DEVICE FOR CONNECTION WITH A STORAGE DEVICE AND A HOST

• US 20100030929A1
• Filed: 08/04/2008
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Western Digital Israel Limited (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: SanDisk IL Ltd. (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: BEN-YACOV, SHAI, POMERANTZ, ITZHAK, HAHN, JUDAH GAMLIEL
• Granted Patent: US 8,166,220 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/33
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices

Abstract

A dual-interface connector for providing an interface to a storage device and an interface to a host and for connecting between a storage device and a host includes a storage device interface, for connecting with a storage device, and a host interface, for connecting with a host. A controller is operable in at least two distinct modes of operation. In a first mode of operation, the controller enables a session to be opened, by the host, between the storage device and the host when the storage device is connected to the storage device interface and the host is connected to the host interface. In a second mode of operation, the controller is operative, if an open session exists between the storage device and the host, to maintain the open session between the storage device and the host even after the storage device is disconnected from the storage device interface.

Claims

1. A device for providing an interface to a storage device and an interface to a host and for connecting between a storage device and a host, the device comprising:

a storage device interface configured to operatively connect with a storage device;

a host interface configured to operatively connect with a host;

a controller coupled to the storage device interface and to the host interface, the controller being operable in at least two distinct modes of operation,

wherein in a first mode of operation the controller is operative to enable a host to open a session between a storage device and the host, when the storage device is operatively connected to the storage device interface and the host is operatively connected to the host interface,

and wherein in a second mode of operation the controller is operative, if an open session exists between the storage device and the host, to maintain the open session between the storage device and the host even after the storage device is disconnected from the storage device interface.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the storage device is a USB flash drive.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the storage device is a USB flash drive with wireless interface.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is responsive to a session control application resident on a host, for notifying the session control application of connection/disconnection of a storage device to the host.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to modify signals that are transmitted between the storage device and the host.

6. A storage assembly comprising:

a storage device; and

a device according to claim 1.

7. A host for connecting with a device functioning as dual-interface connector, the host comprising:

a user interface;

a device interface that is configured to operatively connect with a device functioning as a dual-interface connector; and

a session control application that is operative to (a) unlock the user-interface when a storage device is connected to the host, via the dual-interface connector, (b) to lock the user-interface after the storage device is disconnected from the dual-interface connector, and (c) to unlock the user-interface if the storage device is reconnected to the host, via the dual-interface connector.

8. The host of claim 7, wherein the device interface is a USB port connection.