The interaction over the wireless channel can be used to automatically synchronize media contents stored on the media player with media contents stored on the host device. The synchronization can automatically be performed when the wireless channel is available between the media player and the media host. For example, the synchronization can be automatically performed when the media player that supports wireless communications is placed within a wireless network that also couples to the host device.

According to another embodiment of the invention, interaction between a host device and a media player, such as automatic synchronization of media contents stored on a media player with media contents stored on a host device, can be restricted. In one implementation, a given media player is able to automatically interact only with a designated host device. In still another embodiment, synchronization can be automatically performed when the media player is placed in a docking station that supports wireless communications. In one embodiment, the host device can be another media player, such that the interaction performed over a wireless channel is from one media player to another.

Implementations

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a method, system, device, apparatus, or computer readable medium. Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

As a method for synchronizing media contents between a portable media player and a media host, one embodiment of the invention includes at least the acts of: determining whether a wireless connection between the media player and the media host is available; establishing the wireless connection between the media player and the media host when it is determined that the wireless connection is available; determining whether the media player is associated with the media host; synchronizing media content between the media player and the media host via the wireless connection when it is determined that the media player is associated with the media host.

As a computer readable medium including at least computer program code for synchronizing media contents between a portable media player and a media host, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: computer program code for determining whether a wireless connection between the media player and the media host is available; computer program code for establishing the wireless connection between the media player and the media host when it is determined that the wireless connection is available; computer program code for determining whether the media player is associated with the media host; and computer program code for synchronizing media content between the media player and the media host via the wireless connection when it is determined that the media player is associated with the media host.

As a system for managing and playing media data, one embodiment of the invention includes at least a host computer, a portable media player and a docking station. The host computer includes at least a management module for managing a plurality of media items, a host play module for playing the media items for a user of the host computer, and a host media store for storing a plurality of media items. The portable media player includes at least a player media store for storing a plurality of media items, and a player play module for playing the media items stored in the media store for a user of the portable media player. The docking station for the portable media player includes wireless communication circuitry so that the portable media player can receive media items or media information from the host computer over a wireless channel via the wireless communication circuitry.

As a system for managing and playing media data, one embodiment of the invention includes at least a host computer, a portable media player, and another portable device. The host computer includes at least a management module for managing a plurality of media items, a host play module for playing the media items for a user of the host computer, and a host media store for storing a plurality of media items. The portable media player includes at least a player media store for storing a plurality of media items, and a player play module for playing the media items stored in the media store for a user of the portable media player. The other portable device is larger than the portable media player and can house the portable media player. The other portable device or the portable media player includes wireless communication circuitry so that the portable media player can receive media items or media information from the host computer over a wireless channel via the wireless communication circuitry.

Notice

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The inventors of patent application [url=http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=3&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=%22apple+computer%22&OS="apple+computer"&RS="apple+computer"]20060168351[/url] are Stanley Ng, Anthony M. Fadell and Jeffrey L. Robbin.

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