JP2006236211A - Information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently copy or transfer data among a plurality of memory cards, in a short period of time. <P>SOLUTION: A host 2 issues a broadcast data acquisition command (= CMD63). Then, the host 2 reads data from a memory card 3<SB>1</SB>in a "transfer state". The data, transmitted from the memory card 3<SB>1</SB>, are transferred to a data line DL1. A memory card 3<SB>2</SB>receives data from a data line DL2 by the correspondence operation of the "CMD63", and the data are written to a nonvolatile memory 11 of the memory card 3<SB>2</SB>. After that, the host 2 issues a "CMD12" for finishing the data read operation. Consequently, the memory card 3<SB>1</SB>is transited to the "transfer state" to finish data transmission and the memory card 3<SB>2</SB>finishes data reception. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a data copy / move technique in an information processing system, and more particularly to a technique effective for improving the efficiency of data copy / move between two or more memory cards.

  Multimedia cards are widely known as one of external storage media such as personal computers and multi-function terminals. The multimedia card is used for all kinds of digital information such as still image recording of a digital video camera, data recording of a mobile phone, music recording of a portable music player, and the like.

  The compatibility of the multimedia card is maintained by a multimedia card standard standardized by a standard organization MMCA (MultiMedia Card Association).

  When data is copied between two or more multimedia cards, the host reads the contents of the copy source multimedia card and writes it to the copy destination multimedia card.

  Hereinafter, an operation of copying data between a plurality of multimedia cards will be described.

  In particular, the data of the multimedia card (card 1) in the “transfer state” capable of memory operation such as reading and writing is transferred to the multimedia card (card 2) in the “standby state” incapable of memory operation. A case of copying will be described. Here, the RCA (dynamic relative address on the bus) of the cards 1 and 2 is “1” and “2”, respectively.

  In the multimedia card standard, the MMC mode and the SPI mode are defined, but only the MMC mode that is widely adopted in the market products is considered here.

  (1) First, the host specifies a copy source address and transmits a read command. The read command is received only by the card in the “transfer state”. The read command includes a command 'CMD17' which is a read command in units of bytes, a command 'CMD18' which is a read command in units of blocks (= 512 bytes), and the like. Here, 'CMD18' which is widely used in products on the market is adopted.

  (2) Subsequently, when the card 1 receives the read command, it determines the copy source address and prepares for data transmission. Also, a response notifying that the read command has been received is sent to the host. The card 2 is in a “standby state” and observes a read command but does not receive it.

  (3) When the host receives a response corresponding to the read command from the card 1, it prepares for data reception.

  (4) The card 1 reads data from the address specified by the argument of the read command, and transmits the data to the host until a stop command (= 'CMD12') is received.

  (5) The host receives data from the card 1. Then, the received data is stored in the memory for writing into the card 2.

  (6) The above processes (1), (3), and (5) are repeated until only the size requested by the application is read.

  (7) When the reading operation of the card 1 is completed, the writing operation of the card 2 is started. The host transmits 'CMD7 (RCA = 2)' which causes the card in the 'standby state' to transition to the 'transfer state' to the card 2.

  (8) Upon receiving “CMD7 (RCA = 2)”, the card 2 transits to the “transfer state”. Since the card 1 is different from its own RCA, the card 1 transits to a 'standby state'.

  (9) The host specifies a copy destination address and transmits a write command. The write command is received only by the card in the “transfer state”. The write command includes 'CMD24' which is a write command in byte units, 'CMD25' which is a write command in block units, and the like. Here, it is assumed that 'CMD25' is widely used in products on the market.

  (10) Upon receiving the write command, the card 2 determines the copy destination address and prepares for data reception. Also, a response is sent to notify the host that the write command has been received. The card 1 is in the “standby state” and observes the write command but does not receive it.

  (11) When the host receives a response corresponding to the write command from the card 2, it transmits the data read from the card 1 and stored in the memory in (5) above.

  (12) When the card 2 receives the write data, it writes the write data in its own memory.

  (13) The host repeats the above processes (9) and (11) until only the size requested by the application is written.

  (14) When the writing operation to the card 2 is completed, the copying operation from the card 1 to the card 2 is completed. Therefore, the host transmits “CMD7 (RCA = 1)” to return the card 1 to the “transfer state” and the card 2 to the “standby state”.

  (15) Upon receiving 'CMD7 (RCA = 1), the card 1 transits to the' transfer state '. Since the card 2 is different from its own RCA, the card 2 transits to a 'standby state'.

