KR100638383B1 - Usb apparatus which is installed a smart card, and using method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A USB(Universal Serial Bus) storage device equipped with a smart card and a using method thereof are provided to store a driver for making a host computer automatically recognize the smart card if the USB storage device equipped with the smart card is connected to the host computer. A USB interface part(110) provides an interface for exchanging data with a host according to a USB protocol. A smart card part(160) stores the data received from the host to the smart card and transfers the data stored in the smart card to the host. A storing part(140) has a system area and a data area. The system area does not permit recording and deletion to a user while storing the data received from the host through the USB interface part according to a control signal of the USB controller, and stores management information of the USB storage device, or programs or contents to be executed. The data area stores user data and contents, and permits the user to delete or write the data. A path relay(120) controls data transfer from the host to the smart card part or the storing part.

Description

USB storage device with smart card and using method {USB apparatus which is installed a smart card, and using method

1 is a block diagram of a USB storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a view illustrating a structure of a storage area of the storage unit 140 of FIG. 1;

3 is a view for explaining a method of providing an application service in a USB storage device of the present invention;

4 is a view for explaining the Internet telephone service provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a data storage technology, and more particularly, to a USB storage device equipped with a smart card and a method of using the same.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a data transmission standard established in the mid-1990s. It was created by several companies, including Intel, to improve the speed and functionality of existing peripherals in computers. According to these USB standards, up to 127 peripherals can be connected to a computer. Representative peripherals that currently use the USB standard include a USB mouse or a USB keyboard. USB data transfer speeds vary by specification. The USB1.1 specification is up to 12Mbps and the USB2.0 specification is up to 480Mbps. In addition to the mouse or keyboard, new peripherals are being developed one after another due to the expandability and diversity of the USB standard.

On the other hand, USB drives, which are very small portable storage devices, are widely used by using flash memory.They are small in size, strong in mechanical shock, and can be given various functions. A lot of demand is expected.

For reference, the basic concept of USB removable storage device is described in Universal Serial Bus Mass Storage Class Specification Overview Version 1.0 (1998.10.22) established by USB Implementers Forum (hereafter USB-IF). In this standard, not only the basic outline of removable storage device using USB but also various types of external devices that can be created using USB is briefly mentioned.

US Patent No. 6,148,354 is disclosed as an example of such a portable storage device using a USB. However, with respect to US Patent No. 6,148,354, the issue of patent validity is controversial based on the aforementioned USB-IF specification. This is because the nature of the USB standard enacted for the public good. In addition, the basic concept of a USB storage device mentioned in USB-IF is commercially owned by a specific person or a company because it is not compatible with the purpose of establishing the USB standard and is already a technology mentioned in the USB-IF standard.

However, the above-mentioned USB-IF standard and US patents are limited to implementing basic removable storage devices connected to USB, and using additional functions such as encryption method of stored data or algorithm specification for speed increase. It is not disclosed about such.

On the other hand, a card incorporating a semiconductor chip in the card is called an IC card. A card that has terminals such as a power supply and data input / output port for communication between the terminal and the card is called a "contact IC card." A card in which the terminal and the card communicate without contact without a wire is called a "contactless IC card." "

IC card is divided into smart card and memory card. Smart card is a card that has a microprocessor and guarantees high security by COS (Chip Operating System) command and encryption algorithm. It is used as a prepaid card for a specific purpose, such as a public pay card in Europe.

Several prior arts have been disclosed with regard to a method for granting a smart card function to the above-described removable storage device using USB, for storing and payment of data, and for providing additional functions required by a user.

Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-28138 discloses a signal flow when an additional external smart card is connected to a USB terminal in which a smart card is embedded. However, the storage unit for storing data by the user is not disclosed herein.

Registration Utility Model No. 20-329847 discloses that a USB terminal acts as a smart card reader when the smart card is connected to a USB terminal that does not have a smart card embedded therein.

And Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-37902 discloses an example in which a storage device and a smart card are combined, but the detailed description for actual implementation is not disclosed but described only conceptually.

In addition, Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-68920 discloses an example in which a storage device and a smart card are combined, and discloses that the user can access the mobile storage device only after receiving a user authentication from the smart card. No. 2005-114520 discloses a USB card with a built-in smart card, which can further incorporate flash memory as an example. In addition, Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-105425 discloses a smart card and MMC (Multimedia Card) are combined to have a USB interface.

However, this conventional technology is only mentioned conceptually, and mainly describes the ease and simplicity of portability while explaining that the storage device and the smart card can be simply combined or the smart card can be connected through the USB interface.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a USB storage device equipped with a smart card and a method of using the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a USB storage device that stores a driver for automatically recognizing the smart card in the host computer when the USB storage device equipped with the smart card is connected to the host computer.

In addition, another technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a USB storage device by logically partitioning the USB storage device portion to give the necessary functions to each divided portion.

In addition, another technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a USB storage device equipped with a smart card so that the billing processing is performed in the smart card unit when the billing according to the use of the software, such as an Internet phone program.

According to the present invention, in the USB storage device, USB interface unit for providing an interface for exchanging data with the host according to the USB standard; A smart card unit mounted with the smart card to store data from the host in the smart card and to transmit data stored in the smart card to the host; A storage unit which stores data from the host transmitted through the USB interface unit according to a control signal of a USB controller; And a path relay that controls the transfer of data from the host to the smart card unit or the storage unit.

The storage unit preferably stores a driver for allowing the smart card to be recognized by the host in a system area where recording and deletion by a user are not allowed or in a data storage area where deletion and recording by a user are allowed. Do.

In addition, the technical problem is a USB storage device in accordance with the present invention, USB interface for providing an interface for exchanging data with the host according to the USB standard; A smart card unit mounted with the smart card to store data from the host in the smart card and to transmit data stored in the smart card to the host; A storage unit which stores data from the host transmitted through the USB interface unit according to a control signal of a USB controller; A path relay unit controlling transfer of data from the host to the smart card unit or the storage unit; And performing a sound processing corresponding to the execution of the program stored in the storage unit, and further comprising a sound processing unit connected to the path relay unit.

On the other hand, according to another aspect of the present invention, the technical problem in the program execution method of a USB storage device equipped with a smart card, the program recorded in the storage unit of the USB storage device when the USB storage device is inserted into the host Executing a step of loading a driver stored in the storage unit; And installing the loaded driver in the host computer.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of a USB storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the USB storage device of the present invention includes a USB interface unit 110, a path relay unit 120, a USB controller 130, a storage unit 140, and a smart card unit 160. The apparatus may further include a sound processor 150 for processing a user's voice or a telephone ring by executing an internet telephone program requiring sound processing. In addition, the coil 170 may further include a data stored in the smart card unit 160 to be read by the reader in a non-contact manner.

The USB interface unit 110 provides an interface for exchanging data with a host according to the USB standard described above. The smart card unit 160 includes a smart chip, stores data from the host computer in the smart chip, and transmits data stored in the smart chip to the host computer. The storage unit 140 stores data from the host transmitted through the USB interface unit 110 according to the control signal of the USB controller 130. The USB controller 130 performs recording processing and address conversion for uniformly recording data in the storage 140. For example, if the storage unit 140 is a flash memory, a process for evenly using a storage area of the flash memory and a process of converting a logical address into a physical address of the flash memory are performed.

The path relay unit 120 controls the transfer of data from the host computer to the smart card unit 160 or the storage unit 140. In other words, the data path from the host received through the USB interface unit 110 is controlled. In addition, when the Internet telephony program is executed, data from the host is transmitted to the sound processor 150 so that sound data such as a user's voice and a ringing sound can be processed and output through the speaker.

On the other hand, the storage unit 140 stores a driver that allows the smart card of the smart card unit 160 to be recognized by the host computer, or a program for providing an Internet telephone service. The storage area of the storage unit 140 is divided into an area in which a driver or an Internet phone program is stored and an area in which general user data is recorded and deleted. On the other hand, the smart card unit 160 is removable and can be added to or removed from the USB storage device. Hereinafter, the storage area of the storage unit 140 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a storage area of the storage 140 of FIG. 1.

2, the storage area of the storage 140 is divided into a unique number storage area 210, a hidden area 220, a CD-ROM area 230, and a data storage area 240. Can be. The unique number storage area 210 stores a unique number generated at the time of production of the USB storage device and not changed by the user. The unique number is used for the authentication required to download and store data from the server after the USB storage device is inserted into the host computer and recognized. That is, since the unique number is automatically sent to the server and the eligibility is determined, there is no need for separate authentication for Internet phone service or the corresponding function, and the service is provided only to the user who purchased the product, thereby enhancing product competitiveness. have.

The hidden area 220 does not allow arbitrary recording and deletion by the user, and records management information of a USB storage device or a program to be executed or content to be reproduced. The CD-ROM area 230 also does not allow arbitrary recording and deletion by the user, and stores an autorun program that is automatically executed when the USB storage device is connected to the host. The data storage area 240 stores user data or contents and allows arbitrary deletion and recording by the user.

The unique number area 210, the hidden area 220 and the CD-ROM area 230 are collectively referred to as a system area.

Here, the contents of the unique number storage area 210 and the hidden area 220 are not displayed by the explorer program installed in the host computer.

For example, the hidden area 220 and the CD-ROM area 230 may store drivers in the hidden area 220 so that a smart card mounted on the USB storage device is recognized by the host computer. The 230 may store an auto-run file that is automatically executed when the USB storage device is inserted into the host computer. Accordingly, when the USB storage device is inserted into the host computer, the auto executable file stored in the CD-ROM area 230 is executed and the driver stored in the hidden area 220 is loaded and automatically installed in the host computer without the user's involvement. Smart cards can be automatically recognized by the host computer.

The driver may be stored in the CD-ROM area 230 instead of the hidden area 220. That is, both the driver and the autorun file are stored in the CD-ROM area 230 so that the driver can be installed in the host computer.

3 is a view for explaining a method of providing an application service in a USB storage device of the present invention.

When the USB storage device configured as described above is inserted into the host computer, the unique number stored in the unique number storage area 210 is transmitted to the server 300 and user authentication is performed at the server 300. If the authentication is successful, the user's application program stored in the server 300 is downloaded and stored in the hidden area 220, the CD-ROM area 230, or the data storage area 240.

4 is a view for explaining the Internet telephone service provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the process of using the USB storage device of the present invention as an Internet phone, when the USB storage device is inserted into the host computer, the unique number stored in the unique number storage area 210 is transmitted to the server 300 to authenticate the user. If the authentication is successful, the Internet phone program stored in the hidden area 220 is executed. The Internet telephony program may be stored in the CD-ROM 230 area instead of the hidden area 220.

When the Internet telephony program is executed, it connects to the VoIP server 310 which performs a telephone connection with the other party according to the Internet telephony protocol to provide an internet telephony service. On the other hand, there is a case where the data or application stored in the server 300 is downloaded as needed, the downloaded data or application is stored in the data storage area 240. Charging according to the use of the Internet phone is to be processed in the smart card unit 160. For example, you can insert the USB storage device of the host computer, charge the smart card unit 160 using an application running on the host computer, and calculate the amount according to the Internet phone usage time. Can be.

On the other hand, the above-described service providing method can be created by a computer program. Codes and code segments constituting the program can be easily inferred by a computer programmer in the art. In addition, the program is stored in a computer readable media, and read and executed by a computer to implement a service providing method. The information storage medium includes a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, and a carrier wave medium.

So far I looked at the center of the preferred embodiment for the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, the USB storage device equipped with the smart card is simply inserted into the host computer so that a driver for recognizing the smart card is installed to facilitate the use.

In addition, the inclusion of an Internet telephony function in a USB-based removable storage device requires less user effort for Internet telephony, such as installation / execution of software on any computer, installation / recognition of hardware, and the like.

In addition, the USB-based removable storage device includes a sound processing unit, so that even if the host computer does not have a sound processing function, Internet calls can be made. In addition, since the computer does not have to use the sound processor itself, it is possible to secure a good call quality. And since the unique number information is automatically transmitted and eligibility is determined, it may not require a separate authentication for the Internet phone service or the corresponding function. Furthermore, since the service can be provided based on the unique number information embedded only for the user who purchased the product, the product competitiveness can be enhanced.

Further, according to the present invention, the component can be easily applied to a terminal having a USB interface and a storage function, for example, an MP3 player or a mobile phone.

Claims (12)

In a USB storage device, A USB interface unit providing an interface for exchanging data with a host according to the USB standard; A smart card unit equipped with a smart card to store data from the host in the smart card and to transmit data stored in the smart card to the host; The system stores data from the host transmitted through the USB interface unit according to a control signal of a USB controller, but is not allowed to be arbitrarily recorded and deleted by the user, and records management information of the USB storage device or a program to be executed or contents to be reproduced. A storage unit for storing an area and user data or contents and having a data storage area for allowing deletion and recording by a user; And And a path relay unit controlling transfer of data from the host to the smart card unit or the storage unit. delete The method of claim 1, wherein the storage unit, USB storage, characterized in that the driver for allowing the smart card to be recognized in the host is stored in a system area that is not allowed to record and delete arbitrarily by the user, or a data storage area that is arbitrarily deleted and recorded by the user Device. The method of claim 3, When the USB storage device is connected to the host, a driver stored in the system area or data storage area is installed in the host computer. 4. The system of claim 1 or 3, wherein the system area is USB storage device further comprises an update program for adding or updating a program or content from a host or a remote server. 4. The system of claim 1 or 3, wherein the system area is And a unique number necessary to execute or play a program or content recorded in a system area or a data storage area, or to obtain a connection qualification for accessing a host or a remote server. In a USB storage device, A USB interface unit providing an interface for exchanging data with a host according to the USB standard; A smart card unit equipped with a smart card to store data from the host in the smart card and to transmit data stored in the smart card to the host; A storage unit which stores data from the host transmitted through the USB interface unit according to a control signal of a USB controller; A path relay unit controlling transfer of data from the host to the smart card unit or the storage unit; And And a sound processing unit which performs sound processing corresponding to the execution of the program stored in the storage unit and is connected to the path relay unit. The method of claim 7, wherein When the USB storage device is inserted into the host, a program stored in the system area is executed, and the charging information generated according to the execution of the program is processed by the smart card unit. The method according to claim 1 or 7, The smart card unit, characterized in that removable USB storage device. In the program execution method of the USB storage device equipped with a smart card, When the USB storage device is inserted into a host, executing a program stored in a system area which is not allowed to be deleted by a user, and loading a driver stored in the system area; And And installing the loaded driver in the host computer. delete The method of claim 10, The program is a program execution method of the USB storage device, characterized in that the automatic execution program to be executed without the user's intervention when the host is inserted into the USB storage device.

Images