Prior art

Analysis of Prior Art for U.S. Patent 6,199,076

This analysis identifies and evaluates the most relevant prior art cited in U.S. Patent 6,199,076. Each reference is examined for its potential to anticipate the claims of the '076 patent under 35 U.S.C. § 102. The analysis is based on the detailed description of the '076 patent provided, as the explicit claims are not present in the supplied text. The potential anticipation is therefore assessed against the core concepts of the invention: a client-server system for personalized audio program delivery based on user profiles, dynamic control of playback, and the logging of usage data for feedback and billing.

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U.S. Patent 5,251,293: "Personalized Information and Entertainment System"

• Full Citation: US Patent 5,251,293 A
• Publication Date: October 5, 1993
• Filing Date: April 27, 1992
• Brief Description: This patent describes a system for providing personalized information and entertainment to users. It details a method where a central facility stores a library of audio/video segments. A subscriber's personal computer can dial into the central facility, and based on a pre-defined user profile, the system selects and downloads a customized program of news, music, and other information. The user can interact with the program, and the system can track usage.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: This reference appears to be highly relevant. It discloses the fundamental architecture of the '076 patent: a central server, a user profile, selection and compilation of media segments based on that profile, and transmission to a remote user device. It potentially anticipates the core method and system claims related to creating and delivering a personalized media program. Specifically, it seems to teach the server-side compilation of a media sequence based on user preferences for later playback on a client device.

U.S. Patent 5,371,551: "Concurrent Downloading and Playing of a Program Segment"

• Full Citation: US Patent 5,371,551 A
• Publication Date: December 6, 1994
• Filing Date: August 4, 1993
• Inventors: James Logan, Daniel F. Goessling
• Brief Description: This patent, which shares inventors with the '076 patent, discloses a method for simultaneously downloading and playing a program segment. Information is placed into a memory buffer as it is being downloaded, and concurrently read from that buffer for playback. This allows for near-instantaneous playback without waiting for a full download. The '076 patent itself cites this work, stating "the downloading and playing may proceed concurrently...as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,551".
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: This patent is more specific than the '293 patent. It does not anticipate the entire system of personalization and usage logging. However, it could anticipate specific dependent claims related to the method of data delivery, particularly claims that might specify the concurrent downloading and playing of audio segments. The '076 patent builds upon this by integrating this delivery method into a broader personalization and feedback system.

U.S. Patent 5,499,393: "Method of and Apparatus for Selecting and Displaying an Interactive Program Guide"

• Full Citation: US Patent 5,499,393 A
• Publication Date: March 12, 1996
• Filing Date: November 12, 1993
• Brief Description: This patent describes an interactive television program guide. The system receives broadcast program schedule data, stores it, and allows a user to navigate through the schedule. Users can select programs for viewing or recording and can search or filter the guide based on various criteria like program title, category, or time.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: This reference is relevant to the user interface and program selection aspects of the '076 patent. While focused on television and broadcast data, it discloses the concept of a user navigating a catalog of available media ("program catalog information 137" in the '076 patent's FIG. 1) and making selections for a personalized schedule. It could potentially anticipate claims related to the client-side functionality of reviewing, editing, and sequencing a program schedule before playback. However, it does not appear to describe the server-side compilation based on a detailed user profile or the crucial feedback loop of transmitting usage data back to the server.

U.S. Patent 5,557,541: "System for Supplying Musical Compositions to a Subscriber"

• Full Citation: US Patent 5,557,541 A
• Publication Date: September 17, 1996
• Filing Date: June 7, 1995
• Brief Description: This patent details a system for on-demand delivery of music to subscribers. A central server stores a library of musical compositions. A subscriber can connect to the server, search for music, and request specific tracks for download to their local device for playback. The system includes provisions for billing the subscriber based on the music they select and download.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims: This patent discloses a client-server architecture for delivering audio content on demand with an associated billing mechanism. It anticipates the concept of a user selecting specific audio segments from a central library for local playback and being charged for them. This could anticipate claims related to the on-demand selection and billing components of the '076 system. However, it seems to focus on a user-initiated, track-by-track selection model rather than the '076 patent's more automated, profile-driven compilation of a continuous "program schedule" or "session." The '076 patent's emphasis on adaptive personalization through usage log feedback appears to be a key distinction.