WO2009130458A1

WO2009130458A1 - Complete my artist

Info

Publication number: WO2009130458A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/001025
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Dean; Ben Wolff
Original assignee: Music Technology Limited
Priority date: 2008-04-21
Filing date: 2009-04-21
Publication date: 2009-10-29
Also published as: GB0807222D0

Abstract

A storage device comprising: media content of an artist; and computer readable code configured to cause a media content experience related to said artist. The computer readable code comprises a link to a recommendation engine. The media content experience related to said artist is controlled by the recommendation engine. The recommendation engine provides recommendation data on further media content associated with the artist of the media content.

Description

COMPLETE MY ARTIST

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to storage devices comprising media content together with computer code enabling recommendations to a user of the storage device. Preferably the recommendations are determined based on the media content.

BACKGROUND

In the last few years CD's (Compact Discs) and DVD's (Digital Versatile Discs or Digital Video Discs) have been provided as free gifts with newspapers and magazines in order to increase the circulation of the newspaper or magazine. These CD's/DVD's often vary in media content from films to TV programs to music to games. In addition a CD may comprise a compilation of music from various artists, or may comprise music from only one artist.

it is known that CD's comprising music from only one artist have a significantly increased uptake when compared to CD's comprising a compilation of music from various artists. Consequently, it has become desirable to include as free gifts with newspapers and magazines CD's which comprise music from only one artist.

Furthermore, it is known to provide CD's or DVD's as free gifts with newspapers and magazines which comprise media content together with associated computer code. The computer code may be read when the CD or DVD is provided in a suitable device such as a computer as opposed to a CD player. The computer code may, for example, provide a quiz etc, which can be played using the computer.

However, these free CD's or DVD's cannot be used to promote unknown or less popular musical artists/films. This is because unless the purchaser of the newspapers or magazines is already aware of the musical artist/film, the purchaser is less likely to purchase the newspapers or magazines, and thus circulation of the newspapers or magazines will not be increased.

The present invention aims to increase a user's musical artist/film awareness to recordings of general interest, which still increasing the circulation of the newspapers or magazines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to aspects of the present invention, there is variously provided: a storage device; method; computer readable medium; and kit as defined in the appended claims.

In one embodiment, the storage device comprises a CD, a DVD or a memory stick.

In one embodiment, the media content comprises audio media content and/or audio visual media content.

In one embodiment, the storage device comprises a portable storage device.

In one embodiment, the consumable product is selected from the group consisting of a newspaper, a magazine, and a cereal packet.

In one embodiment, the recommendations comprises recommendations for artists whose songs are written by the same writer as the artist of the media content, whose songs are produced by the same producer as the artist of the media content, and/or whose songs are in the same (or similar) genre as the songs of the artist of the media content.

In one embodiment, the recommendations are rated.

in one embodiment, the pass-code enables the user to use and/or download the recommendation engine for free, or at a reduced rate. In one embodiment, the pass-code enables the user to obtain the recommended tracks for free, or at a reduced rate.

In one embodiment, the pass-code is valid for a predetermined period of time.

In one embodiment, the recommendation engine provides recommendation data determined based on music stored on a user's device.

In one embodiment, the artist information comprise information about the known artists, tracks, and music genres, information about music releases and concerts, -and trivia, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only- to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates schematically a storage device of the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates schematically components of the invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a process flow diagram of the invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a process flow diagram of the invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a process flow diagram of the invention;

Figure 6 illustrates a process flow diagram of the invention; and

Figure 7 illustrates a recommendation engine of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 illustrates a storage device 10 of the invention, such as a CD, DVD or a memory stick comprising media content 101 and computer code 103. The media content 101 may be audio media content (for example music, radio programs, audio stories etc) or audio visual media content (for example films, music videos, TV programs etc). The computer code 103 is associated with the media content 101, such that the computer code 103, when read, provides a media content related experience.

In one embodiment, the storage device 10 is a portable storage device.

In the following example the media content will be described as audio media content 101 (music).

Figure 2 illustrates a storage device 10 of the invention provided as a free gift on a consumable product, such as newspaper/magazine 20. Following purchase of the newspaper/magazine 20, a user can either listen to the media content 101 (music) of the storage device 10 using a CD player 30 or can listen to the media content 101 (music) of the storage device 10 and access the computer code 103 using a suitable user's device 40, such as a computer.

In one embodiment, the storage device 10 comprises music media content 101 of a known artist, and the computer code 103 comprises a link an artist related experience. Since the artist of the music media content 101 is known, it is possible to determine that purchasers of the newspaper/magazine 20 are interested in the known artist and/or like the music of the known artist. Therefore, the artist related experience relates to the known artist of the music media content 101.

Figure 3 illustrated a process flow diagram for creating a storage device 10 of the invention. As illustrated in figure 3, the media content 101 is transferred onto a storage device 10 (step S300). The computer code 103 is then transferred onto the same storage device 10 (step S310). Following transfer of the media content 101 and the computer code 103, the storage device 10 is provided on a newspaper/magazine 20 (step S320). Finally, the newspaper/magazine is provided for retail (step S330). Steps S300 and S310 can be performed in reverse order, such that the computer code 103 is transferred onto the storage device 10 followed by the media content 101. Alternatively, the media content 101 and computer code 103 could be transferred onto the same storage device 10 simultaneously.

In one embodiment the computer code 103 enables the user to link to a recommendation engine. In one embodiment, the recommendation engine is p.rovided on the storage device 10. In another embodiment, the computer code 103 enables the user to link to a recommendation engine at a server 60 over the internet 50. In yet another embodiment, the computer code 103 enables the user to download a recommendation engine from the server 60 over the internet 50.

The user's device 40 communicates with the server 60 via the internet 50. This connection may be a wired or wireless connection.

Figure 4 illustrates a process flow diagram of the invention. In one embodiment, as illustrated in figure 4, the storage device 10 is inserted into a user's device 40 (step S400). The user's device 40 reads the computer code 103 (step S410) and accesses the recommendation engine, which in this embodiment is provided on the storage device 10 (step S420). The recommendation engine then determines recommendations (step S430) and the resultant recommendation data is retrieved from the recommendation engine (step S440) and displayed to the user (step S450) at the user's device 40.

Figure 5 illustrates another process flow diagram of the invention, in one embodiment, as illustrated in figure 5, the storage device 10 is inserted into a user's device 40 (step S500). The user's device 40 reads the computer code 103 (step S510) and accesses the sever 60 via the internet 50 (step S520) in order to access the recommendation engine, which in this embodiment is provided at the server 60 (step S530). The recommendation engine then determines recommendations (step S540) and the resultant recommendation data is retrieved from the recommendation engine (step S550) and displayed to the user (step S560) at the user's device 40.

Figure 6 illustrates another process flow diagram of the invention. In one embodiment, as illustrated in figure 6, the storage device 10 is inserted into a user's device 40 (step S600). The user's device 40 reads the computer code 103 (step S610) and accesses the sever 60 via the internet 50 (step S620). The recommendation engine is then downloaded to the user's device 40 (step S630) prior to accessing the recommendation engine (step S640). The recommendation engine then determines recommendations (step S650) and the resultant recommendation data is retrieved from the recommendation engine (step S660) and displayed to the user (step S670) at the user's device 40.

Examples of known recommendation engines which could be downloaded to the user's device 40 are The Filter™; Last.fm™; MusiclP™; MyStandards™ etc.

The recommendation engine provides the user with recommendation data determined based on the known artist. The recommendation data may be, for example, artist recommendations for artists whose songs are written by the same writer as the known artist, whose songs are produced by the same producer as the known artist, and/or whose songs are in the same (or similar) genre as the songs of the known artist.

In addition, the recommendation data may be rated, for example, such that artists whose songs are written by the same writer as the known artist and whose songs are produced by the same producer as the known artist are rated higher . (and in one embodiment, recommended first) than artists whose songs are written by the same writer as the known artist, but whose songs are produced by a different producer from the known artist.

Furthermore, since the artist of the music media content 101 is known, and it can be assumed that the purchaser of the newspaper/magazine likes music by the known artist, thus recommendation data can be provided which is likely to be of interest to the purchaser. For example, recommendation data associated with computer code 103 provided on a storage device 10 together with music media data of "Madonna" is likely to be different to recommendation data associated with computer code 103 provided on a storage device 10 together with music media data of "Michael Jackson".

In one embodiment, the user may be provided with an opportunity to use the recommendation engine further following presentation of recommendation data to the user based on the known artist. For example the recommendation engine may also make music recommendations based on the music already stored on the user's device 40.

In one embodiment, the recommendation data which is displayed to the user may comprise at least one extract of a track (or a whole track) of the recommended music.

In one embodiment, if the user's device 40 is connected to the internet 50, then the recommendation engine enables the user to buy the recommended music. In one embodiment, the recommendation engine provides a link which takes the user to a music purchase site, via the internet 50.

As stated above, the recommendation engine provides the user with recommendation data determined based on the known artist. In one embodiment, the recommendation engine provides the user with recommendation data determined based on known preferences of fans of the known artist.

In another embodiment, the recommendation engine provides the user with recommendation data determined based on the known demographic of the newspaper/magazine 20 to which the storage device 10 is attached. For example, a magazine which is mainly read by pre-teens may be provided with a storage device 10 featuring a known artist whose main demographic is the same, such as "McFIy" and computer code linking to recommendation data determined based on the known demographic of the newspaper/magazine 20. In another embodiment, it is known that users often embrace the music preferences of their favourite artist. Consequently, the recommendation engine determines recommendation data based on known preferences of the known artist.

In one embodiment, the recommendation engine provides the user with recommendation data determined based on preferences of the user. For example, the recommendation engine may request the user answer a series of questions (in one embodiment about there musical likes and dislikes) so that the recommendation engine can provide the user with recommendation data determined based on their preferences. In a further embodiment, the recommendation engine provides the user with recommendation data determined based on the music already stored on the user's device 40.

One example of a recommendation engine is described in British Patent Application No: 0800660.3 entitled "Playlist Manager".

Figure 7 illustrates a recommendation engine which can provide the user with recommendation data determined based on the music already stored on the user's device 40. The recommendation engine 700 comprises an interface to the user's device 780, which enables the recommendation engine 700 to interact with the user's device 40 when required. The recommendation engine 700 further comprises a user music location processor 720, a user music preferences processor 750, a user listening patterns processor 730, and a user music context processor 770.

The user music location processor 720 determines the location at which the user's music is stored on the user's device 40. The user music preferences processor 750 analyses the" user's music stored on the user's device 40 and determines what the user's music preferences are, such as, for example, does the user like Jazz, Blues, R&B etc, which artists the user likes together with the most played artist, and which songs the user likes together with the most played song. The user listening patterns processor 730 determines the user's listening patterns such as, for example, how many times each song has been played together with when it was played (date and time), the percentage of the user's music collection that has been listened to, the percentage of the artists in the user's music collection that have been listened to, the total number of artists, tracks and albums, the average number of times a track has been played, and the average number of tracks played per day etc.

Finally, the user music context processor 770 determines what songs where played in the same period and determines what context these were played in, such as, for example, if fast beat songs are played together then this may indicate "gym music", whereas if chill out songs are played together then this may indicate "diner party music", etc.

The user music preferences processor 750, user listening patterns processor 730 and user music context processor 770 provides participation of the user in the recommendation process, by making their listening experience available for analysis, interaction and recommendation.

The recommendation engine 700 also comprises a storage device 760 for storing the user music data, a user customisation processor 710 and a communication interface 740.

In one embodiment, the communication interface 740 is used to communicate with the server 60 via the internet 50 in order to transfer the user music data to the server for analysis. The storage device 760 stores the user music data, such that each time the user connects to the server 60, the recommendation engine 700 can perform a comparison of the user music data and the music stored in the user's music library in order to identify any changes which have occurred within the user music data, such as new songs which have been added to the user's library and which need to be informed to the server 60. This enables the server 60 to provide up-to-date and relevant recommendations. In this embodiment, all the analysis of the user music data is performed at the server 60. In another embodiment, analysis of the user music data can be performed at the recommendation engine 700.

In one embodiment, the recommendation engine provides associated information to the user together with or separately from providing recommendation data. The associated information may be, for example, information about the known artists, tracks, and music genres, information about music releases and concerts, and trivia, etc.

In one embodiment, the recommendation engine provides different recommendations based on which track on the storage device 10 the user indicates as their favourite track. The recommendation engine determines recommendations based on the favourite track selected by the user.

In one embodiment, the computer code 103 provides the user with a link to and a pass-code for accessing a recommendation engine. In one embodiment, the pass-code is valid for a limited period of time. In another embodiment, the pass-code enables the user to use and/or download the recommendation engine for free, or at a reduced rate. In one embodiment, the pass-code enables the user to obtain the recommended tracks for free, or at a reduced rate.

In the above examples the storage device 10 is described as a CD and the media content 101 is described as musical content. However, the invention can also be applied to other types of storage devices 10 and media content 101. For example, if the storage device 10 is a DVD and the media content 101 is a film, then the computer code 103 may provide recommendations regarding other films that may also be of interest to the user for example, films staring the same actor, films written by the same author, films of the same (or similar) genre, films produced by the same producer etc. Furthermore, although the storage device 10 is described as being provided free with a newspaper/magazine, the storage device 10 may be provided free with any other consumable item, such as. a box of breakfast cereal, a packet of crisps etc.

The invention has been described with particular illustrative embodiments. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and that various changes and modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A storage device comprising: media content of an artist; and computer readable code configured to cause a media content experience related to said artist.

2. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the computer readable code comprises a link to a recommendation engine.

3. The storage device of claim 2, wherein the media content experience related to said artist is controlled by the recommendation engine.

4. The storage device of claim 2 or 3, wherein the recommendation engine provides recommendation data on further media content associated with the artist of the media content.

5. The storage device of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the recommendation engine is stored on the storage device.

6. The storage device of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the recommendation engine is provided at a remote server.

7. The storage device of claim 6, wherein the link enables the recommendation engine to be downloaded from the remote server.

8. The storage device of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the recommendation engine enables the user to purchase the further media content.

9. The storage device of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the recommendation engine provides recommendation data determined based on music stored on a user's device.

10. The storage device of any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the recommendation engine provides recommendation data determined based on known preferences of fans of said artist.

11. The storage device of any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the recommendation engine provides recommendation data determined based on a known demographic of a consumable product to which the storage device is removably attached.

12. The storage device of any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the recommendation engine provides recommendation data determined based on known preferences of said artist.

13. The storage device of any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the recommendation engine requests preference data from a user, and provides recommendation data determined based on the preference data of the user.

14. The storage device of any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein the recommendation engine provides recommendation data determined based on music stored on a user's device.

15. The storage device of any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein the recommendation engine provides recommendation data determined based on a favourite track of the media content indicated by a user.

16. The storage device of any one of claims 4 to 15, wherein the recommendation data comprise a link to at least one extract of the recommended data.

17. The storage device of any one of claims 4 to 15, wherein the recommendation engine provides media content information associated with the recommendation data.

IS. The storage device of any one of claims 2 to 17, wherein the computer readable code further provides a pass-code for accessing the recommendation engine.

19. A computer readable medium comprising media content of an artist and computer readable code causing access to a computer controlled experience relating to further media content associated with said artist, wherein the computer readable medium controls the computer to provide recommendation data determined to be associated with said artist on the computer readable medium.

20. A method for providing a consumable product with a storage device, the method comprising: transferring media content of an artist onto a storage device; transferring readable code providing an experience relating to said artist onto the storage device; removably attaching the storage device to a consumable product; and providing the consumable product for retail.

21. A method for obtaining recommendation data, the method comprising: reading computer code provided on a storage device along side media content for playing directly from said storage device; accessing a recommendation engine indicated by the computer code; determining recommendations of media content determined to be associated with the content for playing directly from said storage device; and displaying the recommendations.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: accessing the recommendation engine at a remote sever.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: transferring the recommendation engine from the remote sever to a user device prior to accessing the recommendation engine.

24. A kit comprising: a consumable product; and the storage device of any one of claims 1 to 18.

25. A storage device as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to figure 1.

26. A method as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to figures 3 to 6.