JP2008171443A - Device, control method for device, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an external storage device and a control program for the external storage device having a function of converting information codes composed of command sets of other processors into information interpretable in one's own processor, and capable of automatically switching the kind of a starting OS (operation system) to an appropriate one based on the information of an application stored in a predetermined area of a data storage area. <P>SOLUTION: The external storage device 2 comprises an I/O control circuit 20, a data storage area 21, a disk control circuit 22, a RISC type CPU 23 and a code conversion part 24. The I/O control circuit 20 is provided with a function of detecting a connection state with an external device, and the code conversion part 24 comprises a start OS switching part 24a, a code conversion part 24b for a processor A, and a code conversion part 24c for a processor B. In autonomous operation, the program code of the other processor is converted into a code executable in the own processor for execution. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an external storage device including a processor capable of autonomous operation and capable of switching a boot OS to an appropriate one based on program information stored in a predetermined area of a data storage area.

  Conventionally, there is software called CMS (Code Morphing Software) that converts an information code composed of an instruction set of another processor into information interpretable by the processor. By installing this software in the information processing terminal, the software for other processors can be executed by the own processor. Note that by installing a CMS corresponding to a plurality of instruction sets, compatibility with various processors can be achieved.

  Further, a magnetic disk type storage medium called HDD (Hard Disk Drive) as an external storage device of an information processing terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) is still mainstream due to its high speed and high density. In the early design of HDD controllers, the main purpose was to control machines and logic circuits for storing information in sectors on a magnetic disk. However, due to the remarkable progress of semiconductors, even an inexpensive CPU (Central Processing Unit) for device control has a processing capacity that exceeds the PC of several years ago, and even with an intelligent HDD (hereinafter referred to as intelligent HDD). A group of products that should be said. These are, for example, connected to an information processing terminal such as a PC or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) via an IEEE 1394 standard interface so that high-speed data transfer is possible. In addition, a CPU for application is provided. For example, the CPU for the application performs reproduction of music data, control of a liquid crystal display, control of a user interface, and the like on the HDD side. Therefore, an application such as music playback software is stored in advance in the HDD configured as described above, and the information processing terminal as a connection destination can read and use the application.

  Here, an application is an abbreviation for an application program, and refers to a document editing program, an image viewing program, a music playback program, etc. that are created on a computer according to the user's business or purpose. .

  However, in the conventional intelligent HDD, the application program recorded in the data storage area must be fixed to a specific processor. In other words, the operation of the intelligent HDD in a single state disconnected from an external device such as a PC is controlled by its internal processor, and any application is downloaded from the external device to the HDD to perform a desired operation. Then, the application to be downloaded must be executable by the processor on the HDD side, and if it is an application that starts on a specific OS, an OS corresponding to this must also be installed.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such an unsolved problem of the conventional technology, and an information code composed of an instruction set of another processor is converted into information interpretable by the own processor. An external storage device and an external storage device control program that have a function of converting and that can automatically switch the type of OS to be started to an appropriate one based on application information stored in a predetermined area of the data storage area It is intended to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, an external storage device according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a processor for executing a predetermined program stored in a data storage area, and data for performing data communication with an external device. A communication means; code conversion means for converting a code constituting a predetermined program generated by an instruction set of a type different from the instruction set for the processor into a code executable by the processor; and the different type of instruction Based on a plurality of types of OS corresponding to each set and information on the predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the data storage area, an OS for starting the apparatus is selected from the plurality of types of OSs. A boot OS switching unit that automatically switches to a program corresponding to the program, and the code conversion unit includes the boot O The OS code switched by the switching means is converted into a code that can be executed by the processor of the own device, and the processor executes the converted OS to start the apparatus. Yes.

  With such a configuration, the data communication unit can perform data communication with an external device, and the OS switching unit starts the apparatus based on information on a predetermined program stored in the data storage area. The OS can be automatically switched to a type corresponding to the program, and the code of the switched startup OS can be converted into one that can be executed by the processor of the apparatus by the code conversion means. Yes, the processor can be started by executing the converted OS.

  Therefore, for example, when a program is generated from an external device via a data communication unit and executed by the apparatus, if the program is generated with a corresponding instruction set on the apparatus side, this program is supported. Since this apparatus is started by the OS and the program is converted into code that can be executed by the processor of this apparatus by the code conversion means, it is possible to externally execute without worrying about the type of instruction set constituting the program code. The program can be downloaded from the device and executed by the apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the external storage device according to claim 1, further comprising connection state detection means for detecting a connection state between the apparatus and the external device, wherein the connection state detection means detects the connection state detection means. Based on the connection state, whether the apparatus is operated under the control of the external device or autonomously operated by the processor is automatically set.

  That is, the connection state detection means detects the connection state between the apparatus and the external device. For example, when it is detected that the apparatus is connected to the external device, the device is controlled by the external device. When it is detected that it is not connected to an external device, it is automatically operated by the processor of this device such as OS startup or execution of a predetermined program. It is set automatically to do. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the device from operating autonomously during connection with an external device and sending data irrelevant to the external device and causing it to malfunction. As a result, data can be easily moved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the external storage device according to the first or second aspect, the predetermined program executed by the processor is stored in a specific area of the data storage area. It is characterized by being.
That is, a predetermined program executed during the autonomous operation of the apparatus is stored in a specific area of the data storage area. As a result, the boot OS switching means can perform the boot OS switching process based on information on a predetermined program stored in a specific area.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the external storage device according to the third aspect, the specific area is a protected area whose contents can be rewritten only by specific rewriting means.
In other words, since a specific area is protected so that its contents can be rewritten only by a specific rewriting means, it is possible to erase important programs stored in the specific area by mistake. It is possible to prevent.

  An external storage device control program according to claim 5 of the present invention is an external storage device control program for controlling the external storage device according to claim 1, and is for performing data communication with the external device. A data communication step, and a code conversion step for converting a code constituting the predetermined application generated by an instruction set of a type different from the instruction set for the processor into a code executable by the processor. In the code conversion step, an OS for starting up the external storage device is executed from among the plurality of types of OSs based on information on the predetermined application stored in a predetermined area of the data storage area. Automatically switch to the one suitable for the OS, and self-install the OS code switched by this process It is characterized in that in the processor adapted to convert the executable code.

Here, the present invention is a program for controlling the external storage device according to the first aspect, and since the effect is duplicated, the description is omitted.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the external storage device control program according to the fifth aspect, a connection state between the external storage device and the external device is detected, and the external storage is based on the detected connection state. A connection state detecting step of automatically setting whether to operate the apparatus under the control of the external device or to operate autonomously by the processor is provided.

Here, the present invention is a program for controlling the external storage device according to the second aspect, and since the effect is duplicated, the description is omitted.
An external storage device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the program for controlling an external storage device according to the fifth or sixth aspect is stored in the specific area.

That is, the external storage device control program according to claim 5 or 6 is stored in a specific area of the data area. As a result, it is possible to prevent the external storage device control program from being erased or destroyed by an operation from the external device when connected to the external device.
A rewriting program according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the specific rewriting means in the external storage device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the content of the protection area can be rewritten.

  That is, for example, if the rewriting program of the present invention is installed in an external device, by executing this program, an application program or the like possessed by the external device is written in the protection area of the data storage area or stored in the protection area. It is possible to rewrite the program. Therefore, for example, when the version of the program stored in the protection area is upgraded, the program is upgraded by rewriting the program in the protection area with a difference file or the like on the external device side by this rewriting program. It becomes possible.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an external storage device according to the present invention.
First, the configuration of an information processing system to which an external storage device according to the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to the present invention.

The information processing system 1 includes an external storage device 2, a data communication bus 3, and an information processing terminal 4.
The external storage device 2 includes an I / O control circuit 20, a data storage area 21, a disk control circuit 22, a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) CPU 23, and a code conversion unit 24. Yes.

  The I / O control circuit 20 controls transmission / reception of data to / from the information processing terminal 4 via the data communication bus 3, and also has a function of detecting whether or not the device 2 is connected to an external device. I have it. That is, in the present embodiment, it is detected whether or not the device 2 and the information processing terminal 4 are connected. However, in the connection detection, in the present embodiment, the attribute information is acquired from the external device, and the external storage device 2 is operated in the autonomous operation mode based on the connection state and the attribute information. Set whether to operate with. Here, in the present embodiment, the attribute information can be distinguished from a device capable of autonomous operation such as a PC or a PDA and a device performing a subordinate operation controlled by another terminal such as a printer or a scanner. Information.

  The data storage area 21 is a large-capacity storage area for storing predetermined data, and a target program (hereinafter referred to as application) that can be executed by the apparatus 2 is stored in the specific area. A protection area 21a is provided. Here, the application stored in the protection area 21a is protected so that it can be rewritten only by a dedicated rewriting application, which will be described later, and only the application can be read from an information processing terminal that does not have this application. It has become.

The disk control circuit 22 performs disk access control such as writing data to the data storage area 21 and reading data from the area 21.
The RISC CPU 23 is a CPU with a design style that simplifies individual instructions to improve the efficiency of pipeline processing and improve processing performance, and executes various programs in the apparatus 2.

The code conversion unit 24 includes a startup OS switching unit 24a, a processor A code conversion unit 24b, and a processor B code conversion unit 24c.
The boot OS switching unit 24a corresponds to the processor A for the type of OS for booting the apparatus 2 based on the stored contents of the protection area 21a, the OS-A and the processor B capable of executing the application A, and the application B Is switched to one of OS-Bs capable of executing the above.

  The processor A code conversion unit 24b is a processor A that is a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) -style processor that improves processing performance by allowing individual instructions to be close to a high-level language and executing complex processing. The code generated by the instruction set is converted into a code executable by the RISC CPU 23.

The processor B code conversion unit 24 c converts the code generated by the instruction set of the processor B in the CISC format into a code that can be executed by the RISC CPU 23.
Here, in the present embodiment, the code of the program such as the OS and the application once converted by the code conversion unit 24 is stored in the main memory, and when the same part is executed again, the code stored in the memory is stored. It is reused to minimize the performance degradation (overhead) associated with conversion.

The external storage device 2 includes a dedicated application that can rewrite data to the protection area 21 a of the data storage area 21.
The data communication bus 3 is used to transmit and receive data between the external storage device 2 and the information processing terminal 4, and is based on the IEEE 1394 standard, SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) bus, USB (Universal Serial Bus). The interface bus.

  The information processing terminal 4 is an information processing terminal such as a PC or a PDA, and includes a storage device that stores applications, data, and the like, and a CPU (central processing unit) that executes a program stored in the storage device. It includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores data used for program execution, and is capable of autonomous operation. Further, the information processing terminal 4 includes a dedicated application capable of rewriting data in the protection area 21 a of the data storage area 21 in the external storage device 2.

  More specific operation of the information processing system 1 will be described. First, the external storage device 2 is turned on by the connection detection function in the I / O control circuit 20 when the power is turned on. Then, it is detected whether or not it is connected to the information processing terminal 4). Here, the external storage device 2 is dependent when the connection with the information processing terminal 4 is detected and the attribute information acquired from the terminal 4 is information indicating that it is an autonomous operation type device. The information processing terminal 4 is activated in a mode that operates as a secondary storage device of the processing terminal 4 that is set to the mode and entrusts the right to control the external storage device 2 to the information processing terminal 4. Accordingly, at this time, an access process such as writing data to the data storage area of the external storage device 2 is performed according to a control signal from the information processing terminal 4. That is, the information processing terminal 4 can perform predetermined data write processing, predetermined data read processing, and the like to the data storage area 21 of the external storage device 2 via the data communication bus 3.

  Furthermore, in this operation mode, the information processing terminal 4 can perform rewriting processing of the application stored in the protection area 21a of the data storage area 21 by executing the dedicated application described above. It is. That is, it is possible to perform a process of rewriting the application stored in the protection area 21a with the application of the terminal 4 or deleting the application stored in the protection area 21a.

  On the other hand, in the external storage device 2, it is detected that the own device 2 is not connected to the information processing terminal 4 by the connection detection function in the I / O control circuit 20 after the power is turned on, and the attribute acquired from the terminal 4 When the information is information indicating that it is an autonomous operation type device, it is set to the autonomous operation mode, and in response to an instruction from the activation OS switching unit 24a in the code conversion unit 24, the protection area 21a is set via the disk control circuit 22. The stored application information is read out, based on the information, the type of OS to be activated is determined, and further, a process of switching to the code conversion unit for the OS is performed. In the present embodiment, this processing is performed when the application code stored in the protected area 21a is generated with the instruction set for the processor A (application A in FIG. 1) or the instruction set for the processor B. Depending on whether the code conversion unit 24b or the processor B code conversion unit 24c is used, the setting of whether to perform code conversion is switched. In addition, the setting is performed by switching the OS to be started to either OS-A or OS-B.

Thereby, the code conversion unit 24 performs the code conversion process of the OS set by the boot OS switching unit 24a by the code conversion unit set by the boot OS switching unit 24a. Then, the RISC CPU 23 executes the code-converted OS, and as a result, the external storage device 2 is activated.
Accordingly, since the OS corresponding to the application stored in the protection area 21a is activated after the activation, the application is subjected to code conversion processing by the set code conversion unit on this OS, and the RISC CPU 23 It is possible to execute.

That is, when the information processing terminal 4 is not connected to the external device 2, the external storage device 2 performs an autonomous operation by executing the application stored in the protected area 21a by the RISC CPU 23. .
Therefore, in addition to the above, the external storage device 2 is appropriately equipped with a power supply unit for autonomous operation, a speaker, an operation unit, a liquid crystal display, and the like according to the type of application to be executed.

  In the present embodiment, the external storage device 2 can rewrite the application stored in the protection area 21a by a program for controlling the operation of the own apparatus 2, and the application stored in the protection area 21a. Can be rewritten to an application stored in the data storage area 21 other than the protection area 21a.

  Further, the information processing terminal 4 writes the printer device control application stored in the terminal 4 to the protection area 21a, and further writes the image data to a predetermined area (other than the protection area 21a) of the data storage area 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation of the printing system in which the external storage device 2 is connected to the printer device 6 will be described as an example of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer system 5 in which the external storage device 2 of the present invention is connected to the printer device 6.

The printer system 5 has a configuration in which an external storage device 2 and a printer device 6 are connected via a data communication bus 3.
Since the external storage device 2 has the same configuration as described above, a description thereof will be omitted.
The printer device 6 acquires the printer data transmitted from the external storage device 2 by the printer device control application executed in the external device (in this case, the external storage device 2), and converts the acquired data into the acquired data. Based on this, a predetermined content is printed on a predetermined sheet, and is configured by a technique similar to a known printing apparatus.

Since the data communication bus 3 is the same as described above, the description thereof is omitted.
The specific operation of the printer system 5 will be described. First, the external storage device 2 is turned on by the connection detection function in the I / O control circuit 20 when the power is turned on. It is detected whether it is connected to the printer device 6). Here, the external storage device 2 detects the connection with the printer device 6 and the autonomous operation mode when the attribute information acquired from the device 6 is information indicating that it is a subordinate device. Based on the information of the printer control application stored in the protected area 21a, the OS is started by an OS capable of executing this, and operates in an autonomous operation mode in which this application is automatically executed. Then, by the operation of this application, it is possible to perform processing for printing the image data stored in the data storage area 21 by the printer device 6.

Next, based on FIG. 2, the flow of operation mode setting processing by the connection detection function in the external storage device 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing operation mode setting processing by the connection detection function in the external storage device 2.
As shown in FIG. 2, first, the process proceeds to step S200, where the connection detection function of the I / O control circuit 20 determines whether the external storage device 2 is connected to the information processing terminal 4 and is connected. If it is determined that there is (Yes), the process proceeds to step S202. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S208.

When the process proceeds to step S202, it is determined whether or not the attribute information indicates the autonomous operation type based on the attribute information acquired from the external device, and when it is determined that the attribute information indicates the autonomous operation type (Yes). The process proceeds to step S204, and if not (No), the process proceeds to step S206.
When the process proceeds to step S204, the external storage device 2 is set to start in the subordinate operation mode, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the attribute information of the external device does not indicate the autonomous operation type in step S202 and the process proceeds to step S206, the external storage device 2 is set to be activated in the autonomous operation mode, and the process ends.
Furthermore, in step S200, when the external information device 2 is not connected to an external device and the process proceeds to step S208, the external storage device 2 is set to be activated in the autonomous operation mode, and the process ends.

Furthermore, based on FIG. 3, the flow of the operation process of the external storage device 2 when the autonomous operation mode is set will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the external storage device 2 when the autonomous operation mode is set.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, first, the process proceeds to step S <b> 300, and the external storage device 2 determines whether or not an application is stored in the protection area 21 a of the data storage area 21. If (Yes), the information is acquired and the process proceeds to step S302. If not (No), the process proceeds to step S314.

When the process proceeds to step S302, it is determined whether or not the code for the processor A is included based on the acquired application information. When it is included (Yes), the process proceeds to step S304, and when it is not (No), The process proceeds to step S310.
When the process proceeds to step S304, the startup OS switching unit 24a performs processing for setting the processor A code conversion unit 24b and the OS-A corresponding to the application (in this case, application A), and further the RISC CPU 23 Thus, the process of starting the set OS-A is performed, and the process proceeds to step S306. Here, the code conversion unit 24b for the processor A performs processing for converting the OS-A code into a code executable by the RISC CPU 23, and further converts the converted OS-A into the RISC CPU 23. The startup process is performed by executing the above.

  When the process proceeds to step S306, the external storage device 2 executes the application A stored in the protection area 21a on the activated OS-A, and the process proceeds to step S308. In other words, in the present embodiment, only one type of application A or application B is recorded in the protection area 21a, and after the OS is started up, it automatically runs on the selected OS. The corresponding application is to be executed.

In step S308, the system waits for a user operation on the activated OS or application.
On the other hand, if the code of the processor A is not included in the application information read from the protection area 21a in step S302 and the process proceeds to step S310, the startup OS switching unit 24a causes the application (in this case, application B in this case). The processor B code converter 24c and the OS-B are set, and the RISC CPU 23 starts the set OS-B, and the process proceeds to step S312. Here, the processor B code conversion unit 24c performs processing for converting the OS-B code into a code that can be executed by the RISC CPU 23. Execution processing is performed by executing.

In step S312, the external storage device 2 executes application B stored in the protection area 21a on the activated OS-B, and proceeds to step S308.
Furthermore, in step S300, when the application is not stored in the protection area 21a and the process proceeds to step S314, the activation process by OS-A is performed, and the process proceeds to step S308.

  As described above, the external storage device 2 uses the startup OS switching unit 22a in the code information conversion unit 22 to activate the OS that starts the external storage device 2 based on the code information of the application stored in the protection area 21a of the data storage area 21. Since the application is switched to an executable one, the external storage device 2 is activated in the autonomous operation mode without worrying about the type of instruction set of the code constituting the application stored in the external storage device 2. It becomes possible to execute an application on an appropriate OS.

The external storage device 2 detects the connection state with the external device, and automatically sets whether to start in the autonomous operation mode or the subordinate operation mode based on the detection result. Therefore, it is possible to save time and effort for manual setting, and it is possible to use simply by connecting to an external device.
In addition, since the application executed by the external storage device 2 is stored in the protection area 21a of the data storage area 21, it is possible to prevent the application from being deleted or destroyed due to a malfunction on the external device side. Become.

Further, since the contents of the protection area 21a can be rewritten by a rewrite-only application, the application executed by the external storage device 2 can be changed or upgraded.
Here, the code conversion unit 24 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the code conversion unit according to claim 1, and the boot OS switching unit 24 a corresponds to the boot OS switching unit according to claim 1 and is a data communication bus. 3 corresponds to the data communication means described in claim 1.

  In the above embodiment, in the external storage device 2, the processor instruction sets that can be code-converted by the code conversion unit 24 are two types of processor A and processor B. However, the present invention is not limited to this. There may be more than two types of processor instruction sets capable of code conversion such as sets.

  As described above, according to the external storage device of the first aspect of the present invention, the data communication means performs data communication with the external device, and the predetermined program stored in the data storage area by the OS switching means is stored. Based on the information, the OS for starting the apparatus is automatically switched to the type corresponding to the program, and the code of the starting OS switched by the code conversion means is converted into one that can be executed by the processor of the apparatus. Thus, when the converted OS is executed and the apparatus is started, for example, when the program is downloaded from an external device via the data communication means and executed by the apparatus, the apparatus side If a program is generated with the corresponding instruction set, the device is started by the OS corresponding to the program, and the program is started. Gram is converted into code that can be executed by the processor of this device by the code conversion means, so the program can be downloaded from an external device and executed by this device without worrying about the type of instruction set that constitutes the program code. It becomes possible to do.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the connection state detection unit detects the connection state between the present apparatus and the external device. When it is detected that the device is connected, the device is automatically set to operate as a storage device under the control of the external device, and it is detected that the device is not connected to the external device. Is automatically set to perform an autonomous operation for starting the OS, executing a predetermined program, etc. by the processor of this apparatus. It is possible to prevent malfunctions caused by sending irrelevant data to the device, and it is possible to easily move data because it can operate as a storage device just by connecting to an external device. It made.

