Abstract:
A method of storing, manipulating, and retrieving comprehensive financial data specific to a music project, said method including inputting general information and financial information specific to said music project specific to expense estimates, revenue estimates, actual expenses, actual revenue, contractual information, inventory, and financial statements, organizing said general information and said financial information to allow retrieval of said information, selecting specific information from said general information and said financial information for review, generating data in response to said specific information selected, and displaying said specific information to allow a user to readily understand said specific information sought.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/546,446, filed on Feb. 20, 2004 wherein Feb. 20, 2005 was a Sunday and Feb. 21, 2005 was a Federal Holiday (President&#39;s Day). 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT  
       [0002]     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the xerographic reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     This invention relates to system management, and more particular to a method, system, online computer site and software program for providing a comprehensive financial model providing users an ability to detail estimated and actual expenditures and receipts at both an individual musical project level and a company level.  
         [0004]     Estimating and calculating expenses involved with a record company developing new music projects is a complex process, especially for a small record company. Accurately tracking estimated costs as well as actual costs currently involves a plurality of software programs, where each program is not integrable with the next program. Because the software programs are not integrable, one problem that a record company faces is having to re-enter data across several programs or entering data produced by one program into another program. Errors can be made while entering this data.  
         [0005]     Further, various users at a record company may have different needs and desires for presenting the data related to a specific music project. Some users may only need to access certain types of data, such as marketing and promotion estimates. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improvements in managing financial aspects of music projects from inception through release. There is a continuing need in the art for a system that can access diverse data sources and display results in an organized and comprehensive manner according to user responsibility. The present invention is designed to address these needs.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention solves the above-stated problems in the art by providing a system, method, software program and online computer site for displaying a comprehensive financial music project data using a single computer interface.  
         [0007]     Features of the invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a system, a method, a computer site, or a computer readable medium (e.g., software program). The invention preferably relies on a communications infrastructure, for example the Internet, wherein individual interaction is possible. Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below.  
         [0008]     The present invention comprises retrieving selected data for a specific phase of a music project. The present invention further comprises providing a customized graphical user interface to a user, wherein the graphical user interface displays a plurality of data elements arranged as a composite display, each of the data elements representative of the selected data retrieved.  
         [0009]     A system for providing a display of a music project&#39;s data is also provided. As a computer system, part of the invention generally includes a database and a processor unit. The processor unit operates to run a computer code to present data desired by a user. Moreover, the output may include print or electronic media. The system comprises at least one database comprising data specific to the music project. The system further comprises a graphical user interface for displaying the data to a user. A computer code is also provided for retrieving selected data specific to a music project and customizing the graphical user interface for the user, wherein said graphical user interface displays data elements arranged as a display, each of the data elements representative of the selected data retrieved.  
         [0010]     A computer program product, system, is also disclosed. The computer program product is recorded on computer readable medium and operational on a computer for providing a composite display of data for retrieving selected data for a music project and providing a customized graphical user interface to the user, wherein the graphical user interface displays data elements arranged as a display, each of the data elements representative of the selected network system management data retrieved. As a computer readable medium containing program instructions, an embodiment of the invention includes computer readable code devices for interacting with a user as noted above, processing that data, and generating printed or electronic media for that user.  
         [0011]     Part or all of the data can also be sent electronically and maintained on a web server for confidential access with typical browsers. The data may also be transmitted and viewed by other well-known techniques such as email, interactive television, and the like. The computer site is preferably viewed with a client web browser through a web secure server communicating with an application server having a database associated therewith.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     A more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary hardware environment used to implement a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is high level diagram of an exemplary computing system network on which the present invention may be implemented;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the association of multiple data sources into the composite display of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of block diagrams representing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIGS. 5-7  are exemplary screen shots of the composite display/graphical user interface of the present invention; and  
         [0018]      FIGS. 8-10  are exemplary screen shots of how data reports of the various data elements may be displayed. 
     
    
       [0019]     It should be understood that in certain situations for reasons of computational efficiency or ease of maintenance, the ordering and relationships of the blocks of the illustrated flow charts could be rearranged or re-associated by one skilled in the art. While the present invention will be described with reference to the details of the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings, these details are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments consistent with the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals used throughout the drawings refer to the same or like parts.  
         [0021]     The present invention solves the problems in the art by providing a system, method, and online computer site for providing a comprehensive financial model providing users an ability to detail estimated and actual expenditures and receipts at both an individual musical project level and a company level. Preferably, the invention is operated in conjunction with an interactive web site or stand alone software program.  
         [0022]     The invention is primarily described as a method for providing a comprehensive financial model providing users an ability to detail estimated and actual expenditures and receipts at both an individual musical project level and a company level. However, persons skilled in the art will recognize that an apparatus, such as a data processing system, including a CPU, memory, I/O, program storage, a connecting bus, and other appropriate components, could be programmed or otherwise designed to facilitate the practice of the method of the invention. Such a system would include appropriate program means for executing the method of the invention.  
         [0023]     Also, an article of manufacture, such as a pre-recorded disk or other similar computer program product, for use with a data processing system, could include a storage medium and program means recorded thereon for directing the data processing system to facilitate the practice of the method of the invention. Such apparatus and articles of manufacture also fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0024]     Broadly speaking, the invention provides a method, apparatus, and program for displaying comprehensive music project data dynamically matched and customized to a user&#39;s profile or function for efficient use of the data. To facilitate an understanding of the present invention, it is described hereinafter with reference to specific implementations thereof. The invention is described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. For example, the software programs that underlie the invention can be coded in different languages, for use with different platforms. In the description that follows, examples of the invention are described in the context of a web portal that employs a web browser. It will be appreciated, however, that the principles that underlie the invention can be implemented with other types of computer software technologies as well.  
         [0025]     Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.  
         [0026]     Referring now to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Generally speaking, the invention provides a customizable view of data and related information utilizing a composite data display model which filters and relates data based upon a desired type of information or report sought about a music project. At the user interface level, in one exemplary embodiment the invention dynamically presents a plurality of windows as an interface referred to as a “web portal” representing data from disparate sources that are represented in a composite layout.  
         [0027]     The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a system (including a computer processing system), a method (including a computerized method), an apparatus, a computer readable medium, a computer program product, a graphical user interface, including a web portal, or a data structure tangibly fixed in a computer readable memory. Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below.  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , as an example, a simple computing system, such as a personal computer, environment/network in which the present invention may be implemented is shown. The present invention may include at least one processor  10 , a memory  11  coupled to the processor  10 , and a program  12  residing in the memory  11  which implements the methods of the present invention as described herein. Information is contained in a database  21  that is accessible by the program  12 . The present invention further may include a user input device  15  and a data output device  16 , such as but not limited to a printer, to allow a user retrieve paper copies of reports or removable electronic media containing reports and/or data, and a display  17 .  
         [0029]     In another exemplary embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a computing system includes at least one server  20  including a database  21 , and a plurality of client computers  23  capable of accessing the applications on server  20  through a network  25 . Additional devices  27  (e.g., router, switch, hub) are also connected on the network  25 . The server  20  may be any of a number of known computers, or network of computers. Similarly, the client computer  23  may be any of a number of known computers, or network of computers  20 ′,  21 ′,  23 ′,  25 ′,  27 ′ capable of supporting a web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.  
         [0030]     One of the more significant developments in the consumer industry in the last few years has been the embracing of the Internet by consumers in all aspects of their lives, from research to purchasing. With the Internet, a consumer, equipped with an appropriately connected computer and a browser, can explore vast amounts of information stored on computers around the world. Navigating (surfing) the Internet/Web is relatively simple, typically requiring only clicking a computer mouse to move between Web documents, even when the documents are located at separate locations.  
         [0031]     HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is one of the languages used to provide information on the Web. HTML provides a rich lexicon and syntax for designing and creating useful hypertext and hypermedia documents. With HTML, Web designers can describe the format and content of a Web document, which may include, for example, text filed, graphics files, and multimedia files. When accessed by a client computer (i.e., the computer local to the browser), the HTML file is transmitted to the client computer over a network such as the Internet and interpreted by the browser.  
         [0032]     Users typically interact with computers and pages on the Internet with Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs). A conventional GUI display includes a desktop metaphor upon which one or more icons, application windows, or other graphical objects are displayed. Typically, a data processing system user interacts with a GUI display utilizing a graphical pointer, which the user controls with a graphical pointing device, such as a mouse, trackball, or joystick. For example, depending upon the actions allowed by the active application or operating system software, the user can select icons or other graphical objects within the GUI display by positioning the graphical pointer over the graphical object and depressing a button associated with the graphical pointing device. In addition, the user can typically relocate icons, application windows, and other graphical objects on the desktop utilizing the well-known drag-and-drop techniques. By manipulating the graphical objects within the GUI display, the user can control the underlying hardware devices and software objects represented by the graphical objects in a graphical and intuitive manner.  
