WO2007133049A1

WO2007133049A1 - Ubiquitous disk, and system for playing digital contents in the ubiquitous disk based on ubiquitous environment

Info

Publication number: WO2007133049A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/002399
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kum-Ok Cho
Original assignee: Kum-Ok Cho
Priority date: 2006-05-17
Filing date: 2007-05-16
Publication date: 2007-11-22

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ubiquitous disk, in which pieces of multimedia content based on a ubiquitous environment are stored, and a system for performing playback on the ubiquitous disk. The ubiquitous disk includes a control unit, a communication interface unit, and a memory unit having a predetermined capacity. The memory unit stores one or more pieces of multimedia content, and universal player software, and one or more playback modules. When it is detected that the communication interface unit is connected to the communication port of an arbitrary playback device, the control unit automatically operates without requiring a separate installation process to be conducted by a user and causes the pieces of multimedia content of the memory unit to be sequentially played back in an arbitrary playback device. As a result, the ubiquitous disk according to the present invention enables the pieces of multimedia content, which are stored in the memory unit, to be automatically played back in the connected playback device regardless of the type of playback device connected to the communication interface unit, and without requiring a separate installation process or a downloading process to be conducted by a user.

Description

[DESCRIPTION] [Invention Title]

UBIQUITOUS DISK, AND SYSTEM FOR PLAYING DIGITAL CONTENTS IN THE UBIQUITOUS DISK BASED ON UBIQUITOUS ENVIRONMENT [Technical Field]

<i> The present invention relates to a ubiquitous disk based on a ubiquitous environment and a system for performing playback on the ubiquitous disk and, more particularly, to a ubiquitous disk, which, when the ubiquitous disk is connected to an arbitrary playback device, enables pieces of multimedia content, which are stored in the ubiquitous disk, to be played back in the playback device immediately upon connection regardless of the type of playback device or the environment thereof, and a system for performing playback on the ubiquitous disk, which enables pieces of multimedia content, which are stored in the ubiquitous disk, to be played back in all playback devices regardless of the type of playback device or the environment thereof. [Background Art]

<2> Recently, as the popularization of MPEG Layer-3 (MP3) players has increased and, at the same time, computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), mobile phones and Personal Multimedia Players (PMPs), which usher in digital culture, have been widely proliferated to general consumers, sound source files, such as MP3 files, are being widely used. As a result, the conventional Compact Disk (CD) album market is gradually declining.

<3> Meanwhile, various types of on-line sound source providers have been created thanks to this trend, but there is a limitation in that sound source files provided by the on-line sound source providers cannot be actually associated with off-line CD records. Furthermore, conventional devices for playing back sound source files are limited to an MP3 player, a PMP and a mobile phone, and, in addition, have a limitation in that such devices are expensive.

<4> Meanwhile, as semiconductor technology has rapidly developed, the price of memory or semiconductor devices is rapidly decreasing. [Disclosure] [Technical Problem]

<5> In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a ubiquitous disk based on a ubiquitous environment, which stores one or more pieces of multimedia content therein, and enables the pieces of multimedia content to be automatically played back in all playback devices regardless of the type of connected playback device or the environment thereof.

<6> Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for performing playback on the ubiquitous disk, which enables the pieces of multimedia content, which are stored in the above-described ubiquitous disk based on the ubiquitous environment, to be automatically played back in an arbitrary playback device. [Technical Solution]

<7> In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a ubiquitous disk, the ubiquitous disk including a control unit, a communication interface unit, and a memory unit having a predetermined capacity.

<8> The memory unit stores one or more pieces of multimedia content, universal player software that can be installed and executed in an arbitrary playback module, and one or more playback modules.

<9> When it is detected that the communication interface unit is connected to a communication port of an arbitrary playback device, the control unit causes the pieces of multimedia content of the memory unit to be sequentially played back in the playback device by installing and executing the universal player software in the playback device, so that the pieces of multimedia content stored in the memory unit can be played back in the playback device regardless of the type of playback device connected to the communication interface unit. <io> The control unit of the ubiquitous disk, having the above described feature, detects that the ubiquitous disk is connected to an arbitrary playback device, makes a request for installation of the universal player software to a Man-Machine Interface (MMI) of the playback device, and causes the universal player software to be installed and executed in the playback device,

<ii> the control unit searches the memory unit for a specific playback module and transmits the found playback module to the playback device if it is determined that a request for transmission of the playback module is received from the universal player software executed in the playback device, and

<12> the control unit reads the pieces of multimedia content from the memory unit and transmits the pieces of read multimedia content to the playback device if it is determined that a request for transmission of the pieces of multimedia content is received from the universal player software executed in the playback device.

<13> The universal player software, having the above-descried feature, is a program that sequentially performs the steps of:

<14> (a) detecting the type of playback device in which the universal player software is executed and/or the OS environment information;

<15> (b) determining whether a driving program that can play back the pieces of multimedia content exists in the playback device! and

<i6> (c) executing the driving program and making a request for transmission of the pieces of multimedia content to the ubiquitous disk if it is determined that the driving program exists in the playback device, converting the pieces of requested multimedia content into a data format that can be played back using the driving program when the pieces of requested multimedia content has been received, and transmitting and playing back the pieces of multimedia content, obtained through the conversion, using the driving program,

<i7> (d) transmitting the type of playback device and/or the OS environment information to the ubiquitous disk, making requests for transmission of a playback module and transmission of the pieces of multimedia content, activating the received playback module in the playback device, and playing back the pieces of multimedia content using the playback module, if it is determined that no driving program exists in the playback device. <18> According to a feature of the present invention, a transmitter includes: <19> a first communication interface unit comprising one or more first connectors to which an arbitrary communication port can be connected from outside; <20> a second communication interface unit comprising one or more second connectors to which an arbitrary communication port can be connected from outside; <2i> a first connector selection button part for selecting one of the first connectors of the first communication interface unit; <22> a second connector selection button part for selecting one of the second connectors of the second communication interface unit; and <23> a pin connection part for electrically connecting a first connector, which is selected by the first connector selection button part, with a second connector, which is selected by the second connector selection button part; <24> wherein a signal received through the selected first connector is transmitted to the selected second connector. <25> According to another feature of the present invention, a transmitter includes: <26> a first communication interface unit to which an arbitrary communication port can be connected from outside; <27> a second communication interface unit comprising one or more second connectors to which an arbitrary communication port can be connected from outside; <28> a connector selection button part for selecting one of the second connectors of the second communication interface unit; and <29> a pin connection part for electrically connecting the first connector selection button part with a second connector, which is selected by the second connector selection button part;

<30> wherein a signal received through the first communication interface unit is transmitted to the selected second connector.

<3i> It is preferred that the selected second connector of the transmitter, having the above-described feature, protrude from a main body and be inserted into an external communication port to be connected, and it is preferred that the first communication interface unit includes a USB interface unit.

<32> According to a feature of the present invention, a system for performing playback on a ubiquitous disk based on a ubiquitous environment comprises:

<33> at least one playback device comprising a communication port;

<34> a ubiquitous disk comprising a control unit, a communication interface unit, and a memory unit having a predetermined capacity! and

<35> a transmitter for connecting the communication interface unit of the ubiquitous disk with a communication port of an arbitrary playback device.

<36> The memory unit of the ubiquitous disk comprises one or more pieces of multimedia content, universal player software, and one or more playback modules, and

<37> the control unit of the ubiquitous disk detects whether the communication interface unit is connected to the communication port of the playback device, and installs and execute the universal player software in the playback device, thus causing the pieces of multimedia content to be sequentially played back in the playback device.

<38> The universal player software is installed and executed in the playback device by the control unit. The universal player software first reads the type of playback device and/or OS environment information and determines whether a driving program for playing back the pieces of multimedia content exists in the playback device. If it is determined that no driving program exists, a request for the transmission of a playback module to the ubiquitous disk is made. After the execution of the driving program or the playback module, a request for the transmission of the pieces of multimedia content to the ubiquitous disk is made and the pieces of transmitted multimedia content are played back using the driving program or the playback module. [Advantageous Effects]

<39> When connected to an arbitrary playback device, the ubiquitous disk according to the present invention enables pieces of multimedia content stored in the ubiquitous disk to be automatically played back and output, regardless of the type of connected playback device or the environment thereof and without requiring a separate installation process to be conducted by a user.

