Patent ID: 7683932

Claim:
A storage apparatus comprising: a first interface unit for connection to a first external apparatus, said first interface unit having a first port to which the first external apparatus is connectable and disconnectable and through which said first interface unit connects to the first external apparatus; a second interface unit for connection to a second external apparatus, said second interface unit having a second port to which the second external apparatus is connectable and disconnectable and through which said second interface unit connects to the second external apparatus; a third interface unit for connection to a removable storage medium; and a control unit that sets the first port in an enabled state or a disabled state, and sets the second port in the enabled state or the disabled state, wherein if said first interface unit detects that the first external apparatus is connected to the first port, said control unit determines whether the first external apparatus is capable of accessing the removable storage medium connected to said third interface unit, wherein if said second interface unit detects that the second external apparatus is connected to the second port, said control unit determines whether the second external apparatus is capable of accessing the removable storage medium connected to said third interface unit, wherein said control unit does not set the second port in the disabled state until said control unit determines that the first external apparatus connected to the first port is capable of accessing the removable storage medium connected to said third interface unit, wherein said control unit does not set the first port in the disabled state until said control unit determines that the second external apparatus connected to the second port is capable of accessing the removable storage medium connected to said third interface unit, wherein if said control unit determines that the second external apparatus is disconnected from the second port when the first port is in the disabled state, said control unit returns the first port from the disabled state to the enabled state, wherein if said control unit determines that the first external apparatus is disconnected from the first port when the second port is in the disabled state, said control unit returns the second port from the disabled state to the enabled state, and wherein the storage apparatus is a digital video camera.