JP2002366308A - Information device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information device which can easily increase its storage area to enable a user to perform work without requiring labor of data movement or the like neither paying his or her attention to the storage area. SOLUTION: When an extended storage part 411 is connected to the main body of the information device 300, the information device 300 always stores management information such as storage places and times of data in an incorporated fundamental storage part 321. In the case that the empty capacity of the fundamental storage part 321 is equal to or smaller than a certain value, data itself are stored in the extended storage part 411 after management information indicating that the data has been stored in the extended storage part 411 is stored in the incorporated fundamental storage part 321. The extended storage part 411 is disconnected, not only a part or the whole of data which exists in the fundamental storage part 321 and has a low frequency in use is moved to the extended storage part 411 but also a part or the whole of data which exists in the extended storage part 411 and has a high frequency in use is moved to the fundamental storage part 411 so that the empty capacity of the fundamental storage part 321 is larger than a preliminarily determined value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information device used for a notebook personal computer, a personal information terminal, a portable telephone and the like, and more particularly, to a data of an information device having an interface for connecting a second storage device. The improvement of the management method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, storage areas required for information equipment have rapidly increased. This is because the OS (Operation System) and software of the information equipment itself have been increasing in scale, but with the recent increase in the performance of information equipment, large-capacity data represented by voice and moving images can be easily handled. It's a big deal that I can handle. As an external storage device of such an information device, there is a device that expands a storage unit of the information device by preparing a removable storage medium such as a disk or a card.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional information device and an extended storage device. The line connecting the blocks in FIG. 14 indicates the signal flow, and the line with the arrow indicates the signal flow including data movement. In FIG.
Reference numeral 100 denotes an information device, 150 denotes a power supply for supplying power to the information device 100, 200 denotes an extended storage device of the information device 100, and 250 denotes a power supply for supplying power to the extended storage device 200.

[0004] The information processing apparatus 100 includes a central processing unit 11 which functions as a control and data management unit 111 for the entire apparatus.
0, a basic storage unit 121 for reading / writing data via the data reading / writing unit 120, and an extended storage unit 131 for reading / writing data via the data reading / writing unit 130 (extended storage) Section <1>), display device 14
0, a clock 141, various devices 142, an external connection interface unit 143, a main power button 144 installed on the main body for turning on a main power, and a main power supply supplied to the circuit units by turning on the main power by the main power button 144. A power supply SW circuit 145 is provided.

The extended storage device 200 is installed in an extended storage unit 211 (extended storage unit <2>) through which data is read / written via a data read / write unit 210, an external connection interface unit 220, and a main body. Main power button 22
1. The main power is turned on by the main power button 221.
A power supply SW circuit 222 for supplying 50 to the circuit section is provided.

The external connection interface units 143 and 220
Is a communication interface for connecting the information device 100 and the extended storage device 200. In addition to the dedicated interface, PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card In)
PC defined as ternational Association) standard
It may be a PC connection section including an interface section, an insertion slot for connecting an IC card unit, and the like, and a connector. The main power supply SW circuit 145 converts the power supply from the power supply 150 to a predetermined voltage level and supplies power to each device. The power supply SW circuit 222 is connected to the power supply 2
The power from the power supply 50 is converted to a predetermined voltage level and supplied to each device.

[0007] The extended storage unit 131 is a removable storage unit such as a disk or a card, and basically has no structure other than the storage unit. Further, the extended storage unit 211 is a storage unit connected to the outside of the information device apparatus 100, and reads and writes data via the external connection interface units 143 and 220. Both the extended storage unit 131 and the extended storage unit 211 store data of the information equipment device 100, but are not necessarily essential.

[0008] Requests to read and write data in the storage units are made by a data management unit 111 in the central processing unit 110. Normally, data is stored in the basic storage unit 121, but in a state where the extended storage unit 131 or the extended storage unit 211 is present, the user can arbitrarily select in which storage unit the data is to be stored to some extent. it can.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information device 100 when a user stores data. In the figure, S indicates each step of the flow. When a data storage request is issued from the user, first, in step S
In step 1, the data management unit 111 checks whether the extended storage unit 131 or the extended storage unit 211 exists. If neither the extended storage unit 131 nor the extended storage unit 211 exists, the free space in the basic storage unit 121 is checked in step S2, and if there is a free space larger than the capacity of the data to be stored, the basic storage unit is checked in step S3. The data is stored in 121. If there is no free space for the data to be stored in the basic storage unit 121, it is determined that the data cannot be stored in step S4.

If the extension storage unit 131 or the extension storage unit 211 exists in step S1, the user selects a storage unit for storing data in step S5. Next, it is checked whether or not there is free space in the storage unit selected in step S6. If there is free space in the selected storage unit, it is determined in step S7 that it is possible to save the data, and the data is stored in the selected storage unit. Save. If there is no free space larger than the capacity of the data to be stored in the selected storage unit, it is determined in step S8 whether or not there is a storage unit with free space. Returning to S5, if there is no storage unit having free space, it is determined in step S9 that data cannot be saved. Even when the data cannot be saved because there is no free space, the user can save the data by deleting any data and securing the free space in the storage unit.

