JP2004145866A - Hard disk management device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hard disk management device capable of making a hard disk removable at high speed and low cost without performing the bus conversion of an interface. <P>SOLUTION: When a personal computer 1 is started, a personal computer 20 is made to recognize it as an ATA removable device, the installation state of the hard disk 3 installed to the body of the hard disk management device 1 is regularly detected by a canister detection part 12, and this detection result is outputted to the personal computer 20 when a command of "GET MEDIA STATUS" is inputted from the personal computer 20. When the effect of the removal of the hard disk 3 is inputted to the hard disk management device 1, the connection of the hard disk management device 1 with the hard disk 3 is cut, and the personal computer 20 is made to recognize the removal of the hard disk 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

This invention relates to a hard disk management device for managing one or more hard disks connected to a host device such as a personal computer.

When a host device such as a personal computer is used, a fixed drive such as a hard disk is usually used as an auxiliary storage device. In order to back up the contents of the hard disk or the like, a removable device such as an MO drive or a CD-R drive is used. Often used. According to such a removable device, there is an advantage that only the removable medium can be moved and the storage or the like is facilitated.

However, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD-RAMs, MO disks, and the like, which are general removable media, have a high unit price per capacity, and the cost increases as the number of using these removable media increases. Occurs.

In addition, since the above-mentioned removable media has a lower data transmission speed and a smaller storage capacity than a hard disk, when performing a full backup of the contents of the hard disk of the host device, the work time becomes longer and one backup operation is required. In such a case, there arises an inconvenience that the work of replacing the removable medium needs to be performed a plurality of times.

In order to solve such inconvenience, a removable case (hard disk management device) has been developed in which an ATA-connected hard disk or the like used for internal use is mounted in a replaceable state as appropriate. In some cases, an ATA-connected hard disk or the like can be used as a removable medium by using the medium, and the cost and capacity of the removable medium can be reduced (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).
"Product Information", [online], [Searched September 1, 2002], Internet <URL: http://www.ratocsystems.com/products/subpage/dk.html>

However, usually, when the ATA-connected hard disk is mounted in the ATA-connected removable case, it is necessary to turn off the power of the host device every time the hard disk is replaced, and to restart it.

When a host device and a removable case are connected via an IEEE 1394 interface or a USB interface as in the case of the non-patent document 1, a hard disk drive with the power of the host device and the removable case turned on is provided. Can be exchanged, and so-called hot swap can be realized. However, it is impossible to realize the transmission speed that the ATA connection hard disk can originally exhibit, and the transmission speed is reduced.

(4) Further, when hot swap is realized by using the function of the IEEE 1394 interface or the USB interface as in Non-Patent Document 1, the bus conversion of the interface is inevitable, and the processing load increases.

In addition, conventional devices that enable a hard disk to be used as a removable medium do not consider providing a write protection function to prevent data recorded on the hard disk from being erased or rewritten by erroneous operation. However, there is a problem that data cannot be managed safely.

An object of the present invention is to provide a hard disk management device that realizes a high-speed and low-cost removable hard disk without performing interface bus conversion.

Further, the present invention provides a hard disk management device which can easily set / cancel write protection for prohibiting data writing to a hard disk used as a removable medium and can safely manage data recorded on the hard disk. The purpose is to provide.

This invention has the following configuration.

(1) In a hard disk management device that makes an ATA-connected hard disk connected to a host device removable,
Detecting means for detecting a mounting state of an ATA-connected hard disk connected to the management apparatus main body;
Recognizing means for causing the host device to recognize the device as an ATA removable device when the host device is started;
A response unit that responds to the command output by the host device for confirming the mounted state of the medium in the management device main body recognized as the ATA removable device by the recognition unit, based on a detection result of the detection unit;
Disconnecting means for disconnecting the hard disk when an instruction to remove the hard disk is input to the management apparatus main body.

In this configuration, when the hard disk management device is recognized by the host device as an ATA removable device by the recognition means, a command is issued from the host device to the hard disk management device to confirm the mounting state of the media in the ATA removable device. However, on the hard disk management device side, the mounting state of the hard disk mounted on the hard disk management device is always detected by the detection unit, and the detection unit acquires the command of the host device by the response unit. A response is made based on the detection result of the hard disk installation state.

