NETWORK DATA STORAGE SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF

A network data storage system is provided. The system includes a data transmitting end, a network data storage apparatus and a notifier. The data transmitting end transmits an external data. The network data storage apparatus is connected to the data transmitting end through an Internet. The notifier is connected to the network data storage apparatus. When the external data is received by the network data storage apparatus, the network data storage apparatus transmits a notification signal to the notifier, and the notifier generates a notification when receiving the notification signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a system block diagram of a network data storage system according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 1, a network data storage system10includes a data transmitting end110, a network data storage apparatus130and a notifier140. The data transmitting end110transmits an external data ED. The network data storage apparatus130is connected to the data transmitting end110through an Internet120. The notifier140is connected to the network data storage apparatus130. When the external data ED is received by the network data storage apparatus130, the network data storage apparatus130transmits a notification signal NS to the notifier140, and the notifier140generates a notification when receiving the notification signal NS.

In the present embodiment, the data transmitting end110is any electronic apparatus connected with the network data storage apparatus130through the Internet120, such as a smart phone and a tablet PC. The network data storage apparatus130is a network data storage apparatus capable of receiving data through the Internet120and of storing the data. The notifier140is configured to generate a notification to notify a user that a new arriving external data has been received. For example, the notifier140includes elements capable of notifying the user of change of a system status such as a buzzer, a speaker, a vibrator, and a light emitting diode (LED). The notification generated by the notifier140may include a generated sound, a generated vibration or a varied light, by which the user is notified. However, the methods of notifying the user are not limited to the above.

FIG. 2is an apparatus block diagram of a network data storage apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 2, the network data storage apparatus130includes a network unit131, a data storage unit132, a system management unit133, a setup information unit134and a data transmitting interface135. The network unit131is connected to the Internet120so as to be connected to other apparatuses such as the data transmitting end110to receive the external data ED.

The data storage unit132is connected to the network unit131and stores a plurality of data, wherein the data types include textual document or multimedia such as photo and video, or even a backup file of a storage apparatus, and the invention is not limited thereto. The data storage unit132includes physical memory, and is a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state disk (SSD), a mixed HDD and SSD hard drive, or a redundancy arrays of independent disks (RAID) structure. The invention is not limited to the above.

When storing the aforementioned data, the data storage unit132stores not only the data content, but also a plurality of corresponding key values according to the data content of each of the data and states in which the data is transmitted. The key values include file type (textual document, multimedia file, etc.), file creation date (or shooting date of a photo or video, for example), person who uploads the file, position information from the Global Positioning System (GPS), and so on, but are not limited to the above.

The system management unit133is coupled to the data storage unit132and the network unit131, and manages and categorizes the data according to the key values of each of the data.

When an external data (e.g. the external data ED transmitted from the data transmitting end110inFIG. 1) is received by the network unit131through the Internet120, the system management unit133stores the external data into the data storage unit132as one of the aforementioned data, and at the same time, stores the key value corresponding to the data.

The setup information unit134is coupled to the system management unit133, wherein the system management unit133is also configured to operate an embedded operating system of the network data storage apparatus130. Meanwhile, the system management unit133also manages an administrator account and a plurality of user accounts of the embedded operating system, and stores a plurality of account information corresponding to the administrator account and the user accounts into the setup information unit134. The account information includes user account, password, and recovered password, but is not limited thereto. The account information may also include information for assisting in system management, such as number of times of log-in of an account, log-in time and files accessed.

The system management unit133is achieved by a processor for general purposes or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) in combination with a memory with an appropriate size and access speed, or by using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The invention is not limited to the above.

The data transmitting interface135is coupled to the data storage unit132and the system management unit133. When the data transmitting interface135is connected to an external storage apparatus, an external data is received by the system management unit133from the external storage apparatus through the data transmitting interface135. The external data is viewed by the system management unit133as one of the data, and is stored into the data storage unit132.

In the present embodiment, the external storage apparatus is a mobile storage apparatus connected via a universal serial bus (USB), such as a USB flash drive and an external hard drive, or a memory card such as a secure digital (SD) card, a micro SD card, a multi media card (MMC), a compact flash (CF) card, and a memory stick. The data transmitting interface135includes a connecting interface corresponding to the aforementioned mobile storage apparatuses and memory cards, such as a USB port and a slot corresponding to the aforementioned memory cards of various formats, and is installed depending on actual needs.

It is noticed that the data transmitted through the data transmitting interface135and stored into the data storage unit132includes the key values transmitted correspondingly to the data transmitting interface135or the key values corresponding to the user currently logging in the embedded operating system when transmitted through the data transmitting interface135. The above is adjusted depending on conditions of actual practice.

