DE102008043589A1 - Information e.g. Christmas carol, reproducing device e.g. personal digital assistant, for e.g. electronic greeting card, has memory blockable against reading and/or changing of contained utilization information and/or control information - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a memory (2) provided for a set of utilization information (21) to be reproduced, where the utilization information and/or control information (22) for controlling of later reproduction of the utilization information are registered in the memory via an interface (3). An output unit (5) outputs the utilization information contained in the memory. The memory is blockable against reading and/or changing of the contained utilization information and/or control information.

Description

State of the art

The The invention relates to a method and a device according to Genus of the independent claims.

It are, for example, by mail, greeting or Greeting cards are known, which after activation an acoustic Information, for example a Christmas carol or "Happy Birthday "or the like play. The activation usually happens by switching on a power supply. With a permanent supply the activation happens over a single operation of a separate switch. This System usually includes a battery for power supply, a speaker, which in the simplest case by a piezoelectric Element is realized, an activation switch and a microcontroller consisting at least from a sequence control, a program and a Data memory and a driver output for the speaker. After activation of the system, the data memory in digital Form filed audio data queried by the flow control and supplied to the loudspeaker output driver at predetermined cyclic times, so that the acoustic information becomes audible.

Off, for example U.S. 5,860,065 Such a greeting card is known in which the audio to be reproduced at the receiver audio information can be recorded by the sender of the card itself and written to the memory of the card.

Advantages of the invention

The Invention with the features of the independent claim has the advantage that the programmer of the invention Device is enabled on the use or usability of the useful information stored therein to decide the user or user. This will be at a Information reproduction device with a memory for user information to be reproduced and playback means for reproduction the payload programmed into memory is achieved by that the memory against reading out and / or a change of included payload and / or control information for control the Nutzinformationsausgabe by the programmer itself is lockable.

Consequently are the stored payload and / or control information protected against misreading. This For example, for copyrighted content, such as tunes, video films, computer games or the like be meaningful, which therefore can not be copied unauthorized. The protection of the control information prevents a change the programmer's intended use of the stored payload. Also, the payload can not be unauthorized to be changed.

Further the programmer of the information reproducing apparatus can do so decide when the payload will be played, for example after actuation of a switch by the user or Addressees of the information reproducing apparatus or automatically in response to a specific trigger or a specific trigger Input signal.

Also the programmer can decide in which Order multiple payload units contained in the payload be reproduced, namely, for example in fixed or random order. A fixed order can, for example, be addressed in case of employees of a company technical or legal information, the content of a Acceptance or processing in a specific order requires, for example, successive contents to each other build up.

Of the Programmers can also determine the useful life or frequency the payload or certain payload units establish. For example, the programmer may pretend that the stored payload or payload units completely must be reproduced before the information reproducing apparatus can be switched off or reprogrammed etc. This can For example, again be useful if on the information display device a technical or technical information addressed to employees of a company safety instruction stored as payload is.

The Frequency of use of stored information or Information units can, for example, in terms of a license to listen to or play back music Entertainment videos or playing computer games or the like as payload or payload units to a maximum value be limited. Reprogramming the information reproducing apparatus or another use of the payload stored there can then, for example, after entering a after payment of a Usage fee received unlock codes.

Further Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the claims and are related explained with the description of the embodiments.

The Invention can be used advantageously in a known information reproducing apparatus usually by minor adjustments to their operating program be implemented. Such known information reproduction devices may be, for example, electronic greeting cards, on which one's own spoken message is played or a music player in the form of a popular MP3 player, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and others.

drawings

embodiments The invention are illustrated in the figure and will be described below explained in more detail.

The FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an inventive device Information reproducing apparatus.

Description of the embodiments

In 1 exemplified a particularly advantageous embodiment of the information reproducing device according to the invention. This is denoted by the reference numeral " 1 " designated.

The information reproducing device 1 includes a memory 2 in which the user information intended for the addressee or user 21 are stored. This payload 21 For example, multimedia content such as songs, video films, computer games, photographs or greetings may be analog electronic greeting cards or the like. The payload 21 However, they are not limited to multimedia content, it can also be, for example, a technical, security, legal or similar information or CBT (Computer Based Training) program, which is directed to employees of a company, act. Further possibilities for the payload information result from the diverse application possibilities of the information reproduction device according to the invention which are shown below. The payloads may or may not be in payload units 211 . 212 , ... be subdivided. A typical example of in payload units 211 . 212 , ... subdivided payload are pieces of music, each individual stored piece of music of a payload unit 211 . 212 , ... corresponds.

