KR20050005076A - A mp3 player for mobile wireless device and operation method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An MP3 player for a mobile communication apparatus and an operating method therefor are provided to enable an MP3 player to use a battery power mounted on a mobile communication apparatus without changing a structure of the mobile communication apparatus, and to control an operation of the MP3 player through a keypad and a display of the apparatus, thereby enabling a product miniaturization. CONSTITUTION: A microcomputer(210) performs data communication with a mobile communication apparatus(100), and controls operations of each component within an MP3 player(200) by responding to a control signal. A connector(220) is combined with an input/output terminal(170) of the apparatus(100), and receives the control signal and power from the apparatus(100). A power input unit(240) receives the supplied power via the connector(220), and supplies the power to each component. A memory(260) stores predetermined contents data. A decoder(270) receives the contents data to convert a format of the data by responding to the control signal. An earphone connector(286) outputs a predetermined audio signal outputted from the decoder(270).

Description

MP3 player for mobile communication device and its operation method {A MP3 PLAYER FOR MOBILE WIRELESS DEVICE AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to an MP3 player for a mobile communication device and a method of operating the same, and more particularly, to an MP3 player for a mobile communication device and a method for operating the same, which can be combined with the mobile communication device to download and play content such as an MP3 file. will be.

In recent years, with the development of the electronics industry, the development and sales of mobile communication devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, and the like have soared.

As the users of mobile communication devices proliferate, users want more functions to be added to mobile communication devices such as mobile phones, and various research and developments have been made to meet the needs of users.

Recently, thanks to the innovative development of digital audio data processing technology, portable digital audio players, or MP3 players, have emerged. Such MP3 players are capable of downloading large-capacity music files through a PC, etc., and are enjoying explosive popularity due to their easy portability.

As such, in recent years, as portable products such as mobile phones and MP3 players are developed in various ways, the purchase of and use of all of these portable products is not only costly, but also hassles of carrying a large number of products. Accordingly, there is a need for development of a mobile communication device having an MP3 player function or a portable MP3 player that can be used in combination with a mobile communication device.

However, in the case of a product with an MP3 player embedded in the mobile phone, the price is quite expensive, the size of the mobile phone increases due to the increase of the memory and other components of the mobile phone, and the problem of replacing the old mobile phone with a new one. There is this.

Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a portable MP3 player which can be easily combined with a mobile communication device without changing the configuration of a conventional mobile communication device.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an MP3 player for a mobile communication device and a method of operating the same, which can be easily combined and used without changing the structure of the mobile communication device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an MP3 player for a mobile communication device and a method of operating the same, which can download and play a music file through a keypad operation of the mobile communication device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an MP3 player for a mobile communication device and a method of operating the same, which can easily download music files through a PC or a wireless communication network.

Other objects and advantages in addition to the above objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a mobile communication device and a portable MP3 player according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an MP3 player used in conjunction with a mobile phone in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

3 is a flowchart schematically showing a content playback procedure of an MP3 player for a mobile communication device in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a procedure for downloading content through a mobile communication network in an MP3 player for a mobile communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a procedure of downloading content through a PC in the MP3 player for a mobile communication device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an operation procedure during voice recording in an MP3 player for a mobile communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

<Description of main parts of drawing symbols>

100: cell phone

110: control unit

120: wireless data transmission / reception unit

130: display unit

140: keypad unit

150: power supply

160: terminal I / F unit

170: input and output terminal portion

200: MP3 Player

210: micom

220: connector

230: mobile phone I / F unit

240: power input unit

250: hot key input unit

260: memory

270: Decoder

The MP3 player according to the first aspect of the present invention is operable in combination with a mobile communication device, a predetermined application program is mounted to perform data communication with the mobile communication device, and operation of a keypad provided in the mobile communication device. A microcomputer that controls the operation of each component in the MP3 player in response to a predetermined control signal input through the microcomputer and the input / output terminal of the mobile communication device, and the predetermined control signal and power transmitted from the mobile communication device. A power supply unit for receiving power supplied from the mobile communication device, the power input unit for supplying power required for each component of the MP3 player, and a memory unit for storing predetermined content data; Content from the memory in response to a predetermined control signal input from a microcomputer And a decoder unit for receiving the data and converting the data into a suitable format, and an earphone connecting unit for outputting a predetermined audio signal output from the decoder unit to the outside.

