Prior art — US Patent 7173177

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 7173177, I will examine the "Patent Citations" section of the patent itself. This section lists the prior art references cited during the examination process.

Here's an analysis of the patent citations, with details for each reference regarding its full citation, publication/filing date, a brief description, and which claim(s) it potentially anticipates under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Prior Art Citations for US7173177B1

1. US5963916A

Full Citation: US5963916A - Network apparatus and method for preview of music products and compilation of market data.
Publication Date: 1999-10-05 (Filing Date: 1990-09-13).
Brief Description: This patent describes a network apparatus and method for previewing music products and compiling market data. It enables users to browse and listen to samples of music over a network.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent potentially anticipates elements of Claim 1, particularly steps related to displaying items (music products) and playing a portion of un-owned items (previewing music). Specifically, it could be relevant to:
- Claim 1: displaying the one or more items on the user interface.
- Claim 11: playing a portion of each un-owned item selected by a user.

2. US6131088A

Full Citation: US6131088A - Electronic catalog system and method.
Publication Date: 2000-10-10 (Filing Date: 1992-04-10).
Brief Description: This patent describes an electronic catalog system and method, likely for presenting various items to users for selection and potential purchase.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This could anticipate the general concept of displaying items in a user interface for selection, as broadly covered in Claim 1, specifically:
- Claim 1: generating a user interface; display the one or more items on the user interface.

3. US6026366A

Full Citation: US6026366A - Method for providing software to a remote computer.
Publication Date: 2000-02-15 (Filing Date: 1993-09-22).
Brief Description: This patent focuses on methods for providing software to a remote computer, which involves transferring data over a network.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This might be relevant to the "transferred via a network" aspect of Claim 1, as it deals with data transfer. Specifically, it could be relevant to:
- Claim 1: store a play list transferred via a network.

4. US5734719A

Full Citation: US5734719A - Digital information accessing, delivery and production system.
Publication Date: 1998-03-31 (Filing Date: 1993-10-15).
Brief Description: This patent describes a system for accessing, delivering, and producing digital information, which could include various forms of digital content.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This could be seen as broadly anticipating the transfer and storage of digital "items" as described in Claim 1, particularly if the "items" in the playlist are digital.

5. US6026403A

Full Citation: US6026403A - Computer system for management of resources.
Publication Date: 2000-02-15 (Filing Date: 1994-03-24).
Brief Description: This patent describes a computer system for resource management. While generic, "resource management" could encompass managing inventory.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent might broadly anticipate the "management" aspect of inventory in the context of a computer system, but lacks the specific user interface and owned/un-owned distinctions of US7173177.

6. US6023683A

Full Citation: US6023683A - Electronic sourcing system and method.
Publication Date: 2000-02-08 (Filing Date: 1994-08-10).
Brief Description: This patent describes an electronic system and method for sourcing goods, likely involving searching for and acquiring items.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This could be relevant to the purchasing aspects of the invention, potentially anticipating steps in dependent claims related to initiating purchases and linking to vendors (Claims 2, 4).

7. US6055516A

Full Citation: US6055516A - Electronic sourcing system.
Publication Date: 2000-04-25 (Filing Date: 1994-08-10).
Brief Description: Similar to US6023683A, this patent describes an electronic sourcing system.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US6023683A, this could be relevant to the purchasing aspects of the invention (Claims 2, 4).

8. US5918213A

Full Citation: US5918213A - System and method for automated remote previewing and purchasing of music, video, software, and other multimedia products.
Publication Date: 1999-06-29 (Filing Date: 1995-12-22).
Brief Description: This patent describes an automated system for previewing and purchasing multimedia products remotely. This is highly relevant as it covers both previewing (sampling) and purchasing, similar to US7173177's abstract and claims.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is highly relevant and could potentially anticipate several aspects of Claim 1 and related dependent claims, particularly concerning music and video. Specifically:
- Claim 1: displaying items, determining owned/un-owned status (if preview implies a choice between owned/un-owned content), and indicating status.
- Claim 2: initiating a purchase of an un-owned item.
- Claim 11: playing a portion of each un-owned item (previewing).

9. US5794206A

Full Citation: US5794206A - Method and system for displaying electronic data interchanges in a computer.
Publication Date: 1998-08-11 (Filing Date: 1996-05-06).
Brief Description: This patent describes displaying electronic data interchanges in a computer.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This broadly covers displaying data on a computer, which could be relevant to the "display the one or more items on the user interface" step of Claim 1.

10. US6151643A

Full Citation: US6151643A - Automatic updating of diverse software products on multiple client computer systems by downloading scanning application to client computer and generating software list on client computer.
Publication Date: 2000-11-21 (Filing Date: 1996-06-07).
Brief Description: This patent describes automatic updating of software and generating a software list on a client computer. While software-specific, the concept of generating a list and managing items could be relevant.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This could be relevant to the concept of generating a list and, by extension, parts of Claim 1, particularly "display the one or more items on the user interface" and implicitly, maintaining a list of items.

11. US5953005A

Full Citation: US5953005A - System and method for on-line multimedia access.
Publication Date: 1999-09-14 (Filing Date: 1996-06-28).
Brief Description: This patent describes a system and method for online access to multimedia content.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US5918213A, this is highly relevant to music/video items and could anticipate aspects of displaying, sampling, and purchasing digital media, which are key to many claims in US7173177.

12. US6243375B1

Full Citation: US6243375B1 - Internet-audiotext electronic communications system with multimedia based matching.
Publication Date: 2001-06-05 (Filing Date: 1996-11-08).
Brief Description: This patent describes an Internet-based system for multimedia communication and matching.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This could be broadly relevant to the communication of multimedia content over a network, touching upon the "transferred via a network" aspect of Claim 1.

13. US6026376A

Full Citation: US6026376A - Interactive electronic shopping system and method.
Publication Date: 2000-02-15 (Filing Date: 1997-04-15).
Brief Description: This patent describes an interactive electronic shopping system.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is highly relevant to the purchasing aspects of the invention and could anticipate steps of initiating a purchase and providing links to vendors (Claims 2, 4).

14. US5970474A

Full Citation: US5970474A - Registry information system for shoppers.
Publication Date: 1999-10-19 (Filing Date: 1997-04-24).
Brief Description: This patent describes a registry information system for shoppers, which keeps track of desired items. The patent abstract of US7173177 mentions bridal registries as background art.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is highly relevant to the concept of maintaining a list of items and their status (e.g., purchased/un-purchased, which aligns with owned/un-owned). It could anticipate the "determine whether each item... is owned or un-owned; and indicate... whether each item is owned or un-owned" steps of Claim 1.

15. US6226672B1

Full Citation: US6226672B1 - Method and system for allowing users to access and/or share media libraries, including multimedia collections of audio and video information via a wide area network.
Publication Date: 2001-05-01 (Filing Date: 1997-05-02).
Brief Description: This patent describes a method and system for accessing and sharing media libraries over a network.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is highly relevant to the concept of transferred playlists and accessing media. It could anticipate the "store a play list transferred via a network" and "display the one or more items on the user interface" aspects of Claim 1, especially in the context of music/video.

16. US6243725B1

Full Citation: US6243725B1 - List building system.
Publication Date: 2001-06-05 (Filing Date: 1997-05-21).
Brief Description: This patent describes a general list-building system.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This could broadly anticipate the "store a play list" and "display the one or more items" aspects of Claim 1, as lists are fundamental to the invention.

17. US6236974B1

Full Citation: US6236974B1 - Method and apparatus for automated selection and organization of products including menus.
Publication Date: 2001-05-22 (Filing Date: 1997-08-08).
Brief Description: This patent describes automated selection and organization of products using menus.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This could be relevant to the user interface and the organization of items within it, potentially anticipating "generate a user interface" and "display the one or more items" in Claim 1.

18. US6236978B1

Full Citation: US6236978B1 - System and method for dynamic profiling of users in one-to-one applications.
Publication Date: 2001-05-22 (Filing Date: 1997-11-14).
Brief Description: This patent describes user profiling in applications. While not directly about inventory, it could relate to customization.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Less direct, but could be seen as broadly related to user-configured aspects or personalized interfaces mentioned in the background of US7173177.

19. US5860068A

Full Citation: US5860068A - Method and system for custom manufacture and delivery of a data product.
Publication Date: 1999-01-12 (Filing Date: 1997-12-04).
Brief Description: This patent describes custom manufacture and delivery of data products.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This could be relevant to the delivery aspect of purchased digital items, specifically mentioned in dependent claims (e.g., downloaded music in Claim 5).

20. US6055513A

Full Citation: US6055513A - Methods and apparatus for intelligent selection of goods and services in telephonic and electronic commerce.
Publication Date: 2000-04-25 (Filing Date: 1998-03-11).
Brief Description: This patent describes intelligent selection of goods and services in e-commerce.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This could be relevant to the selection and purchasing of items, particularly in the context of online commerce, anticipating aspects of Claims 2 and 4.

21. US6246997B1

Full Citation: US6246997B1 - Electronic commerce site with query interface.
Publication Date: 2001-06-12 (Filing Date: 1998-03-26).
Brief Description: This patent describes an e-commerce site with a query interface.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This could be relevant to the underlying e-commerce functionality that supports the purchasing steps in US7173177 (Claims 2, 4).

22. US6446080B1

Full Citation: US6446080B1 - Method for creating, modifying, and playing a custom playlist, saved as a virtual CD, to be played by a digital audio/visual actuator device.
Publication Date: 2002-09-03 (Filing Date: 1998-05-08).
Brief Description: This patent describes creating, modifying, and playing custom playlists, saved as virtual CDs. This is highly relevant to the "playlist" aspect of Claim 1 and the playing of owned items.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is highly relevant to Claim 1, particularly:
- Claim 1: store a play list; display the one or more items on the user interface.
- Claim 10: playing each owned item selected by a user.
- It may also implicitly anticipate the owned/un-owned distinction if a virtual CD implies content the user "owns" access to.

