WO2005078592A1

WO2005078592A1 - A multifunction data storage equipment and method

Info

Publication number: WO2005078592A1
Application number: PCT/CN2005/000167
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zhiqiang He; Xiaoping Yan; Li Zhang
Original assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
Priority date: 2004-02-09
Filing date: 2005-02-05
Publication date: 2005-08-25

Abstract

The invention discloses a multifunction data storage equipment to solve the proms em of the data sharing speed slowly and complicatly between a computer and a electronic device in the prior art.The said equipment comprise:a number of interfaces, which confirm with the interface protocol of iteslf respectively to build the data channels between the multifunction data storage equipment and the the plurality of peripheral equipments which adopt corresponding interface protocol; a storage device,for storing the data from the plurality of peripheral equipments; a master control device, for controling minti interfaces and storage device, to store the data from one of the the plurality of peripheral equipments into the storage device through a interface of the minti interfaces,or to read the data form the storage device into another peripheral equipment through another interface. It is possible to achieve the function of flexible and convenient data storing,interactiving,sharing by means of multifunction data storage equipment.

Description

Multifunctional data storage device and method

Technical field

The present invention relates to intelligent data storage technology, and in particular, to a multifunctional data storage device and method for storing and sharing data between a computer and / or various electronic devices. Background technique

At present, multi-function data storage devices can be classified into three categories: magnetic memory, magneto-optical memory, and semiconductor memory (Flash Memory) according to the type of storage medium.

Magnetic memory is characterized by mechanical reading, which must be matched with the corresponding drive to use normally, including floppy disk and ZIP disk. Among them, the capacity of the floppy disk is small (now generally 1.44M) and the speed is slow, which is only suitable for simple backup and data exchange of small files. Although the ZIP disk has a large capacity, its large size and expensive price make its use range greatly limited.

The disadvantage of magneto-optical memory is that the speed of writing data is slow and inconvenient, and it is extremely impractical for situations where data needs to be frequently modified. In addition, it also requires additional drive equipment support and is relatively large.

Therefore, semiconductor memory that can meet the requirements of low power consumption, high reliability, high storage density, and high read / write speed in computer applications has been rapidly developed and is widely used in consumer electronics devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, and PDAs. Among them, its shape and structure are diversified, the size is getting smaller and smaller, the capacity is getting bigger and bigger, and the interface method is getting more and more flexible.

Semiconductor memory based on semiconductor technology mainly includes: USB-based flash drives, smart memory cards, P3, etc. as well as custom interfaces and standard data storage cards. Existing data storage cards include CF (Compact Flash Card), SM (Smart Media Card), MMC (Multi Media Card), SD (Secure Digital), Memory Stick and Micro Drive.

Each semiconductor memory has its own specific data interface, size, protocol, and market development direction, and the application scenarios are different. For example, data storage products that use standard USB interfaces are mainly used in computers, notebook computers, etc., and custom interfaces And standard data storage cards are mostly used in electronic devices, such as digital cameras, PDAs and other embedded devices.

In order to realize data sharing between a computer and an electronic device, various data storage cards need to be read and written on the computer. In the prior art, a card reader is used as an interface between a data storage card and a computer. Interface device to provide a convenient data channel for data transfer from the data storage card. Similarly, data can be shared between computers using a card reader and a data storage card.

According to the type of data memory card read, card readers can be divided into single-function card readers and multi-function card readers. The so-called single function card reader can only read one type of data storage card, such as CF card reader can only read CF card, SM card reader can only read SM card. Because various data storage cards are incompatible with each other, a single-function card reader cannot meet the "universal" requirements. Data storage cards of different formats require different card readers, such as SM card readers, Memory Stiek card readers, etc., the data exchange becomes more complicated, resulting in data sharing between computers and / or different electronic devices More difficult.

Multi-function card reader can be compatible with a variety of data storage cards, whether SM card, Memory Stick or other types can read and write. However, the multi-function card reader also has defects: for data sharing between different electronic devices and computers, different data storage cards need to be inserted into the computer; in addition, the multi-function card reader also carries Inconvenient, expensive and other disadvantages. '

In addition, the above-mentioned single-function card reader and multi-function card reader have the same disadvantages: Since the data read and write operations of the computer and the electronic device comply with different protocols, the data format conversion needs to be performed when the data exchange is implemented, and It is not true data sharing, which takes a long time and affects reading and writing speed.

In addition, another prior art CN1201235 discloses an external storage device for connecting and storing high-speed electronic devices with different types of built-in interfaces. FIG. 14 shows the structure of the external storage device, which includes a storage device 22, an interface controller A21, and an interface controller A24. Each of the two interface controllers has a function of performing data writing to the storage device 22 and / Or a different type of built-in interface control unit that reads data from the storage device 22, and a connection device 26 for selecting and connecting one of the interface controller A21 and the interface controller A24 to the electronic device, wherein according to the electronic device, Control command to select one of interface controller A21 and interface controller B24.

The above-mentioned prior art also has the disadvantage that the storage space cannot be shared among multiple electronic devices at the same time, because the external storage device can only be connected to one electronic device at the same time. Therefore, it is not possible to establish data channels with multiple terminal electronic devices at the same time, and realize the interconnection of terminal electronic devices and real-time sharing of resources.

Secondly, the scope and functions of the existing data memory card applications are relatively single and have limitations; furthermore, data sharing and interaction between different terminal electronic devices becomes more complicated.

Third, some existing data storage cards are not standard in computers and cannot be directly 67 Computers exchange data. Computers must read and write data memory cards by adding a card reader to achieve this. The use is complicated and adds extra support, and it is often difficult for card readers to be compatible with all mobile memory cards. In addition, It is also inconvenient for people who require high portability.

In addition, with the increase in the amount of information, the existing data storage cards simply cannot meet the storage requirements. For example, in order to prevent data from being copied illegally, a certain encryption mechanism needs to be configured.

In addition, at present, many electronic devices, such as mobile phones, are increasingly demanding data storage capacity, and built-in USB interfaces are becoming more and more important for external storage. And stylish MP3 players are also constantly changing, and external storage devices are becoming a trend. The common feature of the above-mentioned electronic devices is that they are all battery-powered devices and generally use 3.3V. Although electronic devices such as mobile phones and MP3s have a USB interface storage function, they follow the same protocol as the computer, that is, the USB protocol. However, because the computer uses a fully standard USB interface to supply power of 5V, current consumer electronics devices generally use a 3,3V power supply. Therefore, parameters such as voltage and power consumption of data storage devices or memory cards with fully standard USB interfaces do not meet the application requirements of these electronic devices. Summary of the invention

Because the data sharing speed between computers and / or electronic devices in the prior art is slow and complicated, a technical problem solved by the present invention is to provide a multifunctional data storage device and method, which can realize flexible and convenient data storage, Interaction and sharing capabilities.

To this end, in one aspect of the present invention, a multifunctional data storage device is provided, including: a plurality of interfaces, each complying with a respective interface protocol, for establishing a multifunctional data storage device and a plurality of interfaces using a corresponding interface protocol. A data channel between external devices; a storage device for storing data from a plurality of external devices; a main control device for controlling a plurality of interfaces and a storage device so as to transfer data from a plurality of external devices through one of the plurality of interfaces Data of an external device in the device is stored in a storage device, or data is read from the storage device to another external device through another interface.

In addition, the main control device includes: a plurality of interface controllers respectively connected to a plurality of interfaces to establish a data channel according to a corresponding interface protocol; and a storage controller connected to the storage device to control the storage device.

In addition, the main control device further includes: a buffer provided between the plurality of interface controllers and the storage controller, for buffering data exchanged between the multifunctional data storage device and an external device; and a protocol controller for selecting Interface protocol corresponding to the data channel. In addition, the multiple interfaces include: a first interface for implementing communication between the multifunctional data storage device and the first external device; and a second interface different from the first interface for implementing the multifunctional data storage device and the second external device Communication of the device; the plurality of interface controllers include: a first interface controller for controlling the first interface, and a second interface controller for controlling the second interface.

In addition, the multifunctional data storage device further includes a power management unit having a field effect tube and a voltage stabilizing tube, which is connected to the first interface and the second interface, and converts the power supplied by the first or second external device into a multifunctional device. The working power of the data storage device.

In addition, the first and second interfaces are selected from the following interfaces: SM, MMC, SD, CF, MS, USB, USBDP, MD, and / or x-D interfaces.

Moreover, the above storage devices include flash memory, MRAM, DRAM, SDRAM. EEPROM,

SRAM and / or EPROM.

Compared with the prior art, the above technical solution has the following beneficial effects: First, the multifunctional data storage device of the present invention has a first interface unit and a second interface unit that respectively comply with the first interface protocol and the second interface protocol, so that different protocols are adopted. Memory storage units can be shared between external devices. That is, after the multifunctional data storage device is connected to an external device, the main controller unit can independently implement operations on the memory storage unit according to the interface characteristics of the external device and comply with different protocols. In addition, the memory storage body is interfaced with the file according to the file storage mode. There is no direct relationship between the transmission methods, thus achieving the sharing of memory storage units. Therefore, in the case of adopting the multifunctional data storage device of the present invention, there is no need for a switching device such as a card reader between external devices complying with different protocols, and there is no need to change the storage design of the external device to realize a free data storage function. , And flexible and convenient for data interaction and sharing.

Secondly, for computers that use standard USB interfaces and electronic devices (such as mobile phones, MP3, etc.) that use custom USB interfaces, the first interface unit can use dual-power USBDP interface technology to comply with the same protocol (i.e. USB protocol), to achieve flexible and convenient data interaction and sharing functions between computers and electronic devices.

Another technical problem solved by the present invention is to provide a multifunctional data storage device, which can reduce hardware dependence on external devices and facilitate data sharing.

In another aspect of the present invention, a multifunctional data storage device is provided, including: a main control device, an interface device, a storage device, and a power supply device; the main control device is connected to the interface device, the storage device, and a power supply, and supports the flow of data information And coordinate the work of each part; the multifunctional data storage device also includes a wireless transceiver device, the wireless transceiver device is connected to the main control device, and is used to establish the multifunctional data storage device and the external T / CN2005 / 000167 Device's wireless data transmission channel.

In addition, the main control device includes: a storage controller for reading and writing data from and to the storage device; an interface controller for controlling the interface device; and a microprocessor connected to and controlling the storage controller and the interface controller.

In addition, the interface device is a multiplexing interface module that stores a data interface and a wireless data transmission interface. In addition, the main control device includes a data encryption / decryption device.

In addition, the master control device is a single physical entity.

Moreover, the interface device is a combination of a single interface, multiple identical interfaces, and / or multiple different types of interfaces. In addition, the interface is selected from the following interfaces: SM, MMC, SD, CF, MS, USB, USBDP, MD, and / or x-D interfaces.

In addition, the storage device includes: flash memory, MRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, EEPROM, SRAM and / or EPROM.

In addition, the wireless transceiver unit includes a Bluetooth transceiver module and / or a radio frequency identification module.

In addition, the power supply device is a hierarchical power management module, configured to draw power from an external power supply and / or a built-in power supply, and provide at least two different output voltages.

In addition, when the wireless transceiver is not operating, the hierarchical power management module cuts off the power of the wireless transceiver.

Compared with the prior art, the foregoing technical solution has a beneficial effect; since the present invention has an interface unit and a wireless transceiver unit at the same time, it can reduce the dependency on hardware of external devices such as terminal electronic equipment.

