Recording and reproducing apparatus, recording medium adapter apparatus, and recording and reproducing method

A recording medium adapter apparatus comprising:

• detection means for detecting that said recording medium adapter apparatus has been inserted into a recording and reproducing apparatus, wherein said recording and reproducing means performs data writing or reading on a first recording medium that is moved during data writing or reading;
• a second recording medium contained in said recording medium adapter that is not moved during data writing or reading;
• data processing means for conducting processing to conduct data writing or reading on said second recording medium different from said first recording medium by using said recording and reproducing means;
• and
• a battery connected to said data processing means;
• a control circuit connected to said battery for setting said recording medium adapter in an active mode or in a power saving mode;
• and
• communication means for conducting communication of predetermined control data from said recording and reproducing apparatus to said recording medium adapter apparatus, when insertion of said recording medium adapter apparatus into said recording and reproducing apparatus has been detected by said detection means, wherein said control circuit switches said recording medium adapter from the power saving mode to the active mode.

A recording and reproducing method comprising the steps of:

• detecting that a recording medium adapter has been inserted into a recording and reproducing apparatus for conducting data writing or reading on a first recording medium that is moved during data writing or reading, wherein the recording medium adapter contains a second recording medium that is not moved during data writing or reading and said recording medium adapter includes a battery and a control circuit for setting the recording medium adapter in an active mode or in a power saving mode;
• conducting communication of control data from said recording and reproducing apparatus to said recording medium adapter, when insertion of said recording medium adapter into said recording and reproducing apparatus is detected in said step of detecting, whereby the recording medium adapter is switched from the power saving mode to the active mode;
• and
• conducting data processing to effect data writing or reading on the first recording medium during the active mode of the recording medium adapter.