JP2004152344A - Removable disk drive - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a removable disk drive automatically controlling the power source and also taking the consideration about the power saving without generating the futile power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: By a control means 101, the detection result of a power supply detecting means 105 and the detection result of a recording medium detecting means 107 are referred, and when the power is in the state to be supplied from an external equipment through an interface and the recording medium is being mounted in the removable disk drive, this removable disk drive is controlled to the working state. While, the removable disk drive is controlled to the standby state when the power is not in the state to be supplied from the external equipment through the interface, the removable disk drive is controlled to the standby state, and when the recording medium is not being mounted in the removable disk drive, the removable disk drive is controlled to the standby state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a removable disk drive device using a removable recording medium, and in particular, to a removable disk having a bus such as a USB configured to transfer data and supply and receive power to and from another device (PC). Drive device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the case of a computer peripheral device such as a removable disk drive device capable of handling a magneto-optical (MO) disk or an optical disk in a removable state, data transfer and power supply / reception with another device (host PC) such as a computer are not possible. There is one that is provided with a bus such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) that can be configured.
[0003]
When connecting the removable disk drive device 100 as such a peripheral device to the host PC 300 by a USB interface, the connection is made by a USB interface cable 200 as shown in FIG.
[0004]
3, the data transfer between the PC 300 and the removable disk drive 100 and the power supply from the host PC 300 to the removable disk drive 100 can be simultaneously performed by the USB interface cable 200. Become. Such a connection is called a bus power system.
[0005]
In the case of a USB interface, pin assignments of Data +, Data-, GND, and VBUS are defined, and power up to 5 V and 0.5 A (2.5 W) can be supplied via VBUS pins. Standards are defined as follows.
[0006]
On the other hand, when power of 2.5 W or more is required, a connection called a self-power system as shown in FIG. 4 is performed. That is, data transfer is performed between the PC 300 and the removable disk drive device 100 via the USB interface cable 200, and the power of the removable disk drive device 100 is provided by a dedicated power supply such as the AC adapter 400.
[0007]
In some conventional removable disk drive devices, the power is turned on / off by a power switch ((1)). Also, as a conventional removable disk drive device, instead of turning on / off the power by a power switch, the voltage of a terminal supplied with power from a host PC via a bus is monitored, and the power is turned on / off based on the presence or absence of the voltage. Some are turned off ((2)).
[0008]
That is, if a voltage appears at a predetermined terminal of the bus, it means that the host PC is operating and the interface cable between the host PC and the removable disk drive is also connected. Further, when the voltage is lost at a predetermined terminal of the bus, it means that the host PC has stopped or the interface cable between the host PC and the removable disk drive has been disconnected.
[0009]
In the removable disk drive device, power management as described in (1) above is described in the following Patent Document 1 already filed by the present applicant.
[0010]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2001-350548 (pages 3 to 5, FIG. 1)
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the power supply from the host PC is detected to manage the power ON / OFF of the removable disk drive device, so that when the host PC is not used or a cable is not connected, wasteful operation is performed. Power on can be avoided.
[0012]
However, according to the power control method described above, even if the recording medium is not set in the removable disk drive device, the power supply of the removable disk drive device is always turned on if the host PC is started. For this reason, there is a problem that wasteful power consumption easily occurs on the removable disk drive device side.
[0013]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to realize a removable disk drive device that performs automatic power supply control and saves power without causing unnecessary power consumption. And
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
That is, the present invention as means for solving the above-mentioned problems is as described below.
[0015]
(1) The invention according to claim 1 is a removable disk drive device provided with a bus configured to enable data transfer and power supply / reception with another device via a cable, wherein the removable disk A recording medium detecting unit that detects whether a recording medium is mounted in the drive device; and a control unit that controls an operation state of each unit, wherein the control unit refers to a detection result of the recording medium detecting unit. However, when a recording medium is mounted in the removable disk drive device, the removable disk drive device is controlled to an operating state, and when a recording medium is not mounted in the removable disk drive device, The removable disk drive device is controlled in a standby state.
[0016]
In the present invention, the control unit refers to the detection result of the presence or absence of the recording medium by the recording medium detection unit, and if the recording medium is mounted in the removable disk drive device, the control unit activates the removable disk drive device. If no recording medium is loaded in the removable disk drive, the removable disk drive is controlled to be in a standby state.
[0017]
As a result, automatic power control can be performed in accordance with the mounting of the recording medium, and when the recording medium is not mounted, no power is consumed even when the recording medium is connected to the host PC, thereby realizing power saving. be able to.
[0018]
(2) The invention according to claim 2 is a removable disk drive device having a bus configured to enable data transfer and power supply / reception with another device via a cable. Power supply detection means for detecting the presence or absence of power supply from an external device via the external device, recording medium detection means for detecting whether a recording medium is mounted in the removable disk drive device, and control of the operation state of each unit The control unit refers to the detection result of the power supply detection unit and the detection result of the recording medium detection unit, and enters a state where power can be supplied from an external device via the interface. When a recording medium is loaded in the removable disk drive, the removable disk drive is controlled to an operating state. In a case where power cannot be supplied from an external device via the interface, the removable disk drive is controlled to be in a standby state, and when a recording medium is not mounted in the removable disk drive, Is a removable disk drive device that controls the removable disk drive device to be in a standby state.
[0019]
In the present invention, the control unit refers to the detection result of the power supply detection unit and the detection result of the recording medium detection unit, and is in a state where power can be supplied from an external device via the interface. When a recording medium is loaded in the drive device, the removable disk drive device is controlled to an operating state. Further, when power cannot be supplied from an external device via the interface, or when the removable disk drive is controlled to be in a standby state and no recording medium is mounted in the removable disk drive. , The removable disk drive is controlled to be in a standby state.
[0020]
As a result, automatic power control can be performed in accordance with the state of an external device such as the host PC and the state of mounting the recording medium, and when no recording medium is mounted, the power can be controlled even when connected to the host PC. Since no consumption occurs, power saving can be achieved.
[0021]
(3) The invention according to claim 3 further comprises an interface circuit for performing data transfer by the bus, and wherein the control means sets the interface circuit to an operating state when the removable disk drive device is set to an operating state. 3. The removable disk drive device according to claim 1, wherein the interface circuit is stopped when the removable disk drive device is set in a standby state.
[0022]
According to the present invention, in the above (1) or (2), an interface circuit for performing data transfer by a bus is provided, and the control means sets the interface circuit to an operating state when the removable disk drive device is set to an operating state. When the removable disk drive is to be in a standby state, the interface circuit is stopped.
[0023]
As a result, an external device such as a host PC can recognize the removable disk drive when the recording medium is mounted, and cannot recognize the removable disk drive when the recording medium is not mounted. Become.
[0024]
Therefore, not only can automatic power control of the removable disk drive be performed, but also the host PC can recognize the removable disk drive only when it is used.
[0025]
(4) The invention according to claim 4 further comprises a write permission / prohibition state detection means for detecting a write permission / prohibition notch state provided on the recording medium, and the control means detects whether or not the recording medium is mounted. 4. The removable disk drive device according to claim 1, wherein a detection result of said writable / non-writable state detecting means is used.
[0026]
By using the writable / non-writable state detecting means as the recording medium detecting means in this manner, a dedicated sensor for detecting the recording medium becomes unnecessary, and the power supply control according to the presence or absence of the recording medium in a state where the port of the control means is reduced Can be performed.
[0027]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, a removable disk drive device provided with a bus configured to allow data transfer and power supply / reception with another device such as a computer (host PC) via a cable is described. This will be described as a specific example.
[0028]
Further, as a bus configured to enable data transfer and power supply / reception with another device (PC) via a cable, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) will be described as a specific example.
[0029]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a recording medium such as a magneto-optical (MO) disk or an optical disk which can be handled in a removable disk drive device in a removable state.
[0030]
Reference numeral 100 denotes a removable disk drive device according to the present embodiment, which is a type of peripheral device such as an MO drive device connected to a computer (host PC) via a USB interface or the like.
[0031]
Reference numeral 200 denotes an interface cable for connecting the removable disk drive device 100 to the host PC, and reference numeral 300 denotes a host PC (such as a personal computer) connected to the removable disk drive device 100 via the interface cable 200.
[0032]
By connecting the above-described removable disk drive device 100 as shown in FIG. 1, data transfer between the PC 300 and the removable disk drive device 100 and power supply from the host PC 300 to the removable disk drive device 100 can be performed. The interface cable 200 is configured to be able to perform the operation at the same time. As shown in FIG. 4, data is transferred between the PC 300 and the removable disk drive device 100 via the USB interface cable 200, and the power of the removable disk drive device 100 is supplied by a dedicated power supply such as an AC adapter (not shown). It is also possible to connect.
[0033]
Reference numeral 101 denotes a control unit that controls the operation state of each unit of the removable disk drive device 100. The control unit 101 refers to the detection result of the power supply detection unit and the detection result of the recording medium detection unit, as described later. In a case where power can be supplied from an external device via the interface, the removable disk drive device is controlled to an operating state, and power cannot be supplied from the external device via the interface. In this case, the removable disk drive device is controlled to be in a standby state, and when a recording medium is mounted in the removable disk drive device, the removable disk drive device is controlled to be in an operating state, If no recording medium is loaded in the disk drive, Controlling the standby state table disk drive.
[0034]
Reference numeral 102 denotes an external power supply terminal that receives power from a power supply such as an external AC adapter as a self-powered system. The power supply means 104 for supplying necessary power from the power supply terminal to each unit in the removable disk drive device 100 is well known and is omitted. It is desirable that external power supply terminal 102 be capable of receiving a larger amount of power supply from an external power supply means than through interface cable 200.
[0035]
Reference numeral 103 denotes a bus terminal configured to be able to receive power supply via an interface cable and transfer data via the interface cable as a bus power system via the cable.
[0036]
A power supply unit 104 supplies power to each unit of the removable disk drive device 100.
[0037]
Reference numeral 105 denotes a power supply for detecting the presence or absence of power supply from the host PC 300 via the interface cable 200 when data transfer and power supply / reception with the host PC 300 are enabled via the interface cable 200. It is a supply detecting means.
[0038]
Reference numeral 106 denotes a high-speed interface circuit for performing high-speed data transfer in the interface. The high-speed interface 106 performs data transfer via a signal line from the interface terminal 103.
[0039]
Reference numeral 107 denotes a sensor, which constitutes a recording medium detecting unit that detects whether or not the recording medium 10 is mounted in the removable disk drive device 100. Note that a sensor for a write permission / prohibition state detecting means for detecting the state of a write permission / prohibition notch provided on the recording medium 10 can be used as the recording medium detection means.
[0040]
Reference numeral 110 denotes a signal processing circuit that performs signal processing required when reading / writing data from / on an optical disk, and 111 denotes a cache memory that stores a certain amount of data when reading / writing.
[0041]
Reference numeral 120 denotes an optical pickup for reading / writing the optical disk using light, 121 denotes a PU control circuit for performing focus control and tracking control for causing the optical pickup 120 to access a predetermined track of the optical disk, and 122 denotes an optical pickup. 120 is a read / write circuit for reading / writing.
[0042]
Reference numeral 130 denotes a linear motor for performing a seek operation for making the optical pickup 120 track-jump to and access a desired track of the optical disk, and 131 denotes a linear motor control circuit for controlling the linear motor 130.
[0043]
140 is a spindle motor control circuit for rotating the optical disk, and 141 is a spindle motor control circuit for controlling the spindle motor 140 to rotate at a predetermined rotation speed.
[0044]
In the above configuration, the control means 101 is characterized by executing the following controls (1) and (2).
[0045]
Control (1): Refers to the detection result of the power supply detection unit 105 and the detection result of the sensor (recording medium detection unit) 107, and if power can be supplied from an external device via the interface, Then, the removable disk drive device 100 is controlled to an operating state, and when power cannot be supplied from an external device via an interface, the removable disk drive device 100 is controlled to a standby state.
[0046]
Control (2): When the recording medium 10 is mounted in the removable disk drive device 100, the removable disk drive device 100 is controlled to the operating state, and the recording medium 10 is inserted in the removable disk drive device 100. If not mounted, the removable disk drive 100 is controlled to be in a standby state.
[0047]
Here, the operation of the removable disk drive device 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the description will be made on the assumption that power is supplied to the removable disk drive device 100 from an AC adapter (not shown) or the like, and the removable disk drive device 100 can operate under the control of the control unit 101.
[0048]
First, the control unit 101 starts operation upon receiving power supply from the power supply unit 104, and initializes each unit of the removable disk drive device 100 (S1 in FIG. 2). Further, at this stage, each part of the removable disk drive device 100 is set to the “standby mode”, and only the minimum part is operated by the low-speed operation clock. That is, the interface circuit 106, the signal processing circuit 110, and the like are stopped. In addition, the optical pickup 120, the spindle motor 140 and their control circuits are also stopped. Note that the power supply unit 104 and the power supply detection unit 105 are operated. In addition, the control unit 101 executes the state monitoring of the sensor 107 in advance. By such an operation in the standby mode, the power consumption is in a minimum state.
[0049]
Here, the control unit 101 refers to the detection result of the power supply detection unit 105, and checks whether power can be supplied from the host PC 300 via the interface (S3 in FIG. 2). The power supply pin in this interface is called VBUS.
[0050]
Here, if the VBUS is off (OFF in S3 in FIG. 2), it means that the host PC 300 is not in the operating state, so the control means 101 maintains the removable disk drive device 100 in the standby mode.
[0051]
Here, if VBUS is ON (ON in S3 in FIG. 2), it means that the host PC 300 is in an operating state, and the control unit 101 loads the recording medium 10 in the removable disk drive device 100. It is checked whether or not it is (S4 in FIG. 2).
[0052]
Here, if the recording medium 10 is not mounted (No in S4 in FIG. 2), it means that the host PC 300 is in operation but the removable disk drive 100 is not in operation. 101 keeps the removable disk drive device 100 in the standby mode.
[0053]
Then, referring to the detection result of the power supply detection unit 105 and the detection result of the recording medium detection unit 107, power can be supplied from the host PC 300 via the interface (ON in S3 in FIG. 2). When the recording medium 10 is mounted in the disk drive device 100 (S4 in FIG. 2), it means that the host PC 300 is in operation and the removable disk drive 100 is in operation. Therefore, the control unit 101 executes control for shifting the removable disk drive device to the operating state.
[0054]
Then, in the removable disk drive device 100, the normal read / write operation of the recording medium is executed based on the instruction from the host PC 300 (S6 in FIG. 2). At this time, the control unit 101 sets each unit of the removable disk drive device 100 to the “operation mode” and operates the whole unit with a normal operation clock. With such an operation in the operation mode, the power consumption is in a normal rated state.
[0055]
Further, in the removable disk drive device 100 which is in the operation mode under the control of the control means 101, the interface circuit 106 starts communication with the host PC 300 so that the host PC 300 recognizes the removable disk drive device 100. Become.
[0056]
That is, the icon of the removable disk drive device 100 is displayed on the display of the host PC 300. Therefore, when the recording medium 10 is mounted on the removable disk drive device 100 and the read / write operation of the recording medium 10 is actually performed, the removable disk drive device 100 is recognized on the host PC 300 side. Even when many drive devices are connected, erroneous recognition hardly occurs.
[0057]
Also in this operation mode, the control unit 101 refers to the detection result of the power supply detection unit 105 and checks whether power can be supplied from the host PC 300 via the VBUS of the interface (S7 in FIG. 2).
[0058]
Here, with reference to the detection result of the power supply detection unit 105 and the detection result of the recording medium detection unit 107, power can be supplied from the host PC 300 via the interface (ON in S7 in FIG. 2). When the recording medium 10 is mounted in the removable disk drive 100 (S9 in FIG. 2), it means that the host PC 300 is in operation and the removable disk drive 100 is in operation. Therefore, the control unit 101 maintains the operating state of the removable disk drive device.
[0059]
Here, if the VBUS is off (OFF in S7 in FIG. 2), it means that the host PC 300 has stopped operating, and the control unit 101 stops the recording medium 10 by spin-down processing. (S8 in FIG. 2). Then, the control unit 101 stops the interface circuit 106 of the removable disk drive device 100 (S10 in FIG. 2) to shift to the standby mode.
[0060]
If the VBUS is ON (S7 in FIG. 2), the control unit 101 checks whether the recording medium 10 is mounted in the removable disk drive 100 (S9 in FIG. 2).
[0061]
Further, if the recording medium 10 is not mounted due to ejection or the like (No in S9 of FIG. 2), the host PC 300 is in operation but the removable disk drive 100 is not in operation. This means that the control means 101 shifts to the standby mode by stopping the interface circuit 106 of the removable disk drive device 100 (S10 in FIG. 2).
[0062]
Further, in the removable disk drive device 100 which is in the standby mode under the control of the control means 101, the interface circuit 106 is stopped so that even when the host PC 300 is in the operating state, the removable disk drive device 100 is It is not recognized.
[0063]
That is, the icon of the removable disk drive device 100 disappears from the display on the host PC 300 side. For this reason, the recording medium 10 is removed from the removable disk drive device 100, and the removable disk drive device 100 is not used, and the removable disk drive device 100 is not recognized on the host PC 300 side. Even in such a case, erroneous recognition hardly occurs.
[0064]
As a result of the operation of the embodiment described above, automatic power control can be performed in accordance with the state of the external device such as the host PC and the state in which the recording medium is mounted, and when the recording medium is not mounted, Does not consume power even when connected to the host PC, so that power saving can be realized.
[0065]
If the removable disk drive device 100 includes a sensor as a writable / non-writable state detecting means for detecting a write permission / prohibition notch state provided on the recording medium 100, the control means 101 It is possible to use the detection result of the writable / impossible state detection means as the detection of the presence / absence of attachment. That is, if the sensor as the writable / non-writable state detecting means detects either the writing permission state or the writing prohibition state, the control means 101 can thereby recognize the mounting of the recording medium 10.
[0066]
By using the writable / non-writable state detecting means as a sensor of the recording medium detecting means in this manner, a dedicated sensor for detecting the recording medium is not required, and the port of the control means 101 is reduced, and depending on whether the recording medium is mounted or not. Power control can be performed.
[0067]
In addition, although the USB is a specific example of a bus configured to enable data transfer and power supply / reception with another device via a cable, the bus may be applied to another interface such as IEEE 1943. is there.
Further, the present embodiment is not limited to a magneto-optical (MO) disk or an optical disk that can be handled in an insertable / removable state, and the present embodiment can be applied to a removable disk drive device using various types of removable disks.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail with the embodiments, the present invention has the following effects.
[0069]
(1) In the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit refers to the detection result of the presence or absence of the recording medium by the recording medium detection unit, and if the recording medium is mounted in the removable disk drive device, the control unit The removable disk drive is controlled to an operating state, and if no recording medium is mounted in the removable disk drive, the removable disk drive is controlled to a standby state.
[0070]
As a result, automatic power control can be performed in accordance with the mounting of the recording medium, and when the recording medium is not mounted, no power is consumed even when the recording medium is connected to the host PC, thereby realizing power saving. be able to.
[0071]
(2) In the invention according to claim 2, the control unit refers to the detection result of the power supply detection unit and the detection result of the recording medium detection unit, and enters a state where power can be supplied from an external device via the interface. When a recording medium is mounted in the removable disk drive, the removable disk drive is controlled to an operating state. Further, when power cannot be supplied from an external device via the interface, or when the removable disk drive is controlled to be in a standby state and no recording medium is mounted in the removable disk drive. , The removable disk drive is controlled to be in a standby state.
[0072]
As a result, automatic power control can be performed in accordance with the state of an external device such as the host PC and the state of mounting the recording medium, and when no recording medium is mounted, the power can be controlled even when connected to the host PC. Since no consumption occurs, power saving can be achieved.
[0073]
(3) In the invention according to claim 3, in the above (1) or (2), an interface circuit for performing data transfer by a bus is provided, and the control means is provided when the removable disk drive device is set to an operating state. Puts the interface circuit into an operating state, and puts the interface circuit into a stopped state when the removable disk drive device is put into a standby state.
[0074]
As a result, an external device such as a host PC can recognize the removable disk drive when the recording medium is mounted, and cannot recognize the removable disk drive when the recording medium is not mounted. Become. Therefore, not only can automatic power control of the removable disk drive be performed, but also the host PC can recognize the removable disk drive only when it is used.
[0075]
(4) According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the use of the writable / non-writable state detecting means as the recording medium detecting means eliminates the need for a dedicated sensor for detecting the recording medium, and allows recording with the port of the control means reduced. Power supply control according to the presence or absence of the medium can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a removable disk drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation state according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining connection of a bus power system.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining connection of a self-power system.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Removable disk drive device
101 control means
102 External power supply terminal
103 Interface terminal
104 power supply means
105 Power supply detection means
106 Interface circuit
107 sensor (recording medium detecting means)
110 signal processing circuit
111 cache memory
120 Optical pickup
121 PU control circuit
122 read / write circuit
130 linear motor
131 Linear motor control circuit
140 spindle motor
141 Spindle motor control circuit

Claims (4)

A removable disk drive device equipped with a bus configured to allow data transfer and power supply transfer between other devices via a cable,
Recording medium detecting means for detecting whether or not a recording medium is mounted in the removable disk drive device;
Control means for controlling the operation state of each part,
The control unit refers to a detection result of the recording medium detection unit,
When a recording medium is mounted in the removable disk drive, the removable disk drive is controlled to an operating state, and when a recording medium is not mounted in the removable disk drive, the removable disk is controlled. Control the disk drive to standby,
A removable disk drive device, characterized in that: A removable disk drive device equipped with a bus configured to allow data transfer and power supply transfer between other devices via a cable,
Power supply detection means for detecting the presence or absence of power supply from an external device via the interface,
Recording medium detecting means for detecting whether or not a recording medium is mounted in the removable disk drive device;
Control means for controlling the operation state of each part,
The control unit refers to the detection result of the power supply detection unit and the detection result of the recording medium detection unit, and is in a state where power can be supplied from an external device via the interface. When a recording medium is mounted in the device, the removable disk drive device is controlled to an operating state, and when power cannot be supplied from an external device via the interface, the removable disk drive device is controlled. Controlling the drive device to a standby state, and when the recording medium is not mounted in the removable disk drive device, controlling the removable disk drive device to a standby state;
A removable disk drive device, characterized in that: An interface circuit for performing data transfer by the bus,
The control means sets the interface circuit to an operation state when the removable disk drive device is set to an operation state, and sets the interface circuit to a stop state when setting the removable disk drive device to a standby state.
3. The removable disk drive device according to claim 1, wherein: A write permission / inhibition state detection means for detecting a state of a write permission / prohibition notch provided in the recording medium,
The control means uses a detection result of the writable / non-writable state detection means as detection of whether or not the recording medium is mounted,
4. The removable disk drive device according to claim 1, wherein:

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