WO2000054462A1

WO2000054462A1 - Method and apparatus for transferring audio files

Info

Publication number: WO2000054462A1
Application number: PCT/KR2000/000157
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yong Kook Bae; Won Taek Oh
Original assignee: Mpic
Priority date: 1999-03-10
Filing date: 2000-02-29
Publication date: 2000-09-14
Also published as: AU2945500A; KR20000059925A

Abstract

A music file downloading method wherein a desired music file can readily be selected and downloaded by the user and the expense thereof can easily be settled, and a music file reproduction apparatus employing said music file downloading method. If the user selects a desired tune over a communication network (60), then a music file server (30) having music files stored therein sends the music file of the selected tune to a radio base station (40) together with an identifier. The radio base station (40) receives the music file of the selected tune and the identifier from the music file server (30) and transmits them to the music file reproduction apparatus by radio. The music file reproduction apparatus stores the music file transmitted from the radio base station (40) in its memory when the identifier transmitted from the base station is identical with its unique identifier.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING AUDIO FILES

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for downloading music files, and in particular to a music file downloading method which enables a user to select and download a desired music file readily and settle the expense thereof easily, and to a music file reproduction apparatus employing said music file downloading method.

Background of the Invention

With the development of audio compression technique, music file decoding techniques having sound quality comparable to that of a compact disc and yet have a small size have recently been proposed one after another. Among them, a motion pictures experts group 1 (MPEG - 1 ) layer 3 (MP3) format technique is most widely used at the present. In this MP3 technique, a computer downloads and reproduces an MP3 file, or a portable MP3 player downloads and reproduces the MP3 file directly so that it can be used as an alternative to a conventional portable cassette player.

However, conventionally, it has been necessary to use a computer in order to download a music file to an MP3 player. Namely, the computer needs to be connected to a music file database for downloading a music file therefrom to the MP3 player. The construction of a conventional MP3 player and a conventional method for downloading a music file to an MP3 player is described hereinafter with reference to Figs. 6 and 7.

Fig. 6 is a chart illustrating a conventional method for downloading a music file to a conventional MP3 player and Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal construction of the conventional MP3 player.

First, the user connects an MP3 player 500 to a communication port of a computer 20 via a cable 50. Then, in order to download a desired music file, the user connects the computer 20 via a communication network 60 to a music file server or a database 30 in which the desired music file is stored. The music file server requests the user to select a music file. If the user selects a music file in response to instructions displayed on a screen of the computer 20, then the selected music file is downloaded from the database 30 to the MP3 player 500 via the computer 20. The music file server stores information about the music file downloading by the user and charges the user later a purchasing price on the basis of the stored information. Alternatively, the server may collect the selling price from the user in a way that it sends the music file only to users who have paid the purchasing price in advance.

After the selected music file is downloaded to the MP3 player 500 via the computer 20 in the above manner, it is stored in a memory 120 through a data interface 130 under control of a controller 1 10 in the MP3 player 500. For the memory 120, a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory or an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM) whose contents are not erased even when power is not applied thereto, is used.

If the user applies a reproduction start instruction to the MP3 player 500 via an input unit 150 for reproduction of the music file stored in the above manner, then the controller 1 10 reads the stored music file from the memory 120 and transfers it to an MP3 decoder 160. Subsequently, the MP3 decoder 160 converts the music file transferred by the controller 1 10 into an analog signal and outputs the converted analog signal as music through a speaker or earphones.

However, the calculation of a downloading fee becomes a problem in downloading and reproducing digital music in the above manner. Generally, systems for charging the fee for downloading digital music may be classified into two types, one based on a downloading time and the other based on the number of downloaded music titles. Since the fee for downloading one or two titles is within the range from several hundred Korean won to two thousand at most in any of the two systems, it is difficult to settlement such small amounts by credit card or giro. Of course, the download fee can be contained within a communication service fee in the case where the user is a member of a charged communication service such as Chollian or Hitel in Korea. However, the number of users using the Internet is recently on a rapidl} increasing trend and thus, they frequently access a music file server directh over the Internet, without intervention of a communication service. As a result, there is a need for effective means for rapid settling of the downloading fee. Further, a large amount of time and inconvenient line connections are required in downloading data to a MP3 player, because the downloading operation is performed only via the computer.

Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an objective of the present invention to provide a music file downloading method which is capable of readily settling the downloading fees when music files (including multimedia files such as animation files, moving picture files, etc.) are downloaded.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a music file downloading method which is capable of readily downloading a music file, and a music file reproduction apparatus employing said a music file downloading method. In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objectives can be achieved by providing a method for downloading music files to a music file reproduction apparatus which includes a radio circuit with a unique identifier, comprising the steps of: allowing a user to select a tune over a communication network; allowing a music file server having the music files stored therein to send the selected tune from the stored music files to a radio base station together with an identifier; allowing the radio base station to receive the selected music file and the identifier from the music file server and transmit them to the music file reproduction apparatus by radio; and allowing the music file reproduction apparatus to store the music file transmitted from the radio base station in its memory if the identifier transmitted from the base station is identical with its unique identifier.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other objectives and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a chart illustrating a music file downloading method in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal construction of a music file reproduction apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows examples of an internal construction of a radio interface in Fig. 2, wherein: Fig. 3a is a block diagram showing the construction of the radio interface for a reception-dedicated type; and

Fig. 3b is a block diagram showing the construction of the radio interface for a two-way type;

Fig. 4 is a chart illustrating an example of a music file downloading method using a mobile telephone with music file reproduction function (in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention?);

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal construction of the mobile telephone with music file reproduction function (in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention?); Fig. 6 is a chart illustrating a conventional method for downloading a music file to a conventional music file reproduction apparatus; and

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an internal construction of the conventional music file reproduction apparatus.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment Fig. 1 is a chart illustrating a music file downloading method in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention and Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal construction of a music file reproduction apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, the subject music file reproduction apparatus 100 comprises a radio interface 180 and an identifier (ID) storage unit 190 in addition to the construction (contained within a dotted block) of a conventional music file reproduction apparatus. In the present embodiment, the user accesses an existing voice or data communication network to select a desired tune. The music file of the selected tune is then downloaded by radio to the music file reproduction apparatus 100 on the basis of a unique ID of the apparatus, which is stored in the ID storage unit 190. First, a description of the operation of selecting a desired tune using a general telephone in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is given. The user accesses an automatic response system (ARS) connected to a communication network 60 using a telephone 10. As an example of the ARS a 700 service may be used. Then, the ARS requests the user to enter his ID (e.g., a telephone or call number of a mobile telephone or pager to which the music is to be downloaded). Upon receiving such a request from the ARS, the user enters his ID using dial buttons of the telephone 10.

After receiving the user's ID, the ARS sends a plurality of voice information messages to the user for selection of the tune. For example, the ARS outputs an initial voice information message, "Push number 1 if the genre of your desired tune is classics, number 2 for pop song, number 3 for Korean pop song, number 4 for trot, number 5 for newest song, number 6 for jazz and number 7 for Korean classics." If the user selects number 2, then the ARS outputs a voice information message, "Push number 1 if the genre of your desired tune is ballad, number 2 for dance music, number 3 for trot, number 4 for rock, number 5 for R&B and number 6 for the others.'^" If the user selects number 1 , then the ARS outputs a voice information message, "Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley is number 01 , Angel of the Morning by Juice Newton is number 02, ... , ." If the user selects number 01 , then the ARS outputs a voice information message, "You have selected Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley. Push number 1 if it is correct and number 2 if not." If the user selects number 1 , the tune selection is completed.

Alternatively, a voice recognition technique may be applied to the ARS. In such a case, upon receiving the user's ID, the ARS outputs a voice information message, "Select a desired tune." If the user says "Love Me Tender", then the ARS outputs a voice information message, "Select a singer." If the user says "Elvis Presley", then the ARS outputs a voice information message, "You have selected Love Me Tender of Elvis Presley. Push number 1 if it is correct and number 2 if not." If the user selects number 1 , the tune selection is completed.

Next, a description of the operation of selecting a desired tune using both a general telephone and a computer in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is given. The user connects a server 30 via the communication network 60 using a computer 20 in which music lists are stored. The communication network 60 may be, for example, the Internet. The server displays a list of categories on a screen of the computer 20. For example, the category list may be displayed as follows:

1 . Pop Song 2. Korean Pop Song3. Old Song

4. Newest Song 5. Jazz 6. Light Music 7. Classics 8. Korean Classics 9. Meditation Music

If the user selects a pop song category by clicking on it (or entering "1 "), then the server displays a list of tunes belonging to the pop song category on the computer screen. For example, the tune list may be displayed as follows: 001 . Love Me Tender/Elvis Presley

002. Angel of the Morning/Juice Newton

003. Abracadabra/Steve Miller Band

004. Again/Janet Jackson

Previous Page Next Page in case the tunes belonging to the selected category are large in number, they can be displayed over several pages and the user can travel from one page to another using a "Previous Page" or a "Next Page" button.

The user, after deciding desired tune for purchasing in his mind, accesses the ARS connected to the communication network 60 using the telephone 10. The ARS, which may provide the 700 service as stated previously, requests the user to enter his ID. In response to such a request from the ARS. the user enters his ID using dial buttons of the telephone 10. After receiving the user's ID, the ARS sends a voice information message, "Select a desired tune." If the user selects number 001 , then the ARS outputs a voice information message, "You have selected Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley. Push number 1 if it is right and number 2 if wrong." If the user selects number 1 , the tune selection is completed.

Next, a description of the operation of selecting a desired tune using a computer in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is given. The user accesses the music file server 30 connected to the communication network 60 using the computer 20. The communication network 60 may be the Internet as stated previously. The music file server 30 requests the user to enter his ID and password. In this case, the user must register in the music file server 30 (or join it as a member) before downloading a desired music file therefrom. Upon registering at the music file server 30, the user receives a unique ID therefrom and can lock it with a password. If the user enters his ID and password, then the music file server 30 authenticates whether the password is valid. In the case where the password is not valid, the server 30 requests the user to enter his password again or cuts the connection thereto.

In the case where the password is valid, the music file server 30 displays a list of categories on the screen of the computer 20. For example, the category list may be displayed as follows: 1 . Pop Song 2. Korean Pop Song3. Old Song

4. Newest Song 5. Jazz 6. Light Music

7. Classics 8. Korean Classics 9. Meditative Music If the user selects a pop song category by clicking on it (or entering " 1 "), then the music file server 30 displays a list of tunes belonging to the pop song category on the computer screen. For example, the tune list may be displayed as follows:

001 . Love Me Tender/Elvis Presley

002. Angel of the Morning/Juice Newton

003. Abracadabra/Steve Miller Band 004. Again/Janet Jackson

Previous Page Next Page

In case the tunes belonging to the selected category are large in number, they can be displayed over several pages and the user can travel from one page to another using a "Previous Page" button or a "Next Page" button.

If the user selects a desired tune, then the music file server 30 displays a message, "Download ?", on the computer screen. If the user selects "Yes", the music file server 30 sends a music file of the selected tune formatted for example for MP3 to a radio base station 40. At this time, the music file of the selected tune is sent to the radio base station 40 together with the user^'s ID.

Upon receiving the music file from the music file server 30 together with the user's ID, the radio base station 40 transmits the received music file by radio together with a radio ID corresponding to the received user's ID. Then, the music file reproduction apparatus 100 receives the transmitted music file and radio ID through the radio interface 180. If the radio ID received through the radio interface 180 is identical with the ID stored in the ID storage unit 190, the received music file is stored in a memory 120 and the music file downloading step is thus completed.

Here, the user^'s ID and the radio ID may be the same or different from each other. For example, in the case where an interface of a mobile telephone is used as the radio interface 180, a telephone number of the mobile telephone may be used as the user's ID as well. Alternatively, a different user's ID may be registered in the server and it can be linked to the telephone number of the mobile telephone by the server. Fig. 3 shows examples of an internal construction of the radio interface

180 in Fig. 2, wherein Fig. 3a is a block diagram showing the construction of the radio interface 180 for a reception-dedicated type and Fig. 3b is a block diagram showing the construction of the radio interface 1 80 for a two-way type. An example of the reception-dedicated interface may be an interface of a pager, and an example of the two-way interface may be an interface of a mobile telephone.

A general pager can receive but cannot send data. As a result, the construction of such a pager can be made simple as shown in Fig. 3a and thus, it can easily be added to the construction of a conventional music file reproduction apparatus such as an MP3 player.

The base station 40 modulates music file data from the music file server 30 into a radio frequency (RF) signal and transmits the modulated RF signal by radio. The transmitted RF signal is received at an antenna Ant of the reproduction apparatus 100 and converted into an electrical signal, which is then amplified by an amplifier AMP and demodulated into a base-band signal by a demodulator 181 . A base-band circuit 182 converts the base-band signal from the demodulator 181 into a signal readable by a controller 1 1 0 and outputs the converted signal to the controller 1 10 through a data interface 130.

The controller 1 10 detects the radio ID from the output signal from the base-band circuit 182 and compares it with the ID stored in the ID storage unit 190 to determine whether the two IDs are identical to each other. If the radio ID is identical to the ID stored in the ID storage unit 190, then the controller 1 10 stores the received music file data in the memory 120. As a result, the downloading of the music file is completed. Further, in the case where the music file reproduction apparatus 100 comprises the pager circuitry as mentioned above, it can be used as a pager as well as a player, resulting in the convenience in use.

Next, a description of the radio interface with the two-way construction as in the mobile telephone is given. In the case where the mobile telephone employs a cellular system, it has to periodically transmit its ID to a mobile switching center because a cell in which it is located must be recognized by the switching center. For this reason, the radio interface must comprise both transmission and reception circuits as shown in Fig. 3b even when it performs only the receiving function of music file data. In this case, the music file data reception operation of the radio interface is performed in a similar manner to that of the pager circuitry and thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, a description of a music file downloading method using a mobile telephone with a music file reproduction function in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention is given with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 is a chart illustrating the music file downloading method in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention and Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal construction of the mobile telephone with the music file reproduction function in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention. A conventional mobile telephone comprises typically a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory and a circuitry capable of receiving a music file by radio. Thus, as seen from Fig. 5, the present invention can readily be implemented by adding a decoder 290 capable of decoding the received music file, to the existing construction of the mobile telephone. First, the user accesses the ARS connected to the communication network 60 using a mobile telephone 200 to select a desired tune. The tune selection operation using the mobile telephone 200 is performed in the same manner as that using a general telephone, stated previously with reference to Fig. 1 , and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted. If the user selects a desired tune, the music file server 30 sends a music file of the selected tune to the base station 40, which in turn transmits it to the mobile telephone 200 by radio. In the mobile telephone 200, RF signal from the base station 40 is demodulated by a radio circuit 220, converted into the original music file by a base-band circuit 230 and then stored in a memory 280.

The radio transmission of the music file can be conducted over a channel other than the traffic channel if the mobile telephone is connected to the ARS over the traffic channel. Alternatively, if the traffic channel is disconnected with the ARS, it may be newly occupied and used to transmit the music file.

The operation of reproducing the music file stored in the memory 280 as mentioned above is performed in the following manner. First, if the user pushes a music play button on the mobile telephone, a controller 210 in the mobile telephone detects a corresponding signal from an input unit 260 and transfers the music file data from the memory 280 to the music file decoder (MP3 decoder in the present embodiment) 290 in response to the detected signal.

Upon receiving the music file data from the memory 280, the decoder 290 converts it into an analog signal, which is then amplified to a predetermined level and outputted to a speaker SP or an earphone/headphone by an audio circuit 240. As a result, the user can listen to music.

Next, a description of a process of charging a fee for downloading a music file is given.

First, it is preferable that the downloading fee is appended to telephone charges through the ARS, in a manner similar to that of Korea Telecom's current practice in charging additional service fees for use of a 700 service. In the case where the music file reproduction apparatus is also used as a pager or mobile telephone, it is possible to append music file downloading fee to the call or telephone charges on the pager or mobile telephone. This makes the fee settlement very easy and reduces significantly the expenses associated with the fee settlement. A system for charging the downloading fee can be implemented based either on a downloading time or the number of downloaded music tunes.

Alternatively, in the case where the user pays his membership fee on a monthly or yearly basis to hold the membership, he may freely download while he maintains his membership, or a predetermined number of tunes.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, although the music file and the associated reproduction apparatus have been described respectively as MP3 file and MP3 player in the present embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. Namely, the music file includes files coded in any other coding manner and also any coded contents other than music, such as a voice of a specific person (e.g., a star performer), a lecture on English or other languages, sounds of nature, for example song of the birds, roar of the cataracts, etc.

Further, the present invention is applicable to multimedia files such as animation file, motion picture file, etc. as well.

Industrial Applicability

As apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a downloading fee can readily be settled when a music file is downloaded. Further, the music file can readily be downloaded to a music file reproduction apparatus. These result in high convenience in use.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for downloading music files to a music file reproduction apparatus which includes a radio circuit with a unique identifier, comprising the steps of: a) allowing a user to select a tune over a communication network; b) allowing a music file server having music files stored therein to send the stored music file corresponding to the selected tune to a radio base station together with an identifier; c) allowing said radio base station to receive the music file of the selected tune and the identifier from said music file server and transmit the music file of the selected tune and the identifier to said music file reproduction apparatus by radio; and d) allowing said music file reproduction apparatus to store said music file transmitted from said radio base station in its memory when the identifier transmitted from said base station is the same as said unique identifier.

2. The method as set forth in Claim 1 . wherein said step a) includes the steps of: a- 1 ) allowing the user to access an automatic response system using a telephone; a-2) allowing the user to enter his identifier using dial buttons of said telephone; a-3) allowing the user to enter a title of the desired tune; and a-4) allowing said automatic response system to send the user's identifier and the tune title or its code to said music file server.

3. The method as set forth in Claim 1 , wherein said step a) includes the steps of: a- 1 ) allowing the user to access said music file server over a data communication network using a computer; a-2) allowing the user to enter his identifier and password; and a-3) allowing the user to select a title of the desired tune.

4. The method as set forth in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said radio circuit of said music file reproduction apparatus includes a circuitry of a pager and wherein said step c) includes the step of transmitting the received music file and identifier to said music file reproduction apparatus by radio according to a data transmission system of said pager.

5. The method as set forth in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said radio circuit of said music file reproduction apparatus includes a circuitry of a mobile telephone and wherein said step c) includes the step of transmitting the received music file and identifier to said music file reproduction apparatus by radio according to a data transmission system of said mobile telephone.

6. A music file reproduction apparatus comprising: a memory for storing music file therein; a data interface for receiving the music file; a decoder for converting said music file into an analog signal; an input unit for sensing a user's key operation; and a controller for controlling said memory, data interface, decoder and input unit, wherein said apparatus further comprises : an identifier storage unit for storing a unique identifier of said apparatus therein; and a radio interface for receiving radio data with the same identifier as said unique identifier and transferring it to said data interface.

7. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said radio interface includes: an antenna for converting an electromagnetic wave signal into an electrical signal; a demodulator for demodulating the electrical signal from said antenna into a base-band signal; and a base-band circuit for extracting a data signal from the base-band signal from said demodulator and transferring it to said data interface.

8. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 6, wherein said radio interface includes: an antenna for converting an electromagnetic wave signal into an electrical signal and vice versa; a demodulator for demodulating the electrical signal from said antenna into a base-band signal; a modulator for modulating a base-band signal into an electrical signal at a radio frequency; a duplexer for transferring said electrical signal from said antenna to said demodulator and said electrical signal from said modulator to said antenna, respectively; and a base-band circuit for extracting a data signal from said base-band signal from said demodulator, transferring it to said data interface and converting data from said data interface into said base-band signal to be modulated by said modulator.

9. A mobile telephone having a music file reproduction function, comprising: a memory for storing data therein; an antenna for converting an electromagnetic wave signal into an electrical signal and vice versa; a radio circuit for processing a radio frequency signal from or to said antenna; an audio circuit for processing an audio signal; a base-band circuit for converting said audio signal from said audio circuit into a base-band signal, transferring the converted base-band signal to said radio circuit, processing a base-band signal from said radio circuit and transferring the resultant signal to said audio circuit; an input unit for sensing a user's key operation; a display unit for providing a visual indication of the current operation state to the user; an identifier storage unit for storing a unique identifier of said mobile telephone; a controller for controlling the entire operation of said mobile telephone; and a music file decoder for converting a music file stored in said memory into an audio signal and transferring it to said audio circuit; said controller, upon receiving a music file with the same identifier as said unique identifier stored in said identifier storage unit, stores the received music file in said memory and transfers said music file stored in said memory to said music file decoder in response to a user's music file play instruction from said input unit.