Submission of metadata content and media content to a media distribution system

• US 20070266047A1
• Filed: 02/27/2007
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Muller, Max, Cortes, Ricardo
• Granted Patent: US 7,962,634 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/48 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/561 Adding application-functional data or data for application control, e.g. adding metadata

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A method of submitting metadata content to a media content distribution system, comprising:

submitting metadata content to a media content distribution system, the metadata content identifying a plurality of data files including media content; and

determining whether the metadata content is valid prior to submitting the metadata content to the media content distribution system;

wherein submitting is performed when it is determined that the metadata content is valid.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

validating existence of a metadata file including the metadata content.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the metadata content includes a checksum for each of the plurality of data files.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein determining whether the metadata content is valid comprises:

calculating a checksum for one of the plurality of data files; and

determining whether the calculated checksum matches the checksum in the metadata content.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein determining whether the metadata content is valid comprises:

checking an extension of one or more of the plurality of data files.

6. (canceled)

7. An apparatus for submitting metadata content to a media content distribution system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, at least one of the processor or the memory being adapted for;

submitting metadata content to a media content distribution system, the metadata content identifying a plurality of data files including media content;

determining whether the metadata content is valid prior to submitting the metadata content to the media content distribution system;

wherein submitting is performed when it is determined that the metadata content is valid.

8. A method of providing digital media content, comprising:

generating a package including one or more metadata files and a plurality of data files, each of the plurality of data files including media content and the metadata files including metadata content;

submitting the package 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; and

determining whether the package is a valid package prior to submitting the package;

wherein submitting is performed when it is determined that the package is a valid package.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

specifying a directory to which the package is to be moved if the package is a valid package, wherein the package is moved prior to submitting the package.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the metadata content includes a checksum for each of the plurality of data files.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

calculating a checksum for one of the plurality of data files; and

determining whether the calculated checksum matches the checksum in the metadata content.

12. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein determining whether the package is a valid package comprises:

checking an extension of one or more of the plurality of data files in the package.

13. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

receiving a list of expected files;

wherein determining whether the package is a valid package includes determining whether the package includes each file in the list of expected files.

14. (canceled)

15. An apparatus for providing digital media content, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, at least one of the processor or the memory being adapted for;

generating a package including one or more metadata files and a plurality of data files, each of the plurality of data files including media content and the metadata files including metadata content;

submitting the package 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; and

determining whether the package is a valid package prior to submitting the package;

wherein submitting is performed when it is determined that the package is a valid package.

16. A method of providing digital media content, comprising:

obtaining a package including one or more metadata files and a plurality of data files, each of the plurality of data files including media content and the metadata files including metadata content;

receiving input from a client; and

submitting the package 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;

wherein the input requests or provides information associated with the package submission.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the input requests a list of providers for which the client has permission to deliver media content.

18. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the input identifies a directory containing one or more packages to be submitted or a filename including a package to be submitted.

19. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the input indicates that information associated with the package submission is to be logged.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the input identifies a directory or filename to which the information is to be logged.

21. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the input identifies a directory or filename to which the information is to be logged in association with successfully submitted packages.

22. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the input indicates a level of information to be logged.

23. (canceled)

24. An apparatus for providing digital media content, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, at least one of the processor or the memory being adapted for;

obtaining a package including one or more metadata files and a plurality of data files, each of the plurality of data files including media content and the metadata files including metadata content;

receiving input from a client;

submitting the package 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;

wherein the input requests or provides information associated with the package submission.

25. A method of providing digital media content, comprising:

obtaining a package including one or more metadata files and a plurality of data files, each of the plurality of data files including media content and the metadata files including metadata content;

receiving input from a client;

submitting the package 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;

wherein the input indicates processing to be performed on the package prior to or subsequent to the submission of the package.

26. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the input indicates that at least one of metadata content or media content is to be validated prior to submission of the package.

27. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the input indicates a directory to which the package is to be moved after package submission is successfully completed.

28. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the input indicates a directory to which the package is to be moved after package submission is unsuccessfully completed.

29. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the input indicates that the package is to be deleted after package submission is successfully completed.

30. (canceled)

31. An apparatus for providing digital media content, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory, at least one of the processor or the memory being adapted for;

obtaining a package including one or more metadata files and a plurality of data files, each of the plurality of data files including media content and the metadata files including metadata content;

receiving input from a client; and

submitting the package 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;

wherein the input indicates processing to be performed on the package prior to or subsequent to the submission of the package.