WO2000060918A2 - Dispositif portable a disque dur - Google Patents

Dispositif portable a disque dur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000060918A2
WO2000060918A2 PCT/US2000/009667 US0009667W WO0060918A2 WO 2000060918 A2 WO2000060918 A2 WO 2000060918A2 US 0009667 W US0009667 W US 0009667W WO 0060918 A2 WO0060918 A2 WO 0060918A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hard disk
data
player
memory
portable
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/009667
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2000060918A3 (fr
Inventor
Ari B. Naim
Original Assignee
Sycom Technologies, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/441,267 external-priority patent/US6694200B1/en
Application filed by Sycom Technologies, Inc. filed Critical Sycom Technologies, Inc.
Priority to AU42304/00A priority Critical patent/AU4230400A/en
Publication of WO2000060918A2 publication Critical patent/WO2000060918A2/fr
Publication of WO2000060918A3 publication Critical patent/WO2000060918A3/fr

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G11INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11BINFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B27/00Editing; Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Monitoring; Measuring tape travel
    • G11B27/10Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
    • G11B27/34Indicating arrangements 
    • GPHYSICS
    • G11INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11BINFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B20/00Signal processing not specific to the method of recording or reproducing; Circuits therefor
    • G11B20/10Digital recording or reproducing
    • G11B20/10527Audio or video recording; Data buffering arrangements
    • GPHYSICS
    • G11INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11BINFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B27/00Editing; Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Monitoring; Measuring tape travel
    • G11B27/02Editing, e.g. varying the order of information signals recorded on, or reproduced from, record carriers
    • G11B27/031Electronic editing of digitised analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals
    • G11B27/034Electronic editing of digitised analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals on discs
    • GPHYSICS
    • G11INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11BINFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B27/00Editing; Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Monitoring; Measuring tape travel
    • G11B27/10Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
    • G11B27/102Programmed access in sequence to addressed parts of tracks of operating record carriers
    • G11B27/105Programmed access in sequence to addressed parts of tracks of operating record carriers of operating discs
    • GPHYSICS
    • G11INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11BINFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B2220/00Record carriers by type
    • G11B2220/20Disc-shaped record carriers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates in general to the field of portable digital devices, and in particular, to portable devices having very large requirements for storage capacity of data, such as audio/music devices, needed to play and record data, including audio, still images, video, text, and music.
  • the portable devices rely, in many cases, on a hard disk of a Personal Computer (PC) for storing a large library of "records.”
  • PC Personal Computer
  • these current devices are portable only as long as one is satisfied with very limited storage capacity for information, such as about an hour of music that has been downloaded from the hard disk of the PC to the onboard memory of the portable device, or a memory card provided with the device.
  • the problem is compounded with image data and even more so with video data.
  • the micro-drive is continuously active when the device is on and this, as was mentioned earlier, impacts negatively on the portable device's power consumption and performance characteristics in harsh environments (e.g., shock).
  • the above described problems associated with prior art devices and techniques for storing large amount of digital data, including for example text, audio, images, and video files, onboard of a portable device, are overcome by the present invention.
  • the present invention is directed to a portable device that utilizes a battery operated conventional hard disk as part of the portable device.
  • the hard drive can be either an integral or a stand-alone part of the device.
  • the portable device includes a player and a hard disk (e.g., a disk drive including a hard disk storage medium).
  • a hard disk e.g., a disk drive including a hard disk storage medium.
  • the hard disk preferably has a storage capacity of several gigabytes of digital data (including multimedia data, such as text, audio, image, video and/or music data, as well as program files).
  • the player will typically have electronics to play or display the digital data files, local non- volatile memory to store a limited amount of playtime data, and peripheral devices to record and play text, audio/music, still images, and/or video.
  • the player can include, for example, a music playback device for playing and recording audio information, a digital photography camera for playing and recording still image photography information, a digital video camera for playing and recording video information, a cellular phone for playing and recording audio information, etc.
  • the device can be designed as two independent parts including the hard drive unit and the player unit. This allows the player unit to be detached and carried separately from the hard drive unit once the player on-board memory has been loaded with data for a period of playtime.
  • the player device is far more durable and resilient to shock.
  • the present invention provides all the advantages of a portable chip memory based device with the advantage of immediate and in-the- field access to large volumes of data.
  • the hard disk and the player form an integral portable device, preferably having player and disk drive electronics that are integrated on the same circuit substrate, such as a printed circuit board (PCB).
