JP5023848B2 - Information processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for operating an information processing terminal in a plurality of operation modes.

As a user-friendly interface, the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard is widely used. Recently, for example, portable USB music players that play music, digital cameras that capture and display images, and electronic books that can read books converted to text data have also been used. A terminal that implements the USB standard (hereinafter referred to as a USB terminal) is connected to the host device, so that new data is added from the host device, or stored data is transferred to the host device. You can do it. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for restricting access from a host device to a USB terminal so that a malicious user does not tamper or copy data when the USB terminal is lost. .
Japanese Patent No. 3766429

By the way, when such a USB terminal is connected to the host device, it shifts to a so-called slave mode and is completely controlled by the host device, so that the USB terminal side executes processing according to the user's operation. I can't. For example, in the case of a portable music player, music data can be added or deleted from the host device while connected to the host device, but music cannot be played on the portable music player side. Therefore, for example, when new music data is added to the portable music player using the host device, music based on the music data is reproduced on the portable music player side while the portable music player is connected to the host device. I can't.
That is, in the playback mode in which the USB terminal operates alone, the USB terminal manages the file system of the storage device in its own device, whereas in the slave mode, the host device connected to the USB is the storage device in the USB terminal. Manage file systems. In order to prevent data inconsistency and corruption due to competition, the file system of the storage device in the USB terminal can be managed only from either the USB terminal side or the host device side. Since the conventional USB terminal switches the operation mode by determining whether or not it is connected to the host device, the process cannot be executed on the USB terminal side when connected to the host device. Further, in the slave mode, even if the host device and the USB terminal are connected, it is impossible to operate the USB terminal from the host device and execute processing on the USB terminal side. This is inconvenient and inconvenient for the user.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even when an information processing terminal such as a USB terminal is connected to a host device, processing according to a user operation is executed in the information processing terminal. The purpose is to do.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a host device that transmits a command in accordance with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, and an information processing terminal that responds to the command transmitted from the host device in accordance with the USB standard. The information processing terminal includes a storage unit that stores data, a first operation unit that supplies a signal corresponding to an operation, and a first operation that is an operation mode of the information processing terminal. among mode and a second operation mode, the in the first mode of operation, the run with the data processing in accordance with the signal supplied from the first operation section stored in said storage means and a first processing means when said host device, a second operating means for supplying a signal corresponding to an operation, the operation mode of the information processing terminal is the second operation mode, When processing for the storage unit of the information processing terminal by a signal supplied from the serial second operating means is instructed to the host device, the performing the processing using the data stored in the storage means 2 an information processing system, characterized in that it comprises a processing means.
When the host device is instructed to switch the operation mode of the information processing terminal by a signal supplied from the second operation means, the host device issues an operation mode switching command to instruct switching to the instructed operation mode. The information processing terminal receives the operation mode switching instruction transmitted by the transmission means of the host device, and receives the operation mode switching instruction according to the operation mode switching instruction. You may make it provide the operation mode switching means which switches an operation mode to the said 1st operation mode or the said 2nd operation mode.

In the present invention, when the transmission unit of the host device is instructed to switch the operation mode of the information processing terminal to the third operation mode by the signal supplied from the second operation unit, the third unit An operation mode switching command for instructing switching to the operation mode is transmitted to the information processing terminal according to the USB standard, and the operation mode switching unit of the information processing terminal is transmitted by the transmission unit of the host device. When the receiving unit the operation mode switching instruction that instructs to switch the operation mode of the processing terminal to said third mode of operation is received, the operation mode switching command the third operation the operation mode of the information processing terminal in accordance with switching mode, the host device is transmitted by the transmitting means, the operation mode of the information processing terminal before After switched to the third operation mode is the third mode of operation of the information processing terminal in accordance with the operation mode switching instruction for commanding to switch it to the mode of operation, the the signal supplied from the second operation means When a process for the storage means by the information processing terminal is instructed, the information processing terminal is provided with an instruction means for instructing the information processing terminal to execute the process. The first processing means of the information processing terminal is The commanded process may be executed using data stored in the storage means.

In the present invention, the information processing terminal includes a first temporary storage unit that temporarily stores a result of the process executed by the first processing unit or a history of the process before the storage unit stores the result. The host device comprises second temporary storage means for temporarily storing the result of the processing executed by the second processing means before storing the result in the storage means, and the first processing means When the receiving unit receives an operation mode switching command for instructing switching to the second operation mode, the processing result stored in the first temporary storage unit or the history of the processing is displayed. is stored in the storage means, said operation mode switching means from being stored in the history is the memory means of the results or the processing of the processing by the first processing means, the information processing terminal The operation mode is switched to the second operation mode, and the second processing means receives an operation mode switching command for instructing to switch the operation mode of the information processing terminal from the second operation mode to another operation mode. When transmitted by the transmission means, the result of the processing stored in the second temporary storage means is reflected in the data stored in the storage means of the information processing terminal, and the operation mode switching means is After the second processing means reflects the result of the processing in the data stored in the storage means of the information processing terminal, the operation mode of the information processing terminal is changed from the second operation mode to another. The operation mode may be switched.

In addition, the present invention is an information processing terminal that responds to a command transmitted from a host device according to the USB standard, a storage unit that stores data, an operation unit that supplies a signal according to an operation , Of the first operation mode and the second operation mode, which are the operation modes of the information processing terminal, in the first operation mode, processing corresponding to the signal supplied from the operation unit is stored in the storage unit. to provide an information processing terminal characterized by comprising a processing unit for executing using in has data.
When an operation mode switching command for instructing to switch the operation mode of the information processing terminal to the third operation mode is received from the host device in a state connected to the host device, the information processing is performed according to the operation mode switching command. An operation mode switching means for switching the operation mode of the terminal to the third operation mode; and the processing means after the operation mode of the information processing terminal is switched to the third operation mode in accordance with the operation mode switching command. When instructed by the host device to execute processing for the storage means, the instructed processing may be executed using data stored in the storage means.
In addition, the storage unit temporarily stores the result of the processing executed by the processing unit or the history of the processing before the storage unit stores the processing unit, and the processing unit is in the second operation mode. When an operation mode switching command for commanding switching is received, the result of the processing stored in the temporary storage means or the history of the processing is stored in the storage means,
After the result of the process or the history of the process is stored in the storage means by the processing means, the operation mode of the information processing terminal is switched to the second operation mode, and the result of the process is changed by the host device. The operation mode switching means for switching the operation mode of the information processing terminal from the second operation mode to another operation mode after being reflected in the data stored in the storage means may be provided.

In addition, the present invention is a host device that transmits a command to an information processing terminal according to the USB standard, and an operation unit that supplies a signal according to an operation and a command for switching the operation mode of the information processing terminal After the operation mode of the information processing terminal is switched to the second operation mode in which the process instructed by the operation at the information processing terminal is not executed, the signal supplied from the operation unit is used for the storage unit of the information processing terminal When the process is instructed, to provide a host device, characterized in that it comprises a processing means for performing the processing using the data stored in the storage means.

According to the present invention, a computer that responds to a command transmitted from a host device according to the USB standard is selected from the first operation mode and the second operation mode that are the operation modes of the computer . in operation mode provides a program for functioning as a processing unit that executes by using the data stored processing in accordance with the signal supplied from the operating means in the storage means.

The present invention also provides a computer that transmits instructions to an information processing terminal according to the USB standard .
In response to the instruction to switch the operation mode of the information processing terminal, the operation unit is switched from the operation mode of the information processing terminal to the second operation mode that does not execute the process instructed by the operation on the information processing terminal. When a process for the storage unit of the information processing terminal is instructed by a signal supplied from the computer, a program for causing the storage unit to function as a processing unit that performs the process using data stored in the storage unit is provided.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the information processing system 1 includes an information processing terminal 10 and a host device 20. The host device 20 is a personal computer, for example, and the information processing terminal 10 is a display device provided with, for example, electronic paper. The information processing terminal 10 has a detachable interface with respect to the host device 20, and the information processing terminal 10 and the host device 20 communicate with each other by connecting this interface to the host device 20. It can be carried out. The host device 20 functions as a USB host, and the information processing terminal 10 functions as a USB device. The USB host is a device that transmits information (including various commands) to a USB device in accordance with the USB standard. On the other hand, a USB device is a device that executes some kind of response processing according to the USB standard, such as processing for information transmitted from a USB host. In the USB standard, this USB device performs processing in response to an instruction from the USB host, and a function for spontaneously transmitting information from the USB device to the USB host is not defined.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information processing terminal 10. As shown in the figure, the information processing terminal 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector 15. A USB controller 16, an operation unit 17, and a display unit 18. The CPU 11 performs various processes by reading and executing software stored in the flash ROM 13. The RAM 12 is a work area for the CPU 11. For example, the result of the processing executed by the CPU 11 is temporarily stored in the RAM 12. The flash ROM 13 is a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash memory. The flash ROM 13 stores software such as an OS (Operating System) for managing the entire information processing terminal 10 and a plurality of content data D. This content data D is data used in processing by the CPU 11, for example, document data for displaying text on the display unit 18.

  The USB connector 15 is an interface that can be attached to and detached from the host device 20. The USB controller 16 transmits and receives information to and from the host device 20 according to the USB standard under the control of the CPU 11. As a result, the information processing terminal 10 and the host device 20 are communicably connected according to the USB standard. The operation unit 17 includes an operation device such as a pen device or a joystick, receives an operation instructing processing by the user, and supplies a signal corresponding to the operation to the CPU 11. The display unit 18 is a display unit that uses a cholesteric liquid crystal, a microcapsule electrophoretic element, or the like, and displays various images under the control of the CPU 11. The display unit 18 has a memory property that the image can be continuously displayed even when the power supply is stopped. The display unit 18 outputs the processing result of the CPU 11.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the host device 20. As shown in the figure, the host device 20 includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a storage unit 24, a USB port 25, a USB controller 26, an operation unit 27, and a display unit 28. . The CPU 21 performs various processes by reading and executing software stored in the ROM 23 or the storage unit 24. The RAM 22 is a work area for the CPU 21. For example, the result of the processing executed by the CPU 21 is temporarily stored in the RAM 22. The ROM 23 is a read-only nonvolatile memory, and a program for starting up the host device 20 is stored in the ROM 23. The storage unit 24 is, for example, a hard disk, and a software group including an OS for managing the entire host device 20 and processing instruction software for instructing the information processing terminal 10 to perform processing is stored in the storage unit 24. Has been.

  The USB port 25 is a connection port to which the USB connector 15 of the information processing terminal 10 is connected. The USB controller 26 communicates with the information processing terminal 10 according to the USB standard under the control of the CPU 21. The operation unit 27 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The operation unit 27 receives a user operation for instructing processing and supplies a signal corresponding to the operation to the CPU 21. The display unit 28 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various images under the control of the CPU 21.

Here, the operation mode of the information processing terminal 10 will be described.
When the information processing terminal 10 is connected to the host device 20, the connection mode (first operation mode), the mass storage mode (second operation mode), and the external operation mode (third operation mode) 3 It operates in any one of the operation modes. The connection mode is an operation mode in which processing for the flash ROM 13 from the host device 20 is not accepted, the mass storage mode is an operation mode in which processing for the flash ROM 13 from the host device 20 is accepted, and the external operation mode is the host device 20. This is an operation mode for accepting a processing command for the flash ROM 13 from. More specifically, it is as follows.

