US 9146925

US Patent 9146925, titled "User defined internet jukebox kiosks set top box," was issued on September 29, 2015, from an application filed on July 27, 2010. The sole inventor is Manuel Ignacio Tijerino, and the current assignee is listed as "Individual".

Abstract:
The patent describes a computer-readable storage method and system that allows artists to upload media (images, video, and music) to a server. This media is then made available in a system of internet jukeboxes located in various establishments for instant playback by paying customers. The system is programmed to maintain an account for the artist, enabling them to earn fees and royalties from media playback. It also provides for automated payment of rent and other fees to the establishment, service provider, and licensing agencies.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim outlines a computer-implemented method for real-time music distribution of new media, allowing an artist to control its availability for playback in public venues via a jukebox. Key steps include providing user interfaces for enrollment, account creation, login, and media upload. The system receives the new media, automatically identifies and stores its metadata (including a mathematically manipulated Root Mean Square (RMS) value for audio normalization) in a database, and stores the media in a central storage device. This process instantly makes the media available for jukebox playback over the internet through API calls. Upon request, the system streams the media to the jukebox, calculates earnings for the artist and venue, and receives payment indications. The claim emphasizes that audio signals of the new media are normalized by applying gain based on the obtained RMS value and further compressed using a preset ratio and threshold.
• Independent Claim 3: This claim describes a non-transitory computer-readable medium embodying program instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform a method similar to Claim 1. The instructions adapt the computer for real-time music distribution of new media, allowing an artist to control its availability for playback in public venues via a jukebox. The steps encompass providing user interfaces for authoring, user addition, account creation, login, and media upload. The program instructions handle receiving new media, automatically identifying and storing its metadata (including the mathematically manipulated RMS value) in a database, and storing the media in a central storage device. This enables the jukebox to request and play the media over the internet. The instructions further cover streaming the requested media, calculating artist and venue earnings, and receiving payment indications. Similar to Claim 1, the claim specifies that audio signals are normalized by applying gain based on the RMS value and compressed using a preset ratio and threshold.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
As of April 26, 2026, a search of CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 9146925 did not return any direct results. The search results primarily discuss general patent litigation in CAFC during 2026, without specific mention of US9146925.

US9146925B2 - User defined internet jukebox kiosks set top box - Google Patents. https://patents.google.com/patent/US9146925B2/en. Accessed April 26, 2026.
Darts-ip. https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=43527902&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=[US9146925](/patent/US9146925)(B2). Accessed April 26, 2026.
Unified Patents - IPR2025-01280. https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/[ptab](/ptab)/case/IPR2025-01280. Accessed April 26, 2026.
Unified Patents - 1:25-cv-08176. https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/New%20York%20Southern%20District%20Court/case/1%3A25-cv-08176. Accessed April 26, 2026.
Unified Patents - 2:24-cv-02290. https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/Louisiana%20Eastern%20District%20Court/case/2%3A24-cv-02290. Accessed April 26, 2026.

Proceedings overview

There is one AIA trial proceeding on US Patent 9146925, which is currently in the "Trial Instituted" status. This means the patent's validity is actively being challenged, and no claims have been definitively invalidated or sustained yet. A defendant's posture is therefore pending the outcome of this ongoing IPR.

IPR2025-01280 — Spotify AB et al. v. Manuel Ignacio Tijerino

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: 2025-07-11
• Status: Trial Instituted (meaning the PTAB has decided to review the patentability of the challenged claims)
• Judge panel: Not publicly available at this stage in the proceedings.
• Petition grounds: Not publicly available in the provided snippet. Typically, IPR petitions challenge claims under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 (novelty) and/or 103 (obviousness) based on prior art patents and publications.
• Institution decision: Instituted. The exact date of institution is not provided, but the status "Trial Instituted" confirms it has occurred. The reasoning would have been that Spotify AB et al. demonstrated a reasonable likelihood that at least one challenged claim is unpatentable.
• Final Written Decision (if issued): Not yet issued, as the proceeding is still in the "Trial Instituted" phase.
• Settlement / termination: Not settled or terminated.
• Appeal: Not applicable, as a Final Written Decision has not been issued.
• Defensive value: This active IPR means that the patentability of the challenged claims is currently under scrutiny. The outcome will significantly impact any assertion of this patent. If claims are invalidated, it weakens the patent owner's position. If claims are sustained, it strengthens the patent's presumption of validity against the grounds raised.

Strategic summary

Currently, no claims of US Patent 9146925 are definitively CANCELED or SUSTAINED through AIA trial proceedings. All claims remain UNTESTED by a Final Written Decision. The patent is presently undergoing examination in IPR2025-01280. Therefore, the patent has not yet been narrowed through IPR.

Regarding the estoppel landscape, if IPR2025-01280 proceeds to a Final Written Decision, Spotify AB et al. (and their privies) would be estopped under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) from asserting in future district court litigation or other USPTO proceedings any ground of unpatentability that they raised or reasonably could have raised during this IPR. For other potential defendants, prior-art grounds not raised or that could not have been reasonably raised by Spotify AB et al. in this IPR would still be available.

There is no discernible pattern of multiple IPRs filed by the same petitioner or aggressive PTAB appeals by the patent owner at this time, as only one IPR is on file and it is still pending.

Recommended next steps

Since IPR2025-01280 is currently in the "Trial Instituted" phase, the key upcoming milestone is the Final Written Decision, which is typically due one year from the institution date. Monitoring the progress of IPR2025-01280 through the USPTO PTAB E2E system is crucial to understand which claims, if any, are ultimately found unpatentable.

Inventors

Manuel Ignacio Tijerino is the sole inventor. The patent does not specify his employer at the time of filing; however, the original and current assignee is listed as "Individual", suggesting he was self-employed or acting independently at the time of filing.

Original assignee

The original assignee is listed as "Individual" (Manuel Ignacio Tijerino). It is unclear from the patent text whether the inventor, as an individual, shipped a product embodying the claims directly. The patent describes a system to allow artists to upload media to a server and have it available on internet jukeboxes, implying a service rather than a physical product. His primary line of business, based on the patent, appears to be related to providing this media distribution and monetization platform for artists. His current status (operating, acquired, dissolved, in bankruptcy) is not determinable from the patent document itself.

Assignment timeline

As of May 20, 2026, a search of the USPTO Patent Assignment Search database (https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/) for US Patent 9146925 yields no recorded assignments. This means that, according to USPTO records, the patent remains with the original assignee, Manuel Ignacio Tijerino (Individual).

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 9146925
    2010 : Filed by Manuel Ignacio Tijerino
    2015 : Issued to Manuel Ignacio Tijerino

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — not present. There are no recorded transfers, so no shell entities have been identified in the chain.
2. Known asserter in the chain — not present. There are no recorded transfers, so no known asserters are in the chain.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — not present. No assignments have been recorded, so no correspondent patterns can be observed.
4. Cascading transfers — not present. No assignments have been recorded.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — not present. No assignments have been recorded.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. No assignments have been recorded.
7. Privateering — not present. No assignments have been recorded.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. No assignments have been recorded.

Verdict

Insufficient data. There are no recorded assignments for US9146925 in the USPTO Assignment Center. Therefore, there is no information available to assess potential NPE or troll patterns beyond the original individual ownership.

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.

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 9146925 Under 35 U.S.C. § 103

This analysis identifies combinations of prior art references that would render the claims of US Patent 9146925 obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) at the time of the invention (priority date: May 4, 2007). A PHOSITA in this field would possess a background in networked media systems, digital signal processing for audio, and/or interactive entertainment systems (e.g., jukeboxes), familiar with web technologies, database management, network protocols, audio processing, and basic audio engineering.

The core of the claims (e.g., Independent Claims 1 and 3) describes a system for artists to upload media to a central server, which then becomes instantly available for playback on networked jukeboxes in public venues. The system further includes automatic metadata identification, real-time audio mastering (normalization and compression), and automated calculation and distribution of earnings to artists and venues.

Obviousness Combination 1: Networked Digital Jukebox with User-Uploaded Content, Metadata Management, and Automated Payments

This combination addresses the fundamental architecture of the claimed invention, including artist interaction, media distribution, and financial aspects.

References:

1. US20060239131A1 to Guy ("Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools"): This reference discloses a digital downloading jukebox system with features for user-tailored music management and "revenue-enhancing features." It highlights networked jukeboxes capable of receiving digital media.
2. US20030135424A1 to Davis ("System and method for automatically updating media in a digital jukebox"): This patent describes a system and method for automatically updating media in a digital jukebox, implying a central server that distributes content to networked jukeboxes.
3. US6338044B1 to Loudeye Technologies ("Personal digital content system"): This patent describes a personal digital content system allowing users to upload, store, and manage their digital media content.
4. Nilsson, ID3 tag version 2.3.0 ("Informal Standard, Document id3v2.3, Mar. 4, 1999"): This non-patent literature describes a widely adopted standard for embedding metadata within audio files.
5. US6073124A to Shopnow.Com Inc. ("Method and system for securely incorporating electronic information into an online purchasing application"): This patent describes online purchasing mechanisms, relevant to automated payments.

Motivation for Combination and How Claims are Met:

A PHOSITA would have been motivated to combine these references to create a more dynamic and inclusive digital jukebox system. The problem addressed by US9146925 is the difficulty local artists face in getting their music played on traditional jukeboxes. By combining a networked digital jukebox system (Guy, Davis) with a personal digital content management system that allows user uploads (Loudeye), a PHOSITA would foresee the benefit of enabling any artist to easily submit their media to the jukebox network. This would broaden content availability and enhance user engagement.

• User Interfaces and Media Upload (Claim 1: "providing... a user interface to add the user... to create an account... to log into... to add the new media to the system"; "receiving... the new media"): Loudeye teaches user interfaces for uploading and managing personal digital content. Applying such known online content management interfaces to a jukebox content system (Guy, Davis) would be an obvious design choice for allowing artists to self-publish their media.
• Metadata Identification and Storage (Claim 1: "automatically identifying... metadata for the new media and storing the metadata in a database"): Nilsson provides a well-known standard for audio file metadata. A PHOSITA integrating a digital media system would obviously include functionality to automatically extract and store such metadata in a database for efficient search and retrieval, as commonly done in any digital content management system.
• Central Storage and Instant Availability (Claim 1: "storing... the new media in a central storage device, wherein the storing automatically enables the new media to be requested by the jukebox for playback over the Internet by providing to a client software installed in the jukebox, access to the database storing the metadata for the new media, via an API call over the Internet"): Davis teaches automatic media updates for digital jukeboxes, implying a central storage accessible over a network. The concept of networked clients accessing server-side data (metadata and media) via API calls over the Internet for "instant availability" is a fundamental aspect of online content distribution, as shown in prior art like US6519648B1 ("Streaming media search and continuous playback of multiple media resources located on a network").
• Automated Earnings and Payments (Claim 1: "automatically calculating... amounts earned by an artist and a venue...; and receiving... indication of payment"): Digital jukeboxes inherently involve payments for plays. Guy mentions "revenue-enhancing features" in a jukebox context. Given the prevalence of online payment systems (Shopnow.Com) and the desire to manage royalties efficiently in a system designed for artist self-promotion, automating the calculation and distribution of earnings to artists and venues would be an obvious business process improvement for a PHOSITA.

Obviousness Combination 2: Incorporating Real-Time Audio Mastering Techniques

This combination specifically addresses the audio signal processing steps recited in the claims.

References:

1. Combination 1 (Guy, Davis, Loudeye, Nilsson, Shopnow.Com) - provides the foundation of the user-uploadable networked jukebox system.
2. General knowledge in audio engineering and signal processing: By the 2007 priority date, techniques such as Root Mean Square (RMS) analysis for measuring audio loudness, applying gain for volume normalization, dynamic range compression with preset ratios/thresholds, and hard limiting were well-established audio engineering practices.

Motivation for Combination and How Claims are Met:

The problem of inconsistent audio levels and dynamic range from diverse, user-uploaded content played on a public sound system (like a jukebox) was a known issue to a PHOSITA. Such inconsistencies could lead to jarring listening experiences or even damage venue speaker systems. The motivation for a PHOSITA to combine the networked jukebox system (from Combination 1) with known audio processing techniques would be to ensure a consistent and high-quality listening experience for customers and protect venue equipment, thereby enhancing the commercial viability and user satisfaction of the system. The patent itself identifies this problem, stating that other jukeboxes "turn artists away for this exact reason," while the present invention "helps artists by mastering their track on the fly."

