Patent Application
20080249886
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of satellite radio transmissions and more specifically, data content purchase and downloading.
2. Background of the Prior Art
Since the inception of mass radio broadcasting, when audiences gathered as families near a family radio reception box to listen to audio theatre or popular music and songs, listeners have yearned to be capable of recording an appealing piece to subsequently have access thereto even after forgetting the name of the piece or having failed to note the name of the work or of the artist. As broadcasting evolved, audio tastes, in many cases, have become heavily music oriented. To acquire a copy of a recording, an aficionado must necessarily be capable of identifying the work or artist and then may be forced to either buying an entire physical copy of an album or if the song was particularly popular, a single version may be available. However, when distributed in singles, the audio works often proved to be particular expensive and sometimes unprofitable for some music labels. Singles require a physical medium to themselves and the cost of recording a single song on vinyl or cassette proved to be somewhat cost prohibitive.
With the advent of modern recording mediums capable of storing vast quantities of data on to a single piece, such as compact or digital video disks, when a single song is released some may consider such releases an inefficient distribution of recording material. Many albums contain what some consider fluff material or just one or two good songs and listeners long for the ability to select certain individual choice audio selections and to store them to a medium of access convenient to their listening pleasure without the need of cumbersome storage equipment or furniture such as disc towers.
Numerous creative solutions to this dilemma involve accessing the Internet or some other audio file distributor who has licensed to distribute numerous audio files to those willing to pay a subscription or per file fee. One current resource available to assist listeners with the acquisition and storage of computer files is the Internet. Peer-to-peer distribution and file sharing became popular means for those looking to access a specific file and store it on their personal computer. Content providers soon realized that a market was available for distributing single files at a low price directly to users and their personal computers. Audiophiles were now able to listen to hundreds of the songs or audio works of choice in the convenience of their own home without the need for storing the physical albums or CDs. However, access to their files was limited to the desktop at home or to their laptop computers. As will be recognized, laptops are generally a heavy and impractical means for carrying and accessing audio files in comparison to other available means.
Convenient access to audio files evolved in the form of portable electronic devices such as personal digital assistants, iPods, and MP3 players. Devices such as these allow an individual to download and record specific individual files and mix-and-match various artists' work within one large database in a compact, convenient storage both readily accessible and transportable. Once again such devices involved linking to computer or an electronic database module where selected files are chosen and then downloaded into the memory banks of the device through a communication line. The process involved setting aside time for the consumer to sit down and browse through a list catalogue of files to locate either known selections in mind or after browsing through snippets of available files, selecting files and purchasing them for download into their personal computer. The files were then transferred from the computer to another desired portable listening device should the consumer wish to listen to the files away from their computer.
Other convenient solutions to hearing audio files while in transit involve digital broadcasting of audio files from either land-based or satellite based terminals. Satellite-based systems have grown in popularity primarily because of their ability to transmit audio files over large regions of area without having to tune between fading station signals. For example, an individual listening to a satellite-based radio signal tuned in to station 108 will be able to listen to that same station as they travel from one region of the country to another. Currently three services offer satellite-based radio programming: XM, Sirius, and Worldspace. Currently only XM and Sirius satellite radio are available in the United States. Each service is provided through subscription and individual subscribers pay monthly fees for access to specific radio contact. Typically these subscription services are available on mobile devices, for example, radio tuner units installed within an automobile. As the driver of an automobile is traveling along, he or she switches between broadcast stations until a particular desirable song, or talk radio show, etc. is found. The driver listens to the particular piece of work until it ends and continues listening to subsequent audio files or ceases the transmission. If the driver wants to listen to a predetermined work they may have in mind, they are forced to locate a compact disc or other physical medium containing the work and insert it into the appropriate player.
It can be seen then that a need exists for a system that can readily purchase, access and download a broadcast digital audio file in real time to a predetermined storage medium.
