Digital downloading jukebox system with central and local music servers
First Claim
1. A method of operating a jukebox having a processor, a digital memory storage, a payment receiving device, a user input device and a plurality of output channels, the method comprising:
- providing, using the processor and in the digital memory storage, a storage location storing a plurality of instances of media available for output via the jukebox;
configuring, using the processor, a first output channel and at least a second output channel different from the first output channel, from the plurality of output channels, to simultaneously output different instances of media;
associating, using the processor, a non-priority queue and a priority queue configured in the digital memory storage with each said output channel;
maintaining, using the processor, each non-priority queue such that instances of media selected by users for playback on the associated output channel are stored in the order that they were selected by the one or more users;
maintaining, using the processor, each priority queue such that instances of media selected by users for playback on the associated output channel are prioritized based on a predefined prioritization algorithm;
receiving, using the processor and via the input device, inputs from users specifying one or more instances of media for playback via the jukebox, whether one or more of the specified one or more instances of media should be prioritized for playback, and whether one or more of the specified one or more instances of media should be output to multiple output channels;
charging, using the processor and the payment receiving device, different amounts of money from users based on their inputs,wherein prioritized selections cost more than non-prioritized selections and output to multiple output channels costs more than output to a single output channel; and
outputting, using the processor and over one or more said output channels, one or more instances of media from the plurality of instances of media over one or more said output channels in accordance with the inputs from the users specifying (1) one or more instances of media for playback via the jukebox, (2) whether one or more of the specified one or more instances of media should be prioritized for playback, and (3) whether one or more of the specified one or more instances of media should be output to multiple output channels, and in accordance with an amount of money charged from the users.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A digital downloading jukebox system including a central server and a plurality of remote jukebox devices each provided with a local server that preferably mirrors the central server and enables selected songs to be immediately downloaded to the jukebox for reproduction. The local server and jukebox may also provide, through control of the central server, song download services to other jukebox devices. The jukebox system may also act as a monitoring/management device for other coin operated equipment present in a location where the jukebox is located, thereby enabling the jukebox device to perform updates on other equipment under control of the central server.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of operating a jukebox having a processor, a digital memory storage, a payment receiving device, a user input device and a plurality of output channels, the method comprising:
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providing, using the processor and in the digital memory storage, a storage location storing a plurality of instances of media available for output via the jukebox; configuring, using the processor, a first output channel and at least a second output channel different from the first output channel, from the plurality of output channels, to simultaneously output different instances of media; associating, using the processor, a non-priority queue and a priority queue configured in the digital memory storage with each said output channel; maintaining, using the processor, each non-priority queue such that instances of media selected by users for playback on the associated output channel are stored in the order that they were selected by the one or more users; maintaining, using the processor, each priority queue such that instances of media selected by users for playback on the associated output channel are prioritized based on a predefined prioritization algorithm; receiving, using the processor and via the input device, inputs from users specifying one or more instances of media for playback via the jukebox, whether one or more of the specified one or more instances of media should be prioritized for playback, and whether one or more of the specified one or more instances of media should be output to multiple output channels; charging, using the processor and the payment receiving device, different amounts of money from users based on their inputs, wherein prioritized selections cost more than non-prioritized selections and output to multiple output channels costs more than output to a single output channel; and outputting, using the processor and over one or more said output channels, one or more instances of media from the plurality of instances of media over one or more said output channels in accordance with the inputs from the users specifying (1) one or more instances of media for playback via the jukebox, (2) whether one or more of the specified one or more instances of media should be prioritized for playback, and (3) whether one or more of the specified one or more instances of media should be output to multiple output channels, and in accordance with an amount of money charged from the users.
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2. A method of operating a jukebox system including at least one jukebox and at least one electronic device located remote from the at least one jukebox, the at least one jukebox having a processor, a digital memory storage, a payment receiving unit, a user input device and a plurality of output channels, the method comprising:
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providing, using the processor, a storage location storing a plurality of instances of media available for output via a plurality of output channels operably connected to the jukebox system; configuring, using the processor, a first output channel and at least a second output channel different from the first output channel, from the plurality of output channels, to simultaneously output different instances of media; associating, using the processor, a non-priority queue and a priority queue with each said output channel; maintaining, using the processor, each non-priority queue such that instances of media selected by users for playback on the associated output channel are stored in the order that they were selected by the one or more users; maintaining, using the processor, each priority queue such that instances of media selected by users for playback on the associated output channel are prioritized based on a predefined prioritization algorithm; receiving, using the processor and via the at least one electronic device, inputs from users specifying (a) one or more instances of media for playback and (b) whether one or more of the specified one or more instances of media should be output to multiple output channels; charging, using the processor and the payment receiving unit, different amounts of money from users based on their inputs such that output to multiple output channels costs more than output to a single output channel; and output, using the processor and over one or more said output channels, one or more instances of media from the plurality of instances of media over one or more said output channels in accordance with the inputs from the users specifying (1) one or more instances of media for playback via the jukebox, and (2) whether one or more of the specified one or more instances of media should be output to multiple output channels, and in accordance with an amount of money charged from the users. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A jukebox operable to play songs at an out-of-home location on a pay-for-play basis, comprising:
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at least one processor; a storage location storing a plurality of instances of media available for output via the jukebox; a payment receiving device communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; a plurality of output channels, wherein a first output channel and at least a second output channel different from the first output channel are controllable to simultaneously output different instances of media; and a memory accessible by the at least one processor, the memory including a non-priority queue and a priority queue associated with each said output channel, each non-priority queue being maintained such that instances of media selected by users for playback on the associated output channel are stored in the order that they were selected by the one or more users and each priority queue being maintained such that instances of media selected by users for playback on the associated output channel are prioritized based on a predefined prioritization algorithm; wherein the at least one processor is configured to present a user interface for the jukebox, the user interface being configured to at least; receive inputs from users specifying one or more instances of media for playback via the jukebox, whether one or more of the specified one or more instances of media should be prioritized for playback, and whether one or more of the specified one or more instances of media should be output to multiple output channels; and cause different amounts of money to be charged via the payment receiving device based on users'"'"' inputs, wherein prioritized selections cost more than non-prioritized selections and output to multiple output channels costs more than output to a single output channel; and output, using the processor and over one or more said output channels, one or more instances of media from the plurality of instances of media over one or more said output channels in accordance with the inputs from the users specifying (1) one or more instances of media for playback via the jukebox, (2) whether one or more of the specified one or more instances of media should be prioritized for playback, and (3) whether one or more of the specified one or more instances of media should be output to multiple output channels, and in accordance with an amount of money charged from the users. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification