Abstract:
A method and system for recording a media content onto a media player are disclosed. A recording interface of the media player is unlocked by a media recorder using a key. Next, the media player receives the media content from the media recorder through the recording interface. The media content is stored onto a storage of the media player, where the storage resides within the media player prior to receiving the media content from the media recorder. The media player includes a mechanism for playing the media content. Then, the recording interface of the media player is locked by the media recorder. In this manner, a way is provided to distribute media content while also protecting against the improper copying of media content.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/595,362, entitled “Method and System for Play-Only Media Player”, filed on Nov. 9, 2006. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     This invention relates generally to media, particularly to a system and method to record media content onto a media player. 
     2. Related Arts 
     Digitization of pictures, music and movies brings convenience to the entertainment and media industry. Digital media has proven 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 distribution leads to major unintended business implications, especially in illegal copying of media content. Examples include 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 way to distribute media content and to protect against improper copying of media content, and therefore a need for a solution to record media content under protected condition. 
     SUMMARY 
     A method and system for recording a media content onto a media player are disclosed. A recording interface of the media player is unlocked by a media recorder using a key. Next, the media player receives the media content from the media recorder through the recording interface. The media content is stored onto a storage of the media player, where the storage resides within the media player prior to receiving the media content from the media recorder. The media player includes a mechanism for playing the media content. Then, the recording interface of the media player is locked by the media recorder. In this manner, a way is provided to distribute media content while also protecting against the improper copying of media content. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a media recorder. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a recording process. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the media recorder unlocking the recording interface. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the media recorder transferring a plurality of media signals to the media player using the recording interface. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the media recorder locking the recording interface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a media recorder. Media recorder  110  records media content  134  onto media player  180  in a protected condition. 
     In one embodiment, media content  134  includes audio media content such as a song, an audio recording, a music concert recording, a talk show or an interview recording. In one embodiment, media content  134  includes a music album. In one embodiment, media content  134  includes a video media content 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, media content  134  comprises a live concert, a studio recording session, a sports event, or a live interview. In one embodiment, media content  134  comprises a broadcast program, such as a television or radio program. 
     In one embodiment, media content  134  includes an audio media file such as a Moving Picture Experts Group-1 Audio Layer 3 (MP3) file, a Windows Media Audio (WMA) file, or an Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) file. In one embodiment, media content  134  includes a video/audio file such as a Windows Media Video File (WMV), a Moving Picture Experts Group-4 (MPEG-4) file or an Audio Video Interleave (AVI) file. In one embodiment, media content  134  includes a collection of media files. 
     Media player  180  includes a non-removable storage  189 , such as flash memory or hard disk. Media recorder  110  records media content  134  onto storage  189 . The storage  189  resides within the media player  180  prior to recording of the media content  134  onto storage  189 . Media player  180  includes the functionality of playing media content  134 . In one embodiment, media player  180  includes a speaker for playing audio media content in media content  134 . In one embodiment, media player  180  includes a graphical display screen for playing video media content in media content  134 . In one embodiment, media player  180  includes user control function, such as a plurality of keys that allow a user to control the playing of media content  134 . In one embodiment, the user control function allows a user to select, skip, pause or resume audio media content; or to turn up/down the volume. In one embodiment, the user control function allows a user to select, rewind, or fast-forward video media content; or to adjust the contrast or color tone. 
     The media player  180  is described further in Appendix A. As described in Appendix A, media player  180  includes a mechanism for playing the media content  134 . 
     In one embodiment, media player  180  allows media recorder  110  to record media content  134  only once. 
     Media recorder  110  communicates to media player  180  using a recording interface  160 . Media recorder  110  records media content  134  onto media player  180  over recording interface  160 . In one embodiment, recording interface  160  includes a data interface, such as 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. In one embodiment, recording interface  160  includes a communication session between media recorder  110  and media player  180 . 
     In one embodiment, recording interface  160  includes a mechanical lock which is unlocked during recording of media content  134 . 
     In one embodiment, media recorder  110  includes recorder storage  119 . Recorder storage  119  includes information that comprises media content  134 . In one embodiment, recorder storage  119  includes media content  134 . In one embodiment, recorder storage  119  includes flash memory or hard disk. In one embodiment, recorder storage  119  includes removable media such as a secure digital (SD) memory card, compact disk (CD) or DVD. In one embodiment, recorder storage  119  includes a USB based flash memory drive. 
