Computers and Technology

There is still a great deal of debate and uncertainty about the rewritable DVD formats. There are competing formats from different companies (DVD-RAM vs DVD+RW) and unsettled compatibility issues with current and future DVD players and DVD-RAM discs may require a case and they will probably not be compatible with current DVD drives/players.

Receivers

The universal receiving frame is capable of interchangeably receiving different removable computer drive carriers having respective remote computer drives that are configured for parallel and serial operation. A printed circuit board is mounted on the back wall of the universal receiving frame in which an incoming removable drive carrier is slidably received. The interface and a serial-to-parallel bridge are located on the printed circuit board of the frame, where different removable carriers, regardless of drive configuration, can communicate with the chassis by way of the same receiving frame.

A universal receiving frame to be located within an enclosure that is interfaced with a computer. Frames receiving a removable carrier within which is connected a computer drive to store computer information, the receiving frame adapted to interchangeably receive different removable carriers having different computer drives that are respectively connected for series and parallel operation with other computer drives. A universal receiving frame communicating with a serial-to-parallel bridge circuit adapted to convert the output of a parallel connected computer drive to a serial output. The serial-to-parallel bridge circuit communicating with an interface for enabling the outputs of both serial and parallel connected computer drives to be supplied to the computer.

Combining an enclosure to be interfaced with a computer; a backplane, at least one removable carrier having either a serial or a parallel connected computer drive to store computer information, a removable carrier detachably connected at one side of backplane; and at least one removable circuit board detachably connected to the opposite side of the backplane to be interconnected with the computer drive of the removable carrier. A serial-to-parallel bridge to convert the output of a parallel connected computer drive to a serial output; and one of a serial-to-serial or a serial-to-parallel converter communicating with the serial-to-parallel bridge for enabling both serial and parallel connected computer drives to communicate with the computer; where the backplane is adapted to be interchangeably connected within the enclosure to different removable carriers having respective computer drives that are connected for serial and parallel operation.

Disk Drive

Either the original disc drive carrier or a different carrier can be returned to the chassis. In accordance with the present improvement, and to provide the universal receiving frame with the capability of interchangeably receiving different removable carriers having either a serial or parallel connected computer drive, a serial-to-parallel bridge is provided. They are typically stacked within respective drive bays of a chassis or storage enclosure in which a corresponding one or a plurality of remote portable computer drives and their removable carriers are housed. In some cases, the computer drive is electrically connected to an outwardly facing backplane connector interface at the backplane of carrier by way of a detachable plug and a set of wires. A bus connector from the computer drive is detachable connected to an facing connector that is mounted on the backplane of carrier.

In this case, the back of computer drive plugs into a connector that faces inwardly from the backplane of carrier. This enables a cost and space efficient storage assembly that is capable of using both serial and parallel computer drive technologies within the same chassis. While these improvements have been described as being applicable to remote computer drives that are connected for serial and parallel operation, it is to be understood that it may also have application to other drives that are connected in other compatible drive configurations. However, the advantages achieved by this invention are also available without the aforementioned universal receiving frame to couple a removable drive carrier to its chassis. Nevertheless, the same chassis/storage enclosure can automatically receive different removable drive carriers having remote computer drives that are connected in different drive configurations.