JPH10187305A - Pc card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid a bottleneck of a practical maximum transfer capacity of a local bus by communicating information by using the other PC card that is connected to an information processor and a 2nd information communicating means. SOLUTION: An SCS12 controller 205 reads data from a file in DVD-ROM 203 and sends the data to a card bus controller 204. Here, when it is instructed to communicate by using an optical communication transmission path 214 between PC cards 201 and 202 without using a card bus 13 according to an instruction group that is sent from a host CPU, the controller 204 sends the data that is received from the DVD-ROM 203 to a transmission controller 206. The controller 206 performs error correction coding of the data from the DVD-ROM 203, drives an optical transmission module 207 based on the data and sends information to the other PC card 202.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to at least one other device.
The present invention relates to a PC (personal computer) card, which is one IC (integrated circuit) card, and a PC card for transmitting information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of mobile computers, the demand for PC cards that perform an extended function of the mobile computers has rapidly increased, and PC cards having various functions have come to be marketed. Although demand for PC cards is expected to increase in the future, PC cards related to image processing as multimedia are particularly expected as these core products. By the way, such an image processing PC card requires a very high transfer rate in data communication with a mobile computer as a host or another PC card connected to the mobile computer. In a conventional PC card, all of this data communication is performed using a card bus (Card BUS), a PCI bus, or a local bus having the same function as those provided on the host side.

[0003]

However, in image processing, the amount of data to be handled has been increased due to the demand for higher image quality. Here, when all data transfer depends on the local bus on the system side as in the related art, the transfer rate of the local bus becomes a bottleneck, and a desired image quality may not be achieved.

As an example, a card bus (Card BU)
S). This bus system ideally has a maximum of 1
Although it has a transfer rate of 33 MBytes / sec, in practice, a considerable amount of bus capacity is occupied by the protocol in preparation for transfer such as bus arbitration and handshake.
The actual significant information transfer capability is considerably inferior to the maximum transfer rate. On the other hand, for example, when transferring an MPEG2 compressed image and a full-color decompressed image, a transfer capability of at least 32 MByte / sec is required.
When performing bi-directional transfer over a card bus (Card BUS), the bus capacity may be insufficient depending on the computer system. At this time, not only the desired performance cannot be achieved, but also the performance of the entire system is impaired. was there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has as its object to avoid a bottleneck of a practical maximum transfer capacity in a local bus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a PC card capable of improving the performance of the information processing apparatus.

[0006]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a PC card connected to an information processing apparatus, wherein the PC card is connected to an information processing apparatus. At least one of a first information transmitting unit that transmits information and another at least one PC card connected to the information processing apparatus that transmits information separately from the first information transmitting unit; And a second information transmitting means, wherein when connected to the information processing apparatus, the information is transmitted using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus and the second information transmitting means. It is characterized in that transmission is possible.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
The PC card according to the first aspect of the present invention is the PC card according to the first aspect, further comprising an optical communication unit as the second information transmission unit.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect is provided.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the PC card according to the second aspect, the optical communication unit performs optical communication wirelessly.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fourth aspect.
4. The PC card according to claim 3, further comprising: an optical signal transmitting unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on an upper surface of a housing of the PC card. When transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to the device and the second information transmitting unit, wirelessly performing optical communication through the hole using the optical signal transmitting unit. Features.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a semiconductor device comprising:
4. The PC card according to claim 3, further comprising an optical signal transmission unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. When transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to the device and the second information transmitting unit, wirelessly performing optical communication through the hole using the optical signal transmitting unit. Features.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a semiconductor device comprising:
4. The PC card according to claim 3, further comprising an optical signal transmitting unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on upper and lower surfaces of a housing of the PC card. When transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to a processing device and the second information transmitting unit, wirelessly performing optical communication through the hole using the optical signal transmitting unit. It is characterized by.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system comprising:
4. The PC card according to claim 3, further comprising: an optical signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on an upper surface of a housing of the PC card. When transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to the device and the second information transmitting unit, wirelessly performing optical communication through the hole using the optical signal receiving unit. Features.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system comprising:
4. The PC card according to claim 3, further comprising: an optical signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. When transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to the device and the second information transmitting unit, wirelessly performing optical communication through the hole using the optical signal receiving unit. Features.

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a ninth aspect.
4. The PC card according to claim 3, further comprising an optical signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on upper and lower surfaces of a housing of the PC card. When transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to a processing device and the second information transmitting unit, wirelessly performing optical communication through the hole using the optical signal receiving unit. It is characterized by.

[0015] Further, in order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
0. The PC card according to claim 3, further comprising: an optical signal transmitting unit and an optical signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface of a housing of the PC card. And at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus and the second
When transmitting information using the information transmitting means, the optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means and the optical signal receiving means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
The PC card according to claim 1, further comprising an optical signal transmitting unit and an optical signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. And at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus and the second
When transmitting information using the information transmitting means, the optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means and the optical signal receiving means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
4. The PC card according to claim 2, further comprising an optical signal transmitting unit and an optical signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is formed on upper and lower surfaces of a housing of the PC card. When transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information transmitting unit, using the optical signal transmitting unit and the optical signal receiving unit. Optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the PC card of the second aspect, the optical communication means performs optical communication by wire.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
14. The PC card according to claim 13, further comprising an optical signal transmitting unit on a circuit board of the PC card, the optical card being connected to the optical signal transmitting unit, and having an optical fiber cable connecting unit at the end. When transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information transmitting means, the optical communication is performed through the optical fiber cable. And

[0020] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
14. The PC card according to claim 13, further comprising an optical signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, the optical fiber being connected to the optical signal receiving means, and having an optical fiber cable connecting means at an end. When transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information transmitting means, the optical communication is performed through the optical fiber cable. And

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system comprising:
6. The PC card according to claim 6, further comprising an optical signal transmitting unit and an optical signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, the PC card being connected to the optical signal transmitting unit and the optical signal receiving unit, and Another at least one PC connected to the information processing apparatus, the optical fiber cable having an optical fiber cable connecting means at a tip thereof
When information is transmitted using the card and the second information transmission means, optical communication is performed through the optical fiber cable.

[0022] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
A PC card according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the PC card according to the first aspect, further comprising an electric communication unit that performs electric communication by wire as the second information transmission unit.

