Patent ID: 8086779

Claim:
A data recorder comprising: an I/O port for receiving data to be stored and outputting data to be read; a cartridge including a media storage and a media processor connected to the media storage; the media processor including media storage capability data which is specific to the media storage; a host processor connected to the I/O port; a removable bus connector connecting the cartridge to the recorder; and a pathway bus connecting the connector to the media processor and the host processor wherein, when the cartridge is connected to the connector, the media storage capability data is transmitted from the media processor to the host processor and the host processor communicates data with the media processor as a function of the received media storage capability data, wherein the media processor is configured to accommodate a specific type of media storage that it contains so that the host processor operates independently of specific requirements of the media storage and data being transferred from the media storage, and wherein the media processor is configured so that the media storage and media processor cooperate to provide a consistent interface to the host processor regardless of the specific media type being utilized in the media storage, such that the data recorder provides physical, electrical, and software disassociation of the media storage from processes for recording data in the media storage performed by the host processor via media-independent electrical connectivity, media description messaging and categorization.