KR20070115084A - Computer device and computer card install method - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer and a method for installing a computer card are provided to enable a user to installing the computer card free when a user loses a portable storage medium storing computer driver files or an environment excludes the network for sharing the driver file by embedding a USB memory storing the driver files in each computer card. A data processor(130) downloads/stores first data stored in a first storage device and reads/outputs the first data if necessary. The computer card(150) is equipped with the USB memory(151) and a USB connector(150-1). The computer card transfers the driver file to the data processor by storing the driver files for performing a unique function of the computer card to the USB memory and connecting to one of USB ports(110-1~110-3) of the computer through the USB connector. A data storing part(120) outputs again the downloaded first data to the data processor if necessary after storing the downloaded first data. The USB ports transmit the first data downloaded from the data processor to a plurality of peripherals and computer cards.

Description

Computer device and computer card install method}

1 is a block diagram illustrating a general computer card installation system.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of processing data by installing a computer card in a conventional computer card installation system.

3 is a block diagram of a computer card installation system of the present invention.

4 is a block diagram of a peripheral card mounted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a method of processing a data by installing a computer card in the computer card installation system of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer device, and more particularly, to a computer device and a method for installing a computer card, which can automatically recognize and install computer cards by embedding a USB memory in which a driver file is mounted.

Removable storage devices generally include magnetic tape devices, floppy disk drives, CD-ROM drives, and hard disk drives. Among them, hard disk drives not only preserve data permanently but also record large amounts of data. Because it can be stored and used, it is used not only in computers but also in digital video recorders (DVRs), which are a kind of security devices.

Recently, portable storage devices using flash memory, such as a flash memory drive, which is portable and supports a large amount of storage capacity, have been developed and are rapidly spreading. This allows easy connection with a host computer. USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication method is adopted to ensure fast data transfer rate.

The USB standard is a port specification for computer devices that Intel, Microsoft, and Compaq have proposed to develop Plug and Play. It does not require a reboot of the host computer when connecting peripherals. Support.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a general computer card installation system, and includes a USB storage device 20, a control device 10, a CD ROM drive 30, and a USB peripheral device 40. The control device 10 The data storage unit 12, the data processing unit 13 and the power supply unit 14, the computer card 15, a plurality of USB ports (11-1, 11-2, 11-3) and the connector (15-) 1) is provided.

The control device 10 has a USB storage device 20 at one USB port 11-1 and a USB peripheral device 40 and a CD ROM drive at the other USB ports 11-2, 11-3. One side of 30 is connected with a USB cable, and the other side of the CD ROM drive 30 is connected to the connector 15-1.

In addition, the data processing unit 13 receives the power of the power supply unit 14 and stores data while the data processing unit 13 mediates one and the other USB ports 11-1, 11-2, and 11-3 inside the control device 10. The data is exchanged with the section 12 and the computer card 15. The computer card 15 is connected to the other side of the CD ROM drive 30 through the connector 15-1.

The function of each block of the general computer card installation system shown in FIG. 1 is as follows.

The USB storage device 20 is a data storage medium such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory drive, and stores firmware file data, image formation data, sound reproduction data, and the like.

The control device 10 includes an operating system (OS) supporting the USB standard protocol, receives data from the USB storage device 20, stores the data, and connects the stored file data through a USB cable. Transmit to 40.

The control device 10 corresponds to various computer devices such as a personal computer, a server device, and a mobile communication terminal in which a general-purpose operating system equipped with USB standard protocols such as Windows 95, 98, ME, XP, and MAC OS is embedded.

The CD-ROM drive 30 recognizes and installs the computer card other than the basic computer cards installed as the computer card driver file installed in the operating system of the control device 10 using the computer card driver file embedded therein.

The USB peripheral device 40 is connected to the control device 10 via a USB cable, and performs a function according to the file data downloaded and stored from the control device 10.

The data processing unit 13 of the control device 10 downloads the file data stored in the USB storage device connected through the USB port 11-1 and stores it in the data storage unit 12 or in the data storage unit 12. The stored data is transmitted to the USB peripheral device 40 connected through the USB port 11-1.

Each of the plurality of USB ports 11-1, 11-2, and 11-3 is connected to the USB storage device 20 and the USB peripheral device 40 through a USB cable, and the power supply 14 is connected to a control device ( 10) The driving power of the data processing unit 13 is provided.

The computer card 15 may be a wireless LAN card, a memory card, a graphics card, a sound card, or the like, and may be mounted inside the control device 10 to externally connect another USB port 11-3 of the control device 10 to the outside. It controls the unique function of the USB peripheral device 40 connected through, and exchanges data with the control device 10 by transferring data to the module tap through the data bus.

Referring to Figure 1 describes the operation of the conventional computer card installation system as follows.

First, basic USB peripheral devices are installed using a USB peripheral driver file existing in an operating system embedded in the control device 10.

The control device 10 determines whether a new computer card 15 is installed, and if it is determined that there is no newly installed computer card 15, the control device 10 performs another operation unique to the control device 10.

That is, the data processing unit 13 in the control device 10 receives data from the USB storage device 20 that stores firmware file data, image formation data, sound reproduction data, and the like through the USB cable and the USB port 11-1. Download it and store it in the data storage unit 12.

The USB peripheral device 40 receives file data from the data processor 13 through another USB port 11-3 and processes a unique function according to the file data. For example, when the USB peripheral device 40 is an image forming apparatus (printer) connected to the control device 10, the image forming operation according to the file data downloaded from the control device 10 is performed, and the USB peripheral device If 40 is an audio reproducing apparatus (MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-3) player), the operation of reproducing sound according to the received file data is performed.

If it is determined that the newly installed computer card 15 is present, the other USB device of the control device 10 may be loaded using the corresponding computer card driver file included in the operating system provided as a CD ROM or a floppy disk in the CD ROM drive 30. The computer card 15 installed through the port 11-2 is automatically recognized.

Once the new computer card 15 is installed, the data processor 13 in the control device 10 transmits the second data necessary for the new computer card 15 to perform its own function to the new computer card 15.

The new computer card 15 receives the second data and internally processes the second data to perform a function unique to the computer card, generates third data, and transmits the third data to the data processor 13 again.

The data processing unit 13 receives the third data and controls the control device 10 to perform the original function of the new computer card.

Next, Figure 2 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of a method for processing data by installing a computer card in a conventional computer card installation system.

Referring to Figure 2 describes the operation of processing the data by installing a computer card in a conventional computer card installation system as follows.

First, driver files of basic USB peripheral devices are mounted in the operating system embedded in the general control device 10. When the operating system is installed, the basic USB peripheral devices are automatically recognized and installed. (S10)

Next, the control device 10 determines whether a new computer card 15 other than the basic USB peripheral devices is mounted.

If it is determined that the new computer card 15 is installed, the new computer card 15 is installed by using the driver file of the corresponding computer card 15 inherent in the operating system provided as a CD-ROM or a floppy disk. S30)

Once the new computer card is installed, the data processor 13 transmits the second data necessary for the new computer card 15 to perform its own function to the new computer card 15 (S40).

The new computer card 15 receives the second data, processes the second data to perform a function unique to the computer card, generates third data, and transmits the third data to the data processor 13 (S50).

The data processing unit 13 receives the third data and controls the control device 10 to perform the original function of the new computer card.

If it is determined in step S20 that the new computer card 15 is not installed, there is no need to install the new computer card 40, so that the control device 10 similarly downloads data from the USB storage device 20 and stores the data. Stored in the unit 12. (S25)

The data processor 13 transmits the corresponding file data to the USB peripheral device 40 (S35), and the USB peripheral device 40 processes a unique function according to the received file data (S45). In the case where the device 40 is an image forming apparatus, an image forming job according to the file data to be downloaded is processed, and in the case of the sound reproducing apparatus, the sound according to the file data is reproduced.

However, in the case of a removable storage medium such as a CD ROM or a floppy diskette in which the computer card driver file is embedded, it is inconvenient to provide a separate drive to each control device used. In addition, there is always a risk of loss of the removable storage medium itself and the possibility of corruption of the computer card driver files inherent.

Furthermore, if the removable storage medium is lost or the network card sharing the computer card driver file is not supported even when the computer card driver file is damaged, the vulnerability may occur when the computer card is impossible to use. there was.

