JPH03214310A - Multi-media memory device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To synthesize and edit different kinds of information by constituting the device write/read of plural kinds of information corresponding to different information apparatuses can be executed to a common storage medium. CONSTITUTION:On an input part, a multiplexer MPX for selecting a connection to various information apparatuses is provided, and an interface 10 for giving and receiving information in accordance with its format or algorithm to the information apparatus selected by this multiplexer MPX is provided. The microprocessor MPX converts the information inputted and outputted through the interface 10 to data in accordance with necessity and executes write or read to or from a file memory FM. As for this file memory FM being a storage medium, an optical disk memory of a large storage capacity is used. Accordingly, write/read of plural kinds of information corresponding to different information apparatuses can be executed to a common storage medium FM. In such a way, different kinds of information can be synthesized and edited simply.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a multimedia memory device, and is applicable to a memory device that can be commonly used for different types of information devices such as personal computers and word processors. It concerns techniques that can be effectively utilized.

[Conventional technology]

Currently, a variety of information devices such as workstations, word processors, personal computers, projectors, and still cameras are used in various fields. These information devices are used as external memory devices, such as hard disk memory (HDD), Freonbie disk memory (FDD), magnetic tape, etc., in order to take advantage of their respective features.

Regarding such various information devices, there is, for example, ``Microcomputer Handbook'' published by Ohmsha on December 25, 1985.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Conventionally, external memory devices are provided for each of the various information devices as described above. Therefore, each information device requires a dedicated external memory device.

Further, since each information device stores information in its own format, information created by each information device cannot be used mutually.

For example, in a document created with Word Processor,
It is not possible to add image information captured by a still camera, display it on an electronic projector, print it out, or make large copies using a copy machine.

The inventor of the present application is aware that the development of an optical disk memory that can have an extremely large storage capacity compared to conventional floppy disk memories, and that the information created by the above-mentioned disparate information devices is We focused on the fact that unprecedented information processing could be realized by combining these two methods, and developed a multimedia memory device that was compatible with these methods.

An object of the present invention is to provide a multimedia memory device with novel functions.

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

[Means to solve the problem]

A brief overview of typical inventions disclosed in this application is as follows.

That is, it is possible to write/read a plurality of types of information corresponding to different information devices to/from a common storage medium.

[For production]

According to the above-mentioned means, one memory device can be used for various information devices, and since they are stored in one memory device, different types of information can be easily combined and edited.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a multimedia memory device according to the present invention and various information devices that can use the multimedia memory device.

A rough explanation of the structure of the multimedia memory device is as follows. The input section includes a multiplexer M for selecting connections with various information devices exemplarily shown in the figure.
A PX is provided. An interface 10 is provided for exchanging information with the information equipment selected by the multiplexer MPX according to its format or algorithm. The microprocessor MPU converts the information input and output through the interface 10 as necessary, and writes or reads the data in the file memory FM. The panel PNL is used for selecting the multiplexer MPX mentioned above and for selecting the microprocessor MPU.
Instructs the operating mode, etc.

Information devices that can use the multimedia memory device of this embodiment are divided into the following four groups.

The first group is a group that handles information as code, such as a workstation, personal computer, or word processor, and is a group that performs processing such as creation, editing, addition, and deletion of file information.

Dotted line arrows in the figure indicate the flow of code data, and solid line arrows indicate the flow of image data. This also applies to the following information devices.

The second group handles image information, such as video tape recorders, copy machines, and facsimiles, and takes in and writes out image information from the multimedia memory device.

The third group is those that handle image information, such as electronic still cameras, video cameras, and image scanners, and multimedia memory devices are dedicated to capturing image information.

The fourth group is dedicated to sweeping out image information, such as printers, projectors, and televisions. Note that text information is also output as an image (video signal) to these information devices.

The file memory FM stores information as a digital signal. Therefore, the interface IO is an A/D conversion circuit that performs analog/digital conversion for devices that input analog signals such as video tape recorders and video cameras, and conversely, it is used to store analog signals in the form of digital signals. When outputting image information to a device that handles analog signals such as a projector or television, a D/A conversion circuit that performs digital/analog conversion is built-in.

FIG. 2 shows an external view of an embodiment of a multimedia memory device according to the present invention.

As the file memory FM as a storage medium, an optical disk memory with a large storage capacity is used. The reason why an optical disk memory is used in this way is that its small size allows its storage capacity to be increased to 20 MB (megabytes) or more, and the storage information becomes non-volatile when the power is cut off, making it convenient to handle. Further, as shown in the figure, the optical disk memory is housed in a card or case-shaped container, and is detachable from the slot of the memory device main body. In other words, the storage medium itself can be carried and replaced in the same way as the conventional Flo-Nope disk memory. Since different types of information can be stored on one storage medium, management of storage media in an office can be unified and information file management can be streamlined.

The panel PNL of the main body of the memory device is provided with a button for selecting the information device to be used, allowing selection of the device to be used. In this case, although not shown, a plurality of connectors are prepared depending on the equipment used. An information device using this multimedia memory device is connected using a connector suitable for the device, and selected by operating a button on the panel PNL. Hereinafter, in workstations, personal computers, etc., this multimedia memory device can be used as an external memory device in the same way as hard disk memory and floppy disk memory.

