Abstract:
A data display method for digital storage devices implemented on a computer executable platform. The invention reads data through a dynamic setting of a Basic Input/Output System and a card read controller, and selectively displays the data on a display device without entering the operating system. This greatly improves the convenience of using digital storage devices.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/926,248, filed on Aug. 25, 2004, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a data display method for digital storage devices, and particularly to a method that displays stored data without entering the operating system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The rapid advance of technology has spawned many hi-tech products that have enriched people&#39;s lives. Traditional products that face such an influence can quickly become obsolete. Hi-tech products are no longer luxury goods affordable only for a privileged few. Their powerful functions, portable convenience and low prices have gradually been accepted by many users, and have benefited their lives. 
         [0004]    For instance, the conventional camera or V8 video camera mainly aims to take picture records of family life in the house or during outdoor activities. These days, with the progress of technology and wide use of computers, picture records have been gradually taken over by digital camera (DC) and digital video camera (DC Cam) technology, and have been transferred to the computer platform for storing and processing. In order to achieve even higher picture quality and greater capacity, DVD Cam that uses DVD RAM (Digital Versatile Disc Random Access Memory) as the storage medium also has been developed and is now available on the market. 
         [0005]    Those digital storage devices must be portable and easy to carry, hence generally cannot be continuously used for a prolonged period of time. Some of the pictures also have to be patched and edited on the computer. This process generally involves: 1. Developing photos; 2. entering the computer for viewing; 3. recording the data on optical discs, and; 4. displaying the data with a common VCD (Video Compact Disc) or DVD (Digital Video Disc) player. 
         [0006]    Because not every piece of data is necessarily desired, developing all of them and sifting them through individually is costly. Moreover, seeing the data on the computer requires a number of lengthy machine start procedures. The ability to record data on optical discs and see the data with the player is restricted by the playing environment, and the procedures are tedious. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In view of the aforesaid disadvantages, the primary object of the invention is to provide a data display method for digital storage devices that can selectively enter a data display mode during the computer Power On Self Test (POST) process to display data stored in the digital storage devices on a display device, and can be dynamically controlled with an input device such as a remote control device, keyboard or mouse. 
         [0008]    The data display method for digital storage devices according to the invention mainly includes the following procedures: start a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS); initialize the system; proceed display mode initialization; establish data access mode of a digital storage device; finally, read and display data. 
         [0009]    According the method of the invention, users do not have to go through the procedures of developing photos, recording on the optical disc or entering the computer to see the data. Instead, users can start the computer and enter the data display mode, and the content of the data in the storage device may be displayed dynamically without running an operating system. Not only is the cost reduced, but data may also be seen through a simple operation procedure. A product implementing the invention is therefore more convenient to use and can better meet users&#39; requirements. 
         [0010]    The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is the system architecture of the data display method for digital storage devices of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show the process flow chart of a preferred embodiment of the data display method for digital storage devices of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]    Refer to  FIG. 1  for the system architecture of the method of the invention. First, connect a digital storage device to a computer host for processing. In a preferred embodiment, the system mainly includes the following elements: 
         [0014]    1. A Basic Input/Output System  100  to store and provide required machine start information. 
         [0015]    2. A South Bridge chipset  320  to control and coordinate the removable digital storage device  200  and an input device  210  (such as the basic external input device—keyboard, mouse, etc.). 
         [0016]    3. A North Bridge chipset  310  for setting and linking a display module  220  and controlling a memory  230 . 
         [0017]    4. A central processing unit (CPU)  300  to execute processing and data handling operations after having received information from other elements. 
         [0018]    5. A card reader controller  400  linking to the removable digital storage device  200  to access data stored therein. 
         [0019]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, removable digital storage device  200  is a removable solid-state memory stick or card of a digital camera or camcorder for storing images, video, or other data. In other embodiments, removable digital storage device  200  may be the camera or camcorder comprising a memory for storing images, video, or other data, wherein the camera or camcorder itself may be connected or disconnected from the computer host by, for example, a cable. In still other embodiments, removable digital storage device  200  may be an external hard drive. 
         [0020]    Refer to  FIGS. 2A and 2B  for the process flow of the invention. It includes the following procedures. First, start the Basic Input/Output System of the computer host (step  101 ). Next, wait for a preset period of time to receive a data display mode activation signal from the input device (step  102 ). In a preferred embodiment, the data display mode activation signal is generated by depressing one or more keys of the input device to signal either initialization of the data display mode or initialization of the operating system. If the data display mode activation signal is not received in the preset period of time, execute the initialization process of the operating system of the computer host (step S). If the data display mode activation signal is received in the preset period of time, detect whether removable digital storage device  200  is connected to the computer host (step  1021 ). If it is detected that removable digital storage device  200  is not connected to the computer host, execute the initialization operation of the operating system (step S). If removable digital storage device  200  is connected to the computer host, proceed with chipset initialization operation according to the setting of the Basic Input/Output System of the computer host (step  103 ); process setting of the memory (step  104 ); execute display mode initialization operation for the display interface module  200  (step  105 ); establish data access mode (step  106 ); read the data in the removable digital storage device  200  through the card reader controller  400  (step  107 ); execute data decoding and processing through the central processing unit  300  and the memory  320  (step  108 ); and display data through the display interface module  220  (step  109 ). Finally, detect for input device signals for dynamically controlling the displayed data by, for example, displaying additional or alternate data or setting data viewing conditions (step  110 ). If detected, return to step  107  to display other data. If not detected, end the process. 
         [0021]    Through the method of the invention set forth above, users can view data stored on a digital storage device without booting the operating system, opening an application, and uploading images from the digital storage device. Instead, by the method of the present invention, users only have to start the computer with the digital storage device connected thereto, and, by entering the data display mode, can selectively retrieve and display the data stored in the digital storage device through the Basic Input/Output System. Hence users can directly view the stored data without going through the operating system. The invention is more convenient in use. 
         [0022]    While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.