Background Art FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional frequency generating apparatus. The conventional frequency generating apparatus includes a main body 100 selecting and generating a frequency operation mode, a pad 101 attached to a body of a user, and a cable 102 connecting the main body 100 and the pad 101. The main body 100 includes a power generating portion 100-1, a user interface 100-2, a low frequency generating portion 100-3, and a control portion 100-4.

In order to operate the conventional frequency generating apparatus, power is needed. The power can be supplied from a battery or through an AC adaptor (not shown) so that a voltage needed for internal operation and generation of a low frequency waveform is generated. To operate the conventional frequency generating apparatus, the user may select or control functions, such as a preset operation mode, a preset operation period, or a preset operation strength, through a use interface 100-2 such as a button or dial (not shown).

When the operation mode, the operation period, or the operation strength is determined by the user, the low frequency generating portion 100-3 generates a low frequency waveform suitable for the determined conditions. Data transmission and operation among the power generating portion 100-1, the user interface 100-2, and the low frequency generating portion 100-3 are controlled by the control portion 100-4.

A low frequency signal generated by the main body 100 is transmitted to

the pad 101 attached to the body of the user through the cable 102.

Since the conventional frequency generating apparatus is used by selecting one of various preset operation modes, periods, and strength, various controls thereof according to the taste of the user is not possible. Also, it is inconvenient to set desired operation mode, period, and strength each time before using the frequency generating apparatus.

Furthermore, the user needs to supply a main power using a general DC battery or AC adaptor to the conventional frequency generating apparatus.

When the main power supply source is a battery, it is inconvenient to replace a used-up battery. When the main power supply source is an AC adaptor, there must be an outlet and the AC adaptor needs to be connected to the outlet each time.

Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional frequency generating apparatus; FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a frequency generating apparatus using a USB interface according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of the frequency generating apparatus of FIG. 2; and FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining a method of operating a frequency generating apparatus using a USB interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Disclosure of Invention To solve the above and/or other problems, the present invention provides a frequency generating apparatus using a USB interface which is connected to a host by a USB cable and generates a frequency by receiving an operation power and arbitrary frequency control data from the host through the USB cable, and a method of operating the frequency generating apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a

frequency generating apparatus including a main body generating a frequency according to control information and power supply selected by a host and a pad connected to the main body by a cable, attached to a body of a user, and vibrating according to the frequency generated by the main body, wherein the main body is connected to the host by a USB cable and comprises a USB interface portion interfacing frequency generating information and power with the host, a control portion receiving the frequency generating information and power through the USB interface portion, generating a corresponding frequency control signal, and transmitting a frequency operation status to the host, and a frequency generating portion generating an arbitrary frequency according to the frequency control signal generated by the control portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a frequency generating apparatus which is connected to a host and includes a main body generating a frequency according to control information and power selected and supplied by a host and a pad connected to the main body by a cable, attached to a body of a user, and vibrating according to the frequency generated by the main body, the method comprising if the frequency generating apparatus is connected through a USB cable, receiving power and arbitrary frequency generating information of the frequency generating apparatus from the host recognizing the connection of the frequency generating apparatus through the USB cable, and if the operation starts by the power transmitted from the USB cable, generating a frequency according to the frequency control information transmitted through the USB cable.

Advantageous Effects According to the present invention, since the frequency generating apparatus is connected to the host by the USB case, control data such as various waveforms and intensities and operation periods can be selected through an application program on the host. Also, since the operation power of the frequency generating apparatus is supplied from the host via the USB cable, the frequency generating apparatus is easy to use and a cost is reasonable. Since the power generating portion and the user interface can be made simple

compared to the conventional frequency generating apparatus, the frequency generating apparatus can be manufactured at a low cost. The frequency generating apparatus according to the present invention can be used for apparatuses for diet, low frequency treatment apparatuses, and electronic acupuncture.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a frequency generating apparatus using a USB interface according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the frequency generating apparatus includes a frequency generating apparatus main body 200, a pad 201, and a host 202. The frequency generating apparatus main body 200 is connected to the host 202 by a USB cable. The frequency generating main body 200 and the pad 201 are connected by a cable.

FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of the frequency generating apparatus of FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 3, the frequency generating apparatus includes a USB interface 200-1, a user interface 200-2, a control portion 200-3, a power generating portion 200-4, a low frequency generating portion 200-5, and a storing portion 200-6.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the frequency generating apparatus using a USB interface is described.

The frequency generating apparatus according to the present invention not only supports the user interface 200-2, but also is connected to the host 202 by the USB cable, compared to the conventional technology. Thus, a user can variously set control data such as desired operation mode and strength through an application program on the host 202. Also, the frequency generating apparatus according to the present invention may be used without a battery or AC adaptor by receiving power from the host 202 through the USB cable.

The frequency generating apparatus main body 200 is connected to the host 202 by the USB cable. The USB cable is a standard interface for peripheral devices to connect various peripheral devices such as a mouse (not shown), a keyboard (not shown), and a printer (not shown) to the host 202 such as a PC or

PDA. The USB cable uses four lines consisting of two signal lines (D+ and D-) and two power lines (5V and Ground). The two signal lines are used to transmit and receive data between the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 and the host 202 as bidirectional signals. The power of the host 202 is supplied to the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 through the two power lines so that the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 can use the power of the host 202.

The USB cable is advantageous in that installing and detaching a peripheral device is possible while the host is in use, connection of a USB connecter is easy, maximum 127 peripheral devices can be connected, and power is supplied therethrough. Also, when a peripheral device is connected by the USB cable, the host 202 can recognize the connected device on its connection.

The data transmission by the USB cable is made between a host (the host 202) and a slave (the frequency generating apparatus main body 200). The host 202 controls all of start and direction of transmission. When a peripheral device (the frequency generating apparatus main body 200) is connected to a USB cable, the host 202 recognizes the connection of the peripheral device to the USB cable, reads description data defined in the USB to identify the peripheral device, and assigns an appropriate USB address to the peripheral device. After the above operation is completed, data transmission with the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 begins. The data transmission may be made from the host 202 to the slave (the frequency generating apparatus main body 200) and vice versa.

In the present invention, the USB cable is used to receive necessary information to operate the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 from the host 202 through the USB cable and inform the host 202 of a status of the frequency generating apparatus main body 200. Also, the power needed by the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 may be received from the host 202 through the USB cable. The power needed to operate the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 is supplied from the host 202 via the USB cable and the USB interface 200-1.

When the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 operates as

power is supplied, the host 202 uses an application program to set control data for generating a desired frequency, such as an operation mode, an operation period, or operation strength. The set control data is transmitted to the control portion 200-3 through the USB interface 200-1 of the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 through the USB cable.

The control data for generating a frequency transmitted through the USB interface 200-1 may be transmitted to the storing portion 200-6 and stored therein.

The storing portion 200-6 may be a volatile or non-volatile memory where the control data for generating a frequency, such as an operation mode, an operation period, and an operation strength, are stored. When the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 is connected to the host 202 by the USB cable later, the control data for generating a frequency which is stored in the storing portion 200-6 is reused without executing the application program so that there is no need to program the same values each time.

The low frequency generating portion 200-5 generates a desired low frequency signal using the control data that the control portion 200-3 received.

The low frequency signal generated by the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 is transmitted to the pad 201 attached to a body of the user, through the USB cable, to vibrate the pad 201.

The frequency generating apparatus can be independently used when not being connected to the host 202 by the USB cable. In this case, the power generating portion 200-4 receives main power through a battery or an AC adaptor and generates a voltage needed for internal operation and generating a lower frequency waveform using the received main power. A user selects or controls preset operation mode, operation period, or operation strength, through the user interface 200-2 such as a button or dial, as in the conventional frequency generating apparatus. When the operation mode, operation period, and operation strength are determined by the user, the lower frequency generating apparatus 200-5 generates an appropriate low frequency waveform and transmits the same to the pad 201.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining a method of operating a frequency generating apparatus using a USB interface according to an embodiment of the

present invention. The method includes connecting a frequency generating apparatus to a USB cable (Step 400), the host recognizing the connection of the frequency generating apparatus (Step 401), the host transmitting frequency generating control data using an operation power and an application program of the frequency generating apparatus through the USB cable (Step 402), storing the transmitted frequency generating control data on a memory (Step 403), generating a frequency according to the frequency generating control data when the operation starts by the power supplied from the host (Step 404), and transmitting the generated frequency to a pad (Step 405).

Referring to FIG. 4, the method of operating a frequency generating apparatus using a USB interface is described.

When a frequency generating apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as the frequency generating apparatus main body 200) is connected to the USB cable, the host 202 recognizes that the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 is connected to the USB cable. After the recognition process, the host 202 assigns an appropriate USB address to the frequency generating apparatus main body 200. The host 202 recognizes the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 as one of USB devices. Thereafter, the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 and the host 202 can transmit and receive data therebetween.

Then, the host 202 transmits the operation power of the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 through the power lines of the USB cable and the frequency generating control data through the signal lines of the USB cable using the application program (Step 402). To select the strength or waveform of the frequency signal generated by the frequency generating apparatus main body 200, the host 202 needs to transmit relevant control data for generating a frequency using the application program through the USB cable.

The control data for generating a frequency which is transmitted through the USB cable is stored on a memory (the storing portion 200-6) (Step 403).

When the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 starts to operate by the power transmitted through the USB cable, the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 generates a frequency according to the control data for generating a frequency which is transmitted through the USB cable (Step 404).

The generated frequency is transmitted to the pad 201 attached to the body of a user through the cable and the pad 201 is vibrated by the transmitted frequency (Step 405).

The frequency generating apparatus main body 200 operates as the host 202 sets. Data indicating a status of the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 is transmitted to the host 202 through the USB cable so that the host 202 can recognize the status of the frequency generating apparatus main body 200. Accordingly, all operation and status control of the frequency generating apparatus main body 200 can be managed by the host 202 using the USB cable.

In addition to the USB cable, there are parallel port transmission, serial port transmission, and IEEE1394 as a method of communicating data by connecting peripheral devices such as the frequency generating apparatus main body 200, which can be used instead the USB cable.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.