Apparatus and method for interfacing between A/V system and portable device

Abstract

An interface apparatus and method for transmission and reception of a control signal and a digital stream between an audio/video (A/V) system and a digital data recording and/or reproducing device are provided. The device for recording and/or reproducing digital data includes: a storage unit storing digital data encoded in a predetermined format; a decoder unit decoding digital data stored in the storage unit; an interface unit transmitting the decoded data to an external device; and a control unit controlling the storage unit, the decoder unit, and the interface unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An audio/video (A/V) system capable of controlling an external device as a source of audio and/or video output of the A/V system, said A/V system comprising:
 an interface unit that transmits/receives control information to/from the external device and receives decoded digital multimedia data from the external device; 
 a digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion unit that converts the received decoded digital multimedia data into an analog audio and/or video signal; and 
 a control unit that controls the interface unit and the D/A conversion unit such that the received decoded digital multimedia data is converted into the analog signal as audio and/or video output of the A/V system; 
 wherein the control information transmitted to the external device includes information on a multimedia file as requested from the A/V system and an operation command for controlling an operation on the requested multimedia file; 
 wherein the control information transmitted from the external device includes information on an operational state associated with the operation; and 
 wherein the external device decodes the requested multimedia file in accordance with the operation command to generate the decoded digital multimedia data. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interface unit comprises a USB host controller. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the control unit determines a time interval required for receiving a unit of decoded data from the external device and the number of units of decoded data that are required to be received by referring to information on the requested multimedia file and according to the determined time interval the control unit sequentially transmits a control signal requesting data, through the USB host controller, a number of times according to the number of units determined, and
 the USB host controller comprises a first bulk interface sequentially receiving data in predetermined reception units. 
 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the USB host controller further comprises a second bulk interface transmitting/receiving the control signal and control information on the multimedia file to/from the external device. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 3 , wherein through the first bulk interface, the USB host controller transmits/receives the control signal and control information on the multimedia file to/from the external device. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the USB host controller comprises an isochronous interface receiving the decoded data. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the USB host controller further comprises a bulk interface transmitting/receiving the control signal and control information comprising the result of executing the control signal to/from the external device. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 6 , wherein through the isochronous interface, the USB host controller transmits a digital stream to be stored in the external device. 
     
     
       9. An interface apparatus connected between an audio/video (A/V) system and a portable multimedia device for enabling the A/V system to control the portable multimedia device as a source of audio and/or video output of the A/V system, the interface apparatus comprising:
 a first connection unit for connecting the portable multimedia device; 
 a second connection unit for connecting the A/V system; 
 an interface processing unit that transmits/receives control information to/from the portable device via the first connection unit, transmits/receives control information to/from the A/V system via the second connection unit, receives first decoded digital multimedia data from the portable device via the first connection unit, converts the first decoded digital multimedia data of a format outputted from the portable device into second multimedia data of a format complying with a protocol for connection to the A/V system, and transmitting the second multimedia data to the A/V system as audio and/video output of the A/V system via the second connection unit; 
 wherein the control information received from the A/V system includes information on a multimedia file as requested from the A/V system and an operation command for controlling an operation on the requested multimedia file; 
 wherein the control information received from the portable device includes information on an operational state associated with the operation; and 
 wherein the portable device decodes the requested multimedia file in accordance with the operation command to generate the first decoded digital multimedia data. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first connection unit comprises a USB connection unit. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the second connection unit comprises a first serial connection unit. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the interface processing unit comprises:
 a USB host controller for controlling multimedia data communication with the portable multimedia device through the USB connection unit; 
 a serial controller for controlling multimedia data communication with the A/V system through the first serial connection unit; 
 a microcontroller for converting a control signal input from the serial controller into a USB command and outputting the USB command to the USB host controller, and converting reproduction multimedia information input from the USB host controller into multimedia data complying with a protocol for connection to the A/V system, and outputting the converted multimedia data to the serial controller; and 
 a digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion unit for converting a digital multimedia data stream input through the USB host controller into analog multimedia data and outputting the analog multimedia data to the serial controller. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a bypass unit directly connecting the first serial connection unit and a second serial connection unit; and 
 an input unit receiving information on a device to be used, 
 wherein if the device to be used comprises a CD changer, the microcontroller controls the bypass unit so that data communication between the A/V system and the CD changer is enabled. 
 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the USB host controller comprises:
 a bulk interface for transmitting and receiving the USB command and the reproduction information; and 
 at least one of an isochronous interface and a bulk interface receiving the digital multimedia data stream. 
 
     
     
       15. An interface method between an audio/video (A/V) system and a portable device for enabling the A/V system to control the portable multimedia device as a source of audio and/or video output of the A/V system, the interface method comprising:
 receiving a first control signal from the A/V system through a second connection unit; 
 converting the first control signal into a data format of a first connection unit and transmitting the converted first control signal to the portable device through the first connection unit; 
 receiving a digital multimedia data stream from the portable device through the first connection unit in response to the converted first control signal; 
 converting the received digital multimedia data stream into an analog signal; 
 transmitting the analog signal to the A/V system through the second connection unit; 
 wherein the interface method further comprising: 
 receiving a second control signal from the portable device through the first connection unit; 
 wherein the first control signal includes information on the multimedia file as requested from the A/V system and an operation command for controlling an operation on the requested multimedia file; 
 wherein the second control signal includes information on an operational state associated with the operation; and 
 wherein the portable device decodes the requested multimedia file in accordance with the operation command to generate the digital multimedia data stream transmitted from the portable device. 
 
     
     
       16. A non-transitory computer readable medium having embodied thereon a computer program for executing an interface method between an audio/video (A/V) system and a portable device for enabling the A/V system to control the portable multimedia device as a source of audio and/or video output of the A/V system, the interface method comprising:
 receiving a first control signal from the A/V system through a second connection unit; 
 converting the first control signal into a data format of a first connection unit and transmitting the converted first control signal to the portable device through the first connection unit; 
 receiving a digital stream from the portable device through the first connection unit in response to the converted control signal; 
 converting the received digital stream into an analog signal; 
 transmitting the analog signal to the A/V system through the second connection unit; 
 wherein the interface method further comprising: 
 receiving a second control signal from the portable device through the first connection unit; 
 wherein the first control signal includes information on the multimedia file as requested from the A/V system and an operation command for controlling an operation on the requested multimedia file; 
 wherein the second control signal includes information on an operational state associated with the operation; and 
 wherein the portable device decodes the requested multimedia file in accordance with the operation command to generate the digital multimedia data stream transmitted from the portable device. 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a conversion unit connected to a front end of the first serial connection unit and converting a pin input of the A/V system to fit the pin arrangement of the first serial connection unit. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving an input of information on a device to be used through a third connection unit; and 
 transferring the control signal received through the second connection unit to a CD changer through the third connection unit and cutting off a path for data communication with the portable device if the input information on the device to be used indicates the CD changer is to be used. 
 
     
     
       19. A digital data recording and/or reproducing apparatus for receiving a control information from an A/V system comprising:
 a storage unit to store digital data encoded in a predetermined format;   a decoder unit configured to decode the digital data stored in the storage unit;   a first controller configured to support an interface to communicate with an audio system having a second controller;   a digital/analog conversion unit configured to convert the decoded digital data into analog data;   an output unit configured to output the analog data;   a control unit configured to:
 receive control information from the audio system through the first controller, 
 cause the decoder to decode the stored digital data corresponding to the received control information, 
 transfer the decoded digital data corresponding to the received control information to the audio system, and 
 switch into one of a transmission state transmitting the decoded digital data to the audio system through the first controller and an output state converting the decoded data into the analog data by the digital/analog conversion unit and outputting the converted analog data by the output unit. 
   
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the control unit controls the decoder unit to decode the digital data in predetermined units according to a control signal from the audio system, and
 the first controller comprises a first bulk interface sequentially transmitting the data decoded in predetermined units.   
     
     
       21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first controller further comprises a second bulk interface transmitting/receiving the control signal and control information comprising information on the digital data to/from the audio system. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein, through the first bulk interface, the first controller receives a control signal from the audio system and transmits information on digital data requested by the audio system. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first controller comprises an isochronous interface for transmission of the decoded data in response to a control signal from the audio system. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first controller further comprises a bulk interface transmitting/receiving the control signal and control information comprising the result of executing the control signal to/from the audio system. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first controller receives a digital stream from the audio system through the isochronous interface, and the control unit encodes the received digital stream and stores the encoded digital stream in the storage unit. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein if the digital data comprises encrypted data, the control unit decrypts the encrypted data and then transmits the decrypted data to the audio system. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the control unit transmits the decoded data to the audio system by using an encryption method. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising an input unit receiving an input of a device using method,
 wherein if a command to use a conventional USB protocol is input through the input unit, the control unit controls the first controller so that the digital data recording and reproducing apparatus operates according to the conventional USB protocol.   
     
     
       29. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first controller comprises a USB device controller and the second controller comprises a USB host controller. 
     
     
       30. A method of reproducing, through an audio system, a digital data stored in a digital data recording and/or reproducing apparatus for receiving a control information from the audio system, the method comprising:
 receiving a control information from the audio system through the first controller;   decoding the stored digital data corresponding to the received control information; and   switching into one of a transmission state transmitting the decoded digital data to the audio system through the first controller, and an output state wherein the second mode is the mode in which the decoded digital data is converting the decoded data into the analog data and outputting the converted analog data; and   in the transmission state, transferring the decoded digital data corresponding to the received control information to the audio system having a second controller.   
     
     
       31. The method of claim 30, wherein the decoding of the digital data comprises sequentially decoding the digital data in predetermined units according to the reproduction command, and
 the transmitting of the decoded data comprises sequentially transmitting the decoded data in predetermined units through a first bulk interface comprised in the first controller according to the reproduction command.   
     
     
       32. The method of claim 31, wherein the receiving of the control signal comprises receiving the control signal through at least one of the first bulk interface and a second bulk interface included in the first controller. 
     
     
       33. The method of claim 32, further comprising transmitting information on the digital data, used to determine a number of predetermined units required for transmitting the decoded data and a time interval of the transmitting, to the audio system through at least one of the first bulk interface and the second bulk interface. 
     
     
       34. The method of claim 30, wherein the transmitting of the decoded data comprises transmitting the decoded data through an isochronous interface included in the first controller. 
     
     
       35. The method of claim 34, wherein the receiving of the control signal comprises receiving the control signal through a bulk interface included in the first controller, and
 the method further comprises transmitting a result of executing the control signal through the bulk interface.   
     
     
       36. The method of claim 30, wherein the decoding of the digital data further comprises decrypting the file if the digital data comprises an encrypted file. 
     
     
       37. The method of claim 36, wherein the transmitting of the decoded data further comprises encrypting the decoded data. 
     
     
       38. The method of claim 30, further comprising:
 receiving an input on a device using method; and   controlling the first controller so that the digital data recording and reproducing apparatus operate as a portable device if a command to use the apparatus as a portable device is input.   
     
     
       39. The method of claim 30, wherein the first controller comprises a USB device controller and the second controller comprises a USB host controller.