HOT UNPLUGGABLE MEDIA STORAGE DEVICE
First Claim
1. A method of using a data storage device in a portable media player as a mass storage device for a host device, comprising:
- mounting the data storage device to a host device file system by forming a logical connection between the data storage device and a host device file system via a data link without the portable electronic device and the host computer polling each other, and wherein the data storage device remains mounted to the host device file system until a specific unmounting request is acted upon.
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Abstract
Improved techniques for rendering a peripheral device removable (e.g., unpluggable) are disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, the peripheral device is rendered removable from a host computer without preparatory user actions. In effect, the peripheral device can be automatically prepared for removal in the event that its user removes (unplugs) it from its host computer. According to another aspect of the invention, the peripheral device includes a data storage device that is mounted to a file system of the other computer when the other computer desires access to the data storage device. Otherwise, the data storage device is normally unmounted so that if the peripheral device were to be removed (e.g., unplugged) no harm or damage to data stored therein would occur. These aspects of the invention can be utilized alone or in combination with one another. The invention is particularly well suited for peripheral devices that are media players which are “hot” unpluggable without detrimental consequences.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of using a data storage device in a portable media player as a mass storage device for a host device, comprising:
mounting the data storage device to a host device file system by forming a logical connection between the data storage device and a host device file system via a data link without the portable electronic device and the host computer polling each other, and wherein the data storage device remains mounted to the host device file system until a specific unmounting request is acted upon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A portable media player, comprising:
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a processor; a docking interface; and a data storage device, wherein the data storage device forms an extension of a host device file system of a host computing device by the processor instructing the docking interface to mount the data storage device to the host device file system and by forming a logical connection between the data storage device and the host device file system without the host computing device and the portable media player polling each other, wherein the data storage device remains mounted to the host device file system until a specific unmounting request is acted upon. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Computer readable storage medium for storing computer code for using a data storage device in a portable media player as a mass storage device for a host device, comprising:
computer code for mounting the data storage device to a host device file system comprising computer code for forming a logical connection between the data storage device and a host device file system via a data link without the portable electronic device and the host computer polling each other, and wherein the data storage device remains mounted to the host device file system until a specific unmounting request is acted upon. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
Specification