[0023] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
The PC card according to claim 8, wherein the PC card according to claim 17, further comprising an electric signal transmitting unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one electric signal transmission unit is provided on an upper surface of a housing of the PC card.
And a telecommunication cable connected to the electric signal transmitting means through the hole, and information is transmitted using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus and the second information transmitting means. When transmitting, electric communication is performed by wire using the electric communication means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
The PC card according to claim 9, wherein the PC card according to claim 17, further comprising an electric signal transmitting unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one electric signal transmission unit is provided on a lower surface of a housing of the PC card.
And a telecommunication cable connected to the electric signal transmitting means through the hole, and information is transmitted using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus and the second information transmitting means. When transmitting, electric communication is performed by wire using the electric communication means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
20. The PC card according to claim 17, further comprising an electric signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one PC card is provided on an upper surface of a housing of the PC card.
And a telecommunication cable connected to the electric signal receiving means through the hole, and information is transmitted using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus and the second information transmitting means. When transmitting, electric communication is performed by wire using the electric communication means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to claim 2
18. The PC card according to claim 17, further comprising an electric signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one PC card is provided on a lower surface of a housing of the PC card.
And a telecommunication cable connected to the electric signal receiving means through the hole, and information is transmitted using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus and the second information transmitting means. When transmitting, electric communication is performed by wire using the electric communication means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
The PC card according to claim 2, further comprising an electric signal transmitting unit and an electric signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface of a housing of the PC card. Connecting the electric communication cable to the electric signal receiving means and the electric signal receiving means through the hole, and using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information transmitting means. When transmitting information by using the electric communication means, electric communication is performed by wire.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention is provided.
The PC card according to claim 3, wherein the PC card according to claim 17, further comprising an electric signal transmitting unit and an electric signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. Connecting the electric communication cable to the electric signal receiving means and the electric signal receiving means through the hole, and using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information transmitting means. When transmitting information by using the electric communication means, electric communication is performed by wire.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
The PC card according to claim 4, further comprising an electric signal transmitting unit on a circuit board of the PC card, an electric communication cable connecting unit on a back surface of a housing of the PC card, and Connecting the telecommunication cable to the telecommunication cable connecting means when transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to a processing device and the second information transmitting means; It is characterized in that the electric communication is performed by wire using the means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention is provided.
The PC card according to claim 5, wherein the PC card according to claim 17, further comprising: an electric signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card; and a telecommunication cable connecting unit on a back surface of a housing of the PC card; Connecting the telecommunication cable to the telecommunication cable connecting means when transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to a processing device and the second information transmitting means; It is characterized in that the electric communication is performed by wire using the means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
The PC card according to claim 6, wherein the PC card according to claim 17, further comprising an electric signal transmitting unit and an electric signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, and an electric communication cable connecting unit on a rear surface of a housing of the PC card. Connecting the telecommunication cable to the telecommunication cable connecting means when transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus and the second information transmitting means. The electric communication is performed by wire using the electric communication means.

[0032] In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention is provided.
7. The PC card according to claim 7, further comprising an optical signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. And an optical signal transmitting means for transmitting an optical signal from the upper surface of the housing of the PC card through the hole, wherein at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information When information is transmitted using the transmitting means, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card.

[0033] In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention is provided.
8. The PC card according to claim 8, further comprising an optical signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. And an optical signal transmitting means for transmitting an optical signal from the lower surface of the housing of the PC card through the hole, wherein at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information When information is transmitted using the transmitting means, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card.

[0034] In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention is provided.
9. The PC card according to claim 9, further comprising an optical signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, and having at least one hole on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. And an optical signal transmitting means for transmitting an optical signal from the upper and lower surfaces of the housing of the PC card through the holes, wherein at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus is connected to the second PC card. When information is transmitted using the information transmitting means, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card.

In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect of the present invention is provided.
0. The PC card according to claim 3, further comprising an optical signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. And an optical signal receiving means for transmitting an optical signal from the upper surface of the housing of the PC card through the hole, wherein at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information When information is transmitted using the transmitting means, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card.

In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect of the present invention is provided.
The PC card according to claim 1, further comprising an optical signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. And an optical signal receiving means for transmitting an optical signal from the lower surface of the housing of the PC card through the hole, wherein at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information When information is transmitted using the transmitting means, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card.

In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect is provided.
4. The PC card according to claim 2, wherein the PC card according to claim 3, further comprising an optical signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, and having at least one hole on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. And an optical signal transmitting means for transmitting an optical signal from the upper and lower surfaces of the housing of the PC card through the holes, wherein at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus is connected to the second PC card. When information is transmitted using the information transmitting means, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a third aspect is provided.
4. The PC card according to claim 3, further comprising an optical signal transmitting unit and an optical signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, and at least one of the PC card on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. Each of which has an optical signal transmitting means and an optical signal receiving means for transmitting an optical signal through the hole from the upper surface of the housing of the PC card, and at least another one connected to the information processing apparatus. When information is transmitted using one PC card and the second information transmitting means, optical communication is performed through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means and the optical signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. It is performed wirelessly.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a third aspect of the present invention is provided.
The PC card according to claim 4, wherein the PC card according to claim 3, further comprising an optical signal transmitting unit and an optical signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, and at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of a housing of the PC card. Each of which has an optical signal transmitting means and an optical signal receiving means for transmitting an optical signal through the hole from the lower surface of the housing of the PC card, and at least another one connected to the information processing apparatus. When information is transmitted using one PC card and the second information transmitting means, optical communication is performed through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means and the optical signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. It is performed wirelessly.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a third aspect of the present invention is provided.
5. The PC card according to claim 5, further comprising an optical signal transmitting unit and an optical signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, and at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of a housing of the PC card. Each of which has an optical signal transmitting means and an optical signal transmitting means for transmitting an optical signal from the upper and lower surfaces of the housing of the PC card through the holes. At least one P
When information is transmitted using the C card and the second information transmitting means, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means and the optical signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. It is characterized by performing. In order to achieve the above object, a PC card according to a thirty-sixth aspect is characterized in that, in the PC card according to the first aspect, an infrared wireless communication unit is provided as the second information transmission unit.

In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect is provided.
The PC card according to claim 7, wherein the PC card according to claim 36, further comprising an infrared signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, and having at least one hole on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. And an infrared signal transmitting means for transmitting an infrared signal through the hole from an upper surface of the housing of the PC card, wherein at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus and the second information When information is transmitted using the transmitting means, infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the infrared signal transmitting means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a third aspect is provided.
The PC card according to claim 8, wherein the PC card according to claim 36, further comprising infrared signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, and having at least one hole on each of an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. And an infrared signal transmitting means for transmitting an infrared signal from the lower surface of the housing of the PC card through the hole, wherein at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information When information is transmitted using the transmitting means, infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the infrared signal transmitting means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card.

In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect is provided.
The PC card according to claim 9, wherein the PC card according to claim 36, further comprising an infrared signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, and having at least one hole on each of an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. And an infrared signal transmitting means for transmitting an optical signal from the upper and lower surfaces of the housing of the PC card through the holes, wherein at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second When information is transmitted using the information transmitting means, infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the infrared signal transmitting means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card.

