System for selectively distributing music to a plurality of jukeboxes
First Claim
1. A music distribution system for local digital electronic jukeboxes comprising:
- a central storage location including available songs, graphics, and titles;
a menuing system, said menuing system includes storing a portion of a menu at a local jukebox location, wherein the local jukebox location is separate from the central storage location, and storing a complete menu at said central storage location;
a communication means between said central storage location and said local jukeboxes, wherein the local jukeboxes download desired information automatically during a broadcast from the central storage location; and
a scheduler for coordinating transmission from said central storage location to said local jukeboxes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention includes a method and apparatus for distributing music to local, digital, electronic jukeboxes. In particular, a complete menuing system is stored in a central storage location. A portion of the complete menu is stored locally at the jukebox, depending on user demand. A jukebox selectively requests the transmission of songs from the central storage location using a variety of communication means based upon usage data with respect to songs and the menu. The request can be initiated by the jukebox and can occur automatically based on statistics compiled by the jukebox representing user demand. The central storage location processes the requests and schedules individual requests from each jukebox to coordinate transmission of music to multiple locations simultaneously. In addition, the central storage location periodically updates the local jukeboxes with a list of new releases, during which time the jukebox can also download the music. A portion of the complete menu is stored locally at the jukebox, depending on user demand. The jukebox also includes secure hardware used to decrypt and encrypt music and monetary certificates, to prevent improper use or copying of music.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A music distribution system for local digital electronic jukeboxes comprising:
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a central storage location including available songs, graphics, and titles; a menuing system, said menuing system includes storing a portion of a menu at a local jukebox location, wherein the local jukebox location is separate from the central storage location, and storing a complete menu at said central storage location; a communication means between said central storage location and said local jukeboxes, wherein the local jukeboxes download desired information automatically during a broadcast from the central storage location; and a scheduler for coordinating transmission from said central storage location to said local jukeboxes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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9. A method for optimally transmitting music selections in a music distribution system comprising:
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maintaining statistics in a digital electronic jukebox, regarding a number of times a node in a menu hierarchy is reviewed by a user; using said statistics to indicate when a node has been reviewed a predetermined number of times; sending a request automatically for updated music from said jukebox to a central storage location, based on said statistics determined in said jukebox; receiving requested music within a time period specified in the request at said jukebox; said receiving step further including transmitting music from said central storage location to a plurality of jukeboxes simultaneously; and storing a portion of said menu hierarchy at said jukebox. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 27, 28, 29)
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13. A music distribution system comprising:
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a central storage location including available songs, graphics and titles; a plurality of local computer jukeboxes separate from the central storage location; and at least one regional storage location separate from and communicating with the central storage location and the plurality of local computer jukeboxes, the at least one regional storage location storing a portion of the available songs and transferring available songs to the computer jukeboxes. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer jukebox comprising:
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reception means for receiving songs from a central storage location; a memory for storing songs; playing means for playing stored songs; an interface for outputting signals to control a compact disk changer to select and play a desired song. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification