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US4891727A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Memory device

Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1987-12-18
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Granted: 1990-01-02
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Expires: 2007-12-18
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Abstract

Abstract In order that either a disk cartridge 3 housing a disk memory medium 2, such as a flexible magnetic sheet, which is mechanically accessible or a semiconductor cartridge 15A (or 15B) housing a semiconductor memory medium which is statically accessible without any mechanical movement is made usable in a memory device, the memory device is provided with a switching circuit 18 for switching between the disk and semiconductor memory medium control circuits 14 and 16; a discrimination circuit 17 for identifying the type of a memory medium of an inserted disk cartridge; and a device for feeding an output of the discrimination circuit 17 to the switching circuit 18 for effecting automatic switching or a selecting device 29 for controlling the switching circuit 18 according to the memory medium to be used.

Inventors

  • 👤 Tadashi Sato
  • 👤 Keiichi Nishikasa
  • 👤 Masayoshi Kamo

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 23:00
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B25/00; G11B25/10; G11B19/00; G11B19/02; G11B19/12; G11C; G11C5/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 102 words
A memory device comprising: memory medium holding means for holding either a disk cartridge housing a disk memory medium which is mechanically accessible or a semiconductor cartridge housing a semiconductor memory medium which is statically accessible; a disk memory medium control circuit for controlling said disk memory medium; a semiconductor memory medium control circuit for controlling said semiconductor memory medium; discrimination means for discriminating the type of a memory medium of an inserted cartridge; and a switching circuit responsive to an output of said discrimination means to select either said disk memory medium control circuit or the semiconductor memory medium control circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 102 words
A memory device comprising: memory medium holding means for holding either a disk cartridge housing a disk memory medium which is mechanically accessible or a semiconductor cartridge housing a semiconductor memory medium which is statically accessible; a disk memory medium control circuit for controlling said disk memory medium; a semiconductor memory medium control circuit for controlling said semiconductor memory medium; discrimination means for discriminating the type of a memory medium of an inserted cartridge; and a switching circuit responsive to an output of said discrimination means to select either said disk memory medium control circuit or the semiconductor memory medium control circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
The memory device of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor memory medium control circuit is housed within said semiconductor cartridge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
The memory device of claim 1, wherein said memory medium holding means has a slot through which either said disk cartridge or said semiconductor cartridge may be inserted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
The memory device of claim 1, wherein said memory medium holding means has a pair of slots through which said disk and semiconductor cartridges are inserted, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
The memory device of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor and disk cartridges are identical in shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
The memory device of claim 1, wherein said semiconductor and disk cartridges are different in shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 28 words
The memory device of claim 1, wherein said memory medium holding means comprises a connector for electrical connection with at least one conductor provided on said semiconductor cartridge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 28 words
The memory device of claim 1, wherein said memory medium holding means comprises a first connector for electrical connection with a second connector mounted on said semiconductor cartridge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 24 words
The memory device of claim 1, wherein said discrimination means comprises a hole sensor for detecting a discrimination hole provided on said semiconductor cartridge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 22 words
The memory device of claim 1, wherein said discrimination means comprises a shape sensor for detecting a shape of said semiconductor cartridge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 100 words
A memory device comprising: memory medium holding means for receiving either a disk cartridge housing a disk memory medium which is mechanically accessible or a semiconductor cartridge housing a semiconductor memory medium which is statically accessible; a disk memory medium control circuit for controlling said disk memory medium; a semiconductor memory medium control circuit for controlling said semiconductor memory medium; a switching circuit for switching between said semiconductor and disk memory medium control circuits; and selection means for instructing said switching means to select either said disk memory medium control circuit or said semiconductor memory medium control circuit for operation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 100 words
A memory device comprising: memory medium holding means for receiving either a disk cartridge housing a disk memory medium which is mechanically accessible or a semiconductor cartridge housing a semiconductor memory medium which is statically accessible; a disk memory medium control circuit for controlling said disk memory medium; a semiconductor memory medium control circuit for controlling said semiconductor memory medium; a switching circuit for switching between said semiconductor and disk memory medium control circuits; and selection means for instructing said switching means to select either said disk memory medium control circuit or said semiconductor memory medium control circuit for operation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 19 words
The memory device of claim 1l, wherein said semiconductor memory medium control circuit is formed within said semiconductor cartridge.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

JPS59136860A Cited
JPH06120185A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-01-01 1993-07-03 1994-01-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-01-01 1997-07-03 1998-01-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-01-01 2001-07-03 2002-01-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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