Disclosure of Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a computer device and a method for installing a computer card, which can freely install a computer card even in an environment in which a removable storage medium in which a computer card driver file is embedded or a network in which the computer card driver file is shared is not provided. There is.

The computer device of the present invention for achieving the above object, in a computer device having a first storage device, a control device, a plurality of USB ports, after downloading and storing the first data stored in the first storage device to meet a predetermined need Data processing unit which reads and outputs along with it, USB memory and USB connector is provided, and the driver file is installed in the USB memory under the control of the data processing unit to perform a unique function, and a plurality of USB ports through the USB connector And a computer card connected to one of the USB ports and externally connected to the data processing unit to transmit driver files.

The computer card of the present invention for achieving the above object is to receive and store the first data downloaded and stored, the first storage device for mounting the computer card driver file, the USB connector for receiving the computer card driver file and transmit it to the outside A computer card function processing unit for receiving and processing second data for controlling the computer card to perform an original function from the outside through the module tab and outputting the third data; receiving the second data from the module tab And an interface unit for transmitting to the function processor and receiving the third data to the outside through the module tab.

The computer card installation method of the present invention for achieving the above object comprises a first step of determining whether a control device is equipped with a new computer card other than the basic computer cards in the first storage device, a computer device having a control device, If it is determined that the new computer card is installed in the first step, the second device determines whether a second storage device exists in the new computer card. If it is determined that the second storage device does not exist in the new computer card in the third step and the second step of performing the operation, the control device installs the new computer card using the driver file of the new computer card provided by the removable storage medium. In the fourth and second stages, the second storage device is installed in the new computer card. If it is determined to exist, the control device includes a fifth step of installing a new computer card using the driver file of the new computer card mounted in the second storage device.

Hereinafter, a computer card installation system of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a computer card installation system of the present invention, the connection relationship between each component and components is similar to the general computer card installation system shown in Figure 1, the difference is the other side of the control device 100 The CD-ROM drive is connected to the USB port 110-2 of the computer instead of the CD ROM drive. The USB connector 150-1 of the computer card 150 connects the USB cable. The difference is that the control device 100 is connected to the USB port 110-2 on the other side.

Therefore, the functions of the blocks of the computer card mounting system of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 are the same as those of the general computer card mounting system shown in FIG.

However, the USB memory 151 in the computer card 150 not only stores firmware file data, image formation data, sound reproduction data, etc., but also mounts a computer card driver file through a USB port 110-2 and a USB cable. After automatically recognizing the connected computer card 150, the computer card 150 is installed using the loaded computer card driver file.

In addition, the data processing unit 130 is connected to the computer card 150 via the USB connector 150-1 according to the computer card driver file information mounted in the USB memory 151 instead of the computer card driver file information provided by the CD ROM drive. ) Is automatically recognized and installed by Plug and Play.

Referring to Figure 3 describes the operation of the computer card installation system of the present invention.

First, basic USB peripheral devices are installed by using a USB peripheral device driver file existing in an operating system embedded in the control device 100.

The control device 100 determines whether a new computer card 150 is mounted, and if the new computer card 150 is not installed, the data processing unit 130 in the control device 100 may use a USB cable and a USB port 110. -1) to download data from the USB storage device 200 storing firmware file data, image formation data, sound reproduction data, and the like, and the USB memory 151 in the data storage unit 120 and the computer card 150. ).

The data processor 130 receives the firmware file data, image formation data, and sound reproduction data, which are downloaded and stored from the data storage unit 120 and the USB memory 151 in the computer card 150, and receives the USB port 110-3. ) To the USB peripheral device 400.

The USB peripheral device 400 receives corresponding data from the control device 100 through a USB connector and processes unique functions according to the corresponding data. That is, when the USB peripheral device 400 is an image forming apparatus, an image forming job is processed according to the file data to be downloaded. In the case of an audio reproducing apparatus, the sound according to the file data is reproduced.

If it is determined that the new computer card 150 is installed, it is determined whether the USB memory 151 exists in the new computer card 150.

If it is determined that the USB memory 151 does not exist in the new computer card 150, the computer card 150 is installed using a computer card driver file provided in a conventional CD ROM or floppy disk, and the new computer card 150 If it is determined that the USB memory 151 is present, the computer card 150 is installed using the computer card driver file mounted in the USB memory 151.

