Patent Publication Number: US-RE38353-E

Title: Musical CD creation unit

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to CD selection and recording systems and more particularly pertains to a new Customized Audio Selection and Production Unit for providing both review and recording functions for the automated merchandising of music entertainment on recordable CDs. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of CD selection and recording systems is known in the prior art. More specifically, CD selection and recording systems heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art CD selection and recording systems include U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,325; U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,171; U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,807; U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,480; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,338. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new Musical CD Creation Unit. The inventive device includes a storage means, a selection means, and a production means. 
     In these respects, the Musical CD Creation Unit according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing both review and recording functions for the automated merchandising of music entertainment on recordable CDs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of CD selection and recording systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new Musical CD Creation Unit construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing both review and recording functions for the automated merchandising of music entertainment on recordable CDs. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new Musical CD Creation Unit apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the CD selection and recording systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new Musical CD Creation Unit which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art CD selection and recording systems, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a storage means, a selection means, and a production means. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new Musical CD Creation Unit apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the CD selection and recording systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new Musical CD Creation Unit which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art CD selection and recording systems, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new Musical CD Creation Unit which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new Musical CD Creation Unit which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new Musical CD Creation Unit which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such Musical CD Creation Unit economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new Musical CD Creation Unit which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new Musical CD Creation Unit for providing both review and recording functions for the automated merchandising of music entertainment on recordable CDs. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new Musical CD Creation Unit which includes a storage means, a selection means, and a production means. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new Musical CD Creation Unit that provides for the option to record any desired selection on a recordable CD for customer purchase. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new Musical CD Creation Unit that fulfills the need for a review and record CD jukebox having “vending” features and full automated merchandising capabilities for use in record stores as well as bars, lounges, night clubs, pizza shops, or other recreational and entertainment venues. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new Musical CD Creation Unit that permits a customer to review a music selection for entertainment purposes as well as for on-location purchase of the music without purchasing the entire CD. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new Musical CD Creation Unit that would be fully automated and no more complex than a traditional jukebox to operate. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new Musical CD Creation Unit that would allow customers to explore and preview music selections prior to purchase and substantially reduce the need for sales employees for customer assistance. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a new Musical CD Creation Unit according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the display monitor used for making musical selections according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the payment means allowing for automated customer purchase of a recordable CD created according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the CD dispenser according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new Musical CD Creation Unit embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     More specifically, it will be noted that the Musical CD Creation Unit  10  comprises a storage means  20 , a selection means  30 , and a production means  40 . The storage means  20  further comprises a CD jukebox  22  of the kind commonly available and used in commercial markets. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the selection means  30  further comprises a computer terminal  32  having a display monitor  33  and input means, such as a computer keyboard  34  or a touch screen. The selection means  30  is connected to the storage means  20  and the production means  40  by a unit interface cable  38 . As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the selection means  30  further comprises a predetermined entry means  39  for allowing a customer to review and record predetermined musical selections by type, such as jazz, pop, rock, country, soul, gospel, or blues, by popularity, such as “Top 20 Hits,” by artist, or by other predetermined musical selections. 
     The production means  40  further comprises a CD recorder  42  for recording on a recordable CD  2 . After the desired selections are recorded on the recordable CD  2 , the recordable CD  2  is dispensed from the production means  40  by a CD dispenser  44 , as best illustrated in FIG.  4 . To provide fully automated merchandising capabilities, the Musical CD Creation Unit  10  has “vending” features. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the Musical CD Creation Unit  10  further comprises a payment means  50  having a purchase amount display  56 , a magnetic card reader  52  for credit cards, and a currency changer  54  for cash such that a customer can purchase the recordable CD  2  without assistance from store personnel. 
     In use, a customer can sit in a personal cubicle  36  and review musical selections played by the CD jukebox  22 . To avoid disturbing others, a customer can wear headphones  35 . The customer uses a computer terminal  32  to view and enter personal musical selections to be recorded on a recordable CD  2 . Once a customer completes their personal musical selections, the CD recorder  42  records the personal musical selections on the recordable CD  2 . The recordable CD  2  is dispensed from the CD dispenser  44 . “Vending” features allow a customer to pay for the service by means of credit card with a magnetic card reader  52  or cash with a currency changer  54 . The cost of the service appears on a purchase amount display  56 . 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.