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

1. 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 reproducible 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;

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,

wherein each said jukebox device further comprises a control circuit configured to:

receive a signal from the remote control device associated with the respective jukebox 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

in response to the signal, either cause the respective jukebox device that receives the signal to itself become either activated or deactivated, or cause the payment device of the jukebox device that receives the signal to become either activated or deactivated.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the display of a jukebox device that has received a signal indicating that its payment device is to be deactivated is controlled to display a first message thereon.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first message is programmable by an operator.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the operator of the jukebox device is a person who owns or rents that jukebox device, and operates it for use by users.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the display of a jukebox device that has received a signal is controlled to display a second message thereon in response to the received signal, the second message being indicative of a status of that jukebox device.

6. The system 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 system of claim 1 , wherein each said remote control device operates on a radio frequency.

8. The system 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 system of claim 1 , wherein remote control device signals are further configured to specify whether credits are to be provided to the associated jukebox devices.

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

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

13. A jukebox device operable in connection with a remote control device, the jukebox device comprising:

at least one processor;

a storage device for storing audiovisual information that is reproducible by the jukebox device in response to user requests;

an audio system for playing audio;

a display configured to display video;

a communication system configured to enable the jukebox device to communicate through an audiovisual distribution network; and

a control circuit configured to:

receive 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

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

14. The jukebox device of claim 13 , wherein the display is controlled to display a first message thereon when a signal indicating that the payment device is to be deactivated is received and when there is an identification code match.

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

16. The jukebox device of claim 14 , wherein the display is controlled to display a second message thereon, the second message being indicative of a status of the jukebox device.

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

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

20. A jukebox device having an associated remote control device, the jukebox device comprising:

at least one processor; and

a display;

wherein the jukebox device, under control of the at least one processor, is configured to:

receive 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;

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

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