Patent 9146925

Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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The following prior art references are cited in US Patent 9146925. Each reference is analyzed for its publication/filing date, a brief description, and potential anticipation of claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102, focusing on the unique aspects of US9146925's claims 1 and 3, particularly the artist-controlled media upload, real-time availability, automated earnings distribution, and on-the-fly audio mastering.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US9146925

  1. US5629980A (System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works)

    • Full Citation: US5629980A, Xerox Corporation
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 1994-11-23, Published 1997-05-13
    • Brief Description: This patent describes a system for controlling the distribution and usage of digital works, focusing on secure transactions and rights management for digital content.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent broadly covers digital content distribution and rights management, which could generally anticipate the "providing a user interface to interact with a system" and aspects of "automatically calculating amounts earned" (related to rights). However, it does not specifically address artist-uploaded media to internet jukeboxes, real-time availability, or on-the-fly audio processing as described in claims 1 and 3 of US9146925.

  2. US5926624A (Digital information library and delivery system with logic for generating files targeted to the playback device)

    • Full Citation: US5926624A, Audible, Inc.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 1996-09-12, Published 1999-07-20
    • Brief Description: Discloses a system for delivering digital information (e.g., audio books) from a library to a playback device, including logic to tailor files for the specific device.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent pertains to digital media delivery tailored for playback devices, which might generally overlap with the concept of streaming media to a jukebox (claim 1, "streaming the requested new media to the jukebox"). However, it lacks the explicit features of artist-controlled uploads, real-time availability to public jukeboxes, automated earnings specific to venues/artists, and the detailed audio signal processing (RMS, compression) claimed in US9146925.

  3. US6073124A (Method and system for securely incorporating electronic information into an online purchasing application)

    • Full Citation: US6073124A, Shopnow.Com Inc.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 1997-01-29, Published 2000-06-06
    • Brief Description: Describes a system for secure online purchasing, focusing on incorporating electronic information into transactions.
    • Potential Anticipation: This reference relates to secure online payments, which could generally touch upon the "receiving indication of payment" aspect (claim 1). However, it does not address the core functionality of artist-uploaded media to jukeboxes, real-time distribution, or audio processing, thus unlikely to anticipate claims 1 or 3 in their entirety.

  4. US6170014B1 (Computer architecture for managing courseware in a shared use operating environment)

    • Full Citation: US6170014B1, Community Learning And Information Network
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 1998-03-25, Published 2001-01-02
    • Brief Description: Describes a computer architecture for managing educational courseware in a shared environment.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent is directed to courseware management and shared operating environments, which is outside the domain of internet jukeboxes and artist media distribution, making it unlikely to anticipate claims 1 or 3.

  5. US6009401A (Relicensing of electronically purchased software)

    • Full Citation: US6009401A, Preview Systems, Inc.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 1998-04-06, Published 1999-12-28
    • Brief Description: Focuses on systems for relicensing electronically purchased software.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent deals with software licensing, not media distribution or jukeboxes, and therefore does not anticipate claims 1 or 3.

  6. US6601136B2 (Media server system and process having device independent near-online storage support)

    • Full Citation: US6601136B2, Kasenna, Inc.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 1998-10-30, Published 2003-07-29
    • Brief Description: Describes a media server system supporting device-independent storage and delivery of media.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent broadly covers media server systems and storage, which could relate to "storing the new media in a central storage device" (claim 1). However, it does not detail the artist-specific upload, real-time jukebox integration, automated payment, or on-the-fly audio processing.

  7. US6338044B1 (Personal digital content system)

    • Full Citation: US6338044B1, Loudeye Technologies, Inc.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 1999-03-17, Published 2002-01-08
    • Brief Description: Describes a system for managing and distributing personal digital content.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent relates to personal digital content, but not specifically to public internet jukeboxes or the unique features of artist-driven, real-time, financially compensated, and audio-mastered media distribution as claimed.

  8. US7194555B2 (Compression and remote storage apparatus for data, music and video)

    • Full Citation: US7194555B2, Marco Scibora
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2000-01-12, Published 2007-03-20
    • Brief Description: Describes an apparatus for compressing and remotely storing various types of media (data, music, video).
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent could generally anticipate aspects of "storing the new media in a central storage device" (claim 1) and that media comprises music and video (claim 2). However, it does not cover the artist-centric upload, real-time jukebox availability, earning calculation, or the specific audio signal processing (RMS, gain, compression, limiting) claimed in US9146925.

