Remote control unit for intelligent digital audiovisual reproduction systems

1. A method of operating a jukebox system comprising:

at least one jukebox device, wherein said at least one jukebox device includes at least one processor, a storage device for storing audiovisual information that is reproducable by the at least one jukebox device in response to user requests, an audio system for playing audio, a display configured to display video, and a communication system configured to enable the at least one jukebox device to communicate through an audiovisual distribution network, and

a server remote from the at least one jukebox device, the server being configured to provide 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, the method comprising:

receiving, at a control circuit of one said jukebox device, a signal from the associated remote control device, the signal specifying one of whether that jukebox device is to be activated or deactivated, and whether a payment device of that jukebox device is to be activated or deactivated; and

either causing the jukebox device that receives the signal to itself become either activated or deactivated, or causing the payment device of the jukebox device that receives the signal to become either activated or deactivated, in dependence on the signal.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising causing a first message to be displayed on the display of the jukebox device that has received the signal when the signal indicates that the payment device is to be deactivated.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first message is programmable by an operator of the jukebox device that has received the signal.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the operator of the jukebox device that has received the signal is a person owning or renting that jukebox device and operating it for use by users.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising causing a second message to be displayed on the display of the jukebox device that has received the signal, the second message being indicative of a status of that jukebox device.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second message indicates that the jukebox device that has received the signal is not currently available for use.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the remote control device operates on a radio frequency.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit of each said jukebox device is configured to receive matching radio frequencies from a corresponding remote control device.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the signal is further configured to specify whether credits are to be provided to the associated jukebox device.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving at one said jukebox device an identification code associated with the remote control.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein activation and/or deactivation is performed if the identification code received at the jukebox device that has received the signal matches an expected identification code from a corresponding remote control device.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the identification code is programmable via a learning mode triggered by the associated jukebox device.

13. A method of operating a jukebox device in connection with a remote control device, the jukebox device comprising at least one processor, a storage device for storing audiovisual information that is reproducable by the jukebox device in response to user requests, an audio system for playing audio, a display configured to display video, and a communication system configured to enable the jukebox device to communicate through an audiovisual distribution network, the method comprising:

receiving, at a control circuit of the jukebox device, a signal from the remote control device, the signal including an identification code and specifying one of (a) whether that jukebox device is to be activated or deactivated, and (b) whether a payment device of that jukebox device is to be activated or deactivated; and

causing the jukebox device to itself become either activated or deactivated, or causing the payment device of the jukebox device that receives the signal to become either activated or deactivated, in dependence on the signal and a determination as to whether the identification code matches an expected identification code programmed in the jukebox device.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising causing a first message to be displayed on the display of the jukebox device when the signal indicates that the payment device is to be deactivated and when there is an identification code match.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first message is programmable by an operator of the jukebox device.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising causing a second message to be displayed on the display of the jukebox device, the second message being indicative of a status of the jukebox device.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the remote control device operates on a radio frequency and wherein the control circuit of the jukebox device is configured to receive a corresponding radio frequency from the remote control device.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the signal is further configured to specify whether credits are to be provided to the jukebox device.

19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the identification code is programmable via a learning mode triggered by the jukebox device.

20. A method of operating a jukebox device in connection with a remote control device, the jukebox device comprising at least one processor, and a display, the method comprising:

receiving, at the jukebox device, a signal from the remote control device, the signal including an identification code and specifying one of (a) whether that jukebox device is to be activated or deactivated, (b) whether a payment device of that jukebox device is to be activated or deactivated, and (c) whether free credits are to be provided to the jukebox device;

causing the jukebox device to update a status thereof in dependence on the signal and on a determination as to whether the identification code matches an expected identification code programmed in the jukebox device; and

displaying a message indicating an update to the status of the jukebox device when the status has been updated.