  • the typical electronics for managing the data on a hard drive are integrated with the recording, playing or displaying electronics.
  • certain electronic components may be shared by the hard disk controller and player electronics, thus further reducing the cost and size of the portable device. This creates a more tightly integrated solution that benefits from further power consumption reduction, lower cost and smaller size.
  • the preferred requirements for managing the data on the hard drive can be relaxed if the application is only for audio, images, or video, since the file sizes are generally large and continuous over sectors of the memory.
  • the hard disk electronic controller and electronic circuitry can be simplified and a smaller (and cheaper) chip having less cache memory can be used. Under such circumstances, the electronics can be simplified and further reduction can be achieved in power consumption and cost.
  • file descriptions including for example header information, song titles, image descriptions, etc. can be uploaded from the hard disk to the non- volatile memory so that the user can review and select items for use on the player without accessing and running the hard disk.
  • a further embodiment within the scope of the present invention is directed to a method of playing digital data on a portable handheld device.
  • the method of playing data on the portable handheld player includes storing digital data on a hard disk of a portable device as one or more data files, transferring the data files to a non- volatile memory of the player device, and processing the data on the non-volatile memory with digital electronics to produce digital signals.
  • the disk can be detached, turned off, and/or placed in a locked state to both reduce power requirements and also the vulnerability to shock.
  • the method of playing data can include retrieving the digital data to be stored on the hard disk from an external communications device that is coupled to the hard disk.
  • the present invention includes a method of recording data on a portable handheld device.
  • This method includes converting an analog (music/audio/image/ video/text) signal to digital data, processing a digital bit-stream with digital electronics capable of processing the data to produce digital signals, and storing the digital data on the player' s non- volatile memory or directly to the hard disk of the portable device as one or more files.
  • the method of recording data on the portable handheld device can include retrieving the data to be converted from an external communications device coupled to the digital electronics.
  • the present invention includes a method of downloading data to a portable handheld device having a dedicated hard drive and player.
  • the method for downloading data includes coupling the portable handheld device to an external communications device, selecting one or more data and program files for download, downloading the selected data and program files from the external communications device to the portable device, and storing the downloaded data and program files in a disk storage medium of the hard disk of the portable device.
  • file descriptions such as the name of song titles or image descriptions, are collectively transferred to the non-volatile memory of the player. In this manner, the selection, organization, and other manipulations of the files can be accomplished without accessing and running the hard disk. Once the task is complete, the hard disk can be accessed and all the requirements implemented in a relatively short period of time.
  • Voice recordings can be attached to images to assist in the organization and retrieval of the images.
  • Figure 1 shows top and side views of an exemplary portable device having a detachable hard disk in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2A is a high-level block diagram showing an exemplary data-flow for the device of Figure 1 in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2B is another high-level block diagram showing an exemplary data-flow for the device of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a top and side view of another exemplary portable device having an integrated hard disk in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 4A is a high-level block diagram showing an exemplary data-flow for the device of Figure 3 in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 4B is another high-level block diagram showing an exemplary data-flow for the device of Figure 3;
  • Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the exemplary player device of Figures 1 and 3 ;
  • Figure 6 is a block diagram showing another exemplary player device.
  • the present invention is directed to a hard disk based portable handheld device that provides for storing relatively large amounts of digital data and/or program files on the portable device using the hard disk.
  • the portable handheld device includes a player for playing/recording data, such as audio and music, and a hard disk (e.g., a disk drive including a hard disk storage medium) for storing relatively large amounts of data that can be used by the player.
  • a hard disk e.g., a disk drive including a hard disk storage medium
  • the hard disk has a storage capacity of several gigabytes of digital data (including multimedia data, such as text, music, video and/or audio data, as well as program files).
  • the present invention was developed in part to provide a small size, low-cost, and power efficient portable device having a high storage capacity.
  • Figures 1 and 2 in describing the embodiment of the invention in which the player and hard disk that form the portable device are selectively detachable from one another.
  • Figures 3 and 4 are referred to in describing the embodiment in which the player and hard disk are integrated (e.g., not detachable) into a single housing of the portable device.
  • the integrated portable device has a single substrate for supporting the player and hard disk controller electronics.
  • Figures 5 and 6 relate to further details of the architecture of an exemplary portable device.
  • FIG. 1 shows a high-level block diagram of the portable device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the portable device 1 comprises two main parts, the portable player 2 and the hard drive 3.
