Self-configuring PC card with connector capable of using the pin configuration of an attached peripheral to identify the peripheral

Claim 2

A multiple function PC card that is an input/output card providing a plurality of functions not used simultaneously comprising: PC connection means for connecting the multiple function PC card to a computer, a single device connection means including a first connector, connectable to different types of, said first connector being built in the multiple function PC card and configured to connect the plurality of different types of second connectors, each of a plurality of external devices having only one of the plurality of different types of second connectors to permit connection to the multiple function PC card for accessing one of the plurality of functions, a plurality of execution means for executing each of the plurality of functions, respectively, and discrimination means for identifying one of the plurality of external devices based on the only one of the plurality of different types of second connectors connected to the multiple function PC card through said device connection means, thereby identifying a function corresponding to the plural kinds of external devices connected among the plurality of functions, wherein said discrimination means designates one of said plurality of execution means in response to the function identified and the one of the plurality of execution means, when designated, operates exclusively of the remaining plurality of execution means.

Claim 3

The multiple function PC card of claim 1, wherein the second connector has a connector pin arrangement corresponding to each kind of external device and said first connector has a connector pin arrangement capable of matching all connector pin arrangements of the second connector.

Claim 4

The multiple function PC card of claim 2, wherein said discrimination means discriminates the function based on the connector pin arrangement of the second connector connected to said first connector.

Claim 5

The multiple function PC card of claim 3, wherein said discrimination means includes signal generation means for outputting discrimination signals for discriminating the connector pin arrangement of said second connector and signal detection means for detecting signals from the second connector in accordance with the connector pin arrangement of the second connector to identify the function to be accessed by the external device.

Claim 6

The multiple function PC card of claim 4, wherein said first connector has connector pins for outputting the discrimination signals and connector pins for inputting signals from the second connector.

Claim 7

A multiple function PC card that is an input/output card providing a plurality of functions not used simultaneously comprising: connection means for connecting the multiple function PC card to a host machine, device connection means including a first connector, said first connector being built in the multiple function PC card and configured to connect to a plurality of different types of second connectors, each of the plurality of different types of second connectors corresponding to only one of the plural kinds of external devices to permit connection to the multiple function PC card for accessing one of the plurality of functions, said device connection means further including automatic identification means for automatically identifying a type of the plural kinds of external devices connected to the host machine based on its unique second connector, a plurality of execution means for executing each of the plurality of functions, respectively, and discrimination means for identifying a function corresponding to the type of the plural kinds of external devices identified by said automatic identification means among the plurality of functions, wherein said discrimination means designates one of said plurality of execution means in response to the function identified and the one of the plurality of execution means, when designated, operates exclusively of the remaining plurality of execution means.

Claim 8

A multiple function PC card that is an input/output card providing a plurality of functions not used simultaneously comprising: connection means for connecting the multiple function PC card to a host machine, device connection means including a first connector, said first connector being built in the multiple function PC card and configured to connect to a plurality of different types of second connectors, each of the plurality of different types of second connectors corresponding to only one of the plural kinds of external devices to permit connection to the multiple function PC card for accessing one of the plurality of functions, said device connection means further including automatic identification means for automatically identifying a type of the plural kinds of external devices connected to the host machine based on its unique second connector, a plurality of execution means for executing each of the plurality of functions, respectively, and discrimination means for identifying a function corresponding to the type of the plural kinds of external devices identified by said automatic identification means among the plurality of functions, wherein said discrimination means designates one of said plurality of execution means in response to the function identified and the one of the plurality of execution means, when designated, operates exclusively of the remaining plurality of execution means.

Claim 9

A multiple function PC card that is an input/output card providing a plurality of functions comprising: PC connection means for connecting said multiple function PC card to a computer; single device connection means capable of connecting an arbitrary one of plural kinds of external devices each provided with a specific connector adaptable to said single device connection means; a plurality of execution means each for executing one of the plurality of functions corresponding one to one to the plural kinds of external devices; discrimination means for identifying the kind of an external device when it is connected to said PC card by its specific connector; and enabling means for enabling only one execution means corresponding to the kind of external device identified by said discrimination means.

Claim 10

A multiple function PC card that is an input/output card providing a plurality of functions comprising: PC connection means for connecting said multiple function PC card to a computer; single device connection means capable of connecting an arbitrary one of plural kinds of external devices each provided with a specific connector adaptable to said single device connection means; a plurality of execution means each for executing one of the plurality of functions corresponding one to one to the plural kinds of external devices; discrimination means for identifying the kind of an external device when it is connected to said PC card by its specific connector; and enabling means for enabling only one execution means corresponding to the kind of external device identified by said discrimination means.