Abstract:
A method for a media player comprises requesting from a remote media player a sample of a media track stored on the remote media player, receiving the sample of the media track and an identifier associated with the media track from the remote media player, wherein the sample of the media track is determined in the remote media player in response to the media track, and wherein the sample of the media track is less than all of the media track, purchasing the media track from a media server in response to the identifier associated with the media track, and downloading the media track from the media server.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/825,105, filed Sep. 8, 2006, commonly assigned, incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
     
     STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    NOT APPLICABLE 
       REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK 
       [0003]    NOT APPLICABLE 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to sharing of media. More specifically, the present invention relates to controlled sharing of samples of media on an ad hoc basis between users. 
         [0005]    Unauthorized sharing of media, such as music, video, textual works, or the like, between users has been a large concern to media producers, such as authors, singers, media companies, publishers and the like. Attempts to control or restrict sharing of such media has mainly been via technological means, e.g. digital rights management DRM methods, and via legal channels, e.g. law suits, and seizures. 
         [0006]    However it is now being understood or believed by some that some level of “unauthorized” sharing of media between users may actually increase the market for that media. For example, it is argued, if A introduces and “shares” music from a Band X with B and C, B and C may like the music and go out and buy additional music from Band X. Then, in the end, despite A being unauthorized to share music with B and C, Band X will sell more music. 
         [0007]    A problem with this “sharing” of media, other than the copyright issues, is that often the other parties who get the “shared” media do not purchase the media. Instead, the shared media replaces a purchase of the media. Thus, using the example above, Band X will not sell more music. 
         [0008]    A solution considered by the inventor for sharing media include where the “shared” media has an expiration date. For example, A could share media with B, however, the media will “expire” or become unlistenable in a day, three days, or the like. 
         [0009]    Problems to such a solution is that it requires the customer&#39;s hardware to have functionality to monitor the shared media, and to cause the shared media to “expire.” It is believed that the addition of such “enforcement” hardware is resented by users. Additionally, it is believed that the addition of such hardware and software will disadvantageously contribute to a higher-priced media playback device. 
         [0010]    Still another problem is that often users will want to use the media for a short amount of time, and thus sharing media for a day or so, fulfills the user&#39;s desire to purchase the media. Accordingly, in the example above, after B and C watch/listen to different Band X music for several days, they will have no desire to purchase the same Band X music, and thus, Band X will not sell more music. 
         [0011]    In light of the above, the inventor of the present invention has determined that what is desired is a simple method and apparatus that allows users to share media on an ad hoc basis, without providing the entire media to the receiving party. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention relates to sharing of media samples. More specifically, the present invention relates to controlled sharing of media, in the form of samples of media, between users. 
         [0013]    Embodiments of the present invention encourage users to share media samples with other parties. Based upon the samples, users are encouraged to download their own copies of the sampled media. In various embodiments, the users who share media with other users may be compensated when the other users purchase the full media. In other words, it encourages users to become advertisers or promoters of the media. 
         [0014]    According to one aspect of the invention, a method for a portable audio player is described. One process includes requesting from a remote portable audio player a sample of an audio track stored on the remote portable audio player, and receiving the sample of the audio track and an identifier associated with the audio track from the remote portable audio player, wherein the sample of the audio track is determined in the remote portable audio player in response to the audio track, and wherein the sample of the audio track is less than all of the audio track. A method may include purchasing the audio track from an audio server in response to the identifier associated with the audio track, and downloading the audio track from the audio server. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of the invention, a method for a portable media player is disclosed. A technique may include receiving a selection of a button on the portable media player by a user of the portable media player, and determining a media track in response to the selection of the button. Processes may include determining a sample media track from the media track in response to the selection of the button, and transmitting the sample media track, but not the media track, to a remote portable media player. 
         [0016]    According to yet another aspect of the invention, a portable media player is described. One apparatus includes a memory configured to store a media file, and a wireless transmitter portion configured to transmit data to a remote portable media player. a device may include a user-selectable input configured to determine a user selection, and a processor coupled to the memory, the wireless transmitter, and the user-selectable input. The processor may be configured to determine a sample portion of the media file in response to a selection by the user of the user-selectable input, and may be configured to output the sample portion of the media file, but not the media file, to the wireless transmitter portion in response to the selection of the user-selectable input. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of a system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 2A-D  illustrates a block diagram of a process according to some embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIGS. 3A-B  illustrates block diagrams of various embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of a system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically  FIG. 1  illustrates a first device  100 , a second device  110 , and a media server  120 . As illustrated, first device  100  and second device  110  may be coupled via a first communication channel  130 . Additionally, second device  110  may be coupled via a second communication channel  140  to media server  120 . 
         [0021]    In various embodiments of the present invention, first device  100  and second device  110  are embodied as portable media devices, such as an audio player, a video player, or the like. In the future, some embodiments of the present may be incorporated into portable media devices available from companies such as Apple, Microsoft, SanDisk, Creative, Sony, Philips, Samsung, or the like. In various embodiments, first device  100  and second device  110  may have a dedicated hardware button, or a software defined button (e.g. a software defined hardware button, a selectable icon on a display, or the like), that enables sharing of media samples, as described below. Such a button may be termed a “share” button. 
         [0022]    In various embodiments of  FIG. 1 , first device  100  and second device  110  both support communications via first communications channel  130 . In various examples, first communication channel  130  may be a physical connection via one or more wires, an optical connection via infrared (e.g. IrDA) or via an optical link, a wireless connection, via Bluetooth, 802.11, WiFi, CDMA, GSM, Cellular, RF, or the like. 
         [0023]    In various embodiments, second communications channel  140  between second device  110  and media server  120  may be similar to first communications channel  130 . For instance, the communication may be wired, optical, wireless, or the like. In some embodiments of the present invention, second communications channel  140  may include one or more intermediary computers  150 ,  160 . For instance, second communications channel  140  may be formed when a user couples second device  110  to a computer  150  or a wireless device/computer  160 . In such cases, second communications channel  140  would include the path from computer  150  to media server  120 , e.g. an Ethernet connection, or from wireless device/computer  160  to media server  120 , e.g. WiFi, 802.11, CDMA, satellite, or the like. Additionally, second communications channel  140  may include a physical connection, e.g. via a USB cable, or the like, of second device  110  to intermediary computers  150 ,  160 , or the like. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as will be described further below, first device  100  and second device  110  may be coupled via an ad hoc network via first communication channel  130  to communicate media data. In specific embodiments, the media data includes a sample clip of the media data, and not the entire media data. Additionally, the media data may include additional data regarding the media data. As will be described below, the additional data may include human-readable viewable regarding the media data, such as name of the media, images associated with the media (e.g. cover art), one or more links where the user may purchase the media, or the like. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments of the present invention, as will also be described below, second device  110  and media server  120  may be coupled via second communications channel  140  to receive additional media data. In specific embodiments, the additional media data includes the entire media clip, and not a sample clip. For instance, via a media store, such as iTunes, or the like, a user of second device  110  may purchase and download the entire media clip. As will be described below, in some embodiments, the link sent by first device  100  is used by the user of second device  110  as a way to facilitate the purchase of the entire media clip. For instance, the link may be a hyperlink to the entire media clip at the iTunes store, the Yahoo store, or the like. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments of the present invention, a link provided by first device  100  uniquely identifies the user  170  within media server  120 . As will be described below, when a user  180  of second device  110  purchases media for media server  120  based upon the provided link, user  170  may be credited. The credit may take the form of monetary credit, point credit for user  170  for future downloads, or the like. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 2A-D  illustrates a block diagram of a process according to some embodiments of the present invention. For sake of clarity, a description of  FIGS. 2A-D  will be made with reference to the elements illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0028]    Initially, user  170  purchases and downloads media from media server  120 , step  200 . In various embodiments, user  170  purchases the media via a media store associated with media server  120 . Typically, the downloaded media includes the entire media clip, e.g. music, show, movie, or the like. Additionally, media server  120  may provide a pre-determined sample media clip, a link to the media clip at the media store, art associated with the media, textual descriptions of the media, or the like. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments of the present invention, when the media clip is a television show, a movie, a short feature, or the like, the pre-determined sample media clip may be in the form of a teaser/trailer, an advertisement (e.g. commercial for a tv show), or the like. When the media clip is music, or the like, the pre-determined sample media clip may be the first thirty-seconds of the music, a middle thirty-seconds of the music, or the like. In such embodiments, media server  120  may specify the pre-determined sample media clip. In various embodiments of the present invention, the sample media clip need not be protected with digital rights management protection. 
