Abstract: A polymeric composite comprises a polymeric resin; an electrically conductive filler; and a polycyclic aromatic compound, in an amount effect to increase the electrical conductivity of the polymeric composition relative to the same composition without the polycyclic aromatic compound. The addition of the polycyclic aromatic compound in addition to a conductive filler imparts improved electrical and mechanical properties to the compositions.

Abstract: A process for forming thermoplastic composite materials that have improved properties wherein the process is an in-line compounding process that feeds a thermoplastic resin and a filler to a compounder to form a thermoplastic composite material that is then injected into a mold to form an article that includes the thermoplastic composite material. Since the thermoplastic composite material is not pelletized or otherwise processed between formation of the thermoplastic composite material and the injection-molded article, less damage and/or degradation of the filler occurs during processing such that the resultant thermoplastic composite material and/or article has improved properties at the same or even at lower filler loadings than prior art materials.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described which provide consumers with information regarding the entertainment content available on the entertainment devices and to improve the ease with which the consumers can select songs and other entertainment content for performance on the entertainment device. A consumer at home may access a consumer portal over the Internet using a browser application. Through this portal, the consumer may select one or more entertainment content items to be saved in one or more playlists associated with a user identity specific to that consumer. The consumer may then travel to a venue where a network-enabled jukebox entertainment device is located. Using the user interface of the entertainment device, the consumer may log into their user account and retrieve the playlists previously created by the consumer at home. The consumer may then select one or more entertainment content items from that playlist for performance on the entertainment device.

Abstract: An entertainment system is provided, including: a network interface for coupling the entertainment system with a host system over a network; a video display for displaying graphical content to a user; a user input device; and a control module configured to: generate a graphical user interface (GUI) for display on the video display, said GUI comprising at least one hybrid mode screen including a content selection region for browsing entertainment content items available for performance by the entertainment system and an advertising region for displaying an advertisement; store information regarding performance of advertisements on the entertainment system; transmit said information regarding performance of advertisements on the entertainment system to the host system via the network interface; receive a request to perform an entertainment content item at a venue where the entertainment system is located; and perform the requested entertainment content at the venue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing advertising content to a plurality of entertainment devices are provided. The method may include: transmitting advertising content to each of a plurality of entertainment devices, said advertising content comprising data for causing at least one advertisement to be displayed by the entertainment device; and causing the at least one advertisement to be displayed based on an attribute of each entertainment device. The entertainment system may include: a network interface for coupling the entertainment system with a host system over a network; a video display for displaying graphical content to a user; a user input device; and a control module configured to: receive advertising content from the host system, said advertising content comprising data for causing at least one advertisement to be displayed by the video display; and cause the at least one advertisement to be displayed upon satisfaction of a condition for display.

Abstract: Systems and methods of processing data from a plurality of entertainment devices are provided. The method may include: receiving user interaction information, said user interaction information comprising information regarding user interaction with an advertisement displayed on an entertainment device, said entertainment device being configured to perform entertainment content; and associating the user interaction information with venue information regarding a venue in which the entertainment device is located.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an entertainment network are provided. The method includes: receiving a request to perform entertainment content at a venue; performing the entertainment content at the venue with an entertainment device; and transmitting to a user device at the venue information regarding the performed entertainment content. The entertainment network includes: an entertainment device for performing entertainment content in a venue in response to user requests; a wireless link for providing network connectivity to one or more user devices in the venue; and a host system including a web server, said host system being coupled to the entertainment device and the wireless link for providing information regarding entertainment content performed by the entertainment device to the one or more user devices in the venue via the wireless link.

Abstract: Priority-based content retrieval mechanisms for digital entertainment devices are provided. In various embodiments, the download prioritizations may be interrupt-based, sequence-based, or a combination of the two. In interrupt-based prioritizations, a higher priority download request will interrupt a lower-priority download that is already in progress. In sequence-based prioritizations, a plurality of file download requests may be ordered in a download queue depending on the priority of the request, with higher priority requests being positioned towards the top of the queue and lower priority requests being positioned towards the bottom of the queue.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing configuration settings on remote entertainment devices are described. The method may include: storing values for a first subset of configuration settings from the set of configuration settings, each of the values for the first subset having an associated precedence level; storing values for a second subset of configuration settings, each of the values for the second subset having an associated precedence level; and transmitting a third subset of configuration setting values containing values from the first and second subset of configuration settings to a remote entertainment device.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connection for connecting two cables into one connection which can be connected into a single signal cable. This connection can include a covering clamp for fitting over the two connecting cables. There can also be a sheath covering and clamping the two cables together adjacent to the covering clamp. There can also be a substantially tubular connector for connecting over the covering clamp and adjacent to the sheath. This covering clamp, the sheath, and the substantially tubular connector form a two-to-one cable connection so that a single cable carrying a signal can be connected to the substantially tubular connector and convey a signal into the two cables via the covering clamp. The process for creating this connection does not include any steps of welding, soldering, or gluing the clamp, the two coaxial cables, the tubular connector or the sheath together.

Abstract: A polymeric composite comprises a polymeric resin; an electrically conductive filler; and a polycyclic aromatic compound, in an amount effect to increase the electrical conductivity of the polymeric composition relative to the same composition without the polycyclic aromatic compound. The addition of the polycyclic aromatic compound in addition to a conductive filler imparts improved electrical and mechanical properties to the compositions.