Network for multimedia devices

The invention relates to a Multimedia-box network, comprising a data server, comprising a mass memory in which digital music and / or videos are stored, and a plurality of multimedia boxes, where a multimedia box each one operating unit, a local memory and a playback unit and wherein each multimedia box via the first data connection with a Data server is connected.

Such a network is known for example from WO 92/01342. According to WO 92/01342 are several jukeboxes each via a remote data transmission line with a central music store, said remote data transmission line preferably an ISDN line is. The jukebox conventionally comprises a coin unit, a display, an input keyboard and at least one loudspeaker and furthermore has a digital / analog converter recorded and amplifiers for the remote data transmission line Sound information.

DE 42 44 198 A1 a network of several jukeboxes is known, the has a decentralized structure. This is not a central repository for the playable songs provided, but the pieces of music to be stored are determined on a Number of music playback units distributed. The music playback units are cross-linked together so that one of each music playback unit to another Piece can be requested. A central computer performs additional central Management Tasks, in particular on the central computer Usage data of individual music playback units are stored.

From US 5,355,302 a network is known consisting of several jukeboxes, in which the individual jukeboxes in a star shape with a central management station are connected. The management station includes a host computer and a mass storage device, so that the part of the management station music data can be transferred to the individual jukeboxes. In addition, assumes the Management station and management tasks. For the maintenance of the individual jukeboxes a portable console is provided in each case, the respective spot on the Juke Box can be connected.

A disadvantage of the above-described networks for jukeboxes is that either a central control via a central computer or a Maintenance for a single jukebox is possible locally.

Object of the invention is therefore to provide a powerful network for multimedia boxes create, which enables decentralized maintenance of several multimedia boxes.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. The invention Solution is that at least one comprehensive a computer Management station via a second data connection to the data server and connected via a third data connection to at least one multimedia box , where on the first data connection pieces of music and / or videos are transferred from the data server to the multimedia box, wherein via the second data connection Information about the pieces of music available on the data server and / or video can be transferred and where on the third data connection Data for maintenance and / or programming the respective multimedia box from the are connected thereto management station transferable. According to the invention is thus a management station for each particular group of more multimedia boxes provided that a decentralized maintenance of these multimedia speakers allows. The management station does not take over the task of for transmitting large amounts of data, but merely regulates the exchange of information between the data server and individual multimedia boxes below Considering the respective intended offer of pieces of music and / or video for a multimedia box.

With the Multimedia-box network according to the invention it is thus possible to provide several Multimedia boxes locally by an operator or an operating company to maintain and to entertain. The operating company may in turn the power supply for a multimedia box or service to Maintenance of the multimedia box to pass on to each end user. hereby created a decentralized system for operating a plurality multimedia boxes, which are in turn connected in a cost effective manner with a data server.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first data connection between the data server and a multimedia box from an ISDN line.

According to a preferred embodiment it is provided that on the management station a service database is available on the data server Songs and / or video is stored, via the second data connection is updatable. Even with a large amount of data stored pieces of music and / or videos on the data server, the compilation of the each available title only a relatively small amount of data is so that these problems to the respective management stations in addition to a Database can be stored. certain Once a management station Services are to be performed, first a connection with the prepared central data server to the service database from the respective management station to update. For this purpose, the part of the data server an add command for newly to add titles and an erase command for the deleted issued title to the management station.

To the management of each available music and / or videos on the to simplify data server may be provided that the data server from a Main server and an information server. While on the Main server the actual data of the music and / or videos stored are, the Information Server manages only the data stored on the main server Title, whereby the main server is relieved. Conveniently, Registered on the information server all information about the data offer stored on the main server in an information database, where the data exchange between the main server and the information server via a parallel data link is effected. Of course, it is also possible that the information server from the main server is spatially separated and with the Main server communicates via a suitable serial data link.

According to a further preferred embodiment it is provided that on the Management station is stored in user database of user data, Due to this, via the third data connection maintenance and / or a programming the respective connected multimedia box is possible. In this way are available on the management station, the information about the respective connected Multimedia box directly available without requiring an additional data transmission is required. In particular, in the user database of Status of the equipment connected to each management station Multimedia Boxing be saved. can thus with the management station to the respective Multimediabox certain graphics and forms of representation of the stored Title also be changed, such as billing practices against the operator of the management station.

According to another preferred embodiment it is provided that a command dubbing of music and / or videos to a particular multimedia box by the associated management station to the data server deductible via the second data connection and / or via an additional compound , where the dubbing of music and / or videos to the specific Multimedia box via the first data connection. On the management station are thus to be playing again on the basis of the information database compiled title for a multimedia box from which a corresponding generated command to the data server. This command is then to Data Server deposed. As far as the part of the data server a separation between an information server and a master server is present, the deposition takes place preferably directly via an additional data connection to the command Main server. The additional data connection is preferably in the direction the data server from an ISDN line and in the opposite direction to the management station from an Internet connection. About the ISDN line, the command quickly and directly be deposited to the data server or main server while it is not usually necessary, on confirmation from the data server or the main server to maintain that the command is actually executed. Therefore, it makes sense, the command confirmation from the data server or depose main server on the Internet, where the corresponding message as e-mail memory and called up when the opportunity of the management station can be.

With regard to the execution of the third data connection between the management station and a multimedia box are two ways: firstly which provides a direct data link consisting of an ISDN line between the management station and the respective multimedia box be built. To the but other, it is also conceivable that the existing data connections utilized in accordance with the first data connection and the second data connection are, in that they are connected in series in an appropriate manner. For example, it is conceivable that additional data connection described above to to use the main server to this the with the ISDN line between Main server and a multimedia box to interconnect. To this end, welcomes the Main Server has a corresponding connection call from the management station and switches it through to the corresponding ISDN line. Correspondingly Thus, it is of course also possible, the above-described ISDN line between the management station and the Information Server use. A handoff to the first composed of an ISDN line Data communication between the master server and a multimedia box is drawn on via the parallel data connection between the information server and the main server.

Finish recording the data server with the corresponding music data is preferably by a CD playback unit. However, it should be noted that the Data format of the data stored on a CD music data for transmission in large Amounts of data is not suitable. It is therefore expedient that a CD implement stored music data in a system suitable for transmission format, wherein for songs or music data, for example, the MPEG format and for images is the JPEG format. As part of the transfer of images can especially cover images are transmitted, from the multimedia box when playing a piece of music to an associated cover image is shown.

According to a preferred embodiment it is provided that the operating unit a multimedia box of a touch-screen monitor is running the in the local memory stored digital music and / or videos displayed and finger pressure can be selected and a playback unit can be supplied. The Playback unit consists in the usual manner of a Amplifier Speaker unit to play the pieces of music and, optionally, a video monitor Cover to display images or for displaying video images.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the drawing of a Illustrated embodiment explained in more detail.

This shows:<dl tsize="7"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>The invention Mutlimediabox network in operation after a first embodiment,</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>the inventive multimedia box network in operation after a second embodiment, and</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>the initialization of individual multimedia boxes before their commissioning.</dd></dl>

FIG. 1 shows the inventive multimedia box network in operation after a first embodiment.

The essential components of the Multimedia-box network are the data server 10, the star-shaped connected thereto multimedia boxes 20, the management station 30 as well as a CD-playback unit 40. In the following, the network described only for the transfer of music data, but the same applies also for the transmission of other data in the multimedia field, such as Image data or video data. The data server 10 is divided into a Main server 11 and an information server 12 via a data connection 2a communicate with each other. On the main server 11, all music data and / or image data stored in a database 13, while data relating to Billing and licensing are stored in a user database 14th On the information server 12, however, are all access information on the the main server available tunes stored. To record the database 13 with digital music data is a CD Encoding system 41 with a CD changer 44 provided. The CD Encoding system converts the CD data format in a suitable transmission format, for example, an MPEG format, in a way, that the converted data via a LAN / WAN data line 4a to the music database can be transferred. 13 To manage the user database 11 is in the CD player unit an additional operating unit 42 provided on the LAN / WAN data line 4b is connected to the main server 11th

Usually only one data server 10 is composed of a main server and a Information Server 12 required, for example in the music database 13 can be stored up to 10,000 songs in MPEG format. On the main server 10 are then in a star shape, the individual jukeboxes over connecting an ISDN line, for reasons of simplicity in FIG. 1 only one ISDN line is shown 1 to a jukebox 20th A certain number music boxes is respectively operated and maintained by an operating company, so that these jukeboxes represent a group of operators 22nd Each operator group 22 is a management station 30 is associated, which each have a ISDN line 3 in a star shape with the individual jukeboxes 20 a group of operators 22 are connected. The management station 30 includes a user database 31 on which the status of the connected music boxes 20 is managed. On the part of the management station 30 can on the jukebox 20 Display Types as well as certain billing practices are changed.

In addition to the user database 31, the management station also includes a service database 32 on which manages the data server available on the music pieces will. To update the service database 32 is the management station 30 is connected to an ISDN line 2b with the Information Server 12th There is also in the direction of the main server 11, an ISDN connection and 2c in the opposite direction from the main server 11 to the management station 30, a Internet connection 2d.

In operation of the network shown in FIG. 1 is to differentiate substantially between the uploading of new music data to the main server 11, the uploading of new music data on the jukeboxes 20 and playing back music of the respective jukebox 20th

Uploading of new music data is at the music server 11 by the CD player unit 40 via the LAN / WAN line 4a to the music database. 13 The music data is transmitted in the MPEG-1 Layer 3 format, so that per minute Time accumulates about 1 megabyte of storage. For the individual pieces of music is in the user database 14 each licensing against the operating company an operating group 22 monitors. A piece of music, for example, are licensed for a year, so that after the year in royalties apply insofar as the song continues requested by the operating company becomes.

The installation of new songs each have a jukebox 20 on the initiative by the operating company in the respective management station 30th results in a log from the management station 30 to the data server 10 in a first step via the ISDN line 2b with respect to the information server 12. After logging transmits the information server 12 to update the service database 32 two command groups, namely an "adding" command and a "clear command". The add command includes a list of all the songs, after the last visit by the CD player unit 40 filled with new were. In contrast, the clear command lists on since the last Login to the music database 13 deleted songs. After logging provides Thus, the service database 32 in a mirror image of the information server 12 existing data on the music database 13 represents.

After updating the service database 32 is finished, can the operator new music from the data range are selected on a particular jukebox to be 20, the operator group 22 newly uploaded. After selecting the title, a corresponding command via the ISDN line 2c issued to the main server eleventh Further steps on the management station 30 is not required, so that the management station 30 after discontinuing each command can be basically cut off from the mains again. The 30 received by the respective management station command is part classified the main server in a list of items to be handled and, in due Time processed. That regard, the main server 11 a data connection dubbed over the ISDN line 1 with the respective jukebox 20 ago and selected music from the music database 13 in the local database 21 of the Juke Box 20. After all the songs are completely dubbed, is the successful Processing the command to the respective management station 30 via the Internet connection 2d confirmed. The acknowledgment message is this e-mail deposed and may from time to time by the management station 30 retrieved will.

FIG. 2 shows the inventive multimedia box network in operation after a second embodiment.

The Multimedia-box network according to Fig. 2 differs from the network of FIG. 1 in that the third data connection between the respective Music Box (20) and the management station (30) not through a direct ISDN connection (3), but from a guided via the data server ISDN connection consists. Here, the existing data connections 2b and 2c and 2a and 1 in such a manner connected in series, that a data connection produced between the respective jukebox and the management station is.

Fig. Figure 3 shows the initialization of individual jukeboxes prior to commissioning.

A jukebox 20 is delivered as a rule with an empty local database 21, so that the music box in question to be initialized before their commissioning have to be.

Firstly, the initialization of a jukebox according to their installation on site done so that then corresponding in FIG. 1 via the ISDN line 1 music data with an initialization program available on the main server 11 be dubbed. A disadvantage of this initialization, however, is that incur relatively high transmission costs via the ISDN line, as in the initial display of the local database 21 large amounts of data to be transferred have to.

Therefore, another possibility according to the initialization consists in the configuration Fig. 2, according to which the to be initialized jukeboxes 20 to the near Main server 11 are such that a local network connection, the corresponding 5 Data can be transferred. In this way, data links provided with a transmission rate of several megabits per second , while the over the conventional ISDN line between Main server 11 and a jukebox 20 according to FIG. 1 only transfer rates 128 kbit per second can be achieved. After the jukeboxes 20 accordingly are initialized, they can be delivered to the respective operators , whereby the operator of the site the jukebox only with a has to connect conventional ISDN telephone socket.