Abstract:
A mobile device wirelessly detects another device that is proximate. The mobile device provides to the other device identifications of which content from a particular content source is stored by the mobile device. The mobile device provides to the other device content from the particular source that is stored by the mobile device but not the other device, and receives from the other device content from the particular source that is stored by the other device but not by the mobile device, so that upon conclusion of an interaction between the mobile device and the other device, each device comprises all of the content from the particular content source originally comprised en toto between the two devices.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]     This application claims priority as a utility patent application corresponding to subject matter of U.S. Provisional Application 60/752,632, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Content downloads from online sources, such as Internet web sites or cellular service providers, have become very popular. They have become so popular, in fact, that significant burden to online infrastructure may result when new, popular content is posted, as people rush to download “hot” content. These spikes in demand may actually limit the distribution of content, because of resulting lengthy download delays.  
         [0003]     It is often the case that certain content is popular among certain demographics and other social subgroups. For example, a music video by a particular rock band may be popular among certain teens in certain regions of the country. It is likely that groups of social acquaintances, or people that are likely to collect in a particular area, will appreciate and desire similar content. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a content distribution system.  
         [0005]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of a process of proximity detection and synchronization of media between devices.  
         [0006]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a content distribution system.  
         [0007]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a process to charge for content. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     References to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.  
         [0009]     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list.  
         [0010]     “Logic” refers to signals and/or information that may be applied to influence the operation of a device. Software, hardware, and firmware are examples of logic. Hardware logic may be embodied in circuits. In general, logic may comprise combinations of software, hardware, and/or firmware.  
         [0011]     Phones all with the property of having accounts with a subscription (rental, all you can eat) media service come into proximity and automatically and silently detect each other (e.g., via Bluetooth, WiFi, or infrared, or other short range electronic communication means) and proceed to share copies of all of the unique files present in total (w/o user intervention) so that each ends up with every possible file (capacity permitting). This being a subscription service, users can enjoy the fresh content at their leisure, delete it, or ignore it as it is prioritized to drop out if space is otherwise needed.  
         [0012]     Users acquire new content without waiting for downloads and without incurring carrier network data charges. Carrier networks are not loaded, Users get pleasure from the element of surprise.  
         [0013]     In one embodiment, users share only all the previews due to limited time in proximity or limited storage capacity.  
         [0014]     In an a la carte model, full tracks are exchanged though only enabled for preview. Users may purchase at leisure.  
         [0015]     In one embodiment, user devices are automatically aware of all content stored on nearby devices. When any user attempts to download content from the service, the phone pulls a nearby copy if available rather than using the carrier network.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a content distribution system. A mobile phone  200  may receive the content from a network source. Messages are presented one the screen  201  and through the speaker(s)  203 . The screen is also used in the user selection of recipients. A data bus  206  connecting the various elements within the phone. A processor  207  and random access memory  208  and persistent memory  209  (which could be re-writeable FLASH memory).  
         [0017]     A radio  210  is provided to communicate via a medium range (up to many kilometers) microwave link  225  with cellular wireless voice and data network base stations  214  through their associated mobile phone carrier  215  and onward, either though a phone network  217  or through a gateway  216  to a public or private data network  218  such as the Internet. By pathways  217  and  218  the phone  200  may communicate to other mobile phones and other devices such as computers  221  and servers  231 . The radio  210  can send and receive both Short Message Service (SMS) messages  228  through the phone network(s)  215   217  to other phones identified by their phone numbers and send a variety of data  229  protocols (UDP, TCP, SMTP, HTTP, etc) through the data network  218 .  
         [0018]     The phone  200  may include at least one of a variety of short-range wireless communication interfaces, including Bluetooth  211 , Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)  212 , and infrared  213 . The Bluetooth radio  211  may communicate via short range microwave links  223  (10s of meters) with Bluetooth adaptors  222  connected to computers  221  and by extension through them via a router  220  to other devices on a public or private data network  218  such as the Internet. The Bluetooth radio  211  may communicate directly to other similarly enabled mobile phones  
         [0019]     The Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) radio  212  is able to communicate via short range microwave links  224  (10s-100s of meters) with WiFi base stations  219  connected via a router  220  (which may be incorporated into  219 ) to a public or private data network  218  such as the Internet. The Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) radio  212  may also communicate directly to other similarly enabled mobile phones.  
