KR200302225Y1 - External Storage Device having audio/video playing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an external storage device connected to a computer, and more particularly, to an external storage device having an audio / video playback function that can play multimedia files stored in the external storage device, in particular, an audio / video file. It is about.

The storage device of the present invention is an external storage device for storing digital data through data communication with a computer, wherein the storage device stores / reads data on the hard disk 24 through communication with a computer. A control unit 34 storing a program and data for performing a function command such as playing and searching of an audio / video file transmitted and received; a key input unit 32 for inputting a function command to the control unit 34; A power supply unit 30 for supplying power to the entire apparatus, a decoder 36 for decoding and outputting audio / video data output from the control unit 34, and decoded data output from the decoder 36 To display a specific character / video through the LCD display 44 according to a DAC 38 for converting the signal into an analog signal and a control signal output from the controller 34. And a LCD driving unit 42, which is copper.

Description

External Storage Device having audio / video playing unit

The present invention relates to an external storage device connected to a computer, and more particularly, to an external storage device having an audio / video playback function that can play multimedia files stored in the external storage device, in particular, an audio / video file. It is about.

In a conventional computer, a hard disk is installed as a data storage means to store digital data, read digital data from the hard disk, and perform necessary tasks. However, since a hard disk is usually fixed inside a computer by screws or fixing members, a floppy disk, a network connected through a LAN, or an e-mail may be used to move stored data to another computer. However, since multimedia data files, such as audio or video files, are large in size, moving them to another computer using such a moving unit takes a lot of time, and data errors may occur during movement. In order to solve this inconvenience, an external storage device is used.

As external storage devices, various types of storage media such as hard disks, magneto-optical (MD) disks, zip drives, and the like are used, and external storage devices using hard disks have been popularized. 1 and 2 are block diagrams illustrating a state of use of an external storage device using a hard disk. The storage device 20 is connected to the computer main body 10 using the Universal Serial Bus (USB) method. The USB method is able to transfer data more than 12Mb per second, and its use is gradually increasing because it is connected through a simple port connection. Data transmitted from the computer body 10 is transferred to the USB controller 22 built in the storage device 20 via the USB controller 12 and then stored in the hard disk drive 24. Power required for the storage device 20 is provided through a USB port or is supplied with a built-in power driver 26.

The conventional storage device 20 as described above, however, has a disadvantage that it cannot be used for other purposes except to provide data storage and mobility. In addition, when a large amount of data, for example, an audio file or a video file, is stored than a hard disk stored in the computer main body 10, an audio file or a video file stored in the external storage device 20 must be reproduced. There was an inconvenience to operate.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an external storage device having an audio / video playback function that can play multimedia files, such as audio / video files stored in the external storage itself. have.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an external storage device having an audio / video playback function that can provide convenience to a user by increasing the use efficiency of the conventional external storage device.

1 is a connection state of a conventional computer and an external storage device,

2 is a block diagram of FIG.

3 is an external perspective view of an embodiment of an external storage device according to the present invention;

4 is a block circuit diagram of an external storage device according to the present invention;

5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation state of an external storage device of the present invention;

6 is an exemplary view of a search display screen in an external storage device of the present invention.

※ Explanation of symbols about main part of drawing ※

10: computer main body 12, 22: USB controller

14: input and output unit 16: control unit

20: storage device 24: hard disk

26: power supply unit 30: power supply unit

32: key input unit 34: control unit

36: decoder 38: DAC

40: Speaker 40a: Earphone Jack

44: LCD driver 46: LCD display

An external storage device having an audio / video playback function of the present invention for achieving the above object is an external storage device for storing digital data through data communication with a computer, wherein the storage device communicates with the computer. A program for storing and reading data on the hard disk and transmitting the data, and executing a function command such as playing and searching an input audio / video file, a control unit storing data, and a key input unit for inputting a function command to the control unit; A power supply for supplying power to the entire apparatus, a decoder for decoding and outputting audio / video data output from the controller, a DAC for converting the decoded data output from the decoder into an analog signal, LCD displays specific text / video according to control signal output from controller And a LCD drive unit to be driven so as to display through the bitter.

Hereinafter, an external storage device having an audio / video playback function of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is an external perspective view of an embodiment of an external storage device having an audio / video playback function according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage device 20 includes a key input unit 32 having a plurality of function keys for inputting a function command, and an LCD display unit 44 on the exterior of a conventional storage device. have. The user searches and plays back the audio / video file by using the function key of the key input unit 32. Commands and status indications entered using the function keys are displayed via the LCD display 44. Reference numeral 40a shown on the side is an earphone jack for connecting an output of an audio signal through the earphone when the audio / video file is played and listened to.

4 is a block diagram of the storage device 20 as described above. As shown in the drawing, a USB controller 22 used for conventional data transfer, a hard disk driver 24 storing data, a power supply unit 30, a key input unit 32, a control unit 34, The decoder 36, the DAC 38, the speaker 40, the LCD driver 42, and the LCD display 44 are further connected.

The power supply unit 30 is for receiving the power required by the storage device 20. The power supply unit 30 is configured to supply commercial AC power AC110 / 220V or DC power DC5-12V.

The key input unit 32 is for inputting a function command for playing an audio / video file stored in the storage device 20. The function command may be, for example, a function such as searching, playing, forwarding, reversing, or the like, of the audio / video files stored in the hard disk drive 24 of the storage device 20.

