JPH0455968A - Personal computer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a personal computer system that allows easy system upgrade of internally implemented external storage.

(Prior Art) In recent years, various laptop-type personal computers have been developed that are easy to carry and can be operated on batteries. In this type of personal computer,
The external storage configuration, such as an internally mounted floppy disk drive and hard disk, was fixed for each model, and when upgrading the system, external floppy disk drives, hard disks, etc. were used. Therefore, in conventional laptop personal computers, which are easy to carry, when trying to upgrade the system, it is necessary to connect external storage for the configuration, and the small installation space is a major feature of laptop personal computers. ease of use and portability will be impaired. In addition, installing a separate external device requires a hard disk or the like to be connected to the personal computer main body via a connector and a cable, which leads to a significant increase in cost and poses problems in terms of reliability.

In addition, in conventional personal computers equipped with hard disks, the hard disk is unique to that device and is fixed (built-in) inside the device, so information stored on the hard disk cannot be transferred to other computers. It could not be used directly.

Furthermore, conventionally, in personal computers to which an external hard disk and hard RAM can be connected, an external hard disk has been used instead of the hard disk or as a hard RAM.
There was no way to access the external hard disk drive, including AM, and it was not possible to control the external hard disk drive properly depending on the purpose of use.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, conventionally, in a personal computer to which an external hard disk and hard RAM can be connected, the external hard disk is replaced with a /1-hard RAM.
Alternatively, there is no means to access the hard disk, including the hard RAM, and the external hard disk cannot always be normally controlled according to the purpose of use.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances.In a personal computer to which an external hard disk and a hard RAM can be connected, the external hard disk can be connected to a hard RAM.
can be accessed in place of or in conjunction with hard RAM;
The purpose of the external device is to provide a personal computer that can always control the drive normally depending on the purpose of use of the hard disk.

[Structure of the invention]

(Means and Effects for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a means for detecting the presence or absence of the hard RAM in a personal computer to which an external hard disk and a hard RAM can be connected, and a device for the external hard disk. means for setting a number, and means for operating the control program storage area of the hard RAM and external hard disk according to the content of each of the above means, and the external hard disk is used in place of the hard RAM or You can access everything including RAM, and the external hard disk can always be controlled normally depending on the purpose of use.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, IO is a system bus, and 11 to 28 are components connected to the system bus 10, respectively. Among these components, 11 is a CPU (main CPU) that controls the entire system, and 12 is a system firmware ROM in which fixed programs and the like are stored.

I3 is a RAM that constitutes the main memory in which programs and data to be processed are stored, and 14 is a DMA controller (DMA controller) that performs direct memory access control.
C; Direct Memory AccessC
15 is an interrupt controller (PIC; Prog) that can be set by a program.
rammableInterrupt Control
ler) 1B is an interval timer (PIT; Programmab) that can be set by the program.
Interval Timer) 17 is a clock module (RTC;
Real-Time C1ock). 18 is a large capacity expansion RA that can be inserted into and removed from the dedicated card slot of the main unit.
M (hard RAM), 19 is a backup RAM that serves as a data storage area for realizing the resume function.

20 is a floppy disk controller (FCC), and here two floppy disk drives (F
D D (1), F D D (2)) 32A,
32B is shown as the control target, but one floppy disk drive (for example, FDD (2) 32B
) can be replaced with a 2.5-inch hard disk, making it easy to upgrade the system. Means for upgrading the system from the FDD+FDD configuration to the HDD+FDD configuration at this time will be described later.

