Patent ID: 7793331

Claim:
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.