Digital jukebox device with improved user interfaces, and associated methods

• US 20110283236A1
• Filed: 01/26/2011
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gratton, Loic, Tooker, Michael, Desmarais, Remi, Pompidor, Christian, Rivera, Ed, Beaumier, Francois, Hebert, Sebastien, Khenfir, Mounir
• Granted Patent: US 9,521,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/835
• 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 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• 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 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/305 for record players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/009 User recognition or proximity detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19632 Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/41 Flat as opposed to hierarchical combination, e.g. library of tapes or discs, CD changer, or groups of record carriers that together store one title
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• 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 21/239 Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. prioritizing client content requests hybrid fiber coaxial [HFC] networks for upstream channel allocation for video distribution H04L12/2801; flow control in data networks H04L47/10; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 : for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 33/10 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted to the manufacture of electroluminescent light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 : Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 : Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 : Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 : Acoustic transducer

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments relate to entertainment systems that interact with users to provide access to media appropriate to and/or customized for a particular user using the entertainment system, the location at which the entertainment system is being accessed, and/or a predefined event. For example, in certain exemplary embodiments, an entertainment system in a location is configured to provide jukebox-related and entertainment system mediated services that are accessible from within and from the outside of the location, and provide (1) attract or flight media operations, (2) browsing services, and/or (3) search screens appropriate to and/or customized for a particular user using the entertainment system, the location at which the entertainment system is being accessed, and/or a predefined event. Such screens may be provided with a three-dimensional look-and-feel in certain exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. A jukebox device, comprising:

a display;

a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device; and

at least one processor configured to cause a user interface to be displayed on the display and further configured to respond to inputs to the user interface, wherein the user interface includes;

at least one first user interface element configured to enable a user to select a collection of instances of media available for playback from a plurality of possible collections of instances of media each said collection representing a different partial subset of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device,

at least one second user interface element configured to enable the user to select one of plural possible grouping modes for grouping the instances of media in the collection, the grouping modes including artist, album, and song groupings, wherein the selected grouping mode determines items to be presented to the user for possible selection,

at least one third user interface element configured to enable the user to select one of plural possible ordering modes for ordering the items to be presented to the user for possible selection, and

a display area for displaying at least some of the items to be presented to the user for possible selection, the items being ordered within the display area according to the selected ordering mode,

wherein the at least one first user interface element, the at least one second user interface element, and the at least one third user interface element are all displayable on the display at the same time.

2. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the collections include predefined genres and/or musical themes.

3. The jukebox device of claim 2, wherein the collections further include playlists.

4. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the ordering modes include an alphabetical order mode, a popularity-based order mode, and a chronological or date order mode.

5. The jukebox device of claim 4, wherein each item to be presented to the user for possible selection is assigned a popularity value, the popularity-based order mode ordering the items to be presented to the user for possible selection based on the assigned popularity values.

6. The jukebox device of claim 5, wherein the popularity values are assigned based on one or more of:

item popularity across a jukebox network, item popularity at a venue at which the jukebox device is located, and/or item popularity on an industry chart.

7. The jukebox device of claim 5, wherein the popularity values are assigned based on item popularity at one or more social networking sites.

8. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the user interface further displays at least one fourth user interface element, the at least one fourth user interface element being adaptable based on the selected ordering mode.

9. The jukebox device of claim 4, wherein:

the user interface further displays at least one fourth user interface element, the at least one fourth user interface element being adaptable based on the selected ordering mode, and

the at least one fourth user interface element including letters when the alphabetical order mode is selected, numbers or lines corresponding to popularity values when the popularity-based order mode is selected, and a date or calendar display when the chronological or date order mode is selected.

10. The jukebox device of claim 8, wherein the display area includes a partial subset of the items to be presented to the user for possible selection, the partial subset being determined based on a selection made with respect to the at least one fourth user interface element.

11. The jukebox device of claim 4, wherein the chronological or date order mode is disabled when the artist grouping mode is selected.

12. The jukebox device of claim 8, wherein:

a partial subset of items are displayable in the display area in a fan-like arrangement across a general center area of the display,

the items displayed are changeable based on user manipulation of the at least one fourth user interface element and/or user input to the display area.

13. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein:

a user selection of a displayed album item causes the display of songs within the selected collection and associated with the selected album item to be displayed in the display area, and/or

a user selection of a displayed artist item causes the display of songs within the selected collection and associated with the selected artist item to be displayed in the display area.

14. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein a user selection of a displayed song item causes a popup screen to be displayed, the popup screen enabling the user to confirm that the selected song is to be played back.

15. The jukebox device of claim 14, wherein the display of the popup screen is accompanied by the blurring, fading, and/or reduction to grayscale of user interface elements behind the popup screen.

16. A method of making a jukebox device, the method comprising:

providing a display;

providing a non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device; and

providing at least one processor configured to cause a user interface to be displayed on the display and further configured to respond to inputs to the user interface, wherein the user interface includes;

at least one first user interface element configured to enable a user to select a collection of instances of media available for playback from a plurality of possible collections of instances of media each said collection representing a different partial subset of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device,

at least one second user interface element configured to enable the user to select one of plural possible grouping modes for grouping the instances of media in the collection, the grouping modes including artist, album, and song groupings, wherein the selected grouping mode determines items to be presented to the user for possible selection,

at least one third user interface element configured to enable the user to select one of plural possible ordering modes for ordering the items to be presented to the user for possible selection, and

a display area for displaying at least some of the items to be presented to the user for possible selection, the items being ordered within the display area according to the selected ordering mode,

wherein the at least one first user interface element, the at least one second user interface element, and the at least one third user interface element are all displayable on the display at the same time.

17. A method of recommending a song to a user, the method comprising:

enabling a user to log in to a jukebox device;

determining musical preferences of the user based on a social networking site profile of the user, the social networking site profile identifying at least one artist, song, and/or genre;

providing the determined musical preferences of the user to a recommendation engine to develop at least one recommendation; and

providing the recommendation to the user on the jukebox device.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

determining musical preferences of friends of the user based on social networking site profiles of the friends; and

providing the determined musical preferences of the friends of the user to the recommendation engine in developing the at least one recommendation.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

expanding the determining of the musical preferences to friends of the user and friends of friends within a predetermined number of degrees of separation; and

providing the expanding determinations to the recommendation engine in developing the at least one recommendation.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the predetermined number of degrees of separation is 2 degrees.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the predetermined number of degrees of separation is 3 degrees.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing to the recommendation engine location profile information corresponding to the location in which the jukebox device is located in developing the at least one recommendation.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the location profile information is maintained on a central server.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one processor of the central server determines musical preference data via a social networking interface provided thereto.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising providing to the recommendation engine location profile information corresponding to the location in which the jukebox device is located in developing the at least one recommendation, the location profile information being maintained on the central server.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein a plurality of social networking sites are consulted to determine musical preferences of the user, each said social networking site having an associated social networking site profile for the user.

27. A jukebox system, comprising:

a plurality of jukebox devices, wherein each said jukebox device includes a recommendation engine configured to recommend songs to users of the corresponding jukebox device and a user recognizer configured to enable users to log in to the corresponding jukebox device; and

a social networking site interface configured to determine musical preferences of registered jukebox users based on a social networking site profiles respectively associated with the registered jukebox users, the social networking site profiles each identifying at least one artist, song, and/or genre,

wherein the recommendation engine is configured to base recommendations at least in part on musical preferences determined by the social networking site interface.

28. A jukebox device, comprising:

a display;

a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device;

at least one processor configured to maintain a queue of instances of media to be played back on the jukebox, the at least one processor being further configured to cause a user interface to be displayed on the display and further configured to respond to inputs to the user interface, wherein the user interface includes an indication of a currently playing instance of media including at least a song name and an artist associated with the instance of media; and

an incremental queue reveal module configured to cause the user interface to display information about one or more upcoming instances of media, the information at least initially excluding one or both of song names and artists.

29. The jukebox device of claim 28, wherein the incremental queue reveal module is configured to cause the user interface to display information about a predetermined number of instances of media, the predetermined number being greater than 1.

30. The jukebox device of claim 28, wherein the incremental queue reveal module is configured to cause the user interface to display information about a plurality of instances of media, the number of instances of media depending on the number of instances of media in the queue that are playable within a predetermined amount of time.

31. The jukebox device of claim 30, wherein the predetermined amount of time is 30 minutes.

32. The jukebox device of claim 30, wherein the predetermined amount of time is 1 hour.

33. The jukebox device of claim 30, wherein the predetermined amount of time is 2 hours.

34. The jukebox device of claim 30, wherein the predetermined amount of time is based on a difference between a current time and a closing time.

35. The jukebox device of claim 28, wherein the incremental queue reveal module is configured to cause the user interface to at least initially display only information about a genre associated with each of the one or more upcoming instances of media.

36. The jukebox device of claim 28, wherein the incremental queue reveal module is configured to cause the user interface to at least initially display only information associated with a number of beats per minute associated with each of the one or more upcoming instances of media.

37. The jukebox device of claim 28, wherein the incremental queue reveal module is configured to cause the user interface to at least initially display only information about an artist of each of the one or more upcoming instances of media.

38. The jukebox device of claim 28, wherein the at least one processor is configured to activate the incremental queue reveal module upon payment of a fee.

39. The jukebox device of claim 38, wherein the amount of information revealed varies in dependence on the fee collected such that a larger fee corresponds to more information being revealed.

40. The jukebox device of claim 38, wherein the at least one processor is configured to administer a first pricing scheme that relates the amount of fees due with the amount of information revealed with respect to each instance or media and with respect to a number of instances of media for reveal.

41. The jukebox device of claim 28, further comprising a queue jumping module configured to enable the user to move a selected instance of media to a user-specified location in the queue.

42. The jukebox device of claim 41, wherein the at least one processor is configured to activate the queue jumping module upon payment of a fee.

43. The jukebox device of claim 42, wherein the at least one processor is configured to administer a second pricing scheme that relates the amount of fees due to a number of items in the queue to be jumped.

44. The jukebox device of claim 43, wherein the fee varies proportionally with the number of items in the queue to be jumped.

45. The jukebox device of claim 43, wherein the user interface is programmed to enable a user to lock in an instance of media, upon payment of a fee, guaranteeing that it cannot be skipped.

46. The jukebox device of claim 45, wherein the incremental queue reveal module is further configured to indicate whether instances of media are locked in such that they cannot be skipped.

47. A method of making a jukebox device, the method comprising:

providing a display;

providing a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device;

providing at least one processor configured to maintain a queue of instances of media to be played back on the jukebox, the at least one processor being further configured to cause a user interface to be displayed on the display and further configured to respond to inputs to the user interface, wherein the user interface includes an indication of a currently playing instance of media including at least a song name and an artist associated with the instance of media; and

providing an incremental queue reveal module configured to cause the user interface to display information about one or more upcoming instances of media, the information at least initially excluding one or both of song names and artists.

48. A jukebox device, comprising:

a display;

a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device; and

at least one processor configured to cause a user interface to be displayed on the display and further configured to respond to inputs to the user interface,

wherein the user interface comprises a display area including virtual axes defining a coordinate space in which individual song, artist, and/or album items are to be displayed,

wherein each individual song, artist, and/or album item has a plurality of characteristics associated therewith, each said axis is associated with one of said characteristics so that each individual song, artist, and/or album item has a defined location in the coordinate space, and

wherein the display area is updatable in response to user input corresponding to movement within the coordinate space.

49. The jukebox device of claim 48, wherein the coordinate space is two-dimensional.

50. The jukebox device of claim 48, wherein the coordinate space is three-dimensional.

51. The jukebox device of claim 48, wherein items are arranged alphabetically along a first axis and chronologically along a second axis.

52. The jukebox device of claim 48, wherein a release date associated with the item determines the item'"'"'s positioning along the second axis.

53. The jukebox device of claim 48, wherein discrete areas of one said axis are designated for a predefined arrangement of discrete genres.

54. The jukebox device of claim 53, wherein the predefined arrangement of discrete genres is decomposable into a predetermined sub-arrangement of discrete sub-genres.

55. The jukebox device of claim 53, wherein the discrete genres are grouped such that based on degrees of similarity therebetween such that similar genres are provided in closer relative proximity to one another as compared to disparate genres.

56. The jukebox device of claim 48, wherein song items are selectable so as to trigger their playback.

57. The jukebox device of claim 48, wherein the at least one processor, upon detecting a song items selection, causes a popup screen to be displayed, the popup screen enabling the user to confirm that the selected song is to be played back.

58. The jukebox device of claim 57, wherein the display of the popup screen is accompanied by the blurring, fading, and/or reduction to grayscale of user interface elements behind the popup screen.

59. The jukebox device of claim 48, wherein the at least one processor, upon detecting an album or artist selection, causes movement within the coordinate space such that the selected item is centered therein.

60. The jukebox device of claim 48, wherein elements are grouped alone one axis based on popularity.

61. The jukebox device of claim 60, wherein popularity is determined with reference to item popularity across a jukebox network, item popularity at a venue at which the jukebox device is located, and/or item popularity on an industry chart.

62. The jukebox device of claim 60, wherein popularity is determined with reference to item popularity at one or more social networking sites.

