Automatic Protocol Determination For Portable Devices Supporting Multiple Protocols

A media storage device for automatically selecting one of at least two protocols, the storage device comprising:

• a physical interface for connection to any compatible host computer;
• an insert and removal detector for detection of attachment and removal of the device with any compatible host computer;
• a protocol failure detector to determine if a protocol being used to initiate communications with a connected host computer has failed;
• a connect and disconnect emulator to logically simulate making and breaking communication with the connected host computer;
• a success indicator representing which protocol was last successful in establishing communications with any compatible host computer;
• and
• internal control logic which coordinates detecting an attachment of the device to a target host computer, attempting an initial protocol for communication with the target host computer, logically disconnecting and reconnecting to the target host computer if the protocol failure detector indicates that the initial protocol has failed to initiate communications with the target host computer, attempting a second protocol for communications with the target host computer, and setting the success indicator to record which protocol was successful for communications with the target host computer, wherein the success indicator is used on a subsequent physical attachment of the device to select a data protocol.

A computer-readable media having instructions for a controller for a media storage device containing a database, the media storage device performing a method of selecting a protocol, the method comprising:

• detecting a physical attachment of the device to a host computer, the device capable of using at least two data transfer protocols, the protocols comprising mass storage class (MSC) protocol and media transport protocol (MTP);
• attempting the use of a first data transfer protocol by the device, the first data transfer protocol comprising an initial attempt protocol;
• upon failure of the first data transfer protocol to initiate communications with the host computer, logically disconnecting the device followed by logically reconnecting the device;
• attempting use of a second data transfer protocol by the device, wherein the second data transfer protocol is a successful protocol in initiating communications with the host computer;
• and
• setting a success flag to be an indicator of the successful protocol, wherein the success flag is used on a subsequent physical attachment of the device to a host computer to select an initial attempt protocol.