  9. US6519648B1 (Streaming media search and continuous playback of multiple media resources located on a network)

    • Full Citation: US6519648B1, Friskit, Inc.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2000-01-24, Published 2003-02-11
    • Brief Description: Describes a system for searching and continuously playing streaming media from networked resources.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent is relevant to "streaming the requested new media to the jukebox" and "providing the metadata for the new media over the Internet in response to the API call for display by the jukebox" (claim 1). However, it predates the specific artist-upload and audio mastering elements of US9146925.

  10. US8630529B2 (Video processing system)

    • Full Citation: US8630529B2, Yesvideo, Inc.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2000-06-16, Published 2014-01-14
    • Brief Description: Describes a system for processing video, including various transformations and enhancements.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent describes video processing, which might generally relate to the concept of "media comprises images, video and music" (claim 2) and the future development mentioned in US9146925 for video mastering. However, it does not specifically address the audio mastering techniques (RMS, gain, compression) for music or the direct artist-to-jukebox ecosystem with automated payments.

  11. US7206821B2 (System and method for recording information on a storage medium)

    • Full Citation: US7206821B2, Ricoh Co. Ltd.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2001-01-19, Published 2007-04-17
    • Brief Description: Describes a system and method for recording information onto a storage medium.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent is too general in its scope of recording information to anticipate the specific features of US9146925.

  12. US7577717B2 (System for selecting and playing jukebox tracks)

    • Full Citation: US7577717B2, C-Burn Systems Ltd
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2001-06-11, Published 2009-08-18
    • Brief Description: Describes a system for selecting and playing tracks on a jukebox, including payment mechanisms.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant as it explicitly covers "jukebox tracks" and "selecting and playing" (claim 1, "receiving a request from the jukebox for playback"). It also likely covers aspects of payment. However, it is not clear if it includes the artist-driven upload directly to the system without screening, the real-time availability, and critically, the on-the-fly RMS-based audio normalization and compression for new media uploaded by artists, which are central to US9146925.

  13. US7848531B1 (Method and apparatus for audio loudness and dynamics matching)

    • Full Citation: US7848531B1, Creative Technology Ltd.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2002-01-09, Published 2010-12-07
    • Brief Description: This patent describes methods and apparatus for matching audio loudness and dynamics.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant to the audio processing aspects of claims 1 and 3 of US9146925. Specifically, it directly addresses "audio loudness and dynamics matching," which anticipates "automatically analyzing, by the processor, audio signals of the new media for determining a root mean square (RMS) value," "applying gain to the signals," and "further compressed for reducing a dynamic range" (claim 1). The unique combination in US9146925 is applying this on-the-fly mastering to artist-uploaded new media for a jukebox system with automated payments. This patent directly anticipates the technical means for the audio mastering part.

  14. US20030135424A1 (System and method for automatically updating media in a digital jukebox)

    • Full Citation: US20030135424A1, Davis Jeffrey S.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2002-01-17, Published 2003-07-17
    • Brief Description: Describes a system for automatically updating media content in a digital jukebox.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant to the "automatically enables the new media to be requested by the jukebox for playback over the Internet" (claim 1) and the real-time synchronization mentioned in US9146925. While it covers updating media, it's less clear if it specifies artist-driven uploads without screening, direct artist payment, or the specific on-the-fly audio mastering. It anticipates the general concept of dynamic content for jukeboxes.

  15. US20060239131A1 (Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools)

    • Full Citation: US20060239131A1, Guy Nathan
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2002-09-16, Published 2006-10-26
    • Brief Description: Discloses a digital jukebox system that includes user-tailored music management and communication features, allowing users to interact with content.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent is very relevant to the overall jukebox system, user interfaces ("providing... a user interface to interact with a system"), and music management. It may anticipate aspects of user interaction with media and even some form of "user-tailored" content. However, US9146925 specifically focuses on artists uploading new media without screening, earning royalties, and the unique on-the-fly audio mastering, which may differentiate it.

  16. US20080086379A1 (Digital downloading jukebox with enhanced communication features)

    • Full Citation: US20080086379A1, Dominique Dion
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2002-09-16, Published 2008-04-10
    • Brief Description: Describes a digital downloading jukebox with enhanced communication features, enabling various user interactions and content delivery.
    • Potential Anticipation: Similar to Guy Nathan, this patent is highly relevant to digital downloading jukebox systems and user interaction. It broadly anticipates many elements of claims 1 and 3 related to jukebox functionality and content delivery. The key distinction for US9146925 would again be the specific artist-controlled upload, automated payment distribution, and the on-the-fly audio mastering for new media.

  17. US8332895B2 (Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools)

    • Full Citation: US8332895B2, Touchtunes Music Corporation
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2002-09-16, Published 2012-12-11
    • Brief Description: A digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management and communication, similar to US20060239131A1 and US20080086379A1, but as a granted patent.
    • Potential Anticipation: This granted patent by Touchtunes (a major jukebox company) is very relevant. It likely covers many functional aspects of a digital downloading jukebox described in US9146925, including user interfaces, media management, and playback. The distinguishing features of US9146925 (artist-driven, unscreened uploads, real-time royalty distribution, and specific on-the-fly audio mastering for new media) would need careful comparison to determine full anticipation. It generally anticipates the broader system but potentially not the specific combination of artist self-promotion and audio processing.

  18. US20140223492A1 (Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools)

    • Full Citation: US20140223492A1, Touchtunes Music Corporation
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2002-09-16, Published 2014-08-07
    • Brief Description: Another Touchtunes publication, a continuation or related application to the one above, detailing a digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management and communication tools.
    • Potential Anticipation: Similar to US8332895B2, this patent would be highly relevant to the general operation of digital jukeboxes, but the distinct aspects of US9146925 (artist-driven, unscreened uploads, real-time royalty distribution, and specific on-the-fly audio mastering for new media) would be the key differentiators.

  19. US7822687B2 (Jukebox with customizable avatar)

    • Full Citation: US7822687B2, Francois Brillon
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2002-09-16, Published 2010-10-26
    • Brief Description: Describes a jukebox system that includes customizable avatars for users.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent focuses on user avatars for jukeboxes, a tangential feature to the core claims of US9146925. It does not anticipate the artist-centric media upload, earning distribution, or audio processing features.

  20. US20130318441A1 (Jukebox with customizable avatar)

    • Full Citation: US20130318441A1, Touch Tunes Music Corporation
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2002-09-16, Published 2013-11-28
    • Brief Description: Another Touchtunes publication related to a jukebox with customizable avatars.
    • Potential Anticipation: Similar to US7822687B2, this patent focuses on avatars and does not directly anticipate the core elements of US9146925.

  21. US20060031548A1 (Electronic media distribution system and method)

    • Full Citation: US20060031548A1, Funchess Samuel W
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2004-03-19, Published 2006-02-09
    • Brief Description: Describes an electronic media distribution system and method.
    • Potential Anticipation: This is a broad patent on electronic media distribution. Without more specifics, it's hard to assess full anticipation. It might cover general aspects of uploading and distributing media but likely not the specific combination of artist-controlled public jukebox distribution with real-time payment and on-the-fly audio mastering.

  22. US20090063437A1 (Secure hosted databases)

    • Full Citation: US20090063437A1, Hendrey Geoffrey R
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2007-06-11, Published 2009-03-05
    • Brief Description: This patent describes systems for secure hosted databases.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent addresses secure database technology, which underlies any system storing user data and media metadata, thus generally relevant to "storing the metadata in a database" (claim 1). However, it does not describe the specific application in US9146925.

  23. US20120150614A1 (Digital downloading jukebox with revenue-enhancing features)

    • Full Citation: US20120150614A1, Bank Of America, N.A.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2008-07-09, Published 2012-06-14
    • Brief Description: Describes a digital downloading jukebox with features aimed at enhancing revenue.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant to the revenue generation and payment aspects ("automatically calculating amounts earned by an artist and a venue," and "receiving indication of payment" in claim 1). It indicates that revenue-enhancing features for jukeboxes existed prior to US9146925. The key difference would likely be the specific mechanism of artist self-upload, unfiltered access, and the detailed audio mastering process.

  24. US8548960B2 (Music processing method and apparatus to use music data or metadata of music data regardless of an offset discrepancy)

    • Full Citation: US8548960B2, Sony Corporation
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2008-09-03, Published 2013-10-01
    • Brief Description: Describes methods and apparatus for processing music data or its metadata, including handling offset discrepancies.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent broadly covers music processing and metadata use. While relevant to "automatically identifying... metadata for the new media" (claim 1), it doesn't appear to specifically detail the RMS-based audio normalization, gain, and compression steps as described in US9146925, nor the artist-upload and payment model.

  25. US20100057734A1 (Music processing method, music processing apparatus and program)

    • Full Citation: US20100057734A1, Yasushi Miyajima
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2008-09-03, Published 2010-03-04
    • Brief Description: Describes a music processing method and apparatus, potentially for various applications.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent broadly covers music processing. Depending on its specific details (which are not available in this summary), it could potentially anticipate some general aspects of "automatically analyzing audio signals" or "applying gain" if these are common music processing steps. However, without more detail, it's unlikely to anticipate the specific combination and context of US9146925's claims.

  26. US20100272290A1 (Loudness consistency at program boundaries)

    • Full Citation: US20100272290A1, Carroll Timothy J
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2009-04-17, Published 2010-10-28
    • Brief Description: This patent application describes methods for maintaining loudness consistency at program boundaries.
    • Potential Anticipation: This is highly relevant to the "audio loudness" and "normalizing" aspects of claims 1 and 3 of US9146925, especially the goal of making "tracks all sound relatively the same volume" as described in the detailed description. It directly addresses the problem that US9146925's audio mastering aims to solve, potentially anticipating the purpose and effect of some of the audio processing steps.

  27. US20120250893A1 (Hybrid permanent/reversible dynamic range control system)

    • Full Citation: US20120250893A1, Audyne, Inc.
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2009-05-06, Published 2012-10-04
    • Brief Description: Describes a system for dynamic range control, which is a form of audio compression.
    • Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant to the "audio signals... further compressed for reducing a dynamic range of the signal based on a preset compression ratio and a preset threshold value" in claims 1 and 3 of US9146925. It directly addresses the technical means for dynamic range compression.

  28. US20120069134A1 (Audio processing in a multi-participant conference)

    • Full Citation: US20120069134A1, Garcia Jr Roberto
    • Publication/Filing Date: Filed 2010-09-16, Published 2012-03-22
    • Brief Description: Describes audio processing specifically within the context of multi-participant conferences.
    • Potential Anticipation: While it deals with audio processing, its specific application to multi-participant conferences differs significantly from the internet jukebox context of US9146925. It does not appear to anticipate the core elements of claims 1 or 3.

Summary of Most Relevant Prior Art

Based on the analysis, the most relevant prior art references that potentially anticipate specific elements, particularly the audio processing and jukebox functionality, are:

  • US7848531B1 (Creative Technology Ltd.) is highly relevant for "audio loudness and dynamics matching," directly anticipating the RMS analysis, gain application, and dynamic range compression elements of claims 1 and 3 of US9146925.
  • US20100272290A1 (Carroll Timothy J) is relevant for "loudness consistency at program boundaries," anticipating the goal and some means of achieving consistent audio levels.
  • US20120250893A1 (Audyne, Inc.) is highly relevant for "dynamic range control," directly anticipating the compression aspect of US9146925's claims.
  • US20030135424A1 (Davis Jeffrey S.) is highly relevant for "automatically updating media in a digital jukebox," anticipating the dynamic content delivery to jukeboxes.
  • US8332895B2 (Touchtunes Music Corporation) and its related publications (US20060239131A1, US20080086379A1, US20140223492A1) are broadly relevant to digital downloading jukebox systems and user-tailored music management, anticipating many general aspects of a networked jukebox system and user interaction.
  • US7577717B2 (C-Burn Systems Ltd) is relevant for "selecting and playing jukebox tracks" and payment mechanisms.
  • US20120150614A1 (Bank Of America, N.A.) is relevant for "revenue-enhancing features" in a digital downloading jukebox, indicating prior art for automated payment systems within jukebox contexts.

While these patents anticipate various individual components of US9146925, the novelty of US9146925 largely resides in the specific combination of features: allowing any artist to upload new media without a screening process, achieving real-time availability on public internet jukeboxes, providing automated real-time earnings for artists and venues, and performing on-the-fly digital signal processing (RMS analysis, gain, compression, limiting) to master artist tracks for consistent playback volume, thereby facilitating self-promotion for lesser-known musicians. The explicit detailing of the audio mastering process applied to newly uploaded artist content in a jukebox context is a strong distinguishing feature of claims 1 and 3.

Generated 5/20/2026, 12:46:17 AM