JP2006011827A - Electronic device and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device that can easily back up the contents of an external storage medium and can be effectively used as an external storage for a host device. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic device 1 can be operated in two operation modes, or an operation mode #1 and an operation mode #2. The operation mode #1 is for executing data transfer between each of a memory card 4 and a hard disk drive 11, and a computer 2 in response to an access request from the computer 2. The operation mode #2 is for automatically executing data transfer from the memory card 4 to the hard disk drive 11 by means of a data transfer control circuit 23 when the memory card 4 is loaded in a memory card slot 12. The electronic device 1 is operated in the operation mode #1 while connected to the computer 2, and operated in the operation mode #2 while disconnected from the computer 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device incorporating a disk storage device and a control method thereof.

  In recent years, digital cameras have become widespread. In a digital camera, image data obtained by shooting is stored in a memory card. However, the amount of image data that can be stored in the memory card is limited.

Therefore, recently, as a recording device for backing up the contents of a memory card, a recording device having a built-in disk storage device and capable of mounting a memory card has been developed (for example, see Patent Document 1). The recording device of Patent Document 1 has a function of automatically recognizing the installation of a memory card and transferring the stored contents of the memory card to a built-in disk storage device.
JP 2002-269905 A

  However, the functions required for this type of recording apparatus differ greatly depending on whether the recording apparatus is used alone or connected to a computer.

  In other words, it is required to function as a recording device for automatically backing up the contents of a memory card when away from home, but when used while connected to a computer, it functions as an external storage device of the computer. Is required.

  However, if the automatic backup function is always effective, the stored contents of the memory card are transferred to the built-in disk storage device even when the recording device is connected to a computer. This makes it practically difficult for the computer to effectively use the memory card as external storage.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and provides an electronic device that can easily back up the contents of an external storage medium such as a memory card and can be effectively used as an external storage of a host device. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention relates to an electronic device connectable to a host device, a disk storage device, a storage medium mounting portion to which an external storage medium can be detachably mounted, and an access request from the host device. A first operation mode for performing data transfer between the host device and one of the external storage medium and the disk storage device mounted in the storage medium mounting unit, specified by the access request, And detecting whether or not the external storage medium is attached to the storage medium attachment unit, and in response to detecting that the external storage medium is attached, data stored in the external storage medium to the disk storage device Control means for controlling the operation of the electronic device in one operation mode of a second operation mode for executing data transfer for storage; and Determining means for determining whether the electronic device is connected to the device, and when the electronic device is connected to the host device, the control means is set to the first operation mode, and the electronic device is connected to the host device. The control means is set to the first operation mode and the second operation mode based on the determination result of the determination means so that the control means is set to the second operation mode. Means for setting to one of the operation modes.

  According to the present invention, the contents of the external storage medium can be easily backed up, and can be effectively used as an external storage of the host device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 1 is a portable electronic device that can be driven by a built-in battery or a battery, and is configured to be connectable to a host device such as a personal computer 2. The electronic device 1 is connected to a host device as necessary via a communication cable 3 such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

  The electronic device 1 has a thin box-shaped housing, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 11 as a large-capacity disk storage device is built in the housing. Further, a memory card slot 12 is provided in the casing of the electronic apparatus 1. The memory card slot 12 is a memory card mounting portion for detachably mounting the memory card 4. The memory card 4 incorporates a nonvolatile memory such as a flash EEPROM.

  The housing of the electronic device 1 further includes a display unit 13, a power button 14, and various operation button groups 15. The display unit 13 displays various statuses such as the operating state of the electronic device 1. The operation button group 15 is used, for example, for an operation mode setting operation of the electronic device 1.

  Next, a system configuration of the electronic apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The electronic device 1 includes a hub 21, a flash memory interface 22, a data transfer control circuit 23, a selector 24, a host connection recognition device 25, a memory card recognition device 26, and a power supply circuit 27 in addition to the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 described above. I have.

  The electronic device 1 corresponds to, for example, a USB mass storage class. Each of the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 and the flash memory interface 22 functions as, for example, a USB function device. When the electronic apparatus 1 is connected to the computer 2, the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 and the memory card 4 installed in the memory card slot 12 are recognized as external drives by the computer 2.

  The hub 21 is a circuit for selectively connecting the computer 2 to the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 and the flash memory interface 22. In response to an access request (command) from the computer 2, the hub 21 executes data transfer between the computer 2 and one of the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 and the memory card 4 specified by the access request.

  The flash memory interface 22 is a memory card controller that controls access to the memory card 4 mounted in the memory card slot 12. The flash memory interface 22 controls access to the memory card 4 in response to an access request transmitted from the computer 2 via the hub 21 or an access request transmitted from the data transfer control circuit 23.

  The data transfer control circuit 23 controls the operation of the electronic device 1. The data transfer control circuit 23 can be realized by a microcomputer including a processor. Data transfer control circuit 23 issues access requests to flash memory interface 22 and hard disk drive (HDD) 11 to store data stored in memory card 4 in hard disk drive (HDD) 11. It has a function to control transfer. Data transfer from the memory card 4 to the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 by the data transfer control circuit 23 is performed to back up the storage contents of the memory card 4 to the hard disk drive (HDD) 11. By this data transfer, all files stored in the memory card 4 are stored in the hard disk drive (HDD) 11.

  The data transfer control circuit 23 automatically executes the above-described data transfer when the electronic device 1 is not connected to the computer 2 and the memory card 4 is inserted into the memory card slot 12. In this data transfer, a first transfer mode in which data stored in the memory card 4 is moved to the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 and a second mode in which data stored in the memory card 4 is copied to the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 are stored. It is executed in one of the transfer modes. Transfer mode information for designating a transfer mode is stored in advance in a memory in the data transfer control circuit 23 or the like. The transfer mode indicated by the transfer mode information can be freely switched in advance between the first transfer mode and the second transfer mode by the user operating the operation button group 15.

  The selector 24 switches the command and data input source to the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 between the hub 21 and the flash memory interface 22 under the control of the data transfer control circuit 23. The selector 24 selects the hub 21 when the electronic device 1 is connected to the computer 2, and selects the flash memory interface 22 when the electronic device 1 is not connected to the computer 2.

  The host connection recognition device 25 determines whether or not the electronic device 1 is connected to the computer 2. This determination can be made, for example, by detecting whether or not the communication cable 3 is connected to the electronic apparatus 1 or by trying to communicate with the computer 2 via the hub 21.

  The memory card recognition device 26 detects the insertion and removal of the memory card 4 from the memory card slot 12. This detection can be performed based on the potential of the card detection terminal provided in the memory card slot 12, for example. The power supply 27 is a power supply circuit that generates an operation power supply to be supplied to each component from a built-in battery or a battery.

  The electronic apparatus 1 can operate in the following two operation modes.

(1) Operation mode # 1:
The operation mode # 1 is an operation mode for executing data transfer between the computer 2 and one of the memory card 4 and the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 specified by the access request in response to an access request from the computer 2 It is. When the electronic device 1 is connected to the computer 2, the operation mode of the electronic device 1 is automatically set to operation mode # 1. In this operation mode # 1, the flash memory interface 22 in the electronic device 1 operates as an external memory card reader / writer connected to the computer 2, and the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 in the electronic device 1 is a computer. 2 operates as an external hard disk drive connected to 2. In this case, access to the memory card 4 is directly executed between the computer 2 and the memory card 4 without going through the hard disk drive (HDD) 11.

(2) Operation mode # 2:
In operation mode # 2, when the memory card 4 is inserted into the memory card slot 12, the data transfer control circuit 23 automatically transfers data stored in the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 to the data stored in the memory card 4. This is the operation mode to be executed. When the computer 2 is not connected to the electronic device 1, the operation mode of the electronic device 1 is automatically set to the operation mode # 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the computer 2 is not connected to the electronic device 1, the function of the hub 21 is stopped under the control of the data transfer control circuit 23. The selector 24 switches the command and data input source of the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 from the hub 21 to the flash memory interface 22 under the control of the data transfer control circuit 23.

  Next, the operation of the electronic apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for describing processing for switching the operation mode of the electronic apparatus 1. The host connection recognition device 25 determines whether or not the electronic device 1 is connected to the computer 2 (step S101). This determination result is notified from the host connection recognition device 25 to the data transfer control circuit 23.

  When the electronic apparatus 1 is connected to the computer 2 (YES in step S101), the data transfer control circuit 23 enables the function of the hub 21, and also sends the command and data of the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 to the selector 24. By selecting the hub 21 as the input source, the operation mode of the electronic device 1 is set to the operation mode # 1 (step S102).

  On the other hand, when the electronic device 1 is not connected to the computer 2 (NO in step S101), the data transfer control circuit 23 invalidates the function of the hub 21, and also sends the command of the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 to the selector 24 and By selecting the flash memory interface 22 as a data input source, the operation mode of the electronic device 1 is set to the operation mode # 2 (step S103).

  The flowchart in FIG. 5 shows the operation of the electronic apparatus 1 in the operation mode # 1.

  The electronic apparatus 1 receives an access request (command) for the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 or the memory card 4 transmitted from the computer 2 (step S111). This access request includes drive designation information for designating either the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 or the flash memory interface 22 as an external drive to be accessed. The hub 21 determines whether the external drive to be accessed is the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 or the flash memory interface 22 according to the drive designation information (step S112).

  If the external drive to be accessed is a hard disk drive (HDD) 11, the hub 21 connects the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 and the computer 2. Thereby, access to the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 is executed (step S113). In step S 113, data transfer between the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 and the computer 2 is executed via the hub 21. On the other hand, if the external drive to be accessed is the flash memory interface 22, the hub 21 connects the flash memory interface 22 and the computer 2. Thereby, access to the memory card 4 is executed by the flash memory interface 22 (step S114). In step S <b> 114, data transfer between the memory card 4 and the computer 2 is executed via the hub 21.

  The flowchart of FIG. 6 shows the operation of the electronic apparatus 1 in the operation mode # 2.

  The data transfer control circuit 23 monitors the notification from the memory card recognition device 26 to determine whether or not the memory card 4 is inserted in the memory card slot 12 (step S121). When the memory card 4 is inserted into the memory card slot 12, the data transfer control circuit 23 automatically starts data transfer for storing the data stored in the memory card 4 in the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 ( Step S122). In step S122, all data files stored in the memory card 4 are transferred to the hard disk drive (HDD) 11.

  As described above, in the electronic apparatus 1, the operation mode is automatically switched depending on whether or not it is connected to the computer 2. When the electronic device 1 is not connected to the computer 2 and operates alone, data transfer from the memory card 4 to the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 is automatically performed when the installation of the memory card 4 is detected. Executed. Therefore, the contents of the memory card 4 can be easily backed up without any special operation by the user. When the electronic apparatus 1 is connected to the computer 2, even if the memory card 4 is inserted, automatic data transfer from the memory card 4 to the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 is not executed. In response to the access request, the memory card 4 and the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 are individually accessed. Therefore, both the memory card 4 and the hard disk drive (HDD) 11 can be used as external drives for the computer 2.

  In addition, not only a memory card but various portable external storage media, such as a storage device mounted with a small magnetic disk, can be used.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing the system configuration of the electronic apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 6 is an exemplary view for explaining an operation when the electronic apparatus of the embodiment is not connected to a computer. 6 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining a mode switching operation executed by the electronic apparatus of the embodiment. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a processing procedure which is executed when the electronic apparatus of the embodiment is set in a first operation mode. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a processing procedure which is executed when the electronic apparatus of the embodiment is set in a second operation mode.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic device, 2 ... Computer, 4 ... Memory card, 11 ... Hard disk drive, 12 ... Memory card slot, 21 ... Hub, 22 ... Flash memory interface, 23 ... Data transfer control circuit, 25 ... Host connection recognition apparatus, 26 ... Memory card recognition device.

Claims (5)

In an electronic device that can be connected to a host device,
A disk storage device;
A storage medium mounting part that can detachably mount an external storage medium;
In response to an access request from the host device, data transfer between the host device and one of the external storage medium and the disk storage device mounted in the storage medium mounting unit specified by the access request is performed. The first operation mode to be executed and whether or not the external storage medium is attached to the storage medium attachment unit are detected, and stored in the external storage medium in response to the detection of attachment. Control means for controlling the operation of the electronic device in one operation mode of the second operation mode for executing data transfer for storing data in the disk storage device;
Determining means for determining whether or not the electronic device is connected to the host device;
The control means is set to the first operation mode when the electronic device is connected to the host device, and the control means is set to the second operation mode when the electronic device is not connected to the host device. Means for setting the control means to one of the first operation mode and the second operation mode based on the determination result of the determination means so that the operation mode is set. Electronic equipment. Specifies one of a first transfer mode in which data stored in the external storage medium is moved to the disk storage device and a second transfer mode in which data stored in the external storage medium is copied to the disk storage device Means for storing transfer mode information;
In the second operation mode, the control means includes the first transfer mode specified by the transfer mode information and data transfer for storing data stored in the external storage medium in the disk storage device; The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is executed in one transfer mode of the second transfer mode.   In the first operation mode, the control unit detects whether or not the external storage medium is attached to the storage medium attachment unit, and responds to the detection of attachment to the host device. 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying the presence of an external storage medium. A control method for controlling the operation of an electronic device including a storage medium mounting unit and a disk storage device in which an external storage medium can be detachably mounted,
Determining whether the electronic device is connected to a host device; and
When it is determined that the electronic device is connected to the host device, the operation mode of the electronic device is specified by the access request according to the access request from the host device. Setting to a first operation mode for executing data transfer between the host device and one of the external storage medium and the disk storage device mounted in a section;
When it is determined that the electronic device is not connected to the host device, the operation mode of the electronic device is detected by detecting whether the external storage medium is attached to the storage medium attachment unit. And setting to a second operation mode for executing data transfer for storing data stored in the external storage medium in the disk storage device in response to detection of Control method. The electronic device includes a first transfer mode for moving data stored in the external storage medium to the disk storage device, and a second transfer for copying data stored in the external storage medium to the disk storage device. Transfer mode information that specifies one of the modes is stored,
Data transfer for saving the data stored in the external storage medium to the disk storage device is executed in one of the first transfer mode and the second transfer mode specified by the transfer mode information. The control method according to claim 4, wherein:

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