U.S. patent application number 11/932416 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-05 for list building system.
Invention is credited to James D. Hempleman, Sandra M. Hempleman, Neil A. Schneider.
Application Number | 20080133520 11/932416 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25332257 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080133520 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hempleman; James D. ; et
al. |
June 5, 2008 |
List Building System
Abstract
A system implementable using a programmable processor includes a
plurality of pre-stored commands for building an inventory of
audio, musical, works or audio/visual works, such as music videos.
A plurality of works can be collected together in a list for
purposes of establishing a play or a presentation sequence. The
list can be visually displayed and edited. A plurality of lists can
be stored for subsequent retrieval. A selected list can be
retrieved and executed. Upon execution, the works of the list are
presented sequentially either audibly or visually. The works can be
read locally from a source, such as a CD, or can be obtained, via
wireless transmission, from a remote inventory. If desired,
establishment of a predetermined credit can be a pre-condition to
being able to add items to the list for presentation.
Inventors: |
Hempleman; James D.;
(Chicago, IL) ; Hempleman; Sandra M.; (Chicago,
IL) ; Schneider; Neil A.; (Lake Zurich, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EUGENE M. CUMMINGS, P.C.
ONE NORTH WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 4130
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
25332257 |
Appl. No.: |
11/932416 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10841374 |
May 7, 2004 |
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11932416 |
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09770882 |
Jan 26, 2001 |
6763345 |
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10841374 |
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08859995 |
May 21, 1997 |
6243725 |
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09770882 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ;
707/999.006; 707/E17.009 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 27/11 20130101;
G11B 2220/2562 20130101; G10H 2240/131 20130101; G11B 27/36
20130101; G10H 1/0008 20130101; G06F 16/48 20190101; G11B 27/034
20130101; Y10S 707/922 20130101; G11B 2220/2545 20130101; G11B
2220/41 20130101; G11B 2220/213 20130101; Y10S 707/913 20130101;
G06F 16/639 20190101; G11B 27/34 20130101; G11B 2220/90 20130101;
Y10S 707/99931 20130101; G06F 16/4387 20190101; G11B 27/10
20130101; Y10S 707/99948 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/6 ;
707/E17.009 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30 |
Claims
1-29. (canceled)
30. A system for automatically building a playlist comprising a
plurality of digital audio and/or video works having at least one
shared characteristic, the system comprising: a digital processor;
a digital storage medium operatively associated with said digital
processor for digitally storing an inventory of digital audio
and/or video works, said digital storage medium further storing a
plurality of information records, each information record being
associated with a particular work and further comprising one or
more data fields each having a value which identifies a
characteristic associated with the particular work; said digital
processor, in response to a predetermined value and without user
interaction, compares the predetermined value with the value
contained in at least one of the data fields of each information
record and wherein, if the predetermined value matches the value
contained in said at least one data field of an information record,
said digital processor, without user interaction includes the
digital work corresponding to that information record in a play
list; said playlist consisting of the plurality of digital works
having the desired shared characteristic, said playlist being
executable by a user, whereby said digital processor plays one or
more digital audio and/or video works identified therein; and said
playlist further being digitally storable in said digital storage
medium for subsequent execution.
31. A system for automatically building a playlist as defined by
claim 1, wherein said associated characteristics include at least
one of Artist, Title, Music Type, CD Title, Beats per Minute,
Comments, Time, Track, Play Count, Date and Time of Play, and/or
Date and Time Recorded, or their logical equivalents.
32. A system for automatically building a playlist as defined in
claim 2, wherein said associated characteristics are further
defined as follows: said characteristic Artist comprises a name of
an artist associated with a particular digital work; said
characteristic Title comprises a name of a particular digital work;
said characteristic Music Type comprises a name of a music type
associated with a particular digital work, said characteristic CD
Title comprises a name of an album associated with a particular
digital work; said characteristic Beats per Minute comprises a
numerical value of beats per minute associated with a particular
digital work, said characteristic Comments comprises one or more
stored comments associated with a particular digital work; said
characteristic Time comprises a numerical value indicative of the
duration associated with one a particular digital work; said
characteristic Track comprises an assigned number associated with a
particular digital work; said characteristic Play Count comprises
the cumulative number of plays associated with a particular digital
work; said characteristic Date and Time of Play comprises a date
and time on which a particular digital work was played; said
characteristic Date and Time Recorded comprises a date and time on
which a particular digital work was added to said inventory of
digital audio and/or video works.
33. A method for automatically building for subsequent execution by
a user a playlist comprising a plurality of digital audio and/or
video works having at least one shared characteristic, said method
comprising the steps of: digitally storing said inventory of
digital audio and/or video works, said digital storage medium
further storing a plurality of information records, each
information record being associated with a particular work and
further comprising one or more data fields each having a value
which identifies a characteristic associated with the particular
work; comparing the predetermined value with the value contained in
at least one of the data fields of each information record and if
the predetermined value matches the value contained in said at
least one data field of an information record, including the
digital work corresponding to that information record in a
playlist; executing said playlist consisting of the plurality of
digital works having the desired shared characteristic; and
digitally storing said playlist for subsequent execution.
34. A method for automatically building a playlist as defined by
claim 4, wherein said associated characteristics include at least
one of Artist, Title, Music Type, CD Title, Beats per Minute,
Comments, Time, Track, Play Count, Date and Time of Play, and/or
Date and Time Recorded, or their logical equivalents.
35. A method for automatically building a playlist as defined in
claim 5, wherein said associated characteristics are further
defined as follows: said characteristic Artist comprises a name of
an artist associated with a particular digital work; said
characteristic Title comprises a name of a particular digital work,
said characteristic Music Type comprises a name of a music type
associated with a particular digital work; said characteristic CD
Title comprises a name of an album associated with a particular
digital work; said characteristic Beats per Minute comprises a
numerical value of beats per minute associated with a particular
digital work; said characteristic Comments comprises one or more
stored comments associated with a particular digital work; said
characteristic Time comprises a numerical value indicative of the
duration associated with a particular digital work; said
characteristic Track comprises an assigned number associated with a
particular digital work; said characteristic Play Count comprises
the cumulative number of plays associated with a particular digital
work; said characteristic Date and Time of Play comprises a date
and time on which a particular digital work was played; and said
characteristic Date and Time Recorded comprises a date and time on
which a particular digital work was added to said inventory of
digital audio and/or video works.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/841,374 filed May 7, 2004 and
entitled "LIST BUILDING SYSTEM," which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/770,882 filed on Jan. 26, 2001
entitled "LIST BUILDING SYSTEM", now U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,345 issued
Jun. 14, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 08/859,995 filed on May 21, 1997 entitled "LIST BUILDING
SYSTEM", now U.S. Pat. No. 6,243,725 issued Jun. 5, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention pertains to software driven systems and
methods for developing audio/video sequences. More particularly,
the invention pertains to such system and methods wherein a user
can create an editable list of works which can be presented.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] With the advent of CDs a wide variety of music, music videos
or video sequences are conveniently available for a user in a
non-analog, digital format. The advantages of digital recording of
both audio and video have been recognized and are to a great extent
realized with the ready availability of pre-recorded CDs.
[0004] While convenient, pre-recorded CDs present a problem to a
user in that while it is possible to select sequentially between
the pre-recorded works on a given CD, to switch to another artist
or group it is necessary to have multiple drives available or to
remove one CD and insert another at the appropriate time. While
possible, such arrangements are at the very least inconvenient. In
addition, because of the delays inherent in switching from one CD
to another, the audio or video output might be lost for an
undesirably long period of time thereby detracting from the
ambiance afforded by the performance. In addition, listeners at
times are only interested in one or two of the tracks on a CD in a
given situation.
