Multi-room entertainment system with in-room media player/dispenser

A plurality of acquisition media is stored at each of a plurality of in-room systems. A plurality of access-only media is stored at a single head-end system. Each in-room system has access to each of the access-only media. Access to and acquisition of media are recorded at the head-end system and any associated charges for the access and/or acquisition are determined at the head-end system. A free check-out time prior to being charged for an acquisition of media and a free sample time prior to being charged for access to a media are provided. The acquisition media includes devices for storing audio data, such as CDs, DATs, mini discs and cassettes. The access-only media comprises audio data stored on a CD and/or an audio card have memory. The acquisition media may also include devices for storing audio/video data while the access-only media comprises audio/video data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 1. Field of the Invention
 This invention relates generally to entertainment systems, and more
 particularly, to an entertainment system, including one or more media
 players/dispensers, for use in a multi-room complex such as a hotel.
 "Media" as used within the context of this disclosure includes audio
 and/or video data stored in the entertainment system that is accessible
 through the media player. This media is referred to as "access-only"
 media. As used within the context of this disclosure, "media" also
 includes tangible devices on which audio and/or video data is carried. For
 example, audio acquisition media may include compact discs (CDs), digital
 audio tape (DAT), mini discs, audio cassettes, while video acquisition
 media may include digital video discs (DVDs), video games and video
 cassettes. This type of media is referred to as "acquisition" media and is
 acquired through the media dispenser. Acquisition media further includes
 other forms of digital data such as computer software.
 2. Description of Related Art
 In-room hotel entertainment is typically limited to video entertainment
 such as cable TV, satellite TV and pay-per-view movies. For those desiring
 alternate forms of entertainment, such as music and talk radio, resort
 must be had to generally poor quality radios having poor quality radio
 reception and sound. In addition, should a guest desire to listen to a
 full-length recording by one or more artists they must travel not only
 with a collection of media, such as CDs, but also with a media player,
 such as a CD player. This is very inconvenient for the hotel guest.
 While staying in a hotel, should a guest happen to hear a musical recording
 and decide to purchase a CD including the recording, he must locate a
 music store, often not an easy task for an out-of-town guest unfamiliar
 with the surroundings, and then travel to the music store. This too is
 inconvenient for the hotel guest.
 Hence, there has been a long existing need in the art for a hotel
 entertainment system that provides hotel guests with quality audio
 entertainment, including a collection of selectable full-length
 recordings, which they may access within their rooms and be charged
 accordingly. There has also been a need for providing in-room acquisition
 of tangible media, such as CDs. The present invention fulfils all of these
 needs and others.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention is directed to an
 entertainment system, including one or more media players/dispensers, for
 use in a multi-room complex such as a hotel.
 In a first aspect, the invention is related to a method of providing media
 to a plurality of in-room systems from a head-end system remote from the
 plurality of in-room systems. The method includes the steps of storing a
 plurality of acquisition media at each of the in-room systems and storing
 a plurality of access-only media at the head-end system. The method also
 includes the steps of, at each in-room system, providing access to each of
 the access-only media to assist the user in media acquisition choices and
 recording the acquisition of any of the media at the head-end system.
 In an additional facet of the invention, the acquisition media includes
 devices for storing audio data and the access-only media comprises audio
 data. In another facet, the acquisition media devices comprise any one of
 a CD, DAT, mini disc and cassette. In further aspects of the invention the
 access-only media is stored on a CD and/or the access-only media is stored
 in an audio card have memory. In another aspect, the acquisition media
 comprises devices for storing audio/video data and the access-only media
 comprises audio/video data. In a further aspect of the invention, the step
 of recording the acquisition of any of the acquisition media includes the
 steps of, at the in-room system, sensing the removal of one of the
 acquisition media, storing an acquisition signal encoded with a room
 identifier and a media acquisition identifier at the in-room system,
 transmitting the acquisition signal to the head-end system and processing
 the acquisition signal to determine any charge associated with the
 acquisition. In yet another aspect of the invention the, method of
 providing media includes the step of recording the access of any of the
 access-only media. In still a further facet, the step of recording the
 access of any of the access-only media includes the steps of, at the
 in-room system, sensing the access to one of the access-only media,
 storing an access signal encoded with a room identifier and a media
 acquisition identifier at the in-room system, transmitting the access
 signal to the head-end system and processing the access signal to
 determine any charge associated with the access.
 In a second aspect, the invention is related to a method of providing
 access-only media to a plurality of in-room systems from a head-end system
 remote from the plurality of in-room systems and tracking the access to
 the access-only media. The method includes the steps of storing a
 plurality of access-only media at the head-end system and transmitting
 each of the access-only media over a communications line at a unique
 frequency. The method also includes the steps of, at each in-room system,
 providing access to the communication line through a frequency tuner for
 adjustably tuning to one of the unique frequencies and recording the
 access of any of the access-only media at the head-end system.
 In a third aspect, the invention is related to a method of providing
 access-only media to a plurality of in-room systems from a remote master
 site through a plurality of head-end systems. The method includes the
 steps of storing a plurality of periodically updated access-only media at
 the remote master site and periodically downloading the access-only media
 to the plurality of head-end systems over a first communications network.
 The method also includes the steps of, at each of the head-end systems,
 transmitting each of the access-only media over a second communications
 network at a unique frequency and at each in-room system, providing access
 to the communication line through a frequency tuner for adjustably tuning
 to one of the unique frequencies. The method further includes the step of
 recording the access of any of the access-only media at the head-end
 system.
 These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention
 will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when
 taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by
 way of example, the preferred embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals among the
 several figures correspond to like elements, and more particularly to FIG.
 1, the multi-room entertainment system 10 includes a plurality of in-room
 systems 12, located within several rooms of a given complex. For ease in
 describing the invention, the complex will be referred to a hotel. The
 invention, however, is in no way limited to use in hotels. In FIG. 1, only
 four in-room systems 12 are shown. There may, however, be more or less
 in-room systems 12 depending on the particular requirements of a hotel.
 For example, some hotels may choose to place an in-room system 12 in every
 room while other hotels may select specific rooms for system installation.
 Each in-room system 12 is linked to the head-end system 14. This link may
 occur through any given network line 16 depending on the infrastructure of
 the hotel. For example, typical hotels have an RF coaxial cable system
 already installed which provides signals from the hotel's master antenna
 television (MATV) system. The multi-room entertainment system 10 may take
 advantage of existing networks and connect the individual in-room systems
 12 to the head-end system 14 through such networks. In tying the
 entertainment system into the MATV system, the present invention may
 supplement its media with additional media available over the MATV.
 As shown in FIG. 2, one embodiment of the head-end system 14 includes a
 system controller 18. The system controller 18 communicates with the
 in-room systems (not shown) through a data transmitter 20 and a date
 receiver 22. The transmitter 20 transmits data to the in-room systems 12,
 while the data receiver 22 receives data from the in-room systems.
 Communication between the transmitter 20 and the receiver 22 and the
 in-room systems 12 occurs through the RF coax system 16. The head-end
 system 14 also includes a file server 24, a plurality of players 26, a
 corresponding plurality of modulators 28, an RF combiner 30 and a bandpass
 filter 32.
 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the players 26 comprise
 individual personal computers (PC) having audio cards and/or video cards
 for storing media accessed from the file server 24. These players 26 may
 have from one to four output channels. In another embodiment, the players
 26 comprise audio media players, such as CD, DAT and/or mini disc players
 and/or video media players such as DVD or VCR players. The head-end system
 14 may include a number of players 26 that continuously play media for
 transmission over the RF coax system 16. These players 26 are referred to
 as "continuous-play" players. The head-end system 14 may also include a
 number of players 26 that play media only when requested to do so. These
 players 26 are referred to as "on-demand" players. The number of on-demand
 players included in the head-end system 14 does not necessarily equal the
 number of in-room systems 12, less may be provided depending on the demand
 for use placed on the system. The head-end system 14 may include both
 continuous-play players and on-demand players. Each player 26 has a unique
 frequency of transmission and thus comprises one channel of the
 entertainment system 10. Each player 26 is also accessible by the system
 controller 18 through a player interface 48.
 Associated with each player 26 is a modulator 28. The modulators 18 are
 responsive to the signals from the players 26 and modulate these signals
 for transmission over the RF coax system 16 in a predetermined modulation
 scheme. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the modulators 28
 are FM modulators and the signals are transmitted at frequencies within
 the FM radio band. Any other type of modulators/modulation schemes may be
 used to transmit the signals at frequencies within the RF band. The
 transmission frequency of each modulator 28 may be fixed or may be set by
 the system controller 18 over the modulator interface 34. The signals from
 the modulators 28 are received by the RF combiner 30 and pass through the
 bandpass filter 32 before being transmitted over the RF coax system 16.
 The head-end system 14 also includes a filter 38 for filtering the signals
 from the MATV system 40 to prevent interference with the access-only media
 signals provided by the players 26. Also included in the head-end system
 14 is a remote inventory control system 42 with an attached printer 44.
 The system controller 18 is also provided with a printer 46. The head-end
 system 14 further includes an insertion input 50 which provides an
 access-only media feed to the modulators 28. Although the feed is only
 shown going to one of the modulators 28, the feed may be provided to
 additional modulators. The access-only media provided over the insertion
 input 50 may include hotel announcements and/or advertisements. At the
 modulators 28, the insertion media interrupts the player media and is fed
 over the RF coax system 16, in place of the player media, to the active
 in-room systems 12. The system controller 18, file server 24 and remote
 inventory control system 42 interface with each other through an Ethernet
 connection 52. The system controller 18 may route information to other
 computers such as the hotel property management system (HPMS) (not shown)
 and the system operators offices (not shown).
 As shown in FIG. 3, the in-room system 12 includes a media player/dispenser
 54, a video monitor 56 and remote 58. In an alternate embodiment of the
 invention, the in-room system 12 may provide access to audio media only,
 in which case, the video monitor 56 is absent from the in-room system.
 With reference to FIG. 4, the media/player dispenser 54, in one
 configuration, includes a CD player 60, a control panel 62, a display 64,
 right and left speakers 66 and a media dispenser 68.
 The media dispenser 68 includes a front door (not shown) behind which are
 three parallel vertical storage cabinets 70. Each individual cabinet has a
 plurality of slots 72, each capable of holding a piece of acquisition
 media to be dispensed, such as CDs. In alternate configurations the media
 dispenser 68 may be in a carousel or horizontal configuration. Different
 types of acquisition media may be held in the various cabinet styles. The
 media dispenser 68 also includes sensors (not shown) that monitor the
 removal of the acquisition media. Other sensors monitor the open-closed
 state of the door and the locked-unlocked state of the media dispenser 68.
 A light may be includes to illuminate the acquisition media. The light may
 be operated by the system controller 18 (FIG. 2) or under manual control
 such as the open state of the door or a manual switch. The media dispenser
 68 (FIG. 4) may also include a credit card swipe, which in conjunction
 with the RF coax system, may allow for user purchases through the system
 controller 18.
 As shown in FIG. 5, the media player/dispenser includes a microprocessor 74
 that receives signals from the media sensors 76, the lock 78 and door
 switch 80 for monitoring the opened-closed and locked-unlocked states of
 the media dispenser cabinet door and for sensing the presence or absence
 of the acquisition media within the cabinets 70 (FIG. 4). The
 microprocessor 74 (FIG. 5) also communicates with the system controller 18
 through the RF coax system 16. This communication takes place through a
 receiver 82 and a transmitter 84. In one configuration of the media
 player/dispenser 54 the receiver 82 is a frequency shift keying (FSK)
 receiver and the transmitter 84 is a 8-13 MHz transmitter. The receiver 82
 may be programmed to receive specific channels. For example, if the
 in-room system 12 includes a video monitor, the receiver may be programmed
 to receive MATV system channels as well as the entertainment system 10
 channels. The transmitter 84 has an associated phase lock loop (PLL) 90
 for setting the frequency of the transmitter under command from the
 microprocessor 74.
 The media player/dispenser 54 also includes an IR amp detector 88 for
 receiving signals from the remote control 58. Further included are an FM
 tuner 92 and a TV tuner 94 with an associated PLL 96. The FM tuner 92 is
 tuned to receive audio data from the head-end system 14 over the RF coax
 system 16 while the TV tuner is tuned by the PLL to receive A/V data from
 the head-end system and/or the MATV system. By tuning for the MATV system
 channels, the entertainment system 10 may be configured to function as a
 pay-per-view movie system. Each tuner 92, 94 forwards audio data to the
 stereo amplifier 98. The TV tuner 94 also forwards video data to the
 character generator 100 which, in turn, forwards data to the video monitor
 56. The microprocessor 74 provides control signals to the PLLs 90, 96, the
 character generator 100, the CD player 60 and the stereo amplifier 98 over
 a control bus 102. Details of the interconnection between the
 microprocessor 74 and other media player/dispenser 54 components are shown
 in FIG. 6.
 As previously mentioned, access-only media is stored at a central site, i.
 e., the head-end system 14. The type of access-only media provided and the
 user cost, if any, for such media is entirely dependent on the
 requirements and objectives of the hotel management. Access-only media may
 include full-length musical recordings by a wide variety of artists. For
 example, in one configuration of the system, one hundred full-length
 recordings are available for selection by the user. Access-only media may
 also include compilation musical recordings that include a number of
 sample tracks selected from a number of different full-length recordings.
 These compilation recordings are usually genre specific, e. g., country,
 top 40, classical, easy listening, jazz/blues, family, and may include
 entire tracks or edited versions of selected sample tracks. The
 compilations may further include a narrative providing information on the
 sample and the artist or may include artist interviews. Access-only media
 may also include purely narrative media such as book readings, educational
 programs and adult programs. Access-only media may also include movies.
 Some of the access-only media is continuously available over the system
 through the continuous-play players, each at a unique frequency. This
 access-only media is referred to as "continuous" access-only media. Thus,
 in essence, the system 10 provides closed-circuit radio programming that
 is available to all users at all times. In one configuration of the system
 10 the continuous access-only media includes the genre-specific media. The
 remaining access-only media is available only on demand by a user. This
 access-only media is referred to as "on-demand" access media. Depending on
 the configuration of the system 10, specifically the number of on-demand
 players, the availability of on-demand access media may be limited. If all
 players are in use, the user may be instructed to try their selection at a
 later time.
 As a means of generating additional revenue, hotel management may charge
 users for accessing the access-only media. Such charges may be based on
 duration of access, e.g. 10 cents/minute, $5.00/hour, etc., or on a flat
 fee, regardless of the duration of access. In the case of continuous
 access-only media, additional revenue may be obtained through the
 inclusion of advertising in the programming.
 With regard to acquisition media, the type of media included in the in-room
 systems 12 depends on the demand for the media. The acquisition media
 typically includes full-length musical recordings by a variety of artists
 from a variety of genres. The genres represented in the acquisition media
 may vary depending on the location of the hotel and the demographics of
 the hotel guests. As a means of promoting the purchase of acquisition
 media, some of the access-only media, specifically the genre-specific
 compilations, may include samples of recordings from some of the
 full-length acquisition media. In addition, some of the acquisition media
 may be available in the on-demand access media. Thus the user is afforded
 an opportunity to listen to a full-length recording prior to making a
 purchasing decision. While the foregoing discussion of access-only media
 and acquisition media has centered on musical and narrative recordings,
 entertainment systems 10 in accordance with the invention may provide
 other types of media such as movies and video games.
 In operation, the system 10 may have two modes of operation, a normal mode
 and an interactive mode. In the normal mode of operation the user
 generally accesses continuous access-only media, while in the interactive
 mode the user generally accesses on-demand access media.
 Upon power on of the in-room system 12, the system 10 is in the normal mode
 of operation. The FM tuner 92 in the media player/dispenser 54 is
 automatically tuned to receive audio data from one ofthe continuous-play
 players. This audio data may comprise a welcome message from the hotel.
 Because this audio data is stored in one of the continuous-play players, a
 user may not always access the data as the beginning. The data, however,
 is of limited duration and the user may hear the entire data by allowing
 the data to repeat itself from the beginning.
 The user may enter a selection through either the keyboard 62 on the front
 of the media player/dispenser 54 or through the remote control 58 such as
 that shown in FIG. 7. If the user presses the HOW TO USE button at anytime
 during operation, the FM tuner in the media player/dispenser 54 is
 automatically tuned to receive audio data from another one of the
 continuous-play players. This data may comprise instructions regarding the
 operation and features of the system. Again, because this audio data is
 stored in one of the continuous-play players, a user may not always access
 the data as the beginning. The user may, however, hear the entire data by
 allowing the data to repeat itself from the beginning.
 If the user presses one of the six genre-specific music buttons, COUNTRY,
 TOP 40,