JP2001290747A - System and method for exchanging digital data - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate to exchange digital data from a portable type personal device remotely. SOLUTION: This system includes a stand-alone kiosk (103) arranged inside a computer system (106). The computer system (106) includes a processor (109) linked with a local interface (116) and a memory (113) linked with the interface (116). A personal device interface (133) links with the interface (116) and facilitates communications with one of many personal devices (146). The system is stored in the memory (113) and also includes an exchange logic (150) carried out by the processor (109). The exchange logic (150) includes a logic for polling the personal devices (146) through the interface (133) to acquire personal device designation, a logic for comparing the personal device designation with the designation of many stored devices from a driver library and deciding a related personal device driver, and a logic for establishing a data transfer link with the personal devices (146) by using the related personal device driver.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates generally to the field of data communications, and more particularly, to systems and methods for exchanging data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the dawn of the information age, portable personal devices that generate and store digital data have been increasingly manufactured. Personal devices include laptop computers, measuring devices, magnetic disks, magnetic tapes, magnetic strips on cards, and encryption cards.
d), including medical information cards, music players, capture devices such as digital cameras, etc. Many of these devices have only a limited capacity to store data. As a result, the usefulness of such devices is limited.

For example, a capture device such as a digital camera has only a certain amount of memory for storing data. In many digital cameras, the digital image generated when taking a picture is made up of a large number of pixels. Therefore, storing such images requires a large amount of memory. As a result, a typical digital camera runs out of memory after taking a limited number of images. At that point, images must be downloaded from the digital camera to free up memory space to store more images. Similarly, the memory in various types of devices may become full during operations, similarly reducing the usefulness of the device.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

[0004] In view of the above, the present invention provides a system and method for facilitating the remote exchange of digital data from a portable personal device. According to one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a stand-alone kiosk with a computer system disposed therein. The computer system includes a processor linked to a local interface and a memory linked to the local interface. The local interface may be, for example, a data bus and a control bus. The interface of the personal device is linked to the local interface,
Facilitates communication with one of a number of personal devices.

[0005] The system also includes switching logic stored on memory and executed by a processor.
The exchange logic polls the personal device via the personal device interface and obtains the personal device designation and compares the personal device designation with a number of stored device designations from the driver library to associate the associated personal device designation. The logic includes determining the device driver and logic for establishing a data transfer link with the personal device using the associated personal device driver.

In another embodiment, the invention also includes a method for facilitating the remote exchange of digital data from a remote personal device. Generally speaking, the method comprises providing a stand-alone kiosk for exchanging digital data, coupling a personal device to a data exchange system and establishing data communication therebetween, Polling to obtain a personal device specification; comparing the personal device specification to a number of stored device specifications from a driver library to determine an associated personal device driver; Establishing a data transfer link with the personal device.

[0007] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. All such additional features and advantages are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0008] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. further,
In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a remote data exchange system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The remote data exchange system 100 includes a kiosk 103 that can be located in any number of locations and can serve the general public. In particular, it is particularly convenient that the kiosk 103 is arranged, for example, in a place where general travelers gather or a place where people generally enter and leave easily. Remote data exchange system 1
00 advantageously facilitates the exchange of data, including digital data recorded through various personal devices. For example, a typical personal device such as a digital camera has a limited amount of memory that can store a photograph taken by a user. The remote data exchange system 100 allows a user to download digital images from a digital camera and transfer the digital images to a remote location over a network, such as the Internet. Generally, a service provider maintains the remote data exchange system 100. In general, the service provider can own the remote data exchange system 100 and be the entity that generally maintains it.

[0010] The kiosk 103 can protect the equipment from outdoor natural conditions such as rain, sunlight, heat, snow, etc., complete or
It consists of a partial housing or hut. Alternatively, kiosk 103 may include a console in a fully or partially enclosed location or indoor location including a booth that serves the general public and the like.

The remote data exchange system 100 includes a computer system 10 housed in a kiosk 103.
6 inclusive. Computer system 106 includes a processor 109 and a memory 113, both of which are coupled to local interface 116. Local interface 116 may include a data bus and a corresponding control bus that are well known to those skilled in the art. The memory 113 can include volatile and / or non-volatile memory components. Volatile memory components are components that do not retain data values when power is turned off. Conversely, non-volatile memory components retain data even when power is turned off. Therefore, the memory 113
For example, it may include a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM). Further, the memory 113 includes a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a compact disk drive,
One or more portable data storage devices 119, such as a tape drive and other similar memory components, may also be included.

Further, the computer system 106 includes:
It includes a network interface 123, an output interface 126, an input interface 129, and a personal device interface 133. The network interface 123 is a network 136
To the local interface 116 so that the computer system 106 and the network 13
6. Data can be exchanged with a certain location on 6. The network 136 is, for example, the Internet,
It may include a local area network, a wide area network or other similar networks.
Output interface 126 allows one or more various output devices 139 to make data available on local interface 116. The output device 139 is
For example, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a liquid crystal display, a gas plasma type flat panel display,
Display devices such as indicator lights, light emitting diodes and other display devices may be included. The output device 139 is, for example, a money exchange device having both an input and an output connected to the computer system 106.
ice).

[0013] Computer system 106 also includes one or more user input devices 143 that generate data that can be utilized on local interface 116 via input interface 129. User input device 143 may include, for example, a keyboard, push button, microphone, charge input device, or other similar input device. Personal device 146
For example, capture devices such as laptop computers, palm computers, measuring devices, magnetic disks, magnetic tapes, magnetic strips of cards, compact disks, encryption cards, medical information cards, music players, digital cameras, and networks It consists of any number of various types of devices, including other devices that would benefit from connection with. On the network 136, a service provider site (search site) 147 and at least one manufacturer site (search site) that manufactures a specific personal device 146 are provided.
149.

Generally, switching logic 150, executed by processor 109 and controlling the functions of computer system 106, is stored in memory 113. In particular, the exchange logic 150 may
6 controls various interactions between the input device 143, the output device 139, and the personal device 146. Specifically, switching logic 150 has a driver library that includes a number of personal device drivers used by computer system 106 to interface with any one of a number of different personal devices 146. The present invention advantageously includes the ability to automatically download new personal device drivers for new personal devices 146 from locations on network 136. In this way, the remote data exchange system 100 stays up-to-date to allow data exchange with the latest personal devices 146 as such technology is developed.

Next, the remote data exchange system 100
The general operation of will be described. The remote data exchange system 100 remains idle until activated by a user. During the idle state, the remote data exchange system 100 can periodically search for predetermined sites on the network 136 and download any device drivers that can be used when communicating with various personal devices and the like. it can. Further, the remote data exchange system 100
A new personal device driver and other updates to its operating software may be received from a service provider that remotely maintains system 100 via. In this way, the remote data exchange system 100
Keep up to date to be able to exchange data with.

The remote data exchange system 100
Facilitates data exchange transactions initiated by the user. The user can, for example, use the system 100
By charging personal computer 146 and linking personal device 146 to computer system 106.
0 can be activated. In doing so, the remote data exchange system 100 facilitates downloading data from the personal device 146 using an appropriate device driver and transfers the data to a user-defined location on the network 136.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a flowchart of the switching logic 150 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Computer system 106 often remains idle, is interrupted at predetermined times, and performs various operations to upgrade multiple drivers or other aspects of switching logic 150. When a user wakes up to transfer data, the remote data exchange system 100 performs various tasks necessary to exchange data between the user and a user-defined destination on the network 136 (FIG. 1). Execute.

At the start of block 203, exchange logic 150 triggers computer system 106 to search for new personal device drivers in network 136 to enter the device driver library stored in memory 113. It is determined whether or not a condition exists. The search may involve, for example, a search for a service provider site 147 or one or more personal device manufacturer sites. If the condition exists, exchange logic 150 proceeds to block 206
Proceed to. With one such condition, the exchange logic 150 is set to perform a search periodically at a predetermined time, such as when performing a search daily.

At block 206, exchange logic 150
Downloads any new drivers found on search sites 147/149. Thereafter, exchange logic 150 proceeds to block 209. If the condition does not exist in block 203, the logic proceeds directly to block 209.

In block 209, exchange logic 150
Determines whether an input from the network 136 has been received to update the replacement logic 150 itself or to add a new device driver to the device driver library. Such an input would be sent by the service provider via the network 136. Thus, at block 209, the upgrade is initiated by the other party via a remote device on the network 136, in contrast to the upgrade at block 203 where the computer system 106 initiates a download from the network 136. At block 209, if such input is received,
The replacement logic 150 moves to block 213 where the new device driver or other logic upgrade is downloaded and incorporated into the replacement logic 150 or driver library, as appropriate. For example, the service provider may download a new search site 147/149 on the network 136 for the logic 150 to check when searching the network 136 at block 206. If there is no upgrade input at block 209,
Alternatively, once the upgrade has been performed at block 213, the replacement logic 150
Proceeding to 6, the computer system 106 determines whether an activation condition exists.

