JP2011258181A - Information processor with usb port - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor that allows a user to easily and visually identify a connecting state where a USB device is usable and a removal state where the USB device can be removed and to execute removal of the USB device from each USB port when no input device is connected.SOLUTION: An information processor 1 comprises: a USB port 13; an input unit 15 that requests removal of a USB device; a USB device connection control unit 11 that controls a connecting state where the USB device is connected to the USB port and a removal state where the USB device is removed from the USB port; an input-output control hub 12 that transmits, to the USB device connection control unit, a signal indicating whether the USB device is connected to the USB port and a signal requesting removal from the input unit, and receives output from the USB device connection control unit to output the connecting state and the removal state of the USB device; and a display 14 that shows the output from the input-output control hub.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus including a USB port, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus including a USB port that easily displays a connection state with a USB device.

  In recent years, peripheral devices (referred to as USB devices here) of information processing apparatuses such as PCs (Personal Computers) equipped with USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports are increasing.

  These USB features are characterized by high-speed and high-reliability communication, ease of use through plug and play, small connectors, and space savings through power supply. It is also used in high-speed devices such as attached HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and flash memory, and low-speed devices such as a mouse / keyboard.

  These USB devices are connected to a host device such as a PC, and after an initialization process called enumeration is performed, a driver is loaded and can be used.

  Also, when removing the USB device from the host device, it can be removed from the host device display by notifying the OS (Operating System) of the removal from the input device such as a mouse or keyboard, and then obtaining permission for removal from the OS. A removal process is required to confirm and remove the state.

  In a USB device (USB-HDD, USB memory, etc.) such as a storage medium, the USB device data is temporarily cached in the memory in the host device after being connected to the host device.

  Therefore, the work of changing the data of the USB device from the host device is actually changing the data cached in the host device. When the change work from the host device is completed and the USB device is removed, the OS is notified of the removal, and the removal process is started. During this removal process, the data that has been cached in the host device and has been changed is written to the USB device, and the change to the data of the USB device is reflected.

  For this reason, if the USB device is removed without performing this removal process, the USB device data cached in the memory of the host device may not be written to the USB device, and the USB device data may not be saved.

  In the worst case, the data of the USB device may be damaged. Therefore, when removing the USB device, the removal process must be performed.

  In addition, the technology for displaying the connection status of peripheral devices connected to the host is a connection status that always stores the connection status of each peripheral device in order to visually illustrate the connection configuration of the peripheral devices connected wirelessly and by wire. The wired device is connected to a storage unit, a peripheral device data storage unit that stores identification display data associated with each peripheral device in advance, a connection state display unit for displaying a connection state of each peripheral device, and the computer A peripheral device detecting means for detecting a connection state of the peripheral device by determining at least whether or not the wireless device exists within a communicable range with the computer, stored in the connection state storage unit Whether the connection status has changed by comparing the past connection status of each peripheral device with the current connection status of each peripheral device detected by the peripheral device detection means The connection state determination means for determining whether or not the connection state display means in the connection state display section updates the connection state storage section for the peripheral device that has been determined to be changed, and refers to the peripheral device data storage section for the peripheral device There is a connection state display device characterized by comprising connection state display means for displaying identification display data on at least the connection state display unit and displaying the connection state of peripheral devices.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-171933 (FIG. 1, page 1)

  When using a USB device, after connecting to an information processing apparatus such as a PC, the OS detects the connection of the USB device and loads the driver. When the initialization process is completed and the system is ready for use, the OS displays this state on the screen of the screen display unit.

  At this time, when the screen display unit is not connected, or when the application is operated in full screen, the USB device state cannot be confirmed on the screen of the screen display unit. There is a problem that it is not possible to confirm that has become available.

  When removing the USB device from the information processing apparatus, the OS notifies the OS that the device is to be removed using an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. When the OS executes the removal process and the removal process is completed, the USB device is ready for removal. This is followed by a procedure of visually observing and removing on the screen of the screen display unit.

  This procedure has a problem that in the case of an information processing apparatus operating as a server to which an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard is not connected, the OS cannot be notified of the removal of the USB device.

  In addition, even when the screen display unit for displaying the connection state is not connected as in Patent Document 1 or when the screen display unit for displaying is connected, the application is displayed in a full screen state. In the same manner, since it is not possible to notify the OS of the removal, there is a problem that the state where the removal is possible cannot be visually recognized.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in an information processing apparatus, it is possible to easily visually recognize a connection state in which a USB device is usable or removable. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can execute the removal process of a USB device of each USB port when an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard is not connected.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus including a USB port according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus including a USB port, and the information processing apparatus includes the USB port and a USB device removed from the USB port. An input unit that requests processing, a connection processing state when the USB device is connected to the USB port, and a USB device connection control unit that processes a removal processing state when the USB device is removed, and connection between the USB port and the USB device The presence / absence signal and the removal request signal from the input unit are sent to the USB device connection control unit, and the output from the USB device connection control unit is received to determine the connection processing state and the removal processing state of the USB device. An input / output control hub for outputting, and a display unit for displaying the output of the input / output control hub. The USB device connection control unit sends a “light-off” signal to the display unit via the input / output control hub when the USB device is not connected, and the USB device When connected to a USB port, it detects that the connection process of the USB device has started, sends a “connection process” signal to the display unit, and then completes the connection process of the USB device. Detecting and sending a “connection process complete” signal to the display unit, the USB device connection control unit detects a removal request from the input unit when removing the USB device from the USB port, and It is detected that the USB device removal process has started, and a “detaching process” signal is sent to the display, and then the USB device removal process is completed. Put out, characterized in that the "removal process completion" signal was set to send to the display.

  According to the present invention, in the information processing apparatus, it is possible to easily visually recognize the connection state in which the USB device is ready for use or can be removed, and is similar to a mouse or a keyboard. When no input device is connected, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of executing a USB device removal process for each USB port.

1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus including a USB port according to a first embodiment. The flowchart figure explaining the processing operation of the USB apparatus connection control part when a USB apparatus is connected. The flowchart figure explaining the processing operation of the USB apparatus connection control part when there exists a removal request | requirement of USB apparatus. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus including a USB port according to a second embodiment. The figure explaining operation | movement of the USB enclosure when a USB memory is connected.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus including a USB port according to the first embodiment. The information processing apparatus 1 is composed of a general-purpose PC, for example.

  In FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a USB port 13 that is connected to an external USB device 2, an input unit 15 that requests removal of the USB device from the USB port 13, and the USB device 2 is connected to the USB port 13. The USB device connection control unit 11 that controls the connection processing state and the removal processing state at the time of removal, the presence / absence signal of the connection between the USB port 13 and the USB device 2, and the removal request signal from the input unit 15 are input. An input / output control hub 12 (I / O Controller Hub) that sends to the USB device connection control unit 11 and receives an output from the USB device connection control unit 11 and outputs a connection processing state and a removal processing state of the USB device 2 And a display unit 14 for displaying the output of the input / output control hub 12.

  Next, the configuration of each unit will be described. The USB device connection control unit 11 includes a basic program 11a executed by the USB device connection control unit 11, a USB connection control program 11b for processing the connection state of the USB device 2, and the basic program 11a and the USB connection control program 11b. And a CPU (not shown) that executes the USB connection control program 11b.

  The input / output control hub 12 is connected to a USB port (communication port) 13 with the USB device 2, detects the presence / absence of connection with the USB device 2, notifies the USB device connection control unit 11, and also connects the USB device connection control unit. 11 includes a USB bus controller 12a that receives a command from the CPU 11 and controls communication with the USB device 2.

  Further, a general purpose input / output port (GPIO) that sends a display signal from the USB device connection control unit 11 to the display unit 14 and sends a USB device 2 removal request signal from the input unit 15 to the USB device connection control unit 11. / Output) 12b.

  The display unit 14 may be a small lamp such as a light emitting diode (LED) as long as the connection state with the USB device 2 can be easily visually confirmed. The input unit 15 generates an on / off signal. A small push button switch that can be easily operated may be used, and it is desirable that the information processing apparatus 1 does not require a mounting space.

  Note that the USB bus controller 12 a can also control communication with a plurality of USB ports 13, and when the plurality of USB ports 13 are provided, the display unit 14 and the input unit 15 are connected to the respective USB ports 13. A corresponding number of input / output signal points is provided.

  Next, the processing operation of the USB device connection control unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 shows a processing operation when the USB device connection control unit 11 detects the connection of the USB device 2, and FIG. 3 shows a request for removing the USB device 2 from the USB device connection control unit 11. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation when there is 15;

  In FIG. 2, the USB device connection control program 11b of the USB device connection control unit 11 executes initialization processing when the information processing apparatus 1 is powered on, and is displayed on the display unit 14 via the general-purpose input / output port 12b. A turn-off signal is sent (s1).

  Next, when the USB device 2 is connected to the USB port 13, the basic program 11a detects the connection of the USB device via the USB bus controller 12a (s2).

  Then, the USB device connection control program 11b inquires whether or not the basic program 11a is in the process of connecting to the USB device 2 (s3). Is sent to the display unit 14 (s4).

  Further, the USB device connection control program 11b inquires whether or not the basic software 11a has completed the connection process (s5). When the connection process is completed, the display unit 14 is turned on to indicate “connection process complete”. A signal is sent (s6).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the removal process when removing the USB device 2 will be described. The USB device connection control program 11b receives the USB device 2 removal request signal from the input unit 2 via the general-purpose input / output port 12b (s11).

  Then, the USB device connection control program 11b notifies the basic program 11a of the request for removal processing, the basic program 11a inquires about the start of removal processing (s12), and detects that the basic program 11a has started removal processing.

  Then, a flashing signal “being removed” is sent to the display unit 14 via the general-purpose input / output port 12b (s13).

  Further, the basic program 11a inquires whether or not the USB device removal process has been completed (s14), and when the completion of the removal process is detected, a turn-off signal indicating "removal process completion" is sent to the display unit 14 (s15). ).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operator of the information processing apparatus 1 connects the USB device 2 to the information processing apparatus 1 and then from the display state of the small display unit 14 provided in the information processing apparatus 1. By visually recognizing that the state changes from turning off (before connection) to blinking (during connection processing) to lighting (connection processing completed), it is possible to know that the USB device 2 has become usable.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the operator of the information processing apparatus 1 requests to remove the USB device 2 by operating the push button switch of the input unit 15, and the display state of the display unit 14 is lit (connected). ) → blinking (during removal process) → off (removal process completed) and the state changes to that the USB device 2 can be removed from the information processing apparatus 1 by visually recognizing that it has been turned off. I can know.

  According to the information processing apparatus of such an embodiment, in the information processing apparatus to which the screen display unit (display), the keyboard, and the mouse are not connected, the connection process with the USB device is being executed, and the connection process is performed. It is easy to know that it is complete and ready for use.

  A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that, in the case where the USB device 2 is a movable USB memory, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a USB enclosure 16 that stores the USB memory, and protects information in the USB memory. This is because a function is added.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus 1 including the USB enclosure 16, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the portion of the USB enclosure 6 as seen from the plane or the side.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the USB enclosure 16 includes a mechanical shutter 16 b that opens and closes the attachment / detachment opening A for attaching / detaching the USB memory 2, and “removal processing completion” of the USB device generated by the USB device connection control unit 11. And a drive unit 16a for “opening” / “closing” the shutter 16 based on the signal / “connection processing complete” signal.

