JP2007280261A - Portable type virtual memory apparatus which makes equipment on network sharable - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable type virtual memory apparatus allowing for file sharing with another electronic equipment by having the data (file) that is accessed from an electronic equipment as a storage device without requiring a network communication means for the electronic equipment on a host side. <P>SOLUTION: The portable type virtual memory apparatus is provided with: a data connection interface to be connected with the electronic equipment; a network interface to be connected with the communication network; a virtual storage function part to which a file can be written into as the storage device from the electronic equipment, a shared memory part storing the data; a setting region part storing the information on one or more external storage apparatus to be connected; and a network sharing function part acquiring shared region information for the external storage by connecting to the external storage apparatus which is stored in the setting region and then carrying out communication with the external storage apparatus by converting the data in the shared memory part to a data format for a file sharing protocol. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data transfer device of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device connected to an electronic device or a device conforming to IEEE 1394, and in particular, a host-side electronic device does not require a network communication function and is wireless. Alternatively, the present invention relates to a data transfer device capable of realizing a file network sharing function via a wired network.

In recent years, the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard has become widespread as an interface for electronic devices. The USB standard includes a plug-and-play mechanism that can automatically configure a system of an electronic device and use the USB device simply by connecting the USB device to the electronic device. Since the plug-and-play mechanism automatically performs device setting that is highly threshold for many users, it provides the convenience that a general user who does not have specialized knowledge can easily use a USB device. In addition, the USB standard has advantages such as being able to be inserted and removed while the power is on, and supplying power via a USB cable.
For this reason, most recent electronic devices are equipped with a USB interface.

Under these circumstances, as a large-capacity memory device, a USB memory is used in many electronic devices, and data (files) are exchanged with host-side electronic devices such as personal computers (PCs) and embedded devices. Has been used.
In addition, there is an IEEE 1394 standard that has a hot plug function that allows a device to be inserted and removed during operation, and that can also supply power via a connection cable. IEEE 1394 is a standard that is often used for connection with digital devices such as digital cameras and videos, and storage devices that comply with IEEE 1394 are also widespread. IEEE 1394 also implements a plug-and-play mechanism similar to USB, and provides a system that is easy for users to use.

The USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and the IEEE 1394 compliant storage device have a large amount of data (file) in the host electronic device in the USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or the IEEE 1394 compliant storage device. Data is transferred and stored in the storage area.
However, although the storage capacity of USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and IEEE1394-compliant storage devices tends to increase, it does not exceed the capacity of external storage devices that are connected to server computers on the network. .

As a method for solving such a problem, a system is known that uses a USB interface to transmit high-quality image data and moving image shooting data of a digital camera to an external recording medium via a network (see Patent Document 1). .
In this system, a wireless network communication means is provided in the USB memory, and the USB memory is also used as a wireless LAN interface device. That is, high-quality image data and moving image shooting data shot by a digital camera are stored in a storage device (such as a hard disk) on the network using network communication means existing in the USB memory.

However, in Patent Document 1, software for using the network communication means inside the USB memory is required for the electronic device. That is, in order to realize the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to incorporate software for controlling the network communication means in the firmware of the electronic device, and when the electronic device is a personal computer, It was necessary to install a dedicated network driver for controlling the communication means.
USB is a widely used standard and is used in many peripheral devices, but there are devices that have a USB interface but cannot install software that enables network communication of USB memory. To do. For example, some embedded devices installed in factory lines, etc. have an interface such as USB and have a storage input / output function that can transfer and store data, but can be equipped with network communication software. The reality is that there are few. Therefore, when the electronic device on the host side does not have a network communication function, the file (file) can be freely transmitted / received to / from a large-scale recording medium (server computer) existing outside via the network for file sharing. In addition, the data file in the electronic device on the host side cannot be remotely viewed and maintained.

  In addition, when a host-side electronic device does not have a network communication function, a user can connect a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or an IEEE 1394 compliant storage device to the host side in order to realize data (file) sharing among a plurality of people. Save the data (file) that you want to share after connecting to the interface of the other electronic device, remove it from the host-side electronic device, re-attach it to another computer (PC) connected to the network, and save the data (file) In a state where other people can access, it is necessary to share a file among a plurality of people, which is a complicated task and reduces the efficiency of data processing.

JP 2004-357182 A

  In order to address the above-mentioned problems and needs, the portable virtual storage device of the present invention does not require the electronic device to be equipped with a network communication means such as a network driver, and can access a file as a storage device from the electronic device. An object of the present invention is to provide a host-side electronic device with a function capable of sharing a file with an external storage device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a portable virtual storage device that is connected to an electronic device and enables data communication with one or more peripheral devices via a communication network, and is connected to the electronic device. A data connection interface that transmits and receives data via a first protocol, a network interface that is connected to a communication network wirelessly or by wire and transmits and receives data via a second protocol, and the portable virtual storage device as an electronic device A virtual function unit that is virtually recognized as a predetermined peripheral device, and information on the peripheral device is acquired, and a first data format used in the first protocol and a second data format used in the second protocol A network sharing function unit that performs mutual conversion processing, and the electronic device is a virtual function unit Wherein the enabling peripherals and data communication over a communications network by data communication.
Moreover, it is preferable that the portable virtual storage device according to the present invention further includes a setting area unit that stores one or a plurality of peripheral devices to be connected to the network sharing function unit.
The portable virtual storage device according to the present invention stores data transmitted / received via the first protocol and data transmitted / received via the second protocol, from the virtual function unit and the network sharing function unit. It is preferable to further include an accessible shared memory unit.

