Abstract:
A method and system for play-only media player is disclosed. The player includes a controller, a recording interface, and a non-removable storage. In recording content onto the media player, media signals are received through the recording interface. The media signals are stored in a media file on non-removable storage. When a controller receives a disable recording indication, it permanently disables the recording capabilities of the media player. The media file now is not accessible except for the purpose of playing the media file. To play the media file, a play indication is received by the controller. The controller then retrieves the content from the media file and sends the content to an output interface. In this manner, the media player only plays pre-loaded media content. The digital right for the content is protected against unauthorized copying while maintaining user friendliness of the media player.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/595,362, filed on Nov. 9, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,840,769. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field 
     This invention relates generally to media, particularly to a system and method for media player that only plays pre-loaded media content. 
     2. Related Arts 
     Digitization of pictures, music and movies brings convenience to the entertainment and media industry. Digital media has proved to be a highly efficient and effective distribution mechanism. For example, digital music download, music ripping and music CD burning by consumers are common. 
     The ease of media file distribution has had major business implications, especially in illegal copying. Examples were illegal music download through peer-to-peer copying mechanisms like Napster, or Kazaa. Or more frequently, a consumer copies downloaded music in MP3 format to CD&#39;s and MP3 players. In one example, John is a high school student. He, on Tuesday, purchased and downloaded last week&#39;s top 10 pop songs. He burned a music CD for his desktop music system with the songs. In addition, he ripped the songs to his iPod, his sisters&#39; MP3 players, and his father&#39;s home media center. After John talked to his friends in the school, John copied the files to his classmates&#39; MP3 players. 
     Several security mechanisms are being introduced to address the problem. They are mainly related to digital right management (DRM), where a signature is put into a media file, and a user is given a key. A media player would be able to play the media file only after the user presents the key. Often times, the key is given to the media player so that the media player can play the media file while other media players cannot play the media file. Although such security mechanisms partially solve the copying problem, they are very inconvenient to users. As in the above example, John downloaded to his PC the songs with DRM protection. In one embodiment, the key was given to John&#39;s PC. John was able to listen to the songs. After John ripped the songs to his iPod, he cannot play the songs with his iPod. Over a weekend, John&#39;s buys a new PC and transfers the songs to the new PC. John cannot play the songs on the new PC as the new PC does not have the key. 
     The above illustrates a need for a user friendly solution to protect against unauthorized copying of media content. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method and system for play-only media player is disclosed. The player includes a controller, a recording interface, and a non-removable storage. In recording content onto the media player, media signals are received through the recording interface. The media signals are stored in a media file on non-removable storage. When a controller receives a disable recording indication, it permanently disables the recording capabilities of the media player. The media file now is not accessible except for the purpose of playing the media file. To play the media file, a play indication is received by the controller. The controller then retrieves the content from the media file and sends the content to an output interface. In this manner, the media player only plays pre-loaded media content. The digital right for the content is protected against unauthorized copying while maintaining user friendliness of the media player. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a play-only pre-recorded media player. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a process for recording. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a process for disabling recording. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a process for playing media file. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a play-only pre-recorded media player. 
     Media player  110  includes a plurality of components—controller  120 , non-removable storage  130 , recording interface  160 , user input interface  140 , and a display  180 . 
     Storage  130  stores at least one media file  134 . In one embodiment, media file  134  is an audio media file such as a song, an audio recording, a music concert recording, a talk show or an interview recording. In one embodiment, media file  134  is a music album. In one embodiment, media file  134  is a video media file such as a movie, a video recording such as a television program, a concert or a theatrical play recording, a music television (MTV™), a short film, a cooking, exercise or self-improvement instructional program, a documentary, a comic performance, or a lecture recording. 
     In one embodiment, storage  130  includes flash memory, or a hard disk drive. In one embodiment, storage  130  includes a database. 
     In one embodiment media file  134  include audio information; media player  110  includes an audio output interface  170  for audio information presentation. In one embodiment, audio output interface  170  includes an audio jack of various sizes, such as ¼″ (6.35 mm), ⅛″ (3.5 mm) or 3/32″ (2.5 mm). In one embodiment, the audio jack is a two-conductor version for monophonic audio, or a three-conductor version for stereophonic audio. In one embodiment, audio output interface  170  includes a radio transmitter based on Personal Area Network (PAN) technology, such as Bluetooth technology. In one embodiment, audio output interface  170  includes a Radio Corporation of America (RCA) jack also known as a phono jack. In one embodiment, audio output interface  170  includes a speaker. 
     In one embodiment media file  134  includes video information. Media player  110  includes a video output interface  174  for video information presentation. In one embodiment, video output interface  174  includes a graphical display screen, such as a Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) screen, a Plasma Display Panel (PDP), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), or a Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display (SED). In one embodiment, video output interface  174  includes an RCA jack, a composite video interface, or an S-Video interface. In one embodiment, video output interface  174  includes a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) interface, or a High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) interface. In an embodiment, video output interface  174  includes display  180 . 
     Controller  120  records through recording interface  160  to storage  130 . In one embodiment, recording interface  160  includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. In one embodiment, recording interface  160  includes an audio jack, an RCA jack, a component video interface, a composite video interface, or an S-Video interface. In one embodiment, recording interface  160  includes a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) interface, or a High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) interface. In one embodiment, recording interface  160  includes a network interface, such as an Ethernet interface. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a process for recording. 
