Method or apparatus for purchasing one or more media based on a recommendation

• US 20090018898A1
• Filed: 06/26/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Genen
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Genen
• Inventors: Genen, Lawrence
• Application Number:
  US12/215,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20090018898A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations

Abstract

Music is often embedded in or otherwise coupled to videos including television shows, movies, commercials, and user-generated video viewed on television, DVDs, movie theaters, or via computer networks. Disclosed are methods, systems, and apparatus enabling user selection and/or purchase of copies of the embedded music. The present invention allows a user to immediately purchase and obtain (e.g., by wireless transmission) complete versions of music associated with a video as well as other music by the artist or other artists. During presentation (play) of the video, a user can request information about the background music or related products through an interactive interface, which includes an indicator that alerts the user to subject media available for review and/or purchase. A method and apparatus for coupling audio data with identifier tags in cooperation with the interactive interface is also disclosed, as is a control system for effecting operation of the interactive interface.

Claims

1. A computer method for providing copies of a first media, comprising:

during rendering of a first media together with a second media to a user, enabling a user to request information about the first media;

in response to a user request, providing information about the first media to the user, where the information allows for purchasing of a copy of the first media; and

enabling a purchase, by the user, of at least one copy of the first media.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the first media is background audio data and the second media is video data.

3. A method as in claim 2 wherein the audio data and the video data are compatible with a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) format.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein the first media and second media are stored on a computer-readable memory.

5. A method as in claim 4 wherein the computer-readable memory is any of a semiconductor memory, solid-state memory, flash memory, magnetic tape, removable computer diskette, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), digital video disc (DVD), compact disc (CD), CD-ROM, holographic memory, or rigid magnetic disk.

6. A method as in claim 1 wherein the first media and second media are distributed via a network.

7. A method as in claim 6 wherein the network is any one or combination of a cable network, satellite network, computer network, optical-type network, and wireless network.

8. A method as in claim 1 wherein providing information about the first media to the user includes providing only an indication that a copy of the first media is available for purchase.

9. A method as in claim 1 wherein providing information about the first media to the user includes displaying to the user information about the first media in a manner that provides a description and an indication of price for a copy of the first media.

10. A method as in claim 1 wherein providing information about the first media to the user includes providing recommendations to the user.

11. A method as in claim 10 wherein the recommendations include information about a third media, where the third media is related to the first media;

and

enabling the user to purchase a copy of the third media.

12. A method as in claim 11 wherein the third media is any of audio data, video data, concert tickets, books, magazine subscriptions, and music club subscriptions.

13. A method as in claim 11 wherein enabling a purchase of a copy of the third media includes adding the copy of the third media to a playlist.

14. A method as in claim 11 wherein the enabling a purchase of a copy of the third media includes enabling a download of the copy of the third media to a user device.

15. A method as in claim 14 wherein the user device is any one or combination of a cell phone, mobile communication device, digital media player, computer, and laptop.

16. A method as in claim 1 wherein the enabling a purchase a copy of the first media includes adding the copy of the first media to a playlist.

17. A method as in claim 1 wherein the enabling a purchase, by the user, of at least one copy of the first media includes enabling a download of the copy of the first media to a user device.

18. A method as in claim 17 wherein the user device is any one or combination of a cell phone, mobile communication device, digital media player, computer, and laptop.

19. A computer-based apparatus for providing copies of a first media, comprising:

an indicator provided on a display unit presenting a first media and a second media associated with the first media, the indicator indicating to a user that information about the first media is available; and

a user interface enabling user interaction with the indicator through a control, and in response to user interaction with the indicator, the user interface enabling the user to purchase a copy of the first media.

20. An apparatus as in claim 19 wherein the first media is background audio data and the second media is video data.

21. An apparatus as in claim 20 wherein the audio data and video data are compatible with a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) format.

22. An apparatus as in claim 19 wherein the first media and second media are stored on a computer-readable memory coupled to the display unit, wherein the computer-readable memory is any of a semiconductor memory, solid-state memory, flash memory, magnetic tape, removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), digital video disc (DVD), compact disc (CD), CD-ROM, holographic memory, or rigid magnetic disk.

23. An apparatus as in claim 19 wherein the control is any of:

a remote or other control of the display unit, a cell phone, a mobile communication device, a digital processor input device, and a media player controller.

24. An apparatus as in claim 19 wherein the first media and second media are distributed via a network coupled to the display unit.

25. An apparatus as in claim 23 wherein the network is any one or combination of a cable network, satellite network, computer network, optical-type network, and wireless network.

26. An apparatus as in claim 19 wherein the information about the first media is only an indication that a copy of the first media is available for purchase.

27. An apparatus as in claim 19 wherein the information about the first media includes a description and price for a copy of the first media.

28. An apparatus as in claim 19 wherein the information about the first media includes recommendations about the first media.

29. An apparatus as in claim 28 wherein the recommendations about the first media include information about a third media, where the third media is related to the first media;

and

the user interface further enables the user to purchase a copy of the third media.

30. An apparatus as in claim 29 wherein the third media is any of audio data, video data, concert tickets, books, magazine subscriptions, and music club subscriptions.

31. An apparatus as in claim 29 wherein the user interface is further configured to add a copy of the third media to a playlist.

32. An apparatus as in claim 29 wherein the user interface is further configured to download a copy of the third media to a user device.

33. An apparatus as in claim 32 wherein the user device is any one or combination of a cell phone, mobile communication device, digital media player, computer, and laptop.

34. An apparatus as in claim 19 wherein the user interface is further configured to add a copy of the first media to a playlist.

35. An apparatus as in claim 20 wherein the user interface is further configured to download a copy of the first media to a user device.

36. An apparatus as in claim 35 wherein the user device is any one or combination of a cell phone, mobile communication device, digital media player, computer, and laptop.

37. A method of distributing media, comprising computer-implemented steps of:

managing a user account of a user, for a service that provides media works to the user;

providing a subject media together with another media rendered to the user;

enabling the user to select the subject media during presentation of the another media; and

updating the user account in response to the selection of the subject media.

38. A method as in claim 37 wherein managing a user account includes providing the user with a password;

and

enabling the user to select the subject media includes using the password to authorize the selection.

39. A method as in claim 37 wherein managing a user account includes managing a user account with plural user profiles.

40. A method as in claim 37 wherein the subject media is background audio data and the another media is video data.

41. A method as in claim 40 wherein the audio data and the video data are compatible with an MPEG format.

42. A method as in claim 37 wherein:

the subject media and the another media are provided via a computer-readable memory; and

the computer-readable memory is any of a semiconductor memory, solid-state memory, flash memory, magnetic tape, removable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), digital video disc (DVD), compact disc (CD), CD-ROM, holographic memory, or rigid magnetic disk.

43. A method as in claim 37 wherein:

the subject media and another media are distributed via a network; and

the network is any of a cable network, satellite network, computer network, optical-type network, or wireless network.

44. A method as in claim 37 wherein the step of enabling the user to select the subject media includes enabling the user to receive information about the subject media during a presentation of the another media, the information about the subject media including a description and price for a copy of the subject media.

45. A method as in claim 44 wherein the information about the subject media further includes recommendations about the subject media.

46. A method as in claim 44 wherein the information about the subject media includes information about a third media, the third media being any of audio data, video data, concert tickets, books, magazine subscriptions, and music club subscriptions;

and

further comprising;

the step of enabling the user to select the third media and updating the user account in response to the selection of the third media.

47. A method as in claim 46 wherein updating the user account in response to the selection of the third media includes adding a copy of the third media to a playlist.

48. A method as in claim 46 wherein updating the user account in response to the selection of the third media includes enabling a download of a copy of the third media to a user device.

49. A method as in claim 48 wherein the user device is any one or combination of a cell phone, mobile communication device, digital media player, computer, and laptop.

50. A method as in claim 37 wherein updating the user account includes adding a copy of the subject media to a playlist.

51. A method as in claim 37 wherein updating the user account includes enabling a download of a copy of the first media to a user device.

52. A method as in claim 51 wherein the user device is any one or combination of a cell phone, mobile communication device, digital media player, computer, and laptop.

53. A media distribution system, comprising:

a management server managing at least one user account; and

a media server providing together to a user a subject media and another media through a display unit in communication with the media server, the display unit presenting the subject media together with the another media to the user in a manner enabling user selection of a copy of the subject media during presentation of the another media;

the management server further configured to update the user account in response to the user selection.

54. A system as in claim 53 wherein the management server is further configured to provide the user with a password, and

user selection is authorized using the password.

55. A system as in claim 53 wherein the management server is further configured to manage user accounts with plural user profiles.

56. A system as in claim 53 wherein the subject media is background audio data and the another media is video data.

57. A system as in claim 56 wherein the audio data and the video data are compatible with an MPEG format.

58. A system as in claim 53 wherein the media server is further configured to provide information about the subject media to the user, including a description and a price for a copy of the subject media.

59. A system as in claim 53 further comprising:

a recommendation engine configured to provide recommendations about the subject media to the user.

60. A system as in claim 59 wherein the recommendations include indications of a third media, the third media being any of audio data, video data, concert tickets, books, magazine subscriptions, and music club subscriptions.

61. A system as in claim 60 wherein the management server is further configured to add a copy of the third media to a playlist corresponding to the user account in response to a user selection of the third media.

62. A system as in claim 60 wherein the management server is further configured to cause a copy of the third media to be downloaded to a user device.

63. A system as in claim 62 wherein the user device is any one or combination of a cell phone, mobile communication device, digital media player, computer, and laptop.

64. A system as in claim 53 wherein the management server is further configured to add a copy of the subject media to a playlist corresponding to the user account in response to a user selection of the subject media.

65. A method as in claim 53 wherein the management server is further configured to cause a copy of the subject media to be downloaded to a user device in response to a user selection.

66. A method as in claim 65 wherein the user device is any one or combination of a cell phone, mobile communication device, digital media player, computer, and laptop.

67. A method for tagging audio data, comprising:

providing an identifier based on at least artist information of an audio work, the audio work formed of audio data;

effectively coupling the audio data and the identifier; and

providing access to the identifier in the audio data during transmission of the audio work.

68. A method as in 67 wherein the audio work is background music played in a second media.

69. A method as in claim 68 wherein the audio data is compatible with an MPEG format and the second media is video data.

70. An apparatus for tagging audio data, comprising:

a memory configured to store at least a first media;

a first process effectively coupling a portion of the memory and an identifier, the identifier being based on artist information of the first media; and

a second process enabling access to the identifier in the portion of the memory during a transmission of the first media.

71. An apparatus as in claim 70 wherein the first media is forming background music playing in a second media.

72. An apparatus as in claim 71 wherein the audio data is compatible with an MPEG format and the second media is video data.

73. A control system comprising:

an end-user unit configured to operate a user interface, the user interface enabling user selection of a subject media through another media being rendered to the user, such that user selection of the subject media is during rendering of the another media to the user.

74. An end-user unit as in claim 73 wherein the another media is a video work and the subject media is a background audio portion of the video work.

75. An end-user unit as in claim 73 wherein the another media is a video work having corresponding background audio, and the subject media has in common with the corresponding background audio any of artist, musical group, song title, and musical genre.

76. An end-user unit as in claim 75 wherein the subject media is any of copies of audio data, copies of video data, concert tickets, books, magazine subscriptions, and music club subscriptions.

77. An end-user unit as in claim 73 wherein the end-user unit is any of:

a mobile phone, a digital music player, a remote controller, a computer input device, and a mobile communication device.

78. An end-user unit as in claim 73 wherein the another media is rendered to the user on any of:

a mobile phone, a digital media player, a television, a computer display, and a digital frame.