Petition for Inter Partes Review of:
`U.S. Patent 8,402,555
`
`EXHIBIT 1010
`
`

`

`111111111111110111111111111111111111111!1
`11111111111111111111111111111110111111
`2
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0254883 Al
`Dec. 16, 2004
`Kondrk et al. (cid:9)
`(43) Pub. Date: (cid:9)
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SUBMITTING
`MEDIA FOR NETWORK-BASED PURCHASE
`AND DISTRIBUTION
`
`(75) Inventors: Robert H. Kondrk, Mountain View,
`CA (US); Timothy Benjamin Martin,
`Mountain View, CA (US); Jeffrey L.
`Robbin, Los Altos, CA (US); David
`Heller, San Jose, CA (US); Mike
`Wiese, Cupertino, CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`BEYER WEAVER & THOMAS LLP
`P.O. BOX 778
`BERKELEY, CA 94704-0778 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: (cid:9)
`
`10/687,534
`
`(22) Filed: (cid:9)
`
`Oct. 15, 2003
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/465,410, filed on Apr.
`25, 2003.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. C1.7 (cid:9)
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. (cid:9)
`
` GO6F 17/60
` 705/51; 705/26; 725/5
`
`(57) (cid:9)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Methods and systems for submitting media to a media
`distribution site are disclosed. The submission of media to
`the media distribution site is able to be performed by
`numerous submitters in a uniform and computer-assisted
`manner. The submitted media can then be encoded in a
`largely automated manner at the media distribution site into
`a suitable digital form and then made available for online
`purchase and distribution.
`
` 200
`
`if
`
`IDENTIFY MEDIA CONTENT FOR A
`PLURALITY OF MEDIA ITEMS TO
`BE OBTAINED FROM MEDIA SOURCE(S)
`
`204
`
`CONVERT THE MEDIA CONTENT
`FOR EACH OF THE MEDIA ITEMS
`INTO A COMPRESSED FORMAT
`
`OBTAIN METADATA PERTAINING TO
`THE MEDIA ITEMS
`
`FORM AN ELECTRONIC PACKAGE
`FOR THE MEDIA COLLECTION
`
`TRANSMIT THE ELECTRONIC
`PACKAGE TO A MEDIA
`DISTRIBUTION SITE
`
`LEND
`
`206
`
`208
`
`210
`
`212
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 1 of 10 (cid:9)
`
`US 2004/0254883 Al
`
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`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 2 of 10 (cid:9)
`
`US 2004/0254883 Al
`
`200
`
`IDENTIFY MEDIA CONTENT FOR A
`PLURALITY OF MEDIA ITEMS TO
`BE OBTAINED FROM MEDIA SOURCE(S)
`
`i
`
`'x-204
`
`CONVERT THE MEDIA CONTENT
`FOR EACH OF THE MEDIA ITEMS
`INTO A COMPRESSED FORMAT
`
`''-' 206
`
`OBTAIN METADATA PERTAINING TO
`THE MEDIA ITEMS
`
`'--- 208
`
`i
`
`FORM AN ELECTRONIC PACKAGE
`FOR THE MEDIA COLLECTION
`
`'--- 210
`
`TRANSMIT THE ELECTRONIC
`PACKAGE TO A MEDIA
`DISTRIBUTION SITE
`
`--_, 212
`
`( END
`
`FIG. 2
`
`(cid:9)
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 3 of 10 (cid:9)
`
`US 2004/0254883 Al
`
`C-i-TAR1)
`
`300
`
`DISPLAY MEDIA COLLECTION
`INFORMATION WINDOW
`
`302
`
`RECEIVE MEDIA COLLECTION
`INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN
`ENTERED INTO THE MEDIA
`COLLECTION INFORMATION
`WINDOW
`
`IDENTIFY MEDIA CONTENT (FROM A
`MEDIA SOURCE) TO BE PROVIDED
`WITHIN THE MEDIA COLLECTION
`
`CONVERT THE IDENTIFIED MEDIA
`CONTENT INTO A COMPRESSED
`MEDIA FORMAT
`
`DISPLAY MEDIA CONTENT
`INFORMATION WINDOW
`
`RECEIVE MEDIA CONTENT
`INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN
`ENTERED INTO THE MEDIA CONTENT
`INFORMATION WINDOW
`
`304
`
`306
`
`308
`
`310
`
`312
`
`CLAD (cid:9)
`
`FIG. 3A
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 4 of 10 (cid:9)
`
`US 2004/0254883 Al
`
`FORM AN ELECTRONIC FOLDER
`FOR THE MEDIA COLLECTION
`
`'--- 314
`
`DISPLAY FOLDER SEND
`WINDOW
`
`'- -- 316
`
`320
`
`PLACE ELECTRONIC
`FOLDER IN SEND QUEUE
`
`318
`
`SEND
`NOW
`
`YES
`
`322
`?
