GB2266000A - Computer-controlled multi-media processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer-controlled multi-media processing device (21) is provided with a top-loading CD-ROM reader (23), a ROM cartridge reader (25) mounted on the cabinet (23c) of the disk reader, the ROM cartridge reader (25) being arranged to receive an IC card, ROM cartridge or the like (24) and being coupled to CD-ROM reader (23) by connectors (40, (41), and a computer controller contained in the cabinet (23c) or (25B) of one of said readers for selecting from the readers. With this arrangement the size of the device is reduced in comparison to conventional devices. Because the disk reader (23) is top- loaded, it is also possible to decrease the manufacturing costs of the device by simplifying the loading operation and minimizing the number of required parts and assembly steps. Furthermore, because the computer controller is installed in the cabinet of either of the readers, it is possible to make the device as a whole more compact. A variety of configurations of the device (21) are described. <IMAGE>

Description

Computer-controlled multi-media processing device This invention relates generally to a computer-controlled multi-media processing device and, more particularly, the present invention relates to such a computer-controlled multimedia processing unit which reads, controls and regenerates required information software recorded in external media such as CD-ROM, cassette ROM, IC cards or the like.

Up to the present, for example, a computer-controlled multi-media processing device as shown in Fig. 36 is popularly used. This device is the first example of the conventional prior art. This processing device 1 is comprised of a disk regenerator 3 and a cassette ROM regenerator 4. Said disk regenerator 3 has a flat main body portion 3a having a squared flat upper surface and a connecting portion 3b extruded from the one side of said main portion 3a and provided with a connector electrically connected to said cassette ROM regenerator 4.

Also, said cassette ROM regenerator 4 has a connector socket 4a provided on the side face facing said connecting portion 3b and a cassette-loading port which receives a cassette ROM 5 on the upper surface thereof. Said cassette ROM regenerator 4 is mounted on the upper surface of said disk regSnerator 3 so as to be contacted with the inner side face of said connecting portion 3b in order to be electrically connected with said disk regenerator 3. Said disk regenerator 3 is also provided with a tray loading system which loads or unloads a tray 2A by placing a compact disk 2 thereon, into said regenerator 3 by applying (not shown) the tray-loading device.

The device 6 shown in Fig. 37 is used as a second example of the conventional device. Said device 6 has a flatter connecting unit 7 having two connecting sockets 7a and 7b extruded towards the side direction, and each separated disk unit 8 and cassette ROM unit 9 are each located on the flatter surface of said connecting unit 7 so as to be electrically connected to said sockets 7a and 7b. Said disk unit 8 is connected to said cassette ROM unit 9 through said sockets 7a and 7b.

Device 11 shown in Fig. 38 is used as a third example of the conventional device. Said device 11 is composed of a personal computer 12 and a disk drive 13 provided with the top loading method. Said personal computer 12 and said disk drive 13 are connected to each other witgp a shielded cable 14.

Finally, device 16 is shown in Fig. 39 as the fourth example of the conventional device. Said device 16 is composed of a flat and square disk unit 17 provided with the top-loading method and a flat and square cassette ROM unit 18, both units being electrically connected with the socket 17a and 18a installed on each facing side portion.

The above-mentioned examples each have the following shortcomings. In reference to said device 1 shown in Fig. 36, as said cassette ROM unit 4 is installed on the flatter main body portion 3a and electrically connected with said connecting portion 3b of said disk unit 3, both units are connected together strongly. But because said disk unit 3 uses the trayloading method of loading disks, the loading mechanism for loading said compact disk becomes complex because of the requirement of a tray, a tray guide and a tray-driving motor, and it becomes expensive because of an increase in the number of parts and assembly steps.

In reference to said computer-controlledsmulti-media processing device 6 shown in Fig. 37, as said device is composed of three units as a whole, each unit must be shaped as an independent unit, and it becomes too expensive. Furthermore, as this device has many connecting portions, it has a tendency to result in bad connections and cause accidents.

Furthermore, in reference to said computer-controlled multi-media processing device 16 shown in Fig. 39, said disk unit 17 and said cassette ROM unit 18 are connected to each other in the same vertical plane, and assembled relatively compactly. But in transporting said device 16, it is necessary to hold each unit with two hands, which causes considerable bending stress owing to strain between said connecting sockets 17a and 18a and their vicinities, and tends to produce accidents.

Also, in reference to the fifth example of said computercontrolled multi-media processing device shown in Fig. 40, as the image processing function, expanded memories and pulse-code modulating function or the like are installed in said disk unit 17, the printed circuit board (hereafter called PCB) becomes too large. When placing said PCB divided into two parts in piles, it is necessary to connect two boards electrically.

Consequently, the height of said disk unit 17 tends to go higher in the same increments as said PCB, and the connecting cables are expensive.

The present invention was completed in consideration of the drawbacks inherent in the above-mentioned prior art, and provides a computer-controlled multi-media processing device requiring small installation space, small number of parts, fewer assembly steps, low cost, solidly-built construction as a whole, least electromagnetic shielding, and rare occurrence of accidents, by installing and connecting a cassette ROM regenerator on a disk regenerator using the top-loading system for installing a disk thereon.

The computer-controlled multi-media processing devices described hereinafter are provided with a disk regenerator having a top-1oaaing#,jnethod, a cassette ROM regenerator mounted on the cabinet of said disk regenerator, said cassette ROM regenerator applying an IC card or cassette ROM or the like, and a computer-controller contained in the cabinet of either of said regenerators and selectively applying both said regenerators. Because the cassette ROM regenerator is mounted on the cabinet of said disk regenerator and electrically connected thereto, the installation space required for this device is only the space needed for installing said cabinet of said disk regenerator, making the required space smaller than that needed for the conventional device.

