MULTI-INTERFACE STORAGE DEVICE

• US 20070101027A1
• Filed: 10/05/2006
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Hsieh, Kuan-Hong, Li, Xiao-Guang, Wang, Han-Che, Yeh, Te-Yao
• Application Number:
  US11/309,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20070101027A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/32
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0605 by facilitating the interaction with a user or administrator
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0632 by initialisation or re-initialisation of storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0676 Magnetic disk device

Abstract

A multi-interface storage device includes: a storage unit for storing data; a first interface and a second interface for electrically connecting to an external data processing system; a data control unit configured for conducting a connection between the first interface and the storage unit, in order that the external data processing system processes the data in the storage unit if the first interface is electrically connected to the external data processing system; the data control unit configured for conducting a connection between the second interface and the storage unit, in order to drive the external data processing system to perform a function of displaying a personal favorite data processing system environment if the second interface is electrically connected to the external data processing system, and a processing unit, connected to an interior control interface; wherein the data control unit is configured for conducting a connection between the interior control interface and the storage unit, in order that the processing unit processes data in the storage unit if the storage device is independently used.

Claims

1. A multi-interface storage device comprising:

a storage unit for storing data;

a first interface and a second interface for electrically connecting to an external data processing system;

a data control unit configured for conducting a connection between the first interface and the storage unit, in order that the external data processing system processes the data in the storage unit if the first interface is electrically connected to the external data processing system;

the data control unit configured for conducting a connection between the second interface and the storage unit, in order to drive the external data processing system to perform a function of displaying a personal favorite data processing system environment if the second interface is electrically connected to the external data processing system, and

a processing unit, connected to an interior control interface;

wherein the data control unit is configured for conducting a connection between the interior control interface and the storage unit, in order that the processing unit processes data in the storage unit if the storage device is independently used.

2. The multi-interface storage device as described in claim 1, wherein the first interface is a parallel interface, and the second interface is selective from one of a serial interface and a wireless interface.

3. The multi-interface storage device as described in claim 1, further comprising:

a power control unit for conducting a connection between the first interface/second interface and the storage unit, and a connection between the first interface/second interface and a power management unit, obtaining power from the external data processing system and supplying the power to the storage device, if the first interface/second interface is electrically connected to the external data processing system.

4. The multi-interface storage device as described in claim 3, further comprising:

a rechargeable battery for supplying power to the storage device if the storage device is independently used; and

a power management unit, connected to the rechargeable battery, for controlling the rechargeable battery to supply power if the storage device is independently used, or charges for the rechargeable battery via the external data processing system if the storage device is electrically connected to the external data processing system.

5. The multi-interface storage device as described in claim 4, wherein the power control unit further conducts a connection between the interior control interface and the storage unit, and a connection between the interior control interface and the power management unit in order that the rechargeable battery supplies power to the storage device if the storage device is independently used.

6. The multi-interface storage device as described in claim 1, wherein the data in the storage unit comprises a media play list, a default play list, and media files.

7. The multi-interface storage device as described in claim 6, further comprising a control panel for receiving an operational input, and generating a corresponding control signal to the processing unit to process the data in the storage unit, wherein the control panel comprises a random play key for receiving random play operation and a default play key for receiving default play operation.

8. The multi-interface storage device as described in claim 7, wherein the processing unit generates a random play list according to the media play list, decodes the media files in the random play list, and outputs corresponding digital audio signals, in response to the control signal from the random play key;

and the processing unit decodes the media files in the default play list and outputs corresponding digital audio signals in response to the control signal from the default play key.

9. The multi-interface storage device as described in claim 8, further comprising a digital/analog (D/A) converter for converting the digital audio signals into analog audio signals, and outputting the analog audio signals to an output unit.

10. The multi-interface storage device as described in claim 9, further comprising a display unit for displaying information on the audio signals played.

11. The multi-interface storage device as described in claim 1, wherein the storage unit comprises:

a private data block for storing configuration data of the storage device;

a public data block for storing data processing system configuration data, at least one predetermined folder, and an application program which are accessible by the external data processing system; and

a shared data block for storing data that are accessible by both the processing unit and the data processing system.

12. The multi-interface storage device as described in claim 11, wherein:

the data control unit changes a configuration pointer of the external data processing system from pointing to data processing system configuration data of the external data processing system to pointing to the data processing system configuration data of the storage device, simultaneously changes a disk pointer of the external data processing system from pointing to a main storage unit of the external data processing system to pointing to the public data block of the storage device respectively, and accesses the public data block to obtain the data processing system configuration data and the at least one predetermined folder, when the storage device is electrically connected to the external data processing system via a serial interface; and

the data control unit changes the configuration data pointer from pointing to the data processing system configuration data of the storage device to pointing to the data processing system configuration data of the external data processing system, and simultaneously resets the disk pointer of the external data processing system from the public data block of the storage device to a main storage unit of the external data processing system, when the connection between the storage device and the external data processing system is disabled.

13. The multi-interface storage device as described in claim 12, wherein the data processing system configuration data comprises a favorite data processing system environment configuration data and a general applications configuration data.

14. The multi-interface storage device as described in claim 1, wherein the storage device is a removable storage device.