Pay-per-play audiovisual system with touch screen interface

• US 8,621,350 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2011
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Chow, Doon Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham, Linh K
• Application Number:
  US13/222,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20110320946A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 715/702, 715/722, 715/716, 715/719, 715/764, 715/781, 715/786, 705/51, 705/14, 705/61, 725/61
• US Class Current: 715/716
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/24 using interrupt G06F13/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/60 of audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/63 Querying
• 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 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4812 by interrupt, e.g. masked
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/027 involving a payment switch or gateway
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/305 for record players
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0033 Recording/reproducing or transmission of music for electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0041 in coded form
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0058 Transmission between separate instruments or between individual components of a musical system G10H1/0083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/361 Recording/reproducing of accompaniment for use with an external source, e.g. karaoke systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/365 the accompaniment information being stored on a host computer and transmitted to a reproducing terminal by means of a network, e.g. public telephone lines
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/415 Infrared beams
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/026 : File encryption of specific electrophonic music instrument file or stream formats, e.g. MIDI, note oriented formats, sound banks, wavetables digital rights management [DRM] G06F21/00; encryption H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/081 : Genre classification, i.e. descriptive metadata for classification or selection of musical pieces according to style analysis genre G10H2210/036
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/091 : Info, i.e. juxtaposition of unrelated auxiliary information or commercial messages with or between music files metadata G10H2240/075
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/181 : Billing, i.e. purchasing of data contents for use with electrophonic musical instruments; Protocols therefor; Management of transmission or connection time therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/191 : CRC, i.e. error detection using a cyclic redundancy check
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/245 : ISDN [Integrated Services Digital Network]
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/255 : Optical fibre transmission for electrophonic musical instrument purposes, e.g. hum mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/261 : Satellite transmission for musical instrument purposes, e.g. processing for mitigation of satellite transmission delays
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/265 : CATV transmission, i.e. electrophonic musical instruments connected to community antennas or cable television networks
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/291 : SCSI, i.e. Small Computer System Interface
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/295 : Packet switched network, e.g. token ring circuit-switched networks, e.g. traditional analog telephone transmission G10H2240/241
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 : Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2529 : Mini-discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 : CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 : Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/913 : Digital audio tape [DAT] format
• 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 27/032 : on tapes G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 : on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• 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: H04H 20/38 : Arrangements for distribution where lower stations, e.g. receivers, interact with the broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/40 : Arrangements for broadcast specially adapted for accumulation-type receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/76 : Wired systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/79 : using downlink of the CATV systems, e.g. audio broadcast via CATV network
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/82 : using signals not modulated onto a carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/21 : Billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/23 : using cryptography, e.g. encryption, authentication, key distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/94 : Telephonic networks for accessing the Internet H04H60/84
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 : Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 : involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 : providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 : involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 : for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 : Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 : OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 : Recoverability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99955 : Archiving or backup

Abstract

An audiovisual reproduction system triggered by payment from a user is developed around a microprocessor device. The system includes memory containing, in compressed digital form, audio and visual information, and a display and digital audio reproduction unit, for creating a multimedia environment. The display includes a video monitor and an interactive user interface which reacts to external events and translates the external events for a multitasking operating system as events activating, via a graphical module of a library of integrated tools and services, a display of windows or frames providing control of physical operating parameters of the audiovisual reproduction system. The external events includes at least a down-event where the user contacts a representation displayed on the touch screen, selecting a parameter to modify, and an up-event where the use breaks contact with the screen, which triggers modification of the selected parameter, saving the parameter in the memory.

Claims

1. A jukebox device, comprising:

at least one processor;

one or more memory areas that store audiovisual items playable on the jukebox device in response to a request by a customer and at least one system operating parameter of the jukebox device;

a display device configured to display a user interface configured to facilitate user interaction with the jukebox device for at least selecting one or more audiovisual items for playback via the jukebox device when the jukebox device is in an operating mode; and

a multitasking operating system configured to enable simultaneous operation of the at least one processor and the display device, wherein a status of the multitasking operating system is backed up for potential subsequent jukebox device recovery, automatically and without human intervention, to a file each time a predetermined event from a plurality of predetermined events occurs, the predetermined events including at least providing credits to the jukebox device and selection of an audiovisual item for playback on the jukebox device;

wherein the status includes at least some operating parameters of the jukebox device; and

wherein the operating parameters include inactivity delay, and an indication as to whether a promotion mode, auxiliary source, or selection sampling mode, is to be started after an inactivity delay is detected.

2. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the list of predetermined events also includes completed playback of an audiovisual item.

3. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the file is stored in a format that is not human readable.

4. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the jukebox device is configured to read backed up status information from the file upon startup.

5. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the operating parameters include master, jukebox, auxiliary input, and/or microphone volume level(s).

6. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the operating parameters include treble and bass levels, and/or balance.

7. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the operating parameters include a price for playing a single audiovisual item, or a number of audiovisual items playable for a price.

8. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the display device is further configured to display a manager module, the manager module being configured to enable a manager to change operating parameters of the jukebox device, at least some of the operating parameters that is/are changeable by the manager module being backed up in the file.

9. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the display device is further configured to display a manager module, the manager module being configured to enable a manager to change operating parameters of the jukebox device, at least some of the operating parameters that is/are changeable by the manager module being backed up in the file.

10. A method of operating a jukebox device having at least one processor, one or more memory areas that store audiovisual items playable on the jukebox apparatus in response to a request by a customer, a display device configured to display a user interface configured to facilitate user interaction with the jukebox device for at least selecting one or more audiovisual items for playback via the jukebox device when the jukebox device is in an operating mode, and a multitasking operating system configured to enable simultaneous operation of the at least one processor and the display device, the method comprising:

storing at least one system operating parameter of the jukebox device;

detecting each occurrence of an event from a plurality of predetermined events, the predetermined events including at least providing credits to the jukebox device and selection of an audiovisual item for playback on the jukebox device via the user interface and the display device; and

in response to said detecting, backing up a status of the multitasking operating system to a file stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, automatically and without human intervention, for potential subsequent jukebox device recovery;

wherein the status includes at least some operating parameters of the jukebox device; and

wherein the operating parameters include inactivity delay, and an indication as to whether a promotion mode, auxiliary source, or selection sampling mode, is to be started after an inactivity delay is detected.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the list of predetermined events also includes completed playback of an audiovisual item.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the file is stored in a format that is not human readable.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising reading backed up status information from the file upon jukebox device startup.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the operating parameters include master, jukebox, auxiliary input, and/or microphone volume level(s).

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the operating parameters include treble and bass levels, and/or balance.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the operating parameters include a price for playing a single audiovisual item, or a number of audiovisual items playable for a price.