Remote control unit for activating and deactivating means for payment and for displaying payment status

• US 8,028,318 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2007
• Issued: 09/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nathan, Guy
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN BA, HOANG VU A
• Application Number:
  US11/907,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20080077962A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,440 Days
• Field of Search: 725/78, 725/80, 725/86, 725/87, 725/5, 381/77, 381/80, 705/52
• US Class Current: 725/78
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/145 Payments according to the detected use or quantity
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/30 for musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/305 for record players
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42221 Transmission circuitry, e.g. infrared [IR] or radio frequency [RF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42226 Reprogrammable remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4341 Demultiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309

Abstract

The invention relates to a remote control unit for intelligent digital audiovisual reproduction systems, comprising storage means, payment means, a sound control circuit, display means and a metal chassis wherein said remote control unit comprises a distant radio frequency transmitter that is associated with a radio frequency receiver connected to the sound control circuit of the audiovisual reproduction system.

Claims

1. A jukebox system, comprising:

at least one jukebox device, wherein said at least one jukebox device includes a microprocessor, a storage device for storing audiovisual information that can be reproduced by the jukebox device in response to user requests, an audio system for playing audio, a display device for displaying video, and a communication system for enabling the jukebox to communicate through an audiovisual distribution network;

a server remote to said at least one jukebox device that provides services to said at least one jukebox device, wherein said server and each said jukebox device are configured to communicate with each other through said distribution network; and

at least one remote control device for each said jukebox device, wherein each said remote control device comprises;

a remote transmitter that is associated with a receiver connected to a control circuit of one associated jukebox device, and wherein the remote control is operable to activate and deactivate the associated jukebox device and the remote control is operable to activate and deactivate a payment device on the associated jukebox device, wherein the jukebox device display further displays a message when said payment device is deactivated.

2. The jukebox system of claim 1, wherein the message is programmable by an operator of the jukebox device.

3. The jukebox system of claim 2, wherein the operator of the device is a person owning or renting the jukebox device and operating it for use by users.

4. The jukebox system of claim 1, wherein the message indicates a status of the jukebox device.

5. The jukebox system of claim 4, wherein the message indicates that usage of the jukebox device is not currently available.