Network apparatus and method for preview of music products and compilation of market data

• US 20050049941A1
• Filed: 09/01/2004
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1990
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Joshua D. Kaplan
• Original Assignee: Joshua D. Kaplan
• Inventors: Kaplan, Joshua D.
• Application Number:
  US10/932,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20050049941A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/64 Browsing; Visualisation therefor generation of a list or set of audio data G06F16/638
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/686 using information manually generated, e.g. tags, keywords, comments, title or artist information, time, location or usage information, user ratings
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 Shopping for digital content
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/41 Flat as opposed to hierarchical combination, e.g. library of tapes or discs, CD changer, or groups of record carriers that together store one title
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/002 Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/031 Electronic editing of digitised analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D

Abstract

A system for on-line user-interactive multimedia based point-of-preview. The system provides for a network web site and accompanying software and hardware for allowing users to access the web site over a network such as the internet via a computer. The user is uniquely identified to the web site server through an identification name or number. The hardware associated with the web site includes storage of discrete increments of pre-selected portions of music products for user selection and preview. After user selection, a programmable data processor selects the particular pre-recorded music product from data storage and then transmits that chosen music product over the network to the user for preview. Subscriber selection and profile data (i.e. demographic information) can optionally be collected and stored to develop market research data. Since the system provides for multiple embodiments, the system contemplates previewing of audio programs such as music on compact discs, video programs such as movies and text from books and other written documents. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the network web site can be accessed from a publicly accessible kiosk, available, e.g. at a retail store location, or from a desk top computer.

Claims

1. A method for previewing a music product using a computer accessing memory containing audio information relating to the music product, and the computer having interactive audio/video playback means, including audio output means, wherein said method comprises the steps of

a) identifying the user to the computer by entering an identification code;

b) selecting a music product for previewing on the computer by entering music-product-identifying data; and

,

c) previewing audio information for the selected music product by interaction of the user with the computer'"'"'s audio/visual playback means to audibly preview the audio information for the selected music product.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of rating the selected music product that has been previewed.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of tracking the user'"'"'s activities on the computer by associating the user identification code with the user'"'"'s selection of music products for previewing, and storing the tracking data in memory.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of gathering market research data by accessing the tracking data in memory.

5. A method for previewing a music product using a computer, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

a) providing a computer having data input means, interactive audio playback means including an audio output means;

b) presenting a code to the computer that identifies the user;

c) using the computer, accessing memory containing audio information relating to music products;

d) selecting a music product to be previewed on the computer by supplying a code associated with the music product; and

,

e) previewing audio information concerning the music product on the computer using the interactive audio playback means including an audio output means.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of rating the selected music product that has been previewed.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of tracking the user'"'"'s activities on the computer by associating the user identification code with the user'"'"'s selection of music products for previewing, and storing the tracking data in memory.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of gathering market research data by accessing the tracking data in memory.

9. A method for previewing music products using a computer with interactive audio playback means and audio output means, the method comprising the steps of:

a) identifying the user to the computer by presenting an identification code;

b) coupling the computer to memory containing audio information about music products; and

,

c) selecting the music product on the computer to commence a preview session during which a user interactively controls the playback of audio information concerning the music product using the computer playback means and output means.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of rating the selected music product that has been previewed.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of tracking the user'"'"'s activities on the computer by associating the user identification code with the user'"'"'s selection of music products for previewing, and storing the tracking data in memory.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of gathering market research data by accessing the tracking data in memory.