Pay-per-play audiovisual system with touch screen interface

A jukebox apparatus, comprising:

• a microprocessor;
• a first memory area that stores audiovisual items playable on the jukebox apparatus in response to a request by a customer;
• a second memory area that stores at least one system operating parameter of the jukebox apparatus;
• a display for displaying video;
• an audio arrangement configured to provide audio;
• a communication system for enabling the jukebox device to communicate with an audiovisual distribution network;
• and
• a multitasking operating system configured to enable simultaneous operation of the microprocessor, the display, audio arrangement, and the communication system,
• wherein the multitasking system comprises a module configured to resolve priorities between tasks, a task scheduling module, and a selection management module configured to indicate the number and type of active tasks to the task scheduling module and configured to determine whether selections are waiting so as to automatically write these selections in a queue file of the system on a memory area of the jukebox apparatus,
• wherein a status of the multitasking operating system is backed up, by the multitasking operating system automatically and without human intervention, to a file stored in the memory area of the jukebox apparatus each time a predetermined event occurs, wherein events that trigger back-up of the operating status include insertion of money, addition of a selection to the queue file, and an end of a selection,
• wherein the display comprises a touch sensitive display portion operable to display a first screen for customer interaction, wherein the first screen comprises at least one displayed touch selectable option to assist the customer when searching and/or selecting a desired title,
• wherein the touch sensitive display portion is further operable to display a second screen for manager interaction, the second screen being different from the first screen,
• wherein the second screen comprises at least one displayed touch selectable option, corresponding to at least one physical system parameter of the jukebox apparatus, for selecting a corresponding physical system parameter to be modified, and
• wherein the second screen for manager interaction is triggered when a key switch is manipulated, and wherein the second screen for manager interaction replaces the previously displayed first screen for customer interaction.