PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7698472-B2
Application Number: US-53556909-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Hot unpluggable media storage device

Abstract:
Improved techniques for rendering a peripheral device removable (e.g., unpluggable) are disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, the peripheral device is rendered removable from a host computer without preparatory user actions. In effect, the peripheral device can be automatically prepared for removal in the event that its user removes (unplugs) it from its host computer. According to another aspect of the invention, the peripheral device includes a data storage device that is mounted to a file system of the other computer when the other computer desires access to the data storage device. Otherwise, the data storage device is normally unmounted so that if the peripheral device were to be removed (e.g., unplugged) no harm or damage to data stored therein would occur. These aspects of the invention can be utilized alone or in combination with one another. The invention is particularly well suited for peripheral devices that are media players which are “hot” unpluggable without detrimental consequences.

Claims:
1. A method for accessing a portable media player by a host computer over a data link, the portable media player having data storage capability for storing at least media data, comprising:
 logically connecting the storage capability of the portable media player to a file system of the host computer immediately after the portable media player has been physically attached to the host computer via the data link without information passing between the portable media player and the host computer, wherein the logical connection between the host computer and the portable media player is maintained until an unmounting request is received such that the data storage capability of the portable media device acts as an extension of the host device file system; 
 accessing the portable media player data storage capability by the host computer file system over the logical connection; and 
 unmounting the storage capability of the portable media player from the host computer without physically detaching the portable media player from the file system of the host computer via the data link only in response to the unmounting request. 
 
   
   
     2. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein forming the logical connection is automatically performed. 
   
   
     3. A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving the unmounting request; and 
 unmounting the data storage capability of the portable media player from the host device file system in response to the unmounting request. 
 
   
   
     4. A method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein following the unmounting of the data storage capability, the portable media player is capable of being detached from the host device via the data link without detrimental consequences to operation or storage of the host computer or the portable media player. 
   
   
     5. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the data link is provided over a cable or a wireless link. 
   
   
     6. A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein when the portable media player is coupled to the host computer via the data link, the data storage capability in the portable media player is an extension of the host device file system. 
   
   
     7. A portable media player, comprising:
 a processor; 
 and 
 a data storage device, wherein the data storage device forms an extension of a host device file system of a host device by the processor forming a logical connection between the data storage device and a file system of the host device immediately after the portable media player has been physically attached to the host device via a data link wherein the logical connection is formed with no information passing between the portable media player and the host device, wherein the logical connection is maintained until an unmounting request is received at either the host device or the portable media player such that the data storage device of the portable media device acts as an extension of the host device file system, the unmounting request causing the storage capability of the portable media player and the host device to logically disconnect from each other without physically detaching the portable media player from the host device. 
 
   
   
     8. The portable media player as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the logical connection is automatically formed. 
   
   
     9. The portable media player as recited in  claim 7 , wherein when the processor receives an unmounting request, the processor unmounts the data storage device from the host device file system. 
   
   
     10. The portable media player as recited in  claim 9 , wherein following the unmounting of the data storage device, the portable media player is capable of being detached from the host device via the data link without detrimental consequences to operation or storage of the host computer or the portable media player. 
   
   
     11. The portable media player as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the data link is provided over a cable or a wireless link. 
   
   
     12. The portable media player as recited in  claim 7 , wherein when the portable media player is coupled to the host computer via the data link, the data storage device in the portable media player is an extension of the host device file system. 
   
   
     13. A computer readable storage medium for storing computer code for using a data storage device in a portable media player as a mass storage device for a host device, comprising:
 computer code for logically connecting the storage capability of the portable media player to a file system of the host device immediately after the portable media player has been physically attached to the host device via a data link, the logical connection being formed without information passing between the portable media player and the host device, wherein the logical connection between the host device and the portable media player is maintained until an unmounting request is received such that the data storage device of the portable media device acts as an extension of the host device file system; 
 computer code for accessing the portable media player by the host device file system over the logical connection; and 
 only in response to the unmounting request, computer code for unmounting the storage capability of the portable media player from the host device file system without physically detaching the portable media player from the host device. 
 
   
   
     14. The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 13 , wherein forming the logical connection is automatically performed. 
   
   
     15. The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 computer code for receiving an unmounting request; and 
 computer code for unmounting the data storage device from the host device file system in response to the unmounting request. 
 
   
   
     16. The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 15 , wherein following the unmounting of the data storage device, the portable media player is capable of being detached from the host device via the data link without detrimental consequences to operation or storage of the host computer or the portable media player. 
   
   
     17. The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the data link is provided over a cable or a wireless link. 
   
   
     18. The computer readable storage medium as recited in  claim 13 , wherein when the portable media player is coupled to the host computer via the data link, the data storage device in the portable media player is an extension of the host device file system.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation application of and claims priority under 35 USC 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/543,681 entitled “HOT UNPLUGGABLE MEDIA STORAGE DEVICE” by Robbin et al., filed Oct. 4, 2006 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/923,549, filed Aug. 20, 2004, entitled “HOT UNPLUGGABLE MEDIA STORAGE DEVICE,” now U.S. Pat. No. 7,146,437, issued Dec. 5, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/277,388, filed Oct. 21, 2002, entitled “HOT UNPLUGGABLE MEDIA STORAGE DEVICE,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,226, issued Sep. 28, 2004, and which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/398,192, filed Jul. 23, 2002, and entitled “HOT UNPLUGGABLE MEDIA STORAGE DEVICE,” each of the above are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
   This application is related to (i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/118,217, filed Apr. 5, 2002, and entitled “MEDIA PLAYER WITH INSTANT PLAY CAPABILITY,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,934,812, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, and (ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/118,069, filed Apr. 5, 2002, and entitled “INTELLIGENT SYNCHRONIZATION OF MEDIA PLAYER WITH HOST COMPUTER,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,121,967 and 6,311,242, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to computer systems and, more particularly, to peripheral devices for computer systems. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Peripheral devices are often used to supplement the resources of computer systems. One type of peripheral device is a removable storage media device (or portable storage media device) that provides data storage for a computer system. More particularly, computer systems often connect to one or more removable storage media drives to provide additional data storage for the computer systems. These storage media drives can, for example, be a floppy drive, a Compact-Disc (CD) drive, a hard drive, a removable card drive or a Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive. Such drives can be inserted into media bays of portable computer systems or can be separately housed peripheral devices. 
   Physically connecting a peripheral device to a computer system requires the electrical connection of the peripheral device to the computer system. The electrical connection is achieved with at least one connector. The connector supplies various signals, including address, data, power, and various other signals, between the peripheral device and the computer system. A first half of the connector resides on a cable of the peripheral device or on a housing of the peripheral device, and a second half of the connector resides on the housing of the computer system or on a cable of the computer system. An insertion action involves the connection of the first half of the connector on the cable or housing of the peripheral device with the second half of the connector on the cable or housing of the computer system. By coupling the two devices using at least one connector, the computer system is able to use the resources of the peripheral device. A removal action involves disconnection of: (i) the first half of the connector from the cable or housing of the peripheral device, (ii) the second half of the connector from the cable or housing of the computer system, or (iii) the first half of the connector from the second half of the connector. 
   Recently, techniques have been developed that allow the insertion and removal of peripheral devices from external slots or connectors of a computer system while the computer system is active. This is generally referred to as “hot plugging” or “hot unplugging.” These techniques prevent electrical damage to the components but are often unable to configure the software structures needed by the operating system in order to utilize the peripheral device. 
   The removal of a peripheral device that provides data storage, namely, a storage media device, is particularly problematic because data can be lost or corrupted. Even if the storage media drive is not being accessed when the storage media drive is removed, the storage media drive is available for use by the computer system. In such cases, data can be lost or damaged by the removal of the storage media drive. 
   Hence, prior to removal of a storage media drive, it has been necessary to first inform the operating system of the computer system to prepare the storage media drive for removal. If, instead, a user were to remove the storage media drive without first getting approval from the operating system, then either data on the storage media drive was possibly lost or corrupted or the user was required to reinsert the storage media drive into the computer system so that the operating system can prepare it for removal. For example, once a storage media drive has been made available to a computer system, the storage media drive can be “locked” to encourage against incorrect removal of the storage media drive. In general, the “lock” operates to halt processing and to inform the user that they have removed a “locked” storage media drive which should be reinserted to prevent possible data loss. Hence, if a “locked” storage media drive were to be removed without first being “unlocked,” the user would be encouraged with a visual warning to re-attach the storage media drive so that its removal can be safely managed. 
   Conventionally, insertion of a connector affiliated with a storage media drive would cause a host computer to mount the storage media drive with respect to the file system of the host computer. However, in order to remove the peripheral storage unit, an icon representing the storage media drive could be selected and dragged using the graphical user interface to a trashcan icon, thereby requesting disconnection. Alternatively, an eject command can request disconnection. In either case, the storage media drive would then be unmounted and disconnected. 
   When a peripheral device is coupled to a host computer and locked thereto, if the device is removed (i.e., disconnected) without requesting disconnection, a warning can be displayed to notify the user of their improper removal of the device and to request its reinsertion. Hence, conventional approaches merely notify the user that the device should not be removed or, if already removed, should be reconnected. Unfortunately, however, users expect devices to be able to be removed at any time they find it to be convenient. Accordingly, the conventional solutions to the removal of such devices are inadequate because they lead to consumer frustration and possibly loss of data. Furthermore, even with the warnings, users may disregard or ignore the warnings or request. Accordingly, there is a need for improved solutions to facilitate removal of peripheral devices (e.g., removable storage media devices) from its host computer system. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Broadly speaking, the invention relates to improved techniques for rendering a peripheral device removable (e.g., unpluggable). According to one aspect of the invention, the peripheral device is rendered removable from a host computer without preparatory user actions. In effect, the peripheral device can be automatically prepared for removal in the event that its user removes (unplugs) it from its host computer. According to another aspect of the invention, the peripheral device includes a data storage device that is mounted to a file system of the host computer when the host computer desires access to the data storage device. Otherwise, the data storage device is normally unmounted so that if the peripheral device were to be removed (e.g., unplugged) no harm or damage to data stored therein would occur. These aspects of the invention can be utilized alone or in combination with one another. The invention is particularly well suited for peripheral devices that are media players which are resulting “hot” unpluggable without detrimental consequences. 
   The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a method, system, device, and computer readable medium. Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below. 
   As a computer readable medium including at least computer program code for accessing a portable electronic device by a host computer over a data link, the portable electronic device having at least storage capability for storing media data, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: computer program code for receiving, at the host computer, an indication that the portable electronic device has been attached to the host computer via the data link; computer program code for logically connecting the portable electronic device to a file system of the host computer once the indication that the portable electronic device has been attached to the host computer has been received; computer program code for performing first processing at the host computer which accesses the portable electronic device provided the portable electronic device is attached to the host computer via the data link; and computer program code for logically disconnecting the portable electronic device from the file system without detaching the portable electronic device from the host computer via the data link, the logically disconnection being performed automatically after completing performance of the first processing which accesses the portable electronic device. 
   As a computer capable of accessing a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device having at least a bus for data transfer and a storage device for storing media content, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: means for detecting presence of the portable electronic device on the bus associated with the computer; means for mounting the storage device of the portable electronic device with a system of the computer; means for accessing the storage device over the bus to perform initial processing; and means for unmounting the storage device of the portable electronic device from the system of the computer once the initial processing is completed. 
   As a computer capable of accessing a handheld electronic device, the handheld electronic device having at least a bus for data transfer and a data storage device for storing data, one embodiment of the invention includes at least a file system for storage of data, and a processor. The processor is configured to (i) detect presence of the handheld electronic device on the bus associated with the computer, (ii) mount the data storage device of the handheld electronic device with the file system of the computer, (iv) access the data storage device over the bus to perform initial processing; and (v) unmount the data storage device of the handheld electronic device from the file system of the computer once the initial processing is completed. 
   Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a remote media access system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a remote media access system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a media player according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of media access processing according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are flow diagrams of media access processing according to another embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention pertains to improved techniques for rendering a peripheral device removable (e.g., unpluggable). According to one aspect of the invention, the peripheral device is rendered removable from a host computer without preparatory user actions. In effect, the peripheral device can be automatically prepared for removal in the event that its user removes (unplugs) it from its host computer. According to another aspect of the invention, the peripheral device includes a data storage device that is mounted to a file system of the host computer when the host computer desires access to the data storage device. Otherwise, the data storage device is normally unmounted so that if the peripheral device were to be removed (e.g., unplugged) no harm or damage to data stored therein would occur. These aspects of the invention can be utilized alone or in combination with one another. The invention is particularly well suited for peripheral devices that are media players which are “hot” unpluggable without detrimental consequences. 
   Embodiments of this aspect of the invention are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-5B . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. 
     FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a remote media access system  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The remote media access system  100  includes a media player  102  and a personal computer (host computer)  104 . The media player  102  is, for example, a portable, battery-operated device. In one embodiment, the media player  102  is a handheld media player  102  such as a MP3 player. The media player  102  is capable of being connected or attached to the host computer  104  through a data link  106 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the data link is represented by a cable. The host computer  104  includes a bus interface  108 , an operating system  110  and an application  112 . The application  112  typically performs processing on the host computer  104  that requires data to be read from or stored to the media player  102 . The operating system  110  serves to provide a software layer between the application  112  and hardware interface components of the host computer  104 . The operating system  110  can utilize the bus interface  108  that couples to the bus link  106  and therefore to the media player  102 . When the bus link  106  is a cable, each end of the cable can have a connector that couples to a port or connector, such as a port or connector  114  of the host computer  104  and a port or connector  116  of the media player  102 . In one example, the ports/connectors can be IEEE 1394 (FireWire®) ports/connectors and the peripheral cable  106  can be a FireWire® cable. 
   In one embodiment, the media player is a portable computing device dedicated to processing media such as audio, video or images. For example, the media player  102  can be a music player (e.g., MP3 player), a game player, a video player, a video recorder, a camera, an image viewer and the like. These devices are generally battery operated and highly portable so as to allow a user to listen to music, play games or video, record video or take pictures wherever the user travels. In one implementation, the media player is a handheld device that is sized for placement into a pocket or hand of the user. By being handheld, the media player is relatively small and easily handled and utilized by its user. By being pocket sized, the user does not have to directly carry the device and therefore the device can be taken almost anywhere the user travels (e.g., the user is not limited by carrying a large, bulky and often heavy device, as in a portable computer). Furthermore, the device may be operated by the users hands, no reference surface such as a desktop is needed. 
     FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a remote media access system  200  according to one embodiment of the invention. The media synchronization system  200  includes a media player  202  and a personal computer (host computer)  204 . The personal computer  204  includes a media device manager  206 . The personal computer  204  further includes a media database  208 . The media player  202  includes a media database  210 . Typically, according to one embodiment, the media player  202  will also include a data storage device (e.g., disk drive) for storing media content, a cache memory for storing media content in-use, a screen display for displaying information to a user, and a processor (e.g., microprocessor) for controlling operation of the media player  202 . The screen display is often small. In other embodiments, the media player does not include a screen display. 
   A peripheral cable  212  provides a data path (or data link) between the media player  202  and the personal computer  204 . The peripheral cable  212  provides a peripheral bus that couples the media player  202  to the personal computer  204 . The peripheral bus, for example, could be a IEEE 1394 bus (i.e., FireWire® bus) or a Universal Serial Bus (USB). Alternatively, the peripheral cable  212  can be replaced by a wireless link. 
   The media device manager  206  can manage access to the media player  202  by the personal computer  204  over the peripheral cable  212 . When the media device manager  206  detects that the media player  202  is physically coupled to the personal computer  204  via the peripheral cable  212 , then the media device manager  206  can mount the data storage device as needed, but otherwise retain the data storage device unmounted. When mounted, the personal computer  204  can access the data storage device within the media player  202 . 
   Although the need for access to the data storage device of the media player  202  can vary widely depending on application, one such application is a synchronization operation between the media content stored on the personal computer  204  and the media content stored on the media player  202 . With such an application, the data storage device would be mounted and thus accessible during synchronization but then unmounted once synchronization has completed. Such synchronization can be achieved in a sophisticated manner through comparison of media information stored in the respective media databases  208  and  210 . When comparison of the media information from the respective databases  208  and  210  indicates that there is a particular media item resident on the personal computer  204  but not on the media player  202 , then the particular media item can be transmitted (downloaded) to the media player over the peripheral cable  212 . On the other hand, when the comparison of the media information from the respective databases  208  and  210  indicates that a particular media item is resident on the media player  202  but not on the personal computer  204 , then the particular media item can be either removed (deleted) from the media player  202  or transmitted (e.g., uploaded) over the peripheral cable  212  to the personal computer  204 . Hence, by providing the media player  202  with the media database  210 , more sophisticated synchronization and management of media content is enabled. The media database  210  also allows the media player  202  to present a user interface to the user that is more sophisticated than conventional approaches. Such a user interface can be presented on the screen display of the media player  202 . The user interface can, for example, allow the user of the media player  202  to browse, sort, search, play, etc. the media content resident on the media player  202 . The user interface can also allow the user of the media player  202  to download (add) or delete (remove) media items from the media player  202 . The media manager  206  also has a user interface that allows a user to browse, sort, search, play, make playlists, burn Compact Discs (CDs), etc. the media content resident on the personal computer  204 . The user interface can also allow the user of the personal computer  204  to download (add) or delete (remove) media items from the personal computer  204 . In one embodiment, the media manager  206  and its associated user interface are provided by iTunes, version 2.0, from Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. 
     FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a media player  300  according to one embodiment of the invention. The media player  300  includes a processor  302  that pertains to a microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of the media player  300 . The media player  300  stores media data pertaining to media items in a file system  304  and a cache  306 . The file system  304  is, typically, a storage disk or a plurality of disks. Alternatively, the file system  304  can be implemented by other types of non-volatile memory (e.g., FLASH memory). The file system  304  typically provides high capacity storage capability for the media player  300 . However, since the access time to the file system  304  is relatively slow, the media player  300  can also include a cache  306 . The cache  306  is, for example, Random-Access Memory (RAM) provided by semiconductor memory. The relative access time to the cache  306  is substantially shorter than for the file system  304 . However, the cache  306  does not have the large storage capacity of the file system  304 . Further, the file system  304 , when active, consumes more power than does the cache  306 . The power consumption is particularly important when the media player  300  is a portable media player that is powered by a battery (not shown). The media player  300  also includes a RAM  320  and a Read-Only Memory (ROM)  322 . The ROM  322  can store programs, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM  320  provides volatile data storage, such as for the cache  306 . 
   The media player  300  also includes a user input device  308  that allows a user of the media player  300  to interact with the media player  300 . For example, the user input device  308  can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, dial, etc. Still further, the media player  300  includes a display  310  (screen display) that can be controlled by the processor  302  to display information to the user. A data bus  311  can facilitate data transfer between at least the file system  304 , the cache  306 , the processor  302 , and the CODEC  312 . 
   In one embodiment, the media player  300  serves to store a plurality of media items (e.g., songs) in the file system  304 . When a user desires to have the media player play a particular media item, a list of available media items is displayed on the display  310 . Then, using the user input device  308 , a user can select one of the available media items. The processor  302 , upon receiving a selection of a particular media item, supplies the media data (e.g., audio file) for the particular media item to a coder/decoder (CODEC)  312 . The CODEC  312  then produces analog output signals for a speaker  314 . The speaker  314  can be a speaker internal to the media player  300  or external to the media player  300 . For example, headphones or earphones that connect to the media player  300  would be considered an external speaker. 
   The media player  300  also includes a bus interface  316  that couples to a data link  318 . The data link  318  allows the media player  300  to couple to a host computer. 
     FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of media access processing  400  according to one embodiment of the invention. The media access processing  400  is, for example, performed by the media device manager  206  of the personal computer (host computer)  204  illustrated in  FIG. 2  or the bus interfaces  108  of the host computer  104  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
   The media access processing  400  can be invoked when it is discovered that a media device has recently been attached to the host computer. Once invoked, the media access processing  400  identifies  402  the media device recently attached to the host computer. 
   The media device is then logically connected  404  to the file system of the host computer. Hence, the attaching of the media device to the host computer pertains to a physical connection or coupling of the media device to the host computer. Typically, such attachment is made via a data link. The data link is typically a cable having a connector at one or both ends, but can also be a wireless data link. The logical connection of the media device to the file system operates to configure the host computer to be able to access the media device. In particular, the media device typically includes a storage device, such as a data storage disk. In one embodiment, the logical connection involves mounting of the storage device of the media device to the file system of the host computer. 
   Media-based processing is then performed  406  to access the media device (i.e., the storage device of the media device). After the media-based processing has been performed  406 , the media device is logically disconnected  408  from the file system of the host computer. In one embodiment, this involves an “unmounting” of the storage device of the media device from the file system of the host computer. At this point, although logically disconnected, the media device remains attached (e.g., physically connected) to the host computer. 
   Next, a decision  410  determines whether the media device has been detached from the host computer. When the decision  410  determines that the media device has been detached, then the media device processing  400  is complete and ends as the media device has been physically detached from the host computer and thus no longer communicates with or is accessible by the host computer. On the other hand, when the decision  410  determines that the media device has not been detached from the host computer, then a decision  412  determines whether access to the media device is needed. As an example, access to the media device would be needed if subsequent processing is about to be invoked (or desirous of being invoked), which would need to access the media device. For example, applications normally receive or obtain instructions pertaining to such subsequent processing. Hence, when the decision  412  determines that access to the media device is not needed, then the media access processing  400  returns to repeat the decision  410  and subsequent operations. In this case, the media device is able to be detached whenever desired. In other words, the media device is “hot” unpluggable at this point. Alternatively, when the decision  412  determines that access to the media device is now (or soon to be) needed, then the media access processing  400  returns to repeat the operation  404  and subsequent operations so that the media device can be again logically connected to the file system to support access thereto by the host computer, and then subsequently, logically disconnecting the media device from the file system. 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B  are flow diagrams of media access processing  500  according to another embodiment of the invention. The media access processing  500  is, for example, performed by the media device manager  206  of the personal computer (host computer  204 ) illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
   The media access processing  500  begins with a decision  502  that determines whether a new storage device is present on a bus. Typically, the bus is a peripheral bus associated with the host computer. When the decision  502  determines that a new storage device is not now present on the bus, then the decision  502  causes the media access processing  500  to wait for the existence of a new storage device on the bus. Once the decision  502  determines that there is a new storage device present on the bus, then the storage device is mounted  504  with the file system of the host computer. 
   Next, a decision  506  determines whether the storage device is a media device. When the decision  506  determines that the storage device is not a media device, then other processing  508  can be performed. Such other processing  508  is unrelated to the access processing for gaining access to media content stored on a media device and thus is not further discussed herein. On the other hand, when the decision  506  determines that the storage device is a media device, then the storage device is accessed  510  to perform initial media-based processing. The initial media-based processing can serve a wide variety of functions or uses for either the media device or the host computer. In one embodiment, the initial media-based processing pertains to synchronization of the media content between the host computer and the media player. For additional details on synchronization processing, see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/118,069, filed Apr. 5, 2002, and entitled “INTELLIGENT SYNCHRONIZATION OF MEDIA PLAYER WITH HOST COMPUTER,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Specifically, in this application being incorporated, operations  610 - 624  of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  are particularly descriptive of appropriate synchronization operations that can be performed according to one embodiment. After the initial media-based processing has been performed and thus the access to the storage device completed, the storage device is unmounted  512  from the file system. At this point, the storage remains physically attached to the host computer but is eligible to be detached as the user desires. Consequently, the media access processing  500  automatically renders the storage device removable without any need for user interaction prior to its physical removal. 
   Next, a decision  514  determines whether the storage device has been physically disconnected from the host computer. When the decision  514  determines that the storage device has not been physically disconnected, a decision  516  determines whether access to the storage device is needed. When either the decision  514  determines that the storage device has been physically disconnected or when the decision  516  determines that access to the storage device is not needed, then a decision  518  determines whether the media access processing  500  is done or completed. When the decision  518  determines that the media access processing  500  is done, then the media access processing  500  ends. Alternatively, when the decision  518  determines that the media access processing  500  is not done, then the media access processing  500  returns to repeat the decision  514  and subsequent operations. 
   On the other hand, when the decision  516  determines that access to the storage device is needed, then the storage device is mounted  520  with the file system of the host computer. Here, since the storage device was previously mounted  504  and then unmounted  512 , the mounting  520  can also be referred to as remounting. After the storage device has been mounted  520 , the storage device is accessed  522  to perform subsequent media-based processing. The subsequent media-based processing pertains to processing performed by the host computer with respect to the storage device (media device) such that processing beyond the initial media-based processing is able to be carried out. Following the completion of the subsequent media-based processing, the storage device is unmounted  524  from the file system. At this point, the storage device remains physically attached to the host computer but is eligible to be detached as the user desires. Hence, the media access processing  500  again automatically renders the storage device removable without any need for user interaction prior to its physical removal. Following the operation  524 , the media access processing  500  returns to repeat the decision  514  and subsequent operations. 
   Accordingly, by unmounting the storage device from the file system after the pending media media-based processing which utilizes the storage device completes, the storage device (media device) remains in an unmounted condition, for the most part. Stated differently, the default position for the storage device connected to the host computer is in an unmounted condition. When unmounted, the storage device (media device) permits the detachment (or disconnection) of the storage device (media device) from the host computer by the user without any preparatory user interactions. In other words, since the storage device is unmountable, the storage device (media device) can simply be unplugged from the host computer and none of the host computer, the media device or their data will be harmed or damaged by such user action. 
   In one embodiment, the storage device (media device) is considered as a removable media device or virtual removable drive. The storage device thus emulates the removability of a floppy, CD-ROM drive or memory card. In this embodiment, the host computer can initiate a “disk inserted” message to trick itself into thinking that a new removable media (e.g., disk) has just been inserted. As a result, the media device can be recognized and the media can be mounted even though the media device was never physically detached from the host computer after being previously recognized and mounted. The remount occurs without user interaction with either the host computer or the media player. 
   Optionally, instead of using the default condition as being unmounted, the data storage device within the media player can remain normally mounted. For example, the data storage device of the media player can remain mounted until a specific request to unmount. This optional approach can be utilized in a “hard drive” mode where the data storage device of the media player operates as a mass storage device (i.e., hard drive) for the host computer. 
   The invention can be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
   The advantages of the invention are numerous. Different embodiments or implementations may yield one or more of the following advantages. One advantage of the invention is that peripheral devices, e.g., media devices, are able to be “hot” unpluggable without data loss or corruption. Another advantage of the invention is that peripheral devices can have “plug-and-play” as well as “remove-and-go” characteristics which better satisfies user needs and usage. 
   The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the written description and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20090804
Publication Date: 20100413
Grant Date: 20100413
Priority Date: 20020723
Inventors: ROBBIN JEFFREY L.
HELLER DAVID
MARCINIAK CRAIG A.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F3/0632", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F9/4413", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0607", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0674", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0632", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0601", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2003/0697", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0601", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2003/0697", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F9/4413", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0607", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0674", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 32930084