Therefore, the mounting state of the hard disk mounted on the hard disk management device is reliably transmitted to the host device side in response to the command for confirming the mounting state of the medium, and the ATA of the fixed ATA disk which cannot be inserted Even when the interface is used, the hard disk management device does not need to restart the host device every time the hard disk is replaced.

Further, when there is an input to the hard disk management device to remove the hard disk, the disconnection means disconnects signal processing and power supply between the host device and the hard disk, and further performs the signal processing and power supply. After the disconnection of the supply is completed, the response means notifies the host device that the removable medium mounted on the removable device has been removed.

Therefore, even when the ATA interface of a fixed ATA disk that cannot be inserted or removed is used, the hard disk or the like can be safely removed from the hard disk management device without damaging the host device while the host device is operating. Further, before the hard disk is removed from the hard disk management device, the fact that the medium is to be removed from the hard disk management device is reliably transmitted to the host device, so that the host device malfunctions due to the removal of the hard disk. And the like are prevented.

Therefore, in the ATA-connected hard disk management device, the ATA-connected hard disk is properly replaced while the host device is operating, and so-called hot swap on the IDE bus is realized.

(2) In a hard disk management device that makes an ATA-connected hard disk removable to a host device,
Detecting means for detecting a mounting state of an ATA-connected hard disk connected to the management apparatus main body;
Recognition means for causing the host device to recognize the device as an ATAPI removable device when the host device is started;
Response means for responding to the command output by the host apparatus for confirming the mounting state of the media in the management apparatus main body recognized as the ATAPI removable device by the recognition means, based on the detection result of the detection means;
Command conversion means for converting an ATA command into an ATAPI command and converting an ATAPI command into an ATA command, respectively;
Disconnecting means for disconnecting the hard disk when an instruction to remove the hard disk is input to the management apparatus main body.

In this configuration, as in the case of the above (1), the information relating to the mounting and removal of the hard disk can be transmitted to the host device even when the host device is operating, by the cooperative operation of the detection device, the recognition device, the response device, and the disconnection device. And the hard disk is safely removed from the hard disk management device, so that a so-called hot swap on the IDE bus is realized.

Further, the hard disk management device is recognized by the host device as an ATAPI removable device by the recognition means, and the ATAPI command output from the host device is converted into an ATA command by the command conversion means and supplied to the hard disk, and is output from the hard disk. The ATA command is converted to an ATAPI command and supplied to the host device.

Therefore, when the hard disk management device is properly recognized as a removable ATAPI device, a hard disk that is originally recognized as an ATA device is recognized as a removable medium used for the removable ATAPI device. For example, a logical unit number (LUN) is used. For example, it is possible to connect a plurality of hard disks to the hard disk management device by using the above-described method, and practical convenience is achieved.

(3) A write protect notification that detects the state of a write protect switch that switches setting / cancellation of write protect for inhibiting data writing to the mounted hard disk and notifies whether or not write protect is set in the host device. Means are provided.

In this configuration, by switching the write protect switch, it is possible to easily set / cancel the write protect for prohibiting data writing to the hard disk used as a removable medium, and to safely manage the data recorded on this hard disk. be able to.

In addition, a commonly used host device (such as a personal computer) includes, in a signal exchanged with a removable device, a signal indicating whether or not write protection is set for a mounted medium, a so-called write protect bit. Is included, it is not necessary to separately provide a signal line for notifying whether write protection is set between the host device and the management device.

(4) In the hard disk management device connected to the host device,
Recognition means for causing the host device to recognize as a removable device,
A response unit that responds based on a detection result of the detection unit to a command that is output by the host device to confirm a mounted state of a medium in the management device main body that is recognized as a removable device by the recognition unit;
A write protect notifying means is provided for detecting a state of a write protect switch for switching between setting and canceling of write protect for prohibiting writing of data to the mounted hard disk, and for notifying whether or not write protect is set in the host device. It is characterized by having.

In this configuration, by switching the write protect switch in the same manner as in (3) above, the setting / cancellation of write protect for inhibiting data writing to the hard disk can be easily performed, and the data recorded on the hard disk can be safely protected. Can be managed.

(5) If the host device has locked the medium when the write protection switch is switched, the write protection notifying means waits for the host device to unlock the medium, and waits for the current write protection. It is characterized in that the host device is notified whether write protection has been set or released by switching the switch.

In this configuration, when the host device locks the medium, for example, while the data is being written, even if the write protect switch is switched, until the lock is released, the setting / release of the write protect is performed. Is not switched. Therefore, even if the write protection switch for setting the write protection is changed during the data writing, the writing of the data being executed is not interrupted.

(6) A status display means for displaying whether or not write protection for inhibiting data writing to the mounted hard disk is set is provided. In this configuration, it is determined whether or not write protection is set. Since the status is displayed on the status display means, it can be easily confirmed whether or not the write protection is set.

According to the present invention, the mounting state of the hard disk mounted on the hard disk management device can be reliably transmitted to the host device side by the response to the command for confirming the mounting state of the medium, and the hard disk cannot be inserted or removed. Even when the ATA interface of the fixed ATA disk is used, it is possible to eliminate the need to restart the host device every time the hard disk is replaced in the hard disk management device. In addition, the hard disk or the like can be safely removed from the hard disk management device without damaging the hard disk or the like with the host device operating. Furthermore, before the hard disk is removed from the hard disk management device, it is possible to reliably transmit to the host device that the medium is to be removed from the hard disk management device. Inconvenience such as erroneous operation can be prevented. Therefore, in the ATA-connected hard disk management device, the ATA-connected hard disk can be properly replaced while the host device is operating, and so-called hot swap on the IDE bus can be realized.

Also, since a hard disk that is originally recognized as an ATA device can be recognized as a removable medium used for a removable ATAPI device, a plurality of hard disks can be connected to a hard disk management device using, for example, a logical unit number (LUN). For example, practical convenience can be achieved. Therefore, it is possible to provide a hard disk management device that realizes a high-speed and low-cost removable hard disk without performing interface bus conversion.

(4) Further, by switching the write protect switch, the write protect for prohibiting data writing to the hard disk can be set / canceled, and the data recorded on the hard disk can be safely managed.

Hereinafter, a removable case which is a first embodiment of the hard disk management device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the hard disk includes not only a 3.5-inch hard disk but also a 2.5-inch hard disk, an iVDR based on a 2.5-inch hard disk, and the like. In the present invention, the term ATA-connected hard disk is used to mean a hard disk that complies with the ATA standard.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a personal computer to which the removable case of the present invention is applied, and shows a use state of the removable case. As shown in the figure, the removable case 1 is accommodated and fixed in a predetermined bay formed in the casing of the personal computer 20, in this embodiment, a 5-inch bay. Further, the removable case 1 is connected to the personal computer 20 by an ATA interface. In this state, an ATA-connected hard disk (hereinafter, simply referred to as a hard disk) mounted on the removable case 1 can be mounted or removed from the front side (front side) of the personal computer 20. It will be described later.

On the other hand, the personal computer 20 has general functions such as an input device, an output device, a storage device, an arithmetic device, a control device, an ATA interface, and the like, and a special case for applying the removable case 1 of the present invention. No function is required.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the removable case 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the removable case 1 is provided with a canister 2a and a canister 2b for accommodating a hard disk mounted on the removable case 1. At this time, a single hard disk 3 is accommodated for each canister 2 (2a, 2b).

The canister 2 is provided movably in the front-rear direction of the removable case 1. For this reason, when the hard disk 3 is mounted on the removable case 1, the canister 2 is slid and pulled out to the front side of the apparatus, the hard disk 3 is accommodated in the canister 2, and then the canister 2 is moved to the rear side of the removable case 1. Push in.

Here, on the removable case 1 side, the connector of the ATA interface and the power connector used for connection with the hard disk 3 are arranged so as to face the connector of the hard disk 3 housed in the canister 2. Is fully pushed into the rear side of the removable case 1, the connection between the connector of the hard disk 3 and the connector of the removable case 1 is performed, and the connection between the hard disk 3 and the removable case 1 is completed. Needless to say, the positions of the connector and the power supply connector of the ATA interface are not limited to the above-described configuration, and the connection method between the hard disk 3 and the removable case 1 does not particularly affect the embodiment of the present invention. .

Further, each canister 2 (2a, 2b) has a lock 4 (4a, 4b) and an ejection button 5 (5a, 5b), a write protect switch 6 (6a, 6b), and a write protect indicator 7 (7a, 7a, 7b) is provided. A key used to pull out the canister 2 is inserted into the lock unit 4, and the canister 2 is unlocked by inserting an appropriate key into the lock unit 4. The take-out button 5 is for the user to notify the removable case 1 when it is necessary to remove the hard disk 3 currently in use. The write protect switch 6 is a switch that is operated when setting / cancelling write protect for prohibiting data writing to the contained hard disk 3 is switched. The write protection indicator 7 is an LED that lights when the write protection is set.

In the present embodiment, the removable case 1 has a configuration including two canisters 2. However, the number of the canisters 2 is not particularly limited to two, and even one can be used. There may be three or more. Further, a hard disk may be fixed to the removable case 1 without having a canister structure. Further, it is also possible to mount a driving mechanism such as a motor so that the canister 2 automatically moves as required. Further, the lock / unlock configuration of the canister 2 is not limited to the above-described configuration.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a connection state of the removable case 1. As shown in the figure, the removable case 11 includes a CPU 11, a canister detection unit 12, a RAM 13, a ROM 14, an I / F unit 15 (15a, 15b), an extraction detection unit 16, a disconnection circuit 17, a power supply unit 18, and a light. The protection detection unit 19 is provided.

The canister detector 12 detects the state of the hard disk 3 accommodated in the canister 2. In the present embodiment, it is electrically detected whether the hard disk 3 in the canister 2 is properly connected to the ATA connector of the removable case 1. Therefore, the removable case 1 can automatically recognize that the hard disk 3 is mounted by the canister detection unit 12.

The RAM 13 is an ATA device including a maker name, a format, a firmware revision, a serial number, maximum transfer rate information, the number of sectors, and the like of the hard disk 3 input to the removable case 1 from the hard disk 3 via the I / F unit 15b. This is a memory for storing identity data and the like indicating attribute information. The ROM 14 stores programs and the like necessary for operating the CPU 11 of the removable case 1. The ROM 14 also stores Identify data indicating that the removable case 1 is an ATA removable device.

The I / F unit 15a controls communication between the personal computer 20 and the removable case 1. In this embodiment, the personal computer 20 and the removable case 1 are connected by an ATA interface. The I / F unit 15b controls communication between the removable case 1 and the hard disk 3.

(4) The removal detection unit 16 detects that the removal button 5 has been pressed. Further, the removal of the hard disk can also be performed by inputting that fact to the OS of the personal computer 20. Therefore, the removal detection unit 16 also detects a hard disk removal request input from the personal computer 20.

The power supply unit 18 supplies power to the hard disk 3. The disconnection circuit 17 electrically disconnects the data transmission path from the removable case 1 to the hard disk 3 based on a command from the CPU 11, for example, in a high impedance state. In addition, the disconnection circuit 17 stops the supply of power from the power supply unit 18 to the hard disk 3 as the data transmission is stopped. The write protection detecting section 19 detects the state of the write protection switch 6 and turns on the write protection indicator 7 when the write protection is set.

In the above configuration, when the user activates the personal computer 20, the personal computer 20 outputs an Identify command for acquiring attribute information of the ATA device connected to the ATA interface to each ATA device when the OS is activated. On the other hand, the removable case 1 outputs to the personal computer 20 Identify data indicating that it is an ATA removable device.

Therefore, the personal computer 20 recognizes the removable case 1 as an ATA removable device at the time of startup. Further, the removable case 1 thereafter operates as an ATA removable device based on a program stored in the ROM 14. For example, the ATA removable device receives information indicating the state of the removable medium in the return value of the “GET MEDIA STATUS command” for periodically confirming the mounted state of the removable medium attached to the removable device that is input from the personal computer 20. Is returned, but the removable case 1 receives “GET” from the personal computer 20.
Each time the “MEDIA STATUS command” is input, the device responds appropriately to this command.

FIG. 4 shows the status of input and output of commands between the personal computer 20 and the removable case 1 in this embodiment. As described above, upon recognizing the removable case 1 as an ATA removable device, the personal computer 20 outputs a “GET \ MEDIA \ STATUS command” to the removable case 1.

On the other hand, in the removable case 1, the canister detection unit 12 constantly monitors whether the hard disk 3 is housed in the canister 2, that is, whether the hard disk 3 in each canister 2 is properly mounted on the removable case 1. Therefore, the mounting state of the hard disk 3 at the time when the "GET MEDIA STATUS command" is input can be transmitted to the personal computer 20.

At this time, the response to the "GET MEDIA STATUS command" output from the removable case 1 to the personal computer 20 is "no media" in which the hard disk 3 is not housed in the canister 2, and the new hard disk 3 is “Media exchange” indicating the state of being attached to the case 1, “Write protect” in which writing processing to the hard disk 3 is prohibited, or “Ejection request” indicating that the input to remove the hard disk 3 is performed is there. The removable case 1 performs this response for each canister 2.

As described above, between the removable case 1 and the personal computer 20, the mounting state of the hard disk 3 mounted on the removable case 1 is transmitted to the personal computer 20 as information on the removable media mounted on the removable case 1. Then, even when the hard disk 3 is mounted after the personal computer 20 is started, the removable case 1 checks the attributes of the mounted hard disk 3, stores the attributes in an appropriate area of the RAM 13, and then inputs the attributes from the personal computer 20. A response of “MEDIA EXCHANGE” is sent to the first “GET MEDIA STATUS” command, and the attribute of the attached hard disk 3 is transmitted to the personal computer 20. For this reason, the personal computer 20 can accurately recognize that the hard disk 3 is mounted, the attributes of the hard disk 3, and the like.

Next, an operation of removing the hard disk 3 from the removable case 1 after the personal computer 20 is started will be described.

FIG. 5 shows an operation when the hard disk 3 is removed. In the description related to FIG. 3, numbers assigned to respective commands in the figure correspond to index numbers in the following description.

(1). As shown in the figure, when removing the hard disk 3 attached to the removable case 1, the user inputs the information by operating on the OS of the personal computer 20, or the eject button provided on the canister 2. Press 5. When any of these operations is performed, a removal request is notified to the removable case 1.

(2). In the removable case 1, in response to the removal request notification (eject command), the OS of the personal computer 20 is notified to remove the hard disk 3 in order to stop the communication between the personal computer 20 and the removable case 1.

(3). On receiving the notification that the hard disk 3 is to be removed, the personal computer 20 stops communication between the personal computer 20 and the removable case 1 and removes the hard disk 3 from the removable case 1 so that the personal computer 20 is operating. Avoid malfunctions. When the preparation for the removal of the hard disk 3 is completed, the personal computer 20 outputs the fact to the removable case 1. In the case where the personal computer 20 is writing data to the hard disk 3 or the like, a notification of the completion of the extraction preparation is output to the removable case 1 after the processing is completed.

(4). When the removable case 1 is notified from the personal computer 20 that preparation for removal is completed, first, the disconnecting circuit 17 electrically disconnects the data line between the removable case 1 and the hard disk 3.

(5). Subsequently, the removable case 1 causes the cutting circuit 17 to stop supplying power from the removable case 1 to the hard disk 3.

(6). When the removable case 1 confirms that the communication and the supply of the power have been stopped, the removable case 1 returns a command of “no media” in response to the “GET @ MEDIA @ STATUS” command from the personal computer 20 which is input first.

(7). Thereby, even if the hard disk 3 is taken out after the canister 2 is pulled out, the hard disk 3 is not damaged. Further, since the personal computer 20 can properly recognize that the removable medium is not attached to the removable device, that is, the removal of the hard disk 3 from the removable case 1, by responding to the “GET MEDIA STATUS command”, Even if the hard disk 3 is removed after the personal computer 20 is started, the personal computer 20 can accurately recognize that fact. In addition, when the command of “no media” is returned in response to the “GET MEDIA STATUS command” from the personal computer 20 and the hard disk can be safely removed, the fact is transmitted to the user by an LCD or the like (not shown). .

As described above, the use of the removable case 1 makes it possible for the personal computer 20 to recognize the connected hard disk 3 after the personal computer 20 has been started, and that even when the personal computer 20 is running, 3 and the personal computer can recognize that the hard disk 3 has been removed. Therefore, by using the removable case 1, the hard disk 3 can be properly replaced during the operation of the personal computer, that is, hot swap can be performed.

As described above, the removable case 1 mainly uses the conversion technology for making the ATA-connected hard disk, which is originally a fixed disk, removable. To be more precise, the plug-and-play function is performed by hardware processing that causes the personal computer to recognize the removable case 1 as an ATA removable device and cause the personal computer 20 to recognize each hard disk 3 attached to the removable case 1 as a removable medium. Hot swap is realized in an ATA interface or an ATAPI interface which does not have a hot plug function.

The hot swap in the removable case 1 is mainly realized by hardware processing, so that a dedicated driver or the like for causing the removable case 1 to perform a specific operation becomes unnecessary. As a result, since the operation of the removable case 1 does not depend on the OS used on the personal computer 20, the removable case 1 can have high versatility.

As described above, the ATA connection hard disk which is usually used as an auxiliary storage device built in the host device, and the number of hard disks not used in the active service tends to increase every time an expansion or the like is performed, the hard disk is made removable. Can be reused as removable media, and resources can be used effectively.

Next, the functions related to write protection will be described. Setting (protection of data writing) and release (permission of data writing) of write protection for the hard disk 3 can be performed by operating a write protection switch 6 provided for each canister 2. In other words, the setting / cancellation of the write protection for the hard disk 3 accommodated for each canister 2 can be performed individually. Each canister 2 monitors the state of the write protect switch 6 (whether it is switched to the side for setting the write protect or the side for canceling the write protect) by the write protect detecting section 19. The write protection detection unit 19 turns on the write protection indicator 7 when the write protection switch 6 is switched to the side for setting the write protection, and displays the write protection when the switch is switched to the side for canceling the write protection. The light 7 is turned off.

Therefore, the user can easily confirm whether the write protection is currently set or released, depending on whether the write protection indicator 7 is on or off.

In a general interface such as IDE, USB, or IEEE1394, a media parameter header exchanged between the personal computer 20 and the removable case 1 indicates whether or not write protection is set for the mounted medium. Since the write protect bit is included, the use of the write protect bit enables the removable case 1 to connect to the personal computer 20 without providing a new signal line between the personal computer 20 and the removable case 1. Thus, whether or not the write protection is set for the mounted hard disk 3 can be notified. In other words, there is no need to provide a signal line between the personal computer 20 and the removable case 1 for notifying whether or not write protection is set, or to incorporate a special program into the personal computer 20. 20 is available as is.

Next, the operation of the removable case 1 when a data write request is sent from the personal computer 20 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when a data write request is sent from a personal computer. When the removable case 1 receives a data write request from the personal computer 20 (s1), the hard disk 3 to which data is written is housed in the canister 2 (s2), and if it is housed, write protection is set to the hard disk 3. It is determined whether it has been performed (s3). If the hard disk 3 is not accommodated in the canister 2, the removable case 1 issues an error notification indicating that there is no medium in the personal computer 20 (s 4), and if the write protection is set, issues an error notification indicating that writing is prohibited ( s5). In the removable case 1, if the hard disk 3 is housed in the canister 2 and the write protection is released, the data sent from the personal computer 20 is then written to the hard disk 3 (s 6).

In the case where the hard disk 3 is incorporated (fixed) in the removable case 1, the processing relating to s2 can be omitted.

