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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. An individually customized compiling system for recording information
onto storage media devices, comprising:
data base memory means for storing a group of recipient information signals
indicative of a group of customized recipient information segments to be
compiled selectively;
presentation memory means for storing a group of pre-recorded signals
indicative of a group of general information segments to be compiled
selectively;
recording means for storing a compiled group of recorded segments
customized for a given recipient onto individual ones of the storage media
devices, said recorded segments arranged in a predetermined order and
including selected segments of said customized recipient information and
selected segments of said general information segments;
relational means for causing certain ones of said group of customized
information segments to be retrieved from said data base memory for
compiling purposes and for selecting which ones of said general
information segments are to be compiled therewith;
sequencing means responsive to said relational means for generating a
customizing signal indicative of a predetermined order in which the
selected ones of said general information segments are to be compiled with
said retrieved customized information segments retrieved from said data
base memory means;
said recording means responsive to said customizing signal for storing the
selected ones of said general information segments and the retrieved
customized information segments in said predetermined order onto
individual ones of the storage media devices.
2. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 1,
wherein said relational means comprises:
a central processing unit for processing said information signals
indicative of customized recipient information pertaining to a group of
recipients;
relational program memory means for storing processing signals to cause
said recording means to store in a certain sequence the customized signals
and the selected ones of said pre-recorded signals for facilitating the
presentation of product, service, or recommendation information for a
selected recipient; and
customized recipient data base memory means for storing signals indicative
of customized recipient information pertaining to a group of recipients.
3. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 2,
further comprising:
segment selector means for helping to facilitate the retrieval of the
selected certain ones of said pre-recorded signals indicative of certain
ones of said segments.
4. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 3,
wherein said segment selector means comprises:
a audio/video switcher for helping selected overlay signals to be
integrated with said pre-recorded signals; and
synchronizing means for facilitating the synchronization of the
pre-recorded signals onto individual ones of the blank storage media
devices.
5. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 3,
further comprising:
customizing means responsive to said segment selector means for generating
selected ones of said overlay signals and for combining said overlay
signals with selected certain ones of said pre-recorded signals pertaining
to a given product, service, recommendation or combination thereof.
6. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 5,
wherein said customizing means includes means for controlling the audio
level
of the selected ones of said pre-recorded signals for facilitating the
presentation of product, service, or recommendation information customized
for a selected recipient.
7. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 6,
wherein said central processing unit includes means for facilitating the
selection of certain ones of said pre-recorded audio and video signals
indicative of certain ones of said segments and for causing signals
indicative of certain ones of said segments to be retrieved selectively in
a given sequence for compilation purposes.
8. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 6,
wherein said presentation memory means includes a videodisc player.
9. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 6,
wherein said data base memory means is a floppy disc with information
signals stored thereon, said information signals being indicative of
customized recipient information pertaining to a group of recipients.
10. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 6,
wherein said recording means includes videodisc recording means for
recording selected ones of said pre-recorded audio and video signals and
said customized signals.
11. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 6,
wherein said central processing usti includes
means for receiving said inforamtion signals indicative of customized
recipient information pertaining to a group of recipients
for helping to facilitate the compiling of product, service, or
recommendation information customized for a selected recipient.
12. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 11,
wherein said means for receiving includes a local area network circuit.
13. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 3,
wherein said segment selector means comprises:
means for causing said signals indicative of certain ones of said segments
to be synchronized when retrieved selectively in a given sequence for
compilation purposes; and
customized overlay integrator means responsive to said relational means for
integrating signals indicative of computer generated audio and video
overlay segments for compilation purposes.
14. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 13,
wherein said segment selector means further comprises:
a audio/video switcher for generating overlay signals to be integrated with
said pre-recorded signals.
15. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 13,
wherein said customized overlay integrator means comprises:
graphic and character generator means for generating graphic and character
overlay signals for selective integration with said pre-recorded video
signal and said computer generated video overlay signals; and
audio level control means for controlling the audibility level of the
pre-recorded audio signals and the computer generated audio overlay
segments for compilation purposes.
16. An individually customized compiling system according to claim 1,
further comprising:
printing means for producing indicia bearing media, said indicia being
indicative of said customized recipient infromation and the inforamtion
content of certain oens of said information segments.
17. A method for compiling individually customized informatin onto blank
storage media devices, comprising:
storing said retrieved segments onto individual ones of the storage media
devices.
18. An individually customized storage media device produced in accordance
with the process of claim 17.
19. A processing system, comprising:
a plurality of customized compiling systems for compiling information onto
blank storage media devices;
computing means for selecting certain ones of said compiling systems for
compiling information onto blank storage media devices;
local area network means for enabling the transfer of information between
said computing means and individual ones of said plurality of customized
compiling systems;
said computing means including data base memory means for storing a group
of recipient information signals indicative of group of customized
recipient information segments to be compiled selectively; and
program memory means for causing certain ones of said group of customized
recipient information segments to be retrieved from said data base memory
means for compiling purposes and for transferring the retrieved recipient
information sequence to selected ones of said compiling systems;
each one of said compiling systems including recipient memory means for
storing the retrieved recipient information segments to be compiled
selectively; presentation memory means for storing a group of pre-recorded
audio and video signals indicative of a group of audio and video
information segments to be compiled selectively; customizing means for
selecting desired customer information signals and certain ones of the
pre-recorded signals;
means responsive to said customizing means for retrieving in a given
sequence selected ones of said customer information signals and certain
ones of said pre-recorded signals for compilation purposes; and recording
means responsive to said retrieving means for recording the selected
signals onto individual ones of the storage media in said given sequence.
20. A tape production unit for recording information onto blank media,
comprising:
analyzing means for selecting target information signals indicative of a
recipient;
means responsive to said analyzing means for generating decision signals
for selecting product, service, or recommendation information for
presentation to a recipient;
presentation memory means for storing a group of pre-recorded information
signals indicative of a group of product, service, or recommendation
information segments to be compiled selectively;
means responsive to said decision signals for helping to facilitate the
retrieval of certain ones of the product, service, or recommendation
information segments and for sequencing the information segments for
compiling onto the blank media;
means responsive to said decision signals and to said means for helping and
sequencing for merging certain ones of said product, service, or
recommendation information segments with certain ones of said selected
target information signals to form customized information signals; and
assembly means for assembling said customized information signals and
certain ones of said product, service, or information segments onto
individual ones of the blank media units in a seamless continuous manner.
21. A system including a programmed data processor for video marketing a
plan, said plan being customized for an individual recipient on a recorded
media storage device, said system comprising:
data base means for storing groups of customized input information signals
indicative of the personal profile information of groups of selected
recipients;
presentation memory means for storing a group of pre-recorded signals
indicative of a group of vignettes illustrative of various planning
information;
means responsive to said groups of customized input information signals for
selecting certain ones of said pre-recorded signals for facilitating the
presentation of planning information, said planning information being
indicative of a plan with given planning goals and objectives;
recording means for storing said customized input information signals and
the selected ones of said prerecorded signals; and
switching means responsive to said means for selecting for causing said
recording means to store certain ones of said customized input information
signals indicative of the personal profile information for a selected
recipient, and to store selected ones of said pre-recorded signals
corresponding to said plan with given planning goals and objectives in a
certain sequence.
22. A system for video marketing according to claim 21, further comprising:
data computer means responsive to said customized input information signals
for determining a desired plan with certain objectives and goals
structured according to the personal profile information for a selected
individual.
23. A system for video marketing according to claim 22, wherein said data
computer means includes means for selecting a desired plan with certain
objectives and goals structured according to the personal profile
information for a selected individual.
24. A system for video marketing according to claim 23, wherein said means
for selecting includes means for generating decision signals for
facilitating the selection of certain ones of said pre-recorded signals
indicative of plans, goals and objective.
25. A system for video marketing according to claim 22, wherein said data
computer means includes means for receiving said groups of customized
input information
26. A system for video marketing according to claim 21, wherein said
presentation memory means includes:
a video disc player means, and said vignettes are audio and motion picture
vignettes.
27. A system for video marketing according to claim 21, wherein said
recording means includes:
video disc recording means for recording selected ones of said customized
input information signals and selected ones of said pre-recorded signals.
28. A system for video marketing according to claim 21, wherein said
recording means records said selected ones of said input information
signals and selected ones of said pre-recorded signals on a recording
media.
29. A system for video marketing according to claim 28 wherein said
recording media is a video disc.
30. A compiling system for recording information onto storage media
devices, comprising:
recipient memory means for storing a group of customer information signals
indicative of personal and idiosyncratic data pertaining to a group of
customers;
memory means for storing a group of pre-recorded signals indicative of a
group of information segments;
means for determining a desired information segment for presentation to a
recipient;
means for retrieving seriatim selected ones of said customer information
signals; and
recorder means responsive to said means for determining and to said means
for retrieving for recording said desired information segment onto
individual ones of the storage media devices and for recording a selected
one of said customer information signal therewith in a predetermined order
at a determined portion of the storage media devices.
31. A compiling system according to claim 30, further comprising:
means for selecting additional video segments for compiling and recording
purposes.
32. A compiling system according to claim 30, wherein said pre-recorded
signals include audio segments.
33. A compiling system according to claim 30, wherein said pre-recorded
signals include graphic and textual overlay segments.
34. A compiling system according to claim 30, wherein said pre-recorded
signals include video segments.
35. A compiling system for recording information on storage media devices,
comprising:
means for storing variable information signals indicative of variable
information segments;
means for storing pre-recorded information signals indicative of a
plurality of general information segments;
means for generating decision signals to facilitate the ordering of said
plurality of general information segments for recording purposes;
means responsive to said decision signals for selecting desired ones of
said general information segments and desired ones of said variable
information segments and for arranging said selected information segments
in a predetermined order for recording purposes; and
recording means for storing said selected information segments
automatically onto an individual one of the storage media devices in said
predetermined order. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to compiling systems, and methods of
producing individually customized recording media. More particularly, this
invention relates to a compiling system that facilitates the compiling of
individually customized recording media for presentation to an individual,
or to a group of recipients.
BACKGROUND ART
Essential to the success of any given business or organization is its
ability to target a communication to a selected segment of the public
having a certain requirement or need for the products and/or services
being offered or supplied by the particular organization in question. By
communicating effectively with such selected individuals or groups of
individuals, the organization can be reasonably assured of growth and
success, and in general, of more effective and efficient dealing with
others in the furtherance of its goals.
The targeting of the communication is accomplished by qualifying selected
individuals or groups of individuals within the general public having a
requirement or need for any given product or service. Due to the diversity
that exists within the public, various different types and kinds of
qualification factors are employed. For example, age, education, income
and other demographic qualification factors are commonly used for helping
to target communications from organizations.
In order to effectively qualify individuals for particular products or
services, numerous data sources have been developed for helping a business
or other organization target its marketing or advertising efforts. For
example, organizations establish data bases which may be representative of
individuals who have utilized certain products or service in the past.
Similarly, the organizations conduct surveys to develop customer
intelligence information from interviews and telephone solicitations.
Related data is also obtained from other sources such as zip code-based
address market data services, government motor vehicle listings, or even
from analyzing customer transaction data, such as the purchasing habits of
a credit card holder.
It would be highly desirable to have a method and apparatus for using
targeting information in an even more effective and novel manner. In this
regard, it would be useful and desirable to have new and improved
techniques for producing dramatically new, individually customized forms
of communication. Such forms of communication should be directed to each
individual recipient of such communication. Such communication should be
focused to the recipient's own requirements, needs or idiosyncracies, to
produce individually customized communications relating to specific ones
of products and/or services for individuals or groups of individuals.
Such novel and dramatically new form of communication should be an
individually customized communication suitable for convenient delivery to,
and use by, the targeted recipient. If desired, large numbers of such
communications should be able to be mass produced in large numbers for
distribution to the targeted segment of the public, and yet each such mass
produced communication should be individually customized to each
individual recipient. In this regard, each individual communication should
be compiled of a plurality or series of segments selected to the
idiosyncaracies of tis intended individual recipient. Such technique
should be relatively inexpensive to mass produce and to distribute.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Therefore, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved compiling system and method for producing individually
customized communications for a group of recipients in a relatively
inexpensive manner.
It is yet another object of the present invention to use such a new and
improved inventive system and method to record compiled and customized
recipient information on a storage media device such as a videotape
cassette.
It is yet another object of the present invention to use such a new and
improved inventive system and method to print customized printed material,
such as solicitation letters, mailing labels and the like, to accompany
and/or precede the compiled customized recording media produced by the
process of the present invention.
Briefly, the above and further objects of the present invention are
realized by providing a new and improved compiling system and method for
producing customized communications, which are each individually
customized and which relate to each individual recipient.
The compiling system and method of the present invention enables the
recording of individually customized information onto blank storage media
devices, and includes a data base memory device for storing information
signals indicative of customized recipient information pertaining to a
group of recipients. A presentation memory device stores a group of
pre-recorded signals indicative of a group of information segments to be
compiled selectively. A computing device responds to stored information
signals indicative of customized recipient information for selecting
certain ones of said pre-recorded signals indicative of certain ones of
said segments and for causing signals indicative of certain ones of said
segments to be retrieved selectively in a given sequence for compilation
purposes. A recording device responds to retrieved signals indicative of
certain ones of said segments for storing said retrieved signals onto
individual ones of the storage media devices.
In one form of the invention, the system employs a video/audio recording
arrangement, to enable a recipient to receive a customized videotape for
playing on a conventional videotape player. A customized recipient data
base consisting of information pertaining to a segment of the general
public, is accessed and compiled according to certain predetermined
selection criteria under the control of the computing device.
The storage media devices store a group of prerecorded audio and video
signals, which are indicative of segments illustrative of product,
service, and/or recommendation information for presentation to a
recipient. The storage media devices store retrieved signals indicative of
certain ones of the segments to provide a presentation of information
customized for an individual recipient.
In order to manufacture the storage media devices in one form of the
invention, the computing device causes the recording device to store the
selectively compiled and sequenced segments onto the storage media
devices. In this manner, individually customized storage media devices can
be mass produced, and each one is different from one another. In this
regard, each one is customized for individual recipients of the storage
media devices, to provide a dramatic new form of communication to targeted
recipients.
In another form of the invention, the computing device causes a printer to
print indicia, which corresponds to individual ones of the storage media
devices. In this regard, the printed indicia may, for example, be used to
identify the storage media.
Thus, the system of this invention provides a new and improved compiling
system which enables individually customized storage media devices, such
as video cassette tapes, audio tapes, or other such devices, to be mass
produced at relatively low cost for distribution to targeted recipients.
Each media device contains prerecorded information segments selected to
match the individual recipient's idiosyncracies, such as his or her needs
and/or requirements. Such a customized storage media can be utilized by
the recipient, on widely available conventional videocassette recorders
and television receivers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The above mentioned and other objects and features of this invention and
the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention
itself will be best understood by reference to the following description
of the embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a detailed block diagram of a compiling system constructed in
accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 1B-1H are flow chart diagrams illustrating a computer program stored
in the computer of the system of FIG. 1, to control the sequence of making
the prerecorded storage media devices;
FIG. 2A is a block diagram of another compiling system which is also
constructed in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of one of the tape production units of
the compiling system shown in FIG. 2A.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The detailed description that follows is organized according to the
following outline:
A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM FOR COMPILING CUSTOMIZED RECORDING MEDIA
B. DETAILED HARDWARE DESCRIPTION
C. SYSTEM SOFTWARE
D. MULTIPLE MEDIA PRODUCTION SYSTEM
E. TAPE PRODUCTION UNIT
A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM FOR COMPILING CUSTOMIZED RECORDING MEDIA
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is
shown a compiling system S, which is constructed according to the present
invention. The system S includes a recorder 950, such as a videocassette
recorder, and is able to produce individually customized recording media
970, such as a series of videocassette tapes, for distribution to a series
of recipients. Each tape is thus provided with a compiled group of
recorded segments related to suit the needs and requirements of individual
persons who will receive and view the material recorded on his or her
tape.
A computer 900 accesses computer readable generalized data base information
signals indicative of a compilation of recipient or customer information
stored in a generalized data base memory 904A. Such recipient information
includes a compilation or listing of information relating to a group of
recipients concerning their individual idiosyncracies, and other
information, such as their names and addresses. Storage or memory devices
such as a group of video disc players generally indicated at 920A, store a
group of pre-recorded audio and video signals indicative of a group of
audio and video segments to be compiled selectively in a customized manner
for an individual recipient in accordance with the information stored in
the generalized data bas memory 904A. The audio and video segments can be
various different audio overlay segments, audio coordinated motion picture
segments, video motion picture segments, video still picture segments,
video graphics overlay segments, and video textual overlay segments, each
being stored in individual ones of the respective records 920 through 925.
The generalized data base memory 904A is accessed by the computer 900 and
only certain relevant information stored therein is retrieved and stored
in a customized recipient data base memory 903. In this regard, for
example, only certain items of information are retrieved from the
generalized data base memory, and such items may include the names and
addresses of the recipients, and only certain other items of information.
Such other items may include their preferences, past spending habits,
their likes and dislikes, and others.
The generalized data may be required from a company desiring to communicate
with their customers, and the generalized data may include many different
types and kinds of information relating to the customers. The generalized
data may be stored on any convenient computer readable media such as
floppy disc, computer readable survey forms with pencil or ink notations
thereon, laser discs and the like.
The computer 900, responding to the customized information stored in the
memory 903, selects only certain ones of the information segments from the
memory devices or players 920A. A relational operation program stored in a
relational program memory 902 of the computer 900 controls the computer
900 to cause certain items of information to be retrieved from the
customized memory 903 for determining which segments and in what order,
they are to be recorded onto the recording media 970, such as a
videocassette via a recorder 950. In this regard, signals indicative of
certain ones of the pre-recorded audio/video segments are retrieved
selectively in a given sequence, including correlation, sequence overlay,
selection, and sequencing.
Under the control of the computer 900, pre-recorded information segments
stored in the memory devices or recorders 920A are selectively retrieved
and compiled in the desired sequence for recording on the blank storage
media device 970 during the production of individually customized storage
media devices, such as videocassettes. The customized videotaped
presentation incorporates a compilation of certain selections retrieved
from the generalized data base information, together with selected ones of
the pre-recorded audio and video segments. In this regard, the
videocassette, after being custom recorded, can be played back on a
videocassette recorder (not shown) used by the recipient. In this manner,
based on certain recipient information, certain audio and video segments
and overlaid segments, are computed and recorded onto a videocassette for
a given recipient. Thus, the custom recorded videocassette can be used for
presenting packaged information, such as information regarding products,
services, and recommendations in a customized manner.
Once the customized information has been compiled on the videotape or other
recording media, the recorded storage media device 970 may be delivered to
a recipient for use on any available countable play-back device, such as a
videocassette recorder or player (not shown). Thus, an individual
recipient is able to view and/or read a presentation, which is customized
to achieve maximum recipient interest in the presentation, as well as the
recipient's acceptance of the presented product, service and/or
recommendation.
Considering now the operation of the system S of the present invention in
greater detail, the operation causes the preparation of individualized
customized recording media devices from a content library stored in the
players 920A.
Considering now the operation of the compiling system S and more
particularly how individual recording media, such as recording media 970
are coupled and recorded.
After the computer 901 accesses the generalized data base it stores the raw
data derived therefrom in the customized recipient data base memory 903. A
program stored in the relational memory 902 causes the computer 901 to
select a profile of segment information stored in the players 920A that
would relate to each recipient. This program also causes the computer 901
to sequence the selected profile of segment information stored in the
players 920 in a particular sequence for each recipient.
Once the profile selection and sequencing is accomplished, the program
stored in the relational program memory causes the computer 901 to compile
selected portions of the raw data stored in the customized recipient data
base memory 903 with the selected profile information. More particularly,
as each sequenced profile segment is read from a selected player, the
computer will copy and store the segment, merge the segment with a
selected raw data portion if appropriate, to structure a segment for
recording and then causing the recorder to record the compiled structured
segments on the individual recording media, such as recording media 920.
This method of operation is repeated for each individual recipient, thus
the system in operation compiles and records a group of individual
recording media where each recording media is customized for an individual
recipient.
The media devices in the form of videocassettes as recorded under computer
assistance, are based on the unique needs, desires and idiosyncracies of
each recipient. The specific operation and content of each presentation
group is based on a consultative process that analyzes information from
the generalized data base memory, containing information unique to each
recipient. Such information includes very simple information, such as the
recipient's name only, as well as highly complex information with
individualization schemes determined individually for each use of the
resulting custom recorded videocassette. Once the generalized information
stored in the memory 904A has been analyzed by the computer 900,
information is compiled or translated into a profile for determining what
information content with respect to products, services, recommendations,
and other visual, graphic, audio, or textual matters will be delivered to
each individual recipient.
After the information segments stored in the players 920A in the form of a
profile of information content has been developed for a group of
recipients, the computer 900 is controlled by a program, which determines
what specific presentations and sequencing of this information would be
most effective for a given individual recipient. In this regard, the
program has algorithms embodying formulae or rules to determine which
recipient receives which information segments. The computer 900 then
causes the compilation of the customized information, and assembles the
information onto an appropriate individual recording media 970 for
distribution to the recipient who then can utilize the media 970 on his or
her own play-back device (not shown).
Considering now the generalized information source from where the recipient
information may be gathered in greater detail, the generalized recipient
information can be obtained from whatever source is most appropriate for
the presentation application.
For example, information sources may include prospect lists developed from
public sources such as a voter's registration list. Also, such sources may
include a customer list including names and addresses, as well as more
complex information such as age, sex, income, education, and location
demographics with past purchasing histories. Other sources may include
customer intelligence developed from interviews, initial telephone
solicitations, appending related data (such as from address zip code-based
market data services or government motor vehicle lists) or analysis of
customer transaction data such as a customer's purchasing habits. The
generalized information may also be developed from response or survey
cards where a prospective recipient provides a written response to
questions.
Considering now in greater detail the customized recipient data base
information stored in the memory 903, as developed from the above
mentioned generalized information sources with little or no
interpretation, calculations or associated conclusions as related to a
specific recipient, such customized information is raw information, which
may include the recipient's name, address, state, address, zip code, and
telephone number. Additionally, the customized information may include
demographics pertaining to the recipients such as age, sex, income,
education, etc. Also, such information may include past activities of the
recipients such as purchase of particular products, amounts spent in
particular product categories, overall expenditure levels, etc. and the
like. Moreover, there may be included the recipient attitudes and behavior
such as lifestyle, travel, interests, hobbies, etc. and others.
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