System for reproducing information in material objects at a point of sale ...

1. A method for reproducing information in material objects utilizing information manufacturing machines located at point of sale locations, comprising the steps of:

providing from a source remotely located with respect to the information manufacturing machine the information to be reproduced to the information manufacturing machine, each information being uniquely identified by a catalog code;

providing a request reproduction code including a catalog code uniquely identifying the information to be reproduced to the information manufacturing machine requesting to reproduce certain information identified by the catalog code in a material object;

providing an authorization code at the information manufacturing machine authorizing the reproduction of the information identified by the catalog code included in the request reproduction codes; and

receiving the request reproduction code and the authorization code at the information manufacturing machine and reproducing in a material object the information identified by the catalog code included in the request reproduction code in response to the authorization code authorizing such reproduction.

2. The method of claim 1 for reproducing information in material objects utilizing the information manufacturing machines located at point of sale locations and an information control machine located remotely with respect to the information manufacturing machines, wherein the step of providing the request reproduction code is defined further to include the step of:

communicating from a point of sale location the request reproduction code requesting to reproduce selected inforamtion identified by the catalog code included in the request reproduction code in a material object utilizing an information manufacturing machine located at the point of sale location; and

wherein the step of providing the authorization code is defined further to include the step of:

receiving the request reproduction code at the information control machine at a location remote with respect to the point of sale location and communicating to the information manufacturing machine at the point of sale location the authorization code authorizing the reproduction of the selected information identified by the catalog code included in the received request reproduction code by the information manufacturing machine located at the point of sale location.

3. The method of claim 2 defined further to include a plurality of point of sale locations and at least one information manufacturing machine located at each point of sale location and wherein the method is defined further to include the step of:

identifying each information manufacturing machine with an IMM code, each IMM code uniquely identifying one of the information manufacturing machines.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the request reproduction code includes an IMM code uniquely identifying the information manufacturing machine to reproduce the selected information in a material object, and wherein the authorization code includes the IMM code included in the received request reproduction code for authorizing the reproduction of selected information via the information manufacturing machine identified via the IMM code in the authorization code.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of providing the information to be reproduced to the information manufacturing machine is defined further to include the step of:

receiving information at the information control machine, each information being uniquely identifiable by a predetermined catalog code;

storing a plurality of encipher programs in the information control machine;

storing a plurality of file encipher programs in the information control machine;

encoding each received information identified by a catalog code according to one of the encipher programs;

storing the encoded information; and

encoding the stored encoded information in accordance with one of the file encipher programs for communication to one of the information manufacturing machines identified by an IMM code.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of encoding the stored encoded information is defined further as encoding the stored encoded information in accordance with different file encipher programs so the encoded information to be transferred to one information manufacturing machine is encoded with a different file encipher program as compared to the file encipher programs utilized to encode the encoded information to be transferred to any of the other information manufacturing machines.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of providing the information to be reproduced to the information manufacturing machine is defined further to include the steps of:

storing a plurality of decipher programs in the information control machine, each decipher program being adapted to decode information encoded in accordance with one of the encipher programs and each encipher program and corresponding decipher program being uniquely identifiable by a select code; and

storing a plurality of file decipher programs in the information control machine, each file decipher program being adapted to decode information encoded in accordance with one of the file encipher programs and each file encipher program and corresponding file decipher program being uniquely identifiable by a file select code; and

wherein the step of encoding each received information according to one of the encipher programs is defined further as encoding the corresponding decipher program in each encoded information, and wherein the step of encoding the stored encoded information including the decipher program encoded therein according to one of the file decipher programs is defined further as encoding the corresponding file decipher program in the encoded information, each information being encoded according to one encipher program and having the corresponding decipher program encoded therein and being encoded according to one file encipher program and having the corresponding file decipher program encoded therein.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of providing the information to be reproduced to the information manufacturing machines is defined further as communicating each information encoded in accordance with an encipher program identified by a predetermined select code and having the corresponding decipher program identified by the select code encoded therein and encoded in accordance with a file encipher program identified by a predetermined file select code and having the corresponding file decipher program identified by the file select code encoded therein and the catalog code identifying each information.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of receiving the request reproduction code and providing the authorization code is defined further to include the steps of:

storing a plurality of catalog decipher programs in the information control machine, each catalog decipher program being adapted for decoding the decipher program and the file decipher program from the encoded information identified via one of the catalog codes;

determining and storing in the information control machine the catalog decipher program for each information, the information encoded utilizing the encipher program and the file encipher program; and

determining the catalog decipher program for decoding the decipher program and the file decipher program from the encoded information identified via the catalog code included in the received request reproduction code;

including the determined catalog decipher program in the authorization code for communication to the information manufacturing machine.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of receiving the authorization code and reproducing the selected information is defined further to include the steps of:

decoding the decipher program and the file decipher program from the encoded information identified via the catalog code in the authorization code and the corresponding request reproduction code utilizing the catalog decipher program encoded in the received authorization code;

decoding the information identified via the catalog code in the authorization code and the corresponding request reproduction code; and

providing the decoded information for reproducing the information in a material object.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of communicating the authorization code is defined further to include the steps of:

storing a plurality of authorization encipher programs in the information control machine, each authorization encipher program being uniquely identified via an authorization select code and each authorization encipher program being adapted to encipher an authorization code;

storing a plurality of authorization select codes in the information control machine; and

encoding each authorization code in accordance with one predetermined authorization encipher program; and

wherein the step of receiving the authorization code and reproducing the selected information in a material object is defined further to include the steps of:

storing a plurality of authorization decipher programs in the information manufacturing machine, each authorization decipher program being uniquely identified via one of the authorization select codes and each authorization decipher program being adapted to decipher an authorization code encoded in accordance with one of the authorization encipher programs; and

decoding the received encoded authorization code in accordance with one of the authorization decipher programs.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of communicating the authorization code is defined further to include the step of:

determining an authorization select code for use in the information manufacturing machine in decoding the next received authorization code and including this determined authorization select code in the authorization code; and

wherein the step of receiving the authorization code and reproducing the selected information in a material object is defined further to include the steps of:

storing the authorization select code in the received authorization code for use in decoding the next received authorization code; and

decoding the received encoded authorization code utilizing the authorization decipher program identified via the authorization select code in the last received authorization code.

13. The method of claim 5 wherein the encoded information stored in the information control machine is defined further as being in a digital format and wherein the step of receiving the information at the information control machine is defined further to include the step of:

converting the information received in an analog format to a digital format prior to encoding the information; and

wherein the encoded information stored in the information manufacturing machine is defined further as being in a digital format and wherein the step of reproducing the information in a material object at the information manufacturing machine is defined further to include the step of:

converting the information stored in a digital format in the information manufacturing machine to an analog format prior to reproducing the information in a material object.

14. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of providing the information to be reproduced to the information manufacturing machine is defined further to include the step of:

providing a file reproduce command to the information control machine; and

reproducing the encoded information in the manufacturing control machine in a material object for communicating the encoded information to the information manufacturing machine.

15. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of providing the information to be reproduced to the information manufacturing machine is defined further to include the steps of:

providing a catalog transmit command along with a catalog code at the information control machine; and

communicating the information identified by the catalog code provided with the catalog transmit command via a communication link to the information manufacturing machine, the communication link being selected from a group of communication links comprising telephone lines, television cable and airways broadcasting.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein each information is uniquely identified by a predetermined catalog code and a dollar charge code, the dollar charge code indicating the amount of money to be charged in connection with the reproduction of said information and wherein the step of providing the information to be reproduced is defined further to include the steps of:

storing the information along with the corresponding catalog codes and dollar charge codes in the information manufacturing machines; and

wherein the step of receiving the authorization code and reproducing the information in a material object is defined further to include:

storing a dollar authorization code in the information manufacturing machine, said dollar authorization code representing a dollar amount of authorized reproduction; and

deducting the dollar amount represented by the dollar charge code in the authorization code from the dollar amount represented by the dollar authorization code stored in the information manufacturing machine and reproducing the information in a material object in response to a dollar amount of authorized reproduction represented by the dollar authorization code at least equal to the dollar amount represented by the dollar charge code.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein each information being uniquely identified by a predetermined catalog code and a dollar charge code, the dollar charge code indicating the amount of money to be charged in connection with the reproduction of said information; and wherein the step of providing the information to be reproduced is defined further to include the step of:

storing the information along with the corresponding catalog codes and dollar charge codes in the information manufacturing machines; and

wherein the step of receiving the authorization code and reproducing the information in a material object is defined further to include:

producing one of a money valid code and a money invalid code in response to receiving an amount of money at the information manufacturing machine indicating the receipt of an amount of money indicated by the money valid code; and

receiving the money valid code and comparing the amount of money represented by the received money valid code with the amount of money represented by the dollar charge code associated with the catalog code and reproducing the information in a material object if the amount of money represented by the received money valid code compares with the amount of money represented by the dollar charge code associated with the catalog code.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing the selected information to the information manufacturing machine is defined further to include the step of:

receiving information at the information control machine, each information being uniquely identifiable by a predetermined catalog code;

storing a plurality of encipher programs in the information control machine;

storing a plurality of file encipher programs in the information control machine;

encoding each received information identified by a catalog code according to one of the encipher programs;

storing the encoded information; and

encoding the stored encoded information in accordance with one of the file encipher programs for communication to one of the information manufacturing machines identified by an IMM code.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of encoding the stored encoded information is defined further as encoding the stored encoded information in accordance with different file encipher programs so the encoded information to be transferred to one information manufacturing machine is encoded with a different file encipher program as compared to the file encipher programs utilized to encode the encoded information to be transferred to any of the other information manufacturing machines.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of providing the information to the information manufacturing machine is defined further to include the steps of:

storing a plurality of decipher programs in the information control machine, each decipher program being adapted to decode information encoded in accordance with one of the encipher programs and each encipher program and corresponding decipher program being uniquely identifiable by a select code; and

storing a plurality of file decipher programs in the information control machine, each file decipher program being adapted to decode information encoded in accordance with one of the file encipher programs and each file encipher program and corresponding file decipher program being uniquely identifiable by a file select code; and

wherein the step of encoding each received information according to one of the encipher programs is defined further as encoding the corresponding decipher program in each encoded information, and wherein the step of encoding the stored encoded information including the decipher program encoded therein according to one of the file decipher programs is defined further as encoding the corresponding file decipher program in the encoded information, each information being encoded according to one encipher program and having the corresponding decipher program encoded therein and being encoded according to one file encipher program and having the corresponding file decipher program encoded therein.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of providing the information to the information manufacturing machines is defined further as communicating each information encoded in accordance with an encipher program identified by a predetermined select code and having the corresponding decipher program identified by the select code encoded therein and encoded in accordance with a file encipher program identified by a predetermined file select code and having the corresponding file decipher program identified by the file select code encoded therein and the catalog code identifying each information.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein the encoded information stored in the information control machine is defined further as being in a digital format and wherein the step of receiving the information at the information control machine is defined further to include the step of:

converting the information received in an analog format to a digital format prior to encoding the information.

23. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of providing the information to the information manufacturing machine is defined further to include the step of:

providing a file reproduce command to the information control machine; and

reproducing the encoded information in the manufacturing control machine in a material object for communicating the encoded information to the information manufacturing machine.

24. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of providing the selected information to the information manufacturing machine is defined further to include the steps of:

providing a catalog transmit command along with a catalog code to the information control machine; and

communicating the information identified by the catalog code provided with the catalog transmit command via a communication link to the information manufacturing machine, the communication link being selected from a group of communication links comprising telephone lines, television cable and airways broadcasting.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein the information is defined further as being in a digital format or being convertible to a digital format, and wherein the step of providing the information to be reproduced to the information manufacturing machine is defined further to include the steps of:

reproducing the information in a digital format in a video bandwidth medium; and

providing the video bandwidth medium having the information in a digital format fixed therein to the information manufacturing machine.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein the information is defined further as being in a digital format or convertible to a digital format, and wherein the step of providing the information to be reproduced to the information manufacturing machine is defined further to include the step of:

transmitting the information in a digital format via a video bandwidth cannel to the information manufacturing machine.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein the material object is defined further as being a device in which information is embodied and from which the information embodied therein is perceivable, reproducable, usable or otherwise communicatable either directly or with the aid of other machines or devices.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the material object is defined further as being selected from a group consisting of: audio tape capable of having fixed therein information in the form of sound recordings; audio disc capable of having fixed therein information in the form of sound recordings; video tape capable of having fixed therein information in the form of pictures and or audio; video disc capable of having fixed therein information in the form of pictures and or audio; media capable of having fixed thereon information in the form of printed matter (words, symbols and or pictures); devices capable of having fixed therein inforamtion in the form of digital data; or combinations thereof.

29. A method for reproducing information in material objects utilizing information manufacturing machines located at point of sale locations and an information control machine located remotely with respect to the information manufacturing machines, the information manufacturing machines being capable of communicating from a point of sale location a request reproduction code requesting to reproduce selected information in a material object utilizing an information manufacturing machine located at the point of sale location, comprising the steps of:

providing the selected information to the information manufacturing machine located at the point of sale location,

receiving the request reproduction code including a catalog code uniquely identifying the information to be reproduced at the information control machine at a location remote with respect to the point of sale location and communicating for receiving by an information manufacturing machine at the point of sale location an authorization code including a catalog code uniquely identifying the information to be reproduced authorizing the reproduction of the information identified by the catalog code by the information manufacturing machine located at the point of sale location.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein there are a plurality of point of sale locations and at least one information manufacturing machine located at each point of sale location, each information manufacturing machine being uniquely identified by an IMM code, the request reproduction code including an IMM code uniquely identifying the information manufacturing machine to reproduce the information identified by the catalog code included in the request reproduction code in a material object, and wherein the authorization code includes the IMM code included in the received request reproduction code for authorizing the reproduction of information identified by the catalog code via the information manufacturing machine identified via the IMM code in the authorization code.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the step of communicating the authorization code is defined further to include the steps of:

storing a plurality of authorization encipher programs in the information control machine, each authorization encipher program being uniquely identified via an authorization select code and each authorization encipher program being adapted to encipher an authorization code;

storing a plurality of authorization select codes in the information control machine; and

encoding each authorization code in accordance with one predetermined authorization encipher program.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the step of communicating the authorization code is defined further to include the step of:

determining an authorization select code for use in the information manufacturing machine in decoding the next received authorization code and including this determined authorization select code in the authorization code.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein the information is defined further as being in a digital format or being convertible to a digital format, and wherein the step of providing the information to be reproduced to the information manufacturing machine is defined further to include the steps of:

reproducing the information in a digital format in a video bandwidth medium; and

providing the video bandwidth medium having the information in a digital format fixed therein to the information manufacturing machine.

34. The method of claim 29 wherein the information is defined further as being in a digital format or convertible to a digital format, and wherein the step of providing the information to be reproduced to the information manufacturing machine is defined further to include the step of:

transmitting the information in a digital format via a video bandwidth cannel to the information manufacturing machine.

35. The method of claim 29 wherein the material object is defined further as being a device in which information is embodied and from which the information embodied therein is perceivable, reproducable, usable or otherwise communicatable either directly or with the aid of other machines or devices.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the material object is defined further as being selected from a group consisting of: audio tape capable of having fixed therein information in the form of sound recordings; audio disc capable of having fixed therein information in the form of sound recordings; video tape capable of having fixed therein information in the form of pictures and or audio; video disc capable of having fixed therein information in the form of pictures and or audio; media capable of having fixed thereon information in the form of printed matter (words, symbols and or pictures); devices capable of having fixed therein information in the form of digital data; or combinations thereof.

37. An apparatus for reproducing information in material objects at point of sale locations, comprising:

an information manufacturing machine located at a point of sale location for reproducing information in material objects, each information to be reproduced being uniquely identified by a catalog code and each information being received from a source remotely located with respect to the information manufacturing machine and each information being stored in the information manufacturing machine, the information manufacturing machine receiving a request reproduction code including a catalog code uniquely identifying the information to be reproduced and being adapted to provide an authorization code including the catalog code included in the request reproduction code, and the information manufacturing machine being adapted to reproduce the information identified by the catalog code in a material object in response to receiving the authorization code.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the information manufacturing machine is defined further as being adapted to communicate the request reproduction code, and wherein the apparatus is defined further to include:

an information control machine for receiving the request reproduction code communicated from the information manufacturing machine, and being adapted to provide and communicate the authorization code for receiving by the information manufacturing machine in response to a received request reproduction code, the information to be reproduced being stored in the information control machine and the information control machine being adapted to provide and communicate the information to be reproduced for receiving by the information manufacturing machine.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 defined further to include a plurality of point of sale locations and at least one information manufacturing machine located at each point of sale location, each information manufacturing machine being uniquely identifying by an IMM code, and wherein the request reproduction code includes an IMM code uniquely identifying the information manufacturing machine to reproduce the information identified by the catalog code included in the request reproduction code in a material object, and wherein the authorization code includes the IMM code included in the received request reproduction code for authorizing the reproduction of information identified by the catalog code included in the request reproduction code via the information manufacturing machine identified via the IMM code in the authorization code.

40. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the information control machine is defined further as being adapted to receive the information to be reproduced, the information control machine having stored therein a plurality of encipher programs and a plurality of file encipher programs, and the information control machine being adapted to encode each received information identified by a catalog code according to one of the encipher programs and store the encoded information, and to encode the stored encoded information in accordance with one of the file encipher programs for communication to one of the information manufacturing machines identified by an IMM code.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the information control machine is defined further as encoding the stored encoded information in accordance with different file encipher programs so the encoded information to be transferred to one information manufacturing machine is encoded with a different file encipher program as compared to the file encipher programs utilized to encode the encoded information to be transferred to any of the other information manufacturing machines.

42. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the information control machine is defined further as having stored therein a plurality of decipher programs in the information control machine, each decipher program being adapted to decode information encoded in accordance with one of the encipher programs and each encipher program and corresponding decipher program being uniquely identifiable by a select code, and a plurality of file decipher programs in the information control machine, each file decipher program being adapted to decode information encoded in accordance with one of the file encipher programs and each file encipher program and corresponding file decipher program being uniquely identifiable by a file select code, and the information control machine encoding the corresponding decipher program in each encoded information, and encoding the corresponding file decipher program in the encoded information, each information being encoded according to one encipher program and having the corresponding decipher program encoded therein and being encoded according to one file encipher program and having the corresponding file decipher program encoded therein.

43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the information control machine is defined further as being adapted to communicate each information encoded in accordance with an encipher program identified by a predetermined select code and having the corresponding decipher program identified by the select code encoded therein and encoded in accordance with a file encipher program identified by a predetermined file select code and having the corresponding file decipher program identified by the file select code encoded therein and the catalog code identifying each information.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the information control machine is defined further as having stored therein a plurality of catalog decipher programs, each catalog decipher program being adapted for decoding the decipher program and the file decipher program from the encoded information identified via one of the catalog codes, the information control machine being adapted to determine and store therein the catalog decipher program for each information, the information encoded utilizing the encipher program and the file encipher program, and to determine the catalog decipher program for decoding the decipher program and the file decipher program from the encoded information identified via the catalog code included in the received request reproduction code, and to include the determined catalog decipher program in the authorization code for communication to the information manufacturing machine.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the information manufacturing machine is defined further as being adapted to decode the decipher program and the file decipher program from the encoded information identified via the catalog code in the authorization code and the corresponding request reproduction code utilizing the catalog decipher program encoded in the received authorization code, and to decode the information identified via the catalog code in the authorization code and the corresponding request reproduction code, and to provide the decoded information for reproducing the information in a material object.

46. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein the information control machine is defined further as having stored therein a plurality of authorization encipher programs, each authorization encipher program being uniquely identified via an authorization select code and each authorization encipher program being adapted to encipher an authorization code, and as having stored therein a plurality of authorization select codes, the information control machine encoding each authorization code in accordance with one predetermined authorization encipher program, and wherein the information manufacturing machine is defined further as having store therein a plurality of authorization decipher programs, each authorization decipher program being uniquely identified via one of the authorization select codes and each authorization decipher program being adapted to decipher an authorization code encoded in accordance with one of the authorization encipher programs, and the information manufacturing machine decoding the received encoded authorization code in accordance with one of the authorization decipher programs.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the information manufacturing machine is defined further as being adapted to determine an authorization select code for use in the information manufacturing machine in decoding the next received authorization code and to include this determined authorization select code in the authorization code, and wherein the information manufacturing machine is defined further as having stored therein the authorization select code in the received authorization code for use in decoding the next received authorization code, and the information manufacturing machine decoding the received encoded authorization code utilizing the authorization decipher program identified via the authorization select code in the last received authorization code.

48. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the encoded information stored in the information control machine is defined further as being in a digital format and wherein the information control machine is defined further as being adapted to convert the information received in an analog format to a digital format prior to encoding the information, and wherein the encoded information stored in the information manufacturing machine is defined further as being in a digital format and wherein the information manufacturing machine is defined further as being adapted to convert the information stored in a digital format in the information manufacturing machine to an analog format prior to reproducing the information in a material object.

49. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the information control machine is defined further as being adapted to provide a file reproduce command and to reproduce the encoded information in the manufacturing control machine in a material object for communicating the encoded information to the information manufacturing machine.

50. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the information control machine is defined further as being adapted to provide a catalog transmit command along with a catalog code, and to communicate the information identified by the catalog code provided with the catalog transmit command via a communication link to the information manufacturing machine, the communication link being selected from a group of communication links comprising telephone lines, television cable and airways broadcasting.

51. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the information control machine is defined further as receiving information, each information being uniquely identified by a predetermined catalog code and a dollar charge code, the dollar charge code indicating the amount of money to be charged in connection with the reproduction of said information, the information control machine communicating the information along with the corresponding catalog codes and dollar charge codes to the information manufacturing machine; and wherein the information manufacturing machine is defined further as storing the information along with the corresponding catalog codes and dollar charge codes, storing a dollar authorization code, said dollar authorization code representing a dollar amount of authorized reproduction, and deducting the dollar amount represented by the dollar charge code in the authorization code from the dollar authorization code stored in the information manufacturing machine and reproducing the information in a material object in response to a dollar amount of authorized reproduction represented by the dollar authorization code at least equal to the dollar amount represented by the dollar charge code.

52. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein each information being uniquely identified by a predetermined catalog code and a dollar charge code, the dollar charge code indicating the amount of money to be charged in connection with the reproduction of said information, and wherein the information manufacturing machine is defined further as having stored therein the information along with the corresponding catalog codes and dollar charge codes in the information machines, the information manufacturing machine producing one of a money valid code and a money invalid code in response to receiving an amount of money at the information manufacturing machine indicating the receipt of an amount of money indicated by the money valid code and comparing the amount of money represented by the received money valid code with the amount of money represented by the dollar charge code associated with the catalog code and reproducing the information in a material object if the amount of money represented by the received money valid code compares with the amount of money represented by the dollar charge code associated with the catalog code.

53. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the information is defined further as being in a digital format or being convertible to a digital format, and wherein the information to be reproduced provided to the information manufacturing machine is defined further as being:

reproduced in a digital format in a video bandwidth medium and the video bandwidth medium having the information in a digital format fixed therein being storeable in the information manufacturing machine.

54. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the information is defined further as being in a digital format or convertible to a digital format, and wherein the information to be reproduced to the information manufacturing machine is defined further as being transmitted in a digital format via a video bandwidth cannel to the information manufacturing machine.

55. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the material object is defined further as being a device in which information is embodied and from which the information embodied therein is perceivable, reproducable, usable or otherwise communicatable either directly or with the aid of other machines or devices.

56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein the material object is defined further as being selected from a group consisting of: audio tape capable of having fixed therein information in the form of sound recordings; audio disc capable of having fixed therein information in the form of sound recordings; video tape capable of having fixed therein information in the form of pictures and or audio; video disc capable of having fixed therein information in the form of pictures and or audio; media capable of having fixed thereon information in the form of printed matter (words, symbols and or pictures); devices capable of having fixed therein inforamtion in the form of digital data; or combinations thereof.