[0005] There thus continues to be a need for systems and methods
which will make it possible to combine works by a variety of
performers or artists in a relatively arbitrary fashion and to
present those works in a given sequence in a fashion that is
convenient but which at the same time is cost effective. It would
also be desirable to be able to use widely available personal
computers as control elements in such systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A system and a method of arranging media elements for later
replay make it possible to create new sequential presentations of
the elements. The elements can be obtained from a local medium such
as a CD, or a video tape. Alternately, the elements can be obtained
from a remote location via wired or wireless transmission. Elements
can include audio works such as music or audio/visual works
including advertisements, music videos or other types of
elements.
[0007] The elements can be stored on a readable digital storage
medium. Some or all of the elements can be played back or performed
individually.
[0008] A collection of separate elements can be identified and
arranged. One form of arrangement is a list. Another is a nonlinear
tree-like arrangement.
[0009] The collection can be played back or performed sequentially
as specified in a list. Alternately, the elements can be performed
interactively as specified in a tree. In this embodiment, tree
nodes represent decision points for a viewer or a listener.
[0010] A graphically-oriented editor is provided for building or
editing lists or trees. The lists or trees can be stored and
subsequently retrieved for editing or performing the collected
media elements.
[0011] Output can, in one aspect be an audible or a visible
performance of the elements in accordance with a selected list or
tree. In another aspect, the collection can be written to a medium.
Hence, a CD or other digital medium can be written, or audio or
video tapes can be recorded. The output medium is not a limitation
of the invention.
[0012] In yet another aspect, a system incorporating a card reader
or a vending unit can be used to build a list of elements. In this
instance an appropriate credit needs to be established before an
element can be added to an on-going collection being performed.
[0013] Subsequent to a credit being established and a selection or
selections made in accordance with the credit, elements can be
added to the list and performed. Elements can be exclusively audio.
Alternately, elements can include both audio and video components
without limitation.
[0014] In yet another aspect, the method includes building a list
of media elements which can come from a variety of sources.
Preferably, the media elements are storable in a digital
format.
[0015] Subsequently, the list can be reviewed visually by a user
and either modified or edited for the purpose of creating a
sequence of media elements to be replayed or presented.
Subsequently, the list is executed and the elements are either
presented audibly or visually or both in accordance with their
characteristics.
[0016] In a further aspect, a digitized inventory of media elements
can be created by either reading a local digital medium, such as a
CD ROM or by receiving, via wireless transmission, digitized
sequence of works which can then be stored in the inventory. If
desired, the user can preview some or all of any element in the
inventory.
[0017] Numerous other advantages and features of the present
invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the
claims and from the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is an overall flow diagram of a method in accordance
with the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system useable for practicing
the method of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIGS. 3A through 3P taken together illustrate a flow diagram
of a control program useable with the system of FIG. 2;
[0021] FIGS. 4A through 4K illustrate various screens presentable
by the control program illustrated in FIGS. 3A through 3P;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system intended to receive
audio or visual works from a remote source;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a system intended to provide a custom
written medium of works obtained from a remote source and in
response to establishing a pre-determined credit; and
[0024] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a system for presenting
works on demand from either a local or a remote source.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms, there are shown in the drawing and will be
described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments
illustrated.
[0026] Systems and methods which embody the present invention
enable the user to acquire, for example, digitized audio or audio
and video works, which are of interest and which are to be
represented either in real time as an audio or an audio/visual work
or to be written onto a digital storage medium as part of a
sequence selected by the user. Functional capability is provided
enabling the user to create one or more composite play or
presentation lists which incorporate a plurality of titles or
designations of the works in a user selected order. The works could
come from a Variety of different sources and could include other
types of sensory outputs without limitation.
[0027] As part of the list preparation process, the user can listen
to or view some or all of any of the works. A new list can be
graphically created. An existing list can be edited to revise
existing works identified in the list, change the order of
presentation or to add new ones. Subsequently, the list can be
executed and the works performed.
