Interface apparatus operable by using floppy disk drive

• US 6,256,688 B1
• Filed: 12/01/1998
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Inventors: Suetaka, Hiroyuki, Arai, Tatsuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cao, Chun
• Application Number:
  US09/203,637
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 235/441, 235/486, 235/487, 235/492, 361/685, 361/737, 710/2, 710/62, 710/64, 710/73, 710/12, 710/65
• US Class Current: 710/73
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0327 for special applications not otherwise provided for

Abstract

An interface apparatus is inserted into a floppy disk drive unit so as to establish an infrared data communication between a desk top type personal computer and a digital still camera even when this desk top type personal computer is not equipped with an infrared communication port. This interface apparatus is arranged by employing: a casing unit having an entire shape substantially identical to that of a floppy disk and having a head window portion; a magnetic interface provided in the head window portion of the casing unit,and abutting against a magnetic head of a floppy disk drive so as to transmit/receive data to/from the magnetic head; a projected portion projected from a floppy disk insertion port of the floppy disk drive when the interface apparatus is loaded on the floppy disk drive; an infrared port arranged in the projected portion; an infrared port controller for controlling the infrared port to establish an infrared communication between the infrared port and an external electronic appliance; and a data converting circuit for converting the data used between the external electronic appliance connected via the connection mechanism to the interface apparatus, and the magnetic interface.

Claims

1. An interface apparatus comprising:

a casing unit having a shape substantially identical to a shape of a floppy disks, and having a head window portion;

a magnetic interface that is provided in said head window portion of the casing unit, and that is adapted to abut against a magnetic head of a floppy disk drive of an external electronic appliance so as to transmit/receive data to/from said magnetic head;

an infrared port communicating with said magnetic interface;

at least one hinge portion that couples said infrared port and said casing unit in a manner such that said infrared port is adapted to project from a floppy disk insertion port of said floppy disk drive when said interface apparatus is loaded into said floppy disk drive by descending therein; and

an infrared port controller that controls said infrared port to establish an infrared communication between said infrared port and the external electronic appliance via said magnetic interface and the magnetic head of said floppy disk drive of the external electronic appliance.

2. An interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a battery that supplies electric power to said infrared port controller.

3. An interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a power generating mechanism that is provided within said casing unit, and that generates electric power in response to rotations of a spindle motor employed in said floppy disk drive; and

a power stabilizing circuit that stabilizes the electric power generated by said power generating mechanism.

4. An interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable cell that is rechargeable by the electric power generated by said generator.

5. An interface apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a data converting circuit that converts data communicated between the external electronic appliance and said interface apparatus into a usable form.