In a preferred embodiment according to the above aspect, at least one or more hot key information and URL information corresponding to the hot key information are stored in the memory unit, and a user can perform keypad operation of the mobile communication device. The apparatus may further include a hot key input unit for transmitting the hot key information to the microcomputer when the input command signal corresponds to predetermined hot key information.

In addition, according to another preferred embodiment according to the above feature, further comprises a microphone for receiving a voice signal input from the outside to transmit to the decoder.

In addition, in another preferred embodiment according to the above features, an external device connection terminal that can be coupled to a PC, and an external device interface unit for transmitting and receiving data with a PC coupled to the external device connection terminal, the decoder unit Data communication is performed with the PC through an external device connection terminal and an external device interface unit.

A content reproduction method of an MP3 player for a mobile communication device according to a second aspect of the present invention operates in conjunction with a mobile communication device, and (a) at least stored in the MP3 player through a keypad manipulation of the mobile communication device by a user. Selecting at least one content, (b) reading a property of data corresponding to the selected content, and (c) if the content data is a digital audio signal, converting the digital audio signal into an analog audio signal. Converting, (d) amplifying the converted analog audio signal to a predetermined level, and (e) outputting the amplified analog audio signal.

In a preferred embodiment according to the above feature, if the content data is text data or image data as a result of checking in the step (c), transmitting the content data to a control unit of a mobile communication device; Displaying the data on a display unit of the mobile communication device.

A content downloading method of an MP3 player for a mobile communication device according to a third aspect of the present invention, comprising the steps of: (a) inputting predetermined URL information by a user's keypad operation of the mobile communication device; and (b) Accessing the URL through a wireless communication network; (c) downloading at least one content from a web site corresponding to the URL; and (d) storing the downloaded content in a memory of an MP3 player. Steps.

In a preferred embodiment according to the above feature, in step (a), at least one hot key information and a URL corresponding to the hot key are stored in a memory of the MP3 player, and the keypad of the mobile communication device is stored. When the operation matches any one of the hot key information, the URL information corresponding to the hot key information is recognized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of downloading a content of an MP3 player for a mobile communication device, the method comprising: (a) connecting the MP3 player to a PC; and (b) a decoder of the MP3 player. Synchronizing a predetermined application program mounted on the PC with the unit; (c) displaying a predetermined content list stored in the PC on the display unit of the mobile communication device via the MP3 player; At least one of the contents list displayed on the display unit is selected through a user's keypad manipulation; (e) the selected contents information is transmitted to the PC via the MP3 player; and (f) Transmitting the selected content from the PC to the MP3 player.

A voice recording method of an MP3 player for a mobile communication device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention operates in combination with a mobile communication device, and (a) setting a voice recording mode through a keypad operation of the mobile communication device; b) transmitting a predetermined analog voice signal to the decoder unit through the microphone unit of the MP3 player; (c) converting the analog voice signal into a digital voice signal; and (d) converting the converted digital voice signal into a predetermined unit. Compressing according to the compression technique of the step of storing in the memory of the MP3 player.

According to the present invention, there is provided an MP3 player which can be easily combined and used without changing the structure of the mobile communication device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view schematically showing a mobile communication device and a portable MP3 player according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone 100 and an MP3 player 200 that can be coupled to the mobile phone 100.

The connector 220 of the MP3 player 200 has a structure capable of coupling with the input / output terminal 170 of the mobile phone 100. In addition, the MP3 player 200 includes an earphone connection unit 286 to which an earphone 10 or a headphone may be connected.

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an MP3 player used in conjunction with a mobile phone in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2, the mobile phone 100 includes a control unit 110, a wireless data transmission / reception unit 120, a display unit 130, a keypad input unit 140, a power supply unit 150, and a terminal interface (I / F). A unit 160 and an input / output terminal 170 are included.

The control unit 110 is mounted with a predetermined application program to control the operation of each component of the mobile phone, and performs a communication function with the MP3 player 200.

The wireless data transmitter / receiver 120 connects to a mobile communication network in response to a predetermined control signal input from the controller to transmit and receive voice and data.

The display unit 130 displays the operation information of the mobile phone and the operation information of the MP3 player, and is usually composed of an LCD.

The keypad input unit 140 receives a predetermined command signal according to a user's keypad input and transmits it to the controller.

The power supply unit 150 receives the main power from the secondary battery mounted in the mobile phone, and supplies the power required for the mobile phone as well as the required power to the MP3 player 200.

The terminal I / F unit 160 is based on a serial communication standard such as UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver & Transmitter) or USB (Universal Serial Bus) in response to a predetermined control signal input from the controller, the MP3 player 200. Data communication with the.

The input / output terminal 170 is a kind of connector for physically connecting the mobile phone 100 and the MP3 player 200, and the connector of the MP3 player is coupled to the input / output terminal 170.

In addition, the MP3 player 200 includes a microcomputer 210, a connector 220, a mobile phone I / F unit 230, a power input unit 240, a hotkey input unit 250, a memory unit 260, and a decoder unit 270. ), A microphone unit 280, an amplifier unit 282, a USB I / F unit 284, an earphone connection unit 286, and a USB port 288.

The microcomputer 210 mounts a predetermined application program to control the operation of each component of the MP3 player 200 and communicates with the application program mounted on the controller 110 of the mobile phone.

The connector 220 is coupled to the input and output terminal 170 of the mobile phone to transmit and receive data between the mobile phone 100 and the MP3 player 200, the power supplied from the power supply unit 150 of the mobile phone MP3 player 200 To pass.

The mobile phone I / F unit 230 performs data communication with the mobile phone 100 based on a serial communication standard such as UART or USB in response to a predetermined control signal input from the microcomputer 210.

The power input unit 240 receives power supplied from the power supply unit 150 of the mobile phone through the connector 220 and supplies power required for each component of the MP3 player 200.

The hot key input unit 250 transmits a predetermined command signal input according to the operation of the hot key button 252 protruding from the upper surface of the MP3 player to the microcomputer 210 to automatically execute a predetermined program.

For example, when the hot key button 252 is pressed while the application program for the MP3 player mounted in the mobile phone is executed, it may be implemented to automatically access a URL of a content site previously stored in the memory unit 260. .

In addition, when the hot key button 252 is pressed while the application program for the MP3 player mounted in the mobile phone is not executed, the application program for the MP3 player mounted in the mobile phone may be automatically executed.

In addition, when the hot key button 252 is pressed in the state where there is no MP3 play application program in the mobile phone, the microcomputer 210 transmits a predetermined control signal to the control unit 110 of the mobile phone to communicate with the wireless network. Through the MP3 player application can be automatically downloaded and installed in the mobile phone.

In addition, it may be implemented to automatically execute various programs in association with a predetermined command signal input to the hot key input unit 250 through the manipulation of the hot key button 252.

Alternatively, the hot key input unit 250 may receive hot key information input through a user's keypad operation and transmit the received hot key information to the microcomputer 210. The hot key is a kind of shortcut key, and when predetermined predetermined keypad input information is input, it is recognized as hot key information. In the present invention, when the hot key information is received by the hot key input unit 50 by associating the favorite key information with the hot key information, the corresponding URL information is transmitted to the micom.

The memory unit 260 stores contents downloaded in response to a predetermined control signal input from the microcomputer 210, for example, an MP3 file, a learning file, a language file, a recorded voice file, and the like.

In response to a predetermined control signal input from the microcomputer 210, the decoder unit 270 plays content such as an MP3 file, a learning file, and converts an audio signal into a digital to analog (D / A) conversion or A / D. (analog to digital)

In addition, when the MP3 player 200 is coupled to a PC to download a predetermined content, the decoder 270 performs a slave side communication function according to the USB communication standard.

When the user's voice is input from the outside, the microphone unit 280 converts the voice into an analog electric signal and transmits it to the decoder unit 270.

The amplifier 282 amplifies and outputs an analog audio signal output from the decoder 270 to an appropriate level.

The USB I / F unit 284 is connected to a PC and data based on a USB serial communication standard under the control of the decoder 270 when the MP3 player 200 is connected to the PC through the USB port 288. Perform communication.

The earphone connection unit 286 is a terminal to which earphones or headphones are connected, and transmits an audio signal output from the amplifier 282 to the earphones or headphones. The USB port 288 connects the USB I / F unit 284 to a PC.

The operation principle of the MP3 player 200 having the above-described configuration will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

3 is a flowchart schematically showing a content reproduction procedure of the MP3 player for a mobile communication device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, at least one or more contents stored in the MP3 player are selected through a keypad manipulation of a mobile phone by a user (step 301). At this time, the user selects a desired content through a predetermined keypad operation while viewing a predetermined graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on the display 130 of the mobile phone.

Next, the selected content is read from the memory unit 260 of the MP3 player (step 303). As described above, the content includes an MP3 file, a learning file, a language file, a recorded voice file, and the like.

Next, it is checked whether the data of the read content is a digital audio signal (step 305). If the data of the read content is a digital audio signal (YES in step 305), the audio signal is transferred to the decoder unit 270 and converted into an analog audio signal (step 307).

