Abstract: A channel mapping system has a data source containing data indicative of the geographic range of channels broadcast in at least one selected region and a channel determination module that uses data indicative of a location in conjunction with the data source to determine a preferred channel. The preferred channel may be an FM channel. A transmitter is used with a portable media player to broadcast audio data contained on or received by the portable media player over the preferred channel. The media can be received by a corresponding receiver set to the same preferred channel. Adjustments to the channel settings can be determined repeatedly so that, as a preferred channel changes with location, an automated process or a user facilitated process can be used to change the channel settings on each of the transmitter and the receive. A location identification system such as GPS can be used to identify the location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing one or more aspects of a user's relationship with one or more media devices or other information handling systems and one or more media content providers. In some embodiments, a service center functions as a central management point and includes various modules configured to provide the management services.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for generating a user configurable interface view for a media device or other information handling system that is independent of any interface views defined by media content providers. Generating the user configurable interface view includes identifying content data streams that are included in user interface views defined by the media content providers and then selecting a desired subset of the data content streams. The selected data content streams are then aggregated and the user configurable interface view is generated. The resulting user interface view will be independent of any interface views defined by the media content providers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating a media device or other information handling system so as to be able to receive content from one or more media content providers. Authenticating the device includes determining what authentication information the media content providers require for access and then to generating and providing to the media device an authentication token that includes the required information. In some embodiments this may be accomplished by a service center, which removes the need for additional authentication steps to be performed by the media device or the media content providers. In addition, the service center may also determine when changes are made to the authentication information and may then ensure that the authentication token is changed or updated to reflect these changes. This ensures that the media device is at least partially immune to changes to authentication.

Abstract: Providing content to a device. Content stored on a device can be examined or searched based on the programming of channels that are available to the device over various networks. The content can be searched using other rules related to user preferences or content characteristics. Based on the results of the examination of the content, playlists are generated. Each playlist includes content from the device that matches or partially matches the content associated with one of the channels. Using the playlists, a user can load content from their device that has a theme consistent with a particular channel. When signal loss is detected for a given channel, the playlist associated with that channel can be loaded and played by the device. The device can resume playing the channel when the signal is again adequately detected.

Abstract: Providing content to a device. Content stored on a device can be examined or searched based on the programming of channels that are available to the device over various networks. The content can be searched using other rules related to user preferences or content characteristics. Based on the results of the examination of the content, playlists are generated. Each playlist includes content from the device that matches or partially matches the content associated with one of the channels. Using the playlists, a user can load content from their device that has a theme consistent with a particular channel. When signal loss is detected for a given channel, the playlist associated with that channel can be loaded and played by the device. The device can resume playing the channel when the signal is again adequately detected.

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 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 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.