Jukebox with associated video server

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9953481-B2
Application number	US-7676108-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 21, 2008
Priority date	Mar 26, 2007
Publication date	Apr 24, 2018
Grant date	Apr 24, 2018

Abstract

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

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A digital jukebox device, comprising:
a display configured to display jukebox-related video content;
a first storage location storing a plurality of instances of audio content for playback by the jukebox device;
a payment accepter for accepting payment to enable playback of the instances of audio content by the jukebox device; and
a processor configured to (1) playback, without involving a video server and via speakers of the jukebox device, an instance of audio content stored on the first storage, (2) display, without involving the video server and on the display of the jukebox device, a first video content including a song selection screen while the instance of audio content is currently being played back, (3) instruct the video server in communication with the jukebox device to reproduce, in synchronization with the jukebox device, on one or more displays or groups of displays remote from the jukebox device that are each connected to the video server, one or more second video content stored on a second storage location accessible by the video server, wherein at least one of the second video content, which is different from the first video content, is associated with the instance of audio content currently being played back, and (4) receive updated audio content from, and provide royalty accounting information to, a remotely located central server;
a communication circuit through which the jukebox device is configured to receive updated audio content from, and provide royalty accounting information to, a remotely located central server; and
a jukebox housing incorporating the display and the payment acceptor and the speakers, wherein the first storage location, the processor the communication circuit and the video server are located within said jukebox housing,
wherein the video server is configured to coordinate playback of at least one of the second video content, receivable from a remote network location, on the one or more displays or groups of displays, and is further configured to access at least one of the second the video content stored on the second storage location independent of the first storage location of the jukebox device, the coordinated playback being substantially offloaded from the processor of the jukebox device and the first storage location to the video server.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13. A digital audiovisual distribution network, comprising:
a central server including a central store of instances of audio content; and
a plurality of digital jukebox devices respectively located at a plurality of locations, each being remote from the central server and the central store, each said digital jukebox device comprising:
a display configured to display jukebox-related video content;
a first storage location storing a plurality of instances of audio content for playback by the jukebox device;
a payment accepter for accepting payment to enable playback of the instances of audio content by the jukebox device; and
a processor configured to (1) playback, without involving a video server and via speakers of the jukebox device, an instance of audio content stored on the first storage, (2) display, without involving the video server and on the display of the jukebox device, a first video content including a song selection screen while the instance of audio content is currently being played back, (3) instruct the video server in communication with the jukebox device to reproduce, in synchronization with the jukebox device, on one or more displays or groups of displays remote from the jukebox that are each connected to the video server, one or more second video content stored on a second storage location accessible by the video server, wherein at least one of the second video content, which is different from the first video content, is associated with the instance of audio content currently being played back, and (4) receive updated audio content from, and provide royalty accounting information to, a remotely located central server;
a communication circuit through which the jukebox device is configured to receive updated audio content from, and provide royalty accounting information to, the central server; and
a jukebox housing incorporating the display and the payment acceptor and the speakers, wherein the first storage location, the processor the communication circuit and the video server are located within said jukebox housing,
wherein the video server is configured to coordinate playback of at least one of the second video content, receivable from a remote network location, on the one or more displays or groups of displays, and is further configured to access at least one of the second the video content stored on the second storage location independent of the first storage location of the jukebox device, the coordinated playback being substantially offloaded from the processor of the jukebox device and the first storage location to the video server.

14. The digital audiovisual distribution network of claim 13 , wherein the video server is configured to further coordinate the video content displayed by the one or more di

Assignees

• Tooker Michael
• Dion Dominique
• Nathan Guy
• Touchtunes Music Corp

Inventors

• Tooker Michael
• Dion Dominique
• Nathan Guy

Classifications

• H04N21/00

  Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD] (real-time bi-directional transmission of motion video data H04N7/14 {; broadcast or conference over packet switching networks H04L12/18}) · CPC title

• G07F17/00 Primary

  Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services · CPC title

• G06F3/0482

  Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus · CPC title

• H04N21/80

  Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se {(arrangements for generating broadcast information H04H60/02)} · CPC title

• H04N21/20

  Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof · CPC title