As said disk regenerator also adopts the drop-loading method, it is possible to place said disk on the turntable downwardly from the upper position, which simplifies loading, minimizes the number of required parts and assembly steps, which further tends to decrease the manufacturing costs.

Furthermore, as the computer controller is installed in the cabinet of either of both said regenerators, it is possible to realize a further reduction in the required parts and make the device more compact.

In one preferred embodiment, said computer-controlled multi-media processing device according to this invention is characterized in that the cabinet of said disk regenerator is shaped like a horse, having a neck portion and a trunk portion, and the cabinet of said cassette ROM is installed on said trunk portion.

In referring to this invention, as the disk-loading mechanism of said disk regenerator is installed on said neck portion, and the cabinet of the main body of said cassette ROM regenerator is installed on said trunk portion, the required installation space is limited only to the installation space of said horse-like disk regenerator, resulting in a much-reduced installation space.

Also, as the disk-loading mechanism of said disk regenerator uses the so-called top-loading method, it is possible simply to place said compact disk on said turntable downwardly from the upper position.

Furthermore, as the cabinet of the main body of said cassette ROM regenerator is mounted on said trunk portion of said disk regenerator, the electrical connection of both regenerators is directly connectable between the side portion of said ROM regenerator and the main body of said disk regenerator located on said neck portion.

In one more preferred embodiment, said computer-controlled multi-media processing device is characterized in that a diskloading device of said disk regenerator is comprised of a cabinet, a manipulator which exchanges a locking mechanism of said loading port of said disk-loading device from the locked position to the unlocked position and opens the covering lid of said loading port when unlocking, and an interlocking device enabling the operation of said manipulator towards the unlocking direction with the operation towards another direction.

In this invention, for unlocking said covering lid, as it is necessary to operate said manipulator in two directions, said covering lid does not come unlocked by the inadvertent touching of said manipulator or with the addition of any mechanical shock, and as a result the disk is prevented from becoming damaged.

In one further preferred embodiment, the computercontrolled multi-media processing device according to this invention is characterized in that the cabinet of said disk regenerator shaped like a horse is divided into two portions, a bottom cabinet and a top cabinet. Then holding portions clipping the edges of a printed circuit board associated with a connector of said disk regenerator are provided between said bottom cabinet and said top cabinet facing each other in up and down directions. By applying this construction, in assembling said cabinet of said disk regenerator, it is possible to simultaneously install and fix said connector so as to be installed into said circuit board, and also to eliminate the work required for positioning and erecting of said connector and said circuit board.

In other preferred embodiments of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device it is characterized by the installation of a receiver containing related parts and accessories therein on said sabinet of said disk regenerator.

It is also possible to install a pocket containing related parts and accessories therein on the front side of said cabinet of said disk regenerator, and accordingly said related parts and accessories are contained in said receiver or in said pocket.

Furthermore, in another preferred embodiment of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device said cabinet of said disk regenerator is provided with a box-like body having the loading port of a diskloading device, and pivotally supporting a covering lid enabling said loading port to open or to close, on said loading port. By applying the above-mentioned construction, as said covering lid rotates around said pivotal axis together with said cassette ROM regenerator, and said loading port is opened, then said diskloading device becomes simpler than the case having a conventional disk front-loading system. Also, as said cassette ROM regenerator is mounted on said disk regenerator, the bottom surface of said device as a whole becomes smaller.

Furthermore, in another embodiment of the computercontrolled multi-media processing device said cabinet of said disk regenerator is provided with a box-like body having the loading port of a disk-loading device, and the cabinet of said cassette ROM regenerator is constructed so as to move approximately parallel to the opened surface of said loading port and to open or to close said port.

By applying this construction, it is possible to adopt the diskloading device having the so-called top-loading system. As this top-loading system requires less parts than the front-loading system, it is possible to achieve a more compact and lower-cost device than the conventional one. Also, as said loading port is able to open or to close by horizontally moving said cassette ROM regenerator, whenever detaching said IC card or cassette ROM from said cassette ROM regenerator, the operability of said device is increased.

In another embodiment of the computer-controlled multimedia processing device said cabinet of said disk regenerator is provided with a supporting member with said cassette ROM regenerator installed integrally thereon, under said disk regenerator. In this application, as said cassette ROM regenerator is installed approximately horizontally on said supporting member when in use, and said disk regenerator is placed at a position permitting mounting or dismounting said cassette ROM into said cassette ROM regenerator and further placed at a position higher than said ROM regenerator, it becomes easy to mount/dismount said disk or ROM cassette into or from both regenerators. Furthermore, it is possible to mount said disk into said disk regenerator from the upper side. It also becomes possible to realize cost reductions and to make the device as a whole more compact.

In another embodiment of the computer-controlled multi media processing device said diskloading device of said disk regenerator is placed approximately horizontally at the side of said cassette ROM regenerator. In this application, as said disk-loading device is placed approximately horizontally, mounting and dismounting of said disk is performed with ease at the horizontal level.

In another embodiment of the computer-controlled multimedia processing device @ said diskloading device of said disk regenerator is placed approximately vertically at the back side of said cassette ROM regenerator.

In another embodiment of the computer-controlled multimedia processing device said diskloading device of said disk regenerator is placed approximately vertically at the side of said cassette ROM regenerator.

Embodiments of multi-media processing device in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of computer-controlled multi-media processing device according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a broken perspective view of the computercontrolled multi-media processing device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. -3 is a partially sectioned side view of the computercontrolled multi-media processing device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of parts of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig.

