KR20060094501A - Portable memory apparatus using usb and method using said portable memory apparatus using usb - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile storage device using a USB including a USB connection unit, a USS storage control unit, and a storage unit, wherein the storage unit stores data, including an Internet telephone program that is executed on a connected computer, and stores the data on the computer. A USS sound processing unit which processes the other party's call data received from the executed Internet phone program and outputs it to the user, and generates an input user's voice as user call data and transmits it to the Internet phone program executed in the computer; And a path relay unit for relaying a transmission path between the storage control unit and the computer and between the USB sound processor and the computer.

USB storage devices, add-ons, Internet phones

Description

PORTABLE MEMORY APPARATUS USING USB AND METHOD USING SAID PORTABLE MEMORY APPARATUS USING USB}

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a mobile storage device using the USB according to the present invention.

2 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an Internet telephony service according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is an example showing the entire system to which the present invention is applied.

4 is an example of a procedure diagram illustrating a method for providing an Internet telephony service according to the present invention.

5 is another example of a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an Internet telephone service according to the present invention.

6 shows another example of the entire system to which the present invention is applied.

Figure 7 is a block diagram showing another example of a removable storage device using a USB according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a removable storage device using a USB, and more particularly to a removable storage device using a USB device having an additional function.

As you know, in the mid-1990s, several companies, including Intel, established the Universal Serial Bus (USB) specification to improve the speed and functionality of existing peripheral input and output for computers. According to these USB standards, up to 127 peripherals can be connected to a computer. Representative peripherals that currently use the USB standard include a USB mouse or a USB keyboard. USB data transfer speeds vary by specification. The USB1.1 specification is up to 12Mbps and the USB2.0 specification is up to 480Mbps. In addition to these peripherals, new peripherals are being developed one after another due to the expandability and diversity of the USB standard.

Among the peripherals that use USB, the growth is growing rapidly by the portable storage device using HDD or flash memory. In the industry, the use of HDD is called USB hard drive, and the use of flash memory is called USB disk, but there is no unified name yet. Hereinafter, such a device will be referred to as a "mobile storage device using a USB."

USB hard drives are mainly used as external storage devices by using HDDs for notebook computers. One of the disadvantages is that they are high in capacity and relatively small in palm size and weak in mechanical impact.

Recently, USB disks, which are ultra-portable storage devices using flash memory, have been released. The price is much more expensive than USB hard drives per megabyte size, but they are much smaller than HDDs, resistant to mechanical shock, and can be given various functions. In terms of that market is growing. If the price of flash memory drops in the future, it is a storage medium that is expected to be in high demand.

For reference, the basic concept of USB removable storage device is Universal Serial Bus Mass Storage Class Specification Overview Version 1.0, 1998/10/22 (hereinafter referred to as "first reference"), which was established by the USB Implementers Forum (hereafter USB-IF). ). The first reference briefly mentions not only the basic overview of removable storage devices using USB, but also the types of external devices that can be created using USB.

A more detailed description of a removable storage device using USB is shown in US Pat. No. 6,148,354 (hereinafter referred to as "second reference"). The industry raises the issue of patent validity for the second reference based on the first reference data of the USB-IF. This is because the nature of the USB standard enacted for the public good. In addition, the basic concept of a USB disk mentioned in USB-IF is commercially owned by a specific person or a company because it is not compatible with the purpose of establishing the USB standard and is already mentioned in the USB standard.

The main components of the second reference are USB connectors, controllers, and flash memories, which are already described in the first reference. However, the above references are limited to the implementation of basic removable storage devices connected to USB, and there is no mention of additional functions using them, such as encryption method of stored data or specification of algorithm for speed increase. As a result of the development of technology, advanced technologies can be seen.

The storage capacity of USB disk products using flash memory in the current market ranges from 8 megabytes to up to 2 gigabytes, and is expected to increase to 4 gigabytes or 8 gigabytes soon.

In this situation, the Applicant has previously filed a technology related to a portable storage device using USB. In Korean Patent Application No. 10-2002-0066300 (hereinafter referred to as "first patent application"), when a portable storage device using a USB is connected to a computer, the communication is automatically connected to a remote server. A technology for exchanging necessary information such as unique information among portable storage devices is disclosed.

In addition, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-0035373 (hereinafter referred to as "the second patent application"), a step further from the first patent application, is stored in a storage unit of a removable storage device using USB and stored in a remote server. When a program for connection is executed (on a computer), a technique is disclosed in which information stored in a storage area defined so that a user cannot be arbitrarily deleted is displayed on a computer screen.

In addition, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2002-0066299 (hereinafter referred to as "the third patent application"), by using a conventional hub chip so that the removable storage device and the memory stick reader using USB to be recognized as each drive In order to maximize the use of the two devices are disclosed.

The present invention is applicable to such pre-patented patents, and also uses some techniques in configuration such as connection to a remote server, transmission of a unique number, data exchange, USB hub, and the like. In this regard, the contents of the foregoing patent application are incorporated into the specification of the present invention.

On the other hand, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology for transmitting voice signals through an Internet Protocol (IP) network configured for data transmission. Such VoIP has been applied to various Internet telephony systems such as PC-to-PC, PC-to-Phone, and Phone-to-Phone.

As is well known, a VoIP gateway means a gateway that interworks a telephone network with an IP network. The VoIP gateway, for example, connects both communication networks to allow IP phone users (PCs) and general telephone users (Phones) to communicate with each other. VoIP gateways are used in, for example, Internet telephony systems such as PC-to-Phone and Phone-to-Phone systems.

In the phone-to-phone method, charges are incurred only in the section between the caller's telephone terminal and the first VoIP gateway, and in the section between the second VoIP gateway, and in the case of the PC-to-phone method, the fee is only in the section between the VoIP gateway and the receiver's telephone terminal. Is generated. Therefore, users can receive intercity and international call service only with local call charges in the Internet environment.

In the PC-to-PC method, both the caller and the receiver's telephone terminal are computers, and the call is made within the IP network without protocol conversion. This PC-to-PC method is supported by additional services such as voice / video chat in the Internet site. Complementing call sound quality and overcoming heavy service-side loads caused by intranet firewalls have been developed. Recently, Internet telephony services by separate carriers have begun in earnest. .

In the following, problems of such an internet telephony technology will be described. First, a computer for using an Internet telephone must be equipped with software and hardware capable of making an Internet telephone. That is, it is difficult for a user to be provided with an Internet telephone service on any computer.

Of course, it is assumed here that the computer is capable of internet communication. In addition, most computers are provided with a device capable of processing Internet call voice, for example, a sound card, but in some cases there may be a computer without such a sound card.

The user must install a program for receiving Internet telephone service on the computer to be used currently. For example, even if a user subscribes to the Internet telephony service and is provided with the Internet telephony service on his / her computer, the service provider is required to use the other person's computer (for example, a computer installed in a PC room) to provide the Internet telephony service. The program provided by must be installed on the computer of another person mentioned above and go through the procedure for authenticating yourself.

That is, according to the conventional Internet telephony technology, it is difficult for a user to conveniently provide the Internet telephony service anytime and anywhere, and this problem is the development and market of the Internet telephony service technology such as PC-to-PC or PC-to-Phone. It acts as a factor in slowing the expansion.

Next, in order to be provided with an Internet telephone service, a user must set a configuration of a computer hardware device (for example, a sound card). Sound card settings include, for example, sound volume control, microphone input terminal activation, speaker output terminal activation, and the like, and most users except experienced computer users have difficulty setting up the environment.

This problem also acts as a factor in slowing the development of Internet telephony service technologies such as PC-to-PC or PC-to-Phone.

The present invention has been made in such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a portable storage device using a USB having an Internet telephony function.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for allowing a user to conveniently use an Internet phone by simply connecting to a USB port from an arbitrary computer, and to use a conventional mobile storage device using a USB as a mobile phone. There is a purpose.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a method for more conveniently providing a PC-to-Phone Internet telephone service as well as a PC-to-PC.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile storage device and method using USB equipped with sound processing means for internet calls.

As you may know, the portable storage device using USB is a compact / light weight product, and the user can carry the data anytime and anywhere, such as a necklace type, and store the necessary data from the outside or access the internal data simply by accessing the computer. It was developed to be used for extraction and is expected to grow in demand. In the present invention, it is intended to maximize the competitiveness of the product by adding a more convenient function to such a mobile storage device using the USB.

Such a USB storage device can be used as an Internet phone, but from the user's point of view, a USB storage device can be conveniently used as an Internet phone by simply connecting a USB storage device to a computer. The Internet phone function is conceived in the removable storage device using the USB, and the software and hardware environment for the Internet phone are conveniently provided to the user. In one embodiment, the present invention eliminates the need for user effort for Internet telephony, such as installation / execution of software on any computer, installation / recognition of hardware, and the like.

Specifically, the Internet telephony program is stored in the storage unit of the mobile storage device using the USB. When the USB storage device is connected to the computer's USB port, the computer recognizes that the USB peripheral is connected, and the Internet phone program is executed on the computer. For example, an Internet telephony program can be executed simply and conveniently by simply clicking on an execution command icon (displayed on a computer monitor). In some cases, the Internet telephony program can be automatically executed without any manipulation by the user.

In addition, according to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, a mobile storage device using the USES is provided with a USS sound processing unit, and processes the other party's call data received from the Internet phone program running on the computer to output to the user. In addition, the sound processor generates an input user's voice as user call data and transmits it to an Internet telephone program running on a computer.

Since the sound processing unit is provided in the portable storage device using the USB, even if the computer does not have a sound processing function, it is possible to make an Internet call. In addition, it is not necessary to use the sound processing unit of the computer itself, thereby ensuring a good call sound quality. In addition, the sound processing unit and the built-in Internet phone program of the removable storage device can automatically set the environment of the sound processing unit so that even a novice user of the computer can easily use the Internet telephony function.

In addition, according to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the above-described Internet telephony program is characterized by setting up a USB sound card unit provided in the mobile storage using the USB.

Therefore, the user does not need to manually set the environment of the hardware device, and it is convenient. Even a user who is not familiar with using a computer can easily and easily receive the Internet telephone service (anytime, anywhere, while carrying a portable storage device using the USB). There is a number.

In addition, according to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the identifier information is stored in the storage of the mobile storage device using the USB. Preferably, this identifier information may be information generated and managed by the manufacturer when the mobile storage device using the USB is manufactured. In addition, the remote server receives the remote identifier information from the program, and authenticates whether the mobile storage device using the corresponding USB is eligible to receive the Internet call service.

Accordingly, since identifier information is automatically transmitted and eligibility is determined, a separate authentication may not be required to receive an Internet telephone service. Furthermore, in the case of PC-to-Phone, the fee can be added to the product value in advance, and the service can be provided only to the user who purchased the product, thereby increasing the product competitiveness.

The above-mentioned USS sound processing unit may be a USS short range wireless communication unit. That is, the USB short-range wireless communication unit processes the other party's call data received from the Internet phone program running on the computer, and transmits the short-range wirelessly to the earset device, processes the user's call data received short-range wirelessly from the earset device and executes it on the computer. Send by Internet phone program.

This not only saves users the trouble of making Internet calls such as installing / running software on any computer, installing / recognizing hardware, etc., but also connects the USB storage device to the computer. Internet telephones can also be used at short distances away from them.

The foregoing and further aspects of the present invention will become more apparent through the following embodiments. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily understand and reproduce.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a mobile storage device using a USB according to the present invention, Figure 2 is an example of a flow chart illustrating a method for providing an Internet phone service according to the present invention, Figure 3 FIG. 4 is an example of a whole system to be applied, and FIG. 4 is an example of a procedure diagram illustrating a method for providing an Internet telephony service according to the present invention. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention relates to a mobile storage device using a USB including a USB connection unit 101, a USB storage control unit 105, and a storage unit 107. In addition, the storage unit 107 stores the data, including the Internet phone program running on the connected computer (not shown), and stores the data, and processes the other party call data received from the Internet phone program running on the computer to the user And outputs the voice of the user to be input as user call data and transmits it to the Internet phone program running on the computer (e.g., 109 and 111), between the USB storage control unit 105 and the computer, and the USB It further includes a path relay 103 for relaying a transmission path between a sound processor (eg, 109, 111) and a computer. It is characterized by comprising.

The USB connection unit 101, the USB storage control unit 105, and the storage unit 107 can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art from the contents described herein.

For example, the USB connection unit 101 may correspond to a reference USB connection unit, the USB storage control unit 105 may correspond to a controller of reference, and the storage unit 107 may correspond to a flash memory of reference. have.

The storage unit 107 stores data. In addition, the storage unit 107 stores the Internet telephone program data according to the present invention. In one embodiment, the storage area of the storage unit 107 may be divided into a user area in which the user can record / delete / copy, etc., and a system area in which the user cannot delete or change arbitrarily. In one embodiment, the Internet telephony program data may be stored in the system area of the storage unit 107.

When the USB connection unit 101 is inserted into the computer USB port (see 201 in FIG. 2), the Internet telephone program stored in the storage unit 107 is executed on the computer. In the case where the mobile storage device using the USS is inserted into the USB port of the computer, specific methods for executing the predetermined program stored in the storage unit of the mobile storage device using the USB on the computer are described in detail in the second application of the applicant. Described.

As an example, when a removable storage device using a USB device is first inserted into a computer (203), the computer is recognized as a portable storage device using a USB device by an operating system of the computer, and an Internet phone program is automatically executed on the computer screen. appear. To this end, in detail, the technical configuration that is executed in a removable storage device using a computer and the USB. That is, a specific area of the storage unit 107 is recognized as a CD-ROM area, and a removable storage device using a USB drive is inserted into a USB port of a computer and recognized by a computer, thereby reading the aforementioned CD-ROM area and then reading the CD. Make it recognized as -ROM. The program starts up in the read CD-ROM area and automatically runs the saved Internet phone program.

As another example, as in the Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2003-61564 (published 03.07.22), the inventor of the present invention participated as an inventor, when the removable storage device using the USB is inserted into the computer, stored in the storage unit 107 Software technology that runs automatically on a computer can be applied to Internet telephony programs. According to this, simply inserting the USB storage device using the USB to the computer (USB port), the Internet phone program is automatically executed.

According to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, a USB storage processor (for example, 109 and 111) is provided in a portable storage device using the USB. The USB sound processing units (eg, 109 and 111) process the counterpart call data received from the Internet phone program running on the computer and output the same to the user. In addition, the sound processor generates an input user's voice as user call data and transmits it to an Internet telephone program running on a computer.

As described above, the Internet telephony program of the present invention can be applied to a PC-to-PC system or a PC-to-Phone system, and the Internet telephony program can display the call data of the other party generated at this time using a USB port of a computer (not shown). ), Via a USB connection unit 101 of a removable storage device using USB, to a USB sound processor (eg, 109, 111). In addition, the Internet phone program receives the call data of the user from the sound processing unit (eg, 111, 109) through the USB connection unit 101 and the USB port of the computer and transmits it to the other party.

Implementing the operation of an Internet telephony program that inputs / outputs Internet call data through the USB port as described above can be accomplished by a person skilled in the art connecting a separate dedicated Internet phone to the USB port of a computer (known before the present invention is filed). It can be implemented from the technology to provide Internet telephone service.

In one embodiment, the USB sound control unit 109 provides a USB device communication function, performs USB communication with a USB host of a computer, and transmits / receives Internet call data. The sound processor 111 converts the other party's call data into an analog signal and outputs the same to the user through a speaker or ear jack, and converts the analog voice signal of the user input from the microphone into digital data.

For example, the sound processor 111 performs a corresponding process including voice encoding on the voice spoken by the user through the microphone, and transmits the processed sound to the USB sound control unit 109, and then delivers it by the USB sound control unit 109. A corresponding process including voice decoding is performed on the other party's voice data and output through the speaker. In one embodiment, the sound processor 111 may include a vocoder that compresses and decompresses voice data, an analog circuit such as an amplifier and a filter, an analog / digital conversion circuit, a digital / analog conversion circuit, and the like. have. Implementing such a sound processor 111 can be implemented by voice compression and analog amplification techniques, and can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art from the contents described herein.

According to the present invention, a USB storage function and a USB Internet telephony function coexist in the portable storage device using the USB. Thus, the process for each function can, in most cases, be operated independently. According to the present invention, the path relay 103 relays the transmission path between the USB storage controller 105 and the computer and the transmission path between the USB sound processing units (for example, 109 and 111) and the computer.

In one embodiment, the path relay unit 103 may be a USB hub (USB HUB). As is well known, the networking configuration using USB is basically defined as three types of USB host, USB hub, and USB device. The USB host is the center of all USB connections, and in hardware it is called a USB host controller. The USB host controller manages and controls the flow of drivers, software, hardware, and data required by each USB peripheral connected to the bus.

The USB hub unit includes a number of USB devices (which correspond to USB storage means (105, 107, etc.), USB Internet telephony means (109, 111, etc.) of one of the USB host controllers (operating system of the computer in the present invention). It is possible to share the output.

As described above, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile storage device using the USB can be used as an Internet phone, but from the user's point of view, simply connecting the mobile storage device using the USB to a computer, Make it convenient to use as an Internet phone.

In particular, according to the present invention, a method for adding an Internet telephony function to a portable storage device using a USB that is developed to be portable and expected to increase in the future is conceived. In addition, the portable storage device using the USB provides a user with a software and hardware environment for Internet telephony. In one embodiment, according to the present invention, all the trouble of the user for Internet telephony such as installation / execution of software on any computer, installation / recognition of hardware, etc. is omitted.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the external USB communication means used in the mobile storage device using the USB, and automatically provides the Internet environment in software / hardware without the user's involvement. According to this, it is possible to carry the Internet telephone anywhere anytime.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the user interface unit 113 notifies the user when an internet call is received from the counterpart. For example, the user interface unit 113 may be a buzzer.

When the Internet call is received from the other party, the operation of notifying the user may be performed by the computer, but in some cases, the mobile storage device may be provided by the USB. This characteristic aspect is to equip itself with the hardware for Internet telephony in a USB-based removable storage device.

For example, even if the computer does not have its own speaker, it can effectively notify that a call has been made. In addition, even when a predetermined sound is generated in the sound processing unit built into the computer, the separate user interface 113 can recognize the Internet telephone call.

In addition, according to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the above-described Internet telephony program is characterized by setting up a USB sound card unit (e.g., 109, 111) provided in the mobile storage device using the USB (see 207 of FIG. 2). ).

As described above, in order to receive the Internet telephony service, the user has to set up a configuration of a computer hardware device (for example, a sound card). Sound card settings include, for example, sound volume control, microphone input terminal activation, speaker output terminal activation, and the like.

However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the Internet telephony program automatically sets the sound card unit provided in the mobile storage device using the USAB on the computer. Therefore, the user does not need to manually set the environment of the hardware device, and it is convenient, and even a user who is not familiar with using a computer can easily receive the Internet telephone service anytime, anywhere while carrying a portable storage device using the USB. have.

In one embodiment, the Internet telephony program sets the USB sound card unit (e.g., 109, 111) as an Internet telephone dedicated input / output device of a computer. Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-46910 (published on June 18, 18) discloses an example in which an existing first sound card portion and a second USB sound card portion for an Internet telephone inserted into a USB portion of a computer are used in one computer. Is disclosed. As described above, the technology per se that a predetermined program executed on a computer sets the USB sound card unit in the computer is obvious to those skilled in the art.

According to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, an Internet telephony program communicates with a remote server 311, transmits identifier information of a mobile storage device using a USB to a remote server (211), and authenticates the remote server 311. If successful, it is characterized by making an Internet call (eg, 219, 221).

As described above, according to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, identifier information is stored in the storage unit 107 of the mobile storage device using the USB. Preferably, this identifier information may be information generated and managed by the manufacturer when the mobile storage device using the USB is manufactured. In addition, the remote server 311 receives the remote identifier information from the program, and checks whether the mobile storage device using the UBS is eligible to receive the Internet call service.

Accordingly, since identifier information is automatically transmitted and eligibility is determined, no separate authentication is required to receive the Internet telephony service. Furthermore, since the Internet telephony service can be provided for the sold product, the product competitiveness can be enhanced. Furthermore, the present invention is also applicable to the applicant's prior application.

3 is an example of a system configuration to which a PC-to-PC Internet telephone service according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. 4 is an example of a process diagram to which a PC-to-PC type internet telephony service is applied according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, a plurality of PCs (eg, 303 and 307) can be connected to the remote server 311 for supporting a PC-to-PC Internet telephone service through the Internet. In addition, the first PC 303 or the second PC 307 are inserted with removable storage devices 301 and 309 using USB according to the present invention, and the Internet phone program according to the present invention is executed.

In one embodiment, the Internet telephony program is executed on the first PC 303, so that the Internet telephony program of the first PC 303 sets up the USS sound card unit on the first PC 303 (401). Then, the Internet telephone program of the first PC 303 communicates and connects to the remote server 311 (not shown in FIG. 4). In one embodiment, the access address to the remote server 311 may be stored in the storage unit 107. Then, the Internet phone program of the first PC 303 retrieves the identifier information of the mobile storage device using the USB stored in the storage unit 107 and transmits it to the remote server 311 (403).

The remote server 311 then authenticates the identifier information (405). For example, the remote server 311 can store identifier information for each product when a portable storage device using USB is manufactured. Therefore, the remote server 311 can authenticate the identifier information of the mobile storage device 303 using the first USB.

When the remote server 311 authenticates the mobile storage device 303 using the first USB, the remote server 311 may access user information of all other mobile storage devices (eg, 307) currently connected to the remote server 311. It checks (405) and sends it to the Internet phone program of the first PC 303 (407).

Then, the Internet phone program of the first PC 303 displays the visitor information on the monitor screen (409). In one embodiment, the visitor information may be an ID of the visitor, and in some cases, may be the name and telephone number of the visitor.

When the user inputs a corresponding command signal to make an internet call with any of the above-mentioned accessors, the Internet phone program of the first PC 303 transmits an Internet call call signal for the specific accessor (411).

When a response signal for an internet call call is received from the remote server 311 (419), the Internet phone program of the first PC 303 transmits call data between the other party and the user via the remote server 311. / Receive (421).

When the Internet telephone program of the second PC 307 is executed, the above-described steps 401 to 409 are performed in cooperation with the remote server 311 (not shown in Fig. 4). Then, when the Internet phone program of the second PC 307 receives an Internet call call signal for the user from the remote server 311 (413), it notifies the user and when a call selection signal by the user is input (415). The response signal is transmitted to the remote server 311 (417), and the call data between the counterpart and the user is transmitted / received via the remote server 311 (421).

As described above, the present invention can be implemented in a PC-to-PC scheme. That is, the Internet telephony program according to the present invention is executed in each PC 303 and the PC-to-PC Internet telephony service can be implemented according to the above-described interlocking operation between the Internet telephony program and the remote server 311. Lose.

As described above, in step 409, the Internet telephony program displays the information of each accessor connected to the remote server 311 on the monitor screen. Instead of the existing visitor ID, the user's name and telephone number are displayed to display the power user. It is desirable to make general users (non-UsB) removable storage devices as familiar as normal phones.

On the other hand, Figure 5 is an example of a system configuration to which the Internet phone service of the PC-to-Phone system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. 6 is an example of a process diagram to which a PC-to-Phone type internet phone service is applied according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to the drawings. In the description, description of unnecessary overlapping configuration will be omitted.

When the USB connection unit 101 is inserted into the computer USB port (see 501 of FIG. 5), the Internet telephone program stored in the storage unit 107 is executed on the computer.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the Internet phone program sets up a USB sound card unit (for example, 109 and 111) on a computer (507). Then, the Internet phone program communicates with the remote server 615 and transmits identifier information of the mobile storage device using the USB to the remote server (513), and if the authentication of the remote server 615 succeeds, performs an internet call. (517 to 527).

The remote server 615 authenticates the identifier information received from the Internet telephony program and transmits the authenticated result to the Internet telephony program. At this time, the remote server 615 may consider the previous charging situation for the user corresponding to the identifier in the authentication.

The Internet telephony program displays a screen providing a PC-to-Phone telephony service. For example, a phone number dialing icon may be displayed on this screen. When the user selects the dial button and executes a dial, in one embodiment, the Internet telephony program requests a call to the PC-to-Phone system 607 via the Internet 605 (519).

In some cases, the Internet phone program may request a call to the remote server 615, and the remote server 615 may request a call to the PC-to-Phone system 607 through 519.

In addition, an H.323 related protocol program for PC-to-Phone calls may be provided in the PC-to-Phone system 607. The H.323 related protocol program stored in the storage unit of the mobile storage device using the UESB may be stored in advance at the time of production, or in some cases, may be downloaded and stored in the PC-to-Phone system 607.

The signaling server 609 provided in the PC-to-Phone system 607 requests the gatekeeper 611 to set up the VoIP call (521). Then, the gatekeeper 611 translates the incoming phone number and connects the call to the VoIP gateway 619 in charge of the called number via the VoIP based network 617 (523). The VoIP gateway 619 connects the call with the incoming telephone 623 via the telephone network 621 (525).

When the call is connected to the destination telephone 623, the Internet telephony program transmits / receives call data between the user and the other party (not shown). When the call is started, the billing server 613 generates billing information (527). This charging information is then sent to a remote server 615 (not shown).

As described above, the present invention can be implemented in a PC-to-Phone method. That is, the Internet telephony program according to the present invention is executed in the PC 603 and the PC-to-Phone in accordance with the above-described interlocking operation between the Internet telephony program and the remote server 311 and the PC-to-Phone system 607. Internet telephony services can be implemented.

Figure 7 is a block diagram showing another example of a mobile storage device using the USB according to the present invention. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to the drawings. In the description, description of unnecessary overlapping configuration will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention uses a UBS including a UBS connection unit 701, a UBS storage control unit 705, and a storage unit 707. In the portable storage device, the storage unit 707 stores data, including the Internet telephony program running on a connected computer (not shown), and the other party's call data received from the Internet telephony program running on the computer. To process wireless short-range transmission to an earset device (e.g., 713 to 719), and process user call data received short-range wirelessly from the earset device (e.g., 713 to 719) and transmit it to an Internet phone program running on the computer. Between the U.S. short-range wireless communication unit (e.g., 709 and 711), the U.S. storage control unit 705, and the computer, Lee wireless communication unit (e.g., 709, 711) and characterized by further comprising a transmission path relay portion 703 to relay path between the computer.

According to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, a USS short-range wireless communication unit (for example, 709 and 711) is provided in a mobile storage device using USB. The UBS short-range wireless communication unit (for example, 709 and 711) processes the other party's call data received from an Internet phone program running on a computer and transmits the short-range wirelessly to the ear set device (for example, 713 to 719), and the earset device (for example, 713). 719 to user wirelessly received user call data and transmit it to an Internet telephony program running on the computer.

As described above, the Internet telephony program of the present invention can be applied to a PC-to-PC system or a PC-to-Phone system, and the Internet telephony program can display the call data of the other party generated at this time using a USB port of a computer (not shown). ), Via the USB connection unit 701 of the portable storage device using the USB, to the USB short-range wireless communication unit (for example, 709 and 711). In addition, the Internet phone program receives the call data of the user generated from the USB short-range wireless communication unit (for example, 711, 709) through the USB connection unit 701 and the USB port of the computer and transmits it to the other party.

In one embodiment, the USB short-range wireless communication unit is characterized in that the USB module Bluetooth.

The USB short-range wireless communication control unit 709 provides a USB device communication function, performs USB communication with a USB host of a computer, and transmits / receives Internet call data. In one embodiment, the UBSB short-range wireless communication control unit 709 is a UBSB Bluetooth module control unit, a high-speed processing processor module, a Bluetooth wireless transmit / receive unit 711 interface module, a Bluetooth baseband processing module, and a general purpose that is operated by a program. An input / output unit may be used to perform communication processing functions for wireless data exchange of the earset units 713 to 719 and communication processing functions for data exchange with a computer. In one embodiment, the short range wireless transmitter / receiver 711 may be a Bluetooth wireless transmitter / receiver.

The voice processing unit 717 processes the voice of the user input from the microphone, generates the user call data, and transmits the generated voice data to the USB short-range wireless communication controller 715. The voice processor 717 processes the counterpart call data transmitted from the USB short-range wireless communication controller 715. To the user through the ear jack or speaker.

In one embodiment, the voice codec function for compressing and decompressing voice data of the voice processor 717 may be implemented using a G.723.1 method or a G.729 method, which is a known international standard method.

In one embodiment, the communication processing for the wireless data exchange between the USB Bluetooth module unit (for example, 709, 711) and the ear set unit (173 to 719) is made through an asynchronous connectionless (ACL) link of the known Bluetooth standard. I can lose. The USB Bluetooth module unit (for example, 709 and 711) and the ear sets 173 to 719 may exchange information such as call establishment and release message and voice encoded data through an asynchronous connectionless link.

As described above, the portable storage device using the USB is a compact / light weight product, and when the user carries it anytime and anywhere, such as a necklace type, and simply connects to a computer, the necessary data can be stored from the outside or internal data. Developed to take out and use, the demand is expected to increase. In the present invention, by adding a more convenient function to such a mobile storage device using the USB maximize the competitiveness of the product.

In the present invention, such a mobile storage device using the USES can also be used as an Internet phone, but from the user's point of view, simply connecting the mobile storage device using the USS to a computer, it can be conveniently used as an Internet phone.

The present invention focuses on the Internet telephony function on a portable storage device using the USB, and provides the user with a software and hardware environment for the internet telephony conveniently. In one embodiment, the present invention eliminates the need for user effort for Internet telephony, such as installation / execution of software on any computer, installation / recognition of hardware, and the like.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the sound processing unit is provided in the portable storage device using the USB, even if the computer does not have a sound processing function, it is possible to make an Internet phone call. In addition, it is not necessary to use the sound processing unit of the computer itself, thereby ensuring a good call sound quality.

In addition, according to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the above-described Internet telephony program is characterized by setting up a USB sound card unit provided in the mobile storage using the USB.

In addition, in the related art, in order to receive an Internet telephony service, a user had to set up a configuration of a computer hardware device (for example, a sound card). However, in an embodiment of the present invention, the Internet telephony program is used on a computer. Automatically set the sound card unit provided in the removable storage device used.

Therefore, the user does not need to manually set the environment of the hardware device, and it is convenient, and even a user who is not familiar with using a computer can easily receive the Internet telephone service anytime, anywhere while carrying a portable storage device using the USB. have.

In addition, according to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the identifier information is stored in the storage of the mobile storage device using the USB. Preferably, this identifier information may be information generated and managed by the manufacturer when the mobile storage device using the USB is manufactured. Accordingly, since identifier information is automatically transmitted and eligibility is determined, a separate authentication may not be required to receive an Internet telephone service. Furthermore, the service can be provided only to the user who purchased the product, thereby enhancing the product competitiveness. Furthermore, the present invention is also applicable to the applicant's prior application.

In addition, according to the present invention, it not only saves the user's troubles for Internet telephony such as installation / execution of software on any computer, installation / recognition of hardware, etc., but also connects a removable storage device using USB to a computer. Then, you can use the Internet phone from a short distance away from the computer.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the component has the same configuration as the MP3 player, it can be easily applied to the MP3 player.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should not be construed as being limited thereto, but should be construed to cover many modifications that are obvious from this.

In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the PC-to-PC or PC-to-Phone is mentioned as an example of the Internet telephony program.

In addition, when the user does not answer the phone, the Internet phone program may transmit a guide voice message through the connected Internet call and record the voice of the other party. The user can listen to the recorded voice through a USB storage device. In some cases, the Internet telephony program may transmit the recorded message to a mail address designated by a user.

In addition, the Internet phone program can perform a redirection function. For example, the Internet telephony program may transfer an incoming call to a general telephone set through a VoIP gateway when a call is received from the other party.

Claims (11)

In the mobile storage device using the UBS, including a UBS connection unit, a UBS storage control unit and a storage unit, The storage unit, Store data, including Internet telephony programs running on the connected computer; A USS sound processing unit for processing the other party's call data received from the Internet phone program running on the computer and outputting the same to a user, and generating the user's voice as user call data and transmitting it to the Internet phone program running on the computer; And And a path relay unit for relaying a transmission path between the USS storage control unit and the computer and between the USS sound processing unit and the computer. The method of claim 1, And a user interface unit for notifying a user when an internet call is received from the counterpart. The method of claim 1, The USB sound processing unit, Processes the other party's call data received from the Internet phone program running on the computer and transmits wirelessly to the earset device, and processes the user call data received wirelessly from the earset device and sends it to the Internet phone program running on the computer. The USS short-range wireless communication unit; characterized in that the mobile storage device using the USS. The method of claim 3, wherein The USB short-range wireless communication unit, USS Bluetooth module unit; characterized in that the removable storage device using the USB. The method of claim 1, The internet phone program, Connecting to a remote server, transmitting identifier information of the mobile storage device using the USB to the remote server, and performing an internet call when authentication of the remote server is successful; Removable Storage. The method of claim 1, The internet phone program, And performing the operation of setting the USB sound card unit in the computer. The method of claim 1, The internet phone program, The user receives an incoming phone number selected by the user, and transmits a signal for requesting an internet call with the other party's phone corresponding to the incoming phone number to the remote server, and when an internet call is connected through a VIP gateway, the other party is connected. And transmitting / receiving the call data of the user. In the method of providing an additional function using a mobile storage device using the UBS including a UBS connection unit, a UBS storage control unit and a storage unit, Executing the internet phone program stored in the storage unit on a computer connected to the mobile storage device using the USB; The USS sound processor provided in the mobile storage device using the USS processes the other party's call data received by the Internet telephony program running on the computer and outputs it to the user, and generates the user's voice data as the user's call data. Transmitting from the computer to an internet telephony program; A path relay unit provided in the portable storage device using the USB, relaying a transmission path between the USB storage control unit and the computer and between the USB sound processor and the computer; Method using removable storage device. The method of claim 8, And notifying the user when an internet phone call is received from the counterpart. The method of claim 1, further comprising: a mobile storage device using a USB. The method of claim 8, The USB sound processing unit, A UBS short-range wireless communication unit, which processes the other party's call data received from the Internet telephony program running on the computer and transmits the short-range wirelessly to the earset device, processes the user call data received short-range wirelessly from the earset device, and executes it on the computer. And transmitting to an internet telephone program. The method of claim 8, The USB short-range wireless communication unit, USS Bluetooth module unit; characterized in that the method using a removable storage device using the USB.

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