WO2009064136A1

WO2009064136A1 - Music reproduction chip card

Info

Publication number: WO2009064136A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/006731
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeong-Hee Cho; Dong-Tark Lee; Kyeong-Il Jeong; Do-Keun Kim
Original assignee: Kookmin Bank Co., Ltd; Slimdisc Corporation
Priority date: 2007-11-16
Filing date: 2008-11-17
Publication date: 2009-05-22
Also published as: KR20090050587A; KR100939789B1; CN101939756A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a music reproduction chip card (1 ). The music reproduction chip card (1) includes a standard-sized plastic substrate (10), and two or more semiconductor chips (20, 22) mounted on the substrate. One of the semiconductor chips (22) has a flash memory (120) for recording various kinds of audio source data in the form of MP3 or other digital compressed music files thereon, and a driving circuit (100) for outputting the audio data (150). The driving circuit (100) of the semiconductor chip (22) includes a decoder (130) for decoding and reproducing the MP3 or other compressed audio data, a D/A converter (140) for converting the decoded and reproduced data into analog sounds, and a control unit (160) for controlling the memory (120), the decoder (130) and the D/A converter (140). The second semiconductor chip (20) is a standard financial transaction chip like the one utilized in a credit card or an electronic purse card.

Description

MUSIC REPRODUCTION CHIP CARD

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a music reproduction chip card capable of recording and reproducing various kinds of sound source data in the form of MP3 or other digital compressed music files. Background Art

[2] Recently, chip cards with built-in microchips have been widely used.

[3] The chip card has a semiconductor chip mounting a memory and a central processing unit thereon, and makes communication with external interface terminals on the surface thereof through the electrical contacting or in a contactless manner. Compared with the MS card, the chip card involves a large volume of memory capacity, and various functions of security service such as encryption or decryption and certification of contact objects, and data and information management, based on the CPU operation thereof.

[4] However, as the chip card is programmed such that it can be read only through the card reader intrinsic thereto, and limited in available storage capacity, several chip cards from different application companies should be taken to exploit various applications.

[5] As it is very inconvenient to carry with several sheets of cards, the customers would be disposed to take only the most-usable chip card, and hence, the required card cannot be used when needed.

[6] Meanwhile, many people of today listen to music by using MP3 or other digital compressed music files. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[7] However, the MP3 or other digital compressed music files are protected by copyright, and micro payments are requested for the respective services thereof. And it is too much trouble to make the micro payments.

[8] Furthermore, the user wants to always carry with the MP3 player and listen to music, but such an MP3 player as to satisfy the requirements of the user has not yet developed.

[9] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Technical Solution

[10] The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a music reproduction chip card having advantages of recording and reproducing various kinds of sound source data in the form of MP3 or other digital compressed music files by using a chip card.

[11] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a music reproduction chip card including a standard-sized plastic substrate, and two or more semiconductor chips mounted on the substrate. One of the semiconductor chips has a flash memory for recording various kinds of sound source data in the form of MP3 or other digital compressed music files thereon, and a driving circuit for outputting the MP3 or other compressed sound source data. The driving circuit of the semiconductor chip includes a decoder for decoding and reproducing the MP3 or other compressed sound source data, a D/A converter for converting the decoded and reproduced data into analog sounds, and a control unit for controlling the memory, the decoder and the D/A converter.

Advantageous Effects

[12] Accordingly, with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, various kinds of sound source data in the form of MP3 or other digital compressed music files may be recorded and reproduced by using a chip card.

[13] Furthermore, with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the customers may always carry with a music reproduction chip card with pleasure, and make micro payments required for downloading the desired music files by using the chip card.

[14] In addition, with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the micro payments for MP3 or other digital compressed music files are made in a simplified manner while listening to music.

[15] Accordingly, with the music reproduction chip card, the user may always listen to the desired music while enjoying convenience in possession. Brief Description of the Drawings

[16] FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are a surface view, a rear view, and a side view of a chip card where two chips are disposed on an international standard-sized substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[17] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating the circuit structure of reproducing MP3 or other digital compressed music files using a music reproduction chip card according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[18] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a memory on a semiconductor chip of a music reproduction chip card according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[19] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the method of reproducing MP3 or other digital compressed music files using a music reproduction chip card according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[20] A chip card with a memory storing MP3 or other digital compressed music files according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be now described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.

[21] As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

[22] Furthermore, in case it is judged that the detailed description of the well-known function or structures relevant to the embodiments may needlessly obscure the gist of the present invention, such a description will be omitted.

[23] FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are a surface view, a rear view and a side view of a music reproduction chip card where two chips are disposed on an international standard-sized substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[24] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a chip card 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is molded or mechanically made with a standard size of about 85.6X54.0mm corresponding to the size of a wallet and a thickness of about 0.8mm by using an insulating substrate 10 bearing a bending characteristic of about 1.5mm or less.

[25] The chip card 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is determined to bear a size according to the international standard, and the front surface of the substrate 10 of the chip card 1 is provided with a first chip 20 being a financial chip with an international standard size of about 12.5X18mm, and a second chip 22 having a memory capable of storing MP3 or other digital compressed music files. Furthermore, a financial card number 3, a term of validity 3a, an English name 3b, and an indicator of card types such as Visa and Master may be indicated on the front surface of the chip card 1.

