JP2004047041A - Write protector for hard disk driver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a write protector for a hard disk driver which can put the hard disk driver into a write inhibit state. <P>SOLUTION: A connector 52 connected to the hard disk driver 6 and a connector 51 connected to a personal computer 4 are connected to a changeover means 3. The command signal supplied from the personal computer 4 is monitored in a control section 2 and when a write signal is supplied, the changeover means 3 is changed over to shut off the supply of the write signal to the hard disk driver 6. In the control section 2, another command signal is supplied, in place of the write signal, to the hard disk driver 6 to obstruct the start of the write operation of the hard disk driver 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a write protect device for a hard disk drive that protects data recorded on the hard disk drive.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a recording medium used in a personal computer, a floppy disk, an MO disk, and the like are provided with a write protection mechanism for inhibiting writing. In these mechanisms, a window is provided in a case for protecting the disk, and the window is switched between an open state and a closed state. Then, the personal computer mechanically detects whether the window is open or not. If the window is open, the drive device detects a write command and outputs a write protect signal to the central processing unit of the personal computer. And writing is not performed.
[0003]
As described above, in a recording medium that is mechanically protected from writing, since write protection is mechanically applied, recorded data is reliably protected from erroneous operations, computer viruses, and the like by write protection. You. On the other hand, in a conventional hard disk drive, a configuration for performing write protection (write protection) is not provided.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, the data recorded in the hard disk drive may be erased or changed against the intention of the operator due to an erroneous operation or a computer virus.
Conventionally, for example, when analyzing data recorded in a hard disk drive, the data once recorded on the hard disk drive is temporarily stored so that the recorded content is not accidentally erased or rewritten. There is a method of copying data stored in a hard disk drive and analyzing data of a hard disk drive on the copy side.
[0005]
However, even when such a copy is made, since the basic software (Operating System) stored in the personal computer has a function of managing peripheral devices such as a connected hard disk drive, the operation is not performed. In some cases, data recorded on the hard disk drive is rewritten regardless of the user's consciousness. If such data is rewritten, accurate analysis of the data may not be possible.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a write protect device for a hard disk drive that can be set to a write-protected state in the hard disk drive.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Such an object is achieved by the present invention described below.
(1) It is provided between a hard disk drive and read / write means for reading and writing data from / to the hard disk drive, and supplies a signal from the read / write means to the hard disk drive, and An apparatus for relaying the supply of a signal to the read / write means,
Write signal determination means for determining whether a signal supplied from the read / write means to the hard disk drive is a write signal,
Regulating means for interrupting the supply of the write signal from the read / write means to the hard disk drive when the write signal determining means determines that the signal supplied to the hard disk drive is a write signal. Write protect device for hard disk drive.
[0008]
(2) Further, when the write signal determination means determines that the signal supplied to the hard disk drive is a write signal, a response signal is output to the read / write means in place of the hard disk drive. The write protect device for a hard disk drive device according to the above (1), further comprising a response unit that performs the response.
[0009]
(3) device data conversion means for converting device data supplied from the hard disk drive to the read / write means to device data having a content assumed to be a removable disk drive;
The write protect device for a hard disk drive according to the above (2), wherein the content of the response signal is a write protect signal.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a write protect device 1 for a hard disk drive according to the present invention. The hard disk drive write protect device 1 includes a control unit 2, a switching unit 3, a connector 51 connected to the personal computer 4, and a connector 52 connected to the hard disk drive 6.
[0011]
The switching unit 3 is connected between the connector 51 and the connector 52, and communication between the connector 51 and the connector 52 is performed via the switching unit 3. The switching unit 3 is in a communicable state in which the connector 51 and the connector 52 can communicate (a state in which the hard disk drive device 6 and the personal computer 4 can communicate), and the connector 52 and the control unit 2 can conduct electricity. The communication circuit is switched to a communication disabled state in which the communication between the connector and the connector 51 is disabled. When the instruction signal is not supplied from the control unit 2, the switching unit 3 is normally in a communicable state.
[0012]
In other words, the switching means 3 is always maintained in a state where the hard disk drive 6 and the personal computer 4 can communicate (communicable state). In response to an instruction signal from the control unit 2, the switching unit 3 sets a state in which communication between the hard disk drive 6 and the personal computer 4 is disabled (communication disabled state) and a state in which communication between the hard disk drive 6 and the control unit 2 is disabled. Switch between possible states. Here, the communication means transmission and reception of a signal, including a case where an electrically energizable state is maintained, and a state where a signal is not transmitted is a communication disabled state, and a state where a signal is transmitted is a communication enabled state. Therefore, a state in which the circuit is electrically disconnected (power cannot be supplied) is also included in the communication disabled state. Further, the switching unit 3 sets the connector 52 and the control unit 2 in a communicable state when the communication is not possible.
[0013]
In the embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor switch is used as the switching unit having the above-described operation. That is, it is a switch for switching the communication circuit by a logic circuit. Further, the time (delay time) from when a signal is input from the connector 51 to when the signal is output to the connector 52 is sufficiently short so as not to affect the operation speed according to the operation speed of the personal computer. Switch. When the semiconductor switch receives a switching instruction signal from the control unit 2, the semiconductor switch changes from a communication enabled state to a communication disabled state (write disabled state) or from a communication disabled state (write disabled state) to a communication enabled state. , To switch the internally configured circuit.
[0014]
A signal from the personal computer 4 is input to the control unit 2. That is, the signal supplied from the personal computer 4 to the hard disk drive 6 is also supplied to the controller 2 at the same time. The control unit 2 is also connected to a connector 52. That is, the controller 2 is connected to the hard disk drive 6, and a signal supplied from the hard disk drive 6 to the personal computer 4 is also supplied to the controller 2. That is, the control unit 2 monitors a signal exchanged between the personal computer 4 and the hard disk drive 6, and when the switching unit 3 is in a communication disabled state, the control unit 2 outputs a signal that changes to a cut-off signal. Supply to the recipient.
[0015]
When the control unit 2 predicts that the signal supplied from the personal computer 4 to the hard disk drive 6 is a write (write command) signal, the control unit 2 supplies a signal for switching the switching unit 3 to a communication disabled state to the switching unit 3. . Then, when a write command signal is supplied from the personal computer 4 to the hard disk drive 6, the control unit 2 converts the write command signal into another command signal and outputs it to the hard disk drive 4.
[0016]
The operation of the write protect device 1 for a hard disk drive of the present invention configured as described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 2. The control unit 2 monitors the chip select signal, and determines whether or not the hard disk drive 4 is selected based on the chip select signal supplied to the hard disk drive 6 (step S101). If not selected, there is no access from the personal computer 4 to the hard disk drive 6, so that no data is written to the hard disk drive 6, and it is not necessary to switch the switching means 3 to the write-protected state. Therefore, if not selected, this step is repeated.
[0017]
If it is determined that the hard disk drive 6 is selected by the detected chip select signal, the signal output to the address line is monitored to determine whether an address signal for selecting a command register has been supplied (step S103). ).
[0018]
If the command register has been selected, it is determined whether or not a write signal (a signal informing that a command is to be written to the command register) has been output to the write signal line (step S105). If no write signal has been output, no writing is performed, so this step is repeated. Since the write signal is a signal for informing the writing of a command to the hard disk drive 6, when the write signal is output, the switching means 3 is supplied with a signal for instructing switching to the communication disabled state, and the personal computer 4 to the hard disk drive 6 (step S107).
[0019]
Steps S101 to S105 constitute a signal determination unit, and step S107 constitutes a regulation unit.
[0020]
Then, it is determined whether or not a write command (command for instructing the hard disk drive 6 to write data) signal has been output from the personal computer 4 to the data line (step S109). repeat. When it is determined that the write command signal has been output, the write command signal is not supplied to the hard disk drive device 6 because the supply of the signal is interrupted by the switching means 3. Then, the control unit 2 supplies another command signal to the hard disk drive device 6 instead of the write command signal. In this embodiment, a no operation command signal is supplied to the hard disk drive 6 (step S111). This step S111 constitutes a signal conversion means for converting the write command signal into another command signal. Thereafter, the control unit 2 supplies a signal for switching to the communication enabled state to the switching unit 3 (Step S113).
[0021]
When the no-operation command signal is supplied, the hard disk drive device 6 supplies an operation end interrupt signal (interrupt signal) to the personal computer 4. This signal is supplied to the personal computer 4 via the control unit 2.
[0022]
Upon receiving the interrupt signal, the personal computer 4 supplies the hard disk drive 6 with a signal inquiring about the contents of the status register in order to know the contents of the operation completion. The hard disk drive 6 supplies the contents of the status register to the personal computer 4. The content of the status register is "error". Since the status of the personal computer 4 is error, a signal for confirming the contents of the error register is supplied to the hard disk drive 6 next. The hard disk drive 6 supplies the contents of the error register to the personal computer 4 accordingly. The content of the supplied error register is “Abort (abort)”, whereby the write operation from the personal computer 4 is terminated.
By the above operation, writing of data to the hard disk drive 6 is prevented, and reading of data from the hard disk drive 6 becomes possible.
[0023]
In addition to the operations described above, after step S111, step S113 is not executed. When an interrupt signal is received from the hard disk drive 6, a step S112 of supplying a normal end signal to the personal computer instead of the interrupt signal is performed. A configuration may be adopted in which step S113 is executed after that. In this case, the personal computer recognizes that the write operation has been completed normally, and does not retry the write operation. This step S112 constitutes a response unit.
[0024]
As another embodiment, there is a method in which the personal computer 4 recognizes that the hard disk drive 6 is a removable disk drive. The operation of the control unit 2 in this embodiment will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0025]
When the personal computer 4 is started, it is determined whether an identification command signal has been supplied to the hard disk drive device 6 (step S201). If the identification command signal has been supplied, the switching means 3 is switched to a communication disabled state (step S203). . In response to the supplied identification command signal, the hard disk drive 6 outputs device data to the personal computer 4 as a response signal indicating that the hard disk drive 6 is used. The control unit 2 monitors the device data. Since the switching means 3 is in a communication disabled state in step S203, this device data is not supplied to the personal computer 4. The device data includes, for example, the type of device (type such as hard disk drive device or removable disk drive device), and in the case of a storage device, storage capacity, serial number, model name, and the like. .
[0026]
The control unit 2 determines whether device data has been output from the hard disk drive 6 (step S205). When the device data is output, the device data is also supplied to the control unit 2. Therefore, the control unit 2 uses the removable disk drive device to output information on the device type in the acquired device data. The data is rewritten to indicate that there is (step S207). Then, instead of the device data output from the hard disk drive 6, the data is supplied to the personal computer 4 as device data of the removable disk drive (step S209). Steps S201 to S209 constitute a device data conversion unit.
[0027]
Next, a signal for instructing switching to the communicable state is output to the switching means 3, and the switching means 3 is switched to the communicable state (step S211).
With the above operation, the personal computer 4 recognizes that the hard disk drive 6 is a removable disk drive.
[0028]
Next, the operation when the write command signal is supplied from the personal computer 4 to the hard disk drive 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As described above, after executing steps S101 to S113 in FIG. 2, signals are transmitted and received between the personal computer 4 and the hard disk drive device 6. At this time, the control unit 2 Monitors whether or not to supply a signal for confirming the contents of the error register of the hard disk drive 6 (step S115). When the signal is supplied, the signal is supplied to the switching means 3, and The switching means 3 is switched to a communication disabled state (step S117). The hard disk drive 6 outputs a signal for supplying the contents of the error register to the personal computer 4 (the content is "Abort"), but since the switching means 3 is in a communication disabled state, this signal is It is not supplied to the personal computer 4 side. The control unit 2 supplies the personal computer 4 as write protection in place of the content of the error register to "Abort" (step S119).
[0029]
Since model information indicating that the hard disk drive 6 is a removable disk drive is sent to the personal computer 4 in advance, the personal computer 4 recognizes that the removable disk is write-protected, No write operation is performed. For this reason, the personal computer 4 does not receive an unrecognizable command, and suppresses a problem such as a system freeze.
[0030]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the write protect device 1 for a hard disk drive. The hard disk drive write protect device 1 includes an electric circuit unit 11 having connectors 51 and 52 and a casing (housing unit) 12 for housing the hard disk drive device 6. The electric circuit section 11 includes a connector 51 and a power connector 511 outside the casing 12, and includes a connector 52 and a power connector 521 inside the casing 12. A connector 61 of the hard disk drive 6 is connected to the connector 52 located inside the casing 12, and a power connector 62 of the hard disk drive 6 is connected to the power connector 521 by a flat cable or the like.
[0031]
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the casing 12. The casing 12 is formed in a box shape, and includes a base 12a having a bottom plate 121 and a front plate 122 of the casing 12, and a lid 12b having an upper body 123, a rear plate 124, and both side plates 125a and 125b. Flanges 131a and 131b are formed on both side ends of the bottom plate 121, and a pair of support pieces 132a and 132b are erected on each of the flanges 131a and 131b. A bolt is inserted into a hole formed at the tip of each of the support pieces 132a and 132b. The tip of the bolt is screwed into a screw hole formed in the side surface of the main body of the hard disk drive 6 to be write-protected, and fixes the hard disk drive 6 to the base 12a. The front plate 122 has a connector 51 provided in the electric circuit portion 11, connector protrusion holes 141a and 141b into which the power supply connector 511 is inserted, and an air introduction portion 142 formed by a plurality of small holes. are doing.
[0032]
The electric circuit unit 11 includes a board 7, a connector 51 disposed at a front end of the board 7, a power supply connector 511, a connector 52 disposed at a rear end of the board 7, and a power supply connector 521. Have. At the side ends of the substrate 7, near the four corners of the substrate 7, mounting pieces 72 for fixing to the base 12 a are respectively provided. A screw hole is formed in each mounting piece 72, and the electric circuit portion 11 is fastened and fixed to the flanges 131a and 131b of the base 12a by screws 73 screwed into the screw holes. On the lower surface of the substrate 7, integrated circuits such as PLDs constituting the control section 2, semiconductor switches constituting the switching means 3, and the like are arranged. The board 7 is formed with a hole 74 constituting an air intake of the blower fan, and a case 75 of the blower fan is fixed to the hole 74. That is, the blower fan is attached to the lower side of the substrate 7. The blower fan is located on the opposite side of the air intake section 142 on the diagonal line of the substrate 7. With such a configuration, the ventilation efficiency in the casing 12 can be increased.
An exhaust hole 133 is formed in the flange 131b at a position in contact with the blower fan case 75, and the air in the casing 12 is exhausted from the exhaust hole 133.
[0033]
A hard disk drive is accommodated on the upper surface of the substrate 7 configured as described above. The connector 61 of the hard disk drive and the power supply connector 62 are accommodated toward the rear side of the casing 12. The connector 52 of the board 7 is provided with the connector 61 of the hard disk drive 6, and the power supply connector 521 is provided with the hard disk drive. The power supply connectors 62 of the device 6 are respectively connected by flat cables or the like.
[0034]
In the lid 12b, two notches 151 each having a shape bent in the rear direction are provided at lower end pieces of the side plates 125a and 125b. A screw 73 is inserted through the notch 151, and the lid 12b is fixed to the base 12a by the screw 73.
Further, a screw insertion hole 152 is formed at the front end of the upper surface plate 123. A sealing screw 74 having a special screw head connection shape is used for the screw insertion hole 152. At the front end of the side plate 125a, an air inlet 144 constituted by a plurality of small holes is provided.
[0035]
FIG. 7 is an overall perspective view of the casing 12. As the connector 51 and the power supply connector 511 protruding outside the casing 12, the same connectors as those used in a normal hard disk drive are used, and the relative relationship between them is also the positional relationship in the normal hard disk drive. Is configured to be the same as Therefore, the hard disk drive write protect device 1 containing the hard disk drive 6 can be regarded as one hard disk drive, and the hard disk drive is connected to a device such as a personal computer to which the hard disk drive is connected. It becomes possible to attach in the same way as when attaching.
[0036]
Further, in order to secure the evidential ability of the data recorded in the hard disk drive device 6, it can be sealed. The sealing cable 81 is wound around the side plate 125 a and the front plate 122 of the casing 12, and is inserted through the insertion holes 143 and 145 constituting the air intakes 142 and 144. In addition, a rope 82 wound around the top plate 123 and the side plate 125a is provided, and the intersection of the rope 82 and the rope 81 is stopped by a seal 83. The seal 83 is a sealing seal that once removed, retains the history of peeling. Further, a similar seal may be attached on the sealing screw 74.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the write signal to the hard disk drive is cut off, the content of the hard disk drive is prevented from being rewritten while connected to the read / write means.
[0038]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the read / write means can receive the response signal, the subsequent operation can proceed normally.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the response signal is a write protect signal, it is possible to prevent the reading and writing means from stopping the system or causing a problem.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a write protect device for a hard disk drive of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit according to another embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit according to another embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of a write protect device for a hard disk drive. FIG. 6 is an exploded overall perspective view of a casing.
FIG. 7 is an overall perspective view of a casing.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Write protect device for hard disk drive device 11 Electric circuit unit 12 Casing 2 Control unit 3 Switching means 4 Personal computer 51 Connector 52 Connector 6 Hard disk drive device

Claims (3)

A hard disk drive and read / write means for reading and writing data from / to the hard disk drive; supplying a signal from the read / write means to the hard disk drive; Device for relaying the supply of signals to
Write signal determination means for determining whether a signal supplied from the read / write means to the hard disk drive is a write signal,
Regulating means for interrupting supply of a write signal from the read / write means to the hard disk drive when the write signal determination means determines that the signal supplied to the hard disk drive is a write signal. Write protect device for hard disk drive. Further, when the write signal determination unit determines that the signal supplied to the hard disk drive is a write signal, a response unit that outputs a response signal to the read / write unit instead of the hard disk drive. The write protect device for a hard disk drive device according to claim 1, further comprising: Device data conversion means for converting device data supplied by the hard disk drive device to the read / write means, to device data having a content to be a removable disk drive device,
3. The write protect device for a hard disk drive according to claim 2, wherein the content of the response signal is a write protect signal.

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