Abstract:
A system that facilitates the purchase and delivery of audio and video content (e.g., entertainment media) over the Internet is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed system allows a user who hears or sees an audio or video broadcast to use a cell phone or other wireless device to order the broadcast material, and have it remotely delivered to an independent device (e.g., the user&#39;s personal computer) without further user intervention. Thus, the system allows the user to order the desired content using a wireless device that the user will often have in his or her possession when he or she hears or sees the desired content, but to have the content delivered to a second remote device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application No. 09/689,336, filed Oct. 13, 2000, entitled “Purchase and Delivery of Digital Content using Multiple Devices and Data Networks,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for each of its teachings and embodiments. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates to the field of delivering digital entertainment media.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The Internet is changing the distribution of music and video content. Recent advances in audio and video compression, higher bandwidth Internet connections, and the decreasing cost of memory have made it practical for users to download audio and video content via the Internet to personal computers and other dedicated digital devices. The downloaded content can also be transferred to CDs, hard drives, mini-discs, or digital video discs and played on other audio and video devices such as MP3 players.  
           [0004]    Typically, a user who wishes to download a particular album or video via the Internet searches for the title at a Web site, finds the title, and requests that it be downloaded. A digital file containing the requested content is then transferred to the user&#39;s computer using the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and stored on the computer&#39;s hard disc. Even with high-speed lines, the download time may be ten minutes or more, depending on the amount and type of data requested by the user.  
           [0005]    This practice of using the same computer to search for and then download requested content has several disadvantages. To begin with, the downloading process may occupy most or all of the bandwidth of the user&#39;s connection and may prevent or degrade simultaneous activities such as browsing or viewing a streaming multimedia program. In addition, the user is often not at his or her PC when he or she hears music or sees a video that he or she wishes to request. Accordingly, the user must later remember to download the desired material. This may require the user to write down the music title of interest on a piece of paper and save the paper until he or she logs on to the Internet.  
           [0006]    Another alternative for downloading digital content is to download the desired content to a wireless device, such as a WAP or SMS-enabled cell phone. But this alternative also has certain drawbacks. Current wireless data networks used for cell phones, pagers, and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are limited to connection rates of approximately  10  kilobits per second and lower transfer rates. Consequently, such devices are unsuitable for transferring quality media recorded in the hundreds to millions of kilobits per second range. Moreover, even if wireless-download data rates increase in the future, the cost of wireless bandwidth is likely to remain significantly higher than the cost of wired or fiber bandwidth. In addition, downloading content to the user&#39;s wireless device occupies available bandwidth and decreases the amount of data that the user may receive during the download.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The system disclosed herein facilitates the purchase and delivery of audio and video content (e.g., entertainment media) over the Internet. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed system allows a user who hears or sees an audio or video broadcast to use a cell phone or other wireless device to order the broadcast material, and have it remotely delivered to an independent device (e.g., the user&#39;s personal computer) without further user intervention. Thus, the system allows the user to order the desired content using a wireless device that the user will often have in his or her possession when he or she hears or sees the desired content, but to have the content delivered to a second remote device.  
           [0008]    In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed system comprises a Web site that is accessible via a digital wireless device to allow a user to request selected entertainment content for download to a second device. This system architecture makes it simple to deploy the present system as a service to be provided to users.  
           [0009]    The user preferably pre-registers with the Web site, typically from the second device. A software agent is installed on the second device that acts as an agent for the service and facilitates downloading of requested content to the second device. In a preferred embodiment, the second device may be a personal computer owned by the user that is connected to the Internet via an always-on connection, such as a cable modem. In an alternative embodiment, the software agent may periodically dial to the Internet to check for content to be delivered. A payment arrangement may also be established during the registration process.  
           [0010]    Once registered, the user may log on to the Web site from his or her cell phone or other wireless device (e.g., a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other wireless appliance). The service provided by the Web site is synchronized with the broadcast content of a broadcast network, such as a broadcast radio station, television station, cable television network, Internet netcast, or a digital satellite network. In a preferred embodiment, a user listening, for example, to a radio station may transmit a station identifier to the Web site. The Web site identifies the content currently being broadcast on the station, and then downloads a screen to the user&#39;s wireless device that displays information concerning the broadcast content and gives the user the option of downloading that content (e.g., the current song) to the second device. If the user selects this option, the Web site contacts the software agent in the second device and arranges for download and archiving of that content in that device or to another connected device or storage medium.  
           [0011]    In another preferred embodiment, services provided by the Web site may alternatively or additionally include download and archiving of content included in or referenced by other media sources such as poster or billboard advertisements, newspapers, books, magazines, catalogs or other print media, compact discs, video tapes, cellular telephone networks, or the Internet. In a preferred embodiment, a user viewing or listening to a media source such as a poster or compact disc (CD) with an associated identifier contained within the printed media source, the casing or envelope of the CD or on a display on the CD player may transmit an identifier for the source or a portion of the source&#39;s content to the Web site. The Web site identifies content associated with the reference, and then downloads a screen to the user&#39;s wireless device that displays information concerning the content and gives the user the option of downloading that or related content to the second device. If the user selects this option, the Web site contacts the software agent in the second device and arranges for download and archiving of that content in that device or to another connected device or storage medium. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    These and other aspects of the invention will be better appreciated when taken in conjunction with the detailed description and accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a system for delivering audio content;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a preferred embodiment of a registration process and installation of the service client;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting a preferred embodiment of user interaction with the system in requesting and authorizing download of content;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the server to client download of the audio content in a preferred embodiment; and  
         [0017]    FIGS.  5  A-C are illustrative examples of screens that may be displayed on a digital-cell-phone display in a preferred embodiment of the present system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]    A preferred embodiment of a system  100  for delivering media content is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment where media content is broadcast from a radio station  101 . One of skill in the art will recognize that the principles of the present embodiment may be applied in other broadcast contexts such as a television station, cable television network, Internet netcast, or a digital satellite network. As shown in FIG. 1, system  100  preferably comprises a broadcast radio station  101  that broadcasts music at a predesignated frequency. This broadcast signal is preferably received by a radio  103  owned by a user. The user also preferably has in his or her possession a digital cellular phone  104  that is capable of accessing the Internet  102  through a standard protocol such as WAP or SMS over a wireless connection  105 . The user also preferably owns a PC  108  that may be located, for example, in the user&#39;s home or office. PC  108  is preferably connected to the Internet  102  via a wired connection  107 . PC  108  is also preferably connected to a portable music device  110 , such as an MP3 player. A software agent  112  is preferably downloaded and stored on PC  108 , as described in more detail below.  
         [0019]    System  100  further comprises a Web server  106  that is adapted to provide a downloading service in accordance with the present disclosure. Both cell phone  104  and PC  108  are preferably adapted to communicate with Web server  106  via Internet  102 .  
         [0020]    Operation of the present system comprises three main segments: user registration, ordering of content by the user, and delivery of the ordered content. Before describing each of these segments in detail, a brief overview of a preferred embodiment of system operation is first provided.  
         [0021]    The user first registers and establishes an account with Web server  106  via PC  108 . A software agent  112  is loaded on PC  108 . Software agent  112  is adapted to facilitate downloading of content from Web server  106  to PC  108 .  
         [0022]    Subsequently, radio station  101  broadcasts a song on its predesignated frequency. The broadcast song is received and played by radio  103 . If the user (i.e., the listener) wishes to purchase the song (or the album on which the song appears) for download, the user navigates to Web server  106  from his or her cell phone  104 , authenticates himself or herself, and identifies the station he or she is listening to. The downloading service provided by Web server  106  then provides the user with a screen indicating the name of the song and album that he or she is listening to, as well as other information such as the group name and information related to the band. The user may then indicate through cell phone  104  a desire to buy the song or album. During and after this interaction with Web server  106 , the user may continue to listen to the radio as other songs, entertainment, or advertising are broadcast.  
         [0023]    The requested song or album is queued by Web server  106  which then contacts PC  108  without further intervention by the user. Web server  106  downloads the requested song or album to PC  108 . Software agent  112  running on PC  108  facilitates this downloading and stores the received content to a mass storage device such as a hard disk. Web server  106  then bills the user&#39;s account for the cost of the song. The song or album may then be uploaded to portable music device  110 .  