`TRANSMIT THE ELECTRONIC
`FOLDER TO A MEDIA
`DISTRIBUTION SITE (ALONG
`WITH ANY PREVIOUSLY QUEUED
`FOLDERS)
`
`I4 (cid:9)
`
`LEND)
`
`FIG. 3B
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 5 of 10 (cid:9)
`
`US 2004/0254883 Al
`
`PlaylisrNo, l.tale
`
`400
`
`A(
`
`rry nes Producer
`
`Title: ¶Playlist No.
`
`Tide Kind:it
`
`Artist: (Artist Name
`
`Genres: Rock'
`
`(cid:9) 4-8 and Alternative
`
`Label: Label Name
`
`Copyright 12003 :Lobel Name
`
`0 COpyright: 200
`
`: Label Name
`
`SKLI:
`
`UPC: l000nown000
`
`Release (cid:9)
`
`2003-09-23 (cid:9)
`
`Sole Start bate:: L2003-09-23
`
`, Original Release Year: I2003 (cid:9)
`
`Parental Advisory; (None
`
`Recording Location:.
`
`Liner Notes: I( Edit..
`
`Cover Art:
`
`Drag
`Album
`Artwork
`Here
`
`FIG. 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 6 of 10 (cid:9)
`
`US 2004/0254883 Al
`
`.
`
`
`11:2111
`4:23
`4:51
`2:49
`4:31
`2:40
`6:381
`2:44
`4:44
`
`1 (cid:9)
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`; (cid:9)
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`•,:i. 9
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`1.11111111111— MI
`Plaryllii No. 1 Title
`Playlist No. 2 Title
`
`nk (cid:9)
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`500
`
`- . (cid:9) , (cid:9)
`,, (cid:9)
`
`inmes Prodpcer
`
`Impbrc (cid:9)
`Co:
`all Song Name (cid:9)
`
`Time I
`
`I
`
`Playliit
`
`=ii=2
`1 di. TracicOne Title (cid:9)
`2 (cid:9)
`j Track Two Title (cid:9)
`3 (cid:9)
`Track Three Title (cid:9)
`4 (cid:9)
`I Track Four Title (cid:9)
`Track Flye.Titk (cid:9)
`5 (cid:9)
`6 (cid:9)
`I Track Six Title (cid:9)
`7 (cid:9)
`TrackSeven Title (cid:9)
`1 Track Eight Title (cid:9)
`8 (cid:9)
`
`Eject (cid:9) ( import
`
`Files.
`iiii.Fel Song Name (cid:9)
`
`I (cid:9)
`
`Time I
`
`1 (cid:9)
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 7 of 10 (cid:9)
`
`US 2004/0254883 Al
`
`600
`
`
`
`' En11.111.11111 II- (cid:9) IMI
`
`Playrist No. 1 Title. (cid:9)
`. (cid:9)
`' (cid:9)
`.
`aylist No 2 Title
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`Mines Producer
`
`. (cid:9)
`
`' - (cid:9)
`
`/VW' sonoName (cid:9)
`•
`.41.:101Traik-0 (cid:9)
`tle. (cid:9)
`1 Track Two Title (cid:9)
`2 (cid:9)
`, Track Three Title (cid:9)
`3 (cid:9)
`i Track Four Title (cid:9)
`4 (cid:9)
`; Track Flee Idle (cid:9)
`S (cid:9)
`6 (cid:9)
`I Track Six Title (cid:9)
`7 (cid:9)
`' Track Seved Tide (cid:9)
`LT (cid:9)_
`
`
`'I IV .1 (cid:9) ,. (cid:9)
`
`1 (cid:9)
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`, (cid:9)
`
`Time (cid:9) Artist (cid:9)
`4'.23: Artiss.Nain (cid:9) . (cid:9)
`4:51 (cid:9) Artist Name (cid:9)
`2:49' Artist Name (cid:9)
`4:31 I Artist Name (cid:9)
`2:40. Artist Name - (cid:9)
`638 I Artist Name (cid:9)
`744 'ArdstNerne (cid:9)
`
`genre (cid:9)
`',':Roc k.• (cid:9)
`, Rock (cid:9)
`: Rock's (cid:9)
`1 Rock (cid:9)
`Rock. (cid:9)
`I Rock (cid:9)
`Rock (cid:9)
`.,r
`
`I O (cid:9) y
`
`Disc o
`i (cid:9) Track k I (cid:9)
`.10, (cid:9) 1111. (cid:9) . (cid:9)
`'
`2 of81 (cid:9)
`1 of 1
`3'of 8.. (cid:9)
`1 of 1
`4 of 8 i (cid:9)
`1 of 1
`S of '8 , (cid:9)
`1 of1
`fiefs ] (cid:9)
`7 of II
`•
`/of (cid:9)
`ix (cid:9)
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`1 (cid:9)
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`l'-'•
`1 (cid:9)
`• (cid:9)LI
`
`
`Tltie: Tack One Title
`
`
`
`Title Kind: (cid:9)
`
`(
`
`'Artist (cid:9)
`
`:Artist Name (cid:9)
`
`cadres' [ Rock (cid:9)
`
`j (cid:9)
`
`le:g.1 44:Alternative (cid:9)
`Track Numbe r: .1 (cid:9)
`i•oilg (cid:9) a (cid:9)
`view Start: I. 0 (cid:9)
`1 seconds
`... (cid:9) _
`...,.. (cid:9)
`_ (cid:9)
`Disc Number: 11.___I of [1 (cid:9)
`I
`8PM: (cid:9)
`Label Name.
`
`H
`
`—1
`
`1 < More..,)
`
`
`
`1
`
`(r) Cqpyr!grir: (cid:9)
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`
`ISfit: !CA-123-45471390
`
`•
`
`:SKIP:
`
`g Cleared For.Saie
`Parental Advisory: rn—to-ne
`
`Recording Location: i (cid:9)
`._
`i (cid:9) —...
