JP3914949B2 - USB storage device, control device thereof, and program for causing control device to execute - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a USB storage device that stores information using a semiconductor memory, a control device thereof, and a program executed by the control device .

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 .

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 .

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 a problem, and its purpose 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 read them from the OS, An object of the present invention is to provide a USB storage device that can be recognized as a device that can be written and deleted, or a device that can only read information, its control device, and a program that is executed by the control device . As a result, an object of the present invention is to provide a USB storage device or the like in which the 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 problem, includes a USB mass storage class driver of an external device connected to the USB storage device, and a flash memory provided in the USB storage device. N storage areas (N is an integer of 3 or more) each including at least one device that can both read and write information and a device that can only read information. Information to be recognized as a type of device is stored. Then, in response to the issuance of a command by the disk drive driver of the external device, information for causing the USB mass storage class driver of the external device to recognize is supplied to the USB mass storage class driver. This area includes at least one device that can both read and write information and a device that can only read information, and is recognized as one of the types of devices and received from the external device. When the command is an information read command, it causes the external device to recognize the device as a device capable of reading / writing and deleting information, or the external device as a device capable of only reading information This command can be used for any area. To run. And when there is a command for either writing or deleting information, if it is a command for an area recognized as a device capable of reading and writing and deleting information to the external device, this is executed. If the command is for an area recognized as a device that can only read information, the command is rejected.

For this reason, according to the control device of claim 1, a single USB storage device attached to the external device can be read from, written to, or deleted from the external device, or Any of the above-mentioned types of devices including at least one device that can only be read can be recognized as a device having a total of N devices (N is an integer of 3 or more) , and information can be read, written, and deleted Convenience increases compared to the case where only one device can be recognized.

Further, in the control device according to claim 2, whether or not to execute a command for writing or deleting information from the host, the format of the command target area is scheduled to write or delete information. Judgment is made based on the characteristic of whether or not it is a thing.
Therefore, if it is determined based on such characteristics, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not to execute the command for the area, and in the case of an unscheduled command, it is rejected to write or delete information. It is possible to prevent tampering / deletion of information stored in an area where no information is scheduled, and to protect the information simply and reliably.
The USB storage device according to claim 3, 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 is used by being connected to the storage device, wherein the storage area of the flash memory is defined by dividing the storage area into N areas (N is an integer of 3 or more), the external device, and the USB protocol And a control means for executing reading, writing, and deletion of information with respect to the storage means via the communication means. The control means (1) at least one device that can both read and write information and a device that can only read information in the N areas of the storage means including the flash memory. Information for allowing the USB mass storage class driver of the external device to recognize the device as any of the types of devices, and (2) in response to the command issued by the disk drive driver, the USB mass storage Supplying information for recognition to the class driver, the storage means area including at least one device that can both read and write information and a device that can only read information, and The USB mass storage class as any kind of device (3) When the command received from the external device is an information read command, the area recognized by the external device as a device capable of reading, writing, and deleting information or Execute this for any area that the external device recognizes as a device that can only read information, and the command received from the external device is a command for either writing or deleting information If this is a command for an area that the external device recognizes as a device that can read and write information and deletes it, this is executed, and for an area that is recognized as a device that can only read information If it is, it rejects the directive.

Therefore , according to the USB storage device of claim 3, a device capable of reading, writing, and deleting information from one USB storage device attached to the external device, or only reading of information is possible. Any of the above-mentioned types of devices including at least one device can be handled as a device having a total of N devices (N is an integer of 3 or more) , and can only be used as one device that can read, write, and delete information. Compared to the case where it cannot be handled , the convenience is further increased.

Further, the USB storage device according to claim 4 determines whether or not to execute a command for writing or deleting information, and whether or not the format of the command target area is scheduled to write or delete information. The control means determines based on the characteristics.
Therefore, if it is determined based on such characteristics, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not to execute the command for the command target area, and in the case of an unscheduled command, by rejecting the command, It is possible to prevent tampering / deletion of information stored in an area that is not scheduled to be deleted, and to protect the information easily and reliably.
The program according to claim 5 for solving the above-described problem is a program to be executed by a control device of a USB storage device, and (1) recognized by the OS in response to a command from the host. Notifying the number of at least two or more user-usable areas existing in the USB storage device to be performed, (2) notifying the format of each area, and (3) from the host to the area When there is an instruction to write or delete data, it is determined whether or not to execute the instruction based on whether or not the target area is configured in a format in which information is scheduled to be written and deleted Steps.
If such a program is executed by the control device of the USB storage device, the USB storage device is a device that can both read and write information to and delete from the external device, or a device that can only read information. Any of these types of devices can be recognized as a device having a total of two or more. Therefore, it is much more convenient than a case where it can be recognized as only one device that can read, write, and delete information. Furthermore, when at least one area is recognized by the host as a device that can only read information, it is determined that an instruction to write or delete information in the area cannot be executed and is stored in the area. Information can be prevented from being tampered with or deleted.

Incidentally, the number of areas of the USB storage device to be recognized by the OS may be notified as the number of logical units. In this case, the USB mass storage class driver of the host recognizes the USB storage device as one SCSI device having two logical units.

Further, the program may be configured to further include a step of executing reading, writing, or deletion of data based on the correspondence relationship between the logical block number and the physical block number of the target area (claim 7).
If this is the case, the block number specified by the host can be used as the logical block number, and information can be read from, written to, or deleted from the block specified by the physical block number corresponding to the logical block number, In the case where the storage unit of the USB storage device is configured by a flash memory, information can be reliably read, written, or deleted.

Further, the number to be notified as the number of user-usable areas existing in the USB storage device is 2, and the step of notifying the format includes an area configured in a disk format in which information can be read / written and deleted. A program may be characterized in that it is a step of notifying each format of an area constituted by a CD-ROM format from which information can only be read (claim 8).
If this is the case, the USB storage device is recognized as two types of devices: a disk device that can read and write information and delete information, and a CD-ROM device that can only read information. be able to.

  Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following examples, and can take various forms as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present 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 using 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, since the USB mass storage class driver 14 requests the number of logical unit numbers by the Get Max Logical Unit Number command, the USB storage device 17 sends information indicating that the number of logical unit numbers is 2 from the memory information storage unit 21c. Read and send 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. If not, 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. 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 show 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 imported 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.

  Further, 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 flow chart for explaining access processing. 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 conversion 19c: Packet generation and decomposition unit, 19d: USB bus power control unit, 21 ... Controller, 21a ... Memory control unit, 21b ... USB interface control unit, 21c ... Memory information storage unit, 21d ... LED control unit, 23 ... LED 25 ... Flash memory, 71 ... Inkjet printer, 73 ... MPU, 75 ... Print head, 77 ... Actuator, 81 ... Scanner, 83 ... MPU, 85 ... CCD, 87 ... Actuator.

Claims (8)

A control device mounted on a USB storage device,
In the USB mass storage class driver of an external device connected to the USB storage device, information on N areas (N is an integer of 3 or more) of storage means including a flash memory provided in the USB storage device is stored. Including at least one device that can both read and write and delete information and a device that can only read information, and stores information for recognizing the device as any one of the types,
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 the recognition, and the USB mass storage class driver is provided with an area of the storage means. Including at least one device that can both read and write information and a device that can only read information, and recognize the device as any one of the above types,
When the command received from the external device is an information read command, it is only possible to read the information to an area that the external device recognizes as a device that can read and write and delete information, or to the external device Execute this regardless of the command for any of the areas recognized as a valid device,
When there is a command for writing or deleting information, if it is a command for an area that the external device recognizes as a device capable of reading, writing, and deleting information, execute this command. A control device characterized by rejecting a command for a region recognized as a device that can only be read . Whether or not to execute a command for writing or deleting information is determined based on a characteristic of whether or not the format of the command target area is scheduled to be written and deleted. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control apparatus is characterized. A USB storage device which is controlled by a predetermined operation system and used by being connected to an external device having at least a disk drive driver, a USB mass storage class driver and a USB host controller,
A storage means defined by dividing the storage area of the flash memory into N areas (N is an integer of 3 or more);
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
(1) The N areas of the storage unit including the flash memory each include at least one device that can both read and write information and a device that can only read information. Stores information for recognizing the USB mass storage class driver of the external device as a type of device,
(2) In response to the issuance of a command by the disk drive driver, the USB mass storage class driver is supplied with information for recognition, and the storage unit area is read / written and deleted. Including at least one device capable of reading only information and a device capable of only reading information, and causing the USB mass storage class driver to recognize the device as any of the types of devices,
(3) When the command received from the external device is an information read command,
Execute this regardless of whether the external device recognizes the device as a device that can read / write / delete information or the external device recognizes the device as a device that can only read information If the command received from the external device is a command for either writing or deleting information, the command for the area recognized by the external device as a device capable of reading, writing, and deleting information. If it is for an area that is recognized as a device that can only read information, reject the command.
USB storage device characterized by The control means is configured to determine whether or not to execute a command for writing or deleting information based on a characteristic of whether or not the format of the command target area is scheduled to be written and deleted. The USB storage device according to claim 3. A program to be executed by a control device of a USB storage device,
In response to commands from the host,
(1) notifying the number of at least two or more user-usable areas existing in the USB storage device to be recognized by the OS;
(2) notifying the format of each area;
(3) When there is a command for writing or deleting data to or from the area from the host, the command is based on whether or not the target area is configured in a format in which information is written or deleted. Determining whether or not to execute
The program characterized by having. 6. The program according to claim 5, wherein the number of usable areas of the USB storage device to be recognized by the OS is notified as the number of logical units. 7. The program according to claim 5, further comprising a step of executing reading, writing or deletion of information based on a correspondence relationship between a logical block number and a physical block number of the target area. The number to be notified as the number of user-usable areas existing in the USB storage device is 2,
The step of notifying the format is a step of notifying the format of each of an area constituted by a disc format from which information can be read / written and deleted and an area constituted by a CD-ROM format from which information can only be read. The program according to claim 5, wherein the program is a program.

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