         [0033]     A number of software platforms have been developed for multimedia graphical user interfaces for the Web. For example, Macromedia Flash® is a multimedia interface that lets designers and developers integrate video, text, audio, and graphics into effective experiences. Web designers use Flash® to create beautiful, resizable, and extremely compact navigation interfaces, technical illustrations, long-form animations, and other dazzling effects. Graphics and animation will scale based on the viewer&#39;s screen size, providing high-quality viewing. The present invention generally comprises a multimedia interface for accessing the software application or website to use the present invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a high level diagram of an exemplary computing system network on which the present invention may be implemented. The system  30  includes a web server  32  for storing web pages  33 , and a client computer  23  capable of accessing the web pages on server  32 . The server  32  may be any number of known computers, or network of computers, capable of hosting a website. Similarly, the client  23  may be any number of known computers, or network of computers, capable of supporting a web browser. The server  32  and the client  23  are coupled to one another via a network  25 , such as the Internet. To retrieve a web page stored on the server  32 , the user of the client  23  specifies a URL (uniform resource locator). The specified URL allows web-browsing software running on the client  23  to initiate communication with the server  32  and access the desired HTML page, which a browser interprets and displays on the client  23 .  
         [0035]     As previously discussed, to view a web page on client  23 , the user specifies, via a URL, the location of the desired web page. The browser on client  23  then retrieves the HTML file for the specified web page, interprets the file, and displays it as a web page.  
         [0036]     In a preferred embodiment, the present invention operates similar to standard interactive web sites with the exception of having the additional unique features of the invention. Preferably, the invention is operated as an interactive multimedia website to provide the different features of the invention.  
         [0037]     The client computers  23  are preferably complete, stand-alone, personal computers offering a full range of power and features to run applications. The client computer preferably operates under any operating system and includes communication devices, input devices, storage devices, and display devices. The user enters input commands into the computer processor through input devices that could comprise a keyboard, mouse, or the like. Alternatively, the input device could comprise any device used to transfer information or commands. The display comprises a computer monitor, television, LCD, LED, or any other means to convey information to the user. In a preferred embodiment, the user interface is a graphical user interface (GUI) in the form of a “web portal” written for web browser applications. The server computer(s) can be a personal computer, a minicomputer, or a mainframe and offer data management (information sharing between clients), network administration, security, web services, and other functions.  
         [0038]     The present invention also envisions other computing arrangements for the client/server components, including processing on a single machine or other suitable means. Although many other internal components of the client/server components are not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that such components and the interconnection are well known. Accordingly, additional details concerning the internal construction of the client/server components and networking need not be disclosed in connection with the present invention.  
         [0039]     The invention accesses a database  21 , or a spreadsheet, to retrieve data. The database  21  or spreadsheet may reside on a user&#39;s computer, the server computer  20  or may reside on a separate computer in communication with the server computer via a network such as the Internet. Likewise, the database may reside on media such as a CD-ROM accessible using a CD-ROM drive associated with the user computer or server computer. The database contains at least one table having fields corresponding to the individual items of identifying information sought related to an aspect of developing a music project. Additional tables may be included to assist in managing the collected information. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the search service receives requests for data from the server computer or user computer and conducts a search of corresponding data among the database.  
         [0040]     The invention may also include a graphical user interface for presenting network system management data for one or more monitored devices interconnected on a network, comprising a plurality of data elements arranged in a single composite view, each data element representing a different representation of data sought for one or more monitored devices, wherein the monitored devices presented in the composite view are selectively filtered to include only those monitored devices associated with a specific music project.  
         [0041]     Accordingly, the present invention solution allows for the association and presentation of key music project data elements into a single composite data display. It presents data elements which, when viewed in total, empower the end user to make better-informed management decisions regarding developing the project. By providing the composite display, the presentation and availability of these key data elements would be simplified, improving the likelihood that the collected data would be examined and used.  
         [0042]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of the association of various aspects of a music project that require multiple data sources which may be displayed. The present invention is able to provide information on either a single project or a plurality of projects at the same time. In other exemplary embodiments, it is also able to provide information based on other categories, such as all music projects worked on by a specific artist, and/or producer, and/or songwriter, etc. Using the input device(s)  15 , a user can input variables pertaining to a contractual agreement entered into by the record label and an artist, and/or a contractual agreement entered into by the record label and a distributor, a user can generate a report to project detailed financial information for individual projects. Reports can then be generated by a programmed processor to generate reports sought by the user.  
         [0043]     Thus, as illustrated the present invention includes a plurality of modules that the user can use to obtain information, such as, but not limited to in a general sense, a snapshot of the music project, contractual terms, financial status including budgets, amounts committed, and amounts remaining. This information can pertain to either the complete project or aspects of the music project. The primary module is identified as the Per Project Tracker  39 . A user can then select a plurality of other modules to determine the information that is sought.  
