On November 2, the US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple’s patent application titled ‘Techniques for acquiring a media season of digital media assets’ which was originally filed in March 2006. Apple’s patent application relates to digital media assets and, more particularly, to network-based purchase of sets of digital media assets. The patent covers purchasing seasons of media such as television episodes and events such as football using Apple’s iTunes Music Store.

Apple’s Abstract

Techniques to facilitate acquiring a media season, or a related series, of digital media assets from an on-line media store are disclosed. A user can view various media seasons that have been listed as available for purchase from the on-line media store. A user can choose to purchase a particular media season, either before or during the season. Subsequent to the purchase of the particular media season, digital media assets of the particular media season can be delivered to the user once the digital media assets become available. Since the monitoring is computerized and the delivery is electronic, once a digital media asset becomes available, delivery can be automatically processed.

Media Management Application

Patent FIG. 3C is a diagram of a representative media season window 360 according to one embodiment of the invention. The media season window 360 is typically presented on a display device associated with a client device when the client device is interacting with the on-line media store via a Media Management Application (MMA). More particularly, when the user is interacting with the on-line media store to view information pertaining to a media season (or season pass) that is available for purchase on the on-line media store. The media season window 360 includes a source portion 362 and a media season portion 364. The source portion 362 indicates the source for the information being presented in the media season portion 364. In this example, the source portion 362 indicates that a “Media Store” has been selected, such that the information being presented in the media season portion 364 is information provided by an on-line media store. In this case, the information corresponds to one of a plurality of media seasons that are available for purchase from the on-line media store. The media season portion 364 includes a media season information portion 366 and an episode listing area 368. The media season information portion 366 includes information pertaining to the media season, which in this implementation is referred to as a show. Hence, the media season information portion 366 includes a show title 370, a release date 371, total number of episodes 372 for the show, total cost 373 for the media season, and a “Buy Season” button 374. Upon selecting the “Buy Season” button 374, the user requests to purchase the particular media season. The media season information area 366 can also display a show graphic 375 and a show description 376 for the media season. The show graphic 375, for example, is a still graphic, animated graphics or video associated with the media season. The show description 376 details the specifics of the media season (e.g., show) being purchased, including how many episodes are to be provided.

Season Status Window

Patent FIG. 7 is a representative season status window 700 according to one embodiment of the invention. The season status window 700 allows a user to receive status information regarding media seasons they have previously purchased. In particular, the season status window 700 includes a media source portion 702 and a media status portion 704. The media source portion 702 indicates the media source for the information presented in the media status portion 704. As shown in FIG. 7, the media source portion 702 indicates that the media source is a “Media Store,” namely, the on-line media store. The media status portion 704 includes media season status information. The media season status information presented in the media status portion 704 includes current season passes 706 and completed season passes 708. A season pass corresponds to a media season. For each of the season passes, the seasons that have been purchased can be identified as well as an indication of the extent to which the season has been provided. In addition, a user interface control 710 (e.g., check-box) can be presented so that email notifications of new episodes can be enabled or disabled.

Online Media Store: iTMS

A computer program, typically a media management application (MMA) or other media player application runs on the client device. One example of a media management application is the iTunes [RTM] application, produced by Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. The client devices are, in general, computing devices. As an example, the client devices can be specific or general-purpose personal computers or portable media players. One example of a portable media player suitable for use with the invention is the iPod [RTM.] media player, also produced by Apple Computer, Inc. The computer program can be used by a consumer for a variety of purposes, including, but not limited to: (i) browsing and/or purchasing media assets (including seasons of media assets) from the on-line media store provided by the media store server 102, (ii) creating and sharing media asset groups (e.g., playlists), (iii) organizing media assets, (iv) presenting/playing media assets, and (v) transferring media assets between client devices 104.

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The inventors listed on patent application number 20060247976 are: Bruno Posokhow, Ellis M. Verosub, Payam Mirrashidi, David Lawrence Neumann and David M. Scheck.

The inventors listed on patent application number 20060248113 are Jonathan B.; Leffert Patrice Gautier, Bruno Posokhow, Ellis M. Verosub, Payam Mirrashidi, David Lawrence Neumann and David M. Scheck.

Written and researched by Neo.