200951947 九、發明說明： 【發明所屬之技術領域】 本發明是有關於一種監控周邊裝置的方法，特別是指 一種由一電腦主機監控與其連接之外接式硬碟裝置的方法 〇 【先前技術】 硬碟由於在高速運轉下會產生高溫，因而一般會考慮 搭配一風扇來對硬碟進行散熱。且為了省電以及降低風扇 〇 噪音等因素，通常會考慮根據硬碟溫度來對應風扇的轉速 ，因此為了取得硬碟溫度，習知的做法是業者會在認為可 以測得硬碟溫度之處裝設一溫度感知器，並透過韌體或軟 體讀取溫度感知器的值藉以控制風扇轉速，以對硬碟適時 降溫。但是此方法除了需額外設置溫度感知器外，由溫度 感知器測得的溫度不一定是硬碟真正的溫度，以致於風扇 無法對硬碟提供適時的降溫而導致硬碟過熱損毁。 有鑒於上述感測硬碟溫度方式的缺失，IBM於1992年 〇 在其 AS/400系統上開發出名為「S.M.A.R.T.」（Self-200951947 IX. Description of the Invention: [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a peripheral device, and more particularly to a method for monitoring an external hard disk device connected thereto by a computer host. [Prior Art] Hard Since the disc will generate high temperatures at high speeds, it is generally considered to use a fan to dissipate the hard disc. In order to save power and reduce the noise of the fan, it is usually considered to correspond to the fan speed according to the temperature of the hard disk. Therefore, in order to obtain the temperature of the hard disk, it is customary for the operator to install the hard disk temperature. A temperature sensor is provided, and the value of the temperature sensor is read through the firmware or the software to control the fan speed to cool the hard disk at a proper time. However, in addition to the additional temperature sensor, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is not necessarily the actual temperature of the hard disk, so that the fan cannot provide a timely cooling of the hard disk and cause the hard disk to be overheated. In view of the above-mentioned lack of sensing the temperature of the hard disk, IBM developed the name "S.M.A.R.T." on its AS/400 system in 1992 (Self-
Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology)的硬碟自我 診斷偵測技術；並且為電腦硬體製造大廠如Compaq及硬 碟大廠如Seagate、Quantum、Conner等所採用，因此，目 前大部分的硬碟皆有支援此一 S.M.A.R.T.功能。 S.M.A.R.T.顧名思義就是硬碟會對自已做監測，提早發 現問題所在並告訴使用者，讓使用者可以及時備份或是做 救回資料的工作，其中S.M.A.R.T.提供的監測資訊包含硬碟 200951947 的溫度。因此相較於上述習知，業者除了不需額外以外部 溫度感測器來擷取硬碟溫度外，由於支援SMART的硬碟已 内建溫度感知機制，因此SMART資訊將能更準確地反應硬 碟當時的工作溫度。 而且自SMART標準制定以來，主機板製造商多已内建 啟動硬碟SMART之選項於其BIOS中，且市場上主要作業 糸統，如Windows、Mac 0S及Linux等也有提供對應之 API或應用程式用以擷取支援SMART之硬碟（内接在主機板 ❹ 上）的SMART資訊。 然而，對於以外接方式與電腦主機連接的外接式硬碟（ 包含使用USB或1394連接介面之產品）而言，由於其硬碟 介面（大多使用IDE(ATA)或SATA介面）與連接介面不同， 需要透過一橋接模組（bridgeboard)進行介面的轉換，因此即 使外接式硬碟有支援SMART功能，但是目前外接式硬碟的 橋接模組並不認得電腦主機所下達的讀取SMART資訊的指 令，甚至有些作業系統（例如Mac OS)根本就不允許直接讀 Ο 取外接式硬碟之SMART資訊的作法，以致於使用者無法利 用外接式硬碟的SMART功能來監測外接式裝置的運作狀態 以對外接式硬碟進行適時散熱或資料備份等進一步的安全 性防護及控制。 【發明内容】 因此，本發明之目的，即在提供一種可以根據外接式 硬碟裝置回傳的SMART資訊適時地對外接式硬碟裝置進行 監控的自動監控外接式硬碟裝置運作狀態的方法。 200951947 本發明的另一目的，在於提供一種可以監測外接式硬 碟裝置的運作狀態以適時地提供警示訊息給使用者的自動 監控外接式硬碟裝置運作狀態的方法。 於是’本發明自動監控外接式硬碟裝置運作狀態的方 法，用以對與一電腦主機連接的一外接式硬碟裝置進行運 作狀態監控，該外接式硬碟裝置包括一用以與該電腦主機 連接的連接介面、一支援SMART功能的硬碟及一橋接該連 接介面與該硬碟的介面橋接器；該方法包括、Α)令該電腦 〇 主機在確知該外接式硬碟裝置存在於目前作業系統環境下 ，透過一特定程式傳送一讀取SMART資訊的SCSI命令至 該外接式硬碟裝置的連接介面；及（B)令該外接式硬碟裝置 的介面橋接器接欠該連接介面傳來之該讀取SMART資訊的 SCSI命令並送給該硬碟’使該硬碟根據該SCSI命令讀取 SMART資訊並透過該介面橋接器及該連接介面回傳給該電Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) hard disk self-diagnosis detection technology; and for computer hardware manufacturers such as Compaq and hard disk manufacturers such as Seagate, Quantum, Conner, etc., therefore, most of the current hard disk There is support for this SMART function. S.M.A.R.T. As the name implies, the hard disk will monitor itself, find out the problem early and tell the user to allow the user to back up or save the data in time. The monitoring information provided by S.M.A.R.T. includes the temperature of the hard disk 200951947. Therefore, compared with the above-mentioned prior art, in addition to the external temperature sensor to extract the hard disk temperature, the SMART information can be more accurately reflected in the SMART-enabled hard disk. The working temperature of the disc at that time. Moreover, since the establishment of the SMART standard, motherboard manufacturers have built-in options for booting the hard drive SMART in their BIOS, and the main operating systems in the market, such as Windows, Mac 0S and Linux, also provide corresponding APIs or applications. Used to retrieve SMART information for SMART hard drives (internally on the motherboard). However, for an external hard disk (including a product using a USB or 1394 interface) that is connected to a host computer by an external device, since the hard disk interface (mostly using an IDE (ATA) or SATA interface) is different from the connection interface, The interface needs to be converted through a bridgeboard. Therefore, even if the external hard disk supports the SMART function, the bridge module of the external hard disk does not recognize the instruction of reading the SMART information from the host computer. Even some operating systems (such as Mac OS) simply do not allow direct reading of the SMART information of an external hard drive, so that the user cannot use the SMART function of the external hard drive to monitor the operation status of the external device. External hard disk for further security protection and control such as timely heat dissipation or data backup. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for automatically monitoring the operational status of an external hard disk device in accordance with the timely monitoring of the external hard disk device by the SMART information transmitted back from the external hard disk device. 200951947 Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for automatically monitoring the operation state of an external hard disk device by monitoring the operational state of the external hard disk device to provide a warning message to the user in a timely manner. Therefore, the method for automatically monitoring the operating state of the external hard disk device is used for monitoring the operation status of an external hard disk device connected to a computer host, and the external hard disk device includes a host computer a connected connection interface, a hard disk supporting SMART function, and an interface bridge bridging the connection interface with the hard disk; the method includes: Α) causing the computer to be in the host to confirm that the external hard disk device exists in the current operation In the system environment, a SCSI command for reading SMART information is transmitted to a connection interface of the external hard disk device through a specific program; and (B) an interface bridge of the external hard disk device is owed to the connection interface. The SCSI command for reading the SMART information is sent to the hard disk to cause the hard disk to read the SMART information according to the SCSI command and transmit the electrical information to the electrical interface through the interface bridge and the connection interface.
200951947 可替換地，步驟（A)是由載置在該電腦主機之中央處理 器中的一應用程式所執行，且當該作業系統是Mac 〇S時， 該特定程式是設在該作業系統中的一核心擴充驅動程式， 該應用程式可透過該驅動程式將該SCSI命令送至該外接式 硬碟裝置的連接介面。 較佳地’該外接式硬碟裝置更包括一與該介面橋接器 電連接的控制單元，且該方法更包括步驟（c):令電腦主機 根據回傳之SMART資訊產生一 SCSI控制命令並透過該特 © 定程式傳送至該外接式硬碟裝置的連接介面，以透過該連 接介面及該介面橋接器傳給該控制單元，使該控制單元對 該外接式硬碟裝置產生對應的控制。 較佳地，該外接式硬碟裝置更包括一與該控制單元連 接的風扇，且該SMART資訊包含該外接式硬碟裝置的一工 作溫度，該步驟（C)係根據該工作溫度產生該SCSI控制命令 給該控制單元，使對應控制該風扇轉速。 較佳地，該硬碟具有一 IDE(ATA)或SATA介面，且該 ❹ 介面橋接器係一 USB或1394轉IDE(ATA)或SATA橋接器 〇 較佳地，該外接式硬碟裝置更包括一與該介面橋接器 電連接的控制單元，該方法更包括步驟（c):從作業系統取 得該外接式硬碟裝置的硬碟剩餘容量並與一預設值比較， 當該外接式硬碟裝置的硬碟的剩餘容量低於該預設值時， 產生一 SCSI控制命令透過該特定程式傳送至該外接式硬碟 裝置的連接介面，以經由該連接介面及該介面橋接器傳給 200951947 該控制單元，使該控制單元產生對應的警示控制。 較佳地，該外接式硬碟裝置更包括一連接該控制單元 的警示單元，其受該控制單元控制以在該外接式硬碟裝置 的硬碟剩餘容量低於該預設值時發出一警示訊息。 較佳地，該警示單元是一設於該外接周邊裝置殼體表 面的發光元件。 再者，本發明實現上述方法的一種外接式硬碟裝置， 可以提供SMART資訊給與其連接的一電腦主機，該外接式 © 硬碟裝置包括：一連接介面，用以外接於一電腦主機，並 接受來自該電腦主機的一讀取SMART資訊的SCSI命令； 一支援SMART功能的硬碟，用以根據該電腦主機命令執行 對應的存取作業；及一介面橋接器，橋接於該連接介面與 該硬碟之間，用以進行連接介面與硬碟之間的命令轉換， 並將該SCSI命令傳送至該硬碟，使該硬碟根據該SCSI命 令讀取SMART資訊並透過該介面橋接器及該連接介面回傳 給該電腦主機。 〇 較佳地，該外接式硬碟裝置更包括一與該介面橋接器 電連接的控制單元，該介面橋接器會將該電腦主機傳來之 一 SCSI控制命令傳給該控制單元，使該控制單元對該外接 式硬碟裝置產生對應的控制。 較佳地，該外接式硬碟裝置更包括一與該控制單元連 接的風扇，且該SCSI控制命令係一風扇轉速控制命令，該 控制單元會根據該SCSI控制命令控制該風扇轉速。 較佳地，該連接介面是一 USB或1394介面，該介面橋 9 200951947 接器是一 USB或1394轉ΑΤΑ或SATA橋接器，且該硬碟 具有一 IDE(ΑΤΑ)或SATA介面。 較佳地，該外接式硬碟裝置更包括一與該介面橋接器 電連接的控制單元，以及一與該控制單元連接的警示單元 ，該介面橋接模組可接收來自該電腦主機的一 SCSI控制命 令並傳給該控制單元，使控制該警示單元發出一警示訊息 〇 較佳地，該警示單元是一設於該外接式硬碟裝置殼體 〇 表面的發光元件。 又本發明實現上述方法的一種電腦程式產品，其中包 含有一應用程式，該應用程式可被載置於一電腦主機，使 該電腦主機對與其連接之一外接式硬碟裝置執行步驟，包 括：（A)確定該外接式硬碟裝置存在於該電腦主機的一目前 作業系統環境時，透過一特定程式傳送一讀取SMART資訊 的SCSI命令給該外接式硬碟裝置；及（B)接收該外接式硬碟 裝置回傳的SMART資訊，並根據該SMART資訊產生一 〇 scsi控制命令透過該特定程式傳給該外接式硬碟裝置，使 該外接式硬碟裝置產生對應的控制。 較佳地，當該電腦主機之作業系統是Windows或Linux 時，該特定程式是該作業系統所提供的一標準函式，其可 被該應用程式呼叫而執行將該SCSI命令送至該外接式硬碟 裝置的功能。 較佳地，當該作業系統是Mac OS時，該特定程式是設 在該作業系統中的一核心擴充驅動程式，該應用程式可透 10 200951947 過該驅動程式將該SCSI命令送至該外接式硬碟裝置。 本發明藉由將外接式硬碟裝置的介面橋接器程式化為 可讓SCSI命令通過並到達主體電路端，並使電腦主機可透 過應用程式產生一讀取外接式硬碟裝置之SMART資訊的 SCSI命令，藉由呼叫作業系統的函式或在作業系統中另行 開發之驅動程式將該SCSI命令經由外接式硬碟裝置的連接200951947 Alternatively, step (A) is executed by an application placed in a central processing unit of the computer host, and when the operating system is Mac 〇S, the specific program is set in the operating system. A core expansion driver through which the application can send the SCSI command to the connection interface of the external hard disk device. Preferably, the external hard disk device further includes a control unit electrically connected to the interface bridge, and the method further comprises the step (c) of causing the computer host to generate a SCSI control command according to the returned SMART information and The special program is transmitted to the connection interface of the external hard disk device to be transmitted to the control unit through the connection interface and the interface bridge, so that the control unit generates corresponding control for the external hard disk device. Preferably, the external hard disk device further includes a fan connected to the control unit, and the SMART information includes an operating temperature of the external hard disk device, and the step (C) generates the SCSI according to the operating temperature. A control command is given to the control unit to control the fan speed correspondingly. Preferably, the hard disk has an IDE (ATA) or SATA interface, and the interface bridge is a USB or 1394 to IDE (ATA) or SATA bridge. Preferably, the external hard disk device further includes a control unit electrically connected to the interface bridge, the method further comprising the step (c) of: obtaining a remaining capacity of the hard disk of the external hard disk device from the operating system and comparing with a preset value, when the external hard disk When the remaining capacity of the hard disk of the device is lower than the preset value, a SCSI control command is transmitted to the connection interface of the external hard disk device through the specific program, and is transmitted to the 200951947 via the connection interface and the interface bridge. The control unit causes the control unit to generate a corresponding alert control. Preferably, the external hard disk device further includes an alert unit connected to the control unit, and is controlled by the control unit to issue a warning when the remaining capacity of the hard disk of the external hard disk device is lower than the preset value. message. Preferably, the warning unit is a light-emitting element disposed on a surface of the outer peripheral device housing. Furthermore, the external hard disk device of the present invention can provide SMART information to a computer host connected thereto, and the external hard disk device includes: a connection interface, which is externally connected to a computer host, and Receiving a SCSI command for reading SMART information from the host computer; a hard disk supporting the SMART function for performing a corresponding access operation according to the host computer command; and an interface bridge bridging the connection interface with the Between the hard disks, the command conversion between the connection interface and the hard disk is performed, and the SCSI command is transmitted to the hard disk, so that the hard disk reads the SMART information according to the SCSI command and passes through the interface bridge and the The connection interface is returned to the host computer. Preferably, the external hard disk device further includes a control unit electrically connected to the interface bridge, and the interface bridge transmits a SCSI control command sent by the computer host to the control unit to enable the control. The unit generates corresponding control for the external hard disk device. Preferably, the external hard disk device further includes a fan connected to the control unit, and the SCSI control command is a fan speed control command, and the control unit controls the fan speed according to the SCSI control command. Preferably, the connection interface is a USB or 1394 interface, and the interface bridge 9 200951947 connector is a USB or 1394 switch or SATA bridge, and the hard disk has an IDE (ΑΤΑ) or SATA interface. Preferably, the external hard disk device further includes a control unit electrically connected to the interface bridge, and an alert unit connected to the control unit, the interface bridge module can receive a SCSI control from the host computer The command is transmitted to the control unit to cause the warning unit to send a warning message. Preferably, the warning unit is a light-emitting element disposed on a surface of the external hard disk device housing. A computer program product for implementing the above method, comprising an application program, which can be placed on a computer host, and the computer host performs steps on an external hard disk device connected thereto, including: A) determining that the external hard disk device exists in a current operating system environment of the computer host, transmitting a SCSI command for reading SMART information to the external hard disk device through a specific program; and (B) receiving the external connection The SMART information returned by the hard disk device is generated according to the SMART information, and a scsi control command is transmitted to the external hard disk device through the specific program, so that the external hard disk device generates corresponding control. Preferably, when the operating system of the computer host is Windows or Linux, the specific program is a standard function provided by the operating system, and the application can be called by the application to send the SCSI command to the external connection. The function of the hard disk device. Preferably, when the operating system is a Mac OS, the specific program is a core expansion driver provided in the operating system, and the application can send the SCSI command to the external terminal through the 20092009947 Hard disk device. The invention simplifies the interface bridge of the external hard disk device to allow the SCSI command to pass through to the main circuit end, and enables the host computer to generate a SCSI for reading the SMART information of the external hard disk device through the application. Command to connect the SCSI command to the external hard disk device by calling the function of the operating system or a separately developed driver in the operating system
