Analog Data Generating And Processing Device For Use With A Personal Computer

• US 20070005823A1
• Filed: 08/24/2006
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Papst Licensing GmbH & Company Kg
• Original Assignee: Papst Licensing GmbH & Company Kg
• Inventors: Tasler, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,966,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/387 for adaptation of different data processing systems to different peripheral devices, e.g. protocol converters for incompatible systems, open system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0605 by facilitating the interaction with a user or administrator
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0607 by facilitating the process of upgrading existing storage systems, e.g. for improving compatibility between host and storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0613 in relation to throughput
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0661 Format or protocol conversion arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0664 at device level, e.g. emulation of a storage device or system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0676 Magnetic disk device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/068 Hybrid storage device

Abstract

An interface device (10) provides fast data communication between a host device with input/output interfaces and a data transmit/receive device, wherein the interface device (10) comprises a processor means (13), a memory means (14), a first connecting device (12) for interfacing the host device with the interface device, and a second connecting device (15) for interfacing the interface device (10) with the data transmit/receive device. The interface device (10) is configured by the processor means (13) and the memory means (14) in such a way that, when receiving an inquiry from the host device via the first connecting device (12) as to the type of a device attached to the host device, regardless of the type of the data transmit/receive device, the interface device sends a signal to the host device via the first connecting device (12) which signals to the host device that it is communicating with an input/output device.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. An analog data generating and processing device (ADGPD), comprising:

a processor and a memory;

one or more transducers that are operatively coupled to the processor and the memory;

a first set of instructions stored in the memory that can be executed at one or more user selected times, each execution of the first instruction set causing the one or more transducers to generate an analog data set that is representative of one or more analog wave signals that are generated or reflected by a source that is external to and not in substantial proximity to the ADGPD;

an analog to digital converter that is operatively coupled to the one or more transducers, the processor and the memory so that, each time the first instruction set is executed, a digitized analog data set is generated from the analog data set that is generated when the first instruction set is executed;

wherein one or more digitized analog data sets are stored in the data storage location of the memory;

an I/O port that is operatively coupled to the processor and the memory, the I/O port being adapted to receive device identification signals, data identification signals, and data transfer signals that are sent from a multi-purpose user interface (MPUI) of a personal computer (PC), the PC periodically sending the device identification signals to its MPUI;

a second set of instructions stored in the memory that are to be executed after the I/O port has received and the processor has processed one or more device identification signals to cause a response signal to be automatically and without user intervention sent to the I/O port to allow a PC to automatically and without user intervention recognize that it can communicate with the ADGPD as if the ADGPD were a commercially available mass storage device even though the ADGPD is not a commercially available mass storage device;

a third set of instructions stored in the memory that are to be executed after the I/O port has received and after the processor has received and processed a data identification signal to cause identification information to be automatically and without user intervention sent through the I/O port to allow a PC to create a visual representation of the data storage location of the memory on a display; and

a fourth set of instructions stored in the memory that are to be executed after the I/O port has received and after the processor has received and processed a data transfer signal to cause user selected ones of the digitized analog data sets to be transferred from the data storage location of the memory through the I/O port by means of a driver that is a component of an operating system of a PC when the operating system is initially installed in the PC.

18. The ADGPD of claim 17, wherein each analog wave signal comprises electromagnetic radiation.

19. The ADGPD of claim 18, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is representative of an object that is physically separated from and can be located not in substantial proximity to the ADGPD.

20. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is generated by a diagnostic radiological system.

21. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein the commercially available mass storage device comprises a hard disk drive.

22. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein receipt and processing of the response signal by a PC allows it to communicate with the ADGPD as if it were a hard disk drive even though it is not a hard disk drive.

23. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein the I/O port comprises a SCSI interface.

24. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein the processor comprises a digital signal processor.

25. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein the identification information comprises at least the number of different digitized analog data sets that are stored in the data storage location.

26. The ADGPD of claim 25, wherein the identification information further comprises a root directory that can be accessed by a PC.

27. The ADGPD of claim 26, wherein the identification information further comprises a configuration file.

28. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein the I/O port is to be operatively coupled to an MPUI by a wire-based connection.

29. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein each digitized analog data sets is stored as an individual file in the memory of the ADGPD.

30. The ADGPD of claim 29, wherein the individual files form a part of a file system.

31. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein the digitized analog data sets are generated and stored in the memory independent of when the I/O port is operatively coupled to an MPUI.

32. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein the digitized analog data sets are generated and stored in the memory both before and after the time when the I/O port is operatively coupled to an MPUI.

33. The ADGPD of claim 32, wherein the digitized analog data sets are generated and stored in the memory only after the time when the I/O port is operatively coupled to an MPUI.

34. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein the ADGPD comprises two or more transducers.

35. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein the ADGPD further comprises a connecting device that electrically connects the one or more transducers to the analog to digital converter.

36. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein the connecting device detachably couples the one or more transducers to the analog to digital converter.

37. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein the one or more transducers are arranged to receive data from the processor and the memory.

38. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein the one or more transducers are capable of communicating directly with a PC.

39. The ADGPD of claim 19, wherein the one or more transducers are separate from the analog to digital converter.