  According to the external storage device of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, a predetermined program executed during the autonomous operation of the device is stored in a specific area of the data storage area. As a result, the boot OS switching means can perform OS switching processing to be started based on information on a predetermined program stored in a specific area.

  According to the external storage device of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect of any one of the first to third aspects, the contents of the specific area can be rewritten only by specific rewriting means. Thus, it is possible to prevent an important program stored in the specific area from being erased by an erroneous operation or the like.

Here, the external storage device control program according to claim 5 is a program for controlling the external storage device according to claim 1, and since the effect is duplicated, description thereof is omitted.
Further, the external storage device control program according to claim 6 is a program for controlling the external storage device according to claim 2, and the effect is duplicated, so that the description is omitted.

  The rewriting program according to claim 8 is, for example, an application program on the external device side in the protection area of the data storage area by executing this program if the rewriting program of the present invention is installed in the external device. Can be rewritten, or the program stored in the protected area can be rewritten.For example, when the version of the program stored in the protected area is updated, the rewrite program makes a difference on the external device side. It is possible to upgrade the program version by rewriting the program in the protected area using a file or the like.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information processing system which concerns on this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing operation mode setting processing by a connection detection function in the external storage device 2. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process of the external storage device 2 when set to autonomous operation mode. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer system 5 in which an external storage device 2 of the present invention is connected to a printer device 6.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing system, 2 ... External storage device, 20 ... I / O control circuit, 21 ... Data storage area, 21a ... Protection area, 22 ... Disk control circuit, 23 ... RISC type CPU, 24 ... Code conversion part, 24a ... Start-up OS switching unit, 24b ... Processor A code conversion unit, 24c ... Processor B code conversion unit, 3 ... Data communication bus, 4 ... Information processing terminal, 5 ... Printer system, 6 ... Printer device

Claims (8)

A processor for executing a predetermined program stored in the data storage area, a data communication means for performing data communication with an external device, and a predetermined instruction generated by an instruction set of a type different from the instruction set for the processor Code conversion means for converting the code constituting the program into a program executable by the processor, a plurality of types of operating systems (OS) respectively corresponding to the different types of instruction sets, and a predetermined area of the data storage area And at least boot OS switching means for automatically switching an OS for booting the apparatus to one corresponding to the predetermined program from the plurality of types of OSs based on the information of the predetermined program stored in Prepared,
The code conversion unit converts the OS code switched by the boot OS switching unit into a code that can be executed by the processor of the own device, and the processor executes the converted OS to start the apparatus. An external storage device characterized by that.   Comprising a connection state detection means for detecting a connection state between the apparatus and the external device, and based on the connection state detected by the connection state detection means, the apparatus is operated under the control of the external device, 2. The external storage device according to claim 1, wherein whether the autonomous operation is performed by the processor is automatically set.   3. The external storage device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined program executed by the processor is stored in a specific area of the data storage area.   4. The external storage device according to claim 3, wherein the specific area is a protected area whose contents can be rewritten only by specific rewriting means. An external storage device control program for controlling the external storage device according to claim 1,
A data communication step for performing data communication with the external device, and a code constituting the predetermined program generated by an instruction set of a type different from the instruction set for the processor, which can be executed by the processor A code conversion step for converting, in the code conversion step, an OS for starting up the external storage device based on the information of the predetermined program stored in the predetermined area of the data storage area The OS is automatically switched to one suitable for executing the predetermined program, and the OS code switched by this processing is converted into a code executable by the processor of the own apparatus. An external storage device control program.   A connection state between the external storage device and the external device is detected, and the external storage device is operated under the control of the external device based on the detected connection state, or is autonomously operated by the processor. 6. The program for controlling an external storage device according to claim 5, further comprising a connection state detecting step for automatically setting the above.   The external storage device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the external storage device control program according to claim 5 or 6 is stored in the specific area.   5. The rewriting program according to claim 4, wherein the specific rewriting means in the external storage device is capable of rewriting the contents of the protection area.

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