Patent Abstract:
A virtual jukebox music system includes a music database stored in a removable hard drive, a music creator module, a music player module, and a music selector module. The music creator module is connected to a CD drive, an input module, and a first computer readable medium for storing a music data management algorithm executable by said music creator module. The music player module plays music files in a music queue. The music selector module is connected to a touch screen input/output module, the music player module, the music queue, and a second computer readable medium for storing a music selection algorithm executable by the music selector module. The music database is selectively connectable to the music selector module and the music creator module. The music data management algorithm includes instructions for the music creator module to retrieve music files from the CD drive, convert the music files to a predetermined music database format, and store the music files in the music database. The music selection algorithm includes instructions for the music selector module to selectively retrieve the music files from the music database and place the music files in the music queue in response to input received from the touch screen input/output module.

Full Description:
FIELD  
       [0001]     The present disclosure relates to music playback systems, and more particularly to virtual jukebox music systems.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.  
         [0003]     The traditional music jukebox with actual albums or compact discs were previously the focal point of restaurants, bars, home recreation rooms, and other gathering places. Music fans would often gather around the music jukebox and engage in the ritual of flipping through the displayed albums or CD covers, via mechanical levers, in search of the perfect song to suit the mood and setting.  
         [0004]     Music jukeboxes containing the actual physical albums or compact discs are difficult, however, to maintain with up to date music given the amount, and production rate, of new popular music. Music fans expect a large selection of varied music choices. The availability of digital music files online compounds the problem. Satellite music services are available to provide music fans up to date music. Satellite music service players, however, lack the physical gathering point of the music jukebox. Traditional digital music players, such as mp3 players, and the like, are capable of storing a large amount of digital music. Digital music players, however, lack the focal-point appeal of a music jukebox. Thus, music fans do not gather around the traditional mp3 player to engage in the ritual of selecting music.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     A virtual music jukebox system includes a music database stored in a removable hard drive. A music creator module is connected to a CD drive, an input module, and a computer readable medium for storing a music data management algorithm executable by the music creator module. A music player module plays music files in a music queue. A music selector module is connected to a touch screen I/O module, the music player module, the music queue, and another computer readable medium for storing at least one music selection algorithm executable by the music selector module. The music database is selectively connectable to the music selector module and the music creator module.  
         [0006]     The music data management algorithm includes instructions for the music creator module to retrieve music files from the CD drive, convert the music files to a predetermined music database format, and store the music files in the music database. The music selection algorithm includes instructions for the music selector module to selectively retrieve the music files from the music database and place the music files in the music queue in response to the input received from the touch screen I/O module.  
         [0007]     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary virtual jukebox music system;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary virtual jukebox music system;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary virtual jukebox music system;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of an exemplary data structure of an exemplary music database;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a music data management algorithm;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a music data modification algorithm;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a music data creation algorithm;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a screenshot of music data management options;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a music selection algorithm;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a music selection by cover algorithm;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating a music selection by category algorithm;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating a music selection by artist algorithm;  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating a music selection by song title algorithm;  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating a music playlist display algorithm;  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating an internet music selection algorithm;  
         [0024]      FIG. 16  is a flowchart illustrating a music player algorithm;  
         [0025]      FIG. 17  is a screenshot of music selection options;  
         [0026]      FIG. 18  is a screenshot of music selection by cover options;  
         [0027]      FIG. 19  is a screenshot of CD song selection options;  
         [0028]      FIG. 20  is a screenshot of music selection by category options;  
         [0029]      FIG. 21  is a screenshot of music selection by artist options; and  
         [0030]      FIG. 22  is a screenshot of music selection by song options;  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0031]     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.  
         [0032]     As used herein, the term module refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. Further, as used herein, computer-readable medium refers to any medium capable of storing data for a computer. Computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, CD-ROM, floppy disk, magnetic tape, other magnetic or optical medium capable of storing data, memory, RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or any other medium capable of storing data for a computer.  
         [0033]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a virtual jukebox music system  100  includes a music database  102 , a music creator module  104 , a music selector module  106 , and a music player module  108 . Digital audio files are created by the music creator module  104  from CDs in a connected CD drive  110  and stored in the music database  102 . The music creator module  104  converts audio files from the CDs into a predetermined digital audio format, such as mp3, and stores the converted audio files in the music database  102 . The music creator module  104  is operable by a user via the connected input/output module(s)  112 , such as a mouse, keyboard, monitor, or other suitable input/output devices. The algorithms executed by the music creator module  104  are stored in a computer-readable medium  114  accessible to the music creator module  104 .  
         [0034]     The music creator module  104  is connected to the internet  116  via a dial-up, DSL, cable, or other suitable TCP/IP network connection. The music creator module  104  receives digital audio files from the internet  116 . The received digital audio files are converted to the predetermined digital audio format and stored in the music database  102 . Additionally, the music creator module  104  may receive digital audio files from other sources, such as a portable computer readable medium. For example, the music creator module  104  may receive digital audio files from a connected USB memory device.  
         [0035]     The music creator module  104  is preferably implemented in software executed by a personal computer or other suitable computing device. The music database  102  is preferably contained in a removable hard drive that may be selectively connected to the music creator module  104  and the music selector module  106 . The removable hard drive is preferably accessible via a USB connection.  
         [0036]     The music selector module  106  accesses the digital audio files in the predetermined format stored in the music database  102  and selects music from the music database  102  based on user input. The music selector module  106  is operable by a user via a touch screen input/output module  118 , or touch screen I/O module  118 . Music selection algorithms executed by the music selector module  106  are stored in a computer-readable medium device  120 .  
         [0037]     The music selector module  106  is also connected to the internet  116  via a dial-up, DSL, cable, or other suitable TCP/IP network connection. The music selector module  106  may receive digital audio files from the internet  116 . The music selector module  106  may also receive streamed digital audio files from the internet  116  via an internet radio broadcast.  
         [0038]     Based on input received via the touch screen I/O Module  118 , the music selector module  106  places digital audio files from the music database  102  into a music queue  122 . The music selector module  106  also places digital audio files received form the internet  116  from an internet music website or from an internet radio broadcast.  
         [0039]     The music player module  108  is connected to speakers  126  through a receiver/amplifier  124  and sequentially plays the digital audio files in the music queue  122 . The music selector module  106 , music player module  108 , and music queue  122  are preferably implemented in software. The music selector module  106 , music player module  108 , music queue  122 , computer-readable medium  120 , together with the touch screen I/O module  118 , may comprise an integrated jukebox with touch screen unit  130 . Alternatively, the music selector module  106 , music player module  108 , music queue  122 , and computer-readable medium  120  may comprise an integrated jukebox unit  128  separate from the touch screen I/O module  118 .  
         [0040]     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the integrated jukebox with touch screen unit  130  includes an LCD monitor  200  and a touch screen  202 . While shown as separate devices in  FIG. 2 , in practice the touch screen  202  is positioned on top of the viewable screen of the LCD monitor  200 . In this way, the LCD Monitor  200  displays selectable options to the user, for example, as push buttons. When the user “depresses” the button displayed by the LCD monitor  200 , the touch screen  202  responds appropriately.  
         [0041]     The LCD monitor  200  and touch screen  202  are connected to a main motherboard  204 . The LCD monitor  200  is connected to the monitor output of the main motherboard  204 . The touch screen  202  is connected to the main motherboard via a USB driver  206  and USB Port  208 . The remaining USB Port  208  is connected to a removable hard drive  210 . The removable hard drive contains the music database  102 . The removable hard drive  210  is connected to the USB Port  208  via a USB plug  211  and USB slot  213 .  
         [0042]     The main motherboard  204  includes a CPU  212  and RAM  214 , and is connected to a flash card  216  via a flash card adapter  218  and IDE bus  220 . The flash card  216  stores software that is executed by the CPU  212 . The music selector module  106 , music player module  108 , and music queue  122  are implemented in software stored on the flash card  216  and executed by the CPU  212 .  
