JP2006004246A - Electronic device, its control method, and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and positively select a desired memory card or a partition by an inexpensive composition from a plurality of concurrently attached memory cards, or partitions in the memory cards. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 1 sequentially selects one memory card in response to operation of a selection key 13 from the memory cards attached to slots 5, 7, 9, and 11, and it lights LEDs 6, 8, 10, and 12 (primarily LEDs for notifying access to memory cards) corresponding to the selected memory card in a predetermined luminous pattern (continuous lighting). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, a control method thereof, and a control program, and more particularly, to a technique for selecting a memory card or a partition (drive) to be used from a plurality of mounted memory cards.

Conventionally, an electronic device having a plurality of slots corresponding to memory cards having different standards has been realized. In this type of electronic device, in order to prevent the failure of the electronic device due to pulling out the memory card being accessed, generally, an LED indicating that the memory card is being accessed is provided near each slot. Yes. In addition, it is also considered that the memory card itself has an LED to notify the user that access is being performed and an indication of the free space (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-266098 A

  However, in an electronic device having a plurality of slots, when a plurality of memory cards are mounted at the same time, there arises a problem of which memory card is selected and used from the memory cards mounted at the same time.

  As a method for solving this problem, the memory card that has been installed first is selected with priority, the memory card that has been installed last is selected with priority, or each slot is prioritized to give a higher priority. There is a method to select the memory card installed in the slot with priority. However, it is difficult to understand how to install the memory card to select the desired memory card. Requires complicated operations such as removing all memory cards installed in the slot and then inserting the desired memory card into the slot again.

  Similarly, for a partition (drive) configured on the memory card, a complicated operation is required to select a partition to be used.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to select memory cards or partitions sequentially according to a predetermined operation and display the selection status. However, if a display device or the like for displaying the selection status is newly provided, the cost is high. turn into.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an electronic device that can easily and accurately select a desired memory card or partition from among a plurality of memory cards or partitions on the memory card that are simultaneously mounted, and a control method and control thereof. The purpose is to provide a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a memory card or a memory card in an electronic device having a plurality of slots into which memory cards are inserted and display means for notifying the access status to the memory cards inserted into the slots. Operating means for selecting upper partitions; and selecting means for sequentially selecting memory cards respectively mounted in the plurality of slots or partitions on the mounted memory cards one by one in accordance with the operation of the operating means; The display control means for displaying the selection status by the selection means on the display means so that each memory card or partition can be identified, and the memory card or partition using the memory card or partition selected by the selection means is determined. And a confirmation means.

  According to the present invention, the selection status of the memory cards or partitions that are sequentially selected one by one by the selection means according to the operation of the operation means can be confirmed by the display means, so that a plurality of memory cards or It is possible to provide an electronic device that can easily and accurately select a desired memory card or partition from partitions on the memory card with a low-cost configuration, a control method thereof, and a control program.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The first embodiment has a configuration in which a plurality of memory card slots (hereinafter referred to as slots) are provided on an electronic device main body, and LEDs for displaying the status of these slots are arranged one-on-one with each slot. ing.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 20 (see FIG. 2) includes a CPU 1, a ROM 2, a RAM 3, and an I / O controller 4. These devices are connected to each other via a system bus 14 so that data (including commands) can be transmitted and received. . Further, four slots 5, 7, 9, 11 and four LEDs 6, 8, 10, 12 for individually displaying the states of these slots 5, 7, 9, 11 and a selection key for selecting a memory card. These devices are connected to the I / O controller 4.

  The LEDs 6, 8, 10, and 12 are originally intended to notify access to the memory cards mounted in the slots 5, 7, 9, and 11, respectively. In the present embodiment, these LEDs 6, By using 8, 10, and 12 as a device for notifying the selection status of the memory card, an increase in cost is suppressed (the same applies to the second and third embodiments). Further, if there is an existing key as the selection key 13, an increase in cost can be suppressed by using the key (the same applies to the second and third embodiments).

  Various programs (including the program according to the flowchart of FIG. 8) and data are stored in the ROM 2, and the CPU 1 uses the RAM 3 as a work area or the like based on the programs stored in the ROM 2. The operation of the device 20 is controlled. The I / O controller 4 performs input / output control. Based on an instruction from the CPU 1, access control to the memory card mounted in the slots 5, 7, 9, 11 and lighting control of the LEDs 6, 8, 10, 12 are performed. And the CPU 1 is notified of the operation signal of the selection key 13. The selection key 13 is a key for selecting a desired memory card from among the memory cards mounted in the slots 5, 7, 9, and 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slots 5, 7, 9, 11 and the LEDs 6, 8, 10, and 12 are provided on the front surface of the electronic device 20 so that the corresponding ones are close to each other (No. The selection key 13 is provided on the upper surface of the electronic device 20 (the same applies to the second and third embodiments).

  There are six states of the slots 5, 7, 9, and 11: a memory card not inserted state, a memory card selectable state, a memory card selected state, a memory card non-selected state, a memory card read / write operation state, and a memory card error state. There are states, and these six states can be identified by the light emission patterns of the LEDs 6, 8, 10, and 12 (see FIG. 10). FIG. 2 shows a state in which no memory card is installed in any of the slots 5, 7, 9, and 11 (filled in black), and the LEDs 6, 8, 10, and 12 are not installed in the memory card ( Off: see FIG. 10) (the second and third embodiments also have the same meaning).

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which the memory cards 21, 22, and 24 are respectively installed in the slots 5, 7, and 11, and the electronic device 20 is activated. In this state, a plurality of memory cards are simultaneously installed. As shown in FIG. 3, the LEDs 6, 8, and 12 corresponding to the slots 5, 7, and 11 in which the memory cards are installed emit light in a pattern in which the memory card can be selected, respectively (long-period flashing: see FIG. 10). is doing.

  In this memory card selectable state, the user can select and use one of the memory cards 21, 22, 24 by pressing the selection key 13. For example, when the selection key 13 is pressed once in the state of FIG. 3, the slot 5 (strictly, the memory card 21 inserted in the slot 5) is temporarily selected, and as shown in FIG. Only the LED 6 corresponding to 5 emits light in a memory card selection state pattern (continuous lighting: see FIG. 10). When the selection key 13 is further pressed in the state of FIG. 4A, the temporarily selected slot is changed to the slot 7, and as shown in FIG. 4B, only the LED 8 corresponding to the slot 7 is in the memory card selection state. The LED 6 returns to the light emission pattern (flashing with a long cycle) in a memory card selectable state. When the selection key 13 is further pressed in the state of FIG. 4B, the temporarily selected slot is changed to the slot 11, and as shown in FIG. 4C, only the LED 12 corresponding to this slot 11 is in the memory card selection state. The LED 8 returns to the light emission pattern in the memory card selectable state.

  If the selection key 13 is further pressed in the state shown in FIG. 4C, the state shown in FIG. That is, each time the selection key 13 is pressed, a plurality of memory cards that are simultaneously installed are temporarily selected cyclically one by one (the same applies to the second and third embodiments). The temporarily selected memory card is selected (confirmed) when the selection key 13 is not operated within a certain time (for example, 2 seconds). However, the temporarily selected memory card may be selected (confirmed) by double-clicking the selection key 13 (the same applies to the second and third embodiments).

  FIG. 5 shows a state where the memory card 24 mounted in the slot 11 is selected. As shown in FIG. 5, in this selected state, only the LEDs 12 corresponding to the slots 11 associated with the selected memory card 24 emit light in the memory card selected state pattern (continuous lighting: see FIG. 10). The other LEDs 6, 8, and 10 all emit light (light-off: see FIG. 10) in a pattern in which the memory card is not selected and not installed.

  That is, whether or not the memory card has been switched from the temporary selection state to the main selection state is determined by light emission in a pattern of a memory card selectable state (long cycle) while the LED corresponding to the memory card related to the temporary selection remains on. This can be done depending on whether or not the LED that was blinking is extinguished.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the state where the memory card 24 is selected, it is possible to access only the selected memory card 24 and access to the other installed memory cards 21 and 22. It is not possible. While the selected memory card 24 is being accessed, the LED 12 corresponding to the memory card 24 emits light in a memory card access state pattern (short cycle blinking: see FIG. 10).

  In addition, when the following operation is performed in the state where the memory card is fully selected as shown in FIG.

  1. Press the selection key 13. For example, when the selection key 13 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 5, the state returns to the state shown in FIG.

  2. The electronic device 20 is restarted in a state where a plurality of memory cards are mounted as shown in FIG. 5 (returning to the state of FIG. 3).

  3. A memory card is inserted into an empty slot 9 (in the case of FIG. 6).

  4). Remove the currently selected memory card (in the case of FIG. 7).

  5. The memory card 21 or 22 that is not selected is temporarily removed, and the same memory card or another memory card is inserted again into the empty slot (returns to the state shown in FIG. 3).

  Depending on the processing status of the electronic device 20 (during printing, etc.), the transition time to the memory card selection state may be postponed until a convenient time.

  FIG. 6 shows a state immediately after the memory card 23 is installed in the empty slot 9 in the state of FIG. In this case, since all the LEDs 5, 7, 9, and 11 emit light (flashing) in a memory card selectable state pattern, indicating that the memory card is selected, the user, as described above, By operating the selection key 13, it is possible to change the temporarily selected memory card and finally select the desired memory card.

  FIG. 7 shows a state immediately after the memory card 24 currently selected in the state of FIG. 5 is taken out. In this case, since the LEDs 6 and 8 corresponding to the slots 5 and 7 in which the memory cards are installed emit light (flashing) in a memory card selectable pattern, the user similarly operates the selection key 13. Thus, it is possible to change the temporarily selected memory card and finally select the desired memory card.

  If only one memory card is installed as a result of taking out the currently selected memory card 24, this memory card is automatically selected, and the LED corresponding to this memory card is displayed on the memory card. Light is emitted in a selected state pattern (continuous lighting), and all other LEDs are turned off to indicate a memory card not attached state. If no memory card is mounted as a result of taking out the currently selected memory card 24, all the LEDs 6, 8, 10, and 12 are turned off to indicate that the memory card is not installed. ((State of FIG. 2).

  Next, the memory card selection process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the memory card selection processing is performed in addition to the above-described 1. ~ 6. (The same applies to the partition selection processing of the third embodiment as well in the second embodiment).

  When the memory card is selected, the CPU 1 first sets all the LEDs 6, 8, 10, and 12 to a light emission pattern (light-off) in a state where no memory card is mounted (step S30). Next, the CPU 1 checks whether or not a memory card is attached to all the slots 5, 7, 9, and 11 (step S31). As a result, if no memory card is inserted in any slot, there is no memory card to be selected, and the memory card selection process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a memory card is inserted in any of the slots 5, 7, 9, 11, one of the memory cards is temporarily selected (step S32). This temporarily selected memory card is, for example, related to the slot selected immediately before, according to a predetermined priority between slots, or related to a memory card mounting operation that triggered the memory card selection state. Etc., and can be determined by an arbitrary rule. Further, the order of temporary selection accompanying the operation of the selection key 13 can be arbitrarily determined.

  Next, the CPU 1 checks the number of memory cards installed in the slot (step S33). If there is only one memory card installed, the CPU 1 selects this memory card (step 34). The LED corresponding to the memory card is set to the light emission pattern (continuous lighting) in the memory card selection state, and the other LED is set to the light emission pattern (lights off) when the memory card is not installed (step S35), and the memory card selection processing is ended. To do.

  On the other hand, when there are a plurality of memory cards installed in the slot, the CPU 1 sets the LEDs corresponding to the installed memory cards to a light emission pattern (flashing with a long cycle) in a memory card selectable state, and the others. The LED is set to a light emission pattern (turned off) when the memory card is not attached (step S36: see FIGS. 3, 6, and 7). After that, the CPU 1 monitors the user's operation for a certain period of time (step 37). If there is no operation for a certain period of time (timeout occurs), the CPU 1 proceeds to step S34, and the memory card temporarily selected in step 32 is stored. select.

  On the other hand, when the selection key 13 is operated before the timeout occurs (step S38), the CPU 1 sets only the LED corresponding to the memory card temporarily selected in step 32 to the light emission pattern in the memory card selection state (continuous lighting). The LED corresponding to the memory card related to the other mounting maintains the light emission pattern (flashing with a long cycle) in a memory card selectable state (see step S39: FIG. 4A).

  Then, the CPU 1 again monitors the user's operation for a certain period of time (step S40). If there is no operation for a certain period of time (timeout occurs), the CPU 1 proceeds to step S34, where the currently temporarily selected memory card, that is, the current The memory card corresponding to the LED that is continuously lit is selected.

  On the other hand, if the selection key 13 is operated before the time-out occurs (step S41), the CPU 1 newly provisionally selects a memory card to be attached next to the currently temporarily selected memory card (step S42). ). Note that the provisional selection update rule has been determined in step 32, and the next memory card is provisionally selected according to the rule. Next, the CPU 1 switches the LED corresponding to the newly temporarily selected memory card to the light emission pattern (continuous lighting) in the memory card selection state, and can select the memory card corresponding to the memory card related to other mounting. The light emission pattern in the state (flashing with a long cycle) is set (step S43: see FIGS. 4B and 4C), and the process returns to step S40.

  Note that the electronic device 20 (CPU 1) incorporating the above-described memory card selection processing function checks the actual data content of the memory card according to the selection after the actual selection of the memory card, and the application is necessary for processing. If there is no data (for example, an image file in the case of an image printing application), the memory card according to this selection is put into an error state, and this memory card is inserted as shown in FIG. The LED indicating the slot state is caused to emit light (flash) in the memory card error state pattern shown in FIG. By pulling out the memory card related to the error display from the slot, the memory is not installed, the LED corresponding to the slot is turned off, and the error is released.

  The CPI forcibly displays the error-displayed LED 12 regardless of whether or not the memory card 24 related to the error display is pulled out from the slot 11 after displaying the error as shown in FIG. Turning off the light makes it impossible to select the memory card 24 that has been installed in error, and the LEDs 6 and 8 corresponding to the memory cards 21 and 22 that have not been recognized as a memory card error are light-emitting patterns (long) (Flashes in the cycle). By such processing, even if the user misses the error display and does not pull out the memory card related to the error from the slot, it is possible to prevent the memory card related to the error from being selected again.

  By the above memory card selection processing, memory cards are sequentially selected one by one in accordance with the operation of the selection key 13, and the LEDs 6, 8, 10, and 12 (originally accessing the memory card) corresponding to the selected memory card are selected. LED for notification) emits light in a predetermined light emission pattern, so that it becomes possible to easily and accurately select and use a desired memory card from among the memory cards attached at the same time. Further, since an existing device (LED or key) is used, an increase in cost can be suppressed.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment has a configuration in which a plurality of slots are provided on the electronic device body, and only one LED for displaying the state of these slots is provided.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The electronic apparatus 120 (see FIG. 12) includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, and an I / O controller 104, and these devices are connected to each other via a system bus 114 so that data (including commands) can be transmitted and received. The ROM 102 stores at least a program according to the flowchart of FIG.

  Also, four memory card slots (hereinafter referred to as slots) 105, 107, 109, 111, one LED 112 for displaying the status of these slots 105, 107, 109, 111, and a memory card are selected. A selection key 113 is included, and these devices are connected to the I / O controller 104.

