KR20070043466A - Apparatus of controlling portable computer supporting mp3 player and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control device and method of a portable computer for supporting an MP3 player, and more particularly, to a control device and method of a portable computer for supporting an MP3 player for controlling the state of battery charging and output. The present invention mounts an MP3 player on a portable computer and charges the power of the battery of the MP3 player from the battery of the portable computer. In the present invention, when the MP3 player is mounted on the portable computer, the output state of the MP3 file is displayed from the display window of the MP3 player when the MP3 player is used. The lock and num lock status are displayed.

MP3 Player, Portable Computer, Battery Powered, Display

Description

Apparatus of Controlling Portable Computer Supporting MP3 Player and Method

1 is a block diagram of a typical notebook computer.

Figure 2 is a flowchart for the operation control of a notebook computer according to the prior art.

3 is a perspective view of a notebook computer according to the present invention.

4 is a control block diagram of a notebook computer according to the present invention.

5 is a communication state between the notebook computer and MP3 player in accordance with the present invention.

6 is a flowchart for operation control of a notebook computer according to the present invention.

          Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

300: keyboard controller 320: amplifier

350: speaker 360: AC adapter

370: DC battery 350: switching means

400 MP3 Player 410 Battery

420: flash memory 430: controller

440: MPEG-3 450: Display

460: codec 470: signal input unit

The present invention relates to a control device and a method of a portable computer for supporting an MP3 player, and more particularly, to install a MP3 player in a portable computer body to manage battery power, and to operate the operation state according to the output of the MP3 player. A control device and method for a portable computer supporting an MP3 player for output control.

Hereinafter, a portable computer supporting an MP3 player according to the related art will be described. As an embodiment of the above portable computer, a notebook computer is used.

1 is a block diagram of a general notebook computer, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart for controlling the operation of an MP3 player mounted on the notebook computer.

Inside the notebook computer, a chipset 110 including a controller for controlling the operation of the notebook computer, an MPEG chip 130 for compressing and storing audio files, and encoding of audio files And a codec 140 for performing decoding control, an audio amplifier 120 for amplifying the audio file converted by the decoding control from the codec 140, and a left / right speaker for outputting the amplified audio file. 150a and 150b and a signal input unit 160 for inputting an operation control signal of the notebook computer. As an example of the signal input unit 160, a keyboard keyboard of a notebook computer may be used.

The chipset 110 is a main controller mounted on a main board. The chip set 110 controls the operation of the notebook computer.

The codec 140 implements a function of a coder for converting an audio or video signal into a digital signal and vice versa. For example, audio or video data is converted to digital for computer processing and the data is reproduced on a monitor so that computer users can see it. It also bundles large files like video (encoding) and allows them to be played back (decoded). There are various kinds of codecs such as MPEG, MOV, DivX, AVI, RLE, and RA. The MPEG is most commonly used at present, and the image quality is clear, but the capacity is large. The extension is mpeg. DivX is an evolution of MPEG4, which shows a video comparable to DVD quality, although its file size is smaller than that of DVD.

When the user inputs a control signal, the chipset 110 reads the input request signal. According to the read result, the system is controlled so that the notebook computer can control the operation according to the control signal input by the user. For example, when playing an audio file stored in a notebook computer, the requested audio file is encoded through the codec 140, and the encoded file is amplified through the audio amplifier 120 and then through the speakers 150a and 150b. Output In addition, when using a specific program of the notebook computer, the chipset 110 reads the registry value to determine the address and data characteristics stored in the program. The chip set 11 then executes the specific program.

Conventionally, in order for MP3 Player to be mounted in a notebook computer, the MP3 Player body should not have a battery installed. When the MP3 Player is mounted on the notebook computer, the MP3 Player is operated by receiving operating power from the battery of the notebook computer. In order for the MP3 player to operate, the following operation process is performed as in FIG. 2.

Conventionally, in order to perform the function of an MP3 player, operating power is applied through a battery of a notebook computer. Then, power on / off and song selection are performed through operation buttons configured on the signal input unit 160 of the MP3 player. Accordingly, when the chipset 110 determines the input operation signal and determines that the signal is a power on / off and song selection signal (step 200), the chipset 110 performs a function selected by the user (step 210). Thereafter, during the playback function of the MP3 player, the user can arbitrarily select a song (step 220).

Meanwhile, as a result of the determination of the chipset 110 in step 200, when the power on / off and song selection signal is not input, it is assumed that the MP3 player does not perform the function. As a result, the MP3 player has a standby state (step 230). The chipset 110 controls the operation of a general notebook computer.

As mentioned above, conventionally, when an MP3 player is mounted on a notebook computer body, the MP3 player is supplied with power from a battery of the notebook computer. In other words, the MP3 player's battery is powered from the notebook computer's battery without a separate configuration. Therefore, the above-mentioned technique has the following problems.

Conventionally, an MP3 player which does not constitute a battery is mounted on a notebook computer and operated by being supplied with power. Accordingly, when using an MP3 player while carrying a notebook computer, depending on the battery of the laptop computer, it was inherently impossible to use the MP3 player when the remaining battery capacity of the laptop battery was insufficient or not to run.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention MP3 player mounted on a portable computer, MPMP charging control of the battery power of the portable computer to the rechargeable battery of MP3 player The present invention provides a control device and method for a portable computer supporting a three player.

In addition, an object of the present invention, the control device of a portable computer supporting an MP3 player for controlling the display of the operation state of the portable computer or MP3 player in accordance with the operation mode through the display means of the MP3 player mounted on the portable computer and In providing a method.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control apparatus of a portable computer for supporting an MP3 player, comprising: a signal input unit for inputting an operation control signal of an MP3 player; A controller for controlling an operation state according to the input operation control signal; An audio unit for outputting and adjusting an audio signal; An amplifier configured to include an MP3 player including a display unit displaying an operation state of the MP3 player, and an amplifier for amplifying and outputting data output from the audio unit; A speaker which performs a function of outputting data output from the amplifier; At least two batteries for supplying operating power; A control unit which checks a charge amount of the at least two batteries and controls an operation of a portable computer and an output of an audio (mp3) file; And further comprising a switch for selecting one of the at least two batteries, and after the MP3 player having a separate battery is mounted in the portable computer, one of the at least two batteries according to the selection of the switch. It is characterized in that the control to be charged by applying power to the MP3 player battery.

The display unit of the present invention is characterized in that the CAPS_LOCK, NUM_LOCK, WIRELESS_INDICATOR, etc. are displayed in the operating state of the portable computer, and the power / play / volume state is controlled in the state where the MP3 player is mounted.

The audio unit of the present invention comprises an MPEG and a codec which performs encoding and decoding control of an audio file transmitted from the MPEG to adjust an output of an audio signal.

The portable computer of the present invention further comprises a signal input unit for inputting an operation control signal and a notebook circuit unit for performing operation control.

At least two or more batteries of the present invention consist of an AC adapter and a DC battery.

A control method of a portable computer supporting an MP3 player according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises a separate display means in addition to the monitor, the MP3 player is a portable computer, the MP3 player is a portable computer A charging request step of requesting to charge the battery of the MP3 player; According to the charge request step, the charge control step of proceeding to charge the battery of the MP3 player from the battery of the portable computer.

The charging control step of the present invention may further include a charging amount checking step of checking a charging amount of a battery of the portable computer, and when charging is possible, the charging voltage is charged with the MP3 player's battery.

The present invention is configured to further include a display step of displaying through a separate display means of the portable computer when the charge amount charged from the battery of the portable computer to the MP3 player battery is insufficient.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable computer equipped with an MP3 player, comprising: a data request step of requesting data from an MP3 player; An output control step of controlling data transmitted from the MP3 player to be output on the portable computer; And a display control step of controlling the output state of the current MP3 player data through a separate display means.

The display control step of the present invention is characterized by displaying the name of music, the number of songs, the remaining battery capacity, the playback status (volume, disk status), and the like.

The output control step of the present invention further comprises a data copying step of copying data transmitted from the MP3 player to a separate memory.

In the present invention, the data communication between the portable computer and MP3 Player is characterized in that is carried out via USB 2.0.

Another display means of the present invention is characterized in that the LCD is composed of liquid crystal.

As a result, the present invention charges the battery power of the MP3 player from the battery power of the portable computer, and the display unit of the MP3 player mounted on the portable computer is used to determine the operating state of the portable computer or the operating state of the portable computer according to the current operation mode. By displaying, the product to which the present invention is applied increases in use scalability, thereby increasing user convenience.

In the present invention, while the MP3 player is mounted on the portable computer, the power of the portable computer is controlled to be charged in the MP3 player's battery, and the portable computer supports the MP3 player to play the MP3 player on the portable computer. Looking at the control device and method in detail as follows. As a portable computer of the present invention, a notebook computer will be described below as an example. In the present invention will be described on the basis of the MP3 player is mounted on the notebook computer.

3 is a perspective view of a notebook computer according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the present invention uses a notebook computer as a portable computer. A keyboard 160 is included on the notebook computer main body 150, and an MP3 player is mounted on the upper end of the keyboard 160 as well as a power key 160a. The main body of the MP3 player is divided into a signal input unit 470 composed of key buttons for inputting an operation signal (volume, reproduction, operation mode, etc.) and a display unit 450 indicating an operation state.

The display unit 450 selectively displays the operating states of the notebook computer and the MP3 player while the MP3 player is mounted on the notebook computer. For example, when an MP3 player is used in a state where the MP3 player is mounted on the notebook computer, the display unit 450 of the MP3 player displays the operation state of the current notebook computer such as CAPS_LOCK, NUM_LOCK, WIRELESS_INDICATOR, and the like. However, when the MP3 player is used while the MP3 player is mounted on the notebook computer, the display unit 450 displays the power, playback, volume status, etc. of the MP3 player.

Figure 4 is a control configuration for operating the MP3 player mounted on the notebook computer according to the present invention.

First, the MP3 player includes a signal input unit 470 for inputting an operation control signal (playback, operation mode, recording, etc.), an audio unit 405 for processing and reproducing audio data, and an operation control of the MP3 player. The controller 430 for performing the operation, and the display unit 450 for displaying the operation state of the MP3 player.

In this case, when the MP3 player is mounted on the notebook computer and the notebook computer is in an operating state, the display unit 450 may be configured as CAPS_LOCK, NUM_LOCK, WIRELESS_INDICATOR, or the like. Displays the operating status of the notebook computer. However, when the MP3 player is mounted on the notebook computer and is in the operation state of the MP3 player, the display unit 450 displays power, playback, volume status, and the like.

The audio unit 405 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the MPEG-3 (440) for compressing the mp3 file, and converts the digital signal to an analog signal for the audio data to perform the encoding and decoding control of the audio file Or a codec 460 for converting an analog signal into a digital signal. And one side of the MP3 player, a jack 340 for input and output of headphones or microphone phones is configured.

The MP3 player of the present invention further includes a battery 410 for charging power to apply an operating power, and a flash memory 420 for storing a sound source for playback of the MP3 player in an mp3 file format. It is composed.

On the other hand, the inside of the notebook computer according to an embodiment of the present invention, the switching signal for selecting one of at least two or more batteries (360,370) having a power for applying the operating power, and the at least two or more batteries (360,370) Switching means 350 for inputting the keyboard, the keyboard controller 300 for detecting a signal input into the notebook computer to perform an operation control for the signal, and the data output from the MP3 player codec 460 The amplifier 320 to amplify and output, and a built-in speaker 330 of a notebook computer that performs a function for outputting the data output from the amplifier 320 is configured.

