U.S. patent application number 12/329436 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for ordering items of playable content or other works.
This patent application is currently assigned to Accenture. Invention is credited to Oday Abbosh, Gavin Mann.
Application Number | 20090112702 12/329436 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27255547 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090112702 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abbosh; Oday ; et
al. |
April 30, 2009 |
ORDERING ITEMS OF PLAYABLE CONTENT OR OTHER WORKS
Abstract
A terminal and system for sampling and ordering items of
playable content prior to potential purchase, the terminal being
preferably located at a retail site, comprising input means for
inputting selection information, and reproduction means for
replaying parts of selected items, the terminal being arranged to
determine a characteristic of a particular item in dependence on
local factors such as factors relating to the site in which the
terminal is located.
Inventors: |
Abbosh; Oday; (The Hague,
GB) ; Mann; Gavin; (The Hague, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Assignee: |
Accenture
Schaffhausen
CH
|
Family ID: |
27255547 |
Appl. No.: |
12/329436 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10204569 |
Feb 13, 2003 |
|
|
|
PCT/GB01/00719 |
Feb 21, 2001 |
|
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12329436 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.52 ;
705/26.1; 705/400; 707/999.104; 707/999.107; 707/E17.044 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/201 20130101;
G06Q 30/0601 20130101; G06Q 30/0254 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06Q 20/20 20130101; G06Q 30/0283 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/10 ; 705/400;
707/104.1; 707/E17.044 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00; G06Q 50/00 20060101 G06Q050/00; G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 21, 2000 |
GB |
0004066.7 |
May 22, 2000 |
GB |
0012393.5 |
Nov 1, 2000 |
GB |
0026701.3 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A system comprising: one or more computers; and a
computer-readable medium coupled to the one or more computers
having instructions stored thereon for enabling a customer to
sample items of playable content prior to purchase, the
instructions, when executed by the one or more computers, causing
the one or more computers to perform operations comprising:
receiving, over a private telecommunications channel from a
terminal disposed in a retail site, input selection information
identifying an item to be sampled by a customer, the item including
playable content; determining a base price associated with the
item; determining, when the input selection information is
received, a current usage of the private telecommunications
channel, accessing a pricing model for the item of playable content
that depends on the current usage of the private telecommunications
channel when the input selection information is received;
determining a price characteristic of the item of playable content
based on the base price and the pricing model; transmitting the
price characteristic over the private telecommunications channel to
the terminal for display to the customer; transmitting a sample of
the item over the private telecommunications channel to the
terminal; and receiving a signal indicating that the customer
intends to purchase the item, after the price characteristic has
been transmitted to the terminal.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the private telecommunications
channel is a secure private telecommunications channel other than
the Internet.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the price characteristic
comprises a price of the item of playable content at a time when
the current usage is determined.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein the database record further
comprises a mood classification field.
6. The system of claim 2, wherein the database record further
comprises an average age field.
7. The system of claim 2, wherein the database record further
comprises a predominant sex field.
8. The system of claim 2, wherein determining the price
characteristic of the item further comprises: calculating a first
price when the current usage of the private telecommunications
channel is at a first network load; and calculating a second price
when the current usage of the private telecommunications channel is
at a second network load, wherein the first price is different from
the second price.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first price is lower than the
second price when the first network load is lower than the second
network load, and wherein the first price is higher than the second
price when the first network load is higher than the second network
load.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first network load
corresponds to an off-peak network load, and wherein the second
network load corresponds to a peak network load.
11. The system of claim 2, further comprising: interrogating a
stock control computer associated with the retail site based on the
item, and transmitting an availability indicia to the terminal over
the private telecommunications channel when, based on interrogating
the stock control computer, the item is available at the retail
site.
12. The system of claim 2, wherein determining a base price
associated with the item further comprises interrogating a content
database for a database record associated with the content.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the database record further
comprises two or more of a catalog number field, a mood
classification field, an average age field, a predominant sex
field, a related item list field, and a delivery period field.
14. The system of claim 2, wherein the item is an album, a video
cassette, a T-shirt, a video game, or a digital versatile disc
(DVD).
15. The system of claim 2, wherein transmitting the sample of the
item over the private telecommunications channel to the terminal
further comprises downloading music content to an MPEG-1 Audio
Layer 3 (MP3) player at the terminal.
16. A computer-implemented method for enabling a customer to sample
items of playable content prior to purchase, comprising: receiving,
over a private telecommunications channel from a terminal disposed
in a retail site, input selection information identifying an item
to be sampled by a customer, the item including playable content;
determining a base price associated with the item; determining,
when the input selection information is received, a current usage
of the private telecommunications channel; accessing a pricing
model for the item of playable content that depends on the current
usage of the private telecommunications channel when the input
selection information is received; determining a price
characteristic of the item of playable content based on the base
price and the pricing model; transmitting the price characteristic
over the private telecommunications channel to the terminal for
display to the customer; transmitting a sample of the item over the
private telecommunications channel to the terminal; and receiving a
signal indicating that the customer intends to purchase the item,
after the price characteristic has been transmitted to the
terminal.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: interrogating a
stock control computer associated with the retail site based on the
item, and transmitting an availability indicia to the terminal over
the private telecommunications channel when, based on interrogating
the stock control computer, the item is available at the retail
site.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the database record further
comprises two or more of a catalog number field, a mood
classification field, an average age field, a predominant sex
field, a related item list field, and a delivery period field.
19. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program
comprising instructions for enabling a customer to sample items of
playable content prior to purchase, the instructions, when
executed, operate to cause a computer to perform operations
comprising: receiving, over a private telecommunications channel
from a terminal disposed in a retail site, input selection
information identifying an item to be sampled by a customer, the
item including playable content; determining a base price
associated with the item; determining, when the input selection
information is received, a current usage of the private
telecommunications channel; accessing a pricing model for the item
of playable content that depends on the current usage of the
private telecommunications channel when the input selection
information is received; determining a price characteristic of the
item of playable content based on the base price and the pricing
model; transmitting the price characteristic over the private
telecommunications channel to the terminal for display to the
customer; transmitting a sample of the item over the private
telecommunications channel to the terminal; and receiving a signal
indicating that the customer intends to purchase the item, after
the price characteristic has been transmitted to the terminal.
20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the private
telecommunications channel is a secure private telecommunications
channel other than the Internet.
21. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the database
record further comprises an average age field.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/204,569, filed Feb. 13, 2003, which is a .sctn. 371 of
PCT/GB01/00719, filed Feb. 21, 2001, which claims priority to G.B.
Application No.: 0004066.7, filed Feb. 21, 2000, G.B. Application
No.: 0012393.5, filed May 22, 2000, and G.B. Application No.:
0026701.3, filed Nov. 1, 2000, all of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to apparatus and methods for
electronically ordering items of playable content such as musical
works, videos or films, computer games and simulations, or other
audiovisual works.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventionally, such works are purchased as boxed media
(e.g. a tape, a Compact Disc (CD) or a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)
carrying the work recorded on them, over the counter of a shop, or
by post from a catalogue supplier. Much music is sold through
specialist music shops, with knowledgeable counter staff to assist
in selection and purchase, although large supermarkets or
department stores may carry a limited range of more popular works.
Historically, much the same pattern has developed for videos and
computer games, which are stocked by specialist music shops and by
smaller numbers of specialist game and/or video shops, as well as
(in limited range) in large supermarkets or department stores.
[0004] Specialist music shops sometimes have listening booths,
operating somewhat like a jukebox, where a prospective customer can
select and hear part of a work to determine whether or not to
purchase it. For other advice, such as on availability of new works
by particular artists, or on suitable works for purchase for a
gift, the advice of the specialist shop staff is sought.
Non-specialist shops, of course, lack either of these
facilities.
[0005] Recently, Internet "shops" such as Amazon (URL
www.amazon.com) and Books Online (URL www.bol.com) have made a
business of selling books and, more recently, musical works via the
Internet, charging by credit card. In some cases, the prospective
purchaser can download and play a clip of the work to be purchased.
However, at present, this channel is available only to the
technically literate, in possession of a multimedia personal
computer and appropriate software. Concerns are also expressed
about the security of credit card transactions over the Internet,
where data may be intercepted by fraudsters. Whatever the real
level of risk involved, the threat of fraud can at present deter
customers.
[0006] European patent application EP 0649 121 describes a booth or
kiosk type system located at retail premises and connected to a
number of content servers for downloading content in real-time. The
content servers are arranged hierarchically so that distributed
local servers predominantly store currently popular content and
central servers store a more complete content list. Thus, network
load is reduced while still making available a comprehensive
catalogue of items. The kiosks/booths are connected to customer
accounting and sale systems, but not to any in-store stock system.
Items for purchase are locally recorded onto physical media (eg.
burnt onto a CD) rather than being ordered or bought from in-store
stock.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,157 describes a kiosk-based system
placed in a retail outlet for providing a potential buyer with
"preview" music samples from CDs. The music samples are stored in a
compressed format on a number of CD ROM discs in a multi-disc
loader system. The user obtains a subscription card (by filling out
an application form) and selects a CD box from the store display.
The kiosk scans the user's subscription card and the CD and
identifies the user and CD. A graphical user interface of the kiosk
presents a relevant photograph for the CD and a series of
touchscreen buttons for various songs on the CD. The user selects a
song for previewing by touching one of the buttons. The patent also
describes a central server connected to each kiosk over a
telecommunications link for collecting data concerning use of the
kiosk. Data collected may be used as a marketing tool. Further, the
patent also describes playing a CD sampler on the stores sound
system so that a customer can become interested in a track, ask the
sales assistants for details and use the kiosk to find out
more.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,963,916 takes the kiosk system, located at
retail premises, of the previously described patent and describes
some improvements. The major development is that the kiosks are now
dumb web clients and receive both the "preview" music samples (as
an audio stream) and the user interface (ie. HTML pages) over a
telecommunications link from a centralised Web server. Also, the
customer is now able to place an order for purchasing CDs using a
shopping basket concept on the kiosk. The system is also described
as being suitable for home computer use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present applicants propose a new distribution channel
for electronically ordering playable works. It consists of a
plurality of preferably freestanding, self-service terminals,
located in high density retail sites. Each is equipped with a
reproduction system for playing the works, and input devices for
inputting selection, ordering, and payment information.
[0010] By providing the terminals, rather than relying on shop
staff, customers are freed from the need to seek out and shop at
specialist shops. Where, as envisaged, the terminal is sited in a
general shop (such as a supermarket or department store), the
customer can make specialist purchases of works not stocked in the
shop, without leaving the shop, to the benefit of the customer and
shop owners alike.
[0011] Further, the customer can make their selections in private,
and in their own time.
[0012] By providing specialised freestanding, self-service
terminals, rather than allowing access through a customer's
computer and the Internet, the customer can be precluded from
storing or copying the works, thus reassuring the copyright holders
of the works that piracy is impossible.
[0013] Preferably, the terminals are interconnected with one or
more database-storing computers via a private telecommunications
channel (rather than the Internet). This enables credit card and
other payment data to be carried securely, allowing the customer to
purchase without fear of fraud.
[0014] Preferably, the channel is broadband in the to-terminal
direction. This allows the works, and associated data, to be stored
centrally rather than locally at each terminal, allowing the
terminals to be kept up to date without periodic large-scale
updating of the data stored at the terminals, whilst enabling them
to be downloaded for replay substantially without delay, to avoid
what Internet users have termed the "World-Wide Wait".
[0015] Preferably, the terminals are arranged to accept input of a
number of different search parameters, and to locate works
corresponding to the parameters for selection by the customer.
These parameters will include the name of artist or the name of the
work, and preferably also some genre classification information on
the work (e.g., for a musical recording, "dance", "easy listening",
"country" and so on, as currently used in specialist music shops or
catalogues).
[0016] Preferably, the record stored for each work in the
database-storing computer also includes co-selection information,
indicating other works commonly selected by previous customers who
have selected the work concerned, and/or demographic information
indicating the average age, sex, and other demographic parameters
of previous customers who have selected the work concerned. Thus,
the prospective customer can search for a suitable work (for
example, as a gift) by inputting demographic data of the
recipient.
[0017] Preferably, the terminals are arranged or adapted to
determine, or obtain information determinative of, a characteristic
of a particular work, or item of playable content, in dependence on
local factors such as factors relating to the site in which a given
terminal is located.
[0018] For instance, the database-storing computer preferably has a
connection to the stock control computers of one or more shops (or
chains of shops) in which the terminals may be located. Thus, if a
customer wishes to order a particular work, the database-storing
computer may determine the location of the terminal; interrogate
the stock control computer of the chain of shops (if any) including
that at which it is located; and, if the work is indicated to be
available at that shop; transmit an indication thereof to the
terminal to allow the terminal to display the fact to the customer.
Thus, the customer has the option of making an immediate purchase
of the work from their present location, or of ordering it for
delivery.
[0019] Furthermore, the price of the particular work or item may be
determined in dependence on local factors such as whether or not
the particular item is available in the site within which the
terminal is located, the time of day, day of week, the geographical
location of the site, the identity of the particular retail site,
the current usage of the network, the identity of the particular
item, and the demand for the particular item.
[0020] Furthermore, the terminal is preferably arranged to
determine whether a particular work or item is or has recently been
playing in the site within which the terminal is located, and, if
so, to indicate the fact to the customer. Thus, the customer may
easily sample or order, using the terminal, an item which is
currently playing or has recently been played in the general area
of the retail site or shop in which the terminal is located.
[0021] Preferably, the terminals include a card reader (e.g. a
magnetic stripe reader or a "smart card" reader) arranged to accept
standardised credit, debit or loyalty cards. This provides an
additional level of security over simply typing in the credit card
number (which might have been fraudulently obtained).
[0022] Preferably, the database-storing computer includes a
customer database, storing name, address, and demographic
information for each customer who undergoes a registration
operation at the terminal, at the first time of use of the system.
On subsequent uses, the customer may simply be recognised by the
insertion of their credit, or other payment card (or by typing in
their name). Thus, the need for the customer to re-key details such
as their home address for delivery is reduced.
[0023] Preferably, the terminals include a printer, to allow the
printing of a receipt for each order, thus increasing the level of
customer assurance in the transaction.
[0024] Preferably, the system is capable of varying the prices of
articles, using the local date/time and/or location of the
terminals.
[0025] Other aspects, embodiments and preferred features are as
described in the following description, claims and drawings, with
advantages which will be apparent hereafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated, by way
of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall
organisation of apparatus of a first embodiment of the
invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the components of a
terminal of FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a screenshot of a default page displayed by a
terminal of the first embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a screenshot of a main menu page displayed by a
terminal of the first embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a screenshot of a main music menu page displayed
by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a screenshot of a rock/pop/dance/jazz search page
displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a screenshot of a search by artist page displayed
by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 8 is a screenshot of a search results page displayed by
a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 9 is a screenshot of a first product details page
displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 10 is a screenshot of a second product details page
displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 11 is a screenshot of a third product details page
displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 12 is a screenshot of a shopping basket page displayed
by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 13 is a screenshot of a customer identification page
displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 14 is a screenshot of a new customer registration page
displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 15 is a screenshot of an order summary page displayed
by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 16 is a screenshot of a giftwrapping and message entry
page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0043] FIG. 17 is a screenshot of a delivery address entry page
displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0044] FIG. 18 is a screenshot of a payment details entry page
displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 19 is a screenshot of an order review page displayed by
a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0046] FIG. 20 is a screenshot of a receipt printing page displayed
by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0047] FIG. 21 is a screenshot of a confirmation of order page
displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0048] FIG. 22 is a screenshot of an existing customer registration
page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0049] FIG. 23 is a screenshot of a customer menu page displayed by
a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0050] FIG. 24 is a screenshot of a customer details edit page
displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0051] FIG. 25 is a screenshot of a customer order status page
displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0052] FIG. 26 is a screenshot of a customer loyalty points page
displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0053] FIG. 27 is a flow diagram showing the response queuing
process followed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0054] FIG. 28 is a flow diagram showing the download queuing
process followed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0055] FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram showing a typical data record
maintained by a host computer contents database of the first
embodiment;
[0056] FIG. 30 is a flow diagram showing the response queuing
process followed by a terminal of the first embodiment;
[0057] FIG. 31 is a screen shot of a main menu page according to a
second embodiment;
[0058] FIG. 32 is a screen shot of a genre menu page of the second
embodiment;
[0059] FIG. 33 is a screen shot of a browse page of the second
embodiment;
[0060] FIG. 34 is a screen shot of a results page of the second
embodiment;
[0061] FIG. 35 is a screen shot of a review page of the second
embodiment; and
[0062] FIG. 36 shows a process of selecting and playing background
music.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0063] Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the invention
comprises a plurality of kiosk terminals 10a, 10b . . . . Each is
located at a suitable site. Terminal 10a is located at a department
store. Terminal 10b is located within a concourse of a shopping
centre or mall. Other terminals 10 (not shown) are located at other
high-density retail sites.
[0064] Each terminal 10 is connected to a high bandwidth network
20, and thence to a central host computer 30. The network comprises
a private virtual network made up of high capacity leased lines to
each terminal 10, capable of delivering music or video clips of up
to a minute without excessive delay (i.e. in seconds or less). It
may, for example, comprise a 512Kbit/sec leased line. It also
comprises a pair of signalling channels, one in the to-terminal
direction and one in the from-terminal direction; these carry data
input by the customer and read from the card reader of the
terminals, and hence a much lower data rate is satisfactory (e.g. a
few hundred bits per second or less).
[0065] The host computer 30 comprises a plurality of circuit
interfaces for communicating simultaneously with a plurality of the
terminals 10; and a processor (and associated memory and permanent
storage) performing a program for responding to requests for data,
and handling purchase orders, from the terminals 10 as will be
discussed in more detail below.
[0066] It is connected to interrogate a content database 40 and a
customer database 50, which each be provided on storage comprised
within or co-located with the host computer 30; or alternatively
may be remotely located therefrom.
[0067] It is also connected (e.g. via a leased line signalling
connection) to the central stock computer 60 of the chain of stores
which includes the store in which the terminal 10a is located. That
computer 60 is connected to (or includes) a stock database listing
the items carried and the shops in which they are carried. In
general, the host computer 30 is connected to the central computers
of all shop chains in which terminals 10 are located.
[0068] It is also connected to the network of a credit card company
90, and of an order and delivery company 80 (e.g. a so-called
"fulfilment" agency such as Entertainment UK or E-UK, website at
www.entuk.com, specialising in supply of items to order).
[0069] FIG. 29 shows content database 40 and a typical database
record 660 held for a pop music album track. Database records are
stored by individual track rather than album. Data record 660
contains a plurality of fields such as artist name, record label,
album title from which the track is taken, track title, release
date, genre, catalogue number, occasion/mood classification,
average age interested in the album from which the track is taken,
predominant sex interested in the album from which the track is
taken, a related product list (i.e. the catalogue numbers of
related products that a customer may be interested in purchasing),
base price of product, delivery period of product, art clips, sound
samples, written notes concerning the album from which the track is
taken, and written reviews of the album from which the track is
taken. This data may be obtained from music industry sources such
as Muze Inc..TM. (website at www.muze.com).
[0070] The average age interested and predominant sex interested
may also be updated from records of sales of the album made using
the kiosk system. Similarly the related product list may be
compiled from data obtained from records of sales made using the
kiosk system, such as the most common products bought by all those
who have bought the album concerned.
[0071] The occasion/mood classification identifies occasions/moods
for which the album is suitable, and is used, together with the
average age interested and predominant sex interested fields, to
provide a general search page for customers looking for a product
to suit a mood or occasion or suitable as a present for a person of
a certain age and sex.
[0072] Referring now to FIG. 2, each terminal 10 comprises an input
device 102; a display screen 104; a microcomputer 106; a printer
108; a credit card reader 110; a modem 112; an audio reproduction
circuit 114; all located within a housing 116 defining a
free-standing unit to which access to the interior is
impossible.
[0073] The microcomputer 106 comprises a commercially available
device, for example incorporating an Intel Pentium.TM.
microprocessor or equivalent, and peripheral chips, and associated
memory. No floppy disc device or other removable storage device is
provided. An internal hard disc may be provided, or the operating
program (to be described) may operate from Read-Only Memory
(ROM).
[0074] The credit card reader and printer are commercially
available devices as used in Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs).
[0075] The audio reproduction device 114 may be a sound card (e.g.
a Soundblaster.TM. compatible card) together with a stereo pair of
loudspeakers, arranged to play audio data from the microcomputer
106.
[0076] The input device 102 and display screen 104 are conveniently
integrated into a touchscreen device, allowing the user to interact
directly with the screen and eliminating moving parts. They are
positioned towards the top of the freestanding unit, at around
chest height for an average person. The loudspeakers of the audio
reproduction system 114 are positioned at either side of the
touchscreen. The modem 112 is connected to a plug at the bottom of
the terminal 10, connected to a socket in the floor of the retail
environment in which it is located, carrying a line into the
network 20, inaccessible to a customer. In a variant of the present
embodiment, the terminal is integrated into non-freestanding shop
equipment, furniture or building.
[0077] The microcomputer 106 runs an operating system (e.g. Windows
2000.TM., Windows CE.TM. both available from Microsoft, EPOC 32
available from Symbian, or UNIX), supporting a graphical user
interface (GUI) and a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). The JVM program
interprets a Java program which controls the interaction between
the terminal 10 and the customer.
[0078] In use, as will be described in greater detail below, the
kiosk terminal 10 displays a series of screens which include
displaying "button" areas, through which a user can input data or
select from a list of options. In response to the input of data,
further screens will be displayed, and communications with the host
computer 30 will take place. The kiosk terminal 10 (and, where
relevant, host computer 30) are arranged to perform at least the
following processes: [0079] 1--Register a new user (and record
their details in the customer database). [0080] 2--Allow a new or
existing user to log on. [0081] 3--Allow the user to browse or
search the database for works to be purchased. [0082] 4--Compile a
list of works to be purchased (i.e. an "order basket"). [0083]
5--Enter an address for shipping. [0084] 6--Pay for an order by
credit card or the like. [0085] 7--Check whether the work to be
purchased is available in the premises where the kiosk terminal 10
is located. [0086] 8--Propose possible purchases based on
similarity to current or previous purchases. [0087] 9--Print out a
receipt.
[0088] The functioning of the kiosk system of the present invention
will now be described as used by a customer in a store in which a
kiosk terminal, such as kiosk 10a, is located, with reference to
FIGS. 3 to 26. Whilst specific mention will be made of interaction
occurring between the microcomputer 106 of kiosk 10a and host
computer 30, over network link 20 at various points in the
following section, it is to be understood that the kiosk system is
a networked system in which frequent interaction occurs between the
various elements making up the system shown at FIG. 1.
[0089] The general processes involved in interaction between the
customer, kiosk 10a and host computer 30 will be described below
with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28.
[0090] With kiosk 10a in a powered-up but unused state,
microcomputer 106 displays a default page on display 104. FIG. 3.
shows the default page 200 which constitutes a background image 202
with the brand name of the kiosk system and various text messages
204 including message "Touch screen to start" presented within a
button 206. A customer wishing to use kiosk 10a touches
touch-screen input 102 at button 206 which causes microcomputer 106
to display the main menu page of the kiosk system shown at FIG.
4.
[0091] Main menu page 210 shows a series of main options and
associated buttons 212 (games), 214 (entertainment), 216 (music)
corresponding to the categories of items that can be purchased
using the kiosk system. Also shown is a standard menu bar 220 with
four buttons 222, 224, 226 and 228 for accessing help information,
entering customer details, viewing previous or existing orders and
exiting to the default page respectively. This standard menu bar is
generally displayed on every page, except default page 200, to
assist customers to use the system more efficiently.
[0092] Also shown on main menu page 210 is a related information
panel 230 which is used dynamically to display related information
to the customer such as related items the customer may be
interested in purchasing. Here, related information panel 230 shows
basic details of two currently popular albums 232 and 234,
including the titles, prices and front cover art clips. Beneath the
details for album 232 are two buttons 236 and 238 for previewing
and purchasing the albums respectively. If the customer presses
input 102 at button 236, microcomputer 106 displays a page such as
described below with reference to FIG. 9 for providing the customer
with details of the album such as artist, title, record label,
original release date, track listing, total length, price and
delivery period as well further notes, reviews, and the option to
play selected sound clips from the album via the audio reproduction
114. These data are retrieved via host computer 30 from database
40. If, however, the customer presses input 102 at button 238,
microcomputer 106 displays a page such as described below with
reference to FIG. 12 for purchasing the album there and then.
[0093] In general, the information displayed on the related
information panel 230 may be related to any of the information
currently displayed on the page, previous selections or other
information input by the customer (whether in the current session
with the kiosk 10a or in previous sessions with a kiosk of the same
network), various aspects of the store or trade channel in which
kiosk 10a is located, or other information supplied by one of the
computers connected to microcomputer 106.
[0094] Typically these will be items the customer may be interested
in buying whether items of the same category--e.g. another album by
the same artist or a related artist--or items of different
categories--e.g. a video or T-shirt featuring the same artist.
Furthermore, the related information panel is not static, but is
dynamically updated at regular intervals to present further
products of potential interest to the customer
[0095] With respect to main menu page 210 in particular, albums 232
and 234 are the albums which are or have been currently playing in
the store in which kiosk 10a is located. This information is
dynamically obtained by microcomputer 106 from store computer 60
via host computer 30 and network 20 (but could be obtained from the
music playing device or devices serving the store, or input
manually into microcomputer 106).
[0096] The functionality of the system will now be described in
relation to two scenarios. In the first scenario, described with
reference to FIGS. 5 to 21, a new customer performs a search for a
product, registers their details and then completes a purchase
using the kiosk. In the second scenario, described with reference
to FIGS. 13, and 22 to 26, an existing customer logs onto the kiosk
and inspects their details, previous order status and loyalty
points.
[0097] The first scenario will be described in respect of the
customer searching for and purchasing an album using the music
option of main menu page 210 (although there are no material
functional differences between use of the system for purchasing an
album or any of the other categories of work). To select the music
option, the customer presses input 102 at button 216. This causes
microcomputer 106 to display the main music menu page 240 on
display 104, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0098] Related information panel 230 is displayed as described
above, save that different albums are presented to the customer, in
this case two current best selling products. Also displayed is menu
location bar 250 and standard menu bar 220. Menu location bar 250
shows the position of main music menu page 240 in relation to
previous pages displayed. The menu location bar is generally
displayed on every page, except default page 200 and main menu page
210, to assist customers to use the system more efficiently. It
also can be used by the customer to return to previous pages
displayed by pressing the appropriate part of the screen. Standard
menu bar 252 provides a series of buttons as described above but
with an additional button 254 for returning to the main menu and an
additional button 264 for going back one page. The customer is also
presented with a series of options and associated buttons 242
(search by genre--rock/pop/dance/jazz), 243 (search
classical/opera), 244 (charts), 245 (prerelease information), 246
(special offers), 247 (search for music for an occasion/mood/gift)
corresponding to the various ways in which the kiosk system can be
used to search for music. The customer selects the option he is
interested in using for searching for music and presses the
appropriate button.
[0099] The search rock/pop/dance/jazz option will be described
below in detail. The search classical/opera option is similar to
the rock/pop/dance/jazz option, save for differing fields with
which content database 40, which contains a catalogue of classified
products can be searched. The charts option allows the customer to
view, search or purchase products from the current overall charts
and charts for particular genres of music. The pre-release option
allows customers to view, search for information concerning, and
pre-order forthcoming releases of works.
[0100] In general, the above options are enabled by microcomputer
106 passing a database search request to host computer 30 over
network link 20. Host computer 30 then performs a database search
of content database 40 and passes the data records for each
matching work, in response, back to microcomputer 106. The special
offers option allows customers to view, search for and purchase
product that are under special promotion such as price discounts.
This information is obtained from pricing information held by host
computer 30.
[0101] The occasion/mood/gift option allows customers to obtain
advice on a product which is suitable for a particular
occasions/moods, or suitable as a gift for a person of a particular
age, sex and interests. Content database 40 maintains product
records including fields for genre, occasion/mood suitability,
average age interested in the product, and predominant sex
interested in the product. The customer inputs the
occasion/mood/gift information, which is used to perform a search
of content database 40 using the above identified fields.
[0102] If the customer is interested in buying an album of the
Beatles, he/she will press rock/pop/dance/jazz button 242. This
causes microcomputer to display a search page specific to
rock/pop/dance/jazz music.
[0103] FIG. 6 shows rock/pop/dance/jazz search page 260 displayed
on display 104. Menu location bar 250 shows the position of
rock/pop/dance/jazz search page 260 in relation to previous pages
displayed. Standard menu bar 220 provides a series of buttons as
described above. Also shown are a series of search options and
associated buttons 264 (search by artist name), 266 (search by
album name), 268 (search by track name), 270 (search by type of
music), 272 (search by record label name), 274 (search by album
release date), and 276 (advanced search). The various search
options correspond to some of the fields by which individual data
records of content database 30 are classified as described below
with reference to FIG. 29. Advanced search refers to a search
combining various basic search options together. The customer
selects search by artist by pressing button 264 and the appropriate
search page is displayed.
[0104] FIG. 7 shows search by artist page 280 displayed on display
104 comprising menu location bar 250, standard menu bar 220, a text
input line 282, a keyboard 284 (consisting of individual buttons
for the individual keys of a "qwerty" keyboard), a search button
286 for starting the searching process, and change search type bar
288 (consisting of the various pop search options described above
and corresponding buttons) for selecting a different search type.
Using the buttons of keyboard 284, the customer enters the search
string "BEATLES" on to touch-screen input 102 and presses button
286 to start the search.
[0105] In response, microcomputer 106 of kiosk 10a sends a request
for a database search of content database 40 over the network link
20 to host computer 30. Host computer 30 performs the database
search and transmits the results to microcomputer 106 over the
network link 20. The data transmitted includes, for each database
record, record label, album title, release date, and delivery
period.
[0106] The base price field of each database record is used by host
computer 30 to compute a product price in accordance with a pricing
model maintained by host computer 30 and these product prices are
transmitted to microcomputer 106. The pricing model may depend on
the time of day, day of week, geographical location of the
kiosk/store, the particular store or retail chain, the current
usage of network 20, and/or other variables. For example, it may
provide discounts on certain products as part of a promotion, or
add a premium to certain products during periods of peak demand.
Discounts based on time of day, or day of week may also be used, to
entice customers into the store within which the kiosk terminal is
located, at off-peak times. Also, price variations based on network
usage may help level loading of the network and other elements of
the system.
[0107] Additionally, microcomputer 106 requests host computer 30 to
query store computer 60 as to whether each product listed in the
search result is available in the store in which kiosk 10a is
located and, if so, to obtain the store price from stock database
70 via store computer 60. FIG. 30 shows the process followed in
determining whether to use, for each product listed, the price
maintained by the kiosk system or the in store price. The process
starts at step 600 and, at step 602, store computer is queried by
host computer 30 for the stock and price details of the product. At
step 604, host computer 30 determines whether the product is
available in the store in which the kiosk is located. If it is the
process continues to step 606 at which the price data obtained from
the store computer is used for later transmission to microcomputer
106. If not, the process continues to step 608 at which the price
computed by host computer 30 in accordance with the pricing model
is used for later transmission to microcomputer 106 together with
the delivery data.
[0108] Once this process is completed, microcomputer 106 displays
the search results to the customer on a search results page as
shown at FIG. 8. Search results page 290 comprises menu location
bar 250, standard menu bar 220, a description of the search
performed 292, the number of products found 294, and a breakdown of
those products 296. Product breakdown 296 is presented in a tabular
format with a horizontal column title bar 298 and a pair of
vertical scroll buttons 300 for moving the product selected (shown
as a highlighted line) up and down. Descriptions of individual
products 302 are listed line by line and include details of album
name, artist name, original release date, delivery period and
price. The price and delivery period are determined as described
above.
[0109] If the product is available in the store, the delivery
period section contains the message "IN STORE" to inform the
customer. Alongside each item of product list 302 are a pair of
buttons 304 and 306 for, respectively, obtaining further details of
or buying the product listed.
[0110] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, where a
product is available in the store and via the kiosk, the customer
is presented with details of both options--i.e. price and delivery
details for via kiosk purchase, and price details for in store
purchase. The kiosk, however, does not allow the customer to
purchase an in store product using the kiosk. Rather, the customer
must pay using the store's usual payment facilities.
[0111] The customer, wishing to see details of the Beatles Red
Album, presses input 102 at button 304. This causes microcomputer
106 to request further data from content database 40 via host
computer 30, such as art clips, track information, sound samples,
notes, reviews and related product information, and to display on
display 104 a product detail page as shown at FIG. 9. If, however,
the customer had pressed button 306, he/she would have been shown
the shopping basket page shown at FIG. 12 and described in detail
below.
[0112] FIG. 9 shows product detail page 310 which comprises menu
location bar 250, standard menu bar 220, related information panel
230 and a detailed section on the product selected 312. The related
information panel 230 shows basic details of two other albums by
the Beatles which may interest the customer, together with buttons
for purchasing and previewing those albums as described above with
reference to FIG. 4. These albums are selected in dependence on the
related product list field of the record corresponding to the
Beatles Red Album held in content database 40--see below and FIG.
29 for further explanation. Detail section 312 comprises the
description information 314 as displayed in search result page 290,
art clip 316 taken from the album, track window 318, plus four
buttons 320, 322, 324 and 326 for seeing notes, review, starting a
new search and purchasing the album, respectively.
[0113] Track window 318 shows the tracks included on the album line
by line together with a pair of scroll buttons for moving the track
selected (shown as a highlighted line) up and down, a set of
control buttons (play, stop, rewind, fast forward) for playing
samples of the track selected, volume control buttons and a volume
indicator. By selecting a track and pressing play, the customer
causes microcomputer 106 to download from the host computer 30, and
play, a sample of the track through the audio reproduction system
114. The other playing controls also function conventionally.
[0114] Pressing button 320 causes microcomputer 106 to display
written notes containing information about the album in place of
art clip 316 and buttons 320 and 322. FIG. 10 shows the product
details page 310 with notes 328 displayed together with a pair of
vertical scroll bars for moving the notes up and down, and an "OK"
for returning to the art clip display. Similarly, pressing button
322 causes microcomputer 106 to display written reviews of the
album in place of art clip 316 and buttons 320 and 322. FIG. 11
shows the product details page 310 with reviews 330 displayed
together with a pair of vertical scroll bars for moving the reviews
up and down, and an "OK" for returning to the art clip display.
[0115] If the customer decided not to buy the product, pressing
button 324 of product details page 310 would return him/her to
search by artist page 280 described above. However, assuming the
customer decides to purchase the product, he/she presses button 326
which causes the Beatles Red Album to be added to the customers
shopping basket held in microcomputer 106 (as a temporary stored
list of items to be purchased) and microcomputer 106 to display a
shopping basket page shown at FIG. 12.
[0116] Shopping basket page 340 comprises menu location bar 250,
standard menu bar 220 together with a section 342 showing
descriptions of the customer's prospective purchases line by line,
including a column for quantity, and the total price in box 344. In
FIG. 12, there is only one product displayed since the customer has
only selected one album to buy. Shopping basket page 340 also
contains four buttons 346, 348, 350, and 352 which are,
respectively, for deleting a selected product from the shopping
basket, changing the quantity of items to be ordered for a selected
product, returning to search by artist page 280 (to continue
searching for additional items to add to the shopping basket), and
proceeding to purchase the items in the shopping basket.
[0117] Wishing to proceed to purchase the Beatles Red Album, the
customer presses input 102 at button 352 which causes microcomputer
106 to display a customer query page shown at FIG. 13. Customer
query page 360 comprises menu location bar 250 and standard menu
bar 220 together with a notice to the customer to either identify
him/herself as a new customer by pressing button 362, or as an
existing customer by pressing button 364. The customer query page
360 also contains a confidentiality policy notice 366. In this
first scenario, the customer is new and, accordingly, presses
button 362 causing microcomputer 106 to display a customer
registration page shown at FIG. 14.
[0118] Customer registration page 370 comprises menu location bar
250, standard menu bar 220 together with a set of text boxes 372
for displaying customer details such as first and last name, postal
address including town/city, postcode and country and email
address. Customer registration page 370 further comprises a display
of a keyboard 374 as described above in relation to keyboard 284 of
FIG. 7 with an additional key button marked "next box" for moving
the point of entry of customer information between individual boxes
of text boxes 372. The customer may use keyboard 374 to enter his
name, postal and electronic addresses and press "OK" button 376
when finished. Alternatively, the customer may swipe a card
obtained previously from the kiosk operators through credit card
reader 110 to enter his details automatically, and then press the
"OK" button 376. Once the customer details have been entered and
the "OK" button is pressed the details are transmitted by
microcomputer 106 to host computer 30 over the network link 20 for
storage in customer database 50. Then microcomputer 106 displays an
order review page as shown at FIG. 15.
[0119] Order review page 380 comprises menu location bar 250,
standard menu bar 220 together with customer details section 382
showing the name and postal address of the customer and the
delivery address (which defaults to the customer address), plus an
order details section 384 showing the same details as prospective
purchases section 342 described above in relation to FIG. 12. Order
review page 380 further comprises four buttons 386, 388, 390, and
392 which are, respectively, for selecting giftwrapping of the
order, changing the delivery address, changing the order, and
continuing with the transaction. Pressing button 386 takes the
customer to a gift requirements page shown at FIG. 16.
[0120] Gift requirements page 400 comprises menu location bar 250,
standard menu bar 220 together with wrapping paper options 402
which may be selected by pressing the selected box, a text box 404
for entering a gift message using keyboard 406 and an "OK" button
408 for continuing when the customer has completed his/her
requirements. Pressing button 408 returns the customer to order
review page 380.
[0121] Pressing button 388 of order review page 380 takes the
customer to a delivery address entry page 410 shown at FIG. 17
which comprises menu location bar 250, standard menu bar 220
together with a set of text boxes 412 for displaying delivery
details such as first and last name of addressee, postal address
including town/city, postcode and country and email address.
Delivery address entry page 410 further comprises a keyboard 414 as
described above in relation to FIG. 14. The customer uses keyboard
414 to enter the name, postal and electronic addresses of the
deliveree and presses "OK" button 416 when finished to return to
order review page 380.
[0122] Pressing button 390 of order review page 380 takes the
customer back to shopping basket page 340 in which the details of
the order may be changed. However, if the customer is satisfied
with the order as it stands, he/she may continue with the
transaction by pressing button 392 which causes microcomputer 106
to display a payment information entry page as shown at FIG.
18.
[0123] Payment information entry page 420 comprises menu location
bar 250, standard menu bar 220 together with payment card selection
boxes 422, a set of text boxes 424 for displaying customer payment
details, keyboard 426 and an "OK" button 428. To enter payment
details the customer may either use selection boxes 422 and
keyboard 426 to manually enter the details or simply swipe his/her
payment card through card reader 110 whereupon microcomputer 106
receives the payment details automatically and displays them at
text boxes 424. When complete the customer presses "OK" button 428
which causes microcomputer 106 to display an order summary page on
display 104 as shown at FIG. 19.
[0124] Order summary page 430 comprises menu location bar 250,
standard menu bar 220 together with payment details section 432
showing the name and postal address of the customer, the delivery
address (by default, the customer's own address is initially
displayed), and the payment details such as card type and number,
plus an order details section 434 showing the same details as
prospective purchases section 342 described above in relation to
FIG. 12 but with an additional box 444 showing loyalty points to be
earned with the order.
[0125] Order summary page 430 further comprises five buttons 436,
438, 440, 442, and 446 which are, respectively, for changing
payment details (takes customer back to payment information entry
page 420), changing products ordered (takes customer back to
shopping basket page 340), redeeming loyalty points previously
earned with the kiosk operator, redeeming loyalty points previously
earned with the store in which the kiosk is located, and an "OK"
button for proceeding with the transaction.
[0126] Wishing to proceed, the customer presses button 446 which
causes microcomputer 106 to commence checking the customer's credit
status with credit card company 90 via host computer 30 over
network link 20 like a conventional retailer (or ATM) credit card
reading station.
[0127] If satisfactory, microcomputer 106 instructs host computer
30 over network link 20 to amend customer database to include the
order and prints a receipt for the customer using printer 108 of
the kiosk whilst displaying printing receipt page 450, as shown at
FIG. 20. Microcomputer 106 then places the order directly with the
order and delivery company 90 via host computer 30 over network
link 20. In a variant of the present embodiment, microcomputer 106
transmits the order to host computer 30 over network link 20 which
stores the order for later transmittal to the order and delivery
company 90 (for example at the end of every day).
[0128] The MUZE identification code (a unique code for each
recording held in the MUZE database) may be sent to identify the
item(s) to be purchased.
[0129] When the receipt has been printed and the order placed or
stored as described above, microcomputer 106 displays thank you
page 460 as shown at FIG. 21 for a predetermined period of time and
then reverts to displaying default page 200. This ends the first
scenario.
[0130] In the second scenario, an existing customer logs onto the
kiosk and inspects their details, previous order status and loyalty
points. To begin with, kiosk 10a is in an unused state and
microcomputer 106 displays default page 200 on display 104 as
described above. Having touched the screen to start, the customer
is presented with main menu page 210 as described above with
reference to FIG. 4. In this scenario, however, the customer
presses button 224 for entering his/her details and is presented
with the customer query page 360 as shown above at FIG. 13. As the
customer is an existing customer of the kiosk system, he/she
presses button 364 and is presented with a customer identification
page as shown at FIG. 22.
[0131] Customer identification page 470 comprises menu location bar
250, standard menu bar 220 together with a set of text boxes 472
for entering details sufficient to identify the customer such as
first and last names and postcodes. The customer may enter these
manually using keyboard 474 or may identify him/herself by swiping
his/her payment card or a kiosk system loyalty card through credit
card reader 110 which automatically enters identifying details into
the text boxes 472. When the customer has completed entering the
details, he/she presses "OK" button 476 to proceed. This causes
microcomputer 106 to request the customer records held in customer
database 50 from host computer 30 and to display a customer menu on
display 104 as shown at FIG. 23.
[0132] Customer menu page 480 comprises menu location bar 250,
standard menu bar 220 together with three buttons 482, 484, and 486
which are, respectively, for viewing/editing customer details,
viewing the status of existing orders, and viewing the customer's
accumulated loyalty points. If the customer presses button 482, 484
or 486, he/she will be presented with the pages shown at FIGS. 24,
25 and 26 respectively.
[0133] FIG. 24 shows the edit customer details page 490 which
comprises menu location bar 250, standard menu bar 220 together
with a set of text boxes 492 for displaying the customer's details
and two buttons 494, which takes the customer to customer
registration page 370 as described above and shown at FIG. 14 for
editing the customer details (which new details are transmitted to
host computer 30 for amending the customer record held in customer
database 50), and an "OK" 496 for returning to the customer menu
page 480.
[0134] FIG. 25 shows the order status page 500 which comprises menu
location bar 250, standard menu bar 220 together with a section 502
for displaying the customer's order details including date of
order, order number and status information for each order. When the
customer has completed viewing the order details he/she may return
to the customer menu by pressing "OK" button 504.
[0135] FIG. 26 shows customer loyalty points page 510 which
comprises menu location bar 250, standard menu bar 220 together
with a box 512 displaying the customer's loyalty points accumulated
and an "OK" button 494 for returning to the customer menu page
480.
[0136] Next, the general procedure for interaction between the
customer, microcomputer 106 and host computer 30 will be described
with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28. To provide best possible
response times for customers, microcomputer 106 uses intelligent
caching to download data required from host computer 30. To do this
microcomputer 106 maintains two data queues--a response queue and a
download queue. The response queue maintains a list of responses to
be presented to the customer using the display or headphones of the
kiosk. The download queue contains a list of data required by
microcomputer 106 from host computer 30--i.e. to perform the
responses listed in the response queue. The response and download
queues are dynamically alterable as data is input from the customer
or from host computer 30. Moreover, the performance of responses is
not held up by only partial data having been downloaded from host
computer 30.
[0137] FIG. 27 shows the process for controlling the response
queue. The process starts at step 620. At step 622, microcomputer
106 checks the data input by the customer. At step 624,
microcomputer 106 determines whether the data input requires a new
response to be performed to be added to the response queue. If it
does, the process continues to step 626 and a new response is added
to the response queue. The process then continues to step 628. If
not, the process continues directly to step 628 at which
microcomputer 106 determines whether the data input requires an
existing response to be cancelled in the response queue. If it
does, the process continues to step 630 and the cancelled response
is deleted from the response queue. The process then continues to
step 622. If not, the process continues directly to step 622.
[0138] FIG. 28 shows the process for controlling the download
queue. The process starts at step 640. At step 642, microcomputer
106 checks the response queue. At step 644, microcomputer 106
determines whether the data required to perform a new response is
already stored locally--i.e. at microcomputer 106. For example,
details of frequently requested works (new or popular recordings)
may be stored locally for several days after initial downloading to
the terminal 10. If it is, the process continues to step 650
described below. If, not the process continues to step 646 at which
microcomputer 106 determines whether the data request is already
present in the download queue. If it is, the process continues to
step 650 described below. If not, the process continues to step 648
at which the new data request is added to the download queue. The
process then continues to step 650 at which microcomputer 106
determines whether the new response can be started with data stored
locally. If it can, the process continues to step 652 and the
response is started, else the process continues to step 654 at
which microcomputer 106 determines whether a data request to a
perform a cancelled response is held in the download queue. If so,
then the process proceeds to step 656 at which point the data
request is removed from the download queue. The process then
continues to step 642. If not, the process continues directly to
step 642.
[0139] From the above described scenarios, it will be apparent that
the terminals of the embodiment operate a locally stored JAVA
program to present a series of screens each of which allows menu
options and/or data input by the user. Based on the menu options
and user input, further screens are displayed, and data is uploaded
to, and received in response from, the host computer 30, to enable
a user to make selections and play appropriate excerpts from works
(in this case musical works). Because the kiosk terminals are self
contained, the playing of such excerpts cannot be misused by local
storage and reproduction, as would be possible in a PC.
SECOND EMBODIMENT
[0140] In a second embodiment, the operation of the invention is
substantially as described, except as indicated below.
[0141] FIG. 31 is shows a screen display of the main menu screen
for a given type of playable work (in this case, music). It
comprises a display area 1002 in which a record chart is displayed.
By each entry (consisting of title, artists and price data) in the
chart, a pair of buttons are provided; the first button of each
pair 1004a, 1004b, 1004c, 1004d, 1004e allow the display of full
information on the chart item concerned, and the second buttons
1006a-1006e allow the user to place a purchase order for the item
concerned, in the manner described above.
[0142] At the bottom of the screen, three navigation buttons 1008,
1010, 1012 are provided. The first button 1008 enables the user to
exit the ordering process. The second, 1010, returns the user to
the immediately previous screen. The third, 1012, returns the user
to the main menu (shown in FIG. 31).
[0143] A search button 1014 is provided, allowing the user directly
to search for a record (as described above in relation FIG. 7).
[0144] Finally, three genre selection patents 1016a, 1016b, 1016c
are provided which allow the user to select a genre main page, to
be described in greater detail below. In FIG. 31, button 1016a
corresponds to the pop genre; 1016b corresponds to the rock genre;
and 1016c corresponds to the dance genre.
[0145] FIG. 32 shows a genre main page (in this case the page
displayed in the response to the user activating button 1016a).
Selection of an area 1022 displays a genre-specific chart, with
paired buttons 1024a-b, 1026a-b corresponding to 1004a and 1006a
described above. Navigation buttons 1008-1012 are also present.
[0146] A button 1034 corresponds to the find button 1014 of the
main menu of FIG. 31, but executes a search limited only to
playable works in the genre concerned. A button 1028 allows the
user to browse playable works in the pop genre, as will be
disclosed below.
[0147] Finally, a pair of buttons 1040a, 1040b provide hypertext
links to review articles, on particular playable works within the
genre (e.g. album reviews), or, more generally, articles about the
artists or other aspects of the genre. Thus, the genre screens
(such as that of FIG. 31) offer magazine-like content to the
user.
[0148] Selection of the button 1034, as mentioned above, results in
the display of a screen similar to that of FIG. 7, with a displayed
keyboard for entry of the name of an artist.
[0149] Referring to FIG. 33, selection of the browse button 1028
causes the display of a screen having an area 1044 with 26 keys
corresponding to the letters of the alphabet. Also provided are
areas 1046 and 1048, which are initially blank. As with FIGS. 31
and 32, buttons 1008, 1010, 1012 are present for navigation.
[0150] On selection of a key (for example, the key 1045a
corresponding to the letter "A"), the microcomputer 106 causes a
search of the database 40 (as described above in relation to FIG.
7), to locate all artists with works classified as being in the pop
genre and with names beginning with the letter "A", in the database
40.
[0151] On completion of the search, a search statement ("You
searched for artists beginning with" followed by the letter
selected) is displayed in area 1046, and one or more artists
located by the search are displayed in the area 1048. The display
consists of the name of the artist next to a select button 1050
(one button is provided for each displayed artist).
[0152] Referring to FIG. 34, on selection of an artist from the
browse results screen of FIG. 33, or from the search screen (e.g.
that of FIG. 7), a list of all available products by the artists is
displayed consisting of brief details of title, price, and
availability (e.g. length of time to despatch), accompanied by a
pair of buttons 1054, 1056 each corresponding to the buttons 1004,
1006 of FIG. 31 and enabling the user to either obtain further
details (button 1054a-f) such as track listings or audio clips, or
to order the product (buttons 1056a-1056f).
[0153] Referring to FIG. 35, on selection of one of the buttons
1040a, 1040b from the genre screen of FIG. 32, material on a
product in the genre is displayed; for instance comprising pictures
1062, 1063 of the artist, and text boxes 1068, 1070 containing text
reviewing the work. Also provided are buttons 1064, 1066 correspond
to buttons 1004, 1006 of FIG. 31 and offering the user either more
information (button 1064) or the opportunity to order the work
(1066).
[0154] Thus, in this embodiment, as in the first, the user is
offered more than a catalogue and an opportunity to buy; the system
provides the opportunity for a user interested in a genre to
browse, keep up to date, and learn more; before, after, or instead
of, purchasing.
[0155] The reader will understand that aspects of the second
embodiment may be used separately of those of the first.
THIRD EMBODIMENT
[0156] In a third embodiment, the operation of the invention is
substantially as described in the first and second embodiments,
except as indicated below.
[0157] In this embodiment, the above-described browse-by-artist
function is modified to search only a stored most popular artiste
list (of, for example, about 1000 artistes), selected from all the
artistes stored in the database. This reduces the volume of results
listed, thus making the choice simpler for the user. Also, the list
may be stored locally, reducing the search time.
[0158] In this embodiment, referring to FIG. 36, initially (steps
2002 and 2004) a randomly selected sequence of sound clips from the
database is reproduced (selected for example from the singles
chart). A first button (not shown) on the screen allows the user to
purchase the currently playing selection, and a second on-screen
button allows the user to access information on the track which is
retrieved and displayed on the screen.
[0159] On each occasion when the user selects a genre (step 2006),
the set of sequences of sound clips from which the "now playing"
clip is selected is changed to correspond to works in the selected
genre (step 2008), rather than the general charts, and a new clip
is selected therefrom.
[0160] On each occasion when the user selects an artiste (step
2010), the set of sequences of sound clips from which the "now
playing" clip is selected is changed to correspond to works by the
selected artiste (step 2008), and a new clip is selected
therefrom.
[0161] On each occasion when the user selects a CD or album (step
2012), the set of sequences of sound clips from which the "now
playing" clip is selected is changed to correspond to works from
that CD or album (step 2008), and a new clip is selected
therefrom.
[0162] Thus, in this embodiment, the user is presented with
background music tailored to their current area of interest. Where
a user has logged in, as described above in the first embodiment,
then rather than beginning with a random selection, the sequence of
sound clips may be selected from within a genre selected by the
user in a previous session.
[0163] In this embodiment, these "now-playing" clips are no longer
than 30 seconds long, and a set of clips from which the selection
is made is stored locally at each terminal, thus allowing immediate
access without the need for downloading.
[0164] In this embodiment, the mood/occasion data is used to allow
selection of music either for an occasion or for a relative as
described above, or via input of, for example, zodiac sign or other
criteria.
OTHER MODIFICATIONS AND EMBODIMENTS
[0165] Other playable media, such as DVD or video cassettes, are
dealt with similarly, clips being downloaded for reproduction via
the network 20.
[0166] Likewise, for computer or video games, a pre-recorded
playing sequence of the game is downloaded and played as video,
rather than downloading the game itself.
[0167] It will be apparent that the principles behind the present
invention could be extended to other types of work, such as books
(in which case a portion of text from the book would be reproduced
on the display screen). Furthermore, in addition to offering the
purchase of playable media, the kiosk terminals of the present
invention could additionally be used for other purchases, such as
retrieving e-mail.
[0168] It will also be apparent that the kiosk terminals of the
present invention could be fitted with a communication port to
enable customers to download works to portable devices at the point
of sale. For example, customers could download music onto
MiniDiscs.TM. or solid state MP3 recorder/players.
[0169] Although the above-described embodiments relate to free
standing kiosks connected by a broadband private network, aspects
of the embodiments could also be applied to internet music purchase
sites (similar to that at http://www.dotmusic.com for instance), or
to broadband systems such as interactive cable TV or Asynchronous
Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) systems.
[0170] These and many other variants, modifications or
substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of the
invention and will be considered to be disclosed herein. For the
avoidance of doubt, protection is hereby claimed for any novel
subject matter disclosed herein or combinations thereof.
* * * * *
References