SERVER, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MEDIA FILES FOR DOWNLOAD BY USERS - Patent application

Abstract

The present invention relates to a server for providing media files for downloading by a user, the server having an operating system created by a user, a media table stored in memory, wherein at least one first media ID is assigned to a first media file and a second media ID is assigned to a second media file, an identifier table stored in memory, wherein a user is assigned identifiers assignable to identifier carriers, and an allocation table stored in memory, wherein in the allocation table an identifier is assignable to the first media ID and / or the second media ID, and the first media ID is not assigned to an identifier, and a program routine provided on the server, by means of which a user can modify the allocation table to assign the first media ID to an identifier in the allocation table.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server for providing media files for downloading by a user.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a user interface for interacting with a server for providing media files for downloading.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for providing media files for downloading from a server by a user.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for interacting with a server for providing media files for downloading using a user interface. [Background technology]

[0002] From WO 2015 / 104222, WO 2017 / 129349, DE 102011056420 A1, EP 3594833 A1, WO 2015 / 078923 A1 and US 2018 / 0353869 A1, devices for reproducing audio information are known using a loudspeaker and a sensor capable of detecting within the area of ​​its environment a property of this environment or a change in this property, each of these devices having an additional control unit capable of controlling the loudspeaker to reproduce the audio information if the sensor detects within the area of ​​its environment a certain property of this environment or a certain change in this property or if the control unit detects a certain change in the property detected by the sensor. In these known devices, the sensor is designed as a reading device for communicating with a passive RFID transponder. These known devices are complemented by an identifier carrier to the system, which identifier carrier has a property that the sensor can detect when it is present in the region of the environment of the sensor or when it changes a property in the environment of the sensor that the sensor can detect in the region of its own environment. In the previously known systems, the identifier carrier comprises an RFID transponder.

[0003] In WO 2015 / 104222 it is proposed to configure the control unit of the device to transmit information comprising the detected specific characteristic or the change in the detected specific characteristic to a specific server connected to the Internet. The assignment of the identified specific characteristic or the change in the identified specific characteristic to the specific audio information is performed on the server. The server transmits to the device the data it assigns to the specific characteristic or the change in the specific characteristic transmitted to it by the control unit.

[0004] DE 102011056420 A1 proposes that an identifier carrier, referred to there as an identification tag, contains information of a network address under which a media file can be found, such as for example a URL address and / or a previously detected identification number, which allows the media file to be uniquely identified in a database. DE 102011056420 A1 proposes the use of a blank playback object, the purpose of which is to make it possible to use the contents of a media file stored on another data carrier with the playback device in a manner suitable for small children. For this purpose, DE 102011056420 A1 proposes first to store a second media file in the memory of the playback device. This second media file can be transferred to the memory of the playback device, for example from a data carrier such as a CD or DVD. After or during the storage of the second media file, the blank RFID identification tag of the blank playback object is uniquely linked to the second media file. This is achieved by assigning information contained in the blank identification tag (e.g., the ID code of the blank identification tag) to the second media file on the playback device, which is performed within the playback device. If the playback device has a means to connect to a computer, this linking should be performed using appropriate computer software.

[0005] In WO 2017 / 129349 it is proposed that the data packets transferred from the external memory to the memory of the playback device may originate from a library of databases held in the external memory. This library may be provided by external service providers, such as, for example, audiobook publishers or film distributors. Furthermore, in WO 2017 / 129349 it is proposed that the data packets are recorded individually in the external memory by means of recording software. For configurations in which the external memory is part of a computer of the home network, in WO 2017 / 129349 it is proposed that the recording software is executed by a processor of this computer. However, it is also proposed that the recording software is executed on an external computer (external device), for example on a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop or desktop computer or a workstation, and that the data packets thus generated are stored in an external memory, for example in the cloud, via a network, particularly preferably via the Internet, from where they are transferred to the memory of the playback device. When the playback device requests a data packet from the external memory, the external memory and the device may be configured to first check whether a copy of the data packet has already been stored in the playback device. Depending on this, it can be determined whether and which data packet is to be transferred from the external memory to the playback device. In this way, it is possible to use the same identifier to call up different content over time, for example content that is regularly and significantly changed (such as so-called podcasts) or content that changes depending on events.

[0006] WO 2017 / 129349 proposes the use of the recording software to transmit data packets from the computer on which it is used to an external memory. It is proposed that the recording software records the content itself or otherwise reads the content and transmits all or part of this content to an external memory (realised in another computer) via a network. The recording software then performs the assignment of the content to one or more specific identifiers or groups of identifiers. For this purpose, the recording software running on the external device asks (once or repeatedly) via a connection to the playback device (either directly or via an intervening server) for one or more specific identifiers or groups of identifiers to be assigned. The recording software running on the external device allows the user of the recording software to decide to which of the identifiers the content should be assigned before or after recording or reading the content. WO 2017 / 129349 then presents an alternative whereby the asking for the identifiers in question is performed by bringing the identifiers into an identification field of the playback device, if the identifiers are available to the user of the recording software. Similarly, WO 2017 / 129349 also presents an embodiment in which the relationship between a user (or a group of users) of the recording software and one or more identifiers is stored by means of a user account. The assignment of the identifiers in question to the user accounts may, according to the teaching of WO 2017 / 129349, for example be stored in an external memory or in the same device on which the recording software is executed, advantageously in both places. Thus, according to the teaching of WO 2017 / 129349, the device on which the recording software is executed can know "which identifiers belong to the user assigned to the user account" via the assignment of the identifiers in question to the user accounts.Thus, the content just generated with the recording software, whether it is the content generated by the recording itself or the content just read, can be assigned to an identifier within the recording software according to the teachings of WO 2017 / 129349. A data packet corresponding to the generated content (recorded or read) is then transferred from the device on which the recording software is implemented to an external memory in the cloud, together with additional information to which particular identifier or group of identifiers this data packet belongs.

[0007] In US2018 / 0353869, in paragraph

[0021] it is proposed that a control device, for example a smartphone, tablet or an external computer but not a playback device, can modify the media or the instructions to be performed through interaction with the playback device (here entertainment media device) or indirectly through interaction with a server. In paragraph

[0054] it is proposed that the server can store a database that combines the control information of the device with the identifier of the identifier carrier. In US2018 / 0353869, a means is proposed for remote control of the playback device (also called Entertainment Media Device) by an external control unit, for example a smartphone, tablet (here controller device). In paragraph

[0218] it is proposed that such an external control unit can gain access to the identifier carrier via the playback device and can read, write or modify it. In particular, in this US2018 / 0353869, it works with a writable identifier carrier. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a server and / or a user interface which can reduce the number of media files to be persisted and / or reduce the scale of data exchange between the server and the user interface. Besides, it is also part of the object of the present invention to minimize or optimally utilize the technical requirements for the playback device and to make the system optimally available even in different situations regarding data connection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This problem is solved by a server according to claim 1, a user interface according to claim 6, a system according to claim 9 and a method according to claims 11, 12 and / or 13, as well as an apparatus for data processing according to claim 15, a computer program according to claim 16, a data carrier signal according to claim 17 and a computer-readable recording medium according to claim 18. Preferred embodiments are set out in the dependent claims and the description that follows.

[0010] The advantages of the present invention can already be realized by providing a server. At the same time, providing a server is itself a marketable product, and therefore claim 1 is directed to the server. With regard to the system boundary, the server may belong to a communication interface, by which the server can receive signals and send signals. Part of the server may be able to receive specific signals via this communication interface, unravel the structure of these signals and ascertain the information contained in said signals. Part of the server may further be able to send specific signals via this communication interface, which have a specific structure and contain information within this specific structure.

[0011] The present invention further relates to a user interface.

[0012] The invention further relates to a system consisting of a server and a user interface executable on an external device, in particular a system comprising a server, a user interface and an external device on which the user interface is executable or on which software providing the user interface is stored. The external device may be a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable, e.g. a smart watch, or a computer, e.g. a laptop. In one type of use of the invention, the operator of the server can provide a user interface to a third party, e.g. in the form of software for an app or software running in a web browser, in which case the software providing the user interface can run on an external device owned by the third party. The advantages of the invention are realized in this type of use, for example, by the operator of the server, by providing the user interface, by providing a means for third parties to use existing identifier carriers for the identification of other media files, with the use of only a small amount of data to be exchanged.

[0013] With regard to the system boundary, it may belong to the user interface that the user interface, possibly again with the aid of further software components present on the external device, is able to receive signals via a communication interface of the external device and drive the external device to transmit signals. Part of the user interface may be able to resolve certain signals received via this communication interface in terms of their structure and to resolve the information contained in said signals. Part of the user interface may further be able to transmit certain signals via this communication interface, having a certain structure and containing information within this certain structure, so that the server receiving these signals is able to resolve the structure of these signals and to resolve the information contained in the signals.

[0014] The invention further relates to a system comprising a server and an identifier carrier, preferably a system comprising a server, an identifier carrier and a user interface executable on an external device, in particular a system comprising a server, an identifier carrier, a user interface and an external device on which the user interface is executable or on which software providing the user interface is stored.

[0015] The invention further relates to a system comprising a server, an identifier carrier and a playback device, preferably comprising a server, an identifier carrier, a playback device and a user interface executable on an external device, preferably comprising a server, an identifier carrier, a playback device, a user interface and an external device on which software executable or providing the user interface is stored. Regarding the system boundary, the playback device may belong to a communication interface by which the playback device can receive and send signals. Part of the playback device may be able to receive specific signals via this communication interface and to solve the structure of these signals and to resolve the information contained in said signals. Part of the playback device may further be able to send specific signals via this communication interface, having a specific structure and containing information within this specific structure, so that the server receiving these signals is able to solve the structure of these signals and to resolve the information contained in the signals.

[0016] The server's communications interface is preferably configured to transmit signals to and receive signals from the communications network. The server's communications interface is preferably a connection terminal, preferably a cable connection terminal for a cable through which the server can transmit signals to and receive signals from the Internet.

[0017] The user interface to be executed on the external device is preferably designed to transmit signals to and receive signals from the communication network via the communication interface of the external device. The communication interface of the external device may be a cable connection terminal for a cable via which the external device can transmit signals to and receive signals from the Internet. Preferably, the communication interface of the external device is a wireless communication interface, such as, for example, a WLAN antenna, a Bluetooth antenna or a mobile radio antenna, via which the external device can transmit signals to and receive signals from the Internet.

[0018] The communication interface of the playback device is preferably configured to transmit signals to and receive signals from a communication network. The communication interface of the playback device may be a cable connection terminal for a cable, through which the playback device can transmit signals to and receive signals from the Internet. Preferably, the communication interface of the playback device is a wireless communication interface, for example a WLAN antenna, a Bluetooth antenna, or a mobile radio antenna, through which the playback device can transmit signals to and receive signals from the Internet.

[0019] According to the invention, a media table, an identifier table and an allocation table are stored in the memory of the server. In a preferred embodiment, furthermore, for example, a user group table, an authentication table and a device identifier table are provided. By table, it is understood that the allocation of members of a first member group, for example identifiers from an identifier group, to members of a second member group, for example media files from a media file group, is performed independently of how this is technically realized, preferably in a database. In its simplest form, the table has a first column in which the members of the first group are listed one above the other and a second column arranged adjacent to the first column in which the members of the second group are listed one above the other, where the allocation is performed by listing in the first column the members of the first group to be assigned to the members of the second group in the same row as the members of the second group to be assigned to the members of the first group are listed in the second column. By reading the row, information on the allocation of the members of the first group to the members of the second group can be obtained. However, the table may also be implemented, for example, in the form of a relational database or as part of a relational database, etc. However, the table may also be implemented, for example, in the form of a pivot table or as part of a pivot table database, etc. In the following description, even if a table is described in terms of columns and rows, the implementation of the table in the present invention is not limited to this form.

[0020] The present invention is therefore also directed to an apparatus for data processing comprising means for carrying out one of the steps of the method according to the invention. Furthermore, the present invention is also directed to a computer program, in particular a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out one of the methods according to the invention. Furthermore, the present invention is also directed to a data carrier signal carrying the computer program [product]. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a computer-readable recording medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out one of the methods according to the invention.

[0021] According to the present invention, a program routine is stored on a server. In a preferred embodiment, further provided are, for example, a library routine, an expansion routine, an inventory routine, a first standard routine, an actual routine, a second standard routine, and a stress routine. In the context of describing a server as a target of the present invention, the routine stored on the server is understood to mean a series of operating instructions (commands) stored on the server, which, when read and executed by a processor of the server, cause the operations attributed to the routines in the following description. In the context of describing a method to be performed using a server or a system, the routine stored on the server is understood to mean the operations attributed to the routines in the following description are performed.

[0022] According to the present invention, the user interface includes a UI change routine. In a preferred embodiment, for example, a UI library routine, a UI extension routine, a UI inventory routine, a UI start routine, a UI lock routine, a UI unlock routine, a UI actual routine, a UI user maintenance routine, and a UI playback device maintenance routine are further provided. In the context of describing a user interface as a target of the present invention, the user interface routine is understood to mean a series of operation instructions (commands) stored in software for the user interface, which, when read and executed by a processor, cause the operation attributed to the routine in the following description. In the context of describing a method to be implemented using the user interface, the user interface routine is understood to mean the operation attributed to the routine in the following description being implemented.

[0023] The server according to the invention comprises an operating system, which may be, for example, Linux.

[0024] In the operating system, a user may be created in a user management system. If a user is created in a user management system of a database or in a user management system of another data management program included in the operating system, this is equivalent to a user created in the operating system. Preferably, in the operating system, more than 50 users, preferably more than 100 users, preferably more than 100,000 users are created in the user management system. In a preferred embodiment, a user or each user created in the operating system is identified via a username, which is given only once. The operating system may also provide a means for a user to log in via a single sign-in.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, a user table is stored in the memory of the server. The user table lists users created in the user management system. In the user table, users can be assigned information such as passwords and credit status. In a preferred embodiment, users in the user table can be assigned to one or more user groups. Additionally or alternatively, a user group table may be stored in the memory of the server. In the user group table, users who are party to this group are assigned to respective user groups. In the user group table, user groups can be assigned information such as passwords and credit status.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, an administrator is created in the operating system. In a preferred embodiment, an administrator differs from a user in that the administrator can change the assignment of an identifier to another user in the identifier table. In a preferred embodiment, a user cannot change the assignment of an identifier to a user. Additionally or alternatively, the administrator differs from a user in that the administrator can enter in the assignment table the assignment of any media ID to any identifier in the identifier table in the media table. In a preferred embodiment, a user can assign a media ID to an identifier in the assignment table only if the media ID has been assigned to the user in the authorization table or to a user group to which the user belongs.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, a user is assigned a device identifier in the user table. Preferably, a user is assigned multiple device identifiers in the user table. In a preferred embodiment, a user group is assigned a device identifier in the user group table. Preferably, a user group is assigned multiple device identifiers in the user group table. In a preferred embodiment, a lock attribute is assigned to the assignment of a user or user group to a device identifier in the user table or user group table. The presence of the lock attribute can be used to restrict changes in the assignment of a user or user group to a device identifier.

[0028] The device identifier is preferably a sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters. The device identifier may be a Unique Identifier (UID), a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID), a Global Unique Identifier (GUID). According to a preferred embodiment, if a playback device is provided with a processor or a memory chip as part of the system according to the invention, the device identifier may be an identifier of the processor or the memory chip.

[0029] The server according to the present invention comprises a media table in which at least one first media ID is assigned to a first media file and a second media ID is assigned to a second media file. In a preferred embodiment, more than 50 media IDs are assigned to media files in the database, preferably more than 100 media IDs are assigned to media files, preferably more than 100,000 media IDs are assigned to media files. References to a "first media ID" and a "second media ID" are used solely as linguistic references to two different media IDs, i.e., a "first media ID" is not a "second media ID". The use of numerals such as "first" and "second" does not describe any order or hierarchy between the first media ID and the second media ID.

[0030] Assignment of a media ID to a media file in the media table can be achieved by assigning a storage location of the media file to the media ID. In this case, the storage location may be an indication of a storage location in the memory of a server where a specific media file is stored. The storage location may be a pointer, such as a Uniform Resource Locator, that points to the actual storage location of the media file in the memory of another server. Assignment of a media ID to a media file in the media table can be achieved by assigning the filename of the media file to the media ID, unless the media ID itself is the filename of the media file.

[0031] A Media ID is an identifier for a media file. A Media ID is preferably a sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters. A Media ID may be or may include the filename or part of the filename of the media file. A Media ID may be a Unique Identifier (UID), a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID), or a Global Unique Identifier (GUID).

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the server comprises a media memory in which media files are stored, the media files being in particular preferably files having one of the following formats: AAC, AIF, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, M4A, M4B, WAV, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA. In a preferred embodiment, audio files but no video files are stored in the media memory. In a preferred embodiment, audio files and no video files are assigned to media IDs in the media table.

[0033] In one embodiment, the media files stored in the media memory can have different formats. In a preferred embodiment, the media files stored in the media memory have the same format. In a preferred alternative embodiment, the media files stored in the media memory have one format from a group of formats, where the group particularly preferably includes less than 20, particularly preferably less than 10, particularly preferably less than 5 different formats.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, all media files assigned to a media ID in the media table are stored in the media memory. In an alternative embodiment, some of the media files assigned to a media ID in the media table are stored in the media memory, while for media files assigned to a media ID in the media table that are not stored in the media memory, a pointer is assigned to the media ID.

[0035] In the media table, a media ID may be assigned further information. For example, the media table may store metadata for the media file assigned to the media ID. These metadata may be, for example, Information about the content of the media file, e.g. composer / author, performer, work, e.g. summary of the content, episode number if this media file is an episode in a series, etc. categorisation, e.g. allocation of releases to style (pop, classical, RnB), theme (poetry, prose), language (German, English, dialect), sub-genre (detective novel, fairy tale, etc.) or age group; information about the length (playing time) of an audio file or the size (in KB or MB) of a media file, or for example information about the file format; information about chapters in a media file and their duration, or points in a media file that need to be jumped over to reach the beginning of a chapter; Information about the origin of the media file assigned to the media ID, e.g. information about whether and by which user the media file was uploaded by a user, information about the recording medium on which the media file was created (to the extent known), information about the path from which the media file was loaded on the server (app, web browser, direct upload); Information about the ownership of the Media ID to the series; - information about membership to identifier types, version information, preferably a timestamp identifying when the media file was uploaded to the server; A release date, which identifies when the Media ID will be made available to users; Information about the image file (file name, location) that can be used to display the media ID in the UI, It may be information about popularity (how often this media ID was purchased), user feedback, user ratings, promotions, rankings, etc. For example, there may be a series called "Benjamin Bluemchen®" and a specific media ID may be assigned to this series "Benjamin Bluemchen®" in the media table. A series may be a group of media files, where each media file stores an episode of a multi-episode story, e.g. an episode of the series "Benjamin Bluemchen®".

[0036] The situation where a server in an operating state according to the invention has a media table in which at least one first media ID is assigned to a first media file and a second media ID is assigned to a second media file means that the server in this operating state knows the first media ID and the second media ID. Thus, the server does not only become aware of the first media ID and / or the second media ID by means of a program routine, which will be described in detail below. In the operating state of the server according to the invention, the first media ID and the second media ID are stored in the media table and are therefore known to the server.

[0037] The memory of the server according to the invention contains an identification table, in which users are assigned identifiers which can be assigned to identifier carriers. The assignment of an identifier to a user can be achieved by directly assigning the identifier to the user. According to a preferred embodiment, if a user is assigned to a user group in the user group table, the assignment of an identifier to a user can also be achieved by assigning the user group to which the user belongs to an identifier in the identifier table.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, an identifier type is assigned to each identifier in the identifier table. In a preferred embodiment, an identifier type "content type" is provided, which can be used to convey information that an identifier assigned to this identifier type was already assigned to a media ID in the allocation table at the time of first market launch. In a preferred embodiment of the identifier type "content type", an identifier type "series type" may be provided, which can be assigned to an identifier in the identifier table supplementarily to the identifier type "content type" or alternatively to the identifier type "content type". Via the identifier type "series type", it can be expressed that an identifier assigned to this identifier type was already assigned a media ID in the allocation table at the time of first market launch and that the media file assigned to it is a media file of a series. In a preferred embodiment of the identifier type "series type", an identifier type may be provided that is assigned to a particular series, for example "Benjamin Bluemchen®". Through an identifier type assigned to a particular series, it is possible to express that an identifier assigned to this identifier type was already assigned a media ID in the allocation table when it was first put on the market and that the media file assigned to it is a media file of a particular series, in this example the series "Benjamin Bluemchen®". Particularly preferably, through an identifier type assigned to a particular series, it is possible to express that an identifier assigned to this identifier type was already assigned a media ID in the allocation table when it was first put on the market and that the media ID is assigned in the media table to a particular series, in this example the series "Benjamin Bluemchen®" (the particular series is entered during their entry in the media table).

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, an identifier type "creative type" is provided, which can be used to convey information that identifiers assigned to this identifier type did not have a media ID assigned in the allocation table when first introduced to the market.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the server makes it possible to change the identifier type, for example an identifier that was initially assigned the identifier type "creative type" can be assigned the identifier type "content type", particularly preferably the identifier type "series type", and especially preferably an identifier type that is assigned to a particular series.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the assignment of identifiers to users or user groups in the identifier table is assigned a lock attribute, the presence or absence of which can be used to restrict changes in the assignment of identifiers to users or user groups.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, a device identifier is assigned to an identifier assignment to a user or user group in the identifier table. The presence or absence of a device identifier can be used to link an identifier assignment to a user or user group to an assignment to a device identifier. In a preferred embodiment, a device identifier assigned to an identifier and a user or user group assignment in the identifier table may be a device identifier assigned to a user or user group in the user table or user group table.

[0043] The identifier is preferably a sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters. The identifier may be a Unique Identifier (UID), a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID), a Global Unique Identifier (GUID). According to a preferred embodiment, if an identifier carrier with an RFID transponder is provided as part of the system according to the invention, the identifier is preferably stored in the RFID transponder. In a preferred embodiment, a sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters is stored in the RFID transponder, preferably a Unique Identifier (UID), a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID), a Global Unique Identifier (GUID). In such an embodiment, the identifier is preferably a sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters stored in the RFID transponder or a sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters obtained from a sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters stored in the RFID transponder according to a transformation rule.

[0044] The memory of the server according to the invention has stored therein an allocation table, in which identifiers can be assigned a first media ID and / or a second media ID.

[0045] The allocation table may be designed such that only one media ID can be assigned to an identifier. If an identifier in the allocation file has already been assigned a media ID (e.g., a second media ID) and another media ID (e.g., a first media ID) is to be assigned to it, then in this embodiment the identifier is de-assigned (e.g., deleted) from one media ID (e.g., the second media ID) and assigned to the other media ID (e.g., the first media ID).

[0046] The allocation table may be designed such that multiple media IDs are assigned to one identifier. In one embodiment, two media IDs can be assigned to one identifier. In a particularly preferred embodiment, in this embodiment, the allocation table can store a hierarchy of two media IDs. The hierarchy of media IDs can result from the storage location of the media IDs in the allocation table or by additional information stored in the allocation table. In a particularly simple embodiment, the hierarchy can be realized by means of an allocation table having at least three columns, where: In the first column, one identifier is entered, In the second column, the first media ID can be assigned to an identifier from the first column by writing the first media ID in the second column in the same row as the identifier present in the first column; In the third column, a second media ID can be assigned to an identifier from the first column by writing the second media ID in the third column of the same row as the identifier present in the first column. In such an embodiment of the allocation table, it may be assumed that the media ID written in the third column (in this case the second media ID) is in a higher hierarchy than the media ID written in the second column (in this case the first media ID). In such an embodiment of the allocation table, the media ID written in the second column of the identifier row can be considered as a default (default media ID). If no media ID is entered in the third column of the identifier row, the default media ID stored in the second column is considered as the media ID assigned to the identifier. However, if a media ID is entered in the third column of the identifier row, the media ID entered in the third column of the identifier row is considered as the identifier assigned to the identifier, even if a media ID is entered in the second column of the identifier row. In a preferred embodiment of this embodiment, the assignment of default media IDs to identifiers cannot be changed by the user, and in a preferred embodiment of this embodiment, the user can make entries only in the third column using a program routine. In this way, it can be guaranteed that there is always one media ID assigned to a specific identifier in the assignment table.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, a lock attribute is assigned to the assignment of identifiers to media IDs in the assignment table. The presence or absence of a lock attribute can be used to restrict the ability to change the assignment of identifiers to media IDs in the assignment table to certain users of a user group (e.g., an administrator of the user group).

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, a device identifier is assigned to an identifier to media ID assignment in an assignment table. The presence or absence of a device identifier can be used to link an identifier to media ID assignment to an assignment to a device identifier. In a preferred embodiment, a device identifier assigned to an identifier and media ID assignment in an assignment table may be a device identifier assigned to a user or user group in a user table or user group table.

[0049] Additionally or alternatively, the device identifier may be assigned to an identifier in a table.

[0050] In the operating state of the server according to the present invention, the first media ID is not assigned to an identifier in the allocation table. The server knows the first media ID, specifically because it is assigned to the first media file in the media table, but the first media ID is not assigned to an identifier.

[0051] According to the invention, it is now envisaged that a user may modify the allocation table, in which a program routine is provided on the server, which assigns the first media ID to an identifier.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, a program routine is triggered by receipt of the change signal and includes the step of evaluating the change signal.

