Method of communications for an intelligent digital audiovisual playback 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 acknowledgement 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, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of jukebox device, each said jukebox device including a microprocessor, a memory that stores songs playable via the jukebox device in response to requests by a user, a touchscreen display for displaying images, an audio arrangement providing audio, a communication system 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 plurality of jukebox devices and a controller system accessible by said jukebox device through said distribution network;
providing a system management function that enables an authorized manager of each said jukebox device to locally access and selectively adjust adjustable operation settings for the respective jukebox device, a plurality of the adjustable settings being adjustable over a range predetermined by the authorized manager through the definition of high and low levels for each system output source; and
causing individual ones of said plurality of jukebox devices to be registered for operation through communication between the security operating software of the respective jukebox device and the controller system, the security operating software (1) authorizing the respective jukebox device to operate when the authorized manager has processed a correct registration, or (2) causing the respective jukebox device to at least temporarily stop working if the network cannot be accessed.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each said jukebox is further configured to:
download songs from the server system for storage thereon,
display, on the display thereof, images of album covers that correspond to songs that are stored on the respective jukebox device,
collect money or credits through the respective jukebox device from patrons in exchange for playing selected songs via the respective jukebox device, wherein one or more desired songs are selectable by having the patrons interact with the respective jukebox device, via the display.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein each said jukebox is further configured to upload royalty information from the respective jukebox device to the server system for use in accounting for music rights associated with the selected songs.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein each said jukebox is further configured to:
receive update data from said server system on the respective jukebox device to remotely update said operating software thereon, and
upon receipt of said update data, update the respective jukebox device to operate in accordance with new operating software.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein each said jukebox is further configured to:
determine, upon receipt of said update data, whether a version number of current software is outdated, and
when said version number is determined to be outdated, perform a back-up of the current operating software, modify a system startup file for startup with the back-up of the current software, begin execution of a new version of said software received from said server system, verify proper operation of said new version of said software and, if said new version properly operates, reinitialize the system startup file for startup with the new version.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein each said jukebox is further configured to reinitialize said current version of said software and send an error message to said server system when said verification of said new version indicates an error.
7. The method of claim 1 , further including encoding, via the server system, songs with a code number resident in each said jukebox device before downloading any songs from the server system to the jukebox device.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the registering of the said jukebox devices with the controller system comprises transmitting to the respective jukebox device an approval signal in the form of a registration number that the respective jukebox device is to check upon each startup, the respective jukebox device being rendered operational when a correct registration number is found.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising specifying royalty base and song cost information in a centrally located database.