Digital jukebox device with improved user interfaces, and associated methods
Certain exemplary embodiments relate to entertainment systems that interact with users to provide access to media appropriate to and/or customized for a particular user using the entertainment system, the location at which the entertainment system is being accessed, and/or a predefined event. For example, in certain exemplary embodiments, an entertainment system in a location is configured to provide jukebox-related and entertainment system mediated services that are accessible from within and from the outside of the location, and provide (1) attract or flight media operations, (2) browsing services, and/or (3) search screens appropriate to and/or customized for a particular user using the entertainment system, the location at which the entertainment system is being accessed, and/or a predefined event. Such screens may be provided with a three-dimensional look-and-feel in certain exemplary embodiments.
1. A jukebox device, comprising:
a display;
a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device; and
at least one processor configured to cause a user interface to be displayed on the display and further configured to respond to inputs to the user interface,
wherein the user interface comprises a display area including virtual axes defining a coordinate space in which individual song, artist, and/or album items are to be displayed,
wherein each individual song, artist, and/or album item has a plurality of characteristics associated therewith, each said axis is associated with one of said characteristics so that each individual song, artist, and/or album item has a defined location in the coordinate space,
wherein, in response to a user input selecting an artist item or an album item from said individual song, artist, and/or album items displayed in said display area, the display area is updated to cause movement within the coordinate space to locate the selected artist item or the album item in the center of the coordinate space, and
wherein, in response to the user input selecting a song from said individual song, artist, and/or album items displayed in said display area, triggering playback of the selected song item on the jukebox device.
2. The jukebox device of claim 1 , wherein the coordinate space is two-dimensional.
3. The jukebox device of claim 1 , wherein the coordinate space is three-dimensional.
4. The jukebox device of claim 1 , wherein items are arranged alphabetically along a first axis and chronologically along a second axis.
5. The jukebox device of claim 1 , wherein a release date associated with the item determines the item's positioning along the second axis.
6. The jukebox device of claim 1 , wherein discrete areas of one said axis are designated for a predefined arrangement of discrete genres.
7. The jukebox device of claim 6 , wherein the predefined arrangement of discrete genres is decomposable into a predetermined sub-arrangement of discrete sub-genres.
8. The jukebox device of claim 6 , wherein the discrete genres are grouped such that based on degrees of similarity therebetween such that similar genres are provided in closer relative proximity to one another as compared to disparate genres.
9. The jukebox device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor, upon detecting a song items selection, causes a popup screen to be displayed, the popup screen enabling the user to confirm that the selected song is to be played back.
10. The jukebox device of claim 9 , wherein the display of the popup screen is accompanied by the blurring, fading, and/or reduction to grayscale of user interface elements behind the popup screen.
11. The jukebox device of claim 1 , wherein elements are grouped alone one axis based on popularity.
12. The jukebox device of claim 11 , wherein popularity is determined with reference to item popularity across a jukebox network, item popularity at a venue at which the jukebox device is located, and/or item popularity on an industry chart.
13. The jukebox device of claim 11 , wherein popularity is determined with reference to item popularity at one or more social networking sites.
14. The jukebox device of claim 1 , wherein, in response to the user input selecting one of a song item, an album item, or an artist item, displaying the selected item in association with one or more tags associated with the selected item in a database, each of the tags being displayed as a floating object.
15. The jukebox device of claim 14 , wherein each of the one or more displayed tags is selectable.
16. A method of making a jukebox device, the method comprising:
providing a display;
providing a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device; and
providing at least one processor configured to cause a user interface to be displayed on the display and further configured to respond to inputs to the user interface,
wherein the user interface comprises a display area including virtual axes defining a coordinate space in which individual song, artist, and/or album items are to be displayed,
wherein, in response to a user input selecting an artist item or an album item from said individual song, artist, and/or album items displayed in said display area, the display area is updated to cause movement within the coordinate space to locate the selected artist item or the album item in the center of the coordinate space, and
wherein, in response to the user input selecting a song item from said individual song, artist, and/or album items displayed in said display area, triggering playback of the selected song item on the jukebox device.