KR20030003465A - A file reproduction system using a set-top box and the file reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A system for reproducing a file by a set-top box and a method thereof are provided to store and reproduce MP3 data of a large capacity with a high quality in addition to the broadcasting data by using a digital set-top box, thereby maximizing the utility of the set-top box. CONSTITUTION: A system for reproducing a file by a set-top box includes a data storing part(205) for storing data included in a file in a first format received via a network from a user's terminal(100), a control part(204) for sensing the selection of a user for at least more than one operation mode and controlling to read the data included in the first format file according to the mode selection, and a data reproducing part(207) for decoding and reproducing the data included in the first format file by an operation control routine of the control part.

Description

File playback system and set-up method using set-top box {A FILE REPRODUCTION SYSTEM USING A SET-TOP BOX AND THE FILE REPRODUCING METHOD}

The present invention relates to a set top box, and more particularly, to a file reproducing system and a reproducing method capable of storing a MP3 (MPeg layer 3) file received through a network in a digital set top box and reproducing the same through a reproducing apparatus.

As is known, an apparatus and method for reproducing MP3 files have been proposed among various methods for storing and reproducing digital information, particularly as a method for storing and reproducing digital music.

MP3 is an audio data compression technology that is part of the functional specifications of MPEG-1 and MPEG-2. While the size of a music file on a CD is typically 30-50 MB, MP3 technology can reduce data capacity to about one-twelfth the original, while maintaining sound quality at about the same level. MP3 files (especially music) can be listened to on a PC via software without any hardware, such as a CD player. Recently, there have been many portable MP3 players that allow users to download MP3 music from their PC and enjoy it on their mobile phones. There is also an integrated product that allows you to listen to MP3 music via. MP3s usually take the form of files ending in ".mp3" on personal computers.

However, in order to play and listen to the file of the conventional MP3 format, there is a disadvantage of using a portable MP3 playback device or a method of connecting a sound card and a speaker to a PC and listening.

In addition, the portable MP3 playback apparatus has a problem in that a large amount of MP3 format files cannot be stored due to the limitation of the storage medium.

In order to solve the above problems, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to receive and store a large amount of MP3 data using a digital set-top box, and to provide a high-quality playback of the stored MP3 data.

In addition, by having a digital set-top box having a function that can play MP3 files as well as broadcast, there is another purpose to maximize the utilization of the set-top box.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an MP3 file playback system using a digital set-top box according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the digital set-top box of FIG. 1 in more detail.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of selecting an MP3 file playback mode according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of playing an MP3 file according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram illustrating an MP3 file playback system using a digital set-top box according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The file playback system using a set-top box according to one feature of the present invention for achieving the above object,

A data storage unit for storing data included in a file of a first format received from a user terminal through a network;

A control unit which senses a user's selection of at least one operation mode and controls to read data included in the file of the first format stored in the data storage unit according to a result of the selection of the mode; And

A data reproducing unit for reproducing data contained in the file of the first format by an operation control routine of the control unit;

It includes.

File playback method using a set-top box according to another feature of the present invention,

Receiving a file of a first type from a user terminal through a network and storing the file in a data storage medium;

Detecting a user's selection among one or more operation modes and displaying a list of playable files on the display device;

Detecting a file selection of the user from the file list and reading and playing the file of the first format stored in the data storage medium;

It includes.

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

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an MP3 file playback system using a digital set-top box according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the MP3 file playback system using the digital set-top box according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the digital set-top box 200 receives the MP3 file from the personal computer 100 and stores the MP3 file. In addition, the MP3 file selected by the user may be played to play the MP3 file selected through the Hi-Fi audio 300 and the TV 400.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the digital set-top box of FIG. 1 in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, the digital set-top box 200 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) which is an interface that enables the transfer of MP3 files from the personal computer 100. Bus, hereinafter referred to as USB) interface 201; Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (202) for temporarily storing data for storing and reproducing MP3 data transmitted from the personal computer 100; A FLASH ROM 203 for storing an operation program for storing and playing back a received MP3 format file; A CPU 204 for storing the MP3 format file received from the USB interface 201 on the hard disk 205 or performing a control routine for reading and playing back the MP3 format file stored on the hard disk 205; A hard disk 205 for storing received one or more MP3 format files; As a data standard electronic interface between the data bus of the personal computer 100 and the hard disk 205, the MP3 format file transmitted from the personal computer 100 is stored in the hard disk 205 or stored in the hard disk 205. An integrated drive electronics (IDE) interface 206 for reading a file in MP3 format and transmitting it to the MP3 decoder 207; An MP3 decoder 207 for decoding and playing back the received MP3 format file; Through a video digital-analog converter (hereinafter referred to as DAC) and Hi-Fi audio 400 that converts digital video data into analog video data so that the video data received through the TV 300 can be represented. And a DAC 208 configured as an audio DAC for converting digital audio data into analog audio data so as to output the received audio data.

