Jukebox with associated video server

• US 9,953,481 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2008
• Issued: 04/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tooker, Michael, Dion, Dominique, Nathan, Guy
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazaro, David
• Application Number:
  US12/076,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20080239887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,686 Days
• Field of Search: 709231, 709219, 709223, 709218, 709217, 709214, 709203, 709225, 709221, 709227, 4554261, 455 412, 455344, 455 306, 4551861, 4555542, 386 96, 386 95, 386 69, 386126, 705 7, 705 59, 705 30, 705 141
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/00 Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/305 for record players
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/00 Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD] real-time bi-directional transmission of motion video data H04N7/14 ; broadcast or conference over packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/20 Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/40 Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/80 Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se arrangements for generating broadcast information H04H60/02

Abstract

In certain example embodiments, jukebox systems that have associated video servers for displaying video content on one or more displays or groups of displays external to the jukebox and/or directly on the jukebox are provided. Such video servers may effectively off-load at least some of the video processing load from the jukebox device. Accordingly, video content may be provided to complement and/or further enhance the interactive experience that jukeboxes currently provide, while also enabling patrons not directly in front of the jukebox to participate in the interactive process. Content may be distributed to the jukeboxes and/or video servers via a network. In addition to creating a compelling entertainment experience for patrons, it also is possible to create new revenue opportunities for customers. For example, operators and national account customers and advertising partners may provide additional value to venues through the innovative use of managed video content.

Claims

1. A digital jukebox device, comprising:

a display configured to display jukebox-related video content;

a first storage location storing a plurality of instances of audio content for playback by the jukebox device;

a payment accepter for accepting payment to enable playback of the instances of audio content by the jukebox device; and

a processor configured to (1) playback, without involving a video server and via speakers of the jukebox device, an instance of audio content stored on the first storage, (2) display, without involving the video server and on the display of the jukebox device, a first video content including a song selection screen while the instance of audio content is currently being played back, (3) instruct the video server in communication with the jukebox device to reproduce, in synchronization with the jukebox device, on one or more displays or groups of displays remote from the jukebox device that are each connected to the video server, one or more second video content stored on a second storage location accessible by the video server, wherein at least one of the second video content, which is different from the first video content, is associated with the instance of audio content currently being played back, and (4) receive updated audio content from, and provide royalty accounting information to, a remotely located central server;

a communication circuit through which the jukebox device is configured to receive updated audio content from, and provide royalty accounting information to, a remotely located central server; and

a jukebox housing incorporating the display and the payment acceptor and the speakers, wherein the first storage location, the processor the communication circuit and the video server are located within said jukebox housing,

wherein the video server is configured to coordinate playback of at least one of the second video content, receivable from a remote network location, on the one or more displays or groups of displays, and is further configured to access at least one of the second the video content stored on the second storage location independent of the first storage location of the jukebox device, the coordinated playback being substantially offloaded from the processor of the jukebox device and the first storage location to the video server.

2. The digital jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the displays remote from the jukebox are grouped so as to display the same video content on each said display in the group.

3. The digital jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the displays remote from the jukebox are grouped so as to display portions of video content on each said display in the group in synchrony.

4. The digital jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the video server is configured to further coordinate the video content displayed by the one or more displays or groups of displays with the display of the jukebox device in dependence on a function being accessed by a user of the jukebox device.

5. The digital jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the video server is configured to further coordinate the video content displayed by the one or more displays or groups of displays in dependence on a predefined video playlist.

6. The digital jukebox device of claim 5, wherein the video playlist includes instructions for displaying video content in a predetermined order, and at a predetermined time or event.

7. The digital jukebox device of claim 5, wherein the video playlist includes instructions for displaying video content corresponding to segment programming.

8. The digital jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the video content displayed by the one or more displays or groups of displays corresponds to video content that prompts one or more viewers of said video content to interact, directly or indirectly, with the jukebox device.

9. The digital jukebox device of claim 8, wherein the video content displayed by the one or more displays or groups of displays corresponds to video content that prompts one or more viewers of said video content to vote to determine an instance of audio content to be played by the digital jukebox device.

10. The digital jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the video content displayed by the one or more displays or groups of displays corresponds to video content pertaining to a social network accessible via the jukebox device.

11. The digital jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the video server further comprises a delay time configured to account for delays and/or latencies between the jukebox device and the video server.

12. The digital jukebox device of claim 1, further comprising displaying, by the video server, video content on the one or more displays or groups of displays that corresponds to video content that prompts one or more viewers of said video content to interact, directly or indirectly, with the jukebox device.

13. A digital audiovisual distribution network, comprising:

a central server including a central store of instances of audio content; and

a plurality of digital jukebox devices respectively located at a plurality of locations, each being remote from the central server and the central store, each said digital jukebox device comprising;

a display configured to display jukebox-related video content;

a first storage location storing a plurality of instances of audio content for playback by the jukebox device;

a payment accepter for accepting payment to enable playback of the instances of audio content by the jukebox device; and

a processor configured to (1) playback, without involving a video server and via speakers of the jukebox device, an instance of audio content stored on the first storage, (2) display, without involving the video server and on the display of the jukebox device, a first video content including a song selection screen while the instance of audio content is currently being played back, (3) instruct the video server in communication with the jukebox device to reproduce, in synchronization with the jukebox device, on one or more displays or groups of displays remote from the jukebox that are each connected to the video server, one or more second video content stored on a second storage location accessible by the video server, wherein at least one of the second video content, which is different from the first video content, is associated with the instance of audio content currently being played back, and (4) receive updated audio content from, and provide royalty accounting information to, a remotely located central server;

a communication circuit through which the jukebox device is configured to receive updated audio content from, and provide royalty accounting information to, the central server; and

a jukebox housing incorporating the display and the payment acceptor and the speakers, wherein the first storage location, the processor the communication circuit and the video server are located within said jukebox housing,

wherein the video server is configured to coordinate playback of at least one of the second video content, receivable from a remote network location, on the one or more displays or groups of displays, and is further configured to access at least one of the second the video content stored on the second storage location independent of the first storage location of the jukebox device, the coordinated playback being substantially offloaded from the processor of the jukebox device and the first storage location to the video server.

14. The digital audiovisual distribution network of claim 13, wherein the video server is configured to further coordinate the video content displayed by the one or more displays or groups of displays in dependence on a predefined video playlist.

15. The digital audiovisual distribution network of claim 14, wherein the video playlist is stored in a centrally accessible storage location of the digital audiovisual distribution network.

16. The digital audiovisual distribution network of claim 14, wherein the video playlist includes instructions for displaying video content in a predetermined order, and at a predetermined time or event.

17. The digital audiovisual distribution network of claim 14, wherein the video playlist includes instructions for displaying video content corresponding to segment programming.

18. The digital audiovisual distribution network of claim 17, wherein the segment programming is displayed at a plurality of locations at substantially the same time.

19. The digital audiovisual distribution network of claim 13, wherein the video content displayed by the one or more displays or groups of displays corresponds to video content that prompts one or more viewers of said video content to interact, directly or indirectly, with the jukebox device.

20. The digital audiovisual distribution network of claim 13, wherein a first video server of a first jukebox device at a first location is configured to display programming substantially concurrently with a second video server of a second jukebox device at a second location.

21. The digital audiovisual distribution network of claim 20, wherein the programming is a concert.

22. A method of operating a digital jukebox device, the method comprising:

causing a display of jukebox-related video content on a display of the digital jukebox device;

enabling playback, by the jukebox device, of a plurality of instances of audio content stored on a first storage location of the jukebox device;

enabling acceptance of payment, via a payment accepter, in exchange for playback of the instances of audio content by the jukebox device;

(1) playback, without involving a video server and via speakers of the jukebox device, an instance of audio content stored on the first storage, (2) display, without involving the video server and on the display of the jukebox device, a first video content including a song selection screen while the instance of audio content is currently being played back, (3) instructing, via a processor of the jukebox device, the video server in communication with and located within a housing of the jukebox device to reproduce, in synchronization with the jukebox device, on one or more displays or groups of displays remote from the jukebox that are each connected to the video server, one or more second video content stored on a second storage location accessible by the video server, wherein at least one of the second video content, which is different from the first video content, is associated with the instance of audio content currently being played back, and (4) receive updated audio content from, and provide royalty accounting information to, a remotely located central server;

receiving updated audio content from, and providing royalty accounting information to, a remotely located central server; and

coordinating, via the video server, playback of at least one of the second video content, receivable from a remote network location, on the one or more displays or groups of displays, such that the video server accesses the at least one of the second video content stored on the second storage location independent of the first storage location of the jukebox device, the coordinated playback being substantially offloaded from the processor of the jukebox device and the first storage location to the video server.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising coordinating the video content displayed by the one or more displays or groups of displays with the display of the jukebox device in dependence on a function being accessed by a user of the jukebox device.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising coordinating the video content displayed by the one or more displays or groups of displays in dependence on a predefined video playlist.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the video playlist includes instructions for displaying video content in a predetermined order, and at a predetermined time or event.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the video playlist includes instructions for displaying video content corresponding to segment programming.