JP2003316716A - Movie docking bay - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a movie docking bay capable of attaching/detaching a movie to/from a personal computer with the power supply of the personal computer kept turned on, transferring data in the storage means of the movie to the personal computer at a high speed, and using the storage means of the movie as an auxiliary memory of the personal computer. <P>SOLUTION: This docking bay capable of being built in an extension slot of the personal computer is provided with a movie attaching part 5 which attaches/detaches the movie incorporating the storage means, a command repeat means 4 for sending and receiving a command or the like between an ATA controller 9 of the personal computer side and the command repeat means 4, a buffer circuit 3 for interfacing the ATA controller 9 of the personal computer side and the command repeat means 4, a voltage adjustment means 2 for adjusting the supply power from the personal computer, and a movie detection means 6 for detecting the state in which the movie is attached. When the movie detection means 6 detects the movie attachment, the command or the like are sent and received between the ATA controller 9 of the personal computer side and the movie by the control of the command repeat means 4. When the movie detection means 6 detects the movie detachment, the command or the like are sent and received between the ATA controller 9 of the personal computer side and the command repeat means 4 by the control of the command repeat means 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a movie docking bay, and more particularly to a docking bay which can be built in an expansion slot of a personal computer and which is provided with a movie loading section, and a movie loading section is selectively loaded with a movie. About the movie docking bay you can.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a video camera, for example, a digital video camera, having a built-in storage means and capable of recording photographed image data and sound data in the storage means and reproducing the image data and sound data recorded in the storage means A lot of movies such as cassette recorders (VCRs) are now on the market. Together with this, movies are connected to a personal computer, and the image data and audio data recorded in the memory means of the movie are transferred to the personal computer side, and the hard disk drive of the personal computer is connected. It is also stored in the (HDD). And
When transferring such image data and audio data, the analog signal output of the movie is supplied to the video capture board via the RCA cable and is recorded from the video capture board to the HDD via the PCI bus or to the USB. It is often recorded directly on the HDD via a cable or an IEEE 1394 cable.

By the way, when connecting a personal computer and a movie, the personal computer is RCA, USB, or IEEE139.
Since many of them are equipped with a 4-cable connector on the back side, it is necessary to perform a troublesome connection work when connecting a personal computer and a movie with these cables.

On the other hand, as a means for eliminating the troublesomeness in connection work, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-
There is a digital camera disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 165731. The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-165731 relates to a digital camera, not a movie, but it is inserted into an expansion slot of a personal computer with the digital camera mounted in a docking bay, and the USB or IEEE 1394 standard is set. By connecting the digital camera and the personal computer by a compliant interface, the memory card of the digital camera is shared with the personal computer.

[0005]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
The digital camera disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 65731 can apply the technical means thereof to a movie. However, a personal computer that originally holds a connector conforming to the USB or IEEE1394 standard on a motherboard inside the personal computer Since the model is limited, the digital camera disclosed above cannot be used for all personal computers.

[0006] As for USB, the current USB1.1 standard is the mainstream, and the maximum transfer rate of data according to the standard is 1.5 MBps. In addition, IEEE1
According to the current standard, 394 has a maximum data transfer rate of up to 50 MBps, and when transferring large file data including image data and audio data of several 100 MB to several GB, a small data transfer time is required. However, for the sake of shortening, it is preferable to transfer at a transfer rate as close as possible to the transfer rate of the PCI bus of 133 MBps.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical background, and an object thereof is to be usable for a personal computer having an expansion slot, in which the power of the personal computer is kept on without being turned off. The movie can be attached and detached, the data stored in the movie storage means can be transferred to the personal computer at high speed, and the storage means can be used as an auxiliary storage device of the personal computer, and the storage means can be a large capacity removable disk. It is to provide a movie docking bay that can be used as.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a docking bay which can be built in an expansion slot of a personal computer, and which has a movie loading section for loading and unloading a movie having a storage means. AT with PC
A command repeat means for transmitting and receiving the A command and medium management information, a buffer circuit section for interfacing between the personal computer and the command repeat means, a voltage adjusting means for adjusting the power supply voltage supplied from the personal computer, and a movie for the movie loading section. It is equipped with a movie detection unit that detects the wearing state and supplies the detection output to the command repeat unit,
When the movie detection unit detects that the movie is loaded, the command repeat unit controls the ATA command and the medium management information between the personal computer and the movie. When the movie detection unit detects the movie detachment, the command repeat unit controls the movie. It is provided with means for transmitting and receiving ATA commands and medium management information between the personal computer and the command repeat means.

According to the above means, the movie detecting means and the command repeat means are provided in the docking bay, and the command repeat means is controlled when the movie detecting means detects the mounting of the movie, and the ATA command and the medium are transferred between the personal computer and the movie. Send and receive management information, while
When the movie detection means detects the movie detachment, it controls the command repeat means so that the ATA command and the medium management information are transmitted and received between the personal computer and the command repeat means, so that the personal computer does not freeze. The movie can be attached to and detached from the movie attachment section with the personal computer turned on.

In this case, the means for storing the movie in the above means is a small hard disk drive (HDD) built in a portable personal computer or a portable information terminal.

With this structure, the HDD can be easily replaced when the HDD fails or when the required storage capacity of the HDD is significantly improved.

Further, the information transmitted and received between the personal computer and the command repeat means in the means includes file management information in addition to the ATA command and the medium management information.

According to this structure, the command repeat means sends to the personal computer the new video data and audio data photographed in the movie in the HDD (master) of the personal computer.
Therefore, even if the user is inexperienced in computer operation knowledge, video data and audio data can be easily and quickly stored in the HDD (master) of the personal computer.

Further, in the above-mentioned means, the command repeat means compares the medium management information and file management information stored in the movie storage means with the current medium management information and file management information, and a difference is generated between them. It is to inform the personal computer when there is.

With such a configuration, the medium management information and the file management information stored by the command repeat means are compared with the medium management information and the file management information stored in the movie storage means, and the difference information between them is compared. Since only the contents are sent to the PC, the data processing load on the PC can be reduced.

In the above-mentioned means, the command repeat means is the medium management information and the file management information when the movie storage means is used as an auxiliary storage device of the personal computer, and the medium when it is previously used for the movie. The management information and the file management information are stored.

With such a structure, even if the movie used in the auxiliary storage device of the personal computer is suddenly taken out from the movie mounting portion, a directory structure is prepared in which image data and audio data as a movie can be immediately recorded. can do.

Further, in the above means, the command repeat means writes the stored medium management information and file management information in the medium management information recording area and the file management information recording area of the movie storage means.

With such a configuration, even if the medium management information and the file management information recorded in the movie storage means are destroyed by a shock or the like, the medium management information and the file stored in the command repeat means are recorded. By writing the management information to the medium management information area and the file management information area in the storage means of the movie, various information recorded in the storage means can be restored.

[0020]

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

FIG. 1 relates to one embodiment of a movie docking bay according to the present invention, and is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the movie docking bay.

As shown in FIG. 1, a movie docking bay 1 according to this embodiment has a voltage adjusting circuit (voltage adjusting means) 2, a buffer circuit 3, an ATA command repeater circuit (command repeat means) 4, Movie mounting unit 5, movie detection unit 6, A connector 7, and H
In addition to the connector 8, a personal computer side ATA controller 9, an ATX power supply 10, and
An IDE cable 11 is provided.

In this case, the voltage adjustment circuit 2 adjusts the + 12V power supply voltage supplied from the ATX power supply 10 of the personal computer to the power supply voltage used in the movie, for example, + 5V, which is a 12V-DC converter. 5V
It constitutes a conversion circuit. The buffer circuit 3 is connected to the pull-up / pull-down series resistor part of the personal computer side controller which is determined by the ATA standard (ATA-5) and A
It interfaces with the TA command repeater circuit 4 and has a controllable buffer amplifier (not shown). As will be described later, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 selectively selects the AT on the personal computer side instead of the movie.
A controller 9 and ATA command, device ID, M
It transmits and receives BR and other information. The movie mounting unit 5 is a unit in which a movie including a storage unit including a hard disk drive (HDD) is detachably mounted. The movie detecting unit 6 detects whether or not a movie is attached to the movie attaching unit 5, and includes a movable pin 6a, a pin holder 6b through which the movable pin 6a is inserted, and a pin receiving unit 6c which is grounded. When the movie is mounted on the movie mounting portion 5, the tip of the movable pin 6a moves into the pin receiving portion 6c, which grounds the pin holder 6b, and a low level (L) detection signal HDD C
TL is output, on the other hand, when the movie is detached from the movie mounting section 5, the tip of the movable pin 6a is the pin receiving section 6c.
Away from the pin holder 6b, thereby isolating the pin holder 6b from the ground connection, and the high level (H) detection signal HDD Output CTL. The A connector 7 is a 40-pin ATA connector connected to the 40-pin or 80-pin IDE cable 11 derived from the personal computer side ATA controller, and an AT connector.
It is composed of a power supply connector connected to a cord derived from the X power supply 10. The H connector 8 connects the movie docking bay 1 and the movie mounting section 5, and transmits and receives data, control signals, and power.

The signal cables Sin, Sout, DD in the movie docking bay 1 shown in FIG.
The number of each is 33 according to the ATA standard,
Only one each is shown in FIG. 1 for simplicity.

Movie docking bay 1 having the above structure
Works as follows:

Prior to the description of the operation of the movie docking bay 1, various functions of the ATA command repeater circuit 4 which plays an important role in the operation will be briefly described.

The first function is to allow the movie to be detached from the movie loading section 5 while the power of the personal computer is turned on. It is a function of transmitting and receiving control signals and medium management information between them, and of returning a response command in response to an ATA command.

The second function is to easily save the image data and audio data captured in the movie in the HDD (master) of the personal computer side at high speed even if the user is inexperienced in operating knowledge of the personal computer. This is a function of transmitting and receiving file management information in addition to the medium management information.

The third function is to store the medium management information and the file management information when the movie storage means (HDD) is used as the movie storage means (HDD) so that the movie storage means (HDD) can be used as an auxiliary storage device of a personal computer. It is a function to remember.

The fourth function is internally stored so that the medium management information stored in the movie storage means (HDD) can be restored when the medium management information is destroyed for some reason. This is a function of overwriting the existing medium management information on the medium management information stored in the movie storage means (HDD).