In the storage room 2 are still tax information 22 stored. This tax information 22 give the use of the stored payload 21 or payload units 211 . 212 , ... in front. For example, the control information may be a reproduction order for the stored payload units 211 . 212 , pretend. In the case of pieces of music, for example, their reproduction may be predetermined in a random order. Further, for example, be given that after playback of a piece of music as long as this reproduced piece of music is not played until all other stored payload units, ie pieces of music have been played exactly once. Thus, unwanted repetitions may be avoided even in a random order. Alternatively, for example, in the case of a notification, a specific reproduction order for the payload units 211 . 212 , ... be predetermined.

The tax information 22 For example, you can also specify how often the payload information 21 or individual or all payload units 211 . 212 , ..., can be used so that their further use after a certain frequency of use is automatically blocked. This possibility can be used in the sense of a limited license for the benefit of multimedia content, alternatively, for example, also for the use of navigation map data when using the information reproducing device as a navigation system or the like. The tax information 22 can also specify a minimum use, namely, for example, at least complete reproduction of the payload, for example, for a briefing or the like. Also, the tax information 22 pretend that after interrupting the playback of the payload 21 For example, in the case of a notification, the replay start from the beginning or alternatively at the last played chapter of a briefing or the like begins.

This outlined payload 21 and control information 22 can be specified by the programmer of the information reproducing apparatus. For this purpose, the information reproducing apparatus 1 an interface 3 on which a programming device, such as a PC (Personal Computer) 8th , with the memory 2 can be connected. the interface 3 may, as in the present case, but not necessarily part of the information reproducing device 1 be. One only for the purpose of programming the memory 2 interface connectable to the memory 3 has the advantage that unauthorized access to the stored information is further complicated. Unauthorized access is understood to mean a read or write access to the stored user and control information but the output of the payload provided by the programmer 21 ,

The information reproducing device 1 still has activating agents 4 on which the playback of the in memory 2 saved payload 21 or payload units 211 . 211 , ..., trigger. The activating agents 4 can be configured as a simple, user-operated switch, play button or as a "button" in a menu or the like. In the case of, for example, a greeting card, the activation means 4 Alternatively, it can also be designed as a switch that reacts automatically to a folding of the card. The activating agents 4 may also be used as a sensor to respond to certain environmental conditions, such as vibration, temperature, light or others. Also, the activating agents 4 be designed as a software module or electronic switch that responds to certain input signals.

The activating agents 4 solve the output of the stored payload 21 or payload units 211 . 212 , ..., out. Their output is output 5 intended. These preferably include a microcontroller, which executes an operating program. The output means 5 read those in the store 2 payload stored in digital form 21 and put them in reproducible information, so for example, audio signals, video images and the like.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown here, the information reproducing apparatus has 1 via own means of reproduction 6 like a speaker 6 , For example in the form of a piezo speaker and / or a display. The output means 5 route the payloads rendered for playback 21 for reproduction to the user to the reproducing means 6 ,

In an alternative embodiment, it can also be provided that the information reproduction device 1 about no own means of reproduction 6 has, but these at appropriate interfaces 7 the playback device can be connected. For example, a handset port for connecting a monophonic or stereophonic headset, a VGA, DVI or the like output for connection of a display 6 ' for example, computer monitors 6 ' or, for example, also a combined output, such as HDMI, for connecting a combined audio and video display device. Furthermore, a wireless interface for transmitting the user data to a corresponding receiver and associated playback means may also be provided. For example, a WLAN, Bluetooth, infrared or similar interface comes into consideration.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the operating program comprises the information reproducing apparatus 1 It also includes a routine for enabling write access to memory 2 , For example, after entering a release code, for example via one to the interface 3 connected personal computer 8th , this code is with control signals 22 adjusted and with correct code the memory 2 released for write access. In this way, for example, a license expired or exhausted due to frequent use of the stored user information can be renewed by the further use of the data being released. For this particular described case of limited license as well as other analogous cases to consider the release of memory 2 for write access also to the renewal of the use release for the stored user data 21 be limited.

In an alternative embodiment, also a complete reprogramming of the memory contents 2 be enabled. This may for example be the case when the information reproducing apparatus 1 After training employees as users, they will return it to the employer, who will then be able to reprogram the device for new training or other uses after entering a master code. Alternatively, reprogramming in this case can be enabled without entering a code.

• – Akustische Grußkarte mit durch Mikrofon aufgenommener Botschaft; Anwendungsfälle Geburtstag, Jubiläen, Muttertag, Weihnachten, Urlaubs-Grüße. Die Gestaltung der Karte kann aus Botschafts-typischen Motiven bestehen oder selbst-gestaltet sein; in einem Kindergarten könnte eine ”Oma-Weihnachts-Karte” gestaltet werden.
• – Telegramm-Karte mit vorgegebenen Motiven und elektronisch versendetem Inhalt; wird in ähnlicher Form mit optischen Telefax-Daten bereits genutzt. Sinnvoll vor allem bei Grüßen aus den letzten Tagen des Urlaubs, bei denen die postalische Versendung einer Karte länger als die persönliche Rückreise dauern würde.
• – Vorlese-Karte der Predigt für verhinderte Kirchgänger; ersetzt die bisherige Kassetten-Lösung; Vorteil: kein Abspielgerät notwendig.
• – Vorlese-Karte für literarische Werke und Hörspiele.
• – Akustischer Letzter Wille, ggf. mit abzuschreibenden Vorformulierungen und ”eigenhändigem” Datums- und Unterschriftsfeld; die Rechtmäßigkeit muss noch geprüft werden.
• – Akustischer Begleiter für Museen/Galerien/Stadtführungen mit (ggf. mehrseitigen) Erläuterungen.
• – Akustische Erläuterung, fest installiert oder zum touristischen Mitnehmen, von Exponaten/Sehenswürdigkeiten, etc in Museen/Galerien/Führungen.
• – Kranken/Therapie-Erläuterung; Sport-Übungen (Ski-Training).
• – Erinnerungen und Einkaufs-Listen, vergleichbar dem ”Tages-Befehl”.
• – Für die Werbe-Industrie; Höhere Wiederverwendbarkeit bei größeren Stückzahlen der damit billigeren Hardware statt der bisher verwendeten CDs/DVDs
• – Werbemittel-Verkäufer.
• – Eigen-Werbung von Musik-Gruppen und Ensembles als nicht kopierbare Samples; Musik-Sample-Karte zur Werbung für Ensembles und Künstler.
• – Fan-Karte mit Bild und persönlichem ”Gruß” des/der Stars, ggf. mit Musik-Sample als Vor-Veröffentlichung.
• – Sampler für Musik-/Literatur-Zeitschriften.
• – Alarm-Karte, zum Beispiel für ein Tagebuch mit ”Hände weg”-Ausgabe oder entsprechender Alarm-Meldung bei unsachgemäßem Öffnen.
• – Grillen-Zirpen oder ähnliche Natur-Geräusche als akustischer Streich.
• – Neue Impulse für die Spiele-Industrie: Gewinnspiele anstelle eines Würfels; Rätselspiele (mit Auflösung); Aufgabenspiele ”Magische Miesmuschel”.
• – Sicherheitstechnische, rechtliche oder andere Unterweisungen.

Below are some particularly advantageous applications of the invention.

• - Acoustic greeting card with microphone recorded message; Use cases Birthday, Anniversaries, Mother's Day, Christmas, Holiday Greetings. The design of the card can consist of embassy-typical motifs or be self-designed; In a kindergarten, a "Grandma Christmas Card" could be designed.
• - Telegram card with given motifs and electronically sent content; is already being used in a similar way with optical fax data. Useful especially with greetings from the last days of the holiday, in which the postal sending of a card would take longer than the personal return journey.
• - Reading card of preaching for prevented churchgoers; replaces the previous cartridge solution; Advantage: no player required.
• - Reading card for literary works and radio plays.
• - Acoustic Last Will, possibly with pre-formulations to be written off and "handwritten" date and signature field; the legality still needs to be examined.
• - Acoustic accompaniment for museums / galleries / city tours with (possibly multi-page) explanations Chippings.
• - Acoustic explanation, permanently installed or for tourist take-away, of exhibits / sights, etc in museums / galleries / guided tours.
• - patient / therapy explanation; Sports exercises (ski training).
• - Reminders and shopping lists, similar to the "Daily Order".
• - For the advertising industry; Higher reusability for larger quantities of the thus cheaper hardware instead of the previously used CDs / DVDs
• - Advertising material seller.
• - self-promotion of music groups and ensembles as non-duplicable samples; Music sample card to promote ensembles and artists.
• - Fan card with image and personal "greeting" of the / the stars, possibly with music sample as a pre-release.
• - Sampler for music / literature magazines.
• - Alarm card, for example, for a diary with "hands off" output or corresponding alarm message in case of improper opening.
• - Barbecue chirping or similar nature sounds as an acoustic prank.
• - New impulses for the game industry: Raffles instead of a dice; Puzzle games (with resolution); Task Games "Magic Mussel".
• - Safety, legal or other instructions.

• – Fan-Karte mit Video und persönlichem ”Gruß” des/der Stars, ggf. mit Video-Sample als Vor-Veröffentlichung.
• – nicht kopierbarer Video-Sampler.
• – Speisekarte mit Bild und Erläuterung.
• – Trainings-Sequenzen für Sport, insbesondere vorbereitendes Ski-Training.
• – Koch-/Rezept- und Reparatur-Anleitungen etc.; entsprechende Videos sind bereits heute aus dem Internet erhältlich.
• – Neue Spiel-Ideen durch die möglichen optische Aufgaben-Stellungen (Reaktions-Spiele, Rätseln, Knobeln, Zufall).
• – Bei Exponat-Erklärungen verbesserte Erläuterungen von angezeigten Details.
• – ePaper, also beispielsweise eine elektronische Zeitung, ein elektronisch gespeichertes Buch oder dergleichen.

In the case of a display. Here comes the low life expectancy of most applications of today's screen technology with organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) contrary and could be a first major application area.

• - Fan card with video and personal "greeting" of the / the stars, possibly with video sample as pre-release.
• - non-copyable video sampler.
• - Menu with picture and explanation.
• - Training sequences for sports, especially preparatory ski training.
• - cooking / recipe and repair instructions, etc .; The corresponding videos are already available on the Internet today.
• - New game ideas through the possible optical task positions (reaction games, puzzles, riddles, coincidence).
• - For exhibit explanations improved explanations of displayed details.
• - ePaper, so for example an electronic newspaper, an electronically stored book or the like.

Further Uses of the invention are possible and are in the field of the present invention.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 5860065 [0003]

Claims (10)

Information reproducing device ( 1 ) with a memory ( 2 ) for payload to be reproduced, in which memory ( 2 ) the payload ( 21 ) and / or control information ( 22 ) for controlling a later reproduction of the payload ( 21 ) via an interface ( 3 ) and output means ( 5 ) for the output of the memory ( 2 ) contained useful information ( 21 ), characterized in that the memory ( 2 ) against a reading out and / or a change of the contained useful information ( 21 ) and / or control information ( 22 ) is lockable. Information reproducing device ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the payload ( 21 ) several payload units ( 211 . 212 , ...) and that the control information ( 22 ) Information about a, in particular fixed or randomly to be generated, playback order of the stored payload units ( 211 . 212 , ...). Information reproducing device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means ( 5 ) to determine which of the in memory ( 2 ) contained useful information ( 21 ) or payload units ( 211 . 212 , ...) has already been reproduced and continues to control the payload output after an interrupted payload output depending on the determination of which in memory ( 2 ) contained useful information ( 21 ) or payload units ( 211 . 212 , ...) has already been reproduced. Information reproducing device ( 1 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that an interrupted payload output on the output of such payload units ( 211 . 212 , ...), which have not yet been reproduced. Information reproducing device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means ( 5 ) to record how many times in memory ( 2 ) contained useful information ( 21 ) or payload units ( 211 . 212 , ...) have already been reproduced and to block a replay of the payload ( 21 ) or payload units ( 211 . 212 , ...), if the number of plays already made, especially by a programmer of the information reproducing device ( 1 ) predetermined, threshold reached. Information reproducing device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by release agents ( 5 ) to enable reprogramming of the memory ( 2 ) with user information ( 21 ) and / or control information ( 22 ). Information reproducing device ( 1 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that the release means ( 5 ) a reprogramming of the memory ( 2 ), in particular if a complete reproduction of all stored user information ( 21 ) or payload units ( 211 . 212 , ...) is determined. Information reproducing device ( 1 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that the release means ( 5 ) a reprogramming of the memory ( 2 ), if the number of playbacks of the user information ( 21 ) or individual or all payload units ( 211 . 212 , ...) reaches a predetermined threshold. Information reproducing device ( 1 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that the release means ( 5 ) to enable reprogramming of the memory ( 2 ) are formed in response to an inputted code. Information reproducing device ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for blocking the memory ( 2 ) against read-out or alteration of the contained audio information ( 21 ) and / or control information ( 22 ) required modules, in particular the interface ( 3 ), removable and / or destructible.