Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools

• US 8,584,175 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2011
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nathan, Guy, Dion, Dominique
• Primary Examiner(s): Moore, Ian N
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, KIET G
• Application Number:
  US13/308,898
• Publication Number:
  US 20120166965A1
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 709217-229, 345/810, 725/61, 707/104.1, 705/1, 705/10
• US Class Current: 725/61
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/64 Browsing; Visualisation therefor generation of a list or set of audio data G06F16/638
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 Shopping for digital content
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• 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 27/105 of operating discs

Abstract

A digital downloading jukebox system including a mechanism for delivering custom services to a recognized user, including services for creating playlists, communicating with others, accessing other features, etc. is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, after a user is recognized, the jukebox system allows users to access a special front-end via the Internet or on an actual jukebox. Then, the user may, for example, create playlists, share songs with friends, send messages to friends, and access other value-added content. Other exemplary embodiments allow users to become certified, charging them for services without requiring constant inputting of coinage or credit card information. Such a system preferably learns about networks of friends, and enables managers to send similar messages to regular customers and/or others known to the system.

Claims

1. A method of operating a digital jukebox device in response to inputs from a patron, the method comprising:

presenting a user interface to the patron, the user interface being configured to enable the patron to select an instance of media for playback on the digital jukebox device;

outputting a patron-selected instance of media when a suitable amount of money has been collected;

enabling the patron to log in to the jukebox device via the user interface to become a recognized user;

retrieving information specific to the recognized user upon a successful log in operation; and

presenting patron-specific features of the digital jukebox device on the digital jukebox device following the successful log in operation;

wherein the user interface is further configured to enable the recognized user to (a) selectively create, modify, and/or delete at least some of said recognized user information once the user has logged in to the digital jukebox device and accessed said patron-specific features, and (b) create a message to be sent from the digital jukebox device to a third-party,

wherein said recognized user information includes playlist information, said playlist information including information pertaining to a plurality of playlists, each said playlist being designated as either a private playlist or a public playlist,

wherein each said private playlist is accessible to and playable on the digital jukebox device only by the recognized user, and

wherein each said public playlist is accessible to and playable on the digital jukebox device by any jukebox device user following selection and payment therefor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the third-party to which the message is to be sent is selected from a list of contacts, the list of contacts being stored as a part of the recognized user information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the list of contacts includes other recognized users of the jukebox device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the message on the digital jukebox device via a display operably connected to the digital jukebox device upon and as a result of a successful login to the digital jukebox device by the third-party.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the message on an electronic device of the third-party.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the message on an electronic device of the third-party upon and as a result of a successful login to the digital jukebox device by the third-party.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically collecting money from a recognized user based on billing information included in said recognized user information upon selection of an instance of media for playback.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said playlist information comprises at least one instance of media to be associated with a playlist.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said playlist includes an identifying name.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said message includes text, graphics, at least one instance of media, and/or credits operable with said collection mechanism.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said recognized user information includes account and/or profile information;

said account information including a username, a password, an e-mail address, a telephone number, and/or billing information;

said profile information including said recognized user'"'"'s age, date of birth, gender, and/or place of birth.

12. A method of controlling a digital jukebox device, the method comprising:

enabling a patron to log in to the jukebox device via first and second user interfaces to become a recognized user, the first user interface being accessible from the jukebox device and the second user interface being accessible from an electronic device of the patron'"'"'s at a location remote from the digital jukebox device;

retrieving information specific to the recognized user upon a successful log in operation; and

presenting patron-specific features of the digital jukebox device on the user interface from which the recognized user logged in following the successful log in operation;

wherein the first and second user interfaces are each configured to enable the recognized user to (a) selectively create, modify, and/or delete at least some of said recognized user information once the user has logged in to the digital jukebox device and accessed said patron-specific features, and (b) create a message to be sent to a third-party through a jukebox-device mediated network,

wherein said recognized user information includes playlist information, said playlist information including information pertaining to a plurality of playlists, each said playlist being designated as either a private playlist or a public playlist,

wherein each said private playlist is accessible to and playable on the digital jukebox device only by the recognized user, and

wherein each said public playlist is accessible to and playable on the digital jukebox device by any jukebox device user following selection and payment therefor.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the electronic device is the patron'"'"'s home computer.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the electronic device is the patron'"'"'s mobile device.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said recognized user information is stored in a database accessible by the digital jukebox device and the electronic device of the patron.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the third-party to which the message is to be sent is selected from a list of contacts, the list of contacts being stored as a part of the recognized user information, and

wherein the list of contacts includes other recognized users of the jukebox device.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising displaying the message on the digital jukebox device via a display operably connected to the digital jukebox device upon and as a result of a successful login to the digital jukebox device by the third-party.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising displaying the message on an electronic device of the third-party.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising displaying the message on an electronic device of the third-party upon and as a result of a successful login to the digital jukebox device by the third-party.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein said playlist information comprises at least one instance of media to be associated with a playlist, said playlist includes an identifying name, and said message includes text, graphics, at least one instance of media, and/or credits operable with said collection mechanism.