Digital jukebox device with improved user interfaces, and associated methods

• US 10,789,285 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2015
• Issued: 09/29/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Beaumier, Francois, Dhambri, Karim, Susla, Daniel, Labunka, Matthew, Moulton, Ian, Alameer, Samer, Tooker, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Tuyetlien T
• Application Number:
  US14/886,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20160042063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,808 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 81/06 Furniture aspects of radio, television, gramophone, or record cabinets for similar equipment supports attached to the wall or ceiling or floor stands F16M
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/438 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/44 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/632 Query formulation
• 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 16/686 using information manually generated, e.g. tags, keywords, comments, title or artist information, time, location or usage information, user ratings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• 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 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• 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: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/305 for record players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/04 : by paper currency
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0873 : Details of the card reader
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 : Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41415 : involving a public display, viewable by several users in a public space outside their home, e.g. movie theatre, information kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 : with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0213 : Venting apertures; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0221 : Locks; Latches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 : Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/06 : Hermetically-sealed casings specially adapted for small components H05K5/0095

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments relate to entertainment systems and, more particularly, to systems that incorporate digital downloading jukebox features and improved user interfaces. For instance, a smart search may be provided, e.g., where search results vary based on the popularity of songs within the venue, in dependence on songs being promoted, etc. As another example, a tile-based approach to organizing groupings of songs is provided. Groupings may involve self-populating collections of songs that combine centrally-promoted songs, songs in a given genre that are popular across an audiovisual distribution network, and songs that are locally popular and match up with the given genre (e.g., because of shared attributes such as same or similar genre, artist, etc.). Different tile visual presentations also are contemplated, as are different physical jukebox designs. In certain example embodiments, a sealed core unit with the “brains” of the jukebox is insertable into a docking station.

Claims

1. A digital jukebox device, comprising:

a display device; and

processing resources including at least one hardware processor and a memory coupled to the at least one hardware processor, the processing resources being configured to control the digital jukebox device to at least output to the display device a user interface, the user interface being configured to present a search screen that at least;

enables a user to input search criteria in searching for a song available for playback via the digital jukebox device on a pay-for-play basis, and

self-updates with results as search criteria is inputted, the results being displayable in a first mode and a second mode at respective times an upon selection of the first mode or the second mode by the user using a control element displayed simultaneously with the results on the display device, wherein;

(1) in the first mode the results are oriented along first and second axes that are different from one another but are displayed at the same time on the same screen of the display device, the first axis including only song-based search results, the second axis including only artist-based search results, and each of the first and second axes having a portion of the results automatically arranged in alphabetical order and another portion of the results automatically arranged in a non-alphabetical order; and

(2) in the second mode the results are oriented along the first and second axes with both axes displaying a same one of either only song-based search results or only artist-based search results.

2. The digital jukebox device of claim 1, wherein search results are displayed as entries along their respective axes, each said axis being individually scrollable to facilitate the display of all such entries oriented therealong if such entries cannot be displayed at one time.

3. The digital jukebox device of claim 2, wherein a self-update to the search screen that causes an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes in turn causes the respective axis or axes to shrink in size until all entries are displayable thereon in a single non-scrolling screen.

4. The digital jukebox device of claim 2, wherein a self-update to the search screen that causes an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes in turn causes the respective axis or axes to shrink in size until all entries are displayable thereon in a single non-scrolling screen, at which point further self-updates to the search screen that cause an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes do not trigger the respective axis or axes to further shrink in size.

5. The digital jukebox device of claim 2, wherein a self-update to the search screen that causes an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes in turn causes the respective axis or axes to shrink in size until all entries are displayable thereon in a single non-scrolling screen, at which point further self-updates to the search screen that cause an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes leave any remaining entries in place along their respective axes.

6. The digital jukebox device of claim 2, wherein (a) a self-update to the search screen that causes an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes in turn causes the respective axis or axes to shrink in size until all entries are displayable thereon in a single non-scrolling screen, at which point (b) further self-updates to the search screen that cause an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes do not trigger the respective axis or axes to further shrink in size, unless (c) still further self-updates to the search screen that cause an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes cause the number of entries in the respective axis or axes to fall below a predetermined threshold, at which point the remaining entries are reorganized along the respective axis or axes.

