Patent ID: 7945934

Claim:
A device management system for portable media devices, comprising: a device interface docking station for preparing a selected handheld portable media device for deployment aboard a passenger vehicle, said device interface docking station including a battery charging system for recharging an internal battery system of the selected portable media device, an interface content source for updating viewing content available from a device memory system of the selected portable media device for presentation, and an interface memory system for exchanging device identification data, including device status information, with a device identification system of the selected portable media device and for receiving payment information provided via a credit card reader system of the selected portable media device each when the selected portable media device is received by said device interface docking station; a container system for receiving the prepared portable media device at a travel location associated with the passenger vehicle and lading aboard the passenger vehicle after the passenger vehicle arrives at the travel location and having a container radio frequency identification (RFID) system for providing container lading data, including container status information, for said container system, the prepared portable media device being available for passenger use during subsequent travel; a portable RFID reader system for receiving the container lading data from said container system; and a device management database system for maintaining a historical record for the prepared portable media device and said container system, updating the historical record in accordance with the device identification data provided by said device interface docking station and the container lading data provided by said portable RFID reader system, and providing at least one device configuration instruction for configuring the prepared portable media device for future use, wherein said device interface docking station and said portable RFID reader system are deployed at the travel location.