Method and apparatus for ejecting a recording medium from a storage unit detachable from host equipment

Abstract

A detachable storage unit is connected to host equipment in a computer system and holds an ejectable storage medium. The storage unit has a connection detector that detects whether or not the storage unit is connected to the host equipment, and a storage medium detector that detects the presence of a storage medium within the storage unit. A medium ejection instructor sends a medium ejection instruction to an automatic medium ejection mechanism upon receiving information that indicates that the storage medium might be moved. The storage medium is then ejected from the storage unit which prevents damage caused by the storage medium colliding with internal components of the storage unit while the storage unit is being moved.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to peripheral equipment such as a storage unit that can be disconnected from host equipment in a computer system and can hold a storage medium. More specifically, the invention relates to a personal computer connected to a detachable storage unit, and to a method of ejecting a medium from the storage unit. [0002] Computer technology is advancing in many fields, including home appliances, and from compact disks (CDs) to devices recording still pictures and video onto disks and tapes. Under such circumstances, an interface complying with IEEE 1394 standards (hereinafter written as “IEEE 1394”) is drawing attention as a popular high-speed serial interface as a substitute for a SCSI (small computer system interface). IEEE 1394 connectors are a general purpose interface used to transfer digital data to and from a small computer, a storage medium (e.g., magnetic disk (HDD), magnetic-optic disk (MO), magnetic tape) ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is about a storage unit that can be connected to a computer system and has a mechanism to eject the storage medium when it receives a discharge instruction. The storage unit can detect if it is connected to the host equipment and if there is a storage medium inside it. The ejection of the storage medium prevents damage when the storage unit is moved. The invention also uses passwords to prevent unauthorized use of the storage unit and to prevent unauthorized storage units from being inserted into the device bay.

Problems solved by technology

However, whether the peripheral is connected to the PC by cable or device bay, the systems capable of disconnecting peripheral equipment without turning off the power of the host equipment, as with the IEEE 1394 interface, have a number of problems.

Therefore, when a removable medium such as floppy disk or magneto-optic disk remains inserted in the peripheral equipment while transporting the peripheral equipment, the actuator mounting a read / write head may move due to vibration while transporting the peripheral equipment, whereby the head may collide with the medium, often causing damage to the peripheral equipment or the medium.

Currently, no measures exist to prevent unauthorized use or theft of these types of storage units.

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