<40> Furthermore, the user can cause the pieces of multimedia content, which have been stored in the ubiquitous disk, to be freely played back in all playback devices in a ubiquitous environment.

<4i> Furthermore, the user of the ubiquitous disk can conveniently conduct playback regardless of the type of playback device, so that the user can enjoy the pieces of multimedia content stored in the ubiquitous disk regardless of time and place.

<42> Accordingly, in accordance with the present invention, problems in which playback devices capable of playing back conventional records or CDs are very limited and thus are gradually disappearing from the market can be completely overcome, and pieces of multimedia content can be enjoyed using various devices by substituting ubiquitous disks for conventional records and CDs. Furthermore, the ubiquitous disk according to the present invention can replace conventional records and CDs, and can also be variously used as a medium for advertisement or the like through the storage of moving image files. [Description of Drawings]

<43> FIG. 1 is conceptual diagrams showing the constructions of a ubiquitous disk and a disk playback system for performing playback on the ubiquitous disk, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention!

<44> FIG. 2 is diagrams schematically showing the external appearances and internal construction of the ubiquitous disk, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; <45> FIG. 3 is diagrams schematically illustrating the operation of the communication interface unit of the ubiquitous disk, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; <46> FIG. 4 is diagrams schematically showing the construction of a transmitter 50 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; <47> FIG. 5 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating the operation of the control unit of the ubiquitous disk, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and <48> FIG. 6 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a process in which universal player software for the ubiquitous disk is installed and executed in a playback device, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Best Mode] <49> The constructions of a ubiquitous disk based on a ubiquitous environment and a system for performing playback on the ubiquitous disk, according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings below. <50> FIG. 1 is conceptual diagrams showing the constructions of a ubiquitous disk and a system for performing playback on the ubiquitous disk, which enables the ubiquitous disk to be played back in all playback devices, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. <5i> FIG. Ka) is a front view illustrating the ubiquitous disk 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which a plurality of pieces of multimedia content and a plurality of application programs are already stored in the ubiquitous disk 10. <52> FIGS. Kb), Kc) and Kd) are diagrams illustrating the connections of the ubiquitous disk 10 according to the present invention to various types of playback devices. As shown in FIGS. Kb), Kc) and Kd), the ubiquitous disk

10 according to the present invention may be selectively connected to a computer 20, an MP3 player 30, and a mobile phone 40, and may also be freely connected to playback devices, such as a digital Television (TV), a WiBro terminal, a PMP and a dedicated player, in addition to the above devices.

<53> As shown in FIGS. Ka) to Kd), when the ubiquitous disk 10 according to the present invention is connected to an arbitrary playback device, the pieces of multimedia content stored in the ubiquitous disk may be automatically played back without requiring a separate installation process to be conducted by a user.

<54> FIG. 2 is diagrams schematically showing the external appearance and internal construction of the ubiquitous disk, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the ubiquitous disk 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2(b) is a rear view, and FIG. 2(c) is a conceptual block diagram showing the internal construction of the ubiquitous disk and connections with external playback devices!

<55> Referring to FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c), the ubiquitous disk 10 according to the present invention includes a communication interface unit 100, a control unit 105, and a memory unit 110. One or more pieces of multimedia content 120, universal player Software (SW) 132 and one or more playback modules 134, 135, ^{• • •} are stored in the memory unit. The pieces of multimedia content stored in the memory unit may include sound source files (MP3, OGG, WAV and WMA files) and moving image files (AVI, MOV, MPEG4, FLV, SWF files). The operation of the control unit 105 will be described later.

<56> The communication interface unit 100 is a communication port, which is connected with an external playback device and is configured to transmit data thereto, and may employ, for example, a USB interface module that supports a USB communication protocol.

<57> FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are diagrams schematically illustrating the operation of the communication interface unit 100 of the ubiquitous disk 10, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The communication interface unit of the ubiquitous disk according to the present invention may protrude externally from one side of the main body of the ubiquitous disk in a sliding manner. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3(a), when it is desired to store the communication interface unit without using it, or when it is desired to perform playback in a dedicated playback device, the communication interface unit 100 may be inserted into the main body of the ubiquitous disk. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3(b), when it is desired to establish a connection through the communication port of a computer or the like, which is a playback device, the communication interface unit 100 protrudes from the main body of the ubiquitous disk and is be connected to a corresponding playback device.

<58> Meanwhile, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ubiquitous disk may further include a transmitter 50 in order to support connection with playback devices, which do not individually support a USB interface. FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c) are diagrams illustrating the transmitter 50 according to the present invention in detail. FIG. 4(a) is a diagram showing a construction in which the ubiquitous disk and a playback device are connected to each other using the transmitter 50, FIG. 4(b) is a front view illustrating an example of the transmitter 50 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4(c) is a block diagram schematically showing the internal construction of the transmitter of FIG.4(b).

<59> As shown in FIG. 4(a), the ubiquitous disk 10 according to the present invention may be selectively connected to playback devices, which do not individually support a USB interface, using the transmitter 50.

<60> Referring to FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c), the transmitter 50 includes a transmission connector 400, a reception interface part 420, a selection button part 410, and a pin connection part 430.

<6i> The transmission connector 400 is mounted in one side of the transmitter, and thus may be connected with the communication interface unit of the ubiquitous disk.

<62> The reception interface part 420 includes one or more connectors 422, 424 and 426. For example, the first connector 422 is a 24-pin connector, the second connector 424 is a connector that can be connected with a specific MP3 player, and the third connector 426 is a mini USB connector. Various types of connectors may be mounted, in addition to the above-described connectors.

<63> The selection button part 410 includes one or more buttons that can select one of the connectors that constitutes the reception interface part 420. A connector, selected using the selection button part, protrudes from the main body of the transmitter, and thus may be inserted into the communication port of an external playback device.

<64> The pin connection part 430 is used to electrically connect a connector of the reception interface part, which is selected by the transmission connector, with the connector selection button part, and transmits a signal, which is received through the transmission connector, to the selected connector.

<65> The construction and operation of the control unit 105 of the ubiquitous disk 10, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 below. As shown in FIG. 2(c), the universal player software 132 and the one or more playback modules 134, 135, ^{• • •} , as well as one or more pieces of multimedia content 120, are stored in the memory unit. The playback modules 134, 135, ^{• • •} are implemented using execution modules that can play back multimedia content according to the type of playback device and the Operating System (OS) environment thereof. In this case, the device may be a playback device, such as a mobile phone, an MP3 player, a computer and a digital TV, that can play back and output pieces of multimedia content or sound source files. Furthermore, the environment information of the playback device may include information about the type of device, an MP3 player, and the OS environment (Linux, Windows OS, Mac OS or the like).

<66> The universal player software 132 is a program that, when the ubiquitous disk according to the present invention is inserted into a playback device, detects the environment of the playback device, and causes _ _

the pieces of multimedia content of the ubiquitous disk to be automatically played back in the playback device. The universal player software 132 includes a Graphic User Interface (GUI) module and a daemon module. The GUI module provides a predetermined graphic interface screen for interfacing with and the user to the display unit of a playback device, and the daemon module causes the pieces of multimedia content, which are stored in the memory unit, to be played back in the playback device. The operation of the universal player software 132 will be described in detail later.

<67> The operation of the control unit of the ubiquitous disk, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is sequentially described with reference to FIG. 5 below. FIG. 5 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating the operation of the control unit of the ubiquitous disk.

<68> Referring to FIG. 5, when the control unit detects that a playback device has been connected to the communication interface unit of the ubiquitous disk at step S500, the control unit reads the universal player software stored in the memory unit of the ubiquitous disk, makes a request for the installation of the universal player software to the MMI of the playback device, and causes the universal player software to be installed and executed in the playback device at step S510.

<69> If it is determined at step S520 that a request for the transmission of a playback module suitable for the playback device, as well as a request for the transmission of the environment information of the playback device, has been received, a corresponding playback module of the playback modules stored in the memory unit of the ubiquitous disk is searched for and is transmitted to the playback device at step S522.

