FR2853975A1 - Double port universal serial bus adaptor for transferring images, has battery supplying constant voltage to storage devices and micro-controller that creates directory in large memory capacity device for copying received data - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a rechargeable battery supplying constant voltage to a micro-controller (20) and two mass storage devices (12, 14) via universal serial bus (USB) connectors (22, 24). The micro-controller verifies whether the devices are USB devices to detect memory capacity of each device for creating a directory in a large capacity device to receive images transferred from a low capacity device for copying in the directory. The mass storage device (12) is a memory card USB reader of type Compact Flash, Smart Media, Memory Stick or Multi Media card and the mass storage device (14) is an external USB hard disk. An independent claim is also included for a method of transferring the image data between two mass storage devices.

Description

Field of the invention

  The present invention relates to the field of electronic interfaces and it relates more particularly to a portable USB / USB adapter 5 having an autonomous power supply and allowing the transfer of data between two mass storage devices.

  PRIOR ART Currently, when it is desired to transfer data from a first mass storage device, for example a pocket memory disk with Flash technology, the storage capacity of which can today be up to 1 GB and the cost is relatively high, towards a second i5 mass storage device, for example an external mini-hard drive with a capacity which can now reach 60 GB and whose cost is proportionally much lower, it is necessary to use a computer , whether desktop or portable, as an intermediate processing and storage device. However, this obligation is particularly troublesome in particular in the mobility configuration, since in this case one does not always have a computer available near oneself capable of providing the interface between these two mass storage devices.

  In the particular field of transferring images from a digital photo or video camera, it is known, in particular by international application WO 01/86640, to have an interface which can directly receive the memory means of the device ( which constitutes a first mass storage device) and store them in its own memory (which constitutes a second mass storage device) without resorting to an intermediate computer. A solution to such a transfer also exists with international application WO 99/48016 which shows a hard disk (which constitutes a second mass storage device) comprising a specific interface making it possible to directly connect this hard disk to a digital device in order to 'there receive the images 5 stored in the memory (which constitutes a first mass storage device) of this apparatus.

  Unfortunately, these solutions still suffer from numerous limitations linked to the type of memory available in the digital device, which is different from one model to another, or to the type of hard disk io used.

  OBJECT AND DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes to overcome these drawbacks with a universal adapter which allows data to be transferred directly between two mass storage devices each provided with a USB type interface without resorting to the use of 'a computer. An object of the invention is also to propose an adapter which directly supplies the energy to the two mass storage devices for which it ensures the transfer of data. Another object of the invention is to offer an adapter which allows the user to visually check the state of the transfer of this data between the two devices. Yet another object of the invention is to propose an adapter whose software update is simple to implement and which therefore has a scalable configuration.

  These objects are achieved by a data transfer device between a first mass storage device and a second mass storage device, characterized in that it comprises: a first USB connector for ensuring a link with the first storage device. mass storage, a second USB connector for providing a link with the second mass storage device, processing means for ensuring the transfer of data between the first mass storage device and the second mass storage device, and a means for supplying rechargeable energy supplying a constant voltage for supplying said processing means and said first and second mass storage devices through said first and second USB connectors.

  With this simple and portable structure, a user can, wherever it is and very simply, transfer the content from the first storage device to the second.

  Preferably, said processing means is adapted to verify that said first and second mass storage devices are devices of class "USB mass storage", to determine the memory capacity of each of these two mass storage devices, to create in the mass storage device of greater capacity a directory for the reception of the data to be transferred from the mass storage device of smaller capacity, and to copy this data in the directory thus created. It can also be adapted to erase in the mass storage device of lower capacity the data thus transferred in the mass storage device of larger capacity.

  Advantageously, said processing means comprises memory means (preferably a Flash memory) for storing software for managing the transfer device.

  Said processing means can also be adapted to read an update file in one of said first and second mass storage devices and to transfer its content into said memory means to ensure an update of the management software. of the transfer device. Said update file is preferably encrypted and said transfer of its content comprises a decryption from a secret key available in said memory means.

  Advantageously, the transfer device comprises an output supply connector 5 for supplying a supply voltage for either of said first and second mass storage devices and also means for recharging said supply means in rechargeable energy from an external power source and means for converting said constant voltage supplied by said means for supplying rechargeable energy into at least a second constant supply voltage available at the output of the transfer device .

  The invention also relates to the data transfer method implemented in the aforementioned device and in which it is verified that the first and second mass storage devices are devices of class “USB mass storage”, the capacity is determined memory of each of these two mass storage devices, a directory is created in the mass storage device of larger capacity for receiving the data to be transferred from the mass storage device of lower capacity, and these copies are copied data in the directory thus created. Advantageously, the data thus transferred to the larger mass storage device is also erased in the mass storage device of lower capacity. Preferably, one can also read an update file in one of said first and second mass storage devices and transfer its content to said memory means to ensure an update of software for managing the device. transfer stored in a memory means of this transfer device.

Brief description of the drawings

  The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following description, given by way of non-limiting illustration, with reference to the appended drawings in which: s - FIG. 1 is a first example of application of the adapter according to the invention for the transfer of data between two memory devices, - Figure 2 shows a second example of application of the adapter according to the invention to the transfer of data between a digital device and a disc burner, - Figure 3 is a detailed view of the structure of the adapter according to the invention, and - Figures 4 and 5 are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the adapter according to the invention.

  Detailed description of a preferred embodiment Figures 1 and 2 illustrate two typical examples of implementation of the dual port USB adapter according to the invention.

  In FIG. 1, the adapter 10 is connected on the one hand to a first mass storage device 12 constituted by a USB reader of solid state memory cards 20, of the CompactFlash, SmartMedia, MemoryStickm or MultiMediaCardTM type for example, and secondly to a second mass storage device 14 constituted by an external USB hard disk. If necessary, an external power source 15 can be connected to the adapter.

  With this first configuration, the content of a memory card fitted in the USB reader can be downloaded and transferred directly to the external USB hard disk, the content of which can then be replayed later by means of a computer.

  In FIG. 2, the adapter 10 is connected on the one hand to a first mass storage device 16 constituted by a digital camera with USB interface, and on the other hand to a second mass storage device 18 constituted by an external USB CD burner. If necessary, an external power source 15 can be connected to the adapter.

  With this second configuration, the content of the memory card installed in the device can be downloaded and transferred directly to a CD burned by the external USB burner, this CD being able to be replayed later by means of a computer.

  Thus, these two examples clearly show the advantage of the invention which allows a transfer of data between two mass storage devices without using a third party device such as a computer at the time of the transfer. In addition, the adapter of the invention can and can be used with all existing or future mass storage devices, with the sole proviso that these have a USB interface conforming to the USB specification (Universal Serial Bus Specification), all of whose characteristics are accessible to those skilled in the art on the website www.usb.org of the organization managing this standard.

  The hardware structure of the adapter in Figures 1 and 2 is illustrated by the block diagram in Figure 3.

  This structure is organized around a processing means 20 of the microcontroller type, two USB connectors 22, 24 and a rechargeable power supply (battery) 26 to which various electronic components intended for their control and supply are connected. in energy and control of their states. An external memory 28, for example of the flash, RAM or similar type, can also be provided to increase the internal storage capacities of the microcontroller which can already integrate a Flash memory or a simple backed up RAM memory.

  The microcontroller 20 is connected on the one hand to a first switch 30 with three positions (ON, ON + BEEP, OFF) and to a second switch 32 with two positions (MOVE, COPY) and on the other hand to an audible indicator or buzzer 34, a first light indicator 36, preferably a two-color green and red LED for example, a second light indicator 38, preferably a two-color green and red LED for example, and a third light indicator 40, preferably a simple Green LED. Of course, these visual indicators can also consist of elements other than LEDs, for example by an LCD display.

  The rechargeable battery 26, preferably of the Lithium-Ion type, is supplied by a charge profile management module 42 which is connected to an external, preferably continuous, power source 44 via a power supply connector. input 46. This connector is also connected to a charge indication module 48 connected to an input of the microcontroller to inform it of a battery charge in progress. The rechargeable battery which advantageously supplies a voltage of 3.6 volts makes it possible to generate different supply voltages for the adapter. Through a first “step-up” type converter 50, it is possible to supply a voltage of 5 volts which will be supplied on an output power connector 52 to provide additional electrical power for storage devices. mass that would require such feeding. Through a second step-down converter 54, it is possible to supply a voltage of 3.3 volts and through a third also step-down converter 56, it is possible to supply a voltage of 2.5 25 Volts, these latter two voltages being supplied directly to the microcontroller for its own power supply and that of its inputs / outputs. Of course, the aforementioned voltage levels cannot be limiting and depend on the chosen microcontroller. An analog / digital converter 58 placed at the input of the microcontroller and connected at the output of the rechargeable battery 26 makes it possible to inform the microcontroller of the state of charge of this battery.

  The adapter 10 also comprises first 60 and second 62 signal converters connected respectively between the first (USBA 5 22) and second (USBB 24) USB connectors and the microcontroller 20 to transform the USB signals received on these USB connectors into digital signals usable by the microcontroller and vice versa. Finally, preferably, a conventional switch 64 connected at the output of the "step-up" converter 50 conventionally allows management of the USB connectors in energy saving mode.

  The operation of the adapter according to the invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 which are flow diagrams illustrating the different steps implemented in this adapter for carrying out the transfer of data between two mass storage devices.

  After a first initialization step 100 of the visual indicators and the USB connectors, a second step 102 is carried out for reading the operating configurations of the two push buttons and, in a next step 104, for testing the state of the first switch 30.

  If this switch is in the OFF position (step 106), it is checked, in a new test step 108, if the input power connector 46 is connected. If the response to this test is negative, it is returned to step 102 of scanning the state of the push buttons. On the other hand, if this response is positive, the third light indicator 40 is turned on in a step 110, preferably in a flashing green color, to inform the user that the adapter is in a phase. charging the internal battery, then it is returned again to step 102.

  If the first switch is in the ON position, the third light indicator 40 is switched on in a new step 112, preferably in a continuous green color, to inform the user that the adapter is in a normal operating phase in which it is successively verified in steps 114 and 116 that the adapter is indeed connected to two mass storage devices (these two steps will be described in more detail later), then in step 118, the first 36 and second 38 visual indicators are lit, preferably in a flashing green color, to inform the user that the adapter is in this data transfer phase.

  n0 The first operation of this transfer phase is carried out in a next step 120 which consists in determining which of the two mass storage devices has the largest storage capacity or, if the two devices have the same capacity, which has the most important free space (in the following description i5 we will consider that it is the second mass storage device connected to the second USB connector 24 which has this greater capacity). Then, in a test step 122, it is determined whether this free space is sufficient to receive the data stored in the device having the lowest capacity.

  If the answer to this question is negative, then, in a new step 124, the second light indicator 38 is turned on, preferably in a continuous red color, to inform the user that the second device storage is full and therefore the transfer cannot be performed. If the first switch 30 is in the ON + BEEP position (test of step 126), in step 128, an audible warning signal is sent to the user with a particular melody whose choice is left to the skilled person.

  If, on the contrary, the response to the test in step 122 is positive, in step 130, the directories of the second mass storage device are read, then, in step 132, the directory is searched for by example name svXXXXXX where XXXXXX is the largest ordinal number. It can then be created, in a step 134, a new directory of name svYYYYYY o YYYYYY = XXXXXX + 1 in which is then copied the content of the memory of the first mass storage device 5 connected to the first USB connector 22. According to the position of the second switch 32 (test of step 138), the content of the memory of the first mass storage device is erased (step 140; switch in the MOVE position) or kept (step 144; switch in the COPY position) and the first 36 and second 38 n0 visual indicators are lit, preferably in a continuous green color, to inform the user that the data transfer is complete. If, in addition, the first switch 30 is in the ON + BEEP position (test in step 146), then in the last step 148, an audible warning signal for the user having a particular melody is emitted. , different from the previous one, and the choice of which is again left to those skilled in the art.

  The content of steps 114 and 116 is now detailed with reference to FIG. 5. These two steps executed successively are identical (step 114 corresponding to the test of the connector 22 associated with the visual indicator 36 and step 116 corresponding to the test of the connector 24 associated with the visual indicator 38) and each start with a first step 150 of testing the USB connection. If this test is negative, that is to say if no device is connected to the USB connector tested, then it is returned to the waiting step 102. On the other hand, if a device is connected, it is proceeded in a next step 152 when the corresponding light indicator comes on, preferably in a green / red flashing mode, to inform the user that a validity test of the connected device has been carried out. This test carried out in step 154, consists in checking whether this device belongs to the class "USB mass storage class 30 device" defined in the aforementioned USB standard.

  If the answer is negative, the corresponding light indicator is lit (step 156), preferably in solid red, to inform the user that the connected device is not compliant and that the transfer of data. If the first switch is also in the ON + BEEP position (test in step 158), in a next step 160, a warning sound signal is heard for the user having a particular melody, different from the previous, and whose choice is here also left to the skilled person.

  If the answer is positive, there is then carried out, in step 162, a second validity test relating to the organization of the files used to verify whether the files of the connected device correspond to the files managed by the adapter. Advantageously, provision is made for this to manage at least the files of type FAT (file allocation table) 12, FAT 16, FAT 32 or IS09660 for example. If the correspondence is not ensured, then, in a step 164, the corresponding light indicator is turned on, preferably in solid red, to inform the user that the file system of the connected device does not comply and therefore cannot be transferred. As before, if the first switch is also in position 20 ON + BEEP (test of step 166), an audible warning signal for the user having a melody is emitted in an immediately following step 168. particular, different from the previous ones, and the choice of which is left to the skilled person.

  According to a preferred embodiment, a new step 170 is then carried out in the search among the files of the connected device for a specific file for updating the management software of the microcontroller. Indeed, according to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, it is possible to download the software contained in the memory means, advantageously a Flash memory, of the microcontroller by downloading. Preferably, this file is encrypted with a secret key contained in this memory means. If this search does not succeed and therefore that this file does not exist (test of step 172), the procedure continues with the test of the second connected device (step 116) or, if it is this one which has just been tested, by step 118. Otherwise, the version of the update is determined in a step 174 by a specific calculation.

  If the version of the update is identical (or possibly earlier) to that already present in the microcontroller (test in step 176), the corresponding light indicator 10 is switched on (step 178), preferably in flashing green, to inform the user that the connected device complies with the USB standard and that the transfer can therefore be carried out. If the first switch is also in the ON + BEEP position (test in step 180), in a next step 182, a warning sound signal for the user with a particular melody, different from the previous, and whose choice is still left to the skilled person.

  If the version of the update is later, then its complete content is decrypted in a step 184 and the microcontroller is reprogrammed from the decrypted content of the update file 20 (step 186). A programming check is carried out in a following test step 188. In the event of failure, the corresponding light indicator is switched on (step 190), preferably in solid red, to inform the user that the software update could not be carried out, the operation of the adapter then continuing with the initial software. If the first switch is also in the ON + BEEP position (test in step 192), in a next step 194, an audible warning signal for the user with a particular melody, different from the previous ones, is emitted. , and the choice of which is news left to the skilled person. If the programming is successful, it is returned to the initial step 100.

Claims (14)

  1. Data transfer device (10) between a first mass storage device (12, 14) and a second mass storage device (16, 18), characterized in that it comprises: a first USB connector ( 22) to ensure a connection with the first mass storage device, a second USB connector (24) to ensure a connection with the second mass storage device, a processing means (20) for ensuring the transfer of data between the first mass storage device and second mass storage device, and rechargeable energy supply means (26) supplying constant voltage to supply said processing means and said first and second mass storage devices through said first and second USB connectors.   2. Data transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that said processing means is adapted to verify that said first and second mass storage devices are devices of class "USB mass storage", to determine the memory capacity of each of these two mass storage devices, to create in the mass storage device of larger capacity a directory for the reception of the data to be transferred from the mass storage device of lower capacity, and to copy these 25 data in the directory thus created.   3. Data transfer device according to claim 2, characterized in that said processing means is further adapted to erase in the mass storage device of lower capacity the data thus transferred in the mass storage device more 30 large capacity.   4. Data transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that said processing means comprises memory means (20, 28) for storing software for managing the transfer device.   5. Data transfer device according to claim 4, characterized in that said memory means comprises a Flash memory.   6. Data transfer device according to claim 4, characterized in that said processing means is further adapted to read an update file in one of said first and second mass storage devices and to transfer its contained in said memory means for updating the management software of the transfer device.   7. Data transfer device according to claim 6, characterized in that said update file is encrypted and in that said transfer of its content comprises a decryption from a secret key available in said memory means.   8. Data transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises means (42) for recharging said means for supplying rechargeable energy from an external power source (44) .   9. Data transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an output power connector (52) for supplying a supply voltage for one or the other of said first and second mass storage devices.   10. Data transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises means (50, 54, 56) for converting said constant voltage delivered by said rechargeable energy supply means into at least one second constant supply voltage available at the output of the transfer device.   11. Method for transferring data between a first mass storage device and a second mass storage device, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: verifying that said first and second mass storage devices are class "USB mass storage",. determine the memory capacity of each of these two mass storage devices, create in the mass storage device of larger capacity a directory for the reception of the data to be transferred from the lo mass storage device of lower capacity, and copy this data to the directory thus created.   12. Data transfer method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises the following step: erase in the mass storage device of lower capacity the data thus transferred in the mass storage device of higher capacity.   13. Data transfer method according to claim 11 or claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises the following step: 20. reading an update file in one of said first and second storage devices mass and transfer its content into said memory means to ensure an update of software for managing the transfer device stored in a memory means of this transfer device.   14. Data transfer method according to claim 13, characterized in that said update file is encrypted and in that said transfer of its content comprises a decryption from a secret key available in said memory means.