JPH07320010A - Storage medium holder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a storage medium holder which can increase the convenience of use of a storage medium by increasing the function of the storage medium holder which has had only a function for merely storing the storage medium. CONSTITUTION:Once a memory card 2 is held in the holder part 1a of the memory card holder, a card insertion detection part 53 detects the insertion of the card 2. A display control part 55 displays attribute information obtained from a card attribute detection part 54 on a display screen 56. Further, a control part 51 controls the operation of an access part 50 to read and write data out of and to the memory card 2, erase data from the card 2, and move data between cards 2. Further, data are sent to and received from an external equipment by controlling a data input/output interface 63 and the respective parts of the holder are controlled on the basis of the control signal obtained from the external equipment.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a storage medium when it is not used,
The present invention relates to a storage medium holder that stores a storage medium when it is carried.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional storage medium holder for storing a storage medium such as a memory card when the storage medium is not in use or carried, is formed of a plastic box or the like for the main purpose of dustproof and dripproof. Was configured.

[0003]

However, in the conventional storage medium holder, if the storage medium stored therein is once mounted in the recording / reproducing apparatus and the information in the storage medium is not read out, the data of each storage medium is read. I did not know the presence or absence, contents, remaining capacity of storage capacity, presence or absence of write protection, etc.
Therefore, it takes time and effort to find a storage medium to be used, and a storage medium different from the storage medium intended by the user is used, or data in the storage medium is lost due to misuse of the storage medium. There was a problem of breaking it. On the other hand, it is convenient if the data in the storage medium stored in the holder can be organized so that the data can be easily used when the storage medium is not used or when it is carried.

Therefore, the present invention provides a storage medium holder capable of enhancing the convenience of use of the storage medium by improving the functionality of the storage medium holder, which conventionally has only the function of accommodating the storage medium. With the goal.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium holder for accommodating a storage medium, comprising: a holder portion detachably holding the storage medium; and a storage medium held by the holder portion. It is characterized in that it has an information acquisition means for obtaining information on a storage medium and a display means for displaying the information obtained by the information acquisition means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a selecting means for selecting whether to display the information regarding all the storage media held in the holder portion or the information regarding the designated storage medium, and the selecting means. It is characterized in that a control means for controlling the information acquisition means and the display means is further provided according to the selection by.

The invention according to claim 3 is further characterized by further comprising display control means for displaying the information obtained by the information acquisition means in a figure dividing the display area of the display means for each storage medium. It is a thing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a storage medium holder for storing a storage medium, data for moving data between a holder portion detachably holding the storage medium and the storage medium held by the holder portion. It is characterized by having a moving means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the priority order setting means for setting the priority order for the storage medium held in the holder portion, and the priority order setting means at the time of data movement by the data movement means. It is characterized in that a control means for moving data between the storage media according to the set priority is further provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for selecting whether to perform data movement by the data movement means automatically when the storage medium is held in the holder portion or after waiting for a user's instruction. It is characterized by further comprising a selecting means and a control means for controlling the data movement by the data moving means according to the selection by the selecting means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a data movement prohibiting means for prohibiting the data movement is further provided for a storage medium in which writing is prohibited among the storage media held in the holder portion. It is a feature.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, an instruction means for instructing the data to be moved by the data moving means and a storage medium to which the data is moved, and data between the storage media according to the instruction of the instructing means. It is characterized in that a control means for performing the movement is further provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in a storage medium holder for storing a storage medium, a holder portion detachably holding the storage medium and data stored in the storage medium held by the holder portion And a data erasing means for erasing the data designated by the above-mentioned designating means.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in a storage medium holder for accommodating a storage medium, a holder portion that detachably holds the storage medium, and an access for reading data from the storage medium held by the holder portion. Means and
And a communication unit for transmitting the data read from the storage medium by the access unit to an external device.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in a storage medium holder for accommodating a storage medium, a holder portion detachably holding the storage medium, and writing and reading of data with respect to the storage medium held by the holder portion. Based on a control signal obtained from the external device, an access unit for performing communication with an external device, writing of data transmitted from the external device to the storage medium and from the storage medium. And a control means for controlling the transmission of the read data to the external device.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the storage medium is a flash memory card.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the storage medium is SR.
It is characterized by being an AM memory card.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the storage medium is EE.
It is a PROM memory card.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the storage medium is a DR.
It is characterized by being an AM memory card.

[0020]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the information acquiring means is, for example, the storage capacity of the data, the data content, the file name, the date, the owner, the write prohibition, the used capacity, the capacity of the storage medium held in the holder. The information such as the remaining amount is obtained, and the obtained information is displayed on the display means. Therefore, the user can easily find the storage medium intended to be used by looking at the displayed information, and prevent misuse of the storage medium and protect the data.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the information about all the storage media or the designated storage media is displayed on the display means in accordance with the selection by the selection means. Therefore, the user can store the desired storage as necessary. Information such as the type and content of the medium can be easily obtained, and misuse of the storage medium can be prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the information about each storage medium is displayed together in the graphic corresponding to each storage medium, the user can easily visually grasp the information for each storage medium. can do.

According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to arrange data by moving data between the storage media by using the data moving means. Therefore, each storage medium can be used efficiently without waste.

According to the invention of claim 5, the data is moved between the storage media in accordance with the priority order set by the priority order setting means. Therefore, for example, when a plurality of storage media are mounted in the vertical direction of the holder part, data is automatically moved so that the capacity is always filled from the upper storage medium to the lower storage medium. By setting the above priority so that the user can always use the storage medium from the upper one, it is possible to prevent accidentally using a storage medium with insufficient storage capacity. be able to.

According to the invention of claim 6, the data can be moved according to the intention of the user by the selection by the selection means.

According to the invention of claim 7, the data movement is prohibited to the storage medium for which the writing is prohibited by the data movement prohibiting means, so that the user is important without paying special attention. Data is protected securely.

According to the invention of claim 8, the data can be moved as intended by the user by giving an instruction from the instruction means.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the data to be erased is designated by the designating means, the designated data is erased from the storage medium by the data erasing means. Therefore, even if the user does not connect the storage medium to the recording device, the user can effectively utilize the time when the storage medium is not used to organize the data accompanied by erasing the data, and effectively use the storage medium. It becomes possible to do.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the data read from the storage medium by the access means can be directly transferred to the computer, FAX, telephone, copying machine or printer through the communication means without inserting or removing the storage medium. Can be output to an external device such as.

According to the invention of claim 11, by transmitting a control signal from an external device, the access means reads data from the storage medium housed in the holder, and the read data is communicated by the communication means. It is possible to transmit the data from the external device to the external device via the communication device and to write the data received from the external device via the communication device to the storage medium by the access device. Therefore, the user can control each part of the holder by operating only the external device to manage the data of the storage medium stored in the holder.

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram showing elemental features of the present invention. When the memory card 2, which is a storage medium, is held by the holder 1a of the memory card holder 1, the insertion of the card 2 is detected by the card insertion detector 53. The card attribute detection unit 54 uses the memory card 2 via the access unit 50 to determine the type of each card, the writing / reading speed, the voltage,
Obtaining attribute information of the card such as presence / absence of data, data capacity, file name, date, owner, write protection, used capacity, remaining capacity, data content, etc., and sending the attribute information to the display control unit 55, Presence or absence of that data, data capacity, file name, date, owner, write protection, used capacity,
Information regarding the card 2 such as the remaining capacity and data contents is displayed on the display screen 56, and the attribute information is also sent to the control unit 51. When there is a memory card 2 or a data file in the memory card 2 that is write-protected, the write-prohibition instructing unit 60 prohibits data movement and data erasure of the data in the memory card 2 or the data file. An instruction to do so is given to the control unit 51.

The control unit 51 controls the operation of the access unit 50 in accordance with the attribute information obtained from the card attribute detection unit 54 and various modes set by the operation of the mode selection operation unit 57, and controls the operation of the memory card 2. Data is read and written, data is erased from the card 2, and data is moved between the cards 2. Further, it controls the data input / output interface 63 to transmit / receive data to / from an external device, and controls each part of the holder 1 based on a control signal obtained from the external device.

The mode selection operation section 57 is composed of the mode selection switch 4, the decision switch 5, etc., and the operator
Various modes are selected by operating the operation unit 57.

When the whole / card is selected by operating the operation section 57, the whole / card selection section 62 causes
The control unit 51 is instructed to select whether to display the information about all the memory cards 2 held in the holder unit 1a on the display screen 56 or only the information about the designated card 2 on the display screen 56.

When an instruction to switch between the automatic mode and the manual mode is given by operating the operation section 57, the memory card 2 is automatically held by the automatic / manual switching section 61 when the memory card 2 is held in the holder section 1a. An automatic mode that moves data between two and organizes the data,
Waiting for an instruction from the operator, the mode is switched to the manual mode for moving data between the memory cards 2. In the automatic and manual modes, when the priority order setting unit 59 sets the priority order for the plurality of cards 2 held in the holder 1a, data movement is performed according to the set priority order. Done. Further, in the manual mode, when the data to be moved and the card 2 to which the data is to be moved are designated by the movement data / card designation unit 58, the data movement is performed based on the designation.

When data erasing is instructed by operating the operating unit 57, the erasing data instructing unit 52 gives the control unit 51 an instruction to erase the corresponding data.

The data input / output interface 63 is provided for the data in the memory card 2 (data capacity, file name, date, owner name, write protection, used capacity, remaining capacity,
This is an interface for outputting (information such as data content) to an external device such as a computer or inputting data from the external device.

The control unit 51, the erased data instruction unit 52, the card insertion detection unit 53, and the card attribute detection unit 5 described above.
4, display control unit 55, movement data / card designation unit 58,
The priority setting unit 59, the write-prohibition instructing unit 60, the automatic / manual switching unit 61, and the whole / card selecting unit 62 are realized by the controller 6 which is composed of a microcomputer system including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, which will be described later. To be done.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are views showing an example of the structure of a memory card holder whose main purpose is to protect the memory card removed from the main unit from dust and drip when carrying it, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, 1 is a memory card holder which is a storage medium holder, 2 is a memory card which is inserted into the memory card holder 1, and 3 is data in the memory card 2 according to an instruction from a controller 6 which will be described later. A display device 4 for displaying (data capacity, file name, date, owner, write protection, used capacity, remaining capacity, data content, etc.) is for selecting the option displayed on the display device 3. Mode select switch, "up"
By selecting "down", the cursor can be moved in accordance with the set order to select a desired mode or the like. 5 is a determination switch for determining (determining) the mode selected by the mode selection switch 4, 6 is for detecting the presence or absence of the card 2,
When the card 2 is present, a controller that obtains an output of card attributes such as whether the card is write-protected and controls the operation of each unit, 7 is a connector for electrically connecting with the terminal of the memory card 2, In accordance with the instruction of the external device, the reference numeral 8 indicates that the data in the memory card 2 (data capacity, file name, date, owner, write protection, used capacity, remaining capacity, data content, etc.) is stored in the external device (computer, FAX, telephone , A copier, a printer, etc.) or an external interface for inputting data from an external device, and 9 is an IC for compressing or expanding data read from the card 2 according to an instruction from the controller 6. 10 is a power supply.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the card 2, the card 1, the card 3, and the card 1 in the first to fourth holder portions (not shown) of the memory card holder 1 which detachably holds the memory card 2. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display state of the display device 3 when the cards are inserted in the order of the card 4. Of the above cards, the card 3 is a write-protected card.

In FIG. 4, holder numbers 1 to 4 are 1
The card names 4 to 4 and the remaining storage capacity of each card are displayed, and information indicating that the card 3 is a write-protected card is displayed.

In the above-mentioned structure, the controller 6 is arranged so that the memory card 2 is inserted into the holder part of the memory card holder 1.
When it is detected from the output of the connector 7, a signal for instructing to output the memory card attribute information to the holder 1 side is issued. The memory card 2 obtains this signal,
The memory card attribute information is output to the holder 1. Based on this output, the controller 6 obtains information such as the card type, writing / reading speed, writing / reading voltage, and write prohibition, and reads and writes data based on this information. According to the instruction from the controller 6, the display device 3 displays information such as the capacity of data read from each memory card 2, file name, date, owner name, write protection, used capacity, and remaining capacity in FIG. To display. In the initial state, the display is performed in the previously selected mode, and the cursor having a rectangular frame can be moved by operating the mode selection switch 4, and the determination switch 5 is pressed to light the inside of the frame. The operation in each mode will be described below.

First, the operation for displaying information on all cards held in the holder will be described with reference to FIG. First, select "Contents" on the initial screen of Fig. 4 (a),
decide. Next, if you select and confirm "Display all",
As shown in (b), information about each card is displayed collectively in a corresponding figure that divides the display area of the display screen for each card. Here, since the card 4 has a full capacity, the file name and the data file name are enclosed by an ellipse, which indicates that this card cannot be used. Further, since the card 3 is write-protected and the capacity is full, the card name and the file name are surrounded by an ellipse and an oblique line to indicate that the card 3 is write-protected and the capacity is full. Since the cards 1 and 2 can be used, they are surrounded by a square figure, indicating that they are ready for use. In this way, by visually displaying the information about the card in the display area for each card, it is possible to prevent the card from being misused.

Next, the operation when displaying the information about each card will be described with reference to FIG. First, “content” is selected and determined on the initial screen of FIG. Next, after selecting and deciding "card selection", for example, "card 1" is selected and decided as the card for which the card information is to be displayed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, information such as the file name of the data stored in the selected card 1, the remaining storage capacity, the creation date of each data, the used capacity, the used memory, the compression rate, etc. Is displayed. In this way, by displaying the data in the individual cards, the contents of the target card can be easily grasped.

In this embodiment, the controller 6 is
It is programmed to automatically move data between cards according to set priorities. Here, it is assumed that the holders 1, 2, 3, 4 are prioritized in order. First, the controller 6 writes the data of the card 2 to the other cards 1 and 4 excluding the card 3 in which writing is prohibited so that the free space of the card 2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) having the priority order 1 is as wide as possible. Transfer. Next, the data in the card 1 is saved in the card 4 by skipping the write-protected card 3 so as to expand the free space of the card 1 as much as possible.
Move to. This allows the card user to always use only card 2 without worrying about the remaining capacity of the card,
This frees you from the hassle of choosing a card and allows you to use the full capacity of your memory card.
Also, just insert the card randomly in the holder 1,
Data can be organized.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the holder 1
Has an external interface 8 and the controller 6 indicates that an external device is connected to the external interface 8.
When it is detected, control of each part of the holder 1 is given to the external device, data is output as instructed by the external device, or data is written to the card. With such a configuration, the data in the card can be operated without inserting or removing the card.

Next, the operation for changing the above-mentioned priority order will be described with reference to FIG. First, on the initial screen of FIG. 6A, the “priority order” is selected by the mode selection switch 4 and the determination switch 5 determines the priority. As a result, the display changes as shown in FIG. Here, the priority order is set by selecting and deciding the cards in the desired order.
At this time, the priority of each card is displayed each time a decision is made, and the card once selected is shaded. In order to automatically move data between cards according to the order set in this way, the file move "AUT
Select “O”. As a result, the controller 6
Each time the card is inserted into the holder, the data is automatically moved according to the set priority.

Next, based on the user's instruction, the operation for moving the instructed data to the corresponding card will be described with reference to FIG.
To explain. First, “MAN” for file movement is selected on the initial screen of FIG. And decision switch 5
The screen changes as shown in FIG. 7B when all the data files of all the cards held in the holder are displayed. After selecting / deciding the file to be moved here, select / decide the card of the movement destination. As a result, the controller 6 moves the data as instructed.
In this example, file2. An example of transferring a file called samp to the card 4 is shown.

Next, the operation for erasing the data intended by the user in the card will be described with reference to FIG. First, "erase data" is selected in the initial screen state of FIG.
When this is determined by the decision switch 5, the screen changes as shown in FIG. 8 (b). Here, when the user selects and decides, for example, “fileg.samp” as the data to be deleted, the file name is turned on. And
By selecting and deciding "YES", the controller 6
From card 3 to file. The samp data is deleted.

As described above, by making the memory card holder 1 multi-functional, the data in the card 2 can be organized in an extra time such as when the card 2 is stored or carried, and the card 2 is easy to use. Become.

Other Embodiments Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. The same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The memory card holder 1 of this embodiment does not have an operation unit and a display device, and when the insertion of the card 2 into the holder unit is detected, the memory card holder 1 is automatically set in a predetermined order (for example, the holder units 1, 2, 3, 4).
The cards are inserted in the order), except for cards that are write-protected, and are configured to move data. With such a configuration, the memory card holder can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In the present invention, a flash memory card that does not require a backup power source, an SRAM memory card that can write data at high speed, an EEPROM memory card that can rewrite data in bit units, and a low-cost DR.
It can be applied to a holder for accommodating various memory cards such as an AM memory card.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to enhance the functionality of a storage medium holder, which conventionally has only a function of accommodating a storage medium, and to enhance the convenience of use of the storage medium. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram showing elemental features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a configuration example of a memory card holder according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a memory card holder according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the holder.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the holder.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the holder.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the holder.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the holder.

FIG. 9 is an external view showing another embodiment of the memory card holder according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the memory card holder according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 memory card holder 1a holder part 2 memory card 3 display device 4 mode selection switch 5 decision switch 6 controller 7 connector 8 external interface 9 compression / expansion IC 50 access part 51 control part 52 erase data instruction part 53 card insertion detection part 54 card Attribute detection unit 55 Display control unit 56 Display screen 57 Mode selection operation unit 58 Movement data / card designation unit 59 Priority setting unit 60 Write prohibition designation unit 61 Automatic / manual switching unit 62 All / card selection unit 63 Data input / output interface

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A storage medium holder for accommodating a storage medium, comprising: a holder section that detachably holds the storage medium; and an information acquisition unit that obtains information about the storage medium from the storage medium held by the holder section. A storage medium holder, comprising: a display unit that displays information obtained by the information acquisition unit. 2. A selection means for selecting whether to display information about all storage media held in the holder part or display information about a designated storage medium, and in accordance with selection by the selection means. The storage medium holder according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the information acquisition means and the display means. 3. The display control means for displaying the information obtained by the information acquisition means in a graphic dividing the display area of the display means for each storage medium is further provided. The storage medium holder described. 4. A storage medium holder for accommodating a storage medium, comprising: a holder portion detachably holding the storage medium, and a data moving means for moving data between the storage medium held by the holder portion. A storage medium holder characterized by the above. 5. A priority order setting means for setting a priority order for the storage medium held in the holder part, and a priority order set by the priority order setting means when the data is moved by the data moving means. 5. The storage medium holder according to claim 4, further comprising control means for moving data between the storage media according to the above. 6. A selection means for selecting whether to perform the data movement by the data movement means automatically when the storage medium is held in the holder portion or after waiting for a user's instruction. 6. The storage medium holder according to claim 4, further comprising control means for controlling data movement by the data movement means according to selection by the selection means. 7. The data movement prohibiting means for prohibiting the data movement to a storage medium of which writing is prohibited among the storage media held in the holder portion is further provided. The storage medium holder according to any one of 4 to 6. 8. A control unit for instructing data to be moved by the data moving unit and a storage medium to which the data is to be moved, and a data movement between the storage media according to the instruction of the instructing unit. 8. The storage medium holder according to claim 4, further comprising means. 9. A storage medium holder for accommodating a storage medium, wherein a holder portion detachably holding the storage medium and data to be erased out of the data stored in the storage medium held by the holder portion. A storage medium holder, comprising: a designating unit for designating the data, and a data erasing unit for erasing the data designated by the designating unit. 10. A storage medium holder for accommodating a storage medium, a holder portion detachably holding the storage medium, an access unit for reading data from the storage medium held by the holder portion, and the access. A storage medium holder, comprising: communication means for transmitting data read from the storage medium by the means to an external device. 11. A storage medium holder for accommodating a storage medium, comprising: a holder section that detachably holds the storage medium; and access means that writes and reads data to and from the storage medium held by the holder section. , Communication means for communicating with an external device, and writing of data transmitted from the external device to the storage medium and data read from the storage medium based on a control signal obtained from the external device And a control means for controlling the transmission of the above to the external device. 12. The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a flash memory card.
A storage medium holder according to item. 13. The storage medium holder according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is an SRAM memory card. 14. The storage medium holder according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is an EEPROM memory card. 15. The storage medium holder according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a DRAM memory card.