WO2004070964A1

WO2004070964A1 - External memory apparatus and driving method of mobile phone

Info

Publication number: WO2004070964A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/000263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jung Yel Na
Original assignee: Jung Yel Na
Priority date: 2003-02-10
Filing date: 2004-02-10
Publication date: 2004-08-19
Also published as: KR20050102098A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an external memory device, which is detachably mounted on a mobile phone and expands the function of the mobile phone, and a method of driving the same. The external memory device according to the present invention connected to the mobile phone including an external memory-driving program, includes a mobile phone connection unit physically connected to the mobile phone, supplied with power from the mobile phone, and adapted to transmit and receive data; a database storing information; a central processing unit checking whether the mobile phone is connected through the mobile phone connection unit, requesting the driving of a program driving the external memory from the mobile phone, and downloading information from the mobile phone and storing the information in the database, or providing information stored in the database to the mobile phone; and a power unit supplying power, which is supplied from the mobile phone through the mobile phone connection unit, to the central processing unit and the database.

Description

EXTERNAL MEMORY APPARATUS AND DRIVING METHOD OF

MOBILE PHONE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an external memory device, which is detachably mounted on a mobile phone and expands the function of the mobile phone, and a method of driving the same.

Background Art

Conventionally, a mobile phone is used only for telephone conversation. However, recently, as the range of the applications of a mobile phone is extended to a game, an electronic pocket book, an electronic dictionary, the viewing of a movie and listening to music as well as telephone conversation, the mobile phone requires a larger memory capacity. However, currently, the expansion of the memory of a mobile phone is impossible, so that the necessity for an external memory device has been raised.

Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of an external memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the external memory device for the driving of the external memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone for the driving of the external memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing an example in which the external memory device is operated at the state of being mounted on the mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Technical Problem

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an external memory device, which is detachably mounted on a mobile phone and expands the function of the mobile phone, and a method of driving the same.

Technical Solution In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an external memory device connected to a mobile phone including an external memory-driving program, including a mobile phone connection unit physically connected to the mobile phone, supplied with power from the mobile phone and adapted to transmit and receive data, a database storing information, a central processing unit checking whether the mobile phone is connected through the mobile phone connection unit, requesting the driving of a program driving the external memory from the mobile phone, and downloading information from the mobile phone and storing the information in the database, or providing information stored in the database to the mobile phone, and a power unit supplying power, supplied from the mobile phone through the mobile phone connection unit, to the central processing unit and the database.

Additionally, in order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a method of driving an external memory device connected a mobile phone including an external memory-driving program, including the first step of checking whether a device connected to the external memory device is a mobile phone when the external memory device is connected to the mobile phone so that power is turned on, the second step of requesting the driving of the external memory-driving program from the mobile phone if, as a result of the checking at the first step, the mobile phone is connected, and the third step of searching for information requested by the mobile phone and outputting the information to the mobile phone. Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, an external memory device, which is detachably mounted on the mobile phone and expands the function of the mobile phone, can be inexpensively implemented in a small size. Further, by only the operation of inserting the external memory device into the mobile phone, the mobile phone can search for information stored in the external memory device, so that the present invention has an effect in that user's convenience is increased.

Best Mode for Invention

With reference to the attached drawings, an external memory device of a mobile phone and a method of driving the same according to an embodiment of the present invention are described in detail below.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the present invention. The present invention is composed of an external memory 11 and a mobile phone 12. The mobile phone 12 is capable of accessing a wireless Internet server 13, and downloads a program driving the external memory from the wireless Internet server 13. The external memory-driving program performs the function of reproducing a file stored in the external memory 11 using a virtual machine function (Java, GVM, SKVM, etc.). The external memory 11 is detachably mounted on the mobile phone 12. Preferably, the external memory 11 and the mobile phone 12 are constructed in such a way that the external memory 11 is inserted into the RS-232 serial port of the mobile phone 12. Further, it does not matter whether the mobile phone 12 and the external memory are connected to a general serial port or a USB serial port through a separate connector. The external memory 11 stores information required by the user of the mobile phone. The information can be downloaded by the mobile phone 12 from the wireless Internet server 13 and then stored in the external memory 11, or can be downloaded from a personal computer (not shown) while directly connecting the external memory 11 to the personal computer and then stored in the external memory 11. Furthermore, the information can be downloaded from the internal memory of the mobile phone 12 and then stored in the external memory 11.

When the external memory 11 is connected to the mobile phone 12, the external memory 11 checks whether a device, to which the external memory is connected, is a mobile phone or a personal computer, and performs operations according to the type of the device to which the external memory is connected.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of an external memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The external memory device includes a mobile phone connection unit 21 , a power unit 22, a central processing unit 23, a database 24, and a re-start key 25.

The mobile connection unit 21 is a connection device connected to the mobile phone. As described above, the mobile connection unit 21 is implemented as one of the RS-232 serial port, the USB port and the general serial port.

The power unit 22 receives power supplied from the mobile phone through the mobile phone connection unit 21, and supplies the power to the central processing unit 23 and the database 24.

When the power is supplied from the power unit 22, the central processing unit 23 becomes aware of a connection with an external device, ascertains the type of the external device being currently connected thereto, and downloads information from the external device and stores the information in the database 24, or provides information stored in the database 24 to the external device. For example, in the case where a personal computer is connected to the external memory device, information is received from the personal computer and then stored in the database 24. In the case where a mobile phone is connected to the external memory device, the information stored in the database 24 is provided to the mobile phone or required information is received from the mobile phone.

The database 24 stores various types of information. In the database, various kinds of dictionaries (English-Korean dictionary, Korean-English dictionary, Japanese-Korean dictionary, Korean- Japanese dictionary, etc.), music files (mp3), video files, text files and schedule management information can be stored. The information stored in the database is stored in a hierarchical structure.

The re-start key 25 has function to restart an external memory-driving program that has been temporarily stopped in the state in which the external memory device is inserted into the mobile phone. That is, when the external memory device is initially inserted into the mobile phone,, the external memory- driving program is driven, so that the user can use the information stored in the external memory. In the case where the external memory-driving function ends because the user compulsorily ends the external memory-driving function or operates an audible call mode, if the user presses the re-start key 25, the information on the fact that the user presses the re-start key 25 is transmitted to the mobile phone, so that the external memory-driving program is driven.

Furthermore, the external memory device can further include a music file player (MP3 decoder) or a video file player driven by the central processing unit 23.

When the user requests the reproduction of a music file, the central processing unit 23 directly provides the music file selected by the user to the mobile phone, or provides the music file to the music file player to decode the music file and then provides the decoded music file to the mobile phone. Additionally, when the user requests the reproduction of a video file, the central processing unit 23 directly provides the video file selected by the user to the mobile phone, or provides the video file to the video file player to decode the video file and then provides the decoded video file to the mobile phone. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal construction of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone includes an external memory connection unit 31, a central processing unit 32, a wireless Internet connection unit 33, an external memory-driving program processing unit 34, a database 35, a display unit 36, and a key input unit 37. The external memory connection unit 31 is connected to the mobile phone connection unit 21 of the external memory device directly or using a separate connector.

The central processing unit 32 performs the overall control function of the mobile phone. In the mobile phone, a plurality of driving programs operated based on a virtual machine may be included. In this case, the driving programs are allocated unique identifiers, respectively. That is, in the programs operated based on the virtual machine, various application driving programs can be included, and the application driving programs and external memory-driving programs are allocated unique identifiers, respectively.

The wireless Internet connection unit 33 is connected to a wireless Internet server 13, initially downloads an external memory-driving program from the wireless Internet server 13 or updates the external memory-driving program, and downloads required information (music, video or text file).

The external memory-driving program processing unit 34 starts driving under the control of the central processing unit 32, and transmits data to the external memory through the external memory connection unit 31 or receives required information from the external memory. That is, the external memory- driving program processing unit 34 performs an interface function between the external memory and the mobile phone.

The database 35 stores various types of information, and stores a music reproducing program, a video reproducing program and a data displaying program. When a music file is input from the external memory, the music reproducing program is operated so that the music is reproduced through the mobile phone. When a video file is input from the external memory, the video reproducing program is operated so that the video is reproduced through the mobile phone.

The display unit 36 is generally a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device, and displays required information on a screen under the control of the central processing unit 32 or the external memory-driving program processing unit 34.

The key input unit 37 receives a user's request and transmits the request to the central processing unit 32.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of an external memory device for the driving of the external memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the external memory device is inserted into the connection unit of the mobile phone, power is supplied from the mobile phone to the external memory device. When the power of the external memory device is initially turned on at step S401, the external memory device checks a specific pin and ascertains the type of a device connected thereto at step S402. That is, it is detected whether the device connected thereto is a personal computer or a mobile phone. If the connected device is a mobile phone at step S403, the process proceeds to step S405. If the connected device is not a mobile phone at step S403, another operation desired by the user is performed at step S404, and then the process ends.

At step S405, the external memory device requests the driving of the external memory-driving program from the body of the mobile phone at step

S405. In this case, the external memory device requests the driving of the external memory-driving program while transmitting the identifier information of the external memory-driving program to the mobile phone body.

When the external memory-driving program of the mobile phone starts driving at step S406, initial menu information is output to the mobile phone body at step S407.

Additionally, it is checked whether user key input data is received from the mobile phone at step S408. If the user key input data is received, information required by the user is searched for in the database at step S409. If, as a result of the search, the information exists at step S410, the information is transmitted to the mobile phone body at step S412. If, as a result of the search, the information does not exist at step S410, an error message is transmitted to the mobile phone body step S411. Furthermore, when a command is input by a user key input, the external memory device performs the input command. The mobile phone, to which the error message is transmitted at the step

S411, is connected to the wireless Internet server 13, searches for the information desired by the user, download the information, and may display the information on the screen of the mobile phone.

When the user ends the external memory-driving function or separates the external memory from the mobile phone while the driving of the external memory is processed as described above, the external memory-driving function is ended.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of a mobile phone for the driving of the external memory apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the identifier of the external memory-driving program and a driving request are input from the external memory device, the central processing unit of the mobile phone body drives the external memory-driving program at step S501.

After the external memory-driving program is driven, the external memory-driving program checks whether information is input from the external memory at step S502, and displays a loading state on the display unit at step

S503. When the information input from the external memory ends at step S504, the information input from the external memory is displayed on the screen at step

S505. Additionally, if there is a user key input at step S507 while waiting for a key input from a user at step S506, the user key input is stored at step S508. If the input key is a "confirmation" key at step S509, the stored data on the user key input is transmitted to the external memory at step S510.

In FIG. 5, it is shown that if the user input the "confirmation" key, the user key input is transmitted to the external memory. However, in the mode in which menu items (number and function) are displayed on a screen and a function is selected by inputting a number key, if the user inputs a number key, the user key input is provided to the mobile phone even though the user does not input the

"confirmation" key.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing the external memory device operated at the state of being mounted on the mobile phone, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view showing an initial menu screen, and FIG. 7 is a view showing the screen of a result of searching an electronic dictionary for "boy."

In the case where a telephone call is dialed from an outside while the external memory-driving program is driven, the central processing unit of the mobile phone ends the external memory-driving function and performs a call function. Additionally, in the case where the user ends the external memory- driving function or the external memory is separated from the mobile phone while the driving of the external memory is processed, the external memory-driving function is ended. Although the technical spirit of the present invention is described with reference to the attached drawings, this is for illustrative purposes of the preferred embodiments, but does not limit the scope of the present invention. Further, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An external memory device connected to a mobile phone including an external memory-driving program, comprising: a mobile phone connection unit physically connected to the mobile phone, supplied with power from the mobile phone, and adapted to transmit and receive data; a database storing information; a central processing unit checking whether the mobile phone is connected through the mobile phone connection unit, requesting driving of a program driving the external memory from the mobile phone, and downloading information from the mobile phone and storing the information in the database, or providing information stored in the database to the mobile phone; and a power unit supplying power, which is supplied from the mobile phone through the mobile phone connection unit, to the central processing unit and the database.

2. The external memory device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile phone connection unit is one of a RS-232 serial port, a USB port and a general serial port.

3. The external memory device according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit downloads information from a personal computer and stores the information in the database when the personal computer is connected through the mobile phone connection unit.

4. The external memory device according to claim 1, further comprising a re-start key that is connected to the central processing unit and allows the central processing unit to request an re-start of the external memory-driving program of the mobile phone.

5. The external memory device according to claim 1, further comprising a music file player that is driven by the central processing unit, reproduces a music file stored in the database, and provides the music file to the mobile phone through the central processing unit.

^• 5

6. The external memory device according to claim 1, further comprising a video file player that is driven by the central processing unit, reproduces a video file stored in the database, and provides the video file through the central processing unit.

10

7. A method of driving an external memory device connected a mobile phone including an external memory-driving program, comprising: the first step of checking whether a device connected to the external memory device is a mobile phone when the external memory device is connected 15 to the mobile phone so that power is turned on; the second step of requesting driving of the external memory-driving program from the mobile phone if, as a result of the checking at the first step, the mobile phone is connected; and the third step of searching for information requested by the mobile phone 20 and outputting the information to the mobile phone.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the second step is performed in such a way that the external memory device requests the driving while fransmitting unique identifier information of the external memory-driving program

25 to the mobile phone.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the third step is performed in such a way that the external memory device transmits an error message to the mobile phone if the information requested by the mobile phone is not searched for.

30