Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer data routing – Least weight routing
Reexamination Certificate
1994-09-16
2001-10-02
Peikari, B. James (Department: 2752)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer data routing
Least weight routing
C710S016000, C710S062000, C710S013000, C710S011000, C711S115000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298388
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electronic apparatus and, more particularly, to an electronic apparatus in which a detachable IC card is connected to an IC card junction portion and a CPU bus of the electronic apparatus main body is connected to the IC card by the junction portion and the IC card is used as an external memory device.
2. Related Background Art
FIG. 8
shows an external view of a conventional data processing apparatus such as personal computer, word processor, or the like and an IC card which is used as a small external memory device for the data processing apparatus.
A construction of a data processing apparatus
90
shown in
FIG. 8
is used in a word processor, a personal computer, or the like and has a display
68
comprising an LCD panel or the like and a keyboard
86
as user interface means. The apparatus
90
also has an IC card
50
as an external memory device. Reference numeral
91
denotes an eject lever to remove the IC card
50
.
As shown in
FIG. 9
, a control system of the data processing apparatus
90
comprises: a CPU
65
; various control circuits which are connected to a data/address bus of the CPU
65
; the display
68
; a power source (P/S) section
84
; and the key input section
86
.
The IC card
50
is connected through an IC card connector
60
in a slot which is formed in the side wall of the keyboard
86
in FIG.
8
.
The IC card is used as a memory area to store processing data of the apparatus main body, operation data or KANJI (Chinese characters) font data which has already been stored in the card, or data of utility softwares, or the like.
A plurality of read only memories (ROMs)
54
and a plurality of random access memories (RAMs)
55
are enclosed in the IC card
50
and are connected to the IC card connector
60
through a buffer
53
and a junction portion
51
by an address/data/control bus
56
.
The address/data/control bus of the data processing apparatus
90
and signal lines of a power source and the like are also connected from the apparatus main body to the IC card connector
60
through a buffer
62
as necessary as shown in FIG.
9
. The signal is connected to the IC card
50
by the connector.
To the address/data/control bus of the CPU
65
, there are connected: a KANJI (or Chinese characters) ROM
69
; a DMA controller
70
; an RAM
82
; an ROM
83
; a timer
81
; an I/O controller
71
; a display controller
66
to control the input/output operation for the display
68
and keyboard
86
; a key input controller
85
; and the like.
An external expansion bus connector
89
is provided on the rear wall (not shown in
FIG. 8
) of the main body. A hard disc or an external control unit can be connected to the external expansion bus connector
89
through an exclusive control board and can be used to expand the external memory or to control the apparatus.
In recent years, a higher degree of miniaturization of the apparatus has been evident. In the apparatus as mentioned above, it is becoming impossible to provide enough apace to attach both of the connector
60
for the IC memory and the external expansion bus connector
89
. For instance, there are also commercially available a portable data processing apparatus and the like such as an IC card system pocket-book, an IC card electronic calculator, and the like having a small space only for providing a connector terminal for the IC card.
On the other hand, in such an apparatus as well, the function such as a high processing speed to input/output data from/to an external apparatus or the like is required similarly for the case of a desk-top type personal computer or the like.
As mentioned above, however, in recent years, it is difficult to assure an installation space for the connector to input/output data from or to an external device. In a conventional device, using a countermeasure is used, such that the control of the external device and the data input/output operation are executed or the like by using a serial communication connector. This is because the installation space for the serial communication connnector is smaller than that for the external expansion bus connector since the serial communication connector has only a signal line.
According to the above method, however, the high-speed input/output operation cannot be executed by a communication device using the serial communication connector. Such a method can be used for only an interface with a relatively low-speed external device such as printer, analog modem, or the like. It is difficult to apply the above method to an application field such that the memory of the IC card of a small capacity is expanded by connecting an external memory or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the first object of the invention that even in a small electronic apparatus having a limited installation space, the data input/output operation can be executed at a high speed by using an IC card interface.
The second object of the invention is to enable an input/output operation with an external device such as an external memory device or the like to be performed through pseudo card means connected under the same junction condition as that for the IC card connector.
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Gibson, Steve, “Device Driver ‘Stubs’ Smooth Path to Top SCSI Performance”,Infoworld,Nov. 19, 1990.
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Peikari B. James
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