Audio/visual server

• US 20050044574A1
• Filed: 06/30/2004
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harman International Industries Incorporated (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Harman International Industries Incorporated (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Dowling, Brendan T., Benyamin, Daniel, Lau, Dannie C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,452,857 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/91
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/04 Arrangement of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10546 specifically adapted for audio data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41422 located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4147 PVR [Personal Video Recorder] H04N5/76 takes precedence ; arrangements for broadcast with accumulation-type receivers H04H20/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42669 the medium being removable
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/439 Processing of audio elementary streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4586 Content update operation triggered locally, e.g. by comparing the version of software modules in a DVB carousel to the version stored locally deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction of the data by redundancy during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4621 Controlling the complexity of the content stream or additional data, e.g. lowering the resolution or bit-rate of the video stream for a mobile client with a small screen arrangements for using the results of monitoring on user's side in broadcast systems H04H60/65; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4728 for selecting a Region Of Interest [ROI], e.g. for requesting a higher resolution version of a selected region
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format

Abstract

An audio/visual server is described that can be used to store and play audio/visual data. A removable hard disk (or other media) is connected to a dock that is in communication with a computer. While the removable hard disk is connected to the dock, audio/visual data can be transferred from the computer to the hard disk. After the hard disk is removed from the dock and connected to the audio/visual server, the server can access and play the audio/visual data. In one embodiment, the audio/visual server stores and plays music, emulates a disc changer, and communicates with an automobile stereo head unit. The interface with the head unit is programmable so that multiple head units can be supported.

Claims

1. An audio/visual server system, comprising:

a connecting unit adapted to be connected to an audio/visual data providing device;

an audio/visual server adapted to be in bidirectional communication with an audio/visual head unit; and

a first storage device capable of being removably connected to said connecting unit and said audio/visual server for transferring audio/visual data from said audio/visual data providing device to said audio/visual server.

2. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:

said audio/visual server performs a method comprising;

receiving a request from said head unit to send audio/visual information to said head unit,

reading audio/visual data from said first storage device, and

sending audio/visual information to said head unit in response to said request and based on said audio/visual data.

3. An audio/visual server system according to claim 2, wherein:

said audio/visual information is an analog signal.

4. An audio/visual server system according to claim 2, wherein:

said audio/visual information is a digital signal.

5. An audio/visual server system according to claim 2, wherein said method further includes the step of:

playing said audio/visual data, said step of sending includes transmitting an output of said step of playing.

6. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:

said audio/visual server includes a second storage device, said second storage device stores user replaceable interface program code received from said first storage device, said audio/visual server communicates with said audio/visual head unit based on said user replaceable interface program code stored on said second storage device.

7. An audio/visual server system according to claim 6, wherein said audio/visual server performs a method comprising:

determining whether new user replaceable interface program code is to be loaded;

reading said new user replaceable interface program code from said first storage device if said new user replaceable interface program code is to be loaded; and

storing said new user replaceable interface program code on said second storage device if said new user replaceable interface program code is to be loaded.

8. An audio/visual server system according to claim 7, wherein said method further includes the step of:

decrypting said new user replaceable interface program code.

9. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:

said audio/visual server receives power from said head unit.

10. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:

said audio/visual server emulates a disc changer.

11. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:

said audio/visual server includes a switch which senses whether said first storage device is connected to said audio/visual server and prevents said audio/visual server from operating if said first storage device is not connected to said audio/visual server.

12. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:

said audio/visual data providing device is a computer;

said first storage device includes a first connector; and

said connecting unit comprises;

a cradle for receiving said first storage device,

a second connector adapted to connect to said first connector,

a conversion circuit connected to said second connector, and

a cable in communication with said conversion circuit and said computer.

13. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:

said first storage device is a hard disk drive.

14. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:

said audio/visual data is compressed digital audio data.

15. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:

said connecting unit receives said audio/visual data from said audio/visual data providing device;

said first storage device receives said audio/visual data from said connecting unit;

said audio/visual server includes a music player;

said music player accesses said audio/visual data from said first storage device and provides a music output; and

said audio/visual server communicates said music output to said audio/visual head unit.

16. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein said audio/visual server comprises:

an input connector;

one or more processor readable storage devices capable of storing user replaceable interface program code received at said input connector and audio/visual data;

an output connector connected to said audio/visual head unit; and

one or more processors in communication with said one or more processor readable storage devices and said output connector, at least one of said one or more processors engages in two-way communication with said audio/visual head unit based on said user replaceable interface program code.

17. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein said audio/visual server comprises:

a first processor, said first processor includes first memory for storing user replaceable interface program code, said first processor engages in two-way communication with said audio/visual head unit based on said user replaceable interface program code; and

a second processor in communication with said first storage device and said first processor, said second processor plays audio/visual data and creates a music output, said second processor communicates said music output to said audio/visual head unit.

18. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein said audio/visual server performs a method comprising:

receiving a request from said head unit to play a specific track; and

playing said specific track.

52. A method according to claim 6, wherein:

said first head unit is an automobile head unit.

53. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:

said connector includes a dock.

54. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:

said head unit is an automobile head unit.

19-25. -25. (Cancelled)

26. An audio/visual server system for use in conjunction with a head unit, comprising:

one or more processor readable storage devices capable of storing user replaceable interface program code and audio/visual data;

a connection to said head unit; and

one or more processors in communication with said one or more processor readable storage devices and said connection to said head unit, at least one of said one or more processors engages in two-way communication with said head unit based on said user replaceable interface program code.

27. An audio/visual server system according to claim 26, wherein:

said one or more processor readable storage devices includes a removable hard disk drive.

28. An audio/visual server system according to claim 27, wherein:

said one or more processor readable storage devices includes a memory device; and

said one or more processors perform a method comprising the steps of;

determining whether new user replaceable interface program code is to be loaded,

reading said new user replaceable interface program code from said hard disk drive if said new user replaceable interface program code is to be loaded, and

storing said new user replaceable interface program code on said memory device if said new user replaceable interface program code is to be loaded.

29. An audio/visual server system according to claim 27, further including:

an input connector connected to said one or more processors; and

a dock connected to a computer, said removable hard disk drive capable of being removably connected to said dock and said input connector.

30. An audio/visual server system according to claim 26, wherein:

said stored audio/visual data is compressed digital audio data.

31. An audio/visual server system according to claim 26, wherein said one or more processors perform a method comprising the steps of:

receiving a request from said head unit to play a specific track; and

playing said specific track.

32. An audio/visual server system according to claim 26, wherein:

said one or more processors plays said audio/visual data according to one or more play lists stored on said one or more processor readable storage devices.

55. An audio/visual server system according to claim 26, wherein:

said head unit is an automobile head unit.

33-45. -45. (Cancelled)

46. A method for providing audio/visual data, comprising:

receiving and storing user replaceable audio/visual data;

receiving and storing first user replaceable interface program code; and

communicating with a first head unit based on said first user replaceable interface program code, including receiving requests from said first head unit to send audio/visual information to said first head unit and sending said audio/visual information to said first head unit in response to said request.

47. A method according to claim 46, further including the steps of:

receiving and storing second user replaceable interface program code after said step of communicating with a first head unit based on said first user replaceable interface program code; and

communicating with said first head unit based on said second user replaceable interface program code.

48. A method according to claim 46, further including the steps of:

receiving an indication from a user to store new user replaceable interface program code;

loading said new user replaceable interface program code on a removable media; and

inserting said removable media into a server, said step of receiving and storing first user replaceable interface code and said step of communicating being performed by said server.

49. A method according to claim 46, further including the steps of:

receiving and storing second user replaceable interface program code after said step of communicating with a first head unit; and

communicating with a second head unit based on said second user replaceable interface program code.

50. A method according to claim 49, further including the step of:

decrypting said second user replaceable interface program code.

51. A method according to claim 46, wherein said step of receiving and storing first user replaceable interface program code includes the steps of:

determining whether an update is available for previously stored replaceable interface program code;

requesting said update;

receiving said first user replaceable interface program code; and

storing said first user replaceable interface program code.