Integrated CD-ROM driving apparatus for driving different types of CD-ROMs in multimedia computer systems
First Claim
1. A control apparatus for controlling a CD-ROM drive of a computer system to drive different types of CD-ROMs, comprising:
- a control panel having a plurality of input keys and a display window, outputting key signals designating specific CD-ROM titles and the operation of the CD-ROM drive, and displaying a message indicating the CD-ROMs by type and icons distinguishing between functions of different corresponding ones of said input keys, said control panel displaying said message on said display window and positioning said input keys in a first spaced array within an area located outside of said display window that extends continuously along a periphery of said display window, with said control panel panel selectively presenting said icons in a second spaced array located within said display window and extending continuously along said periphery with a spacial alignment between each of said input keys and corresponding ones of said icons;
a controller operationally cooperating with said control panel and a central processing unit of the computer system, by driving said control panel to initiate said displaying of said icons and said type of the CD-ROMs on said display window, and reading the CD-ROM titles in response to said key signals; and
said central processing unit of the computer system executing an adaptable software driver and operating the CD-ROM drive to perform different operational functions in response to corresponding preset command signals received from said controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control apparatus for driving different types of CD-ROMs includes a control panel provided at the front panel of the computer frame. The control panel has a plurality of keys and a display window for outputting key signals representative of driving a specific CD-ROM title and the operation of the CD-ROM drive, and for displaying a message representing the kind of CD-ROM and icons representing the functions of the respective keys. A micro-controller cooperates with the control panel and the central processing unit (CPU) of the computer system for displaying the icons and the kind of CD-ROM on the display window, and in response to a key signal produces preset command signals for driving the CD-ROM title and the operation of the CD-ROM drive. The control panel of the invention simplifies the driving operations of various CD-ROMs, which results in easy access to the multimedia computer for beginners.
21 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A control apparatus for controlling a CD-ROM drive of a computer system to drive different types of CD-ROMs, comprising:
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a control panel having a plurality of input keys and a display window, outputting key signals designating specific CD-ROM titles and the operation of the CD-ROM drive, and displaying a message indicating the CD-ROMs by type and icons distinguishing between functions of different corresponding ones of said input keys, said control panel displaying said message on said display window and positioning said input keys in a first spaced array within an area located outside of said display window that extends continuously along a periphery of said display window, with said control panel panel selectively presenting said icons in a second spaced array located within said display window and extending continuously along said periphery with a spacial alignment between each of said input keys and corresponding ones of said icons; a controller operationally cooperating with said control panel and a central processing unit of the computer system, by driving said control panel to initiate said displaying of said icons and said type of the CD-ROMs on said display window, and reading the CD-ROM titles in response to said key signals; and said central processing unit of the computer system executing an adaptable software driver and operating the CD-ROM drive to perform different operational functions in response to corresponding preset command signals received from said controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of controlling a CD-ROM drive of a computer system to drive different types of CD-ROMs, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a display panel and a plurality of input keys disposed adjacent to said display panel in a control panel; displaying icons designating CD-ROM titles on said display panel, each icon being disposed adjacent to different corresponding ones of said input keys; inserting a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive; displaying a message indicating CD-ROM by type inserted in the CD-ROM drive, said message disposed adjacent to said corresponding one of said input keys; determining whether said input key designated for driving the specific type of CD-ROM is selected by a user; and respectively displaying sub-icons on the display panel, said sub-icons disposed adjacent to said corresponding ones of input keys, said icons indicating available control functions designated by each respective input key when one of CD-ROM driving input keys is selected by the user. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A control apparatus for controlling a CD-ROM drive of a computer system to drive different types of CD-ROMs in the computer system, comprising:
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a computer frame; a control panel having a key unit including a plurality of discrete input keys and a display unit disposed adjacent to said key unit and mounted on a front panel of said computer frame, said display unit providing a visual display indicating CD-ROM by type inserted into the CD-ROM drive and visible icons distinguishing between functions of different corresponding ones of said input keys according to CD-ROM title inserted into the CD-ROM drive, said control panel disposing said input keys in a first spaced array along a periphery of said display window, with said control panel presenting said icons in a second spaced array along said periphery with a spacial alignment between each of said input keys and corresponding ones of said icons; a first controller electrically connected to the control panel, controlling the visual display of CD-ROM by type inserted into the CD-ROM drive, displaying said visible icons indicating the specific function of the CD-ROM drive requested by the user; and a second controller electrically connected to a micro-controller and the CD-ROM drive, executing an adaptable software driver to operate the CD-ROM drive to perform the specific function of the CD-ROM drive requested by the user. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A control apparatus for controlling a CD-ROM drive of a computer system to drive different types of CD-ROMs, comprising:
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a control panel having a plurality of input keys and a display window, outputting key signals designating specific CD-ROM titles and the operation of the CD-ROM drive, and displaying a message indicating the CD-ROMs by type and icons distinguishing between functions of different corresponding ones of said input keys, said control panel displaying each icon and said message disposed adjacent to said corresponding ones of said input keys; a controller operationally cooperating with said control panel and a central processing unit of the computer system, displaying said icons and said type of the CD-ROMs on said display window, and reading the CD-ROM titles and the operation of the CD-ROM drive in response to the key signals; and said central processing unit of the computer system executing an adaptable software driver and operating the CD-ROM drive to perform desired function in response to corresponding preset command signals received from said controller.
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16. A control apparatus for controlling a disk drive of a computer system to drive different types of disks, comprising:
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a controller connected to said disk drive, generating a message signal indicating disk by types and icon signals each indicating an individual function of said disk drive; and a control panel connected to said controller, including a plurality of input keys and a display window disposed adjacent to said input keys, displaying on said display window a message indicating a disk by type in response to said message signal and icons distinguishing between functions of different corresponding ones of said input keys in response to said icon signal, said control panel disposing said input keys in a first spaced array along a periphery of said display window, with said control panel presenting said icons in a second spaced array along said periphery with a spacial alignment between each of said input keys and corresponding ones of said icons. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification