U.S. patent number RE38,290 [Application Number 09/725,850] was granted by the patent office on 2003-10-28 for personal computer data storage card and method for transferring information between the data storage card and personal computers.
Invention is credited to David H. Rose.
United States Patent |
RE38,290 |
Rose |
October 28, 2003 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ( Reexamination Certificate
) ** |
Personal computer data storage card and method for transferring
information between the data storage card and personal
computers
Abstract
A personal computer data storage card includes a substrate
layer, a magnetic medium layer, and a protective layer respectively
affixed together. The data storage card is typically placed within
an adapter and inserted into a personal computer floppy disk drive
wherein the adapter includes dimensions compatible with the floppy
disk drive to permit the data storage card to rotate about an axis
perpendicular to the plane of the data storage card. During
rotation of the data storage card within the floppy disk drive, the
data storage card traverses floppy disk drive read/write heads for
information storage and retrieval. Paper may be utilized as the
protective layer of the data storage card and include text or
graphics to have the data storage card simultaneously function as
both a data storage device and a business card or other
advertisement media. Further, the data storage card may be of any
shape permitting rotation of the data storage card within the
adapter, and may include an additional magnetic medium layer and
protective layer to provide a storage capacity substantially
similar to that of standard floppy disks.
Inventors: |
Rose; David H. (Bethesda,
MD) |
Family
ID: |
24174259 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/725,850 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
544950 |
Oct 18, 1995 |
05844757 |
Dec 1, 1998 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
360/131; 360/133;
360/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B
23/0014 (20130101); G11B 5/64 (20130101); G11B
25/04 (20130101); G11B 5/00808 (20130101); G06K
19/06196 (20130101); G06K 19/044 (20130101); G11B
23/0317 (20130101); G11B 5/82 (20130101); G11B
5/80 (20130101); G11B 5/012 (20130101); G11B
25/043 (20130101); G11B 5/825 (20130101); G11B
17/0408 (20130101); G11B 5/016 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G11B
5/82 (20060101); G11B 5/80 (20060101); G11B
23/00 (20060101); G11B 25/04 (20060101); G11B
5/008 (20060101); G11B 5/64 (20060101); G11B
5/012 (20060101); G11B 5/016 (20060101); G11B
005/80 (); G11B 023/03 () |
Field of
Search: |
;360/131,133,2
;369/75.1,77.1,273 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Evans; Jefferson
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A personal computer data card for insertion into a personal
computer to permit data to be transferred between the personal
computer and the card, said card comprising: a first layer of a
semi-rigid substrate; a second layer of a magnetic medium affixed
to a first side of said first layer for exchanging data with said
personal computer in response to said personal computer rotating
said card about an axis perpendicular to said first side and
passing through said card to enable said personal computer to
manipulate said magnetic medium; and a third layer of protective
material affixed to said second layer and permitting access by said
personal computer to data on said magnetic medium of said second
layer.
2. The card of claim 1 wherein said card has the storage capacity
of 0.75 megabytes of data.
3. The card of claim 1 wherein said first layer includes a paper,
plastic, or cardstock substrate.
4. The card of claim 3 wherein said third layer includes paper,
thermoplastic or a paper/synthetic composite.
5. The card of claim 1 further comprising: a fourth layer of a
magnetic medium affixed to a second side of said first layer for
exchanging data with said personal computer; and a fifth layer of
said protective material affixed to said fourth layer and
permitting access to data on said magnetic medium of said fourth
layer.
6. The card of claim 5 wherein said protective material includes
paper having printed text or graphics imprinted on said paper.
7. The card of claim 5 wherein said card has a storage capacity of
1.44 megabytes of data.
8. The card of claim 5 wherein said third and fifth layers include
paper, thermoplastic or a paper/synthetic composite.
9. The card of claim 8 wherein said third and fifth layers include
paper having printed text or graphics imprinted on said paper.
10. The card of claim 1 and further comprising an adapter for
enabling said card to be inserted into said personal computer to
permit data to be transferred between said personal computer and
said card.
11. The card of claim 1 wherein said personal computer includes a
disk drive adapted to accommodate said card wherein said card is
directly inserted into said drive for information storage and
retrieval.
12. A method of storing and retrieving data from a personal
computer data card inserted into a personal computer comprising the
steps of: (a) affixing a second layer of a magnetic medium to a
first side of a first layer of a semi-rigid substrate; (b) affixing
a third layer of protective material to said second layer such that
said protective materials permits access to data on said magnetic
medium of said second layer; and (c) storing and retrieving data
from said magnetic medium of said second layer in response to said
personal computer rotating said card about an axis perpendicular to
said first side and passing through said card to enable said
personal computer to manipulate said magnetic medium of said second
layer.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of: (d)
affixing a fourth layer of a magnetic medium to a second side of
said first layer; (e) affixing a fifth layer of protective material
to said fourth layer such that said protective material permits
access to data on said magnetic medium of said fourth layer; and
(f) storing and retrieving data from said magnetic medium of said
fourth layer in response to said personal computer rotating said
card.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein steps (c) and (f) include:
storing 1.44 megabytes of data on said card.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein step (c) further includes: (c.1)
placing said card within an adapter for insertion of said card into
said personal computer to store and retrieve data from said
magnetic medium.
