DIGITAL DOWNLOADING JUKEBOX SYSTEM WITH CENTRAL AND LOCAL MUSIC SERVER

• US 20140304117A1
• Filed: 06/23/2014
• Published: 10/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: NATHAN, Guy, MASTRONARDI, Tony, DION, Dominique, KHENFIR, Mounir
• Granted Patent: US 11,663,569 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26.63
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/64 Browsing; Visualisation therefor generation of a list or set of audio data G06F16/638
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/68 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0627 using item specifications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/002 Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier

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, such as residential jukeboxes. 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.

Claims

1. A jukebox system including a jukebox device configured to playback an instance of media selected by a user, comprising:

at least one storage location configured to store instances of media available for playback via the jukebox device, the instances of media being divided into first and second subsets of media, the first and second subsets of media being different from one another but each said instance of media in the first and second subsets of media being of one common song data type; and

a user interface provided to the jukebox device configured to receive input from a user corresponding to a selection of an instance of media from the instances of media in order to initiate playback of the selected instance of media on the jukebox device, the user interface comprising a first display screen configured to receive input from a user for the selection of the instance of media for playback from the first subset of media for a first fee or number of credits, and a second display screen configured to receive input from a user for the selection of the instance of media for playback from at least the second subset of media for a second fee or number of credits, the second fee or number of credits being greater than the first fee or number of credits.

2. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the first display screen includes a list of artists for each said instance of media in the first subset of media.

3. The jukebox device of claim 2, wherein the list includes album art.

4. The jukebox device of claim 2, wherein the second display screen enables the user to enter as search criteria at least one of:

an artist, a song name, and an album name.

5. The jukebox device of claim 4, wherein the second display screen is configured to display search results after at least some instances of media not included in the first subset of media are searched by the jukebox device for instances of media matching the search criteria.

6. The jukebox device of claim 5, wherein the second subset of media is searched by the jukebox device.

7. The jukebox device of claim 5, wherein the first and second subsets of media are searched by the jukebox device.

8. The jukebox device of claim 5, wherein the search results are selectable by the user in order to initiate playback of the selected search result by the jukebox device for the second fee or number of credits.

9. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the first and second display screens are each configured to prompt a user to supply an additional fee or number of credits in order to make the selected instance of media play immediately after a currently playing instance of media.

10. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the first and second display screens are arranged differently and include different search options.

11. The jukebox device of claim 1, further comprising first and second storage locations respectively storing the first and second subsets of media.

12. A method of operating a jukebox system including a jukebox device configured to playback an instance of media selected by a user,

the jukebox system including at least one storage location configured to store instances of media available for playback via the jukebox device, the instances of media being divided into first and second subsets of media, the first and second subsets of media being different from one another but each said instance of media in the first and second subsets of media being of one common song data type,

the method comprising:

receiving, via a user interface provided to the jukebox device, input from a user corresponding to a selection of an instance of media from the instances of media in order to initiate playback of the selected instance of media on the jukebox device, the user interface comprising a first display screen configured to receive input from a user for the selection of the instance of media for playback from the first subset of media for a first fee or number of credits, and a second display screen configured to receive input from a user for the selection of the instance of media for playback from at least the second subset of media for a second fee or number of credits, the second fee or number of credits being greater than the first fee or number of credits; and

playing back the selected instance of media on the jukebox device in response to the received input and receipt of an appropriate fee or number of credits.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first display screen includes a list of artists for each said instance of media in the first subset of media.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the list includes album art.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the second display screen enables the user to enter as search criteria at least one of:

an artist, a song name, and an album name.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising displaying, via the second display screen, search results after at least some instances of media not included in the first subset of media are searched by the jukebox device for instances of media matching the search criteria.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising searching, by the jukebox device, the second subset of media.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising searching, by the jukebox device, the first and second subsets of media.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the search results are selectable by the user in order to initiate playback of the selected search result by the jukebox device for the second fee or number of credits.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second display screens are each configured to prompt a user to supply an additional fee or number of credits in order to make the selected instance of media play immediately after a currently playing instance of media.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second display screens are arranged differently and include different search options.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the jukebox system further comprises first and second storage locations respectively storing the first and second subsets of media.