  The connection mode is an operation mode in which a process instructed by the user using the operation unit 17 of the information processing terminal 10 is executed while a process for the flash ROM 13 from the host device 20 is not accepted. However, even in this connection mode, when a command (instruction) for instructing switching to another operation mode is transmitted from the host device 20, the command is accepted and the operation mode is switched according to the instruction of the command. Execute the process. In other words, the information processing terminal 10 in the connection mode is connected to the host device 20 via the USB cable, and the operation mode switching process is performed according to the command instructing switching to another operation mode transmitted from the host device 20. Execute. However, except for the operation mode switching process, the information processing terminal 10 performs a process equivalent to that when the information processing terminal 10 operates alone.

  Next, the mass storage mode is an operation mode in which the host device 20 directly accesses the flash ROM 13 of the information processing terminal 10 and executes processing. In the mass storage mode, since the information processing terminal 10 is controlled by the host device 20, even if the operation unit 17 of the information processing terminal 10 is operated by the user, the processing instructed by the operation is not executed. As described above, the information processing terminal 10 in the mass storage mode performs the same mass storage processing as the storage medium such as a normal removable disk drive on the host device 20. However, when a command instructing switching to another operation mode is transmitted from the host device 20 in the mass storage mode, the information processing terminal 10 performs an operation mode switching process according to the command.

  The external operation mode is an operation mode in which the information processing terminal 10 executes processing instructed by a user operation in the host device 20 (that is, an external device for the information processing terminal 20). In this external operation mode, in order to prevent a conflict between an operation on the information processing terminal 10 side and an operation on the host device 20 side, even if the operation unit 17 of the information processing terminal 10 is operated by the user, the operation is instructed. Processing is not performed. That is, the operation on the host device 20 side is prioritized. The difference between the external operation mode and the mass storage mode described above is that in the external operation mode, when the host device 20 instructs the information processing terminal 10 to execute processing, the information processing terminal 10 responds to the command with its own resources (RAM 12 and the like). ) And the processing result is provided to the host device 20 or displayed on its own display unit 18, whereas in the mass storage mode, the host device 20 itself accesses the flash ROM 13, The processing is executed using resources (such as the RAM 22) of the host device 20.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram summarizing differences in operation of the information processing terminal 10 in each operation mode. “USB connector connection” in the figure is an item indicating whether or not the USB connector 15 of the information processing terminal 10 and the USB port 25 of the host device 20 are connected, and “◯” is connected. "X" indicates that the connection is not established. The “operation mode switching command” is an item indicating whether or not the information processing terminal 10 executes the operation mode switching process according to a command transmitted from the host device 20 and instructing switching to another operation mode. “O” indicates that the program is executed, and “X” indicates that the program is not executed. “File system external management” is an item indicating whether or not the information processing terminal 10 performs an operation of accepting a processing command from the host device 20 to the flash ROM 13, that is, whether or not to perform a mass storage class operation. This indicates that the storage class operation is performed, and “x” indicates that the mass storage class operation is not performed. “File system internal management” is an item indicating whether or not the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 manages the file system of the flash ROM 13, and “◯” represents that the file system is managed. "Indicates that the file system is not managed. “Main body operation” is an item indicating whether or not the information processing terminal 10 executes processing in accordance with the operation received by the operation unit 17 of the own terminal. Indicates that the program will not be executed. The “processing instruction by external operation” is an item indicating whether or not the information processing terminal 10 executes processing according to the processing instruction instructed by the operation received by the operation unit 27 of the host device 20. It represents that it is executed, and “x” represents that it is not executed.

