JP2005100446A - Information transmission system and information transmission method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information transmission system capable of simply transmitting and processing information data between information processors different in functionality for processing information data having different formats through a card-like storage medium. <P>SOLUTION: This information transmission system comprises: a plurality of information processors 2-11 for processing information data having formats different from one another; and a storage medium 1 having semiconductor storage elements for storing information data having a first format handled by a first information processor in its inside; and is characterized by reading the information data having the first format stored in the storage medium with file control information of the information data of the first format stored in the storage medium along with the information data of the first format to process them by a second information processor for processing information data having a second format. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information transmission system and an information transmission method that can share information data transmission processing between information processing apparatuses that handle information data of different formats such as image information and audio information.

  Conventionally, various information devices such as personal computers, workstations, electronic notebooks, printers, copiers, and the like have been developed, and opportunities for transmitting information between these devices are increasing. A method using a LAN (Local Area Network) is well known for transmitting such information. The method using the LAN is conditional on (1) that these devices have the capability of supporting the LAN, and (2) an infrastructure called a LAN must be prepared in advance. Judging from this condition, this means that such a mutual information cannot be transmitted unless a device already introduced is compatible with the LAN. From the viewpoint of the user, this means that it is necessary to introduce a new device in place of the conventional device in order to introduce the device for this purpose, and the user is forced to bear a large cost. In particular, devices compatible with the LAN are mainly limited to devices centered on computers. In addition, there is a combination in which information cannot be transmitted between a plurality of devices when the LAN is not large enough to construct a LAN.

  In recent years, personalization and portability of information devices have progressed, and there is a question as to whether it is always appropriate to have such devices have a function compatible with LAN because of the obstacles to portability.

  With the recent trend toward multimedia, the types of information to be handled tend to spread from conventional character information and computer data information to voice information and image information. Examples of means for storing such information include a magnetic disk and a magnetic tape. However, since devices that drive such storage media are mainly limited to computer devices, the range in which information can be transmitted has been limited. Among the devices that drive storage media, the floppy disk (R) and the drive are used as media, which is suitable to some extent for this purpose, but the items required for portability, such as drive size, power consumption, and earthquake resistance There is a point that does not match, and it is not suitable. In addition, the floppy disk (R) has a drawback that it takes time when handling information with a large information amount such as image information with a slow information transfer speed, and has a disadvantage that information cannot be stored because the storage capacity itself is small.

  Attempts have been made to transfer information with some devices using an IC card, but the semiconductor memory element used in this IC card is an element called SRAM, which requires a power source to store and store information. A backup battery is built in the IC card. Since a backup battery is built in the IC card, means for ensuring the reliability of stored information is built in the card, which increases the cost of the card. In addition, since the important stored contents are lost due to the consumption of the battery, the user is forced to replace the battery regularly.

  Recently, an alternative to a fixed magnetic disk used for a nonvolatile semiconductor memory element has appeared. Since a fixed magnetic disk originally has many functions for exchanging data with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) on the drive side, such an alternative drive can be used as a means for transmitting information. The function is too heavy, leading to an increase in cost.

  As an information transmission method, connectivity with a communication device such as a mobile phone is also an important item. A mobile phone is originally used for transmission of telephone voice, but it is also possible to carry digital data on it. It has become possible to transmit modem signals or digital data as they are. Although it is possible to transmit the data of the floppy disk (R) using such a cellular phone, the floppy disk (R) and the drive are too large to be built in the cellular phone, and the power consumption is large. It is not suitable for a battery-powered device. Although a method using an IC card is also conceivable, as described above, there remains anxiety when applied to such a battery-driven device to ensure the reliability of stored information.

In particular, recording information data of a certain format in a storage medium together with attributes, etc., and reading out by an information processing apparatus and performing processing according to the attributes, etc., is performed in the conventional invention, but processes data of different formats. The information data of the first format stored in the storage medium together with the information data of the first format combined with the information data of the first format between the plurality of information processing apparatuses The file management information is not read and processed by the second information processing apparatus that processes the information data of the second format.
JP-A-2-157987

  As described above, a bidirectional transmission processing system for transmitting digital information data such as image information and audio information between information processing apparatuses connected to a transmission line such as a LAN has been proposed. However, in such a system, there is only a method for connecting an information processing device to a transmission line such as a LAN and performing transmission processing of information data through this line, and also having the same function and information of the same format. Transmission processing can be performed only between information processing apparatuses capable of processing data, and the use is limited to a limited range. In addition, there is a method of using a magnetic storage medium for transmission of this information data, but there are problems in portability, reliability of information and durability, and it is limited to use between specific information processing apparatuses. In addition to being not available in common with other devices, there is a disadvantage that information data of different formats cannot be handled.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and information data can be easily transmitted and processed between information processing apparatuses having different functions for processing information data of different formats through a card-shaped storage medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information transmission system that can be used easily.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a plurality of information processing devices that process information data of different formats, and information data of a first format handled by the first information processing device are stored. A storage medium having a semiconductor storage element therein, the first format information data stored in the storage medium together with the first format information data stored in the storage medium The information transmission system is characterized in that it is read together with the file management information of the information data of the format and processed by the second information processing apparatus that processes the information data of the second format.

  In the present invention, a plurality of information processing apparatuses that process information data of different formats, and a semiconductor memory element for storing information data of the first format handled by the first information processing apparatus are included. The first format information data stored in the storage medium is combined with the first format information data stored in the storage medium. Provided is an information transmission system which is read together with information on an encoding method and processed by a second information processing apparatus which processes information data of a second format.

  In the information transmission system of the present invention, the file management information includes information source description data related to information data of the first format stored in the storage medium. In the information magazine system of the present invention, the information source description data includes any information of a name or attribute of the information data and a method of expressing the information data.

  Further, in the present invention, the first format stored in the storage medium via the storage medium having a semiconductor storage element capable of storing information data in the first format handled by the first information processing apparatus. Is read together with the file management information of the information data of the first format stored in the storage medium together with the information data of the first format, and the information data of the second format is processed. The information transmission method is characterized by being processed by the information processing apparatus.

  In the present invention, the information data of the first format is combined with the information data of the first format via a storage medium having a semiconductor memory element capable of storing the information data of the first format handled by the first information processing apparatus. Information read out together with information relating to the compression encoding method of the information data in the first format stored in the storage medium, and processed by the second information processing apparatus that processes the information data in the second format A transmission method is provided.

  In the information transmission method of the present invention, the file management information includes information source description data related to the information data of the first format stored in the storage medium. In the information transmission method according to the present invention, the information source description data includes any information of a name or attribute of the information data and a representation method of the information data.

  In the present invention, the first information processing apparatus and the first format information data handled by the first information processing apparatus handle the second format information data different from the first format. There is provided an information transmission system comprising a storage medium having a semiconductor storage element for storing together with file management information of information data in the first format for processing by a second information processing apparatus.

  In the present invention, the first information processing apparatus and the first format information data handled by the first information processing apparatus handle the second format information data different from the first format. There is provided an information transmission system comprising a storage medium having a semiconductor storage element for storing information related to a compression encoding method for information data in the first format for processing by a second information processing apparatus.

  In the information transmission system of the present invention, the file management information includes information source description data related to information data of the first format stored in the storage medium. In the information transmission system according to the present invention, the information source description data includes information on a name or attribute of the information data or a method for expressing the information data.

  In the configuration of the invention, the card-shaped storage medium as a constituent element of the present invention includes at least a nonvolatile semiconductor storage element, and this storage element stores and holds different types of information data without using a power source. Can be done. Using this card-shaped storage medium as a medium, information data in different formats can be handled and information data can be transmitted and processed in a shared manner by transmission processing means between information processing apparatuses having different functions. Therefore, while taking advantage of the characteristics inherent to various information processing devices, reliable information data can be transmitted between these devices bidirectionally via a portable card-like storage medium. Data processing can be performed. Further, similar transmission processing can be performed even if a transmission means such as a transmission path is used instead of the card-shaped storage medium, or a combination thereof.

  According to the present invention, reliable information data can be transferred between these devices while taking advantage of the characteristics of each information processing device having a different function for handling information data of different formats. Can be transmitted bidirectionally via a superior card-shaped storage medium, and each of the information processing apparatuses can process each information data stored in the card-shaped storage medium.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of an information transmission system according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the IC card of the figure is centered through a card-like storage medium 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as an IC card) having a non-volatile storage element in the center of the figure. Then, information data is transmitted to and from a plurality of different types of information processing apparatuses having card interfaces into which IC cards 1 around them can be inserted. Here, the plurality of information processing apparatuses of different types refers to those in which the functions of each information processing apparatus are different and the formats of information data to be processed are different. A circumferential arrow with each information processing device indicates an information transmission means such as an information transmission line, for example, a public line or a LAN (local area network).

  Here, transmission processing of information data between information processing apparatuses using information transmission means such as a public line will be described below by taking the FAX 8 and multimedia recorder 9 in FIG. 1 as an example. It is assumed that the FAX 8 and the multimedia recorder 9 are already connected to information transmission means such as a public line. Considering the case of transmitting information data in the FAX 8 to the multimedia recorder 9, information data such as documents and images has already been stored in the memory inside the FAX 8, and a transmission unit (not shown) in the FAX 8 The identification information unique to FAX 8 is added to the information data stored in the memory, and this data is transmitted to the multimedia recorder 9 via the information transmission means.

  The multimedia recorder 9 reads the identification information of the transmitted data, and recognizes from which information processing apparatus the transmitted data is based on this information. As a result, in this case, it is recognized that the data has been transmitted from the FAX 8, and the information data is processed inside the multimedia recorder 9 in accordance with the format processing handled by the FAX 8. The reverse transmission can also be performed by the method described above. Thereby, transmission processing can be performed between information processing apparatuses having different functions and handling information data of different formats via the information transmission means. In this example, the information transmission process via a transmission line such as a public line has been described. However, the information transmission process using an IC card as described below can be performed in the same way without the trouble of line connection. It goes without saying that the same transmission processing can be performed even if both are combined.

  Next, an internal configuration of the IC card 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the interface between the internal circuit of the IC card 1 and an external information processing apparatus or power supply apparatus includes an address signal terminal 20, a data signal terminal 21, a control signal terminal 22, a status signal terminal 23, an external power supply. This is done by terminal 24. The power supplied from the external power supply terminal 24 is converted into a necessary power supply voltage via the regulator 26 and supplied to the internal circuit. In many cases, the voltage supplied to the external power supply terminal 24 is usually 5V. However, when the IC card 1 includes elements that require other voltages, another voltage, for example, a high voltage of about 18V is used. It may be supplied separately.

  When the controller 25 accesses information in the IC card 1 designated from the outside of the IC card 1, the controller 25 accesses an address actually stored in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27 to control reading and writing of stored data, etc. Used to do. The IC card 1 can be used in two ways: a memory mode and an I / O mode. The memory mode is a mode that directly handles the address of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27 (memory) in the IC card 1, and the IC card 1 behaves like an extended memory. On the other hand, since the IC card 1 is handled as a file in the I / O mode, the memory address is not directly designated. Since various information data are stored in the IC card 1 according to the concept of FIG. 1, it is easier to operate in the I / O mode in which the information data is regarded as a file. The following description will focus on the operation in the I / O mode.

  In order to access a file in the IC card 1 from the outside of the IC card 1, file information is extracted by the controller 25 using a data signal and a control signal. Since the file information is also stored in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27, the controller 25 generates a file information address of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27 and accesses the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27 via the signal line 28 as an ADR signal. Data is guided to the controller 25 through the I / O line 29 and the data signal and the status signal are output to the outside through the data signal terminal 21 and the status signal terminal 23. At this time, it is important that the address of each file information in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27 needs to be determined in advance in order to access at least the file information. Some information for accessing may be only a pointer of file information, or may be file information itself.

  The pre-arrangement of addresses means a specific location in the memory space of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27, and usually the uppermost part or the lowermost part of the address space is used. Based on the file information extracted from the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27, the controller 25 obtains the start address, size, and information type of the file in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27, and the data signal terminal 21 is provided outside the IC card 1. And a status signal indicating file information is simultaneously output from the status signal terminal 23. Furthermore, if a request for accessing file information combines a data signal and a control signal, the actual address of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27 is used as an ADR signal based on the file information such as the head address and size obtained previously. The generated nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27 is accessed, the data is fetched into the controller 25 through the I / O line 29, converted into a necessary format, output through the data signal terminal 21, and at the same time, a status signal indicating file data is received. Output from the status signal terminal 23. The above is mainly the operation of reading a file.

  When writing a file, the controller 25 grasps the blank area of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27 from the file information, determines the head address of the file, and passes the data signal terminal 21 to indicate a control signal indicating the file data. The write file data obtained by the combination is written to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27 through the I / O line 29. At this time, the PGM signal is output to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27 to make the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27 recognize that it is in the writing mode. In some cases, the PGM signal may cause the regulator 26 to supply a non-volatile semiconductor memory element 27 with a high voltage for programming that is different from the normal supply voltage. The controller 25 writes data to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27, counts the amount of data written, and updates the file information such as the size and head address in the file information area of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27 when the writing is completed. Also write for Information regarding the type of information is given from outside the IC card 1 and written as file information.

  In addition, a method of accessing file information by combining an address signal and a control signal can be considered. This idea is that the address space of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 27 is logically divided into a data area and an attribute information area such as file information, and a nonvolatile memory is used by using a control signal indicating the address signal and the attribute information area. This is a method of accessing the semiconductor memory element 27. Since the operation is not particularly different from the I / O mode, the description is omitted. The logical division of the address space into the data area and the attribute information area such as file information makes the handling simple, but the handling of file data etc. requires that address control be handled externally. It is. With the information unique to the IC card 1, for example, the logical division of the above area is effective for the memory size, element type, element speed, and the like.

