Digital jukebox device with improved user interfaces, and associated methods

• US 10,613,819 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2015
• Issued: 04/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Beaumier, Francois, Desmarais, Remi, Hebert, Sebastien, Gratton, Loic, Khenfir, Mounir, Rivera, Ed, Tooker, Michael, Pompidor, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan S
• Application Number:
  US14/729,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20150312532A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,770 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/305 for record players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/009 User recognition or proximity detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19632 Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles
• 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 27/105 of operating discs
• 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: H04N 21/239 Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. prioritizing client content requests hybrid fiber coaxial [HFC] networks for upstream channel allocation for video distribution H04L12/2801; flow control in data networks H04L47/10; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 : for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 33/10 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted to the manufacture of electroluminescent light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 : Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 : Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 : Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 : Acoustic transducer

Abstract

Certain exemplary embodiments relate to entertainment systems that interact with users to provide access to media appropriate to and/or customized for a particular user using the entertainment system, the location at which the entertainment system is being accessed, and/or a predefined event. For example, in certain exemplary embodiments, an entertainment system in a location is configured to provide jukebox-related and entertainment system mediated services that are accessible from within and from the outside of the location, and provide (1) attract or flight media operations, (2) browsing services, and/or (3) search screens appropriate to and/or customized for a particular user using the entertainment system, the location at which the entertainment system is being accessed, and/or a predefined event. Such screens may be provided with a three-dimensional look-and-feel in certain exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. A jukebox device, comprising:

a display;

a camera;

a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device; and

at least one processor configured to;

entering the jukebox device from a normal mode to a security mode at a predetermined time;

when the jukebox device is in the normal mode;

obtain images and/or video from the camera,

display said obtained images and/or video from the camera on the display of the jukebox device substantially in real time so that the display substantially mirrors what is detected by the camera, and

enable a remote user in a first subset of users to view said obtained images and/or video from the camera; and

when the jukebox device enters the security mode from the normal mode, responsive to entering the security mode;

automatically providing a powered down appearance to the jukebox device by performing operations including deactivating the display of the jukebox device while operating the camera to obtain images and/or video;

automatically monitoring the images and/or video for abnormalities in order to generate an alarm if an abnormality is detected; and

enabling a remote user in a second subset of users to view the images and/or video.

2. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to cause, when the jukebox is not in the security mode, said obtained images and/or video to be displayed on one or more external display devices provided in a common location with the jukebox device.

3. The jukebox device of claim 1, further comprising a web server configured to enable the remote user in the first subset of users to view said obtained images and/or video from the camera.

4. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to enter into the security mode at a user-specified time or upon a signal from an authorized user, wherein the first subset of users are registered users and the second subset of users are authorized users having access to images and/or video obtained by the camera during said security mode.

5. The jukebox device of claim 4, wherein the at least one processor causes the camera to act as a motion detector when said security mode is entered.

6. The jukebox device of claim 5, wherein the at least one processor is configured to raise the alarm when motion is unexpectedly detected.

7. The jukebox device of claim 6, wherein the alarm includes initiation of a VoIP call to one or more specified parties.

8. The jukebox device of claim 6, wherein the alarm includes causing the display and/or lighting on the jukebox to become illuminated and/or flash.

9. The jukebox device of claim 6, wherein the alarm includes an audible alarm.

10. A method of making a jukebox device, the method comprising:

providing a display;

providing a camera;

providing a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device; and

providing at least one processor configured to;

transition the jukebox between a security mode and a normal mode in response to a predetermined time and/or an input from an authorized user;

when the jukebox is not in the security mode;

obtain images and/or video from the camera,

display said obtained images and/or video from the camera on the display of the jukebox device substantially in real time so that the display substantially mirrors what is detected by the camera, and

enable a remote user in a first subset of users to view said obtained images and/or video from the camera; and

when the jukebox is in the security mode from the normal mode, responsive to entering the security mode;

deactivating the display of the jukebox while operating the camera to obtain images and/or video;

automatically providing a powered down appearance to the jukebox device by performing operations including monitoring the images and/or video for abnormalities in order to generate an alarm if an abnormality is detected; and

enabling a remote user in a second subset of users to view the images and/or video.

11. A method of operating a pay-for-play jukebox device provided in an out-of-home location, the jukebox device comprising a display and a camera, the method comprising:

entering the jukebox from a normal mode to a security mode at a predetermined time;

when the jukebox is in the normal mode;

enabling a user to select an instance of media from a plurality of instances of media available for playback on or via the jukebox device; and

obtaining images and/or video from the camera;

causing said obtained images and/or video from the camera to be displayed on the display of the jukebox device substantially in real time so that the display substantially mirrors what is detected by the camera; and

enabling a remote user in a first subset of users to view said obtained images and/or video from the camera; and

when the jukebox enters the security mode from the normal mode, responsive to entering the security mode;

automatically providing a powered down appearance to the jukebox device by performing operations including deactivating the display of the jukebox while operating the camera to obtain images and/or video;

automatically monitoring the images and/or video for abnormalities in order to generate an alarm if an abnormality is detected; and

enabling a remote user in a second subset of users to view the images and/or video.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising causing, when the jukebox is not in the security mode, said obtained images and/or video to be displayed on one or more external display devices provided in the out-of-home location with the jukebox device.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the jukebox device further comprises a web server configured to enable the remote user in the first subset of users to view said obtained images and/or video from the camera.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising causing the jukebox device to enter into the security mode at a user-specified time or upon a signal from an authorized user, wherein the first subset of users are registered users and the second subset of users are authorized users having access to images and/or video obtained by the camera during said security mode.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising operating the camera as a motion detector when said security mode is entered.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising raising the alarm when motion is unexpectedly detected.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising initiating a VoIP call to one or more specified parties in raising the alarm.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the alarm includes causing the display and/or lighting on the jukebox to become illuminated and/or flash.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the alarm includes an audible alarm.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the jukebox device includes at least one processor and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that tangibly stores the instances of media available for playback.