KR20050108797A - Apparatus for advertisement by using usb - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a public relations device, and more particularly, to a public relations device using a UBS using UBS and OTP-ROM.

The present invention stores the information data necessary for its promotion in the OTP-ROM that can be programmed once, and can be used by connecting the promotional device to the user computer in accordance with the USB transmission protocol, and transmits various information to the user without a separate installation process This is possible, and by connecting the promotional device to the user computer and at the same time driving the autorun file to execute a specific task, there is no need for cumbersome program installation or input of the user's operation command.

The PR device using the USB according to the characteristic aspect of the present invention is connected to the USB host connector of the user computer for the input and output of data, a memory for storing the operating program of the promotional device, the information data provided to the user And an OTP-ROM in which an autorun file containing an automatic execution command of a program necessary for executing information data is stored, and an operating program is read from a memory to control the entire promotional device, and the program is controlled according to the autorun file stored in the OTP-ROM. It includes a control unit for converting and outputting the automatic execution command and information data of the command and data packet according to the USB host protocol. According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, it is possible to additionally mount a flash memory capable of storing and accessing data, so that it can be used as a portable storage device in the future.

Description

PR device using USS {Apparatus for advertisement by using USB}

The present invention relates to a public relations device, and more particularly, to a public relations device using a UBS using UBS and OTP-ROM.

Conventional methods of corporate promotion have promoted their products using pamphlets such as flyers. However, in recent years, as the popularization of computers and network communication such as the Internet have developed, storage media such as floppy diskettes or CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs have been developed. In many cases, the company stores and distributes information for the purpose of publicity or delivery to customers. Customers can search for promotional content or information recorded on storage media distributed through their computers.

However, small removable storage devices, such as floppy diskettes, are free to read and write, while their storage capacity is several megabytes, so they cannot store large amounts of data, while optical storage CD-ROMs or DVD-ROMs can contain hundreds or gigabytes of data. Although it has a storage capacity, CD-ROM is impossible to delete and recycle once stored data, DVD-ROM has the disadvantage that expensive DVD-ROM writer must be provided when recycling.

Meanwhile, USB (UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS) has been developed for the purpose of standardizing the interface for connecting a computer with a peripheral device such as a mouse, a printer, a modem, a speaker, an external storage device, and the like.

USB is a serial port created by a consortium of PC manufacturers such as Intel, Compaq, Microsoft, DEC, IBM, NEC, Norton Telecom, and so on, which can be used to remove complex adapters. have. Recently, most people use USB ports to send and receive data from their mobile phones or digital cameras to their computers.

While the serial speed of the serial port is less than 100K per second, USB supports data transfer speeds of 12Mbps, so even the most peripherals are fast enough to connect up to 127 devices in a chain. It can be recognized even if it is connected while using a PC, and does not require a power supply for peripheral devices. By using USB, all peripheral devices are connected to the same connector without any software or hardware setup when connecting peripheral devices to a PC. This can dramatically reduce the number of ports, simplify installation, and reduce the size of portable PCs. There is an advantage to being possible. PCs usually have two USB ports, but there is a USB hub that divides one port into multiple ports, so you can connect various peripherals. In general, a removable storage device using a USB uses a flash memory that can freely write and erase data.

However, the portable storage device with a built-in flash memory is easy to install, easy to store and read data, but because of its high price, it is unsuitable for the promotion of a company for information delivery of its products.

The present invention was devised to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a PR device using USB which does not require hardware and software installation of a provided PR device.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a promotional device using USB that information data stored in the promotional device is automatically executed at the same time as the user computer is connected.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a promotional device using USB that can be used as a mobile storage device by installing a flash memory capable of storing and accessing data.

Furthermore, the flash memory is detachably installed to provide a PR device using USB which can additionally expand the flash memory.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a PR device using USB, which can perform an upgrade of an operation program of a promotional device by automatically accessing a provider homepage.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a promotional device using a USB device for distributing or providing a promotional device is connected to a USB port of a computer, and the operating system of the computer checks the connection of the USB device to the USB drive. Recognize. The controller of the promotion apparatus reads and operates an operation program of the promotion apparatus from a memory provided in the apparatus, searches for an autorun file of data stored in an OTP-ROM (One Time Programming ROM) included in the apparatus, and executes a driving command of the corresponding program. Transfer it to the user's computer, which receives it and executes the program.

An autorun file is an autorun file of a program that provides various data to a user. The autorun file is connected to a specific site by executing an Internet browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape, depending on the running of the autorun file. It performs a specified operation such as displaying various documents through the same document program and displaying graphic files using various graphic viewers.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the PR device using the USB according to the present invention may further include a flash memory capable of storing, accessing and deleting data desired by the user. When the user connects the promotional device provided from the provider to the USB connector of his computer, the operating system of the computer checks the connection of the USB device and recognizes it as a USB drive.

The controller of the promotional apparatus reads and drives an operating program of the promotional apparatus from a memory provided in the apparatus, and drives an autorun file of data stored in an One Time Programming ROM (OTP-ROM) included in the apparatus. When the transfer of information stored by the provider is terminated by the autorun file, the controller operates as a driving driver that controls the interface method of the flash memory connected to the promotional apparatus.

Accordingly, the user may store the data selected by the user in a flash memory included in the promotional apparatus or access and execute the stored data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the flash memory of the PR device using the USB according to the present invention may be detachably installed on the PR device, and thus the flash memory of various capacities may be installed, and the memory may be easily expanded.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily understand and reproduce the present invention.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a promotional apparatus using USB according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the PR device using the USB according to the present invention is connected to the USB host connector of the user computer to handle the input and output of the data, the USB interface 110, the operating program of the promotional device 100 is stored A memory 120, an OTP-ROM (One Time Programming ROM) 130 storing information data provided to a user, and an autorun file including an automatic execution command of a program required to execute the information data, and a memory 120 Reads the operating program to control the entire promotional device 100, and converts the automatic execution command of the program into a command packet according to the USB host protocol according to the autorun file stored in the OTP-ROM 130 to use the USB interface 110. And a control unit 140 for converting the information data into data packets according to the USB host protocol and outputting the data to the USB interface 110. It is configured to.

The USB interface 110 is connected to the USB host connector provided in the user computer, and receives a command packet or data packet according to the USB transmission protocol transmitted from the user computer and transmits the received packet to the controller 140 or the controller 140. It is a kind of connector that transmits command packets or data packets output from the user computer.

The memory 120 is implemented as, for example, a programmable EEPROM. The EEPROM is a ROM that allows a user to modify contents in the memory 120. The memory 120 may be repeatedly erased or reprogrammed using a voltage higher than normal. Memory device. The memory 120 stores an operation program for driving the promotional apparatus 100. When connected to a user computer and receiving a USB drive recognition signal from an operating system of the computer, the controller 140 reads out and executes an operating program stored in the memory 120.

The OTP-ROM 130 can be programmed only once, such as, for example, ATEL AT27C010 chip used in a device that needs to repeatedly access stored contents, and access is a free low-cost memory device. The OTP-ROM 130 stores promotional contents programmed by the provider of the promotional device 100 and information data to be transmitted to the user, and stores an autorun file of a program displaying information data when the computer is connected to the computer. . The autorun file is an autorun file for performing a specific operation provided by the public relations device 100 provider. When the PR device 100 is recognized as a USB drive by the OS of the computer, the OS transmits a USB drive recognition signal to the control unit 140 of the PR device 100. The operating program driven by the controller 140 reads an autorun file stored in the OTP-ROM 130 and transmits an execution command of the corresponding program mounted on the user computer.

The controller 140 is implemented as a single microprocessor, and reads and executes an operating program that controls the overall PR device 100 using the USB from the memory 120. The operating program interprets the response or command packet and data packet transmitted from the user's computer according to the USB transmission protocol, and controls the entire device according to the result of the interpretation.The operating program transmits the response or command signal and data transmitted to the user's computer according to the USB transmission protocol. Accordingly, the response or command packet and the data packet are converted and transmitted to the USB interface 110. In addition, the operating program drives the autorun file stored in the OTP-ROM 130 to display the information that the provider wants to promote or deliver.

