MULTIMEDIA CHAIR AND METHOD

• US 20080185888A1
• Filed: 02/06/2008
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovative Vending Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ozio, LLC (Innovative Vending Solutions, LLC)
• Inventors: LaSalvia, John F., Beall, P. Shawn
• Granted Patent: US 7,794,014 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/217.4
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/72 Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/723 with display screens
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/727 with speakers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising

Abstract

A multimedia chair (200) includes an electronic module having an electronic processor and at least one electronic controller operatively connected to the electronic processor. A visual display (120) is connected to the electronic module and operatively communicates with the electronic processor. A base (202) structure connected to the electronic module is connected to a chair (200).

Claims

1. A multimedia chair, comprising:

an electronic module including an electronic processor and at least one electronic controller operatively connected to the electronic processor;

a visual display connected to the electronic module and operatively communicating with the electronic processor;

a base structure connected to the electronic module, the base structure connected to a chair;

a payment receiver operably associated with the electronic module, the payment receiver operating to, at times, activate the electronic module.

2. The multimedia chair of claim 1, further including at least one electric massage motor integrated with and operating a function of the chair, the at least one electric massage motor operatively connected to and operated by the electronic processor to provide a massaging function to a user seated in the chair.

3. The multimedia chair of claim 1, further including a network adapter operatively connected to the electronic processor and allowing the electronic processor to communicate with a central controller.

4. The multimedia chair of claim 1, wherein the payment receiver is adapted to receive at least one of cash and credit payment from a user.

5. The multimedia chair of claim 1, further including a user input device disposed on the electronic module and operatively communicating with the electronic processor, the user input device adapted to relay information from a user to the electronic processor.

6. The multimedia chair of claim 1, further including an output device disposed in the electronic module and operatively receiving information from the electronic processor, the output device adapted to at least one of connect with a portable media player, dispense promotional coupons, write information onto removable digital media, emit sound, and print pictures.

7. The multimedia chair of claim 1, further including at least one sensor disposed in the chair, the at least one sensor operatively connected with the electronic processor and adapted to relay information to the electronic processor that is indicative of presence of a user in the chair.

8. A method of operating a multimedia chair, comprising:

operating a visual display in an advertising mode, the visual display periodically displaying one of a plurality of pre-determined advertisements;

detecting presence of a user in a chair;

switching to a user mode when the user is seated and interacting with the chair;

receiving and processing payment from the user for use of services for a predetermined time;

activating a timer and incrementing the timer while the predetermined time has not lapsed;

operating at least one entertainment routine while the timer is incremented; and

recording and reporting a transaction to a central controller when the timer has run.

9. The method of claim 8, further including selectively operating a massage function of the chair while the timer is incremented.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein operation of the visual display in the advertising mode includes cyclically presenting a series of promotional screens that are stored in a memory storage device that is programmable at least one of locally by a service technician and remotely by the central controller.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one entertainment routine includes communicating with a remote computer over at least one of a local area connection, a wireless local area network, a telephone line, a digital communication link, and the Internet via a network adapter.

12. The method of claim 8, further including capturing a digital picture with a camera, and at least one of sending the digital picture electronically to a remote location and printing the digital picture locally.

13. The method of claim 8, further including dispensing coupons from a coupon dispenser to the user.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein operating the visual display in the advertising mode includes reproducing pictures, video, and sound.

15. The method of claim 8, further including interconnecting the multimedia chair with a plurality of additional multimedia chairs forming a cluster, each of the plurality of additional multimedia chairs being in communication with the multimedia chair over a local area computer network.

16. A method for generating a revenue stream from at least one multimedia chair, comprising:

placing a multimedia chair in a public area;

operating the multimedia chair in an advertising mode when a user is not present,

wherein operating in the advertising mode includes periodically representing on a visual output display a series of advertisements, each advertisement including at least one of images, video, and sound,

wherein each of the series of advertisements is provided by a respective advertiser and is displayed in exchange for a an advertising fee; and

operating the multimedia chair in an entertainment mode when the user is present.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein operating the multimedia chair in the entertainment mode includes sensing a presence of the user in the multimedia chair.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein operating the multimedia chair in the entertainment mode includes activating at least one electric motor operating a massage function on a user seated in the multimedia chair.

20. The method of claim 16, further including operating a computer that is integrated with an electronics module, the electronics module being part of the multimedia chair.

21. The method of claim 16, further including providing digital services to the user when operating in the entertainment mode, the digital services including Internet access, email access, teleconferencing, electronic games, music purchases, and video viewing.

22. The method of claim 16, further including interconnecting the multimedia chair with a local area network, the local area network adapted to enable two-way digital communication between the multimedia chair and a remote computer.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the remote computer operably communicates with a plurality of multimedia chairs.