Canon Denshi Kabushiki Kaisha

Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Ryuichi Negishi

Toru Okada

Hitoshi Kurihara

Kiyoyuki Kakinuma

Tsuyoshi Sakuma

John E Youens

Masao Morimoto

Masae Ikeda

The present invention relates to a data processing device which is also used as an interface device for connecting an external storage device to a host computer to which a card form of storage device can be connected, the external storage device differing in data format from the card form of storage device. The data processing device includes a connection unit for connecting the external storage device to the host computer, the connection unit being able to be removably fitted into a slot which is provided in the host computer and into which to removably fit the card form of storage device, and a converting circuit for converting data, which is to be outputted from the host computer in a data format conforming to the card form of storage device, into a data format conforming to the external storage device, as well as for converting data read out from the external storage device into the data format conforming to the card form of storage device.

Interface with connection unit for loading host computer with external storage device format control information in response to connection of host computer to connection unit

An external peripheral device connects through a flexible cable to an electrical connector which connects to a computer system. The flexible cable wraps around a cable wrap member that protrudes out of the peripheral device's housing, and the electrical connector snaps into a connector holder built into the peripheral device's housing. The cable wrap member and the connector holder permit the secure storage of the flexible cable and electrical connector during non-use or transportation of the device.

External floppy drive with secure storage of a cable and connector for

Interface device receivable in card storage device slot of host computer

A servo pattern for controlling a head position has a first pattern in which two frequency signals having respectively different frequencies are arranged alternately in the width direction of a track in a two-track cycle, and a second pattern which is repeated in a cycle of n tracks. The first and the second patterns are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the tracks so as to create a servo pattern with a wide servo capture range and so as also to ensure accurate detection.

Head tracking servo pattern

A servo pattern arrangement for controlling the position of a head has a first pattern, in which two frequency signal having different frequencies are arranged alternately in the width direction of a track in a two-track cycle. The servo pattern arrangement also has a second pattern which is repeated in a cycle of n tracks. The first and the second patterns are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the tracks so as to create a servo pattern arrangement with a wide servo capture range and so as to also ensure accurate detection.

A head for writing data into and/or reading data out of a recording medium such as a magnetic disc is displaced along a path by a motor such as a voice coil motor. The moving member of the motor is disposed on one side of the path, and another moving member of a speed sensor for detecting the head displacement speed is disposed on the opposite side. As a result, an unbalanced mass arrangement with respect to the path along which the head is displaced will not occur. The signal from the speed sensor can be used, for example, to interrupt a write operation if a mechanical impact occurs. Furthermore, even in an embodiment in which a coil is wound around the moving member of the speed sensor so that the head displacement speed is detected as a voltage induced across the coil as the head is displaced, the motor and the speed sensor are disposed in spaced-apart-relationship with each other and the speed sensor is less susceptible to adverse effects caused by the leakage flux from the motor.

Recording and/or reproducing apparatus with sensor for detecting head

In a disc storage unit capable of writing a servo signal for positioning a recording head at each track defined on a disc-shaped recording medium, data in a region between adjacent tracks are erased prior to the writing of the servo signal. The data stored on the recording medium are completely erased and then the servo signal can be written in the recording medium.

Growing community of inventors

Chichibu, Japan

Ryuichi Negishi