Interactive video distribution systems – User-requested video program system – Video-on-demand
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-21
2001-11-06
Faile, Andrew (Department: 2611)
Interactive video distribution systems
User-requested video program system
Video-on-demand
C725S048000, C379S101010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314577
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus to enable a broadcast listener to automatically purchase a music product such as a record album, cassette tape or compact disk without the intervention of an operator after hearing a music piece played on a radio station or music television station. More specifically, the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a programmed data processor, a digitally stored audio database containing the names of musical artists and groups, the names of pieces which have been recorded on the musical products, musical excerpts of these pieces, and a telephone system to replay this descriptive information through a telephone connection to a potential purchaser. This method utilizes the program schedule from a local radio station indicating when pieces will be played, a digital recording facility to automatically record excerpts of the music pieces played, a telephone system to decode DTMF tones from a touch tone telephone and an interface to a data communications network for communication with remote databases and computers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Radio networks offer the most significant marketing medium for the music industry to create awareness for music titles and artists. But music products such as records, cassettes and compact disks (CDs) are inconvenient to purchase at the time when the consumer has the maximum impulse to buy, after hearing a musical piece on the radio.
Additionally, the inability to automate many of the key functions of a radio based, direct marketing sales operation make it cost prohibitive for a single radio station to establish a direct marketing service linked to the music they broadcast Station operators offer different programming in each market area making it unsuitable to link their stations into a national music retail network. As well, regulatory limitations curtail the number of stations a radio operator can own in a major market thereby limiting the number of listeners below the critical mass necessary to operate a profitable direct marketing music business.
Radio broadcasters provide no means to fulfill the impulse purchase nature of the radio business. When a radio listener hears a music piece they wish to purchase they must listen for, and remember, the artists name and title of the song. In many instances it is inconvenient to write this information down for future reference. In order to purchase the music product containing the song heard on the radio the consumer must be further motivated to travel to a music store to proceed with the purchase process. At the music store the potential purchaser must determine if the selected music product is in stock and assess the pricing information.
The consumer is further constrained because they are unable to preview the songs on the music product they are considering because the music products are packaged and cannot be played at the store. The potential purchaser must remember and continue to be motivated by the music piece heard on the radio broadcast, possibly from days ago, and hope the other pieces recorded on the album are of sufficient interest to justify the purchase. The inconvenience and inability to sustain the impulse impetus severely impacts the purchase process.
Radio networks are unable to capitalize on the direct marketing opportunities they initiate through impulse music purchases because of the high cost of creating a direct marketing operation. Coordinating and tracking the music aired with the music products to be sold, recording of musical excerpts to be previewed, customer service operations and order fulfillment are all high overhead activities requiring a large dedicated staff with a separate skill set than radio station personnel. The cost for a radio station to establish a direct marketing operation far exceeds the returns from the music selling proceeds derived from a single radio station.
Cable television shopping networks have successfully developed large direct marketing networks based on national coverage by telecasting their programming over many cable companies reaching millions of potential purchasers. Radio station operators are unable to market music products in the same manner because station operators broadcast different music programming in each market preventing the linking of these stations into a common national market.
Radio is the most widely received broadcast medium throughout the world. The problems as previously described have prevented radio networks from being utilized for a mass media, direct marketing, music retail business.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, one objective of this invention is to resolve the problems which inhibit the successful development of a direct marketing music business for the radio industry. In this regard, it should be apparent that there exists a need in the art for a method of operating an automated system which tracks radio audio segments enabling radio broadcast listeners to select, preview and purchase a music product containing the music piece listened to for a radio broadcast.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an automated transaction system to record and track radio audio segments enabling a radio listener to use their telephone to recall and preview, on-demand, music pieces previously broadcast thereby assisting the listener in the purchase of a music product such as a record album, cassette or CD. The invention provides the consumer with a timely method to purchase a musical product by supplying all of the required information to conveniently make a music product purchase.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method for an automated transaction system to service multiple radio broadcasts simultaneously, thereby creating a mass radio audience for the direct marketing of music.
These and other objects are achieved by a method of and apparatus for tracking and recording a radio broadcast using a telephone interface connected to a programmed data processor such that when a potential purchaser calls a designated telephone number advertised by the radio station, for example 1-800-RECORDS, a telephone interface provides the listener with the name of the musical artist and the song titles in the reverse order played during the broadcast, starting with the current piece played. The selection, from the current artist played, to the music product the potential purchaser wants to order, is controlled by the potential purchaser using the touch tone telephone keys or voice input. When the potential purchaser reaches the song and artist of interest, further details can be related such as the other songs recorded on the album, pricing, availability and delivery information.
The invention can playback through the telephone, on instructions from the caller, excerpts or the entire song, as broadcast over the radio network, to assist the caller with the purchasing process.
When the potential purchaser indicates they are ready to order, the automated order system obtains the correct name and shipping address by accessing a name and address database responsive to the consumers telephone number or credit card information. The system also records the consumer's credit card information and obtains credit authorization. The invention then transmits the complete order to the fulfillment warehouse for shipment of the musical product to the purchaser.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus whereby multiple radio stations can be supported simultaneously, offering services on a local, regional or national basis providing the economies of scale and mass audience to support the sales volume necessary to operate a profitable direct marketing service. When a potential purchaser dials the advertised number such as 1-800-RECORDS they are directed by audio prompts to indicate by touch tone entry or voice input the call letters for the radio station to which they are listening. The audio prompts are provided by a telephone interface that is connected to a programmed data pr
Brown Reuben M.
Faile Andrew
LandOfFree
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