  Here, the electronic device is an information processing terminal such as a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a mobile phone, or an embedded device, and is a storage device or CD-ROM via a data connection interface (for example, a USB interface). It has functions (such as a Read function and a Write function) that allow access to peripheral devices such as a drive.

  The network interface includes network communication hardware such as a network driver (network communication software) and a LAN cable connection port.

  Peripheral devices also include devices that input data to electronic devices, devices that output data from electronic devices, and devices that have both input and output. Devices for inputting data to an electronic device include, for example, a scanner device, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackpad, a trackball, a tablet, a microphone for inputting audio data, a video camera for inputting video data, a digital camera for inputting image data, CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM drive, etc. Devices that output data from electronic devices are, for example, printer devices and plotter devices, LCDs (liquid crystal displays) and CRTs (CRTs) that output video and image data, and speakers that output audio data. In addition, devices having both input and output include, for example, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), FDD (Flexible Disk Drive), CD-R / RW drive, DVD-R / -RW / + R / + RW / -RAM drive, MO, scanner printer, liquid crystal tablet, facsimile machine and so on.

  Here, in the portable virtual storage device according to the present invention, the peripheral device is preferably a storage device. The storage device is, for example, a storage device that can read and write files such as a hard disk and a USB memory, and a device that can only read files such as a CD-ROM.

Further, in the portable virtual storage device according to the present invention, the virtual function unit causes the electronic device to virtually recognize that the portable virtual storage device is a storage device, and from the electronic device, data can be input and / or stored as a storage device. It is preferable that output is possible.
As a result, the host-side electronic device does not need to be equipped with a network communication means such as a network driver, and the electronic device can access files as a storage device and share files with external storage devices. It can be provided for equipment.

  Here, the network interface is a wireless communication network selected from a UWB (Ultra Wide Band) interface, an IEEE802.11a, an IEEE802.11b, an IEEE802.11g, an IEEE802.11n interface, or a Bluetooth (registered trademark). Interface or Ethernet (registered trademark).

  Here, UWB is a technology that realizes a higher-speed communication environment using a wider band than existing wireless communication, and a PC such as a PAN (Personal Area Network) that is a network built in a personal area. And an information exchange network realized by various devices such as a digital camera, a mobile phone, and a PDA. In this UWB, data is spread and exchanged in an extremely wide frequency band of 1 GHz or more, thereby realizing ultrahigh-speed communication of about 50 Mbps to 1 Gbps.

  The data connection interface is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, an SDIO (Secure Digital Input / Output Card) interface, or an IEEE 1394 interface.

Since the portable virtual storage device according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, it can receive data (files) from an embedded device or the like via a USB interface or an IEEE 1394 interface, and a device (server) on the network via a network interface. Data (file) transfer with a computer or personal terminal is possible.
Here, a protocol for file sharing is implemented in the network interface. For this reason, it is possible to perform communication for the purpose of data (file) sharing with a server computer or the like on the network.

  In particular, it is possible to use the output of log data of an embedded device that does not have a network communication means and the reading of the setting at startup. If there is a read / write function to a USB memory or a read / write function to a storage conforming to IEEE1394, it can be easily incorporated into a network by using a portable virtual storage device. The embedded device side does not require a network communication driver or the like, and can access a computer device such as a server computer connected to the network, which is an external storage device, by a procedure for accessing a USB memory or an IEEE1394-compliant storage.

  In the portable virtual storage device according to the present invention, a unit number associated with a virtual storage area recognized by the electronic device is further defined in the setting area unit, and the network sharing function unit is a unit number. In this order, the information acquired from the storage device is given to the electronic device.

In the portable virtual storage device according to the present invention, a unit number associated with a virtual storage area recognized by the electronic device is further defined in the setting area unit, and the network sharing function unit is a unit number. The information acquired from the storage device is edited and given to the electronic device.
Here, when the unit numbers are the same, the same virtual storage area is allocated to the electronic device, so that the shared folder of one or a plurality of storage devices can be changed to a plurality of folders in one drive of the electronic device. It is preferable that it can be made to correspond.

In addition to the above-described configuration requirements, the portable virtual storage device according to the present invention preferably includes a nonvolatile memory.
By including the non-volatile memory, the portable virtual storage device can be used as a backup device such as a normal USB memory, and convenience is improved.
Further, by providing the non-volatile memory, even when the file transfer destination cannot communicate, data can be saved in the non-volatile memory, and the reliability of the system is improved. Even if a communication error occurs with the external storage device, the transmission data is temporarily stored in the non-volatile memory, and when the communication state is recovered, the transmission is performed again, thereby improving the safety of the data.
Here, the nonvolatile memory is, for example, a flash ROM.

  In the portable virtual storage device according to the present invention, the data connection interface is preferably directly connected to the USB connector, and the network interface is preferably a wireless communication module. This is because the USB connector is an external device connection port adopted in most electronic devices. Further, since a network cable is not required, the portable virtual storage device is integrated with the electronic device when used, and there is no inconvenience in appearance of the electronic device.

  According to the portable virtual storage device of the present invention, as long as the electronic device has a data (file) input / output function via a data connection interface (for example, a USB interface), the device on the network has no network communication function. It is possible to perform data (file) communication via the network with the.

  Further, according to the portable virtual storage device of the present invention, as long as the electronic device has a data (file) input / output function to the storage device via a data connection interface (for example, USB interface), it does not have a network communication function. In both cases, a specific network drive can be shared with an external storage device (such as a server computer) on the network, and data (file) can be shared.

  In addition, according to the portable virtual storage device of the present invention, the storage medium of the external storage device on the network can be used, so that the memory space where data (file) can be stored is practically infinite. Have

Further, according to the portable virtual storage device of the present invention, since the memory for storing data is not provided in the portable virtual storage device, the rewriting life by the flash ROM is not shortened.
Further, according to the portable virtual storage device of the present invention, since the plug-and-play mechanism is automatically set only by connecting the portable virtual storage device to the electronic device, it is necessary to perform complicated network settings for the user. In addition, the user can easily share data (files) with devices on the network.

  Further, according to the portable virtual storage device of the present invention, it is possible to convert information in a storage area of a device (server computer) on a network and send it back to the electronic device, so that a virtual environment in the electronic device can be freely constructed. There is an effect that can be done.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking as an example the case where the peripheral device is a storage device (storage device). However, in the technical scope of the present invention, the peripheral device is not limited to the storage device (storage device).
FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of the portable virtual storage device of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the portable virtual storage device 1 can read and write files as a storage device from the data connection interface 11 connected to the electronic device 2, the network interface 13 connected to the communication network, and the electronic device 2. A virtual storage function unit 14 (since the peripheral device is a storage device (storage device), the virtual function unit is referred to as a virtual storage function unit here), the data connection interface 11 and the network interface 13 A shared memory unit 17 for storing data, a setting area unit 15 for storing information of one or more external storage devices to be connected, and a network sharing function unit 16. The network sharing function unit 16 is connected to an external storage device stored in the setting area unit 15 to acquire shared area information of the external storage device, and data in the shared memory unit 17 is communicated by a data connection interface. The data format is converted to the data format of the file sharing protocol (or the data format of the file sharing protocol is converted to the data format communicated by the data connection interface), and communication is performed with the external storage device.

  The electronic device 2 can share a file with an external storage device on the network by inputting / outputting a file as a storage device to / from the portable virtual storage device 1 without requiring a network communication means such as a network driver. Is possible.

  The virtual storage function unit 14, the setting area unit 15, the network sharing function unit 16, and the shared memory unit 17 perform protocol conversion between the data transfer protocol to the storage device and the file sharing protocol on the network. It is a part that functions as the bridge unit 12.

The data connection interface 11 corresponds to USB (Universal Serial Bus), SDIO (Secure Digital Input / Output Card), IEEE 1394, and the like.
The network interface 13 corresponds to UWB (Ultra Wide Band), IEEE802.11a / b / g / n, Bluetooth (registered trademark), Ethernet (registered trademark), and the like.

  The network sharing function unit 16 implements the SMB (Server Message Block protocol) protocol, which is a function for realizing file sharing, and the NetBIOS over TCP / IP protocol for performing network communication. Instead, other file sharing protocols are provided. It is also possible to implement communication protocols.

  In FIG. 1, TCP / IP, NetBIOS, and SMB are implemented in the network sharing function unit 16. These protocols can be exchanged in units of blocks. For example, it is possible to replace the NetBIOS and SMB blocks with FTP (File Transfer Protocol), or replace with HTTP to access a file across a firewall.

  When the network interface 13 supports UWB, a block group corresponding to UWB is prepared as the communication protocol of the network sharing function unit 16 in FIG.

Communication using a Bluetooth (registered trademark) file sharing profile is also possible without using TCP / IP. When using Bluetooth (registered trademark), a PAN (Personal Area Network) profile is used, as shown in FIG. 1, BNEP (Bluetooth Networking Encapsulation Protocol), L2CAP (Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol), HCI (Host controller Interface) blocks will be implemented.
As described above, it will be understood that various file sharing protocols and communication protocols can be used without departing from the technical scope of the present invention.

As a first embodiment, a case where the data connection interface 11 is compatible with USB (Universal Serial Bus) will be described below. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the portable virtual storage device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates a system configuration example using the portable virtual storage device according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the portable virtual storage device 1 includes a CPU 22 that controls operations, a RAM (random access memory) 23 in which programs and data that the CPU 22 refers to at the time of execution, and a CPU 22 executes. It comprises a ROM (Read Only Memory) 24 storing a predetermined program, a data connection interface (USB interface) 21 for exchanging data with an electronic device, and a network interface 25 for communicating with an external network. The

A flash ROM 26 of a nonvolatile memory can be provided for temporarily saving data, and is indicated by a dotted line in the drawing.
By providing the flash ROM 26, it becomes possible to use the portable virtual storage device for the purpose of storing data like a normal USB memory, and the convenience can be improved. Even when the file transfer destination cannot communicate, data can be saved in the flash ROM 26, and the reliability of the system can be improved. Furthermore, even when a communication error with the external storage device occurs, the transmission data is temporarily stored in the flash ROM 26, and when the communication state is recovered, the transmission is performed again, thereby improving the safety of data communication. It becomes possible.

Next, a description will be given using the system configuration example of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the portable virtual storage device 1 is connected to a data connection interface (USB interface) 5 provided in the electronic device 2 via a data connection interface (USB interface) 4. The portable virtual storage device 1 is connected to an external communication network wirelessly or by wire via a network interface 3.
The electronic device 2 is, for example, a personal computer (PC) or an embedded device, and has a data (file) input / output function in a storage device via a data connection interface (USB interface). In the embodiment, the electronic apparatus 2 will be described as a general personal computer (PC).
On the network, there are a server computer 6 for data collection and a personal computer 7 for personal use, and external storage devices 8 and 9 are connected to each.

Data transfer (file input / output) from the USB interface 5 on the electronic device (PC) 2 side to the portable virtual storage device 1 is performed via the network interface 3 of the portable virtual storage device 1 and external storage on the network. It is transmitted to the devices 8 and 9.
The portable virtual storage device 1 supports data transfer (file input / output) with these external storage devices on the network by using a file sharing protocol, and the portable virtual storage device 1 itself has data ( File) is not saved.
However, when the flash ROM is mounted on the portable virtual storage device 1, for example, data can be saved for data saving.

  FIG. 3 shows an embodiment image of the portable virtual storage device 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the external shape of the portable virtual storage device 1 according to the first embodiment is a compact shape similar to the external shape of a commonly used USB memory.

[Operation process when a virtual storage device is connected to an electronic device]
Next, an operation process when the portable virtual storage device 1 is connected to the electronic device (PC) 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4. In the portable virtual storage device 1 according to the first embodiment, the data connection interface 11 is compatible with USB (Universal Serial Bus). The electronic device (PC) 2 is a personal computer (PC), and is equipped with an operating system (OS) that supports a USB plug and play mechanism such as Windows (registered trademark).

First, the user connects the portable virtual storage device 1 to a data connection interface (here, USB interface) of the electronic device (PC) 2. Then, “electronic device (PC) processing” “virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) processing (in the first embodiment, the data connection interface 11 is compatible with USB. “Virtual USB function part” in parentheses) and “network sharing function part processing” proceed in parallel.
The “electronic device (PC) processing”, “virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) processing”, and “network sharing function unit processing” will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 shows an operation flow when the portable virtual storage device 1 according to the first embodiment is connected to the USB interface of the electronic device (PC) 2.

<Processing of network sharing function>
First, the processing of the network sharing function unit will be described. The network sharing function unit 16 performs connection processing with an external storage device and information collection processing. Such processing is started when the user connects the portable virtual storage device 1 to the USB interface of the electronic device (PC) 2 and power is supplied from the electronic device (PC) 2 to the portable virtual storage device 1. The Specifically, first, in step S201 of FIG. 4, the network sharing function unit 16 refers to the IP address name or host name of the external storage device stored in the setting area unit 15, and determines the external storage device to be connected. Identify. Then, a network connection (logical connection) is established with the external storage device using, for example, the TCP / IP protocol.

Next, in step S202 of FIG. 4, the network sharing function unit 16 makes an information acquisition request (acquisition of shared area information of the external storage device) to the external storage device. Here, the shared area information is information necessary for the OS to recognize the storage device and configure the system in the file system negotiation process. Specifically, it is information related to the data storage area of the external storage device, and is information related to the shared folder, folders or files included therein, and the like.
Then, the network sharing function unit 16 transfers the acquired information to the shared memory unit 17 and notifies the virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) 14 to that effect.

<Processing of electronic device (PC) and processing of virtual USB function unit>
The “electronic device (PC) processing” is started when the user connects the portable virtual storage device 1 to the USB interface of the electronic device (PC) 2. When the portable virtual storage device 1 is connected to the USB interface of the electronic device (PC) 2, power is supplied from the electronic device (PC) 2 to the portable virtual storage device 1, and the “virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function) Section) ”and“ network sharing function section processing ”are started. The virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) 14 performs USB plug and play processing with a USB plug and play mechanism (not shown) of the electronic device (PC) 2.