     In one embodiment, media recorder  110  connects to one or more capturing devices such as microphone or video camera that capture audio or video signals in a live performance setting. Media recorder  110  processes or combines the signals into information that comprises media content  134 . 
     In one embodiment, media recorder  110  includes a receiver, such as radio receiver or television receiver to receive a broadcast program. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a recording process. 
     The recording process includes steps  210 ,  220 , and  230 . 
     In step  210  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , media recorder  110  unlocks recording interface  160 . In one embodiment, recording interface  160  includes a communication session. Media recorder  110  sends a recording request to media player  180  over the communication session, wherein the recording request includes an authentication identity such as a password or an alpha-numeric code. In one embodiment, media player  180  authenticates the identity, allows the media recorder  110  to connect to the recording interface  160 , and proceeds to step  220 . In a different embodiment, media recorder  110  uses a two-factor authentication (T-FA). In one embodiment, media recorder  110  includes an identity and an operator provides a personal identification number (PIN) to media recorder  110 . Media recorder  110  includes the identity and the PIN in the recording request. In one embodiment, the operator provides biometric information to media recorder  110 . 
     In one embodiment, media player  180  includes a mechanical lock and media recorder  110  includes a mechanical key. Media recorder  110  unlocks recording interface  160  by engaging the mechanical key with the mechanical lock. Media recorder  110  then connects to the recording interface  160  of the media player  180  and proceeds to step  220 . In one embodiment, the mechanical lock includes an electromagnet; wherein the engagement of the key and the mechanical lock causes an electrical current to pass through the electromagnet, resulting in the connection of media recorder  110  and media player  180 . In another embodiment, the mechanical lock includes a solenoid bolt. In one other embodiment, the mechanical lock includes a normally-open electrical relay that connects media recorder  110  and media player  180  when activated by an electrical current. In one embodiment, the mechanical lock includes an electric motor that moves a piece of conductor to connect media recorder  110  and media player  180 . In one embodiment, the mechanical lock includes a spring-loaded latch. In one embodiment, in released or unloaded position, the latch closes the physical opening of recording interface  160 . The engagement of the key and the mechanical lock loads the spring, causing the latch to open the physical opening of recording interface  160 , allowing media recorder  110  to connect to media player  180 . 
     In one embodiment, recording interface  160  includes a combination of a mechanical lock and a communication session. Media recorder  110  provides an authentication key or identity to media player  180 . In one embodiment, media player  180  authenticates the authentication key or identity and allows media recorder  110  to establish a communication session with media player  180 . Media recorder  110  proceeds to step  220 . 
     In step  220  as illustrates in  FIG. 4 , media recorder  110  transfers a plurality of media signals  136  to media player  180  using recording interface  160 . The plurality of media signals  136  comprises media content  134 . 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 MP3 frame format 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, WMV or Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) format. 
     Media player  180  receives the plurality of media signals  136  and converts the plurality of media signals  136  into media content  134 . 
     In one embodiment, media content  134  includes a computer file object. Media recorder  110  transfers media content  134  by performing a file transfer and media signals  136  includes portion of media content  134  file object. 
     After media recorder  110  completes step  220 , media recorder  110  performs step  230 . 
     In step  230  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , media recorder  110  locks recording interface  160 . 
     In one embodiment, media recorder  110  sends a lock request to media player  180  over the communication session. Media player  180  receives the lock request and disconnect media player  180  from media recorder  110 . Media player  180  does not accept media signals  136  after the disconnection. In one embodiment, the lock request includes an authentication identity and media player  180  authenticates the identity before disconnecting media player  180  from media recorder  110 . 
     In one embodiment, media recorder  110  locks recording interface  160  by disengaging the mechanical key from the mechanical lock. In one embodiment, the disengagement stops the electrical current that passes through the electromagnet of the mechanical lock, disconnecting media recorder  110  and media player  180 . In one embodiment, the disengagement causes the normally-open electric relay to return to the open position resulting in the disconnection of media recorder  110  and media player  180 . In one embodiment, the disengagement causes the spring-loaded latch to return to released or unloaded position that closes the physical opening of recording interface  160 . 
     In one embodiment, the locking of recording interface  160  is permanent, wherein media player  180  does not respond to subsequent unlocking attempts from media recorder  110 . 
     In one embodiment, media player  180  is for rental purpose. After a customer returns media player  180 , in one embodiment, media recorder  110  records new media content  134  onto media player  180 . In one embodiment, media recorder  110  uses a different key to record the new media content  134 . 
     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.