JP2006277698A - Storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a storage device for guiding a writing place in operation such as writing of data so as not to make a mistake. <P>SOLUTION: The storage device 10 connected to a computer prevents erroneous storage in other storage device, and prevents a selection error in operation of writing or deletion by outputting sound or light identifiable by the storage device before storage operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an external storage device such as a flash memory used by being connected to a computer.

  Storage devices used by connecting to a computer device include a storage device that writes data to a magnetic disk (for example, a hard disk drive), a flash memory storage device, and the like. With the widespread use of storage devices, there are many occasions in which a plurality of storage devices are connected to one computer to record (save) and exchange data. However, since a plurality of storage devices are connected, there is a problem that a storage device for storing data is wrong.

  In the related art, a configuration is disclosed in which information corresponding to an operation target is transmitted to the user by voice so that the operation target can be confirmed without looking at the screen (for example, an information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1).

  Further, the storage device described in Patent Document 2 has a configuration in which operation signals for recording and reproduction are converted as audio signals, and reading or writing operations of the storage device can be confirmed by audio output.

JP-A-5-127864 JP-A-8-69688

  In recent years, scenes in which a plurality of storage devices are used simultaneously are increasing. In addition, when exchanging data between a plurality of storage devices, it is necessary to take care not to mistake the data transmission source and reception destination.

  As described above, in the storage device described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to prevent mistakes in reading and writing by confirming the operation content by voice.

  However, when using a plurality of storage devices, there is a problem that the work content cannot be confirmed accurately.

  Accordingly, the present inventors have found out that not only the operation contents of the storage device are audibly guided but also that the storage device that will perform the writing work will play the role of telling his / her location at the same time, thereby preventing an operation error.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage device that guides a user to avoid mistakes in a writing location at the time of work such as data writing when a plurality of storage devices are used.

  In order to achieve the above object, the storage device according to the first aspect of the present invention prevents an accidental recording to another storage device by outputting an identifiable sound or light before storage, In addition, it is characterized by preventing selection mistakes in writing or erasing work.

  Since storage devices have become cheaper, a plurality of storage devices are often connected to a computer. Basic operations performed by the storage device include writing, reading, and erasing. When a plurality of storage devices are connected, confirmation before the operation becomes complicated. In the storage device according to the first aspect of the invention, confirmation is facilitated by using identifiable sound or light. The identifiable sound is characterized by a timbre such as an alarm sound or a beep sound, and information is transmitted according to the type of the timbre. Moreover, a sound may be used as the identifiable sound. The discriminable light is for turning on or blinking light, and light of a plurality of colors may be used.

  The storage device according to the second aspect of the invention is characterized in that its own position is notified before the storage operation, and information related to the storage operation such as work contents and remaining memory capacity is notified by voice or LED output.

  When using a storage device, it is convenient because it is possible to know its own location and work contents (for example, a work target file name and work time) at the time of writing. Also, if there is not enough memory remaining capacity (remaining storage capacity), it is helpful because the remaining memory capacity can be known in advance.

  The storage device according to the third aspect of the present invention informs its own position before the storage operation by outputting character information to the display unit included in the storage device, and is related to the storage operation such as the work content and the remaining memory capacity. It is characterized by notifying information by character output, preventing it from being accidentally recorded in another storage device, and preventing mistakes in selecting a write or erase operation.

  By providing the storage unit with the display unit, it is possible to output character information, and the user can confirm the work content and the like by outputting the displayed character information. The display unit is preferably a small display device such as an LCD unit or an organic EL unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transfer device for transferring data other than the data during the storage operation from the storage device to another storage device when the memory capacity of the storage device becomes insufficient during the storage operation. It is characterized by providing.

  A storage device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a USB as an interface with a computer, and the storage device is connected or disconnected with information related to the storage operation when the USB plug and play is connected or disconnected. It is characterized by notifying by sound or light output.

  Among storage devices, the USB memory type is widespread and inexpensive. Further, it is easy to use the plug-and-play function, which is convenient because the memory state can be known when the user is aware of the memory, such as when connecting or disconnecting.

  A storage device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention has a wireless communication function.

  When the computer and the storage device perform wireless communication, the storage device can be placed freely. For example, there are many scenes where the storage device cannot be seen, such as being put in a bag or worn. Thus, it is convenient to inform the location of the storage device because the confirmation becomes easy.

  As a method for transmitting information, it is preferable to use sound. However, when sound cannot be used due to restrictions from the use environment, a method using blinking or lighting of light is effective.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to inexpensively provide a storage device that guides a user so that a writing location at the time of data writing or the like is not mistaken.

Example 1
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a storage device according to the present invention.
The storage device 10 includes an operation unit 12, a speaker 13, an LED 14, a storage unit 16, a communication unit 18, and a control unit 20. The LED 14 may include a plurality of color LEDs so that a plurality of colors can be displayed.

  The control unit 20 includes a communication unit 22 and a drive unit 24. The communication unit 22 controls communication with a computer via the communication unit 18, and the drive unit 24 controls driving of the speaker 13 and the LED 14.

Next, the operation content of the storage device 10 and the confirmation method thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing confirmation of the main body of the storage device 10 according to the present invention, in which three storage devices 10 are used simultaneously.

  When a plurality of storage devices 10 are used, each can be given a name. For example, three names can be used as A, B, and C, respectively. The three storage devices output their own names (for example, A, B, or C) by voice (for example, memory A, memory B, or memory C), so that the user can easily confirm them. can do.

Further, when the colors of the LEDs 14 are determined to be different colors (for example, A is red, B is blue, and C is green), it is possible to confirm which storage device is operating from the colors of the LEDs 14.
The name and the color of the LED 14 may be set and registered before using the storage device 10.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of connection / disconnection confirmation of the storage device 10 according to the present invention.
When the storage device 10 (for example, the storage device A) is connected or disconnected from the computer, it is easily confirmed by outputting a voice that the storage device 10 (for example, the memory A is connected). Can do.
Moreover, you may confirm with LED14. For example, when the storage device A is connected, the LED 14 may be controlled to output red lighting, then output white lighting, and then turn off. At this time, the LED 14 needs to have at least red and white, but other colors may be substituted.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing work content confirmation of the storage device 10 according to the present invention.
The work contents of the storage device 10 include writing, reading, and erasing. Further, each work includes stages before work start, during work, and work end, and the work content and stage may be notified.

For example, when writing work is started, “Writing starts” is output by voice, and the LED 14 outputs strong lighting. Since confirmation is desired to be performed in advance, the output should be performed immediately before the start of work. When the confirmation is finished, the writing work is started. At this time, “Writing” is output from the speaker 13 by voice, and the LED 14 outputs weak blinking. When the operation further proceeds and ends, the speaker 13 outputs a voice message “Finish writing”, and the LED 14 outputs the signal so that it is once strongly lit and then turned off.
Further, when the work content is read or deleted, the user is notified by performing the output shown in FIG.

  In the work content confirmation, since the user is notified before the storage device 10 starts work, it is preferable that the user can cancel the work content within a predetermined time. In addition, after receiving the notification before starting work, the user may give an execution instruction. The execution instruction may be given from the operation unit 12 of the storage device 10. Alternatively, an execution instruction may be given from a computer operation (for example, a mouse click) according to computer settings.

By providing a display unit (not shown) in the storage device 10, not only voice but also similar contents may be displayed on the screen. Alternatively, settings may be made on a computer to which the storage device 10 is connected and displayed on a display device of the computer.
The display may be used when audio output is not possible due to restrictions from the usage environment of the storage device 10. However, even if there is no character display, it can be grasped by the LED 14.

Further, the file name and the file storage location may be output by voice. The configuration of the storage device 10 can also cope with a request that the user wants to know (confirm) more detailed information.
Moreover, although the output example of the sound and LED has been described so far, it is preferable that the user can freely set the output content. Although the setting can be input from the operation unit 12, it may be connected to a computer and input from the computer (not shown).

(Example 2)
Hereinafter, Example 2 is demonstrated based on FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the storage device according to the second embodiment.
The control unit 20 includes a communication unit 22, a drive unit 24, and a transfer unit 26. The transfer means 26 can transfer data other than the data during the storage operation to another storage device when the remaining memory becomes insufficient during the storage operation. The transfer may be started after the user selects the data to be transferred. Alternatively, the operation of selecting the data to be transferred by the user may be omitted and the data may be transferred automatically. Also in the transfer operation, a user's work mistake can be prevented by checking the work content of the transfer operation by the method described in the first embodiment.

(Example 3)
Hereinafter, Example 3 is demonstrated based on FIG.
The storage device 10 shown in FIG. 6 has a built-in wireless communication unit 19 and can be used more conveniently, for example, by using the wireless communication unit 19 even when the storage device 10 is put in a bag. However, while it is convenient, there is a possibility that the storage device 10 may be lost. Therefore, the storage device 10 is configured to be able to specify the location of the storage device 10 while taking advantage of wireless convenience.

In the above-described embodiment, the storage device for a computer has been described.
However, the present invention can be used not only for storage devices for computers but also for storage devices such as music and video.

  Although the preferred embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it goes without saying that many modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a storage device according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of the main body confirmation of the memory | storage device which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of the connection / disconnection confirmation of the memory | storage device based on this invention. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of the work content confirmation of the memory | storage device which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the 2nd example of the memory device concerning the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the 3rd example of the memory device concerning the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Memory | storage device 12 Operation part 13 Speaker 14 LED
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 Memory | storage part 18 Communication part 19 Wireless communication part 20 Control part 22 Communication means 24 Drive means 26 Transfer means

Claims (6)

In a storage device connected to a computer, by outputting an identifiable sound or light before the storage operation, the storage device can be prevented from being mistakenly recorded in another storage device, and can be written or erased. A storage device characterized by preventing selection mistakes. A storage device connected to a computer notifies its own position before a storage operation, and informs information related to the storage operation such as work contents and remaining memory capacity by voice or LED output. The storage device according to 1. In a storage device connected to a computer, by outputting character information to the display unit of the storage device, its position is notified before the storage operation, and information related to the storage operation such as work contents and remaining memory capacity Is recorded by character output, and is prevented from being mistakenly recorded in another storage device, and further, selection errors in writing or erasing operations are prevented. The storage device connected to the computer includes transfer means for transferring data other than the data during the storage operation from the storage device to another storage device when the memory capacity of the storage device becomes insufficient during the storage operation. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device is a storage device. The storage device includes a USB as an interface with a computer. When the USB plug-and-play is connected or disconnected, the storage device is connected with information related to the storage operation and a sound or light is transmitted. 5. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device is notified by output. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device has a wireless communication function.

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