Abstract:
This invention relates to a portable external storage device including a battery which supplies power to a communication section which communicates with a plurality of information processing apparatuses, a detection unit which detects a remaining amount of the battery, a storage unit which stores setting information representing a notifying method for information about a remaining amount of the battery transmitted from the information processing apparatus serving as a host device, and a remaining amount of the battery at which a warning is generated, and a notifying unit which notifies the host device of information about the remaining amount of the battery detected by the detection unit on the basis of the setting information stored in the storage unit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-22316, filed Jan. 30, 2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to an external storage device used as the external device of an information processing apparatus.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Portable external storage devices having a wireless communication function have recently been developed. In the general use of the portable external storage device, the device is stored in a bag, shirt pocket, or the like. The external storage device accesses a host device such as a personal computer, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), digital camera, or digital movie by Bluetooth radiowaves.  
           [0006]    The remaining amount of battery in the portable external storage device is confirmed on a display mounted on the portable external storage device.  
           [0007]    As described above, the portable external storage device is often used in a bag, pocket, or the like. The user cannot quickly, easily confirm information such as the remaining amount of battery.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention has been made in consideration of the above situation, and has as its object to provide a device capable of letting the user know the remaining amount of battery and a warning that the battery is running short even while the device is stored in a bag, pocket, or the like.  
           [0009]    To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided an external storage device comprising a battery which supplies power to a communication section which communicates with an information processing apparatus, detection means for detecting a remaining amount of the battery, and notifying means for notifying the information processing apparatus of information about the remaining amount of the battery detected by the detection means.  
           [0010]    Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0011]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the use environment of a portable external storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the portable external storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of a host device (e.g., PDA or PC) for the portable external storage device;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the host device (e.g., PDA or PC) for the portable external storage device;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the portable external storage device;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the portable external storage device;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the portable external storage device;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a view showing a time sequence between the portable external storage device and the host device;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a view showing another time sequence between the portable external storage device and the host device;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is a view showing still another time sequence between the portable external storage device and the host device;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 is a view showing a setting menu window;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 is a view showing a case in which a display type switching button is selected on the setting menu window;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 is a view showing a submenu corresponding to the display type switching button;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 is a view showing a case in which a warning type switching button is selected on the setting menu window;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 15 is a view showing a submenu corresponding to the warning type switching button;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 16 is a view showing a case in which an option setting button is selected on the setting menu window;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 17 is a view showing a submenu corresponding to the option setting button;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 18 is a view showing an example in which the remaining amount of battery in the portable external storage device is displayed as a pop-up window on the display of the host device; and  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 19 is a view showing a state in which the loudspeaker of the host device outputs a warning by voice. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]    A portable external storage device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the several views of the accompanying drawing.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the use environment of the portable external storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0033]    As shown in FIG. 1, communication partners of a portable external storage device  1  according to the embodiment are information devices such as a personal computer  2 , portable game machine  3 , digital video camera  4 , and PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)  5 . The portable external storage device  1  of the embodiment and the information devices  2  to  5  serving as communication partners incorporate Bluetooth modules, respectively, and exchange data via the Bluetooth modules.  
         [0034]    For example, to exchange image data between the digital camera  4  and the personal computer  2 , image data are first exchanged between the digital video camera  4  and the portable external storage device  1  by wireless communication using the Bluetooth modules, and stored in the internal recording medium of the portable storage device. At this time, the digital camera  4  and portable external storage device  1  can be wirelessly connected as far as they are positioned within a wireless communicable distance of about 100 m at maximum by the Bluetooth modules.  
         [0035]    The portable external storage device is carried close to a predetermined distance (Bluetooth wireless communicable distance of about 100 m at maximum) from the personal computer  2  which transmits image data. Then, a Bluetooth link is automatically established, and image data is transferred from the portable storage device to the personal computer.  
         [0036]    A portable external storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the portable external storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0037]    As shown in FIG. 2, a portable external storage device  1  according to this embodiment comprises an engine section  11 , Bluetooth wireless section  12 , power supply section  13 , setting section  14 , and storage section  15 .  
         [0038]    The engine section  11  controls the whole portable external storage device. A CPU  21  which controls the entire storage device is connected to an EEPROM  22  via a bus  26 . The EEPROM  22  records various pieces of setting information of the portable external storage device.  
         [0039]    The CPU  21  is connected to a CPU bus/PCI bus bridge  25  via a CPU bus  27 . The CPU bus/PCI bus bridge  25  is connected to a DRAM  23  via a memory bus  28  and to a flash memory  24  via a memory bus  29 .  
         [0040]    The DRAM  23  is a work memory for the CPU  21 , whereas the flash memory  24  stores a program executed by the CPU  21 .  
         [0041]    The CPU bus/PCI bus bridge  25  is connected to a display controller  31  via a bus  30 , and the display controller  31  is connected to an LCD  33  via a bus  32 . The display controller  31  controls the display of the LCD  33 . The CPU bus/PCI bus bridge  25  functions as an interface bridge between the CPU bus  27  and a PCI bus  41 .  
         [0042]    The PCI bus  41  is connected to an ISA bus  43  via a PCI/ISA (Peripheral Component Interconnect/Industry Standard Architecture) bridge  42 . The PCI bus  41  is connected to the Bluetooth wireless section  12  via a USB host controller  46  and to a USB interface  44 . The USB interface  44  is connected to a USB connector  45  for connecting a peripheral device.  
         [0043]    The Bluetooth wireless section  12  comprises a baseband LSI  51  which is connected to the USB host controller  46  and controls the Bluetooth wireless function, a flash memory  52  which stores a program executed by the baseband LSI  51 , an antenna  54 , and an RF unit  53  which controls RF signals between the baseband LSI  51  and the antenna  54 .  
         [0044]    The PCI bus  41  is connected to the storage section  15 . The storage section  15  comprises an IDE interface controller  61  connected via the PCI bus  41 , and an HDD  63  connected to the IDE interface controller  61  via an IDE interface  62 . The PCI bus  41  is connected to a PCMCIA host controller  91  and to a PC card HDD  93  via the PCMCIA host controller  91 . The PCI bus  41  is further connected to an SD memory controller  111  and to an SD memory card  113  via the SD memory controller  111 .  
         [0045]    The PCI bus  41  is connected to the power supply section  13 . The power supply section  13  comprises a power supply controller  71  connected to the PCI bus  41 , and a power supply control circuit  73  connected to the power supply controller  71 . The power supply control circuit  73  is connected to a battery  74  and AC input  75 . Power is supplied from the battery  74  when the portable external storage device is used in a mobile environment, and from the AC input  75  in a battery chargeable/AC drivable environment.  
         [0046]    Powers from the battery  74  and AC input  75  are supplied to elements such as the engine section  11 , wireless section  12 , and storage section  15  necessary to operate the portable external storage device.  
         [0047]    The ISA bus  43  is connected to the setting section  14 . The setting section  14  comprises an I/O controller  81  connected to the ISA bus  43 , and a button  82  and rotary switch  83  connected to the I/O controller  81 . The button  82  and rotary switch  83  are used for security setting such as input of a Bluetooth PIN code, and activation of the device.  
         [0048]    The portable external storage device uses the HDD  63  as a storage medium in the above description, but the storage medium is not limited to this.  
         [0049]    The operation of the portable external storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained.  
         [0050]    The portable external storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention causes a host device to let the user know information about the remaining amount of battery in the portable external storage device.  
         [0051]    The operation of the host device (e.g., PDA or PC) of the portable external storage device will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.  
         [0052]    If a remaining battery amount notifying program starts in the host device, the host device displays a setting menu (S 1 ). As shown in FIG. 11, the setting menu displays a display type switching button  201 , warning type switching button  202 , and option setting button  203  on a setting menu window  200 .  
         [0053]    The display type switching button  201  is a button for selecting an occasion when the remaining amount of battery is displayed.  
         [0054]    The warning type switching button  202  is a button for selecting a warning method.  
         [0055]    The option setting button  203  sets the threshold of the remaining amount of battery at which the user is warned of the remaining amount of battery, or an avoidance method in a warning.  
         [0056]    The host device checks whether the user enters an input on the setting menu window  200  (S 2 ). If YES in S 2 , the host device shifts to the process of S 16 .  
         [0057]    In S 16 , the host device checks whether the display type switching button  201  displayed on the setting menu window  200  is selected. If YES in S 16  (FIG. 12), the host device displays a submenu  204  corresponding to the display type switching button  201  shown in FIG. 13 (S 19 ).  
         [0058]    The submenu  204  corresponding to the display type switching button  201  displays a remaining battery amount display “normally ON” button  205 , remaining battery amount display “user designation” button  206 , and remaining battery amount display “warning” button  207 .  
         [0059]    The remaining battery amount display “normally ON” button  205  is a button for selecting a remaining battery amount display “normally ON” mode in which information about the remaining amount of battery is always transmitted to the host device.  
         [0060]    The remaining battery amount display “user designation” button  206  is a button for selecting a remaining battery amount display “user designation” mode in which information about the remaining amount of battery is transmitted to the host device when a user designates remaining battery amount display.  
         [0061]    The remaining battery amount display “warning” button  207  is a button for selecting a remaining battery amount display “warning” mode in which information about the remaining amount of battery is transmitted to the host device when warning conditions set by the user are satisfied.  
         [0062]    Of the modes (remaining battery amount display “normally ON” mode, remaining battery amount display “user designation” mode, and remaining battery amount display “warning” mode) selected on the submenu corresponding to the display type switching button shown in FIG. 13, a mode input by the user (S 20 ) is saved as setting information (S 21 ).  
         [0063]    If NO in S 16 , the host device checks whether the warning type switching button  202  is selected (S 17 ). If YES in S 17  (FIG. 14), the host device displays a submenu  208  corresponding to the warning type switching button  202  shown in FIG. 15 (S 19 ).  
         [0064]    The submenu  208  corresponding to the warning type switching button  202  displays an alarm ringing button  209 , voice warning button  210 , and warning character display button  211 .  
         [0065]    The alarm ringing button  209  is a button for selecting a mode in which a warning is generated by ringing an alarm.  
         [0066]    The voice warning button  210  is a button for selecting a mode in which a warning is generated by voice.  
         [0067]    The warning character display button  211  is a button for selecting a mode in which a warning is generated by characters.  
         [0068]    Of the modes (remaining battery amount display “normally ON” mode, remaining battery amount display “user designation” mode, and remaining battery amount display “warning” mode) selected on the submenu corresponding to the warning type switching button shown in FIG. 15, a mode input by the user (S 20 ) is saved as setting information (S 21 ).  
         [0069]    If NO in S 17 , the host device checks whether the option setting button  203  is selected (S 18 ). If YES in S 18  (FIG. 16), the host device displays a submenu  212  corresponding to the option setting button  203  shown in FIG. 17 (S 19 ).  
         [0070]    The submenu  212  corresponding to the option setting button  203  displays an item  213  for setting a remaining amount of battery at which a warning is generated, an item  214  for setting the avoidance means for an HDD in a warning, and an item  215  for setting the avoidance means for a semiconductor memory device (e.g., SD memory) in a warning. In FIG. 17, a warning is generated when the remaining amount of battery decreases to 5% or less. In the warning, the HDD is turned off, and the semiconductor memory device is turned on.  
         [0071]    An item input by the user on the submenu  212  corresponding to the option setting button  203  shown in FIG. 17 is saved as setting information (S 21 ).  
         [0072]    After setting information is saved in S 21 , or if NO in S 18 , the host device checks whether the display of the setting menu ends (S 22 ).  
         [0073]    If NO in S 22 , the host device returns to the process of S 16 ; if YES, to the process of S 4 .  
         [0074]    If NO in S 2 , the host device determines that a default value is set (S 3 ), and shifts to the process of S 4 . In S 4 , the host device establishes wireless communication with the portable external storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and transmits the setting information (S 5 ).  
         [0075]    The host device checks whether the user generates a remaining battery amount request (S 6 ). If YES in S 6 , the host device transmits a remaining battery amount acquisition request to the portable external storage device (S 7 ).  
         [0076]    If NO in S 6 , or after the host device transmits the remaining battery amount acquisition request in S 7 , the host device checks whether to receive remaining battery amount information from the portable external storage device (S 8 ).  
         [0077]    If YES in S 8 , the host device loads the received data (S 9 ), and displays the remaining amount of battery (S 10 ).  
         [0078]    The host device checks whether to receive battery warning information from the portable external storage device (S 11 ). If YES in S 11 , the host device loads the warning information (S 12 ), and executes a warning based on the setting information set by the user (S 13 ).  
         [0079]    For example, when the voice warning button  210  is selected on the submenu corresponding to the warning type switching button shown in FIG. 15, a warning is generated by voice. When the warning character display button  211  is selected, a warning message concerning the battery is displayed on the screen of the information processing apparatus.  