彳面及介面橋接器送達硬碟4，使硬碟可據以讀s SMART 貢訊並回傳給電腦主機，讓電腦主機可以即時了解外接式 ❹ 硬碟裝置的運作狀況，並且根據SMART資訊對外接式硬碟 裝置採取即時的因應措施，以進一步維護外接式硬碟裝置 的運作安全。 此外’本發明另—種自動監控外接式硬碟裝置運作狀 態的方法，用以對與一電腦主機連接的一外接式硬碟襄置 進打運作狀態監控，該外接式硬碟裝置包括一用以與該電 腦主機連接的連接介面、—支援SMART功能的硬碟、一橋 #該連接介面與該主體電路的介面橋接器、-與該介面橋 ❹ 接器連接的控制單元；該方法包括··⑷令該電腦主機查詢 作業系統，以取得該外接式硬碟裝置的硬碟剩餘容量並盘 -預設值比較，以於該外接式硬碟裝置的硬碟剩餘容量低 於該預設值時，產生—SCSI控制命令透過__特定程式傳送 至該外接式硬碟裝置的連接介面；及（B)令該外接式硬碟裝 置的介面橋接器接受從該連接介面傳來之SCSI控制命令並 送給該控制單元，使該控制單元產生對應的警示控制。 較佳地，該外接式硬碟裝置更包括一連接該控制單元 200951947 的警示單元，其受該控制單元控制以在該外接式硬碟裝置 的硬碟剩餘容量低於該預設值時發出一警示訊息。 較佳地，4警示單元是一設於該外接式硬碟裝置殼 表面的發光元件。 本發明實現上述方法的一種外接式硬碟裝置可以接 受一電腦主機的監控，該外接式硬碟裝置包括：一連接介 面用以外接於該電腦主機，並接受來自該電腦主機的一 SCSI控制命令；—硬碟，用以根據該電腦主機命令執行對 © m的存取作業；—介面橋接ϋ，橋接於該連接介面與該硬 碟之間，用以進行連接介面與主機電路之間的命令轉換， 並接受該SCSI控制命令通過；及—控制單元，與該介面橋 接器連接，以接受該scsw制命令並進行對應的控制。 較佳地，該外接式硬碟裝置更包括一與該控制單元連 接的警示單元，該控制單元根據該SCSI控制命令控制該警 示單元發出一警示訊息。 較佳地，該警示單元是一設於該外接式硬碟裝置殼體 〇 表面的發光元件。 本發明實現上述方法的一種電腦程式產品，其中包含 有應用程式，該應用程式可被載置於一電腦主機，使該 電腦主機對與其連接之一外接式硬碟裝置執行步驟，包括 • (A)確定該外接式硬碟裝置存在於該電腦主機的一目前作 業系統環境時，查詢作業系統以取得該外接式硬碟裝置的 硬碟剩餘容量並與一預設值比較；及（B)當判斷該外接式硬 碟裝置的硬碟剩餘容量低於該預設值時，產生一 SCSI控制 12 200951947 命令並透過-特定程式傳給該外接式硬碟裝置使該外接 式硬碟裝置產生對應的控制。 較佳地’當該電腦主機之作業系統是Wind〇ws或Li_ 時，該特定程式是該作業系統所提供的—標準函式，其可 被該應用程式呼叫而執行將該隨命令送至該外接式硬碟 裝置的功能。 >較佳地’當該作業系統是Mae 〇s _，該特定程式是設 在該作業系統中的一核心擴充驅動程式，該應用程式可透 〇 祕驅動程式將該SCSI命令送至該外接式硬碟裝置。 本發明藉由偵測外接式硬碟裝置的剩餘容量，並透過 該特定程式即時發l SCSI命令至外接式硬碟裝置，使外 接式硬碟裝置即時發出警示訊息，通知使用者對外接式硬 碟裝置做及時的因應措施。 【實施方式】 有關本發明之前述及其他技術内容、特點與功效，在 以下配合參考圖式之一較佳實施例的詳細說明中，將可产 © 楚的呈現。 Θ 參見圖卜是本發明自動監控外接式硬碟裝置運作狀離 的方法的-較佳實施例，用以對與一電腦主機100連接： -外接式硬碟農置進行運作狀態監控，在本實施例中外 接式硬碟裝置是以—支援SMART功能的外接式硬碟裝置 200為例。 ' 外接式硬碟襄置200包括一用以與電腦主機1〇〇連接 的連接介面（可以是例如USB或1394介面等，本實施例是 13 200951947 以USB介面21為例）、一支援SMART功能的硬碟（在本實 施例中是以一使用SATA介面之硬碟22為例）以及一橋接 USB介面21與硬碟22的介面橋接器（在本實施例是以一 USB轉SATA橋接器23為例），它是一用以轉換硬碟22的 SATA介面與連接電腦之USB介面21之命令的控制器。此 外，外接式硬碟裝置200還包括一與USB轉SATA橋接器 23電路連接的控制單元24(MCU)以及一受控制單元24控制 轉速的風扇25。 〇 其中’由於硬碟22有支援SMART功能，所以當硬碟 22在運轉時，它會對自已做監測並記錄包括硬碟工作溫度 等SMART資訊《而且特別的是，在本實施例中，外接式硬 碟裝置200的USB轉SATA橋接器23被程式化為可以接受 一以ATA—pass through格式定義的讀取SMART資訊的 SCSI命令通過並到達硬碟22。 此外，為實現本發明之方法，本實施例之電腦主機100 的一記憶單元（圖未示）中更記錄有一執行讀取外接式硬碟裝 〇 置200之SMART資訊的應用程式110,當電腦主機100開 機並載入作業系統120至中央處理器10後，作業系統12〇 可以根據使用者的操作，將應用程式110載入中央處理器 10中以執行讀取外接式硬碟裝置200之SMART資訊的功 能。且該應用程式110可以在不同的作業系統，例如 Windows、MAC 0S 或 Linux 中執行0 以下將以應用程式在Windows或Linux環境中執行讀 取外接式硬碟裝置200之SMART資訊為例，說明應用程式 14 200951947 如何根據硬碟的SMART資訊來控制外接式硬碟的風扇。 如圖2所示，當應用程式被執行時，如步驟S21，應用 程式會先透過查詢作業系統，判斷是否有外接周邊裝置（例 如外接式硬碟裝置200)連接至電腦主機100，並取得該外接 式硬碟裝置200在作業系統中的一外接儲存設備代號，例 如在MSWindows中的\\.\PhysicalDΓivel，以得知該外接式 硬碟200的位置及連接路徑。 然後，應用程式110根據使用者要求讀取外接式硬碟裝 〇 置200溫度的一操作指令，進行步驟S22，產生一讀取硬碟 SMART資訊的SCSI命令，該SCSI命令中包含以ΑΤΑ Pass-Through命令格式定義的讀取硬碟SMART資訊命令， 且由於Windows或Linux作業系統本身有提供傳送SCSI命 令的一特定程式（即function call，又稱系統函式），所以， 應用程式110可以透過呼叫作業系統之傳送SCSI命令的特 定程式（函式），將該讀取硬碟SMART資訊的SCSI命令透 過電腦主機100的一 USB控制器（Host)ll送至外接式硬碟 G 裝置200的USB介面21。 此時，由於USB轉SATA橋接器23已經被程式化為可 接受一内含ATA_pass_through格式的SCSI命令通過，所以 ，該讀取硬碟SMART資訊的SCSI命令便可以經由USB轉 SATA橋接器23傳送到硬碟22。因此，當硬碟22收到該讀 取SMART資訊的SCSI命令後，即根據命令的指示將 SMART資訊循同一路徑回傳給電腦主機1〇〇的應用程式。 而由於查詢硬碟22内部SMART狀態（包括硬碟溫度的 15 200951947 偵測）的動作是完全由支援SMART功能的硬碟内部控制器 自行完成，且該SMART已是業界習知技術且非本案重點， 故在此不予詳述。 .所以，如步驟S23，當應用程式收到外接式硬碟裝置 200回傳的SMART資訊時，即可從SMART資訊中獲得外 接式硬碟目前的工作溫度。因此，為了可以根據外接式硬 碟裝置200的工作溫度對外接式硬碟裝置200做進一步控 制，以使外接式硬碟裝置200的運作可以更順暢，在應用 0 程式中可以預先建立一風扇轉速與硬碟工作溫度的對照表 ，應用程式可以將獲得的硬碟工作溫度與該對照表中的溫 度對照，以得知目前最佳風扇轉速，並據以產生一風扇轉 速控制命令（以Vendor-Specific命令定義的SCSI命令）再透 過作業系統的函式呼叫，將該風扇轉速控制命令（SCSI命令 )傳送至外接式硬碟裝置200的USB轉SATA橋接器23，使 將該風扇轉速控制命令轉達給控制單元24，再由控制單元 24控制風扇25以相對於目前硬碟溫度最佳的轉速運轉。 〇 此外，參見圖3所示，本實施例亦可利用應用程式透 過偵測外接式硬碟裝置200的剩餘容量，即時發出警示訊 息通知使用者對外接式硬碟裝置200做及時的因應措施。 因此，本實施例更在外接式硬碟裝置200的外殼體表面設 置一受控制單元24控制的警示單元26,並令應用程式提供 一設定警示值（預設值）選項供使用者設定一警示值（預設值） ，例如硬碟剩餘容量百分比5%、10%或15%。當應用程式 被執行時，如步驟S31，應用程式先判斷是否有外接式硬碟 16 200951947 裝置200連接電腦主機100(即是否存在於電腦主機目前的 作業系統環境中），並取得該外接式硬碟裝置200在作業系 統中的一外接儲存設備代號（例如在MS Windows中的 \\.\PhysicalDrivel)。The face and interface bridges are delivered to the hard disk 4 so that the hard disk can be read and sent back to the host computer, so that the computer can instantly understand the operation status of the external hard disk device and according to the SMART information pair. The external hard disk device takes immediate action to further maintain the operational safety of the external hard disk device. In addition, the present invention provides a method for automatically monitoring the operating state of an external hard disk device for monitoring the operation state of an external hard disk device connected to a computer host, and the external hard disk device includes one a connection interface connected to the host computer, a hard disk supporting SMART function, a bridge interface interface with the main circuit, and a control unit connected to the interface bridge splicer; the method includes (4) having the computer host query the operating system to obtain the remaining capacity of the external hard disk device and compare the disk-preset value so that the remaining capacity of the external hard disk device is lower than the preset value , generating - the SCSI control command is transmitted to the connection interface of the external hard disk device through the __ specific program; and (B) causing the interface bridge of the external hard disk device to accept the SCSI control command transmitted from the connection interface The control unit is sent to the control unit to generate corresponding warning control. Preferably, the external hard disk device further includes a warning unit connected to the control unit 200951947, which is controlled by the control unit to issue a sound when the remaining capacity of the external hard disk device is lower than the preset value. Warning message. Preferably, the 4 alert unit is a light-emitting component disposed on the surface of the external hard disk device housing. An external hard disk device for implementing the above method can be monitored by a host computer, the external hard disk device comprising: a connection interface externally connected to the computer host, and accepting a SCSI control command from the computer host a hard disk for performing an access operation to the source m according to the host computer command; - an interface bridge, bridged between the connection interface and the hard disk, for performing a command between the connection interface and the host circuit Converting, and accepting the SCSI control command through; and - the control unit is connected to the interface bridge to accept the scsw command and perform corresponding control. Preferably, the external hard disk device further includes an alert unit connected to the control unit, and the control unit controls the alert unit to issue a warning message according to the SCSI control command. Preferably, the warning unit is a light-emitting element disposed on a surface of the outer casing of the external hard disk device. A computer program product for implementing the above method, comprising an application program, which can be placed on a computer host, and the computer host performs steps on an external hard disk device connected thereto, including: Determining that the external hard disk device exists in a current operating system environment of the computer host, querying the operating system to obtain the remaining capacity of the external hard disk device and comparing it with a preset value; and (B) When it is determined that the remaining capacity of the external hard disk device is lower than the preset value, a SCSI control 12 200951947 command is generated and transmitted to the external hard disk device through a specific program to cause the external hard disk device to generate a corresponding control. Preferably, when the operating system of the host computer is Wind〇ws or Li_, the specific program is provided by the operating system - a standard function, which can be called by the application to execute the command to be sent to the The function of the external hard disk device. > Preferably, when the operating system is Mae 〇s _, the specific program is a core expansion driver provided in the operating system, and the application can send the SCSI command to the external device through the secret driver Hard disk device. The present invention detects the remaining capacity of the external hard disk device and immediately sends a SCSI command to the external hard disk device through the specific program, so that the external hard disk device immediately sends a warning message to notify the user that the external hard disk is hard. The disc device is responsible for timely response measures. [Embodiment] The foregoing and other technical contents, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the drawings.图 Referring to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the present invention for automatically monitoring the operation of an external hard disk device is used to connect to a computer host 100: - an external hard disk farm is monitored for operation status. In the embodiment, the external hard disk device is an example of an external hard disk device 200 that supports the SMART function. The external hard disk device 200 includes a connection interface for connecting to the host computer (which may be, for example, a USB or 1394 interface, etc., in this embodiment, 13 200951947, taking the USB interface 21 as an example), and a SMART function is supported. The hard disk (in this embodiment, a hard disk 22 using a SATA interface) and an interface bridge for bridging the USB interface 21 and the hard disk 22 (in this embodiment, a USB to SATA bridge 23) For example, it is a controller for converting the SATA interface of the hard disk 22 with the command to connect the USB interface 21 of the computer. In addition, the external hard disk device 200 further includes a control unit 24 (MCU) connected to the USB to SATA bridge 23 circuit and a fan 25 controlled by the control unit 24 for controlling the rotational speed. 〇Which is because the hard disk 22 supports the SMART function, when the hard disk 22 is running, it will monitor and record the SMART information including the working temperature of the hard disk. And in particular, in this embodiment, the external connection The USB-to-SATA bridge 23 of the hard disk device 200 is programmed to accept a SCSI command to read SMART information defined in the ATA-pass through format and reach the hard disk 22. In addition, in order to implement the method of the present invention, a memory unit (not shown) of the computer host 100 of the embodiment further records an application 110 for performing the reading of the SMART information of the external hard disk device 200. After the host 100 is powered on and loaded into the operating system 120 to the central processing unit 10, the operating system 12 can load the application 110 into the central processing unit 10 according to the user's operation to perform reading of the SMART of the external hard disk device 200. The function of information. The application 110 can be executed in different operating systems, such as Windows, MAC 0S, or Linux. The following is an example of an application that reads SMART information of the external hard disk device 200 in a Windows or Linux environment. Program 14 200951947 How to control the fan of an external hard disk based on the SMART information of the hard disk. As shown in FIG. 2, when the application is executed, in step S21, the application first queries the operating system to determine whether an external peripheral device (for example, the external hard disk device 200) is connected to the computer host 100, and obtains the The external hard disk device 200 is an external storage device code in the operating system, for example, \\.\PhysicalDΓivel in MSWindows, to know the location and connection path of the external hard disk 200. Then, the application 110 reads an operation command of the temperature of the external hard disk device 200 according to the user request, and proceeds to step S22 to generate a SCSI command for reading the hard disk SMART information, where the SCSI command includes ΑΤΑ Pass- The command to read the hard disk SMART information defined by the command format, and since the Windows or Linux operating system itself has a specific program (ie, function call, also called a system function) for transmitting SCSI commands, the application 110 can make a call through the call. The specific program (function) of the operating system for transmitting the SCSI command, the SCSI command for reading the hard disk SMART information is sent to the USB interface of the external hard disk G device 200 through a USB controller (Host) 11 of the host computer 100. twenty one. At this time, since the USB to SATA bridge 23 has been programmed to accept a SCSI command containing the ATA_pass_through format, the SCSI command for reading the hard disk SMART information can be transmitted to the SATA bridge 23 via the USB to SATA bridge 23. Hard disk 22. Therefore, when the hard disk 22 receives the SCSI command for reading the SMART information, the SMART information is transmitted back to the host computer 1 by the same path according to the command. The operation of querying the internal SMART state of the hard disk 22 (including the detection of the hard disk temperature 15 200951947) is completely completed by the internal controller of the hard disk supporting the SMART function, and the SMART is already a well-known technology in the industry and is not the focus of the case. Therefore, it will not be detailed here. Therefore, in step S23, when the application receives the SMART information returned by the external hard disk device 200, the current working temperature of the external hard disk can be obtained from the SMART information. Therefore, in order to further control the external hard disk device 200 according to the operating temperature of the external hard disk device 200, the operation of the external hard disk device 200 can be made smoother, and a fan speed can be established in advance in the application 0 program. The hard disk operating temperature comparison table, the application can compare the obtained hard disk operating temperature with the temperature in the comparison table to know the current optimal fan speed, and accordingly generate a fan speed control command (with Vendor- The SCSI command defined by the specific command is transmitted to the USB-to-SATA bridge 23 of the external hard disk device 200 through the function call of the operating system, so that the fan speed control command is transmitted. To the control unit 24, the control unit 24 controls the fan 25 to operate at an optimum speed relative to the current hard disk temperature. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the application can also use the application to detect the remaining capacity of the external hard disk device 200, and immediately send a warning message to notify the user of the external hard disk device 200 to perform timely countermeasures. Therefore, in this embodiment, an alert unit 26 controlled by the control unit 24 is disposed on the outer surface of the external hard disk device 200, and the application provides a set alert value (preset value) option for the user to set a warning. Value (default), such as 5%, 10%, or 15% of the remaining capacity of the hard drive. When the application is executed, in step S31, the application first determines whether there is an external hard disk 16 200951947 device 200 is connected to the computer host 100 (ie, whether it exists in the current operating system environment of the computer host), and obtains the external hard The disk device 200 is an external storage device code in the operating system (for example, \\.\PhysicalDrivel in MS Windows).
接著，如步驟S32，應用程式定時至作業系統查詢外接 式硬碟裝置200的剩餘容量，並進行步驟S33，判斷該剩餘 容量相對於總容量的百分比是否小於使用者設定的該警示 值（預設值），若否，則重覆步驟32，若是，則進行步驟S34 Q ，產生一以Vendor-Specific命令格式定義的警示命令（SCSI 命令），並透過作業系統的特定程式（函式）呼叫，將該警示 命令傳給外接式硬碟裝置200的USB介面21，使經由USB 轉SATA橋接器23送給控制單元24，控制單元24即根據 該警示命令驅動警示單元26產生一警示訊息，通知使用者 外接式硬碟裝置200的儲存空間即將用罄。 在本實施例中，警示單元26可以是一發光元件（例如 LED燈），且該警示訊息是發光元件發出的燈光。此外，應 G 用程式亦可視目前外接式硬碟裝置200的剩餘容量百分比 不同，產生不同的警示命令給控制單元24，使控制發光元 件產生相對應的各色燈光或明滅閃燦頻率不同的燈號來顯 示不同程度之警示，例如當外接式硬碟裝置200目前剩餘 容量百分比只剩下30%時，即發出黃色燈光或一閃一滅之 燈號，而當剩餘容量百分比為10%，即發出紅色燈光或兩 閃一滅之燈號等，以更明確地提醒使用者目前該外接式硬 碟裝置200的容量狀況，讓該使用者能預先規劃及處理該 17 200951947 外接式硬碟裝置的儲存空間，例如刪除不重要的檔案以騰 出空間或將資料備份後再刪除檔案等。 當然，本實施例亦可藉由在應用程式中設計一組由使 用者自訂或業者預設的儲存狀況警示控制對照表，則應用 程式即可以查表方式來決定當外接式硬碟裝置200之剩餘 容量百分比達多少時，產生對應的警示命令控制發光元件 該呈現之燈光顏色或閃爍頻率。而且，在實際應用上，警 示單元26除了可以使用發光元件來顯示警示訊息外，也可 0 以使用產生聲音或文字訊息的其它元件來顯示警示訊息， 並不以本實施例為限。 此外，本實施例之應用程式若是在Mac OS作業環境下 執行時，唯一與在Windows或Linux環境中執行不同的是 ，由於Mac OS並沒有提供讀取外接式硬碟裝置之SMART 資訊的特定函式，因此本實施例必需在Mac OS中另外開發 一特定程式，即一核心擴充（Kernel Extension)驅動程式來 傳送應用程式所產生之SCSI命令（包括上述讀取外接式硬碟 〇 SMART資訊（以ATA_pass_through格式定義）的SCSI命令 、風扇轉速控制命令以及控制警示單元的警示命令等），其 它控制流程則與在Windows或Linux環境中執行無異，故 於此不再贅述。 由上述說明可知，本實施例藉由將外接式硬碟裝置200 的 USB轉 SATA橋接器 23 程式化為可支援以 ATA_pass_through格式定義的SCSI命令通過並到達硬碟22 ，使電腦主機100可透過應用程式產生一讀取外接式硬碟 18 200951947 裝置之SMART資訊的SCSI命令，並藉由呼叫作業系統的 函式或在作業系統中另行開發之驅動程式將該SCSI命令經 由外接式硬碟裝置200的USB介面21及USB轉SATA橋 接器23送達硬碟22端，使硬碟22可據以讀取SMART資 訊並回傳給電腦主機100，讓電腦主機100可以即時得知外 接式硬碟裝置200的運作狀況並反應給使用者知道，讓使 用者可以及時採取因應措施，而且由於SMART資訊除了記 錄硬碟溫度外，亦記錄了硬碟的其它狀態資料（例如開關次 ❹ 數、使用總時間、讀取錯誤次數…等），可以進一步提供使 用者硬碟診斷的功能。 , 惟以上所述者，僅為本發明之較佳實施例而已，當不 能以此限定本發明實施之範圍，即大凡依本發明申請專利 範圍及發明說明内容所作之簡單的等效變化與修飾，皆仍 屬本發明專利涵蓋之範圍内。 【圖式簡單說明】 圖1是說明本發明自動監控外接式硬碟裝置運作狀態 Ο 的方法的一較佳實施例之電腦主機與外接式硬碟裝置之相 關軟、硬體連接關係示意圖； 圖2是說明本實施例之電腦主機讀取外接式硬碟裝置 的SMART資訊並根據該SMART資訊控制外接式硬碟裝置 的流程圖；及 圖3是說明本實施例之電腦主機根據外接式硬碟裝置 的剩餘容量適時產生一警示訊息通知使用者的流程圖。 19 200951947 【主要元件符號說明】 100電腦主機 10 中央處理器（CPU) 11 USB 控制器（Host) 200外接式硬碟裝置 21 USB介面 22 硬碟 23 USB轉SATA橋接器Then, in step S32, the application timings to the operating system to query the remaining capacity of the external hard disk device 200, and proceeds to step S33 to determine whether the percentage of the remaining capacity relative to the total capacity is less than the warning value set by the user (preset Value), if not, repeat step 32, and if yes, proceed to step S34Q to generate an alert command (SCSI command) defined in the Vendor-Specific command format and call through a specific program (function) of the operating system. The warning command is transmitted to the USB interface 21 of the external hard disk device 200, and sent to the control unit 24 via the USB SATA bridge 23. The control unit 24 drives the warning unit 26 to generate a warning message according to the warning command to notify the user. The storage space of the external hard disk device 200 is about to be used. In this embodiment, the alert unit 26 can be a light-emitting component (such as an LED light), and the alert message is a light emitted by the light-emitting component. In addition, the program G can also generate different warning commands to the control unit 24 according to the percentage of the remaining capacity of the external hard disk device 200, so that the control light-emitting elements generate corresponding lights of different colors or different flashing frequencies. To display different degrees of warning, for example, when the external hard disk device 200 has only 30% of the remaining capacity percentage, a yellow light or a flashing light is emitted, and when the remaining capacity percentage is 10%, the red color is emitted. Lights or flashing lights, etc., to more clearly remind the user of the current capacity of the external hard disk device 200, so that the user can pre-plan and handle the storage space of the 17 200951947 external hard disk device. For example, delete unimportant files to make room or back up files and delete files. Of course, in this embodiment, by designing a set of storage status warning control table preset by the user or preset by the user in the application, the application can determine the external hard disk device 200 by looking up the table. When the remaining capacity percentage is reached, a corresponding warning command is generated to control the color or blinking frequency of the light-emitting element. Moreover, in practical applications, the warning unit 26 can display the warning message by using other components that generate sound or text messages, in addition to the use of the light-emitting elements to display the warning message, and is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, if the application of the embodiment is executed in the Mac OS operating environment, the only difference from the execution in the Windows or Linux environment is that the Mac OS does not provide a specific letter for reading the SMART information of the external hard disk device. Therefore, in this embodiment, a specific program must be developed in the Mac OS, that is, a Kernel Extension driver to transmit the SCSI commands generated by the application (including the above-mentioned read external hard disk and SMART information). The ATA command is defined in the ATA_pass_through format, the fan speed control command, and the warning command to control the alert unit. Other control processes are the same as those in the Windows or Linux environment, so they are not described here. As can be seen from the above description, the USB-to-SATA bridge 23 of the external hard disk device 200 is programmed to support the SCSI command defined by the ATA_pass_through format and reach the hard disk 22, so that the host computer 100 can pass the application. The program generates a SCSI command for reading the SMART information of the external hard disk 18 200951947 device, and the SCSI command is transmitted to the external hard disk device 200 by a function of the calling operation system or a driver developed separately in the operating system. The USB interface 21 and the USB to SATA bridge 23 are delivered to the hard disk 22 end, so that the hard disk 22 can read the SMART information and transmit it back to the host computer 100, so that the computer host 100 can immediately know the external hard disk device 200. The operation status and response are known to the user, so that the user can take timely measures, and because SMART information records the hard disk temperature, it also records other status data of the hard disk (such as the number of times of switching, total usage time, reading). The number of errors is taken, etc.), and the function of the user's hard disk diagnosis can be further provided. However, the above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, that is, the simple equivalent change and modification according to the scope of the present invention and the description of the invention. All remain within the scope of the invention patent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between a soft and a hard body of a computer mainframe and an external hard disk device according to a preferred embodiment of the method for automatically monitoring the operation state of the external hard disk device of the present invention; 2 is a flow chart for explaining that the host computer of the embodiment reads the SMART information of the external hard disk device and controls the external hard disk device according to the SMART information; and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the computer host according to the embodiment according to the external hard disk. The remaining capacity of the device timely generates a warning message to inform the user of the flow chart. 19 200951947 [Main component symbol description] 100 computer host 10 central processing unit (CPU) 11 USB controller (Host) 200 external hard disk device 21 USB interface 22 hard disk 23 USB to SATA bridge
24 控制單元 25 風扇 26 警示單元 S21〜S23、S31-S34 流程步驟24 Control unit 25 Fan 26 Warning unit S21~S23, S31-S34 Process steps
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