Methods of temporarily providing digital content to a customer

• US 7,108,171 B1
• Filed: 10/17/2003
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Jared Ergo, Rachel Pauline Avery
• Original Assignee: Michael Jared Ergo, Rachel Pauline Avery
• Inventors: Avery, Rachel Pauline, Ergo, Michael Jared
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Labaze, Edwyn
• Application Number:
  US10/688,739
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/381, 235/383, 235/449, 705/57, 705/51, 700/234, 700/235, 700/237
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 Shopping for digital content
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

There are methods of temporarily providing digital content to a customer based on a request for a desired digital content. At a point of sale, a writeable optically-readable medium may be provided with a changeable portion that, when activated, is adapted to physically change over a period of time (e.g., 3–5 days) to a degree that at least part of the medium becomes unreadable by an optical media reading machine. The desired digital content is preferably written on the medium at a point of sale based on the request. The written medium is provided to the customer. The customer pick up the medium at the point of sale, or the medium may be delivered to the customer, for example. The customer preferably need not return the medium because it will become unreadable after a period of time upon activating the changeable portion.

Claims

1. A method of temporarily providing digital content to a customer, comprising:

receiving a request from the customer, the request including an indication of a desired digital content;

at a point of sale, providing a writeable optically-readable medium having a removable protective cover operably installed thereon,

wherein the medium comprises a changeable portion that, when activated, is adapted to physically change over a period of time to a degree that at least part of the medium becomes unreadable by an optical media reading machine, and

wherein the protective cover is adapted to inhibit activation of the changeable portion of the medium when operably installed;

at the point of sale, writing the desired digital content on the medium;

at the point of sale, removing the protective cover to activate the changeable portion; and

providing the written medium to the customer without the protective cover.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the protective cover is a layer, and wherein a majority of the layer has a substantially uniform thickness.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the protective cover remains operably installed during the writing.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing of the protective layer occurs before the writing.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the request further includes a location choice for the point of sale.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the protective layer is removed as the written medium is being provided to the customer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the protective layer is removed before the written medium is provided to the customer.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication that the customer is ready for the written medium to be dispensed,

wherein the protective layer is removed from the written medium after the receipt of the indication that the customer is ready.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital content is selected from a group consisting of video, audio, text, images, web pages, hyperlinked text, a movie, a music video, an interactive video, a game, a television show, a television series, a cartoon, computer software, a still advertisement, an advertisement banner, a commercial, a movie preview, a public service announcement, an educational film, a document, sales information, and combinations thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the protective cover completely encloses the medium.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the protective cover covers at least part of the medium.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the point of sale is a kiosk.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the point of sale is at a location selected from a group consisting of an unmanned-stand-alone building, a convenience store, a restaurant, a video rental store, a gas station, a grocery store, a pizza delivery shop, a shopping mall, a shopping center, a booth, a parking lot, an apartment building, a laundry facility, a dormitory, a school campus, a library, a book store, a music store, a metro station, a bus station, an airport, a hotel, an exercise facility, a fitness club, an arena, a convention center, and combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the written medium to the customer is performed at the point of sale by dispensing the written medium to the customer.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the written medium to the customer is performed by delivering the written medium to the customer.

16. A method of temporarily providing digital content to a customer, comprising:

receiving a request from the customer, the request including an indication of a desired digital content;

at a point of sale, providing a writeable optically-readable medium having a removable protective cover operably installed thereon,

wherein the medium comprises a changeable portion that, when activated, is adapted to physically change over a period of time to a degree that at least part of the medium becomes unreadable by an optical media reading machine, and

wherein the protective cover is adapted to inhibit activation of the changeable portion of the medium when operably installed;

at the point of sale, removing the protective cover to activate the changeable portion;

at the point of sale and after removing the protective cover, writing the desired digital content on the medium; and

providing the written medium to the customer without the protective cover.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the request further includes a location choice for the point of sale.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the digital content is selected from a group consisting of video, audio, text, images, web pages, hyperlinked text, a movie, a music video, an interactive video, a game, a television show, a television series, a cartoon, computer software, a still advertisement, an advertisement banner, a commercial, a movie preview, a public service announcement, an educational film, a document, sales information, and combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the point of sale is a kiosk.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the point of sale is at a location selected from a group consisting of an unmanned-stand-alone building, a convenience store, a restaurant, a video rental store, a gas station, a grocery store, a pizza delivery shop, a shopping mall, a shopping center, a booth, a parking lot, an apartment building, a laundry facility, a dormitory, a school campus, a library, a book store, a music store, a metro station, a bus station, an airport, a hotel, an exercise facility, a fitness club, an arena, a convention center, and combinations thereof.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the providing of the written medium to the customer is performed at the point of sale by dispensing the written medium to the customer.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the providing of the written medium to the customer is performed by delivering the written medium to the customer.