         [0024]    Each segment of system operation in this preferred embodiment will now be described in more detail. A preferred registration sequence is illustrated in FIG. 2. In step  202 , the user connects to the Internet  102  from PC  108 . In step  204 , the user navigates to Web server  106 , typically by entering a URL associated with the Web server on a command line of a browser running on PC  108 . Alternatively, the user may click on a hyperlink to Web server  106  that is included in an advertisement or e-mail received by the user.  
         [0025]    In step  206 , the service prompts the user to enter his or her registration and billing information. In step  208 , the user enters this information and, in step  210 , transmits it to Web server  106 . In step  212 , Web server  106  selects a user name and password for the user and then creates an account for that user. Alternatively, Web server  106  may allow the user to create his or her own user name and password, verify that the user name is unique among existing user accounts, and then create an account for that user. The advantage of having a user create his or her own user name and password is that the user is more likely to be able to remember a user name and password that he or she created.  
         [0026]    In step  214 , Web server  106  downloads software agent  112 , a thin client, to PC  108  which is stored by the PC as an executable file that is automatically run whenever PC  108  is turned on. When run, this executable file registers with Web server  106  in a manner well known in the state of the art, as for example, is done by programs such as AOL instant messaging. This allows the server to initiate a conversation with the client without intervention by the user.  
         [0027]    A preferred process for selecting a song for download is depicted in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, in step  302 , the user hears a song broadcast by radio station  101  that he or she wishes to download or regarding which he or she wishes to receive further information. In step  304 , the user accesses the service of the present system via digital cell phone  104  which is provided with wireless Internet-access capability. In particular, the user may navigate to Web server  106  by manually entering the URL of the service, by clicking on a hyperlink to the service, or by opening a bookmark to the service.  
         [0028]    An illustrative screen display that a user might see in reaching Web server  106  by opening a bookmark is shown in FIG. 5A. As shown in FIG. 5A, digital cell phone  104  is preferably provided with a digital display  502  for displaying information, buttons  504  for scrolling and selecting displayed options, and a keypad  506  for entering information. As further shown in FIG. 5A, display  502  displays a plurality of bookmarks  508  including a bookmark “RADWAP” (TM) which, illustratively, may be the identifier for the content-download service described in the present application. The user uses buttons  504  to scroll down and select the RADWAP bookmark. The user may also use two way Short Message Service (SMS) to have a similar dialogue with the server. Alternatively, the user accesses the RADWAP service through a voice recognition application that selects the service after the user speaks “RADWAP” into digital cell phone  104 .  
         [0029]    In step  306 , the user logs on to Web server  106  by entering his or her user name and password. Alternatively, the service may permit automatic log on by identifying the user&#39;s cell phone  104  in a secure and reliable manner using security features that are part of the cell phone or network or by using a voice recognition system as described above.  
         [0030]    In step  308 , the user enters an identifier (e.g., the call letters or frequency) of the radio station to which he or she is listening. An illustrative example of how display  502  of digital cell phone  104  might appear after the user has entered the station identifier is shown in FIG. 5B. Alternatively, the user employs the voice recognition system described above or places a voice call to a human or voice response system to transmit the log on and broadcast identifier data.  
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, Web server  106  tracks the songs being played on one or more radio stations in one or more geographic regions. This tracking may be achieved using the techniques described in my copending patent application Ser. No. 09/571,337, filed May 16, 2000, and entitled Enhancement of Broadcast Signals Through Automatic Signal Detection and Providing of Services Through Data Networks and Devices. Alternatively, Web server  106  may track the songs being played on a radio station in other ways such as by obtaining a copy of the station schedule.  
         [0032]    In step  310 , Web server  106  uses the information it obtains from tracking the radio station to which the user is listening to generate a screen with information such as the identity of the song, album, and artist. In addition, this screen may provide the user with one or more options. In a preferred embodiment, one of the options is to purchase the current song or album. This screen is downloaded to cell phone  104  where it is displayed to the user. An illustrative example of how this screen might appear is shown in FIG. 5C. Alternatively, song information is conveyed to the user during a voice call with a human or voice response system.  
