Abstract:
A terminal and system for sampling and ordering items of playable content prior to potential purchase, the terminal being preferably located at a retail site, comprising input means for inputting selection information, and reproduction means for replaying parts of selected items, the terminal being arranged to determine a characteristic of a particular item in dependence on local factors such as factors relating to the site in which the terminal is located.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/204,569, filed Feb. 13, 2003, which is a § 371 of PCT/GB01/00719, filed Feb. 21, 2001, which claims priority to G.B. Application No.: 0004066.7, filed Feb. 21, 2000, G.B. Application No.: 0012393.5, filed May 22, 2000, and G.B. Application No.: 0026701.3, filed Nov. 1, 2000, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to apparatus and methods for electronically ordering items of playable content such as musical works, videos or films, computer games and simulations, or other audiovisual works. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Conventionally, such works are purchased as boxed media (e.g. a tape, a Compact Disc (CD) or a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) carrying the work recorded on them, over the counter of a shop, or by post from a catalogue supplier. Much music is sold through specialist music shops, with knowledgeable counter staff to assist in selection and purchase, although large supermarkets or department stores may carry a limited range of more popular works. Historically, much the same pattern has developed for videos and computer games, which are stocked by specialist music shops and by smaller numbers of specialist game and/or video shops, as well as (in limited range) in large supermarkets or department stores. 
         [0004]    Specialist music shops sometimes have listening booths, operating somewhat like a jukebox, where a prospective customer can select and hear part of a work to determine whether or not to purchase it. For other advice, such as on availability of new works by particular artists, or on suitable works for purchase for a gift, the advice of the specialist shop staff is sought. Non-specialist shops, of course, lack either of these facilities. 
         [0005]    Recently, Internet “shops” such as Amazon (URL www.amazon.com) and Books Online (URL www.bol.com) have made a business of selling books and, more recently, musical works via the Internet, charging by credit card. In some cases, the prospective purchaser can download and play a clip of the work to be purchased. However, at present, this channel is available only to the technically literate, in possession of a multimedia personal computer and appropriate software. Concerns are also expressed about the security of credit card transactions over the Internet, where data may be intercepted by fraudsters. Whatever the real level of risk involved, the threat of fraud can at present deter customers. 
         [0006]    European patent application EP 0649 121 describes a booth or kiosk type system located at retail premises and connected to a number of content servers for downloading content in real-time. The content servers are arranged hierarchically so that distributed local servers predominantly store currently popular content and central servers store a more complete content list. Thus, network load is reduced while still making available a comprehensive catalogue of items. The kiosks/booths are connected to customer accounting and sale systems, but not to any in-store stock system. Items for purchase are locally recorded onto physical media (eg. burnt onto a CD) rather than being ordered or bought from in-store stock. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,157 describes a kiosk-based system placed in a retail outlet for providing a potential buyer with “preview” music samples from CDs. The music samples are stored in a compressed format on a number of CD ROM discs in a multi-disc loader system. The user obtains a subscription card (by filling out an application form) and selects a CD box from the store display. The kiosk scans the user&#39;s subscription card and the CD and identifies the user and CD. A graphical user interface of the kiosk presents a relevant photograph for the CD and a series of touchscreen buttons for various songs on the CD. The user selects a song for previewing by touching one of the buttons. The patent also describes a central server connected to each kiosk over a telecommunications link for collecting data concerning use of the kiosk. Data collected may be used as a marketing tool. Further, the patent also describes playing a CD sampler on the stores sound system so that a customer can become interested in a track, ask the sales assistants for details and use the kiosk to find out more. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,963,916 takes the kiosk system, located at retail premises, of the previously described patent and describes some improvements. The major development is that the kiosks are now dumb web clients and receive both the “preview” music samples (as an audio stream) and the user interface (ie. HTML pages) over a telecommunications link from a centralised Web server. Also, the customer is now able to place an order for purchasing CDs using a shopping basket concept on the kiosk. The system is also described as being suitable for home computer use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present applicants propose a new distribution channel for electronically ordering playable works. It consists of a plurality of preferably freestanding, self-service terminals, located in high density retail sites. Each is equipped with a reproduction system for playing the works, and input devices for inputting selection, ordering, and payment information. 
         [0010]    By providing the terminals, rather than relying on shop staff, customers are freed from the need to seek out and shop at specialist shops. Where, as envisaged, the terminal is sited in a general shop (such as a supermarket or department store), the customer can make specialist purchases of works not stocked in the shop, without leaving the shop, to the benefit of the customer and shop owners alike. 
         [0011]    Further, the customer can make their selections in private, and in their own time. 
         [0012]    By providing specialised freestanding, self-service terminals, rather than allowing access through a customer&#39;s computer and the Internet, the customer can be precluded from storing or copying the works, thus reassuring the copyright holders of the works that piracy is impossible. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the terminals are interconnected with one or more database-storing computers via a private telecommunications channel (rather than the Internet). This enables credit card and other payment data to be carried securely, allowing the customer to purchase without fear of fraud. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the channel is broadband in the to-terminal direction. This allows the works, and associated data, to be stored centrally rather than locally at each terminal, allowing the terminals to be kept up to date without periodic large-scale updating of the data stored at the terminals, whilst enabling them to be downloaded for replay substantially without delay, to avoid what Internet users have termed the “World-Wide Wait”. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the terminals are arranged to accept input of a number of different search parameters, and to locate works corresponding to the parameters for selection by the customer. These parameters will include the name of artist or the name of the work, and preferably also some genre classification information on the work (e.g., for a musical recording, “dance”, “easy listening”, “country” and so on, as currently used in specialist music shops or catalogues). 
         [0016]    Preferably, the record stored for each work in the database-storing computer also includes co-selection information, indicating other works commonly selected by previous customers who have selected the work concerned, and/or demographic information indicating the average age, sex, and other demographic parameters of previous customers who have selected the work concerned. Thus, the prospective customer can search for a suitable work (for example, as a gift) by inputting demographic data of the recipient. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the terminals are arranged or adapted to determine, or obtain information determinative of, a characteristic of a particular work, or item of playable content, in dependence on local factors such as factors relating to the site in which a given terminal is located. 
