System for managing a plurality of computer jukeboxes

• US 5,848,398 A
• Filed: 04/25/1996
• Issued: 12/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Martin Automatic, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Arachnid Incorporated
• Inventors: Zammuto, Samuel N., Martin, John R., Tillery, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MacDonald, Allen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kazimi, Hani M.
• Application Number:
  US08/638,022
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/10, 705/14, 369/32, 235/381, 364/479.01, 364/479.04, 364/479.06, 364/479.02, 364/407.03
• US Class Current: 705/14.64
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/41 Flat as opposed to hierarchical combination, e.g. library of tapes or discs, CD changer, or groups of record carriers that together store one title
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/65 wherein solid state memory is used for storing indexing information or metadata
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/36 Monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing for digital recording G11B20/00 and s.gr.; for monitoring, testing or measuring of TV recorders of the type covered by H04N5/76 and subgroups, see H04N17/06

Abstract

A method and apparatus as shown for managing a plurality of computer jukeboxes at different locations from a central station. Each jukebox includes processor means for controlling the computer jukebox, storage and retrieval means for data, display means for selection menus, audio production means for playing musical records, and a user interface enabling patrons to communicate with the processor means. The central station can be used to download musical recording data to each computer jukebox, and each computer jukebox can upload usage data to the central station.

Claims

1. A computer jukebox capable of receiving and storing digital data representing a plurality of advertisements, data representing the identity of each of said advertisements, and data representing when and the number of times each of said advertisements is to be run, comprising:

a visual screen associated with said jukebox;

a song selection means displayed on said visual screen, actuable by a user for retrieving and playing a signal representing a song selected from a plurality of songs stored in said jukebox;

a communication interface for receiving said advertisement data, said data representing the identity of each of said advertisements, and said data representing when and the number of times each of said advertisements is to be run;

a programmable computer memory storing said digital data representing each advertisement on said jukebox, the location of said digital data representing each advertisement, and said data representing when and the number of times each of said advertisements is to be run on said visual screen; and

processing means for displaying one of said plurality of advertisements on said visual screen, when said jukebox is not generating a signal representing a song selected from said plurality of songs stored in said jukebox, wherein said processing means is responsive to said data representing when and the number of times each of said advertisements is to be run.

2. A computer jukebox as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication interface includes a modem.

3. A computer jukebox as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication interface includes a radio frequency receiver.

4. A computer jukebox as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication interface includes a direct interface port.

5. A computer jukebox as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication interface includes portable infra red device.

6. A computer jukebox as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication interface includes a satellite receiver.

7. A computer jukebox as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication interface includes a cellular telephone receiver.

8. A jukebox network comprising:

a plurality of computer jukeboxes, each jukebox including a programmable computer memory storing digital data representing a plurality of advertisements and data representing the identity of each of said advertisements, and data representing when and the number of times each of said advertisements is to be run;

a visual display;

a communication interface for receiving and transmitting digital data including digital advertisement data;

processing means for controlling the display of advertisement data on said visual display and to store advertisement display data in said memory, said processing means being responsive to the receipt of digital advertisement data representative of the number of times each of said advertisements is to be run and when each advertisement is to be run by said communication interface;

a management station for updating said plurality of jukeboxes, said management station including a communication interface for receiving and transmitting data and a host processing means for controlling the transmission of digital advertisement data to a computer jukebox to update the jukebox, said management station being operative for selectively transmitting digital advertisement data to different ones of said jukeboxes.

9. A jukebox network as recited in claim 8 wherein said management station is remote from said plurality of jukeboxes and the communication interface of said management station and each jukebox provides a two way communication link between said remote management station and said jukebox.

10. A jukebox network as recited in claim 8 wherein said management station is portable.

11. A jukebox network as recited in claim 10 wherein said communication interface of said management station provides a direct communication between said station and said jukebox.