Briefly and in general terms, an on-demand purchase system of the present invention includes a satellite transceiver unit, a centralized data hub site, a computer server, a catalogue of digital audio files, a subscriber designated digital storage device, and an audio file transmitted to the transceiver where it is listened to by the end user subscriber.
In one embodiment, a digital audio file is transmitted from a satellite to a satellite transceiver unit of the subscriber. The subscriber listens to audio files until he or she encounters a file desired for purchase and storage for future listening purposes. The audio files transmitted from the satellite to the individual subscriber transceiver contain associated audio file identifier data recognizable by the transceiver unit. Should the subscriber elect to make a purchase, he or she will initiate a function that transmits a signal from the transceiver to the satellite which, in turn transmits the request along with the identifying audio information data to the centralized data hub site. The data hub site includes within its infrastructure a computer server including a catalogue content of preset audio files. The server also includes a database containing subscriber information identifying subscribers, their individual pricing plans and list of stored electronic storage devices associated with each subscriber. Upon receipt of the request, the server initiates the search function locating the requested audio file data using the identifying audio file information. Once located, the audio file is uploaded back to the server and transmitted by transmission means to the subscriber's determined storage device by means depending on the type of the device selected.
As recognized by those of skill in the art, the satellite transceiver can be manufactured for portability and may be coupled to an existing radio tuner device for adaptation to an augmented radio apparatus. For example, the satellite transceiver may be detachably connected to an automobile radio and tuner unit coupled to an antenna and capable of receiving and decoding satellite transmitted signals. The signals may contain information regarding the song such as the artist, the title, and a particular version. The transceiver may contain a memory chip and program to decode the signals received from the satellite and would further include personal information regarding the subscriber such as the subscriber name, the subscription plan, and digital data storage devices identified as well as their locations.
In one embodiment, the purchase and download of a particular audio file will be initiated by a one-touch function preprogrammed on the satellite transceiver unit. Selecting the function will automatically identify the song currently broadcast, transmit the associated audio file data information, where such information will be retransmitted to the centralized hub site along with the pre-stored subscriber information and preselected digital storage device.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the features of the invention.
Consumers typically seek simplicity, user-friendliness, and a quick response from their electronic equipment. Often, the consumer believes electronic devices should make life easier by placing desirable functions ideally within the touch of a button. The less activity by the consumer, the more portable the devices, and the less equipment required for desired features, the more desirable the particular equipment. For example, audiophiles and in general, audio consumers have in the past sought smaller portable devices for simple access to their music and the like. From portable stereos, to handheld cassette players and disc players to cellular telephones and flash memory devices such as personal digital assistants, the trend has appeared to move consistently towards easier access to files and increased file storage capacity. Currently, the consumer has the ability to access and store thousands of predetermined files with the ability to later access them on compact portable devices on both their person and within their vehicles. One preferable advancement in audio file access then, is the ability to purchase, download and save files during their broadcast or soon thereafter.
Referring to
The transceiver unit 20 in a preferred embodiment, is a satellite radio tuner mounted within a handheld device or an automobile 25. The transceiver unit 20 is subscribed to a satellite radio broadcast service and may be coupled to an automobile's audio system 23 and power source 21 or in some cases, employ stand-alone power and audio means. The transceiver unit 20 receives digital audio data files 44, tuning into specific satellite transmission frequencies, decoding encoded digital audio data, playing the audio data into a recognizable audio format, and transmitting a signal to a radio receiving apparatus. The tuner unit 20 will include both a recordable memory 26 for recording subscriber information and for storing digital audio files and a volatile memory 27 for temporary retention of broadcast audio files and associated information. Referring to
The hub site 30 is a broadcasting headquarters for coordinating the retrieval, transmission, and distribution of audio files 44 to subscribers. The hub site 30 includes a transmitter 31 for transmission of digital audio signals to a satellite 40 and a computer server 32 containing a preset catalogue 35 of licensed audio files for broadcast and distribution to subscribers. The server may also include audio file broadcast lineups, a subscriber information database 34, and retrieval means for locating requested audio files. The preset catalogue 35 of audio files is comprised of pre-licensed songs and other audio content ready for transmission and redistribution upon request. The hub site 30 may further include both wireless and wired communication means for receiving and transmitting requests from and to subscribers.
The system includes any of a number of predetermined digital storage devices 60 preselected by the subscriber. It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that the storage device 60 may consist of any digital recording device capable of receiving either a wireless or wired signal. For example, the subscriber may store and elect several different devices capable of receiving transmitted digital information from the hub site such as a personal digital assistant 61, a cellular telephone 62, a personal computer 63, and the tuner unit 20 itself or other handheld device. The storage devices may either be in hard wire communication with the hub site through telephone lines or in wireless communication with means to communicate with the ground repeaters 50 or through cellular antenna means.
In operation, it will be appreciated that the system for purchasing and downloading a broadcasted audio file provides a convenient and flexible means for storing desirable audio files. Referring to
As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art the system eliminates an unnecessary delay in acquiring rights to audio files and in transmitting information to the subscriber by pre-storing available files on the computer server 32 and by transmitting associated file information 45 during the broadcast. The subscribing consumer has convenient access to desired audio files 44 which are predetermined and pre-existing on the hub site computer server 32. The audio files contain associated file identification information 45 that is broadcast along with the audio portion of the file so that when the broadcast of the file is tuned to a site, the identification information is readily displayed for the subscriber on the radio tuner unit 20 user interface 71. Other information such as the file number, location on server, and proprietary rights may be transmitted but left unseen to the subscriber. The associated file information 45 may be temporarily stored on the tuner unit volatile memory 27 until a predetermined time after broadcast or until the file is requested and stored. The audio files will be readily available and the time associated with purchasing and downloading the files will be as fast as sending the electronic request from the tuner unit 20 to the hub site 30 and likewise in sending the file from the hub site 30 through the communication means to the storage device 60.
For example, referring to
Once the “Buy Now” function is selected, the request is transmitted from the tuner unit 20 to the hub site 30 through a request signal block 55. The request signal block 55 includes data such as the requested audio file for purchase extrapolated from the volatile memory 27 on the tuner unit 20, the subscriber information including identity, subscription plan, etc. and storage device 60 information such as device type and device information. Once the request signal block 55 is received by the hub site 30, it is processed by the computer server 32 where subscriber information may be verified and the storage device 60 information accessed from the subscriber information database 34 in order to properly direct the download of the audio file 44 located from the preset catalogue 35. It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that by accompanying the broadcast audio file 44 with an associated file identification information 45 temporarily stored on the tuner unit 20, the audio file 44 may be instantly transferred from the volatile memory 27 to the recordable memory 26 on the tuner unit 20 upon verification of the subscriber information in the request signal block. Those skilled in the art will recognize that varying storage devices may require individual data storage formats and that the computer server will be operative to recognize the preferred formats for each individual device.
It will also be recognized that the system is facilitated by an accompanying business method that streamlines acquisition of data content by collaborating with content providers to have predetermined pricing and access to audio data files. The business method may solicit partnerships with digital media providers and distributors that have pre-approved clearance with artists and representatives to distribute the content. The business model will license content from individuals or in bulk from other content providers to establish a stored database of content resident on the hub site 30 computer server. Subscribers will be electronically identified and audio file preferences may be tracked. Payment of royalties to artists and content providers may be electronically recorded and submitted to designated accounts. With the pre-authorization of audio file content, it will be recognized that questions regarding legal publishing and distribution availability will, in many cases, be identified and managed before audio files are included in the catalogue. The stored content may then be readily accessed for broadcast and if purchased, may be downloaded directly from the hub site through communication means to the end destination.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that minor modifications and alterations will be possible without deviating from the scope of the invention, and said modifications and alterations are intended to be included in the scope of the invention.
