WO2005078728A1

WO2005078728A1 - Single-cavity information exchange device for different types of information carriers

Info

Publication number: WO2005078728A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/050432
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank C. Penning
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2004-02-12
Filing date: 2005-02-02
Publication date: 2005-08-25
Also published as: TW200531035A

Abstract

The invention relates to a single-cavity (102) information exchange device (101) for different types of information carriers. The cavity (102) comprises means (103) for exchanging information with a rotational information carrier (104). The cavity (102) further comprises device electrical contacts (106, 301) which match the carrier electrical contacts (202, 502) of solid-state information carriers (201, 501) and through which the information exchange device (101) can engage these solid-state information carriers (201, 501). Adding the carrier electrical contacts (106, 301) to the cavity (102) enables the single-cavity (102) information exchange device (101) to exchange information both with the rotational information carrier (104) and with the solid-state information carrier (201, 501), without the need for complex signal converters. Additional signal processing means (601) are added to the information exchange device (101) to enable the information exchange with the solid-state information carrier (201, 501).

Description

Single-cavity information exchange device for different types of information carriers

FIELD OF THE INVENTION: The invention relates to an information exchange device having a cavity comprising means for exchanging information with a rotational information carrier. The invention further relates to a system comprising an information exchange device having a cavity comprising means for exchanging information with a rotational information carrier and a solid-state information carrier comprising carrier electrical contacts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: An information exchange device which exchanges information both with a rotational information carrier and with a solid-state information carrier is known from JP-A 11-7665. This patent application describes an adapter which enables a solid-state information carrier to exchange information with an information exchange device through a magneto- optical disc drive by converting the electronic signal of the solid-state information carrier into magneto-optical signals and vice versa. The adapter, which has the same outer dimensions as a magneto-optical disc, comprises a cavity which has electrical contacts for engaging the solid-state information carrier. The adapter further comprises a thermal element, a magnetic coil, a transceiver unit, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), and a battery. The CPU can communicate with the solid-state information carrier and convert information from the format used on the solid-state information carrier into the format used within the magneto- optical disc drive and vice versa. The magnetic coil and transceiver unit are used to convert electrical signals from the CPU into magnetic signals for the magneto-optical disc drive. The magnetic coil together with the thermal element and the transceiver unit are used to convert magneto-optical signals from the magneto-optical disc drive into electrical signals for the CPU. This is powered by the battery enclosed in the adapter. It has been observed that a complex signal conversion, in addition to a data- format conversion, is necessary within an adapter for enabling a solid-state information carrier to exchange information with a single-cavity information exchange device, where the cavity is arranged for exchange of information with rotational information carriers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: It is an object of the invention to provide a simple means for exchanging information with a solid-state information carrier in a cavity arranged for a rotational information carrier. A first aspect of the invention provides an information exchange device as claimed in claim 1. A second aspect of the invention provides a system as claimed in claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. The information exchange device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention comprises a cavity which comprises device electrical contacts for exchanging information with a solid-state information carrier. The additional device electrical contacts, which match the electrical contacts on the solid-state information carrier, enable the solid- state information carrier to exchange information electrically with the information exchange device, omitting the need for signal conversion. An additional advantage of the invention is that it extends the use of the cavity for rotational information carriers with a use for solid-state information carriers. This combination of usage of the cavity in an information exchange device is especially beneficial in view of the current tendency towards miniaturization and portability. Additional documents disclose a cavity in an information exchange device which is adapted to comprise other types of rotational information carriers. Special adapters, as in US-A 5,995,345, enable smaller rotational information carriers to use the cavity of larger rotational information carriers. Since the principle of information exchange is the same, a cartridge-type solution suffices to enable the wider use of the cavity in the information exchange device. US-A 6,612,492 discloses a cavity designed to engage several types of solid-state information carriers by providing an electrical interface which can engage two or more types of solid-state information carriers. Also here, the principle of information exchange between the information exchange device and the different types of solid-state information carriers is the same, i.e. electrical.

