Apple patents involve metadata content, media content, media distribution systems

Posted by Dennis Sellers Nov 15, 2007 at 1:16pm

Several Apple patents regarding metadata content, media content and media distribution systems have appeared at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Obviously, they involve, at least in part, the operation of the iTunes Store.


Patent number 20070266047 is for submission of metadata content and media content to a media distribution system. It relates to media asset management, and more particularly, to submission of media assets to a distribution system in a client-server environment.

According to Apple, the disclosed embodiments relate generally to the submission of metadata content and media content to a media distribution system. The media content can include, for example, audio, video, image, or podcast data. In accordance with one embodiment, a client submitting metadata content can validate the metadata content prior to submission of the metadata content and/or associated media content. A media distribution system receiving metadata content can also validate the metadata content.

Here’s Apple’s summary of the invention: “The disclosed embodiments relate generally to the submission of metadata and/or media content to a media submission and distribution system, the validation of the metadata, and the generation of media items from the media content. The media items may include, for example, audio, video, image, or podcast data, which may include movies and television episodes.

“In accordance with one embodiment, a content provider submits metadata content to a media content distribution system, the metadata content identifying a plurality of data files including media content. The content provider can determine whether the metadata content is valid prior to submitting the metadata content to the media content distribution system. Thus, the metadata content can be submitted when it is determined by the content provider that the metadata content is valid.

[0010]In accordance with another embodiment, a media distribution system can validate metadata content that it receives from the content provider. More particularly, a media distribution system receives metadata content from a content provider, where the metadata content identifies a plurality of data files, each of the plurality of data files including media content. The metadata content can then be validated. The media distribution system can then send a notification to the content provider indicating whether the metadata content is valid. Accordingly, it is possible for the content provider and/or the media distribution system to validate the metadata.

“In one embodiment, if that the metadata content is valid, the content provider can submit the corresponding media content. The media content can be submitted independently, or in combination with the metadata content.

“In accordance with another embodiment, the media content can be submitted along with the metadata content in the form of a package. More particularly, a package including one or more metadata files and a plurality of data files can be generated, where each of the plurality of data files includes media content and the metadata files include metadata content. The package can then be submitted to a media content distribution system, thereby enabling a digital media file to be encoded using at least a portion of the media content in the plurality of data files according to the metadata content. It can be determined whether the package is a valid package prior to submitting the package. Thus, the package can be submitted when it is determined by the content provider that the package is a valid package. Validation can include validating the metadata content and/or media content.

“In accordance with another embodiment, a user interface enables a client submitting a package to submit input associated with package submission. More particularly, a package including one or more metadata files and a plurality of data files is obtained, each of the plurality of data files including media content and the metadata files including metadata content. In addition, input (e.g., a command) is received from the client. The package is submitted to a media content distribution system, thereby enabling a digital media file to be encoded using at least a portion of the media content in the plurality of data files according to the metadata content. The input (e.g., command) can request or provide information associated with the package submission. Alternatively, the input (e.g., command) can indicate processing to be performed on the package prior to or subsequent to its submission.

“In accordance with yet another embodiment, the media distribution system can validate a package that it has received from a content provider. More particularly, the media distribution system receives a package including metadata content from a content provider, the metadata content identifying a plurality of data files, each of the plurality of data files including media content. The media distribution system can determine whether the package is a valid package. The media distribution system can then send a notification to the content provider indicating whether the package is a valid package. If the package is not valid, the content provider can make the appropriate corrections and re-submit the package.

“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.

“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.”

The inventors are Ricardo Cortes and Max Muller.

Patent number 20070266028 is for processing of metadata content and media content received by a media distribution system. It relates to media asset management, and more particularly, to submission of media assets to a distribution system in a client-server environment.

According to Apple, the disclosed embodiments relate generally to the submission of metadata content and media content to a media distribution system. The media content can include, for example, audio, video, image, or podcast data. In accordance with one embodiment, a client submitting metadata content can validate the metadata content prior to submission of the metadata content and/or associated media content. A media distribution system receiving metadata content can also validate the metadata content.

Here’s Apple summary of the invention: “The disclosed embodiments relate generally to the submission of metadata and/or media content to a media submission and distribution system, the validation of the metadata, and the generation of media items from the media content. The media items may include, for example, audio, video, image, or podcast data, which may include movies and television episodes.

“In accordance with one embodiment, a content provider submits metadata content to a media content distribution system, the metadata content identifying a plurality of data files including media content. The content provider can determine whether the metadata content is valid prior to submitting the metadata content to the media content distribution system. Thus, the metadata content can be submitted when it is determined by the content provider that the metadata content is valid.

“In accordance with another embodiment, a media distribution system can validate metadata content that it receives from the content provider. More particularly, a media distribution system receives metadata content from a content provider, where the metadata content identifies a plurality of data files, each of the plurality of data files including media content. The metadata content can then be validated. The media distribution system can then send a notification to the content provider indicating whether the metadata content is valid. Accordingly, it is possible for the content provider and/or the media distribution system to validate the metadata.

“In one embodiment, if that the metadata content is valid, the content provider can submit the corresponding media content. The media content can be submitted independently, or in combination with the metadata content.

“In accordance with another embodiment, the media content can be submitted along with the metadata content in the form of a package. More particularly, a package including one or more metadata files and a plurality of data files can be generated, where each of the plurality of data files includes media content and the metadata files include metadata content. The package can then be submitted to a media content distribution system, thereby enabling a digital media file to be encoded using at least a portion of the media content in the plurality of data files according to the metadata content. It can be determined whether the package is a valid package prior to submitting the package. Thus, the package can be submitted when it is determined by the content provider that the package is a valid package. Validation can include validating the metadata content and/or media content.

“In accordance with another embodiment, a user interface enables a client submitting a package to submit input associated with package submission. More particularly, a package including one or more metadata files and a plurality of data files is obtained, each of the plurality of data files including media content and the metadata files including metadata content. In addition, input (e.g., a command) is received from the client. The package is submitted to a media content distribution system, thereby enabling a digital media file to be encoded using at least a portion of the media content in the plurality of data files according to the metadata content. The input (e.g., command) can request or provide information associated with the package submission. Alternatively, the input (e.g., command) can indicate processing to be performed on the package prior to or subsequent to its submission.

“In accordance with yet another embodiment, the media distribution system can validate a package that it has received from a content provider. More particularly, the media distribution system receives a package including metadata content from a content provider, the metadata content identifying a plurality of data files, each of the plurality of data files including media content. The media distribution system can determine whether the package is a valid package. The media distribution system can then send a notification to the content provider indicating whether the package is a valid package. If the package is not valid, the content provider can make the appropriate corrections and re-submit the package.

“The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a method, system, device, apparatus, graphical user interface, or computer readable medium.”

The inventors are, again, Ricardo Cortes and Max Muller.

Patent number 20070265969 is for computerized management of media distribution agreements. It’s for a computer-implemented method for automated processing of media contracts for a media content provider and a media distribution system. According to Apple, the invention relates to electronic distribution of media and, more particularly, to management of agreements concerning distribution of media items.

Here’s the company’s summary of the invention: “Methods and systems for managing media distribution are disclosed. Advantageously, the management of media distribution can be substantially computer implemented and include management of media distribution agreements. The management of media distribution agreements can operate to manage the creation and/or renewal of media distribution agreements in an automated and efficient manner. The methods and systems for management of media distribution can also take appropriate action when a media distribution agreement is approved as well as when the media distribution agreement expires.

“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.

“As a computer-implemented method for automated processing of media contracts for a media content provider and a media distribution system, one embodiment of the invention includes at least the acts of: receiving a media contract request from a media content provider; determining a document set to be utilized for the media contract request; personalizing the document set for the content provider; and sending the personalized document set to the content provider.

“As a computer-implemented method for notifying a content provider to renew a media contract with a media distribution system, one embodiment of the invention includes at least the acts of: determining at least one content provider having at least one contract that is soon to expire; producing a notification message to inform the content provider that the contract is soon to expire unless renewed; and sending the notification message to the content provider.

“As a computer-implemented method for renewing media contracts between content providers and a media distribution system, one embodiment of the invention includes at least the acts of: identifying at least one media contract to be renewed, the media contract being between a content provider and the media distribution system; determining a document set for renewal of the at least one media contract to be renewed; personalizing the document set for the content provider; sending the personalized document set to the content provider; storing document information corresponding to the personalized document set into a contract database; updating the contract database when the personalized document set is executed and returned; enabling submission and distribution of media content to the media distribution system; and notifying the content provider that they are eligible to submit content to the media distribution system for distribution.

“As a graphical user interface for renewing a contract, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: an expiration warning area that presents an expiration warning; renewal instructions area that presents renewal instructions; and a listing of one or more existing contracts that can be renewed. For each of the existing contracts in the listing, the listing of existing contracts includes a contract region and a contract type.

“As a computer readable medium including at least computer program code for automated processing of a media distribution agreement between a media content provider and a media distribution system, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: computer program code for receiving a media distribution agreement request from a media content provider; computer program code for determining a media contract to be utilized for the media distribution agreement request; computer program code for personalizing the media contract for the content provider; and computer program code for sending the personalized media contract to the content provider.

“As a media management system for managing media content, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: an agreement management system that manages media distribution agreements for the media management system; and a media distribution system that manages electronic distribution of media content associated with content providers to purchasers over a network. The agreement management system can include one or more of: (i) a notification manager configured to send notifications to those content providers with media distribution agreements that are soon to expire; (ii) an agreement renewal manager configured to facilitate renewal of media distribution agreements prior to their expiration; (iii) an agreement expiration manager configured to indicate an expiration status when one or more of the media distribution agreements expire before being renewed; and (iv) a database that stores agreement information on the media distribution agreements, the agreement information including at least descriptive information and a status indication for each of the media distribution agreements.”

The inventors are Justyna Horwat, Max Mueller, Gregory Robbin, Eric John Gray, Jonathan B. Leffert, Matti J. Railo and Sean K. Smith. The graphic below is a block diagram of a media submission and distribution system according to one embodiment of the invention.

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