63. A method of making a jukebox device, the method comprising:

providing a display;

providing a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device; and

providing at least one processor configured to cause a user interface to be displayed on the display and further configured to respond to inputs to the user interface,

wherein the user interface comprises a display area including virtual axes defining a coordinate space in which individual song, artist, and/or album items are to be displayed,

wherein each individual song, artist, and/or album item has a plurality of characteristics associated therewith, each said axis is associated with one of said characteristics so that each individual song, artist, and/or album item has a defined location in the coordinate space, and

wherein the display area is updatable in response to user input corresponding to movement within the coordinate space.

64. A jukebox device, comprising:

a display;

a camera;

a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device; and

at least one processor configured to;

obtain images and/or video from the camera,

display said obtained images and/or video from the camera on the display of the jukebox device substantially in real time so that the display substantially mirrors what is detected by the camera, and

enable a remote user to view said obtained images and/or video from the camera.

65. The jukebox device of claim 64, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause said obtained images and/or video to be displayed on one or more external display devices provided in a common location with the jukebox device.

66. The jukebox device of claim 64, further comprising a web server configured to enable the remote user to view said obtained images and/or video from the camera.

67. The jukebox device of claim 64, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to enter into a security mode at a user-specified time or upon a signal from an authorized user.

68. The jukebox device of claim 67, wherein the at least one processor causes the camera to act as a motion detector when said security mode is entered.

69. The jukebox device of claim 68, wherein the at least one processor is configured to raise an alarm when motion is unexpectedly detected.

70. The jukebox device of claim 69, wherein the alarm includes initiation of a VoIP call to one or more specified parties.

71. The jukebox device of claim 69, wherein the alarm includes causing the display and/or lighting on the jukebox to become illuminated and/or flash.

72. The jukebox device of claim 69, wherein the alarm includes an audible alarm.

73. A method of making a jukebox device, the method comprising:

providing a display;

providing a camera;

providing a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device; and

providing at least one processor configured to;

obtain images and/or video from the camera,

display said obtained images and/or video from the camera on the display of the jukebox device substantially in real time so that the display substantially mirrors what is detected by the camera, and

enable a remote user to view said obtained images and/or video from the camera.

74. A jukebox device, comprising:

at least one display device;

a generally elongate array of LED elements provided above the at least one display device;

a backwash light arranged at a rear portion of the jukebox device and configured to generate light behind the jukebox device;

a rim light disposed around a periphery of the jukebox device;

a substantially circular activation switch or button;

a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device; and

at least one processor configured to provide a user interface and further configured to coordinate lighting events based at least in part on events associated with the user interface.

75. The jukebox device of claim 74, further comprising at least one payment collector having an associated payment mechanism attract light provided in close relative proximity thereto.

76. The jukebox device of claim 74, wherein the at least one processor coordinates lighting events in dependence on a script.

77. The jukebox device of claim 76, wherein the script is an XML-based script.

78. The jukebox device of claim 76, wherein the script includes indications as to what lights are to be activated, when the lights are to be activated, and what color is to be displayed.

79. The jukebox device of claim 74, wherein at least some instances of media have themes associated therewith, the themes being recognizable by the at least one processor such that, when played, the at least one processor creates lighting events in connection with the corresponding theme.

80. The jukebox device of claim 74, wherein the jukebox device is configured to display advertisements, at least some of the advertisements having themes associated therewith, the themes being recognizable by the at least one processor such that, when displayed, the at least one processor creates lighting events in connection with the corresponding theme.

81. The jukebox device of claim 74, further comprising a single touch sensitive substrate disposed over both the at least one display device and the array of LED elements.

82. The jukebox device of claim 81, wherein the at least one processor is configured to monitor for inputs to the touch sensitive substrate and selectively activate LED elements in the array of LED elements in response to a detected touch to an overlying area.

83. The jukebox device of claim 74, wherein the at least one processor is configured to coordinate lighting events having consistent colors produced by different light sources by offsetting the color values to be generated to account for differences in the light generated by the light sources and/or in response to the surrounding environment.

84. The jukebox device of claim 83, further comprising a camera.

85. The jukebox device of claim 84, wherein the at least one processor is configured to use data from the camera to determine ambient conditions.

86. A method of making a jukebox device, the method comprising:

providing at least one display device;

providing a generally elongate array of LED elements provided above the at least one display device;

providing a backwash light arranged at a rear portion of the jukebox device and configured to generate light behind the jukebox device;

providing a rim light disposed around a periphery of the jukebox device;

providing a substantially circular activation switch or button;

providing a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device; and

providing at least one processor configured to provide a user interface and further configured to coordinate lighting events based at least in part on events associated with the user interface.