[0028] Execution of the list will present the works in the
determined sequential order audibly or visually and audibly
depending on the nature of the work. Alternately, the works
represented on the list can be written to a digital storage medium,
such as a CD or DVD for subsequent presentation.
[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates steps of a method 10 for preparing
executable playlists in accordance with one aspect of the
invention. In an initial step, selected audio or video elements can
be loaded into a digital database, a media inventory, for review
and subsequent presentation. Media elements can be obtained from
locally played sources or by wireless signals received from a
remote source, such as via an antenna, which are demodulated and
stored in digital form in the media inventory.
[0030] In the next step, a plurality of playlists can be created by
graphically selecting media elements to be entered into a selected
list from the inventory. As part of the step, one or more playlist
records can be built and stored.
[0031] In a subsequent step, the lists in the playlist database can
be viewed and various reports concerning the subject list can be
created.
[0032] In a subsequent step, one or more of the lists can be
graphically edited thereupon rearranging items in a list, adding
items or deleting items as desired.
[0033] Finally, a particular list can be selected and executed.
Audio works are presented sequentially, in accordance with the
selected list, via audio output transducers, typically speakers.
Video works or audio/video works or presented in accordance with
the selected list on a video display in combination with
speakers.
[0034] If desired, a selected list or lists can be written to a
storage medium such as a CD ROM for later use. If desired, the
associated media elements can also be written on to the medium.
[0035] A variety of services can be provided to a user while
carrying out the steps of the method 10. Analysis can be conducted
of the characteristics of various works. For example, beats per
minute can be determined and audio works can be sorted accordingly.
A list or lists can be created in accordance with a pre-selected
tempo or beats per minute.
[0036] Sorting or selecting based on other features of audio or
video characteristics of the works can also be included.
Presentations via a selected list can be controlled based on
selected features.
[0037] For record keeping purposes, the number of times a given
media element is presented or executed can be logged along with
date and time information. Reports reflecting any lists created
based on any of the above selection features or characteristics can
also be printed for invoicing, billing or royalty payment
purposes.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates in block diagram form a system 10' for
implementing the method 10 of FIG. 1. The system 10' incorporates a
programmable processor 12a, for example, a personal computer of a
selected variety. Coupled to the processor 12a is a mass digital
storage medium 12b, such as a hard disk drive for storage of
various databases and programs.
[0039] Coupled to the processor 12a is a source of digitized audio
or audio/visual input signals such as a CD ROM drive 12c. Media
elements or works can also be received wirelessly. Also coupled to
the processor 12a are user input devices such as a mouse 12d and a
keyboard 12e. Other input devices could also be used without
limitation.
[0040] Output devices include a display screen 12f of a type
conventionally used with programmable processors to present visual
display of ongoing programs being executed to the user. A printer
12g is available to provide reports.
[0041] Audio and video output devices for media elements include
speakers 14a and video output device 14b which can be of a size and
quality suitable for the type of works being displayed. Other
output devices could also be used.
[0042] The hardware components of the system 10' interact in
accordance with the user inputs and under the control of a control
program 16 stored in one of the storage devices 12b. The control
program 16 includes pre-created commands for carrying out the
method 10 illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0043] The control program 16 is described in a set of flow
diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 3A . . . 3M. FIGS. 4A-4K illustrate
various exemplary displays presented on the display unit 12f while
the control program 16 is executing.
[0044] FIG. 3A illustrates the initial steps in reading a source of
digitized works, such as a CD and in selecting either the record
sequence, FIGS. 3B, 3C, and 3D, the list player sequence FIGS. 3H
and 3I, or the playlist editor sequence FIGS. 3E, 3F and 3G. In
step 100 a determination is made if a CD is present in the drive
12c. If so, the program 16 initiates record steps illustrated in
FIGS. 3B, 3C and 3D. If not, the playlist master database is
checked in a step 101. If playlists had previously been created,
the playlist screen sequence is executed, FIGS. 3H and 31 in step
102. Alternately the editor sequence can be entered, FIGS. 3E, 3F
and 3G in step 103.
[0045] With respect to the record sequence FIG. 3B, during the
process of recording information off of the respective CD, in a
step 110 an initial screen, FIG. 4A is displayed. If the processor
12a determines in a step 112 that a CD is not present, then a CD
missing display, FIG. 4B is presented in a step 113.
[0046] In the event that a CD is present, in a step 114,
information will be read off of it as to track numbers and play
times and displayed in a step 116 as in FIG. 4C. In a step 118, the
master CD database is checked and if a corresponding record is
found, in a step 120 the name of the CD is displayed, as indicated
in FIG. 4C. Where tracks off of the respective CD had been
previously recorded, in step 122, that information will be
retrieved from the track database and displayed also as illustrated
in FIG. 4C. The length of each track, recording date, title artist
and type of work all can be displayed.
[0047] With respect to FIGS. 3C and 3D, in a step 124 the control
program 16 determines whether or not the user has selected a track
to play. If so, the selected track is played in a step 126. If
desired, as illustrated in a step 126a characteristics of the work
such as beats per minute can be computed and displayed for the
user.
[0048] In a step 128, the control program 16 checks to determine
whether or not the user requested restart of a work at a specified
point. If not the system determines in a step 130 if the user has
selected one or more tracks to be recorded. If so, in a step 132,
selected tracks are recorded.
[0049] The system control program 16 also determines whether or not
the user has requested a deletion in a step 134 or requested that a
new CD be loaded in a step 136, select options in a step 138, a
tables function in a step 140 or an exit function in a step 142. In
each of steps 136, 138, 140 and 142, the requested respective
procedure is carried out.
[0050] Where a user has selected the edit screen, illustrated in
FIGS. 3E, 3F and 3G, one or more pre-existing playlists can be
retrieved and edited. In a step 150, a playlist selection menu is
displayable by the control program 16, in accordance with FIG. 4F.
Using the selection menu a particular playlist can be selected and
the detail retrieved in a step 152 for the selected playlist. The
selected playlist can be displayed for editing as illustrated in
FIG. 4G in a step 154. For the convenience of the user, the editor
screen, FIG. 40, illustrates in an upper section, an inventory list
of available works currently in inventory which can be selected and
entered into the destination playlist, in the lower portion of the
display illustrated on FIG. 4G.
[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 3F, in a step 160, a user can edit or
revise selections or the sequence of selections in the subject list
using an editor selection screen as illustrated in FIG. 4H. In the
event that the user requested a change in the play sequence in a
step 162, an update procedure is executed in a step 164
corresponding to FIG. 3D and FIG. 4I. It will be understood that
standard editing-type functions will be available to the user as
would be known to those of skill in the art.
[0052] In a step 166 the user can request that a particular
selected work be played or presented. The works can be restarted in
a step 168 at a particular point.
[0053] The user can insert a work or a song in playlist in a step
170. With respect to FIG. 3G, a work or song can be moved within
the playlist in a step 172. A particular song or work can be
removed from the selected playlist in a step 174. The entire
playlist can be deleted in a step 176.
[0054] In the event that the user desires to select a particular
playlist for execution, in a step 102, FIG. 3A, the playlist master
database is read in a step 200, FIG. 3U. The playlist player
selection menu FIG. 4J is displayed in a step 202. If the user
selects a playlist in a step 204, the playlist detail is read from
the appropriate database in a step 206. The selected playlist is
then displayed, FIG. 4K, in a step 208.
[0055] With respect to FIG. 3I, the user can exit the player screen
sequence or can request execution of the playlist in a step 210 at
the beginning of the list or at a specified work or song. The list
is then executed in a step 212.
[0056] In the event that one or more reports are to be created
using the printer 12g, the process of FIG. 3J can be used to
request reports as to existing playlists in a step 230.
Alternately, the user can request a report of the existing
inventory of media elements in a step 232.
[0057] Screen selection is carried out in accordance with the
process illustrated in FIG. 3K. Updating of data from the record
screen is carried out in a process illustrated in FIG. 3L.
[0058] FIG. 3M illustrates steps associated with carrying out
requests for various optional functions. For example, in a step 240
an option screen, FIG. 4D, can be displayed for a user.
[0059] The user can subsequently in a step 242 change the record
options. In the event that the user in a step 244 selects a record
directory, the record directory screen FIG. 4E can be displayed in
a step 246. The displayed screen can be altered by the user in a
step 248. The revised record options can be stored in a step 250
for subsequent use.
[0060] FIG. 3N illustrates steps of a process wherein the user is
able to select and display various tables. In a step 260 an artist
table can be displayed and edited in a step 262. In a step 266 the
type table can be displayed and edited in a step 268. In a step
270, the CD table can be displayed and edited in a step 272. The
track table can be displayed in a step 276 and edited in a step
278.
[0061] FIG. 3O illustrates the steps in a process of saving the
playlist screen, FIG. 4I. In a step 290 the playlist save screen is
displayed. In a step 292, if the user has selected to save the
existing playlist, the changes are written to the respective
database in a step 294. If the user elected to save the new
playlist in a step 296, the changes are written to the new playlist
database in a step 298. Finally, the user can discard the changes
and exit in a step 300.
[0062] FIG. 3P illustrates the steps of a procedure for deleting a
selected work or track.
[0063] Hence, as described above, the system 10' can be used to
create new or modified playlists, and execute same thereby
presenting the sequence of works to a user. Alternately,
pre-existing playlists can be edited and additional new playlists
created which then subsequently be executed.
[0064] Those of skill in the art will understand that other
functions as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3P will also be provided by
the control program 16. Attached hereto is a preferred data
structure for use with the flow diagrams of FIGS. 3A-3P.
[0065] FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate alternate types of list
building systems. FIG. 5 illustrates a system 10-1 which is a
network based playlist creating and executing system. The system
10-1 incorporates a remote source 20 of works which are to be
assembled and played or presented at a user's unit or terminal 22.
The unit 20 is intended to be an element or a location accessible
via a network. For example, the unit 20 can be a location on an
internet or the internet or any, other network. It can be accessed
via a land line or wireless communication link 24 without
limitation.
[0066] The system 20 incorporates a processor 20a, and databases
20b. The databases 20b include stored digital representations of a
variety of works which can be obtained off of local drives, such as
the drive 20c without limitation. The remote system operator has
available standard input control devices such as mouse 20d,
keyboard 20e or other desired input devices. A display screen 20f
of the conventional variety is also provided. The remote system 20
also includes an optional printer 20g, for purposes of creating
hard copy reports for invoicing, billing or royalty payment
purposes without limitation.
[0067] The system 20 provides a remote pre-stored inventory which
the unit 22 can access via communication link 24. The unit 20
provides supervisory and billing services in response to requests
by the end user's unit 22 for access to one or more of the works
stored in the inventory in the databases 20b.
[0068] Subsequent to the request being authorized, the selected
works can be made available to the terminal 22 via the
communication link 24. The unit 22 can in turn be used as described
previously to create new playlists, edit existing lists and then
execute the lists under the control of the local end user. The
terminal 22 is especially convenient for the end user in that the
works can all be acquired electronically and there is absolutely no
need for acquiring and keeping a plurality of CDs.
[0069] If desired, processor 12a in system 10-1 can keep track of
the number of plays and total play time and transmit that
information to processor 20a, for billing purposes. Reports
producible by the processor 20a include total plays and play time
along with invoices for end users. Documentation for royalty
payments to the appropriate recipients can also be created.
Finally, the reports can list those works by demand or popularity
by day, week or month.
[0070] FIG. 6 illustrates a system 10-2 which includes a remote
source, such as the remote source 20 and a local terminal 22-1.
Terminal 22-1 includes elements similar to the terminal 22
previously discussed. Corresponding elements are identified with
the same identification numeral.
[0071] The terminal 22-1 additionally includes a credit
establishing input such as a credit card reader 30. The reader 30
can be used by a user to make a credit card account number
available to the terminal 22-1 for billing purposes.
[0072] Once a credit line has been established, the user will be
able to use the terminal 22-1 to create and/or modify one or more
playlists into write the selected media elements via an output
drive 32 to a removable medium 34 which could be a CD or a DVD.
[0073] The terminal 10-2 could be located in a business
establishment and users interested in obtaining a custom
combination of works can access the services of the terminal 22-1
via the reader 30 for purposes of creating and writing the desired
sequence of works on the medium 34. Other services made available
by the terminal 22 can also be made available by the terminal 22-1
in response to the established credit line.
[0074] Additional services that can be made available by the
terminal 22-1 include printing invoices via the printer 12g. Report
information can be transmitted to the system 20 for billing
purposes with respect to the commercial establishment where the
terminal 22-1 is located as well as making royalty payments to
appropriate recipients.
[0075] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate system 10-3 which can be
used for entertainment purposes in public establishments. The
system 10-3 provides jukebox-like services at the terminal 22-2.
These are under the supervision and control of remote system
20.
[0076] The terminal 22-2 includes a credit establishing device
which could be a coin or a bill receiving unit 40 of a type used
with vending machines. Alternately, the unit 40 could also accept
credit cards if desired.
[0077] Upon establishing an appropriate credit via the unit 40, the
terminal 22-2 enables a user to select one or more works whose
titles might be displayed on the control screen 12f via the input
devices 12d, 12e.
[0078] The selected works could be resident at the local database
12b or could be acquired from the remote unit 20 via the
communication link as discussed previously. The system 22-2, unlike
conventional jukeboxes, has an unlimited selection of audio or
audio/video works available to it via communication link 24. In
addition, for security purposes, the terminal 22-2 does not include
an inventory of valuable CD or DVD media. The works could include
audio works, such as music, audio/visual works such as
advertisements, music videos or others.
[0079] The terminal 22-2 presents a rolling playlist on the screen
12f which can be reviewed by the end user or individual selecting
the works to be presented. Newly selected or identified works are
added at the end of the playlist and are presented via speakers 12a
and video output 12b in sequence depending on the nature of the
work. Hence, the terminal 22-2 makes possible the presentation of
arbitrarily selected works, in an arbitrary order in response to
the credit established by the unit 40.
[0080] The remote system 20 via the link 24 monitors the works
being presented and the frequency thereof. Billing information can
be generated for purposes of charging the entity where the terminal
22-2 is located for each work which is presented. Reports can be
produced at the system 20 identifying royalties to be paid to the
appropriate recipients based on the works selected for presentation
at the terminal 22-2 or for any other desired purpose. It will be
understood that the appropriate file type would be used with the
appropriate type of work.
[0081] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
variations and modifications may be effected without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that
no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated
herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course,
intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as
fall within the scope of the claims.
TABLE-US-00001 DATA STRUCTURE Table Field Name Data Type Master CD
Number Long Integer Created by the track times CD CD Title Text 50
Track CD Number Long Integer Link to Master CD table Track Byte
Track number found on the CD Artist Code Integer Link to the Artist
table Type Code Long Integer Link to the Type table Track Title
Text 50 Track Time Long Integer Actual time recorded in seconds
File Name Text 255 Path/File Name of stored WAV file Beats Integer
Beats per minute Playlist Number Counter Database assigned key
Master Title Text 50 Playlist Number Integer Link to Playlist table
Detail Play Order Integer Order the track was placed within the
playbook CD Number Long Integer Link to Track table Track Byte Link
to Track table Artist Artist Code Counter Database assigned Artist
index Artist Name Text 255 Type Type Code Counter Program assigned
index to Music Type Music Type Text 50
* * * * *