FR2797540A3 - INSTALLATION FOR PRESENTING ACOUSTIC AND / OR OPTICAL INFORMATION - Google Patents

Abstract

A user-friendly installation for presenting content which is stored on audio or video memory media (11, 11 ′), comprises a local database (3) in which the content is stored as files, at least one peripheral device (5, 5 ') which connects the local database (3) with a copying device (6, 6') and a barcode reader (7, 7 '), and a program for monitoring management, which dedicates a barcode on the packaging of the memory medium to the file belonging to it in the local database (3) and which, after reading the barcode, controls the copy of the content of this file by the copying device. For its part, the local database (3) is connected to a central database (1), which supplies the files of the contents which can be copied to the local database.

Description

INSTALLATION FOR PRESENTING INFORMATION

ACOUSTICS AND / OR OPTICS

  The present invention relates to an installation intended for copying, in particular

  by extracts, audio or video memory media.

  Frequently, a customer who wants to buy an audio or video memory medium, for example an audio compact disc or a DVD, would like to preview or preview this memory medium before purchasing it. This possibility is offered to it by an installation, known from WO 98/25364, with a local database in which the contents of the memory media are stored, with at least one peripheral which also includes a copying device and a reader. of bar codes dedicated to it, and a management program which, after reading the bar code on the packaging of a memory medium, controls the copying of the content of the local database belonging to this memory medium by the copying device. It is also possible to connect devices for the input and output of additional data, control instructions and information to the peripheral, so that a forward function can be activated, for example. reverse, a variation in the intensity of the copy sound and the output of additional information, for example title, artist name, sale price and the like, provided that the database, program management and possibly other software assist these functions. This known installation is

  certainly pleasant for the customer, but it has the disadvantage that the operator, that is to say

  say, as a general rule the merchant or sales staff, must load the local database corresponding to the current storage media for sale held in

  stock, and constantly update it.

  At least with a rapidly varying offer, as is the principle in the light music sector and in particular pop music, this maintenance of the base

  local data is extremely time consuming.

  The invention therefore aims to create an installation which performs for the end user (customer or buyer) the same thing as the known installation, but which is

  much more comfortable for the operator (trader or seller).

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  According to the invention, this problem is solved by an installation having the

  characteristics indicated in claim 1.

  The heart of the solution here consists in the connection of the local database with a central database, which sends the files of the contents that can be copied to the local database. The central database, if applicable its operator can therefore update and maintain the local database by remote data transmission, either permanently or at regular intervals, for example even at night. The merchant or seller, who operates the installation in his stores, obtains in this way a sales aid which, after acquisition and installation, in practice no longer requires any work on site. This concept is naturally particularly profitable, when many similar installations at different merchants are connected to the central database, because the costs of the central database and its maintenance are then distributed over a large number of corresponding merchants. At the same time, each merchant can give the operator of the central database a user profile which corresponds to his offer for memory media or types of memory media. This prevents files from being loaded into the local database, which are not actually in stock at the point of sale considered, therefore these files are not

  not even called, because you can't read the corresponding bar codes.

  In accordance with this, one does not need to choose the memory capacity unnecessarily

  great for the local database.

  However, the central database can also be used in another way, namely for online calling of the files, which are associated with the memory media, the bar code of which the customer or the buyer has actually read. Another possibility is to use the memory space of the local database as a cache and to keep locally only the files of memory media frequently called, while the files of memory media rarely requested, are called online from the central database. For example, 50,000 pieces of music are stored in the central database, of which 2,000 are deposited in the local database and each of the others can be loaded online on demand. In the central database, memory areas can also be allocated to individual operators of local databases, in which

  can store memory media with rarely called files.

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  The installation according to the invention can be designed so that only the central database can control the loading of the files of the contents which can be

  copied to the local database.

  In addition, the local database can also be connected to a charging station to read music tracks as input. The charging station can be a usual commercial computer with a CD-ROM drive, which is connected

  to the local database via a data line, preferably one-way.

  To establish the corresponding files and to integrate them into the stock of the local database, an appropriate software must be provided. Additional files played locally can, under the supervision of the local database or the database.

  central data, be returned securely to the latter.

  Furthermore, the local database can be connected to an audiovisual reproduction station. In this way, it is possible to make the customer or the purchaser listen to or show, independently of the individual copying device, defined storage media which have particularly recent contents or which

it's about promoting the sale.

  To control the audiovisual reproduction station, it may have an alphanumeric keyboard. Instead of the alphanumeric keyboard, you can also use, for

example, a touch screen.

  An embodiment of an installation according to the invention is shown in the drawing in simplified schematic form. The single figure shows the design of an installation for setting up music pieces for a user. The installation is shown in connection with two CD sales shelves 10, 10 'of a merchant. It includes a remote central database, which is connected with a local database 3 by a DFU / WAN link 2, therefore a connection for remote data transmission if necessary for wide-areanetwork. Two peripheral devices 5, 5 'are connected to the database 3 by standard network components 4, 4'. To each peripheral device 5 or 5 'respectively, two pairs of headphones 6 and 6' respectively are connected as well as a code reader to

bars 7 or 7 'respectively.

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  Ideally, all commercially available music is stored in central database 1 in digital form, as files, at

  to know, either entirely, or by extracts, decompressed or compresses.

  The music titles contained on CDs in stock at the merchant's are deposited in the local database 3 in the form of files, for example compressed in MPEG2-Layer3 format. The pieces of music contained on a CD can be identified by the bar code on the corresponding packaging, either directly by means of the bar code or, preferably, by means of an auxiliary file which is placed in the installation, preferably in the local database 3, which contains, with the article numbers each represented by the corresponding barcode, a

  full index of content as well as possibly other specific information.

  If a customer wants to preview the music on a CD

  11, 1 the one he selected for example, he wears a 6,6 'earpiece, and he presents the code-

  bar applied to the CD packaging in front of the corresponding barcode reader 7, 7 '. This triggers the copying of the music titles contained on this CD or an extract from

  these titles by means of the earpiece 6, 6 '.

  The response time between a barcode reading and the reproduction of the title of

  music can take a few tenths of a second.

  The barcode reader is, for example, an omnidirectional optical scanner

usual trade.

  The central database is generally a server, which can update in

  line all the data on the local database 3 according to the request.

  A complete service and an online interview by the database operator

control unit 1 is also possible.

  In this example, the peripheral devices 5, 5 ′ do not include a screen, keyboard, mouse or hard disk. They only need the electronics and software to operate the barcode readers 7, 7 'and the headphones 6, 6', and they can be configured to work in a local area network without an operator. They must therefore be connected and switched on only once. Installation then starts

  automatically in working condition.

  Transformation of the scanned barcode into the name of the corresponding music extract file, reading of the music extract from the local database and decoding, processing of the compression format (for example MP3 / real audio), the

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  transmission of the data stream to the corresponding drive circuit of a sound card, etc., can be ensured by a media player software designed for the format of

  compression implemented, that is to say by software written for this application case.

  With the installation according to the invention, the search, for example of music by pre-listening is considerably simplified for the customer. When several input / output units are distributed on the CD shelves, the trader benefits from the advantage that the risk of seeing the CDs moved inside

of its premises is reduced.

  In addition, the installation may have a local loading station for music pieces (not shown). The latter is then equipped with corresponding software which selects, for example, 30-second extracts from separate pieces of music, converts them to the corresponding format (for example MP3) and

  integrates into the data archive of the local database.

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Claims (5)

  1. Installation for copying, in particular by extracts, contents of audio video memory media (11, 11 ′), - with a local database (3), in which the contents which can be copied are stored as files and can be addressed and managed according to the monitoring of the memory media (11, 1 1 '), - with at least one peripheral device (5, 5') which is connected, on the one hand, with the local database (3 ) and, on the other hand, with at least one acoustic or / and optical copying device (6, 6 ′), as well as a dedicated barcode reader (7, 7 ′), - with a monitoring management program which dedicates a barcode which is on the packaging of the memory medium (11, 11 ') and which identifies the latter, to the corresponding file in the local database (3) and which, after reading the barcode, controls the copying of the content of this file by the copying device (6, 6 '),   characterized in that the local database (3) is connected to a central database (1) which provides the files of the contents which can be copied to the database local (3).   2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that only the central database (1) controls the loading of files and contents which can   be copied to the local database (3).   3. Installation according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the local database and is further connected to a loading station   to play music as input.   4. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the   local database (3) is connected to a reproduction station audiovisual.   5. Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that the station   audiovisual reproduction has an alphanumeric keyboard.