CA2481610A1 - System and method for providing electronic media - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for providing electronic media is given. At least one kiosk is remotely located relative to a management portion which governs and controls the operations of the kiosk, The kiosk is connected to the management portion via a network and provides media available through the network using an interactive display.
The kiosk also provides a communication display which broadcasts pre-determined auxiliary media content and a static display which provides advertising space. The static display preferably covers the unused portion of the base of the kiosk and the purchasers of the advertising space renumerate the management portion to allow the management portion to provide access to the network free of charge to the user.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVfDING hrUEG'1',RUNIG ~E~1~,A~, FIELD OF THE INVEN'Y'f01~1 [0001] The present invention relates generally to electronic media and in particular to a system and method for providing access to electronic media.
BACKGRQUND OF TSE INVENTION

[0002) With the advent of eleGtronie communication, in particular the Internet and the use of electronic mail (Email), there has developed a growing need and desire to gain access to networks facilitating such electronic communication in a convenient and, most preferably, cost-effective manner.

[0003] People who wish to use the Internet or communicate via Emai1 are typically required to do so at home, at work, at a "Pay-Per-Use" Internet establishment or if they have the means to do so, through a personal digital assistarn (PDA) or other such Email or wireless computing device. The above mentioned methods for electronic communication can be eithtr expensive or inconvenient when tine person is not at home or at work.
[0004 The increasing reliance on Internet access by society has made it difficult in some cases to allow basic Commurilcation in a convenient and cost effective manner. A
person is faced with the challenge of either being required to spend significant amounts of money to equip a wireless devict for "on-the-fly communication" or to find a means far accessing the Internet when away from home or work. Furthermore, the Internet is a service which typically must be paid for when access at home is desired and not all occupatians provide free Internet acceSS at work.
[f1005] Therefore there e~cists a need to provide elecd onic media services such as Internet access and Email capabilities at no cost to the user. Such a service would allow the use of networks which have become essential in a person's day-ta-day activities due to the heavy reliance on wide-spread communication via the Internet to accomplish these day-to-day activities.
arat~o z [0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus to obviate or mitigate at least some of the above mentioned disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one aspect, the present invention provides a kiosk for providing electronic media comprising a base which supports the kiosk; an interactive module supported by the base; the interactive module being controlled by a communication module capable of providing the electronic media using the interactive module; and a display also supported by the base and capable of displaying auxiliary media.
[0008) In another aspect, the present imrention provides a method for providing electronic media comprising the steps of remotely situating at least one kiosk relative to a server and connecting the kiosks) with the server using a communication connection over a network; providing access to the network using an interactive module provided by the kiosk(s); providing auxiliary media on a display provided by the kiosk(s);
and monitoring the activity of the kiosks) from the server.
[OO09J In yet saiothar aspect, the auxiliary media provided by the system and method described according to the presestt invention comprise9 advertising content.
BRTEF DESCRIP~'ION' OF THE DItA,WII1TGS
[OOio) The features of the ikon wilt become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawirtga wherein.
[OOl I) Figure 1 is a schematic drawing depicting the elcmenta of an electronic media systtm.
j0o12J Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the kiosks of Figure 1.
[OOi3j Figure 3 is a scheit~atic drawing of the interrnai components of the kiosk of Figure 2.
2~ai~o.a [001aj Figure 4 is a schematic drawing ofthe network operating centre (NOC) of Figure I
[0015] Figure 5 is a schematic drawing of the administration and production elements of Figure 1.
(0016] Figure 6 is an example of a vrreb browser inter~uce displayed by the kiosk of Figure 2.
[0017) Figure 7 iS a schematic drawing of a login interflace displayed by the kiosk of Figure 2.
[0018] Figure 8 is a flow diagram depicting the use of the interactive module of Figure 2.
[0019] Figure 9 is a #low diagram depicting the stegs in a self correcting procedure.
[0020] Figure 10 is a flow diagram depicting the steps in a remote monitoring procedure.
[0021] Figurc 11 is a flow diagram depicting the steps in a media synchronisation procedure.
DTTA~,)~,ED DESCR'lp'TION pF T1EIE iNVEN~ON
j0022] Referring therefbre to Figure 1, an electronic media system is generally denoted by numeral 1Q. The electronic media system 10 is more specifically comprised of a management portion 11 and a user portion 13. The managernern portion 11 may be comprised of a single entity but will be herein illustrated as being sub-divided into three entities: a network operating centre (NOC) 14, a production ernity 16 and an administration entity 18. It will be appreciated that all of the functionality imparted by each of the elements associated with the management portion 11 may be implemented using any number of entities (E.g. alI throe accomplished with one entity) end three are shown in this example to better illustrate the fundamental responsibilities ofthe management portion 11.
2131363.1 [0023] The user portion 13 is comprised of at Least one Idosk 19. Any number of kiosks 19 may be used as necessary or desired and in this example an arbitrary '~V"
number of kiosks is shown illustrating that any f nice number of kiosks 19 may be utilized by the present inve~ion_ I~ereinafter the structure and functionality of one kiosk 19 will be explained and it will be appreciated that all kiosks 19 used by the user portion 13 are preferably implemented in a similar manner.
[0024] The management portion 11 and user portion 13 are remotely situated relative to each other and are connected to each other thraugh a network 12. Any suitable network for transmitting electronic data is suitable and for the example described herein, and most preferably, an internal protocol (IP) »ttwork is usod. Other such networks may include but shall not be limited to Ix~tranet, file transfer protocol (FTI') etc.
[0025] Oae of the kiosks 19 incorporated in the ustr portion 13 is shown in Figure 2.
The kiosk 19 includes a base 20 which supports its various elements.
Preferably, a static display 22 is affixed to the bgse_ The static display 22 i9 generally defined by a surface which in this case completely surrounds the base and incorporates the entire lower portion of the kiosk 19. The surface defined by the static display 22 is preferably used to display advertisements pertaining one or many commercial organizations which remunerate the administration eatery 18 of the electronic media system 10 for providing these advertisements.
[002G] The kiosk 19 also includes an interactive module 24 and in this example the into active module 24 is mounted atop the static display 22 and base 28 thereby situating it at a height which is comfortable for use. The imeraaive module 24 further comprises a display screen 25 for viewing electronic media presented by the display screen 23 and an interface device 27 which in this example is a keyboard and "trackball mouse".
It will be appreciated that the interactive module 24 rnay incorporate soy member o~
devices which allow a user to interact with the display access information. For example a touchscrcen may be used wherein the display screen ZS and inter~ce device 2'T are incorporated into one mufti-use device.
21313530.2 [OOZ7] Optionally, the kiosk 19 may also incorporate additional signage 26 which can be used to provide instructions or to incorporate further advertising space etc. This additio~aal signage 26 may be placed in any suitable orientation and in this example is affixed to a set of supports holding a communication display 28 above the interactive display 24. In this example, the communication display 28 is a scxeen capable of broadcasting a dynamic media "playlist". Such "playlists" may include video advertisetrlet~tS, banner advertisements, television andlor Internet content ere. Most preferably, the communication display 28 is programmed by the producxion entity 16 and NOC 14 and operated by the kiosk 19 to provide unattended and automated media broadcasting. 'fhe pu~ose of the communication display 28 is to provide advertising opportunities beyond static advertising posters provided by the static display 22 (E.g.
video andlar audio advertising, banners etc.)_ It will be appreraatted that the communication display 28 may incorporate any type of electronic media including visual and auditory media and shall not be limited to any examples referred to herein.
[0428] It will also be appreciated that the kiosk 19 described herein is presented for illustrative purposes only. Particularly the various displays (static display 22, additional signage Zb and communication display 28) can be implemented in any arrangement and do not necessarily need to be implemented using three separate structures. The arrangement herein described is preferable, however any arrartgemant of displays) which islare capable of providing auxiliary media in addition to the interactive madule 24 can be used. For acample, a single display incorporating any or sll of the functionality of the communication display 28, static display 22 and additional signage 2fi may also be suitable.
[0029) The kiosk 14 is connected to the IP network 12 for accessing the 1P
network 12 and for communicating between itself and the various elements ofthe management portion 11 during its operation. In this example, the kiosk 19 is connected to as IP
network through a standard Bthernct connection 29.
[0030] The functionality of the kiosk I9 is internally controlled by a computing device herein referred td as the computing engine 30 shown in Figure 3. The computing ?1313630.2 engine 30 preferably contains a set of modults in which each module is responsible for a particular portion of the functionality of the kiosk t 9. In this example, these modules include: a management module 32, a content media player 34 and an Internet module 36.
[0031] The management module 32 perforrr~s tasks such as governing the operations of the kiosk 19 monitoring its activity, checking that the connections are live, and sending alerts to the administration entity 18 when errors arise. The management module 32 is preferably internally connected to the other modules of the cozoputing engine 30 for monitoring purposes and is also connected to the Ip' network 12 via a roofer and firewall 33 eorutected to the Ethernet connection 29 for communication purposes.
(0032] The content media player 34 controls the media which is broadcast via the communication display 28. The content media player 34 is connected internally to the communication display 28 for queuing the media, uploading olectroruc data f.~les and for all other purposes required by the communication display 28 as programmed by the production entity 16 andlor NOC 14. The content media player 34 is also connected externally to the IP network 12 via the roofer and f rewall 33 to allow the production ernity 16 andlar NOC 14 to gain access for programming etc.
[0033] The Intmnet module 36 presents the media to a user via the display screen 25 of the interactive module 24. The Intexnet module 36 is also externally connected to the 1P network 12 via the route and firevvaIl 33 to provide Internet access to users of the kiosk 19. It will be appreciated that the Internet module 36 is only named as such for illustrative purposes, however if another type of network such as an Intranet is used, the module would, for examples aptly he named "Intrantt module".
j0034j The NOC 14 is shown in Figure 4. The NOC 14 is the entity which monitors, updates, and commurricates with the kiosk 19. The operations performed by the allow each kiosk 19 to be unattended at aII times the exception being when service or maintenance is required. The NQC 14 houses a server 40 which stores information in one or many databases 44. The NOC 14 is conned to the II' network i2 via a suitable communication connection 46 and in this example would preferably be a standard Ethernet connection capable of accessing the IP network 12. Access to the IP
network I2 213!3630.2 by the server 40 is protecxed by a firewall 42. The server 4p preferably hosts a website for users of the kiosk 19 to access the free Internet service provided by the kiosk 19.
[0035] The production entity lb and administration entity 18 are herein depicted in this example as two separate entities to illustrate the fundamental responsibilities of the management portion 11. The production entity 16 and administration amity I8 can be implemented in a similar manner as shown in Figure 5. To perform the specified tasks associated with the respective eattities, they are generally comprised of a workstation 50, server 52 and a firewall 54 to protect the server 52 when communicating via the network connection 55. It will be appreciated that the elements presented in Figure 5 describing the production entity 16 and administration tntity 18 are given by way of example only to illustrate the preferable cox~iguration for facilitating the operations of these entities.
(U036] The interactive module 24 as indicated provides a display screen 25 to allow a user to view the electronic media presented. In this example, the electronic media is provided via access to the Internet and an example of a web browse interface 60 is shown in Figure 6. The web browser 60 allows a user to "surf the Internet andlor use Email utilities free of charge due to the remuneration to the adnlinistration entity 18 from the above mentioned commercial organizations. In a preferable implementation, the web browser fi0 will be segmented into a browsing window 62 and an advertisement border 64 which in this example incorporates the left-most portion of the web browser 60. The advertisement border 64 is preferable as another means for presenting advertising content to the user of the kiosk 19 and generating revenue payable to the administration ernity 18 to allow access to the IP network 12 free of charge. It will be appreciated that the web browser shown in Figure 6 is for illustrative purposes only and that any form of web browaer can be utilized.
(0037] In a preferable implemernation of the present invention, to gain access to the web browser b0 and thereby access to the IP network 12, a user may be reduired to sign up for the free access and in that case would be presented with a login interface 70 as shown in Figure 7. The login interface 70 allows a user to access the 1P
network 12 through the input of a username to the username entry box 72 and through irlput of a 21313630.2 7 password to a password entry box 74. 'fo submit these entries, the user would be required to select the "OK" button '76 or if they wish to exit the login interface 70 they would select the "Cancel" button 78.
[003$] The kiosk 19 is primarily self su~cient due to the management partiorl and its coordination and monitoring of activities relating to the kiosk 19.
With the electronic media system 10 set up as described above, the kiosk I9 will effectively be operating whether a user is interacting with the kiosk 19 or the kiosk 19 is simply left alone.
[0039] When the kiosk 19 has been left alone, in this example it will broadcast electronic media using the eommanication display 28 and provide static advertising with the static display 22. The caommunication display 28 can also broadcast a screensaver to attract passers by to the kiosk 19 and may also incorporate advertising convent into this scrxnsaver. The static display 22 is prefhrably a typical advertising postex which conveniently covers a substantial percentage of the lower portion of the kiosk 19. The static display 22 may be of any size suitable and may incorporate any such proportion of the body of the kiosk 19 while in this example (and most preferably} the static display 22 will incorporate the greatest proportion allowable based on the configuration of the kiosk 19. The static display 22 can be updated or interchanged according to any interval as dictated or required by the administration entity 18. Tb~erefore the static display 22 .
provides a semi-permane~ advertisement which targets the users (and passersby}
of the kiosk 19 dining all hours of the day.
[0040] Electronic media is broadcast via the communication display 28 by the content media player 34. The contern media player 34 is programmed by olte of the elements of the management portion 11 to broadcast various media at various times axtd for various intervals. It will be understood that the content media player 34 is intended to ba flexible and can be programmed to incorporate any type of electronic media thereby creating a "playlist" of specified times to broadcast the elec~rvnic media and an associated duration for each "track" in the playlist. A "track" swill hexein after refer to a media file which is to be broadcast in its emirety and preferably, these tracks are 21313630.2 ,8 contiguously assembled in a queue to farm such a playlist. The content media player 34 stores the tracks and an associated playlist which is typically a set of computer executable inswctions for playing the tracks at their specified times and in the specified order.
These specified times and the specified order is determined by one of the entities ofthe managemern module 11.
[D041] The communication display 28 preferably broadcasts the playlists continuously. The playlists may include but shall trot be limited to containing music clips, video clips, banner advertisements, sGreeZrsavers, etc. The content media player 34 runs automatically thereby executing pre-programmed media broadcasts as specified inn its playlist_ When additions! signage 26 is used, it will be appreciated that any advertisements or x~nstructions provided by such additional signage 2b will be statically displayed similar to that of the static display Z2.
[0042] The kiosk 19 will operate as indicated above without any user interactions and this operation continues when user interaction does occur. The static display 22 remains, as well as the communication display 28 which preferably broadcasts continuously to target people who may not interact with the kiosk 19 using the above mentioned screensaver. When a user interacts with the kiosk 19 it is understood that the purpost of the interaction is to gain free access to the electronic media provided by the 1F network 12 and in this eorample free access to the Internet over e~n IP network 1Z.
[0043] Any person may become a user of the kiosk 19 and acts the 1P network 12 through the interactive module 24. The general steps which may be taken to use the interactive module 24 are shown in Figure 8. Theso general stops will hereinafter be referred to as 'wveb browsing", denoted by numeral 80. To begin web browsing 80, a person will typically first gain control of the interactive module 82. A
person may gain comrol of the interactive module 82 when the kiosk 19 is unattended or i~thc kiosk 19 becomes unattended following a quetnng process.
(0044] It is preferably required that the user be registered with the NOC 14 to access the website hosted by the saver 40. The server 40 provides a custom web browser 60 which includes advertisements, custom environments etc. and to gain free access to the 1P
zrai3s3oz network 12, the user will preferably gain such access with a user account provided free of charge. Upon gaining control ofthe interactive module 82, Ehe user will typically be directed in two different direction based on whether or not they are a new user $4. if they are eat a new user, tkley would go directly to logon to the website 94.
j0045] If the person is a new user, they will first choose to register 86. A
new user may be required to provide information 8S to be stored by the databases 44. In this example, the uscx is asked to provide a valid Email address (as a username) and a password. This information is then sent to the NOC 9~ via the IF n~vv~ork 12 by accessing the FP network 12 through the Etheraet connoctioa 29. The NBC 14 will file the inforxnxtion in their databases 40 for various purposes. The information is stored for authorizing access to the website hosted by the server 40 and the E,mail address supplied may also be used es an additional communication tool by the adminisuatio~a entity 18 to provide further advertising or promotional content. Zt will be appreciated that the information supplied may lx comprised of any number of pieces of date and the above mentioned Email address and password arc for illustrative purposes only.
10046] Tbie NOC 14 will typically provide a confirmation whether or not the user has been registered 92. If the user was not Successfully registered for any reason (Email not valid, already registered, password insufficient etc.) the interactive module 24 will reset to allow the user to attempt to register 86 again. Ifthe user was successfblly registered, this confirmation would typicahy be indicated and the user would be directed to login 94.
Upon logging orno the website, the custom web browser is launched 96. In this example, the web browser 60 would rtstmble that shown in Figurc 6, however it is understood that any suitable interface which allows the user to interact with the IP network 12 can be used.
[0047] ?he user will use the web browse~r for the time they desire, however a time limit may be enforced to prevent unnecessarily long queues to form at the kiosk 19.
When the user is finished, they will logoff 98 and the interactive module 24 wih reset to its registrationllogin page. In this example, arz idle timer 97 runs while the user is web browsing 80 to ensure that if a user fails to logoff 98 and a period of inactivity occurs, the 2(913630.2 1 O

interactive module 24 will automatically logoff. During periods of inactivity, the communication display 28 may initiate a screensaver to attract passers by to the kiosk 19 and may incorporate advertL51I1$ content into such a screensaver.
It will be appreciated that the above web browsing 80 scenario has been provided for illustrative purposes only and that eny Suitable procedure may be imposed by the interactive module 24 which would allow the user to access the electronic media provided by the ~' network 12.
[0049] The kiosk I9 as mentioned is intended to operate as a stand alone unit at all hours of the day with little or no human intervention. Preferably, a plasma screen is used for the communication display 28, Plasma screens have a limited shelf life, therefore depending on the hours of operation of the location of the kiosk 19, the communication display 28 can lx scheduled to turn off power during the evening and power on again the next morning. For txaznnple the communication display may lx turned offbotween the hours of 11:00 p.m, and 7:00 a.m. The communication display will receive instructions to power offfrom the management module 32 through its connection_ A suitable connection an be achieved through an RS-232C serial cable which allows such instructions to be transmitted.
[0050] To ensure that the service provided by the kiosk 19 is optimal, there are various procedures by the kiosk 19 and the management portion 11 _ one such procedure is a self-correcting procedure I00 performed by the kiosk 19, shown in Figure 9. Tho management module 32 of the kiosk 19 is suitable for hosting the self correcting procedure 140. The self correcting procedure 100 is a routine that attempts to communicate with the 1P network 12 on a regular basis. An error itt such an attempt is intended to provoke several self-correoriag actions such as a reboot. It is understood that the self correcting procedure 100 dCSCribed herein is intended to present a preferable routine and the specific details (E.g. number of websites polled, length of interval rte.) are presented for illustrative purposes only.
[0051) The management module 32 rung a substantially continuous routine which polls websites I02 to establish whether or net these websites can be accessed thus a ma~as3o.z 11 connection to the I1' network 12 is alive. Por example, four websites !nay be polled every two minutes. During these polling operations, the management module 32 determines whether or slot everything is "OK" 104. Ifthe polling has been successful, the management module 32 will continue poliing 102. If the polling experiences difficulties, a reboot is attempted 106. The reboot may include rebooting the computing engine 30 or simply just the roofer and firewall 33, or both. Upon completion of the reboot 106, a retest is done 108 to ddermine whether or riot regular polling can continue.
The msnagemerlt module 32 will check whether or not everything is "OK" pertaining to the retest 110. If the rarest is successful, regular polling can continue 102.
Tfthe rdest was unsuccessful a second tier of seiFcornection is attempted.
(0052] The first nneasure taken is to contact the IP network provider and In this example, the irttemet service provider (YSP) to determine whether or not the service is functional 1 I2. Other checks may occur at this point including but not limited to determining whether eleciriatl power ha$ been interrupted, a plug removed dc.
This can occur if a relationship has beon established between the administration entity 1$ and the establishment which hosts the kiosk 19. If it is determined that the ISP is fhnctional, then the problem is assumed to be internal to the kiosk 19 srld the administration entity 18 i9 contacted and a technician may be dispatched to the kiosk's location 114. If the ISP's service is not functional, a period of "down time" will occur 116 while the ISP fixes their problem.
X0053] The management module 32 will not return to regular functionality until contact is once again established with the kiosk 19 by the administration entity 118. The administration entity 18 is capable of polling the kiosk 19 and this procedure will be described below. The matlagemeat module 32 wih determine whether or not everything is "OK" based on whether or not they have resumed contact 120. If the connection has been reestablished, the regular polling renames 102. If the connection is not restored within a etrtain amount of time for based upon any other suitable criteri ), a technician will be dispatched to the kiask's location 114 and the administration entity I8 would typically be contacted at this point.
213!3630.2 12 [0054] It will be appreciated that the means for dispatching the technician and contacting the administration entity 18 can be implemented in any suitable manner based on the relationship between the establishment halting the kiosk 19 and the administration emity 18 atad/or the presence of other infrastrercture which can be used in the event that the IP network's service experiences "down time".
[0055] The administration entity 18 may periodically wish to monitor the activity of a kiosk 19. The above described salt correcting procedure 100 may issue an alert to the administration entity 18 via Email which reports that the kiosk 19 is experiencing difftculty in accessing the IP network 12. In addition to self correction, the kiosk l9 and the admiriistration entity 18 will periodically attempt to indicate that a valid connection exists between the two entities which will hdecinafter be referred to as the "kiosk heartbeat" 200. The kiosk heartbeat 200 is shown in Bigure 10. The purpose of the kiosk heartbeat 200 is to allow the administration entity 18 to monitor a log which records the kiosk heartbeats 200. This log is preferably stored by the server 40 at the NOC 14 and is accessible by the administration tntity 18.
[0056j Preferably, the kiosk 19 will periodically run a compoztent provided by the managemern module 32 which simulates a web browser roquest to the server 52 and attempt to read a kiosk-specilxc web page Z02. This process requires the kiosk 19 to access the server 52 provided by the administration entity 18. The server 52 contains a log of kiosk heartbeats 200 for each kiosk 19 which is connected to the Ip network 12.
When the kiosk 19 aousscs the leaver 52, an entry is made into the log 204. A
script run by the server 52 monitors the Log and checks that the appropriate entries have been made 20b. If a problem has not bocn detaxod, a heartbeat is present 208 and the script determines that the kiosk 19 is properly communicating at this time and the process can repeat at the next imerval. It will be appreciated that the log may be checked at any interval desired as long as the script can identiFy missing heartbeats when they occur.
[0~57j If a problem is detected by the script, the server 52 sends an Email alert 2x0 to an administrator who gray receive this alert at their rworkstation 50. This alert will indicate that a heartbeat is missing tom a particular kiosk I9. Upon receiving such an 21313630.2 13 alert, the administration entity 18 may initiate a remote connection 212.
Preferably, there are two types of remote connections which may be made to the I'iosk 19 for diagnosis purposes. The first type of connection is a command line based connection which is not perceptible by a user interacting with the kiosk 19. The second type of connection takes control of the interaction module 24 prtventing users from interacting with the kiosk 19.
A vurtual network connection f VNC) is a suitable method for the second type of connection.
[0058] If the administration entity 18 is able to connect to the kiosk 19, a connection to the IP network I2 is live and therefore a diagnosis ofthe machine can be attempted 214. Typically if the comtection can be made, the heartbeat may be missing due to such reasons as the kiosk I9 being unavailable due to a self reboot or that the actual heartbeat component is malfunctioning. It will be appreciated that at this point, any suitable means for resolving the issues raised during the diagnosis can occur such as uploading or downloading information or defective Stes etc.
(0059] If the administration entity 18 is unable to connect to the kiosk 19, a live connection to the 1'p network 12 is not present. Similar to that of the self correcting procedure 100, it is determined through any suitable means whether or not there is a problem with the ISP 216. If there is a problem, the YSP will fix their problem 218 and the proc~urc 200 will begin again. If the ISP is not at fault, the kiosk 19 may be inoperable due to hardware problems or power failure ttc. and a service call is made 220 to dispatch a technisaan to the kiosk's location. Upon repeat, the procedure 200 can begin again.
(0060] The communication display 28 broadcgsts media, exea~ted using a pre-prog~rammed playlist. These playlists era progammed by the management portion 1 I of the electronic media system 10 and, more specifically in this example, are programmed by eithtr the production entity 16 or the NOC 14, or both, Playlist progamming will hereinafter be r~eFe~rnd to as media synchronization 300. The media synchronization may be performed on a kiosk by kiosk basis to tailor the play list to that particular kiosk. In this manna, targeted modia can be provided to suit the particular kiosk and 'rts likely 21313630.1 ~ 4 users. A typical media synchronization procedure 300 is shown in Figure 11.
Ivledia synchronization 300 can include but shall not be limited to deleting tracks, adding tracks, updating tractcs etc.
[005I] In this example we will assume that the original playtist has been programmed by the NOC 14 and is currently hosted by the kiosk 19. The media synchronization 300 is, in this example, thereinafter also performed by the NaC 14. The NOC 14 governs the content and broadcasting elemerns of the media. The NOC 14 as described can access the IP network 12 which allows thenn to perform the media synchronization 300.
In order to perform a media synchronization 300, instructions would typically be given as to the nature of the update. The kiosk 19, using the management module 32, connects to the NOC 14 at regular intervals 302. At this point the kiosk 19 looks in an assigned location for update data and the kiosk 19 will download the data which may include files to be added at~/or a get of update instructions 304. Downloading can be dome using any suitable method such as a VNC or fle transfer protocol (FTP) etc.
(0062j The kio~k 19 will then upload information 306 to the NOC 14 such as status reports, usage statistics etc. tbr use by the administration entity 18. The administration entity 18 can access this information at any time by connecting to the server 40 at the NOC 14. The kiosk 19 will then determine whether or not the information syncluoitixation was successful 308. If the synchronization was not succes9ful, the kiosk 19 will then reattexapt the upload 306. If the synchronization was successful, an message is received from the management module 32 that the update has been completed 310.
[0063] Accordingly, the presets invention provides a system for providing Internet access to a user of a kiosk 19 free of charge. To pay for the service provided, various business organizations can purchase advertising space either on the static display 22, through the interactive module 24, on the additional signage 26 as well as more advanced advertising to ba broadcast by the communication display 28. 'flte system described herein is at the focal point of a partnership trilogy b~tw~n the vendors where the kiosks arc Locate, the users of the kiosk 19 (typically consumers of the locations) arid business 2r3t3d30.a 15 organizations who sponsor the trilogy through paid advertising. The system brings together the parties involved in the trilogy by providing the kiosk and its functionality, (OO64] The vendors are remunerated for providing tha kiosk i 9 both financially from the administration and through exposure to consumers wishing to access the rY
network 12 fry of charge. 'fhe corporate sponsors are able to target specific consumers based on the vendor locations in which they purchase the advertising space end remunerate the administration for their overhead plus the additional expense of paying for access to the IP network 12. The corporate spvnsars also become associated with a free service, which brings a perceived benefit. The advertisemetrts may be perceived as bcnef cial as opposed to intrusive to the consumer slate they are also providing the free service. The consumers ultimately benefit from this trilogy through free access to the IP
network while being exposed to advertisements such as promotional of~2rs etc. as well as important infarrnatian such as ngwa, sports, trirria etc_ which may be of interest to them.
[0065] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific exnbodixnents, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended herMo.
?2313630.2 16

Claims (4)

1. A kiosk for providing electronic media comprising a base, said base supporting said kiosk; an interactive module, said interactive module supported by said base, said interactive module controlled by a communication module capable of providing said electronic media using said interactive module; and a display, said display supported by said base and capable of providing auxiliary media.

2. A kiosk according to claim 1 wherein said auxiliary media comprises advertising content.

3. A method for providing electronic media comprising the steps of remotely situating at least one kiosk relative to a server and connecting said at least one kiosk with said server using a communication connection over a network, providing access to said network using an interactive module provided by said at least one kiosk, providing auxiliary media on a display provided by said at least one kiosk, and monitoring the activity of said at least one kiosk from said server.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said auxiliary media comprises advertising content, said advertising content being purchased by a third party thereby paying for said access to said network and allowing said media to be provided by said kiosk free of charge.