Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
-WO 95105050 2 1 9 2 8 1 4 pCTIUS94108798
DESCRIPTION
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AN ON DEMAND DATA DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR
THE PREVIEW, SELECTION, RETRIEVAL AND REPRODUCTION AT A REMOTE
LOCATION OF PREVIOUSLY RECORDED OR PROGRANll~4ED MATERIALS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
' The present invention relates to an on demand data
delivery system for the preview, selection, retrieval and repro-
duction at remote locations of original recordings or programmed
entertainment and informational software together with related
textual and graphical material and artwork (hereinafter referred
to as "titles") on selected media including compact disks,
minidisks, analog and digital audio cassette tapes, video cas-
sette tapes, magnetic disks, magneto optical disks and video
game (EPROM and FLASHROM) cartridges.
BACRGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Current methods of inventory management in retail
stores for titles (such as music recordings and video game
software) held for resale fail to optimally satisfy consumer de-
mand and increase product cost. These deficiencies result prin-
cipally from the cost of financing large inventories of titles
held for resale and the failure to accurately anticipate consum-
er demand for individual titles and implement proper inventory
management practices to satisfy such demand. These problems can
have a significant adverse impact both on retailers and on the
producers and distributors of items sold at retail.
As currently structured, retailers typically must
maintain a large in-store inventory of titles for resale in
order to be assured they have sufficient supply to satisfy con-
sumer demand for such items. In addition, retailers often must
maintain a large in-store inventory of titles to provide a means
of displaying and merchandising titles within the retail envi-
ronment. For example, consumers of products such as audio
compact discs or cassette tapes typically browse through a large
number of displayed titles to find a preferred selection and to
determine if there are other titles which they are not aware of
that they may desire to purchase. Moreover, while such "brows-
ing rack" displays are presently the most widely practiced form
of in-store merchandising of consumer music and video game
1
WO 95105050 2 1 9 2 8 1 4 PCTIUS94/08798
titles, they offerlimited merchandising and cross promotional
opportunities other than grouping by general subject categories
and alphabetizing the artist or game titles thereunder.
Often, however, large amounts of inventory are not
sold and must be discounted to a price which generates consumer
interest. In addition, insufficient inventories of popular
titles result in lost sales which may be subsequently made by a
competitor or-lost altogether due to a loss of consumer interest
in the title originally sought to be purchased. Moreover,
particularly with respect to music titles, a large number of
unrealized sales may result from a lack of inventory of older
titles for which there is limited individual demand, but which
in their aggregate could result in significant sales volume.
There also tend to be unrealized sales when older titles no
longer carried in inventory (or stocked only in limited quanti-
ties) become popular as a result of unexpected publicity or
popularity of a title or artist resulting from receipt of an
award by the artist for a recent work or past achievement or the
use of a song in a newly released medium.
These "inventory management" issues have a significant
impact on the producers and distributors of music, video game
and other entertainment titles. 2n industries such as music and
video game software, which are characterized by "hit" titles for
which there may be very high consumer demand for a relatively
25- brief time cycle, accurate inventory management is particularly
important. A misjudgment in the number of expected sales of a
particular music -or video game software title (and related deci-
sions regarding number of units of such title produced and
distributed) could result in missing a significant market oppor-
tunity (for a short-cycle "hit" title for which limited supply
is available) or a lose situation (resulting from the investment
of a significant amount of money in producing and distributing a
title for which there is no consumer demand and, as a result, an
unwanted overstock of product). Overstock in particular can be
a significant problem to producers and distributors of music and
video game software titles that maintain policies of "buying
back" or accepting returns without penalty of all or a portion
of overstocked inventory or providing credits towards future
product purchases by retailers.
2
v
CA 02192814 2004-11-04
WO 95/05050 PCT/US94/08'798
- Recognizing some of these. shortfalls, systems have
previously been proposed for the reproduction of titles at a
point of sale location as they are purchased. Although these
proposals have recognized some of the advantages in implementing
such a system, they have been impractical for commercial imple-
mentation due to their inability to deliver necessary data for
the reproduction of titles in an economically viable manner and
within practical time constraints. For instance, United States
Patent No. 4,528,643 to Charles C. Freeny, Jr. of July 9, 1985 (the
~~Freeny device ") describes a system having a remote information control
machine for updating data stored in an information manufacturing
machine located at a point of sale location. The information
manufacturing machine includes means for reproducing prerecorded
music titles on eight track tapes with data stored in its inter-
nal memory. The Freeny device further provides that the infor
mation manufacturing machine receive authorization from the
. remote,information control machine prior to the reproduction of
a music title at the point of sale locations. The information
control machine in the Freeny device serves to receive captured
data, convert the data to a digital format and update the data
storage facility located within the information manufacture ma-
chine. Data stored in a memory file unit within each informa-
tion manufacturing machine is provided with an encoding scheme
which serves as a security system for the unauthorized reception
of the data necessary for the manufacture of the material ob-
ject.
The Freeny device hoe several drawbacks which make the
system impractical for commercial implementation: (1) the data
file for each title requires a large memory storage capacity,
(2) each remote location must have on site data storage for
every title to be manufactured, (3) data delivery to point of
sale locations for anything beyond a short authorization code
and other sale tracking data is impractical in cost and time re-
quirements, and (4) manufacturing time for titles not stored on
site in the data storage facility for a particular remote loca-
tion is slow (and commercially impractical for the consumer re-
tailing environment).
The implementation of a commercially practical on
demand data delivery system for the preview, selection, retriev-
WO 95/05050 PCT/US94108798 ~ .
al and reproduction at remote locations of titles on selected
media within the -time constraints of a retail shopping experi-
ence would eliminate or substantially reduce the deficiencies in
current retail practices described above. It would afford a
great commercial advantage both to retailers and producers using '
the system. In addition, the system would optimally satisfy
consumer demand by providing virtually limitless inventory of '
popular titles which can be previewed and selected for purchase
through an easy to use terminal that provides a unique shopping
experience. Moreover, it would -eliminate the need to produce
and transport to remote locations previously recorded or pro-
grammed titles for which there is little or no consumer demand,
resulting in a much more efficient use of energy and resources
than is possible with existing practices.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide
a commercially practical on demand data delivery system for the
preview, selection, retrieval and reproduction at remote loca-
tions of above described titles and additional materials. It is
a further object of this invention to provide a system which
permits for improved marketing, selection and previewing capa-
bilities without the need for maintaining large inventories of
materials at a point of sale location.
STTn~rnARV OF muE TNVENTION
The present invention is directed to a system for the
preview, selection, retrieval and reproduction at remote loca-
tions of titles pn selected media and for maintaining, at one or
more primary storage facilities, accounting data associated with
the preview, selection and/or reproduction (and sale) transac-
tions. As contemplated in one preferred embodiment of the
invention, data representing titles is "captured~~ and stored in
one or more primary storage facilities (and-in certain cases
discussed below, at one or more remote locations where titles
are reproduced). The captured data representing the title may
include a reproducible audio portion, a full motion video/audio ,
portion, a graphics and text portion, an accounting information
portion and an identification portion which are stored in an ,
item data file.
The audio portion of the item data file is mathemat-
ically resampled to remove unnecessary audio data (~, data
4
~WO 95/05050 PCTlUS94108798
2192814
- outside a specified amplitude and frequency range). This mathe-
matical resampling reduces by a significant amount (up to 90%)
the data that is required to be stored and transmitted in con- -
nection with the preview, selection, retrieval and reproduction
processes. As a result, it permits real time transfer of data
between a remote location and a primary storage facility and
makes the system function within realistic commercial time con-
straints.
The system may incorporate statistical counting data
base files for determining which item data files are high use
files at any given remote locations. Based upon statistical
data information, such as the number of times a specific item
data file is retrieved by the remote location(s), the system
maintains high use item data files in the location which pro-
vides the most efficient/economical access to such item data
files, which may be located at either the remote locations or in
the fastest storage medium available away from the remote loca-
tions. This "caching" system may be used to reduce telecommuni-
cations coats and allow for economical use of on-site storage.
The system may also incorporate multiple storage medium facili-
ties having varying speeds of retrieval. The statistical count-
ing data may be used to place more active item data files on the
fastest storage medium and leas active item data files on slower
speed storage medium facilities. The hierarchical storage
scheme facility may be located at a remote location, at a
primary storage facility or at both locations. Such a caching
system may be employed to make the most efficient use of avail-
able resources at either the remote locations or at the central
locations. The statistical counting data base files would be
updated frequently to reflect the moat recent trends at speci-
fied locations. Moreover, item data files (for new "hit" ti-
tles, for example) could be provided with a predetermined sta-
tistical weight in order to optimize availability of data needed
for the system to meet consumer demand.
The system may also incorporate multiple consumer
interface terminals (located at remote locations) that allow
consumers to preview or "browse" a data base of titles and
select titles for purchase. The consumer interface terminal may
include a touch screen/monitor interface and sound amplification
5
WO 95105050 219 2 814 PCT/gJS94108798 ~ y
devices which enable the consumer to preview titles in a unique
ahopping experience. Access to the consumer interface terminal
may be predicated upon a consumer providing unique demographic
and other identifiers which the system will compile together
with system activity data to create a consumer profile database.
This database could be used to promote to a specific consumer
those items which such consumer's previous system activities ~
indicate he or she may be predisposed to purchase (or show
additional interest iny. This may be accomplished by having an
advertisement/promotion data base which may include data that is
displayed to those conaumershaving a predefined demographic or
purchasing habit. In addition, the consumer profile database
will be a source of virtually real-time aggregate market data
indicating which consumer populations (grouped according to a
variety of-demographic segments? are purchasing or previewing a
particular type of title. The consumer interface terminal may
eliminate the need for maintaining a large inventory of physical
product at the remote location for merchandising.
Once the item data file is retrieved based on either
consumer selection through the consumer interface terminal or
direct remote location request, the portion of the item data
file necessary for the specified function, either preview or
reproduction, is appropriately formatted and, in the case of
preview, directed to the consumer interface terminal, or, in the
case of reproduction, directed to the appropriate manufacturing
device for duplication of a title in a specified format. The
instigation of the reproduction pracesa initiates an accounting
process that includes updating the accounting system based on
the accounting infozmation portion of the item data file. This
accounting system regulates all debit and credit activity be-
tween title providers and remote locations.
HF~TEF DESCRTPTTn~ OF THE D1ZAWTNrR
The present invention will be understood and appreci-
ated more fully from the following detailed description, taken '
in conjunction With the drawings in which:
Fig. I is a functional block diagram of a device
embodying the present invention;
6
~O 95/05050 219 2 814 PCTIUS94/08798
Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of a content -
capture device used in a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of a central host
server and its related components used in a preferred embodiment
of the-present invention;
Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of a retail host
aeruer and its related components used in a preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of a manufactur-
ing device and its related components used in a preferred em-
bodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram of a consumer
interface terminal and its related components used in a pre
ferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7 is schematic representation of an item data
file for a previously recorded material; and
Fig. 8 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of
a consumer interface terminal and its related components using
consumers' data profiles.
D$'t'ATLED DE~CRTpmTpN OF A PREFE REn Ftvrnnr~Tt~nrr
By way of example, the present invention is illustrat-
ed in terms of a system for use in a retail music store which
sells music recordings in multiple formats including, but not
limited to, compact disks and analog cassette tapes. The system
of which a preferred embodiment is illustrated herein may be
used in a number of different applications which would be obvi-
ous to those skilled in the art. The following examples are
provided for the purpose of aiding in explaining the present
invention. The system's applications should not be limited to
the description provided herein.
Shown in figure 1 is a general block diagram of a
system embodying the present invention which allows a remote
location such as a retail store to operate without having to
maintain a large physical inventory of titles for distribution
and/or resale. Generally speaking, the system shown in figure 1
permits a consumer (not shown) to select a specific title for
preview or reproduction at a remote location 77 whereby digital
information necessary for the preview or reproduction (on se-
7
WO 95/05050 PCTIUS94/08798
2192814
lected media) of the selected title is sent over communications -
network 50 to a remote server 7D. If the selected title is to
be reproduced, theremote server 70 delivers necessary data for
reproduction of the selected title to a manufacturing control
device 90 that controls a writing device corresponding to the
selected product, i.e., CD writers 110, tape writers I30 or
other format writers 140.
An item data file is generated for each title from
corresponding items of material captured into the system. The
item data file in the preferred embodiment described herein
includes all the information necessary for the preview and
reproduction on selected media at a remote location of a select-
ed title. The item data file in the storage facility 30 will be
retrieved by a remote location 77 for either reproduction by the
manufacturing control device 90 or preview through the consumer
interface terminal 160. In order to make the system commercial-
ly practical for purposes of transmitting data to remote loca-
tions 77 in realistic time periods, the audio data portion of
the item of material is mathematically resampled and digitally
compressed duringthe content capture process to reduce its size
and thus shorten the overall transmission time of the related
item data file over the communications network 50. The mathe-
matical resampling process produces a data stream representation
of the audio portion of the item of material which may be re-
duced to a fraction of its original size. Since in its origi-
nal, unsampled and uncompressed format the audio portion repre-
sents a major portion of all the data in the item data file, and
thus corresponds to a significant data storage requirement for
the system, the ability to significantly reduce its size, corre-
sponding storage space and transmission time results in an eco-
nomic savings both in storage and in communication transmission
costs and makes the system function within realistic commercial
time constraints.
Likewise, other items of material including full
motion video/audio recordings and graphical/
textual materials and artwork, are compressed during the content
capture process to reduce their size and shorten transmission
time.
8
~O 95105050 219 2 814 pCTIUS94108798
- The item data files captured by the content capture
facility 10 are then transferred to the central host computer 20
via local area network 10D where they are automatically cata-
loged and entered into a storage data base in the storage facil-
ity 30. Although only one central host server 20 is shown, the
content capture facility 10 could be connected to more than one
such central host server 20.
The item data files entered into the storage facility
30 are made available to all of the remote locations 77 connect
ed through the communications network 50. For the purpose of
simplicity only one remote location 77 is illustrated in figure
1.
The remote server 70 at the remote location 77 con-
trols all preview, reproduction and management reporting tasks
and the local area network 150 which connects the remote server _
70 and the manufacturing control device 90 at the remote loca-
tion 77. The remote server 70 may be provided with a statisti-
cal counter data base to manage its storage facility 60 so that
the most frequently requested item data files are stored locally
and thus use of the communications network 50 is efficiently
managed and optimized. The information necessary for the sta-
tistical counter data base is constantly updated to reflect
changes in remote location 77 activity patterns. This, in
conjunction With a dynamic caching control algorithm, may change
the item data files held in storage facility 60 to reflect the
most current statistical infornza.tion gathered at the remote
location 77.
The consumer preview capability at the remote location
77 is enabled by the remote server 70 which is connected to the
consumer interface terminal 160 by the local area network 150.
Although only one consumer interface terminal 16D is shown, the
system would preferably have a plurality of such interfaces
sufficient to satisfy consumer demand. The local area network
150 has sufficient bandwidth to adequately provide video and
audio information to multiple consumer interface texminals~160
simultaneously.
The manufacturing process is directed from the remote
server 70. The remote server 70 controls the manufacturing con-
trol device 9D which in turn may be coupled to one or more
9
219 2 814 ~T~S94J08798
format manufacturing devices, i.e., a CD writing device 120, a
tape writing device 130, or to other format writers 140 (e. g.,
video tapes, DCC tapes or microchip recorded devices). The
manufacturing control device 90 may also be connected to a
printing device 110, which is preferably a color printer or a
color copier which receives bit stream data, for printing graph-
ic output corresponding to a selected format for a reproducible
title. The manufacturing control device 90 receives data from
the remote server 70 over the local area network 150, reformats
the mathematically resampled reproducible audio portion of the
item data file and provides the appropriate data to the writing
devices (110, 120, 130, or 140) in a form necessary to produce a
duplication of a title on a media usable by a consumer on a
standard playing device.
The remote server 70 allows for a management report-
ing/consumer transaction system 80 to maintain all accounting
and customer transaction data relating to all activities at
remote location 77 which give rise to any and all credit obliga-
tions. Such data may be delivered to the central host 20 for
central roll-up and reporting. The management reporting system
80 may be interfaced through one or more terminals 75.
Shown in Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of a
content capture facility 10 used to capture a data representa-
tion of the items of material 14 used in the preview and repro-
ductian of titles at the remote locations 77. Such data from
the items of material might include analog signals that are
sampled and converted to digital data, digital bit stream input,
and graphic pictures and text that are scanned and converted to
digital data.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention for
the herein described application, three types of data are cap-
tured at the capture facility I0. They are audio data, full
motion video/audio data, and graphic data. -As part of the
content capture process, an item data file is created via the
item data file formation process 15 that associates these files
for each title (in this case an original music recording) and
also includes associated accounting information (needed to iden-
tify all entities to whom any payment of monies is required for
~WO 95/05050 2 T 9 2 ~ 14 PCTIUS94108798
- reproductions of the reproducible item) and identification
information (needed to catalog the title for database usage).
The content capture device 9, which could consist of
an ISA (Industry Standard Bus Architecture) computer utilizing a
486-based CPU (Central Process Unit) from Intel, has two input
ports, analog input 2 and digital input 3, which receive data
' from the appropriate reader devices. In the case of analog
input 2 it receives input from analog reader 11. In the case of
digital input 3 it receives input from digital reader 12- or
optical reader 13. All of readers (11, 12, 13) read information
from the item of material 14.
The reproducible audio portion of the item of material
14 takes one of two paths when being captured by the content
capture facility 10. If the reproducible audio information
portion is in analog form, such as magnetic tape, then it is
read by analog reader 11, which could be a magnetic tape player,
and transferred through analog input 2 to the analog-to-digital
converter 5 and after conversion to a digital bit stream, trans-
ferred to the spooling storage 4 within the content capture
device 9. In a preferred embodiment, the digital audio bit
stream received from the analog-to-digital converter 5 is a 16
bit block data stream of binary data and is sampled at a minimum
of 40,000 times per second, corresponding to the Nyquiat rate.
If the reproducible audio portion of the item of material 14 is
in digital form, such as D-1 or D-2 tape or digitally mastered
compact disk, then it is read by digital reader 12, which could
be a D-1, D-2 or compact disk player, and transferred through
digital input 3 to the spooling storage 4 within the content
capture device 9.
Mathematical resampling processor 6 within the content
capture device 9 is then directed to begin a mathematical
resampling of the reproducible audio portion held at the
spooling storage 4. The mathematical resampling process 6
utilizes a psycho acoustics equation that saves all audible
information in a designed audio amplitude and frequency range,
i.e. the amplitude range of human hearing (20 HTZ - 20,000 HTZ).
The 16 bit black data stream of binary data representing the
reproducible audio portion is matched against a psycho acoustic
table with respect to its time, frequency and amplitude values.
11
WO 95105050 ~ ~ PCT/US94/08798
Values that are determined to fall outside the 20 HTZ to 20,000 '
HTZ range are discarded and the data representation for the item
is thereby reduced. This process results in digital compression
of the audio portion. Algorithms for performing such compara-
tive functions are commercially available and include the DCC
format from the Philips Corporation and the Dolby AC2 audio
comparative algorithm.
Once this mathematical resampling process 6 takes
place, the compressed audio portion is transferred to the
postresampling/compression storage 16, which may be a high speed
magnetic hard disk or other storage medium.
The full motion video/audio portion of the item of
material 14 can take one of two paths when being captured by the
content capture facility 10. If the full motion video/audio
portion is in analog form, such as VHS tape or laser disk, then
it is read by analog reader 11, which could be a video cassette
player or a laser disk player, and transferred through analog
input 2 to the analog-to-digital converter 5 and after conver-
sion the bit stream data is compressed by the video compression
process 7 and transferred to the spooling storage 4 within the
content capture device 9. If the full motion video portion is
in digital form, such as D-1 or D-2 tape, then it is read by
digital reader 12, which could be a D-1 or D-2 player, and
transferred through digital input 3 to video compression process
7 is spooled to the spooling storage 4 within the content cap-
ture device 9 after compression. In the preferred embodiment,
the video compression process 7 might take place using the MPEG1
video compression standard and could be facilitated using soft-
ware, hardware or a combination of both. At this point, all
compressed full motion video/audio files are transferred to the
postresampling/compression storage 16.
The graphics portion of the item of material'14, which
may include packaging artwork and insert materials, are read by
optical reader 13, which could be an optical scanner, and trans-
ferred through digital input 3 to the spooling storage 4 within
the content capture device 9. The content capture device 9 _
initiates the graphic compression process 8 whereby the graphic
data file held a~ the spooling storage 4 is compressed. In the
preferred embodiment, the graphic compression process 8 might
12
O 95/05050 219 2 ~ 14 PCT/US94108798
take place using the JPEG graphic compression standard and could
be facilitated using software, hardware or a combination of -°
both. At this point, all compressed graphic files are trans-
ferred to the postresampling/compresaion storage 16.
Once files are transferred to the
poatresampling/compression storage 16, they are ready for quali-
ty assurance inspection. All files, audio, full motion vid-
eo/audio and graphics, are accessed over the local area network
10D by the software test station 11 and integrity tests are
performed on them. Additionally, full motion video/audio and
graphics files are accessed over the local area network 100 by
the visual teat station 12 where they are visually reviewed for
integrity and quality. After the quality assurance process has
been completed all files remain in the
postresampling/compression storage 16 and are ready to be formed
into an item data file. At this point content capture device 9
initiates the item data file formation process 15 whereby an
item data file is created that associates these files, as well
as the accounting information and identification information
files, for each title. The complete item data file is then sent
via the local area network 100 to the central host server 20 for
storage on the storage facility 30. Simultaneously, the master
item data file index 28 held at the central host server 20 is
updated to reflect the availability of the new item data file.
Additionally, this information is sent over the communications
channel 50 to all remote locations 77 on a regularly scheduled
basis to update the remote server index 78 and the local data-
base 168.
Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the central
host server 20 and the storage facility 30. In a preferred
embodiment, the central host server 20 could be either an EISA
(Extended Industry Standard Architecture) or a microchannel
architecture based system, or other architecture with a high
apeed system bus that moves information inside the computer from
storage to system memory 29 for processing and back to storage
or to output devices. The system processor 22 within the cen-
tral host server 20 may be a single- or multiprocessor 486-based
system. The central host server 20 is preferably an open archi-
13
WO 95/05050 ~ PCTIUS94/08798
tecture system so as to accept future additional peripheral
equipment.
Compressed item data files arrive into the central
host server 20 from the content capture facility 10 over the
local area network 100. The system processor 22 catalogs the
information into an index 28 stored in system memory 29 that can
be recalled and then transferred through the I/0 23, which might
be a SCSI connection, to the storage facility 30.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, statisti-
cally high use item data files are preferably maintained in the
storage facility 3D on high speed disk storage 31. Statistical-
ly moderate use item data files are preferably maintained on
moderate speed optical storage 33. All item data files are
preferably maintained on slow speed tape storage 34 for near
line access and redundant archival storage. The accounting
royalty system 32 which will be accessed frequently by the cen-
tral host aerver._20 for maintaining accurate information for
accounts payable, accounts receivable, royalty accounting,
billing information, general ledger and blank media inventory is
preferably maintained on the high speed disk storage 31.
This hierarchical storage architecture puts frequently
access materials on higher speed storage medium which also tend
to be higher cost devices versus slower speed which tend to be
less expensive storage mediums. Thus, a compromise between
access speed and cost may be achieved that is practical for a
given circumstance or use.
The central host server 20 receives requests for item
data files from remote locations 77 via the communications
network 50. After the system processor 22 determines the loca-
tion of the desired item data file, the central host aenrer 20
retrieves the item data file and transfers it through the commu-
nications network interface 24 to the remote location 77 over
the communications network 50.
In a preferred embodiment, the central host server 20
is connected by a communications network 50, Which might be
supported by either fiber optic or satellite transmission ser- _
vices, to the remote locations 77. The communications network
50 will utilize packet technology operating at preferably not
less than 45 million bits per second. After the central host
14
~O 95105050 2 1 9 2 8 1 4 ~T~S94I08798
server 20 receives a request for an item data file, the index 28
is updated to reflect the request and the location of the item
data file. The requested item data files are retrieved from the
storage facility 30 via the I/O 23 and packetized according to
one of a number of well known schemes wherein large data files
are segmented-with header and trailer information attached that
identifies the packet and serves as instructions for reassem-
bling the data file. The packetized segments of the item data
file are then sent through the communications network interface
24 over the communications network 50 to the requesting remote
location 77.
The updated index 28 may, based on this new request
activity, relocate the item data file to its statistically
preferred storage medium within the storage facility 30. For
example, increased requests for an item data file stored on
optical storage 33 (moderate use) may cause the relocation of
this item data file to high speed disk storage 31 (high use).
Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of the remote
server 70 and the storage facility,60. In a preferred embodi
ment, the remote server 70 could be either an EISA (Extended
Industry Standard Architecture) or a microchannel architecture
based system, or other architecture with a high speed system bus
that moves information inside the computer from storage to
system memory 79 for processing and back to storage or to output
devices. The system processor 72 within the remote server 70
may be a single or multiprocessor 486-based system. The remote
server 70 is preferably an open architecture system so as to
accept future additional peripheral equipment. The remote
server 70 is the controller for communications to the central
host server 20. The primary function of the remote server 70 is
to process requests for item data files received from the con-
sumer interface terminals 160 and the terminals 75 (for direc-
tion to the manufacturing control device 90), locate such item
data files regardless of their location, i.e., whether they
reside on storage facility 60 connected to the remote server 70
or on storage facility 30 connected to the central host server
20, and to direct such item data files to their appropriate
point of request.
WO 95105050 2 T 9 2 814 PCT/US94108798
Terminal 75, which is attached to remote server 70,
can be used to access and manipulate information in management
reporting/consumer transaction subsystem 80, as well as to
direct manufacturing requests to manufacturing control device
90. Such requests may include remanufacturing or replacement of
unsatisfactory product_
Based on remote location 77 activity and item data '
file requests, packetized file segments arrive over the commu-
nications network 50 from the central host server 20. Upon
arrival through the communications network interface 74, the
packetized segments are stripped of their header and trailer
information and concatenated based on the instructions carried
in the header and trailer to reform the original item data file
delivered by the central host server 20. The system processor
72 catalogs the item data file request into the index 78 stored
in system memory 79 and then directs the item data files to the
appropriate requesting device, either the consumer interface
terminal 160 or the manufacturing control device 90, through the
local area network interface 71 and over the local area network
150. Additionally, if the statistically counterwithin the
index 78 deterntinea that the item data file should be stored on
the storage facility 60, then the system processor72 directs
the item data file through the I/0 73 to the appropriate storage
device at the storage facility 60.
In thepreferred embodiment of the invention, the
storage facility 60 allows for a small cache of the most demand-
ed item data files to be maintained at the remote location 77
and managed by the remote server 70. The remainder of the item
data files available through the system and required by the
remote location 77 would be delivered over the communications
network 50 from the central host server 20.
Within the storage facility 60, statistically high use
item data files are maintained on high speed disk storage 61.
Statistically moderate use item data files are maintained on
optical storage 62. Data of low demand is discarded from the
storage facility 60 when the statistical counter within the .
index 78 overwrites it with an item data file of higher use.
The remote location 77 does not require all potential levels of
16
'WO 95105050 2 1 9 2 8 1 4 ~T~S94/08798
storage medium in the storage facility 60 and could be operated
with little or no remote,location 77 storage.
The management reporting/consumer transaction process
80 tracks remote location 77 activity and is used to update data
within royalty accounting 32 at the central host server 20. The
royalty accounting 32 is updated upon duplication of an original
content recording at the remote location 77 based on information
contained within the accounting information portion of the item
data file.
Figure 5 is a function block diagram of the manufac-
turing subsystem that includes the manufacturing control device
90 and the product writing devices, printing device 110, CD
writers 120, tape writers 130 and other format writers 140. The
primary function of the manufacturing control device 90 is the
processing of item data files for the duplication of titles. In
the herein described embodiment, the manufacturing control
device 90 does not request or locate item data files, but simply
receives them.
Manufacturing requests may be directed by remote
personnel by way of a data input terminal 75 connected to the
remote server 70 which are then sent through the local area
network interface 91, over the local area network 150, to the
manufacturing control device 90.
The appropriate portions of the item data file needed
to produce a duplication of the title are received by the manu-
facturing control device 90 from the remote server 70 over the
local area network 150 through the local area network interface
91. The system processor 92 directs the audio portion of the
item data file to the mathematical resampling process 93 where
an algorithm reformats the data into a reproducible audible
signal which has been reextended with the desired frequency,
amplitude range and psycho acoustics to play in real time.
If the desired product format is an analog cassette
tape, then the resampled audio portion is directed to the digi-
tal noise reduction process 95 where its digital streams are
noise reduced by a digital equation noise reduction algorithm
utilising a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). From there the
noise reduced and resampled audio portion is directed to the
tape writer driver device 96 where it is segmented into two
17
WO 95/05050 2 ~ 9 2 8 1 4 fCT/US94/08798
parts which represent the reproducible audio programming for
sides A and B of a conventional analog cassette tape. Once
segmented, the programming for side B is reversed, both sides
are then converted from digital to analog signals and the two
file segments are then sent to the analog tape writer 130 to be
written simultaneously. The analog cassette tape is produced by
a high speed tape writer 130 (such as the 16 times real-time
Otari device) utilizing outside the shell blank magnetic tape
media loaded into a "C-0" cassette shell. A "C-0" is an empty
cassette tape shell with leader only before loading.
After the mathematical resampling process 93, if the
desired product format is a compact disk, then the resampled
audio portion is directed to the CD writer driver device 97
where it is processed and sent to the high speed CD writer 120
(such as the 2-times real-time Kodak CD-R device). The CD
writer produces the duplication of the title on a blank CD-R
media, also commercially available from Kodak as well as TDR,
Mitsui Toatsu and others.
If the desired product format is an other format, then
the resampled audio portion is directed to the other format
writer driver device 98 where it is processed and sent to the
high speed other~ormat writer 140 and reproduced on writable
other format blank media.
The system processor 92 directs the text and graphics
portion of the item data file to the graphics decompressor
process 94 where it is expanded tc its original content size.
This process could be accomplished using the JPEG decompression
algorithm. The decompressed information is sent to the printing
device 110 for reproduction. The printing device 110 could be
any of a number o~ commercially available color copiers such as
the Canon 550 or the Xerox 5750 that can be configured to re-
ceive binary file input. In a preferred embodiment, the repro-
duction of the text and graphics information occurs in conjunc-
tion with the production of the above mentioned audio portion.
Figure 6 is a functional block diagram of a consumer
interface terminal 160. 1n a preferred embodiment, the consumer
interface terminal 160 could be an EISA (Extended Industry
Standard Architecture), ISA (Industry Standard Architecture),
microchannel architecture based system or other architecture
18
219 2 814 PCTIUS94108798
- with a high speed system bus that moves information inside the
computer for processing. The system processor 162 within the
consumer interface terminal may be an X86-based system. The
consumer interface terminal 160 is preferably an open archi- -.
tecture system so as to accept future additional peripheral
equipment.
The consumer interface terminal 160 allows review of a
database of titles and facilitates search for a particular title
via several criteria (i.e. artist, label, producer, etc.).
After identifying the title of interest through th:: search
method, the consumer interface terminal 160 allows for the pre-
view of segments of the graphics portion of the item data file
representing that title, preview segments of the audio portion
of the same item data file, preview of segments of the full
motion video/audio portion of the same item data file, and
selection of such title for purchase in a desired format.
All database search and preview request actions at the
consumer interface terminal take place through the touch/screen
monitor interface 167. Local database 168, which contains
textual identification information for each item data file
available on the system whether located at the storage facility
60 or stored at the storage facility 30, directs requests for
specific segments of the item data file through the local area
network interface 161 over the local area network 150 to the
remote server 70. The local database 168 is updated to reflect
additians to the index 28 at the central host server 20 to
insure that the consumer interface terminal 160 has access to
all available item data files.
As part of the search process the local database 168
will request a segment of the graphic portion of the item data
file from the remote server 70. Upon receipt of the requested
segment of the graphic portion of the item data file from the
remote server 70 over the local area network 150 and through the
local area network interface 161, the system processor 162
directs the segment of graphics portion of the item data file to
the graphics decompression process 169 where it is expanded to
its original content size. This process could be accomplished
using the JPEG decompression algorithm. The decompressed graph-
19
2 i 928 i 4
WO 95105050 PCTICTS94/08798
is information is sent to the touch screen/monitor interface 167
for display.
In the event that the request from the local database
168 is for a segment of the audio portion of the item data file,
then upon receipt of the requested segment of the audio portion
of the item data file from the remote server 70 over the local
area network 150 through the local area network interface 161,
the system processor 162 directs the segment of the audio por-
tion of the item data file to the mathematical resampling pro-
teas 163 where an algorithm reformats the data into a reproduc-
ible audible signal which has been reextended with the desired
frequency, amplitude range and psycho acoustics to represent the
original audio item of material and play in real time. The
resampled segment of the audio portion of the item data file is
15then sent to the audio card 165 which produces an audible signal
which is then amplified by the amplification device 166 for
playback through any of a number of speaker devices. The audio
card 165 could be a Sound Blaater/16 or a Turtlebeach Sound
Card. The amplification device 166 could be any of a number of
commercially available sound amplifiers such as those available
through consumer electronics companies such as Yamaha, Sony and
Panasonic_
In the event that the request from the local database
168 is for a segment of the full motion video/audio portion of
the item data file, then upon receipt of the requested segment
of the full motion video/audio portion of the item data file
from the remote server 70 over the local area network 150
through the local area network interface 161, the system proces-
sor 162 directs the segment of the full motion video/audio
portion of the item data file to the full motion video/audio
decompression process 164 where it is expanded to its original
siae. This process could be accomplished using the MPEG1 decom-
pression algorithm. The decompressed full motion video/audio
information is sent to the touch screen/monitor interface 167
for video display and to the amplification device 166 for simul-
taneous playback through speaker devices.
All purchase request actions by the consumer (not
shown) take place through the touch screen/monitor interface
167. Local database 168 directs such requests for duplication
'WO 95/05050 2 l ~ 2 ~ ~ 4 PCT/US94108798
of titles in a specified format through the local area network
interface 161 over the local area network 150 and through the
remote server 70 to be staged on terminal 75 for processing.
Figure 7 shows a representation of an item data file
250 which is the result of the content capture facility 10
whereby items of material representing a title are processed for
inclusion in the system.
As part of the item data file formation process 15, an
identification data file 251 is generated that catalogs basic
information, such as title, artist, publisher, and date of -
origin, about the title represented by the items of material.
This identification data file 251 serves to update the index 27
at the central host server 20, and subsequently to update the
local database 168 within the consumer interface terminal 160.
Information regarding the payment of monies associated
with the duplication of the title is entered in conjunction with
the item data file formation process 15 within the content
capture device 9 and identified as the accounting information
file 252. This accounting information file 252 is referenced
during the manufacturing process to insure that all obligations
due because of the duplication of the title, such as royalty
obligations, are appropriately logged and accounted for.
The data required to duplicate the audio portion of
the title is captured during the content capture process from
the appropriate item of material and identified as the reproduc
ible audio file 253 of the item data file 250.
The data required to reproduce the graphics portion of
the title is captured during the content capture process from
the appropriate item of material and identified as the graphics
file 254 of the item data file 250. The graphics file 254 may
include information regarding specific printer device- commands
to insure proper reproduction.
The information captured during the content capture
process from the full motion video/audit item of material is
identified within the item data file as the full motion vid-
eo/audio file 255. This full motion video/audio file 255 is
used primarily for the purposes of preview at the consumer
interface terminal 160.
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WO 95105050 PCTIUS94/08798
Figure 8 is a functional block diagram of a preferred
embodiment of the invention in which the consumer interface
terminal 160 is enhanced by the addition of a consumer identifi-
er 300. This embodiment includes a smart interface capability
which allows for-the creation of unique consumer identification
data files that would serve to enable the targeted direction of
specific and identifiable messages which may include advertising
and promotion. Through a dynamic process, the unique consumer
identification data files are continually updated based on
consumer activities via the consumer interface terminal 160, and
such updated consumer identification data files may direct new
and unique messages over time.
To access the consumer interface terminal 160 in this
embodiment, the consumer would be required to uniquely identify
themselves through the consumer identifier process 300. Such
unique identification could be facilitated by use of magnetic
stripe or bar-code technology which includes a corresponding
identification reader device 366, or with a unique personal
identification code entered through the touch screen/monitor
interface 367. The consumer receives his unique identifier
after providing certain unique profile information, including,
but not limited to, name, address, gender, age, income range and
entertainment and personal preference information. Such infor-
mation is input through terminal 75 to remote server 70 to form
a unique consumer profile data file that is sent over the commu-
nications network 5D to the central host server 20 for storage
in the master customer database 365 within storage facility 30.
The consumer identifies themselves through the consum
er identifier process 300 within the consumer interface terminal
3D 160. This consumer identifier process 300 includes sending a
request through the local area network interface 361 and over
the local area network 150 to the remote server 70 for the
retrieval of the unique consumer profile data file stored at the
master customer database 365. This request is processed by the ,
remote server 70 and sent over the communications network 50 to
the central host server 20 which retrieves the unique consumer .
profile data file from the master customer database 365 within
the storage facility 30 and returns said file over the communi-
cations network 50 to the remote server 70 which directs it to
22
'WO 95105050 Z l 9 2 8 1 4 PCTIUS94108798
- the temporary customer database 364 within the storage facility
60.
Once the unique consumer profile data file has been
stored at the temporary customer database 364, it is used in
conjunction with the advertising/promotion database 363 to
direct unique messages within the advertising/promotion database
363 to the consumer, based on compiled information contained in
the unique customer profile data file, as directed by the remote
server 70. Such messages would be sent by the remote server 70
over the local area network~150 to the consumer interface termi- -
nal 160 for display through the touch screen/monitor interface
367 as part of the consumer shopping and preview experience.
These messages, which could include public service announce-
ments, commercial advertisements and promotions, notifications
of special events and/or factoids, could be used during any
period where the consumer is waiting for an item data file
request to be retrieved.
Information from the unique consumer profile data file
may also be used by the local database 168 to facilitate the
consumer search process. This might include notifying the
consumer, based on information within the unique consumer pro-
file data file, of a given item data file currently available,
i.e., the consumer may have purchased duplications of multiple
titles by a given artist, and said given artist may have re-
Gently released a new title which the local database 168 can now
make available.
While the unique consumer profile data file resides in
the temporary customer database 364, it is updated to reflect
consumer activity at the consumer interface terminal 160 such as
item data file preview and purchase.
After the consumer shopping and preview experience is
complete, the updated unique consumer profile data file stored
in the temporary customer database 364 is sent by the remote
server 70 over the communications network 50 to the central host
server 20 to update the master customer database 365 within the
storage facility 30.
The mastercustomer database 365 may be shared by all
remote locations 77 through the central host server 20 via the
communications network 50 to insure accurate identification of
23
219 2 814 ~T~S94108798 ~ ,
consumers at multiple remote locations 77 within the system,
thus enabling completely accurate compilation of unique consumer
activity.
The above embodiments are provided only for the pur-
pose of explaining specific applications of the applicant's
claimed invention and it will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that the applicant's invention is not limited to what
has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. There
are many other applications for the system which are not herein
described but which would become obvious to those skilled in the
art in view of the herein described invention. For instance,
the system could be used to preroanufacture duplications of
original content recordings on selected media at the remote
locations if the statistical counter data field for such origi-
nal content recordings exceeds a predetermined value. For exam-
ple, if a new original content recording for an artist is re-
leased, the remote server at the remote location could dedicate
time to the remote locations' manufacturing control device for
the duplication of the original content recording of the new re-
lease. Alternatively, the system could simply use just-in-time
inventory principles and manufacture products at the remote
locations as they are selected by consumers for purchase. Such
a system would be preferred if the remote location was provided
with sufficient consumer interface terminals and writing devices
to meet demand.
The accounting system used in thehereinabove de-
scribed system may also be implemented in a number of different
ways. For example, the accounting system located in the central
host facility could be used as a reference for determining when
payment and credit obligations are generated, i.e., to whom
money is owed for duplication of original content recordings.
The actual accounting system could be maintained at either the
central location, or at the remote locations. The accounting
system at the remote location could also serve to track any and
all payment obligations arising out of activity by the manufac-
turing control device.
The herein described storage facilities could also be
reorganized in a number of different ways without straying from
the invention. For example, different configurations of data
24
TWO 95~ososo 219 2 814 PCTIUS94108798
storage equipment could be provided at both the remote locations
and at the central locations in order to implement the caching
system which is described herein. In addition, many of the com
pression, decompression and data manipulation facilities de-
scribed herein could be performed through either software, hard
ware or a combination of both. Such distinctions are not cru
- cial to the spirit of the claimed invention and should not be so
limited. The modification between software and hardware logic
is well known to those skilled in the art. The scope of the
applicant's invention is defined only by the claims which fol-
low.