[26] As shown in FIG. 3, the first and the second chips 20 and 22 are buried in the substrate 10, and spaced apart from each other with a distance of about 40mm. The gap between the first and the second chips 20 and 22 is completely filled in by an insulating material.

[27] The first chip 20 is programmed such that it can access to the information on the first chip 20 only when a contact portion 20a thereof electrically contacts the qualified terminals such as membership terminals and ATMs.

[28] As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the second chip 22 may electrically contact connector terminals 51 and 61 of an external adapter 50 or an earphone 60.

[29] As shown in FIG. 1, the contact portion 22a of the second chip 22 contacts the opening of the adapter 50 such that the second chip 22 may interface with the adapter 50. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, a thin plate-shaped terminal 41 slide-coupled to a groove formed at the rear surface of the substrate 10 may electrically contact the connector terminals 51 and 61 of the adapter 50 or the earphone 60.

[30] The terminal 41 may be used for the charging purpose as well as for outputting the sound source signals.

[31] The second chip 22 is connected to a printed circuit board 28 via a conductive member 28a. The printed circuit board 28 is connected to a long-distanced power supply (not shown) and a flexible circuit 30 so as to construct a music reproduction driving circuit 100 capable of reproducing MP3 or other digital compressed music files.

[32] Accordingly, the MP3 or other digital compressed music files stored at the music reproduction card 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be reproduced by using the adapter 50, or through the driving circuit 100 of the music reproduction chip card 1.

[33] Meanwhile, the rear surface of the substrate 10 may be provided with a bar code and an MS stripe 40 containing card information and personal information.

[34] The power supply may be charging-typed, or directly feed the power using a solar battery. The power supply may be shaped in the form of a thin film.

[35] The power supply may be provided with the charging terminal 41, which is connected to the adapter 50. The charging terminal 41 may be connected to the printed circuit board 28 via the flexible circuit 30.

[36] A method of downloading and reproducing MP3 or other digital compressed music files using a music reproduction card according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be now described in detail with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

[37] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating the circuit structure of reproducing MP3 or other digital compressed music files using a music reproduction chip card according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a memory on a semiconductor chip of a music reproduction chip card according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the method of downloading MP3 or other digital compressed music files onto a music reproduction chip card according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[38] A driving circuit 100 for reproducing MP3 or other digital compressed music files using a music reproduction chip card according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be first explained in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

[39] The driving circuit 100 has a communication module 110 such that it makes communication with a digital compressed sound source data provider server 200 so as to send personal information or card information thereto and download various kinds of sound source data in the form of MP3 or other digital compressed music files onto the memory 120.

[40] The communication module 110 is based on short-distance communication, and may provide an infrared data communication interface, a bluetooth communication interface, a Wi-Fi communication interface, a wireless LAN communication interface, or an RF communication interface. Therefore, the communication module 110 may store various kinds of sound source data in the form of MP3 or other digital compressed music files at the memory 120 of the second chip 22 by using automatic teller machines (ATM) or portable communication terminals having a financial banking function.

[41] In order to reproduce MP3 or other digital compressed music files, the driving circuit

100 may include a decoder 130 for decoding and reproducing various kinds of sound source data in the form of MP3 or other digital compressed music files stored at the memory 120, a D/A converter 140 for converting the decoded and reproduced data into analog sounds, a sound source output unit 150 for outputting the analog sounds, and a control unit 160 for controlling the communication module 110, the memory 120, the decoder 130, the D/A converter 140 and the sound source output unit 150.

[42] Earphone jacks 61 and 63 each with a thin plate-shaped slot may be connected to the music reproduction chip card 1 such that it is push-coupled with the thin plate-shaped terminal 41 slide-protruded from the card 1 to make the electrical connection therewith. The earphone jacks 61 and 63 may be connected to the adapter or connector 50. In this case, the commands of on/off, volume, selection of music and reproduction may be input through a touch-typed or jog shuttle-typed key input unit 53 on the adapter or connector50.

[43] The first chip 20 may also have a communication module such that it interfaces with the ATM, the portable communication terminal or the financial server 200 to provide personal information and card information thereto, and charges values in a security storage unit 123 of the memory 120 of the second chip 22, as shown in FIG. 5.

[44] As shown in FIG. 5, the memory 120 of the second chip 22 may include a format information unit 121 for giving format information about applications, data or contents so as to make it possible to interface with external terminals, a security storage unit 123 for receiving personal information and card information from the first chip 20 and storing values of a small sum or points, and a music storage unit 122 capable of downloading various kinds of sound source data in the form of MP3 or other digital compressed music files from the sound source data provider server 200 on condition that the sound source data use fees are deleted from the values stored in the security storage unit. As the music storage unit 122 is a free storage domain, it may be used as a universal memory.

[45] Furthermore, the memory 120 further includes a memory state information unit 124 for giving the memory state information such that upon receipt of the commands by way of the key input unit 53, the control unit 160 can execute the commands immediately.

[46] As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal 41 of the music reproduction chip card 1 is slide- pulled out such that it electrically contacts the adapter 50 with an earphone.

[47] When the adapter 50 push-fixes the terminal 41 of the musical reproduction chip card

1 to make electrical connection therewith, a communication icon is selected via the key input unit 53 of the adapter 50.

[48] When the music reproduction chip card 1 makes short-communication with the ATM

200 or wireless communication with the digital contents server, the first chip 20 of the chip card 1 sends credit card information and personal information thereto, in the step of SlO. When the information-received ATM or server 200 approves the card transaction in the step of S20, values are charged in the value charging unit 123a of the security storage unit 123 of the memory 120 of the second chip 22 in the step of S30. Alternatively, the server 200 may store values, points, coupons or moneys in the value charging unit 123a of the second chip 22 without receiving the card information or personal information. This process may be conducted during the idle or off time. And even when intended to use new sound source data, such a process may be conducted promptly.

[49] Meanwhile, when the download command is sent from the key input unit 53 in the step of Sl 10, the data is downloaded onto the music storage unit 122 by making communication with the digital compressed sound source data provider server 200 on condition that the data use fees are deleted from the values stored in the value storage unit 123a, that is, on condition that the fees of use service of various kinds of sound source data in the form of MP3 or other digital compressed music files are deleted therefrom.

[50] Thereafter, when the user intending to listen to music receives the on signal from the key input unit and the music data selection signal in the step of S210, the control unit 160 makes the decoder 130 and the D/A converter 140 to decode and reproduce the digital sound source data and output them through the output unit 150.

[51] The sound source output unit 150 may be connected to the earphone jacks 61 and 63 via the terminal 41.

[52] While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

[1] A music reproduction chip card comprising: a standard-sized plastic substrate; and two or more semiconductor chips mounted on the substrate, one of the semiconductor chips comprising a flash memory for recording various kinds of sound source data in the form of MP3 or other digital compressed music files thereon, and a driving circuit for outputting the MP3 or other compressed sound source data; wherein the driving circuit of the semiconductor chip comprises a decoder for decoding and reproducing the MP3 or other compressed sound source data, a D/ A converter for converting the decoded and reproduced data into analog sounds, and a control unit for controlling the memory, the decoder and the D/A converter.

[2] The music reproduction chip card of claim 1, wherein at least one of the semiconductor chips is a financial chip according to the international standard.

[3] The music reproduction chip card of claim 2, wherein the substrate comprises a slide thin plate-shaped terminal.

[4] The music reproduction chip card of claim 3, wherein the external terminal is an earphone, and a connector of the earphone is provided with a key input unit to input the commands of reproduction, volume, music selection, download and communication into the driving circuit.

[5] The music reproduction chip card of claim 1, wherein the memory of the second chip comprises a format storage unit for storing format information to interface with the external terminal, a value charging unit for charging values when the first chip approves the card transaction, and a music storage unit for downloading the MP3 or other digital compressed music files on condition that the fees of data usage service of the MP3 or other digital compressed music files are deleted from the value charging unit.

[6] The music reproduction chip card of claim 5, wherein the second chip further comprises a communication module such that points or discount coupons are stored in the value charging unit through a mobile communication terminal, ATM, or a card server.

[7] The music reproduction chip card of claim 6, wherein the value charging unit of the second chip charges the values from the external terminal when the first chip sends personal information and card information to the external terminal of the mobile communication terminal, the ATM or the card server and the card transaction approval is made from the external terminal.

[8] A method of reproducing music using a music reproduction chip card comprising a standard-sized plastic substrate, and two or more semiconductor chips mounted on the substrate, one of the semiconductor chips comprising a flash memory for recording various kinds of sound source data in the form of MP3 or other digital compressed music files thereon and a driving circuit for outputting the MP3 or other compressed sound source data, the method comprising the steps of: receiving the command of downloading the sound source data through a key input unit of an adapter electrically contacting a terminal of the music reproduction chip card; and receiving and downloading the music onto a music storage unit of the memory from an external terminal on condition that a predetermined value is deleted from a security-managed value charging unit of the memory of one of the semiconductor chips.

[9] The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the semiconductor chips is a financial chip according to the international standard.

[10] The method of claim 8, wherein the external terminal is a membership terminal,

ATM, a mobile communication terminal or a sound source provider server, the method further comprising the step of storing values in the value charging unit of the second chip at the external terminal without receiving the personal information.

[11] The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of: sending the personal information and the card information at the financial chip; upon receipt of the personal information and the card information, receiving and approving the card transaction at the external terminal; and when approved, charging values in the value charging unit of the second chip.

[12] The method of claim 8, wherein the adapter is an earphone, the method further comprising the steps of: sending the commands of music selection, reproduction and volume to a control unit of the driving circuit by using a key input unit disposed on a connector of the earphone; decoding the music stored in the music storage unit through a decoder at the control unit; converting various kinds of the decoded sound source data in the form of MP3 or other digital compressed files into analog signals; and outputting the analog sound source signals through an output unit.