The digital set-top box 200 further includes a tuner 209 and an MPEG demultiplexer 210 for performing a function of receiving satellite broadcasts transmitted from a satellite (not shown) for each channel.

Hereinafter, the operation of the MP3 playback system using the digital set-top box according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of selecting an MP3 file playback mode according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

When the MP3 file stored in the personal computer 100 is transmitted by the user, the CPU 204 receives the MP3 file through the USB interface 201 and drives the IDE interface 206 to be received on the hard disk 205. Save the MP3 file (S110). In this case, as a tool for transferring MP3 files, an MP3 player having a file transfer function and capable of playing MP3 files may be used, or a wireless cellular phone which receives MP3 files through a wireless network and stores MP3 files may be used. The invention is not limited only to the examples.

When the user turns on the power of the digital set-top box 200 (S120), the CPU 204 initializes the MP3 decoder 207 (S130).

The CPU 204 initializes a serial port for transmitting an MP3 format file (S140).

When the initialization of the MP3 decoder 207 and the serial port is completed, the CPU 204 searches for the number and location of MP3 files stored in the hard disk 205 (S150).

The CPU 204 checks whether the user selects a playback mode for playback of the MP3 file (S160).

When the user selects the playback mode (S170), the CPU 204 searches for the MP3 file stored in the hard disk 205, operates the MPEG decoder 211, and the DAC 208 digitally retrieves the retrieved MP3 file list data. After the conversion, the searched MP3 file list is displayed on the screen of the TV 300 (S180).

The CPU 204 checks whether there is a key input from the user (S190). At this time, the user's key input is made through the key (key) of the remote control not shown to control the operation of the set-top box 200, if the user does not have a remote city directly installed outside the set-top box 200 It may be achieved by selecting an operation button that is not, the present invention is not limited only to the embodiment.

When the user selects the 'EXIT' key among the items displayed on the screen (S200), the CPU 204 releases the list display mode while leaving the mode of displaying the list of MP3 format files (S210). If the user selects the 'UP / DOWN' key (S220), the CPU 204 displays the contents of the MP3 file for the user selection portion (S230).

When the user selects the 'OK' key (S240), the CPU 204 reads and calls the MP3 file stored in the hard disk 205 through the IDE interface 206, and calls the called user-selected MP3 file into the MP3 decoder ( 207) as serial data. The MP3 decoder 207 transfers the decoded MP3 data to the DAC 208 while decoding the received MP3 file, and the audio DAC plays the MP3 file through the Hi-Fi audio 400 (S250). The MP3 decoder 207 displays the playback state of the MP3 file transmitted on the TV 300 screen (S260).

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of playing an MP3 file according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

During playback of the MP3 file, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 204 waits for a key input to check whether a user selects a key input (S300).

If the user selects the 'STOP' key through the remote control while the MP3 file is being played (S310), the CPU 204 checks the user's key input in the state of waiting for key input and stops playing the MP3 file that was being played ( S320) Wait for a key input from the user.

When the user selects the 'PAUSE' key (S330), the CPU 204 pauses playback of the MP3 file (S340) and waits for a key input from the user.

When the user selects the 'PLAY' key (S350), the CPU 204 reads and calls the MP3 file stored in the hard disk 205 through the IDE interface 206, and calls the called user-selected MP3 file into the SDRAM 202. ) Is copied (S360). The CPU 204 checks whether there is a transfer request of the MP3 file from the MP3 decoder 207, and if there is a transfer request, transfers the MP3 file copied to the SDRAM 202 to the MP3 decoder 207 as serial data (S380). ). When there is no transfer request, the CPU 204 multi-tasks by copying a predetermined amount of the MP3 file from the hard disk 205 to the SDRAM 202 for a time not requiring the transfer of the MP3 file from the MP3 decoder 207. (Multitasking) is done.

When the user selects 'PLAY', the CPU 204 plays the selected MP3 file from the beginning if the previous situation is stopped. If the playback is paused, the CPU 204 plays the MP3 file from the paused point. Resume and wait for key input from the user.

When the user selects the 'REW' key (S390), the CPU 204 plays back from a certain time before the current playback point (S400) and waits for a key input from the user.

If the user selects the 'FF' key (S410), the CPU 204 plays back from the current time after a specific time (S420) and waits for a key input from the user.

When the user selects the 'PREVIOUS' key (S430), the CPU 204 plays the MP3 file before the currently selected MP3 file on the MP3 file list (S440) and waits for a key input from the user.

When the user selects the 'NEXT' key (S450), the CPU 204 plays the MP3 file after the currently selected MP3 file on the MP3 file list (S460) and waits for a key input from the user.

When the user selects the 'EXIT' key (S470), the CPU 204 stops the playback of the MP3 file and returns to the mode showing the MP3 file list (S480).

Hereinafter, the operation of the MP3 file playback system using the digital set-top box according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5 is a block diagram illustrating an MP3 file playback system using a digital set-top box according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The MP3 file reproducing system using the digital set-top box according to the second embodiment of the present invention enables the main controller (or CPU) to process software that performs the functions of the MP3 decoder, and excludes the main controller and the MP3 decoder. The same reference numerals are used to denote the MP3 file reproducing system according to the first embodiment, and descriptions of overlapping portions will be omitted.

In the MP3 file playback system using the digital set-top box according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the main controller 212 is for transmitting a file of the MP3 format when the user turns on the power of the digital set-top box (200) An initialization module 212-1 for initializing the operation of the serial port and each component; An MP3 file search module 212-2 for searching the number and location of MP3 files stored in the hard disk 205; A key input control module 212-3 which checks a user's key input and converts it into one or more modes, and controls the MP3 format file received on each converted mode to be played; And an MP3 file reproducing module 212-4 for decoding and reproducing the received MP3 file.

The main controller 212 processes software for playing the MP3 file played by the MP3 decoder of the first embodiment. The main controller 212 may be a CPU storing the above software, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

The components in the embodiments of the present invention can be modified and changed in many ways without departing from the gist of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

As described above, the file reproducing system and the reproducing method using the set-top box of the present invention can receive and store a large amount of MP3 data by using a digital set-top box, and reproduce the stored MP3 data with high quality, and also set the digital set-top box. By having the function to play MP3 files as well as broadcast, it is possible to maximize the utilization of the set-top box.

Claims (8)

A data storage unit for storing data included in a file of a first format received from a user terminal through a network; A control unit which senses a user's selection of at least one operation mode and controls to read data included in the file of the first format stored in the data storage unit according to a result of the selection of the mode; And A data reproducing unit which decodes and reproduces data included in the file of the first format by an operation control routine of the control unit; File playback system using a set-top box including a. In claim 1, A first interface that is an interface that enables file transfer of the first type from the user terminal; A second interface for storing the file of the first type transmitted from the user terminal in the data storage unit, or reading the file of the first type stored in the data storage unit and transmitting the file of the first type in the data storage unit; File playback system using a set-top box further including. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit An initialization module configured to initialize an operation state for transmitting the file of the first type when power is applied by the user; A file retrieval module for retrieving the number and location of files of the first type stored in the data storage unit; A key input control module for checking an operation mode selection of the user and converting the operation mode to one or more operation modes, and controlling the file of the first format received on each converted mode to be played; A file reproducing module for decoding and reproducing the received file of the first format And a file playback system using the set-top box, characterized in that capable of playing back the file of the first format by each module. The file of claim 1, wherein the file of the first format is File playback system using a set-top box, characterized in that the audio data compression technology MP3 file format. Receiving a file of a first type from a user terminal through a network and storing the file in a data storage medium; Detecting a user's selection among one or more operation modes and displaying a list of playable files on the display device; Detecting a file selection of the user from the file list and reading and playing the file of the first format stored in the data storage medium; File playback method using a set-top box including a. The method of claim 5, wherein the file list display step If the key input for the first operation mode of the user is detected, processing to exit the file list display mode; If a key input for the second operation mode of the user is detected, processing to display a selected file that is changed and selected; A first step of reproducing the selected file in at least one operation mode when a key input for the third operation mode of the user is detected; File playback method using a set-top box including a. The method of claim 6, wherein the first step Stopping playback of the file of the first type being played when a key input for the fourth operation mode of the user is detected; Suspending playback of the file of the first type being played when a key input for the fifth operation mode of the user is detected; When a key input for the sixth operation mode of the user is detected, it is checked whether the file of the first format is to be played. If the play is stopped as a result of the check, the file of the first format selected from the beginning is played, and playback is performed. Resuming the reproduction of the file of the first type from the time at which it was paused if it is in a suspended state; If a key input for the seventh operation mode of the user is detected, replaying the file from the time point at which the file of the first type is currently being played to before a specific time; If a key input for the eighth operation mode of the user is detected, replaying the file after the specific time at the time of playing the file of the first type currently being played; If a key input for the ninth operation mode of the user is detected, reproducing a file before a currently selected file on the file list of the first format; Playing a file after the current selection file on the file list of the first format when a key input for the tenth operation mode of the user is detected; If a key input for the eleventh operation mode of the user is detected, stopping playback of the file in the first format and returning to the file list display step File playback method using a set-top box including a. 8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the first step is Reading and calling the file of the first type stored in the data storage medium, and copying the called user selection file into memory; Checking a file request of the first type and transmitting the file of the first type copied to the memory as serial data when a file request of the first type is detected; If a file request of the first type is not detected, copying the file of the first type from the data storage medium to the memory until a file transfer request of the first type is detected; File playback method using a set-top box including a.