Removable storage device media player

A digital audio converter for playing audio information stored in an internal/external drive that is configured for insertion in a portable computer, said internal/external drive comprising a drive reader and drive terminal for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the drive reader;

• said digital audio converter comprising:
• an interface terminal for connection to the drive terminal of the internal/external drive;
• a power supply coupled to the interface terminal for powering operation of the internal/external drive when disconnected from the portable computer;
• an audio control panel for generating playback control signals that are transmitted to the interface terminal;
• and
• an audio output coupled to the interface terminal;
• wherein the audio information from the internal/external drive is transmitted in analog format to the audio output under control of the playback control signals.

A stand-alone digital audio disk player accessory for a portable information handling system for playing audio information stored in digital form on a disk, comprising:

• a removable internal/external disk drive storage device for a portable computer, comprising a data terminal;
• means for powering the removable internal/external disk drive storage device when the removable intemal/external disk drive storage device is detached from a portable computer;
• means for controlling playback of the audio information by transmitting control signals to the data terminal;
• means for converting the audio information into analog form in response to the control signals;
• and
• means for outputting the audio information in analog form.

A removable storage device media player, comprising:

• an internal/external disk drive for reading media data stored on optical disks comprising a data bus and an analog output terminal, where the internal/external disk drive operates as a storage drive when inserted into a drive bay of a portable computer;
• a playback control panel coupled to the data bus for generating control signals for controlling the reading of media data stored on optical disks playback by the internal/external disk drive;
• a rechargeable battery for supplying a voltage to the internal/external disk drive when the internal/external disk drive is not inserted into a drive bay of a portable computer;
• a headphone output jack;
• and
• a digital-to-analog converter for converting media data into analog signals and coupling the analog signals to the headphone output jack under control of the control signals.