Method for playing audio file and electronic computing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for playing at least one audio file (12a) by means of an electronic computing device (20) arranged in a vehicle, comprising the following method steps: wirelessly receiving at least one audio file (12a) provided by an external service provider (14a) on at least one mobile terminal (16a); wirelessly transmitting the at least one audio file (12a) from the mobile terminal (16a) to a first communication module (26c) of the electronic computing device (20); -saving the at least one audio file (12a) in a memory bound to the electronic computing device (20); and-playing the at least one audio file (12a); wherein-at least one second audio file (12b) provided by a second external service provider (14b) is received by means of the at least one mobile terminal (16a); saving the second audio file (12b) in a memory designed as a data cloud (18); binding the electronic computing device (20) with the data cloud (18); and-transmitting the first audio file (12a) and the second audio file (12b) from the data cloud (18) to the electronic computing device (20) for playback.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for playing back audio files by means of an electronic computing device arranged in a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to an electronic computing device. Background Art

[0002] According to current technology, electronic computing devices arranged in the vehicle and equipped with an infotainment system are used in particular to play audio files and thus to play music, songs, playlists, but also videos and other media. Such infotainment systems in motor vehicles, in particular passenger cars and / or other vehicles, are normally accessible only to the passengers in the first front row of seats (driver and co-pilot). If the passengers in the second or third row of seats need to use the infotainment system, for example to listen to a specific song, they must ask the passengers in the first row of seats to at least partially assist them in operating the infotainment system. This is very inconvenient for the passengers in the rear seats, because they always have to rely on the passengers in the first row of seats when choosing songs. Similarly, other passengers in the rear seats are also unable to obtain information about song selections or playlists in many cases, because the infotainment system can basically only be operated by the co-pilot.

[0003] For example, an entertainment information system (English "Juke Box Car App") is currently known, which uses a mobile Internet access point (English "Hotspot") to create a virtual network and provides a service for passengers in the vehicle to share playlists (English "Playlist"). However, this product can only play audio files in the corresponding memory of the mobile terminal device that is connected to the network. Here, the mobile terminal device is especially designed as a mobile phone, tablet computer, PC, etc.

[0004] US2021 / 0 204 102A1 discloses a method in which multiple devices use a service bound to a first device. The method comprises the following steps: performing a connection with a central display device and mirroring the service to the central display device based on a playlist of the service stored in the first device; receiving a change request for the playlist from a second device and updating the playlist to satisfy the change request; and transmitting information about the updated playlist to the central display device. In this way, the playlist can be provided using the bound device.

[0005] For example, US10 275 211 B2 discloses such a device and a method for playing audio in a vehicle. The device includes an audio device with a memory, which is bound to multiple mobile terminal devices in the vehicle in a ready-to-operate state. The audio device is programmed accordingly to wirelessly receive audio files from multiple mobile terminal devices and store these audio files in the memory. In addition, the audio files are played through the speakers in the vehicle. In order to play audio in the vehicle, the audio device wirelessly receives audio files from the corresponding mobile terminal devices in the vehicle with the help of this method. In addition, the audio files are stored in the memory and played through the speakers in the vehicle. According to the order in which the audio files of the corresponding mobile terminal devices are saved in the memory, the audio files are played in sequence from the memory through the speakers.

[0006] In addition, DE 10 2015 201 453 A1, US 2016 / 0 328 471 A1, US 2015 / 0228 000 A1 and DE 10 2018 200 133 A1 disclose other systems or methods capable of playing audio files of an external device.

[0007] According to this, although video and / or audio files can be transmitted and played on a mobile terminal device via a computer network of the mobile terminal device by means of a data stream or known as "streaming" (English "Streaming") by means of an external streaming service provider, audio files provided by an external streaming service provider can only be transmitted to the vehicle, in particular to the entertainment information system, to a limited extent and generally require wireless binding, in particular via Bluetooth. The function of transmitting audio files from different external streaming service providers to a playlist is unknown in the current technology.

[0008] That is, the audio files to be played must be stored in the memory of the corresponding mobile terminal device in order to play these audio files with the help of the wirelessly bound electronic computing device and the entertainment information system, or the audio files of the specific external streaming service provider can only be transferred from the mobile terminal device to the electronic computing device and then to the entertainment information system through the application. Switching the external streaming service provider means rebinding with a new mobile terminal device or switching applications on the mobile terminal device. It is particularly disadvantageous that it takes time for the mobile terminal device to rebind the electronic computing device and the entertainment information system. Although multiple communication modules can be provided on the electronic computing device to bind multiple mobile terminal devices at the same time, the coordination between the mobile terminal devices and the coordination of the audio files, for example, requires working memory and additional components in the electronic computing device, which creates an unnecessary burden on the electronic computing device and the entertainment information system. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for playing at least one audio file by means of an electronic computing device arranged on a vehicle, by means of which audio files provided by different external streaming service providers are aggregated into a playlist from multiple mobile terminal devices bound / associated with the electronic computing device and played.

[0010] This object is achieved by a method and an electronic computing device according to the invention having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the electronic computing device according to the invention and vice versa.

[0011] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for playing at least one audio file, in particular a large number of audio files and / or playlists, by means of an electronic computing device arranged in a vehicle, in particular by means of an entertainment information system provided by the electronic computing device. Although all the components required for the operation of the method can be added, it is particularly advantageous if existing components in the vehicle can be used. The electronic computing device in particular has at least one first communication module, which is designed to be connected to a network (in particular the Internet) in order to transmit and / or receive data, information, messages, etc. The electronic computing device also has at least one second communication module, which is designed to be wirelessly bound to a corresponding mobile terminal device, in particular via Bluetooth, infrared or other wireless networks, in particular for transmitting audio files. Here, the audio files should be played by creating or merging one and / or more playlists (English "Playlists"), wherein the playlist describes a group of audio or video files with a predetermined playback order. In this group of digital audio files, these audio files can be played in all formats, such as MP3, WAV, AIFF, WMA, etc., by the electronic computing device and by means of the entertainment information system provided. It is also designed to be able to play new media formats that also contain music, such as MP4.

[0012] In order to execute the method, it is first necessary to execute method steps in order to play the audio file. Here, in the first method step, at least one audio file provided by an external service provider (especially an external streaming service provider) is wirelessly received on at least one mobile terminal device. For this purpose, according to the current technology, most mobile terminal devices have a corresponding first communication module, which is designed to be connected to a network (especially the Internet) to transmit and / or receive data, information, and messages. Certain external service providers can implement streaming media (English "Streaming Media"), so that video and / or audio files can be transmitted and played simultaneously using a computer network through a data stream, especially through the external service provider's own application. Unlike downloading, the purpose here is not to create a copy of the audio file / media at the user, but to directly play back / play the audio file / media and then discard the copy. In this way, the streamed audio file is transmitted to the user's mobile terminal device via the network and the first communication module for playback / playback, wherein, under normal circumstances, such mobile terminal devices are designed as mobile phones, tablet computers, computers, etc., which have at least components and communication modules to bind to electronic computing devices and / or networks, especially the Internet and / or Bluetooth networks, and download applications for streaming audio files from the network.

[0013] In a second method step, at least one audio file, in particular a plurality of audio files, is wirelessly transmitted from the mobile terminal device to a second communication module of the electronic computing device, in particular via Bluetooth. This means that, although the audio file can be played on the mobile terminal device by means of a component belonging to the mobile terminal device (e.g. an integrated speaker), it is proposed according to the invention that the audio file is transmitted to the electronic computing device and played by means of the vehicle's entertainment information system. The transmission of the audio file is carried out by means of a corresponding second communication module arranged on the corresponding mobile terminal device, which transmits and / or receives audio data and other data similarly to the second communication module of the electronic computing device, in particular via Bluetooth, wherein other wireless connection / binding methods can also be used here. By transmitting the audio file from the mobile terminal device to the electronic computing device, the audio file can be played by means of a speaker and a speaker device provided by the vehicle. In this way, the audio file or music / song / track of an external service provider is indirectly forwarded to the entertainment information system, so that the mobile terminal device is used as an intermediate station for playback. The reason is that although the mobile terminal device streams the audio file, the time of playback is determined by means of the entertainment information system. As a result, the entertainment information system coordinates the playlist and the options and settings for playing all audio files in such a playlist.

[0014] In other words, the mobile terminal device will be connected to the electronic computing device and then to the entertainment information system. A wireless connection for this purpose and / or a physical connection using a cable enables the audio file to be played through the entertainment information system. The electronic computing device, for example, receives a signal from the mobile terminal device, and the entertainment information system is informed that the audio file needs to be played. However, the audio file can only be played when the entertainment information system sends a signal back with the help of the electronic computing device to inform the playback permission of the audio file. In this way, the entertainment information system decides whether to enable the playback of the audio file, wherein the playback operation or other playback options and / or playback-related options / settings can be set either by the entertainment information system or by the mobile terminal device bound to the electronic computing device. By disconnecting the wireless connection, especially the Bluetooth connection between the mobile terminal device and the corresponding second communication module of the electronic computing device, other mobile terminal devices of other users can be bound to the electronic computing device and then connected to the entertainment information system, so that streaming can also be performed through other mobile terminal devices. In this way, different audio files of different users can be transmitted from different mobile terminal devices to the electronic computing device, wherein the mobile terminal device can also use different external service providers to provide a variety of streaming media options. In this way, by connecting the electronic computing device and through the playback permissions that can be adjusted according to different settings of the entertainment information system, all audio files are transmitted and played back / played through the vehicle speakers bound to the electronic computing device.

[0015] In order to be able to play different audio files, it is proposed according to the present invention that at least one audio file is saved in a memory bound to the electronic computing device in the third method step. This means that all audio files transmitted to the electronic computing device are temporarily stored in the memory, the entertainment information system can access the memory, and the audio files can be played from the memory. In this way, a playlist can also be provided, which is created in the order in which the audio files are saved in the memory. In this way, each audio file has, for example, a certain time and an identifier, with the help of which a priority can be assigned and the playback order can be determined. Such a memory can be included in the vehicle, in particular as an SD card, so that the transmission and playback of audio files can be basically unaffected by external factors or the network.

[0016] Furthermore, in a fourth method step, at least one audio file is played, in particular via a loudspeaker of the vehicle, and in the order in which the audio files are stored. The repeat playback option and other options can be controlled via the mobile terminal device or the infotainment system.

[0017] In order to achieve the object of the present invention, a method for playing at least one audio file by means of an electronic computing device arranged on a vehicle is further provided. According to the present invention, at least one second audio file provided by a second external service provider different from the first external service provider is received by means of at least one mobile terminal device. This means that the mobile terminal device receives the first audio file and the second audio file from different external service providers and forwards them to the memory of the entertainment information system, so that the two audio files provided by the two external service providers can be played.

[0018] In addition, according to the present invention, the second audio file is stored in a memory configured as a data cloud. That is, the memory in this case is not configured as an internal memory or, for example, as an SD card, but is provided as a data cloud via a network and an associated platform and an associated server, which can be provided by either an OEM or a service provider.

[0019] According to the invention, it is also proposed that the electronic computing device is linked to the data cloud and that the infotainment system thereby obtains access rights to the data cloud so that all data and information can be downloaded from the data cloud and / or stored in the data cloud. According to the invention, it is proposed that the audio files are stored, but also that information about the users and user accounts connected to the data cloud can be stored in the data cloud. This simplifies future logins for the mobile terminal and the user account, since the specific information is only requested once and is protected. Presets, playlists and other options for playing audio files can also be stored in the data cloud.

[0020] In addition, according to the present invention, the first audio file and the second audio file are transferred from the data cloud to the electronic computing device for playback. Although downloading and immediate playback are advantageous and in line with the purpose of the present invention, the audio files can also be cached, so that delays caused by, for example, network transmission speeds when downloading audio files from the data cloud can be overcome, and for example, a specified number of audio files can be downloaded before playback so that they are ready for playback in the event of a connection interruption. The playback duration of the downloaded audio files provides a time buffer for reestablishing the connection. The downloaded audio files can also be played again to extend the buffering time. As an alternative, audio files or playlists provided in the internal memory for extending the buffering time can be determined so that they can be played at any time, especially when network problems last for a long time or when the connection fails to be established.

[0021] Finally, according to the invention, it is also proposed that the audio file transmitted directly to the first communication module of the electronic computing device is saved by the electronic computing device in the bound data cloud. This method step has the effect that if the electronic computing device continues to maintain a connection to the network, in particular the Internet, then an interruption of the connection of the mobile terminal device does not hinder the uploading of the audio file to the data cloud. This situation may occur, for example, if the mobile terminal device limits the transmission of audio files to the data cloud due to the validity scope of the contract and / or lack of data traffic. In this way, only the transmission from the external service provider to the mobile terminal device will use data traffic, while the transmission to the electronic computing device and the data exchange between the electronic computing device and the data cloud do not depend on the data traffic of the mobile terminal device. In particular, for media with very large files, such as videos, this design can save data traffic.

[0022] In other words, the method according to the invention proposes that an interface is provided, in particular for two external service providers, so that audio files from different sources can be played. In addition, a data cloud is used instead of the internal memory of the electronic computing device. On the contrary, the provided data cloud is connected to the electronic computing device via a communication module and via a network, so that the entertainment information system can access the audio files stored in the data cloud. In particular, a large number of audio files streamed from multiple external service providers can be stored in the data cloud for streaming. In this way, the electronic computing device can be bound to the data cloud and the first audio file and the second audio file can be transferred to the electronic computing device so that they can be played by the entertainment information system and through the speakers bound to the electronic computing device. The mobile terminal device is connected to the data cloud, the audio files are transferred to the data cloud and a playlist is created. The electronic computing device accesses the data cloud and plays the playlist and / or the audio files in the order in which the mobile terminal device saves the audio files and / or the playlist. In order to have an interface and thus access the data cloud, the mobile terminal device can, for example, have an application corresponding to the method and the entertainment information system, which is provided in particular by the OEM. In particular, applications are provided for the connection between electronic computing devices and mobile terminals, so that playback and other options / settings can be controlled at both ends. Applications are also developed accordingly so that they replace the entertainment information system and / or are integrated with and / or interact with the entertainment information system. For example, the front end of the application can be used both on the electronic computing device and via the integrated user interface, and on the mobile terminal. For example, the back end of the application is also stored on a server in the data cloud, wherein the design of the application and the required components can be variable.

[0023] In order to create the application according to the invention, it is proposed in particular to use open source software (English: “Open Source”) and / or software development open source programming tools and programming libraries (English: “Software Development Kit”) (SDK), for example from an open source provider.

[0024] In addition to audio files, all other files, such as videos or other media files, in particular music videos and films, can be provided in the streaming service for playback, for example, and played back, for example, on the vehicle's screen. In this way, not only audio files can be streamed for listening to music and saved in the data cloud, but also films and videos can be streamed, for example, for the entertainment of children in the rear seat.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that other audio files from another internal second memory are also played by the electronic computing device and thus also by means of the infotainment system. This means that not only streamed audio files are added to the playlist, but also audio files that have been downloaded and / or do not have to be downloaded from the network. Such a second internal memory can be, for example, an SD card, but can also be a common audio file storage, such as a CD, an MP3 player, a mobile terminal device connected by cable, without Internet access, etc., wherein the corresponding audio files are transferred using corresponding means.

[0026] In another advantageous design of the present invention, it is proposed that the first audio file and the second audio file are directly transmitted to the second communication module of the electronic computing device by means of the corresponding second communication module of the corresponding mobile terminal device. In this case, the electronic computing device can be mainly bound to the mobile terminal device via a Bluetooth interface, so that the electronic computing device transmits / uploads the audio files to the data cloud so that they can be downloaded and played again at the required time. In addition to the Bluetooth interface, a cable connection or other wireless or wired connection is also designed here to transfer the audio files to the internal memory of the electronic computing device. However, these audio files are only temporarily stored and, for example, will be played at a specified time, especially when the connection with the network, especially the Internet, is interrupted. For example, the media format can also be mixed so that although the playlist will be played, the video will only be played when the specified time allows. Transmitting the video to the data cloud will result in huge data traffic consumption, so this process is implemented through the Bluetooth interface.

[0027] Another embodiment of the invention is also advantageous in which a playlist consisting of audio files stored in a data cloud is controlled via a user interface of a mobile terminal or an electronic computing device. The control is carried out in particular via an infotainment system or via a specific application, wherein it is particularly provided that existing components or open source software and servers and databases are used, thereby reducing costs in terms of development and implementation of the method embodiment.

[0028] In addition, in another advantageous design, when removing an audio file from a playlist, check the removal authority. Through this type of option to remove other audio files, a query should be performed to check whether the user who previously removed the audio file by the operation has added the audio file to the playlist. This can prevent unauthorized removal of audio files from the playlist. At this point, security should be provided for all users, with the help of which the required audio file is ensured to be played, and one's own audio file will not be skipped or removed by other users. This way, required fairness can be achieved when playing an audio file, and unnecessary waste of data traffic is basically avoided. When the user attempts to remove, a consistency query comparing the device ID (device identifier) ​​assigned on the audio file to be removed with the device ID of the user can be performed. For this reason, when an audio file is saved on a playlist, the device ID of the mobile terminal device that is saved should be assigned to the saved audio file in particular. Through this mark, the audio file is assigned to the mobile terminal device, and can only be removed by the mobile terminal device. As an alternative, a user ID (user identifier) ​​is assigned to the audio file.

[0029] Finally, in a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one information item of at least one user of one of the mobile terminals is stored in the data cloud. In other words, it is provided according to the invention that the audio files are stored, but information about the users and user accounts connected to the data cloud can also be stored in the data cloud. This simplifies future logins to the infotainment system or to the application on the mobile terminal, since the specific information is only requested once and is protected. Presets, playlists and other audio file playback options can also be stored in the data cloud.

[0030] The main idea according to the invention is to integrate / bind popular music streaming applications from different providers, in particular in one mobile application, and to allow the passenger, and thus the user of the method, to stream music from any source, including songs from the internal memory of the mobile terminal device, by means of the corresponding mobile terminal device. To this end, wireless connections, in particular Bluetooth connections, or infrared or other connections between multiple mobile phones are switched at least partially automatically, in particular automatically and seamlessly, between multiple mobile terminal devices by means of a script according to the invention, in particular a Python script.

[0031] Another aspect of the present invention relates to an electronic computing device for playing audio files having a first communication module, by means of which the electronic computing device can be wirelessly bound to a data cloud via a network, in particular via the Internet. The electronic computing device also has at least one second communication module different from the first communication module, by means of which the electronic computing device can be wirelessly bound to at least one mobile terminal device. The second communication module is particularly designed as a Bluetooth module. In addition, the electronic computing device has a speaker device with at least one speaker arranged in connection with one electronic connection and a user interface arranged in connection with another connection. With the help of the user interface, applications that can be applied to the electronic computing device can be displayed to the user. Audio files can be played with the help of the speaker device. For this purpose, the electronic computing device is designed to save all audio files in sequence to the data cloud and play them according to the signal sent to the communication module by the corresponding mobile terminal device.

[0032] In other words, the switching function of the electronic computing device to constantly change the connection with different mobile terminal devices and its own communication module can be basically ignored / bypassed. Since the communication module can only be connected to one mobile terminal device at a time, a feasible solution is provided for caching audio files, especially those that are streamed, in the data cloud. In other words, the mobile terminal device saves the songs directly to the data cloud, so that the electronic computing device only needs to establish a connection with the data cloud. However, as an alternative, a communication module, especially a Bluetooth interface, can also be used between the electronic computing device and the mobile terminal device to add audio files to the playlist on the data cloud. In this way, there are at least two options for adding audio files to the data cloud. Other solutions via cable connections or other networks are also feasible.

[0033] In an advantageous design of the electronic computing device, it is proposed that the electronic computing device is designed to cache and play audio files stored in the data cloud. In particular, it should be possible to cache audio files for a specified period of time so that the playback is not also interrupted in the event of a network interruption. For example, the caching is performed via an internal memory, in particular an SD card of the electronic computing device.

[0034] In another advantageous design of the electronic computing device, it is proposed to design the electronic computing device as a single-board computer for simulating (emulating) the vehicle's entertainment information system and / or for binding with such an entertainment information system. Here, an electronic computing device, in particular a single-board computer, is used, with the help of which an entertainment information system combined with user experience ("User Experience") (UX) is first simulated, in particular the MBUX entertainment information system. Through the simulation, it is configured to control wireless connections, in particular Bluetooth connections, that alternate or switch between terminal devices. The reason for this is in particular that the individual output ports and input ports of the corresponding Bluetooth modules of the corresponding terminal devices are controlled, because these ports only allow one connection at the same time. This also applies to other wireless connections in addition to Bluetooth.

[0035] The mobile app uses a real-time cloud database in order to save all playlists, user information, the Bluetooth identifier (English: "Bluetooth Unique ID") of the terminal device (BT UID) and other necessary information.

[0036] Thus, according to the present invention, all passengers of the vehicle install a mobile application on a terminal device (especially on an Android smartphone) and connect the terminal device to an existing entertainment information system (especially the MBUX entertainment information system) in the vehicle via Bluetooth. Each passenger can select multiple songs from a favorite music streaming application and add them to a playlist or a waiting list, which can be accessed and viewed in real time by all other passengers on their respective terminal devices. Each corresponding passenger can also add the played songs to the playlist from the personal favorites list of his or her own user account (English "Accounts") in the installed music streaming application, and / or access these songs later from the history record or history list (English "History List") of the played songs.

[0037] All playlists will be saved together with the names of the corresponding users who play them in a cloud database, which is connected to all terminal devices and vehicle entertainment information systems with the application installed at all times, thus achieving basically seamless list updates.

[0038] Additional Features :

[0039] - Proactive recommendations: Provides song recommendations from family / friends from online playlists for solo travelers, where the driver or passenger confirms an input request to allow receiving song recommendations.

[0040] - Merge songs: As people's attention span decreases, they switch songs. The application automatically merges songs or automatically creates a song mashup (English: "Song Mash-up") based on the passenger's history. Once the download is ready, the mashup algorithm provided in the cloud database is transmitted to the passenger.

[0041] Advantages of the present invention :

[0042] Particularly advantageously, the infotainment system according to the invention enables multiple users or passengers to access the infotainment system, for which they attempt to connect to the infotainment system of the vehicle one after the other and stream audio files of their own choice from a favorite music streaming application. Furthermore, the infotainment system enables each passenger in the vehicle to access a playlist, check and add audio files to a playlist, and check audio files from a favorites list and add them to a playlist.

[0043] In addition, an audio file can only be deleted from the playlist by the same user who previously added the audio file. Not every user can change the playlist, but their own favorites list can be changed. Finally, the infotainment system according to the present invention does not require the installation of an external music streaming application in the infotainment system itself, thereby reducing licensing costs, development costs and the load on the control unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are derived from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. The above-mentioned features and combinations of features mentioned in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned in the description of the drawings and / or shown alone in the drawings, can be used not only in the respective combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0045] in:

[0046] Figure 1 The diagram shown illustrates an embodiment of a method according to the invention for playing back at least one audio file by means of an infotainment system of a vehicle;

[0047] Figure 2 The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of the start screen and a mobile terminal device with a start screen display interface;

[0048] Figure 3 The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of the main operation of the method, as well as the mobile terminal device with the main operation display interface;

[0049] Figure 4The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of the first search function for audio files by means of the present method, and a mobile terminal device with a display interface for the first search function;

[0050] Figure 5 The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of a login interface on an external service provider platform by means of the present method, as well as a mobile terminal device with a display of the login interface;

[0051] Figure 6 The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of the second search function for audio files by means of the present method, and a mobile terminal device with a display interface for the second search function;

[0052] Figure 7 The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of the third search function for audio files by means of the present method, and a mobile terminal device with a display interface for the third search function;

[0053] Figure 8 The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of the option of removing an audio file from a playlist by means of the present method, and a mobile terminal device with a display interface for the removal option;

[0054] Fig. 9 The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of creating a favorites list by means of the present method, and a mobile terminal device with a favorites list display interface; and

[0055] Fig.10 The last diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of creating a history record by means of the method, as well as a mobile terminal device with a history record display interface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] In the figures, identical elements having the same function are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0057] Figure 1The diagram shows an embodiment of a method according to the invention for playing at least one audio file 12a by means of an electronic computing device 20 arranged on board a vehicle. In this case, the audio files 12a, 12b and / or playlists 38a, 38b are to be forwarded from an external service provider 14a, 14b via a corresponding mobile terminal 16a, 16b to a data cloud 18 and stored for a specified time. The electronic computing device 20 is designed to receive the audio files 12a, 12b and / or playlists 38a, 38b from the data cloud 18, wherein options and settings for playing the audio files 12a, 12b and / or playlists 38a, 38b and for controlling the electronic computing device 20 can be applied by means of an arranged user interface 22. The method and the playing of the audio files 12a, 12b and / or playlists 38a, 38b can be controlled in particular by means of the infotainment system 10 or by means of an application 31 developed therefor. Finally, the individual audio files 12a, 12b of the playlists 38a, 38b are transmitted to the corresponding speakers 24a, 24b of the vehicle speaker device 23 in a specified order via the electronic computing device 20, so that the audio files 12a, 12b can be played back / played in sequence, and in particular, the audio files 12a, 12b and / or playlists 38a, 38b of different mobile terminal devices 16a, 16b can be played on the mixed playlist 38c.

[0058] In other words, audio files 12a, 12b and / or playlists 38a, 38b from different sources can be played in a mixed manner, wherein for this purpose different mobile terminals 16a, 16b, in particular mobile phones or tablets, are linked to the electronic computing device 20 and / or the vehicle's entertainment information system 10 and / or the application 31. The mobile terminals 16a, 16b have respective first communication modules 26a, 26b for sending and / or receiving signals, data, information and / or messages, by means of which the respective audio files 12a, 12b and / or playlists 38a, 38b to be transmitted to the data cloud 18 are transmitted in a wireless manner via a network 30, in particular via the Internet, wherein all other wireless networks can also be used.

[0059] The electronic computing device 20 has its own first communication module 26c, by means of which signals, data, information and / or messages are also transmitted to and / or received from the data cloud 18. In this way, both the mobile terminal 16a, 16b and the electronic computing device 20 can establish a corresponding interface with the data cloud 18 using the network 30. Such a connection for exchanging data with the data cloud 18 is carried out in particular via the Internet or via other networks that are provided to the vehicle and thus to the infotainment system 10, the mobile terminal 16a, 16b and the electronic computing device 20 as well as the application 31.

[0060] In addition, the corresponding mobile terminal devices 16a, 16b have corresponding second communication modules 28a, 28b for sending and / or receiving signals, data, information and / or messages, wherein preferably a Bluetooth module for establishing a network connection by means of Bluetooth BT is used here, and the corresponding mobile terminal devices 16a, 16b can be bound to the electronic computing device 20 in particular via Bluetooth BT. For this purpose, the electronic computing device 20 also has a second communication module 28c, by means of which the mobile terminal devices 16a, 16b can be bound in particular via Bluetooth BT.

[0061] Therefore, it is proposed that the mobile terminal devices 16a, 16b and the electronic computing device 20 are connected to the data cloud 18 via the network 30 (especially the Internet) by means of the corresponding first communication modules 26a, 26b, 26c. At the same time, the mobile terminal devices 16a, 16b should also be connected to the electronic computing device 20 via the corresponding second communication modules 28a, 28b, 28c (especially via Bluetooth BT). The audio files 12, 12b and / or playlists 38a, 38b can also be transmitted to the electronic computing device via Bluetooth BT. Figure 1 As shown, in addition to Bluetooth BT, other wireless functions such as infrared, WLAN or others can also be used, wherein, according to the present invention, existing components or data transmission devices and data receiving devices on the mobile terminal devices 16a, 16b are used. In order to implement the method and provide an application 31 through software, in particular, a specified programming language and a suitable open source programming library 32 and a suitable open source programming tool 34 are used, wherein the application 31 is designed to establish an interface with the external service provider 14a, 14b and the internal memory 36 and / or the data cloud 18.

[0062] The data cloud 18 is designed in particular as a Google Firebase real-time database, and the electronic computing device 20 is designed in particular as a Raspberry Pie microchip in order to simulate an MBOX infotainment unit system, on which a speaker device 23 having speakers 24a, 24b designed as wired speakers is arranged. The user interface 22 is presented in particular by a graphical user interface GUI of Raspberry Pies. The connection between the mobile terminal device 16a, 16b and the electronic computing device 20 is provided via Bluetooth BT via Bluetooth music streaming. For the design of the mobile application 31, Android Studio is used in particular as a programming library 32, and Android Package APK is used in particular as a programming tool 34. The external service providers 14a, 14b can be different, among which YouTube and Spotify are particularly important. Finally, the internal memory 36 is formed in particular by an SD card. However, all of the examples described above are subject to change and can be replaced and / or substituted according to the specific requirements of the OEM. In other words, these components are examples and are not limited to them. However, the architecture used to implement the method according to the present invention is as follows: Figure 1 .

[0063] According to the invention, a method for playing audio files 12a, 12b by means of an electronic computing device 20 arranged on a vehicle and using an associated infotainment system 10 or a separate application 31 is provided. In a first method step, an audio file 12a, 12b and / or a plurality of audio files 12a, 12b and / or a playlist 38a, 38b provided by an external service provider 14a, 14b is wirelessly received on a mobile terminal 16a, 16b. In a second method step, the audio file 12a, 12b and / or the playlist 38a, 38b is wirelessly transmitted from the mobile terminal 16a, 16b to the electronic computing device 20. In a third method step, the audio file 12a, 12b and / or the playlist 38a, 38b is stored on a memory associated with the electronic computing device (here in particular a data cloud 18). Finally, in a fourth method step, the audio files 12 a , 12 b and / or the playlists 38 a , 38 b are played using the infotainment system 10 and / or the application 31 by means of the electronic computing device 20 and the loudspeaker device 23 .

[0064] In order to achieve the object of the present invention and thus play the audio files 12a, 12b and / or the playlists 38a, 38b, it is proposed according to the present invention that in the following fifth method step, the audio files 12a, 12b of different external service providers 14, 14b are received by means of the mobile terminal 16a, 16b and stored in the data cloud 18 in the sixth method step. Next, the electronic computing device 20 is linked to the data cloud 18, in particular when using the infotainment system 10 and / or the application 31. Finally, in the final seventh method step, the audio files 12a, 12b and / or the playlists 38a, 38b are transferred from the data cloud 18 to the electronic computing device 20, also when using the infotainment system 10 and / or the application 31, for playback by means of the speaker device 23.

[0065] In other words, the audio files 12a, 12b and / or playlists 38a, 38b of the corresponding external service provider 14a, 14b are provided by the corresponding mobile terminal device 16a, 16b, in particular by a streaming service, wherein the mobile terminal device 16a, 16b saves the corresponding audio files 12a, 12b and / or playlists 38a, 38b to a mixed playlist 38c in the data cloud 18. The electronic computing device 20 connected to the data cloud 18 is designed to play the audio files 12a, 12b and / or playlists 38a, 38b and / or mixed playlists 38c stored in the data cloud 18 via the speakers 24a, 24b also connected to the electronic computing device 20. In this way, the audio files 12a, 12b and / or playlists 38a, 38b and / or mixed playlists 38c are transmitted from the data cloud 18 to the electronic computing device 20 via the network 30, so that the audio files 12a, 12b and / or playlists 38a, 38b can be indirectly transmitted from the external service provider 14a, 14b to the electronic computing device 20 so that they can be played.

[0066] This means, in turn, that when using the infotainment system 10 and / or the application 31, the electronic computing device 20 is able to play a mixed playlist 38c consisting of audio files 12a, 12b and / or a plurality of audio files and / or playlists 38a, 38b, wherein the audio files 12a, 12b and / or the playlists 38a, 38b come from different sources, in particular from different mobile terminal devices 16a, 16b, which in turn are provided or streamed by different external service providers 14a, 14b.

[0067] Furthermore, it can also be provided that the audio files 12a, 12b directly transmitted to the electronic computing device 20 via Bluetooth BT or a cable connection are saved by the electronic computing device 20 in the bound data cloud 18. This method step has the effect that if the electronic computing device 20 continues to be connected to the network 30, in particular the Internet, then an interruption of the connection of the mobile terminal 16a, 16b does not prevent the audio files 12a, 12b and / or the playlists 38a, 38b from being uploaded to the data cloud 18.

[0068] Figure 2 The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of a start screen 200 of an application 31 and shows a first mobile terminal 16 a having a display interface 17 a of the start screen 200 .

[0069] In order to have an interface and thus access the data cloud 18, the mobile terminal device 16a, 16b can have an application 31, which is provided in particular by the OEM. In particular, the application 31 is provided for the connection between the electronic computing device 20 and the mobile terminal device 16a, 16b, so that playback and other options / settings can be controlled at both ends. The application 31 has also been developed accordingly, so that it replaces the entertainment information system 10 and / or is bound to the entertainment information system 10 and / or interacts with it. For example, the front end 40 of the application 31 can be used both on the electronic computing device 20 and on the mobile terminal device 16a, 16b via the bound user interface 22. The back end 42 of the application 31 is also stored, for example, on a server of the data cloud 18.

[0070] Figure 2 The diagram in FIG. 1 shows an architecture by means of which the application 31 switches from the start screen 200 to the main operation 300. Here, the device ID 210 (device identifier) ​​and the Bluetooth ID 212 (Bluetooth identifier) ​​are first determined. The access rights query 214 for the network 30 is performed via the device ID 210, wherein the query 214 only allows yes 1 or no 0 as options in a Boolean format, and wherein:

[0071] - for No 0, the device ID 210 is determined again by means of loop 215 and the query 214 is performed again; and

[0072] - For I, establish a connection 216 with the data cloud 18 using access rights to the network 30.

[0073] Next, by means of the entry / recording of the specific user data of the mobile terminal 16a, a check 218 is performed in the storage space 224 for the corresponding user data in the data cloud 18. In other words, it is checked whether the mobile terminal 16a is already stored in the data cloud 18. The data cloud 18 contains in particular the storage space 224 designated for user data, in which the user data of the corresponding mobile terminal 16a, 16 as well as the user data of the user are stored / recorded.

[0074] Next, another query 220 is executed to check the logged user data, wherein the query 220 only allows yes 1 or no 0 as options in Boolean format, and wherein:

[0075] - for I, a first request 222 is initiated to input user data, in particular the name of the user, so that the newly recorded initial user data of the mobile terminal device 16a is saved in a storage space 224 designated for this purpose; and

[0076] For No 0, ie a known mobile terminal device 16a, the main operation 300 is initiated.

[0077] Each time the application 31 is started and each time a login is made using the start screen 200, the device ID 210 and the Bluetooth ID 212 are saved in the storage space 224 designated for this purpose, so that the application 31 can match the registered user data of the mobile terminal device 16a and the user and access them each time a new login is made. This makes it possible to access all the required user data more quickly during future logins of the respective registered user, and thus to speed up the execution of the application 31.

[0078] Figure 2 Likewise shown is a mobile terminal 16a as a representative of all mobile terminal devices 16a, 16b on which the application 31 can be used, with a display interface 17a showing a start screen 200, which has in particular a welcome message and an input field E1 for text input, in particular a name input for requesting 222 to enter user data, and a confirmation button B1 for confirming the text input. Depending on the specific design of the application 31, the other text inputs and the associated input fields and confirmation buttons can vary, which also applies to all display interfaces of the application 31.

[0079] Figure 3 The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of a main operation 300 of an application 31 and shows a mobile terminal 16 a having a display interface 17 a of the main operation 300 .

[0080] For the main operation 300, the audio files 12a, 12b, 12c and / or the mixed playlist 38c should first be searched and loaded in the storage space 310 designated for this purpose in the data cloud 18 at the back end 42. To this end, a query 312 of "greater than zero" (mixed playlist 38c>0) is first executed to determine the size of the searched mixed playlist 38c, wherein the query 312 only allows yes 1 or no 0 as options in a Boolean format, wherein:

[0081] - For 1, the mixed playlist 38c has more than one audio file 12a, 12b,

[0082] 12c, and the first three audio files 12, 12b, 12c on the mixed playlist 38c are played as the first three songs in the first view 314 on the display interface 17a; and

[0083] - For No 0, the mixed playlist 38c has zero audio files and an empty playlist will be played in the second view 316 on the display interface 17a.

[0084] Both yes and no answers to query 312 will be answered with Figure 3 The arrow shown in returns to the storage space 310 of the data cloud 18, which enables a loop 317 to be implemented to re-query 312 for other playlists.

[0085] In addition, the main operation 300 also performs a request 318, in which the user is requested to enter a search text for searching for the desired mixed playlist 38c to initiate a search in the back end 42.

[0086] Here, a counter 320 is started, which counts the user's option selections in the front end 40, in particular for subsequent statistics and / or improvement suggestions for the application 31. Next, another query 322 is executed to check the text input 324 of the search text in the input field specified for this purpose, wherein the query 322 only allows yes 1 or no 0 as options in Boolean format and wherein:

[0087] - If it is 1, it is considered to be an empty input field, and the text input 324 will be displayed to the user again on the display interface 17a, so as to start a loop 325 to re-request 318 to enter the search text of the required mixed playlist 38c; and

[0088] - For No 0, it is assumed that there is a search text in the input field, so that a mixed playlist 38c of audio files 12a, 12b, 12c provided by external service providers 14a, 14b and stored in the internal memory 36 is provided for playback by the electronic computing device 20 and displayed on the display interface 17a.

[0089] In other words, by means of the main operation 300, a search for a desired playlist 38c having audio files 12a, 12b of an external service provider 14a, 14b, as well as a search for audio files 12c, 12b stored in the internal memory 36 is initiated for the user, enabling the user to listen to the desired audio files 12a, 12b, 12c through the speaker device 23.

[0090] Figure 4 The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of a first search function 400 for audio files 12a by means of an application 31 and shows a mobile terminal 16a having a display interface 17a of a result display 422 of the first search function 400. The first search function 400 relates to a specific search for audio files 12a of a first external service provider 14a, wherein first a search start 410 is performed, wherein a specific search text is transmitted to the user platform of the external service provider 14a. From the search results 412, the top ten search results, i.e. the most top audio files recommended by the external service provider 14a for the specific search, are used, wherein the corresponding title 414, the corresponding audio file ID 416 (audio file identifier) ​​and the corresponding preview image 418 and the corresponding access token 420 of the recommended audio files 12a are adopted and played / displayed in the result display 422 according to specific settings. This additional information can be used to create a playlist 38a and / or other playback options / settings for the corresponding audio files 12a. In addition, further information can also be extracted from a database provided by the external service provider 14a to implement further processes.

[0091] Figure 5 The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of a login interface 500 on the platform of an external service provider 14b and shows a mobile terminal device 16a, which has a display interface 17a of the login interface 500. First, a query 510 is executed at the time of login to check the user authentication, wherein the query 510 only allows yes 1 or no 0 as options in a Boolean format and wherein:

[0092] - If it is I, the access permission 520 of the external service provider 14b platform will be approved;

[0093] - For No 0, the login interface 512 of the external service provider 14b will be displayed / opened in the web view on the display interface 17a.

[0094] A login process 514 is performed, in which the user logs in / signs in to his account / user account at the external service provider 14b. After the login process 514 is completed, the access rights to the platform of the external service provider 14b are granted 520. Finally, a storage process 516 is performed, in which the external service provider 14b saves the user authentication and access data or the binding / association with the application according to the invention in the storage space of the external service provider 14b, so that future logins can be performed automatically and simplified, that is, the user does not need to re-enter the data when logging in in the future. Such login binding or automatic login is known to all external service providers 14a, 14b.

[0095] Figure 6 The diagram shows the functional principle of the second search function 600 for audio files 12b by means of the application 31 and shows a mobile terminal 16a having a display interface 17a for displaying the results 624 of the second search function 600. Figure 4 Unlike the first search function 400 shown in , the second search function 600 is intended here to search for audio files 12b of another external service provider on the platform of another external service provider 14b.

[0096] Thus, the second search functionality 600 relates to the second external service provider 14b, wherein first a query 610 for approved user authentications and thus for approved user access rights 611 is initiated, wherein the query 610 allows only Yes 1 or No 0 as options in a Boolean format, and wherein:

[0097] - for No 0, an access permission 611 is initiated by entering user information, so that a search is then initiated 612, wherein the search text is transmitted to the programming interface (English: "Application Programming Interface") (API) of the external service provider 14b; and

[0098] - If it is I, the search will start directly 612.

[0099] At the time of the search initiation 612, the specific search text is transmitted to the user platform of the external service provider 14b. The top ten search results, i.e., the most forward audio files recommended by the external service provider 14b for the specific search, are applied from the search results 614 of the search initiation 612, wherein the corresponding title 616, the corresponding audio file ID 618 (audio file identifier) ​​and the corresponding preview image 620 and the corresponding access token 622 of the recommended audio file 12b are adopted and played / displayed in the result display 624 according to the specific settings. This additional information can be used to create a playlist 38b and / or other playback options / settings for the corresponding audio file 12b. In addition, further information can be extracted from a database provided by the external service provider 14a to implement other processes.

[0100] Figure 7 The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of the third search function 700 for audio files 12c by means of the present method and shows a mobile terminal 16a having a display interface 17a of the result display 720 of the third search function 700. In this case, all stored audio files 12c are displayed from the internal memory 36 of the electronic computing device 20, wherein the navigation permission 710 is first activated. The required audio files 12c are determined 712, wherein for all internally stored audio files 12c, the corresponding title 714, the corresponding audio file ID 716 (audio file identifier) ​​and the corresponding preview image 718 from the internal memory 36 are used and played / displayed in the result display 720 according to the specific settings. This additional information can be used to create a play list 38c and / or other playback options / settings for the corresponding audio files 12c. In addition, further information can also be extracted from the internal memory 36 to realize other processes.

[0101] The first search function 400, the second search function 600 and the third search function 700 should basically provide the application 31 with the same information of the audio files 12a, 12b, 12c, wherein the three search functions 400, 600, 700 are only examples and are not limited thereto, and other design schemes of functional principles or architectures are also feasible.

[0102] Figure 8 The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of a removal option 800 for removing audio files 12a, 12b, 12c from a playlist 38 of an application 31 and shows a mobile terminal 16a having a display interface 17a of the removal option 800 .

[0103] For the removal option 800, the audio files 12a, 12b, 12c and / or the mixed playlist 38c should first be searched and loaded in the storage space 810 designated for this purpose in the data cloud 18 at the back end 42. To this end, a query 812 of "greater than zero" (mixed playlist 38c>0) is first executed to determine the size of the searched mixed playlist 38c, wherein the query 812 only allows yes 1 or no 0 as options in a Boolean format, wherein:

[0104] - For 1, the mixed playlist 38c has more than one audio file 12a, 12b,

[0105] 12c, and the first three audio files 12, 12b, 12c on the mixed playlist 38c are played as the first three songs in the first view 814 on the display interface 17a; and

[0106] - For No 0, the mixed playlist 38c has zero audio files and an empty playlist is played in the second view 816 on the display interface 17a.

[0107] The two answers to query 812, yes 1 and no 0, will be answered by Figure 3 The arrow shown in returns to the storage space 810 of the data cloud 18, so that a loop 817 can be implemented to re-query 812 for other playlists.

[0108] In another operation of the removal option 800, the removal 818 of a specific audio file 12a, 12b, 12c is implemented, wherein when the user attempts to remove 818, a consistency query 820 is performed to compare the device ID (device identifier) ​​assigned to the audio file to be removed with the device ID of the user. For this purpose, when the audio file is saved on the playlist, the device ID of the mobile terminal device 16a that is saving should be assigned to the saved audio file. Through this marking, the audio file is assigned to the mobile terminal device 16a and can only be removed through the mobile terminal device 16a. As an alternative, a user ID (user identifier) ​​is assigned to the audio file.

[0109] Query 820 allows only Yes 1 or No 0 as options in Boolean format, where:

[0110] If the answer is no 0, a warning prompt 822 is initiated to inform the user that he does not have the authority to remove audio files 12a, 12b, 12c that are not bound to his personal device ID from the playlist 38c, and a re-query 820 is initiated with the aid of a loop 823.

[0111] That is, if it is not the user who previously added / saved the audio file 12, 12b, 12c to the mixed playlist 38c, it will not be permitted to remove the audio file 12a, 12b, 12c from the mixed playlist 38c. In other words, the audio files 12a, 12b can only be removed by the user who previously added them to the playlist 38. Next, the option for removing 818 other audio files 12a, 12b, 12c is performed again, where:

[0112] - If the answer is I, that is, if the ID query 820 matches, a delete instruction 824 is transmitted,

[0113] With this, specific audio files 12a, 12b, 12c are removed from the mixed playlist 38c.

[0114] Here, a deletion instruction 824 is sent to the data cloud 18, wherein first the deletion is performed in the first storage space 826 of the data cloud 18 of the audio files 12a, 12b, 12c, and the addition is performed in the second storage space 828 of the data cloud 18. The audio files 12a, 12b, 12c added to the deletion list of audio files to be deleted will be deleted from the playlist 38c after the specified time.

[0115] Finally, for the mixed playlist 38c, it is also possible to add audio files 12a, 12b, 12c from all sources, wherein an option of adding 830 is provided. An adding instruction 832 is executed, wherein the audio files 12a, 12b, 12c are saved to a favorites list 900 in a storage space 836 of the data cloud 18 designated for this purpose, while checking and using user data from a user data storage space 834 of the data cloud 18.

[0116] Fig. 9 The diagram shown illustrates the functional principle of the application 31 for creating a favorites list 900 and shows a mobile terminal 16 a having a display interface 17 a of the favorites list 900 .

[0117] For the favorites list 900, the audio files 12a, 12b, 12c and / or the mixed playlist 38c should first be searched and loaded in the storage space 910 designated for this purpose in the data cloud 18 at the back end 42. To this end, a query 912 of "greater than zero" (mixed playlist 38c>0) is first executed to determine the size of the searched mixed playlist 38c, wherein the query 912 only allows yes 1 or no 0 as options in a Boolean format, wherein:

[0118] - For 1, the mixed playlist 38c has more than one audio file 12a, 12b,

[0119] 12c, and the first three audio files 12, 12b, 12c on the mixed playlist 38c are played as the first three songs in the first view 914 on the display interface 17a; and

[0120] - For No 0, the mixed playlist 38c has zero audio files and an empty playlist is played in the second view 916 on the display interface 17a.

[0121] The two answers to query 912 are 1 and 0, both of which will be answered with Figure 3 The arrow shown in returns to the storage space 910 of the data cloud 18, so that a loop 917 can be implemented to re-query 912 for other playlists.

[0122] Removal 918 of a specific audio file 12a, 12b, 12c from the favorites list 900 may also be performed, wherein a delete instruction 920 is sent to a storage space 922 designated for the audio file 12a, 12b, 12c in the data cloud 18 and the removal is performed in the storage space 922.

[0123] Finally, for the favorites list 900, all audio files 12a, 12b, 12c from all sources can be added, wherein an option of adding 924 is provided. Add instructions 926 are executed, wherein the audio files 12a, 12b, 12c are saved to the favorites list 900 in the storage space 930 of the data cloud 18 designated for this purpose, while checking and using user data from the user data storage space 928 of the data cloud 18.

[0124] Fig.10 The diagram shows the functional principle of the creation history 1000 of the application 31 and shows a mobile terminal 16 a having a display interface 17 a of the history 1000 .

[0125] For the history 1000, the audio files 12a, 12b, 12c and / or the mixed playlist 38c should first be searched and loaded in the storage space 1010 designated for this purpose in the data cloud 18 at the back end 42. To this end, a query 1012 of "greater than zero" (mixed playlist 38c>0) is first executed to determine the size of the searched mixed playlist 38c, wherein the query 1012 only allows yes 1 or no 0 as options in a Boolean format, wherein:

[0126] - For 1, the mixed playlist 38c has more than one audio file 12a, 12b,

[0127] 12c, and the first three audio files 12, 12b, 12c on the mixed playlist 38c are played as the first three songs in the first view 1014 on the display interface 17a; and

[0128] - For No 0, the mixed playlist 38c has zero audio files and an empty playlist is played in the second view 1016 on the display interface 17a.

[0129] The two answers to query 1012, yes 1 and no 0, will be obtained by Figure 3 The arrow shown in returns to the storage space 1010 of the data cloud 18, so that a loop 1017 can be implemented to re-query 1012 for other playlists.

[0130] A removal 1018 of specific audio files 12a, 12b, 12c can also be performed from the historical record 1000, wherein, while checking and using user data from the user data storage space 1022 of the data cloud 18, a deletion instruction 1020 is sent to the storage space 1024 designated for the audio files 12a, 12b, 12c in the data cloud 18, and the removal is performed in the storage space 1024.

[0131] Finally, for the history 1000, all audio files 12a, 12b, 12c from all sources can be added, wherein an option of adding 1026 is provided. An adding instruction 1028 is executed, wherein the audio files 12a, 12b, 12c are saved to the history 1000 in the storage space 1032 designated for this purpose in the data cloud 18, while checking and using the user data in the user data storage space 1022.

Claims

1. A method for playing at least one audio file (12a, 12b) by means of an electronic computing device (20) arranged in a vehicle, the method comprising the following method steps: - wirelessly receiving at least one first audio file (12a) provided by a first external service provider (14a) on at least one mobile terminal device (16a); - wirelessly transmitting the at least one first audio file (12a) from the mobile terminal device (16a) to a first communication module (26c) of the electronic computing device (20); - saving said at least one first audio file (12a) in a memory associated with said electronic computing device (20); and - playing the at least one first audio file (12a); wherein, - receiving, by means of the at least one mobile terminal device (16a), at least one second audio file (12b) provided by a second external service provider (14b) different from the first external service provider (14a); - transmitting the second audio file (12b) from the mobile terminal device (16a) to the first communication module (26c) of the electronic computing device (20); - storing the second audio file (12b) in a memory; - transferring the audio file (12a, 12b) from the memory to the electronic computing device (20) for playback, It is characterized in that A memory for storing the audio files (12a, 12b) is provided in the form of a data cloud (18), wherein the audio files (12a, 12b) directly transmitted to the first communication module (26c) of the electronic computing device (20) by the electronic computing device (20) are stored in the bound data cloud (18).

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that Other audio files (12c) from another second memory (36) are played through the electronic computing device (20).

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The audio file (12a, 12b) is directly transmitted to the second communication module (26c) of the electronic computing device (20) by means of the corresponding second communication module (28a, 28b) of the corresponding mobile terminal device (16a, 16b).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A playlist (38) consisting of the audio files (12a, 12b) stored in the data cloud (18) is controlled via a mobile terminal device (16a, 16b) and via a user interface (22) of an electronic computing device (20).

5. The method according to claim 4, It is characterized in that When removing an audio file (12a, 12b) from the playlist (38), removal permissions are checked.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that At least one piece of information of at least one user of one of the mobile terminals (14a, 14b) is stored in a data cloud (18).

7. An electronic computing device (20) for playing an audio file (12a, 12b), the electronic computing device having a first communication module (26c) capable of wirelessly binding the electronic computing device (20) to a data cloud (18) and at least one second communication module (28c) capable of wirelessly binding the electronic computing device (20) to at least one mobile terminal device (16a, 16b), It is characterized in that The electronic computing device (20) is designed to sequentially save all audio files (12a, 12b) to the data cloud (18) and / or play them according to the signal sent to the communication module (26c, 28c) by the corresponding mobile terminal device (16a, 16b).

8. The electronic computing device (20) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The electronic computing device (20) is designed to cache and play audio files (12a, 12b) stored in a data cloud (18).

9. The electronic computing device (20) according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The electronic computing device is designed as a single-board computer for simulating an entertainment information system (10) of a vehicle and / or bound to such an entertainment information system (10).

Images