[0053] In a first embodiment, the structure of the modification signal may be selected such that it contains an identifier whose allocation in the allocation table is to be changed and a media ID (specifically the first media ID) to be assigned to said identifier. In this embodiment, the program routine may be executed such that in a step of evaluating the modification signal, the identifier and the first media ID are read from the modification signal. In a subsequent step, the entry in the allocation table assigned to the transmitted identifier is modified and the first media ID is assigned to the identifier, in a preferred embodiment as the only media ID, possibly de-allocated to other media IDs that previously existed, or in another preferred embodiment as a media ID complementary to an existing media ID, but higher in the hierarchy.

[0054] In a further embodiment, the structure of the modification signal may be selected such that the modification signal includes information on a number of identifiers and a number of media IDs, and further includes information on the assignment of at least one of the identifiers included in the modification signal to one of the media IDs included in the modification signal. Advantageously, the modification signal of this embodiment includes, for each identifier included therein, an assignment to one of the media IDs included therein. The modification signal may, for example, reproduce the contents of a UI assignment table stored in the external device, or the contents of a part of a UI assignment table stored in the external device. In this embodiment, the program routine may be executed in the step of evaluating the modification signal such that the identifiers, the media IDs and their assignment to the identifiers can be read out from the modification signal. In a subsequent step, the program routine modifies the entry for each identifier transmitted in the modification signal (for which the media IDs are also transmitted in the modification signal) in the server's assignment table, and can assign to the respective identifier the media ID communicated with the modification signal, in a preferred embodiment as the only media ID, possibly de-assigned to other pre-existing media IDs, or in another preferred embodiment as a media ID supplementary to an existing media ID, but higher in the hierarchy. In a preferred embodiment, the program routine can be used to allow the situation where an identifier notified in the modification signal was not assigned a media ID in the modification signal to remain unchanged in the server's allocation table to possibly existing media IDs. In an alternative embodiment, the program routine can be used to allow the situation where an identifier notified in the modification signal was not assigned a media ID in the modification signal to cancel the respective allocation of this identifier to possibly existing media IDs in the server's allocation table.In a preferred embodiment, the program routine can check for which identifiers an assignment to the media ID contained in the modification signal already exists in the allocation table of the server, and can then check for which of the identifiers contained in the modification signal an assignment to a media ID different from the one assigned in the allocation table of the server or an assignment for the first time to a media ID if the media ID is not yet stored in the allocation table of the server for the respective identifier. If a difference is detected, the program routine can initiate the transmission of a confirmation request signal containing the identifiers for which there is a difference in the assignment. If the server includes a confirmation signal in response to transmitting the confirmation request signal, the program routine can make a change in the assignment in the allocation table of the server only for those identifiers for which it has detected a difference in the assignment. This embodiment allows the user to: Implementing a unique UI allocation table on the external device, where one identifier is assigned to one media ID or multiple identifiers are assigned to one media ID each; This change in the UI allocation table can be done offline, i.e. without any means of communication with the server; After establishing a means of communication with the server, it enables the server and the external device to perform allocation synchronization.

[0055] In a third embodiment, the structure of the modification signal may be selected such that it contains information about identifiers whose allocation in the allocation table is to be changed, but not about media IDs. In this embodiment of the program routine, the reception of the modification signal is preceded by the transmission of a library signal by the server. The structure of the library signal may be selected such that the library signal contains information about the media IDs. In the embodiment of the program routine described here, the server stores the media IDs transmitted together with the library signal. In this embodiment, the program routine may be executed such that in the step of evaluating the modification signal, the identifiers are read out from the modification signal. When the server receives a modification signal containing information about identifiers whose allocation in the allocation table is to be changed, as envisaged here in this embodiment of the program routine, in a subsequent step the entry in the allocation table belonging to the transmitted identifier is modified, to which the media ID contained in the library signal and stored by the server is assigned, in a preferred embodiment, as the only media ID, possibly de-assigned to other previously existing media IDs, or in another preferred embodiment, as a media ID complementary to an existing media ID, but higher in the hierarchy.

[0056] The embodiment comprising the steps of receiving a modification signal and evaluating the modification signal is particularly suitable for use in a system according to the invention in which a user interface is simultaneously provided: the user interface running on the external device may be designed to generate a modification signal understandable to the server and transmitted by the external device.

[0057] As an alternative to an embodiment of a program routine that includes a step of receiving a modification signal followed by a step of evaluating the modification signal, embodiments are possible in which a user generates the modification signal directly at the server, including direct access to the server, for example via a virtual private network (VPN) or a remote desktop session.

[0058] The processing of the program routine can be initiated by the server receiving a change signal. Alternatively, the processing of the program routine can be based on events that are independent of the server or the user. For example, the program routine can be executed so that it can be processed at a specific predetermined time (weekly, daily, hourly, minutely, or in a significantly shorter time unit). The program routine can also be executed so that it can be processed within a determined time interval from the last processing of the program routine. This embodiment is particularly suitable for an embodiment in which, in the course of the processing of the program routine, a UI allocation table stored on the external device is synchronized with an allocation table on the server. Additionally or alternatively, the processing of the program routine can be triggered by an event occurring on the server. For example, the logon of a user to the server can cause the processing of the program routine.

[0059] The method according to the invention for providing a media file for downloading by a user from a server is implemented on a server (preferably according to the invention), the server comprising: The operating system that the user creates; a media table stored in memory, the media table having at least one first media ID assigned to a first media file and a second media ID assigned to a second media file; an identifier table stored in a memory, in which identifiers assignable to identifier carriers are assigned to users; an allocation table stored in memory, where in the allocation table: an i identifier is assignable to at least a first media ID or a second media ID; ii. The first media ID is not assigned to an identifier. The method according to the invention contemplates a user executing a program routine provided on a server which modifies an allocation table and assigns a first media ID to an identifier in the allocation table.

[0060] In contrast to the method known from WO 2017 / 129349, the present invention allows the user to initiate the assignment of identifiers to media IDs in the server, without the need to upload media files belonging to the media ID from the UI to the server in the same process, thereby reducing the amount of data that needs to be exchanged between the UI and the server: whereas in WO 2017 / 129349 an additional media file needs to be uploaded, the use of this amount of data can be omitted in the present invention.

[0061] Since in the present invention only a relatively short signal exchange takes place (with the resulting short signal propagation times) in comparison with the simultaneous uploading of media files known from WO 2017 / 129349 (with the associated long signal propagation times), the interaction with the user can take place more quickly, as the allocation of the media ID to the identifier takes place more quickly, whereby the user can more quickly call up the media file assigned to the identifier via the media ID and play it on the playback device.

[0062] Furthermore, the invention allows to reduce the amount of data in the server. In the method known from WO 2017 / 129349, the user has to upload a media file. This is because the server cannot identify without considerable effort whether the content of this media file is already stored on the server as part of a media file uploaded by another user. Therefore, according to the method known from WO 2017 / 129349, a unique media file has to be kept for each user, even if its content is already present in another media file on the server. This requires increased storage capacity on the server. With the method according to the invention, it is possible to make a media file stored on the server available to several users, in particular to assign each user a respective media ID. Although several users use the information stored in the media file, the media file only has to be stored on the server once.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the user uses program routines to assign identifiers to media IDs or pointers to media IDs for media files that other users have stored in the server's media memory. In a preferred embodiment, the user uses program routines to assign identifiers to media IDs for which other users are listed in the media table as users who have uploaded media files belonging to the media ID. In a preferred embodiment, the user uses program routines to assign identifiers to media IDs for media files that were not stored by the user in the server's media memory. In a preferred embodiment, the user uses program routines to assign identifiers to media IDs for which the user is not listed in the media table as users who have uploaded media files belonging to the media ID.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the user assigns to an identifier (second identifier) ​​using the program routine a media ID that is also assigned to another identifier (first identifier) ​​in the identifier table, particularly preferably without thereby changing the assignment of the media ID to the other identifier (first identifier). In a preferred embodiment, the first media ID is assigned to the other identifier (first identifier) ​​in the identifier table and is also assigned to the other identifier (first identifier) ​​after the execution of the program routine. This allows, on the one hand, a user to assign the same media ID to several of his identifiers. Besides, it allows several users in the server to assign one media ID to each of their identifiers, for example to assign one media ID to a specific episode of a series, and only one media file for this specific episode of a series needs to be kept in the server, even though it is assigned to several users via their media IDs.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, an authentication table is stored in the memory of the server. In a preferred embodiment, in the authentication table, multiple media IDs are assigned to a user. Additionally or alternatively, in the authentication table, one media ID is assigned to a user or to multiple users. Additionally or alternatively, in the authentication table, one media ID is assigned to a user group. Additionally or alternatively, in the authentication table, one media ID is assigned to a user group.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment, the program routine comprises checking whether the media ID assigned to the identifier during processing of the program routine is assigned to the user in the authorization table or to a user group to which the user belongs. In a preferred embodiment, the program routine performs the assignment of the media ID to the identifier only if the media file is assigned to the user in the authorization table or to a user group to which the user belongs.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the program routine comprises checking whether an identifier whose assignment to a media ID is to be changed during processing of the program routine is assigned in the identifier table to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs. In a preferred embodiment, the program routine performs the assignment of a media ID to an identifier only if the identifier is assigned in the identifier table to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment, the program routine comprises checking whether an identifier whose assignment to a media ID is to be changed during processing of the program routine is an identifier of a particular identifier type. In a preferred embodiment, the program routine performs the assignment of a media ID to an identifier only if the identifier is of the particular identifier type. In a preferred embodiment, the program routine checks the following: whether a media ID newly assigned to an identifier in the assignment table is a media ID belonging to a series, preferably to a specific series; checking whether the identifier to which the media ID is to be assigned in the assignment table is an identifier of the identifier type "series type", particularly preferably an identifier of the identifier type that is assigned to a particular series, particularly preferably to the series to which the media ID belongs. This embodiment makes it possible, for example, by means of a program routine, to assign media IDs belonging to the series "Benjamin Bluemchen®" according to the media table only to identifiers whose identifier type is "Benjamin Bluemchen®" according to the identifier table of the identifier type.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, a library routine is provided on the server. The library routine causes the transmission of a library signal. The library signal includes a media ID or multiple media IDs. The library routine includes the following steps: - reading at least one media ID from the media table, in particular reading a media ID from the media table that corresponds to a library criterion; and / or - reading at least one media ID from the authentication table, in particular a media ID assigned in the authentication table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the user group table, in particular a media ID which corresponds to a library criterion and which is assigned in the authentication table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the user group table. In a preferred embodiment the library signal comprises the one or more media IDs thus read.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, The library criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in a library routine, all media IDs stored in the media table are read (library criterion "all"), and / or A library criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in a library routine, all media IDs that are stored in the media table and that have been assigned certain metadata in the media table, e.g. membership in a certain series or a certain categorization, e.g. assignment to a style (Pop, Classical, RnB), are read (library criterion "specific metadata"), and / or A library criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in a library routine, all media IDs that are assigned in the authorization table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table are read from the authorization table (library criterion "user media IDs"), and / or A library criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in a library routine, all media IDs stored in the media table and not assigned to a particular user in the authentication table or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table are read (library criterion "new media ID"), and / or The library criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in a library routine, all media IDs are read from the authentication table that are assigned in the authentication table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table and that are assigned in the assignment table to an identifier in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table (library criterion "assigned media IDs"), and / or The library criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in a library routine, all media IDs are read from the authentication table which are assigned in the authentication table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table and which are not assigned in the assignment table to an identifier which is assigned in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table (library criterion "free media ID"), and / or Library standards, when applied to library routines, o first determining in an identifier table all identifiers that have been assigned to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs according to a user group table, and determining from these identifiers to which of these identifiers an identifier type is derived indicating the assignment of this identifier to a particular series, thereby determining all series to which the user has been assigned an identifier in the identifier table; o then retrieving all media IDs stored in a media table that have been assigned membership in one of the so determined series in the media table; o Then, from the media IDs so sought, one may be selected that is not assigned in the authorization table to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs according to the user group table. In a preferred embodiment, the library routine is triggered by receipt of a library request signal and includes evaluating the library request signal, which in a preferred embodiment includes library criteria or information that enables the server to form the library criteria upon evaluation of the library request signal.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment, the library signal includes information about the media ID contained in the library signal as to whether the media ID has already been assigned to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs in the server's authentication table.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment, the library signal includes metadata that is stored in a media table for the media ID. The metadata included in the library signal includes: Information about the content of the media file, e.g. composer / author, performer, work, e.g. summary of the content, episode number if this media file is an episode in a series, etc. categorisation, e.g. allocation of releases to style (pop, classical, RnB), theme (poetry, prose), language (German, English, dialect), sub-genre (detective novel, fairy tale, etc.) or age group; information about the length (playing time) of an audio file or the size (in KB or MB) of a media file, or for example information about the file format; information about chapters in a media file and their duration, or points in a media file that need to be jumped over to reach the beginning of a chapter; Information about the origin of the media file assigned to the media ID, e.g. information about whether and by which user the media file was uploaded by a user, information about the recording medium on which the media file was created (to the extent known), information about the path from which the media file was loaded on the server (app, web browser, direct upload); Information about the ownership of the Media ID to the series; - information about membership to identifier types, version information, preferably a timestamp identifying when the media file was uploaded to the server; A release date, which identifies when the Media ID will be made available to users; Information about the image file (file name, location) that can be used to display the media ID in the UI, and / or It may be information about popularity (how often this media ID was purchased), user feedback, user ratings, promotions, rankings, etc.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment, an extension routine is provided on the server. In a preferred embodiment, the extension routine allows the user to modify the authentication table. Particularly preferably, the extension routine allows the user to supplement the assignment of media IDs to himself and / or to a user group to which he belongs in the authentication table. Particularly preferably, the user can assign to himself, in the course of performing the extension routine, media IDs that were not yet assigned to him before the execution of the extension routine.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, the enhancement routine is triggered by receiving an enhancement signal by a server and includes the step of evaluating the enhancement signal.

[0075] In a first embodiment, the extension signal includes a user and / or user group whose assignment in the authorization table is to be changed, and a media ID to be assigned to the user and / or user group. In this embodiment, the extension routine may be executed such that in the step of evaluating the extension signal, the user and / or user group and the media ID are read from the extension signal. In a subsequent step, the entries in the authorization table are changed and the user and / or user group are assigned the media ID in the authorization table.

[0076] In a second embodiment, the structure of the extension signal may be selected such that the extension signal includes information about a media ID to be assigned to a user. The assignment to the user results from further circumstances, for example that the extension signal received from the server was initiated by a user interface into which the user is logged in.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment, the server checks whether the extended signal contains a media ID that was transmitted by the signal in the preceding library signal, and in a preferred embodiment, the server continues the extension routine only if the extended signal contains a media ID that was transmitted by the signal in the preceding library signal, preferably within a predefined time window by the signal in the preceding library signal.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, the modification signal is part of the extension signal or is a signal that directly follows the extension signal. In this way, the user can inform the server to which identifier the media ID contained in the extension signal should be assigned in the allocation table.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the extension routine comprises the step of receiving an enable signal by the server. The allocation of a media ID to a user or a user group in the authentication table can be made dependent on whether the server receives an enable signal. Similarly, the allocation of a media ID to an identifier in the allocation table conditional on a change signal can be dependent on whether the server receives an enable signal. If the allocation of a media ID to an identifier in the allocation table caused by a change signal depends on the media ID newly assigned to the identifier being assigned to a user or to a user group belonging to the user to which the identifier belongs in the authentication table, the dependence of the allocation of a media ID to an identifier in the allocation table conditional on a change signal on the reception of an enable signal can also be replaced by the dependence of the allocation of a media ID to a user in the authentication table on the reception of an enable signal.

[0080] The enable signal may include confirmation that money has been credited to an account. For example, the confirmation signal may be generated by a PayPal account. This provides the user with a means to purchase the media ID and its associated media file and a license for it or to rent it for a predefined period of time. However, embodiments are also possible where users wish to exchange media files with each other. Thus, the enable signal may also include confirmation that the user who has been assigned a media file in the authorization table agrees that the media file assigned to them may also be assigned to other users.

[0081] The expansion routine may include a step of checking the credit status of the user. The allocation of the media ID to the user in the authentication table may be made depending on whether the check of the user's credit status corresponds to a predefined value or exceeds a predefined value. The server's memory may store a credit table. In this credit table, a credit status is assigned to the user and / or to a user group (if they exist). The credit status may also be assigned to the user in the user table. The credit status may be a concrete value, for example a points value or a monetary value. As part of the expansion routine, the credit status may be checked whether it is equal to or exceeds a certain points value or monetary value. As part of the expansion routine, it may further be provided that after checking the credit status, the credit status is modified, for example the points value or monetary value is reduced. The credit status may also represent, via a predefined value, that the user has an unlimited account, for example if the user is a member of a flat fee program. Through the credit table, a means is provided for the user to set a certain credit status on the server and, for example, to charge his "account". This provides a means for the user to avoid having to worry about transmitting an enable signal that might otherwise be necessary when implementing an extension routine, i.e., to avoid having to make a transfer for the allocation of a particular media file, for example. The credit status also forms a means for one user to gift a given account to another user, thus increasing the credit status of the gifted user.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, an inventory routine is provided on the server. This inventory routine causes the transmission of an inventory signal. This inventory signal includes the identifier or identifiers and / or the device identifier or device identifiers. Furthermore, the inventory signal may include information on whether a lock attribute is assigned to each identifier or device identifier in the identifier table or assignment table. The inventory routine may include the step of reading at least one identifier from the identifier table, in particular reading an identifier from the identifier table that corresponds to an inventory criterion. In a preferred embodiment, the inventory signal includes the one or more identifiers thus read. In a preferred embodiment, the inventory signal for an identifier also includes an identifier type stored in the identifier table for this identifier. The inventory routine may include the step of reading at least one device identifier from the user table and / or user group table, in particular reading an device identifier from the user table and / or user group table that corresponds to an inventory criterion. In a preferred embodiment, the inventory signal includes the one or more device identifiers thus read.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment The inventory criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the inventory routine, all identifiers are stored in an identifier table and in the identifier table are read that are assigned to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table (inventory criterion "user identifiers"), and / or The inventory criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the inventory routine, all identifiers that are stored in the identifier table and that are assigned in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table and that are assigned in the identifier table to a particular identifier type (inventory criterion "special user identifier") are read; and / or The inventory criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the inventory routine, all identifiers are read that are stored in the identifier table and that are assigned in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table and that do not have a media ID assigned in the allocation table (inventory criterion "free user identifiers"), and / or The inventory criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the inventory routine, all identifiers are read that are stored in the identifier table and that are assigned in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table and that in the assignment table are assignable to a media ID different from the one that applies at the time of the query (inventory criterion "changeable user identifier"), and / or The inventory criterion may be selected, upon its application in the inventory routine, in an identifier table, in which it is assigned to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to a user group table, in which in the assignment table a different media ID than that which applies at the time of the query can be assigned and in which all identifiers corresponding to a particular identifier type or to a selection of a particular identifier type are retrieved (inventory criterion "type-specific changeable user identifier") and / or The inventory criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the inventory routine, all device identifiers are read that are stored in the user table or in the user group table and that are assigned to a particular user in the user table or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table (inventory criterion "user device identifiers").

[0084] In a preferred embodiment, the inventory routine is triggered by receipt of an inventory request signal and includes the step of evaluating the inventory request signal, hi a preferred embodiment, the inventory request signal includes inventory criteria or includes information that enables the server to form an inventory criteria upon evaluation of the inventory request signal.

[0085] In a preferred embodiment, a first standard routine is provided on the server. This first standard routine includes the following steps: processing a library routine and sending a library signal within the library routine; a step of waiting for the reception of an extension signal and, upon reception of the extension signal, processing an extension routine, which in particular preferably includes a step of receiving an enable signal or a step of checking the credit status of the user; - processing a program routine according to the invention, waiting for the reception of a modification signal and, upon reception of the modification signal, causing the user to modify the allocation table and to assign a media ID to an identifier in the allocation table; Includes.

[0086] In one embodiment of the first standard routine, the first standard routine comprises the step of processing an inventory routine, in particular the step of processing an inventory routine before waiting to receive a modification signal.

[0087] In a preferred embodiment, the first standard routine comprises the following steps: processing a library routine and sending a library signal having a first media ID within the library routine; a step of waiting for reception of an extension signal including a first media ID and, upon reception of the extension signal, processing an extension routine, which in particular preferably includes a step of receiving an enable signal or a step of checking the credit status of the user; - processing a program routine according to the invention, waiting for reception of a modification signal including a first media ID, and upon reception of the modification signal, a user modifies the allocation table and assigns the first media ID to an identifier in the allocation table; Includes.

[0088] In a preferred embodiment, a real state routine is provided on the server. This real state routine causes the transmission of a real state signal. This real state signal includes: One or more media IDs and an identifier or identifiers; Information about the allocation of each Media ID to each identifier; and The real state routine may include reading, in an assignment table, an assignment of media IDs to identifiers belonging to the user or to identifiers belonging to a user group to which the user belongs.

[0089] In a preferred embodiment, the real state routine is triggered by receipt of a real state request signal and includes the step of evaluating the real state request signal.

[0090] In a preferred embodiment, a second standard routine is provided on the server. This second standard routine includes the following steps: processing a library routine and sending a library signal within the library routine; processing a real state routine and sending a real state signal within the real state routine; - processing a program routine according to the invention, waiting for reception of a modification signal and, upon reception of the modification signal, causing the user to modify the allocation table and to assign a first media ID to an identifier in the allocation table; Includes.

[0091] In a preferred embodiment, a stress routine is provided on the server. In a preferred embodiment, the stress routine allows a user to modify the identifier table and / or the user table and / or the user group table. Particularly preferably, the stress routine allows a user to supplement the assignment of identifiers in the identifier table to himself and / or to a user group to which he belongs. Particularly preferably, a user can assign to himself, in the course of performing the stress routine, an identifier in the identifier table that was not already assigned to him before performing the stress routine.

[0092] Particularly preferably, the stress routine allows the user to supplement the assignment of device identifiers to users and / or to user groups to which the user belongs in the user table or user group table. Particularly preferably, the user can assign to himself or to a user group to which the user belongs, in the course of performing the stress routine in the user table or user group table, a device identifier that was not already assigned to him or her before performing the stress routine.

[0093] In a preferred embodiment, the stress routine is triggered by receipt of a stress signal by the server and includes the step of evaluating the stress signal.

[0094] In a first embodiment, the stress signal includes the user and / or user group whose assignment in the identifier table is to be changed, and the identifier assigned to the user and / or user group. In this embodiment, the stress routine may be executed such that in the step of evaluating the stress signal, the user and / or user group and the identifier are read from the stress signal. In a subsequent step, the entries in the identifier information table are changed and the user and / or user group is assigned an identifier in the identifier table. Before this step is performed, the stress routine may check whether the existing assignment of the identifier to the user or user group to be changed here is assigned a lock attribute. If the existing assignment of the identifier to the user or user group to be changed here is assigned a lock attribute, the entry in the identifier table is not changed and the user and / or user group is not assigned an identifier in the identifier table. In such a case, an error signal may be generated by the server. Alternatively, if a lock attribute is identified, it may be checked whether the user who initiated the change has special privileges, such as being an administrator in the user group. If the user has special privileges that authorize him or her to make the change despite the lock attribute, the change is made.

[0095] Complementarily or alternatively, the stress signal includes users and / or user groups whose assignment in the user table or user group table is to be changed and device identifiers to be assigned to the users and / or user groups. In this embodiment, the stress routine may be executed such that in the step of evaluating the stress signal, the user and / or user group and device identifiers are read from the stress signal. In a subsequent step, the entries in the user table or user group table are changed and the users and / or user groups are assigned device identifiers in the user group or user group table. Before this step is performed, the stress routine may check whether the existing assignment of device identifiers to users or user groups to be changed here is assigned a lock attribute. If the existing assignment of device identifiers to users or user groups to be changed here is assigned a lock attribute, the entries in the user table or user group table are not changed and the users and / or user groups are not assigned identifiers in the user table or user group table. In such a case, an error signal may be generated by the server. Alternatively, if a lock attribute is identified, it may be checked whether the user who initiated the change has special privileges, such as being an administrator in the user group. If the user has special privileges that give them permission to make the change despite the lock attribute, the change is made.

[0096] In a further embodiment, the structure of the stress signal may be selected such that it includes an identifier to be assigned to a user. The assignment to a user results from further circumstances, for example that the stress signal received from the server was initiated by a user interface into which the user is logged in. Additionally or alternatively, the structure of the stress signal may be selected such that it includes a device identifier to be assigned to a user. The assignment to a user results from further circumstances, for example that the stress signal received from the server was initiated by a user interface into which the user is logged in.

[0097] In a further embodiment, the stress signal includes an identifier and a device identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the stress signal is an AV demand signal in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the stress routine may be executed such that in the step of evaluating the stress signal, the identifier and the device identifier are read from the stress signal.

[0098] According to a first alternative, in a subsequent step it can be read from the identifier table to which user or which user group the identifier read from the stress signal is assigned in the identifier table, and in a subsequent step the device identifier can be assigned to this user or this user group in the user table or user group table. Before this step is carried out, the stress routine can check whether the existing assignment of the device identifier to the user or user group to be changed here is assigned a lock attribute. If the existing assignment of the device identifier to the user or user group to be changed here is assigned a lock attribute, the entry in the user table or user group table is not changed and the user and / or user group is not assigned an identifier in the user table or user group table. In such a case an error signal can be generated by the server.

[0099] According to a second alternative, in a subsequent step, it can be read from the user table or the user group table to which user or which user group the device identifier read out from the stress signal is assigned in the user table or the user group table, and in a subsequent step the identifier can be assigned to this user or this user group in the identifier table. Before this step is performed, the stress routine can check whether the existing assignment of the identifier to the user or the user group to be changed here is assigned a lock attribute. If the existing assignment of the device identifier to the user or the user group to be changed here is assigned a lock attribute, the entry in the identifier table is not changed and the identifier is not assigned to the user and / or the user group in the identifier table. In such a case, an error signal can be generated by the server.

[0100] In a preferred embodiment, the stress routine includes receiving an enable signal by the server, and the assignment of identifiers to users or user groups in the identifier table and / or the assignment of device identifiers to users or user groups in the user table and / or user group table may be made dependent on whether the server receives the enable signal.

[0101] The stress routine may include a step of checking a credit status of a user. The assignment of identifiers to users or user groups in the identifier table and / or the assignment of device identifiers to users or user groups in the user table and / or user group table may be made dependent on whether the check of the credit status of the user corresponds to or exceeds a preset value.

[0102] In a preferred embodiment, a locking routine is provided on the server. The locking routine is triggered by receiving a locking signal. The locking signal may include a user and / or user group, an identifier, and a locking instruction. When the server receives a locking signal having a user and / or user group, an identifier, and a locking instruction, the server assigns a locking attribute to an assignment of an identifier to a user or user group in the identifier table. The locking signal may include a user and / or user group, a device identifier, and a locking instruction. When the server receives a locking signal having a user and / or user group, a device identifier, and a locking instruction, the server assigns a locking attribute to an assignment of an identifier to a user or user group in the user table or user group table.

[0103] In a preferred embodiment, an unlocking routine is provided on the server. The locking routine is triggered by receiving an unlocking signal. The unlocking signal may include a user and / or user group, an identifier, and an unlocking instruction. When the server receives an unlocking signal having a user and / or user group, an identifier, and an unlocking instruction, the server erases the locking attributes assigned to the identifier assignment to the user or user group in the identifier table. The unlocking signal may include a user and / or user group, a device identifier, and an unlocking instruction. When the server receives an unlocking signal having a user and / or user group, a device identifier, and an unlocking instruction, the server erases the locking attributes assigned to the identifier assignment to the user or user group in the user table or user group table.

[0104] In a preferred embodiment, an update routine is provided on the server. The update routine is triggered by receiving an AV real-state signal. The AV real-state signal includes: an identifier or identifiers, version information assigned to each identifier in the AV allocation table, in particular the timestamp assigned to each identifier in the AV allocation table, and / or Contains the media ID assigned to each identifier in the AV Allocation Table.

[0105] In a preferred embodiment where the AV real state signal does not contain a media ID, the reception of the AV real state signal causes the server to check, for each identifier notified to it with the AV real state signal in the allocation table, which media ID is assigned to this identifier, and for each media ID so determined in the media table, which version information, in particular which timestamp, is assigned to this media ID. The server then checks whether the version information so determined corresponds to the version information assigned in the AV real state signal to the identifier for which it determined the media ID in the allocation table and via which it determined the version information in the media table. If the version information does not correspond, the server generates an update signal. This update signal can contain one identifier or multiple identifiers.

[0106] In an alternative embodiment in which the AV real state signal includes a media ID, the reception of the AV real state signal causes the server to check, for each media ID notified to it in the AV real state signal, what version information, in particular what timestamp, has been assigned to this media ID in the media table. The server then checks whether the version information so determined corresponds to the version information assigned in the AV real state signal to the media ID for which it has determined the version information in the media table. If the version information does not correspond, the server generates an update signal. This update signal may include one identifier or multiple identifiers.

[0107] In a preferred embodiment, a response routine is provided on the server. The response routine can be triggered by receiving an AV request signal. The AV request signal includes an identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the request signal includes a device identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the AV request signal includes an indication of the need for an update.

[0108] If the server receives an AV request signal with an indication for the need for updating, it checks which of the media IDs are assigned to identifiers in the allocation table and generates a response signal, which includes the media files and / or pointers assigned to these media IDs in the media table. The response signal preferably includes the identifiers included in the AV request signal, preferably the media IDs, preferably the version information assigned to one of the media files in the media table, particularly preferably a timestamp. If the control unit of the playback device receives the media file or the pointer and the identifier assigned to this media file or this pointer together with the response signal, the control unit stores the media file in the memory of the playback device and updates the AV allocation table by assigning the identifier in the AV allocation table the storage location of the media file in the memory of the playback device or by assigning the pointer to the identifier in the AV allocation table. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit is able to reset the set need for updating. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit is able to assign the identifier the version information, particularly the timestamp communicated to the control unit together with the media file by the server.

[0109] In a preferred embodiment, the server has a user maintenance routine that can be triggered by receiving a user maintenance signal. The user maintenance signal can include a user and a user group. When the server receives the user maintenance signal, it assigns the user to a user group in a user group table. As part of the user maintenance routine, the server can check whether the user that received the user maintenance signal has the authority to make changes to the user group, e.g., whether the user is an administrator of the user group. If the user maintenance signal includes an email address, in a preferred embodiment, the server sends a message to the email address. The message can include a confirmation link that can be operated by the recipient of the email to confirm that they wish to be assigned to a user group.

[0110] In a preferred embodiment, the server has a player maintenance routine that may be triggered by receiving a player maintenance signal. The player maintenance signal may include a user and / or user group and a device identifier. When the server receives the player maintenance signal, the server assigns the device identifier to a user and / or user group in a user table or a user group table.

[0111] The system according to the invention comprises a server according to the invention and an identifier carrier, where the identifier carrier comprises an identifier readable by a reading device. In a preferred embodiment, the identifier carrier comprises an RFID transponder. In this embodiment, the identifier may be stored in the RFID transponder. In a preferred embodiment, a sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters is stored in the RFID transponder, preferably a Unique Identifier (UID), a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID), a Global Unique Identifer (GUID). In such an embodiment, the identifier is preferably a sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters stored in the RFID transponder or a sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters obtained from a sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters stored in the RFID transponder according to a transformation rule.

[0112] The user interface (UI) according to the invention can be executed on an external device, preferably a computer different from the server, a smartphone or tablet, or a wearable, e.g. a smart watch. The operator of the server according to the invention can make the user interface available as a download to the user and license the user interface to the user. Part of the system may be multiple user interfaces, e.g. if a user interface with a reduced scale of interaction means is to be provided, e.g. on a smartphone, compared to a user interface for a computer with more interaction means. In a preferred embodiment, the user interface comprises a graphical user interface (GUI).

[0113] The user interface (UI) has a UI change routine, which causes the sending of a change signal. In a first embodiment, the change signal includes an identifier whose assignment in the server's assignment table should be changed and a media ID to be assigned to that identifier in the server's assignment table. In a second embodiment, the change signal can include only the media ID to be assigned to the identifier in the server's assignment table if, for example, the assignment of the media ID to the identifier results from other circumstances, for example, because the selected media ID is a media ID of a series and in the identifier table the user is assigned only identifiers of the identifier type that belong to this series.

[0114] The method according to the invention for interacting with a server offering media files for downloading, in particular with a server according to the invention, with a user interface envisages the implementation of a UI modification routine which causes the transmission of a modification signal, where the modification signal comprises: Media ID, or Contains the media ID and identifier.

[0115] A method according to the invention for providing a media file for downloading by a user from a server, the server comprising: The operating system that the user creates; a media table stored in memory, the media table having at least one first media ID assigned to a first media file and a second media ID assigned to a second media file; an identifier table stored in a memory, in which identifiers assignable to identifier carriers are assigned to users; an allocation table stored in a memory; In this case, in the allocation table, an i identifier is assignable to at least a first media ID or a second media ID; ii. The first media ID is not assigned to an identifier. The method assumes that a UI change routine is performed on a user interface that causes transmission of a change signal, where the change signal is The first media ID, or A first media ID and an identifier, the server receiving the modification signal, executing a program routine to modify the allocation table after receiving the modification signal, and to assign the first media ID to the identifier in the allocation table.

[0116] In a preferred embodiment, the user interface (UI) includes a UI library routine. In a preferred embodiment, the UI library routine includes receiving a library signal, where the library signal includes an identifier or multiple identifiers. In a preferred embodiment, the UI library routine includes transmitting a library request signal. In a preferred embodiment, the step of transmitting the library request signal precedes the step of receiving the library signal.

[0117] The library request signal may include a library criteria. In a preferred embodiment, The library criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the server's library routines, all media IDs stored in the server's media table are read (library criterion "all"), and / or The library criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the library routines of the server, all media IDs that are stored in the media table of the server and that have been assigned certain metadata in the media table, e.g., membership in a certain series or a certain categorization, e.g., assignment to a style (Pop, Classical, RnB), are read (library criterion "specific metadata"); and / or A library criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the library routines of the server, all media IDs that are assigned in the authentication table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table of the server are read from the authentication table of the server (library criterion "user media IDs"), and / or A library criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the library routines of the server, all media IDs that are stored in the media table of the server and that are not assigned in the authentication table of the server to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table of the server are read (library criterion "new media ID"), and / or The library criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the library routines of the server, all media IDs are read from the authentication table of the server which are assigned in the authentication table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the user group table of the server and which are assigned in the allocation table of the server to an identifier in the identifier table of the server to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the user group table of the server (library criterion "assigned media IDs"), and / or The library criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the library routines of the server, all media IDs are read from the authentication table of the server which are assigned in the authentication table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the user group table of the server and which are not assigned in the allocation table of the server to an identifier which has been assigned in the identifier table of the server to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the user group table (library criterion "free media ID"), and / or Library standards are used in the server's library routines to o first determining in the server's identifier table all identifiers assigned to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs according to the server's user group table, and determining from these identifiers to which of these identifiers an identifier type indicating the assignment of this identifier to a particular series is derived, thereby determining all series to which the user has been assigned an identifier in the server's identifier table; then retrieving all media IDs stored in the server's media table that have been assigned membership in one of the so-determined series in the server's media table; o Then, from the media IDs so sought, one may be selected that is not assigned to the user in the server's authentication table or to a user group to which the user belongs according to the server's user group table (library criterion "New Media ID for a Known Series").

[0118] In a preferred embodiment, the UI library routine is initiated by a user interaction with the user interface. In a preferred embodiment, the UI library routine includes creating a filter button in the GUI of the UI. In a preferred embodiment, manipulation of the filter button by the user in the GUI results in the construction of a selection window that provides the user with factors influencing the formation of the library criteria. Additionally or alternatively, manipulation of the filter button by the user results directly in the generation of a library request signal having the specified library criteria. In this embodiment, the filter button represents a shorthand notation for creating a library request signal having the specified library criteria.

[0119] For example, the GUI may have a filter button with a particular label, e.g. "All", which when operated by the user generates a library request signal with library criteria selected such that, in its application in the server's library routines, all media IDs stored in the server's media table are read (library criteria "All"). For example, the GUI may have a filter button with a particular label, e.g. "My Button", which when operated by the user generates a library request signal with library criteria selected such that, in its application in the server's library routines, all media IDs assigned in the authentication table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the server's user group table are read from the server's authentication table (library criteria "User Media IDs"). For example, the GUI may have a filter button with a particular label, e.g. "Assign", which, when operated by a user, generates a library request signal having library criteria selected such that, upon its application in the server's library routines, all media IDs assigned in the authentication table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the server's user group table, and assigned in the server's assignment table to identifiers assigned in the server's identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the server's user group table, are read from the server's authentication table (library criteria "Assigned Media IDs").For example, the GUI may have a filter button with a particular label, e.g. "Available", which, when operated by a user, generates a library request signal having library criteria that, upon its application in the server's library routine, is selected such that all media IDs are read from the server's authentication table (library criteria "free media IDs") that are assigned in the authentication table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the server's user group table and that are not assigned in the server's assignment table to an identifier that is assigned in the server's identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the server's user group table.

[0120] The UI library routine may include displaying to a user with a GUI the media IDs included in the library signal.The UI library routine may include displaying to a user with a GUI a selection of the media IDs included in the inventory signal.

[0121] In a first embodiment, the user interface is as follows: A user, preferably using a GUI, can generate a library query that includes at least one library criterion; the user interface can generate a library request signal including the library criteria based on the library query, and can transmit the library request signal; the user interface receiving a library signal in response to transmitting the library request signal; It may be designed to display to the user, preferably by means of a GUI, the media IDs contained in the library signal, preferably all the media IDs contained in the library signal. In such an embodiment, the requirements for memory on the external device required for the implementation of the user interface as well as the requirements for computational work on the external device can be reduced slightly. The step of reading out the media IDs corresponding to the library criteria from the media table and / or the authentication table and / or the allocation table on the server is performed on the server. The user interface displays to the user only (preferably all) the media IDs contained in the library signal, since the library signal contains only the media IDs corresponding to the library criteria according to the server's evaluation.

[0122] In a second embodiment, the user interface may be designed to generate a library request signal whose library criteria is selected such that, upon its application in the server's library routine, all media IDs stored in the server's media table are read (library criteria "all"). If the server receives a library request signal with library criteria "all", the server reads all media IDs from the media table as part of its library routine, generates a library signal including one or more of the media IDs so read, and transmits this library signal. In this embodiment, the UI library routine may include a step of displaying to the user, using a GUI, all media IDs included in the library signal. However, the UI library routine may also include a step of displaying to the user, using a GUI, a selection of media IDs included in the library signal in this embodiment. In such an embodiment, the user may select in the user interface which media IDs notified to the user interface by the library signal should be displayed to him / her. This may lead to increased memory demands and increased computational work for the UI on the external device, but may reduce the number of signals to be exchanged. Because the change of the filter criteria and the display of the media IDs corresponding to this filter criteria can be performed directly in the user interface, without the need to generate and transmit a new library request signal with the changed library criteria. Displaying only selected media IDs can also help fit the amount of information to the available display surface.

[0123] The user interface may be designed to perform this generation of the library request signal and the sending of this library request signal as part of the UI start routine, which simplifies operation.

[0124] In a preferred embodiment, the UI change routine includes a step of selecting a media ID, whereby the user selects a media ID within the UI that will become part of the change signal during processing of the UI change routine.

[0125] In a preferred embodiment, the user is presented with a media ID or multiple media IDs in a GUI as part of a library routine, from which the user can select at least one media ID by interacting with the GUI. For example, if the user is presented with multiple content buttons in a screen display, then each content button is assigned to one media ID in the UI. Manipulation of the content buttons in the screen display allows the user to select a media ID.

[0126] In a preferred embodiment, selection of a media ID triggers a UI change routine. In an alternative embodiment, after selection of a media ID, a check is made to see if the selected media ID has already been assigned to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs. This check If it is found that the selected media ID is already assigned to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs, then a UI change routine can be triggered; If it is found that the selected media ID is not already assigned to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs, then a UI extension routine can be triggered.

[0127] In a preferred embodiment, in the UI change routine, a change signal is generated that includes the media ID so selected. In a first variant of this embodiment, the change signal is sent by the UI without any further selection step being performed after the selection of the media ID. This embodiment allows for a quick change of assignment. In such an embodiment, the change signal does not include an identifier or the change signal includes an identifier selected before the selection of the media ID in the selection step. If the change signal does not include an identifier, the assignment of the selected media ID to an identifier can result from other situations, for example from a situation where the selected media ID is a media ID of a series and in the identifier table the user is assigned only identifiers of identifier types that belong to this series.

[0128] In a second variation of this embodiment, the UI modification routine includes a step of selecting an identifier prior to the step of generating the modification signal. As part of the step of selecting an identifier, the UI modification routine may perform a UI inventory routine.

[0129] In a preferred embodiment, the user interface (UI) has a UI inventory routine. The UI inventory routine may be implemented independently. The UI inventory routine may be implemented as part of a UI modification routine. In a preferred embodiment, the UI inventory routine includes receiving an inventory signal, where the inventory signal includes an identifier or multiple identifiers. In a preferred embodiment, the UI inventory routine includes sending an inventory request signal. In a preferred embodiment, the step of sending the inventory request signal precedes the step of receiving the inventory signal.

[0130] The inventory request signal may include inventory criteria. In a preferred embodiment, The inventory criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the inventory routine of the server, all identifiers are stored in the identifier table of the server and in the identifier table are retrieved which are assigned to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table of the server (inventory criterion "user identifiers"), and / or The inventory criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the inventory routine of the server, all identifiers that are stored in the identifier table of the server and that are assigned in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the user group table of the server and that are assigned in the identifier table to a particular identifier type (inventory criterion "special user identifier") are retrieved; and / or The inventory criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the inventory routine of the server, all identifiers are read that are stored in the identifier table of the server and that are assigned in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table of the server and that do not have a media ID assigned in the allocation table of the server (inventory criterion "free user identifiers"), and / or The inventory criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the inventory routine of the server, all identifiers are read that are stored in the server's identifier table and that are assigned in the server's identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the server's user group table and that in the server's allocation table are assignable media IDs different from the one that applies at the time of the query (inventory criterion "changeable user identifier"), and / or The inventory criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the server's inventory routine, it is stored in the server's identifier table and is assigned in the server's identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the server's user group table, and in the server's allocation table, media IDs different from those applicable at the time of the query can be assigned and all identifiers corresponding to a particular identifier type or to a selection of a particular identifier type are retrieved (inventory criterion "type-specific changeable user identifier"); and / or The inventory criterion may be selected such that, upon its application in the server's inventory routine, all device identifiers are read that are stored in the server's user table or in the server's user group table and that are assigned to a particular user in the user table or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table (inventory criterion "user device identifiers").

[0131] The UI inventory routine may include displaying to a user with a GUI the identifiers included in the inventory signal.The UI inventory routine may include displaying to a user with a GUI a selection of the identifiers included in the inventory signal.

[0132] In a first embodiment, the user interface is as follows: A user, preferably using a GUI, can generate an inventory query that includes at least one inventory criterion; the user interface can generate an inventory request signal including the inventory criteria based on the inventory query, and can transmit the inventory request signal; the user interface receiving an inventory signal in response to transmitting the inventory request signal; It may be designed to display to the user, preferably by means of a GUI, the identifiers contained in the inventory signal, preferably all the identifiers contained in the inventory signal. In such an embodiment, the requirements for memory on the external device required for the implementation of the user interface as well as the requirements for computational work on the external device can be reduced to a minimum. The step of reading out identifiers corresponding to the inventory criteria from the media table and / or the authentication table and / or the allocation table on the server is performed on the server. The user interface displays to the user only the identifiers contained in the inventory signal (preferably all), since the library signal contains only identifiers corresponding to the inventory criteria according to the server's evaluation.

[0133] In a second embodiment, the user interface may be designed to generate an inventory request signal in which the inventory criteria are selected such that, during its application in the inventory routine of the server, all identifiers stored in the identifier table of the server and assigned in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table of the server are retrieved (inventory criteria "user identifier"). When the server receives an inventory request signal with the inventory criteria "user identifier", the server retrieves, as part of its inventory routine, all identifiers stored in the identifier table of the server and assigned in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table of the server, generates an inventory signal including one or more identifiers so retrieved and transmits this inventory signal. In this embodiment, the UI inventory routine may include a step of displaying to the user, by means of a GUI, all identifiers included in the inventory signal. However, the UI inventory routine may also include, in this embodiment, a step of displaying to the user, by means of a GUI, a selection of identifiers included in the inventory signal. In such an embodiment, the user may select in the user interface which identifiers communicated to the user interface by the inventory signal should be displayed to him / her. This may lead to increased memory demands and increased computational work for the UI on the external device, but may reduce the number of signals to be exchanged. This is because the inventory criteria can be changed and the identifiers corresponding to the inventory criteria displayed directly in the user interface, without the need to generate and send a new inventory request signal with the changed inventory criteria.

[0134] In a preferred embodiment, the UI modification routine includes a step of performing a UI inventory routine. In a preferred embodiment, the step of performing a UI inventory routine is performed after the step of selecting a media ID. In a preferred embodiment, the media ID selected in the step of selecting a media ID has an impact on the formation of the inventory criteria. In a preferred embodiment, the UI assumes that if a media ID assigned to a particular series is selected, the inventory criteria are selected such that, upon its application in the inventory routine of the server, all identifiers are stored in the identifier table of the server, which are assigned in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the user group table of the server, and which are assigned in the identifier table to a particular identifier type, in particular an identifier type belonging to a particular series. Using this embodiment, it is possible to provide the user in the GUI for selection only his identifiers that belong to the series of the selected media ID. If the user selects as a media ID, for example, an episode of the series "Benjamin Bluemchen®", the inventory criteria can be selected such that only identifiers assigned to the series "Benjamin Bluemchen®" are included in the inventory signal.

[0135] In a preferred embodiment, the UI inventory routine and / or the UI modification routine includes a step of selecting an identifier, whereby the user selects an identifier within the UI that will become part of the modification signal during processing of the UI modification routine.

[0136] In a preferred embodiment, the user is presented with an identifier or identifiers in the GUI as part of the UI inventory routine, particularly when this is performed as part of a UI modification routine, from which the user can select at least one identifier by interacting with the GUI. For example, if the user is presented with multiple identifier images in a screen display, then each identifier image is assigned to an identifier in the UI. Contact with an identifier image in the screen display allows the user to select an identifier.

[0137] Following selection of the identifier, the UI modification routine may include generating a modification signal that includes the selected media ID and the selected identifier, and the UI may subsequently transmit the modification signal so generated.

[0138] In a preferred embodiment, the user interface (UI) has a UI extension routine. This UI change routine causes the sending of an extension signal. The extension routine can be implemented independently. The UI extension routine can be implemented as part of the UI change routine. In a first embodiment, the extension signal includes the user and / or user group whose assignment in the server's authorization table should be changed and the media IDs to be assigned to the user and / or user group. In a second embodiment, the structure of the extension signal may be selected such that the extension signal includes information about the media IDs to be assigned to the user in the server's authorization table. The assignment to the user results from further circumstances, for example, that the extension signal received from the server was initiated by a user interface into which the user is logged in.

[0139] The UI extension routine may be triggered if a check performed after selection of a media ID determines that the selected media ID is not already assigned to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs.

[0140] In a preferred embodiment, the user is provided with a means, as part of the UI expansion routine, within the GUI to generate an expansion signal in the context of the media ID that the user wishes to assign to themselves or to a user group of which they belong during the course of the expansion routine. For example, the user may be presented with the media ID and an action button within a screen display.

[0141] In a first embodiment, the operation of the action button can result in the generation of an augmentation signal and in the transmission of the augmentation signal. This embodiment is particularly suitable for configurations where the user himself can assign new media IDs for free or for embodiments where the user has a credit status at the server. It is then possible to again query the user for confirmation before the augmentation signal is transmitted from the UI, preferably to the GUI, particularly in embodiments where the assignment of the selected media ID to the user results in a change in the user's credit status.

[0142] In a second embodiment, the operation of the action button can cause the generation of the augmentation signal and the transmission of the augmentation signal as well as the first step for generating the enable signal. In an embodiment in which the allocation of a media ID to a user or user group in the server's authentication table is made depending on whether the server receives an enable signal, the operation of the action button can cause the first step for generating the enable signal, for example the generation of a start signal for a transfer routine or for a PayPal account for example for which an enable signal can be generated. As an alternative to the parallel generation of the augmentation signal, the transmission of the augmentation signal and the triggering of the first step for generating the enable signal, it may be envisaged that the step of first triggering the first step for generating the enable signal and the steps of generating the augmentation signal and transmitting the augmentation signal are performed only if the UI and / or the server receives the enable signal.

[0143] In a preferred embodiment, the library signal includes information regarding the media ID included in the library signal as to whether this media ID has already been assigned to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs in the authentication table of the server. This arrangement can indicate to the user in the UI, particularly preferably in the GUI, whether a particular media ID already belongs to him / her. When the media IDs are displayed as content buttons to the user in the screen display, the content buttons can be displayed differently for media IDs that already belong to the user than for media IDs that do not yet belong to the user. For example, a check mark can be displayed for the content buttons of media IDs that already belong to the user, as opposed to content buttons for media IDs that do not yet belong to the user (but are otherwise designed the same). This arrangement can further perform a check when selecting this media ID as to whether the selected media ID has already been assigned to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs.

[0144] In a preferred embodiment, in preparation for performing the Ul change routine, -UI inventory routine is performed, Within the UI inventory routine, the identifiers assigned to a particular series are selected, A UI library query is performed, where library criteria are selected such that, upon their application in the server's library routines, they are stored in the server's media table and all media IDs that have been assigned as metadata in the media table a membership to this series are read; The user is presented with a plurality of media IDs contained in the library signal in the GUI, from which the user can select at least one media ID by interacting with the GUI. The selection of a media ID can cause the execution of a UI change routine, in which a change signal can be generated that includes the selected identifier and the selected media ID. In this way, the user can be provided with the means in the GUI to check, for an identifier of a particular series, which media IDs are present in the series (which episodes are present in the series) and to be able to assign further or different media IDs of this series to his identifier belonging to this series.

[0145] In a preferred embodiment, the user interface has a UI start routine. In a preferred embodiment, the UI start routine includes the step of establishing a communication channel with a server, preferably via the Internet. In a preferred embodiment, the UI start routine includes the step of identifying a user at the server, preferably logging on to the server.

[0146] In a preferred embodiment, the user interface has a UI lock routine that causes transmission of a lock signal. The lock signal may include a user and / or user group and identifier and a lock indication. The lock signal may include a user and / or user group and device identifier and a lock indication.

[0147] The UI lock routine may be executed when a user assigns a lock indication to an identifier or device identifier using the UI, preferably in a GUI of the UI. In a preferred embodiment, the user is presented with the identifier using the UI and in the context of the display of the identifier an interaction means, such as for example a button or slider, by which the user can assign a lock indication to the identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the user is presented with the device identifier using the UI and in the context of the display of the identifier an interaction means, such as for example a button or slider, by which the user can assign a lock indication to the device identifier. The assignment of the lock indication may trigger the generation and transmission of a lock signal.

[0148] In a preferred embodiment, the user interface has a UI unlock routine that causes transmission of an unlock signal. The unlock signal may include a user and / or user group and identifier and an unlock instruction. The unlock signal may include a user and / or user group and device identifier and an unlock instruction.

[0149] The UI unlock routine may be executed when the user releases an existing lock indication using the UI, preferably in the GUI of the UI of the identifier or device identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the user is presented with the identifier using the UI and in the context of displaying the identifier, an interaction means such as, for example, a button or slider, by which the user can release the lock indication assigned to the identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the user is presented with the device identifier using the UI and in the context of displaying the device identifier, an interaction means such as, for example, a button or slider, by which the user can release the lock indication assigned to the device identifier. Release of the lock indication may trigger the generation and transmission of an unlock signal.

[0150] In a preferred embodiment, the user interface has a UI identifier table or can generate a temporary UI identifier table. In a preferred embodiment, after generating an inventory request signal with the inventory criterion "user identifier" and sending this inventory request signal to the UI identifier table, the user interface writes all identifiers that it reads from the inventory signal that it receives. In a preferred embodiment, an identifier type is assigned to each identifier in the UI identifier table. In a preferred embodiment, in all the described embodiments, instead of querying the server-identifier table, a query of the UI-identifier table is performed. This advantageously allows steps that would require a connection to the server anyway to be performed even if the connection is not established, has not yet been established, or cannot or should not be established with sufficient speed or quality.

[0151] In a preferred embodiment, the user interface has a UI authentication table or can generate a temporary UI authentication table. In a preferred embodiment, the user interface generates a library request signal with a library criterion of "all" and sends the library request signal to the UI authentication table, and then writes all media IDs that it reads from the library signal it receives.

[0152] In a particularly preferred embodiment of this embodiment, A user (preferably using a GUI) generating a library request including at least one library criterion; The user interface retrieves all media IDs that meet the library criteria from the UI authentication table, and It is possible to display to the user (preferably by means of a GUI) all media so retrieved from the UI authentication table. Such an embodiment slightly increases the demands on memory on the external device required for the implementation of the user interface as well as the demands on computational work on the external device, since the UI authentication table is stored in the memory of the external device and the computational work for retrieving the media IDs corresponding to the other library criteria must be kept. However, this advantageously allows steps that would require a connection to the server anyway to be performed even if the connection is not, has not yet been established, or cannot or should not be established with sufficient speed or quality.

[0153] In a preferred embodiment, the user interface (UI) includes a UI real state routine. In a preferred embodiment, the UI real state routine includes receiving a real state signal, where the real state signal is: A media ID or multiple media IDs, an identifier or identifiers, Contains information about the allocation of each media ID to each identifier.

[0154] In a preferred embodiment, the UI real state routine includes the step of sending a real state request signal. In a preferred embodiment, the step of sending the real state request signal precedes the step of receiving the real state signal. The real state request signal may include query criteria, e.g., an identifier.

[0155] The UI real state routine may include a step of displaying to a user using a GUI information regarding the assignment of each media ID to each identifier contained in the real state signal.

[0156] In a first embodiment, the user interface is as follows: A user, preferably using a GUI, can generate a real state query including at least one query criterion; the user interface is capable of generating an actual state request signal including the query criteria based on the actual state query, and of transmitting the actual state request signal; The user interface may be designed to receive the real state signal in response to sending the real state request signal and to display to the user, preferably by means of a GUI, information about the allocation of each media ID to each identifier contained in the real state signal, preferably all information. In such an embodiment, the requirements on the memory on the external device required for the implementation of the user interface and the requirements on the computational costs on the external device can be kept low. The step of reading out the allocation of media IDs to identifiers corresponding to the query criteria from the allocation table is performed on the server and from the allocation table on the server. The user interface displays to the user information about the allocation of each media ID to each identifier contained in the real state signal (preferably all), because the real state signal contains only information about the allocations corresponding to the query criteria according to the server's evaluation.

[0157] In a second embodiment, the user interface may be designed to generate a real state request signal with the query criteria "all" and to send this real state request signal. If the server receives a real state request signal with the query criteria "all", the server reads, as its real state routine, in the assignment table, all assignments of media IDs to identifiers belonging to a particular user or to identifiers belonging to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the user group table, and generates a real state signal containing information on the assignment of each media ID to each identifier so read and sends this real state signal. The user interface may be designed to execute the generation of a real state request signal with the query criteria "all" and the sending of this real state request signal as part of a UI start routine. The user interface may display to the user information on the assignment of each media ID to each identifier contained in the real state signal. Complementarily or alternatively, the user interface may write all information on the assignment of each media ID to each identifier contained in the real state signal into the UI assignment table.

[0158] In a preferred embodiment, the user interface has a UI allocation table or can generate a temporary UI allocation table, in which at least one identifier is assigned a media ID. Preferably, the UI allocation table includes a plurality of identifiers, where each identifier is assigned at least one media ID in the UI allocation table. In a preferred embodiment, instead of querying the server-assignment table, a UI-assignment table is queried in all described embodiments. This advantageously allows steps that would require a connection to the server anyway to be performed, even if the connection is not established, has not yet been established, or cannot or should not be established with sufficient speed or quality.

[0159] In a preferred embodiment, the user interface has a UI user maintenance routine that can result in the transmission of a user maintenance signal. The user maintenance signal can include a user and a user group. The transmission of a user maintenance signal can cause a server receiving such a user maintenance signal to change the assignment of users to user groups in a user group table.

[0160] In a preferred embodiment, the user maintenance signal may include an email address. When the UI user maintenance routine is performed, the user may be prompted by the UI, for example by a GUI of the UI, to enter an email address.

[0161] In a preferred embodiment, the user interface has a UI player maintenance routine that may result in the transmission of a player maintenance signal. The player maintenance signal may include a user and / or user group and a device identifier. The transmission of the player maintenance signal may cause a server receiving such a player maintenance signal to change the assignment of device identifiers to users and / or user groups in a user table or a user group table.

[0162] In a preferred embodiment, the system according to the invention comprises a device for playing media files, in particular for playing audio information, also called playback device (AV).

[0163] In a preferred embodiment, the playback device comprises: -Speakers or speaker connection terminals, a sensor capable of detecting within the region of its environment a characteristic or a change in this characteristic; a control unit which is capable of controlling a speaker or a speaker connection terminal to play a media file, in particular to play audio information, when the sensor detects within the area of ​​its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in that characteristic or when the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor.

[0164] In a preferred embodiment, the playback device has no display or display connection and is only designed to play audio files, not video files.

[0165] In a preferred embodiment, the playback device has a memory. In a preferred embodiment, an AV allocation table is stored in the memory of the playback device, whereby the identifiers may be assigned media IDs and / or media files using the AV allocation table in the memory of the playback device. The assignment of media IDs and / or media files to identifiers in the AV allocation table in the memory of the playback device may be limited to identifying the storage location of the media file assigned to the identifier in the memory of the playback device or in the further memory. This allows the control unit of the playback device to be informed by the reading of the AV allocation table in the memory of the playback device where in the memory of the playback device or in the further memory the media file is stored, based on which the control unit should drive and control the speaker or the speaker connection terminal. Similarly, it is also possible to assign media IDs and / or media files to identifiers in the AV allocation table in the memory of the playback device by storing a pointer to the media file in the AV allocation table. Such a pointer may for example be a URL. The reading of such a pointer may be used by the control unit of the playback device to download or stream a media file not stored in the memory of the playback device from another storage location, for example from a server according to the invention.

[0166] In a preferred embodiment, the identifier in an AV allocation table in the memory of the playback device is assigned version information, preferably a timestamp.

[0167] In a preferred embodiment, the need for updating can be assigned to an identifier in an AV allocation table in the playback device's memory.

[0168] In a preferred embodiment, an AV update routine is provided within the playback device. This update routine causes the transmission of an AV real-state signal. This AV real-state signal is: an identifier or identifiers, version information assigned to each identifier in the AV allocation table, in particular the timestamp assigned to each identifier in the AV allocation table, and / or Contains the media ID assigned to each identifier in the AV Allocation Table. To generate the AV actual state signal, the control unit of the playback device reads the AV allocation table. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit reads the AV allocation table completely in an AV update routine. This AV actual state signal is then: Each identifier stored in the AV allocation table, version information assigned to each identifier in the AV allocation table, in particular a timestamp assigned to each identifier in the AV allocation table, and / or Contains the media ID assigned to each identifier in the AV Allocation Table.

[0169] In a preferred embodiment, the AV update routine includes receiving an update signal, which may include an identifier or multiple identifiers.

[0170] In a preferred embodiment of the AV update routine, the control unit reads the update signal and modifies the AV allocation table by assigning an update need in the AV allocation table to each identifier contained in the update signal. If the control unit reads an entry for an identifier present in the AV allocation table at a later time, for example for the playback of a media file assigned to this identifier, and then the control unit determines that the identifier is assigned an update need, the control unit can start a request routine. With this request routine, the control unit can load the media file from the server into the memory of the playback device. This allows the scale of communication between the playback device and the server to be reduced. The playback routine downloads a media file for an identifier contained in the update signal only if this media file is actually required by the playback device. Until then, the situation of the presence of another / new media file for the identifier is stored inside the playback device only by the setting of the update need.

[0171] In a preferred embodiment, the update signal includes one or more identifiers and a media file for each identifier, such that a playback device can immediately update its stored media files when it is notified by the update signal that a media file has changed for a particular identifier.

[0172] In a preferred embodiment, the update signal includes an identifier or identifiers and a media ID for each identifier. In a preferred embodiment of the AV update routine, the control unit reads the update signal and modifies the AV allocation table by assigning to each identifier contained in the update signal the media ID transmitted in the update signal to the identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit that is assigned a new media ID assigns the need for an update.

[0173] In a preferred embodiment, a request routine is provided in the playback device. The request routine causes transmission of an AV request signal. The AV request signal includes an identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the request signal includes a device identifier of the playback device. In a preferred embodiment, the AV request signal includes an indication of the need for an update.

[0174] In a preferred embodiment, the AV request signal may be generated when the sensor detects within the region of its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in that characteristic, or when the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor, in particular when the sensor identifies the presence or absence of an identifier carrier and identifies the identifier of the identifier carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the AV request signal comprises the identifier read by the sensor from the identifier carrier.

[0175] In a preferred embodiment, the AV request signal is generated whenever a sensor detects within the region of its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in that characteristic, or whenever the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor, in particular when the sensor identifies the presence or absence of an identifier carrier and identifies the identifier of the identifier carrier. The transmission of the AV request signal can be staggered, in particular when the playback device does not have a communication channel to the server at the time of generation of the AV request signal.

[0176] In a preferred embodiment, the control unit checks in a request routine whether an entry occurs in the AV allocation table for the identifier identified by the sensor, and if an entry does not occur or an entry occurs that includes a need for updating, the control unit generates an AV request signal with an indication of the need for updating.

[0177] If the server receives an AV request signal with an indication for the need for updating, it checks which of the media IDs are assigned to identifiers in the allocation table and generates a response signal, which includes the media files and / or pointers assigned to these media IDs in the media table. The response signal preferably includes the identifiers included in the AV request signal, preferably the media IDs, preferably the version information assigned to one of the media files in the media table, particularly preferably a timestamp. If the control unit of the playback device receives the media file or pointer and the identifier assigned to this media file or this pointer together with the response signal, the control unit stores the media file in the memory of the playback device and updates the allocation table by assigning the storage location of the media file in the memory of the playback device to the identifier in the allocation table or by assigning the pointer to the identifier in the allocation table. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit can reset the set need for updating. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit can assign the identifiers with version information, particularly a timestamp communicated to the control unit by the server together with the media files. In a further embodiment, the control unit can assign the identifiers with a timestamp generated by itself.

[0178] This embodiment allows the playback device to be easily maintained in terms of its structure as well as the software executed by the device's control unit. A playback device is a device that can perform two essential functions, in particular: a core function for reading the identifier of the identifier carrier and performing a request routine; However, if an entry for this identifier already exists in the AV allocation table stored in the memory of the playback device and, in a preferred embodiment, this identifier is not assigned the need for updating, the control unit only needs to be designed to read the information about the media file that is assigned to the identifier in the AV allocation table and to use the information about the media file, in particular its storage location, thus communicated to it for reading or streaming the media file from its storage location and thus for controlling the driving of the speakers or the speaker connection terminals, or, if the identifier that it has read is not yet present in the AV allocation table in the memory of the device, to write this identifier in the AV allocation table in the memory of the device and to generate an AV request signal, - Core functionality to perform AV update routines; is already operational within the system according to the invention.

[0179] This embodiment therefore differs from the approach chosen in US 2018 / 0353869, where under the heading "Remote Management of Control Object 120" a routine is described how a user receives direct access to the device via an external device, for example a smartphone, a tablet or an external computer, for example a laptop. Within this routine, means should be provided for adapting the information stored on the identifier carrier. Thus, in the procedure envisaged in US 2018 / 0353869, the device must be powerful enough to understand requests transmitted to it by an external device to modify the information stored on the identifier carrier and to translate them into modification routines to be executed by it, with which it actively intervenes and modifies the information stored on the identifier carrier. This places high demands on the programming and electrical equipment of the device. However, the system according to the invention with the server according to the invention allows for easy equipment on the playback device itself, as mentioned above in connection with the preferred embodiment. Complex calculation steps, such as for example the comparison of version information, are outsourced to the server in the preferred embodiment by the inventors.

[0180] In one embodiment, the media files stored in the memory of the playback device can have different formats. In a preferred embodiment, the media files stored in the memory of the playback device have the same format. In an alternative embodiment, the media files stored in the memory of the playback device have one format from a group of formats, where the group particularly preferably includes less than 20, particularly preferably less than 10, particularly preferably less than 5 different formats.

[0181] In a preferred embodiment, an AV start routine is provided in the playback device, which in a preferred embodiment executes the AV start routine when the playback device is switched on, in which case a wake-up from a power saving state is also interpreted as switching on.

[0182] As part of the AV start routine, the player can ask the server to tell it the current time. This allows the player to keep things simple, since it doesn't need a clock itself.

[0183] As part of the AV start routine, the playback device can inform itself of the current state of the firmware or request the server to check whether the current state of the firmware is executed on the playback device. In a preferred embodiment, the playback device transmits information about its firmware state to the server as part of the AV start routine. The server checks whether the firmware state is up to date and, in some cases, transmits a more up-to-date firmware state to the playback device.

[0184] As part of the AV start routine, the playback device may also perform an AV update routine.

[0185] In a preferred embodiment, the playback device has an operating element, in which the playback device performs an AV update routine when the operating element is operated, particularly preferably when the operating element is operated in a specific manner, particularly preferably for a specific period of time, for example when the operating element is pressed for a specific time, for example more than 3 seconds.

[0186] The system according to the invention comprises a server according to the invention and a user interface according to the invention.

[0187] The system according to the present invention comprises a server according to the present invention, a user interface according to the present invention, and an external device on which the user interface can be implemented.

[0188] The system according to the invention comprises a server according to the invention and an identifier carrier, where the identifier carrier comprises an identifier readable by a reading device.

[0189] A system according to the invention comprises a server according to the invention, an identifier carrier, where the identifier carrier carries an identifier readable by a reading device, and further comprises a user interface according to the invention.

[0190] The system according to the invention comprises a server according to the invention, an identifier carrier, where the identifier carrier has an identifier readable by a reading device, and further comprises a user interface according to the invention and an external device on which the user interface can be implemented.

[0191] The system according to the present invention comprises a server according to the present invention and a playback device.

[0192] The system according to the present invention comprises a server according to the present invention, a playback device, and a user interface according to the present invention.

[0193] The system according to the present invention comprises a server according to the present invention, a playback device, a user interface according to the present invention, and an external device capable of implementing the user interface.

[0194] The system according to the invention comprises a server according to the invention, a playback device and an identifier carrier, where the identifier carrier comprises an identifier readable by a reading device.

[0195] A system according to the invention comprises a server according to the invention, a playback device, an identifier carrier, where the identifier carrier carries an identifier readable by a reading device, and further comprises a user interface according to the invention.

[0196] The system according to the invention comprises a server according to the invention, a playback device and an identifier carrier, where the identifier carrier has an identifier readable by a reading device, and further comprises a user interface according to the invention and an external device on which the user interface can be implemented.

[0197] In a preferred embodiment, the signal containing the identifier includes a placeholder, either supplementary to the identifier or instead of the identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the change signal, the inventory signal, the actual state signal, the stress signal, the lock signal, the unlock signal, the update signal, the response signal, the inventory request signal, the extension signal, the AV actual state signal, and / or the AV request signal includes a placeholder, either supplementary to the identifier or instead of the identifier. In a preferred embodiment, if the identifier continues as a UID, UUID, or GUID, or as another type of longer sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters, it may be desirable to provide the user with a placeholder for display in the UI, preferably for display in the GUI, and for interaction with the UI, preferably for interaction with the GUI, in which case the placeholder is preferably shorter than the sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters of the identifier. This UI, in particular the GUI, allows the user to select a placeholder for the identifier. This placeholder may be stored in an identifier table for the identifier.

[0198] In a preferred embodiment, the signal containing the device identifier includes a placeholder, either supplementary to the device identifier or instead of the device identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the inventory signal, the stress signal, the lock signal, the unlock signal, the playback device maintenance signal, the inventory request signal, and / or the AV request signal include a placeholder, either supplementary to the identifier or instead of the identifier. In a preferred embodiment, if the device identifier continues as a UID, UUID, or GUID, or as another type of longer sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters, it may be desirable to provide the user with a placeholder for display in the UI, preferably for display in the GUI, and for interaction with the UI, preferably for interaction with the GUI, where the placeholder is preferably shorter than the sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters of the device identifier. This UI, in particular the GUI, allows the user to select a placeholder for the device identifier. This placeholder may be stored in a user table and / or a user group table for the device identifier.

[0199] In a preferred embodiment, the signal containing the media ID includes a placeholder, either supplementary to the media ID or in place of the media ID. In a preferred embodiment, the change signal, library signal, extension signal, enable signal, real state signal, update signal, response signal, library request signal, extension signal, AV real state signal, AV request signal includes a placeholder, either supplementary to the media ID or in place of the media ID. In a preferred embodiment, if the media ID continues as a UID, UUID, or GUID, or as another type of longer sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters, it may be desirable to provide the user with a placeholder for display in the UI, preferably for display in the GUI, and for interaction with the UI, preferably for interaction with the GUI, where the placeholder is preferably shorter than the sequence of letters and / or numbers and / or special characters of the media ID. This UI, in particular the GUI, allows the user to select a placeholder for the media ID. This placeholder may be stored in a media table for the media ID.

[0200] The invention is described herein mainly in the context of signals triggering queries from the table in relation to a user and the user group to which the user belongs according to the user group table and / or in relation to a user and / or user group. This applies in particular to enhancement signals, stress signals, lock signals, unlock signals and / or playback device maintenance signals. This configuration of the preferred embodiment is advantageous since it is considered that a user will usually be interested in being able to see all identifiers, media IDs or equipment identifiers that have been assigned to him / her.

[0201] However, within these embodiments, special embodiments are also possible, either as independent embodiments, in which the signal only queries the user, and therefore in the context of describing the signals, the proviso applies that the association to the user and the user group to which the user belongs according to the user group table and / or the association to the user and / or user group is changed to an association to one user (only) instead of an association to a user group, this is especially true for the extension signal, the stress signal, the lock signal, the unlock signal and / or the playback device maintenance signal. Such special embodiments are useful when the user is interested in assignments to one user in particular, preferably to himself, and possibly also to other users whose assignments he is allowed to see, for example when users in the same home are allowed to see each other's assignments. For this reason, the UI, preferably in the course of the GUI, can offer the user a means of selection whether he wants to see all assignments related to himself and to the user group to which he belongs, or whether he wants to see only the assignments to one specific user (without the assignments to the user group). An embodiment is also possible in which the formation of user groups is not envisaged. Therefore, in the context of describing the signals, the condition applies that the association to the user and to the user group to which the user belongs according to the user group table and / or the association to the user and / or the user group is changed to an association to one user (only) instead of an association to a user group, and this applies in particular for the extension signal, the stress signal, the lock signal, the unlock signal and / or the playback device maintenance signal.

[0202] However, within these embodiments, special embodiments are also possible, either as independent embodiments, in which the signals only interrogate user groups, and therefore in the context of describing the signals, the proviso applies that the association to the user and the user group to which the user belongs according to the user group table and / or the association to the user and / or user group is changed to an association to the user group (only) instead of to the individual user, this applies in particular for the extension signal, the stress signal, the lock signal, the unlock signal and / or the playback device maintenance signal. Such special embodiments are useful when the user is particularly interested in assignments to user groups. To this end, the UI can provide the user, preferably in the course of the GUI, with a means of selection whether the user wants to see all assignments related to himself and to the user group to which he belongs, or whether he wants to see only the assignments to the user group (without the assignments to the individual user). An embodiment is also possible in which the use of only users is not envisaged and always only the work is done with user groups. Within such an embodiment, it is possible to assign at least one user group to each user, in which case such a user group can also consist of individual users. Therefore, in the context of describing the signals, the condition applies that the association to the user and to the user group to which the user belongs according to the user group table and / or the association to the user and / or the user group is changed to an association to a user group (only) instead of an association to a single user, and this applies in particular for the extension signal, the stress signal, the lock signal, the unlock signal and / or the playback device maintenance signal.

[0203] The invention is described herein primarily in the context of the criteria, particularly the criteria contained in the request signals, in relation to the user and the user groups to which the user belongs according to the user group table and / or in relation to the user and / or user group. This applies in particular to library criteria and the library request signals containing them, inventory criteria and the inventory request signals containing them, and query criteria and the actual state request signals containing them. This configuration of the preferred embodiment is advantageous since it is considered that a user will typically be interested in being able to see all identifiers, media IDs or equipment identifiers that have been assigned to him / her.

[0204] However, within these embodiments, special embodiments are possible, either as independent embodiments or in the course of the GUI, in which the criteria and the signals containing them are only queried to the user, and therefore in the context of the description of the criteria and the signals containing them, the proviso applies that the associations to the user and the user group to which the user belongs according to the user group table and / or the associations to the user and / or the user group are changed to associations to one user (only) instead of to a user group, and this applies in particular for library criteria and the library request signals containing them, inventory criteria and the inventory request signals containing them, and query criteria and the actual state request signals containing them. Such special embodiments are useful when a user is interested in assignments to one user in particular, preferably to himself, and possibly also to other users whose assignments he is allowed to see, for example when users in the same home are allowed to see each other's assignments. For this reason, the UI, preferably in the course of the GUI, can offer the user a means of selection whether he wants to see all assignments related to himself and to the user group to which he belongs, or whether he wants to see only the assignments to one specific user (without the assignments to the user group). Embodiments are also possible in which the formation of user groups is not envisaged. Therefore, in the context of describing the criteria and the signals containing them, the condition applies that the association to the user and the user group to which the user belongs according to the user group table and / or the association to the user and / or the user group is changed to an association to one user (only) instead of an association to a user group, and this applies in particular to library criteria and the library request signal containing them, inventory criteria and the inventory request signal containing them, and query criteria and the actual state request signal containing them.

[0205] However, within these embodiments, special embodiments are possible, either as independent embodiments or in which the criteria and the signals containing them are only interrogated to user groups, and therefore in the context of describing the criteria and the signals containing them, the proviso applies that the associations to the users and the user groups to which they belong according to the user group table and / or the associations to the users and / or user groups are changed to associations to user groups (only) instead of associations to individual users, this applies in particular for library criteria and the library request signals containing them, inventory criteria and the inventory request signals containing them, and inquiry criteria and the actual state request signals containing them. Such special embodiments are useful when the user is particularly interested in the assignments to user groups. To this end, the UI can provide the user, preferably in the course of the GUI, with a means of selection whether the user wants to see all the assignments related to him and the user group to which he belongs or whether he wants to see only the assignments to the user groups (without the assignments to the individual users). The use of users only is not envisaged, and embodiments are also possible in which work is always done only with user groups. Within such embodiments, it is possible to assign at least one user group to each user, in which case such a user group can also consist of individual users. Therefore, in the context of describing the criteria and the signals containing them, the condition applies that the association to the user and the user group to which the user belongs according to the user group table and / or the association to the user and / or the user group is changed to an association to a user group (only) instead of an association to a single user, and this applies in particular to library criteria and the library request signal containing them, inventory criteria and the inventory request signal containing them, and query criteria and the actual state request signal containing them.

[0206] The attribution to a user in a signal can be achieved by including the user or information identifying the user in the signal, e.g., by being located at a specific point in the signal, or by being identified in the signal by a keyword prefix. However, the attribution to a user in a signal can also be achieved by the existence of a designated communication channel between the sender of the signal (e.g., a UI) and the receiver of the signal (e.g., a server), the mere existence of which already establishes that each signal sent over this communication channel originates from a specific user. Thus, the present invention can be implemented such that the attribution to a user in a signal can be considered to be the user who originated the signal. For example, a user can establish a designated communication channel between the UI and the server by logging in to a UI and using the UI to log in to a server.

[0207] Where this specification describes a device (particularly a server, an external device, a playback device) reading information from a table, this can also be achieved by determining the information not directly from the table but in an indirect manner, for example by using a conversion step or other intermediate steps, with or without further information from other tables.

[0208] In a preferred embodiment, the playback device comprises a device identifier and a device for transmitting a signal dependent on the device identifier. The device identifier may be an identifier of the processor or memory chip. The device identifier may also be an identifier provided separately from the processor or memory chip, for example a tag provided as part of the playback device, such as an RFID transponder. In a preferred embodiment, the device identifier is selected to be suitable for uniquely identifying the playback device to an external control unit, for example a server.

[0209] The device transmitting a signal dependent on the device identifier may transmit a wired signal, for example if the playback device is connected to an external control unit via a cable, but may also transmit a wireless signal, for example a signal according to the NFC, Bluetooth or WLAN standard, for example if the playback device is connected to a wireless network.

[0210] Providing a device identifier and a means for transmitting a signal dependent on the device identifier, for example to an external control unit, for example a server, allows further data exchange between the playback device and the external control unit and / or the external memory to be made dependent on the presence or absence of a predefined authentication. Herein, an embodiment of the invention is described in which the playback device is used to play content, in particular audiobooks, music or other audio information, images, videos or 3D information, where before the playback a data packet is transferred from the external memory to the memory of the playback device. This data packet may contain all or part of the content to be played, depending on the selected data system or the selected data structure. Providing a device identifier and a means for transmitting a signal dependent on the device identifier can be used here to make a request for the transmission of a data packet intended for the playback device to the external control unit and / or the external memory dependent on an authentication check indicating that the playback device is authorized to receive the data packet by means of such a device identifier.

[0211] The identification of the playback device within such a network or system can be used to bill users of the playback device for the transmission of data packets to the playback device. Thus, the transmission of individual data packets or the transmission of data packets required for the playback of an audiobook can be billed separately. Similarly, flat-rate billing systems are conceivable. Alternatively, the means for downloading such data packets can be tied to a time or duration, for example in the sense of "renting an audiobook".

[0212] The identification of the playback device in this kind of network or system can also be used to transfer control information regarding the operation of the playback device, which is stored as data packets in an external memory, to the playback device in a stable and accurate manner until the playback device logs on to the system with the corresponding device identifier. If this kind of playback device is integrated into a system that allows a third party, for example a parent, to limit the usage time of the playback device or the maximum volume of the playback of audio information via a program (user interface) on the third party's smartphone or tablet, an embodiment is conceivable in which the restrictions generated on the smartphone or tablet are stored as data packets in an external memory or an external control unit, for example a cloud (server). The device identifier allows the third party to inform the external memory or the external control unit for which playback device the data packets are provided. If the playback device logs on with this device identifier, then the data packets are transferred to the playback device.

[0213] In the system according to the invention, in a preferred embodiment, an external memory is provided, which can transfer data packets to the memory of the reproduction device and / or from the reproduction device when the sensor detects in the area of ​​its environment a certain characteristic of this environment or a certain change in this characteristic or when the control unit detects a certain change in the characteristic detected by the sensor. An external memory of this kind can be, for example, a "cloud". The external memory can preferably be arranged to transfer the data packets only after an authentication check, in which case, more preferably, a handshake method, an encryption method, a private key and a public key or a combination of selected these techniques is used for the authentication check. For the authentication check, an equipment identifier can additionally be used.

[0214] In the system according to the invention, in a preferred embodiment, an external control unit is provided which is able to forward data packets from the reproduction device when the sensor detects within the area of ​​its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in this characteristic, or when the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor. An external control unit of this kind may for example be a server, which may be part of a local area network or part of the Internet.

[0215] In the method according to the invention, -Speakers or speaker connection terminals, a sensor capable of detecting within the region of its environment a characteristic or a change in this characteristic; a control unit capable of driving and controlling a speaker or a speaker connection terminal to play music or a story when a sensor detects within the confines of its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in that characteristic, or when the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor, -A memory and a data set (of media files) stored in the memory are provided, as well as a receiving unit for a specific enable signal to provide a method for playing music or a read-aloud story in a playback device so configured, wherein when the control unit receives the specific enable signal, the control unit can drive and control a speaker or a speaker connection terminal to play music or a read-aloud story based on the data set.

[0216] In the method according to the invention, the data records (media files) blocked for the control unit are stored in the memory of the playback device. In a preferred embodiment, if the control unit has not yet received a specific enable signal, the control unit cannot drive or control the speaker or the speaker connection terminals to play the audio information based on the data set.

[0217] The invention may also be implemented in the context of a system, where the system comprises a playback device, the playback device comprising: -Speakers or speaker connection terminals, a sensor capable of detecting within the region of its environment a characteristic or a change in this characteristic; - a control unit which is able to drive and control a speaker or a speaker connection terminal to play music or a read-aloud story when the sensor detects within the area of ​​its environment a certain characteristic of this environment or a certain change in that characteristic or when the control unit detects a certain change in the characteristic detected by the sensor, where the system further comprises a computer, in particular a server, where the computer has a memory in which a data set (media file) is stored, where the computer has a control unit, where the system has a data line (in particular preferably a communication / computer network) between the playback device and the computer, where the data set stored in the memory of the computer is accessible via the data line to the control unit of the playback device only when the control unit of the computer receives a certain enable signal, where the control unit is able to drive and control the speaker or a speaker connection terminal to play music or a read-aloud story based on the data set.

[0218] This allows the invention to manage the playback authorization, so that if a data set is already present in the memory of the control unit, according to which the control unit can drive the speaker or the speaker connection terminal to play music or a read-aloud story based on the data set, the control unit makes it dependent on the reception of a specific enable signal whether it drives the speaker or the speaker connection terminal to play music or a read-aloud story based on the data set. If the data set is still stored in the computer, for example on a server, the data set stored in the memory is only available to the control unit of the playback device via the data line if the control unit of the computer receives a specific enable signal.

[0219] In a preferred embodiment of the embodiment in which the data set is already stored in the memory of the playback device, the receiving unit for the specific enabling signal is a different module from the sensor, also provided in the playback device, capable of detecting properties of this environment or changes in its properties within the area of ​​its environment. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor is a reading device for an RFID transponder and the receiving unit for the specific enabling signal is a receiving unit for an NFC signal or a receiving unit for a Bluetooth signal or a receiving unit for a WLAN signal.

[0220] In a preferred embodiment, when the sensor detects a characteristic or a change in the characteristic of the environment within the region of its environment, the sensor transmits an identifier to the control unit, or the control unit derives the identifier from the sensor's signal, where when the sensor detects a characteristic or a change in the characteristic of the environment within the region of its environment, the sensor transmits the signal to the control unit.

[0221] In a preferred embodiment, the playback device comprises an assignment table (hereinafter also referred to as AV assignment table) in which possible values ​​for an identifier are assigned information about a dataset (media file). This AV assignment table assigns information about a dataset (media file) to a possible value of an identifier. When the control unit receives an identifier with a specific value from a sensor or when the control unit determines a specific value from the signal of the sensor, the control unit can read from the AV assignment table that this identifier value is assigned specific information about a dataset (media file). The specific information can for example be the file name of the dataset or the storage location of the dataset.

[0222] Receipt of a specific enable signal by the control unit can cause the control unit to revise the AV allocation table. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit adds a new value for the identifier to the AV allocation table and assigns new information about the dataset to this new value in the AV allocation table. In an alternative embodiment, the control unit changes the information about the dataset assigned to the value of the identifier. For example, the information about the dataset assigned to the value can have the content "no dataset" or "unknown" or "locked", in which case the control unit can change this information after receipt of a specific enable signal, for example, to information about a specific file name or storage location of the dataset.

[0223] Also possible are embodiments in which the AV allocation table contains, besides the allocation of data sets to identifier values, a status attribute for each data set. This status attribute may for example be "unlocked". In the opposite case, the status attribute may be "not unlocked" or "locked". In such an embodiment, receipt of a particular enable signal may cause the control unit to change the status attribute, in particular from "not unlocked" to "unlocked".

[0224] Embodiments are also possible in which the receipt of a particular enable signal results in the assignment of a possible value (identifier) ​​to information (Media ID) relating to one data set (media file) being changed to the assignment of this value (identifier) ​​to information (Media ID) relating to the other data set (media file).

[0225] Embodiments are also possible whereby the receipt of a particular enable signal results in a change in the assignment of possible values ​​to the information relating to the data set to an assignment of this value to the information relating to the one data set as well as to the information relating to the other data set. For example, possible values ​​of an identifier can be assigned to a set of information relating to the data set.

[0226] In a preferred embodiment, a specific enable signal is assigned to only one specific data set. If the control unit receives a specific enable signal, the control unit can drive a speaker or speaker connection terminals to play music or a read-aloud story based on the specific data set. The means of the control unit to drive a speaker or speaker connection terminals to play music or a read-aloud story based on other data sets stored in the memory of the control unit remain in a preferred embodiment unaffected by the reception of a specific enable signal. If the other data set is available for playback, this data set remains available. If the other data set is locked, this data set remains locked and is only available when the control unit receives a specific enable signal for the other data set.

[0227] In a preferred embodiment of the embodiment in which the dataset is stored in the memory of the computer of the system (preferably a server), the computer preferably has an allocation table. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor transmits an identifier to the control unit when it detects a characteristic or a change in this characteristic in the area of ​​its environment, or the control unit determines the identifier from the sensor's signal, in which case the sensor transmits a signal to the control unit when it detects a characteristic or a change in this characteristic in the area of ​​its environment. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit uses the identifier to send a request to the computer to download the dataset (AV request signal). In the allocation table of the computer, preferably information (Media ID) about the dataset (media file) is assigned to the possible values ​​of the identifier. This allocation table assigns information (Media ID) about the dataset (media file) to the possible values ​​of the identifier. When the control unit transmits a signal (AV request signal) containing the identifier to the computer, the computer can read from the allocation table that specific information (Media ID) about the dataset (media file) is assigned to this value of the identifier. The specific information may for example be the file name of the dataset or the storage location of the dataset.

[0228] Receipt by the computer of a particular enabling signal, which may be a modification signal, can cause the computer to revise the allocation table. In a preferred embodiment, the computer adds a new value for the identifier to the allocation table and assigns new information about the dataset to this new value in the allocation table. In an alternative embodiment, the computer, particularly preferably after receiving the modification signal, modifies the information about the dataset assigned to the value of the identifier (media ID). For example, the information about the dataset assigned to the value can have the content "no dataset" or "unknown" or "locked", in which case the computer can change this information after receiving the particular enabling signal, for example, to a specific file name or information about the storage location of the dataset (media ID).

[0229] Embodiments are also possible in which the allocation table of the computer contains, besides the allocation of datasets to identifier values, also a status attribute for each dataset. This status attribute may be, for example, "unlocked". In the opposite case, this status attribute may be "not unlocked" or "locked". In such an embodiment, receipt of a particular enable signal may cause the control unit to change the status attribute, in particular from "not unlocked" to "unlocked".

[0230] Also possible are embodiments in which upon receipt of a particular enabling signal, in particular preferably formed as a change signal, the assignment of a possible value (one identifier) ​​to information (one media ID) relating to one data set (one media file) is changed to the computer's assignment of this value (this identifier) ​​to information (one media ID) relating to the other data set (one other media file).

[0231] Embodiments are also possible whereby the reception of a particular enable signal, which may be a modification signal, results in the assignment of possible values ​​to the information relating to the data sets being modified to the assignment of this value to the information relating to the one data set as well as to the information relating to the other data set. For example, possible values ​​of an identifier may be assigned to a set of information relating to the data sets.

[0232] In a preferred embodiment, a specific enable signal, preferably configured as a modification signal, is assigned to only one specific data set. A specific data set stored in the computer's memory becomes available for the control unit of the reproduction device to call via the data line only if the control unit of the computer receives a specific enable signal for this specific data set. The means of the control unit to call other data sets stored in the computer's memory remain in a preferred embodiment unaffected by the reception of a specific enable signal. If the other data set is available for calling, this data set remains available. If the other data set is locked, this data set remains locked and becomes available only if the control unit receives a specific enable signal for the other data set.

[0233] In a preferred embodiment, the computer is a server or a computer in a network of computers linked together into a cloud.

[0234] In a preferred embodiment, the data link is a direct wireless link between the playback device and the computer, for example a connection via WLAN or a connection via Bluetooth or NFC, in an alternative embodiment the data link is a connection via the Internet.

[0235] In a preferred embodiment, a generating unit for a specific enabling signal is connected to a receiving unit for the specific enabling signal provided in the playback device or is provided as part of the system. Such a generating unit may be a credit card reader as a subassembly, particularly preferably a credit card reader for reading the RFID tag of a credit card. However, the credit card reader may also be an NFC reader capable of reading a credit card stored in a smartphone or tablet (for example in the "Apple Pay" system). The generating unit may generate the specific enabling signal depending on the credit card reader sending a confirmation signal, in particular a confirmation signal relating to the debiting of a specific amount from a credit card. Such a generating unit may, supplementarily or alternatively, include other subassemblies capable of generating a confirmation signal relating to a made payment flow, for example a successfully completed transfer from one bank account to another bank account.

[0236] The management of the playback authorization made possible by the invention can in a preferred embodiment be used to assign other data sets to the identifiers assigned to the identifier carrier. For example, an embodiment is possible in which the identifier carrier is assigned a data set of a first episode of an audiobook with several episodes. According to the invention, this identifier carrier can now be assigned a data set of other episodes of the audiobook, the invention then being able to make the new assignment by checking for a specific enabling signal, preferably a specific enabling signal in the form of a modification signal, for example depending on a payment. Similarly, an embodiment is possible in which initially only one episode of an audiobook with several episodes is assigned to the identifier carrier, where now more than one episode of the audiobook is assigned to the identifier carrier, the new assignment can now be made by checking for a specific enabling signal, for example depending on a payment.

[0237] A system is also possible in which the consumer already has several identifier carriers, to which each identifier carrier is assigned a respective data set. The invention here makes it possible to subsequently assign another data set to one of these identifier carriers, or to provide an assignment to two data sets in addition to the existing assignment to one data set. If it is envisaged in such a system to sell identifier carriers, the invention here makes it possible to change or supplement their assignment on existing identifier carriers via the Internet as well as via a payment process which can be processed via the Internet. This not only saves the consumer the need to order new identifier carriers, but also allows him to assign new content he wishes to existing identifier carriers.

[0238] In a preferred embodiment of the method, it is envisaged that a data packet is transferred from the external memory to the memory of the playback device and / or a data packet is transferred from the playback device to the external memory and / or the external control unit when the sensor detects within the region of its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in that characteristic, or when the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor.

[0239] This knowledge can be used, for example, to reduce communication times between the toy and the playback device and the external memory. For example, if a sensor detects within the area of ​​its environment a particular characteristic or a change in a particular characteristic of its environment, or if the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor, or if initially no communication connection is formed between the toy or playback device and the external memory or the external control unit, the situation that a sensor detects within the area of ​​its environment a particular characteristic or a change in this characteristic of the environment, or the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor, is used as a trigger event for the establishment of a communication channel between the toy or playback device and the external memory or the external control unit.

[0240] Such a procedure makes it possible, in particular, to close an existing communication channel again upon the occurrence of a certain event. If the communication channel is provided, for example wirelessly, e.g. by radio, the radio connection can be disconnected upon the achievement of a certain event. This makes it possible to reduce the radiation to which the user of the toy or playback device is exposed. A triggering event can for example be the removal of an identifier from the toy or playback device. Likewise, a triggering event can be the lapse of a predefined time interval (even after the removal of the identifier). By these measures, a good balance can be found between the maximum operating convenience that would most likely result from a permanently existing communication channel between the external memory or external control unit and the toy or playback device, and the desire to reduce radiation exposure.

[0241] The external memory may be provided in an external computer to which the toy or playback device may be connected via a cable or wireless connection. Such a computer may for example be present locally in the home network in which the toy or playback device is also present. However, the external memory may also be a memory that the toy or playback device contacts via the Internet, for example a memory in the so-called "cloud".

[0242] For the achievement of the advantages of the invention, it is not necessary that the data packets are transferred from the external memory to the memory of the toy whenever the sensor detects in the area of ​​its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in this characteristic or whenever the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor. In a preferred embodiment of the method, it is therefore conceivable that the toy or the playback device has a memory in which the data packets can be stored and that the control unit of the toy or the playback device knows which data packets are stored in the memory of the toy or the playback device. In a preferred embodiment of the method, the data packets are transferred from the external memory to the memory of the toy only when the sensor detects in the area of ​​its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in this characteristic or whenever the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor or whenever the control unit detects that the data packets to be transferred from the external memory to the memory of the toy are not already stored in the memory of the toy or the playback device. This allows the amount of data exchange between the external memory and the memory of the toy or the playback device to be reduced.

[0243] An embodiment is conceivable in which the external memory holds data packets that are to be transferred from the external memory to the memory of the toy or the playback device in any case when a sensor detects within the area of ​​its environment a certain characteristic of this environment or a certain change in this characteristic or when the control unit detects a certain change in the characteristic detected by the sensor. Such data packets may for example be software updates for the software used by the control unit. Likewise, such data packets may be control data packets. By means of such control data packets it is possible, for example, to determine the maximum volume at which the toy or the playback device reproduces audio information via a speaker or a speaker connection. In a preferred embodiment, such control data packets may control the functionality of the control unit of the toy or the playback device. For example, via the control data packets it may be determined how long the control unit reproduces audio information or reproduces images, videos or 3D information or executes software. This allows time restrictions on use to be performed. Similarly, by means of the control data packets it is also possible to lock the reproduction of certain audio information or certain images, videos or 3D information or certain software. This locking can generally be performed, for example, to comply with age restrictions, so that the respective content cannot be reproduced at all. However, this type of lock may also be temporary, for example to prevent only one piece of content from being played at any one time for a given period of time.

[0244] In a preferred embodiment, it is envisaged that data packets are transferred from the memory of the toy or the playback device to the external memory when the sensor detects within the confines of its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in that characteristic, or when the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor. For example, it is conceivable that the control unit of the toy or the playback device keeps statistics on its usage, i.e. in particular on the audio information played, or on the image, video or 3D information played, or on the execution of the software executed, for example statistics on how often each content was played or executed. If the contents of such statistics are transferred as data packets to the external memory, for example a parent having access to the data from the external memory can determine how often his child used which content, for how long the content was fully recalled, etc., and other statistical information, for example the software state of the control unit, the charge state of the battery of the toy or the playback device, etc.

[0245] The data packets transferred from the external memory to the memory of the toy or the playback device can originate from a library of databases held in the external memory. This library can be provided by an external service provider, such as for example an audiobook publisher or a film distributor. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the data packets in the external memory can be data packets recorded separately with recording software. The recording software can be executed by a processor that is part of the computer to which the external memory belongs. This type of solution is suitable for home networks. However, the recording software can also be executed on an external computer, such as for example a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop, a desktop computer or a workstation, and the data packets so generated are stored in an external memory, for example a "cloud", via a network, particularly preferably via the Internet, and transferred from there to the memory of the toy or the playback device. This allows a third person to record voice notes, images, film sequences, for example stories, and prepare these in the external memory. The corresponding data packets can be transferred from the external memory to the memory of the playback device when the sensor detects in the area of ​​its environment a certain characteristic of this environment or a certain change in that characteristic, or when the control unit detects a certain change in the characteristic detected by the sensor. The external memory may be configured to replace an existing record with a new record. When the toy or playback device requests a data packet in the external memory, the external memory and the playback device may be configured to first check whether a copy of the data packet is already stored in the toy or playback device. This check can be performed by the toy or playback device or, preferably, by the external memory. Depending on this, it can be determined, for example, whether and which data packets are to be transferred from the external memory to the toy or playback device.In this way, the same identifier can be used to call up content which differs in terms of time, for example content which is mainly changed periodically (such as so-called podcasts) or content which is changed depending on an event. The toy or playback device may in one embodiment be arranged to automatically check at a predefined time point whether the content assigned to a particular identifier has been changed and preferably to automatically store the new content in order to make it available more quickly on the next identification of the identifier. For this purpose, the toy or playback device transmits information to the external memory that a request is made automatically. The external memory can thereby process these requests differently from other requests, for example with regard to the priority of the data transmission.

[0246] In the context of the embodiments described in more detail below, when the sensor detects in the area of ​​its environment a specific characteristic of this environment or a specific change in that characteristic, or when the control unit detects a specific change in the characteristic detected by the sensor, when an identifier arranged on a figurative body is brought into the area of ​​the sensor's environment, various procedures are provided here that may in particular be bound to the shape of a figure. The figure may thus be in the form of, for example, a main character of a particular story. When this figure is brought into the area of ​​the sensor with its identifier and the sensor detects in the area of ​​its environment a specific characteristic belonging to this figure of this environment or a specific change in that characteristic belonging to this figure, or when the control unit detects a specific change in the characteristic detected by the sensor that is assigned to this figure, a data packet can be loaded from an external memory into the memory of the playback device or the toy in the context of this main figure. This makes it possible, for example, to download a children's TV drama. However, this embodiment also provides for selecting an identifier of a figurative form that is not assigned to any main figure of a known story, a so-called fantasy identifier (identifier of identifier type "creative type"). The fantasy identifiers may be, for example, traced to objects or people, or more preferably, created in multiples or individually, for example using 3D printing techniques. When the sensor detects within the area of ​​the environment a particular characteristic of the environment assigned to the fantasy identifier, or a particular change in the characteristic assigned to the fantasy identifier, or when the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor assigned to the fantasy identifier, this may cause a data packet recorded previously using recording software to be transferred from an external memory to the memory of the playback device. This provides a means for, for example, parents or grandparents to present stories or record bedtime stories for their children or their grandchildren.These stories can be read to children, or shown in the case of video or 3D recordings, when they bring the fantasy identifier into the sensor's environment.

[0247] For the transfer of the data packets to the external memory, a recording software is available, which can record or otherwise read the content, transmit all or part of this content to the external memory via the network, and assign the content to one or more specific identifiers or groups of identifiers. For this purpose, the recording software requests (once or repeatedly) one or more specific identifiers or groups of identifiers to be assigned via a connection to the toy or playback device (either directly or via an intervening server), and further allows the user of the recording software to decide which of the identifiers should be assigned before or after recording or reading. This request can be preferably made by bringing the identifiers into the identification area of ​​the toy or playback device, if the identifiers are available to the user of the recording software. However, this request can also be made by storing an association between a user (or a group of users) of the recording software and one or more identifiers, for example with a user account. This request can further be made by storing an association between the user account of the user and the device identifiers, and assigning the identifiers to the device identifiers. The assignment to the user account can also be achieved by using personal information, which is preferably linked to the identifier but can be transferred separately, in the recording software or other software that can perform the assignment to the user account. This personal information can be, for example, an alphanumeric code, a bar code or a QR code. The above-mentioned assignment means can preferably be combined with each other to achieve greater convenience for the user of the recording software. The assignment to the user account is, for example, stored in an external memory or in the same device as the recording software, preferably in both places. The recording software may be designed in particular such that it allows the assignment to a particular identifier even without physical access to this identifier.

[0248] The recording software and the external memory may further be configured such that the recording software is able to transfer to the external memory any restrictions desired by the user of the rights for certain identifiers or groups of identifiers, in particular fantasy identifiers. These restrictions may be transmitted to the toy or playback device by means of the control data packets mentioned above. However, these restrictions may also (for example additionally) be taken into account in an authentication check before the transmission of the data packets by the external memory.

[0249] Preferably, the recording software also provides means for generating other control data packets as mentioned above, for example for limiting the volume, at the same time, to achieve greater convenience.

[0250] It is also conceivable to transfer or stream data packets permanently, particularly preferably for a given period of time, from an external memory to the memory of the playback device, for example data packets for a radio broadcast or for television or for movie playback can be transferred in this way from an external memory to the memory of the playback device or toy.

[0251] The reproduction device makes use of the simplified operating concept described in particular in WO 2015 / 104222 and WO 2017 / 129349. The basic idea of ​​this concept starts from the use of a sensor as part of the reproduction device, which is able to detect a characteristic of this environment or a change in this characteristic in the area of ​​its environment, and a control unit which is able to carry out the desired driving control if the sensor detects a certain characteristic of this environment or a certain change in this characteristic in the area of ​​its environment. A reproduction device with this sensor and this control unit as well as a method using such a sensor and such a control unit lead to a particularly simple operation. In order to reproduce the desired information and thus (in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention) to immediately bring about the reproduction of the desired information or the execution of the software, it may be sufficient according to the invention to give the environment a certain characteristic detectable by the sensor or to implement changes in the characteristic of this environment in a way that can be detected by the sensor.

[0252] The field of use of the invention is the reproduction of media files constituting audio information, in particular musical compositions, audio texts or a combination of musical compositions and audio texts. These audio information particularly preferably have a reproduction duration of at least 10 seconds, preferably more than 15 seconds, particularly preferably more than 20 seconds, and especially preferably more than 25 seconds. In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is envisaged that the reproduction duration of the audio information can even last for at least 30 seconds, particularly preferably more than 1 minute. For example, broadcast dramas that are particularly preferably reproduced using the invention often have a length of more than 5 minutes, and may even have a length of up to 30 minutes or even more. The audio information to be reproduced according to the invention is in particular not a confirmation signal. In particular, the audio information to be reproduced according to the invention is not, for example, a response sound that can be output when a first object is correctly aligned with respect to a second object. Likewise, the audio information is particularly preferably not a bell sound that is reproduced when a first object is brought into the vicinity of a second object or in a specific predefined position with respect to the second object. The invention relates to audio information whose playback duration is relatively long, as is the case for musical pieces or spoken text, and particularly preferably whose playback involves the reproduction of a non-periodic sequence of different sounds.

[0253] The loudspeaker of the reproduction device according to the invention is particularly preferably a transducer capable of converting an electrical signal into mechanical vibrations (sound).

[0254] Instead of a speaker, the playback device according to the invention can also have a speaker connection terminal, for example a Speakon connection terminal, an XLR connection terminal or a 6.35 mm jack socket. The control unit can also drive and control the speaker when the speaker is connected to the speaker connection terminal by driving and controlling the speaker connection terminal. The speaker connection terminal can be a transmission unit that can communicate with the speaker wirelessly, for example via Bluetooth or a WLAN wireless network. However, it is particularly preferred that the transmission unit does not communicate with the speaker using a WLAN wireless network, but rather via Bluetooth, for example. Similarly, the playback device can have a connection terminal compatible with a smartphone docking station as a speaker connection terminal or as a connection terminal for a display unit for playing images, videos or 3D information. The smartphone docking station can be used to drive and control the speaker or the display unit for playing images, videos or 3D information based on a driving control command of the smartphone. When the playback device according to the present invention has a connection terminal compatible with such a docking station and is connected to the docking station instead of a smartphone, the control unit of the playback device according to the present invention obtains means for driving and controlling a speaker connected to the docking station and a display unit for reproducing images, videos or 3D information connected to the docking station. The docking station may be connected to the speaker and the display unit for reproducing images, videos or 3D information by means of a cable. However, the docking station may also be connected to the speaker and the display unit for reproducing images, videos or 3D information wirelessly, for example via a wireless network.In this specification, unless the particularity of the drive control of the speaker connection terminal or the connection terminal for the display unit for reproducing images, videos or 3D information is explicitly described, the present invention is described on the basis of the preferred field of use of the speaker drive control, with further means of the drive control of the speaker connection terminal or the connection terminal for the display unit for reproducing images, videos or 3D information being substituted. In this specification, as far as the field of use of the drive control of the speaker connection terminal or the connection terminal for the display unit for reproducing images, videos or 3D information is described as driving and controlling the speaker connection terminal or the display unit for reproducing images, videos or 3D information, this also means driving and controlling the speaker connection terminal or the connection terminal for the display unit for reproducing images, videos or 3D information.

[0255] In a preferred embodiment, the playback device according to the invention comprises at least two speakers, whereby the playback of audio information can be performed in stereo.

[0256] As a change in the properties of the region of the own environment detected by the sensor, a change in the properties of the electromagnetic waves is particularly preferably understood to mean. The electromagnetic waves can be generated, for example, by a reading device for communicating with a passive RFID transponder, and can be changed by bringing the passive RFID transponder into the region of the environment of the reading device, whose presence changes the electromagnetic waves. The change in the electromagnetic waves caused by the bringing in of the RFID transponder can be identified by the sensor as a change in the properties of the region of the own environment. This allows the reproduction device according to the invention to detect the presence of a passive RFID transponder in a specific region of the environment of the sensor and to perform a reproduction of audio information, for example, if the RFID transponder is completely present in the region of the environment of the sensor, or to perform a reproduction of audio information if a specific RFID transponder is detected in the region of the environment of the sensor. Likewise, in a preferred embodiment, it is envisaged that the properties of the region of the own environment detected by the sensor or the change in the properties of the region of the own environment detected by the sensor are caused by an active RFID transponder.

[0257] Particularly preferably, an identifier is transmitted via electromagnetic waves, by means of which the control unit can identify a data set stored in the memory of the playback device according to the invention or on a server and can drive and control the loudspeaker to play audio information on the basis of this data set.Thus, in a preferred embodiment the sensor is a reading device for communicating with passive RFID transponders and / or for communicating with active RFID transponders.

[0258] The control unit of the reproduction device can drive and control the speaker to reproduce the audio information if the sensor detects a certain characteristic of the environment or a certain change in that characteristic within the area of ​​its environment or if the control unit detects a certain change in the characteristic detected by the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor generates a signal having a value detectable by the control unit if the sensor detects a certain characteristic or a certain change in that characteristic within the area of ​​its environment. For example, it is also conceivable that the sensor generates a signal that is provided to the control unit only if the sensor detects a certain characteristic of the environment or a certain change in that characteristic within the area of ​​its environment. In such an embodiment, a signal is provided to the control unit only if the sensor has already performed an evaluation and detected a certain characteristic of the environment or a certain change in that characteristic, or the control unit is provided with a permanent signal having a certain value and which is changed to a certain other value detectable by the control unit if the sensor detects a certain characteristic of the environment or a certain change in that characteristic within the area of ​​its environment. Complementarily or alternatively, it is also conceivable that the control unit performs the evaluation. In such an embodiment, the sensor permanently provides the measurement signal to the control unit. The control unit is designed to identify, for example by storing a value table, from the measurement signal supplied to it by the sensor whether a certain characteristic or a certain change of this characteristic is present in the region of the sensor's environment. A change of the characteristic of the sensor's environment is understood here to mean not only a single occurrence of a certain change, such as a single occurrence of a change in the direction of a magnetic field in a certain direction in the sensor's environment, but rather also a time succession of characteristics in the region of the sensor's environment or a succession of certain changes of the characteristic of the sensor's environment, as is the case, for example, when reading out a modulated wave or when evaluating electromagnetic waves.

[0259] In a preferred embodiment, the control unit drives the speaker to play audio information only if the sensor detects, in the region of its environment, a specific change in the characteristics of this environment in the form of a specific sequence of changes in said characteristics, or if the control unit detects a specific change in the characteristics detected by the sensor in the form of a specific sequence of changes in said characteristics. This sequence of changes may be in the form of a character string. This character string may, for example, contain, in one specific location, information about the audio information to be played and, in another specific location, an identification word that serves as copy protection or for authentication. If the sequence of changes in the form of a character string contains information about the audio information to be played but does not contain the identification word, the control unit does not drive the speaker. Alternatively to the identification word, it may be a sequence of instructions of a program (software) that can be executed by a control device for verification.

[0260] In a preferred embodiment, the playback device has a memory in which data is stored with which the control unit can drive and control the speaker to play the audio information. The data particularly preferably comprises audio information in a specific data format, for example MP3 format or WAV format. An embodiment is also conceivable in which the memory contains data of only one audio information. In such an embodiment, the playback device according to the invention can be used to play only one audio information, the playback duration of which particularly preferably lasts for at least 10 seconds, if the characteristics of the area of ​​the sensor's environment are set accordingly, or if the changes in the characteristics of the area of ​​the sensor's environment are set accordingly. In a preferred embodiment, data of different audio information is stored in the memory. Particularly preferably, in such an embodiment, the control unit is configured to drive and control the speaker to play a first audio information, the playback of which particularly preferably lasts for at least 10 seconds, when the sensor detects within the area of ​​its environment a specific first characteristic of this environment or a specific first change in this characteristic or when the control unit detects a specific first change in the characteristic detected by the sensor, while the control unit is configured to drive and control the speaker to play a second audio information, the playback of which particularly preferably lasts for at least 10 seconds, when the sensor detects within the area of ​​its environment a specific second characteristic of this environment or a specific second change in this characteristic or when the control unit detects a specific second change in the characteristic detected by the sensor, thereby making it possible to determine which audio information of the plurality of audio information the playback device will play depending on the specific influence of the characteristic of the area of ​​the environment of the sensor or the specific influence of the change in the characteristic of this environment of the sensor. For example, if the presence of a first RFID tag is detected within the area of ​​the sensor's environment, the playback device may play a particular first audio information, whereas if the presence of a second RFID tag is detected within the area of ​​the sensor's environment, the playback device may play a second audio information.

[0261] In a preferred embodiment, the audio information data is stored as a data set having separately readable data strings, for example to play an audio book in individual chapters or to enable driving of individual chapters of an audio book, each data string of the data set being separately readable in a preferred embodiment and used to drive a speaker.

[0262] In a preferred embodiment, the reproduction device comprises a unit for receiving data from the Internet and / or a unit for transmitting data to the Internet, particularly preferably an antenna for a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), for example LTE, UMTS or a mobile radio technology of the preceding or succeeding generation, or a connection socket for connecting a cable of a local network which also includes Internet access, for example a connection socket for an Ethernet cable. The presence of the unit for receiving data from the Internet allows the control unit to download data from the Internet, including the audio information to be reproduced, in a specific data format. In this way, the reproduction device can reproduce audio information which was not stored in the reproduction device before the sensor detected in the area of ​​its environment a specific characteristic of this environment or a specific change in this characteristic, or before the control unit detected a specific change in the characteristic detected by the sensor. In this case, the control unit may be configured to receive data from the Internet, store it permanently in a memory, and to drive and control the loudspeaker to reproduce the audio information based on the data stored in the memory. Additionally or alternatively, it is also conceivable that the control unit directly uses the data received from the Internet to drive and control a speaker for the reproduction of audio information (so-called streaming), in which case this embodiment may also include temporarily buffering the data received from the Internet in a buffer.

[0263] In an embodiment in which data comprising audio information in a specific data format is received from the Internet, it is for example conceivable that the control unit stores in memory specific server addresses of servers connected to the Internet and furthermore stores in memory a table in which each specific characteristic or each specific change in that characteristic is assigned to each identification number. The control unit is then arranged in such an embodiment to communicate with the specific server when a specific characteristic or a specific change in that characteristic is identified, to download a specific data set from the server, again using the identification number assigned to the specific characteristic or the specific change in that characteristic, and to use it for driving and controlling a speaker for reproducing the audio information obtained from this data. For example, music titles can be stored on the server as data in a specific data format, in which case each music title or data comprising this music title is stored on the server under a specific identification code. In a preferred embodiment, the playback device according to the invention already contains an assignment table (AV assignment table) in which a specific characteristic or a change in that characteristic of the area of ​​the environment of the sensor is assigned to some identification number, a plurality of identification numbers or even all identification numbers in a preferred embodiment that are also used on the database of the server. The control unit is then ready to download the intended data set from the server. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the control unit is configured to transmit information comprising the detected specific characteristic or the specific change in the detected characteristic to a specific server connected to the Internet. An assignment of the identified specific characteristic or the specific change in the identified characteristic to the specific audio information can then be made on the server. The control unit is then configured to receive data comprising the audio information to be reproduced from the server. The server transmits the data which it has assigned to the specific characteristic or the specific change in the characteristic transmitted to it by the control unit to the reproduction device according to the invention.This embodiment avoids the need to maintain an allocation table in the playback device according to the invention and thus increases the flexibility of receiving specific data including audio information based on specific detected characteristics or specific changes in the detected characteristics of the area of ​​the sensor's environment. Such an embodiment makes it possible to increase the number of data sets offered on a server, for example, without the need to adapt the allocation table in the control unit of the playback device according to the invention.

[0264] In a preferred embodiment, the playback device has an antenna for a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) that can be switched off. In particular, if the playback device according to the invention is to be used by children for the playback of audio information, it may be of interest to reduce the electromagnetic waves generated in the environment in which children are present. For this reason, it may be expedient to switch off the WLAN antenna.

[0265] Similarly, a playback device connected to a Wireless Local Area Network via a WLAN antenna can transmit the audio information to be played back to other subscribers of the network, for example streaming it to a television or other speakers.

[0266] In a preferred embodiment, the operating system of the control unit is Firefox OS. In a preferred embodiment, the operating system of the control unit is updatable by updates.

[0267] In a preferred embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine and record information relating to the control of the driving of the speakers, for example how often particular audio information is played or the order in which particular audio information is played. Particularly preferably, the playback device is configured to communicate such information to a server.

[0268] The system according to the invention comprises a playback device according to the invention and an identifier carrier, where the identifier carrier has a property that the sensor can detect when the identifier carrier is present in the area of ​​the sensor's environment or when the identifier carrier changes a property of the sensor's environment. The basic consideration of the system according to the invention is that the control unit drives the speaker to play audio information when a specific identifier is brought into the area of ​​the sensor's environment where the sensor can detect the property or the change of property. However, in this case, in a particularly preferred embodiment, bringing the identifier into this area should already trigger the driving of the speaker to play audio information without requiring the generation of further operating instructions.

[0269] This basic concept of the system according to the invention considerably simplifies the operation of the playback device for playing back audio information: it is no longer necessary to deal with CDs which are prone to scratches, as is the case with CD playback devices known from the field, or to learn the complex operating sequences of the operating elements required for controlling the loudspeaker to play back audio information with MP3 playback devices known from the field. In the simplest embodiment of the invention, it is sufficient to bring the identifier carrier into the area of ​​the sensor's environment, where the sensor can detect a characteristic or a change in the characteristic, whereby the control of the loudspeaker to play back audio information is automatically triggered by the control unit.

[0270] In a preferred embodiment, the identifier carrier comprises an RFID transponder or an antenna capable of emitting and / or receiving modulated waves. The identifier carrier according to the invention can thus be configured to be able to communicate with the playback device according to the invention via the Bluetooth standard or via the NFC standard, for example. In particular, the use of these technologies allows a wide variety of communication means between the identification carrier and the playback device. In particular, the use of these technologies allows the identification of multiple identifiers, which allows the playback device according to the invention to select an audio information to be played from multiple audio information, if each audio information to be played has been assigned its own unique identifier, for example in an allocation table stored in the playback device according to the invention or in a server.

[0271] In a preferred embodiment, the identifier carrier comprises a magnet and the playback device comprises a surface to which the magnet can be attached. Alternatively, the playback device can comprise a magnet and the identifier carrier can comprise a surface to which the magnet can be attached. This allows a releasable connection between the playback device and the identifier carrier. This allows the playback device to be moved without the identifier carrier leaving a specific relative position to the playback device.

[0272] In a preferred embodiment, the identifier carrier has the shape of a figurine, in particular a human figure or an animal figure or a figurine of a fantasy character. Particularly preferably, the identifier carrier has the shape of a figurine with feet. Particularly preferably, in the case of an identifier carrier having the shape of a figurine with feet, magnets are arranged in the feet of the figurine, so that the figurine can stand on the reproduction device according to the invention.

[0273] In a preferred embodiment, the identifier carrier is configured such that the operator himself can associate it with certain audio information based on its shape, color, surface structure and / or its material, and when brought into an area of ​​the sensor's environment where the sensor can detect a characteristic of this environment or a change in its characteristic, a control of the speaker is triggered to play audio information that is content-related to the user's association. The identifier carrier may be formed, for example, according to a figure type, and may trigger the playback of audio information related to the shape of the figure. For example, the figure may have the form of "Benjamin Bluemchen®" and the played audio information may be an audio story starring "Benjamin Bluemchen®". It is also conceivable that the identifier carrier is individually adaptable. For example, the identifier carrier may be formed as a figure resembling the human form of another person in the vicinity, and the played audio information may be audio information pre-recorded by this person. It is also conceivable that the identifier carrier may have the form of a figure resembling a scientist, and the audio information may have content discovered by this scientist. It is further conceivable that the figure may be resembling a composer or performer, and the audio information may include content of this composer or performer. It is also conceivable that the identifier carrier may trigger audio information for a song, a group of songs (album) or a playlist.

[0274] In a complementary or alternative embodiment, the identifier carrier is configured as a sticker or module that can be attached to other objects.

[0275] A method according to the invention for playing music or a read-aloud story using a playback device, comprising the steps of: -Speakers or speaker connection terminals, a sensor capable of detecting within the region of its environment a characteristic or a change in this characteristic; a control unit capable of driving a speaker or a speaker connection terminal to play music or a read-aloud story when the sensor detects within the confines of its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in that characteristic, or when the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor; a memory and a data set stored in said memory; a receiving unit for a specific enable signal, It is envisaged that when the control unit receives a particular enable signal, the control unit can control driving a speaker or a speaker connection terminal to play music or a read-aloud story based on the data set.

[0276] A method according to the invention for reproducing audio information and / or for reproducing image, video or 3D information and / or for executing software using a reproduction device, comprising the steps of: - loudspeakers or speaker connection terminals and / or a display for images, videos or 3D information or connection terminals for such a display and / or a processor capable of executing software, a sensor capable of detecting within the region of its environment a characteristic or a change in this characteristic; a control unit capable of driving and controlling a speaker or a speaker connection terminal for playing audio information and / or a display or a connection terminal for a display for playing images, videos or 3D information and / or a processor for executing software when a sensor detects within the area of ​​its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in said characteristic or when the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor; a memory and a dataset stored in the memory; a receiving unit for receiving a specific enable signal, It is envisaged that when the control unit receives a particular enable signal, the control unit may drive and control a speaker or a speaker connection terminal to play audio information based on the dataset, and / or may drive and control a display unit or a connection terminal for a display unit to play images, videos or 3D information based on the dataset, and / or may drive and control a processor to execute software based on the dataset.

[0277] In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: If the control unit has not yet received a particular enable signal, the control unit is not able to drive and control the speaker or the speaker connection terminal to play the music or the story based on the data set. and / or If the control unit has not yet received a specific enable signal, The control unit is configured to drive and control the speaker or the speaker connection terminal so as to reproduce audio information based on the data set. And / or the improvement is configured to be unable to drive and control a display unit or a connection terminal for a display unit to reproduce images, videos, or 3D information based on the dataset, and / or to be unable to drive a processor to execute software based on the dataset.

[0278] A method according to the invention for playing music or a read-aloud story using a system comprising a playback device, the playback device comprising: -Speakers or speaker connection terminals, a sensor capable of detecting within the region of its environment a characteristic or a change in this characteristic; a control unit capable of driving and controlling a speaker or a speaker connection terminal to play music or a read-aloud story when the sensor detects within the confines of its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in that characteristic, or when the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor, wherein the system further comprises a computer; wherein the computer has a memory, the memory having a data set stored therein; wherein the computer comprises a control unit, Wherein the system has a data line between the playback device and the computer, the method further comprises: It is envisaged that the data set stored in the memory will be accessible via a data line to the control unit of the playback device only when the control unit of the computer receives a specific enable signal, whereupon the control unit can drive and control a speaker or a speaker connection terminal to play music or a read-aloud story based on the data set.

[0279] A method according to the invention for reproducing audio information and / or for reproducing images, videos or 3D information and / or for executing software using a system comprising a reproduction device, the reproduction device comprising: - loudspeakers or speaker connection terminals and / or a display for images, videos or 3D information or connection terminals for such a display and / or a processor capable of executing software, a sensor capable of detecting within the region of its environment a characteristic or a change in this characteristic; a control unit capable of driving and controlling a speaker or a speaker connection terminal for playing audio information, and / or a display or a connection terminal for a display for playing images, videos or 3D information, and / or a processor for executing software, when the sensor detects within the area of ​​its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in that characteristic or when the control unit detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by the sensor, wherein the system further comprises a computer; wherein the computer has a memory, the memory having a data set stored therein, and wherein the computer has a control unit; Wherein the system has a data line between the playback device and the computer, the method further comprises: the data sets stored in the computer memory are only accessible to the control unit of the reproducing device via the data lines if the control unit of the computer receives a specific enable signal, Here, the control unit A speaker or a speaker connection terminal can be driven and controlled to play audio information based on the data set; and / or capable of driving and controlling a display unit or a connection terminal for a display unit to reproduce images, videos, or 3D information based on the data set; and / or it is envisaged that the processor may be driven and controlled to execute software based on the data set.

[0280] In a preferred embodiment, the method is improved in that the sensor is a reading device for communicating with a passive RFID transponder and / or a reading device for communicating with an active RFID transponder.

[0281] In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises providing an identifier carrier, wherein the identifier carrier is adapted to have a property that the sensor can detect when the identifier carrier is present within a region of the sensor's environment or when the identifier carrier changes a property in the sensor's environment that the sensor can detect within its own region of environment.

[0282] In a preferred embodiment, the method is improved such that an external computer or server is provided and a communication path is provided enabling the toy to communicate with the external computer or server.

[0283] In a preferred embodiment, the method is improved such that the playback of the music or story read or audio information lasts for at least 10 seconds.

[0284] In a preferred embodiment, the method is improved such that the processor is capable of executing the software before the sensor detects a characteristic of the environment or a change in that characteristic within the region of the environment, even if the software has not yet been stored in the playback device.

[0285] In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises providing a mounting platform on which the object can be permanently placed, where the sensor is capable of detecting a characteristic or a change in said characteristic at least in the area above the mounting platform, and / or providing attachment means on which the object can be permanently attached, where the sensor is adapted to detect a characteristic or a change in said characteristic at least in the area adjacent to the attachment means.

[0286] In a preferred embodiment, the method is improved such that the sensor is an inductive sensor, a magnetic field sensor, a capacitive sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, an electrochemical sensor, or a temperature sensor.

[0287] In a preferred embodiment, the method is improved in that the sensor is a reading device for communicating with a passive RFID transponder and / or a reading device for communicating with an active RFID transponder.

[0288] In a preferred embodiment, the method is improved in that the sensor has an antenna and is configured to emit and / or receive modulated waves.

[0289] In a preferred embodiment, the method is improved in that the control unit is capable of controlling a speaker or a speaker connection terminal to play audio information, the playback of which lasts for at least 10 seconds.

[0290] In a preferred embodiment, the method is improved such that the control unit is capable of directly driving and controlling a speaker or a speaker connection terminal, or a display for one of images, video or 3D information or a connection terminal for the display, or a processor for executing software.

[0291] In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the improvement of providing a housing in which the sensor is disposed, wherein a region of the sensor's environment in which the sensor can detect a property of that environment or a change in that property is configured to extend no more than 100 mm beyond a surface of the housing.

[0292] In a preferred embodiment, the method is improved in such a way that when the sensor detects within the region of its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in that characteristic, the operator does not provide any operating elements which may affect the driving control of a speaker or a speaker connection terminal to start the reproduction of audio information, or a display for images, videos or 3D information or a connection terminal for such a display to start the reproduction of images, videos or 3D information, or a driving control of a processor executing the software to start the execution of the software by the control unit.

[0293] In a preferred embodiment, the method is improved in that an operating element is provided, whereby the control unit is able to drive and control a speaker or a speaker connection terminal, or a display for one of images, videos or 3D information or a connection terminal for the display, or a processor for running software, only by the sensor detecting within the region of its environment a particular characteristic of this environment or a particular change in said characteristic, and without the operator operating the operating element.

[0294] In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises providing an identifier carrier, wherein the identifier carrier is adapted to have a property that the sensor can detect when the identifier carrier is present within a region of the sensor's environment or when the identifier carrier changes a property in the sensor's environment that the sensor can detect within its own region of environment.

[0295] In a preferred embodiment, the method is improved in that the identifier carrier comprises an RFID transponder or comprises an antenna and is adapted to emit and / or receive modulated waves.

[0296] In a preferred embodiment, the method is refined such that the playback of the audio information lasts for at least 10 seconds.

[0297] The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of the drawings, which merely show an embodiment of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0298] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a playback device which may be part of the system according to the invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the playback device and the identifier carrier according to FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to the present invention; [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the playback device according to FIG. 1 together with a schematic view of the elements mounted on the playback device housing. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to the present invention comprising a server and a playback device and a communication / computer network. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system according to the invention with a server and a playback device and an external device designed as a smartphone and an external device designed as a laptop, and a communication / computer network. [Figure 7] 2 is a schematic diagram of a server and a user table, a user group table, a media table, an identifier table, an allocation table, and an authentication table stored in the server's memory. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram according to FIG. 7, supplemented by an external device in the form of a smartphone and supplemented by a communications / computer network in the state of receiving a modified signal. [Figure 9] 9 is a schematic diagram according to FIG. 8 in a further step of the program routine. [Figure 10] 9 is a schematic diagram according to FIG. 8 in a further step of the program routine. [Figure 11] A schematic diagram according to FIG. 7, supplemented by an external device in the form of a smartphone and supplemented by a communications / computer network in a state of transmitting library signals. [Figure 12] A schematic diagram according to FIG. 7 supplemented by an external device in the form of a smartphone and supplemented by a communications / computer network in a state of transmitting an inventory signal. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a GUI screen display. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a GUI screen display. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a GUI screen display. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a GUI screen display. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a GUI screen display. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a GUI screen display. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a GUI screen display. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a GUI screen display. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a GUI screen display. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an identifier image of a screen display of a GUI. [Diagram 23] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an identifier image of a screen display of a GUI. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a window of a screen display of a GUI. [Diagram 25] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a window of a screen display of a GUI. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a window of a screen display of a GUI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0299] Figure 1 shows a playback device 1 such as can be used as part of a system according to the invention. This playback device 1 comprises a speaker, not shown in more detail in the perspective view of figure 1. Furthermore, the playback device 1 comprises a recess 3 on its upper surface 2. Inside the playback device 1, below the recess 3, a sensor (not shown in more detail) is arranged, which is able to detect a property of the environment or a change in this property in the area of ​​the recess 3, in particular to read a passive RFID transponder (see figure 2). Furthermore, the playback device 1 comprises a control unit (not shown in more detail) which is able to drive and control the speaker to reproduce audio information when the sensor detects in the area of ​​its environment a certain property of the environment or a certain change in this property or when the control unit detects a certain change in the property detected by the sensor.

[0300] The playback device 1 has a first operating element 5 formed in the shape of an ear and a second operating element 6 also formed in the shape of an ear. Operating element 5 is larger than operating element 6. Both operating elements 5 and 6 can perform a pivoting movement relative to the remaining housing part of the playback device 1 and can pivot back to the basic position shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, the playback device 1 has a display 7.

[0301] In Fig. 2 the playback device 1 is shown with an identifier carrier 8 placed on it. The identifier carrier 8 formed as a figurine has a leg 9 and a foot. The foot of the identifier carrier 8 formed as a figurine is provided with a number of magnets (not shown in detail). These magnets can interact with a magnet or a metal object placed directly below the floor 4 of the recess 3, so that the identifier carrier 8 can be detachably held on the floor 4 of the recess 3.

[0302] The operation of the playback device and the identifier carrier is as follows.

[0303] Fig. 1 shows the playback device in a basic state, in which in the embodiment shown here the playback device is not playing any audio information. The sensor permanently or periodically monitors the area of ​​the recess 3 whether this area has a certain characteristic or a certain change in this characteristic. In the embodiment shown here the sensor monitors the area of ​​the recess 3 whether a certain RFID transponder has been brought into the area of ​​the recess 3. In the operating state shown in Fig. 1 this is not the case, so the playback device 1 does not play any audio information.

[0304] 2 shows an operating state in which an identifier carrier 8 is placed on the playback device. The identifier carrier 8 is placed on the floor 4 of the recess 3 and is attached there by means of magnets provided on the feet of the identifier carrier 8. The identifier carrier 8 carries an RFID transponder (identifier) ​​(not shown in detail). The identifier carrier 8 is now brought into an area of ​​the sensor's environment monitored by the sensor, whereby this area now has certain characteristics detectable by the sensor. The sensor identifies the presence of the RFID transponder in the identifier carrier 8 and informs this by means of a signal to a control unit (not shown in detail). The control unit then drives and controls the speaker to reproduce the audio information without requiring the operation of further operating elements.

[0305] The sensor reads an identifier from the RFID transponder of the identifier carrier 8 and communicates this identifier to the control unit. The control unit assigns the identifier read by the sensor to a specific data set (media file) containing specific audio information in a memory (not shown in detail) of the playback device 1 based on an assignment table (AV assignment table) stored in the control unit. The control unit then drives and controls the speaker to play the audio information contained in the specific data set (media file) read from the memory by the control unit. This audio information is a piece of music whose playback lasts at least 10 seconds.

[0306] FIG. 3 shows a reproduction device 1 and an identifier carrier 8 that can be placed in a recess 3 of the reproduction device 1. FIG. 3 further shows a base station 100. The base station 100 has a protrusion 101 with a socket 102. The underside (not shown) of the reproduction device 1 is provided with a recess corresponding to the protrusion 101, with a plug protruding into it. When the recess on the underside of the reproduction device 1 is placed on the protrusion 101, a plug (not shown) is guided into the socket 102, thus providing an electrical connection between the reproduction device 1 and the base station 100. The base station 100 may have an electrical connection terminal 103. The base station 100 may be provided with a rectifier (not shown), which converts the alternating current tapped with the plug of the electrical connection terminal 103 into a direct current of the desired magnitude provided to the socket 102. Instead of an electrical connection via a plug (not shown) and socket 102, it is also conceivable that the base station 100 includes a coil for contactless charging, in particular inductive charging, of the playback device 1, the playback device 1 having a corresponding coil (not shown).

[0307] The base station 100 may include terminals or connections to further equipment, such as a speaker for playing programs, a display or a computer, etc. The base station 100 may also include a communication module, such as a communication module for WLAN, Bluetooth, NFC or a mobile communication network.

[0308] FIG. 3 further illustrates a communications / computer network 110 , a server 111 as well as an external operating device in the form of a smartphone 112 .

[0309] The playback device 1 can communicate with the server 111 via a communication / computer network 110. The network 110 is shown as a cloud in FIG. 3 to clarify that the communication / computer network 110 may be implemented in various types. The communication / computer network 110 may be only wired. A network cable, such as an Ethernet cable, may run from the playback device 1 to the server 111. Similarly, the symbolic notation of a cloud is intended to symbolize a communication / computer network 110 that is partly wired and partly wireless. Therefore, an embodiment is possible in which the playback device 1 communicates with a router connected to an Internet node via a cable using the WLAN standard. The server 111 may also be connected to a router connected to (other) Internet nodes using a cable in such an embodiment. This allows the playback device 1 to communicate with the server 111 via the Internet. It is also possible that part or all of the communication / computer network 110 is a mobile communication network. Therefore, a structural form is possible in which the playback device 1 has an identification module for identifying the mobile communication network and logging on to it. By using the identification module, authentication and authorization can be performed when logging on to the mobile communication network.

[0310] The server 111 may be designed as a "cloud server."

[0311] The server 111 may include software components that allow it to control and maintain the database, as well as software that may manage communication with the playback device 1, may include security protocols, and may encrypt or decrypt data exchanges.

[0312] The smartphone 112 can communicate with the server 111 and / or the playback device 1 via the communication / computer network 110. In this case, preferably, the smartphone 112 does not communicate directly with the playback device 1, which in particular allows the playback device to be constructed particularly simply. An embodiment is also possible in which only the server 111 can communicate with the playback device 1. However, by means of the smartphone 112, settings can be made in the server 111, for example the maximum volume can be set. This setting, changed by interaction with the smartphone 112, can be transferred by the server 111 via the communication / computer network 110 as a control intervention to a control unit of the playback device 1. Similarly, an embodiment is possible in which the smartphone 112 can communicate directly with the playback device 1 via the communication / computer network 110, for example making a control intervention directly on the playback device 1 while bypassing the server 111. Furthermore, an embodiment is also possible in which the smartphone communicates directly with the playback device 1, for example using Bluetooth or NFC.

[0313] 4 shows a schematic diagram of the elements that, in a preferred embodiment, are integrated into the playback device 1. These integrated elements are shown with dashed lines to represent that the spatial positions shown are possible spatial positions within the playback device 1, but that other spatial positions are also possible.

[0314] The playback device 1, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, comprises a sensor 120 capable of detecting within the region of its environment a characteristic of this environment or a change in this characteristic. This sensor 120 may for example be an RFID reader, an NFC reader, an infrared reader or an optical sensor. The identifier carrier 8 may comprise an active or passive RFID transponder. An embodiment is possible in which the identifier carrier 8 comprises an active RFID transponder and the sensor 120 is part of a write / read head with which the identifier carrier 8 can be written.

[0315] 4, a magnet 121 is disposed below the stand of the playback device 1 on which the identifier carrier 8 stands. This magnet 121 interacts with magnets (not shown) in the feet of the identifier carrier 8 to hold the identifier carrier 8 on the stand of the playback device 1.

[0316] The playback device 1 comprises a control unit 130. This control unit comprises a processor 131. Furthermore, the control unit 130 comprises a memory 132 with which the processor 131 can communicate. This memory comprises a non-volatile read only memory (ROM) 133 and a volatile or non-volatile read / write memory (RAM) 134. The playback device comprises a battery 135 with charging electronics. A plug 136 in a recess 137 in the floor of the playback device 1 allows connection to the socket 102 of the base station 100.

[0317] The operating elements 5, 6 are connected to the processor 131. A speaker 138 is also connected to the processor 131. A display (not shown in FIG. 4) may also be connected to the processor 131. A 6.35 mm jack socket 206 is connected to the processor 131. A transceiver unit 139 for communication for a WLAN radio network is connected to the processor 131. The playback device comprises a gyroscope 140.

[0318] The program executed by the processor 131 performs a periodic interrogation of the signals transmitted by the sensor 120 and the gyroscope 140. The sensor 120 is designed as an RFID reading device and transmits to the processor 131 the identifier that it reads from an RFID transponder integrated in the identifier carrier 8. The processor 131 checks whether an entry for the identifier exists in an AV allocation table stored in the RAM 134. In the AV allocation table, the identifier is assigned to information on a data set (media file). If the processor 131 finds an entry for the identifier in the AV allocation table and therewith information on the data set (media file), the processor 131 checks whether the data set (media file) is also stored in the RAM 134. If the data set (media file) is stored in the RAM 134, the processor 131 uses this data set (media file) to thereby drive and control the speaker 138. The information for the media file stored in the RAM 134 may be a media ID. Furthermore, this information may be the storage location, for example in the RAM 134, of the media file assigned to the identifier in the AV allocation table. This information may be a pointer assigned to the identifier in the AV allocation table, for example a URL where the control unit 130 can stream the media file to drive and control a speaker.

[0319] If the processor 131 detects that there is no entry in the allocation table belonging to the identifier, or that there is an entry belonging to the identifier but it does not contain an allocation (e.g. no information for a data set) or that it needs to be updated, the processor 131 generates an AV request signal, which the processor transmits via the transceiver unit 139 over the WLAN wireless network to the server 111. In the AV request signal, the processor 131 informs the server 111 of the identifier and requests that the data set belonging to the identifier be downloaded to the RAM 134. The processor 131 can also transmit an equipment identifier, in particular its own processor identifier, to the server 111 using the AV request signal, thus enabling the server 111 to identify itself.

[0320] In response to the AV request signal of the processor 131, the server 111 checks whether an entry for the identifier exists in the allocation table 313 (see FIG. 7) stored in the server 111. In the allocation table 313, the identifier is assigned information about a data set, in particular a media ID. If the server 111 finds an entry for the identifier in the allocation table 313 and therewith information about a data set (media file), the server 111 checks the entry assigned to the media ID in the media table 310 assigned to the identifier in the allocation table 313. If the entry assigned to the media ID therein points to a media file stored in the server, for example a media file stored in the database server 305, the server 111 transfers this media file to the playback device 1. If the entry assigned to the media ID therein is a pointer, the server 111 transfers the pointer to the playback device 1. The processor 131 updates the AV allocation table in the RAM 134 and assigns information about the downloaded data set or the downloaded pointer to the identifier. The processor 131 then uses the data set or the pointer to drive and control the speaker 138 thereby.

[0321] Fig. 5 shows a playback device (playback device 1) for playing audio information. This playback device 1 can communicate with a server 111 via a communication / computer network 110. The communication / computer network 110 has a wireless communication path 300, for example communication via WLAN. Via this communication path 300 the playback device can communicate with a router 301. This router 301 is connected via a cable to an Internet node, not shown in detail. Via the Internet, shown as cloud 302, the signals of the playback device 1 can be forwarded from the Internet node (not shown) to a further Internet node (not shown). Via a cable a cloud gate 303 (symbolically shown as a door) is connected to this further Internet node (not shown). This cloud gate 303 represents an entry gate to the server 111. The server 111 has the cloud gate 303, a sub-server called cloud service 304 as well as a database server 305.

[0322] When the playback device 1 is switched on or woken up from a sleep state, a first routine is executed in the playback device 1. As part of this first routine, the playback device 1 reads the AV allocation table. After reading this AV allocation table, the playback device 1 transmits the AV allocation table, the time recorded in the processor 131, and the firmware version for the processor 131 to the server 111 via the communication / computer network 110. The Internet address of the cloud gate 303 is stored in the playback device 1. The playback device 1 transmits a signal to the cloud gate 303 via the WLAN 300 and the router 301 and the Internet 302. The signal arriving at the cloud gate 303 is checked by the cloud gate 303 as to whether it is a valid signal. For this purpose, the certificate belonging to the playback device is checked and transmitted together with the signal.

[0323] After the cloud gate 303 checks whether the signal coming from the playback device 1 is valid, the cloud gate 303 passes the signal to the cloud service 304 of the sub-server.

[0324] The cloud service 304 checks whether the time of the playback device 1 transmitted together with the signal of the playback device 1 is correct. If the time is not correct, the cloud service 304 sends a correction signal to the playback device 1 to set the time. The correction signal is sent to the playback device 1 via the cloud gate 303, the Internet 302, the router 301, and the WLAN 300.

[0325] Furthermore, the cloud service 304 checks the version of the firmware of the playback device 1, which is also notified together with the signal to the playback device 1. If the cloud service 304 detects that a newer firmware version exists for this particular playback device 1, the cloud service 304 retrieves a file having the corresponding newer firmware from the database server 305. The cloud service 304 introduces the newer firmware to the playback device 1 via the cloud gate 303, the Internet 302, the router 301, and the WLAN 300.

[0326] Similarly, the cloud service 304 checks, for all identifiers notified to it in the signal from the playback device 1, whether the timestamp of each of these identifiers, also notified to it via the signal from the playback device 1, is the latest.

[0327] After this start routine, the time, firmware and AV allocation table in the playback device 1 are all updated to their latest states.

[0328] Figure 6 shows that the smartphone 112 can communicate with the server 111 over the communications / computer network 110. Similarly, Figure 6 shows that the laptop 306 can communicate with the server 111 over the communications / computer network 110.

[0329] A user can log into the cloud service 304 via a smartphone 112 or laptop 306 and identify themselves.

[0330] Fig. 7 shows server 111 representatively as a rectangle. Fig. 7 shows a user table 307 stored in the memory of the server. This user table 307 shows, by way of example, two users, Paul and Martin. Furthermore, user table 307 shows a password "password 1" assigned to user "Paul" in the operating system of server 111, and a password "password 2" assigned to user "Martin" in the operating system of server 111.

[0331] FIG. 7 further shows a user group table 309 stored in the memory of the server 111. As shown in FIG. 7, the user group table 309 stores a user group with the user group name "Home1". The user group table 309 makes it possible to assign an administrator to a user group. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the user "Paul" is assigned as administrator to the user group "Home1". The user "Martin" is assigned as member1 to the user group "Home1". The user group "Home1" consists of only two users, in particular the users "Paul" and "Martin". This results from the fact that the further field "member2" of the user group table 309 is empty for the user group "Home1". The user group table 309 can include further columns beyond the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, with an increase in the number of which provides the means of assigning further members to a user group. The number of columns provided can determine how many users can be assigned to one user group.

[0332] FIG. 7 further shows that a media table 310 is stored on the memory of the server 111. The media table 310 has a column with media IDs. In the example of FIG. 7, the sequences of letters and numbers "song1", "song2", "song3", "song4", "song5", "song6" are exemplarily used as media IDs. However, UIDs or UUIDs or GUIDs can also be used as media IDs. The media table 310 includes a column "media file". In this column, the name of the media file may be plotted, for example the name "song1.mp3". However, the column "media file" may also store a pointer, for example the pointer "www.database.eu / lied2.mp3". By using the media table 310, a media file is assigned to each media ID. In the example of Figure 7, media ID "Song1" is assigned the media file "Song1.MP3," media ID "Song2" is assigned the media file "www.database.eu / lied2.mp3," media ID "Song3" is assigned the media file "Song3.MP3," media ID "Song4" is assigned the media file "Song4.MP3," media ID "Song5" is assigned the media file "Song5.MP3," and media ID "Song6" is assigned the media file "Song6.MP3."

[0333] In the embodiment of Fig. 7, the server 111 comprises a media memory 311. This media memory 311 may be a database server 305. The server 111 may be designed to understand the assignment of a specific file name (here "song1.mp3") to a media ID (here "song1") in the media table 310 as an indication that the media file "song1.mp3" assigned to the media ID "song1" is stored in the media memory 311 of the server 111 under the file name "song1.mp3". If the server 111 receives a request to provide the media file assigned to the media ID "song1", the server 111 may again use the media memory 311 to provide this specific media file. The server 111 may be designed to understand the assignment of a pointer, for example "www.database.eu / lied2.mp3", as an indication that the specific media file is not stored on the memory of the server 111, in particular in the media memory 311. When the server 111 receives a request to provide the media file assigned to the media ID "Song 2", the server 111 makes available, in this embodiment, a pointer: "www.database.eu / lied2.mp3".

[0334] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, an identifier table 312 is stored in the memory of the server 111. The identifier table 312 has a column "identifier" and a column "user". In the column "identifier", in the embodiment of Figure 7, identifiers 200001, 200002, 200003, and 200004 are stored. In the identifier table 312, identifier 200001 is assigned to user "Paul", identifier 200002 is assigned to user "Paul", identifier 200003 is assigned to user "Martin", and identifier 200004 is assigned to user group "Home1". In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the identifier is a six-digit number. However, embodiments are also possible in which the identifier is a UID, UUID, or GUID.

[0335] In the embodiment according to Fig. 7, an allocation table 313 is stored in the memory of the server 111. This allocation table 313 has the columns "identifier" and "media ID". In the embodiment according to Fig. 7, in the operating state shown in Fig. 7, the identifier 200001 is assigned the media ID "song 1", the identifier 200002 is assigned the media ID "song 5", the identifier 200003 is assigned the media ID "song 3" and the identifier 200004 is assigned the media ID "song 2". The allocation table 313 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 furthermore also has a column "media ID 2". In the operating state of the server 111 shown in Fig. 7, only the identifier 200003 is assigned a media ID in the column "media ID 2", in particular the media ID "song 4". In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the server 111 may be designed in such a way that upon an entry in the column "media ID 2", the identifier is assigned the media ID entered therein (here the media ID "song 4" with the identifier 200003). Thus, the entries in the column "Media ID2" are hierarchically higher than the entries in the column "Media ID." The entries in the column "Media ID" can be understood as default media IDs.

[0336] In the embodiment of Figure 7, an authentication table 314 is stored in memory of server 111. This authentication table 314 has a column "User" and a column "Media ID." In the embodiment of Figure 7, in authentication table 314, user "Paul" is assigned media IDs "Song 1" and "Song 5" in the operational state of server 111 shown in Figure 7. In this operational state, user "Martin" is assigned media IDs "Song 3" and "Song 4." User group "Home 1" is assigned media ID "Song 2."

[0337] FIG. 8 shows steps of a program routine provided on the server according to the invention, by means of which the user modifies the allocation table 313 and assigns a first media ID to an identifier in the allocation table 313. The step of the program routine according to the invention shown in FIG. 8 is the reception of a modification signal 315 by the server 111. This modification signal 315 is a signal generated by the smartphone 112. The modification signal 315 is transmitted from the smartphone 112 via the Internet 302 to the server 111 and is received by this server 111. The program routine is executed in such a way that the server 111 understands the modification signal 315 as a modification signal. This can be achieved by the signal format itself, by selecting the signal format of the modification signal so that it contains in the header the information that the signal is a modification signal. However, the identification of the received signal as a modification signal can also be made by the server 111 such that the modification signal is a signal transmitted to the server 111 in response to a signal sent by the server 111, for example a library signal. The modified signal 315, in the embodiment of Fig. 8, includes the information "identifier=200002" and the information "media ID=song1". This can be achieved by storing the digit string "200002" in a particular location of the modified signal 315 and the string "song1" in a second predefined location of the modified signal 315. The server 111 can retrieve the information "identifier=200002" and the information "media ID=song1" from such modified signal 315 by their location within the signal only during evaluation of the signal, without the need for the terms "identifier" and "media ID" to be present within the signal itself.

[0338] 8, the server 111 receives the modification signal 315. In this operating state, in the allocation table 313, the identifier 200002 is assigned the media ID "Song 5".

[0339] Figure 9 shows the steps of a program routine according to the invention following the step of receiving the change signal 315 shown in Figure 8. In the steps shown in Figure 9, the server 111 deallocates the identifier 200002 to the media ID "song 5" in the allocation table 313. This is indicated in Figure 9 by the strikethrough of the media ID "song 5" in the row for identifier 200002 in the allocation table 313.

[0340] Figure 10 shows steps of a program routine according to the invention which follow the steps shown in Figure 9. In the steps shown in Figure 10, the server 111 assigns the media ID "Song 1" to the identifier 200002 in the allocation table 313. It does this by writing the media ID "Song 1" in the row and column "Media ID" of the identifier 200002 in the allocation table 313.

[0341] As a result, processing of the program routine (a series of steps illustrated in Figures 8, 9, and 23) has changed the assignment of identifier 200002 to media file "Song 5," which may also be referred to as the second Media ID, to media file "Song 1," which may also be referred to as the first Media ID, where the first Media ID (here media ID "Song 1") was not assigned to identifier 200002 prior to execution of the program routine (see Figure 7).

[0342] FIG. 11 shows the steps of a library routine provided on the server 111 according to the invention. The step of the library routine shown in FIG. 11 is the step of sending a library signal 316. In an earlier part of the library routine (not shown), a library request signal sent by the smartphone 112 to the server 111 has been received by the server 111. The library request signal contains a library criterion that has been selected such that, upon its application in the library routine, all media IDs assigned to the user "Paul" in the authentication table 314 are read from the authentication table 314 (library criterion "user media IDs"), without indicating the media IDs assigned to the user group "Home1" in the authentication table 314. The library signal 316 contains the information that the media IDs "song1", "song5" and "song6" have been assigned to the user "Paul" in the authentication table 314. This is symbolically represented in FIG. 11 by the table entries of the authentication table 314 that are assigned to the user "Paul" being assigned to the library signal 316 in FIG. 11 by a dashed line.

[0343] FIG. 12 shows a step of an inventory routine provided on the server 111 according to the invention. The step of the inventory routine shown in FIG. 12 is the step of sending an inventory signal 317. In an earlier part of the inventory routine (not shown), an inventory request signal sent by the smartphone 112 to the server 111 has been received by the server 111. The inventory request signal contains an inventory criterion that has been selected such that, upon its application in the inventory routine of the server 111, all identifiers that are stored in the identifier table 312 of the server and that are assigned in the identifier table 312 to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the user group table 309 of the server 111 are read (inventory criterion "user identifier"). The inventory signal contains information that in the identifier table 312, the identifiers 200001, 200002 and 200004 have been assigned to the user "Paul" or to a user group to which the user "Paul" belongs according to the user group table 309 (user group: "Home1"). This is symbolically represented in FIG. 12 by the table entries in identifier table 312 assigned to users “Paul” and “Home1” being assigned to inventory signal 317 by dashed lines in FIG.

[0344] FIG. 13 illustrates a screen display 400 that may be generated by a GUI that is part of a UI executed by a user on the smartphone 112.

[0345] As part of the screen display 400, filter buttons 401 are provided which the user can operate by interacting with the touch screen of the smartphone 112. Additionally, a filter button bar 402 is also provided which, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, has four predefined filter buttons 403, in particular a predefined filter button "All" 403, a predefined filter button "My Buttons" 403, a predefined filter button "Assign" 403, and a predefined filter button "Available" 403.

[0346] If the user operates the filter button 403 "All" by interacting with the touch screen of the smartphone 112, the user generates a library query having library criteria that, upon its application in the server's library routines, causes all media IDs stored in the server's media table to be retrieved (library criteria "All"). If the user operates the filter button 403 "My Button" by interacting with the touch screen of the smartphone 112, the user generates a library query having library criteria that, upon its application in the server's library routines, causes all media IDs assigned in the server's authentication table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the server's user group table to be retrieved from the server's authentication table (library criteria "User Media IDs"). When the user operates the filter button 403 "Assign" by interacting with the touch screen of the smartphone 112, the user accordingly generates a library query having a library criterion that, upon its application in the server's library routines, results in retrieval from the server's authentication table of all media IDs that are assigned in the authentication table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the server's user group table, and that are assigned in the server's assignment table to an identifier in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the server's user group table (library criterion "Assigned Media IDs").When the user operates the filter button 403 "Available" by interacting with the touch screen of the smartphone 112, the user accordingly generates a library query having a library criterion which, upon its application in the server's library routine, results in retrieval from the server's authentication table of all media IDs that are assigned in the server's authentication table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the server's user group table, and that are not assigned in the server's assignment table to an identifier that is assigned in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the server's user group table (library criterion "Free Media IDs").

[0347] The user interface drives and controls the smartphone 112 for the transmission of the library request signal. As shown in Fig. 11, the smartphone 112 and therewith the user interface receive the library signal 316 in response to the transmission of the library request signal. The user is shown all media IDs contained in the library signal 316 by means of the GUI, in particular in a screen display 400. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 13, the filter button 403 "All" has been pressed, which occurs by the button being outlined. In the central window 404 of the screen display 400, the display of the media IDs "Song 1", "Song 2", "Song 3", "Song 4", "Song 5", "Song 6" contained in the library signal 316 is made in the form of content buttons 405 that can be operated by the user by interaction with the touch screen of the smartphone 112.

[0348] 11 includes, in addition to the media IDs contained in the library signal ("Song 1", "Song 5", "Song 6"), information that these media IDs ("Song 1", "Song 5", "Song 6") are assigned to user "Paul" in authentication table 314 of server 111. This assignment is communicated to user "Paul" in screen display 400 by the content buttons 405 for media IDs "Song 1", "Song 5", and "Song 6" being checked in contrast to the content buttons 405 for media IDs "Song 2", "Song 3", and "Song 4".

[0349] Figure 13 shows a screen display 400 following receipt of the library signal 316 sent by the server 111 in the operating situation shown in Figure 11. In the operating situation shown in Figure 11, the user "Paul" has been assigned the media IDs "Song 1", "Song 5", and "Song 6" in the authentication table 314.

[0350] 14 shows a screen display 407 that may be generated by a GUI that is part of a UI executed by a user on smartphone 112. A user arrives at this screen display 407 when he or she presses content button 405 on screen display 400.

[0351] In the screen display 407, the selected media ID is displayed as a media image 415. In addition, the screen display 407 may include information about the series to which the media ID belongs, information about the playing time, information about the type of audio content ("broadcast drama"), information about the content of the summary format, information about the author, and information about the title list. The screen display 407 shown in FIG. 14 has an operation button 408.

[0352] 15 shows a screen display 409 that may be generated by a GUI that is part of a UI executed by a user on smartphone 112. By pressing action button 408 in screen display 407 (see FIG. 14), the user arrives at screen display 409 (see FIG. 15). In screen display 409, the selected media ID is displayed as a media image 415.

[0353] After pressing the action button 408 in screen display 407, the user interface executes the UI inventory routine and generates an inventory request signal. To generate the screen display 409 shown in Figure 15, an inventory request has been generated by the UI inventory routine having inventory criteria which, upon its application in the server's inventory routine, cause all identifiers stored in the server's identifier table and assigned to the user "Paul" or to the user group (Home 1) to which the user "Paul" belongs to to be read in the identifier table.

[0354] The user interface drives and controls the smartphone 112 for the transmission of the inventory request signal. As shown in Fig. 12, the smartphone 112 and therewith the user interface receive an inventory signal 317 in response to the transmission of the inventory request signal. The user is shown all identifiers contained in the inventory signal 317 by means of a GUI, in particular in a screen display 409. In a central window 411 of the screen display 409, the display of the identifiers 200001, 200002, 200004 contained in the inventory signal 317 is made in the form of identifier images 412 that can be manipulated by the user by interaction with the touch screen of the smartphone 112.

[0355] Screen display 409 includes scroll buttons 410. Operation of scroll buttons 410 allows a user to scroll through a series of identifier images 412 displayed in a central window 411. In the background, the user interface remembers which identifier image 412 has been placed within a selection frame 413 in central window 411, or alternatively, in the background, remembers the identifiers assigned to identifier images 412 displayed within the selection frame 413.

[0356] The screen display 409 includes an action button 414. When the user operates the action button 414, the user interface generates a change signal 315. In doing so, the user interface writes into the change signal 315 the identifier of the identifier image 412 that was in the selection frame 413 at the time the action button 414 was pressed. In addition, the user interface writes into the change signal 315 the media ID that was assigned to the media image 415 that the GUI displayed in the screen display 409. After the user interface has thus generated the change signal 315, the user interface causes the smartphone 112 to transmit the change signal 315. This change signal 315 is received by the server 111, which results in the implementation of a program routine of the type described in connection with Figures 8, 9 and 10. In this case, the identifier 200002 will be assigned the media ID "Song 6".

[0357] Figure 16 shows the screen display 400 of Figure 13 after receiving a library signal generated in an operational state of server 111 where media ID "Song 6" had not yet been assigned to user "Paul" in authorization table 314. This is identified in Figure 16 by the content button 405 for media ID "Song 6" not having a check mark.

[0358] FIG. 17 shows the screen display 407 of FIG. 14 after pressing the content button 405 for the media ID "Song 6" of FIG. 16. This is identified by the fact that in the screen display 407 the media image 415 is represented without a check mark. Since the GUI was informed via the library signal 316 that the media ID "Song 6" has not yet been assigned to the user "Paul" in the authorization table 314, it constructs the action button 408 differently. The operation of the action button 408 in the embodiment of FIG. 17 is the first step for generating an enable signal, in particular the generation of a start signal for a transfer routine, in particular the generation of a start signal for a PayPal® account for which an enable signal can be generated. The GUI may be executed such that the user is then directed again to the screen display according to FIG. 16. If the screen display is updated according to FIG. 16 while the user is assigned the media ID "Song 6" in the authorization table, the user will see the variant screen display 400 of FIG. 13 (content button 405 with a check mark).

[0359] 18 illustrates a screen display 416 that may be generated by a GUI that is part of a UI executed by a user on the smartphone 112. This screen display 416 may be generated by the UI after execution of a start-up routine, in particular after a user logs in.

[0360] Screen display 416 has seven windows 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, and 423. The content for these windows 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, and 423 can be determined by the UI within the start routine by executing various routines.

[0361] Window 417 is used to display to the user the identifiers of a particular type, in particular of the content type, that have been assigned to him in the identifier table. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the user is "Ulrike". In the example selected in FIG. 18, the user "Ulrike" has not yet been assigned an identifier of the identifier type "content type" in the identifier table 312. In order to determine the content to be displayed in window 417, within the framework of the UI start routine, the UI automatically generates an inventory query with inventory criteria that are selected in the framework of the UI start routine in such a way that, upon its application in the server's inventory routine, all identifiers that are stored in the server's identifier table and that are assigned in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the server's user group table and that are assigned in the identifier table the identifier type "content type" are read out. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the UI receives from the server in response to the inventory request signal thus generated an inventory signal that informs the UI that the user "Ulrike" has not yet been assigned an identifier of the identifier type "content type" in the identifier table 312. The GUI may then display default text in window 417, for example, "Oh no, you don't have any tonies yet!".

[0362] Window 419 is used to display to the user the identifiers of a particular type, in particular of the creative type, that have been assigned to him in the identifier table. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the user is "Ulrike". In the example selected in FIG. 18, the user "Ulrike" has already been assigned three identifiers of the identifier type "creative type" in the identifier table 312. In order to determine the content to be displayed in window 419, within the framework of the UI start routine, a UI inventory routine is executed. In doing so, within the framework of the UI start routine, the UI automatically generates an inventory query with inventory criteria that are selected in its application in the server's inventory routine, such that all identifiers that are stored in the server's identifier table and that are assigned in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the server's user group table and that are assigned in the identifier table the identifier type "creative type" are read out. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the UI receives an inventory signal from the server in response to the thus generated inventory request signal, informing the UI of the three identifiers that have been assigned to the user "Ulrike". These are displayed in window 419 by the GUI. Fig. 18 further shows that it is possible to use placeholders and images in the GUI instead of the identifiers themselves, i.e. instead of the UID, UUID or GUID possibly provided as identifiers. This makes the display of identifiers easier for the user. However, in the background, the UI remembers the identifiers assigned to each image, each placeholder.

[0363] In window 419 , identifiers in the form of identifier images 412 are displayed that have the identifier type “creative type” assigned to the user in identifier table 312 .

[0364] Window 418 is used to display to the user those media IDs that are not yet assigned to it in the authorization table, but which may be assigned to one of its identifiers, for example because they belong to the same series. In order to determine the content to be displayed in window 418, a UI library routine is executed within the UI start routine. The UI may then select, within the UI start routine, the library criteria for its application, as follows: During its own application in the server's library routines, o first determining in the server's identifier table all identifiers assigned to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs according to the server's user group table, and determining from these identifiers to which of these identifiers an identifier type indicating the assignment of this identifier to a particular series is derived, thereby determining all series to which the user has been assigned an identifier in the server's identifier table; then retrieving all media IDs stored in the server's media table that have been assigned membership in one of the so-determined series in the server's media table; o Then, from the media IDs so sought, automatically generate a library query having library criteria that may be selected to seek media IDs that are not assigned in the server's authentication table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the server's user group table. The library query is sent as a library request signal. In the embodiment shown in Figure 18, in response to the library request signal so generated, the UI receives a library signal from the server with media IDs for "Song 1", "Song 3", and "Song 4", which the UI displays in window 418 of the GUI.

[0365] The media IDs communicated to the UI by means of the library signal 316 are displayed as content buttons 405 in a window 418. By interacting with the GUI, in particular by pressing one of the content buttons 405, the user can reach the screen display 407. Based on the library criteria selected for this purpose, window 418 displays only media IDs that are not yet assigned to the user "Ulrike" in the authentication table 314, so that the user reaches the screen display 407 of the version of FIG. 17 by pressing one of the content buttons 405 in window 418.

[0366] The window 420 is used to display to the user the device identifiers assigned to him in the user table or to the user group to which he belongs in the user group table. In order to determine the content to be displayed in the window 420, a UI inventory routine is executed within the UI start routine. The UI then automatically generates an inventory query with inventory criteria selected in the UI start routine during its application in the server's inventory routine (inventory criteria "user device identifiers"), which are stored in the user table or in the user group table and are so assigned to the specific user in the user table or to the user group to which the specific user belongs according to the user group table. The inventory query is transmitted as an inventory request signal. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the UI receives an inventory signal with the device identifier from the server in response to the inventory request signal thus generated. FIG. 18 further shows that in the GUI it is possible to use placeholders and images instead of the device identifiers themselves, i.e. instead of the UID, UUID or GUID possibly provided as identifiers. This makes it easier for the user to display the device identifiers. However, in the background, the UI stores the device identifiers assigned to each image, to each placeholder.

[0367] Window 421 allows the user to initiate a UI user maintenance routine.

[0368] Windows 422 and 423 may be used to convey further information to the user, redirect the user to other screen displays in the GUI, or even redirect the user to another user interface, such as a shop.

[0369] Each of the windows 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, and 423 has action buttons 408. By actuating one of these action buttons 408, the user can reach other screen displays within the GUI from screen display 416, or even be transferred to another program, for example the GUI for a shop.

[0370] Pressing the action button 408 of window 418 ("Find More") may take the user to, for example, the screen display 400 according to FIG.

[0371] Figure 19 shows a screen display 424 as might be generated by a GUI that is part of a UI executed by a user on a laptop. By using the same reference numbers between Figures 18 and 19, it becomes clear that screen display 416 and screen display 424 differ with respect to the spatial arrangement of windows 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, and 423 and the size of each window 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, and 423, but that the windows display the same content.

[0372] Fig. 20 illustrates a screen display 425 that may be generated by a GUI that is part of a UI executed by a user on the smartphone 112. A user may arrive at the screen display 425 according to Fig. 20, for example, when the user interacts with one of the identifier images 412 in window 419 in the screen display 416 of Fig. 18.

[0373] In screen display 425, the selected identifier is displayed as identifier image 412. In information window 426, further information can be displayed for the identifier in identifier image 412. If the identifier in identifier image 412 is, for example, an identifier of identifier type "content type", in this case an identifier type for a particular series, for example "Benjamin Bluemchen®", then information about this series can be displayed in information window 426.

[0374] Screen display 425 further includes window 427 and filter buttons 428, and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 20 includes three predefined filter buttons 428, specifically predefined filter button 428 “New Content,” predefined filter button 428 “My Content,” and predefined filter button 428 “Details.”

[0375] When the user operates the filter button 428 "New Content" by interacting with the touch screen of the smartphone 112, the user accordingly applies the filter to the server's library routines. o first determining in the server's identifier table to which series the identifier type of the identifier shown as selected in FIG. 20 is assigned in the server's identifier table; Then, read all media IDs stored in the server's media table and assigned membership to this series in the server's media table; o Then, from the media IDs so sought, generate a library query having library criteria that are selected to seek media IDs that are not assigned in the server's authentication table to the particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the server's user group table. When the user operates the filter button 428 "My Content" by interacting with the touch screen of the smartphone 112, the user accordingly applies the filter to the server's library routines. o First, determine to which series in the server's identifier table the identifier type of the identifier displayed as selected in Figure 20 is assigned in the server's identifier table; Then, read all media IDs stored in the server's media table and assigned membership to this series in the server's media table; o Then, from the media IDs so determined, generate a library query having library criteria selected to determine media IDs that are assigned in the server's authentication table to the particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the server's user group table. When the user activates the filter button 428 “Details” by interacting with the touch screen of the smartphone 112, the GUI generates a screen display that provides further details for the identifier in the identifier image 412, such as information about the contents of the media ID currently assigned to the identifier, or information about the contents of the media file assigned to the media ID currently assigned to the identifier.

[0376] If the user activates one of the content buttons 405, the user can reach, for example, screen display 407. In the embodiment shown in Figure 20, the user reaches the version of screen display 407 of Figure 17 by activating content button 405, since window 427 displays media IDs that have not yet been assigned to the user in authorization table 314.

[0377] Screen display 425 further provides scroll buttons 410. This allows the user to toggle between various identifiers.

[0378] The GUI may create a frame for a screen display generated by it, or for a portion of a screen display generated by it, or may generate the same header 429 and footer 430 for all screen displays generated by the GUI, or for a portion of a screen display generated by the GUI, in which case the header 429 and footer 430 of a GUI for a smartphone may be different from a GUI for a laptop.

[0379] The header 429 may, for example, have a home button 431 that allows the user to jump to screen display 423 or 424 by operating the button. Additionally, an inbox button 432 may be provided within the header 429. By operating the inbox button 432, the user arrives at a screen where information / messages are displayed to the user.

[0380] FIG. 21 shows a screen display 432 as may be generated by a GUI that is part of a UI executed by a user on the smartphone 112. FIG. 21 shows a screen display 432 that the user can reach if he operates the action button 408 in the window 419 in the screen display 416 according to FIG. 18. This screen display 432 has windows 433, 434, 435. Furthermore, the screen display 433 has a filter button 436. If the user operates the filter button 436 "All" by interacting with the touch screen of the smartphone 112, the user thereby generates an inventory query having inventory criteria that are selected such that, upon its application in the inventory routine of the server, all identifiers that are stored in the identifier table of the server and that are assigned in the identifier table to a particular user or to a user group to which the particular user belongs according to the user group table of the server and that are assigned in the identifier table to a particular identifier type "creative type" are retrieved.

[0381] Window 433 displays to the user, in the form of identifier image 412, the identifiers that were included in the inventory signal communicated to the UI in response to the inventory request signal with the corresponding inventory criteria of filter button 436. Additionally, the user is provided with a means, using supplemental image 436, to initiate a routine that can allocate further identifiers in the server's identifier table.

[0382] Windows 434 and 435 allow the GUI to provide further interaction means for the user.

[0383] In the form of an identifier image 412 as selected in the embodiment of FIG. 21, user group information 437 is provided to the user within the identification image. This user group information 437 may indicate to which user groups the identifiers have been assigned in the server's identifier table. Here, in the display of the user group information 437, there is a means to display to the user the assignment of identifiers in the identifier table to user groups for which the current user is an administrator. Such user group information 437 may be called "My Home" as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 21. The user group information 437 may include the name of the user group for user groups for which the current user is not introduced as an administrator in the server's identifier table, which in the embodiment of FIG. 21 is "Ulrike".

[0384] The identifier image 412 in the embodiment of FIG. 21 may further include a modifying symbol 438 .

[0385] Fig. 22 shows another possible representation of the identifier image 412. In the embodiment of Fig. 22, the identifier image 412 does not have user group information 437, but a change symbol 438 is shown. Furthermore, the embodiment of the identifier image 412 according to Fig. 22 is provided with an assign button 439. By operating this assign button 439, the user can trigger a UI lock routine or a UI unlock routine.

[0386] FIG. 23 shows a screen of a window 440, which may be part of a screen display that the user can reach if he operates a change symbol 438, not shown in more detail. In the window 440, the identifier selected by him is displayed to the user. Furthermore, the user is provided with an assignment button 439 as a slide button. The assignment button 439 designed as a slide adjuster can take the position shown in FIG. 23 or the position shown in FIG. 24 by the user's interaction with the GUI. By shifting the slide adjuster of the assignment button 439 from the position shown in FIG. 23 to the position shown in FIG. 24, the user can trigger a UI lock routine. If the position of the assignment button 439 designed as a slide adjuster is changed from the position shown in FIG. 24 to the position shown in FIG. 23, the user can trigger a UI unlock routine.

[0387] Window 440 in Figures 23 and 24 has an action button 408. Operation of this action button 408 allows the user to trigger a routine that modifies the user group in the server and removes the assignment of the identifier shown in window 440 to the user group, shown as a home symbol 441 in 440.

[0388] Window 440 further includes a scroll button 410. In a preferred embodiment, scroll button 410 is used to scroll through the identifiers displayed in window 433. In an alternative embodiment, scroll button 410 can be used to jump back to screen display 432 according to FIG.

[0389] FIG. 25 shows a screen display 442 that can be generated by a GUI that is part of a UI executed by a user on the smartphone 112. FIG. 25 shows a screen display 442 that the user can reach if he operates the action button 408 in the window 420 in the screen display 416 according to FIG. 18. This screen display 442 has windows 433, 434. Furthermore, the screen display 443 has a filter button 446. If the user operates the filter but...

Claims

1. A server (111) for providing media files for download by a user, said server (111) comprising: an operating system; a media table (310) stored in memory, in which at least one first media ID is assigned to a first media file and a second media ID is assigned to a second media file; an identifier table (312) stored in a memory, in which identifiers that can be assigned to identifier carriers (8) are assigned to users; An allocation table (313) stored in memory; having In the allocation table (313), i the first media ID and / or the second media ID are assignable to the identifier; ii. the first media ID is not assigned to the identifier, in the server (111); a program routine is provided on the server (111), by means of which a user modifies the allocation table (313) and assigns the first media ID to an identifier in the allocation table (313), Server (111).

2. the server (111) is designed to trigger the program routine upon receipt of a change signal (315), the program routine including a step of evaluating the change signal (315); The server of claim 1.

3. The server (111) An authentication table (314) in which multiple media IDs are assigned to one user; and / or An authentication table (314) where one media ID is assigned to multiple users; and / or an authentication table (314) in which a plurality of media IDs are assigned to a user group including a first and a second user; and / or An authentication table (314) where one media ID is assigned to a user group. Including, The server according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The server (111) includes a library routine provided thereon that causes transmission of a library signal (316), the library signal (316) including one or more media IDs, the library routine performing the following steps: - reading at least one media ID corresponding to a library criterion from said media table (310); and / or - reading from an authentication table (314) at least one media ID assigned to a user in said authentication table (314) and corresponding to a library criterion; The server according to claim 3.

5. the library criteria is selected such that, during its use in the library routine, all media IDs stored in the media table (310) are read (library criteria "all"), and / or the library criteria has been selected such that, for its use in the library routine, all media IDs stored in the media table (310) and assigned in the media table (310) specific metadata, for example membership in a specific series or a specific categorization, for example assignment to a style (pop, classical, RnB) are read (library criteria "specific metadata"); and / or said library criterion has been selected such that, upon its application in said library routine, all media IDs that are assigned in said authorization table (314) to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to a user group table (309) are read from said authorization table (314) (library criterion "user media IDs"), and / or the library criterion has been selected such that, upon its application in the library routine, all media IDs stored in the media table (310) and not assigned in the authorization table (314) to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to the user group table (309) are read (library criterion "new media ID"), and / or said library criterion has been selected in such a way that, during its application in said library routine, all media IDs are read from said authentication table (314) that are assigned in said authentication table (314) to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to said user group table (309) and that are assigned in said assignment table (313) to a particular user in said identifier table (312) or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to said user group table (309) (library criterion "assigned media IDs"), and / or said library criterion has been selected in such a way that, during its application in said library routine, all media IDs are read from said authentication table (314) which belong to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to said user group table (309) and which are not assigned in said assignment table (313) to an identifier assigned in said identifier table (312) to a particular user or to a user group to which a particular user belongs according to said user group table (309) (library criterion "free media ID"); The server according to claim 4.

6. When the server (111) receives a signal from the playback device (1) indicating that the playback device (1) has detected an identifier carrier (8) assigned to a first identifier, the first media file is downloaded to the playback device (1); the second media file is downloaded to the playback device (1) when the server (111) receives a signal from the playback device (1) indicating that the playback device (1) has detected an identifier carrier (8) assigned to a second identifier; A server according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the first media file is downloaded to the playback device (1) when the server receives a signal from the playback device (1) indicating that the playback device (1) has detected an identifier carrier (8) assigned to the identifier; A server according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. the program routine checks whether an identifier whose assignment to a media ID is to be changed when the program routine is executed is assigned in an identifier table to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs; A server according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. 1. A system comprising: - comprising a server (111) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a program for interacting with said server (111), or - a server (111) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a program for interacting with said server (111), and an external device on which said program can be executed, or - a server (111) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and an identifier carrier (8), said identifier carrier (8) having an identifier readable by a reading device, or - a server (111) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a program for interacting with said server (111), and an identifier carrier (8), said identifier carrier (8) having an identifier readable by a reading device, or - a server (111) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a program for interacting with said server (111), an external device on which said program can be executed, and an identifier carrier (8), said identifier carrier (8) having an identifier readable by a reading device, or - comprising a server (111) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a playback device (1), or - comprising a server (111) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a program for interacting with said server (111), and a playback device (1), or - a server (111) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a program for interacting with said server (111), an external device on which said program can be executed, and a playback device (1), or - comprising a server (111) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, an identifier carrier (8) having an identifier readable by a reading device, and further comprising a playback device (1), or a server (111) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a program for interacting with said server (111), and an identifier carrier (8), said identifier carrier (8) having an identifier readable by a reading device, and further comprising a playback device (1), or A server (111) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a program for interacting with said server (111), an external device on which said program can be executed, and an identifier carrier (8), said identifier carrier (8) having an identifier readable by a reading device, and further comprising a playback device (1), system.

10. The playback device (1) - speaker (138) or speaker connection terminal; a sensor (120) capable of detecting within the region of its environment a characteristic of this environment or a change in said characteristic; a control unit (130); having said control unit (130) is configured to be able to control said speaker (138) or said speaker connection terminal to play music or a story when said sensor (120) detects within the area of ​​said environment a particular characteristic of said environment or a particular change in said characteristic or when said control unit (130) detects a particular change in the characteristic detected by said sensor (120).

10. The system of claim 9.

11. A method for providing a media file for downloading from a server (111) by a user, comprising: The server (111) an operating system; a media table (310) stored in memory, in which at least one first media ID is assigned to a first media file and a second media ID is assigned to a second media file; an identifier table (312) stored in a memory, in which identifiers that can be assigned to identifier carriers (8) are assigned to users; An allocation table (313) stored in memory; having In the allocation table (313), i the identifier is assignable to at least the first media ID or the second media ID; ii. the first media ID is not assigned to the identifier; In the method, a program routine provided on the server (111) is executed, whereby the allocation table (313) is modified to assign the first media ID to the identifier in the allocation table (313); method.

12. When the server (111) receives a signal from the playback device (1) indicating that the playback device (1) has detected an identifier carrier (8) assigned to a first identifier, the first media file is downloaded to the playback device (1); the second media file is downloaded to the playback device (1) when the server (111) receives a signal from the playback device (1) indicating that the playback device (1) has detected an identifier carrier (8) assigned to a second identifier; The method of claim 11.

13. the first media file is downloaded to the playback device (1) when the server receives a signal from the playback device (1) indicating that the playback device (1) has detected an identifier carrier (8) assigned to the identifier; The method of claim 11.

14. the program routine checks whether an identifier whose assignment to a media ID is to be changed when the program routine is executed is assigned in an identifier table to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs; 14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

15. A method for providing a media file for downloading from a server (111) by a user, comprising: The server (111) an operating system; a media table (310) stored in memory, in which at least one first media ID is assigned to a first media file and a second media ID is assigned to a second media file; an identifier table (312) stored in a memory, in which identifiers that can be assigned to identifier carriers (8) are assigned to users; An allocation table (313) stored in memory; having In the allocation table (313), i the identifier is assignable to at least the first media ID or the second media ID; ii. the first media ID is not assigned to the identifier; In the method, A UI change routine is executed on the user interface which causes the sending of a change signal (315); The modification signal (315) is - includes a first media ID, or a first media ID and an identifier, the server receiving the modification signal (315) and executing a program routine for allowing a user to modify the allocation table (313) after receiving the modification signal (315) and for assigning the first media ID to an identifier in the allocation table (313), method.

16. - transmitting a library signal (316) by said server (111), said library signal (316) including one or more media IDs; - implementing a UI library routine in the user interface, the UI library routine including receiving the library signal (316) sent by the server; - generating and transmitting the change signal (315) in the UI change routine, the change signal (315) including one of the media IDs included in the library signal (316); Characterized by:

16. The method of claim 15.

17. When the server (111) receives a signal from the playback device (1) indicating that the playback device (1) has detected an identifier carrier (8) assigned to a first identifier, the first media file is downloaded to the playback device (1); the second media file is downloaded to the playback device (1) when the server (111) receives a signal from the playback device (1) indicating that the playback device (1) has detected an identifier carrier (8) assigned to a second identifier; 17. The method according to claim 15 or 16.

18. the first media file is downloaded to the playback device (1) when the server receives a signal from the playback device (1) indicating that the playback device (1) has detected an identifier carrier (8) assigned to the identifier; 17. The method according to claim 15 or 16.

19. the program routine checks whether an identifier whose assignment to a media ID is to be changed when the program routine is executed is assigned in an identifier table to the user or to a user group to which the user belongs; 19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18.

20. An apparatus for data processing, comprising means for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, A device for processing data.

21. An apparatus for data processing, comprising means for carrying out one of the steps of the method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, A device for processing data.

22. A computer program, in particular a computer program product, comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out one of the methods according to any one of claims 11 to 14. Computer program.

23. A computer program, in particular a computer program product, comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out one of the methods according to any one of claims 15 to 19. Computer program.

24. A computer-readable recording medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform one of the methods according to any one of claims 11 to 14. A computer-readable recording medium.

25. A computer readable recording medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform one of the methods according to any one of claims 15 to 19. A computer-readable recording medium.

26. The server (111) An authentication table (314) in which multiple media IDs are assigned to one user; and / or An authentication table (314) where one media ID is assigned to multiple users; and / or an authentication table (314) in which a plurality of media IDs are assigned to a user group including a first and a second user; and / or An authentication table (314) where one media ID is assigned to a user group. Including, The method of claim 11.

27. The server (111) An authentication table (314) in which multiple media IDs are assigned to one user; and / or An authentication table (314) where one media ID is assigned to multiple users; and / or an authentication table (314) in which a plurality of media IDs are assigned to a user group including a first and a second user; and / or An authentication table (314) where one media ID is assigned to a user group. Including, 16. The method of claim 15.

Images