Removable media device, host device, program and recording medium thereof

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a removable media device, a host device, and a program and a recording medium thereof, which removable media device loads a media such as a DVD + RW (Digital Versatile Disk + Rewritable), DVD-RW, DVD-RAM (DVD-Random Access Memory), MO (Magnet Optical Disk), CD-RW (Compact Disk Rewritable), and USB (Universal Serial Bus) Connection Flash Memory and is used with being connected to the host device such as a PC (Personal Computer).

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

In order to operate an application program (hereinafter referred to as 'AP') of a host device such as a PC, minimum knowledge relating to the PC is needed even for a very simple operation and a difficulty accompanies a beginner. For example, when activating a specific AP, it is necessary to select one AP out of a plurality of APs by an operation of a mouse and the like, and it also becomes necessary to set an operation environment with using a keyboard, depending on a case if any.

Therefore, up to now is developed and proposed a technology for automatically running a related AP with making it a trigger that a media is inserted without a user's intervention. To be more precise, the removable media includes a task disk control file, and it accommodates all configuration information necessary for running the related AP from the removable media and, in the insertion of the media, can automatically run the AP, based on the configuration information (for example, see paragraphs 0010 to 0012 and FIG. 1 in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-75813(hereinafter referred to as patent document 1)).

In addition, it is also proposed an IC (Integrated Circuit) card that improves user's usability by activating an AP with the IC card when realizing an 'Autorun' function of 'Windows' (registered trademark) in cooperation with the IC card and recognizing a connection of the IC card (see paragraphs 0008 to 0023 and FIG. 1 in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-166927 (hereinafter referred to as patent document 2).

However, in accordance with the technology disclosed in the patent document 1, although a user's intervention can be made unnecessary, it is necessary for an OS (Operating System) of a host device to always monitor a media, and therefore, a burden of the OS becomes large and a response becomes lowered. In addition, because a specific area is frequently accessed, the technology has a fault that nothing but the area is severely worn.

In addition, in accordance with the technology disclosed in the patent document 2, the function of the IC card becomes limited and does not configure a computer so as to activate an AP, based on a command included in the media; in addition, the above IC card system does not have a function of controlling an end of the AP activated from the media and saving a data file in the media. Furthermore, there is a fault that a usable OS is limited.

On the other hand, although it has appeared a product that a software for a backup is activated by pushing a physical button with providing it with a hard disk device, it becomes a factor of a cost increase and is not preferable.

In addition, for example, in such a case of using an AP for a plurality of PCs at an office and a house, there is also a need for bringing around the AP itself in a state of set information thereof being included.

Consequently, it is strongly requested a measure for making a user's intervention unnecessary in the activation and run of an AP, reducing a burden of an OS, and doing without accessing a specific area of a removable media more than necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention for solving the problems described above is a removable media device connected to a host device for running an application program through a predetermined interface, and the removable media device comprises a media insertion detection unit for detecting that a removable media is inserted therein; a special media recognition unit for recognizing that the removable media is a media for activating the application program by referring to a predetermined area of the inserted removable media when the insertion thereof is detected; and an inquiry command response unit for transferring a flag, which indicates whether or not activating the application program set at a predetermined area for an inquiry command periodically issued from the host device, and data of a save location of the application program.

A second aspect of the present invention is a host device that is connected to a removable media device through a predetermined interface and runs an application program, and the host device comprises an inquiry command issue unit for periodically issuing an inquiry command for the removable media device; an inquiry command response receipt unit for receiving a flag, which indicates whether or not using a removable media inserted in the removable media device as an application program activation media, and data of a save location of the application program as a response for the inquiry command; and an application program run unit for reading the application program stored at the save location set at a predetermined area of the removable media and running it according to a run content further set at the predetermined area.

A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that when receiving an eject notice of the removable media from the removable media device in running the application program, the application program run unit stops the run of the application program.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a host device that is connected to a removable media device through a predetermined interface and runs an application program, and the host device comprises a format request receipt unit for receiving a format request from outside for using a removable media as an application program activation media; and a header information set unit for interactively producing with a user: identifier data for indicating that the removable media is the application program activation media, a flag for indicating whether or not activating the application program, a save location of the application program of an activation object, and a run content for running the application program; and then for writing them at a predetermined area of the removable media according to the format request.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a removable media device program used for a removable media device connected to a host device for running an application program through a predetermined interface, and the removable media device program makes a computer run the steps of: detecting that a removable media is inserted in the removable media device; recognizing that the removable media is a media for activating the application program by referring to a predetermined area of the inserted removable media when the insertion thereof is detected; and transferring a flag, which indicates whether or not activating the application program set at a predetermined area for an inquiry command periodically issued from the host device, and data of a save location of the application program.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is a host device program used for a host device that is connected to a removable media device through a predetermined interface and runs an application program, and the host device program makes a computer run the steps of periodically issuing an inquiry command for the removable media device; receiving a flag, which indicates whether or not using a removable media inserted in the removable media device as an application program activation media, and data of a save location of the application program as a response for the inquiry command; and reading the application program stored at the save location set at a predetermined area of the removable media and running it according to a run content further set at the predetermined area.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a host device program used for a host device that is connected to a removable media device through a predetermined interface and runs an application program, and the host device program makes a computer run the steps of: receiving a format request for using a removable media as an application program activation media from outside; and interactively producing with a user: identifier data for indicating that the removable media is the application program activation media, a flag for indicating whether or not activating the application program, a save location of the application program of an activation object, and a run content for running the application program; and then writing them at a predetermined area of the removable media according to the format request.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium readable by a computer, which medium records a host device program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a connection configuration of a removable media device and a host device thereof related to an embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a removable media device related to an embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a host device related to an embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>FIG. 4 is a drawing showing one example of a data structure of a removable media related to an embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of a removable media device related to an embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of a program (monitoring utility) related to an embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing of a program (format utility) related to an embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>FIG. 8 is an operation sequence diagram showing an operation of an application example related to an embodiment of the present invention.</li></ul>

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Here will be described an embodiment of the present invention in detail, referring to drawings.

[Device Configuration]

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a connection configuration of a removable media device and a host device thereof related to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1 a symbol 10 is the removable media device, and thereon is loaded a removable media 11 such as a DVD + RW, a CD-RW, and a USB flash. In addition, a symbol 20 is the host device such as a PC, and the host device is connected to the removable media device through a serial interface 12 such as a USB and an IEEE1394. A symbol 30 is a man-machine device such as a keyboard and a display and is operated by a user when defining such an AP (Application Program) run content described later.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a removable media device related to the embodiment of the present invention. The removable media device 10 comprises a media insertion detection unit 101, a special media recognition unit 102, an inquiry command receipt unit 103, and an inquiry command response unit 100.

The media insertion detection unit 101 is a sensor for detecting an insertion of the removable media 11 in the removable media device 10 and an output thereof is supplied to the special media recognition unit 102. When the insertion of the removable media 11 is detected by the media insertion detection unit 101, the unit 102 has a function of referring to a specific area (header area A) of the inserted media and recognizing it as a special media for activating an AP, and an output thereof is supplied to the inquiry command response unit 100.

In FIG. 4 is shown one example of a data structure of the removable media 11.

As shown in FIG. 4, areas in the removable media 11 are largely classified into the header area A and a data area B. At the header area A are recorded an identifier of the special media, an AP activation flag (ON/OFF), an AP name, an AP save location, and the AP run content. In addition, at the data area B are recorded the AP, data #1 to #n handled by the AP, and the like.

Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the inquiry command receipt unit 103 receives an inquiry command periodically issued from the host device 20 connected to outside, and an output thereof is supplied to one input terminals of a flag recognition unit 104, a header information transfer unit 105, and an AP transfer unit 106 that configure the inquiry command response unit 100.

The inquiry command response unit 100 has a function of transferring data relating to the AP activation flag, which indicates whether or not to activate the AP, and the save location of the AP and transferring the AP as needed. The flag recognition unit 104 transfers the activation flag, the header information transfer unit 105 transfers the data relating to the save location of the AP, and the AP transfer unit 106 transfers the AP.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a host device related to the embodiment of the present invention. The host device 20 consists of, for example, a PC and comprises an inquiry command issue unit 201, an inquiry command response receipt unit 200, an AP run unit 204, a format request receipt unit 205, a header information set unit 206, a timer 207, and an AP memory unit 208.

The inquiry command issue unit 201 has a function of making it a trigger a signal produced for the removable media device 10 at a predetermined time interval by the timer 207 and issuing the inquiry command. The inquiry command response receipt unit 200 has a function of receiving the AP activation flag, which indicates to use the removable media 11 inserted in the removable media device 10 as an AP activation special media, and the header information, which indicates the save location of the AP, as a response for the inquiry command; and an output thereof is supplied to the AP run unit 204. The AP activation flag and the header information for indicating the save location are respectively supplied to a flag receipt unit 202 and a header information receipt unit 203 that configure the inquiry command response receipt unit 200.

In addition, the AP run unit 204 has a function of reading the AP stored at the save location set at the header area A of the special media and running the AP according to the AP run content set at the header area A. In addition, the unit 204 also writes an run result of the AP at a predetermined area, depending on the AP run content set at the header area A if any.

Furthermore, the AP run unit 204 also has a function of stopping the AP in run when receiving an eject notice of the removable media 11 from the removable media device 10 while running the AP.

