Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-28
2001-10-16
Ray, Gopal C. (Department: 2181)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
C710S120000, C711S111000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304920
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a storage device, a storage/reproducing device, and a rewritable reproducing device that are incorporated in or attached to a personal computer as a unitary structure. More particularly, the invention relates to a storage device, a storage/reproducing device, and a reproducing device that are incorporated in or attached to a desk-top personal computer as a unitary structure.
2. Background of the Invention
The storage device of this kind has heretofore not been equipped with an external data input means, and data have been always input through a personal computer such as a personal computer one. Without a personal computer, therefore, the storage device is unable to operate. However, with the widespread use of various information equipment such as PHS, digital camera and the like, which have a prerequisite of transferring the data to a personal computer, it would be more convenient if transfer of data can be relayed by a storage device.
Therefore, there arises a technical problem to be solved that storage devices of this kind must be provided with a function of directly fetching the data from an external unit and relaying the transfer of data. The object of the present invention is to solve this problem.
So far, furthermore, conventional storage/reproducing devices and the reproducing devices of this type have usually been formed in the shape of a thin box. Therefore, a storage/reproducing device of built-in type has a narrow area exposed from the front of the desk-top personal computer, and is difficult to secure a space where the connector for fetching record data from an external data unit is installed. It may be possible to lead out the connector cable from the back of the personal computer and lay the cable along the outer side of the personal computer. However, this causes the operation to be complex, marring the appearance. It would be convenient if the storage/reproducing device and the read-only reproducing device of the attached type, too, have a function of easily fetching data from an external data unit.
Therefore, there arises a technical problem to be solved that storage/reproducing devices and the reproducing devices of this kind are improved to easily fetch external data. The object of the present invention is to solve this problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been proposed in order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, and provides a storage device comprising a computer input/output unit, and other input units such as a space wave communication port, a PC card loading/reading unit, and a telephone circuit connection unit, and further including a first switching means for connecting either an input circuit from the computer input/output unit or an input circuit from the other input units to a recording circuit connected to a storage unit of optical, magnetic, or magneto-optical type, a second switching means for connecting the input circuit from the other input units to either the recording circuit connected to the storage unit or an output circuit connected to the computer input/output unit, and a third switching means for connecting either a reproducing circuit from the storage unit or the input circuit from the other input units to the output circuit connected to the computer input/output unit.
The invention further provides a storage/reproducing device accommodated in a storing portion formed in a recessed manner in the front of a personal computer, or a storage/reproducing device externally attached to a personal computer, wherein a space wave communication port is disposed in the front or on the top, the data fetched by the space wave communication port are recorded on a storage means of optical, magnetic, or magneto-optical type, and the recorded data are read out and output to the personal computer.
The invention further provides a reproducing device accommodated in a storing portion formed in a recessed manner in the front of a personal computer, or a reproducing device externally attached to a personal computer, wherein a space wave communication port is disposed in the front or on the top of the device, so that the data fetched by the space wave communication port, too, are output to the personal computer, in addition to a reproducing device that reads data stored in a storage means of optical, magnetic or magneto-optical type and outputs the data to the personal computer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5638509 (1997-06-01), Dunphy et al.
patent: 5781407 (1998-07-01), Brauel
patent: 5892502 (1999-04-01), Hiller
patent: 5907717 (1999-05-01), Ellis
patent: 6064658 (2000-05-01), Jenkin
patent: 6129449 (2000-10-01), McCain et al.
Kobayashi Kazuo
Koyauchi Hiromu
Tsuyuki Sinji
Fattibene Arthur T.
Fattibene Paul A.
Fattibene & Fattibene
Mitsumi Electric Co. Ltd.
Ray Gopal C.
LandOfFree
Switching means for directly controlling operation of data... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Switching means for directly controlling operation of data..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Switching means for directly controlling operation of data... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2559581