Apparatus and method for transferring information between a smart diskette device and a computer

• US 6,325,291 B1
• Filed: 06/16/1999
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Kagaku Media Company Limited (Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Smarrt Diskette GmbH
• Inventors: Barrett, Paul, Ryan, Andrew, Tantony, Shaun, Holy, Peter, Eisele, Raymund, Burkart, Axel
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US09/333,997
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/493, 235/486, 235/484, 235/487
• US Class Current: 235/487
• 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 3/0658 Controller construction arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0679 Non-volatile semiconductor memory device, e.g. flash memory, one time programmable memory [OTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• 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 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart 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: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0327 for special applications not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 25/04 using flat record carriers, e.g. disc, card
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 5/142 Contactless power supplies, e.g. RF, induction, or IR
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/00 Arrangements for writing information into, or reading information out from, a digital store G11C5/00 takes precedence; auxiliary circuits for stores using semiconductor devices G11C11/4063, G11C11/413

Abstract

An element which can be plugged into an electronic data processing (EDP) device, for receiving a user card which is equipped with components, including at least one of a processor and/or data memory, a frame having an exterior form, which is designed to accommodate the user card, a first interface for transferring data between the element and the EDP device, and a second interface formed by contacts on the user card and on the frame, for transferring data to and from the user card. The exterior form of the frame is that of a diskette so that it can be inserted into a diskette station of an EDP device. The first interface between the element and the EDP device is designed in a standard fashion, so that data can be transferred using a standard read/write device already present in the diskette station of the EDP device. The frame carries a battery for supplying current via the interface to the components located on the user card, if required, and carries an additional processor and data memory for providing the element with additional processor and storage capacity.

Claims

1. A method of operating a main computer having a processing system for executing programs for controlling said main computer and a floppy disk drive unit coupled to a main computer floppy disk drive port for receiving diskettes, said method comprising the steps of:

determining by said processing system a type of diskette inserted into said floppy disk drive port;

executing program instructions for accessing a first type of diskette if said processing system determines that said first type of diskette has been inserted into said main computer floppy disk drive port;

executing program instructions for accessing a second type of diskette having a digital processor and a digital memory embodied therein if said processing system determines that said second type of diskette has been inserted into said main computer floppy disk drive port; and

wherein said second type of diskette includes an inserting port for receiving a removable memory for a digital device, said digital device comprising a digital camera.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first type of diskette is a standard floppy diskette.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said main computer is a personal computer.

4. A method according to claim 1, further including the step of determining if a diskette has been changed by user.

5. A method according to claim 1, including the step of accessing a boot sector from the diskette inserted into said main computer floppy disk drive port.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of executing program instructions for accessing a second type of diskette includes the step of writing to a flash memory device embodied on said second type of diskette inserted into said main computer floppy disk drive port.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of executing program instructions for accessing a second type of diskette includes the step of reading from a flash memory device embodied on said second type of diskette inserted into said main computer floppy disk drive port.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said flash memory device is a removable memory for a digital camera.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said executing steps are performed by main computer device driver software.

10. A method according to claim 1, further including the steps of:

reading information from a boot sector of a diskette inserted into said floppy disk drive port; and

determining information about the diskette from the information accessed from said boot record.

11. A method according to claim 1, fiterer including the step of transferring information representing image data captured by a digital camera and stored in a removable memory in said second type of diskette to said main computer.

12. A method according to claim 11, where the image data is accessible as files on the removable memory device.

13. A method according to claim 11, where the image data is accessible as files on the removable memory device and further including the step of producing a list of the files on the removable memory device.

14. A method according to claim 11, further including the step of copying data from the removable memory device to another memory device within the main computer.

15. A method according to claim 11, further including the step of deleting data from the removable memory device.

16. A method according to claim 11, further including the step of displaying data stored on the removable memory device on a display associated with the main computer.

17. A method according to claim 11, further including the steps of reading, writing, editing and displaying the image data stored on the removable memory device.

18. A method according to claim 11, wherein said information representing image data captured by a digital camera is accessible by the main computer user using standard disk operations of the main computer operating system.

19. A method of operating a main computer having a processing system for executing programs for controlling said main computer and a floppy disk drive unit coupled to a main computer floppy disk drive port for receiving diskettes, said method corising the steps of:

determining by said processing system a type of diskette inserted into said floppy disk drive port;

executing program instructions for accessing a first type of diskette if said processing system determines that said first tye of diskette has been inserted into said main computer floppy disk drive port;

executing program instructions for accessing a second type of diskette having a digital processor and a digital memory embodied therein if said processing system determines that said second type of diskette has been inserted into said main computer floppy disk drive port;

transferring information representing image data captured by a digital camera and stored in a removable memory in said second type of diskette to said main computer; and

wherein said step of transferring information representing image data captured by a digital camera includes the step of converting said information into an MFM analog signal.

20. A method of transferring digital data from a digital camera to a personal computer having at least one disk drive port, and a processing system for executing control programs for controlling said personal computer, said method of transferring comprising the steps of:

removing from a digital camera a removable memory storing information representing image data captured by said digital camera;

inserting said removable memory into an insertion port of an intelligent type of diskette having a diskette-shaped frame, digital processing circuitry, and an interface for transferring data to said personal computer via a disk drive port of said personal computer embodied therein;

inserting said intelligent type of diskette into a disk drive port of said personal computer;

determining by, said personal computer processing system, a type of diskette inserted into said disk drive port in said inserting step;

executing program instructions for accessing information from the intelligent type of diskette having digital processing circuitry and an interface for transferring data to said personal computer via a disk drive port of said personal computer if said processing system determines that said intelligent type of diskette has been inserted into said personal computer disk drive port; and

transferring information representing image data captured by said digital camera stored in said removable memory to said personal computer.

21. A method according to claim 20, further including the step of determining by said processing system if a diskette has been changed by a user.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein said determining step includes the step of accessing a boot sector from the intelligent diskette inserted into said disk drive port.

23. A method according to claim 20, wherein said removable memory includes a flash memory device and wherein said step of executing program instructions includes the step of writing to said flash memory device.

24. A method according to claim 20, wherein said removable memory includes a flash memory device and wherein said step of executing program instructions includes the step of reading from said flash memory device.

25. A method according to claim 20, wherein said determining and executing steps are performed by personal computer device driver software.

26. A method according to claim 20, wherein said determining step includes the steps of:

reading information from a boot sector of said intelligent diskette; and

determining information about the diskette from the information accessed from said boot record.

27. A method according to claim 20, where the image data is accessible as files on the removable memory device.

28. A method according to claim 20, where data is accessible as files on the removable memory device and further including the step of producing a list of the files on the removable memory device.

29. A method according to claim 20, further including the step of copying data from the removable memory device to another memory device with the personal computer.

30. A method according to claim 20, further including the step of deleting data from the removable memory device.

31. A method according to claim 20, further including the step of displaying data stored on the removable memory device on a display associated with the personal computer.

32. A method according to claim 20, further including the steps of reading, writing, editing and displaying image data stored on the removable memory device.