JP2002507792A - Apparatus and method for directly connecting a mass storage device drive to digital equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] A data storage device (100) according to the present invention includes a data storage medium (14) such as a removable magnetic storage medium, writing digital data to a data storage medium, and reading digital data from a data storage medium. A read / write head (46) for reading and selectively connected to a first communication port of a first digital device or a second communication port of a second digital device connected to a data storage medium. Electrical interface (104). The data storage device receives the digital data generated by the first digital device via the electrical interface, stores the received digital data on the data storage medium as stored digital data, and stores the stored digital data via the electrical interface into the second digital device. Transfer to device. The present invention is particularly useful when the first digital device is a digital camera with a compact flash interface port.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is incorporated by reference in U.S. Pat. S. P
rovisional Application Serial No. 60 /
078, 192.

[0002] The present invention generally relates to data storage devices. Specifically, the present invention relates to a direct connection between a digital device and a data storage device, and provides a direct communication path for digital data transfer between the digital device and the data storage device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The application of digital technology is rapidly spreading to many consumer devices. For example, digital cameras are highly expected as a major application field of digital technology. Digital cameras use a microprocessor and other related circuitry to convert an analog image into a set of digital pixels to form a digital image. The digital pixels are stored once in the camera's memory area and are later used for searching and processing. The digital image can then be downloaded to a personal computer (PC) or notebook computer for viewing or editing.

A conventional digital camera has a central processing unit (C) that functions as a control unit.
PU), an imaging unit, a data conversion / compression unit, a memory controller functioning as an interface, a data memory as a storage medium, a first-in first-out (FIFO) circuit, and a communication port.

[0005] The CPU controls the operation of the camera components. The imaging unit converts a detected image into an analog signal, and a typical one is a charge-coupled device. The data conversion / compression unit converts the analog signal into a digital signal representing image data, and compresses and codes the image data. The image data is written to the data memory through the FIFO circuit according to the operation of the memory controller. The data memory is generally a standard flash memory PC card or other non-volatile memory, and is configured in accordance with the PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) standard. The image data can be read from the data memory through the FIFO circuit according to the operation of the memory controller. The communication port is provided for directly downloading image data to a PC.

[0006] The most common digital image storage space for digital cameras is flash memory. When the memory area is full, the memory area must be cleared before taking any more pictures. Replacement of the flash memory module was not possible with previously sold digital cameras. For those cameras, the camera must be connected to a PC or notebook computer to download the images. Newer cameras have interchangeable flash memory modules. Therefore, when the memory module becomes full, it can be replaced with an empty memory module. In that case, the user can continue shooting freely and then download it. Flash memory modules are interchangeable, but relatively expensive. Therefore, the user tends to purchase only one or two additional memory modules, and the number of photographing times of the user is still limited.

As described above, at present, a digital camera image is stored in an internal memory (eg, flash memory, RAM, etc.) of the camera, and when the memory becomes full, it is downloaded to a PC through a port (eg, serial, parallel, SCSI). There is a need to. This is inconvenient for the user in situations where a PC is not readily available. Image transfer via serial port is very slow.

[0008] Digital cameras are just one example of using flash memory to provide a removable storage solution. Other digital information devices, such as smart phones, personal digital assistants, etc., likewise rely on flash memory to provide a removable storage solution.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a data storage device that can be selectively connected to any of a plurality of digital devices in order to perform low cost and efficient digital data transfer between the digital device and the data storage device. is there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A data storage device according to the present invention includes a data storage medium such as a replaceable magnetic storage medium, writing digital data to a data storage medium, and reading digital data from a data storage medium. A read / write head to be performed and an electrical interface connected to the data storage medium and further capable of selectively connecting to a first communication port of a first digital device or a second communication port of a second digital device. Have. The data storage device receives the digital data generated by the first digital device via the electrical interface, stores the received digital data on the data storage medium as stored digital data, and stores the stored digital data via the electrical interface into the second digital device. Transfer to device.

The present invention is particularly useful when the first digital device is a digital camera having a compact flash interface port. In addition, the data storage device of the present invention can be used for digital data transfer between a digital device and a data storage medium regardless of the type of communication port or communication protocol of the digital device. For example, if any communication port is an ATA, SSFDC, parallel, USB, PCMCIA, or SCSI port, the electrical interface may be ATA, SSFDC, parallel, USB, PCMCIA, or SCSI.
Can be an interface. Similarly, if the digital device and the data storage medium support different protocols, a protocol adapter can be provided at the electrical interface to enable data transfer between the digital device and the data storage medium.

Also, a housing is provided on the data storage device, and an optional mounting member is connected to the housing so that, for example, a user can mount the data storage device on a camera tripod or hold the device in a shirt pocket or belt. It is also possible.

In particular, a data storage device for storing digital data generated from a digital device having a flash memory interface port includes a data storage medium, digital data writing to the data storage medium, and digital data storage from the data storage medium. It has a read / write head for reading data and an electrical interface connected to the data storage medium and connectable to a flash memory interface port of the digital device. The data storage device is configured to receive digital data from the digital device via the electrical interface and store the received digital data on a data storage medium. Preferably, the flash memory interface is a compact flash interface and the electrical interface is an ATA interface.

[0014] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show at present preferred embodiments, but the specific methods and means disclosed herein are not limiting.

The present invention relates to a direct connection between a digital device such as a digital camera and a data storage device, and a direct connection for digital data transfer between the digital device and the data storage device. Provide a communication path.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information storage / retrieval storage device drive 50 for a host device 90. The host device 90 may be considered as one of various computer-related digital devices that output or input digital data, such as a digital camera, a personal computer, and a handheld computer. The host device 90 communicates with the drive 50 via the bus 91 by sending commands to read and write digital information to and from the data storage medium 14. The bus 91 is parallel, general-purpose serial,
Any of various buses such as USB and SCSI.

The data storage medium 14 is any of various digital data storage media such as magnetic storage, optical storage, and magneto-optical storage. The data storage medium 14 may be of a type fixed to the drive 50 or a removable type. If the media 14 is removable from the drive 50, it can be contained in a protective shell 18 to prevent damage. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage medium 14 is a “CLIK!” Drive (manufacturer Iom).
Non-volatile removable magnetic media, such as magnetic disks, that are loaded into portable data storage drives, such as Ega Corporation, Roy, Utah).

The drive 50 has a controller 88, which operates as a host device 90.
And controls the overall operation of the drive 50. Controller 88 is preferably a microprocessor-based controller. The drive 50 further includes a read channel 82 for a conditioning signal read from the medium 14, an actuator controller 84 for servo control / tracking, a motor controller 86 for controlling the rotation speed of the medium 14 via the spindle motor 40, And an actuator assembly for reading data from.

The actuator assembly has a read / write head 46 connected to its tip. The actuator assembly also includes a suspension arm 44 and an actuator 49, which cooperate to move a read / write head 46 on the surface of the medium 14 when reading or writing digital information. Read / write head 46 is electrically coupled to read channel 82 through electrical conductor 92.

The actuator 49 has an electromagnetic motor, and the motor is preferably a voice coil motor, a stepper motor, or the like. The actuator 49 has a function of linear motion or rotary motion. Generally, linear motion actuators are called linear actuators, and rotary motion actuators are called rotary actuators.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the data storage device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the data storage device 100 includes a drive 50 as shown in FIG. 1, and an electric interface 104 and an electric interface for connecting the drive 50 to the digital camera 90. Electrical interface 104 is any suitable electrical interface that may form bus 91, but in the preferred embodiment, electrical interface 104 is a cable.

Digital cameras typically use flash memory to store digital image data generated during digital photography. Normally, the digital camera 90 includes a flash memory module that connects to the digital camera 90 via a flash memory interface 12 such as a Compact Flash (Compact Flash) interface. The electric interface 104 has a compact flash connector 142 at one end of the cable for connection with the digital camera 90. The user simply removes the CompactFlash module and attaches the electrical interface 1 to the CompactFlash interface 12.
All you need to do is connect the 04 Compact Flash connector. However, drive 50 includes ATA interface port 146. Accordingly, the electrical interface 104 also includes an ATA connector 140 at the other end of the cable.

Preferably, the data storage device 100 is provided with a protective housing 102 having an optional mounting member 106. The mounting member 106 can be formed as a clip, for example, so that the user can use the digital camera 10 to secure the storage device 100 to a belt or shirt pocket, or place the data storage device 100 on a camera tripod. .

FIG. 3 shows a standard compact flash interface 12 and an ATA or I
The pin connection of the DE interface 16 is shown. Therefore, FIG. 3 shows the conversion from the compact flash to the IDE, whereby the digital camera 90 recognizes the digital storage device 100 as the same as the flash memory module built in the camera. The generated data is written directly to the storage medium 14 of the data storage device 100 according to the operation of the controller 88 via the electrical interface 104 and the communication port 12. Thus, the personal computer (PC
) And other external data transfer devices, the data storage device 100 allows direct transfer of digital data from the digital camera 90 to the data storage medium 14.

The data storage device 100 is configured to receive digital data from the digital camera 90 and store the received digital data on the data storage medium 14. Data storage device 100 interprets all ATA flash commands and responds to the American National Standards Institute ATA flash standard (ANS) so that digital camera 90 can recognize data storage device 100 as a flash memory module.
IX3T13 / 1153D, Revision 7, Information Technology-ATA Attachment-4 with Packet Interface Extension (ATA / ATAPI-4), Flash memory based on October 1996.

The digital device 90 starts data transfer with the data storage device 100. Each time the image data is generated, it is input to the data storage device 100 via a FIFO circuit (not shown) according to the operation of the controller 88. The image transfer to the memory of the digital device 90 is performed by the data storage device 1
Executed directly on 00. The data storage device 100 interprets the command of the digital device 90 as if it were a memory of the digital device 90 and responds to it.

To use the data storage device of the present invention, a user connects the data storage device 100 directly to a digital device 10 (eg, a digital camera) and operates the digital device 10 in much the same way as with CompactFlash ™. Is used to control the transfer of image data to, for example, a disk (for example, a CLIK! Disk). As will be described in greater detail below, using the same connector 142 with a suitable adapter 144,
Data storage device 1 in computer with CMCIA ATA interface
00, the image data stored in the data storage medium 14 can be accessed. When the data storage device 100 is connected to a digital camera, the digital camera functions like a host and uses the ATA standard. Similarly, when the data storage device 100 is connected to a computer, the computer functions as a host to the data storage device 100 because the computer has an ATA interface.

As shown in FIG. 4, an optional input / output (I / O)
An (I / O) board 124 can be provided. The drive 50 is connected to the I / O board 124 through the IDE bus 130. The I / O board 124 includes an external host connector 132. FIG. 5 shows the pin connection of the host connector 132. Host connector 132 includes 34 total shield pins. One side of the connector is assigned even numbered pins and the other side is assigned odd numbered pins. The table in FIG. 5 shows the pin arrangement of the host connector 132 (column D3) and the pin usage required for the host (column labeled host interface).

The electrical interface 104 preferably includes an ATA interface 146. The ATA interface 146 may be a standard ATA interface or a non-standard ATA interface. In the preferred embodiment, a non-standard A using 8 bits (rather than 16 bits) for status and data transfer
The TA interface is used as the ATA interface 146. By using an 8-bit ATA interface, the number of pins required for the connector is reduced, and a smaller cable can be used for the electrical interface 104.

To ensure that the 8-bit ATA interface is transparent to digital devices, I / O board 124 performs 16 / 8-bit conversion.
Registers (address 0x3F4, alias 0x3F5) are used to maintain the check syndrome in all data transfers. 0x3F4 or 0x3
All the syndromes are initialized to “1” by the write operation to F5,
When reading from x3F4 or 0x3F5, the contents of the check syndrome are returned. The width of the syndrome value is 10 bits and is accessed in two read cycles. The first read of 0x3F4 returns the upper two bits of the syndrome value, and the next read returns the lower eight bits.

Since the upper or lower 8 bits of the 16-bit value are transferred by the odd-numbered and even-numbered accesses, the data register at the address 0x1F0 is accessed even number times. To facilitate operation in a PCMCIA environment, lower address bits during a read or write cycle immediately following a data register read or write are ignored. This allows the host to access even / odd byte lanes via the lowest address line. Reading address 0x1F1 is a lower byte reference or an access to the ERROR register, depending on the address used in the previous cycle, so the user needs to ensure that data transfers are continuous in 16-bit alignment. is there.

FIG. 5 is a pin assignment table of a preferred embodiment of the connector used for the ATA interface 146. The host connector includes 34 total shield pins. One side of the connector is assigned even numbered pins and the other side is assigned odd numbered pins. The table in FIG. 5 shows the pin assignments of the connector and the pin usage required for the host. However, only eight data lines (that is, pins 4 to 9, 11, and 12) are shown.

The data storage device 100 is preferably provided with a power supply 20, and is preferably a detachable and portable device such as a battery pack. Use a standard battery (
For example, 9 volts or AA alkaline) may be used, but a rechargeable battery is preferred. Digital devices have no other power drain. A power switch (not shown) for manually turning off the power may be optionally provided for power saving other than during use.

The data storage device 100 is provided with an optional display lamp (not shown), and the display lamp is preferably a multi-color LED or a plurality of LEDs for indicating a data transfer state. For example, using a two-color LED as a display lamp,
Illuminates red when the unused or free space on the storage medium 14 for storing data from the camera is insufficient (ie, the disk is full);
Green can be turned on when the data transfer from the digital device 10 is completed (that is, when the transfer is successful). Also, LE to indicate “transferring” or “transfer failure”
A D display lamp can be added. The indicator lamp is separate from a lamp related to the power supply (for example, a battery pack indicator LED).

FIG. 6 shows another aspect of the data storage device 100 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, when the data storage device 100 is directly connected to the PC 50 (for example, a notebook computer) using the protocol adapter 125, or when the data storage device is connected to other digital devices 60 and 70, The same electrical interface 104 can be used as when connecting the data storage device 100 directly to the digital camera 90. Thus, the data (input digital data) received from the first digital device and stored in the data storage medium 14 (stored digital data) can be transferred, viewed, or edited on the second digital device. The present invention is more economical than flash memory, and the data transfer between the digital device and the PC according to the present invention is much faster than flash memory.

As shown in FIG. 6, data storage device 100 is first connected to a first digital device (eg, digital device 40). The data storage device 100 receives digital data output from the digital device 40 via the electrical interface 104 and stores the received digital data in the data storage medium 14. next,
Data storage device 100 is connected to a second digital device (eg, digital device 50). At the same time as the command from the digital device 50, the data storage device 100 transfers the stored digital data to the digital device 50 via the electrical interface 104.

In general, any interface that functions as a bus for transferring digital data between the storage medium 14 and the digital devices 40, 50, 60, 70 can be used as the electrical interface 104. Similarly, the electrical interface 104 supports various protocols, and regardless of the protocols supported by the communication ports, the digital storage medium 14 and the various communication ports 41, 51, 61
, 71 as an interface.

In general, digital devices 40, 50, 60, 70 have different communication port interfaces and support different protocols. To ensure selective connection (i.e., connection based on user selection) of various digital devices with communication ports supporting different protocols to data storage device 100, electrical interface 104 may include an appropriate interface , Electrical interface 104
By selecting a protocol adapter required for the communication, it is possible to selectively connect to various communication ports supporting various protocols. For example, if the digital device 40 is a digital camera and the communication port 41 is a compact flash port that supports the ATA protocol, the electrical interface 104 can include an ATA interface.

Similarly, if the digital device 50 is a desktop computer and the communication port 51 is a SCSI interface port, the SCSI interface 115 and A
A TA / SCSI protocol adapter 125 may be included in the electrical interface 104. On the other hand, if the digital device 60 is a notebook computer having the PCMCIA interface port 61, the PCMCIA interface 116 and the ATA / PCMCIA protocol adapter 127 can be included in the electric interface 104. If the digital device 70 is a PC printer and the communication port 71 is a parallel port, the parallel port interface 117 and A
A TA / parallel protocol adapter 127 may be included in the electrical interface 104. Similarly, the electrical interface 104 can be selectively connected to a communication port, such as a USB port or SSFDC port, using a suitable USB or SSFDC interface and protocol adapter. As described above, the electrical interface 104 is basically composed of the digital device and the data storage medium 1.
4 is a module means for communicating between the four. The user simply needs to select the required interface and protocol adapter for the electrical interface 104 based on the protocols and communication ports supported by the digital device to which the data storage device 100 is to be connected.

Although a digital camera is preferable as the portable device of the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a smart phone, a portable information terminal, and a notebook computer. According to the present invention, not only digital image data but also all digital data including sound data can be downloaded and stored.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a portable disk drive.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a data storage device particularly suited for digital camera applications.

FIG. 3 is a pin assignment table for converting from a compact flash interface connector to an IDE interface.

FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of a data storage device including a 16/8 bit converter.

FIG. 5 is a pin assignment table of an 8-bit ATA connector.

FIG. 6 shows another preferred embodiment of the data storage device according to the present invention.

[Procedural Amendment] Submission of translation of Article 34 Amendment of the Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission Date] April 7, 2000 (200.4.7)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0001

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0008] Digital cameras are just one example of using flash memory to provide a removable storage solution. Other digital information devices, such as smart phones, personal digital assistants, etc., likewise rely on flash memory to provide a removable storage solution. EP-A-0 689 127 relates to a data backup system including a recording / reproducing unit and an interface unit. The recording / reproducing unit records digital data, that is, a digital signal, with a magnetic tape loaded therein,
Reproduce. The interface unit includes a first input / output unit (SCSI, parallel, PCMCIA port, etc.) for exchanging data, that is, a signal with a computer, and a second input / output unit for exchanging data with a recording / reproducing unit. Including input / output unit.
The interface unit converts and transfers data exchanged between the computer and the recording / reproducing unit. This document proposes to use a micro tape cassette for digital audio as a computer backup. The interface unit controls the recording operation of the recording / reproducing unit and transmits and receives data and control signals to and from the host computer. “Strass H., Drei System, dated July 9, 1996.
eringen um den Standard Speicherkar
ten-Kleiner als PCMCIA-Karten, Ele
konik vol. 45 no. No. 14, pages 78 to 81, there is a description of flash memory cards, especially flash memory cards for digital cameras.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G11B 20/10 H04N 5/76 Z H04N 5/76 5/907 B 5/907 G06F 1/00 320A (81 ) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), CA, JP, SGF Terms (reference) 5B058 CA13 CA23 5B065 BA01 CA11 CE11 CS01 5B077 NN02 5C052 AA01 AA17 AB04 CC06 CC11 DD02 EE08 GA02 GB06 GE06 GE08 5D044 AB05 AB07 BC08 CC09 HL06 HL11 JJ03

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A data storage device for storing digital data generated by a digital device having a flash memory interface port, comprising: a data storage medium; writing the digital data to the data storage medium; A read / write head for reading digital data from a data storage medium; and an electrical interface connected to the data storage medium and connectable to a flash memory interface port of the digital device. A data storage device configured to receive digital data through an interface and store the received digital data in the data storage medium. 2. The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein said data storage medium is a magnetic storage medium. 3. The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein said data storage medium is removable. 4. The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein said flash memory interface comprises a compact flash interface. 5. The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical interface comprises an ATA interface. 6. The data storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing joined to the electrical interface, and a mounting member joined to the housing. 7. A data storage medium, a read / write head for writing digital data to the data storage medium and reading digital data from the data storage medium, and further connected to the data storage medium, An electrical interface capable of being selectively connected to the first communication port of the digital device or the second communication port of the second digital device, and transmitting digital data generated by the first digital device via the electrical interface A data storage device for receiving the digital data, storing the received digital data as stored digital data in a data storage medium, and transferring the stored digital data to a second digital device via an electrical interface. 8. The data storage device according to claim 7, wherein said data storage medium is a magnetic storage medium. 9. The data storage device according to claim 7, wherein said data storage medium is removable. 10. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the first digital device is a digital camera.
8. The data storage device according to claim 7, wherein said communication port is a compact flash interface port. 11. The data storage device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said first communication port and said second communication port is an ATA port, and said electric interface comprises an ATA interface. 12. The data storage device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said first communication port and said second communication port is an SSFDC port, and said electric interface comprises an SSFDC interface. 13. The data storage device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said first communication port and said second communication port is a parallel port, and said electric interface comprises a parallel port interface. 14. The data storage device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said first communication port and said second communication port is a USB port, and said electric interface comprises a USB interface. 15. The data storage device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said first communication port and said second communication port is a PCMCIA port, and said electric interface comprises a PCMCIA interface. 16. The data storage device according to claim 7, wherein said electrical interface comprises a protocol adapter. 17. The data storage device according to claim 16, wherein said protocol adapter is an ATA / PCMCIA adapter. 18. The data storage device according to claim 16, wherein said protocol adapter is an ATA / SCSI adapter. 19. The data storage device according to claim 16, wherein said protocol adapter is an ATA / parallel port adapter. 20. The data storage device according to claim 7, further comprising: a housing joined to the electrical interface; and a mounting member joined to the housing.