  The information processing terminal 10 operates in the “unconnected mode” when the USB connector 15 is not connected to the USB port 25 of the host device 20. As shown in the figure, in “unconnected mode”, “USB connector connection” is “×”, “operation mode switching command” is “×”, “file system external management” is “×”, “inside the file system” “Management” is “O”, “Main unit operation” is “O”, and “Processing instruction by external operation” is “X”. That is, the behavior of the information processing terminal 10 in the “unconnected mode” is as follows. First, in the unconnected mode, the USB connector 15 of the information processing terminal 10 and the USB port 25 of the host device 20 are not connected. Therefore, in the information processing terminal 10 in the unconnected mode, operation mode switching processing according to a command transmitted from the host device 20 to instruct to switch to another operation mode, operation in the mass storage class, host device None of the processing according to the processing instruction instructed by the operation of the 20 operation units 27 is performed. In the information processing terminal 10 in the unconnected mode, the file system of the flash ROM 13 is managed by the CPU 11 that operates according to the OS, and the processing instructed by the operation of the operation unit 17 is executed. In short, the information processing terminal 10 operates stand-alone.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating processing executed in the information processing terminal 10 in the unconnected mode. Each process shown in the figure is realized by the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 reading out a software group to be executed in the unconnected mode from the flash ROM 13 and executing it. Also, the hatched portion in the figure represents processing that is not executed in the unconnected mode.
As described above, in the unconnected mode, the information processing terminal 10 operates stand-alone. If the USB connector 15 of the information processing terminal 10 and the USB port 25 of the host device 20 are temporarily connected in this mode, the CPU 11 By detecting the electrical connection state, the unconnected mode can be switched to another operation mode. In this unconnected mode, the CPU 11 manages the file system of the flash ROM 13 and does not perform external management of the file system, that is, operation in the mass storage class. Further, in the unconnected mode, a process instructed by the operation of the operation unit 17 is executed, and, for example, a process of displaying an image on the display unit 18 is performed.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4, in the “connection mode”, “USB connector connection” is “◯”, “operation mode switching command” is “◯”, “file system external management” is “×”, “ “File system internal management” is “O”, “Main unit operation” is “O”, and “Processing instruction by external operation” is “X”. That is, the behavior of the information processing terminal 10 in the “connection mode” is as follows. First, in the connection mode, the USB connector 15 of the information processing terminal 10 and the USB port 25 of the host device 20 are connected. In the information processing terminal 10 in the connection mode, other information transmitted from the host device 20 is connected. The operation mode switching process is executed in accordance with the command for switching to the operation mode. In the information processing terminal 10 in the connected mode, as in the non-connected mode described above, the operation in the mass storage class is not performed, and the file system of the flash ROM 13 is operated by the CPU 11 operating according to the OS. Is managed. In the information processing terminal 10, the process instructed by the operation of the operation unit 17 is executed, but the process instructed by the operation of the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 is not executed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating processing executed in the information processing terminal 10 in the connection mode. Each process shown in the figure is realized by the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 reading a software group to be executed in the connection mode from the flash ROM 13 and executing it. Also, the hatched portion in the figure represents processing that is not executed in the connection mode.
As shown in the figure, in the connection mode, an operation mode switching process is executed in accordance with an operation mode switching command that is a command for switching to another operation mode transmitted from the host device 20. In this connection mode, the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 manages the file system of the flash ROM 13 and does not perform external management of the file system, that is, operation in the mass storage class. Specifically, “not performing external management of the file system” means that the information processing terminal 10 responds to the inquiry from the host device 20 as the device type of its own terminal as a removable disk. This is to notify that there is no storage medium such as a medium on the removable disk. As a result, the removable disk connected to the host device 20 can appear as if no storage medium exists. Since the host device 20 does not access a removable disk that does not have a storage medium, the information processing terminal 10 should not accept a processing command to the flash ROM 13 by the host device 20. Can do it. Further, in this connection mode, as in the case of the unconnected mode described above, processing instructed by the operation of the operation unit 17 is executed, and thereby processing for displaying an image on the display unit 18, for example, is performed. .

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, in the “mass storage mode”, “USB connector connection” is “O”, “operation mode switching command” is “O”, “file system external management” is “O”, “File system internal management” is “×”, “main unit operation” is “×”, and “processing instruction by external operation” is “×”. That is, the behavior of the information processing terminal 10 in the “mass storage mode” is as follows. First, in the mass storage mode, as in the connection mode described above, the USB connector 15 of the information processing terminal 10 and the USB port 25 of the host device 20 are connected, and the information processing terminal 10 in the mass storage mode is connected. , The operation mode switching process is executed according to a command transmitted from the host device 20 and instructing switching to another operation mode. In this mass storage mode, external management of the file system, that is, operation in the mass storage class is accepted, and management of the file system of the flash ROM 13 by the CPU 11 is not performed. Further, in the mass storage mode, the process according to the operation of the operation unit 17 and the process instructed by the operation of the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 are not executed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating processing executed in the information processing terminal 10 in the mass storage mode. Each process shown in the figure is realized by the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 reading a software group to be executed in the mass storage mode from the flash ROM 13 and executing it. Also, the hatched portion in the figure represents processing that is not executed in the mass storage mode.
As shown in the figure, in the mass storage mode, the operation mode switching process is executed in accordance with the operation mode switching command as in the case of the connection mode described above. In this mass storage mode, external management of the file system, that is, operation in the mass storage class is performed, and management of the file system of the flash ROM 13 by the CPU 11 is not performed. In the mass storage mode, the process instructed by the operation of the operation unit 17 and the process instructed by the operation of the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 are not executed. For example, even if a process for displaying an image on the display unit 18 is instructed by an operation received by the operation unit 17, the CPU 11 does not execute the process.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4, in the “external operation mode”, “USB connector connection” is “◯”, “operation mode switching command” is “◯”, “file system external management” is “×”, “File system internal management” is “O”, “Main unit operation” is “X”, and “Processing instruction by external operation” is “O”. That is, the behavior of the information processing terminal 10 in the “external operation mode” is as follows. In the external operation mode, as in the connection mode described above, the USB connector 15 of the information processing terminal 10 and the USB port 25 of the host device 20 are connected. In the information processing terminal 10 in the external operation mode, Then, an operation mode switching process is executed in accordance with a command instructing switching from the host device 20 to another operation mode. In the information processing terminal 10 in the external operation mode, as in the case of the connection mode described above, external management of the file system, that is, the operation in the mass storage class is not performed, and the operation is performed according to the OS. The CPU 11 manages the file system of the flash ROM 13. Up to this point, the operation is the same as that in the connection mode, but in this external operation mode, the processing instructed by the operation accepted by the operation unit 17 is not executed, and the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 accepts it. The process instructed by the operation is executed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating processing executed in the information processing terminal 10 in the external operation mode. Each process shown in the figure is realized by the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 reading a software group to be executed in the external operation mode from the flash ROM 13 and executing it. Also, the hatched portion in the figure represents processing that is not executed in the external operation mode.
As shown in the drawing, in the external operation mode, the operation mode switching process is executed in accordance with the operation mode switching command transmitted from the host device 20 as in the case of the connection mode described above. In this external operation mode, as in the connection mode described above, the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 manages the file system of the flash ROM 13, and the file system is externally managed, that is, in the mass storage class. No action is taken. That is, the operation mode switching process and the file system management are performed in the same manner as in the connection mode described above. However, in this external operation mode, the processing instructed by the operation received by the operation unit 17 is not executed, and the processing according to the processing command instructed by the operation received by the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 is performed. Is called. The CPU 21 of the host device 20 instructs the information processing terminal 10 to perform processing instructed by the operation received by the operation unit 27 according to the processing command software stored in the storage unit 24. For example, the host device 20 instructs to display a file stored in the flash ROM 13 on the display unit 18 of the information processing terminal 10 or turn a page of content displayed on the display unit 18. . In this external operation mode, since the host device 20 cannot directly access the flash ROM 13 of the information processing terminal 10, the host device 20 requests the information processing terminal 10 to transmit a list of files stored in the flash ROM 13, In response to the request, the information processing terminal 10 transmits a list of files to the host device 20, whereby a processing command is issued from the host device 20.

  The connection mode, the mass storage mode, and the external operation mode can be switched to each other according to an operation by the user. However, the transition between the operation modes may be restricted so as not to cause inconvenience in processing.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
First, the operation in the connection mode will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. When the USB connector 15 of the information processing terminal 10 is connected to the USB port 25 of the host device 20, the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 detects the voltage supplied from the USB port 25 by the connection. By detecting this voltage, the CPU 11 recognizes that the own terminal is connected to the host device 20 (step SA110), and switches the operation mode of the own terminal to the connection mode (step SA120).

  On the other hand, when the information processing terminal 10 is connected, the CPU 21 of the host device 20 recognizes the information processing terminal 10 as a removable disk, and further determines whether or not a storage medium such as a medium is inserted in the removable disk. A command to be inquired is transmitted to the information processing terminal 10 (step SA130). The CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 indicates that no storage medium is inserted in response to this command transmitted from the host device 20 in order to make the terminal 11 appear as a removable disk in which no storage medium is virtually inserted. Is sent to the host device 20 (step SA140).

  When a command responding that no storage medium is inserted is transmitted from the information processing terminal 10, the CPU 21 of the host device 20 recognizes that no storage medium is inserted in the information processing terminal 10 (step SA150). Depending on the OS, the CPU 21 of the host device 20 does not request access to a removable disk in which no storage medium is inserted. Therefore, the information processing terminal 10 can prevent access to the flash ROM 13 by the CPU 21 of the host device 20 by making such a response.

  When the information processing terminal 10 is in this connection mode, for example, even if the user operates the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 to instruct access to the flash ROM 13 of the information processing terminal 10, the CPU 21 of the host device 20 , Do not make that access request. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit 28 of the host device 20 at this time. When the user is instructed to access the flash ROM 13 of the information processing terminal 10 when the information processing terminal 10 is in the connection mode, the CPU 21 of the host device 20 indicates that “removable disk is ready” as shown in the figure. A message “not available” is displayed on the display unit 28 to notify the user that the flash ROM 13 cannot be accessed.

  On the other hand, when the operation unit 17 of the information processing terminal 10 is operated by the user, the information processing terminal 10 executes processing instructed by the user's operation as described above. For example, when an operation for instructing processing for displaying certain content data D on the display unit 18 is performed, the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 accepts an instruction for processing by the user's operation (step SA160 in FIG. 9). Then, the CPU 11 executes a process instructed by a user operation, that is, a process of reading the content data D from the flash ROM 13 and displaying it on the display unit 18 (step SA170). As a result, the content data D designated by the user is displayed on the display unit 18.

  Next, the operation in the external operation mode will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. A SCSI command is used to instruct switching to the external operation mode. In the SCSI specification, an area for commands that can be used independently by the manufacturer is provided. The manufacturer can use this command area to define a command for instructing switching to the external operation mode. By using the command defined in this way as an operation mode switching command, it is possible to instruct switching to the external operation mode.

  When the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 is used by the user while the information processing terminal 10 is connected and an operation for instructing switching to the external operation mode is performed, the CPU 21 of the host device 20 An instruction to switch to the external operation mode by an operation is received (step SB110). Then, the CPU 21 transmits a command for instructing switching to the external operation mode to the information processing terminal 10 (step SB120). When a command instructing switching to the external operation mode is transmitted from the host device 20 to the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10, the CPU 11 receives the command using the USB controller 16 and sets the operation mode of the own terminal to the external operation mode. (Step SB130).

  As a command for processing performed by the host device 20, a SCSI command defined by the manufacturer is used in the same manner as described above. For example, if a manufacturer defines a SCSI command for instructing a page turning process for displaying the content data D of the next page on the display unit 18 of the information processing terminal 10, the page turning is used by using the command as a processing instruction. Can be performed. That is, the manufacturer can instruct the information processing terminal 10 to execute an arbitrary process from the host device 20 by defining the SCSI command.

  As described above, the information processing terminal 10 executes processing instructed by the host device 20 in the external operation mode. For example, in this external operation mode, when the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 is used by the user and an operation for instructing the page turning process is performed, the CPU 21 of the host device 20 accepts an instruction for processing by the user's operation. (Step SB140). Then, the CPU 21 transmits a command for instructing the page turning process instructed by the operation to the information processing terminal 10 (step SB150). When the command for instructing the processing is transmitted from the host device 20, the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 executes the page turning processing instructed by the command (step SB160).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a screen for accepting an operation for instructing the information processing terminal 10 to perform processing. This screen is displayed on the display unit 28 of the host device 20 when the CPU 21 of the host device 20 executes the processing instruction software. For example, when certain content data D is displayed on the display unit 18 of the information processing terminal 10, the CPU 21 displays a preview image representing the contents of the content data D in the area A1 in this screen. Then, an operation for instructing processing using the content data D is accepted. In this screen, when the user operates the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 to instruct page turning processing, the CPU 21 of the host device 20 sends a command for instructing page turning processing to the information processing terminal as described above. 10 to send. When a command for processing is transmitted from the host device 20, the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 displays the content data D of the next page on the display unit 18 in accordance with the command command. Thereby, the content data D of the next page is displayed on the display unit 18 of the information processing terminal 10.

