Selectively coupling one of two interfaces in an external...

Details Selectively coupling one of two interfaces in an external... Selectively coupling one of two interfaces in an external...

2003-01-30

2004-07-27

Park, Iiwoo (Department: 2182)

Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/

Input/output data processing

Peripheral adapting

C710S036000, C710S038000, C710S062000, C710S072000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06769042

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a CD-ROM (compact disk read only memory) apparatus and, more particularly, to a CD-ROM apparatus used as an external memory of a personal computer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY
A general connection example of a conventional CD-ROM apparatus of this type for a personal computer system will be described by referring to
FIG. 2
(Prior Art). Numeral
1
denotes a body of a personal computer, and numeral
2
designates a CPU. A ROM
3
and a RAM
4
of an internal memory are connected to the CPU
2
. The CPU
2
is connected to an AT-BUS
6
through a BUS controller
5
, and further connected to devices through the AT-BUS
6
.
On the other hand, with respect to an external memory, an IDE-BUS I/F (interface)
7
is connected to the AT-BUS
6
, and hard disk devices
8
are connected to the IDE-BUS I/F
7
through an IDE-BUS
9
. In this case, the hard disk devices
8
can be connected to the IDE-BUS I/F
7
according to the IDE standards. An ISA-BUS I/F
10
is connected to the AT-BUS
6
. An I/F CARD connector
12
is connected to the ISA-BUS I/F
10
through an ISA-BUS
11
, and a CD-ROM apparatus
13
containing an I/F
13
a
corresponding in operation to the ISA-BUS standard is connected to the IF/CARD connector
12
through an I/F CABLE
14
.
The conventional CD-ROM apparatus of the personal computer, as described above, is corrected to the ISA-BUS I/F
10
through the I/F CARD connector
12
. That is, when the CD-ROM apparatus
13
is used as an external memory, the I/F CARD connector
12
and the I/F CABLE
14
are required in addition to the CD-ROM apparatus
13
. When the user connects the CD-ROM apparatus
13
to the personal computer
1
, it is necessary to supply and set the I/F CARD connector
12
into the computer
1
.
Therefore, eliminating the I/F CABLE
14
and the I/F CARD connector
12
would make for a simpler connection of the CR-ROM apparatus
13
to the computer
1
.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a CD-ROM apparatus which can simplify and reduce expenses in construction of a personal computer system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention achieves the above-described object, by providing a CD-ROM apparatus comprising an IDE interface, wherein a hard disk unit and the CD-ROM apparatus are connected in cascade with the IDE interface (IDE I/F) of a personal computer.
The IDE I/F of the personal computer is partitioned for both master and slave devices. The hard disk unit is ordinarily connected to the master partition. Further, the CD-ROM apparatus is ordinarily connected to the slave partition of the IDE I/F of the personal computer. Thus, the CD-ROM apparatus is connected in cascade with the hard disk unit on an IDE-BUS connected to the IDE I/F. However, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the CD-ROM apparatus may be connected to the master partition and the hard disk connected to the slave partition of the IDE I/F by changing the logic state of a drive selection bit in the IDE bus interface.


REFERENCES:
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patent: 5434722 (1995-07-01), Bizjak et al.
patent: 5590375 (1996-12-01), Sangveraphunsiri et al.
patent: 5649233 (1997-07-01), Chen
patent: 5805921 (1998-09-01), Kikinis et al.
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patent: 6038624 (2000-03-01), Chan et al.
patent: 6170020 (2001-01-01), Blakeney et al.
patent: 6546440 (2003-04-01), Verinsky et al.
patent: 10-124444 (1998-05-01), None
“An IDE device Configuration Scheme with Reset Signal” IBM RD v42 n417 01-99 article 417108.

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