Interface apparatus operable by using floppy disk drive

Details Interface apparatus operable by using floppy disk drive Interface apparatus operable by using floppy disk drive

1998-12-01

2001-07-03

Lee, Thomas (Department: 2182)

Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/

Input/output data processing

Peripheral adapting

C710S062000, C710S065000, C710S073000, C235S441000, C235S486000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06256688

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an interface apparatus operable by using a floppy disk drive. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an interface apparatus for an infrared communication with a digital sill camera, operable while being loaded on a floppy disk drive of a personal computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Very recently, digital still cameras are widely used to acquire still image in a very simple manner. The still image data acquired by such digital still cameras are displayed on television screens, or loaded on personal computers to be image-processed.
In this sort of digital still camera, the acquired still image data are stored into either a memory of the digital still camera or a storage medium such as a compact floppy disk thereof. The image data read from this memory, or storage medium during reproduction mode are transferred via a cable connected to an external output terminal of the camera to the television, or the personal computer.
In particular, a desk top type personal computer is typically equipped with connectors provided on a rear surface of a computer main body. These connectors are used to connect this personal computer to a computer peripheral device such as a printer. Accordingly, cumbersome manipulations are necessarily required so as to connect a digital still camera to such a desk top type personal computer.
Also, to transmit/receive image data between a personal computer and a digital still camera, the following data communication method is conceivable. That is, while using a medium equipped with a floppy-disk-shaped case, a detachable type memory is mounted in this floppy-disk-shaped case, and is derived from another electronic appliance. Then, this memory-mounted medium is operated by using a floppy disk drive. However, this data communication method has a drawback in that cumbersome detaching operation is required to detach this memory from the case.
Furthermore, a large number of digital still cameras are normally equipped with infrared ports designed in accordance with the IrDA (Infrared Data Association) standard, and thus are capable of outputting still image data as infrared signals. To the contrary, most of the above-explained desk top type personal computers are not usually equipped with such infrared ports of the IrDA standard. As a result, the above-explained cumbersome manipulations required to connect the digital still camera to this desk top type personal computer conventionally cannot be avoided by utilizing the infrared communication function.
In addition, these inconvenient manipulations and cumbersome operations are similarly required between personal computers and other computer peripheral devices, for example, a portable printer, a portable personal computer, and a portable telephone.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and therefore, has an object to provide an interface apparatus capable of establishing a data communication (including an infrared data communication) between a personal computer and a computer peripheral device such as a digital still camera in a simple manner and an easy manipulation.
To achieve the above-described object, an interface apparatus, according to a first aspect of the present invention, is featured by comprising:
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 connection mechanism conducted from a floppy disk insertion port of the floppy disk drive to be connected to an external electronic appliance when the interface apparatus is loaded on the floppy disk drive; 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.
Also, in this interface apparatus, the connection mechanism contains a portion constructed of a flat cable.
Also, the interface apparatus is further comprised of: a power generating mechanism provided within the casing unit, for generating electric power in response to rotations of a spindle motor employed in the floppy disk drive; and a power stabilizing circuit for stabilizing the electric power generated from the power generating mechanism.
Further, the interface apparatus is further comprised of a microcontroller for controlling the data converting circuit to convert the data used between the external electronic appliance and the magnetic interface.
Also, in the interface apparatus, the casing unit has a notched portion to which the connection mechanism is connected.
An interface apparatus, according to a second aspect of the present invention, is featured by comprising:
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.
Also, the interface apparatus is further comprised of a battery for supplying electric power to the infrared port controller.
Also, the interface apparatus is further comprised of a rechargeable cell recharged by the electric power generated by the generator.
Further, the interface apparatus is further comprised of a hinge portion provided between the projected portion of the casing unit and the infrared port.
Moreover, an interface apparatus, according to a third aspect of the present invention, is featured by comprising:
a casing unit having a substantially flat shape;
a magnetic interface provided on ne of a front surface of the casing unit and a rear surface thereof, and abutting against a magnetic head to transmit/receive data between the magnetic head and the magnetic interface;
a connection mechanism conducted from a floppy disk insertion port of a floppy disk drive to be connected to an external electronic appliance when the interface apparatus is loaded on the floppy disk drive; and
a data converting circuit for converting the data used between the magnetic interface and said external electronic appliance connected to the interface apparatus by the connection mechanism.
In accordance with the above-described interface apparatuses of the present invention, the image data can be transmitted/received between the desk top type personal computer and the portable type electronic appliance such as the digital still camera. That is, while a floppy disk drive usually mounted on such a desk top type personal computer is used to load this interface apparatus, the digital still camera can be readily connected via this interface apparatus to the desk top type personal computer so as to transmit/receive the image data.
With employment of the above-explained infrared communication function of the second interface apparatus, the digital still camera having the infrared communication function can be readily connected even with a desk top type personal computer and a floppy disk drive which are not generally equipped with an infrared communication function as a standard feature. As a consequence, the image data can be transmitted/received between the digital still camera and the desk top type personal

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