21 is a printer controller (PRT-CONT) to which, for example, a 5-inch external floppy disk drive 33 or a printer 34 is selectively connected via a connector. 22 is an input/output interface (UA
RT; Llnfversal Asynchronous
ousReceiver/Transmitter)
An R8-232C interface device 35 or the like is connected as necessary.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a keyboard controller (KBC), which controls input from the keyboard 3B, which is provided integrally with the main body of the device on which the CPU board is mounted. Reference numeral 24 denotes a display controller (DI 5P-CONT), which drives an LCD 37 mounted in a display housing rotatably attached to the main body of the apparatus. 25 is a video RAM supplied with backup power (V BK)
(VRAM), 2B is a kanji ROM that obtains kanji character patterns from kanji character codes, and 27 is a dictionary ROM that realizes a kana/kanji conversion dictionary and the like. 28 is a power supply control interface (PS-IF) for connecting the power supply circuit 30 to the CPU II via the system bus 10, and performs data transfer with the power control CPU of the power supply circuit 30 by a serial interface. A power adapter 29 (hereinafter referred to as an AC adapter) rectifies and smoothes a commercial alternating current power source (AC) to obtain a DC working power source of a predetermined potential, and is plug-in connected to the main body of the personal computer. 30 is a power control CPU (PC-
It is an intelligent power supply (hereinafter referred to as a power supply circuit) equipped with a CPU (CPU), and supplies operating power to various parts of the device body (PC body), including the built-in floppy disk, hard disk, etc. 31L and 31R are main battery packs (M-
BAT^, M-BATB), and here, during operation, under the control of the power supply circuit 30, one of the batteries is selected as the target for use (power supply target), and when that battery is discharged to its usable limit. The battery to be used is switched and the other battery becomes the target to be used. The 31S is a built-in sub-battery (S-'BAT), which is also constructed from a rechargeable battery, and provides a backup power source for memories that require backup, such as RAM 13°, additional RAM 1g, and video RAM 25. (V BK) is supplied.

Reference numeral 40 denotes an expansion bus connector (EBC) for function expansion, which is selectively connected to an external hard disk (external HDD), etc., as necessary, or various components for function expansion (for example, a keyboard, CRT display, etc.). It is selectively mounted and circuit-coupled to an expansion unit equipped with a large capacity memory, a personal computer mounting mechanism, etc.).

41 is a built-in HDD (with HDC) when upgrading the system to an HDD mounting type (one HDD and one FDD installed).
This is a built-in HDD interface (HDD-IF) for connecting the floppy disk drive (FDD-IF) when upgrading the system.
(2)) Built-in H via connector 42 instead of 32B
DD is interfaced. At this time, the two floppy disk drives (FDD(1), F
DD(2)) FD with built-in 32A, 32B
The means for upgrading the system to an HDD+FDD configuration consisting of one 2.5-inch hard disk (HDD) and a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive instead of the D+FDD type will be described later.

50 is a plurality of status displays L whose display drive is controlled under the control of the power control CPU of the power supply circuit 80.
This is a status display section consisting of ED (Ll to L9).

Figures 2 to 4 show the built-in HDD interface (H
DD-IF) 41 and two floppy disk drives (FDD(1), FDD(2)
)) 32A.

Instead of the FDD + FDD type with a built-in 32B, HDD + FDD consisting of one 2.5 inch hard disk (HDD) and 3.5 inch floppy disk drive
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main body of the personal computer, Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the computer body when it is not in use, and Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the means for upgrading the system to the new type. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a mounting arrangement configuration.

In the same figure, ■ indicates CPU board 3. Personal computer main body (PC main body) on which keyboard 36 etc. are installed
This case is based on two floppy disk drives (FDD (1), FDD (2)) 32A.
, an FDD-type base case equipped with an IA, a 2.5-inch hard disk (HDD), and a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive (see Figure 4 (a)). Two types of casing bases are prepared: an FDD type base casing (see FIG. 4(b)) and an IB.

Here, two floppy disk drives (FD
D(1), F D D(2)) 32A, 32
FDD+FDD type base casing (4th
(See figure (a)) When upgrading a personal computer configured using LA to a personal computer with a hard disk, the base case LA (
(see Figure 4(a)) with the base casing IB (see Figure 4(b)).
D) 100 built-in HDD interfaces (HDD-I
F) 41, and HDD interface connector (H
By connecting the connector via the DD-CN) 42, the system can be easily upgraded to an HDD plus FDD type.

