DE19911710A1 - Audio / video receiver for bidirectional telecommunication networks - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an audio/video receiver (IEG) for receiving audio/video data in a bidirectional telecommunication network (1). In order to access predetermined audio/video sources in the bidirectional telecommunications network (1), said receiver comprises an access unit (2), a browser (7) and a menu access unit (8), wherein an output unit outputs the data transmitted by the accessed audio/video sources. The menu access unit (8) produces a predetermined menu containing the audio/video sources available in the bidirectional telecommunication network (1), resulting in a particularly easy operation of the audio/video receiver (IEG).

Description

The invention relates to an audio / video receiving device for receiving audio / video data via a bidirectional Telecommunications network, and in particular on an Ra dio / TV receiver for receiving radio / TV broadcasts via the Internet.

Conventional audio / video receiving devices receive those from Au dio / video transmitters emitted signals either via ent speaking antenna systems (television antennas, satellite antennas nen) or via a so-called cable connection. Disadvantageous is the spatially very limited transmission range for such transmitters and the rigid assignment of transmission area ten.

In contrast, the INTERNET is increasingly used for the Ver spread of music and radio broadcasts. For the Downloading and playing music or radio broadcasts from the INTERNET is usually a conventional computer (personal computer, PC) used. First, a so-called BROWSER in the calculation ner or PC connected to the INTERNET and there a predetermined address (universal record locator, URL) as Audio / video source can be selected. To reduce the Da the volume from the audio / video source Data compressed, whereby in the PC especially suitable soft Goods programs must be in place to view the data sent to decompress and then play it back. A derar receiving audio / video data over the INTERNET therefore complicated and requires a considerable special knowledge.  

The invention is therefore based on the object of an Au dio / video receiver for receiving audio / video data over a bidirectional telecommunications network create that easy to use and therefore user-friendly is.

This object is achieved by the features of Pa claim 1 solved.

In particular through the use of a selection menu access unit, which is a predetermined selection menu of, for example Music / video providers available on the INTERNET as well Radio / TV stations, an audio / video Receiver for bidirectional telecommunication networks created that a conventional comparison CD / video player or radio / TV receiver is bar and therefore by any user without knowledge of bi directional telecommunications networks in a simple way can be operated.

The selection menu preferably consists of a list of im bidirectional telecommunications network available standing audio / video sources that have a respective assignment to the associated URL addresses. This can by simply selecting the name of a known audio / video Source (radio / TV station) in a simple way the associated URL address selected and the received data in reception device can be played.

Advantageous refinements of the Invention marked.

The invention is described below with reference to exemplary embodiments len described with reference to the drawing.

Show it:  

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the audio / video reception apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the operation of a selection menu access unit according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the operation of a selection menu access unit according to a two-th embodiment; and

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the operation of a selection menu access unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of he inventive audio / video receiver device for bidirectional telecommunication networks. A with the reference numeral 1 be designated bidirectional telecommunications network represents the INTERNET. The reference numeral IEG designates the audio / video receiving device (INTERNET receiving device) according to the invention, which is connected to the bidirectional telecommunications network 1 via a data interface 12 . The data interface 12 can represent an analog (modem), digital (ISDN card), mobile radio (eg GSM / UMTS card) or other interface.

The reference numeral 2 designates an access device which, in conjunction with the data interface 12, realizes access to predetermined audio / video sources in the bidirectional telecommunications network 1 . This access device 2 essentially consists of a conventional BROWSER 7 and a selection menu access unit 8 . Instead of the BROWSER 7 , other technologies can also be used. In particular, the so-called "SIM Toolkit" can be used when using a mobile radio interface as data interface 12 . An output unit 3 is used to output user information such as. B. a selection menu and the output of the selected audio / video data. The output unit 3 preferably has an optical display unit 3 A and / or an acoustic playback unit 3 L, via which menu navigation or control and the playback of the selected audio / video data are implemented. Optionally, however, the output unit 3 can also represent an analog and / or digital data output for a conventional HIFI stereo system or a conventional television set. In this case, the display unit 3 A serves only for user guidance.

The reference numeral 9 denotes a data converter, which carries out a conversion and / or compression / decompression of the most diverse data formats. Such data formats are, for example, the compression format used in the INTERNET according to MPEG1 layer 3 standard (also called mp3 format). Furthermore, the data converter 9 can perform a data conversion for the REAL AUDIO format data continuously transmitted (streaming audio) on the INTERNET, in contrast to the MP3 format the data sent from the INTERNET being continuously converted into music or video signals and none Caching takes place.

An input unit 5 is used for simple operation of the audio / video receiving device IEG, so-called "softkeys" preferably being used to select the audio / video sources displayed in the selection menu. Optionally, the audio / video sources specified in the selection menu can also be selected using a source selection wheel and the associated confirmation key or permanently assigned keys.

A storage unit 6 is only used in a download mode of the audio / video receiving device IEG, the audio / video data first being stored in the storage unit 6 and then being reproduced via the data converter 9 and the output unit 3 . The memory unit 6 can represent a fixed memory in the audio / video receiving device or an exchangeable memory card (smart card), which can then be inserted into another playback device.

A control unit 4 takes over the control of the various components in the audio / video receiving device IEG and in particular controls the selection menu access unit 8 and the data converter 9 as a function of the user commands entered via the input unit 5 . The data exchange in the audio / video receiving device IEG takes place here via a data / command bus 11 .

Optionally, the audio / video receiving device IEG can also have a recording unit 10 for recording audio / video signals. The recording unit 10 here preferably has a camera 10 K and / or a microphone 10 M, as a result of which audio / video signals can be recorded directly at the audio / video receiving device. In the same way as the output unit 3 , the recording unit 10 can also be a connection unit with an analog and / or digital data input for such conventional recording devices.

Below is how the audio / video reception works described device according to the present invention. To the rea lization of a so-called "standalone" audio / video Receivers with simplified user guidance exist essentially three preferred embodiments.

Embodiment 1

Fig. 2 shows the operation of an audio / video receiving device IEG according to a first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the selection menu-access unit 8 selects the browser 7 is a predetermined page, or URL (universal cord re locator) of an associated server to 5, in which a selection menu AWM is stored. The selection menu AWM preferably consists of a list of names of the audio / video sources (radio / TV stations) available in the bidirectional telecommunications network 1 with the associated URL addresses. This corresponds, for example, to a list of radio / TV stations that make their programs available on the INTERNET. The selection menu is prepared in a special way so that only the relevant information is displayed 3 A in the display unit. In the simplest case, for example, only a name of a respective radio / TV station is shown in the display unit 3 A, with corresponding input keys (eg soft keys) of the input unit 5 scrolling in the selection menu or confirming the selected and selected radio / TV station is carried out. By confirming the selected name or radio / TV transmitter, the browser 7 of the audio / video receiving device IEG establishes a direct connection to the URL address of the selected radio / TV transmitter via the data interface 12, the information provided by the radio / TV Transmitter transmitted data are either stored in a so-called "download" mode in the memory unit 6 or are output directly in the so-called "streaming" mode via the data converter 9 and the output unit 3 as a music signal or video signal. To end the data transmission or to change a selected radio / TV transmitter, the input unit 5 can be used to jump back to the selection menu AWM of the server S and to select a new radio / TV transmitter. In this case, the browser 7 preferably represents a mini-browser, which merely implements the basic functions for “surfing” in the bidirectional telecommunications network 1 .

Due to the outsourced generation of the selection menu in Ser ver S results for the audio / video receiving device particularly simple and inexpensive standalo ne receiving device.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 3 shows the operation of the audio / video Emp fishing gear IEG according to a second embodiment.

In contrast to the mode of operation according to the first embodiment, the selection menu displayed in the display unit 3 A is stored locally in the audio / video receiving device IEG. Preferably, the audio / video receiving device thus has an already locally stored selection menu AWM ', which in turn essentially includes a list of names of the audio / video sources (radio / TV stations) available in the bidirectional telecommunications network 1 associated URL addresses. The selection of, for example, a radio / TV transmitter in the audio / video receiving device IEG is thus carried out in a similar manner to that in the first exemplary embodiment, but initially no connection to the associated server S via the bidirectional telecommunications network 1 has to be established. Only when a predetermined name is selected does the selection menu access unit 8 initialize the browser 7 in such a way that the selected URL address (radio / TV transmitter) is selected directly in the bidirectional telecommunications network 1 .

Preferably, in order to update (UPDATE) the Au dio / video receiver IEG locally stored selection menus AWM 'on request or at predetermined time intervals the latest version of the selection menu AWM in the associated Server S can be picked up or loaded. Through this decentralized Storage of the selection menu AWM 'in combination with a Update (UPDATE) of one in an associated server S centrally generated selection menus AWM can speed when using the selection menu AWM '(station selection) increases while reducing the cost of online fees the selection procedure can be reduced. Nevertheless is on due to the regular update processes (update) the available selection menu AWM 'always on the new most recent.  

Embodiment 3

FIG. 4 shows the operation of the audio / video reception apparatus according to a third embodiment.

In contrast to the first and second embodiment, the selection menu is not generated centrally in a server S, but rather decentrally in the respective audio / video receiving device IEG. More specifically, the audio / video receiving device according to the third embodiment has a selection menu access unit 8 , which further comprises a selection menu generator device, not shown. Such a selection menu generator device for generating a local selection menu AWN * can, for example, have a complex search program which scans all or part of the URL addresses available in the bidirectional telecommunications network 1 via the browser 7 and for evaluable audio / video data checked. The audio / video source (URL addresses) determined in this way are then stored in the locally generated selection menu AWM * and provided with an associated station name. Such a local selection menu AWM * can also be created in cooperation with the respective user or exclusively by the user of the audio / video receiving device IEG.

The audio / video receiving device according to the third embodiment example represents the most flexible variant of the present invention, but the costs for the selection menu access unit 8 are relatively high due to the selection menu generator device used.

Below are further modifications of the present Invention described.

The audio / video receiving device IEG preferably has one Processing unit, not shown, for modifying a  Menu structure of the selection menu AWM, AWM 'or AWM *. More accurate said the user and / or appropriate software change the menu structure of the selection menu so that for further simplifying a selection of a respective Au dio / video source the list of available addresses here chemically ordered, classified and / or grouped. At such a list can be found in radio stations and Classify TV channels. Furthermore, in the radio or Music channels groups are generated, for example, the Music styles rock, pop, classical and s. w. contain. On this way, user convenience and ease Further improve usability.

In the mobile radio area, the server S generates and the Audio / video receiving device IEG preferred selection menu provided in the so-called WAP protocol. in the Landline will be corresponding other protocols for the over used the selection menus. The selection menu AWM can a specific INTERNET page of an independent Service provider or the respective audio / video Be source.

Furthermore, predetermined areas can be released for advertising in the selection menus for the refinancing of such INTERNET radio / TV transmitters. Here, part of the display content can be used for advertising that is transmitted from the respective radio / TV transmitter (service provider, content owner) via the bi-directional telecommunications network 1 to the audio / video receiving device.

Preferably, the audio / video receiving device has a display unit 3 A and a speaker 3 L for playing the received audio / video data. However, it can also be used as a modular component in connection with a HIFI stereo system, the output unit 3 only having a connection unit for the analog audio and video signals. Furthermore, the data interface 12 can be located both in the audio / video receiving device IEG and in a base station (cradle). In this case, the audio / video receiving device IEG is removable or pluggable connected to the base station (not shown) (cradle) and can be used in a manner similar to what is known as a "walk-man" or "disk-man".

In the event that the audio / video receiving device has a recording unit 10 with a microphone 10 M and / or an audio signal input and a camera 10 K and / or a video signal input, the receiving device IEG can also be used as a recording device . The recorded audio / video signals are digitized in real time via an integrated A / D converter and compressed with a DSP / microprocessor and either temporarily stored in the storage unit 6 or continuously via the data interface 12 to a receiver in the bidirectional telecommunications network 1 Posted. The receiver is selected here using the browser 7 integrated in the audio / video receiving device IEG.

Claims (13)

1. Audio / video receiving device for receiving audio / video data via a bidirectional telecommunications network with:
an access device ( 2 , 12 ) for accessing certain audio / video sources in the bidirectional telecommunications network ( 1 ); and
an output unit ( 3 ) for outputting the data sent by the accessed audio / video sources,
characterized in that
the access device has a selection menu access unit ( 8 ) which generates a predetermined selection menu (AWM; AWM '; AWM *) of the audio / video sources available in the bidirectional telecommunications network ( 1 ), and
the output unit ( 3 ) outputs the generated selection menu (AWM; AWM '; AWM *). 2. Audio / video receiving device according to claim 1, characterized in that the selection menu (AWM; AWM '; AWM *) has a list of names of the radio / TV stations available in the bidirectional telecommunications network ( 1 ) associated URL addresses. 3. Audio / video receiving device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the option menu access unit ( 8 ) in the bidirectional telecommunications network ( 1 ) accesses a predetermined page of an associated server (S) that the selection menu (AWM) contains. 4. Audio / video receiving device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the option menu access unit ( 8 ) in the bidirectional telecommunications network ( 1 ) accesses a local storage unit ( 6 ) which the selection menu (AWM ' ) contains, with the selection menu (AWM ') being loaded via the bidirectional telecommunications network ( 1 ) from an associated server (S). 5. Audio / video receiving device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the selection menu access unit ( 8 ) generates the selection menu (AWM *) with a selection menu generator device locally. 6. Audio / video receiving device according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the selection menu access unit ( 8 ) has a processing unit for modifying a menu structure of the selection menu (AWM; AWM '; AWM *). 7. Audio / video receiving device according to claim 6, characterized in that the Bear processing unit the menu structure of the selection menu (AWM; AWM '; AWM *) hierarchically organizes, classifies and / or groups. 8. Audio / video receiving device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by a charging unit ( 4 , 6 ) for receiving and storing the data sent by the accessed audio / video sources. 9. Audio / video receiving device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by a converter unit ( 9 ) for continuously converting and processing the data sent by the accessed audio / video sources. 10. Audio / video receiving device according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the Audio / video sources sent data audio and / or videoda display in MPEG1 layer 3 and / or REAL format.   11. Audio / video receiving device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the gripping device has a data interface ( 12 ) for establishing a physical data connection to the bidirectional Te telecommunications network ( 1 ). 12. Audio / video receiving device according to claim 11, characterized in that the bidirectional telecommunications network ( 1 ) the INTERNET and the data interface ( 12 ) is an analog, digital or Mo bilfunk interface. 13. Audio / video transceiver with a receiving device according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized by a recording unit ( 10 ) for recording information at the receiving device (IEG), the access device ( 2 , 12 ) receiving the information sends a predetermined receiver in the bidirectional telecommunications network ( 1 ).