MEDIA PLAYING APPARATUS

• US 20070180118A1
• Filed: 07/27/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Chang, Min, Ku
• Application Number:
  US11/460,585
• Publication Number:
  US 20070180118A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/32 Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/323 in the physical layer [OSI layer 1]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/324 in the data link layer [OSI layer 2], e.g. HDLC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/325 in the network layer [OSI layer 3], e.g. X.25 H04L69/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/326 in the transport layer [OSI layer 4] H04L69/16 takes precedence

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a media player. The media player includes a play and a station. The player decodes media data. The station includes a first connection and a second connection unit The first connection unit connects to a network and transmits and receives data. The second connection unit exchanges data with the first connection unit in a state of being connected to the player.

Claims

1. An apparatus for playing media data, comprising:

a player for decoding media data; and

a station including a first connection unit for connecting to a network and transmitting and receiving data, and a second connection unit for exchanging data with the player in a state of being connected to the player.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first connection unit comprises a physical layer for connection to a networks, the second connection unit comprises a point-to-point communication port, and the station relays data between the first and second connection units.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the point-to-point communication port is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the player comprises a stack structure composed a hierarchically organized first protocol stack and a second protocol stack arranged in parallel with the first protocol stack, the first protocol stack being composed of a counterpart point-to-point port to be connected to the point-to-point communication port and a protocol for network connection, the second protocol stack being composed of a point-to-point port.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first connection unit further comprises a protocol, organized above the physical layer, for connection to a network, and the station relays data between the first and second connection units.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the second connection unit further comprises a protocol, organized above the point-to-point port, for connection to a network, and the station relays data between the first and second connection units.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the second protocol stack provides a data transfer path when the player is connected to a device other than the station.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the station further comprises storage means, and the station connects to a server on a network, via the first connection unit according to set information, searches for and downloads a media file, stores the media file in the storage means, and transmits the stored media file to the player via the second connection unit in response to a request from the player.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the set information is set based on information that is entered by a user via the player and is received via the second connection unit.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the protocol for connection to a network comprises Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first connection unit comprises a physical layer for connection to a network the second connection unit comprises a multi-to-multi communication port, and the station relays data between the first and second connection units.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the station comprises output means for outputting signals in sound.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the player provides the decoded media data to the output means via a path formed through the connection in a state of being connected to the station.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the player reads and decodes the media data stored therein.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the player decodes the media data that is being received via the second connection unit in a streaming mode.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the player stores the media data, which is received via the second connection unit in a non-streaming mode, in internal storage means.

17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the station charges the player with power when the player is seated thereon.

18. An apparatus for playing media data, comprising:

a decoding unit configured to transmit signals, which are obtained by decoding media data, to a station in a state of being seated on the station, and

a stack structure including a hierarchically organized first protocol stack and a second protocol stack organized in parallel with the first protocol stack the first protocol stack being composed of a counterpart point-to-point port to be connected to a point-to-point communication port embedded in the station and a protocol for network connection, the second protocol stack being composed of a point-to-point port.

19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein the first protocol stack provides a data path for communication with the station, and the second protocol stack supports connection to a device other than the station and provides a data path over the connection.

20. The apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein the point-to-point port is a USB port.

21. The apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein the protocol for connection to a network comprises TCP/IP.