FR2800188A1 - Support for compressed digital data and reading and recording device for such a support, where the invention relates particularly to files stored in MP3 format, with the support having an updateable area for contents display - Google Patents

Abstract

Support comprises a chip card (1) with one or more micro-circuits, and an electrically erasable memory (11). This is capable of storing the compressed digital data. In addition the chip card has an erasable and re-writable printing area (3) on one of its faces for printing information relating to memory (11) contents. The invention also relates to a reader- recorder for such media support.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a support for compressed digital data such as audio files, image files or video files. .

The invention also relates to a device and / or recorder of said medium.

Many data storage media-erasable and rewritable already exist. </ B>

In particular, magnetic tapes can be mentioned. The magnetic tapes are in the form of audio or video cassettes. We can also mention the storage on optical digital medium such as sup ports mini-discs or CDs (compact discs).

also include storage in microcircuits such as multi-media cards as well as memory sticks.

The first families of media comprise on the support itself and on the packaging boxes, zones reserved for identifying the contents of the carrier. This identification is most often in the form of paper or cardboard labels written either by hand or printed.

The last support family consists of small objects (less than <5> CM2) and is typically used to store video images or application data. It is clear that on this second family of support there is no place for the registration of information relating to the content of these microcircuits. The present invention makes it possible to remedy this problem. The invention furthermore makes it possible to provide a compressed information medium corresponding to the MPEG-2 (Moving Pictures Experts Group) code format and more particularly to the MP3 audio format (MPEG Audio Layer3) as regards the audio coding of the audio files. MPEG darts.

It should be remembered that the MP3 format is part of the MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video format, MPEG-1 having almost completely disappeared from the MPEG-2 format. MP3 encoding reduces the size of a typical audio file by up to twelve times. The main interest of this format is to achieve a very high compression ratio without loss of sound quality.

<B> A </ B> as an example, with a four-minute audio recording in CD quality (stereo, 44.1 KHz, <B> 16 </ B> bits) it's easy to reach <B> 50 < / B> MB (megabytes) for <B> </ B> Waves <B>. </ B> After MP3 compression, the fi le will not exceed 4 MB without degradation.

It is clear that this encoding format audio files is particularly suitable for downloading audio files on the INTERNET.

Thus the invention also aims to provide compatible support for downloading by means of telecommunications network, mobile telephony or Internet, compressed audio or video files or images.

The invention therefore more particularly relates to a support for compressed digital data in the form of audio files, image files or video files, mainly characterized in that it is realized by a card <B> to </ B> chip comprising one or more microcircuits <B> to </ B> memory electrically erasable, able to <B> to store said compressed digital data.

According to another characteristic, the chip card includes an erasable and writable printing area on one of its faces for printing, in particular information relating to the contents of the memory.

or the microcircuits may have a surface smaller than or equal to that of the module supporting contact areas of the card.

or the microcircuits may have a surface greater than that of the module supporting the contact areas of the card.

Card <B> to </ B> Chip is a card in ISO format.

Another object of the invention relates to a data carrier reader device mainly characterized in that it comprises a unit for reading a smart card and decompressing stored compressed data. .

reader device may consist of a portable object type walkman or car radio equipped with said unit for reading and decompressing data.

Another object of the invention relates to a data carrier recorder device mainly characterized in that it comprises a unit for recording and reading the memory of a card <B> to </ B> chip.

According to another characteristic, the data bearer recorder device further comprises an erase unit written on one side of the chip card to print information, in particular on the contents of the memory of the chip. the card <B> to </ B> chip.

According to one embodiment, a recording reader device according to the invention comprises a microcomputer capable of being connected to the Internet and capable of loading the compressed data files on the inserted chip card. in his recording and playback unit.

According to another embodiment, the recording reader device comprises a mobile phone, said telephone being further equipped with a headphone or earphone jack.

Advantageously, the mobile phone is able to download files via the mobile network on the smart card by making a call allowing it to access <B> to </ B>. / B> an audio server.

Other advantages and particularities of the invention will become clear <B> to </ B> the reading of description is made below and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which <B>: </ B> <B> - < / B> Figure <B> 1 </ B> represents a general view of a board <B> to </ B> chip com pressed digital data support according to the invention, <B> - </ b> la FIG. 2 represents an example embodiment according to which the microcircuit is smaller than those of the contact areas of the card, <B> - </ B> the figure <B> 3 </ B> illustrates an example according to which the microcircuit of the card has a larger size <B> than that of the contact pads of said card, <B> - </ B> FIG. 4 represents a functional diagram of a reader recorder according to the invention, <B> - </ B> Figure <B> 5 </ B> represents a block diagram of a reader according to the invention, <B> - </ B> the figure <B> 6 </ B> represents an exemplary embodiment of a compressed digital data reader, In the invention, FIG. 7 represents an exemplary embodiment of a compressed digital data reader-reader, according to the invention, FIG. 8 represents a second example. embodiment of a digital data logger compressed, according to the invention. The compressed digital data information carrier according to the invention is constituted by a chip card. This <B> to </ B> chip card will preferably be in the <B> to </ B> ISO standard format from the <B> to the </ B> chip.

This is, as illustrated by Figure 1, from a <B> to a </ B> chip including a high capacity memory. remember that a card <B> to </ B> chip or card <B> to </ B> memory is a portable object of standardized dimensions consisting of a plastic support <B> 1 </ B> flexible on which is positioned a terminal block 2 comprising standardized surface contact pads for exchanging information with a card reader <B> to </ B> chip and one or more microcircuits <B> to </ B> memory erasable rewritable connected to each other and connected to said terminal or <B> to </ B> a contactless type communication interface including electromagnetic.

According to the invention, the chip card also comprises a rewritable erasable printing zone on which information about the content of the document can be printed. the memory of said card.

The information printed on the card body may be set <B> to </ B> at the same time or in a second step after the information in the memory is set to <B> at </ B>.

The erasable and rewritable <B> 3 </ B> print area may consist of a panel of thermochromic materials. In this case, this zone will be updated by printing by means of an erase and write thermal head. Zone <B> 3 </ B> can be magnetically scanned so that updating will be done by means of a magnetic erase and write head.

The chip card will allow the storage of compressed data, for example in the form of audio files coded in MP3 format, it will make it possible to store MPEG-2 encoded image files as well as video files encoded in MPEG-2 format.

The print area <B> 3 </ B> when <B> to </ B> it will then include, in the case of an audio file, the name of the album of interpreters and the titles of the pieces. In the case of storing image files, this zone will contain the name of the place, the dates of the entry, the exposure parameters <B> (iris, speed). This zone will contain, in the case of storage of files vi deo, the date of the recording, the teletext index (time, title of the emission).

FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment according to which the chip card comprises one or more microcircuits 4 comprising the memory required for the storage of the file or files and according to which, the micro-circuits 4 (in dotted line) ) have a surface <B> </ B> than that of the module supporting the contact areas 2 of the card. This is the traditional mode used to make almost all cards <B> to </ B> bullet <B> to </ B> today.

In a second embodiment of the card, it shines by the figure <B> 3, </ b> the microcircuits 4 (dashed) have a significantly greater area <B> to </ B> that of the module supporting 2. In this embodiment, it is thus possible to make full use of the entire surface of the card and considerably increase the size of the on-board memory. For example, with known audio file compression techniques <B> to </ b> this </ b> to know MP3 encoding, it will be possible to store CD-quality music time in a file of 64 megabits. To achieve this storage, it will be necessary today to use this second embodiment, that is to say the embodiment in which the microcircuit (or several connected micro-circuits) has (have) a top surface <B> to </ B> that of the surface of the contact pads of the card <B> to </ B> chip.

In order to better understand, we will define the concepts used in the rest of the description. <B>: A recording and read unit is understood to mean an apparatus comprising the functions implemented by a card reader reader. B> to </ B> conventional chip <B>; </ B> <B> A </ B> this function of reading and recording on a card <B> to </ B> chip will be, as seen in subsequently, associated with a print function or reversible marking or not, on the card <B> to </ B> chip. Both functions may be present in the same device or in separate devices. <B>; </ B> By reading and decompression unit, the reading function of a card <B> '</ B> chip <B> to which </ B> is added a data decompression function read for their exploitation, such a function being implemented by a suitable decoding algorithm.

A data carrier recorder which has just been described is illustrated in the functional diagram of FIG. 4. In practice this reader will be realized by means of a smart card reader equipped with therefore, a unit for recording and reading a <B> to </ B> 10, </ B> card, and a printing unit 20 for erasing and erasing writing to print information (text, logo) on one side of the card intended for this purpose, ie in the print area with the reference <B> 3 </ B> in Figure 4.

As can be seen in this FIG. 4, the recording unit <B> 10 </ B> is able to receive compressed data files either from a telephone network or from the INTERNET network. and <B> to </ B> save them in the <B> to </ B> chip <B> 1 </ B> and more exactly in the memory <B> 11 </ B> of this card <B > to </ B> puce. This recording is done in a conventional manner by means of the recording unit present in all card reader-recorders <B> to </ B> chip.

The printing unit 20 is adapted to print text or logo information on the print area of the card. Depending on the printing technology used, this printing unit 20 will be realized by means of an electronic control unit of a deletion and writing thermal head and of said head, either by means of an electronic control unit of a magnetic erasure head and writing and said head.

There is shown in FIG. 5 the functional scheme of a reader for a compressed data carrier conforming to the present invention. This reader has a unit for reading and decompressing data. This unit is adapted to deliver a decoded signal that can be operated by a listening or viewing device depending on whether it is an audio or video signal.

According to the invention, the reader of the medium which has just been described will take the form of a small portable object of the walkman type 40 as shown in FIG. 6 or a car radio or a multiple player (Jukebox con cept). Such a reader will therefore not necessarily include function relative to the panel printing writable on the card.

You can also make this drive using <B> </ B> cellphone <B> 50. </ B> The mobile phone <B> 50 </ B> will then be used as a player. This will use the slot <B> 61 </ B> on the laptop to receive a credit card for the payment of certain services as slot for receiving card <B> 1 </ B> compressed data support.

The <B> 50 </ B> phone will then be equipped with a <B> 10 </ B> recording and playback unit and a <B> 30 </ B> playback and decompression unit. Compressed data stored on the <B> 1 map. </ B> Conveniently, only one read unit and <B> of </ B> record is present, this is <B> 10 < / B> which provides these two functions which corresponds to <B> to </ B> the function of the card reader <B> to </ B> chips, <B> to </ B> which is associated a software of decompression of data. Of course, there will be provided in this unit <B> 10 </ B> one or more software corresponding to different coding algorithms likely to be used.

The printing unit 20 may not be present in the mobile phone. However, it may be provided that the mobile phone includes a procedure for reminding the user to <B> 1 </ B> display a message, that information relating to the file that just downloaded will need to be printed on the map. The print step is <B> different from loading or downloading.

Thus, the mobile phone is able to download files via the mobile network on the smart card by making a call allowing it to access <B> to </ B>. / B> an audio server. Another embodiment of the <B> f </ B> igure <B> 8 </ B> plotter has been shown for the recording reader according to the invention. recorder <B> 60 </ B> is performed by a processing unit eg microcomputer <B> 100 </ B> associated with <B> to </ B> a card reader <B> to </ B> > chip 200.

The computer can include in this case the decompression function of the signal stored on the card <B> to </ B> chip <B> 1 </ B> while the read and write functions on a card <B> to </ B> chip are made by the reader 20. This reader also comprises the printing unit 20.

 A system for downloading music thus includes an audio server storing referenced music tracks, connected to compression means and the mobile telephone network for downloading to mobile phones and mobile phones. mobile phones with an ISO Bullet or Plug-in card (GSM card format).

Claims (1)

CLAIMS <B> 1 </ B> Support for compressed digital data such as audio files, image files or video files, characterized in that it is carried out by card <B> to </ B> puce <B> (1) </ B> comprising one or more electrically erasable memory microcircuits adapted to store said compressed digital data. The data carrier of claim 1, wherein the <B> to <B> (1) </ B> chip includes a print area < B> (3) </ B> erasable and rewritable on one of its faces for printing including information relating to the contents of the memory. <B> 3. </ B> Compressed digital data carrier according to claim 1, wherein the microcircuit (s) have a surface area of <B> << / B> that of the module supporting the contact areas of the card. 4. A compressed digital data carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, charac terized in that the microcircuit or microcircuits have a top surface <B> to </ B> that of the module supporting the contact pads of the card. <B>. </ B> Data carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that <B> card to </ B> chip is a card in ISO format. <B> 6. </ B> Data media reader device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a unit <B> (30) </ B> for reading a card < B> to </ B> chip and decompress stored com pressed data. <B> 7. </ B> Reader device according to claim Ca characterized in that it consists of a portable object type walkman (40) or car radio provided with said unit for reading and decompressing data. <B> 8. </ B> A data recording recorder device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a <B> (10) </ B> recording and playback unit. from memory a card <B> to </ B> chip. <B>. </ B> A data storage recorder device according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises a write erase unit (20) on one side of the <B> to </ B> chip card to print information including the contents of the memory card <B> to </ B> chip. Recorder device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a processing unit <B> (60) </ B> which can be connected to the Internet network and capable of loading data files com pressed on the card to the chip inserted in its recording and playback unit. <B>. </ B> A recorder device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein it comprises a mobile telephone (50), said telegraph The phone is also equipped with a headphone or earphone jack. Recording device according to claim 11, characterized in that the portable telephone (50) is capable of downloading files from the network. mobile phone on the smart card by making a call allowing it to access an audio server.