         [0020]     The infrared transceiver  213  may communicate with infrared adaptors  232  connected to computers and by extension through them via a router  220  to other devices on a public or private data network  218  such as the Internet. The infrared transceiver  213  may also communicate directly to other similarly enabled mobile phones.  
         [0021]     Connected to the data network  218  is a server complex  231  enabling the download of protected (encrypted) digital media files to the phone  200  and digit content keys to unlock the protected content for use on phones properly authenticated.  
         [0022]     Connected to the cell phone carrier  215  is a short message service center  230  (SMSC) enabling transmission of messages between phones routed by their phone number and between the server complex  231  and phones.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a process of proximity detection and synchronization of media between devices. As shown in  FIG. 2 , first at a block  301 , a first user device detects presence of a second user device via a short range wireless communication means. At block  303 , each user device requests and receives a list of media files stored on the other user device. At block  304 , each user device compares the received list against its own list of locally stored files to identify novel files. At block  305 , in one embodiment, novel files are ranked by fit to user preferences. At block  306 , while local storage space is available, each user device requests (and receives) the novel files from the other device based upon the ranking.  
         [0024]     Note that each device may be completely unrelated and unaffiliated with one another both before and after the exchange. The devices may have different owners and users, and the contact and exchange between the devices may be the only interaction, direct or indirect, that the devices ever have. The exchange of content may take place based on proximity and capability alone, and may occur automatically, without user intervention or initiation, and to an extent permitted by settings of the devices.  
         [0025]     A mobile phone  200  or other device may comprise logic to carry out actions described herein, including those actions described in conjunction with  FIG. 2 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a content distribution system. As shown in  FIG. 3 , Mobile phones  402  and  412 , each equipped with cellular network radios transceivers  403   413  are connected to SMS  404   414  or packet data  405   415  components.  
         [0027]     The radios  403   413  communicate with cellular wireless voice and data network base stations  425   426  through their associated mobile phone carrier  427  and onward, through a gateway  429  to a public or private data network  430  such as the Internet. By  430  the phones  402   412  may communicate to each other and to other mobile phones and other devices such as computers  434  and servers  431  connected to  430 .  
         [0028]     The radios  403   413  can send and receive both Short Message Service (SMS) messages  404   414  through the phone network(s)  427  to other phones identified by their phone numbers and send a variety of packet data  405   415  protocols (UDP, TCP, SMTP, HTTP, etc) through the data network  430 .  
         [0029]     At least one of a variety of short range wireless communication interfaces may be employed, including Bluetooth  407   417 , Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)  408   418 , and infrared  406   416 .  
         [0030]     The Bluetooth radio  407  may communicate with Bluetooth adaptors  435  connected to computers  434  and by extension through them via a router  432  to other devices on a public or private data network  430  such as the Internet. The Bluetooth radio  407  is able also communicate directly to other similarly enabled mobile phones  412 .  
         [0031]     The Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) radio  408  is able to communicate with WiFi base stations  433  connected via a router  432  (which may be incorporated into  433 ) to a public or private data network  430  such as the Internet. The Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) radio  408  may also communicate directly to other similarly enabled mobile phones  412 .  
         [0032]     The infrared transceiver  406  may communicate with infrared adaptors (not shown) connected to computers and by extension through them via a router  432  to other devices on a public or private data network  430  such as the Internet. The infrared transceiver  406  may also communicate directly to other similarly enabled mobile phones  412 .  
         [0033]     Connected to the data network  430  is a server complex  431  enabling the download of protected (encrypted) digital media files to the phones  402   412  and digit content keys to unlock the protected content for use on phones properly authenticated.  
         [0034]     Connected to the cell phone carrier  427  is a short message service center  428  (SMSC) enabling transmission of messages between phones routed by their phone number.  
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a process to charge for content. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the user device requests from the server a digital content key for each new/novel file requested from the other user device, see block  501 . At block  502 , the server determines if a subscription plan for keys is currently active for the user associated with the requesting device. If there is no subscription, the user is billed for the key, block  503 , and the server supplies the digital content key to the user device, block  504 .  
         [0036]     A mobile phone  200  and/or network content source may comprise logic to carry out actions described herein, including those actions described in conjunction with  FIG. 4 .  
         [0037]     In an a la carte model, full tracks are exchanged though only enabled for preview. Users may purchase at leisure.  
         [0038]     In one embodiment, devices are automatically aware of all content stored on nearby devices. When any user attempts to download content from the service, the phone pulls a nearby copy if available rather than using the carrier network.  
         [0039]     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.