Abstract:
There is disclosed a system and method for dispensing customized multimedia. In an embodiment, the system comprises: a media storage module for storing a plurality of recording media, the plurality of recording media each including pre-recorded multimedia content and available recording space for recording customized content; a content capturing module for capturing customized content; a media recording module, operatively connected to the media storage module and the content capturing module, for recording the customized content onto the available recording space of at least one of the plurality of recording media, so as to produce at least one of the customized multimedia; a dispensing module operatively connected to the media recording module for dispensing the customized multimedia.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to a system and method for recording and dispensing customized multimedia.  
         [0002]     Multimedia is an effective tool for conveying information. The combination of sight, sound, and motion offered by multimedia may be used to deliver a multi-sensory message to a target viewer. Multimedia also offers the ability for a viewer to interact with the content, allowing the viewer, for example, to selectively view only the information that is of particular interest. Furthermore, multimedia may include many different types of content, including interactive teaching tools, product demonstrations, web site links, and more. Developing such multimedia content and the user interface to interact with the content often requires a significant amount of development time and effort. Once developed, the multimedia content may be recorded onto distributable media, such as optical media (e.g. CD-ROMs) or magnetic disk media (e.g. diskettes). The recorded media may then be distributed to a target audience.  
         [0003]     While multimedia content may be an effective information delivery tool, getting a target viewer to actually view the multimedia content on the distributed media may be a challenge. In a marketing context, for example, producing and distributing media that is not viewed by a target viewer is a completely wasted effort. What is needed is a cost effective solution for engaging a target viewer so that the target viewer is more likely to view and interact with the multimedia content.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     The present invention relates to a system and method for recording and dispensing customized multimedia.  
         [0005]     In an aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for recording and dispensing customized multimedia, comprising: a media storage module for storing a plurality of recording media, the plurality of recording media each including pre-recorded multimedia content and available recording space for recording customized content; a content capturing module for capturing customized content; a media recording module, operatively connected to the media storage module and the content capturing module, for recording the captured customized content onto the available recording space of at least one of the plurality of recording media, so as to produce at least one of the customized multimedia; a dispensing module operatively connected to the media recording module for dispensing the customized multimedia.  
         [0006]     In an embodiment, the recording media is at least one of optical media, magnetic media, and semiconductor media.  
         [0007]     In another embodiment, the customized content is at least one of audio content, video content, and photographic content.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, the customized content is configured to be integrated with the pre-recorded multimedia during playback by means of at least one user operable multimedia control.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, the pre-recorded multimedia content comprises promotional content, and the customized content comprises content relating to a target of the promotional content.  
         [0010]     In another embodiment, at least one of the plurality of recordable media includes content different from content in another of the plurality of recordable media, so that a user can select from one of a plurality of different themes.  
         [0011]     In another embodiment, the system further comprises a media jacket storage module for storing a plurality of media jackets, the media jacket storage module being configured to dispense a media jacket upon dispensing of the customized multimedia.  
         [0012]     In another embodiment, the system further comprises a plurality of media jacket storage modules, each media jacket storage module for storing a media jacket corresponding to one of the different themes.  
         [0013]     In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a recordable media configured for use in a system for customizing thereof, the recordable media comprising: pre-recorded multimedia content; available recording space for recording customized content; computer readable instructions for integrating the customized content recorded in the available recording space with the pre-recorded multimedia content.  
         [0014]     In an embodiment, the recordable media is at least one of optical media, magnetic media, and semiconductor media.  
         [0015]     In another embodiment, the customized content is at least one of audio content, video content, and photographic content.  
         [0016]     In another embodiment, the pre-recorded multimedia content comprises promotional content, and the customized content comprises content relating to a target of the promotional content.  
         [0017]     In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a data processing system implemented method of recording and dispensing customized multimedia, comprising: storing in a media storage module a plurality of recordable media, each of the plurality of recordable media including pre-recorded multimedia content and available recording space for recording customized content; capturing customized content utilizing a content capturing module; recording, utilizing a media recording module, the customized content onto available recording space of at least one of the plurality of recordable media, the media recording module operatively connected to the media storage module, so as to produce the customized multimedia; dispensing the customized multimedia.  
         [0018]     In an embodiment, the method further comprises providing for the plurality of recording media at least one of optical media, magnetic media, and semiconductor media.  
         [0019]     In another embodiment, the method further comprises capturing for the customized content at least one of audio content, video content, and photographic content.  
         [0020]     In another embodiment, the method further comprises providing on the recording media computer readable instructions for integrating the customized content with the pre-recorded multimedia content by means of at least one user operable multimedia control.  
         [0021]     In another embodiment, the pre-recorded multimedia content comprises promotional content, and the method further comprises recording customized content relating to a target of the promotional content.  
         [0022]     In another embodiment, the method further comprises providing on at least one of the plurality of recordable media content different from content in another of the plurality of recordable media, so that a user can select from one of a plurality of different themes.  
         [0023]     In another embodiment, the method further comprising dispensing a media jacket upon dispensing of the customized multimedia.  
         [0024]     In another embodiment, the method further comprises providing a plurality of media jacket storage modules, and dispensing a media jacket corresponding to one of the different themes.  
         [0025]     These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following more particular descriptions of exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]     In the figures which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention:  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic block diagram of a data processing system which may provide an operating environment for practicing exemplary embodiments of the invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2A  shows a front view of an exemplary recording and dispensing station in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2B  shows a schematic block diagram of various modules that may be contained in the station of  FIG. 2A .  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic sequence of illustrative screen shots that may appear at the station of  FIG. 2A .  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic flow chart of a method that may be followed by the data processing system of  FIG. 1 , corresponding to the sequence of illustrative screen shots in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0032]     As noted, the present invention relates to a system and method for recording and dispensing customized multimedia.  
         [0033]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic block diagram of a data processing system which may provide an operating environment for practicing exemplary embodiments of the invention. The data processing system  100  may include a central processing unit (“CPU”)  102  connected to a storage unit  104  and to a random access memory  106 . The CPU  102  may process an operating system  101 , application software  103 , and data  123 . The operating system  101 , application program  103 , and data  123  may be stored in storage unit  104  and loaded into memory  106 , as required. A developer  107  may interact with the data processing system  100  using a video display  108  connected by a video interface  105 , and various input/output devices such as a keyboard  110 , mouse  112 , and disk drive  114  connected by an I/O interface  109 . In known manner, the mouse  112  may be configured to control movement of a cursor in the video display  108 , and to operate various graphical user interface (“GUI”) controls appearing in the video display  108  with a mouse button. The disk drive  114  may be configured to accept data processing system usable media  116 . The data processing system  100  may be network enabled via a network interface  111 , allowing the data processing system  100  to communicate with other compatible data processing systems across a network (not shown).  
         [0034]     It will be appreciated that the data processing system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is merely illustrative, and is not meant to be limiting in terms of the type of system that may provide a suitable operating environment for practicing various embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2A  shows a front view of an exemplary recording and dispensing station  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2B  shows a schematic block diagram of various modules that may be contained in the station of  FIG. 2A . In the present illustrative embodiment, data processing system  100  may be integrated into station  200 , with certain components of the data processing system  100  accessible to a user of station  200 .  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , in this illustrative example, video display  108  of data processing system  100  may be fitted with a touch screen overlay to form touch screen display  208 . Various other components shown in station  200  may be operatively connected to data processing system  100  by way of cabling, and controllers occupying available I/O expansion slots (e.g. in I/O interface  109  or via other suitable I/O interfaces). These components may include, for example, a content capturing module (e.g. video camera  210  and microphone  212 ), a speaker  220 , a media recording/dispensing module  230  (shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  with an illustrative optical media unit  240  being ejected for pickup), a credit/debit card reader  250 , a bill reader  252 , and a coin input unit  254  having a coin slot  255  and a coin return slot  256 .  
         [0037]     As shown in  FIG. 2B , touch screen display  208  may be used to provide instructions to and receive input from a user of station  200 . An illustrative example of a sequence of screen shots is discussed with reference to  FIG. 3  further below.  
         [0038]     Video camera  210  may be any suitable off-the-shelf video unit that may be operatively connected to data processing system  100 . Application program  103  running on data processing system  100  may be configured to receive a “video in” signal for recording, for example, into storage  104 . Different video recording formats may be used, including any one of a number of industry standard video formats, some of which may provide significant compression of the recorded video signal.  
         [0039]     Similarly, microphone  212  may be any suitable off-the-shelf unit that may be operatively connected to data processing system  100 . Application program  103  may be configured to configured to operate microphone  212  together with video camera  210  when recording customized multimedia content. Different audio recording formats may be used, including any one of a number of industry standard audio formats, some of which may provide significant compression of the recorded audio signal.  
         [0040]     Speakers  220  may be a suitable off-the-shelf unit that may be operatively connected to data processing system  100 . Application program  103  may be configured to operate speaker  220  when providing playback of a recording on touch screen  208 .  
         [0041]     In an alternative embodiment, a voice recognition system may be integrated into station  200  to control various functions. In this case, speaker  220  may be used to provide voice instructions to a user of station  200 , and microphone  212  may be configured to receive voice commands from a user of station  200 .  
         [0042]     The outer portion of media recording/dispensing module  230  is shown in  FIG. 2A  with an illustrative piece of media  240  being ejected for pickup. In an alternative embodiment, it is possible that a media receiving unit (not shown) may also be provided in station  200  to receive from a user a piece of media  240  for customization at station  200 . In this case, changes may be made to provide the user with appropriate instructions for loading and recording customized content.  
         [0043]     Presently, the most common type of media for storing multimedia content is optical media, such as various formats of recordable CD, and various formats of recordable DVD. Media  240  may be one of such recordable optical media formats. Alternatively, media recording/dispensing module  230  may be configured to dispense other types of recordable media, such as magnetic media (e.g. diskettes), and semiconductor media (e.g. memory sticks, memory cards).  
         [0044]     Credit/debit card reader  250 , bill reader  252 , and coin input unit  254  having a coin slot  255  and a coin return slot  256  may be operatively connected to data processing system  100  and controlled by a payment subroutine of application program  103  running on data processing system  100 . In order to verify a credit card payment, application program  103  running on data processing system  100  may access a credit card verification system via network interface  111 . In order to verify a debit card payment, application program  103  running on data processing system  100  may request input of a personal identification number via touch-screen display  208 .  
         [0045]     Bill reader  252  and coin input unit  254  may have one of any number of conventional designs for such units. However, bill reader  252  and coin input unit  254  must be integrated into data processing system  100  such that sufficient payment can be verified before a user of station  200  can proceed further.  
         [0046]     Still referring to  FIG. 2B , station  200  may include a plurality of media storage modules  240   a - 240   d  for storing recording media. Media storage modules  240   a - 240   d  may be operatively connected to data processing system  100  and configured by application program  103  to supply media recording module  240 .  
         [0047]     In an embodiment, each of media storage modules  240   a - 240   d  may store recording media having different pre-recorded multimedia content. This may allow a user of station  200  to select from a number of different themes from a menu displayed at touch-screen display  208 . If one of the media storage modules  240   a - 240   d  becomes empty, application program  103  may indicate that the corresponding theme is not available at this time. Application program  103  may also be configured to alert, via network interface  111 , an off-site location that station  200  requires refills of certain quantities of recording media.  
         [0048]     In another embodiment, station  200  may be provided with a media jacket storage module  270  that may store a plurality of media jackets  271 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , the media jacket  271  may be dispensed from station  200  to the user when the customized recording media  240  is completed and ejected by media recording/dispensing module  230 . In an embodiment, blank media jackets may be stored in station  200 . In another embodiment, an appropriate graphic design may be printed onto the blank media jackets before being dispensed to the user. In another embodiment, a plurality of media jacket storage modules  270  may be provided, with each media jacket storage module  270  storing a media jacket having a different theme. In this manner, an appropriately themed media jacket may be dispensed.  
         [0049]     An illustrative example of a user using station  200  will now be described.  
         [0050]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic sequence of illustrative screen shots that may appear at the touch screen display  208  of station  200 . By way of example, the first screen  302  that a user may see may provide a menu of possible multimedia themes that the user can select from. In this example, one of four multimedia themes are provided (Theme A to Theme D). Next to each theme may be a touch sensitive area of touch screen display  208  which may indicate a selection of one of the themes by the user. In an embodiment, each theme may be pre-recorded onto recordable media stored in station  200 . In this manner, only a small portion of customized content needs to be recorded onto the media to complete the media content. This will be explained in greater detail below.  
         [0051]     Below the themes, another input area may be provided to input the number of copies desired. The default number of copies may be one. A pair of controls may be provided so that the user can increase or decrease the number of copies desired. Application program  103  may also be programmed to limit the number of copies that may be selected, so that the copies may be prepared in a reasonable amount of time. It has been determined that a recording time of approximately three minutes per copy or less may be acceptable, although a longer period of time may be acceptable in certain cases. Once the number of copies has been selected at screen  302 , another input area may be provided to receive input from the user to continue.  
         [0052]     At screen  304 , the user may be provided with an option to select a suitable recording time. In the present illustrative example, only a relatively short set recording time of 15 seconds or 30 seconds is provided. Longer or shorter recording times may be provided, depending on the application. Alternatively, a maximum recording time may be provided, so that the user has control over how long the recording time is. Once a suitable recording time has been selected, another input area may be provided to receive an input from the user to continue.  
         [0053]     At screen  306 , based on the theme, the number of copies, and the recording time selected, the calculated payment may be displayed. As will be appreciated, the payment may be calculated by a subcomponent of application program  103 . In this example, screen  306  instructs the user to input coins and bills, or to swipe a credit/debit card. In alternative embodiments, various other methods of payment, such as proximity debit chips, may also be accepted.  
         [0054]     Screen  308  shows an exception screen where the payment has not been validated, and the user is instructed to try again. In this illustrative example, assume the user has swiped a credit card that cannot be validated. The user cannot continue further without validation of payment, or payment via another method, such another credit card, a debit card, or bills and coins. If a debit card is used, an appropriate screen (not shown) may appear to allow the user to input a personal identification number.  
         [0055]     Screen  310  shows that payment has been validated, and the user is instructed to prepare for recording the customized multimedia content.  
         [0056]     If the application is a promotional application that does not require payment, then payment screens  306 ,  308  and  310  may be bypassed.  
         [0057]     Screen  312  shows that station  200  is ready to begin recording upon input of the Start command by the user. A “time remaining” graphic may provide the user with feedback on the amount of time still available for recording. Alternatively, rather than a graphic, this may also be a numeric “countdown”.  
         [0058]     In the present illustrative embodiment, when the Start command has been entered, application program  103  running on data processing system  100  may receive a video in signal from video camera  210 , an audio in signal from microphone  212 , and record the video and audio signals in selected formats onto storage  104 . Storing the raw video and audio data on storage  104  will allow the raw data to be further processed before recording onto recording media.  
         [0059]     Once the recording has completed, screen  314  provides the user with an opportunity to review the recording. Upon selection of the Review command, the recording may be played back in a window  315  appearing on screen  314 . Optionally, the entire screen of touch-screen display  208  may be used during playback. Any recorded sound may be played back through speaker  220  during playback.  
         [0060]     Upon completion of playback, screen  316  queries the user whether the recording is OK, or whether the user would like to Restart the recording. If the Restart command is entered, the user is returned to screen  312 . If the Continue command is selected, then screen  318  appears.  
         [0061]     Screen  318  informs the user that the media is now being prepared (i.e. the customized content is being recorded). Again, a “time remaining” graphic may provide the user with feedback on the process of the preparation of the media.  
         [0062]     As the bulk of the multimedia content relating to each theme (Theme A to Theme D in screen  302 ) is already pre-recorded on media stored in station  200 , the time to record the customized multimedia content to complete the multimedia content will be minimal. As noted earlier, the number of copies may be limited to keep the total amount of preparation time reasonable.  
         [0063]     Once preparation of the media has been completed, screen  320  informs the user that the prepared media is now being ejected for pickup. Referring back to  FIG. 2 , media  240  would be ejected from media recording/dispensing module  230  at this time. The recording and dispensing of customized multimedia is now complete.  
         [0064]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic flow chart of a method that may be followed by the data processing system of  FIG. 1 , corresponding to the sequence of illustrative screen shots in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0065]     As will be appreciated, application program  103  may be configured to display the contents of each of the screens in  FIG. 3  to the user. Application program  103  may be further configured to accept input from the user via touch screen display  208 , and to respond to the user input as appropriate. Application program  103  may be further configured to perform method  400  as described below.  
         [0066]     At block  402 , method  400  the theme (e.g. Theme A to Theme D) selected by the user at screen  302 . At block  404 , method  400  may control a media storage module (e.g. one of media storage modules  240   a - 240   d ) within station  200  to select a recording media pre-recorded with the selected theme. The media is then placed into a media recorder (e.g. media recording/dispensing module  230  of  FIG. 2B ).  
         [0067]     At block  406 , method  400  may be configured to read the recording time selected at screen  304 .  
         [0068]     At block  408 , method  400  may prepare the media recorder with the time limit selected by the user.  
         [0069]     At block  410 , method  400  may wait for the user to input the Start command. Upon this occurrence, method  400  may activate video camera  210  and microphone  212  to begin recording customized multimedia content. In an embodiment, the customized multimedia content may be recorded as data  123  stored in storage unit  104  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0070]     At block  414 , method  400  may be configured to stop video camera  210  and microphone  212  upon expiration of the selected recording time.  
         [0071]     At block  416 , method  400  may wait for the user to input the Review command.  
         [0072]     At block  418 , method  400  may playback the recording on touch screen display  208  and speaker  220 .  
         [0073]     At decision block  420 , if method  400  receives input from the user that the recording is OK, method  400  may begin recording of the customized content onto media placed into the media recorder at block  404 .  
         [0074]     At decision block  422 , if method  400  receives input from the user that the user wants to Restart the recording, method  400  may return to block  410 .  
         [0075]     Once the recording of customized content has been completed at block  424 , method  400  may proceed to block  426 , where method  400  informs the user that the recording has been completed.  
         [0076]     At block  428 , method  400  may proceed to eject the prepared media for the user to pickup.  
         [0077]     Although one embodiment of a simple recording system has been described and illustrated herein, modifications and variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Thus, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.