Utilizing the reusable features of the interface unit as both a storage data interface and a wireless data transmission interface, a wireless transceiver unit connected to the main controller unit is used, so that the storage device can also be used as a carrier for wireless communications such as Bluetooth. The wireless storage network is conveniently formed between external devices, so as to realize the wireless interconnection and data sharing functions between external devices, especially embedded devices (such as MP3, digital cameras, etc.), and real-time data exchange. In addition, compared with the prior art, where a wireless transmitting and receiving unit is provided in an embedded device to implement wireless interconnection, the present invention uses a multifunctional data storage device with a wireless transmitting and receiving unit, which can greatly reduce the cost of the embedded device.

In addition, dual-power USBDP interface technology is used (standard USB interface power is + 5V, and the other power is low voltage power), allowing computers and embedded devices with low voltage interfaces (such as mobile phones with USB interface storage function, MP3 and other terminals) Device), in the case of complying with the same protocol (ie, the USB protocol), a flexible and convenient data interaction and sharing function is realized through a multifunctional data storage device. When a combination of multiple interfaces is used, a memory storage unit is also shared, and digital terminal devices that implement different interfaces do not need other conversion devices when they comply with their respective different protocols, and universal data storage, which is flexible and convenient to implement data interaction and sharing functions .

Using hierarchical power management, the device can freely control the power of the wireless transceiver unit, and turn off the power of the Bluetooth transceiver unit when Bluetooth data transmission is not needed, especially to improve the power usage of battery-powered embedded devices, while also avoiding In the process of data storage, there will be wireless interference from the Bluetooth transceiver unit.

In addition, since the data encryption / decryption device is provided in the main controller unit, data can be safely stored. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a structural block diagram of a multifunctional data storage device according to the present invention;

2 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a multifunctional data storage device according to the present invention;

3 is a flowchart of a multifunctional data storage method according to the present invention;

4 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a multifunctional data storage device according to the present invention;

5 is a circuit diagram of a power management unit of the multifunctional data storage device shown in FIG. 2;

6 is a flowchart of reading and writing data by the multifunctional data storage device shown in FIG. 2;

7 is a principle block diagram of a multifunctional data storage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a specific structural block diagram of a multifunctional data storage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is another specific structural block diagram of a multifunctional data storage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a multifunctional data storage device shown in FIG. 9 Circuit diagram of data storage device;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of data read and write operations performed by the multifunctional data storage device shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 12 is a flowchart of data transmission performed by the multifunctional data storage device shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of data reception performed by the multifunctional data storage device shown in FIG. 9; and FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a conventional external storage device. detailed description

[First embodiment]

Please refer to FIG. 1. The multifunctional data storage device 100 of the present invention is used to implement the storage function of an external device (not shown), so that external devices using different interface types can flexibly and conveniently perform data interaction and sharing. The multifunctional data storage device 100 includes a main controller unit 110, a memory storage unit 120, a first interface unit 130, and a second interface unit 140. The memory storage unit 120 uses a flash memory as a storage medium for storing data; the first interface unit 130 and the second interface unit 140 respectively comply with the first interface protocol and the second interface protocol, and are used to establish a data channel between the device 100 and an external device. The main controller unit 110 is connected to the memory storage unit 120, the first interface unit 130, and the second interface unit 140, and is configured to control the memory storage unit 120, the first interface unit 130, and the second interface unit 140 to implement communication with an external device. Data communication and read and write operations to the memory storage unit 120.

The main controller unit 110 includes a first interface controller 111, a second interface controller 112, and a memory storage controller 113, which are respectively used to control the first interface unit 130, the second interface unit 140, and the memory storage unit 120.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a multifunctional data storage method according to the present invention.

First, step S301 is performed. The multi-function data storage device 100 is connected to an external device (for example, an external device such as a digital camera, a mobile phone, an MP3, and a computer), obtains power from the external device, and initializes the system. Subsequently, step S302 is performed, and the multifunctional data storage device 100 is ready to receive a command from an external device.

The main controller unit 110 of the multifunctional data storage device 100 next executes step S303, and selects the first interface unit 130 or the second interface unit 140 according to the interface type of the external device to establish a data channel.

In step S304, the multifunctional data storage device 100 receives a transmission command packet from an external device, and analyzes the transmission command packet through the main controller unit 110. It is then determined in step S305 whether it is a read-write operation request, and if so, step S307 is performed; if it is not a read-write operation request, then a corresponding operation is performed in step S306 and the process returns to step S304.

In step S307, the main controller unit 110 performs a read and write operation on the memory storage unit 120 according to the analysis result, and finally executes step S308 to return the operation result to the external device.

FIG. 2 is a specific embodiment of the multifunctional data storage device of the present invention. The multifunctional data storage device 200 includes a main controller unit 210, a memory storage unit 220, a USBDP (dual power USB) interface unit 230, an MMC interface unit 240, and a power management unit 250. The main controller unit 210 is connected to other units and is used to control operations of other units. To make the drawings clearer, the wiring between the power management unit 250 and other units is simplified.

The main controller unit 210 is the control core of the multifunctional data storage device 200, which enables external devices using different protocols to share the memory storage unit 220 independently, so that data interaction between different external devices is easy to perform without the need for two This protocol conversion. The main controller unit 210 includes USBDP The controller 211, the MMC controller 212, the memory storage controller 213, the data buffer 214, and the protocol controller 215 in which Firmware (protocol control program) is fixed.

The memory storage unit 220 uses a semiconductor storage medium FLASH, which has characteristics such as large capacity, high speed, and small size, and is used for storing data. Can use the high-capacity NAND structure FLASH produced by Samsung, or other companies' FLASH products.

FIG. 4 shows the appearance of the multifunctional data storage device. The pin definitions of the USBDP interface used by the USBDP interface unit 230 are shown in Table 1.

USBDP interface unit pin definition

It can be known from Table 1 that the USBDP interface unit 230 can be formed by adding two pieces of 3.3V pins to the standard USB interface. Considering to retain the existing USB interface size, adding two pieces of 3.3V pin size adds up to a similar width. The width of a 5V pin.

The MMC interface unit 240 is based on the standard MMC interface size and interface definition, and complies with the standard MMC specifications and interface electrical characteristics, so that the multifunctional data storage device 200 of the present invention can be applied to external devices that use the standard MMC interface. The pin definitions of the MMC interface unit 240 are shown in Table 2.

MMC interface unit pin definition

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a power management unit of the multifunctional data storage device shown in FIG. N2005 / 000167 yuan 250 is used to cooperate with the USBDP interface unit 230 and the MMC interface unit 240 to convert the power supplied by the external device into the working power of the multifunctional data storage device 200.

At present, the standard USB interface used in computers is usually powered by 5V, and most electronic devices, such as embedded devices, are mostly battery-powered and can provide 3.3V voltage output. The main controller unit 210 and the memory storage unit 220 in the multifunctional data storage device 200 generally use an operating voltage of 3.3V. In order to work reliably, the 5V voltage obtained from the USBDP interface unit 230 must also be converted to a 3.3V voltage by the power management unit 250; if it is powered from the 3.3V pins of the USBDP interface unit 230 or the MMC interface unit 240, it can directly power Role.

As shown in FIG. 5, the power management unit 250 includes a field effect transistor 251 and a voltage regulator 252. When the multi-function data storage device 200 is used on a computer or other external device using a standard USB interface, it has only a 5V power input, which needs to be converted to a 3.3V power output by the regulator 252 and then output by the field effect tube 251 . When the multifunctional data storage device 200 is used on an external device using a custom USB interface or an MMC interface, the field effect tube 251 is in an off state, and the 3.3V power supply is directly output.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of data reading and writing performed by the multifunctional data storage device 200. In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, the data transfer between the digital camera and the computer through the multifunctional data storage device 200 is taken as an example for description.

First, step S601 is performed. The multifunctional data storage device 200 is connected to a multifunctional memory card holder (not shown) of a digital camera, obtains power from the digital camera, and initializes the system. Then step S602 is executed to prepare to receive a command from the digital camera.

In step S603, the main controller unit 210 waits for data from the USBDP interface unit 230 of the multi-function data storage device 200, and determines whether there is a USB command. If, at this time, the main controller unit 210 cannot obtain a valid USB command from the USBDP interface unit 230 of the multifunctional data storage device, that is, the judgment result is no. Then, the main controller unit 210 will wait for data from the MMC interface unit 240 of the multifunctional data storage device 200 and determine whether there is an MMC command in step S604. If the judgment result is no, then jump back to step S602 to enter a state ready to receive a command; if the judgment result in step S604 is affirmative, that is, if it is an MMC command, execute step S615 to reset the digital camera through the MMC and the MMC card. Identify and enter the data transmission mode state, establish an MMC data channel with the multifunctional data storage device 200 through the MMC interface unit 240, and communicate and control the multifunctional data storage device 200 through the MMC control unit 212.

Subsequently, in step S616, the main controller unit 210 receives the digital video from the MMC data channel. And analyze the operation request of the machine to determine whether read and write operations are to be performed. If not, perform step S617 and perform other MMC operations. If the determination in step S616 is affirmative, perform step S608. The camera operates the registers in the MMC controller 212 through the MMC interface unit 240. Effective data (such as picture data) will be buffered through the data buffer 214, and then driven by the memory storage controller 213, according to the MMC controller 212 The register command requires writing valid data into the memory storage unit 220.

Next, in step S609, the operation result is returned to the digital camera. In this way, the digital camera complies with the MMC protocol to read and write the memory storage unit 220 through the MMC interface unit 240 of the multifunctional data storage device 200.

After the digital camera's picture data is stored in the multifunctional data storage device 200, other external devices such as a computer can access it through the multifunctional data storage device 200.

First, step S601 is implemented. The multifunctional data storage device 200 is connected to a standard USB interface of a computer (desktop computer or notebook computer), obtains power from the USB interface, and initializes the system. Subsequently-Step S602 is performed to prepare to receive a command from the computer.

In step S603, the main controller unit 210 first waits for the

Data of the USBDP interface unit 230 and determine whether there is a USB command. Because at this time, the main controller unit 210 can obtain a valid USB command from the USBDP interface unit 230 of the multifunctional data storage device, that is, the judgment of step S603 is affirmative. Then in step S605, the computer establishes a USB data channel (ie, a Bulk only channel) with the multifunctional data storage device 200 through the USBDP interface unit 230 through the USB reset, device enumeration, compliance with mass storage classes, and transmission commands, and the multifunctional data storage The device 200 performs communication and control through the USBDP controller 211.

Subsequently, in step S606, the main controller unit 210 receives the operation request from the computer from the USB data channel and analyzes it to determine whether to perform read and write operations. If not, step S607 is performed to perform other USB operations. If yes, the computer operates the registers in the USB controller 211 through the USB interface unit 230 in step S608, and drives the effective data from the memory storage unit according to the register command in the USB controller 211 through the drive of the memory storage controller 213. Read in 220, and the valid data will be buffered through the data buffer 214. Then step S609 is performed, and the USB controller 212 is used to transmit the data from the USBDP interface unit 230 to the computer according to the USB protocol.

In other words, through the multifunctional data storage device 200, picture data taken by a digital camera using an MMC interface can be directly accessed by a computer without using a card reader. In the foregoing embodiment, the main controller unit 210 queries the communication between the USBDP interface unit 230 and the MMC interface unit 240 to determine the interface type of the external device using the multifunctional data storage device 200, thereby establishing a corresponding data channel. The interface unit can also be selected by other methods. For example, the interface mode of the multifunctional data storage device can be determined by interrupting the mode. That is, the external device sends the USBDP interface unit or MMC interface unit to the main controller unit 210. Send an interrupt request to establish the corresponding data channel.