<70> Thereafter, if it is determined that a request for the transmission of the pieces of multimedia content stored in the memory unit of the ubiquitous disk has been received from the universal player software of the playback device at step S530, the pieces of multimedia content are read from the memory unit at step S532, and the pieces of read multimedia content are transmitted to the universal player software in a streaming manner at step S534.

<7i> The process in which the universal player software stored in the ubiquitous disk is installed and executed in the playback device, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is sequentially described with reference to FIG. 6 below.

<72> The daemon module of the universal player software, which is installed and executed in the playback device, as shown in FIG. 6, detects the type of playback device and the OS environment information thereof at step S600, and determines whether a driving program that can play back the pieces of multimedia content exists in the playback device at step S610.

<73> If it is determined that the driving program exists in the playback device, the driving program is executed at step S630, and a request for the transmission of the pieces of multimedia content that are stored in the memory unit of the ubiquitous disk to the control unit of the ubiquitous disk is made at step S632, the pieces of multimedia content transmitted from the ubiquitous disk are converted into a data format that can be played back using the driving program at step S634, and then the pieces of multimedia content, which are obtained through the conversion, are played back using the driving program at step S636.

<74> If it is determined that no driving program exists in the playback device, the universal player software makes a request for the transmission of a playback module suitable for the environment of the playback device to the ubiquitous disk at step S640, and receives the playback module from the ubiquitous disk at step S642. The playback module is activated in the playback device at step S644, and a request for the transmission of the pieces of multimedia content to the ubiquitous disk is made at step S646. When the pieces of multimedia content are transmitted from the ubiquitous disk in a streaming manner, the pieces of multimedia content are played back using the playback module at step 648.

<75> The ubiquitous disk based on a ubiquitous environment, which is constructed as described above, is connected to all playback devices that can transmit and receive data through the communication interface unit, and enables the pieces of multimedia content, which are stored in the ubiquitous disk, to be automatically played back.

<76> As described above, although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiments of the present invention, this is only illustrative but does not limit the present invention. A person having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and applications, which are not described above, are possible within a range that does not depart from the substantial characteristics of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the type of communication interface unit of the ubiquitous disk, and the construction and operational sequence of an application program for performing playback on the ubiquitous disk may be modified and implemented in various ways in order to improve the performance of the ubiquitous disk and the method of performing playback on the ubiquitous disk according to the present invention. Furthermore, the differences relative to the above-described modifications and applications should be understood to be included in the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the accompanying claims. [Industrial Applicability]

<77> The ubiquitous disk according to the present invention replaces conventional records and CDs, and thus pieces of multimedia content can be enjoyed using various devices. The ubiquitous disk according to the present invention can not only replace conventional records and CDs, but also be variously used as a medium for advertisement or the like, through the storage of moving image files.

Claims

[CLAIMS] [Claim 1]

<79> A ubiquitous disk based on a ubiquitous environment, comprising a control unit, a communication interface unit, and a memory unit having a predetermined capacity;

<80> wherein the memory unit stores one or more pieces of multimedia content, and universal player software that can be installed and executed in an arbitrary playback module;

<8i> wherein the control unit causes the pieces of multimedia content of the memory unit to be sequentially played back in an arbitrary playback device by installing and executing the universal player software in the playback device, when it is detected that the communication interface unit is connected to a communication port of the playback device; and

<82> wherein the pieces of multimedia content stored in the memory unit is played back in the playback device regardless of a type of playback device connected to the communication interface unit.

[Claim 2]

<83> The ubiquitous disk according to claim 1, wherein the pieces of multimedia content include one or more music or moving image files.

[Claim 3]

<84> The ubiquitous disk according to claim 1, wherein the control unit detects that the ubiquitous disk is connected to an arbitrary playback device, makes a request for installation of the universal player software to a Man-Machine Interface (MMI) of the playback device, and causes the universal player software to be installed and executed in the playback device, and

<85> the control unit reads the pieces of multimedia content from the memory unit and transmits the pieces of read multimedia content to the playback device if it is determined that a request for transmission of the pieces of multimedia content is received from the universal player software executed in the playback device.

[Claim 4]

<86> The ubiquitous disk according to claim 1, wherein the memory unit comprises one or more playback modules,

<87> wherein the playback modules are programs for playing back the pieces of multimedia content, each playback module being determined according to a type of playback device and Operating System (OS) environment information and being executed based on the type of playback device and the OS environment information.

