초록 ▼

An audio/visual server is described that can be used to store and play audio/visual data. A removable hard disk (or other media) is connected to a dock that is in communication with a computer. While the removable hard disk is connected to the dock, audio/visual data can be transferred from the comp

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

대표청구항 ▼

1. An audio/visual server system, comprising:a connecting unit adapted to be connected to an audio/visual data providing device that is in communication with an Internet;an audio/visual server adapted to be in bidirectional communication with an audio/visual head unit by emulating a disc changer; an

1. An audio/visual server system, comprising:a connecting unit adapted to be connected to an audio/visual data providing device that is in communication with an Internet;an audio/visual server adapted to be in bidirectional communication with an audio/visual head unit by emulating a disc changer; anda first storage device capable of being removably connected to said connecting unit and said audio/visual server for transferring audio/visual data from said audio/visual data providing device to said audio/visual server. 2. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:said audio/visual server performs a method comprising:receiving a request from said head unit to send audio/visual information to said head unit,reading audio/visual data from said first storage device, andsending audio/visual information to said head unit in response to said request and based on said audio/visual data. 3. An audio/visual server system according to claim 2, wherein:said audio/visual information is an analog signal. 4. An audio/visual server system according to claim 2, wherein:said audio/visual information is a digital signal. 5. An audio/visual server system according to claim 2, wherein said method further includes the step of:playing said audio/visual data, said step of sending includes transmitting an output of said step of playing. 6. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:said audio/visual server includes a second storage device, said second storage device stores user replaceable interface program code received from said first storage device, said audio/visual server communicates with said audio/visual head unit based on said user replaceable interface program code stored on said second storage device. 7. An audio/visual server system according to claim 6, wherein said audio/visual server performs a method comprising:determining whether new user replaceable interface program code is to be loaded;reading said new user replaceable interface program code from said first storage device if said new user replaceable interface program code is to be loaded; andstoring said new user replaceable interface program code on said second storage device if said new user replaceable interface program code is to be loaded. 8. An audio/visual server system according to claim 7, wherein said method further includes the step of:decrypting said new user replaceable interface program code. 9. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:said audio/visual server receives power from said head unit. 10. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:said audio/visual server includes a switch which senses whether said first storage device is connected to said audio/visual server and prevents said audio/visual server from operating if said first storage device is not connected to said audio/visual server. 11. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:said audio/visual data providing device is a computer;said first storage device includes a first connector; andsaid connecting unit comprises:a cradle for receiving said first storage device,a second connector adapted to connect to said first connector,a conversion circuit connected to said second connector, anda cable in communication with said conversion circuit and said computer. 12. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:said first storage device is a hard disk drive. 13. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:said audio/visual data is compressed digital audio data. 14. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:said connecting unit receives said audio/visual data from said audio/visual data providing device;said first storage device receives said audio/visual data from said connecting unit;said audio/visual server includes a music player;said music player accesses said audio/visual data from said first storage device and provides a music output; andsaid audio/visual server communic ates said music output to said audio/visual head unit. 15. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein said audio/visual server comprises:an input connector;one or more processor readable storage devices capable of storing user replaceable interface program code received at said input connector and audio/visual data;an output connector connected to said audio/visual head unit; andone or more processors in communication with said one or more processor readable storage devices and said output connector, at least one of said one or more processors engages in two-way communication with said audio/visual head unit based on said user replaceable interface program code. 16. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein said audio/visual server comprises:a first processor, said first processor includes first memory for storing user replaceable interface program code, said first processor engages in two-way communication with said audio/visual head unit based on said user replaceable interface program code; anda second processor in communication with said first storage device and said first processor, said second processor plays audio/visual data and creates a music output, said second processor communicates said music output to said audio/visual head unit. 17. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein said audio/visual server performs a method comprising:receiving a request from said head unit to play a specific track; andplaying said specific track. 18. An audio/visual server system for use in conjunction with an audio head unit having a disc changer port, comprising:one or more processor readable storage devices for storing audio/visual data, said one or more processor readable storage devices are not part of a disc changer;a connection to said disc changer port; andone or more processors in communication with at least a subset of said one or more processor readable storage devices and said connection, said one or more processors communicate with said audio head unit and send music information to said head unit based on said audio/visual data by emulating a disc changer. 19. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:said processor readable storage devices include removable media. 20. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:said processor readable storage devices include a removable hard disk drive;said hard disk drive stores a set of two or more play lists; andeach play list identifies at least one track stored on said hard disk drive. 21. An audio/visual server system according to claim 20, further including:an input connector connected to said one or more processors; anda dock connected to a computer, said removable hard disk drive capable of being removably connected to said dock and said input connector. 22. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:said stored audio/visual data is compressed digital audio data. 23. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more processors perform a method comprising the steps of:receiving a request from said audio head unit to play a specific track; andplaying said specific track. 24. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, whereinsaid processor readable storage devices store user replaceable interface program code; andat least one of said one or more processors engages in two-way communication with said head unit based on said user replaceable interface program code. 25. A method for providing audio/visual data, comprising:receiving a request to play audio/visual data, said request is received from an automobile control unit;reading audio/visual data from a medium that is capable of receiving additional data from an audio/visual data providing device, said step of reading is performed in response to said request; andsending a signal representing said audio/visual data in response to said request, said steps of receiving a request and sending a signal include emulating a disc changer. 26. A method according to claim 25, further including:decoding said audio/visual data in order to create said signal representing said audio/visual data. 27. A method according to claim 26, further including the steps of:loading said audio/visual data on said medium, said medium is removable; andconnecting said medium to a server after said step of loading, said steps of receiving, reading and sending are performed by said server. 28. A method according to claim 25, wherein:said audio/visual data is compressed digital audio data. 29. A method according to claim 25, wherein:said request refers to a first track, said first track being one of a plurality of tracks on a play list;said step of reading includes reading a first file representing said first track; andsaid step of sending includes decoding said first file. 30. A method according to claim 25, wherein:said audio/visual data is in mp3 format. 31. A method according to claim 25, wherein:said medium is removable. 32. A method according to claim 28, wherein:said step of sending includes communicating said signal representing said audio/visual data to said control unit; andsaid step of sending includes communicating identification information about said audio/visual data to said control unit. 33. A method according to claim 28, wherein:said step of sending includes communicating identification information about said audio/visual data for display on a user interface device. 34. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:connector includes a dock. 35. An audio/visual server system according to claim 1, wherein:said head unit is an automobile head unit. 36. An audio/visual server system according to claim 18, wherein:said head unit is an automobile head unit.