JPH0676540A - Data storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a data storage device capable of using both a disk cartridge and an IC card by one device by integrally providing a disk cartridge drive and an IC card socket. CONSTITUTION:A disk cartridge drive 2 is provided in a casing 4 and when a cartridge is inserted into an insertion recessed part 4a from an insertion port 5 provided on the front face of the casing 4, the cartridge is driven and the reading/writing of the data are carried out. Also, an IC card socket 3 is provided on the inner edge part of an IC card insertion recessed part 6 positioned on the upper part of the drive 2 and provided in a casing 1. When an IC card is inserted from an IC card insertion port 7 provided on the front face part of the casing 1, it is connected to the socket 3. Thus, both the cartridge and the IC card are used only at one data storage device and a financial burden on a user is reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data storage device externally attached to a computer application device such as a personal computer, a word processor and a video game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a computer application device such as a personal computer has a built-in data storage device such as a floppy disk drive (FDD) or a magnetic tape drive for storing data files or exchanging data files with other devices. Has been done.

In recent years, as computer-applied devices such as personal computers have become smaller, IC cards have tended to be used in portable computer-applied devices instead of the FDD, and the FDD has become a portable computer-applied device. It is becoming more and more external.

[0004]

However, since the conventional data storage device of this type has a dedicated structure corresponding to the disc cartridge and the IC card, when both the disc cartridge and the IC card are used, the dedicated data storage device is used. There is a problem in that a device must be provided, which imposes a heavy financial burden on the user.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. A first object of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional data storage device capable of using both a disk cartridge and an IC card with one unit. is there.

The second object of the present invention is to:
It is to provide a multifunctional data storage device that can use both a hard disk and an IC card.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned first object, a data storage device of the present invention comprises a disk cartridge drive for driving a disk cartridge, I
It is characterized by being integrated with an IC card socket to which a C card is connected.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned second object, a data storage device of the present invention is a hard disk drive for driving a hard disk and an IC to which an IC card is connected.
It is characterized by being integrated with a card socket.

To achieve the first object, the disk cartridge and the IC card can be selectively mounted from the same insertion opening, or the disk cartridge and the IC card can be mounted between the disk cartridge and the IC card. It is preferable that the data file can be transferred in at least one direction and a switch for operating the transfer of the data file is provided.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, a data file can be transferred between the hard disk and the IC card in at least one direction, and a switch for operating the transfer of the data file is provided. Is desirable.

Further, in order to achieve the above first and second objects, it is desirable to provide an IC card type connection adapter connected to a computer application device and an information display means for displaying the transfer status of the data file.

[0012]

In the data storage device of the first invention of the present invention, the disk cartridge drive for driving the disk cartridge and the IC card socket to which the IC card is connected are integrated, so that one disk cartridge drive is used. Both IC cards can be used.

In the data storage device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the hard disk drive for driving the hard disk and the IC card socket to which the IC card is connected are integrated. Both can be used.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a data storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a housing, and a disk cartridge drive 2 is provided inside the housing.
And the IC card socket 3 are integrated with each other.

The disc cartridge drive 2 is provided with a disc cartridge drive unit (not shown) in a casing 4, and a disc cartridge insertion opening 5 provided in the front face of the casing 4 is opened in the front face of the housing 1. . A disc cartridge (not shown) can be mounted in the disc cartridge insertion recess 4a of the casing 4 through the disc cartridge insertion port 5.

The IC card socket 3 is provided at the inner end of an IC card insertion recess 6 provided in the housing 1 above the disk cartridge drive 2.
A front end opening of the IC card insertion recess 6 is opened on the front surface of the housing 1 to form an IC card insertion opening 7.
Then, by inserting an IC card (not shown) into the IC card insertion recess 6 from the IC card insertion opening 7,
The IC card is adapted to be connected to the IC card socket 3.

In the above configuration, when a disc cartridge is used, the disc cartridge is inserted into the disc cartridge insertion recess 4a of the casing 4 of the disc cartridge drive 2 from the disc cartridge insertion opening 5 to thereby install the disc cartridge. The disk cartridge is driven to read and write data from the disk cartridge.

According to this embodiment, both the disk cartridge and the IC card can be used by one data storage device, and the economical burden on the user can be reduced.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In the present embodiment, the IC is placed inside the casing 4 of the disc cartridge drive 2 above the disc cartridge insertion recess 4a without providing the housing 1.
A card insertion recess 6 is provided, an IC card socket 3 is provided at the inner end of the IC card insertion recess 6, and the IC card insertion port 7 is opened at a position above the disc cartridge insertion port 5 on the front surface of the casing 4. Is.

According to this embodiment, as compared with the first embodiment, since the housing 1 is not provided, the whole shape becomes compact.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In this embodiment, the housing 1 is not provided, and the shared insertion recess 8 into which the disc cartridge and the IC card can be selectively inserted is provided inside the casing 4 of the disc cartridge drive 2, and An IC card socket 3 is provided at the inner end of the shared insertion recess 8, and the front end opening of the shared insertion recess 8 is opened in the front surface of the casing 4 so that the disc cartridge and the IC card can be selectively inserted. The insertion opening 9 is used.

Normally, a disk cartridge and an IC
Since the shapes of the cards are different from each other, the shape conversion frame 10 as shown in FIG. 4 is provided, and when the IC card 11 is inserted into the common insertion recess 8 of the casing 4, the IC card 11 is fitted into the shape conversion frame 10. In the state where it is held, it is inserted into the common insertion recess 8 from the common insertion opening 9.

According to the present embodiment, since the shared insertion recess 8 and the shared insertion opening 9 only need to be provided for each one, the overall shape can be made more compact as compared with the second embodiment described above.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In this embodiment, in the configuration of FIG. 1 of the above-mentioned first embodiment, I is connected via a sheet-like connection cable 12.
A C card type connection adapter 13 is added. That is, one end of the connection cable 12 is connected to the internal unit of the disk cartridge drive 2 and the IC card socket 3
Is connected to the
A card type connection adapter 12 is connected. This IC
The card type connection adapter 12 can be inserted into an existing IC card slot in a computer application device (not shown) such as a personal computer.

In the above-mentioned structure, the IC card type connection adapter 12 is inserted into the IC card slot of the computer application device so that the computer application device and the disk cartridge drive recess 2a of the disc cartridge drive 2 are mounted. Data files can be transferred between the disk cartridge and the computer application device and the IC card inserted in the IC card insertion recess 6. As a result, there is an effect that one existing IC card slot can be effectively utilized for multiple purposes.

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In this embodiment, in the configuration of FIG. 1 of the first embodiment, an operation switch 14 is provided on the upper front side of the housing 1, and the operation of the operation switch 14 causes the IC card insertion recess 6 to be formed.
The data file can be transferred between the IC card mounted inside and the disk cartridge mounted inside the disk cartridge ridge insertion recess 4a.

As a result, even in the case where the device is not connected to the computer application device, the disk cartridge and the IC are
Data files can be transferred to and from the card,
Data files can be transferred from an expensive IC card to an inexpensive disk cartridge and saved, or data files can be extracted from the disk cartridge to the IC card as needed to realize high-speed data processing by the IC card. Can be effectively used.

[Sixth Embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the same parts as those in the above-mentioned fifth embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In this embodiment, in the structure of FIG. 6 of the fifth embodiment, the information display means 15 for displaying the transfer status of the data file is provided on the upper surface of the housing 1, and the operation switch 14 is operated to operate the disk cartridge and the IC card. When a data file is transferred between and, the transfer direction, the data file name, etc. are displayed in characters on the information display means 15 so that they can be confirmed.

As a result, the data file can be transferred reliably.

[Seventh Embodiment] Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the data storage device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 16 is a housing in which a hard disk drive (HDD) 17 and an IC
The card socket 18 and the card socket 18 are integrated together.

The hard disk drive 17 is provided with a hard disk drive unit (not shown) in a casing 19 and a hard disk 20 which is a recording medium driven by the unit.

The IC card socket 18 is provided at the inner end of the IC card insertion recess 21 provided in the housing 16 at the upper part of the hard disk drive 17. The front end opening of the IC card insertion concave portion 21 opens on the front surface of the housing 16 to form an IC card insertion opening 22. Then, by inserting an IC card (not shown) into the IC card insertion recess 21 from the IC card insertion opening 22, the IC card is inserted into the IC card socket 1.
It is designed to be connected to 8.

In the above configuration, the hard disk 20 is driven by the hard disk drive 17 to read and write data from the hard disk.

According to this embodiment, both a hard disk and an IC card can be used with one data storage device,
The financial burden on the user is reduced.

[Eighth Embodiment] Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those of the above-mentioned seventh embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In this embodiment, the housing 16 is not provided, and the I
A C card insertion recess 21 is provided, and the IC card insertion recess 2 is provided.
An IC card socket 18 is provided at the inner end of the casing 1, and an IC card insertion opening 22 is opened at a position on the upper front side of the casing 19.

According to this embodiment, as compared with the above-mentioned seventh embodiment, since the case is not provided, the whole shape becomes compact.

[Ninth Embodiment] Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those of the above-mentioned seventh embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In this embodiment, in the structure of FIG. 8 of the seventh embodiment described above, the IC is connected via the sheet-like connection cable 23.
A card type connection adapter 24 is added. That is, one end of the connection cable 23 is connected to the internal unit of the hard disk drive 17 and the IC card socket 18, and the other end of the connection cable 23 is connected to the IC card type connection adapter 24. The IC card type connection adapter 24 can be inserted into an existing IC card slot in a computer application device (not shown) such as a personal computer.

In the above configuration, by inserting the IC card type connection adapter 24 into the IC card slot of the computer application device, the computer application device and the hard disk 20 of the hard disk drive 17 and the computer application device and the IC are connected. Data files can be transferred to and from the card. As a result, one existing IC card slot in a computer application device can be effectively utilized for multiple purposes.

[Tenth Embodiment] Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those of the above-mentioned seventh embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In this embodiment, in the structure of FIG. 8 of the seventh embodiment, an operation switch 25 is provided on the upper front side of the casing 16.
By operating the operation switch 25, the IC card insertion recess 2
The data file can be transferred between the IC card mounted in the hard disk drive 1 and the hard disk of the hard disk drive 17.

This enables data files to be transferred between the hard disk and the IC card even when not connected to computer application equipment, and the data files can be transferred from the expensive IC card to the inexpensive hard disk and stored. In addition, the IC card can be effectively used by, for example, extracting a data file from the hard disk to the IC card as needed to realize high-speed data processing by the IC card.

[Eleventh Embodiment] Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the tenth embodiment described above will be described with the same reference numerals in the drawings.

In this embodiment, in the structure of FIG. 11 of the tenth embodiment, the information display means 26 for displaying the transfer status of the data file is provided on the upper surface of the housing 16, and the operation switch 25 is provided.
When a data file is transferred between the hard disk 20 and the IC card by the operation, the transfer direction, the data file name, etc. can be displayed in characters on the information display means 26 to be confirmed. As a result, the data file can be reliably transferred.

[Other Embodiments] As the disk cartridge drive 2 in the above-mentioned first to sixth embodiments, in addition to a floppy disk drive (FDD), a magneto-optical disk drive, a removable hard disk drive, a Bernoulli disk drive, a write-once type. It may be an optical disk drive, a rewritable optical disk drive, or the like.

Further, although an IC memory for data buffer is often built in the disk drive, the IC card mounted in the IC card socket 3 of FIG. It may be configured to be used as a buffer.

Further, instead of using the shape changing frame 10 shown in FIG. 4 in the above-mentioned third embodiment, the shape of the IC card is made substantially the same as that of the disk cartridge, or the shape of the disk cartridge is made as the IC card. You may make it the same shape.

Further, the above-mentioned fifth, sixth, tenth and first
The operation switches 14 and 25 shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 11 and 12 in one embodiment may be push-button type, slide type, touch type, lever type or rotary type.

The information display means 15 and 26 of FIGS. 7 and 12 in the sixth and eleventh embodiments described above may be of liquid crystal type, LED type, fluorescent type, etc. It may be any of kana characters, numbers, alphabetic characters or symbols.

Further, the hard disk drive 17 in the above-mentioned seventh to eleventh embodiments may be replaced by a plug-in type.

[0058]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention.
According to the above data storage device, since the disk cartridge drive and the IC card socket are integrally provided with each other, both the disk cartridge and the IC card can be used by one data storage device, and the data storage device has multiple functions. However, there is an effect that the financial burden on the user is reduced.

According to the data storage device of claim 2,
By adopting a structure in which the disk cartridge and the IC card can be selectively mounted from one common insertion port, there is an effect that the entire shape is extremely small and multifunctional.

According to the data storage device of claim 3,
By providing the operation switch for transferring the data file, there is an effect that the data file can be freely transferred between the IC card and the disk cartridge even in the case where the computer application device is not connected.

According to the data storage device of claim 4,
Since the hard disk drive and the IC card socket are provided integrally with each other, both the hard disk and the IC card can be used in one data storage device, and the multifunctional device is provided, but the economical burden on the user is provided. Has the effect of being reduced.

According to the data storage device of claim 5,
Since the operation switch for operating the transfer of the data file is provided, there is an effect that the data file can be freely transferred between the IC card and the hard disk drive even in the application not connected to the computer application device.

According to the data storage device of claim 6,
Since the IC card type connection adapter for connecting to the computer application equipment is provided, both the IC card and the disk cartridge or the hard disk can be used by using one existing IC card slot for the computer application equipment,
There is an effect that the IC card slot can be effectively used.

Further, according to the data storage device of claim 7,
Since the information display means for displaying the transfer status of the data file is provided, there is an effect that the data file name and the like can be confirmed and the data file can be transferred reliably.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a data storage device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a data storage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a data storage device according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which an IC card is mounted on a shape conversion frame used in the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a data storage device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a data storage device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a data storage device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a data storage device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a data storage device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a data storage device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a data storage device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a data storage device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Disk cartridge drive 3 Socket for IC card 9 Common insertion slot 13 IC card type connection adapter 14 Operation switch 15 Information display means 17 Hard disk drive 18 IC card socket 24 IC card type connection adapter 25 Operation switch 26 Information display means

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A disk cartridge drive for driving a disk cartridge and an IC card are connected to each other.
A data storage device characterized by being integrated with a C card socket. 2. The data storage device according to claim 1, wherein the disk cartridge and the IC card can be selectively mounted from the same insertion opening. 3. The data file can be transferred in at least one direction between the disk cartridge and the IC card, and a switch for operating the transfer of the data file is provided. Data storage device. 4. A data storage device characterized in that a hard disk drive for driving a hard disk and an IC card socket to which an IC card is connected are integrated. 5. The switch according to claim 4, wherein a data file can be transferred in at least one direction between the hard disk and the IC card, and a switch for operating the transfer of the data file is provided. Data storage device. 6. An IC card type connection adapter for connecting to a computer application device is provided.
The data storage device according to 4 or 5. 7. The data storage device according to claim 3, further comprising information display means for displaying a transfer status of the data file.