At this time, a 2.5-inch hard disk with a pack structure (2
, 5-inch HDD) 100, as shown in FIGS. 4(c) and 4(d), is housed in a housing 110 having the same shape as the 3.5-inch floppy disk drives 32A and 32B, with an external connection interface secured. , stored in a removable manner. Here, a 2.5-inch hard disk (2.5-inch HDD) lQQ with a pack structure is stored in the housing 110 while being placed on the removable tray ill, and when the eject button 112 is operated, it is removed onto the removable tray 111. It has a so-called removable tray configuration in which it can be taken out while being placed.

In this way, two floppy disk drives (
F D D (1), F D D (2)) 32A
, 32B, an FDD+FDD type personal computer can be simply and easily upgraded to a personal computer with a hard disk.

In addition, in the personal computer made into the HDD + FDD type as described above, the hard disk pack removed from the computer main body, that is, the two pack structure
．． 5 inch hard disk (2.5 inch HDD) 10
0 can be used as an external hard disk (external HDD) for other personal computers. In this case, the fourth
The housing 110 shown in Figure (d) is prepared as an external hard disk housing, and the external hard disk is attached to a 2.5-inch hard disk (2,5 inch H
By storing the DD) 100 and connecting it to the expansion interface mechanism of another personal computer, the external device can be used as a hard disk. In this way, the pack-structured 2.5-inch hard disk (2.5-inch HDD) 100 can be used as an external hard disk (external HDD) for other personal computers. Can be effectively used on computers.

In addition, in the above-mentioned HDD+FDD type personal computer, the expansion bus connector (E B C) 40,
When an external hard disk (external HDD) is connected, a control means is required that can always normally control the drive of the external hard disk depending on the purpose of use. Therefore, in the present invention, when setting the drive number, it is possible to set with a dip switch whether the external hard disk is used as the first or second external hard disk. At this time, in conjunction with the setting of the dip switch, the control program storage area of the external hard disk is operated as shown in FIG. That is, when the external hard disk is set as the first external device, the control program storage area of the external hard disk is set as shown in Figure 5 (a).
8°H (device number C) as shown in , and the external hard disk can be accessed as device number C instead of the internal hard disk. Also, when setting a second external hard disk, the control program storage area of the external hard disk is set to 81 as shown in Figure 5(a).
H (device number D), and allows access to the internal hard disk and external hard disk.

This allows external hard disk media to be shared directly with multiple other computers, allowing multiple personal computers to mutually use specific software, large amounts of data, etc. allows you to easily configure (select and use) hard disks according to their intended use.

Also, when an external hard disk (external HDD) is connected to the expansion bus connector (EBC) 40, the external hard disk settings will be displayed in a pop-up menu according to the program data stored on the hard disk. It has the ability to add and display information. Figure 6 (a) (b) shows the state transition of the pop-up menu at this time.
The processing flow is shown in FIG. Here, we will use the pop-up menu display command (for example, CTRL + A).
When the LT key + 5YSreq key) is input, the external device determines whether a hard disk is connected (step C5 in Figure 8). If the external hard disk is connected,
The external device follows the program stored on the hard disk, and the external device's hard disk setting information is transferred to the main CPU.
II, and external hard disk setting instruction information is added and displayed on the normal pop-up menu as shown in FIG. 6(a), as shown in FIG. 6(b).

This eliminates the need for the device itself to have a pop-up menu program that includes the external hard disk. A pull-up menu will be displayed, allowing you to specify settings for the external hard disk.

In addition, an external hard disk (external HDD) is connected to the expansion bus connector (EBC) 40, and a large capacity expansion RAM (hard RAM) is connected to the dedicated card slot of the main body.
M) When 18 is implemented, both memories can be used depending on the purpose of use, or the external hard disk (external HDD) can be accessed instead of the additional RAM (hard RAM) 1g. Become. The processing flow at this time is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Here, when the external hard disk is set as the first device (device number C), the external hard disk (external HDD) becomes the access target for device number C instead of the additional RAM (hard RAM) [1]. Step C5 in Figure 8), when setting the external hard disk as the second device (device number D), the expansion R
AM (hard RAM) 18 to device number C (80H)
, for external hard disk (external HDD) device number D
(81H), and the expansion RAM (hard RAM) 1111 and external hard disk (external HD).
D) make both accessible. In this case, when making an access request, the additional RAM (hard RAM
M) 18, or external hard disk (external HDD)
are selectively accessed.

