Abstract:
The present invention discloses a multimedia modular card, a device for operating the same, and an integrated multimedia system. The multimedia modular card includes a bus interface removably formed in the device for operating the modular card, for transmitting/receiving data to/from the device, a local controller for controlling the operation of the multimedia modular card, according to an input signal from the bus interface, and a local processor programmed to perform functions corresponding to previously-set multimedia support types, and operated by the local controller. Accordingly, the user can embody a desired multimedia system by selectively mounting the multimedia modular card having a specific function on the system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a multimedia player, and more particularly, to a multimedia modular card, a device for operating the same, and an integrated multimedia system. The present application is based on Korean Patent Application No. 2000-49734, which is incorporated herein by reference.  
           [0003]    2. Description Of The Related Art  
           [0004]    According to rapid developments in multimedia player technologies, MP3 (Motion Picture Experts Group Layer-3 Audio) players, MPEG (Motion Pictures Experts Group) decoders, and Bluetooth and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) type cellular phones have been recently developed and used.  
           [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional multimedia player.  
           [0006]    As illustrated in FIG. 1, the conventional multimedia player  10  includes a CPU  1 , a ROM  2 , a DRAM  3 , an I/O unit  4 , a memory card controller  5 , an LCD  7  connected to the CPU  1  through a local bus, a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter)  8  and a speaker  9 . The multimedia player  10  is connected with a memory card  6 .  
           [0007]    The I/O unit  4  inputs a desired function of the user. The I/O unit  4 , which is determined by the type of the multimedia player, is used for selecting an operation button, such as a play button or stop button, or a menu displayed on a screen.  
           [0008]    In addition, a memory card  6  stores encoded audio data, video data, and digital data stream. The user selects a desired memory card  6  and installs it in the multimedia player  10 .  
           [0009]    When power is supplied to the multimedia player  10 , the CPU  1  is reset by a boot program stored in the ROM  2 .  
           [0010]    The memory card controller  5  reads encoded data stored in the memory card  6 .  
           [0011]    The encoded data read from the memory card  6  is temporarily stored in the DRAM  3 , decoded by a decoder program, and divided into video data and audio data.  
           [0012]    The CPU  1  transmits the decoded video data to the LCD  7 , where the decoded video data is reproduced as an image signal. In addition, the CPU  1  transmits the decoded audio data to the DAC  8 , where the digital signal is converted into an analog signal. The converted signal is transmitted to the speaker  9 . The speaker  9  reproduces the signal as an audio signal.  
           [0013]    In the conventional multimedia player, the programs stored in the CPU  1  and the ROM  2  merely drive devices connected to the local bus. Accordingly, an external device cannot be connected to the local bus, and thus a previously-designed function can be added or deleted to/from the system.  
           [0014]    On the other hand, only the memory card is removably disposed at the conventional multimedia player. It is thus impossible to add additional functions to the system, except for the previously-designed functions. As a result, it is difficult to satisfy the user&#39;s demand for a multi-functional system.  
           [0015]    In order to perform multiple functions, the system must be provided with the respective multimedia players, namely the MP3 player, a MPEG decoder, a Bluetooth module equipped device and cellular phone. Therefore, the system is not portable.  
           [0016]    Moreover, it causes additional costs for buying the respective devices.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0017]    Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a multimedia modular card that can be removably disposed at a device for operating and controlling the modular card, and which can perform functions corresponding to previously-set multimedia support types.  
           [0018]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for operating a modular card which can removably include the modular card, and operate and control a plurality of modular cards.  
           [0019]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide an integrated multimedia system, which can selectively perform desired functions of the user, by easily connecting or removing a multimedia modular card having a certain function, to/from the system.  
           [0020]    In order to achieve the above-described objects of the present invention, there is provided a multimedia modular card inserted into a device for operating the modular card, including: a bus interface removably formed in the device for operating the modular card, for transmitting/receiving data to/from the device; a local controller for controlling the operation of the multimedia modular card, according to an input signal from the bus interface; and a local processor programmed to perform functions corresponding to previously-set multimedia support types, and operated by the local controller. The local processor, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) controller, can be used to control a display unit of the device for operating the multimedia modular card.  
           [0021]    In addition, there is provided a device for operating a modular card, including: an external bus removably formed from the multimedia modular card, for receiving/transmitting data from/to the multimedia modular card; a main controller for generating a signal for controlling the multimedia modular card through the external bus; and a bus arbitrator for arbitrating an external bus using right of a plurality of multimedia modular cards inserted into the device for operating the multimedia modular card. The device for operating the multimedia modular card can include a camera, from which a video signal can be processed by the local processor of the multimedia modular card.  
           [0022]    There is also provided an integrated multimedia system, at least one multimedia modular card being inserted into a device for operating the modular card, wherein the multimedia modular card includes: a bus interface removably formed in the device for operating the modular card, for transmitting/receiving data to/from the device; a local controller for controlling the operation of the multimedia modular card, according to an input signal from the bus interface; and a local processor programmed to perform functions corresponding to previously-set multimedia support types, and operated by the local controller; and wherein the device for operating the modular card, includes: an external bus interface removably formed from the multimedia modular card, for receiving/transmitting data from/to the multimedia modular card; a main controller for generating a signal for controlling the multimedia modular card through the external bus; and a bus arbitrator for arbitrating an external bus using right of a plurality of multimedia modular cards inserted into the device for operating the multimedia modular card. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    A more complete appreciation of the invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein:  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional multimedia player;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an integrated multimedia system in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the modular card according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 shows the case where the plurality of modular cards are inserted into the device for operating the modular card; and  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 shows the case where some of the modular cards are removed from the FIG. 4. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0029]    A multimedia modular card, device for operating the same, and integrated multimedia system, in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an integrated multimedia system in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0031]    In the integrated multimedia system, at least one modular card  16 ,  17 , N is connected to a host  21 , namely a device for operating the modular card through an external bus  15 .  
         [0032]    Preferably, exemplary modular cards include MP 3  coding and decoding, audio advanced coding and decoding, WMA (Windows Media Audio) coding and decoding, MPEG coding and decoding, Bluetooth communication, CDMA module, a smart media card and secure media card.  
         [0033]    According to the operation state, the modular card is classified as a master card and a slave card. The master card demands use of the external bus and controls the slave modular cards.  
         [0034]    The host  21  includes a main CPU  11 , ROM  12 , DRAM  13 , bus arbitrator  14 , and external bus  15 .  
         [0035]    Further, the host  21  includes a slot (not shown). Thus, the modular card can be inserted into the slot.  
         [0036]    The host  21  also includes a switch for switching connection between the slot and the external bus. When the modular card is inserted into the slot, the switch is turned off.  
         [0037]    The main CPU  11  is reset according to a program stored in the ROM  12 . The DRAM  13  stores data shared by the main CPU  11  and the master modular card. If necessary, the DRAM  13  is employed as a data buffer.  
         [0038]    When a plurality of modular cards are inserted, the bus arbitrator  14  arbitrates bus access of the modular cards.  
         [0039]    On the other hand, the bus arbitrator  14  stores priorities of the master modular cards using the external bus  15 .  
         [0040]    When the bus arbitrator  14  receives a demand for the external bus using right, if the use of the external bus  15  is finished or another modular card having a higher priority does not demand the external bus using right, the bus arbitrator  14  provides the external bus using right to the corresponding modular card through a *BGNT signal.  
         [0041]    Accordingly, when receiving the demand for the external bus using right from at least two master modular cards, the bus arbitrator  14  provides the external bus using right to the master modular card having the higher priority.  
         [0042]    The operation of the integrated multimedia system will now be described.  
         [0043]    When power is supplied to the host  21 , the main CPU  11  is reset according to a boot program stored in the ROM  12 . The main CPU  11  resets the modular cards  16 -N connected to the external bus  15 , and reads information about functions and properties of the modular cards  16 -N, namely identification information and individual operation conditions, from the respective modular cards  16 -N. Thereafter, the main CPU  11  waits for an input command of the user.  
         [0044]    When the user inputs a signal through an I/O unit(not shown) connected to the host  21 , the main CPU  11  recognizes which of the modular cards connected to the host  21  must perform an operation, according to the input signal, and transmits a command to a local CPU  25  of the corresponding modular card.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the modular card, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0046]    The modular card includes a bus interface  23 , register  24 , local CPU  25 , local memory  26 , and local I/O unit  27 .  
         [0047]    The modular card employs different units in the master and slave modes.  
         [0048]    When the modular card is in the slave mode, the local CPU  25  controls the bus interface  23 , the register  24 , the local memory  26  and the local I/O unit  27 , according to a command from an external master card.  
         [0049]    However, when the modular card is in the master mode, the local CPU  25  controls the external bus  15 , as well as the other units in the modular card, namely the bus interface  23 , the register  24 , the local memory  26 , and the local I/O unit  27 .  
         [0050]    The bus interface  23  inputs/outputs signals for connection to the main CPU  11  of the host  21  or the external modular card through the external bus  15 , such as a *BREQx signal, a *BGNTx signal, a *BACKx signal, a *CDETx signal, a CMD signal, or a Clock signal and data.  
         [0051]    The register  24  reads and stores identification information of the modular card inserted into the device for operating the multimedia modular card.  
         [0052]    The local memory  26  is used in the modular card, and stores the command for operating the local CPU  25 .  
         [0053]    The local I/O unit  27  is operated by the local CPU  25 . For instance, when the modular card is a MP3 player, a MP3 decoder is used as the local I/O unit  27 , and when the modular card is an MPEG4 player, an MPEG4 decoder is used as the local I/O unit  27 .  
         [0054]    The external interface card  28  serves to add various functions to the modular card.  
         [0055]    A signal line of the modular card will now be described with reference to FIG. 3.  
         [0056]    The modular card includes a line for inputting/outputting data, a Clock signal, a CMD signal, a *CDETx signal, a *BREQx signal, a *BGNTx signal, and a *BACKx signal.  
         [0057]    Here, a *BREQx signal demands use of the external bus  15  from the bus arbitrator  14 .  
         [0058]    A *BGNTx signal allows the modular card to employ the external bus  15 .  
         [0059]    A *BACKx signal is outputted from the modular card using the external bus  15 , to a succeeding modular card. When the master card outputs a BACK signal in a low state, it implies that the master card is using the external bus  15 .  
         [0060]    A *CDETx signal recognizes insertion of the modular card. When insertion of the modular card is recognized by the *CDETx signal, power is supplied to the modular card.  
         [0061]    A CMD signal transmits a command from the host and a response from the modular card.  
         [0062]    The operation of the integrated multimedia system of FIG. 2 will now be explained.  
         [0063]    First, the operation of the integrated multimedia system when two modular cards, namely one master card and one slave card, are inserted, will be explained.  
         [0064]    Here, the master card is the modular card  16  having an MP3 player function and the slave card is the modular card  17  storing audio data, such as music, or the like.  
         [0065]    The MP3 player card  16  reads data from the memory card  17 , decodes the data and outputs an audio signal through the speaker.  
         [0066]    When the modular cards  16 ,  17  are inserted, the bus arbitrator  14  confirms insertion of the modular cards  16 ,  17 , according to the *CDETx signal, and supplies power to the inserted modular cards.  
         [0067]    The receiving powers of modular cards  16 ,  17  are reset to an idle state. The identification information and individual operation conditions of the internal registers  24  of the inserted modular cards  16 ,  17 , are transmitted to the main CPU  11  of the host  21 , through a data bus.  
         [0068]    The bus interface  23  of the MP3 player card  16  outputs a *BREQ signal in a high state, thereby demanding an external bus using right to use the bus arbitrator  14  of the host  21 .  
         [0069]    The bus arbitrator  14  provides the external bus using right through a *BGNT signal.  
         [0070]    When a command is input from the host  21  through the bus interface  23 , the input command controls the local I/O unit  27 .  
         [0071]    According to the input signal from the local I/O unit  27 , the local CPU  25  inputs/outputs data in the memory card  17  through the data bus.  
         [0072]    In addition, the MP3 player card  16  generates a command for reading data in the memory card  17 .  
         [0073]    An address command is generated to select a data transmission object, and a data block length command is also generated to select a read cycle type from a stream type, multiple type and single type.  
         [0074]    A read block command is generated to perform the data read cycle.  
         [0075]    A data write cycle is processed in a similar manner to the data read cycle. An order of generating the aforementioned commands will now be described.  
         [0076]    First, a data transmission object is selected by generating the address command. A write cycle type is selected from the stream type, multiple type and single type, according to the data block length command.  
         [0077]    The data write cycle is performed by generating a write block command.  
         [0078]    In the modular card, data is transmitted through the data bus, and a clock signal from the master modular card is synchronized with the CMD signal and the data bus.  
         [0079]    The slave modular card responds to the other commands from the master modular card, and thus notifies of the successful transmission.  
         [0080]    Next, the operation of the integrated multimedia system will be described, where a plurality of modular cards are inserted into the external bus of the host.  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 4 shows the case where the plurality of modular cards are inserted into the device for operating the modular card.  
         [0082]    As depicted in FIG. 4, the first to fifth modular cards  16 - 20  are connected in a row through the respective *BGNTx and *BACKx lines.  
         [0083]    Since the first to fifth modular cards  16 - 20  are inserted, connectors C 16 -C 20  corresponding to the respective modular cards, are turned off.  
         [0084]    Therefore, the modular cards shown in FIG. 4 are arbitrated according to a daisy chain configuration.  
         [0085]    According to the daisy chain configuration, when a plurality of bus masters are connected, if the bus master on a lower layer receives a bus allowance signal from the bus master on an upper layer, it can access the bus.  
         [0086]    As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first modular card  16  is operated after receiving the external bus allowance signal *BGNT 16 . Here, *BACK 16  signal of the first modular card  16  is output in a low state, and transmitted to the *BGNT  17  port of the second modular card  17 .  
         [0087]    When the *BGNT 17  signal is in a low state, the second modular card  17  recognizes that use of the external bus  15  of the first modular card  16  is not finished, and thus does not demand use of the external bus  15 . However, when *BGNT 17  signal is in a high state, the second modular card  17  can demand use of the external bus  15 .  
         [0088]    The third to fifth modular cards  18 - 20  recognize the use completion state of the external bus  15  in the same manner. At last, the bus arbitrator  14  monitors the *BACK 20  signal from the fifth modular card  20 , and thus judges that use of the external bus  15  is finished.  
         [0089]    On the other hand, in the connection state of the modular cards shown in FIG. 4, if the user removes the second modular card  17  and the fourth modular card  19 , the main CPU  11  of the host  21  detects removal of the second and fourth modular cards  17 ,  19 , and turns on the connectors C 17 , C 19  corresponding to the second and fourth modular cards  17 ,  19 , as shown in FIG.  5 .  
         [0090]    As depicted in FIG. 5, the first modular card  16  passes through the second modular card  17 , and then connects to the third modular card  18 .  
         [0091]    When the modular card is removed from the external bus  15 , the connection state is maintained by the connectors, thereby preventing destruction of the daisy chain configuration.  
         [0092]    When the first modular card  16  is operated after receiving the external bus using allowance signal, and outputs the *BACK 16  signal in a low state, if *BGNT 18  signal is in a low state, the third modular card  18  recognizes that use of the external bus  15  is not finished, and thus does not demand use of the external bus  15 . However, when *BGNT 18  signal is in a high state, the third modular card  18  can demand use of the external bus  15 .  
         [0093]    The third modular card  18  and the fifth modular card  20  are operated in the same manner.  
         [0094]    On the basis of the modular card information and the information from the user, the main CPU  11  re-constitutes the modular card to perform necessary functions.  
         [0095]    Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that the present invention should not be limited to these preferred embodiments, but various changes and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.  
         [0096]    For example, in this embodiment, the daisy chain configuration is used as the bus arbitration method of the modular cards inserted into the device for operating the multimedia modular card. However, a polling method and a priority encoder/decoder may be employed.  
         [0097]    In addition, in accordance with the present invention, the MP3 player is exemplified as the modular card. However, the modular card may be selected from MP3 coding and decoding, audio advanced coding and decoding, WMA coding and decoding, MPEG coding and decoding, Bluetooth communication, CDMA module, and a smart media card and secure media card.  
         [0098]    As described above, the present invention provides the multimedia modular card, the device for operating the same, and the integrated multimedia system. Therefore, the user can embody a desired multimedia system by selectively mounting the multimedia modular card having a specific function, on the device for operating the modular card.  
         [0099]    According to the user&#39;s need, the modular card can be inserted or removed. Therefore, the user carries only the device for operating the modular card and a necessary modular card. Thus, the system can be compact-sized.  
         [0100]    Moreover, the high-priced and relatively large-sized units, such as the I/O unit and display unit, are shared in the device for operating the modular card, thereby cutting down the cost and reducing the size of the device.