GB2351596A

GB2351596A - Programmable juke box and automatic DJ machine

Info

Publication number: GB2351596A
Application number: GB9909867A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roy Andrew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-04-30
Filing date: 1999-04-30
Publication date: 2001-01-03
Also published as: GB9909867D0

Abstract

The juke box includes a pair of music players 2 and 10 each provided with a bank of pre-recorded music CDs 3 and 11 from which any one can be mechanically selected and played. The CD players are controlled by a control unit 4 which includes a real-time system timer 5. A payment box 6 is also provided. A first utilities player is provided in the form of another CD player 30 or a tape player has pre-recorded utilities such as DJ announcements, jingles and/or sound effects. A second utilities player in the form of a digital multi-track recording machine 40 allows customised tracks to be recorded. The utilities players 30 and 40 are also operated by the control unit 4. The audio output signals from the music players 2 and 10 are channelled via an auto-fade unit 16 to a power amplifier 17 to drive one or more speakers 18. The control unit 4 is provided with a keyboard 19 or other programming interface by which an operator can enter a custom program. A running light controller 20 can operate a set of in-built disco lights 50 or a set of external disco lights in accordance with the audio output of the juke box.

Description

2351596 1 PROGRAMMABLE JUKE BOX

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to juke boxes of the kind which are often installed in pubs and other entertainment establishments, and more particularly to a juke box which is programmable to operate in a way which is different from existing juke boxes.

BACKGROUND

Existing juke boxes essentially operate in a very simple way. The user inserts a payment (usually coins but possibly an equivalent such as tokens) and selects in sequence one or more pieces of music to be played, depending on the amount paid. The juke box then proceeds to play the first piece of music and then, after a silent pause, plays the second piece of music, and so on, assuming of course that more than one piece of music has been selected.

The most common arrangement is that juke boxes are owned by an entertainment provider and installed at a pub or similar venue free of charge to the landlord or other operator who, in return, receives a proportion of the 2 takings. Many establishments hold special events such as private parties, quizzes, theme evenings etc. during which an outside disco is brought in. On such occasions the juke box is normally turned off so that neither the landlord nor the operating company are receiving any income from the equipment.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of juke box with potential for increasing the takings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a programmable juke box comprising:

- a music player which is operable to play user-selectable pre-recorded music by inserting a payment; - a utilities player having a set of pre-recorded announcements, jingles, sound effects, and the like; - a system timer; and - programming means by which the operating time and sequence of the two players can be set by a juke box operator to play a selected sequence of music and utilities.

Thus, the broad concept of the new juke box is that it can be used as a substitute for an outside W and disco, allowing utilities and music to be merged in a programmed sequence according to the wishes of the operator. The juke box can therefore be used for an extended period to generate an increased income for operator and equipment provider alike.

3 The utilities player may comprise a CD (compact disc) player, a tape player and/or an electronic memory for storing a selection of prerecorded utilities, which may be bought-in or recorded in-house.

The juke box preferably arranged such that the utilities player can operate at the same time as the music player, in which case the music player output is automatically reduced in level so that it is overridden by the output of the utilities player.

Thejuke box preferably incorporatestwo music players allowing tracks to be played immediately one after another or with an overlap.

A preferred form of the juke box further incorporates a light controller. The controller may operate a set of disco lights which are incorporated in the juke box and/or a set of external disco lights. The controller may for example operate the lights in accordance with the audio output of the juke box.

BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an automatic juke box in accordance with the invention.

4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The automatic juke box is self-contained in a case 1 and includes a music player 2 in the form of a CD player which is provided with a bank of prerecorded music CDs 3 from which any one can be mechanically selected and played. Operation of the CD player is controlled by a microprocessorbased control unit 4 which includes a real-time system timer 5. A payment box 6 is also provided to receive coins, tokens or the like, the value of which is signalled to the control unit 4. Thus, as in a conventional juke box, when a user inserts a payment he/she can make a selection of tracks to be played from the CID bank 3 using a selector 7 up to the value of the payment inserted.

