Switching means for directly controlling operation of data storage devices, data storage/reproducing devices, and data reproducing devices

• US 6,304,920 B1
• Filed: 03/28/2000
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Inventors: Tsuyuki, Sinji, Koyauchi, Hiromu, Kobayashi, Kazuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Ray, Gopal C.
• Application Number:
  US09/537,595
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 710/1, 710/33, 710/131, 710/107, 709/219, 709/231, 711/4, 711/100, 711/111, 714/2, 712/29, 370/351, 340/825.89
• US Class Current: 710/1
• 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 3/0626 Reducing size or complexity of storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0635 by changing the path, e.g. traffic rerouting, path reconfiguration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0655 Vertical data movement, i.e. input-output transfer; data movement between one or more hosts and one or more storage devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0674 Disk device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0677 Optical disk device, e.g. CD-ROM, DVD
• 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

A storage device for directly fetching external data and for relaying the transfer of data, wherein a CD-R drive unit 13 is provided, as a data input device, with a computer input/output terminal 35, a card reader unit 18 for reading the data of a PC card 20, an infrared ray communication port 16, and a modular jack 17. When switches 26 and 28 are horizontally connected in the drawing, the data fetched by data input devices other than the computer input/output terminal 35 are written into a CD-R 32 and are stored. When a switch 34 is flipped to the left tilted direction in the drawing, the data written into the CD-R 32 are read out and output to the body 12 of a desk-top personal computer.

Claims

1. A storage/reproducing device accommodated in a storing portion formed in a recessed manner in a front of a personal computer, wherein a space wave communication port is disposed in the front, data fetched by said space wave communication port are recorded into an optical, magnetic, or magneto-optical storage unit, and the recorded data are read out and output to said personal computer.

2. A storage/reproducing device externally attached to a personal computer, wherein a space wave communication port is disposed on a surface, data fetched by said space wave communication port are recorded into an optical, magnetic, or magneto-optical storage unit, and the recorded data are read out and output to said personal computer.

3. A reproducing device accommodated in a storing portion formed in a recessed manner in a front of a personal computer and used for reading out data recorded in an optical, magnetic or magneto-optical storage unit and for outputting the data to said personal computer, wherein a space wave communication port is disposed in the front, so that the data fetched by said space wave communication port, too, are output to the personal computer.

4. A reproducing device externally attached to a personal computer and used for reading out data recorded in an optical, magnetic or magneto-optical storage unit and for outputting the data to said personal computer, wherein a space wave communication port is disposed on a surface, so that the data fetched by said space wave communication port, too, are output to the personal computer.

5. A storage and data transfer device for use with a personal computer comprising:

a space wave communication port;

a storage unit; and

a switch connected to said space wave communication port, said storage unit, and the personal computer wherein said space wave communication port, said storage unit, and the personal computer are selectively coupled together,

whereby data fetched by said space wave communication port is capable of being directed to either said storage unit or the personal computer.

6. A storage and data transfer device as in claim 5 wherein:

said storage unit comprises an optical storage unit.

7. A storage and data transfer device as in claim 5 wherein:

said storage unit comprises a magnetic storage unit.

8. A storage and data transfer device as in claim 5 wherein:

said storage unit comprises a magneto-optical storage unit.

9. A storage and data transfer device as in claim 5 wherein:

said storage unit is internally contained within the personal computer.

10. A storage and data transfer device as in claim 5 wherein:

said storage unit is externally connected to the personal computer.

11. A storage and data transfer device for use with a personal computer used to transfer data from an external source comprising:

a space wave communication port;

a storage unit;

means for reading from said storage unit; and

means for selectively coupling to said space wave communication port, said storage unit, and the personal computer,

whereby data fetched by said space wave communication port is capable of being directed to either said storage unit or the personal computer.

12. A storage and data transfer device as in claim 11 further comprising:

means for recording to said storage unit.

13. A storage and data transfer device for use with a personal computer used to transfer data from an external source to the personal computer comprising:

a space wave communication port for receiving data from the external source;

a storage unit selectively coupled directly to said space wave communication port;

means, coupled to said storage unit, for writing to said storage unit with the data received from the external source by said space wave communication port;

means, coupled to said storage unit, for reading from said storage unit the data written to said storage unit; and

means for selectively coupling to said space wave communication port, said storage unit, and the personal computer wherein the data fetched by said space wave communication port is capable of being directed to either said storage unit or the personal computer.