# US 7,613,844 B2 · Storage device and processing method using mutually exclusive modes of operation for data transfer

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- Number: US 7,613,844 B2
- Document ID: US7613844B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/554,683
- Filed: 2006-10-31
- Published: 2007-03-29
- Granted: 2009-11-03
- Earliest claimed: 2003-02-12
- Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Shinji Ohnishi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7613844B2

## CPC

- H04N 21/231: Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers, prioritizing data for deletion
- H04N 21/47202: {for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand}
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A storage device is provided that includes a first interface unit configured to connect to an external apparatus; a second interface unit configured to connect to a network; and a control unit which controls the storage device. The control unit determines whether a predetermined command is received from the external apparatus. The control unit selects a first operating mode where the storage device is used by the external apparatus and the second interface unit is disabled, if the control unit determines that the predetermined command is received from the external apparatus. The control unit selects a second operating mode where the storage device operates as a file server and the second interface unit is enabled, if the control unit determines that the predetermined command is not received from the external apparatus.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A storage device comprising:
a first interface unit configured to communicate with an external apparatus in which the storage device is loaded or to which the storage device is connected through a cable, the first interface unit receiving a predetermined command for changing an operation mode of the storage device from the external apparatus;
a second interface unit configured to communicate with a device in a network wirelessly; and
a control unit configured to change the operation mode of the storage device between a plurality of modes based on the predetermined command received by the first interface unit,
wherein the plurality of modes includes a first operating mode where the second interface unit is disabled and the storage device operates as a dedicated storage device to the external apparatus and a second operating mode where the second interface unit is enabled and the storage device operates as a file server of the network.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the external apparatus is one of a digital video recorder and a digital video camera.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The storage device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a storage unit configured to write, onto a recording medium, video data obtained from the first interface unit or the second interface unit, and configured to supply the video data read from the recording medium to the first interface unit or the second interface unit.

### Claim 4

A method of controlling a storage device, the storage device including a first interface unit configured to communicate with an external apparatus in which the storage device is loaded or to which the storage device is connected through a cable, a second interface unit configured to communicate with a device in a network wirelessly, and a control unit which controls the storage device, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving via the first interface unit a predetermined command for changing an operation mode of the storage device from the external apparatus; and
controlling to change the operation mode of the storage device between a plurality of modes based on the predetermined command received via the first interface unit,
wherein the plurality of modes includes a first operating mode where the second interface unit is disabled and the storage device operates as a dedicated storage device to the external apparatus and a second operating mode where the second interface unit is enabled and the storage device operates as a file server of the network.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method according to claim 4, wherein the external apparatus is one of a digital video recorder and a digital video camera.