US5596562A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlling method and apparatus for supporting hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through the PCMCIA interface
Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp
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Filing: 1995-01-19
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Granted: 1997-01-21
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Expires: 2015-01-19
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for controlling to support hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through the PCMCIA interface of a notebook computer system. The apparatus comprises a PCMCIA controller connected to the ISA bus of said computer system for implementing PCMCIA interface functions, and an ATA controller also connected to the ISA bus for implementing ATA interface functions. The apparatus further comprises a multiplexer circuit connected both to the PCMCIA controller and the ATA controller for the apparatus to perform either the PCMCIA or the ATA interface functions under control of a selection signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Chih-Hsien Chen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/16; G06F15/177; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/382; G06F13/385; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4411
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through a PCMCIA interface of a computer system comprising the steps of: generating of a set of Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) interface electronic signals in a PCMCIA/ATA dual interface of said computer system; and providing a selection signal for said PCMCIA/ATA dual interface, said selection signal selecting either a set of the PCMCIA interface electronic signals or said set of ATA interface electronic signals to connect to a connector of said PCMCIA interface of said computer system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through a PCMCIA interface of a computer system comprising the steps of: generating of a set of Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) interface electronic signals in a PCMCIA/ATA dual interface of said computer system; and providing a selection signal for said PCMCIA/ATA dual interface, said selection signal selecting either a set of the PCMCIA interface electronic signals or said set of ATA interface electronic signals to connect to a connector of said PCMCIA interface of said computer system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through the PCMCIA interface of claim 1, wherein the PCMCIA interface electronic signals are provided by said PCMCIA interface and said ATA interface electronic signals are multiplexed by a multiplexer means to provide either the PCMCIA or the ATA interface for said computer system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through the PCMCIA interface of claim 2, said selection signal is selected by a jumper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through the PCMCIA interface of claim 2, wherein provision of the PCMCIA or ATA interface is selected by a software-controlled digital buffer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through the PCMCIA interface of claim 1, wherein said multiplexer means is a bi-directional multiplexer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through the PCMCIA interface of claim 5, wherein provision of the PCMCIA or ATA interface is selected by a jumper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through the PCMCIA interface of claim 5, wherein provision of the PCMCIA or ATA interface is selected by a software-controlled digital buffer.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through a PCMCIA interface of a computer system comprising: a PCMCIA controller connected to an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus of said computer system for implementing PCMCIA interface functions; an Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) controller connected to the ISA bus of said computer system for implementing ATA interface functions; and a multiplexer means connected both to said PCMCIA controller and to said ATA controller, said multiplexer means being responsive to a selection signal provided from a selection means, whereby said apparatus performs either the PCMCIA or the ATA interface functions under control of said selection signal.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through a PCMCIA interface of a computer system comprising: a PCMCIA controller connected to an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus of said computer system for implementing PCMCIA interface functions; an Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) controller connected to the ISA bus of said computer system for implementing ATA interface functions; and a multiplexer means connected both to said PCMCIA controller and to said ATA controller, said multiplexer means being responsive to a selection signal provided from a selection means, whereby said apparatus performs either the PCMCIA or the ATA interface functions under control of said selection signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through the PCMCIA interface of claim 8, wherein said multiplexer means is a 2-to-1 bi-directional multiplexer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through the PCMCIA interface of claim 9, wherein said selection means is an open-short jumper.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through the PCMCIA interface of claim 9, wherein said selection means is a software-controlled digital buffer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through the PCMCIA interface of claim 8, wherein said selection means is an open-short jumper.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus for controlling a hard disk and/or CD-ROM drives through the PCMCIA interface of claim 8, wherein said selection means is a software-controlled digital buffer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-21 | 2000-07-22 | 2001-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-21 | 2004-07-22 | 2005-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-21 | 2008-07-22 | 2009-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |