JP2005243046A5 - - Google Patents

Description

USB storage device and control device thereof

The present invention relates to a USB storage device that stores information using a semiconductor memory and a control device thereof .

In recent years, detachable USB storage devices that incorporate a flash memory, etc., have an interface based on the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, and realize a compact shape by integrating the USB connector part into the main body are widely known. (For example, Patent Document 1). Since such a USB storage device has a compact shape, it can be manufactured at low cost, and software such as commercials is written therein and used as a promotional product for a company.
In such a device, the flash memory is configured as one disk area from which information can be read, written and deleted, and from the OS of a host (also referred to as an “external device”) to which a USB storage device is attached and used. Has been recognized as having a single drive having a disk device capable of reading, writing and deleting information.
That is, there is no one that defines the flash memory divided into a plurality of areas and recognizes the plurality of areas as having a plurality of devices from the OS. In addition, there is no device that recognizes these plural areas as different types of devices from the OS.

Further, many such USB storage device, in order to prevent accidentally erased software, provided the physical switch, such as a write-protect switch, by switching the switch, reading, writing and erasing can be It is possible to switch between a simple state and a state in which only reading is possible. In some cases, a memory such as a ROM that cannot be rewritten is used so that writing and erasing cannot be performed completely.

  However, if the user cannot write information using a ROM or the like in this way, the purpose of use is limited and the usability is poor. In some cases, temporary functions and data cannot be written when the software is executed, and the function of the software itself is limited. On the other hand, when the above-described write protect switch is used, the write protect switch may be released due to a physical factor that the user is not aware of, and unintended writing or erasure may be performed.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, a technique as described in Patent Document 2 is considered. This is a hybrid configuration in which a rewritable prohibited area and a read prohibited area are virtually provided for a rewritable portable medium.
However, in a USB storage device, the flash memory is defined by dividing it into multiple areas, one of which is a device that can read, write, and delete information, and at least one other area can only read information There is nothing that makes the OS recognize it as a new device.
JP 2000-259275 A JP-A-10-289159

By the way , when considering applying the technique described in Patent Document 2 to a USB storage device, the following method is conceivable as a specific implementation method.
One is a method realized by providing a USB storage device internally with two USB storage devices (of which one USB storage device restricts deletion and writing) and a hub connected to them. However, such a USB storage device has a problem that the configuration is complicated because it has substantially two USB storage devices inside. In addition, when a USB storage device is connected, the host first recognizes it as a HUB device, and after that, it is necessary to initialize mass storage class drivers for the number of built-in USB storage devices. There was also a problem that processing took time.

One method is also conceivable by increasing the number of endpoints in the USB standard. However, when such a method is used, as many FIFO buffers as the number of endpoints are required for the controller provided in the USB storage device. Recently, there is also a controller that uses a technique called a virtual endpoint that does not implement many FIFO buffers. However, in any case, the controller becomes complicated and causes an increase in cost.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a first object of the invention is to define a storage unit composed of a flash memory of a USB storage device divided into a plurality of areas, which are independent of the OS. An object of the present invention is to provide a USB storage device that can be recognized as a device and its controller (control device).
A second object of the present invention is to define a storage unit composed of a flash memory of a USB storage device by dividing it into a plurality of areas, and to recognize these as different types of devices from the OS and its controller (Control device) is to be provided.
A third object of the present invention is to define a storage unit composed of a flash memory of a USB storage device as being divided into a plurality of areas, which are defined as a device that can read, write, and delete information from the OS, It is an object of the present invention to provide a USB storage device and its controller (control device) that can be recognized as devices that can only be read. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a USB storage device and a control device thereof in which a function of preventing stored software from being accidentally erased is realized with a configuration as simple as possible.

The control device according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above-described problem, has the first and second areas of the storage unit including the flash memory provided in the USB storage device in which the USB storage device is mounted. Information for causing the USB mass storage class driver of the external device used to be recognized as an independent device is stored. In response to the issuance of a command by the disk drive driver of the external device, the USB mass storage class driver of the external device is supplied with information for recognition, and the control device is mounted on the USB mass storage class driver. The first and second areas of the USB storage device are recognized as independent devices, and the first and second areas are determined based on a command received from an external device and the information to be recognized. The access processing permitted for each is executed.

For this reason, the user can handle one USB storage device attached to the external device as a plurality of devices, and convenience is increased compared to a case where the user can recognize only one device. In this case, the information related to one of the “information for recognizing each device as an independent device” is configured with information for recognizing the device as a device that can only read information, and is deleted by mistake. that when the offending software, are stored in the area corresponding to the device you fluff control device, because it does not execute the command, even when receiving the deletion command to the aforementioned areas from an external device (e.g., personal computer) The software can be prevented from being deleted or modified.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the control device according to claim 2, wherein the USB storage device mounts the first and second areas of the storage unit including the flash memory provided in the USB storage device. Then, information for causing each of the USB mass storage class drivers of the external devices to be recognized to be recognized as different types of devices is stored. In response to the issuance of a command by the disk drive driver of the external device, the USB mass storage class driver of the external device is supplied with information for recognition, and the control device is mounted on the USB mass storage class driver. The first and second areas of the USB storage device are recognized as different types of devices, and the first and second areas are determined based on a command received from an external device and the information for the recognition. The access processing permitted for each is executed.

For this reason, one USB storage device attached to an external device can be handled as a plurality of different types of devices, and can only be recognized as one device or can be recognized as a plurality of devices of the same type. Compared to the case where it is not possible, the convenience is further increased.

Note that the “information for recognizing each different type of device” is, in particular, reading the first area from the USB mass storage class driver of the external device to which the USB storage device is attached, The device may be information that allows the second area to be recognized as a device that can only read information as a device that can be written and deleted. Then, in response to the issuance of the command by the disk drive driver of the external device, the control device supplies information for causing the USB mass storage class driver of the external device to perform the recognition, and controls the USB mass storage class driver. The first area of the USB storage device on which the device is mounted is recognized as a device that can read, write, and delete information, and the second area is recognized as a device that can only read information and is received from an external device. The information is read, written and deleted for the first area, and only the information is read for the second area based on the command and the information for recognition. (Claim 3).

In this case, the OS recognizes the first area as a device that can read, write, and delete information, and the second area as a device that can only read information. Therefore, the user can freely read, write, and delete information from the first area as a disk device. On the other hand, the software stored in the second area is deleted or altered because the control device does not execute the information in the second area even if there is a command to write or delete information. Can be prevented.

The USB storage device according to claim 4, which has been made to solve the above-described problem, is controlled by a predetermined operation system and includes at least a disk drive driver, a USB mass storage class driver, and a USB host controller. A USB storage device that can be attached to and detached from the storage device, wherein the storage area of the flash memory is defined by dividing the storage area into a first area and a second area, and communication based on the USB protocol with an external device And a control unit that executes reading, writing, and deletion of information with respect to the storage unit via the communication unit. The control means stores information for causing the USB mass storage class driver to recognize the first and second areas as independent devices, and information for causing the USB mass storage class driver to recognize the first area and the second area according to a command from the disk drive driver. Is supplied to the USB mass storage class driver so that the USB mass storage class driver recognizes each area of the USB storage device as an independent device and also recognizes it as a command received from an external device. Based on the above, the permitted access processing is executed for each of the first area and the second area.

The USB storage device according to claim 5, which has been made to solve the above problem, is controlled by a predetermined operation system and includes at least a disk drive driver, a USB mass storage class driver, and a USB host controller. A USB storage device that can be attached to and detached from the storage device, wherein the storage area of the flash memory is defined by dividing the storage area into a first area and a second area, and communication based on the USB protocol with an external device And a control unit that executes reading, writing, and deletion of information with respect to the storage unit via the communication unit. The control means stores information for causing the USB mass storage class driver to recognize the first and second areas as different types of devices, and for recognizing the information in accordance with a command from the disk drive driver. The information is supplied to the USB mass storage class driver so that the USB mass storage class driver recognizes each area of the USB storage device as a different type of device, and the command received from the external device and the recognition On the basis of the information to be executed, the access processing permitted for each of the first area and the second area is executed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the USB storage device according to the sixth aspect, the information to be recognized is transferred from the first area to the USB mass storage class driver of the external device to which the USB storage device is attached. This is information that allows the second area to be recognized as a device that can only read information as a device that can read, write, and delete. Then, in response to issuance of a command by the disk drive driver of the external device, the control means supplies information for causing the USB mass storage class driver of the external device to recognize the control, and controls the USB mass storage class driver for the control. The first area of the USB storage device on which the device is mounted is recognized as a device that can read, write, and delete information, and the second area is recognized as a device that can only read information and is received from an external device. The information is read, written and deleted for the first area, and only the information is read for the second area based on the command and the information for recognition. .

Each of the USB storage devices according to the fourth to sixth aspects has the same effect as the control apparatus according to the first to third aspects.

Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the flash memory as the storage means of the USB storage device is defined by dividing it into first and second areas, and the first area is a disk device that can read, write, and delete information. An example in which the OS recognizes the second area as a CD-ROM device that can only read information will be described. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following examples. Various forms can be adopted as long as they belong to the technical scope of the invention.

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a USB storage device 17 (corresponding to a USB storage device described in claims) and a host 11 (corresponding to an external device described in claims) according to the first embodiment. FIG.

(1) Host 11
The host 11 is a generally well-known personal computer, and includes an operation system 12, a disk drive driver 13, and a USB mass storage class driver 14 as software, and at least a USB host controller 15 as hardware.

  The operation system 12 is software that comprehensively controls the host 11, and includes, for example, Windows (registered trademark), Mac OS X (registered trademark), and the like. The disk drive driver 13 converts the access command or the like to the storage device received from the operation system 12 into a SCSI command after passing it to the USB mass storage class driver 14 and receives the command or the like from the USB mass storage class driver 14 to the operation system 12. hand over. The USB mass storage class driver 14 controls the USB host controller 15. The USB host controller 15 includes a USB connector (not shown), and is connected to a USB connector of another device through a cable so that communication based on the USB standard can be performed. The host 11 is not limited to a personal computer, and may be a PDA, a mobile phone, or the like as long as it is a device that can perform communication based on the USB standard.

(2) USB storage device 17
The USB storage device 17 includes a USB interface 19, a controller 21, an LED 23, and a flash memory 25.

(2-1) USB interface 19
The USB interface 19 corresponds to communication means described in the claims, and has a function of communicating with the host 11 via the USB bus 16. The USB interface 19 includes a packet transmission / reception unit 19a, a serial / parallel conversion unit 19b, a packet generation / decomposition unit 19c, and a USB bus power control unit 19d. The packet transmitting / receiving unit 19a is connected to a USB connector (not shown) and transmits / receives a packet based on the USB standard. The serial / parallel converter 19b mutually converts serial data and parallel data. The packet generation / decomposition unit 19c generates a packet for communicating with the host 11 and decomposes the packet to extract data. The USB bus power control unit 19 d performs management of power supplied from the host 11 and distribution of power to each part of the USB storage device 17.

(2-2) Controller 21
The controller 21 corresponds to the control means described in the claims, and includes a memory control unit 21a, a USB interface control unit 21b, a memory information storage unit 21c, and an LED control unit 21d. The memory control unit 21 a executes data reading, writing, and deletion with respect to the flash memory 25. The USB interface control unit 21b controls each unit of the USB interface 19 described above. The memory information storage unit 21 c stores information regarding the area of the flash memory 25. This information will be described with reference to the data example of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the memory information storage unit 21 c includes a logical unit number 31, a format 33, a write deletion enable / disable flag 35, a logical block number 37, and a physical block number 39. The logical unit number 31 is a number for identifying a logical unit, and “0” and “1” exist. The format 33 corresponds to the logical unit number 31 and represents the format of the logical unit. In the data example, the logical unit number “0” is in the “FAT” format, and the logical unit number “1” is in the “ISO9660” format. The write / deletability flag 35 corresponds to the logical unit number 31 and is a flag that indicates whether or not information can be written to and deleted from the logical unit. In the data example, the logical unit number “0” is “permitted” and the logical unit number “1” is “impossible”. The logical block number 37 is a block number designated by the host 11 and is defined for each logical unit.

  As described above, the correspondence between the physical block number 39, which is the actual block number of the flash memory 25, and the logical block number 37 is managed by the memory control unit 21a. For this reason, the physical block number 39 and the logical block number 37 can be freely associated with each other. Further, the format of the logical unit number “0” may be ISO9660, and the format of the logical unit number “1” may be FAT. Further, the number of logical units may be further increased so that they can be used properly depending on users and applications.

(2-3) LED23
Returning to FIG. 1, the LED 23 is a light-emitting body that is lit when information is read from, written to, or deleted from the flash memory 25. This is to indicate to the user that information is being read from, written to, and deleted from the flash memory 25, and to prevent the USB storage device 17 from being removed from the host 11 during these operations.

(2-4) Flash memory 25
The flash memory 25 is a semiconductor memory that does not require a memory holding operation, and can store data. The stored data can be read out by the memory control unit 21a. Further, writing and deletion can be performed by the memory control unit 21a. The flash memory 25 corresponds to storage means described in the claims.

(A) Activation Process The activation process executed based on the program by the controller 21 of the USB storage device 17 when the USB storage device 17 is connected to the host 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This activation process is started when the USB storage device 17 is connected to the host 11 to supply power to the USB bus power control unit 19d, and when the enumeration process is executed on the host 11 side.

  When the activation process is started, device information called a descriptor (such as the maximum packet size of the default pipe) is transmitted to the host 11 in response to a command from the host 11 (S110).

  Next, the address of the USB storage device 17 is set according to a command from the host 11 (S115). Thereafter, the USB storage device 17 acquires only the frame addressed to this address.

Next, more detailed device information is transmitted to the host 11 (S120). The device information includes information regarding end points, classes, subclasses, protocols, and the like.
As a result, the USB mass storage class driver 14 is activated in the host 11, and an access path for controlling the USB host controller 15 through the disk drive driver 13 and the USB mass storage class driver 14 from application software (not shown) is created. The disk drive driver 13 is a driver that has been inherited since the MS-DOS (registered trademark) era, and has accumulated many years of technology and is a driver that can obtain stable operation.

Subsequently, the USB mass storage class driver 14 is operated by Get Max Logical.
In order to request the number of logical unit numbers by the Unit Number command, the USB storage device 17 reads information indicating that the number of logical unit numbers is 2 from the memory information storage unit 21 c and transmits the information to the host 11. Further, since the disk drive driver 13 issues an INQUIRY command, the USB storage device 17 reads information on the format of the logical unit from the memory information storage unit 21 c and transmits it to the host 11. As a result, the host 11 recognizes the USB storage device 17 as a device having an area with a logical unit number “0” composed of the FAT format and an area with a logical unit number “1” composed of the ISO9660 format.

When communication with the host 11 is established, the flash memory 25 is enabled (S125), and the activation process is terminated.
In Windows (registered trademark), autorun.com stored in the root directory of a storage medium when the storage medium is inserted or when the storage medium is connected. Since it has a function of executing the application software designated in the file named “inf”, if the file is stored in the area of the logical unit number “1” of the flash memory 25, the USB storage device 17 Specific software can be automatically executed when is installed in the host 11.

  If this is the case, even if the user is unfamiliar with the operation of the host 11, the specific application software is automatically executed just by attaching the USB storage device 17. In this case, the application software responsible for the sales promotion can be surely executed, and the sales promotion effect is enhanced.

(B) Access processing When various software operating in the host 11 sends execution commands for writing, reading, and deleting data to the USB storage device 17, the USB storage device controller 21 executes it based on the program. The access processing to be performed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in S210, the process branches depending on the type of command received from the host 11. If it is a write or delete command, the process proceeds to S215. If not, that is, if it is a read command, the process proceeds to S250.

  In S215, the process branches depending on whether the write or delete command is for the logical unit number “1”. That is, the process branches depending on whether or not the logical unit can be written and deleted. If it is for the logical unit number “1”, the process proceeds to S245; otherwise, that is, if it is a command for the logical unit number “0”, the process proceeds to S220.

  In S220, the LED 23 is turned on. In subsequent S225, data is written to the block of the flash memory 25 designated by the host 11. Alternatively, the data in the block of the flash memory 25 designated by the host 11 is deleted. When executing writing or deletion, the block number designated by the host 11 is set as the logical block number 37 using information on the area of the flash memory 25 stored in the memory information storage unit 21c (see FIG. 2). Data is written to and deleted from the block of the flash memory 25 specified by the physical block number 39 corresponding to the logical block number 37.

  In subsequent S230, the LED 23 is turned off. Then, in S235, the process branches depending on whether or not the process of S225 is normally completed. If it has been completed normally, the access process is terminated, and if it has not been completed normally, the process proceeds to S240.

In S240, the host 11 is notified that the process in S225 has not been completed normally, and the access process is terminated.
On the other hand, in S 245 which proceeds when it is determined in S 215 that the write or delete command is a command for the logical unit number “1”, the host 11 is notified that an error has occurred as a non-permitted command.

  In S250, which is determined to have been a read command in S210, the LED 23 is turned on. In the subsequent S255, the block data of the flash memory 25 designated by the host 11 is read, and the read data is sent to the host 11. When data is read, information on the area of the flash memory 25 stored in the memory information storage unit 21c (see FIG. 2) is used, and the block number designated by the host 11 is used as the logical block number 37 to determine the logical block. Data is read from the block of the flash memory 25 specified by the physical block number 39 corresponding to the number 37.

  In subsequent S260, the LED 23 is turned off. In S265, the process branches depending on whether the process of S255 is normally completed. If it has been completed normally, the access process is terminated. If it has not been completed normally, the process proceeds to S270.

In S270, the host 11 is notified and notified that the process of S255 has not been completed normally, and the access process is terminated.
Since the access process is executed in this way, for example, when the USB storage device 17 is used as a sales promotion product, if the problematic software is stored in the area of the logical unit number “1” if it is deleted by mistake, The software can be prevented from being erased.

Further, the USB storage device 17 converts the area of the logical unit number “0” and the area of the logical unit number “1” as the areas corresponding to the logical unit numbers defined in the SCSI command set of the USB mass storage class driver 14. Information for causing the mass storage class driver to recognize is held in the memory information storage unit 21c. For this reason, the USB mass storage class driver 14 recognizes the USB storage device 17 as one SCSI device having two logical units.

  Therefore, the controller 21 can be simplified as compared with the case where such management of the area is realized by increasing the number of endpoints in the USB standard. This is because the controller 21 needs to have FIFO buffers as many as the number of endpoints. Also, the USB storage device 17 has a simple configuration compared to a method in which the USB storage device 17 is implemented by incorporating two types of USB storage devices and a hub connected to them. In the case of the USB storage device 17, since the host 11 only needs to initialize the USB mass storage class driver 14 once, the time until the host 11 recognizes the USB storage device 17 is short. In addition, since the operation system of the host 11 can manage the USB storage device 17 as one SCSI device having two areas, it can execute various processes in a simplified manner compared to the case of managing a plurality of devices, and the operation is also stable. To do.

(C) Initialization process The initialization process is performed by the initialization software executed on the host 11 for the purpose of initialization by the manufacturer or seller of the USB storage device 17 (hereinafter referred to as “specific user”). When a write button 66 described later is pressed, the controller 21 of the USB storage device 17 executes the program based on the program.

  Before describing the initialization process, initialization software executed on the host 11 will be described using the operation screen 51 of FIG. On the operation screen 51, a specific user can set various parameters related to the USB storage device 17.

  The text box 53 corresponds to the logical unit number “0”, and is a text box for inputting the capacity of an area (disk area) where information can be read, written and deleted. The text box 55 corresponds to the logical unit number “1”, and is a text box for inputting the capacity of an area (CD-ROM area) where only reading of information can be executed. The specific user has to input so that the sum of the values input in the text box 53 and the text box 55 becomes 16 or less which is the total capacity.

  The text box 57 is a text box for inputting a serial number defined by the USB standard. The host 11 can identify the device by this serial number.

  The text box 59 is a text box for inputting a unique ID. The unique ID is not defined in the USB standard, but is unique to the USB storage device 17 of the present embodiment. By using this unique ID as a license key, unauthorized activation of content by unauthorized copying or the like Can be used for prevention, or the unique ID can be used for an authentication key or a service for members. The unique ID is hexadecimal data of 16 bytes or more and 612 bytes or less. The operation screen 51 is configured to sequentially display data that cannot be displayed by pressing the up and down buttons at the right end of the text box 59.

  The text box 61 is a text box for inputting a file name to be written in the CD-ROM area. It may be possible to input file names of a plurality of files.

  The reference button 63 is a button for displaying a dialog box that supports the input of a file name in the text box 61. When a specific user selects a file name from the displayed dialog box, the selected file is displayed in the text box 61.

  The format selection button 64 is a button for displaying a dialog box for selecting the format of the CD image data. Either ISO 9660 or HFS format can be selected from the displayed dialog box.

The write button 66 is a button for starting a process of writing the setting information set by the specific user on the operation screen 51 to the USB storage device 17.
The cancel button 67 is a button for closing the operation screen 51 without writing the setting information set by the specific user on the operation screen 51 to the USB storage device 17.

  Next, initialization processing executed by the controller 21 of the USB storage device 17 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the execution is started, first, setting information sent from the host 11 is received (S310). This setting information is the setting information set on the operation screen 51 described above. Next, the data in the memory information storage unit 21c is updated based on the received setting information (S315).

  Subsequently, based on the received setting information, data is written in the area of the logical unit number “1” of the flash memory 25 (S320), and the initialization process ends. Originally, data cannot be written in the area of the logical unit number “1”, but it can be written only in the initialization process. The data to be written is a file set in the text box 61 described above (see FIG. 5).

  By such initialization processing, it is possible to change the capacity of the area, set the serial number, set the unique ID, or store the file in the CD-ROM area in advance according to the circumstances of the specific user. .

[Example 2]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the inkjet printer 71 (corresponding to the USB storage device described in claims) and the host 11 (corresponding to the external device described in claims) according to the second embodiment. FIG. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

The ink jet printer 71 includes a USB interface 19, a controller 21, a flash memory 25, an MPU 73, a print head 75, and an actuator 77. Among these, the USB interface 19 corresponds to communication means described in the claims, the controller 21 corresponds to control means, and the flash memory 25 corresponds to storage means .

  The MPU 73 communicates with the host 11 via the USB interface 19 and the controller 21 and controls the operations of the print head 75 and the actuator 77 based on information from various sensors (not shown). In the second embodiment, the controller 21 and the MPU 73 are configured separately, but some and all of these functions may be transferred to the MPU 73.

The print head 75 has ink nozzles, and can eject ink of a predetermined color from the ink nozzles to fix the ink on the printing paper.
The actuator 77 includes a feed roller motor, a paper feed roller motor, a print head drive motor, and the like (not shown). By appropriately operating these, the position of the print paper and the positional relationship of the print head 75 are adjusted to obtain a desired one. Make print results available.

  Application software for handling data to be printed by the host 11 is stored in advance in the area (CD-ROM area) of the logical unit number “1” of the flash memory 25, and the host 11 has such application software. Even if not, it can be used by reading from the CD-ROM area of the flash memory 25.

  On the other hand, conventionally, when the host 11 does not have a driver program that provides a printing function, print management software, or the like, it is separately acquired from a medium such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk or downloaded from the Internet or the like. Had to be installed. For this reason, it is difficult to import a PDA or the like that does not normally have a CD-ROM or a flexible disk drive from those media. In this respect, the ink jet printer 71 according to the second embodiment has an advantageous effect as compared with the related art.

  In addition, since the application software is stored in the CD-ROM area of the flash memory 25, there is no possibility that it will be accidentally erased by the end user. In addition, by storing print data for printing in the disk area (area of logical unit number “0”), it becomes possible to share the print data among a plurality of hosts 11 via the disk area. Also in this respect, the ink jet printer 71 according to the second embodiment has an advantageous effect as compared with the related art.

  Further, if the unique ID as described in the first embodiment is implemented and the unique ID is used as an authentication key, only a specific user can use the inkjet printer 71, or only a specific user can use the CD. -Application software stored in the ROM area can be used.

[Example 3]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the scanner 81 (corresponding to the USB storage device described in the claims) and the host 11 (corresponding to the external device described in the claims) of the third embodiment. It is. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

The scanner 81 includes a USB interface 19, a controller 21, a flash memory 25, an MPU 83, a CCD 85, and an actuator 97. Among these, the USB interface 19 corresponds to communication means described in the claims, the controller 21 corresponds to control means, and the flash memory 25 corresponds to storage means .

  The MPU 83 communicates with the host 11 via the USB interface 19 and the controller 21 and controls the operations of the CCD 85 and the actuator 87. In the third embodiment, the controller 21 and the MPU 83 are configured separately. However, part and all of these functions may be shared by the MPU 83.

The CCD 85 is a semiconductor element that converts optical information into an electrical signal, and can read and output an arbitrary object as image data.
The actuator 87 is composed of a light source drive motor, a CCD drive motor, and the like (not shown), and by appropriately operating these, image data in a desired range of an arbitrary object can be obtained.

  In the area (CD-ROM area) of the logical unit number “1” of the flash memory 25, application software for handling the data to be processed by the host 11 is stored in advance, and the host 11 has such application software. Even if not, it can be used by reading from the CD-ROM area of the flash memory 25.

On the other hand, conventionally, if the host 11 does not have a driver program that provides the control function of the scanner 81, image data processing software, or the like, is it separately fetched from a medium such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk? It was necessary to download and install from the Internet. Therefore, in a PDA or the like that does not normally have a CD-ROM or a flexible disk drive, it is difficult to import from those media. In this respect, the scanner 81 according to the third embodiment has an advantageous effect as compared with the related art.

  In addition, since the application software is stored in the CD-ROM area of the flash memory 25, there is no possibility that it will be accidentally erased by the end user, and image data is stored in the disk area (logical unit number “0” area). , The image data can be shared by a plurality of hosts 11 via the disk area. Also in this respect, the scanner 81 according to the third embodiment has an advantageous effect as compared with the related art.

Although three embodiments have been described above, other embodiments will be described.
The technical ideas of the ink jet printer 71 of the second embodiment and the scanner 81 of the third embodiment may be applied to other devices having a USB interface. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to digital cameras, portable terminals, speakers, keyboards, mice, modem devices, handsets, card adapters, and the like. Even if it applies to these, the effect similar to the said Example is acquired.

  In addition, the operation screen 51 (see FIG. 5) of the first embodiment can select either ISO9660 or HFS as the format of the CD image data, but further, Audio CD, CD TEXT, Mixed CD. , Enhanced CD, video CD, bootable CD, and other formats can be selected. As the recording method, a method such as disk-at-once, track-at-once, session-at-once, or packet write may be designated.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the USB storage device of an Example. It is an example of the data memorize | stored in the memory information storage part. It is a flowchart for demonstrating starting processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an access process. It is a screen example for demonstrating the operation screen of initialization software. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the initialization process. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the inkjet printer of an Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the scanner of an Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Host, 12 ... Operation system, 13 ... Disk drive driver, 14 ... USB mass storage class driver, 15 ... USB host controller, 16 ... USB bus, 17 ... USB storage device, 19a ... USB interface, 19b
... Serial / parallel converter, 19c ... Packet generation / disassembly part, 19d ... USB bus power control part, 21 ... Controller, 21a ... Memory control part, 21b ... USB interface control part, 21c ... Memory information storage part, 21d ... LED control part 23 ... LED, 25 ... flash memory, 71 ... inkjet printer, 73 ... MPU, 75 ... print head, 77 ... actuator, 81 ... scanner, 83 ... MPU, 85 ... CCD, 87 ... actuator.

Claims (6)

A control device mounted on a USB storage device,
Recognizing the first and second areas of the storage means consisting of flash memory provided in the USB storage device as independent devices to the USB mass storage class driver of the external device to which the USB storage device is attached Memorize information for
In response to issuance of a command by the disk drive driver of the external device, the USB mass storage class driver of the external device is supplied with information for recognition, and the control device is mounted on the USB mass storage class driver. And recognizing the first and second areas of the USB storage device as independent devices,
A control device that executes an allowed access process for each of the first and second areas based on a command received from the external device and the information for recognition. A control device mounted on a USB storage device,
The first and second areas of the storage means composed of the flash memory provided in the USB storage device are different types of devices from the USB mass storage class driver of the external device to which the USB storage device is attached and used. Memorize information to make it recognize as
In response to issuance of a command by the disk drive driver of the external device, the USB mass storage class driver of the external device is supplied with information for recognition, and the control device is mounted on the USB mass storage class driver. Recognizing the first and second areas of the USB storage device as different types of devices,
A control device that executes an allowed access process for each of the first and second areas based on a command received from the external device and the information for recognition. The information for recognition is
For the USB mass storage class driver of the external device that is used with the USB storage device attached, the first area can be used as a device that can read, write, and delete information, and the second area can only be read. Information that can be recognized as a
The control device includes:
In response to issuance of a command by the disk drive driver of the external device, the USB mass storage class driver of the external device is supplied with information for recognition, and the control device is mounted on the USB mass storage class driver. The first area of the USB storage device that has been made is recognized as a device that can read, write, and delete information, and the second area is recognized as a device that can only read information,
Based on the command received from the external device and the information for recognition, information is read from, written to, and deleted from the first area, and information is read from the second area. The control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein only the reading is executed. A USB storage device controlled by a predetermined operation system and attachable to and detachable from an external device including at least a disk drive driver, a USB mass storage class driver, and a USB host controller,
A storage means that defines a storage area of the flash memory as being divided into a first area and a second area;
A communication means for performing communication based on the USB protocol with the external device;
Control means for reading, writing, and deleting information from the storage means via the communication means;
With
The control means includes
Storing information for causing the USB mass storage class driver to recognize the first and second areas as independent devices;
In accordance with a command from the disk drive driver, information for recognition is supplied to the USB mass storage class driver, and each area of the USB storage device is set as an independent device to the USB mass storage class driver. As well as
A USB that executes an allowed access process for each of the first area and the second area based on a command received from the external device and the information for recognition. Storage device. A USB storage device controlled by a predetermined operation system and attachable to and detachable from an external device including at least a disk drive driver, a USB mass storage class driver, and a USB host controller,
A storage means that defines a storage area of the flash memory as being divided into a first area and a second area;
A communication means for performing communication based on the USB protocol with the external device;
Control means for reading, writing, and deleting information from the storage means via the communication means;
With
The control means includes
Storing information for causing the USB mass storage class driver to recognize the first and second areas as different types of devices,
According to a command from the disk drive driver, the information for recognition is supplied to the USB mass storage class driver, and each area of the USB storage device is assigned to the USB mass storage class driver. As well as
A USB that executes an allowed access process for each of the first area and the second area based on a command received from the external device and the information for recognition. Storage device. The information for recognition is
For the USB mass storage class driver of the external device that is used with the USB storage device attached, the first area can be used as a device that can read, write, and delete information, and the second area can only be read. Information that can be recognized as a
The control means includes
In response to issuance of a command by the disk drive driver of the external device, the USB mass storage class driver of the external device is supplied with information for recognition, and the control device is mounted on the USB mass storage class driver. The first area of the USB storage device that has been made is recognized as a device that can read, write, and delete information, and the second area is recognized as a device that can only read information,
Based on the command received from the external device and the information for recognition, information is read from, written to, and deleted from the first area, and information is read from the second area. 6. The USB storage device according to claim 5, wherein only the reading is executed.