(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0021478 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jan. 27, 2005
`Gautier et al.
`
`US 20050O21478A1
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
`NETWORK-BASED PURCHASE AND
`DISTRIBUTION OF MEDIA
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/465,410, filed on Apr.
`25, 2003. Provisional application No. 60/534,555,
`filed on Jan. 5, 2004.
`
`(75) Inventors: Patrice Gautier, San Francisco, CA
`(US); Max Muller, San Jose, CA (US);
`Thomas Burkholder, North Vancouver
`(CA); Jeffrey L. Robbin, Los Altos,
`CA (US); Dave Heller, San Jose, CA
`(US); Thomas Dowdy, Sunnyvale, 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.:
`10/833,267
`(22) Filed:
`Apr. 26, 2004
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/776,403,
`filed on Feb. 10, 2004, now abandoned.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl. ................................................... H04L 9/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................................ 705/65
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Methods and Systems for network-based purchase and dis
`tribution of media are disclosed. The purchase and distri
`bution of media by these methods and Systems are not only
`Secure but also controlled. The Security restricts access to
`media within media files during downloads as well as while
`Stored at a Server and/or client. For example, a potential
`purchaser can Search and browse through numerous media
`items on-line that are available for purchase. The potential
`purchaser can thereafter purchase one or more media items
`on-line with great ease. Upon purchasing a media item, the
`content for the media item can be downloaded over the
`network to the purchaser. The content for the media item is
`then encrypted for the purchaser's use and Stored on the
`purchaser's machine. Thereafter, the purchaser can make use
`of the media item (e.g., play the media item). Improved
`graphical user interfaces Suitable for reviewing, browsing,
`previewing and/or purchasing numerous media items are
`also disclosed.
`
`602
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RECEIVE
`ACCESS
`REGUEST
`
`YES
`
`AUTHENTICATE THEACC
`ESS
`RCUEST
`
`604
`
`
`
`610
`
`
`
`612
`
`
`
`RETRIEVE AN ENCRYPTED
`VERSION OF THE SELECTED
`MEDIATEMBEING
`PURCHASED
`
`SEND THE ENCRYPTED
`VERSION OF THE SELECTED
`MEDIATEMO THE
`REQUESTOR (CLIENT)
`
`608
`
`RETURN ACCESS
`DENIE INDICATION
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 1 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478A1
`
`
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 2 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`Cstar)
`
`-0
`
`BROWSEAVAILABLE MEDIATEMS
`
`202
`
`
`
`WARNING
`ENABLED
`
`208
`
`DISPLAY WARNING
`DIALOG
`
`PREPARE AND SEND A BUY INTEREST
`
`21 O
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RECEIVE
`RESPONS NO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`222
`
`YES
`
`AUTH.
`REgyEss
`
`OBTAINMEDIA ACCESS
`INFORMATION
`
`YES
`ENTER AUTH, INFO,
`
`PREPAREAND SEND
`AN ACCESS REO UEST
`
`224 (a)
`
`SEND AUTH. NFO.
`
`220
`
`218
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 3 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478A1
`
`RECEIVE s
`
`C
`RESPONSE
`
`NO
`
`
`
`YES
`
`228
`
`230
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`DISPLAY UNAUTHORIZED
`MESSAGE
`
`
`
`RECEIVE ENCRYPTED
`MEDIA FLE FOR THE
`SELECTED MEDIATEM
`
`232
`
`GEND)
`
`STORE THE ENCRYPTED MEDIA
`ITEM TO CLIENT STORAGE
`
`234
`
`SEND ACOMPLETE NOTIFICATION
`
`236
`
`FIG. 2B
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 4 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`302
`
`
`
`
`
`RECEIVE
`BUY
`REOUEST
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`IDENTIFY ACCOUNT DENTIFER
`FROM THE BUY RECQUEST
`
`304
`
`306
`
`
`
`
`
`S
`AUTH.
`RECQUIRED
`TO BUY
`?