         [0080]    [0080]FIG. 18 shows an example in which the remaining amount of battery in the portable external storage device is displayed as a pop-up window  501  on a display  500  of the host device. FIG. 19 is a view showing a state in which a loudspeaker  601  of the host device outputs a voice warning.  
         [0081]    Then, the host device checks whether the program ends (S 14 ). If YES in S 14 , the host device transmits an end command to the portable external storage device (S 15 ), and stops the program. If NO in S 14 , the host device returns to the process of S 6 .  
         [0082]    The operation of the portable external storage device will be explained with reference to FIGS.  5  to  7 .  
         [0083]    After the program starts, the portable external storage device checks whether wireless communication starts (S 30 ). If YES in S 30 , the portable external storage device receives setting information from the host (S 31 ), and saves the received setting information (S 32 ).  
         [0084]    The portable external storage device checks whether the remaining battery amount display “normally ON” (“always” notifying) mode has been selected on the submenu corresponding to the display type switching button (S 33 ).  
         [0085]    If YES in S 33 , the portable external storage device checks the remaining amount of battery (S 37 ), and determines whether the checked remaining amount of battery is equal to or smaller than a warning remaining amount of battery represented by the saved setting information (S 38 ).  
         [0086]    If YES in S 38 , i.e., the battery has a sufficient remaining amount, the portable external storage device transmits the checked remaining amount of battery to the host device (S 41 ).  
         [0087]    If NO in S 38 , i.e., the battery is running short, the portable external storage device transmits warning information to the host device (S 39 ). The portable external storage device saves its stored data in an avoidance destination of data represented by the setting information (S 40 ). When the setting information represents no avoidance in a warning, no data avoidance is performed.  
         [0088]    The portable external storage device checks whether it has received an end command from the host device (S 42 ). If YES in S 42 , the portable external storage device stops the program; if NO, returns to the process of S 37 .  
         [0089]    If NO in S 33 , the portable external storage device checks whether the mode in which the remaining amount of battery is displayed in response to a user designation is selected on the submenu corresponding to the display type switching button (S 34 ).  
         [0090]    If YES in S 34 , the portable external storage device checks whether it has received a remaining battery amount request from the host device (S 51 ).  
         [0091]    If YES in S 51 , the portable external storage device checks the remaining battery amount (S 52 ), and determines whether the checked remaining amount of battery is equal to or smaller than a warning remaining amount of battery represented by the saved setting information (S 53 ).  
         [0092]    If YES in S 53 , i.e., the battery has a sufficient remaining amount, the portable external storage device transmits the checked remaining amount of battery to the host device (S 54 ).  
         [0093]    If NO in S 53 , i.e., the battery is running short, the portable external storage device transmits warning information to the host device (S 55 ). The portable external storage device saves its stored data in an avoidance destination of data represented by the setting information (S 56 ). When the setting information represents no avoidance in a warning, no data avoidance is performed.  
         [0094]    Then, the portable external storage device checks whether it has received an end command from the host device (S 57 ). If YES in S 57 , the portable external storage device stops the program; if NO, returns to the process of S 51 .  
         [0095]    If NO in S 34 , the portable external storage device checks whether the mode in which warning information is transmitted in response to a warning is selected on the submenu corresponding to the display type switching button (S 35 ).  
         [0096]    If YES in S 35 , the portable external storage device checks the remaining amount of battery (S 61 ), and determines whether the checked remaining amount of battery is equal to or smaller than a warning remaining amount of battery represented by the saved setting information (S 62 ).  
         [0097]    If NO in S 62 , i.e., the battery is running short, the portable external storage device transmits warning information to the host device (S 63 ). The portable external storage device saves its stored data in an avoidance destination of data represented by the setting information (S 64 ). When the setting information represents no avoidance in a warning, no data avoidance is performed.  
         [0098]    The portable external storage device checks whether it has received an end command from the host device (S 65 ). If YES in S 65 , the portable external storage device stops the program; if NO, returns to the process of S 61 .  
         [0099]    FIGS.  8  to  10  are views showing time sequences between the portable external storage device and the host device in the respective modes. FIGS.  8  to  10  are views for supplementally explaining the flow charts shown in FIGS.  3  to  7 .  
         [0100]    [0100]FIG. 8 is a view showing a sequence when remaining battery amount display is normally ON.  