In this way, when an external hard disk (external HDD) is connected to the expansion bus connector (EBC) 40 and a large capacity expansion RAM (hard RAM) 1B is installed in the dedicated card slot of the main body, Depending on the purpose of use, an external alternative to the additional RAM (hard RAM) 18 is a hard disk (external HDD) drive or additional RAM.
(Hard RAM) 1B and external hard drive (external HDD) are both possible.

C. Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, in a personal computer to which an external hard disk and a hard RAM can be connected, means for detecting the presence or absence of the hard RAM; and a means for operating the control program storage area of the hard RAM and the external hard disk according to the contents of each of the above means.
It can be accessed instead of the M or including the hard RAM, and the external hard disk can always be normally controlled according to the purpose of use.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a personal combination computer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 2 to 4 respectively show the configuration of a personal computer using a built-in HDD interface and two floppy disk drives in the above embodiment. F with built-in
This is to explain the implementation means when upgrading the system to the HDD+FDD type, which consists of one hard disk and floppy disk drive, instead of the DD+FDD type. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the personal computer main body; Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the personal computer main body when not in use, Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the mounting arrangement configuration,
FIG. 5 is an address map for explaining the device number setting means for the internal hard disk and external hard disk in the above embodiment, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a pop-up menu in the above embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the pop-up menu display processing flow shown in FIG. 6 above, and FIGS.
AM) and External are flowcharts showing drive processing for a hard disk (external HDD). ”...Housing base, 1^...FDD10FDD type case base, IB...HDD10FDD type case base, 2...Upper case, 3...CPU board, 1
0...System bus, 11...CPU (host C
PU), 12...ROM, 13...RAM514.
・・DMA controller (DMA controller)
ct Memory Access Control
r), 15-... Interrupt controller (PIC:
Program + Gable Interrupt C
ontroller), 1B...interval timer (PIT; ProgrammableIn
terval Timer), L7-... Clock module (RTC; Real-Tiwe C1ock
), 18-・Expansion RAM (memory card), I9・
... Backup RAM, 20... Floppy disk controller (FDC), 21... Printer controller (PRT-CONT), 22... Input/output interface (UART; IJniversa)
lAsynchronous Receiver/T
ransmitter), 23-keyboard controller (KBC), 24--display controller (DISP-CONT), 25--video RAM (VRAM), 213--kanji ROM,
27--Dictionary ROM, 28--Power supply control interface (PS-IF), 29--Power adapter (A
C adapter), 30... Intelligent power supply (power supply circuit), 31L, 31R... Main battery (M-BATA. M-BATB), 31S-... Sub battery (S
-BATT), 32A, 32B... Floppy disk drive (FDD (1), FDD (2))
33...External floppy disk drive, 34...
・Printer, 35...R3-232C interface device, 36...Keyboard, 37...LCD, 4
0...Expansion bus connector (E B C), 41...
Built-in HDD interface (HDD-IF), 42.
・・HDD interface connector (HDD-CN)
50--Status display section, 100--2.5 Interface 'Z (HDD), 110--Casing, 1.
11...Removable tray, 112...Eject button. Applicant's Representative Patent Attorney Takehiko Suzue 1vl Figure 3 Figure 4 (a) (b) Figure Figure (a) Figure 8 Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a personal computer to which an external hard disk and a hard RAM can be connected, a means for detecting the presence or absence of the hard RAM, a means for setting a device number of the external hard disk, and a means for detecting the presence or absence of the hard RAM according to the contents of each of the above means are provided. 1. A personal computer comprising a RAM and means for operating a control program storage area of an external hard disk.