   As described above, the copying operation from the card 1 to the card 2 is completed by (1) to (15).

  However, the present inventors have found that the data copying (or moving) technology between memory cards as described above has the following problems.

  That is, in the MMC mode in the multimedia card standard, when data is copied (or moved) between two (or more) cards, the data cannot be directly copied between the cards. It is necessary to read the data of the copy source card and store it in the memory, and then write it to the copy destination card.

  For this reason, useless time and power are consumed in the copy (or move) operation. In addition, the host requires an extra memory for storing the contents of data to be copied (or moved) on the host.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of efficiently copying or moving data between a plurality of memory cards in a short time.

  The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

  Of the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  The present invention is an information processing system comprising a plurality of memory cards and an information processing device that manages the memory cards, wherein the plurality of memory cards and the information processing devices are connected to each other by a common bus. When copying or moving data between memory cards, the processing device is a command that allows the copy destination or the transfer destination memory card to receive data output from the copy source or the transfer source memory card. The memory card includes an information processing controller that outputs a data acquisition command, and the memory card instructs the operation of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory based on a nonvolatile semiconductor memory that can store predetermined information and a command issued from the information processing device And a controller for processing information when the memory card is in a standby state. Upon receiving the output data acquisition command from the roller, and receives data sent from another memory card, and performs a write operation.

  In addition, the present invention is an information processing system including a plurality of memory cards and an information processing device that manages the memory cards, and each memory card and the information processing device are connected by a one-to-one bus. Thus, when copying or moving data between memory cards, the information processing apparatus can receive data output from the copy source or the transfer source memory card by the copy destination or the transfer destination memory card. An information processing controller that outputs a data acquisition command that is a command is provided, and when the data acquisition command is output, the information processing controller is connected to a bus to which a copy destination or destination memory card is connected and a copy source or transfer It has a bus connection unit that connects the bus to which the original memory card is connected. A non-volatile semiconductor memory that can be stored, and a controller that instructs the operation of the non-volatile semiconductor memory based on a command issued from the information processing apparatus, and the controller includes an information processing controller when the memory card is in a standby state. When the data acquisition command output from is received, data transmitted from another memory card is received and a write operation is performed.

  Moreover, the outline | summary of the other invention of this application is shown briefly.

  In the present invention, a data acquisition command issued by the information processing controller is defined by a command index CMD63.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, when the information processing apparatus copies / moves data between memory cards, the information transferred / transferred via the bus is arbitrarily stored.

  Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, effects obtained by typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  (1) Data transfer between a plurality of memory cards can be performed efficiently.

  (2) According to the above (1), the data processing time in the information processing system can be greatly shortened, and the power required for data transfer of the information processing system can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory card system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an example of an operation when data is directly copied by a memory card provided in the memory card system of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a format of a command used in the memory card system of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing example at the time of data copying by the memory card system of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another configuration example in the memory card system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another data transfer example in the memory card system of FIG.

In the present embodiment, the memory card system (information processing system) 1 includes a host (information processing apparatus) 2 and two memory cards 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ as shown in FIG. The host 2 and the memory cards 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ are connected via the bus B. In FIG. 1, two memory cards 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ are provided, but the number of memory cards may be three or more.

The bus B includes command lines CL1 and CL2 and data lines DL1 and DL2. The host 2 and the memory card 3 ₁ are connected via the command line CL1 and the data line DL1, and the host 2 and the memory card 3 ₂ are connected via the command line CL2 and the data line DL2. Yes.

  The connection form by the bus B is a broadcast type, a common command and response are transferred to the command lines CL1 and CL2 connected to the host 2, and the data lines DL1 and DL2 connected to the host 2 are Common data is transferred.

  As shown in the upper part of FIG. 1, the host 2 includes an application 4, a file system 5, a device driver 6, a host controller (information processing controller) 7, a transmission / reception buffer 8, and the like.

  The application 4 is application software such as an audio player. The file system 5 is software that converts data input / output from the device driver 6 so that the application 4 can handle the data as a file. In general, there are many that comply with FAT (File Allocation Tables) such as FAT16 and FAT32.

The device driver 6 is software for managing transactions and command sequences, controlling the host controller 7, and the like, and has a control function for directly copying data between the memory cards 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ .

The host controller 7 performs control such as command transmission, response reception, and data transmission / reception, and has a command control function for directly copying data between the memory cards 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ .

Receiving buffer 8 temporarily stores the data to be transmitted is received from the memory card 3 _1, 3 ₂ data or the memory card 3 _1, 3 _2,.

Further, the memory card 3 ₁ (, 3 ₂ ) is composed of, for example, a multimedia card, and as shown in the upper part of FIG. 1, the non-volatile memory exemplified by the transmission / reception buffer 9, the card controller (controller) 10, and the flash memory. Volatile memory (nonvolatile semiconductor memory) 11 and the like.

  The transmission / reception buffer 9 temporarily stores data received from the host 2 or data to be transmitted to the host.

The card controller 10 analyzes commands, manages data transfer between the transmission / reception buffer 9 and the nonvolatile memory 11, and is configured by hardware and software, for example. The card controller 10 has a function of directly copying data between the memory cards 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ .

  The nonvolatile memory 11 stores file system related data such as FAT information and application related data such as audio files.

  Next, the operation of the memory card system 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

First, an example of the operation when data is directly copied between the memory cards 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ will be described with reference to FIG.

2, the memory card 3 _1, RCA: located in (Reelative Card Address relative card address register) 'transfer state (enable memory operations)' at 1, the memory card 3 _2, RCA in 2 'standby (Memory operation is not possible).

  First, as shown in FIG. 2A, the host 2 issues a broadcast data acquisition command (= CMD63) to the command lines CL1 and CL2. This 'CMD63' is a command newly defined in the present invention, and its format is shown in FIG.

  'CMD63' is a command number reserved in the MMC standard and the SD standard. 'CMD63' is a command that can be received only by the memory card in the 'standby state'.

  The memory card that has received 'CMD63' receives data on the data line after receiving the command until a stop command (= CMD12) is observed on the command line.

Here, since the memory card 3 ₂ is in the “standby state”, the memory card 3 ₂ receives “CMD63” via the command line CL2.

Further, the memory card 3 _1, since the 'transfer state' is observed from the command line CL1 'CMD63' is not received.

Then, the host 2, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the read operation of data from the memory card 3 ₁ in the 'transfer state'. Then, data transmitted from the memory card 3 _1, is transferred to the data line DL1.

Memory card 3 _2, with the corresponding operation of the 'CMD63', receives data from the data line DL2, written in the nonvolatile memory 11 of the memory card 3 _2. The host 2 can also pass the data received from the data lines DL1 and DL2 to a higher-level application or the like, but may discard it if not necessary.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2C, the host 2 issues “CMD12” for ending the data reading operation on the command lines CL1 and CL2. Memory card 3 ₁ from the command line CL1, when receiving the host 2 has issued 'CMD 12', the transition to the 'transfer state' ends the transmission of data. Memory card 3 ₂ ends data reception when observed from the command line CL2 'CMD 12'.

With the above operation, data can be directly copied between the memory cards 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ . If cards that do not correspond to the existing 'CMD63' are mixed, the backward compatibility is maintained because the newly defined 'CMD63' is not responded according to the current MMC standard or SD standard. .

Then, the host 2, which can be read the memory card 3 ₁ of the data in the 'transfer state', the memory card 3 ₂ in a non-writable 'standby', an example for copying, in FIG. 4 This will be described with reference to a flowchart.

FIG. 4 shows the processing in the host 2, the memory card 3 ₁ , and the memory card 3 ₂ from the left side to the right side.

The RCAs of the memory card 3 ₁ and the memory card 3 ₂ are “1” and “2”, respectively. In FIG. 4, two memory cards 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ will be described for the sake of simplification. However, it is possible to realize even with three or more memory cards in the “standby state”.

First, the host 2 designates a copy destination address and transmits a broadcast data acquisition command (= CMD63) (step S101). The 'CMD63', only the memory card 3 ₂ receives in the 'standby'.

Memory card 3 ₂ 'standby' has received the 'CMD63', to determine the destination address for the data reception preparation (Step S102). Further, the memory card 3 ₂ transmits a response for notifying the receipt of the host 2 'CMD63'. Memory card 3 ₁ are the 'transfer state' does not receive but to observe the 'CMD63'.

Then, the host 2, the memory card 3 _2, receives a response corresponding to the 'CMD63' (step S103). The host 2 designates the copy source address and transmits a read command (step S104). Read command received by only the memory card 3 ₁ in the 'transfer state'.