         [0101]    The host device displays a setting menu ( 100 ), and the user inputs settings on the displayed setting menu ( 101 ). The host device saves the pieces of input setting information ( 102 ).  
         [0102]    After that, wireless communication (in this case, Bluetooth communication connection) is executed between the host device and the portable external storage device ( 103 ), and the host device transmits the setting information to the portable external storage device ( 104 ).  
         [0103]    The portable external storage device saves the setting information transmitted from the host device ( 105 ). The portable external storage device checks the remaining amount of battery, and determines whether the checked remaining amount of battery is equal to or smaller than a remaining amount of battery represented by the setting information at which a warning is generated ( 106 ).  
         [0104]    If the checked remaining amount of battery is larger than the remaining amount of battery represented by the setting information at which a warning is generated, i.e., the battery has a sufficient remaining amount, the portable external storage device transmits remaining battery amount information ( 107 ).  
         [0105]    If the checked remaining amount of battery is equal to or smaller than the remaining amount of battery represented by the setting information at which a warning is generated, i.e., the battery is running short, the portable external storage device transmits battery warning information to the host device ( 108 ).  
         [0106]    Upon reception of the remaining battery amount information or warning information, the host device performs processing such as display of a warning on the display or generation of warning sound on the basis of the setting information ( 109 ). Finally, the host device transmits an end command to the portable external storage device ( 110 ), and ends the program.  
         [0107]    [0107]FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a sequence when the remaining battery amount display “user designation” mode in which information about the remaining amount of battery is transmitted to the host device upon reception of a user designation.  
         [0108]    Note that processing up to display of a setting menu on the host device, establishment of wireless communication between the host device and the portable external storage device, and saving of setting information in the portable external storage device is the same as that shown in FIG. 8, and a description thereof will be omitted.  
         [0109]    When the user wants to know the remaining amount of battery, he/she requests the host device to display the remaining amount of battery by, e.g., clicking an icon ( 301 ). Upon reception of the user request, the host device transmits a remaining battery amount acquisition request to the portable external storage device ( 302 ).  
         [0110]    The portable external storage device checks the remaining amount of battery, and determines whether the checked remaining amount of battery is equal to or smaller than a remaining amount of battery represented by the setting information at which a warning is generated ( 303 ).  
         [0111]    If the checked remaining amount of battery is larger than the remaining amount of battery represented by the setting information at which a warning is generated, i.e., the battery has a sufficient remaining amount, the portable external storage device transmits remaining battery amount information ( 304 ).  
         [0112]    If the checked remaining amount of battery is equal to or smaller than the remaining amount of battery represented by the setting information at which a warning is generated, i.e., the battery is running short, the portable external storage device transmits battery warning information to the host device ( 305 ).  
         [0113]    Upon reception of the remaining battery amount information or warning information, the host device performs processing such as display of a warning on the display or generation of warning sound on the basis of the setting information ( 306 ). Finally, the host device transmits an end command to the portable external storage device ( 307 ), and ends the program.  
         [0114]    [0114]FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a sequence when the remaining battery amount display “warning” mode in which information about the battery is transmitted to the host device when the battery is running short.  
         [0115]    Note that processing up to display of a setting menu on the host device, establishment of wireless communication between the host device and the portable external storage device, and saving of setting information in the portable external storage device is the same as that shown in FIG. 8, and a description thereof will be omitted.  
         [0116]    The portable external storage device checks the remaining amount of battery ( 401 ). If the remaining amount of battery is equal to or smaller than a remaining amount of battery contained in setting information at which a warning is generated, the portable external storage device transmits battery warning information to the host device ( 402 ). The host device generates a warning on the basis of the battery warning information from the portable external storage device ( 403 ), and transmits an end command to the portable external storage device ( 404 ).  
         [0117]    If the remaining amount of battery is larger than the remaining amount of battery at which a warning is generated, the portable external storage device does not transmit any information to the host device, and continuously checks the remaining amount of battery.  
         [0118]    Note that the portable external storage device and the information processing apparatus serving as a host device wirelessly communicate with each other in the above-described embodiment, but may communicate by wire.  
         [0119]    The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in practical use.  
         [0120]    The portable external storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention can notify the user of information about the battery via the host device. The user can quickly know information about the battery regardless of the storage location of the portable external storage device.  
         [0121]    Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.