23. US6232539B1

Full Citation: US6232539B1 - Music organizer and entertainment center.
Publication Date: 2001-05-15 (Filing Date: 1998-06-17).
Brief Description: This patent describes a music organizer and entertainment center.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Relevant to the organization and display of music items, similar to the playlist concept in Claim 1.

24. US6061691A

Full Citation: US6061691A - Method and system for inventory management.
Publication Date: 2000-05-09 (Filing Date: 1998-08-31).
Brief Description: This patent describes a general method and system for inventory management.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This broadly covers inventory management, which is the core concept of US7173177. While lacking the specific user interface and owned/un-owned distinction, it provides a foundational concept.

25. US6055573A

Full Citation: US6055573A - Communicating with a computer based on an updated purchase behavior classification of a particular consumer.
Publication Date: 2000-04-25 (Filing Date: 1998-12-30).
Brief Description: This patent describes communication with a computer based on consumer purchase behavior.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is less direct, but could relate to systems that track what a user owns or has purchased, which is a component of determining "owned" status in US7173177.

26. US6233682B1

Full Citation: US6233682B1 - Distribution of musical products by a web site vendor over the internet.
Publication Date: 2001-05-15 (Filing Date: 1999-01-22).
Brief Description: This patent describes the online distribution of musical products by a vendor.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Highly relevant to the purchasing of music over a network (Claim 5).

27. US6230199B1

Full Citation: US6230199B1 - Active marketing based on client computer configurations.
Publication Date: 2001-05-08 (Filing Date: 1999-10-29).
Brief Description: This patent describes active marketing based on client computer configurations.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Less direct, but could relate to systems that tailor offerings based on what a user has (or needs), which touches on the underlying motivation for the owned/un-owned distinction.

28. US6618753B2

Full Citation: US6618753B2 - Systems and methods for registering gift registries and for purchasing gifts.
Publication Date: 2003-09-09 (Filing Date: 1999-12-13).
Brief Description: This patent describes systems and methods for gift registries and purchasing gifts. As noted in the background of US7173177, gift registries are a form of inventory management.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is highly relevant to the core concepts of US7173177, particularly Claim 1's steps of displaying items, determining owned/un-owned status, and indicating status. Gift registries inherently track items that are "un-owned" (desired) and become "owned" (purchased).

29. US6473738B1

Full Citation: US6473738B1 - Multiple-person buying information system with application to on-line merchandizing.
Publication Date: 2002-10-29 (Filing Date: 2000-03-23).
Brief Description: This patent describes a multi-person buying information system for online merchandising.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This could be relevant to the purchasing functionality and potentially the sharing of lists (Claim 7, 12).

30. US20020059120A1

Full Citation: US20020059120A1 - Method and apparatus for creating and maintaining a virtual inventory in a distributed network.
Publication Date: 2002-05-16 (Filing Date: 2000-06-06).
Brief Description: This patent application describes creating and maintaining a virtual inventory in a distributed network. This directly addresses inventory management in a networked environment.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is highly relevant to the core concept of managing inventory using a computer system and network. It could anticipate various aspects of Claim 1.

Most Relevant Prior Art

Based on the analysis, several prior art patents appear particularly relevant due to their direct addressing of key elements found in Claim 1 of US7173177:

US5918213A (System and method for automated remote previewing and purchasing of music, video, software, and other multimedia products): This patent directly addresses previewing and purchasing multimedia products, encompassing elements of displaying items, sampling (previewing), and initiating purchases, which are central to US7173177.
US5970474A (Registry information system for shoppers): This patent's focus on registries that track desired items and their status (purchased/un-purchased) closely aligns with US7173177's concept of indicating owned and un-owned items.
US6446080B1 (Method for creating, modifying, and playing a custom playlist, saved as a virtual CD, to be played by a digital audio/visual actuator device): This patent is highly relevant to the "playlist" aspect of Claim 1 and the ability to play owned items, which are explicitly covered in US7173177.
US6618753B2 (Systems and methods for registering gift registries and for purchasing gifts): Similar to US5970474A, this directly relates to managing lists of items with a clear owned/un-owned distinction and the ability to purchase.
US20020059120A1 (Method and apparatus for creating and maintaining a virtual inventory in a distributed network): This patent directly addresses the creation and maintenance of a "virtual inventory" in a "distributed network," which are foundational concepts to US7173177's inventory management system.

These patents collectively present strong arguments for potential anticipation of various elements of Claim 1, especially regarding the display of items, the distinction between owned and un-owned items, and the ability to purchase un-owned items, particularly in the context of digital media and shopping lists.