Systems and methods for interactively displaying user images

• US 7,890,874 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2007
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel Kaufmann
• Original Assignee: DKCM Incorporated
• Inventors: Kaufman, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Bashore; William L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Distefano; Gregory A
• Application Number:
  US11/805,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20080209322A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: 715/716, 715/751, 715/758
• US Class Current: 715/751
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/58 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/637 Administration of user profiles, e.g. generation, initialization, adaptation or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/64 Browsing; Visualisation therefor generation of a list or set of audio data G06F16/638
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, an interactive user display application is provided. The application displays and refreshes images that are intended to represent users or members of a social network or other web-based service. Using these images, the interactive user display application allows a user of the application to interact with other users or their profiles while viewing their images or while interacting with or consuming media.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating interaction between users, the method comprising:

receiving music preferences from a user, wherein the music preferences comprise at least one of;

a preferred artist, a preferred genre of music, a preferred song, and a preferred music station;

displaying a media player that creates a music station associated with the user based on the received music preferences, wherein the media player provides the user with an opportunity to tune to one of a plurality of music stations created by the user and other users;

simultaneously displaying a first set of selectable user images along with a first piece of media played by the media player; and

automatically updating the media player, without receiving input from the user, by replacing the first set of selectable user images with a second set of selectable user images upon playing the second piece of media by the media player;

wherein;

the first set and the second set of selectable user images represent members of a service associated with the media player;

each user image of the first set and the second set of selectable user images is selected for display based on media played by the media player; and

in response to the user selecting one of the first set and the second set of selectable user images, user information associated with the selected user image is displayed and the user is provided with an opportunity to interact with that user associated with the selected user image.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving user information from the user, wherein the user information includes demographic information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of selectable user images is displayed after a predetermined amount of time.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of selectable user images is displayed in response to user interaction with the first set of selectable user images.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving from the user a user selection of one of the user images from the first set; and

retaining that user image from the first set in the second set of selectable user images.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein each selectable user image is selected for display from a plurality of user images based on at least one of:

users that are currently tuned to the music station, users that are listening to the same song played by the music station, users that are listening to music from the same artist being played by the music station, users that are listening to a song from the same album being played by the music station, users that have added the song played by the music station to a playlist, user preferences, music preferences, demographic information, prior interactions with the media player, prior interactions with at least one of the displayed user images, user interactions with a social networking website, user interactions with a media application, and user interactions with a third-party website.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying options for interacting with the user associated with the selected user image.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the options further comprise displaying user information associated with the selected user image.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the options further comprise displaying music selections associated with the selected user image, wherein the music selections include at least one of the music station currently tuned to, music stations most recently tuned to, music interests, and a playlist of songs.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the options further comprise allowing the user to transmit a message to the user associated with the selected user image.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the user to rate at least one of:

the genre of music played by the music station, the song played by the music station, and the artist played by the music station.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the received music preferences in a relational database.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting each user image to the media player.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a plurality of user images to the media player.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the media player is displayed on a webpage.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the media player is a standalone media player application.

17. A method for facilitating interaction between users, the method comprising:

receiving music preferences, wherein the music preferences comprise at least one of;

a preferred artist, a preferred genre of music, a preferred song, and a preferred music station;

displaying a media player that creates a music station associated with the user based on the received music preferences, wherein the media player provides a user with an opportunity to tune to one of a plurality of music stations created by the user and other users;

receiving a plurality of user images from an information source, wherein each of the plurality of user images corresponds to a member and has corresponding member information;

selecting a first set of user images from the plurality of received user images by comparing the music preferences and the member information corresponding to the plurality of received user images, wherein each user image is selectable by the user;

displaying the first set of selectable user images simultaneously with a first piece of media played on the created music station by the displayed media player; and

automatically updating the media player, without receiving input from the user, by replacing the first set of selectable user images with a second set of selectable user images from the plurality of received user images upon playing a second piece of media by the media player

wherein the first set and the second set of selectable user images represent members of a service associated with the music player; and

wherein in response to the user selecting one of the first set and the second set of selectable user images, member information associated with the selected user image is displayed and the user is provided with an opportunity to interact with the member associated with the selected user image.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the information source is a social networking website.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the information source is an Internet dating website.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the information source is at least one of:

an Internet music service, an Internet e-commerce service, an Internet portal, an Internet search engine, a music player, a media player, and a media management application.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising displaying options for interacting with the member associated with the selected user image.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the options further comprise displaying member information associated with the selected user image.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the options further comprise allowing the user to transmit a message to the member associated with selected user image through the information source.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the music preferences are received from at least one of:

the user and an information source.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the information source is at least one of:

an Internet music service, an Internet e-commerce service, an Internet portal, an Internet search engine, a music player, a media player, and a media management application.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the media player receives the music played over the music station from a broadcast source.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the broadcast source is at least one of:

an Internet media streaming service and an Internet radio station.

28. The method of claim 17, wherein the user images and the corresponding member information is received from an information source.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the information source is at least one of:

a social networking website, an Internet dating website, an Internet music service, an Internet e-commerce service, an Internet portal, and an Internet search engine.

30. The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting a first query to the information source for members matching the music preferences.

31. The method of claim 17, wherein the second set of selectable user images is received in response to transmitting a second query to the information source for other members matching the music preferences.

32. A method for facilitating interaction between users, the method comprising:

presenting a user with a publicly accessible website for playing media over the Internet, wherein the user is authorized to access features associated with the website upon inputting user information;

creating a music station associated with the user based on the received user information, wherein the website provides the user with an opportunity to tune to one of a plurality of music stations created by the user and other users;

playing a first piece of media on the created music station while simultaneously displaying a first set of selectable user images; and

automatically replacing without receiving input from the user, the first set of selectable user images with a second set of selectable user images upon playing a second piece of media, wherein;

the first set and the second set of selectable user images represent members of a service associated with the website;

the selectable user images are selected for display based on the media;

the user images in the first set are different from the user images in the second set; and

in response to the user selecting one of the first set and the second set of selectable user images, user information associated with the selected user image is displayed and the user is provided with an opportunity to interact with that user associated with the selected user image.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising receiving the first set and the second set of selectable user images from an information source.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the information source is a social networking website.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the information source is an Internet dating website.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the information source is at least one of:

an Internet music service, an Internet e-commerce service, an Internet portal, an Internet search engine, a music player, a media player, and a media management application.

37. The method of claim 32, further comprising displaying options for interacting with a member associated with the selected user image.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the options further comprise displaying member information associated with the selected user image.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the options further comprise allowing the user to transmit a message to the member associated with selected user image through the information source.

40. A method for facilitating interaction between a user of a media player and other users of the media player, wherein the media player monitors the user'"'"'s interactions with the media player and the user'"'"'s consumption of media using the media player, the method comprising:

creating a music station associated with the user, wherein the media player provides the user with an opportunity to tune to one of a plurality of music stations created by the user and the other users;

providing a first set of selectable user images for display to the user along with a first piece of media played on the created music station by the media player; and

automatically replacing, without receiving input from the user, the first set of selectable user images with a second set of selectable user images upon playing a second piece of media by the media player, wherein the first set of selectable user images is different from the second set of selectable user images;

wherein the first set and the second set of selectable user images represent members of a service associated with the media player;

wherein the first set and second set of selectable user images are provided based on the user'"'"'s consumption of media using the media player; and

in response to the user selecting one of the first set and the second set of selectable user images, user information associated with the selected user image is displayed and the user is provided with an opportunity to interact with that user associated with the selected user image.

41. A system for facilitating interaction between users, the system comprising:

at least one processor that is configured to;

receive music preferences from a user, wherein the music preferences comprise at least one of;

a preferred artist, a preferred genre of music, a preferred song, and a preferred music station;

display a media player that creates a music station associated with the user based on the received music preferences, wherein the media player provides the user with an opportunity to tune to one of a plurality of music stations created by the user and other users;

simultaneously display a first set of selectable user images along with a first piece of media played on the created music station by the media player; and

automatically update the media player, without receiving input from the user, by replacing the first set of selectable user images with a second set of selectable user images upon playing a second piece of media by the media player;

wherein;

the first set and the second set of selectable user images represent members of a service associated with the media player;

each user image of the first set and the second set of selectable user images is selected for display based on media played by the media player; and

in response to the user selecting one of the first set and the second set of selectable user images, user information associated with the selected user image is displayed and the user is provided with an opportunity to interact with that user associated with the selected user image.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive user information from the user, wherein the user information includes demographic information.

43. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display the second set of selectable user images after a predetermined amount of time.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display the second set of selectable user images in response to user interaction with the first set of selectable user images.

45. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive from the user a user selection of one of the user images from the first set; and

retain that user image from the first set in the second set of selectable user images.

46. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to select each selectable user image for display from a plurality of user images based on at least one of:

users that are currently tuned to the music station, users that are listening to the same song played by the music station, users that are listening to music from the same artist being played by the music station, users that are listening to a song from the same album being played by the music station, users that have added the song played by the music station to a playlist, user preferences, music preferences, demographic information, prior interactions with the media player, prior interactions with at least one of the displayed user images, user interactions with a social networking website, user interactions with a media application, and user interactions with a third-party website.

47. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display options for interacting with the user associated with the selected user image.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the least one processor is further configured to display user information associated with the selected user image.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display music selections associated with the selected user image, wherein the music selections include at least one of:

the music station currently tuned to, music stations most recently tuned to, music interests, and a playlist of songs.

50. The system of claim 47, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to allow the user to transmit a message to the user associated with the selected user image.

51. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to allow the user to rate at least one of:

the genre of music played by the music station, the song played by the music station, and the artist played by the music station.

52. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to store the received music preferences in a relational database.

53. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit each user image to the media player.

54. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit a plurality of user images to the media player.

55. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display the media player on a webpage.

56. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display the media player as a standalone media player application.

57. A system for facilitating interaction between users, the system comprising:

at least one processor that is configured to;

receive music preferences, wherein the music preferences comprise at least one of;

a preferred artist, a preferred genre of music, a preferred song, and a preferred music station;

display a media player that creates a music station associated with the user based on the received music preferences, wherein the media player provides a user with an opportunity to tune to one of a plurality of music stations created by the user and other users;

receive a plurality of user images from an information source, wherein each of the plurality of user images corresponds to a member and has corresponding member information;

select a first set of user images from the plurality of received user images by comparing the music preferences and the member information corresponding to the plurality of received user images, wherein each user image is selectable by the user;

display the first set of selectable user images simultaneously with the a first piece of media played on the created music station by the displayed media player; and

automatically update the media player, without receiving input from the user, by replacing the first set of selectable user images with a second set of selectable user images from the plurality of received user images upon playing a second piece of media by the media player;

wherein the first set and the second set of selectable user images represent members of a service associated with the music player; and

wherein in response to the user selecting one of the first set and the second set of selectable user images, member information associated with the selected user image is displayed and the user is provided with an opportunity to interact with the member associated with the selected user image.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein the information source is a social networking website.

59. The system of claim 57, wherein the information source is an Internet dating website.

60. The system of claim 57, wherein the information source is at least one of:

an Internet music service, an Internet e-commerce service, an Internet portal, an Internet search engine, a music player, a media player, and a media management application.

61. The system of claim 57, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display options for interacting with the member associated with the selected user image.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display member information associated with the selected user image.

63. The system of claim 61, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to allow the user to transmit a message to the member associated with selected user image through the information source.

64. The.system of claim 57, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the music preferences from:

at least one of the user and an information source.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein the information source is at least one of:

an Internet music service, an Internet e-commerce service, an Internet portal, an Internet search engine, a music player, a media player, and a media management application.

66. The system of claim 57, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the music played over the music station from a broadcast source.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the broadcast source is at least one of:

an Internet media streaming service and an Internet radio station.

68. The system of claim 57, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the user images and the corresponding member information from an information source.

69. The system of claim 68, wherein the information source is at least one of:

a social networking website, an Internet dating website, an Internet music service, an Internet e-commerce service, an Internet portal, and an Internet search engine.

70. The system of claim 57, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit a first query to the information source for members matching the music preferences.

71. The system of claim 57, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the second set of selectable user images in response to transmitting a second query to the information source for other members matching the music preferences.

72. A system for facilitating interaction between users, the system comprising:

at least one processor that is configured to;

present a user with a publicly accessible website for playing media over the Internet, wherein the user is authorized to access features associated with the website upon inputting user information;

create a music station associated with the user based on the received user information, wherein the website provides the user with an opportunity to tune to one of a plurality of music stations created by the user and other users;

play a first piece of media on the created music station while simultaneously displaying a first set of selectable user images; and

automatically replace, without receiving input from the user, the first set of selectable user images with a second set of selectable user images upon playing a second piece of media, wherein;

the first set and the second set of selectable user images represent members of a service associated with the website;

the selectable user images are selected for display based on the played media;

the user images in the first set are different from the user images in the second set; and

in response to the user selecting one of the first set and the second set of selectable user images, user information associated with the selected user image is displayed and the user is provided with an opportunity to interact with that user associated with the selected user image.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the first set and the second set of selectable user images from an information source.

74. The system of claim 73, wherein the information source is a social networking website.

75. The system of claim 73, wherein the information source is an Internet dating website.

76. The system of claim 73, wherein the information source is at least one of:

an Internet music service, an Internet e-commerce service, an Internet portal, an Internet search engine, a music player, a media player, and a media management application.

77. The system of claim 72, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display options for interacting with a member associated with the selected user image.

78. The system of claim 77, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to display member information associated with the selected user image.

79. The system of claim 77, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to allow the user to transmit a message to the member associated with selected user image through the information source.

80. A system for facilitating interaction between a user of a media player and other users of the media player, wherein the media player monitors the user'"'"'s interactions with the media player and the user'"'"'s consumption of media using the media player, the system comprising:

at least one processor that is configured to;

create a music station associated with the user, wherein the media player provides the user with an opportunity to tune to one of a plurality of music stations created by the user and the other users;

provide a first set of selectable user images for display to the user along with a first piece of media played on the created music station by the media player; and

automatically replacing, without receiving input from the user, the first set of selectable user images with a second set of selectable user images upon playing a second piece of media by the media player, wherein the first set of selectable user images is different from the second set of selectable user images;

wherein the first set and the second set of selectable user images represent members of a service associated with the media player;

wherein the first set and second set of selectable user images are provided based on the user'"'"'s consumption of media using the media player; and

in response to the user selecting one of the first set and the second set of selectable user images, user information associated with the selected user image is displayed and the user is provided with an opportunity to interact with that user associated with the selected user image.