The notebook computer according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a signal input unit 170 for inputting a control signal to perform an operation of a general notebook computer, and a notebook computer including a microcomputer to perform operation control of the notebook computer. The circuit unit 310 is further included. The signal input unit 160 is composed of input means such as a keyboard of a notebook computer.

When the mp3 file of the MP3 player is to be output through the speaker 330 of the notebook computer, the mp3 file stored through the flash memory 420 of the MP3 player performs signal processing such as compression from the MPEG-3 440. The codec 460 is transmitted to the codec 460. The audio signal output from the codec 460 is transferred to the amplifier 320 of the notebook computer. At this time, the signal port transmitted from the codec 460 to the amplifier 320 uses a USB port (U). The audio signal transmitted to the amplifier 320 is output through the speaker 330. In addition, the controller 430 of the MP3 player and the keyboard controller 300 of the notebook computer are connected to the USB port U to transmit and receive control signals, and determine the transmitted and received control signals.

Meanwhile, in order for the MP3 player 400 to be mounted on the main body of the notebook computer 150 to charge the battery 410, the at least two or more batteries according to an embodiment of the present invention may supply the battery power of the notebook computer. Cause The AC adapter 360 and the DC battery 370 are used. In order to selectively use the power of the AC adapter 360 and the DC battery 370, the switching means 350 is configured. Therefore, the MP3 Player mounted on the portable device of the present invention does not need to have a separate charging adapter for charging the battery.

The switching of the switching means 350 determines whether to use the AC adapter 360 or the DC battery 370. To this end, as shown in FIG. 4, the MP3 player 400 is connected to the keyboard controller 300 of the notebook computer using a separate recognition pin P to determine the battery state of the MP3 player. The keyboard controller 300 detects data on the remaining amount of the current battery 410 transmitted from the separate recognition pin P, and controls the switching operation of the switching means 350. At this time, the switching means 350 is connected to the MP3 player 400 and the USB port U, so that the charging voltage is applied to the battery 410 of the MP3 player from the adapter 360 or the battery 370. Perform the switching operation.

5 is a communication state diagram between the notebook computer and MP3 player according to the present invention.

When the MP3 player is mounted on the notebook computer main body, a connection signal (high signal) is output from the MP3 player controller 430 to the keyboard controller 300 of the notebook computer. As a result, the keyboard controller 300 of the notebook computer recognizes that the MP3 player is mounted by recognizing the high signal as shown in C of the bar of FIG. 4.

On the other hand, when the MP3 player is separated from the notebook computer body, the high signal applied to the keyboard controller 300 is converted into a low signal and input. As a result, the keyboard controller 300 that detects a change in the input signal recognizes that the MP3 player is separated from the notebook computer body.

On the other hand, on the MP3 Player, a USB port is used as a communication port for data transmission and exchange. The MP3 player is mounted and coupled to the main body of the notebook computer, and data copy is performed through the USB port configured on the MP3 player.

Therefore, when MP3 Player is mounted on the notebook computer and the audio data of MP3 Player is to be output through the notebook computer, the audio data (mp3 file) stored on the flash memory 420 of MP3 Player. Is sent to the codec 460. 4 illustrates an output state of data when audio data (mp3 file) stored in the flash memory 420 is read.

When the input / output of the data from the MP3 player proceeds, the keyboard controller 300 controls the MP3 player to be displayed through the second display unit 110. Accordingly, the second display unit 110 displays the number of music, the name of music, the power supply (battery state), and the like. As a result, the user can check the status of data received from the MP3 player and output through the speaker 330 of the portable computer.

Meanwhile, when the button of CAPS_LOCK is pressed according to the function of the notebook computer, the operation signal is output in the form of 'A' of FIG. 4, and the signal is input to the keyboard controller 300 of the notebook computer. In addition, when the button of NUM_LOCK is pressed, the operation signal is output in the form of 'B' of FIG. 4, and the signal is input to the keyboard controller 300 of the notebook computer.