  Further, the USB device connection control program 11b stores a password or fingerprint data registered in advance and an authentication program for authenticating a password or fingerprint data sent from the input unit 15, and the input unit 15 stores a password (not shown). An input unit or a fingerprint detector (not shown) is provided, and the opening / closing operation of the shutter 16b from the input unit 15 is restricted to only authentication data, thereby preventing the USB memory 2 from being stolen.

  Next, the details of the USB enclosure 6 configured as described above will be described. The shutter 16b is provided on one side surface of the casing of the upper processing device, and can open and close the attachment / detachment opening A in one direction, up and down or left and right, and the material of the shutter 16b only needs to be rigid, and drives a small motor or the like. It operates with the drive part 16a used as a source.

  The drive unit 16a opens / closes the shutter 16 based on the “removal process complete” signal / “connection process complete” signal generated by the USB device connection control unit 11 via the general-purpose input / output port 12b. "

  According to the second embodiment, since the USB memory itself is housed in the information processing apparatus 1 with the mechanical shutter 16b, the USB memory 2 is prevented from being stolen, and there is no fear of information. A processing apparatus can be provided.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and the display unit and the input unit only need to be provided in a compact and easy-to-view position. The sharing of processing functions with the USB connection control unit can be appropriately changed depending on the program configuration.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

  These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

  These examples and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the gist of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 Information processing device 2 USB device (USB memory)
2a USB port 11 USB device connection controller 11a Basic program (OS)
11b USB device connection control program 12 Input / output control hub 12a USB bus controller 12b General purpose input / output port 13 USB port 13a USB connector 14 Display unit 15 Input unit 16 USB enclosure 16a Drive unit 16b Shutter

Claims (4)

An information processing apparatus having a USB port,
The information processing apparatus includes the USB port,
An input unit that requests removal of a USB device from the USB port;
A USB device connection control unit that processes a connection processing state when the USB device is connected to the USB port, and a removal processing state when the USB device is removed;
The USB device and the USB device connection presence / absence signal and the removal request signal from the input unit are sent to the USB device connection control unit, and the output from the USB device connection control unit is received. I / O control hub that outputs the connection processing status and removal processing status of
A display for displaying the output of the input / output control hub;
With
The USB device connection control unit sends a “light-off” signal to the display unit via the input / output control hub when the USB device is not connected. When connected to the USB port, it detects that the connection processing of the USB device has started, and sends a “connection processing” signal to the display unit,
Subsequently, it detects that the connection process of the USB device is completed, and sends a “connection process complete” signal to the display unit.
When removing the USB device from the USB port, the USB device connection control unit detects a removal request from the input unit and detects that the USB device removal process has started, Send a “medium” signal to the display,
Subsequently, an information processing apparatus provided with a USB port, characterized by detecting that the removal process of the USB device is completed and sending a “removal process completion” signal to the display.   The “connection process in progress” and the “removal process in progress” signals are blinking signals for flashing the display, the “connection process complete” signal is a continuous lighting signal, and the “removal processing complete” signal is a continuous light extinction signal. An information processing apparatus comprising the USB port according to claim 1.   The information processing apparatus including a USB port according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is a switch, and the display unit is a light emitting diode. The USB device is a USB memory, and includes a USB enclosure for storing the USB memory in the information processing apparatus in a state of being connected to the USB port.
The USB enclosure includes a mechanical shutter that opens and closes an attachment / detachment opening for attaching / detaching the USB memory;
A drive unit that “opens” / “closes” the shutter based on the “removal process complete” signal / “connection process complete” signal generated by the USB connection control unit;
Further, the USB device connection control program includes a password or fingerprint data registered in advance, and an authentication program for authenticating a password or fingerprint data sent from the input unit,
The input unit is a password input unit or a fingerprint detector,
With
The information processing apparatus including a USB port according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing operation of the shutter from the input unit is restricted by authentication to prevent the USB memory from being stolen.

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