JP2011070460A - Usb storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a USB massstorage device which operates as a virtual CDROM drive device, which reads out data preliminarily recorded to the inside, when a memory card is not mounted, and functions as a memory card reader/writer for a mounted memory card when the memory card is mounted. <P>SOLUTION: A storage device is achieved, which includes: a detection means which detects that a memory card is mounted on a memory card reader/writer; and a built-in memory. When the detection means outputs a memory card non-mounting state, the memory card reader/writer reads out data from the built-in memory to behave as a virtual CDROM drive. When the detection means outputs a memory card mounting state, the storage device behaves as the memory card reader/writer which writes/reads data in the memory card thus mounted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a memory card reader / writer that can read and write data of a memory card that operates as a USB storage device. More specifically, a USB that operates as a memory card reader / writer when a memory card capable of storing data at any time is loaded, and operates as a virtual CD drive device that reads data stored in a built-in semiconductor memory when not loaded. The present invention relates to a storage device device.

  In recent years, personal computers (personal computers) equipped with general-purpose operating systems such as so-called Windows (registered trademark) and Mac OS-X (registered trademark), especially notebook-type space-saving personal computers, do not require a fixed installation location. From home to large-scale offices, it is widely spread for personal use and is used for a variety of purposes. However, in this trend, considering the convenience of carrying around outdoors in particular, the function has been reduced to some extent. An ultra-small personal computer called the so-called netbook has appeared and is accepted for some uses.

  However, this so-called netbook ultra-compact personal computer does not include an optical drive, so-called CD / DVD drive, to reduce the size and weight. It is common to use a CD / DVD drive.

  On the other hand, memory cards are becoming increasingly widespread for digital cameras, portable music players, mobile phones, etc., and various card readers for reading memory cards into personal computers have been put into practical use. Standards for memory cards are not standardized, and there are several types in the market. Therefore, not only memory cards that can be directly inserted into the card slot of a PC, but also external memory card readers using a USB interface are widely used. It's being used.

  In addition, with the spread of personal computers including the above netbooks, the number of personal computers used by individuals is no longer limited to one, and it is not uncommon to use multiple computers depending on the location and purpose. A small stick-shaped external semiconductor memory device called a USB memory that can easily transfer data between a number of computers is also popular, but on the other hand, such USB memory is lost and recorded in it. There is also a problem of leaking important data such as personal information.

On the other hand, in portable digital devices such as digital cameras and mobile phones that use memory cards, software and instructions for using the data in the memory cards, or information such as Web URLs that contain such information are recorded on a CD ROM. It is common to distribute it as a product attachment, but as PCs become more widespread, some users install and use application programs from CDROMs or use data in memory cards on PCs. The problem is that there are many users who are not good at it, or there are few users who keep storing such CDROM after purchase, and even fewer users carry it, so the information in the CDROM cannot be used when actually using the data in the CDROM on a personal computer There are many cases.
JP 2004-54896 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned situation, and the function as a CDROM drive and the function as a memory card reader are automatically switched to be ultra-compact and easy to carry. The built-in program is automatically executed by this function, and when the memory card is inserted after that, it is possible to perform predetermined processing on the data in the attached memory card by the automatically executed program. A device is provided.

  In addition, there are many PC users who are not accustomed to the operation of the PC, and even if they try to use the data in the memory card used for digital cameras and mobile phones with the PC, the operation is complicated and unusable. However, most of the data can be obtained by processing the data in a personal computer. By simply attaching the memory card to the USB memory card reader / writer, the data stored in the data can be read by the digital camera or mobile phone. If the processing according to the device is automatically performed, the data of the digital camera or the mobile phone becomes easy to use and valuable for many people.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and operates as a virtual CDROM drive that stores data that is ultra-small but not erased when used without a memory card, and the program is automatically started and predetermined. For users who are unfamiliar with personal computers, it is necessary to install a memory card after the instructions are automatically displayed and show the processing procedure in an easy-to-understand manner. A memory card can be inserted in a state where a program for using data is executed in advance, so that the data in the memory card can be processed almost automatically and the operation can be assisted. It is.

  In addition, in the case of a device in which a plurality of areas always function as a storage device as shown in Patent Document 1 and one of the areas has a CDROM drive function, it is automatically executed every time this device is connected to a personal computer. Since the program is executed, it seems to be annoying for an advanced user who does not necessarily need such processing, but such an advanced user should attach the memory card reader of the present invention to the personal computer while wearing the memory card from the beginning. Therefore, since it operates as a simple memory card reader / writer, there is no such trouble.

  As described above, for example, if an auxiliary program indicating a processing procedure of data in a complicated memory card or a processing program itself is stored in the built-in semiconductor memory, the memory of the present invention can be deleted without fear of being accidentally erased and modified. When reading a memory card using a card reader, the program will always be executed if the memory card is installed after the memory card reader / writer is installed in the USB host device. It is also highly useful as a promotional item for promoting mobile phones and digital cameras.

  The memory card reader device according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above-described problems, is detachable from a USB host device (for example, a personal computer), and uses a memory card connector and a built-in semiconductor memory for information. Storage means for storing information, communication means for performing communication based on the USB protocol with the USB host device, reading of information to the built-in memory based on a command received from the host device via the communication means, and mounting Control means for reading / writing / deleting data from / to the memory card.

  Then, the control means provides information for causing the USB mass storage class driver to recognize one area as an area corresponding to the logical unit number defined in the corresponding command set of the USB mass storage class driver of the USB host device. When the memory card is not installed, the USB mass storage class driver recognizes the memory card reader as a CDROM drive, and when the memory card is installed, the memory card reader is recognized as a mass storage device that can be read and written.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a USB storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and 10 is a USB host device such as a personal computer to which the storage device of the present invention is mounted, and the internal configuration is a function necessary for explaining the present invention. Only shown.

  20 is a storage device of the present invention, 21 is an interface circuit that communicates with a USB host device based on the USB protocol, and includes packet transmission / reception means (22), packet generation / disassembly means (23), USB power control means, etc. A controller 25 has a configuration required as a USB storage device, and 25 is a controller for performing control necessary for transmitting / receiving data in the built-in memory or the installed memory card to / from the host device based on the USB protocol. 26), a memory information storage means (27), a USB interface control means (28), a memory card interface (29), etc., 30 is a built-in memory composed of a non-volatile flash memory, and 31 is an electric device with a memory card attached thereto. Memory card connector, 3 Denotes a memory card loading detecting means for outputting a switching signal when the memory card is inserted into the memory card connector.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes a memory card that can be attached to and detached from the USB storage device of the present invention to read / write internal data from a personal computer.

The operation when the USB storage device of the present invention is connected to a USB host device (personal computer) in such a configuration will be described.
First, when this device is connected to a personal computer without a memory card attached, the controller 25 responds to the USB interface circuit 21 as a subclass CDROM to the mass storage class driver 13 of the personal computer based on the output signal of the detection means 32. To do.

  The plug-and-play function recognizes that the CDROM drive has been installed on the personal computer side, so that the loaded CDROM is read out. The controller 25 uses the data recorded in the built-in memory 30 as a USB interface. On the other hand, a read operation is performed. For example, a file based on the ISO9660 format is recorded in the built-in memory 30, and processing is performed on the personal computer side according to the information read based on the USB protocol. For example, when a file indicating automatic execution (autorun.inf) exists in the root, the file designated by the file is executed.

In the operation of the device thus configured, for example,
The same is true for features such as automatic execution of a program, automatic display of a recording file or URL, or recording data not deleted by a normal procedure.

Next, an operation when the user inserts a memory card into the USB storage device configured as described above will be described.
When a memory card is further inserted with the USB storage device attached to the personal computer, a memory card attachment signal is output from the memory card attachment detection means 32 to the controller 25. The controller 25 first sends a read-only device type removal command to the USB interface circuit 21 by a plug-and-play command to the personal computer, and the personal computer recognizes that the USB storage device of the port is once removed.

  Thereafter, the controller 25 sends a plug-and-play command again to notify the personal computer that the USB device has been attached, and sends an attachment command of the writing / reading device type. As a result, the personal computer can recognize that a new USB mass storage device capable of writing / reading / erasing is connected to the same port, and can send write / read / delete commands. The controller 25 responds to these commands. The data stored in the memory card inserted and read out and deleted.

  Although the USB storage device of the present invention operates as described above, the features of the present invention are most exhibited by the data recorded in the built-in memory 30.

  For example, when an image file taken by a user with a digital camera is mounted on a personal computer, the purpose is to perform image file operations such as viewing, copying, and deleting the image file, and such a program is automatically executed in the built-in memory 30. If it is recorded in such a manner, the target processing can be performed immediately without taking any troublesome procedures such as program installation, regardless of which personal computer is used.

  Alternatively, when a memory card used in a portable music player is installed in a personal computer, the purpose is to record the music song from the computer or from a medium such as the Web or a music CD after converting it into a format determined by the memory card. If the memory card reader / writer of the present invention is used, the program necessary for that is executed when using any personal computer, and the operation can be performed when the memory card is inserted, so even a user unfamiliar with the personal computer may be confused. Few.

  As described above, a program that is automatically executed when a USB storage device is attached to a personal computer and that processes data in the memory card when the memory card is attached is a resident program or service. It is preferable that the program be read into the main memory of a computer and continue to operate unless special termination processing is performed. Even when a card is not installed, it is always read and occupies the main memory of the computer, so it takes time to start up the computer, presses the free space on the main memory and hard disk, or uses memory in different peripheral devices Even if the card is installed, the same program always starts Users who are unfamiliar with personal computers have a problem of being confused, but if they devise measures such as selling USB storage devices based on the present invention together with peripheral devices and designs that are paired with peripheral devices, The user can easily understand that the memory card of the same peripheral device can always be read by a predetermined USB storage device, and the same operation is always possible regardless of the personal computer or location used, which is highly convenient.

  Also, devices such as mobile phones and digital cameras often record important personal information. If a memory card is removed or used, there is a high risk that such information will be inadvertently leaked or the memory card itself may be lost. Therefore, when recording data with such a device, it is desirable that the data be encrypted and recorded so that it cannot be easily read by others, but on the other hand, the encrypted data requires a decryption program and a decryption key. Therefore, there is a problem that the convenience is lowered, and it is not widely used. By selling the USB storage device of the present invention as a set together with a product, and recording the decryption program corresponding to the product encryption in the product, the decryption program can be automatically executed as described above. Decryption is possible only by inputting a proper decryption key, and if the memory card is lost, there is no fear that the recorded data can be read and security is improved.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a USB mass storage apparatus, a USB host device, and a memory card to be mounted. Example 1

10 USB host device 20 USB mass storage device (memory card reader / writer)
21 USB interface circuit 25 Controller 30 Built-in memory (flash memory)
31 Memory card connector 32 Memory card insertion detection means 40 Memory card

Claims (3)

A USB storage device having a USB interface including a connector that can be attached to and detached from a USB host device, and a card connector to which at least one memory card can be attached,
The USB storage device further includes
A memory card attachment detection means for outputting a detection signal when a memory card is attached to the card connector; a built-in semiconductor memory; a communication means for communicating with the USB host device based on a USB protocol; and the communication means. Control means for reading stored data from the built-in semiconductor memory and reading, writing and deleting stored data from the installed memory card based on a command received from the USB host device With
When the output of the memory card attachment detection means does not detect the memory card attachment, the communication means sends a read-only device type command, and the control means has a built-in semiconductor memory for the read command from the USB host device. No memory data is sent out,
When the memory card is detected by the memory card attachment detection means, the communication means first sends out a read-only device type removal command by a plug-and-play command, and then a write / read device type attachment command. Is sent to the USB host device to perform the switching operation of the USB mass storage device, and the storage data in the memory card in which the control means is mounted is read / written in response to the write / read / delete command from the USB host device. And a USB storage device capable of performing a delete operation.   The USB storage device according to claim 1 includes at least an automatic execution file autorun. A USB storage device that records an inf file.   The USB storage device according to claim 2 further stores a specific execution program and data necessary for the operation of the execution program in a built-in semiconductor memory, and the execution program stores autorun. By registering in the inf file, if the memory card is not installed in the USB host device, the execution program is first executed by the USB host device, and then the memory card is installed in the memory card reader / writer. When this is done, the USB storage device is characterized in that the data recorded on the memory card is processed by the program being executed.

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