Communications method for an intelligent digital audiovisual reproduction system
View Patent ↗Method for communication between a central server and a computerized juke-box which operates in a conference mode, including: sending a header before any transaction, which includes the identity of the destination together, the identity of the emitter, and the size of the packets; responding from the server in the form of a data packet, each packet sent by the server being encoded using the identification code of the juke-box software; and receiving a data packet by the juke-box, which decodes the packet, simultaneously performs a check on the data received by the CRC method and sends an acknowledgment of receipt to the server indicating the accuracy of the information received, to allow it to prepare and send another packet to the juke-box.
1. A method of operating a jukebox system for use in a public establishment, including:
providing a jukebox device including a microprocessor, a memory that stores songs that may be played on the jukebox device in response to requests by a user, a touchscreen display for displaying images, an audio arrangement providing audio, a communication system for enabling the jukebox device to communicate with a song distribution network, and a multitasking operating system that enables simultaneous operation of the microprocessor, the display, the audio arrangement and the communication system, and further wherein said jukebox device includes security operating software that controls operation of said jukebox;
providing a server system remote from said jukebox device and a controller system that can be accessed by said jukebox device through said distribution network;
providing a system management function that enables an authorized manager of the jukebox device to locally access and selectively adjust adjustable operation settings for the jukebox device through use of the touchscreen display, a plurality of the adjustable settings being adjustable over a range predetermined by the authorized manager through the definition of a maximum of high and low levels for each system output source;
registering said jukebox device for operation through communication between the security operating software of the jukebox device and the controller system, the security operating software (1) authorizing the jukebox device to operate when the authorized manager has processed a correct registration, or (2) causing the jukebox device to at least temporarily stop working if cheating has been detected by the security operating software or if the network cannot be accessed;
downloading songs from the server system to the jukebox device and storing the downloaded songs on the jukebox device;
displaying on the display images of album covers that correspond to songs that are stored on the jukebox device;
collecting money through the jukebox device from patrons in the public establishment in exchange for playing selected songs on the jukebox device, wherein the patrons select desired songs by interacting with the jukebox device through the touchscreen display;
uploading royalty information from the jukebox device to the server system for use in accounting for music rights associated with the selected songs;
sending update data from said server system to said jukebox device which is used by said jukebox device to remotely update said operating software on said jukebox device;
modifying said jukebox device, upon receipt by said jukebox device of said update data, such that said jukebox device will operate in accordance with new operating software updated by use of said update data received from said server system over said distribution network.
2. The method of claim 1 , further including, upon receipt of said update data, verifying by said jukebox device if a version number of current software is outdated, and, if said version number is outdated, performing a back-up of the current operating software, modifying a system startup file for startup with the back-up of the current software, beginning execution of a new version of said software received from said server system, verifying proper operation of said new version of said software, and, if said new version properly operates, reinitializing the system startup file for startup with the new version.
3. The method of claim 2 , further including, if said verification of said new version indicates an error, reinitializing said current version of said software, and sending an error message to said server system.
4. The method of claim 1 , further including encoding songs with a code number resident in said jukebox device before downloading song from the server system to the jukebox device, the songs being encoded by the server system.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the registering of said jukebox device with the controller system comprises acquiring an approval signal in the form of a registration number that the jukebox device checks upon each startup, wherein if a correct registration number is found, the jukebox device is then rendered operational.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising specifying royalty base and song cost information in a centrally located database.