         [0044]     As further illustrated in more detail, a Detailed Expense Estimates/Budgets module  40  is provided. The types of information that may be calculated/retrieved under this module include, but is not limited to sub-modules for Marketing and Promotion  42 , Advances and Recording (hereinafter “A &amp; R”)  44 , Production/Manufacturing  46 , and Publishing  48 . Under the Marketing and Promotion sub-module  42 , mini-modules to obtain information pertaining to such categories as Video  50 , Retail including Co-op advertising  52 , Tour Support  54 , Advertising  56 , Radio  58 , Publicity  60 , and Other General Matters  62  related to marketing and promotion are provided. Under the A &amp; R sub-module  44 , mini-modules to obtain information pertaining to such categories as Recording  64  and Advances  65  is provided. The Production/Manufacturing sub-module  46  includes information pertaining to Package Art  67 .  
         [0045]     Another module  70  provides information regarding Detailed Revenue Estimates where sub-modules for Investments  72 , Sales  74 , Foreign Licensing  76 , Touring  78 , and Merchandizing  80  are provided. The Sales sub-module  74  may be used to obtain information regarding Account for Distribution Fees  82 , and Account for Reserves  84 .  
         [0046]     A Detailed Actual Expenses module  86  is also provided. The types of information that may be calculated/retrieved under this module include, but is not limited sub-modules for Marketing and Promotion  88 , A &amp; R  90 , Production/Manufacturing  92  and Publishing  94 . Under the Marketing and Promotion sub-module  88 , mini-modules to access information pertaining to such categories as Video  190 , Retail Including Co-op Advertising  192 , Tour Support  194 , Advertising  96 , Radio  98 , Publicity  100 , and Other General Matters  102  related to marketing and promotion are provided. Under the A &amp; R sub-module  90 , mini-modules to access information pertaining to such categories as Recording  104  and Advances  106  is provided. The Production/Manufacturing sub-module  92  includes information pertaining to Package Art  108 .  
         [0047]     A Detailed Revenue Actuals module  110  is further provided where sub-modules for Investments  112 , Sales  114 , Foreign Licensing  116 , Touring  118 , and Merchandizing  120  are also provided. The Sales sub-module  114  may be used to obtain information through mini-modules regarding Account for Distribution Fees  122  and Account for Reserves  124 .  
         [0048]     Other modules available may include a Statement Generator module  125  with sub-modules of Royalties  127  and Publishing  130 , a Song File module  132  with sub-modules for information pertaining to details about the music project, negotiated financial splits, individuals associated with the project, etc., and an Inventory module  134  with information regarding actual manufacturing and sales data.  
         [0049]     Thus when a specific module is used, the system can provide various sorts of reports, such as but limited to detailed expense estimates/budget data, inventory listing data, detailed revenue estimate data, information about song file data, detailed actual expense data, detailed revenue actual data, and generated funding data where each general report category can be further viewed in the exemplary subsets as discussed above.  
         [0050]      FIGS. 5-7  are exemplary screen shots of composite display/graphical user interface of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a screen where the user can input data specific to the Artist/Project, Distribution, Cost Input, and income Input is illustrated.  FIG. 5  illustrates exemplary fields available under the Artist/Project heading whereas  FIG. 6  illustrates exemplary fields available under the Distribution heading.  FIG. 7  illustrates exemplary fields available under the Cost Input field wherein additional categories, such as Marketing are available. A user can enter data on these screens wherein the program residing in the processor can then apply that entered data against stored data and provide estimates and/or actual expenses or revenue, and/or information specific to any of the other modules.  
         [0051]      FIGS. 8-10  illustrate exemplary data reports of a limited number of the various data elements discussed above. These reports can be printed or saved and delivered to another user either electronically or stored on a removable media. The figures illustrate data reports for per month revenue and expenses,  FIG. 8 , income summary,  FIG. 9 , and receipts and expenditures based on an estimate/budget,  FIG. 10 .  
         [0052]     This in operation, aggregated data is maintained, displayed and organized in a composite view. In a display interface, the end user can view expense estimates, revenue estimates, specific information about a music project, inventory, detailed expenses, generated money, and detailed revenue, without switching between a plurality of programs or having to transfer data from one program to another to view the data in a format desired by the end user. Towards this end, the invention relates, arranges, and displays data. It is not a data collector but a data consumer and presentation tool for the aforementioned solutions.  
         [0053]     Though the invention is disclosed as though a single and/or individual project is being reviewed at a time, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that a plurality of projects can be viewed and/or reports generated at the same time. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will fully understand and comprehend the terms and information in the present invention as know how it is to be used in the music industry.  
         [0054]     While the invention has been described in what is presently considered to be a preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the specific illustrative embodiment, but be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims.