Demographic information database processor

• US 7,324,953 B1
• Filed: 08/11/2000
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Danny Murphy
• Original Assignee: Danny Murphy
• Inventors: Murphy, Danny
• Primary Examiner(s): Florian, Zeender Ryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frenel, Vanel
• Application Number:
  US09/638,089
• Time in Patent Office: 2,727 Days
• Field of Search: 705/7, 705/8, 705/9, 705/14, 705/10, 705/27, 705/1, 705/26, 705/300, 705/203
• US Class Current: 705/7.32
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0203 Market surveys; Market polls
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0204 Market segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

An apparatus and method for collecting and analyzing demographic information for consumer preference information. The system includes a computer database system adapted to accept and store product information and demographic information, and an open participation system with access over a wide area network to collect consumer preference information for storage in the computer database system. The method includes providing a computer information database for storing product information and demographic information, storing product information in the database, providing communication access through the wide area network, collecting user identification information, storing the collected user identification information in the database, enabling user access to the product information over the wide area network, collecting user preference information relating to the product information over the wide area network, and storing the collected user preference information in the database.

Claims

1. A computer system for collecting consumer preference information relating to songs and albums from a plurality of registered users and for allowing a plurality of subscribing clients to access the collected consumer preference information, comprising:

a user database containing demographic profile information for a plurality of registered users, the demographic profile information for each registered user including information regarding each registered user'"'"'s zip code, country, favorite radio format, favorite or most frequently listened to radio station, user name, user password, user email address, gender, age, income, and education bracket;

an opt-in database containing user email addresses for registered users who have chosen to receive emails containing music and entertainment information, the music and entertainment information including information regarding new releases and concert schedules;

a radio station database containing information regarding a plurality of radio stations, each radio station having an associated zip code and radio format, the radio station database including information regarding each radio station'"'"'s associated zip code and radio format;

a song information database containing information identifying songs and albums, each song having an associated song status and song genre format, each album including an associated album status and album genre format, the song information database including information identifying the song status and song genre format for each song and the album status and album genre format for each album, the song information database including consumer preference information from registered users for the songs and albums included in the song information database; and

a processor adapted to cause the computer system to allow a non-registered user to register as a registered user of the computer system, to allow registered users included in the user database to input consumer preference information regarding the songs and albums included in the song information database, to allow registered users included in the user database to recover lost user passwords from the computer system, to allow subscribing clients to search the consumer preference information stored in the song information database based on predetermined search parameters, and to allow subscribing clients to generate reports using the consumer preference information stored in the song information database based on predetermined reporting parameters.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein:

the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to allow a non-registered user to register as a registered user by entering demographic profile information regarding the non-registered user into the computer system; and

the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to store the demographic profile information entered by the non-registered user in the user database included in the computer system.

3. The computer system of claim 2, wherein the demographic profile information entered by the non-registered user includes information regarding the non-registered user'"'"'s zip code, country, favorite radio format, favorite or most frequently listened to radio station, user name, user password, user email address, gender, age, income, and education bracket.

4. The computer system of claim 3, wherein, when the non-registered user enters the non-registered user'"'"'s zip code and favorite radio format into the computer system, the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to automatically generate a listing of radio stations that the non-registered user could listen to based on the non-registered user'"'"'s zip code and favorite radio format, to display the listing of radio stations to the non-registered user, to prompt the non-registered user to select a radio station from the listing of radio stations that is the non-registered user'"'"'s favorite radio station or that is the radio station that the non-registered user listens to most frequently, and, when the non-registered user selects a radio station, to add the selected radio station to the demographic profile information associated with the non-registered user and stored in the user database.

5. The computer system of claim 4, wherein the processor only causes the computer system to automatically generate the listing of radio stations that the non-registered user could listen to when the non-registered user'"'"'s country is the United States.

6. The computer system of claim 5, wherein, when the non-registered user'"'"'s favorite or most frequently listened to radio station is not included in the listing of radio stations automatically generated by the computer system, the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to allow the non-registered user to enter information identifying the non-registered user'"'"'s favorite or most frequently listened to radio station, to add the information identifying the non-registered user'"'"'s favorite or most frequently listened to radio station to the demographic profile information associated with the non-registered user and stored in the user database, and to add the information identifying the non-registered user'"'"'s favorite or most frequently listened to radio station to the radio station database included in the computer system.

7. The computer system of claim 2, wherein, when the non-registered user has entered the demographic profile information associated with the non-registered user, the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to automatically generate a temporary password for the non-registered user and to automatically generate and send an email containing the user name entered by the non-registered user and the temporary password generated by the computer system to the non-registered user.

8. The computer system of claim 7, wherein:

the non-registered user must use the user name entered by the non-registered user and the temporary password generated by the computer system when initially accessing the computer system in order to become a registered user; and

the non-registered user must use the user name and user password entered by the non-registered user when subsequently accessing the computer system.

9. The computer system of claim 1, wherein:

the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to allow a registered user included in the user database to input consumer preference information regarding the songs and albums included in the song information database by entering the registered user'"'"'s user name and user password into the computer system; and

when the registered user enters the registered user'"'"'s user name and user password, the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to generate a listing of genre format categories associated with songs and albums stored in the song information database included in the computer system, to display the listing of genre format categories to the registered user, and to prompt the registered user to select a genre format category from the listing of genre format categories.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the listing of genre format categories generated by the computer system includes A/C, Alternative, Christian, Classic Rock, Country, Jazz, Rock, and Urban genre format categories.

11. The computer system of claim 9, wherein, when the registered user selects a genre format category, the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to generate a listing of database pages associated with the selected genre format category, to display the listing of database pages to the registered user, and to prompt the registered user to select a database page from the listing of database pages.

12. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the listing of database pages associated with the selected genre format category includes:

a new release singles chart page, a new release singles page, a top recurrent chart page, an archive page, a singles library page, an album chart page, a new release albums page, and an album library page;

or

a top recurrent chart page, an archive page, an album chart page, and an album library page.

13. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the new release singles chart page includes a numerical listing of songs having a song status of new release single based on votes received from registered users of the computer system.

14. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the new release singles chart page includes a current week chart position based on votes received from registered users during a current week, a current week point total based on votes received from registered users during the current week, a previous week chart position based on votes received from registered users during a previous week, a two week previous chart position based on votes received from registered users during a week two weeks prior to the current week, a top chart position attained on the new release singles chart page, and a number of weeks on the new release singles chart for each song included in the new release singles chart.

15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the current week point total for each song is calculated by summing points associated with each registered user'"'"'s familiarity and passion for each song and subtracting points associated with each registered user'"'"'s burn for each song.

16. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the new release singles chart page includes:

a heading containing information identifying the current week alphanumerically and numerically; and

a buy column that can be used by the registered user to purchase one or more of the songs included in the new release singles chart page.

17. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the new release singles page includes:

an alphabetical listing of songs having a song status of new release single;

a vote column that can be used by the registered user to vote on one or more of the songs included in the new release singles page;

a current week point total for each song included in the new release singles page based on votes received from registered users during a current week;

a buy column that can be used by the registered user to purchase one or more of the songs included in the new release singles page; and

a heading containing information identifying the current week alphanumerically and numerically.

18. The computer system of claim 17, wherein, when the registered user selects the vote column associated with one of the songs included in the new release singles page, the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to generate a song ratings page that can be used by the registered user to input consumer preference information relating to the song associated with the selected vote column, to display the song rating pages to the registered user, and to prompt the registered user to input consumer preference information relating to the song associated with the selected vote column.

19. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the consumer preference information that can be input by a registered user using the processor includes information regarding the registered user'"'"'s familiarity, passion, and burn for a song included in the song information database, information indicating whether the registered user owns a CD or cassette containing the song included in the song information database, information indicating whether the registered user would like to hear the song included in the song information database on the registered user'"'"'s favorite radio station, information indicating where the registered user first heard the song included in the song information database, and comments from the registered user relating to the song included in the song information database.

20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the processor allows the registered user to indicate the registered user'"'"'s degree of familiarity, passion, and burn for the song included in the song information database using scales ranging from 1 to 10.

21. The computer system of claim 19, wherein, if the registered user is not familiar with the song included in the song information database, the processor allows the registered user to input a reason for why the registered user is not familiar with the song included in the song information database using a drop down menu containing a listing of reasons for why the registered user might not be familiar with the song included in the song information database.

22. The computer system of claim 19, wherein, if the registered user does not like the song included in the song information database, the processor allows the registered user to input a reason for why the registered user does not like the song included in the song information database using a drop down menu containing a listing of reasons for why the registered user might not like the song included in the song information database.

23. The computer system of claim 19, wherein, if the registered user is tired of the song included in the song information database, the processor allows the registered user to input a reason for why the registered user is tired of the song included in the song information database using a drop down menu containing a listing of reasons for why the registered user might be tired of the song included in the song information database.

24. The computer system of claim 19, wherein, if the registered user indicates that the registered user owns a CD or cassette containing the song included in the song information database, the processor allows the registered user to input information identifying the retailer where the CD or cassette containing the song included in the song information database was purchased.

25. The computer system of claim 19, wherein, if the registered user indicates that the registered user does not own a CD or cassette containing the song included in the song information database, the processor allows the registered user to input information indicating why the CD or cassette containing the song included in the song information database has not been purchased using a drop down menu containing a listing of reasons for why the registered user might not own a CD or cassette containing the song included in the song information database.

26. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the processor allows the registered user to input information indicating where the registered user first heard the song included in the song information database using a drop down menu containing a listing of choices where the registered user might have first heard the song included in the song information database.

27. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the top recurrent chart page includes a numerical listing of songs having a song status of single archive based on votes received from registered users of the computer system.

28. The computer system of claim 27, wherein the top recurrent chart page includes:

a current week chart position based on votes received from registered users during a current week, a current week point total based on votes received from registered users during the current week, a previous week chart position based on votes received from registered users during a previous week, a two week previous chart position based on votes received from registered users during a week two weeks prior to the current week, a top chart position attained on the top recurrent chart page, and a number of weeks on the top recurrent chart page for each song included in the top recurrent chart page;

a heading containing information identifying the current week alphanumerically and numerically; and

a buy column that can be used by the registered user to purchase one or more of the songs included in the top recurrent chart page.

29. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the archive page includes:

a listing of songs having a song status of single archive;

a vote column that can be used by the registered user to vote on one or more of the songs included in the archive page;

a current week point total for each song included in the archive page based on votes received from registered users during a current week;

a buy column that can be used by the registered user to purchase one or more of the songs included in the archive page; and

a heading containing information identifying the current week alphanumerically and numerically.

30. The computer system of claim 29, wherein, when the registered user selects the vote column associated with one of the songs included in the archive page, the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to generate a song ratings page that can be used by the registered user to input consumer preference information relating to the song associated with the selected vote column, to display the song rating pages to the registered user, and to prompt the registered user to input consumer preference information relating to the song associated with the selected vote column.

31. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the singles library page includes a search engine that can be used by the registered user to search for songs having a song status of single library, the singles library page allowing the registered user to search for songs based on song title, artist name, and record label name.

32. The computer system of claim 31, wherein:

the search engine generates a search results page including a listing of songs; and

the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to allow the registered user to input consumer preference information relating to the songs included in the search results page.

33. The computer system of claim 12, wherein:

the album library page includes a search engine that can be used by the registered user to search for albums having an album status of album library, the album library page allowing the registered user to search for albums based on album title, artist name, and record label name;

the search engine generates a search results page including a listing of albums that can be used by the registered user to generate an album track listing for each album including in the listing of albums, each album track listing including a listing of songs; and

the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to allow the registered user to input consumer preference information relating to the songs included in the album track listings for each album included in the search results page.

34. The computer system of claim 1, wherein:

the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to automatically change the song status associated with a song based on a predetermined amount of time that the song is stored in the song information database included with the computer system; and

the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to automatically change the album status associated with an album based on a predetermined amount of time that the album is stored in the song information database included with the computer system.

35. The computer system of claim 1, wherein:

the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to automatically change the song status associated with a song from new release single to single archive to single library; and

the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to automatically change the album status associated with an album from new release album to album library.

36. The computer system of claim 1, wherein:

songs having a song status of new release single include songs that have been stored in the song information database for less than 26 weeks or that have been stored in the song information database for more than 26 weeks but are still being actively promoted by a record label;

songs having a song status of single archive include songs that have been stored in the song information database for more than 26 weeks or that have been stored in the song information database for less than 26 weeks but are not longer being actively promoted by a record label;

songs having a song status of single library include songs that have been stored in the song information database for more than 52 weeks;

albums having an album status of new release album include albums that have been stored in the song information database for less than 52 weeks or that have been stored in the song information database for more than 52 weeks but are still receiving promotional support from a record label; and

albums having an album status of album library include albums that have been stored in the song information database for more than 52 weeks or that have been stored in the song information database for less than 52 weeks but are not longer being actively promoted by a record label.

37. The computer system of claim 1, wherein:

the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to allow a registered user to recover a lost user password from the computer system by entering the registered user'"'"'s email address into the computer system; and

the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to automatically identify the registered user'"'"'s user name and user password based on the registered user'"'"'s email address and to automatically generate and send an email to the registered user containing the identified registered user'"'"'s user name and user password.

38. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the songs included in the song information database include newly released singles, album tracks, or some combination thereof.

39. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the albums included in the song information database include newly released albums.

40. The computer system of claim 1, wherein:

the songs included in the song information database include songs having an associated song genre format of A/C, Alternative, Christian, Classic Rock, Country, Jazz, Rock, and Urban; and

the albums included in the song information database include albums having an associated album genre format of A/C, Alternative, Christian, Classic Rock, Country, Jazz, Rock, and Urban.

41. The computer system of claim 1, wherein:

each subscribing client has an associated account type; and

access to consumer preference information stored in the song information database by subscribing clients is limited based on account type.

42. The computer system of claim 41, wherein the associated account type for each subscribing client is a record label account type, a radio station account type, or a retailer account type.

43. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the songs and albums included in the song information database include all songs and albums released by a record label rather than a smaller subset of the songs and albums released by the record label generated using a pre-selection process.

44. The computer system of claim 43, wherein:

the pre-selection process is implemented using radio station personnel, consultants, or some combination thereof; and

the smaller subset of songs and albums generated by the pre-selection process includes songs and albums selected by the radio station personnel, consultants, or some combination thereof.

45. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the processor is adapted to cause the computer system to allow subscribing clients to search and generate reports using the consumer preference information stored in the song information database based on genre format, artist name, song name, reporting period, registered user gender, registered user age, registered user income, registered user education, radio station, zip code, city, state, region, country, universe, registered user familiarity, registered user passion, registered user burn, whether or not a registered user would like to hear a song included in the song information database on the registered user'"'"'s favorite radio station, whether or not a registered user owns a CD or cassette containing a song included in the song information database, where a registered user first heard a song included in the song information database, and whether or not a registered user has entered comments relating to a song included in the song information database.