[0044] In order to achieve the above object, a fourth aspect of the present invention is provided.
40. The PC card according to claim 36, further comprising an infrared signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, and having at least one hole on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. And an infrared signal receiving means for receiving an infrared signal from the upper surface of the housing of the PC card through the hole, wherein at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information When information is transmitted using the transmitting means, infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the infrared signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is applied to a fourth aspect.
The PC card according to claim 1, wherein the PC card according to claim 36, further comprising infrared signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, and having at least one hole on each of an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. An infrared signal receiving unit for receiving an infrared signal from the lower surface of the housing of the PC card through the hole; and at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information. When information is transmitted using the transmitting means, infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the infrared signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is applied to a fourth aspect.
The PC card according to claim 2, wherein the PC card according to claim 36, further comprising infrared signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, and having at least one hole on each of an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. And an infrared signal receiving means for receiving an infrared signal from the upper and lower surfaces of the housing of the PC card through the holes, wherein at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second When transmitting information using the information transmitting means, infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the infrared signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention relates to claim 4.
The PC card according to claim 3, wherein the PC card according to claim 36, further comprising an infrared signal transmitting unit and an infrared signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, and at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of a housing of the PC card. Each with a hole,
An infrared signal transmitting unit and an infrared signal receiving unit for transmitting and receiving an infrared signal through the hole from an upper surface of the PC card housing; and at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus. When transmitting information using the second information transmitting means, wirelessly performing infrared communication through the hole using the infrared signal transmitting means and the infrared signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. Features.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is applied to a fourth aspect.
The PC card according to claim 4, wherein the PC card according to claim 36, further comprising an infrared signal transmitting unit and an infrared signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, and at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of a housing of the PC card. Each with a hole,
An infrared signal transmitting unit and an infrared signal receiving unit for transmitting and receiving an infrared signal from the lower surface of the housing of the PC card through the hole, and at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus; When transmitting information using the second information transmitting means, wirelessly performing infrared communication through the hole using the infrared signal transmitting means and the infrared signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. Features.

[0049] In order to achieve the above object, a fourth aspect of the present invention is provided.
37. The PC card according to claim 36, further comprising an infrared signal transmitting unit and an infrared signal receiving unit on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the housing of the PC card is provided. Each with a hole,
At least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus, the infrared signal transmitting means transmitting and receiving an infrared signal from the upper and lower surfaces of the housing of the PC card through the holes, and an infrared signal transmitting means; When transmitting information using the second information transmitting means and wirelessly performing infrared communication through the hole using the infrared signal transmitting means and the infrared signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. It is characterized by.

[0050]

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

(First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus including a PC card according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG.
PU (Central Processing Unit) 1, PCMC (PCI / Me
memory controller 2, L2 cache memory 3, system memory 4, display controller 5, SIO controller 6, PCIC (PC Car)
d Interface Controller) 7,
It has an Enhanced IDE controller 8 and PC card sockets 9 and 10.

The host CPU 1 controls the entire apparatus, and the host CPU 1 controls the host bus (Host).
Bus 11 is electrically connected to the PCMC 2, the L2 cache memory 3, and the system memory 4. The PCMC 2 and the system memory 4 are PCI
Display controller 5, SIO controller 6, PCIC 7 and E via bus (PCI Bus) 12.
It is electrically connected to the enhanced IDE controller 8. The PCIC 7 has a card bus (Car
d Bus) 13 via PC card sockets 9, 10
Is electrically connected to One PC card 14 is inserted into one PC card socket 9, and the other PC card 15 is inserted into the other PC card socket 10 so as to be detachable, and are electrically connected to the apparatus.

The information processing apparatus having such a configuration is controlled by the host CPU 1 in accordance with a program stored in the system memory 4 or the L2 cache memory 3. The host CPU 1 executes the PC card 1
When an instruction group for accessing 4, 15 is read, the P
Access to the C cards 14 and 15 is realized by the following procedure. First, the host CPU 1 accesses the PCMC 2 through the host bus 11, and sends access information to the PC cards 14 and 15 to the PCI bus 12. PCI bus 1
2 detects the access information flowing to the PCI bus 12 and accesses the card bus 13 to the PC cards 14 and 15.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a P according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of C cards 201 (corresponding to PC card 14 in FIG. 1) and 202 (corresponding to PC card 15 in FIG. 1). In the figure, one PC card 201 is a SCSI2 card for accessing a large-capacity medium such as a DVD-ROM (Digital Video Disk-Read Only Memory) 203.
The other PC card 202 is an MPEG2 card for expanding MPEG2 encoded data.

One PC card 201 includes a card bus (Card BUS) controller 204 and a SCSI2.
It has a controller 205, a transmission controller 206, and an optical transmission module 207. The card bus controller 204 is connected to the card bus 13. Also, the SCSI2 controller 205
Is DVD-ROM via SCSI2 cable 215
203 is connected.

The other PC card 202 includes a card bus (Card BUS) controller 208 and an MPEG2
It has a decoder 209, a receive controller 210, an optical receiving module 211, a D (digital) / A (analog) converter 212 for audio, and an audio plug 213. The card bus controller 208 is connected to the card bus 13. The optical receiving module 211 is connected to the optical transmitting module 207 of one PC card 201 via the optical communication transmission path 214.

First, the operation of one PC card (SCSI2 card) 201 will be described. The host CPU 1 reads a certain image information file in the DVD-ROM 203 from the PC card 201 to the
When a command group for instructing the transfer to the other PC card 202 using the PC 14 is sent, the card bus controller 2
04 detects the access, decodes the instruction group, and
The I2 controller 205 is driven. The SCSI2 controller 205 reads data from a file in the DVD-ROM 203 and transmits the data to the card bus controller 204. Here, if the command group instructs to transmit using the optical communication transmission path 214 between the PC cards 201 and 202 without passing through the card bus 13, the card bus controller 204 performs the reception. DVD
Transmitting data from the ROM 203 to the transmission controller 206; The transmission controller 206 performs error correction coding on the data from the DVD-ROM 203, drives the optical transmission module 207 based on the data, and
2. Send the information to 2.

Next, the operation of the other PC card (MPEG2 card) 202 will be described. The other PC card 202
First, the host CPU 1 receives and decodes data from the DVD-ROM 203 by optical communication from one of the PC cards 201 and decodes the decoded image information through the card bus 13 to the system memory 4 or the display controller 5. Are sent to the video memory. Based on this set of instructions,
First, the MPEG2 decoder 209 is initialized.
Subsequently, when the optical receiving module 211 detects the start of optical communication, converts the received data into an electric signal and transmits it to the receive controller 210, the receive controller 210
Performs error correction on this data,
The data from M203 is decoded and transmitted to the card bus controller 208. This card bus controller 20
Reference numeral 8 denotes an MPEG2 decoder 20
9 and the MPEG2 decoder 209 sends
YUV 4: 2 decoded from VD-ROM 203:
It receives image data in two formats and transfers the image data to the host CPU 1 according to the card bus protocol. M
The audio data reproduced by the PEG2 decoder 209 is
After being converted into an analog signal by the audio D / A converter 212, it is output to the outside through the audio plug 213.