`Lynes: (cid:9) ( (cid:9) Edlt...• (cid:9) )
`
`Playlis !Moon Tree
`
`FIG. 6
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 8 of 10 (cid:9)
`
`US 2004/0254883 Al
`
`700
`
`1=11111.111111111.Mill
`Pleylist No. 1 Title
`Playlist No. 2 Title
`
`Tunes
`
`Proyider. Label Name
`
`Apple ID: :AppleID
`
`Password: (cid:9)
`
`
`
`_JSave Password in Keycliain
`
`FIG. 7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 9 of 10 (cid:9)
`
`US 2004/0254883 Al
`
`800
`
`(STARD
`
`RECEIVING AN ELECTRONIC
`PACKAGE SUBMISSION
`
`"'-' 802
`
`UNPACKING THE ELECTRONIC
`PACKAGE INTO COMPONENTS
`
`--- 804
`
`STORE THE COMPONENTS TO
`A MEDIA STORE
`
`'-' 806
`
`(.. NDD
`
`FIG. 8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 16, 2004 Sheet 10 of 10 (cid:9)
`
`US 2004/0254883 Al
`
`/
`
`version="1,0".encoding="OTF-8"7->
`
`900
`
`<package>
`<major versien>l</major_version>
`<minor-version>i<iminor vereion>
`<tool Flame>iTunes Prnduer</iool name>'
`<toelversien>1.0b1</teoi versioiT>
`<provIder>Label Name</priaider>
`<album>
`<album upc>000000004000</album upc>
`<album-title>Flaylist No. I 'TiTle</album title>
`AlbuM-release date>2003-09-.23</albuM release -date>
`<albumoriginaT release_year>2003<falEum original_release_year>
`<Album:label naile>Label Name<Jalbum_laber name>
`<album_genreE>
`<genre>Rock</geare>
`<genre>Alternative</genre>
`</album genres>
`<album Zopyright_cline>2001 Label Name</album_copyright_cline>
`<albumloppyright_pline>20.0'Label Name</album cppyrignt_pline>
`<aIbuM artwork_files>
`<fle name>cover.jpg</file_pame> (cid:9)
`<checKsum (cid:9)
`typermd5u>7934FS9CD683DIAll-FAcIA077CBECF9</checksum>
`</file>
`</albuin artwork files>
`<album aisplay:ertist>Artiet N </elbum_display_artist>
`<album=products>
`<produdt>
`<sales_startate>2003-09-23</sales startdate>
`</proll:
`</album_products>
`<album tracks>
`<Track>
`<track ierc>OA1234567890</track Jere>
`<tratk-title>Track One Title</Ciack_title>
`<track:genres>
`<genre>Rock</genre>
`<genre>Alternative</genxe>
`</track_genres>
`<trackvolumenumber>1</track volume number>
`<track_volome coUni>l</trackjiolumeLEOunt>
`<tracktrack TiUmber>i</treak track number>
`<track trackicount>8</trackjrackount>
`<track-audiofile>
`name>Track-One-Tltle.m4a</file name>
`<checks=
`type="md5">83D9D2E9E941814t0C1.991026EF7B9C7</thecksum>
`</track audio file>
`
`906
`//
`
`
`
`//
`
`// (cid:9)
`902 (cid:9)
`
`/
`
`//
`904 (cid:9)
`
`/
`
`//• (cid:9)
`908 (cid:9)
`
`// (cid:9)
`/ (cid:9)
`910 \ (cid:9)
`
`FIG. 9
`
`

`

`US 2004/0254883 Al (cid:9)
`
`Dec. 16, 2004
`
`1
`
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SUBMITTING
`MEDIA FOR NETWORK-BASED PURCHASE AND
`DISTRIBUTION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi-
`sional Patent Application No. 60/465,410, filed Apr. 25,
`2003, and entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
`SECURE NETWORK-BASED DISTRIBUTION OF
`MEDIA," and which is hereby incorporated by reference
`herein.
`
`[0002] This application is related to commonly owned
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. (cid:9)
` (Att.Dkt.No.:
`APL1P270/3059), filed (cid:9)
`, and entitled "METHOD
`AND SYSTEM FOR NETWORK-BASED PURCHASE
`AND DISTRIBUTION OF MEDIA.".
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0004] The present invention relates to electronic trans-
`mission of media and, more particularly, to electronic sub-
`mission of media for purposes of media purchase and
`distribution.
`
`[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
`
`[0006] Traditionally, music has been purchased at music
`stores or music departments of larger stores. A consumer
`will visit the music store or department and manually
`browse for albums or compact discs (CDs) of interest. Often,
`the music in the music store or department is categorized by
`genre, and then indexed by artist. For example, genre can
`include rock, country, pop, soul, jazz, etc. After the con-
`sumer selects an album or CD of interest, the consumer
`proceeds to a check-out register to pay for the album or CD
`being purchased.
`
`[0007]
`In recent years, music delivery or distribution over
`the Internet has become popular. Due to the advances in
`efficient file formats, such as MP3 and MPEG4, the size of
`media files have become small enough to make their down-
`load via the Internet practical. Also, technological advances
`have led to higher-speed Internet connections and lower cost
`of memory. The combination of these advances make down-
`loading media files, such as for music and videos, manage-
`able and not too time consuming.
`
`[0008] Today, various online media hosting sites permit
`virtual visitors to purchase and download albums or songs
`via the Internet (e.g., World Wide Web). However, in order
`for the albums or songs to be offered for purchase and
`download, the electronic content for the albums or songs
`must first be provided to the media hosting sites. Conven-
`tionally, a music label desirous of selling audio productions
`of their songs online would produce a tape or CD and then
`physically mail the tape or CD to a representative for the
`media hosting site. Typically, a submission would include
`not only the audio productions of songs but also text and
`images associated with the songs. The text provides descrip-
`tive information (e.g., metadata) for the songs and the
`images pertain to associated artwork (e.g., cover art). More
`recently, music labels have electronically transmitted the
`audio production of their songs to a representative of the
`
`media hosting site. Unfortunately, there are various different
`means and formats by which various music labels submit
`their audio productions of songs and associated data. This
`problem is exacerbated by the large number of small music
`labels that make submissions. As a result, representatives of
`the media hosting site that receive the submissions face
`substantial burdens and difficulties due to the wide range of
`variation with respect to the submissions.
`
`[0009] Thus, there is a need for improved approaches to
`submit media to an online media hosting site.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0010] Broadly speaking, the invention relates to an
`improved system and method for submitting media to a
`media distribution site. The submission of media to the
`media distribution site is able to be performed by numerous
`submitters in a uniform and computer-assisted manner. The
`submitted media can then be encoded in a largely automated
`manner at the media distribution site into a suitable digital
`form and then made available for online purchase and
`distribution.
`
`[0011] The invention can be implemented in numerous
`ways, including as a method, system, device, apparatus,
`graphical user interface, or computer readable medium.
`Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below.
`
`[0012] As a method for submission of a media collection
`to a media distribution site, one embodiment of the invention
`includes at least the acts of: obtaining metadata for the media
`collection; identifying media content for a plurality of media
`items to be included in the media collection, the media
`content being imported from a media source; converting the
`identified media content for the plurality of media items into
`compressed media files; obtaining metadata for the identi-
`fied media content; forming an electronic package of the
`media collection, the electronic package including at least
`the compressed media files and the metadata associated with
`the media collection and the identified media content; and
`electronically transmitting the electronic package to the
`media distribution site.
`
`[0013] As a computer readable medium including at least
`computer program code for submission of a media collection
`to a media distribution site, one embodiment of the computer
`readable medium includes at least: computer program code
`for identifying media content for a plurality of media items
`to be included in the media collection, the media content
`being imported from a media source; computer program
`code for converting the identified media content for the
`plurality of media items into compressed media files; com-
`puter program code for obtaining metadata for the identified
`media content; computer program code for forming an
`electronic package of the media collection, the electronic
`package including at least the compressed media files and
`the metadata associated with the identified media content;
`and computer program code for electronically transmitting
`the electronic package to the media distribution site.
`
`[0014] As a graphical user interface for submitting a
`media collection to a media distribution site, one embodi-
`ment of the invention includes at least: a media collection
`information window used to receive media collection infor-
`mation; an import window used to designate media items to
`be imported from one or more media sources; and a media
`
`

`

`US 2004/0254883 Al (cid:9)
`
`Dec. 16, 2004
`
`2
`
`content information window used to receive media content
`information pertaining to the designated media items.
`
`[0015] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will
`become apparent from the following detailed description
`taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which
`illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0016] The invention will be readily understood by the
`following detailed description in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals
`designate like structural elements, and in which:
`
`[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a media submission
`and distribution system according to one embodiment of the
`invention.
`
`[0018] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a media submission
`process according to one embodiment of the invention.
`
`[0019] FIGS. 3A and 3B are flow diagrams of a media
`submission process according to another embodiment of the
`invention.
