Data Compilation system and method

• US 20060241955A1
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: RealNetworks, Inc.
• Inventors: Bank, Bryna
• Granted Patent: US 7,617,296 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A method, computer program product, client, and server application configured to store information associated with a subset of users of a media distribution service in a memory. At least one distribution history data set is compiled for each member of the subset of users. The at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users are combined to form a combined distribution history data set. Information from the combined distribution history data set is transferred to a user electronic device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

storing information associated with a subset of users of a media distribution service in a memory;

compiling at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users;

combining the at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users to form a combined distribution history data set; and

transferring information from the combined distribution history data set to a user electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein storing information includes storing information in a memory of a server device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein transferring information includes transferring ranked information from the combined distribution history data set.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein transferring information includes transferring random information from the combined distribution history data set.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein storing information includes at least one of:

storing top album information associated with the subset of users;

storing top artist information associated with the subset of users; and

storing top track information associated with the subset of users.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein transferring information includes at least one of:

transferring information via a wireless connection;

transferring information via a wired connection;

transferring information via a universal serial bus port; and

transferring information via a firewire port.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users is compiled by one or more of:

a server device; and

the user electronic device.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the combined distribution history data set is compiled by one or more of:

a server device; and

the user electronic device.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the combined distribution history data set is chosen from the group consisting of:

a top album data set;

a top artist data set; and

a top track data set.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein transferring information includes serving a web page that illustrates the combined distribution history data set.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the subset of users includes a single member.

12. A method comprising:

enabling a user to define a subset of users having at least one member, the at least one member being chosen from a plurality of users of a media distribution service; and

enabling a user to view a combined distribution history data set, the combined distribution history data set being a combination of at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the combined distribution history data set is chosen from the group consisting of:

a top album data set;

a top artist data set; and

a top track data set.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the subset of users includes a single member.

15. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

store information associated with a subset of users of a media distribution service in a memory;

compile at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users;

combine the at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users to form a combined distribution history data set; and

transfer information from the combined distribution history data set to a user electronic device.

16. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the computer readable medium and the processor are included within a server device.

17. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the instructions for storing information include instructions for storing information in a memory of a server computer.

18. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the instructions for transferring information include instructions for transferring ranked information from the combined distribution history data set.

19. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the instructions for transferring information include instructions for transferring random information from the combined distribution history data set.

20. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the instructions for storing information include instructions for at least one of:

storing top album information associated with the subset of users;

storing top artist information associated with the subset of users; and

storing top track information associated with the subset of users.

21. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the instructions for transferring information include instructions for at least one of:

transferring information via a wireless connection;

transferring information via a wired connection;

transferring information via a universal serial bus port; and

transferring information via a firewire port.

22. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users is compiled by one or more of:

a server device; and

the user electronic device.

23. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the combined distribution history data set is compiled by one or more of:

a server device; and

the user electronic device.

24. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the combined distribution history data set is chosen from the group consisting of:

a top album data set;

a top artist data set; and

a top track data set.

25. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the instructions for transferring information include instructions for:

serving a web page that illustrates the combined distribution history data set.

26. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the subset of users includes a single member.

27. A client, configured to receive media distributed from a server device, the client further configured to:

enable a user to define a subset of users having at least one member, the at least one member being chosen from a plurality of users of a media distribution service; and

enable a user to view a combined distribution history data set, the combined distribution history data set being a combination of at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users.

28. The client of claim 27 further comprising:

a user interface configured for allowing a user to access the combined distribution history data set.

29. The client of claim 27 wherein the client is chosen from the group consisting of:

a client-side application, a client computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, a television, a cable box, an internet radio, and a dedicated internet device.

30. The client of claim 27 wherein the combined distribution history data set is chosen from the group consisting of:

a top album data set;

a top artist data set; and

a top track data set.

31. The client of claim 27 wherein the media distributed by the server device is chosen from the group consisting of:

audio media, video media; and

audio/video media.

32. A server application running on a server operating system, the server application configured to distribute media to a plurality of users of a media distribution service, the server application being further configured to:

store information associated with a subset of users of a media distribution service in a memory;

compile at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users;

combine the at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users to form a combined distribution history data set; and

transfer information from the combined distribution history data set to a user electronic device.

33. The server application of claim 32 wherein storing information includes storing information in a memory of a server device.

34. The server application of claim 32 wherein transferring information includes transferring ranked information from the combined distribution history data set.

35. The server application of claim 32 wherein transferring information includes transferring random information from the combined distribution history data set.

36. The server application of claim 32 wherein storing information includes at least one of:

storing top album information associated with the subset of users;

storing top artist information associated with the subset of users; and

storing top track information associated with the subset of users.

37. The server application of claim 32 wherein transferring information includes at least one of:

transferring information via a wireless connection;

transferring information via a wired connection;

transferring information via a universal serial bus port; and

transferring information via a firewire port.

38. The server application of claim 32 wherein the distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users is compiled by one or more of:

a server device; and

the user electronic device.

39. The server application of claim 32 wherein the combined distribution history data set is compiled by one or more of:

a server device; and

the user electronic device.

40. The server application of claim 32 wherein the combined distribution history data set is chosen from the group consisting of:

a top album data set;

a top artist data set; and

a top track data set.

41. The server application of claim 32 wherein the media distributed by the server device is chosen from the group consisting of:

audio media, video media; and

audio/video media.

42. The server application of claim 32 wherein transferring information includes:

serving a web page that illustrates the combined distribution history data set.