Meanwhile, after the MP3 Play is installed in the notebook computer, the process of charging control of the MP3 Player's battery is as follows.

In order to proceed with charging, the notebook computer and MP3 Player have the following communication status. Battery charging is started, and a pwm signal, which is a control signal of the battery 370, is output between the notebook computer and the MP3 player as shown by 'D' of FIG. 4. After receiving the signal, the keyboard controller 300 of the notebook computer determines the current state of the battery, and if it is determined that the remaining amount of charge of the battery 370 is present, the controller controls the charging to proceed.

As described above, in the present invention, the MP3 player body having a battery is mounted on the notebook computer body, and the charging power is charged from the battery of the notebook computer to the MP3 player battery. In addition, the present invention, when the MP3 player body is mounted on the notebook computer body, when the notebook computer using mode, the operation state of the notebook computer such as CAPS_LOCK, NUM_LOCK, WIRELESS_INDICATOR, etc. is displayed through the display unit 450, MP3 In the player use mode, the display 450 displays power, playback, volume status, and the like.

6 is a flowchart for controlling the operation of the notebook computer according to the present invention.

First, it is determined whether the MP3 player is mounted in the notebook computer main body (step 500). This can be determined by the power applied to the USB port as soon as the MP3 player is attached to the notebook computer body.

With the MP3 Player installed, check the MP3 Player's battery charge status. For this purpose, the MP3 player has a separate recognition pin (P). When the MP3 player is mounted on the notebook computer, the keyboard controller 300 of the notebook computer recognizes a signal input from the separate recognition pin P, and based on the input signal, the battery of the current MP3 player. The state is checked (step 510). The keyboard controller 300 checks the current battery state of the notebook computer and determines whether the battery 410 of the MP3 player can be charged.

As a result, when the battery 410 of the notebook computer is sufficient and the battery 410 of the MP3 player is required to be charged, charging is performed by AC / DC according to a preset condition (step 520). At this time, the charging condition of the AC / DC is controlled so that the user is set in advance through the switching means 350, or to switch the switching means 350 by selecting a battery that can be automatically charged according to the determination of the keyboard controller. do. In addition, the display unit 450 of the MP3 Player displays the current state of charge of the battery. As a result, it is easy for a user to understand the charging status of MP3 Player.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step 510, when the battery 410 is not in a state that requires charging, the keyboard controller 300 detects whether a data output request signal is input from the user (step 530). For this purpose, in order to reproduce the MP3 player data while the MP3 player is mounted on the main body of the notebook computer, when the motion control signal (playback) is input through the signal input unit 470, the input motion control signal is input. Is recognized by the controller. The controller 430 transmits the input operation control signal to the keyboard controller 300 connected to the USB port. Accordingly, the keyboard controller 300 recognizes an operation control signal (playback) input from the signal input unit 470 of the MP3 player.

In addition, the MP3 player controller 430 loads data (MP3 file) stored in the flash memory 420 and decompresses it through the MPEG-3 440, and the codec 460 uses the MPEG-3. The data transmitted from 440 is encoded and transmitted to the amplifier 320 of the notebook computer. At this time, the codec 460 of the MP3 player and the amplifier 320 of the notebook computer are connected to the USB port U to transmit data.

The keyboard controller 330 continuously receives control signals from the MP3 player controller 430 connected to the USB port U, and determines that the MP3 player is mounted on the notebook computer and is in a running state (S550). ), The signal flow is controlled so that the read MP3 data is amplified through the amplifier 320 of the notebook computer and output through the speaker 330. As a result, the MP3 data stored in the MP3 player is output through the notebook computer (step 560).

As described above, in the present invention, an MP3 player is mounted on a notebook computer which is a portable device, and the MP3 player battery is charged through the battery of the notebook computer.

In addition, the present invention, by further configuring a separate display means on one side of the notebook computer main body, it is a basic technical idea to display the state of the computer and the operation state of the MP3 player.

