3020results about "Track changing/selection" patented technology

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. 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.

An audio signal receiving apparatus includes a sound source information receiving portion to receive sound source information containing sound source type information indicating a sound source type of the audio signal being transmitted through channels and externally connected equipment playback sound source information indicating a sound source type of the audio signal being played back by the externally connected equipment from externally connected equipment, an audio signal receiving portion to receive the audio signal from the externally connected equipment, and a playbackable sound source setting portion to determine and set a sound source type of the audio signal that can played back to a playbackable sound source based on the sound source information. The playbackable sound source setting portion sets a sound source type of the audio signal being played back by the externally connected equipment to the playbackable sound source as an externally connected equipment playback sound source.

The present invention is intended to provide an audio playback apparatus which is capable of randomly reproducing music on an album basis or a folder basis. In a sound source in which a plurality of music files are hierarchically recorded, a unit of music file groups in each of which music files are reproduced in a batch is specified, music file groups are randomly selected in the specified unit, and all music files included in each of the selected music file groups are reproduced.

An electronic device can play back media items using a random playback mode. To ensure that related media items are played back in a proper order (e.g., live music is played back in concert order), the electronic device can define metadata or other data coupling related media items in a predefined or preset sequence. For example, related media items can include metadata tags identifying the previous and next media items to play back in the sequence. As another example, the electronic device can store a listing of media items of a sequence and the order in which to play them back. When the electronic device reaches a media item that is part of a preset sequence during random playback, the electronic device can identify at least the subsequent media items in the sequence, and insert the subsequent media items in the playback queue. The electronic device can then play back the entire sequence before moving to the next media item in the playback queue.

A digital downloading jukebox system including a mechanism for delivering custom services to a recognized user is provided. For example, information specific to a recognized user may be stored and optionally may include a recognized user avatar representative of the recognized user. The user avatar may be an image, video, and / or animation, which may be displayed on and / or played through the jukebox. The user avatar may be associated with transactions associated with the user. For example, an avatar may be displayed when a playlist of the recognized user is played, when a message is sent, etc. In other examples, the avatar may introduce instances of media by playing an audio and / or video message, and the avatar may sing, dance, etc. while an instance of media is playing.

A vehicle audio system is provided that includes an audio receiver having a radio tuner and a random access media reader adapted for accessing audio data files such as those stored on a compact disc. The audio system includes a display having a plurality of display formats for displaying a label associated with an audio data file, and a display switch having a first mode operable for shifting the display from one of the plurality of display formats to another of the plurality of display formats, a second mode operable for setting the default display format to another display format, and a third mode operable for initiating sequential display of a plurality of display pages to displaying the label.

A personalized audio system and method that overcomes many of the broadcast-type disadvantages associated with conventional radio stations. According to one embodiment, the personalized audio system includes the following: (1) a user interface that enables a user of the personalized audio system to specify a profile for a personalized audio channel, (2) a sound recording library comprising a plurality of sound recordings, (3) a playlist generator that (a) selects a plurality of sound recording identifiers from a set of sound recording identifiers, wherein each of the plurality of sound recording identifiers identifies a sound recording that matches the profile and that is stored in the library, and that (b) creates a playlist that lists the plurality of sound recording identifiers in a particular order, and (4) a sound recording reproducing device for reproducing the plurality of identified sound recordings according to the particular order in which the sound recording identifiers are listed in the playlist so that the user can listen to the sound recordings. Advantageously, the personalized audio system does not provide the user with a way to determine the plurality of sound recording identifiers prior to the reproducing means reproducing the plurality of sound recordings, and the personalized audio system does not provide the user with a way to directly control which sound recording identifiers in the set are selected by the playlist generator to be included in the plurality of sound recording identifiers.

A system and method for the production level screening of low flying magnetic heads in the manufacture of disk drive head disk assemblies (HDAs) is disclosed. A test disk is provided and has a plurality of bumps extending from at least one surface thereof. The test disk is rotated to fly a head of a head gimbal assembly selected from the group adjacent the surface of the test disk. An interaction of the head with one or more of the plurality of bumps may be sensed and the head gimbal assembly may be screened out from the group in response to the sensing of the interaction.

A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk having an asynchronous partition and a first and second isochronous partition, wherein the asynchronous partition is located between the first and second isochronous partitions in order to reduce the seek time for the disk drive when seeking between the asynchronous and isochronous partitions.

A digital downloading jukebox system including a mechanism for delivering custom services to a recognized user, including services for creating playlists, communicating with others, accessing other features, etc. is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, after a user is recognized, the jukebox system allows users to access a special front-end via the Internet or on an actual jukebox. Then, the user may, for example, create playlists, share songs with friends, send messages to friends, and access other value-added content. Other exemplary embodiments allow users to become certified, charging them for services without requiring constant inputting of coinage or credit card information. Such a system preferably learns about networks of friends, and enables managers to send similar messages to regular customers and / or others known to the system.

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.