Abstract:
In a method for copying data from an external storage device to a computer, the computer is provided with a basic input/output system (BIOS) program used for performing the method. The method includes the steps of: (a) after the computer is powered on, initializing the external storage device in response to a hot key trigger; and (b) storing the data from the external storage device to the computer. Since data is copied from the external storage device to the computer immediately after powering on the computer, efficiency is enhanced.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of Taiwanese application no. 097111855, filed on Apr. 1, 2008. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to a method for copying data and a computer performing the method, more particularly to a method for copying data from an external storage device to a computer, and a computer performing the method. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    After a power switch button of a computer is pressed, the computer performs a standard booting procedure known as Power on Self-Test (POST) in accordance with a basic input/output system (BIOS) program residing in a read-only memory (ROM). The primary purpose of the standard booting procedure is to perform a check of components inside the computer in order to determine whether the components are functioning normally. The components are checked in the following order: CPU-ROM-BIOS-System Clock-DMA-64 KB RAM-IRQ-Display Adaptor Card, etc. Under normal conditions, the standard booting procedure proceeds rapidly. After completion of the standard booting procedure, the computer automatically displays an operating system splash screen. 
         [0006]    When a user needs to copy data from an external storage device, such as a memory card, to a built-in storage device in the computer, a lengthy series or operations must precede execution of the copy operation, including the aforementioned standard booting procedure, as well as loading of the operating system, opening of a file manager, and selection of files to be copied. Among the aforesaid operations, the loading of the operating system is particularly time consuming. Storage of data from the external storage device to the computer is therefore inconvenient. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Since at present, copying data from an external storage device to a built-in storage device in a computer is time consuming and therefore inconvenient, an improvement is desired. If data can be copied from the external storage device to the built-in storage device inside the computer immediately after powering on the computer, the current waiting period prior to execution of the copy operation could be eliminated. 
         [0008]    Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for copying data from an external storage device to a computer, and a computer capable of performing the method. 
         [0009]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for copying data from an external storage device to a computer. The computer is provided with a basic input/output system (BIOS) program used for performing the method. The method comprises the steps of: 
         [0010]    (a) after the computer is powered on, initializing the external storage device in response to a hot key trigger; and 
         [0011]    (b) storing the data from the external storage device to the computer. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable data storage medium. The computer-readable data storage medium comprises a basic input/output system (BIOS) program for causing a computer connected to an external storage device to perform the following steps: 
         [0013]    (a) initializing the external storage device in response to a hot key trigger; 
         [0014]    (b) generating a set-up interface for receiving an external command used to determine whether to store data from the external storage device to the computer; 
         [0015]    (c) determining whether to store the data in accordance with the external command thus received; and 
         [0016]    (d) when it is determined to store the data, storing the data from the external storage device to the computer. 
         [0017]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer adapted for copying data from an external storage device. The computer comprises a processor and a computer-readable data storage medium. The computer-readable data storage medium is coupled electrically to the processor and includes a basic input/output system (BIOS) program. 
         [0018]    After the computer is powered on, the processor executes the BIOS program for initializing the external storage device in response to a hot key trigger. The processor then determines whether to store the data from the external storage device to the computer, and stores the data from the external storage device to the computer according to a result of determination made thereby. 
         [0019]    Convenient copying of data from an external storage device to a computer, as provided by the method for copying data from an external storage device to a computer, and a computer capable of performing the method according to the present invention, results in a further advantage of supporting cost effective utilization of storage space in the external storage device, which is typically more expensive than the built-in storage device in the computer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic system block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a computer adapted for copying data from an external storage device according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of a preferred embodiment of a method for copying data from an external storage device to a computer according to the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of a computer adapted for copying data from an external storage device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of a computer  1  adapted for copying data from an external storage device  3  according to the present invention. 
         [0025]    The computer  1  comprises a central processing unit or processor  10 , a basic input/output system read-only memory (BIOS ROM)  11 , a reader device  121 , an indicator module  122 , a display device  132 , a built-in storage device  133 , and an input device  14  having a hot key  141 . In this embodiment, the external storage device  3  is a media card, such as a Secure Digital (SD) media card, a Memory Stick (MS) media card, or a Compact Flash (CF) media card, and the reader device  121  of the computer  1  is a memory card reader. 
         [0026]    The BIOS ROM  11  includes a BIOS program  111  for causing the processor  10 , after the computer  1  is powered on, to automatically perform a standard booting procedure, that incorporates steps of the method for copying data from an external storage device to a computer according to the present invention when the external storage device  3  is connected to the computer  1 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a preferred embodiment of the method for copying data from an external storage device to a computer according to the present invention, as performed by the computer  1 , is shown to comprise the steps of: 
         [0028]    In step  201 , the computer  1  is powered on. The flow then proceeds to step  202 . 