In addition, since the USBDP interface unit 230 of the multi-function data storage device 200 supports both 3.3V and 5V USB interfaces, the computer can download MP3 songs to the multi-function data storage device 200 through the 5V USB interface, and then the multi-function data storage The device 200 is connected to a multi-function memory card holder (not shown) of the MP3 player, performs 3.3V power supply and data exchange through the USBDP interface unit 230, and implements the MP3 player to play MP3 songs in the multi-function data storage device 200. The mobile phone can also store large-capacity data into the multifunctional data storage device 200 through the 3.3V power supply interface of the USBDP interface unit 230 of the multifunctional data storage device 200, and then connect the multifunctional data storage device 200 to a computer. The USB interface uses the 5V power supply method of the USBDP interface unit 230 to transfer the large-capacity data of the mobile phone to the computer.

Of course, the mobile storage device of the first embodiment of the present invention may also have some changes. For example, according to actual requirements, the number of interface units connected to the main controller unit is not limited to two, and the second interface unit is not necessarily limited to the MMC interface. The unit can use any suitable interface method. [Second embodiment]

The multifunctional data storage device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is used to implement an external storage function of a data processing system such as a terminal electronic device or a computer. On the other hand, it can implement wireless communication between different external devices (especially embedded devices). Interconnection enables flexible and convenient data exchange and sharing between data processing systems.

FIG. 7 is a principle block diagram of a multifunctional data storage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The multifunctional data storage device includes a main controller unit 710, an interface unit 720, a memory storage unit 730, a wireless transceiver unit 740, and a power management unit 750.

The main controller unit 710 is connected to the interface unit 720, the memory storage unit 730, the wireless transceiver unit 740, and the power management unit 750 in different interface forms, respectively, to support the flow of data information and coordinate the work of each unit; the above-mentioned interface unit 720 is used for Establish multi-functional data storage equipment and terminal electronic equipment, etc. Connection of external devices; the memory storage unit 730 is used to store data; the wireless transceiver unit 740 is used to establish a wireless connection between the multifunctional data storage device and an external device such as a terminal electronic device; the power management unit 750 is used for multifunctional data The storage device provides working power.

The main controller unit 710 is a control center module of a multifunctional data storage device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As the control core of the multi-function memory card, the main controller unit 710 includes a memory storage controller 713, an interface controller 711, a microprocessor 715, and a data encryption / decryption device 716. The main controller unit 710 is a single physical entity.

The interface controller 711 is configured to coordinate and communicate with the interface unit 720. The memory storage controller 713 is configured to uniformly complete reading, writing, and managing data on the memory storage unit 730. The data encryption / decryption device 716 is used for encrypting / decrypting the transmission data, and can select the encryption / decryption data according to different modes. It also provides functions such as user authentication management when it is in the wireless transmitting and receiving working mode. The microprocessor 715 completes the overall control and coordination work, and is responsible for protocol analysis of different interfaces, encryption / decryption operations, and so on.

The interface unit 720 refers to a wired or contact interface, and its interface types include, but are not limited to, SM, MMC / SD, CF, MS, USB, MD, and x-D interfaces. The interface unit 720 may be a single interface or a combination of multiple same interfaces and / or multiple different types of interfaces, and each interface is connected to a different terminal electronic device through its own interface protocol. The interface unit 720 is a multiplexing interface module that stores a data interface and a wireless data transmission interface.

The main function of the memory storage unit 730 is to store data files and various information. Semiconductor storage media are used, including but not limited to flash memory, MRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, EEPROM, SRAM, EPROM and other types.

The wireless transceiver unit 740 mainly completes the transmission and reception of wireless data, including wireless communication types without external antennas, such as Buletooth (Bluetooth), RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), and so on.

The power management unit 750 can draw power from an external power source and / or a built-in power source, and mainly obtains power from the outside through the interface unit 720, and provides different output voltages to provide working power to the multifunctional data storage device of the present invention. The power supply of the 740 is managed separately. In order to simplify the lines in the figure, the connections between the power management unit 750 and other units are omitted in FIG. 7.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, a more detailed embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 8 is a detailed structural block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the MMC interface 720 is used as the interface unit, the MMC controller 711 'is used as the interface controller, and the Bluetooth transceiver unit 740' is used as the wireless transceiver unit. 67 The multifunctional data storage device of this embodiment can implement data storage functions of an external device such as a terminal electronic device through an MMC interface. The data security mechanism is implemented by the data encryption / decryption unit 716.

In addition, the multifunctional data storage device of this embodiment can also realize the interconnection between Bluetooth devices by multiplexing the MMC interface 720 'and the Bluetooth transceiver unit 740', and can also enable external devices to expand the storage capacity through wireless Bluetooth, namely In addition to the external multifunction data storage device of this machine, the external device can perform the storage operation, and can also perform the reading and writing operation with the external multifunction data storage device of another external device through wireless transmission. For example, two MP3s with multi-function data storage devices can each play songs from their own multi-function data storage devices, or they can wirelessly play songs from each other's multi-function data storage devices.

FIG. 9 is another specific structural block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention.

In this example, the interface unit 720 "uses a coexisting MMC interface 720B and a low-thickness dual-voltage USBDP (Universal Serial Bus Double Power) interface 720 A, of which the MMC interface 721 complies with the MMC4.0 specification; the USBDP interface 720B complies with the USB interface Electrical characteristics, its physical size is different from that of the USB interface, the metal ring structure connector used by the universal USB interface is removed, and the circuit board itself is directly designed with a low-thickness USB interface, thereby reducing the thickness of the multifunctional data storage device interface. However, it does not affect the data exchange between the multifunctional data storage device and the external device using the standard USB interface.

