Interface with connection unit for loading host computer with external storage device format control information in response to connection of host computer to connection unit

• US 6,374,315 B1
• Filed: 09/10/1999
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Negishi, Ryuichi, Okada, Toru, Kurihara, Hitoshi, Kakinuma, Kiyoyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tanh Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/393,754
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 710/13, 710/65, 710/62, 710/102, 710/16, 710/2, 710/129, 710/106, 710/100, 710/101, 711/111, 711/112, 711/115, 341/50, 235/492, 235/486, 235/441, 380/3, 360/133, 703/25, 709/220, 345/156, 345/427
• 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 3/0613 in relation to throughput
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0632 by initialisation or re-initialisation of storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0661 Format or protocol conversion arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0676 Magnetic disk device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/08 from or to individual record carriers, e.g. punched card , memory card, integrated circuit [IC] card or smart 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: G11B 33/025 Portable cases
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/125 the apparatus comprising a plurality of recording/reproducing devices, e.g. modular arrangements, arrays of disc drives
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/126 Arrangements for providing electrical connections, e.g. connectors, cables, switches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0273 having extensions for peripherals, e.g. LAN, antennas details of antennas H01Q1/2275

Abstract

The present invention relates to a data processing device which is also used as an interface device for connecting an external storage device to a host computer to which a card form of storage device can be connected, the external storage device differing in data format from the card form of storage device. The data processing device includes a connection unit for connecting the external storage device to the host computer, the connection unit being able to be removably fitted into a slot which is provided in the host computer and into which to removably fit the card form of storage device, and a converting circuit for converting data, which is to be outputted from the host computer in a data format conforming to the card form of storage device, into a data format conforming to the external storage device, as well as for converting data read out from the external storage device into the data format conforming to the card form of storage device.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a host computer to which a card form of storage device is connectable;

an external storage device which differs in data format from the card form of storage device; and

an interface including;

a connection unit for connecting the card form of storage device to said host computer, said connection unit being able to be removably fitted into a slot which is provided in said host computer and into which to removably fit the card form of storage device; and

controlling means for loading into said host computer a control program for converting control information, in response to the connection of said host computer and said connection unit which is to be outputted from said host computer in a data format conforming to the card form of storage device, into a data format conforming to the external storage device, and enabling said external storage device to be controlled.

2. A computer system according to claim 1, wherein said external storage device is a floppy disk drive.

3. A computer system according to claim 1, wherein the card form of storage device has a data format conforming to a PCMCIA format.

4. A computer system according to claim 2, wherein said interface further includes a floppy disk controller for controlling the floppy disk drive and a memory in which attribute information about said interface is stored.

5. A computer system according to claim 4, wherein the attribute information stored in said memory is loaded into said host computer in response to fitting of said connection unit into the slot.

6. A computer system according to claim 5, further comprising a BIOS in which information for controlling an input/output operation of said external storage device via said interface is stored, said BIOS being installed into predetermined addresses in said host computer in response to the fitting of said connection unit into the slot.

7. A computer system according to claim 1, wherein said host computer is provided with a BIOS in which information for controlling an input/output operation of said external storage device via said interface is stored.

8. A computer system according to claim 1, further comprising DMA transfer means for executing DMA transfer between said host computer and said interface.

9. A computer system comprising:

a host computer which employs a card form of storage device as an external storage device;

an external storage device which differs in data format from the card form of storage device; and

an interface including;

a connection unit for connecting said external storage device to said host computer, said connection unit being able to be removably fitted into a slot which is provided in said host computer and into which to removably fit the card form of storage device;

first converting means for changing in response to initialization of said host computer, a BIOS provided in said host computer into a format for control of said external storage device; and

second converting means for converting information, which is to be outputted from said host computer in a data format conforming to the card form of storage device, into information of data format conforming to said external storage device, and supplying the information of converted data format to said external storage device.

10. A computer system according to claim 9, wherein said external storage device is a floppy disk drive.

11. A computer system according to claim 9, wherein the card form of storage device has a data format conforming to a PCMCIA format.

12. A computer system according to claim 10, further comprising means for performing DMA transfer of the information.

13. A computer system according to claim 9, further comprising a ROM in which attribute information on said interface is stored, the attribute information stored in said ROM being read out into said host computer in response to initialization of said host computer.

14. A computer system according to claim 9, further comprising DMA transfer means between said host computer and said interface.

15. A computer system comprising:

a host computer which employs a card form of storage device as an external storage device;

an external storage device which differs in data format from the card form of storage device; and

an interface including;

a connection unit for connecting said external storage device to said host computer, said connection unit being able to be removably fitted into a slot which is provided in said host computer and into which to removably fit the card form of storage device; and

means for loading into said host computer control information for data conversion which is to be used in converting, in response to initialization of said host computer caused by a connection of said host computer and said interface, information, which is to be outputted from said host computer in a data format conforming to the card form of storage device, into information of data format conforming said external storage device, and supplying the information of converted data format to said external storage device.

16. A computer system according to claim 15, wherein said external storage device is a floppy disk drive, said interface converting the data format conforming to the card form of storage device into a data format conforming to the floppy disk drive.

17. A computer system according to claim 16, wherein said interface further includes a floppy disk controller for controlling the floppy disk drive and a memory in which attribute information about said interface is stored.

18. A computer system according to claim 15, wherein the control information for data conversion is a BIOS.