KR20020024475A - Receiving apparatus for Internet audio broadcast - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus for receiving Internet audio broadcasts is provided to search for Internet audio data on-line and to directly regenerate the data without a special equipment by downloading the data in the form of an MP3 file. CONSTITUTION: An apparatus for receiving Internet audio broadcasts is comprised of an Internet communication control part(110), a processor(120), a program memory(130), a keypad(140), a display(150), an audio regeneration device(160), and an audio data memory(170). The Internet communication control part(110) is a combination of hardware and software to execute a data communication function with an Internet broadcasting server(40) through the Internet(10). The processor(120), connected with the program memory(130) storing a control program, makes the control program executed. The control program, stored in the program memory(130), retrieves, selects, receives, and regenerates audio data the Internet broadcasting server(40) provides. The keypad(140) includes keys to select menu items and keys to drive the audio regeneration device(160). The display(150), comprising menus that the control program provides and text data that the Internet broadcasting server(40) provides, displays the process of the execution of the control program. The audio regeneration device(160) restores and regenerates the audio data received through the Internet communication control part(110) according to the control of the processor(120). The audio data memory(170) stores the audio data received through the Internet communication control part(110) according to the control of the processor(120).

Description

Receiving apparatus for Internet audio broadcast}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for receiving sound source data existing on the Internet and converting the same into an audio signal. The present invention relates to a device for selecting and listening to a predetermined audio broadcast or a user-organized audio broadcast from a specific server. .

In general, a broadcast or broadcast means a program transmitted through the airwaves so that anyone who has properly set up a signal channel can receive it. Such broadcasting is a form in which information is transmitted in one direction, not in two-way information exchange, in which a listener unilaterally receives and listens to a predetermined program. If a broadcast in this format is missed, the receiver cannot listen again, and the broadcast in the format desired by the receiver is impossible.

On the Internet, there are many websites that broadcast live or re-broadcast from existing radio or TV stations to users who visit the website using streaming sound or streaming media technology. Like publicly available radio and TV broadcasts, Internet broadcasts are available to everyone. In recent years, Internet broadcasts offer live broadcasts as well as broadcasts that provide pre-made content, and provide the ability to roll back like audio tapes or video tapes. Some programs may be run by the user's reservation, and other programs may be broadcasted at the request of the user. Many Internet users can listen to music from certain broadcast sites while surfing other sites on the web.

In the related art, as shown in FIG. 1, a personal computer connected to the Internet may be used to listen to the Internet audio broadcast as described above. That is, the personal computer 20 has an Internet communication control unit 22 having an RS-232C port for connecting an analog modem or a local area network (LAN) card for connecting to an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) modem or a cable modem. Connect to the Internet (10) through the Internet to receive audio data from the audio broadcasting server 40, and receives the audio signal received via the USB (Universal Serial Bus) port 24, portable MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3) The data is transferred to a portable audio data reproducing apparatus 30 such as a player. The portable MP3 player has a card type memory 32 for storing audio data received from the personal computer 20.

However, in order to listen to Internet audio broadcasting online by such a conventional method, it is cumbersome to operate a personal computer and requires a large installation space. In addition, since a portable audio data reproducing apparatus such as a portable MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3) player operates in an offline manner, there is a limitation that it is impossible to listen to Internet audio broadcasting in real time.

The present invention has been created to solve the above problems, it is possible to easily search the Internet audio data online, listen to the user's choice, download MP3 files can be played directly without additional equipment, installation space An object of the present invention is to provide an internet audio broadcast receiving device with less number.

1 illustrates an environment for receiving Internet audio data using a conventional personal computer.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the apparatus for receiving internet audio broadcasting according to the present invention.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the apparatus for receiving internet audio broadcasting according to the present invention.

4A and 4B are views exemplarily showing the appearance of an internet audio broadcasting receiver according to the present invention.

In order to achieve the above object, one side of the Internet audio broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention is an Internet communication control unit for performing a data communication function with an Internet broadcasting server through the Internet; Keypad; A program memory for storing a control program which performs a function of searching, selecting, receiving and playing back audio data provided by the Internet broadcasting server through the Internet communication control unit by a user's key input using the keypad; A display for displaying a process of executing the control program to a user; A processor connected to the program memory to execute the control program; And an audio reproducing apparatus for reproducing and reproducing the audio data received through the internet communication control unit under the control of the processor.

In order to achieve the above object, the other side of the Internet audio broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention is an Internet communication control unit for performing a data communication function with the Internet broadcasting server through the Internet; Keypad; A program memory for storing a control program which performs a function of searching, selecting, receiving and playing back audio data provided by the Internet broadcasting server through the Internet communication control unit by a user's key input using the keypad; A display for displaying a process of executing the control program to a user; A processor connected to the program memory to execute the control program; A detachable audio data memory for storing audio data received through the internet communication control unit under control of the processor; A portable playback device communication control unit for transmitting the audio data received through the internet communication control unit to a separate portable audio data playback device under control of the processor; And an audio reproducing apparatus for reproducing and reproducing the audio data received through the internet communication control unit under the control of the processor.

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

According to FIG. 2, a first embodiment 100 of an internet audio broadcasting receiver according to the present invention includes an internet communication controller 110, a processor 120, a program memory 130, a keypad 140, and a display 150. , An audio reproducing apparatus 160 and an audio data memory 170. In the present invention, the audio data received from the internet broadcasting server 40 includes audio broadcasting data implemented by streaming sound technology and an MP3 file encoded by the MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 (MP3) method.

The Internet communication control unit 110 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) card for connecting an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem or a cable modem and an RS-232C port for connecting an analog modem. It is a combination of hardware and software that performs a data communication function with the broadcast server 40. In order to increase the space utilization, the ADSL modem, cable modem or LAN card provided by the Internet communication control unit 110 is implemented as an external type mounted outside the main body of the first embodiment 100 of the Internet audio broadcasting receiver according to the present invention. Is preferred. Here, the Internet 10 refers to a computer communication network connecting the world using the Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP) protocol. In addition, the Internet broadcasting server 40 is a server for transmitting audio data to a terminal connected through the Internet 10, and receives audio data from a plurality of broadcasting servers as well as a broadcasting server that individually provides Internet broadcasting. It is used as a broad concept including a broadcast editing server that edits and transmits it to a connected terminal.

The processor 120 is a microprocessor connected to the program memory 130 to execute a control program stored in the program memory 130.

The program memory 130 stores a control program that performs a function of searching, selecting, receiving, and reproducing audio data provided by the internet broadcasting server 40 through the internet communication control unit 110. The control program has its own menu, provides a menu to the user through the display 150, and performs functions according to each menu according to a key selected by the user on the keypad 140. Accordingly, the control program also has a user interface function for interfacing with the user through the display 150 and the keypad 140. The program memory 130 may continue to store the control program even when power is not supplied, and in some cases, the program memory 130 may be implemented as a flash memory capable of upgrading the control program.

The keypad 140 is provided with keys for selecting a menu item provided by a control program from a user and keys for driving the audio reproducing apparatus 160. Mounted on the exterior of the;

The display 150 includes a menu provided by the control program and text data provided by the internet broadcasting server 40 to display a process of executing the control program to the user. The display 150 may be implemented by a graphic liquid crystal display (LCD). Do.

The audio reproducing apparatus 160 restores and reproduces the audio data received through the internet communication control unit 110 under the control of the processor 120. Accordingly, the audio reproducing apparatus 160 converts the MP3 decoder 162 which decodes the MP3 file among the audio data, the audio broadcast data implemented by the streaming sound technology, and the music data decoded by the MP3 decoder 162 into analog sound. A sound interface 164 for converting the signal, and a speaker 166 for outputting the analog sound signal generated by the sound interface 164 as a sound. The MP3 decoding unit 162 is preferably implemented as one chip. For example, a chip such as Cirrus Logic EP7209 may be used.

The audio data memory 170 is a memory for storing audio data received through the Internet communication controller 110 under the control of the processor 120, and is preferably implemented as a removable card type memory.