FIG. 3 shows a PC card 2 according to this embodiment.
11A and 11B are diagrams showing physical shapes of the PC card 201 and the PC card 201, and FIG.
FIG. 4C is a side view of the circuit board of one PC card 201, FIG. 4C is a bottom view of the circuit board of one PC card 201, FIG. 4D is a top view of the other PC card 202, and FIG. FIG. 3F is a side view of the circuit board of the other PC card 202, and FIG.

The shape of the two PC cards 201 and 202 is “PC Card Standard Physi
cal Specification "
Pe2PC Card "specification.

In one PC card 201, a circuit board 302 is housed in a housing 301, and an optical transmission module board 304 is attached to the circuit board 302 via a spacer 303. The optical transmission module board 304 is electrically connected to the circuit board 302 via the connector 305. A plurality (four in the present embodiment) of optical transmission modules 306 are attached to the optical transmission module substrate 304. Each optical transmission module 306 has a laser light emitting unit 307. Case 301
Optical communication holes 308 are formed in the lower surface of the optical transmission module 306 at positions corresponding to the laser light emitting portions 307, and the laser light from the laser light emitting portion 307 is directed outward from these optical communication holes 308. By being irradiated, optical communication with the other PC card 202 can be performed wirelessly. A card bus connector 309 is provided at one end of the circuit board 302 in the longitudinal direction, and a SCSI2 connector 310 is provided at the other end.

Further, the other PC card 202 is
11, a circuit board 312 is housed therein.
The optical transmission module 30 of one PC card 201
The number (four in the present embodiment) of the optical receiving modules 313 corresponding to the number of 6 is provided. Each light receiving module 313 has a laser light receiving unit 314. The light receiving module 3 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 311.
Optical communication holes 315 are formed at positions corresponding to the 13 laser light receiving portions 314. Circuit board 302 of one PC card 201 and circuit board 31 of the other PC card 202
2, both the modules 3 and 3 are previously set so that the optical transmitting module 306 is located immediately above the optical receiving module 313.
The positions of 06 and 313 have been adjusted. The laser light from the laser light emitting unit 307 of the optical transmission module 306 in one of the PC cards 201 in each of the optical communication holes 315 is emitted toward the laser light receiving unit 314. Circuit board 3 of the other PC card 202
A card bus connector 316 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the device 12.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a physical shape of a PC card according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows one PC card 401 (FIG. 1).
FIG. 1B is a side view of a circuit board of one PC card 401, and FIG. 2C is a side view of a circuit board of the other PC card 401 (corresponding to the PC card 15 in FIG. 1). (D) is a circuit board side view of the other PC card 402. FIG.

The shape of the two PC cards 401 and 402 is “PC Card Standard Physi
cal Specification "
Pe2PC Card "specification.

One PC card 401 houses a circuit board 404 in a housing 403, and an optical transmission module 405 is attached to the circuit board 404. The base end of an optical fiber cable 406 is connected to the optical transmission module 405, and the distal end of the optical fiber cable 406 extends out of the housing 403. The extended end (distal end) has an optical fiber. A cable connector 407 is attached.

A card bus connector 408 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the circuit board 404, and a SCSI2 connector 409 is provided at the other end.

Further, the other PC card 402 is
10, a circuit board 411 is accommodated therein.
The optical receiving module 412 is attached to the. This optical receiving module 412 has an optical fiber cable 4
13 is connected to the optical fiber cable 41.
3 is extended outward of the housing 410, and an optical fiber cable connector 414 is provided at the extended end (distal end).
Is attached. A card bus connector 15 is provided at one end of the circuit board 411 in the longitudinal direction, and a SCSI is provided at the other end.
Two connectors 416 are provided.

The optical communication is performed by using one PC card 40.
By connecting the optical fiber cable connector 407 of the first PC card 402 and the optical fiber cable connector 414 of the other PC card 402, the optical fiber cables 406 and 41 are connected.
3 is performed.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the configuration of the information processing apparatus including the PC card according to the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1 in the above-described first embodiment, and will be described with reference to FIG.

In the first and second embodiments, the communication between the two PC cards is performed by the optical signal communication means. In the present embodiment, the communication is performed by the electric signal communication means. It is.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a P according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of C cards 501 (corresponding to the PC card 14 in FIG. 1) and 502 (corresponding to the PC card 15 in FIG. 1). In the figure, one PC card 501 is a SCSI2 card for accessing a large-capacity medium such as a DVD-ROM (digital video disk-read only memory) 503.
The other PC card 502 is an MPEG2 card for expanding MPEG2 encoded data.

One PC card 501 includes a card bus (Card BUS) controller 504 and a SCSI2.
A controller 505 and an I / F (interface) connector 506 are provided. The card bus controller 504 is connected to the card bus 13. Also,
The SCSI2 controller 505 is connected to the DVD-ROM 503 via a SCSI2 cable 513.

The other PC card 502 includes a card bus (Card BUS) controller 507 and an MPEG2
It has a decoder 508, an I / F (interface) connector 509, a D (digital) / A (analog) converter 510 for audio, and an audio plug 511. Then, the card bus controller 507 communicates with the card bus 13.
It is connected to the. Further, the I / F connector 509 is connected to the I / F connector 506 of one PC card 501 via the electric signal transmission path 513.

First, the operation of one PC card (SCSI2 card) 501 will be described. A command group for instructing the host CPU 1 to read one image information file in the DVD-ROM 503 and transfer the image information file to the other PC card 502 using the electric signal transmission path 512 is sent to one PC card 501. Then, the card bus controller 504 detects the access, decodes the instruction group, and
The SI2 controller 505 is driven. The SCSI2 controller 505 reads data from a file in the DVD-ROM 503, and reads the data from the card bus controller 504.
Send data to. Here, if the command group instructs to perform transmission using the electric signal transmission path 512 between the PC cards 501 and 502 without passing through the card bus 13, the card bus controller 504 sets the reception D
The data from the VD-ROM 503 is transferred to the electric signal transmission path 51.
2 to the other PC card 502.

