FR2624294A1 - Method and device for audio distribution of commercial information by remotely loading into digital memories for reproduction on demand - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for audio distribution of commercial or professional information and/or of musical selections for background music, characterized in that it includes: a remote-loading transmitter assembly comprising at least one sound-producing device, a device for mixing the sounds produced, an analog/digital converter and a device for remote transmission of signals, a remote-loading receiver assembly comprising a signal receiving device 5, a signal level-shifting device 6, a random-access memory 7, a digital/analog converter 8 and an audio distribution device 9 taking the digitized sounds from the memory 7 and retransmitting them, after analog conversion, at audible frequencies.

Description

 Method and device for the sound diffusion of coroial information by download in nurigues ires for reproduction in denande.

 The invention relates to a method and a device for the sound diffusion of commercial information by downloading into digital memories from a server center broadcasting musical and / or advertising selections for subscribers, equipped with receivers and digital memory card, for reproduction purposes.

Many companies, in particular shopping centers, hotels, company headquarters, banks, etc., distribute sound backgrounds on their premises, on which advertising messages may be superimposed. These sound backgrounds and these advertising messages are previously recorded on a magnetic tape and are broadcast on the user's premises by means of a sound installation.
The preparation of such tapes, in particular when they contain advertising messages, is increasingly carried out by professionals. The delivery of these tapes involves transport and therefore limits the frequency of renewal of advertising messages and sound backgrounds.

 The invention aims to overcome this drawback by providing a method and a device making it possible to relieve the user of the handling of the bands of advertising messages and / or musical backgrounds, and the supplier, of the transport of these bands and allowing this makes more frequent renewal of advertising messages as well as audio backgrounds.

 This object is achieved thanks to the method according to the invention in which the broadcasting takes place by download, from a remote server center, of the digitized sounds to a user equipped with means for receiving these digitized signals and for storing. as well as means for transforming digital data into analog data capable of being reproduced in a sound broadcasting installation.

 The transmission between the server center and the recipient can be carried out by modem and by telephone line or by HF link.

 There is shown in the accompanying drawing an embodiment of the invention.

We see
Figure 1: a block diagram of a server center installation for downloading according to the invention.

 Figure 2: a block diagram of an installation for using the download and sound distribution.

 In Figure 1, there is shown in 1 a set of sound playback and recording apparatus comprising a tape recorder la, a disc player lb and a microphone lc.

 The sounds of these different instruments can be either pre-mixed and prerecorded on the tape recorder la, or used directly for transmission, possibly being mixed in the mixing device 2. The signal is then sent to an analog / digital converter Za which digitizes the sounds and transmits them in this form to a teletransmission device 4. This consists of a modem 4a connected to the telephone network and an HF transmitter 4b.

 The user center shown in FIG. 2 comprises a device for receiving signals 5 constituted by a modem 5a connected to the telephone network and an HF receiver 5b receiving the signals transmitted by the HF transmitter 4b from the server center according to FIG. 1.

After processing in an upgrade device 6, the signals received by the modem 5a or the HF receiver 5b are sent into a random access memory 7 to be stored there. A sound diffusion device 9, provided with diffusion means and with means for taking information contained in the memory 7, takes from it the digital sound information which is returned to it by the memory 7 through a digital / analog converter 8 , in analog form to be broadcast by at least one speaker.

 The system according to the invention makes it possible to download musical selections and advertising messages, pre-recorded or not, in installations located at a distance from the server center, these installations performing broadcasting in public places for example or on digital devices. 'telephone waiting.

 The system works as follows.

 At the central messaging site, a recording studio prepares music selections and advertising messages. These recordings are converted into digital signals for teletransmission.

This constitutes the host center.

 Subscribed customers (shopping centers, hotels, company headquarters, banks, etc.) are equipped with the receiver (HF or Modem and a digital memory card.

 At night or at any other suitable time, the host center calls the subscribed receivers, via the switched network or by rapid telephone line, and transmits to the memory addresses provided, either sound funds corresponding to the customer's taste, or advertising messages intended for superimpose on the background.

 In this way, the host center can "refresh" frequently, without intervention from the client and with the quality of the digital technique, the sound backgrounds and its personalized messaging.

 This invention is not limited to downloading for broadcast by loudspeaker in a public or professional place.

 By equipping a telephone answering machine with a modem and a digital memory, the answering machine can be transformed into a downloadable receiver of messages, prerecorded for example waiting messages.

 It is also possible to download from the switched network a memory of sound elements located in a minitel by means of an appropriate extension card which will be inserted in a minitel whose modem will be used.

 The user of the minitel will therefore not only be able to read the information sought on the screen but also hear audio messages.

Claims (8)

 1. - Process for the sound diffusion of commercial or professional information and / or musical selections for sound backgrounds, intended to be reproduced on demand by a user, characterized in that the diffusion is carried out by downloading, from a server center located remotely, digital sounds to a user equipped with means for receiving these digital signals and storage as well as means for transforming digital data into analog data capable of being reproduced in a sound broadcasting installation.  2. - Method according to claim 1, characterized in that one sends the sounds, mixed or not, to an analog / digital converter, that the digitized sounds are then sent to a remote transmission system which in turn transmits them to at least one teletransmission receiver, that the digital data received are memorized and taken on demand from the memory to be sent to a digital / analog converter and transmitted in this form to at least one sound broadcaster.  3. - Method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the sounds are recorded before their digitization.  4. - Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the sounds from sources are mixed before recording.  5. - Sound diffusion device for commercial or professional information and / or musical selections for sound backgrounds, characterized in that it comprises  - a download transmitter assembly comprising at least one sound production device (1), a device for mixing the sounds produced (2), an analog / digital converter (3> and a signal teletransmission device (4),  - a download receiver assembly comprising a signal reception device <5>, a signal leveling device (6), a random access memory (7>, a digital / analog converter (8? and a sound broadcasting device (9) taking the digitized sounds in memory <7> to retransmit them, after analog conversion, into audible frequencies.  6. - Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the sound production device (1) consists of a tape recorder (1a) and / or a disc player (1b) and / or a microphone (1 C).  7. - Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the signal teletransmission device (4? Is constituted by a modem (4a) for transmission by telephone lines and / or by a high frequency transmitter t4b).  8. - Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the signal reception device (5) consists of a modem (5a) and / or by a high frequency receiver C5b).