External connection device, host device, and data communication system

• US 7,124,219 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2003
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Tashiro, Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): PEYTON, TAMMARA R
• Application Number:
  US10/474,911
• Publication Number:
  US 20040133717A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,336 Days
• Field of Search: 710/10, 710/11, 710/33, 710/72, 710/62, 711/103, 711/101, 713/167
• US Class Current: 710/72
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• 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 3/0659 Command handling arrangements, e.g. command buffers, queues, command scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0679 Non-volatile semiconductor memory device, e.g. flash memory, one time programmable memory [OTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/08 from or to individual record carriers, e.g. punched card , memory card, integrated circuit [IC] card or smart card

Abstract

An external connection device is connectable to a host device. The host device includes transmission means for transmitting, to the external connection device, a parameter and an operation control command by issuing a transfer protocol command (TPC). The external connection device includes a parameter register for storing the parameter, a command register for storing the operation control command provided from the host device, and a controller for referring to the operation control command stored in the command register and for performing operation control specified by the operation control command. The parameter register and the command register of the external connection device are selectively accessed from the host device based on a memory access transfer protocol command (TPC) and a security access transfer protocol command (TPC) issued from the host device.

Claims

1. An external connection device connectable to a host device, said external connection device comprising:

a parameter register for storing a parameter;

a command register for storing an operation control command; and

a controller for referring to the operation control command stored in the command register and for performing operation control as specified by the operation control command;

said parameter register and said command register being selectively accessed by the host device based on a memory access transfer protocol command (TPC) issued by the host device and a security management transfer protocol command (TPC) issued by the host device;

the memory access TPC including a register write command for transferring an arbitrary operation control command from the host device to said external connection device and for storing the transferred operation control command in said command register;

the security management TPC including a register write command for transferring an arbitrary operation control command and an arbitrary parameter from the host device to said external connection device, for storing the transferred operation control command in said command register, and for storing the transferred parameter in said parameter register.

2. The external connection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said external connection device has a card-like appearance.

3. A host device connectable to an external connection device, the external connection device including a parameter register for storing a parameter, a command register for storing an operation control command, and a controller for referring to the operation control command stored in the command register and for performing operation control as specified by the operation control command, said host device comprising:

transmission means for transmitting, to the external connection device, the parameter and the operation control command by issuing a transfer protocol command (TPC), the parameter register and the command register of the external connection device being selectively accessed by said host device based on the transfer protocol command (TPC);

said transmission means issuing a memory access transfer protocol command (TPC) and a security management transfer protocol command (TPC) to the external connection device;

the memory access TPC including a register write command for transferring an arbitrary operation control command from said host device to the external connection device and for causing the transferred operation control command to be stored in the command register of the external connection device;

the security management TPC including a register write command for transferring an arbitrary operation control command and an arbitrary parameter from said host device to the external connection device, for causing the transferred operation control command to be stored in the command register of the external connection device, and for causing the transferred parameter to be stored in the parameter register of the external connection device.

4. The host device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said host device is connectable to an external connection device having a card-like appearance.

5. A data communication system, comprising:

a host device; and

an external connection device connectable to said host device;

said external connection device including;

a parameter register for storing the transmitted parameter,

a command register for storing the transmitted operation control command, and

a controller for referring to the operation control command stored in said command register and for performing operation control as specified by the operation control command;

said host device including;

transmission means for transmitting, to said external connection device, the parameter and the operation control command by issuing a transfer protocol command (TPC), said parameter register and said command register of said external connection device being selectively accessed by said host device based on the transfer protocol command (TPC),

said transmission means issuing a memory access transfer protocol command (TPC) and a security management transfer protocol command (TPC) to said external connection device,

the memory access TPC including a register write command for transferring an arbitrary operation control command from the host device to said external connection device and for storing the transferred operation control command in said command register,

the security management TPC including a register write command for transferring an arbitrary operation control command and an arbitrary parameter from said host device to said external connection device, for storing the transferred operation control command in said command register, and for storing the transferred parameter in said parameter register.

6. The data communication system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said external connection device external connection device has a card-like appearance.