`
`[0020] FIG. 4 is a screenshot of a representative media
`collection information window according to one embodi-
`ment of the invention.
`
`[0021] FIG. 5 is a screenshot of a representative import
`window according to one embodiment of the invention.
`
`[0022] FIG. 6 is a screenshot of a representative media
`content information window according to one embodiment
`of the invention.
`
`[0023] FIG. 7 is a screenshot of a representative folder
`send window according to one embodiment of the invention.
`
`[0024] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a media reception
`process according to one embodiment of the invention.
`
`[0025] FIG. 9 is a screenshot of a representative text file
`in a markup language format according to one embodiment
`of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0026] The invention relates to an improved system and
`method for submitting media to a media distribution site.
`The submission of media to the media distribution site is
`able to be performed by numerous submitters in a uniform
`and computer-assisted manner. The submitted media can
`then be encoded in a largely automated manner at the media
`distribution site into a suitable digital form and then made
`available for online purchase and distribution. The media
`distribution site can also be referred to as an online media
`hosting site.
`
`[0027] The invention pertains to a method and system for
`controlled submission of media in a client-server environ-
`ment. The controlled submission can use encryption and
`user accounts to restrict unauthorized access. The media can,
`for example, be audio, video, or image data.
`
`[0028] Embodiments of various aspects of the invention
`are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 1-9. However,
`those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
`detailed description given herein with respect to these fig-
`
`ures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends
`beyond these limited embodiments.
`[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a media submission
`and distribution system 100 according to one embodiment of
`the invention. The media submission and distribution system
`100 includes a media distribution site 102. The media
`distribution site 102 coordinates submission (receipt), stor-
`age and purchase of media items. The media distribution site
`102 stores media items in a media store 103. In one
`embodiment, the media store 103 is a database. The media
`store 103 provides mass storage of the numerous media
`items that are available for purchase. Once purchased, the
`media items can be accessed from the media store 103 over
`a data network 106 by way of the media distribution site 102.
`[0030] The media submission and distribution system 100
`also includes a first client 104 and a second client 105.
`Typically, the media submission and distribution system 100
`would include a plurality of different clients 104, 105. The
`first client 104 includes a media management/player 108.
`The second client 105 includes a media submission program
`110. Some clients can also include both the media manage-
`ment/player 108 and the media submission program 110.
`The media management/player 108 is an application pro-
`gram (e.g., software application) that operates on the first
`client 104, which is a computing device. One example of a
`suitable media management/player 108 is iTunesTM offered
`by Apple Computer, Inc. The first client 104 is coupled to the
`media distribution site 102 through the data network 106.
`Hence, any of the first clients 104 can interact with the media
`distribution site 102 to review, purchase and/or manage
`media items.
`[0031] The media submission program 110 is also an
`application program (e.g., software application) that oper-
`ates on the second client 105, which is a computing device.
`The media submission program 110 is used to submit media
`items to the media distribution site 102. Although the media
`management/player 108 and the media submission program
`110 are shown in FIG. 1 as separate programs, it should be
`understood that such programs can be integrated into a
`single program or reside on the same second client.
`[0032]
`In the media submission and distribution system
`100 shown in FIG. 1, the media items are submitted to the
`media distribution site 102 by way of the media submission
`program 110. The media items that have been submitted
`(e.g., via the second client 105) are processed and then
`stored in the media store 103. Thereafter, the stored media
`item are available to be purchased from the media distribu-
`tion site 102. Upon purchasing a particular media item, the
`media distribution site 102 permits the media content for the
`particular media item to be retrieved from the media store
`103 and then delivered (e.g., downloaded) from the media
`distribution site 102 to the corresponding client 104 through
`the data network 106. In this regard, the media distribution
`site 102 obtains the media content corresponding to the
`particular media item from the media store 103 and down-
`loads such content through the data network 106 to the client
`104. The downloaded media content can then be stored on
`the client 104. In one embodiment, the downloaded media
`content is encrypted as received at the client 104 but is
`decrypted and then perhaps re-encrypted before persistent
`storage on the client 104. Thereafter, the media manage-
`ment/player 108 can present (e.g., play) the media content at
`the client 104.
`
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`

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`[0033] The media submission and distribution system 100
`allows a user of the client 104 to utilize the media player 108
`to browse, search or sort through a plurality of media items
`that can be purchased from the media distribution site 102.
`The media management/player 108 may also allow the user
`to preview a media clip of the media items. In the event that
`the user of the media management/player 108 desires to
`purchase a particular media item, the user (via the media
`management/player 108) and the media distribution site 102
`can engage in an online commerce transaction in which the
`user pays for access rights to the particular media item. In
`one embodiment, a credit card associated with the user is
`credited for the purchase amount of the particular media
`item.
`
`[0034] The submission and purchase of the media items
`can be achieved over a data network 106. In other words, the
`submission and purchase of the media items can be achieved
`online. The purchase of media items online can also be
`referred to as electronic commerce (e-commerce). In one
`embodiment, the data network 106 includes at least a portion
`of the Internet. The clients 104 can vary with application but
`generally are computing devices that have memory storage.
`Often, the clients 104 are personal computers or other
`computing devices that are capable of storing and presenting
`media to their users.
`
`[0035] The connections through the data network 106
`between the media distribution server 102 and the clients
`104, 105 can be through secure connections, such as Secure
`Sockets Layer (SSL). Further, the media content can be
`re-encrypted prior to storage at the client 104 such that
`downloaded media content is not stored in the clear, but is
`instead stored in an encrypted manner.
`
`[0036] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a media submission
`process 200 according to one embodiment of the invention.
`The media submission process 200 is typically performed by
`a client machine, such as the client 105 illustrated in FIG.
`1. More particularly, the media submission program 110 at
`the client 105 illustrated in FIG. 1 can perform the media
`submission process 200.
`
`[0037] The media submission process 200 begins with a
`decision 202 that determines whether a media collection is
`to be arranged for submission from a client machine to a
`server machine (e.g., media distribution site). When the
`decision 202 determines that a media collection is not to be
`arranged for submission at this time, then the media sub-
`mission process 200 awaits a request to arrange a media
`collection. In other words, the media submission process
`200 can be invoked whenever a request to arrange a media
`collection is received. Typically, a user of the client machine
`would interact with the client machine (e.g., the media
`submission program 110) to initiate a request to arrange a
`media collection.
`
`In any case, once the decision 202 determines that
`[0038]
`a media collection is to be arranged, media content for a
`plurality of media items are identified. The identified media
`content for the media items is to be included within the
`media collection being arranged. Typically, the media con-
`tent for these media items is retrieved from one or more
`media sources. Examples of media sources are compact
`discs (CDs) or media files. After the media content has been
`identified 204, the media content for each of the media items
`is converted 206 into a compressed format. Here, in the case
`
`of compact discs, the stored data is in a format that is not
`suitable for transmission over networks. Hence, typically,
`the format of the media content from compact disc is
`converted into a compressed format that is suitable for
`transmission through networks. Examples of compressed
`formats for audio files include Advanced Audio Coding
`(MC), MPEG (e.g., MPEG4), MP3 and M4 files.
`
`[0039] Next, metadata pertaining to the media items is
`obtained 208. In one embodiment, the metadata for the
`media items includes descriptive information regarding the
`media items. The metadata is, in one embodiment, provided
`by a user through interaction with the client machine (e.g.,
`the media submission program 110).
`
`[0040] Thereafter, an electronic package is formed 210 for
`the media collection. The electronic package is, for example,
`an electronic folder that includes a plurality of files. The
`plurality of files within the electronic folder include a file for
`the media content (in its compressed format) for each of the
`media items, folder metadata, and possibly other files. Here,
`the folder metadata can include not only the metadata for the
`media items, but also other metadata pertaining to the media
`collection and/or the organization of the electronic folder
`and components within the electronic folder. An example of
`one type of other file would be a file of an image that is to
`be associated with the media collection. The image, for
`example, can pertain to artwork to be utilized in association
`with the media collection. After the electronic package has
`been formed 210, the electronic package can be transmitted
`212 to a media distribution site (e.g., server) for online
`purchase and distribution. The transmission 212 of the
`electronic package to the media distribution site concludes
`the media submission process 200.
`
`[0041] Advantageously, the electronic packages being
`formed and transmitted to a media distribution site can have
`a standard format and arrangement. As a result, the media
`distribution site is able to process the incoming electronic
`packages in an automated manner.
`
`[0042] Many users of the media submission process 200
`can be affiliated with small recording labels or artists that
`desire to submit their media collections to media distribution
`sites so that such media collections can be offered for
`purchase at the media distribution sites. The standardization
`and uniformity provided by the media submission process
`200 significantly reduces the burdens and difficulties other-
`wise placed on the media distribution sites.
`
`[0043] FIGS. 3A and 3B are flow diagrams of a media
`submission process 300 according to another embodiment of
`the invention. The media submission process 300 is typically
`performed by a client machine, such as the client 105
`illustrated in FIG. 1. More particularly, the media submis-
`sion program 110 at the client 105 illustrated in FIG. 1 can
`perform the media submission process 300.
`
`[0044] The media submission process 300 initially dis-
`plays 302 a media collection information window. Then,
`media collection information that has been entered into the
`media collection information window can be received 304.
`Here, the media submission process 300 receives 304 the
`media collection information that is entered into media
`collection information window by a user of the client
`machine (e.g., user of the media submission program 110).
`A representative media collection information window
`
`

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`
`according to one embodiment of the invention is discussed
`below with reference to FIG. 4.
`
`[0045] Next, media content for media items to be provided
`within the media collection is identified 306. The media
`content being identified 306 represents that portion of the
`available media content from one or more media sources
`that is to be provided within the media collection. Examples
`of media sources are compact discs (CDs) or media files. In
`one implementation, to assist a user with the identification
`306 of the media content for the media items, an import
`window can be displayed. The import window would assist
`the user with the identification of media items/media content
`to be included within the media collection. A representative
`import window according to one embodiment of the inven-
`tion is discussed below with reference to FIG. 5.
`
`[0046] After the media content has been identified 306, the
`identified media content is converted 308 into a compressed
`media format. Here, the conversion 308 can be considered to
`encode the media content from a media source into a digital
`format suitable for electronic transmission and playing (such
`as MP3, M4, AAC, etc.). Encoding, in this context, refers to
`the process by which traditional forms of audio (e.g., com-
`pact disc) and video (e.g., VHS) are converted into a digital
`format that allows their distribution and broadcast over a
`network (e.g., the Internet).
`
`[0047] Next, a media content information window is dis-
`played 310. The media content information window assists
`the user to provide media content information regarding one
`or more of the media items. After the media content infor-
`mation window is displayed 310, media content information
`that has been entered into the media content information
`window is received 312. Here, the media submission process
`300 receives 312 the media content information that is
`entered into media content information window by the user
`of the client machine (e.g., user of the media submission
`program 110). A representative media content information
`window according to one embodiment of the invention is
`discussed below with reference to FIG. 6.
`
`[0048] After the media content information that has been
`entered into the media content information window has been
`received 312, an electronic folder for the media collection is
`formed 314. The electronic folder includes a plurality of
`different files, typically some of which are different data
`types. For example, the media content for each media item
`within the media collection is provided as a digital media file
`(e.g., MPEG4 format), and the media collection information
`and the media content information are provided within a text
`file (e.g., markup language file, such as an XML file). The
`text file can also provide a description of the electronic
`folder that specifies the media and other files within the
`electronic folder as well as the media collection information
`and the media content information. If the text file identifies
`artwork for the media collection or the media items, then the
`text file specifies an image file (e.g., JPEG format) provided
`within