  The transmission of information data by the IC card 1 is, for example, the case where the IC card 1 is mounted on a multimedia recorder capable of capturing image, sound, text information, etc. as information data, and the information obtained from each is used as an information processing device. The data is supplied to WS (workstation) 4, PC (personal computer) 11, WP 4 (word processor 4), and Pen-PC / WP 2 (pen input compatible personal computer, word processor 2) shown in the figure. The information processed by these devices is converted into, for example, FAX 8 (facsimile 8) data, and information is transmitted by communicating using FAX 8. Alternatively, the information obtained from the multimedia recorder 9 is transmitted through the TEL 7 (telephone 7) and stored in a card attached to the telephone.

  In the PPC 6 (copier 6), image information scanned by a scanner (not shown) is directly stored in the IC card 1 and supplied as image information to the WS 10, PC 11, WP 4, etc., or generated by the WS 10, PC 11, WP 4, etc. The received information is supplied to the PPC 6 via the IC card 1 to operate as the printer 5. In the printer 5, information to be printed is stored in the IC card 1 so that it can be transmitted to other devices. By combining the multimedia recorder 9 and the multimedia player 3, information can be manipulated and displayed. What is emphasized here is that, in addition to the functions originally possessed by each device, by combining this IC card 1, it is possible to indirectly demonstrate the functions of other devices, enabling system operation. This is the point.

  Furthermore, since such a function can be easily performed only by corresponding to the IC card 1, an economical burden on the user can be reduced. By attaching an adapter to a device that has already been introduced, an IC card 1 compatible device may be introduced for a new introduction. As described in the section of the prior art, since the IC card support can be realized at a low price compared with other communication infrastructures such as a LAN, it is a great feature that the economic burden on the user is small.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of storing information data in the IC card of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows an example of storing the pointer and file management information in a storage area different from the information data. FIG. 4B shows the pointer and file management information and the information data in the same storage area. This shows an example of storing data in. FIG. 5A shows information indicating the start address of which storage area called pointers 31 and 33, and attribute information of a file stored in the storage area indicated by this pointer called file management information 32, ie, which information. Information area written by the processing device, what kind of data such as voice and image is stored, storage area part written about information data expression method such as character code and compression coding, etc. 30 is shown. These information data are stored in the storage areas 36 and 38 corresponding to the addresses 35 and 37 indicated by the pointers “0001” (31) and “0010” (32), respectively. Such a storage method is effective when it is desired to make the storage area 30 compact. FIG. 3B shows an example in which file management information and information data for reading the contents of a file are also stored together, including a pointer portion.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of storage in the storage area of file management information. In the storage example shown in the figure, the pointer and file management information shown in FIG. This is an example in which the storage area can be used effectively. First, the type of the data 42 is written in the ID 40. In this case, for example, a data string indicating that the data 42 is information related to the file pointer is written. In the next pointer 41, the first portion where the divided information is stored next, in this case, a data string related to the ID 43 is written. ID 43 is written after the data string of these ID 40, pointer 41, and data 42. In ID 43, a data string indicating that the data type is information relating to the file size is written. In the next pointer 44, the first part where the divided information is stored next, in this case, a data string related to the ID 46 is written. Next to the pointer 44, a column of data 45 indicating the file size itself is stored, and the process proceeds to the next ID 46 information. In this way, information can be read out while being divided and chained using the pointer, and finally the information is terminated with ID 49 indicating the end. Thereby, it can be divided and stored according to the amount of file management information.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which the file information storage area is further divided into sub file information storage areas. FIG. 4A shows the file information storage area, FIG. 4B shows the sub file information storage area as the next stage, and FIG. It becomes a storage area of file data for each sub file information divided in b). For example, information with continuity such as voice and moving images is often handled in units of seconds or frames, and encoding and decoding are usually performed in these units. This is because the background handled in this way is convenient for playback from a scene that is a cue if it is sound or an image. In such a case, the pointer information “0001” is read and the pointer information in the sub-file information storage area (see FIG. 5B) is read based on the pointer information “0001” as shown in FIG. In this sub file information storage area, pointer information “0001”, “0010”, “0011” is provided in units of seconds and frames, and file data 1, 2, 3 are read by reading the file data indicated by the pointer information. Since each can be accessed, data accessibility can be improved. (See (c) in the figure)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a basic concept when various types of data in the information transmission system shown in FIG. 1 handle data. First, an IC card is used as a means for transmitting information generated on the information source generation side 60, and information according to the format of the information source generation side 60 is directly stored in the IC card. The information is processed by the information source processing side 61 reading this information. At this time, since the data 64 which is this information often has individual formats such as text, sound, and image, the information source description data 63 is added to the preceding stage and stored in the IC card. Since the information source description data 63 can clarify the name and attributes of the data 64, the encoding method, and the like, and the information source processing side 61 can indicate the handling of the data 64 in detail. Even if data is received, it can be processed appropriately. The information source description data 63 can be effectively used by using a file information storage area.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration in the case where IC cards having different physical shapes are handled in a unified manner. The IC card 72 has a different shape, number of pins, and arrangement from the IC card defined by JEIDA (Japan Electronics Industry Promotion Association). In order to use this IC card 72 as a standard IC card defined by JEIDA,
A conversion adapter 70 may be attached to the C card 72. For example, the adapter 70 conforms to a shape defined by JEIDA. The IC card 72 is smaller than the IC card defined by JEIDA. For this reason, it is excellent in portability. The adapter 70 has a connector adapted to the pin 73 of the IC card 72, a logic circuit for signal conversion for exchanging signals between the IC cards defined by JEIDA, and the same pins 74 as the IC card defined by JEIDA. Further, the adapter 70 may have a built-in power supply or may be supplied from the outside. In the example shown in the figure, an ejector 71 is provided to facilitate insertion / removal of the IC card 72. The position of the ejector is not limited, but it must not increase the thickness and width of the IC card.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of an IC card as another embodiment of the present invention. The address signal terminal 80, the data signal terminal 81, the control signal terminal 82, and the status signal terminal 83 in the internal configuration of the IC card in the figure are information input / output terminals between the IC card and a device that reads and writes information data from and to the IC card. It has become. When the controller 85 accesses information in the IC card designated from the outside, the controller 85 converts the address actually stored in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86 or the semiconductor memory element 88 and controls reading / writing of stored data. It is used to The power supplied from the external power supply terminal 84 is converted into a necessary power supply voltage via the regulator 87 and supplied to the internal circuit. The voltage supplied to the external power supply terminal 84 is usually 5 V in many cases. However, when an element that requires other voltage is included in the IC card, another voltage, for example, a high voltage of about 18 V is used. It may be supplied separately.

  In order to access file information in the IC card from the outside of the IC card, the file information is extracted to the controller 85 using the data signal input from the data signal terminal 81 and the data signal input from the control signal terminal 82. Since the file information is also stored in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86, the controller 85 generates a file information address of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86, accesses the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86 as an address signal, and passes through the signal line to the controller 85. The data is guided to and output through the data signal terminal 81 and the status signal is output from the status signal terminal 83 to the outside. At this time, it is important that an address in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86 in which at least some information for accessing the file information is stored must be determined in advance. Some information for accessing may be only a pointer of file information, or may be file information itself.

  The pre-arrangement of the address means a specific location in the memory space of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86, and usually the uppermost part or the lowermost part of the address space is used. Based on the file information extracted from the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86, the controller 85 obtains the head address and size of the file information in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86, the type of information data, and the like, and outputs a data signal terminal outside the IC card. A status signal indicating that the information is file information is output from the status signal terminal 83. Furthermore, if the request for accessing the file information can combine the data signal input from the data signal terminal 81 and the control signal input from the control signal terminal 82, based on the file information such as the head address and size obtained earlier, An actual address of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86 is generated as an address signal, the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86 is accessed, data is taken into the controller 85 through the signal line, converted into a necessary format, and output through the data signal terminal 81. In addition, a status signal indicating file data can be output to the status signal terminal 83. The above is mainly the operation of reading a file.

  When writing a file, the controller 85 grasps the blank area of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86 from the file information, determines the start address of the file, and transmits a control signal indicating that the data is file data through the data signal terminal 81. Write file data obtained by the combination is written to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86 through the signal line. At this time, a PGM (program) signal is output from the controller 85 to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86 so that the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86 recognizes that it is in the write mode. In some cases, this PGM signal may act on the regulator 87 so as to supply a high voltage for programming different from the normal supply voltage to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86. The controller 85 writes to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86, counts the amount of data written, and updates the file information such as the size and head address in the file information area of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86 when the writing is completed. Also write for Information specific to the information processing apparatus is also given from the outside of the IC card and written as file information.

  The semiconductor memory element added to the semiconductor memory element 88 is effective when used as a temporary buffer that speeds up the exchange with the IC card by temporarily storing file information of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86. The controller 85 receives a signal for writing from the controller 85 and controls writing. As a temporary buffer, file information can be copied to the semiconductor memory element 88 and accessed via the semiconductor memory element 88. Some nonvolatile semiconductor memory elements 86 have a limited number of times of writing. In such a case, normal access is performed via the semiconductor memory element 88 and finally the file information is stored in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86. In this way, the number of times of writing to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86 can be reduced and the life can be greatly extended. Further, when the address space is directly handled, an executable program can be downloaded from the nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 86 to the semiconductor memory element 88 and directly executed from the personal computer.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of various devices using an IC card. FIG. 1A shows a multimedia recorder. This multimedia recorder uses the small-size IC card shown in FIG. 7, that is, a half-size IC card. The shape of the IC card defined by JEIDA cannot satisfy this concept because it is restricted by the size of the IC card itself, and therefore uses a size that is half the size of a normal IC card. In addition, the mobile phone shown in FIG. 5B also uses a half-size IC card in accordance with the trend toward miniaturization. In the word processor and personal computer shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, for example, a normal IC card defined by JEIDA is used. In this way, an IC card can be used as it is between devices using a half-size IC card or between devices using a normal IC card, but in order to use a half-size IC card as a normal-size IC card, 7 can be used by converting a half-size IC card into a normal-size IC card. In this way, if a half-size IC card is used, information can be transmitted in common between the devices shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a slot for inserting an IC card is provided in the device itself has been described. However, an IC card access that can read and write information data by inserting an IC card as an option separately from the device. Even a device equipped with the device has the same effect.

As another configuration example of the IC card according to the present invention, one configuration shown in FIG. 10 will be described below. In FIG. 10, in addition to the non-volatile semiconductor memory for storing information data, a generally used memory such as a read only memory is provided, and the attribute information of the IC card is separately stored in this memory. The configuration of the IC card to be stored is shown. As shown in FIG. 10, this IC card is provided with a pin connector 90 for connection to various devices. For example, a 68-pin connector is used to comply with JEIDA / PCMCIA. The pin connector 90 includes a plurality of nonvolatile memories 93 and 94, which are main memories for reading and writing information data, an attribute memory 92 for storing IC card attribute information indicating the type of IC card, various devices, and the like. A memory control unit 91 for controlling the above is connected. Here, although a plurality of nonvolatile memories are illustrated as being provided, a plurality of nonvolatile memories can be listed to the last, and may be mounted alone. The pin connector 90 is provided with pins corresponding to various signals, and an arrow (hereinafter referred to as an interface signal) shown on the left side of the IC card shown in FIG. The various interface signals are as follows.

D7-0 Bidirectional 8-bit data bus. The card is high impedance except when reading data.

A9-1 Address signal.

-CE1 card enable signal. Keep the -CE signal low when accessing the card.

-OE Output enable signal. This card keeps card attribute information and configuration register low from the attribute memory. When the memory card is mapped, the register set inside the card can be read.

-WE Write enable signal. This card keeps it low when writing to attribute memory and configuration register. When the memory card is mapped, the register set inside the card can be written.

RDY / -BSY The memory card interface functions as an RDY / -BSY signal.

(-IREQ) Functions as an interrupt request signal when configured as an I / O card. This signal goes low when either the RDY / -BSY state card in the memory card interface or the memory inside the card (memory) goes into the BSY state. An interrupt when configured as an I / O card occurs under the following conditions:

1) At the end of erase
2) At the end of the program
Interrupt mode sets the configuration option register.
By setting, it is possible to select the level mode or the pulse mode.

Since this signal is output with open drain, the host must be pulled up.

-IORD When configured as an I / O card, read the register set inside the card.

-When configured as an IOWR I / O card, write the register set inside the card.

RESET Resets the inside of the card.

-CD1 card detection signal. A low level signal is output from the card. When both of the host interfaces detect a low level, it indicates that the card is correctly inserted. This signal is also used for card removal detection.

-INPACK Input response signal. When -CE and -IORD are at low level and the address on the address bus matches the I / O port in the card, low level is output.

          This signal is open drain and has high impedance in the case of an IC memory card interface.

          Note: It is recommended that the host not use the -INPAK signal for buffer control. This signal is not supported when reading at the memory card interface and reading attribute memory.

VCC 5V power supply for operation.

VPP1 12V program power supply. Used when writing attribute memory. VPP1 must be 5V (VCC) for information devices that do not write to the attribute memory. Normally, a dedicated programmer is used to write the attribute memory.

GND ground.

  IC card attribute information includes physical layers such as card shape, dimensions, electrical characteristics, etc., and basic compatibility layers that determine the basic structure of the card data structure, such as memory card device, capacity, and access. There is information necessary to physically access the card, such as speed. Since these pieces of information do not necessarily need to be rewritable and need not be stored in the nonvolatile memory 1, it makes sense to have the attribute memory 3 separately. In addition to this, the attribute information includes information on a higher layer than the data format layer, the data structure layer, the system specific layer, and the like. However, it is not always necessary to store these information in the attribute memory 3. It may be written on. The attribute memory 3 is basically non-volatile, and for the rewrite function, it is only necessary to determine whether or not the higher layer information is stored in the attribute memory 3 for the rewrite function. Since the attribute information is smaller than the data, the cost to add to the attribute memory 3 is low. Further, when an element having a limited number of rewrites such as E2 PROM is used, the degree of request of the entire card can be obtained by storing the above information in the attribute memory 3 having a high request for the number of rewrites with a small capacity. Can be enhanced.

  Next, the internal configuration of the nonvolatile memories 93 and 94 in FIG. 10 shown in FIG. 11 and the configuration including the address register 95 and the data register 96 connected thereto will be described below. The signal input from D7-0 accesses the non-volatile memories 93 and 94 via the MA31-0 signal line based on the information in the address register 95. The nonvolatile memories 93 and 94 are composed of a plurality of blocks, for example, with PAGE 0 to 15 as one block. On the other hand, the data register 96 accesses the data buffers of the nonvolatile memories 93 and 94 via the MD7-0 signal line and reads / writes data based on the signal from the D7-0 signal line.

  FIG. 12 shows the internal structure of the attribute memory 92, which will be described below. The attribute memory 92 includes an area for storing card attribute information 97, card control information 98, and the like. The card attribute information is accessed through the A9-1 signal line, and data is read and written through the D7-0 signal line. All the information in the attribute memory 92 should be placed at even addresses. This is because the 16-bit memory and the 8-bit memory read and write information data at even addresses, which is advantageous for using these memories in common.

  The IC card described above may be configured such that the CPU is not provided with a CPU, but the data in the IC card is processed by a CPU provided in various devices that are used by inserting the IC card.

  Next, a flowchart showing the internal operation of the IC card shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 will be described below. 13, 14 and 15 are operations performed based on the functions of various commands described below.

(1) Memory read Reads data from a preset memory address. The data read operation is executed by continuously reading the data register in the card. The address is automatically incremented during this time, and the read operation can be continuously executed across the page boundary. Addresses are not automatically incremented at block boundaries.

  At the page boundary, the access time takes 15 microseconds, during which the card is busy. The host needs to determine the ready / busy state on the page boundary.

  Do not expect the memory to be set to read mode implicitly. In other words, this command must be executed when performing a memory read operation.

(2) Block erase Erase a block that contains a preset memory address.

  When the card is configured as an I / O interface, an interrupt is generated when the erase operation is complete. When the memory interface is configured, the completion of the erase operation can be detected by the RDY / -BSY signal or the status.

(3) Chip Erase Erase a memory chip that contains a preset address. When executing this command, the host must be aware of chip boundaries. When the card is configured as an I / O interface, an interrupt is generated when the erase operation is complete. When the memory interface is configured, the completion of the erase operation can be detected by the RDY / -BSY signal or the status.

(4) Program Writes data to memory in page units and automatically performs verification. Before executing the program command, it is necessary to transfer the write data for one page by the address setting and the data buffer write command. Programs in the same block do not need to reset addresses at page boundaries. The address is automatically incremented at the page boundary.

  Note: When programming, addresses are not automatically incremented at block boundaries. This is because it is necessary to point to the memory chip address from which the status is read by the status read command following the program.

  The program operation to the page is performed so that the page addresses are in ascending order, and the program should not be performed in a random page order.

  Data overwriting (program without erasing) on the same page is up to 10 times.

  Since the contents of the data buffer are changed by the verify operation, it is necessary to transfer data by the data buffer write command even when the same data is programmed to another page. Also, a page copy operation in which a certain page is read and the data in the data buffer is programmed to another page cannot be performed.

  If a page copy operation is performed via the data buffer, incorrect data is written.

(5) Status read The internal status of the memory can be read by the following status read command.

-WP WRITE PROTECT SWITCH STATUS
The state of the write protection switch.

0: Write prohibited
1: Write permission MSRDY MEMORY STATUS READY
Memory ready / busy state.

1: Ready
0: Busy SUSPEND MULTI-BLOCK ERASE SUSPENDED
Interrupted by a multi-block erase suspend command
Indicates that

1: Suspended
0: not interrupted
Note: This card is a multi-block erase suspend command
Always use "0" because it is not used.

RFU “0” Reserved for Future Use (Always “0”)
Reserved bit (always “0”)
FAIL PASS / FAIL
Pass / fail status after erasing or programming.

0: Pass
1: Fail (error)
That is, when the status read command is executed after the memory read, the reset command must be executed before the status read command.

  Note: The status read command cannot be executed during the memory read operation. Since this card does not read the redundant part, the memory read operation is terminated in an interrupted state.

  Normally, in the status read command, it is necessary to set in advance the memory address from which the status is to be read, but it is not necessary to set the address immediately after execution of the block erase, multi-block erase, and chip erase commands. The status read command is accepted even when the memory is busy.

(6) ID lead (for testing, not disclosed)
Read the 2-byte JEDEC ID. Set all bytes in the address register to 00h before executing the ID read command.

JEDEC ID for 16Mbit NAND EEPROM:
1st byte Manufacturer code 98h
2nd byte Device code 64h
(7) Data buffer write Writes data to be programmed to the data buffer. Set the address to be programmed before executing the data buffer write command. Since the address is automatically incremented within the same block, it is not necessary to set the address at the page boundary.

  The operation can be interrupted by a reset command during data buffer write. During execution of the reset command, the card is in a busy state for a certain period.

(8) Data buffer read (for testing, not disclosed)
Read data from the data buffer.

  When the data buffer is read after the program command is executed, the verify result can be determined in bit units. “0” indicates that data has been correctly written, and “1” indicates that there has been a write error.

(9) Reset Reset the card and all memory. After executing the reset command, the card is in a busy state for about 3 microseconds. The reset command is accepted even when the memory is busy.

Status after executing the reset command:
Address register: All “0”
Data buffer: All “1”
Operation mode: Memory read mode

The conceptual diagram which showed one structure of the information transmission system which concerns on this invention. The figure which showed one structure of the IC card of this invention. The figure which showed the example of 1 storage of the information data in the IC card of this invention. The figure which showed one storing example in the file information storage area inside the IC card of this invention. The figure which showed an example of the file information storage area expansion in the IC card of this invention. The figure which showed an example of the handling of the data in the information transmission system which concerns on this invention. The figure which showed the other Example of the IC card based on this invention. The figure which showed the other Example of the IC card of this invention. The figure which showed the structural example of the various apparatuses using the IC card of this invention. The figure which showed the other structure of the IC card based on this invention. The figure which showed one structure of the non-volatile semiconductor memory in the IC card shown in FIG. The figure which showed one structure of the attribute memory in the IC card shown in FIG. The flowchart which showed 1 operation | movement of the IC card based on this invention. The flowchart which showed 1 operation | movement of the IC card based on this invention. The flowchart which showed 1 operation | movement of the IC card based on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,62,72 ... IC card 27 ... Nonvolatile semiconductor memory element 63 ... Information source description data 64 ... Data

Claims (12)

  A plurality of information processing devices each processing information data of different formats, and a storage medium having a semiconductor storage element for storing information data of the first format handled by the first information processing device, Read the information data of the first format stored in the storage medium together with the file management information of the information data of the first format stored in the storage medium together with the information data of the first format, An information transmission system, wherein the second information processing apparatus processes information data in a second format.   A plurality of information processing devices each processing information data of different formats, and a storage medium having a semiconductor storage element for storing information data of the first format handled by the first information processing device, The information on the first format stored in the storage medium is combined with the information on the compression encoding method of the information data in the first format stored in the storage medium together with the information data in the first format. An information transmission system comprising: a second information processing device that reads and processes information data in a second format.   2. The information transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the file management information includes information source description data related to information data of the first format stored in the storage medium.   4. The information transmission system according to claim 3, wherein the information source description data includes information on a name or attribute of the information data or a method for expressing the information data.   The information data in the first format stored in the storage medium is stored in the storage medium having a semiconductor storage element capable of storing the information data in the first format handled by the first information processing apparatus. Read together with file management information of information data of the first format stored in the storage medium together with the information data of the first format, and process by the second information processing device that processes the information data of the second format An information transmission method characterized by:   It is stored in the storage medium together with the information data of the first format via a storage medium having a semiconductor storage element capable of storing the information data of the first format handled by the first information processing apparatus. An information transmission method characterized in that it is read together with information relating to a compression encoding method of information data in the first format and processed by a second information processing apparatus that processes information data in the second format.   6. The information transmission method according to claim 5, wherein the file management information includes information source description data related to the information data of the first format stored in the storage medium.   8. The information transmission method according to claim 7, wherein the information source description data includes information on a name or attribute of the information data or an expression method of the information data.   A first information processing device and a second information processing device that handles information data in a first format handled by the first information processing device and information data in a second format different from the first format An information transmission system comprising a storage medium having therein a semiconductor storage element for storing together with file management information of information data in the first format for processing.   A first information processing device and a second information processing device that handles information data in a first format handled by the first information processing device and information data in a second format different from the first format An information transmission system comprising a storage medium having therein a semiconductor storage element for storing together with information relating to a compression encoding method of information data in the first format for processing.   10. The information transmission system according to claim 9, wherein the file management information includes information source description data related to information data of the first format stored in the storage medium. 12. The information transmission system according to claim 11, wherein the information source description data includes information on a name or attribute of the information data or an expression method of the information data.

Images