Digital downloading jukebox with revenue-enhancing features

• US 8,849,435 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2009
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dion, Dominique, Khenfir, Mounir, Panagiotopoulos, Billy, Pompidor, Christian, Beaumier, Francois, Baril, Frederic, Hebert, Sebastien
• Primary Examiner(s): ELBIN, JESSE A
• Application Number:
  US12/737,395
• Publication Number:
  US 20120150614A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,909 Days
• Field of Search: 700/94, 715/716, 715/727, 369/1, 369/30.06, 369/30.08
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/435 Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/4387 by the use of playlists
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/635 Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/638 Presentation of query results
• 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: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0232 Frequent usage rewards other than merchandise, cash or travel
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/305 for record players
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/031 Electronic editing of digitised analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments described herein relate to digital downloading jukebox systems of the type that typically include a central server and remote jukebox devices that communicate with the central server for royalty accounting and/or content updates. More particularly, certain exemplary embodiments relate to jukebox systems that have revenue-enhancing features such as for example, music recommendation engines and bartender loyalty programs. Such innovative techniques help to both increase per jukebox revenue as well as keep jukebox patrons engaged with the jukebox.

Claims

1. A method of operating a digital jukebox device, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of instances of media available for playback via the digital jukebox device;

collecting a number of credits available for use on the digital jukebox device from a user of the digital jukebox device;

queuing-up instances of media for playback via the digital jukebox device in exchange for a first predetermined number of credits and subtracting the first predetermined number of credits from the number of credits available;

determining when the number of credits available falls below a predetermined threshold; and

when the number of credits falls below the predetermined threshold, recommending to the user at least one recommended instance of media for possible playback on the digital jukebox device in exchange for a second predetermined number of credits.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the recommending is performed immediately following a selection by the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the recommending is performed as the user searches for an instance of media for playback.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each said recommended instance of media for possible playback on the digital jukebox device is stored in a storage location of the digital jukebox device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined number of credits is different from the second predetermined number of credits.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the recommending is performed only for registered users of the digital jukebox device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the recommending comprises providing a display including the at least one recommended instance of media for possible playback.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the display is visible to the user upon the selection of a button displayed on the digital jukebox device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the display prompts the user to become a registered user if the user is not already recognized as being a registered user.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold varies depending on time of day and/or day of week.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the user has at least some familiarity with each said recommended instance of media for possible playback and/or the artist performing each said recommended instance of media for possible playback.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the recommending is performed based at least in part on instances of media the user previously has selected for playback.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the recommending is performed based at least on popularity of the instances of media at the location and/or an external objective measure related to the instances of media.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the recommending is performed based at least on a mapping between artists who have performed solo and their former or current bands, singers and songwriters, and former and current names of bands that previously have changed names.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising logging data pertaining to selection of the at least one recommended instance of media.

16. A digital jukebox device, comprising:

a storage location storing a plurality of instances of media available for playback via the digital jukebox device;

a payment acceptor configured to collect a number of credits available for use on the digital jukebox device from a user of the digital jukebox device;

a user interface configured to enable the user to select instances of media for playback via the digital jukebox device in exchange for a first predetermined number of credits, the first predetermined number of credits being subtracted from the number of credits available following a selection; and

a music recommendation engine configured to (1) determine when the number of credits available falls below a predetermined threshold, and (2) when the number of credits falls below the predetermined threshold, recommend to the user at least one recommended instance of media for possible playback on the digital jukebox device in exchange for a second predetermined number of credits.

17. The digital jukebox device of claim 16, wherein the music recommendation engine is further configured to recommend the at least one recommended instance of media immediately following a selection by the user.

18. The digital jukebox device of claim 16, wherein the music recommendation engine is further configured to recommend the at least one recommended instance of media as the user searches for an instance of media for playback.

19. The digital jukebox device of claim 16, wherein each said recommended instance of media for possible playback on the digital jukebox device is stored in the storage location of the digital jukebox device.

20. The digital jukebox device of claim 16, wherein the first predetermined number of credits is different from the second predetermined number of credits.

21. The digital jukebox device of claim 16, wherein the music recommendation engine is further configured to recommend the at least one recommended instance of media only if the user is a registered users of the digital jukebox device.

22. The digital jukebox device of claim 16, wherein the music recommendation engine is further configured to cause the user interface to provide a display including the at least one recommended instance of media for possible playback.

23. The digital jukebox device of claim 22, wherein the display is visible to the user upon the selection of a button displayed via the user interface.

24. The digital jukebox device of claim 23, wherein the display prompts the user to become a registered user if the user is not already recognized as being a registered user.

25. The digital jukebox device of claim 16, wherein the threshold varies depending on time of day and/or day of week.

26. The digital jukebox device of claim 16, wherein the user has at least some familiarity with each said recommended instance of media for possible playback and/or the artist performing each said recommended instance of media for possible playback.

27. The digital jukebox device of claim 26, wherein the music recommendation engine is further configured to recommend the at least one recommended instance of media based at least in part on instances of media the user previously has selected for playback.

28. The digital jukebox device of claim 27, wherein the music recommendation engine is further configured to recommend the at least one recommended instance of media based at least on popularity of the instances of media at the location and/or an external objective measure related to the instances of media.

29. The digital jukebox device of claim 27, wherein the music recommendation engine is further configured to recommend the at least one recommended instance of media based at least on a mapping between artists who have performed solo and their former or current bands, singers and songwriters, and former and current names of bands that previously have changed names.

30. The digital jukebox device of claim 16, wherein the music recommendation engine is further configured to log data pertaining to selection of the at least one recommended instance of media.