  The memory card selection operation in the second embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment. However, since only one LED 112 is provided, the memory card (slot) related to the temporary selection can be identified by changing the light emission pattern of the LED 112 as shown in FIG. In addition to the memory card slot 105 temporary selection state, the memory card slot 107 temporary selection state, the memory card slot 109 temporary selection state, and the memory card slot 111 temporary selection state shown in FIG. Similar to the first embodiment, there are the light emission patterns of the memory card not inserted state, the memory card selectable state, the memory card non-selected state, the memory card read / write operation state, and the memory card error state shown in FIG.

  Next, the memory card selection process in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the memory card is selected, the CPU 101 first sets the LED 112 once to a light emission pattern (turned off) when the memory card is not installed (step S130). Next, the CPU 101 checks whether or not a memory card is attached to all slots 105, 107, 109, and 111 (step S131). As a result, if no memory card is inserted in any slot, there is no memory card to be selected, and the memory card selection process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if a memory card is inserted in any of the slots 105, 107, 109, 111, one of the memory cards is temporarily selected (step S132). As the provisional selection method and order, the same methods as those in the first embodiment can be used.

  Next, the CPU 101 checks the number of memory cards installed in the slot (step S133). If there is only one memory card installed, this CPU card is selected (step 134), and the LED 112 is stored in the memory. Light is emitted with the light emission pattern (continuous lighting) in the card selection state (step S135), and the memory card selection process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when there are a plurality of memory cards installed in the slot, the CPU 101 causes the LED 112 to emit light with a light emission pattern (flashing with a long cycle) in a memory card selectable state (step S136). Thereafter, the CPU 101 monitors the user's operation for a certain period of time (step 137), and if there is no operation for a certain period of time (timeout occurs), the CPU 101 proceeds to step S134, and the memory card temporarily selected in step 132 is stored in the main memory card. select.

  On the other hand, when the selection key 113 is operated before the time-out occurs (step S138), the CPU 101 emits the temporarily selected light emission pattern related to the slot in which the memory card temporarily selected in step S132 is inserted (FIG. 13). LED 112 is caused to emit light (see step S139).

  Then, the CPU 101 again monitors the user's operation for a certain period of time (step S140), and if there is no operation for a certain period of time (timeout occurs), the CPU 101 proceeds to step S34, which is the currently temporarily selected memory card, that is, the LED 112. The memory card mounted in the slot whose temporary selection state is indicated by the light emission pattern is selected.

  On the other hand, if the selection key 113 is operated before the timeout occurs (step S141), the CPU 101 temporarily provisionally selects a memory card related to the next mounting of the currently temporarily selected memory card (step S142). ). Note that the provisional selection update rule has been determined in step 132, and the next memory card is provisionally selected according to the rule. Next, the CPU 101 causes the LED 112 to emit light with the light emission pattern in the temporarily selected state (see FIG. 13) related to the slot in which the newly temporarily selected memory card is inserted (step S143), and returns to step S140.

  Through the above memory card selection processing, memory cards are sequentially selected one by one in accordance with the operation of the selection key 113, and the light emission pattern changes to one LED 112 for originally notifying access to the memory card. Therefore, it is possible to easily and accurately select and use a desired memory card from among the memory cards individually mounted in the plurality of slots 105, 107, 109, and 111 with an inexpensive configuration. Become. In the second embodiment, since only one LED 112 needs to be provided for the plurality of slots 105, 107, 109, and 111, the price is lower than that of the first embodiment and the configuration is reduced. It is possible to give a degree of freedom.

  The electronic device 120 (CPU 101) incorporating the above-described memory card selection processing function, after the main selection of the memory card, examines the actual data content of the memory card according to the selection by the application, and the application is necessary for the processing. If there is no data (for example, an image file in the case of an image printing application), the memory card according to this selection is set in an error state, and the LED 112 emits light in a memory card error state pattern (flashing: see FIG. 10). Let

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the third embodiment, there is no slot on the electronic device main body, and the slot is connected to the electronic device main body as an external device.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic apparatus according to the second embodiment. The electronic apparatus 220 (see FIG. 16) includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, and an I / O controller 204, and these devices are connected to each other via a system bus 214 so that data (including commands) can be transmitted and received. . The ROM 202 stores at least a program according to the flowchart of FIG.

  Also, the electronic device 220 includes a USB host controller 205 for controlling an external device having a slot, a selection key 213 for selecting a memory card, information for selecting the state of the electronic device 220 and a recognized drive, etc. The device is connected to an I / O controller 204. Note that the third embodiment can also be applied to an electronic device that does not have an LCD.

  FIG. 16 is an external view when a system is configured by connecting a plurality of electronic devices 220 and external devices having slots. In FIG. 16, external devices 230, 240, and 250 are each connected to the USB host controller 205 of the electronic device 220 via the USB hub device 221. The external devices 230, 240, and 250 are independent devices such as a memory card read / write device. The external device 230 includes a slot 231 and an LED 232 indicating the state thereof, and the external device 240 includes a slot 241 and an LED 242 indicating the state thereof. The external device 250 includes a slot 251 and an LED 252 indicating its state, and a slot 253 and an LED 254 indicating its state.

  By the way, in the configuration as shown in FIG. 16, the electronic device 220 is connected to the memory card or a drive (file system) included in the electronic device 220 by inserting / removing the memory card or attaching / detaching the external device 230, 240, 250 such as a memory card read / write device. The order of recognizing (unit: partition) changes dynamically. For example, when the name of the recognized drive is automatically generated, the same drive name is not always obtained even when the same memory card is used.

  Even if an absolute name is assigned to each memory and displayed on an LCD or the like, it tends to be a name consisting of a series of long symbols in order to identify many memory cards. It is extremely difficult to connect the memory card and its identification name when the cards are mounted at the same time.

  Furthermore, when the external device is a memory card read / write device or the like, the electronic device cannot directly control the LED on the memory card read / write device, but by accessing the memory card on the memory card read / write device, It is only possible to display the access status on the LED.

  Therefore, in the third embodiment, when the user selects a desired drive, the corresponding LED is accessed for each drive by accessing an arbitrary file in the drive for a certain time with a pattern corresponding to the drive. The pattern is emitted (flashing, etc.) to indicate to the user which memory card is being selected.

  FIG. 17 shows a drive selection state after the memory card 233 is inserted into the slot 231 of the external device 230 and the memory cards 255 and 256 are inserted into the slots 251 and 253 of the external device 250 from the state of FIG. FIG. 17A shows a state immediately after the memory cards 255 and 256 are mounted as described above, and FIG. 17B shows a state when the selection key 213 is pressed in the state of FIG. 17A. Is shown. Note that there are two drives in the memory card 233, which are recognized as drives A and B on the electronic device 220, respectively, and one drive is present in each of the memory cards 255 and 256, on the electronic device 220. Are recognized as drives C and D, respectively.

  FIG. 17A shows a state in which the drive A (the first partition of the memory card 233 attached to the external device 230) is in a temporarily selected state. In this state, the electronic device 220 accesses an arbitrary file in the drive A in order to present that the drive A is in the temporary selection state, but the file in the first partition temporary selection state pattern shown in FIG. Accesses periodically. As a result, since the LED 232 of the external device 230 blinks in a file access pattern, the user can easily visually recognize which drive of which memory card is temporarily selected.

  When the user presses the selection key 213 in this state, the state shown in FIG. FIG. 17B shows a state in which the LED 232 of the external device 230 is blinking in the pattern of the second partition temporary selection state shown in FIG. 19, and the user blinks the LED 232 in the same manner as the previous time, Moreover, since the blinking pattern has changed, it can be easily recognized that the temporarily selected drive has moved to another drive B on the same memory card 233 as the previous one.

  When the selection key 213 is pressed in the state of FIG. 17B, as shown in FIG. 18A, the LED 252 of the external device 250 has the pattern of the third partition (drive C) temporary selection state shown in FIG. When the selection key 213 is further pressed in this state, as shown in FIG. 18B, the LED 252 of the external device 250 blinks in the fourth partition (drive D) temporary selection state pattern shown in FIG. To do.

  Thus, every time the selection key 213 is pressed, the drive related to the temporary selection is updated, and the LED related to the corresponding memory card flashes in the flashing pattern corresponding to the drive related to the temporary selection. It is possible to select this.

  Next, drive selection processing according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the drive is selected, the CPU 201 checks whether there is a currently recognized drive (step S271). As a result, if there is no currently recognized drive, there is no drive to select, and the drive selection process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if there is a recognized drive, one of the drives is provisionally selected (step S272). This temporarily selected drive may be, for example, a memory card in the slot selected immediately before, a predetermined priority among slots, or a memory card installation operation that triggered the drive selection state. It can be determined by any rule, such as related ones. In addition, the order of temporary selection accompanying the operation of the selection key 213 can be arbitrarily determined.

  Next, the CPU 201 checks the number of currently recognized drives (step S273). If there is only one currently recognized drive, this drive is selected (step 274) and drive selection processing is performed. finish.

  On the other hand, when the number of drives currently recognized is plural, the CPU 201 maps an arbitrary file (such as a readable file found first) in the drive temporarily selected in step S272 to the drive. 19 patterns are accessed (actually read, and so on) (step S275). At this time, the LED corresponding to the memory card in which the drive related to the access exists blinks in the file access pattern.

  After that, the CPU 201 monitors the user's operation for a certain period of time (step 276). If there is no operation for a certain period of time (timeout occurs), the CPU 201 ends the access to the file (step S277), proceeds to step S274, Select the temporarily selected drive.

  On the other hand, when the selection key 213 is operated before the timeout occurs (step S278), the CPU 201 newly provisionally selects a drive next to the currently temporarily selected drive (step S279). The order of provisional drive selection has already been determined in step S272, and if the last drive has been provisionally selected, the first drive is provisionally selected.

  Next, the CPU 201 accesses an arbitrary file in the newly temporarily selected drive with the pattern of FIG. 19 corresponding to the drive (step S280), and returns to step S276. If the above-mentioned timeout occurs when returning to step S276, the currently executing file access is terminated (step S277), and the currently temporarily selected drive is selected (step S274).

  With the driver selection process described above, the access pattern displayed on the LED changes according to the operation of the selection key, and the driver selection status can be confirmed based on the change in the access pattern. Therefore, even when a device having an LED that cannot be directly controlled by an electronic device, such as an externally connected memory card read / write device, is used at the same time as in the first and second embodiments. It becomes possible to easily and accurately select a desired memory card or partition from among a plurality of memory cards or partitions on the memory card that are mounted with a low-cost configuration.

  The present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments described above. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the selection status is displayed on the LED for each drive (partition), etc. The first to third embodiments can be appropriately combined. It is also possible to display the selection status of the memory card or partition not on the LED provided on the electronic device or the external device but on the LED provided directly on the memory card itself. Further, the memory card or the partition may be identified by changing the color or brightness instead of the LED light emission pattern.

  Furthermore, it is also possible to use a point light emitting member such as a neon lamp instead of the LED. If the Mori card or partition can be clearly identified, a device that appeals to hearing, such as a buzzer with a different pitch or a voice synthesizer, may be used.

  Also, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the embodiments described above are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code, etc. However, it is needless to say that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card provided in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion card or It goes without saying that a case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts (shown in FIGS. 8, 14, and 20) described above.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the electronic device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an external view of the electronic device of FIG. It is a figure which shows the selection operation start state in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state in selection operation in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state after the selection completion in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state where a memory card is additionally mounted from the state of FIG. 5. It is a figure which shows the state which pulled out the memory card in this selection in the state of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the memory card selection process in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the error state of the memory card which concerns on this selection. It is a figure which shows the LED light emission pattern in 1st, 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the electronic device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is an external view of the electronic device of FIG. It is a figure which shows the LED light emission pattern peculiar to 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the memory card selection process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the electronic device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 16 is an external view of the electronic device of FIG. 15 (a state in which an external device is connected). It is a figure which shows the state during selection operation in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state during selection operation in 3rd Embodiment (continuation of FIG. 17). It is a figure which shows the drive access pattern in 3rd Embodiment. 15 is a flowchart illustrating partition (drive) selection processing according to the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

101, 201 ... CPU
102, 202 ... ROM
103, 203 ... RAM
104, 204 ... I / O controllers 7, 9, 11, 105, 107, 109, 111, 231, 241, 251, 25 ... Memory card slots 8, 10, 12, 112, 232, 242, 252, 254 ... LEDs
13, 113, 213 ... selection keys 20, 120, 220 ... electronic devices 230, 240, 250 ... external devices

Claims (11)

In an electronic apparatus having a plurality of slots in which memory cards are mounted, and display means for notifying the access status to the memory cards mounted in the slots,
An operation means for selecting a memory card or a partition on the memory card;
Selection means for sequentially selecting one by one according to the operation of the operation means, the memory card mounted in each of the plurality of slots or the partition on the mounted memory card;
Display control means for displaying the selection status by the selection means on the display means so that each memory card or each partition can be identified;
Confirming means for confirming as a memory card or partition that uses the memory card or partition selected by the selecting means;
An electronic device comprising:   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a light emitting member provided in a one-to-one relationship with the plurality of slots.   The display control means displays the selection status of the memory card by the selection means by causing only the light emitting member corresponding to the slot in which the memory card selected by the selection means is mounted to emit light in a predetermined pattern. The electronic device according to claim 2.   The display control means causes the light emitting member corresponding to the slot in which the memory card related to the partition selected by the selecting means is mounted to emit light in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the partition, thereby The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a selection status is displayed.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a light emitting member provided only for the plurality of slots.   The display control means displays the selection status of the memory card or partition by the selection means by causing the light emitting member to emit light in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the memory card or partition selected by the selection means. The electronic device according to claim 5.   2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is provided in an external device including the slot and connected to the electronic device, and includes a light emitting member provided in one-to-one relationship with the slot. machine.   The display control means reads the data on the memory card or partition with a read pattern corresponding to the memory card selected by the selection means or the selected partition, and the memory associated with the memory card or partition in response to the reading. 8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the selection state of the memory card or the partition by the selection means is displayed by causing the light emitting member corresponding to the slot in which the card is mounted to emit light.   The confirmation means is selected by the selection means when the operation means is not operated within a predetermined time after the selection status of the memory card or partition is displayed on the display means by the display control means. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is determined as a memory card or a partition that uses a memory card or a partition. In a method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: a plurality of slots for mounting memory cards; and display means for notifying the access status to the memory cards mounted in the slots.
A selection step of sequentially selecting one by one according to the operation of the operation means, the memory card mounted in each of the plurality of slots or the partition on the mounted memory card;
A display control step of displaying the selection status by the selection step on the display means so that each memory card or each partition can be identified;
A confirmation step for confirming the memory card or partition to be used using the memory card or partition selected in the selection step;
A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: A control program for an electronic device having a plurality of slots for mounting memory cards and display means for notifying the access status to the memory cards mounted in the slots,
A selection process for sequentially selecting the memory cards respectively mounted in the plurality of slots or partitions on the mounted memory cards one by one in accordance with the operation of the operation means;
A display control process for displaying the selection status by the selection process on the display means so that each memory card or each partition can be identified;
A confirmation process for confirming the memory card or partition using the memory card or partition selected by the selection process;
A control program comprising:

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