Next, the operation of the other PC card (MPEG2 card) 502 will be described. The other PC card 502
First, one P from the host CPU 1 in FIG.
DV by the electric signal transmission line 512 from the C card 501
Receives and decodes data from D-ROM 203,
An instruction group instructing to transfer the decoded image information to the system memory 4 or the video memory of the display controller 5 through the card bus 13 is sent.
Based on this instruction group, first, the MPEG2 decoder 508
Is initialized. When the card bus controller 507 detects data transmission of the DVD-ROM 503 from one of the PC cards 501, it transmits a series of received data to the MP card.
In addition to transmitting the image data to the EG2 decoder 508 and receiving the image data in the YUV 4: 2: 2 format decoded from the DVD-ROM 503 from the MPEG2 decoder 508, the image data is transferred to the host CPU 1 according to the card bus protocol. The audio data reproduced by the MPEG2 decoder 508 is converted into an analog signal by the audio D / A converter 510, and then converted to an audio plug 511.
Output to the outside through

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the physical shape of the PC card according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6A is a top view of a circuit board of one PC card 501, and FIG. A side view of a circuit board of the card 501, and FIG.
The bottom view of the circuit board of the card 501, and FIG.
FIG. 4E is a top view of the C card 502, FIG. 4E is a bottom view of the circuit board of the other PC card 502, and FIG. 4F is a side view of the circuit board of the other PC card 502.

The shape of the two PC cards 501 and 502 is “PC Card Standard Physi
cal Specification "
Pe2PC Card "specification.

One PC card 501 houses a circuit board 602 in a housing 601, and a connector board 604 is attached to the circuit board 602 via a spacer 603. The connector board 604 is electrically connected to the circuit board 602 via the connector 605. An I / F (interface) connector 606 is attached to the connector board 604. A hole 607 for connecting a flexible cable is formed in the lower surface of the housing 601. A transmission flexible cable (not shown) is connected to an I / F (interface) connector 606 using the flexible cable connection hole 607. Circuit board 6
02 at one longitudinal end of the card bus connector 608.
However, a SCSI2 connector 609 is provided at the other end.

The other PC card 602 is
10, a circuit board 611 is housed therein.
Is provided with an I / F (interface) connector 612. A flexible cable connection hole 613 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 610 at a position corresponding to the flexible cable connection hole 607 of one PC card 601. Then, a transmission flexible cable (not shown) is connected to an I / F (interface) connector 612 using the flexible cable connection hole 607.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a physical shape of the PC card according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7A is a bottom view of one PC card 701 (corresponding to the PC card 14 in FIG. 1), and FIG. b) is one of P
FIG. 3C is a side view of the C card 701, FIG. 3C is a side view of one PC card 701, and FIG.
2 (corresponding to the PC card 15 in FIG. 1), and FIG. 2E is a side view of the other PC card 702.

The shapes of the two PC cards 701 and 702 are basically based on the original specifications. However, as far as the parts to be inserted into the PC card sockets 9 and 10 in FIG. 1 are concerned, "PC Card Standard" Ph
This is based on the “Type 2 PC Card” specification in “physical specification”.

One PC card 701 has a housing 703 provided with an inter-PC card connection connector 704 and a card bus connector 705. The other PC card 702 is provided with a PC card connection connector 7 in a housing 706.
07 is provided.

The other configurations and operations in the present embodiment are the same as those in the third embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the configuration of the information processing apparatus provided with the PC card according to the present embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1 in the above-described first embodiment, and will be described with reference to FIG.

This embodiment relates to a video capture card which digitizes an NTSC signal and outputs an image in YV4: 1: 1 format or YUV4: 2: 2 format to the PC card in the first embodiment described above. , YV
An MPEG encoding card for converting an image in the 4: 1, 1 format, YUV 4: 2: 2 format, or RGB format into a compressed image conforming to the MPEGI format is used.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the PC card according to the present embodiment. In the figure, one PC card 801 (corresponding to the PC card 14 in FIG. 1) has a card bus (Card BUS) controller 803, a video digitizer 804, a transmission controller 805, and optical transmission modules 806 and 807. . The card bus controller 803 is connected to the card bus 13. The video digitizer 804 is connected to a pin jack 809 via a cable 808.
The card bus controller 803 and the transmission controller 805 via the image signal transmission path 810
Connected to each other. Card bus controller 8
03 is connected to the transmission controller 805 via the transmission controller control line 811. Also, the transmission controller 80
5, the optical transmission module 806,
807 is connected.

The other PC card 802 (corresponding to PC card 15 in FIG. 1) has a card bus (Card BU).
S) Controller 813, MPEG1 encoder 81
4. Receive controller 815, optical receiving module 8
16,817. The card bus controller 813 is connected to the card bus 13. The card bus controller 813 is connected to the MPEG1 encoder 814 and the receive controller 815, respectively. The light receiving modules 816 and 817 are connected to the receiving controller 815 via connection lines 818 and 819. Optical receiving module 816, 81
7 is one of the PCs via the optical signal transmission lines 820 and 821.
It is connected to the optical transmission modules 806 and 807 of the card 801.

First, the operation of one PC card (video capture card) 801 will be described. The host CPU 1 sends an NTSC signal to one PC card
Digitizing to UV 4: 2: 2 format and the other P using optical signal transmission path 820 or optical signal transmission path 821
A command group for instructing the transfer to the C card 802 is sent. Here, the card bus controller 803 detects the access, decodes the instruction group, instructs the video digitizer 804 to start digitizing the NTSC signal, and also outputs a digitized image signal (hereinafter simply referred to as an image signal). ) Is transmitted using the optical signal transmission path 820 or the optical signal transmission path 821 and the transmission controller 805 is controlled. That is, the reception of the image signal and the transmission of the image signal using the card bus 13 are prohibited for the card bus controller 803, and the image signal is received for the transmission controller 805 to drive the optical transmission modules 806 and 807. To do so. Transmission Troller 80
5 converts the image signal from parallel to serial and transmits the serial signal to the other PC card 802 using the optical transmission modules 806 and 807.

Next, the operation of the other PC card (MPEG2 card) 802 will be described. The other PC card 802
First, an image signal by optical communication from one of the PC cards 801 is received and encoded from the host CPU 1, and the encoded MPEG1 format compliant compressed image is transferred to the system memory 4 through the card bus 13. Commanded commands are sent. First, the MPEG1 encoder 814 is initialized based on the instruction group. Subsequently, when the optical receiving module 817 detects the start of optical communication, converts the received data into an electric signal and transmits the electric signal to the receive controller 815, the receive controller 815 converts the serial data into a serial signal.
It performs parallel conversion and transmits the result to the card bus controller 813. The card bus controller 813 transmits the received series of image data to the MPEG1 encoder 814, receives the compressed image data from the MPEG1 encoder 814, and transfers the image data to the host CPU 1 according to the card bus protocol.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the physical shape of a PC card according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9A is a bottom view of a circuit board of one PC card 801 and FIG. A side view of a circuit board of the card 801, and FIG.
FIG. 4D is a bottom view of the card 801, FIG. 4D is a top view of one PC card 801, and FIG.
02 (f) is a bottom view of the other PC card 802, (g) is a top view of a circuit board of the other PC card 802, and (h) is a circuit of the other PC card 802. It is a board | substrate side view.

The shape of the two PC cards 801 and 802 is “PC Card Standard Physi
cal Specification "
Pe2PC Card "specification.

One PC card 801 houses a circuit board 902 in a housing 901, and an optical transmission module board 904 is attached to the circuit board 902 via a spacer 903. This optical transmission module board 904 is electrically connected to a circuit board 902 via a connector 905. The optical transmission module 906 is attached to the optical transmission module board 904. The optical transmission module 906 has a laser light emitting unit 907.
An optical transmission module 908 is attached to the circuit board 902. The optical transmission module 908 has a laser light emitting unit 909. A pin jack 911 for video cable connection is connected to the circuit board 902 via a video signal transmission cable 910. Optical communication holes 912 and 913 are formed in the upper and lower surfaces of the housing 901 at positions corresponding to the laser light emitting units 907 and 909, respectively. A card bus connector 914 is provided on the circuit board 902.
Is provided.

The other PC card 802 houses a circuit board 916 in a housing 915, and an optical receiving module board 918 is attached to the circuit board 916 via a spacer 917. The optical receiving module board 918 is electrically connected to a circuit board 916 via a connector 919. The light receiving module 920 is attached to the light receiving module substrate 918. The light receiving module 920 has a laser light receiving unit 921.
The light receiving module 922 is attached to the circuit board 916. The light receiving module 922 has a laser light receiving unit 923. On the upper and lower surfaces of the housing 915,
Optical communication holes 924 and 925 are formed at positions corresponding to the laser light receiving portions 921 and 923, respectively. The card bus connector 9 is provided at one longitudinal end of the circuit board 916.
26 are provided.

Circuit boards 90 of PC cards 801 and 802
2 and 916, the positions of both modules are adjusted in advance so that the optical transmission module 906 is located directly above the optical reception module 919 and the optical reception module 921 is located immediately above the optical transmission module 908. ing. Optical communication is performed using the optical communication holes 912 and 91 described above.
It is realized wirelessly through 3,924,925.

(Sixth Embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the configuration of the information processing apparatus including the PC card according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG.
Since it is the same as that of FIG.

In this embodiment, the optical communication in the fifth embodiment is changed to infrared communication.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the PC card according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the physical shape of the PC card according to the present embodiment. The bottom view of the circuit board of one PC card 801, FIG.
FIG. 14C is a bottom view of one PC card 801, FIG. 14D is a top view of one PC card 801, FIG. 14E is a top view of the other PC card 802, and FIG. )
FIG. 4G is a bottom view of the other PC card 802, FIG. 4G is a top view of the circuit board of the other PC card 802, and FIG. 4H is a side view of the circuit board of the other PC card 802.

FIG. 10 differs from FIG. 8 in the fifth embodiment described above in that an infrared transmitting module 806 is used instead of the optical transmitting modules 806 and 807 in FIG.
a, 807a, and an infrared receiving module 816 in place of the optical receiving modules 816, 817 in FIG.
a, 817a, the optical signal transmission line 82 of FIG.
0,821 instead of infrared signal transmission paths 820a, 821
a is provided.

Further, FIG. 11 differs from FIG. 9 in the fifth embodiment described above in that an infrared transmitting module 90 is used instead of the optical transmitting modules 906 and 908 in FIG.
6a, 908a, and infrared light emitting portions 907a, 909 instead of the laser light emitting portions 907, 909 of FIG.
a, the optical receiving modules 920 and 92 in FIG.
2 are provided with infrared receiving modules 920a and 922a, and the laser light receiving units 921 and 923 of FIG. 9 are provided with infrared receiving units 921a and 923a.

The other configurations and operations in the present embodiment are the same as those in the above-described fifth embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

[0101]

As described above in detail, according to the PC card of the present invention, information of an arbitrary capacity can be transmitted between the PC cards regardless of the performance of the transfer capacity of the local bus provided in the information processing apparatus. Thus, there is an effect that the performance of the entire information processing apparatus can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus including a PC card according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the PC card according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a physical shape of the PC card according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a physical shape of a PC card according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a PC card according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a physical shape of a PC card according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a physical shape of a PC card according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a PC card according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a physical shape of a PC card according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a PC card according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a physical shape of a PC card according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host CPU 2 PCMC 3 L2 cache memory 4 System memory 5 Display controller 6 SIO controller 7 PCIC 8 Enhanced IDE controller 9 PC card socket 10 PC card socket 11 Host bus 12 PCI bus 13 Card bus 201 PC card 202 PC card 203 DVD-ROM 204 Card bus controller 205 SCSI2 controller 206 Transmission controller 207 Optical transmission module 208 Cardbus controller 209 MPEG2 decoder 210 Receive controller 211 Optical reception module 212 Audio D / A converter 213 Audio plug 214 Optical signal transmission path 215 SCSI2 cable 301 Housing 302 Circuit board 303 Spacer 304 Optical transmission module substrate 305 Connector 306 Optical transmission module 307 Laser light emitting section 308 Optical communication hole 309 Card bus connector 310 SCSI2 connector 311 Housing 312 Circuit board 313 Optical receiving module 314 Laser light receiving section 315 Optical communication hole 316 Card bus Connector 401 PC card 402 PC card 403 Housing 404 Circuit board 405 Optical transmission module 406 Optical fiber cable 407 Optical fiber cable connector 408 Card bus connector 409 SCSI2 connector 410 Housing 411 Circuit board 412 Optical receiving module 413 Optical fiber cable 414 Optical fiber cable connector 415 Card Bus connector 416 SCSI2 connector 501 PC card 502P Card 503 DVD-ROM 504 Card bus controller 505 SCSI2 controller 506 I / F connector 507 Card bus controller 508 MPEG2 decoder 509 I / F connector 510 Audio D / A converter 511 Audio plug 601 Housing 602 Circuit board 603 Spacer 604 Connector board 605 Connector 606 I / F connector 607 Flexible cable connection hole 608 Card bus connector 609 SCSI2 connector 610 Housing 611 Circuit board 612 I / F connector 613 Flexible cable connection hole 614 Card bus connector 701 PC card 702 PC card 703 Housing 704 PC card connection connector 705 Card bus connector 706 Housing 707 PC card Connection connector 801 PC card 802 PC card 803 Card bus controller 804 Video digitizer 805 Transmission controller 806 Optical transmission module 806a Infrared transmission module 807 Optical transmission module 807a Infrared transmission module 808 Cable 809 Pin jack 810 Image signal transmission path 811 Transmission controller control line 812 connecting line 813 card bus controller 814 MPEG1 encoder 815 connecting line 816 optical receiving module 816a infrared receiving module 817 optical receiving module 817a infrared receiving module 818 connecting line 819 connecting line 820 optical signal transmitting path 820a infrared signal transmitting path 821 optical signal transmitting path 821a Infrared signal transmission path 901 Housing 902 Circuit board 903 Spacer 904 Optical transmitting module substrate 905 Connector 906 Optical transmitting module 906a Infrared transmitting module 907 Laser light emitting section 907a Infrared emitting section 908 Optical transmitting module 908a Infrared transmitting module 909 Laser light emitting section 909a Infrared emitting section 910 Video signal transmission cable 911 Video cable connection pin jack 912 Optical communication hole 913 Optical communication hole 914 Card bus connector 915 Housing 916 Circuit board 917 Spacer 918 Light receiving module board 919 Connector 920 Light receiving module 920a Infrared receiving module 921 Laser light receiving section 921a Infrared receiving section 922 light receiving module 922a infrared receiving module 923 laser light receiving section 923a infrared receiving section 24 optical communication hole 925 optical communication hole 926 card bus connector

Claims (45)

[Claims] 1. A PC card connected to an information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus comprising: a first information transmitting unit configured to transmit information using an information transmitting unit included in the information processing apparatus; and a PC card connected to the information processing apparatus. And at least one second information transmitting means for transmitting information separately from the first information transmitting means to at least one other PC card, and when connected to the information processing apparatus , Wherein information can be transmitted using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus and the second information transmission means. 2. The PC card according to claim 1, wherein an optical communication unit is provided as said second information transmission unit. 3. The PC card according to claim 2, wherein said optical communication means performs optical communication wirelessly. 4. An optical signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, at least one hole on an upper surface of a housing of the PC card, and at least one other connected to the information processing apparatus. 4. The PC card according to claim 3, wherein, when transmitting information using one PC card and the second information transmitting unit, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting unit. . 5. An optical signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on a lower surface of a housing thereof, and the PC card has at least one other hole connected to the information processing apparatus. 4. The PC card according to claim 3, wherein, when transmitting information using one PC card and the second information transmitting unit, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting unit. . 6. An optical signal transmitting means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, having at least one hole on upper and lower surfaces of a housing of the PC card, and at least another hole connected to the information processing apparatus. 4. The PC according to claim 3, wherein, when transmitting information using one PC card and the second information transmitting unit, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting unit. card. 7. An optical signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, at least one hole on an upper surface of a housing of the PC card, and at least one other connected to the information processing apparatus. 4. The PC card according to claim 3, wherein when transmitting information using one PC card and the second information transmitting unit, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal receiving unit. . 8. An optical signal receiving means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, having at least one hole in a lower surface of a housing of the PC card, and at least one other connected to the information processing apparatus. 4. The PC card according to claim 3, wherein when transmitting information using one PC card and the second information transmitting unit, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal receiving unit. . 9. An optical signal receiving means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, having at least one hole on upper and lower surfaces of a housing of the PC card, and at least another hole connected to the information processing apparatus. 4. The PC according to claim 3, wherein, when transmitting information using one PC card and the second information transmitting unit, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal receiving unit. card. 10. An optical signal transmitting means and an optical signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on an upper surface of a housing thereof and is connected to the information processing apparatus. When performing information transmission using the at least one other PC card and the second information transmission unit, wirelessly performing optical communication through the hole using the optical signal transmission unit and the optical signal reception unit. The PC card according to claim 3, wherein: 11. An optical signal transmitting means and an optical signal receiving means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on a lower surface of a housing, and is connected to the information processing apparatus. When performing information transmission using the at least one other PC card and the second information transmission unit, wirelessly performing optical communication through the hole using the optical signal transmission unit and the optical signal reception unit. The PC card according to claim 3, wherein: 12. An optical signal transmitting means and an optical signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on upper and lower surfaces of a housing, and is connected to the information processing apparatus. When transmitting information using at least one other PC card and the second information transmitting means, wirelessly performing optical communication through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means and the optical signal receiving means The PC card according to claim 3, wherein: 13. The PC card according to claim 2, wherein said optical communication means performs optical communication by wire. 14. An optical fiber cable having an optical signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, an optical fiber cable connected to the optical signal transmitting means and having an optical fiber cable connecting means at an end, and connected to the information processing apparatus. The optical communication is performed through the optical fiber cable when information is transmitted using at least one other PC card and the second information transmitting means.
PC card as described. 15. An optical fiber cable provided with an optical signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, connected to the optical signal receiving means and provided with an optical fiber cable connecting means at an end thereof, and connected to the information processing apparatus. The optical communication is performed through the optical fiber cable when information is transmitted using at least one other PC card and the second information transmitting means.
PC card as described. 16. An optical fiber cable provided with an optical signal transmitting means and an optical signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, the optical fiber cable being connected to the optical signal transmitting means and the optical signal receiving means and having an optical fiber cable connecting means at an end. And performing optical communication through the optical fiber cable when transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus and the second information transmitting means. 14. The PC card according to claim 13, 17. The PC card according to claim 1, further comprising electric communication means for performing electric communication by wire as said second information transmission means. 18. An electric signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on an upper surface of a housing thereof, and a telecommunication cable is connected to the electric signal transmitting means through the hole. When information is transmitted using the second information transmission unit and another at least one PC card connected to the information processing device, the electric communication is performed by wire using the electric communication unit. 18. The PC card according to claim 17, wherein: 19. An electric signal transmitting means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, having at least one hole in a lower surface of a housing of the PC card, and transmitting a telecommunication cable to the electric signal transmitting means through the hole. When information is transmitted using the second information transmission unit and another at least one PC card connected to the information processing device, the electric communication is performed by wire using the electric communication unit. 18. The PC card according to claim 17, wherein: 20. An electric signal receiving means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, having at least one hole on an upper surface of a housing of the PC card, and passing an electric communication cable to the electric signal receiving means through the hole. When information is transmitted using the second information transmission unit and another at least one PC card connected to the information processing device, the electric communication is performed by wire using the electric communication unit. 18. The PC card according to claim 17, wherein: 21. An electric signal receiving means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, having at least one hole on a lower surface of a housing of the PC card, and through which electric communication cable is connected to the electric signal receiving means. When information is transmitted using the second information transmission unit and another at least one PC card connected to the information processing device, the electric communication is performed by wire using the electric communication unit. 18. The PC card according to claim 17, wherein: 22. An electric signal transmitting means and an electric signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on an upper surface of a housing thereof, and the electric communication cable is passed through the hole. The electric communication is performed when information is transmitted using the second information transmission unit and another at least one PC card connected to the electric signal reception unit and the electric signal reception unit and connected to the information processing apparatus. 18. The PC card according to claim 17, wherein the electric communication is performed by wire using the means. 23. An electric signal transmitting means and an electric signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, the PC card having at least one hole on a lower surface of a housing thereof, and the electric communication cable passing through the hole. The electric communication is performed when information is transmitted using the second information transmission unit and another at least one PC card connected to the electric signal reception unit and the electric signal reception unit and connected to the information processing apparatus. 18. The PC card according to claim 17, wherein the electric communication is performed by wire using the means. 24. An electric signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, an electric communication cable connecting means on a back surface of a housing of the PC card, and at least one other connected to the information processing apparatus. PC cards and the second
18. When transmitting information using said information transmitting means, said electric communication cable is connected to said electric communication cable connecting means, and electric communication is performed by wire using said electric communication means. PC card as described. 25. An electric signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, an electric communication cable connecting means on a rear surface of a housing of the PC card, and at least one other connected to the information processing apparatus. PC cards and the second
18. When transmitting information using said information transmitting means, said electric communication cable is connected to said electric communication cable connecting means, and electric communication is performed by wire using said electric communication means. PC card as described. 26. An electric signal transmitting unit and an electric signal receiving unit are provided on a circuit board of the PC card, and an electric communication cable connecting unit is provided on a back surface of a housing of the PC card, and is connected to the information processing apparatus. When transmitting information using at least one other PC card and the second information transmitting means, the telecommunication cable is connected to the telecommunication cable connecting means, and telecommunication is performed using the telecommunication means. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein:
C card. 27. An optical signal transmitting means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. An optical signal transmission unit for transmitting an optical signal through the hole, and when transmitting information using the at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information transmission unit; 4. The PC card according to claim 3, wherein the optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. 28. An optical signal transmitting means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. An optical signal transmission unit for transmitting an optical signal through the hole, and when transmitting information using the at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information transmission unit; 4. The PC card according to claim 3, wherein the optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. 29. An optical signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card, and both upper and lower surfaces of the housing of the PC card are provided. An optical signal transmitting unit for transmitting an optical signal through the hole, and transmitting information using the second information transmitting unit and at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus; 4. The PC card according to claim 3, wherein the optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. 30. An optical signal receiving means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. An optical signal receiving unit for transmitting an optical signal through the hole, and when transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information transmitting unit, 4. The PC card according to claim 3, wherein the optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. 31. An optical signal receiving means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. An optical signal receiving unit for transmitting an optical signal through the hole, and when transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information transmitting unit, 4. The PC card according to claim 3, wherein the optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. 32. An optical signal receiving means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card, and both upper and lower surfaces of the housing of the PC card are provided. An optical signal transmitting unit for transmitting an optical signal through the hole, and transmitting information using the second information transmitting unit and at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus; 4. The PC card according to claim 3, wherein the optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. 33. An optical signal transmitting means and an optical signal receiving means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on each of an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing thereof.
An optical signal transmitting unit and an optical signal receiving unit for transmitting an optical signal from the upper surface of the housing of the PC card through the hole, and at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus; When information is transmitted using the information transmitting means of No. 2 above, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means and the optical signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. Claim 3
PC card as described. 34. An optical signal transmitting means and an optical signal receiving means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card,
An optical signal transmitting unit for transmitting an optical signal from the lower surface of the housing of the PC card through the hole, and an optical signal receiving unit; and at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus, When information is transmitted using the information transmitting means of No. 2 above, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means and the optical signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. Claim 3
PC card as described. 35. An optical signal transmitting means and an optical signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein the PC card has at least one hole on an upper surface and a lower surface on a lower surface thereof.
An optical signal transmitting unit for transmitting an optical signal from the upper and lower surfaces of the housing of the PC card through the holes, and an optical signal transmitting unit, and at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus; When information is transmitted using the second information transmitting means, optical communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the optical signal transmitting means and the optical signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. The PC card according to claim 3, wherein 36. The PC card according to claim 1, further comprising infrared wireless communication means as said second information transmission means. 37. An infrared signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. An infrared signal transmitting means for transmitting an infrared signal through the hole;
When transmitting information using the information transmitting means of
37. The PC card according to claim 36, wherein infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the infrared signal transmitting means regardless of the positional relationship of the card. 38. An infrared signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. An infrared signal transmitting means for transmitting an infrared signal through the hole;
When transmitting information using the information transmitting means of
37. The PC card according to claim 36, wherein infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the infrared signal transmitting means regardless of the positional relationship of the card. 39. An infrared signal transmitting means on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card, and upper and lower surfaces of the housing of the PC card are provided. An infrared signal transmitting means for transmitting an optical signal through the hole, and at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus;
When transmitting information using the information transmitting means of
37. The PC card according to claim 36, wherein infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the infrared signal transmitting means regardless of the positional relationship of the card. 40. An infrared signal receiving means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. An infrared signal receiving unit for receiving an infrared signal through the hole;
When transmitting information using the information transmitting means of
37. The PC card according to claim 36, wherein infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the infrared signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the card. 41. An infrared signal receiving means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card. An infrared signal receiving unit for receiving an infrared signal through the hole;
When transmitting information using the information transmitting means of
37. The PC card according to claim 36, wherein infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the infrared signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the card. 42. An infrared signal receiving means provided on a circuit board of the PC card, wherein at least one hole is provided on an upper surface and a lower surface of a housing of the PC card, and both upper and lower surfaces of the housing of the PC card are provided. An infrared signal receiving unit for receiving an infrared signal through the hole, and transmitting information using the second information transmitting unit and at least one other PC card connected to the information processing apparatus; 37. The PC card according to claim 36, wherein infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the infrared signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card. 43. An infrared signal transmitting means and an infrared signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card,
The PC card has at least one hole on the upper surface and the lower surface thereof, and has infrared signal transmitting means and infrared signal receiving means for transmitting and receiving infrared signals through the holes from the upper surface of the PC card case. When transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information transmitting means,
37. The PC according to claim 36, wherein infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the infrared signal transmitting means and the infrared signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the C card.
card. 44. An infrared signal transmitting means and an infrared signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card,
The PC card has at least one hole on the upper surface and the lower surface thereof, and has infrared signal transmitting means and infrared signal receiving means for transmitting and receiving infrared signals from the lower surface of the PC card through the holes. When transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information transmitting means,
37. The PC according to claim 36, wherein infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using the infrared signal transmitting means and the infrared signal receiving means regardless of the positional relationship of the C card.
card. 45. An infrared signal transmitting means and an infrared signal receiving means on a circuit board of the PC card,
An infrared signal transmitting unit and an infrared signal transmitting unit that have at least one hole on the upper surface and the lower surface of the card housing, and transmit and receive infrared signals from the upper and lower surfaces of the PC card housing through the holes. When transmitting information using at least one other PC card connected to the information processing device and the second information transmitting means, regardless of the positional relationship of the PC card, transmitting the infrared signal 37. The PC card according to claim 36, wherein infrared communication is performed wirelessly through the hole using a device and infrared signal receiving means.