Data storage device reader and method of using same

• US 20070035918A1
• Filed: 10/24/2005
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cheryl Henry
• Original Assignee: Cheryl Henry
• Inventors: Henry, Cheryl
• Application Number:
  US11/257,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20070035918A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.310
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/218 Write-once discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2512 Floppy disks
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/40 Identifying or analogous means applied to or incorporated in the record carrier and not intended for visual display simultaneously with the playing-back of the record carrier, e.g. label, leader, photograph
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/10 Indicating arrangements; Warning arrangements G11B15/04, G11B19/04, G11B27/34, G11B27/36 take precedence

Abstract

File directory information contained on a portable self contained data storage device is read by a portable file reading apparatus that is not connected to nor is a personal computer. The file reading apparatus includes a housing of a size and weight capable of being held within the person'"'"'s hands. A drive component that reads the portable data storage device is contained within the housing. A display disposed on the housing provides the file directory content of the portable storage data device for viewing.

Claims

1. A portable apparatus for reading only file directory information, the portable apparatus not in communication with a personal computer, the apparatus comprising:

a drive for reading the file directory information;

a processor programmed to read and communicate only the file directory information; and

a visual display operably connected to the drive through the processor for viewing only the file directory information.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a printer to print the file directory information retrieved from the data storage device by the drive component.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the printer is located within the housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the printer is an attachable unit.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the visual display is selected from the group consisting of liquid crystal display, light emitting diode display, and active matrix display.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the drive reads magnetic storage media.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the drive reads optical storage media.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the drive reads a separately portable self-contained data storage device, on which the file directory information is stored.

9. A method of identifying subject matter of a file located on a portable data storage device, without modifying the file, the method comprising:

receiving the data storage device into a slot of a portable handheld file reader apparatus;

with a processor, reading and communicating only file information that identifies to the user the subject matter of the file; and

identifying to the user, through an output device, only the subject matter of the file based on only the file information read and communicated by the processor.

10. The method of claim 9, in which the output device is selected from the group consisting of liquid crystal display screen, light emitting diode display screen, and active matrix display screen.

11. The method of claim 9, in which the output device is a printer.

12. The method of claim 9, in which the apparatus receives a magnetic data storage device into the slot.

13. The method of claim 9, in which the apparatus receives an optical data storage device into the slot.

14. A portable apparatus for reading only file directory information from a separately portable self contained data storage device, the portable apparatus comprising:

at least one slot for receiving at least one respective type of data storage device into the apparatus;

a processor programmed to read and communicate only the file directory information from the data storage device; and

an output device connected to the processor for providing the file directory information contained on the data storage device.

15. The portable apparatus of claim 14, in which the output device is selected from the group consisting of liquid crystal display, light emitting diode display, and active matrix display.

16. The portable apparatus of claim 14, in which the output device is a printer.

17. The portable apparatus of claim 14, in which at least one type of data storage device is magnetic data storage.

18. The portable apparatus of claim 14, in which at least one type of data storage device is optical data storage.

19. The portable apparatus of claim 14, in which the apparatus receives two different types of data storage device.

20. The portable apparatus of claim 19, in which only one type of data storage device is selected from the group consisting of magnetic data storage and optical data storage.