CN101030440A - Compact Flash Drives for Data Security - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a Mini Flash Disk for ensuring data security, which is provided with a shell conforming to the standard specification of a hard Disk specified by the Technical Committee T13 of the International organization, the size is 2.5 inches or 1.8 inches, a control chip connected with an external connection port and at least two connection units connected with the control chip and having the same interface specification are arranged in the shell, and the connection units can be respectively connected with a Flash memory device, so that the control chip can mirror the data stored in the first Flash memory device to the second Flash memory device, thereby ensuring the security of the data in the Mini Flash memory Disk.

Description

Compact Flash Drives for Data Security

technical field

The invention relates to a micro-flash disk, in particular to a micro-flash disk which can ensure the safety of memory data.

Background technique

At present, traditional hard disks are usually accessed mechanically. Therefore, in environments with a lot of vibration or high humidity, the mechanical access method of the disk is prone to problems such as damage or failure of reading and writing. In view of the advantages of high stability, shock resistance, moisture resistance and high transmission speed, flash memory has been used to replace the disk in the traditional hard disk, and a storage medium called flash disk (Flash Disk) has been developed.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the micro-flash disk 10 is mainly composed of three main components: an integrated disk electronics (IDE) interface 12 , a control chip 14 and a flash memory 16 . Flash memory has a limited lifetime and usually only guarantees 100,000 writes. The existing technology is difficult to guarantee the service life of the product, resulting in that when the flash memory 16 is damaged, the data stored inside will be unusable. Therefore, how to ensure the data security of the micro flash disk 10 through product design and technological breakthroughs is an important problem to be solved at present.

In addition, in the face of the rapid development of storage media today, resulting in too fast update speed, this structure of fixed flash memory and non-replaceable flash memory cannot meet the current needs. For example, for distributors or system integrators who produce and store media, due to the rapid development of storage media, the price of storage media fluctuates too much and creates a variety of capacities. Therefore, when there are too many materials in inventory, there will be disadvantages such as inability to effectively control inventory. For storage medium users, in order to increase the storage capacity of the storage medium at the host end, it can only be realized by constantly replacing or adding multiple storage media at the host end. And when purchasing additional storage media, it is often only possible to purchase current high-priced storage media along with the development of storage media. Therefore, there is no flexibility in using the storage medium, and the storage capacity in the storage medium cannot be adjusted according to user needs.

Contents of the invention

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a micro-flash disk that ensures data security, in which a first flash memory device and a second flash memory device are arranged in the housing, and a control chip stores the data stored in the first flash memory device. Data is mirrored to a second flash drive to ensure data security and to allow continuous operation of the Compact Flash.

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a 2.5-inch micro-flash disk, in which at least two connection units are provided in the housing, and a flash memory device can be plugged and pulled out respectively through the two connection units, so that the micro-flash disk has Advantages of replaceable flash memory devices.

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a micro-flash disk, which is provided with a detection unit for detecting whether the flash memory device is operating normally, and can notify the user when the flash memory device is damaged.

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a micro-flash disk, which has the advantages of increased storage capacity, faster processing speed, improved reliability and improved performance under the original volume.

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a micro-flash disk, which can replace the flash memory device inside the casing, and has the function of making it convenient for dealers to control the inventory of flash memory media with high prices and fluctuations. And the advantage that the storage capacity in the flash memory medium can be adjusted according to the needs of users.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a kind of microflash disk that guarantees data security, and it mainly comprises: a shell, has the width of a T13 hard disk standard size; A connecting port, it is located on this shell, as an external connection interface; a control chip, which is arranged in the casing, and connected to the connection port; and at least two connection units, which are arranged in the casing, and connected to the control chip, the two connection units They have the same interface specifications, and are respectively installed with a first flash memory device and a second flash memory device, and the control chip mirrors the data stored in the first flash memory device to the second flash memory device.

The present invention has the following beneficial effects: the first beneficial effect of the present invention is that a kind of micro-flash disk that ensures data security provided by the present invention is provided with a first flash memory device and a second flash memory device in its housing, through A control chip mirrors the data stored in the first flash memory device to the second flash memory device to ensure data security and allow the micro flash drive to continue to operate.

The second beneficial effect of the present invention is that a kind of 2.5-inch micro-flash disk provided by the present invention has at least two connection units in its casing, and a flash memory device can be inserted and pulled out respectively through the two connection units, so that the micro-flash Disks have the advantage of being replaceable flash memory devices.

The third beneficial effect of the present invention is that the micro-flash disk provided by the present invention is provided with a detection unit for detecting whether the flash memory device is operating normally, and can notify the user when the flash memory device is damaged.

The fourth beneficial effect of the present invention is that the micro-flash disk provided by the present invention has the advantages of increased storage capacity, faster processing speed, improved reliability and improved performance under the original volume.

The fifth beneficial effect of the present invention is that a kind of micro-flash disk provided by the present invention can replace the flash memory device inside the casing, and has the function of making it convenient for dealers to control the stock of flash memory media with high prices and fluctuations. Management, and the advantage of being able to adjust the storage capacity in the flash memory media according to user needs.

In order to further understand the features and technical content of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings related to the present invention. However, the drawings are provided for reference and illustration only, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the schematic block diagram of existing micro-flash disk;

Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of internal actions of an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a cross-sectional view of the circuit board of the embodiment of FIG. 3A;

5 is a schematic diagram of two light-emitting diodes at the front end of the housing of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

Among them, reference signs:

10 Micro flash drive 12 IDE interface

14 control chip 16 flash memory

18 micro-flash drive 20 housing

22 control chip 24 connection port

26 connection unit 26' connection unit

28 first flash memory device 32 control chip

28' Second flash drive 30 Compact Flash drive

34 IDE interface 36 ATA interface

36'ATA interface 38 circuit board

40 Shell 401 Fixing device

402 card solid 42 CF card

42'CF card 44 LEDs

44' LED 46 detection unit

461 Warning data 465 Notification processing device

467 warning message 600 micro flash drive

62 control chip 64 ports

68 first flash memory device 69 data conversion unit

68' second flash memory device

Detailed ways

Please refer to FIG. 2 , which is a schematic block diagram of the present invention. Mini Flash Disk (Mini Flash Disk) 18 is defined as a hard disk standard specification conforming to the Technical Committee T13 specification of the international organization. The width of the "T13 hard disk standard size" is the same or approximately 2.5 inches or 1.8 inches, including a The body 20 and the casing 20 are provided with a control chip 22 inside, and a connection port 24 connected with the control chip 22 and two connection units 26, 26'. Wherein, the connection port 24 can be an integrated disk electronics (IDE) interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a small computer system interface (SCSI) interface, a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface or an ATA interface, as an external The connecting interface is used for installation to an electronic device or a host end. The two connection units 26, 26' have the same Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) interface, Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) interface, ATA interface or Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) interface Specifications, and can respectively install a first flash memory device 28 and a second flash memory device 28'. Wherein, the first flash memory device 28 and the second flash memory device 28' are composed of at least one connector with the same interface specifications as the connection units 26, 26', a control chip, and more than one flash memory chip. For example: if the two connection units 26, 26' are both USB interfaces, the first flash memory device 28 and the second flash memory device 28' are USB flash memory devices.

The control chip 22 can control the first flash memory device 28 and the second flash memory device 28', so as to mirror the data stored in the first flash memory device 28 to the second flash memory device 28' to ensure storage in the micro flash disk 18. Data Security. That is, the first flash memory device 28 and the second flash memory device 28' form a RAID1 storage array, and the control chip 22 controls the two flash memory devices 28, 28'. The control chip 22 controls the data flow channels of the two flash memory devices 28, 28'. When the micro flash drive 18 receives data through the connection port 24, the data will be stored in the first flash memory device 28 and the second flash memory device 28' simultaneously. Therefore, when the first flash memory device 28 fails due to normal life cycle or other reasons, causing the data stored in it to be unusable, the control chip 22 will control the data flow to the second flash memory device 28', so that the micro flash disk 18 can Continuous operation greatly improves product reliability.

