DE20011502U1 - Arrangement and playback device for playing compressed audio files - Google Patents

Description

PATENT ATTORNEYS

ROLF BOCKERMANN DIPL-ING.

peter ksoll dr-ing. dipl.-ing.

admitted to the European Patent Office european patentattorneys mandataires agrees europeen

european trademark attorneys

Bergstrasse 159 D-44791 BOCHUM

PO Box 102450 D-44724 BOCHUM

29.06.2000 XK/Mo

Ingo Witkowski. Dreerhöhe 9. 44894 Bochum Michael Stumm. Gerberstrasse 20. 88471 Laupheim/Baustetten

Arrangement and playback device for playback of compressed Audio files

The invention relates to an arrangement for providing, transmitting and reproducing compressed audio files, so-called MP3 files or AAC files, and a playback device therefor.

Jukeboxes are well known, especially for restaurants and similar venues. This is a record player built as a coin-operated machine with a magazine for a number of records. After money is inserted, the records are selected using a selection device, usually designed as a keyboard, and then played automatically. Such jukeboxes can also be operated with compact disks, so-called CDs.

The jukeboxes allow a user to select a song, which is then played for a fee. The jukeboxes were very popular because of their entertainment value. Today, however, they basically only have nostalgic value. The disadvantage of the jukeboxes is that

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that a large number of records or CDs must always be kept in stock in order to satisfy different musical styles and the different preferences of users. After a certain time, however, the pieces of music lose their relevance and are then more or less worthless. They must be replaced with new recordings. If the replaced recordings cannot be used for anything else or are so worn that they are unusable, they are disposed of.

Even a short-term change in the music selection to adapt to new releases on the well-known jukeboxes involves some effort in opening the device and exchanging the sound carriers.

Furthermore, the playback quality deteriorates with frequent use of the sound carriers. Finally, it should be noted that the jukeboxes are susceptible to interference, for example as a result of impacts.

Compressed audio files, so-called MP3 files, are state of the art today. Technically, MP3 is a compression process that greatly reduces file size without a significant loss of quality. This means, for example, that a song that lasts three minutes and requires 40 megabytes of storage when uncompressed can be reduced to 3 megabytes. Such MP3 files can be obtained from the Internet, among other places.

The AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) method is available as an advanced audio compression method. Advanced audio coding enables even faster downloading and even better sound quality.

However, the use of compressed audio files is not without problems because they are copyrighted works.

Based on the prior art, the invention is based on the object of creating an application-technically advantageous arrangement for the commercial use of licensed audio files, which can be updated in a simple manner, and of providing a corresponding playback device.

The solution to this problem consists according to the invention in an arrangement according to claim 1 and a playback device according to claim 7.

Advantageous embodiments or further developments of the basic concept according to the invention form the subject matter of dependent claims 2 to 6 and 8.

The arrangement and the playback device according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously in restaurants, bistros or similar premises. It can even be used in laundromats. The music selection can be constantly updated, and this only requires a small amount of time. It is not necessary to replace the sound carrier material. The audio files are available in the form of MP3 files or AAC files in very good sound quality.

The attached technically simplified diagram shows three different arrangement variants I, II, III, with the data flow being shown by the arrows. The playback device is located at each receiver and can be used there for a fee.

The compressed audio files are obtained from the authors or the responsible music companies or authorized exploitation companies and stored on a central computer. From here they can be made available to a recipient on request for a fee.

The arrangement is such that the audio files are stored on a central computer and can be transferred from there to a receiver. The receiver can retrieve the audio files for a playback device.

The playback device is assigned a dialing unit and a payment device with automatic verification. The dialing unit can be used to select one or more audio files, which are then played after payment and verification of the correct payment process by the automatic verification. Payment can be made in cash or by banknote. For cash payments, the automatic verification device is equipped with a corresponding coin or banknote validator. A non-cash fee payment can be made, for example, using a check or credit card or tokens.

The audio files can be requested by the recipient using a retrieval module. This makes it easy to update them according to the recipient's wishes. The retrieval module can be used to determine the audio files required by the recipient and to request them from the central computer (server). The request is recorded and evaluated here, including all accounting data. If the recipient is registered as a user and there are no other criteria that speak against provision, the audio files are sent to the recipient. Current music pieces are available to the recipient's playback device. Files that are no longer required can be deleted and overwritten. This can reduce the previous disposal effort for conventional sound carriers and also the volume of waste.

In a pragmatic way, the audio files can be made available to the recipient online, whereby a direct data connection is established between the playback device and the central computer. As a rule, the data exchange takes place using a personal computer or microcomputer with the appropriate interface equipment and the necessary adapter. The recipient is connected online to the provider's central computer and can - provided that access authorization is granted - play the desired files.

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retrieve the audio files, which are then transferred to him accordingly.

It is also possible for the audio files to be transferred to the recipient on a storage medium. This can be done using a chip card or a diskette or CD, which is sent to the recipient by post or courier, for example. The recipient's request can be made in writing or by telephone to the provider.

Another option is for the audio files to be transmitted to the recipient via the telephone network. This approach is also particularly advantageous when combined with an automatic retrieval module. The recipient is conveniently informed in writing by the provider about the current list of available music titles. The recipient makes his selection and retrieves the desired audio files using the telephone network. The necessary peripheral devices here can be a modem and corresponding interface cards.

As an additional module, it can be provided that compressed video files provided by the server can be displayed visually via the playback device. This means that in addition to playing the music, an accompanying video clip for the title of the music can also be shown to the user.

Claims (8)

1. Arrangement for the provision, transmission and playback of compressed audio files, so-called MP3 files or AAC files, whereby the audio files are stored on a central computer (server) and can be transmitted from there to a receiver, characterized in that the audio files can be stored at the receiver ready for retrieval by a playback device and the playback device is assigned a selection unit for selecting an audio file and a payment device with automatic checking, whereby an acoustic playback of a selected audio file takes place against payment after a correct payment transaction has been established. 2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the audio files can be remotely retrieved by the receiver by means of a retrieval module. 3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the audio files can be transmitted online to the recipient. 4. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the audio files can be transmitted to the receiver on a storage medium. 5. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the audio files can be transmitted to the recipient via the telephone network. 6. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that compressed video files provided by the server can be brought to visual display via the playback device. 7. A playback device for the acoustic reproduction of compressed audio files, so-called MP3 files or AAC files, for a fee, which has a selection unit for determining one or more audio files to be played, characterized by a payment device with automatic checking for controlling and monitoring a fee payment, whereby a selected audio file can be acoustically reproduced against payment after a correct payment transaction has been established. 8. Player according to claim 7, characterized by a retrieval module with which audio files can be requested from a central computer.