FR2860368A1 - Audio/video and PC functions management central apparatus, has central processing unit that controls recording module of tuner interface unit to store data representing audio/video signals in mass storage unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus has an audio and video interface that is provided with an input/output unit (14). The input unit receives digital sound and supplies an output for permitting to connect a display screen and an audio/video amplifier (6). A central processing unit (10) controls a recording module of a tuner interface unit to store data representing audio/video signals in a mass storage unit (12).

Description

Central device for managing audio, video and PC functions

  The present invention relates to the field of devices controlling audio / video and PC functions that can be integrated into a living room. The invention relates more particularly to a central unit for managing audio, video and PC (Personal Computer) functions.

  Most consumers nowadays own several types of devices such as microcomputers, televisions, DVD players, camcorders, digital cameras, cable or satellite box, or other similar device. Consumers therefore have a very large choice of information available in very different formats and requiring different devices that must be handled separately.

  Many people have felt the need to put a PC in their living room to be able to integrate PC functions with for example a home theater system. Yet, there are currently no products to meet this growing demand. The sizes of the computer systems do not match the regulatory sizes of the world AudioNideo and the newer PCs are much too noisy to place them in a living room where the quality of the sound is important.

  It is known the use of so-called mini-PC systems to allow a user to integrate certain functions of a computer in his living room. However, these systems are noisy and are not suitable for integrating powerful microprocessors because of the heat that must be dissipated. Thus, a mini-PC does not record a television program on a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc).

  It is known from the prior art, from the document US 2002/0194621, a multimedia interface device equipped with a central control system, mass storage means, a universal control logic unit, a DVD video device and control buttons. A video interface and left / right audio channels are provided to connect a television. Several speakers can be connected to this device. The device includes inputs / outputs electrically connected to the control system and buttons corresponding to functions among which: playback, stop, pause, fast forward, eject, DVD, Internet, TV, games, CD, my media (files, JPEGs , etc.), auxiliary. The features can be displayed on the N monitor. The universal control logic (UCL) universal control logic unit is the interface between the input buttons and the control system. A USB type link connects the UCL unit to the central control system.

  Such a device is not silent and includes few features of the PC type. It is not suitable for receiving a powerful processor and does not allow the digital recording of television programs.

  The present invention therefore aims to remove one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art by defining a central management unit with convergent audio / video / PC features with a powerful processor while remaining silent, it is that is, generating a noise of less than 20dB.

  Another object of the invention is to provide a complete device having standard dimensions similar to any audio / video device that the user can already have (VCR, DVD, amplifier ..).

  For this purpose, the invention relates to a central unit for managing audio, video and PC functions, consisting of a housing assembly incorporating a central processing unit, a working memory and mass storage means connected to the central unit. central processing unit, a data read / write device on a removable medium controlled by the central processing unit, and a plurality of interface elements each coupled to the central processing unit, characterized in that it comprises an external power supply box for supplying the housing assembly with a so-called intermediate DC voltage strictly less than 220 V and user control means coupled to data transmission means to the central processing unit for controlling and managing device status parameters as well as PC and audio / video functions, the interface elements of the housing assembly comprising: audio and video interface modules with DSP module (Digital Signal Processing) comprising display management means and digital sound acquisition / broadcasting means and providing outputs to enable in particular to connect a display screen and a audio and / or video amplifier; a tuner interface element providing at least one input for receiving audio / video signals and comprising a recording module of the received signals, the central processing unit controlling the recording module for storing data representative of the audio signals / video in the mass storage means or on said removable medium; PC interface elements comprising peripheral connection and network connection means, peripherals connectable to the PC interface elements comprising a keyboard and / or navigation means, a removable storage means, a digital camera and said display screen.

  According to another particularity of the invention, the intermediate DC voltage is 12V.

  According to another feature of the invention, the external power supply box comprises a heat dissipation system, silent means without forced ventilation being arranged in the central processing unit for cooling at least one processor of said unit.

  According to another feature, said box comprises an AC / DC power supply and an aluminum fin device for natural convection cooling.

  Thus, the apparatus according to the invention is silent and devoid of forced ventilation system, the power of the computer system being external and silent, cooled by natural convection.

  According to another feature of the invention, the housing assembly incorporates a DC / DC power supply and comprises an aluminum fin cooling system for dissipating by natural convection the heat from the DC / DC power supply and at least one processor of the processing unit, Heat Pipe systems being provided to evacuate the heat.

  According to another feature of the invention, the housing assembly is substantially parallelepiped with a depth of less than or equal to 40 cm, a width of less than or equal to 43 cm and a height of less than 19 cm, control buttons and a slot. insertion of the removable support being disposed on the front face of the housing assembly.

  In another feature, the display management means comprise a graphics card and the digital sound acquisition / broadcasting means comprise a sound card, the tuner interface element comprising at least one TV tuner card.

  According to another particularity, the user control means comprise an infrared remote control and input controls disposed on the front face of the housing assembly, an infrared signal sensor component being incorporated on said front face to receive signals in from an infrared remote control, a plurality of infrared emitter means also being disposed on this front face to send a signal to remote devices.

  According to another feature, said data transmission means comprise an infrared interface element coupled to an infrared signal sensor component for processing commands transmitted by an infrared remote control, the infrared interface element being arranged to transmit the commands: quick access to a menu of main functions: Audio, Video, TV, 25 Photo and Internet, this menu being displayed on the display screen connected to the housing unit; selection in a function menu: menu launch, menu navigation, return, Enter / Ok; volume control; TV program control; Video control, CD or DVD with the following functions: playback, pause, advance, stop, recording, language, screen size; selecting a program generated by using a selection interface of the remote control; switching on / off.

  The remote control thus makes it possible to control the apparatus according to the invention and also other remote devices via the infrared emitter means, in order to control a plurality of functionalities (audio / video functions, on / off, device management connected, etc.).

  In another feature, the read / write device is a DVD player capable of reading CD, DVD audio discs and including means for extracting data from the disk to allow storage in the mass storage means.

  The invention thus advantageously makes it possible to integrate in a standard compact Hi-fi furniture unit a DVD player (connected to a sound card), a computer system equipped with an Internet interface, a tuner card for processing TV signals. , a digital recording module of television programs in the storage means and other convergent PC / audio / video functions.

  According to another feature of the invention, the external power supply box comprises a compartment receiving a rechargeable battery 12V able to provide power in case of electrical failure.

  In another feature, the housing assembly includes connection means to audio equipment Nideo, coupled to the audio and video interface elements, and connection means to a TV antenna coupled to the tuner interface element.

  According to another particularity, an operating system is stored in the working memory, the operating system comprising a file management module stored in the mass storage means, an audio and video output management module to enable selecting at least one output and a determined type of signal corresponding to that output, a configuration module of options relating to the TV mode and a menu management module displayed by the display screen.

  In another feature, the housing assembly incorporates a display means and a fast serial interface port FireWire type, and includes a physical connection means for positioning the external power supply box to more than one meter of the housing assembly.

  The invention, with its features and advantages, will emerge more clearly on reading the description given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 represents a diagram of the apparatus according to the invention, FIG. the central role of the apparatus according to the invention for managing and converging audio, video and PC functions, FIG. 3 represents an example of a remote control enabling the apparatus according to the invention to be controlled, FIG. device housing with the external power supply box, Figure 5 shows a view from the rear of the apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention.

  The invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The central unit for managing audio, video and PC functions comprises a casing assembly (1) of substantially parallelepipedal shape for enclosing a CPU (10) and various electronic components. The housing assembly (1) has standard dimensions to a living environment to fit into an audio / video cabinet and have proportions similar to any audio / video device that the user can already own.

  The design of the housing assembly (1) must be similar to an audio / video product such as a VCR, a DVD player or an audio / video amplifier. The front face of the device comprises for example an aluminum coating or aluminum type. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing assembly (1) makes it possible to incorporate user control means coupled to data transmission means to the central processing unit (10) for controlling and manage device status settings as well as PC and audio / video functions.

  In order to penetrate the audio / video world the device is designed to meet the standards in terms of noise: in fact the noise generated by the device remains below 20dB to make it silent in an environment where noise is not no bet. For this purpose, the power supply (100) integrated in the housing assembly (1) is of the DCI DC (direct current 1 direct current) type and is connected to an external power supply box (2) which supplies the housing assembly ( 1) a so-called intermediate DC voltage strictly less than 220 V. As shown in Figure 1, the power supply of this cabinet (2) is ACIDC type (alternating current / direct current). The apparatus according to the invention must be able to be connected to any electrical system: - Standard 210-230V; - 90-120V standard; Battery standard: 12V for use in car environment, pleasure boat, camping car or similar; Outsourcing the supply of the housing assembly (1) eliminates any moving part such as a fan propeller in the housing assembly. It is natural convection that is used in the invention, especially for cooling the electronic power components. In one embodiment, the housing assembly (1) contains a main radiator composed of aluminum fins. These fins are used for natural convection cooling of the DCIDC power supply (100), the processor and any sub processors of the processing unit (10). The heat is transported from different points of the housing assembly (1) via Heat Pipes. The heat from the processor can in fact be evacuated by hollow cylindrical conduits. The use of a liquid with vaporization and liquefaction properties in specific scales, in the walls of the cylinder or Heat Pipe, allows this heat to be transported by evaporation of this liquid towards the top of the cylinder. Without limitation, the liquid may be Fluorinet marketed by 3M company, inert and safe for humans and animals. In alternative embodiments, Pelletier effect elements may be used locally to replace or supplement heat pipe pipes to dissipate heat.

  In addition, to avoid the inconvenience caused by electronic disturbances such as transient over / under voltages, the external power supply box (2) comprises a compartment (20) receiving a rechargeable 12V battery capable of supplying power to the battery. energy in case of electrical failure. The power supply can therefore be provided by a battery in order to preserve the device in the event of a power failure or a bad mains current (industrial environment among others).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the user control means comprise an infrared remote control (3) and input controls disposed on the front face of the housing assembly (1). The input commands, for example materialized in the form of control buttons (not shown), can be provided to allow a user to control simple and fast features and a reset function.

  The front panel also includes at least one infrared window, a sensor component (R) of infrared signals being incorporated in such a window to receive signals from the infrared remote control (3). In one embodiment of the invention, infrared emitter means (not shown) are also disposed on this front face to send an IR signal to remote devices, such as a cable / satellite box (150) and a amplifier (6) with IR receivers.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the central unit for managing audio, video and PC functions, as a whole comprises a box (1), a working memory (11) and mass storage means (12) connected to the box. central processing unit (10), a data read / write device (4) on a removable medium (40) controlled by the central processing unit (10), and a plurality of interface elements (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) each coupled to the central processing unit (10) via electrical coupling means (C). The housing assembly (1) thus comprises audio and video interface elements with DSP (Digital Signal Processing) module, equipped with display management means (13) and sound acquisition / diffusion means (14). digital, which provide outputs to allow in particular to connect a display screen (5) and an amplifier (6) audio and / or video controlling the power of the speakers (60). In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 1, the display management means (13) comprise a graphics card and the digital sound acquisition / broadcasting means (14) comprise a sound card.

  A tuner interface element is also integrated in the housing assembly (1) to provide at least one input for receiving audio / video signals (151, 152). This tuner interface element comprises a recording module of the received signals, the central processing unit (10) controlling this recording module for storing data representative of the audio / video signals in the mass storage means (12). ) or on said removable support (40). The tuner interface element comprises an analog or digital tuner element. The mass storage means may consist of a large capacity hard disk, for example of the order of 100 to 500 gigabytes, while the removable medium may consist of a compact disc. The read / write device (4) is for example a combined DVD disc reader, for burning data on the discs, able to read CD discs, DVD audio and including means for extracting data from the disc to enable their storage in the mass storage means (12). In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the tuner interface element comprises at least one TV tuner card (15). Two TV tuner cards (15) can be integrated into the set (1) to allow a user to record a television program while watching another program at the same time. It may be envisaged to have analog-digital TV tuner-TV cards or to have two cards, one of which is of analog type and the other of digital type. lo

  The invention will now be described in connection with FIGS. 1, 2 and 5.

  The housing assembly (1) also incorporates PC interface elements comprising means (17) connecting peripherals and connecting to a network (N) such as the Internet. 10/100/1000 Ethernet network access is allowed, for example, by means of an RJ45-type connector (112) or via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) adapter to an Ethernet RJ45 network. The peripherals connectable to the PC interface elements of the housing assembly (1) may be a keyboard and / or a navigation means such as a mouse, a removable storage medium of the hard disk or USB key type, a device digital photo (7), a video camera or digital camcorder, a display screen (5). The aforementioned peripherals can be controlled via peripheral management means integrated in the central processing unit (10).

  In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the interface elements PC is can be grouped together in a first zone (110) located at the rear of the housing assembly (1), comprising, to provide PC inputs: - USB connectors (111), for example standard type 1 and 2; at least one connector (112) of the RJ 45 type; connectors (113) for mouse / keyboard; - Remote connection means (114) by a WiFi antenna (Wireless Fidelity) or a Bluetooth type chip; - a fast serial connector (F) with an IEEE standard FireWire interface, which makes it possible to connect a video camera, a hard disk or a printer.

  In an alternative embodiment, additional connectors may be added, for example a connector. A screen (5) of type TV, plasma, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a video projector can be connected as a peripheral output PC interface elements. A PC output to a removable storage means and an Ethernet network output are also provided. In the embodiment of Figure 5, the serial connector (115), 2860368 It the USB connectors (111), the connector (112) type RJ 45, the remote connection means (114) and the connector (F ) with FireWire interface are of course also used as PC outputs. A digital visual interface (DVI) type connector (119) for digital data transmission and a video graphic array (VGA) socket (VGA) can be provided for PC outputs to the screen. display (5) or to connect for example a laptop, or other visual presenter. Connectors (117, 118) of the RVA Video (Value-Added Network) type and S-video output may also be provided. Finally, connection means (116) for inputs and outputs are also integrated in the first zone (110) of the housing assembly (1).

  A second zone (120), also located at the rear of the housing assembly (1), provides the audiolvideo connectors for connecting a cable or satellite box (150) for receiving a TV signal, connecting a video camera or a digital camera (7) for receiving a video signal (S2) and any associated audio signal, a video recorder, a CD / DVD player, a digital music player or any other analog audio and / or audio signal acquisition equipment; video. This second zone (120) also provides audio / video connectors for transmitting audio / video signals from the apparatus according to the invention to TV, plasma, LCD or video projector equipment as well as to an audio / video amplifier (6). , an amplified speaker system or DSP processing apparatus of an audio signal. In embodiments of the invention, a complementary area (not shown) of this second area (120) may be disposed on the front face of the housing assembly (1) to provide easily accessible connectors for the user. An equivalent zone complementary to the first zone (110) may also be provided. Alternatively, some connections may be made on a side face of the housing assembly (1).

  In the example of Figure 5, one or more connectors are provided to allow the transmission of audiolvideo signals, such as scart connectors (121), S-Video (122), RCA audio and video (123), VGA socket . A decoder (50) can very well connect to a connector, for example Scart (121), of the housing assembly (1), the display management means (13) for processing the data supplied by the decoder ( 50). A DVI connector can also be provided. 3.5 mm mini jack connectors or the like (124, 125) allow the reception / transmission of sounds. The TV reception is performed via a TV antenna connector (126) BNC type (British Naval Connector) or equivalent, coupled to the tuner interface element. An RCA connector can be integrated on the front panel to facilitate the reception of audio / video signals from digital cameras. A MIDI connector, a connector with digital coaxial or optical input and output type SPDIF (Sony Philips Digital Interface Format) can also be added to send and receive audio data. The apparatus according to the invention can therefore be completely equipped to receive any type of audio signal (SI) and transmit this signal (SI) to the digital sound acquisition / broadcasting means (14). In one embodiment of the invention, the central processing unit (10) may comprise a motherboard which also makes it possible to process audio signals (S1).

  The invention will now be described with reference to FIG.

  The apparatus according to the invention has the particularity of being silent despite a dissipated thermal power of about 150W. The heat is indeed produced by the AC / DC power supply of the cabinet (2), the DC / DC power supply (100) of the housing assembly (1), the video processor of the display management means (13) , the processor and any subprocessors of the processing unit (10). Silent means without forced ventilation are arranged in the central processing unit (10) for cooling at least one processor of said unit (10). The external power supply box (2) makes it possible to limit the heating in the housing assembly (1) and includes a heat dissipation system. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the box (2) with the AC / DC power supply is in the form of an aluminum fin device (21) for natural convection cooling. The box (2) can be substantially parallelepipedal or rounded shapes, a plastic or thermoformed resin that can cover most of the box (2) so that the fins (21) are not protruding.

  The housing assembly (1) comprises a physical connection means such as a cable / patch cord for positioning the external power supply box (2) more than one meter from the housing assembly (1) and not not attached to it. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate DC voltage received by the supply of the housing assembly (1) is 12V. The cabinet (2) constitutes for example a regulated universal power supply type switching high quality, to accept input 90 to 250 volts automatic. This external power supply can also make it possible to obtain output voltages between 5 and 24 volts, in increments of 1 volt. In this case, the voltage changes are simply by inserting into the power supply the jumper corresponding to the selected value. Such an operation is done without tools and does not require any dismantling. Thus, the external power supply box (2) covers most of the existing voltages on the market, a mains connecting cord providing the input voltage.

  The battery integrated into the box (2) starts charging when the power is turned on, and provides power in the event of an electrical problem, for a time sufficient to stop the device properly without losing any data. . From the battery current, linear regulation provides the 12V to 15A.

  As illustrated in Figure 4, the housing assembly (1) is parallelepiped with a depth (d) less than or equal to 40 cm, a width less than or equal to 43 centimeters and a height less than 19 cm. The housing assembly can thus be integrated into a Hi-Fi furniture. In one embodiment of the invention, the housing assembly (1) is 42 cm wide (I) and 32 cm deep (d) and 15 cm high (h). Control buttons and an insertion slot of the removable support (40) are arranged on the front face of the housing assembly (1) to allow the user to quickly access main functions without remote control (3). Some connectors are also accessible on this front panel.

  The invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

  In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the data transmission means to the processing unit (10) comprise an infrared interface element (16) coupled to a sensor component (R) of infrared signals for processing commands transmitted by the infrared remote control (3). This infrared interface element (16) acquires data representative of primary commands made by the user through the remote control (3) and retransmits data representative of secondary commands to the remote devices (6, 150) , by means of infrared emitting means arranged on the housing assembly (1). The infrared interface element (16) thus makes it possible to transmit to the central processing unit commands for quick access to a menu (M) of main functions: Audio, Video, TV, Photo and Internet, this menu ( M) being displayed on the display screen (5) connected to the housing assembly (1), as shown in Figure 2. A user can therefore, thanks to the infrared remote control (3) and this element of infrared interface (16), transmitting selection control data in a function menu: launching the menu, navigating the menus, returning, Enter / 0k. In the same way it can perform a volume control and a TV program control simply by manipulating control keys (304) of the remote control (3). The selection of a program can thus be generated by using a selection interface of the infrared remote control (3), for example a keypad (302) of the remote control (3). The latter comprises in known manner an IR transmitter (301), a key controlling the general switching on / off of the device and the navigation keys (303) in the menu (M) displayed on the display screen (5). ). Additional keys (305) are provided for video control commands, CD or DVD performing the functions of choice: playback, pause, advance, stop, record, language, screen size, etc. The remote control (3) also serves as a universal remote control through the housing assembly (1): in fact primary commands are sent to the main housing (1) and it returns them through the transmitter means infrared after software processing by the infrared interface element (16). For example, four infrared emitting LEDs send the signal reflected on the walls of the room to reach the remote device (6, 150) to be controlled. It is possible to add one or more additional LED (s) associated with a cable, which is glued directly close to an infrared receiver of a remote electronic product (6, 150) such as a Set Top Box or Amplifier (6).

  It will be understood that the user can navigate in menus (M) displayed on the screen (5) and for example control the volume of an amplifier (6) io by means of the infrared remote control (3), the element of infrared interface (16) for returning, after reception of incoming IR signals (30), outgoing IR signals (31) as secondary commands to the amplifier (6) to effectively adjust the volume control of the amplifier . Any other state parameter setting can be made in this way for a remote device (6, 150) with IR sensitive sensors. Alternatively, it is possible to envisage the use of a portable remote control means operating other than by infrared, for example with radio frequencies.

  In an alternative embodiment, the housing assembly (1) integrates a display means such as an LCD screen or the like to display visual indications including representative of user-activated commands and a clock.

  The apparatus according to the invention may comprise an operating system (OS) stored for example in the working memory (11). This operating system (OS) comprises a file management module stored in the mass storage means (12) and an audio and video output management module to enable the selection of at least one output and one determined type of signal corresponding to this output. The audio and video output management module can be adapted for outputs whose signal type is digital, analog or both. The operating system (OS) may further include a TV mode option configuration module and a menu management module (M) displayed by the display screen (5). A browser module is also provided to allow the user to access the Internet.

  From a functional point of view, the apparatus according to the invention, once connected in its environment AudioNideo: connected on one side to a screen (5) display for viewing menus (M) and the another side to a TV antenna or a cable / satellite box (150) will be able to be controlled simply from the infrared remote control (3), a keyboard and a mouse also offering comfort options for use in simplified text world. The screen (5) on which the housing assembly is connected provides a simplified navigation interface which makes it possible to choose the Audio, Video and PC functions to be performed as well as the parameterization to be adjusted by means of the infrared remote control (3).

  The user can thus access many audio features thanks to the device according to the invention since it can trigger the combined CD / DVD player to for example play a CD, record the CD on the hard disk constituting the means mass storage device (12). Typically, an audio CD inserted in the combined reader is followed by the automatic start of the reading of the CD, the user being able to manage the functions play, pause, stop, advance and return, repeat and shuffle the CD. The display screen (5) makes it possible to display, for example, the sleeve of the CD being played, the title of the album and the song being played as well as the type of reading selected: normal, repeat or random.

  Recording the CD to the HDD allows you to listen to songs on the CD or create playlists in a media player without going through the CD. The screen (5) allows the user to create a location on the hard disk for the files to be created in a standard audio compression format such as MP3. The MP3 codec, which reduces the clutter of CD quality sound files by 12, is naturally available to the processing unit (10). The user visualizes on the display screen (5) the choices of the hard disk location to copy the CD and the choice of recording format of the CD on the hard disk. The apparatus also makes it possible to manage the creation of a backup copy of an audio CD on a recordable medium CD-R OR CD-RW, the combined reader comprising means of extracting the data from the disc to be copied to allow their storage on the hard drive. The hard disk copy can be temporary, the time to write the data on the recordable media.

  The apparatus according to the invention is also provided with means for managing / transforming audio files present on the hard disk. In one embodiment of the invention, these management / transformation means are in the form of a multimedia audio player, in particular for managing the listening mode of the audio files. The io media player lets you create, edit, and delete a playlist based on a selection of audio files. The list of plays can be selected by the user viewing on the screen (5) a selection choice. The audio media player allows the user to manage the selected playlist: play, pause, stop, advance / return songs.

  Features of acquisition and processing of a Midi signal are also permitted in the invention, the midi signal being transmitted to the digital sound acquisition / broadcasting means (14).

  The apparatus according to the invention also offers a plurality of video functions via the combined CD / DVD reader, a video multimedia player or equivalent audio file processing / transformation module, and video acquisition means. a video signal (S2). In one embodiment of the invention, the read / write device (4) is a combined CD / DVD and VCD (Video CD) reader for playing a DVD type disc and managing the soundtrack, subtitle band, chapters and bonuses. The display screen (5) connected to the housing unit (1) displays for example a general menu of the DVD allowing the user to choose the soundtrack, the subtitling, the chapter, the bonus, etc. The player also makes it possible to record the DVD or VCD disc on a hard disk similar to an audio CD with the possibility of choosing backup options: video and audio format chosen from the existing standards. The reader of the apparatus according to the invention also makes it possible to manage the creation of a backup copy of a DVD on a recordable DVD-R or DVD-RW medium.

  The video media player has functions adapted to manage the viewing mode of video files present on the hard disk, previously acquired from the recording mode of the TV by the recording module of the tuner interface element, from a source externally or downloaded from the Internet. The user can select with the infrared remote control (3) the video file he wants to view and adjust the viewing and listening options appearing in a menu (M) on the display screen (5).

  A video signal (S2) from an external source may be acquired via an RCA or S-Video source, a FireWire source in the case of a camcorder, for example, from a USB source. in the case of Webcam type equipment. The apparatus according to the invention makes it possible to display television programs from the TV signal originating from the tuner interface element integrated in the housing assembly (1) or from a cable / satellite box (150) via RCA. or S-Video (driven by the infrared emitter of DH). The user can select the TV channel to be viewed by, for example, manipulating the advance / rewind buttons in the channels, view a program schedule, view a delayed TV program with the possibility of fast forwarding. The display screen (5) has, for example, a TV mode with an options menu: display of the program grid, navigation in the grid, selection of the delayed mode, return to normal mode.

  A TV recording mode is also selectable by the user. For example, the recording functions can be divided into different sub-modes: real-time recording, simple timer recording, and complex program recording. Pressing a recording button on the remote control (3) starts the recording of the currently displayed channel. On the other hand, simple timer recording requires selecting an option from a submenu to launch the program guide, with the user choosing the future program to record. For complex timer recording, the user must enter either a channel choice, the recording start time and the end time, either a program name: on a specified channel or on all channels, or again by entering keywords into program descriptions: on a specific channel or all channels. Additional recording options, for example by remote triggering via a communication network, are of course also conceivable. In one embodiment of the invention, the registration data is processed by the central processing unit (10) to control the registration module of the tuner interface element.

  The apparatus according to the invention is provided with a module for viewing photos and images operated by the central processing unit in order to display on the display screen (5) an editable list of images and / or pictures. A plurality of Internet functionalities are also provided for the user to display content from outside sources: weather, information, stock market, audio / video file purchases or the like. A menu (M) displayed on the screen (5) has, for example, icons or other means of selection representative of an Internet browser, an e-mail reader and access to a file exchange network. . A PC menu, similar to the menu with Internet features, is also provided for the user to launch purely PC applications: office, games, professional applications, etc. During PC operation, a switchover to the operating system (OS) for PC is performed. Another menu for managing quick settings is also provided. In an alternative embodiment, the front face of the housing assembly (1) comprises for example at least four programmable buttons that can directly launch preprogrammed functions accessible in this management menu.

  The adjustment of the system configuration is allowed in particular by a menu for selecting: a file manager; the TV mode configuration; a menu manager screens (M); the configuration of the remote control (3); an audio and video output manager.

  Several specific parameters can thus be set for optimized operation of the central unit for managing audio, video and PC functions. The user has the option to configure infrared for driving external AudioNideo devices, eg Cable / Satellite box (150) or amplifier (6). A simple choice in a list of preprogrammed external devices must be made beforehand, then a learning mode must be selected for the device to learn the infrared functions of the remote control of the external device to be controlled: a requested function / a key pressed. This makes it possible to control the audio, video and PC functions from a single central unit, which is both powerful and quiet.

  One of the advantages of the invention lies in the convergence achieved between the audio, video and PC functions, using an ergonomic format device adapted to the audio / video world and can be easily integrated into a living room . In addition, the apparatus produces a noise of less than 20 dB while providing a plurality of features requiring significant processing power.

  It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration, but may be modified within the scope defined by the scope of the appended claims, and the invention should not be limited to the details given above.

Claims (14)

  A central audio, video, and PC management device consisting of a housing assembly (1) incorporating a central processing unit (10), a working memory (11) and mass storage means (12). ) connected to the central processing unit (10), a read / write device (4) of data on a removable medium (40) controlled by the central processing unit (10), and a plurality of interface elements (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) each coupled to the central processing unit (10), characterized in that it comprises a box (2) external power supply to supply the whole lo housing (1) with a so-called intermediate DC voltage strictly below 220 V and user control means coupled to data transmission means to the central processing unit (10) for controlling and managing state parameters of the device as well as PC and audio / video functions, the interfa that of the housing assembly (1) comprising: audio and video interface elements with a DSP module comprising display management means (13) and digital sound acquisition / broadcasting means (14) and providing outputs, in particular for connecting a display screen (5) and an audio and / or video amplifier (6); a tuner interface element providing at least one input for receiving audiolvideo signals and comprising a reception signal recording module, the central processing unit (10) controlling said recording module for storing data representative of the audiolvideo signals in the mass storage means (12) or on said removable support (40); - PC interface elements comprising means (17) for connecting peripherals and connecting to a network (N), the peripherals connectable to the PC interface elements comprising a keyboard and / or navigation means, a storage means removable, a digital camera (7) and said display screen (5).   An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate DC voltage is 12V.   3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer supply box (2) comprises a heat dissipation system, silent means without forced ventilation being arranged in the central processing unit (10) to cool at at least one processor of said unit (10).   An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said housing (2) comprises an ACIDC supply and an aluminum fin device (21) for natural convection cooling.   to 5. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing assembly (1) incorporates a DC / DC power supply (100) and comprises an aluminum fin cooling system to dissipate by natural convection the heat from the DCIDC power supply and at least one processor of the processing unit (10), Heat Pipe systems being provided to remove the heat.   6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing assembly (1) is substantially parallelepiped with a depth (d) less than or equal to 40 cm, a width (I) less than or equal to 43 centimeters and a height (h) less than 19 cm, control buttons and an insertion slot of the removable support (40) being disposed on the front face of the housing assembly (1).   Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the display management means (13) comprises a graphics card and the digital sound acquisition / broadcasting means (14) comprises a sound card, tuner interface element having at least one TV tuner card (15).   Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the user control means comprises an infrared remote control (3) and input controls disposed on the front face of the housing assembly (1), a sensor component (R) of infrared signals being incorporated on said front face to receive signals from an infrared remote control (3), a plurality of infrared emitting means being also disposed on this front face to send a signal to remote devices (6, 150).   An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said data transmission means comprises an infrared interface element coupled to a sensor component (R) of infrared signals for processing commands transmitted by an infrared remote control ( 3), the infrared interface element being arranged to transmit commands: fast access to a menu (M) of main functions: Audio, Video, TV, Photo and Internet, this menu (M) being displayed on the screen. display screen connected to the housing assembly (1); selection in a function menu: menu launch, menu navigation, return, Enter / Ok; volume control; TV program control; Video control, CD or DVD with the following functions: playback, pause, advance, stop, recording, language, screen size; selecting a program generated by using a selection interface of the remote control (3); switching on / off (300).   10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the read / write device (4) is a DVD player capable of reading CDs, DVD audio and including means for extracting data from the disk for storage in the mass storage means (12).   11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the box (2) external power supply comprises a compartment (20) receiving a rechargeable battery 12V capable of providing power in case of electrical failure.   12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the housing assembly (1) comprises connecting means (121, 122, 123, 124, 125) to audioNideo equipment, coupled to the interface elements audio and video, and connection means (126) to a TV antenna coupled to the tuner interface element.   Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein an operating system is stored in the working memory (11), the operating system (OS) comprising a file management module stored in the operating memory (11). mass storage means, a module for managing the audio and video outputs to enable selection of at least one output and a determined type of signal corresponding to this output, a configuration module for options relating to the TV mode and a menu management module (M) displayed by the display screen (5).   Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the housing assembly (1) incorporates display means and a fast serial interface port of the FireWire type (F), and includes connection means physical to position the enclosure (2) external supply more than one meter of the housing assembly (1).