Multimedia interface device and method

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In one form, the present invention is an interface device between one of a plurality of optical or magnetic media reader devices and a host.
The interface device comprises first and second input ports, each port being connectable to a selected media device.
The interface device also comprises means for automatically identifying the type of media device connected to each of the ports by sequentially sampling control or data signals therefrom.
It also includes means for determining when an identified media device is active by sampling control or data signals from each port that has an identified media device connected thereto.
In another form, the present invention is a method for providing data from one of a plurality of optical or magnetic media reader devices to a host.
An interface device with first and second input ports is provided between the media devices and the computer.
One or two of the media devices are selected and connected to one or both of the input ports, respectively.
The type of media device connected to each of the ports is identified by sequentially sampling control or data signals from each port.
An identified media device is determined to be active by sampling control or data signals from each port that has an identified media device connected thereto.
Data signals from the active media device are then transferred into the interface device where they are processed before being transferred to the host.