  Next, the operation in the mass storage mode will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. When the user uses the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 and performs an operation for instructing switching from an operation mode (connection mode or external operation mode) other than the mass storage mode to the mass storage mode, the CPU 21 of the host device 20 Accepts an instruction to switch to the mass storage mode by the operation (step SC100). Then, the CPU 21 transmits a command instructing switching to the mass storage mode to the information processing terminal 10 as an operation mode switching command (step SC110).

  When a command instructing switching to the mass storage mode is transmitted from the host device 20 to the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10, the CPU 11 receives the command using the USB controller 16 and first stores the cache data stored in the RAM 12. Is written into the flash ROM 13 (step SC120). The RAM 12 temporarily stores cache data that is the result of processing executed by the CPU 11, and the cache data stored in the RAM 12 is written to the flash ROM 13 at a predetermined timing. . For example, when the CPU 11 executes processing for adding tag information representing a tag to certain content data D, the content data D is called into the RAM 12 and the tag information is added in the RAM 12. For this reason, the RAM 12 stores content data D to which tag information is added as cache data. The tag data is added to the content data D stored in the RAM 12 in this way, but there is a time difference until the state is reflected in the flash ROM 13, so that it is stored in the flash ROM 13 for a certain period. The tag data is not added to the content data D that has been added.

  That is, when the CPU 11 writes data to the flash ROM 13, generally, delayed writing using the RAM 12 as a cache is performed. This is because the access speed of the RAM 12 is generally faster than that of the flash ROM 13, so frequently rewritten contents are changed or updated on the RAM 12 and read from the RAM 12 after the processing is completed. It is written to the flash ROM 13. For example, when a hard disk is used in place of the flash ROM 13, this hard disk cannot be accessed for every 1 bit, and becomes a block device for reading and writing for every fixed block size. For this reason, the CPU 11 needs to store data on the RAM 12 until a certain block size is reached. For this reason, the RAM 12 is used as a cache. However, if the contents cached in the RAM 12 are not written to the flash ROM 13, a mismatch occurs in the file system that manages the flash ROM 13. In the conventional USB terminal, the operation mode is switched depending on whether or not the USB terminal and the host device are connected. Therefore, when the process of removing the USB terminal from the host device is performed, the process of writing the cache data stored in the RAM to the flash ROM has been performed. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the operation mode is shifted without removing the USB connector 15 of the information processing terminal 10 from the USB port 25 of the host device 20, and the file system management entity in the flash ROM 13 is changed to the information processing terminal 10. The CPU 10 or the CPU 21 of the host device 20 can be changed. Therefore, before shifting to the mass storage mode, a process for reflecting the cache data stored in the RAM 12 in the content data D of the flash ROM 13 is required.

  Subsequently, the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 writes the work data stored in the RAM 12 to the flash ROM 13 (step SC130). This work data is information indicating the work state immediately before the operation mode of the information processing terminal 10 is switched from the operation mode other than the mass storage mode to the mass storage mode. For example, the work data is displayed when the work data is to be written to the flash ROM 13. The file name and page number of the content displayed on the unit 18, or the operation history of the operation unit 17. That is, the work data is a history of processes executed by the CPU 11. By performing such work data storage processing, even if the operation mode of the information processing terminal 10 is switched from an operation mode other than the mass storage mode to the mass storage mode, and the storage contents of the RAM 12 are rewritten by the host device 20. When the operation mode of the information processing terminal 10 is switched from the mass storage mode to another operation mode (connection mode or external operation mode), the work state immediately before switching to the mass storage mode can be restored.

After writing the data in the RAM 12 to the flash ROM 13, the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 switches the operation mode of the terminal itself to the mass storage mode (step SC140). As described above, in the mass storage mode, the information processing terminal 10 accepts access to the flash ROM 13 by the host device 20.
Here, FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating transition of a screen displayed on the display unit 28 of the host device 20 when the CPU 21 of the host device 20 accesses the flash ROM 13 of the information processing terminal 10. FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating a screen for managing devices connected to the host device 20. In this screen, the information processing terminal 10 is displayed as “removable disk”. On this screen, when the user operates the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 to instruct access to the flash ROM 13 of the information processing terminal 10, the screen shown in FIG. 14B is displayed. On this screen, a list of file names of content data D stored in the flash ROM 13 of the information processing terminal 10 is displayed. In this screen, when the user operates the operation unit 27 to instruct the display of the content data D with the file name “jkl.bmp”, the CPU 21 executes software for displaying the content data D, The screen shown in FIG. 14C is displayed. On this screen, an image representing the content data D with the file name “jkl.bmp” is displayed.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 14B, the user uses the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 to instruct, for example, processing for adding content data “pqr.bmp” to the flash ROM 13 of the information processing terminal 10. Is performed, the CPU 21 of the host device 20 accepts a processing instruction by a user operation (step SC150 in FIG. 13). Then, the CPU 21 accesses the flash ROM 13 of the information processing terminal 10 and executes a process of adding content data “pqr.bmp” instructed by the operation (step SC160). FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit 28 of the host device 20 and the display unit 18 of the information processing terminal 10 at this time. On the display unit 28 of the host device 20, a message “data is being transferred to the information processing terminal” indicating that the content data is being transmitted is displayed. Similarly, a message “Communicating with PC” indicating that content data is being transmitted from the host device 20 is displayed on the display unit 18 of the information processing terminal 10. As a result, content data “pqr.bmp” is added to the flash ROM 13 of the information processing terminal 10.

  When the operation mode of the information processing terminal 10 is the mass storage mode, the user uses the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 to perform an operation for instructing switching from the mass storage mode to another operation mode. Then, the CPU 21 of the host device 20 receives an instruction to switch to another operation mode by the operation (step SC170 in FIG. 13). The other operation mode here is a connection mode or an external operation mode. Next, the CPU 21 of the host device 20 first writes the cache data temporarily stored in the RAM 22 to the flash ROM 13 (step SC180). The RAM 22 stores cache data that is the result of the processing executed by the CPU 21 in the same manner as described above. For example, when the CPU 21 executes a process of changing the content of a certain content data D, the content data D acquired by accessing the flash ROM 13 is called to the RAM 22 and the content is changed in the RAM 22. . Therefore, the content data D whose contents are changed as a result of the processing is stored in the RAM 22. The content data D stored in the RAM 22 in this way has been changed, but there is a time difference until the state is reflected in the flash ROM 13, so the content data D stored in the flash ROM 13 The contents may remain unchanged. Therefore, it is necessary to perform processing for reflecting the cache data stored in the RAM 22 in the content data D of the flash ROM 13.

  After the cache data in the RAM 22 is written in the flash ROM 13, the CPU 21 of the host device 20 transmits a command for instructing switching to another operation mode to the information processing terminal 10 as an operation mode switching command (step SC190). When the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 receives a command for instructing switching to another operation mode from the host device 20, the CPU 11 receives the command using the USB controller 16 and sets the operation mode of its own terminal to mass storage. The mode is switched to another operation mode (step SC200).

  Then, the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 reads the work data written in the flash ROM 13 in step SC130 into the RAM 12 (step SC210). As a result, the display content displayed on the display unit 18 before switching to the mass storage mode, that is, the page image specified by the file name and page number written in the flash ROM 13 in step SC130 is displayed on the display unit 18 again. Further, the operation history operated before switching to the mass storage mode is restored.

  For example, when the operation mode of the own terminal is switched from the mass storage mode to the connection mode in step SC200, as described above, the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 performs the operation received by the operation unit 17 of the information processing terminal 10. Perform the specified process. Therefore, for example, when the user operates the operation unit 17 of the information processing terminal 10 to instruct the display unit 18 to display the content data D “pqr.bmp” added to the flash ROM 13, the CPU 11 Data D is displayed on the display unit 18.

  When the information processing terminal 10 and the host device 20 are disconnected and the USB connector 15 of the information processing terminal 10 is removed from the USB port 25 of the host device 20, the information processing terminal 10 and the host device 20 are Each operates independently. That is, the CPU 21 of the host device 20 executes the process instructed by the operation received by the operation unit 27, and the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 stores the process instructed by the operation received by the operation unit 17 in the flash ROM 13. This is executed using the content data D.

  According to the embodiment described above, even when the information processing terminal 10 is connected to the host device 20 by operating the information processing terminal 10 in the connection mode, the information processing terminal 10 side responds to a user operation. Can be executed.

[Modification]
The above is the description of the embodiment, but the contents of this embodiment can be modified as follows. Moreover, you may combine the following each aspect suitably.

(1) In the above-described embodiment, the information processing terminal 10 and the host device 20 are connected by the USB standard, but may be connected by IEEE 1394 so as to be communicable. In this case, the information processing terminal 10 is provided with an interface conforming to IEEE1394 that can be attached to and detached from the host device 20 and a controller that communicates with the host device 20 in accordance with IEEE1394. The host device 20 is provided with a connection port to which an interface of the information processing terminal 10 is connected, and a controller that communicates with the information processing terminal 10 in accordance with IEEE1394. Even in this configuration, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the information processing terminal 10 is operating in any one of the connection mode, the external operation mode, and the mass storage mode while being connected to the host device 20. On the other hand, the information processing terminal 10 may operate in an operation mode of either the connection mode or the mass storage mode while being connected to the host device 20.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, switching to the external operation mode and the mass storage mode is performed according to an instruction of a command transmitted from the host device 20 based on an operation received by the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 by the user. It was broken. On the other hand, switching from the connection mode or the external operation mode to another operation mode may be performed based on an operation of the operation unit 17 of the information processing terminal 10 by the user.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the host device 20 is a personal computer and the information processing terminal 10 is a display device called electronic paper has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the information processing terminal 10 described above may be a portable music player or a digital camera. Further, the content data D stored in the flash ROM 13 may be music data used for playing music when the information processing terminal 10 is a portable music player, for example. In the case of a digital camera, it may be image data for displaying a captured image. Therefore, the means for outputting the result of the process executed by the information processing terminal 10 or the host device 20 is not limited to the display means such as the display unit 18 or the display unit 28, but a playback unit for reproducing the result of the process as sound, It may be a writing means for writing the processing result to a recording medium.

(5) In the embodiment described above, in the external operation mode, the process according to the operation received by the operation unit 17 is not executed. On the other hand, the processing by the operation received by the operation unit 17 does not conflict with the processing instructed by the command transmitted from the host device 20, and does not cause inconsistency or damage of the data stored in the flash ROM 13. If it is a thing, CPU11 of the information processing terminal 10 at the time of an external operation mode may perform the process by the operation which the operation part 17 received.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, an external operation mode for executing processing instructed by an operation received by the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 is provided. In the connection mode, the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 The process commanded by the accepted operation was not executed. On the other hand, the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 in the connection mode may execute processing instructed by an operation received by the operation unit 27 of the host device 20. In this case, when the information processing terminal 10 is connected to the host device 20, the information processing terminal 10 operates in two operation modes, that is, a connection mode and a mass storage mode.

(7) In the above-described embodiment, the transition of the operation mode may be limited between the mass storage mode and the external operation mode. For example, between the connection mode and the mass storage mode, and between the connection mode and the external operation mode, transition between operation modes can be performed, and between the mass storage mode and the external operation mode, It is assumed that direct transition cannot be performed. This is because depending on the transition between the operation modes, the contents of the flash ROM may be rewritten, and data consistency may not be maintained after returning from the transition between the operation modes.
Further, for example, when the user operates the operation unit 27 of the host device 20 to instruct switching from the mass storage mode to the external operation mode, the information processing terminal 10 sets the operation mode of its own terminal to mass storage. After switching from the mode to the one end connection mode, the mode may be switched to the external operation mode. As a result, although the actual transition from the mass storage mode to the external operation mode is not actually performed, it is possible for the user to appear to have transitioned directly from the mass storage mode to the external operation mode.

(8) In the embodiment described above, the program executed by the CPU 11 of the information processing terminal 10 or the CPU 21 of the host device 20 is a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a CD (Compact Disk). , A DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a flash ROM, or the like.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing terminal 10. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a host device 20. FIG. 2 is a diagram summarizing differences in operation modes of the information processing terminal 10. FIG. It is a figure explaining the process performed in the information processing terminal 10 at the time of an unconnected mode. It is a figure explaining the process performed in the information processing terminal 10 at the time of a connection mode. It is a figure explaining the process performed in the information processing terminal 10 at the time of mass storage mode. It is a figure explaining the process performed in the information processing terminal 10 at the time of an external operation mode. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement in a connection mode. It is a figure which shows a screen when access to flash ROM13 is instruct | indicated. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement in an external operation mode. It is a figure which shows the screen which receives operation for instruct | indicating a process. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement in mass storage mode. It is a figure which shows the transition of a screen when accessing flash ROM13. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed during transmission of content data.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing system, 10 ... Information processing terminal, 20 ... Host device, 11, 21 ... CPU, 12, 22 ... RAM, 13 ... Flash ROM, D ... Content data, 15 ... USB connector, 16, 26 ... USB controller , 17, 27 ... operation unit, 18, 28 ... display unit, 23 ... ROM, 24 ... storage unit, 25 ... USB port.

Claims (4)

An information processing system comprising a host device that transmits a command according to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, and an information processing terminal that responds to the command transmitted from the host device according to the USB standard,
The information processing terminal
Storage means for storing data;
First operating means for supplying a signal corresponding to the operation;
Of the first operation mode and the second operation mode, which are the operation modes of the information processing terminal, in the first operation mode, the processing corresponding to the signal supplied from the first operation means is stored in the memory. First processing means for executing using data stored in the means ;
In response to an inquiry from the host device when the operation mode of the information processing terminal is the first operation mode, the device type of the own device is responded as a removable disk, and there is no storage medium in the removable disk Response means for notifying
The host device is
A second operating means for supplying a signal corresponding to the operation;
When the operation mode of the information processing terminal is the second operation mode, when the host device is instructed to process the storage unit of the information processing terminal by a signal supplied from the second operation unit, Second processing means for performing the processing using data stored in the storage means,
When the operation mode of the information processing terminal is the first operation mode, the second processing unit determines whether the device type of the information processing terminal is from the response unit in response to an inquiry to the information processing terminal. When it is notified that the storage disk is a removable disk and notified that the storage medium does not exist in the removable disk, the storage means is not accessed, and the data stored in the storage means is used. An information processing system characterized by not performing the processing on a storage means . The host device is
When it is instructed to switch the operation mode of the information processing terminal by a signal supplied from the second operation means, an operation mode switching command for instructing switching to the instructed operation mode is issued in accordance with the USB standard. A transmission means for transmitting to
The information processing terminal
When the operation mode switching command transmitted by the transmission unit of the host device is received, an operation for switching the operation mode of the information processing terminal to the first operation mode or the second operation mode according to the operation mode switching command The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising mode switching means. When the transmission unit of the host device is instructed to switch the operation mode of the information processing terminal to the third operation mode by a signal supplied from the second operation unit, the transmission unit enters the third operation mode. An operation mode switching command for instructing switching is transmitted to the information processing terminal according to the USB standard,
The operation mode switching unit of the information processing terminal receives the operation mode switching command that is transmitted by the transmission unit of the host device and commands to switch the operation mode of the information processing terminal to the third operation mode. Then, according to the operation mode switching command, the operation mode of the information processing terminal is switched to the third operation mode,
The host device has the operation mode of the information processing terminal according to the operation mode switching command transmitted from the transmission unit and commanding to switch the operation mode of the information processing terminal to the third operation mode. After the operation mode is switched to, when a signal supplied from the second operation means instructs the information processing terminal to process the storage means, the information processing terminal is instructed to execute the process. With instruction means,
The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the first processing means of the information processing terminal executes processing instructed by the instruction means using data stored in the storage means. The information processing terminal includes a first temporary storage unit that temporarily stores a result of the process executed by the first processing unit or a history of the process before the storage unit stores the result.
The host device includes second temporary storage means for temporarily storing the result of the processing executed by the second processing means before storing the result in the storage means,
When an operation mode switching command for instructing switching to the second operation mode is received, the first processing means receives the result of the process stored in the first temporary storage means or the process A history is stored in the storage means;
The operation mode switching means switches the operation mode of the information processing terminal to the second operation mode after the result of the process or the history of the process is stored in the storage means by the first processing means,
The second processing unit is configured to transmit the operation mode switching command for instructing to switch the operation mode of the information processing terminal from the second operation mode to another operation mode before the transmission unit transmits the operation mode switching command. The result of the process stored in the temporary storage means is stored in the storage means of the information processing terminal;
The operation mode switching means changes the operation mode of the information processing terminal from the second operation mode to another after the result of the processing is stored in the storage means of the information processing terminal by the second processing means. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the information processing system is switched to an operation mode.

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