         [0033]    In step  312 , the user selects the purchase option. In step  314 , Web server  106  logs this selection. The user then returns to or continues listening to radio  103 .  
         [0034]    A preferred process for downloading selected content to the second device is depicted in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, in step  402 , Web server  106  accesses a request to purchase content from a queue of requests. In step  404 , Web server  106  identifies the PC  108  to which the user wishes the requested content to be downloaded. In step  406 , Web server  106  determines if PC  108  is currently registered with Web server  106 , and, if so ( 406 -Yes) contacts software agent  112  on PC  108  in step  408 . If PC  108  is not registered with Web server  106  ( 406 -No) the download process is terminated in step  410 . In step  412 , Web server  106  confirms that the correct client has been contacted by, for example, securely identifying PC  108 .  
         [0035]    In step  414 , Web server  106  transmits to software agent  112  the name and location of the requested song, as well as an authorization code for downloading. Software agent  112  is then able to download the song, in step  415 , from Web server  106  or another location authorized by the service by transmitting the authorization code to a server storing a copy of the requested song. In one embodiment, the song is downloaded from Web server  106 . In another embodiment, the song is downloaded from a second server operated by the service. In yet another embodiment, the song is downloaded from a third party authorized by the service; this arrangement would be practical, for example, if the service did not itself have the desired song or content on its own servers, or if the service specialized in finding the most cost effective third party source from which to download content. Alternatively, rather than issue an authorization code to PC  108 , Web server may instead simply push the requested digital content to PC  108  or issue a command to the second server or third party server to do so. Once the download is complete and verified, in step  416 , the user&#39;s service account is charged and any required payments are made to the content owners or download source.  
         [0036]    In a preferred embodiment, software agent  112  may be adapted to automatically transfer the file to another device for portability or archive. In this preferred embodiment, in step  418 , software agent  112  searches for the availability of that device and, if available ( 418 -Yes), transfers the downloaded song to it (step  420 ). If the device is unavailable ( 418 -No), the file is queued until the device is available (step  422 ).  
         [0037]    As will be apparent, the particular preferred embodiment described above is for a system that facilitates download of music by permitting a radio listener to order content through a cell phone with background delivery to a separate device, such as the user&#39;s home computer. It will be recognized, however, that the principles of the present invention may alternatively be applied to other environments and components.  
         [0038]    For example, the downloaded content may be delivered to the user via an alternative broadcast network, such as digital satellite radio over a cable network or other wireless network. Alternatively, the downloaded content may be delivered via a broadband network. This may be especially appropriate in the case of digital video.  
         [0039]    In addition, instead of digital cell phone  104 , the user may alternatively interact with the service via a PDA, a dedicated music device with an Internet connection, or a PC having a wireless connection. Connection from the user&#39;s wireless device to Web server  106  may also be established via a wireless local area network or other wireless network such as a satellite network.  
         [0040]    In an alternative preferred embodiment, rather than have the user enter an identifier for the radio station that he or she is listening to, the system may instead be adapted to receive the complete or partial name of a song, artist, or album from the user. The system may then identify one or more songs on the basis of the information entered by the user and provide an interface for selecting and ordering one or more of the identified songs, in a manner analogous to that described above.  
         [0041]    In another preferred embodiment, a service that provides a registered community with unlimited downloads (e.g., the Napster service) may deliver the requested content, so that there is no charge for an individual download. In another preferred embodiment, the server that communicates with the user client may initiate the transfer directly to the client in a well known manner such as by FTP transfer. In another preferred embodiment, the server that communicates with the user client may multicast large amounts of audio content to multiple clients. In this embodiment, each user client preferably comprises a digital receiver for a digital media broadcast and is adapted to select and record only requested and authorized content. In yet another preferred embodiment, the user client may periodically connect to the Internet and check with the server to determine whether there is content for the client to download, either from the server or a third party source.  
         [0042]    In an alternative preferred embodiment, rather than download the requested content to a PC  108 , the content may instead be downloaded to a special purpose appliance intended for music download and playback with an Internet connection. In another preferred embodiment, software agent  112  may come preconfigured on the client, so that it need not be downloaded when the user registers. In another preferred embodiment, connection to the device receiving the download may be via wireless Internet connection. In another preferred embodiment, portable music device  110  may comprise digital media for recording such as a writeable CD ROM, hard disk, mini disk or flash or other memory storage.  
