Digital Media Asset Upgrade System with Track Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inefficiencies when purchasing digital media assets, as they are charged for entire albums despite already owning individual tracks, leading to unnecessary downloads and wasted resources, and there is a lack of convenient options to upgrade from individual tracks to albums.

Innovation Solution

A system and graphical user interface that allows users to upgrade from individual digital media assets to sets, such as albums, by identifying previously purchased items and presenting upgrade opportunities based on equivalency rules, enabling users to purchase only the missing tracks and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If users purchase individual tracks from an album, then they can acquire specific tracks at lower cost, but they cannot obtain the complete album and waste computing resources when downloading tracks they already own

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of tracks acquiredVSAvoidcomputing and network resources wasted

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of tracks the user already owns before initiating the album download process. By checking the user's existing library in advance, the system can prepare a filtered download list that excludes already-owned tracks, preventing wasted computing and network resources while still delivering the complete album experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If users are charged for entire albums, then they can acquire complete sets of media assets, but they pay for tracks they already own individually

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to acquire complete albumVSAvoidcost paid for tracks

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The album purchase is segmented into two components: tracks the user already owns (which are identified and excluded from the transaction) and tracks the user needs to acquire (which are charged for). This segmentation allows the system to charge only for the missing portions while still delivering the complete album, making the pricing adaptable to the user's existing collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pricing parameter is dynamically changed based on the user's existing collection. Instead of a fixed album price, the system calculates a variable price that reflects only the value of tracks the user does not yet possess, while maintaining the ability to deliver the complete album set.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system downloads all album tracks to users, then users receive complete albums, but network resources are wasted transmitting tracks users already have

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete album deliveryVSAvoidnetwork resources wasted

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and removes tracks from the album that the user already possesses, creating a streamlined download package that contains only the missing tracks. This extraction process eliminates unnecessary network transmission of duplicate content while ensuring the user receives their complete album collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If users purchase tracks individually, then they can control their spending, but they lack convenient options to upgrade to complete albums

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol over spendingVSAvoidupgrade options available

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides a dynamic upgrade mechanism that adapts to the user's existing collection. When users purchase individual tracks, the system dynamically generates upgrade opportunities that show them how much they would save by purchasing the complete album, making the upgrade option convenient and attractive while respecting their initial spending control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to users about their purchase patterns by showing them upgrade opportunities for complete albums based on their individual track purchases. This feedback loop informs users of the completeness of their collections and the potential savings from upgrading, enabling informed decisions while maintaining spending control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10521812B2Method and system for upgrading a previously purchased media asset

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 APPLE INC

AI summary

Systems, graphical user interfaces and methods for upgrading from one or more digital media assets to a set of digital media assets over a network are described. A potential purchaser can be notified of available upgrade opportunities that are available for purchase. The potential purchaser can elect to pursue an upgrade opportunity so as to purchase a set of digital media assets. Upon upgrading to the set of digital media assets, the digital media assets within the set of digital media assets are made available to the purchaser. According to one aspect, a graphical user interface facilitates presenting and requesting upgrade opportunities. According to another aspect, equivalency rules and/or eligibility rules can be used to control which sets of digital media assets are available for upgrade by respective potential purchasers.