Once the new computer card 150 is installed, the data processor 130 transmits the second data necessary for the new computer card 150 to perform its own function to the new computer card 150.

The new computer card 150 receives the second data and internally processes the second data to perform a function unique to the new computer card 150 to generate third data and transmit the third data to the data processor 130 again.

The data processor 130 receives the third data to control the control device 100 to perform the original function of the new computer card. The computer card 150 controls the data processor 130 through the data bus as described below. ) Also performs the unique function of the computer card 150 to exchange data.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computer card mounted in the computer card installation system of the present invention in FIG. 3, which includes a USB memory 151, a computer card function processing unit 152, a power supply unit 154, an interface unit 153, and a USB. The connector 150-1 is provided.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 will be described the function of each block of a computer card mounted according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The USB memory 151 not only stores firmware file data, image formation data, sound reproduction data, and the like, but also mounts a computer card driver file as in a general computer card installation system.

The power supply unit 154 is connected to each of the blocks 151, 152 and 153 in the peripheral card to supply driving power, and the USB connector 150-1 is connected to the USB memory 151 and the data processing unit 130 in the control device 100. Connect the USB cable through the USB port (110-3).

The computer card function processor 152 receives data from the data processor 130 and the USB memory 151 to control the computer card 150 to perform its original function.

The interface unit 153 transmits and receives data to and from the computer card function processing unit 152 through the data bus, and transfers the data to the module tab of the computer card 150 to exchange data with the data processing unit 130 through the data bus. .

Next, Figure 5 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of a method for processing data by installing a computer card in the computer device of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 3 to 5 the operation of the computer device of the present invention will be described.

First, basic USB peripheral devices are automatically recognized and installed using a computer card driver file mounted in an operating system of the control device 100. (S100)

Next, the control device 100 determines whether a new computer card 150 other than the basic USB peripheral devices is mounted through the USB port 110-2 and the USB cable (S200).

If it is determined that the new computer card 150 is not installed, it is not necessary to install the new computer card 400, so that the data processing unit 130 receives firmware file data, image forming data, sound reproduction data, etc. from the USB storage device 200. Download it and store it in the data storage unit 120. (S250)

The data processor 130 receives the corresponding data from the data storage unit 120 and transmits the data to the USB peripheral device 400 through the USB port 110-3 (S350).

The USB peripheral device 400 receives the corresponding data from the data processor 130 through the USB port 110-3 and processes a unique function according to the corresponding data (S450), that is, the USB peripheral device 400. Is an image forming apparatus, the image forming job according to the file data to be downloaded is processed.

If it is determined in step S200 that the new computer card 150 is installed, it is determined whether the USB memory 151 exists in the new computer card 150 (S300).

If it is determined that the USB memory 151 does not exist in the new computer card 150, the new computer card 150 is installed by using a computer card driver file provided as a conventional CD ROM or floppy disk (S350).

If it is determined that the USB memory 151 exists in the new computer card 150, the data processor 130 receives the computer card driver file mounted in the USB memory 151 and installs the new computer card 150. (S400)

Once the new computer card 150 is installed, the data processing unit 130 supplies the second data necessary for the new computer card 150 to perform its own function through the interface unit 153 in the new computer card. The processor 152 transmits the data to the processor 152 (S500).

The computer card function processing unit 152 receives the second data, processes it to perform a function unique to the new computer card, generates third data, and transmits the third data to the data processing unit 130 via the interface unit 153. S600)

The data processing unit 130 receives the third data and controls the control device 100 to perform the original function of the new computer card.

Therefore, in the present invention, when mounting a new computer card in the control device, by mounting the driver file for installing the new computer card in the USB memory in the computer card itself to be mounted, the CD ROM in which the conventional individual computer card driver files are embedded, There is no need to have a removable storage medium such as a floppy diskette and a separate drive for it.

In addition, a large amount of multimedia data transferred to a USB peripheral device through a USB port by storing firmware file data, image forming data, and sound reproduction data, which are downloaded and stored by a control device from a general USB storage device, into a USB memory in a new computer card. The storage space of the can be secured efficiently.

Although the above has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art will be able to variously modify and change the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. It will be appreciated.

As described above, according to the present invention, the inconvenience of having to provide a separate drive for the removable storage medium in which the computer card driver file is embedded can be eliminated. In addition, it is possible to freely install and use a computer card even in a situation where the network is not supported in preparation for the risk of loss of the removable storage medium itself and the possibility of damage of the inherent computer card driver files.

Claims (19)

In a first storage device, a control device, and a computer device having a plurality of USB ports, A data processor which downloads and stores the first data stored in the first storage device and reads and outputs the data according to a predetermined need; A USB memory and a USB connector, including a driver file installed in the USB memory under the control of the data processing unit to perform a unique function, and one of the plurality of USB ports through the USB connector; And a computer card connected to a port and externally connected to the data processing unit to transmit the driver file. The method of claim 1, The computer device, And a data storage unit for storing the downloaded first data and outputting the first data back to the data processing unit if necessary. The method of claim 1, The plurality of USB ports And receiving the downloaded first data from the data processing unit and transmitting the downloaded first data to a plurality of peripheral devices and the computer card, respectively. The method of claim 1, The control device, A computer device, such as a personal computer, a server device, and a mobile communication terminal having a built-in general-purpose operating system equipped with a USB standard protocol. The method of claim 1, The first storage device, A computer device, which is a USB storage medium such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory drive. The method of claim 1, The first data is, And firmware file data, image formation data, sound reproduction data, and the like. The method of claim 1, The computer card, A computer device, such as a wireless LAN card, a memory card, a graphics card, a sound card. A first storage device that receives and stores the downloaded first data and mounts the computer card driver file; A USB connector for receiving the computer card driver file and transmitting the file to the outside; A computer card function processing unit for receiving and processing second data for controlling the computer card to perform an original function from the outside through a module tab and outputting third data; And an interface unit receiving the second data from the module tab and transferring the second data to the computer card function processing unit, and receiving the third data and transmitting the third data to the outside through the module tab. The method of claim 8, The first data is, And firmware file data, image formation data, sound reproduction data, and the like. The method of claim 8, The computer card, A computer device, such as a wireless LAN card, a memory card, a graphics card, a sound card. In a computer device having a first storage device, a control device, A first step of the control device determining whether a new computer card other than the basic computer cards is mounted; A second step of determining whether a second storage device exists in the new computer card when it is determined that the new computer card is installed in the first step; A third step in which the control device performs another task when it is determined that the new computer card is not installed in the first step; If it is determined in the second step that the second storage device does not exist in the new computer card, the control device installs the new computer card using the driver file of the new computer card provided in the removable storage medium. step; If it is determined in the second step that the second storage device exists in the new computer card, the control device installs the new computer card using the driver file of the new computer card mounted in the second storage device. And a fifth step. The method of claim 11, The computer card installation method A first step of receiving and processing second data for allowing the new computer card to perform an original function if the new computer card is installed in the fourth or fifth step and outputting third data; And a second step of controlling the control device to receive the third data to perform an original function of the new computer card. The method of claim 11, In the third step, the control device performs another task A first step of downloading and storing first data from the first storage device; And a second step in which the control device sends the first data to the peripheral device and the peripheral device receives the first data to perform a unique function. The method of claim 11, Performing a unique function in the fifth step is When the peripheral device is an image forming apparatus, an image forming operation is performed according to the second data, and when the peripheral device is an audio reproducing apparatus, the operation of reproducing sound according to the second data is performed. How to install a computer card. The method of claim 11, The control device, And a computer device such as a personal computer, a server device, and a mobile communication terminal having a general-purpose operating system equipped with a USB standard protocol. The method of claim 11, The first storage device, A method of installing a computer card that is a USB storage medium such as a hard disk drive or flash memory drive. The method of claim 11, The first data is, And firmware file data, image forming data, sound reproduction data, and the like. The method of claim 11, The computer card, Method of installing a computer card, characterized in that the computer card such as a wireless LAN card, memory card, graphics card, sound card. The method of claim 11, wherein The removable storage medium, And a CD ROM or a floppy disk in which a driver file of the computer card is embedded to perform the computer card according to a function unique to an environment of an operating system of the control device.

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