Storage device with parallel interface connector
First Claim
1. A storage device with a parallel interface connector connectable to a host system suitable for a parallel interface, the parallel interface connector including first pins connected to a parallel interface bus, and second pins which are not used by the parallel interface, the parallel interface bus being connected to a parallel interface circuit for inputting and outputting a parallel interface signal, the storage device comprising:
- a mode designation device which designates one of a serial interface mode and a parallel interface mode, the serial interface mode enabling the storage device to operate in accordance with a serial interface, the parallel interface mode enabling the storage device to operate in accordance with the parallel interface;
a serial interface bus used to transfer a serial interface signal, the serial interface bus being connected to several pins included in the second pins of the parallel interface connector; and
a parallel/serial bridge circuit connected to the parallel interface bus and the serial interface bus, and configured to convert, into a serial interface signal, a parallel interface signal transferred via the parallel interface bus, and to output the serial interface signal to the serial interface bus, the parallel/serial bridge circuit being also configured to convert, into a parallel interface signal, a serial interface signal transferred via the serial interface bus, and to output the parallel interface signal to the parallel interface bus, the parallel/serial bridge circuit being operable in the serial interface mode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mode designation device designates a serial interface mode or a parallel interface mode. A parallel/serial bridge circuit is operable in a serial interface mode, and converts, into a serial interface signal, a parallel interface signal transferred via a parallel interface bus. The resultant signal is transmitted to a serial interface bus. The serial interface bus is connected to particular pins that are included in the parallel interface connector and are not used by a parallel interface. The parallel/serial bridge circuit further converts, into a parallel interface signal, a serial interface signal transferred via the serial interface bus. The resultant signal is transmitted to the parallel interface bus.
31 Citations
11 Claims
-
1. A storage device with a parallel interface connector connectable to a host system suitable for a parallel interface, the parallel interface connector including first pins connected to a parallel interface bus, and second pins which are not used by the parallel interface, the parallel interface bus being connected to a parallel interface circuit for inputting and outputting a parallel interface signal, the storage device comprising:
-
a mode designation device which designates one of a serial interface mode and a parallel interface mode, the serial interface mode enabling the storage device to operate in accordance with a serial interface, the parallel interface mode enabling the storage device to operate in accordance with the parallel interface;
a serial interface bus used to transfer a serial interface signal, the serial interface bus being connected to several pins included in the second pins of the parallel interface connector; and
a parallel/serial bridge circuit connected to the parallel interface bus and the serial interface bus, and configured to convert, into a serial interface signal, a parallel interface signal transferred via the parallel interface bus, and to output the serial interface signal to the serial interface bus, the parallel/serial bridge circuit being also configured to convert, into a parallel interface signal, a serial interface signal transferred via the serial interface bus, and to output the parallel interface signal to the parallel interface bus, the parallel/serial bridge circuit being operable in the serial interface mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A conversion connector to be connected between a parallel interface connector of a storage device suitable for both a parallel interface and a serial interface, and a serial interface connector of a host system suitable for the serial interface, thereby connecting the storage device to the host system, the parallel interface connector of the storage device including first pins connected to a parallel interface bus used to transfer a parallel interface signal, and second pins which are not used by the parallel interface, the storage device being connected to several pins of the second pins, and including a serial interface bus used to transfer a serial interface signal, the conversion connector comprising:
-
a first connector section connectable to the parallel interface connector of the storage device;
a second connector section connectable to the serial interface connector of the host system; and
internal wires which connect pins of the serial interface connector, which are used to input and output serial interface signals, to the several pins of the second pins of the parallel interface connector, when the first connector section is connected to the parallel interface connector, and the second connector section is connected to the serial interface connector. - View Dependent Claims (11)
-
Specification