CA2627173A1 - Digital downloading jukebox with enhanced communication features - Google Patents

Digital downloading jukebox with enhanced communication features Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2627173A1
CA2627173A1 CA002627173A CA2627173A CA2627173A1 CA 2627173 A1 CA2627173 A1 CA 2627173A1 CA 002627173 A CA002627173 A CA 002627173A CA 2627173 A CA2627173 A CA 2627173A CA 2627173 A1 CA2627173 A1 CA 2627173A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
jukebox
user
playlist
media
users
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002627173A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Dominique Dion
Guy Nathan
Francois Brillon
Loic Gratton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TouchTunes Music Co LLC
Original Assignee
TouchTunes Music Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TouchTunes Music Corp filed Critical TouchTunes Music Corp
Publication of CA2627173A1 publication Critical patent/CA2627173A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/30Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for musical instruments
    • G07F17/305Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for musical instruments for record players
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0484Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
    • G06F3/04842Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G06Q30/0207Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/02Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • G06Q30/0207Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
    • G06Q30/0235Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates constrained by time limit or expiration date
    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06QINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00Commerce
    • G06Q30/06Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • GPHYSICS
    • G11INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11BINFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B27/00Editing; Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Monitoring; Measuring tape travel
    • G11B27/10Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
    • G11B27/102Programmed access in sequence to addressed parts of tracks of operating record carriers
    • G11B27/105Programmed access in sequence to addressed parts of tracks of operating record carriers of operating discs

Abstract

Systems and/or methods for use in connection with digital downloading jukeboxes are provided. Such systems and/or methods may be used to provide enhanced communications capabilities, e.g., to registered users of jukeboxes. In certain exemplary embodiments, users may become registered users directly at a jukebox. Registered users also may, in certain exemplary embodiments, receive coupons for free plays, import playlists from hardware devices and/or software applications, receive special pricing when playing certain instances of media, play playlists in whole or in part, create and/or manage playlists directly at a jukebox, establish and manage connections with other registered users, etc. Still further, in certain exemplary embodiments, one or more channels may be predefined and/or set up for a jukebox.

Description

TITLE
DIGITAL DOWNLOADING JUKEBOX WITH ENHANCED
COMMUNICATION FEATURES

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of application Serial No. U.S. 11/902,658, filed on September 24, entitled "Digital Downloading Jukebox with Enhanced Communication Features".
FIELD
The instant invention relates to, for example, jukebox systems and, more particularly, to digital downloading jukebox systems of the type which typically include a central server and remote jukebox devices that communicate with the central server for royalty accounting and/or content updates and, still more particularly, to jukebox systems that provide user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools for recognized users using the jukebox system.
Exemplary embodiments of the instant invention improve such systems by providing a local server for each jukebox device in the jukebox system network. The local server provides a second and more expansive source of content (e.g., audio and/or visual data) that can be selected by a user of the jukebox device for reproduction on the jukebox device. The local servers may provide a mirror of or subset of the central server, thereby enabling the entire library of audio and/or visual data, or at least the most requested content, to be conveniently available to each jukebox device without the need to download requested content, that is not available on the mass storage device of the jukebox device itself, from the central server. The collective group of local servers may also act as a network of distributed content servers that can be controlled by the central server through each jukebox device to provide services to other devices, such as, for example, other jukebox devices. In addition, the jukebox device and local server can, under control of the central server, operate as a "central hub" or management device for various downloadable fee-based devices present in a location with the jukebox device.
Exemplary embodiments additionally can provide other mechanisms to enhance individual recognized users' experiences, such as, for example, by allowing users to create and manage play lists that can be retrieved on one or more jukeboxes, create and manage buddy lists that can send messages to individuals or broadcast to large groups of individuals, etc. In other words, in one embodiment, the jukebox includes features which enable the jukebox to recognize specific jukebox users, through prior registration or the like, and to provide user-specific services to the user.
For example, the jukebox may allow the recognized user to create, edit and/or store custom playlists on the jukebox that can be selected by the user or other registered users designated by the creator of the playlist for play on the jukebox. The jukebox may also allow registered users to communicate with other registered users through the jukebox. Registered users may also be provided with credit on the jukebox so that cash is not necessary for using the jukebox services. The jukebox may also be used to provide background music services in addition to conventional jukebox services in a unique and advantageous manner as described herein. The jukebox may additionally increase a sense of ownership by interacting with an interactive application accessible at a location remote from the jukebox, such as, for example, via the Internet. The remote application may connect individuals to an online community through which users can, for example, communicate with other users, build playlists, share playlists, suggest music to others, participate in promotions, link to targeted advertisements, etc. Additionally, the jukebox and/or remote application may allow users to download information to a portable device, such as, for example, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, an MP3 player, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, users' actions on jukeboxes and/or via remote interfaces may be represented by avatars specific to and/or customizable by the user.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Jukeboxes have been around for decades and provide users with the ability to select desired music for reproduction in a convenient and advantageous manner.
Jukeboxes have conventionally been provided in commercial establishments, such as restaurants and bars, in order to provide desired music on demand for patrons thereof for a fee. Over the last several years, a new generation of jukebox devices have become available that provide significant improvements in the operation thereof for all parties involved. More specifically, the conventional standalone phonorecord and CD jukeboxes are being replaced by digital downloading jukeboxes that are controlled by and communicate with a central server. An example of this new generation jukebox system is shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,308,204, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. A leading provider of this new generation of jukebox systems is TouchTunes Music Corporation.

Figure 1 shows an overview of an exemplary embodiment of a digital downloading jukebox system 10 (hereinafter referred to simply as a "jukebox system"). As shown in Figure 1, the jukebox system 10 includes a central server 12 that contains a master library of audio content (typically music), as well as or alternatively audiovisual content (typically music and associated video or graphics), that can be downloaded therefrom. The jukebox system also includes a series of remote jukebox devices 16, 16a-16f. Each of these jukebox devices are generally located in a bar, restaurant, club or other desired location, and are operable to play music in response to receiving a payment from a user, such as coins, bills, credit/debit card, etc., and having one or more songs selected by the user for play. In an alternative embodiment, a music service is paid for on a subscription basis by the location, and the selected music is free for the end-user. The jukebox device typically includes a screen 18 that presents information to the user and allows the user to select songs therefrom, as well as an audio system 20 that plays the selected songs.
The screen 18 may also be used for displaying song-related video or graphics.
The screen 18 may also be used to display advertisements for the jukebox itself in order to attract customers thereto, to display other types of advertisements, and/or to display any other desired information.

The jukebox devices 16 (sometimes referred to as simply "jukeboxes" herein) are operable to communicate with the central server 12 through a communications network 14, such as, for example, the Internet. The jukeboxes 16 periodically communicate with the server 12 in order to provide information to the server regarding the specific songs that have been played on the jukebox. The central server then uses this information in order to determine the appropriate royalties and/or other payments that are owed for songs played on each jukebox.

Thus, one significant advantage of this new generation of jukeboxes is that the sound reproduction and/or other applicable music rights can be adhered to in a more accurate and reliable manner, thereby assuring the proper royalties are paid to the artists or music owners. The central server 12 can also provide new songs to the jukebox 16 in order to assure that the appropriate or most popular songs are maintained on the jukebox based on the specific customers at that location.
Thus, the songs available on each jukebox can be customized through communication with the central server in order to provide the songs and/or types of music that customers generally request at each jukebox location. As described in the above-referenced U.S. Patent No. 6,308,204, the central server can also advantageously be used to update the operating software on the jukeboxes in order to, for example, change the operation of the jukebox, such as to provide new or improved features. Thus, another significant advantage of this new generation of jukeboxes is that the songs (or other audio and/or visual content), and the operation of the jukebox itself can be remotely changed as desired without the need to have someone (such as a routeman) personally service the jukebox. Instead, such updates can be done using the central server 12.

As indicated above, the jukebox devices 16 each include a mass storage device, such as a hard drive, which stores the songs and associated video/graphics data (if any), as well as any other desired graphical information for reproduction on the jukebox. The mass storage device of the jukebox typically has limited storage capacity relative to the storage device of the central server 12. As a result, only a fraction of the songs stored on the central server are typically stored on the mass storage device of the jukebox at any one time. There may be other reasons as well, such as for security of the data or limited room in the jukebox itself, for having limited storage capacity on the jukebox and/or limiting the number of songs stored thereon. For example, physical space may be limited on wall-mount jukeboxes or the like, which are designed to be small in size as compared to free-standing models. As explained above, the songs on the jukebox can be changed through communication with the central server, but typically any one jukebox only stores a relatively small subset of the complete library of songs maintained by the central server at any one time.

In order to maximize the revenue that a jukebox generates, it is important to 5 make the most desired songs available on the jukebox over time. If customers cannot find songs they like on the jukebox, usage of the jukebox (and the revenue generated thereby) will dramatically decrease. On the other hand, it is impossible to predict in advance exactly what a customer at any particular location will desire to play on the jukebox. In fact, there are likely many instances where a customer would have selected a song that exists on the central server but is not currently present on the jukebox. As a result, the jukebox may not be enjoyed, and used to its fullest extent. In order to address this problem and increase revenue, jukebox systems have in the past provided a feature which enables the user to search for songs on the central server from the jukebox and request an immediate download of a desired song from the central server to the jukebox for an additional fee. This feature enables the user to play any song in the master library of songs maintained by the central server using the jukebox, regardless of whether or not the specific song is presently stored in the mass storage of the jukebox itself. Thus, the user can first look for desired, songs on the local storage of the jukebox and then, if desired, search further on the central server for desired songs. The jukebox device typically charges an additional fee (such as five credits instead on one credit) for an immediate download and play of a song from the central server as opposed to a standard play directly from the jukebox's local storage.

One problem, however, with the immediate downloading feature is that it is desirable to have an immediate and high speed connection with the central server to implement. In addition, the central server and network must be prepared for and capable of handling such requests in a reliable and efficient manner for the feature to properly operate. These requirements cannot always be met and, as a result, implementation of this feature has been limited. For example, many locations that have jukeboxes do not have high speed connections (such as DSL) and instead use dial-up modem connections. Jukeboxes which rely on dial-up connections generally are only designed to communicate with the server periodically and do not allow the user to immediately download a song. They have, however, enabled a user to vote for a song to be downloaded at a later time when the dial-up connection is made.
This, of course, is not as satisfying to the user as being able to immediately download a song. Other problems can arise in connection with this download feature if the network or server is not currently available for the download, due to traffic, malfunctions or the like.

For most users, a relationship with a jukebox extends only as far as a choice of songs to play. Casual users may find it difficult to make selections rapidly and/or to locate specific songs. Regular users, however, frequently choose the same songs, and they may become frustrated with always having to make the same selections.
Both problems may result in a loss of revenue from, intimidation, frustration, etc.
Thus, it is a feature of the exemplary embodiments to create a relationship between the jukebox and the patrons, in view of the further feature of creating a relationship with a whole community of jukebox users. Such a system can establish a trust relationship between the jukebox and the patrons, while also creating a sense of ownership for the patrons by allowing them to customize their services and communicate with their friends. Such a relationship and feeling of ownership can greatly increase the convenience of using a jukebox and its related services while also decreasing intimidation, frustration, etc.

In certain exemplary embodiments described herein, the jukebox can be made the centerpiece for music services as well as other services that enhance the experience of users as well as the revenues of location managers. For example, a jukebox can become a contact point at a given location through which users can reach out to their friends. For instance, users may call a get together using the jukebox, share music through the jukebox system, or meet up at a jukebox if they become separated at a crowded club. Similarly, a jukebox can become, for example, a contact point at a given location through which the manager of the location can reach out to customers. For instance, a manager can advertise specials, notify regulars of special events, etc. Such communications can be initiated by users, by location managers, or by the jukebox itself.
When jukebox users leave a location, their connection to the music, and, more particularly, the jukebox itself, typically ends. Users provide massive amounts of data to the jukeboxes, such as, for example, which users like certain types of music or certain songs, when they listen to music, how frequently they listen to it, etc.
With conventional jukeboxes, this information is not leveraged to provide additional features and/or services to interested users. Thus, collected information typically is wasted, and users experience only a fleeting sense of ownership. Users cannot, for example, recreate the experience of a particular night out.

Proprietors also lose out, because their connection to jukebox users disappears when users leave their establishments. Thus, proprietors lose customers until they return and are forced to rely on traditional, often ignored, methods of bulk advertisement. This form of advertising typically lacks specificity and does not reflect a personalized sense of belonging for users. Additionally, proprietors also cannot recreate specific events at which, for example, they had a particularly profitable nights.

Online communities typically, for example, on the Internet, have sprung-up to try to connect disparate users in a virtual space. These communities provide potentially continuous access to a broad range of features and users alike.
However, conventional online communities are virtual only - when a user steps away from a computer, the connection, quite literally, is broken. Thus, while users may access this broad, host of features and customize their experiences and even build an online persona complete with, for example, buying and viewing habits, the experience is fleeting.

By connecting jukebox users through an online community, however, the information provided to the jukebox can be used to provide a variety of features and services to the users. And, because jukeboxes are present at thousands of meeting points, connections exist at thousands of physical locations apart from the online virtual community. Thus, by leveraging the data collected by jukeboxes and tying users to an online community, a mixed real-and-virtual community may be established, for example, creating a lasting sense of ownership, personalizing services for potentially all users, drawing users together, establishing a vibrant socially active S

community of users connected by music, etc. Proprietors may similarly benefit by, for example, achieving a pipeline to additional business by connecting with customers while they are away from their locations, thus drawing them to their locations, etc.

In essence, a jukebox with an associated remote application can, for example, change users' perceptions of jukeboxes. Jukeboxes need not be stand-alone devices accessible only at bars. Rather, the instant invention allows users to consider jukeboxes as, for example, media centers, meeting points, portals to online communities, etc.

Moreover, with the advent of web-enabled portable devices (such as, for example, cell phones, personal digital assistants, etc), users even can take the virtual community with them wherever they go. Users potentially may use portable devices to directly download music at any time, such as, for example, when they hear a song at home, in the car, at a bar, etc.

In certain exemplary embodiments, users' actions on jukeboxes and/or via remote interfaces may be represented by avatars specific to and/or customizable by the user. Jukeboxes may include avatar action programmed logic circuitry (e.g., any appropriate combination of hardware, software, or the like) to take actions on behalf of and/or represent the actions of the user. Such actions may include introducing songs with audio and/or video, singing and/or dancing along with music, marking online transactions (e.g., messages, postings, file transfers, etc.), etc. As such, user avatars may yet further increase senses of ownership and/or belonging, drawing users to jukeboxes. Moreover, avatars may further increase the enjoyment of the individual user, regular patrons, and/or newcomers to an area There is a need for an improved jukebox system that addresses various needs of users, location owners, and operators. The instant invention is designed to address these and other issues and to provide enhanced functionality for such jukebox systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features, objects and advantages of the instant invention will be further understood by review of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:
- Figure I is a block diagram of a conventional downloading digital jukebox system;
- Figure 2 is a block diagram of the improved downloading digital jukebox system in accordance with a preferred embodiment;
- Figure 3 is an exemplary screen shot showing an initial selection screen in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the jukebox system;
- Figure 4 is another screen shot showing an exemplary search, screen for use in searching for songs on the local server in accordance with a preferred embodiment;
- Figure 4A shows an exemplary process for using a Personal Music Assistant to search for songs that might be appropriate for a user-specified profile;
- Figure 4B shows an exemplary process for using a Personal Music Assistant to search for songs that might be appropriate for a recognized user's profile;
- Figure 4C is an exemplary screen shot showing a non-limiting list of genres and themes available to a user in accordance with one illustrative embodiment;
Figure 5 is another exemplary screen shot showing the results of a search on the local server and providing the user an option of downloading a desired song to the jukebox device for a fee, in accordance with a preferred embodiment;
- Figure 5A shows an exemplary process for searching through a list of popular songs:
- Figure 6 is another exemplary screen shot showing an alternative method of allowing access to the downloading feature;

- Figure 7 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the local server;
- Figure 8 shows a block diagram of an exemplary overall network including commercial jukeboxes and residential jukeboxes, as well as 5 other downloading devices and associated connections that are managed by the jukebox system;
- Figure 9 shows an overhead view of an exemplary establishment layout for a multi-zone jukebox system;
- Figure 10 shows an overhead view of an exemplary establishment layout 10 for a multi-zone jukebox system with selection terminals in each zone;
- Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an exemplary implementation of a zone selection process for a multi-zone jukebox system;
- Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an exemplary implementation of a priority play by zone selection process for a multi-zone jukebox system;
- Figure 13 shows an exemplary- implementation of a multi-zone set of priority and non-priority queues, with a subset of queues for each zone;
- Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an exemplary distribution and initialization scheme for a jukebox with morph capability;
- Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an exemplary implementation of an automatic jukebox morph initiation process based on a triggering event;
- Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an exemplary implementation of a jukebox morphing process;
- Figure 16A is an exemplary screen shot showing how a morph of a jukebox can be initiated in one preferred embodiment;
- Figure 16B is another exemplary screen shot showing how a user can specify various criteria before a morph of a jukebox in one preferred embodiment;
- Figure 17 shows the relationship between a jukebox with expanded media storage and a central server;

Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process for a song selection process when a song is not in the "standard" available playable song list;
- Figure 19 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process for a priority play queue with prioritization-based-on-bidding capability;
- Figure 19A is a flowchart showing an exemplary implementation of a jukebox voting process;
- Figure 19B(1) is an exemplary screenshot showing a voting queue display;
- Figure 19B(2) is another exemplary screenshot showing a voting queue display;
- Figure 19C is an exemplary block diagram showing a voting mechanism within a given location;
- Figure 19D is another exemplary block diagram showing a voting mechanism within a given location;
- Figure 19E is an exemplary block diagram showing a voting mechanism for use with multiple locations;
- Figure 19F is another exemplary block diagram showing a voting mechanism for use with multiple locations;
- Figure 20 is a flowchart showing an illustrative process for using a user-tailored system for managing music, communications, etc. in accordance with one exemplary embodiment;
- Figure 21A shows non-limiting, illustrative options available for editing account/profile information in one exemplary embodiment;
- Figure 21B shows non-limiting, illustrative options available for managing music in one exemplary embodiment;
- Figure 21C shows non-limiting, illustrative options available for managing buddy lists in one exemplary embodiment;
- Figure 21D shows non-limiting, illustrative options available for communicating with others in one exemplary embodiment;
- Figure 21 E shows non-limiting, illustrative options available for accessing value-added content in one exemplary embodiment;

- Figure 22 is an exemplary screen shot of a login page in accordance with one exemplary embodiment;
- Figure 23 is an exemplary screen shot showing the features available after a recognized user has logged in, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment;
- Figure 24 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process for accessing a system remotely in one exemplary embodiment;
- Figure 25 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process for selecting one or more of a non-limiting list of services and/or features in a system according to one exemplary embodiment;
- Figure 26A is an exemplary screen shot showing the features available before a user logins into a system according to one exemplary embodiment;
- Figure 26B is an exemplary screen shot showing the features available after a user logins into a system according to one exemplary embodiment;
- Figure 26C is an exemplary screen shot showing how a user might update account information;
- Figure 26D is an exemplary screen shot showing how a user might manage playlists;
- Figure 26E is an exemplary screen shot showing the results of an illustrative search for music;
- Figure 27 shows an exemplary system for downloading music to a mobile device;
- Figure 28 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process for retrieving music;
- Figure 29 is a block diagram of an improved downloading digital jukebox system with remote devices accessing a jukebox from within a particular location;

- Figure 29A is a block diagram of an improved downloading digital jukebox system with remote devices accessing a jukebox from within a particular location;
- Figure 29B is a block diagram of an improved downloading digital jukebox system with remote devices outside of a particular location accessing the digital jukebox system;
- Figure 29C is another block diagram of an improved downloading digital jukebox system with remote devices outside of a particular location accessing the digital jukebox system;
- Figure 29D is a block diagram of an improved downloading digital jukebox system with another downloading digital jukebox system outside of a particular location accessing the first digital jukebox system;
- Figure 29E is another block diagram of an improved downloading digital jukebox system with another downloading digital jukebox system outside of a particular location accessing the first digital jukebox system;
- Figure 30 is an exemplary flowchart showing one way in which users may change their status by becoming "verified users";
- Figure 31 is an exemplary flowchart showing how registered users may receive credits for referring potential users;
- Figure 32 is an exemplary flowchart showing how registered uses may receive credits for creating public playlists;
- Figure 33 is an exemplary screenshot of a "Local Playlists" screen in which registered users are represented by avatars;
- Figure 34 is an exemplary screenshot of a "now playing" screen:
- Figure 35 is an exemplary screenshot for setting alert preferences;
- Figure 36 is an exemplary screenshot for setting alert thresholds;
- Figure 37 is an exemplary screenshot showing the status of various tests;
- Figure 38 is an exemplary screenshot of the morphing capabilities being linked to the enhanced scheduling module; and, - Figure 39 is an exemplary screenshot of a scheduling calendar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, Figure 2 shows a block diagram of an exemplary preferred embodiment of an improved jukebox system 10'. The jukebox system 10' includes similar elements as shown in Figure 1 and described above, including a central server 12, communications network 14, and remote jukebox devices 16, 16a-16f. However, the jukebox system 10' further includes local servers 22, 22a-22f respectively connected to each of the jukebox devices 16, 16a-16f.
The central server 12 includes a master library of songs (and/or other content).
Each of the jukebox devices includes a subset of the master library on a local storage device of the jukebox. The central server may be used to individually manage the contents of the jukebox device, by monitoring usage of and updating the subset of songs on each of the jukebox devices with the intent of maximizing the usage thereof. The central server 12 periodically receives data from each of the jukeboxes for the purpose of royalty accounting and payment for songs played. The jukebox devices may connect to the network in any suitable manner, such as dial-up modem or broadband modem (e.g., DSL, cable, wireless broadband, or satellite). The communications network 14 may be any suitable network capable of distributing data (e.g., audiovisual data) from the central server 12 to the jukeboxes 16 and enabling data to be uploaded from the jukeboxes 16 to the central server 12.

The songs (and/or other data) are preferably digitized, compressed and encrypted by the central server 12 prior to sending songs to the jukeboxes for security and bandwidth purposes using known techniques. The songs are then decompressed and decrypted by the jukeboxes for storage and reproduction thereon.
Thus, each of the jukeboxes maintains in a database a library of digitized songs for play on the jukebox, wherein the library can be changed or updated through communication by the central server. The jukeboxes preferably also receive and store data constituting images (e.g., still and/or moving video and/or graphical images) that can be displayed on the display 18 of the jukebox device 16. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the jukebox devices have similar structure and operation described in U.S. Patent No. 6,308,204 referenced above. Thus, the jukebox devices 16 each preferably include one or more microprocessors, such as a main CPU and an audio DSP, a memory, such as a hard drive, for storing songs and/or other content, a display of displaying visual items, an audio arrangement 20 for providing audio, a communication system for enabling the jukebox to 5 communicate with the central server 12 through the communications network 14, and operating software, preferably including a multitasking operating system, that controls the operation of the jukebox. The operating software is also preferably updateable through communication with the central server 12 as described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 6,308,204 referenced above. The jukeboxes 16 further 10 include one or more payment devices, such as coin, bill and/or credit card input devices, for enabling a customer to pay for usage of the jukebox device in a convenient manner. The screen 18 is preferably a touch screen that enables the user to input selections by touching the screen, Each jukebox device has, in one embodiment, a local server 22 that can be 15 accessed by the jukebox device. The local servers are respectively connected to the jukebox devices using Ethernet or other type of local connection. In another embodiment, the local server may simply be a logical extension (e.g.
partition, directory, or area) of the jukebox's hard drive, rather than a separate hardware device.
The local servers 22 each preferably include a mirror copy of the master library of musical recordings maintained by the central server 12. The local server 22 can be loaded with the master library by the entity that owns and/or controls the jukebox network prior to shipping the local server and jukebox device to the jukebox distributor or operator. Of course, over time, the local sever will no longer correspond identically to the central server, due to the fact that the central server is preferably continually updated with additional or new songs. Thus, the local servers 22 are also preferably updated periodically to maintain a correspondence with the library on the central server 12. This updating can be done, for example, by the central server 12 through communication with the jukebox devices connected with the local servers 22 using, for example, either dial-up or broadband modems.
Alternatively, the updating can be done personally with an update tool that can be connected by a routeman or other person directly to the jukebox or local server for the purpose of updating the contents of the local server. The portable tool could include a removable storage medium, such as a hard drive, that could be returned to and reused by the owner of the jukebox system for future updates. The tool itself could be kept by the operator or other person in charge of maintaining specific jukeboxes for use upon receipt of the updated removable storage medium from the owner of the jukebox system.

For security reasons, the local server 22 preferably does not include all of the digital data that constitutes any one song that is stored on the local server 22. In addition, the part of the song that is on the local server is encrypted. The jukebox device 16 contains the missing part of each of the songs on the local server, thereby enabling the jukebox to assemble the complete song based on the contents of the local server and the memory on the jukebox device. The missing data located on the jukebox is needed in order to decrypt the songs. For example, a single block (or other small fraction) of data for each song may be missing on the local server but present on the jukebox device, and the encryption may be based on the missing block and may proceed on a block by block basis. Thus, none of the blocks can be decrypted without obtaining and/or decrypting a preceding block. This feature provides significant security and prevents or deters theft or other type of unauthorized use or copying of the songs on the local server. Thus, in this embodiment, each local server must be specifically assigned to a specific jukebox device so that the decryption described above can be properly performed.

In accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment, the local servers may also each be individually registered with and identified to the central server 12, so that the central server can individually manage and monitor each local server.
The same is true for the jukebox device itself, i.e., it may also preferably be registered with the central server so that it too can be individually monitored and managed by the central server. As will be understood from the foregoing description, the local servers become an important and advantageous part of the jukebox system by allowing the contents thereof to be accessed by the jukebox device to provide additional services (such as providing additional songs) not available on the jukebox device itself. As will be explained below, the song library of the central server and/or the storage capacity itself can be advantageously used to provide services to other jukeboxes, such as fee-based residential and commercial jukeboxes and/or other fee-based equipment. One preferred use of the local servers may be to provide an immediate song downloading feature for the jukebox device will now be described below in detail with reference to the exemplary screen shots of Figures 3-6.

Figure 3 shows an exemplary screen shot for a music selection screen 30 as displayed on the touch display of the jukebox device. As can be seen in Figure 3, this selection screen, which is preferably the initial selection screen displayed to a customer, includes graphical representations 32 of the various album covers for songs that are stored in the memory of the jukebox device. The albums covers are shown in alphabetical order and the virtual slide bar 33 can be used to scroll through the available albums. Up and down arrows (34 and 35) are also provided for stepping through the available albums. A "Now Playing" button 36 is also provided for showing information on the song currently playing on the jukebox (if any). A
"Top Ten" button 38 is also provided for showing a list of the ten most popular songs on the jukebox. A "Tune Central" (TM of TouchTunes Music Corporation) button 39 is also provided, the function of which will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 4.

If the user does not see an album of interest in the display of album covers or desires for any reason to search for available songs that are not present on the jukebox device, the user may select the "Tune Central" button 39. When the "Tune Central"
button is pressed, the display on the jukebox is changed from that of Figure 3 to that of Figure 4. The exemplary screen shot of Figure 4 shows a search screen 40 which enables a search to be performed on the local server 22 connected to the jukebox device. This screen 40 provides a virtual keyboard 42 for use in entering a search request. The search can be done by album, artist, song, or genres or themes (i.e.
categorized lists of songs, preferably based on popularity, that help a user find a particular song), based on the associated buttons 47. Once a search is typed, the user touches the "Search" button 44 and a search of the contents of the local server is initiated. Input from the virtual keyboard can be cleared using the "Clear"
button 46.

Genres may comprise, for example, "pop," "rock," "country," "rap," "R&B,"
"Blues," etc. Themes may comprise, for example, "Christmas," "Irish,"
"Birthday,"
etc. In some exemplary embodiments, these lists can be retrieved from the server, while in other exemplary embodiments the lists may be built dynamically, based on, for example, certain parameters. In still other embodiments, the server may select which lists to enable or send to the jukebox based on criteria, such as, for example, location, music type, etc. A system might only display genres and/or themes for which music is downloaded. However, a system might display all genres and/or themes and enable download of other songs not available to the local jukebox.
It also will be appreciated that although FIG. 4C, discussed in detail below, shows the genres and themes on the same screen, other embodiments may present them separately.

FIG. 4C is an exemplary screen shot showing a non-limiting list of genres and themes available to a user in accordance with one illustrative embodiment.
Buttons 450 arranged on the left side of the screen correspond to themes available to a user, while buttons 460 arranged on the right side of the screen correspond to genres available to a user. Button 470 exits this selection mechanism. It will be appreciated that other arrangements of the buttons are available, and that the list of themes and genres provided is for non-limiting, illustrative purposes only.

Similar to the genres and themes search, a user may, for example, search for a song using a Personal Music Assistant, an exemplary process for which is shown in Figure 4A. Preferably, after pressing a Personal Assistant button (step 402), the jukebox would ask certain information to identify the user if the user is not already identified (step 404). Such information could include, for example, age (or date of birth), preferred style, background, place of birth, or other information that could be used to generate a profile of the user. The jukebox then preferably could compare the profile information to selections made by other users with similar profiles (step 406) from, for example, the specific jukebox, the particular establishment, or a national database and recommend songs (step 408). For example, the jukebox might suggest a song by "The Doors" to a male user from California who was born in 1960. The user could then choose a song from that list or initiate a new search (step 410).

Furthermore, instead of entering identifiers, as shown in Figure 4B, the Persona! Music Assistant could recognize a user in other ways (step 422), such as, for example, after a credit card or a pre-programmed site-specific identification card is swiped by the jukebox. Preferably, the Personal Music Assistant would maintain a list of selections made by the user. The user's list of selections could be maintained, for example, on a local jukebox terminal, on a site's central jukebox server, on a remote server, or on an identification card, etc. After the Personal Music Assistant recognizes the user, it could then recommend songs based on, for example, songs by the artists the particular user enjoys (step 426), songs played frequently by the user (428), songs not heard recently by the user (430), etc, Additionally, a Personal Music Assistant recognizing, for example, a preferred customer or a customer with a large number of credits might morph the jukebox into a jukebox more enjoyable to that specific user. In a related feature, certain patrons may "rent" a jukebox for, for example, a special occasion.
Accordingly, a patron could pay a certain amount of money to morph the jukebox into a particular type of jukebox. For example, a patron having a party (e.g.
a birthday party) at a particular location could rent a jukebox and morph it into a jukebox that allows only that patron's favorite songs. In another related feature, a patron could exclusively rent a jukebox and prevent others from selecting songs by, for example, programming a playlist through another device (e.g. the web or other communications network operably connected to the jukebox system) or by restricting access to the jukebox through a password or the like. Credits could be, for example, purchased by the user; or given to the user as a reward, for example, for purchasing drinks or souvenirs at an establishment, or for being a regular repeat customer. Thus, a Personal Music Assistant could be implemented in a manner that makes selecting songs a more enjoyable, dynamic, and responsive process while removing the immediate pressure placed on the user to know which song to choose.

When a search is initiated from screen 40, the screen changes to that shown in Figure 5 to display the results of the search. As shown in Figure 5, the results of the search are listed. More particularly, in this example, a list of songs that satisfy the search request are listed. The list could also be by album if the search was album based. The user can scroll through the search results using slide bar 53. The user is also shown a display 55 of the number of current credits and a display 56 of the 5 number of credits that are required to download a song from the local server to the jukebox device. The user can go back to the previous screen by touching the "Back"
button 57. If the user selects a song from the search list and then touches the "Get It Now" button 54, the jukebox is operable to immediately download the selected song from the local server to the jukebox for play on the jukebox. The downloaded song 10 can be queued up with any other selected but unplayed songs (if any) for play on the Jukebox. In this example, the download costs five credits instead of one credit like a normal selection from the storage of the jukebox itself. Once the downloaded song is played, it may be deleted from the jukebox device (together with any graphical data, such as the album cover graphic) that was also downloaded from the local server in 15 connection with the song download). Preferably, however, the song will be kept in a "smart cache" to determine if and/or when the song should be deleted. For example, the song may be cached for a predefined period (e.g. a day, a week, two weeks, etc.) while the jukebox monitors plays of the song. If the number of plays are above a certain threshold for the predefined period, for example, the song may be kept: if the 20 number of plays is below the threshold, the song may be deleted. The song may or may not be added to the master list of readily available songs, depending on the specific embodiment of the invention - e.g. the song in "smart cache" may appear as if it is not readily available to the user while in fact it is stored on the jukebox in, for example, a protected area. In this way, the user has the option, through use of the "Tune Central" button, to temporarily obtain on the jukebox any song from the master library of recordings without the need to contact the central server 12. As a result, the jukebox provides a more enjoyable experience for the user, while also increasing revenue generated thereby.

Also providing an enjoyable experience for the user is the central servers' capability to identify "hot hits," preferably in real-time. Preferably, new songs could be made available in a master catalog - that is, they need not reside on local servers or expanded media storage. Then, songs played frequently in a given area (ranging from, for example, a single site or group of sites, to a state or country, to a global connection) could be identified as popular. These songs, or "hot hits,"
preferably could be downloaded by, or sent to, individual jukeboxes. Individual jukeboxes preferably would maintain lists of "hot hits" in real-time, allowing users to search through the most popular songs at any given time. Alternatively, a jukebox might maintain a list of "hot hits" without downloading the popular songs, thereby potentially saving download time and resources. As a result, the jukebox could provide an enjoyable experience for the user by providing easy access to the most popular songs. Thus, a jukebox may have access to a "hot list" of "hot hits"
generated by a jukebox, jukeboxes, designated by an operator, created automatically and/or especially for enabled jukeboxes, etc. This "hot list" may work as an alternative to themes and/or genres, and/or it may function with themes and/or genres to provide the most popular ("hot") songs within a given theme and/or genre.
Similarly, a user also may select a song from a list of recently played songs.
Such a list may be maintained (e.g., stored and updated) on an individual jukebox, or it may be maintained at a central location so as to be accessible and/or updatable by any suitably configured jukebox device.

Figure 5A shows an exemplary process for maintaining a "hot list" on a jukebox with a broadband connection. It should be noted that the same process could apply for a system with a different type of connection, though more time and resources may be used to download a song over a slower connection. In step 502, songs from a master catalog are received by a site's central server. Of course, it should be noted that songs could be stored to a local jukebox's storage media.
In step 504, a user using a jukebox terminal would select a "Hot List" button.
After the "Hot List" is displayed (step 506), the user could select a particular song or initiate a new search (508).

Figure 6 shows another exemplary screen shot of a song selection screen 60 that is displayed when a user touches an album cover graphic from the screen 30 of Figure 3. Thus, this screen shows an alternative (or typical) method of selecting a song, wherein the song is selected directly from the subset of songs that are directly available from the storage device of the jukebox itself (rather than the local server).
In this example, Joe Cocker's Greatest Hits was selected from the screen of Figure 3.
As shown in Figure 6, the resulting screen display 60 shows the selected album graphic 61 and a list of the songs 62 that are available on the jukebox for that album.
The jukebox may or may not include all of the songs for a particular album.
The available songs can be scrolled through if necessary using scroll bars 63a and 63b.
The user has the option, through the "Play" button 65, to select a song from the list for play on the jukebox. A "Play Now" button 66 is also provided for enabling the user to select a priority play of the song, thereby giving the song a higher priority than songs selected using the "Play" button 65. This priority feature preferably requires more play credits than the normal play. A display 67 shows the number of credits available for the user. Button 64 shows other albums for the same artist being shown at 61, thereby enabling a user to easily search through the albums for a particular artist for a desired song.

As also shown in Figure 6, a "Tune Central" button 68 is displayed that enables the user to search for songs by this same artist on the local server, as explained in connection with Figure 4. In other words, button 68 takes the user to the search screen 40 of Figure 4 for searching the local server. The user can then proceed to search the local server and select songs therefrom, if desired, as described above in connection with Figures 4 and 5. Thus, as explained above, the user can access the local server at various screens in a convenience and efficient manner, depending on the desires of the user when interacting with the jukebox screen.

As can be seen from Figures 3-6, the user is provided with the option of playing songs that are resident on the jukebox device itself or, alternatively, selecting songs from the local server for download and play in an efficient and reliable manner, thereby significantly improving the operation of jukebox systems, particularly those that cannot quickly, easily or reliably receive downloads of music on demand from a central server. It is noted that the screen shots of Figures 3-6 are only exemplary and any suitable screen configurations can be used to provide the functionality described herein. In addition, the jukebox operator is provided with the ability through operator screens (not shown) to set filters per genre or style of music in order to limit access to the end user and avoid undesirable music being played at a specific location. For example, these features preferably are available through schedules defined by a jukebox operator and/or location manager, enabling, for example, a location manager to prevent hard rock or heavy metal music to be played before 1 lam. The same features can be used, for example, by operators or location managers to configure playlists and/or set the available music selections for particular dates and/or times.
For example, operators or location managers may wish to restrict musical selections to Irish music on Saint Patrick's Day, love songs on Valentine's Day, Frank Sinatra music during dinner hours, etc.

In still other exemplary embodiments, a location might provide a "Virtual DJ."
According to one such system, a prepared playlist would be provided to the jukeboxes of a location. Preferably, the playlist can be tailored to the details of the location and/or the event to take place, such as, for example, locale, theme, target audience, etc. Furthermore, some illustrative playlists could be created by famous DJs to attract patrons. DJs could attach their names to playlists and associate themselves with various locations, even though they are not present. A playlist might extend for several songs or for several hours, depending on the needs of the location. It is to be appreciated that coinage need not be collected during such a Virtual DJ event, as a special fee can be associated with the service of using a special playlist. It also is to be appreciated that DJs may prepare special playlists for one-time use, or they may make available repeatable special playlists. These repeatable playlists may, for example, be downloaded by jukeboxes or provided to the jukebox in any suitable manner. Thus, making third part playlists available for use on the jukebox for a fee provides a whole new revenue source for the jukebox operators, location owners and playlist generators, such as well-known DJs or the like. When a playlist is made active, the normal functions of the jukebox are preferably stopped during play of the songs on the playlist.

Figure 7 shows a block diagram of the electronic elements that define the local server 22 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the local server 22 includes a CPU 72 (e.g., AMD Elan 800 MHz), a flash memory (e.g., 8MB) containing the BIOS and OS, a pair of master/slave hard drives (82, 84 and 86, 88, respectively), a pair of IDE controllers 78 and 80 for the hard drive pairs respectively, a RAM 16 (e.g., 32MB), an Ethernet controller for controlling communication with the jukebox device 16, and the appropriate buses interconnecting the various elements. Of course, other configurations or arrangements for the local server 22 may be used. A unique identifier may be provided in the local server for enabling the local server to be uniquely identified and registered by the jukebox and/or central server. The identifier may, for example, be located in the flash memory 74.

As will be appreciated from the description of the invention above, the addition of the local server significantly enhances the operation of the jukebox devices that are part of a jukebox system. However, the local servers also provide other benefits and features that will now be described.

A collection of local servers 22 may be used as a network of distributed servers that can be controlled by the central server 12 through its associated jukebox device 16 to provide music services to other devices. For example, the local servers and associated jukebox can be used to deliver requested songs to a dedicated residential or commercial jukebox device (or other suitable jukebox device) in addition to providing song services to the specific jukebox to which it is connected and assigned. Thus, the network of distributed servers can provide a support network for implementing residential and commercial jukeboxes of the type which allow a user to download songs for reproduction and/or storage at a residential or commercial location for an appropriate fee. As a result, the jukebox system operator can provide and control commercial jukeboxes and well as residential jukeboxes through the jukebox system. In this embodiment, the jukebox device and/or local server are connected to the Internet (or other suitable network) using a broadband modem and is provided with software that can selectively deliver song files to any dedicated residential jukebox device (also connectable to the Internet) under control of the central server. The central server receives requests from a residential jukebox and, by analyzing traffic on the network, provides instructions to a selected jukebox device to download the requested song file (either from its memory or from the local server) to the residential jukebox for a fee or under a subscription plan for the residential jukebox. In certain exemplary embodiments, requested songs may be streamed to a jukebox. It will be appreciated that streamed media may originate at a dedicated server, a network of streaming servers, from a jukebox or jukeboxes (such as peer-to-peer or multipeer downloading), etc.

5 In accordance with another exemplary aspect of the invention, the local server and jukebox device are used, under control of the central server, to provide management services for other types of coin operated or payment triggered equipment, such as gaming devices, installed in the same location as (or in close proximity to) the jukebox. In other words, the jukebox system is preferably used to 10 update the functionality of and/or manage other downloading devices present in the same location. As a result, the jukebox becomes a "central hub" for all downloading equipment in a location. This feature is achieved, in one embodiment, by networking all of the downloading devices in a single location together with the jukebox and local file server. The central server can then download information to the local server 15 together with instructions to the jukebox as to which devices should updated with what data and/or software. The jukebox device and central server can also be used to collect information from the other downloading devices to which it is managing and upload that information to the central server for reporting/accounting purposes.
Thus, the owner/operator of the jukebox system can act as a third party service 20 provider to other coin-op companies for the purpose of managing and/or updating their equipment, The large amounts of memory provided by the local servers and the fact that they are provided and accessible at thousands of locations over a well controlled network, turns the jukebox system into a powerful tool that can be used to perform a 25 variety of functions in the coin-op industry. More and more coin-op manufacturers are going towards games that are software upgradeable through their internal hard drives. These updates are done periodically, but as these devices increase there will be an ever increasing need for a system that can reliably and efficiently perform the updates from a remote location. The jukebox system described herein satisfies this need by enabling all suitable electronic coin-op devices at a jukebox location to be managed by the central server using the jukebox and local server at the location. The central server can download software or data updates, store them on the local server and then dispatch the updates to the intended units of equipment in the establishment. Thus, the jukebox system can act as a third party service provider to other companies in the coin-op business, thereby significantly enhancing the functionality of the jukebox system.

As an example, there are currently about 140,000 Merit coin-operated countertop devices in the USA, each of which enables users to play games and the like for a fee. Many of these devices operate with a hard drive that can be upgraded with new software. Merit does this by shipping CD-ROMs to operators who then need to drive to each location and manually update each machine. In accordance with the instant invention, however, all suitable coin-op equipment at a location are connected (directly or indirectly) with the local jukebox and local server assigned thereto. This enables the central server to receive the intended software update for any device, together with information that identifies what devices are to be upgraded with what software. The upgrade services are preferably fee based and. provide an additional revenue stream for the jukebox system. The central server then downloads the software to the local servers with the upgrade instructions to further download the upgrades to the appropriate device(s).

As explained above, the local server enables songs to be downloaded to a commercial jukebox to which it is assigned or to residential jukeboxes under control of the central server. In addition, the local servers can be used for an on-premise networked application which manages other coin-op devices. These various features of the instant invention are illustrated in Figure 8.

Figure 8 shows a block diagram of a complete jukebox system network as contemplated by an exemplary embodiment. As explained above, the system includes a central server 12 connected to a communications network 14, a series of commercial jukeboxes 16a, 16b and 1.6c with associated local music file servers 22a, 22b and 22c, a series of residential jukeboxes 100a, 100b and 100c connected to the network via broadband devices 102a, 102b and 102c, and an on-premise network shown on the right hand side of Figure 8. This on-premise network includes a jukebox device 16d connected via a router or network, hub 110 to a local file server 22d, a number of additional coin-op equipment, such as a dart game 104, a golf game 106 and a countertop videogame 108, and a broadband modem 112 connecting this local network to the communications network 14. With this exemplary configuration as shown in Figure 8 all of the functionality described herein can be implemented through the jukebox system of the instant invention.

Figure 9 shows an overhead view of an exemplary establishment layout for a multi-zone jukebox system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the establishment has three zones 121, 123, 125. Each zone is equipped with its own set of speakers 127, 129, 131, which are operably connected to the jukebox 133. Different music may be played simultaneously in all three zones 121, 123, 125 and all the music may be played from a single jukebox 133. The jukebox 133 may be provided with additional hardware, as needed, to allow this implementation.

Alternatively, the user may elect to have a song played in more than one of the zones 121, 123, 125 simultaneously, or in more than one of the zones at different times. The user may have to pay additional credits to implement either of these features. A preferred embodiment of a multi-zone system could play music at a high quality in the different zones using the system described in application Serial No.
11/023,390, filed December 29, 2004, entitled "Wireless Digital Transmission System for Loudspeakers," which is a continuation in part of Serial No. 09/161,584, filed on September 28, 1998. The entire contents of both applications is incorporated herein by reference, Using this system, for example, a jukebox could compress and transmit audio data through AC power lines to an addressable location, where it could be received, decompressed, converted, and played. In fact, any of the jukebox components herein could be implemented in a manner that uses AC power lines as a communication network for operation.

It is to be appreciated that Wireless Digital Transmission System can be used for other purposes in other embodiments where data needs to be sent between two or more devices. For example, this system could be used to configure dummy terminals.
In such an embodiment, the Wireless Digital Transmission System could be used to send information such as, for example, whether to morph, what songs are appropriate given a particular morphing of the jukebox, the zones in which selected music should be played, maximum volume levels, etc, in addition to sending music to the speaker systems. The operator may also restrict what kind of music is available in a given zone, based on the type of activity in the zone, the time of day, or any other suitable selection criteria. For example, in Figure 9, zone three 125 is a restaurant.
Restaurant patrons may not wish to listen to the same type of music as someone in zone one 121, which is a bar room in Figure 9, or in zone two 123, which is a pool room. The operator may recognize this and restrict the type of music that can be played in zone three 125. Alternatively, the operator may restrict the volume of the music in any given zone. For example, patrons of a pool room 123 or a restaurant section 125 may not want the music as loud as it is desired to be in the bar room 121.
And maybe the restaurant section 121 is to be kept quieter even than the pool room 123. The owner can adjust and control all suitable settings to provide the most versatile, patron friendly environment in each of the zones, based on any suitable criteria.

Figure 10 shows an overhead view of an exemplary establishment layout for a multi-zone jukebox system with selection terminals in each zone. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the bar has three zones 121, 123, 125. Each zone is equipped with its own set of speakers 127, 129, 131, which are operably connected to the jukebox 133. Different music may be played simultaneously in all three zones 121, 123, 125 and all the music may be played from a single jukebox 133. The jukebox 133 may be provided with additional hardware to allow this implementation.

In the embodiment of Figure 10 there are also one or more "dummy" terminals 137, 139 located throughout the establishment. An exemplary illustrative dummy terminal could use X-server technology. These terminals 137, 139, which may be stand alone devices or may be provided as part of the interface on a gaming machine or other suitable device with a digital display, allow selection of songs from the jukebox 133 for the zone in which they are located (or possibly other zones).
These terminals 137, 139 duplicate the zone restrictions imposed on the main jukebox interface and selection criteria. The terminals 137, 139 may be restricted to only allowing selection of music for play in the zone where each respective terminal is located, or they may allow selection for play in one or more different zones.
Additionally, the graphical interface of the terminals 137, 139 may change in accordance with available selections, themes of the bar, themes of the room in which each terminal is located, or any other suitable criteria.

Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an exemplary implementation of a zone selection process for a multi-zone jukebox system. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the jukebox first begins the transaction 141 with the user. The user is instructed to select a song 143, and select one or more zones 145 in which the song is to be played. The jukebox then determines the price based on the number of zones selected 147. The jukebox accepts payment from the user 149 and queues the song for play in the selected zone or zones 151. Next, the jukebox checks to see if the user would like to select another song 153. If the user wants another song, the process returns to the select song step 143 and repeats from there. If the user is finished making selections, the process ends 155.

Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an exemplary implementation of a priority play by zone selection process for a multi-zone jukebox system. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, certain jukebox systems may be provided with one or more priority queues corresponding to one or more zones. If priority play is provided for a zone or zones, the jukebox first checks to see if the user would like to select priority play for the selected song 161. If priority play is selected, the jukebox then provides an option for the user to choose a zone or zones in which priority play should occur 163. Based on the number of zones selected for priority play, the jukebox determines a price 165, and accepts payment of that price 167 from the user.
The jukebox then places the song in a priority play queue for each selected zone 169.
Figure 13 shows an exemplary implementation of a multi-zone set of priority and non-priority queues, with a subset of queues for each zone. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, each of N zones 171 may be provided with its own set of queues, comprising a priority queue 175 and a non-priority queue 173. A list of songs selected for play is maintained within each queue 173, 175. Each song in each queue may be provided with an identifier 177, 179, which identifies the song, and/or the position of the song in the queue, and/or any other suitable factors.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the songs in a queue also may be reordered for other reasons. For example, the songs may be reordered to smooth 5 transitions between songs, thus providing better (e.g., more aurally pleasing, less abrupt, more smooth, etc.) end-to-beginning playback of the songs. Thus, in certain exemplary embodiments, a method for altering the order of playback songs is provided. In such a process, the "color" of the song may be determined for two or more songs in the play list. The color of a song relates to characteristics of the song, 10 such as, for example, the volume, rhythm, beat, tempo, etc. of the song.
After the color determination, the colors may be compared, and the songs may be reordered to group like (or dislike) songs. Optionally, the color of the song(s) may be determined and also may be used to control lighting, displays, etc. to provide a more interactive experience.

15 Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an exemplary distribution and initialization scheme for a jukebox with morph capability. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the contents of a factory drive are defined at the point of manufacture 181. This same drive (or expanded media storage) may be shipped out with all jukeboxes 183, and may, for example, only contain a subset of the total number of 20 songs available on the central server. This feature simplifies the manufacturing process by enabling the identical drive to be shipped with all jukeboxes. Once the jukebox containing the drive has reached its destination, the operator may select a subset of songs on the drive as the basic playable list 185. This selection can be made based on the type of establishment, the type of music the establishment's 25 patrons typically prefer, or any-other suitable criteria. The operator may also allow the central server to recommend a basic playable list. The drive may also allow selection of songs not on the basic list, but present on the factory drive, for an additional fee 187. This list of "alternate" songs might not include all songs however, as the operator might desire to restrict access to songs that don't meet the theme of 30 the establishment. For example, a country bar owner might not ever want to allow selection of rap or hip-hop songs on the jukebox. In certain exemplary embodiments, a jukebox will ship with a large number of songs (e.g. 25,000 songs) on a very large storage medium, such as, for example, a hard drive, flash media, etc. The jukebox according to this embodiment would be without a "personality" until an operator and/or owner selected a subset of all songs to make available to patrons. In this way, operators and/or owners can define "personalities" for their jukeboxes through definition of the basic playable list.

Once the songs on the drive have been appropriately categorized (i.e. the basic playable list has been defined), the jukebox begins operation 189. As long as a new basic playable list is not desired 191, the jukebox continues to operate 189 with the currently selected basic playable list. If a new basic playable list is desired 191, the jukebox morphs 193 into a "new" jukebox, selecting a different playable subset of songs for basic selection 185, and preferably changing additional characteristics (e.g., graphics, ads, look and feel, etc.) of the jukebox as dictated by the morph.
The ability to morph jukeboxes thus enables owners and/or operators to maintain a single jukebox with a plurality of triggerable personalities which can be switched between automatically, at pre-defined events/times, manually, etc.

Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an exemplary implementation of an automatic jukebox morph initiation process based on a triggering event. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the user may define an event 201, for example a themed night or a time of day, as a triggering event which triggers a jukebox morph. The jukebox then operates as normal 203, checking periodically to see if the triggering event occurs 205. If the triggering event has not occurred, the jukebox simply continues to operate 203, but if the triggering event occurs, the jukebox is morphed into a "new" jukebox. The triggering events may be one time events, or they may be scheduled to occur weekly, daily, monthly or scheduled based on any other suitable criteria. It should be noted that in a multi-zone configuration, different zones may be morphed while others do not change. This feature of the illustrative embodiments allows, for example, a given zone or zones to be dedicated to a certain kind of music while the other(s) may vary based on any variety of factors, such as the time of day, an owner's desire to change the music, or a user's request.

Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an exemplary implementation of a jukebox morphing process. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, when the jukebox begins morphing 211, it selects a new subset of songs to be the basic playable list 213. The jukebox then allows some or all of the remaining songs on the jukebox to be selected for an enhanced fee 215. Some of the remaining songs may be restricted based on what triggered the morph. Other characteristics of the jukebox may also change 217, for example, the user interface may be changed, and different advertising may be displayed which corresponds with the predicted tastes of the crowd for which the jukebox has been morphed. Other suitable changes may also be made.
In one example of a preferred embodiment, a club owner has a hip-hop night on Wednesdays, beginning at 9:00 pm and ending at 4:00 am. At 9:00 pm on Wednesdays, the jukebox morphs into a hip-hop jukebox, with a basic selection of appropriate music. In accordance with the morph, the jukebox blocks all access to genres of music such as country music, classic rock, jazz, blues and oldies, and the jukebox limits the available selection of hard rock additional songs to "hip-hop-esque" hard rock songs. The graphics on the jukebox convert to edgy, urban graphics, and the advertising changes accordingly, displaying products such as apparel, drinks, and goods which should appeal to the hip-hop crowd. At 4:00 am, the jukebox morphs back into the "standard" jukebox for that club, or into any other suitable jukebox. Alternatively, the jukebox may remain set in hip-hop mode until the next triggering event occurs. Again, it should be noted that in a multi-zone configuration, different zones may be morphed while others do not change. In the above exemplary non-limiting embodiments, the system might morph into hip-hop in one zone for the night, while the "standard" music for the club remains playing in another area. Figure 16A is an exemplary screen shot showing how a morph of a jukebox can be initiated in one preferred embodiment. Area 160 is blank to indicate that no selections have been made. A user will select a morphing option by choosing, in this exemplary embodiment, for example, either TouchTunes Master button 162, Dynamic Master button 164, or Clone a Location button 166. It is to be appreciated that other embodiments may provide further morphing options in place of or in addition to the aforementioned buttons. In this embodiment, pressing the TouchTunes Master button 162 will populate area 160 with a list of master selections pre-selected by the TouchTunes music department. These master selections may include, for example, collections of specific songs (e.g.. all songs by British bands, all songs by a particular artist, etc.), ratios of particular themes or genres (e.g., a mix of 75 percent Hip-Hop and 10 percent Pop, 10 percent Rock, and 5 percent techno for a particular dance club feel, etc.), etc. A user may peruse the list using slider bar 170.
Once the user is satisfied, pressing Morph It button 168 will morph the jukebox. It is to be appreciated that pressing the Morph It button 168 may trigger an immediate morph, or it may save the morph and instead initiate it at a predefined trigger time. It also is to be appreciated that morphing data may be stored for morphing the jukebox on which the selection was made or any number of connected jukebox terminals.

Pressing Dynamic Master button 164 is one exemplary, non-limiting way of providing increased user control over the morph. Figure 16B is another exemplary screen shot showing how a user can specify various criteria before a morph of a jukebox in one preferred embodiment. A discussion of the buttons with identical numbers in FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B is omitted. Designations for the genres and/or themes of music are provided, such as, for example, Rap label 172. To specify a given percentage of music to be played, a user may press increase button 174 or decrease button 176. The amount of music selected, for that particular genre or theme will appear in a theme music amount area 178, while details about the total amount of music selected will appear in total music amount area 180. In a preferred embodiment, a user may specify percentages of a genre and/or theme to play.
For example, a user may select only 100 percent Country music for a country night.
Alternatively, as another non-limiting example, a user may select a mix of World and Latin music for an international feel. It is to be appreciated that although a preferred embodiment uses percentages, other embodiments may use different measures for specifying how many of which type of music should play, such as, for example, the number of songs in a given category, the amount of playtime in a given theme and/or genre, etc. It also is to be appreciated that in other embodiments, a user need not use the buttons to increase or decrease the amount of music; that is, in other embodiments, a user may directly input the amount of music via an input mechanism.

Thus, it is to be appreciated that morphing may be defined and/or triggered by a remote device operably connected to a jukebox, When a user presses Clone a Location button 166 (e.g., from FIG. 16A or FIG.
16B), the jukebox displays a list of the jukebox devices, preferably including a unique identifier for each jukebox device. In other embodiments, however, the list may include, for example, other locations owned by the same owner of the present location, etc. After selecting the jukebox terminal, the present jukebox could morph into that jukebox. Alternatively, the jukebox selected could morph into the present jukebox, thus providing, for example, remote morphing. Still alternatively, the list might include information about non-digital jukeboxes that exist in addition to the digital jukeboxes preferred by the exemplary embodiments. This morphing feature can allow users to replace existing jukeboxes quickly and easily by allowing the new jukebox to morph into an older jukebox that is being replaced, such as a conventional record, CD or digital jukebox. Additionally, operators who maintain multiple jukeboxes may, for example, apply a route-based cloning and/or morphing process to provide, for example, a custom or particularized, set of songs.

Still further, a user can morph a location based on a location's data, specific to, for example, a given date or the latest data known. This allows users to morph a jukebox based on, for example, the popularity of a given morph - e.g., users may choose to revert to a successful morph to try to recreate the entertainment of that evening. This feature also enables users to recover from hard drive crashes and/or other jukebox failures. For example, if a hard drive has been replaced after an old one crashes, a user may morph (or clone) an existing location at a given date and/or time before the crash to restore the songs that were available before the crash because, preferably, the server maintains information sufficient for this functionality.
Thus, using the morphing function gives users increased control while also providing backup and restoration features.

Figure 17 shows the relationship between a jukebox with expanded media storage and a central server. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the central server 221 contains a master library of songs, such library comprising all songs that are currently available to be downloaded and all songs currently installed on jukebox hard drives. The central server may communicate 222 with the remote jukebox 225 containing a local hard drive 223. The hard drive 223 on the jukebox may have several sections, including available space for downloads 227, space occupied by preloaded songs 228, and space for software and an operating system 5 229. Additional suitable sections may be added, for example, a section containing different pictures for altering the GUI. The jukebox 225 may communicate with the central server 221 to download songs, upload usage information, update software, and perform any other suitable functions.

Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process for a song selection 10 process when a song is not in the "standard" available playable song list.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the user first selects a song 231.
The jukebox checks to see if the song is available on the local hard drive as a"non-standard" selection 233. If the song is available on the local hard drive, the jukebox charges the customer the price set for obtaining and playing a non-standard song 235 15 and plays the song 237 (or adds it to a playlist, when appropriate).

If the song is not available on the local hard drive, the jukebox checks to see if a high-speed connection to the central server is available 239. If there is no high-speed connection, the jukebox informs the user that the song is temporarily unavailable 241 and orders the song for download 243. The jukebox may or may not 20 charge an additional amount for ordering the song. If, however, there is an available high-speed connection to the central server, the jukebox orders the song immediately and uses the high-speed connection to download the song right away, queuing it up for playing 245. The jukebox then charges the customer the price of a non-standard selection 247. In certain exemplary embodiments, a jukebox may retrieve songs 25 offline, either after a location closes or before it opens. In certain exemplary embodiments, a jukebox may immediately download a song over a dedicated line with a dial-up connection. In certain other exemplary embodiments, a song may be downloaded from another jukebox (or other jukeboxes) rather than from a central or limited database to reduce network strain. In certain exemplary embodiments, the 30 jukebox may download songs via a distributed media service in which portions of a given song may be downloaded from a plurality of sources and reassembled for the target jukebox. It is to be appreciated that such a peer-to-peer (or jukebox-to-jukebox) or multipeer (several jukeboxes to jukebox) digital downloading network will need to track song licensing information. In certain exemplary embodiments, if a song is not available on a jukebox but other versions or covers are available, the jukebox may recommend to these other songs to the searching user. For example, a user searching for an unavailable Trisha Yearwood version of "How Do I Live"
may be recommended available versions by Dolly Parton and/or LeAnn Rimes.
Preferably, recommendations will be smart enough to ignore similarly named songs that are completely different, such as, for example, the Everly Brothers' "Oh, Pretty Woman" and the Motley Crue's "Pretty Woman."

The factory drive explained above, combined with the morphing capabilities, eliminates the need for the local server explained above, as the factory drive can prove the same services as the local server, without the need for a separate hardware device. In other words, the factory drive embodiment herein enables a jukebox to be shipped with a single mass storage device of any technology (or multiple technologies and/or multiple devices acting as a single mass storage device), while still enabling a basic playable list to be defined, an expanded playable list to be defined, morphing capabilities, local server services to be provided, as well as all other features described herein. The content of the factory drive, as shipped, is preferably defined using historical, statistical information on customer preferences.
Figure 19 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process for a priority play queue with prioritization-based-on-bidding capability. According to an exemplary embodiment, the user first indicates that he would like priority play 251. The jukebox then displays the current status of the priority play queue 253. This display may include information such as how many songs are in the queue, what the top bid is, how much has been bid on each song, which songs are "locked in," and any other suitable information about the priority queue. The jukebox then allows the user to select how much additional money the user would like to pay to place his song in a particular spot on the priority list and accepts payment in the selected amount 255.
After accepting the payment 255, the jukebox places the song in a position on the priority list corresponding to the additional amount received from the user 257.

Alternatively, in another exemplary aspect of the illustrative embodiments, a user can bid on the right to have a song played before other songs previously selected for priority play are played. In a preferred embodiment, the user is shown the top price paid for a priority play, and can pay more than that price to obtain the highest priority available.

Another exemplary aspect of the illustrative embodiments does not allow a user to be shown how much anyone else has paid for priority. The user can pay however much the user desires to spend to obtain a priority ranking, and then receive a ranking of priority based on the amount paid.

In accordance with a further exemplary aspect of the illustrative embodiments, a user can pay however much the user desires to spend to obtain a priority ranking in accordance with the previous exemplary aspect, and then be shown the priority spot which has been obtained based on the paid amount. If this spot is not satisfactory to the user, the user can pay additional money to move the song up in priority ranking, and be shown the new priority ranking obtained based on the additional money paid. The user can repeat this process until the desired priority ranking has been obtained. The user can also pay additional money to make it harder for other users to pre-empt the selected priority spot on the list in a bidding-type situation. Any other suitable method of increased-pay-for-increased-priority may also be implemented, In accordance with an additional exemplary aspect of the illustrative embodiments which may provide a "lock in" feature, a user can "lock in" a priority ranking with a payment of a pre-selected amount. For example, if a user pays credits to obtain a ranking of 3`d in priority, and wishes to guarantee the third ranking, the user may pay, for example, 4 more credits to "lock in" the ranking. Since locking in the ranking may require the "lock in" of all the rankings above the user as well, the user may be required to pay a certain amount to "lock in" all songs above the user's selection. In one such situation, the user can either choose to pay the price quoted for the "lock in" or pay the same or a varying amount of credits in an attempt to prevent future over-bidding or to move the user's song up further in the priority list.

In accordance with another exemplary aspect of the illustrative embodiments, any of the aforementioned bidding strategies may be implemented, and the user may be shown how much everyone has paid for their particular rankings. This allows the user to know exactly how much he will have to pay to obtain a certain priority position. If the "lock in" feature is implemented, this will also let a user know if it is cheaper to pay the price to "lock in" the song or to pay to move up on the priority list.
All of these options result in increased revenue for the operator.

It should be noted that although the embodiments above describe a system for distributing media to non-movable jukeboxes, alternative embodiments using similar systems could distribute media to portable jukebox devices and are contemplated by, and within the scope and spirit of, this invention. A portable jukebox may be, for example, a PDA, a cell phone, or any other movable device capable of receiving and playing music. Furthermore, media may be distributed to portable jukeboxes using the above described methods (e.g. through a broadband connection, wireless connection, etc.), or any other appropriate method, more suited to the particular portable device, such as, for example, using Bluetooth technology.
Additionally, the jukeboxes described above typically are for commercial purposes. However, jukeboxes for other purposes such as, for example, playing residential media, also are contemplated by, and within the scope and spirit of, this invention.

In other exemplary embodiments, an employee of a location with a jukebox can be rewarded based on the number of plays customers pay for on the jukebox.
In one such exemplary embodiment, the system keeps count of how many plays have been paid for by customers. Every time a certain number of plays have been paid for, the bar employee receives one free play. In some embodiments, a separate counter will be maintained, while in other embodiments only one counter may be necessary to calculate the number of free plays available. Thus, certain exemplary embodiments encourage employees to promote the jukeboxes by compensating the employee with free plays. This also can help reduce the similarity of song-selection throughout the day, preserve free plays for employees of different shifts, etc.

Similarly, jukebox users may vote for particular instances of media to alter their priority in playlists. In this way, jukebox users can, for example, "battle" for control over the music to be played in a particular zone or particular zones within or among locations. It will be appreciated that this voting/battle mode may be implemented by using, for example, a dynamic queue, a priority queue, multiple queues, etc. It also will be appreciated that a jukebox could put into a voting mode automatically (e.g. at a particular time of day and/or on a particular day of the week), or it could be triggered manually. FIG. 19A is a flowchart showing an exemplary implementation of a jukebox voting process. Unlike conventional jukebox operations, or even jukebox bidding modes, a list of songs in a jukebox queue is displayed to users in step SI 902. This list may be generated automatically, by operators, bar managers, patrons at a bar, etc. The list could be displayed, for example, on a jukebox, or, more preferably, on one or more stand-alone monitors.
Additionally, in certain example embodiments, the list could be viewed by a plurality of mobile devices and/or terminals. Preferably, the information displayed contains at least the artists and names of coming songs, and a number associated with the priority of those songs. The list should be sorted by this number, so that the song with the most "votes" is displayed as the "next" song to be played, followed by the next highest song, etc. Step S1904 determines whether the currently playing song is over. If it is over, step S1906 removes it from the queue, and the next song is played in step SI 908. In another embodiment, users could vote to stop/skip the currently playing song (or instance of media) by, for example, exceeding the number of votes the song had before the jukebox started playing.

As users see the coming songs, they will be tempted to push up the songs they like so the songs and/or push down the songs they do not like. In general, the more users who vote, the greater the ambiance of good songs. Thus, after step SI
908, or in the case that the song is not over, the jukebox receives users' votes for particular songs in step S 1910. Voting can be based on credits (as users buy credits), or tied to a user's account. In certain example embodiments, users must login to place a vote, and in certain example embodiments, users can vote a limited number of times.
Preferably, users may vote from at least two distinct places within a location. The queue is updated based on this voting in step S1912, and the process returns to step S1902, where the displayed list is refreshed.

In certain example embodiments, the queue may be based on the total number of votes for particular songs. In certain other example embodiments, users may vote for and/or against certain songs and the "net" information may be displayed, indicating the number for and against, or merely the net result. If there are more 5 votes against a song than for, the system can perform one or more of the following functions. For example, the jukebox simply may keep the song in the queue with a negative number of votes. Alternatively, the jukebox may keep the song in the queue with a zero or negative number of votes, but, for example, always wait until the net vote reaches at least 1 before playing the song. Still alternatively, the jukebox may 10 drop any song that reaches zero or a negative number of votes.

FIG. 19B(1) is an exemplary screenshot showing a voting queue display.
Display 1900a shows the currently playing song 1902 and its progress 1904. It will be appreciated that progress 1904 of currently play song 1902 may be displayed in any number of ways, such as, for example, as a number indicating the time remaining, a 15 sliding bar, etc. Artist and song list 1906 preferably is displayed based on the corresponding number of votes in votes area 1908a. Optionally, user area 1910 may indicate information about the users voting for the songs, such as, for example, the user placing the song on the list, the last user to vote for the song, the name of the group "battling" to have the song played, etc.

20 FIG. 19B(2) is another exemplary screenshot showing a voting queue display.
FIG. 19B(2) is similar to FIG. 19B(1), but votes area 1908b reflects the "net"
voting of users. That is, for example, in FIG, 19B(1), the display indicates the number of votes for and against a particular song, as well as the net voting result.

FIG. 19C is an exemplary block diagram showing a voting mechanism within 25 a given location. Display 1900a corresponds to FIG. 19B(1), though it will be appreciated that a display corresponding to FIG. 19B(2) could be substituted, as well as any other display indicating the same or similar information. The list preferably is updated by jukebox 16. Users may vote to update the list (e.g. vote for/against a song) via jukebox 16, or by any device optionally connected to jukebox 16, such as, 30 for example, another jukebox 1912a, a remote terminal 1912b, a laptop 1912c, a PDA
1912d, a cell phone 1912e, another mobile device 1912f, etc.

FIG. 19D is another exemplary block diagram showing a voting mechanism within a given location. FIG. 19D differs from FIG. 19C in that users voting from optionally connected devices 1912a-f may affect the voting list directly, without interfacing with jukebox 16.

An alternate application includes a voting-mechanism where multiple locations (e.g. bars, restaurants, venues, etc.) are networked together through, for example, the Internet. Those linked locations allow more patrons to "battle"
against each other. In this embodiment, the networked jukeboxes would be playing the same song and collectively all users from all locations would decide on the playing order through the voting mechanism or the like. Thus, FIG, 19E is an exemplary block diagram showing a voting mechanism for use with multiple locations. A first jukebox 16(1) with a first plurality of mobile devices 1912a(1)-f(1) within a first location communicating therewith, as well as a second jukebox 16(2) with a second plurality of mobile devices 1912a(2)-f(2) within a second location communicating therewith with a may affect a playlist accessible by jukeboxes 16(1) and 16(2).

FIG. 19F is another exemplary block diagram showing a voting mechanism for use with multiple locations. It is like FIG. 19E, except first plurality of mobile devices 1912a(1)-f(1) and second plurality of mobile devices 1912a(2)-f(2) may directly affect the voting list.

An alternate application of this voting feature relates to enhancing the "pause" mode of a jukebox. A jukebox, while in pause mode, typically prevents users from selecting music from the jukebox. For example, bartenders may use a pause mode when a special event (e.g. a football game) is presented at the location and when the audio system of the location is playing the match or event. The voting feature can be used to select which songs will be played after the special event is over. It has been widely observed that patrons watching a game very often leave the location once a match is over. This alternate method of selecting songs to be played is likely to motivate patrons to stay in a location and/or continue using the jukebox, etc.

Figure 20 is a flowchart showing an illustrative process for using a user-tailored system for managing music, communications, etc. in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. It is to be appreciated that the Personal Music Assistant may work as a complement to, component of, etc. to systems according to this exemplary embodiment. In step S2000, a user accesses the user-tailored system, dubbed MyTouchTunes in this case. It is to be appreciated that a user may access the system at a number of locations, such as, for example, via an Internet front-end, at a jukebox terminal, etc. It further is to be appreciated that the user may access the system in any number of ways, such as, for example, by inputting a username and password combination into the Internet front-end or jukebox terminal, by swiping a credit card at a jukebox terminal, by scanning a site-specific "smart-card" or flash card, etc. In certain example embodiments, a user may be recognized through biometric data, such as, for example, finger prints, retinal scans, etc. It will be appreciated that biometric authentication may work independently, or together with, more conventional forms of identifying users, such as, for example, username/password combinations, smart-cards, and the like. The system determines whether it recognizes the user in step S2002. If the user is not recognized, the user can be prompted to create account/profile information, as in step S2004. The account/profile information will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 21 A.

If the user is recognized in step S2002, the MyTouchTunes main menu is displayed for the user in step S2006. From the MyTouchTunes main menu, users using a system according to this exemplary embodiment may, for example, edit account/profile information in step S201.0, manage music in step S2020, manage buddies in step S2030, communicate with others in step S2040, and/or access various value-added contents that may be provided by the system in step S2050. These and other features will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS.

through 21B.

FIG. 21A shows illustrative options available for editing account/profile information in one exemplary embodiment. As noted above, it is to be appreciated that the exemplary steps illustrated in FIG. 21 A may correspond to the steps required for initial account/profile setup. In such an initial setup case, however, an exemplary system might require the user to complete all of the required information at one time before allowing the user to access the main menu (step S2006 in FIG. 20). It also is to be appreciated that such account/profile information could be stored in various locations as necessary to a given implementation, such as, for example, in a central location or database, on a particular establishment's server, on specific jukebox terminals, and/or on a removable card that would identify the user and the user's information when inserted into a jukebox.

A user would first input personal data in step 2012. Such personal data may include, for example, an e-mail address for the user, a telephone (preferably mobile phone) number, and/or a name. The system also may prompt the user to create a unique username and password so that the system can identify the user at later times and from other locations. Alternatively, the system may use the user's e-mail address as a username and only require a corresponding password. Still alternatively, in the case of residential jukeboxes, for example, an exemplary system may not require a password at all. Based on the personal data, the exemplary system may gather enough information to recognize the user at logins (e.g., online access, preferred location, other locations within a given area, etc.) as well as send e-mail and text messages to the user. These exemplary features will be discussed in greater detail below.

In step S2014, users may specify various locations they frequent. This feature may enable user-tracking by various establishments, advertisers, etc.
Establishments may, for example, provide special offers to regulars or others in a particular area to entice them to come visit. Advertisers may monitor the personal information, location information, and playlists to provide, for example, concert tickets, special offers on CDs, t-shirts, and/or other merchandise that may seem to be appealing based on the user's preferences. Still further, if such account/profile information is stored locally on various terminals, the system may communicate with those other terminals to provide the playlists in preparation for a user's visit. In step S2016, a user may add credits and/or specify payment information. Users may, for example, use their credit cards to increase the number of credits they have before entering an establishment, or while at an establishment. Alternatively, users may become "certified" by, for example, providing credit card information and allowing jukeboxes to automatically bill their credit cards for future credits purchased, etc. It is to be appreciated that step S2016 can be used to purchase credits for oneself or for someone else, such as, for example, one's buddies, an employee of the establishment, etc. It also is to be appreciated that a user may transfer money from an account, such as, for example, a Pay-Pal account, to a jukebox-specific account, or a user might use such an account to purchase music and/or services directly.

In certain exemplary embodiments, a user may register by creating an account at a jukebox and providing a verifying contact mechanism, such as, for example, a mobile phone number and/or email address. After a user creates an account and inputs verifying contact mechanism, a message may be sent to that location. For example, a user may receive a text message. Once that message is received, the user may be prompted to input a code to the jukebox, send a return email or text message, etc., to become fully registered and/or to take advantage of certain other advanced features, such as, for example, one or more of the features disclosed herein.

FIG. 21B shows illustrative options available for managing music in one exemplary embodiment. In step S2022, a user may create or edit already existing playlists. Users preferably can search through songs using the above-described methods and/or use system-generated suggestions to build their playlists.
Preferably, users also may give their playlists descriptive titles, such as, for example, "Favorite Jams," "80's Night", "Smooth Love Songs", etc. Users may further designate their playlists as "public" or "private" to allow or restrict other users from browsing their playlists. Users may, in step S2024, rate their songs and/or playlists through the PickList feature. The PickList also may generate a custom playlist comprising the songs the user has rated the highest at a given time. Alternatively, a PickList may comprise a list based on the HotHits list described above. In step S2026, a user may play music on a jukebox using, for example, any of the above described methods with or without using these playlists. Normally, selecting a playlist for play on a jukebox will add those songs to the regular queue. However, as described above, users may pay an additional fee and/or use the bidding mechanism described above to play their music immediately. Furthermore, selecting a playlist (or playlists) for play on a jukebox normally will play all songs in that particular playlist (or in those particular playlists). However, users may unselect certain songs to prevent them for being played. This enables users to further customize playlists dynamically when they are playing their music.

In addition or in the alternative, further playlists may be imported from 5 external sources. For example, software and/or hardware devices often store user-defined and/or custom-generated (e.g., most frequently played, recently added, etc.) playlists. By way of example and without limitation, playlists may be extracted from iPods, portable MP3 players, and/or other hardware devices. This may be done at the jukebox using an appropriate hardware connector provided to the jukebox and/or at a 10 device remote from the jukebox (e.g., on a home computer) where it is more likely that an appropriate hardware connector will already be located (e.g., a proprietary docking port, a USB connection, etc.). In either or both cases, the playlists may be uploaded to a central audiovisual distribution server after the play list is imported to the local device. Similarly, by way of example and without limitation, playlists may 15 be extracted from iTunes, Windows Media Player, and/or other software applications. In many cases, such devices and/or software applications store playlists in an unencrypted and/or unencoded manner such that the playlists may be read in a manner similar to a flat text file. In this and/or other ways, the imported playlists may be made available to one or more jukeboxes connected to the audiovisual distribution 20 network. Of course, in certain other cases, it may be necessary to decrypt, unencode, and/or perform other processing on the playlists of other hardware devices and/or software applications, prior to processing to make the now-readable playlists suitable for use, for example, on a jukebox or in connection with a jukebox-related service.

This feature may be advantageous to users in that the need to create and 25 subsequently recreate existing playlists may be reduced, at least insofar as a single playlist may be defined on a device and subsequently used on a jukebox at a later time without a significant amount of reentering, reselection, and/or regrouping of the same information. Such techniques also provide yet a further means of interacting with and customizing the jukebox to the user's preferences, e.g., by enabling the customization 30 of playlists through devices and/or software applications with which the user may be more comfortable and/or have more experience, have different interfaces, etc.

Thus, systems and/or methods of distributing a playlist to one or more digital jukeboxes connected to an audiovisual distribution network are provided in certain example embodiments. A peripheral device having a peripheral playlist stored in a computer-readable storage medium thereon is connected to a digital jukebox via a connector. The peripheral playlist is retrieved for the digital jukebox. This may be accomplished by programmed logic circuitry (e.g., any suitable combination of hardware, software, firmware and/or the like) provided to the jukebox. The peripheral playlist is converted to a jukebox playlist. The jukebox playlist is published at least on the jukebox. Similarly, a software application running on a computer device (e.g., a PC, a laptop, PDA, or other similar portable computing device) may be read by a computer and published to a server on the audiovisual distribution network. The peripheral device may be, for example, at least one of a portable music player, a computer, and/or a mobile phone.

The peripheral playlist may be at least temporarily stored to a computer-readable storage medium of the digital jukebox. It may be determined whether the jukebox playlist is to be designated a public jukebox playlist or a private jukebox playlist. Based on the determination, the jukebox playlist may be made publicly available or kept private to the particular registered user importing the playlist.

The jukebox playlist may be sent to a server of the audiovisual distribution network, and the jukebox playlist may be made available to jukeboxes connected to the audiovisual distribution network and/or remote devices connected to the audiovisual distribution network. The person importing the playlist may have to log into the jukebox or a portal to the jukebox before being allowed to import the playlist.

A jukebox device to accomplish the same and/or similar functionality may also be provided, wherein at least some of the functionality is enabled through the use of a processor provided to the jukebox.

In certain exemplary embodiments, it may be advantageous to prevent users from creating playlists directly at the jukeboxes using the jukebox interfaces themselves. For example, this may reduce the amount of crowding around a jukebox, monopolization of the jukebox by a single or a few users, etc. In addition or in the alternative, users may have a reduced ability to create playlists directly at a jukebox. For example, a user may be able to create a playlist from a predetermined set of songs. That predetermined set of songs may include only those songs played by the user on that particular night, at the jukebox(es) at that particular location, at any jukebox(es) connected to the audiovisual distribution network, etc. In this way, it may be possible to enable the user to benefit from the customization of playlists techniques described herein directly at the jukebox while also reducing the time required to do so. In addition, the users may be prompted to create playlists in which songs that have been played, and thus may be likely to be played again, are added.
Thus, in certain exemplary embodiments, systems and/or methods for playing instances of media on a digital downloading jukebox are provided. A user is required to log into the jukebox. A plurality of selectable instances of media are provided for play on the jukebox. User selection of an instance of media from the plurality of selectable instances of media is enabled via a user interface to the jukebox.
For each user selection, the instance of media is added to a playlist stored in a computer-readable storage medium of the jukebox. The instances of media in the playlist are played in order. The plurality of selectable instances of media is selected from a master group of instances of media in dependence on a previous play of an instance of media by the user, In certain exemplary embodiments, the plurality of selectable instances of media is formed from instances of media previously played by the user within a predetermined time period and/or from instances of media previously played by the user at a predetermined location. In certain exemplary embodiments, the plurality of selectable instances of media is formed from instances of media stored in a list of recently played instances of media associated with the user.

Once songs are added to a playlist, a playlist may be played in whole or in part. For example, if a user has enough credits, the entire playlist may be played.
However, if the user does not have enough credits, the user may either enter additional payment to purchase a sufficient number of credits to play the entire playlist or may play only a portion of the song. In the latter case, the user may be prompted to select a subset of songs for play from the playlist.
Alternatively, the songs from the playlist may be played in order until the credits are exhausted.
Optionally, a prompt for the user to enter additional payment to play the whole playlist may be presented when appropriate, and it may be removed from a display once sufficient payment has been inserted.

Also with respect to the amount users may be charged for plays, it will be appreciated that in certain exemplary embodiments, registered and/or verified users may be given "price breaks" on plays. For example, users nonnally may be charged a premium for selecting a song that is not currently available on the jukebox (e.g., requires a download, e.g., from the audiovisual distribution network or other source). In certain exemplary embodiments, certain preferred users may only be charged a reduced or the minimal amount of credits (e.g., only I credit), no matter what the source of the song. In certain other exemplary embodiments, preferred users may only be charged the minimal amount of credits if the song was recently played by the particular user. In still other exemplary embodiments, preferred users may only be charged a reduced or the minimal amount of credits if the song exists in a playlist associated with the user (e.g., a playlist the user created, a playlist created by another that the user played in whole or in part, etc.). Thus, it may be possible in certain exemplary embodiments to reward verified users by reducing the number of credits charged for certain instances of media associated with the playlists of those users.

As such, systems and/or methods of playing an instance of media on a digital downloading jukebox are provided in certain exemplary embodiments. A plurality of instances of media on the jukebox is provided. An interface is provided to a user of the jukebox to allow the user to search for a particular instance of media for play on the jukebox. It is determined whether the instance of media is available for immediate play on the jukebox free from additional processing by the jukebox (e.g., without the need for further downloading or retrieval of the instance of media beyond that which is standard for plays, without the need for non-standard searches, etc.).
When the instance of media is available for immediate play, the user is charged a predetermined first number of credits and the instance of media is queued up for play. When the instance of media is not available for immediate play, it is determined whether the user is a verified user. When the user is a verified user, a second predetermined number of credits is charged if the instance of media exists in a playlist associated with the user, but otherwise a third predetermined number of credits is charged. The instance of media is queued up for play. The second predetermined number of credits is less than the third predetermined number of credits, and the third predetermined number of credits is greater than the first number of predetermined credits.

With respect to the charges, then, in certain exemplary embodiments, the price for a normal play may be the same as the price for a premium song requiring download when the user is a registered user. In certain exemplary embodiments, the playlist associated with the user is a playlist previously created by the user, a playlist including songs recently played by the user, and/or a playlist created by another user but recently played at least in part by the user.

The determination of whether the instance of media is available for immediate play on the jukebox free from additional processing by the jukebox may include determining whether the instance of media resides on a storage area separate from a dedicated storage area of the jukebox comprising immediately playable instances of media. The separate storage area may be a remote server, a partition of the dedicated storage area of the jukebox, a separate storage area within the jukebox, etc. The determination of whether the instance of media is available for immediate play on the jukebox free from additional processing by the jukebox may include, in addition or in the alternative, determining the user's search methodology provided by the interface. For example, a premium may be charged for a "super-search" as compared to a title or artist search. Of course, these examples are provided by way of example and without limitation, and other search methodologies described herein may be provided, and the pricing may be distinguished on the basis thereof, alone and/or in combination with the type of user and/or the existence of the instance of media in a playlist associated with the user, Here, as elsewhere, any suitable combination of programmed logic circuitry (e.g., hardware, software, firmware, and/or any suitable combination thereof) may enable such functionality. Additionally, instructions for carrying out the same may be stored on any suitable computer-readable storage medium.

FIG. 21 C shows illustrative options available for managing buddy lists in one exemplary embodiment. Users may keep track of buddies (e.g., friends, regulars at a 5 bar, etc.). The system may use any instant messaging standard, such as, for example, AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, ICQ, a custom jukebox-specific protocol, etc. to send and receive messages. Preferably, the system would alert the user of the buddies' statuses (e.g., online, inactive, busy, etc.). In step S2032, a user may create or edit an already existing buddy list. Users may 10 search for buddies by, for example, inputting their names, e-mail addresses, etc.
Additionally, users may invite friends to join by issuing invitations, preferably by e-mail or SMS (Short Message Service) text message to a mobile phone, in step S2038.

Users also may browse their buddies' music collections, playlists, PickLists, etc., as shown in step S2034. Users then could develop their own playlists and/or 15 PickLists based on what they perceive as popular amongst their friends.
Users also may copy music from their buddies or send music to their buddies, preferably for a fee, as shown in step S2036. In a step not shown, users also may designate particular songs to play when their friends log in to the jukebox, again, preferably for a fee.
Other features pertaining to communication between buddies will be described below 20 with reference to FIG. 21 D.

FIG. 21 D shows illustrative options available for communicating with others in one exemplary embodiment. Preferably, the system can send e-mails and SMS
messages to mobile phones. It is to be appreciated that the system should be able to communicate using any variety of communications protocols, such as, for example, 25 via e-mail and/or e-mail-like messages accessible only by the MyTouchTunes system. It also is to be appreciated that bar managers may also send messages (e.g., via e-mail, SMS, etc.) to alert others of events, specials, etc. In step S2042, users may check their inbox. Users may receive messages from, for example, their friends (or buddies), proprietors, and/or advertisers, etc. Buddies may suggest, for example, 30 songs or places to gather. In some exemplary embodiment, buddies may receive instant messages on their mobile phones alerting them of a get-together, a particular user's location in a bar, etc. Furthermore, users may leave messages for others to appear on someone else's next log-in. Proprietors may send messages to their regulars or others they wish to target to alert them, for example, of drink specials, upcoming special events, etc. Advertisers may, based on demographic information provided by users, extend special offers. In step S2044, users may send messages to others' e-mail address, MyTouchTunes inbox, mobile phones, etc. Alternatively or in addition to step S2044, in step S2046, users may broadcast messages to buddies or groups of others, to, for example, alert a particular group of upcoming parties, etc.
Thus, exemplary systems can learn about networks of friends through the messages that users send. In addition, the jukebox may directly provide an interface for the features described above, or it may provide for wireless access to the features, for those users that may bring a wireless device with them to the location (or within range) of the jukebox. Some or all of the features can also be provided to the users remotely by, for example, enabling users to access the jukebox services through the internet or other suitable communications network, using for example, the user's home computer. In certain exemplary embodiments, communications may be made to individual users, predefined groups of users (e.g., family, coworkers, teammates, friends, etc.). Also, custom messages may be composed, or more standard messages may be selected (e.g., "Meet us at X Bar," "What are you doing tonight?", etc.).
Groups and/or canned messages may be implemented and used regardless of whether the message is sent via email, SMS, IM, etc.

Similarly, certain exemplary embodiments provide systems and/or methods for establishing and managing a registered user's connections. A registered user may seek to establish a connection with another user or prospective contact at a jukebox or remote from a jukebox. In either case, a user may be prompted to log in.
After logging in, the user is prompted to enter information about the prospective connection. This may include, for example, an email address, a mobile phone number, a physical address, a jukebox-specific messaging service, and/or the like.

Once the information is entered, a confirmation message may be sent (e.g., via the audiovisual distribution network) to the prospective contact. The confirnlation message may identify the registered user (e.g., by name, login name, with a picture or avatar, etc.) and/or provide contact information for the registered user (e.g., a phone number, email address, jukebox login name, etc.). The prospective contact may determine whether a connection between the two should be established, e.g., by verifying that the prospective contact really knows who the registered user is.

In a case where the prospective contact is not already a registered user of the jukebox services, the prospective contact may be requested, and in some cases required, to become a registered user of the jukebox services itself.

After receiving a confirmation message, the prospective contact may choose whether to accept the registered user as a connection. This may be done, for example, by sending a message including an acceptance code or logging into a particular website or jukebox. For example, an email message, text message, or the like may be sent from the prospective contact as a confirmation. The acceptance code may be a particular alphanumeric code uniquely identifying the registered user and the prospective contact, or it simply may be the email address or mobile phone number of the prospective contact (e.g., sending an SMS, email, telephone call, and/or other message with a blank message, a "YES" message, an alphanumeric acceptance code, etc.). Alternatively or in addition, the acceptance code may be embedded in a hyperlink accessible by the prospective contact and/or may be accessible via a computer-based interface (e.g., a website) or jukebox interface. In still other exemplary embodiments, the prospective contact may have to log into a website or jukebox without the use of a preformed hyperlink having an acceptance code embedded therein.

Once the acceptance code is sent from the prospective contact, it may be validated, e.g., by a server in the audiovisual distribution network. The validation process may include determining whether the registered user is valid, whether the prospective contact is valid, etc. If this is successful, a connection between the registered user and the prospective contact may be established.

Once a connection is established between two people, they may communicate with each other via the jukebox and/or jukebox-related services. For example, they may send messages as described above, share credits, etc.

Each user may determine how and/when communications may be received.
For example, a user may use an interface provided on a jukebox or remote to the jukebox to limit messages to a single communications medium. For example, a user may wish to only receive messages on a particular email address (even though another user has provided an alternate email address), in which case messages may be forwarded to the specified email address. In another example, a user may with to never or only be contacted by SMS messages. Still further, a user may limit the times at which messages may be received, e.g., to prevent messages from being sent too late in the evening or too early in the day (for example, which might otherwise disturb the user). In such cases, the messages may be queued at a jukebox or at a server for later delivery. Users additionally may specify that they will not accept any incoming connections unless specified in an access control list. Thus, it will be appreciated that communications among connections may be managed and/or filtered, for example, to specify when, to where, and from whom they may be received, etc. A registered user can then use the connections list to communicate with the parties in the list using the jukebox or remote device that can access the jukebox network, such as by logging on to the network using a personal computer or the like.

FIG. 23 E shows illustrative options available for accessing value-added content in one exemplary embodiment. Users could access external websites (preferably of partners) as shown in step S2052 for any number of reasons. For example, advertisers may place banner ads pertaining to the particular song or album selected to allow users to place orders for related merchandise. Advertisers may use profile information to target ads, e-mails, text, etc., potentially anywhere (e.g., online, on a jukebox, etc.). For example, jukebox use can be used as a "qualifier" for targeting certain products (either conspicuously or non-conspicuously) to individuals who spend more than a certain amount on jukeboxes yearly. Users also may access external websites to link to a particular band's website, to order sheet music or guitar or bass "tabs," to view lyrics, etc. Also, in step S2054, users may follow a link to download/purchase songs and/or albums from a third-party provider such as iTunes or Amazon.com. In some exemplary embodiments, this step may also be linked to from the "Manage Music" screen (step S2020), etc. Additionally, in step 82056, users may order custom CDs and have them shipped, preferably for a fee. Users could base these orders on their playlists, their PickLists, their buddies' playlists, the HotHits list described above, etc.

It is to be appreciated that although the above-described exemplary MyTouchTunes system has been described in terms of a broad concept for making accounts available on any compatible system, other exemplary embodiments are contemplated where accounts may be made available to smaller subsets of jukeboxes, including, for example, a single jukebox terminal acting in isolation.
Furthermore, a large group may act as if it was one system in isolation, or, alternatively, it could have complete knowledge of all user accounts/profiles, locations, etc.

FIG, 22 is an exemplary screen shot of a login page in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. A user may enter an e-mail address in username area 2200 and a password in password area 2202. As a shortcut, a user may select a common e-mail domain from domain list 2204. It is to be appreciated that although this embodiment requires an e-mail address and a password, other embodiments may require a username that need not be an e-mail address. Similarly, it is to be appreciated that a username and password may not be required, for example, on a home jukebox system, and that in yet further embodiments, only a username may be required. A user can use keyboard 2206 to enter the required information, though it is to be appreciated that other input devices, such as a keyboard attached to a home computer, may be used. It also is to be appreciated that the login screen shown in FIG. 22 may appear on an actual jukebox device, on a computer (e.g., through a web-interface, custom software, etc.), on a mobile device, etc.

Preferably, a successful log-on displays a main menu for users. Figure 23 is an exemplary screen shot showing the features available after a recognized user has logged in, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. A customized greeting (e.g., the user's name) is displayed in area 2300. Playlists 2302, 2304, and 2306 are displayed with descriptive names along with the number of credits required to play a full playlist. For example, to play playlist 2302 costs 7 plays. Preferably, playlists are presumed to be public, which allows other users to view them. Playlists may be designated private, however, as is, for example, playlist 2306. Users can create additional playlists by pressing playlist creator button 2308, and they can edit already existing playlists by pressing playlist manager button 2310. The playlist manager may allow users to, for example, change existing playlists by adding and/or 5 removing songs, deleting playlists completely, etc.

Users can manage a buddy list by adding a buddy by pressing add buddy button 2314. Alternatively, they can remove a buddy by pressing remove buddy button 2316. Users also can communicate by sending messages to their buddies by pressing send message button 2318. This feature can, in certain embodiments, for 10 example, send SMS messages to mobile devices, send e-mails, send messages to appear when the recipient user next logs-in, etc. In still other embodiments, users can, for example, use this feature to send songs, donate credits, etc.
Indicator area 2320 shows that the current user has received one message, and it identifies the sender. In other embodiments, however, other information may be displayed, a more 15 complete inbox (e.g., with folders, forwarding, etc.) may be provided, etc.
Credit indicator area 2322 provides account status. In this embodiment, it indicates that the user has previously purchased 20 plays online, and has entered enough money in a local jukebox terminal for 5 additional plays, for a grand-total of 25 potential plays.

Another aspect of the instant invention relating to improvements in 20 background music will now be described. The local server and Tune Central feature described herein, open up a whole new world for background music on a jukebox.
Currently, when no paid for music is queued, jukeboxes may play background (ambiance) music with the help of an auxiliary system connected to the jukebox, such as DMX or satellite radio. Alternatively, if they play background music with their 25 own music, they are limited to the songs available for play on the jukebox, typically about 2000 songs. These songs are also available for selection by jukebox patrons.
Conventional digital jukeboxes are typically connected to a remote network through the internet for accessing extended music. These applications are therefore not well suited for providing background music services other than the music locally available 30 as this would require constant download or streaming from the remote servers for the background music.

However, jukeboxes equipped with an external server or large music partition (such as Tune Central described herein) can select background music to play from that large pool of songs, even if the song is not available for play through the standard interface. This permits a vast musical variety for background music using jukeboxes. The background music selection can be made automatically by the jukebox randomly or with an advanced algorithm that selects music based on genres, themes, era or other criteria. Also, background music lists can be preprogrammed by a disk jockey or the like (background playlists) and sent from a central server to jukeboxes. Since music rights can differ for songs available in pay-per-play mode and background music, there is, in an embodiment of the invention, an indicator for each song or song aggregations (e.g., all songs from ABC record label) allowing the jukebox to distinguish between songs that can be played as background music (as opposed to normal jukebox play) based on the availability of the proper music rights, thereby enabling proper royalty accounting as well. In an embodiment of the invention, the jukebox offers advanced options for allowing an operator to configure how background music will be performed, based on genre, themes, indicators (flags), such as billboard hit, Christmas music, playlists (e.g., DJ John - summer 2005), etc.
In another embodiment of the invention, the operator configures the jukebox to allow the bartender to further configure the background music mode through, for example, a remote control; much like the bartender would select a radio station in prior background music systems. This mode offers genres or theme based music or playlists for enhancing background music functionality. The operator can, for example, configure which genre, theme or playlists is available to the bartender. In addition, a remote control with programmable keys combined with suitable software can be provided to allow the bartender (or other person) to select (e.g., for a particular zone) a certain background music play list or TV audio input for special event like, for instance, a football game in a bar zone, thereby providing convenient and effective background music services and other services through the jukebox device.

Thus, similar to the background music services, "channels" of music may be provided. A proprietor of a location may select a channel to play. A list of channels may be defined by the location and/or defined by the content provider (e.g., the jukebox provider). In certain exemplary embodiments, channels may correspond to the themes or genres of music already provided to the jukebox (e.g., rap, rock, country, etc.). In addition or in the alternative, the proprietor of the location may group songs together to form custom channels for or at a particular location or group of locations, and/or shareable between many potentially unrelated or unassociated jukeboxes (e.g., as a sort of public channel). The thousands of songs provided to the jukebox may be played in a coherent grouping as background music, for example, through this channel feature. For example, a predetermined amount of time after no money has been inserted into the jukebox and/or after all songs in the queue have been played, a channel of music (e.g., selected by a proprietor, manager, etc.) may play. The channel may be activated in this illustrative case substantially free from direct user input, for example, so that the switching from normal jukebox operation to background mode is substantially transparent to the normal patrons and/or authorized users (e.g., managers, proprietors, etc.) of the jukebox. Of course, it will be appreciated that authorized users of the jukebox may also cause the jukebox to change from normal operation mode to a channel mode and vice versa, control the switching of channels, choose between channels, etc.

Numerous advantages are provided by this feature. For example, no auxiliary source of media is required to play instances of media provided to the jukebox, thereby reducing the need for, for example, satellite radio, broadcast radio, CD
players, and/or other equipment (e.g., in addition to or in place of the jukebox), some of which may require additional costs in terms of hardware and in terms of monthly subscription fees. Rather, a jukebox channel may provide hundreds or even thousands of instances of media playable directly from the jukebox. In this way, numerous different channels of background, music can be provided on the jukebox using the music stored, in the jukebox or available on the network. The available channels can then be selected by an authorized person using, for example, the remote control provided with the jukebox. The various channels could also be displayed on the jukebox on request, so that a channel can be selected from the list.

Furthermore, unlike traditional broadcast and enhanced satellite radio channels, a jukebox patron may exercise control over the content of a particular channel by more than simply tuning to a new channel. For example, an authorized user (e.g., a proprietor, manager, etc.) may use a jukebox remote control to skip songs, replay songs, remove songs from the channel, add songs to the channel, etc.
Currently, this functionality is not possible in connection with broadcast or satellite radio channels. The jukebox channel optionally may learn from this control behavior and, similar to a ratings system, may adapt the channel to more frequently play popular songs, less frequently play skipped songs, etc.

Still further, jukebox channels are not subject to the same kinds of physical problems associated with traditional broadcast and satellite radios. For example, whereas a satellite radio may be inoperable during bad weather conditions, a jukebox channel may function substantially independent of the outside conditions.
Similarly, a jukebox channel is not subject to the same kinds of geographical restrictions associated with the antennas of traditional broadcast channels, in that, for example, a jukebox channel may be played wherever there is a jukebox. Indeed, a jukebox channel does not even require the presence of a persistent or establishable internet connection, although it will be appreciated the same may be advantageously used in connection with certain exemplary embodiments where it is desirable to having streaming media, updatable channels, etc.

Thus, certain exemplary embodiments provide systems and/or methods of operating a digital downloading jukebox. A plurality of channels is defined, with each said channel having a plurality of instances of media associated therewith. A
channel is selected from the plurality of channels on the part of an authorized user.
One or more patron uses of the jukebox is responded to in a first mode, with at least some of said uses including adding instances of media to a queue for play on the jukebox and playing said queued instances of media. When the jukebox is not responding to a patron request and/or playing a queued instance of media, the instances of media in the channel are played in a second mode. The first mode is different from the second mode, and the second mode is not directly controllable by a patron of the jukebox. In certain exemplary embodiment, the second mode may be a background music mode (e.g., such that the music is played at a lower volume, etc.).

In certain exemplary embodiments, the instances of media may be associated with channels by an authorized user and, in addition or in the alternative, the instances of media may be associated with channels according to a theme and/or genre (e.g., rap, rock, country, etc.) associated with each said instance of media.

A frequency an instance of media in a channel is played may be changed in dependence on one or more control codes received from the authorized user. The control codes may correspond to at least one of: skipping an instance of media being played by the channel, replaying an instance of media being or having just been played by the channel, and removing an instance of media from the channel.

Here, as elsewhere, any suitable combination of programmed logic circuitry (e.g., hardware, software, firmware, and/or any suitable combination thereof) may enable such functionality. Additionally, instructions for carrying out the same may be stored on any suitable computer-readable storage medium.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process for accessing a system remotely according one exemplary embodiment. In step S2402, a user logs into a jukebox system from a location and/or device different from a jukebox housed locally in a bar. In a preferred embodiment, the user will access the system through a web browser to gain access to an Internet portal. However, it will be appreciated that other mechanisms for accessing the system are possible, such as, for example, via a mobile device (e.g. a cell phone, PDA, etc.), a stand-alone application to be run on a remote computer, an appropriately configured jukebox, etc. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the features and/or services offered by the system may depend on the mechanism and/or device by which it is accessed. For example, some features may be available for an illustrative embodiment that uses a web browser on a personal computer that are not available over a cell phone, and vice versa. Keeping with this example, but still for non- limiting exemplary purposes only, although an illustrative embodiment that uses a web browser on a personal computer may have access to the full set of features and/or services (e.g. music downloads, participation in forums, chat rooms, etc.), an illustrative embodiment that uses a cell phone may only be able to download music and receive text messages. Of course, as various devices become more interconnected and more powerfiul, it will be appreciated that such distinctions may no longer hold.

Step S2404 determines whether the user is recognized by the system as an existing user. Users not recognized by the system preferably will be prompted to 5 create an account, as in step S2408. Users may be required to supply, for example, their names, ages, e-mail addresses, etc. Preferably, users will be able to create profiles including, for example, a name and/or nickname, their age, their location, and an associated image. These profiles may be viewable by other users of the system. In some exemplary embodiments, users may be required to register and/or 10 create profiles before participating in some features of the system, for example.
Alternatively, in other exemplary embodiments, users may specify that they want their information, or portions thereof, to remain private. A non-limiting exemplary screen shot for editing account information is provided in FIG. 26C, and an accompanying description thereof is given below. After users create their account, 15 preferably a central account database is updated in step S2410. In other exemplary embodiments, a central account database need not be maintained, and the account information may be stored elsewhere, such as, for example, on jukeboxes, on a user's own personal computer, etc.

If users are recognized in step S2404, they may chose a feature and/or service 20 in step S2406, described in more detail in relation to FIGS. 25 and 26A. In some exemplary embodiments, users may have their access to the system limited by the service to which they subscribe. For example, in some example embodiments, users may have free and unlimited, access to the online system from personal computers, but may have to pay premiums to access the services via PDAs. Thus, in a step not 25 shown, even if an existing user is recognized, if they attempt to access the system in an unauthorized way, they will not be permitted to access the system. This feature may, in some exemplary embodiments, also may block unauthorized access by users, registered or unregistered, who attempt to inappropriately access the system and/or its underlying code, songs, etc.

30 FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process for selecting one or more of a non-limiting list of services and/or features in a system according to one exemplary embodiment. Other features and/or services in addition to, and in combination with, those described below are possible and contemplated herein.
FIG.
25 begins with step S2406 as discussed above in connection with FIG. 24. It will be appreciated that in a preferred embodiment, the steps described below need not be selected in any specific order. For example, a user need not search for music before communicating with other users. It also will be appreciated that the steps described below may, in some exemplary embodiments, be performed alone or in combination.
For example, a user may wish to search for music before communicating with other users.

In step S2502, a user may search for music. Preferably, a user may specify search fields, alone or in combination, such as, for example, artist, song, album, genre, etc. An exemplary screen shot showing the results of a search is provided in FIG. 26E and is discussed below. After searching for music, a user may then, for example, add the found songs to a playlist, purchase the songs, or recommend the songs to others. For example, a typical use might include a user remembering a catchy song at a bar but only remembering that it was a reggae song that had something to do with "Zion" from Damien Marley's latest album. Accordingly, a user might, in step S2502, search with the following parameters: artist, "Damien Marley";
song, "Zion" and genre, "reggae." After the search is performed, the user would be able to select "Road to Zion" from a results list. After finding the song, the user might add it to a playlist for convenience the next time the user visits a bar, and the user might recommend the songs to friends. A user might also purchase the single and/or download a digital copy. A particularly bold user might order the entire "Welcome to Jamrock" album.

In step S2504, a user may manage the user's playlists. An exemplary screen shot showing how a user might manage playlists is provided in FIG. 26D and is discussed below. Briefly, a user may, for example, create a new playlist, delete an existing playlist, and/or edit an existing playlist. In a preferred embodiment, a user might also share a playlist, for example, with friends or the public, and a user might also search for publicly available playlists. Preferably, a playlist will have a unique name (e.g. "Joe's All-Time Favorites," "Ghetto Grooves," "Maximum Chill-Out,"

etc.), and, preferably, a playlist will have a plurality of songs associated therewith. It will be appreciated that a playlist might contain only one song. Additionally, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments users, professional DJs, or others may create and sell playlists, and that users could pay for and download such playlists through the system.

A user may purchase music in step S2506. In one exemplary embodiment, a user may order a single song, a plurality of songs, an entire album, or multiple albums. In some exemplary embodiments, a user may have his order shipped, while in other exemplary embodiments licensed digital copies may be made available.
In still other exemplary embodiments, it may be possible to purchase music and download it directly to a media playback device (e.g. an appropriately configured PDA, cell phone, or the like).

Preferably, a user could communicate with others via e-mail and/or text messages in step S2508. Step S2508 preferably also will allow users to participate in online forums and live chat rooms. Messages sent through this step may be delivered to conventional e-mail inboxes, cell phones, etc. Additionally, messages may be displayed on jukeboxes, for example, when recipient users initially log-in, when messages are sent and/or received, etc. It will be appreciated that online forums and chat rooms may use protocols, such as, for example, newsgroups, Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP), Usenet, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), etc., or they may use custom protocols.

From time-to-time, proprietors or the managers of the system may sponsor contests, promotions, or giveaways. Users may participate in such activities through step S2510. For example, a proprietor might allow anyone who prints a coupon to avoid a cover charge. As another example, there might be a competition for the best playlist. It will be appreciated that these example promotions are for illustrative purposes only, and that other contests, promotions, giveaways, or the like may be possible.

In step S2512, a user may edit that user's profile. The discussions of step S2408 from FIG. 24 above and FIG. 26C below provide additional detail on the type of information preferably associated with a user profile. A user may logout of the system in step S2514. In some exemplary embodiments, a user may be logged out of the system automatically after a predefined period of inactivity.

FIGS. 26A through 26E, which provide sample screen shots, are for exemplary, illustrative purposes only. The specific fields, buttons, graphics, etc. and locations of the same are in no way intended to be limiting. On the contrary, Figs.
26A through 26E present only one preferred embodiment of the instant invention. It will be appreciated that other arrangements and combinations are possible, and those arrangements and combinations are contemplated herein. It also will be appreciated that a user may navigate through the following screens in any number of ways, and the use of the term "press" indicates only one such implementation. For example, a user may navigate the screens with a mouse, keyboard, touch screen, stylus pen, etc.
Preferably, the user interface will be very smooth and streamlined with a limited amount of advertising or other non-core material. Accordingly, when advertisements, surveys, and the like are accessible through the user interface, they preferably will be linked to jukebox functions and or perks tied to their links. For example, an advertiser may reward users clicking on one of its advertisements with credits, free plays, entries in competitions, etc. Similar rewards may be given to users participating in surveys. FIG 26A is an exemplary screen shot showing the features available before a user logins into a system according one exemplary embodiment. A user will log into the system by entering a username and password into username field 2600 and password field 2602, respectively, and then pressing login button 2604. Alternatively, an unregistered user may create an account by pressing register button 2606. Navigation buttons 2608 help the user navigate the system quickly. In this exemplary embodiment, navigation buttons 2608 include a home button, an about button, a FAQ button, and a Find a juke button. The home button returns the user to an introductory screen. The about button preferably displays information about the system, including, for example, help documentation, terms and conditions of use, etc. The FAQ button preferably provides information complementary to that given by the about button and is customized to provide information regarding the most frequently asked questions about the system and its associated services and features.

The Find a juke button preferably enables a user to search for a location with a jukebox. Users may, for example, search for locations near a certain address, in a particular city to which the user may be traveling, locations that offer special features (e.g. drink specials, guest DJs, etc.), locations likely to play music the user likes (e.g.
a bar with line dancing might be appropriate for a country music fan. etc.), etc. Social networks also may be built based on postal codes, schools (e.g. high schools, colleges, universities, etc), etc. In a preferred embodiment, when a user finds a specific location, the user may have custom information, for example, directions, custom maps, hours of operation, parking information, etc. displayed. It will be appreciated that because jukeboxes located at many locations preferably are connected to the system and that users' playlists preferably are accessible by the system, users may receive recommendations likely to fit their tastes. For example, the system might suggest a specific bar to users of a certain age in the same town, who are known to like a specific type of music. In certain example embodiments, the jukebox can recommend that users form certain connections. These suggested connections between patrons (and thus potential "buddies") preferably may be based on information known to the jukebox though not necessarily known to other users.
Such information can include, for example, venues frequented, musical tastes, ages, etc. In certain example embodiments, therefore, users may be connected based on where they go, not necessarily where they are from.

Similarly, a jukebox locator service may be provided, and it may exist on a jukebox, via a webpage, through the MyTouchTunes web and/or jukebox interface(s), etc. The jukebox locator service may receive user input and search accordingly. For example, a user may specify an address or portion thereof (e.g., city, state, and/or zip code), may search by name or keyword, or may search for specially enabled jukeboxes. A map may be displayed, with each matching location being highlighted. Additional information may be displayed for a given location.
Such additional information may include, for example, the name and address of the location and/or any other details about the location. For example, the songs most frequently played may be displayed, as may be certain promotional offerings, DJs being present, etc.

Additional search criteria may be entered initially or to refine a search.
Such additional search criteria may include the user's age, musical tastes, preferred theme 5 (e.g., Irish bar, country line dancing, etc.), etc. Alternatively, the jukebox locator service may conduct a basic search using only the criteria entered by the user and may then highlight recommended locations based on, for example, information already known about the user, such as, for example, the above-mentioned additional search criteria.

10 Figure 26F is an exemplary screenshot showing the results of a search with a jukebox locator service. In Figure 26F, search criteria may be entered in search block 2601. The search may be restricted using the exemplary search criteria 2603a-d. A
map 2605 of the area may be displayed, with matching locations 2607 being flagged or otherwise distinguished. A user may select a flag. In this example, when flag 15 2607' is selected, information block 2609 including information pertaining to the selected location is displayed. As noted above, information block 2609 may present the above-noted or other information pertaining to the location.

Users may enter search terms in search field 2610. Additionally, users may further limit their searches by searching only in one of the categories listed in search 20 parameters list 2612. It will be appreciated that the fields of search parameters 2612 are for illustrative purposes only - other fields may be present in addition to, or in place of, those listed, such as, for example, year, popularity, etc. A user may conduct the search by pressing search button 2614. Users may alternatively search by filling in search field 2616 and selecting a search parameter from the list of search 25 parameters in search parameters dropdown list 2618. The results of a search may be displayed according to FIG. 26E, discussed below.

A non-limiting exemplary list of genres is given in genre list 2620. It will be appreciated that other genres may be present in genre list 2620, and it also will be appreciated that, in this exemplary embodiment, additional genres may be accessed by 30 clicking the "More..." button in genre list 2620. A user pressing a specific genre may receive content tailored to that genre. For example, pressing the "Alternative" genre may, for example, present a list of the most popular alternative albums, a list of forums dedicated to the discussion of alternative music, etc.

Most popular albums list 2622 contains information related to the most popular albums and preferably displays the album cover, the artist name, and the name of the album. Most popular album list 2622 may be generated in any number of ways. For example, most popular album list 2622 may be based on preferences of users of the system, commercial data regarding album sales, album sales within a particular geographic segment, etc. Preferably, most popular album list 2622 may be changed depending on the genre selected from genre list 2620.

Users may access community-specific content by selecting a specific communications method from communications methods 2624. In this exemplary embodiment, users may communicate in groups and/or forums. It will be appreciated that participation in groups and/or forums may require registration, and that groups and/or forums may be designated public or private. Preferably, groups will comprise users, for example, with similar interests, in near locations, etc. For example, there may be a group for so-called "Dead Heads" to allow them to plan meet-up points, transportation, etc. for upcoming tours of the Grateful Dead.
Forums may function similarly, though they preferably will be more static, allowing threaded messages between users.

Breadcrumbs trail 2626 provides a convenient way for navigating through the system. Specifically, breadcrumbs trail 2626 traces the path a user takes in accessing a certain page. Pressing a specific part of breadcrumb from breadcrumbs trail preferably takes the user to a corresponding location.

Information area 2628 and information area 2630 may be customized to provide additional information to the users. In this exemplary embodiment, information area 2628 suggests reasons for using specific features (here, creating custom playlists), and information area 2630 provides useful tips (here, relating to how to create a custom playlist). It will be appreciated that information areas 2628 and 2630 may change depending on, for example, the user, the time of access, the number of times a user has accessed a given page, etc. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that information areas 2628 and 2630 may contain different information not related to use of the system, such as, for example, advertisements, promotions, etc.

FIG. 26B is an exemplary screen shot showing the features available after a user logins into a system according to one exemplary embodiment. Based on the user's profile information, user information 2632 and user icon 2634 may be displayed. In this exemplary embodiment, user information 2632 comprises a username and a location, and user icon 2634 is a solid square. It will be appreciated lo that additional and/or alternate information may be displayed, and it also will be appreciated that only information provided by users may be displayed. Users may edit their profile, including user information 2632 and user icon 2634 by pressing edit profile button 2636. Users may log out of the system by pressing logout button 2638. In some exemplary embodiments, users may be logged out automatically after a predefined period of inactivity has elapsed. User playlists 2640 displays the playlists the user has created and/or imported. It will be appreciated, that user playlists 2640 will be empty if a user has not created or imported any playlists.
Preferably, the exemplary embodiment will display the unique name specified by the user for each of the playlists. Users may expand one or more specific playlists from user playlists 2640 to show the songs associated with the playlist. In the example shown in FIG. 26B, the "Alternative" playlist is expanded, and four songs 2642 are shown as being associated with the "Alternative" playlist. It will be appreciated that users may expand multiple playlists, and/or collapse lists after they are expanded.

Preferably, the system will display at least one recommendation 2644. The recommendation preferably will include an album cover, a song name, artist information, and keywords associated therewith. The recommendation preferably will be generated automatically, and may be based on a variety of data. The data for generating a recommendation may include, for example, user demographic data (e.g.
age, gender, race, etc.), the number and types of songs in the user's playlists, songs the user has purchased through the system, popular songs, etc. Preferably, the system will allow the user to quickly add the recommended song to a playlist by pressing add button 2646.

FIG. 26C is an exemplary screen shot showing how a user might update account information. Stats box 2648 displays basic information that will be publicly available. In this exemplary embodiment, it includes a usemame, real name, gender, location, and age. However, it will be appreciated that other embodiments may require additional and/or alternate information. It also will be appreciated that users may elect to keep some information (e.g. real name, age, etc.) private.

The username selected in the initial account setup is displayed as username field 2670. Preferably, a user will not be able to change username field 2670 after initial setup, and, preferably, each username will be unique. The user may enter an e-mail address in e-mail address field 2652. In a preferred embodiment, the system will send important e-mails (e.g. terms and conditions information, notices of giveaways, bills, etc.) to this e-mail address. A real name may be specified in name field 2654.
Although this exemplary embodiment shows name field 2654 as a single field, it will be appreciated that multiple fields may instead capture the same information (e.g.
fields for first and last names; first, middle, and last names; etc.). A user may choose a gender from gender options 2656.

A location may be specified in location field 2658. Although this exemplary embodiment shows location field 2658 as a single field, it will be appreciated that multiple fields may instead capture the same or additional information (e.g.
fields for city and state; city, state, and zip code; city, province, and country; etc.).
A date of birth may be specified in date of birth field 2660. Although this exemplary embodiment shows date of birth field 2660 as three fields, it will be appreciated that a single field or multiple fields in a different order may instead capture the same or additional information (e.g. one field for month, date, and year; month and year only;
month, date, and year; etc.). A user may enter personal or other information in free-form biography field 2662. Additionally, a user may specify a signature line or tag line in forum signature field 2662. Preferably, the system would automatically append the contents of forum signature field 2662 to users' posts to groups and/or forums. A user may upload a picture or icon by entering a file location in picture field 2666. Preferably, this picture would be displayed on login and/or when a user posts a message to a group or forum.

In a preferred embodiment, required fields may be, for example, marked with an asterisk (*), highlighted, or otherwise designated. In other embodiments, a user may additionally store purchase information, such as, for example, credit card information, billing and shipping addresses, etc. This information could be used, for example, if users decide to order or download songs, albums, or other merchandise, to automatically debit an account so that users could "play now and pay later"
while using jukeboxes in bars and/or clubs, etc.

Playlist manager button 2668 provides quick access to the playlist manager form, discussed in more detail below in connection with FIG. 26D. Collapse and expand buttons 2670 allow a user to quickly change the playlist information showing on the far left of the display in this exemplary embodiment. Recommendations preferably are generated in the manner described above, and clicking one or more recommendation preferably allows a user to associate them with their own playlists quickly and easily.

FIG. 26D is an exemplary screen shot showing how a user might manage playlists. In this exemplary embodiment, a user's custom playlists are displayed horizontally (as playlist labels 2674), and their respective contents are displayed underneath the appropriate headings (as playlist contents 2676). It will be appreciated, of course, that alternate arrangements are possible. Preferably, each playlist has a unique description associated, therewith, and each entry in the playlist displays the number of the song in the playlist, the name of the song, and the artist.
Users preferably may edit playlists by "dragging" and "dropping" songs into and/or out of a playlist. Users may use the search function to add a specific song.
In some embodiments, removing all of the songs from a given playlist cause the user to be notified that the playlist is empty, and asks the user whether the playlist should be deleted.

A user may create a new playlist by pressing create new playlist button 2678.
Preferably, the user will be prompted to enter a unique name for the new playlist.

Then the user may edit the playlist in the above-described manner. Users also may share playlists by pressing sharing button 2680. Sharing button 2680 allows users to designate their playlists as public to allow other users to retrieve their contents, preferably allowing users to drag and drop selected playlists into categories, such as, 5 for example, public, private, etc. Correspondingly, users may search for playlists created by other users, prepared by DJs, etc. and. then copy and/or import the playlist.
Users may delete playlists by pressing delete playlist button 2682 to display list of playlists 2684 and then selecting the playlist to delete from the list of playlists 2684.

FIG. 26E is an exemplary screen shot showing the results of an illustrative 10 search for music. In this exemplary embodiment, a hypothetical user searched for "portis*", where the asterisk (*) indicates a wildcard. Preferably, search results will be grouped by artist (artist list 2686), track/song (track/song list 2688), and/or album (album list 2690). Preferably, each result within a grouping may have a rank associated therewith. This rank may be based on, for example, the number of users 15 with the artist/track/album in a playlist, the current position on the Billboard (or other) charts, all-time sales, etc. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, users may be able to sort the results within a category alphabetically or by rank to facilitate the location of a specific result. Because users' attention spans are finite and because of space limitations, the output of the search, preferably will be limited to a few 20 (preferably at least five and preferably no more than ten) results, while more button 2694 will allow the user to browse an expanded list.

FIG. 27 shows an exemplary system for downloading music to a mobile device. A user indicates via mobile device 2702 that the user is interested in downloading a song or songs after logging into jukebox 2703. It will be appreciated 25 that many types of mobile devices 2702 may communicate with jukebox 2703 over many different communications networks. For example, an appropriately configured cell phone may communicate over the data channel of a cell network, a PDA may communicate over standard TCP/IP, etc. Jukebox 2703 communicates over a network 2704 to interface with music repository 2706. Preferably, music repository 30 2706 will contain a broad range of potential downloads. For some requests, it may be necessary to confirm the download if, for example, there are multiple possible version of a song (e.g. Van Morrison and Jimmy Buffett both have versions of "Brown Eyed Girl," etc.), or for confirmation purposes. After music repository 2706 receives a request, it will select the appropriate song (or songs) and send it back through network 2704 to mobile device 2702.

Although not reflected in FIG. 27, alternate embodiments may send an appropriate song to another designated device. For example, a user at a bar might hear a song and want it to be sent to his home computer. Users in a car might want the song to be available the next time they visit a particular bar, and thus, for example, the song may be downloaded to a remote jukebox. In some exemplary embodiments, appropriate song 2708 may be sent through a different communications network, as appropriate.

Users may be billed according to billing information they inputted. For example, a stored credit card may be charged whenever a song is downloaded via the jukebox interface. As another example, a user may setup a special jukebox-specific account, linked to, for example, a Pay-Pal account. In a related aspect, users may use their cell phones (or other suitable portable devices) to purchase media, register with the jukebox, etc. by exchanging codes (e.g. via SMS messages) with the jukebox. For example, a user may first identify himself or herself with the jukebox (e.g. may login on the jukebox or remotely through a mobile device). Depending on whether the user's cell phone number (or e-mail address, etc., depending on the implementation), the user may have to enter the appropriate information. An SMS
(or appropriately similar) authorization message and/or code may be sent to the user.
The user may then enter that code on the jukebox to begin purchasing music, creating personalized content, accessing features available to recognized users, etc.
This method of communication also may in some example embodiments enable users to pre-verify and/or pre-pay for music purchases remotely.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process for retrieving music. A
user might hear a song being played, for example, at a bar, in a club, on the radio, etc., as in step S2802. A user typically decides to purchase a song in step S2804 after hearing it. However, it will be appreciated that a user might choose to download a song without hearing it because, for example, the user's friends recommended it, the user downloads all of the songs by a particular artist, etc.

Using a mobile device, the user logs into the jukebox system in step S2806 and selects the song to purchase in step S2808. The use of a mobile device allows for quick and convenient "impulse" purchases. In some embodiments, the choice of what song to purchase might be automated, for example, by selecting the song currently playing at a given location, the song currently playing on a certain radio station, the song just played at a given location, etc. The user may specify purchase parameters in step S2810, such as, for example, how to pay for the song, the device to which it should be downloaded, etc. In step S2812, the song is delivered to the user via the jukebox interface. It will be appreciated that the song may be delivered to other devices, such as, for example, a particular jukebox, a portable media device, a laptop, a home computer, etc.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram of an improved downloading digital jukebox system with remote devices accessing a jukebox from within a particular location. A
jukebox 16 is located within a particular location, bar, or the like. Users may access jukebox 16 through user interface 24 running thereon. However, users also may access jukebox 16 remotely. Thus, a plurality of mobile devices 26a-26d are shown located in the particular location. Mobile devices 26a-26d are, respectively, a laptop, a PDA, a cell phone, and other personal devices, though it will be appreciated that other properly configured devices may be used. Each mobile device 26a-26d is equipped with a wireless transmitter 27a-27d, respectively. Mobile devices 26a-26d preferably allow registered users to effectively logon to jukebox devices and access specific content, such as, for example, customized playlists, personalized screens, messages from other recognized users, etc. Preferably, a change made by one of the mobile devices 26a-26d (e.g. to user settings, playlist setup, etc.) will be reflected by all of the mobile devices 26a-26d. For example, if a user creates a new playlist, edits an existing playlist, changes a password, etc. on a jukebox via user interface 24, user interfaces 24a-24f will reflect that change.

Mobile devices 26a-26d may communicate through an external network to communicate with jukebox 16 having communicator 25. It will be appreciated that mobile devices 26a-26d may communicate over a LAN, wireless Internet, Bluetooth, or any other suitable communications network.

Preferably a central database of recognized user information is maintained and accessible by each of the jukebox devices 16, 16a-f and remote devices 26a-d.
However, in some exemplary embodiments, local databases of recognized user information may be maintained on devices. Preferably, the devices will communicate with each other through a communications network, such as, for example, the Internet. However, it will be appreciated that other communications methods are possible, such as, for example, through wired communications over a LAN, wireless communications, etc.

FIGS. 29A-29E provide additional, non-limiting exemplary configurations that remotely access jukeboxes. It will be appreciated that other variations on and combinations of these exemplary configurations are possible and contemplated herein. FIG. 29A is a block diagram of an improved downloading digital jukebox system with remote devices accessing a jukebox from within a particular location. In this exemplary embodiment, jukebox 16 and the plurality of remote devices are located within a particular location. Jukebox 16 includes a user interface 24 that allows jukebox users to, for example, make selections, create profiles, edit playlists, etc. Jukebox 16 also includes a wireless communications device 25.
Remote devices 26a-26b communicate with jukebox 16 through their respective wireless communication devices 27a-c. In this example embodiment, remote devices 27a-c are, respectively, a laptop, a PDA, and a cell phone. It will be appreciated that other remote devices may communicate with jukebox 16. It also will be appreciated that remote devices according to this system may operably communicate with jukebox 16 from outside the particular location, with the range being determined by the hardware on jukebox 16 and remote devices 27a-c and the protocols over which they communicate. Thus, for example, wireless communications over 802. l 1 g connections may allow for users to access jukebox 16 from within a location, tables setup outside the location, and other areas immediately surrounding the area.

Remote devices 26a-c allow users to login to jukebox 16 remotely, without having to access jukebox 16 and user interface 24 directly. Thus, a user can, for example, play songs, edit playlists, and perform other jukebox-related activities without using user interface 24 directly. It will be appreciated that remote devices 27a-c may have their own user interfaces, which may be the same as or different from user interface 24. User profile information may be stored locally on jukebox 16, on a remote server (not pictured), or on a remote device 27. Preferably, a change made by a remote device (e.g. to user profile information, play list contents, purchased media, etc.) would be mirrored on jukebox 16, any other associated remote devices, and/or on other jukeboxes, etc.

FIG. 29B is a block diagram of an improved downloading digital jukebox system with remote devices outside of a particular location accessing the digital jukebox system. In this exemplary embodiment, jukebox 16 with local server 22 and user interface 24 is connected to a network 14. Unlike remote devices 26a-26c which connect directly with jukebox 16 in FIG. 29A, these remote devices 26a-26c also are connected to network 14. Thus, users may login to jukebox 16 over a potentially broad area. For example, remote devices 26a-26c may connect with jukebox 16 over LAN, WAN, Internet connection, or the like. User profile information may be stored on local server 22. Again, preferably, a change made by a remote device (e.g.
to user profile information, playlist contents, purchased media, etc.) would be mirrored on jukebox 16, any other associated remote devices, and/or on other jukeboxes, etc.

FIG. 29C is another block diagram of an improved downloading digital jukebox system with remote devices outside of a particular location accessing the digital jukebox system. FIG. 29C is like FIG. 29B, in that a plurality of remote devices 26a-26c are connected to jukebox 16 over network 14. However, FIG. 29C
includes a database 29 connected to network 14. Database 29 may store, for example, user profile information, users' playlist definitions, etc. This configuration may be advantageous in some exemplary implementations because a plurality of jukeboxes connected to network 14 may ail access the central database 29 without contacting individual jukeboxes or individual remote devices, which may not always be available.

FIG. 29D is a block diagram of an improved downloading digital jukebox system with another downloading digital jukebox system outside of a particular location accessing the first digital jukebox system. In this exemplary embodiment, a jukebox 16a with a local server 22a and a user interface 24a are located within a first location, and a jukebox 16b with a local server 22b and a user interface 24b are located within a second location. It will be appreciated that the locations may be 5 different rooms within a single bar, two separate establishments, etc. Both jukebox 16a and jukebox 16b are connected via network 14. User profile information may be stored at one or both of local server 22a and 22b. In some exemplary embodiments, if user profile information is stored on only one local server, a user logging-in to one jukebox preferably would be able to access information stored on the other local 10 server. In other exemplary embodiments, if user profile information is stored on both local servers, preferably any changes made on one jukebox would be mirrored on the other. In still other exemplary embodiments, user profile information may be retrieved from a first jukebox and stored to a second jukebox only when a user accessed the second jukebox. These configurations are advantageous because they do 15 not distribute user information to areas where users do not access their information.
For example, a user who travels from Washington to Los Angeles on business would be able to access that user's particular information created in Washington by logging-in to a jukebox in Los Angeles; however, because that hypothetical user has not logged-in to a jukebox in Montreal, jukeboxes there would not necessarily have the 20 user's information stored locally.

FIG. 29E is another block diagram of an improved downloading digital jukebox system with another downloading digital jukebox system outside of a particular location accessing the first digital jukebox system. FIG. 29E is like FIG.
29D, in that a jukebox 16a is connected to a jukebox 16b over network 14.
25 However, FIG. 29E includes a database 29 connected to network 14. Database may store, for example, user profile information, users' playlist definitions, etc. This configuration may be advantageous in some exemplary implementations because a plurality of jukeboxes connected to network 14 may all access the central database 29 without contacting individual jukeboxes or individual remote devices, which may 30 not always be available. It will be appreciated that a plurality of jukeboxes may be attached through network 14. Fig. 30 is an exemplary flowchart showing one way in which users may change their status by becoming "verified users." In step S3002, a potential user creates a jukebox account to become a registered user.
As described above, the potential user may create the account on a jukebox at a location, or by remotely accessing a jukebox by, for example, using a personal computer, laptop, mobile device, etc. It will be appreciated that potential users who unexpectedly or spontaneously walk in on a get-together for verified users may wish to become verified users immediately and create their account with little or no prior planning. Registered users receive notifications of get-togethers, special events, and the like in step S3004. Such notifications may be sent via e-mail, SMS text message, through a message displayed when a registered user logs onto a jukebox locally, etc.
In certain preferred embodiments, registered users will be informed of get-togethers only if they meet predefmed qualifications. For example, all registered users living in the Boroughs of New York may receive a notice of a get-together in Manhattan, but a registered user in Des Moines may not. As another example, users who specified they like Metal Music may not receive notices of Go-Go get-togethers.

After a registered user receives a notification regarding a get-together, the registered user may participate in that event, as in step S3006. This step might involve attending a bar, event, social event, or the like. In step S3008, the registered user becomes a verified user. This step might require the user to log onto a jukebox during the get-together. Alternatively, registered users might receive vouchers, codes, or the like to later enter into a jukebox (locally or remotely) to change their status to verified. In certain other embodiments, registered users may drop their business cards, sign lists, or otherwise indicate their presence to have their status changed for them. Thus, I n step S3010, a user may have privileges granted, access rights changed, etc. based on verified status. For example, a verified user may be gain access to certain groups/discussion forums for verified users only.
Verified users also may, in certain exemplary embodiments, make un-moderated postings.
In certain other exemplary embodiments, verified users may be able to access special promotions not available to other users. One such special promotion may include the ability to send messages (e.g., SMS messages, email messages, picture messages, etc.) to registered users' mobile phones. In certain exemplary embodiments, the coupons for one or more free credits may be sent to registered users. The coupon itself may come in many forms. For example, a simple message may be provided to show to an authorized person at a location (e.g., a bar manager, proprietor, etc.). The coupon may also include a special validation code, for example, to help reduce the chances of free credits being given away erroneously. The validation code could be shown to an authorized person or could be entered directly into a jukebox. The code could be validated against a database of codes located on the jukebox or remote from the jukebox. The database could be updated (e.g., the validity of the coupon may be revoked so as to prevent further use(s) of the same coupon, etc.) after a coupon is read. Alternatively or in addition, the code may be created according to a self-checkable format such that a database does not need to be consulted (e.g., the code itself may be encoded with the number of credits and/or additional information according to a predefined format which may or may not be readily determinable by a casual observer).

The validation code may also include a location code that indicates that the coupon is only good for a particular location or group of locations. As an example, a coupon may be provided for plays on all jukeboxes at all locations owned by a single person. Similarly, the validation code may also include a time expiry code, such as, for example, a number of days or an absolute date and/or time in which the recipient of the coupon must redeem the coupon. For example, the code may be good for use within 1 week, only on certain days, etc.

Separate from or in addition to a simple message and/or validation code, the coupon may be provided in the form of a barcode scannable by the manager and/or at the jukebox using appropriate hardware. The coupons may be delivered, for example, as text messages, through the regular mail, through email, etc. In certain exemplary cases, whether the coupon includes a barcode or in another format, it may be necessary to print out a coupon for redemption at a location, whereas in certain other exemplary cases it may be possible to merely bring the mobile device that has received the coupon.

Thus, certain exemplary embodiments provide systems and/or methods of delivering a coupon to a user of a digital downloading jukebox. A validation code is created. Associating with the validation code is a number of free credits for the user.
Note that no specific number necessarily need be included in the validation code -for example, the existence of the coupon itself may be good for a predetermined number of credits (e.g., 1 credit, 5 credits, 10 credits, etc.). The validation code is included with the coupon. The validation code is transmitted to the user.

Included in the validation code may be at least one location where the user can redeem the coupon and/or a restriction on the time when the user can redeem the coupon. The validation code may include an encoded, alphanumeric sequence and/or a barcode. The coupon feature could also be used for coupons that provide discounts on food, drink and/or other products/services offered by a jukebox establishment.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the validation code may be obtained from the coupon. It may then be determined whether the validation code is valid.
When the validation code is valid, a number of credits is/are provided to the user in accordance with the number of free credits associated with the validation code. The validation code may be obtained by the jukebox via a barcode scanner, and/or a user may have to input the validation code into the jukebox via a user interface provided to the jukebox. Alternatively or in addition, an authorized user of a jukebox (e.g., a manager, proprietor, etc.) may provide the free credits to the patron.

Here, as elsewhere, any suitable combination of programmed logic circuitry (e.g., hardware, software, firmware, and/or any suitable combination thereof) may enable such functionality. Additionally, instructions for canying out the same may be stored on any suitable computer-readable storage medium.

FIG. 31 is an exemplary flowchart showing how registered users may receive credits for referring potential users. In step S3 102, a user logs onto a jukebox (either locally or remotely). In step S3104, users specify some contact information for potential future users. It will be appreciated that step S3104 may be accessed when users create new accounts, when registered users access a form, etc. It also will be appreciated that contact information may be used, as appropriate, to send, for example, an e-mail, a text message, conventional mail, etc. In step S3106, invitations are sent to potential future users by the jukebox using the provided contact information. Lastly, in step S3108, referring users may receive credits. In certain example embodiments, credits may be awarded based on the number of users referred. In certain example embodiments, credits may be awarded based on a formula (e.g. 1 credit for every five users referred and/or registered), which might include bonuses (e.g. a bonus may be given when 10, 25, and/or 50 referred users become registered users).

FIG. 32 is an exemplary flowchart showing how registered uses may receive credits for creating public playlists. In step S3202, a user logs onto a jukebox, either locally or remotely. In step S3204, a user creates a public playlist. As described above, a user will associate certain instances of media with a playlist, preferably giving the entire playlist a descriptive name. It will be appreciated that users may create playlists using any of the methods described above, including, for example, drag-and-drop features, search features, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, it may be necessary to designate playlists as public.

In step 3206, jukebox users may access public playlists and songs as part of their normal jukebox activities. The jukebox monitors user activity, especially with respect to the songs and playlists accessed. In certain exemplary embodiments, the jukebox will maintain counts, percentages, and the like related to the songs and playlists accessed. The jukebox will reward users based on the accessions of other users in step S3210. For example, users may be rewarded if their playlist(s) is/are accessed the most of any playlist, is/are accessed above a certain threshold number of times, is/are selected more than other playlists in a predefined category, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, users may be rewarded based on the contents of their playlists. For example, users may be rewarded based on whether their playlists contain a predefined number and/or proportion of the most popular songs, as determined by the jukebox. It will be appreciated that users may be rewarded in any number of ways. For example, one obvious way users may be rewarded is by giving them credits for additional plays on the jukebox. Users also may be rewarded by being entered in certain promotions, giveaways, or the like. More generally, a recognized user may earn reward points for conducting arbitrary jukebox-related activities (e.g., on an actual jukebox, via a web interface, etc.). For example, a recognized user may earn points every time the user logs on, sends a message, shares a playlist, etc. Reward points may be redeemed, for example, to purchase plays on a jukebox. Alternatively, points may be redeemed for special merchandise to promote the further use of the jukebox by the recognized user.

5 Optionally, a user may choose an avatar to represent the user on a jukebox and/or in any other jukebox-mediated environment, A user's avatar may be depicted graphically, for example, as a picture, as a moving animation, as a character, or in any other way suitable for identifying the user. The avatar may or may not bear a physical likeness to the registered user.

10 In one example, when a person operating a jukebox selects the local playlists option from a jukebox, the playlists for each registered user on the jukebox may be made available. This example is depicted in Figure 33, which is an exemplary screenshot of a "Local Playlists" screen in which registered users are represented by avatars. Next to the registered users' names, nicknames, or other identifying marks 15 3302a-e may be the particular user's avatar 3304a-e. This may provide further customization and personalization to a jukebox by, for example, showing the regulars of a bar whom many patrons may know or recognize, encourage casual jukebox patrons to become more active in creating custom playlists, etc. After the user selects a group of local playlists associated with a registered user and represented by 20 an avatar, that user's playlists may be displayed. The user operating the jukebox may then select an individual playlist associated with the user represented by the avatar.
Once selected, the contents of the playlist (e.g., one or more songs) may be displayed, along with the user's avatar, the name of the playlist, and the number of plays required for play.

25 If the playlist, or a portion thereof, is selected for play by the user, a now playing screen may be displayed, as shown in Figure 34, which is an exemplary screenshot of a "now playing" screen. This screen may display the avatar 3304a, the name of the registered user 3402, the name of the playlist 3404, etc.
Additionally, acting on behalf of the registered user, a lead-in audio or video may be played to 30 introduce the songs, transition between songs, and/or conclude the playlist. For example, the avatar itself may be animated. When the avatar is a picture, a slide show may cause the image appear to be animated, or various images may be superimposed over the mouth to make it appear as if the avatar is speaking or singing.
The same or similar functionality may be made available if the avatar is an animated character. For example, an avatar may sing and/or dance along with the music (e.g., the avatar may head-bang to heavy metal music, line dance with other real or simulated avatars to country music, etc., as programmed by the registered user or as automatically generated by the jukebox), using, for example, custom animations, inverse kinematics techniques, etc. The and/or other features may be enabled by any suitable avatar action programmed logic circuitry (e.g., a processor on or accessible by a jukebox or remote jukebox interface comprising any suitable combination of hardware, software, or the like). In general, the avatar action programmed, logic circuitry may cause the avatar to react to the instance of media, before, during, and/or after it is played.

These and/or similar features may be provided by allowing the registered user to upload content (e.g., video and/or audio content) to the jukebox and/or jukebox distribution network. For example, pictures, audio files, movies, and the like may be captured by and/or stored to a single jukebox and associated with a registered user on that jukebox, or may be stored to a central location so as to be available to multiple jukeboxes.

It will be appreciated that these and/or similar features may be provided in a networked jukebox environment so that registered users may have access to their avatars from anywhere. This may be useful when traveling, for example, back to a hometown, university, and/or other place that the user may visit later, for example.
In this way, the avatar may be familiar to other patrons who once knew the registered user. It also may be helpful to registered users on the go, who wish to be creative (e.g., to make new friends) or to introduce themselves (e.g., through introductory audio and/or video clips), while also having access to the user's own library of music, etc, Avatars and media presented by avatars may be forced to comply with local filters applied to the jukebox. For example, playlists may be filtered if a location does not permit rap, pre-recorded messages may be edited for explicit language, inappropriate pictures may be altered, etc.

As described above with reference to the MyTouchTunes services, suitably configured jukeboxes may facilitate users' connections with various virtual communities, including, for example, communities of interest (e.g., organized around a specific subject), communities of fantasies (e.g., around gaming, creative environments, or the like), and/or communities of relationships (e.g., online meeting spaces). Accordingly, the jukeboxes may provide - either directly or through an online portal -one or more of electronic mailing lists; online chat rooms;
bulletin boards, message boards, discussion groups, Internet forums, or the like;
blogs; instant messaging services; podcasts; text messaging services; file sharing (e.g.. P2P
file sharing); multi-user dungeons (MUDs); etc. By connecting with and establishing new jukebox-centered virtual communities, it may be possible to attract new patrons and develop further interest of existing patrons. Indeed, it may be possible to realize increased returns in and through the virtual community by gathering information about members (and targeting advertising and transaction offerings appropriately), drawing vendors to the community to attract members and promote spending, drawing members to the community and generating member-based content, and/or promoting user-to-user interactions to build user loyalty to the community.

The above-described avatars may be used connection with a jukebox-mediated virtual community. For example, avatars may be associated with all actions a user takes within the community (e.g., writing a blog, posting on a bulletin board, sending a message, etc.). As a further, avatars may become more interesting as users begin to create and share their own media. A user may upload music (e.g., pursuant to a standard license agreement), with the avatar being virtually "attached"
to or associated with the media. The jukebox-mediated network could track the distribution of the music to websites, P2P file sharing engines, and/or jukeboxes.
Royalties may be tracked and returned to the user through its avatar.
Additionally, based on the type of user, different fees/royalty structures may be provided.
For example, for independent artists, a large fee and small royalty may not be appropriate, whereas an artist associated with a major record label may be more able to bear such direct and indirect costs. To facilitate control, music may be checked for copyright compliance, and this authorization process may be performed automatically (e.g., a comparison to banks of known music, checking for the presence of a digital watermark, etc.) or manually (e.g., by an authorized user, patron, operator, employee of the central distribution network, etc.). When content is posted and/or agreements are ratified, an avatar may be an acceptable form of digital signature attached to a copyright and/or license agreement. An avatar also may be displayed as album art, during the actual playing of a tagged song, etc.

In addition to the above-described toolkit usable by operators, operators, authorized, users, and/or proprietors also may make use of a configuration dashboard to administer, manage, update, and/or otherwise control jukeboxes. Indeed, operators managing one or more jukeboxes may save time and/or money by remotely accessing diagnostic and/or management features provided to the jukebox. In certain exemplary embodiments, an operator may be able to access a management and/or diagnostics module of the dashboard using, for example, a computer, handheld device, or other suitable device to receive notifications and/or to inquire into the status of a jukebox through a proprietary (e.g., web-based) interface.
Communications may be bidirectional, thus allowing operators to directly instruct and/or query jukeboxes of interest regarding management features and/or alerts and/or notifications. The features described below may be used alone or in various combinations to allow operators, authorized users, and/or proprietors to focus on particular jukeboxes in need of attention, thus saving time and money, while also increasing the up-time, reliability, and overall appeal of jukeboxes. With respect to such features, each jukebox may gather and/or monitor information in which an operator would be interested, potentially proactively sending this information to the operator. A notification mechanism may send messages (e.g., via email, SMS, or other suitable format) to the operator automatically when predetermined thresholds are exceeded. These predetermined thresholds may be set by the operator, may be preconfigured, etc.

Diagnostics and/alerts may include, for example, the bill rejection rate (e.g., in terms of percentage and/or number), number of bills in the stack, number of reboots, temperature (e.g., hard drive, CPU, system, enclosure, etc.), and the like.
Additionally, such alerts/notifications may be set to be sent at a predetermined time.
For example, notifications may be sent when the CPU temperature exceeds a threshold for a specified amount of time, when the number of reboots exceeds a threshold within a specified amount of time, etc.

It will be appreciated that such diagnostic techniques may be made available to operators located remote from a jukebox, as well as directly at a jukebox.
Furthermore, in certain exemplary embodiments, the diagnostic module of a first jukebox may be used to remotely check the diagnostic module of a second jukebox, the second jukebox being located remote from the first jukebox.

Figures 35-37 are illustrative screenshots demonstrating how diagnostic alerts may be configured. In particular, Figure 35 is an exemplary screenshot for setting alert preferences. In Figure 35, an email address to which alerts may be sent is specified in block 3502. Weekly reports may be specified by selecting a day from the dropdown box 3504, and daily reports similarly may be sent at a time specified by dropdown box 3506. The bottom portion of the exemplary screenshot lists the various tests and the frequency at which emails should be sent. For example, a selection from dropdown box 3508 may specify whether hard, disk temperature alerts should be sent never, instantly-daily, or weekly. Other alerts may be sent at the same or different intervals by, for example, setting dropdown boxes 3510, 3512 (which are partially blocked by the expanded dropdown box 3508). Of course, it will be appreciated that other intervals may be specified, other tests may be monitored, and that other addresses or notification means may be used (e.g., SMS messages, instant messages, etc.).

Figure 36 is an exemplary screenshot for setting alert thresholds. The left-hand side of Figure 36 notes the particular statistic to be monitored (e.g., bill reject rate, bill stacker fill rate, number of reboots, etc.), while the right-hand side allows the threshold to be specified. The threshold may be set in terms of an absolute number and/or in terms of a percent, as necessary. It will be appreciated that other tests may be monitored, and that any suitable threshold may be specified.
Additionally, indicating no threshold may be used to avoid causing alerts to be generated for a particular test, as well. Figure 37 is an exemplary screenshot showing the status of various tests. In Figure 37, the left-hand side of the screen lists the particular test, while the right-hand side of the screen indicates its status. The tests optionally may be categorized for convenience (e.g., temperature, fee 5 collection, software operation, etc.). As shown in Figure 37, status may be indicated by a color (e.g., green may signify no problem or operation within an acceptable range, yellow may signal some cause for concern, and red may signal the occurrence or imminence of a problem). Of course, other indicators may be used instead of a color-coded scheme (e.g., a number or percentage system, etc.).

10 An enhanced scheduling module also may be provided to the jukebox. This module may allow operators and/or other authorized jukebox users to schedule single and/or recurring events. For example, a bar owner may schedule morphs, music filters, and/or background music. The event recurrences may be weekly, monthly, yearly, etc. For example, background music may be played during bunch, music 15 filters may be applied during the afternoon and early evening, and an unrestricted playlist may be made available at night. As another example, the jukebox may morph nightly to accommodate an 80s music night, hip-hop night, country line dancing night, disco night, etc. Such advance setup ultimately may save time and improve convenience. The events scheduler may include monthly and/or daily views, with the 20 daily view being broken down, for example, by hours. After a new event is added, the appropriate views may be updated.

Figure 38 is an exemplary screenshot of the morphing capabilities being linked to the enhanced scheduling module. With respect to morphing capabilities, a jukebox may be morphed to a predefined master jukebox (e.g., via input area 3802), 25 to a specific jukebox (e.g., a jukebox previously defined by, for example, a proprietor or operator, etc., via input area 3804), or to a new custom list of music (e.g., via input area 3806). In particular, a snapshot may be taken for each morph of the jukebox, with associated data (e.g., date, time, playlist) being stored therewith. This may facilitate the morph process and also may allow proprietors to "undo" morphs (e.g., 30 when they are less popular, not as successful, etc.). A user may then schedule the morph like any other event by selecting the "schedule this setting" button 3808.

The "schedule this setting" button 3808 may bring up the calendar scheduling component, just as in any other event scheduling. Figure 39 is an exemplary screenshot of a scheduling calendar. The scheduling calendar may have a month-by-month view 3902 as well as a daily view 3904. The daily view 3904 may be broken down by the half-hour, hour, etc., and may show any other events schedule for a particular day.

Operators also may setup sub-user accounts, with such sub-users having restricted location access.

Other functions may include enhanced location setup features.

The present disclosure has used certain terms that should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to a particular embodiment, hardware components and configurations, software configurations, etc. For example, many features and examples have been described in relation to their existence within a bar, pub, or other environment. However, it will be appreciated that the features present in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are adaptable for use in any location where a jukebox (or multiple jukeboxes) may be located. Similarly, while certain features and functions are described with reference to usage by "users,"
"owners," "operators," "patrons," etc., it will be appreciated that these terms are generic and may, in most cases, be used interchangeably depending on the embodiment chosen and the feature employed. For example, while it may be advantageous to limit the initial song selection to owners and/or operators, in certain exemplary embodiments, patrons may play a role in the initial song selection.

Still further, particular hardware combinations and configurations are disclosed which represent only one way which the embodiments may be constructed.
Central servers may, in some exemplary embodiments, be comprised of one or more servers acting together or separately to coherently provide the full range of services necessary to enable a functioning jukebox. For example, a cluster of servers may comprise a virtual central server, with one server providing media, another tracking membership, still another processing licensing, etc.

Similarly, the local servers described herein may be incorporated into the jukeboxes. For example, the local servers may appear to function independently, even though they exist as part (e.g. partition) of an integrated mass storage device within the jukebox. Indeed, as hard disks become larger and less expensive, they may preferably serve the functions of local servers. One presently preferred embodiment comprises a 120 GB hard drive containing 25,000 songs as the factory drive. However, flash media or any storage media now known or later developed (or combinations thereof) may be used as the factory drive, expanded media storage or local server, depending on the desires of a system designer for a particular jukebox application. In other words, the invention is not limited to any particular storage technology or configuration, but instead can be implemented using any suitable storage technology.

Also, although the term "song" has been used sometimes in the above-description, this term is not intended to be limiting to-the scope of the invention, and any instance or instances of media (e.g., song, video, song/video combination, data, information etc.) can be used in any embodiment herein and still fall within the intended scope of the invention.

Lastly, it will be appreciated that the screen shots and software arrangements presented herein are only one preferred method for organizing and displaying the features disclosed herein. Other configurations are possible and are therefore contemplated herein.

While the preferred aspects of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and/or modifications can be made. Thus, the specific description herein is meant to be exemplary only and is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of appended claims.

Claims (59)

1. A method of distributing a playlist to one or more digital jukeboxes connected to an audiovisual distribution network, the method comprising:
connecting a peripheral device having a peripheral playlist stored in a computer-readable storage medium thereon to a digital jukebox via a connector;

retrieving the peripheral playlist for the digital jukebox;
converting the peripheral playlist to a jukebox playlist; and publishing the jukebox playlist at least on the jukebox,
2. The method of claim 1, wherein peripheral device is at least one of: a portable music player, a computer, and a mobile phone.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least temporarily storing the peripheral playlist to a computer-readable storage medium of the digital jukebox.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the jukebox playlist is to be designated a public jukebox playlist or a private jukebox playlist.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the jukebox playlist to a server of the audiovisual distribution network.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising making the jukebox playlist available to jukeboxes connected to the audiovisual distribution network.
7. The method of claim 5, further comprising making the jukebox playlist available to remote devices connected to the audiovisual distribution network.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the connector is a USB connection.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising requiring a user to log into the jukebox before importing of the peripheral playlist is enabled.
10. A method of distributing a playlist to one or more digital jukeboxes connected to an audiovisual distribution network, the method comprising:
retrieving a software application playlist associated with a software application used on a computer device for use on a the digital jukebox;
converting the software application playlist to a jukebox playlist; and publishing the jukebox playlist at least on the jukebox.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising at least temporarily storing the software application playlist to a computer-readable storage medium of the computer device.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining whether the jukebox playlist is to be designated a public jukebox playlist or a private jukebox playlist.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising sending the jukebox playlist to a server of the audiovisual distribution network.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising sending the jukebox playlist to a server of the audiovisual distribution network.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising making the jukebox playlist available to jukeboxes connected to the audiovisual distribution network.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising making the jukebox playlist available to remote devices connected to the audiovisual distribution network.
17. The method of claim. 10, further, comprising requiring a user to log into the computer device before importing of the software application playlist is enabled.
18. A digital downloading jukebox, comprising:
a communicator configured to distribute a playlist to one or more different digital jukeboxes connected to an audiovisual distribution network;

a connector configured to connect a peripheral device having a peripheral playlist stored in a computer-readable storage medium thereon to the digital jukebox;
a processor configured to retrieve the peripheral playlist for the digital jukebox; and, converting programmed logic circuitry configured to convert the peripheral playlist. to a jukebox playlist, wherein the processor is further configured to publish the jukebox playlist at least on the jukebox.
19. The jukebox of claim 18, wherein peripheral device is at least one of:
a portable music player, a computer, and a mobile phone.
20. The jukebox of claim 18, further comprising a computer-readable storage medium associated with the digital jukebox configured to at least temporarily store the peripheral playlist.
21. The jukebox of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the jukebox playlist is to be designated a public jukebox playlist or a private jukebox playlist.
22. The jukebox of claim 18, wherein the communicator is configured to send the jukebox playlist to a server of the audiovisual distribution network.
23. The jukebox of claim 22, wherein a module of the server on the audiovisual distribution network is configured to make the jukebox playlist available to jukeboxes connected to the audiovisual distribution network.
24. The jukebox of claim 22. wherein a module of the server on the audiovisual distribution network is configured to make the jukebox playlist available to remote devices connected to the audiovisual distribution network
25. The jukebox of claim 18, wherein the connector is a USB connection.
26. The jukebox of claim 18, wherein the connector is a proprietary docking station.
27. The jukebox of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to require a user to log into the jukebox before importing of the peripheral playlist.
28. A method for playing instances of media on a digital downloading jukebox, the method comprising:
requiring a user to log into the jukebox;
providing a plurality of selectable instances of media for play on the jukebox;
enabling user selection of an instance of media from the plurality of selectable instances of media via a user interface to the jukebox;
for each user selection, adding the instance of media to a playlist stored in a computer-readable storage medium of the jukebox; and playing the instances of media in the playlist in order;
wherein the plurality of selectable instances of media is selected from a master group of instances of media in dependence on a previous play of an instance of media by the user.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising forming the plurality of selectable instances of media from instances of media previously played by the user within a predetermined time period.
30. The method of claim 28, further comprising forming the plurality of selectable instances of media from instances of media previously played by the user at a predetermined location.
31. The method of claim 28, further comprising forming the plurality of selectable instances of media from instances of media stored in a list of recently played instances of media associated with the user.
32. The method of claim 28, further comprising:
determining a number of credits available to the user;
when the number of credits is sufficient to play all of the instances of media in the playlist, playing all instances of media in the playlist; and when the number of credits is insufficient to play all of the instances of media in the playlist, playing only a portion of the instances of media in the playlist.
33. The method of claim 32, further comprising when the number of credits is insufficient to play all of the instances of media in the playlist, allowing the user to select the portion of the instances of media in the playlist for play.
34. The method of claim 32, further comprising, when the number of credits is insufficient to play all of the instances of media in the playlist, playing the instances of media in the playlist in order until the credits are exhausted.
35. A method of playing an instance of media on a digital downloading jukebox, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of instances of media on the jukebox;
providing an interface to a user of the jukebox to allow the user to search for a particular instance of media for play on the jukebox;
determining whether the instance of media is available for immediate play on the jukebox free from additional processing by the jukebox;
when the instance of media is available for immediate play, charging the user a predetermined first number of credits and queuing up the instance of media for play;
and when the instance of media is not available for immediate play, determining whether the user is a verified user, when the user is a verified user, charging a second predetermined number of credits if the instance of media exists in a playlist associated with the user, but otherwise charging a third predetermined number of credits, and queuing up the instance of media for play, wherein the second predetermined number of credits is less than the third predetermined number of credits, and wherein the third predetermined number of credits is greater than the first number of predetermined credits.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the playlist associated with the user is a playlist previously created by the user.
37. The method of claim 35, wherein the playlist associated with the user is a playlist including songs recently played by the user.
38. The method of claim 35, wherein the playlist associated with the user is a playlist created by another user but recently played at least in part by the user.
39. The method of claim 35, wherein the determination of whether the instance of media is available for immediate play on the jukebox free from additional processing by the jukebox includes determining whether the instance of media resides on a storage area separate from a dedicated storage area of the jukebox comprising immediately playable instances of media.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the separate storage area is a remote server.
41. The method of claim 39, wherein the separate storage area is a partition of the dedicated storage area of the jukebox.
42. The method of claim 39, wherein the separate storage area is a separate storage area within the jukebox.
43. The method of claim 35, wherein the determination of whether the instance of media is available for immediate play on the jukebox free from additional processing by the jukebox includes determining the user's search methodology provided by the interface.
44. A method of operating a digital downloading jukebox, the method comprising:
defining a plurality of channels, each said channel having a plurality of instances of media associated therewith;
selecting a channel from said plurality of channels on the part of an authorized user;
responding to one or more patron uses of the jukebox in a first mode, at least some of said uses including adding instances of media to a queue for play on the jukebox and playing said queued instances of media; and when the jukebox is not responding to a patron request and/or playing a queued instance of media, playing the instances of media in the channel in a second mode, wherein the first mode is different from the second mode, and wherein the second mode is not directly controllable by a patron of the jukebox.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein the instances of media are associated with channels by an authorized user.
46. The method of claim 44, wherein the instances of media are associated with channels according to a theme and/or genre associated with each said instance of media.
47. The method of claim 44, further comprising when a control code is received from the authorized user, skipping the instance of media being played by the channel.
48. The method of claim 44, further comprising changing a frequency an instance of media in a channel is played in dependence on one or more control codes received from the authorized user, wherein the control codes correspond to at least one of: skipping an instance of media being played by the channel, replaying an instance of media being or having just been played by the channel, and removing an instance of media from the channel.
49. The method of claim 44, wherein the second mode is a background music mode.
50. A method of delivering a coupon to a user of a digital downloading jukebox, the method comprising:
creating a validation code;
associating with the validation code a number of free credits for the user;
including the validation code with the coupon; and transmitting the validation code to the user.
51. The method of claim 50, further comprising including in the validation code at least one location where the user can redeem the coupon.
52. The method of claim 50, further comprising including in the validation code a restriction on the time when the user can redeem the coupon.
53. The method of claim 50, wherein the coupon is transmitted to a mobile phone of the user.
54. The method of claim 50, wherein the validation code is an encoded alphanumeric sequence.
55. The method of claim 50, wherein the validation code is a barcode.
56. The method of claim 50, further comprising:
obtaining the validation code from the coupon;
determining whether the validation code is valid;
when the validation code is valid, providing to the user a number of credits in accordance with the number of free credits associated with the validation code.
57. The method of claim 56, wherein the validation code is obtained by the jukebox via a barcode scanner.
58. The method of claim 56, wherein the validation code is obtained by having the user input the validation code into the jukebox via a user interface provided to the jukebox.
59. The method of claim 56, wherein the validation code is validated against a database of valid validation codes.
CA002627173A 2007-09-24 2008-03-25 Digital downloading jukebox with enhanced communication features Abandoned CA2627173A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/902,658 US10373420B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2007-09-24 Digital downloading jukebox with enhanced communication features
US11/902,658 2007-09-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2627173A1 true CA2627173A1 (en) 2009-03-24

Family

ID=40380666

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002627173A Abandoned CA2627173A1 (en) 2007-09-24 2008-03-25 Digital downloading jukebox with enhanced communication features

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (3) US10373420B2 (en)
EP (2) EP3070691A1 (en)
JP (1) JP5795700B2 (en)
CN (2) CN101399732B (en)
CA (1) CA2627173A1 (en)
MX (1) MX2008004032A (en)
TW (1) TWI499264B (en)

Families Citing this family (232)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2201909C (en) 1994-10-12 2006-05-02 Technical Maintenance Corporation Intelligent digital audiovisual playback system
US7424731B1 (en) 1994-10-12 2008-09-09 Touchtunes Music Corporation Home digital audiovisual information recording and playback system
US7188352B2 (en) 1995-07-11 2007-03-06 Touchtunes Music Corporation Intelligent digital audiovisual playback system
US8661477B2 (en) 1994-10-12 2014-02-25 Touchtunes Music Corporation System for distributing and selecting audio and video information and method implemented by said system
FR2753868A1 (en) 1996-09-25 1998-03-27 Technical Maintenance Corp METHOD FOR SELECTING A RECORDING ON AN AUDIOVISUAL DIGITAL REPRODUCTION SYSTEM AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD
FR2769165B1 (en) 1997-09-26 2002-11-29 Technical Maintenance Corp WIRELESS SYSTEM WITH DIGITAL TRANSMISSION FOR SPEAKERS
FR2781582B1 (en) 1998-07-21 2001-01-12 Technical Maintenance Corp SYSTEM FOR DOWNLOADING OBJECTS OR FILES FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE
US8028318B2 (en) 1999-07-21 2011-09-27 Touchtunes Music Corporation Remote control unit for activating and deactivating means for payment and for displaying payment status
FR2781591B1 (en) 1998-07-22 2000-09-22 Technical Maintenance Corp AUDIOVISUAL REPRODUCTION SYSTEM
FR2781580B1 (en) 1998-07-22 2000-09-22 Technical Maintenance Corp SOUND CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR INTELLIGENT DIGITAL AUDIOVISUAL REPRODUCTION SYSTEM
US8726330B2 (en) 1999-02-22 2014-05-13 Touchtunes Music Corporation Intelligent digital audiovisual playback system
FR2796482B1 (en) 1999-07-16 2002-09-06 Touchtunes Music Corp REMOTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR AT LEAST ONE AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION REPRODUCING DEVICE
FR2805377B1 (en) 2000-02-23 2003-09-12 Touchtunes Music Corp EARLY ORDERING PROCESS FOR A SELECTION, DIGITAL SYSTEM AND JUKE-BOX FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD
FR2805060B1 (en) 2000-02-16 2005-04-08 Touchtunes Music Corp METHOD FOR RECEIVING FILES DURING DOWNLOAD
FR2805072B1 (en) 2000-02-16 2002-04-05 Touchtunes Music Corp METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE SOUND VOLUME OF A DIGITAL SOUND RECORDING
FR2808906B1 (en) 2000-05-10 2005-02-11 Touchtunes Music Corp DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY MANAGING A NETWORK OF AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION REPRODUCTION SYSTEMS
FR2811175B1 (en) 2000-06-29 2002-12-27 Touchtunes Music Corp AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION METHOD AND AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
FR2811114B1 (en) 2000-06-29 2002-12-27 Touchtunes Music Corp DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A SYSTEM FOR REPRODUCING AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION AND AN ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT MACHINE
FR2814085B1 (en) 2000-09-15 2005-02-11 Touchtunes Music Corp ENTERTAINMENT METHOD BASED ON MULTIPLE CHOICE COMPETITION GAMES
US20060212442A1 (en) * 2001-05-16 2006-09-21 Pandora Media, Inc. Methods of Presenting and Providing Content to a User
JP4386732B2 (en) 2002-01-08 2009-12-16 セブン ネットワークス, インコーポレイテッド Mobile network connection architecture
US11029823B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2021-06-08 Touchtunes Music Corporation Jukebox with customizable avatar
US8584175B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2013-11-12 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools
US8151304B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2012-04-03 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools
US7822687B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2010-10-26 Francois Brillon Jukebox with customizable avatar
US8103589B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2012-01-24 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with central and local music servers
US9646339B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2017-05-09 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with central and local music servers
US8332895B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2012-12-11 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools
US10373420B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2019-08-06 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox with enhanced communication features
US7853563B2 (en) 2005-08-01 2010-12-14 Seven Networks, Inc. Universal data aggregation
US8468126B2 (en) 2005-08-01 2013-06-18 Seven Networks, Inc. Publishing data in an information community
US7917468B2 (en) 2005-08-01 2011-03-29 Seven Networks, Inc. Linking of personal information management data
US10613817B2 (en) 2003-07-28 2020-04-07 Sonos, Inc. Method and apparatus for displaying a list of tracks scheduled for playback by a synchrony group
US11294618B2 (en) 2003-07-28 2022-04-05 Sonos, Inc. Media player system
US8086752B2 (en) 2006-11-22 2011-12-27 Sonos, Inc. Systems and methods for synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices that independently source digital data
US11106424B2 (en) 2003-07-28 2021-08-31 Sonos, Inc. Synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices
US11106425B2 (en) 2003-07-28 2021-08-31 Sonos, Inc. Synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices
US11650784B2 (en) 2003-07-28 2023-05-16 Sonos, Inc. Adjusting volume levels
US8234395B2 (en) 2003-07-28 2012-07-31 Sonos, Inc. System and method for synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices
US8290603B1 (en) 2004-06-05 2012-10-16 Sonos, Inc. User interfaces for controlling and manipulating groupings in a multi-zone media system
US20050190659A1 (en) * 2004-03-01 2005-09-01 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Audio reproducing apparatus
US9374607B2 (en) * 2012-06-26 2016-06-21 Sonos, Inc. Media playback system with guest access
US9977561B2 (en) 2004-04-01 2018-05-22 Sonos, Inc. Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide guest access
US8326951B1 (en) 2004-06-05 2012-12-04 Sonos, Inc. Establishing a secure wireless network with minimum human intervention
US8868698B2 (en) 2004-06-05 2014-10-21 Sonos, Inc. Establishing a secure wireless network with minimum human intervention
US20060031476A1 (en) * 2004-08-05 2006-02-09 Mathes Marvin L Apparatus and method for remotely monitoring a computer network
US20060041425A1 (en) * 2004-08-23 2006-02-23 Smulson Joel R Providing personal skating music on demand at skating rinks
US8745132B2 (en) * 2004-09-10 2014-06-03 Silver State Intellectual Technologies, Inc. System and method for audio and video portable publishing system
US8010082B2 (en) 2004-10-20 2011-08-30 Seven Networks, Inc. Flexible billing architecture
US7441271B2 (en) 2004-10-20 2008-10-21 Seven Networks Method and apparatus for intercepting events in a communication system
US7706781B2 (en) 2004-11-22 2010-04-27 Seven Networks International Oy Data security in a mobile e-mail service
FI117152B (en) 2004-12-03 2006-06-30 Seven Networks Internat Oy E-mail service provisioning method for mobile terminal, involves using domain part and further parameters to generate new parameter set in list of setting parameter sets, if provisioning of e-mail service is successful
US20060156330A1 (en) * 2005-01-07 2006-07-13 Fu-Sheng Chiu Intelligent interactive multimedia
US7197324B2 (en) * 2005-01-31 2007-03-27 Sweeney Robert J Permission based text messaging
US7818350B2 (en) 2005-02-28 2010-10-19 Yahoo! Inc. System and method for creating a collaborative playlist
US7752633B1 (en) 2005-03-14 2010-07-06 Seven Networks, Inc. Cross-platform event engine
US20060212507A1 (en) * 2005-03-18 2006-09-21 Clark Darren L Location-based historical performance information for entertainment devices
US7796742B1 (en) 2005-04-21 2010-09-14 Seven Networks, Inc. Systems and methods for simplified provisioning
US8438633B1 (en) 2005-04-21 2013-05-07 Seven Networks, Inc. Flexible real-time inbox access
US20060259923A1 (en) * 2005-05-12 2006-11-16 Fu-Sheng Chiu Interactive multimedia interface display
WO2006136660A1 (en) 2005-06-21 2006-12-28 Seven Networks International Oy Maintaining an ip connection in a mobile network
US8069166B2 (en) 2005-08-01 2011-11-29 Seven Networks, Inc. Managing user-to-user contact with inferred presence information
US7548958B2 (en) * 2005-08-08 2009-06-16 Rowe International Corporation Quick pick apparatus and method for music selection
US7769395B2 (en) 2006-06-20 2010-08-03 Seven Networks, Inc. Location-based operations and messaging
WO2008002530A2 (en) * 2006-06-28 2008-01-03 Rowe International Corporation Category management
US8327266B2 (en) 2006-07-11 2012-12-04 Napo Enterprises, Llc Graphical user interface system for allowing management of a media item playlist based on a preference scoring system
US9003056B2 (en) * 2006-07-11 2015-04-07 Napo Enterprises, Llc Maintaining a minimum level of real time media recommendations in the absence of online friends
US8364669B1 (en) * 2006-07-21 2013-01-29 Aol Inc. Popularity of content items
US20080056491A1 (en) * 2006-08-31 2008-03-06 Corevalus Systems, Llc Methods and Systems For Managing Digital Sheet Music on a Digital Sheet Music Display System
US10657168B2 (en) 2006-10-24 2020-05-19 Slacker, Inc. Methods and systems for personalized rendering of digital media content
US20100106852A1 (en) * 2007-10-24 2010-04-29 Kindig Bradley D Systems and methods for providing user personalized media content on a portable device
US20080215645A1 (en) 2006-10-24 2008-09-04 Kindig Bradley D Systems and devices for personalized rendering of digital media content
US8712563B2 (en) 2006-10-24 2014-04-29 Slacker, Inc. Method and apparatus for interactive distribution of digital content
US20100250458A1 (en) * 2009-03-30 2010-09-30 Mspot, Inc. Content based social networking system and method
US9317179B2 (en) 2007-01-08 2016-04-19 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for providing recommendations to a user of a cloud computing service
US9171419B2 (en) 2007-01-17 2015-10-27 Touchtunes Music Corporation Coin operated entertainment system
US20090070185A1 (en) * 2007-01-17 2009-03-12 Concert Technology Corporation System and method for recommending a digital media subscription service
US9330529B2 (en) 2007-01-17 2016-05-03 Touchtunes Music Corporation Game terminal configured for interaction with jukebox device systems including same, and/or associated methods
WO2008109889A1 (en) 2007-03-08 2008-09-12 Slacker, Inc. System and method for personalizing playback content through interaction with a playback device
DK2143256T3 (en) * 2007-03-14 2020-01-13 Slacker Inc Portable Personalized Radio Systems and Methods
US9953481B2 (en) 2007-03-26 2018-04-24 Touchtunes Music Corporation Jukebox with associated video server
US9146925B2 (en) * 2007-05-04 2015-09-29 Manuel Ignacio Tijerino User defined internet jukebox kiosks set top box
US8805425B2 (en) 2007-06-01 2014-08-12 Seven Networks, Inc. Integrated messaging
US8693494B2 (en) 2007-06-01 2014-04-08 Seven Networks, Inc. Polling
WO2009029222A1 (en) * 2007-08-24 2009-03-05 Clear Channel Management Services, L.P. System and method for providing a radio-like experience
US8353758B2 (en) * 2007-09-17 2013-01-15 Ami Entertainment Network, Inc. Amusement device having electronic game and jukebox functionalities
US10290006B2 (en) 2008-08-15 2019-05-14 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital signage and gaming services to comply with federal and state alcohol and beverage laws and regulations
US8332887B2 (en) * 2008-01-10 2012-12-11 Touchtunes Music Corporation System and/or methods for distributing advertisements from a central advertisement network to a peripheral device via a local advertisement server
US8352549B2 (en) * 2007-09-28 2013-01-08 Ebay Inc. System and method for creating topic neighborhoods in a networked system
US8799068B2 (en) 2007-11-05 2014-08-05 Facebook, Inc. Social advertisements and other informational messages on a social networking website, and advertising model for same
US9990652B2 (en) 2010-12-15 2018-06-05 Facebook, Inc. Targeting social advertising to friends of users who have interacted with an object associated with the advertising
US20120203831A1 (en) 2011-02-03 2012-08-09 Kent Schoen Sponsored Stories Unit Creation from Organic Activity Stream
US9060034B2 (en) 2007-11-09 2015-06-16 Napo Enterprises, Llc System and method of filtering recommenders in a media item recommendation system
US9230237B2 (en) * 2007-12-06 2016-01-05 International Business Machines Corporation Contract amendment mechanism in a virtual world
US8364181B2 (en) 2007-12-10 2013-01-29 Seven Networks, Inc. Electronic-mail filtering for mobile devices
EP2223540B1 (en) * 2007-12-12 2019-01-16 III Holdings 2, LLC System and method for generating a recommendation on a mobile device
US9497583B2 (en) 2007-12-12 2016-11-15 Iii Holdings 2, Llc System and method for generating a recommendation on a mobile device
US8793305B2 (en) 2007-12-13 2014-07-29 Seven Networks, Inc. Content delivery to a mobile device from a content service
US9002828B2 (en) 2007-12-13 2015-04-07 Seven Networks, Inc. Predictive content delivery
US7890623B2 (en) * 2007-12-27 2011-02-15 International Business Machines Corporation Generating data for media playlist construction in virtual environments
US7886045B2 (en) * 2007-12-26 2011-02-08 International Business Machines Corporation Media playlist construction for virtual environments
US8315950B2 (en) * 2007-12-31 2012-11-20 Sandisk Technologies Inc. Powerfully simple digital media player and methods for use therewith
US8107921B2 (en) 2008-01-11 2012-01-31 Seven Networks, Inc. Mobile virtual network operator
GB2457650A (en) * 2008-01-14 2009-08-26 Soundnet Ltd Selecting tracks from a jukebox via a wireless communications device
US8862657B2 (en) 2008-01-25 2014-10-14 Seven Networks, Inc. Policy based content service
US20090193338A1 (en) 2008-01-28 2009-07-30 Trevor Fiatal Reducing network and battery consumption during content delivery and playback
US7502831B1 (en) * 2008-03-10 2009-03-10 International Business Machines Corporation System and method of sending and receiving categorized messages in instant messaging environment
CA2629900A1 (en) * 2008-04-25 2009-10-25 Jvl Corporation Enhanced digital media review and play system
US7886072B2 (en) * 2008-06-12 2011-02-08 Apple Inc. Network-assisted remote media listening
US8713026B2 (en) * 2008-06-13 2014-04-29 Sandisk Technologies Inc. Method for playing digital media files with a digital media player using a plurality of playlists
US8787947B2 (en) 2008-06-18 2014-07-22 Seven Networks, Inc. Application discovery on mobile devices
US8078158B2 (en) 2008-06-26 2011-12-13 Seven Networks, Inc. Provisioning applications for a mobile device
US8849435B2 (en) 2008-07-09 2014-09-30 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox with revenue-enhancing features
MX2011000025A (en) * 2008-07-28 2011-05-30 Sony Corp Client device and associated methodology of accessing networked services.
US8739034B2 (en) * 2008-08-13 2014-05-27 Myine Electronics, LLC Method and system for downloading and managing an edited media stream to a portable media device
US8281027B2 (en) * 2008-09-19 2012-10-02 Yahoo! Inc. System and method for distributing media related to a location
US9911457B2 (en) * 2008-09-24 2018-03-06 Disney Enterprises, Inc. System and method for providing a secure content with revocable access
US8909759B2 (en) 2008-10-10 2014-12-09 Seven Networks, Inc. Bandwidth measurement
US8407098B2 (en) * 2008-11-14 2013-03-26 Apple Inc. Method, medium, and system for ordering a playlist based on media popularity
US20100162120A1 (en) * 2008-12-18 2010-06-24 Derek Niizawa Digital Media Player User Interface
GB2467152A (en) * 2009-01-23 2010-07-28 Sound Leisure Ltd A jukebox and an interactive network
US20100228740A1 (en) * 2009-03-09 2010-09-09 Apple Inc. Community playlist management
CA2754990C (en) * 2009-03-18 2015-07-14 Touchtunes Music Corporation Entertainment server and associated social networking services
US10719149B2 (en) 2009-03-18 2020-07-21 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital jukebox device with improved user interfaces, and associated methods
US10564804B2 (en) 2009-03-18 2020-02-18 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital jukebox device with improved user interfaces, and associated methods
US9292166B2 (en) 2009-03-18 2016-03-22 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital jukebox device with improved karaoke-related user interfaces, and associated methods
US20100269042A1 (en) 2009-04-21 2010-10-21 Ami Entertainment Network, Inc. Jukebox menu navigation system
US8756507B2 (en) * 2009-06-24 2014-06-17 Microsoft Corporation Mobile media device user interface
US20110078006A1 (en) * 2009-09-30 2011-03-31 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Modular coupons in trail-of-breadcrumbs advertising
CN102130895A (en) * 2010-01-15 2011-07-20 北京华旗资讯数码科技有限公司 Vdeo on demand (VOD) channel method and network VOD system of self-built network audio file
EP2597608A1 (en) * 2010-01-26 2013-05-29 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital jukebox device with improved user interfaces, and associated methods
US8727886B2 (en) * 2010-02-01 2014-05-20 Ami Entertainment Network, Llc System for direct remote access to money-operated amusement device
TWI492076B (en) * 2010-03-25 2015-07-11 Inventec Appliances Corp Method and system for transmitting data
TW201209697A (en) 2010-03-30 2012-03-01 Michael Luna 3D mobile user interface with configurable workspace management
US20110282700A1 (en) * 2010-05-14 2011-11-17 Oliver Cockcroft Web application for a mobile computing device to provide location-based upcoming event information
CA2795552C (en) * 2010-05-27 2021-09-21 Roqbot, Inc. Methods and systems for analyzing user preferences to dynamically identify remotely located media for local access
US10140619B2 (en) * 2010-06-22 2018-11-27 Sizmek Technologies, Inc. Dynamic creative creation and delivery
CN102298488A (en) * 2010-06-24 2011-12-28 元太科技工业股份有限公司 Electronic reader and display method for the same
CA2857458A1 (en) 2010-07-26 2012-02-09 Michael Luna Mobile application traffic optimization
US8838783B2 (en) 2010-07-26 2014-09-16 Seven Networks, Inc. Distributed caching for resource and mobile network traffic management
US9077630B2 (en) 2010-07-26 2015-07-07 Seven Networks, Inc. Distributed implementation of dynamic wireless traffic policy
US9043433B2 (en) 2010-07-26 2015-05-26 Seven Networks, Inc. Mobile network traffic coordination across multiple applications
EP2426666A3 (en) * 2010-09-02 2012-04-11 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB Media playing apparatus and media processing method
US8190701B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2012-05-29 Seven Networks, Inc. Cache defeat detection and caching of content addressed by identifiers intended to defeat cache
US8843153B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2014-09-23 Seven Networks, Inc. Mobile traffic categorization and policy for network use optimization while preserving user experience
US8484314B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2013-07-09 Seven Networks, Inc. Distributed caching in a wireless network of content delivered for a mobile application over a long-held request
US9330196B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2016-05-03 Seven Networks, Llc Wireless traffic management system cache optimization using http headers
US8166164B1 (en) 2010-11-01 2012-04-24 Seven Networks, Inc. Application and network-based long poll request detection and cacheability assessment therefor
US9060032B2 (en) 2010-11-01 2015-06-16 Seven Networks, Inc. Selective data compression by a distributed traffic management system to reduce mobile data traffic and signaling traffic
WO2012060995A2 (en) 2010-11-01 2012-05-10 Michael Luna Distributed caching in a wireless network of content delivered for a mobile application over a long-held request
WO2012061430A2 (en) 2010-11-01 2012-05-10 Michael Luna Distributed management of keep-alive message signaling for mobile network resource conservation and optimization
GB2499534B (en) 2010-11-01 2018-09-19 Seven Networks Llc Caching adapted for mobile application behavior and network conditions
GB2500327B (en) 2010-11-22 2019-11-06 Seven Networks Llc Optimization of resource polling intervals to satisfy mobile device requests
CN103404193B (en) 2010-11-22 2018-06-05 七网络有限责任公司 The connection that adjustment data transmission is established with the transmission being optimized for through wireless network
US9325662B2 (en) 2011-01-07 2016-04-26 Seven Networks, Llc System and method for reduction of mobile network traffic used for domain name system (DNS) queries
USD703219S1 (en) 2011-02-08 2014-04-22 Qualcomm Incorporated Computing device display screen with computer-generated notification feature
WO2012145541A2 (en) 2011-04-19 2012-10-26 Seven Networks, Inc. Social caching for device resource sharing and management
CA2797631C (en) 2011-04-27 2013-11-19 Seven Networks, Inc. System and method for making requests on behalf of a mobile device based on atomic processes for mobile network traffic relief
GB2505585B (en) 2011-04-27 2015-08-12 Seven Networks Inc Detecting and preserving state for satisfying application requests in a distributed proxy and cache system
US20120278816A1 (en) * 2011-04-30 2012-11-01 Research In Motion Limited Apparatus, and associated method, for forming a media play-out list
US8984581B2 (en) 2011-07-27 2015-03-17 Seven Networks, Inc. Monitoring mobile application activities for malicious traffic on a mobile device
US9037968B1 (en) * 2011-07-28 2015-05-19 Zynga Inc. System and method to communicate information to a user
GB2522772B (en) 2011-09-18 2016-01-13 Touchtunes Music Corp Digital jukebox device with karaoke and/or photo booth features, and associated methods
US8204890B1 (en) * 2011-09-26 2012-06-19 Google Inc. Media content voting, ranking and playing system
US9015109B2 (en) 2011-11-01 2015-04-21 Lemi Technology, Llc Systems, methods, and computer readable media for maintaining recommendations in a media recommendation system
US8934414B2 (en) 2011-12-06 2015-01-13 Seven Networks, Inc. Cellular or WiFi mobile traffic optimization based on public or private network destination
US8868753B2 (en) 2011-12-06 2014-10-21 Seven Networks, Inc. System of redundantly clustered machines to provide failover mechanisms for mobile traffic management and network resource conservation
WO2013086447A1 (en) 2011-12-07 2013-06-13 Seven Networks, Inc. Radio-awareness of mobile device for sending server-side control signals using a wireless network optimized transport protocol
US9009250B2 (en) 2011-12-07 2015-04-14 Seven Networks, Inc. Flexible and dynamic integration schemas of a traffic management system with various network operators for network traffic alleviation
US9832095B2 (en) 2011-12-14 2017-11-28 Seven Networks, Llc Operation modes for mobile traffic optimization and concurrent management of optimized and non-optimized traffic
US20130159511A1 (en) 2011-12-14 2013-06-20 Seven Networks, Inc. System and method for generating a report to a network operator by distributing aggregation of data
WO2013090821A1 (en) 2011-12-14 2013-06-20 Seven Networks, Inc. Hierarchies and categories for management and deployment of policies for distributed wireless traffic optimization
US9754276B2 (en) * 2011-12-21 2017-09-05 Paypal Inc. Digital content provided to a user at a physical location
US9654821B2 (en) 2011-12-30 2017-05-16 Sonos, Inc. Systems and methods for networked music playback
TWI553594B (en) * 2011-12-30 2016-10-11 富智康(香港)有限公司 System and method for counting of vote
WO2013103988A1 (en) 2012-01-05 2013-07-11 Seven Networks, Inc. Detection and management of user interactions with foreground applications on a mobile device in distributed caching
US11151224B2 (en) 2012-01-09 2021-10-19 Touchtunes Music Corporation Systems and/or methods for monitoring audio inputs to jukebox devices
US9203864B2 (en) 2012-02-02 2015-12-01 Seven Networks, Llc Dynamic categorization of applications for network access in a mobile network
WO2013116852A1 (en) 2012-02-03 2013-08-08 Seven Networks, Inc. User as an end point for profiling and optimizing the delivery of content and data in a wireless network
US9225580B2 (en) * 2012-02-29 2015-12-29 Bradly Freeman Rich Mechanism for facilitating user-controlled features relating to media content in multiple online media communities and networks
US20130254372A1 (en) * 2012-03-20 2013-09-26 Whitney Pierce Computer activity monitoring device
US8812695B2 (en) 2012-04-09 2014-08-19 Seven Networks, Inc. Method and system for management of a virtual network connection without heartbeat messages
US20130268656A1 (en) 2012-04-10 2013-10-10 Seven Networks, Inc. Intelligent customer service/call center services enhanced using real-time and historical mobile application and traffic-related statistics collected by a distributed caching system in a mobile network
WO2013174018A1 (en) 2012-05-25 2013-11-28 Nokia Corporation Framework for creating ad-hoc location constrained music channels
US9674587B2 (en) 2012-06-26 2017-06-06 Sonos, Inc. Systems and methods for networked music playback including remote add to queue
US8775631B2 (en) 2012-07-13 2014-07-08 Seven Networks, Inc. Dynamic bandwidth adjustment for browsing or streaming activity in a wireless network based on prediction of user behavior when interacting with mobile applications
US9268458B1 (en) * 2012-08-08 2016-02-23 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Generating media trials based upon media consumption
US11184448B2 (en) 2012-08-11 2021-11-23 Federico Fraccaroli Method, system and apparatus for interacting with a digital work
US10419556B2 (en) 2012-08-11 2019-09-17 Federico Fraccaroli Method, system and apparatus for interacting with a digital work that is performed in a predetermined location
US9552418B2 (en) * 2012-10-22 2017-01-24 Apple Inc. Systems and methods for distributing a playlist within a music service
US9161258B2 (en) 2012-10-24 2015-10-13 Seven Networks, Llc Optimized and selective management of policy deployment to mobile clients in a congested network to prevent further aggravation of network congestion
US9307493B2 (en) 2012-12-20 2016-04-05 Seven Networks, Llc Systems and methods for application management of mobile device radio state promotion and demotion
CN103139378A (en) * 2012-12-31 2013-06-05 威盛电子股份有限公司 Mobile terminal device and method for automatically opening voice output port of mobile terminal device
US9271238B2 (en) 2013-01-23 2016-02-23 Seven Networks, Llc Application or context aware fast dormancy
US9510055B2 (en) 2013-01-23 2016-11-29 Sonos, Inc. System and method for a media experience social interface
US8874761B2 (en) 2013-01-25 2014-10-28 Seven Networks, Inc. Signaling optimization in a wireless network for traffic utilizing proprietary and non-proprietary protocols
US8750123B1 (en) 2013-03-11 2014-06-10 Seven Networks, Inc. Mobile device equipped with mobile network congestion recognition to make intelligent decisions regarding connecting to an operator network
US10275463B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-04-30 Slacker, Inc. System and method for scoring and ranking digital content based on activity of network users
US9361371B2 (en) 2013-04-16 2016-06-07 Sonos, Inc. Playlist update in a media playback system
US9501533B2 (en) 2013-04-16 2016-11-22 Sonos, Inc. Private queue for a media playback system
US9247363B2 (en) 2013-04-16 2016-01-26 Sonos, Inc. Playback queue transfer in a media playback system
US20140317480A1 (en) * 2013-04-23 2014-10-23 Microsoft Corporation Automatic music video creation from a set of photos
US9798510B2 (en) 2013-05-29 2017-10-24 Sonos, Inc. Connected state indicator
US9495076B2 (en) 2013-05-29 2016-11-15 Sonos, Inc. Playlist modification
US9735978B2 (en) 2013-05-29 2017-08-15 Sonos, Inc. Playback queue control via a playlist on a mobile device
US9684484B2 (en) 2013-05-29 2017-06-20 Sonos, Inc. Playback zone silent connect
US9703521B2 (en) * 2013-05-29 2017-07-11 Sonos, Inc. Moving a playback queue to a new zone
US10715973B2 (en) 2013-05-29 2020-07-14 Sonos, Inc. Playback queue control transition
US9953179B2 (en) 2013-05-29 2018-04-24 Sonos, Inc. Private queue indicator
EP3014617B1 (en) * 2013-06-28 2018-08-08 Koninklijke Philips N.V. System, method and devices for bluetooth party-mode
US9065765B2 (en) 2013-07-22 2015-06-23 Seven Networks, Inc. Proxy server associated with a mobile carrier for enhancing mobile traffic management in a mobile network
USD766253S1 (en) * 2013-09-25 2016-09-13 Google Inc. Display panel or portion thereof with a graphical user interface component
USD745046S1 (en) 2013-10-25 2015-12-08 Microsoft Corporation Display screen with animated graphical user interface
US9921717B2 (en) 2013-11-07 2018-03-20 Touchtunes Music Corporation Techniques for generating electronic menu graphical user interface layouts for use in connection with electronic devices
CN104093010B (en) * 2013-11-15 2016-08-17 腾讯科技(深圳)有限公司 A kind of image processing method and device
USD753716S1 (en) 2013-11-21 2016-04-12 Microsoft Corporation Display screen with icon
US10108619B2 (en) * 2013-12-19 2018-10-23 Gracenote, Inc. Station library creaton for a media service
EP3923284A1 (en) * 2014-02-12 2021-12-15 AlphaTheta Corporation Content selection device, and control method and program for content selection device
US9679054B2 (en) * 2014-03-05 2017-06-13 Sonos, Inc. Webpage media playback
TWI722981B (en) 2014-03-25 2021-04-01 美商觸控調諧音樂公司 Digital jukebox device with improved user interfaces, and associated methods
US20150356084A1 (en) 2014-06-05 2015-12-10 Sonos, Inc. Social Queue
US20160162125A1 (en) * 2014-12-05 2016-06-09 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. System and method for providing media preview for playlists
US9817557B2 (en) * 2015-07-22 2017-11-14 Enthrall Sports LLC Interactive audience communication for events
CN105791904B (en) * 2016-04-12 2018-07-20 天脉聚源(北京)传媒科技有限公司 A kind of method and apparatus of monitoring set-top box broadcast state
US20190287085A1 (en) * 2016-11-04 2019-09-19 Gopro, Inc. Systems and methods for managing consumption of media items
USD869234S1 (en) * 2018-01-03 2019-12-10 Anova Applied Electronics, Inc. Circulator cooker display
US11106729B2 (en) * 2018-01-08 2021-08-31 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Media search filtering mechanism for search engine
CN108766474A (en) * 2018-06-04 2018-11-06 深圳市沃特沃德股份有限公司 Vehicle-mounted music playback method and mobile unit
US11609947B2 (en) 2019-10-21 2023-03-21 Comcast Cable Communications, Llc Guidance query for cache system
EP4136545A4 (en) * 2020-05-20 2023-10-04 Sony Group Corporation Creating, maintaining, and growing virtual music-themed world
CN112235064A (en) * 2020-09-24 2021-01-15 湖南声广信息科技有限公司 Manual live broadcast terminal of radio station
EP4276658A1 (en) * 2022-05-11 2023-11-15 Axis AB System and method for media distribution

Family Cites Families (821)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US535302A (en) * 1895-03-05 Track-cleaner
US2339004A (en) 1942-10-05 1944-01-11 Wald William N De Optical measuring instrument
DE1953172A1 (en) 1969-10-22 1971-05-06 Messerschmitt Boelkow Blohm Digital to analog converter
JPS5122282B1 (en) 1970-04-30 1976-07-08
US3710137A (en) 1970-08-06 1973-01-09 A Stephens Control system and method
US3807541A (en) 1971-12-08 1974-04-30 Nsm Apparatebau Gmbh Kg Credit storage memory device for jukeboxes,gaming devices and the like
US3982620A (en) 1972-01-25 1976-09-28 Nsm Apparatebau Gmbh Kommanditgesellschaft Coin computing apparatus
GB1504112A (en) 1976-03-17 1978-03-15 Ibm Interactive enquiry systems
JPS5122282A (en) 1974-08-19 1976-02-21 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd
US4008369A (en) 1975-02-28 1977-02-15 The Magnavox Company Telephone interfaced subscription cable television system especially useful in hotels and motels
US4064362A (en) 1976-09-13 1977-12-20 David Richard Williams Hearing protector
US4369442A (en) 1977-09-06 1983-01-18 Robert L. Werth Code controlled microcontroller readout from coin operated machine
US4335809A (en) 1979-02-13 1982-06-22 Barcrest Limited Entertainment machines
US4232295A (en) 1979-04-13 1980-11-04 Data Information Systems Corporation Jukebox polling system
US4336935A (en) 1980-01-02 1982-06-29 Goldfarb Adolph E Musical game apparatus
US4335908A (en) 1980-05-19 1982-06-22 Burge Donald G Push-in tube connector
US4412292A (en) 1981-02-17 1983-10-25 The Coca-Cola Company System for the remote monitoring of vending machines
US4356509A (en) 1981-03-12 1982-10-26 Zenith Radio Corporation Microcomputer-controlled television/telephone system and method therefore
US4375287A (en) 1981-03-23 1983-03-01 Smith Henry C Audio responsive digital toy
JPS57173207A (en) 1981-04-17 1982-10-25 Sony Corp Storage device for level correction information
JPS57173207U (en) 1981-04-28 1982-11-01
US4413260A (en) 1981-08-31 1983-11-01 Stern Electronics, Inc. Remote-control system for coin-operated phonographs
US4694490A (en) 1981-11-03 1987-09-15 Harvey John C Signal processing apparatus and methods
FR2518345B1 (en) 1981-12-16 1986-10-10 Gremillet Jacques METHOD FOR TELEVISION OF RECORDED INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY MUSIC WORKS, AND IMPLEMENTATION SYSTEM
JPS58159121A (en) 1982-03-17 1983-09-21 Fujitsu Ltd Constant current circuit
FR2523786B1 (en) 1982-03-19 1987-10-09 Bernard Alain TELEPHONE MUSIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
JPS58179882A (en) 1982-04-15 1983-10-21 Hitachi Metals Ltd Device for developing electrostatic latent image with magnetic toner
JPS58179892U (en) 1982-05-25 1983-12-01 株式会社東芝 high frequency power supply
GB2122799A (en) 1982-06-04 1984-01-18 V I Leisure Limited Improvements in or relating to video tape players and pre-recorded cassettes therefor
US4521014A (en) 1982-09-30 1985-06-04 Sitrick David H Video game including user visual image
US4572509A (en) 1982-09-30 1986-02-25 Sitrick David H Video game network
US4722053A (en) 1982-12-29 1988-01-26 Michael Dubno Food service ordering terminal with video game capability
US4528643A (en) 1983-01-10 1985-07-09 Fpdc, Inc. System for reproducing information in material objects at a point of sale location
ES8507274A1 (en) 1983-05-02 1985-09-16 Ainsworth Nominees Pty Ltd Poker machine communication system
US4597058A (en) 1983-05-09 1986-06-24 Romox, Inc. Cartridge programming system
US4674055A (en) 1983-06-09 1987-06-16 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Software vending system
US4658093A (en) 1983-07-11 1987-04-14 Hellman Martin E Software distribution system
JPS6024591A (en) 1983-07-20 1985-02-07 松下電器産業株式会社 Music performer
CA1227865A (en) 1983-10-03 1987-10-06 Markley L. Jones Music delivery system
US4814972A (en) 1983-10-23 1989-03-21 Keycom Electronic Publishing Method and videotex apparatus for fast access of remotely located information
US4558413A (en) 1983-11-21 1985-12-10 Xerox Corporation Software version management system
US4582324A (en) 1984-01-04 1986-04-15 Bally Manufacturing Corporation Illusion of skill game machine for a gaming system
US4652998A (en) 1984-01-04 1987-03-24 Bally Manufacturing Corporation Video gaming system with pool prize structures
DE3406058A1 (en) 1984-02-20 1985-08-29 Joseph Arbon Bischofsberger Dispensing machine
US4707804A (en) 1984-02-21 1987-11-17 Leal Luis T Computer security system
US4704804A (en) 1984-03-13 1987-11-10 Ve Holding Corp. Method of and apparatus for temperature conditioning of matter
US4593904A (en) 1984-03-19 1986-06-10 Syntech International, Inc. Player interactive video gaming device
JPS60245097A (en) 1984-05-18 1985-12-04 ブラザー工業株式会社 Software vending machine
JPS60253082A (en) 1984-05-29 1985-12-13 Nippon Tv Housoumou Kk Music information distributing system
US4588187A (en) 1984-06-27 1986-05-13 Wico Corporation Port expansion adapter for video game port
US4766581A (en) 1984-08-07 1988-08-23 Justin Korn Information retrieval system and method using independent user stations
US4591279A (en) 1984-08-17 1986-05-27 M. E. Cunningham Company Marking machine for forming variable sized characters
US4577333A (en) 1984-09-13 1986-03-18 Gridcomm Inc. Composite shift keying communication system
US4667802A (en) 1984-10-01 1987-05-26 Verduin Lee C Video jukebox
DE3439399A1 (en) 1984-10-27 1986-04-30 Standard Elektrik Lorenz Ag, 7000 Stuttgart DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR A BROADBAND TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM
JPS6184143U (en) 1984-11-08 1986-06-03
JPS61160124A (en) 1984-12-29 1986-07-19 Hitachi Ltd Power supply system to memory
GB8503557D0 (en) 1985-02-12 1985-03-13 Music Hire Group Juke box
JPS61286996A (en) 1985-02-15 1986-12-17 ブラザー工業株式会社 Vending equipment
JPH063631B2 (en) 1985-11-12 1994-01-12 ブラザー工業株式会社 Information output device management device
DE8533107U1 (en) 1985-11-25 1986-01-16 Arbo Medizin-Technologie GmbH, 3300 Braunschweig Cable connector
US4703465A (en) 1985-12-04 1987-10-27 1K Entertainment Center Ltd. Method and apparatus for producing an audio magnetic tape recording from a preselected music library
US4852154A (en) 1986-02-04 1989-07-25 Pacific Bell Pay-per-view CATV system
JPS62192849A (en) 1986-02-19 1987-08-24 Fujitsu Ltd Command executing system of computer network
US5697844A (en) 1986-03-10 1997-12-16 Response Reward Systems, L.C. System and method for playing games and rewarding successful players
US4868832A (en) 1986-04-30 1989-09-19 Marrington S Paul Computer power system
JPS62192849U (en) 1986-05-28 1987-12-08
US4675538A (en) 1986-06-02 1987-06-23 Epstein Barry M General purpose uninterruptible power supply
JPS62284496A (en) 1986-06-03 1987-12-10 明石 久信 Record music vending system
IT1203582B (en) 1986-07-18 1989-02-15 Italiana Per Lo Sviluppo Dell PERFECTED REPRODUCER OF STEREOFONIC SIGNALS
CA1284225C (en) 1986-07-23 1991-05-14 Katsuya Nakagawa Game software service system
GB2193420A (en) 1986-07-30 1988-02-03 Petyard Limited Apparatus for distributing entertainment to subscribers
FR2602352B1 (en) 1986-07-31 1991-08-16 Kempf Bertrand AUDIOVISUAL DATABASE
FR2602603B1 (en) 1986-08-08 1988-11-18 Bonnemoy Marc AUTOMATIC CARD PERSONALIZATION APPARATUS
JPS6360634A (en) 1986-08-29 1988-03-16 Yasuaki Mikaoka Transmission method for electric signal
US5661802A (en) 1986-10-22 1997-08-26 Nilssen; Ole K. Auxiliary power and telephone signal distribution system
JPH0710091B2 (en) 1986-10-24 1995-02-01 ソニー株式会社 Electronics
US4761684A (en) 1986-11-14 1988-08-02 Video Jukebox Network Telephone access display system
GB8727846D0 (en) 1987-11-27 1987-12-31 British Telecomm Optical communications network
US5041921A (en) 1987-01-06 1991-08-20 Duplitronics, Inc. System for recording custom albums from a library of pre-recorded items
FR2611942B1 (en) 1987-02-25 1991-11-29 France Etat BROADBAND SERVER, PARTICULARLY FOR TRANSMISSION OF MUSIC OR IMAGES
JP2687340B2 (en) 1987-03-20 1997-12-08 松下電器産業株式会社 Optical disc player
US4885694A (en) 1987-04-29 1989-12-05 Honeywell Inc. Automated building control design system
US4965675A (en) 1987-05-15 1990-10-23 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Method and apparatus for after-recording sound on a medium having pre-recorded video thereon
US4829570A (en) 1987-05-22 1989-05-09 Recoton Corporation Wireless remote speaker system
US4792849A (en) 1987-08-04 1988-12-20 Telaction Corporation Digital interactive communication system
US5369778A (en) 1987-08-21 1994-11-29 Wang Laboratories, Inc. Data processor that customizes program behavior by using a resource retrieval capability
US4999806A (en) 1987-09-04 1991-03-12 Fred Chernow Software distribution system
US5101499A (en) 1987-09-15 1992-03-31 Jerry R. Iggulden Television local wireless transmission and control
NO884239L (en) 1987-09-25 1989-03-28 Grant Ball PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR RECORDING CHOICE, HIGH SPEED AND HIGH QUALITY DUPLICATION, AND ROYAL TYPE PAYMENT.
JPH0191889A (en) 1987-10-03 1989-04-11 Namco Ltd Game machine for commercial use
US4937807A (en) 1987-10-15 1990-06-26 Personics Corporation System for encoding sound recordings for high-density storage and high-speed transfers
US4811325A (en) 1987-10-15 1989-03-07 Personics Corporation High-speed reproduction facility for audio programs
GB8724569D0 (en) 1987-10-20 1987-11-25 Arbiter Ltd John & Ivor Programmable audio-visual reproduction apparatus
US4920432A (en) 1988-01-12 1990-04-24 Eggers Derek C System for random access to an audio video data library with independent selection and display at each of a plurality of remote locations
US5053758A (en) 1988-02-01 1991-10-01 Sperry Marine Inc. Touchscreen control panel with sliding touch control
US5117407A (en) 1988-02-11 1992-05-26 Vogel Peter S Vending machine with synthesized description messages
US4825054A (en) 1988-02-16 1989-04-25 Datacard Corporation Method and apparatus for parallel integrated circuit card initialization and embossing
JPH01218296A (en) 1988-02-26 1989-08-31 Nec Home Electron Ltd Remote control receiver with study function
JPH0691394B2 (en) 1988-03-11 1994-11-14 パイオニア株式会社 Output level controller
US4857714A (en) 1988-03-18 1989-08-15 Sunyich Steven L Credit card storage system
US5455926A (en) 1988-04-05 1995-10-03 Data/Ware Development, Inc. Virtual addressing of optical storage media as magnetic tape equivalents
DE3815071A1 (en) 1988-05-04 1989-11-16 Loewe Opta Gmbh PROCESS FOR PROGRAMMING A SCREEN TEXT DEVICE
US4818891A (en) 1988-05-06 1989-04-04 Digital Equipment Corporation Ride-through energy boost circuit
US5191573A (en) 1988-06-13 1993-03-02 Hair Arthur R Method for transmitting a desired digital video or audio signal
US4924378A (en) 1988-06-13 1990-05-08 Prime Computer, Inc. License mangagement system and license storage key
DE3820835A1 (en) 1988-06-21 1989-01-12 Blum Burkhardt Ursula Fully-digital hifi-video system - uses integrated service data network for transmission of digitally coded sound and video information
US5106097A (en) 1988-07-12 1992-04-21 Rykodisc Audio quiz game
AU3989389A (en) 1988-07-12 1990-02-05 Barry Levine Audio quiz game
US5276866A (en) 1988-07-19 1994-01-04 Michael Paolini System with two different communication mediums, transmitting retrieved video and compressed audio information to plural receivers responsively to users' requests
US5155847A (en) 1988-08-03 1992-10-13 Minicom Data Corporation Method and apparatus for updating software at remote locations
DE3827050A1 (en) 1988-08-10 1990-02-15 Thomson Brandt Gmbh TELEVISION RECEIVER
US5008814A (en) 1988-08-15 1991-04-16 Network Equipment Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for updating system software for a plurality of data processing units in a communication network
DE68911829D1 (en) 1988-10-05 1994-02-10 Pioneer Electronic Corp Method of setting up a sound recording level.
US4852324A (en) * 1988-12-01 1989-08-01 Conoco Inc. Variable angle refractory anchor for connecting surfaces
JP2847243B2 (en) 1988-12-05 1999-01-13 株式会社リコス Music information processing equipment
US4949187A (en) 1988-12-16 1990-08-14 Cohen Jason M Video communications system having a remotely controlled central source of video and audio data
US5077607A (en) 1988-12-23 1991-12-31 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Cable television transaction terminal
US5057932A (en) 1988-12-27 1991-10-15 Explore Technology, Inc. Audio/video transceiver apparatus including compression means, random access storage means, and microwave transceiver means
US5101451A (en) 1988-12-29 1992-03-31 At&T Bell Laboratories Real-time network routing
US4953159A (en) 1989-01-03 1990-08-28 American Telephone And Telegraph Company Audiographics conferencing arrangement
JP2721229B2 (en) 1989-03-01 1998-03-04 株式会社東芝 Information recording device
US5191611A (en) 1989-04-03 1993-03-02 Lang Gerald S Method and apparatus for protecting material on storage media and for transferring material on storage media to various recipients
US5148159A (en) 1989-04-26 1992-09-15 Stanley Electronics Remote control system with teach/learn setting of identification code
US6104707A (en) 1989-04-28 2000-08-15 Videocom, Inc. Transformer coupler for communication over various lines
US5592482A (en) 1989-04-28 1997-01-07 Abraham; Charles Video distribution system using in-wall wiring
US5214761A (en) 1989-05-08 1993-05-25 Wang Laboratories, Inc. Real-time adjustable-transform device driver for physical devices
US5497502A (en) 1989-06-07 1996-03-05 Genese Method and apparatus for transmitting information recorded on digital disks from a central server to subscribers via a high data rate digital telecommunications network
US5210854A (en) 1989-06-14 1993-05-11 Digital Equipment Corporation System for updating program stored in eeprom by storing new version into new location and updating second transfer vector to contain starting address of new version
US5128862A (en) 1989-06-28 1992-07-07 Management Information Support, Inc. Customer operable system for a retail store or fast-food restaurant having plural ordering stations
US5027426A (en) 1989-07-07 1991-06-25 Chiocca Jr Joseph J Signal coupling device and system
GB2234107B (en) 1989-07-20 1994-01-05 Rowe International Inc Control system for compact disc phonograph
US5166886A (en) 1989-07-31 1992-11-24 Molnar Charles E System to demonstrate and sell computer programs
US5557515A (en) 1989-08-11 1996-09-17 Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Inc. Computerized system and method for work management
US5046093A (en) 1989-09-05 1991-09-03 General Instrument Corporation CATV subscriber apparatus with intelligent remote control
US5163131A (en) 1989-09-08 1992-11-10 Auspex Systems, Inc. Parallel i/o network file server architecture
US5327230A (en) 1989-09-20 1994-07-05 Dockery Gregory A Video multiplying system
US5138712A (en) 1989-10-02 1992-08-11 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Apparatus and method for licensing software on a network of computers
JPH03121628A (en) 1989-10-05 1991-05-23 Hitachi Denshi Ltd Automatic adjustment radio equipment
JP2789723B2 (en) 1989-10-20 1998-08-20 ソニー株式会社 Image retrieval device
USD332096S (en) 1989-11-17 1992-12-29 Rowe International, Inc. Remote selector unit for jukeboxes
AU6969391A (en) 1989-11-30 1991-06-26 Seer Technologies, Inc. Software distribution system
US5495610A (en) 1989-11-30 1996-02-27 Seer Technologies, Inc. Software distribution system to build and distribute a software release
GB2238680B (en) 1989-12-01 1994-01-26 Hazel Grove Music Co Ltd Sound level control equipment
US5228015A (en) 1989-12-22 1993-07-13 Your Electronics Specialists Limited Musical reproduction unit
DE4002922A1 (en) 1990-02-01 1991-08-08 Wacker Chemie Gmbh Alkenyloxy gp.-contg. siloxane! copolymers
US5252775A (en) 1990-02-17 1993-10-12 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Automatically up-dated apparatus for generating music
USD327687S (en) 1990-03-09 1992-07-07 Your Electronics Specialists Limited Compact disc jukebox
US5012121A (en) 1990-03-22 1991-04-30 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Electrical power supply for short term power interruptions
US5261104A (en) 1990-03-22 1993-11-09 International Business Machines Flexible computer initialization
JP3034555B2 (en) 1990-04-16 2000-04-17 株式会社リコー ISDN facsimile machine
US5321846A (en) 1990-04-28 1994-06-14 Sony Corporation Signal transmission system with quicker response and with parallel and serial outputs
US5465329A (en) 1990-06-06 1995-11-07 Alphatronix Method and apparatus for using intercepted operator messages to control robotics
US5761655A (en) 1990-06-06 1998-06-02 Alphatronix, Inc. Image file storage and retrieval system
US5159678A (en) 1990-06-11 1992-10-27 Supercomputer Systems Limited Partnership Method for efficient non-virtual main memory management
US5355302A (en) 1990-06-15 1994-10-11 Arachnid, Inc. System for managing a plurality of computer jukeboxes
US20010023403A1 (en) * 1990-06-15 2001-09-20 Martin John R. Computer jukebox and jukebox network
US5930765A (en) 1990-06-15 1999-07-27 Martin; John R. Downloading method for songs and advertisements
US5197094A (en) 1990-06-15 1993-03-23 Arachnid, Inc. System for remotely crediting and billing usage of electronic entertainment machines
US5848398A (en) 1990-06-15 1998-12-08 Arachnid, Inc. System for managing a plurality of computer jukeboxes
WO1991020082A1 (en) 1990-06-15 1991-12-26 Arachnid, Inc. System for remoting managing a plurality of computer jukeboxes at different locations from a centralized location
US5781889A (en) 1990-06-15 1998-07-14 Martin; John R. Computer jukebox and jukebox network
US5189630A (en) 1991-01-15 1993-02-23 Barstow David R Method for encoding and broadcasting information about live events using computer pattern matching techniques
EP0464562B1 (en) 1990-06-29 1997-04-23 Digital Equipment Corporation Method and apparatus for decryption of an information packet having a format subject to modification
DE4021707A1 (en) 1990-07-07 1992-01-09 Nsm Ag COIN-ACTUATED MUSIC MACHINE
AU649455B2 (en) 1990-07-11 1994-05-26 American Telephone And Telegraph Company Distributed computing system
AU8415891A (en) 1990-07-27 1992-03-02 Harvey M. Ross System and method of manufacturing a single book copy
US5237157A (en) 1990-09-13 1993-08-17 Intouch Group, Inc. Kiosk apparatus and method for point of preview and for compilation of market data
US5963916A (en) 1990-09-13 1999-10-05 Intouch Group, Inc. Network apparatus and method for preview of music products and compilation of market data
US5315161A (en) 1990-09-27 1994-05-24 Ncr Corporation Power failure detection and shut down timer
US5319455A (en) 1990-09-28 1994-06-07 Ictv Inc. System for distributing customized commercials to television viewers
JPH04150106A (en) 1990-10-09 1992-05-22 Pioneer Electron Corp Output level controller
US5559714A (en) 1990-10-22 1996-09-24 Hallmark Cards, Incorporated Method and apparatus for display sequencing personalized social occasion products
US5222134A (en) 1990-11-07 1993-06-22 Tau Systems Corporation Secure system for activating personal computer software at remote locations
US5282028A (en) 1990-11-27 1994-01-25 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Remote control for digital music terminal with synchronized communications
US5180309A (en) 1990-12-04 1993-01-19 United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Automated answer evaluation and scoring system and method
DE59009700D1 (en) 1990-12-08 1995-10-26 Itt Ind Gmbh Deutsche Master-slave data transmission method with flexible single-wire bus.
US5172413A (en) 1990-12-20 1992-12-15 Sasktel Secure hierarchial video delivery system and method
JPH05506136A (en) 1990-12-21 1993-09-02 ジーティーイー サービス コーポレイション How to provide video programs almost on demand
US6002720A (en) 1991-01-07 1999-12-14 H. Lee Browne, D/B/A Greenwich Information Technologies Llc Audio and video transmission and receiving system
CA2077662C (en) 1991-01-08 2001-04-17 Mark Franklin Davis Encoder/decoder for multidimensional sound fields
CA2035767C (en) 1991-02-06 1995-07-18 Douglas Huegel Automatic ticket dispensing system
US5579509A (en) 1991-02-08 1996-11-26 International Business Machines Corporation Apparatus and method for verifying compatibility of system components
US5307484A (en) 1991-03-06 1994-04-26 Chrysler Corporation Relational data base repository system for managing functional and physical data structures of nodes and links of multiple computer networks
JP3270102B2 (en) 1991-03-11 2002-04-02 ヒューレット・パッカード・カンパニー Licensing method and system
GB2254469B (en) 1991-03-28 1995-05-10 Barcrest Ltd Data storage
US5192999A (en) 1991-04-25 1993-03-09 Compuadd Corporation Multipurpose computerized television
US5289476A (en) 1991-05-10 1994-02-22 Echelon Corporation Transmission mode detection in a modulated communication system
JPH04372037A (en) 1991-06-21 1992-12-25 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd System management information setting device
US5260999A (en) 1991-06-28 1993-11-09 Digital Equipment Corporation Filters in license management system
US5940504A (en) 1991-07-01 1999-08-17 Infologic Software, Inc. Licensing management system and method in which datagrams including an address of a licensee and indicative of use of a licensed product are sent from the licensee's site
JPH0535288A (en) 1991-07-31 1993-02-12 Ricos:Kk 'karaoke' reproduction device
GB2259398A (en) 1991-08-08 1993-03-10 Gerard Linfoot CD-juke box with album cover display
US5805545A (en) 1991-08-14 1998-09-08 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Midi standards recorded information reproducing device with repetitive reproduction capacity
JPH0574078A (en) 1991-09-12 1993-03-26 Nec Eng Ltd Magnetic disk device
US5528281A (en) 1991-09-27 1996-06-18 Bell Atlantic Network Services Method and system for accessing multimedia data over public switched telephone network
JPH088505B2 (en) 1991-10-03 1996-01-29 インターナショナル・ビジネス・マシーンズ・コーポレイション Apparatus and method for controlling volume of digital audio signal
US5396546A (en) 1991-10-03 1995-03-07 Viscorp Apparatus and method for automatic and user configurable information appliance
US5315711A (en) 1991-11-01 1994-05-24 Unisys Corporation Method and apparatus for remotely and centrally controlling a plurality of host processors
US5404505A (en) 1991-11-01 1995-04-04 Finisar Corporation System for scheduling transmission of indexed and requested database tiers on demand at varying repetition rates
US5335313A (en) 1991-12-03 1994-08-02 Douglas Terry L Voice-actuated, speaker-dependent control system for hospital bed
US5339095A (en) 1991-12-05 1994-08-16 Tv Interactive Data Corporation Multi-media pointing device
GB2262170B (en) 1991-12-05 1995-04-12 Mitac Int Corp Internal card type uninterruptible power system
US6850252B1 (en) 1999-10-05 2005-02-01 Steven M. Hoffberg Intelligent electronic appliance system and method
JP2521016B2 (en) 1991-12-31 1996-07-31 インターナショナル・ビジネス・マシーンズ・コーポレイション Multimedia data processing system
US5428252A (en) 1992-01-03 1995-06-27 Zilog, Inc. Power supply interruption detection and response system for a microcontroller
US5445295A (en) 1992-01-17 1995-08-29 Brown; Graham Automated vending machine system for recorded goods
WO1993016557A1 (en) 1992-02-11 1993-08-19 Koz Mark C Adaptive video file server and methods for its use
DE4303056C2 (en) 1992-02-18 2003-01-16 P & P Marketing Inc Automatic playback device with priority playback
US5715018A (en) 1992-04-10 1998-02-03 Avid Technology, Inc. Digital advertisement insertion system
US5528490A (en) 1992-04-10 1996-06-18 Charles E. Hill & Associates, Inc. Electronic catalog system and method
US6018337A (en) 1992-04-10 2000-01-25 Avid Technology, Inc. Media composer including pointer-based display of sequentially stored samples
US5262875A (en) 1992-04-30 1993-11-16 Instant Video Technologies, Inc. Audio/video file server including decompression/playback means
DE4216223A1 (en) 1992-05-19 1993-11-25 Peter Wittstock Device for playing short films and / or commercials and quizzes, especially in leisure facilities
US5559505A (en) 1992-05-20 1996-09-24 Lucent Technologies Inc. Security system providing lockout for invalid access attempts
US5408417A (en) 1992-05-28 1995-04-18 Wilder; Wilford B. Automated ticket sales and dispensing system
US5703795A (en) 1992-06-22 1997-12-30 Mankovitz; Roy J. Apparatus and methods for accessing information relating to radio and television programs
US5410703A (en) 1992-07-01 1995-04-25 Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson System for changing software during computer operation
US5389950A (en) 1992-07-09 1995-02-14 Thurstmaster, Inc. Video game/flight simulator controller with single analog input to multiple discrete inputs
FR2694105B1 (en) 1992-07-22 1994-11-25 Bull Sa Use of an on-board interpreter language for the creation of an interactive user interface definition tool.
WO1994003894A1 (en) 1992-08-10 1994-02-17 E-Systems, Inc. Broadband services delivery system
US5339413A (en) 1992-08-21 1994-08-16 International Business Machines Corporation Data stream protocol for multimedia data streaming data processing system
JP3149574B2 (en) 1992-09-30 2001-03-26 ヤマハ株式会社 Karaoke equipment
US5278904A (en) 1992-10-09 1994-01-11 Gte Laboratories Incorporated Method of verifying identification
JP3088572B2 (en) 1992-10-15 2000-09-18 株式会社奥村組 Remotely controlled open / close bucket device
GB9407934D0 (en) 1994-04-21 1994-06-15 Norweb Plc Transmission network and filter therefor
US5471576A (en) 1992-11-16 1995-11-28 International Business Machines Corporation Audio/video synchronization for application programs
US5357276A (en) 1992-12-01 1994-10-18 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Method of providing video on demand with VCR like functions
US5592551A (en) 1992-12-01 1997-01-07 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Method and apparatus for providing interactive electronic programming guide
US5440632A (en) 1992-12-02 1995-08-08 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Reprogrammable subscriber terminal
US5410326A (en) 1992-12-04 1995-04-25 Goldstein; Steven W. Programmable remote control device for interacting with a plurality of remotely controlled devices
WO1994013107A1 (en) 1992-12-09 1994-06-09 Discovery Communications, Inc. Advanced set top terminal for cable television delivery systems
US5798785A (en) 1992-12-09 1998-08-25 Discovery Communications, Inc. Terminal for suggesting programs offered on a television program delivery system
TW273661B (en) 1992-12-10 1996-04-01 Rikosu Co Ltd
WO1994014273A1 (en) 1992-12-17 1994-06-23 Voxson International Pty. Limited An information transmission system for increasing the effective rate of transfer of information
US5332889A (en) 1992-12-18 1994-07-26 Datacard Corporation Integrated circuit card programming device
DE4244198A1 (en) 1992-12-24 1994-06-30 Nsm Ag Music playback system
US5691964A (en) 1992-12-24 1997-11-25 Nsm Aktiengesellschaft Music playing system with decentralized units
JP3297914B2 (en) 1993-01-08 2002-07-02 ソニー株式会社 Television receiver
US5523781A (en) 1993-02-11 1996-06-04 Precision Industries, Incorporated System for controlling television and billing for its use
US5420923A (en) 1993-02-16 1995-05-30 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Addressed messaging in a cable television system
US5579404A (en) 1993-02-16 1996-11-26 Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation Digital audio limiter
JPH08509849A (en) 1993-02-16 1996-10-15 サイエンティフィック−アトランタ・インコーポレーテッド System and method for remote selection of subscribers and control of messages to subscribers in a cable television system
US20080096659A1 (en) 2006-10-23 2008-04-24 Kreloff Shawn D Wireless communal gaming system
US5469573A (en) 1993-02-26 1995-11-21 Sytron Corporation Disk operating system backup and recovery system
CA2102883A1 (en) 1993-02-26 1994-08-27 James W. Arendt System and method for lazy loading of shared libraries
US5475835A (en) 1993-03-02 1995-12-12 Research Design & Marketing Inc. Audio-visual inventory and play-back control system
US5515173A (en) 1993-03-05 1996-05-07 Gemstar Developement Corporation System and method for automatically recording television programs in television systems with tuners external to video recorders
KR0165264B1 (en) 1993-03-08 1999-03-20 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Television receiver having music room function
US5406634A (en) 1993-03-16 1995-04-11 Peak Audio, Inc. Intelligent speaker unit for speaker system network
JPH077771A (en) 1993-03-19 1995-01-10 Sony Corp Remote commander
FR2703168A1 (en) 1993-03-22 1994-09-30 Int Jeux Interactive multimedia games terminal.
US5473746A (en) 1993-04-01 1995-12-05 Loral Federal Systems, Company Interactive graphics computer system for planning star-sensor-based satellite attitude maneuvers
JP3243883B2 (en) 1993-04-12 2002-01-07 ソニー株式会社 Recording or playback device
US5596702A (en) 1993-04-16 1997-01-21 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for dynamically sharing user interface displays among a plurality of application program
US5513117A (en) 1993-04-30 1996-04-30 Small; Maynard E. Apparatus and method for electronically dispensing personalized greeting cards and gifts
US5565908A (en) 1993-05-07 1996-10-15 Kayon Systems, Inc. Bi-directional system for providing information, management, and entertainment services
US6193520B1 (en) 1993-05-10 2001-02-27 Yugengaisha Adachi International Interactive communication system for communicating video game and karaoke software
JP2532198B2 (en) 1993-05-10 1996-09-11 レーム プロパティズ ビーブイ Communicator and software distribution system using the communicator
US5966495A (en) 1993-05-12 1999-10-12 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Recording and reproducing apparatus
DE69317267T2 (en) 1993-05-19 1998-06-25 Alsthom Cge Alcatel Network for video on request
US5596647A (en) 1993-06-01 1997-01-21 Matsushita Avionics Development Corporation Integrated video and audio signal distribution system and method for use on commercial aircraft and other vehicles
JP3427416B2 (en) 1993-05-25 2003-07-14 ソニー株式会社 Multiplexed data separation apparatus and method
BR9402027A (en) 1993-05-28 1994-12-13 Xerox Corp Process for managing a configuration and ensuring compatibility between components in a computer system, and process for eliminating incompatibilities between resident software and migration software in an automated computer system
US5386251A (en) 1993-06-03 1995-01-31 Zilog, Inc. Television receiver with learning remote control system capable of being controlled by a remote control device manufactured by different companies
US5611693A (en) 1993-06-22 1997-03-18 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Image karaoke device
US5594509A (en) 1993-06-22 1997-01-14 Apple Computer, Inc. Method and apparatus for audio-visual interface for the display of multiple levels of information on a display
US5428606A (en) 1993-06-30 1995-06-27 Moskowitz; Scott A. Digital information commodities exchange
US6430738B1 (en) 1993-07-01 2002-08-06 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for reversible installation of software applications in a data processing system utilizing an automated archival process
US5438325A (en) 1993-07-09 1995-08-01 Sony Corporation Remote controller apparatus and an audio-video combination system using the same
JP3398423B2 (en) 1993-07-16 2003-04-21 ブラザー工業株式会社 Data transmission device and terminal device
DE4325035A1 (en) 1993-07-26 1995-02-02 Nsm Ag Device and method for the title display of pieces of music
CN100545828C (en) 1993-07-30 2009-09-30 佳能株式会社 Be operatively connected to the opertaing device and the control method thereof of network of network equipment
US5418713A (en) 1993-08-05 1995-05-23 Allen; Richard Apparatus and method for an on demand data delivery system for the preview, selection, retrieval and reproduction at a remote location of previously recorded or programmed materials
US5845256A (en) 1993-08-19 1998-12-01 John B. Pescitelli Interactive self-service vending system
US5774527A (en) 1993-08-19 1998-06-30 News Datacom Ltd. Integrated telephone and cable communication networks
AU687880B2 (en) 1993-08-27 1998-03-05 Decisioning.Com, Inc. Closed loop financial transaction method and apparatus
US5808224A (en) 1993-09-03 1998-09-15 Yamaha Corporation Portable downloader connectable to karaoke player through wireless communication channel
FR2709905B1 (en) 1993-09-09 1995-10-13 Alcatel Business Systems Interactive control system for multiservice installation with a television program distribution server and a telephone exchange.
US5431492A (en) 1993-09-17 1995-07-11 Wms Gaming, Inc. Drain system for slant top video game cabinets
US5689641A (en) 1993-10-01 1997-11-18 Vicor, Inc. Multimedia collaboration system arrangement for routing compressed AV signal through a participant site without decompressing the AV signal
JPH07105669A (en) 1993-10-05 1995-04-21 Pioneer Electron Corp Device for performing recording medium
US5638426A (en) 1993-10-12 1997-06-10 Multimedia Systems Corporation Interactive system for a closed cable network
US5557724A (en) 1993-10-12 1996-09-17 Intel Corporation User interface, method, and apparatus selecting and playing channels having video, audio, and/or text streams
JPH07175868A (en) 1993-10-15 1995-07-14 Internatl Business Mach Corp <Ibm> Method and system for output of digital information to medium
US5631693A (en) 1993-10-25 1997-05-20 Antec Corporation Method and apparatus for providing on demand services in a subscriber system
US5469370A (en) 1993-10-29 1995-11-21 Time Warner Entertainment Co., L.P. System and method for controlling play of multiple audio tracks of a software carrier
US5455619A (en) 1993-11-01 1995-10-03 Lodgenet Entertainment Corporation Video distribution system addressing device for identifying remote locations
US5590318A (en) 1993-11-18 1996-12-31 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for tracking files pending processing
US5511000A (en) 1993-11-18 1996-04-23 Kaloi; Dennis M. Electronic solid-state record/playback device and system
US5578999A (en) 1993-12-06 1996-11-26 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Remote control with learning function and confirmation thereof
JP3617089B2 (en) 1993-12-27 2005-02-02 株式会社日立製作所 Video storage / delivery device and video storage / delivery system
US5644714A (en) 1994-01-14 1997-07-01 Elonex Plc, Ltd. Video collection and distribution system with interested item notification and download on demand
KR960008470B1 (en) 1994-01-18 1996-06-26 Daewoo Electronics Co Ltd Apparatus for transferring bit stream data adaptively in the moving picture
US5880769A (en) 1994-01-19 1999-03-09 Smarttv Co. Interactive smart card system for integrating the provision of remote and local services
US5643831A (en) 1994-01-20 1997-07-01 Fujitsu Limited Process for forming solder balls on a plate having apertures using solder paste and transferring the solder balls to semiconductor device
US5629867A (en) 1994-01-25 1997-05-13 Goldman; Robert J. Selection and retrieval of music from a digital database
US5566237A (en) 1994-02-03 1996-10-15 Dobbs-Stanford Corporation Time zone equalizer
US5583994A (en) 1994-02-07 1996-12-10 Regents Of The University Of California System for efficient delivery of multimedia information using hierarchical network of servers selectively caching program for a selected time period
US5802599A (en) 1994-02-08 1998-09-01 International Business Machines Corporation System and method for allocating storage in a fragmented storage space
US5579239A (en) 1994-02-16 1996-11-26 Freeman; Mitchael C. Remote video transmission system
EP0668649B1 (en) 1994-02-22 1999-05-06 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Method of transmitting picture data from a transmitter to a selected receiver
US7418474B2 (en) 1994-03-03 2008-08-26 Schwab Barry H Secure identification system
WO1995026103A1 (en) 1994-03-18 1995-09-28 Micropolis Corporation On-demand video server system
JP2682811B2 (en) 1994-03-22 1997-11-26 インターナショナル・ビジネス・マシーンズ・コーポレイション Data storage management system and method
JP3521015B2 (en) 1994-03-22 2004-04-19 ブラザー工業株式会社 Data transmission equipment
US6185619B1 (en) 1996-12-09 2001-02-06 Genuity Inc. Method and apparatus for balancing the process load on network servers according to network and serve based policies
US5457305A (en) 1994-03-31 1995-10-10 Akel; William S. Distributed on-line money access card transaction processing system
US5668592A (en) 1994-04-06 1997-09-16 Interaxx Television Network, Inc. Interactive television terminal responsive to user commands which combines static service data and recurrently broadcast dynamic service data to produce composite service display signals
JPH07281682A (en) 1994-04-11 1995-10-27 Nagao Yuasa Karaoke music selection system
DE4413451A1 (en) 1994-04-18 1995-12-14 Rolf Brugger Device for the distribution of music information in digital form
US5661517A (en) 1994-05-02 1997-08-26 Messagephone, Inc. Interactive intelligent video information system
US5577226A (en) 1994-05-06 1996-11-19 Eec Systems, Inc. Method and system for coherently caching I/O devices across a network
WO1995031871A1 (en) 1994-05-16 1995-11-23 Mankovitz Roy J Television program record scheduling and satellite receiver control using compressed codes
US5555244A (en) 1994-05-19 1996-09-10 Integrated Network Corporation Scalable multimedia network
CA2147313C (en) 1994-05-23 1999-09-07 Donald Edgar Blahut Restricted access remote control unit
US5521631A (en) 1994-05-25 1996-05-28 Spectravision, Inc. Interactive digital video services system with store and forward capabilities
US5768539A (en) 1994-05-27 1998-06-16 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Downloading applications software through a broadcast channel
US5583561A (en) 1994-06-07 1996-12-10 Unisys Corporation Multi-cast digital video data server using synchronization groups
US5713024A (en) 1994-06-10 1998-01-27 Exabyte Corporation Cold boot data backup system
EP0690399A3 (en) 1994-06-30 1997-05-02 Tandem Computers Inc Remote financial transaction system
US5606359A (en) 1994-06-30 1997-02-25 Hewlett-Packard Company Video on demand system with multiple data sources configured to provide vcr-like services
US6134547A (en) 1994-07-11 2000-10-17 Muze, Inc. Computerized method and system for user-interactive, multimedia cataloguing, navigation and previewing of film and films on video
US5832287A (en) 1994-07-11 1998-11-03 Atalla; Martin M. Wideband on-demand video distribution system and method
JP3239620B2 (en) 1994-07-19 2001-12-17 松下電器産業株式会社 Information providing system, information providing device and information receiving device used for the same
US5671377A (en) 1994-07-19 1997-09-23 David Sarnoff Research Center, Inc. System for supplying streams of data to multiple users by distributing a data stream to multiple processors and enabling each user to manipulate supplied data stream
US5613909A (en) 1994-07-21 1997-03-25 Stelovsky; Jan Time-segmented multimedia game playing and authoring system
US5557541A (en) 1994-07-21 1996-09-17 Information Highway Media Corporation Apparatus for distributing subscription and on-demand audio programming
JPH0837701A (en) 1994-07-26 1996-02-06 Meidensha Corp Unmanned carrier
US5884028A (en) 1994-07-29 1999-03-16 International Business Machines Corporation System for the management of multiple time-critical data streams
US5555441A (en) 1994-08-02 1996-09-10 Interim Design Inc. Interactive audiovisual distribution system
US5554968A (en) 1994-08-22 1996-09-10 Lee; Raymond Data communication using power lines
US5862324A (en) 1994-08-23 1999-01-19 Collins; Francis R. Broadband communications network services access platform
US5758340A (en) 1994-08-31 1998-05-26 Sterling Software, Inc. System and method for controlled, multi-tiered subsetting of a data model
US5519435A (en) 1994-09-01 1996-05-21 Micropolis Corporation Multi-user, on-demand video storage and retrieval system including video signature computation for preventing excessive instantaneous server data rate
US5712976A (en) 1994-09-08 1998-01-27 International Business Machines Corporation Video data streamer for simultaneously conveying same one or different ones of data blocks stored in storage node to each of plurality of communication nodes
US5682325A (en) 1994-09-12 1997-10-28 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Level 1 gateway for video tone networks
US5619249A (en) 1994-09-14 1997-04-08 Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P. Telecasting service for providing video programs on demand with an interactive interface for facilitating viewer selection of video programs
US5481509A (en) 1994-09-19 1996-01-02 Software Control Systems, Inc. Jukebox entertainment system including removable hard drives
US5715416A (en) 1994-09-30 1998-02-03 Baker; Michelle User definable pictorial interface for a accessing information in an electronic file system
US5570363A (en) 1994-09-30 1996-10-29 Intel Corporation Transform based scalable audio compression algorithms and low cost audio multi-point conferencing systems
US5802558A (en) 1994-09-30 1998-09-01 Intel Corporation Method and apparatus for upgrading reprogrammable memory contents in a PCMCIA card
US7188352B2 (en) 1995-07-11 2007-03-06 Touchtunes Music Corporation Intelligent digital audiovisual playback system
US8661477B2 (en) 1994-10-12 2014-02-25 Touchtunes Music Corporation System for distributing and selecting audio and video information and method implemented by said system
CA2201909C (en) 1994-10-12 2006-05-02 Technical Maintenance Corporation Intelligent digital audiovisual playback system
US7424731B1 (en) 1994-10-12 2008-09-09 Touchtunes Music Corporation Home digital audiovisual information recording and playback system
US5528732A (en) 1994-10-17 1996-06-18 Xerox Corporation Reprographic device for making copies with multi-spaced lines
US8094949B1 (en) * 1994-10-21 2012-01-10 Digimarc Corporation Music methods and systems
US5680533A (en) 1994-10-31 1997-10-21 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Videographics program/video game fabricating system and method
US5546039A (en) 1994-11-02 1996-08-13 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Charge dissipation in capacitively loaded ports
US5659466A (en) 1994-11-02 1997-08-19 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Monolithic PC audio circuit with enhanced digital wavetable audio synthesizer
CA2158293A1 (en) 1994-11-03 1996-05-04 Thomas Calvin Cannon Interactive television system
EP0791272B1 (en) 1994-11-09 1998-07-29 C.I.S. Hotel Communications Gmbh Remote control for a receiver device
US6124804A (en) 1994-11-10 2000-09-26 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Remote controller, remote control interface, and remote control system including a remote controller and a remote control interface
US5752232A (en) 1994-11-14 1998-05-12 Lucent Technologies Inc. Voice activated device and method for providing access to remotely retrieved data
WO1996017306A2 (en) 1994-11-21 1996-06-06 Oracle Corporation Media server
WO1997029550A1 (en) 1996-02-07 1997-08-14 L.S. Research, Inc. Digital wireless speaker system
US20050086172A1 (en) 1994-11-23 2005-04-21 Contentguard Holdings, Inc. Method, system and device for providing educational content
US5617565A (en) 1994-11-29 1997-04-01 Hitachi America, Ltd. Broadcast interactive multimedia system
US6198408B1 (en) 1994-11-29 2001-03-06 Elihay Cohen Method and apparatus for controlling electrical appliances by remote control transmitters
US5821742A (en) 1994-11-30 1998-10-13 Utility Test Equipment Company Computerized solid state energy meter test system and method of testing
US5793980A (en) 1994-11-30 1998-08-11 Realnetworks, Inc. Audio-on-demand communication system
EP0716370A3 (en) 1994-12-06 2005-02-16 International Business Machines Corporation A disk access method for delivering multimedia and video information on demand over wide area networks
US6151077A (en) 1994-12-22 2000-11-21 U.S. Philips Corporation Interface system for a television receiver
US6154207A (en) 1994-12-22 2000-11-28 Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. Interactive language editing in a network based video on demand system
JPH08205422A (en) 1995-01-18 1996-08-09 Fujitsu Ltd Power source with power interruption backup means
US5583995A (en) 1995-01-30 1996-12-10 Mrj, Inc. Apparatus and method for data storage and retrieval using bandwidth allocation
US6107937A (en) 1995-01-31 2000-08-22 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Remote control system and method
US5619250A (en) 1995-02-19 1997-04-08 Microware Systems Corporation Operating system for interactive television system set top box utilizing dynamic system upgrades
US5619247A (en) 1995-02-24 1997-04-08 Smart Vcr Limited Partnership Stored program pay-per-play
US6288991B1 (en) 1995-03-06 2001-09-11 Fujitsu Limited Storage medium playback method and device
DE19539172C2 (en) * 1995-03-13 1998-06-18 Nsm Ag Multimedia box
US5592611A (en) 1995-03-14 1997-01-07 Network Integrity, Inc. Stand-in computer server
US5642337A (en) * 1995-03-14 1997-06-24 Sony Corporation Network with optical mass storage devices
US6315572B1 (en) 1995-03-22 2001-11-13 William M. Bancroft Method and system for computerized authoring, learning, and evaluation
CA2172559A1 (en) 1995-03-24 1996-09-25 Barry H. Schwab Secure digital interactive system for unique product identification and sales
JPH08274812A (en) 1995-03-30 1996-10-18 Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd Voice communication system
JPH08279235A (en) 1995-04-04 1996-10-22 Sharp Corp Disk reproducing device
US5616876A (en) 1995-04-19 1997-04-01 Microsoft Corporation System and methods for selecting music on the basis of subjective content
JP3538954B2 (en) 1995-04-20 2004-06-14 日産自動車株式会社 Keyless entry system
JPH08289976A (en) 1995-04-21 1996-11-05 Taito Corp Quiz game machine capable of selecting genre
US5607099A (en) 1995-04-24 1997-03-04 Delco Electronics Corporation Solder bump transfer device for flip chip integrated circuit devices
US6393584B1 (en) 1995-04-26 2002-05-21 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for efficiently saving the operating state of a data processing system
US5748468A (en) 1995-05-04 1998-05-05 Microsoft Corporation Prioritized co-processor resource manager and method
US5721829A (en) 1995-05-05 1998-02-24 Microsoft Corporation System for automatic pause/resume of content delivered on a channel in response to switching to and from that channel and resuming so that a portion of the content is repeated
US5619698A (en) 1995-05-05 1997-04-08 Apple Computer, Inc. Method and apparatus for patching operating systems
US5914712A (en) 1995-05-08 1999-06-22 Video Jukebox Network, Inc. Interactive video system
US5790856A (en) 1995-05-08 1998-08-04 Apple Computer, Inc. Methods, apparatus, and data structures for data driven computer patches and static analysis of same
US5757936A (en) 1995-05-10 1998-05-26 Monster Cable International, Ltd. Audio and video signal distribution system and method
CA2150215C (en) 1995-05-25 2003-02-25 John Xidos Distributed gaming system
US5748954A (en) 1995-06-05 1998-05-05 Carnegie Mellon University Method for searching a queued and ranked constructed catalog of files stored on a network
US5774668A (en) 1995-06-07 1998-06-30 Microsoft Corporation System for on-line service in which gateway computer uses service map which includes loading condition of servers broadcasted by application servers for load balancing
US5721815A (en) 1995-06-07 1998-02-24 International Business Machines Corporation Media-on-demand communication system and method employing direct access storage device
US6181867B1 (en) 1995-06-07 2001-01-30 Intervu, Inc. Video storage and retrieval system
JP2774966B2 (en) 1995-07-14 1998-07-09 コナミ株式会社 Game console using music
US6359636B1 (en) 1995-07-17 2002-03-19 Gateway, Inc. Graphical user interface for control of a home entertainment system
US6396480B1 (en) 1995-07-17 2002-05-28 Gateway, Inc. Context sensitive remote control groups
US5748254A (en) 1995-07-24 1998-05-05 Coach Master International Corporation Systems with a remote control in which information can be retrieved from an encoded, laser readable disc
US5751672A (en) 1995-07-26 1998-05-12 Sony Corporation Compact disc changer utilizing disc database
US7562392B1 (en) * 1999-05-19 2009-07-14 Digimarc Corporation Methods of interacting with audio and ambient music
US6311214B1 (en) 1995-07-27 2001-10-30 Digimarc Corporation Linking of computers based on optical sensing of digital data
US6023705A (en) 1995-08-11 2000-02-08 Wachovia Corporation Multiple CD index and loading system and method
US5895455A (en) 1995-08-11 1999-04-20 Wachovia Corporation Document image display system and method
US5913040A (en) 1995-08-22 1999-06-15 Backweb Ltd. Method and apparatus for transmitting and displaying information between a remote network and a local computer
JPH0962457A (en) 1995-08-29 1997-03-07 Toshiba Corp Controller for driving information service media and control method therefor
KR0147662B1 (en) 1995-08-31 1998-09-15 김광호 Control method using transmission graphic in double/wide tv with double deck vcr and cd-ok system
US6041354A (en) 1995-09-08 2000-03-21 Lucent Technologies Inc. Dynamic hierarchical network resource scheduling for continuous media
US5745391A (en) 1995-09-13 1998-04-28 Topor; Yakov Apparatus for and method of turning on and shutting off a computing device
FR2738938A1 (en) 1995-09-20 1997-03-21 Philips Electronics Nv DEVICE FOR REMOTE CONTROL OF VIDEO RECEIVER
US6185184B1 (en) 1995-09-25 2001-02-06 Netspeak Corporation Directory server for providing dynamically assigned network protocol addresses
US6108704A (en) 1995-09-25 2000-08-22 Netspeak Corporation Point-to-point internet protocol
US6323911B1 (en) 1995-10-02 2001-11-27 Starsight Telecast, Inc. System and method for using television schedule information
US5751336A (en) 1995-10-12 1998-05-12 International Business Machines Corporation Permutation based pyramid block transmission scheme for broadcasting in video-on-demand storage systems
JP2985750B2 (en) 1995-10-19 1999-12-06 ヤマハ株式会社 Information file management method for communication karaoke apparatus and communication karaoke apparatus
US5778395A (en) 1995-10-23 1998-07-07 Stac, Inc. System for backing up files from disk volumes on multiple nodes of a computer network
US6067564A (en) 1995-10-31 2000-05-23 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Pay broadcasting receiver apparatus
JPH09127964A (en) 1995-11-02 1997-05-16 Yamaha Corp Download management method for communication karaoke device, and communication karaoke system
US5845104A (en) 1995-11-13 1998-12-01 Mitsubishi Chemical, America, Inc. Method and system for reading data from and writing data to a jukebox using a cache
US5721583A (en) 1995-11-27 1998-02-24 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Interactive television system for implementing electronic polling or providing user-requested services based on identification of users or of remote control apparatuses which are employed by respective users to communicate with the system
JP3087638B2 (en) 1995-11-30 2000-09-11 ヤマハ株式会社 Music information processing system
US5857020A (en) 1995-12-04 1999-01-05 Northern Telecom Ltd. Timed availability of secured content provisioned on a storage medium
US5762552A (en) 1995-12-05 1998-06-09 Vt Tech Corp. Interactive real-time network gaming system
US5726909A (en) 1995-12-08 1998-03-10 Krikorian; Thomas M. Continuous play background music system
US5918213A (en) 1995-12-22 1999-06-29 Mci Communications Corporation System and method for automated remote previewing and purchasing of music, video, software, and other multimedia products
US5704146A (en) 1996-01-16 1998-01-06 Rowe International, Inc. Positive drive title rack for jukebox
US5790935A (en) 1996-01-30 1998-08-04 Hughes Aircraft Company Virtual on-demand digital information delivery system and method
US5864868A (en) 1996-02-13 1999-01-26 Contois; David C. Computer control system and user interface for media playing devices
WO1997030397A1 (en) 1996-02-16 1997-08-21 Cyber Marketing, Inc. Remote interactive multimedia preview and data collection kiosk system
JP3486043B2 (en) 1996-03-11 2004-01-13 株式会社東芝 Operating method of software distribution system and software system
US5828343A (en) 1996-03-11 1998-10-27 Ericsson Inc. Antenna connector device for a handheld mobile phone
JPH09244900A (en) 1996-03-11 1997-09-19 Taito Corp Communication karaoke sing-along machine, host computer for communication karaoke, and communication karaoke system
DE19610739A1 (en) 1996-03-20 1997-09-25 Ruhlamat Automatisierungstechn Device for parallel addition of information to data chip cards
US5884298A (en) * 1996-03-29 1999-03-16 Cygnet Storage Solutions, Inc. Method for accessing and updating a library of optical discs
US5790671A (en) 1996-04-04 1998-08-04 Ericsson Inc. Method for automatically adjusting audio response for improved intelligibility
US5917835A (en) 1996-04-12 1999-06-29 Progressive Networks, Inc. Error mitigation and correction in the delivery of on demand audio
US20020002079A1 (en) 1996-04-25 2002-01-03 Martin John R. Combination jukebox and game
JP3911047B2 (en) 1996-04-30 2007-05-09 ソニー株式会社 Recording reservation control system and recording reservation control method
US5857707A (en) 1996-05-02 1999-01-12 Devlin; Stephen M. Jukebox display strip and method of making same
US5831555A (en) 1996-05-10 1998-11-03 Industrial Technology Research Institute Keyboard encoding system actuated by opening and closing of keyboard cover
JP3453248B2 (en) 1996-05-28 2003-10-06 株式会社第一興商 Communication karaoke system, karaoke playback terminal
JPH09322239A (en) 1996-05-31 1997-12-12 Nippon Shinpan Kk Illegal use prevention method for mobile communication equipment such as portable telephone set and illegal use prevention system realizing the method
US5668788A (en) 1996-06-10 1997-09-16 Allison; Avery Vince Programmed juke box capable of calculating a continuous updated playlist
US5793364A (en) 1996-06-14 1998-08-11 Entertainment Drive, L.L.C. Method and system for associating playback of multiple audiovisual programs with one graphic interface element
US5831663A (en) 1996-06-26 1998-11-03 Waterhouse; John Addressable televisions for hospitals and hotels
US5949688A (en) 1996-06-27 1999-09-07 Montoya; Shauna Renee Compact disc recorder/vending machine
US5953005A (en) 1996-06-28 1999-09-14 Sun Microsystems, Inc. System and method for on-line multimedia access
US5825884A (en) 1996-07-01 1998-10-20 Thomson Consumer Electronics Method and apparatus for operating a transactional server in a proprietary database environment
US5668778A (en) 1996-07-09 1997-09-16 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Method for detecting acoustic signals from an underwater source
US5915238A (en) 1996-07-16 1999-06-22 Tjaden; Gary S. Personalized audio information delivery system
US6744882B1 (en) 1996-07-23 2004-06-01 Qualcomm Inc. Method and apparatus for automatically adjusting speaker and microphone gains within a mobile telephone
CA2267953C (en) 1996-07-25 2011-10-18 Mark Kriegsman Web serving system with primary and secondary servers
JP3034555U (en) 1996-08-09 1997-02-25 株式会社アバ・メディアシステムズ Image synthesis adapter device
US5887139A (en) 1996-08-19 1999-03-23 3Com Corporation Configurable graphical user interface useful in managing devices connected to a network
US5933090A (en) 1996-08-23 1999-08-03 Ut Automotive Dearborn, Inc. Method and apparatus for field programming a remote control system
US5991306A (en) 1996-08-26 1999-11-23 Microsoft Corporation Pull based, intelligent caching system and method for delivering data over a network
US6837436B2 (en) 1996-09-05 2005-01-04 Symbol Technologies, Inc. Consumer interactive shopping system
US5920700A (en) 1996-09-06 1999-07-06 Time Warner Cable System for managing the addition/deletion of media assets within a network based on usage and media asset metadata
US5926624A (en) 1996-09-12 1999-07-20 Audible, Inc. Digital information library and delivery system with logic for generating files targeted to the playback device
JP3119823B2 (en) 1996-09-20 2000-12-25 アルプス電気株式会社 Communication device
JP3824182B2 (en) 1996-09-20 2006-09-20 ソニー株式会社 Audio amplification device, communication terminal device, and audio amplification method
FR2753868A1 (en) 1996-09-25 1998-03-27 Technical Maintenance Corp METHOD FOR SELECTING A RECORDING ON AN AUDIOVISUAL DIGITAL REPRODUCTION SYSTEM AND SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD
US20020120925A1 (en) 2000-03-28 2002-08-29 Logan James D. Audio and video program recording, editing and playback systems using metadata
US20030093790A1 (en) * 2000-03-28 2003-05-15 Logan James D. Audio and video program recording, editing and playback systems using metadata
US5721827A (en) 1996-10-02 1998-02-24 James Logan System for electrically distributing personalized information
US6202060B1 (en) 1996-10-29 2001-03-13 Bao Q. Tran Data management system
US5867714A (en) 1996-10-31 1999-02-02 Ncr Corporation System and method for distributing configuration-dependent software revisions to a computer system
US5923885A (en) 1996-10-31 1999-07-13 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Acquisition and operation of remotely loaded software using applet modification of browser software
US6359661B1 (en) 1996-11-05 2002-03-19 Gateway, Inc. Multiple user profile remote control
US6011758A (en) 1996-11-07 2000-01-04 The Music Connection System and method for production of compact discs on demand
US5864811A (en) 1996-11-13 1999-01-26 Compaq Computer Corporation Audio circuit for use with synthesized audio signals and signals from a modem
US20010044725A1 (en) 1996-11-19 2001-11-22 Koichi Matsuda Information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a medium for use in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system
US6057874A (en) 1996-11-21 2000-05-02 General Instrument Corporation Infrared blaster control system in cable television communication systems
US6034925A (en) 1996-12-02 2000-03-07 Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. Accessing control method for identifying a recording medium in a jukebox
US5959869A (en) 1996-12-03 1999-09-28 The Coca-Cola Company Vending machine controller and system
US5931901A (en) 1996-12-09 1999-08-03 Robert L. Wolfe Programmed music on demand from the internet
DE19651411A1 (en) 1996-12-11 1998-06-18 Bosch Gmbh Robert Player
US6009274A (en) 1996-12-13 1999-12-28 3Com Corporation Method and apparatus for automatically updating software components on end systems over a network
US6157935A (en) 1996-12-17 2000-12-05 Tran; Bao Q. Remote data access and management system
US5864870A (en) 1996-12-18 1999-01-26 Unisys Corp. Method for storing/retrieving files of various formats in an object database using a virtual multimedia file system
US5931908A (en) 1996-12-23 1999-08-03 The Walt Disney Corporation Visual object present within live programming as an actionable event for user selection of alternate programming wherein the actionable event is selected by human operator at a head end for distributed data and programming
US5739451A (en) 1996-12-27 1998-04-14 Franklin Electronic Publishers, Incorporated Hand held electronic music encyclopedia with text and note structure search
US6008735A (en) 1997-02-03 1999-12-28 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for programming a remote control unit
US5893162A (en) 1997-02-05 1999-04-06 Transwitch Corp. Method and apparatus for allocation and management of shared memory with data in memory stored as multiple linked lists
US5812643A (en) 1997-02-06 1998-09-22 Powertel, Inc. Power and telecommunications access vending machine
JP3194083B2 (en) 1997-02-10 2001-07-30 三郎 伊藤 Recording device creation device that records songs in music CDs by communication
US5926531A (en) 1997-02-14 1999-07-20 Statsignal Systems, Inc. Transmitter for accessing pay-type telephones
US5903266A (en) 1997-02-18 1999-05-11 International Business Machines Corporation Audio setup and use instructions
US6341166B1 (en) 1997-03-12 2002-01-22 Lsi Logic Corporation Automatic correction of power spectral balance in audio source material
US6161059A (en) 1998-09-14 2000-12-12 Walker Digital, Llc Vending machine method and apparatus for encouraging participation in a marketing effort
US5978912A (en) 1997-03-20 1999-11-02 Phoenix Technologies Limited Network enhanced BIOS enabling remote management of a computer without a functioning operating system
US6219692B1 (en) 1997-03-21 2001-04-17 Stiles Invention, L.L.C. Method and system for efficiently disbursing requests among a tiered hierarchy of service providers
US5960167A (en) 1997-03-24 1999-09-28 Xerox Corporation Printer configuration system
EP1021917A4 (en) 1997-03-31 2002-05-15 Broadband Associates Method and system for providing a presentation on a network
US5959945A (en) 1997-04-04 1999-09-28 Advanced Technology Research Sa Cv System for selectively distributing music to a plurality of jukeboxes
US6243725B1 (en) 1997-05-21 2001-06-05 Premier International, Ltd. List building system
US6353809B2 (en) 1997-06-06 2002-03-05 Olympus Optical, Ltd. Speech recognition with text generation from portions of voice data preselected by manual-input commands
JP3351296B2 (en) 1997-06-13 2002-11-25 ヤマハ株式会社 Karaoke equipment
JP3879188B2 (en) 1997-07-01 2007-02-07 ブラザー工業株式会社 Music sound reproducing device and music sound reproducing system
CA2769736C (en) 1997-07-09 2013-05-14 Advanced Audio Devices, Llc Device for editing and non-volatile optical storage of digital audio
US7574727B2 (en) 1997-07-23 2009-08-11 Touchtunes Music Corporation Intelligent digital audiovisual playback system
US6442549B1 (en) 1997-07-25 2002-08-27 Eric Schneider Method, product, and apparatus for processing reusable information
US5970467A (en) 1997-07-31 1999-10-19 Enviro Ec Ag Accurate market survey collection method
EP0911741B1 (en) 1997-08-29 2009-01-14 Sony France S.A. System adapted to develop conditioned reflexes
US6138150A (en) 1997-09-03 2000-10-24 International Business Machines Corporation Method for remotely controlling computer resources via the internet with a web browser
JPH1195768A (en) 1997-09-16 1999-04-09 Ricoh Co Ltd Communication system
FR2769165B1 (en) 1997-09-26 2002-11-29 Technical Maintenance Corp WIRELESS SYSTEM WITH DIGITAL TRANSMISSION FOR SPEAKERS
US6223209B1 (en) 1997-09-30 2001-04-24 Ncr Corporation Distributed world wide web servers
US6170060B1 (en) 1997-10-03 2001-01-02 Audible, Inc. Method and apparatus for targeting a digital information playback device
JPH11119923A (en) 1997-10-20 1999-04-30 Fujitsu Ltd Data access controller and record medium recorded with data access control program
US5842869A (en) 1997-10-22 1998-12-01 Mcgregor; John Method and apparatus for displaying question and answer data on plural displays
JP3575964B2 (en) 1997-10-30 2004-10-13 富士通株式会社 Disk array device
US6928653B1 (en) 1997-11-06 2005-08-09 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive electronic television program guide with database configurability
US6282709B1 (en) 1997-11-12 2001-08-28 Philips Electronics North America Corporation Software update manager
US6026168A (en) 1997-11-14 2000-02-15 Microtek Lab, Inc. Methods and apparatus for automatically synchronizing and regulating volume in audio component systems
US6363351B1 (en) * 1997-11-18 2002-03-26 Paolo Moro Subscriber registration and access control system and related methods
GB2331610B (en) 1997-11-19 2002-01-23 Lg Electronics Inc Method for assigning a remote controller identification code and power-saving electronic appliance and remote controller using the method
CA2278196C (en) * 1997-11-25 2005-11-15 Motorola, Inc. Audio content player methods, systems, and articles of manufacture
US6167358A (en) 1997-12-19 2000-12-26 Nowonder, Inc. System and method for remotely monitoring a plurality of computer-based systems
US6415373B1 (en) 1997-12-24 2002-07-02 Avid Technology, Inc. Computer system and process for transferring multiple high bandwidth streams of data between multiple storage units and multiple applications in a scalable and reliable manner
EP1046259B1 (en) 1998-01-06 2005-03-02 Sony Electronics, Inc. Method and system related to an audio/video network
US6175861B1 (en) 1998-02-06 2001-01-16 Henry R. Williams, Jr. Apparatus and method for providing computer display data from a computer system to a remote display device
US6280327B1 (en) 1998-06-05 2001-08-28 Arista Interactive Llc Wireless game control units
US6191780B1 (en) 1998-03-25 2001-02-20 Arachnid, Inc. Customizable multimedia segment structures
US6430537B1 (en) 1998-03-31 2002-08-06 Walker Digital, Llc Method and apparatus for priority-based jukebox queuing
US6118450A (en) 1998-04-03 2000-09-12 Sony Corporation Graphic user interface that is usable as a PC interface and an A/V interface
US6498855B1 (en) 1998-04-17 2002-12-24 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for selectively and variably attenuating audio data
KR100413026B1 (en) 1998-04-30 2004-03-22 삼성전자주식회사 A connector assembly
TW501011B (en) 1998-05-08 2002-09-01 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv Data processing circuit with cache memory
US6446080B1 (en) 1998-05-08 2002-09-03 Sony Corporation Method for creating, modifying, and playing a custom playlist, saved as a virtual CD, to be played by a digital audio/visual actuator device
US6040829A (en) 1998-05-13 2000-03-21 Croy; Clemens Personal navigator system
US6535729B1 (en) 1998-05-20 2003-03-18 Lucent Technologies Inc. System and method for processing wireless files based on filename extension
US6344862B1 (en) 1998-05-29 2002-02-05 Hewlett-Packard Company User interface mechanism for manipulating context in computer management applications
US6054987A (en) 1998-05-29 2000-04-25 Hewlett-Packard Company Method of dynamically creating nodal views of a managed network
US7035943B2 (en) * 1998-05-29 2006-04-25 Yahoo! Inc. Web server content replication
US6216175B1 (en) 1998-06-08 2001-04-10 Microsoft Corporation Method for upgrading copies of an original file with same update data after normalizing differences between copies created during respective original installations
US6384737B1 (en) 1998-06-15 2002-05-07 Winbond Electronics Corp. Method and apparatus for allowing a personal computer to control one or more devices
US6953886B1 (en) 1998-06-17 2005-10-11 Looney Productions, Llc Media organizer and entertainment center
JP4294122B2 (en) 1998-06-23 2009-07-08 アルプス電気株式会社 Coordinate input device
US6288688B1 (en) 1998-06-25 2001-09-11 Elevating Communications, Inc. System for distribution and display of advertisements within elevator cars
US6216227B1 (en) 1998-06-29 2001-04-10 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Multi-venue ticketing using smart cards
JP2000020689A (en) 1998-07-01 2000-01-21 Minolta Co Ltd Image data controller, image recorder, image data control method and recording medium
US6302793B1 (en) 1998-07-02 2001-10-16 Station Casinos, Inc. Multi-property player tracking system
US5990405A (en) * 1998-07-08 1999-11-23 Gibson Guitar Corp. System and method for generating and controlling a simulated musical concert experience
FR2781582B1 (en) 1998-07-21 2001-01-12 Technical Maintenance Corp SYSTEM FOR DOWNLOADING OBJECTS OR FILES FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE
FR2781580B1 (en) 1998-07-22 2000-09-22 Technical Maintenance Corp SOUND CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR INTELLIGENT DIGITAL AUDIOVISUAL REPRODUCTION SYSTEM
US8028318B2 (en) 1999-07-21 2011-09-27 Touchtunes Music Corporation Remote control unit for activating and deactivating means for payment and for displaying payment status
FR2781593B1 (en) 1998-07-22 2001-01-12 Technical Maintenance Corp REMOTE CONTROL FOR INTELLIGENT DIGITAL AUDIOVISUAL REPRODUCTION SYSTEM
FR2781591B1 (en) 1998-07-22 2000-09-22 Technical Maintenance Corp AUDIOVISUAL REPRODUCTION SYSTEM
US6470496B1 (en) 1998-08-03 2002-10-22 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Control program downloading method for replacing control program in digital broadcast receiving apparatus with new control program sent from digital broadcast transmitting apparatus
EP0982695B1 (en) 1998-08-21 2004-08-18 NSM Music Group Limited Network for multimedia devices
JP3950589B2 (en) 1998-08-28 2007-08-01 キヤノン株式会社 Information processing apparatus, program update method, and storage medium
DE19843249A1 (en) 1998-09-11 2000-03-16 Francotyp Postalia Gmbh Method for entering data into a service device and arrangement for carrying out the method
US7073172B2 (en) 1998-09-21 2006-07-04 Microsoft Corporation On demand patching of applications via software implementation installer mechanism
JP2000108695A (en) 1998-10-02 2000-04-18 Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg Co Ltd Torque limiting device of wheel driving device
US6687874B2 (en) 1998-10-05 2004-02-03 Nexpress Solutions Llc System for generating and maintaining field service publications
JP2000112485A (en) 1998-10-08 2000-04-21 Konami Co Ltd Background tone controller, background tone control method, readable recording medium recording background tone program, and video game device
US6488585B1 (en) 1998-10-14 2002-12-03 International Game Technology Gaming device identification method and apparatus
GB9822841D0 (en) 1998-10-20 1998-12-16 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv File systems supporting data sharing
US6629318B1 (en) 1998-11-18 2003-09-30 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Decoder buffer for streaming video receiver and method of operation
US6643690B2 (en) 1998-12-29 2003-11-04 Citrix Systems, Inc. Apparatus and method for determining a program neighborhood for a client node in a client-server network
US6055573A (en) 1998-12-30 2000-04-25 Supermarkets Online, Inc. Communicating with a computer based on an updated purchase behavior classification of a particular consumer
US6654801B2 (en) 1999-01-04 2003-11-25 Cisco Technology, Inc. Remote system administration and seamless service integration of a data communication network management system
US6301710B1 (en) 1999-01-06 2001-10-09 Sony Corporation System and method for creating a substitute registry when automatically installing an update program
US6330621B1 (en) 1999-01-15 2001-12-11 Storage Technology Corporation Intelligent data storage manager
US6195732B1 (en) 1999-01-22 2001-02-27 Quantum Corp. Storage device capacity management
DE19904007A1 (en) 1999-02-02 2000-08-03 Alexander Weggerle Music box based on a PC, plays random title when there is no selected title, has title selection performed via touch screen and graphical display is performed on monitor with advertisements
US6434678B1 (en) 1999-02-12 2002-08-13 Gtp, Inc. Method for data storage organization
US6577735B1 (en) 1999-02-12 2003-06-10 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. System and method for backing-up data stored on a portable audio player
ATE338328T1 (en) 1999-02-16 2006-09-15 Listen Com Inc AUDIO SYNTHESIS THROUGH DIGITAL SAMPLING OF CODED WAVEFORMS
US8726330B2 (en) 1999-02-22 2014-05-13 Touchtunes Music Corporation Intelligent digital audiovisual playback system
JP2000242598A (en) 1999-02-23 2000-09-08 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Firmware update system and its updating method
US6356971B1 (en) 1999-03-04 2002-03-12 Sony Corporation System for managing multimedia discs, tracks and files on a standalone computer
JP3267265B2 (en) 1999-03-15 2002-03-18 船井電機株式会社 Video print play equipment
US6643620B1 (en) 1999-03-15 2003-11-04 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Voice activated controller for recording and retrieving audio/video programs
US6446130B1 (en) * 1999-03-16 2002-09-03 Interactive Digital Systems Multimedia delivery system
US6622307B1 (en) 1999-03-26 2003-09-16 Hughes Electronics Corporation Multiple-room signal distribution system
US6728966B1 (en) 1999-03-29 2004-04-27 Hughes Electronics Corporation Electronic television program guide data naming system and method
US6425125B1 (en) 1999-03-30 2002-07-23 Microsoft Corporation System and method for upgrading client software
US6438450B1 (en) 1999-04-14 2002-08-20 Dilorenzo Mark Multi-room entertainment system with in-room media player
US6522707B1 (en) 1999-04-30 2003-02-18 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method and device for disturbance suppression in a signal
US6847969B1 (en) * 1999-05-03 2005-01-25 Streetspace, Inc. Method and system for providing personalized online services and advertisements in public spaces
US8874244B2 (en) * 1999-05-19 2014-10-28 Digimarc Corporation Methods and systems employing digital content
US8055588B2 (en) * 1999-05-19 2011-11-08 Digimarc Corporation Digital media methods
US6473794B1 (en) 1999-05-27 2002-10-29 Accenture Llp System for establishing plan to test components of web based framework by displaying pictorial representation and conveying indicia coded components of existing network framework
US6496927B1 (en) 1999-06-09 2002-12-17 Amx Corporation Method and configuring a user interface for controlling a controlled device based upon a device class
WO2001000290A1 (en) 1999-06-25 2001-01-04 Rulesworks, Llc Method for multiplayer sports trivia game
US6543052B1 (en) 1999-07-09 2003-04-01 Fujitsu Limited Internet shopping system utilizing set top box and voice recognition
FR2796482B1 (en) 1999-07-16 2002-09-06 Touchtunes Music Corp REMOTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR AT LEAST ONE AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION REPRODUCING DEVICE
US7657910B1 (en) 1999-07-26 2010-02-02 E-Cast Inc. Distributed electronic entertainment method and apparatus
US6535911B1 (en) 1999-08-06 2003-03-18 International Business Machines Corporation Viewing an information set originated from a distribution media and updating using a remote server
US6289382B1 (en) 1999-08-31 2001-09-11 Andersen Consulting, Llp System, method and article of manufacture for a globally addressable interface in a communication services patterns environment
US6571282B1 (en) 1999-08-31 2003-05-27 Accenture Llp Block-based communication in a communication services patterns environment
US6256773B1 (en) 1999-08-31 2001-07-03 Accenture Llp System, method and article of manufacture for configuration management in a development architecture framework
US6493871B1 (en) 1999-09-16 2002-12-10 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for downloading updates for software installation
US6728824B1 (en) 1999-09-17 2004-04-27 Njr Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling multi-channel bitstreams
US6353820B1 (en) 1999-09-29 2002-03-05 Bull Hn Information Systems Inc. Method and system for using dynamically generated code to perform index record retrieval in certain circumstances in a relational database manager
WO2001028222A2 (en) * 1999-10-12 2001-04-19 Perception Digital Technology (Bvi) Limited Digital multimedia jukebox
AU7925100A (en) 1999-10-14 2001-04-23 Nokia Corporation A method and system for software updating
US6192340B1 (en) 1999-10-19 2001-02-20 Max Abecassis Integration of music from a personal library with real-time information
US7522631B1 (en) 1999-10-26 2009-04-21 Qualcomm, Incorporated Method and apparatus for efficient data transmission control in a wireless voice-over-data communication system
US7433832B1 (en) 1999-11-19 2008-10-07 Amazon.Com, Inc. Methods and systems for distributing information within a dynamically defined community
US20010030660A1 (en) 1999-12-10 2001-10-18 Roustem Zainoulline Interactive graphical user interface and method for previewing media products
US20040220926A1 (en) 2000-01-03 2004-11-04 Interactual Technologies, Inc., A California Cpr[P Personalization services for entities from multiple sources
US20010049625A1 (en) * 2000-01-07 2001-12-06 Craig Mowry Method and system for eliciting consumer data by programming content within various media venues to function cooperatively
US6389467B1 (en) 2000-01-24 2002-05-14 Friskit, Inc. Streaming media search and continuous playback system of media resources located by multiple network addresses
FR2805377B1 (en) 2000-02-23 2003-09-12 Touchtunes Music Corp EARLY ORDERING PROCESS FOR A SELECTION, DIGITAL SYSTEM AND JUKE-BOX FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD
JP2001223057A (en) 2000-02-09 2001-08-17 Hirose Electric Co Ltd Electric connector
US6974076B1 (en) 2000-02-14 2005-12-13 Sony Corporation Portable music player with pay per play usage and method for purchase of credits for usage
FR2805060B1 (en) 2000-02-16 2005-04-08 Touchtunes Music Corp METHOD FOR RECEIVING FILES DURING DOWNLOAD
FR2805072B1 (en) 2000-02-16 2002-04-05 Touchtunes Music Corp METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE SOUND VOLUME OF A DIGITAL SOUND RECORDING
AU2001249093A1 (en) * 2000-03-03 2001-09-17 Mizrahi Enterprises, Inc. Method and system for selectively recording content relating to an audio/visual presentation
AU2001245800A1 (en) 2000-03-17 2001-10-03 Mark Nair System, method and apparatus for controlling the dissemination of digital works
US7187947B1 (en) 2000-03-28 2007-03-06 Affinity Labs, Llc System and method for communicating selected information to an electronic device
CA2405150A1 (en) 2000-04-07 2001-10-18 Louis D. Giacalone Method and system for electronically distributing, displaying and controlling advertising and other communicative media
US7136906B2 (en) * 2000-04-07 2006-11-14 Clarity Visual Systems, Inc. System for electronically distributing, displaying and controlling the play scheduling of advertising and other communicative media
US6789215B1 (en) 2000-04-21 2004-09-07 Sprint Communications Company, L.P. System and method for remediating a computer
US6904592B1 (en) 2000-04-28 2005-06-07 Gilbarco Inc. Software download system for automatic retrieval of warranty and commission data
US8352331B2 (en) 2000-05-03 2013-01-08 Yahoo! Inc. Relationship discovery engine
US7024485B2 (en) 2000-05-03 2006-04-04 Yahoo! Inc. System for controlling and enforcing playback restrictions for a media file by splitting the media file into usable and unusable portions for playback
AU2001259823A1 (en) 2000-05-03 2001-11-12 John Yeiser Method for promoting internet web sites
FR2808906B1 (en) 2000-05-10 2005-02-11 Touchtunes Music Corp DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY MANAGING A NETWORK OF AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION REPRODUCTION SYSTEMS
US7237198B1 (en) * 2000-05-22 2007-06-26 Realnetworks, Inc. System and method of providing for the control of a music player to a device driver
US6751794B1 (en) 2000-05-25 2004-06-15 Everdream Corporation Intelligent patch checker
US20010037367A1 (en) 2000-06-14 2001-11-01 Iyer Sridhar V. System and method for sharing information via a virtual shared area in a communication network
US6882793B1 (en) * 2000-06-16 2005-04-19 Yesvideo, Inc. Video processing system
FR2811175B1 (en) 2000-06-29 2002-12-27 Touchtunes Music Corp AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION METHOD AND AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
EP2343892A1 (en) 2000-06-21 2011-07-13 Touchtunes Music Corporation Remote management apparatus and method for a network of audiovisual information playback systems
US7739335B2 (en) 2000-06-22 2010-06-15 Sony Corporation Method and apparatus for providing a customized selection of audio content over the internet
US7796162B2 (en) 2000-10-26 2010-09-14 Front Row Technologies, Llc Providing multiple synchronized camera views for broadcast from a live venue activity to remote viewers
FR2811114B1 (en) 2000-06-29 2002-12-27 Touchtunes Music Corp DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A SYSTEM FOR REPRODUCING AUDIOVISUAL INFORMATION AND AN ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT MACHINE
US6662231B1 (en) 2000-06-30 2003-12-09 Sei Information Technology Method and system for subscriber-based audio service over a communication network
US7031945B1 (en) * 2000-07-24 2006-04-18 Donner Irah H System and method for reallocating and/or upgrading and/or rewarding tickets, other event admittance means, goods and/or services
EP1307803A2 (en) 2000-07-28 2003-05-07 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. System for browsing a collection of information units
US7509267B1 (en) 2000-08-29 2009-03-24 Paul M. Yarmolich Method for combining data signals and video signals for transmission to video display units
CN1340939A (en) 2000-09-01 2002-03-20 北京锐信通达多媒体通信科技有限公司 System and method for implementing network karaoke on broadband platform
JP2002083640A (en) 2000-09-06 2002-03-22 Ibm Japan Ltd Connector, connecting device and recording device
US20020092019A1 (en) * 2000-09-08 2002-07-11 Dwight Marcus Method and apparatus for creation, distribution, assembly and verification of media
FR2814085B1 (en) 2000-09-15 2005-02-11 Touchtunes Music Corp ENTERTAINMENT METHOD BASED ON MULTIPLE CHOICE COMPETITION GAMES
US20020107972A1 (en) * 2000-09-19 2002-08-08 Keane Kerry C. System and method for distributing media content
US6942574B1 (en) 2000-09-19 2005-09-13 Igt Method and apparatus for providing entertainment content on a gaming machine
US20020113824A1 (en) 2000-10-12 2002-08-22 Myers Thomas D. Graphic user interface that is usable as a commercial digital jukebox interface
US7667123B2 (en) * 2000-10-13 2010-02-23 Phillips Mark E System and method for musical playlist selection in a portable audio device
US6700489B1 (en) 2000-11-27 2004-03-02 Sensormatic Electronics Corporation Handheld cordless deactivator for electronic article surveillance tags
AU2002248227C1 (en) 2000-12-19 2012-07-19 Paltronics, Inc. Video table game apparatus, system, and method of use
WO2002051309A1 (en) 2000-12-22 2002-07-04 Yamato Scale Co.,Ltd. Visceral fat meter having pace counting function
US20020151327A1 (en) * 2000-12-22 2002-10-17 David Levitt Program selector and guide system and method
US20030006911A1 (en) 2000-12-22 2003-01-09 The Cadre Group Inc. Interactive advertising system and method
US20020129036A1 (en) 2001-01-05 2002-09-12 Teraoptix, Inc. System and method for storing and manipulating multi-media
US20030108164A1 (en) * 2001-02-08 2003-06-12 Laurin Jeremy S. Simultaneous, multiple digital presentation content block, channel independent presentation controller
US7406529B2 (en) * 2001-02-09 2008-07-29 Yahoo! Inc. System and method for detecting and verifying digitized content over a computer network
US7076067B2 (en) 2001-02-21 2006-07-11 Rpk New Zealand Limited Encrypted media key management
US7003726B2 (en) * 2001-02-21 2006-02-21 Nanonation Incorporated Computer network having context sensitive and interactive multimedia applications and controls, forming dynamic user interfaces on local computer terminals
US8270820B2 (en) * 2001-02-23 2012-09-18 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Archiving and sharing of multimedia content
US7296066B2 (en) 2001-03-04 2007-11-13 Adomo, Inc. Mobile communication system for a network
JP4191932B2 (en) 2001-03-08 2008-12-03 パナソニック株式会社 Media distribution apparatus and media distribution method
US7483958B1 (en) * 2001-03-26 2009-01-27 Microsoft Corporation Methods and apparatuses for sharing media content, libraries and playlists
US20020184047A1 (en) 2001-04-03 2002-12-05 Plotnick Michael A. Universal ad queue
WO2002082271A1 (en) 2001-04-05 2002-10-17 Audible Magic Corporation Copyright detection and protection system and method
JP2002318692A (en) 2001-04-19 2002-10-31 Sony Corp Installation support system, installation support device, installation support method, program for supporting installation and recording medium in which the same program is recorded
EP1393179A4 (en) 2001-05-08 2005-10-05 Ipool Corp Privacy protection system and method
WO2002095752A1 (en) 2001-05-23 2002-11-28 Reinier Henri Oostwoud Multimedia jukebox
US6628939B2 (en) 2001-06-15 2003-09-30 Igt Personal gaming device
US8282475B2 (en) 2001-06-15 2012-10-09 Igt Virtual leash for personal gaming device
WO2003001825A1 (en) * 2001-06-25 2003-01-03 Ram Jethanand Balani Method and device for effecting venue specific wireless communication
US7548875B2 (en) 2001-06-27 2009-06-16 John Mikkelsen Media delivery platform
US20030004833A1 (en) 2001-06-27 2003-01-02 Alan Pollak Method for vending electronic entertainment
US7185078B2 (en) 2001-06-28 2007-02-27 Microsoft Corporation Event manager for a control management system
WO2003005743A1 (en) 2001-07-03 2003-01-16 Buchbinder, Sam System and method for providing accurate location information for wireless or wired remote gaming activities
DE10132472A1 (en) 2001-07-04 2003-02-06 Atronic Int Gmbh Play equipment plant
US20030014272A1 (en) 2001-07-12 2003-01-16 Goulet Mary E. E-audition for a musical work
JP2003030079A (en) * 2001-07-16 2003-01-31 Fujitsu Ltd Contents sharing set and software program to be performed by devices constituting the same
USD475029S1 (en) 2001-07-31 2003-05-27 Touchtunes Music Corporation Wall mounted audiovisual device
US6537078B2 (en) 2001-08-02 2003-03-25 Charles Jean System and apparatus for a karaoke entertainment center
AU2002355530A1 (en) * 2001-08-03 2003-02-24 John Allen Ananian Personalized interactive digital catalog profiling
EP1288802A1 (en) 2001-08-29 2003-03-05 SONOPRESS PRODUKTIONSGESELLSCHAFT FÜR TON- UND INFORMATIONSTRÄGER mbH System and method for operating information terminals playing commercials
JP2003076380A (en) 2001-08-31 2003-03-14 Daiichikosho Co Ltd Method of displaying videos of users' own making as karaoke sing-along background videos with karaoke sing- along machines scattered in various places
JP2003084903A (en) 2001-09-11 2003-03-20 Sony Corp Device and method for operation, and program
US6965770B2 (en) 2001-09-13 2005-11-15 Nokia Corporation Dynamic content delivery responsive to user requests
JP2003099072A (en) 2001-09-25 2003-04-04 Victor Co Of Japan Ltd Information distribution system using karaoke terminal and program for present contents
GB2380377B (en) 2001-09-28 2005-08-31 Hewlett Packard Co A computer peripheral device
US6846238B2 (en) 2001-09-28 2005-01-25 Igt Wireless game player
US7143102B2 (en) * 2001-09-28 2006-11-28 Sigmatel, Inc. Autogenerated play lists from search criteria
TW525864U (en) 2001-10-03 2003-03-21 Sheng-Shing Liau Rapid assembly cellular phone charger
US7430736B2 (en) 2001-10-03 2008-09-30 Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha Download and installation of software from a network printer
US6598956B2 (en) 2001-10-19 2003-07-29 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Carriage drive belt with compliant belt section for carriage attachment
US7519911B2 (en) * 2001-11-02 2009-04-14 At&T Intellectual Property Ii, L.P. Systems and methods for managing and aggregating media formats
US20030088538A1 (en) * 2001-11-07 2003-05-08 Ballard Curtis C. System for and method of automated device data collection
DE60123851T2 (en) 2001-11-23 2007-09-06 Nokia Corp. FERNSEHPLAUDERZIMMER
US6816578B1 (en) 2001-11-27 2004-11-09 Nortel Networks Limited Efficient instant messaging using a telephony interface
US20030104865A1 (en) 2001-12-04 2003-06-05 Yuri Itkis Wireless wagering system
US20030135424A1 (en) * 2002-01-17 2003-07-17 Davis Jeffrey S. System and method for automatically updating media in a digital jukebox
US20030144910A1 (en) 2002-01-30 2003-07-31 Flaherty Stephen C. System and method for distributing inventory for point-of-sale activation services
US6915176B2 (en) * 2002-01-31 2005-07-05 Sony Corporation Music marking system
DE60231103D1 (en) 2002-02-14 2009-03-26 Sony Dadc Austria Ag Method and device for providing a data set stored in a database
US20030163388A1 (en) 2002-02-22 2003-08-28 Viamation Llc Self-service ordering and transaction processing terminal
US20070220580A1 (en) * 2002-03-14 2007-09-20 Daniel Putterman User interface for a media convergence platform
US7198571B2 (en) 2002-03-15 2007-04-03 Igt Room key based in-room player tracking
US7725402B2 (en) * 2002-04-01 2010-05-25 Booth John R System and method for booking a performance venue
US7783593B2 (en) 2002-04-04 2010-08-24 Verizon Business Global Llc Method, device and computer program product including a lightweight directory access protocol client
US7827259B2 (en) 2004-04-27 2010-11-02 Apple Inc. Method and system for configurable automatic media selection
US20030191753A1 (en) 2002-04-08 2003-10-09 Michael Hoch Filtering contents using a learning mechanism
US20040025185A1 (en) 2002-04-29 2004-02-05 John Goci Digital video jukebox network enterprise system
US20040010800A1 (en) 2002-04-29 2004-01-15 John Goci Digital video jukebox network enterprise system
US20030216958A1 (en) * 2002-05-15 2003-11-20 Linwood Register System for and method of doing business to provide network-based in-store media broadcasting
US7426537B2 (en) * 2002-05-31 2008-09-16 Microsoft Corporation Systems and methods for sharing dynamic content among a plurality of online co-users
US20030233469A1 (en) * 2002-06-12 2003-12-18 Knowlson Kenneth L. Content server
JP3970700B2 (en) 2002-06-26 2007-09-05 株式会社第一興商 Karaoke live distribution service method
JP4544814B2 (en) 2002-06-27 2010-09-15 富士通テン株式会社 Information terminal equipment
JP2004054435A (en) 2002-07-17 2004-02-19 Toshiba Corp Hypermedia information presentation method, hypermedia information presentation program and hypermedia information presentation device
US7917557B2 (en) * 2002-09-05 2011-03-29 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Method and devices for creating a second playlist based on a first playlist
US8151304B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2012-04-03 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools
US8584175B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2013-11-12 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools
US10373420B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2019-08-06 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox with enhanced communication features
US8103589B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2012-01-24 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with central and local music servers
US7822687B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2010-10-26 Francois Brillon Jukebox with customizable avatar
US8332895B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2012-12-11 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools
US9646339B2 (en) 2002-09-16 2017-05-09 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox system with central and local music servers
CA2500342A1 (en) 2002-09-27 2004-04-08 Rowe International Corporation Compact disk musical jukebox with digital music library access
US20040085334A1 (en) 2002-10-30 2004-05-06 Mark Reaney System and method for creating and displaying interactive computer charcters on stadium video screens
US20040158555A1 (en) 2003-02-11 2004-08-12 Terradigtal Systems Llc. Method for managing a collection of media objects
US7066812B2 (en) 2003-03-19 2006-06-27 Lif Capital Llc Methods and apparatus for a portable gaming machine
US20040243482A1 (en) 2003-05-28 2004-12-02 Steven Laut Method and apparatus for multi-way jukebox system
JP2005018438A (en) 2003-06-26 2005-01-20 Sony Corp Device and method for providing music content
USD495755S1 (en) 2003-07-23 2004-09-07 Wms Gaming Inc. Gaming machine
US20050034084A1 (en) 2003-08-04 2005-02-10 Toshikazu Ohtsuki Mobile terminal device and image display method
US6902412B2 (en) 2003-08-26 2005-06-07 Motorola, Inc. Apparatus for intrinsically safe power interface
EP1664997A4 (en) 2003-09-10 2007-12-19 Yahoo Inc Music purchasing and playing system and method
JP4041049B2 (en) 2003-09-30 2008-01-30 株式会社第一興商 Karaoke device to post user's face photo
US20060008256A1 (en) 2003-10-01 2006-01-12 Khedouri Robert K Audio visual player apparatus and system and method of content distribution using the same
WO2005052751A2 (en) 2003-11-20 2005-06-09 Color Kinetics Incorporated Light system manager
JP2005184237A (en) 2003-12-17 2005-07-07 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Portable terminal and adaptor
JP2005215209A (en) 2004-01-28 2005-08-11 Daiichikosho Co Ltd Camera-equipped communication karaoke machine with features in crime prevention mode
US7357393B2 (en) 2004-02-02 2008-04-15 Gtech Rhode Island Corporation Player key for an instant-win lottery ticket and method for validating same
CN1813251A (en) * 2004-03-22 2006-08-02 网飞亚技术公司 A streaming based contents distribution network system and methods for splitting, merging and retrieving files
WO2005099043A2 (en) 2004-03-31 2005-10-20 Black & Decker Inc. Battery pack - cordless power device interface system
EP1776834A4 (en) 2004-07-22 2009-07-15 Akoo International Inc Apparatus and method for interactive content requests in a networked computer jukebox
JP2006039704A (en) 2004-07-23 2006-02-09 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Play list generation device
GB0416857D0 (en) 2004-07-29 2004-09-01 Ingenico Uk Ltd Electronic financial transactions
US20060028540A1 (en) 2004-07-30 2006-02-09 Pulitzer J H Integrated internet radio receiver and A/V telecommunication device
JP5060303B2 (en) 2004-11-24 2012-10-31 コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ Recording and playback of video clips based on audio selection
US8108798B2 (en) 2004-12-29 2012-01-31 Sap Ag Method and system for implementing enhanced buttons in a graphical user interface
TWM272336U (en) * 2005-01-07 2005-08-01 Wen-Lung Liau Multi-functional Karaoke player, monitoring and computer device
US7533182B2 (en) 2005-01-24 2009-05-12 Starz Media, Llc Portable screening room
US7574434B2 (en) 2005-02-25 2009-08-11 Sony Corporation Method and system for navigating and selecting media from large data sets
TWM274284U (en) 2005-03-11 2005-09-01 Jen-Guei Shie Vehicular steering wheel lock having burglar alarm device
JP4085284B2 (en) 2005-03-24 2008-05-14 ソニー株式会社 Playback device
JP4626995B2 (en) * 2005-03-31 2011-02-09 株式会社ケンウッド Music processing apparatus, music processing method and program
JP4616337B2 (en) 2005-03-31 2011-01-19 パイオニア株式会社 Playback order change support unit, music information playback apparatus, and playback order change support method
JP4500730B2 (en) * 2005-05-13 2010-07-14 株式会社エクシング Karaoke device and electronic sample device
US7281652B2 (en) 2005-05-18 2007-10-16 Foss Jonathan G Point-of-sale provider evaluation
GB2442166A (en) 2005-07-19 2008-03-26 Direct Tv Pty Ltd Presentation content management and creation systems and methods
JP2007041722A (en) 2005-08-01 2007-02-15 Sony Corp Information processor, content reproduction device, information processing method, event log recording method and computer program
US7580255B2 (en) 2005-08-24 2009-08-25 Apple Inc. Docking station for hand held electronic devices
USD560651S1 (en) 2005-08-26 2008-01-29 Tyrell Corporation Juke box with controls and speakers
JP2006048076A (en) 2005-09-20 2006-02-16 Yamaha Corp Karaoke device
TWM290206U (en) 2005-09-23 2006-05-01 Valens Co Ltd Modular structure of alarm lamp
US8325571B2 (en) 2005-09-29 2012-12-04 Paul Cappello Video jukebox apparatus and a method of playing music and music videos using a video jukebox appartus
JP4376220B2 (en) 2005-09-30 2009-12-02 シャープ株式会社 Information communication terminal and program for controlling information communication terminal
JP2007102982A (en) 2005-10-07 2007-04-19 Olympus Imaging Corp Terminal apparatus, information management system, and information management method
US7937724B2 (en) 2005-10-27 2011-05-03 E-Cast Inc. Advertising content tracking for an entertainment device
JP2007128609A (en) 2005-11-04 2007-05-24 Victor Co Of Japan Ltd On-vehicle video and voice reproducing system and on-vehicle video and voice reproduction method
JP4437548B2 (en) 2005-12-09 2010-03-24 ソニー株式会社 Music content display device, music content display method, and music content display program
JP4894252B2 (en) 2005-12-09 2012-03-14 ソニー株式会社 Data display device, data display method, and data display program
WO2007069143A2 (en) 2005-12-15 2007-06-21 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N. V. System and method for creating artificial atmosphere
JP2007164078A (en) 2005-12-16 2007-06-28 Just Syst Corp Music playback device and music information distribution server
US9153125B2 (en) * 2005-12-20 2015-10-06 Savant Systems, Llc Programmable multimedia controller with programmable services
US9086779B2 (en) 2005-12-22 2015-07-21 Core Wireless Licensing S.A.R.L. Input device
US8015200B2 (en) 2005-12-24 2011-09-06 Phil Seiflein Multimedia platform synchronizer
JP2007179333A (en) 2005-12-28 2007-07-12 Sony Corp Display controller, method, and program
US7877409B2 (en) 2005-12-29 2011-01-25 Nextlabs, Inc. Preventing conflicts of interests between two or more groups using applications
JP4683290B2 (en) 2006-01-23 2011-05-18 ソニー株式会社 Display device, display method, display program
US20070173309A1 (en) * 2006-01-26 2007-07-26 Wms Gaming Inc. Gaming machine providing redeemable music awards
US8371932B2 (en) 2006-02-07 2013-02-12 Wms Gaming Inc. Wager gaming network with wireless hotspots
JP2007226867A (en) * 2006-02-22 2007-09-06 Alpine Electronics Inc Multimedia device
JP4788411B2 (en) 2006-03-09 2011-10-05 ソニー株式会社 Search keyword input device, search keyword input method, and search keyword input program
US7329151B2 (en) 2006-06-28 2008-02-12 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Connector assembly with strain relief member
US7770165B2 (en) 2006-08-25 2010-08-03 Microsoft Corporation Providing firmware updates to portable media devices
US7761538B2 (en) 2006-08-30 2010-07-20 Microsoft Corporation Dynamically configuring, allocating and deploying computing systems
JP4611266B2 (en) 2006-08-31 2011-01-12 株式会社エクシング Online karaoke system
US20080065925A1 (en) 2006-09-08 2008-03-13 Oliverio James C System and methods for synchronizing performances of geographically-disparate performers
US8564543B2 (en) 2006-09-11 2013-10-22 Apple Inc. Media player with imaged based browsing
US7581186B2 (en) 2006-09-11 2009-08-25 Apple Inc. Media manager with integrated browsers
US7347723B1 (en) 2006-11-14 2008-03-25 Tyco Electronics Corporation Sealed connector system for electronic devices
USD566195S1 (en) 2006-12-08 2008-04-08 Kabushiki Kaisha Square Enix Arcade video game machine
US8196166B2 (en) 2006-12-21 2012-06-05 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Content hosting and advertising systems and methods
US9330529B2 (en) 2007-01-17 2016-05-03 Touchtunes Music Corporation Game terminal configured for interaction with jukebox device systems including same, and/or associated methods
US9171419B2 (en) 2007-01-17 2015-10-27 Touchtunes Music Corporation Coin operated entertainment system
CA2678725A1 (en) 2007-02-20 2008-08-28 The Mobile Star Corp. Self operated computerized karaoke recording booth
US7680882B2 (en) 2007-03-06 2010-03-16 Friendster, Inc. Multimedia aggregation in an online social network
US9953481B2 (en) 2007-03-26 2018-04-24 Touchtunes Music Corporation Jukebox with associated video server
US9565419B2 (en) 2007-04-13 2017-02-07 Ari M. Presler Digital camera system for recording, editing and visualizing images
US20080275771A1 (en) 2007-05-01 2008-11-06 Visa U.S.A. Inc. Merchant transaction based advertising
US8051387B2 (en) 2007-06-28 2011-11-01 Nokia Corporation Method, computer program product and apparatus providing an improved spatial user interface for content providers
WO2009004531A1 (en) 2007-06-29 2009-01-08 Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh Light control system with a user interface for interactively changing settings in a lighting system and method for interactively changing settings in a lighting system with a user interface
US20090042632A1 (en) 2007-08-08 2009-02-12 Ac Technologies S.A. Novel Global Communication Network for Entertainment, Advertising and Social Gathering
US8819553B2 (en) 2007-09-04 2014-08-26 Apple Inc. Generating a playlist using metadata tags
US8332887B2 (en) 2008-01-10 2012-12-11 Touchtunes Music Corporation System and/or methods for distributing advertisements from a central advertisement network to a peripheral device via a local advertisement server
US10290006B2 (en) 2008-08-15 2019-05-14 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital signage and gaming services to comply with federal and state alcohol and beverage laws and regulations
US20090091087A1 (en) 2007-10-03 2009-04-09 Robert Andrew Wasmund Quiz-nested quiz game and system therefore
JP2009111486A (en) 2007-10-26 2009-05-21 Sony Corp Display controller and display method, program, and record medium
ES2325849B1 (en) 2007-11-19 2010-06-25 Francisco M. Victoria Pons KARAOKE JUKEBOX WITH MULTIPLATFORM RECORDING, VIDEOPROJECTOR AND WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY.
US20090177301A1 (en) 2007-12-03 2009-07-09 Codentity, Llc Scalable system and method for an integrated digital media catalog, management and reproduction system
US8881049B2 (en) 2007-12-14 2014-11-04 Apple Inc. Scrolling displayed objects using a 3D remote controller in a media system
US20090172565A1 (en) 2007-12-26 2009-07-02 John Clarke Jackson Systems, Devices, and Methods for Sharing Content
USD616414S1 (en) 2008-02-15 2010-05-25 Touchtunes Music Corporation Jukebox
JP5130979B2 (en) 2008-03-21 2013-01-30 ソニー株式会社 Information processing apparatus and search result display method
JP2009288702A (en) 2008-05-30 2009-12-10 Daiichikosho Co Ltd Obtained user id automatic deletion system
US20090307314A1 (en) 2008-06-05 2009-12-10 Patrick Martin Luther Smith Musical interest specific dating and social networking process
US9032432B2 (en) 2008-06-26 2015-05-12 Alcatel Lucent Managing undesirable content in IP video broadcast traffic
US8849435B2 (en) 2008-07-09 2014-09-30 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital downloading jukebox with revenue-enhancing features
US20100131558A1 (en) 2008-11-19 2010-05-27 Logan James D System and method for managing copyright licensing
US9176747B2 (en) 2009-02-17 2015-11-03 Sandisk Il Ltd. User-application interface
CA2754990C (en) 2009-03-18 2015-07-14 Touchtunes Music Corporation Entertainment server and associated social networking services
US8429530B2 (en) 2009-06-11 2013-04-23 Apple Inc. User interface for media playback
EP2597608A1 (en) 2010-01-26 2013-05-29 Touchtunes Music Corporation Digital jukebox device with improved user interfaces, and associated methods
WO2011094855A1 (en) 2010-02-05 2011-08-11 Smart Technologies Ulc Interactive input system displaying an e-book graphic object and method of manipulating a e-book graphic object
US9911221B2 (en) 2010-10-27 2018-03-06 Google Llc Animated page turning
USD665375S1 (en) 2010-12-14 2012-08-14 Touchtunes Music Corporation Jukebox
GB2522772B (en) 2011-09-18 2016-01-13 Touchtunes Music Corp Digital jukebox device with karaoke and/or photo booth features, and associated methods
US9161584B1 (en) 2013-02-05 2015-10-20 William E. Garrett, Jr. Illuminated head-gear assembly
US9436456B2 (en) 2014-04-17 2016-09-06 Myine Electronics, Inc. System and method for management of software updates at a vehicle computing system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101399732A (en) 2009-04-01
US20210005045A1 (en) 2021-01-07
TW200915813A (en) 2009-04-01
JP5795700B2 (en) 2015-10-14
JP2009075540A (en) 2009-04-09
CN101399732B (en) 2014-07-02
CN104078072A (en) 2014-10-01
EP3070691A1 (en) 2016-09-21
US10373420B2 (en) 2019-08-06
MX2008004032A (en) 2009-03-23
EP2048634A2 (en) 2009-04-15
TWI499264B (en) 2015-09-01
US20170309114A1 (en) 2017-10-26
US11847882B2 (en) 2023-12-19
US10783738B2 (en) 2020-09-22
EP2048634A3 (en) 2009-11-11
US20080086379A1 (en) 2008-04-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11847882B2 (en) Digital downloading jukebox with enhanced communication features
US11314390B2 (en) Jukebox with customizable avatar
US11520559B2 (en) Entertainment server and associated social networking services
US9164661B2 (en) Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools
US20230137200A1 (en) Jukebox with customizable avatar
US20230107776A1 (en) Entertainment Server And Associated Social Networking Services
US20190318567A1 (en) Digital downloading jukebox with enhanced communication features

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued

Effective date: 20140325

FZDE Discontinued

Effective date: 20140325