WO2002005155A2 - System and method for connecting a media purchaser to a manufacturer site to obtain media related information - Google Patents

Description

SYSTEM 2A D METHOD FOR CONNECTING A MEDIA PURCHASER TO A MANUFACTURER SITE TO OBTAIN MEDIA RELATED INFORMATION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of interactive computing, and more specifically connecting purchasers of media such as compact disks or DVDs via a computer to a remote location using the media itself for the purpose of obtaining media related information.

Description of the Related Art

The progress of the computer industry over the last several years has resulted in a sharp increase in the use of personal computers to play music and to interact with the internet or World Wide Web. Media available to users include compact disks, or CDs, as well as Digital Versatile Disks, or DVDs, and other types of media, such as floppy disks, tape, Zip disks, and so forth. The term CD, as used herein, refers to compact disks including, but not limited to, CD- disks. Music has typically been distributed on CDs, as have games, certain video information, and other data or applications of interest to a user. More recently, manufacturers have sold videos and movies on DVD.

Computer users have shown an interest in using their personal computers to play their music CDs and view DVDs. Computer manufacturers have responded by installing CD and/or DVD players in even relatively inexpensive PCs. In certain circumstances, a user may wish to listen to music while composing a letter, or view a movie while composing a letter, or view a movie while monitoring score from baseball games over the internet. This multitasking using CDs and DVDs has become relatively common, and can, for some users, obviate the need for a user to purchase both a PC and a CD or DVD player.

Most manufactures currently distribute music on CDs. Other media are used, but CD sales by far exceed sales of other media. PC games are also commonly sold on CD-. Movies are typically distributed on videotape, such as VHS cassettes, but sales of DVDs have recently been increasing dramatically.

Presently, a CD manufacturer in unable to interact with the purchaser of a music CD and has little or no information about a purchaser after he or she leaves the point of purchase. CD manufacturers are interested in obtaining information about their purchasers, as well as having the ability to provide information to the purchaser subsequent to the time of purchase.

Previously, to provide after purchase information to customers, information was included in or on the product purchased. For example, a web site address may have been imprinted on a compact disk liner card, or a telephone number may have been included on the packaging. Some manufacturers included postcards in the disks with a list of questions for the purchaser to develop marketing information. The drawback of this attempt to reach purchasers after purchase was that the purchaser may not see the information, may not use it, or may not return postcards to the manufacturer. The only other way to reach a purchaser was by means or mass advertising, such as by magazine or other media outlets. The problems with mass advertising is that such advertising is expensive and could miss the target audience.

It is therefore an object of current invention to provide a method for obtaining post purchase interaction between a manufacturer of a media, such as a CD or DVD, and the purchaser that is effective at relaying information between the two parties and relatively inexpensive.

It is a further object of the current invention to provide a method whereby a buyer can obtain useful information from a CD or DVD manufacturer relating to a purchased DC or DVD.

It is still a further object of the current invention to provide an arrangement whereby a manufacturer and a purchaser or audio or video media, such as CDs or DVDs, can interact effectively using elements commonly found in a purchaser's home or office.

SUMMYARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system and method for distributing information from a source, such as a manufacturer or media containing video, audio, or other data, such as a CD or DVD manufacturer, to a purchaser or the media using his or her personal computer. The method comprises inserting a preformatted media into a device that reads the media, such as a CD-ROM into a CD- or other compatible drive. In the case or a CD, the CD can also be placed in a traditional CD player as are frequently found in a Sony Walkman or personal stereo so the user can listen to the music. The device reads the media to obtain at least a portion of the information that is stored thereon. In one embodiment, the device is equipped to send a request to a server, which typically is housed at a remote location. The request may contain a pre-determined identifier, permitting the server to identify which specific media was used to generate the request, such as a disk no. 10198, and to display information designated for that specific piece or media. The server includes a quantity of stored information, such as video or audio files, text files, and/or web pages. Upon receiving the request, the server determines the nature of the request and transmits the appropriate pre-stored information to the user. In operation, a user inserts the media into the appropriate drive. The PC may be directed to boot from the media or may be initiated using an Autorun type program, or may be initiated by the user. Alternately, the user may simply configure the system to play the data on the PC. If the user or PC initiates the executable program configured on the media, the user' s PC connect to the internet using a modem and the user' s ISP, or other applicable configuration used to connect to the internet.

The PC initiates the user' s preferred web browser, and connects the user to a web site associated with the media. Once connected to the preferred web site, the user's PC preferably passes information about the media to the web site, such as a media identifier code known to the web site operator. The user is then connected to the web site to receive specific information associated with the purchased media, such as the page for the particular artist or offered a download of streaming media or other promotional items . Once the user has completed connecting to the web site, control may be released to the user, permitting him or her to navigate the web site. Alternately, the user can simply play his or her media, such as a DVD, or a DVD player or on the PC.

The present method employs a CD having both audio files, such as .wav files, and an Autorun executable program installed on the CD. This arrangement permits playing of CD music in a typical music playing device, such as a computer or personal CD player, such as a Sony Walkman, together with the capability to run an executable program. In operation, the Autorun feature is typically disabled on a non-computer CD- playing device. Thus the CD- playing device searches for .wav files and plays the .wav files sequentially without playing, executing, or otherwise acting upon the Autorun program.

In a computer, the computer is configured to search for an Autorun program prior to initiating CD music playing software. Thus installation of a CD- disk of the present invention into a CD- playing device in a personal computer permits execution of a file automatically which bypasses the .wav files recorder thereon.

This system and method afford the manufacturer the ability to contact the purchaser of the media after the point of sale, thereby increasing interest in the purchased product and other products of the manufacturer from a user who has demonstrated an interest in a specific manufacturer's product.

An alternate mechanization of the current invention is to have the Autorun program and/or executable program load the executable file (s) onto the user's hard drive, connect to the manufacturer's site at that time, and then connect every time her users boots up his or her computer. The result would be a connection to the preferred site every time a user boots his or her computer. This requires alteration of initiation files, such as autoexec.bat, win.ini, and/or config.sys in a Microsoft environment. These alterations of system files may not be preferred by some users, so implementation in this manner, on the user's hard disk, should be optional at the discretion of the user.

These and other objects and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 2 presents a flow chart depicting the steps associated with the current invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides a system and method for connecting purchasers of media to a remote location for the purpose of obtaining media related information. The dual function of the media offers the consumer several advantages: first, the ability to enjoy the media for an intended purpose, like listening to music, and secondly the ability to contact a remote location for a beneficial purpose. Such a purpose could include obtaining free software, software upgrades, news, sports information, music, information relating to current events, games and shareware. The remote location may offer coupons or important information regarding media (either that purchased by the user or otherwise) and people and events associated with the media. The remote location may also display advertisements or other promotional materials relating to products or services that might interest the user, as the remote location will have specific information about the user, such as the user is interested in Bach and classical music by virtue of the Bach CD purchased by the user.

The dual function of the media, i.e. the *play" and "connect" function, also offers the media producer and/or provider several advantages. First, the media servers to link two groups of consumers: purchasers of software and purchasers of music. The availability of two products in one piece of media may lead those who buy the media for the media purpose may be persuaded to explore the other purpose, i.e. the promotional and marketing aspect of the media. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a person normally plays music through a CD- drive in his computer during the workday may be introduced to web site related to the media when he inserts the CD in his computer. This may lead him to visit the site on a regular basis.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the media is designed to connect the user to the home page of a browser at a site designated on the media, further increasing the number of times the user visits the site. Alternatively, one who purchases the media for the use of its software function may be intrigued by the music as well. Thus, the dual "play" and connect" functions of the media provide the ability to increase the existing and potential client base for both the software component and for the music component.

Secondly, the dual function of a single piece of media allows the producer and/or provider of the media to produce one product to satisfy two markets. The producer does not have to expend time and resources for both a web site and retailing of the media when he can achieve economies of scale and marketing efficiencies by designing a web site for existing fans of a specific artist rather than the general public.

The dual function associated with using a single piece of media also permits the producer and/or provider of the media to promote two products at one time. For example, one promotional pitch, one piece of advertising or one display in a store will promote both "play" and "connect" functions (features) of the one piece of media. The dual advertising is also more effective than advertising for the two individual products separately. The consuming public tend to be attracted to a piece of media that offers more than one feature or function over a single function media item.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the present invention. From FIG. 1, there is a system of supplying media related information including a piece of media 10. Media 10 may take the form of a compact disk (CD or CD-), DVD, diskette, tape, zip disk or any other form of media capable of performing the functionality described herein.

The media 10 is inserted by the user into a device 11 that reads the media. In the case of a CD, this could be a CD- drive. The CD could also be placed in a traditional CD player as are frequently found in a Sony Walkman or stereo so the user could listen to the music. A DVD drive or Zip disk or other media reading device may be used as device

11. Device 11 reads the media to obtain at least a portion of the information that is stored thereon.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the device 11 is associated with a computer or similar processing unit

12. This device is equipped so that it is capable of sending a request 13 to a server 14. This server may be found at a remote location. The request 13 may contain a pre-determined identifier, permitting the server to identify which media was used to generate the request and to display information designated for that piece of media.

The server 14 includes a quantity of stored information, such as video or audio files, text files, and/or web pages. This information may include programs, program upgrades, program updates, games, text, pictures, advertisements, promotional materials, coupons, gift certificates, music or other information that may be of interest to the user.

Upon receiving the request, the server 14 determines the nature of the request and transmits the appropriate pre-stored information to the user as described below. This display 15 includes a . typical PC monitor which has the ability to display data.

Operation

In operation, a user inserts the media into the appropriate drive. The PC may either be operating of off. In the PC in off, the user inserts .the media and the computer may be directed to boot from the media, wherein the BIOS, operating system and other core information are loaded, and an executable program located on the media is initiated as discussed below. The user's PC then connects to the internet using a modem and the user' s ISP, or other applicable configuration used to connect to the internet. If the user inserts the media into his or her PC when the computer in on, a traditional automatic program, such as Autorun, is initiated and the executable program initiated to perform these functions.

The user's preferred web browser is initiated, and the user connected to a web site associated with the media. For example, the media may be a music CD, the CD created and pressed by a music CD manufacturer, and the information provided on the CD including the music manufacturer' s web site. Once connected to the web site, the user's PC preferably passes information about the media to the web site, such as the fact that the CD is the Rolling Stones most recent CD. The user then is connected to the web site in a specific manner, such as to the Rolling Stones portion of the web site, or a program is initiated on the web server, such as a streaming video advertisement for an unreleased rolling Stones CD.

The information transmitted to the user depend on the site, and may be associated with the specific media, such as a message from the artist thanking the individual for purchasing the CD and recommending certain web site locations, or specific to the user, such as a discount on other CDs from the manufacturer, or cross promotional, such as recommending other similar CDs. Messages may be rotated or specific users tracked and only appropriate information, such as unseen promotional items, made available to each user/consumer .

Once the user has completed connecting to the web site, depending on the "script" desired for the particular user, control may be released to the user, permitting him or her to navigate the web site, play the media, or terminate the connection to the web site. Alternately, the user can simply play his or her media, such as a DVD, or a DVD player or on the PC.

CD/DVD-ROM/Media Configuration

Implementation of the method on the media is as follows. The CD manufacturer or other media manufacturer offers data in predetermined format on the media sold. For example, a CD manufacturer offers songs typically in the form of WAV files on the CD. Also electronically included on a typical CD is disk information, such as an ID number. When a CD is inserted in a CD-ROM drive, the computer may have software installed which reads the CD to determine its contents and, if it is a musical CD, begin playing the music in sequential track order or another predetermined order through the computer speakers. Typical software performing this type of sensing includes Microsoft CD Player used in conjunction with Windows 95 or 98. Alternately, certain CDs, such as application or game CDs include an Autorun program which, when used with a computer operating in Windows, causes the computer to begin executing a predetermined application automatically.

The present method employs a CD having both audio files, such as. Wav files, and an Autorun executable program installed on the CD. This arrangement permits playing of CD music in a typical music playing device, such as a computer or personal CD player, such as a Sony Walkman, together with the capability to run an executable program. In operation, the Autorun feature is typically disabled on a non-computer CD- playing device. Thus the CD- playing device searchers for .wav files and plays the .wav files sequentially without playing, executing, or otherwise acting upon the Autorun program. In a computer, the computer is configured to search for an Autorun program prior to initiating CD music playing software. Thus installation of a CD- disk of the present invention into a CD- playing device in a personal computer permits execution of a file automatically which bypasses the .wav files recorder thereon. Should the user wish to disable the Autorun feature and play the wav files on the computer, he or she can disable the Autorun feature using, for example, the IUTweak feature of Windows of other disabling software. Alternately, a user may have a software media player installed that permits selection and playing of the .wav files burned on the disk. In operation, this configuration would permit execution of the Autorun program, a disabling of the Autorun program during operation thereof, or alternately completion of the Autorun program and subsequent initiation of the software media player and playing of the .wav files using the software media player.

It is to be understood by those of skill in the art that this type of arrangement, wherein data is collocated on media in addition to an executable program, such as an Autorun program, will operate for compact disks including .wav files as well as with DVDs having .mpg or .mpeg movies or video data. Thus the discussion herein, while primarily directed to music files and CD-s, is equally applicable to video files and DVDs.

Execution of the System Connection

Once the Autorun program has been initiated, or alternately the user has selected an executable program from the media, the program operates in accordance with the flowchart presented in FIG.2. With respect to selecting an executable program from de media, the media will contain, in addition to an Autorun type program, an executable program which itself executes the program illustrated in FIG.2. The executable program will be in a form such as an icon associated with the disk or media area.

The program presented in FIG. 2 presumes an initiation of certain computing functions has been performed by the user. For example, a user must have identified a preferred connection tq the internet, such as a preferred ISP (Internet Service Provider) having a telephone number programmed into the computer by the user, by software, or by any other reasonably available information input methods. The ISP identity of the user and his or her password is 'also entered into the user preferences. Further, a preferred browser is required, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. These preferences are evaluated prior to the programming steps depicted n FIG. 2 and if missing or not available, the user is prompted to enter appropriate information.

According to FIG. 2, once the executable program is initiated, the system checks in step 202 to determine if a connection to the Internet is possible, such as a modem, DSL connection, or other commonly used device or arrangement used to connect to the Internet. If there is no such device, the program exits. If such a device is present, the device is initiated according to its existing configuration, such as a modem prompted to call a preferred ISP (Internet Service Provider) . If this device initiation ultimately fails, the user may be prompted with the option to reattempt connection to the internet or exiting the executable program. If the connection with the internet is established, the user identity and any passwords are provided and the preferred browser initiated. The executable program transmits instructions to the browser software to bypass the default, or "home" site, and instead connect the user with a preferred site, such as the home web site of the manufacturer of the media item. In this configuration, the executable program passes certain site specific information to the preferred site. For example, the manufacturer or other party associated with the media, such as a CD- manufacturer, may wish to receive transmission of the serial number of the CD- for tracking purposes and to prohibit duplicate information from being sent to the user. For example, a manufacturer may desire to provide a user connecting to its site and having a valid registered CD with a one time coupon or discount on a purchase of a similar CD. Thus once the user receives the particular promotional discount offer, subsequent connections to the web site using the same CD would not receive the promotional discount offer. In operation, the serial number would be provided to the preferred site, which would act based on the information receive from the user include, but are not limited to, entrance to special pages on the web site, transmission of promotional offers, transmission of other data such as video data related to the product purchased (such as a music video of the performers on the CD, or trailer or a movie, etc.) . Once a set of predetermined instructions has been executed by the web site, such as directing the user to a special area on the web site, or providing the user with a data file (such as video or audio) , the web site may send back to the user's computer a termination signal to stop executing the executable program, or may simply stop executing and remain in its current state. At this time, the user may stay connected to the manufacturer web site, go to another web site, or disconnect from the internet altogether. Another embodiment includes initiating the playing of the video or audio data on the media during or upon completion of the site preferred tasks.

This method affords the manufacturer the ability to contact the purchaser of the media after the point of sale, thereby increasing interest in the purchased product and other product of the manufacturer from a user who has demonstrated an interest in a specific manufacturer's product.

An alternate mechanization of the current invention is to have the Autorun program and/or executable program load the executable file (s) onto the user's hard drive, connect to the manufacturer's site at that time, and then connect every time the user boots up his or her computer. The result would be a connection to the preferred site every time a user boots his or her computer. This requires alteration of initiation files, such as autoexec.bat, win.ini, and/or config.sys in a Microsoft environment. These alterations of system files may not be preferred by some users, so implementation in this manner, on the user's hard disk, should be optional at the discretion of the user.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of supplying information to a user comprising:

generating a readable media source wherein readable media source includes media data software and executable software code;

reading the readable media source with a readable media source reader;

transmitting information from the readable media source to a system associated with the readable media source reader;

sending a request generated by programming on the readable media source along with an identifier of the readable media source to a server, and

retrieving stored information, wherein said information is identified by the identifier in the receiving request.

2. The method as in claim 1, where in the readable media source is a selected from the group consisting of: a compact disc, a digital versatile disk, a tape, a floppy disk and a zip disk.

3. The method as in claim 1, wherein the music on the readable media source may be played in a readable media source player or through a home computer system that has a drive to read the readable media source, a software program designed to receive and play data from the readable media source and speakers .

4. The method as in claim 1, wherein the request is sent to the server by a modem.

5. The method as in claim 1, wherein the stored information is selected from the group consisting of: a computer program; a computer program upgrade; a computer program update; a computer game; text; a picture; an advertisement; promotional material; a coupon; a gift certificate; music; and combinations thereof.

6. The method as in claim 1, wherein displaying of information consists of providing a link for the user to activate to initiate a downloading procedure.

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7. A system for supplying media related information to a user comprising:

a readable media source including data and readable software code;

a reader able to receive information from the readable media source;

a transmission device able to receive information from said reader and send a request to a remote location;

a server at said remote location able to receive requests incorporating identifiers and transmit retrievable information; storage means for storing retrievable information, said storage means associated with said server; and

a display for displaying the retrievable information received from the server.

8. The system as in claim 7, wherein readable media source is a selected from the group comprising: a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a tape, a floppy disk and a zip disk.

9. The system as in claim 7, wherein the music on the readable media source may be played n a readable media source player or through a home computer system that has a drive to read the readable media source, a software program designed to receive and play data from the readable media source and speakers.

10. The method as in claim 7, wherein the stored information is selected from the group consisting of: a computer program; a computer program upgrade; a computer program update; a computer game; text; a picture; an advertisement; promotional material; a coupon; a gift certificate; music; and combinations thereof.

11. The method as in claim 7, wherein the displaying of information consist of providing a link for the user to activate to initiate a downloading procedure.

12. A client system for involving the client with the provider's internet presence comprising:

a readable media source containing an identifier, music and software programming; a receiving component for receiving the identifier and a request for stores information;

a storing component for storing information chosen by the provider; and

a display component for displaying stored information chosen by the provider to be associated with the identifier.

13. A client system as in claim 12, further including a receiving component for receiving request to download software associated with the stores information.

14 A method for transmitting preferred data to a user, comprising;

providing a media having media software and computer executable software located thereon;

initiating a connection between the user of said media located at a user location and a remote location;

passing media specific information located on said media from said user location to said remote location; and

providing user specific information to said user based on the media specific information provided by the user location to the remote location.

15 The method of claim 14, wherein said media software comprises at least one from the group comprising audio data and video data.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said media specific information comprises an identification number associated with said media.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said user specific information comprises at least one from the group including news, sports, music, gossip, updates, previews, and promotional items.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said initiating step comprises enabling an internet connection between the user location and at least one server at the remote location.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising initiating a user preferred browser prior to said passing step.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising establishing a set of relevant user preferences at said user location prior to sail initiating step.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein said passing step comprises downloading software related to the media from a remote internet site.