The simplest operating mode of the multimedia memory device in this embodiment is to simply store the information of the individual information devices and make it readable by the corresponding information devices. Even when such a simple function is provided, the system can be simplified because one external memory device can be shared by various information devices.

Furthermore, this embodiment makes use of the fact that different types of information are stored on the same storage medium, making it possible to combine and edit files created using different media. For example, the memory device of this embodiment is connected to a word processor to create a document file F1. Further, the memory device is connected to an image scanner to create a specific image file F2. Then, the memory device is connected to a workstation, the document file F1 and the image file F2 are read out, and they are combined or edited to create a file F3 consisting of document and image information. Thereafter, the memory device is connected to a projector, and the file F3 is retrieved and displayed on the screen. In this way, by using the memory device of this embodiment, files created with various information devices used in daily office work and life can be created, synthesized and edited using one common memory device. becomes possible.

FIG. 3 shows a storage area diagram of one embodiment of the file memory FM.

As described above, since one file memory FM is used by different types of information devices, the storage area is divided into N parts from 1 to N in the horizontal axis direction in the figure in order to simplify management.

As a result, memory areas are allocated according to each information device, such as area 1 for a workstation, area 2 for a personal computer, area 3 for a word processor, etc. Each of the memory areas 1 to N is used as a read-only RorvHB area, a post-write read-only area WROM, and a rewritable readable area WORK in the vertical axis direction of the figure. For example, ROMiJ
The area stores programs that control the data input/output of the information equipment, the WROM area stores information processing programs for personal computers and word processors, and the WORK area is used as an area for creating files for documents and images. .

For example, when an optical disk memory as described above is used as the file memory FM, addressing of the disk-shaped storage medium consists of sectors divided radially and trunks divided concentrically. This combination of sectors and trasoks enables memory division as shown in FIG. 3 above.

For example, memory areas 1 to N, which are divided in the horizontal axis direction and are provided corresponding to various information devices, are allocated to trunks, and memory areas ROM, WROM, and WORK, which are divided in the vertical axis direction, are allocated to sectors. Conversely, the memory areas 1 to N divided in the horizontal axis direction corresponding to various information devices are allocated to sectors, and the memory areas ROM.N are divided in the vertical axis direction. ．． WROM and WORK may be assigned to the storage.

By dividing the memory area uniformly like this,
Access to the file memory FM by the microprocessor MPU becomes easy. Furthermore, basically, the microprocessor MPU also controls the restriction of operational access to rewritable optical disk memories such as ROM and WROM. As described above, the microprocessor MPU also takes charge of data conversion for storing information of various information devices in the same file memory FM, or inverse conversion for outputting the information to the corresponding information devices. Microprocessor MPU is used for such data conversion.
may have a memory circuit such as a RAM built-in or on the lotus. Further, in order to efficiently exchange data, the interface IO may have a banofer memory.

The effects obtained from the above examples are as follows. That is, (1) By making it possible to write/read multiple types of information compatible with different information devices into a common storage medium, it is possible to obtain the effect that one external memory device can be used for various information devices. .

(2) Since different types of information are stored in one memory device by the above fl), it is possible to easily combine and edit the information.

(3) By using an optical memory type storage medium as the above-mentioned storage medium, it is possible to increase the storage capacity, make the stored information nonvolatile when the power is cut off, and make it possible to attach and detach the storage medium, making it easier to handle. Effects can be obtained.

(4) The above-mentioned storage medium has the effect that the information management thereof is simplified by dividing the usable storage area according to the information equipment.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described above based on examples, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof.

For example, the file memory FM is a dynamic RAM
Alternatively, a static RAM may be used. In particular, Guinami Soku type RAM is 4Mbit or 16Mbit.
Since the storage capacity of bits is increasing, it is relatively easy to manage a file memory with a large storage capacity as described above in a small panocage. Also, such RA
In order to make M non-volatile, it is sufficient to carry out a process. When RAM is used in this way, high-speed access becomes possible.

In addition, control of data conversion, etc. for recording information from different types of information devices on a common storage medium may be performed using a dedicated data processor consisting of a gate array or the like in addition to a microprocessor. good.

The present invention can be used as a multimedia memory device in various information devices and electronic devices.

〔Effect of the invention〕

A brief explanation of the effects obtained by typical inventions disclosed in this application is as follows. In other words, by making it possible to write/read multiple types of information compatible with different information devices into a common storage medium, one external memory device can be used for various information devices, and one memory device can be used to store different types of information. Since this information is stored, it is easy to combine and edit them.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a multimedia memory device according to the present invention and various information devices that can use the multimedia memory device, and FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the multimedia memory device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a storage area diagram showing one embodiment of the file memory. MPX...multiplexer, IO...interface, FM...file memory, PNL...panel, MPU
・・Microprocessor, ROM・・Read-only area, WROM・・Read-only area after writing, WORK
・Rewritable and readable area

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A multimedia memory device comprising a storage medium capable of writing/reading multiple types of information compatible with different information devices. 2. The multimedia memory device according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium has a cassette or card-like external shape and is removable and replaceable from the memory device main body. . 3. The multi-purpose storage medium according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage medium has a storage area divided according to plural types of information corresponding to different information devices. Media memory device.