When the memory card 3 ₁ which is in the transfer state receives a read command, the memory card 3 ₁ data transmission preparation to determine the copy source address (step S105). In addition, a response notifying the host 2 that the read command has been received is transmitted.

At this time, the memory card 3 ₂ are the 'standby', not received but to observe the read command.

Then, the host 2, the data reception preparation upon receiving the response corresponding from the memory card 3 ₁ to the read command (step S106).

Memory card 3 ₁ reads data from the address specified by the arguments of the read command until it receives a stop command (= CMD 12) the data is transmitted to the host 2 (step S107).

That is, the data on the data line DL2 is transferred, the host 2 receives the data from the memory card 3 ₁ (step S108). At that time, the received data can be passed to a higher-level application or the like, but may be discarded if not necessary.

Subsequently, the memory card 3 _2, by the operation of the 'CMD63', receives the data transferred on the data line DL2 from the memory card 3 ₁ to the host 2 (step S109). The reception operation is performed until 'CMD12' is observed on the command line CL1. Thereafter, writing from the address specified in the received data 'CMD63', the nonvolatile memory 11 of the memory card 3 _2.

  The host 2 repeats the processes of steps S104, S106, and S108 for the copy size requested by the application (step S110).

As described above, the data copy operation from the memory card 3 ₁ to the memory card 3 ₂ is completed by the processing of steps S101 to S110.

  In this case, the transmission / reception operation of 'CMD63' is required, but the state transition of the card and the write operation by 'CMD7' can be omitted.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the memory card system (information processing system) 1a when the connection form between the host 2 and the memory cards 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ is not the broadcast type (FIG. 1) but the peer to peer type. It is explanatory drawing shown.

In this case, the host 2 and the memory card 3 ₁ is connected to a one-to-one by a command line CL1a, and the data line DL1a. Similarly, the host 2 and the memory card 3 ₂ is connected to the one-to-one by a command line CL2a, and data lines DL2a.

In particular, such a connection form corresponds to the case where the memory cards 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ are SD cards.

Here, it is assumed that the memory card 3 ₁ has an RCA of “1” and is in a “transfer state”, and the memory card 3 ₂ has an RCA of “2” and is in a “standby state”.

A data copy operation between the memory cards 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ in the memory card system 1a will be described with reference to FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 5A, the host 2 issues a broadcast data acquisition command “CMD63” on the command lines CL1a and CL2a. Memory card 3 ₂ Since the 'standby', from a command line CL2a, receives the 'CMD63'. At this time, the memory card 3 _1, since the 'transfer state' is observed from the command line CL1a 'CMD63' is not received.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the host 2 is in the “transfer state” after connecting the data line DL1a and the data line DL2a by the switch (bus connection unit) SW provided in the host 2. It performs an operation of reading data from the memory card 3 _1.

Data transmitted from the memory card 3 ₁ are transferred on the data line DL1a. Since the data line DL1a and the data line DL2a are connected inside the host 2 by the switch SW, the data input from the data line DL1a to the host 2 is output to the data line DL2a.

Memory card 3 _2, with the corresponding operation of the 'CMD63', receives data from the data line DL2a, writing to non-volatile memory of the memory card 3 _2.

  The host 2 can also pass the data received from the data line DL1a to a higher-level application or the like, but may discard it if not necessary.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5C, the host 2 issues a stop command (= CMD12) for ending the data reading operation to the command line CL1a and the command line CL2a.

Memory card 3 ₁ from the command line CL1a, when receiving the 'CMD 12', the transition to the 'transfer state' ends the transmission of data. Memory card 3 ₂ from the command line CL2a, when observing the 'CMD 12' to end the data reception.

With the above operation, even in the memory card system 1a having the Peer To Peer type connection configuration, data can be directly copied between the memory card 3 ₁ and the memory card 3 ₂ .

Thereby, according to the present embodiment, data transfer between the memory cards 3 ₁ and 3 ₂ can be performed efficiently, so that the data transfer time can be shortened and the power required for data transfer can be reduced. it can.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where data is transferred between two memory cards has been described. However, data transfer may be performed between three or more memory cards.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation example of data transfer by the memory card system (information processing system) 1b including three or more memory cards 3 _{1 to} 3 _N.

The memory cards 3 _{1 to} 3 _N are connected to the host 2 in a broadcast type via data lines DL1 to DLN and command lines CL1 to CLN, respectively.

The memory cards 3 _{1 to} 3 _N have RCAs of “1”, “2”,..., “N”, the memory card 3 ₁ is in the “transfer state”, and the other memory cards 3 ₂ to 3 N All 3 _N's are in 'standby state'. In FIG. 6, descriptions of command lines and data lines when not used are omitted.

First, as shown in FIG. 6A, the host 2 issues a broadcast data acquisition command (= CMD63) on the command lines CL1 to CLN. Since the memory cards 3 _{2 to} 3 _N are in the “standby state” as described above, the memory cards 3 _{2 to} 3 _N receive “CMD63” via the command lines CL2 to CLN.

Memory card 3 _1, since the 'transfer state' is observed from the command line CL1 'CMD63' is not received.

Then, the host 2, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), operation of reading data from the memory card 3 ₁ in the 'transfer state'. Data transmitted from the memory card 3 ₁ are transferred via the data line DL1. The memory cards 3 _{2 to} 3 _N receive data from the data lines DL2 to DLN, respectively, by the corresponding operation of “CMD63”, and write to the respective nonvolatile memories provided in the memory cards 3 _{2 to} 3 _N. .

  The host 2 can pass the data received from the data lines DL2 to DLN to an upper application or the like, but may discard it if not necessary.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, the host 2 issues a stop command (= CMD12) for ending the data reading operation on the command lines CL1 to CLN. Memory card 3 ₁ receives the via command line CL1 'CMD 12', the transition to the 'transfer state' ends the transmission of data.

When the remaining memory cards 3 _{2 to} 3 _N observe 'CMD12' via the command lines CL2 to CLN, the data reception ends.

With the above operation, the data of _one memory card 3 ₁ can be directly copied to _two or more memory cards 3 _{2 to} 3 _N at the same time.

  As a result, the data transfer time and the power required for the data transfer can be greatly reduced.

  The present invention is suitable for a technology for improving the efficiency of copying or moving data between a plurality of memory cards.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the memory card system by one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the operation | movement at the time of copying data directly with the memory card provided in the memory card system of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the format of the command used in the memory card system of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of data copying by the memory card system of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the other structural example in the memory card system of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of data transfer in the memory card system of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Memory card system (information processing system)
1a Memory card system (information processing system)
1b Memory card system (information processing system)
2 Host (Information processing device)
3 _{1 to} 3 _N memory card 4 application 5 file system 6 device driver 7 host controller (information processing controller)
8 Transmission / reception buffer 9 Transmission / reception buffer 10 Card controller (controller)
11 Nonvolatile memory (nonvolatile semiconductor memory)
SW switch (Bus connection)
B Bus CL1, CL2 Command line CL1a Command line CL2a Command line CL1-CLN Command line DL1, DL2 Data line DL1a Data line DL2a Data line DL1-DLN Data line

Claims (4)

An information processing system comprising a plurality of memory cards and an information processing device that manages the memory cards, wherein the plurality of memory cards and the information processing devices are connected to each other by a common bus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A data acquisition command that is a command that allows the copy destination or destination memory card to receive data output from the source or destination memory card when copying or moving data between the memory cards An information processing controller that outputs
The memory card is
A non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing predetermined information;
A controller for instructing operation of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory based on a command issued from the information processing apparatus;
The controller is
An information processing system, wherein when a data acquisition command output from the information processing controller is received when the memory card is in a standby state, data transmitted from another memory card is received and a write operation is performed. An information processing system comprising a plurality of memory cards and an information processing device that manages the memory cards, wherein each of the memory cards and the information processing device is connected by a one-to-one bus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A data acquisition command that is a command that allows the copy destination or destination memory card to receive data output from the source or destination memory card when copying or moving data between the memory cards An information processing controller that outputs
The information processing controller
When outputting the data acquisition command, there is a bus connection unit that connects the bus to which the copy destination or destination memory card is connected and the bus to which the copy source or source memory card is connected. And
The memory card is
A non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of storing predetermined information;
A controller for instructing operation of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory based on a command issued from the information processing apparatus;
The controller is
An information processing system, wherein when a data acquisition command output from the information processing controller is received when the memory card is in a standby state, data transmitted from another memory card is received and a write operation is performed. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2,
The data acquisition command issued by the information processing controller is:
An information processing system defined by a command index CMD63. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The information processing apparatus includes:
An information processing system for arbitrarily storing data transferred or transferred via the bus when data is copied / moved between the memory cards.

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