7. The digital jukebox device of claim 2, wherein the entries are ordered alphabetically along each said axis.

8. The digital jukebox device of claim 2, wherein the entries are ordered such that entries that correspond to results that are flagged as being promoted results receive preferential ordering over other entries.

9. The digital jukebox device of claim 2, wherein the entries are ordered such that entries that correspond to results that are flagged as being popular within a predefined area receive preferential ordering over other entries.

10. The digital jukebox device of claim 2, wherein the entries are ordered such that entries that correspond to results that are flagged as being promoted results and entries that correspond to results that are flagged as being popular within a predefined area receive preferential ordering over other entries.

11. The digital jukebox device of claim 2, wherein the entries are organized as user-selectable tiles.

12. The digital jukebox device of claim 11, wherein the tiles have images associated therewith, the images being non-album art related images.

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

displaying, via a display device of the digital jukebox device, a user interface;

presenting, in connection with the user interface, a search screen that at least enables a user to input search criteria in searching for a song available for playback via the digital jukebox device on a pay-for-play basis;

causing the search screen to self-update with results as search criteria is inputted, the results being displayable in a first mode and a second mode at respective times and upon selection of the first mode or the second mode by the user using a control element displayed simultaneously with the results on the display device, wherein;

(1) in the first mode the results are oriented along first and second axes that are different from one another but are displayed at the same time on the same screen of the display device, the first axis including only song-based search results, and the second axis including only artist-based search results; and

(2) in the second mode the results are oriented along the first and second axes with both axes displaying a same one of either only song-based search results or only artist-based search results;

enabling user selection of search result entries; and

playing back selected songs on a pay-for-play basis using the digital jukebox device,

wherein the digital jukebox device includes processing resources including at least one hardware processor and a memory coupled to the at least one hardware processor, the processing resources being configured to facilitate the displaying, presenting, causing, enabling, and playing back of selected songs, and wherein each of the first and second axes having a portion of the results automatically arranged in alphabetical order and another portion of the results automatically arranged in a non-alphabetical order.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying search results as entries along their respective axes, each said axis being individually scrollable to facilitate the display of all such entries oriented therealong if such entries cannot be displayed at one time.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein a self-update to the search screen that causes an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes in turn causes the respective axis or axes to shrink in size until all entries are displayable thereon in a single non-scrolling screen.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein a self-update to the search screen that causes an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes in turn causes the respective axis or axes to shrink in size until all entries are displayable thereon in a single non-scrolling screen, at which point further self-updates to the search screen that cause an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes do not trigger the respective axis or axes to further shrink in size.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein a self-update to the search screen that causes an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes in turn causes the respective axis or axes to shrink in size until all entries are displayable thereon in a single non-scrolling screen, at which point further self-updates to the search screen that cause an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes leave any remaining entries in place along their respective axes.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein (a) a self-update to the search screen that causes an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes in turn causes the respective axis or axes to shrink in size until all entries are displayable thereon in a single non-scrolling screen, at which point (b) further self-updates to the search screen that cause an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes do not trigger the respective axis or axes to further shrink in size, unless (c) still further self-updates to the search screen that cause an entry to be removed from one or both of the axes cause the number of entries in the respective axis or axes to fall below a predetermined threshold, at which point the remaining entries are reorganized along the respective axis or axes.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising alphabetically ordering the entries along each said axis.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising ordering the entries such that entries that correspond to results that are flagged as being promoted results receive preferential ordering over other entries.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising ordering the entries such that entries that correspond to results that are flagged as being popular within a predefined area receive preferential ordering over other entries.

22. The method of claim 14, further comprising ordering the entries such that entries that correspond to results that are flagged as being promoted results and entries that correspond to results that are flagged as being popular within a predefined area receive preferential ordering over other entries.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein the entries are organized as user-selectable tiles.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the tiles have images associated therewith, the images being non-album art related images.