JP2003330620A - Peripheral equipment connected to information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide peripheral equipment connected to an information processor, capable of properly controlling access to an external memory attachable/ detachable to/from the peripheral equipment. <P>SOLUTION: This peripheral equipment is provided with a recording/reading part 150 for performing access to an external memory 12 mounted on a recording/reading part 150 according to a first instruction from a personal computer 300 or a second instruction from an original reading means 100 and a control part 210 for, when the recording/reading part 150 is performing access to the external memory 12 according to the first instruction, inhibiting the recording/reading part 150 from performing access to the external memory 12 according to the second instruction. When the recording/reading part 150 is allowed to perform access to the external memory 12 according to the second instruction by the control part 210, an effect that the external memory 12 is not mounted on the recording/reading part 150 is noticed to a personal computer 300 as a response to the first instruction. <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 peripheral device connected to an information processing device, and more particularly to a peripheral device capable of accessing an external memory removable from the information processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a function of connecting a personal computer and a peripheral device so that a storage medium on the peripheral device side is virtually recognized by the personal computer as one accessible drive. The operating system of the personal computer recognizes the recording medium on the peripheral device side as one of the drives (virtual drive), so that the peripheral device is the same as the hard disk, optical disc, or flexible disk prepared as the storage medium of the personal computer itself. Side storage media can be used.

[0003]

However, when the peripheral device connected to the personal computer itself has the ability to access the storage medium, the access from the peripheral device to the storage medium and the access from the personal computer conflict with each other. May cause inconvenience. For example, when the storage medium is being used based on one access and the other is accessed, the FAT (file allocation table) of the data stored in the storage medium is used.
Or directory information may be rewritten, which may cause inconvenience such as hindering normal access thereafter.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a peripheral device connected to an information processing device and capable of appropriately controlling access to an external memory that is removable from the peripheral device.

[0005]

A peripheral device of the present invention is, in a peripheral device connected to an information processing device, mounting means for detachably mounting an external memory, and a first instruction from the information processing device. First receiving means for receiving the second instruction, and second receiving means for receiving a second instruction from the peripheral device,
Access means for accessing the external memory attached to the attachment means according to the first instruction or the second instruction, and a case where the access means accesses the external memory according to the first instruction Is the second
Controlling the access means to prohibit the access to the external memory in accordance with the instruction of 1., the control means controlling the access means to access the external memory according to the second instruction. When allowed, the information processing apparatus is notified that the external memory is not attached to the attachment means as a response to the first instruction.

According to this peripheral device, when the control means permits the access means to access the external memory according to the second instruction, the external memory is notified to the information processing device as a response to the first instruction. The information processing apparatus does not access the external memory because it notifies that it is not attached to the attachment means. Therefore, the access according to the first instruction and the access according to the second instruction are prevented from occurring at the same time.

The access means is at least a data storage means for storing data in the external memory, a data erasing means for erasing data from the external memory, and a data reading means for reading data in the external memory. You may provide one.

Further, when the reading means for reading the original image and outputting the image data is provided, and the access means has the data storing means, the data storing means reads the data according to the second instruction. The image data output from the means may be stored in the external memory.

The control means permits the access means to access the external memory according to the second instruction when the access means does not access the external memory according to the first instruction. May be.

In this case, when the access means does not access the external memory according to the first instruction, the access means can access the external memory according to the second instruction.

When the access means has completed the access to the external memory according to the second instruction,
The control means may notify, in response to the first instruction, that the state of the external memory mounted on the mounting means has been changed.

In this case, upon receipt of the notification that the state of the external memory has been changed, the control means can permit access to the external memory according to the first instruction.

Further, the control means is provided with notifying means for notifying the state of the peripheral device, and when the access means is accessing the external memory in accordance with the first instruction, the notifying means to that effect is provided. May be announced by.

In this case, the user can be informed that the access means is accessing the external memory according to the first instruction.

Further, the control means includes a clock means for counting a time during which the access to the external memory is continued after the access means finishes the access to the external memory according to the first instruction. When the time measured by the time measuring means has exceeded a predetermined time, the notification by the notification means may be stopped.

In this case, it is desirable to set the predetermined time to a time at which it is estimated that the access to the external memory according to the first instruction is completed.

The control means may allow the access means to access the external memory in accordance with the second instruction after the notification by the notification means is stopped.

In this case, there is no possibility that the access to the external memory according to the second instruction will be executed simultaneously with the access according to the first support.

Further, when the receiving means for receiving the image data from the remote communication device is provided and the access means has the data storing means, the data storing means receives the image data according to the second instruction. It is desirable to store the image data received by the means in the external memory.

The control means, when the access means is accessing the external memory according to the first instruction, the data storage means stores the image data in the external memory according to the second instruction. You may prohibit doing.

In this case, there is no risk that the data storage means will store the image data in the external memory according to the second instruction while accessing the external memory according to the first instruction.

In the peripheral device of the present invention, in the peripheral device connected to the information processing device, the state of the mounting means for detachably mounting the external memory and the state of the external memory mounted in the mounting means is changed. When a status change means, an external memory management means for managing the status of the external memory mounted on the mounting means, and an inquiry about the status of the external memory from the information processing device are received, the status change means And a response unit that responds to the information processing device that the state of the external memory managed by the external memory management unit changes when the device is operating.

According to this peripheral device, when the inquiry about the state of the external memory is received from the information processing device, the information processing device indicates that the state of the external memory managed by the external memory management means has changed. Since the response is received, for example, by newly requesting the information indicating the state of the peripheral device from the information processing device, the management information of the information processing device regarding the external memory and the management information of the peripheral device can be matched.

When the state changing means operates to change the state of the external memory, the response means indicates that the external memory is not attached to the attaching means with respect to the information processing apparatus. May be answered.

In this case, since the information processing device does not access the external memory, there is no possibility that the access from the peripheral device and the access from the information processing device overlap.

When the first receiving means receives an inquiry from the information processing device after a lapse of a certain time after the state changing means changes the state of the external memory, the response means controls the management means. You may respond that the state of the external memory managed by the means has changed.

In this case, there is a possibility that the state of the external memory has actually changed during a certain period of time after the state of the external memory has been changed. Can be changed.

Furthermore, when the state changing means is not operating to change the state of the external memory, the managing means is provided with a permitting means for permitting an operation on the external memory by the information processing device. You may manage the state change of the said external memory by operation of the said information processing apparatus.

In this case, the external memory can be accessed from the information processing device, and the change in the state of the external memory can be appropriately managed by the management means.

Further, when the information processing apparatus uses the external memory as a removable memory, the notification means may notify the state of the peripheral device by the notification means. Good.

In this case, the user can know that the information processing apparatus uses the external memory as a removable memory.

Further, the information processing apparatus further comprises a time measuring means for measuring a time during which the external memory is not used after the use of the external memory is finished, and the time measured by the time measuring means is a predetermined time. The notification means may stop the notification after a lapse of time.

In this case, if the external memory is not continuously used for a predetermined time after the use of the external memory is finished,
The announcement is stopped.

After the notification by the notifying means is stopped, the status changing means can change the status of the external memory according to an instruction from the peripheral device itself.

In this case, the state of the external memory can be changed by the peripheral device after the notification is stopped.

[0036]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A multi-function peripheral device which is an embodiment of a peripheral device of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a multifunction peripheral device 100 of this embodiment.
2 is a schematic configuration diagram of this multi-function peripheral device 100.
2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. 1 in more detail than FIG.

Specifically, the multi-function peripheral device 100 has a communication function capable of communicating image data and voice data with a remote facsimile device or a telephone device via a public line network, and a personal computer. (Hereafter, P
C) 300 and USB (Universal Se)
Rial Bus) cable to connect the P
It is also used as a printer or scanner for the C300. The multi-function peripheral device 100 alone also has a document copy function and an image data saving function of reading the document to create image data and storing the image data in the external memory 12 described later. In addition, the connected PC 300
The external memory 12 is one of the drives (virtual drive)
Can also be used as Furthermore, the external memory 1
2 is also provided with an image data transmission function for transmitting the image data stored in 2 to a remote facsimile device or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, this multi-function peripheral device 1
Reference numeral 00 denotes a document reading unit 110, an internal storage unit 120 that stores various data, an input unit 130 that receives a user's input operation, a communication unit 140 that transmits and receives data via a public line network, and an external memory 12. Recording / reading unit 150 having a slot 11 (see FIG. 2) for detachably mounting
And a display unit 170 for presenting necessary information to the user.
And a printing unit 180 that performs printing using image data
And a control unit 210 that controls each of these components.

The recording / reading unit 150 has a function of storing data in the external memory 12, a function of erasing data from the external memory 12, and a function of reading data in the external memory 12. In this specification, access to the external memory 12 includes a process of storing data in the external memory 12, a process of erasing data from the external memory 12, and a process of reading data in the external memory 12.

