(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.: US 2002/0129693 A1
`Wilks
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Sep. 19, 2002
`
`US 20020129693A1
`
`(54)
`
`INTERACTIVE AUDIO DISTRIBUTION
`SYSTEM
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Brad Wilks Athens GA (US)
`’
`’
`
`Correspondence Address:
`ADAMS & WILKS
`
`31st Floor
`50 Broadway
`NEW York, NY 10004 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/810,633
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 16, 2001
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... .. G10H 1/26
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`.............................................................. .. 84/609
`
`A method and apparatus for receiving, storing and playing
`music,
`the apparatus comprising a server for storing. a
`plurality of songs, and being capable of communicating with
`one or more interactive multimedia systems for receiving
`from the interactive multimedia systems a list of selected
`songs and transmitting the requested songs to the interactive
`multimedia systems, and a processor for maintaining records
`of songs downloaded to the interactive multimedia systems,
`the interactive multimedia systems comprising stereo equip-
`ment for playing selected ones of the songs in a user-defined
`sequence and schedule, and a processor for controlling the
`stereo equipment to play the selected songs in the desired
`sequence and schedule and controlling the selection and
`downloading of songs from the server, and the method
`comprising the steps of creating a play list of songs, trans-
`mitting from the server to the interactive multimedia system
`a list of one or more selected songs, receiving and playing
`the received songs in a pre-defined sequence and schedule,
`and updating the play list to add or remove songs.
`
`APPLE 1010
`
`APPLE 1010
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 19, 2002 Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 2002/0129693 A1
`
`FIG. 1
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 19, 2002 Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 2002/0129693 A1
`
`1. MUSIC TYPE
`
`2. ARTIST NAME
`
`3. MUSICAL ERA
`
`4. COMPLETE LIST OF ALL AVAILABLE SONGS
`
`FIG. 2
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 19, 2002 Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 2002/0129693 A1
`
`‘I. IIIJISSIGII.
`
`2.Jl|lZ
`
`3. HIIIIK
`
`4-.PIlPllI.AB
`
`263
`
`5. EIISY I.IS'l'EHIlIli
`
`B.l.'.lll.INTBY 5 WESTERN
`
`7. RHYTHM 5 BIIIES
`
`8. Slllll
`
`FIG. 3
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 19, 2002 Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 2002/0129693 A1
`
`J W
`
`TITLE
`
`ARTIST
`
`MUSIC TYPE
`
`ERA
`
`WIN
`
`3OO :1
`
`lllllll
`
`FIG. 4
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 19, 2002 Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 2002/0129693 A1
`
`
`
`SONG LIST
`
`SEQUENCE
`
`SCHEDULE
`
`HIGHLIGHT T0 ERASE SONGS
`
`LOAD ADDITIONAL SONGS
`
`FIG. 5
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 19, 2002 Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 2002/0129693 A1
`
`
`
`DETERMINE AND STORE
`PR1!-LOADISD SONGS
`
`IOO
`
`200
`SET SEQUENCE AND SCHEDULE
`OF PRE~LOADED SONGS
`
`
`USER AUTHORIZATION
`
`
`PLAY MUSIC ACCORDING TO
`
`SE1‘ SEQUENCE. AND SCHEDULE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ESTABLISH CONNECIION WITH
`SERVER
`
`500
`
`FIG. 6
`
`GOO
`
`SEARCI I FOR AND DOWNLOAD
`SONGS
`
`
`
`7
`
`

`

`US 2002/0129693 A1
`
`Sep. 19, 2002
`
`INTERACTIVE AUDIO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] The present invention relates generally to improve-
`ments in interactive multimedia entertainment systems and,
`in particular,
`to a system and method for the selection,
`transmission and playing of audio information such as music
`in accordance with a pre-selected sequence and schedule.
`
`[0003]
`
`2. Description of the Related Art
`
`[0004] Music is an essential part of the hospitality indus-
`try. Restaurants and clubs are often visited by patrons
`seeking a particular atmosphere as well as food and drink. In
`many instances, background music is equally as important a
`factor as physical layout and decor in the creation of a
`particular atmosphere.
