초록 ▼

A playback unit resembling a home audio component, retrieves audio data from a remote server and plays them back in real time, using a home audio system, in response to user selection. The playback unit provides an interface between a network source for audio material, such as the Internet, and a co

A playback unit resembling a home audio component, retrieves audio data from a remote server and plays them back in real time, using a home audio system, in response to user selection. The playback unit provides an interface between a network source for audio material, such as the Internet, and a conventional home audio system for playback. The playback unit has a relatively simple operating system that does not require a lengthy boot-up sequence, cannot be accessed by the user, and does not require the launch of special software to initiate playback. Access to audio material and distribution rights can be controlled by network servers. In this to way, the playback unit can retrieve audio material from the network on demand, thereby vastly expanding the range of music available for playback, and can reproduce that music using the home audio system for high quality playback in a comfortable setting, with controlled access to audio material and controlled distribution and duplication of the material.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A playback apparatus for receiving digital audio material from a network server and providing it to a home audio system for playback, the apparatus comprising:a user interface that receives commands from a user for selection of an audio composition from a network server, for initiating receipt of

1. A playback apparatus for receiving digital audio material from a network server and providing it to a home audio system for playback, the apparatus comprising:a user interface that receives commands from a user for selection of an audio composition from a network server, for initiating receipt of the digital audio material comprising portions of the selected audio composition, and for controlling playback of the received digital audio material, wherein the user interface includes a display that shows status of the playback; a memory that contains operating system instructions and that temporarily stores the digital audio material comprising portions of the selected audio composition, such that digital audio material comprising the complete selected audio composition is not available to the user from the memory; and a processor that executes the operating system instructions stored in the memory to perform apparatus functions in response to the user commands and to initiate the playback of received digital audio material.