Patent Application
20080068253
The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element.
a-b are generalized illustrations of a metadata tag as implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the invention to provide value chain stakeholder and purchase information metadata for digitized audio/video content;
a-c are a generalized flowchart of a metadata simulcast system as implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the invention for the simulcasting of audio/video metadata to facilitate an on-line purchase of a copy of associated content;
a-c are generalized block diagrams illustrating an implementation of a value chain model for the audio/video content industry in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
A system and method is disclosed for automatically compensating stakeholders in an extended value chain that facilitates the on-line purchase of a copy of digitized content in electronic or physical form, at the present or a later time. Metadata is decoupled from digitized audio content before it is played and wirelessly simulcasting the metadata such that it can be automatically received, stored and enacted upon by similarly enabled wireless devices.
For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.
In step 306, decoupled and processed metadata is wirelessly simulcast by the metadata simulcaster using one or more protocols such as, but not limited to, 802.11 (WiFi), short message service (SMS), Bluetooth, or general packet radio service (GPRS). In step 308, wireless device users are notified that metadata associated with the A/V content being played is available for access by wireless-enabled devices including, but not limited to, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable media players and cell phones. In one embodiment of the invention, notification is displayed on a video screen along with the metadata while the content is being played. In another embodiment of the invention, such as in an audio-only environment, wireless device users are notified when they access the venue's wireless access point for access to the Internet. In another embodiment of the invention in an audio-only environment, wireless device users are notified of the availability of A/V content metadata verbally or through printed materials.
In step 310, the wireless device user decides to receive simulcasted A/V content metadata, and in step 312 boots their wireless device to connect to the venue's wireless access point. If it is determined in step 314 that a metadata detector application or applet is currently implemented on the user's wireless device, then links to the A/V content metadata or the metadata itself is displayed on the wireless device in step 320 The displayed or linked metadata can include information facilitating an on-line purchase of the associated A/V content as described in greater detail hereinabove.
Otherwise, the wireless device user is prompted in step 316 to install a metadata detector application or applet. In one embodiment of the invention, the A/V metadata detector application or applet automatically detects and displays A/V content metadata that is simulcasted, or “pushed”, by the metadata simulcaster. In another embodiment of the invention, the metadata detector application or applet displays an advisory screen or link to “pull” the wireless device user to the metadata simulcaster, which acts as a server for providing simulcasted and/or stored A/V content metadata. If the wireless device user decides to not install a metadata detector application or applet in step 316, then access to simulcasted A/V content metadata is abandoned in step 372. If the wireless device user decides to install a metadata detector application or applet in step 316, then it is installed on the user's wireless device in step 318. Once the metadata detector application or applet is installed, links to the A/V content metadata or the metadata itself, including information facilitating an on-line purchase of the associated A/V content, is displayed on the wireless device in step 320 as described in greater detail hereinabove. The wireless device user is then prompted in step 322 to purchase the associated A/V content. If the wireless device user decides to not purchase the associated A/V content in step 324, then they are prompted in step 324 to purchase other A/V content with previously saved metadata. If the wireless device user decides to not purchase other A/V content in step 324, they are prompted in step 326 to save the A/V content metadata for facilitating a later purchase of the associated A/V content.
If the wireless device user decides in step 326 to save the A/V content metadata, then the metadata is stored on their wireless device in step 328. If the wireless device user decides in step 326 to not save the A/V content metadata, then they are prompted in step 370 to continue viewing A/V content metadata. If the wireless device user decides in step 370 to continue viewing A/V content metadata, then the wireless device user is returned to step 320 and the process continues. If the wireless device user decides in step 370 to not continue viewing A/V content metadata, then access to simulcasted A/V content metadata is abandoned in step 372. If the wireless device user decides to purchase the currently playing associated A/V content in step 322, or purchase other content with previously saved A/V metadata in step 324, then they select an on-line purchase site from choices displayed by the metadata detector application or applet implemented on their device in step 330. Once an on-line site is selected, they are then wirelessly connected to the chosen site in step 332. Once connected to the on-line content purchase site, the metadata detector application or applet implemented on the wireless device presents supplemented metadata associated with the currently playing A/V content to the on-line purchase site in step 334.
The on-line content purchase site accepts the supplemented A/V content metadata and prompts the wireless device user to purchase the associated A/V content in step 336. If the Wireless device user decides to purchase the associated A/V content, they are prompted in step 338 to purchase either the individual A/V content selected, or other associated A/V content as well, such as but not limited to, other A/V content on a referenced playlist or an album. A content download list is built in step 340, dependent upon the purchase decisions made by the wireless device user in step 338, and once the content download list is completed, the wireless device user is prompted to make additional purchase selections in step 342. If the wireless device user decides to not make any additional purchase selections in step 342, they are prompted in step 352 to purchase their content selections. If the wireless device user decides not to purchase their content selections in step 352, then they abandon content purchase selection in step 368 and they are then prompted in step 370 to continue viewing content metadata. If the wireless device user decides in step 370 to not continue viewing supplemented A/V content metadata, then access to simulcasted and supplemented A/V content metadata is abandoned in step 372. Otherwise, they are returned to step 320 and viewing of supplemented A/V content metadata resumes.
If the wireless device user decides to make additional purchase selections in step 342, they are prompted in step 344 to make additional content purchase selections from the supplemented A/V metadata list saved by the metadata detector application or applet on their wireless device. If the wireless device user decides to make content purchase selections from the supplemented A/V metadata list on their wireless device, then they do so in step 346 and the selected A/V content is added to the content download list in step 340 and they are prompted to make additional content purchase selections in step 338. If the wireless device user decides to make additional purchase selections in step 342, they are prompted once again in step 344 to make additional content purchase selections from the supplemented A/V metadata list saved by the metadata detector application or applet on their wireless device. If they do, the process is repeated, and once completed, the wireless device user is returned to step 344. If the wireless device user decides in step 344 to not make additional content purchase selections from the supplemented A/V metadata list saved by the metadata detector application or applet on their wireless device, they are prompted in step 348 to make content purchase selections by browsing the on-line content purchase site.
If the wireless device user decides to make additional content purchase selections by browsing the on-line content purchase site, then A/V content selections are made in step 350, the selections are added to the content download list in step 340, and the wireless device user is returned to step 342. If the wireless device user decides to not make any additional purchase selections in step 342, they are prompted in step 352 to purchase their content selections. If the wireless device user decides not to purchase their content selections in step 352, then they abandon content purchase selection in step 368 and are then prompted in step 370 to continue viewing content metadata. If the wireless device user decides in step 370 to not continue viewing supplemented A/V content metadata, then access to simulcasted and supplemented A/V content metadata is abandoned in step 372. Otherwise, they are returned to step 320 and viewing of supplemented A/V content metadata resumes.
If the wireless device user decides to purchase their content selections in step 352, then they submit payment information details in step 354 and the payment information is processed for authorization in step 356. If payment authorization is not received in step 358, the wireless device user is notified of the declined payment authorization in step 366 and they are then prompted in step 370 to continue viewing content metadata. If the wireless device user decides in step 370 to not continue viewing supplemented A/V content metadata, then access to simulcasted and supplemented A/V content metadata is abandoned in step 372. Otherwise, they are returned to step 320 and viewing of supplemented A/V content metadata resumes.
If payment authorization is received in step 358, the wireless device user is prompted to download the list of purchased A/V content in step 360. If the wireless device user decides to not download the list of purchased A/V content in step 360, the list of purchased A/V content is saved for later download in step 364 and the wireless device user is prompted in step 370 to continue viewing content metadata. If the wireless device user decides in step 370 to not continue viewing supplemented A/V content metadata, then access to simulcasted and supplemented A/V content metadata is abandoned in step 372. Otherwise, they are returned to step 320 and viewing of supplemented A/V content metadata resumes. If the wireless device user decides to download the list of purchased A/V content in step 360, then the purchased A/V content is downloaded in step 362 and the wireless device user is prompted in step 370 to continue viewing content metadata. If the wireless device user decides in step 370 to not continue viewing supplemented A/V content metadata, then access to simulcasted and supplemented A/V content metadata is abandoned in step 372. Otherwise, they are returned to step 320 and viewing of supplemented A/V content metadata resumes.
