Abstract:
A storage device is capable of switching its wireless sharing mode while sensing occurrence of a flip-over on itself. With the aid of the storage device, a user may easily and intuitively activate an operation of sharing information with other external storage devices or determine a degree of sharing the information.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention discloses a method of controlling a storage device and the storage device thereof, and more particularly, to a method of controlling a storage device to determine a wireless-sharing mode of the storage device according to whether there is a flip-over on the storage device and the storage device utilizing the method. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Conventional Art 
         [0004]    For a conventional storage device, interaction between its user and itself are primarily point-to-point. However, there are more new types of interactions between a storage device and its user, such as one-to-multiple wireless sharing for sharing data of the storage device to other storage devices. It introduces much convenience between different users in retrieving information. 
         [0005]    However, while using the one-to-multiple wireless sharing on the conventional storage device, if there are more people to share data from the conventional storage device, the performance of the one-to-multiple wireless sharing will be decreased further in a significant manner; when security issues are taken, a password or authentication is required for each attendee every time when the one-to-multiple wireless sharing is initiated; besides, when the user intends to activate the one-to-multiple wireless sharing on the storage device, he or she may be required to initiate a plurality of complex operations on the conventional storage device. Those factors mentioned above would bring much inconvenience for the user of the storage device and other attendees intending to share information with the user. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The claimed invention discloses a first method of controlling a storage device. The first method comprises generating a predetermined trigger signal while the storage device is flipped over; and switching the storage device between a first wireless sharing mode and a second wireless sharing mode in response to the predetermined trigger signal 
         [0007]    The claimed invention discloses a second method of controlling a storage device. The third method comprises generating a predetermined trigger signal for indicating a faced-up/down status of the storage device; and switching the storage device to a first wireless sharing mode or a second wireless sharing mode according to the predetermined trigger signal. 
         [0008]    The claimed invention discloses a first storage device. The first storage device comprises a sensor, a memory, a processor, and an antenna. The sensor is utilized for generating a predetermined trigger signal while sensing that the storage device is flipped over. The memory is utilized for storing a first wireless sharing mode and a second wireless sharing mode. The processor is utilized for switching the storage device from the first wireless sharing mode to the second wireless sharing mode in response to the predetermined trigger signal. The antenna is utilized for transmitting information of the storage device in a wireless manner. 
         [0009]    The claimed invention discloses a second storage device. The second storage device comprises a sensor, a memory, a processor, and an antenna. The sensor is utilized for generating a predetermined trigger signal for indicating a faced-up/down status of the storage device. The memory is utilized for storing a first wireless sharing mode and a second wireless sharing mode. The processor is utilized for switching the storage device to a first wireless sharing mode or a second wireless sharing mode according to the predetermined trigger signal. The antenna is utilized for transmitting information of the storage device in a wireless manner. 
         [0010]    These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram for illustrating how a user of a storage device of the present invention can activate a wireless sharing mode that he or she wants by merely one flip-over on the storage device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates the storage device for determining a wireless sharing mode according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart of a method of controlling a storage device to switch its wireless sharing mode according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart of a method of controlling a storage device to switch its wireless sharing mode according to the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart of a method of controlling a storage device to switch its wireless sharing mode and to choose which pair of wireless sharing modes to activate according to embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The primary purpose of the present invention is to disclose a method of controlling a storage device for determining a wireless sharing mode in an intuitive manner so that a user of the storage device can conveniently activate a specific wireless sharing mode on the storage device at anytime he or she wants. 
         [0017]    Please refer to  FIG. 1 , which is a schematic diagram for illustrating how a user of a storage device  100  can activate a wireless sharing mode that he or she wants by merely one flip-over on the storage device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The storage device  100  is an apparatus having the function of providing the information stored inside, to share with other electronic devices by a wireless connection. The wireless connection mentioned above includes, but not limit to Wi-Fi, blue-tooth, and Infrared etc. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the user may change a way of sharing information stored in the storage device  100  with other external electronic devices  202 ,  204 , or  206  by initiating a single flip-over, where the external electronic devices  102 ,  104 , and  106  are assumed to be acknowledged or authorized by the storage device  100  to link said storage device  100  in advance. Therefore, for example, it is beneficial for a user who is in charge of a meeting since the user may instantly share any information in the middle of the meeting. 
         [0018]    The way of sharing information, i.e. the wireless sharing mode, may be implemented by pairs, such as enabling/disabling link to the storage device  100 , increasing/decreasing a maximal number of other electronic devices allowed to link the storage device, raising/lowering priority of another electronic device to link the storage device, or broadening/narrowing a maximal bandwidth of linking to the storage device, according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0019]    Please refer to  FIG. 2 , which illustrates the storage device  100  for determining a wireless sharing mode according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the storage device  100  includes a sensor  102 , a memory  104 , a processor  106 , and an antenna  108 . 
         [0020]    The sensor  102  is configured to actively sense whether the storage device  100  is flipped over and to generate a predetermined trigger signal TS after sensing occurrence of a flip-over on the storage device  100 , where the predetermined trigger signal TS is utilized for switch a wireless sharing mode of the storage device  100 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the sensor  102  is implemented by a gravity sensor (G-sensor) or a light sensor for actively sensing whether the storage device  100  is flipped over. 
         [0021]    The memory  104  is utilized for storing a plurality of wireless sharing modes, i.e. the above-mentioned ways of sharing information. 
         [0022]    The processor  106  is utilized for switching the storage device  100  into a predetermined wireless sharing mode according to currently-set wireless sharing modes defined by the memory  104  in response to the predetermined signal TS after the processor  106  receives the predetermined trigger signal TS from the sensor  102 . Note that in some embodiments of the present invention, a pair of wireless sharing modes are utilized by the processor  106  at a time so that the storage device  100  is switched between the pair of wireless sharing modes while being flipped-over. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments of the present invention, a first side of the storage device  100  may be specifically assigned to a first wireless sharing mode among the pair, and a second side of the storage device  100  may be specifically assigned to a second wireless sharing mode among the pair. Therefore, when the sensor  102  senses that the first side of the storage device  100  is faced-up, the processor  106  will automatically keep the storage device  100  at the first wireless sharing mode until a flip-over causes the second side of the storage device  100  to be faced-up. Similarly, when the sensor  102  senses that the second side of the storage device  100  is faced-up, the processor  106  will automatically keep the storage device  100  at the second wireless sharing mode until a flip-over causes the first side of the storage device  100  to be faced-up. 
         [0024]    In other embodiments of the present invention, when one side of the storage device  100  is faced-down, the wireless sharing mode of the storage device  100  may also be switched. It indicates the fact that a faced-up/down status of the storage device  100  for triggering the switching of its wireless sharing modes may be optional or alternative for both the first and second wireless sharing modes, in embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0025]    The antenna  108  is configured to transmit information to be shared from the processor  206  to other wireless electronic devices, for example, the electronic devices  202 ,  204 , or  206 . 
         [0026]    How the storage device  100  is operated for switching wireless sharing modes will be described in the following exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0027]    In a first embodiment of the present invention, the processor  106  sets enabling/disabling link to the storage device  100  as its pair of wireless sharing modes, and may assign disabling (i.e. switching off) link to the storage device  100  as its default wireless sharing mode. 
         [0028]    When the user of the storage device  100  flips the storage device  100  over as an intension of sharing information with other electronic devices, the sensor  102  senses the occurrence of the flip-over, and then the processor  106  switches the storage device  100  from disabling the wireless sharing mode to enabling the wireless sharing mode for sharing the information with the other electronic devices. Later, when the user flips the storage device  100  once again, the processor  106  switches the storage device  100  from enabling the wireless sharing mode to disabling the wireless sharing mode. 
         [0029]    In a second embodiment of the present invention, the processor  106  sets a first maximal number of other electronic devices allowed to simultaneously link the storage device  100  as a first wireless sharing mode, and sets a second maximal number of electronic devices allowed to simultaneously link the storage device  100  as a second wireless sharing mode, where the first maximal number is larger than the second maximal number, and both the first and second maximal numbers can be updated or predetermined by the user of the storage device  100  by giving commands to the processor  106 . The second wireless sharing mode may be assumed as its default wireless sharing mode. Note that the maximal number of electronic devices may indicate a maximal number of MAC addresses or access points allowed to link with the storage device  100  simultaneously. 
         [0030]    When the user of the storage device  100  flips the storage device  100  over, the sensor  102  senses the occurrence of the flip-over, and then the processor  106  switches the storage device  100  from the second wireless sharing mode to the first wireless sharing mode, so that a larger maximal number of electronic devices can be simultaneously allowed to link the storage device  100 , i.e. more people can be simultaneously allowed to access the storage device  100 . Later, when the user flips the storage device  100  once again, the processor  106  switches the storage device  100  from the first wireless sharing mode to the second wireless sharing mode, so that a smaller maximal number of electronic devices can be simultaneously allowed to link the storage device  100 , i.e. less people can be simultaneously allowed to access the storage device  100 , and some people previously allowed to access the storage device  100  may be discarded under this condition. 
         [0031]    In a third embodiment of the present invention, the processor  106  sets raising priority of one (or at least one) other electronic devices in linking the storage device  100  as a first wireless sharing mode, and sets lowering priority of the same electronic devices in linking the storage device  100  as a second wireless sharing mode. The second wireless sharing mode may be assumed as a default wireless sharing mode. 
         [0032]    When the user of the storage device  100  flips the storage device  100  over, the sensor  102  senses the occurrence of the flip-over, and then the processor  106  switches the storage device  100  from the second wireless sharing mode to the first wireless sharing mode, so that an external electronic device is granted to link the storage device  100  with a high class of priority, i.e. allowed to link more resources in the storage device  100 . Later, when the user flips the storage device  100  once again, the processor  106  switches the storage device  100  from the first wireless sharing mode to the second wireless sharing mode, so that the external electronic device is granted to link the storage device  100  with a low class of priority, i.e. allowed to link less resources in the storage device  100 . 
         [0033]    In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, when the storage device  100  applies Wi-Fi, the processor  106  sets broadening a maximal bandwidth for other electronic devices to link the storage device  100  as a first wireless sharing mode, and sets narrowing the maximal bandwidth for other electronic devices to link the storage device  100  as a second wireless sharing mode. The second wireless sharing mode may be assumed as a default wireless sharing mode. 
         [0034]    When the user of the storage device  100  flips the storage device  100  over, the sensor  102  senses the occurrence of the flip-over, and then the processor  106  switches the storage device  100  from the second wireless sharing mode to the first wireless sharing mode, so that the maximal bandwidth of linking the storage device  100  can be broadened, i.e. everyone who is allowed to link the storage device  100  may acquire a broader bandwidth this time. Later, when the user flips the storage device  100  once again, the processor  106  switches the storage device  100  from the first wireless sharing mode to the second wireless sharing mode, so that the maximal bandwidth of lining the storage device  100  can be narrowed, i.e. everyone who is allowed to link the storage device  100  may acquire a narrower bandwidth this time. Therefore, the user of the storage device  100  may always acquire a maximal available bandwidth whenever he or she needs. 
         [0035]    As can be observed from the above-mentioned embodiments, the storage device  100  will easily fulfill dual-mode sharing without complex manipulations from the user of the storage device  100 . It also saves the inconvenience and trouble of the user from entering a password or requesting for authentication by simply sensing a flip-over. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment of the present invention, utilizing which pair of wireless sharing modes, i.e. enabling/disabling, increasing/decreasing the maximal number, raising/lowering priority, or broadening/narrowing bandwidth, may also be set in advance or be updated whenever the user of the storage device  100  intends to. For example, all the pairs of wireless sharing modes can be stored in the memory  104 , and the storage device  100  is configured to provide a mechanism of choosing which pair of wireless sharing modes to the user, so that the user is allowed to change the utilized pair of wireless sharing modes by simply setting the storage device  100  whenever he or she intends to. Note that the mechanism of choosing may be implemented by a hardware selector disposed on the storage device  100  or an application program installed in the storage device  100  and run by the processor  106  in some embodiments of the present invention. The flip-over will trigger a transition between the set pair of wireless sharing modes. 
         [0037]    Please refer to  FIG. 3 , which illustrates a mapping table  110  stored in the memory  104  shown in  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As can be observed in  FIG. 3 , the mapping table  110  provides four pairs of candidate wireless sharing modes, and only one of them can be chosen at a time, i.e. the mapping table  110  is merely configured to provide exclusive options, where only raising/lowering priority is chosen in response to the flip-over in the case shown in  FIG. 3 . With the aid of the mapping table shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the user is allowed to choose the pair of wireless sharing modes that he or she needs, in response to various kinds of conditions. 
         [0038]    In one embodiment of the present invention, there may be an additional button  108  disposed on the storage device  100  for foolproof usage. The button  108  is configured to activate the wireless sharing mode switching of the processor  106  only when said button  108  is pressed in addition to the occurrence of the flip-over on the storage device  100 . It indicates that even if the sensor  102  senses the occurrence of the flip-over on the storage device  100 , as long as the button  108  is not pressed, the switching of the utilized wireless sharing mode on the storage device  100  will not be activated. It can be inducted that the button  108  is utilized for preventing wrongly switching of the wireless sharing mode by accidental or wrong flip-over on the storage device  100 . In an other embodiment of the present invention, the foolproof function of the button  108  may also be implemented as an option provided by the storage device  100 , for example, applying built-in software to switch on/off the function of sensing the occurrence of the flip-over. 
         [0039]    Please refer to  FIG. 4 , which illustrates a flowchart of a method of controlling a storage device to switch its wireless sharing mode according to the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention. The method includes steps as follows: 
         [0040]    Step  302 : A sensor generates a predetermined trigger signal after the storage device is flipped over. 
         [0041]    Step  304 : Switch the storage device from a first wireless sharing mode to a second wireless sharing mode after receiving the predetermined trigger signal. 
         [0042]    Please also refer to  FIG. 5 , which also illustrates a flowchart of a method of controlling a storage device to switch its wireless sharing mode and to choose which pair of wireless sharing modes to activate according to the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention. The related steps are listed as follows: 
         [0043]    Step  301 : Provide a plurality of options, each of which indicates a pair of wireless sharing mode, so that one option indicating a first wireless sharing mode and a second wireless sharing mode can be chosen. 
         [0044]    Step  302 : A sensor generates a predetermined trigger signal after the storage device is flipped over. 
         [0045]    Step  304 : Switch the storage device from the first wireless sharing mode to the second wireless sharing mode after receiving the predetermined trigger signal. 
         [0046]    Step  301  may be implemented with the aid of the mapping table  110 . Note that embodiments formed by reasonable combinations or permutations of steps in  FIG. 4  or  FIG. 5  or by adding above-mentioned limitations to steps shown in  FIG. 4  or  FIG. 5  should also be regarded as embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0047]    A method of controlling a storage device to switch its wireless sharing mode and the storage device are disclosed in the present invention for providing an intuitive way to share information from the storage device, by a simple flip-over of the user on the storage device, so as to bring convenience for the user. 
         [0048]    Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.