JP2003208266A - Disk controller and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the overhead of a CPU, to improve a processing speed, and to improve operability. <P>SOLUTION: This information processor is provided with a microcomputer 6 for controlling a magnetic disk device 1 without using a CPU 4, firmware 7 for operating the microcomputer 6, a memory 8 for storing data read from the magnetic disk device 1 or data to be written in the magnetic disk device 1, an operating means such as a switch, and a display means such as an LED. This information processor is also provided with the magnetic disk device 1 and a magnetic disk device 2, so that data transfer between the magnetic disk device 1 and the magnetic disk device 2 can be performed by using the microcontroller 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a disk control device and an information processing device, and more particularly to a disk control device and an information processing device for controlling a disk device such as a magnetic disk device or an optical disk device instead of a CPU.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A disk device such as a magnetic disk device or an optical disk device is often used for holding data in an information processing device such as a personal computer. However, such a disk device generally stores data of a magnetic disk or an optical disk. When reading and writing, it is controlled by the CPU (central processing unit).

As a technique related to the present invention, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-211852 discloses a disk device for storing the entire contents of a disk in a storage means by utilizing a free time without a command from a CPU system. Has been done.

[0004]

However, when the data of the disk is read and written by the CPU, the CPU is overloaded, and when it is performed in parallel with other work, it takes time and the format of the disk is easy and the operation is easy. There was a problem that I could not copy between.

That is, the CPU controls the disk.
Has a high occupancy rate and does not have a configuration that allows easy data operation between disks. Therefore, C for the disc
There is a problem that the overhead of the PU is large and affects other work.

[0006] A main object of the present invention is to provide a disk control device and an information processing device using the disk control device for improving the processing speed and operability of the information processing device.

[0007]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION A disk control device of the present invention comprises a disk information processing means for controlling the disk device, which is connected to a central processing unit, and software for operating the disk information processing means. A non-volatile storage means in which is recorded, and storage means for storing data read from the disk device or data to be written to the disk device, the disk information processing means is independent of the central processing unit, A disk control device capable of controlling the disk device. Further, it is desirable to provide an operating means for instructing the operation of the disk information processing means and a display means for displaying the operation of the disk information processing means.

In the present invention, the disk information processing means can control the disk device without being controlled by the CPU, and for example, a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) can be used. The non-volatile storage means constitutes firmware, and stores software for operating the disk information processing means. The operation means is a switch or a liquid crystal panel having a touch panel function (in the case of a liquid crystal panel having a touch panel function, it also serves as a display means), etc. To do. The display means is an LED, a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays the format and copy progress of the disc and the result. The disks are, for example, MO disks, floppy disks, ZI.
It is an optical disk such as a P disk or a magnetic disk.

In the present invention, when the disc is inserted into the disc device, the data recorded on the disc is automatically written to the storage means, and when the data is recorded on the disc, the data is automatically recorded from the storage means. Read the data,
It can be configured to write to a disc. Such operation can be realized by a firmware-equipped microcomputer (nonvolatile storage means (firmware) in which disk information processing means such as a microcomputer and software for operating the disk information processing means are recorded). This disk information processing means has an interface with a CPU (central processing unit), and can execute control of part or all of the disk in place of the CPU. Further, the operation means or the operation means and the display means can independently perform operations such as disk formatting and copying regardless of the processing of the CPU. With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the CPU overhead, improve the processing speed, and improve the operability.

[0010]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing apparatus including a magnetic disk control apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. The broken line area in the figure indicates the magnetic disk control device. The controller 3 may be built in the magnetic disk control device. In FIG. 1, a magnetic disk device 1 for reading and writing data recorded on a removable magnetic disk
Is connected to a magnetic disk controller 3, and the magnetic disk controller 3 is connected to a microcomputer 6 that transfers commands and data to the magnetic disk controller 3 instead of the CPU 4. The microcomputer 6 includes a firmware (ROM or the like in which each program is recorded) 7 having an initial setting, a diagnostic program, and a format / copy program built therein, a memory 8 for storing data of a removable magnetic disk, and a removable disk. A switch 9 for requesting the formatting or copying of the magnetic disk, and an LED for displaying the result of the formatting or copying of the removable magnetic disk requested by the switch 9.
10 is connected, and the CPU 6 and the main memory 5 are further connected to the microcomputer 6.

The operation of the magnetic disk controller will be described below. When the power is turned on, the microcomputer 6 reads the data of the firmware 7 and performs the initial setting. Similarly, the diagnostic program is read from the firmware 7, and the memory 8 and the magnetic disk controller 3 are read.
Also, the magnetic disk device 1 is diagnosed and the result is transmitted to the CPU 4 via the main memory 5.

The CPU 4 determines whether or not the magnetic disk device 1 can operate based on the result. When the removable magnetic disk is inserted into the magnetic disk device 1, an interrupt from the magnetic disk controller 3 causes an interruption of the microcomputer 6
The recording data of the removable magnetic disk in which is inserted is automatically copied to the memory 8. The data of the removable magnetic disk copied to the memory 8 is transmitted to the CPU 4 via the main memory 5 by the microcomputer 6.
Similarly, when writing data to the removable magnetic disk, the data stored in the memory 8 is written to the removable magnetic disk via the magnetic disk controller 3 and the magnetic disk device 1 under the control of the microcomputer 6. The data in the memory 8 is also fetched by the microcomputer 6 via the main memory 5 according to an instruction from the CPU 4.

Further, by operating the switch 9, the microcomputer 6
Automatically formats the removable magnetic disk and displays the result using the LED 10. At this time, it is executed independently regardless of the CPU 4. The format / copy program is built in the firmware 7 in advance and executed by the microcomputer 6.

With the above configuration, the overhead of the CPU 4 can be reduced, and formatting and copying can be performed without imposing any load on the CPU 4.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information processing apparatus including a magnetic disk controller according to another embodiment of the present invention. The broken line area in the figure indicates the magnetic disk control device. The controller 3 may be built in the magnetic disk control device. The difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is that a magnetic disk device 1 and a magnetic disk device 2 for reading and writing recorded data of a removable magnetic disk are provided, and a function of operating means and display means is provided. That is, the liquid crystal panel 11 having a touch panel function is provided.

In the present embodiment, data transfer between the magnetic disk device 1 and the magnetic disk device 2 can be executed directly between the magnetic disk devices without intervention of the CPU 4. That is, when the liquid crystal panel 11 having the touch panel function is instructed to copy data from the magnetic disk device 1 to the magnetic disk device 2, for example, the microcomputer 6 automatically follows the format / copy program stored in the firmware 7. The data stored in the memory 8 is read into the memory 8 and the data stored in the memory 8 is written into the magnetic disk device 2. In this way, the data between the removable disks can be copied using the memory 8. The progress and results of copying are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 11.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to reduce the overhead of the CPU, improve the processing speed, and improve the operability.

That is, when the disk is inserted, the data on the magnetic disk can be automatically read in advance and can be executed without imposing a load on the CPU when writing the data to the disk, thus improving the processing speed. Can be achieved. Furthermore, since it is possible to format and copy independently, there is an effect that the operability is excellent.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing device including a magnetic disk control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an information processing device including a magnetic disk control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Magnetic disk unit 2 Magnetic disk unit 3 Magnetic disk controller 4 CPU 5 main memory 6 microcomputer 7 firmware 8 memory 9 switch 10 LED 11 LCD panel

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A disk information processing unit connected to a central processing unit for controlling a disk device, a non-volatile storage unit in which software for operating the disk information processing unit is recorded, and the disk. A disk control device comprising: storage means for storing data read from the device or data to be written to the disk device, wherein the disk information processing means can control the disk device independently of the central processing unit. 2. The disk control device according to claim 1, further comprising operation means for instructing an operation of the disk information processing means. 3. The disk control device according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying an operation of the disk information processing means. 4. The disk control device according to claim 1, wherein the disk device is plural. 5. The disk control device according to claim 4, wherein the disk information processing means controls data transfer between a plurality of disk devices. 6. A disk control device according to claim 1, a disk device controlled by the disk control device, and a central processing unit connected to the disk information processing means of the disk control device. An information processing device including the device.