External devices with corresponding interfaces of MMC and USB can access the multifunctional data storage device of this embodiment through MMC interface 720A or USBDP interface 720B.

Corresponding to this, the interface controller 711 "includes MMC interface controller 711A and USB interface controller 711B, which respectively process MMC interface signals and USB interface signals, and complete signal conversions such as serial / parallel, parallel / serial, encoding and decoding, etc. .

The microprocessor 713 performs protocol analysis.

Encryption / decryption settings can be made when data is stored, and the data encryption / decryption device 716 can be used to perform encryption / decryption operations.

In addition, FIG. 10 shows a circuit schematic diagram of the multifunctional data storage device shown in FIG. 9.

The main components involved in implementing the multifunctional data storage device of the present invention shown in FIG. 10 can come from the following manufacturers: The main control unit 710 can refer to the product information of OTI and SANDISK ST; the memory storage unit 730 can refer to SAMSUNG and TOSHIBA ^ ST Product information of other companies; Wireless transceiver unit 740 can refer to product information of companies such as Ericsson and National Semiconductor; Power management unit 750 is a device combination that mainly includes voltage regulators and controllable voltage output circuits. Refer to TI, T / CN2005 / 000167

Product information from LINEAR and other companies.

In addition, the multifunctional data storage device of the second embodiment may further include the data buffer of the first embodiment, which is used to buffer the stored or received data for further processing.

In addition, the present invention can select different working modes for related work, such as data storage mode or data wireless transmission mode.

Please refer to Figs. 11-13. For the data mining operation in different working modes of the present invention, the second embodiment is taken as an example to describe the data flow.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a multifunctional data storage device working in a data storage mode according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

First, in step S1101, the multifunctional data storage device is inserted into the main device. If the main device uses a USB interface (if the main device is a computer), the multifunctional data storage device obtains power from the USBDP interface 720B; if the main device uses an MMC interface (if the main device is a digital camera), the multifunctional data storage device MMC interface 720A obtains power.

In step S1102, the multi-function data storage device initializes the system after obtaining power, and then in step S1103, it is ready to receive a command from the master device.

In step S1104, the USB interface controller 711B of the multifunctional data storage device first determines whether there is a USB communication command from the USBDP interface 720B.

If the determination of step S1104 is affirmative, then step S1106 is executed, the main controller unit 710 enters the USB storage control state, and the main device will reset, USB device enumeration, follow the mass storage class and transmission command through the USB, and the multifunctional data storage device USB data channel (ie Bulk only channel) is established through the USB interface controller 711B. Based on this channel, the master device can perform data storage operations on the multifunctional data storage device through SCSI commands.

In step S1107, it is determined whether data transmission or wireless transmission is performed. If not, then in step S1108, the flow shifts to the wireless transmission process. Otherwise, in step S1109, it is determined whether to perform read and write operations. If not, then other USB operations are performed in step S1110, and then the process returns to step S1109.

If the determination in step S1109 is affirmative, then it is determined in step S1111 whether a write operation or a read operation is performed. If a write operation is performed, the data to be written is encrypted in step S1112, and then buffered in step S1117, and then the encrypted data is written in the memory storage unit in step S1118. It can be seen that the foregoing encryption step is optional, that is, the data can be directly stored in the memory storage unit without being encrypted. If the judgment result in step S111 is negative, that is, a read operation is to be performed, then in step SU 13, a read operation is performed on the memory storage unit, and then the read data is buffered in step S1114. If the data is encrypted, The data is confidential in step S1115. In step S1116, the main device performs corresponding processing on the data, such as playing or displaying.

When the multi-function data storage device passes the USBDP interface 720B and no USB host device is detected, the multi-function data storage device continues to detect whether there is an MMC host device through the MMC interface 720A in step S1105, and if not, it returns to the command acceptance state.

When the multi-function data storage device MMC interface controller 711A detects the command sent by the main device through the MMC interface 720A, it responds and establishes the MMC data channel according to the command of the main device in step S1126, and the multi-function data storage device enters the MMC interface data Transmission status.

Similarly, in step S1127, it is determined whether data transmission or wireless transmission is performed. If not, then in step S1128, the flow proceeds to a wireless transmission process. Otherwise, in step S1129, it is judged whether to perform read and write operations. If not, then perform other MMC operations in step S1130, and then return to step S1129.

If the judgment in step S1129 is affirmative, it is judged in step S1131 whether a write operation or a read operation is performed. If a write operation is performed, the data to be written is encrypted in step S1132, and then buffered in step S1137, and then the encrypted data is written into the memory storage unit in step S1118. It can be seen that the foregoing encryption step is optional, that is, data can be directly stored in the memory storage unit without encryption.

If the judgment result in step S1131 is negative, that is, a read operation is to be performed, then in step S1133, a read operation is performed on the memory storage unit, and then the read data is buffered in step S1134. If the data is encrypted, then The data is confidential in step S1135. In step S1116, the main device performs corresponding processing on the data, such as playing or displaying.

The multifunctional data storage device selects the data storage mode or enters the interface wireless data transmission mode through the command of the main device. If it is a data storage mode, the multifunctional data storage device judges whether the data is encrypted / decrypted through the established interface channel. If there is a need for encryption / decryption, the data needs to go through the encryption / decryption channel through the encryption / decryption channel. The decryption unit 14 implements the data addition / decryption process, and the data enters the memory storage unit 730 through the buffer.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a transmission process in which the multifunctional data storage device of the present invention operates in a wireless data transmission mode. 7 First, in step S1201, the multifunctional data storage device is inserted into the main device, and power is obtained from the main device, and the system is initialized in step S1202. ,

Subsequently, in step S1203, the master device sends a command to the multifunctional data storage device, and determines and establishes an interface channel.

