JP2003150531A - Portable external storage device and communication control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable external storage device capable of properly using two communication functions of radiocommunication function and cable communication function corresponding to use and a state. SOLUTION: This portable external storage device 1 governs the whole control by an engine part 11, and an EEPROM 22 of this engine part 11 stores operation mode setting information a. This operation mode setting information a is set by a user by operation of a button 82 and a rotary switch 83, and is, for example, information for indicating the relationship between execution of radiocommunication via a Blue tooth and execution of cable communication via USB. The engine part 11 properly uses a radiocommunication via the Blue tooth and a cable communication via the USB according to the state on the basis of this operation mode setting information a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to, for example, Blueto
The present invention relates to a portable external storage device having a wireless communication function compliant with the oth standard and a wired communication function compliant with the USB standard, and a communication control method for the device, and particularly to two communication functions of the wireless communication function and the wired communication function. The present invention relates to a portable external storage device and a communication control method for the same, which enables proper use of the device according to the application and the situation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, personal computers and PDAs
(Personal Digital Assistant) By transmitting and receiving data between information processing devices such as digital cameras and peripheral devices such as printers via a wireless interface, it is possible to eliminate the complexity of connection and improve its usability. Many technologies have been developed. In addition, data transmission / reception and sharing are becoming common by connecting information processing apparatuses to each other via a wireless interface.

Recently, an external storage device having a so-called wireless communication function, which transmits and receives data to and from the information processing device via the wireless interface, has been actively developed.

[0004]

The external storage device having the wireless communication function up to now is premised on being installed indoors, and the operating power is obtained from the commercial power source via the AC adapter. is doing. On the other hand, although the capacity of recording media mounted in, for example, digital cameras has been increased, in order to store a large amount of data, a cumbersome operation such as replacement is inevitable. For this reason, there is an increasing need for an external storage device with a wireless communication function that can be easily carried in a pocket or the like, that is, can be driven by a battery.

However, even though it is a portable type external storage device, it is not always used while being carried by the user, and it is often used in a relatively stable state indoors. And in such cases,
It is preferable to use wired communication having a higher data transfer rate than wireless communication from the viewpoint of shortening the processing time and saving the battery power.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and is a portable type capable of properly using two communication functions of a wireless communication function and a wired communication function according to the use and the situation. An object is to provide an external storage device and a communication control method for the same.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is a battery-operable portable external storage device, and wireless communication means for executing wireless communication for data transfer, Wired communication means for executing wired communication for data exchange, operation mode setting means for setting a relationship between execution of wireless communication by the wireless communication means and execution of wired communication by the wired communication means, and the operation mode setting Communication control means for executing and controlling the wireless communication by the wireless communication means and the wired communication by the wired communication means based on the setting by the means.

In this portable external storage device, a mechanism for the user to set the relationship between the execution of the wireless communication and the execution of the wired communication, for example, how to respond to the request for the wireless communication during the wired communication, etc. By having this, it is possible to properly use the two communication functions of the wireless communication function and the wired communication function according to the application and the situation.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a usage environment of a portable external storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the portable external storage device 1 is an external storage device equipped with a battery and having a wireless communication function, such as a personal computer 2, a portable game machine 3, a digital video camera 4, a PDA 5 and the like. Wireless communication is performed with the information device of. Both the portable external storage device 1 and the information devices 2 to 5 are equipped with a Bluetooth module.
Wireless data communication is performed via the ooth module.

The maximum distance for wireless communication by this Bluetooth module is about 100 m, and when the portable external storage device 1 and the information devices 2 to 5 approach within this distance,
The Bluetooth link is automatically established and data can be sent and received.

Further, the portable external storage device 1 is US
It has a USB connector for connecting a B cable, and also has a wired communication function for performing wired data communication via the USB connector.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the portable external storage device 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the portable external storage device 1 has an engine unit 11, a Bluetooth wireless unit 12, a power supply unit 13, a setting operation unit 14, and a data storage unit 15.

The engine section 11 is for controlling the entire portable external storage device 1, and the CPU 21 serving as the core of the engine section 11 is connected to the EEPROM 22 via a bus 26. The operation mode setting information a, which will be described later, is recorded in the EEPROM 22.

The CPU 21 is also connected to a CPU bus / PCI bus bridge 25 via a CPU bus 27. In this CPU bus / PCI bus bridge 25,
The flash memory 23 is connected via the memory bus 28, and the DRAM 24 is connected via the memory bus 29.

The flash memory 23 includes a communication control program b for properly using the two communication functions of the portable external storage device 1 which are a wireless communication function and a wired communication function according to the use and the situation. , CPU21
Stores various programs that describe the operation procedure of. On the other hand, the DRAM 24 is used as a work memory for the CPU 21.

The CPU bus / PCI bus bridge 25 is
It is an interface bridge between the CPU bus 27 and the PCI bus 41, and is also connected to the display controller 31 via the bus 30. This display controller 31
The display control of the LCD 33 connected via the bus 32 is executed.

The PCI bus 41 is connected to the ISA bus 43 via the PCI / ISA bridge 42. The PCI bus 41 also includes a USB host controller 4
It is connected to the Bluetooth wireless unit 12 via 6 and the USB interface 44. The USB interface 45 is connected to a USB connector 45 for connecting a cable to an information device.

The Bluetooth radio unit 12 is connected to the USB host controller 46 and controls a baseband LSI 51 for controlling the radio function of Bluetooth and a baseband LSI.
A flash memory 52 for storing a program executed by 51, an antenna 54, and an RF unit 53 for controlling a high frequency signal between the baseband LSI 51 and the antenna 54 are provided.

A data storage unit 15 is connected to the PCI bus 41. This data storage unit 15 is a PC
It has an IDE interface controller 61 connected via the I-bus 41, and a hard disk 63 connected to the IDE interface controller 61 via an IDE interface 62.

Further, the PCI bus 41 has a power supply unit 13
Are connected. The power supply unit 13 is a PCI bus 41.
The power supply controller 71 connected to the power supply controller 71 and the power supply control circuit 72 connected to the power supply controller 71. A battery 73 and an AC input 74 are connected to the power control circuit 72. When the portable external storage device 1 is used in a mobile environment, power is supplied by the battery 73, and when the battery 73 is charged and used in an AC drivable environment, power is supplied from the AC input 74. To do.

Electric power from the battery 73 and the AC input 74 is supplied to the elements necessary for operating the portable external storage device 1, for example, the engine section 11, the wireless section 12, the data storage section 15 and the like.

Further, when the USB host controller 46 is connected to the power supply control circuit 72 and is connected to the external information device via the USB connector 45,
Power is supplied from the external information device via the USB cable, and the battery 7 is supplied with the received power.
Charge 3

On the other hand, the ISA bus 43 has a setting operation unit 1
4 is connected. This setting operation unit 14 has an ISA
An I / O controller 81 connected to the bus 43, a button 82 and a rotary switch 83 connected to the I / O controller 81 are provided. The button 82 and the rotary switch 83 are for various settings including setting of operation mode setting information a described later and for starting the apparatus.

Next, communication control in the portable external storage device 1 having such a configuration will be described.

First, the EEPROM 22 of the engine section 11
The operation mode setting information a recorded in the above will be described.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating the contents of the operation mode setting information a, and this operation mode setting information a
"Priority" indicating the relationship between the execution of wireless communication via Bluetooth and the execution of wired communication via USB.
"Access permission" indicating whether or not authentication of the other side is required when executing wireless communication via a tooth is managed. The "priority" holds "1" when USB is prioritized, and "2" or "3" when Bluetooth is prioritized. The difference between "2" and "3" is
When wireless communication via Bluetooth is requested during wired communication via USB, if the value is “2”, US
In contrast to the case where the wired communication via B is unconditionally switched to the wireless communication via Bluetooth, in the case of “3”, the user is inquired, and the explicit instruction is given from the user, and then via the USB. It is in the point of shifting from wired communication to wireless communication via Bluetooth.

