Generic media covers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9928751-B2
Application number	US-201213539171-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 29, 2012
Priority date	Jun 29, 2012
Publication date	Mar 27, 2018
Grant date	Mar 27, 2018

Abstract

Generic media covers can be generated for digital media items submitted by publishers without a personalized media cover. A generic media cover can be generated for a media item by hashing a unique identifier of the media item that remains consistent throughout the life cycle of the media item. Bytes of the hashed value can be translated into graphic parameters which are used to generate the generic graphic. The graphic parameters can be attached to the generic graphic, thus allowing a user to regenerate the generic graphic at a desired resolution at a later point in time. Also disclosed are techniques for ensuring that generic media covers for a bundle of media items appear substantially similar.

First claim

We claim:

1. A computer implemented method, comprising: determining that a digital media item having a unique metadata item is missing a media cover;
hashing the unique metadata item to generate a hash value;
translating a first portion of the hash value into a first graphic parameter, wherein the first graphic parameter specifies a first attribute of a generic media cover;
translating a second portion of the hash value into a second graphic parameter, wherein the second graphic parameter specifies a second attribute of the generic media cover;
generating the generic media cover based on the first graphic parameter and the second graphic parameter; and associating the generic media cover to the digital media item.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the unique metadata item is set to a unique metadata item of a second digital media item so that the generic media cover of the digital media item is substantially similar to a generic media cover of the second digital media item.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first graphic parameter is a color scheme from a collection of color schemes and the first portion of the hash value comprises a byte of the hash value, wherein the byte of the hash value is translated into the first graphic parameter.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein generating the generic media cover comprises:
selecting a template from a collection of templates based on a third graphic parameter, wherein the third graphic parameter specifies a third attribute of the digital media item;
generating a generic graphic according to the template; and
rendering the generic graphic within the generic media cover.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 4 , wherein the third attribute is a title of the digital media item.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein associating the generic media cover to the digital media item comprises storing the generic media cover in a media cover field of the digital media item.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the hash value is translated by a first dictionary and the second portion of the hash value is translated by a second dictionary.

8. A computer implemented method, comprising:
determining that a first digital media item of a first type is to be part of a media bundle of one or more grouped digital media items, wherein the media bundle includes a second digital media item of a second type;
retrieving bundle cover art associated with the media bundle, wherein the bundle cover art is automatically generated generic cover art;
determining that the first digital media item has corresponding personalized cover art; and
replacing the automatically generated generic cover art with the corresponding personalized cover art of the first digital media item.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 8 , further comprising:
determining that the bundle cover art is generic; and
updating the bundle cover art with item cover art associated with the first digital media item when the first digital media item was received.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 9 , further comprising:
notifying users of media in the media bundle of the update.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 9 , further comprising:
receiving, from a user, acceptance of the updated bundle cover art; and
transmitting the updated bundle cover art to the user.

12. The computer implemented method of claim 9 , further comprising:
determining that the bundle cover art is personalized;
selecting one of the automatically generated generic cover art or an item cover art based on a hierarchy specifying an ordering of media types; and
updating the media bundle or the first digital media item according to the selection.

13. The computer implemented method of claim 12 , wherein selecting one of the automatically generated generic cover art or the item cover art comprises:
ranking the first digital media items of the media bundle by a media type attribute according to the hierarchy;
determining a highest ranked digital media item; and
selecting whichever of the automatically generated generic cover art or the item cover art is associated with the highest ranked media item.

14. The computer implemented method of claim 12 , further comprising:
notifying users of media in the media bundle of the update when the item cover art is selected.

15. The computer implemented method of claim 14 , further comprising:
receiving, from a user, acceptance of the updated bundle cover art; and
transmitting the updated bundle cover art to the user.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer program code causing a device to perform a method comprising:
determining that a digital media item having a unique metadata item is missing a media cover;
hashing the unique metadata item to generate a hash value;
translating a first portion of the hash value into a first graphic parameter, wherein the first graphic parameter specifies a first attribute of a generic media cover;
translating a second portion of the hash value into a second graphic parameter, wherein the second graphic parameter specifies a second attribute of the generic media cover;
generating the generic media cover based on the first graphic parameter and the second graphic parameter; and
associating the generic media cover to the digital media item.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the unique metadata item is set to a unique metadata item of a second digital media item so that the generic media cover of the digital media item is substantially similar to a generic media cover of the second digital media item.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16 , wherein generating the generic media cover comprises:
selecting a template from a collection of templates based on a third graphic parameter, wherein the third graphic parameter specifies a third attribute of the digital media item;
generating a generic graphic according to the template; and
rendering the generic graphic within the generic media cover.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18 , wherein the third attribute is a title of the digital media item.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer program code causing a device to perform a method comprising:
determining that a first digital media item of a first type is to be part of a media bundle of one or more grouped digital media items, wherein the media bundle includes a second digital media item of a second type;
retrieving bundle cover art associated with the media bundle, where the bundle cover art is automatically generated generic cover art by:
determining that the first digital media item has corresponding personalized cover art; and
replacing the bundle cover art with the corresponding personalized cover art of the first digital media item.

21. A system comprising:
at least one processor;
at least one storage device;
at least one memory configured to store instructions for controlling the at least one processor to perform steps comprising:
determining that a digital media item having metadata is missing a media cover;
hashing the metadata to generate a hash value;
translating a first portion of the hash value into a first graphic parameter, wherein the first graphic parameter specifies a first attribute of a generic media cover;
transl

Assignees

• Lynch Ryan S
• Cannistraro Alan Christopher
• Dougherty Casey Maureen
• Makower David
• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Lynch Ryan S
• Cannistraro Alan Christopher
• Dougherty Casey Maureen
• Makower David

Classifications

• G09B5/062 Primary

  Combinations of audio and printed presentations, e.g. magnetically striped cards, talking books, magnetic tapes with printed texts thereon · CPC title

• G06Q30/0621

  by configuring or customising goods or services · CPC title

• G06Q30/0601

  Electronic shopping [e-shopping] · CPC title