EP1825431A2 - Electronic system and method coupling live event ticketing and interactive entries with the sale, distribution and transmission of event recordings, mastering system and intelligent terminal designs - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method and system of electronically associating one or any combination of the production, balancing, editing, transmission, distribution and sale of live event 'Recordings' with the sale of a 'ticket' [defined to include any entrance payment/receipt, (tournament) entrance fee or logged placed bet] to or during the event (200), such that both or either of a ticket (220) purchaser and/or non-ticket purchaser are able to automatically acquire a Recording or participate in interactive offerings (210) related to the event by means of optional authenticated (216) retrieval systems at a terminal device when connected to the Internet or wireless network (200). A method for electronically converting a balanced audience feed to the value for optimal Recording balance is also disclosed for optional integration. Distribution and/or retrieval of a Recording by patrons, nonattendee (210) purchasers (212)and/or licensees may occur when the Recording is embodied in a fixed medium of expression and/or when the Recording is in digital or other encoded format.

Description

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM AND METHOD COUPLING LIVE EVENT

TICKETING AND INTERACTIVE ENTRIES WITH THE SALE, DISTRIBUTION AND TRANSMISSION OF EVENT RECORDINGS, MASTERING SYSTEM AND INTELLIGENT TERMINAL DESIGNS

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention pertains to a system and method of producing and distributing recordings of live performances in all media.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The advent of the digital age has demonstrated that any content or event (including live as performed content) that can be recorded and transformed into "bits" is a valuable, marketable commodity. In the past, major studios, record labels and production companies controlled what live content would be produced for distribution to the public. Except for live or tape-delayed grandiose television/cable productions, certain news coverage and special radio broadcasts, the live experience was limited to ticket holders/audience members.

Now, however, live content is inexpensive to digitally record. Virtually any lay person can create a quality digital live recording of any event of public or private interest on simple equipment and then upload the recording over a telecommunications network. Such upload will result in free content ownership not only for the recorder, but also for any other interested user. Telecom-connected third parties can then, for example, burn their own CD's on home components or store the content onto a hand held music player. Once the recording is uploaded, it is game for others to copy and own it without payment.

The unauthorized digital transmission and retransmission Peer to Peer ("PtoP") or Business to Business ("BtoB") of pre-recorded studio titles, albums, and other derivative tie-in merchandise over the Internet since 1998 has virtually crippled the music industry. "Wi-Fi" now enables hook up to the Internet without a wire. Podcasts carried through Wi-Fi or satellite radio may not be far off. Clipcasts (transmissions of content to mobile phones) will shortly follow. In spite of the spiraling decline in retail CD sales since 1998, the live concert market is surging. Concert ticket prices have skyrocketed. Coincident market penetration of hand-held music players has necessitated a change within the music industry from an album to a singles oriented business model and the proliferation of on-line subscription services. With use of the instant disclosure, it is anticipated that concerts and recording from live events as well as interactive tournaments will be coveted by consumers and subscription services that reach the global audience.

In spite of this, to date, the full recording impulse buying potential of the live concert audience remains untapped. Concert hall shops still only offer an artist's pre-released studio product usually only in CD disc form and not the performance just attended.

At the core are the continuing limitations on technology, the huge cost of recording and packaging productions for immediate on site and multi-media delivery, and the monetary and time constraints including for onsite personnel and staff needed for quality mastering and editing. In addition, for more grandiose live productions that feature multiple performers and whole orchestras, there is an impasse among the creative factions as to the proper royalties payable upon release. Musicians' unions and performing rights societies that collect royalties on behalf of composers and publishers contend that a digital encoded recording transmission over any telecommunications network is a separate "performance" triggering additional payments.

For these reasons, a necessary premise of the instant disclosure is that any viable market solution for live recording release must be inextricably associated with full royalty accounting, rights clearance and the equitable allocation of recording revenues among all those involved in production of the live event. The royalty accounting systems revealed in this disclosure do just this and will be independently licensed by the inventor for the management and administration of concert venues around the world.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Methods, systems and intelligent apparatuses¹ are disclosed for the immediate multimedia and electronic global ordering, sale, management, and authenticated distribution of live event content recordings by all means of delivery, transmission and retrieval now known or hereafter devised both on and off site from where the live event takes place. Methods and systems are also disclosed for the global solicitation and processing of authenticated electronic responses at live talent competitions, sporting events, and interactive games including from worldwide non-audience participants through enabled devices.

With respect to distribution of live music, entertainment and event "Recordings" (as herein defined), the methods and systems disclosed reveal means that expedite and associate necessary and value added steps in the production, packaging, broadcasting and administration process. These include: (i) association of recording orders to ticket sales, subscriptions and/or uniquely identifying information of the holder including credit card number, phone/mobile phone number or subscription account, for example; (ii) methods for content mastering, balancing and editing; (iii) methods for splicing and packaging single titles, action stills and other unique derivative works; (iv) methods for creating director's cuts, "best of" versions and other derivative works; (v) methods for automated copyright accounting including calculation of statutory and contractual royalties from the point of every sale; (vi) integration of standard content security systems [e.g., encryption, watermarking and digital rights management ("DRM")]; (vii) integration of new venue anti-terrorism security systems; and (viii) solicitation and processing of recording orders from non-audience purchasers using any uniquely identifying information that helps directs transmission of content including, without limitation, home or mobile phone number, URL, e-mail or street address, credit card or banking number, personal account, Internet subscription, podcast or satellite radio

(individually claimed but enabled to be integrated) account, Social Security Number, date of birth, mother's maiden name, and most significantly, a DNA fingerprint.

In the sports and gaming field, entrant's fees and bets placed are to be used in this disclosure in lieu of or in addition to "tickets". The disclosed systems and methods are optimally and immediately designed for use by classical artists, unsigned talent, "E-label" bands, their producers and arts institutions that are permitted to release live recordings without additional clearances. These groups need strong promotional tools and established distribution channels to test the market for new titles and contemporary works. The instant invention will allow for the economical production, packaging and multi-media distribution of any live event recording no matter how small (recitals, benefits and special performances, for example) that with the prior art were not made available for release because it was not cost effective to do so at low sales volumes. This content was therefore previously "lost" after performance and could not be re-enjoyed by members of the public at large.

The systems disclosed are also designed for use by interactive game, sports television, film and convergence producers to offer new forms of entertainment experiences and assist with the solicitation and tabulation of audience and non- audience responses. They will expand the geographic influence and promotional value of a particular competition or event.

In addition, the systems are designed for podcast and satellite radio producers, suppliers and consumers who offer and covet audio programming for downloading onto computers or portable music players.

By the means herein described, secured and authenticated ordering, packaging, delivery and retrieval of any live performance or event can be effected anywhere in the world at cost low enough to make it economically feasible even at low volumes. This includes release of a recording immediately at the hosting venue as soon as the event ends.

With the instant disclosure, packaging will be in either fixed or encoded format with delivery over any available telecommunications network, by hand or regular mail. By such means, audience members can order recordings either pre-concert with their tickets or after in any desired format including standard CD format by onsite handout or mail or by using a venue-based intelligent terminal, a portable computer, hand-held music or media player, Blackberry or other text messaging device, a land line, mobile phone, other wireless device, or a home computer. Non- audience members can separately order the performance and their orders will be integrated with those from ticket holders.

The present disclosure further describes independent methods that immediately account for and calculate all statutory and contractual royalties due upon release from each point of sale such that the job and expense of payment administration is removed form those individuals and entities authorized to release recordings. For ticket holders, concert venues and arts institutions, this would also include calculation of bonus or promotional discounts if recordings are purchased in advance with tickets or subscriptions. More importantly, the disclosed accounting methods and independent and provide a quick, easy and foolproof method for ensuring proper rights clearances and the equitable allocation of recording revenues among all associated with the live event. These systems will be independently licensed to concert and sports venues around the world. The instant disclosure further provides wholly independent but integrated means for digitally mastering and balancing live recordings via storage of a plurality of content analysis algorithms that analyze and manipulate audio information with or without video in a database and/or on a "live" basis as additional information is received. The audio information will include information from console and instrument feeds for transposition into numerical data.

As herein disclosed, a flexible multimedia information analysis apparatus stores a database that includes the audio as well as video information in digital format. At the same time, also stored are a plurality of content analysis algorithms for analyzing the digital information, which can be manipulated by a mouse. A selected algorithm can then be used to analyze and edit the audio, video or audiovideo data, including on a "live" basis as additional information is received. Further content analysis algorithms can be applied in tandem to manipulate the information including splicing out singles titles from a whole concert, for example. By such means, digitized readings that are optimal for audience listening and enjoyment can be automatically converted to optimal readings for a selected recording format.

In addition, these disclosed methods will assist in the incorporation of additional content (narration tracks, for example), to produce further purchase options for the consumer including derivative works, "best of , director's cut versions and event-related stills, posters, pin-ups, artist bios, karaoke insertions and playbills.

The above mastering and editing systems are optionally disclosed to be associated with ticketing and independently with non-audience recording orders, thereby allowing for the rapid packaging of content in all media. By the same methods, the disclosed systems can also process single title and derivate "best of" and director's cuts orders that incorporate supplementary material, ( narration tracks, for example), in addition to whole concerts as performed, from any purchaser.

The present disclosure further provides means for integrating anti-terrorism security systems anticipated to be installed at large sports/Olympic arenas, concert halls, auditoriums and public venues, e.g., airports and shopping malls and to take positive supplementary advantage of these systems by using them to order recordings. The inventor's designs for security turnstiles disclosed in Figs. 6 (a) -(f) will also process a DNA fingerprint of an audience member upon ingress or egress from a venue, providing an alternative piece of data for processing a recording order.

The system disclosed provides supplemental means for integrating standard content security methods including encryption, watermarking and DRM that track a recording as it is transmitted to an end user PtoP or BtoB.

It further describes integrated systems for soliciting and processing audience and non-audience response information also optionally associated with ticketing, subscriptions, credit card, phone/mobile phone numbers, text messaging, and Internet account information, for example, to allow for new forms of live and authenticated interactive entertainment at a particular venue. The responses tabulated by the present invention will include ratings of live competitions without the need for open telephone land lines and will allow for the staging of both real and virtual competitions.

If betting is to be permitted, the systems further describe means of blocking responses from territories where gaming for profit is not permitted by law.

Finally the instant disclosure reveals the inventor's creative designs for venue and public space intelligent terminals that include without limitation, enabled audience seats/chairs, enabled security turnstiles, recording ordering kiosks targeted for arts institutions (lobbies and promenades), and enabled computerized tables that are to be installed at showcase cafes, clubs and gaming bistros. All terminals permit hook up of hand-held music players to USB portals or their equivalent, USB keys, etc., and those located in hospitality venues take food and beverage orders, and pay checks and parking fees electronically. They all allow the purchaser to order and buy a recording in any desired format with a designated means of retrieval.

For example, a purchaser-ticket holder can insert the unused portion of the audience ticket or swipe a credit card to order a recording for home mail or computer delivery, to start an onsite disc engraving, release an already engraved disc from a machine, or enable immediately hook up of a hand-held music player with associated authenticated release a recording in encoded format .

In addition, through the systems herein disclosed, authorized follow-up and demographic information can be transmitted back to any recording purchaser, tournament/competition participant, or other individual/entity authorized to receive the information collected at the time of ticket issuance or recording sale.

The present invention discloses methods, systems and apparatuses that electronically associate any one or combination of the global ordering, authentication, sale, recording, production, mastering/balancing/editing, single title splicing, packaging, transmission, distribution, engraving, optional tracking, protection, and retrieval of "live event 'Recordings' " (as herein defined) with the sale of an event ticket, subscription order and/or other uniquely identifying information of a recording purchaser. In the case of live sports competitions and tournaments when gambling is or may be permitted, the present invention alternatively associates live event recordings with entrance fees and/or placed bets in lieu of or in addition to "tickets" and describes integrated methods that block out responses from territories where gaming for profit is not permitted by law.

The present disclosure reveals wholly separate but optionally integrated methods for processing worldwide live Recording orders that are independent of ticketing. It further reveals integrated systems for ordering and/or delivering the live

Recordings in any format including, by way of example, by hard mail, e-mail, over the Internet, to home and portable computers, hand-held music/media players, cellular phones, podcast addresses and new Wi-Fi devices.

It further discloses systems and methods that allow both ticket holders and non-audience members to electronically rate and/or participate in a live staged event over any telecommunications network. The described systems optionally authenticate entries and responses with ticketing or other uniquely identifying information that assists with directing transmission of the content.

Finally, the instant disclosure reveals the inventor's patented designs for intelligent terminals that take recording orders, are enabled to release recordings in fixed and unfixed formats and reroute authorized information back to the purchaser. These are targeted for arts institutions, hosting venues and public and private spaces including airports, banks and shopping malls.

DEFINITIONS

"Recording" or "Live Recording" as used in the present disclosure is defined to mean any audio, video, or audiovisual material or data based on signals or content emanating, derived from or representative of the live event or any part thereof, or an occurrence pre or post event that is related to it including, without limitation, as it is packaged for sale and distribution in any medium. Without limitation, Recordings may contain/include as examples: audio, music, video, audiovideo, concert feed, recital, sports competition (baseball game, soccer tournament, etc.), stageplay or showcase presentation, press interview, mime production, literary work, theme park amusement, arcade tournament, game, videogame, display, art exhibition, artwork, autograph, photograph, clip, still, spoken dialogue, soliloquy, reading, lectures, speeches, seminars, classes and sermons, etc.

Typically, a "Recording" is stored, thereafter balanced, edited or otherwise revised in digital, analog or other format, and transmitted by a means of distribution e.g., broadcast signal, radio, over-the-air television, scrambled signal, cable, Internet, podcast, satellite radio broadcast, clipcast, regular mail, hand delivery, wire, cellular/wireless (so-called "Wi-Fi"), or by any other means now known or to be hereafter devised including to mobile phones, Blackberry or other text messaging and personal telecom devices. At some time, a "Recording" may become embodied or stored on a fixed, tangible medium of expression such as film, VCR tape, optical disc (CD, DVD, dual disc, etc.), magnetic cassette, reel-to-reel, LP, local or remote hard drive, mobile music player, or other storage medium, etc., or alternatively may be received, displayed, stored and re-performed without physical embodiment. For purposes of this disclosure, Recordings will be receivable in either a fixed medium of expression or unfixed format by a third-party to include without limitation a consumer, purchaser, third-party seller or licensee in analog or digital format. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein is meant to limit the scope of the inventor's claims should other recording formats be made available in the future. Retrieval of a Recording in any format for purposes of this disclosure will occur on or off site from where the live event takes place including, without limitation, immediately after the event ends at enabled location-based intelligent terminals/kiosks, home terminals (a home PC, media player, Web TV, etc. ), portable personal devices (hand-held music/media players, Blackberry and other text messaging devices, e.g.,), from a third-party distributor such as an online subscription service, producer or podcaster and on mobile phones. To the extent that order and/or retrieval of a Recording is to be over a telephone wire, cable or cellular telephone or any telecommunications network, the instant disclosure is deemed to work with or incorporate any phone number, address, or other uniquely identifying data including without limitation, a DNA fingerprint, URL, e-mail address, subscription, podcast or satellite radio account number that assists in directing transmission of the content.

Submitted for patent protection is the inventor's original intelligent terminal designs including, without limitation, those in the form of an enabled venue audience seat, a venue turnstile, an enabled eating or beverage table and chair, and an expanded ATM ordering kiosk targeted for public spaces, concert venues, airports, banks, malls and retail stores. The table terminals are seen for installation in the next wave of restaurants/media clubs/gaming cafes/coffeehouses, etc. They are designed to take food and beverage orders and pay checks and parking all electronically without a human waiter or waitress in addition to processing Recording orders and gaming entries. The turnstile version is expected to be a big seller as tightened security systems at Olympic stadiums, venues and airports are installed including those that read DNA fingerprints of audience entrants.

All terminals will incorporate credit card and smart card swipes, rating/interactive systems, disc dispensaries, USB and equivalent portals for hand- held music player hook ups, etc., all of which are electronically authenticated and linked to entrance tickets, seat assignments, food and beverage checks, a cellular phone number, URL, e-mail, Internet subscription, podcast other account, or other identifying information of the purchaser.

The systems herein disclosed are further enabled to process special purchase orders. For example, individual titles (singles) from a live performance with or without accompanying video will be spliced out, specially formatted, accounted for at competitive pricing on the order of $1.00 per title and offered for sale over the Internet for storage on hand held music players. Also to be made available are director's cuts, narrated tracks, "best of" selections from a particular artist's tour and personalized compilations inclusive of audience noise, monologues, artist soliloquies and narration tracks. All Recordings especially the spliced singles (that are expected to be a big Internet seller)_ can be optionally watermarked, encrypted and protected with available digital rights management ("DRM") by integrating standard methods. The new live sound recordings of even old titles will give consumers additional purchase options over and above the pre-released digital studio recordings that are now being freely shared over the Internet and crippling the recording industry. For this reason, the inventor believes release of live singles presents one means to reverse spiraling losses attributable to the unauthorized sharing of digital files in that it will offer alternative and fresh versions of a favorite artist's classic and greatest hits. Integration of screened video feeds after digitization including through the use of algorithms herein disclosed present an inexpensive means to produce music video downloads at much lower cost. The videos can also be transmitted to cellular phones.

The present invention further incorporates systems and methods of assigning numerical values to live audience instrument and console feeds and then through the use of algorithms, converts the digital reading(s) balanced for an audience to those for a CD track mix.

The present invention incorporates methods for placing and fulfilling special purchase orders for derivative event Recordings including single music tracks with accompanying video and those with and without audience noise and/or artist monologues and narration tracks. To be offered are "best of compilations, director's cuts (both of maximum value for a multi-city tour) and photographs, stills, posters, pin-ups, T-shirts, cups, celebrity endorsed games and videogames. All derivative works and tie-in merchandise can be associated with the "ticketing" and other systems herein disclosed.

The present invention further incorporates systems wherein the purchaser is given the option to receive promotional material for other subsequent event announcements and merchandise.

With the systems herein disclosed, purchase and retrieval of Recordings embodied in a fixed tangible medium of expression (CD, DVD, dual disc, VCR tape, etc.), or in non-fixed analog, digital or other encoded format may take place immediately at the venue itself at location based kiosks including enabled audience seats, intelligent kiosks or anti-terrorism security turnstiles. In addition, ordering and retrieval of recordings can be effected at location-based terminals targeted for public spaces including airports, malls, banks, and retail stores. Recordings can also be ordered and retrieved at an enabled ATM machine, a home personal computer, cellular telephone, Blackberry or other messaging apparatus.

Further disclosed are independent but wholly integrated methods and systems that can be integrated for processing outside orders for the live events Recordings from those who did not attend the event and/or who have no access to on-site points of sale. These orders may be placed over the Internet, by regular land line or wireless phone number that pursuant to the instant disclosure can be linked herein to the ticketing operations.

The instant disclosure presents a technological solution to deter the unauthorized sale and/or upload of shared digital files by offering downloaders fresh content of featured artists to compete with their previous studio Recordings that are now being shared for free and crippling the Recording industry.

The present invention discloses integrated methods and systems for prompt, accurate and virtually automatic calculation and payment of statutory, guild and contractual royalties to copyright holders and participants alike by managing accounting from the point and moment of sales. This allows for the immediate equitable allocation of revenues and the tremendous lowering of the overall costs of production and distribution. Disclosed is a system for protected key access by all copyright holders to their royalty accounts and demographic information to the extent that purchasers authorized its disclosure. The present invention is a complete system and method providing a legal, efficient way to maximize the revenue and the promotional value of the live event, track the content sales, gather the required information and transmit that information to all parties involved in the production, manufacture and fulfillment of sales as well as to those entitled to share in revenues and at cost low enough to make it practical even at low volumes. Equally important, by returning control of content releases to the copyright holders (which in turn will allow for the offer of discount and promotional tie-in pricing concurrent with ticket sales), the present invention will serve to encourage new and established talent to remain within the structure of the existing system, thereby providing a win-win-solution to all - studios, labels, and participants alike.

Further, the present disclosure offers the public the opportunity for instant gratification and impulse buys at comparatively lower cost to the suppliers without the need for "hand out" sales or additional sales personnel.

The system incorporates rating and interactive systems to enhance the live experience and its geographic influence and also to allow for participation staged tournaments and contests by ticket holders and non-audience members alike.

Recordings including single tracks may be separately encrypted, watermarked, formatted, further protected with DRM tracking and/or rendered destructible by known industry means, integrated with other systems described and offered to consumers over the Internet for a download fee and transfer to hand held players.

In total, these methods individually and collectively comprise the collection and input of purchaser information starting optimally at the time of first ticket sales, the optional integration and processing of digitized balancing data, and secured transmittal of that information to all parties responsible for the fulfillment, manufacture and distribution of the Recordings, as well as to those entitled to payment by statute or contract.

In the instance where the Recordings are to be delivered by immediate and/or electronic transmission directly at the venue or devices including a land or cellular telephone or other enabled appliance, methods and systems of authentication of the ticket holder's or outside purchaser's information including his assigned phone/cellular numbers, e-mail address and/or bank account are incorporated and disclosed to ensure authenticated delivery to the proper party at the time and/or location of retrieval. Integration of standard secured credit card technologies will allow on and off site sales at any enabled terminal location including without limitation at a home computer or cellular telephone to all who did not pre-buy Recordings. All purchasers and can elect to receive promotional information for upcoming releases, games and other live events. In the systems disclosed, the buyer/orderer will maintain the right to have such information transmitted to the copyright owners as part of an overall demographic package or to keep such information confidential.

Optionally to be added to the system are integrated methods to handle the purchase and/or license of grander scale broadcast productions and home distribution versions. For those cases where the pre-approval of the artists is required prior to release of a Recording, integrated are disclosed systems to block sales until and only if such consent is secured.

Systems for audience participation and ratings, videogame or interactive tournament play or live content merchandise auctions or stock markets, can be optionally integrated into the systems disclosed to enhance the complete live experience and encourage participation by spectators and non-audience members alike.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FlG. 1 depicts an overall schematic or block diagram of a system constructed in accordance with the present invention. FIGS- 2A-C depict the transaction flow including processing and administration of

Recording orders - claimed both from ticket holders and independently from non-ticket holders - payments and accountings to all copyright holders and participants (or "partners").

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart for processing transactions and information requests. FIG. 4 depicts the method and system of manufacturing/fulfillment including orders for complete, spliced or special purchase Recordings including derivative or edited versions, singles tracks and personalized compilations in fixed, encoded and any other format.

FIG. 5 depicts the methods and systems of On and Off-Site Production and Distribution and authenticated retrieval associated with identifying ticketing information and other uniquely identifying information of a Recording purchaser. FIG. 6A-D depict the inventor's original intelligent terminal designs separately submitted for patent protection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the instant invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and herein described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the principles or scope of the invention to the embodiment. As is now standard in the industry and in referring to FIG. 1 , the system architecture of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is implemented using a Data Center, a plurality of venues using standard point of sale equipment and a plurality of terminals. The Data Center is in communication with each venue and each purchaser or licensee terminal through the Internet or any wireless application. The terminal can be any device through which a user can access a Website, e.g., a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, an Internet- through-television device, a cellular telephone, or any type of many available wireless devices available in the market, or any updates as may now or hereafter be devised.

Referring to FIG. 1, the Data Center (100) preferably comprises database servers (100A), Web servers (100B), a load balancing router (100C) and a firewall (18) connected to the Internet. The firewall (18) receives messages from the Internet (19) and forwards the messages to the load balancing router (100C) and likewise receives messages from the load balancing router (100C) and forwards them to the Internet (19) or other similar distributed computer network. The firewall (18) preferably performs a number of filtering functions and network address translations in order to safeguard the Data Center from unauthorized access. The firewall (18) also preferably encrypts and/or watermarks the message using known public key/private key encryption and standard methods and may also integrate Digital Rights Management ("DRM") tracking. The load balancing router (100C) forwards messages received from the firewall (18) to one of the plurality of Web servers (100B). The load balancing router (100C) also forwards messages received from the Web servers (100B) to the firewall (18) for transmission to other sites through the Internet (19). In this manner, the load balancing router (100C) distributes tasks to be performed to one of the plurality of Web servers (100B) in order to distribute processing demands. The Web servers (100B) access the database servers (100A) to retrieve and store information in response to received messages from the terminals (not shown). The database servers (100A) store data tables which contain information about various venues, events, accounting, royalties payable, fixed payment allocations, ticket resources, ticketing software, user rules, ticket status, ticket holders and tournament entrance fees and bets placed (if applicable).

An end user (10 ) can access the Data Center (100 ) by using a standard Web browser on a terminal (not shown). However, non-standard, custom software can also be implemented or Web browser software on the wireless device such as a personal digital assistant or cellular telephone. Terminals can log into the Data Center (100) to view events which will take place in the future, purchase tickets, allow patrons to access Recordings from the just-completed live event (212), interact to rate a new act or the event itself, and/or to buy interactive games to participate in the event itself or in staged tournaments with other users or spectators (10).

Moreover, other information including user roles, options for Recording retrieval including location, means of retrieval and incorporating burning, engraving, mastering balancing, editing technology as may now exist or hereafter be devised including through the use of algorithms as herein disclosed, may be implemented. Choices may include venue, management, artist, record label, team owner, event management, ticket buyer/ancillary purchaser, retrieval immediately at venue by CD or DVD, or for delivery by digital transmission/USB port at a location based kiosk, at home by mail of by home computer access, on a cellular telephone, or those that order derivative works or elect to input other demographic information for dissemination, i.e., 'best of versions, director's cut, narration tracks, and requesting upload of demographic information and promos for upcoming events and other releases, etc. (214).

More particularly, referring to FIG. 1 , the system further includes one or more entertainment venues (14), a fulfillment or manufacturing center (300), a plurality of information fee recipients (24) and a plurality of Recording recipients (28). The transaction flow is depicted in FIGS. 2A-C.

The ticket buyer makes a purchase transaction in step (600). During this step, the ticket buyer (10) is presented with the option of pre-buying a tie- in Recording. The price of the Recording is added to the price of his ticket purchase to the live event (or other logged entrance fee or bet). In the event the purchaser desires to retrieve his Recording at the venue immediately upon completion of the performance (or prior to in the case of interactive games), standard authentication methods may be employed, including, but not limited to, bar coding and/or information authentication.

The ticket seller (11), who is already making various allocations for taxes, fees, etc., from the gross receipts, treats the price of the value added Recording similarly. He subtracts his fee, whether fixed or contingent (his incentive to provide this service), and forwards the remainder to the Recording supplier (Recording- seller). Because this is still a single transaction, with the ticket serving as the customer's receipt, the added cost is minimal.

The ticket seller at locations (11) transmits the transaction data over a PC or other standard point-of-sale equipment well known in the art (not shown), which includes the information gathered from the charge card transaction, which identifies the buyer and specifies the address (the charge card address or other address selected by the buyer (10)) to which the Recording is to be sent, to the Data Center (100) (step 610). This transmission is done in real time, through the Internet (19), using industry standard protocols such as XML and is properly secured using one of many industry standard encryption methods.

Upon receipt at the Data Center (100), the transaction information is immediately loaded into the master system database (100A). The database system is capable of Recording a multitude of transactions involving a multitude of events simultaneously, while at the same time providing all of the required reporting and processing functions and maintaining both the physical and logical security of the information which is critical to the successful implementation of the method. The preferred embodiment preferably uses an industry standard database system, e.g., Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2, XML, etc., which is scalable, and of an industry standard set of server hardware, which is also scalable to ensure that it can handle whatever transaction load is required.

In step (612) the Data Center (100) checks if the transaction is valid. Invalid transactions are discarded (step 614). In step (615) the Data Center transaction is posted with database (100A). In step (616) the transaction is backed up. Next, various data files containing statistical information are updated in the data base (100A) to reflect the latest transaction(s) (step 618).

As indicated above, the Data Center (100) also encompasses a series of Web servers (100B) providing as Web sites and/or Web services points of access for various interested parties to retrieve information required for their operation. FIG. 2B shows the process for generating the Recordings in fixed media of expression (CD, DVD, e.g.) on site using a suitable Recording subsystem (15) (FIG. 1). During or immediately after the event, the Recording subsystem (15) generates a Recording on an appropriate medium using preferably non- incremental methods. In the alternative, Recordings are available to be retrieved on or off site through enabled terminals in digital format through USB port or other methods including hook-up of iPODs and other storage devices, also authenticated using cellular telephones and Internet subscription accounts. Booklets (if any) are prepared for the buyer together with labels that are affixed to the Recording (step 620). The completed Recording is delivered to the buyer (step 621). In step 622 the manufacturing details are sent to the Data Center (100) and fulfillment center for accounting and statistical analysis. Using this data, in step 624 various statistical data bases are updated with the latest transaction(s). FIG. 2C illustrates the final accounting process. In step 626 the transactions for the event are reconciled and finalized. In step 628 reports are generated. In step 630 the reports and payments to various partners are calculated and transmitted. In step 632 temporary data in the central data base (100) are cleaned out and the central data base is readied for the next event.

As discussed above, and illustrated in FIG. 1 if a user or buyer wants to take home or receive a live Recording directly at the venue upon completion of the event, standard authentication methods, including but not limited to bar coding, may be used. Referring to FIG. 5, the Recordings from the editor apparatus (19) are stored as tracks on servers (402). Next, the Recordings are transmitted or "burned" on site by updated non-incremental CDR technology generating media (401 ) in bulk. The media (401 ) (that may include DVDs. CDs, etc.) are sold to either users or buyers (10), who have prepaid for the media when they bought their tickets, or alternatively to buyers (10A) who have not prepaid and pay for the media at a subsequent time including at the end of the event. The bulk Recordings (401 ) may be sold by a clerk (403). Alternatively, however, a kiosk or other enabled terminal (410) is provided that receives the Recording data from servers (402). The kiosk (410) is an automated kiosk, "vending machine" or enabled table in a nightclub/eatery that either burns or spits out a Recording on demand when presented with authenticating information that may be information on the ticket itself and/or prerecords the tracks on a selected media and provides labels, booklets and other materials associated therewith. The media and associated item(s) are then dispensed when the user/attendee inserts his ticket or inputs other identifying authentication information into the kiosk (410.) Alternatively, the kiosk receives the ticket or other input information from the user/orderer and, in response, starts the burning of the media or takes order for the mailing or desired home electronic retrieval. In this configuration, the user may be given the choice of customizing his Recording by selecting specific portions or songs of the event that should be burned on the media, their sequence, etc. or may even order "singles". This will be the preferred method if a kiosk is in the form of a patron's audience chair, table or seat at an eatery, nightclub or showcase. Orders can also be taken at enabled turnstiles or ATM machines at banks, airports, malls and other public venues.

A user (10A) who has not prepaid for the Recording may also obtain one using the kiosk (410) and charging the purchase to his credit card or by using other payment means.

The kiosk (410) may also deliver a Recording as a data file that becomes available for downloading by the user (to a PDA, IPOD or other similar device) through a data port (such as USB port) on the kiosk (410).

Finally, after the event is finished, the Recording can be delivered or distributed electronically as a digital file to the home (420) of the user and the point of sale site (400) may be bypassed. Communications between the various elements of the systems can be implemented over wired or wireless networks. Typical wireless networks that may be employed include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.

The ticket/Recording buyer (10) can from any terminal, for example, check on the status of his order and perform a limited range of functions, such as changing the delivery address for his order, order additional Recordings, or order that promo information of upcoming concerts and other future releases be sent to him.

Similarly, the entertainment companies and record labels can, for example, check, in real time, to see how many Recordings for their artist have been requested and sold for any event, track the royalty and other payments through the system, and, for example, receive survey responses from those who elected to participate in "new band" ratings. If the buyer opts to allow dissemination of other demographic information including, for example, his order for promos, tickets for upcoming events or releases and other merchandise, the system will accommodate those requests. By integrated methods and systems, it will also allow for ordering and purchase of "best of releases, director's cuts, narration tracks, and single tracks and compilations emanating from the live event. The Data Center (100) maintains security and confidentiality through the system. The entertainment entities and "Partners" are issued specific password credentials which are authenticated through standard industry techniques (218). In the case of the ticket/Recording buyer, his ticket number along with information not printed on the ticket, such as his billing address or other identifying information (mother's maiden name, e.g.) is used for verification before he can gain access to the privileged areas of the processing Web site.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in addition to users or buyers (10), other entities may also have access to the Data Center (100), including revenue participants (24) that may include several Partners. In addition, specialized servers may also be provided as part of the system. For example, server (20) is used to determine fees and royalties for the various Partners (24). The server (22) provides standard accounting services. These servers can communicate with each other and with other components of the system through standardized networks, such as Internet (19).

Of course, the whole purpose of the system is to manage ordering, packaging and multi-media distribution of live event recordings and to organize and run new types of live events at venues (19) including those to be constructed with new technology regardless of whether they have outside ticketing service companies or their own and help take maximize advantage of the impulse buying potential of the adoring audience and fans. As part of this process, buyers (10) can receive or buy Recordings of the event and other items associated with the event. These materials are available immediately at a point of sale station (or store) (400), as discussed in detail below and shown in Fig. 5. The event is recorded and edited by on-site editing equipment (19) to provide the immediate Recording at a station (400). Non-incremental or other burning technology compatible with updated standard CDR technology is preferentially to be used.

In addition, or alternatively, the event is recorded by digital Recording equipment 16. The recorded data inclusive of mastering, editing and balancing data is then sent to an offsite manufacturing site (300) where the Recordings are generated (on CDs, DVDs and other similar media) and then packaged and distributed to the users (10), as discussed in more detail below and illustrated in FIG. 4. Manufacturing instructions (31) to both sites [.e. station (400) and manufacturing site (300)] are provided by the Data Center (100). Moreover, the Data Center (100) receives inventory and accounting information (30) from both sites.

Details of how requests for transactions and information are handled by the Data Center (100) are provided in FIG. 3. A request is received by the Data Center (100) in step (200) via the Internet. In step (210) a check is performed to determine if the request is a special request for information (available only to certain subscribers and partners). If it is not, then in step (212) information is retrieved and sent to the requester indicating what services are available, including lists of future events for which tickets, Recordings, and/or other items can be purchased. Lists of other items related, for example, to Recordings from past events, may also be displayed. In step (214) a request for tickets, Recordings or other items is received from a user (10). The request is processed, the user (10) is issued a ticket and the resulting transaction is processed as described in the flow charts of FIGS. 2A-2C.

If in step (210) a special request is identified, then in step (216), the requester is asked to provide a password and the password is validated. If the requester is identified in step (218), then in step (222) he is directed to a special partner web site where he can access data on various events, including their status, number of orders for received for the events, fees collected, royalties due to the partner, etc. In step (223), data related to the partners is updated in the Data Center (100), if necessary. If the requester is identified as a registered buyer, then in step (220) the buyer logs in and is directed to a buyer site in step 224. At this site, the buyer is allowed to check on the status of his order, he is allowed to change his order, provide information for shipping, etc. The information or changes entered by the registered buyer is stored in the Data Center (100) in step (226). After a particular event has concluded, the Data Center sends to the fulfillment house (122) information specifying the number of complete and derivative or special order Recordings (120) to produce and the addresses to which those designated to be mailed, should be mailed.

Off site Recording is performed by manufacturing station or site (400). As shown in FIG. 4, after the event, the performance data is received in step (310). This data may be streamed or may be sent electronically in a batch. Alternatively, the data may be recorded on a data storage medium and sent to site (300).

In step (312) the data is edited. Editing may optionally incorporate the disclosed method of digitized conversion from an audience balanced to disc balanced reading. In step (314) the data is prepared for Recording on a master. In step (314) the data is optionally encrypted, and, if desired, a unique watermark is added for copy protection. In step (316) multiple copies are made from the master by burning or other means. In step (318) labels are applied to the media and the labeled media is boxed and packaged together with other materials, such as booklets, pictures, etc. In step (320) the packaged media are shipped.

In step (322) additional copies of the Recordings are made, if necessary. In step (324) a production document is generated. In step (326) the data files at the Data Center (100) are updated to reflect the Recording produced and shipped.

The Data Center 100 also handles all tasks of reporting and accounting for copyright, and other participants and generates detailed statements and accounts including the amounts of statutory and contractual royalties (20). To summarize, a Recording of a live event or any part of a live event

(including spliced, edited and/or derivative special order versions thereof) is ordered before, during or after the event by a buyer who has attended the event or by a non-attendant buyer by any available means including, but not limited to, by using an appropriate Website or enabled hand-held device including a cellular telephone. While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claim

1. A system of electronically associating any one or a combination of the ordering, production, transmission, distribution, authentication and/or sale of a recording emanating from or related to a live entertainment, sports or other live event or a pre or post event occurrence related to it with the sale of a "ticket", entrance fee, placed bet for that event and/or other unique identifying information of the ticket purchaser, or non-audience recording purchaser, as the case may be, the system comprising: a. means for associating the ordering and sale of the Recording with the sale of the ticket for the event; b. means for associating the delivery of the Recording with the sale of the event ticket; c. means for acquiring from ticket purchasers and/or ticket sellers information defining and authenticating the purchase of tickets to a Recording and/or its type and/or its desired method of delivery; d. means for acquiring from ticket purchasers and independently from non-ticket purchasers information authorizing the delivery, transmission, and/or storage of the ordered Recording to a specific wired or wireless terminal including a home computer, location based intelligent kiosk, cellular telephone or other apparatus; e. means for transmitting information needed to master and edit recordings; f. means for transmitting to the manufacturer the information needed to generate and deliver the

Recordings; and g. means for transmitting the ordered Recordings to designated locations, including without limitation wired and wireless networked addresses and/or numbers, and enabled terminals.

2. The system of Claim 1 wherein the means for associating the sale of a ticket to the event with the sale of a Recording emanating from the live event comprises a computer software program operated as part of a ticket-seller's and/or issuer's system and/or both.

3. The system of Claim 1 wherein the means of acquiring the information from the ticket sellers comprises a computer software program operated as part of the ticket-sellers and/or ticket purchaser's system and/or both and another computer software program operated as part of the Recording seller's Data Center.

4. The system of Claim 1 wherein the means of performing the various data processing functions required of the Recording seller's data center comprises a series of computer software programs operated as part of the Recording seller's Data Center.

5. The system of Claim 1 wherein the means of acquiring the information from the ticket sellers comprises an integrated computer software program.

6. The system of Claim 1 wherein the means of acquiring the information from purchasers of Recordings is unrelated to information from the ticket sellers.

7. The system of Claim 1 wherein the means of acquiring the information from purchasers of Recordings is unrelated to information from the ticket purchasers.

8. The system of Claim 1 wherein the means of performing the various data processing functions required of the Recording-seller's Data Center comprises a series of computer software programs operated as part of the Recording seller's Data Center.

9. The system of Claim 1 wherein the means of retrieval of the Recording is by automated delivery and retrieval by the ticket buyer/attendee or other person including a non-ticket purchaser.

10. The system of Claim 1 wherein the production of the Recording ordered is linked to the ticketing information.

11.The system of Claim 1 wherein the editing and balancing of the Recording is linked to the ticketing information.

12. The system of Claim 1 wherein the editing and balancing of the Recording is unrelated to the ticket purchaser's information.

13. The system of Claim 1 wherein the editing and balancing of the Recording is unrelated to the ticket seller's information.

14. The system of Claim 1 wherein the transmission and/or retrieval of the Recordings ordered is linked to the ticketing information.

15. The system of Claim 1 wherein the transmission and/ore retrieval of the Recordings ordered is not linked to ticketing information.

16. The system of Claim 1 wherein the transmission and/or retrieval of the Recording ordered is linked to other identifying information of the ticket purchaser.

17. The system of Claim 1 wherein any Recording purchasers can order or acquire a Recording by secured credit card or other transactions at location based enabled terminals including at home and on cellular telephones and kiosks installed at the venue or elsewhere.

18. The system of Claim 1 wherein the ticket purchaser's information is linked to a designated cellular phone number or an account number identifying the purchaser.

19. The system of Claim 1 wherein the ticket seller's information is linked to a designated cellular phone number.

20. The system of Claim 1 where authenticated retrieval of data information sufficient to embody an ordered Recording occurs at enabled terminals.

21.The system of Claim 1 wherein Recording orders from purchasers who did not purchase tickets or attend the event are integrated with the systems.