The device in accordance with the invention enables an exchange of information by two different information exchange principles without the need for converting one information exchange principle into another. In an embodiment as defined in claim 6, the cavity comprises mechanical arrangements for holding the solid-state information carrier in a position that enables the device electronic contacts to engage carrier electronic contacts of the solid-state information carrier. In this embodiment, a special adaptation has been made to the cavity such that both the rotational and the solid-state information carrier securely fit inside the cavity and that both information exchange devices can directly engage their appropriate means for information-exchange inside the cavity. In an embodiment as defined in claim 7, the device electrical contacts inside the cavity are configured to engage different solid-state information carriers comprising different patterns of carrier electrical contacts. This embodiment introduces a unified electrical interface through which different solid-state information carriers can exchange information with the information exchange device, next to the rotational information carrier, all in a single cavity. In an embodiment as defined in claim 8, the information exchange device is arranged for receiving a cartridge comprising the solid-state information carrier. In this embodiment, the cavity is not adapted to enable a secure fit of the solid-state information carrier next to the rotational information carrier. A cartridge, having the outer dimensions such that it securely fits inside the cavity arranged for a rotational information carrier, secures the solid-state information carrier inside the cavity. In an embodiment as defined in claim 9, the information exchange device comprises signal processing means enabling an information exchange with both the rotational information carrier and the solid-state information carrier. Although a common use of the cavity for different types of information carriers has been achieved in the device according to the invention, a conversion of the format of the information may still be necessary. This requires adaptations in the signal processing of the information exchange device. The invention also relates to an optical disc drive comprising the information exchange device according to the invention. The optical disc drive may further comprise a motor for rotating an inserted optical disc. The information exchange device comprises means for exchanging information which comprise an Optical Pickup Unit (OPU) for exchanging information with the inserted optical disc. The information exchange device further comprises device electrical contacts for exchanging information with a solid-state information carrier. The system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention comprises a cavity which comprises device electrical contacts for exchanging information with the solid- state information carrier via the carrier electrical contacts. In an embodiment of the system as defined in claim 12, the system further comprises a cartridge arranged to enable the carrier electrical contacts to engage the device electrical contacts inside the cavity directly. The cartridge secures the solid-state information carrier inside the cavity of the information exchange device and positions it with respect to the device electrical contacts to enable the carrier electrical contacts of the solid-state information carrier to engage the device electrical contacts directly. In an embodiment of the system as defined in claim 13, the system further comprises a cartridge which comprises means for coupling the carrier electrical contacts to the set of device electrical contacts inside the cavity. Two embodiments of the system defined in claim 13 can be found in claims 14 and 15. In an embodiment of the system as defined in claim 14, the system comprises a cartridge which comprises first cartridge electrical contacts directly engaging the carrier electrical contacts and second cartridge electrical contacts directly engaging the device electrical contacts inside the cavity. In this embodiment of the system according to the invention, the cartridge comprises second cartridge electrical contacts which can engage the device electrical contacts inside the cavity. Furthermore, the cartridge comprises first cartridge electrical contacts which can engage the carrier electrical contacts of the solid-state information carrier. The benefit of this embodiment is that upon a change to a different solid- state information carrier comprising a different pattern of electrical contacts all that is necessary is a new cartridge comprising first cartridge electrical contacts which can engage the different solid-state information carrier. In an embodiment of the system as defined in claim 15, the system comprises a cartridge which comprises means for converting electrical signals of the solid-state information carrier into a proprietary interface with fewer contacts. The benefits of this embodiment are that it simplifies and standardizes the interface between the cartridge and the information exchange device. Furthermore it enables signal conversion from one electrical signal to another, expanding the range of solid-state information carriers which can be used in this system. In an embodiment of the system as defined in claim 16, the system comprises a cartridge which comprises a converter for converting a first information format, used on the solid-state information carrier to store information, into a second information format, used by the information exchange device to exchange information. The benefit of this embodiment is that the conversion of the format of the information can be omitted in the information exchange device, and a standard interface can be implemented between the information exchange device and the cartridge. The invention also relates to a cartridge presenting all the features of the cartridge disclosed in the system according to the invention, and thus constructed and evidently intended for use in the system according to the invention. In an embodiment of the system as defined in claim 17, the system comprises a cartridge which comprises a converter for converting a second information format, used by the information exchange device to exchange information, into a first information format, used on the solid-state information carrier to store information. In an embodiment of the cartridge for use in the system as defined in claim 18, the cartridge keeps the solid-state information carrier in a position that enables the carrier electrical contacts to engage the device electrical contacts inside the cavity of the information exchange