Digital Jukebox Device with Improved User Interfaces, and Associated Methods

• US 20170083283A1
• Filed: 11/30/2016
• Published: 03/23/2017
• 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: Beaumier, Francois, Desmarais, Remi, HEBERT, Sabastien, Gratton, Loic, Khenfir, Mounir, Rivera, Ed, Tooker, Michael, Pompidor, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 10,503,463 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 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.

2. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the coordinate space is two-dimensional.

3. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the coordinate space is three-dimensional.

4. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein items are arranged alphabetically along a first axis and chronologically along a second axis.

5. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein a release date associated with the item determines the item'"'"'s positioning along the second axis.

6. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein discrete areas of one said axis are designated for a predefined arrangement of discrete genres.

7. The jukebox device of claim 6, wherein the predefined arrangement of discrete genres is decomposable into a predetermined sub-arrangement of discrete sub-genres.

8. The jukebox device of claim 6, 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.

9. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein song items are selectable so as to trigger their playback.

10. The jukebox device of claim 1, 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.

11. The jukebox device of claim 10, 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.

12. The jukebox device of claim 1, 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.

13. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein elements are grouped alone one axis based on popularity.

14. The jukebox device of claim 13, 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.

15. The jukebox device of claim 13, wherein popularity is determined with reference to item popularity at one or more social networking sites.

16. 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.