Hereinafter, the operation of the PR device using the USB according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation state of a public relations apparatus using USB according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the user receives the distributed or provided promotional device 100 and connects the promotional device 100 to his computer, that is, the USB port provided in the user computer. For example, an operating system such as Windows or Linux installed in the user's computer recognizes that an external device connection event has occurred on the USB port, and establishes a connection according to the PR device 100 and the USB transmission protocol. S101).

When the connection with the user computer is established, the controller 140 of the promotional apparatus 100 reads and drives the operation program stored in the memory 120 (S102). The operation program of the promotion apparatus 100 searches for and reads an autorun file of the OTP-ROM 130 in order to execute an operation previously programmed by the provider of the promotion apparatus 100 (S103). The operating program converts the execution command of the program required to execute the autorun file to execute the information data stored in the OTP-ROM 130 into a command packet according to the U.S. transmission rule, and is driven on the user computer through the U.S. interface 110. Transfer to the operating system (S104).

The operating system of the user computer receives a command packet and executes a program according to the command packet, and the operating program of the promotional apparatus 100 converts the information data of the program running on the user computer into a data packet according to the USB transmission regulations. It transmits to the operating system running on the user computer through the USB interface (110) (S105). The operating system of the user computer receives the data packet transmitted from the USB interface 110 and provides it to the user through a running program. When the operation program of the promotion device finishes the transmission of all data stored in the OTP-ROM 130 or receives a forced termination command of the user, the operation ends (S106).

For example, if a specific operation stored in the promotional device 100 is programmed to access a specific site, the OTP-ROM 130 may include an autorun for driving an Internet browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape mounted on the user's computer. The file is saved. The operating program executes the autorun file, converts the Internet browser's driving command into a command packet according to the USB transmission rule, and sends it to the operating system running on the user's computer. The operating system of the user's computer receives the command packet and executes the Internet browser. In addition, the operation program of the promotional device 100 reads the URL of the homepage or site to be accessed on the Internet browser from the OTP-ROM 130 and transmits the URL to the operating system of the user computer. The operating system receives the URL and accesses the homepage or site through a browser.

In addition, when the promotional data provided by the promotional apparatus 100 provider is, for example, MS office, word processor data such as Hangul Hangul, or document data such as Acrobat, an operating program of the promotional apparatus 100 may be compatible with the document data. The program driving command is transmitted to the operating system, and the operating system receives the program and executes the corresponding program to display data provided by the provider.

According to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the autorun file stored in the OTP-ROM 130 of the PR device 100 using the USB according to the present invention may be an installation file of a separate program provided by the PR device 100 provider. have. For example, in the case of promoting a program or a product of various solution types, the installation file of the demo version of the limited manual and functions of the program to be promoted is stored in the OTP-ROM 130. When the connection is established according to the USB communication protocol by connecting the promotional device 100 provided by the user to a computer, the installation file stored in the OTP-ROM 130 is automatically installed by an application program mounted on the promotional device 100 and driven. Is installed on your computer and you can use the programs installed on your computer.

Figure 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a promotional device using the USB according to another embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the PR device 100 using the USB according to the present invention includes a flash memory 150 capable of storing user selection data transmitted from a computer or accessing the stored data, and a host connector of the flash memory 150. The flash memory 150 may be implemented to be detachable by further including a flash memory connector 160 connected to and transmitting / receiving data. The flash memory 150 that is detachably connected to the PR device 100 using the USB according to the present invention includes CF (Compact Flash), SD (Secure Digital), MMC (Multi Media Card), and XD (XD-Picture). Cards, Memory Sticks, and the like, and are generally used as storage means for portable digital devices such as digital cameras, PDAs, and mobile communication terminals because of their small size and large storage capacity.

When the user combines the flash memory 150 with the PR device 100 using the USB, the operating program driven by the controller 140 recognizes this and controls the interface method of the flash memory 150 coupled. The control unit 140 extracts a logical address and data to be recorded from a data packet received through the USB interface 110 in response to a data recording command of an operating system of the user computer.