         [0043]    In yet another preferred embodiment, the requested content is streamed, rather than downloaded, to a device specified by the user, at a time specified by the individual. This embodiment allows the individual to listen or view the requested content on demand, for a fee, and has the advantage of affording the digital content owner greater protection against unauthorized copying of the requested content.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 6 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of a system  600  for delivering content to a user that is similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, content is broadcast from a television station  601 . One of skill in the art will recognize that the principles of the present embodiment may be applied to other broadcast contexts such as a cable television network, Internet netcast, or a digital satellite network. As shown in FIG. 6, system  600  preferably comprises a broadcast television station  601  that broadcasts programs on a predesignated frequency channel. This broadcast signal is preferably received and displayed on an audiovisual receiver  603  such as a television or other suitable device owned by a user. The user also preferably has in his or her possession a digital cellular phone  604  that is capable of accessing Web server  606  through the Internet  602  using a standard protocol such as WAP or SMS over a wireless connection  605 . The user also preferably owns a PC  608  that may be located, for example, in the user&#39;s home or office. PC  608  is preferably connected to the Internet  602  via a wired connection  607 . PC  608  is also preferably connected to a portable device  610 . A software agent  612  is preferably downloaded and stored on PC  608 , and provides unattended downloads of audiovisual content in a manner analogous to that described in connection with FIGS.  1 - 4  above.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 7 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of a system  700  for delivering content to a user. In this embodiment, the user views a billboard  701  or other analogous service. One of skill in the art will recognize that this embodiment is illustrative only, and could be implemented in other advertising contexts where text, images, and/or sounds may be viewed or heard such as posters, newspapers, books, magazines, catalogs or other print media, compact discs, video tapes, cellular telephone networks, or the Internet. As shown in FIG. 7, system  700  preferably comprises a billboard  701  that displays an offer for content, and includes a content identifier. Billboard  701  is preferably viewed by a user. The user also preferably has in his or her possession a digital cellular phone  704  that is capable of accessing Web server  706  through the Internet  702  using a standard protocol such as WAP or SMS over a wireless connection  705 . The user also preferably owns a PC  708  that may be located, for example, in the user&#39;s home or office. PC  708  is preferably connected to the Internet  702  via a wired connection  707 . PC  708  is also preferably connected to a portable rendering device  710 , such as an MP3 player. A software agent  712  is preferably downloaded and stored on PC  708 , and provides unattended downloads of audiovisual content as described below.  
         [0046]    Operation of system  700  comprises three main segments: user registration, ordering of content by the user, and delivery of the ordered content. Before describing the segments in detail, a brief overview of a preferred embodiment of system operation is first provided.  
         [0047]    The user first registers and establishes an account with Web server  706  via PC  708 . A software agent  712  is loaded on PC  708 . Software agent  712  is adapted to facilitate downloading of content from Web server  706  to PC  708 .  
         [0048]    Subsequently, the user views billboard  701  containing a content identifier. If the user (i.e., the viewer) wishes to purchase the media (i.e., a song or the album on which the song appears) for download, the user navigates to Web server  706  from his or her cell phone  704 , authenticates himself or herself, and enters the content identifier he or she saw on billboard  701 . The downloading service provided by Web server  706  then provides the user with a screen identifying the content he or she identified, as well as other related information. The user may then indicate through cell phone  704  a desire to buy the content.  
         [0049]    The requested content is queued by Web server  706  which then contacts PC  708  without further intervention by the user. Web server  706  downloads the requested content to PC  708 . Software agent  712  running on PC  708  facilitates this downloading and stores the received content to a mass storage device such as a hard disk. Web server  706  then bills the user&#39;s account for the cost of the content. The content may then be uploaded to portable rendering device  710 .  
         [0050]    The preferred registration sequence in this embodiment is analogous to that described above in connection with FIG. 2, and will not be repeated here.  