         [0043]     Power is delivered to the main motherboard  204  from an AC source  222  via an AC/DC transformer  224  and power supply  226 . Power is controlled by an on/off switch  228 . A fan  215  cools the CPU  212  and main motherboard  204 .  
         [0044]     The main motherboard  204  is also connected to the internet  116  via suitable internet connection devices  250 ,  252 . For example, the main motherboard  204  may be configured with an on-board network connector  250 , for receiving an RJ-45 connector device.  
         [0045]     The CPU  212  selectively retrieves and plays digital audio files from the music database  102  on the removable hard drive  210  and from the internet  116  in response to user input received from the touch screen  202 . The audio output generated by the CPU is delivered to female RCA audio plugs  230 . Other suitable audio outputs may be used. The audio output is delivered to the Receiver/Amplifier  124  via corresponding male RCA plugs  232 .  
         [0046]     In practice, the integrated jukebox with touch screen unit  130  is mountable and may be located in a bar, restaurant, recreation room, or the like. The integrated jukebox with touch screen unit may be mounted to a wall, a counter-top, a bar-top, or other suitable location. Additionally, the integrated jukebox with touch screen unit  130  may be mounted or located in a vehicle, such as a limousine, car, bus, recreational vehicle, or airplane. The music database  102  on the removable hard drive  210  is loaded with CDs and then connected to the integrated jukebox with touch screen unit  130  via the USB plug  211  and USB slot  213 .  
         [0047]     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the integrated jukebox unit  128  is similar to the integrated jukebox with touch screen unit  130  of  FIG. 2 . The integrated jukebox unit  128  is separate, however, from the touch screen I/O module  118 , comprised of the LCD monitor  200  and touch screen  202 . In practice, the touch screen I/O module  118  may be mounted to a wall, a counter-top, a bar-top, or other suitable location. The integrated jukebox unit  128  may then be hidden from view under the counter-top, bar-top, or the like. In all other respects, the integrated jukebox unit  128  and the integrated jukebox with touch screen unit  130  include similar components and operate in a similar fashion.  
         [0048]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , digital audio files  400  and other music data are stored in a data structure  402  in the music database  102 . The data structure  402  includes a separate CD directory  404  for each CD stored in the music database  102 . Each CD directory includes a CD data file  406 , CD graphics files  408 , and an audio file  400  for each song on the CD. The CD data file  406  includes the title  410  and artist  412  as well as the name of the associated CD graphics file(s)  414 . The CD data file  406  includes the category  413  of the CD, e.g., pop/rock, r &amp; b, etc. The CD data file  406  contains a song entry  416  for each song on the CD. Each song entry  416  includes the song name  418 , artist name  420 , and associated audio file name  422 . The artist name  420  will be identical to the artist field  412  if the artist is the same for all songs on the CD. If the CD includes various artists, then the artist name  420  will vary across the songs on the CD.  
         [0049]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a music data management algorithm  500  is shown. The music data management algorithm  500  is executed by the music creator module  104 . In step  501 , the music creator module  104  connects to the music database  102 . The music creator module  104  retrieves a listing of CDs and a listing of songs for each CD from the music database  102 . In step  502  the music creator module  104  displays a listing of the CDs. With additional reference to  FIG. 8 , a screen shot shows the CD list  800 . In step  504  ( FIG. 5 ) the first CD in the list is selected and displayed as the default selection. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the first CD in the CD list  800  is highlighted. In  FIG. 8 a  screen shot of music data management options is shown. The songs for the selected CD are shown in the song list  802  ( FIG. 8 ).  
         [0050]     In step  506  ( FIG. 5 ), the user is presented with a number of options. The user may change the CD selection, edit the selected CD, delete the selected CD, or add a CD. To change the CD selection, the user highlights a different CD in the CD list  800  ( FIG. 8 ). When the user changes the CD selection, the newly selected CD is displayed as the current CD selection in step  508  ( FIG. 5 ). The songs associated with the new CD selection are displayed in the song list  802  ( FIG. 8 ). After displaying the current CD selection, the music creator module  104  returns to step  506  and waits for the next user input.  
         [0051]     The user may delete the selected CD by pressing the delete CD button  804  ( FIG. 8 ). When the user selects delete CD, the music creator module  104  removes the files associated with the selected CD from the music database in step  510  ( FIG. 5 ). To remove the files associated with the selected CD, the music creator module  104  deletes the associated CD directory from the music database  102 . The music creator module  104  then returns to step  506  and waits for the next user input.  
         [0052]     The user may edit the data associated with the selected CD by pressing the edit CD button  806  ( FIG. 8 ). As described in more detail below, the music creator module  104  edits the data associated with the selected CD, based on user input, in step  512  ( FIG. 5 ). The music creator module  104  then returns to step  506  and waits for the next user input.  
         [0053]     The user may add a CD to the music database  102  by pressing the add CD button  808  ( FIG. 8 ). As described in more detail below, the music creator module  104  adds a CD to the music database  102  in step  514  ( FIG. 5 ). The music creator module  104  then returns to step  506  and waits for the next user input.  
         [0054]     With reference now to  FIG. 6 , a music data modification algorithm  600  is shown. The music data modification algorithm  600  is executed by the music creator module  104  when the user presses the edit CD button  806  ( FIG. 8 ). It is understood that the steps shown in  FIG. 6  are encapsulated in step  512  of  FIG. 5 . In step  601 , the music creator module  104  receives the “edit selected CD” input from the user. The user is presented with various choices in step  602 .  
         [0055]     The user may choose to edit CD info. In step  604 , the music creator module  104  edits the selected informational data based on user input. The CD title, artist, category, names of audio files, etc., may be edited in step  604 . Editable text boxes are provided to edit CD data  810  ( FIG. 8 ). The music creator module  104  returns to step  602  and waits for user input.  
         [0056]     The user may save the CD changes by pressing the Save CD button  812  ( FIG. 8 ). The music creator module  104  saves the CD changes to the music database  102  in step  606  ( FIG. 6 ).  
         [0057]     The user may select a specific song to edit from the song list  802 . ( FIG. 8 ). The music creator module  104  then waits for a user selection in step  608  ( FIG. 6 ). When a specific song is selected for editing, the user may delete the selected song by pressing the delete song button  814  or edit the song information by pressing the edit song button  816  ( FIG. 8 ). When the delete song button  814  is depressed, the music creator module  104  deletes the selected song from the music database  102  in step  610  and returns to step  602  ( FIG. 6 ).  
         [0058]     When the edit song button  816  ( FIG. 8 ) is depressed, the music creator module  104  edits song information in step  612  ( FIG. 6 ). The user may edit the song name, artist, name of associated audio file, etc. The music creator module  104  then returns to step  602 .  
         [0059]     The user may insert a song by depressing the insert song button  818  ( FIG. 8 ). The music creator module  104  inserts a song after the selected song in the song list  802 . In step  614  ( FIG. 6 ), the user browses and chooses an audio file for insertion after the selected song. The audio file may be retrieved from the CD Drive  110 , from the internet  116 , or from another suitable music source. The music creator module  104  then returns to step  602 . When the CD and song editing is finished, the music creator module  104  exits the edit CD algorithm  600 .  
         [0060]     With reference now to  FIG. 7 , a music data creation algorithm  700  is shown. The music data creation algorithm  700  is executed by the music creator module  104  to add a CD to the music database  102 . It is understood that the steps shown in  FIG. 7  are encapsulated in step  514  of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0061]     In step  702 , the music creator module  104  receives the “Add CD” input from the user. With reference to  FIG. 8 , the user depresses the add CD button  808 . In step  704  ( FIG. 7 ), the music creator module  104  determines whether a CD is in the CD Drive  110 . When a CD is in the CD Drive  110 , the music creator module  104  proceeds to step  706  and gets the encoded CD number from the CD. Music CDs contain a unique encoded CD number that identifies the music data, such as artist, CD title, etc. In step  708 , the music creator module  104  logs in to a CD information service and submits the encoded CD number. For example, a CD information service, such as CDDB provided by Gracenote®, provides CD information via the internet based on the encoded CD number. In step  710 , the music creator module  104  receives the CD Name from the CD information service based on the encoded CD number.  
         [0062]     In step  704  when a CD is not in the CD Drive  110 , the music creator module  104  proceeds to step  712 . In step  712 , the user is prompted for the name of the CD. The music creator module  104  receives the CD name input, and proceeds to step  714 . In step  714 , the user confirms the CD name. When the CD name is not correct, the music creator module  104  loops back to step  704 . When the CD Name is correct, the music creator module  104  proceeds to step  716 .  
         [0063]     In step  716 , the music creator module  104  creates a new CD directory in the music database  102  for the CD. In step  718 , the user selects whether to download CD information from the CD information service, or to manually input the CD information. When the user selects download, the remaining CD information is retrieved from the CD information service in step  720 . When the user selects manual input, the music creator module  104  receives the CD information input in step  722 . In step  724 , the music creator module  104  receives any user edits to the CD information.  
         [0064]     When the CD information is complete, the music creator module  104  repeats an encoding loop  726  for each song track on the CD. In step  728 , the CD track is encoded. In step  730 , the encoded CD track is saved as an audio file in the appropriate CD directory in the music database  102 .  
         [0065]     In step  732 , the CD graphic files are copied to the CD directory. The CD graphic files may include CD cover artwork and the like. The music data creation algorithm  700  ends in step  734 .  
         [0066]     With reference now to  FIG. 9 , a music selection algorithm  900  is executed by the music selector module  106 . The music selection algorithm  900  is executed by the music selector module  106  after the music database is connected to the music selector module  106 . For example, the music selection algorithm  900  may be executed after the removable hard drive  210  is connected. In step  902 , the main menu options are displayed. The main menu options include: select music options, clear all songs, reject song, toggle random on/off, view playlist, and access internet music. With reference to  FIG. 17 , a screenshot of music selection options is shown. The screenshot is displayed by the touch screen I/O module  118 . It is understood that the touch screen I/O module  118  shown in  FIG. 17  may or may not be integrated with the music selector module  106 , music player module, music queue  122 , and computer-readable medium  120 .  
         [0067]     In step  904 , when the user selects “clear all songs,” the music selector module  106  clears all songs from the music queue  122  in step  906 . The music selector module  106  then returns to step  902  and displays the main menu options again.  
         [0068]     In step  904 , when the user selects “reject song,” the music selector module  106  clears the current song from the music queue  122  in step  908 , and skips to the next song in the music queue  122 . The music selector module  106  then returns to step  902  and displays the main menu options again.  
         [0069]     In step  904 , when the user selects “toggle random on/off,” the music selector module  106  toggles a random-enable flag in step  910 . When the random-enable flag is on, the music selector module  106  retrieves a random song from the music database  102  when the music queue  122  is empty. When the random-enable flag is off, the music queue  122  remains empty when the last song from the music queue  122  finishes playing. The music selector module  106  returns to step  902  and displays the main menu options again.  
         [0070]     In step  904 , when the user desires to select music to play, the user may select music by CD Cover, by category, by artist, and by song title. Music is selected based on CD covers in step  916 , based on category in step  918 , based on artist in step  920 , and based on song title in step  922 . When music is selected in steps  916 ,  918 ,  920  and  922 , the music selector module  106  adds the selected music to the music queue. When a single song is selected, the song is added to the end of the music queue. When an entire CD is selected, all of the songs of the selected CD are added to the end of the music queue  122  in order.  
         [0071]     The user generally continues to select music until the user selects a “return to main menu” option, wherein the music selector module  106  returns to step  902  and displays the main menu options again.  
         [0072]     In step  904 , when the user selects view playlist, the playlist is displayed for viewing in step  926 . When the playlist is displayed, the current song being played is displayed along with the songs to be played next. For example, the next fifteen songs “waiting” in the Music Queue  122  may be displayed.  
         [0073]     In step  904 , when the user selects the internet option, internet music is accessed in step  928 . The user may select an internet radio broadcast to be played. Alternatively, the user may select an internet music website with digital music files available for downloading. In such case, the user may download digital music files directly from the website. The downloaded music files are stored in the music database  102  and placed in the Music Queue  122  for playing by the Music Player Module  108 .  
         [0074]     The integrated jukebox unit  128  may be equipped with suitable input/output connections to allow communication with a keyboard and/or mouse (not shown). For example, the integrated jukebox unit  128  may include an IR keyboard/mouse connection to allow internet browsing by the integrated jukebox unit  128 .  
         [0075]     With reference now to  FIG. 10 , a music selection by cover algorithm  1000  is executed by the music selector module  106 . It is understood that the steps shown in  FIG. 10  to select music based on CD cover correspond to step  916  of  FIG. 9 . In step  1002 , the music selector module  106  initializes a pointer to the first CD cover in the CD list. The CD list is a listing of all CDs in the music database  102 . The CD list may be organized alphabetically, or by other suitable organizational means. In step  1004 , the music selector module  106  displays “J” Covers from the pointer position in the CD list, where J is a predetermined number. For example, with reference to  FIG. 18 , 8 CD covers are displayed on the touch screen I/O module  118 . In  FIG. 18 a  screenshot of music selection by cover options is shown.  
         [0076]     In step  1008 , the user selection is received. The user may page forward or page back. When page forward is selected, the music selector module  106  moves the pointer down J CDs in step  1010 , and displays the next J CDs in the CD list in step  1004 . When page back is selected, the music selector module  106  moves the pointer up J CDs in step  1012 , and displays the previous J CDs in the CD list in step  1004 .  
         [0077]     The user may select an alphabet letter by pressing a letter displayed on the touch screen I/O module  118 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . When the user selects an alphabet letter, the music selector module  106  moves the pointer to the CD in the CD list closest to the selected letter in step  1014 . The music selector module  106  then returns to step  1004  and displays J covers from the pointer position in the CD list.  
         [0078]     When the user selects one of the CD covers, the song list for the selected CD is displayed in step  1016 . With reference to  FIG. 19 , when a CD is selected, the CD Cover is displayed alongside a listing of the songs of the CD. In  FIG. 19 , a screenshot of music selection by cover options is shown. When the particular CD is part of a multi-disc set, the covers of the other CDs in the multi-disc set are displayed as smaller CD Cover graphics below the current selected CD.  
         [0079]     The user selection from the song list is received in step  1018 . The user may select a single song from the CD&#39;s song list. The user may also select all of the songs from the CD&#39;s song list. When music is selected in step  1018 , the selected music is added to the music queue  122  in step  1020 . After selecting a song or songs from the song list in step  1020 , the song list continues to be displayed in step  1016 . The user may continue to select songs from the CD until selecting “Back” or “Return to Main Menu” in step  1018 . When the user selects “Back,” the CD covers are again displayed in step  1004 .  
         [0080]     In both step  1008  and step  1018 , the user may select to return to the main menu. When the main menu is selected, the music selector module  106  returns to step  902  ( FIG. 9 ) and displays the main menu options. In step  1018 , the user may select “Back” without selecting any music. When “Back” is selected, the music selector module  106  returns to step  1004  and displays J covers from the current pointer position in the CD list.  
         [0081]     With reference now to  FIG. 11 , a selection by category algorithm  1100  is executed by the music selector module  106 . It is understood that the steps shown in  FIG. 11  to select music based on category correspond to step  918  of  FIG. 9 . In step  1102  music categories are displayed. With reference to  FIG. 20 , for example, music categories are displayed on the touch screen I/O module  118 , including Pop/Rock, R &amp; B, Country, and Classic/Oldies. In step  1104  the category selection is received. In step  1106 , the display selection options are displayed.  
         [0082]     The user may select based on CD covers, artist, or song title. The user selection is received in step  1108 . When the user chooses to browse by CD covers, music is selected based on CD covers from within the selected category of music in step  1110 . When the user chooses to browse by artist, music is selected based on artists from within the selected category of music in step  1112 . When the user chooses to browse by song title, music is selected based on song title from within the selected category of music in step  1114 . The user may also choose to return to the main menu in step  1116 .  
         [0083]     When music is selected in steps  1110 ,  1112 , and  1114 , the selected music is added to the music queue  122 . When the music selection concludes, the algorithm returns to the main menu in step  1116 .  
         [0084]     With reference now to  FIG. 12 , a selection by artist algorithm  1200  is executed by the music selector module  106 . It is understood that the steps shown in  FIG. 12  to select music based on artist name correspond to step  920  of  FIG. 9 . In step  1202 , a pointer is initialized to the first artist name in an artist list. The artist list is a listing of all artists in the music database  102 . The artist list may be organized alphabetically, or by other suitable organizational means.  
         [0085]     In step  1204 , the music selector module  106  displays N names from the current pointer position in the name list. “N” is a predetermined number of artist names. For example, with reference to  FIG. 21 , five artists are displayed on the touch screen I/O module  118 . In step  1206  a user selection is received. The user may choose to page forward, page back, select a letter A-Z, back space, select an artist, or return to main menu.  
         [0086]     In step  1206 , when the user chooses page forward, the pointer is moved down N artists in the name list in step  1208 . The music selector module  106  then displays N names from the current pointer position in the name list in step  1204 . In step  1206 , when the user chooses page back, the pointer is moved up N artists in the name list in step  1210 . The music selector module  106  then displays N names from the current pointer position in the name list in step  1204 .  
         [0087]     In step  1206 , when the user chooses to select a letter A-Z, the selected letter is appended to a search string in step  1212 . In step  1214 , the pointer is moved to the location in the name list corresponding to the current search string. For example, with reference to  FIG. 21 , “Artist C” has been entered as the search string. Artist C, followed by the 4 artist names which follow Artist C in the name list, are displayed on the touch screen I/O module  118  in  FIG. 21 . In step  1216 , when the user chooses to back space, the last letter from the search string is cleared. The pointer is moved to the location in the name list corresponding to the current search string in step  1214 . The music selector module  106  then returns to step  1204  and displays N names from the current pointer position in the name list.  
         [0088]     When an artist is selected from the name list, the list of CDs for the selected artist is displayed in step  1218 . The user then makes a selection in step  1220 . The user may select a CD, go back to the Name List display, or Return to the Main Menu. The user selection based on the displayed Song List is received in step  1226 . In step  1226 , the user may select a song or songs from the Song List, go Back to the Name List, or Return to the Main Menu.  
         [0089]     In step  1226  the user may select a song from the Song List, or all of the Songs on the Song List for the CD. The selected songs are added to the Music Queue in step  1228 . After the songs are added to the music queue, the song list is again displayed in step  1224 .  
         [0090]     In steps  1206 ,  1220  and  1226 , when the user selects “Back”, the Name List is displayed in step  1204 . In steps  1206 ,  1220 , and  1226 , the user may choose to return to the main menu. The music selector module  106  returns to the main menu in step  1222 , and proceeds with the main menu selection algorithm  900 .  
         [0091]     With reference now to  FIG. 13 , a selection by song title algorithm  1300  is executed by the music selector module  106 . It is understood that the steps shown in  FIG. 13  to select music based on song title correspond to step  922  of  FIG. 9 . In step  1302 , a pointer is initialized to the first song title in a song list. The song list is a listing of all songs in the music database  102 . The song list may be organized alphabetically, or by other suitable organizational means.  
         [0092]     In step  1304 , the music selector module  106  displays S songs from the current pointer position in the song list. “S” is a predetermined number of songs. For example, with reference to  FIG. 22 , five songs are displayed on the touch screen I/O module  118 . In step  1306  a user selection is received. The user may choose to page forward, page back, select a letter A-Z, back space, select a song, or return to main menu.  
         [0093]     In step  1306 , when the user chooses page forward, the pointer is moved down S songs in the song list in step  1308 . The music selector module  106  then displays S songs from the current pointer position in the song list in step  1304 . In step  1306 , when the user chooses page back, the pointer is moved up S songs in the song list in step  1310 . The music selector module  106  then displays S songs from the current pointer position in the song list in step  1304 .  
         [0094]     In step  1306 , when the user chooses to select a letter A-Z, the selected letter is appended to a search string in step  1312 . In step  1314 , the pointer is moved to the location in the song list corresponding to the current search string. In step  1316 , when the user chooses to back space, the last letter from the search string is cleared. The pointer is moved to the location in the song list corresponding to the current search string in step  1314 . The music selector module  106  then returns to step  1304  and displays S songs from the current pointer position in the song list.  
         [0095]     When a song is selected from the song list, the selected music is added to the music queue  122  in step  1324 . In step  1306  the user may choose to return to the main menu. The music selector module  106  returns to the main menu in step  1322 , and proceeds with the main menu selection algorithm  900 .  
         [0096]     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , a playlist display algorithm  1400  is executed by the music selector module  106 . It is understood that the steps shown in  FIG. 14  correspond to step  926  of  FIG. 9 . In step  1402  the current song being played along with additional songs in the music queue  122  are displayed. The user may select the number of “waiting” songs to be displayed. For example, the user may select that five, ten, or fifteen upcoming songs be displayed. In step  1404 , the music selector module  106  determines whether the current song is finished. When the current song is not finished, the music selector module  106  loops back to step  1404  and the current display remains unchanged. When the current song is finished, the display is updated with the next current song and with the current songs “waiting” in the music queue  106  in step  1406 . The music selector module  106  then loops back to step  1404 .  
         [0097]     Referring to  FIG. 15 , an algorithm for accessing music on the internet is executed by the music selector module  106 . In step  1502  a user selection is received. The selection may include an internet radio selection or an internet music site selection.  
         [0098]     In step  1504 , when internet radio is selected, the music selector module  106  receives streamed music files from the selected internet radio web site. The internet radio web site may broadcast an internet radio program comprising a series of music files for play. The internet radio broadcast is played until a user selection is received in step  1506 . In step  1506 , the user may select “back” to return to step  1502  or “main menu” to return to the main menu in step  1514 .  
         [0099]     In step  1502 , when the user selection an internet music site, the selected internet music site may be displayed in step  1508 . The user may browse the internet to arrive at the desired internet music site. As described above, input/output devices such as an IR keyboards and/or an IR mouse may be used to facilitate internet browsing. In step  1508  the selected internet music site is loaded for viewing.  
         [0100]     In step  1510  the user makes a selection based on the loaded web site. The user may select to return to the main menu and proceed to step  1514 . The user may select “back” to return to step  1502 . Additionally, the user may select a music file from the website. In such case, the selected music file is downloaded in step  1512 . The selected music file is stored in the music database  102  and inserted in the music queue  122 . After downloading the music file, the internet music site is again loaded or renewed in the display in step  1508 . In this way, internet music is accessed by the music selector module  106 .  
         [0101]     Referring to  FIG. 16 , a music player algorithm  1600  is executed by the music player module  108 . In step  1602  the music player module  108  reads the music queue  122 . In step  1604 , the music player module  108  determines whether the music queue  122  is empty, the music player module  108  loops back to step  1602 . When in step  1604  the music queue is not empty, the music player module  108  proceeds to step  1606  and plays the next song in the music queue  122 . When the music player module  108  plays a song, it is outputted to the female RCA audio plugs  230  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). In step  1608  the music player module  108  waits for the song to finish. When the song finishes, the music player module  108  proceeds to step  1402  and reads the music queue  122  again.  
         [0102]     In this way, music is selected and played on the virtual jukebox music system  100 . CDs are loaded into the music database  102 . Music fans may then gather around the touch screen I/O module  118  either as part of an integrated jukebox with touch screen unit  130  or as part of a separate from an integrated jukebox unit  128 . Music selections are made either from the music database  102  or from the internet and loaded into the music queue  122 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 6