`
`308
`
`RECQUESTAUTHENTICATION
`
`316
`
`INITIATE PAYMENT FOR
`THE SELECTED MEDIATEM
`
`OBTAINMEDIA ACCESS
`INFORMATION
`
`SEND MEDIA ACCESS
`NFORMATION
`
`MARK TRANSACTION
`AS"OPEN"
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SEND UNAUTHORIZED
`USER CANNOT BUY
`MESSAGE
`
`314
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 5 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`402
`
`
`
`
`
`RECEIVE
`COMPLETE
`NOTIFICATION/o
`
`
`
`IDENTIFY CORRESPONDING
`"OPEN" TRANSACTION
`
`404
`
`CLOSE THE DENTIFIED
`"OPEN" TRANSACTION
`
`4O6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 6 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`502
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`S
`THERE
`AN OPEN
`PURCHASE
`CONTAINER
`
`/ 500
`
`504
`
`OPEN PURCHASE
`CONTAINER
`
`506
`
`ADD THE SELECTED MEDIATEM
`TO THE PURCHASE CONTAINER
`
`
`
`
`
`508
`
`HAS
`PURCHASE
`DEFERAL
`LIMIT
`BEEN
`REACHED
`
`CLOSE PURCHASE CONTAINER
`
`510
`
`CAUSE PAYMENT TRANSACTION
`TO OCCUR FOR COMBINED
`PURCHASE
`
`512
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 5A
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 7 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 8 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478A1
`
`A 600
`
`602
`
`
`
`
`
`RECEIVE
`ACCESS
`RECUEST
`
`YES
`
`AUTHENTICATE THE ACCESS
`REGUEST
`
`604
`
`606
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`610
`
`
`
`
`
`612
`
`
`
`RETRIEVE AN ENCRYPTED
`VERSION OF THE SELECTED
`MEDIA ITEM BEING
`PURCHASED
`
`SEND THE ENCRYPTED
`VERSION OF THE SELECTED
`MEDIATEM TO THE
`REQUESTOR (CLIENT)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 6
`
`RETURN ACCESS
`DENIED INDICATION
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 9 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`/ 700
`
`
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 10 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`
`
`| | {
`
`is:-sites:
`
`asses:
`
`is 5-f:
`
`i:
`
`is:4:::
`
`a s
`- x
`-
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 11 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`(star)
`
`/*
`
`DISPLAY SEARCH DIALOG BOX
`
`802
`
`ENTER SEARCH CRITERIA
`
`804
`
`
`
`PERFORM
`SEARCH
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`808
`
`SEND SEARCH REQUEST TO MEDIA SERVER
`
`810
`
`
`
`RESPONSE
`RECEIVED/o
`
`
`
`YES
`
`RENDER FIRST WINDOW WITH ALBUM
`RELATED INFORMATION
`
`812
`
`
`
`RENDER SECOND WINDOW WITH MEDIA
`ITEM INFORMATION CORRESPONDING
`TO THE ALBUM RELATED INFORMATION
`
`814
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 12 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`/ 900
`
`
`
`902
`
`
`
`BUY
`SELECTION
`
`906
`PREVIEW
`SELECTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MEDIA
`PURCHASE
`PROCESSING
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`908
`
`REQUEST PREVIEWSTREAM
`FOR SELECTEDMEDIATEM
`FROMMEDIA SERVER
`
`PLAY PREVIEWSTREAM
`
`910
`
`
`
`
`
`OTHER
`SELECTION
`
`OTHER
`PROCESSING
`
`
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 13 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`1000
`
`
`
`item 1
`1014
`item2 1"
`
`Item 2 1012
`term 3
`Item 4-1010
`item 5
`
`FIG. 10
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 14 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`aueN 5uo5 | w ||
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 15 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 16 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 17 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`CSTARD
`
`/ 1200
`
`DISPLAYBROWSE WINDOW WITH Nu 120
`LIST OF SELECTABLE GENRE
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`HIGHLIGHT SELECTED GENRE
`
`1204
`
`
`
`RECQUESTAVAILABLE ARTISTS WITHIN
`THE SELECTED GENRE FROMMEDIA
`SERVER
`
`DISPLAY LIST OF SELECTABLE ARTISTS
`WITHIN THE SELECTED GENRE
`
`
`
`1212
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ARTIST
`SELECTION
`
`NO
`
`1210
`
`(c)
`
`FIG. 12A
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 18 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HIGHLIGHT SELECTED ARTIST
`
`1214
`
`REOUESTAVAILABLE ALBUMS
`FOR THE SELECTED ARTIST
`FROMMEDIA SERVER
`
`
`
`1216
`
`DISPLAY LIST OF SELECTABLE
`ALBUMS FOR THE SELECTED ARTIST
`
`1220
`
`SELECTION1NO
`
`REOUEST MEDIATEMS ON THE
`SELECTED ALBUM FROMMEDIA
`SERVER
`
`
`
`1224
`
`DISPLAY MEDIATEM WINDOW WITH
`MEDIA ITEM INFORMATION CORRESPONDING
`TO THE SELECTED ALBUM
`
`F.G. 12B
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 19 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`
`
`saesae
`
`|
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 20 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ** * * *~~~~ ~~~~
`
`~~~~ ~ '' &&\s*®©3
`
`999 ||
`
`sproquando ?ó 1.
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 21 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 22 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`
`
`- maw warm v- w w an
`
`a--a
`
`ooooooooooooooooo
`
`man-wra
`
`warr -
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 23 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`
`
`1500
`
`ITEM 1
`
`ITEM 2
`
`ITEM 3
`
`1504-1
`
`1504-2
`
`FIG. 15A
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 24 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478A1
`
`
`
`1526
`
`FIG. 15B
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 25 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`
`
`&
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Jan. 27, 2005 Sheet 26 of 26
`
`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`(star)
`
`/ "
`
`REQUEST BASEPAGE FROM SERVER
`
`1602
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`DISPLAY THE BASEPAGE
`
`1606
`
`1608
`
`
`
`
`
`NEXT
`CONTROL
`SELECTION
`p
`
`1620
`
`
`
`
`
`RECQUEST NEXT SET OF
`MEDIA DATA FOR
`ASSOCIATED SUB-WINDOW
`
`
`
`PREVIEW
`REGUEST
`
`NO
`
`OTHER
`PROCESSING
`
`PRESENT THE NEXT
`SET OF MEDADATA
`IN THE ASSOCATED
`SUB-WINDOW
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`YES
`
`PRESENT THE PREVIEW
`CONTENT
`
`FIG. 16
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`Jan. 27, 2005
`
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NETWORK-BASED
`PURCHASE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MEDIA
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`0001. This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 10/776,403, filed Feb. 10, 2004,
`and entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NETWORK
`BASED DISTRIBUTION OF MEDIA, which is hereby
`incorporated by reference herein, and which claims the
`benefit of: (i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
`60/465,410, filed Apr. 25, 2003, and entitled “METHOD
`AND SYSTEM FOR SECURE NETWORK-BASED DIS
`TRIBUTION OF MEDIA", which is hereby incorporated by
`reference herein; and (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Applica
`tion No. 60/534,555, filed Jan. 5, 2004, and entitled
`“GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR BROWSING,
`SEARCHING AND PRESENTING MEDIA ITEMS”,
`which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
`0002. In addition, this application claims priority benefit
`of: (i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/465,410,
`filed Apr. 25, 2003, and entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM
`FOR SECURE NETWORK-BASED DISTRIBUTION OF
`MEDIA', which is hereby incorporated by reference herein;
`and (ii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/534,555,
`filed Jan. 5, 2004, and entitled “GRAPHICAL USER
`INTERFACE FOR BROWSING, SEARCHING AND PRE
`SENTING MEDIA ITEMS, which is hereby incorporated
`by reference herein.
`0003) This application is also related to: (i) U.S. patent
`application Ser. No.
`, filed concurrently, and entitled
`“GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR BROWSING,
`SEARCHING AND PRESENTING MEDIA ITEMS”,
`which is hereby incorporated by reference herein; and (ii)
`U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`, filed concurrently,
`and entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SECURE
`NETWORK-BASED DISTRIBUTION OF CONTENT",
`which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0004) 1. Field of the Invention
`0005 The present invention relates to media purchase
`and distribution and, more particularly, to media purchase
`and distribution in a client-Server environment.
`0006 2. Description of the Related Art
`0007 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.
`0008. 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.
`0009. One popular approach to music distribution was
`mp3.com which uses a centralized Server for Storage of the
`numerous Songs that are available for download. Another
`popular approach to music distribution was Napster in which
`peer-to-peer sharing was utilized. With peer-to-peer Sharing,
`the numerous Songs reside on the user machines of the many
`users, not on a centralized Server.
`0010. However, unrestricted use and distribution of
`music files can lead to copyright violations. It is, therefore,
`desirable for companies to be endorsed by the music indus
`try. However, to obtain endorsement, companies must
`charge users for access to the Songs. Some companies charge
`a monthly Subscription fee and permit Subscribers to play
`Songs by Streaming Such to the Subscriber's machine where
`the Songs are played. Streaming does not store the music
`files on the Subscriber's machine, and thus is less of a
`concern for the music industry. However, Such a System
`requires a network connection and network availability in
`order for Subscribers to play Songs.
`0011. As a result, there is a need to permit songs to be
`purchased and then made available locally to purchaserS So
`that the purchaser is not dependent and constrained by the
`availability of a network connection for playback of the
`Songs. However, the music industry requires its songs be
`Secured against unauthorized copying or other copyright
`Violations. Thus, there is also the need to incorporate Secu
`rity measures to restrain the Susceptibility to unauthorized
`use or distribution of the Songs.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0012 Broadly speaking, the invention relates to network
`based purchase and distribution of media. The purchase and
`distribution of media are not only Secure but also controlled.
`The Security restricts access to media within media files
`during downloads as well as while Stored at a Server and/or
`client.
`0013. One aspect of the invention pertains to a system
`and method for purchasing media items over a network. A
`potential purchaser can Search and browse through numer
`ous media items on-line that are available for purchase. The
`potential purchaser can thereafter purchase one or more
`media items on-line with great ease. Upon purchasing a
`media item, the content for the media item can be down
`loaded over the network to the purchaser. The content for the
`media item can be encrypted for the purchaser's use before
`or after download to the purchaser. The encrypted content
`for the media item can then be Stored on the purchaser's
`machine. Thereafter, the purchaser can make use of the
`media item (e.g., play the media item).
`0014. 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.
`0015. As a method for purchasing access to a media item
`over a network, one embodiment of the invention includes
`at least the acts of receiving, over the network, a buy request
`from a user requesting to buy a particular media item, the
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`Jan. 27, 2005
`
`buy request being initiated by the user through a single
`graphical user interface action by the user once an identifier
`for the particular media item is displayed on a display Screen
`for the user, and the buy request including an account
`identifier for the user; initiating payment for the particular
`media item being purchased in response to the buy request
`being received, the payment being processed using infor
`mation previously Stored in a user account associated with
`the user; determining media access information pertaining to
`the particular media item; and Sending, over the network, the
`media acceSS information to a user machine of the user, the
`media access information thereafter being used by the user
`machine to access the particular media item.
`0016. As a computer readable medium including at least
`computer program code for purchasing access to a media
`item over a network, one embodiment of the invention
`includes at least: computer program code for receiving, over
`the network, a buy request from a user requesting to buy a
`particular media item, the buy request being initiated by the
`user, the buy request including an identifier for the particular
`media item and an account identifier for the user; computer
`program code for initiating payment for the particular media
`item being purchased in response to the buy request being
`received, the payment being processed using information
`previously Stored in a user account associated with the user;
`computer program code for determining media acceSS infor
`mation pertaining to the particular media item; and computer
`program code for Sending, over the network, the media
`access information to a user machine of the user, the media
`access information thereafter being used by the user
`machine to access the particular media item.
`0.017. As a network-based media purchase system, one
`embodiment of the invention includes at least: a plurality of
`client media player programs, each of the client media
`player programs being resident on a different client machine;
`a media Storage Server that Stores media items in an
`encrypted format; and a media commerce Server. The media
`commerce Server enables each of the client media player
`programs to purchase media items by enabling the client
`media player programs to initiate payment for Such, to
`download the media items that have been purchased, to
`modify encryption imposed on the media items, to Store the
`media items to the client machines, and to Subsequently use
`the Stored media items.
`0.018. As a network-based media purchase system,
`another embodiment of the invention includes at least: a
`plurality of client media player programs, each of the client
`media player programs being resident on a different client
`machine; a media Storage Server that Stores media items in
`an encrypted format; and a media commerce Server. The
`media commerce Server enables each of the client media
`player programs to purchase media items by enabling the
`client media player programs to specify at least one media
`item to purchase and to initiate payment for the purchase, to
`encrypt the at least one media item particular for a user
`account or user associated with the one of the client media
`player programs, and to download and Store the at least one
`media item that has been encrypted to the client machine
`operating the one of the client media player programs.
`0019. As a method for processing an electronic payment
`for an online purchase, one embodiment of the method
`includes at least the acts of receiving purchase information
`
`for an online purchase made by a user, deferring processing
`of electronic payment for the online purchase; accumulating
`the purchase information for the online purchase together
`with one or more other online purchases of the user being
`deferred; determining whether a deferral limit for the online
`purchases of the user being deferred has been reached; and
`initiating an aggregate electronic payment transaction for the
`online purchases being deferred after the determining deter
`mines that the deferral limit has been reached.
`0020. As a computer readable medium including at lest
`computer program code for processing an electronic pay
`ment for an online purchase, one embodiment of the inven
`tion includes at least: computer program code for receiving
`purchase information for an online purchase made by a user;
`computer program code for deferring processing of elec
`tronic payment for the online purchase; computer program
`code for accumulating the purchase information for the
`online purchase together with one or more other online
`purchases of the user being deferred; computer program
`code for determining whether a deferral limit for the online
`purchases of the user being deferred has been reached; and
`computer program code for initiating an aggregate electronic
`payment transaction for the online purchases being deferred
`after the determining determines that the deferral limit has
`been reached.
`0021. 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
`0022. 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:
`0023 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a media purchase
`System according to one embodiment of the invention.
`0024 FIGS. 2A and 2B are flow diagrams of media
`purchase processing according to one embodiment of the
`invention.
`0025 FIG. 3 is flow diagram of media commerce pro
`cessing according to one embodiment of the invention.
`0026 FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of transaction completion
`processing according to one embodiment of the invention.
`0027 FIG. 5A is a flow diagram of payment processing
`according to one embodiment of the invention.
`0028 FIG. 5B is a screen shot of a representative appli
`cation program window that displays purchase history infor
`mation corresponding to a user's account.
`0029 FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of media delivery pro
`cessing according to one embodiment of the invention.
`0030 FIG. 7A is a diagram of an application program
`window according to one embodiment of the invention.
`0031
`FIG. 7B is a screen shot of a representative appli
`cation program window according to one embodiment of the
`invention.
`0032 FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of media search process
`ing according to one embodiment of the invention.
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`Jan. 27, 2005
`
`FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of additional processing
`0.033
`according to one embodiment of the invention.
`0034 FIG. 10 is a diagram of an application program
`window according to one embodiment of the invention.
`0035 FIGS. 11A-11C are screen shots illustrating suc
`cessive views of a browse feature according to one embodi
`ment of the invention.
`0036 FIGS. 12A and 12B are flow diagrams of media
`browse processing according to one embodiment of the
`invention.
`0037 FIGS. 13A-13B are screen shots illustrating addi
`tional features of a graphical user interface according to
`other embodiments of the invention.
`0038 FIGS. 14A and 14B are screen shots illustrating
`explicit content notification features according to one
`embodiment of the invention.
`0.039
`FIG. 15A is a diagram of an application program
`window according to one embodiment of the invention.
`0040 FIG. 15B is a diagram of a window according to
`one embodiment of the invention.
`0041
`FIG. 15C is a screen shot of an application pro
`gram window according to one embodiment of the inven
`tion.
`FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of media page process
`0.042
`ing according to one embodiment of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`0043. The invention relates to network-based purchase
`and distribution of media. The purchase and distribution of
`media are not only Secure but also controlled. The Security
`restricts access to media within media files during down
`loads as well as while stored at a server and/or client. The
`invention also relates to graphical user interfaces that assist
`users in locating media to be purchased.
`0044 One aspect of the invention pertains to a system
`and method for purchasing media items over a network. A
`potential purchaser can Search and browse through numer
`ous media items on-line that are available for purchase. The
`potential purchaser can thereafter purchase one or more
`media items on-line with great ease. Upon purchasing a
`media item, the content for the media item can be down
`loaded over the network to the purchaser. The content for the
`media item is then encrypted for the purchaser's use and
`Stored on the purchaser's machine. Thereafter, the purchaser
`can make use of the media item (e.g., play the media item).
`0.045 Another aspect of the invention pertains to a
`graphical user interface Suitable for reviewing browsing
`numerous media items. The graphical user interface is also
`Suitable for previewing or purchasing media items in an
`on-line manner. The graphical user interface is presented to
`a user at a client (client machine). In one embodiment, the
`graphical user interface is presented to the user by an
`application program that runs on the client.
`0046) The invention pertains to a method and system for
`controlled distribution of media in a client-server environ
`ment. The controlled distribution uses encryption and user
`accounts to not only restrict unauthorized access to the
`
`media but also to limit usage rights to the media by autho
`rized users. The media can, for example, be audio, Video, or
`image data.
`0047 Embodiments of various aspects of the invention
`are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 1-16. 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.
`0048 One aspect of the invention pertains to a system
`and method for purchasing media items over a network. A
`potential purchaser can Search and browse through numer
`ous media items that are available for purchase. A potential
`purchaser can purchase a media item with great ease. Upon
`purchasing a media item, the content for the media item can
`be downloaded over the network to the purchaser. The
`content for the media item is then encrypted for the pur
`chaser's use and Stored on the purchaser's machine. There
`after, the purchaser can make use of the media item (e.g.,
`play the media item). However, the use of the media item
`can Still be limited. For example, only up to a predetermined
`number user machines can be authorized to use the media
`item, or only up to a predetermined number of compact disc
`copies can be made of a grouping or collection of media
`items (e.g., a playlist).
`0049 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a media purchase
`system 100 according to one embodiment of the invention.
`The media purchase system 100 includes a media commerce
`server 102. The media commerce server 102 coordinates
`review and/or purchase of media items through on-line
`transactions. On-line transactions to purchase media items is
`also referred to as electronic commerce (e-commerce). The
`media purchase system 100 also includes a client 104.
`Typically, the media purchase system 100 would include a
`plurality of different clients 104. Each client 104 includes a
`media player 108. The media player 108 is an application
`program (e.g., Software application) that operates on the
`client 104, which is a computing device. The client 104 is
`coupled to the media commerce Server 102 through a data
`network 106. Hence, any of the clients 104 can interact with
`the media commerce server 102 to review and/or purchase
`media items. 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 per
`Sonal computers or other computing devices that are capable
`of Storing and presenting media to their users.
`0050. The media purchase system 100 also includes a
`media storage server 110 and a media store 112. The media
`Storage Server 110 represents a remote Storage Server that
`couples to the data network 106. The media store 112
`provides mass Storage of the numerous media items that are
`available for purchase via the media purchase system 100.
`Once purchased, the media items can be accessed from the
`media store 112 over the data network 106 by way of the
`media storage server 110.
`0051 More particularly, the media purchase 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 commerce server 102.
`The media player 108 may also allow the user to preview a
`media clip of the media items. In the event that the user of
`
`Adobe, Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`US 2005/0021478 A1
`
`Jan. 27, 2005
`
`the media player 108 desires to purchase a particular media
`item, the user (via the media player 108) and the media
`commerce Server 102 engage in an on-line commerce trans
`action 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.
`0052. In the media purchase system 100 shown in FIG.
`1, the media items are Stored in the media Store 112 and
`retrieved via the media storage server 110. Hence, the media
`commerce server 102 need not burden its resources to
`deliver any of the media items that may be purchased to the
`client 104. Instead, on purchasing a particular media item,
`the media commerce server 102 sends download informa
`tion to the media player 108 on the client 104. The download
`information can then be used by the media player 108 (and
`the client 104) to retrieve the media content for the particular
`media item by interacting with the media storage server 110
`through the data network 106. In this regard, the media
`Storage Server 110 obtains the media content corresponding
`to the particular media item from the media Store 112 and
`downloads 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 down
`loaded media content is stored on the client 104 as received.
`In another embodiment, the downloaded media content is
`transcrypted from one encryption key to another encryption
`key before persistent storage on the client 104. In still
`another embodiment, the downloaded media content is
`encrypted as received at the client 104 but is decrypted and
`then re-encrypted before persistent Storage on the client 104.
`Thereafter, the media player 108 can present (e.g., play) the
`media content at the client 104.
`0053. The connections through the data network 106
`between the media commerce server 102, the client 104 and
`the media Storage Server 110 can be through Secure connec
`tions, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). Further, the
`media content is stored at the client 104 in an encrypted
`C.
`0.054 As discussed in greater detail below, the media
`player 108 can utilize an improved graphical user interface.
`More particularly, in one embodiment, a window presented
`on a display device of the client 104, when executing the
`media player 108, includes an upper window that displayS
`content provided by the media commerce server 102 in a
`browser-like manner, and a lower window displayS content
`provided by the media commerce server 102 in a typical
`media player-like manner. In another embodiment, a win
`dow presented on a display device of the client 104, when
`executing the media player 108, includes an upper window
`that displays a multi-tier browse interface that implements a
`browse function with respect to the media items through
`interaction with the media commerce server 102.
`0055 FIGS. 2A and 2B are flow diagrams of media
`purchase processing 200 according to one embodiment of
`the invention. The media purchase processing 200 is, for
`example, processing associated with a media player of a
`media purchase System. The media player can, for example,
`be the media player 108 operating on the client 104 illus
`trated in FIG. 1.
`0056. The media purchase processing 200 initially per
`mits a user to browse 202 available media items. Typically