Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices – One-way audio signal program distribution
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-15
2001-02-27
Chang, Vivian (Department: 2747)
Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices
One-way audio signal program distribution
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195436
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a sound sampling device and more particularly to a multi-station audio distribution apparatus for sampling audio material.
Few retail music stores allow test sampling of the compact discs and/or cassettes that they sell. Thus, a music consumer is left to rely on the radio stations to first hear what may be contained on a compact disc. Radio stations, however, generally play only one selection from a compact disc that may contain ten or more musical selections. The result is that a musical consumer buys a compact disc based on the one selection they've heard only to be disappointed by the additional selections which are not equivalent in quality or are not to the liking of the consumer. After repeated occurrences of the afore described situation, the disappointed consumer will inevitably meet a level of frustration at which point they will buy only a compact disc containing a single selection, at a much lower cost than the album compact disc, or will stop buying compact discs altogether. In either situation, the profits of the retail music store are reduced.
Those retail music stores that do allow test sampling, do so by actually opening a compact disc or cassette and inserting the cassette or disk into the player for the consumer to hear. Generally, the store is limited to one or two players and the retail store will only open those discs which it believes will be popular and will sell. The limitations are thus apparent, a retail music store may be full of customers yet only one or two may listen to a musical sample. Further, those consumers that are interested in non-mainstream music are left in the cold with no opportunity to sample their preferred music.
Based on the foregoing, there is a need for an apparatus that will allow a number of consumers to simultaneously listen to different discs of all types of music and will allow the user to hear more than a sample of one selection contained on the compact disc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A multi-station audio distribution apparatus having at least two listening stations, a data control mechanism and a listening station interface mechanism disposed between the listening stations and the data control mechanism. Each of the listening stations has a user input in the form of a bar code scanner to enter an audio material selection and each has an audio output. The data control mechanism retrieves digitized audio material corresponding to each of the user's audio material selections. The listening station interface mechanism transfers the user's input from each of the listening stations to the data control mechanism, receives the digitized audio materials corresponding to each user's input from the data control mechanism, converts the digital audio materials to analog audio signals and transfers the analog audio signals to each of the respective listening stations for the audio output.
An object and advantage of the present invention is that the multi-station audio distribution apparatus may utilize multiple listening stations that are controlled by a single data control means.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that bar code scanning may be used to select the desired audio material.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that random access to audio material is provided at any and all of the listening stations.
Yet another object and advantage of the present invention is that data related to the selected audio material may be displayed at each listening station. As well, apparatus adjustments such as forwarding/reversing to a different track of the audio material, fast forwarding/reversing through a selected audio track and volume control may also be provided at each listening station.
Still another object and advantage of the present invention is that low voltage wiring is used to connect each listening station to the listening station interface means.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the multi-station audio distribution apparatus performs playback of audio material stored in multiple digital formats.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the multi-station audio distribution apparatus provides scalable architecture that can grow from a small to a massive apparatus.
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Kahle Warren
Scibora Marco
Advanced Communication Design, Inc.
Chang Vivian
Helget Gerald E.
Rider Bennett Egan & Arundel
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