1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the accessory-containing portion of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig. 1,dismantled from the cassette ROM regenerator.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another accessorycontaining portion of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig. 1,dismantled the cassette ROM regenerator.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the pocket portion of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig.

1.

Fig. 8 is a vertically sectional side view of parts of the locking device of the computer-controlled multimedia processing device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of said locking device shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional side view of parts of another locking device of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the locking device shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a vertical side view of the quick stop mechanism of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 is the vertical front view of the quick stop mechanism of said covering lid shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the quick stop mechanism shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a block diagram of the cassette ROM unit of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig.

1.

Fig. 16 is a block diagram of the controller of the CD-ROM regenerator of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 17 is a block diagram of the CD ROMsslriving mechanism shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a block diagram of another controller of the CD-ROM regenerator shown in Fig 16.

Fig. 19 is a block diagram of yet another controller of the CD-ROM regenerator shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 20 is the exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of computer-controlled multi-media processing device according to this invention.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the disk regenerator shown in Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of computer-controlled multi-media processing device according to this invention.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing the open condition of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a variant of the computer-controlled multi-media processing, device shown in Fig.22 Fig. 25 is an exploded perspjctive view of the opened condition of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig. 24.

Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of computer-controlled multi-media processing device according to this invention.

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the action of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig.

26.

Fig. 28 is a perspective view showing the installation condition of the supporting plate of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig. 26.

Fig. 29 is a sectional view of parts of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig.

28.

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of a variant . of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig.

26.

Fig. 31 is a sectional view of > 4 parts of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device shown in Fig.

30.

Fig. 32 is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment of computer-controlled multi-media processing device according to this invention.

Fig. 33 is a perspective view of another embodiment of computer-controlled multi-media processing unit shown in Fig.

32.

Fig. 34 is a perspective view of the inner side of the covering lid shown in Fig. 33.

Fig. 35 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of computer-controlled multi-media processing unit shown in Fig. 32.

Fig. 36 is an exploded perspective view of the first example of the conventional computer-controlled multi-media processing device.

Fig. 37 is an exploded perspective view of the second example of the conventional computer-controlled multi-media processing device.

Fig. 38 is a perspective view of the third example of the conventional computer-controlled multi-media processing device.

Fig. 39 is an exploded perspective view of the fourth example of the conventional computer-controlled multi-media processing device.

Fig. 40 is an exploded perspective view of the fifth example of the conventional computer-controlled multi media processing device.

Embodiments according to this invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings as follows.

Fig. 1 to Fig. 19 show a first embodiment of computercontrolled multi-media processing device according to this invention. First, the construction of said embodiment is described.

In Fig. 1 to Fig. 7, a computer-controlled multi-media processing device 21 is comprised of a CD-ROM regenerator 23 having the so-called "top-loading method' for installing a disk 22 such as compact disk thereon downwardly from the top, and a cassette ROM unit 25 which regenerates a cassette ROM 24 Said CD-ROM regenerator 23 is L-shaped as a horse having a main body 23A vertically extruded from one side thereof and a controller 23B horizontally extended therefrom. A flat cabinet 25B containing a main body 25A of said cassette ROM unit 25 therein is mounted on the upper surface 23a of said controller 23B.

On the upper portion of said main body 23A of said CD-ROM regenerator 23, a loading port 28 of the disk-loading mechanism 27 having a turntable 26 and the like. Furthermore, a covering lip 33 enabling said port to open and to shut, is installed on said cabinet 23c through a locking device. Also, on the upper surface of said cabinet 23c parallel to said loading port 28, a grooved hole 30 for placing a manipulator 29 having a grip 29A is shaped, as shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. At the lower position under said grooved hole 30 in said cabinet 23c, a locking member 31 rotatably supported on an axis 31A is installed, and the cylindrical sleeve 29B of said manipulator 29 is slidably engaged with an operating rod 31B elongated vertically from said locking member 31.Especially inothis embodiment, an engaging member 31c extruded from the side surface of said operating rod 31B to prevent disengaging from said manipulator 29 is placed in a window hole 29C shaped on said cylindrical sleeve 29B, and controls the movement of said manipulator 29 towards the longitudinal direction of said operating rod 31B. Furthermore, a compressed spring 32 is inserted into said manipulator 29, and one end of said spring 32 is supported on the top portion of said operating rod 31B. Accordingly, it is possible to move said manipulator 29 in the range of movement of said engaging member 31C, by pushing said grip 29A downwardly against said spring 32.Furthermore, said operator 29 has a guide slit 29D under said grip 29A, and corresponding to this slit 29D, a guide rail 30A is shaped in said grooved hole 30 so as to be rectangular to the moving direction of said grip 29A. Also in this embodiment, said guide rail 30A is curve-shaped so as to follow along the arc having its centre corresponding to the centre of said axis 31A. Owing to this construction, when said manipulator 29 moves in the direction of said##ide rail 30A while pushing said grip 29A downward, it is possible to rotate said locking member 31 around said axis 31A, as the end portion of said guide rail 30A is not engaged to said guide slit 29D under said grip 29A is compressed.