         [0051]    A preferred process for selecting content for download is depicted in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, in step  802 , the user learns of the content by viewing billboard  701 . In step  804 , the user accesses the service of the present system via digital cell phone  704  which is provided with wireless Internet-access capability. In particular, the user may navigate to Web server  706  by manually entering the URL of the service, by clicking on a hyperlink to the service, or by opening a bookmark to the service.  
         [0052]    An illustrative screen display that a user might see in reaching Web server  706  by opening a bookmark is shown in FIG. 5A. As shown in FIG. 5A, digital cell phone  704  is preferably provided with a digital display  502  for displaying information, buttons  504  for scrolling and selecting displayed options, and a keypad  506  for entering information. As further shown in FIG. 5A, display  502  displays a plurality of bookmarks  508  including a bookmark “RADWAP” (TM) which, illustratively, may be the identifier for the content-download service described in the present application. The user uses buttons  504  to scroll down and select the RADWAP bookmark. The user may also use two way Short Message Service (SMS) to have a similar dialogue with the server. Alternatively, the user accesses the RADWAP service through a voice recognition application that selects the service after the user speaks “RADWAP” into digital cell phone  704 .  
         [0053]    In step  306 , the user logs on to Web server  706  by entering his or her user name and password. Alternatively, the service may permit automatic log on by identifying the user&#39;s cell phone  704  in a secure and reliable manner using security features that are part of the cell phone or network or by using a voice recognition system as described above.  
         [0054]    In step  808 , the user enters a content identifier (e.g., the text “SW435”) from billboard  701 . Alternatively, the user employs the voice recognition system described above or places a voice call to a human or voice response system to transmit the log on and provide identifier data.  
         [0055]    In step  810 , Web server  706  uses the content identifier to generate a screen with content information such as the identity of a song, album, and artist. In addition, this screen may provide the user with one or more options. In a preferred embodiment, one of the options is to purchase the current song or album. This screen is downloaded to cell phone  704  where it is displayed to the user. An illustrative example of how this screen might appear is shown in FIG. 5C. Alternatively, song information is conveyed to the user during a voice call with a human or voice response system.  
         [0056]    In step  812 , the user selects the purchase option. In step  814 , Web server  706  logs this selection. In step  814 , Web server  706  downloads the content to the PC  708  via software agent  712 .  
         [0057]    A preferred process for downloading selected content to the second device is depicted in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, in step  902 , Web server  706  accesses a request to purchase content from a queue of requests. In step  904 , Web server  906  identifies the PC  708  to which the user wishes the requested content to be downloaded. In step  906 , Web server  706  determines if PC  708  is currently registered with Web server  706 , and, if so ( 906 -Yes) contacts software agent  712  on PC  708  in step  908 . If PC  708  is not registered with Web server  706  ( 906 -No) the download process is terminated in step  910 . In step  912 , Web server  706  confirms that the correct client has been contacted by, for example, securely identifying PC  708 .  
         [0058]    In step  914 , Web server  706  transmits to software agent  712  the name and location of the requested content, as well as an authorization code for downloading. Software agent  712  is then able to download the content, in step  915 , from Web server  706  or another location authorized by the service by transmitting the authorization code to a server storing a copy of the requested content. In one embodiment, the content is downloaded from Web server  706 . In another embodiment, the content is downloaded from a second server operated by the service. In yet another embodiment, the content is downloaded from a third party authorized by the service; this arrangement would be practical, for example, if the service did not itself have the desired content on its own servers, or if the service specialized in finding the most cost effective third party source from which to download content. Alternatively, rather than issue an authorization code to PC  708 , Web server may instead simply push the requested digital content to PC  708  or issue a command to the second server or third party server to do so. Once the download is complete and verified, in step  916 , the user&#39;s service account is charged and any required payments are made to the content owners or download source.  
         [0059]    In a preferred embodiment, software agent  712  may be adapted to automatically transfer the file to another device for portability or archive. In this preferred embodiment, in step  918 , software agent  712  searches for the availability of that device and, if available ( 918 -Yes), transfers the downloaded content to it (step  920 ). If the device is unavailable ( 918 -No), the file is queued until the device is available (step  922 ).  
         [0060]    It will be appreciated that, although the invention has been described in the context of specific illustrative embodiments, those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous alternative arrangements which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, nevertheless embody the principles of the invention.