Abstract: Payment-based audiovisual playback system characterized by comprising a microprocessor unit, primarily including storage means for storing inter alia in digital form the visual and sound information to be used, and associated, through a number of interfaces, with display means for sound playback which provide a multimedia environment. The unit is controlled by a multitask operating system including a library of integrated tools and services in the storage means. The system is also associated, through an interface, with a telecommunications modem and is connectable to an audiovisual information distribution network by a telecommunications modem and telecommunications links, the telecommunications functions also being managed by the multitask operating system.

Abstract: An audiovisual distribution system includes a central server and a plurality of audiovisual units. Each unit includes structure for interactively communicating with the user for selecting a piece or a menu, a payment device, a computer network card, and a permanent semiconductor memory containing a multitask operating system comprising at least a hard disc access management task. The order for performing a selected piece is processed as a hard disc sequential access task. The hard disc is declared as a peripheral corresponding to the network card of the unit, enabling a request to be sent through the network to the server for processing.

Abstract: Audiovisual reproduction system triggered by payment from a user, developed around a microprocessor device, said system comprising memory containing, in compressed digital form, audio and visual information to be used, a display and digital audio reproduction unit enabling formation of a multimedia environment, wherein the display comprises a video monitor and an interactive interface with the user by an interface program which reacts to external events and translates the external events for a multitasking operating system as events which trigger, via a graphical module of a library of integrated tools and services, a display of windows or frames providing a modification of physical operating parameters of the audiovisual reproduction system, said external events comprising at least a down event interpreting coincidence of a placement of pointing device with the position of at least a representation displayed by the graphic module, and an event which triggers modification of the physical operating parameters

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for ordering a selection in advance, characterized in that it includes a step in which a menu is displayed followed by a selection in this menu, to make specific requests and particularly: a step displaying the event for which the advance order of a selection is made, and then selection of the event; a step displaying the identity of destination equipment on which the selection is to be played, and then selection of this equipment; a step displaying the date and time at which the selection is to be made on the destination equipment; a step in which particular requests are recorded and downloaded onto a file only after payment has been verified.

Abstract: A system for distributing and selecting audio and video information using a coaxial cable network includes a jukebox unit connected by a modulator to the cable television distribution network. A channel is allocated to the transmission of audio or video information. A device effects user interaction with the television for the remote selection of at least one audio or video information item from a plurality of information items to be transmitted by this channel using the cable network. An identifier identifies the ordering television, and a billing device accommodates for billing selections to the user.

Abstract: A digital downloading jukebox system including a central server and a plurality of remote jukebox devices each provided with a local server that preferably mirrors the central server and enables selected songs to be immediately downloaded to the jukebox for reproduction. The local server and jukebox may also provide, through control of the central server, song download services to other jukebox devices, such as residential jukeboxes. The jukebox system may also act as a monitoring/management device for other coin operated equipment present in a location where the jukebox is located, thereby enabling the jukebox device to perform updates on other equipment under control of the central server.

Abstract: The invention relates to a communication device between an audiovisual information playback system (1) and at least one electronic game machine (2), each electronic game machine comprising a viewing means (200), a means (210) for interacting with the user and a means of payment (220), characterized in that each electronic game machine (2) is connected to the playback system (2) via a network interface (21) and an associated LAN (3), and comprises specific means (20, 21, 22) for managing a means of payment, a viewing means and an interactive means, in order to enable, on the electronic game machine (2), the selection and payment of at least one selection stored on the playback system (2), with a view to playback thereof on the playback system, the specific means (22) of managing payment means and the specific means (21) of managing viewing means and the interactive means being triggered by the activation means of the electronic game machine (2).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A communication device between an audiovisual information playback system and at least one electronic game machine, each game machine including a viewing means for interacting with the user and a means of payment, wherein each electronic game machine is connected to the playback system via a network interface and an associated network. The device also includes specific managing means for managing means of payment, a viewing means and an interactive means to enable the selection and payment of at least one selection stored on the playback system, the managing means being triggered by activation of the electronic game machine.

Abstract: Management device for a network of audiovisual information reproduction systems or jukeboxes, including a database with a plurality of sets of arrays, each array containing grouped information either about the composition of a jukebox, or the use of the jukebox, or the payment of fees. The database is managed by a computer server connected with the audiovisual information reproduction systems to receive messages sent by each audiovisual information reproduction device and containing information necessary to update determined sets of arrays in the database, and update data or the program for each audiovisual information reproduction device with information stored in at least one set of arrays in the database and transmitted in this message.

Abstract: Management device for a network of audiovisual information reproduction systems or jukeboxes, including a database with a plurality of sets of arrays, each array containing grouped information either about the composition of a jukebox, or the use of the jukebox, or the payment of fees. The database is managed by a computer server connected with the audiovisual information reproduction systems to receive messages sent by each audiovisual information reproduction device and containing information necessary to update determined sets of arrays in the database, and update data or the program for each audiovisual information reproduction device with information stored in at least one set of arrays in the database and transmitted in this message.

Abstract: Payment-based audiovisual playback system characterized by comprising a microprocessor unit, primarily including storage means for storing inter alia in digital form the visual and sound information to be used, and associated, through a number of interfaces, with display means for sound playback which provide a multimedia environment. The unit is controlled by a multitask operating system including a library of integrated tools and services in the storage means. The system is also associated, through an interface, with a telecommunications modem is connectable to an audiovisual information distribution network by a telecommunications modem and telecommunications links, the telecommunications functions also being managed by the multitask operating system.

Abstract: Audiovisual reproduction system triggered by payment from a user, developed around a microprocessor device, said system comprising memory containing, in compressed digital form, audio and visual information to be used, a display and digital audio reproduction unit enabling formation of a multimedia environment, wherein the display comprises a video monitor and an interactive interface with the user by an interface program which reacts to external events and translates the external events for a multitasking operating system as events which trigger, via a graphical module of a library of integrated tools and services, a display of windows or frames providing a modification of physical operating parameters of the audiovisual reproduction system, said external events comprising at least a down event interpreting coincidence of a placement of pointing device with the position of at least a representation displayed by the graphic module, and an event which triggers modification of the physical operating parameters

Abstract: Payment-based audiovisual playback system characterized by comprising a microprocessor device associated with a payment device primarily including means for storing, inter alia, in digital format the visual and sound information to be used. The system is associated through interfaces with display means and sound playback means for providing a multimedia environment. The system is controlled by a multitask operating system including a tool and service library integrated into the storage means. The system, which is also associated through an interface with a telecommunications modem, is optionally connected to an audiovisual data distribution network by a telecommunications modem and telecommunications links, said telecommunications function also being controlled by said multitask operating system.

Abstract: Audiovisual reproduction system triggered by payment from a user, developed around a microprocessor device, including memory containing audio and visual information to be used, a display and digital audio reproduction unit providing a multimedia environment, wherein the display comprises a video monitor and an interactive interface with the user by an interface program which reacts to external events and translates the external events for a multitasking operating system as events which trigger, via a graphical module of a library of integrated tools and services, a display of windows or frames providing a modification of physical operating parameters of the audiovisual reproduction system, the external events including at least a down event interpreting coincidence of a placement of pointing device with the position of at least a representation displayed by the graphic module, and an event which triggers modification of the physical operating parameters by storing these parameters in the memory.

Abstract: A process of selecting a recording on an audiovisual reproduction system consists of displaying a number of windows on a touch screen as an interface with a user. Items of information are stored in a bulk memory and are representative of an image of the album cover that is associated with each window and whose corresponding musical recording is stored in the bulk memory of the reproduction system. Each zone of a window is associated, via the touch-screen interface software, with at least one address for accessing the items of information in the database that is stored in the bulk memory belonging to the album cover whose image is displayed in the window that is touched by the user.

Abstract: A process of selecting a recording on an audiovisual reproduction system consists of displaying a number of windows on a touch screen as an interface with a user. Items of information are stored in a bulk memory and are representative of an image of the album cover that is associated with each window and whose corresponding musical recording is stored in the bulk memory of the reproduction system. Each zone of a window is associated, via the touch-screen interface software, with at least one address for accessing the items of information in the database that is stored in the bulk memory belonging to the album cover whose image is displayed in the window that is touched by the user.

Abstract: Payment-based audiovisual playback system characterized by comprising a microprocessor device associated with a payment device primarily including means for storing, inter alia, in digital format the visual and sound information to be used. The system is associated through interfaces with display means and sound playback means for providing a multimedia environment. The system is controlled by a multitask operating system including a tool and service library integrated into the storage means. The system, which is also associated through an interface with a telecommunications modem, is optionally connected to an audiovisual data distribution network by a telecommunications modem and telecommunications links, said telecommunications function also being controlled by said multitask operating system.

Abstract: Audiovisual distribution system in which each of the audiovisual units (8) includes means for interactively communicating with the user for selecting a piece or a menu, payment means, a computer network card, a permanent semiconductor memory containing a multitask operating system comprising at least a hard disc access management task. The order for performing a selected piece is processed as a hard disc sequential access task. The hard disc is declared as a peripheral corresponding to the network card of the unit, enabling a request to be sent through the network to a server (9) for processing thereof.

Abstract: 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.