Interchangeable cartridge data storage system for devices performing diverse functions

Abstract

A system for exchanging digital data among a plurality of hand-held computer devices. Digital signals are written by a first hand-held device to a mini-cartridge that mini-cartridge is inter-operable among a class of hand-held devices, each of which is equipped with a mini-disk drive. A common digital data format is employed to further facilitate exchange of data between devices.

1 . An interchangeable data storage system comprising: 
 a drive in one of a plurality of devices for generating signals, wherein a first of the plurality of devices is a host computer and a second of the plurality of devices is a consumer electronic product;    a storage device having a medium capable of storing signals from each of the plurality of devices; wherein said drive writes said signals to and reads said signals from said storage device so that said storage device can be interchangeably operated upon by said first and second of the plurality of devices.    
   
   
       2 . The data storage system recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a caddy for accommodating said storage device, said caddy having an interface for transferring signals between said caddy and said host computer.    
   
   
       3 . The data storage system recited in  claim 1 , wherein said storage device comprises flexible magnetic media.  
   
   
       4 . The data storage system recited in  claim 1 , wherein said storage device comprises rigid magnetic media.  
   
   
       5 . The data storage system recited in  claim 1 , wherein said storage device comprises optical media.  
   
   
       6 . A method of exchanging information among a host computer and a consumer electronic product comprising: 
 generating signals representative of a function from the consumer electronic product;    writing said signals to a storage device by way of a first drive in the consumer electronic product; and;    reading said signal from said storage device by way of a second drive communicating with the host computer.    
   
   
       7 . A storage device capable of use between a host computer communicating with a first media drive and a device communicating with a consumer electronic product having a second media drive, the storage device comprising: 
 a storage medium on which signals from the device are stored by the second media drive, wherein the stored signals may be read by the first media drive communicating with the host computer.    
   
   
       8 . The storage device recited in  claim 7 , wherein said storage medium comprises flexible magnetic media.  
   
   
       9 . The storage device recited in  claim 7 , wherein said storage medium comprises rigid magnetic media.  
   
   
       10 . The storage device recited in  claim 7 , wherein said storage medium comprises optical media.