JPH1124975A - Storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a storage device which can simultaneously deal with AV (audio visual) data and PC(personal computer) data on one device. SOLUTION: This device is provided with an AV network management means 1 for interpreting the input/output request of an AV data sent through an AV network, a PC network management means 2 for interpreting the input/output request of a PC data sent through a PC network, a data input/output management means 3 for managing the input/output of a data based on the interpreted data input/output request, a data storage area management means 4 for managing a data storage area at the time of inputting/outputting data, a data input means 5 for inputting data, a data output means 6 for outputting data and a storage means 7 for storing data. Thus, data of an AV unit and a PC, which are connected to the AV network and the PC network, can simultaneously be stored.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio / video
The present invention relates to a storage device that can simultaneously handle data and PC data emitted from a PC.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, storage devices include VTRs (video tape recorders) and cassette tapes for AV (audiovisual) devices, and magnetic disks and magneto-optical disks for PCs (personal computers). Were stored and used in completely different media.

[0003]

However, with the advance of digitalization of AV equipment and the handling of data in a format similar to that of PCs, PCs are also being converted to home appliances and have entered the home. Is inconvenient and wasteful in terms of resources.

Accordingly, the present invention has solved the above-mentioned problems,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage device that can simultaneously handle AV data and PC data on one device.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the present invention, the present invention provides an AV network management means for interpreting an input / output request for AV data sent via an AV network, and an AV network managing means for sending / receiving the request via a PC network. PC network management means for interpreting input / output requests for PC data, data input / output management means for managing data input / output based on the interpreted data input / output requests, and a data storage area for data input / output. A data storage area managing means for managing data, a data input means for inputting data, a data output means for outputting data, and a storage means for storing data, and an AV connected to an AV network and a PC network. Data from both devices and PCs can be stored simultaneously. With this configuration, a storage device that can simultaneously handle AV data and PC data on one device can be realized.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The first aspect of the present invention
AV network management means for interpreting an input / output request for AV data sent via a network, PC network management means for interpreting an input / output request for PC data sent via a PC network, Data input / output management means for managing data input / output based on an output request, data storage area management means for managing a data storage area at the time of data input / output, data input means for inputting data, An AV device connected to an AV network and a PC network, comprising: a data output unit for outputting data; and a storage unit for storing data.
A storage device characterized in that both data can be handled simultaneously. With this configuration, one storage device can manage all of the AV data and PC data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the storage device according to the first aspect, the AV network and the PC network are provided by providing a protocol switching unit in front of the AV network management unit and the PC network management unit. Are integrated so that data can be passed to the AV network management means and the PC network management means even when AV data and PC data are mixed on one network. With this configuration, it is possible to use even when the PC and the AV network are integrated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the storage device according to the first aspect, a new multiplexing control unit is provided so that a plurality of storage units can be managed at the same time. And PC data can be managed in separate storage means, and can be managed continuously in a plurality of storage means. With this configuration, it is possible to store AV data and PC data in separate storage units, or to continuously store a large amount of data in a plurality of storage units.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information network system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the same, FIG. 3 and FIG. Is a management information diagram used by the data storage area management means.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an AV network management means for managing a data input / output request via an AV network, 2 denotes a PC network management means for managing a data input / output request via a PC network, and 3 denotes an AV network management. A data input / output management means for managing a process of actually inputting / outputting data in accordance with an input / output request received from the means 1 or the PC network management means 2; Data storage area management means 5 is a data input means for inputting data, 6 is a data output means for extracting data, and 7 is a storage means for storing data.

In FIG. 2, data to be stored in the storage means 7 and data to be taken out from the storage means 7 are stored in the RAM 11. The ROM 12 stores the data of the data input / output management means 3, the data storage area management means 4, the data input means 5, and the data output means 6. A storage device 13 stores AV data, PC data, and their management information. Reference numeral 14 denotes a network control device to which an AV network is connected, and implements the AV network management means 1. 15 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit)
And It controls the execution of each means stored in the ROM 12.
Reference numeral 16 denotes a network control device to which a PC network is connected, and implements the PC network management means 2.
Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[Step 1] When the storage device becomes operable, it waits for data input / output, and performs the following processing in response to various input / output requests. When each process is completed, the process waits for input / output again and terminates the process by performing a process of stopping operation such as power-off.

[Step 2] Indicates that there has been a data input request from the AV device via the AV network. For example, a digital satellite broadcast recording request corresponds to this.
At this time, the AV network management means 1 receives the input request, removes information added at the time of data transfer, and passes it to the data input / output management means 3.

[Step 3] The data input / output management means 3 passes the device information in the received data to the data storage area management means 4. The data storage area management means 4 determines the device which issued the data input request based on the received device information.
The data storage area management means 4 has management information as shown in FIG.
To load. It is checked whether the received device information is included in the management information, and if not, new device information is added.
Here, the device information in the management information is information on the AV device, the storage area information is information indicating where data from the AV device having the device information is stored in the storage unit 7, and the link information is information from the AV device. For example, information indicating the relation when a plurality of pieces of information such as recording of a plurality of programs are separately stored. In other words, by following the link information, even if the information is stored at random in the storage means 7, it is possible to take out the information in order just like watching a video tape. Finally, the additional information is information such as the title of the program.
If information flows through the V network, it is stored.

[Step 4] The storage location of the requested data is determined based on the management information, and the storage area information, link information, and additional information in the management information are updated. The determined storage destination is passed to the data input / output management means 3.

[Step 5] In storing actual AV data, it is confirmed whether there is data to be stored, that is, whether data is still flowing from the partner AV device. If the data does not flow or the information indicating the end of the data flows, it is determined that the storing process has been completed, and the process returns to [Step 1] waiting for a data input / output request.

[Step 6] The data input / output management means 3 instructs the data input means 5 to input data based on the storage destination passed from the data storage area management means 4, and the data input means 5 stores the AV data. 7 are sequentially stored from the storage destination designated.

[Step 7] When data from the AV device flows, the AV network management means receives the data and passes it to the data input / output management means 3.

[Step 8] Indicates that there is a data output request from the AV device via the AV network. For example, a request for a digital television to reproduce data stored in the storage device corresponds to the request. At this time, the AV network management means 1 receives the output request, removes information added at the time of data transfer, and passes the information to the data input / output management means 3.

[Step 9] The data input / output management means 3 requests the data storage area management means 4 for a list of AV data stored in the storage means 7. The data storage area management means 4 passes the currently stored data information to the data input / output means 3 based on the management information managed by itself. The data input / output management unit 3 transfers the received data information to the AV network management unit 1 and instructs the AV information to be transferred to the AV device that issued the output request. The AV network management means 1 adds information necessary for transfer to the given data information, and transfers the data information to the AV device that issued the output request.

[Step 10] The AV network management means 1 waits until specific information to be output is transferred from the AV device which has issued the output request, and then transfers the information to the data input / output management means 3. The data input / output management means 3 passes the passed information to the data management area storage means 4. The data management area storage means 4 compares the given information with the management information, finds the storage location of the corresponding data, and notifies the data input / output management means 3. Here, the AV device that has issued the output request can specify the AV data required by itself in the following manner. First, in the management information managed by the data management area storage means 4, there is additional information such as a title. If the additional information can be used, required AV data can be specified from the additional information. If there is no additional information, the device is specified by the device information. By specifying the device, a plurality of AV data can be converted using the link information managed for each device information (steps 11 to
It can be taken out by [Step 13]. This feels the same as searching for the scene you want to see from data recorded on videotape.

[Step 11] Data input / output management means 3
Passes the control information passed from the PC network management means 2 to the data storage area management means 4. The data storage area management means 4 determines the destination from the storage means 7 based on the provided control information, and notifies the data input / output management means 3.

[Step 21] This is a process of storing data, and when all data has been stored, the process returns to [Step 1].

[Step 22] Data input / output management means 3
Fetches PC data sequentially from the storage destination given from the data storage area management means 4 and transfers it to the PC via the PC network management means 2.