In the present embodiment, the network data storage apparatus130operates, one of the created user accounts is required for an external electronic apparatus, such as the data transmitting end110shown inFIG. 1, to log in the embedded operating system of the network data storage apparatus130before transmitting the external data to the network data storage apparatus130. Regarding operating manners associated with the administrator account and the user accounts, an explanation will be given below by referring to additional embodiments and drawings.

FIG. 3is a method flow diagram of setting up a network data storage apparatus in a network data storage system according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, when the network data storage apparatus130is powered on (i.e. the power is turned on), the system management unit133first determines if this power-on is a first-time power-on (step S301). If the network data storage apparatus130is not powered on for the first time, the following setup process will be unnecessary, and the procedure will be ended and the network data storage apparatus130is ready for use.

When the network data storage apparatus130is powered on for the first time, the system management unit133reads a basic setup information from the setup information unit134(step S302). The basic setup information includes general network setup information or default file formats of the data storage unit132and so on, but is not limited thereto. Next, the network data storage apparatus130sets up the network data storage apparatus130according to the basic setup information (step S303). The setup content is, for example, setup of network environment of the network unit131, formatting of the data storage unit132, setup of file format, setup of space partition, and so on. The setup is performed by use of the basic setup information stored in the setup information unit134, and there is no need for the user to set up each parameter one by one manually.

Next, after completing the setup of the network data storage apparatus130, the system management unit133creates and activates the administrator account (step S304). The administrator account is has the top-level permission for the embedded operating system for advanced management of the network data storage apparatus130, such as account management, data movement, data deletion or other system management functions.

User accounts other than the administrator account, after being created, are ready for use only after an account authentication procedure.FIG. 4is a timing flow diagram of an account authentication procedure of a network data storage system according to an embodiment of the invention. In the present embodiment, the user of the data transmitting end110intends to apply for an account of the embedded operating system of the network data storage apparatus130by using the data transmitting end110.

Referring toFIG. 4, first, the data transmitting end110transmits an account creation message to the network data storage apparatus130(step S401). When the account creation message is received by the network data storage apparatus130, the network data storage apparatus130returns an authentication message to the data transmitting end110. Next, the data transmitting end110performs an authentication according to the authentication message, and transmits the account information to the network data storage apparatus130(step S403). After receiving the account information, the network data storage apparatus130stores the account information into the setup information unit134. The user account includes information such as user name and log-in password.

There are different practices in the step of authentication according to actual circumstances. For example, the data transmitting end110may return an authentication code at the same time of returning the account information according to the content of the authentication message. Or, the network data storage apparatus130may attach to the authentication message a one-time authentication web address to the network data storage apparatus130. When the user of the data transmitting end110clicks the aforementioned authentication web address and is directed back to the network data storage apparatus130, the authentication procedure is completed, and the one-time authentication web address expires after completion of the procedure. The authentication method is merely one embodiment for explaining the way of authentication, and the invention is not limited to the aforementioned authentication method.

In addition, the embodiment shown inFIG. 4is also merely an example of the account authentication procedure. Furthermore, there may be other alteration in the account authentication procedure according to conditions of practice. For example, a two-dimensional bar code such as a QR code is utilized as a replacement for the aforementioned authentication web address transmitted via the authentication message, or the data transmitting end110and the network data storage apparatus130are paired together by near field communication (NFC) to complete the account authentication procedure. The invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments.

FIG. 5is a system block diagram of a network data storage system according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 5, compared to the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, the network data storage system10further includes a multimedia playing apparatus150, a remote control apparatus160and an imaging apparatus170.

The multimedia playing apparatus150is connected to the network data storage apparatus130. When the network data storage apparatus130transmits a data DAT to the multimedia playing apparatus150, the multimedia playing apparatus150is configured to display/play the data DAT. The network data storage apparatus130also controls the multimedia playing apparatus150to display an operating interface OUI of the embedded operating system of the network data storage apparatus130.

The multimedia playing apparatus150is connected to the network data storage apparatus130in a plurality of manners. For example, image-related content in the data is transmitted in wired manners such as through an RGB connector, a component video connector and a D-Sub connector, or image and sound contents are transmitted at the same time through a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) connection. In addition, the multimedia playing apparatus150may be disposed in the network data storage apparatus130, but is not limited thereto. The invention covers all combinations that provide a multimedia playing function.

In addition, the multimedia playing apparatus150and the network data storage apparatus130may also be connected via a cable network (e.g. Ethernet) or a wireless network (e.g. wireless local area network (WLAN) in compliance with the standard of wireless fidelity (WiFi)), and the data DAT is transmitted from the network data storage apparatus130to the multimedia playing apparatus150through a general network packet transmission method, or a digital living network alliance (DLNA) or wireless display (WiDi) transmission method, and the invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments.

The remote control apparatus160is connected to the network data storage apparatus130in a wireless manner, and transmits a control command OC to the network data storage apparatus130through the user's operation. When the control command OC is received by the network data storage apparatus130, the network data storage apparatus130displays a data list on the operating interface OUI according to the control command OC, or transmits one of the data DAT to the multimedia playing apparatus150to play the data DAT. The aforementioned wireless manner is a conventional infrared transmission technique, or a short-distance wireless transmission method in compliance with the Bluetooth or Zigbee standard, etc. The invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments.

It is noticed that the notifier140may be disposed independently, or may be disposed in the network data storage apparatus130and/or the remote control apparatus160so as to enable the user to detect the generation of the notification more easily. On the other hand, in an embodiment of the invention, when the network data storage apparatus130generates the notification signal NS and transmits the same to the notifier140, the network data storage apparatus130also generates a notification icon and transmits the same to the multimedia playing apparatus150so as to display the notification icon on the operating interface OUI. However, the invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments and installation, and is adjusted depending on conditions of actual practice.

FIG. 6is a timing flow diagram of a network data storage system according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 6, before the data transmitting end110transmits a data to the network data storage apparatus130, the data transmitting end110first has to log in the embedded operating system of the network data storage apparatus130by using an authenticated user account (step S601). When the log-in of the data transmitting end110is received by the network data storage apparatus130, the network data storage apparatus130examines if the user account is a legitimate user, i.e. an authenticated user account (step S602). If the network data storage apparatus130detects that the user account of the data transmitting end110is a legitimate user, the network data storage apparatus130returns a log-in successful message to the data transmitting end110(step S603).

Still referring toFIG. 6, after the data transmitting end110successfully logs in the embedded operating system of the network data storage apparatus130, the data transmitting end110transmits an external data to the network data storage apparatus130(step S604). When the external data is received by the network data storage apparatus130, the network data storage apparatus130stores the external data as one of the data. The network data storage apparatus130also stores corresponding key values according to the file type and creation date/shooting date of the external data as well as the user account of the data transmitting end110(step S605).

Meanwhile, the network data storage apparatus130further transmits a notification signal to the notifier140(step S606) to cause the notifier140to generate a notification (step S607). Accordingly, the user is informed by the notification from the notifier140that a data has newly arrived at the network data storage apparatus130. To read/view the new arriving data, the user may transmit a control command to the network data storage apparatus130by using the remote control apparatus160(e.g. by pressing a press key on the remote control apparatus130(step S608).

When the control command is received by the network data storage apparatus130, the network data storage apparatus130transmits the new arriving data to the multimedia playing apparatus150to display/play the data. When the number of the external data transmitted from the data transmitting end110is more than one, or when a plurality of the external data are transmitted to the network data storage apparatus130at the same time from a plurality of electronic apparatuses as the data transmitting end110by using different user accounts, the network data storage apparatus130transmits a data list of the plurality of data to the multimedia playing apparatus150so as to display the data list of the plurality of data on the operating interface (step S509).

On the other hand, the user also selects the data content to display/play or the data list to view by transmitting the control command. For example, the user controls the remote control apparatus160to transmit the control command including one of the key values. When the control command is received by the network data storage apparatus130, the network data storage apparatus130performs a management to obtain a data list according to the key value of the control command, wherein the data in the data list all includes the key value. Next, the network data storage apparatus130transmits the data list to the multimedia playing apparatus150so as to display the data list on the operating interface.

How the user controls the remote control apparatus160to transmit the control command including the key value is described hereinafter by referring to an embodiment of the remote control apparatus160.FIG. 7is a schematic diagram of an appearance of a remote control apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 7, there is a plurality of physical press keys on the remote control apparatus160, such as a power key701, direction keys702-705, a back key706, a confirmation key707and function keys708-715. The power key701is configured to control a power switch of the network data storage apparatus130. The direction keys702-705are configured to operate a cursor on the operating interface. When the cursor moves over the data on the data list which is to be played, the user clicks the confirmation key707to confirm a playing, or clicks the back key706to go back to its parent directory. Since persons of ordinary skill in the art may utilize the prior art to transmit the control command from the remote control apparatus160for controlling the cursor on the operating interface and for performing confirmation/back actions, details thereof are omitted herein.

The function keys708-715correspond respectively to different key values, such as data storage time, file type, data uploaded by a user account1, and data, music, photos, textual documents and videos uploaded by a user account2, and so on. When the user presses one of the function keys708-715(an operating signal corresponding to one of the function keys708-715is received by the remote control apparatus), the remote control apparatus160transmits a control command including the key value corresponding to one of the function keys708-715to the network data storage apparatus130.

By means of the aforementioned setup, the user may view the desired content in a relaxed way simply by pressing one of the function keys. For example, the user account1and the user account2correspond respectively to accounts of the user's son and the user's daughter. By pressing the function key710, the user controls the multimedia playing apparatus150to display a photo or a video uploaded by the user's son.

The network data storage apparatus130transmits the data list of the data corresponding to the key value to the multimedia playing apparatus150to display the data list. It is possible that the data list is rearranged by using other key values so that a fixed amount of the data is displayed. For example, when the user clicks the function key710to cause the operating interface to display the data list uploaded by the user account1, the network data storage apparatus130only transmits a data list of twenty pieces of data recently transmitted by the user account1to the multimedia playing apparatus150. However, the invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments.

It is noticed that the function keys708-715in the present embodiment and their corresponding key values are only for exemplary purposes, and the invention does not limit the number of the function keys or the key values corresponding to the function keys (e.g. the function keys708-715). For example, in an embodiment of the invention, the key values corresponding to each of the function keys are set up through the administrator account. In addition, a plurality of the key values is organized as a key value list to be displayed on the operating interface of the network data storage apparatus130for the user to utilize the direction keys702-705in combination with the confirmation key707. On the other hand, the remote control apparatus160is not limited to the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, and may be achieved by a touch screen in combination with a user interface, or may be integrated with other electronic apparatus in the prior art, such as with a smart phone or a tablet PC.

Though the main function of the network data storage apparatus130lies in file storage and management, as the embedded operating system thereof is capable of processing other applications, in the embodiments of the invention, it may achieve diverse applications by being connected to other external apparatuses. Referring toFIG. 5, the imaging apparatus170is connected to the network data storage apparatus130, and the network data storage apparatus130creates a connection for performing a video communication with a remote electronic apparatus (e.g. the data transmitting end110) through the Internet120by using the imaging apparatus170and the multimedia playing apparatus150.

FIG. 8is a timing flow diagram of a network data storage system setting up a video communication according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 8, after successfully logging in the embedded operating system of the network data storage apparatus130by utilizing a user account, the data transmitting end110transmits a video communication request to the network data storage apparatus130(step S801). After receiving the video communication request, the network data storage apparatus130transmits a notification signal to the notifier140(step S802) to cause the notifier140to generate a notification (step S803). In another embodiment of the invention, the network data storage apparatus130also transmits a video communication icon to the multimedia playing apparatus150to display the video communication icon on the operating interface.

When the user perceives the notification (or sees the video communication icon on the operating interface) and intends to have a video communication with the user of the data transmitting end110, the user operates the remote control apparatus160to transmit a control command including an approval message to the network data storage apparatus130(step S804). When the control command including the approval message is received by the network data storage apparatus130, the network data storage apparatus130creates a connection with the data transmitting end110(step S805), and after creating the connection, performs a video communication with the data transmitting end110by using the imaging apparatus170(for capturing the user's image and voice to be transmitted to the network data storage apparatus130) and the multimedia playing apparatus150(for playing the video content transmitted by the data transmitting end110).

The invention also provides a network data storage method suitable for a network data storage apparatus.FIG. 9is a flow diagram of a network data storage method according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 9, first, in step S901, a plurality of data is stored, and is managed and categorized according to a plurality of key values of each of the data. Then, in step S902, an external data is received through an Internet. Next, in step S903, i.e. when the external data is received, a notification signal is transmitted to a notifier to generate a notification. Practice details of the method are provided with reference to the embodiments shown in the aboveFIG. 1toFIG. 8, and are not repeated herein.

In summary, the invention provides a network data storage system, apparatus and method thereof, enabling a user without any network-related knowledge to use the network data storage apparatus easily. In the network data storage system provided by the invention, the network data storage apparatus sets up itself in a state ready for use, and notifies the user when receiving a new data so that the user is able to view the newest photo, video and other data in real time.

For example, an elderly person is using the network data storage apparatus provided by the invention at home, and his or her child may transmit multimedia data, such as a photo or a video shot at a remote place, to the network data storage apparatus by using a pre-authenticated user account. After receiving such new arriving data, the network data storage apparatus generates a light or sound to notify the elderly person. When the elderly person detecting the change of the notifier, he or she may operate the remote control apparatus to remotely control the network data storage apparatus to view the photo or video transmitted from the child. In addition, the elderly person is also able to view each of the data in the network data storage apparatus by using the remote control apparatus in combination with the operating interface of the network data storage apparatus.

Though the invention has been disclosed above by the embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. It will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art that modifications and variations to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protecting range of the invention falls in the appended claims.