Method and apparatus for generating and updating a pre-categorized song database from which consumers may select and then download desired playlists

• US 7,985,911 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2008
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pushbuttonmusic.com LLC
• Original Assignee: Pushbuttonmusic.com LLC
• Inventors: Oppenheimer, Harold B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warren; David S.
• Application Number:
  US12/105,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20090056525A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• Field of Search: 84600-602, 715/716, 700/94
• US Class Current: 84/600
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists
• 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 16/683 using metadata automatically derived from the content
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0058 Transmission between separate instruments or between individual components of a musical system G10H1/0083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/081 Genre classification, i.e. descriptive metadata for classification or selection of musical pieces according to style
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/085 Mood, i.e. generation, detection or selection of a particular emotional content or atmosphere in a musical piece
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/105 User profile, i.e. data about the user, e.g. for user settings or user preferences
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/125 Library distribution, i.e. distributing musical pieces from a central or master library
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/251 Mobile telephone transmission, i.e. transmitting, accessing or controlling music data wirelessly via a wireless or mobile telephone receiver, analogue or digital, e.g. DECT, GSM, UMTS

Abstract

Apparatus, methods, systems, and data structures for providing a music-subscription service customer with a portable music device that has been preloaded with customer-selected music. A music-subscription service provider receives a customer order to purchase a portable music device, and also receives the customer'"'"'s selection of less than all of the music available on the music-subscription service provider'"'"'s music database. The music-subscription service provider uses a computer to download the customer-selected music to the portable music device ordered by the customer. The music-subscription service provider then provides to the customer the portable music device that has been preloaded with the customer-selected music. The steps may be performed over the Internet and/or at a retail location.

Claims

1. A method of preloading a portable music device for a consumer, comprising:

identifying from third party sources a first subset of songs comprising songs available to consumers through commercial channels;

identifying a second subset of songs from said first subset of songs;

wherein each song of said second subset of songs has an estimated audience reach level above a predetermined audience reach level;

associating said audience reach level, a mood or tempo, an era, a genre, and an initial release date with each song identified in said second subset of songs; and

loading onto a portable music device a selection of said second subset of songs to the extent of available memory on said portable music device,

wherein said selection of said second subset of songs loaded onto a portable music device are selected according to a selection method comprising;

selecting a maximum number of songs desired to be loaded onto said portable music device;

applying a forced audience reach curve to said second subset of songs; and

making a selection of songs having the highest audience reach on said forced audience reach curve;

wherein said number of selected songs corresponds to said maximum number of songs desired to be loaded onto said portable music device.

2. A method of preloading a portable music device for a consumer, comprising:

determining a maximum number of songs desired to be loaded onto said portable music device;

applying a forced audience reach curve to a subset of songs having a predetermined audience reach; and

making a selection of songs from said subset of songs having the highest audience reach on said forced audience reach curve;

wherein said number of selected songs corresponds to said maximum number of songs desired to be loaded onto said portable music device.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said subset of songs is selected from a plurality of third party sources.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said audience reach for each of said subset of songs is calculated from song activity data.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said song activity data includes terrestrial airplay activity, compact disc sales, internet airplay activity, file sharing activity, and internet downloads.

6. The method according to claim 2, further comprising assigning to each song descriptive data specific to said song.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said descriptive data specific to each said song comprises at least:

song name, artist name, estimated audience reach level, mood or tempo, era, genre, and initial release date.