         [0029]    In step  202 , the central processing unit  10  determines whether the external storage device  3  is in a connected state (i.e., whether the external storage device  3  is connected to the computer  1 ). If it is determined that the external storage device  3  is in a connected state, the flow proceeds to step  203 . Otherwise, the flow proceeds to step  209 , wherein the central processing unit  10  proceeds with performing the standard booting procedure in accordance with the BIOS program  111 . 
         [0030]    In step  203 , the indicator module  122  of the computer  1  generates an indicator signal  101  (see  FIG. 1 ) indicating the connected state of the external storage device  3 . The flow then proceeds to step  204 . 
         [0031]    In step  204 , the central processing unit  10  determines whether the hot key  141  has been pressed (i.e., whether there is a hot key trigger). If it is determined that the hot key  141  has been pressed, the flow proceeds to step  205 . Otherwise, the flow proceeds to step  209 , wherein the central processing unit  10  proceeds with performing the standard booting procedure in accordance with the BIOS program  111 . 
         [0032]    In step  205 , the central processing unit  10  initializes the external storage device  3  and the built-in storage device  133  in accordance with the BIOS program  111 . An initialization program for the external storage device  3  included in the BIOS program  111  can be written as follows: 
         [0033]    mov eax, (80000000h+(Media-Card PCI Address)+(Resource Registers)) 
         [0034]    mov dx, 0cf8h; 
         [0035]    out dx, eax; 
         [0036]    mov dx, 0cfch; 
         [0037]    ior eax, (Resource Settings); 
         [0038]    out dx, eax; 
         [0000]    An initialization program for the built-in storage device  133  included in the BIOS program  111  can be written as follows: 
         [0039]    mov eax, (80000000h+(NB storageAddress)+(Resource Registers)) 
         [0040]    mov dx, 0cf8h; 
         [0041]    out dx, eax; 
         [0042]    mov dx, 0cfch; 
         [0043]    ior eax, (Resource Settings); 
         [0044]    out dx, eax; 
         [0045]    In step  206 , a set-up interface  130  is generated and displayed by the display device  132  for receiving an external command used to determine whether to store the data from the external storage device  3  to the built-in storage device  133  of the computer  1 . The flow then proceeds to step  207 . 
         [0046]    In step  207 , the central processing unit  10  determines whether to store the data in accordance with the external command thus received. If it is determined to store the data, the flow proceeds to step  208 . Otherwise, the flow proceeds to step  209 , wherein the central processing unit  10  proceeds with performing the standard booting procedure in accordance with the BIOS program  111 . 
         [0047]    In step  208 , the central processing unit  10  stores the data from the external storage device  3  to the built-in storage device  133  in the computer  1 . The flow then proceeds to step  209 , wherein the central processing unit  10  proceeds with performing the standard booting procedure in accordance with the BIOS program  111 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , when it is desired to copy data from the external storage device  3  to the computer  1 , which in this embodiment is a notebook computer, the external storage device  3  is first connected to the computer  1 . Next, the computer  1  is powered on. The indicator module  122  then indicates the connected state of the external storage device  3 , such as generating a light output to indicate successful connection. The hot key  141 , which can be a predetermined function key, a combination of keys, etc., is then pressed in order to trigger the computer  1  to initialize the external storage device  3 . 
         [0049]    The display device  132  then displays the set-up interface  130  for determining whether to store the data from the external storage device  3  to the computer  1 . In this embodiment, the set-up interface  130  displays hardware information  151  and file information  152  of the external storage device  3 , and an option  153  to store the data. As an example, the ‘Y’ key on the input device  14  is then pressed in order to select the ‘yes’ response to the option  153  to store the data. The data from the external storage device  3  is then stored to the built-in storage device  133  of the computer  1 . 
         [0050]    The above-described embodiment provides the set-up interface  130  for user convenience. However, other embodiments can be designed to skip the set-up interface in order to further save time. Copying the data from the external storage device  3  to the built-in storage device  133  in the computer  1  can thus proceed automatically after pressing the hot key  141  for initializing the external storage device  3  and the built-in storage device  133 . 
         [0051]    In sum, the present invention provides a method for copying data from an external storage device  3  to a computer  1 , and a computer  1  capable of performing the method, which, aside from increasing convenience of storing the data from the external storage device  3  to the computer  1 , supports cost effective utilization of storage space in the external storage device  3 , which is typically more expensive than the built-in storage device  133  inside the computer  1 . 
         [0052]    While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.