Abstract: A method and system for interfacing between a portable media device and one or more media content providers. The method may be practiced, for example, in a system including the portable media device that receives content from one or more media content providers. The method can include identifying a first data format employed by the portable media device and a second data format employed by a selected media content provider. A data stream is received from the selected media content provider. The data received from the selected media content provider can be modified to be compatible with the first data format. Alternately or additionally, the data stream can be filtered to eliminate content that is unnecessary for the portable media device. The method further includes communicating the formatted data to the portable media device.

Abstract: Two or more electronic devices each include an output engine and an output device for presenting data, including mirrored data. A consumer electronic device receives a request from a mirroring device for mirrored data or transmits a request for customer service to the mirroring device. Thereafter, the consumer electronic device provides the mirrored data to the mirroring device. The mirroring device may be similar or different from the consumer electronic device. The mirroring device presents the mirrored data to a user of the mirroring device. Alternately or additionally, the mirroring device analyzes the mirrored data to identify problems with the consumer electronic device. The consumer electronic device and/or the mirroring device can transmit identifiers associated with the other device over a network connection to determine whether the other device is online.

Abstract: A device for playing digital media comprises a connection for receiving content over a network and a digital rights management (“DRM”) module that identifies rights for the received content by accessing a DRM data structure. The DRM data structure can be a temporal cache. The device receives content and the DRM module identifies identifiers associated with the content and/or the device. The DRM module uses the identifiers to access the DRM data structure and identify rights associated with the content. The identified rights are applied to the content to prevent and/or permit activities with respect to the content. Permitted activities for the content may be presented in a display of the device and can be updated as the content changes and/or as rights associated with content change. Content providers and other authorized entities can change the rights associated with particular content by updating the DRM data structure.

Abstract: A portable electronics device for displaying a graphical user interface (“GUI”) element on a screen of the device includes a screen, a user input device, a GUI element, and a port for receiving audio headgear. Content is displayed on a screen of the device, the content being associated with a function of the device. Upon receiving user input, the GUI element is displayed on the screen by overlaying the GUI element above the content. The GUI element graphically represents one or more menu selection items, permitting the user of the device to select a menu selection item without navigating out of the function of the device prior to selecting the menu selection item.

Abstract: A computing system for gathering media status information and other information about contacts in a user's contact list includes a server, a user device, and one or more contacts (or contact devices). The user device communicates with the server and requests media status information regarding the contacts. Media status information may include information about the media content currently (or most recently) accessed by the contacts. The server receives the request from the user device, collects the information and sends it to the user device. The server may else send connection information to the user device. The user device receives the information and displays it to the user. The user device may include a message service such that messages can be sent to and received from the contacts. Also, the user may request particular media content accessed by the contacts.

Abstract: A device for presenting content to a user comprises a connection for receiving content over a wireless communications network associated with a content provider and a display or other user interface means for presenting the content to the user. The wireless communications network can be an 802.11-based communications network. The content provider determines that the device is within a range of the wireless communications network and authenticates the device for the receipt of content. If the device is authenticated, the content provider transmits the content to the device. In one embodiment, the content provider comprises a merchant and the content comprises an electronic coupon that the device user can redeem at a locale of the merchant.

Abstract: A system for collecting, evaluating and using usage activity includes one or more media devices and a network with a ratings service. A media device includes a logging service for logging usage activity when media content is accessed and played, shared, deleted and/or stored. When a connection to the network is present, the usage activity is transmitted to the ratings service. The ratings service evaluates the usage activity and prepares a usage report, which can be transmitted to one or more content providers and/or can be used to refine programming content and/or influence advertising decisions. A content provider can collect votes by sending a list of possible song choices to media devices and receiving vote data collected by logging services on the media devices. The vote data is evaluated and a vote report is prepared that can be used to refine programming content and/or to influence advertising decisions.

Abstract: A personal media managing system includes a portable media device that interfaces with a peripheral media device. When in communication, media content is transferred between the devices such that the peripheral media device serves as a redundant backup of data from the portable media device and as a repository of data to be uploaded to the portable media device. Among other things, the portable media device may include: an interactive control display; memory for storing media; and a media player module configured for playing selected media for a user. Additionally, among other things the peripheral media device may include: systems for uploading selected media from a media source; a content management system; and a mass storage device for storing media.

Abstract: Authenticating a third party client system prior to providing Internet access via an Internet access point. In a distributed computing system including an Internet access point, an authentication service, and a third party client system, an authentication service receives an authorization request from a third party client system. The authorization request is initiated in response to a single action being performed by a user of the third party client system. The user is not required to manually submit any identification information. The authorization request includes a unique client identifier for identifying the third party client system. The method also includes verifying that the third party client system associated with the unique client identifier is authorized to access the Internet via the Internet access point. If the third party client system is authorized to access the Internet, Internet access is provided to the third party client system.