The activation condition may include, for example, charging a fee input device provided as one of the user input devices 143 (FIG. 1) of the computer system 106. In this way, the user activates the system and facilitates data exchange. The activation condition may also include entering a user account or other payment means using a keyboard or by scanning a credit card. In such cases, user input device 143 may include a magnetic card reader, scanner, or other commercially available exchange device that interfaces with a credit card or other electronic financial instrument.

Once a trigger condition is detected at block 216, switching logic 150 proceeds to connector A in the figure. If not, the exchange logic 150 returns to block 203. In this way, the exchange logic 15
A 0 continues to loop through blocks 203, 209 and 216 until a condition exists such that the loop is interrupted, as shown.

Referring to FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D,
A flowchart of the data exchange section of the exchange logic 150 is shown. Beginning at connector A, once the activation condition exists, exchange logic 150 proceeds to block 219 where, for device designation that uniquely identifies a particular personal device 146, exchange logic 150 executes the personal device device interface. 133, the personal device 1
Poll 46. This includes personal equipment 14
Note that 6 needs to be linked to the personal device interface 133 via the appropriate channel. For example, the channel may include a hardwire link such that a user plugs a code into personal device 146 and personal device interface 133. Similarly, the personal device interface 13
There may be a wireless connection between 3 and personal device 146, such as an infrared connection or other similar wireless link. Polling signals used by switching logic 150 to obtain device designations from personal device 146 may include standard polling signals or tones.

Thereafter, at block 223, the switching logic 150 responds to the polling signal via the personal device interface via the personal device 146.
To determine whether a response has been received from Block 223
If no response is detected, the exchange logic 150 proceeds to block 226 and the computer system proceeds to the user input device 14 such as a keyboard or the like.
3, a device designation input from the user is requested. If there is a response at block 223, or once at block 226 the device designation has been manually entered into the computer system 106, the exchange logic 1
50 proceeds to block 229 where the specific personal device 1
The newly received device designation for 46 is compared with a number of device designations corresponding to personal device drivers stored in the personal device driver library, and a direct match is detected among them. If no direct match is found, exchange logic 150 moves to connector B. On the other hand, if a direct match is found, exchange logic 150 proceeds to block 236.

At block 236, the user enters a destination address within the network 136 via a user input device 143, such as a keyboard or a microphone using appropriate voice recognition software. Note that personal device 146 may provide a user-defined destination address. Thereafter, the exchange logic 150 moves to block 239 where the personal device 14
6 is downloaded to the computer system 106 and then transmitted to the network 13
6 to the destination address. Alternatively, the data held by the personal device 146 is downloaded to a portable data storage device 119 and stored, for example, on a floppy disk, compact disk, magnetic tape, or portable hard drive. After the download is completed at block 239, exchange logic 150 transitions to connector E, and since the data exchange transaction has been completed, exchange logic 150
The process returns to block 203.

Referring now to FIG. 2C, the subsequent processing of the switching logic 150 that is performed when a direct match is not detected at block 233 of FIG. From connector B, logic 150 begins at block 243. Block 24
3, since there is no device driver in the memory 113 (FIG. 1) of the computer system 106 (FIG. 1) that matches the device designation from the personal device 146 (FIG. 1), the exchange logic 150 Poll to determine if the personal device 146 includes a suitable personal device driver that allows it to communicate with the computer system 106. At block 246, if the personal device 146 includes a suitable personal device driver, the personal device driver is downloaded to an isolated portion of the memory 113.

The driver is downloaded to an isolated part of the memory to facilitate data exchange and
To prevent destruction of the switching logic 150 or damage to the computer system 106, the user does not have access to other information and / or operability of the computer system 106. The isolated memory may be, for example, a RAM memory or the like. Thereafter, switching logic 150 moves to connector C and returns to block 236 of switching logic 150 as shown in FIG. 2B where the user enters the destination address of the data to be downloaded.

However, at block 246,
If the personal device 146 does not include a device driver to be downloaded to the computer system 106, the replacement logic 150 proceeds to block 253. In block 253, switching logic 150 checks with service provider site 147 on network 136 (FIG. 1) for new personal device drivers. This is done to obtain a driver for a particular personal device 146 that the computer system 106 does not currently own. At block 256,
If the service provider site 147 includes the appropriate driver, the replacement logic 150 proceeds to block 259 where the particular personal device driver
Memory 1 from service provider site 147 in 36
13 is downloaded.

If, at block 256, there is no compatible driver on service provider site 147, replacement logic 150 proceeds to block 263 where the user is prompted to enter the name of the manufacturer of the particular personal device 146. Prompted by Note also that the manufacturer name can be provided by a user input device 143, such as a keyboard or mouse. Thereafter, at block 266, exchange logic 150
The personal device manufacturer site 149 is searched for a new personal device driver via the network 136. If, at block 269, a suitable device driver is found at the personal device manufacturer site 149, the replacement logic 150 proceeds to block 2
Proceeding to 73, a specific personal device driver to facilitate communication with personal device
Downloaded to Then, the exchange logic 150
Returns to block 236 in FIG. 2B through connector C. On the other hand, at block 269, if a suitable driver is not found at the personal device manufacturer site 149, the switching logic 150 continues to connector D as shown.

Referring now to FIG. 2D, a portion of the switching logic 150 starting at connector D is shown. Exchange logic 150 transitions from connector D to block 276,
For example, a query to the user as to whether he or she owns a device driver for the personal device 146 in a portable memory storage device such as a floppy disk may send the switching logic 1 on a suitable output device such as a CRT.
Indicated by 50. At block 279, via the user input device 143, if the user acknowledges the request of block 276, the exchange logic 150 proceeds to block 283 and prompts the user for the appropriate device drive of the computer system 106. Request 119 to insert a portable data storage device. next,
The appropriate device driver is downloaded to an isolated random access memory in the memory 113. Thereafter, switching logic 150 communicates via connector C in FIG.
The process proceeds to block 236. However, if, at block 279, the user does not respond to the query at block 276 for a device driver for the portable data storage device, the exchange logic 150 proceeds to block 286.

At block 286, exchange logic 150
Attempts to establish communication with the personal device 146 using a personal device driver stored in a driver library supplied by the same manufacturer as the current personal device 146. Above all, exchange logic 1
50 derives an association between the manufacturer type previously entered by the user and those drivers associated with the particular manufacturer in the question. At block 289, if the switching logic 150 successfully establishes communication with the personal device 146, the switching logic 150
Returns to block 236 of FIG. 2B, prompting the user for the destination address of the transaction. However, if, at block 289, the attempt to establish communication fails, switching logic 150 proceeds to block 293.

In block 293, exchange logic 150
Uses the general-purpose driver stored in the memory 113,
Attempt to establish a communication link with personal device 146. Thereafter, at block 296, if the communication with the personal device 146 is successfully established, the switching logic 150 again returns to block 236 of FIG. 2B. Otherwise, exchange logic 150 proceeds to block 2
Moving to 99, a session failure indication is provided to the output display device to indicate to the user that there is no suitable available personal device driver and therefore cannot communicate with that particular personal device 146. At this point, by the computer system 106 via a suitable output device 139
Alternatively, the user may be refunded by reversing the operation of the user input device 143 that received the fee as part of the activation condition of block 216 of FIG. 2A.

In addition to the above description, the logic 1 of the present invention
50 can be realized by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment, logic 150 is implemented in software or firmware stored in memory and executed by a suitable instruction execution system. If implemented in hardware, as in an alternative embodiment,
Logic 150 may comprise discrete logic circuits having logic gates for performing logic functions on data signals, application specific integrated circuits having appropriate logic gates, programmable gate arrays (P
GA), Field Programmable Gate Array (FP)
GA) and the like, or any combination thereof.

FIGS. 2A-2D are flow diagrams illustrating the architecture, functionality, and operation of a possible embodiment of logic 150. In this regard, each block represents a module, segment, or portion of code that includes one or more executable instructions for performing a predetermined logical function. It should also be noted that, in some alternative embodiments, the functions described in the block may not occur in the order described in FIGS. 2A-2D. For example, two blocks shown in succession in FIGS. 2A-2D may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or in some cases, the blocks may be in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. May be executed.

Finally, the logic 150 includes procedurally enumerated executable instructions for performing the logic functions.
By an instruction execution system, device or device, such as a computer-based system, a processor-embedded system or an instruction execution system, other systems capable of fetching instructions from and executing the instructions, or It can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use therewith. In the context of this specification, "computer-readable medium" is any means capable of containing, storing, communicating, propagating, or transferring a program for use by or with an instruction execution system, apparatus or device. be able to. Computer readable media includes
Without limitation, it can be, for example, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples of computer readable media (not an exhaustive list)
Include electrical connections (electronic) with one or more wires, portable computer diskettes (magnetic), random access memories (RAM) (magnetic),
Read-only memory (ROM) (magnetic), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory) (magnetic), optical fiber (optical)
And portable compact disk read only memory (CDROM) (optical). The computer readable medium may be such that the program is electronically captured, e.g., via optical scanning of paper or other media, and then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise adapted as needed. It should be noted that the paper or the program may even be another suitable printed medium, such as processed in any suitable manner and then stored in computer memory.

Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

In the following, an exemplary embodiment will be described which comprises a combination of various components of the present invention. 1. A system for facilitating the remote exchange of digital data from a personal device (146), comprising a stand-alone kiosk (103) and a local interface (116) located within said kiosk (103). And a memory (1) linked to the local interface (116).
13), a personal device interface (133) linked to the local interface (116), and switching logic (150) stored in the memory and executed by the processor (109). ) And its replacement logic (1
50) logic for polling the personal device (146) via the personal device interface (133) to obtain a personal device designation and the personal device driver to determine an associated personal device driver. Logic for comparing device specifications with a number of stored device specifications from a driver library, and for establishing a data transfer link with the personal device (146) using the associated personal device driver. A system having logic. 2. The replacement logic (150) further includes automatic update logic for obtaining a new device driver to be stored in the driver library, the automatic update logic comprising at least one site (147) on a network (136). , 149) and logic for searching for a new device driver, and said at least one site (147, 149) on said network (136).
And logic for downloading the new device driver from the driver library to the driver library. 3. The replacement logic (150) is connected to the network (136) to download a new device driver.
The system of claim 1, further comprising: logic for establishing a data communication link with the remote device via the. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the replacement logic (150) further comprises logic in the memory (113) for isolating device drivers downloaded from the personal device (146). 5. The personal device interface (133) comprises:
The system of claim 1, including a hardware link to the personal device (146). 6. The personal device interface (133) comprises:
The system of claim 1, including a wireless link to the personal device (146). 7. A method for facilitating remote exchange of digital data from a personal device (146), comprising: providing a stand-alone kiosk (103) for digital data exchange; Coupling to a data exchange system during which data communication is established, polling the personal device (146) to obtain a personal device designation, and determining an associated personal device driver. Comparing the personal device specification with a number of stored device specifications from a driver library; and establishing a data transfer link with the personal device (146) using the associated personal device driver. A method that includes 8. Coupling the data exchange system to a network (136); searching for a new device driver for at least one site (147, 149) on the network (136); ) On the at least one site (147,
149) downloading said new device driver from said driver library to said driver library. 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising establishing a data communication link with the remote device via the network (136) to download a new device driver. 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising isolating device drivers downloaded from the personal device (146) in the memory (113).

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, a system and method for facilitating the remote exchange of digital data from a portable personal device can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital switching system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a flowchart of the switching logic used by the digital switching system of FIG.

FIG. 2B is a flowchart of the switching logic used by the digital switching system of FIG.

FIG. 2C is a flowchart of the switching logic used by the digital switching system of FIG.

FIG. 2D is a flow diagram of the switching logic used by the digital switching system of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 103 Stand-alone kiosk 106 Computer system 109 Processor 113 Memory 116 Local interface 133 Personal device interface 136 Network 146 Personal device 147 Service provider site 149 Personal device manufacturer site 150 Exchange logic

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor E Jeffery Peon 83702, Idaho, USA Voice, North Sixteenth Street 914

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A system for facilitating remote exchange of digital data from a personal device (146), comprising: a stand-alone kiosk (103); and a kiosk (103). A computer system (106) including a processor (109) linked to the local interface (116) and a memory (113) linked to the local interface (116); and a personal device linked to the local interface (116). An interface (133) and exchange logic (150) stored in the memory and executed by the processor (109), the exchange logic (150) comprising: Connect the personal device (146) via the device interface (133) Logic for graying, in order to determine the relevant personal device driver, the personal device designation, logic for comparing a number of stored device specified from the driver library,
And logic for establishing a data transfer link with the personal device (146) using the associated personal device driver.