Here, FIG. 2 shows the ATA shown in FIG.
3 is a configuration diagram of a main part showing an example of an internal configuration of a command repeater circuit 4. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 includes an interface (IF) control circuit 12, a memory 13, a master / slave (MS) setting circuit 14, a data register 15, and a read / write. The register 16, the write register 17, the read register 18, the read data selection circuit (RDS) 19, and the read register selection circuit (RRS) 20 are provided.

In this case, the interface control circuit 12
Controls the interface between the ATA command repeater circuit 4 and an external circuit, and the registers and memories inside the ATA command repeater circuit 4. The memory 13 stores a device ID of a movie, a master boot record (MBR) which is disc management information, and the like. The master / slave setting circuit 14 sets the master / slave of the storage means (HDD) built in the movie. Data register 15 is the only 1
It has a 6-bit width and transmits / receives data to / from the ATA controller 9.

Further, the interface control circuit 12 is
Further, a data (Data) direction / high impedance (Hi-Z) control circuit 21 and an address decoder 22 are provided.
The R / WCTL signal generation circuit 23, the DMA-related control signal generation circuit 24, the memory control circuit 25, and the ATA command analysis control circuit 26.

In this case, the data direction / high impedance control circuit 21 detects the presence / absence of a movie loaded in the movie loading section 5 (HDD CTL) controls the input / output direction of the data bus and the high impedance state. The address decoder 22 is an internal register, that is, a data register 15, a read / write register 16, a write register selection circuit 17, a read register selection circuit 18, based on the CS signal and the DA signal.
An address signal for accessing the read data selection circuit 19 is generated. R / WCTL signal generation circuit 23
Generates an enable signal for read / write access to the internal register. The DMA-related control signal generation circuit 24 sends a control signal mainly used for DMA transfer to the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side. The memory control circuit 25 uses the device ID of the storage means (HDD) built in the movie and the storage means (HDD).
It controls the memory 13 that stores the contents of the MBR written at the beginning of the. The ATA command analysis control circuit 26 mainly uses an internal circuit control signal (INT) of the command repeater circuit 4 by the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side in accordance with the command of the command register. Operation opposite to (*) By *), the data in the write register 17 is read and the data is written in the read register 18.

In FIG. 2, the data direction / high impedance control circuit 21, the address decoder 22,
A signal line for transmitting / receiving a signal to / from the R / WCTL signal generation circuit 23, the DMA-related control signal generation circuit 24, and the memory control circuit 25 is required, but these are used to simplify FIG. Illustration of signal lines is omitted.

Next, FIGS. 3 and 4 are operation flows showing the operation history of the ATA command repeater circuit 4. FIG. 3 shows the initial state when the power of the personal computer (ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side) is turned on. 4 shows an operation, and FIG. 4 shows an operation when the movie is detached from the movie mounting section 5.

By the way, a personal computer (ATA on the personal computer side
The initial operation executed before the present invention when the controller 9) is powered on is as follows.

First, the movie is ATA on the personal computer side.
When the hardware reset (one RESET signal of the Sin signal) supplied from the controller 9 is received, the BSY bit of the status (Status) register of the read register selection circuit 18 is set to 0 within 2 ms after receiving it.

Next, the ATA controller 9 confirms that the DRQ bit and BSY bit of the status register have become 0. Further, the ATA controller 9 uses the device / head (Dev) of the read / write register 16.
Set the device number (0: master, 1: slave) in the ice / head register and set 400
Wait more than ns.

Next, the ATA controller 9 sets 400
Assert the DASP signal to high level (H) within ms to notify the personal computer side of the movie connection state. If the movie is not connected and only the startup hard disk (primary master) of the personal computer is connected, the DASP signal wired OR by the master and the slave is asserted after 400 ms.

Subsequently, the ATA controller 9 makes the Ide
The 256 Device identification information stored in the HDD of the movie is executed by executing the configure Device command,
That is, the device ID is read. This device ID
Has fixed information such as movie (device) serial number, model number, supported transfer mode, default number of cylinders, number of heads, and number of sectors, and variable information as number of continuous transfer sectors set by Set Multiple Mode command. , The current transfer mode, etc.

Next, the ATA controller 9 causes the BIOS parameter block (BPB) required when activating the BIOS, the activation code required when activating the operating system (OS), and each drive (C or C of the HDD of the movie). Master boot record (MB), which is a partition table in which information such as D) is recorded.
R), Fi which is a list of storage addresses of file data
le Allocation Table (FAT),
Each information of a directory entry which is a list of file / directory names and start addresses is read.

In this state, using browser software such as Explorer installed in an ordinary personal computer, it becomes possible to browse the directory structure and the file names therein. At this time, if the movie is detached from the movie loading section 5 without taking any measures, for example, the contents of the file are confirmed, that is, when the data such as the characters of the file is read, the data is transferred in units of one sector. In both cases of PIO transfer and DMA that continuously transfers data for one sector or more, and Ultra DMA transfer, since the DRQ bit of the status register remains 0, the ATA controller 9
In the worst case, the operation system of the personal computer will hang up unless the movie side determines that the preparation for reading the data is not completed and the process of the personal computer is stopped due to a timeout.

The present invention is intended to avoid the occurrence of such a problem, and the operation executed by the ATA command repeater circuit 4 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. 3 to 7, each step surrounded by a solid line shows a process executed by the ATA command repeater circuit 4, and each step surrounded by a dotted line is A.
The processing executed by the TA controller 9 is shown.

FIG. 3 shows the ATA command repeater circuit 4
3 is an operation flow showing the operation history of the initial operation executed in step S1.

The initial operation executed by the ATA command repeater circuit 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

When the power of the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side is turned on with the movie loaded in the movie loading section 5, the movie detecting section 6 of the movie docking bay 1 receives the pin at the tip of the movable pin 6a. When the pin holding portion 6b is connected to the ground, the low-level (L) detection signal (HDD CTL signal) is output.

In this state, in step S1, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 receives a hardware reset (S) from the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side.
One RESET signal) of the in signal and the ATA command analysis control circuit 26 receives the B signal of the status register of the read register selection circuit 18.
Set the SY bit to 0.

In step S2, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 causes the ATA command analysis control circuit 26 to set the DEV bit of the device / head (Device / Head) register of the read / write register 16 to the device number 1 (1: slave). ). At this time, the jumper of the master / slave setting circuit 14 for setting the master / slave of the movie HDD is set to the slave, and the detection signal (HDD If the presence / absence of a movie attached to the movie attachment unit 5 is recognized by the CTL signal) and the data is output to the DD signal line, the HDD (master), the HDD of the movie, and the HDD of the movie are read by the DD signal line when reading the data.
(Slave), the three data of the ATA command analysis control circuit 26 do not collide.

Then, in step S3, the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side sends an Identify Device command (C) to the HDD (slave) of the movie.
SO: L, CS1: H, DA [2: 0]: 7h DD:
ECh) is issued.

Subsequently, in step S4, the Identity Dev supplied from the ATA controller 9 is supplied.
ice command (CSO: L, CS1: H, DA [2:
0]: 7h, according to DD: ECh), the movie HD
Device IDs (CSO: L, CS1: H, DIOR: L, D) for one sector (256 words) from D (slave)
When [A [2: 0]: 0h) is written to the HDD (master) of the personal computer, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 which has recognized the state by the ATA command analysis control circuit 26 outputs this device ID to the ATA memory 13 Data direction / high impedance 2
1 impedance control signal (HIZ The CTL1 signal) sets the buffer to the high impedance state.

Next, in step S5, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 writes an ID write start (write start) pulse (ID) to the memory control circuit 25. RWS
0) is supplied, and the device ID is set to 1 to 25
Memorize at address 6.

Then, in step S6, the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side requests the MBR data from the movie HDD (slave).

Then, in step S7, when the ATA command repeater circuit 4 writes the MBR value from the movie HDD (slave) to the ATA controller 9, it writes the MBR (BPB, activation code, partition table) to the ATA controller. 9 in the data direction / impedance control signal (HIZ) from the high impedance 21. The CTL1 signal) sets the buffer to the high impedance state.

Next, in step S8, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 causes the memory control circuit 25 to execute MBR.
Write start pulse (MBR RW)
SO) to supply the MBR data to the memory 1 to 2
I memorize it at number 56.

Although the ATA command repeater circuit 4 does not store the recorded file management information of the FAT and the directory table, the BPB, the startup code, and the HDD partition of the movie, which are the information necessary for the BIOS startup, etc. Since the disk management information such as information is stored, it does not freeze when the personal computer starts up.

FIG. 4 shows the ATA command repeater circuit 4
2 is an operation flow showing an operation history at the time of leaving a movie executed in [3].

The operation of the ATA command repeater circuit 4 at the time of leaving the movie will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, prior to this operation, the initial operation from step S1 to step S8 shown in FIG. 3 is executed.

First, in step S11, when the movie is detached from the movie mounting portion 5, an eject button (not shown) on the front of the movie docking bay is pressed. When the eject button is pressed, the movie detecting unit 6 causes the tip of the movable pin 6a to move to the pin receiving unit 6.
Since the ground connection state of the pin holding portion 6b is released when the pin holding portion 6b is separated from c, the detection signal (HDD The CTL signal) changes from low level (L) to high level (H). Note that when the movie is released, the pins other than the movable pin 6a are simultaneously moved in the same direction, but the movable pin 6a first separates from the pin receiving portion 6c, and the other pins thereafter separate from the pin receiving portion 6c. It is a thing.

Next, at step S12, the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side issues a command such as "Identity Device" to the HDD (slave) of the movie.

Then, in step S13, ATA
In the command repeater circuit 4, the command supplied from the ATA controller 9 is the Identity Device.
In response to the e or the like, it is determined whether or not the command is a command capable of sending a response command. When it is determined that the response command can be sent (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S14, while a command that cannot send the response command and a command related to data transfer such as PIO transfer and DMA transfer come. If (N), another step S1
Go to 5.

Then, in step S14, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 detects the detection signal (HDD CTL
It is judged that the movie has been detached from the movie mounting section 5 because the signal) has become high level (H), and the AT
The A command analysis control circuit 26 forms control signals and response commands as much as possible in response to the Identity Device command and other various commands supplied from the ATA controller 9, and sends the control signals and response commands to the ATA controller 9.

Further, in step S15, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 determines whether the ATA command analysis control circuit 26 cannot return a response command or the like, or when a command related to data transfer such as PIO transfer or DMA transfer is supplied. ATA command analysis control circuit 2
6 sets the DRQ bit of the status register to 0, BSY
Set the bit to 0 and the ERR bit to 1.

Next, at step S16, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 causes the ATA command analysis control circuit 26 to set the ABRT bit of the error (Error) register of the read register 18 to 1 (when an uncorresponding command is executed or If the requested command could not be completed for some reason).

Then, in step S17, ATA
In the command repeater circuit 4, the ATA command analysis control circuit 26 uses nIEN of the device control register of the write register 17 (Deice Control).
After confirming that the bit is 0, the ATA command analysis control circuit 26 asserts the INTRQ signal to the high level (H).

Then, in step S18, ATA
The controller 9 sets the INTRQ signal to high level (H)
Since it was asserted, the status register and error register are read.

At this time, the user tries to open the file many times, but since the user cannot open the file, he / she notices that the movie is not mounted in the movie mounting section 5.

In this case, in order to make clear to the user that the movie is not loaded in the movie loading unit 5, when the process of step S17 is completed, a fixed period (for example, 2 to 3 seconds) It is also possible to assert the DASP signal to a high level (H) by the DMA related control signal generation circuit 24 and turn on the device active indicator, so-called access lamp.

Finally, in step S19, ATA
The command repeater circuit 4 determines whether or not the next command is sent from the ATA controller 9. When it is determined that the next command has been sent (Y), the process returns to the previous step S13, and the operations after step S13 are repeatedly executed again, while it is determined that the next command has not been sent (N). At this time, this series of operation flows is ended.

FIG. 5 shows the ATA command repeater circuit 4
2 is an operation flow showing the operation history when the movie is attached, which is executed in step S6.

The operation of the ATA command repeater circuit 4 when a movie is loaded will be described with reference to FIG. Also in this case, prior to this operation, the initial operation from step S1 to step S8 shown in FIG. 3 is executed.

First, in step S21, ATA
In the command repeater circuit 4, when the movie is loaded in the movie loading unit 5, the detection signal (HDD It is determined whether the CTL signal) has changed from high level (H) to low level (L). Then, the detection signal (HDD If it is determined (N) that the CTL signal) is still at the high level (H), the process proceeds to the next step S22, while the detection signal (HDD
When it is determined that the (CTL signal) has become the low level (L) (Y), the process proceeds to another step S23.

Next, in step S22, since the movie is not loaded in the movie loading unit 5, the movie is loaded in the movie loading unit 5. When the movie is loaded in the movie loading unit 5, the operations after step S21 are repeatedly executed again.

In step S23, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 detects the detection signal (HDD CTL
Signal) has become a low level (L), it is determined that a movie is loaded in the movie loading unit 5, and all outputs of the buffer circuit 3 are set to a high impedance state (Hi-Z) so that signals do not collide. .

Then, in step S24, ATA
The command repeater circuit 4 monitors the state of commands and data lines transmitted between the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side and the movie HDD.

At the next step S25, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 determines whether or not the command processing and data processing as executed at the steps S4, S5 and S7 have been performed. And
When it is determined that the command processing or the data processing as executed in steps S4, S5 and S7 is performed (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S26, while the steps S4, S5 and S7 are performed.
When it is determined that the command processing or the data processing as executed in (N) is not performed (N), the process returns to the previous step S24, and the operations after step S24 are repeatedly executed.

Then, in step S26, ATA
The command repeater circuit 4 rewrites the contents stored in the memory 13 at any time when the monitor in step S24 determines that the device ID or MBR has been changed.

Then, in step S27, ATA
In the command repeater circuit 4, when the movie is attached to the movie attaching unit 5 again, the detection signal (HDD CTL signal)
Determines whether or not has become a low level (L). Then, the detection signal (HDD When it is determined that the CTL signal) is at the high level (H) (N), this series of operation flow is terminated, while the detection signal (HDD When it is determined (Y) that the CTL signal) has become the low level (L), the process returns to the previous step S24, and the operations after step S24 are repeatedly executed again.

As shown in the operation flow shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, this movie docking bay is used when a movie is detached from the movie loading section 5 or a movie is loaded into the movie loading section 5 by a personal computer ( AT on the PC side
A movie can be freely attached / detached while the power of the A controller 9) is kept on, that is, without turning off the power of the personal computer (ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side).

Next, FIG. 6 is an operation flow showing the operation history when the image data and the audio data taken in the movie are transferred easily to the HDD (master) of the personal computer at a high speed.

The operation for transferring and storing the image data and audio data captured in the movie to the HDD (master) of the personal computer will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S31, the initial operation from step S1 to step S8 shown in FIG. 3 is executed.

Next, in step S32, the ATA command repeater circuit 4, under the control of the memory control circuit 25, manages the file / directory recorded in the memory 13 and the File Allocation Tab.
The storage capacity of the memory 13 is several tens so that the data of le (FAT) and the directory entry can be stored respectively.
It is increased to about KB to 200 KB. At this time, the SRAM ADR of the memory control circuit 25 is also increased from 9 bits in accordance with the increase in the storage capacity of the memory 13.

Then, in step S33, the initial operation of steps S11 to S17 shown in FIG. 4 is executed.

In the next step S34, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 loads the movie in the movie loading section 5 and detects the detection signal (HDD It is determined whether the CTL signal) has changed from high level (H) to low level (L). Then, the detection signal (HDD When it is determined (N) that the CTL signal) is still at the high level (H), the process proceeds to the next step S35, while the detection signal (HDD C
When it is determined that the TL signal) has become the low level (L) (Y), the process proceeds to another step S36.

Subsequently, in step S35, since the movie is not loaded in the movie loading unit 5, the movie is loaded in the movie loading unit 5. When the movie is loaded in the movie loading unit 5, the operations after step S34 are repeatedly executed.

Next, in step S36, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 detects the detection signal (HDD CTL
Signal) goes from high level (H) to low level (L), the ATA command analysis control circuit 26 immediately sends an interrupt signal (IN to the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side).
Assert TRQ) to high level (H). At this time, an error (Erro
r) Asserts a specific bit (other than ABRT) in the register to high level (H) to check device ID, MBR, FA
T, Prompt for reading directory entry.

Then, in step S37, ATA
The controller 9 recognizes that the value of the device ID, MBR, FAT, and directory entry needs to be read because the specific bit of the error register of the read register selection circuit 18 is asserted to high level (H),
Go read them.

In the following step S38, it is determined whether or not the control in the previous steps S36 and S37 is the second time. Then, when it is determined that the control in steps S36 and S37 is not the second time (N), the process proceeds to the next step S39, while it is determined that the control in steps S36 and S37 is the second time (Y).
If so, the process proceeds to another step S40.

Then, in step S39, ATA
The controller 9 again sets the device ID, MBR, FA
T, recognize that it is necessary to read the value of the directory entry into the HDD (master), and go read them.

Next, in step S40, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 causes the movie to be mounted in the movie mounting section 5 for a certain period of time, in this case, a time sufficiently longer than the time for mounting the movie in the movie mounting section 5. After the lapse of time, the ATA command analysis control circuit 26 re-interrupts the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side (I
Assert NTRQ) to a high level (H).

Then, in step S41, ATA
The command repeater circuit 4 outputs the low-level (L) impedance control signal (HIZ) output from the data direction / high impedance control circuit 21. CTL signal) causes the INTRQ output buffer of the buffer circuit 3 to be in a high impedance state and the ATA command repeater circuit 4 to I level.
Isolate from other signals except the NTRQ signal.

In step S42, the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side reads the device ID, MBR, FAT, and directory entry contents from the HDD (slave) of the movie.

Then, in step S43, ATA
In the command repeater circuit 4, the data direction / high impedance control circuit 21 outputs a low level (L) impedance control signal (HIZ). The CTL signal) causes the INTRQ output buffer of the buffer circuit 3 to be in a high impedance state.

Next, in step S44, the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side, the device ID stored in the memory 13 of the ATA command repeater circuit 4,
MBR, FAT, directory entry and device ID, M stored in HDD (slave) of movie
BR, FAT, and directory entry are compared with each other.

Next, in step S45, the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side compares both device IDs, MBRs, FAs by the comparison in the previous step S44.
T, whether the contents of the directory entry are the same,
In particular, it determines whether the contents of the directory entries are the same. When it is determined that the contents are the same (Y), this series of operation flow is ended, while when it is determined that the contents are different (N), the process proceeds to the next step S46. .

At the next step S46, the ATA controller 9 determines, at the time of the determination at the previous step S45,
Since there is a discrepancy in the information contents, it is judged that new data, that is, new image data and / or audio data has been recorded in the movie, the FAT is used as a reference, and these new data are stored in a predetermined directory of the HDD (master). Record to. In this case, for example, if a movie of a movie is created in MPG / date / file and a still image is created with a directory structure of JPG / date / file, the user browses with browser software such as Explorer. Then, if a directory with a new date exists, it is known that it is new data.

Then, in step S47, ATA
The controller 9 determines whether or not the user desires automatic reproduction of new data. If it is determined that the automatic reproduction of the new data is desired (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S48, while if it is determined that the automatic reproduction of the new data is not desired (N), this series of steps is performed. The operation flow of is ended.

Then, in step S48, ATA
The controller 9 records new data in the HDD (master), supplies the new data to the display of the personal computer, and displays it on the display.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the disk / file management information and the data area stored in the recording area of the HDD.

As shown in FIG. 8, the HDD recording area has a BPB and a boot area in the first disk management information recording area, and a FAT area, a FAT spare area, and a directory entry in the next file management information recording area. There is
After that, there is a data area.

FIG. 9 is a correspondence table showing the address allocation of various registers accessible from the personal computer in the ATA command repeater circuit 4.

As shown in FIG. 9, the correspondence table shows addresses on the left side and registers on the right side in correspondence with each other.

By the way, the HDD is basically vulnerable to a shock, and when the shock is applied to the HDD, the MBR, the FAT, the MBR, the FAT in the disk / file management information recording area of the HDD shown in FIG. The management information such as the directory entry may be destroyed, which may make it impossible to read / write the file (data) in the data recording area. On the other hand, in the movie docking bay 1 according to this embodiment, the disk / file management information is stored in the memory 13 of the ATA command repeater circuit 4. When the disk / file management information is destroyed, the disk / file management information in the memory 13 of the ATA command repeater circuit 4 is written in the disk / file management information recording area of the movie HDD (slave) in the configuration of FIG. File (data) by returning
It becomes possible to read and write again.

Then, the means for storing the movie, that is, H
If the DD (slave) is not used as a recording unit for image data or audio data, its HDD (slave)
Is the auxiliary storage device of the PC (primary slave HD
The means used as D) will be described.

When a user uses a movie, it is rare to use the movie on a daily basis. Therefore, the HDD (slave), which is a storage means of the movie, is used as an auxiliary storage device (primary slave HDD) of a personal computer. It is possible to use it, or to use the HDD (slave), which is a movie storage means, as a large-capacity removable disk for exchanging image data and audio data with another personal computer. is there.

By the way, the movie HDD (slave)
In order to use as an auxiliary storage device for a personal computer, it is necessary to perform the following processing.

In the first processing, the processing of steps S31 to S48 shown in FIG. 6 is performed, image data and audio data are read into the HDD (master) of the personal computer, and then in the HDD (slave) of the movie. Data is deleted to only the directory and file information, the HDD (slave) of the movie is used as an auxiliary storage device of the HDD (master) of the personal computer, and the shortage of the data storage amount of the HDD (master) is supplemented. After that, when the image data and the audio data captured as the HDD (slave) of the movie are recorded again, the recording data used as the auxiliary storage device of the personal computer is preferentially left,
Using the internal directory information stored in the ATA command repeater circuit 4 when used as a movie, a moving image and still image directory is formed in an empty area where no data is recorded, and moving image and still image data are sequentially output. Try to record it.

The second processing is the processing of steps S1 to S8 shown in FIG. 3, the processing of steps S11 to S17 shown in FIG. 4, and the processing of steps S21 to S26 shown in FIG. The processing (however, in step S26, the FAT and the directory entry are added to the data stored in the memory 13), the movie docking bay 1 is attached to a plurality of personal computers, and AT is applied to all the personal computers.
If the A command repeater circuit 4 performs the initialization process in steps S1 to S8, not only can the movie be freely attached to and detached from the movie attachment section 5 while the power of each personal computer is turned on, but also between the personal computers. It becomes possible to transfer a large amount of data at high speed.

Here, FIG. 7 is an operation flow showing the operation history when the HDD (slave) of the movie is used as the auxiliary storage device of the personal computer in the first processing.

The operation when the movie HDD (slave) is used as the auxiliary storage device of the personal computer will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in step S51, the processes of steps S1 to S8 shown in FIG.
The processing from step S11 to step S18 illustrated in FIG. 4 is executed. However, in this case, step S
In 26, writing of FAT and directory entry is added as described above.

Next, in step S52, the processes of steps S21 to S26 shown in FIG. 5 are executed.

Then, in step S53, ATA
The command repeater circuit 4 stores the device ID, MBR, and M in the memory 13 under the control of the memory control circuit 25.
The FAT and the file management information of the directory entry are stored after BR (address 513 and thereafter).

Then, in step S54, ATA
The command repeater circuit 4 uses the device ID, MBR,
The disk / file management information before the FAT and the directory entry is stored in another storage area so as not to be overwritten.

In the next step S55, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 determines the device ID, MBR, F
It is determined whether each information of AT and directory entry has been transmitted / received. When it is determined that the transmission and reception of each information has already been performed (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S56, while when it is determined that the transmission and reception of each information has not been performed yet (N), the process proceeds to step S55. Repeat the process.

Next, in step S56, the ATA command repeater circuit 4 rewrites the memory 13 with the disk / file management information changed under the control of the memory control circuit 25. In this case, the disc / file management information before mounting the movie in the movie mounting unit is also left in another storage area of the memory 13.

Then, in step S57, ATA
In the command repeater circuit 4, when the movie is loaded in the movie loading unit 5, the detection signal (HDD It is determined whether the CTL signal) has become a low level (L). Then, the detection signal (HDD When it is determined that the CTL signal) is at the high level (H) (N), this series of operation flow is terminated, while the detection signal (HDD When it is determined (Y) that the CTL signal) has become the low level (L), the process proceeds to the next step S58.

In the next step S57, the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side stores the latest disk / file management information stored in the HDD of the movie until the movie is completely detached from the movie loading section 5.
As a movie, the disk / file management information when used as a movie stored in the memory 13 of the ATA command repeater circuit 4 and the recorded data when used as an auxiliary storage device of a personal computer are given priority. Based on the internal directory information when used, a directory for moving images and still images is formed in an empty area where the data recorded as the auxiliary storage device of the personal computer is not recorded.

After this, as usual, a directory for the recording date is created under the directory for moving images and still images created for movies, and image data and audio data are recorded.

Next, FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the structure of the main part of another embodiment of the movie docking bay according to the present invention.

In FIG. 10, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The structure of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 (hereinafter referred to as the second embodiment) and the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as the first embodiment) The difference is only the configuration of the buffer circuit 3, and the other configurations are the same between the first embodiment and the second embodiment. That is, in the buffer circuit 3, in the first embodiment, the buffers connected to the signal lines Sin and Sout are unidirectional, whereas in the second embodiment, they are connected to the same signal lines Sin and Sout. The only difference is that the buffers are bidirectional.

According to the second embodiment, instead of the ATA controller 9 on the personal computer side performing the processing executed in steps S40 to S45, the control signal (Sin, Sout) is changed by switching the buffer 3. The direction is switched, and the ATA command repeater circuit 4 uses CS [1: instead of the ATA controller 9 of the personal computer.
0], DA [2: 0], DIOR, DIOW, RESE
A control signal such as T is output to read the MBR, FAT, and directory entry of the HDD (slave) of the movie, and the read MBR, FAT, directory entry, and MBR and FAT stored in the memory 13 of the ATA command repeater circuit 4. , The contents of the directory entry are compared, and if the compared contents are different, control is performed using the ERR register to prompt recording of new data in a predetermined directory of the HDD (master) of the personal computer. Will be possible. When such control is performed, the processing load on the ATA controller 9 side on the personal computer side is reduced.

In this case, the processing executed in step S58 is performed by the ATA command repeater circuit 4 switching the direction of the control signals (Sin, Sout) of the buffer 3
[1: 0], DA [2: 0], DIOR, DIOW, R
A control signal such as ESET is output to read the MBR, FAT, and directory entry in the HDD of the movie, the read MBR, FAT, and directory entry, and the MBR and FAT stored in the memory 13 of the ATA command repeater circuit 4. The directory entry is compared, and if there is a difference between them, the ERR register is used to perform control to prompt recording of new data in a predetermined directory of the HDD (master) of the personal computer.

[0127]

As described above, according to the present invention, the movie detecting means and the command repeat means are provided in the docking bay, and the command repeat means is controlled when the movie detecting means detects the mounting of the movie. The ATA command and the medium management information are transmitted and received between the movies, while the command repeat means is controlled when the movie detection means detects the movie leaving, and the ATA command and the medium management information are transmitted between the personal computer and the command repeat means. Since the sending and receiving are performed, there is an effect that the movie can be attached to and detached from the movie attachment part while the power of the computer is turned on without causing the computer to freeze.

Further, according to the present invention, even a user who does not have much knowledge of a personal computer can transfer the data stored in the movie storage means to the personal computer at a high speed, and the storage means can be used as an auxiliary storage device of the personal computer. Further, there is an effect that the storage means can be used as a large capacity removable disk.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part configuration of a movie docking bay according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a main part configuration diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of an ATA command repeater circuit shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is an operation flow showing an operation history of an initial operation executed by an ATA command repeater circuit.

FIG. 4 is an operation flow showing an operation history at the time of leaving a movie executed by an ATA command repeater circuit.

FIG. 5 is an operation flow showing an operation history at the time of mounting a movie, which is executed by an ATA command repeater circuit.

FIG. 6 is an operation flow showing an operation history when image data and audio data captured in a movie are easily transferred at a high speed to an HDD (master) of a personal computer for storage.

FIG. 7 is an operation flow showing an operation history when a movie HDD (slave) is used as an auxiliary storage device of a personal computer.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between disk / file management information and a data area stored in a recording area of an HDD.

FIG. 9 is a correspondence table showing address allocation of various registers in the ATA command repeater circuit.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the movie docking bay according to the present invention, and is a block diagram showing a main configuration thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 movie docking bay 2 voltage adjusting circuit (voltage adjusting means) 3 buffer circuit 4 ATA command repeater circuit (command repeat means) 5 movie mounting section 6 movie detecting section 6a movable pin 6b pin holding section 6c pin receiving section 7 A connector 8 H Connector 9 Personal computer ATA controller 10 ATX power supply 11 IDE cable 12 Interface (IF) control circuit 13 Memory 14 Master / slave (MS) setting circuit 15 Data register 16 Read / write register 17 Write register 18 Read register 19 Read data selection circuit (RDS) 20 read register selection circuit (RRS) 21 data (Data) direction / high impedance (Hi-Z) control circuit 22 address decoder 23 R / WCTL signal generation circuit 24 DMA related control signal Signal generation circuit 25 memory control circuit 26 ATA command analysis control circuit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A docking bay that can be built in an expansion slot of a personal computer, and a command for sending and receiving ATA commands and medium management information between a movie loading section for loading and unloading a movie that has a built-in storage means, and the personal computer. Repeat means, a buffer circuit section for interfacing the personal computer and the command repeat means, voltage adjusting means for adjusting the power supply voltage supplied from the personal computer, and detecting the mounting state of the movie in the movie mounting section, Movie detection means for supplying a detection output to the command repeat means, and when the movie detection means detects movie mounting, the command repeat means controls the ATA between the personal computer and the movie.
A command and the medium management information are transmitted and received, and when the movie detection means detects a movie detachment, the ATA command and the medium management information are transmitted and received between the personal computer and the command repeat means by the control of the command repeat means. A movie docking bay characterized by what you do. 2. The movie docking bay according to claim 1, wherein the movie storage means is a small hard disk drive built in a portable personal computer or a portable information terminal. 3. The information transmitted / received between the personal computer and the command repeat unit includes file management information selectively in addition to the ATA command and the medium management information. Movie docking bay. 4. The command repeat means compares the medium management information and file management information stored in the movie storage means with the current medium management information and file management information, and there is a difference between them. The movie docking bay according to claim 1, wherein the computer is notified at a time. 5. The command repeat means is medium management information and file management information when the movie storage means is used as an auxiliary storage device of the personal computer, and medium management information when it is previously used for the movie. 2. Information and file management information are stored.
Movie docking bay described in. 6. The command repeat means writes the stored medium management information and file management information in a medium management information recording area and a file management information recording area of a movie storage means. Movie docking bay.