         [0030]    In other embodiments, no pre-determined sample media clip need be specified. In such embodiments, first device  110  determines the sample media clip, as will be described below. 
         [0031]    In various embodiments of the present invention, media server  120  may provide first device  100  with a pre-formed link, e.g. a URL, or the like to the media at the media store. In various embodiments, the pre-formed link may include an identifier that uniquely identifies user  170  to media server  120 . As will be described below, when the pre-formed link is resolved, the source of the click is attributed to user  170 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments of the present invention, additional data associated with the media may include images, such as album covers, DVD covers, or the like. Additionally, short informational text may also be provided, such as song name, movie name, episode name, artist, and the like. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments of the present invention, not all of the above data about the media need be provided, to reduce “overhead” for the media download. For example, for any media, the additional data may be as little as a numeric identifier of the media which identifies the media within media server  120 , the filename of the media (e.g. “Sample_James_Taylor_Everyday.mp3”, “Sample_Quantum_Leap_Evil Leaper.mov”), or the like. 
         [0034]    In various embodiments, user  170  may purchase the media from media server  120  via any of the communications channel described above. For example, user  170  may purchase the media wirelessly via WiFi, 802.11x, CDMA, RF, or the like with wireless capability provided in some embodiments of first device  100 . As another example, user  170  may purchase the media via a home computer, and download the media from the computer to first device  100  via a USB cable, or the like. 
         [0035]    In various embodiments, first device  100  and second device  110  may have a common communications capability, as illustrated as first communications channel  130 , as described in  FIG. 1 . For example, first communications channel  130  may include a wireless or wired ad hoc network. 
         [0036]    Next, in various embodiments, user  180  desires to see or hear what user  170  is watching or listening, and presses a “share” button on second device  120 , step  210 . In this step, in response to the share button, second device  110  may send a share request to first device  100  via first communications channel  130 . After user  170  sees the request, and decides to share the media she is currently viewing/listening to, user  170  may also press the share button to accept the request to share the media, step  220 . 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, if user  170  is not interested in sharing or does not see the share request, additional requests from second device  110  may be ignored for a predetermined period of time, e.g. 10 minutes. Such a step may be desired to reduce nuisance requests to share music. 
         [0038]    In other embodiments, user  180  may walk up to user  170  and ask user  170  to send her a sample clip. Accordingly, step  210  need not be performed in all embodiments. In response to the request, user  170  may electronically initiate the process by pressing the share button, as described in step  220 , above. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, in response to user  170  pressing the share button, first device  100  determines the sample portion of the media, step  230 . As described above, in some embodiments, the sample of the media need not be pre-defined. Instead, a predetermined length of the media may automatically be selected from the complete media. For example, a sound clip from an audio work may be determined, e.g. first 60 seconds of a song, first chapter of an audio book, random 45 seconds, or the like. Additionally, for a TV show, a short feature, or a movie, a clip may include a first minute, a first five minutes of the media, or the like. Because the processing power of first device  100  is expected to be low in various embodiments, selection of a pre-determined amount of the media from the beginning of the media data may be desirable. 
         [0040]    In the future, if the processing power of first device  100  increases, transcoding of the media clip may also be performed. For example, types of transcoding that is contemplated includes, reducing the bit-rate of the media for the media clip, reducing the bit-depth of the media, reducing the image resolution of the media, and the like. In other embodiments, watermarking of video, audio, and images may also be performed. 
         [0041]    In some embodiments of the present invention, a pre-defined “pre-roll” message may be appended to the sample media clip, step  240 . The “pre-roll” may announce where the following sample media clip may be purchased, e.g. the media store associated with media server  120 . For example, a pre-roll may be: “If you want to hear more, the entire work may be easily purchased at the iTunes store, by merely clicking on the displayed link.” In other embodiments, the pre-roll may be other types of advertisements. For example, an advertisement may be: “Are you getting all you can from your media player? Come see all the media players available from Creative by following this link: www.creativelabs.com.” In still other embodiments, the “pre-roll” may be recorded or defined by the user. For example, the user may record their own pre-roll such as “Hi, this is Katrina. You&#39;re listening to my band Heat. Hear my band live at Zanzibar Grill, Saturdays 11 until 12; or “Hello, this is Nikolle. Hope you like my music. Drop me a line at: Nikolle aol.com.” 
         [0042]    In various embodiments, the sample of the media is pre-defined and downloaded into first device  100 , as described above. In such embodiments, first device  100  may not perform the task of determining the appropriate sample from the media of step  230 . Additionally, in various embodiments, the pre-defined sample of the media may already include a pre-roll message, as discussed above, thus a pre-roll of step  240  may not be added. 
         [0043]    Next, in  FIGS. 2A-D , additional data associated with the media may be combined with the sample media into a transmission data package, step  250 . In various embodiments, the additional data associated with the media may include a media identifier (e.g. filename), a URL, or a link to the entire media in a media store associated with media server  120 . 
         [0044]    As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the media identifier may simply be a unique identifier associated with the media in the media store. For example, the unique identifier may be a track number; a catalog number; serial number; name of the artist and track; name of the author and book; name of the show and episode number; or the like. 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, if a link is used, the link may be a pre-formed link (e.g. URL) that includes a identifier associated with the media as well as an identifier associated with user  170 , discussed above. In various embodiments, the concept of identifiers of a user included within a URL is similar to the concept of affiliate programs. 
         [0046]    In  FIGS. 2A-D , once the transmission package is completed, first device  100  requests second device  110  to receive the package, step  260 . In response to the request, user  180  user may again select the share button, to accept delivery of the transmission package, step  265 . This initiates the downloading (e.g. streaming) of the transmission package, step  270 . As discussed above, the transmission package may be delivered across any type of communication channel. 
         [0047]    In various embodiments, step  265  may be desirable to reduce the possibility that second device  110  will receive unwanted media samples. In other embodiments, step  265  need not be specifically performed. In such cases, a user may be interested in listening to or watching a media from anyone or any source, and her device may allow for downloads of media samples without specific authorization. In still other embodiments, user  180  may select or reset an option on second device  110  as to whether step  265  is performed or not. 
         [0048]    In various embodiments, after the download is complete, step  270 , the ad hoc communications channel between first device  100  and second device  110  need not be maintained. 
         [0049]    Next, user  180  may watch/listen to the sample media clip, and may view the additional data of the transmission package, step  275 . For example, the user may listen to a sample music clip, view the album art, and view the name of the singer and the track; the user may watch a trailer to a movie, and view positive critics&#39; reviews; and the like. In some embodiments, user  180  need not watch/listen to the sample media clip, but may simply proceed to the next steps. 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, after listening/viewing the sample media clip, user  180  may eventually desire to purchase the media or to delete the sample media clip, step  280 . 
         [0051]    In various embodiments if second device  110  may communicate with media server  120  via wireless mechanisms, e.g. WiFi, 802.11, CDMA, step  285 , the following steps may be performed: In some embodiments, when user  180  desires to purchase the full media, user  180  may select or click on the link or an icon associated with the media, displayed on second device  110 , step  290 . As discussed above, the link, icon, or the like is typically provided by first device  100 . 
         [0052]    In response to the selection of the link, icon, or the like, second device  110  may be connected with the music store of media server  120 , or the like. More specifically, using the media identifier (in some embodiments, embedded in the link), additional information about the media is determined and provided from media server  120  back to second device  110  for display, step  300 . The additional information may include purchase options for the entire media for user  180 , other related media user  180  may be interested in, and the like. Examples of other additional information may be seen on current on-line music stores such as MusicMatch, iTunes, and the like. 