Subsequently, in step S1204, the multifunctional data storage device determines the working mode of the multifunctional data storage device according to the command of the master device, and determines whether wireless data transmission is performed. If not, in step S1205, the data storage mode is entered, that is, as described above. Data read and write operations described above.

After the multifunctional data storage device determines and determines that the data is a wireless transmission mode, the microprocessor 13 controls the power management unit 750 to start power supply to the Bluetooth transceiver unit 740 'in step S1206, and initializes the Bluetooth transceiver unit 740' in step S1207. jobs.

Thereafter, in step S 1208, the data encryption / decryption device 714 first performs device authentication for the Bluetooth wireless connection. After the authentication, the data can be effectively transmitted between the devices. Considering the security of the data, it is determined whether to perform encryption and decryption in step S1209. If so, the data is encrypted / decrypted according to the specified encryption / decryption protocol in step S1210, and then the data is wirelessly and securely transmitted in step S1211. Otherwise, the master device directly starts Bluetooth wireless transmission of data through the multifunctional data storage device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a receiving process in which the multifunctional data storage device of the present invention operates in a wireless data transmission mode.

First, in step S1301, the multifunctional data storage device is inserted into the main device, and the power is obtained from the main device, and the system is initialized in step S1302.

Subsequently, in step S1303, the master device sends a command to the multifunctional data storage device, and determines and establishes an interface channel.

Subsequently, in step S 1.304, the microprocessor 13 controls the power management unit 750 to start power supply to the Bluetooth transceiver unit 740 ′, and initializes the Bluetooth transceiver unit 740 ′ in step S 1305.

Thereafter, in step S1306, the data encryption / decryption device 714 first performs device authentication for the Bluetooth wireless connection. After the authentication, data can be effectively transmitted between the devices. After passing the authentication, in step S1307, data reception is performed. Considering the security of the data, it is determined in step S1308 whether the received data is to be encrypted and decrypted. If so, the data is encrypted / decrypted according to the specified encryption / decryption protocol in step S1309, and then the data is stored or displayed in step S1310. . Otherwise, the master device directly stores or applies the data through the multifunctional data storage device.

In summary, the multifunctional data storage device of the present invention can realize multiple compliance with different storage interfaces. Free storage and sharing of data for terminal devices, Bluetooth wireless interconnection.

It can be understood that the present invention provides a multifunctional data storage device, which can be implemented in the field of electronic equipment:

Embedded devices such as digital cameras are represented by MMC interfaces, computers are represented by USB interfaces, and shared memory storage units. Digital terminal devices that implement different interfaces do not need other conversion devices and comply with general data storage when they comply with different protocols. It is flexible and convenient to implement data interaction and sharing functions.

Adopt dual-power USBDP interface technology (standard USB interface power is + 5V, the other power is low voltage power), so that the computer, embedded devices with low voltage interface (such as mobile phones with USB interface storage function, MP3 and other terminal devices), In the case of complying with the same protocol (ie, the USB protocol), a flexible and convenient data interaction and sharing function is implemented through a multifunctional data storage device.

The device transmission interface (MMC, USB) can be used as both a storage data interface and a reusable feature of a wireless data transmission interface. A multi-function data storage device can also be used as a carrier for wireless communications such as Bluetooth. It is convenient to form a wireless storage network.

分级 Using hierarchical power management, the device can freely control the power of the wireless transceiver unit, and turn off the power of the Bluetooth transceiver unit when Bluetooth data transmission is not needed, especially to improve the power usage of battery-powered embedded devices. The wireless interference of the Bluetooth transceiver unit during data storage is avoided.

The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the principles of the present invention, several improvements and retouches can be made. These improvements and retouches should also be made. It is regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

Rights request

1. A multifunctional data storage device, comprising:-multiple interfaces, each of which complies with a respective interface protocol, for establishing data between the multifunctional data storage device and a plurality of external devices using a corresponding interface protocol aisle;

A storage device, configured to store data from the multiple external devices;

A main control device, configured to control the multiple interfaces and the storage device to store data from an external device of the multiple external devices into the storage device through an interface of the multiple interfaces, Or read the data from the storage device to another external device via another interface.

2. The multifunctional data storage device according to claim 1, wherein the main control device comprises a plurality of interface controllers respectively connected to the plurality of interfaces, and is configured to according to a corresponding interface protocol, Establishing said data channel; and

A storage controller connected to the storage device is configured to control the storage device.

3. The multifunctional data storage device according to claim 2, wherein the main control device further comprises:

A buffer provided between the multiple interface controllers and the storage controller, for buffering data exchanged between the multi-function data storage device and an external device; and

A protocol controller, configured to select an interface protocol corresponding to the data channel.

4. The multifunctional data storage device according to claim 3, wherein:

The multiple interfaces include:

A first interface for enabling the multifunctional data storage device to communicate with a first external device; and

A second interface different from the first interface, and is configured to implement communication between the multifunctional data storage device and a second external device;

The multiple interface controllers include:

A first interface controller for controlling the first interface, and

A second interface controller for controlling the second interface.

5. The multifunctional data storage device according to claim 4, further comprising: A power management unit of a field effect tube and a voltage stabilizing tube, which is connected to the first interface and the second interface, and converts power supplied by the first or second external device to work of the multifunctional data storage device. power supply.

6. The multifunctional data storage device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the first and second interfaces are respectively selected from the following interfaces:

SM, MMC, SD, CF, MS, USB, USBDP, MD and / or x-D interfaces.

7. The multifunctional data storage device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the storage device comprises a flash memory, MRAM, ORAM, SDRAM, EEPROM, SRAM, and / or EPROM.

8. A multifunctional data storage method, which is applied to a multifunctional data storage device including multiple interfaces, storage devices, and a main control device, and multiple external devices, and the method includes steps:

Multiple interfaces respectively complying with their respective interface protocols to establish a data channel between the multifunctional data storage device and multiple external devices using corresponding interface protocols;

The main control device controls the plurality of interfaces and the storage device to store data from one external device of the plurality of external devices into the storage device through one of the plurality of interfaces.

9. The multifunctional data storage method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of: reading the data from the storage device to another external device via another interface.

10. The multifunctional data storage method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the multiple interfaces include a first interface and a second interface, and the main controller includes a first interface controller and a second interface. An interface controller and a storage controller, wherein the step of establishing a data channel includes:

A) the main control device judges an interface protocol of an external device, and if the interface protocol is a first interface protocol, the first interface controller establishes a data channel with the external device using the first interface protocol through the first interface, If the interface protocol is a second interface protocol, the second interface controller establishes a data channel with an external device using the second interface protocol through the second interface unit;

The step of storing data includes:

B) using the interface protocol determined in step A) to receive a transmission command packet from an external device, and the main control device analyzes the transmission command packet;

C) the storage controller performs read and write operations on the storage device according to the analysis result;

D) Use the interface protocol determined in step A) to return the operation result to the external device.

11. The multifunctional data storage method according to claim 10, wherein the main control Manufacturing * also includes a buffer provided between the first and second interface controllers and the storage controller, and the step of storing data further includes-buffering between the multifunctional data storage device and an external device Data exchanged.

12. The multifunctional data storage method according to claim 10, wherein the first and second interfaces are selected from the following interfaces, respectively-

SMs MMC, SD, CF, MS, USB, USBDP, MD and / or x-D interfaces.

13. The multi-functional data storage method according to claim 10, wherein the storage device comprises a flash memory, MRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, EEPROM, SRAM, and / or EPROM.

14. A multifunctional data storage device, comprising: a main control device, an interface device, a storage device, and a power supply device; the main control device is connected to the interface device, the storage device, and a power supply, and supports the flow of data information and coordinates the various parts of the Work; characterized by:

The multifunctional data storage device further includes a wireless transmitting and receiving device, and the wireless transmitting and receiving device is connected to a main control device and is configured to establish a wireless data transmission channel between the multifunctional data storage device and an external device.

15. The multifunctional data storage device according to claim 14, wherein the main control device comprises:

A storage controller for reading and writing data to and from the storage device;

An interface controller for controlling the interface device; and

Connect and control the microprocessor of the storage controller and interface controller.

16. The multifunctional data storage device according to claim 15, wherein the interface device is a multiplexing interface module that stores a data interface and a wireless data transmission interface.

17. The multifunctional data storage device according to claim 15, wherein the main control device further comprises a data encryption / decryption device.

18. The multifunctional data storage device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the main control device is a single physical entity.

19. The multi-functional data storage device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the interface device is a combination of a single interface, multiple same interfaces, and / or multiple different types of interfaces.

20. The multifunctional data storage device according to claim 19, wherein the interface is selected from the following interfaces: SM, MMC, SD, CF, MS, USB, USBDP, MD, and / or xD interfaces .

21. The multifunctional data storage device according to claim 19, wherein: said storage Devices include: flash memory, MR AM. DRAM, SDRAM, EEPROM, SRAM, and / or EPROM.

22. The multifunctional data storage device according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the wireless transceiver unit comprises a Bluetooth transceiver module and / or a radio frequency identification module.

23. The multifunctional data storage device according to claim 1, wherein: the power supply device is a hierarchical power management module, configured to draw power from an external power supply and / or a built-in power supply, and provide at least two different outputs. Voltage.

24. The multifunctional data storage device according to claim 23, wherein the hierarchical power management module cuts off the power of the wireless transceiver when the wireless transceiver is not operating.

25. A data transmission method applied to a multifunctional data storage device including an interface device, a storage device, a wireless transceiving device, and a main control device, and a plurality of external devices, and at least one of the plurality of external devices has The wireless transceiver device has the same wireless transceiver function. The method includes the following steps:

The master device sends a command to the multifunctional data storage device to determine and establish an interface channel by using the interface device;

The multi-function data storage device determines the working mode of the multi-function data storage device according to the command of the main device, and determines whether to perform wireless data transmission;

After the multifunctional data storage device judges and determines the wireless transmission mode of the data, it initializes the wireless transmitting and receiving device;

Device authentication for wireless connections;

The master device transmits data to an external device through a wireless transceiver.

26. The data transmission method according to claim 25, further comprising a step of starting the power supply to the wireless transceiver unit before the wireless transceiver unit is initialized.

27. The data transmission method according to claim 26, wherein the main control device comprises a data encryption / decryption device, characterized in that the method further comprises using the data encryption / decryption device to encrypt data before transmitting the data. step.

28. The data transmission method according to claim 25, wherein if the multifunctional data storage device judges that wireless data transmission is not performed, the data of the autonomous device is stored in the storage device in the future.

29. A data receiving method, which is applied to a multifunctional data storage device including an interface device, a storage device, a wireless transceiving device, and a main control device, and a plurality of external devices, and at least one of the plurality of external devices has a connection with the data device. The wireless transceiver device has the same wireless transceiver function. The method includes the following steps: The master device sends a command to the multifunctional data storage device to determine and establish an interface channel by using the interface device;

Initialize the wireless transceiver device;

Device authentication for wireless connections;

The master device receives data from an external device through a wireless transceiver;

Data is transmitted to the master device through the interface channel or stored in the storage device.

30. The data receiving method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of the power management device starting a power supply to the wireless transceiver unit before the wireless transceiver unit is initialized.

31. The data receiving method according to claim 30, wherein the main control device includes a data encryption / decryption device, wherein the method further comprises encrypting or decrypting the received data by using the data encryption / decryption device. step.