First, the USB plug and play mechanism of the electronic device (PC) 2 detects the connection of the portable virtual storage device (USB device) 1 (starts plug and play) (step S101 in FIG. 4).
When the connection of the portable virtual storage device (USB device) 1 is detected, the USB plug and play mechanism of the electronic device (PC) 2 requests descriptor information from the portable virtual storage device 1 (step of FIG. 4). S102).

Here, the descriptor information is configuration information of the USB device, and is information that defines the functionality and operation of the USB device.
Upon receiving such a descriptor request, the virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) 14 of the portable virtual storage device 1 transmits descriptor information (step S301 in FIG. 4).

  This descriptor information describes information for causing the electronic device (PC) 2 to recognize the portable virtual storage device as a USB mass storage class storage device. Specifically, the USB interface class ID is designated as 08 (storage device), and the endpoint information and interface information are designated to emulate the USB storage device.

The USB plug and play mechanism of the electronic device (PC) 2 receives the descriptor information from the virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) 14 (step S103 in FIG. 4). Based on the received descriptor information, the portable virtual storage device 1 is recognized as a USB mass storage class storage device, and a system is configured.
Specifically, a pipe is constructed by recognizing the interface and endpoint from the descriptor information, and a driver for the USB storage device is assigned and installed (step S104 in FIG. 4).

  Recently, a USB mass storage class driver is also standardly installed in the OS, and when a USB storage device corresponding to the driver is connected, the USB plug and play mechanism of the OS is automatically connected to the USB storage device. Can be recognized and assigned a mass storage class driver.

Next, the OS of the electronic device (PC) 2 inquires about storage device information (such as storage area partition information) (storage device information acquisition request). This is not processing at the USB plug and play level, but processing at a higher file system negotiation level (step S105 in FIG. 4).
Here, the virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) 14 determines whether the information acquisition processing (shared area information acquisition processing) of the external storage device by the network sharing function unit 16 is completed (step S302 in FIG. 4). ).

  If not completed, a NAK signal is returned (step S303 in FIG. 4), and the OS file system negotiation process of the electronic device (PC) 2 is made to wait. The OS that has received the NAK signal resends the information acquisition request for the storage device, but the virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) returns the NAK signal again because the information acquisition processing for the external storage device has not been completed. To do. Thus, the virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) keeps returning the NAK signal until the information acquisition of the external storage device is completed, thereby waiting for the OS file system negotiation process. Here, returning the NAK signal to the OS is an example. In short, it is only necessary to synchronize with the network sharing function unit 16.

When the information acquisition of the external storage device is completed by the network sharing function unit 16 and the shared area information becomes available, the file system negotiation is resumed by returning an ACK signal to the OS of the electronic device (PC) 2. (Step S304 in FIG. 4).
The virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) 14 passes the external storage device information (shared area information) on the shared memory unit 17 to the OS, and the OS constitutes a storage device system. This makes it possible to access a storage area (drive) that is virtually recognized by the electronic device (PC) 2.
Such a series of operation procedures is automatically performed after receiving the connection operation of the portable virtual storage device 1 by the user, and does not bother the user.

[Processing when an access request (Read / Write) is made from an electronic device (PC) to a portable virtual storage device]
Next, processing when an electronic device (PC) issues an access request (Read / Write) to the portable virtual storage device will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows an operation flow of the bridge unit 12 when an access request (Read or Write request) is made from the electronic device (PC) 2.

(1) First, the user specifies a drive of the portable virtual storage device 1 from an application (for example, an explorer or the like) on the electronic device (PC) 2. Here, when the E drive is temporarily recognized as a storage area of the USB storage device as a result of USB plug and play of the portable virtual storage device 1, the user selects the E drive to the portable virtual storage device 1. Can be accessed (Read / Write) (step S401 in FIG. 5).
Since the actual storage area of the E drive is in the shared area of the external storage device connected to the network, the user's access request (Read / Write) to the E drive is actually the shared area of the external storage device. Access processing.

  However, the electronic device (PC) 2 performs processing assuming that the actual storage area of the E drive exists in the portable virtual storage device 1. This is because the virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) 14 in the portable virtual storage device 1 is emulated in the same manner as the device class and endpoint configuration of the USB storage device. This is because the electronic device (PC) 2 recognizes as if there is an actual storage area. As a result, the electronic device (PC) 2 performs the same operation as an access request to a locally connected USB storage device.

(2) Next, the user access request uses the USB storage driver (not shown) of the electronic device (PC) 2 and the portable virtual storage device 1 via the data connection interface (USB interface) 11. To the virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) 14. The virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) 14 transfers the access request to the shared memory unit 17 and notifies the network sharing function unit 16 (step S402 in FIG. 5).
This access request is made using a pipe and an endpoint established between the electronic device (PC) 2 and the virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) 14 in accordance with the USB specification.

