DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] With reference to FIG. 1, a system overview for a media delivery system allowing consumers total choice and total control 10 is illustrated. Media delivery system 10 includes input by suppliers 12 through a communication link 14 . Products and services are offered through the communication link 14 by the suppliers 12 which are in turn controlled by management servers 16 . The management servers 16 include individual databases 18 that store the information from the suppliers that may be of interest to consumers. The databases 18 are in turn linked to and are accessible to a data warehouse 20 that operates as a collection position for the information stored in the individual databases 18 . A media server 22 is in communication with the data warehouse and supplies information to and from personal media devices 24 via a communication link 26 . Consumer profiling information, such as age, location, media play, interests, etc., is generated from the personal media device 24 and is communicated back through the communication link to the media server 22 . The information in turn is then directed through the data warehouse 20 to a reporting server 28 . The reporting server 28 functions to manipulate the data in the date warehouse so as to provide consumer marketing information back through communication link 14 to the suppliers 12 . This valuable consumer marketing information can be in the form of market research, advertising reports, or the like, and in any format that is preferred by the suppliers.

[0032] The communication links 14 and 26 are preferably secured networks using Internet protocols and can be either wired or wireless.

[0033] With reference to FIG. 2, a four pillar business model or method of doing business 30 is illustrated. The model 30 includes a C ³ pillar 32 , a data center pillar 34 , an information portal 36 and a profit opportunity pillar 38 . These four pillars interact together to provide total choice and control by the consumer of multimedia products as well as generating valuable information for suppliers of the media and an opportunity for the suppliers to generate a profit. It will be appreciated that the business model 30 can be fee-based, can be advertising-driven, or a combination of each..

[0034] The C ³ pillar is the portion of the business model that provides total choice, total control and low or no cost to the consumer who is utilizing the system. The choice of media selection allows a consumer to have prompt access to media that the consumer wants, when the consumer wants it, and wherever the consumer happens to be. The control feature allows the consumer to pause, rewind, fast forward, skip to the next program, skip back to the program, and keep a list of favorites for instant recall. The cost parameter in this pillar allows the business model to attract the largest possible consumer base. It will be appreciated that the system can be operated in different modes such as a broadcast mode or an on-demand mode. The four pillars can be used in either mode.

[0035] The data center pillar 34 is provided by the community that is created by those utilizing the C ³ pillar 32 which allows for anonymous consumer profiling to create information on the system's listeners. The consumer profiles that are generated by the data center 34 allow copyright holders, record companies, movies companies, and other media suppliers to better understand their market. It further allows market research companies to receive access to fast, accurate market information based upon real events rather than statistical sampling. Further, the data center 34 provides direct marketing, advertising and merchandising companies with raw information that allows a series of value-added products to be built.

[0036] The information portal pillar 36 leverages the raw information that is contained within the data center 34 to create the value-added products, such as reports. These reports are utilized by direct marketing and advertising firms who need to direct information to targeted consumers. Record companies who desire to quickly and accurately obtain feedback on consumer's tastes on new artists or music are intended to benefit from this information portal 36 . Moreover, merchants who desire to sell products or services directly to consumers can be targeted by the information portal 36 . And finally, market research firms who desire to study consumer behavior or demographics in a certain media market, such as the music market, would benefit from utilizing the information portal 36 .

[0037] The profit opportunity pillar 38 provides incentive for copyright holders and media providers to provide the total choice control and low cost media to consumers. The incentive for copyright holders and media providers includes greater operational efficiency by leveraging real-time market information. For music labels, the incentive provides for reduced risk when introducing new artists or music by leveraging automated, low-cost testing and research against a large, diverse community. The content available to consumers is contained within the system and thus there is a reduced risk of loss from piracy. Marketing costs can be reduced through targeted messages and promotions. There is a greater marketing and sales leverage of existing consumer base through continuous relationships long after products are sold. These items are referred to as the bottom line improvements that are offered by the current system.

[0038] The profit opportunity pillar 38 further provides top line improvements such as continuous revenues from direct marketing and advertising firms who seek to deliver messages to new listeners. New revenue-producing products for market research companies can be offered for those who can benefit from data stored in the data center 34 . Continuous revenues from subscription fees can be levied for premium services if the supplier chooses a subscriber-based fee system. Both the bottom line and top line features provide an incentive for copyright holders and music service providers to provide the C ³ pillar 32 . Thus, the business circle is completed as depicted in FIG. 2 .

[0039] With reference to FIG. 3 , the media delivery system 10 and its architecture is illustrated in greater detail than that which was previously disclosed in the schematic diagram of FIG. 1 . The system 10 includes suppliers 12 of products and services to consumers. Suppliers 12 include advertisers 40 , channel administrators 42 , media partners 44 , such as record labels, film companies, music publishers, etc. and catalog partners 46 , such as suppliers of goods through catalog sales. Together these groups channel their products and services through a secured network via a communication link 14 to their own individual management servers 16 . For example, media partners 44 may manage their own media management server 48 that contains its own media database content 50 . The media database 50 would include music that is controlled by record labels. It will be appreciated that multiple media management servers could be utilized thus providing each supplier with its own media database for it to control and disseminate the contents thereof to consumers. Other examples of the content within a media database could include films, videos, etc., from film companies, video publishers, video distributors, artists, producers, etc.

[0040] The advertisers 40 utilize their own advertisement management server 52 that in turn manages their own advertising database 54 . The advertising database would include advertisements, targeting parameters, display parameters, and other information that could be used to target and disseminate advertising messages to consumers through their personal media device 24 .

[0041] The channel administrators utilize their own channel management server 56 that in turn manages their own channel database 58 . The channel database would include collections of media and metadata describing those collections. This data is used to make channels—also known as “stations” in radio parlance—available to consumers. Likewise, the catalog partners 46 utilize their own catalog management servers 60 that in turn manage their own catalog database 62 . The catalog database 62 could include a listing of readily available products a consumer could purchase and such products can be directly targeted to interested consumers via their personal media device 24 .

[0042] The personal media services server 22 is a server object that contains its own tracking database 64 that maintain usage and behavioral data consumers who are utilizing the system including behavioral patterns, and characteristics that are attributable to an individual's usage of the system. A subscriber database 66 maintains information on each individual user, including demographics and other marketing data. It will be appreciated that the present media delivery system 10 can be a fee-based or an advertising-driven system. If a fee-based system is employed, then the subscriber database 66 can be utilized to maintain fee payments and other account information pertaining to a particular consumer.

[0043] The communication link 26 provides the interface between the personal media services server 22 and the personal media devices 24 . The communication link 26 can be an interface that is hard-wired through high-speed data networks employing Internet protocols. By contrast, the communication link 26 can be effectuated through either wired or wireless networks. It is important that the communication link 26 provide 2-way communication of data. A directory server 68 could be utilized to interface with the communication link 26 to provide users with a level of isolation from physical or logical changes to system's infrastructure.

[0044] The personal media devices 24 preferably include personal media services software that is compatible with the communication link 26 . Various personal media devices are contemplated including a personal computer 70 , home-based media system 72 , business-based media system 74 , vehicle media system 76 , personal portable media system 78 or some other form of personal digital assistant (PDA) 80 or mobile phone/communication device 82 . Each of these media devices include playback components allowing the human to interface with the personal media services server 22 . They further each include an output screen, at least one speaker, and appropriate input control mechanisms, allowing the consumer to interact with the personal media device so as to provide input which in turn allows data to be transmitted to, and received from, the personal media services server 22 . It will be appreciated that voice controlled personal media devices 24 can be employed to allow non-visual, non-tactile control of the device. When the media device is specifically for audio-only media, the output screen may be removed, leaving at least one audio speaker..

[0045] The media delivery system 10 further includes architecture for allowing suppliers 12 of the system to produce information that will assist them in making marketing, planning, or other operational decisions. This is accomplished by providing a communication link 83 between the personal media services server 22 and the reporting servers 28 . The reporting server 28 utilizes the data warehouse 20 and the other databases in order to provide both fixed and ad hoc queries for information such as market research 84 and advertising reports 86 back to the suppliers 12 via the communication link 14 . It will be appreciated that the market research 84 and advertising reports 86 can be generated automatically as data from the consumers is input through the media services server 22 . This provides suppliers 12 with continuous feedback of pertinent information that allows the suppliers 12 to target consumers with products or messages.

[0046] The method of operating the media delivery system 10 will now be presented. FIG. 4 depicts a flow diagram of a log-in 98 routine that can be employed by a consumer. Initially, a personal media device 24 is turned on via a switch or by voice command 100 . This causes the personal media software to automatically launch. Next, the personal media device 24 is connected 102 to the personal media services server (PMSS) 22 by first retrieving a list of known directory servers 68 from its internal store, and then sequentially connecting to each directory server 68 and requesting an IP address and port number for an appropriate PMSS 22 . If no directory server 68 can be found, or no appropriate PMSS 22 is available, the device displays a “service unavailable” message. The personal media device 24 will continue to search for service until turned off. It will be appreciated that a directory server 68 does not need to be utilized. Instead, the concept may be implemented by directly having a list of PMSS 22 which are then contacted directly in sequence until one responds. If a directory server 68 is utilized, this will isolate devices from changes in the physical and logical infrastructure.

[0047] Next the system 10 prompts the consumer 104 in order to ascertain whether they are an existing user. This is accomplished by the personal media device 24 displaying or vocalizing a list of known user IDs. Alternatively, if the user is not an existing user, then they may elect to create a new user profile 106 . When this occurs, the user is presented with an interface, either visually or by voice activation, and is prompted to enter a desired user ID and possibly other authentication information. A consumer profile is then created which consists of demographic, behavioral, or other characteristic information such as zip code, date of birth, number of children, types of pets, etc. Once the requested information has been entered, it is stored in the subscriber database 66 . It will be appreciated that certain authentication methods, such as the use of fingerprints or retina scans, would allow the user to automatically enter both user ID and authentication signature simultaneously.

[0048] Referring back to the option where there is an existing user, the next step is to authenticate the user 108 . This can be accomplished through password, voice imprint, bio-data such as iris identification, smart card or proximity card. If the user is authenticated 110 , then she is passed on to where the PMSS 22 retrieves the user's profile 112 and any saved session ID from the subscriber database 66 using the user ID as a key. If there were any saved sessions 114 , then it is restored by a load saved session request 116 , allowing recovery of a previously saved session through the personal media device 24 and allowing it to return to the place left off prior to being turned off. If no load save session 116 was saved, then the user can create a new session 118 . At this point, the system is now ready 120 for utilization by a consumer. It will be appreciated that users may select an option exempting them from entering authentication information in order to gain entry to the system. This will provide a faster and more convenient process for using the system at the expense of user data security.

[0049] With reference to FIG. 5, a consumer usage diagram 122 is depicted. This diagram depicts the steps a consumer would go through after logging in. (See log-in function 98 that was discussed above). Once the consumer has properly logged-in 98 , the user can select the mode of operation 124 which allows the user to utilize the system 10 in two primary ways. First, channels 126 allow a user to emulate radio or television or other broadcast mediums in which a series of programming is created on behalf of the consumer and then played in a sequence. Alternatively, the on-demand mode 128 emulates CD players or DVD players or any other medium in which the user selects the specified programs and potentially the order of the programs.

[0050] If a consumer chooses the channel 126 mode, a selected desired channel 130 can be chosen from a menu on a screen, by saying the name or unique identifier of the channel into a voice recognition system, or any other direct selection mechanism. Channels 126 can be located by utilizing a criteria-based searching service in which the user identifies desirable properties and the service narrows down the list of matching channels, from which the user may select one or more thereof. The consumers have the option of selecting multiple channels 126 thereby creating a super channel that acts as a single channel with combined resources of all encompassed channels. If the consumer selects the on-demand 128 mode of operation, then the user can select a desired media program 132 . This option allows a consumer to select a specific program or set of programs by selecting them from a menu on a screen, by saying the names of each program, or any other direct selection mechanism. Programs may be found by utilizing a criteria-based searching service that allows the consumer to identify desirable properties and the service narrows down the list of matching programs, from which the user may select one or more thereof.

[0051] The consumer can then hit the play button 134 or say “play” into a voice recognition module in order to begin the selected program series. This allows the selected audio or video to be diverted to the proper hardware resources in accordance with the program. When this occurs, the program begins to play 136 .

[0052] With reference to FIG. 6, a schematic diagram of an optional voice activated interactive advertising system 140 is disclosed. The system 140 is initiated after the user has properly logged into the system 10 . The next step for the voice activated system 140 is to detect advertising opportunity 142 . This is accomplished by an advertising server 52 using profile-matching to target consumers in order to detect an advertising opportunity with the consumer. An opportunity may be a manually initiated command request in which another user sends an audio or video message to the consumer. Advertisers are targeted by applying rules that select consumers with specific sets of parameters that match those rules.

[0053] The next step allows an advertisement to be delivered 144 to the consumer's personal media device where the advertisement can be heard 146 . The advertisement can be broadcast via video screen or by speakers and the appropriate medium can be determined by examining the metadata delivered with the advertisement. It will be appreciated that the advertisement can be automatically converted from audio to text through a speech-to-text module if no speakers are available. Next, the consumer responds by voice 148 in order to interact with the advertisement through the personal media device 24 . The personal media device 24 then forwards the response 150 to a voice server where the vocal response is converted into data packets and sent to a voice server across the network for processing.

[0054] Next, the voice server translates the response to a data command 152 . Once this occurs, the system determines if there is sufficient command data 154 in order to process the request. If there is sufficient command data 154 , then the command 154 is acknowledged 156 to the consumer. If the command data is insufficient to process the request, then the voice server creates follow-up questions 158 . This is accomplished by the server looking up follow-up questions in a workflow description. For example, if a consumer is buying tickets to a concert, the follow-up question might be “How many tickets do you need?” and the consumer might respond “I need two tickets.” Also, the follow-up questions could ask “Which arena would you like tickets for?” or “Would you like to pay by credit card? And, if so, what is your credit card number?” The system continues to follow-up with the consumer 160 until sufficient command data has been received in order to process the request so that it can be acknowledged 156 . At which time, the system may acknowledge the command by saying “Thank you, your order number is 12345. Your tickets are being delivered to your home.”

[0055] An alternative form of the voice activated system 140 includes a consumer initiating dialog 162 initially with the personal media device in order to inquire about something or to control the device by voice. An example of inquiries through the personal media device 24 could include, “I'd like to check on the status of my order number 12345.” Further, controls such as fast forwarding, selecting artists, selecting songs, etc., could be initiated through the consumer initiating dialog feature 162 .

[0056] With reference to FIG. 7, a dynamic programming module 170 is illustrated which is the feature in the system 10 that provides for automated assembly of a collection of media programs based on pre-determined rules within the system. To initiate the dynamic programming module 170 , the consumer must log-in 98 . Next, the consumer must select a dynamic program 172 from a menu on a screen of personal media device 124 by either saying the name or other unique identifier of the program into a voice recognition system, or any other direct selection mechanism. Programs may be found utilizing a criteria-based searching service in which the user identifies desirable properties and the service narrows down the list of matching programs, from which the user may select one or more thereof. It will be appreciated that the user may select multiple programs thereby creating a “super program” such as American Top 40, England's Top 40, Japan's Top 40, which together could become one program. The “super program” acts as a single program with the combined resources of all encompassed programs.

[0057] Once the program is selected 172 , then the system checks 174 the media cache to see if the dynamic program has been cached and is up to date. A cached dynamic program contains logic specific to the program that allows it to say whether or not it is up to date. It will be appreciated that the media cache can be stored on the personal media device 24 or elsewhere in the system 10 .

[0058] If the media cache is not up to date, then the system must refresh the list of media specified by the dynamic program. A dynamic program that produced the top 10 songs in the United States, for example, would be refreshed by accessing the tracking database 64 and examining the United States popularity rankings of specific music.

[0059] Once the dynamic program 176 is refreshed, the media specified by the dynamic program is stored in the media cache 178 . If, however, the media cache is already updated, then the system loads the dynamic program from media cache 180 instead of refreshing it. This feature provides for extra scalability and performance of the system 10 . Once the program is loaded, it can be played 182 . Alternatively, the consumer can execute another operation such as obtaining metadata information about the dynamic program.

[0060] FIGS. 8 through 15 depict human interface screens that a user would see on her personal media device 24 during operation of the system 10 . With specific reference to FIG. 8 , this is the first screen a consumer sees when she is logging in to the system 10 using her personal medial device 24 . The welcome screen 190 includes typical pause, play, rewind, fast forward, volume, skip forward, skip backward, and other control buttons 192 . This screen further includes a login feature 194 which provides the consumer with access to the system 10 . The screen 190 further includes a video output section 196 that allows the consumer to visualize media, advertisements, or other product information from the suppliers 12 , or tutorials and other help material on how to use the device and its software.

[0061] FIG. 9 is a new listener screen 198 that is used for new users of the system 10 . The consumer is allowed to select her log-in name 194 as well as optionally provide a pin number. Other predetermined start up information 200 is input into the system which is used to initiate and create the consumer's personal profile that is stored in the subscriber database 66 . It will be appreciated that the system 10 can periodically prompt the consumer to provide additional information so as to provide on-going market research 84 for suppliers 12 .

[0062] FIG. 10 illustrates a human interface information screen 202 that a consumer sees once she is in the system. Various features are now available for the consumer to utilize in order to listen to music. It will be appreciated that the screens depicted in FIGS. 10 - 15 are for use with music listeners. It is contemplated by this invention to provide similar screens for viewers of movies or those interested in interacting with other forms of media.

[0063] With continued reference to FIG. 10 , the various features available for the consumer is an information feature 204 , a find music feature 206 , a news feature 208 , an events feature 210 , a merchandise feature 212 , a favorites feature 214 , a stations feature 216 and a message board feature 218 .

[0064] With respect to the information feature 204 , the consumer is offered to select detailed information 204 about a particular artist, a song, an album or to obtain a list of similar music. In FIG. 10 , the screen shows the consumer has chosen the artist selection 220 to get information about Rod Stewart. This invention allows the consumer to obtain detailed information about any other artist that is within the system's databases. Such information can include the artist's latest albums, reviews, biographies, etc.

[0065] FIG. 11 depicts a find music screen 222 that a consumer sees when she selects the find music feature 206 . The consumer is prompted with the option of browsing or searching 224 , which can be accomplished by category, artist, composer, song title, etc. The user navigates the find music screen 222 by continually narrowing search criteria and reviewing the resulting list of media. This feature allows the consumer to have total choice over the music she would like to listen to. In combination with the playback controls 192 , the user also gains total control over when and how she is going to listen to the music.

[0066] FIG. 12 depicts the favorites screen 226 that occurs when the consumer selects the favorites button 214 . This feature is similar to the favorites option on Microsoft's Internet Explorer window and allows the consumer to create favorite categories 228 by songs, artists, songwriter, albums, stations, etc. This favorites information is stored in the subscriber database 66 and becomes part of the consumer's personal profile of preferred media to listen to. By building this list of favorites, the system 10 is capable of locating other media that the consumer may be interested in listening to. This allows suppliers 12 in the system to develop a pattern of preferences by the consumer so as to allow the supplier to provide new media to the consumer that the consumer potentially would be interested in reviewing. System 10 uses the tracking database selections and frequency of selections when in the stations mode in order to provide personalized media content for each individual consumer. If the song category 228 is selected, the consumer is prompted with the song title, the artist's name, the songwriter's name, the album in which the song appeared and the year that the song was released. It will be appreciated that other information can be provided by the suppliers 12 and that modifications of the favorites screen 226 , and the other screens, could be contemplated. It will also be appreciated that the system can cache media selected as a favorite in order to provide additional performance and scalability.

[0067] With reference to FIG. 13, a merchandising screen 230 is depicted and this occurs when the consumer selects the merchandise button 212 . When the merchandise button 212 is selected, the consumer is provided with a browse or search selection 232 . When the browse selection 232 is chosen, the consumer sees what is depicted in FIG. 13 thus allowing her to select merchandise from catalog partners 46 such as Amazon.com, eBay, Borders, etc. and make on-line purchases of products that pertain to a particular artist. Once the consumer makes the selection, she can directly purchase the product, have it automatically billed to her credit card, and have the product automatically sent to a predetermined address. It will be appreciated that the consumer may also elect to purchase the product in other ways, such as cash-on-delivery (COD), direct billing, or any other method of payment, and that the system could be designed to allow her to determine billing and shipping information at the time of purchase rather than having them predetermined.

[0068] With reference to FIG. 14 , this is the stations screen 234 a consumer sees when she selects the stations button 216 . The consumer is provided with a browse, search or suggestions option 236 once the stations screen 234 comes up. In the screen that is shown in FIG. 14 , the browse option 236 has been chosen thus allowing the consumer to preview the various forms of music that are provided in the system 10 . The consumer can select by music type, such as alternative, blues, hip hop, etc. and, within each of these substations, find music to which she is interested in listening.

[0069] FIG. 15 depicts a subset of the station screen 234 that depicts more detailed information on the selected station. Here, the user has chosen the alternative punk station 238 . This screen shows information about the station that was entered by the channel administrator 42 . From this screen the user can see a partial list of artists 240 that are represented in this station and can select the partial list to view a complete list. The user can also see a partial list of songs that are represented in this station 242 and can select the partial list to view a complete list. The user can press the play button 244 to begin listening to the chosen alternative punk station 238 and even add it to her favorites list 245 . Other music can be selected utilizing the same steps or, the consumer can log off whereby the personal media device 24 disconnects from the system 10 .

[0070] For the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, independent claims, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.