23. A method of temporarily providing digital content to a customer, comprising:

receiving a request from the customer, the request including an indication of a desired digital content;

at a point of sale, providing a writeable optically-readable medium having a removable protective cover operably installed thereon,

wherein the medium comprises a first changeable portion that, when activated, is adapted to physically change over a period of time to a degree that at least part of the medium becomes unreadable by an optical media reading machine, and

wherein the protective cover is adapted to inhibit activation of the first changeable portion of the medium when operably installed and wherein the protective cover includes a second changeable portion that, when activated, is adapted to physically change over a period of time to a degree that at least part of the medium is unreadable through the protective cover by an optical media reading machine;

at the point of sale, writing the desired digital content on the medium and through the protective cover while the protective cover is operably installed on the medium;

activating the second changeable portion of the protective cover such that at least part of the protective cover must be removed before subsequently reading the medium with an optical media reading machine; and

providing the written medium to the customer with the protective cover operably installed on the medium.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

at the point of sale, providing the writeable optically-readable medium having a protective package operably installed, wherein the protective package is adapted to inhibit activation of the second changeable portion of the protective cover when operably installed; and

at the point of sale, removing the protective package before the writing.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the second changeable portion is activated during the writing by a laser used for the writing.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the protective cover is a layer, and wherein a majority of the layer has a substantially uniform thickness.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the request further includes a location choice for the point of sale.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the point of sale is a kiosk.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the point of sale is at a location selected from a group consisting of an unmanned-stand-alone building, a convenience store, a restaurant, a video rental store, a gas station, a grocery store, a pizza delivery shop, a shopping mall, a shopping center, a booth, a parking lot, an apartment building, a laundry facility, a dormitory, a school campus, a library, a book store, a music store, a metro station, a bus station, an airport, a hotel, an exercise facility, a fitness club, an arena, a convention center, and combinations thereof.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein the providing of the written medium to the customer is performed at the point of sale by dispensing the written medium to the customer.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein the providing of the written medium to the customer is performed by delivering the written medium to the customer.

32. A method of temporarily providing digital content to a customer, comprising:

receiving a request from the customer, the request including an indication of a desired digital content;

at a point of sale, providing a writeable optically-readable medium having a protective package operably installed thereon,

wherein the medium comprises a changeable portion that, when activated, is adapted to physically change over a period of time to a degree that at least part of the medium becomes unreadable by an optical media reading machine, and

wherein the protective package is adapted to inhibit activation of the changeable portion of the medium when operably installed;

at the point of sale, writing the desired digital content on the medium with the protective package operably installed thereon; and

providing the written medium to the customer with the protective package operably installed thereon.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the writing of the desired digital content is performed by a specialized machine adapted to retain the medium and write to the medium while the protective package is still operably installed, and

wherein the protective package, when operably installed, obstructs normal use of the medium in a common optical media reading machine such that the protective package must be at least partially removed before the customer may read the medium with a common optical media reading machine.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the request further includes a location choice for the point of sale.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the point of sale is a kiosk.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the point of sale is at a location selected from a group consisting of an unmanned-stand-alone building, a convenience store, a restaurant, a video rental store, a gas station, a grocery store, a pizza delivery shop, a shopping mall, a shopping center, a booth, a parking lot, an apartment building, a laundry facility, a dormitory, a school campus, a library, a book store, a music store, a metro station, a bus station, an airport, a hotel, an exercise facility, a fitness club, an arena, a convention center, and combinations thereof.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the providing of the written medium to the customer is performed at the point of sale by dispensing the written medium to the customer.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein the providing of the written medium to the customer is performed by delivering the written medium to the customer.

39. A method of temporarily providing digital content to a customer, comprising:

receiving a request from the customer, the request including an indication of a desired digital content;

at a point of sale, providing a writeable optically-readable medium having a first removable protective cover operably installed thereon,

wherein the medium comprises a changeable portion that, when activated, is adapted to physically change over a period of time to a degree that at least part of the medium becomes unreadable by an optical media reading machine, and

wherein the first protective cover is adapted to inhibit activation of the changeable portion of the medium when operably installed;

at the point of sale, removing the first protective cover from the medium;

at the point of sale and with the first protective cover removed, writing the desired digital content on the medium;

at the point of sale and after the writing, operably installing a second removable protective cover on the written medium, wherein the second protective cover is adapted to inhibit activation of the changeable portion of the medium when operably installed; and

providing the written medium to the customer with the second protective cover operably installed thereon.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the removing of the first protective cover, the writing, and the operably installing the second protective cover are performed in a controlled environment.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the controlled environment is selected from a group consisting of a vacuum chamber, a low pressure chamber, a chamber lacking humidity, a chamber including an inert gas, a chamber lacking an ingredient or gas that would activate the changeable portion, and combinations thereof.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein the first protective cover covers only a portion of the medium.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein the first protective cover entirely encloses the medium therein.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein the second protective cover covers only a portion of the medium.

45. The method of claim 39, wherein the second protective cover entirely encloses the medium therein.

46. The method of claim 39, wherein the second protective cover is the first protective cover.

47. The method of claim 39, wherein the providing of the written medium to the customer is performed at the point of sale by dispensing the written medium to the customer.

48. The method of claim 39, wherein the providing of the written medium to the customer is performed by delivering the written medium to the customer.

49. A method of temporarily providing digital content to a customer, comprising:

receiving a request from the customer, the request including an indication of a desired digital content;

at a point of sale, providing a writeable optically-readable medium;

at the point of sale, providing a sheet, wherein the sheet is separate from the medium and wherein the sheet comprises a changeable portion that, when activated, is adapted to physically change over a period of time;

at the point of sale, writing the desired digital content on the medium;

at the point of sale, permanently applying the sheet to the medium;

activating the changeable portion of the sheet so that after the period of time the changeable portion of the sheet is physically changed to a degree that at least part of the medium becomes unreadable through the sheet by an optical media reading machine; and

providing the written medium to the customer.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the activating of the changeable portion is performed before the writing of the desired digital content on the medium and before the applying of the sheet to the medium.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the writing of the desired digital content on the medium is performed before the applying of the sheet to the medium.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the applying of the sheet to the medium is performed before the writing of the desired digital content on the medium.

53. The method of claim 49, wherein the writing of the desired digital content on the medium is performed before the activating of the changeable portion and before the applying of the sheet to the medium.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the applying of the sheet to the medium is performed before the activating of the changeable portion.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the applying of the sheet to the medium is performed after the activating of the changeable portion.

56. The method of claim 49, wherein the applying of the sheet to the medium is performed before the writing of the desired digital content on the medium and before the activating of the changeable portion.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the writing of the desired digital content on the medium is performed after the activating of the changeable portion.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein the activating of the changeable portion is performed during the writing of the desired digital content on the medium.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein the writing of the desired digital content on the medium is performed before the activating of the changeable portion.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the activating of the changeable portion occurs at the point of sale.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein the activating of the changeable portion is initiated by a read laser when the customer uses the medium.

62. A method of temporarily providing digital content to a customer, comprising:

receiving a request from the customer, the request including an indication of a desired digital content;

at a point of sale, providing a writeable optically-readable medium;

at the point of sale, providing a sheet, wherein the sheet is separate from the medium and wherein the sheet comprises

a changeable portion that, when activated, is adapted to physically change over a period of time, and

a removable protective cover operably installed thereon, the protective cover being adapted to inhibit activation of the changeable portion when operably installed;

at the point of sale, writing the desired digital content on the medium;

at the point of sale, removing the protective cover from the sheet to activate the changeable portion;

at the point of sale, permanently applying the sheet to the written medium, wherein after the period of time the changeable portion of the sheet is physically changed to a degree that at least part of the medium becomes unreadable through the sheet by an optical media reading machine; and

providing the written medium to the customer.

63. A method of temporarily providing digital content to a customer, comprising:

receiving a request from the customer, the request including an indication of a desired digital content;

at a point of sale, providing a writeable optically-readable medium, the medium having a first material formed on a read-side surface thereof;

at the point of sale, writing the desired digital content on the medium;

at the point of sale, providing a sheet, wherein the sheet is separate from the medium and wherein the sheet comprises a second material;

at the point of sale, permanently applying the sheet to the read-side of the written medium, such that at least part of the first material is in contact with at least part of the second material, wherein the first and second materials react with each other and after a period of time at least part of the medium becomes unreadable by an optical media reading machine through an area where the first and second materials are in contact; and

providing the written medium to the customer.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the sheet is made from the second material.

65. The method of claim 63, wherein the sheet has the second material formed thereon.

66. The method of claim 63, wherein the sheet is initially covered at least partially by a protective cover, and the method further comprising:

at the point of sale and before the permanently applying, removing the protective cover from the sheet.

67. The method of claim 63, wherein the first material comprises an adhesive.

68. The method of claim 63, wherein the second material comprises an adhesive.

69. The method of claim 63, wherein an adhesive is formed when the first material reacts with the second material.

70. The method of claim 63, wherein the providing of the written medium to the customer is performed at the point of sale by dispensing the written medium to the customer.

71. The method of claim 63, wherein the providing of the written medium to the customer is performed by delivering the written medium to the customer.

72. A method of temporarily providing digital content to a customer, comprising:

receiving a request from the customer, the request including an indication of a desired digital content;

at a point of sale, providing a writeable optically-readable medium, the medium having a first material formed thereon;

at the point of sale, writing the desired digital content on the medium;

at the point of sale, providing a sheet, wherein the sheet is separate from the medium and wherein the sheet comprises a second material;

at the point of sale, temporarily applying the sheet to the written medium, such that at least part of the first material is in contact with at least part of the second material, wherein the first and second materials react with each other so that after a period of time at least part of the medium becomes unreadable by an optical media reading machine;

at the point of sale, removing the sheet from the medium; and

providing the written medium to the customer.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the first material is located on a read side of the medium.

74. The method of claim 72, wherein the first material is located on a non-read side of the medium, and wherein the sheet is temporarily applied to the non-read side of the medium.

75. The method of claim 72, further comprising:

allowing the combination of first and second materials to dry on the medium before the dispensing to the customer.

76. The method of claim 72, further comprising:

curing the combination of the first and second materials before the dispensing to the customer.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the curing comprises exposing the combination of the first and second materials to electromagnetic waves selected from a group consisting of ultraviolet light, infrared light, radio waves, microwaves, and combinations thereof.

78. The method of claim 72, wherein the providing of the written medium to the customer is performed at the point of sale by dispensing the written medium to the customer.

79. The method of claim 72, wherein the providing of the written medium to the customer is performed by delivering the written medium to the customer.

80. A method of temporarily providing digital content to a customer, comprising:

receiving a request from the customer comprising an indication of a desired digital content and an indication of a desired version of the desired digital content;

at a point of sale, providing a writeable optically-readable medium, wherein the medium comprises a changeable portion that, when activated, is adapted to physically change over a period of time to a degree that at least part of the medium becomes unreadable by an optical media reading machine;

at the point of sale, writing the desired version of the desired digital content on the medium; and

providing the medium with the desired version of the desired digital content written thereon to the customer.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the desired version specifies something selected from a group consisting of full screen video format, wide screen video format, sound output format, language selection, originally released version, digitally remastered version, uncut version, director'"'"'s cut version, unabridged version, special edition, including-bonus-material version, including-deleted-scenes version, edited-for-television version, subtitle language selection, rated G version, rated PG version, rated PG-13 version, rated R version, unrated version, extended version, revised version, and combinations thereof.

82. The method of claim 80, wherein the desired digital content is selected from a group consisting of a computer game, a computer software, an educational tutorial, web pages, music, music videos, and combinations thereof, and

wherein the desired version specifies something selected from a group consisting of a game console selection, a computer operating system selection, compatibility with another software program, an education level, a religious viewpoint, a music recording format, a video display format, and combinations thereof.

83. The method of claim 80, wherein the providing the medium with the desired version of the desired digital content written thereon to the customer is performed at the point of sale by dispensing the medium to the customer.

84. The method of claim 80, wherein the providing the medium with the desired version of the desired digital content written thereon to the customer is performed by delivering the medium to the customer.

85. A method of temporarily providing digital content to a customer, comprising:

receiving a request from the customer comprising an indication of a desired digital content and a first location choice for a point of sale;

estimating a wait time required to fulfill the request at the first location choice;

informing the customer about the estimated wait time at the first location choice;

asking the customer if the estimated wait time at the first location choice is acceptable;

if the customer indicates that the estimated wait time at the first location choice is not acceptable,

estimating a wait time required to fulfill the request at an alternative location for the point of sale, and

if the estimated wait time at the alternative location is less than the estimated wait time at the first location choice, informing the customer about the estimated wait time at the alternative location and if the customer still desires that the request be fulfilled, obtaining a current location choice for the point of sale;

if the customer indicates that the estimated wait time at the first location choice is acceptable, making the first location choice the current location choice for the point of sale;

at the point of sale of the current location choice, providing a writeable optically-readable medium, wherein the medium comprises a changeable portion that, when activated, is adapted to physically change over a period of time to a degree that at least part of the medium becomes unreadable by an optical media reading machine;

at the point of sale of the current location choice, writing the desired digital content on the medium; and

at the point of sale of the current location choice, providing the medium with the desired digital content written thereon to the customer.