The controller 140 converts the extracted logical address and data to be written into a command packet and a data packet according to the transmission interface method of the combined flash memory 150. The flash memory 150 is output to the flash memory 150 connected through the connector. The flash memory 150 translates the physical address from the logical address and then writes data received in the translated physical address. After data writing, the controller 140 receives a status response packet or a command and data packet through the host connector 14 of the flash memory. The control unit 140 interprets the received packet and converts the result data, for example, the result data on whether the data is recorded, into a status response packet or a command and data packet according to the U.S. protocol, and then through the U.S. interface 110. Output to a computer.

Hereinafter, the operation of the PR device using the USB according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation state of a public relations device using USB according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the user receives the distributed or provided promotional device 100 and connects the promotional device 100 to his computer, that is, the USB port provided in the user computer. For example, an operating system such as Windows or Linux installed in the user's computer recognizes that an external device connection event has occurred on the USB port, and establishes a connection according to the PR device 100 and the USB transmission protocol. S201).

When the connection with the user computer is established, the control unit 140 of the promotion apparatus 100 reads out and drives the operation program stored in the memory 120 (S202). The operation program of the promotion apparatus 100 searches for and reads an autorun file of the OTP-ROM 130 to execute an operation previously programmed by the provider of the promotion apparatus 100 (S203). The operating program converts the execution command of the program required to execute the autorun file to execute the information data stored in the OTP-ROM 130 into a command packet according to the U.S. transmission rule, and is driven on the user computer through the U.S. interface 110. Transfer to the operating system (S204).

The operating system of the user computer receives a command packet and executes a program according to the command packet, and the operating program of the promotional apparatus 100 converts the information data of the program running on the user computer into a data packet according to the USB transmission regulations. It transmits to the operating system running on the user computer through the USB interface 110 (S205). The operating system of the user computer receives the data packet transmitted from the USB interface 110 and provides it to the user through a running program. When the operation program of the promotion apparatus finishes the transmission of all data stored in the OTP-ROM 130 or receives a forced termination command of the user, the operation ends (S206).

An operation programmed by the provider, for example, when the execution of the display of a graphic file using various graphic tools or a document file such as a word or PDF file or a connection to a specific homepage or site is completed, the operating program of the controller 140 Stops the program operation of the provider and operates a driving driver of the flash memory 150 that controls the interface according to the transfer protocol of the flash memory 150.

When the user stores the selected file or data using the input means of the user computer in the flash memory 150 coupled to the promotion apparatus 100, the operating system of the user computer records data with the controller 140 of the promotion apparatus 100. The command is transmitted (S207). The control unit 140 extracts the logical address and the data to be written from the data packet received through the USB interface 110 and instructs the command packet according to the transfer protocol of the flash memory 150 in which the extracted logical address and the data to be written are combined. And it converts into a data packet (S208). The flash memory 150 is output to the flash memory 150 connected through the flash memory connector 160 (S209).

The flash memory 150 translates the physical address from the logical address and then writes data received in the translated physical address. After data writing, the controller 140 receives a status response packet or a command and a data packet through the host connector of the flash memory 150 (S2010). The control unit 140 interprets the received packet and converts the result data, for example, the result data on whether the data is recorded, into a status response packet or a command and data packet according to the U.S. protocol, and then through the U.S. interface 110. Output to the computer (S211).

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the control unit 140 of the PR device using the USB according to the present invention downloads the upload data of the operating program from the specific site connected to the user computer by the autorun file and stored in the memory 120 It further includes a program update unit 141 for uploading. When connected to a user computer and recognized as a USB drive, the controller 140 reads and executes an operating program from the memory 120. The operating program reads an autorun file for running an Internet browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape mounted on the user's computer from the OTP-ROM 130, and converts the driving command of the Internet browser into a command packet according to the USB transmission rule. Send to the operating system running on.

The operating system of the user's computer receives the command packet and executes the Internet browser. In addition, the operation program of the promotional device 100 reads the URL of the homepage or site to be accessed on the Internet browser from the OTP-ROM 130 and transmits the URL to the operating system of the user computer. The operating system receives the URL and accesses the homepage or site through a browser.

When the homepage or the site is accessed by the public relations device 100, the homepage server requests, for example, membership in the homepage, an event event, or a survey. In response to a request of the homepage server, when the user computer finishes inputting personal information, joining an event event, or inputting a questionnaire according to membership of the homepage, for example, the homepage server sends a message to the promotion apparatus 100. You are prompted to enter the recorded serial number. The serial number is a unique number uniquely assigned when the promotional device 100 is manufactured, and prevents the copy of the promotional device 100 and the upgrade of the operating program without permission.

When the serial number is transmitted from the user's computer, the homepage server transmits the upgraded operating program to the user's computer, and the operating system of the user's computer converts the data into a data packet according to the USB transmission protocol and updates the program of the controller 140 through the USB interface 110. Transfer to section 141. The program update unit 141 updates an existing operating program stored in the memory 120 with the updated operating program.

As described above, the PR device using the USB according to the present invention is not only possible to transmit various information to the user without a separate installation process according to the USB transmission protocol, but also by using a low-cost OTP-ROM freely selectable capacity, device manufacturing It has the effect of reducing the cost.

 In addition, it saves the promotional data or information data to be stored in the OTP-ROM and the autorun file that drives the same, and connects with the user's computer and drives the autorun file to execute a specific task, thereby causing troublesome program installation or user operation commands. The advantage is that no input is required.

In addition, since the flash memory capable of storing and accessing data can be additionally installed, the flash memory can be used as a portable storage device.

In addition, since the flash memory is detachably installed, the flash memory can be additionally expanded.

In addition, by performing the upgrade of the operation program of the promotional device through a method such as membership of the provider homepage, event events, survey participation, there is an advantage that can increase the effect of its publicity.

On the other hand, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, which is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined only by the appended claims.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a promotional apparatus using USB according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation state of a public relations apparatus using USB according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a promotional device using the USB according to another embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation state of a public relations device using USB according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100. PR device 110. USB interface

120.Memory 130.OTP-ROM

140. Control unit 141. Program update unit

150. Flash memory 160. Flash memory connector

Claims (6)

In the public relations apparatus using the USB, A USB interface connected to a USB host connector of a user computer and responsible for inputting / outputting data; A memory in which an operation program of the promotional apparatus is stored; An OTP-ROM (One Time Programming ROM) for storing information data provided to a user and an autorun file including an automatic execution command of a program required for executing the information data; Reads an operating program from the memory to control the entire promotional device, converts an automatic execution command of the corresponding program into a command packet according to a USB host protocol according to an autorun file stored in the OTP-ROM, and outputs the command packet to the USB interface; A control unit converting the information data stored in the OTP-ROM into a data packet according to the USB host protocol and outputting the converted data packet to the USB interface; PR device using a USB, characterized in that it comprises a. The method of claim 1, wherein the autorun file is: Promotional device using the USB, characterized in that the automatic installation file of a program mounted on the user computer or a separate user program for executing the information data stored in the OTP-ROM. According to claim 1, wherein the PR device using the USB: A nonvolatile flash memory capable of recording / erasing data; A flash memory connector connected to a host connector of the flash memory to perform input / output of data; The control unit: The address and data to be recorded are extracted from the data packets input in response to the data write command from the user computer, converted into command packets and data packets according to the transfer protocol of the corresponding flash memory, and outputted to the flash memory connector. Interpreting a status response packet or command and data packet inputted from a connector, and converting the result data into a status response packet or command and data packet according to the USB host protocol and outputting the data to the USB interface; PR device using a USB. The method of claim 3, wherein The flash memory is a PR device using a USB, characterized in that detachably coupled to the PR device using the USB. The flash memory device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the flash memory comprises: PR device using CF, including Compact Flash (CF), Secure Digital (SD), Multi Media Card (MMC), XD-Picture Card (XD), and Memory Stick. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit: A program updating unit which downloads a new operating program from a specific site to which the user computer is connected by the autorun file of the promotional apparatus and uploads the operating program stored in the memory; PR device using a USB, characterized in that it further comprises a.