The juke box also includes a second CD player 10 which is provided with its own bank of pre-recorded music CDs 11. Operation of the second CD player is controlled by the control unit 4.

Also included is a first utilities player in the form of another CID player 30. (A tape player could also be used.) The utilities may include a bank of prerecorded music CDs 31 which can be selected and played, but in addition, there may be a drawer 32 for mechanically inserting a prerecorded utilities CD holding a set of pre-recorded announcements, jingles and/or sound effects. Apart from a pre-recorded bought-in disc a CD writer can be used to create a customised utilities disc. In addition, a second utilities player is included in the form of a digital multi- track recording machine 40 is included to allow, say, eight customised tracks to be recorded by an operator, possibly using the services of a professional DJ. The utilities players 30 and are again operated by the control unit 4, as will be explained below.

The audio output signals from both of the music players 2 and 10 are channelled via a "voice-over"or auto-fade unit 16 to a power amplifier 17 to drive one or more speakers 18.

The control unit 4 is provided with a keyboard 19 or other programming interface by which an operator (e.g. a pub landlord) can enter a custom program. In one mode of operation the unit can be programmed so that the two music players 2 and 10 operate alternately on insertion of a payment so that there is a slight overlap, or at least no delay, between one track and the next. This is itself an improvement over existing juke boxes.

A second mode of operation can be selected in which the utilities players 30 and/or 40 are operated to play a particular pre-recorded utility at a predetermined time. Thus, for example, the juke box can be programmed to automatically play "Happy Birthday to You" at, say, 10.50 pm, overriding any other track that might be playing at the time by means of the autofade unit 16.

In a third mode of operation the juke box can be programmed to play a selected series of tracks from the banks 3 and/or 11 interspersed with prerecorded announcements,-jingles, effects etc. from the utilities players. The auto-fade unit 16 ensures that any utilities will always override the output of the music players, which are faded to an appropriately reduced level. The juke box may be programmed so that it is necessary for users to insert payments for the "performance" to continue, the receipts eventually being split between the operator and the equipment providers. It is also possible 6 to set the machine to operate automatically in this mode with the control unit maintaining a record of the length of time for which it operates. The equipment provider can then bill the operator who pays out of his profits from the event.

The usefulness of the equipment is further enhanced by providing a running light controller 20 to which a set of in-built disco lights 50 are connected. For greater effect a set of external disco lights can be connected to the controller 20 via a standard seven-pin socket 21. The fight controller operates the lights in accordance with the audio output of the juke box.

When the juke box is installed at an establishment there is no longer any need to book a mobile DJ and disco for a specific event, and there is therefore no risk of being let down on the night. At the same time, the machine reduces the operating overheads of the establishment and increases profits for operator and equipment provider alike. Theequipment also allows the operator and his customer a greater choice over the music and style of the entertainment provided.

Claims

It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present

in any feasible combination. Whilst the above description lays emphasis on those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.

7 CLAIMS 1. A programmable juke box comprising:

- a music player which is operable to play user-selectable pre-recorded music by inserting a payment; - a utilities player having a set of pre-recorded announcements, jingles, sound effects, and the like; - a system timer; and - programming means by which the operating time and sequence of the two players can be set by a juke box operator to play a selected sequence of music and utilities.

2. A programmable juke box according to Claim 1, in which the juke box is arranged such that the utilities player can operate at the same time as the music player.

3. A programmable juke box according to Claim 2, in which the output of the music player is reduced in level below the output of the utilities player when the two players operate at the same time.

4. A programmable juke box according to any preceding claim, which includes two music players.

5. A programmable juke box according to any preceding claim, which incorporates a light controller 8 6. A programmable juke box according to Claim 5, in which the light controller operates a set of disco lights which are incorporated in the juke box 7. A programmable juke box according to Claim 5 or 6, in which the light controller has provision for operating a set of external disco lights.

8. A programmable juke box according to Claim 5,6 or 7, in which the light controller is arranged to operate the lights in accordance with the audio output of the juke box.

9, A programmable juke box substantially as described with reference to the drawings.