Co-existing dedicated system software and read/writeable data storage space on removable media

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for mobile media with both dedicated readable and writeable user data space and dedicated readable and writeable drive device space. The mobile data storage media adapted for operatively working with a drive device comprises a data space accessible by an end user and a drive software space accessible by the drive device and inaccessible by an end user. The drive software space is adapted to accommodate firmware for use by the drive device in addition to the reading and writing of software by the drive device. The media is adapted to receive and store software from the drive device or, alternatively, is adapted to transmit software to the drive device.

1 . A multi purpose media comprising: 
 a mobile readable and writeable media adapted for use with a drive device;    at least one data space accessible by an end user;    at least one drive software space allocated for reading and writing accessibility for the drive device and restricted from the accessibility by the end user, and wherein the drive software space is adapted to contain software readable by the drive device.    
   
   
       2 . The media of  claim 1  wherein the media is selected from the group of media consisting of: digital magnetic floppy disc, digital compact disc, digital flash memory device, digital tape cassette, media pack, digital tape magazine and mobile disc drive magazine.  
   
   
       3 . The media of  claim 1  wherein the software is drive device firmware.  
   
   
       4 . The media of  claim 1  wherein the software facilitates read and write compatibility between the drive device and the media.  
   
   
       5 . The media of  claim 1  wherein the media can transfer the software to the drive device to facilitate read and write compatibility between the drive device and the media.  
   
   
       6 . The media of  claim 1  wherein the media can receive the software from the drive device to facilitate read and write compatibility between the drive device and the media.  
   
   
       7 . The media of  claim 1  wherein the software is capable of automatically loading from the media onto the drive device if the drive device has lower order software than the media.  
   
   
       8 . The media of  claim 1  wherein the software is capable of becoming automatically upgraded on the media by the drive device if the drive device has a higher order software than the media.  
   
   
       9 . The media of  claim 1  wherein the media is partitioned to accommodate the drive software allocated space by the drive device.  
   
   
       10 . The media of  claim 1  wherein the media is partitioned to accommodate the drive software allocated space by an original equipment manufacturer.  
   
   
       11 . The media of  claim 1  wherein the drive software space is capable of containing multiple software programs.  
   
   
       12 . The media of  claim 1  wherein the media is comprised of at least two storage mediums.  
   
   
       13 . A method for adapting mobile readable and writeable media for a drive device comprising: 
 allocating data space accessible by an end user;    allocating drive software space accessible for the drive device for reading and writing capability; and    restricting accessibility of the drive software space from the end user.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising loading software for the drive device in the drive software space.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising loading software for the drive device in the drive software space by an original equipment manufacturer.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising loading software for the drive device in the drive software space by the drive device.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising loading software for the drive device in the drive software space by the drive device automatically.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising loading software from the drive software space to a memory device adapted to cooperate with the drive device.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising loading software for the drive device in the drive software space wherein the software is adapted to facilitate read and write compatibility between the drive device and the media.  
   
   
       20 . A multi purpose media comprising: 
 a mobile data storage media adapted to cooperate with a drive device;    a data space accessible by an end user; and    a drive software space accessible by the drive device and inaccessible by the end user wherein the drive software space is adapted to accommodate reading and writing of firmware for use by the drive device, and wherein a higher order firmware is automatically exchanged between the media and the drive device if the higher order firmware is present.