`
`[0005] Conventional broadcast radio is not generally used
`in restaurants and bars to provide background music because
`the music is accompanied with talk and commercial content,
`and the sequence and schedule of songs cannot be selec-
`tively varied by the listener.
`
`[0006] Moreover, while members of the general public are
`authorized to freely play and record publicly broadcast
`music, a similar authorization does not extend to the hos-
`pitality industry and to businesses in general. Restaurateurs,
`club owners and businesses at large are specifically excluded
`from the license granted to the general public to play and
`record music subject to copyright protection. In order to play
`such music, business owners are required to obtain a com-
`pulsory license from one or more of the established licensing
`entities such as ASCAP or BM].
`
`[0007] The compulsory license requirement has given rise
`to a segment of the music distribution industry engaged
`primarily in the licensing and distribution of copyrighted
`music to businesses such as restaurants and bars for play
`during business hours. Various distribution and monitoring
`methods are used to provide and monitor the playing of
`protected music, many of which involve the use of propri-
`etary equipment. In order to reduce licensing fees, various
`entities are engaged in the distribution of public domain
`music to businesses, or in distributing renditions of popular
`songs re-recorded by unknown musicians. For example, the
`Muzak Corporation offers a wide list of popular songs of
`various types for distribution to businesses. Businesses
`interested in obtaining background music at a reduced
`royalty rate are provided with renditions of well-known
`musical pieces rather than the original popular performance
`of those pieces.
`
`[0008] Conventionally, music distribution has involved
`the selection by a business owner of a musical type or a play
`list of songs which are provided to the business owner in the
`form of a magnetic or optical recording for playback on
`proprietary stereo or PA equipment licensed or sold by the
`music distribution company to the business operator.
`Although music distributed in this manner is often suitable
`for its intended purpose, it does not offer the flexibility and
`selectability that is often desired in various types of busi-
`nesses, such as restaurants and bars. Music may be limited
`to a particular type, or selections may be limited solely to
`song titles included in pre-selected play lists without pro-
`
`viding the business owner with the ability to easily add
`additional song titles and delete others. Moreover,
`the
`sequence and schedule of playback cannot be varied easily
`and normally requires familiarity with the operating proce-
`dures of special equipment.
`
`[0009] Due to the limitations of conventional music dis-
`tribution methods and systems, many owners of bars, res-
`taurants, hotels, and the like often purchase their own music
`on pre-recorded CDs or other media for play during business
`hours. While this offers the desired flexibility, it presents
`various drawbacks. The recording medium, such as CD or
`laser disk, requires a purchaser to buy one disk that contains
`a dozen or so songs although only one or two may be of
`interest, thus increasing the effective cost of the entertain-
`ment. It is also diflicult to control the playing of songs
`including the sequence, selection and schedule of songs
`using conventional CDs and CD players.
`
`[0010] There is thus a need for a method and system that
`permits a business operator to select songs to be stored and
`played in a desired sequence and schedule from an interac-
`tive song library containing songs from a Variety of music
`types and artists to enable a level of customized selection
`and playing that cannot be duplicated by a broadcast format
`or by the use of conventional equipment. Providing the user
`access to an interactive song library of this type permits the
`downloading and playing of a wide variety of music while
`avoiding the expense associated with the purchase of pre-
`recorded music and the need for users to listen to commer-
`cials or to unsuitable or undesirable content.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In view of the foregoing drawbacks, it is an object
`[0011]
`of the present invention to provide a method and system for
`the selection, transmission and playing of songs in accor-
`dance with a pre-selected sequence and schedule.
`
`[0012] Another object of the present invention is to pro-
`vide a method and system for the selection, transmission and
`playing of songs in a desired sequence and schedule from an
`interactive song library containing songs from a variety of
`music types and artists to enable customized selection and
`playing.
`
`[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to
`provide a system of the foregoing type which is capable of
`operation over a computer network such as the Internet.
`
`In order to achieve the foregoing objects and others
`[0014]
`which will become more apparent from a reading of the
`disclosure herein, the present invention provides an appa-
`ratus and method for receiving, storing and playing music,
`the apparatus comprising a server for storing a plurality of
`songs and having communication means for communicating
`with an interactive multimedia system for receiving from the
`interactive multimedia system a list containing one or more
`selected songs and transmitting the requested songs to the
`interactive multimedia system, and processing means for
`maintaining records of songs downloaded to the interactive
`multimedia system, the interactive multimedia system com-
`prising playing means for playing selected ones of the songs
`in a user-defined sequence and schedule, processing means
`for maintaining records of songs played, and communication
`means for communicating with the server to send song
`requests and records to the server and to receive songs from
`
`8
`
`

`

`US 2002/0129693 Al
`
`Sep. 19, 2002
`
`the server, and the method comprising the steps of creating
`a play list of songs,
`transmitting from the server to the
`interactive multimedia system selected songs, receiving,
`storing and playing the received songs in a pre-defined
`sequence and schedule, and updating the play list to add or
`remove songs.
`
`[0015] The server is preferably an Internet server and the
`interactive multimedia system is preferably a client com-
`puter connected to the Internet and to a stereo or PA system.
`A plurality of songs are stored in a compressed digital
`manner in the server along with a database allowing songs
`to be searched by title, music type, artist name, and the like.
`
`[0016] The interactive multimedia system is preferably
`operated by a menu-driven user interface which allows a
`user to search for and select songs to be downloaded from
`the server and stored on the interactive multimedia system
`for playback based on the database search criteria.
`
`[0017] The menu-driven system preferably has at least a
`first menu that allows a user to perform an interactive search
`through a database of songs stored in the server by catego-
`rizing the songs according to criteria such as song title, artist
`name, music type, musical era, and other descriptive criteria
`such as mood, tone and beat, and a second menu that allows
`the user to view a list of songs stored on the interactive
`multimedia system and to add or remove stored songs and
`control the sequence and schedule for playing the songs.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system for the
`distribution of songs in accordance with a preferred embodi-
`ment of the present invention;
`
`[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a menu that may be displayed on
`an interactive multimedia system in accordance with the
`preferred embodiment;
`
`[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates another menu that may be dis-
`played on an interactive multimedia system in accordance
`with the preferred embodiment;
`
`[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates another menu that may be dis-
`played on an interactive multimedia system in accordance
`with the preferred embodiment;
`
`[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates a menu that may be displayed on
`an interactive multimedia system in accordance with the
`preferred embodiment; and
`
`[0023] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of selecting,
`transmitting and playing songs in accordance with a pre-
`ferred embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0024] The present invention relates to an improvement in
`interactive multimedia entertainment systems. The follow-
`ing description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in
`the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the
`context of a patent application and its requirements. Various
`modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily
`apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles
`and features described herein.
`
`[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, what is shown is an interactive
`music entertainment system intended for use in the hospi-
`
`tality industry. As will be understood, while the system 10 is
`described in connection with the hospitality industry, it may
`be used in any business or in a private home. The interactive
`music entertainment system 10 comprises an interactive
`multimedia system (IMS) 12 which receives program source
`material such as songs or records of CD quality through a
`call processing system (CPS) 14 which,
`in turn, may be
`connected through a conventional telephone 16 to a remote
`multimedia server (RS) 18.
`
`[0026] The remote multimedia server (RS) 18 is capable
`of providing for the storage of certain songs which could be
`played on a stereo system or the like. In this type of system,
`the remote multimedia server (RS) 18 could provide a CD
`quality song which can be transmitted over a network
`through the telephone 16. As illustrated by a dashed line in
`FIG. 1, the connection between the interactive multimedia
`system (IMS) 12 and the remote server (RS) 18 may be
`achieved by means other than the telephone 16, such as by
`a direct network connection 20 or by a wireless connection.
`
`[0027] The remote multimedia server (RS) 18 is used to
`digitally store a large number of songs that may be catego-
`rized and indexed by music type, artist, and the like, each of
`the songs being individually selectable by means of a user
`interface.
`
`[0028] The remote multimedia server (RS) 18 preferably
`comprises a conventional computer system having adequate
`storage space and processing power to store a large number
`of songs, such as, for example, a personal computer. The
`songs may be obtained from any known source, including
`broadcast, cable, satellite, CDs, MP3 files, and the like. The
`songs are preferably stored in a conventional compressed
`digital format such as MP3. This enables the songs to be
`stored in memory on the remote server (RS) 18 as data files
`and allows the server 18 to transmit selected songs over the
`network as digital data. For example, the server 18 would be
`provided with a random access memory that may comprise
`any nonvolatile memory storage device principally utilized
`to randomly read/write and store significant quantities of
`information. In the known MP3 compression format, a song
`averages approximately 2-3 Megabytes. Thus, a single-
`sided, double—layered DVD could store approximately 3,000
`songs. Even with higher audio quality requirements, forth-
`coming optical
`technology will provide disks with the
`potential to store even larger audio libraries. Thus, a small
`number of laser-readable disk could potentially store an
`entire audio library. Similarly, hard disk drives with as much
`as 30 GB are now available at mass market price points. In
`this manner, an entire audio library could potentially be
`stored on a relatively small number of hard disk drives
`accommodated in the server 18 to achieve greater access
`speed than available using conventional
`laser-readable
`disks.
`
`[0029] The remote multimedia server (RS) 18 is capable
`of communicating over a network via the telephone 16 to the
`interactive multimedia system (IMS) 12 to transmit selected
`songs to the interactive multimedia system (IMS) 12.
`
`[0030] The call processing system (CPS) 14 can take
`credit or order information and can request for the transfer
`of one or more selected songs or other data filcs over the
`network or can request for a CD or like storage device
`containing the selected songs be delivered or shipped in the
`mail.
`
`9
`
`

`

`US 2002/0129693 A1
`
`Sep. 19, 2002
`
`[0031] The remote server (RS) 18 has processing means
`for maintaining records of songs stored and played. In the
`presently described embodiment,
`the remote multimedia
`server 18 preferably limits the number of times or the length
`of time each song can be played by encoding the song in a
`particular way when it is sent to the interactive multimedia
`system (IMS) 12 and also can provide for a charge for each
`time a particular song is played by encoding the song to
`maintain a count in the interactive multimedia system (IMS)
`12 and checking the count while the system 12 is connected
`to the remote server (RS) 12 or during a routine maintenance
`visit. Fees can also be based on the total number of songs
`downloaded and/or played, or the nature of the songs. As
`will be appreciated, the present invention allows detailed
`monitoring by the remote server (RS) 18 of songs selected
`and played by the interactive multimedia system (IMS) 12
`so that fees may be charged based on the number of songs
`downloaded and played or any other monitored character-
`istic. Alternatively, one or both of the interactive multimedia
`system (IMS) 12 and the remote server (RS) 18 may verify
`that the user of the interactive multimedia system (IMS) 12
`is currently authorizcd to play songs or to rcccivc additional
`songs such as by determining whether an applicable license
`or equipment fee has been paid.
`
`[0032] The call processing system (CPS) 14 may be as
`simple as a modem card or device in a conventional personal
`computer, or as sophisticated as may be required by a direct
`fiber optic access to a remote audio and communication
`service provider. Communications between the interactive
`multimedia system (IMS) 12 and the remote multimedia
`server (RS) 18 may alternatively be supported by means
`other than or in addition to a conventional telephone system,
`such as DSL, T1, T3, fiber optic cable, coaxial cable, twisted
`pair copper wire, or the cabling required to access a par-
`ticular type of network. Communications between the inter-
`active multimedia system (IMS) 12 and the remote server
`(RS) 18 may be achieved by means other than telephone,
`such as broadcast or pointcast audio and information deliv-
`ery systems, or by the use of frequency multiplexing onto
`one or more communication channels that are typically used
`to carry other information, such as a broadcast, cable or
`satellite television channel.
`
`In addition, the system may have the capability to
`[0033]
`make a personalized album. For example, if the recipient of
`a particular song wanted to record it directly from the
`interactive multimedia system (IMS) 12, he or she could
`send a signal to the interactive multimedia system (IMS) 12.
`The interactive multimedia system (IMS) 12 would then
`provide a high quality audio song to be recorded.
`
`to achieve the desired functionality
`In order
`[0034]
`described herein, the interactive multimedia system (IMS)
`12 and the call processing system (CPS) 14 are most
`preferably implemented using a conventional personal com-
`puter 22 with appropriate software designed to implement
`the methods described herein. The required software may
`instead be pre-loaded in the interactive multimedia system
`(IMS) 12 or may be transmitted from the remote multimedia
`server (RS) 18 over a network to the interactive multimedia
`system (IMS) 12 such as through the use of a direct network
`or Internet connection.
`
`[0035] Conventional personal computers are typically pro-
`vided with modems or similar communication devices
`
`which enable connectivity to remote computers over the
`Internet. This would enable the interactive multimedia sys-
`tem (IMS) 12 to establish a connection with the remote
`multimedia server (RS) 18 over the telephone 16 to enable
`the sending and receiving of information including the
`sending of a play list of available songs stored in the
`memory of the server 18 as well as the transmission of songs
`selected by a user of the interactive multimedia system (12).
`The selection of various songs by the user would be trans-
`mitted from the interactive multimedia system (IMS) 12 to
`the server 18. This is preferably achieved through the use of
`a menu-driven user interface in the form of an interactive
`
`song library which simplifies the selection of songs by
`indexing the songs according to music type, artist(s), and
`similar descriptive information.
`
`[0036] As further illustrated in FIG. 1 by personal com-
`puters 22a-22rz, a plurality of interactive multimedia sys-
`tems may be connected to the remote multimedia server
`(RS) 18 by the means described above.
`
`[0037] FIG. 2 is a simplified illustration of a menu 24 that
`may be displayed on the intcractivc multimcdia systcm
`(IMS) 12 to facilitate the selection of songs according to the
`present invention. Another menu stored on the remote mul-
`timedia server (RS) 18 is transmitted to the interactive
`multimedia system (IMS) 12 based on the selection of one
`of a plurality of options, including “1. Music Type”, “2.
`Artist Name”, “3. Musical Era” and “4. Complete List of
`Available Songs” by a user of the interactive multimedia
`system (IMS) 12. Upon selection of one of one of the options
`from the menu 24, the remote multimedia server (RS) 18
`responds by transmitting to the interactive multimedia sys-
`tem (IMS) 12 a menu containing further options. Thus, for
`example, if the user selects option “1. Music Type”, the
`remote multimedia server (RS) 18 transmits to the interac-
`tive multimedia system (IMS) 12 a file containing a menu 26
`for displaying a list of music types, such as “1. Classical”,
`“2. Jazz”, “3. Rock”, “4. Popular”, 5. “Easy Listening”, “6.
`Country and Western”, “7. Rhythm and Blues”, “8. Soul”,
`and the like, corresponding to the categories of songs stored
`in the memory of the server 18. Such a menu 26 is illustrated
`in FIG. 3. As will be appreciated, the number and type of
`options are not limited to the foregoing.
`
`if the user selects option “2. Artist
`Similarly,
`[0038]
`Name” from the menu 24, the remote multimedia server
`(RS) 18 transmits to the interactive multimedia system
`(IMS) 12 a file containing a menu for displaying further a list
`of artist names corresponding to songs stored in the server’s
`memory 18. Selection of option “3. Musical Era” provides
`the user with a menu containing a list of selectable time
`periods to create a desired atmosphere through the use of
`period music. Other options, such as mood, tone, tempo and
`beat may be provided to facilitate the setting of particular
`atmosphere. Thus, for instance, a romance mood would be
`selected to obtain a list of songs helpful
`in creating a
`romantic atmosphere.
`
`[0039] Upon selection of an option appearing in such a list
`by the user, the remote server (RS) 18 searches its memory
`to locate song titles corresponding to the selection and
`transmits the list of song titles for display on the interactive
`multimedia system (IMS) 18.
`
`If the user selects the option “5. Complete List of
`[0040]
`all Available Songs”, the remote server (RS) 18 downloads
`
`10
`
`10
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`

`

`US 2002/0129693 A1
`
`Sep. 19, 2002
`
`for display on the interactive multimedia system (IMS) 12 a
`file containing a list of available songs that are stored on the
`remote server (RS) 12 arranged in a desired manner such as
`by type of music, artist name, music type, era and mood as
`shown in FIG. 4, so that it provides the user with the ability
`to quickly view and identify songs of interest. Additional
`descriptive material may also be included.
`
`[0041] Songs selected by the user in the foregoing manner
`are transmitted by the remote multimedia server (RS) 12 and
`received by the interactive multimedia system (IMS) 12
`using conventional communication means such as the
`known MP3 method for transmitting music over the Inter-
`net.
`
`[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, the interactive multimedia
`system (IMS) 12 has a menu-driven user interface for
`enabling the user to control the sequence and schedule of
`songs to be played. As shown, the menu 26 contains in a list
`of songs stored in the memory of the interactive multimedia
`system (IMS) 12 along with a column permitting the user to
`control the sequence in which the songs are to be played by
`entering a number in the column. In addition, the user may
`enter a time schedule during which the songs are to be
`played. A control is provided to allow the user to erase a
`given song from memory, and a link to the remote server
`(RS) 18 is provided to permit the user to download addi-
`tional songs.
`
`[0043] The inventive system may further include means
`for providing enhanced music. For example, in addition to
`audio information, program source material for other infor-
`mation such as video may be provided to the interactive
`multimedia system (IMS) 12 from the remote server (RS)
`18. The multimedia information can be sent down a network
`and may include stills, full motion video, lyrics, score and
`may be synchronized with the audio file for display on one
`or more monitors.
`
`[0044] The system of the present invention may be imple-
`mented over a network such as the Internet. In this regard,
`the system of FIG. 1 would comprise a computer network
`based on the client-server model. Such a network comprises
`one or more “servers” (corresponding to the remote multi-
`media server 18) which are accessible by “clients” (corre-
`sponding to the interactive multimedia system 12), and
`which typically comprise personal computers, which, in the
`case of the Internet, is provided through a private Internet
`access provider or an on—line service provider (such as
`America On-Line, Prodigy, CompuServe,
`the Microsoft
`Network, and the like). Each of the clients may run a “Web
`browser”, which is a known software tool used to access the
`World Wide Web via a connection obtained through an
`access provider. The remote server 18 allows access to
`various network resources. In the Internet, for example, a
`Web server allows access to so-called “Web sites” which
`comprise resources in various different formats. A location
`of a resource on the server 18 is identified by a so-called
`Uniform Resource Locator, or URL. In this embodiment, the
`provider of the music distribution service would maintain a
`Web site from which registered users would obtain above-
`described menus and selected songs.
`
`[0045] The “World Wide Web” (“Web”) is a collection of
`servers on the Internet that utilize the Hypertext Transfer
`Protocol (HTTP). HTTP is a known application protocol that
`provides users access to resources (which can be informa-
`
`images,
`tion in different formats such as text, graphics,
`sound, video, Hypertext Markup Language (“HTML”), etc.)
`as well as programs. IITML is a standard page description
`language which provides basic document formatting and
`allows the developer to specify “links” to other servers and
`files. Links are specified via a Uniform Resource Locator or
`“URL”. Upon specification of a link (or option) in one of the
`menus described above, the interactive multimedia system
`(IMS) 12 would make a TCP/IP request to the remote server
`(RS) 18 and receive a follow-up menu specified in that URL.
`For example, in response to the selection of “Music Type”
`in the FIG. 2 menu, the FIG. 3 menu 26 comprising a Web
`page formatted according to HTML would be downloaded
`and displayed on the IMS 12 in return. A typical Web page
`is an HTML document with text,
`links that a user may
`activate (e.g. “click on”), as well as embedded URLs point-
`ing to resources (such as images, video or sound) that the
`interactive multimedia system (IMS) 12 (client computer)
`must fetch to fully render the Web Page in a browser. Thus,
`song titles appearing on downloaded lists would be linked to
`songs stored in the memory of the remote server (RS) 18.
`
`[0046] Accordingly, in an Internet based implementation
`of the inventive method and system, the above-described
`menus and lists would be HTML documents served by the
`remote multimedia server (RS) 18 and identified by unique
`URLs accessed by a user upon activation of a “link”
`contained in another menu formatted according to the
`HTML standard.
`
`[0047] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a typical method
`for implementing the inventive music distribution system.
`
`In a preferred embodiment, the interactive multi-
`[0048]
`media system (IMS) 12 is provided to a user with a pre-
`loaded library of songs that are pre-selected by the user
`based on discussion with the music service provider and/or
`selection from a list of available songs (step 100). Alter-
`nately, the pre-selected songs may be selected by the service
`provider based on a desired mood or atmosphere expressed
`by the user. For instance, a selection of easy listening music
`would likely be made for a restaurant owner desiring peace-
`ful background music, while rock music would normally be
`selected for a bar and dance music would be selected for a
`
`nightclub. In addition, the sequence and schedule at which
`the songs are to be played is preferably pre—set based on the
`user’s particular requirements (step 200). These options may
`be varied by means of the menu shown in FIG. 5.
`
`[0049] When the user wishes to play music, the interactive
`multimedia system (IMS) 12 first verifies whether the user
`has paid any necessary license fees (step 300). If so, the
`system is enabled to play songs and to obtain additional
`songs from the remote server (RS) 18 (step 400).
`
`[0050] The song content of the interactive multimedia
`system (IMS) 12 may be updated in any one of several ways.
`First,
`the user may erase one or more of the songs by
`reviewing a list of stored songs and deleting songs in a
`similar manner to deleting files on a conventional computer.
`In order to order new songs,
`the user may establish a
`connection with the remote multimedia server (RS) 18 via
`the link provided in the menu shown in FIG. 5 (step 500).
`
`[0051] Using the menu-driven user interface described
`above, the user may search the interactive song library for
`available songs of interest that are stored on the remote
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`US 2002/0129693 A1
`
`Sep. 19, 2002
`
`server 18 (step 600). Selection of a song by a user causes the
`remote server 18 to transmit the selected song to the inter-
`active multimedia system (IMS) 12. Alternatively, the ser-
`vice provider can automatically update the song content of
`the interactive multimedia system (IMS) 12 on a periodic
`basis to maintain the content up—to—date. Time periods at
`which updating is performed are determined based on the
`available bandwidth. For instance, using a conventional
`dial—up Internet connection, a relatively extensive amount of
`time is needed to download a large number of MP3-format-
`ted songs. Thus, the update process would be performed on
`a more frequent basis than a system having a high-speed
`connection between the interactive multimedia system
`(IMS) 12 and the remote server (RS) 18. As an alternative,
`updating can be performed by sending or delivering CDs
`containing new songs to individual users.
`
`From the foregoing description, it can be seen that
`[0052]
`the present invention comprises a novel method and appa-
`ratus for the distribution and playing of songs. It will be
`appreciated by those skilled in the art that obvious changes
`can be made to the embodiment and methods described in
`the foregoing description without departing from the broad
`inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that
`this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment
`disclosed, but is intended to cover all obvious modifications
`thereof which are within the scope and the spirit of the
`invention as defined by the appended claims.
`I claim:
`1. An apparatus for receiving, storing and playing music,
`comprising:
`
`one or more interactive multimedia systems comprising
`playing means for playing a first plurality of songs in a
`desired sequence and schedule, a memory for storing
`the plurality of songs, and a processor for controlling
`the playing means to play the selected songs in the
`desired sequence and schedule and controlling the
`selection and downloading of songs from a server; and
`
`a server having a memory for storing a second plurality of
`songs larger than the first plurality, means for commu-
`
`nicating with the one or more interactive multimedia
`systems for receiving from the interactive multimedia
`systems a list of selected songs and transmitting the
`requested songs to the interactive multimedia systems,
`and a processor for maintaining records of songs down-
`loaded to the interactive multimedia systems.
`2. An apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the
`memory of the server contains a searchable database con-
`taining descriptive data corresponding to each of the songs;
`and the server generates a user inter