SV: Re: [sdiy] Flash Drive with Floppy Interface?

[Tom Arnold]

On Tue, Jun 05, 2007 at 12:25:17AM +0200, karl dalen wrote:
> Well, building one for yourself don't need any license!
> And does the patent holder has economic means to defend any intrusions?
> Besides, is the idea unique to the basic standards of engineering really?

The patent was worded very specifically.  I'm looking for it right now ( I'm
at work and dont have access to all my notes ) but to paraphrase, the patent
covered using solid state memory devices and a CPU to simulate the control
signals required for the electomechanical floppy drive interface, and the
patent was licensed to a large-ish japanese manufacturer of wordprocessor
type stuff hence the ability to defend the patent.

Could is slip by under radar?  Sure.  Why should I care?  Because I think a
device like this need to be widely disseminated as floppy drives will wear
out long before silicon migration kills off all our old gear.

I think the patent is 5131089
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5131089.html

Although that doesnt look quite right.


-- 
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 - Tom Arnold           -  "...is it a virus, a drug, or a religion?"  
 - Sysabend Caretaker   -    Juanita Shrugs. "What's the difference?"
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