[Claim 5]

<88> The ubiquitous disk according to claim 4, wherein the control unit detects that the ubiquitous disk is connected to an arbitrary playback device, makes a request for installation of the universal player software to an MMI of the playback device, and causes the universal player software to be installed and executed in the playback device, and

<89> the control unit reads a playback module from the memory unit and transmits the read playback module to the playback device if it is determined that information of the playback device has been received from the universal player software executed in the playback device and if it is determined that a request for transmission of the playback module, which can be executed in the playback device, has been received.

[Claim 6]

<90> The ubiquitous disk according to claim any one of 1 to 5, wherein the universal player software comprises a Graphic User Interface (GUI) module and a daemon module!

<9i> wherein the GUI module provides a predetermined graphic interface screen for interfacing with a user to a display unit of the playback device! and

<92> wherein the daemon module causes the pieces of multimedia content, which are stored in the memory unit, to be played back in the playback device.

[Claim 7] <93> The ubiquitous disk according to claim 6, wherein the daemon module of the universal player software sequentially performs the steps of:

<94> (a) detecting the type of playback device in which the universal player software is executed and the OS environment information;

<95> (b) determining whether a driving program that can play back the pieces of multimedia content exists in the playback device; and

<96> (c) executing the driving program and making a request for transmission of the pieces of multimedia content to the ubiquitous disk if it is determined that the driving program exists in the playback device, converting the pieces of requested multimedia content into a data format that can be played back using the driving program when the pieces of requested multimedia content has been received, and transmitting and playing back the pieces of multimedia content, obtained through the conversion, using the driving program,

<97> (d) transmitting the type of playback device and the OS environment information to the ubiquitous disk, making requests for transmission of a playback module and transmission of the pieces of multimedia content, activating the received playback module in the playback device, and playing back the pieces of multimedia content using the playback module, if it is determined that no driving program exists in the playback device.

[Claim 8]

<98> The ubiquitous disk according to claim 1, wherein the communication interface unit uses a Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication protocol.

[Claim 9]

<99> The ubiquitous disk according to claim any one of 1 to 5, wherein the playback device to which the ubiquitous disk can be connected is a device that can play back and output pieces of multimedia content or sound source files.

[Claim 10]

<ioo> A transmitter, comprising: <ioi> a first communication interface unit comprising one or more first connectors to which an arbitrary communication port can be connected from outside; <iO2> a second communication interface unit comprising one or more second connectors to which an arbitrary communication port can be connected from outside; <iO3> a first connector selection button part for selecting one of the first connectors of the first communication interface unit; <iO4> a second connector selection button part for selecting one of the second connectors of the second communication interface unit; and <iO5> a pin connection part for electrically connecting a first connector, which is selected by the first connector selection button part, with a second connector, which is selected by the second connector selection button part; <iO6> wherein a signal received through the selected first connector is transmitted to the selected second connector.

[Claim 11] <iO7> The transmitter according to claim 10, wherein the selected second connector protrudes from a main body and is inserted into an external communication port to be connected.

[Claim 12] <iO8> The transmitter according to claim 10, wherein the first communication interface unit includes a USB interface unit. [Claim 13] <iO9> A system for performing playback on a ubiquitous disk based on a ubiquitous environment, comprising:

<πo> at least one playback device comprising a communication port; <iπ> a ubiquitous disk comprising a control unit, a communication interface unit, and a memory unit having a predetermined capacity! and <ii2> a transmitter for connecting the communication interface unit of the ubiquitous disk with a communication port of an arbitrary playback device; <ii3> wherein the memory unit of the ubiquitous disk comprises: <ii4> one or more pieces of multimedia content; and <ii5> universal player software that can be installed and executed in the playback device;

<ii6> wherein the control unit of the ubiquitous disk causes the pieces of multimedia content to be sequentially played back in the playback device by installing and executing the universal player software in the playback device, when it is detected that the communication interface unit is connected to a communication port of the playback device; and

<ii7> wherein the pieces of multimedia content stored in the ubiquitous disk are automatically played back in the playback device.