Furthermore, said locking member 31 has a lock lever 34a integrally installed thereon, and a hooked nail 34A facing against the periphery of said covering lid 33 contacts said loading port 28, through a slit 28B shaped around the periphery 28A of said loading port 28, and said hooked nail 34A is positioned so as to be engaged with an engaging portion 33A shaped on the periphery of said covering lid 33. Furthermore, a stage 28C engaging with the periphery of said covering lid 33 is shaped on said loading port 28, and said stage 28C has a through hole 28D, and a pushing rod 35 to open said covering lid 33 is placed extendably from said through hole 28D. Said pushing rod 38 is integrally shaped with said locking member 31 and extruded above said through hole 28D by the rotation of said locking member 31 around said axis 31A for pushing up said covering lid 33 .On said locking member 31 is also integrally shaped an elastic plate 36 extending towards said stage 28C. For securing the elasticity of said elastic plate 36, said plate 36 may also be constructed of a plastic material having sufficient elasticity while including said locking member 31, or said plate 36 itself may be constructed of spring material. With this arrangement, said hooked nail 34A can be engaged with said engaging portion 33A of said covering lid 33, owing to the action of said elastic plate 36 in the locked position In the above construction, even if only said grip 39A is urged to move towards direction X as shown in Fig. 8, said cylindrical sleeve 29B comes in contact with the end portion of said guide rail 30A, and the movement of said grip 39A is intercepted, owing to the above-mentioned inter-locking mechanism.Accordingly, even if an operator inadvertently pushes said grip 29A towards direction X, or some mechanical shock occurs, said locking member 31 is not rotated recklessly around said axis 31A. Also, in the same manner, even if said grip 29A is moved in the longitudinal direction of said operating rod 31B (shown as direction Y in Flgo 48)r it is able to avoid unlocking, as the effective operating force does not act on said locking member 31. Accordingly, in order to unlock, it is necessary to press down said grip 29A against said spring 32, to engage said guide slit 29D with the end of said guide rail 30A, and to move said grip 29A in direction X .With this operation, it is possible to rotate said locking member 31 around said axis 31A, to rotate said lock lever 34, and to disengage said hooked nail 34a with said engaging portion 33A of said covering lid 33. In this case, said extruded rod 35 pushes up said covering lid 33 in a half-opened position. When locking said lid 33, by returning said grip 29A to the original position, said hooked nail 34A engages with said engaging portion 33A by the action of said elastic plate 36, after said covering plate 33 is placed on said loading port 28.

In Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, other embodiment of said locking device is shown. In this embodiment, said manipulator29 is placed independently on the position above said operating lever 31E of said locking member 31 extended towards the side from said axis 31A, and said grip 29A is movably placed in said grooved hole 30 towards direction X' as shown in Fig. 10.

On the bottom of said grooved hole 30, a higher press-down preventing-zone 30A' and a lower press-down preventing-zone 30B' are installed thereon, and said grip 29A is placed so as being movable on said zones towards direction X'. On the bottom of said grooved hole 30, a slit 30C' extended towards said direction X' is shaped, and through this slit 30C', said operational rod 29E of said manipulator 29 extends downwardly, and the end portion of said rod 29E faces towards said operational lever 31E. Furthermore, in this embodiment a pair of stoppers 29F engaged with both bottom sides of said slit 30C are shaped on both bottom sides of said operating rod 29E in order to prevent disengaging of said manipulator 29 from said grooved hole 30. Also, numeral 32' shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 is a compressed spring holding said operator 29.

With the above-described construction, even if said grip 29A is pushed towards said direction X', and said manipulator 29 is moved by inadvertent touching or by any accidental mechanical shock, said manipulating rod 29E does not pus) taid manipulating lever 31E of said locking member 31 just by the horizontal movement of said manipulator 29. Also, when said grip 29A is on said upper press-down preventing zone 30A', as the downward motion of said manipulator 29 in direction Y' is prevented, said locking member 31 is also does not move.With this construction, when correctly disengaging said covering lid 33, (in Fig. 10, locked condition is shown), it is required to remove said grip 29A towards said operable zone 30B from said press-down preventing zone 30A', to manipulate said grip 29A to move in direction Y', to push said manipulating lever 31E with said manipulating rod 29E, and to rotate said locking member 31 around said axis 31A.

In this case, said locking member 31, locking lever 34 and pushing rod 35 and the others activate in the same manner as described in said embodiment.

Also, in each aforementioned embodiment, in order to maintain said covering lid 33 in a fully-opened condition, the quick stop mechanism is installed on the pivotal axis of said covering lid 33. As shown in Fig. 12 to Fig. 14, on a pair of fan-shaped brackets 33B fitted on both sides of said covering lid 33, a pair of elastic tongues 33C, 33D are shaped with cutting of said brackets 33, then a plural of beats 37 and 38 are shaped on said tongues.On the other hand, a plural of plate members 39 facing said bracket 33B are shaped annexing said cabinet 23C, and on each of said plate members 39, a pair of arc slits 37A and notched groove holes 373 are engraved so as to define said centre of axis of said cover plate 33 as the centre of curvature With this construction, said beats 38 come into contact with the corresponding faces of said plate members 39, and slide thereon in contact with said corresponding faces owing to the action of said elastic members 33D while said covering lid 33 rotates around said rotating axis.Further, said beat 37 slides on said plates 39 with no relation to the movements of said beats 28 in said arc grooves 37a, then elastically enters said notched groove holes 373. In this condition, said covering plate 33 is maintained in the fully opened position and does not recklessly move towards closing position, owing~to said action of said quick-stopping mechanism As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, on the side wall 23b of said main body 23A of said CD-ROM regenerator 23, the connector 40 is installed, and facing said connector 40, another connector 41 insertable in said connector 40 is mounted on the side wall 25a of said main body 25A of said cassette ROM unit 25.

A main circuit board 42 is inserted in said controller 23B of said CD-ROM regenerator 23, and said CD-ROM regenerator 23 is able to exchange information with said cassette ROM unit 25 through said connector 40 and 41 Said cassette ROM unit 25 has a connector 43 on the front edge thereof, for connecting to a joy-stick or the like (not shown). Furthermore on one side of the top surface of said main body 25A, the controlling portion thereof (not shown) is mounted, and on another side of the top surface of said main body 25A, the cassette-loading portion 44 for loading said cassette ROM 24 is installed as shown in Fig. 2.Also, on the bottom surface 25b of said cassette ROM unit 25 four hooks 45 extruded downwardly like the letter L are installed, and as said hooks 45 engage with the engaging ports 46 shaped on the upper surface 23a of said CD-ROM regenerator 23, said cassette ROM unit 25 is detachably mounted on said upper surface 23a of said CD-ROM regenerator 23.

Said connector 40 is installed on a printed circuit board 47 electrically connectable to said main circuit board 42, and installed in a connector-installing window 48 in the top cabinet 23C" constructing said cabinet 23C together with said bottom cabinet 23C' shaped on said sides'all portion 23b facing said upper surface 23a, so as to be faced from the inner portion of said top cabinet 23C". In this case, said bottom cabinet 23C' and said top cabinet 23c" have a pair of holding portions 49, 49' having grooves 49A and 49A' facing each other, and the position of said connector 40 is seared by holding the upper and lower edges of said printed circuit board 47 between each of said grooves 49A and 49A', when connecting said bottom cabinet 23C' with said top cabinet 23C" through installing means such as thread screws.Furthermore, when said connector 40 is installed on said connector-installing wall 48, an elastic nail 48A for supporting elastically said connector 40 is shaped in said top cabinet 23C"; accordingly, said connector 40 is able to be held securely. Also, said printed circuit board 47 integrally shaped with said connector 40 is applicable to a base plate of expanded memories.

As shown in Fig. 5, on the upper surface 23a of said controller 23B, one or a plural of concaves are engraved for shaping accessories-containing portions 50. Said accessoriescontaining portions 50 have shapes and dimensions receiving the AC adapter 51 and batteries 52 which are accessories for said computer-controlled multi-media processing unit 21. In this embodiment, after said accessories are inserted in said portion or portions, said cassette ROM unit 25 is installed without hindering said portions.

The numerals 53 are grooves for receiving the plug terminals 54 of said AC adapter 51, and the numerals 55 are hook portions for fixing the AC adapter 51 and batteries 52, when they are contained therein.

Said method of containing said accessories is not limited to the method mentioned above, as it may be possible to contain accessories as shown in Fig. 6. Namely, in this case, said AC adapter 51 is contained so that only said plug terminals 54 are extruded upwardly. In this case, on the bottom surface of said cassette ROM unit 25, by providing grooves for receiving said plug terminals 54, it is possible to install said cassette ROM unit 25 on the specified position of said controller 23bio Also, said container receiving said accessories is not limited to said upper surface 23a of said controller 23, as it may be possible to install in other portions as shown in Fig. 7.

Namely, on the side surface of said controller 23B of said cabinet 23C of said CD-ROM regenerator 23, the pocket 56 for receiving said related parts or accessories is attached integrally with said cabinet 23C without being disturbed by said disk-loading mechanism 27 and said cassette ROM unit 25 installed on said controller 23B. Especially in this embodiment, said pocket 56 is attached on the side surface of said main body 23A having said disk-loading mechanism 27 so as to be divided into a pocket 56A receiving theedigsk case 57 for containing said disk 22, a pocket 56B receiving said cassette ROM 24 at the side of said controller 233, a pocket 56C receiving said joy pad 58 and a pocket 56D receiving said joint code 59, respectively.

In said cassette ROM unit 25, the controller 21 controlling the operation of said unit 25 is installed therein. Figure 15 is a block diagram of the controller of said cassette ROM unit 25. Said controller 61 is constructed so as to be operated independently by inserting said cassette ROM 24 into said cassette ROM unit 25. Said controller 61 is provided with an interface (I/F) 62, a CPU 64 connected to the system buss 63, RAM 65, input controller 66, image controller 67, RAM for image displaying 68, voice regenerator 70, voice-mixing circuit 71, and controlling pad 72. Said controller 61 is also connected to said CD-ROM regenerator 23, through the CD-ROM interface 73.

Said CPU 64 exchanges information and data between each of the above-mentioned portions by specified clock frequency, and outputs the monitoring image output or the voice output together with exchanging data and audio information with said CD-ROM regenerator 23, when required.

Said CD-ROM regenerator 23 is provided with said CD-ROM driving mechanism 76 which drives said disk 22 as shown in Fig.

16. Said CD-ROM driving mechanism 76 is constructed as shown in Fig. 17 as an example.

Said CD-ROM driving mechanism 76 is composed of a spindlemotor which drives said disk 22, a pick-up 78 which inputs information from said disk 22, an actuator motor driver 79 to drive said motor 77 and said pick-up 78, a servo signal processor 80, an RF amplifier 81 for processing inputted informations received by said pick-up 78, a CD digital audio signal processor 82, a CD-ROM digital signal processor 83, an interface buffer 84, a D/A converter 85, an amplifier 86 and a system-controlling microcomputer 87.

Namely, said CD-ROM regenerator 23 reads the information recorded in said disk 22 by said disk-driving mechanism and said system-controlling microcomputer 87. Further, according to the direction of said CPU 64 of said cassette ROM unit 25, it exchanges data information between said controller 61 and provides audio output to said controller 61. Accordingly, said computer-controlled multi-media processing unit 21 enables the regeneration of software programs containing more information, including information recorded in said disk 22, in addition to the information stored in said cassette ROM 24.

Also in Fig. 18 there is shown the block diagram of another controller 89 of said CD-ROM regenerator 23. Said controller 89 is provided with the ROM 90 more than said CD-ROM driving mechanism 76 shown in Fig. 16. In said ROM 90, -said CD-ROM control program and total system control program are stored.

Accordingly, in this case, said computer-controlled multi-media processing device 21 can be processed to regenerate said software program with the information recorded in said disk 22, by installing said controller 89 in said CD-ROM regenerator 23, without installing said cassette 24.

Also in Fig. 19, the block diagram of another controller 92 of said CD-ROM regenerator 23 is shown. Said controller 92 is provided with a CPU 93 for controlling said CD-ROM regenerator, an image data processor 94 for adding rotational and zooming effects to said image, an image data processing RAM 95, another voice regenerator 96 besides said cassette ROM unit 25, a voice RAM 97, a RAM 98, an interface 99 and a sound mixer 100, in addition to said CD-ROM driving mechanism shown in Fig. 18. By providing the above-mentioned device, said computer-controlled multi-media processing unit becomes able to process further high quality and powerful soft programs.

The second embodiment of the computer-controlled multimedia processing device 102 according to this invention is shown in Fig. 20 and Fig. 21.

Said device 102 is comprised of a disk regenerator 103 applying a compact disk, a cassette ROM regenerator 104 applying an IC card or a cassette ROM, and a metallic mounting board 105.

A loading port 106A of a disk-loading mechanism 106 is opened on a cabinet 103A of said disk regenerator 103. A pivotal axis 107 is placed on the upper rear portion of said cabinet 103A. A covering lid 108 for opening or shutting said loading port 16S, is supported on said cabinet 103A through said pivot bracket 107.

In addition, four holes 109 are symmetrically shaped on said upper surface of said covering lid 108, and four portions 110 shaped on said base plate 105 corresponding to said holes 109, detachably engage to said holes 109. Said metallic mounting board 105 is installed under said cassette ROM regenerator 104 through adequate means (erg. with thread screws (not shown ] ). Said cassette ROM regenerator 104 has a manipulating portion on one side of the upper surface thereof, and also has a cassette-loading port 113 thereon. Said mounting board 105 may also be provided with vibration-damping material such as rubber material on the under surface thereof, or it may be preferable to construct said board 105 itself with such material.Furthermore, in this embodiment, connectors 114 are provided on the front edge of said cassette ROM regenerator 112 for connecting a joy stick or the like (not shown).

A computer controlling portion such as a CPU required for operating game software (not shown) are installed in said cassette ROM regenerator 104, and connected to said disk regenerator 103 with connectors (not shown). Also, said connectors are installed in cabinets 103A and 104A of said regenerators 103 and 104, arranged to be connected simultaneously, when said cassette ROM regenerator 104 is connected to said covering lid 108 of said disk regenerator 103.

The third embodiment of computer controlled multi-media processing device according to this invention is shown in Fig.

22 and Fig. 23. In Fig. 22 and Fig. 23, said device 116 is comprised of a disk regenerator 117 applying a disk such as a compact disk, a cassette ROM regenerator 118 applying an IC card or a cassette ROM, and a metallic mounting board 119. A loading port 102A of a disk-loading mechanism 120 is opened on the upper surface of the cabinet 117A of said disk regenerator 117. On both sides of said cabinet 117A, a pair of parallel link mechanisms 121 are installed. A covering lid 122 for opening and closing said loading port 102A is supported by said cabinet 117A so as to be movable parallely up and down against said cabinet 117A through said link mechanisms.

Said covering lid 122 also has four engaging holes 123 in a symmetrical position on the upper surface of said lid, and engaging portions 124 shaped on said mounting plate 119 are detachably engaged with said holes 123. Further, said mounting plate 119 is mounted on said cassette ROM regenerator 118 through adequate fixing means (e.g., through thread screws [not shown]). Said cassette ROM regenerator 118 has a manipulating portion (not shown), and also has a cassette-loading port 126 for inserting a cassette ROM 125 and the like. Also, said mounting plate 119 may have vibration-damping material such as rubber on the under surface thereof, or it may be preferable to make said plate 119 itself with such material. Further, in this embodiment, on the front edge of said cassette ROM regenerator 118, connectors 127 for connecting a joy stick and the like (not shown) are installed.A computer-controlling portion such as a CPU required for operating game software (not shown) is installed in said cassette ROM regenerator 118, and connected to said disk regenerator 117 with connectors (not shown). Also, said connectors are installed in cabinets of both said regenerators, arranged so as to be connected simultaneously, when said cassette ROM regenerator 118 is connected to said covering lid 122 of said disk regeerator 117.

By applying this construction, when said disk is used, as said covering lid 122 moves together with said cassette ROM regenerator 118 parallely up and down through said link mechanisms 121, and said disk-loading port 120A of said diskloading mechanism 120 is opened or closed, it becomes easy to load or unload said disk When said cassette ROM 125 or others are used, merely inserting said cassette into said cassetteloading port 126 located on the top portion of said device is required.

Accordingly, as said disk-loading mechanism 120 installed on said disk regenerator 117 can adopt the top-loading method, the mechanical construction for loading and unloading said disk 1 becomes extremely simplified when compared with the conventional front-loading method, and much more compact. Said cassette ROM regenerator 118 mounted on said disk regenerator 117 is able to be designed- in corresponding size, and said device 116 is also compactized as a whole, realizing a reduction in costs.

Also in this embodiment, said cassette ROM regenerator 118 is installed on said covering lid 122 of said disk regenerator 117 through said mounting board 119, and it is possible directly and detachably to mount said cassette ROM regenerator 118 on said covering lid 122.

In order to stably hold said covering lid 122 in the opened or closed position together with said cassette ROM 118, said link mechanisms 121 are combined with adequate supporting means (not shown) ) to support elastically said covering lid at each action end of said link mechanisms.

Furthermore, in another embodiment 116' shown in Fig. 24 and Fig. 25, said link mechanisms 121 are constructed with the lifting mechanisms having crossed link pieces 121A pivotally connected at each middle point thereof. In this case, said link mechanisms are constructed to hold said cover lid 122 stably together with said cassette ROM regenerator 118 in the opened or closed position by applying adequate supporting means as abovementioned.

The fourth embodiment of the computer-controlled multimedia processing device according~to this invention is shown in Fig. 26 to Fig. 29. This computer-controlled multi-media processing device 129 has a disk regenerator 130 applying disk such as compact disk as the lower part. On the one side of the upper surface of said disk regenerator 130, the loading port 131A of the disk-loading mechanism 131 using the top-loading method is opened.

Above said disk regenerator 130 a cassette ROM regenerator 132 is mounted so as to close said loading port 131A of said disk regenerator 130. Said cassette ROM regenerator 132 is provided with a manipulating portion on the one side of the upper surface of said cabinet 132A, and also a cassette-loading port 133 for inserting an IC card or cassette ROM. Said cassette ROM regenerator 132 is installed on a supporting plate 134 having about the same size as the bottom of said regenerator 132. As shown in Fig. 28 and Fig. 29, said supporting plate 134 has one hole on the one corner thereof, and a threaded hole 135 is provided on the upper surface of said disk regenerator 130.

Said support plate 134 is rotatably installed on said regenerator 30 with a stepped thread screw 136 as shown in Fig.

29. Accordingly, said cassette ROM 132 is rotatable together with said supporting plate 134 around said stepped thread screw 136 so as to be able to open or shut said loading port 131A.

Furthermore, on the front edge of said cassette ROM regenerator 132, connectors 137 are provided for connecting joy sticks, or the like. A computer-controlling portion such as a CPU required for operating game software are installed in either said disk regenerator 130 or said cassette ROM regenerator 132, and connected to each other to meet a demand through connectors and the like (not shown).

In this computer-controlled multi-media processing device 129 constructed as above-mentioned, when using said disk, said disk regenerator 130 in the condition as shown in Fig. 26 is turned around said stepped thread screw 136, until said loading port 131A is opened as shown in Fig. 27. In this opened position, it is possible to load or unload said disk. Also, when using said ROM cassette, simply inserting said cassette into said cassette-loading port 133 located on the top portion of said device is required.

Accordingly, the disk-loading mechanism 131 mounted on this disk regenerator 130 is able to adopt the so-called top-loading method, and as a tray or tray-driving motor which are required for the front-loading method are unnecessary, the mechanical construction thereof becomes simplified, and said device itself becomes as a whole miniaturized, it is possible to minimize the number of parts, to facilitate the assembly thereof, and to realize the cost reductions.

In Fig 30 and Fig. 31 another embodiment according to this invention is shown In this embodiment of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device 129', a cassette ROM regenerator 132 is mounted on a supporting plate 140 having a plural of hooks 139 on the under surface of said plate. On the other hand, a pair of slits 141 arranged parallel to each other are shaped on the upper surface of said disk regenerator 130.

Accordingly, as said supporting plate 140 is able to move on said disk regenerator 130, by engaging 5?.rlffi(i hboks 39 with said slits between the closed position of said loading port 131A of said regenerator 130 and the opened position thereof, it is easy to detach the disk on said position that said loading port 131A is opened. Also, when said loading port 131A is closed, said device 129' becomes compact, as shown in Fig. 31, which is convenient for the use and storage thereof. Of course, said cassette ROM regenerator 132 is able to be used in mounting or dismounting said cassette ROM without regard to the position of said cassette ROM regenerator 140.

The fifth embodiment of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device according to this invention is shown in Fig.

32. This device 143 has a disk regenerator 144 applicable to disks such as compact disks. On the upper surface of the cabinet 144A of said disk regenerator 144, the disk-loading port of a disk-loading mechanism (not shown) is opened. On the upper rear end of said cabinet 144A is pivoted a covering lid 145 for opening said loading port. On the other hand, a cassette ROM regenerator 146 has a manipulating portion (not shown) on one.

side of the upper surface of said cabinet 146A, and the cassette-loading port 147 (not shoyn) for inserting an IC card or cassette ROM on the upper surface thereof.

In this fifth embodiment, said cassette ROM regenerator 146 is horizontally supported on the upper surface of a supporting portion 144B mounted integrally under said cabinet 144A of said disk regenerator 144. Said disk regenerator 144 is located above said cassette ROM regenerator 146 and at a position having no obstruction for loading or unloading said cassette ROM into said cassette ROM regenerator 146, namely, at a position where one is not above another when looking at them plainly.

A computer controller such as a CPU required for operating the information software is installed in said cassette ROM regenerator 146, and connected to said disk regenerator 144 through connectors (not shown). It is preferable to install said connectors in said cabinets 144A and 146A of said both regenerators 144 and 146 so as to be connected simultaneously, when said cassette ROM regenerator 146 and said disk regenerator 144 are connected to said supporting member 144B.

By applying this construction, when using the disk it is possible to open said loading port, and to load or unload said disk. Also, when using the IC card or the cassette ROM, it is possible to load said cassette ROM and others, and to remove it after use.

Also, in this device 143 constructed as above-mentioned, as said disk regenerator 144 is positioned above said cassette ROM regenerator 146, it is possible to increase the applicable efficiency of the space more than if both regenerators 144 and 146 are arranged on the same plane. Accordingly, miniaturization of said device as a whole and reduction of production costs are realized. Furthermore, in this embodiment shown in Fig. 32, as said disk regenerator 144 is horizontally installed, the disk is horizontally loaded or unloaded in said disk-loading mechanism, and it becomes possible to use the socalled top-loading method. Trays and tray-driving motors and gears then become unnecessary, contrary to the front-loading method, and the mechanical construction of said loading mechanism also becomes simplified.

Another embodiment of the computer-controlled multi-media processing device 143' is shown in, Fig. 33 and Fig. 34. In this embodiment, as compared with said device 143 shown in Fig. 32, a disk regenerator 144 is vertically installed on a supporting member 144B behind a cassette ROM regenerator 146. A disk guide 145a is vertically installed in the vertical cabinet 144A of said disk regenerator 144, and said guide 145a has a cover lid 145. The disk is supported in said guide 145a and is set in the standard reading position by shutting said covering lid 145. In Fig. 33, said covering lid 145 is opened. The embodiment shown in Fig. 33 has the same features as that shown in Fig. 32.

Another embodiment of the computer controlled multi-media processing device 143" is shown in Fig. 35. In this embodiment, as a cassette ROM regenerator 146 mounted on a supporting member 144B are the same as that shown in Fig. 32, a disk regenerator 144 is vertically installed on said support member 144B in the side of said cassette ROM regenerator 146. Accordingly, it is easy to open a covering lid 145, and to load or unload the disk.

Claims (17)

1. A computer-controlled multi-media processing device, comprising a disk regenerator for top-loading with a disk, a cassette ROM regenerator for loading with an IC card, cassette ROM or the like said disk regenerator being mounted on at least part of a cabinet housing the disk regenerator when the disk regenerator and cassette ROM regenerator are electrically connected together, and a computer aided controller for selecting the disk regenerator and/or the cassette ROM regenerator, said computer-aided controller being positioned in one or both of the cabinet of the disk regenerator and a cabinet housing the cassette ROM regenerator.

2. A processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cabinet of the disk regenerator comprises a neck portion and a trunk portion, disk receiving means being provided on the neck portion and the cassette ROM regenerator being mounted on the trunk portion.

3. A processing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the disk receiving means comprises a lid pivotally attached to the cabinet of the#disk regenerator and arranged to activate a loading port, means for locking the lid and a manipulator for enabling the#iocking means to change between a locked position and an unlocked position.

4. A processing device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein an upper portion of the trunk portion of the cabinet of the disk regenerator is provided with a receiver for containing related parts, accessories or the like.

5. A processing device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein a side edge of the trunk portion of the cabinet of the disk regenerator is provided with at least one pocket to receive related parts, accessories or the like.

6. A processing device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the cabinet of the disk regenerator comprises an upper cabinet portion and a lower cabinet portion and the upper and lower cabinet portions are provided with clips for holding the edge of printed circuit board means associated with connector means of the disk regenerator.

7. A processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cabinet of the disk regenerator is generally box-shaped and has a disk-loading port of a disk-receiving device provided thereon, the cabinet is provided with an openable and closable lid associated with the loading port of the disk-receiving device and the cassette ROM regenerator is mounted on the lid.

8 A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lid is pivotally attached to the cabinet of the disk regenerator

9. A processing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lid is attached to the cabinet of the disk regenerator through a link mechanism arranged to cause the lid to remain substantially horizontal as it is opened and closed.

10. A processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cabinet of the disk regenerator is generally box shaped and has a disk-loading portion a disk-receiving device provided thereon, the cassette ROM regenerator being slidably mounted on the cabinet of the disk regenerator whereby the cassette ROM regenerator is slidable relative to the cabinet of the disk regenerator to open and close the disk-loading port.

11. A processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cabinet of the disk regenerator includes an integral support member underneath a main portion of the cabinet and the cassette ROM regenerator is mounted on the support member in a generally horizontal position.

12. A processing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein a disk-receiving device of the disk regenerator is positioned generally horizontally at the side of the cassette ROM regenerator.

13. A processing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein a disk-receiving device of the disk regenerator. is positioned generally vertically at the rear of the cassette ROM regenerator.

14. A processing device as claimed in claim 11, wherein a disk-receiving device of the disk regenerator is positioned generally vertically at the side of the cassette ROM regenerator.

15. A computer-controlled multi-media processing device, comprising a disk regenerator for top-loading with a disk, a cassette ROM regenerator for loading with an IC card, cassette ROM or the like, cabinets separately housing the disk regenerator and the cassette ROM regenerator being adapted for the cassette ROM regenerator to be mounted on at least part of the cabinet of the disk regenerator when the disk regenerator and cassette ROM regenerator are electrically connected together, said device further comprising a computer aided controller for selecting the disk regenerator and/or the cassette ROM regenerator, said computer-aided controller being positioned in one or both of the cabinets of the disk regenerator and the cassette ROM regenerator.

16. A processing device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cabinet of the disk regenerator comprises a neck portion and a trunk portion, disk receiving means being provided on the neck portion, and the cassette ROM regenerator being mountable on the trunk portion.

17. A computer-controlled multi-media processing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1-35 of the accompanying drawings.