Next, amplify the converted analog audio signal to an appropriate level (step 309). Next, the amplified signal is transmitted to the earphone or headphone side (step 311). This concludes this procedure.

On the other hand, in step 305, if the data of the read content is not a digital audio signal, it is checked whether the data of the content is text data or image data (step 313).

If the read content data is text data or image data, the content data is transmitted to the mobile phone 100 (step 315). In this case, the text data or the image data is transmitted to the controller 110 of the mobile phone via the mobile phone I / F unit 230 under the control of the microcomputer 210.

Next, the transmitted data is transmitted to and displayed on the display 130 (step 317). This concludes this procedure.

On the other hand, in step 313, if the content data is neither text data nor image data (NO in step 313), this procedure ends.

4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a procedure for downloading content through a mobile communication network in an MP3 player for a mobile communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, when a predetermined GUI is displayed on a display unit of a mobile phone (step 401), information on a URL (Uniform Resource Location) of a web site to be downloaded by a user is input (step 403). Input of the URL information is performed through the user's keypad operation. On the other hand, after storing the URL information of a predetermined web site in the memory unit 260, when a predetermined hot key (Hot-Key) is input through the keypad of the mobile phone is also possible to automatically connect to the pre-stored URL. . In this case, the hot key signal is detected by the hot key input unit 250 of the MP3 player and then transmitted to the microcomputer 210 to perform a connection procedure to the corresponding URL.

Next, the application program stored in the controller of the mobile phone accesses the URL of the input web site wirelessly through the wireless data transmission / reception unit 120 (step 405). Next, the user desired content is downloaded from the connected web site (step 407). At this time, the selected content is delivered to the controller of the mobile phone, and then to the microcomputer 210 of the MP3 player via the terminal I / F unit 160, and then in the memory unit 260 under the control of the microcomputer 210. Saved (step 409).

Thus, all content download procedures through the mobile communication network are terminated.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a procedure of downloading content through a PC in an MP3 player for a mobile communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The MP3 player 200 is connected to a PC (not shown) through a USB port 288, and the PC is equipped with a dedicated application program capable of data communication with the MP3 player.

Referring to FIG. 5, a predetermined GUI is displayed on the display unit of the cellular phone (step 501). Next, in response to a predetermined control signal input from the control unit 110 of the mobile phone and the microcomputer 210 of the MP3 player, the decoder unit 270 synchronizes with the dedicated application program mounted on the PC via the USB I / F unit. synchronization (step 503).

Next, the content list stored in the PC is transmitted to the controller of the cellular phone (step 505). At this time, the content list is the control unit of the mobile phone via the USB I / F unit 284, decoder unit 270, micom 210, mobile phone I / F unit 230 and the terminal I / F unit 160 Is sent to 110.

Next, the transmitted content list is displayed on the display unit 130 of the mobile phone (step 507). Next, the user selects a desired content from the content list displayed on the display 130 (step 509).

Next, after the selected content information is transmitted to the controller 110, the terminal I / F unit 160, the mobile phone I / F unit 230, the microcomputer 210, the decoder unit 270 and the USB I / F unit It is sent to the PC via 284 (step 511).

Next, the content selected by the user is transferred from the PC to the MP3 player 200 and stored in the memory unit (step 513). In this case, the selected content is stored in the memory unit 260 via the USB I / F unit 284 and the decoder unit 270 under the control of the microcomputer 210.

This completes the procedure for downloading the content through the PC.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an operation procedure during voice recording in an MP3 player for a mobile communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, first, after a voice recording mode is set through a keypad operation of a mobile communication device (step 601), a voice signal is input through the microphone unit 280 and transmitted to the decoder unit 270 (step). 603). Next, the decoder 280 converts the received analog audio signal into a digital signal and then compresses it using a predetermined compression technique (step 605). Next, under the control of the microcomputer 210, the compressed digital voice signal is stored in the memory unit 260 (step 607).

This completes the operation of the MP3 player during voice recording.

According to the present invention, there is provided an MP3 player that can be easily combined and used without changing the structure of the mobile communication device. Since the MP3 player uses battery power mounted in a mobile communication device, it is possible to miniaturize a product without requiring a separate battery.

In addition, since the structure of the existing mobile communication device is not changed, there is no need to purchase a mobile communication device separately.

In addition, since the operation of the MP3 player can be controlled through the keypad and the display unit of the mobile communication device, the implementation becomes more convenient.

In addition, since the content can be downloaded through the mobile communication network as well as the PC, the content information can be obtained regardless of time and place.

As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not necessarily limited to this embodiment, A various change and a deformation | transformation embodiment can be within the scope of the technical idea of this invention. Accordingly, the technical scope of the present invention should be determined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims (11)

An MP3 player operable in conjunction with a mobile communication device, A predetermined application program is mounted to perform data communication with the mobile communication device, and control an operation of each component in the MP3 player in response to a predetermined control signal input through manipulation of a keypad provided in the mobile communication device. With micom to say, A connector which can be combined with an input / output terminal of the mobile communication device and receives a predetermined control signal and power transmitted from the mobile communication device; A power input unit for receiving power supplied from the mobile communication device through the connector and supplying power for each component of the MP3 player; A memory unit for storing predetermined content data; A decoder unit for receiving content data from the memory and converting the content data into a suitable format in response to a predetermined control signal input from the microcomputer; Earphone connection unit for outputting a predetermined audio signal output from the decoder unit to the outside MP3 player for a mobile communication device comprising a. The method of claim 1, At least one hot key information and URL information corresponding to the hot key information are stored in the memory unit. The mobile communication device further comprises a hot key input unit for transmitting the hot key information to the microcomputer when a command signal input through a keypad manipulation of the mobile communication device by a user corresponds to predetermined hot key information. MP3 player. The method of claim 1, A predetermined program is stored in the memory unit, And a hot key input unit for transmitting a predetermined control signal for driving the program to the microcomputer in response to a predetermined command signal input to the outside. The method of claim 1, MP3 player for a mobile communication device, characterized in that it further comprises a microphone for receiving a voice signal input from the outside to transmit to the decoder. The method of claim 1, External device connection terminal which can be combined with a PC, An external device interface unit for transmitting and receiving data with the PC coupled to the external device connection terminal, And the decoder unit performs data communication with the PC through the external device connection terminal and the external device interface unit. In the content playback method of the MP3 player for mobile communication devices operating in conjunction with the mobile communication device, (a) selecting at least one or more contents stored in the MP3 player through a keypad manipulation of the mobile communication device by a user; (b) reading an attribute of data corresponding to the selected content; (c) converting the digital audio signal into an analog audio signal when the content data is a digital audio signal; (d) amplifying the converted analog audio signal to a predetermined level; (e) outputting the amplified analog audio signal Content playback method of the MP3 player for a mobile communication device comprising a. According to claim 6, wherein the result of the confirmation of step (c), If the content data is text data or image data, transmitting the content data to a control unit of a mobile communication device; Displaying the transmitted content data on a display unit of a mobile communication device; Content playback method of the MP3 player for a mobile communication device further comprising a. In the content download method of an MP3 player for a mobile communication device operating in conjunction with a mobile communication device, (a) inputting predetermined URL information through a keypad manipulation of the mobile communication device by a user; (b) accessing the URL via a wireless communication network; (c) downloading at least one or more content from a web site corresponding to the URL; (d) storing the downloaded content in a memory of an MP3 player; Content download method of the MP3 player for a mobile communication device comprising a. The method of claim 8, wherein step (a) At least one hot key information and a URL corresponding to the hot key are stored in a memory of the MP3 player, Recognizing URL information corresponding to the hot key information when the keypad operation of the mobile communication device matches any one of the hot key information. Content download method of MP3 player for mobile communication device, characterized in that consisting of. In the content download method of an MP3 player for a mobile communication device operating in conjunction with a mobile communication device, (a) connecting the MP3 player to a PC; (b) synchronizing a decoder of the MP3 player with a predetermined application program mounted on the PC; (c) displaying a predetermined content list stored in the PC on the display unit of the mobile communication device via the MP3 player; (d) selecting at least one of the contents list displayed on the display unit through a keypad operation of a user; (e) transmitting the selected content information to the PC via the MP3 player; (f) transferring the selected content from the PC to the MP3 player Content download method of the MP3 player for mobile communication device comprising a In the voice recording method of the MP3 player for mobile communication devices operating in conjunction with the mobile communication device, (a) setting a voice recording mode through a keypad operation of a mobile communication device; (b) transmitting a predetermined analog voice signal to the decoder unit through the microphone unit of the MP3 player; (c) converting the analog voice signal into a digital voice signal; (d) compressing the converted digital voice signal according to a predetermined compression technique and storing the converted digital voice signal in a memory of an MP3 player Voice recording method of the MP3 player for a mobile communication device comprising a.