Patent ID: 7516345
Filing Date: 2009-04-07
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A hard disc interface device, comprising: a plurality of ports which receive respective first signals appropriate to a plurality of respective first interface methods; a plurality of interface converters which are connected to respective ports, of the plurality of ports, and convert the respective first signals of the respective first interface methods into respective second signals of a second interface method appropriate to the hard disc drive, the interface converters including converters each corresponding to one of an IEEE 1394 bus and a USB bus; a priority determining unit which identifies at least one of the first interface methods corresponding to respective ports such that when at least two ports are connected to external interfaces a priority among the respective interface converters for the at least two ports is determined in response to the identification of the at least one of the first interface methods and a predetermined priority setting between the at least two ports, wherein the priority setting has at least three levels of priority for assigning priority between at least three respective ports; a port selection unit to selectively control supply of power to the interface converters based upon the priority determination of the priority determining unit, wherein the port selection unit controls the supply of the power provided to the interface converters appropriate to the IEEE 1394 bus and the USB bus in response to a USB power signal of the USB bus; and a connection unit connected to the interface converters to transmit and receive the second signals of the second interface method appropriate to the hard disc drive.