device directly. In an embodiment of the cartridge for use in the system as defined in claim 19, the cartridge comprises means for coupling the carrier electrical contacts to the set of device electrical contacts inside the cavity. In an embodiment of the cartridge for use in the system as defined in claim 20, the cartridge comprises first cartridge electrical contacts directly engaging the carrier electrical contacts and second cartridge electrical contacts directly engaging the device electrical contacts inside the cavity. In an embodiment of the cartridge for use in the system as defined in claim 20, the cartridge comprises means for converting electrical signals of the solid-state information carrier into a proprietary interface with fewer contacts. These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: In the drawings: Figs. 1 A and IB show embodiments of the device according to the invention comprising an information exchange device with a rotational information carrier, Figs. 2A and 2B show embodiments of the device according to the invention comprising an information exchange device with a solid-state information carrier, Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention comprising an information exchange device comprising different patterns of electrical contacts, Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C show embodiments of the device according to the invention, comprising an information exchange device, a solid-state information carrier, and a cartridge for holding the solid-state information carrier, Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C show embodiments of the device according to the invention, comprising an information exchange device, a solid-state information carrier, and a cartridge for coupling the carrier electrical contacts of the solid-state information carrier to the device electrical contacts in the cavity of the information exchange device, Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention, comprising an information exchange device comprising additional signal processing means, a solid-state information carrier, and a rotational information carrier, and Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of an optical disc drive in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS: Figs. 1A and IB show embodiments of the device according to the invention comprising an information exchange device 101 with a rotational information carrier 104. A cavity 102 of the information exchange device 101 comprises provisions for an exchange of information 103 with a rotational information carrier 104. For example, these provisions comprise an optical, magnetic, or magneto-optical pickup unit and associated signal processing circuitry. The cavity 102 further comprises device electrical contacts 106 through which information can be exchanged with a solid-state information carrier. In the embodiment shown, the rotational information exchange device 104 is present inside a cartridge 105. Figures 1A and IB show the cartridge 105 comprising the information carrier 104 and the information exchange device 101 in different positions with respect to each other, indicating that the cartridge 105 can be loaded into the cavity 102, for example, by sliding. The current embodiment shows grooves 107 by means of which the cartridge of the rotational information carrier can slide and be secured. However, the cavity 102 may comprise alternative loading and securing principles for the rotational information carrier 104, with or without the cartridge 105. Neither is it necessary for the rotational information carrier 104, with or without cartridge 105, to be fully inserted into the cavity as is indicated in Figs. 1A and IB. The cavity 102 further comprises arrangements for holding the rotational information carrier 104 such that it can be rotated and read (not shown in detail). These arrangements, for example, comprise a spindle motor and an Optical Pickup Unit. The provisions for the exchange of information 103 between the rotational information carrier 104 and the information exchange device 101 will differ in dependence on the storage principle on the rotational information carrier 104, e.g., an optical, magnetic, or magneto- optical storage principle. This is not shown in detail as it is known to those skilled in the art. Figs. 2A and 2B show embodiments of the device according to the invention comprising the information exchange device 101 with a solid-state information carrier 201. The information exchange device 101 has the features depicted in Figs. 1A and IB. Figs. 2A and 2B show an additional mechanical arrangement 203 in the cavity 102 by means of which the solid-state information carrier 201 can be loaded and secured inside the cavity. Again, Figs. 2A and 2B show the solid-state information carrier and the information exchange device 101 in different positions with respect to each other, indicating that the solid-state information carrier 201 can be loaded into the cavity 102. Still, the cavity 102 may also comprise other loading and securing principles for the solid-state information carrier 201, neither is it necessary for the solid-state information carrier 201 to be fully inserted into the cavity as is indicated in Figs. 2 A and 2B. As is shown, the device electrical contacts 106 in the cavity 102 match the carrier electrical contacts 202 of the solid-state information carrier 201. The device electrical contacts 106 and the carrier electrical contacts 202 may of course have different patterns, depending on the solid-state information carrier used inside the cavity 102 next to the rotational information carrier 104. Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention comprising the information exchange device 101 with different patterns of device electrical contacts 106, 301. These different patterns of device electrical contacts 106, 301 enable different solid-state information carriers 201, 501 (Fig. 5) to engage their specific set of carrier electrical contacts 202, 502. The cavity 102 may comprise additional mechanical arrangements (not shown) for loading and securing several different types of solid-state information carriers, comparable to the mechanical arrangements 203 shown in Figs. 2A and 2B. Also, the different patterns of device electrical contacts 106, 301 may be mixed into a single array of device electrical contacts (not shown) or may be located further apart inside the cavity 102 than indicated in Fig. 3. Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C show embodiments of the device according to the invention, comprising the information exchange device 101, a solid-state information carrier 201, and a cartridge 401 for holding the solid-state information carrier 201. Cartridge 401 has outer dimensions comparable to those of the cartridge 105 of the rotational information carrier 104. This enables the cartridge 401 to be loaded and secured inside the cavity 102 in the same manner as the cartridge 105 of the rotational information carrier 104. The solid-state information carrier 201 can be inserted into the cartridge 401 before the cartridge is loaded into the cavity 102, omitting the need for special mechanical arrangements in the information exchange device 101 for loading and securing the solid-state information carrier 201. When the cartridge 401 is loaded inside the cavity 102, it positions the solid-state information carrier 201 with respect to the device electrical contacts 106 such that the carrier electrical contacts 202 of the solid-state information carrier 201 can engage the device electrical contacts 106. Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C show embodiments of the device according to the invention, comprising the information exchange device 101, the solid-state information carrier 201, and a cartridge 501 for coupling the carrier electrical contacts 202 of the solid- state information carrier 201 to the device electrical contacts 301 in the cavity 102 of the information exchange device 101. Fig. 5 A shows that the solid-state information carrier 201 can be inserted into the cartridge 501, where the carrier electrical contacts 202 engage corresponding first cartridge electrical contacts 503 inside the cartridge 501. The cartridge 501 comprises provisions (not shown) for coupling the first cartridge electrical contacts 503 to the second cartridge electrical contacts 502. Fig. 5B shows the information exchange device 101 comprising device electrical contacts 301 which match the second cartridge electrical contacts 502 of the cartridge 501. Fig. 5C shows the system, where the cartridge 501, comprising the solid-state information exchange device 201, is loaded and secured in the information exchange device 101. Other embodiments are very well possible, for example wherein the first cartridge electrical contacts 503 inside the cartridge 501 have different patterns, such that other types of solid-state information carriers can be inserted into the cartridge 501. Embodiments are even possible where the coupling between the carrier electrical contacts 202 of the solid-state information carrier 201 and the device electrical contacts 301 by the cartridge 501 comprises a conversion of the signal or a conversion of the format of the information stored on the solid-state information carrier 201. In the latter embodiment, the cartridge 501 converts the cartridge information format, which is the structure of the information stored on the information carrier 201, so as to match the format of the information required by the information exchange device 101. The advantage is that a conversion of the format of the information can be omitted in the information exchange device 101, and a standard interface can be implemented between the information exchange device 101 and the cartridge 501. Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention, comprising an information exchange device 101 with additional signal processing means 601, a solid-state information carrier 501, and a rotational information carrier 104. In the embodiment of the rotational information carrier 104 being an optical disc, the information exchange device 101 comprises a motor 605 (for CD, DVD, Blu-ray, etc.) and an optical drive IC 606 for reading the information from the optical disc 104 or writing the information onto the optical disc 104. The optical drive 606 delivers the information to a decoder chip 603 which converts the information into a format which can be used by a user, for example into audio signals, video signals, etc. The embodiment shown in Fig. 6 comprises a functional block SDRAM 608 for buffering the information stream coming from the optical drive 606, a functional block 'user controls' 604, a functional block 'LCD display' 607, and a functional block 'DC/DC conversion' 602. In addition, input and output ports 609 are shown through which the information exchange device can output signals to e.g. headphones or exchange information with other applications. The information exchange device 101 shown in Fig. 6 comprises device electrical contacts 301 which can engage with the carrier electrical contacts 502 of a solid-state information carrier 501. To enable the information exchange between the solid-state information carrier 501 and the decoder chip 603, additional signal processing . means 601 have been added to the architecture of the information exchange device 101. Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of an optical disc drive 700 in accordance with the invention. The optical disc drive 700 comprises a motor 701 for rotating the optical disc 705. The optical disc drive 700 further comprises an information exchange device with ^■■ provisions for exchanging information. These provisions comprise an Optical Pickup Unit (OPU) 704 which exchanges information with the optical disc 705 by using light. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the laser 702 is located outside the OPU 704. The optical disc drive 700 further comprises an optical path 703 to enable the light emitted by the laser 702 to reach the OPU 704. Alternatively, in other embodiments of optical disc drive, the laser 702 may be integrated with the OPU 704, omitting the necessity of an optical path 703. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, a cartridge 105 comprises the optical disc 705. The cartridge 105 slides into the cavity of the optical disc drive through the grooves 107. Also indicated in Figure 7 are the device electrical contacts 106 through which information can be exchanged with a solid-state information carrier 201 (shown in Figure 4A). This solid-state information carrier 201 can be loaded into the optical disc drive 700 by using a cartridge 401 (shown in Figure 4A). The outer dimensions of the cartridge 401 are such that the cartridge 401 also fits the cavity of the optical disc drive 700. The grooves 107 retain the cartridge 401 inside the cavity of the optical disc unit 700 and position the cartridge 401 such that the carrier electrical contacts 202 (shown in Figure 4A) can engage the device electrical contacts 106. It should be noted that the above-described embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An information exchange device (101) having a cavity (102) comprising means for exchanging information (103) with a rotational information carrier (104), wherein the cavity (102) further comprises device electrical contacts (106) for exchanging information with a solid-state information carrier (201).

2. An information exchange device (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information exchange device (101) is arranged for receiving the rotational information carrier (104) enclosed in a cartridge (105).

3. An information exchange device (101) as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the means for exchanging information (103) with the rotational information carrier (104) are arranged for exchanging information with an optical disc.

4. An information exchange device (101) as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the means for exchanging information (103) with the rotational information carrier (104) are arranged for exchanging information with a magnetic disc.

5. An information exchange device (101) as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the means for exchanging information (103) with the rotational information carrier (104) are arranged for exchanging information with a magneto-optical disc.

6. An information exchange device (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cavity (102) comprises mechanical arrangements (203) for holding the solid-state information carrier (201) in a position that enables the device electrical contacts (106) to engage carrier electrical contacts (202) of the solid-state information carrier (201).

7. An information exchange device (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device electrical contacts (106; 301) inside the cavity (102) are configured to engage different solid-state information carriers (201; 501) comprising different patterns of carrier electrical contacts (202; 502).

8. An information exchange device (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information exchange device (101) is arranged for receiving a cartridge (401) comprising the solid-state information carrier (201).

9. An information exchange device (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information exchange device (101) comprises signal processing means (601, 605, 606) for enabling an information exchange with both the rotational information carrier (104) and the solid-state information carrier (201; 501).

10. Optical disc drive (700) comprising an information exchange device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical disc drive further comprises a motor for rotating an inserted optical disc; and wherein the means for exchanging information (103) comprises an Optical Pickup Unit (704) for exchanging information with the inserted optical disc.

11. A system (210; 410; 510) comprising an information exchange device (101) having a cavity (102) comprising means for exchanging information (103) with a rotational information carrier (104), and a solid-state information carrier (201) comprising carrier electrical contacts (202), wherein the cavity (102) of the information exchange device (101) comprises device electrical contacts (106) for exchanging information with the solid-state information carrier

(201) via the carrier electrical contacts.

12. A system (410) as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a cartridge (401) for holding the solid-state information carrier (201), wherein said cartridge (401) is arranged to enable the carrier electrical contacts

(202) to engage the device electrical contacts (106) inside the cavity (102) directly.

13. A system (510) as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a cartridge (501) for holding the solid-state information carrier (201), wherein said cartridge (501) comprises means for coupling the carrier electrical contacts (202) to a set of device electrical contacts (301) inside the cavity (102).

14. A system (510) as claimed in claim 13, wherein said cartridge (501) comprises first cartridge electrical contacts (503) directly engaging the carrier electrical contacts (202) and second cartridge electrical contacts (502) directly engaging the set of device electrical contacts (301) inside the cavity (102).

15. A system (510) as claimed in claim 13, wherein said cartridge (501) comprises means for converting electrical signals of the solid-state information carrier (201) into a smaller number of signals so as to achieve that the second cartridge electrical contacts (502) comprise fewer contact points than the first cartridge electrical contacts (503).

16. A system (510) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the solid-state information carrier (201) is arranged for storing information in a first information format, the information exchange device (101) is arranged for exchanging information in a second information format, and the cartridge (501) comprises means for converting the first information format into the second information format.

17. A system (510) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the solid-state information carrier (201) is arranged for storing information in a first information format, the information exchange device (101) is arranged for exchanging information in a second information format, and the cartridge (501) comprises means for converting the second information format into the first information format.

18. A cartridge (401) for use in the system (410) as claimed in claim 12, the cartridge (401) being arranged for insertion into the cavity (102) of the information exchange device (101), said cartridge (401) retaining the solid-state information carrier (201) in a position that enables the carrier electrical contacts (202) to engage the device electrical contacts (106) inside the cavity (102) of the information exchange device (101) directly.

19. A cartridge (501) for use in the system (510) as claimed in claim 13, the cartridge (501) being arranged for insertion into the cavity (102) of the information exchange device (101), said cartridge (501) comprising means for coupling the carrier electrical contacts (202) to the set of device electrical contacts (301) inside the cavity (102).

20. A cartridge (501) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the cartridge (501) comprises first cartridge electrical contacts (503) directly engaging the carrier electrical contacts (202) and second cartridge electrical contacts (502) directly engaging the device electrical contacts (301) inside the cavity (102).

21. A cartridge (501) as claimed in claim 19, wherein the cartridge (501) comprises means for converting electrical signals of the solid-state information carrier (201) into a smaller number of signals so as to achieve that the second cartridge electrical contacts (502) comprise fewer contact points than the first cartridge electrical contacts (503).