(3) The network sharing function unit 16 converts the access request stored in the shared memory unit 17 from the USB data format to the file sharing protocol (SMB) data format (step S403 in FIG. 5).
Then, an access request is transferred to an external storage device using a file sharing protocol (SMB) client service. Similarly, commands or data following the first access request are sequentially converted and transferred to an external storage device using a file sharing protocol (SMB).

  For example, in the case of a request for the “e: \ user \ test.txt” file, if the destination of the setting area unit 15 is fileserver01 on the network, the network sharing function unit sets the path name of the file to “\\ fileserver01 \ user \ test.txt "and pass to the file sharing protocol (SMB) client service. In addition to this, when there are commands or data formats having different rules between the USB and the file sharing protocol (SMB), conversion processing is performed as appropriate.

  Here, the file sharing protocol (SMB) is a protocol for sharing a file in the external storage device using a network communication protocol such as TCP / IP. The file sharing protocol (SMB) client service exchanges commands and data necessary for data (file) communication with the file sharing protocol (SMB) server service in the external storage device.

(4) The network sharing function unit 16 receives an access response from the external storage device (step S405 in FIG. 5). Then, the access response received from the external storage device is converted from the file sharing protocol (SMB) data format to the USB data format and transferred to the shared memory unit 17. Then, this is notified to the virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) 14 (step S406 in FIG. 5). Note that the command or data subsequent to the first access response is sequentially converted in the same manner and transferred to the shared memory unit 17.

(5) The virtual storage function unit (virtual USB function unit) 14 acquires an access response from the shared memory unit and transfers it to the electronic device (PC) 2 according to the USB specification (step S407 in FIG. 5).

(6) The portable virtual storage device 1 repeats the process shown in the operation flow of FIG. 5 until the data (file) transfer process is completed.

  Here, information registered in the setting area unit 15 of the portable virtual storage device 1 will be described. In the first embodiment, the portable virtual storage device 1 associates the shared folder of one external storage device with one drive of the electronic device (PC) 2. The shared folder of the external storage device becomes an actual storage area of a virtual storage area (drive) recognized by the electronic device (PC) 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of information in the setting area unit 15 of the portable virtual storage device 1 according to the first embodiment (when a shared folder of one external storage device is associated with one drive of the electronic device).
The setting area unit 15 has a conversion table, in which information related to the shared folder of the external storage device and the virtual storage area (drive) of the electronic device (PC) 2 is defined.

The contents of the conversion table are the following 1) to 5).
1) Unit number 2) Host name or IP address of external storage device 3) Directory information of external storage device 4) User name that can use external storage device 5) Password for using external storage device

  The 1) unit number is information relating to the additional drive of the electronic device (PC) 2. When the shared folder of one external storage device is associated with one drive of the electronic device (PC) 2, the unit number is 0. When the unit number is 0, an empty drive is assigned for the assignment of the drive name of the storage area (partition). A case where the unit number is other than 0 will be described in a second embodiment to be described later.

  Next, 2) the host name or IP address of the external storage device is information of the external storage device. In FIG. 6, PC-A (100.123.10.10) is defined as an external storage device.

  Next, the above 3) directory information of the external storage device is information relating to the storage area of the entity in the external storage device, and here, directory information of the shared folder is defined. In FIG. 6, since it is defined as C: \ Folder A, \ Folder A of the C drive of PC-A (100.123.10.10) is a shared folder.

  Next, the user name 4) who can use the external storage device defines a user who can access the shared folder of the external storage device. Users who are not registered here cannot access the shared folder in the external storage device. It is defined for security.

Next, the 5) password for using the external storage device defines a password for the user to access the folder of the external storage device. Security management is performed in combination with the user name described above.
In this embodiment, security management is realized by a combination of a user name and a password. However, management may be performed using only a password.

  For information registered in the setting area unit 15 of the portable virtual storage device 1, the host name or IP address of the external storage device is a basic component. Information other than this is an additional component, and can be freely selected by the user according to a mode for realizing the present system.

Next, Example 2 relates to an embodiment in which the electronic device (PC) 2 recognizes a plurality of external storage devices via the portable virtual storage device 1 of the present invention.
Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the system configuration shown in FIG. 7, an electronic device (PC) 2 that is a host-side electronic device is connected to a portable virtual storage device 1. The portable virtual storage device 1 is connected to the access point 31 by wireless communication. The access point 31 is connected to the external storage devices A and B (33, 34) via the LAN 32.

  A user can recognize a plurality of shared folders existing in a plurality of external storage devices as a plurality of drives of the electronic device (PC) 2 from an application (for example, Explorer) on the electronic device (PC) 2. That is, the electronic device (PC) 2 recognizes that the storage area of the portable virtual storage device 1 is divided into a plurality of partitions.

In order to realize this, the shared folder of the plurality of external storage devices A and B (33, 34) is made to correspond to the plurality of drives of the electronic device (PC) 2 in the setting area unit 15 of the portable virtual storage device 1. Information is stored.
FIG. 8 shows an example of information in the setting area unit 15 of the portable virtual storage device 1 according to the second embodiment (when shared folders of a plurality of external storage devices are associated with a plurality of drives of an electronic device).
The setting area unit 15 includes a conversion table in which information related to the shared folders of the external storage devices A and B (33, 34) and the virtual storage area (drive) of the electronic device (PC) 2 is defined. .

The contents of the conversion table are the following 1) to 5).
1) Unit number 2) Host name or IP address of external storage device 3) Directory information of external storage device 4) User name that can use external storage device 5) Password for using external storage device

  Here, the unit number of 1) will be described. The unit number is information associated with the drive of the electronic device (PC) 2. According to FIG. 8, two shared folders of PC-A (C: \ FolderA and D: \ FolderB) and one shared folder of PC-B (C: \ FolderC) are set in the conversion table. , Each is given a different unit number. In the process of file system negotiation with the electronic device (PC) 2, the portable virtual storage device 1 returns information so that the electronic device (PC) 2 recognizes it as a drive in units of individual unit numbers.

  That is, the network sharing function unit of the portable virtual storage device acquires the shared area information of the external storage device, but the portable virtual storage device uses the shared area information associated with each unit number for each partition area of the storage device. Is provided to the electronic device (PC) 2 as information corresponding to the above. The electronic device (PC) 2 receives such information and recognizes that the portable virtual storage device has a physical storage area divided into a plurality of partitions. In FIG. 8, three shared folders are recognized as E drive, F drive, and G drive of the electronic device (PC) 2, respectively.

  Another role of the unit number is to specify the order in which information is returned to the electronic device (PC) 2. When the OS (operating system) installed in the electronic device (PC) 2 uses, for example, file system negotiation for allocation of drive names (E, F, G, etc.) of storage areas (partitions) Allocate in order from the one that returned the information first.

For example, if information is returned in the order of the external storage devices B and A, B is recognized as E and A is recognized as F. Therefore, there is a possibility that the drive name is different every time the connection is made, which causes confusion to the user. Therefore, the order in which information is returned to the file system is specified as a unit number.
That is, the shared area information is returned to the OS in ascending order of unit number. For example, when the unit numbers of the external storage devices A and B are 0 and 1, if the empty drives are E and F, A is recognized as E and B is recognized as F.

  The virtual storage function unit 14 returns the storage area information to the OS of the electronic device (PC) 2 according to the unit number. Here, a method has been described in which the user sets the unit number in advance in the conversion table of the setting area portion with a fixed value. However, in addition to this, a certain determination criterion is set, and the unit number is dynamically changed accordingly. You may make it decide to.

  Also, 2) the host name or IP address of the external storage device, 3) directory information of the external storage device, 4) the user name that can use the external storage device, and 5) the password for using the external storage device Same as 1.

Next, Example 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
Example 3 shows an embodiment in which a shared folder of a plurality of external storage devices is associated with a plurality of folders in one drive of an electronic device. FIG. 9 is an example of a conversion table in the setting area unit 15 of the portable virtual storage device 1 according to the third embodiment (when a shared folder of a plurality of external storage devices is associated with a plurality of folders in one drive of an electronic device). ).

  By using the conversion table in the setting area section shown in FIG. 9, the configuration of the virtual storage area (E drive) of the electronic device is the share1 folder (C: \ FolderA of PC-A is actual) directly under E drive, share2 It is recognized as a folder (D: \ FolderA of PC-A is an entity) and a FolderC folder (C: \ FolderC of PC-B is an entity). Here, the conversion folder name is defined in order to distinguish when directory information matches. In FIG. 9, there is an example in which there are two disks in the PC-A (C drive and D drive), and “¥ FolderA” is used as a shared folder.

A conversion folder name may be provided in “¥ FolderC”. If the conversion folder name is not specified, the acquired folder name “¥ FolderC” is used as it is.
All unit numbers are designated as 0. The unit number is information corresponding to the drive on a one-to-one basis, and a plurality of shared areas defined in the conversion table are recognized as a plurality of folders in one drive by the electronic device (PC) 2.

Next, the procedure will be described.
First, when the portable virtual storage device 1 is connected to the electronic device (PC) 2, the network sharing function unit 16 acquires information of the external storage device. Here, the shared area information of the external storage device is acquired.

  Next, the network sharing function unit transfers the acquired shared area information to the shared memory unit. At this time, the acquired information is converted with reference to the conversion table of the setting area unit 15 and then transferred to the shared memory unit. Since the electronic device (PC) 2 cannot create a plurality of folders having duplicate names in a directory in the same hierarchy of the drive, the shared memory unit converts the folder name according to a conversion rule that does not duplicate each folder name. It is transferred to.

  In the third embodiment, the information acquired by the file sharing protocol (SMB) is not returned to the electronic device (PC) 2 as it is, but the information is converted and transmitted in the virtual storage device, that is, the information is edited and transmitted. There is an effect that a virtual environment in the OS can be freely constructed.

  It is also possible to use a combination of the second embodiment and the third embodiment described above. For example, let the OS of the electronic device (PC) 2 recognize the drive as a configuration of E and F, display Folder A and Folder C as shared folders on the E drive as in Example 3, and display Folder B on the F drive. Is also possible.

  By using the portable virtual storage device of the present invention, an electronic device having no network communication function can realize file sharing via a USB interface or the like. For this reason, for example, this portable virtual storage device is connected to a PDA that does not have a network communication function, and data in a server computer on the network is received or data of the PDA is stored in the server computer. Can do.

Functional block diagram of the portable virtual storage device of the present invention Hardware configuration diagram of portable virtual storage device of embodiment 1 System configuration example using portable virtual storage device of embodiment 1 Operation flow diagram when the portable virtual storage device of the first embodiment is connected to the USB interface on the electronic device (PC) side Operation process diagram of the bridge unit when an access request (Read or Write request) is made from the electronic device (PC) side Information example of setting area section of portable virtual storage device of embodiment 1 (when a shared folder of one external storage device is made to correspond to one drive of an electronic device) Explanatory drawing of a function for recognizing a plurality of external storage devices on the electronic device (PC) side by connection of one portable virtual storage device Information example of setting area section of portable virtual storage device according to embodiment 2 (when shared folders of a plurality of external storage devices are associated with a plurality of drives of an electronic device) Information example of setting area section of portable virtual storage device of embodiment 3 (when shared folders of a plurality of external storage devices are made to correspond to a plurality of folders in one drive of the electronic device)

Explanation of symbols

1 Portable Virtual Storage Device 2 Electronic Equipment (PC)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Network interface 4 Portable virtual storage device side data connection interface 5 Electronic device side data connection interface 6 Server computer 7 Personal computer 8 External storage device 9 External storage device 11 Data connection interface 12 Bridge part 13 Network interface 14 Virtual Storage function section 15 Setting area section 16 Network sharing function section 17 Shared memory section 21 Data connection interface 22 CPU
23 RAM
24 ROM
25 Network interface 26 Non-volatile memory (flash ROM)
31 access point 32 LAN (local area network)
33, 34 External storage device

Claims (11)

A portable virtual storage device connected to an electronic device and enabling data communication with one or more peripheral devices via a communication network,
The portable virtual storage device includes a data connection interface that is connected to an electronic device and transmits / receives data via a first protocol, and a network that is connected to a communication network wirelessly or by wire and transmits / receives data via a second protocol. An interface, a virtual function unit that causes the electronic device to virtually recognize the electronic device as a predetermined peripheral device, and information on the peripheral device is acquired and used in the first protocol. A network sharing function unit that mutually converts the data format of the second data format and the second data format used in the second protocol,
The portable virtual storage device, wherein the electronic device can perform data communication with the peripheral device on a communication network by performing data communication with the virtual function unit.   The portable virtual storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a setting area unit that stores one or a plurality of peripheral devices to which the network sharing function unit is to be connected.   The portable virtual storage device stores data transmitted / received via the first protocol and data transmitted / received via the second protocol, and is accessed from the virtual function unit and the network sharing function unit The portable virtual storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a possible shared memory unit.   The portable virtual storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the peripheral device is a storage device.   The virtual function unit allows the electronic device to virtually recognize that the portable virtual storage device is a storage device, and allows data input and / or output as a storage device from the electronic device. The portable virtual storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The network interface is a network interface selected from a UWB (Ultra Wide Band) interface, an IEEE802.11a, an IEEE802.11b, an IEEE802.11g, an IEEE802.11n interface, or a Bluetooth (registered trademark). The portable virtual storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:   7. The portable type according to claim 1, wherein the data connection interface is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, a SDIO (Secure Digital Input / Output Card) interface, or an IEEE 1394 interface. Virtual storage device.   The setting area unit further defines a unit number associated with a virtual storage area recognized by the electronic device, and the network sharing function unit stores information acquired from the storage device in the order of the unit numbers. The portable virtual storage device according to claim 4, wherein the portable virtual storage device is provided to the electronic device.   The setting area unit further defines a unit number associated with a virtual storage area recognized by the electronic device, and the network sharing function unit refers to the unit number and acquires information from the storage device The portable virtual storage device according to claim 4, wherein the portable virtual storage device is edited and given to the electronic device.   When the unit numbers are the same, the same virtual storage area is allocated to the electronic device, so that the shared folder of one or more storage devices corresponds to the multiple folders in one drive of the electronic device. 10. The portable virtual storage device according to claim 8 or 9, The portable virtual storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the portable virtual storage device includes a nonvolatile memory.