  • the processor 4 prepares the digital data, usually requiring a decompression process, for the D/A converter 20 on the player 2, which in turn converts the digital data from digital format into analog signals. Those signals can then be sent to earphones 5, or alternatively, connected directly to other stand- alone audio amplifiers 6 and external speakers.
  • the processor 4 would be preparing the digital image for the digital to optical converter, which would finally be projected on a display.
  • an A/D converter 21 can convert the audio signal from a microphone 7 or other audio input and transfers the digitized signal to the processor 4.
  • the digital data is preferably compressed in the processor 4 to reduce the memory requirements of the data.
  • the digital data is stored on an onboard memory 8, preferably non-volatile memory, such as a FLASH-type memory.
  • control buttons 15 on the portable device 1 allow for operation of the player 2 and its interface with the hard disk 3 via an interface 9, which can be a physical hard connector or a wireless interface.
  • the portable device 1 can also have an interface 10 to allow data-file download/upload from an external communications device 11 , such as a PC, to the portable device hard disk 3.
  • Interface 10 can be a physical hard connector or a wireless interface.
  • the portable device can also include an interface to, for example, a media card 13, which can be available as an additional or alternative on-board memory unit.
  • the hard disk 3 is preferably a PC style hard disk, such as an ATA-type hard drive.
  • the dimensions and weight of such ahard drive 3 would be suitable for portable applications.
  • the preferred dimensions would be approximately 110mm x 70mm x 10mm and its weight approximately less than lOOg. These preferred dimensions currently represent the smallest hard disk available that has achieved the desired low cost per megabyte is this size.
  • the hard drive 3 is preferably capable of uploading and downloading data very rapidly (e.g., about 12 seconds for 32 megabytes of data), the limitation being the speed of the on-board memory. As a result it is possible to rapidly download hours or more of data, such as audio, to the player for playback. After the data has been downloaded, the hard disk can be detached and removed during playtime.
  • the two main parts of the portable device 1 can be detachably connected (e.g., selectively attached and detached) with a special, easy to engage connector at interface 9, or alternatively a wireless type of interface, to facilitate the upload/download process.
  • the hard disk is an independent unit that is dedicated to storing data and programs for use by the player.
  • the hard disk is not associated with another device external to the portable device, such as a general purpose computer. This type of arrangement is very attractive because it allows the user to detach the lighter player 2 from the independent, dedicated hard disk 3.
  • the hard drive 3 can also include a card slot (not shown) for inserting a memory card from another device. Data/files can then be transferred from the portable device to the memory card for use with the other device. Alternatively, data/files can be transferred from the memory card to the hard disk.
  • the hard disk 3 in the detachable embodiment includes a hard disk housing containing a disk storage medium for storing the digital data and the necessary electronic circuitry for controlling and operating the hard disk.
  • the electronic circuitry is disposed on a circuit substrate and is selectively operatively coupled between the disk storage medium and one of the player and an external communications device for uploading and/or downloading data.
  • the detachable hard disk has its own power source, and is preferably battery operated.
  • the hard disk PCB as shown in the top view of Figure 1, is a partial cut-a-away view with the hard disk PCB partial cut-a-way for clarity and to show the location and relationship of the disk storage medium to the PCB.
  • the player includes a player housing having a solid state electronic memory for use in active playback and recording and has electronic circuitry disposed on a circuit substrate for transferring data between its memory and the hard disk.
  • the player has an interface corresponding the hard disk interface for selectively attaching and detaching the player and the hard disk.
  • the player has an on-board power source, such as a battery, and the battery- operated player 2 can play, for example, text, audio/music, image, and video files stored on its local memory.
  • the portable device 1 also includes a high-speed interface 10, such as a high-speed connection, for coupling the portable device 1 to an external communications device 11, such as a PC, for downloading of digital data from an external source to the portable device. It can also allow a PC to do the hard-disk management.
  • the hard disk 3 can be connected, for example, through an ATATM interface and be controlled by a PC for programs, such as for example SCANDISKTM, and other hard disk utilities' programs.
  • the preferred requirements for managing the data on the hard drive can be relaxed if the application is only for audio, images, or video, since the file sizes are generally large and continuous over sectors of the memory.
  • the electronics can be simplified and further reduction can be achieved in power consumption and cost. This is accomplished by not requiring the same amount of processing power to manage the memory of the hard disk. Accordingly, the hard disk electronic controller and electronic circuitry can be simplified and a smaller (and cheaper) chip having less cache memory can be used.