The controller 34 may be configured using an MCU, and programs and data for controlling the operating state of the storage device 20 are stored. The control unit 34 receives the data input through the USB controller 22 when the USB controller 22 is connected to the computer main body 10 to store data. It stores on the disk, and also reads the stored data and transmits it to the computer main body 10. In addition, instead of data transmission, when a specific function key command is input from the key input unit 32, the corresponding function is performed.

Function commands input from the key input unit 32 are used to search and output the audio file or the video file stored in the hard disk of the hard disk drive 24, play the selected audio file or the video file, move forward, backward, stop, etc. Can be a function command. The function command can be set to be the same as actually playing a conventional audio / video file.

The decoder 36 is for decoding the digital audio file transmitted according to the control signal from the control unit 34. The decoded audio file is again converted into an analog signal by a digital-analog converter (DAC) 38, which is a digital-to-analog converter, and then output through the speaker 40. The audio file decoded by the decoder 36 may play an audio file having an extension of MP3, WMA, RM, AAC, as well as a video such as an MPEG I, II (MP4 / Divx / VCD) file depending on the decoder. Of course, it is possible to configure a decoder 36 having various codecs to decode other kinds of audio / video files.

The speaker 40 for outputting an analog signal as an audible signal is built in the storage device 20. The earphone jack 40a is connected in parallel with the speaker 40 so that an earphone or an external amplifier (not shown) may be used instead of the built-in speaker 40.

The storage device 20 of the present invention further includes an LCD display 44 for outputting a status display or list of function commands, and an LCD driver 42 for driving the LCD display 44. The user can confirm the display state of the function command through the LCD display 44 at the time of inputting the function command, and visually confirm this and select the audio file when the search list of the audio file is displayed. It is apparent that the LCD display 44 can also be used for reproduction of moving images at the time of reproduction of a video file.

An operating state of the storage device 20 of the present invention having the configuration as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an operating state, and Fig. 6 shows an example of a list displayed when a audio file is searched.

When power is applied while the storage device 20 is connected to the computer main body 10 via a USB cable, the storage device 20 maintains a standby state. When a data transmission and storage command is input from the computer main body 10 in the standby state, the control unit 34 transmits and stores data to the hard disk of the built-in hard disk drive 24. If a data read command is input from the computer main body 10, the requested data is read and transmitted to the computer main body 10.

When a function command is input instead of data transmission, the control unit 34 executes a program according to the function command. In FIG. 5, the case where the function command searches for and reproduces an audio file will be described. When a search command for an audio file is input, the controller 34 searches for an audio file among data files stored in the hard disk drive 24. The audio file is searched for a file of each extension MP3, WMA, RM, MP4, etc., a list is made, and output through the LCD display 44. 6 shows an example of the searched list.

As shown, they are displayed in the order of search or name, and the user can select a specific audio file using the reverse bar. If a play command is input after selection, the control unit 34 outputs a command to play the audio file.

As described with reference to FIG. 3, the reproduction of the audio file is read by the audio / video file, decoded by the decoder 36, and converted into an analog signal by the DAC 38 and output.

The user may listen to the music through the speaker 40. Although only the search and playback commands of the audio file are shown in the figure, it is apparent that such commands can be extended to conventionally used function commands such as forward, backward, pause, stop, and the like.

If you want to search not only audio files but also video files at the same time, set "Multimedia file selection" in the selection menu, and MPEG I, II (MP4 / Divx / VCD) as well as audio files with extensions MP3, WMA, RM, MP4. It can also be configured to search for video files such as files. Of course, it is also possible to select only video files. If you select and execute the "Multimedia file selection" menu, the control unit searches for the hard disk and displays all files with the extension MP3, WMA, RM, MP4, MPEG I, II (MP4 / Divx / VCD). .

In the above description of the present invention has been described with respect to the storage device connected by using the computer main body 10 and the USB, port, the same can be applied to other types of storage devices connected using the parallel port, IEEE1394, serial port, etc. Obvious, but modifications and variations will be within the scope of the present invention.

As such, according to the present invention, multimedia files stored in an external storage device, in particular, audio / video files can be played by themselves, and an added value can be provided to the storage device.

Claims (4)

In an external storage device for storing digital data through data communication with a computer, The controller 34 stores and reads and transmits data to the storage device through communication with a computer, and stores a program and data for performing a function command such as playing or searching an input audio / video file. And a key input unit 32 for inputting a function command to the control unit 34, a power supply unit 30 for supplying power to the entire apparatus, and audio / video data output from the control unit 34. A specific character / video in accordance with a decoder 36 for outputting the signal, a DAC 38 for converting the decoded data output from the decoder 36 into an analog signal, and a control signal output from the controller 34. An external storage device having an audio / video playback function, comprising: an LCD driver (42) driven to display the display through the LCD display (44). The method of claim 1, External storage device with an audio / video playback function, characterized in that the storage device 20 and the computer main body 10 is configured to transmit data using the USB controller (12, 22). The method of claim 1, External power supply with an audio / video playback function, characterized in that the power supply unit 30 comprises a stop and a DC-DC converter to supply commercial AC power or DC power. The method of claim 1, And a decoder (36) configured to decode audio files in MP3, WMA, RM, or AAC format and video files in MPEG I, II format.