Referring to FIG. 3, the second embodiment 200 of the apparatus for receiving an internet audio broadcast according to the present invention includes an internet communication controller 210, a processor 220, a program memory 230, a keypad 240, and a display 250. , An audio playback device 260, an audio data memory 270, and a portable playback device communication control unit 280.

Among the components of the second embodiment 200 of the Internet audio broadcasting receiver according to the present invention, the Internet communication controller 210, the processor 220, the program memory 230, the keypad 240, the display 250, The audio reproducing apparatus 260 and the audio data memory 270 are the Internet communication control unit 110, the processor 120, and the program among the components of the first embodiment 100 of the Internet audio broadcasting receiving apparatus according to the present invention, respectively. It corresponds to the memory 130, the keypad 140, the display 150, the audio reproducing apparatus 160, and the audio data memory 170. Therefore, description of these components will be omitted.

The portable playback device communication control unit 280 transmits the MP3 file of the audio data received through the Internet communication control unit from the audio data memory 270 to a separate portable audio data playback device 30 under the control of the processor 220. . The portable playback device communication control unit 280 is preferably implemented using a universal serial bus (USB) port.

4A and 4B exemplarily illustrate the appearance of an internet audio broadcasting receiver according to the present invention as viewed from the front and right top directions, respectively.

Hereinafter, the operation of the Internet audio broadcasting receiver according to the present invention will be described in detail.

First, when power is supplied to the Internet audio broadcasting receiver, the processor 120 or 220 executes a control program stored in the program memories 130 and 230, and the internet communication control unit 110 or 210 determines a predetermined Internet broadcasting server ( 40). Then, the internet broadcasting server 40 requests the channel identifier of the audio broadcast to be received after the authentication process for the internet audio broadcast receiving apparatuses 100 and 200. At this time, the Internet audio broadcasting receiver 100 or 200 receives the audio broadcasting from the user and transmits the selected channel identifier or the identifier of the channel connected immediately before it to the Internet broadcasting server 40.

Then, the Internet broadcasting server 40 transmits the Internet audio broadcasting data from the channel corresponding to the received channel identifier to the connected audio broadcasting receiving apparatuses 100 and 200. The received audio broadcast data is output to the user through the sound interface 164 and the speaker 166 of the audio playback device 160.

The control programs executed by the processors 120 and 220 may display menus such as 1) channel selection, 2) broadcast search, 3) MP3 file download, 4) internet search, and 5) environment setting through the display 150 and 250. Provided to the user, and receives a key input through the keypad (140, 240) from the user to perform the function of the item.

When the user selects the "channel selection" item, the internet broadcasting server 40 transmits the broadcasting channel information managed by itself to the audio broadcasting receiving apparatuses 100 and 200 to be displayed on the display 150. When the user selects one of the displayed broadcast channels, the Internet broadcast server 40 transmits the Internet audio broadcast data from the broadcast channel selected by the user to the connected audio broadcast receivers 100 and 200.

When the user selects the "broadcast search" item, the audio broadcast receiving apparatuses 100 and 200 are connected to the search engine of the internet broadcasting server 40, and the user may search for audio data to be received.

When the user selects the "MP3 file download" item, the Internet broadcasting server 40 transmits a list of MP3 files managed by the user to the audio broadcast receiving apparatuses 100 and 200 to be displayed on the display 150. When the user selects an MP3 file to be downloaded from the displayed list of MP3 files, the Internet broadcasting server 40 downloads the MP3 file selected by the user to the audio broadcasting receiver 100 or 200 to which the user has connected, and the processor 120 or 220. ) Stores the received MP3 files in the audio data memories 170 and 270. The MP3 files stored in the audio data memories 170 and 270 are output to the user through the MP3 decoding unit 162, the sound interface 164, and the speaker 166 of the audio reproducing apparatus 160. Keypad 140 is provided with keys related to the playback of the MP3 file, the user can control the playback process.

When the user selects the "Internet Search" item, the control program performs a web browser function to provide a web service through the Internet to the user.

The user selects the "environmental setting" item to designate the Internet broadcasting server 40 to which the audio broadcasting receiving apparatuses 100 and 200 are connected, control the volume of the speaker, or perform audio broadcasting data receiving function and MP3 playback function. One function may be selected or a security level may be adjusted in a communication process with the Internet broadcasting server 40.

The menu provided to the user by the control program executed by the processor 120, 220 includes "broadcasting schedule", "broadcast reservation", "communication with an MP3 player", "application linkage", "bookmark" and the like. The same items may be further provided.

When the user selects the "broadcasting" item, the user broadcast editor of the Internet broadcasting server 40 is driven to provide an environment in which the user can arbitrarily set a specific time, a specific channel, a specific content, and the like. When the user channel configured as described above is selected from the "channel selection" item, the user may receive audio data of a channel organized by the audio broadcasting receiver 100 or 200.

If the user selects the “Broadcast Schedule” item and sets a specific time and a specific channel, the user can receive the broadcast of the preset channel without changing the channel at the scheduled time while receiving audio data from the currently selected channel. have.

When the user selects the "communication with the MP3 player" item, the portable audio data playback device (for example, the MP3 player) is provided with the MP3 file stored in the audio data memory 270 through the portable playback device communication control unit 280. Control the transfer to a card-type memory.

In addition, the user may select an “application program interworking” item to use an interworking function with an application program such as a UMS (Unified Messaging System) provided by the internet broadcasting server 40 and a predetermined groupware server.

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.

According to the present invention, one-touch connection to an Internet broadcast server existing on the Internet enables a user to easily search for Internet broadcast data and MP3 files and listen to them by a user's selected method.

In addition, according to the present invention, MP3 files can be downloaded from an Internet broadcasting server, and played directly without listening to a portable audio data reproducing apparatus.

In addition, unlike the conventional general-purpose personal computer, since the Internet audio broadcasting receiver according to the present invention is a device that receives only Internet audio data exclusively, the size thereof is small and occupies less installation space.

Further, according to the present invention, MP3 files can be easily transferred to a portable audio data reproducing apparatus such as an MP3 player which does not have an Internet connection function.

Claims (8)

An internet communication control unit performing a data communication function with an internet broadcasting server through the internet; Keypad; A program memory for storing a control program which performs a function of searching, selecting, receiving and playing back audio data provided by the Internet broadcasting server through the Internet communication control unit by a user's key input using the keypad; A display for displaying a process of executing the control program to a user; A processor connected to the program memory to execute the control program; And And an audio reproducing apparatus for restoring and reproducing the audio data received through the internet communication control unit under the control of the processor. The method of claim 1, wherein the control program And a menu for automatically selecting a function performed by the control program according to a key selected by a user. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio data At least one of audio broadcast data and MP3 files is provided, The audio reproducing apparatus further comprises an MP3 decoding unit. The method of claim 1, And a detachable audio data memory for storing audio data received through the internet communication control unit under the control of the processor. The method of claim 1, And a portable playback device communication control unit for transmitting audio data received through the internet communication control unit to a separate portable audio data reproducing apparatus under the control of the processor. 6. The portable playback apparatus communication control unit according to claim 5 And an MP3 player communication control unit for transmitting an MP3 file received through the internet communication control unit to an MP3 player. An internet communication control unit performing a data communication function with an internet broadcasting server through the internet; Keypad; A program memory for storing a control program which performs a function of searching, selecting, receiving and playing back audio data provided by the Internet broadcasting server through the Internet communication control unit by a user's key input using the keypad; A display for displaying a process of executing the control program to a user; A processor connected to the program memory to execute the control program; A detachable audio data memory for storing audio data received through the internet communication control unit under control of the processor; A portable playback device communication control unit for transmitting the audio data received through the internet communication control unit to a separate portable audio data playback device under control of the processor; And And an audio reproducing apparatus for restoring and reproducing the audio data received through the internet communication control unit under the control of the processor. The method of claim 7, wherein the Internet communication control unit An internet audio broadcasting receiver, comprising: an external LAN card.