As described above, the PC 300 is equipped with software that can be used by recognizing the external memory 12 as a removable disk (virtual drive) dedicated to the PC 300 when the multi-function peripheral device 100 is connected to the PC 300. ing. Hereinafter, the PC 300 is the external memory 1
A function of recognizing and using 2 as a removable disk dedicated to the PC 300 is referred to as a removable disk function.
While the external memory 12 is used as a removable disk dedicated to the PC 300, the external memory 12 cannot be accessed by an instruction from the multi-function peripheral device 100. In other words, when the external memory 12 is not used as a removable disk dedicated to the PC 300, the external memory 12 can be accessed by an instruction from the multi-function peripheral device 100.

As is clear from the above description, the external memory 12 stores the image data corresponding to the document read by the document reading unit 110 of the multi-function peripheral device 100 or the image received from the remote communication device by the communication unit 140. Not only the data but also the data sent from the PC 300 can be stored. Further, among the data stored in the external memory 12, the data necessary for the PC 300 main body side can be read and acquired by the PC 300.

In this embodiment, when the multi-function peripheral device 100 and the PC 300 are connected via the USB cable, the PC 300 side inquires of the multi-function peripheral device 100 about the current state, capability and the like. Multi-function peripheral 10
When 0 responds to this, negotiation is carried out between the PC 300 and the multi-function peripheral device 100. If this negotiation is successful, the operating system of the PC 300 sets the external memory 12 to the removable disk on the PC 300 side. To recognize as.

Multifunctional peripheral device 100 and PC 300
Respectively store file management information for grasping the state of the external memory 12. File management information consists of FAT (file allocation table) information and directory information. When the PC 300 inquires of the multi-function peripheral device 100 about the state of the external memory 12, the control unit 210 informs the PC 300 of the external memory 12 regardless of whether the state of the external memory 12 has actually changed. Replies that the status of has changed. Therefore, when the PC 300 receives a response to that effect, the control unit 21 is configured to transmit the information indicating the state of the external memory 12 again.
0, and the control unit 210 transmits information indicating the current state of the external memory 12 to the PC 300 according to the request. Therefore, the file management information of the PC 300 is updated at this stage, and the actual state of the external memory 12 is reflected. Since the multi-function peripheral device itself can directly access the external memory 12 via the recording / reading unit 15, the file management information of the multi-function peripheral device 100 is stored in the PC.
Unlike the file management information, the file is updated according to the latest state of the external memory 12 every time the state of the external memory 12 is changed.

As is apparent from the above description, when the state of the external memory 12 is changed by writing or erasing data in the external memory 12, the multi-function peripheral device 100 is changed sequentially. Can be recognized. However, when the state of the external memory 12 is changed by the user directly giving an instruction to the multi-function peripheral device 100, the PC 300 cannot recognize the change.

Next, a more detailed structure of the multi-function peripheral device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. However, since the printing function is not particularly relevant in the present invention, the configuration relating to the printing function is omitted in the block diagram of FIG.

The multi-function peripheral device 100 is provided with an ASIC (Application-Specific) via the bus 1.
ic Integrated Circuit) 5,
CPU (Central Proc) which is a central processing unit
essing Unit) 2, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 3 in which various control programs related to the operation of the image data processing device are stored, and at the time of executing the programs stored in the ROM 3,
A RAM (Random Access Memory) in which data and programs are temporarily stored as a work area
ry) 4 and a modem 16 which is a modulation / demodulation device used when performing communication with an external communication device.

Further, the ASIC 5 is connected with a reading section 6 as a reading means, a panel interface 7, and a removable memory interface 10. The reading unit 6 includes an automatic document feeding device (not shown) and a transparent document placing plate (not shown). The document placed on the reading unit 6 is CCD (charge-charged).
Coupled Device), CIS (Conta)
ct Image Sensor, CMOS (Com
plementary Metal Oxide Sem
It is configured to be read by an image sensor or the like. The panel interface 7 has
A liquid crystal panel 8 as a notification means and a keyboard 9 as an input unit are connected. The liquid crystal panel 8 displays information regarding the state of the image data processing device and a message to the user, so that the user can confirm this information and message. The keyboard 9 is provided with various instruction keys and ten keys for the user to input various instructions,
In addition, a "SCAN TOPCC" key 9a for executing the "SCAN TOPCC" processing is also provided. The “SCAN TO PCC” process is a process of saving the image data corresponding to the document read by the reading unit 6 in the external memory 12. Memory interface 1
To 0, a slot 11 is connected as a mounting means to which the external memory 12 is detachably mounted. In addition to these, a parallel interface 14 and a USB interface 15 for connecting a parallel cable or a USB cable to a PC or the like are connected to the ASIC 5. In this embodiment, the PC 300 and the multi-function peripheral device 100 are connected via a USB cable.

On the other hand, the modem 16 has a network control unit (NCU) which is a network control unit.
17 is connected. The NCU 17 connects the multi-function peripheral device to another remote communication device via the public line network when the user inputs a telephone number or a facsimile number from the ten keys of the keyboard 9 or other abbreviated keys. It is a thing.

The multi-function peripheral device 100 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 has one slot 1 as described above.
1, and an external memory 12 is detachably attached to the slot 11. A memory stick (registered trademark of Sony Corporation), compact flash (registered trademark of SanDisk Corporation), smart media (registered trademark of Toshiba Corporation), or the like can be used as the external memory 12 of the present embodiment. . The storage medium used as the external memory 12 is not limited to these three types of storage media. For example, a flexible disk, MO (Magnetic Optical D)
isc), CD-R (Compact Disc Re)
cordable), CD-RW (Compact D
isc Re-Writable), DVD-R (Di
digital Versatile Disc Reco
rable), DVD-RAM (Digital V)
ersatile Disc Random Acce
ss Memory), DVD-RW (Digital)
Versatile Disc Re-Writab
le) or other storage media. When using these storage media, it goes without saying that the slot is also composed of a drive device corresponding to the storage media.

Although the liquid crystal panel 8 is adopted as the notification means in the multi-function peripheral device 100 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the notification means is not limited to this, and the notification is given by voice. Or a unit formed by combining the liquid crystal panel 8 and the one using sound.

The correspondence between FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 will be briefly described below. The reading unit 6 corresponds to the document reading unit 110. A RAM corresponds to the internal storage unit 120.
It is 4. The keyboard 9 corresponds to the input unit 130. The communication unit 140 corresponds to the modem 16 or NCU.
Seventeen. The recording / reading unit 150 corresponds to the AS
An IC 5, a removable memory interface 10 and a slot 11. The panel interface 7 and the liquid crystal display panel 8 correspond to the display unit 170. The CPU 210, the ROM 3, and the RAM correspond to the control unit 210.
4, ASIC 5, etc.

Next, the operation of the multi-function peripheral device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the basic operation processing of the multi-function peripheral device 100. This processing is executed under the control of the control device 210, and is started when the power of the multi-function peripheral device 100 is turned on. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the time measuring process. The time measuring process is a process executed by a timer interrupt, and is a process executed independently of the flow of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the external memory insertion / extraction processing. The external memory insertion / extraction process is also a process executed by a timer interrupt, and is a process executed independently of the flow of FIG.

In step 1 of FIG. 3 (hereinafter referred to as S1. The other steps are also the same), initialization processing is executed. In this process, the external memory busy flag 4a, the first occupancy flag 4b, and the second occupancy flag 4c are turned off, and the first state change flag 4d and the second state change flag 4e are turned on. Processing, processing for clearing the elapsed time variable 4f to 0, and the like are included.

Here, the external memory in-use flag 4a is
This is a flag stored in the external memory busy flag storage unit 4A in the RAM 4, and whether or not the recording / reading device 150 is operating, that is, the external memory 12 is the recording / reading device 15
It is a flag indicating whether or not it is accessed by 0 and is in a used state. On the other hand, the first occupation flag 4b is a flag stored in the first occupation flag storage unit 4B in the RAM 4,
This is a flag indicating whether or not the external memory 12 is exclusively used by the PC 300. The second occupancy flag 4c is a flag stored in the second occupancy flag storage section 4C in the RAM 4, and is a flag indicating whether or not the external memory 12 is exclusively used by the multi-function peripheral device 100. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the fact that the first occupancy flag 4b is ON indicates that the multifunction peripheral device 100 is in the removable disk function, and the fact that the second occupancy flag 4c is ON does not mean that the second occupancy flag 4c is ON. , Multifunction peripheral 10
0 indicates that the "SCAN TO PCC" function is in progress. The first state change flag 4d is a flag stored in the first state change flag storage unit 4D in the RAM 4, and is a flag indicating whether the state of the external memory 12 has been changed by the PC 300. In addition, the second state change flag 4e is the second state change flag storage unit 4E in the RAM 4.
And a flag indicating whether the state of the external memory 12 has been changed by the multi-function peripheral device 100. The fact that the first state change flag 4d and the second state change flag 4e are turned on at the same time means that the multifunction peripheral device 100 is powered on (S1) in FIG. When the memory 12 is newly inserted into the slot 11 (S53: Yes-
There is nothing other than S55). On the other hand, time lapse variable 4f
Is a variable stored in the time lapse variable storage unit 4F in the RAM 4, and is stored in the external memory 1 by a counter (not shown).
It is a variable indicating the elapsed time counted after the access by the PC 300 to 2 is stopped.

Now, the time measuring process will be described with reference to FIG. When a timer interrupt occurs (S41), RAM4
A predetermined number is added to the time lapse variable 4f stored in the time lapse variable storage unit 4F and stored again in the time lapse variable storage unit 4F in the RAM 4 (S42). This completes the time measurement process.

The external memory insertion / extraction processing will now be described with reference to FIG. When a timer interrupt occurs (S5
1) It is determined whether the external memory 12 is attached to the slot 11 or the external memory 12 is removed from the slot 11 (S52). If the external memory 12 is not inserted into or removed from the slot 11 (S52: No), this external memory insertion / extraction processing ends. But slot 11
If the external memory 12 is inserted into or removed from (S52: Yes
s), it is determined whether the external memory 12 is inserted into the slot 11 (S53). When it is determined that the external memory 12 is inserted into the slot 11 (S5
3: Yes), the recording / reading device 150 performs a mount process to make the external memory 12 accessible via the slot 11 (S54). Next, the first state change flag 4d and the second state change flag 4e are turned on (S5
5) Then, this external memory insertion / removal processing is terminated. On the other hand, S1
When it is determined that the external memory 12 is removed from the slot 11 in S3 (S53: No), the recording / reading device 150 performs an unmount process to make the external memory 12 inaccessible via the slot 11 (S5).
6). Then, this external memory insertion / removal processing ends.

Returning to FIG. 3, when the initialization is completed in S1, it is determined whether or not the multifunction peripheral device 100 is in the removable disk function (S2). Specifically, RAM4
It is determined whether or not the first occupancy flag 4b stored in the first occupancy flag storage unit 4B is turned on. When the first occupancy flag 4b is turned on, the multifunction peripheral device 10 is
0 is determined to be in the removable disk function.
On the other hand, when the first occupancy flag 4b is off, it is determined that the multi-function peripheral device 100 is not in the removable disk function. If it is determined that the multi-function peripheral device 100 is in the removable disk function (S2: Yes), the PC
It is determined whether or not access data is received from 300 (S3). Specifically, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the USB interface 15 is receiving access data from the PC 300 via the USB cable. When it is determined that the access data is not received from the PC 300 (S3: No), it is determined whether or not the time elapsed variable 4f indicates that a predetermined time has elapsed (S4). If the time elapsed variable 4f indicates that the predetermined time has elapsed (S4: Yes), the external memory busy flag 4a, the first occupancy flag 4b, and the second occupancy flag 4c are turned off, and the liquid crystal panel is displayed. 8 "P
The display of "C TO CONNECT" is stopped (S5).
Then, the process proceeds to S6.

On the other hand, if the determinations in S2 and S4 are negative (S2: No, S4: No), or if the determination is positive in S3 (S3: Yes), S
Skip 5 and proceed to S6.

Next, in step S6, the user presses the "SCAN TO PCC" key 9a of the keyboard 9 to instruct that the image data corresponding to the original read by the reading unit 6 be recorded in the external memory 12. (This instruction corresponds to an example of the second instruction. Although there is a second instruction other than this, in the present embodiment, this "SCAN TO PC"
The depression of the "C" key 9a is treated as the second instruction. Another example of the second instruction is an instruction to save the image data received from the remote communication device in the external memory 12. ) Is input. If this judgment is affirmed (S6: Yes), the process proceeds to S7, but if not (S6: Yes), the process proceeds to S7.
6: No), and proceeds to S15.

In S7, it is determined whether the external memory busy flag 4a and the first occupation flag 4b are off. That is,
First, the external memory in-use flag storage unit 4A and the first occupancy flag storage unit 4B in the RAM 4 are read with the external memory in-use flag 4a and the first occupancy flag 4b, respectively, and whether both the flags 4a and 4b are off is determined. It is judged whether or not. External memory busy flag 4a and first occupied flag 4
If it is determined that b is off (S7: Yes), S8
If it is determined that at least one of the external memory in-use flag 4a and the first occupation flag 4b is not off (S7: No), the process proceeds to S14. The case where at least one of the external memory busy flag 4a and the first occupancy flag 4b is not off means, for example, the multifunction peripheral device 1
00 is during the removable disk function.

At S14, a BEEP sound is emitted,
Error processing is executed by displaying an error on the liquid crystal panel 8 to inform the user of the error, and then the process returns to S2. Thereby, simultaneous access to the external memory 12 based on a plurality of processes can be prevented.

In S8, the external memory busy flag 4a and the second occupation flag 4c are turned on. That is, the multi-function peripheral device 100 is brought into the "SCAN TO PCC" mode. Then, in S9, the liquid crystal panel 8 is displayed with "SC
"AN TO PCC" is displayed, and now multi-function peripheral device 1
00 informs the user that the 00 is in the "SCAN TO PCC" mode. Then, in S10, it is determined whether or not the first state change flag 4d is on. That is, R
The first state change flag 4d is read from the first state change flag storage unit 4D in the AM 4, and it is determined whether or not the first state change flag 4d is on. The fact that the first state change flag 4d is ON means that the multi-function peripheral device 100
Is transferred to the “SCAN TO PCC” mode, it means that the state of the external memory 12 has already been changed by the PC 300, that is, the external memory 12 is rewritten by the instruction of the PC 300. There is.
Therefore, when the first state change flag 4d is turned on (S
10: Yes), the multi-function peripheral device 100 updates its own external memory management information and turns off the first state change flag 4d (S11). Then, S12 is executed. When it is determined in S10 that the first state change flag 4d is not on (S19: No), S11 is skipped and the process jumps to S12.

In S12, the multi-function peripheral device 100 executes the "SCAN TO PCC" process. That is, the reading unit 6 reads the document, creates image data corresponding to the document, and stores the image data in the external memory 12.

The multi-function peripheral device 100 is "SCAN TO
When the "PCC" process is completed, the external memory busy flag 4a and the second occupancy flag 4c are turned off, and the second state change flag 4e is turned on (S13). Then, the process returns to S2.

On the other hand, in S6, "SCAN TO PCC"
If it is determined that the key 9a has not been pressed, the process proceeds to S15 as described above.

In S15, it is determined whether or not the access data (first instruction) from the PC 300 requesting access to the external memory 12 is received via the USB cable and the USB interface. If this determination is denied (S15: No), the process proceeds to S25, but if the determination is affirmed (S15: Yes), the process proceeds to S16. S2
5, if any instruction is input, other various processes are executed in accordance with the instruction, but if no instruction is input, no process is executed and S2 is executed again. Will return to.

In S16, the external memory busy flag 4
It is determined whether or not a is off, or whether both the external memory busy flag 4a and the first occupancy flag 4b are on. That is, first, the external memory busy flag 4a is read from the external memory busy flag storage unit 4A in the RAM 4,
If it is determined that the external memory busy flag 4a is off (S16: Yes), the process proceeds to S17 at that stage. However, if it is determined that the external memory in-use flag 4a is on, then the first occupation flag storage unit 4 in the RAM 4 is
The first occupancy flag 4b is read from B, and it is determined whether the first occupancy flag 4b is on. If it is determined that the first occupancy flag 4b is off (S16: No), the process proceeds to S24. However, if it is determined that the first occupancy flag 4b is on (S16: Yes), the process proceeds to S17. Therefore, if it is determined in S16 that the external memory busy flag 4a is off, the process immediately proceeds to S17. Also, the external memory busy flag 4a and the first occupied flag 4b
If both of the above are ON, the process proceeds to S17.

In S17, considering that the external memory in-use flag 4a is judged to be off in S16 and the process proceeds to this step, the external memory in-use flag 4a is taken into consideration.
Both the first occupation flag 4b and the first occupation flag 4b are turned on.

Next, in S18, the "PC
"TO CONNECT" is displayed and
Currently, the external memory 12 of the multi-function peripheral device 100 is the PC 30
Notify that it is occupied by 0 and used. That is, the user is informed that the external memory 12 is in the removable disk function.

Next, it is determined whether the second state change flag 4e is on (S19). That is, the second state change flag 4e is read from the second state change flag storage section 4E in the RAM 4, and it is determined whether or not the second state change flag 4e is on. The fact that the second state change flag 4e is ON means that the state of the external memory 12 has already been changed by the multi-function peripheral device 100 when the access data is received from the PC 300, that is, the multi-function peripheral. The external memory 12 is directly instructed from the device 100.
Has already been rewritten. Therefore, when the second state change flag 4e is on (S19: Ye
s), the multi-function peripheral device 100 sends the external memory change information indicating that the state of the external memory 12 has been changed to the PC 30.
0 and the second state change flag 4e is turned off. Further, the time lapse variable 4f is cleared to 0 (S2
0). When the PC 300 receives the external memory change information indicating that the state of the external memory 12 has been changed from the multi-function peripheral device 100, the PC 300 recognizes that the file management information of the PC 300 is already old. Peripheral device 10
The latest file management information of the external memory 12 is requested to 0 and acquired. In this way, the PC 300 updates its own file management information to the latest one.

On the other hand, when the second state change flag 4e is off (S19: No), the external memory 12 is accessed and the elapsed time variable 4f is cleared to 0 (S2).
1). Next, it is judged whether the access to the external memory 12 is "data writing or not" (S22). When the data is not written as in the data reading (S22: No), the process returns to S2. In the case of writing data (S22: Yes), the data is written in the external memory 12 and the first state change flag 4d is turned on. Further, the time lapse variable 4f is cleared to 0 (S2
3) Return to S2.

On the other hand, as described above, when it is determined in S16 that the external memory in-use flag 4a is on and that the first occupation flag 4b is off (S16: N).
o), the process proceeds to S24. In S24, the information (not ready error) indicating that the external memory 12 is not ready is returned to the PC 300. This not-ready error is originally information sent when the external memory 12 is not inserted in the slot 11, but in this embodiment, it is also used as information when the access by the PC 300 is denied. . In this case, the PC 3 that has received the not-ready error from the multi-function peripheral device 100
00 recognizes that the external memory 12 is not ready, that is, the external memory 12 is not inserted in the slot 1.
Has been inserted into. Therefore, the multifunction peripheral device 100 is configured to transmit the current file management information of the external memory 12.
Request to. According to this request, the multi-function peripheral device 100 sends the current file management information of the external memory 12 to the PC 300.
Send to. By receiving this file management information, the PC 300 can update its own file management information and match it with the file management information of the external memory 12.

As described above, in this embodiment, the PC 300 does not access the external memory 12 for a certain period of time, that is, the PC 300 does not access the external memory 12.
When a state in which no access is made continues for a predetermined time (S4: Yes), the multi-function peripheral device 100 is configured to be able to access the external memory 12 in response to an input instruction to the keyboard 9. .

As described above, in this embodiment, the PC 30
When the external memory 12 is exclusively used by 0,
When an instruction to access the external memory 12 is given by operating the keyboard 9, this instruction cannot be accepted. Further, when the external memory 12 is being accessed by operating the keyboard 9 and the PC 300 requests access to the external memory 12, the PC 3
For 00, information (not ready error) indicating that the external memory 12 is not ready (the external memory 12 is not mounted in the slot 11) is returned. Therefore, there is no possibility that the multi-functional peripheral device 100 and the PC 300 simultaneously access the external memory 12. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience caused by the access conflict.

In this embodiment, when the access to the external memory 12 based on the instruction from the PC 300 is completed and a predetermined time elapses, the keyboard 9 of the multi-function peripheral device 100.
The external memory 12 can be accessed by the instruction from, but when the access end command is received from the PC 300, the external memory in-use flag is immediately turned off and the external memory use function type variable is cleared. Thus, the external memory 12 may be accessed by an instruction from the keyboard 9 of the multi-function peripheral device 100. In addition, the external memory in-use flag is immediately turned off in response to an operation on the keyboard 9 by the user, and the external memory use function type variable is cleared, so that the external peripheral device 100 is instructed from the keyboard 9 by the external device. The memory 12 may be configured to be accessible.

[0077]

As described above, according to the peripheral device of the present invention, when the control means permits the access means to access the external memory according to the second instruction,
As a response to the first instruction, the information processing apparatus is notified that the external memory is not mounted in the mounting means, and therefore the information processing apparatus does not access the external memory. Therefore, the access according to the first instruction and the access according to the second instruction are prevented from occurring at the same time.