Please refer to Fig. 3A to Fig. 4 at the same time, it is respectively that the present invention uses the Integrated Disk Electronics (IDE) interface as the connection port, the Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) interface as the two connection unit interface specifications, and the CF card (Compact Flash Card) or SD card (Secure Digital Card) as a flash memory device internal structure schematic diagram, action schematic diagram and circuit board cross-sectional view. As shown in the figure, the control chip 32, the IDE interface 34 and the two ATA interfaces 36, 36' of the micro-flash disk 30 are integrated and arranged on a circuit board 38, and the circuit board 38 has been provided with relevant electronic components (not shown in the figure). ), and placed in the housing 40. The micro-flash disk 30 uses the IDE interface 34 as an interface to communicate with an electronic device or a host, and uses the control chip 32 as a main control core. By controlling the instructions inside the chip 32, it is possible to control whether the current action is to read or store data, and when in the action of storing data, the stored data will be mirrored.

Because the ATA interfaces 36, 36' are separated from the flash memory device. Therefore, when the micro-flash disk 30 needs to replace the invalid CF card (or SD card, USB flash memory device) 42, 42', or increase its storage capacity, or make its storage capacity equivalent to the storage capacity of the latest storage medium at present Etc. can be realized by pulling out the flash memory device installed in the ATA interface 36, 36' and inserting another flash memory device instead.

In order to provide that the first flash memory device 42 and the second flash memory device 42' can be fixed in the housing 40, the housing 40 still includes two fixing devices 401, which are fixed in the first flash memory device 42 and the second flash memory device 42 'between. The fixing device 401 is provided with a locking body 402 which is arranged on a side of the fixing device 401 . The side locking of the first flash memory device 42 and the second flash memory device 42' is provided by the card solid 402, so that the two flash memory devices 42, 42' can not only be firmly installed in the micro flash disk 18, 30, but also can be used when necessary. The flash memory devices 42, 42' are swapped out.

In this embodiment, the fixing device 401 has only a card body 402 on a single side, and the two card bodies 402 are located at the same linear position of the casing 40, and the first flash memory device 42 and the second flash memory device 42' are arranged in different directions. Inserting the clamping device 401 is mainly because such a design can save the volume occupied by the clamping body 402 in the housing 40 , and thus meet the width requirement of the 2.5” housing 40 .

The present invention also belongs to a composition structure of a non-fixed storage capacity flash memory device that can be freely and flexibly replaced. In addition, the present invention operates on the same flash memory device, so it has the advantages of accelerating processing speed, improving reliability and performance. For dealers who specialize in selling storage media, in the face of the rapid development of high-capacity storage media, by replacing the flash memory device in the micro flash drive, it can effectively control the inventory of high-priced and fluctuating flash media . And it can also respond to the latest mainstream in the current market, and provide consumers with another flash memory medium that is cheap and meets the latest storage capacity in the current market.

Please refer to FIG. 5 , a detection unit 46 is provided on the casing 40 of the micro-flash disk 30 of the present invention, which is electrically connected to the control chip (32) and the connection units (36, 36'). When any flash memory device (42 or 42') fails, the detection unit 46 can provide a warning so that the user can replace it in time. For example: when a detection program is preset in the detection unit 46, the detection unit 46 can detect whether the flash memory device (42 or 42 ') is working normally or partially failed, and when it is known that one of the flash memory devices fails, it will generate a The warning data 461 notifies the notification processing device 465 (such as a computer, a telephone or a network device) connected to the micro flash disk 30, and the notification processing device 465 will generate and send a warning message 467 (for example: sound, email or short message) To notify the user to replace the failed flash memory device (42 or 42').

In addition, the detection unit 46 may optionally include at least one indicator element. The indicator element shown in FIG. 5 is two light emitting diodes (LEDs) 44, 44'. However, the indicator element 44, 44' of the present invention can also be a liquid crystal display panel, so the indicator element 44, 44' can be used to display whether the ATA interface 36, 36' in the micro flash disk 30 is in a normal working condition. If any flash memory device 42 or 42' fails, a warning can be provided so as to notify the user, and replacement can be performed in due course.

Because the micro-flash disk 30 of the present invention has a mirror image function, if one of the flash memory devices 42 fails, all memory data will be completely stored in another flash memory device 42', which can not only maintain the correctness of the stored data, but also maintain The normal operation of the single flash memory device 42 ′ in the micro flash disk 30 is waiting for the replacement of the failed flash memory device 42 . Once the flash memory device 42 is replaced, the data stored in another flash memory device 42' can be mirrored in the new flash memory device 42.

Again, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flash memory device 42 or 42' has a hot-swappable function, so when replacing a failed flash memory device (42 or 42'), it does not need to be shut down and will not affect the micro-flash disk 30 for normal operation.

The present invention utilizes the above composition structure to flexibly change the storage capacity of the micro-flash disk. Therefore, the present invention not only can effectively solve the problem that the storage capacity of the existing micro-flash disk is fixed and cannot replace the flash memory, but also provides a micro-flash disk that can be installed with a replacement flash memory device, and can be used without changing the volume of the original micro-flash disk. , to increase storage capacity, speed up processing speed, improve reliability and improve performance.

Finally, the first flash memory device 68 and the second flash memory device 68' of the present invention can also be selected as other types of flash memory, for example: various NOR type or NAND type flash memory, so as to achieve the purpose of the present invention. However, when the data transmission type of the selected flash memory is not compatible with the transmission interface of the connection port 64, a data conversion unit 69 will be provided in the micro flash disk 600, which is electrically connected to the connection port 64 and the control chip 62, as shown in FIG. 6 As shown, the data transmitted at both ends of the data conversion unit 69 is converted to make the data conform to the specification.

Certainly, the present invention also can have other various embodiments, without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and deformations according to the present invention, but these Corresponding changes and deformations should belong to the scope of protection of the appended claims of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. a mini-flash dish of guaranteeing data security is characterized in that, this mini-flash dish includes:

One housing has the standard-sized width of a T13 hard disk;

One Port, it is located on this housing, with as an external connecting interface;

One control chip, it is located in this housing, and connects this Port; And

At least two linkage units, it is located in this housing, and be connected to this control chip, this two linkage unit has identical interface specification, and one first flash memory device and one second flash memory device are installed respectively, this control chip then will be stored in interior data image to the second flash memory device of first flash memory device.

2. mini-flash dish according to claim 1, it is characterized in that this housing also includes two stationary installations, it is fixedly arranged between this first flash memory device and this second flash memory device, and this stationary installation also includes a fixing body, and it is located at the side of this stationary installation.

3. mini-flash dish according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, this Port is one of them of an ide interface, USB interface, scsi interface, ata interface and SATA interface, this linkage unit then is one of them of an ata interface, USB interface, SATA interface and scsi interface, again, this flash memory device is by at least one connector, a control chip, and at least one flash chip is formed.

4. mini-flash dish according to claim 1 is characterized in that, this flash memory device is one of them of a compactflash memory card, a USB flash memory device and a SD card.

5. mini-flash dish according to claim 1 is characterized in that, this control chip, this Port and this two linkage unit are integrated and be arranged on the circuit board.

6. mini-flash dish according to claim 1 is characterized in that, this mini-flash dish also includes a detecting unit, and it electrically connects this control chip and this linkage unit.

7. mini-flash dish according to claim 6, it is characterized in that, this detecting unit also includes at least one indicator elment, whether this flash memory device that is installed on this two linkage unit in order to demonstration is in the normal operative condition state, and, this indicator elment be a light emitting diode (LED), display panels and combined type thereof one of them.

8. mini-flash dish according to claim 6 is characterized in that, this detecting unit will produce caution data, and connects a circular treating apparatus, and this circular treating apparatus is then warned message according to these caution data to produce one.

9. mini-flash dish according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, this mini-flash dish also includes two stationary installations, be positioned at the dual-side of this housing, one side of each stationary installation is provided with one and fixes body, and two fixing bodies will be present on the same straight line of this housing, and cause this first flash memory device and this second flash memory device to connect this linkage unit with different directions.

10. mini-flash dish according to claim 1 is characterized in that, this T13 hard disk standard size is one of them of one 2.5 inch and one 1.8 inch.

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