JP2006018687A - Portable memory device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable memory device to be connected to various electronic apparatuses. <P>SOLUTION: The portable memory device includes plugs which are physically and electrically connected to external apparatuses, so as to store data to be given from the external apparatuses in response to a request from the external apparatuses connected via the plugs and to output the stored data to the external apparatuses. The plurality of plugs being respectively different in specification are arranged. Accordingly, the plugs being respectively different in specification are inserted to receptacles which are mounted on the plurality of external apparatuses and correspond to respectively different specification plugs. Thus, the portable memory device is connected to the various electric apparatuses. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable memory device, and is suitably applied to a memory device having a USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication function, for example.

  Currently, the USB standard, which is a serial interface standard established by USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum), is widely adopted as an interface for connecting electronic devices such as personal computers and device devices such as mice and keyboards. ing.

  This USB standard includes four terminals of a power supply terminal 2, a ground terminal 3, a first data communication terminal 4, and a second data communication terminal 5 as shown in FIG. USB standard A plug (hereinafter referred to as standard A plug) 1 provided with a USB standard A receptacle (hereinafter referred to as standard A receptacle) mounted on an electronic device such as a personal computer. By inserting and inserting the electronic device as a host, the electronic device and the device can be connected by USB.

  In recent years, along with the popularization of the USB standard for such personal computers, portable USB memories having a standard A plug 1 mounted on one end have been widely distributed.

Such a portable USB memory is inserted into a standard A receptacle mounted on a personal computer so that the standard A plug 1 is inserted, and is connected to the personal computer via a USB. Data provided from the personal computer via the plug 1 can be stored or the stored data can be output to the personal computer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-78879 A

  By the way, recently, the USB standard mini-A plug (hereinafter referred to as this), which has been reduced in size compared to the standard A plug and standard A receptacle by the OTG standard (USB On-The-Go), which has been formulated as an additional standard for USB. Are called standard mini A plugs), USB standard mini A receptacles, and standard mini AB receptacles (hereinafter referred to as standard mini AB receptacles) mounted on dual-role devices that function both as hosts and devices. Shaped plugs and receptacles are emerging.

  In this OTG standard, when a standard mini-AB receptacle is mounted on a portable electronic device such as a digital still camera, for example, a power supply terminal 7 and a ground terminal as shown in FIG. 8. The standard mini-A plug 6 provided with five terminals of the first data communication terminal 9, the second data communication terminal 10 and the identification terminal 11 is connected to the standard mini-AB receptacle mounted on the electronic device. By inserting and inserting the electronic device, the electronic device and the device device can be connected by USB using the electronic device as a host.

  In the OTG standard, a connection cable for connecting a first electronic device such as a personal computer equipped with a standard A receptacle and a portable second electronic device such as a digital still camera equipped with a standard mini-AB receptacle is provided. By connecting to the first electronic device that is the host, the first electronic device and the second electronic device can be connected by USB using the second electronic device as a device.

  Here, if the USB memory is used as a medium to store data from the first or second electronic device or the stored data can be output to the second electronic device or the first electronic device, the connection cable is not provided. It is considered that data can be easily exchanged between the first and second electronic devices even when the user is away from home.

  However, in the USB memory, the standard A plug 1 is mounted as described above, and is not compatible with the standard mini AB receptacle, and the standard A plug 1 cannot be fitted into the standard mini AB receptacle. There is a problem that you can not connect.

  In addition to the standard mini-AB receptacle, the standard A receptacle is mounted on the second portable electronic device such as a digital still camera. The second electronic device has a problem that it is difficult to introduce.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and proposes a portable memory device that can be connected to various electronic devices.

  In order to solve this problem, in the present invention, a plug for physically and electrically connecting to an external device is provided, and the external device according to a request from the external device connected via the plug In the portable memory device that stores the data given by or outputs the stored data to an external device, a plurality of plugs having different standards are provided.

  Accordingly, plugs of different standards can be inserted into receptacles corresponding to plugs of different standards mounted on a plurality of external devices.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a plug for physically and electrically connecting to an external device is provided, and the external device is provided according to a request from the external device connected via the plug. In a portable memory device that stores stored data or outputs stored data to an external device, a plurality of plugs with different standards are provided, so that plugs with different standards can be mounted on a plurality of external devices. In addition, it is possible to realize a portable memory device that can be inserted into receptacles corresponding to plugs of different standards, and can be connected to various electronic devices.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment (1-1) Configuration of USB Memory According to First Embodiment In FIG. 1, reference numeral 20 denotes a USB memory according to the present embodiment as a whole so as to cover the main body 21. The cover portion 22 is configured to be slidable.

  In the main body 21, as shown in FIG. 2, the standard A plug 1 is disposed on one end side 23 </ b> A in the longitudinal direction of the main body housing 23 formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The standard mini-A plug 6 is arranged on the other end side 23B. Thus, in the USB memory 20, as shown in FIG. 3, the standard A plug 1 is fitted into the standard A receptacle 24 for the first electronic device 25 such as a personal computer on which the standard A receptacle 24 is mounted. On the other hand, for the second electronic device 27 such as a digital still camera equipped with the standard mini-AB receptacle 26, the standard mini-A plug 6 is fitted into the standard mini-AB receptacle 26 (FIG. 3A). In this way (FIG. 3B), the first electronic device 25 and the second electronic device 27 can be physically and electrically connected.

On the other hand, as is apparent from FIG. 2B, the cover portion 22 is formed in a rectangular tube shape as a whole. The height h ₁ and the width W ₁ inside the cover portion 22 are formed slightly larger than the height h ₂ and the width W ₂ of the main body housing 23 of the main body portion 21, respectively. Thus, in a state where the main body portion 21 and the cover portion 22 are fitted together, the cover portion 22 can be freely slid in the longitudinal direction with respect to the main body portion 21.

In this case, the length L ₁ of the cover portion 22 is equal to the length L ₂ from the other end side 23 B of the main body portion housing 23 to the tip end portion of the standard A receptacle 24 in the main body portion 21 and the main body portion in the main body portion 21. It is selected to be longer than any of the one end 23A of the housing 23 with standard mini AB length L ₃ to the tip of the receptacle 26.

  As a result, in this USB memory 20, the standard A plug of the main body portion 21 can be obtained by sliding the cover portion 22 in the direction of arrow a or in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow a as shown in FIG. 1 (A) or 1 (B). While only one of the 1 or the standard mini A plug 6 is exposed to be connected to the standard A receptacle 24 or the standard mini AB receptacle 26 mounted on the first electronic device 25 or the second electronic device 27. At this time, the other standard mini A plug 1 or standard A plug 6 cannot be connected to the standard mini AB receptacle 26 or standard A receptacle 24 mounted on the second electronic device 27 or the first electronic device 25. The cover portion 22 can be covered at the other end portion or one end portion in the longitudinal direction.

  Further, the first side surface 23C of the main body portion housing 23 and the one end portion of the second side surface 23D opposite to the first side surface 23C of the main body portion 21 are respectively normal to the first side surface 23C and the second side surface 23D. The hemispherical first projections 28A and 28B made of a metal material are disposed so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and biased in the normal direction by a coil spring (not shown), and the cover portion 22 are provided with hemispherical first recesses 29A and 29B slightly larger than the first protrusions 28A and 28B so as to face the first protrusions 28A and 28B, respectively. .

  In this case, the first depressions 29A and 29B correspond to the corresponding first protrusions 28A when the cover portion 22 is positioned at a predetermined position where the standard A plug 1 is completely exposed as shown in FIG. , 28B, the formation positions are selected so as to face each other.

  Thereby, in this USB memory 20, when the cover part 22 is slid to this position, each 1st protrusion 28A, 28B of the main-body part 21 respectively corresponds 1st hollow 29A, 29B of the cover part 22. The cover portion 22 can be fixed in this position by being fitted into the.

  Similarly, the other end portions of the first side surface 23C and the second side surface 23D of the main body portion housing 23 in the main body portion 21 are perpendicular to the normal direction of the first side surface 23C and the second side surface 23D, respectively. The hemispherical second protrusions 30A and 30B made of a metal material are disposed so as to be movable in any direction and urged in the normal direction by a coil spring (not shown). The inner side surface 22A is provided with hemispherical second depressions 31A and 31B that are slightly larger than the second protrusions 30A and 30B so as to face the second protrusions 30A and 30B, respectively.

  In this case, these second depressions 31A and 31B are formed as the corresponding second protrusions when the cover portion 22 is positioned at a predetermined position where the standard mini-A plug 6 is completely exposed as shown in FIG. The formation positions are selected so as to face 30A and 30B.

  Thereby, in this USB memory 20, when the cover part 22 is slid to this position, each 2nd protrusion 30A, 30B of the main-body part 21 respectively corresponds 2nd hollow 31A, 31B of the cover part 22. The cover portion 22 can be fixed in this position by being fitted into the.

  Further, on the inner side surface 22A of the cover portion 22, as shown in FIG. 2B, between the first dents 29A and 29B and the second dents 31A and 31B, the first dents 29A and 29B and the second dents are provided. Guide grooves 32A and 32B having shallow depths compared to the depths of 31A and 31B are formed, and as a result, the cover portion 22 is moved in the direction of arrow a or as shown in FIG. 4 (A) or FIG. 4 (B). When sliding in the direction opposite to the arrow a direction, the first protrusions 28A and 28B and the second protrusions 30A and 30B can be smoothly slid along the guide grooves 32A and 32B.

  Further, the third side surface 23E formed in the normal direction to the first side surface 23C and the second side surface 23D of the main body portion housing 23 in the main body portion 21 has a display LED (Light Emitting Diode) at a predetermined position. ) 33 is disposed on the one side surface 22B of the cover portion 22 such that the standard A plug is completely exposed by sliding the cover portion 22 in the direction of arrow a or in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow a. A first window hole 34A and a second window hole 34B having predetermined shapes are formed at positions where the display LED 33 is exposed when the mini-A plug is fixed at a position where the plug is completely exposed. . Thus, in this USB memory, when the cover portion 22 is slid in the direction of arrow a and the cover portion 22 is fixed at a position where the standard A plug 1 is completely exposed, the display is made through the first window hole 34A. When the LED 33 can be exposed and the cover portion 22 is slid in the direction opposite to the arrow a direction of the cover portion 22 so that the standard mini A plug 6 is completely exposed, the second window hole The display LED 33 can be exposed through 34B.

  Here, FIG. 6 shows an internal configuration of the main body housing 23 in the main body 21. As is apparent from FIG. 6, in the main body 21, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 35 that controls the operation of the entire USB memory 20 and the ROM (Read Only Memory) 36 that stores various control programs are provided. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 37 as a work memory of the CPU 35, a storage unit 38 formed of a nonvolatile memory, the display LED 33, and the USB device controller 39 are connected to each other through the bus 40, and are connected to the USB device controller 39. The standard A plug 1 and the standard mini A plug 6 are configured by being connected in parallel through the power supply line Vbus, the ground line GND, and the data communication lines D− and D +.

  In this case, when the standard A plug 1 is fitted in the standard A receptacle 24 mounted on the first electronic device 25 such as a personal computer, the CPU 35 supplies the power line of the standard A plug 1 from the first electronic device 25. When the current supplied through the Vbus and the USB device controller 39 is detected, the USB device controller 39 is controlled by pulling up the data communication lines D− and D + of the standard A plug 1 by controlling the USB device controller 39. A USB connection is established so that communication with the first electronic device 25 is possible.

  Then, when the CPU 35 receives a write request from the first electronic device 25 via the USB device controller 39 thereafter, the CPU 35 controls the USB device controller 39 to subsequently transmit data transmitted from the first electronic device 25. While giving the storage unit 38 and storing it, when receiving a read request from the first electronic device 25 via the USB device controller 39, the USB device controller 39 is controlled to store the designated data. The data is read from 38 and transmitted to the first electronic device 25 via the standard A plug 1.

  Similarly, when the standard mini-A plug 6 is fitted into the standard mini-AB receptacle 26 mounted on the second electronic device 27 such as a digital still camera, the CPU 35 removes from the second electronic device 27. When the current supplied through the power line Vbus of the standard mini A plug 6 and the USB device controller 39 is detected, the USB device controller 39 is controlled to pull up the data communication lines D− and D + of the standard mini A plug 6. As a result, the USB device controller 39 is connected to the second electronic device 27 in a state in which it can communicate with the USB.

  When the CPU 35 subsequently receives a write request from the second electronic device 27 via the device controller 39, the CPU 35 controls the USB device controller 39 to store data transmitted from the second electronic device 27 thereafter. When the read request from the second electronic device 27 is received via the USB device controller 39, the designated data is stored in the storage unit 38 by controlling the USB device controller 39. Are transmitted to the second electronic device 27 via the standard mini-A plug 6.

  In this manner, in the USB memory 20, the standard A plug 1 or the standard mini A plug 6 is connected to the standard A receptacle 24 or the standard mini AB receptacle 26 mounted on the first electronic device 25 or the second electronic device 27. When fitted, the data given from the personal computer may be stored via the standard A plug 1 or the standard mini A plug 6 in response to a request from the personal computer, or the stored data may be transmitted to the personal computer. Is made possible

  When the CPU 35 is connected to the first electronic device 25 or the second electronic device 27 by USB, the display LED 33 is turned on by starting the supply of the drive voltage to the display LED 33, and thereafter the first LED 25 is turned on. When the USB connection with the electronic device 25 or the second electronic device 27 is cut, the display LED 33 is turned off by stopping the supply of the drive voltage to the display LED 33.

(1-2) Operation and Effect According to First Embodiment In the above configuration, the USB memory 20 slides the cover portion 22 to the position shown in FIG. 1A to expose the standard A plug 1. Can be connected to the first electronic device 25 via the standard A plug 1 by USB, and the cover 22 is slid to the position of FIG. 1B to expose the standard mini A plug 6. The second electronic device 27 can be connected to the USB via the standard mini A plug 6.

  In this case, in the state where the cover portion 22 is positioned at the position of FIG. 1A, the standard mini-A plug 6 is covered with the cover portion 22, and therefore cannot be connected to the second electronic device 27. In the state where the cover portion 22 is positioned at the position shown in FIG. 1B, the standard A plug 1 is covered with the cover portion 22 and thus cannot be connected to the first electronic device 25. By doing so, it is alternatively possible to make a USB connection with only the first electronic device 25 or the second electronic device 27.

  According to the above configuration, the cover unit 22 is slid to the position shown in FIG. 1A to expose the standard A plug 1, thereby connecting to the first electronic device 25 via the standard A plug 1 by USB. In addition, by sliding the cover portion 22 to the position shown in FIG. 1B to expose the standard mini-A plug 6, the second electronic device 27 and the USB connection are connected via the standard mini-A plug 6. Can thus be connected to various electronic devices.

  Further, in the state where the cover portion 22 is located at the position of FIG. 1A, the standard mini-A plug 6 is covered with the cover portion 22, so that it cannot be connected to the second electronic device 27. In the state where the cover portion 22 is positioned at the position shown in FIG. 1B, the standard A plug 1 is covered with the cover portion 22 so that it cannot be connected to the first electronic device 25. As a result, the first electronic device 25 or the second electronic device 27 can alternatively be connected by USB, thus preventing the stored data from being damaged due to the double connection.

(2) Second Embodiment (2-1) Configuration of USB Memory According to Second Embodiment FIG. 6 showing the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 corresponding to those in FIG. A USB memory 50 is shown, except that the USB memory 1 (FIG. 1) in the first embodiment described above is exclusively connected to the first electronic device 25 or the second electronic device 27 by electrical control. Are similarly configured.

  In practice, the USB memory 50 is configured by providing a standard A plug 1 and a standard mini A plug 6 on one end side 51A and the other end side 51B of a casing 51 formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, respectively. The display LED 33 is disposed on one side surface 51 </ b> C of the casing 51. As described above, the USB memory 50 is not provided with the cover portion 22 unlike the USB memory 1 according to the first embodiment.

  Further, in the inside of the casing 51, as shown in FIG. 7 in which the same reference numerals are given to the corresponding parts to FIG. 5, the first USB device controller 52 is associated with the standard A plug 1 and the standard mini A plug 6, respectively. And the 2nd USB device controller 53 is arrange | positioned.

In the standard A plug 1, the data communication lines D- ₁ and D + ₁ and the ground line GND ₁ are connected to the first USB device controller 52, and the power line Vbus ₁ of the standard A plug 1 is connected to the CPU 35. It is connected, in a standard mini a plug 6, with the data communication line _{D-2, D} + ₂ and earth line GND ₂ are connected to the second USB device controller 53, respectively, the power supply line Vbus standard mini a plug 6 ₂ is connected to the CPU 35.

In this case, when the standard A plug 1 is fitted in the standard A receptacle 24 mounted on the first electronic device 25 such as a personal computer, the CPU 35 supplies the power line of the standard A plug 1 from the first electronic device 25. When the current supplied via the Vbus ₁ is detected, the first USB device controller 52 is controlled to pull up the data communication lines D- ₁ and D + ₁ of the standard A plug 1, whereby the first USB device The controller 52 is connected to the first electronic device 25 in a state where it can communicate with the USB.

Then, when the standard mini-A plug 6 is fitted in the standard mini-AB receptacle 26 mounted on the second electronic device 27 such as a digital still camera, the CPU 35 then connects the standard mini-A plug from the second electronic device 27. Even when the current supplied via the power supply line Vbus ₂ is detected, the second electronic device 27 is not connected to the USB while the first electronic device 25 is connected to the USB.

Similarly, when the standard mini-A plug 6 is fitted into the standard mini-AB receptacle 26 mounted on the second electronic device 27, the CPU 35 receives the standard mini-A plug 6 from the second electronic device 27. When the current supplied through the power line Vbus ₂ is detected, the second USB device controller 53 is controlled to pull up the data communication lines D− ₂ and D + ₂ of the standard mini-A plug 6, thereby The USB device controller 53 is connected to the second electronic device 27 in a communicable state.

Then, when the standard A plug 1 is inserted into the standard A receptacle 24 mounted on the first electronic device 25, the CPU 35 then connects the power supply line Vbus ₁ of the standard A plug 1 from the first electronic device 25. Even if the supplied current is detected, the first electronic device 25 is not connected to the USB while the second electronic device 27 is connected to the USB.

(2-2) USB Connection Processing Procedure of CPU 35 Here, the exclusive USB connection processing by the CPU 35 as described above is performed according to the USB connection processing procedure RT1 shown in FIG. 8 based on the control program stored in the ROM 36 in advance. Is called.

That is, when the CPU 35 detects a current through _one power line Vbus ₁ or the power line Vbus ₂ , the CPU 35 starts this USB connection processing procedure RT1 at step SP0, and at the next step SP1, the other power line Vbus ₂ or power line Vbus. ₁ is detected, that is, whether it is already connected to the other second electronic device 27 or the first electronic device 25 via the standard mini-A plug 6 or the standard A plug 1 by USB. to decide.

If the CPU 35 obtains a negative result in this step SP1, the CPU 35 proceeds to step SP2, controls the corresponding first USB device controller 52 or second USB device controller 53, and standard A plug 1 or standard mini A plug 6 The data communication lines D + ₁ and D- ₁ or the data communication lines D + ₂ and D- ₂ are pulled up to start the USB connection process.

In contrast, when the CPU 35 obtains a positive result in step SP1, the CPU 35 proceeds to step SP3, does not control the corresponding first USB device controller 52 or second USB device controller 53, and does not control the data communication lines D + ₁ , D. -Do not perform USB connection processing without pulling up ₁ or the data communication lines D + ₂ , D- ₂ . Then, the CPU 35 proceeds to step SP4 and ends this USB connection processing procedure RT1.

In this way, in the USB memory 50, when the current is first detected via the Vbus ₁ , the USB connection is made only to the first electronic device 25 via the standard A plug 1, and the Vbus ₂ is first connected. When the current is detected, it is possible to make a USB connection with only the second electronic device 27 via the standard mini A plug 6.

(2-3) Operation and effect according to the second embodiment In the above configuration, when the USB memory 50 detects a current via the _one power supply line Vbus ₁ or the power supply line Vbus ₂ in the CPU 35, It is determined whether or not current is detected via the power line Vbus ₂ or the power line Vbus ₁ .

  As a result, the USB memory 50 can be alternatively connected to the first electronic device 25 or the second electronic device 27 that has previously detected the current via the standard A plug 1 or the standard mini A plug 6. it can.

According to the above configuration, when the current is detected via the _one power line Vbus ₁ or the power line Vbus ₂ in the CPU 35, is the current detected via the other power line Vbus ₁ or the power line Vbus ₂ ? By determining whether or not, the first electronic device 25 or the second electronic device 27 that previously detected the current is selectively connected to the USB via the standard A plug 1 or the standard mini A plug 6. Thus, it is possible to prevent the stored data from being damaged due to the double connection.

(3) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, the standard A plug 1 is disposed on one end side 23A in the longitudinal direction of the main body housing 23, and the other end side 23B of the main body housing 23 is disposed. Although the case where the standard mini-A plug 6 is disposed is described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be disposed at various other positions, or may be disposed with a plurality of two or more plugs. Anyway. At this time, the USB memory can make one of the two or more plugs physically or electrically connect via USB.

  In the above-described embodiment, the standard A plug 1 is arranged on one end side 23A in the longitudinal direction of the main body housing 23, and the standard mini A plug 6 is arranged on the other end side 23B of the main body housing 23. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and plugs whose specifications are defined according to various different standards other than the USB standard A plug and standard mini A plug may be provided.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the standard A plug 1 is inserted into the standard A receptacle 24 mounted on the first electronic device 25 such as a personal computer so as to be physically and electrically connected. Although the present invention is not limited to this, the present invention may be applied to various electronic devices other than personal computers, and various receptacles other than the standard A receptacle corresponding to the plug to be inserted are mounted. May be.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the standard mini-A plug 6 is inserted into the standard mini-A receptacle 26 mounted on the second electronic device 27 such as a digital still camera and is physically and electrically connected will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to various electronic devices other than the digital still camera, and various receptacles other than the standard mini AB receptacle corresponding to the plug to be inserted are mounted. Anyway.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the standard A receptacle 24 mounted on the first electronic device 25 such as a personal computer and the standard mini A receptacle 26 mounted on the second electronic device 27 such as a digital still camera are applied. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of receptacles corresponding to plugs of various different standards that are respectively mounted on the plurality of electronic devices may be provided. good.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the cover portion 22 is slid or the USB connection is alternatively performed by electrical control has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and both of them are simultaneously performed. You may make it apply.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the current is detected by the CPU 35 and the USB connection is selectively performed only with the first electronic device 25 or the second electronic device 27 that previously detected the current has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a physical connection other than an electric current may be detected, such as detecting a connection with an electronic device, and only the detected electronic device may be electrically connected. .

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the first electronic device 25 or the second electronic device 27 is connected by USB, the display LED 33 is turned on, and then the first electronic device 25 or the second electronic device is turned on. Although the case where the display LED 33 is turned off when the USB connection to the terminal 27 is disconnected has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display LED may be turned on during data communication. You may make it apply as a signal showing various operation | movement.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, it is formed in a rectangular tube shape as a whole. The case where the inner height h ₁ and the width W ₁ of the cover portion 22 are formed slightly larger than the height h ₂ and the width W ₂ of the main body housing 23 of the main body portion 21 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the slider is slid, another shutter may be operated to completely shield other plugs. In short, the cover part is moved to expose the plug. Sometimes various other configurations can be applied that render other plugs unusable.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where data is stored in the storage unit 38 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to various other recording media including, for example, a non-volatile flash memory. Can do.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the current is first detected via the Vbus ₁ , only the first electronic device 25 is USB connected via the standard A plug 1 and the current is first connected via the Vbus _2. Although the case where only the second electronic device 27 is connected to the USB via the standard mini-A plug 6 when the signal is detected has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. In short, only one plug whose physical connection has been detected may be electrically connected to an external device.

  The present invention can be applied to a portable memory device using a plurality of plugs whose specifications are formulated according to various different standards, in addition to a portable memory device using a plug based on the USB standard.

It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the USB memory by 1st Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of a standard A plug and a standard mini A plug. It is an approximate line figure used for explanation of insertion of a USB memory. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of a main-body part and a cover part. It is sectional drawing with which it uses for description of the slide mechanism of USB memory. It is a basic diagram which shows the internal structure of the USB memory by 1st Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the USB memory by 2nd Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the internal structure of the USB memory by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a USB connection process sequence.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Standard A plug, 6 ... Standard mini A plug, 20, 50 ... USB memory, 21 ... Main body, 22 ... Cover, 23 ... Main body housing, 24 ... Standard A receptacle, 25 …… First electronic device, 26 …… Standard mini AB receptacle, 27 …… Second electronic device, 28A, 28B …… First projection, 29A, 29B …… First depression, 30A, 30B… ... second projection, 31A, 31B ... second recess, 32A, 32B ... guide groove, 35 ... CPU, 39 ... USB device controller, 51 ... housing, 52 ... first USB device Controller, 53... Second USB device controller.

Claims (3)

The above-mentioned data that has a plug for physically and electrically connecting to an external device and stores or stores data given from the external device in response to a request from the external device connected via the plug In a portable memory device that outputs to the external device,
A portable memory device characterized in that a plurality of plugs of different standards are provided. The portable memory device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover portion movably provided to expose only one arbitrary plug of the plurality of plugs. Detection means for detecting that the external device is physically detected through any of the plugs;
The connection means for electrically connecting only the one plug for which the physical connection with the external device is detected by the detection means to the external device. The portable memory device described.

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