Further, according to the peripheral device of the present invention, when the inquiry about the state of the external memory is received from the information processing device, the information processing device indicates the state of the external memory managed by the external memory management means. Since the response indicating the change is received, for example, by requesting the information indicating the state of the peripheral device from the information processing device again, the management information of the information processing device regarding the external memory and the management information of the peripheral device can be matched. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multi-function peripheral device 100.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a multi-function peripheral device 100.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing basic operation processing of the multi-function peripheral device 100.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a time measuring process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing external memory insertion / extraction processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 External Memory 100 Multifunctional Peripheral Device (Peripheral Device) 110 Original Reading Unit (Reading Unit) 150 Recording / Reading Unit (Mounting Unit, Accessing Unit, State Changing Unit) 170 Display Unit (Notification Unit) 210 Control Unit (Control Unit, Response unit, state changing unit, first receiving unit, second receiving unit) 300 Personal computer (information processing device)

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A peripheral device connected to an information processing device, wherein a mounting means for detachably mounting an external memory, a first receiving means for receiving a first instruction from the information processing device, Second receiving means for receiving a second instruction from the peripheral device; access means for accessing the external memory attached to the attaching means according to the first instruction or the second instruction; If the access means is accessing the external memory according to the instruction No. 1, the control means controls to prohibit the access means from accessing the external memory according to the second instruction. When the control unit permits the access unit to access the external memory according to the second instruction, the response to the first instruction is made as a response to the first instruction. A peripheral device for notifying an information processing device that an external memory is not mounted in the mounting means. 2. The access means includes at least data storage means for storing data in the external memory, data erasing means for erasing data from the external memory, and data reading means for reading data in the external memory. The peripheral device according to claim 1, comprising at least one of them. 3. When the reading means for reading the original image and outputting the image data is provided, and the access means has the data storing means, the data storing means follows the second instruction. The peripheral device according to claim 2, wherein the image data output from the reading unit is stored in the external memory. 4. The control means controls the access means to access the external memory according to the second instruction when the access means does not access the external memory according to the first instruction. Peripheral device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the peripheral device is allowed. 5. The control means is mounted on the mounting means as a response to the first instruction when the access means has finished accessing the external memory according to the second instruction. The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral device notifies that the state of the external memory is changed. 6. A notification means for notifying a state of the peripheral device is further provided, and the control means, when the access means is accessing the external memory according to the first instruction, notifies the effect to that effect. The peripheral device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a notification is made by a notification means. 7. The control means further comprises clocking means for clocking a time during which the external memory is not being accessed continuously after the access means completes the access to the external memory according to the first instruction. 7. The peripheral device according to claim 6, wherein the means stops the notification by the notification means when the time measured by the time measuring means exceeds a predetermined time. 8. The control unit allows the access unit to access the external memory according to the second instruction after stopping the notification by the notification unit. Peripherals. 9. The data storage means according to the second instruction further comprises a receiving means for receiving image data from a remote communication device, and when the access means comprises the data storage means. The peripheral device according to claim 2, wherein the image data received by the receiving unit is stored in the external memory. 10. The control means, when the access means is accessing the external memory according to the first instruction, the data storage means stores the image data in the external memory according to the second instruction. 10. The peripheral device according to claim 3 or 9, wherein storage in the peripheral device is prohibited. 11. In a peripheral device connected to an information processing device, mounting means for detachably mounting an external memory, and state changing means for changing a state of the external memory mounted in the mounting means, External memory management means for managing the state of the external memory mounted on the mounting means; first receiving means for receiving an inquiry about the state of the external memory from the information processing device; When the means receives the inquiry from the information processing device, if the state changing means is not operating, the state of the external memory managed by the external memory management means with respect to the information processing device is A peripheral device comprising: a response unit that responds to the change. 12. The response means, when the state changing means operates to change the state of the external memory, the external memory is attached to the attaching means with respect to the information processing apparatus. The peripheral device according to claim 11, wherein the peripheral device responds that the peripheral device does not exist. 13. When the first receiving unit receives an inquiry from the information processing device after a lapse of a certain time after the state changing unit changes the state of the external memory, the response unit is 13. The peripheral device according to claim 12, wherein the peripheral device responds that the state of the external memory managed by the management unit has changed. 14. The management means further comprises permitting means for permitting an operation on the external memory from the information processing device when the state changing means is not operating to change the state of the external memory. 14. The peripheral device according to claim 11, wherein the means manages a state change of the external memory due to an operation of the information processing device. 15. Further, a notification means for notifying the state of the peripheral device is provided, and when the information processing apparatus uses the external memory as a removable memory, the notification means notifies that effect. The peripheral device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein: 16. Further, the information processing apparatus further comprises a time measuring means for measuring a time during which the external memory is not used after the use of the external memory is finished, and the time measured by the time measuring means is predetermined. The peripheral device according to claim 15, wherein the notification means stops the notification after a lapse of time. 17. The peripheral according to claim 16, wherein after the notification of the notification means is stopped, the status changing means can change the status of the external memory according to an instruction from the peripheral device itself. apparatus.