Multimedia delivery system

• US 6,446,130 B1
• Filed: 03/16/1999
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Interactive Digital Patent Holding Company
• Original Assignee: Interactive Digital Patent Holding Company
• Inventors: Grapes, James Roland
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, VIET DUY
• Application Number:
  US09/268,976
• Time in Patent Office: 1,267 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/219, 709/223, 709/225, 709/226, 709/229, 709/231, 709/232, 709/328, 709/329
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/0235 the arrangements being full-front touchscreens
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4117 for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper interfaces to printers G06F3/12; printing data G06K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4185 for payment
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/422 Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/432 Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4402 involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display details of conversion of video standards at pixel level H04N7/01; video transcoding H04N19/40; adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal G09G5/005; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4424 Monitoring of the internal components or processes of the client device, e.g. CPU or memory load, processing speed, timer, counter or percentage of the hard disk space used error monitoring in general G06F11/30; arrangements for monitoring conditions of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/32; diagnosis, testing or measuring for television receivers H04N17/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A computerized multimedia delivery system designed to simultaneously display multiple streams of multimedia content is disclosed. The interactive delivery system is capable of (1) providing multiple streams of content to users of the system, (2) allowing users to interact with the system, (3) providing information concerning such users to a centralized computer for processing, (4) providing users with the ability to perform financial transactions, and (5) provide a printed receipt or redemption coupon. Content is digitally stored on a medium suitable for storage and retrieval by the computer system such as large capacity hard disk drives. The content to be displayed is selected either using a scheduling device or by user interaction. A user can interact with the system through a touch-screen graphical user interface on a video display. Once the content is selected, the system reads the configuration information for that particular content. The digital data representing the selected content is sent to a series of suitable digital to analog converters capable of converting the digital representation of the content into an analog signal which can be transferred to analog devices capable of audio and video reproduction. A device capable of financial transactions such as a magnetic stripe reader, smartcard reader, or currency validator is connected to the computer through input/output interfaces allowing the user to perform financial transactions through the system. An attached printer has the ability to provide the user with printed material related to the selected content. Two-way communication between the user and the system allows the system to collect user information directly related to specific content and transmit such information to a centralized data management center through a modem connected to the system. The system'"'"'s multimedia content can be upgraded through an optical disk or data transmission by satellite.

Claims

1. An improved multimedia delivery system, comprising:

a computer which processes multimedia content;

a storage device for storing multimedia content connected to said computer;

a user interface means for receiving user input connected to said computer;

a means for evaluating and analyzing said user input for advertising and marketing purposes, thereby generating a demographic profile of said user input;

one or more converter means connected to said computer for converting said multimedia content transferred from said storage device to said one or more converter means from digital to analog format, each said converter means capable of simultaneously presenting multiple streams of multimedia content in analog format; and

a presentation means, capable of presenting said multimedia content in analog format to a user.

2. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 1, wherein said user interface means comprises a selection means for allowing a user to select one or more selections of multimedia content.

3. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 1, wherein said user interface means comprises a touch sensitive video display.

4. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 1, wherein said multimedia content comprises audio content, video content, and graphic content.

5. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 1, further including a means for adding additional multimedia content to said storage device and a means for removing multimedia content from said storage device.

6. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 5, wherein said means for adding additional multimedia content to said storage device comprises a satellite receiving station connected to said computer, capable of receiving digital data representing said additional multimedia content and transferring said additional multimedia content to said storage device.

7. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 5, wherein said means for adding additional multimedia content is an optical drive connected to said computer, capable of transferring said additional multimedia content to said storage device.

8. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 1, further including at least one RF modulator means connected to at least one of said converter means for converting said multimedia content in analog format into RF modulated outputs at different predetermined frequencies.

9. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 8, further including a means for combining at least two RF modulated outputs into a single RF cable.

10. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 1, further comprising an infra-red transceiver connected to said computer, said transceiver capable of emitting infrared signals to control said presentation means.

11. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 1, further comprising at least one remote terminal, said remote terminal comprising a remote computer, a remote video display, and a remote presentation means, said remote computer connected to said connected to said computer such that information can be transferred between said computer and said remote computer, said remote presentation means connected to at least one of said plurality of converters such that said converters can transfer at least one stream of multimedia content to said remote presentation means.

12. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 1, further comprising:

a central data collection system; and

a communication means for communicating said computer with said central data collection system.

13. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 12, wherein said communication means consists of a modem connected to said computer, wherein said modem transfers said user input gathered from users of said multimedia delivery system to said data collection system.

16. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 1, wherein said presentation means comprises one or more pieces of external equipment selected from the group consisting of video monitors, television monitors, aesthetic lighting displays, audio amplifiers, and speakers.

17. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a means for delivering physical output to a user of the multimedia delivery system.

18. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 17, wherein said physical output is selected from the group consisting of advertisements, promotional materials, and coupons.

19. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 18, wherein said physical output contains a watermark or bar code for identification and verification purposes.

20. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 17, wherein said physical output is dynamically generated.

21. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a means for purchasing products.

22. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 21, wherein said means for purchasing comprises:

a means for displaying one or more products;

a means for receiving payment for a selected product; and

a means for providing a recepit for said payment for said selected product.

23. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 22, wherein said means for receiving payment is a card reader capable of secure credit and debit card transactions.

24. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 22, wherein said means for receiving payment is a currency validator allowing cash transactions.

14. An improved multimedia deliver system comprising:

a computer which process multimedia content;

a storage device for storing multimedia content connected to said computer;

a user interface means, connected to said computer, for receiving user information;

a plurality of decompression means for decompressing compressed multimedia digital data, connected to said computer;

a plurality of converter means, connected to said decompression means, for converting decompressed multimedia content transferred from the storage device from digital multimedia content into analog multimedia content and capable of simultaneously delivering multiple streams of multimedia content;

a plurality of RF modulators connected to said converter means for converting said multimedia content in analog format into RF modulated outputs at different predetermined frequencies;

a means for combining said RF modulated outputs into a single RF cable connected to said RF modulator means;

a printer connected to said computer;

a card reader connected to said computer;

a currency validator connected to said computer;

an infrared transceiver connected to said computer;

a modem connected to said computer; and

a presentation means for presenting said multimedia content in analog format to a user.

15. A method for simultaneously providing multiple streams of multimedia content from a multimedia delivery system to a user or group of users, the method comprising the steps of:

a. storing database signals representative of the multimedia content to be delivered in digital format;

b. selecting the multimedia content to be delivered;

c. transferring the unprocessed digital signals representing the selection of the multimedia content to be delivered to a plurality of converters;

d. converting the unprocessed digital signals into a series of processed analog signals capable of being simultaneously transferred to presentation devices;

e. presenting the analog signals to a user of the system through presentation devices;

f. evaluating and analyzing the selection of the multimedia content to be delivered for advertising and marketing purposes; and

g. generating a demographic profile.

39. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

h. delivering physical output to the user of the multimedia delivery system.

40. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

h. purchasing a product through the multimedia delivery system.

25. A multimedia delivery system, comprising:

a computer which processes multimedia content;

a storage device for storing multimedia content connected to said computer;

a user interface means for receiving user input connected to said computer;

a means for purchasing products;

one or more converter means connected to said computer for converting said multimedia content transferred from said storage device to said one or more converter means from digital to analog format, each said converter means capable of simultaneously presenting multiple streams of multimedia content in analog format; and

a presentation means, capable of presenting said multimedia content analog format to a user.

26. The multimedia delivery system of claim 25, further comprising a means for delivering physical output to a user of the multimedia delivery system.

27. The multimedia delivery system of claim 26, wherein said physical output is selected from the group consisting of advertisements, promotional materials, and coupons.

28. The multimedia delivery system of claim 26, wherein said physical output contains a watermark or bar code for identification and verifications purposes.

29. The multimedia delivery system of claim 26, wherein said physical output is dynamically generated.

30. The multimedia delivery system of claim 25, wherein said means for purchasing comprises:

a means for displaying one or more products;

a means for receiving payment for a selected product; and

a means for providing a receipt for said payment for said selected product.

31. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 30, wherein said means for receiving payment is a card reader capable of secure credit and debit card transactions.

32. The multimedia delivery system of claim 30, wherein said means for receiving payment is a currency validator allowing cash transactions.

33. The multimedia delivery system of claim 25, wherein said presentation means comprises one or more pieces of external equipment selected from the group consisting of video monitors, television monitors, aesthetic lighting displays, audio amplifiers, and speakers.

34. A multimedia delivery system, comprising:

a computer which processes multimedia content;

a storage device for storing multimedia content connected to said computer;

a user interface means for receiving user input connected to said computer;

a means for delivering physical output to a user of the multimedia delivery system;

one or more converter means connected to said computer for converting said multimedia content transferred from said storage device to said one or more converter means from digital to analog format, each said converter means capable of simultaneousley presenting multiple streams of multimedia content in analog format; and

a presentation means, capable of presenting said multimedia content in analog format to a user.

35. The improved multimedia delivery system of claim 34, wherein said presentation means comprises one or more pieces of external equipment selected from the group consisting of video monitors, television monitors, aesthetic lighting displays, audio amplifiers, and speakers.

36. The multimedia delivery system of claim 34, wherein said physical output is selected from the group consisting of advertisements, promotional materials, and coupons.

37. The multimedia delivery system of claim 34, wherein said physical output contains a watermark or bar code for identification and verification purposes.

38. The multimedia delivery system of claim 34, wherein said physical output is dynamically generated.