[Step 23] Data input / output management means 3
If there is still PC data to be taken out in the storage means 7, the PC data is taken out and passed to the PC network management means 2.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information network system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram thereof, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the same operation, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of data to be processed. In FIG. 6, the AV network management unit 21 stores the storage unit 2
7 up to A in the description of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment.
The same applies to V network management means 1 to storage means 7. Reference numeral 28 denotes a protocol switching unit that separates AV data and PC data when the data is transferred using the same network.

FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram. Where R
The components from the AM 31 to the network control device 36 are the same as the RAM 11 to the network control device 16 in the description of FIG. 2 described in the first embodiment. 37 is a protocol switching device, which is a protocol switching means 2
8 is realized. Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[Step 31] When the storage device becomes operable, it waits for data input / output, and performs the following processing according to various input / output requests. When each process is completed, the process waits for input / output again and terminates the process by performing a process of stopping operation such as power-off.

[Step 32] If there is a data input / output request, the protocol switching means 28 performs the following processing. If data other than the data input / output request arrives, it is ignored.

[Step 33] The protocol switching means 28 receives the data input request and inputs control information excluding the information added for data transfer. here,
It is assumed that both the request from the AV device and the request from the PC have the same physical data configuration. This is, for example, I
This is a specification as defined in the EEE1394-1995 standard. That is, the data structure is as shown in FIG. 9, and the form of the entire data is the same, and it is possible to determine whether the data is from the AV device or the data from the PC based on the control information therein. In the process of extracting AV data, when there is no more data to be extracted, ie, when all necessary AV data has been extracted, the process returns to [Step 1].

[Step 12] Data input / output management means 3
Instructs the data output means 6 to retrieve data based on the storage destination passed from the data storage area management means 4, and the data output means 6 sequentially retrieves AV data from the designated storage destination of the storage means 7.

[Step 13] Data input / output management means 3
Uses the extracted AV data as AV network management means 1
And instructs transfer to the AV device that has requested the output. The AV network management means 1 transfers the given AV data to the AV device which has issued the output request.

[Step 14] Indicates that there has been a data input request from a PC device via the PC network.
For example, a request to transfer a part of the data on the PC to the storage device corresponds to the request. At this time, the PC network management means 2 receives the input request, removes information added at the time of data transfer, and passes the information to the data input / output management means 3.

[Step 15] Data input / output management means 3
Passes the control information passed from the PC network management means 2 to the data storage area management means 4. The data storage area management means 4 determines a storage destination in the storage means 7 from the given control information, and notifies the data input / output management means 3.

[Step 16] This is the process of storing data, and when all data has been stored, the process returns to [Step 1].

[Step 17] Data input / output management means 3
Is the P transferred via the PC network management means.
The C data is sequentially stored from the storage destination given by the data storage area management means 4.

[Step 18] When data from the PC flows, the PC network management means 2 receives the data and passes it to the data input / output management means 3. Here, on a PC, data is often randomly recorded on a storage device. Even in the present storage device, it is possible to store data at random. In this case, control information indicating a storage destination and PC data to be actually stored are frequently transferred, that is, [Step 14] to [Step 14]. 18] is frequently repeated. When the data is sequentially stored in a continuous area like a VTR, the PC data flows continuously after the control information.

[Step 19] Indicates that there is a data output request from the PC device via the PC network.
For example, a request to transfer a part of the data on the storage device to the PC corresponds to this. At this time, the PC network management means 2 receives the output request, removes information added at the time of data transfer, and passes the information to the data input / output management means 3.

[Step 20] In FIG. 9, both the control information and the actual data are written, but either one of them may be used.

[Step 34] The protocol switching means 28 analyzes the input control information. If the control information is a request from the AV equipment, the protocol switching means 28 performs [Step 35], and if not, performs [Step 36].

[Step 35] As a request from the AV equipment, information necessary for transfer is added again and passed to the AV network management means 21.

[Step 36] If it is a request from the PC, the process of [Step 37] is performed even from the AV device.
If not, the request is ignored as an invalid request and the process returns to [Step 31].