[0011]

By the way, in order to increase the free space that can be stored in the information device 100, the following method is usually considered. (1) Basic storage unit 12 built in information equipment device 100
1 storage area is increased. (2) Move a part of the data stored in the basic storage unit 121 to other storage units (the extended storage unit 131 and the extended storage unit 211) connected to the information device 100. Regarding the above (2), the following storage units can be considered as the destination storage unit. (2-1) The extended storage unit 131 detachable from the information device such as a disk or a card, and (2-2) the extended storage 211 connected to the outside of the information device 100.

Although these methods have the same purpose, they have the following characteristics from the viewpoint of user-friendliness. The above (1)
Is the most direct method, and has a feature that it is very easy to understand without requiring a user. However, there is a method of increasing the storage area, such as increasing the storage density in the storage area. However, in general, it is necessary to increase the area of the storage area, and the volume and weight of the storage device necessarily increase. In particular, the above-mentioned influence is very large in information equipment devices such as notebook personal computers and personal information terminals that emphasize portability. Further, there is a limit to the capacity of a storage unit that can be built in an information device, and the storage capacity cannot be increased beyond a certain value.

In the case of the above (2-1), it is easy to connect the storage unit to the information device and to carry the storage unit, and this method is suitable for moving data to another information device. . However, the storage capacity of such a removable storage unit is generally much smaller than that of a storage unit or the like built in an information device, and is not suitable for storing large-capacity data.

In the case of the above (2-2), since the restrictions on the volume and weight are not so tight, the storage section has a storage area equivalent to or larger than the basic storage section built in the information equipment. be able to. However, since it is not designed to be basically carried around,
Use places are limited.

Further, in the case of the above (2), the user must select data to be moved to another storage unit. It is very difficult for a user who does not select data that can be moved. This is because an unskilled user hardly recognizes the storage location of data. This will be described using a flow.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a part of a flow chart showing an operation at the time of saving and reading data in a conventional information equipment device. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing data movement in a conventional information device. As shown in FIG. 16, general software has a specification that allows a storage location to be selected when saving and reading created data (see steps S11 and S13). However, if the user is not so conscious of data management, a storage location uniquely set by the software as an initial value is selected (step S12).
reference). This storage location is also specified as an initial value when reading a file (see step S14), so there is no inconvenience when reading stored data. In other words, when using software, there is no problem even if you do not care about the storage location.

In addition, usually, when the data storage unit changes, the identification information (address) for calling the data also changes. As shown in FIG. 17, when data A stored in storage unit A is moved to storage unit B, the identification information for calling data A changes from address A to address B. That is, the data A cannot be called at the address A which is the identification information before the movement. Therefore, if the data to be moved in the above (2) is easily selected, it may not be possible to know where the data is stored.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and can easily increase the storage area of an information device, and can save a user the trouble of moving data and the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information equipment device that can perform work without being aware of it.

[0019]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus incorporating a first storage device and having an interface for connecting a second storage device. Detecting means for detecting a state, determining means for determining the free space of the first storage device, and the second storage device are connected, and when the free space of the first storage device is equal to or less than a predetermined value, The management information such as the storage location and storage time of the data is stored in the first storage device, and the data is stored in the second storage device.
And control means for performing control for storing data in the storage device.

More preferably, the control means includes:
When the second storage device changes from the connected state to the unconnected state (for example, when a signal indicating a transition from the connected state to the unconnected state is received), the free space of the first storage device is determined in advance. The first value so as to exceed the given value.
A part or all of the infrequently used data existing in the storage device may be moved to the second storage device.

More preferably, the control means includes:
When the second storage device changes from a connected state to an unconnected state, a part or all of frequently used data existing in the second storage device is moved to the first storage device. Is also good.

The apparatus further comprises an ejecting means for ejecting the second storage device, wherein the control means moves data from the first storage device to the second storage device or from the second storage device. When the transfer of data to the first storage device is completed, the second storage device may be ejected by the ejecting means.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the basic concept of the present invention will be described.

When the portability of information equipment is considered first, it is obvious that the method (1) has a limit as described in the problem to be solved. When the method (2) is considered, the following method can be considered. A device having an extended storage unit that is easy to carry and has a larger capacity than the basic storage unit. A data management method that does not make the user aware that data is stored in different storage units. A data management method that does not hinder the work of the user even without the extended storage unit. If the information device is connected to a network, there is a data management method disclosed in, for example, JP-A-7-175717.

When the free space in the basic storage unit of the information device falls below a preset limit, another storage unit (extended storage) of the information device connected to the network is automatically searched. Then, a part or all of the data in the basic storage unit is moved to the free space of another searched storage unit. Management of identification information for referring to data that has been moved to another storage unit, and allows data to be referenced without making the user aware. The device described in the above publication is based on the premise that the extended storage unit is connected to a network, and this alone is not sufficient to solve the above-described problem.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the second storage device is connected, management information such as a data storage location and a storage time is always stored in the built-in storage device, and the free space of the built-in storage device is saved. If the capacity is equal to or smaller than a certain value, management information indicating that the data is stored in the second storage device is stored in the built-in storage device, and then the data itself is stored in the second storage device.

In addition, when disconnecting from the network, the data which is less likely to be required by the user is moved to the extended storage unit, thereby securing the free space in the basic storage unit. Can be prevented from disappearing. In addition, by transferring data that is likely to be needed by the user to the basic storage unit, it is possible to prevent the user's work from being hindered even if the extended storage unit cannot be carried.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an information equipment according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The information device according to the present embodiment is an example applied to a notebook computer. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1a denotes a main body of the information equipment device 1;
The main body 1a includes an antenna 2 for performing wireless communication, and an LCD.
A display device 3 including a display, a keyboard 4 for performing input, an operation pad 5 as a pointing device, a basic storage unit 6 (first storage device) including an HDD or the like, and an external extended storage device 8 (second storage) device)
Is provided with a slot 7 for inserting and removing the. The extended storage device 8 includes an antenna 9 and a wireless communication device (not shown) inside.

The extended storage device 8 is, for example, a card type external extended storage medium, and is connected to the information device 1 main body 1a by a PC interface section defined by the PCMCIA standard and an insertion slot 7 for connecting the extended storage device 8. Is done. Alternatively, instead of a PCMCIA card, for example, a Compact Flash (registered trademark) (CF) including a SRAM (Static RAM) card holding information written by power backup or a flash memory that does not require power backup, smart media, and memory Stick, or a micro hard disk drive (HDD) or the like that is about the same size as a compact flash or can be mounted on a PC card Type II. The extended storage device 8 is assumed to be built in the main body 1a of the information equipment device 1 and provided with a wireless communication device in the extended storage device itself for the following reason.

The connection to the main unit 1a is easy, and a plurality of extended storage devices can be used properly. It can be removed for portable use and easy to carry. It has a built-in wireless communication device and can be accessed even when it is not connected to the main unit 1a. For example, at home, it is built in the main unit 1a to realize high-speed access, and when going out, the main unit 1a is used.
It is possible to use such a method that the data is read out wirelessly while being removed from a and put in a bag. As a result, the weight of the main body can be reduced, and the operation time can be extended by the battery.

As described above, in the present embodiment, as the information device 1, a notebook personal computer or a PDA (Personal
It is assumed that a device such as Digital Assistants) which is highly likely to be used in a portable manner is used.
Is considered as a server in a network system, it can be similarly applied to a stationary information device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the information device 1. The lines connecting the blocks in FIG. 2 indicate the signal flows, and the lines with arrows indicate the signal flows including data movement. The thick solid line indicates a power supply line. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 300 denotes an information device,
0 is a power supply for supplying power to the information equipment device 300;
Is an extended storage device of the information equipment device 300. Here, the number of expansion storage devices 400 is one.

The information processing apparatus 300 controls the entire apparatus, and also has a central processing unit 310 (control means) functioning as a data management section 311, a data address management section 312 and an access information management section 313, data reading / writing. A basic storage unit 321 (first storage device) for reading / writing data via the unit 320; a basic storage unit 3
A free space determination unit 322 that determines the free space of data 21
(Determination unit), extended storage unit search unit 323, data movement processing unit 324, display device 330 for displaying data, clock 331 as a clock device, various devices 332, connection S
W333, a device I / O 334 (part of the detection unit) for connecting to the extended storage device 400, a main power button 335 for turning on the main power, and a power source 350 for turning on the main power by the main power button 335 to each of the above circuit units. A main power supply SW circuit 336 for supplying is provided.

The extended storage unit 400 manages the extended storage unit 411 (second storage device), in which data is read / written via the data read / write unit 410. A variable area 412 for storing an identification number to be used in the operation and a device I / O 420 for connecting to the information equipment 300 are provided. The information device 300 is controlled by the central processing unit 310. The central processing unit 310 is connected to a clock (timer) 331, and obtains time information required for file management from this.

The central processing unit 310 includes a data management unit 311 for collectively controlling data management for each storage unit, a data address management unit 312 for managing physical address information and various file information in which data is actually written,
Access information management unit 31 for managing access information (access date and time, not creation date and time) to stored data
3 is provided.

When a read or write request is issued from the data management unit 311, the data is transferred to the data read / write units 320 and 4.
Reading or writing from the basic storage unit 321 and the extended storage unit 411 is performed by 10. That is, the data read / write unit is also provided in the extended storage unit 411 of the extended storage device 400, and physical operations such as data read / write on the storage unit are performed by the data read / write unit 410. Done through. The extended storage unit 411 has a variable area 412, and an identification number used when the main body manages the extended storage unit 411 is recorded here.

In addition to these basic file operation units, the information equipment device 300 includes a free space determination unit 322 for checking the free space of the storage unit, an extended storage unit search unit 323 for searching for an existing extended storage unit, A data movement processing unit 324 for performing a data movement process described later in the third embodiment is provided.

In particular, the central processing unit 310 controls the above-mentioned units, and when the extended storage unit 411 is connected to the main body of the information processing apparatus 300, management information such as a storage location and a storage time of data is always built-in. When the free space of the basic storage unit 321 is equal to or smaller than a certain value, the management information indicating that the storage capacity is stored in the extended storage unit 411 is stored in the built-in basic storage unit 321 side. Then, control for storing the data itself in the extended storage unit 411 is performed. The main power supply SW circuit 336 converts the power supply from the power supply 350 to a predetermined voltage level and supplies power to each device of the main body and the extended storage device 400.

The information device 300 is provided with a main power button 33
5 is connected to the power supply 3 by the main power supply SW circuit 336 directly connected to the power supply 3.
The power supply from 50 / power supply is cut off. This power supply 3
50 is converted into various voltage values required by the system by the main power supply SW circuit 336 and supplied to each system. Here, since the extended storage device 400 is built in the main body, the extended storage device 400 also has the device I / 033.
4, 420, power is supplied from the main power supply SW circuit 336.

The device I / 0334, 420 is provided for the information equipment 300 to access the extended storage device 400. For example, PCI (Pe
ripheral Component Interconnect Bus).
When the extended storage device 400 is connected to the information device 300, the connection switch 333 is turned ON, and the connection status can be easily obtained from the main device.

Here, the power supply 350 to be supplied to the information equipment device 300 may be an AC power supply (or a DC power supply supplied via an AC adapter), a secondary battery (battery), or an AC power supply and a secondary battery. It is good also as a structure provided with these two power supplies. In this case, for example, an AC power source such as “select the AC power source as the power source for operating the information device while the AC power source is connected” or “charge the secondary battery using the AC power source”
A power supply and a control circuit in the secondary battery are required. Hereinafter, the operation of the information device configured as described above will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information equipment device when saving data, which is executed by the central processing unit 310. Here, the limit value of the free space of the basic storage unit 321 is MIN. First, in step S21, the central processing unit 310 issues a data storage request. This data storage request is issued when the user specifies a logical storage location (a directory and a file name in the case of a PC) in a data storage operation.

In step S22, the data management unit 311
Checks the free space in the basic storage unit 321. Next, in step S23, the capacity obtained by subtracting the size (m) of the data to be stored this time from the free space (M) is less than the free space limit value MIN (M−
m ≧ MIN) is determined. When M−m ≧ MIN, the limit value MIN is stored in the basic storage unit even if the current data is stored.
It is determined that the above free space exists, and step S24
Then, the data is stored in the basic storage unit 321 as it is, and the physical address information of the storage unit is managed by the data address management unit 312.

When M−m <MIN, the basic storage unit 32
It is determined that there is no capacity to be stored in No. 1 or that the free space will be less than the limit value MIN if it is stored, and an attempt is made to store data in the extended storage unit 411. First, in step S25, it is checked whether or not the free space (M) in the basic storage unit 321 is larger than the size (m) of the data to be stored. If the free space in the basic storage unit 321 is larger, the process proceeds to step S26. Puts one value in the variable State (variable State ← 1). This variable State is
This is used when data cannot be stored in the extended storage unit 411.

In order to store data in the extension storage unit 411, it is necessary to first check whether the extension storage unit 411 exists (step S27). Here, since there is only one extended storage unit 411, the extended storage unit search unit 3
23, the state of the connection SW 333 may be checked. If the extended storage unit 411 exists, the free space (N) is checked in step S28. If the free space (N) is equal to or larger than the data size (m) to be stored in step S29 (N ≧ m), the data is stored in the extended storage unit 411 in step S30, and the physical address information of the storage unit is replaced with the data address. It is managed by the management unit 312.

If the extension storage unit 411 does not exist in step S27, or if there is not enough free space to store data in the extension storage unit 411 in step S29, the value of the variable State is checked in step S31. If the variable State has a value of 1, the data to be stored in step S32 is stored in the basic storage unit 321, and the physical address information of the storage unit is passed to the data address management unit 312. Is notified that the free space in the basic storage unit 321 has fallen below a prescribed limit value. If the variable State does not contain 1 value,
Since the data cannot be saved, step S33
Then, the user is notified that there is no free space (M) or free space (N) that can store data, and the process ends.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information device when reading data, and shows the operation when reading stored data. First, in step S41, the central processing unit 310 issues a data read request.
The address specified by the data management unit 311 is converted to an address where actual data is stored in the data address management unit 312 in step S42. In step S43, it is determined whether or not the data exists in the basic storage unit 321. If the data exists in the basic storage unit 321, the data is read from the basic storage unit 321 as it is in step S44.

If the data exists in the extended storage unit 411, the extended storage unit 411 in which the data is stored is searched in step S45 via the extended storage unit search unit 323. If the extended storage unit 411 exists, the process proceeds to step S45. Proceeding to S44, data is read from the extended storage unit 411. Extended storage unit 41
If 1 does not exist, the user is notified in step S46 that the extended storage unit in which the data is stored cannot be found, and the process ends. Next, an example of a data management method in the present system will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a data management method, and FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a data address management method. Data management is performed by the data address management unit 31.
2 and has a tree structure as shown in FIG. Data is connected on the tree via a table called a directory, which corresponds to a table of contents.
The directory contains information about the file,
The file name, file size, creation time, physical storage location of the file, and the like are stored. The directory itself is also a file. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, information on the storage location of the file that can be confirmed by the user on the OS, that is, the path information of the directory and the file name in FIG. Address information, that is, the storage unit and the data address, will be referred to as physical address information. Regarding the identification of the storage unit, a unique identification number is set by the data address management unit 312 when the storage unit is formatted, and is recorded in the variable area 412 of the extended storage unit 411. The storage unit is managed by using this identification number.

In response to a request from the central processing unit 310, the data address management unit 312 converts these two pieces of address information as needed and performs processing. That is, the physical address information is checked from the logical address information sent from the central processing unit 310, and a read or write request is sent to the physical address. Thereby, the user can operate the information device 300 as if he were only handling one storage unit without being aware of the existence of the plurality of storage units.

As described above, the information processing apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment includes a central processing unit 310 functioning as a data management unit 311, a data address management unit 312 and an access information management unit 313, and a data reading / writing unit 320. Storage unit 32 from / to which data is read / written via
1, a free space determination unit 322 for determining a free data space in the basic storage unit 321, an extended storage unit search unit 323, a data movement processing unit 324, a display device 330, a clock 331, various devices 332, a connection SW 333, an extended storage device 40
The central processing unit 310 includes a device I / O 334, a main power button 335, and a main power SW circuit 336 for connecting to the information processing device 300.
When connected to the main unit, management information such as the storage location and storage time of data is always stored in the built-in basic storage unit 321. If the free space of the basic storage unit 321 is equal to or smaller than a certain value, expansion is performed. Since the management information indicating that the data is stored in the storage unit 411 is stored in the built-in basic storage unit 321, the control for storing the data itself in the extended storage unit 411 is performed. Can be easily increased, and the user can perform the work without being conscious of the trouble of moving the data or the like.

In the above embodiment, as a condition for storing data in the extended storage unit, only the free space of the basic storage unit 321 is referred to. However, the type of data designated by the user is preferentially stored in the extended storage unit. The function of storing data in the storage unit 411 and specific data are stored in the basic storage unit 321 even if the limit value M
A function such as saving in the basic storage unit 321 may be added even if the value falls below IN.

Second Embodiment FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an information device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the overlapping portions will be omitted. The present embodiment is an example of a block configuration when a plurality of extended storage devices exist. It is assumed that the extended storage device has a built-in main body, and that the extended storage device having the built-in main body is detached and accessed by wireless.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 500 denotes an information device,
00 is an extended storage device inside the information device 500, 60
Reference numeral 0 denotes an extended storage device external to the information device 500.
The information device device 500 includes a wireless communication device 510 in addition to the configuration of the information device device 300 in FIG.

The wireless communication device 510 includes the extended storage device 60
Infrastructure supported by 0 wireless communication devices,
For example, PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) network, CD
MA (Code Division Multiple Access) network, GPRS
(General Packet Radio Service) Data communication is performed through a network.

The extended storage device 600 manages the extended storage unit 611 (second storage device) in which data is read / written via the data read / write unit 610, and the information device 500 manages the extended storage unit 611. A variable area 612 for storing an identification number to be used in the operation, a wireless communication device 613, a battery 614, a main power button 615, and a power SW circuit 616 for supplying a voltage of the battery 614 to the circuit unit by turning on the main power by the main power button 615. It is configured with.

The power supply of the extended storage device 400 built in the main body of the information device 500 is supplied from the main body as in the first embodiment, but the external extended storage device 6 is provided.
Since the power supply 00 needs to be included in the extended storage device 600 itself, the extended storage device 600 includes a battery 614, a power SW circuit 616, and a power button 615 as a power source. The power source is a secondary battery 614,
As in the case of the main body, an AC power supply may be used, or both an AC power supply and a secondary battery may be provided.

Extended storage device 600 and information device device 500
The main body is connected by wireless communication devices 510 and 613, and by including the wireless communication devices 510 and 613,
In addition to its role as an interface, it also has a control mechanism that allows only specific devices to communicate. For example, the identification number of the extended storage device managed by the data address management unit 312 of the main body of the information device 500 is added to the data to be transmitted, and the extended storage unit corresponding to the identification number recorded in the variable area 612 is added to the extended storage unit. Only communicate with This can prevent erroneous communication with other unintended devices.

Although FIG. 7 shows only one extended storage device 600, since the extended storage device 600 is a storage unit connected to the outside of the main unit, there may be a plurality of such extended storage devices. . A plurality of extended storage devices are shown as extended storage devices 600n (n is an identification number uniquely assigned to each extended storage unit). These extended storage devices 600n may be connected by different external connection interfaces. For example, these extended storage devices 600n are used for wireless LAN and Bluetooth.
th or the like, or a network interface such as a LAN or MODEM connected to a network.

Since the extended storage device 600 in this embodiment is not supplied with power from the information device 500, the power of the extended storage device 600 itself is turned on even if the extended storage device 600 is connected. If not, it cannot be controlled from the main unit. Hereinafter, the operation of the information device configured as described above will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information equipment device when saving data. Extended storage device 600n
Since the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 2 except that there are a plurality of, there is almost the same processing flow as the flow shown in FIG.
Only the points where the processing shown in FIG. 3 is different will be described. The part surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 3 corresponds to this flow. This flow is
This is because the process is performed when there is no free space for storing data in both the basic storage unit 321 and the extended storage unit 411. Here, a plurality of extended storage devices 60
The free space of the extended storage unit 611n of 0n is defined as Nn.

Since the system shown in FIG. 7 permits the existence of a plurality of extended storage devices other than the built-in main unit, step S
In 51, the extended storage unit search unit 323 searches for an externally connected extended storage device, and determines whether the extended storage unit 611n exists. In this case, the extension storage device 400 with a built-in main body can be confirmed by checking the connection SW 333. However, the extension storage unit 611n connected to the outside is issued a signal inquiring about the connection status, and a response is issued. Confirmation is made by checking the device that has performed.

If no external storage unit 611n is found, the data cannot be stored. Therefore, in step S56, the user is notified that there is no free space for storing the data, and the processing is terminated. Extended storage unit 6
If 11n exists, the free space (Nn) is checked for all the extended storage units found in step S52.

Next, in step S53, it is determined whether or not there is an extended storage unit 611n whose free space Nn is larger than the data size m to be stored. Free space Nn
If there is at least one extended storage unit 611n that is larger than the data size m to be stored, step S5
In step 4, the user selects a storage unit in which data is actually stored, and stores the data in the storage unit selected in step S55, and manages the physical address information of the storage unit by the data address management unit 312.

If there is no extended storage unit 611n having a free space Nn larger than the data size to be stored, the data cannot be stored. Is notified, and the process ends.

In the processing according to the above flow, as a condition for storing data in the externally connected expansion storage device 600, there is no free space for storing data in both the basic storage unit 321 and the expansion storage unit 411. . This is because the search for the externally connected extended storage device 600 takes a long time for the built-in extended storage device 400 that can instantly confirm the connection by checking the state of the connection SW 333. This is because the built-in type extended storage device 400 is given priority in order to shorten the time. However, there is a method of setting this in advance, for example, a method of setting a different priority order from the present embodiment for each extended storage unit and saving the order, or a storage unit for saving for each specific type of data. Processing may be performed based on a determined method or the like.

Third Embodiment In this embodiment, an operation at the time of data movement processing for making the free space of the basic storage unit 321 equal to or more than a specified value (MV) will be described. As an operation at the time of data movement, two modes, a “data movement mode” and a “merge mode”, are defined. In the data movement mode, the data stored in the basic storage unit 321 is moved to the extended storage unit in descending order of the set priority, and the data is transferred to the basic storage unit 321.
This is a process for increasing the free space of the data to a specified value (MV) or more, and is the same as the movement process at the time of data storage in the first embodiment. Here, the prescribed value (MV) and the free space limit value (MIN) in the first embodiment do not need to be the same value. Usually, it is desirable that MV is set to a value larger than MIN. In other words, if the data movement processing is performed, the basic storage unit 321 has a little room.

In the merge mode, in addition to the processing in the data movement mode described above, data matching the set conditions is moved from the extended storage unit to the basic storage unit 321. For example, using the information of the last access date managed by the access information management unit 313, the priority order is “move data with the older last access date preferentially” and the condition is “access within the past week. Data "
If it is specified, data that is likely to be used at present is stored in the basic storage unit 321, and the possibility that necessary data exists even when the extended storage unit is separated is increased. These data movement processes are controlled by the data movement processing unit 324. The operation at the time of actual data movement processing will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation at the time of data movement processing in the present embodiment. here,
It is assumed that one extended storage unit is connected. First, in step S61, when the user issues a request for data movement processing, it is determined in step S62 whether the mode is the data movement mode or the merge mode. In the case of the data movement mode, step S6
3, the free space (M) of the basic storage unit 321 is set to a specified value (M
Compared with V), if the free space (M) of the basic storage unit 321 is equal to or larger than the specified value (MV), there is no need to move the data, and the process ends immediately (step S64).
If M <MV, since the free space in the basic storage unit 321 is smaller, the process proceeds to step S66, and the process proceeds to the extended storage unit search.

On the other hand, if the request issued by the user in step S62 is a merge mode, a value of 1 is put in the variable mode in step S65 (variable mode ←
1) Regardless of the free space in the basic storage unit 321, the process proceeds to the search for the extended storage unit in step S66. In the merge mode, even if the capacity of the basic storage unit 321 is sufficient, there is a process of moving from the extended storage unit, so that it cannot be ended here. Step S6
In step S6, a search is performed to determine whether an extended storage unit exists. If the extended storage unit does not exist, the user is notified in step S67 that there is no extended storage unit, and the process ends.

If there is an extended storage, step S68
The free space (N) is checked with respect to the extended storage unit existing in step (1). In this check, it is compared whether or not the free space (N) is larger than a value obtained by subtracting the free space (M) in the basic storage unit from the specified value (MV) (the data amount that needs to be moved to the extended storage unit). I do. If the free space (N) is smaller than a value obtained by subtracting the free space (M) of the basic storage unit from the specified value (MV), the data cannot be moved. It notifies that there is no free space, and ends the processing.

If there is free space to move the data, the value of the variable mode is checked in step S69 to check the operation mode. If the value of the variable mode is not 1, it is determined that the mode is the data movement mode,
In step S73, the data is moved according to the priority order, and the flow ends.

If the value of the variable mode is 1 in step S69, the operation is in the merge mode.
Data merge processing is performed in accordance with the priorities and conditions set at 0, and it is determined at step S71 whether the free space (M) of the basic storage unit 321 is larger than a specified value (MV). That is, depending on the setting of the condition, a large amount of data is moved from the extended storage unit to the basic storage unit 321, and the free space (M) of the basic storage unit 321 may not be able to be secured to the specified value (MV) or more. This is checked in step S71. If the free space (M) in the basic storage unit 321 is equal to or larger than the specified value (MV), the process is terminated as it is because there is free space in the basic storage unit 321 (step S7).
2).

On the other hand, when M <MV, the basic storage unit 32
This is a case where the free space (M) of No. 1 cannot be secured beyond the specified value (MV). At this time, by performing the data movement process continuously in step S73, the process is performed with the highest priority, and finally, the free space equal to or more than the specified value exists in the basic storage unit. An example of data management in the data movement processing will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a data movement state in the data movement mode. Also, FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data movement state in a merge mode. In the data movement mode in the data movement mode of FIG. 10, data is moved from the storage unit A to the storage unit B, the capacity of each storage unit is 100, the specified value (MV) of the storage unit A is 20, and the priority is 20. No ranking is set. In the figure, A to F represent data, and the numbers in parentheses of A to F are the sizes of the data. In the initial state shown in FIG. 10A, the space in the storage unit A is 15, so it is necessary to move the data to increase the space. Here, by moving D recorded at the end of the storage unit, an empty space equal to or greater than the specified value can be secured.
And the process ends (see FIG. 10B).

In the data movement state in the merge mode of FIG. 11, the setting of the storage unit is the same as that of FIG. The last data access date is shown next to the data size. The priority in the merge mode is specified as “data with the older last access date is preferentially moved”, and the condition is “data accessed in the past week”. Where the current date is 5
/ 10.

In the initial state shown in FIG. 11A, the space of the storage unit A is 35, and there is a space equal to or more than the specified value, but the data (F ), The data is moved to the storage unit A. As a result of the movement, as shown in FIG. 11B, the free space of the storage unit A becomes 15 and falls below the prescribed value. Therefore, the data (A) having the oldest access date is stored in the storage unit B based on the priority order. Move to As a result, FIG.
As shown in (c), the free space in the storage unit A reaches a total of 40, which is equal to or more than the specified value, and thus the processing is terminated.

Here, it has been assumed that the data movement process occurs according to a command from the user. However, the present invention is not limited to such a method, and a method that occurs at a designated time or a specific event is performed. A method that occurs at the time may be adopted. Also, setting priority and conditions,
Instead of using only the access date as in the example, specific data or data size may be set, or a plurality of conditions may be used in combination.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an information device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the overlapping portions will be omitted.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 700 denotes an information device,
Reference numeral 400 denotes an extended storage device inside the information device 700. The information device 700 is the information device 300 of FIG.
Eject button 710 and Eject S
It comprises a W circuit 711, an ejection work processing unit 712, and an ejection device 713.

The eject button 710, the eject SW circuit 711, the eject work processing section 712, and the eject device 713 constitute the extended storage device 40 as a whole.
Eject means for ejecting 0 is constituted. In the present embodiment, a certain amount of free space in the basic storage unit is secured before disconnecting the extended storage device from the information device main body. The extended storage device can be ejected without performing data movement processing or the like.

A storage unit built in the main body is assumed as the extended storage device 400, and the extended storage device 400 can be separated by a motor drive in accordance with a command from the main body of the information device 700. This processing is performed by the ejection device 713. Also, an eject button 71 is provided as a switch for disconnecting the extended storage device 400 from the main body.
0 is provided.

The eject button 710 is operated not only when the system is activated but also when the system is not activated, that is, when the main power supply SW circuit 336 is not activated.
1 is always supplied with a power supply 350. By pressing the eject button 710, the ejection work processing unit 712 prepares to disconnect the extended storage device 400, and after the processing is completed, the extended storage device 400 is ejected by the eject device 713. Here, if the system is running, instead of the mechanical operation of pressing the eject button 710, a means of executing from the system may be used. The operation at the time of actual ejection processing will be described.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation when the extended storage device 400 is disconnected. First, in step S81, the user issues a request to eject the extended storage device 400. This is done by pressing the eject button 710 installed on the main body and pressing the eject SW circuit 71.
1 or by instructing the system. When the ejection request is issued, it is determined in a step S82 whether or not the system is activated. This is because if an instruction is issued while the system is running, it is considered more natural that the system is running even after the processing is completed.

If the system has not been started, a signal equivalent to the pressing of the main power button 335 is sent to the main power switch circuit 336 in step S83, and the system is started. If the system is running, a value of 1 is set to the variable mode in step S84, and the process proceeds to step S85.

When the system is activated, the data movement processing of FIG. 9 described in the third embodiment is performed in step S85. The operation mode at this time is set in advance. If the operation mode is not set in advance, the system inquires the user. However, if the operation mode is set in advance as in the present embodiment, it is assumed that work is performed from the time of power-off. In this case, one operation of pressing the eject button 710 completes all operations.

In step S86, it is determined whether or not the data movement processing has been completed normally. If the data movement processing has been completed normally, the value of the variable mode is confirmed in step S87. If the value of the variable mode is not one, step S8
In step S89, the extended storage device 400 is automatically ejected by the eject device 713 after the system is terminated in step S89.
To turn off the power.

If the value of the variable mode is 1 in step S87, the system waits for a system termination request in step S91 and ends the processing for the time being. When the user issues a system termination request in step S92, the process returns to the processing of the flowchart, and the extended storage device 400 is ejected immediately before the power is turned off.

On the other hand, if the processing is not completed normally in step S86, for example, if the data migration processing does not end normally due to an error such as insufficient free space in the data migration processing, a step S93 is performed for moving data to the user. It notifies that there is no free space, and checks the value of the variable mode in step S94. If the value of the variable mode is not 1, the system termination processing is performed in step S95, and the power is turned off without ejecting the extended storage device 400 in step S96.

If the variable mode is 1 in step S94, the process ends in step S97. In this case, it is preferable to use means such as inquiring the user of the next process when an error occurs, or presetting the process when the error occurs.

Here, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the expansion storage device 400 is built in the main body.
For example, if the extended storage device 400 is a general-purpose device externally connected via a network or the like, it cannot be automatically ejected, so that the user manually disconnects it. In addition, if the device can be freely removed while the system is running, the device can be disconnected without waiting for the system termination processing in step S91.

Although the above embodiments are examples applied to a notebook personal computer that can be connected to a network, the present invention can be applied to any device or data management method as long as it is an information device. For example, desktop personal computers, PHS (Personal Handy-PhoneSystem) / mobile phones,
It can also be applied to portable information terminals such as PDAs.

[0093] When the data cannot be saved, the message is displayed on the display device, in addition to the LED display,
The notification may be made by a buzzer, and the display form may be any. Further, the types, numbers, connection methods, data transfer methods, and the like of the functional units constituting the information device, for example, the communication unit and the storage unit, are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0094]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the storage area of the information equipment can be easily increased, and the user can be conscious without moving the data or the like. Work can be performed without the need to. Specifically, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, in an information device connected to an external storage device or a network, the free space of the storage area can be used without making the user conscious, and when the information device is carried, the main unit can easily be used. Free space of the storage area can be secured. In addition, by securing the free space in the main body storage area and moving the data that is likely to be used to the basic storage unit, the user is not inconvenienced even without the extended storage unit.

Further, by using the extended storage device, the basic storage section of the main body can be made smaller, so that the weight of the main body can be reduced and the battery operating time can be extended. Further, by making the expansion storage device into a shape that can be built into the main body, handling can be simplified, and by removing the mobile storage device when used, the weight of the main body can be reduced and the usability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an information device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the information device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information device of the present embodiment when data is stored.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information device of the present embodiment when reading data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data management method of the information device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data address management method of the information device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an information device according to a second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information device of the present embodiment when data is stored.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information device according to the third embodiment of the present invention during data movement processing.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data movement state in the data movement mode of the information device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data movement state in the merge mode of the information device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of an information device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of disconnecting an extended storage device of the information device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional information device and an extended storage device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation when a user stores data in a conventional information device.

FIG. 16 shows a data storage and storage method in a conventional information equipment device.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a part of a flowchart showing an operation at the time of reading.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing data movement in a conventional information device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,100,300,500,700 Information equipment 1a Information equipment main body 2,9 Antenna 3,140,330 Display 4 Keyboard 5 Operation pad 6,121,321 Basic storage unit (first storage device) 7 slot 8, 200, 400, 600 Extended storage device 110, 310 Central processing unit (control means) 111, 311 Data management unit 130, 210, 320, 410 Data read / write unit 131, 211, 411, 611 Extended storage unit ( 141, 331 Clock 142, 332 Various devices 143, 220 External connection interface unit 144, 221, 335, 615 Main power button 145, 336 Main power SW circuit 150, 250, 350 Power 222, 616 Power SW Circuit 312 Data address management unit 3 3 access information management unit 322 free space determination unit (determination unit) 323 extended storage unit search unit 324 data movement processing unit 333 connection SW 334, 420 device I / O (part of detection unit) 412, 612 variable area 510, 613 Wireless communication device 614 Battery 710 Eject button 711 Eject SW circuit 712 Eject work processing unit 713 Eject device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An information device incorporating a first storage device and having an interface for connecting a second storage device, wherein: a detection unit for detecting a connection state of the second storage device; Determining means for determining the free space of a storage device; and when the second storage device is connected, and when the free space of the first storage device is equal to or less than a predetermined value, management information such as a data storage location and a storage time is transmitted. Control means for controlling the storage of the data in the first storage device and the storage of the data in the second storage device. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the second storage device changes from a connected state to a non-connected state, the first storage device has a first storage device that has a free space exceeding a predetermined value. 2. The information apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a part or all of the infrequently used data existing in the storage device is moved to the second storage device. 3. When the second storage device changes from a connected state to a non-connected state, the control means transfers a part or all of frequently used data existing in the second storage device to the first storage device. The information device according to claim 1, wherein the information device is moved to a storage device. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an ejecting unit for ejecting the second storage device, wherein the control unit is configured to execute the second storage device from the first storage device.
When the transfer of data to the first storage device or the transfer of data from the second storage device to the first storage device is completed, the second storage device is ejected by the ejecting means. Claim 2
Or the information equipment device according to 3.