METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOADING DIGITAL CONTENT INTO A DIGITAL STORAGE DEVICE AND SUBSEQUENT PACKAGING

• US 20110154781A1
• Filed: 08/21/2009
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Inventors: Kuah, Woon Hua Edwin, Tyo, Boon Tien, Tan, Keng Wah
• Granted Patent: US 8,549,821 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/396
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 Shopping for digital content
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3552 Downloading or loading of personalisation data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

There is provided a method for loading varied pre-determined digital content into a plurality of digital storage devices, and subsequently providing each digital storage device with varied pre-determined accessories. It is preferable that the digital content loaded into the digital storage device is not identifiable at the digital content loading post, and the consolidated digital storage device and the pre-determined accessories are shipped to particulars of the shipping label. A corresponding system is also provided.

Claims

1. A method for loading varied pre-determined digital content into a plurality of digital storage devices, and subsequently providing each digital storage device with varied pre-determined accessories, the method including:

locating each digital storage device on a platform, the platform including a platform identification object and each digital storage device including at least one device identification object;

determining availability of a digital content loading post when the platform is at a pre-determined position;

transporting the platform to an available digital content loading post;

identifying the digital storage device on the platform at the available digital content loading post;

associating the identified digital storage device with an order;

loading digital content into the digital storage device at the available digital content loading post in accordance with the order;

transporting the digital storage device to an available packaging post;

identifying the digital storage device at the available packaging post;

associating the digital storage device with the order;

accounting for the pre-determined accessories provided in accordance with the order;

printing a shipping label when the identity of the digital storage device matches with the accounted pre-determined accessories in the order; and

consolidating the digital storage device and the pre-determined accessories together into a single package,

wherein the digital content loaded into the digital storage device is not identifiable at the digital content loading post, and the consolidated digital storage device and the pre-determined accessories are shipped to particulars of the shipping label.

2. The method of claim 1, further including checking a capability of the digital storage device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital content is selected from a group comprising:

audio files, movie files, image files, application files, firmware update files, and any combination of the aforementioned.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification object is selected from a group comprising:

an RFID tag, a visual indicia tag, a bar code tag, a serial number tag, and any combination of the aforementioned.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital storage device is selected from a group comprising:

a digital storage chip in any particular form, a portable hard disk drive, a digital media player, a mobile telephone, and any combination of the aforementioned.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-determined accessories is selected from a group comprising:

a set of earphones, a set of headphones, a set of speakers, a digital storage device protector, a digital storage device case, a power source for the digital storage device, a cable for connection to the digital storage device, a lanyard for carrying the digital storage device, and any combination of the aforementioned items.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-determined position includes:

at least one sensor to determine a presence of the platform, and

at least a first controller to guide the platform to the available digital content loading post.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital content loading post includes:

a content loading controller for controlling the digital loading post; and

at least one data connector for a functional connection to either the platform or the digital storage device, the connection being via either a wired connection or a wireless connection, the at least one connector being connected to the content loading controller;

wherein workability information for the digital content loading post is written by the content loading controller onto the platform identification object.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the packaging post includes:

a packaging controller for aiding packaging of both the digital storage device and the pre-determined accessories;

at least one display connected to the packaging controller to view a list of the pre-determined accessories ordered with the digital storage device; and

at least one data reader connected to the packaging controller to obtain data from the identification object of the digital storage device, the data reader being for obtaining data selected from a group comprising;

RF signals, visual indicia, bar codes, serial numbers, and any combination of the aforementioned.

10. The method of claim 1, further including:

associating the order with the device identification object;

coupling the digital storage device to the platform; and

resetting the platform identification object.

11. A system for loading varied pre-determined digital content into a plurality of digital storage devices, and subsequently providing each digital storage device with varied pre-determined accessories, the system including:

a platform with a digital storage device, the platform including a platform identification object and the digital storage device including at least one device identification object;

a pre-determined position with a first controller for guiding the platform to an available digital content loading post, the digital content loading post being for loading of digital content into the digital storage device; and

a packaging post for consolidating the digital storage device and the accessories,

wherein the digital content loaded into the digital storage device is not identifiable at the digital content loading post, and the consolidated digital storage device and the pre-determined accessories are shipped to particulars of a shipping label printed at the packaging post.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the digital content is selected from a group comprising:

audio files, movie files, image files, application files, firmware update files, and any combination of the aforementioned.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the device identification object is selected from a group comprising:

an RFID tag, a visual indicia tag, a bar code tag, a serial number tag, and any combination of the aforementioned.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the digital storage device is selected from a group comprising:

a digital storage chip in a form of a card, a portable hard disk drive, a digital media player, a mobile telephone, and any combination of the aforementioned.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the pre-determined accessories is selected from a group comprising:

a set of earphones, a set of headphones, a set of speakers, a digital storage device protector, a digital storage device case, a power source for the digital storage device, a cable for connection to the digital storage device, a lanyard for carrying the digital storage device, and any combination of the aforementioned items.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the pre-determined position including at least one sensor to determine a presence of the platform.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the digital content loading post includes:

a content loading controller for controlling the digital loading post; and

at least one data connector for a functional connection to either the platform or the digital storage device, the connection being via either a wired connection or a wireless connection, the at least one data connector being connected to the content loading controller;

wherein workability information for the digital content loading post is written by the content loading controller onto the platform identification object.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the packaging post includes:

a packaging controller for aiding packaging of both the digital storage device and the pre-determined accessories;

at least one display connected to the packaging controller to view a list of the pre-determined accessories ordered with the digital storage device; and

at least one data reader connected to the packaging controller to obtain data from the identification object of the digital storage device, the data reader being for obtaining data selected from a group comprising;

RF signals, visual indicia, bar codes, serial numbers, and any combination of the aforementioned.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the digital storage device is functionally coupled to the platform.