• Audio Signal Analysis and Metadata Storage (Claim 1: "automatically analyzing... audio signals... for determining a root mean square (RMS) value, wherein the RMS value is further mathematically manipulated for obtaining a positive RMS value less than 1; storing... the obtained RMS value less than 1 as metadata"): RMS analysis is a standard method for determining the average loudness of an audio signal. Mathematically manipulating this value (e.g., scaling it to be less than 1) to derive a suitable gain factor for normalization is an obvious design choice for a PHOSITA. Storing such derived audio properties as metadata (following the principles of Nilsson for metadata management) for later use in playback is a logical extension.
• Real-Time Audio Normalization and Compression (Claim 1: "the audio signals... are normalized... by applying gain to the signals based on the obtained positive RMS value less than 1, and wherein, the audio signals... are further compressed for reducing a dynamic range of the signal based on a preset compression ratio and a preset threshold value"): Applying gain based on an RMS-derived value for normalization, followed by dynamic range compression and limiting, are standard audio mastering techniques. In a streaming media context (as in the networked jukebox from Combination 1), applying these techniques "on the fly" (as described in the patent) during streaming rather than through pre-processing would be an obvious implementation choice for a PHOSITA to ensure instant availability and efficient use of resources. This would involve known digital signal processing methods applied to the audio stream as it is played.

Therefore, the combination of a networked digital jukebox system capable of receiving user-uploaded content with automated metadata and payment processing (Combination 1), and the application of well-known real-time audio mastering techniques (RMS analysis, gain, dynamic range compression, hard limiting) to ensure consistent playback quality, would have been obvious to a PHOSITA at the time of the invention, driven by motivations to broaden content, improve user experience, and streamline business operations.

I'll research the patent term adjustments, extensions, and family information for US 9146925.

Let me search for more specific details about the patent term and family members.

Patent Term, Continuations, and Family Analysis — US 9146925 B2

Builds on the Patent summary, Prior art, Obviousness, PTAB, and Assignment sections already produced. Nothing in those sections is repeated except where needed for a cross-reference.

1. Identifier confirmation (interpreted literally)

Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/[US9146925B2](/patent/US9146925B2)/en (authoritative full text supplied in the case file).

2. Patent Term Adjustment (PTA)

Direct determination: NOT RETRIEVED. I could not surface a front-page "Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by ___ days" statement, nor a PAIR/Patent Center PTA determination, for US 9146925 in the sources reached. The searches returned PTA material for other patents (e.g., US 7,665,664; US 7,579,227; US 9,062,112; US 7,590,059) that I am deliberately not importing here, because the instruction is to report only on 9146925.

What can be stated with confidence, derived from the two anchor dates:

• Actual pendency = 1,890 days (2010-07-27 → 2015-09-29). This exceeds the three-year statutory threshold by a wide margin, so "B" delay under 35 U.S.C. § 154(b)(1)(B) necessarily accrued unless fully consumed by an RCE or applicant delay.
• B-delay window if measured from the actual filing date: 2013-07-27 → 2015-09-29 = 794 days (before any RCE subtraction, A/B overlap, or § 1.704 applicant-delay reductions). No RCE appears in the file history retrieved, so this figure is likely substantial.
• The absence of any RCE in the record and the ~5.2-year pendency are consistent with a sizable PTA award.

Interpretive flag (important): The Google Patents "anticipated expiration" of 2030-07-27 is arithmetically consistent with two different hypotheses, and I cannot distinguish them from the retrieved data:

1. 2030-07-27 = 2010-07-27 + 20 years, with 0 days PTA (term measured from the CIP's own filing date); or
2. 2030-07-27 = 2027-05-04 + 1,180 days PTA (term measured from the parent's 2007-05-04 filing date, plus ~1,180 days of adjustment).

(The second is exact: 2027-05-04 + 1,180 days = 2030-07-27.) Because a specific PTA day-count was not confirmed, I will not assert a number. The face of the granted patent should be checked directly to resolve this (see §6).

3. Patent Term Extension (PTE, 35 U.S.C. § 156)

None, and none is available. PTE is granted only for regulatory-review delay for products subject to pre-market approval (human/animal drugs, medical devices, food/color additives, etc.). US 9146925 is classified in G06F 16/44, G06Q 40/12, H04N 21/2223, H04N 21/2543, H04N 21/41415, etc. — software/network/business-method art with no regulatory-review product. There is no PTE in the record and no statutory pathway. PTE = 0 days.

4. Continuation / Divisional chain

From the "Related Parent Applications," "Applications Claiming Priority," and "Related Child Applications" fields (Google Patents), plus the IPR papers:

• Parent: US 11/744,228 — filed 2007-05-04, published as US20080275942A1 (2008-11-06). Google Patents lists the parent as Abandoned.
• This application (child): US 12/804,665 (US 9146925) — filed 2010-07-27, formally designated a Continuation-In-Part of 11/744,228 in the Google Patents record.
• No divisionals are recorded for this family.
• No child continuations / continuations-in-part issuing from 12/804,665 are recorded ("Family Applications (1)").
• No reissue is present.

Contradiction to flag explicitly: The PTAB/IPR record (Spotify, IPR2025-01280) describes the '925 patent as "a continuation of U.S. Application No. 11/744,731, which published as US 2008/0275942 A1." Two discrepancies with the Google Patents record: (a) it calls the relationship a "continuation" rather than a continuation-in-part; and (b) it cites the parent application as 11/744,731 whereas Google Patents cites 11/744,228. The publication number (US2008/0275942A1) matches in both. The 11/744,731 figure appears to be an error in the IPR paper, but per the operating rule I am not auto-correcting it — I am flagging it. This "continuation vs. CIP" characterization is not merely academic: it bears on whether new matter (notably the RMS/gain/compression audio-mastering claim limitations) is supported by the 2007 priority date, which in turn affects both the term anchor and the parties' priority arguments.

5. Related family members (worldwide)

US family ID = 43527902 (the '925 family) — one member only:

• US 12/804,665 / US 9146925 B2 (this patent).

US family ID = 39940346 (the '942 parent family) — three members:

• US 11/744,228 (US20080275942A1) — the parent, abandoned.
• PCT/US2008/056572 → WO2008137208A1 (published 2008-11-13) — status "Ceased" per Google Patents.
• US 12/804,665 (US 9146925 B2) — the child, cross-listed into the parent family.

Country coverage: US only for the granted patent. The PCT (WO2008137208A1) did not proceed to national-phase grants; no EP/JP/CN counterparts are recorded.

6. Projected expiration date

Contradiction (flagged, not resolved): The two rows above are mutually inconsistent, and the record does not let me pick one. Google Patents' 2030-07-27 is exactly 20 years from the child's filing date and adds no visible PTA, even though the ~5.2-year pendency virtually guarantees B-delay. If, instead, the § 120 parent date governs (2027-05-04) and the ~1,180 days implied by the math apply, the adjusted date also lands on 2030-07-27. Recommended verification: read the front page of the granted patent (the 154(b) PTA notice) and the Patent Center "Patent Term Adjustment" tab for application 12/804,665. Until then, the safest statement is: stated/presumed expiration ≈ 2030-07-27, subject to confirmation of the recorded PTA day-count.

7. Maintenance-fee posture (independent of the date question)

Maintenance fees are payable at 3.5 / 7.5 / 11.5 years from grant (2015-09-29):

• 4th year — paid 2019-03-29 (micro entity) ✅
• 8th year — paid 2023-03-29 (micro entity) ✅
• 11th year (12-year window opens ~2027-03-29) — not yet recorded ⚠️

This is worth noting because the next fee window (~2027-03-29) opens before the 2027-05-04 § 120-based expiration but well before the 2030-07-27 stated expiration. Failure to pay the 12-year fee would lapse the patent regardless of which expiration date is correct. Entity status is micro, and the owner is an individual, so an unpaid fee is a plausible lapse risk.

8. Summary table

9. Confidence and sourcing

• High confidence: application/filing/grant dates; the CIP-of-11/744,228 relationship per Google Patents; the abandoned parent and ceased PCT; US-only family; micro-entity fee payments; no PTE.
• Low / unresolved confidence: the actual PTA day-count and therefore the single correct expiration date. Google Patents states 2030-07-27 but that date is equally explainable as "no PTA, term from the child's filing" or "term from the parent's filing + ~1,180 days PTA." I did not locate a Patent Center/PAIR PTA determination, so I am not asserting a specific adjustment figure.

Primary sources used:

• https://patents.google.com/patent/US9146925B2/en (full text, family, legal events, anticipated expiration)
• https://patents.google.com/patent/US20080275942 (parent application / family ID 39940346)
• https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2008137208A1/en (PCT member, ceased)
• https://ipverse.greyb.com/ptab-web/cases/case-details/IPR2025-01280 (IPR2025-01280 docket metadata)
• USPTO PTAB papers for IPR2025-01280 (institution record; the "continuation of 11/744,731 / US2008/0275942A1" characterization)

Recommended next retrieval step to close the PTA gap: query USPTO Patent Center / PAIR for application 12/804,665 ("Patent Term Adjustment" tab) and read the "154(b)" notice printed on the face of the granted patent.