On the other hand, the "access permission" is held at "1" when authentication of the other side is required when executing wireless communication via Bluetooth, and when the authentication of the other side is not required. "2" is held.

The value of each item managed by the operation mode setting information a is set by the engine section 11 (which operates according to the description of the communication control program b), which is notified from the setting operation section 14, of the button 82 and the rotary switch. It is set by executing writing to the EEPROM 22 based on the operation content of 83.

Next, by using this operation mode setting information a (in accordance with the description of the communication control program b), the engine unit 1
The communication control executed by No. 1 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a main flow chart showing the operation procedure of the portable external storage device 1.

When the engine 11 is notified by the setting operation unit 14 that the power is turned on, it first inquires of the USB host controller 46 whether the USB cable is connected to the USB connector 45 (step A).
1). If the USB cable is connected (YES in step A1), the engine unit 11 now determines whether or not the USB signal of the USB cable is active.
The SB host controller 46 is inquired (step A2).

If the USB signal is active (YES in step A2), the engine unit 11 instructs the power supply unit 13 to charge the battery 73 with the electric power supplied from the external information device to which the USB cable is connected. At the same time (step A3), the wired communication via the USB is executed (step A4).

After that, when the Bluetooth wireless unit 12 notifies that the call from the external information device has been received (YES in step A5), the engine unit 11 refers to the operation mode setting information a, and first, It is checked whether the USB has priority (step A6). If the USB is prioritized (YES in step A6), the engine unit 11 continues the wired communication via the USB as it is. On the other hand, Bluetooth
If the priority is given (NO in step A6), the engine unit 11
Further checks whether to inquire the user (step A7).

When making an inquiry (Y in step A7)
ES), the engine unit 11 creates a message image indicating that the Bluetooth call is received, and the image is displayed on the LCD.
Display controller 3 indicating that 33 is to be pop-up displayed
1 (step A8). When the setting operation unit 14 notifies the pop-up notification that the button 82 has been pressed (YES in step A9).
S), the engine unit 11 shifts to a Bluetooth wireless communication process described later (step A10). And this Blue
After the end of the tooth wireless communication process, the wired communication via the USB is restored.

On the other hand, when there is no response from the user to the pop-up notification within a predetermined time (NO in step A9), the engine unit 11 does not shift to the Bluetooth wireless communication process and directly uses the USB. Continue the wired communication via. If this inquiry is not made (NO in step A7), the engine unit 11 immediately outputs Bl.
After shifting to the uetooth wireless communication process (step A10), the Bluetooth wireless communication process is completed, and then the wired communication via the USB is restored.

When the USB cable is connected to the USB connector 45, but the USB signal is not active (NO in step A2), the engine unit 11 outputs US
Check whether the power line of the B cable is active or not by USB
Inquire the host controller 46 (step A1)
1). If the power line is active (YES in step A11), the engine unit 11 determines that the USB
The power supply unit 13 is instructed to charge the battery 73 with the electric power supplied from the external information device to which the cable is connected (step A12).

After issuing this instruction, or when the power supply line is not active (N in step A11)
O), or if the USB cable is not connected to the USB connector 45 (NO in step A1), the engine unit 11 is notified by the Bluetooth wireless unit 12 that the call from the external information device has been received. It waits for the arrival (step A13). Then, when this notification comes (YES in step A13), the engine unit 11 shifts to the Bluetooth wireless communication process described later (step A).
14). Then, when this Bluetooth wireless communication process is completed, it waits until the next call is received.

FIG. 5 shows the portable external storage device 1 Blue.
It is a flowchart which shows the operation procedure at the time of tooth wireless communication processing.

When starting the Bluetooth wireless communication, the engine unit 11 refers to the operation mode setting information a to check whether or not the other side authentication is required (step B).
1). If necessary (YES in step B1),
The engine unit 11 instructs the Bluetooth wireless unit 12 to execute the authentication process with the calling party (step B2).

When the Bluetooth wireless unit 12 notifies that the authentication has been established (YES in step B3), or when the other side authentication is not required (NO in step B1), the engine unit 11 Wireless communication via Bluetooth is executed (step B4), and after the wireless communication is completed (YES in step B5), the Bluetooth wireless communication process is completed.

On the other hand, when the Bluetooth wireless unit 12 notifies that the authentication process with the calling party has not been established (NO in step B3), the engine unit 11
Instructs the Bluetooth wireless unit 12 to notify the other party of the refusal response (step B6), and ends this Bluetooth wireless communication process.

Thus, this portable external storage device 1
Realizes to properly use wireless communication via Bluetooth and wired communication via USB according to the user's setting.

By the way, as described above, the portable external storage device 1 has a wireless communication function in order to eliminate the complication of connection, and is also a battery so as to be easily carried in a pocket or the like. Is equipped with. On the other hand, the portable external storage device 1 also has a wired communication function in consideration of the case of being used in a relatively stable state such as indoors.

Therefore, in this portable external storage device 1,
US for executing wired communication by this wired communication function
Using the B connector 45, a function of supplying power to external information equipment such as a mobile phone is further provided. FIG. 6 is an external view showing how the portable external storage device 1 supplies power to the mobile phone 6 in a low battery state.

When the engine section 11 is notified by the USB host controller 46 that the USB cable is connected, the engine section 11 is basically supplied with electric power from the external information device to which the USB cable is connected. On the other hand, here, when the mobile phone 6 is attached to the USB connector 45, it is assumed that power is supplied to the mobile phone 6. Therefore, in the portable external storage device 1, therefore, the engine unit 11 operates in response to the operation of the button 82 and the rotary switch 83 of the setting operation unit 14.
This switching is executed. Incidentally, for example, a mechanism for detecting that the mobile phone 6 is attached to the USB connector 45 may be provided, and the switching may be automatically performed according to the detection result.

FIG. 7 shows that the portable external storage device 1 is US
9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when supplying power to an external information device by using a B connector 45.

When the power supply to the external information equipment is started, the engine section 11 first inquires of the power supply section 13 whether or not the AC input 74 is present (step C1).
If there is an AC input 74 (YE in step C1)
S), the engine unit 11 instructs the power supply unit 13 to supply the power from the AC input 74 to the external information device via the USB interface 44 (step C2). On the other hand, when there is no AC input 74 (N in step C1)
O), the engine unit 11 supplies electric power from the battery 73 to U
The power supply unit 13 is instructed to be supplied to the external information device via the SB interface 44 (step C3).

Thus, this portable external storage device 1
Uses a mechanism of a wired communication function that has a wireless communication function together with, for example, a mobile phone 6 in a low battery state.
Provide a mechanism to supply power to the.

The invention of the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified at the stage of implementation without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the section of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved,
When the effects described in the section of the effects of the invention can be obtained, a structure in which this constituent element is deleted can be extracted as the invention.

[0053]

As described above in detail, according to the portable external storage device of the present invention, the execution of the wireless communication and the wired communication such as how the wireless communication is handled when the wireless communication is requested during the wired communication. By having a mechanism in which the user sets the relationship with the execution of communication, it is possible to properly use the two communication functions of the wireless communication function and the wired communication function according to the application and the situation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a usage environment of a portable external storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing the configuration of a portable external storage device of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating the content of operation mode setting information a held in the portable external storage device of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a main flowchart showing an operation procedure of the portable external storage device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is the portable external storage device Bluetooth of the embodiment.
The flowchart which shows the operation procedure at the time of wireless communication processing.

FIG. 6 is an external view showing how the portable external storage device of the embodiment supplies power to a mobile phone in a low battery state.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart showing an operation procedure when the portable external storage device of the embodiment uses a USB connector to supply power to an external information device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Portable external storage device 2 ... Personal computer 3 ... Portable game machine 4 ... Digital video camera 5 ... PDA (personal digital assistant) 6 ... Mobile phone 11 ... Engine part 12 ... Bluetooth wireless unit 13 ... Power supply 14 ... Setting operation unit 15 ... Data storage unit 21 ... CPU 22 ... EEPROM 23 ... Flash memory 24 ... DRAM 25 ... CPU bus / PCI bus bridge 26, 30, 32 ... Bus 27 ... CPU bus 28, 29 ... Memory bus 31 ... Display controller 33 ... LCD 41 ... PCI bus 42 ... PCI / ISA bridge 43 ... ISA bus 44 ... USB interface 45 ... USB connector 46 ... USB host controller 51 ... Baseband LSI 52 ... Flash memory 53 ... RF unit 54 ... antenna 61 ... IDE interface controller 62 ... IDE interface 63 ... HDD 71 ... Power supply controller 72 ... Power supply control circuit 73 ... Battery 74 ... AC input 81 ... I / O controller 82 ... button 83 ... Rotary switch a ... Operation mode setting information b ... communication control program

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A portable external storage device capable of being driven by a battery, the wireless communication means performing wireless communication for data exchange, the wired communication means performing wire communication for data exchange, and the wireless communication. Operation mode setting means for setting a relationship between execution of wireless communication by the communication means and execution of wired communication by the wired communication means; and wireless communication and wireless communication by the wireless communication means based on the setting by the operation mode setting means A portable external storage device, comprising: a communication control unit that controls execution of wired communication by the unit. 2. The operation mode setting means has means for setting which of the execution of wireless communication by the wireless communication means and the execution of wired communication by the wired communication means is prioritized. Item 1. A portable external storage device according to item 1. 3. The operation mode setting means suspends execution of wired communication by the wired communication means when execution of wireless communication by the wireless communication means is requested during execution of wired communication by the wired communication means. 2. The portable external storage device according to claim 1, further comprising means for setting an operation mode for inquiring whether to start execution of wireless communication by the wireless communication means. 4. The operation mode setting means, when execution of wireless communication by the wireless communication means is requested during execution of wire communication by the wire communication means, the operation mode setting means changes from execution of wire communication by the wire communication means. The portable external storage device according to claim 1, further comprising means for setting an operation mode in which the wireless communication means unconditionally shifts to execution of wireless communication. 5. The communication control means determines whether to interrupt the execution of the wired communication by the wired communication means and start the execution of the wireless communication by the wireless communication means based on the setting by the operation mode setting means. After inquiring, when the instruction is not obtained within a predetermined time, there is provided means for continuing the execution of the wired communication by the wired communication means without shifting to the execution of the wireless communication by the wireless communication means. The portable external storage device according to claim 3, wherein 6. The operation mode setting means has means for setting whether or not to permit execution of wireless communication by the wireless communication means only to a predetermined partner. The portable external storage device according to 2, 3, 4, or 5. 7. The battery charging means for charging the battery with electric power supplied from the other party of the wire communication via a cable used for wire communication by the wire communication means. 2,
The portable external storage device according to 3, 4, or 5. 8. A connector for connecting an information processing device, and power supply means for supplying electric power of the battery to the information processing device via the connector when the information processing device is connected by the connector. 6. The portable external storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: 9. The connector is also used as a connector for connecting a cable used for wire communication by the wire communication means, and the power supply means supplies power from a partner of wire communication via the cable. 9. The portable external storage device according to claim 8, wherein power is supplied to the information processing device by using a power supply terminal provided on the connector for receiving. 10. A wireless communication means for performing wireless communication for data exchange, a wired communication means for performing wired communication for data exchange, execution of wireless communication by the wireless communication means, and the wired communication means. A communication control method for a battery-driven portable external storage device having an operation mode setting means for setting a relationship with execution of wired communication, the method comprising determining whether or not a cable used for wired communication by the wired communication means is connected. And a step of starting execution of wired communication by the wired communication means when it is determined that the cable is connected, and a step of performing wireless communication by the wireless communication means during execution of wired communication by the wired communication means. When the execution is requested, the operation mode setting means executes the wireless communication by the wireless communication means and the wired communication means executes the wireless communication. A step of determining which one of the wired communication and the wired communication is set to be prioritized, and the wired communication is determined when the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit is set to be prioritized. Interrupting execution of wired communication by the means and starting execution of wireless communication by the wireless communication means.