The portable device of the present invention supports USB 2.0 for MP3 player, enabling fast data transfer. To this end, in the present invention, when the notebook computer and MP3 Player are combined, the connector is designed to be combined with the USB 2.0 type interface.

The present invention makes it possible to charge the MP3 player's battery using the battery of the portable computer. And the charging state of the battery can be confirmed through the display unit of MP3 player.

In addition, the present invention displays the operation state of the portable computer in the operation mode of the portable computer through the display unit of the MP3 player, and displays the operation state of the MP3 player in the operation mode of the MP3 player. As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to check the operation state according to the current operation mode and the state of the battery through the display unit of the MP3 player, and the user's convenience can be expected to be improved.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification but should be defined by the claims.

Claims (13)

In a portable computer equipped with MP3 Player, A signal input unit for inputting an operation control signal of the MP3 player; A controller for controlling an operation state according to the input operation control signal; An audio unit for outputting and adjusting an audio signal; MP3 Player is configured including a display unit for displaying the operation state of MP3 Player, An amplifier for amplifying and outputting data output from the audio unit; A speaker which performs a function of outputting data output from the amplifier; At least two batteries for supplying operating power; A control unit which checks a charge amount of the at least two batteries and controls an operation of a portable computer and an output of an audio (mp3) file; It further comprises a switch for selecting one of the at least two batteries, MP3 player having a separate battery is mounted on the portable computer, MPM is controlled to be charged by applying power to the battery of MP3 player from one of the at least two or more batteries according to the selection of the switch Handheld computer controls that support three players. The method of claim 1, The display unit, CAPS_LOCK, NUM_LOCK, WIRELESS_INDICATOR, etc. are displayed in the operating state of the portable computer, and the power / play / volume status is controlled in the state where the MP3 player is mounted. . The method of claim 1, The audio unit, An MPEG controller comprising a MPEG and a codec for encoding and decoding control of an audio file transmitted from the MPEG, wherein the MP3 player controls an output of an audio signal. The method of claim 1, The portable computer, A signal input unit for inputting an operation control signal; A control device of a portable computer for supporting an MP3 player further comprises a notebook circuit for performing the operation control. The method of claim 1, The at least two batteries, the control device of the portable computer supporting an MP3 player consisting of an AC adapter and a DC battery. In the portable computer that constitutes a separate display means in addition to the monitor, the MP3 player is mounted, A charge request step in which an MP3 player is mounted in the portable computer and requests to charge the battery of the MP3 player; According to the charge request step, the control method of a portable computer supporting an MP3 player comprising a charging control step of charging the battery of the MP3 player from the battery of the portable computer. The method of claim 6, The charging control step, It further comprises a charge check step of checking the charge of the battery of the portable computer, A method of controlling a portable computer that supports an MP3 player, wherein the charging voltage is charged by a battery of the MP3 player when the battery can be charged. The method of claim 6, And a display step of displaying through an additional display means of the portable computer when the charge amount charged from the battery of the portable computer to the battery of the MP3 player is insufficient. In addition to the monitor further comprises a separate display means, the portable computer equipped with MP3 player, A data request step of requesting data from an MP3 player; An output control step of controlling data transmitted from the MP3 player to be output on the portable computer; A control method of a portable computer supporting an MP3 player comprising a display control step of displaying and controlling the current output state of the MP3 player through a separate display means. The method of claim 9, The display control step, A control method of a portable computer supporting an MP3 player, characterized by displaying the song name, the number of songs, the battery level, the playback status (volume, disk status), etc. of data. The method of claim 9, The output control step, And a data copying step of copying data transmitted from the MP3 player to a separate memory. The method according to claim 6 or 9, Data communication between the portable computer and MP3 player is a control method of a portable computer supporting an MP3 player, characterized in that performed via USB 2.0. The method according to claim 6 or 9, The separate display means is a control method of a portable computer supporting an MP3 player, characterized in that consisting of LCD liquid crystal.

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