[Step 37] As a request from the PC device, information necessary for the transfer is added again and passed to the PC network management means 22.

The processing thereafter is the same as the processing in the first embodiment in which the AV network management means 1 receives an input / output request for AV data, or the processing in which the PC network management means 2 receives a request for input / output of PC data. I omit it.

The AV network management means 21, P
When the C network management unit 22 outputs data, the protocol switching unit 28 has no effect because the data structure already has the data structure shown in FIG.
Be transparent.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 10 shows Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
Block diagram of the information network system of FIG. 11,
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of assignment to the plurality of storage means. Where A
From the V network management means 41 to the storage means 47,
This is the same as the AV network management means 1 to the storage means 7 in the description of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment. Reference numeral 48 denotes multiplexing control means for controlling a plurality of storage means. The circuit block diagram of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The operation flowchart is also described in the first embodiment.
Is the same as However, by multiplexing the storage unit 47 and controlling it by the multiplexing control unit 48, the following can be performed in the process of determining the data storage area.

A storage area for AV data and a storage area for PC data can be assigned to a plurality of storage means 47, respectively. An example is shown in FIG. Here, five storage means (represented as a disk) 47 can be multiplexed, and four of them can be used. For each of these four items, whether or not AV data and PC data can be stored can be designated. This designation can be realized as a program on a PC, a function of the present storage device, or a function of an AV device.
When implemented by a program on a PC, information on areas that can be used by the PC is also managed on the PC side, and input / output of PC data is determined based on area information managed on the PC side. When realized as one function of the present storage device and AV equipment, the PC notifies the PC of the result of designating whether or not AV data and PC data can be stored. The PC manages the notified contents, and determines the storage area for input / output of PC data based on the area information managed on the PC side, similarly to the case where the PC is realized by the program on the PC. The contents specified in this way are managed by the multiplexing control means 48,
In the process of determining the data storage area, the information is passed as information of the storage means 47 that can be used by the data storage area management means. The data storage area management means 47 determines an area for storing AV data based on the provided information.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, AV data and PC data can be simultaneously stored in one storage device, and all of these data can be managed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an information network system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the information network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a management information diagram used by a data storage area management unit of the information network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration block diagram of an information network system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram of an information network system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information network system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a structural diagram of data processed by the information network system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a configuration block diagram of an information network system according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an example of assignment to a plurality of storage units in the information network system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 AV network management means 2 PC network management means 3 Data input / output management means 4 Data storage area management means 5 Data input means 6 Data output means 7 Storage means 11 RAM 12 ROM 13 Storage device 14 Network control device 15 CPU 16 Network control device Reference Signs List 21 AV network management means 22 PC network management means 23 Data input / output management means 24 Data storage area management means 25 Data input means 26 Data output means 27 Storage means 28 Protocol switching means 31 RAM 32 ROM 33 Storage device 34 Network control device 35 CPU 36 network control device 37 protocol switching device 41 AV network management means 42 PC network management means 43 data input / output management means 44 data Paid area management unit 45 data input means 46 the data output means 47 storage means 48 multiplexing control means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An AV network management means for interpreting an input / output request for AV data transmitted via an AV network, and a PC network management means for interpreting an input / output request for PC data transmitted via a PC network. Data input / output management means for managing data input / output based on the interpreted data input / output request, data storage area management means for managing a data storage area at the time of data input / output, and data for inputting data A storage device comprising an input unit, a data output unit for outputting data, and a storage unit for storing data, and capable of simultaneously storing data of both an AV device and a PC connected to an AV network and a PC network. apparatus. 2. The AV network management means and the PC
By providing the protocol switching means at the preceding stage of the network management means, the AV network and the PC network are integrated, and even when AV data and PC data are mixed on one network, the AV network management means and the 2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein data can be passed to the PC network management means. 3. A multiplexing control means enables a plurality of said storage means to be managed simultaneously, whereby AV data and PC data are managed in separate storage means and continuously stored in a plurality of storage means. 2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device can be managed.