16. The method of claim 12 wherein said personal computer includes
a disk drive adapted to accommodate said card, and step (c) further
includes: (c.1) placing said card directly into said drive for
information storage and retrieval.
17. A personal computer data card for insertion into an adapter for
placement within a personal computer to permit data to be
transferred between the personal computer and the card, said card
comprising: a first layer of a semi-rigid substrate; a second layer
of a magnetic medium affixed to a first side of said first layer
for exchanging data with said personal computer in response to said
personal computer rotating said card relative to said adapter to
enable said personal computer to manipulate said magnetic medium;
and a third layer of protective material affixed to said second
layer and permitting access by said personal computer to data on
said magnetic medium of said second layer.
18. A method of storing and retrieving data from a personal
computer data card inserted into an adapter for placement within a
personal computer comprising the steps of: (a) affixing a second
layer of a magnetic medium to a first side of a first layer of a
semi-rigid substrate; (b) affixing a third layer of protective
material to said second layer such that said protective material
permits access to data on said magnetic medium of said second
layer; and (c) storing and retrieving data from said magnetic
medium of said second layer in response to said personal computer
rotating said card relative to said adapter to manipulate said
magnetic medium of said second layer. .Iadd.
19. A storage device for insertion into a personal computer to
permit data to be transferred between said personal computer and
said storage device, said storage device comprising: a data card
including a computer readable storage medium to store data
pertaining to a business or product and facilitate transfer of said
data between said data card and said personal computer in response
to said personal computer rotating said data card about an axis
perpendicular to and passing through said card to enable said
personal computer to access said storage medium, and a material
layer having information thereon indicating said business or
product associated with said data stored within said storage
medium; wherein said card is in the form of a non-circular business
type card to advertise and provide information pertaining to said
business or product to card recipients via said material layer
information and said data stored within said storage medium, and
wherein said card is directly insertable into a personal computer
drive for transfer of information between said card and said
personal computer. .Iaddend..Iadd.
20. The storage device of claim 19, wherein said storage medium is
configured to store data over substantially the entire area of said
card. .Iaddend..Iadd.
21. The storage device of claim 19, wherein said data card has a
shape selected from the group consisting of a polygon and an
ellipse. .Iaddend..Iadd.
22. The storage device of claim 19, wherein said data card is
substantially rectangular. .Iaddend..Iadd.
23. The storage device of claim 19, wherein said data card has a
shape including at least one linear edge and at least one curved
edge. .Iaddend..Iadd.
24. A storage device for insertion into a personal computer to
permit data to be transferred between said personal computer and
said storage device, said storage device comprising: a data card
including a computer readable storage medium to store data and
facilitate transfer of said data between said data card and said
personal computer in response to said personal computer rotating
said data card about an axis perpendicular to and passing through
said card to enable said personal computer to access said storage
medium, wherein said storage medium includes and stores said data
within a storage area including a non-circular configuration.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
25. The storage device of claim 24, wherein said storage medium is
configured to store data over substantially the entire area of said
card. .Iaddend..Iadd.
26. The storage device of claim 24, wherein said data card includes
a configuration selected from the group consisting of a polygon and
an ellipse. .Iaddend..Iadd.
27. The storage device of claim 24, wherein said data card is
substantially rectangular. .Iaddend..Iadd.
28. The storage device of claim 24, wherein said data card includes
a configuration with at least one linear edge and at least one
curved edge. .Iaddend..Iadd.
29. The storage device of claim 24, wherein said personal computer
includes a drive configured to accommodate said card and said card
is directly inserted into said drive for transfer of information
between said card and said personal computer. .Iaddend..Iadd.
30. A method of transferring data between a storage device and a
personal computer comprising the steps of: (a) forming a data card
including a material layer and a computer readable storage medium
to store data pertaining to a business or product, wherein said
storage medium facilitates transfer of said data to said personal
computer in response to said personal computer rotating said data
card about an axis perpendicular to and passing through said card
to enable said personal computer to access said storage medium; (b)
printing information on said material layer indicating said
business or product associated with said data stored within said
storage medium; and (c) configuring said card in the form of a
non-circular business type card to advertise and provide
information pertaining to said business or product to card
recipients via said printed information and said data stored within
said storage medium, wherein said card is directly insertable into
a personal computer drive for transfer of information between said
card and said personal computer. .Iaddend..Iadd.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein step (a) further includes:
(a.1) configuring said storage medium to store data over
substantially the entire area of said card. .Iaddend..Iadd.
32. The method of claim 30, wherein step (c) further includes:
(c.1) configuring said card in a shape selected from the group
consisting of a polygon and an ellipse. .Iaddend..Iadd.
33. The method of claim 30, wherein step (c) further includes:
(c.1) configuring said data card to be substantially rectangular.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
34. The method of claim 30, wherein step (c) further includes:
(c.1) configuring said data card in a shape including at least one
linear edge and at least one curved edge. .Iaddend..Iadd.
35. A method of transferring data between a storage device and a
personal computer comprising the steps of: (a) forming a data card
including a computer readable storage medium to store data and
facilitate transfer of said data between said data card and said
personal computer in response to said personal computer rotating
said data card about an axis perpendicular to and passing through
said card to enable said personal computer to access said storage
medium; and (b) configuring said storage medium to include and
store said data within a data storage area including a non-circular
configuration. .Iaddend..Iadd.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein step (b) further includes:
(b.1) configuring said storage medium to store data over
substantially the entire area of said card. .Iaddend..Iadd.
37. The method of claim 35, wherein step (a) further includes:
(a.1) configuring said data card to include a configuration
selected from the group consisting of a polygon and an ellipse.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
38. The method of claim 35, wherein step (a) further includes:
(a.1) configuring said data card to be substantially rectangular.
.Iaddend..Iadd.
39. The method of claim 35, wherein step (a) further includes:
(a.1) configuring said data card to include at least one linear
edge and at least one curved edge. .Iaddend..Iadd.
40. The method of claim 35, wherein said personal computer includes
a drive configured to accommodate said card, and step (a) further
includes: (a.1) configuring said card for direct insertion into
said drive for transfer of information between said data card and
said personal computer. .Iaddend..Iadd.
41. A storage device for insertion into a personal computer to
permit data to be transferred between said personal computer and
said storage device, said storage device comprising: a data card
including computer readable storage means for storing data
pertaining to a business or product and facilitating transfer of
said data between said data card and said personal computer in
response to said personal computer rotating said data card about an
axis perpendicular to and passing through said card to enable said
personal computer to access said storage means, and a material
layer having information thereon indicating said business said
product associated with said data stored within said storage means;
wherein said card is in the form of a non-circular business type
card to advertise and provide information pertaining to said
business or product to card recipients via said material layer
information and said data stored within said storage means, and
wherein said card is directly insertable into a personal computer
drive for transfer of information between said card and said
personal computer. .Iaddend..Iadd.
42. A storage device for insertion into a personal computer to
permit data to be transferred between said personal computer and
said storage device, said storage device comprising: a data card
including computer readable storage means for storing data and
facilitating transfer of said data between said data card and said
personal computer in response to said personal computer rotating
said data card about an axis perpendicular to and passing through
said card to enable said personal computer to access said storage
means, wherein said storage means includes and stores said data
within a data storage area including a non-circular configuration.
.Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reading
and writing information on a stand alone magnetic card or disk
typically adapted for use in standard three and one-half inch
computer floppy disk drives. In particular, the present invention
is an improvement of the magnetic cards or disks disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,774,618 (Raviv), U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,099 (Smith) and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,570 (Kowalski), the disclosure from each of
which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Magnetic storage and retrieval systems using substantially circular
rotatable magnetic disks are well known in the art and commonly
used with modern personal computers. Such personal computers
typically include floppy disk devices utilizing standard three and
one-half inch floppy disks and/or five and one-quarter inch floppy
disks. The standard three and one-half inch floppy disk is
prevalent over the standard five and one-quarter inch floppy disk
due to its smaller size and larger storage capacity. Both types of
disks are typically housed in a rigid or semi-rigid outer shell
functionally necessary to permit the floppy disk to rotate within
the floppy disk drive of a computer and traverse read/write heads
for data storage and retrieval.
Various types of storage media known in the art include magnetic
strips or limited sections of magnetic media detachably affixed to
cards of varying size and material. Such cards typically include
credit cards, passkeys, and paper or cardstock fare cards with
various devices available to read such cards. Specifically, Raviv
(4,774,618) discloses a business card containing a detachable
magnetic strip for storing information retrievable by a floppy disk
drive of a personal computer. The magnetic strip may be detached
from the business card and placed in a carrier for insertion into a
floppy disk drive of a computer for information storage and
retrieval. Alternatively, the entire business card may be placed in
the carrier and inserted into a floppy disk drive of a computer for
information storage and retrieval.
Smith (5,107,099) discloses a magnetic card reader where a credit
card sized memory card contains a plastic base and a magnetic layer
capable of magnetic recording and playback. An apparatus for
reading and writing the credit card sized memory card contains a
rotatable disk with an opening for the card whereby the card is
inserted in the opening of the disk to be rotated with the disk to
pass read/write heads for data manipulation.
Kowalski (4,297,570) discloses a strip for magnetically receiving
information bonded to a paper substrate.
The prior art suffers from several disadvantages. Floppy disks
typically have cumbersome and limiting physical characteristics
requiring specific size and dimensions in order to be operable in
the corresponding computer floppy disk drive. Further, a disk or
group of disks with a rigid or semi-rigid outer shell are
cumbersome if carried in a pocket or wallet, and have substantial
weight thereby increasing the costs and burden of delivering,
shipping or mailing the disks. Paper or plastic cards with a fixed
magnetic medium have a storage capacity of a fraction of the
capacity of a standard floppy disk (three and one-half inch or five
and one-quarter inch disks) since large quantities of surface area
of the paper or plastic cards do not contain fixed magnetic media
and therefore cannot be utilized for storage. Further, the cards
are unable to rotate in a standard three and one-half inch floppy
disk drive, thereby impeding the potential of such cards for use in
standard computer floppy disk drives.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved method and apparatus for storing and retrieving
data from a standard three and one-half inch floppy disk drive.
It is another object of the present invention to increase the
storage capacity of stand alone magnetic cards or disks while
enabling the cards or disks to be compatible with standard three
and one-half inch floppy disk drives.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
adapter to enable stand alone magnetic cards or disks to rotate
within a standard three and one-half inch floppy disk drive in
order to traverse read/write heads for data storage and
retrieval.
Still another object of the present invention is to enable stand
alone magnetic cards or disks to be of varying shapes capable of
rotation within the standard three and one-half inch floppy disk
drive for information storage and retrieval.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved floppy disk drive for direct insertion of a stand alone
magnetic card or disk into the floppy disk drive of a computer for
information storage and retrieval.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of
controlling the read/write heads of a standard three and one-half
inch floppy disk drive to accommodate the varying rotational
patterns of the differing shapes of stand alone magnetic cards or
disks.
The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and in combination,
and it is not intended that the present invention be construed as
requiring two or more of the objects to be combined unless
expressly required by the claims attached hereto.
According to the present invention, a method and apparatus for
reading and writing information on a stand alone magnetic card or
disk is accomplished by a stand alone plastic or paper card or disk
containing a magnetic medium. The card or disk includes a magnetic
medium on either one or both sides of the card or disk covering
substantially the entire surface area of the respective side. The
card or disk is typically arranged in varying layer configurations
including the fundamental card or disk structure (typically a paper
or cardstock substrate, or a plastic or synthetic based material),
one or more magnetic medium layers substantially similar in size to
the card or disk structure and substantially covering the surface
area of the card or disk structure, and one or more bonded
protective layers (typically thermoplastic, paper or
paper/synthetic composite material) to cover the magnetic medium.
The cards or disks may be of varying shapes including polygonal,
elliptical or oval, circular, rounded as well as non-symmetrical
shapes. The card or disk is placed in an adapter either
subsequently inserted into or permanently disposed within a floppy
disk drive wherein the card or disk is engaged frictionally or
mechanically by the adapter such that torque from the floppy disk
drive is transferred to the adapter causing the card or disk to
rotate about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the card and
have the magnetic medium traverse read/write heads for information
storage and retrieval. In response to the initial positioning of
the card within the floppy disk drive of a computer, a code for a
disk format pre-stored on the card or disk is read and processed by
the computer in order to determine the proper control for the
read/write heads during rotation of the card or disk based upon the
shape of the card or disk.
The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the
following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof,
particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are
utilized to designate like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a top view in plan of a stand alone magnetic card or
disk suitable for use in an adapter frictionally engaging the card
or disk according to the present invention.
FIG. 1B is a top view in plan of a stand alone magnetic card or
disk suitable for use in an adapter mechanically engaging the card
or disk according to the present invention.
FIGS. 1C, 1D, 1E are top views in perspective of respective
differently shaped stand alone magnetic cards or disks according to
the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation of a single-sided stand alone
magnetic card or disk according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view in elevation of a double sided stand alone
magnetic card or disk having two layers of a magnetic medium
according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of an adapter mechanically engaging
a stand alone magnetic card or disk to enable operation in a floppy
disk drive according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view in elevation and partial section of a base of
the adapter of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a view in section of a ball bearing disposed at the end
of a pin extending from the adapter of FIG. 4 to improve rotation
of the stand alone magnetic card or disk according to the present
invention.
FIG. 7A is a side view in elevation and partial section of a cover
of an adapter frictionally engaging a stand alone magnetic card or
disk according to the present invention.
FIG. 7B is a side view in elevation and partial section of a base
of an adapter frictionally engaging a stand alone magnetic card or
disk according to the present invention.
FIG. 7C is a top view in plan of the base of the adapter of FIG. 7B
having a circular plate beneath a friction gasket including a
substantially centrally disposed pin according to the present
invention.
FIG. 8A is a top view in plan of an adapter mechanically engaging a
stand alone magnetic card or disk including a drawer for insertion
and removal of the card or disk into and out of the adapter
according to the present invention.
FIG. 8B is a side view in elevation and partial section of the
adapter of FIG. 8A.
FIG. 8C is a side view in elevation of the drawer opening in the
adapter of FIG. 8A.
FIG. 8D is a side view in elevation and partial section of a stand
alone magnetic card or disk inserted within the adapter of FIG.
8A.
FIG. 9 is a procedural flow chart for controlling the read/write
heads of a floppy disk drive based upon the shape of a stand alone
magnetic card or disk according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and 2 illustrate respective exemplar
embodiments of the personal computer data card or disk of the
present invention. Specifically, a single-sided stand alone
magnetic card or disk 23 includes either single opening 17 disposed
substantially at the center of card or disk 23 or dual openings 17
equally spaced from the center of card or disk 23 a short distance
approximately equal to 0.2 inches, and magnetic medium layer 2
(typically high density and compatible with the standard three and
one half inch floppy disk drive) disposed between a protective
layer 3 (typically thermoplastic, paper or paper/synthetic
composite) and a paper, cardstock or plastic substrate 1. A
protective layer 3 of thermoplastic is typically affixed to
magnetic medium layer 2 by use of high heat and pressure while a
protective layer 3 of paper or a paper/synthetic composite is
typically affixed to magnetic medium layer 2 by use of heat and a
thermoplastic bonding agent. Magnetic medium layer 2 is
substantially similar in size and covers substantially all of the
surface area of an adjacent surface of paper, cardstock or plastic
substrate 1 with an appropriate storage capacity of 0.75 megabytes.
