample”  104  starting at times T START  and ending at time T STOP . Depending on the individual music selection and also dependent in general upon the particular genre of music, the start of the hook is generally located somewhere around 45 to 60 seconds into a typical 3 minute popular music selection. With other genres of music, such as jazz or classical music, the hook might appear significantly later or earlier. Additionally, for example, 1950s rock and roll hooks typically occur somewhat sooner. Thus, the start time for the sample may range from about 30 to about 60 seconds.  
         [0034]    Generally speaking, current mass marketed music that may benefit most from the music sampling described herein falls within the category of popular music. In this case, the hook typically starts, as previously noted, between 45 and 60 seconds into the selection. Thus, a music sample of approximately 30 seconds can be generated by simply taking a clipping from the original music file starting at approximately 45 to 60 seconds (or slightly earlier, e.g., 5 to 15 seconds earlier) and lasting for a duration of approximately 30 seconds. For jazz or classical selections, it is beneficial to take a longer music selection of perhaps 45 to 60 seconds since a 30 second clip may not present a representative sample of the music selection.  
         [0035]    Referring now to FIG. 2, an overall process for creating a music clipping suitable for super distribution is illustrated as process  120  that starts at  124 . Generally the music sample is extracted as a segment of the music selection file  100  at  128 . At  132  the selected sample segment is compressed using any suitable compression technique to reduce the file size. Any suitable compression technique can be utilized for this purpose including lossy compression techniques and reduction of the data rate (the streaming data rate) associated with the music selection. In general, although such compression degrades the fidelity of the resulting sample segment, it is more desirable to degrade the sample quality somewhat then to have a resulting sample file that is large and thus more difficult to readily distribute (for example, over the Internet). At  140  the process terminates to return a music clipping for use. This process can be carried out by the end user, retail establishment, record company, publicist, marketing concern, artist or other private or commercial entity interested in promoting the audio selection.  
         [0036]    In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a fixed starting time is defined (e.g., 45 seconds from the start of the music selection) for extracting the music sample and the sample duration T SAMPLE  is also predefined (e.g., 30 seconds) to create a generally applicable music clipping. However, other techniques can also be utilized to perform the initial extraction of the sample segment (i.e.  128  of FIG. 2). FIG. 3 illustrates a second technique for creating a music sample (or other audio or video sample) consistent with the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the sample is defined in the production and manufacturing process. In this technique, a preferred music sample  104  is preceded by a start flag shown as  154  and may also be followed by a stop flag shown as  158 . Alternatively, only a start flag  154  may be used in conjunction with a predefined sample time defining the stopping point. In this embodiment, the sample can be automatically extracted from the file  150  by simply scanning the file for the location of start flag  154  and possible stop flag  158 . Such flags can be readily embedded in a music file and can be ignored by the music file playing or, if interpreted by the player as music data, these flags are of such short duration as to be unlikely to be noticed by the human ear. The recorded audio along with start and stop flags can be recorded on any suitable electronic storage medium such as a compact disc.  
         [0037]    A third technique for extracting a sample segment as in  128  of FIG. 2 is illustrated in connection with the use of file  170  of FIG. 4. In this example, the music file  170  (or other audio or video file) includes a header  174  containing data relating to the music file  170 . A portion of this data in header  174  can be defined to be either a starting packet number or starting time associated with the music sample as well as possibly an ending packet number or ending time associated with the music sample. Alternatively, a sample duration could be specified. The recorded audio along with start and stop flags can be recorded on any suitable electronic storage medium such as a compact disc. Many variations of these techniques will occur to those skilled in the art and can be adapted for use with video as well as audio.  
         [0038]    Referring now to FIG. 5, a process for deriving a music sample as illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown as process  200 . The process starts at  204 . At  208 , a starting point T START  is identified as a fixed time from the beginning of the music file. At  212 , a stopping point T STOP  is identified as a fixed time into the audio file or equivalently a fixed time at T START . At  218 , the data between the starting point T START  and the stopping point T STOP  is extracted to define the segment of music to be used in creation of the sample. The process then returns at  224 . Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the extraction of the data may begin as soon as the starting point is identified. The extraction can then proceed until the sample time has expired or until the stopping point T STOP  is encountered.  
         [0039]    Referring now to FIG. 6, a process  240  starting at  244  describes the processes for extracting a sample segment from file  150  of FIG. 3 in file  170  of FIG. 4. At  248  the header  174  is scanned for a sample start flag for starting time or starting packet identifier. At  252  the music file or header is scanned for the sample stop flag (or time or packet ID.) At  256  the data between the sample start and sample stop indicators (flag, time or packet ID) to define the sample segment to be used for ultimate creation of music clippings. The process returns at  260 . Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the extraction of the data may begin as soon as the starting point is identified. The extraction can then proceed until the sample time has expired or until the stopping point T STOP  is encountered.  
         [0040]    Referring now to FIG. 7, a variation of process  200  of FIG. 5 is illustrated starting at  282 . At  208 , the starting point is identified as a fixed time from the beginning of the music selection. Control then passes to  288  where the music genre is identified. This can be accomplished by data supplied in a header such as header  174 , by user selection or any other suitable mechanism. In the case of genre A, control passes to  290  where a stopping point is identified as the starting point plus a fixed time T 1  into the music file. Control then passes to  292  where the data is extracted between the starting point and stopping point to provide the sample segment from the current music selection and the process returns at  294 . However, if the music genre is determined to be B at  288 , control passes to  298  where the stopping point is identified as the starting point plus a different time T 2  into the music file. Control then passes to  292  as previously. In accordance with this embodiment, multiple types of music can be sampled to generate a more suitable sample based upon the type of music being sampled. Thus, genre A may be considered popular music while genre B may be classical music with T 1  equaling 30 seconds and T 2  equaling 60 seconds. While the process  280  is illustrated as having only two selections A and B, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of such selections are possible and can be defined to most closely match an appropriate time period for the selection of the sample based upon the particular type of music, audio video or other program material.  
         [0041]    Samples created in accordance with any of the processes described above can be carried out by the end user, retail establishment, record company, publicist, marketing concern, artist or other private or commercial entity interested in promoting the audio selection.  
         [0042]    The process just described can be implemented as a computer program or script operating as a portion of, for example, a computer media player. However, many other implementations are possible without departing from the present invention. In one alternative embodiment, an email enabled personal audio player can embody the functionality of the present invention, with email facilities provided via wireless or wired communication. The compressed music sample previously described can be generated as part of a media player in one embodiment of the invention so that a user can advantageously produce a music sample of a currently playing music selection and with a single click of a computer screen icon, push of a button or other interface, initiate a process for sending that music sample to a friend (or potential customer).  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 8 shows a simplified user interface for a media player  310 . Media players similar to those provided by Microsoft, Real Networks as well as ATI and other corporations can be modified to provide this function. In the illustrative interface  310  shown in FIG. 8, a display window  314  displays the artist and the name of the selection being played. Window  316  displays the elapsed time in this selection. Various play control buttons are provided such as search forward button  320 , scan forward button  322 , search backwards button  324 , scan backwards button  326 , pause button  328  and start/stop button  330  in a familiar arrangement. In addition, the interface includes a button labeled as “send to friend” button  336 . In other embodiments an icon such as an email envelope icon or the like can be also utilized. In this embodiment, the media player can send a sample of the currently playing selection to a friend, acquaintance or potential purchaser by use of the button  336 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other user interfaces could also be used without departing from the invention.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 9 illustrates a process  350  starting at  352  for utilizing the media player  310  to send an email music sample to a friend or other recipient. At  356  the music player application associated with interface  310  of FIG. 8 is launched and proceeds to normal player operation at  360 . The media player at  360  operates in a normal fashion under control of the user to play compact discs, .MP3 files, .AAC files, .WMA files or other recorded media in a conventional manner until such time as the user operates the “send to friend” control  336  as detected at  364 . When this occurs, an email application is launched at  368 , which automatically creates a new email message at  372 . Control then passes to  376  where a music sample file is attached (if it currently exists) or is created according to one of the processes previously described (or any other suitable process) and then attached to the new email. Control then passes to  380  where an address book function is launched so that the user can select recipients at  384 . The user continues to select recipients for the email at  384  until completed at  388  at which point the user is passed to a conventional email edit screen wherein a new message can be created or edited at  392 . The email functions just described can be carried out using an adaptation of software programs such as Microsoft Outlook™, Microsoft Outlook Express™ or Lotus Notes™ as well as other email programs commercially available.  
         [0045]    When the user has completed entering and editing the email message and recipients at  392 , then the user elects to send the email by clicking a send button at  396  to cause the email to be sent at  398 . Control then returns to  360  for normal media player operation. While FIG. 10 illustrates a sequential process wherein the normal media player operation is illustrated as a functional block that is separate and distinct from the process of sending the email, in preferred embodiments of the invention, the media player continues to play the music selection in the background while the creation of the email is carried out. This can be accomplished using various known techniques including buffering of the music and running the media player application as a background task. Other techniques can also be employed to permit the user to continue listening to music throughout the process described by  364  through  410  without departing from the invention. In other embodiments, the email can be created and buffered for later transmission when an email application is opened. Other variations will occur to those skilled in the art.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 10 illustrates a process  400  for carrying out a simplified process similar to that of process  350  of FIG. 9. However, in process  400 , a single click of the “send to friend” icon  336  initiates the creation and/or attachment of the music sample file at  376 . Control then passes to  404  where the email is addressed to one or more default recipients. A default message (e.g., “Here is a song sample I think you might like.”) is inserted at  408  and the email is sent at  410  without any user intervention after clicking “send to friend”. Of course, this presupposes that there has been an initial creation of default messages, default recipients, etc. In accordance with the embodiment of process  400 , a predefined list of recipients automatically receives the music sample whenever the user clicks on the “send to friend” icon  336  with no further action required by the user. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous variations of this process are possible wherein, for example, a default message and recipient list is provided but the user is given the opportunity to edit them prior to actually sending the email. (For example, a window can be displayed giving the user, e.g., 5 seconds to click a button to change from defaults. Otherwise, the default message is sent to the default recipient along with the sample.) Moreover, process  350  and process  400  can be varied as to the order of the specific operations carried out without departing from the invention.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 11 illustrates another use for the music sample created as previously described within the context of conventional electronic mail. FIG. 11 shows a window used to create electronic mail message in an exemplary email software application. This exemplary user interface is similar to that used by numerous commercially available email applications and includes conventional addressing and editing functions as well as an “attach” icon  434  plus an “attach menu” icon  438 . In this embodiment, the “attach” icon  434  is used to attach a default music sample and message to the current email. The “attach menu” icon  438  is used to produce the default attachment and determine that it is to be sent to all emails or simply the emails selected using the “attach” icon  434 .  
         [0048]    Referring now to FIG. 12, “attach menu” icon  438  can be utilized to produce a drop down “attach” menu  440 , and simplifies the process of attaching music sample files to an email message. In this embodiment, the drop down menu  440  permits the user to select a particular music file for attachment at  442  and provides the option of attaching the sample to a single email at  444  or to save the attachment as a default to be attached to all outgoing emails at  446  or whenever icon  434  is selected from within an email document. The “select file to attach” selection  442  can operate using a conventional browsing function as is commonly provided in Microsoft Windows compatible applications or using any other suitable mechanism. Selections  444  and  446  may provide access to a text editing function for providing a remark or comment to be attached as, for example, a footer to the email along with the sample file and further determines that the sample is attached to a single email or all emails. Whenever  444  or  446  is selected, the attachment created becomes the default attachment if so desired by the user (e.g., by checking a “default attachment” box in the attachment creation process) until cleared using selection  448 . Whenever  446  is selected, the attachment including a music sample is attached to all emails sent out by the user until the selection is changed.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 13 illustrates a completed email message including a footer-like comment  452  regarding the music sample attachment and a music sample file illustrated as an icon  456  which the recipient of the email can click (e.g., with a mouse) in order to play or save the sample file.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of a completed file in which rather than sending a sample file such as  456 , the user is able to provide a footer including a text message  466  along with a Universal Resource Locator (URL)  470  that directs the recipient to a web site or web page on the Internet identified by URL  470 . In this example, the URL  470  will, in one embodiment, provide the user with a streaming audio sample of the song desired. In this case, the song sample might be provided by a record company, record production company, retail music outlet, electronic retailer (e-tailer), etc. and may also provide the recipient with access to a purchase option and/or other information regarding the music selection being sampled.  
         [0051]    The format of email  430  described in connection with FIG. 14 is also conducive to an email music marketing arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 15. FIG. 15 illustrates an Enterprise network  500 , which might represent a music company, retail establishment, e-tailer or other Enterprise with interests in promoting a particular recording. The Enterprise includes a network  502  of computers attached by some common local network and/or wide area network, wiring arrangement illustrated as  504 . Attached to this network may be a plurality of client computers and servers shown as  506  and  508 . In addition, the Enterprise utilizes an Enterprise email server  510  having an associated database  516 . For Enterprise  500 , all electronic mail passes through the Enterprise email server  510  and is then either routed back to internal computers for the target address or sent out over the Internet  520  or other suitable network to reach destination computers such as  522 ,  524  and  526 . In accordance with this embodiment, if the Enterprise wishes to promote a particular artist, the Enterprise email server  510  can be utilized to attach a footer to each outgoing email message incorporating a music sample or URL to a particular music sample. In this manner, the Enterprise can capitalize upon hundreds or thousands of electronic email messages going out each day from the Enterprise to various recipients as a marketing tool to further promote a particular artist.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 16 illustrates a process  550  as just described wherein the email server is started at  552  and then awaits receipt of a new outgoing email from a client computer at  554 . Once a new email message is received from a client computer for distribution either internally (if desired) or over Internet  520 , a music sample attachment (or URL to a sample) is retrieved at  560  from the servers storage system  516 . The email message is then appended to the email at  564  before forwarding the email to the recipient at  570 . Thus, each email transmitted by the Enterprise can be used as a marketing tool for a particular artist. If desired, the particular song sample being sent can be varied randomly, in accordance with time or according to any other suitable scheme that fits the marketing strategy of the Enterprise.  
         [0053]    In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, the general population can be enlisted as marketers for music marketing. Referring back to FIG. 14, an email message as illustrated can be used as a basis to accumulate affinity points (similar to frequent flyer miles or hotel club miles) for participating in promotion of a favorite artist. Consider, for example, that the sender (Bob) of email  430  signs up with a music marketing concern to help promote their music. By sending music samples out along with all of Bobs&#39; email, he may generate interest in the song and album from which a particular sample is taken. In this case, Bob may, for example, register his own samples with the music marketing concern or may receive the samples periodically by email or from a web site, for example, from the marketing concern. A process such as that illustrated in FIG. 17 can then be used to accumulate “credits” for an affinity program associated with the music marketing concern. Such credits may, for example, provide the user with discounts, free merchandise or contest entries from the marketer to encourage the distribution of samples.  
         [0054]    Process  600  starts at  602  after which the sender sends an email to a recipient with the email including a Universal Resource Locator to a music sample at  606 . Upon receipt of this email, the recipient may use the URL at  610  to visit the site with the music sample and either receive a download of the music sample or receive the music sample as a streaming audio sample from the site at  614 . The site also may provide a purchase option at  620  to the sample recipient as well as providing other information and/or offers. At  624 , if the recipient decides to make a purchase, the sender may receive an affinity credit based upon the purchase at  630 . The process ends at  634 .  
         [0055]    There are many ways of implementing the process just described. For example, the recipient may be required to supply the email address of the sender of the email in order for the recipient to receive a discount toward the purchase of the music selection or other purchases at the web site. This provides the merchant with the sender&#39;s identifying information so that the sender&#39;s account can be credited with affinity credits. In another embodiment, invoking the URL  470  actually invokes a Java applet which extracts the source of the email and forwards it to the web site in a manner transparent to the user as the user is directed to the web site to receive this streaming audio sample. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are many other ways of implementing the present invention.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 18 illustrates a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 17 as process  650  starting at  654 . At  656  the sender sends an email to the recipient including an actual music sample plus a URL that directs the user to a web site wherein a full copy of the selection can be purchased. At  660  the recipient plays the music sample and at  666  the recipient uses the URL to separately go to a site with information and purchase options. Should the recipient make a purchase at  670 , the sender receives credits from the site to his affinity account based upon the purchase at  674  and the process ends at  680 . A sample email illustrating use of a URL as well as a music sample is illustrated in FIG. 19. In this illustration, the footer also includes remarks  452  as well as an icon  456  for accessing the music sample. In addition, the remarks include a link to a web site  690  where the user can make a purchase of the full selection.  
         [0057]    The mechanics of an actual purchase, as well as the nature of the sample can be varied in many ways without departing from the present invention. For example, the sample may be a small part of a full file containing the entire music selection. In such an embodiment only a small portion of the file is readily available for play by the recipient. In order to make the purchase of the full version of the music selection; the user need not download a full copy since a full copy is already available. The user merely purchases a key used to decrypt the song. Numerous variations on this theme are also possible. For example, the entire file may be available for sampling in its entirety with an encryption function that only permits one play until it is decrypted after paying for the music.  
         [0058]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments based upon use of a programmed processor such as that residing in a personal computer or personal music player. However, the invention should not be so limited, since the present invention could be implemented using hardware component equivalents such as special purpose hardware and/or dedicated processors which are equivalents to the invention as described and claimed. Similarly, general purpose computers, microprocessor based computers, micro-controllers, optical computers, analog computers, dedicated processors and/or dedicated hard wired logic may be used to construct alternative equivalent embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0059]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the program steps used to implement the embodiments described above can be implemented using disc storage as well as other forms of storage including Read Only Memory (ROM) devices, Random Access Memory (RAM) devices; optical storage elements, magnetic storage elements, magneto-optical storage elements, flash memory, core memory and/or other equivalent storage technologies without departing from the present invention. Such alternative storage devices should be considered equivalents.  
         [0060]    The present invention is preferably implemented using a programmed processor executing programming instructions that are broadly described above in flow chart form and which can be stored in any suitable electronic storage medium. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the processes described above can be implemented in any number of variations and in many suitable programming languages without departing from the present invention. For example, the order of certain operations carried out can often be varied, and additional operations can be added without departing from the invention. Error trapping can be added and/or enhanced and variations can be made in user interface and information presentation without departing from the present invention. Such variations are contemplated and considered equivalent.  
         [0061]    While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims.