Abstract:
A method operates an infotainment system in order to provide an overview of audio data records detected by a music output device. An evaluation device arranges the detected audio data records into an audio data record group according to a selection criterion, e.g. the artist. The evaluation device determines a value of a predetermined user-relevant evaluation variable for each audio data record. On the basis of the respective values, the evaluation device then determines a ranking list of the audio data records in each audio data record group. The evaluation device generates a digital image for each audio data record and assigns the images of those audio data records that are combined into an audio data record group to an image group. The position of the images in an image group depends on the position of the respective associated audio data record in the ranking list.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based on and hereby claims priority to International Application No. PCT/EP2013/003529 filed on Nov. 22, 2013 and German Application No. 10 2013 000 369.5 filed on Jan. 11, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a method for operating an infotainment system for providing an overview of a plurality of audio data sets (digital audio records) acquired by a music output device, which audio data sets were therefore, at least once, stored, buffer-stored and output by the music output device or were downloaded from an external data server. In this case, the acquired audio data sets are grouped in accordance with a selection criterion. 
         [0003]    Modern infotainment systems of motor vehicles offer a user of a motor vehicle diverse functions in the area of entertainment. User-friendly operability is always of interest here since the user, when operating such devices, should if possible not be distracted too much from the driving situation. Particularly in the case of functions, such as music reproduction, in which large volumes of data are managed and accessible by the user, assistance of the user is therefore particularly expedient. 
         [0004]    JP 2005 302 012 A describes a so-called music map, that is to say an overview of music files, with a symbol for music information stored in a music file in each case being represented thereon. 
         [0005]    JP 2004 292 921 A discloses a music reproduction device which can be used to search for music files in a simplified manner. The device makes it possible for symbols that represent a music file to be imaged on a two-dimensional map. 
         [0006]    WO 2011/145835 A2 likewise describes a system for generating and displaying a music map. Various items of information concerning music files currently being listened to by a specific group of people can be displayed on a map according to interpreter, song or a regional hit parade. 
         [0007]    The services known in the related art do not relate to the requirements of an automobile driver searching for a specific type of music that fulfills specific criteria e.g. during a journey. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    One possible object is to simplify the search for an audio data set for a motor vehicle driver. 
         [0009]    The inventor proposes a method for providing an overview of a plurality of audio data sets on a display area of a display device of a motor vehicle, which audio data sets have already been acquired by a music output device, e.g. by a player of an infotainment system or by a network of players. 
         [0010]    The overview is provided by a rating device, that is to say by a device, a device component or a computer program which is designed for data processing. The rating device classifies the acquired audio data sets into one of a plurality of audio data set groups in accordance with a selection criterion, that is to say sorts the acquired audio data sets e.g. according to the interpreter. The rating device then determines a value of a predetermined rating variable with respect to each acquired audio data set and rates it therewith. 
         [0011]    The rating variable indicates a relevance of the audio data set to the user, that is to say e.g. the number of processes of outputting the acquired audio data set that have already been carried out via the music output device. The rating device determines within each audio data set group a ranking list of the rated audio data sets classified therein on the basis of the respective values for the rating variable. A music file that has been listened to e.g. very frequently by a user is therefore at a higher position on the ranking list than a music file that is listened to only rarely. As a result, the audio data sets are subjectively rated and the ranking list represents the preferences of the user. 
         [0012]    The rating device generates with respect to each audio data set a digital image representing the respective audio data set. This can be e.g. an image of the associated album cover or interpreter or e.g. a colored square. 
         [0013]    The rating device then classifies each digital image into an image group in a manner dependent on the association of the associated audio data set with a audio data set group. In other words, within an image group those images are then combined whose associated audio data sets are likewise combined in an audio data set group, and the digital images are thus grouped according to the same selection criterion. 
         [0014]    For providing the overview of the audio data sets, the rating device then arranges the images in groups corresponding to the image groups. The position of the images within an image group is determined in a manner dependent on the position of the respective associated audio data set in the ranking list. 
         [0015]    The resultant graphic can be displayed on a display area by the rating device transmitting e.g. the graphic to a corresponding device component, e.g. a screen of the infotainment system, for display. The graphic serves as an overview of the acquired audio data sets, on the basis of which the user rapidly finds his/her preferred music title and the user&#39;s attention need not be diverted from the driving situation for long since laborious searching in e.g. an alphabetic sorting is obviated. 
         [0016]    In this case, an audio data set can comprise either one or a plurality of audio files, that is to say e.g. music files or voice recordings. If an audio data set comprises a plurality of audio files, then the latter may have been combined by the rating device in accordance with a further selection criterion. The rating device then generates an individual digital image for a plurality of audio files that are e.g. by the same interpreter (performer/recording artist). If the first selection criterion is e.g. a music genre, then it is possible to generate a digital image for an audio data set comprising all those audio files that are e.g. by a specific interpreter of this genre. Such insertion of subgroups enables even more audio files to be represented more clearly. 
         [0017]    In the proposed method, the audio data sets can be grouped and/or rated according to different selection criteria and rating variable. The selection criterion can be e.g. an interpreter, an album, a music genre and/or a period of time, e.g. a decade or a year of publication. The rating variable can e.g. indicate how often an audio data set has already been output, stored and buffer-stored via the music output device and/or downloaded from a vehicle-external data server, and/or how many audio data sets of the same interpreter have been acquired by the music output device. The rating variable can also comprise a digitally acquired rating of the audio data set by the user. Such a rating can be issued by a user e.g. by virtue of the fact that said user, via a corresponding function provided e.g. by the music output device, can award a specific number of “stars” e.g. to an audio data set and can store this rating. 
         [0018]    In this case, the selection criterion and/or the rating variable can be selected by the user by an operating action, e.g. by the operation of a rotary/pushbutton controller. In this case, the rating device receives a selection signal thus generated for selecting the selection criterion and/or the rating variable. 
         [0019]    In one preferred embodiment, the rating device determines a position within the image group for a first image of an audio data set having the highest position in the ranking list. The distance between the further images and the first image is dependent on the position of the respective audio data set in the ranking list. In this case, the rating device can use an algorithm that determines the appearance of an arrangement of images e.g. by a random variable. The rating device can use an algorithm that sets the first image into the center of the image group and positions the further images e.g. helically around the first image in accordance with the ranking list of the audio data sets. Such an arrangement clearly visualizes the relevance of the acquired audio data sets and prevents the driver from being distracted from the driving situation. 
         [0020]    The rating device can also generate an image having a predetermined marking, in particular a color or brightness, in a manner dependent on the position of the respective associated audio data set in the ranking list. 
         [0021]    The image can comprise a two-dimensional or a three-dimensional image. The images can also be arranged three-dimensionally by the rating device. The image has in an extension direction a dimension or length which represents the position of the respective associated audio data set in the ranking list. In this regard, e.g. a bar chart can be produced. 
         [0022]    In one preferred embodiment of the method an operating action on the part of the user, e.g. tapping an image on e.g. a touch-sensitive screen, can generate a selection signal that is transmitted to the rating device. The rating device generates a signal for outputting the selected audio data set upon receiving the selection signal. Alternatively, upon receiving the selection signal the rating device can alter the arrangement of the images such that e.g. the selected image is highlighted. By such an operating action, the graphic can also be e.g. zoomed in or out or displaced on the display area. This enables rapid “rummaging” in an audio data set collection. 
         [0023]    The inventor also proposes a rating device designed to carry out one of the above-described embodiments of the proposed method. In this case, the rating device is preferably integrated into the music output device, such as e.g. as a microcontroller of the music output device or as a computer program. 
         [0024]    The inventor furthermore proposes a motor vehicle, in particular an automobile, which comprises the proposed rating device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram concerning the principle of one embodiment of the proposed method, 
           [0027]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  in each case show an example of an excerpt from a graphic which may have been created in each case in accordance with one embodiment of the proposed method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0028]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0029]    In one exemplary embodiment, the principle underlying the proposed method is illustrated with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0030]    In the present example, the music output device  10  is e.g. a component of an infotainment system, which component is designed for outputting audio data sets, that is to say for playing back music. Said music output device  10  comprises the rating device  12 , for example a microcontroller of the music output device  10  or software which is stored in the infotainment system and which is designed to carry out an embodiment of the proposed method. The music output device  10  can furthermore comprise e.g. a storage device  28 , in which audio data sets can be stored, and a display device  24 , e.g. a screen of the infotainment system or of some other device, on which an overview generated by the method can be displayed as a graphic  26 . Particularly the storage device  28  and/or the rating device  12  can also be wholly or partly integrated in a data server external to the motor vehicle, while the music output device  10  comprises a music output unit of a motor vehicle. The storage device  28  can e.g. also comprise a memory of a local infotainment system, a USB stick or an SD card. 
         [0031]    First, in S 10 , the rating device  12  classifies the audio data sets acquired in the music output device  10  in each case in a plurality of audio data set groups  14  in accordance with a selection criterion (“SEL CRIT”). In order to enable such a classification, the rating device  12  can e.g. generate a signal for requesting the audio data sets and transmit it to the storage device  28  (S 5 ). The storage device  28  can then transmit e.g. a list of the stored audio data sets to the rating device  12 . The selection criterion is either predefined by the rating device  12 , for example, or can be selected (S 80 ) by a user by initiating a selection signal, e.g. by operating a menu by a touch-sensitive operator interface (e.g. touch screen or touch pad), a mouse or a rotary/pushbutton controller, in particular by touch pad integrated into a rotary/pushbutton controller. 
         [0032]    In the present example, the selection criterion shall be the music genre, for example, with respect to which in  FIG. 1  the acquired audio data sets are classified into three different groups  14 , e.g. “folk music” (“#1”), “rock music” (“#2”) and “film music” (“#3”). Alternatively, e.g. a grouping can be carried out in accordance with a mood conveyed by the music (e.g. “relaxation” or “somber music”). 
         [0033]    In S 20  (illustrated in  FIG. 1  only on the basis of the audio data set group  14  “#2”), the audio data sets within each group  14  are rated. For this purpose, the rating device  12  determines with respect to each audio data set a value  16  (“x”) in accordance with a rating variable (“REF”). Said rating variable indicates a relevance of the audio data set to the user, that is to say a subjective relevance, within the respective group  14 . The relevance of the audio data set to the user is expressed e.g. in the frequency of the playback of an audio data set by the music output device  10 . Another possible rating variable is e.g. the number of processes of transmission of the audio data set from e.g. a vehicle-external media server to the music output device  10 , the number of processes of storage or buffer-storage of the audio data set, and/or the number of those acquired audio data sets which are by e.g. an identical interpreter. In this case, the number of processes can be counted e.g. by a counter e.g. of the rating device  12  or elsewhere in the music output device  10  and can be stored e.g. in a file which supplements the audio data set and which is then read e.g. by the rating device  12 . The rating variable can also comprise a digitally acquired user rating of the audio data set, as already described above. Such information, like e.g. the information concerning an interpreter as well, can be present in a file supplementing the audio data set or in the audio data set. 
         [0034]    In this case, provision can be made for the rating variable taken as a basis to be selected or set by the user (S 80 ). In this case, the selection can be carried out as already described above for the selection of the selection criterion. 
         [0035]    Afterward, in S 30 , the rating device  12  determines a ranking list  18  within each audio data set group  14  on the basis of the respective value  16  of the individual audio data set. In the example in  FIG. 1 , e.g. four audio data sets are classified in the audio data set group  14  “rock music” (“#2”). A first audio data set was played back e.g. particularly often, e.g. ten times within the last month, and therefore has the highest ranking (“1st”) on the ranking list  18  of the group “#2”. Two further audio data sets were played back e.g. eight times in the same period of time and both have a middle ranking (“2 nd ”), while a further audio data set was played back very rarely and therefore occupies the last ranking on the ranking list  18  (“3 rd ”). 
         [0036]    The rating device  12  generates with respect to each audio data set a digital image  20  representing the respective audio data set (S 40 ). This can be e.g. an image of an album cover associated with the audio data set, but also a field, in particular a square field, having e.g. a specific color or brightness. In the example, the following digital images  20  are associated with the audio data sets: A, B, C and D. These images  20  are classified into an image group  22 , wherein in each case those images  20  whose associated audio data sets are combined in the same audio data set group  14  are combined in an image group  22  (S 50 ). In the example, the images  20  are combined as image group “#2” and are transmitted to the display device  24  (S 60 ). The positions of the images  20  within an image group  22  are likewise determined by the rating device  12 , to be precise in a manner dependent on the position of the respective associated audio data set in the ranking list  18 . Accordingly, the images  20  are arranged on the display area of the display device  24  within the image group  22 , such that the arrangement of the images represents the ranking list of the audio data sets. 
         [0037]    In the present example, a graphic  26  arises which shows for example the image group  22  “#2” in  FIG. 1 . In this example, the images  20  B, D and C are arranged around the image A of the most played audio data set, wherein the images  20  of the audio data sets of the ranking “2 nd ” bear directly against the image  20  A, and the image C, corresponding to the lower ranking “3 rd ”, is even further away from the image  20  A. In this example, therefore, the distance of the images  20  B, D and C from the image  20  A is dependent on the position of the respective audio data set in the ranking list  18 . The other image groups  22  can also be generated and arranged on the display area in this way. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  in each case show one example of an excerpt from a graphic  26  which may have been created in each case in accordance with one embodiment of the method according and as already described with regard to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0039]    The image groups  22  composed of digital individual images  20 , each of which can represent a music file or a music file group, are shown on the graphic  26  in  FIG. 2A . In the present example, the fields of the images  20  of particularly preferred audio data sets have a brighter area than those of less preferred audio data sets. The image groups  22  are at a greater distance from one another than the distance between the adjacent image or images  20  within an image group  22 . This gives rise to a graphic  26  on which the image group  22  form clear accumulations. Moreover, such a graphic  26  has an analogy—which is clear to the user—to e.g. a navigation map on which the image groups  22  form e.g. “continents” or “promontories” and are separated e.g. by “oceans”. In the center of the graphic  26 , two image groups  22  can be seen, for example, which are connected by two individual images  20 , for example. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2B  shows the images  20 , here e.g. digital images  20  of a respective album cover or square field, of a zoomed image group  20 . Only some of the images  20  are identified by reference signs in  FIG. 2B  (and likewise in  FIG. 2A ). The arrangement of the images  20  is three-dimensional, such that those images  20  in the center of the image group  22  whose associated audio data sets are particularly preferred, for example, appear to be tilted obliquely upward. Alternatively, in the course of a navigation through the images  20  or a selection of an image  20 , the images  20  or the image  20  over which e.g. a mouse pointer moves or which the user selects appear(s) to be tilted obliquely upward. 
         [0041]    On the graphic  26  in both  FIGS. 2A and 2B , additional symbols  32  can be seen, comprising e.g. buttons for additional functions of e.g. the rating device  12  or the music output device  10 , e.g. a gearwheel symbol  32  for a menu of the settings of the music output device  10 , for example, or a plurality of symbols  32  arranged in a symbol strip  34 . Text fields  30  can likewise be seen, which display e.g. a caption (“Medial Music Map”), information concerning an audio data set group (“Electronic”) or concerning an audio data set (“Madonna”, “MDNA (Delux Edition”)) or e.g. a time of day (“10:24 AM”). 
         [0042]    The examples illustrate the concept of representing music in an e.g. two- or in particular three-dimensional music map e.g. analogously to a navigation map. In this case, the arrangement of the music map is based on user-relevant criteria. By way of example, different genres can be different “continents” between which lie regions (“oceans”) that separate the genres from one another. 
         [0043]    By way of example, interpreters are grouped by the images of an in particular square, basic area. A plurality of interpreters e.g. in the same genre are arranged alongside one another, for example, and so e.g. the continent of the genre arises therefrom. 
         [0044]    By way of example, the number of albums or titles with respect to an interpreter produces the height, and so a three-dimensional structure arises in the case of a plurality of interpreters alongside one another. As distance relation, it is possible, alternatively or supplementarily, to use the algorithms which are known from e.g. “genius” and which determine similarity of music. The music search is facilitated as a result. 
         [0045]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof and examples, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention covered by the claims which may include the phrase “at least one of A, B and C” as an alternative expression that means one or more of A, B and C may be used, contrary to the holding in  Superguide  v.  DIRECTV , 69 USPQ2d 1865 (Fed. Cir. 2004).