Multi-module adapter having a plurality of recesses for receiving a plurality of insertable memory modules

• US 6,189,055 B1
• Filed: 02/11/1998
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Kagaku Media Company Limited (Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: SmartDisk Corporation
• Inventors: Eisele, Judith, Eisele, Raymund
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DU, THUAN N
• Application Number:
  US09/021,986
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 235/449, 235/492, 360/131, 365/185.17, 369/289, 369/291, 379/357, 710/62, 710/102, 711/115, 711/5
• US Class Current: 710/62
• 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 3/0661 Format or protocol conversion arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0676 Magnetic disk device
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07741 comprising a first part operating as a regular record carrier and a second attachable part that changes the functional appearance of said record carrier, e.g. a contact-based smart card with an adapter part which, when attached to the contact card makes the contact card function as a non-contact card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0013 by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers connectors in general H01R13/00; connectors for SIM cards used in mobile phones or the like H04B1/3816
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0327 for special applications not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/00 Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus with cameras or projectors G03B31/00 ; recording/reproducing of music for electrophonic musical instruments G10H1/0033; automatic arrangements for answering calls or for recording messages for absent subscribers H04M1/64; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with dictation recording and playback systems H04M11/10; connection of TV recorder with other related apparatus, e.g. TV camera or receiver, in which the TV signal is significantly involved H04N, e.g. H04N23/00, H04N5/765; combination of radio or TV with other apparatus, e.g. with vehicles H05K11/00

Abstract

An adapter which can be plugged into a floppy disk drive of a computer can receive a plurality of user insertable and removable memory modules therein and provide access to the memory modules by the computer for reading and/or writing thereto. The adapter has a frame having an exterior form designed to be insertable into a floppy drive and accommodate the plurality of modules. The frame houses interface circuitry for facilitating the transferring of data between the adapter and a read/write head of a floppy disk drive. The adapter provides a plurality of recesses with contacts for coupling with corresponding contacts of memory modules when inserted therein, providing a path for transferring data to and from the modules. The frame may also accommodate a battery and/or a generator/alternator and associated regulator circuitry 14 (see FIG. 2a) for supplying current to the adapter circuitry and the memory modules.

Claims

1. An adapter for insertion into a floppy disk drive, comprising:

a frame having the external shape of a floppy diskette and having a plurality of recesses for accommodating a respective plurality of insertable memory modules;

interface circuitry housed in the frame which provides an interface between a read/write head of a floppy disk drive and memory modules when inserted in the recesses;

wherein the plurality of recesses are adapted to receive at least one of a plurality of memory modules, the plurality of memory modules including;

multi-media cards (MMCs); and

smart media cards;

wherein the interface circuitry includes respective contacts disposed in respective ones of the plurality of recesses which couple with corresponding respective contacts on respective memory modules when inserted in the respective recesses, and a magnetic interface which is adapted to magnetically couple with a read/write head of a floppy disk drive when the adapter is inserted in the floppy disk drive;

a processor, coupled to the contacts, which is operable to receive and transmit signals to and from respective memory modules through the respective contacts, and to receive and transmit signals to and from the magnetic interface;

a memory connected to the processor which stores data and/or programs used by the processor;

wherein the magnetic interface comprises a magnetic transducer which is operable to send and receive magnetic signals to and from a floppy disk drive read/write head, and a driver/converter connected to the transducer and the processor which is operable to convert signals from the transducer to a form useful to the processor, convert signals from the processor to a form used by a floppy disk drive, and to drive the transducer with the converted signals from the processor;

further comprising at least one battery which is connected to provide power to the interface circuitry and memory modules; and

electrical energy producing means, coupled to the at least one battery, in the form of one of;

a generator driveable by a floppy disk drive spindle; and

an alternator driveable by a floppy disk drive spindle.

2. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the frame has the shape and size of a 3½

inch floppy diskette.

3. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the recesses are adapted for MMCs, and wherein there are provided five recesses on the frame.

4. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the recesses are adapted for smart media cards, and wherein there are provided two recesses on the frame.

5. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the processor includes programming to perform at least one of:

encryption of data;

decryption of data;

compression of data; and

decompression of data.

6. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the processor includes programming to perform interactive password checking to verify authorized use of the adapter and/or the memory modules.