Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Generic control system – apparatus or process – Having operator control interface
Patent
1997-11-19
2000-04-04
Grant, William
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Generic control system, apparatus or process
Having operator control interface
434307A, G05B 902
Patent
active
060472235
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention refers to an electronic computer for handling magneto-optic media, comprising a central processing unit (CPU), memory means connected to the CPU for storing data and programs, a compact disk (CD) reading unit connected to the CPU for reading data pre-recorded on a removable disk of different type (AUDIO-CD, PHOTO-CD, VIDEO-CD), input receiving means connected to the CPU for receiving input from an external input unit and connecting means for connecting an external video unit to the CPU. More precisely, this invention refers to an electronic computer for the handling of optical type compact disks (CD-ROM).
BACKGROUND ART
Personal computers are known in the current art that are used to read and playback optic and/or magnetic media. These computers, one of which is the Applicant's PCS Educator, use either a keyboard or a pointing device, commonly known as a "mouse", to activate the read and playback functionality of the CD-ROM and have the Personal Computer's monitor as their visual display device.
Also known in the current art is the use of commercial appliances, known as CD-players, to read and playback CD-ROM's. These appliances provide for actuation of the various controls by means of a plurality of pushbuttons, each with a predefined functionality, and have a television set as their visual display device. Inter alia, from European Publication EP-A-453108, is known a CD-player for playing CD-audio and memory disk which comprises a system controller, having a microcomputer, for controlling the entire system, an operating section, for issuing various commands in response to the user's key entries, and an image display controller, associated to a Liquid Crystal Display, for displaying images, such as a map. Such CD-player is able to determine whether the disk to be played is a CD-audio or a memory disk on the basis of identifying information in the TOC (Table Of Contents) of the disk.
The known computers, though they allow reading and playing of CD-ROMs, are of limited performance with respect to the commercial CD-players insofar as they are not apt for reading and playback of all the types of CD-ROM available on the market, nor for use of the television as the preferential visual display device, nor for connection to other magnetic media playback devices, such as video recorders for example. Further, the known computers are difficult for non-expert users to use as they require utilisation of devices, such as the keyboard or mouse, with which domestic users are unfamiliar.
On the other hand, though the CD-players are easy to use, they can only read and playback CD-ROMs and cannot perform any other processing work. In addition, these devices have the drawback that they are not upgradable, so that their performance cannot be improved upon nor can their characteristics be enhanced, for example following introduction of a new type CD-ROM.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The purpose of this invention is that of presenting an electronic computer which, though remaining highly flexible, powerful and upgradable, allows users to select and actuate the various CD-ROM read and playback functions both easily and immediately.
In accordance with this purpose, the electronic computer, according to the present invention, is characterised by a console having a plurality of actuating elements selectively actuatable for generating command signals, by a display unit, and by control means connected to the actuating elements, to the display unit and to the CPU; wherein the CPU is able to recognise the type of removable disk inserted in the CD reading unit by comparing the data read from the removable disk with the data stored into the memory means and to transmit to the control means I/O signals indicative of the type of removable disk inserted, and wherein the control means controls the display unit and the actuating elements to display information relating to the type of removable disk inserted into the CD reading unit and to enable the actuating elements to transmit the command signals to the CPU for
REFERENCES:
patent: 5634798 (1997-06-01), Suh
patent: 5721951 (1998-02-01), DorEl
patent: 5835733 (1998-11-01), Walsh et al.
Grant William
Ing. C. Olivetti & C. S.p.A.
Rapp Chad
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