Storage apparatus and control method

• US 7,683,932 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2003
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Ono, Tachio
• Primary Examiner(s): Ometz; David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bemben; Richard M
• Application Number:
  US10/500,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20050122398A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,617 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.99, 348/207.1, 348/207.11, 348/231.7, 348/231.99, 348/552
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0607 by facilitating the process of upgrading existing storage systems, e.g. for improving compatibility between host and storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0634 by changing the state or mode of one or more devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0679 Non-volatile semiconductor memory device, e.g. flash memory, one time programmable memory [OTP]

Abstract

A storage apparatus includes first, second and third interface units. The first interface unit has a first port for connection to a first external apparatus. The second interface unit has a second port for connection to a second external apparatus. The third interface unit is for connection to a removable storage medium. The storage apparatus sets the second port in a disabled state responsive to a determination that the first external apparatus connected to the first port is capable of accessing the removable storage medium connected to the third interface unit. The storage apparatus sets the first port in the disabled state responsive to a determination that the second external apparatus connected to the second port is capable of accessing the removable storage medium connected to the third interface unit.

Claims

1. A storage apparatus comprising:

a first interface unit for connection to a first external apparatus, said first interface unit having a first port to which the first external apparatus is connectable and disconnectable and through which said first interface unit connects to the first external apparatus;

a second interface unit for connection to a second external apparatus, said second interface unit having a second port to which the second external apparatus is connectable and disconnectable and through which said second interface unit connects to the second external apparatus;

a third interface unit for connection to a removable storage medium; and

a control unit that sets the first port in an enabled state or a disabled state, and sets the second port in the enabled state or the disabled state,

wherein if said first interface unit detects that the first external apparatus is connected to the first port, said control unit determines whether the first external apparatus is capable of accessing the removable storage medium connected to said third interface unit,

wherein if said second interface unit detects that the second external apparatus is connected to the second port, said control unit determines whether the second external apparatus is capable of accessing the removable storage medium connected to said third interface unit,

wherein said control unit does not set the second port in the disabled state until said control unit determines that the first external apparatus connected to the first port is capable of accessing the removable storage medium connected to said third interface unit,

wherein said control unit does not set the first port in the disabled state until said control unit determines that the second external apparatus connected to the second port is capable of accessing the removable storage medium connected to said third interface unit,

wherein if said control unit determines that the second external apparatus is disconnected from the second port when the first port is in the disabled state, said control unit returns the first port from the disabled state to the enabled state,

wherein if said control unit determines that the first external apparatus is disconnected from the first port when the second port is in the disabled state, said control unit returns the second port from the disabled state to the enabled state, and

wherein the storage apparatus is a digital video camera.

2. The storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the first port is set in the disabled state, the first port can not electrically connect to the first external apparatus, and

wherein if the second port is set in the disabled state, the second port can not electrically connect to the second external apparatus.

3. The storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first interface unit conforms to an IEEE 1394-1995 standard or an IEEE 1394a-2000 standard.

4. The storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second interface unit conforms to a USB 1.1 standard or a USB 2.0 standard.

5. The storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if said first interface unit receives a predetermined command from the first external apparatus, said control unit determines that the first external apparatus is capable of accessing the removable storage medium connected to said third interface unit, and

wherein if said second interface unit receives a predetermined command from the second external apparatus, said control unit determines that the second external apparatus is capable of accessing the removable storage medium connected to said third interface unit.