         [0053]    In various embodiments, user  180  may purchase the media from the media store using conventional purchasing processes, e.g. logging-in, providing a credit card, etc., step  310 . In some embodiments, after purchase of the media, the entire media is downloaded onto second device  110  via same communications channel, step  320 . Similar to step  200 , additional data may also be provided to device  110 . 
         [0054]    In various embodiments where second device  110  communicates via intermediary devices  150  or  160 , the following steps may be performed: In some embodiments, when user  180  desires to purchase the full media, user  180  connects or docks second device  110  with intermediary devices  150 ,  160 , or the like. Next, based upon the URL or link provided from first device  100 , discussed above, the link, icon, or the like is typically provided by first device  100  to the intermediary device, step  330 . 
         [0055]    In response to the link, icon, URL or the like, the intermediary device may be connected with the music store of media server  120 , or the like. More specifically, using the media identifier (in some embodiments, embedded in the link), additional information about the media is determined and provided from media server  120  back to the intermediary device, step  340 . The additional information may include purchase options for the entire media for user  180 , other related media user  180  may be interested in, and the like. 
         [0056]    In various embodiments, user  180  may purchase the media from the media store using conventional purchasing processes, e.g. logging-in, providing a credit card, etc., step  350 . In some embodiments, after purchase of the media, the entire media is downloaded to the intermediary device, step  360 . Similar to step  200 , additional data may also be provided. Next, the entire media and the additional data may be uploaded to second device  110  via wired (e.g. USB cable), wireless channels (802.11x), Bluetooth, or the like. 
         [0057]    In some embodiments of the present invention, after the purchase of the entire media by user  180 , user  170  may be compensated in the same manner affiliates are compensated for directing shoppers to web stores, step  380 . In embodiments of the present invention, various methods for rewarding user  170  for causing the media to be purchased are contemplated. For example, the account of user  170  in the music store may be credited 5 cents for every purchase. As another example, the user may be credited with a point for every purchase, where points may be redeemed for gifts, free downloads, or the like. As still another example, frequent flyer miles may be credited to user  170 . In light of the present disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize many other types of reward or reputation systems may be implemented as embodiments of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments, the amount of reward may vary with the type of media, popularity of the media, or the like. For example, for older music, the reward may be larger; for more expensive media, (e.g. downloads of an audio book) the credit may be larger; or the like. 
         [0058]    Many changes or modifications are readily envisioned. In light of the above disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that many variations may be implemented based upon the discussed embodiments. In various embodiments, first device  100  and second device  110  may be embodied as portable music players, portable video players, digital cameras, computers, cell phones, personal digital assistant (PDA), or other devices which may store and output media data. 
         [0059]    The capabilities of embodiments described above may be implemented on similar or different platforms. In some configurations, first device  100  and second device  110  may be the same model of device from a manufacturer; may be different models of devices from a manufacturer; may be from different manufacturers; or the like. For instance, as illustrated in  FIG. 3A , a user of a music player  400  electronically (may be anonymously) requests a driver of a car  410  to share the song they are listening to; the driver provides a sample of the music using the techniques described above; and the user accepts the sample download. 
         [0060]    In the example in  FIG. 3B , after a concert or theatrical show, the user of a smart (cell) phone  420  electronically requests the producer  430  of the show for a sample of the show (for example, by pressing an appropriate “share” request button; in response, producer  430  may provide a sample video/audio clip from the live performance; and the user accepts the clip. In various embodiments, producer  430  may configure a system such that all requests to share media are automatically provided. This embodiment would be useful for producer  430  to promote sales of audio or video of the entire performance, or to promote other users to see the show. 
         [0061]    In another example of  FIG. 3B , after an event, a videographer or a photographer may share samples of his work to a user of a PDA  420  using the techniques described above. For example, the photographer may select a share button on their camera that causes a down-sized image or video clip to be electronically communicated to PDA  420 , along with contact information of the videographer or photographer, without the use of e-mail or the like. In other embodiments, the image or video clip may be watermarked in addition to or instead of being down-sized, or the like. In various embodiments, the contact information may include photographer&#39;s name, website address, image URL, or the like. 
         [0062]    The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.