  • Figures 2A and 2B are flow-charts showing exemplary methods of operation for a portable device having a detachable hard disk in accordance with the present invention.
  • the method includes activating the portable handheld device at step 100.
  • the player and the hard disk are attached at the start of the process.
  • Two options are then available to the user.
  • the user can download data from an external device, or alternatively, the user can download data from the hard disk of the portable device.
  • the portable device In order to download data from an external device, the portable device is attached to an external communications device, such as a PC at step 105.
  • Data and program files can be downloaded from the PC to the portable device at step 110.
  • the data and program files can be downloaded to a solid state electronic memory of the player, or preferably, to a disk storage medium of the hard drive.
  • the portable device If the portable device was connected to an external communications device, then the portable device is detach from the external communications device at step 115. This can include detaching a physical connection, such as a standard wired connection, between the portable device and the external communications device, or alternatively, terminating/disconnecting a wireless connection between the external device and the portable device. Alternatively, the user can download data directly from the hard disk, without accessing an external device.
  • the user chooses a play-list from the library of records stored on the hard disk of the portable device at step 120.
  • the play-list and programs are transferred at step 125 from the hard disk to the player device.
  • this transfer includes the transfer of digital data from the disk storage medium of the hard disk to the FLASH memory or other memory of the player.
  • header information for the data and each data file can be uploaded from the hard disk to the non-volatile memory so that the user can review and select items for use on the player without accessing and running the hard disk.
  • data is transferable between the memory of the player and the disk storage medium of the hard disk.
  • the hard disk is powered down at step 130.
  • the player is then detached from the hard disk at step 135.
  • the user can use the player to play the play-list at step 140.
  • the user attaches the player to the hard disk at step 145. This includes physically re- attaching the player to the hard disk. Again, the user can either download data from an external device or directly from the hard disk of the portable device.
  • step 117 is added to the process shown in Figure 2 A and the file descriptions, such as the play-list titles, are transferred from the hard disk to the on-board memory of the player.
  • the hard disk is then detached from the player at step 118 and the user can review and select a play-list at step 120.
  • the player is attached to the hard disk at step 122 and the play-list is transferred from the hard disk to the player at step 125.
  • the selection, organization, and other manipulations of the files can be accomplished without accessing and running the hard disk.
  • the hard disk can be accessed and all the requirements implemented in a relatively short period of time.
  • the hard disk can then be powered down at step 130, detached from the player at step 135 and the play-list can be played at step 140.
  • FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein the portable device has an integrated hard disk.
  • the portable device's two main elements, the player 2 and the hard disk 3 are integrated into the same housing of the portable device (e.g., the portable device has a single housing and the player and the hard disk are not detachable).
  • the integrated portable device has a single substrate for supporting the player and hard disk controller electronics.
  • the hard-disk controller, the player's electronics and memory are built on the same board 14. This allows a higher level of integration that leads to lower cost and a smaller portable device 1.
  • the hard disk 3 can include an interface 10 for connecting the hard disk 3 directly to a PC (not shown) for data down-up loads and for other disk management utilities.
  • a PC not shown
  • the player and the hard disk share common electronics, such as for example, a DSP, a memory, a micro-controller, etc.
  • the preferred single circuit substrate includes a solid state electronic memory for use in active playback and recording, wherein data, such as audio information, is transferred from the hard disk to the memory and then the hard disk is deactivated or placed in a locked state.
  • Electronic circuitry for the player and the hard disk is selectively operatively coupled between the disk storage medium and either the player or an external communications device for uploading/downloading digital data between the hard disk and either the player or the external communications device.
  • the electronic circuitry is selectively operatively coupled between the hard disk and the memory for playback of data, such as audio information, from the memory.
  • At least one power source is provided in the housing for providing power to the player, the hard disk, and the electronic circuitry for operating the portable device.
  • the hard drive is preferably deactivated and/or placed in a locked state once the data has been transferred from the hard disk to the player memory (e.g., the hard disk is locked or turned off prior to and during playtime).
  • the portable handheld device can include a deactivation mechanism for selectively turning off or locking the hard disk during playtime and allowing the hard disk to operate again when read/write access is required.
  • Figures 4A and 4B are a flowcharts showing a method of operation for the exemplary portable device of Figure 3 having an integral hard disk and player.
  • the method includes activating the portable handheld device at step 150.
  • Two options are again available to a user, the user can download data from and external device to the portable device at step 160, or alternatively, the user can transfer data from the hard disk of the portable device to the memory of the player at step 170.
  • the portable device is attached or coupled to an external communications device, such as a PC, at step 155.
  • Data and program files can be downloaded from the external communications device to the portable device at step 160.
  • the data and program files are downloaded the disk storage medium of the hard drive.
  • the portable device is detached from the external communications device at step 165. This can include detaching a physical connection, such as a standard wired connection, or alternatively, terminating a wireless connection between the portable device and the external communications device.
  • the user can choose a play-list from the library of records stored on the hard disk of the portable device at step 170. Note that the user does not have to download data from an external source prior to choosing the play-list.
  • the play-list and programs are transferred at step 175 from the hard disk to the player device. Preferably, this transfer includes the transfer of digital data from the disk storage medium of the hard disk to the FLASH memory or other memory of the player.
  • header information for the data and each data file can also be uploaded from the hard disk to the non-volatile memory so that the user can review and select items for use on the player without accessing and running the hard disk.
  • the hard disk is powered down at step 180.
  • the hard disk is locked/de-activated (e.g., turns power off) at step 185 such that it does not operate during playtime.
  • the user can use the player to play the play-list at step 190.
  • the user unlocks/re-activates (e.g., turns power on) the hard disk.
  • the user can choose a new or modified play-list from the library of records stored in the disk storage medium of the hard disk at step 170.
  • the user can attach the portable device to an external communications device at step 155 and then download data and program files from the external communications device to the portable device at step 160.
  • step 167 is added to the process shown in Figure 4A and the file descriptions, such as the play-list titles, are transferred from the hard disk to the on-board memory of the player.
  • the hard disk is then de-activated (e.g., turned off or placed in a locked state) from the player at step 168 and the user can review and select a play-list at step 170.
  • the player is re-activated (e.g., turned on or unlocked) to the hard disk at step 172 and the play-list is transferred from the hard disk to the player at step 175.
  • the selection, organization, and other manipulations of the files can be accomplished without accessing and running the hard disk.
  • the hard disk can be accessed and all the requirements implemented in a relatively short period of time.
  • the hard disk can then be powered down at step 180, de-activate/locked from the player at step 185, and the play-list can be played at step 190.
  • An exemplary process for playing digital data and program files on the exemplary portable devices of Figures 1 and 3 includes:
  • the data and files can be downloaded using any standard download technique and can be accomplished wirelessly, or wired directly to the external communications device 11 that is coupled to a server having stored data and program files.
  • the external communications device 11 can include, for example, a host computer, a cable set-top box, the Internet, an Intranet, a modem, etc.
  • an IDE connection to a PC may be advantageous since the PC views the device as a standard hard drive thereby making file transfers very simple and fast.
  • An exemplary recording process is generally the converse of the playing process, and includes: (a) Digitizing an analog signal with an electric circuit.
  • An exemplary method of downloading data to the portable handheld device having a dedicated hard drive and player includes:
  • the download process it is possible to download part of each data file into the player memory.
  • the download process can also include downloading/uploading data and/or program files between the hard disk and the onboard memory during one of data playing and data recording.
  • the method can also include downloading/uploading data and/or files between the hard disk and the external commumcations device during one of data playing and data recording.
  • the player can include, for example, a music playback device for playing and recording audio information, a digital photography camera for playing and recording photography information, a digital video camera for playing and recording video information, a cellular phone for playing and recording audio information, etc.
  • a music playback device for playing and recording audio information
  • a digital photography camera for playing and recording photography information
  • a digital video camera for playing and recording video information
  • a cellular phone for playing and recording audio information
  • the portable handheld device is a Portable Audio Playback Unit, in which audio content can be written, stored, retrieved, and played.
  • the unit can intelligently interact with the user, displaying non-audio information, accepting input from the user through a keyboard interface, and collecting statistics on the unit's usage.
  • FIGS 5 and 6 depict alternative exemplary embodiments of the portable device. The significant difference between the two embodiments is that one employs a Static Random
  • SRAM Serial RAM
  • One particularly important aspect of the present invention is the use of a hard drive (such as the kind typically used in a laptop or notebook computer), which is a delicate and high power consuming device. Therefore, to use a hard drive in a portable, hand-held audio player, it was necessary to find a way to both protect and reduce the power consumption of the hard drive.
