GB2356731A

GB2356731A - Producing a personalised multimedia carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2356731A
Application number: GB9927651A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Lee Russon; Steven Marc Bradford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-11-24
Filing date: 1999-11-24
Publication date: 2001-05-30
Also published as: GB9927651D0

Description

2356731

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A MULTIMEDIA CARRIER FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the production of multimedia carriers such as CD and DVD discs and is particularly concerned with a system and a method for producing mul- timedia carriers as a gift from donors to recipients, and also to a multimedia carrier produced by such method.

CID and DVD discs are popular gifts for many people on a wide range of occasions. It is currently necessary for the donor to visit a sales point to select an appropriate CD or DVD, bearing in mind the taste of the intended recipient, to visit another sales point to purchase an appropriate greetings card, to write an appropriate personalised message on the card, to wrap the CD or DVD with the card and to write the name and address of the intended recipient, and then to take the wrapped package to a post office for despatch by mail to the recipient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to facilitate the choice of a multimedia carrier by a donor for a recipient and to facilitate the transmission of both the personalised greeting and the CID or DVD to the recipient. This is achieved by the production of a personalised multimedia carrier.

According to one aspect of the invention a system, for producing multimedia carriers, comprises a computer arranged to operate a media writer to record media on multimedia carriers, a memory containing a gallery of pre-recorded media, a customer input control to the computer arranged to permit a customer to choose at least one pre-recorded media option from the gallery and to operate the media writer to record the selected option on a multimedia carrier, and the customer input control is also ar- ranged to operate the media writer to record a personalised message on the multimedia carrier. In this manner the donor is enabled to produce an inclividualised multimedia carrier, such as a CD or DVD, specially for the recipient, thereby avoiding searching through a wide range of pre-recorded carriers, and also to provide a permanent record of the inclividualised greeting to the recipient, thereby precluding the previous need to purchase a greetings card.

The customer input control is preferably arranged to receive a personalised voice message from the customer (that is the donor), and to operate the media writer to record this personalised voice message on the multimedia carrier. In this manner the recipient will receive a permanent record of the donor's voice giving the greeting ac companying the gifted carrier. This provides a more permanent, and much more per sonal, greeting than a greetings card and moreover precludes the inherent problem for the recipient in reaching a decision whether, and when, to throw the greetings card away, or how to retain it for future reference. In addition to a voice greeting, the car rier may also carry a written greeting from the donor and chosen image, similar to a greetings card, if so desired.

The customer input control may be remotely operable by computer terminals accessible to potential customers, or by internet compatible games consoles, or mobile telephone, or any other equipment capable of remotely controlling the computer. In this manner access to the system may be on a PC terminal accessible to the customer either in his/her own home, or office, or in a booth provided for the purpose in-store.

The customer input control is preferably inhibited from operating the media writer until after a payment protocol has been completed by the customer to ensure payment for the production of the personalised multimedia carrier. In this manner an operator of the system is enabled to recover operating costs and a desired profit mar- gin.

The customer input control may be operable by an internet connection thereby enabling a convenient interface with the customer's PC.

Alternately the customer input control may be operable by an in-store computer terminal. This facility enables purchases to be made both by customers who do not have access to a PC, or who wish to produce their gift as part of their normal shop ping.

In the case where the computer terminal is in-store, the media-writer may also be positioned in the same store. In this event the customer input control may be inhib ited from operating the media carrier until after a payment protocol has been com- pleted by the customer, for instance by cash or credit card, thereby ensuring payment to the operator for the production of the personalised multimedia carrier.

Where the computer terminal is located in-store, the media writer may alterna tively be located remotely from the in-store terminal and be operated by an intranet connection. This enables a group of stores to centralise production and despatch of the personalised carriers. This system also enables the payment protocol to inhibit the intranet connection until payment has been made by the customer.

The system may include a memory containing an image gallery of the pre recorded images and an image printer to print an image on multimedia carriers, and the customer input control is arranged to permit the customer to choose an image from the image gallery and to operate the image printer to print the selected image on the per sonalised carrier. This feature enables the customer to choose which image is to be printed on the CID or DVD and this may also be personalised. Such image may take the place of a conventional greetings card image, or may indicate a special event (such as a birthday or anniversary) with the name of both donor and recipient.

Alternatively the system may include a magazine of unrecorded multimedia car riers bearing a range of pre-printed images, the customer input control being arranged to permit the customer to choose from the magazine an unrecorded multimedia carrier bearing a selected pre-printed image. This may also be enhanced by personalised in formation or greeting.

The system preferably includes a packaging sleeve dispenser operable by the computer to place each completed personalised multimedia carrier in a packaging sleeve which may serve just to protect the CD or DVD disc, or additionally as postal packag ing.

When the system includes a packaging dispenser, it preferably has a memory containing an image gallery of pre-recorded packaging sleeve images and a sleeve printer to print an image on the packaging sleeve, and the customer input control is ar ranged to permit the customer to choose a packaging sleeve image from the image gal lery and to operate the sleeve printer to print the selected packaging sleeve image on the packaging sleeve of the personalised multimedia carrier. This feature enables the customer to choose which image is to be printed on the CID or DVID and this may also be personalised.

Alternatively, where the system includes a packaging dispenser, the system may have a magazine of packaging sleeves bearing a range of pre-printed images, and the customer input control is arranged to permit the customer to choose from the maga zine a packaging sleeve bearing a selected pre-printed image.

Preferably, the computer is also arranged to operate an address printer, and the customer input control is arranged to permit the customer to provide details of the in tended recipient's name and address to the computer and to operate the address printer to use this name and address on packaging applied to the personalised multime dia carrier. This packaging may either be a packaging sleeve, or separate packaging sur rounding the packaging sleeve. In either event the donor is saved the task of writing the name and address of the intended recipient after the production of the personalised multimedia carrier. The system may also include a postal service direct to the intended recipient.

According to another aspect of the invention a method of enabling a customer to control production of a multimedia carrier as a gift for a recipient includes:

allowing the customer to communicate with a computer controlling re cording equipment capable of recording media on a multimedia carrier; allowing the customer access to a memory containing a gallery of pre recorded media and to choose at least one pre-recorded media option for re cordal on the multimedia carrier by the recording equipment; allowing the customer to personalise the multimedia carrier by transmit ting a personalised greeting to the computer for recordal on the multimedia car rier by the recording equipment, and allowing the customer to initiate recordal of both the selected pre recorded media option and the personalised greeting on the multimedia carrier.

The method preferably includes inhibiting the operation of the recording equipment until after the customer has completed a payment protocol to ensure pay ment to the service provider for the production of the personalised multimedia carrier.

The customer communication with the computer may be by internet or intranet and the payment protocol may be by credit card.

The method may include providing an in-store computer terminal for customers to communicate with the computer. In this event the method may include positioning the recording equipment in-store and issuing an unrecorded multimedia carrier as part of the payment control. The method may include allowing the customer access to a memory containing a gallery of pre-recorded images and to choose an image to be printed on the personalised multimedia carrier. Alternatively, the method may include allowing the customer access to a magazine of unrecorded multimedia carriers bearing a range of pre-printed images and to choose an unrecorded multimedia carrier bearing a selected pre-printed image.

Preferably the method includes placing each completed personalised multimedia carrier in a packaging sleeve. The method may include allowing the customer access either to a memory containing a gallery of pre-recorded packaging sleeve images, or a magazine of packaging sleeves bearing a range of pre-printed images, and to choose either the packaging sleeve image to be printed on the packaging sleeve of the person alised multimedia carrier, or the packaging sleeve bearing the selected pre-printed im age for the personalised multimedia carrier.

The method preferably includes allowing the customer to provide details of an intended recipient's name and address, and applying this name and address to packaging applied to the personalised multimedia carrier.

This invention also extends to a personalised multimedia carrier produced by any of the above methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated, by way of example only, by the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates both a preferred system and method of producing a person alised multimedia carrier in the form of a compact disc or DVD, and Figure 2 illustrates a fully automated system of producing personalised multime dia carriers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the Figure 1, a personal PC 10 is provided in well-known manner, with a keyboard 11 and a modem 12 permitting connection to the invention via a service provider 13. A customer uses the PC 10, modem 12 and service provider 13 to log onto a web site 14 which enables the user to browse the content of the web site including details of the system, the system provider, and the end product which in this case is a personalised CID 15. If the customer decides to place an order, this is achieved by following simple instructions shown on the screen of PC 10.

The customer chooses, from a media gallery, the media that is to be recorded on the CID 15. This media gallery will comprise a wide selection of animation, video clips, music, games, pictures and formalised greeting messages which may be written or spoken. In the latter event, the spoken message can be by a chosen celebrity.

The customer then selects a style of text and is prompted to type a personal message that will be displayed on the screen of PCII 0.

The customer then selects a picture from a set gallery to be put onto the exte- rior of the CD 15, and then selects a disc sleeve from a gallery of disc sleeve images, or a pre-printed disc sleeve from a magazine.

The customer then submits their name, e-mail address and home address along with credit card details and the name and address of the intended recipient. After these details have been inputted, and the payment protocol with the credit card completed, the customer is then allowed to record a personal voice message for inclusion on the CD 15.

The internet connection is indicated by letter I and exists between the customer's PC 10 and a computer 16 owned by the service provider. This interconnection 1 therefore constitutes a customer input control to the service provider's computer 16 and is used, after completion of the payment protocol, to produce the personalised CID 15.

In this manner the service provider's computer 16 is used to record the selected media and greetings on the CID 15 using an appropriate media writer 17. The service provider's computer 16 is also used to operate a printer, indicated diagrammatically by reference numeral 18, to print the selected picture from the set gallery onto the exte rior of the CD 15. The printer 18, or another printer operated by the service pro vider's computer 16, is then used to print the disc sleeve. The system also includes an unshown packaging machine which inserts the CD 15 and its individual sleeve into an envelope 19, and an unshown address printer, again operated by the service provider's computer 16, is used to write the intended recipient's name onto the envelope 19. The system also includes a mailing service.

The preferred embodiment therefore enables any individual, with PC access and a credit card, to order a personalised CD or DVD for a friend or relative, to select the content of the CD or DVD, to include a personal greeting which is permanently re corded on the CD or DVD, to personalise the appearance of the CD or DVD and its protective sleeve, and to ensure mail despatch to the intended recipient.

The keyboard 11 constitutes a customer input control to the computer 16.

However, other types of customer input control may be used instead. For instance, internet compatible games consoles and mobile telephones could be used.

Depending on the scale of the service provider's business, the system for pro ducing the personalised multimedia carriers may have some of its functions performed manually, or may be fully automated as will now be described with reference to Figure 2, in which the same reference numerals have been used to identify equivalent features.

With reference to Figure 2 the service provider's computer 16 has a customer input control 20 which is accessible, via an internet connection I from any personal PC owned by, or accessible to, a potential customer.

After a potential customer has established an internet connection to the cus tomer input control 20, the customer is able to browse through the services provided by the service provider and, in particular, to access a series of memories which, for in stance, include the memories M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5. The memories M1, M2 and M3 constitute a media gallery containing media that are available for recording on the pro posed CD gift, such media comprising a wide selection of animation, video clips, music, games, pictures and formalised greeting messages. The latter may either be in written form, or be in the form of a spoken message for instance by a chosen celebrity.

Memory M4 contains an image gallery of pre-recorded images available for printing on the proposed gifted CID, and the memory M5 contains an image gallery of pre-recorded packaging sleeve images.

Subject to completion of a payment protocol, the customer is enabled to use the 5 personal PC 10 to initiate the production of a personalised CID gift by the computer 16.

The service provider's computer 16 controls the operation of the media writer 17, the image printer 18 and a disc feeder 21 as indicated. The disc feeder 21 moves a single CID from a disc magazine 22 to the image printer 18 which prints an image, selected by the customer from memory M4, on the unrecorded CID that is then trans- ferred to the media writer 17 which writes on the CID the media selected by the customer from memories M1, M2 and M3. This media will include a personalised message from the customer to the intended recipient, the message either being selected from the memories M 1, M2 and M 3, or transmitted from the personal PC 10 to the service provider's computer 16.

The computer 16 also controls the operation of a sleeve feeder 23, a sleeve printer 24, and a CID inserter 25. The sleeve feeder 23 is provided with one or more sleeve magazines 26. The customer uses the input control 20 to select, from the memory M5, a partially printed CID sleeve from one of the magazines 20 and to operate the sleeve feeder 23 to pass the selected partially printed sleeve to the sleeve printer 24.

The computer 16 then operates the sleeve printer 24 to complete printing of the CID sleeve with material either selected from the memory M5, or supplied by the customer through the customer input control 20. Alternatively, the sleeve feeder 23 can be provided with a single magazine of blank CID sleeves, the sleeve printer 24 being used to print the selected image and wording required by the customer. The printed CID sleeve is then passed from the sleeve printer 24 to the CID inserter 25 whereby the personalised CID is inserted in the printed CID sleeve and is passed to a packaging machine 27 which inserts the personalised CID in its individual sleeve into an envelope 19 which is then passed to a labeller 28.

The customer provides, through the customer input control 20, details of the in- tended recipient's name and address to the service provider's computer 16 which oper- ates a label address printer 29 having label magazine 30. The label address printer 29 then passes the printed label to the labeller 28 which affixes the label to the envelope 19.

With this system, potential customers are able to use an internet connection I to browse the potential for producing personalised multimedia carriers controlled by the service provider's computer 16. In doing so, they are able to select the manner in which a CID, DVD or the like is to be personalised and, subject to completion of a payment protocol, are able to cause the computer 16 to initiate production of the personalised multimedia carrier, to personalise the packaging sleeve and to have the completed product 19 posted to the intended recipient.

Although the system illustrated in Figure 2 is completely automated, some of the steps may be performed manually if the service provider's operation is small. For instance, the insertion of the personalised CID in the printed sleeve, its packaging and the attachment of the address label may be performed manually. If so desired, the individ- ual printing on the CID may be omitted, and the personalised CID could be packaged in a standard protective sleeve.

Claims

1 A system for producing personalised multimedia carriers, comprising a computer arranged to operate a media writer to record media on multimedia carriers, a memory containing a gallery of pre-recorded media, a customer input control to the computer arranged to permit a customer to choose at least one pre-recorded media option from the gallery and to operate the media writer to record the selected option on a multimedia carrier, and the customer input control is also arranged to operate the media writer to record a personalised message on the multimedia carrier.

2. A system, according to Claim 1, in which the customer input control is arranged to receive a personalised voice message from the customer, and to operate the media writer to record this personalised voice message on the multimedia carrier.

3. A system, according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the customer input con trol is remotely operable by computer terminals accessible to potential customers.

4. A system, according to Claim 3, in which the customer input control is inhibited from operating the media writer until after a payment protocol has been com pleted by the customer to ensure payment for the production of the personalised mul timedia carrier.

5. A system, according to any preceding claim, in which the customer input control is operable by an internet connection.

6. A system, according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the customer input con trol is operable by an in-store computer terminal.

7. A system, according to Claim 6, in which the media writer is also posi tioned in the same store.

8. A system, according to Claim 6, in which the customer input control is inhibited from operating the media writer until after a payment protocol has been com pleted by the customer to ensure payment for the production of the personalised mul timedia carrier.

9. A system, according to Claim 6, in which the media writer is located re motely from the in-store terminal and is operable by an intranet connection.

10. A system, according to Claim 9, in which the intranet connection is inhibited until after a payment protocol has been completed by the customer to ensure payment for the production of the personalised multimedia carrier.

11. A system, according to any preceding claim, including a memory containing an image gallery of pre-recorded images and an image printer to print an image on multimedia carriers, and the customer input control is arranged to permit the customer to choose an image from the image gallery and to operate the image printer to print the selected image on the personalised multimedia carrier.

12. A system, according to any of Claims 1 to 10, including a magazine of unrecorded multimedia carriers bearing a range of pre-printed images, and the customer input control is arranged to permit the customer to choose from the magazine an unrecorded multimedia carrier bearing a selected pre-printed image.

13. A system, according to any preceding claim, including a packaging sleeve dispenser operable by the computer to place each completed personalised multimedia carrier in a packaging sleeve.

14. A system, according to Claim 13, including a memory containing an image gallery of pre-recorded packaging sleeve images and a sleeve printer to print an image on packaging sleeves, and the customer input control is arranged to permit the customer to choose a packaging sleeve image from the image gallery and to operate the sleeve printer to print the selected packaging sleeve image on the packaging sleeve of the personalised multimedia carrier.

15. A system, according to Claim 13, including a magazine of packaging sleeves bearing a range of pre-printed images, and the customer input control is arranged to permit the customer to choose from the magazine a packaging sleeve bearing a selected pre-printed image.

16. A system, according to any preceding claim, in which the computer is arranged to operate an address printer, and the customer input control is arranged to permit the customer to provide details of the intended recipient's name and address to the computer and to operate the address printer to use this name and address on pack- aging applied to the personalised multimedia carrier.

17. A system for producing multimedia carriers substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

18. A method of enabling a customer to control production of a multimedia carrier as a gift for a recipient including:

19. A method, according to Claim 18, including inhibiting the operation of the recording equipment until after the customer has completed a payment protocol to ensure payment for the production of the personalised multimedia carrier.

20. A method, according to Claim 19, in which customer communication with the computer is by internet or intranet and the payment protocol is by credit card.

21. A method, according to Claim 19, including providing an in-store com puter terminal for customers to communicate with the computer.

22. A method, according to Claim 21, including positioning the recording equipment in-store and issuing an unrecorded multimedia carrier as part of the payment protocol.

23. A method, according to any of Claims 18 to 22, including allowing the customer access to a memory containing a gallery of pre-recorded images and to choose an image to be printed on the personalised multimedia carrier.

24. A method, according to any of Claims 18 to 22, including allowing the customer access to a magazine of unrecorded multimedia carriers bearing a range of pre-printed images and to choose an unrecorded multimedia carrier bearing a selected pre-printed image.

25. A method, according to any of Claims 18 to 24, including placing each completed personalised multimedia carrier in a packaging sleeve.

26. A method, according to Claim 25, including allowing the customer ac cess to a memory containing a gallery of pre-recorded packaging sleeve images and to choose a packaging sleeve image to be printed on the packaging sleeve of the personal ised multimedia carrier.

27. A method, according to Claim 25, including allowing the customer ac cess to a magazine of packaging sleeves bearing a range of pre-printed images and to choose a packaging sleeve bearing a selected pre-printed image for the completed per sonalised multimedia carrier.

28. A method, according to any of Claims 18 to 27, including allowing the customer to provide details of an intended recipient's name and address, and applying this name and address to packaging applied to the personalised multimedia carrier.

29. A method of enabling a customer to control production of a multimedia carrier as a gift for a recipient substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

30. A personalised multimedia carrier produced by the method of any of Claims 18 to 29.