     Controller  120  receives a plurality of media signals  136  through recording interface  160 . In one embodiment, the plurality of media signals  136  are monophonic or stereophonic analog audio signals. In one embodiment, the plurality of media signals  136  are digital audio signals, such as Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) digital audio signals in 8 kHz 8-bit monophonic, 8 kHz 16-bit stereophonic, or 44.1 kHz 16-bit stereophonic format. In one embodiment, the plurality of media signals  136  are in a compressed codec format such as G723.1. In one embodiment, the plurality of media signals  136  are in Moving Picture Experts Group 1 (MPEG-1 Level-3) also known as MP3 digital format. In one embodiment, the plurality of media signals  136  are analog video signals in National Television System Committee (NTSC) or phase-alternating line (PAL) format. In one embodiment, the plurality of media signals  136  are digital video signals, such as MPEG-4, Windows Media Video (WMV) or Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) format. 
     Controller  120  stores media signals  136  in storage  130 . Controller  120  combines a plurality of media signals  136  into media file  134  in storage  130 . 
     In one embodiment, controller  120  records media file  134  by performing a media file transfer and media signals  136  includes portion of media file  134 . 
     In another embodiment, controller  120  records media file  134  in a live performance setting, such as during a concert, a studio recording session, or a live interview. For example, controller  120  receives media signals  136  through recording interface  160  from a media system, such as a media mixer, a media amplifier, a studio production system, or a home entertainment system. The media system captures the live performance via one or more capturing devices such as microphone or video camera, processes or combines the captured signals into media signals  136  before sending to recording interface  160 . 
     In one embodiment, controller  120  converts media signals  136  prior to storing in storage  130 . In an embodiment, controller  120  converts analog audio signals into digital format such as MP3 format or PCM format. In one embodiment, controller  120  converts analogy video signals such as NTSC or PAL signals into MPEG4 format. In one more embodiment, controller  120  converts media signals  136  from a digital format to a different digital format prior to storing in storage  130 . 
     In one embodiment, media signals  136  indicate an end of media file  134 . Controller  120  completes storing media file  134  and starts storing subsequent received media signals to a new media file. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a process for disabling recording. 
     Controller  120  receives disable recording indication  127  from recording interface  160 , or user input interface  140 . After receiving disable recording indication  127 , controller  120  permanently turns off recording capability. Subsequently controller  120  does not record media files into storage  130 . 
     In one embodiment, controller  120  disables recording interface  160 . In one embodiment, controller  120  permanently does not accept any media signal  136  from recording interface  160 . In one embodiment, controller  120  discards any media signal  136  received from recording interface  160 . In one embodiment, controller  120  permanently disables recording interface  160  such that recording interface  160  cannot receive any media signals. In one embodiment, recording interface  160  includes a hardware register, a relay, or a flip-flop; controller  120  permanently sets recording interface  160  such that recording interface  160  cannot receive any media signals. 
     In a different embodiment, an operator physically removed recording interface  160 , or closes or seals the opening of recording interface  160  rendering recording interface  160  inoperable. 
     Once the recording capabilities of the media player  110  is disabled, the media file  134  cannot be accessed except by the controller  120  for the purpose of playing the media file  134 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a process for playing media file. 
     Controller  120  plays media file  134 . 
     Controller  120  receives a play indication  129  from user input interface  140  to play. In one embodiment, play indication  129  specifies media file  134 . In one embodiment, controller  120  selects media file  134 . In an example, controller  120  selects randomly, the previously played media file, or the first media file from a file list. 
     Controller  120  retrieves content  137  from media file  134 . In one embodiment, content  137  includes audio information  138 . Controller  120  converts audio information  138  to audio signals  172 , and sends audio signals  172  to audio output interface  170 . In one embodiment, controller  120  converts MP3 digital signals into analog audio signals. In one embodiment, controller  120  converts a compressed digital audio format such as G723.1 into PCM format. In one embodiment, controller  120  converts the audio component of MPEG-4 format into analog audio signals. 
     In one embodiment, content  137  includes video information  139 . Controller  120  converts video information  139  into video signals  173 , and sends video signals  173  to video output interface  174 . In one embodiment, controller  120  converts the video component of MPEG-4 format into the video component of NTSC format. In one embodiment, controller  120  converts the video component of MWV format into PAL format. 
     In one embodiment, media file  134  includes additional information such as an artist name, an author name, a music title, a movie title, time duration, or an album name. Controller  120  displays the information on display  180 . 
     In one embodiment, display  180  includes a graphical or textual display screen. In one embodiment, display  180  includes a Light-emitting Diode (LED). In one embodiment, media player  110  does not include display  180 . 
     In one embodiment, media player  110  is for audio recording for a concert, an interview, or a syndicated audio program. In one embodiment, media player  110  is for video recording for a play, a concert or a sports event. In one embodiment, media player  110  is for promotion purpose, such as corporate product promotion, market promotion, company promotion or event promotion. In one embodiment, media play  110  is for media distribution. In one embodiment, media player  110  is for rental purpose. In one embodiment media player  110  plays media file  134  only once, maximum three times or within 24 hours. 
     In one embodiment, media player  110  includes a non-replaceable and non-rechargeable battery as power source. Media player  110  cannot play media file  134  once the battery is fully discharged. 
     In one embodiment, the controller  120  and the non-removable storage  130  are integrated on a system on chip (SOC). 
     Foregoing described embodiments of the invention are provided as illustrations and descriptions. They are not intended to limit the invention to precise form described. In particular, it is contemplated that functional implementation of invention described herein may be implemented equivalently in hardware, software, firmware, and/or other available functional components or building blocks, and that networks may be wired, wireless, or a combination of wired and wireless. Other variations and embodiments are possible in light of above teachings, and it is thus intended that the scope of invention not be limited by this Detailed Description, but rather by Claims following.