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US 6,687,778 B2Granted
Peripheral device for information processing
AssigneeKabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
InventorsTakafumi Ito, Shogo Suzuki
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AssigneeKabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
InventorsTakafumi Ito, Shogo Suzuki
Estimating the term…
A card-type peripheral device has a PCMCIA card shape for the device to be inserted in a slot formed in a PC. The device includes an SD card slot for an SD card to be inserted therein, and a converting adapter section configured to work as a converting adapter for the SD card. The peripheral device also includes a communication section configured to perform communication with the PC, when the device is not inserted in the slot of the PC. The peripheral device further includes a function section configured to selectively perform either one of a peripheral equipment function and an independent equipment function, depending on connection states of the device relative to the PC.
A peripheral device for information processing, which has a first shape that allows the device to be put in a first slot formed in an information processing apparatus, comprising:
A peripheral device for information processing, which has a first shape that allows the device to be put in a first slot formed in an information processing apparatus, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor: control and interface…
Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for…: specific…
Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials: arrangements for converting discrete items of information into…
Computing and data processing
Term ended 3 Apr 2022 (estimated)
USPTO file history isn’t available for this patent, so only indexed dates are shown.
The present invention relates to a peripheral device for information processing, which has a shape that allows the device to be put in a slot formed in an information processing apparatus, such as a personal computer.
In recent years, various kinds of card-type peripheral devices have been sold on the market, such that they are used in a state where each of them is inserted in a slot formed in an information processing apparatus, such as a personal computer (PC). When being inserted in the card slot, i.e., being placed in the casing of the information processing apparatus, the card-type peripheral device is recognized by the information processing apparatus, and allows the installed functions to be performed. Accordingly, conventional card-type peripheral devices are used on condition that each of them is put in an information processing apparatus, and cannot be used when they are separated from or independent of card slots.
Peripheral devices, such as a mouse, used for information processing apparatuses are physically independent of the information processing apparatuses. However, where a peripheral device is used for a portable information processing apparatus, such as a notebook-type PC, the apparatus and the device have to be carried together. In addition, each conventional peripheral device has a single function, and thus, where several functions, such as a headphone and a remote control, are used for an information processing apparatus, it is necessary to carry several peripheral devices corresponding to the respective functions.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a card-type peripheral device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the card-type peripheral device;
The embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the constituent elements having substantially the same function and arrangement are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a repetitive description will be made only when necessary.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a card-type peripheral device 1 or a peripheral device for information processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the card-type peripheral device 1. FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing operation manners of the card-type peripheral device 1 relative to a PC (personal computer) 5 or an information processing apparatus.
The peripheral device 1 according to the present invention has a function as a converting adapter for another card-type information device or storage medium, such as an SD (Secure Digital) card 3. The peripheral device 1 has a shape (card shape) to allow the device 1 to be inserted in a slot formed in the PC 5, but the peripheral device 1 can operate in any one of three states, i.e., a first state where it is inserted in the slot, a second state where it is separated from the slot and communicates with the PC 5, and a third state where it is separated from the slot and works as an independent device.