Simulcast venue 408 comprises content receiver 410, A/V content delivery system 412, A/V metadata simulcaster 414, wireless access point 418, router 420, wireless device user/content buyer 422 and wireless devices 424 implemented with metadata simulcast detector application or applet 426. In an embodiment of the invention, digitized A/V content broadcast from satellite 406 is received by content receiver 410, where it is intercepted by metadata simulcaster 414, which decouples and simulcasts metadata associated with the A/V content as it is being played by content delivery system 412. In different embodiments of the invention, decoupled metadata is time stamped and supplemental metadata is appended or substituted including, but not limited to, unique identifiers of the venue where the content is being played, Internet addresses of on-line providers of the A/V content, and special promotions. In an embodiment of the invention, metadata simulcaster 414 comprises a chip-based identification card 416, which provides metadata origination information to facilitate an on-line purchase of associated A/V content. After A/V content metadata is decoupled from the intercepted digitized A/V content stream and processed, it is then stored internally in metadata simulcaster 414 or on an external host for remote and/or later retrieval. Metadata simulcaster 414 then wirelessly simulcasts the processed metadata through wireless access port 418 using one or more protocols such as, but not limited to, 802.11 (WiFi), short message service (SMS), or general packet radio service (GPRS).
Wireless device users who are potential A/V content buyers 422 are notified that metadata associated with the A/V content currently being played is available through the use of wireless-enabled devices 424 including, but not limited to laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable media players and cell phones. In one embodiment of the invention, notification is displayed on a video screen of content delivery system 412 along with the metadata. In another embodiment of the invention, such as when content delivery system 412 only provides audio, wireless device users/content buyers 422 are notified when they access the venue's wireless access point 418 for access to the Internet 428. In another embodiment of the invention in an audio-only environment, wireless device users/content buyers 422 are notified of the availability of A/V content metadata verbally or through printed materials.
Wireless device users/content buyers 422 who decide to receive simulcasted A/V content metadata boot their wireless devices 424 to connect to the venue's wireless access point 418 at which point the wireless device user/content buyer 422 is prompted to install metadata detector application or applet 426. In one embodiment of the invention, the A/V metadata detector application or applet automatically detects and displays A/V content metadata that is simulcasted, or “pushed”, by the metadata simulcaster. In another embodiment of the invention, the metadata detector application or applet displays an advisory screen or link to “pull” the wireless device user to the metadata simulcaster, which acts as a server for providing simulcasted and/or stored A/V content metadata. Once a metadata detector application or applet 426 is installed on a wireless device 424, A/V content metadata, including information facilitating an on-line purchase of the associated A/V content, is displayed on the wireless device 424 as described in greater detail hereinabove. In an embodiment of the invention, A/V content metadata displayed on wireless devices 424 includes time-stamped and supplemental metadata including, but not limited to, unique identifiers of the venue 408 where the content is being played, Internet addresses of on-line providers of the A/V content, and special promotions.
In this embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 can use the displayed A/V content metadata to facilitate the enactment of an on-line purchase of the associated A/V content. When the wireless device user/content buyer 422 decides to purchase the associated A/V content, they are wirelessly connected to content distributor 402 through wireless access point 418, which is connected to router 420, which in turn is coupled to the Internet 428. Once connected to content distributor 402, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 conducts and completes a purchase of the associated A/V content. Once the purchase is completed, the associated A/V content is downloaded through Internet 428, through router 420 and wireless access point 418, and on to wireless devices 424. In another embodiment of the invention, if the wireless device user 422 decides not to purchase the associated A/V content at that time, the A/V content metadata is saved to the wireless device 424 facilitating a later purchase of the associated A/V content.
Simulcast venue 408 comprises content receiver 410, A/V content delivery system 412, A/V metadata simulcaster 414, wireless access point 418, router 420, wireless device user/content buyer 422 and wireless devices 424 implemented with metadata simulcast detector application or applet 426. In an embodiment of the invention, digitized A/V content broadcast from satellite 406 is received by content receiver 410, where it is intercepted by metadata simulcaster 414, which decouples and simulcasts metadata associated with the A/V content as it is being played by content delivery system 412. In different embodiments of the invention, decoupled metadata is time stamped and supplemental metadata is appended or substituted including, but not limited to, unique identifiers of the venue where the content is being played, Internet addresses of on-line providers of the A/V content, and special promotions. In an embodiment of the invention, metadata simulcaster 414 comprises a chip-based identification card 416 which provides metadata origination information to facilitate an on-line purchase of associated A/V content. After A/V content metadata is decoupled from the intercepted digitized A/V content stream, processed, and stored for remote and/or later retrieval, it is simulcasted by metadata simulcaster 414 and wireless device users who are potential A/V content buyers 422 are notified that metadata associated with the A/V content currently being played is available, as described in greater detail hereinabove.
Wireless device users/content buyers 422 who decide to receive simulcasted A/V content metadata then boot their wireless devices 424, connect to the venue's wireless access point 418, install a metadata detector application or applet 426, and access simulcasted metadata as described in greater detail hereinabove. In an embodiment of the invention, A/V content metadata displayed on wireless devices 424 includes time-stamped and supplemental metadata including, but not limited to, unique identifiers of the venue 408 where the content is being played, Internet addresses of on-line providers of the A/V content, and special promotions. In this embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 can use the displayed A/V content metadata to facilitate the enactment of an on-line purchase of the associated A/V content. In an embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 is given the option of using the simulcast metadata to facilitate purchasing a physical copy of the associated A/V content from on-line content merchant 530 and having it delivered to a physical address.
In this embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 connects to on-line content merchant 530 and provides shipping and payment details required to purchase of a physical copy of the album containing the associated A/V content. Once the purchase is completed, on-line content merchant 530 ships a physical copy of the associated A/V content 532 to the physical address 534 specified by the wireless device user/content buyer 422. In another embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer stores purchase details including, but not limited to, name, shipping and billing addresses, phone numbers, and purchase card information, which can be automatically submitted to on-line content merchant 530 to further facilitate the purchase of associated A/V content. In another embodiment of the invention, if the wireless device user 422 decides not to purchase the associated A/V content at that time, the A/V content metadata is saved to the wireless device 424 facilitating a later purchase of the associated A/V content.
Simulcast venue 408 comprises content receiver 410, A/V content delivery system 412, A/V metadata simulcaster 414, wireless access point 418, router 420, wireless device user/content buyer 422 and wireless devices 424 implemented with metadata simulcast detector application or applet 426. In an embodiment of the invention, digitized A/V content received from content distributor 402 via cable network 628 by content receiver 410 where it is intercepted by metadata simulcaster 414, which decouples and simulcasts metadata associated with the A/V content as it is being played by content delivery system 412. In another embodiment, digitized contend is received from content distributor 402 via Internet 428 by content receiver 410 where it is intercepted by metadata simulcaster 414, which decouples and simulcasts metadata associated with the A/V content as it is being played by content delivery system 412. In yet another embodiment, digitized content is not received from content distributor 402 via cable network 628 or Internet 428. Instead, it is received in physical form and stored on local content server 630, where it is conveyed to metadata simulcaster 414, which decouples and simulcasts metadata associated with the A/V content as it is being played by content delivery system 412. In different embodiments of the invention, decoupled metadata is time stamped and supplemental metadata is appended or substituted including, but not limited to, unique identifiers of the venue where the content is being played, Internet addresses of on-line providers of the A/V content, and special promotions. In an embodiment of the invention, metadata simulcaster 414 comprises a chip-based identification card 416 which provides metadata origination information to facilitate an on-line purchase of associated A/V content. After A/V content metadata is decoupled from the intercepted digitized A/V content stream, processed, and stored for remote and/or later retrieval, it is simulcasted by metadata simulcaster 414 and wireless device users who are potential A/V content buyers 422 are notified that metadata associated with the A/V content currently being played is available, as described in greater detail hereinabove.
Wireless device users/content buyers 422 who decide to receive simulcasted A/V content metadata then boot their wireless devices 424, connect to the venue's wireless access point 418, install a metadata detector application or applet 426, and access simulcasted metadata as described in greater detail hereinabove. In an embodiment of the invention, A/V content metadata displayed on wireless devices 424 includes time-stamped and supplemental metadata including, but not limited to, unique identifiers of the venue 408 where the content is being played, Internet addresses of on-line providers of the A/V content, and special promotions. In this embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 can use the displayed A/V content metadata to facilitate the enactment of an on-line purchase of the associated A/V content. In an embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 is given the option of using the simulcast metadata to facilitate purchasing a physical copy of the associated A/V content from on-line content merchant 530 and having it delivered to a physical address, or purchasing an electronic copy from content distributor 402, or both.
In this embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 connects to on-line content merchant 530 and provides shipping and payment details required to purchase of a physical copy of the album containing the associated A/V content. Once the purchase is completed, on-line content merchant 530 ships a physical copy of the associated A/V content 532 to the physical address 534 specified by the wireless device user/content buyer 422. The wireless device user/content buyer 422 then connects to content distributor 402 to conduct and complete the purchase of an electronic copy of the associated A/V content. Once the purchase is completed, the associated A/V content is downloaded through Internet 428, through router 420 and wireless access point 418, and on to wireless devices 424. In another embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer stores purchase details including, but not limited to, name, shipping and billing addresses, phone numbers, and purchase card information, which can be automatically submitted to on-line content merchant 530 to further facilitate the purchase of associated A/V content. In another embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 downloads the selected A/V content from a content delivery site that they subscribe to, but is not included in the simulcasted A/V content metadata. In another embodiment of the invention, if the wireless device user 422 decides not to purchase the associated A/V content at that time, the A/V content metadata is saved to the wireless device 424 facilitating a later purchase of the associated A/V content. In other embodiments of the invention, wireless device users/content buyers 422 select metadata for a single selection, an entire playlist, or a partial play list, and save the metadata to the wireless device to use as reference for a later purchase of the associated A/V content.
Mobile simulcast venue 708 comprises satellite radio receiver 710, mobile sound system 712, mobile metadata simulcaster 714, wireless device user/content buyer 422, and wireless devices 424 implemented with metadata simulcast detector application or applet 426. In an embodiment of the invention, digitized A/V content broadcast from satellite 406 is received by satellite radio receiver 710 where it is intercepted by mobile metadata simulcaster 714, which decouples and simulcasts metadata associated with the audio content as it is being played by mobile content delivery system 712. In different embodiments of the invention, decoupled metadata is time stamped and supplemental metadata is appended or substituted including, but not limited to, unique identifiers of the venue where the content is being played, Internet addresses of on-line providers of the audio content, and special promotions. After audio content metadata is decoupled from the intercepted digitized audio content stream, it is processed and stored for later retrieval, on mobile metadata simulcaster 714, which then directly simulcasts the resulting metadata using one or more protocols such as, but not limited to, 802.11 (WiFi), global packet radio service (GPRS), short message service (SMS), or Bluetooth.
Wireless device users who are potential audio content buyers 422 are notified as described in greater detail hereinabove that metadata associated with the audio content being played is available through the use of wireless-enabled devices 424 including, but not limited to laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable media players and cell phones. Wireless device users/content buyers 422 who decide to receive simulcasted audio content metadata boot their wireless devices 424 to directly connect to mobile decoder/simulcaster 714 at which point the wireless device user/content buyer 422 is prompted to install a metadata detector application or applet 426. In one embodiment of the invention, the metadata detector application or applet 426 is downloaded through wireless network 728, which in turn is connected to the Internet 726. In one embodiment of the invention, the audio metadata detector application or applet 426 automatically detects and displays audio content metadata that is simulcasted, or “pushed”, by mobile metadata simulcaster 714. In another embodiment of the invention, the metadata detector application or applet 426 displays an advisory screen or link to “pull” the wireless device user/content buyer 422 to the mobile metadata simulcaster 714, which acts as a server for providing simulcasted and/or stored audio content metadata. Once a metadata detector application or applet 426 is installed on a wireless device 424, audio content metadata, including information facilitating an on-line purchase of the associated audio content, is displayed on the wireless device 424 as described in greater detail hereinabove.
In an embodiment of the invention, audio content metadata displayed on wireless devices 424 includes time-stamped and supplemental metadata including, but not limited to, unique identifiers of the mobile venue 708, such as how the content is being played (e.g., the unique electronic identifier of the satellite radio receiver), Internet addresses of on-line providers of the audio content, and special promotions. In this embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 can use the displayed audio content metadata to facilitate the enactment of an on-line purchase of the associated audio content. In an embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 is given the option of using the simulcast metadata to facilitate purchasing a physical copy of the associated audio content from on-line content merchant 530 and having it delivered to a physical address, or purchasing an electronic copy from audio content distributor 702, or both.
In this embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 connects to on-line content merchant 530 via wireless network 728, described in greater detail hereinabove, which in turn is coupled to the Internet 428, and provides shipping and payment details required to purchase of a physical copy of the album containing the associated audio content. Once the purchase is completed, on-line content merchant 530 ships a physical copy of the associated audio content 532 to the physical address 534 specified by the wireless device user/content buyer 422. The wireless device user/content buyer 422 then connects to audio content distributor 702 to conduct and complete the purchase of an electronic copy of the associated audio content. Once the purchase is completed, the associated audio content is downloaded through Internet 428, through wireless network 728, and on to wireless device 424.
In general, each of these participants receives a proportionate share of each retail content sale. For example, according to current industry sources, composers and publishers share approximately 8-9% of the retail price, artists receive anywhere from 6-10%, producers receive on the order of 2%, record labels can receive 24-40%, distributors generally receive 15-30% dependent upon the services and value they contribute, and the retailer receives 12-27%. In addition, 9-15% or the retail price is usually allocated for promotion and advertising. The advent of the Internet has facilitated the on-line sale of physical A/V content, as generally illustrated in
Of these, the role of the affiliate marketer 918 has gained importance in recent years, as they provide a method of promoting on-line sales in which affiliates (e.g., on-line infrastructure providers 920, website owners 922, etc.) are rewarded for on-line physical content retailer 916 sales that result from their efforts or participation. This business arrangement is similar to the traditional practice of paying finder's-fees for the introduction of new customers. Compensation to the affiliate is generally based on a predetermined value for each customer visit (e.g., pay per click), each visitor to the site (e.g., pay per registration or opt-in agreement), commission for each sale (e.g., a percentage of the sale), or any combination thereof. In this pay-for-performance model, the on-line physical content retailer only pays when they receive predetermined value and no payment is due to an affiliate until results are realized. The administration of these relationships is typically managed through software applications provided and administered by the affiliate marketer 918, who likewise receives predetermined compensation for enabling the affiliate relationships and their resulting transactions.
The introduction and growing popularity of digitally encoded A/V content such as, but not limited to motion pictures expert group layer 3 (MP3) audio files, has made the downloading and sale of A/V content convenient. This phenomenon has resulted in the emergence of an extended value chain model for the A/V recording industry, generally illustrated in
However, fundamental challenges, described in greater detail hereinabove, still exist for A/V content buyers to identify and purchase A/V content they are exposed to and interests them. The provision of a supplemented A/V metadata simulcaster 924 implemented within physical venues 926 not only address these issues, but extends the existing hybrid value chain model for the recording industry into an extended digitized content value chain model. In this extended value chain model, the physical venue owner 926 and the manufacturer (or provider) 924 of the supplemented A/V metadata simulcaster receive a predetermined and proportionate share of each resulting on-line A/V content sale, physical or digital, processed at the present or a later time, as a result of their respective contributions to the value chain. As in the hybrid value chain model illustrated in
Simulcast venue 408 comprises content receiver 410, A/V content delivery system 412, A/V metadata simulcaster 414, wireless access point 418, router 420, wireless device user/content buyer 422 and wireless devices 424 implemented with metadata simulcast detector application or applet 426. In an embodiment of the invention, digitized A/V content broadcast from satellite 406 is received by content receiver 410, where it is intercepted by metadata simulcaster 414, which decouples and simulcasts metadata associated with the A/V content as it is being played by content delivery system 412. In different embodiments of the invention, decoupled metadata is time stamped and supplemental metadata is appended or substituted including, but not limited to, unique identifiers of the venue where the content is being played, serial numbers and/or unique identifiers of the digital content receiver used to receive the A/V content and the metadata simulcaster used to simulcast the supplemented metadata, Internet addresses of on-line providers of the A/V content, and special promotions.
In an embodiment of the invention, metadata simulcaster 414 comprises a chip-based identification card 416, which provides metadata origination and extended value chain stakeholder information to facilitate an on-line purchase of associated A/V content. After A/V content metadata is decoupled from the intercepted digitized A/V content stream, it is supplemented as described in greater detail hereinabove and then stored internally in metadata simulcaster 414 or on an external host for remote and/or later retrieval. Metadata simulcaster 414 then wirelessly simulcasts the processed metadata through wireless access port 418 using one or more protocols such as, but not limited to, 802.11 (WiFi), short message service (SMS), or general packet radio service (GPRS).
Wireless device users who are potential A/V content buyers 422 are notified that supplemented metadata associated with the A/V content currently being played is available through the use of wireless-enabled devices 424 including, but not limited to laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable media players and cell phones. In one embodiment of the invention, notification is displayed on a video screen of content delivery system 412 along with the metadata. In another embodiment of the invention, such as when content delivery system 412 only provides audio, wireless device users/content buyers 422 are notified when they access the venue's wireless access point 418 for access to the Internet 428. In another embodiment of the invention in an audio-only environment, wireless device users/content buyers 422 are notified of the availability of supplemented A/V content metadata verbally or through printed materials.
Wireless device users/content buyers 422 who decide to receive simulcasted A/V content metadata boot their wireless devices 424 to connect to the venue's wireless access point 418 at which point the wireless device user/content buyer 422 is prompted to install metadata detector application or applet 426. In one embodiment of the invention, the supplemented A/V metadata detector application or applet automatically detects and displays supplemented A/V content metadata that is simulcasted, or “pushed”, by the metadata simulcaster. In another embodiment of the invention, the metadata detector application or applet displays an advisory screen or link to “pull” the wireless device user to the metadata simulcaster, which acts as a server for providing simulcasted and/or stored A/V content metadata that has been supplemented. Once a metadata detector application or applet 426 is installed on a wireless device 424, supplemented A/V content metadata, including information facilitating an on-line purchase of the associated A/V content, is displayed on the wireless device 424 as described in greater detail hereinabove. In an embodiment of the invention, A/V content metadata displayed on wireless devices 424 includes time-stamped and supplemental metadata including, but not limited to, unique identifiers of the venue 408 where the content is being played, Internet addresses of on-line providers of the A/V content, and special promotions.
In this embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 can use the displayed A/V content metadata to facilitate the enactment of an on-line purchase of the associated A/V content. In another embodiment of the invention, other supplemental metadata such as, but not limited to, information related to stakeholders in the extended value chain that facilitates the on-line purchase of A/V content is not displayed, but is conveyed at the time of purchase to the on-line A/V content purchase site. In an embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 is given the option of using the supplemented and simulcasted A/V content metadata to facilitate purchasing a physical copy 532 of the associated A/V content from on-line content merchant 530 and having it delivered to the content buyer's physical address 534, or purchasing an electronic copy from content distributor 402, or both.
In this same embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 selects an on-line content merchant 530 displayed by the metadata detector application or applet 426 on their wireless device 424 and wirelessly connects to their on-line purchase site through wireless access point 418, which is connected to router 420, which in turn is coupled to the Internet 428. When the wireless device user/content buyer 422 connects to the on-line content merchant's site 530, the supplemented A/V content metadata stored in their wireless device 424 is presented to the on-line merchant. The wireless device user/content buyer 422 is then led through purchase and payment steps described in greater detail hereinabove to purchase a physical copy of the album containing the A/V content associated with the supplemented A/V content metadata previously presented. In an embodiment of the invention, wireless device user/content buyer 422 manually enters additional information including, but not limited to, shipping address and payment details. In another embodiment of the invention additional information including, but not limited to, shipping address and payment details are securely and automatically appended to the supplemented A/V content metadata presented by the simulcast metadata detector 426.
Once the purchase is completed, on-line content merchant 530 ships a physical copy of the associated A/V content 532 to the physical address 534 specified by the wireless device user/content buyer 422. The wireless device user/content buyer 422 then connects to content distributor 402 to conduct and complete the purchase of an electronic copy of the associated A/V content. Once the purchase is completed, the associated A/V content is downloaded through Internet 428, through router 420 and wireless access point 418, and on to wireless devices 424. In another embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer stores purchase details including, but not limited to, name, shipping and billing addresses, phone numbers, and purchase card information, which can be automatically submitted to on-line content merchant 530 to further facilitate the purchase of associated A/V content. In another embodiment of the invention, the wireless device user/content buyer 422 downloads the selected A/V content from a content delivery site that they subscribe to, but is not included in the simulcasted and supplemented A/V content metadata. In another embodiment of the invention, if the wireless device user 422 decides not to purchase the associated A/V content at that time, the supplemented A/V content metadata is saved to the wireless device 424 facilitating a later purchase of the associated A/V content. In other embodiments of the invention, wireless device users/content buyers 422 select supplemented A/V content metadata for a single selection, an entire playlist, or a partial play list, and save the supplemented metadata to the wireless device to use as reference for a later purchase of the associated A/V content.
In an embodiment of the invention, once wireless device user/content buyer 422 has completed an on-line purchase of a physical copy of A/V content from on-line content merchant 530 for later delivery, and has completed an on-line purchase of an electronic copy of the same A/V content from on-line content distributor 402 for download at the present time, each extended value chain stakeholder's proportionate share of the on-line content purchases are automatically allocated and settled. In an embodiment of the invention, wireless device user/content purchaser's 422 download list and payment instructions are submitted via the Internet 428 to affiliate marketer 1136 for processing by on-line content merchant 530 and/or on-line content distributor 402. The affiliate marketer 1136 submits the payment instructions to a financial network 438 for acquisition of funds from the on-line content buyers bank 1142. Once funds are received from the on-line content buyer's bank 1142, the affiliate marketer 1136 retrieves the associated A/V content download list, the supplemented A/V content metadata that originated the on-line A/V content purchase, and other information related to the stakeholder participants in the extended value chain that facilitated the on-line A/V content purchases. The retrieved information is then processed by the affiliate marketer 1136 and a proportionate share of the funds received from the on-line A/V content buyer's bank 1142 is allocated to each extended value chain stakeholder and the funds are then transferred to their respective bank accounts 1146 via financial network 438. Once funds are transferred, the affiliate marketer 1136 submits remittance advice to each extended digitized content value chain stakeholder.
In an embodiment of the invention, on-line merchant 530 and/or on-line content distributor 402 forego the use of an affiliate marketer 1136 and use supplemented A/V content metadata presented at the time of on-line purchase to proportionally allocate and settle payment funds to the stakeholder participants in the extended value chain that facilitated the on-line A/V content purchases. In this embodiment, payment acquisition instructions are submitted to the on-line content buyer's bank 1142 via financial network 438, requesting that funds be transferred to the on-line content provider's bank 1140. Once received, on-line merchant 530 and/or on-line content distributor 402 retrieves and processes the associated A/V content download list, the supplemented A/V content metadata that originated the on-line A/V content purchase, and other information related to the stakeholder participants in the extended value chain that facilitated the on-line A/V content purchases. Once processed, a proportionate share of the funds is allocated to each extended value chain stakeholder and the funds are then transferred to their respective bank accounts 1146 via financial network 438. Once funds are transferred, the on-line merchant 530 and/or on-line content distributor 402 submit remittance advice to each extended digitized content value chain stakeholder. In another embodiment of the invention, affiliate marketer 1136 maintains a relationship with rights management association 1144 to act on behalf of its constituents to protect and maintain their legal and financial rights. In this embodiment of the invention, the rights management association 1144 is treated by the affiliate marketer 1136 as another stakeholder in the extended digitized content value chain, with their proportionate and requisite share of each sale processed, allocated, paid and remitted as described in greater detail hereinabove. Skilled practitioners in the art will recognize that many other embodiments and variations of the present invention are possible. In addition, each of the referenced components in this embodiment of the invention may be comprised of a plurality of components, each interacting with the other in a distributed environment. Furthermore, other embodiments of the invention may expand on the referenced embodiment to extend the scale and reach of the system's implementation.
