KR20070111058A - Media file transmission and playback system for automobiles and method for transmitting media file using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A media file transmission and playback system for automobile and a media file transmission method using the same are provided to secure playback of a media file by recognizing only a model number of a media playback unit. A media playback unit(130) is installed in a vehicle to play back a media file. A media server(100) stores one or more media files and converts the media file selected by a user according to property information of the media playback unit. A client terminal(110) is connected through a network to the media server to transmit peculiar information related to the media playback unit to the media server, and to receive the converted media file. A wireless communication unit(120) transmits the media file received by the client terminal to the media playback unit.

Description

MEDIA FILE TRANSMISSION AND PLAYBACK SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING MEDIA FILE USING THE SAME}

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a vehicular media playback device for playing media files in a vehicle and a personal computer installed in a home according to the prior art.

2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating a USB memory and an external hard disk used for storing media files in a vehicular media playback apparatus according to the prior art, respectively.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a vehicular media file transfer and playback system in accordance with the present invention.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a media server according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a vehicular media playback device according to the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle media file transfer method according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a vehicle media file transfer and playback system and a vehicle media file transfer method using the same, and more particularly, to ensure the playback of media files regardless of the type of media playback apparatus installed in the vehicle using a conversion process. A vehicle media file transmission and playback system and a vehicle media file transmission method using the same.

With the spread of personal computers, personal computers are spreading in each household, and the performance of personal computers is greatly improved, and users can create and play various music and video files (hereinafter referred to as 'media files') in digital form on the computer. It is a trend that can be freed.

With this trend, the codecs of media files have also diversified. Codecs such as MP3, OGG, and WMA are widely used for music files, and codecs such as DivX, Xvid, and WMV are used for video files. In addition to the above codecs, many types of codecs are used. In order to play media files encoded with a specific codec, the user must install the corresponding codec on the user's computer. Codec is software that performs encoding and decoding and must be installed in order to generate and play a media file.

Most of the personal computers installed in the home are always connected to the Internet, so the codec can be freely downloaded and played back when necessary. However, the media playback device installed in a vehicle has a lot of space in its size or installation space, and it is not easy to download the codec because it is not connected to the Internet, and there is no input device such as a keyboard or a mouse even when connected to the Internet. Due to the difficulty of using the Internet.

 In addition, the video may not be played when the codec is different, and even if the codec is installed in the vehicle playback device, playback may not be possible depending on the resolution of the video, the computational performance of the playback device, and the like.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a vehicular media playback apparatus for playing media files in a vehicle according to the prior art and a personal computer installed in a home, and FIGS. 2a and 2b respectively illustrate media files in a vehicular media playback apparatus according to the prior art. A schematic diagram showing a USB memory and an external hard disk used for storing.

1, by using a personal computer 20 installed in the home (10) to download the media file from the Internet for free or free, or to create and save the media file directly. The stored media files are stored in the storage unit of the media reproducing apparatus 40 installed in the vehicle 30 through the USB memory 50 or the USB type external hard disk device 60 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. After this process, the user can watch or listen to the media file stored in the storage of the media playback device 40.

However, even if the media file is stored in the in-vehicle media playback device 40 through this process, the media file cannot be played if the codec is not installed in the in-vehicle media playback device 40.

Due to the particularity of the vehicle media player, the size and performance of the vehicle media playback device can utilize only limited resources compared to a personal computer used at home. Not only is it impossible to install all existing codecs, but it is also very inefficient to install all existing codecs. Therefore, only extremely limited media files can be played back, and the types of files that can be played back vary depending on the type of the vehicle media player.

Most users do not know what media files are supported by in-vehicle media playback devices due to lack of knowledge about codecs, so they often cannot play media files downloaded from their vehicles. Even when the codec is installed, there are many cases where playback is impossible depending on the resolution, decoding performance of the playback device, and the like. In particular, there is a problem in that when a user cannot play a media file downloaded for a fee, the user cannot obtain a price for the cost paid by the user.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a vehicle media file transmission and playback system and a vehicle media file transmission method using the same, which enables the playback of media files regardless of the type of media playback apparatus installed in the vehicle by using a conversion process. To provide that purpose.

A media file transmission and playback system for a vehicle according to the present invention includes a media playback device installed in a vehicle for playing a media file; At least one media file, the media server converting the media file selected by the user according to the attribute information of the media player; A client terminal connected to the media server via a network to transmit unique information about the media player to the media server according to a user's designation, and to receive the converted media file; And a wireless communication device for transmitting the media file received by the client terminal to the media playback device.

Here, the media playback device may be connected to the wireless communication device and receive a media file; A storage unit which stores the received media file; A control unit for decoding the media file and controlling the storage unit and the wireless receiving device; And a display unit for outputting the decoded media file and a voice reproducing unit, wherein the media server comprises: a storage unit for storing the media file; A media converter for converting the stored media file to be suitable for the media player; A network interface unit for accessing the network; And a controller for controlling the storage, the media converter, and the network interface.

In addition, the media server may include at least one of a resolution, a codec, a bit rate, a sampling rate, and a capacity of the media file so as to match the capacity of a storage unit included in the media player, a resolution of a display, a media file decoding capability, and an installed codec. Convert.

The media server includes a database storing unique information and attribute information about a media playback device. The media server extracts information about the media playback device by searching for the information and extracts the information on the media playback device. The media file can be converted to suit.

The wireless communication device may be an access point, and the wireless reception device may be any one of a wireless LAN and a Wibro communication device.

Here, the unique information about the media player may be any one of a serial number and a model number of the media player, and may be connected to the media server and perform billing and payment for the media file received by the client terminal. It may further include a payment server.

A vehicle media file transmission method according to the present invention comprises the steps of (a) accessing a media server storing one or more media files through a client terminal; (b) inputting unique information of the media playback apparatus installed in the vehicle; (c) a user selecting at least one of the one or more media files; (d) converting the selected media file according to attribute information of a media playback device; (e) transmitting the converted media file to the client terminal; And (f) transmitting the converted media file to the media playback device.

The client terminal may transmit a media file to the media playback apparatus through an access point, and the unique information about the media playback apparatus may be one of a serial number and a model number of the media playback apparatus.

In addition, the step (d) is a step of extracting information on the capacity of the storage unit, the resolution of the display, the media file decoding capability and the installed codec by searching the database storing the attribute information about the media player ; And converting at least one of a resolution, a codec, a bit rate, a sampling rate, and a capacity of the media file to suit the capacity of the storage unit included in the media playback device, the resolution of the display, the media file decoding capability, and the installed codec. can do.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for transmitting a vehicle media file, comprising: storing the received media file in the media playback device; And decoding and playing the stored media file.

In addition, the vehicle media file transmission method according to the present invention may further comprise the step of performing the billing and payment for the selected media file.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle media file transmission and playback system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the vehicle media file transmission and playback system according to the present invention includes a media server 100, a client terminal 110, a wireless communication device 120, and a media playback device 130. The payment server 140 may further include.

Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

The media server 100 includes a database including one or more media files and information on the media playback device 130, and converts the media files according to the extracted attribute information based on the unique information of the media playback device 130. do. Here, the unique information of the media player 130 is a serial number, a model number, and the like of the media player 130. The media server 100 displays attribute information about the media playback device 130, for example, the capacity of a storage unit included in the media playback device 130, and the display according to the unique information of the media playback device 130 input by the user. Information about a resolution, a media file decoding capability, an installed codec, and the like are extracted from the database, and the media file is converted to be suitable for playback on the media playback device 130 based on the information. That is, the resolution, codec, bitrate, sampling rate, and capacity of the media file selected by the user are converted based on the information extracted from the database.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a media server according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the media server 100 includes a storage 300, a media converter 310, a network interface 330, and a controller 320.

The storage unit 300 stores a database including information on various media files and the media playback device 130. The database includes unique information (e.g., serial number, model number, etc.) and attribute information (e.g., information about display resolution, decoding performance, playable codecs, etc.) about the media playback device 130, In addition, additional information is stored that can be added to various media playback devices, such as additional decoding modules, large displays, and the like.

The media converter 310 converts the stored media file to be suitable for the media player. The media converter 310 converts the media file into a media file having a different resolution, codec, bit rate, and sampling rate by hardware or software. The hardware and software related to this conversion can use a variety of existing hardware and software.

The network interface unit 330 performs a function of connecting the media server to the network. The media server is connected to the client terminal, payment server, etc. through the network interface unit 330.

The controller 320 performs overall control of the media server 100 such that the storage 300, the media converter 310, and the network interface 320 may store data, convert media, and communicate with the network. .

Referring back to FIG. 3, the client terminal 110 is connected to the media server 100 through a network to transmit unique information about the media playback device 130 to the media server 100 according to a user's designation. Received media files.

Specifically, the client terminal 110 receives the media from the user, the unique information about the media playback device 130, for example, the serial number, model number, etc. of the media playback device installed in the user's vehicle. It transmits to the server 100, and provides a user interface such as a web interface to the user. The client terminal 110 may be a personal computer, and a user may access the media server 100 by using a web browser or the like or by installing a dedicated program. The client terminal 110 receives and stores the converted media file suitable for the media player installed in the user's vehicle from the media server 100 and transmits it to the media player.

The wireless communication device 120 transmits the media file received and stored by the client terminal 110 to the media playback device 130. Preferably, the received media file is transmitted to the media playback device 130 through a wireless LAN or a Wibro (Wireless Broadband Internet) communication device. Accordingly, the wireless communication device 120 may be an access point (AP).

The media player 130 is installed in a vehicle and performs a function of playing a media file. The media playback device 130 may be installed in the car audio or installed on the trunk of the vehicle.

A detailed configuration of the media player 130 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

5 is a block diagram showing a vehicular media playback device according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the media playback device 130 includes a wireless receiver 200, a storage 210, a controller 220, a display 230, and a voice playback 240.

The wireless receiving device 200 is connected to the wireless communication device 120 and receives a media file from the client terminal 110. The wireless reception device 200 may be a wireless LAN or a Wibro communication device.

The storage unit 210 includes a flash memory, a hard disk, and the like, capable of storing the received media file.

The controller 220 reads and decodes the stored media file, controls the storage 210 and the wireless receiver 200, and performs overall control of the media playback device 130.

The display unit 230 and the voice reproducing unit 240 include a display device such as an LCD or an OLED for visually outputting the decoded media file.

The voice reproducing unit 240 includes a speaker for acoustically outputting the decoded media file.

Although not shown, the media playback device 130 further includes a power supply device. The power supply device is preferably directly connected to the battery so that the power supply can supply power to the media player 130 even when the vehicle is turned off.

Referring to FIG. 3 again, the payment server 140 is connected to the media server 100 through a network to perform billing and payment for the media file received by the client terminal 110.

Specifically, when the user accesses the media server 100 and selects one or more media files to be downloaded, the payment server 140 calculates the total amount thereof and charges and pays for them. After charging and settlement is completed, the user can download the converted media file.

Hereinafter, a vehicle media file transfer method according to the present invention will be described in detail.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle media file transmission method according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a user accesses a media server in which one or more media files are stored through a dedicated program or a web browser installed in a client terminal (S100). In the first connection, the media server may request the user to register the user, and when the user registers, the media server may request to input unique information such as a serial number and a model number of the in-vehicle media playback apparatus possessed by the user (S110). Even if the user has two or more in-vehicle media playback devices, the user may input it and request to select the media playback device when converting the media file. If the connection is not the first time, the media file search step can be directly performed without inputting unique information. In addition, if the user adds additional options to their media playback device, such as a decoding module, a large display, the user is asked if they want to enter this additional information, and if the user chooses to enter the additional information, A list of options that can be added to the media playback device may be output for the user to select. If the user has a choice, it can be reflected when converting the media file.

When the access and additional information input are completed, the user searches for a plurality of media files stored in the media server and selects one or more desired media files (S120). It is possible to use various existing copy protection devices by preventing unauthorized copying of media files. For example, DRM (Digital Rights Management) is set to enable the management of the validity of the media file, copy protection, authorization of the owner, and the like.

When the selection of the media file is completed, the media server requests payment from the user and performs billing and payment in association with the payment server (S130). The user makes a payment using various payment means in accordance with the request of the media server.

When the payment is completed, the media server converts the selected media file according to the attribute information of the media player (S140).

Specifically, the media server searches a database storing unique information about the media playback device and searches for attribute information about the media playback device, for example, the capacity of the storage unit, the resolution of the display, the media file decoding capability, the installed codec, and the like. Extract the information. Converting at least one of the resolution, codec, bit rate, sampling rate and capacity of the media file to suit the capacity of the storage unit included in the media player, the resolution of the display, the media file decoding capability, and the installed codec with reference to the information. Create a new media file and save it.

Next, the converted media file is transmitted to the client terminal (S150).

The client terminal receiving the converted media file transmits the converted media file to the media playback apparatus installed in the vehicle through a wireless connection such as an access point (S160).

The received media file is stored in the media playback device, and the stored media file is decoded and played back according to a user's request (S170).

The vehicle media file transmission and playback system and the vehicle media file transmission method using the same have two advantages.

First, from the user's point of view, the user can download various media files without worrying about the codec, resolution, etc., only by knowing the model number of the media player installed in his vehicle, and can play the downloaded media files. It has the advantage of being guaranteed.

Secondly, from the producer side of the media playback device, by guaranteeing the playback of media files, it is possible to solve the cost incurring factors such as after-sales service, refund, etc., because the media files cannot be played. A significant savings can be achieved, and the fact that media files can be played back can increase sales and increase sales. In addition, there is an advantage that the sales of various media files can be obtained through charging for the media files.

Claims (19)

A media playback device installed in the vehicle and configured to play media files; A media server that stores one or more media files and converts the media file selected by the user according to the attribute information of the media player; A client terminal connected to the media server via a network to transmit unique information about a media playback device to the media server according to a user's designation, and to receive the converted media file; And A wireless communication device for transmitting the media file received by the client terminal to the media playback device In-vehicle media file transfer and playback system comprising a. The method of claim 1, The media playback device A wireless receiving device connected to the wireless communication device to receive the media file; A storage unit which stores the received media file; A control unit for decoding the media file and controlling the storage unit and the wireless receiving device; And A display unit and a voice reproduction unit for outputting the decoded media file In-vehicle media file transfer and playback system comprising a. The method of claim 1, The media server A storage unit for storing the media file; A media converter for converting the stored media file to be suitable for the media player; A network interface unit for accessing the network; And Control unit for controlling the storage unit, media converter and network interface unit In-vehicle media file transfer and playback system comprising a. The method of claim 1, The media server converts at least one of the resolution, codec, bit rate, sampling rate, and capacity of the media file to suit the capacity of the storage unit included in the media playback device, the resolution of the display, the media file decoding capability, and the installed codec. In-vehicle media file transfer and playback system, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, And the media server includes a database storing unique information and attribute information about a media playback device. The method of claim 5, The media server may search the database to extract the attribute information of the media player and convert the media file to be suitable for playback on the media player by referring to the extracted attribute information. File transfer and playback system. The method of claim 1, And said wireless communication device comprises an access point. The method of claim 2, The wireless reception device includes any one of a wireless LAN and a Wibro communication device for a vehicle media file transmission and playback system. The method of claim 1, And the unique information about the media player is any one of a serial number and a model number of the media player. The method of claim 1, And a payment server connected to the media server and configured to charge and pay the media file received by the client terminal. The method of claim 2, The media playback device further includes a power supply device for supplying power to the media playback device when the vehicle is turned off by being directly connected to a battery. (a) accessing a media server storing one or more media files through a client terminal; (b) inputting unique information of the media playback apparatus installed in the vehicle; (c) a user selecting at least one of the one or more media files; (d) converting the selected media file according to attribute information of a media playback device; (e) transmitting the converted media file to the client terminal; And (f) transferring the converted media file to the media playback device Vehicle media file transfer method comprising a. The method of claim 12, And the client terminal transmits a media file to the media playback apparatus through an access point. The method of claim 12, And the unique information about the media player is any one of a serial number and a model number of the media player. The method of claim 12, Step (d) Retrieving a database storing attribute information about the media player and extracting information about a capacity of a storage unit of the media player, a resolution of a display, a media file decoding capability, and an installed codec; And Converting at least one of a resolution, a codec, a bit rate, a sampling rate, and a capacity of the media file to suit the capacity of the storage unit included in the media playback device, the resolution of the display, the media file decoding capability, and the installed codec. In-vehicle media file transfer and playback system comprising a. The method of claim 12, Storing the received media file in the media playback device; And Decoding and playing the stored media file In-vehicle media file transfer and playback system further comprising. The method of claim 12, And (f) is performed using a wireless connection. The method of claim 12, And charging and paying the selected media file. The method of claim 12, The user further comprises the step of inputting additional information about the media playback device.

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