The general personal computer 20 has a function of locking the medium and restricting the removal of the medium when writing or reading data on the removable medium. This function is to prevent the data recorded on the medium from being destroyed by removing the medium while data is being written to or read from the medium. In the removable case 1 of this embodiment, the write protection is set during the writing of data to the hard disk 3 (by operating the write protect switch 6) by using the media locking function of the OS, and the data being executed is deleted. This prevents writing from being interrupted halfway. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation when the write protect switch is operated in the removable case of this embodiment. When the write protect switch 6 is operated (s11), the removable case 1 determines whether the medium is currently locked by the OS (s12). If the removable case 1 determines that the medium is locked in s12, it waits until the lock is released (s13). The OS locks the medium during access to write and read data to and from the medium as described above. When the removable case 1 determines that the medium is not locked in s12, or waits for unlocking in s13, it switches the setting / release of the write protection according to the operation of the write protection switch 6 this time. (S14). At this time, lighting / extinguishing of the write protection display 7 is also switched.

As described above, the removable case 1 of this embodiment is a medium because the setting / cancellation of write protection is not immediately switched even if the write protection switch 6 is operated while the OS locks the medium. Write protection is set in the middle of writing data to the hard disk 3 (the write protect switch 6 is operated), and writing of data being executed is not interrupted halfway. Can be performed properly.

Further, the setting / cancellation of the write protection for the hard disk 3 can be easily performed by operating the write protection switch 6 and the situation in which the data recorded on the hard disk 3 is erased by an erroneous operation can be suppressed. In addition, data recorded on the hard disk 3 can be safely managed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Normally, the hard disk 3 is recognized as an ATA device, and the hard disk 3 used in the personal computer cannot communicate with the personal computer by ATAPI commands.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, communication by the ATAPI command between the personal computer 20 and the hard disk 3 is realized by the removable case 1 disposed between the personal computer 20 and the hard disk 3.

基本 The basic configuration of the removable case 1 in the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the removable case 1 in the first embodiment. However, the removable case 1 in the second embodiment is connected to the personal computer 20 via the ATAPI interface and has a function of appropriately converting ATA commands and ATAPI commands accordingly. This is different from the removable case 1 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows the status of command input / output in the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the removable case 1 includes a command conversion unit 10 that performs ATA-ATAPI command conversion.

Normally, the ATA command and the ATAPI command differ greatly in the command code protocol. However, by performing ATA-ATAPI command conversion by the command conversion unit 10, appropriate data transmission between the personal computer 20 and the hard disk 3 is performed. Has been realized.

For example, the command conversion unit 10 acquires ATA_Identify data of the hard disk 3, converts the ATA_Identify into ATAPI_Identify data, and stores the data in the RAM 13. Then, when the ATAPI_Identify command is issued from the personal computer 20, the ATAPI_Identify data stored in the RAM 13 is returned to the personal computer 20.

Further, the ATAPI device notifies the personal computer 20 of the attribute of the device by Inquiry data separately from the Identify data. However, since the ATA device does not support the Inquiry command, the command conversion unit 10 simulates the Inquiry related to the hard disk 3 by the Inquiry. The data is created and stored in the RAM 13, and the inquiry data is supplied to the personal computer in response to a request from the personal computer 20.

In addition to the above, the command conversion unit 10 appropriately creates commands that are not supported by the ATA device, such as ATAPI_Read_Capacity, Read / Write command, and Request_Sense, by command conversion or the like. It is possible to properly perform communication between them.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the effect of the ATA-ATAPI command conversion. FIG. 9A shows a connection state of a hard disk as an ATA device. As shown in FIG. 1, only one hard disk can be connected to each of the master and the slave.

However, as shown in FIG. 9B, the ATA-ATAPI command conversion makes it possible to communicate the ATAPI command between the removable case 1 and the personal computer 20, thereby using the logical unit number (LUN). And a plurality of hard disks can be connected to each of the master and the slave. In this way, the removable case 1 is made to look like an ATAPI device, and each hard disk to be mounted is made to appear on the host side, that is, the personal computer 20 with a logical unit number (LUN), so that the connection of a plurality of hard disks is properly performed. It is possible to do.

Also, in the removable case 1 according to the second embodiment, the write protection function for inhibiting data writing to the hard disk 3 functions in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Further, in the above embodiment, the removable case 1 and the personal computer 20 are connected by the ATA interface or the ATAPI interface in order to prevent the data transfer speed between the removable case 1 and the personal computer 20 from being reduced. Even if the removable case 1 is connected to the personal computer 20 through an interface such as IEEE1394, the data recorded on the hard disk 3 may be erased by erroneous operation by providing the write protect function according to the present invention. Can be suppressed, and the data recorded on the hard disk 3 can be safely managed. FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the removable case 1 connected to the personal computer 20 via the USB interface. In FIG. 10, the hard disk 3 is built in the removable case 1. The emulation unit 21 shown in this figure performs ATA-USB interface conversion. The personal computer 20 and the hard disk 3 exchange data via the emulation unit 21. The interface 22 is a USB, and the personal computer 20 recognizes the removable case 1 containing the hard disk 3 as a removable device. The emulation unit 21 detects the state of the write protect switch 6 and controls the turning on / off of the write protect display 7 and the like.

The interface 22 is not limited to the USB, but may be another interface such as IEEE1394.

1 is a front view of a personal computer to which a hard disk management device is applied. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a hard disk management device. It is a block diagram of a hard disk management device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating states of commands and the like input to and output from the hard disk management device in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a hard disk removal operation in the hard disk management device. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation when a data write request is sent from a personal computer in the removable case of the embodiment. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation when a write protect switch is operated in the removable case of the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating states of commands and the like input to and output from the hard disk management device in the second embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of the effect of ATA-ATAPI command conversion. 2 shows a configuration of a removable case connected to a personal computer via a USB interface.

Explanation of reference numerals

1-Hard Disk Management Device 2 (2a, 2b) -Canister 3-Hard Disk 4 (4a, 4b) -Lock 5 (5a, 5b) -Eject Button 6 (6a, 6b) -Write Protect Switch 7 (7a, 7b) -Write protection display, etc. 12-Canister detector 17-Disconnect circuit 20-PC

Claims (6)

In a hard disk management device that makes an ATA-connected hard disk connected to a host device removable,
Detecting means for detecting a mounting state of an ATA-connected hard disk connected to the management apparatus main body;
Recognizing means for causing the host device to recognize the device as an ATA removable device when the host device is started;
A response unit that responds to the command output by the host device for confirming the mounted state of the medium in the management device main body recognized as the ATA removable device by the recognition unit, based on a detection result of the detection unit;
A hard disk management device comprising: a disconnection unit that disconnects the connection to the hard disk when an input to remove the hard disk is input to the management device main body. In a hard disk management device that makes an ATA-connected hard disk connected to a host device removable,
Detecting means for detecting a mounting state of an ATA-connected hard disk connected to the management apparatus main body;
Recognition means for causing the host device to recognize the device as an ATAPI removable device when the host device is started;
Response means for responding to the command output by the host apparatus for confirming the mounting state of the media in the management apparatus main body recognized as the ATAPI removable device by the recognition means, based on the detection result of the detection means;
Command conversion means for converting an ATA command into an ATAPI command and converting an ATAPI command into an ATA command, respectively;
A hard disk management device comprising: a disconnection unit that disconnects the connection to the hard disk when an input to remove the hard disk is input to the management device main body. A write protect notifying means is provided for detecting a state of a write protect switch for switching between setting and canceling of write protect for prohibiting writing of data to the mounted hard disk, and for notifying whether or not write protect is set in the host device. 3. The hard disk management device according to claim 1, wherein: In the hard disk management device connected to the host device,
Recognition means for causing the host device to recognize as a removable device,
A response unit that responds based on a detection result of the detection unit to a command that is output by the host device to confirm a mounted state of a medium in the management device main body that is recognized as a removable device by the recognition unit;
A write protect notifying means is provided for detecting a state of a write protect switch for switching between setting and canceling of write protect for prohibiting writing of data to the mounted hard disk, and for notifying whether or not write protect is set in the host device. A hard disk management device. The write protection notifying means, when the write protection switch is switched, if the host device has locked the medium, waits for the host device to unlock the medium, and switches the current write protection switch. 5. The hard disk management device according to claim 3, wherein the host device is notified of whether the write protection has been set or released by the host device. The hard disk management device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising status display means for displaying whether write protection for prohibiting data writing to the mounted hard disk is set.

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