         [0018]    For instance, the database-storing computer preferably has a connection to the stock control computers of one or more shops (or chains of shops) in which the terminals may be located. Thus, if a customer wishes to order a particular work, the database-storing computer may determine the location of the terminal; interrogate the stock control computer of the chain of shops (if any) including that at which it is located; and, if the work is indicated to be available at that shop; transmit an indication thereof to the terminal to allow the terminal to display the fact to the customer. Thus, the customer has the option of making an immediate purchase of the work from their present location, or of ordering it for delivery. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, the price of the particular work or item may be determined in dependence on local factors such as whether or not the particular item is available in the site within which the terminal is located, the time of day, day of week, the geographical location of the site, the identity of the particular retail site, the current usage of the network, the identity of the particular item, and the demand for the particular item. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, the terminal is preferably arranged to determine whether a particular work or item is or has recently been playing in the site within which the terminal is located, and, if so, to indicate the fact to the customer. Thus, the customer may easily sample or order, using the terminal, an item which is currently playing or has recently been played in the general area of the retail site or shop in which the terminal is located. 
         [0021]    Preferably, the terminals include a card reader (e.g. a magnetic stripe reader or a “smart card” reader) arranged to accept standardised credit, debit or loyalty cards. This provides an additional level of security over simply typing in the credit card number (which might have been fraudulently obtained). 
         [0022]    Preferably, the database-storing computer includes a customer database, storing name, address, and demographic information for each customer who undergoes a registration operation at the terminal, at the first time of use of the system. On subsequent uses, the customer may simply be recognised by the insertion of their credit, or other payment card (or by typing in their name). Thus, the need for the customer to re-key details such as their home address for delivery is reduced. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the terminals include a printer, to allow the printing of a receipt for each order, thus increasing the level of customer assurance in the transaction. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the system is capable of varying the prices of articles, using the local date/time and/or location of the terminals. 
         [0025]    Other aspects, embodiments and preferred features are as described in the following description, claims and drawings, with advantages which will be apparent hereafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    Embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the overall organisation of apparatus of a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the components of a terminal of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a screenshot of a default page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a screenshot of a main menu page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a screenshot of a main music menu page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a screenshot of a rock/pop/dance/jazz search page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a screenshot of a search by artist page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a screenshot of a search results page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is a screenshot of a first product details page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  is a screenshot of a second product details page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0037]      FIG. 11  is a screenshot of a third product details page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0038]      FIG. 12  is a screenshot of a shopping basket page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0039]      FIG. 13  is a screenshot of a customer identification page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0040]      FIG. 14  is a screenshot of a new customer registration page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0041]      FIG. 15  is a screenshot of an order summary page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0042]      FIG. 16  is a screenshot of a giftwrapping and message entry page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0043]      FIG. 17  is a screenshot of a delivery address entry page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0044]      FIG. 18  is a screenshot of a payment details entry page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0045]      FIG. 19  is a screenshot of an order review page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0046]      FIG. 20  is a screenshot of a receipt printing page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0047]      FIG. 21  is a screenshot of a confirmation of order page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0048]      FIG. 22  is a screenshot of an existing customer registration page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0049]      FIG. 23  is a screenshot of a customer menu page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0050]      FIG. 24  is a screenshot of a customer details edit page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0051]      FIG. 25  is a screenshot of a customer order status page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0052]      FIG. 26  is a screenshot of a customer loyalty points page displayed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0053]      FIG. 27  is a flow diagram showing the response queuing process followed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0054]      FIG. 28  is a flow diagram showing the download queuing process followed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0055]      FIG. 29  is a schematic diagram showing a typical data record maintained by a host computer contents database of the first embodiment; 
           [0056]      FIG. 30  is a flow diagram showing the response queuing process followed by a terminal of the first embodiment; 
           [0057]      FIG. 31  is a screen shot of a main menu page according to a second embodiment; 
           [0058]      FIG. 32  is a screen shot of a genre menu page of the second embodiment; 
           [0059]      FIG. 33  is a screen shot of a browse page of the second embodiment; 
           [0060]      FIG. 34  is a screen shot of a results page of the second embodiment; 
           [0061]      FIG. 35  is a screen shot of a review page of the second embodiment; and 
           [0062]      FIG. 36  shows a process of selecting and playing background music. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of kiosk terminals  10   a,    10   b  . . . . Each is located at a suitable site. Terminal  10   a  is located at a department store. Terminal  10   b  is located within a concourse of a shopping centre or mall. Other terminals  10  (not shown) are located at other high-density retail sites. 
         [0064]    Each terminal  10  is connected to a high bandwidth network  20 , and thence to a central host computer  30 . The network comprises a private virtual network made up of high capacity leased lines to each terminal  10 , capable of delivering music or video clips of up to a minute without excessive delay (i.e. in seconds or less). It may, for example, comprise a 512Kbit/sec leased line. It also comprises a pair of signalling channels, one in the to-terminal direction and one in the from-terminal direction; these carry data input by the customer and read from the card reader of the terminals, and hence a much lower data rate is satisfactory (e.g. a few hundred bits per second or less). 
         [0065]    The host computer  30  comprises a plurality of circuit interfaces for communicating simultaneously with a plurality of the terminals  10 ; and a processor (and associated memory and permanent storage) performing a program for responding to requests for data, and handling purchase orders, from the terminals  10  as will be discussed in more detail below. 
         [0066]    It is connected to interrogate a content database  40  and a customer database  50 , which each be provided on storage comprised within or co-located with the host computer  30 ; or alternatively may be remotely located therefrom. 
         [0067]    It is also connected (e.g. via a leased line signalling connection) to the central stock computer  60  of the chain of stores which includes the store in which the terminal  10   a  is located. That computer  60  is connected to (or includes) a stock database listing the items carried and the shops in which they are carried. In general, the host computer  30  is connected to the central computers of all shop chains in which terminals  10  are located. 
         [0068]    It is also connected to the network of a credit card company  90 , and of an order and delivery company  80  (e.g. a so-called “fulfilment” agency such as Entertainment UK or E-UK, website at www.entuk.com, specialising in supply of items to order). 
         [0069]      FIG. 29  shows content database  40  and a typical database record  660  held for a pop music album track. Database records are stored by individual track rather than album. Data record  660  contains a plurality of fields such as artist name, record label, album title from which the track is taken, track title, release date, genre, catalogue number, occasion/mood classification, average age interested in the album from which the track is taken, predominant sex interested in the album from which the track is taken, a related product list (i.e. the catalogue numbers of related products that a customer may be interested in purchasing), base price of product, delivery period of product, art clips, sound samples, written notes concerning the album from which the track is taken, and written reviews of the album from which the track is taken. This data may be obtained from music industry sources such as Muze Inc.™ (website at www.muze.com). 
         [0070]    The average age interested and predominant sex interested may also be updated from records of sales of the album made using the kiosk system. Similarly the related product list may be compiled from data obtained from records of sales made using the kiosk system, such as the most common products bought by all those who have bought the album concerned. 
         [0071]    The occasion/mood classification identifies occasions/moods for which the album is suitable, and is used, together with the average age interested and predominant sex interested fields, to provide a general search page for customers looking for a product to suit a mood or occasion or suitable as a present for a person of a certain age and sex. 
         [0072]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , each terminal  10  comprises an input device  102 ; a display screen  104 ; a microcomputer  106 ; a printer  108 ; a credit card reader  110 ; a modem  112 ; an audio reproduction circuit  114 ; all located within a housing  116  defining a free-standing unit to which access to the interior is impossible. 
         [0073]    The microcomputer  106  comprises a commercially available device, for example incorporating an Intel Pentium™ microprocessor or equivalent, and peripheral chips, and associated memory. No floppy disc device or other removable storage device is provided. An internal hard disc may be provided, or the operating program (to be described) may operate from Read-Only Memory (ROM). 
         [0074]    The credit card reader and printer are commercially available devices as used in Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs). 
         [0075]    The audio reproduction device  114  may be a sound card (e.g. a Soundblaster™ compatible card) together with a stereo pair of loudspeakers, arranged to play audio data from the microcomputer  106 . 
         [0076]    The input device  102  and display screen  104  are conveniently integrated into a touchscreen device, allowing the user to interact directly with the screen and eliminating moving parts. They are positioned towards the top of the freestanding unit, at around chest height for an average person. The loudspeakers of the audio reproduction system  114  are positioned at either side of the touchscreen. The modem  112  is connected to a plug at the bottom of the terminal  10 , connected to a socket in the floor of the retail environment in which it is located, carrying a line into the network  20 , inaccessible to a customer. In a variant of the present embodiment, the terminal is integrated into non-freestanding shop equipment, furniture or building. 
         [0077]    The microcomputer  106  runs an operating system (e.g. Windows 2000™, Windows CE™ both available from Microsoft, EPOC 32 available from Symbian, or UNIX), supporting a graphical user interface (GUI) and a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). The JVM program interprets a Java program which controls the interaction between the terminal  10  and the customer. 
         [0078]    In use, as will be described in greater detail below, the kiosk terminal  10  displays a series of screens which include displaying “button” areas, through which a user can input data or select from a list of options. In response to the input of data, further screens will be displayed, and communications with the host computer  30  will take place. The kiosk terminal  10  (and, where relevant, host computer  30 ) are arranged to perform at least the following processes:
   1—Register a new user (and record their details in the customer database).   2—Allow a new or existing user to log on.   3—Allow the user to browse or search the database for works to be purchased.   4—Compile a list of works to be purchased (i.e. an “order basket”).   5—Enter an address for shipping.   6—Pay for an order by credit card or the like.   7—Check whether the work to be purchased is available in the premises where the kiosk terminal  10  is located.   8—Propose possible purchases based on similarity to current or previous purchases.   9—Print out a receipt.   
 
         [0088]    The functioning of the kiosk system of the present invention will now be described as used by a customer in a store in which a kiosk terminal, such as kiosk  10   a,  is located, with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 26 . Whilst specific mention will be made of interaction occurring between the microcomputer  106  of kiosk  10   a  and host computer  30 , over network link  20  at various points in the following section, it is to be understood that the kiosk system is a networked system in which frequent interaction occurs between the various elements making up the system shown at  FIG. 1 . 
         [0089]    The general processes involved in interaction between the customer, kiosk  10   a  and host computer  30  will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 27 and 28 . 
         [0090]    With kiosk  10   a  in a powered-up but unused state, microcomputer  106  displays a default page on display  104 .  FIG. 3 . shows the default page  200  which constitutes a background image  202  with the brand name of the kiosk system and various text messages  204  including message “Touch screen to start” presented within a button  206 . A customer wishing to use kiosk  10   a  touches touch-screen input  102  at button  206  which causes microcomputer  106  to display the main menu page of the kiosk system shown at  FIG. 4 . 
         [0091]    Main menu page  210  shows a series of main options and associated buttons  212  (games),  214  (entertainment),  216  (music) corresponding to the categories of items that can be purchased using the kiosk system. Also shown is a standard menu bar  220  with four buttons  222 ,  224 ,  226  and  228  for accessing help information, entering customer details, viewing previous or existing orders and exiting to the default page respectively. This standard menu bar is generally displayed on every page, except default page  200 , to assist customers to use the system more efficiently. 
         [0092]    Also shown on main menu page  210  is a related information panel  230  which is used dynamically to display related information to the customer such as related items the customer may be interested in purchasing. Here, related information panel  230  shows basic details of two currently popular albums  232  and  234 , including the titles, prices and front cover art clips. Beneath the details for album  232  are two buttons  236  and  238  for previewing and purchasing the albums respectively. If the customer presses input  102  at button  236 , microcomputer  106  displays a page such as described below with reference to  FIG. 9  for providing the customer with details of the album such as artist, title, record label, original release date, track listing, total length, price and delivery period as well further notes, reviews, and the option to play selected sound clips from the album via the audio reproduction  114 . These data are retrieved via host computer  30  from database  40 . If, however, the customer presses input  102  at button  238 , microcomputer  106  displays a page such as described below with reference to  FIG. 12  for purchasing the album there and then. 
         [0093]    In general, the information displayed on the related information panel  230  may be related to any of the information currently displayed on the page, previous selections or other information input by the customer (whether in the current session with the kiosk  10   a  or in previous sessions with a kiosk of the same network), various aspects of the store or trade channel in which kiosk  10   a  is located, or other information supplied by one of the computers connected to microcomputer  106 . 
         [0094]    Typically these will be items the customer may be interested in buying whether items of the same category—e.g. another album by the same artist or a related artist—or items of different categories—e.g. a video or T-shirt featuring the same artist. Furthermore, the related information panel is not static, but is dynamically updated at regular intervals to present further products of potential interest to the customer 
         [0095]    With respect to main menu page  210  in particular, albums  232  and  234  are the albums which are or have been currently playing in the store in which kiosk  10   a  is located. This information is dynamically obtained by microcomputer  106  from store computer  60  via host computer  30  and network  20  (but could be obtained from the music playing device or devices serving the store, or input manually into microcomputer  106 ). 
         [0096]    The functionality of the system will now be described in relation to two scenarios. In the first scenario, described with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 21 , a new customer performs a search for a product, registers their details and then completes a purchase using the kiosk. In the second scenario, described with reference to  FIGS. 13 , and  22  to  26 , an existing customer logs onto the kiosk and inspects their details, previous order status and loyalty points. 
         [0097]    The first scenario will be described in respect of the customer searching for and purchasing an album using the music option of main menu page  210  (although there are no material functional differences between use of the system for purchasing an album or any of the other categories of work). To select the music option, the customer presses input  102  at button  216 . This causes microcomputer  106  to display the main music menu page  240  on display  104 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0098]    Related information panel  230  is displayed as described above, save that different albums are presented to the customer, in this case two current best selling products. Also displayed is menu location bar  250  and standard menu bar  220 . Menu location bar  250  shows the position of main music menu page  240  in relation to previous pages displayed. The menu location bar is generally displayed on every page, except default page  200  and main menu page  210 , to assist customers to use the system more efficiently. It also can be used by the customer to return to previous pages displayed by pressing the appropriate part of the screen. Standard menu bar  252  provides a series of buttons as described above but with an additional button  254  for returning to the main menu and an additional button  264  for going back one page. The customer is also presented with a series of options and associated buttons  242  (search by genre—rock/pop/dance/jazz),  243  (search classical/opera),  244  (charts),  245  (prerelease information),  246  (special offers),  247  (search for music for an occasion/mood/gift) corresponding to the various ways in which the kiosk system can be used to search for music. The customer selects the option he is interested in using for searching for music and presses the appropriate button. 
         [0099]    The search rock/pop/dance/jazz option will be described below in detail. The search classical/opera option is similar to the rock/pop/dance/jazz option, save for differing fields with which content database  40 , which contains a catalogue of classified products can be searched. The charts option allows the customer to view, search or purchase products from the current overall charts and charts for particular genres of music. The pre-release option allows customers to view, search for information concerning, and pre-order forthcoming releases of works. 
         [0100]    In general, the above options are enabled by microcomputer  106  passing a database search request to host computer  30  over network link  20 . Host computer  30  then performs a database search of content database  40  and passes the data records for each matching work, in response, back to microcomputer  106 . The special offers option allows customers to view, search for and purchase product that are under special promotion such as price discounts. This information is obtained from pricing information held by host computer  30 . 
         [0101]    The occasion/mood/gift option allows customers to obtain advice on a product which is suitable for a particular occasions/moods, or suitable as a gift for a person of a particular age, sex and interests. Content database  40  maintains product records including fields for genre, occasion/mood suitability, average age interested in the product, and predominant sex interested in the product. The customer inputs the occasion/mood/gift information, which is used to perform a search of content database  40  using the above identified fields. 
         [0102]    If the customer is interested in buying an album of the Beatles, he/she will press rock/pop/dance/jazz button  242 . This causes microcomputer to display a search page specific to rock/pop/dance/jazz music. 
         [0103]      FIG. 6  shows rock/pop/dance/jazz search page  260  displayed on display  104 . Menu location bar  250  shows the position of rock/pop/dance/jazz search page  260  in relation to previous pages displayed. Standard menu bar  220  provides a series of buttons as described above. Also shown are a series of search options and associated buttons  264  (search by artist name),  266  (search by album name),  268  (search by track name),  270  (search by type of music),  272  (search by record label name),  274  (search by album release date), and  276  (advanced search). The various search options correspond to some of the fields by which individual data records of content database  30  are classified as described below with reference to  FIG. 29 . Advanced search refers to a search combining various basic search options together. The customer selects search by artist by pressing button  264  and the appropriate search page is displayed. 
         [0104]      FIG. 7  shows search by artist page  280  displayed on display  104  comprising menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220 , a text input line  282 , a keyboard  284  (consisting of individual buttons for the individual keys of a “qwerty” keyboard), a search button  286  for starting the searching process, and change search type bar  288  (consisting of the various pop search options described above and corresponding buttons) for selecting a different search type. Using the buttons of keyboard  284 , the customer enters the search string “BEATLES” on to touch-screen input  102  and presses button  286  to start the search. 
         [0105]    In response, microcomputer  106  of kiosk  10   a  sends a request for a database search of content database  40  over the network link  20  to host computer  30 . Host computer  30  performs the database search and transmits the results to microcomputer  106  over the network link  20 . The data transmitted includes, for each database record, record label, album title, release date, and delivery period. 
         [0106]    The base price field of each database record is used by host computer  30  to compute a product price in accordance with a pricing model maintained by host computer  30  and these product prices are transmitted to microcomputer  106 . The pricing model may depend on the time of day, day of week, geographical location of the kiosk/store, the particular store or retail chain, the current usage of network  20 , and/or other variables. For example, it may provide discounts on certain products as part of a promotion, or add a premium to certain products during periods of peak demand. Discounts based on time of day, or day of week may also be used, to entice customers into the store within which the kiosk terminal is located, at off-peak times. Also, price variations based on network usage may help level loading of the network and other elements of the system. 
         [0107]    Additionally, microcomputer  106  requests host computer  30  to query store computer  60  as to whether each product listed in the search result is available in the store in which kiosk  10   a  is located and, if so, to obtain the store price from stock database  70  via store computer  60 .  FIG. 30  shows the process followed in determining whether to use, for each product listed, the price maintained by the kiosk system or the in store price. The process starts at step  600  and, at step  602 , store computer is queried by host computer  30  for the stock and price details of the product. At step  604 , host computer  30  determines whether the product is available in the store in which the kiosk is located. If it is the process continues to step  606  at which the price data obtained from the store computer is used for later transmission to microcomputer  106 . If not, the process continues to step  608  at which the price computed by host computer  30  in accordance with the pricing model is used for later transmission to microcomputer  106  together with the delivery data. 
         [0108]    Once this process is completed, microcomputer  106  displays the search results to the customer on a search results page as shown at  FIG. 8 . Search results page  290  comprises menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220 , a description of the search performed  292 , the number of products found  294 , and a breakdown of those products  296 . Product breakdown  296  is presented in a tabular format with a horizontal column title bar  298  and a pair of vertical scroll buttons  300  for moving the product selected (shown as a highlighted line) up and down. Descriptions of individual products  302  are listed line by line and include details of album name, artist name, original release date, delivery period and price. The price and delivery period are determined as described above. 
         [0109]    If the product is available in the store, the delivery period section contains the message “IN STORE” to inform the customer. Alongside each item of product list  302  are a pair of buttons  304  and  306  for, respectively, obtaining further details of or buying the product listed. 
         [0110]    In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, where a product is available in the store and via the kiosk, the customer is presented with details of both options—i.e. price and delivery details for via kiosk purchase, and price details for in store purchase. The kiosk, however, does not allow the customer to purchase an in store product using the kiosk. Rather, the customer must pay using the store&#39;s usual payment facilities. 
         [0111]    The customer, wishing to see details of the Beatles Red Album, presses input  102  at button  304 . This causes microcomputer  106  to request further data from content database  40  via host computer  30 , such as art clips, track information, sound samples, notes, reviews and related product information, and to display on display  104  a product detail page as shown at  FIG. 9 . If, however, the customer had pressed button  306 , he/she would have been shown the shopping basket page shown at  FIG. 12  and described in detail below. 
         [0112]      FIG. 9  shows product detail page  310  which comprises menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220 , related information panel  230  and a detailed section on the product selected  312 . The related information panel  230  shows basic details of two other albums by the Beatles which may interest the customer, together with buttons for purchasing and previewing those albums as described above with reference to  FIG. 4 . These albums are selected in dependence on the related product list field of the record corresponding to the Beatles Red Album held in content database  40 —see below and  FIG. 29  for further explanation. Detail section  312  comprises the description information  314  as displayed in search result page  290 , art clip  316  taken from the album, track window  318 , plus four buttons  320 ,  322 ,  324  and  326  for seeing notes, review, starting a new search and purchasing the album, respectively. 
         [0113]    Track window  318  shows the tracks included on the album line by line together with a pair of scroll buttons for moving the track selected (shown as a highlighted line) up and down, a set of control buttons (play, stop, rewind, fast forward) for playing samples of the track selected, volume control buttons and a volume indicator. By selecting a track and pressing play, the customer causes microcomputer  106  to download from the host computer  30 , and play, a sample of the track through the audio reproduction system  114 . The other playing controls also function conventionally. 
         [0114]    Pressing button  320  causes microcomputer  106  to display written notes containing information about the album in place of art clip  316  and buttons  320  and  322 .  FIG. 10  shows the product details page  310  with notes  328  displayed together with a pair of vertical scroll bars for moving the notes up and down, and an “OK” for returning to the art clip display. Similarly, pressing button  322  causes microcomputer  106  to display written reviews of the album in place of art clip  316  and buttons  320  and  322 .  FIG. 11  shows the product details page  310  with reviews  330  displayed together with a pair of vertical scroll bars for moving the reviews up and down, and an “OK” for returning to the art clip display. 
         [0115]    If the customer decided not to buy the product, pressing button  324  of product details page  310  would return him/her to search by artist page  280  described above. However, assuming the customer decides to purchase the product, he/she presses button  326  which causes the Beatles Red Album to be added to the customers shopping basket held in microcomputer  106  (as a temporary stored list of items to be purchased) and microcomputer  106  to display a shopping basket page shown at  FIG. 12 . 
         [0116]    Shopping basket page  340  comprises menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220  together with a section  342  showing descriptions of the customer&#39;s prospective purchases line by line, including a column for quantity, and the total price in box  344 . In  FIG. 12 , there is only one product displayed since the customer has only selected one album to buy. Shopping basket page  340  also contains four buttons  346 ,  348 ,  350 , and  352  which are, respectively, for deleting a selected product from the shopping basket, changing the quantity of items to be ordered for a selected product, returning to search by artist page  280  (to continue searching for additional items to add to the shopping basket), and proceeding to purchase the items in the shopping basket. 
         [0117]    Wishing to proceed to purchase the Beatles Red Album, the customer presses input  102  at button  352  which causes microcomputer  106  to display a customer query page shown at  FIG. 13 . Customer query page  360  comprises menu location bar  250  and standard menu bar  220  together with a notice to the customer to either identify him/herself as a new customer by pressing button  362 , or as an existing customer by pressing button  364 . The customer query page  360  also contains a confidentiality policy notice  366 . In this first scenario, the customer is new and, accordingly, presses button  362  causing microcomputer  106  to display a customer registration page shown at  FIG. 14 . 
         [0118]    Customer registration page  370  comprises menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220  together with a set of text boxes  372  for displaying customer details such as first and last name, postal address including town/city, postcode and country and email address. Customer registration page  370  further comprises a display of a keyboard  374  as described above in relation to keyboard  284  of  FIG. 7  with an additional key button marked “next box” for moving the point of entry of customer information between individual boxes of text boxes  372 . The customer may use keyboard  374  to enter his name, postal and electronic addresses and press “OK” button  376  when finished. Alternatively, the customer may swipe a card obtained previously from the kiosk operators through credit card reader  110  to enter his details automatically, and then press the “OK” button  376 . Once the customer details have been entered and the “OK” button is pressed the details are transmitted by microcomputer  106  to host computer  30  over the network link  20  for storage in customer database  50 . Then microcomputer  106  displays an order review page as shown at  FIG. 15 . 
         [0119]    Order review page  380  comprises menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220  together with customer details section  382  showing the name and postal address of the customer and the delivery address (which defaults to the customer address), plus an order details section  384  showing the same details as prospective purchases section  342  described above in relation to  FIG. 12 . Order review page  380  further comprises four buttons  386 ,  388 ,  390 , and  392  which are, respectively, for selecting giftwrapping of the order, changing the delivery address, changing the order, and continuing with the transaction. Pressing button  386  takes the customer to a gift requirements page shown at  FIG. 16 . 
         [0120]    Gift requirements page  400  comprises menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220  together with wrapping paper options  402  which may be selected by pressing the selected box, a text box  404  for entering a gift message using keyboard  406  and an “OK” button  408  for continuing when the customer has completed his/her requirements. Pressing button  408  returns the customer to order review page  380 . 
         [0121]    Pressing button  388  of order review page  380  takes the customer to a delivery address entry page  410  shown at  FIG. 17  which comprises menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220  together with a set of text boxes  412  for displaying delivery details such as first and last name of addressee, postal address including town/city, postcode and country and email address. Delivery address entry page  410  further comprises a keyboard  414  as described above in relation to  FIG. 14 . The customer uses keyboard  414  to enter the name, postal and electronic addresses of the deliveree and presses “OK” button  416  when finished to return to order review page  380 . 
         [0122]    Pressing button  390  of order review page  380  takes the customer back to shopping basket page  340  in which the details of the order may be changed. However, if the customer is satisfied with the order as it stands, he/she may continue with the transaction by pressing button  392  which causes microcomputer  106  to display a payment information entry page as shown at  FIG. 18 . 
         [0123]    Payment information entry page  420  comprises menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220  together with payment card selection boxes  422 , a set of text boxes  424  for displaying customer payment details, keyboard  426  and an “OK” button  428 . To enter payment details the customer may either use selection boxes  422  and keyboard  426  to manually enter the details or simply swipe his/her payment card through card reader  110  whereupon microcomputer  106  receives the payment details automatically and displays them at text boxes  424 . When complete the customer presses “OK” button  428  which causes microcomputer  106  to display an order summary page on display  104  as shown at  FIG. 19 . 
         [0124]    Order summary page  430  comprises menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220  together with payment details section  432  showing the name and postal address of the customer, the delivery address (by default, the customer&#39;s own address is initially displayed), and the payment details such as card type and number, plus an order details section  434  showing the same details as prospective purchases section  342  described above in relation to  FIG. 12  but with an additional box  444  showing loyalty points to be earned with the order. 
         [0125]    Order summary page  430  further comprises five buttons  436 ,  438 ,  440 ,  442 , and  446  which are, respectively, for changing payment details (takes customer back to payment information entry page  420 ), changing products ordered (takes customer back to shopping basket page  340 ), redeeming loyalty points previously earned with the kiosk operator, redeeming loyalty points previously earned with the store in which the kiosk is located, and an “OK” button for proceeding with the transaction. 
         [0126]    Wishing to proceed, the customer presses button  446  which causes microcomputer  106  to commence checking the customer&#39;s credit status with credit card company  90  via host computer  30  over network link  20  like a conventional retailer (or ATM) credit card reading station. 
         [0127]    If satisfactory, microcomputer  106  instructs host computer  30  over network link  20  to amend customer database to include the order and prints a receipt for the customer using printer  108  of the kiosk whilst displaying printing receipt page  450 , as shown at  FIG. 20 . Microcomputer  106  then places the order directly with the order and delivery company  90  via host computer  30  over network link  20 . In a variant of the present embodiment, microcomputer  106  transmits the order to host computer  30  over network link  20  which stores the order for later transmittal to the order and delivery company  90  (for example at the end of every day). 
         [0128]    The MUZE identification code (a unique code for each recording held in the MUZE database) may be sent to identify the item(s) to be purchased. 
         [0129]    When the receipt has been printed and the order placed or stored as described above, microcomputer  106  displays thank you page  460  as shown at  FIG. 21  for a predetermined period of time and then reverts to displaying default page  200 . This ends the first scenario. 
         [0130]    In the second scenario, an existing customer logs onto the kiosk and inspects their details, previous order status and loyalty points. To begin with, kiosk  10   a  is in an unused state and microcomputer  106  displays default page  200  on display  104  as described above. Having touched the screen to start, the customer is presented with main menu page  210  as described above with reference to  FIG. 4 . In this scenario, however, the customer presses button  224  for entering his/her details and is presented with the customer query page  360  as shown above at  FIG. 13 . As the customer is an existing customer of the kiosk system, he/she presses button  364  and is presented with a customer identification page as shown at  FIG. 22 . 
         [0131]    Customer identification page  470  comprises menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220  together with a set of text boxes  472  for entering details sufficient to identify the customer such as first and last names and postcodes. The customer may enter these manually using keyboard  474  or may identify him/herself by swiping his/her payment card or a kiosk system loyalty card through credit card reader  110  which automatically enters identifying details into the text boxes  472 . When the customer has completed entering the details, he/she presses “OK” button  476  to proceed. This causes microcomputer  106  to request the customer records held in customer database  50  from host computer  30  and to display a customer menu on display  104  as shown at  FIG. 23 . 
         [0132]    Customer menu page  480  comprises menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220  together with three buttons  482 ,  484 , and  486  which are, respectively, for viewing/editing customer details, viewing the status of existing orders, and viewing the customer&#39;s accumulated loyalty points. If the customer presses button  482 ,  484  or  486 , he/she will be presented with the pages shown at  FIGS. 24 ,  25  and  26  respectively. 
         [0133]      FIG. 24  shows the edit customer details page  490  which comprises menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220  together with a set of text boxes  492  for displaying the customer&#39;s details and two buttons  494 , which takes the customer to customer registration page  370  as described above and shown at  FIG. 14  for editing the customer details (which new details are transmitted to host computer  30  for amending the customer record held in customer database  50 ), and an “OK”  496  for returning to the customer menu page  480 . 
         [0134]      FIG. 25  shows the order status page  500  which comprises menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220  together with a section  502  for displaying the customer&#39;s order details including date of order, order number and status information for each order. When the customer has completed viewing the order details he/she may return to the customer menu by pressing “OK” button  504 . 
         [0135]      FIG. 26  shows customer loyalty points page  510  which comprises menu location bar  250 , standard menu bar  220  together with a box  512  displaying the customer&#39;s loyalty points accumulated and an “OK” button  494  for returning to the customer menu page  480 . 
         [0136]    Next, the general procedure for interaction between the customer, microcomputer  106  and host computer  30  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 27 and 28 . To provide best possible response times for customers, microcomputer  106  uses intelligent caching to download data required from host computer  30 . To do this microcomputer  106  maintains two data queues—a response queue and a download queue. The response queue maintains a list of responses to be presented to the customer using the display or headphones of the kiosk. The download queue contains a list of data required by microcomputer  106  from host computer  30 —i.e. to perform the responses listed in the response queue. The response and download queues are dynamically alterable as data is input from the customer or from host computer  30 . Moreover, the performance of responses is not held up by only partial data having been downloaded from host computer  30 . 
         [0137]      FIG. 27  shows the process for controlling the response queue. The process starts at step  620 . At step  622 , microcomputer  106  checks the data input by the customer. At step  624 , microcomputer  106  determines whether the data input requires a new response to be performed to be added to the response queue. If it does, the process continues to step  626  and a new response is added to the response queue. The process then continues to step  628 . If not, the process continues directly to step  628  at which microcomputer  106  determines whether the data input requires an existing response to be cancelled in the response queue. If it does, the process continues to step  630  and the cancelled response is deleted from the response queue. The process then continues to step  622 . If not, the process continues directly to step  622 . 
         [0138]      FIG. 28  shows the process for controlling the download queue. The process starts at step  640 . At step  642 , microcomputer  106  checks the response queue. At step  644 , microcomputer  106  determines whether the data required to perform a new response is already stored locally—i.e. at microcomputer  106 . For example, details of frequently requested works (new or popular recordings) may be stored locally for several days after initial downloading to the terminal  10 . If it is, the process continues to step  650  described below. If, not the process continues to step  646  at which microcomputer  106  determines whether the data request is already present in the download queue. If it is, the process continues to step  650  described below. If not, the process continues to step  648  at which the new data request is added to the download queue. The process then continues to step  650  at which microcomputer  106  determines whether the new response can be started with data stored locally. If it can, the process continues to step  652  and the response is started, else the process continues to step  654  at which microcomputer  106  determines whether a data request to a perform a cancelled response is held in the download queue. If so, then the process proceeds to step  656  at which point the data request is removed from the download queue. The process then continues to step  642 . If not, the process continues directly to step  642 . 
         [0139]    From the above described scenarios, it will be apparent that the terminals of the embodiment operate a locally stored JAVA program to present a series of screens each of which allows menu options and/or data input by the user. Based on the menu options and user input, further screens are displayed, and data is uploaded to, and received in response from, the host computer  30 , to enable a user to make selections and play appropriate excerpts from works (in this case musical works). Because the kiosk terminals are self contained, the playing of such excerpts cannot be misused by local storage and reproduction, as would be possible in a PC. 
       SECOND EMBODIMENT 
       [0140]    In a second embodiment, the operation of the invention is substantially as described, except as indicated below. 
         [0141]      FIG. 31  is shows a screen display of the main menu screen for a given type of playable work (in this case, music). It comprises a display area  1002  in which a record chart is displayed. By each entry (consisting of title, artists and price data) in the chart, a pair of buttons are provided; the first button of each pair  1004   a,    1004   b,    1004   c,    1004   d,    1004   e  allow the display of full information on the chart item concerned, and the second buttons  1006   a - 1006   e  allow the user to place a purchase order for the item concerned, in the manner described above. 
         [0142]    At the bottom of the screen, three navigation buttons  1008 ,  1010 ,  1012  are provided. The first button  1008  enables the user to exit the ordering process. The second,  1010 , returns the user to the immediately previous screen. The third,  1012 , returns the user to the main menu (shown in  FIG. 31 ). 
         [0143]    A search button  1014  is provided, allowing the user directly to search for a record (as described above in relation  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0144]    Finally, three genre selection patents  1016   a ,  1016   b ,  1016   c  are provided which allow the user to select a genre main page, to be described in greater detail below. In  FIG. 31 , button  1016   a  corresponds to the pop genre;  1016   b  corresponds to the rock genre; and  1016   c  corresponds to the dance genre. 
         [0145]      FIG. 32  shows a genre main page (in this case the page displayed in the response to the user activating button  1016   a ). Selection of an area  1022  displays a genre-specific chart, with paired buttons  1024   a - b,    1026   a - b  corresponding to  1004   a  and  1006   a  described above. Navigation buttons  1008 - 1012  are also present. 
         [0146]    A button  1034  corresponds to the find button  1014  of the main menu of  FIG. 31 , but executes a search limited only to playable works in the genre concerned. A button  1028  allows the user to browse playable works in the pop genre, as will be disclosed below. 
         [0147]    Finally, a pair of buttons  1040   a ,  1040   b  provide hypertext links to review articles, on particular playable works within the genre (e.g. album reviews), or, more generally, articles about the artists or other aspects of the genre. Thus, the genre screens (such as that of  FIG. 31 ) offer magazine-like content to the user. 
         [0148]    Selection of the button  1034 , as mentioned above, results in the display of a screen similar to that of  FIG. 7 , with a displayed keyboard for entry of the name of an artist. 
         [0149]    Referring to  FIG. 33 , selection of the browse button  1028  causes the display of a screen having an area  1044  with 26 keys corresponding to the letters of the alphabet. Also provided are areas  1046  and  1048 , which are initially blank. As with  FIGS. 31 and 32 , buttons  1008 ,  1010 ,  1012  are present for navigation. 
         [0150]    On selection of a key (for example, the key  1045   a  corresponding to the letter “A”), the microcomputer  106  causes a search of the database  40  (as described above in relation to  FIG. 7 ), to locate all artists with works classified as being in the pop genre and with names beginning with the letter “A”, in the database  40 . 
         [0151]    On completion of the search, a search statement (“You searched for artists beginning with” followed by the letter selected) is displayed in area  1046 , and one or more artists located by the search are displayed in the area  1048 . The display consists of the name of the artist next to a select button  1050  (one button is provided for each displayed artist). 
         [0152]    Referring to  FIG. 34 , on selection of an artist from the browse results screen of  FIG. 33 , or from the search screen (e.g. that of  FIG. 7 ), a list of all available products by the artists is displayed consisting of brief details of title, price, and availability (e.g. length of time to despatch), accompanied by a pair of buttons  1054 ,  1056  each corresponding to the buttons  1004 ,  1006  of  FIG. 31  and enabling the user to either obtain further details (button  1054   a - f ) such as track listings or audio clips, or to order the product (buttons  1056   a - 1056   f ). 
         [0153]    Referring to  FIG. 35 , on selection of one of the buttons  1040   a ,  1040   b  from the genre screen of  FIG. 32 , material on a product in the genre is displayed; for instance comprising pictures  1062 ,  1063  of the artist, and text boxes  1068 ,  1070  containing text reviewing the work. Also provided are buttons  1064 ,  1066  correspond to buttons  1004 ,  1006  of  FIG. 31  and offering the user either more information (button  1064 ) or the opportunity to order the work ( 1066 ). 
         [0154]    Thus, in this embodiment, as in the first, the user is offered more than a catalogue and an opportunity to buy; the system provides the opportunity for a user interested in a genre to browse, keep up to date, and learn more; before, after, or instead of, purchasing. 
         [0155]    The reader will understand that aspects of the second embodiment may be used separately of those of the first. 
       THIRD EMBODIMENT 
       [0156]    In a third embodiment, the operation of the invention is substantially as described in the first and second embodiments, except as indicated below. 
         [0157]    In this embodiment, the above-described browse-by-artist function is modified to search only a stored most popular artiste list (of, for example, about 1000 artistes), selected from all the artistes stored in the database. This reduces the volume of results listed, thus making the choice simpler for the user. Also, the list may be stored locally, reducing the search time. 
         [0158]    In this embodiment, referring to  FIG. 36 , initially (steps  2002  and  2004 ) a randomly selected sequence of sound clips from the database is reproduced (selected for example from the singles chart). A first button (not shown) on the screen allows the user to purchase the currently playing selection, and a second on-screen button allows the user to access information on the track which is retrieved and displayed on the screen. 
         [0159]    On each occasion when the user selects a genre (step  2006 ), the set of sequences of sound clips from which the “now playing” clip is selected is changed to correspond to works in the selected genre (step  2008 ), rather than the general charts, and a new clip is selected therefrom. 
         [0160]    On each occasion when the user selects an artiste (step  2010 ), the set of sequences of sound clips from which the “now playing” clip is selected is changed to correspond to works by the selected artiste (step  2008 ), and a new clip is selected therefrom. 
         [0161]    On each occasion when the user selects a CD or album (step  2012 ), the set of sequences of sound clips from which the “now playing” clip is selected is changed to correspond to works from that CD or album (step  2008 ), and a new clip is selected therefrom. 
         [0162]    Thus, in this embodiment, the user is presented with background music tailored to their current area of interest. Where a user has logged in, as described above in the first embodiment, then rather than beginning with a random selection, the sequence of sound clips may be selected from within a genre selected by the user in a previous session. 
         [0163]    In this embodiment, these “now-playing” clips are no longer than 30 seconds long, and a set of clips from which the selection is made is stored locally at each terminal, thus allowing immediate access without the need for downloading. 
         [0164]    In this embodiment, the mood/occasion data is used to allow selection of music either for an occasion or for a relative as described above, or via input of, for example, zodiac sign or other criteria. 
       OTHER MODIFICATIONS AND EMBODIMENTS 
       [0165]    Other playable media, such as DVD or video cassettes, are dealt with similarly, clips being downloaded for reproduction via the network  20 . 
         [0166]    Likewise, for computer or video games, a pre-recorded playing sequence of the game is downloaded and played as video, rather than downloading the game itself. 
         [0167]    It will be apparent that the principles behind the present invention could be extended to other types of work, such as books (in which case a portion of text from the book would be reproduced on the display screen). Furthermore, in addition to offering the purchase of playable media, the kiosk terminals of the present invention could additionally be used for other purchases, such as retrieving e-mail. 
         [0168]    It will also be apparent that the kiosk terminals of the present invention could be fitted with a communication port to enable customers to download works to portable devices at the point of sale. For example, customers could download music onto MiniDiscs™ or solid state MP3 recorder/players. 
         [0169]    Although the above-described embodiments relate to free standing kiosks connected by a broadband private network, aspects of the embodiments could also be applied to internet music purchase sites (similar to that at http://www.dotmusic.com for instance), or to broadband systems such as interactive cable TV or Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) systems. 
         [0170]    These and many other variants, modifications or substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of the invention and will be considered to be disclosed herein. For the avoidance of doubt, protection is hereby claimed for any novel subject matter disclosed herein or combinations thereof.