On the other hand, the format request receipt unit 205 receives from outside a format request for using the removable media 11 as the AP activation special media and supplies the received format request to the header information set unit 206.

According to the format request received by the format request receipt unit 205, the header information set unit 206 interactively produces with a user through the man-machine device 30: the special media identifier for indicating that the removable media 11 is the AP activation special media; the AP activation flag for indicating whether or not to activate the AP, accompanying the insertion of the removable media 11; the AP name and AP save location of an activation object; and the AP run content (detailed operation content such as a data input and a save of a run result) for running the AP, and then writes them in the header area A of the removable media 11.

The timer 207 is a clock function which the host device 20 has and, particularly, that outputs a signal produced at a predetermined time interval to the inquiry command issue unit 201. The AP memory unit 208 is a memory measure which the host device 20 has and, particularly, that memorizes the AP run by the AP run unit 204. The AP memory unit 208 is realized by a hard disk device, a flash memory, and the like.

[Device Operation]

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of a removable media device related to the embodiment of the present invention. In addition, processing of a media control program is shown in parallel. Meanwhile, the media control program is assumed to be registered as a firmware in advance in an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory, not shown) housed in the removable media device 10.

Here will be described an operation of the removable media device 10, referring to FIG. 5 (see FIG. 2 as needed).

In the removable media device 10, firstly the media insertion detection unit 101 detects that the removable media 11 has been inserted (Yes in S501) and activates the special media recognition unit 102. The recognition unit 102 refers to an identifier of the header area A of the inserted removable media 11 (S502) and recognizes it as the special media for activating the AP (Yes in S503). Here is assumed that a predetermined mark is written as the identifier. After the inserted removable media 11 is recognized as the special media, the inquiry command receipt unit 103 is assumed to receive an inquiry command from the host device 20 (Yes in S504). Meanwhile, the inquiry command is a command for inquiring whether or not the AP activation flag of the removable media 11 is ON.

And the flag recognition unit 104 of the inquiry command response unit 100 refers to the header area A and returns the AP activation flag to the host device 20 (S505). Subsequently, checking that the AP activation flag has been set (Yes in S506), the flag recognition unit 104 activates the header information transfer unit 105 and transfers the AP name, the AP save location and the AP run content set at the header area A to the host device 20 (S507).

Furthermore, if the AP save location exists within the same removable media 11 (Yes in S508), the flag recognition unit 104 transfers the AP to the host device 20 (S509). The above thus described is the operation of the firmware housed within the removable media device 10.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing an operation of a host device related to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively show processing of a monitoring utility and a format utility prepared as a program related to an embodiment of the present invention.

The operation of the monitoring utility will be described according to FIG. 6 (see FIG. 3 as needed). In the host device 20, when it becomes a timing of a predetermined time interval measured by the timer 207 for the removable media device 10 (Yes in S601), the inquiry command issue unit 201 issues an inquiry command (S602). The removable media device 10 receiving the inquiry command sends a content of the header area A, referring to the header area A. The flag receipt unit 202 of the inquiry command response receipt unit 200 receives the AP activation flag (S603). If the AP activation flag is set ON (Yes in S604), the header information receipt unit 203 receives the AP name, the AP save location, and the AP run content as header information (S605).

Here, if the save location of the AP is an area of an media where the header information is read (Yes in S606), the AP run unit 204 reads the AP saved in the removable media 11 and runs it (S607). If saved in another storage media such as the AP memory unit 208 of the host device 20 (No in S606), the AP run unit 204 reads the AP from the storage media and runs it (S608). Thus, because the AP activation is automated, and additionally, the detailed operation content including an input and the like according to the set 'AP run content' is handed over to the AP, the operation of a mouse and a keyboard usually performed becomes unnecessary.

Meanwhile, in running the AP, if a result save instruction is made as an 'AP run content' transferred from the header area A (Yes in S609), the AP run unit 204 saves a run result of the AP at a predetermined location according to the instruction (S610).

In addition, although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, when the removable media 11 is ejected from the removable media device 10 in running the AP and the AP run unit 204 receives the ejection notice as described later, the AP run unit 204 protects a data destruction due to a mistake of a media insertion and the like by stopping the AP in run. A detail will be described later.

Next, according to FIG. 7 will be described an operation of the format utility (see FIG. 3 as needed).

Firstly, in the host device 20 the format request receipt unit 205 receives a format request of the removable media 11 (Yes in S701). Thus the header information set unit 206 is activated, and firstly, the header area A is allotted within the removable media 11 (S702). And a data input/output is started through a dialogue for producing header information between a user and the set unit 206, using the man-machine device 30 (S703).

In other words, the header information set unit 206 produces a screen and a message for prompting the user to input the special media identifier, the AP activation flag, the AP name, the AP save location, and the AP run content. Furthermore, the header information set unit 206 takes in the data input by the user who sees the screen and the message, and sets the taken-in data at the header area A in a predetermined format.

To be more precise, when formatting the removable media 11 inserted in the removable media device 10 as the special media (Yes in S704), the header information set unit 206 produces identifier data (predetermined mark) (S705), and additionally, produces data for setting ON/OFF of the AP activation flag, depending on an user's input (S706, S707, and S711). And the header information set unit 206 takes in the user's input with respect to the AP name and the AP save location (S708) and then the AP run content (S709), and sets the content of the taken-in user's input at the header area A (S710).

Meanwhile, if in S704 the removable media 11 is not the special media (No in S704), the header information set unit 206 is assumed to run a usual format (S712).

Only after the format processing thus described is run, the automatic run of the AP is enabled by the special media.

[Operation of Application Example]

FIG. 8 is an operation sequence diagram showing an operation of an application example related to an embodiment of the present invention, and to be more precise, shows the operation sequence diagram when a user ejects a special media and cancels an operation according to an AP.

Here is shown a flow of an operation between the AP, a monitoring utility (MU), a media control program (FW: firmware), and a USER, and is exemplified a case of preventing a data destruction by making an AP run content have a scheduler function. The USER corresponds to an input/output device.

In other words, the AP automatically activated is made a backup program and seven pieces of automatic activation media of the backup program are prepared, corresponding to each day of the week.

Firstly, if a media where a backup content is written is inserted as an operation once per day (Yes in S801), the backup starts (S802). At this time the monitoring utility checks the media (S803). Here header information set at the header area A is taken in (S804). At the header area A is set data of a day of the week to be run.

A collation of the day of the week is run by the monitoring utility (S805), and if the inserted media is a backup media matching the day (Yes in S805), backup processing according to the AP is continued (S806). On the other hand, if the inserted media is a backup media inserted by a mistake (No in S805), the removable media device 10 issues a warning to the USER and requests an eject operation of the backup media (S807). The USER who confirms the warning ejects the backup media from the removable media device 10 (S808), and the eject operation is noticed to the media control program as an eject signal (S809). The media control program receiving this detects the eject operation by the eject signal S810), and through the monitoring utility (S811), performs the eject notice to the AP (S812). Here the AP receiving the eject notice can stop the backup processing on a condition that it has not ended yet (S813).

If in thus automatically running the AP an erroneous AP is run, it might fall into such an unexpected situation that data is destroyed, however, such the unexpected situation can be handled by ejecting the media at a timing of an error of a media insertion being detected

As thus described, in the present invention, firstly, the removable media device 10 detects the insertion of the removable media 11 and recognizes it as the special media for automatically activating the AP by referring to the header area A of the inserted removable media 11. Furthermore, to the host device 20 the removable media device 10 hands over data such as the AP activation flag, the AP name, the AP save location, and the AP run content set at the header area A as a response for an inquiry command periodically issued from the host device 20. Thus the automatic run (activation) of the AP is realized by the host device 20.

Thus the host device 20 can recognize the insertion of the removable media 11 only by issuing the inquiry command and can also automatically run the AP, based on the handed-over data. In addition, unlike a conventional host unit the host device 20 does without accessing a content of a specific area of the removable media 11 more than necessary. Furthermore, mouse and key operations usually performed can be omitted by specifying a minuscule operation in the AP run content set at the header area A, and accordingly, a user's intervention can be made unnecessary in running the AP.

Furthermore, the operation can becomes realized by communications performed between the media control program (firmware) prepared in the removable media device 10 and the monitoring utility prepared in the host device 20, and because the host device 20 can recognize the insertion of the removable media 11 only by issuing the inquiry command and automatically run (activate) the AP, based on the handed-over data, the burden on the OS can be drastically reduced.

In addition, the host device 20 can stop the AP in run when receiving an eject notice of the removable media 11 from the removable media device 10 while running the AP, and thus a careless overwrite and the like can be prevented.

Meanwhile, the removable media device 10 and the host device 20 are assumed to be realized: by recording a procedure in a recording medium readable by a computer, which procedure is run by each of the media insertion detection unit 101; the special media recognition unit 102; the inquiry command receipt unit 103, and the flag recognition unit 104, the header information transfer unit 105, and the AP transfer unit 106 for configuring the inquiry command response unit 100, thus shown in FIG. 2; the command issue unit 201; the inquiry command response receipt unit 200; the AP run unit 204, the format request receipt unit 205; the header information set unit 206; the timer 207; and the flag receipt unit 202 and the header information receipt unit 203 for configuring the inquiry command response receipt unit 200, thus shown in FIG. 3; by making a computer system read programs recorded in the recording medium; and by running the programs. Here the computer system means a system that includes a software such as an OS (Operating System) and a hardware such as peripheral equipment.