  • a hard drive such as the kind typically used in a laptop or notebook computer
  • the hard drive is subject to breakage if operated while the device is not stationary. This poses a significant problem for a portable, typically hand-held, device.
  • the ease of breakage was dealt with in two ways: First, a careful mechanical study was conducted to find the thickness of a reasonably available absorption material needed to be used to pass a 1 meter drop test. It was discovered that about 0.8 inches of such material was sufficient to protect the hard drive.
  • This device is external to the subject portable audio device, and is shown for clarity and completeness.
  • the communications device such as for example a computer
  • communication between the two can be achieved.
  • Such communication may be done via a parallel port, a serial port, ATA bus, or any other convenient means.
  • digital data including both audio and non- audio content, can be downloaded to the portable handheld audio device, and device usage statistics can be uploaded.
  • the portable handheld audio device is used as a recorder, this port can be used to upload the recorded content to the computer.
  • the communications device can include a set-top box, a personal computer, a wireless modem link, a direct modem link, etc.
  • SYC801 and SYC810 in Figures 5 and 6 are each a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) (although the invention may employ any suitable type, not only those types explicitly shown), in which the major program for the overall operation of the portable handheld audio device executes.
  • DSP Digital Signal Processor
  • the functions of this program are manifold, and include communication with the computer, reading/writing data from/to the Flash and Disk memories, compressing and de-compressing audio data, and communicating with the microprocessor and computer.
  • This Oscillator supplies the clock necessary for the operation of the DSP, and may be set at any convenient frequency, not just the 12.2880 MHz explicitly shown.
  • the microprocessor executes a program that interprets key depressions from the user, and provides visual feedback and prompts on the display.
  • the microprocessor program contains a clock function, by which messages and prompts keyed to date and/or time can be activated without burdening the DSP, since the DSP typically requires more power for this function.
  • Flash memory is a non- volatile storage medium. Audio data can be loaded into Flash memory and the power subsequently removed to conserve energy. When the audio data is needed, power can be restored, and the data quickly accessed.
  • the secondary memory is not limited to Flash memory, as SRAM, DRAM and other types of solid state memory may also be used.
  • Disk memory is another non- volatile storage medium. It is economical to store vast quantities of audio data on the Disk, ready for transfer to the Flash memory for quick processing as directed by the DSP.
  • an important aspect of the present invention is the use of a hard drive (such as the kind typically used in a laptop or notebook computer), which is a delicate and high power consuming device. Therefore, to use a hard drive in a portable, hand-held audio player, the hard drive must be protected and its power consumption must be reduced.
  • the hard drive may be subject to breakage if operated while the device is not stationary. This poses a significant problem for a portable, typically hand-held, device. This is one reason why hard drives have never been used for portable devices.
  • hard drives have one clear advantage over other media in that they are very mature technology and therefore have ridden far down the price performance curve.
  • the ease of breakage was dealt with in two ways.
  • the hard drive uploads an hour or so of material to the solid state memory and locks the drive. This process takes about 7 seconds.
  • the disk medium is normally locked, especially while the unit is being carried about by the user.
  • absorption material we have not yet identified the best material to use. We have determined that the properties for such a material are to absorb a high impact and also to provide a loose enough motion for normal motion. It is analogous to a car wheel suspension system but more complicated since it needs to perform 360 degrees. In a car, one needs to prevent damage from high impact and also to have a smooth ride over small bumps. These are competing constraints. There are many materials that may provide this but none have been selected yet. It may end up being a combination of a few. The measurements we performed were to define that deceleration needed to prevent the hard drive from breaking. This in turn allows for the definition of the types of materials we need.
  • the playback unit can be designed so that the hard drive can be disconnected from the playback unit. Accordingly, the unit can operate independently in case the user wants to use the device in a particularly harsh environment or to reduce the weight and size of the product for easier mobility.
  • the hard drive can interface with an external communications device, such as a personal computer (PC), in a number of ways, including for example: (1) through an IDE interface that is very fast and acts as an external drive for the PC; (2) through a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface; and (3) through a parallel port interface. Other means of communication are also possible.
  • PC personal computer
  • the hard drive can be changeable to upgrades in memory size as the densities grow.
  • Compression algorithms such as MP3 are used to maximize the amount of audio for the amount of memory (typically, lOOkbit per minute) at CD-like quality.
  • the present invention may also be expanded to video and digital cameras.
  • This Static Random Access Memory is intended for that purpose, although DRAM may also be used.
  • Audio data after being decompressed or otherwise manipulated by the DSP, is presented to this Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC).
  • DAC Digital-to-Analog Converter
  • the digital data in conjunction with various clocking signals, is converted to a smoothly-varying analog signal representative of the intended sound.
  • separation of Left and Right Audio signals takes place within the DAC.
  • the audio signal is Amplified to a level suitable for speakers or headphones.
  • Audio can be downloaded from the Internet, stripped from personal CDs (compact disks) and loaded into the hard drive, and/or recorded and ported to the hard drive.
  • a wireless interface to the unit can offer a way to transfer audio/video (AV) information.
  • AV audio/video
  • the inventive device may also be used in an automobile.
  • the unit can be built into an auto panel system and audio can be ported to the unit in a number of ways: (1) audio can be loaded onto the unit's hard drive by a portable PC; (2) the hard drive can be removed and interfaced to a PC for loading of the audio; (3) the audio can be recorded from the automobile's radio; and/or (4) dictation can be taken in the car using a microphone.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Signal Processing For Digital Recording And Reproducing (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif portable qui comprend un lecteur capable de lire et d'enregistrer des données numériques, et un disque dur connecté au lecteur pour stocker une quantité relativement grande de données numériques pouvant être transférées par un lecteur et à celui-ci. Le disque dur permet de stocker les données numériques et des fichiers de programmes pouvant être utilisés avec le lecteur. Le dispositif portable peut comprendre un lecteur et un disque dur pouvant être détachés de manière sélective l'un de l'autre. Dans un autre mode de réalisation, le lecteur et le disque dur peuvent comprendre une construction intégrée dans laquelle le lecteur et le disque dur sont incorporés dans un même boîtier, présentant, de préférence, un circuit unique, tel qu'une plaquette à circuits imprimés (PCB). Dans le dispositif portable intégré, l'électronique type pour traiter des données sur un lecteur de disque dur est, de préférence, intégrée à l'électronique d'enregistrement, de lecture, ou d'affichage. Par ailleurs, certains composants électroniques peuvent être partagés par la commande de disque dur et l'électronique du lecteur, réduisant ainsi le prix et la dimension du dispositif portable. Ceci constitue une solution mieux intégrée et bénéficiant d'une baisse supplémentaire de consommation, et d'une réduction des coûts et des dimensions. La présente invention porte également sur des unités de lecture, d'enregistrement et de téléchargement de données. Les données numériques stockées sur le disque dur peuvent être transférées à une mémoire du lecteur pour la relecture par le dispositif de lecture. Les données peuvent être enregistrées au moyen du lecteur et ensuite transférées et stockées par le disque dur. Le disque dur peut être couplé à un dispositif de communications extérieures et des données numériques peuvent être téléchargées sur le disque dur pour une utilisation différée sur le lecteur.
PCT/US2000/009667 1999-04-13 2000-04-12 Dispositif portable a disque dur WO2000060918A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU42304/00A AU4230400A (en) 1999-04-13 2000-04-12 Hard disk based portable device

Applications Claiming Priority (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12900399P 1999-04-13 1999-04-13
US60/129,003 1999-04-13
US13498999P 1999-05-20 1999-05-20
US60/134,989 1999-05-20
US40953199A 1999-09-30 1999-09-30
US09/409,531 1999-09-30
US09/441,267 1999-11-16
US09/441,267 US6694200B1 (en) 1999-04-13 1999-11-16 Hard disk based portable device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000060918A2 true WO2000060918A2 (fr) 2000-10-19
WO2000060918A3 WO2000060918A3 (fr) 2001-07-05

Family

ID=27494773

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/009667 WO2000060918A2 (fr) 1999-04-13 2000-04-12 Dispositif portable a disque dur

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4230400A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000060918A2 (fr)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001020906A1 (fr) * 1999-09-13 2001-03-22 Seagate Technology Llc Navette et archive de donnees multimedia
WO2003001774A1 (fr) * 2001-06-22 2003-01-03 Stefano Monti Assemblage electrique destine en particulier a un appareil de telephonie mobile
EP1273171A1 (fr) * 2000-03-08 2003-01-08 Phatnoise, Inc. Serveur audio/visuel
WO2004102568A1 (fr) 2003-05-13 2004-11-25 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Dispositif portable pour le stockage de contenus de supports d'informations
EP1496697A1 (fr) * 2003-07-11 2005-01-12 Archos Système numérique d'enregistrement de signaux vidéo
US6934467B1 (en) 1999-09-13 2005-08-23 Seagate Technology, Llc Transcoding multimedia data shuttle and archive
US7213088B2 (en) * 2001-09-26 2007-05-01 Fujifilm Corporation Mass storage apparatus and data output method of output device attached to mass storage apparatus
EP1804170A1 (fr) * 2005-12-29 2007-07-04 Samsung Electronics Co.,Ltd. Transfert de données à haute vitesse et procédé multitâche pour un terminal mobile ayant une mémoire auxiliaire de stockage de masse
EP1835502A1 (fr) 2006-03-18 2007-09-19 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Procédé et appareil de stockage double de signaux AV.
EP1878237A2 (fr) * 2005-04-19 2008-01-16 Audiovox Corporation Systeme video pour vehicules
US7599610B2 (en) 2001-10-25 2009-10-06 Harman International Industries, Incorporated Interface for audio visual device

Citations (1)

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US5557541A (en) * 1994-07-21 1996-09-17 Information Highway Media Corporation Apparatus for distributing subscription and on-demand audio programming

Patent Citations (1)

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US5557541A (en) * 1994-07-21 1996-09-17 Information Highway Media Corporation Apparatus for distributing subscription and on-demand audio programming

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2372170A (en) * 1999-09-13 2002-08-14 Seagate Technology Llc Multimedia data shuttle and archive
GB2372170B (en) * 1999-09-13 2004-07-07 Seagate Technology Llc Multimedia data shuttle and archive
WO2001020906A1 (fr) * 1999-09-13 2001-03-22 Seagate Technology Llc Navette et archive de donnees multimedia
US6934467B1 (en) 1999-09-13 2005-08-23 Seagate Technology, Llc Transcoding multimedia data shuttle and archive
EP1273171A1 (fr) * 2000-03-08 2003-01-08 Phatnoise, Inc. Serveur audio/visuel
US8452857B2 (en) 2000-03-08 2013-05-28 Harman International Industries, Incorporated Audio/visual server with disc changer emulation
EP1273171A4 (fr) * 2000-03-08 2006-05-17 Phatnoise Inc Serveur audio/visuel
WO2003001774A1 (fr) * 2001-06-22 2003-01-03 Stefano Monti Assemblage electrique destine en particulier a un appareil de telephonie mobile
US7213088B2 (en) * 2001-09-26 2007-05-01 Fujifilm Corporation Mass storage apparatus and data output method of output device attached to mass storage apparatus
US7599610B2 (en) 2001-10-25 2009-10-06 Harman International Industries, Incorporated Interface for audio visual device
WO2004102568A1 (fr) 2003-05-13 2004-11-25 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Dispositif portable pour le stockage de contenus de supports d'informations
US7997494B2 (en) 2003-05-13 2011-08-16 Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V. Portable device for storing media content
FR2857547A1 (fr) * 2003-07-11 2005-01-14 Archos Systeme numerique d'enregistrement de signaux video.
EP1496697A1 (fr) * 2003-07-11 2005-01-12 Archos Système numérique d'enregistrement de signaux vidéo
EP1878237A2 (fr) * 2005-04-19 2008-01-16 Audiovox Corporation Systeme video pour vehicules
EP1878237A4 (fr) * 2005-04-19 2009-09-09 Audiovox Corp Systeme video pour vehicules
EP1804170A1 (fr) * 2005-12-29 2007-07-04 Samsung Electronics Co.,Ltd. Transfert de données à haute vitesse et procédé multitâche pour un terminal mobile ayant une mémoire auxiliaire de stockage de masse
US7451253B2 (en) 2005-12-29 2008-11-11 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd High-speed data transfer and multitasking method for portable terminal having mass storage secondary memory
EP1835502A1 (fr) 2006-03-18 2007-09-19 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Procédé et appareil de stockage double de signaux AV.
CN101039401B (zh) * 2006-03-18 2010-11-24 三星电子株式会社 音频视频信号存储方法和装置及有广播流存储功能的电视
US9215399B2 (en) 2006-03-18 2015-12-15 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. AV signal storage method and apparatus and television having broadcast stream storage function

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4230400A (en) 2000-11-14
WO2000060918A3 (fr) 2001-07-05

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