Data stored on magnetic medium layer 2 is typically encoded through
magnetization and arrangement of magnetizable molecules wherein a
protective layer 3 of sufficiently thin neutral material (i.e.
plastic, paper or plastic paper hybrid) does not interfere with
such encoding or subsequent decoding of the data. Moreover, a
protective layer 3 including paper is advantageous as text and/or
graphics may be placed on the paper to thereby utilize card or disk
23 simultaneously as both a data storage device and a business card
or other type of advertisement media. Single or dual openings 17
enable card or disk 23 to be aligned and rotated within an adapter
either subsequently inserted into or permanently disposed within a
standard floppy disk drive in order to traverse read/write heads of
the floppy disk drive for manipulation of the information stored on
the magnetic medium as described below. Further, card or disk 23
may be of any shape (FIGS. 1C, 1D, 1E) allowing for rotation of
card or disk 23 in substantially the same area as required for
disks compatible with the standard three and one-half inch floppy
disk drive. Varying shapes of card or disk 23 may include
polygonal, elliptical or oval, circular, rounded as well as
non-symmetrical shapes.
A double sided stand alone magnetic card or disk substantially
similar to the single sided stand along magnetic card or disk
configurations described above but providing for greater storage
capacity is illustrated in FIG. 3. Specifically, paper or plastic
substrate 1 is disposed between two layers of magnetic medium 2
typically of high density and compatible with the standard three
and one half inch floppy disk drive. The two layers of magnetic
medium 2 in combination enable card or disk 23 to have a storage
capacity of approximately 1.44 megabytes and be substantially
similar to the storage capacity of the standard three and one-half
inch floppy disk. Each layer of magnetic medium 2 is substantially
similar in size and covers substantially all of the surface area of
the respective adjacent surface of plastic or paper substrate 1.
Further, each layer of magnetic medium 2 is adjacent a protective
layer 3 typically including paper, thermoplastic or a
paper/synthetic composite. Protective layer 3 may be bonded to each
layer of magnetic medium 2 by high temperature and pressure. The
double sided stand alone magnetic card or disk 23 may utilize paper
as protective layer 3 and therefore provide for text and/or
graphics on respective opposite sides of card or disk 23 to
simultaneously function as both a data storage device and a
business card or other advertisement media.
In order to retrieve or store information, the stand alone magnetic
card or disk is typically placed in an adapter mechanically
engaging the stand along magnetic card or disk for insertion into
the standard three and one half inch floppy disk drive as
illustrated in FIGS. 4-6. Specifically, adapter 30 enables card or
disk 23 to rotate freely within adapter 30 subsequent to insertion
into a three and one half inch floppy disk drive thereby enabling
read/write heads of the floppy disk drive to retrieve data from and
store data on magnetic medium 2 of card or disk 23 (FIGS. 2-3).
Adapter 30 typically includes outer shell 5 substantially similar
in dimension to a standard three and one-half inch floppy disk, and
torque transfer device 9 for transferring the rotary motion of the
floppy disk drive to adapter 30 for rotation of card or disk 23.
Outer shell 5 typically includes cover 5a and base 5b substantially
similar in size, preferably rectangular, and typically made of
plastic or metal. Cover 5a and base 5b are pivotably attached to
each other along respective adjacent edges by hinge 8 such that
cover 5a and base 5b are selectively pivotable to an open or closed
position to facilitate insertion and removal of card or disk 23
within adapter 30. Adapter 30 is typically maintained in a closed
position, for insertion into a floppy disk drive, by lid clasp 28
substantially centrally disposed at the edge of cover 5a opposite
hinge 8. Cover 5a and base 5b are each partially cut away to define
a contoured corner 6 disposed adjacent hinge 8 to assure proper
orientation of adapter 30 upon insertion into a floppy disk drive.
Write protect lock 7 is mounted proximate a corner of base 5b
diagonally opposite contoured corner 6 and protects data stored on
card or disk 23 from being overwritten wherein a selectively
slidable switch enables or disables the protection. Write protect
lock 7 is substantially similar to write protect devices on
standard three and one-half inch floppy disks.
A torque transfer device 9 is mounted in a circular mounting hole
or opening 10 defined through base 5b substantially at the base
center. The function of torque transfer device 9 is to apply a
rotary force from the floppy disk drive to adapter 30 for rotation
of card or disk 23. Specifically, torque transfer device 9 is
substantially cylindrical in shape and includes an interior
circular end plate 11a and an exterior frusto-conical plate 11b
forming respective opposite ends of the torque transfer device. The
diameters of interior plate 11a and the larger surface of plate 11b
are larger than the diameter of mounting hole or opening 10 in base
5b to assure that torque transfer device 9 is retained in the base.
The axial length between facing surfaces of plates 11a and 11b is
slightly greater than the thickness of base 5b, and the diameter of
torque transfer device 9 intermediate the end plates is less than
the diameter of mounting hole or opening 10, thereby assuring that
torque transfer device 9 and plate 11a, 11b are free to rotate
relative to base 5b. Exterior plate 11b has slots 12 defined in its
exteriorly facing surface where the floppy disk drive engages plate
11b to apply a driving rotary force causing torque transfer device
9 to rotate. Card or disk 23 is typically placed on the interior
facing surface of interior plate 11a and therefore rotates in
conjunction with plate 11a. As card or disk 23 rotates, read/write
heads of the floppy disk drive may selectively access the magnetic
medium (typically high density) of card or disk 23 via a widow 24,
typically rectangular, defined in cover 5a adjacent hinge 8 to
expose the magnetic medium of card or disk 23. Base 5b may also
contain a window 24 as described above for an adapter accommodating
a double sided stand alone magnetic card or disk in order to expose
both magnetic medium layers (FIG. 3) of the double sided stand
alone magnetic card or disk to read/write heads of the floppy disk
drive.
Interior circular plate 11a typically is provided with a gripping
arrangement permitting card 23 to be aligned with and secured to
plate 11a, enabling the card to rotate with torque transfer device
9. Specifically, torque transfer device 9 includes dual retractable
pins 14 equally spaced from the center of plate 11a by a short
distance of approximately 0.2 inches and extending from respective
platforms 34 disposed between plates 11a, 11b. Each platform 34
includes spring 15 extending from exterior plate 11b to platform 34
in order to provide tension and resiliency for enabling pins 14 to
retract. Upon moving cover 5a and base 5b to a closed position,
pins 14 contact spin plate 16 substantially centrally disposed in
cover 5a. Spin plate 16 may be made of a durable smooth material
such as metal or hard plastic. Pins 14 typically slightly retract
upon contact with spin plate 16 causing tension from spring 15 to
maintain pins 14 in constant contact with spin plate 16. Pins 14
are typically disposed through openings 17 of card or disk 23 (FIG.
1B) and upon moving cover 5a and base 5b to the closed position,
card or disk 23 is properly aligned and stored within adapter 30
such that in response to insertion of adapter 30 into a floppy disk
drive, card or disk 23 rotates in conjunction with the application
of the rotary force from the floppy disk drive as described above
without becoming detached from plate 11a.
In order to enhance rotation of card or disk 23, small bearing 18,
typically a ball-bearing, may be disposed in each pin 14.
Specifically, each pin 14 includes an open ended tip having a
substantially circular opening with a diameter slightly smaller
than the diameter of the largest circular cross-section of bearing
18 such that bearing 18 is partially retained within the open ended
tip of pin 14. Spring 35 is disposed within pin 14 extending from
platform 34 to bearing 18 in order to secure bearing 18 against the
edges of the substantially circular opening of the open ended tip
of pin 14. Upon closing and subsequent insertion of adapter 30 into
a floppy disk drive, respective bearings 18 of pins 14 rotatably
contact and circularly traverse spin plate 16 during rotation of
card or disk 23 thereby reducing friction between pins 14 and spin
plate 16 to provide for a smoother rotational movement of card or
disk 23.
Alternatively, FIGS. 1A, 7A, 7B, 7C illustrate an adapter with a
friction engagement of a stand along magnetic card or disk
substantially similar to the adapter mechanically engaging the
stand alone magnetic card or disk as described above. Specifically,
card or disk 23 includes a single opening 17 substantially
centrally disposed through card or disk 23 for use with adapter 30.
Adapter 30 is substantially similar to the adapter mechanically
engaging the stand alone magnetic card or disk (FIG. 4) and
typically includes outer shell 5 and torque transfer device 9 as
described above except that torque transfer device 9 has a single
pin 21 disposed substantially at the center of plate 11a extending
from platform 34. Torque transfer device 9 is disposed through
circular mounting hole or opening 10 at substantially the center of
base 5b in substantially the same manner as described above. Cover
friction device 32 is mounted substantially similar to torque
transfer device 9 in circular mounting hole or opening 33 defined
through cover 5a substantially at the cover center. Cover friction
device 32 is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes
respective exterior and interior circular end plates 11c, 11d
forming respective opposite ends of the cover friction device. The
diameters of plates 11c, 11d are larger than the diameter of
mounting hole or opening 33 in cover 5a to assure that cover
friction device 32 is retained in the cover. The axial length
between the facing surfaces of plates 11c and 11d is slightly
greater than the thickness of cover 5a, and the diameter of cover
friction device 32 intermediate the end plates 11c, 11d is less
than the diameter of mounting hole or opening 33, thereby assuring
that cover friction device 32 and plates 11c, 11d are free to
rotate relative to cover 5a. Cover friction device 32 further
includes indentation 22 disposed substantially at the center of
cover friction device 32 for reception of pin 21 when cover 5a and
base 5b are moved to a closed position as described below. Friction
gaskets 20 are affixed to the interior facing surface of respective
interior circular plates 11a, 11d and are typically composed of a
tacky or gummy rubber material providing sufficient frictional
force to prevent slippage between plate 11a and card or disk 23
during rotation as described above.
Torque transfer device 9 includes retractable pin 21 disposed on
platform 34 residing between end plates 11a, 11b with spring 15
extending from exterior plate 11b to platform 34 in order to
provide tension and resiliency to enable pin 21 to slightly retract
in substantially the same manner as pins 14 (FIG. 5) as described
above. Card or disk 23 is typically placed on an interior facing
surface of friction gasket 20 affixed to interior plate 11a
subsequent to moving cover 5a and base 5b to an open position with
pin 21 disposed through opening 17 of card or disk 23 to align card
or disk 23 during subsequent rotation. Upon moving cover 5a and
base 5b to a closed position, pin 21 is received in indentation 22
and card or disk 23 is engaged by respective friction gaskets 20 of
interior plates 11a, 11d to prevent card or disk 23 from slipping
or becoming detached from interior plate 11a during subsequent
rotation. In response to insertion of adapter 30 into a floppy disk
drive, the floppy disk drive engages exterior plate 11b via slots
12 to apply a driving rotary force to rotate torque transfer device
9 as described above. The rotation of torque transfer device 9
causes card or disk 23 to rotate based on friction gaskets 20
providing sufficient frictional force to transfer the driving
rotary force from interior plate 11a to card or disk 23. The
driving rotary force is transferred from torque transfer device 9
through card or disk 23 and friction gaskets 20 of respective
interior plates 11a, 11d to cover friction device 32 thereby
causing torque transfer device 9, cover friction device 32, and
card or disk 23 to rotate while pin 21 and friction gaskets 20
respectively align and synchronize the rotation of card or disk 23
with the rotation of interior plate 11a. Card or disk 23 is
subsequently rotated to traverse read/write heads of the floppy
disk drive for information storage and retrieval with access to the
magnetic medium of card or disk 23 via window 24 (FIG. 4) as
described above.
FIGS. 1B, 5, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D illustrate an adapter substantially
similar to the adapter mechanically engaging a stand alone magnetic
card or disk as described above but implementing an alternative
technique for inserting and removing the stand alone magnetic cord
or disk into and out of the adapter. Specifically, adapter 30 is
substantially similar to the adapter mechanically engaging a stand
alone magnetic card or disk (FIG. 4) but typically includes a
hollow outer shell 5, preferably rectangular and typically made of
plastic or metal, having dimensions substantially similar to the
standard three and one half inch floppy disk and utilizing a
sliding drawer 25 to insert and remove card or disk 23 (typically
having dual openings 71) into and out of adapter 30. Outer shell 5
typically includes exterior surfaces 5a, 5b separated by a slight
axial distance substantially similar to the thickness of a standard
three and one-half inch floppy disk and is partially cut away to
define a contoured corner 6 for providing proper orientation of
adapter 30 upon insertion into a floppy disk drive. Write protect
lock 7 protects data on card or disk 23 from being overwritten as
described above and is disposed on exterior surface 5a proximate a
corner diagonally opposite contoured corner 6. Drawer 25 is
typically rectangular in shape with dimensions slightly smaller
than outer shell 5 such that substantially all of drawer 25 fits
inside outer shell 5. Drawer 25 is inserted into and removed from
adapter 30 via opening 31 typically disposed between exterior
surfaces 5a, 5b and adjacent write protect lock 7. Drawer 25 and
exterior surface 5a each contain a window 24, typically
rectangular, disposed toward the side opposite opening 31 and
adjacent contoured corner 6 to enable read/write heads of a floppy
disk drive to access the magnetic medium on card or disk 23 as
described above. Exterior surface 5b may also contain a window 24
as described above for an adapter accommodating a double 8 sided
stand alone magnetic card or disk in order to expose both magnetic
medium layers (FIG. 3) of the double sided stand alone magnetic
card or disk to read/write heads of the floppy disk drive. Drawer
25 further includes spring lever 27 disposed adjacent window 24
toward the corner opposite contoured corner 6 for applying
respective opposing and coincident forces to drawer 25 in order to
facilitate smooth lateral movement of drawer 25 into and out of
adapter 30. Latch 28 is disposed on an edge of drawer 25 directly
across from window 24 to maintain drawer 25 within adapter 30.
Torque transfer device 9 is substantially similar to, and is
disposed in adapter 30 through mounting hole or opening 10 disposed
substantially at the center of exterior surface 5b in substantially
the same manner as, the adapter mechanically engaging a stand alone
magnetic card or disk (FIG. 4) as described above.
Card or disk 23 is typically placed on drawer 25 and laterally slid
into adapter 30 for subsequent insertion into a floppy disk drive.
During insertion of drawer 25 into adapter 30, pins 14 typically
retract in response to contact with drawer 25 thereby enabling
drawer 25 and card or disk 23 to be laterally slid, without
interference by pins 14, into position over torque transfer device
9 with pins 14 maintaining constant contact with card or disk 23
via springs 15 as described above. Upon insertion of adapter 30
into a floppy disk drive, torque transfer device 9 engages a
driving rotary force from the floppy disk drive to rotate itself
and card or disk 23 as described above. Since the orientation of
torque transfer device 9 is unknown during insertion of drawer 25
and card or disk 23 into adapter 30, pins 14 may not be initially
disposed through dual openings 17 in card or disk 23 when drawer 25
and card or disk 23 are positioned over torque transfer device 9.
However, as torque transfer device 9 initially rotates, pins 14
circularly traverse the approximate center area of card or disk 23
and dual openings 17. Upon traversal of dual openings 17 by pins
14, springs 15 force pins 14 through dual openings 17 thereby
securing and aligning card or disk 23 to torque transfer device 9
for subsequent rotation as described above. In response to a
withdrawal force applied to drawer 25 subsequent to the removal of
adapter 30 from the floppy disk drive, pins 14 retract from dual
openings 17 in order to enable drawer 25 to be laterally slid out
of adapter 30 without interference by pins 14.
The aforementioned adapters or specific components of the adapters
may be permanently disposed within a floppy disk drive to create a
new and improved floppy disk drive. The new floppy disk drive
enables direct insertion of the stand alone magnetic card or disk
into the floppy disk drive of a computer for information storage
and retrieval. For example, the adapter implementing a sliding
drawer (FIG. 8A) may be permanently disposed in a floppy disk drive
of a computer such that the drawer is maneuverable into and out of
the floppy disk drive. The stand alone magnetic card or disk is
placed on the drawer and slid into and out of the floppy disk drive
for information storage and retrieval in substantially the same
manner as described above. Further, the aforementioned adapters or
specific components of the adapters may be permanently disposed in
the floppy disk drive in any manner to effectuate drive insertion
of the stand alone magnetic card or disk into the floppy disk
drive. The floppy disk drive and permanently disposed adapter
implement information storage and retrieval in substantially the
same manner as described above for the respective adapters.
Since the stand alone magnetic card or disk may include varying
shapes, read/write heads of the standard three and one half inch
floppy disk drive require special control as the varying card or
disk shapes typically produce odd tracking patterns when rotated in
an adapter either subsequently inserted into or permanently
disposed within a floppy disk drive as described above. FIGS. 1C,
1D, 1E, 9 illustrate a procedure for controlling the read/write
heads by a computer based on pre-stored information residing on the
stand alone magnetic card or disk. Specifically, card or disk 23 is
typically formed according to its shape and such formatting and
subsequent address locations are predetermined and recognized by
the computer via software. Initially, control software for the
read/write heads is loaded into memory (typically RAM). The
computer, via the control software, examines a disk residing in the
three and one-half inch floppy disk drive (typically drive A or B
depending upon the particular configuration of the computer) by
rotating the drive mechanism of the floppy disk drive to scan the
disk for a code indicating that the inserted disk is a personal
computer data card or disk (i.e., card or disk 23) of a varying
shape. If the special code is not present, a message is displayed
indicating the disk is not a personal computer data card or disk.
If a special code is present, the disk is a personal computer data
card or disk (i.e., card or disk 23) and is subsequently rotated to
the next address where shape and format information for the
personal computer data card or disk resides. Based on the shape and
format data, a specialized individual software routine
corresponding to the shape of the card or disk is accessed from
among a plurality of software routines where each software routine
corresponds to a particular shape of the card or disk. The accessed
software routine controls, via computer, rotation of the personal
computer data card or disk and position of the read/write heads to
ensure proper tracking and addressing for information storage and
retrieval. Upon retrieving data from the personal computer data
card or disk, the data is examined to determine whether or not the
data has been encoded. Encoded data retrieved from the personal
computer data card or disk is subsequently decoded and loaded into
the computer memory whereas non-encoded data is typically ignored
with the personal computer data card or disk being rotated to a
succeeding address for subsequent data retrieval.
It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above and
illustrated in the drawings represent only a few of the many ways
of implementing the personal computer data card or disk and
corresponding adapter.
The shape of the personal computer data card or disk may be any
shape capable of rotation within dimensions of a standard three and
one-half inch floppy disk, its protective layer may be paper,
paper/synthetic composite, thermoplastic or any other material
capable of protecting and allowing access to magnetic media, and
its magnetic medium may be any magnetic medium (high or low
density) capable of being read or written by floppy disk drives of
computers. The personal computer data card or disk may include a
paper, plastic, cardstock or other suitably rigid or semi-rigid
substrate.
The adapter hinge may be placed on any side of the outer shell to
open the adapter in any desired position, and may utilize any
device or method capable of securing and rotating the card or disk
within the adapter when inserted into a floppy disk drive including
but not limited to additional openings in the card or disk, and
securing the card or disk about its perimeter within the adapter.
The adapter may utilize any device or material capable of supplying
a resilient force to enable retraction of the pins, and may include
any type of bearing, roller or other device capable of improving
rotation of cards or disk within the adapter, and may further
include any number of windows in varying shapes capable of exposing
the personal computer data card or disk to read/write heads of a
floppy disk drive.
The friction gaskets may include any tacky or gummy rubber material
and any other material capable of securing the card or disk within
the adapter.
The drawer of the adapter may freely slide into the adapter from
any side and in any lateral direction with respect to the adapter.
Further, the drawer may be secured within the adapter from any
side.
The control software may be implemented in any hinge or low level
computer language or by any hardware capable of controlling the
read/write heads.
The personal computer data card or disk and adapter may be utilized
in any system having the standard three and one-half inch floppy
drive. Further, the present invention may be applied for use with
various types of floppy or other disk drives in the same manner as
described above.
The adapters or specific components of the adapters may be
permanently disposed in a floppy disk drive of a computer in any
manner capable of enabling direct insertion of the personal
computer data card or disk into the floppy disk drive for
information storage and retrieval.
From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that the
invention makes available a novel method and apparatus for reading
and writing information on a stand alone magnetic cord or disk
wherein a magnetic card or disk is inserted into an adapter circuit
subsequently inserted into or permanently disposed within a floppy
disk drive of a personal computer for information storage and
retrieval.
Having described preferred embodiments of a new and improved method
and apparatus for reading and writing information on a stand alone
magnetic card or disk, it is believed that other modifications,
variations and changes will be suggested to those skilled in the
art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to
be understood that all such variations, modifications and changes
are believed to fall within the scope of the present invention as
defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *