CA2303565C - Multi-interface memory card and adapter module for the same - Google Patents
Multi-interface memory card and adapter module for the same Download PDFInfo
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- CA2303565C CA2303565C CA002303565A CA2303565A CA2303565C CA 2303565 C CA2303565 C CA 2303565C CA 002303565 A CA002303565 A CA 002303565A CA 2303565 A CA2303565 A CA 2303565A CA 2303565 C CA2303565 C CA 2303565C
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/06—Digital input from, or digital output to, record carriers, e.g. RAID, emulated record carriers or networked record carriers
- G06F3/0601—Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems
- G06F3/0602—Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
- G06F3/0604—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. storage management
- G06F3/0607—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. storage management by facilitating the process of upgrading existing storage systems, e.g. for improving compatibility between host and storage device
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F13/00—Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
- G06F13/38—Information transfer, e.g. on bus
- G06F13/382—Information transfer, e.g. on bus using universal interface adapter
- G06F13/387—Information transfer, e.g. on bus using universal interface adapter for adaptation of different data processing systems to different peripheral devices, e.g. protocol converters for incompatible systems, open system
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/06—Digital input from, or digital output to, record carriers, e.g. RAID, emulated record carriers or networked record carriers
- G06F3/0601—Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems
- G06F3/0628—Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems making use of a particular technique
- G06F3/0655—Vertical data movement, i.e. input-output transfer; data movement between one or more hosts and one or more storage devices
- G06F3/0661—Format or protocol conversion arrangements
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/06—Digital input from, or digital output to, record carriers, e.g. RAID, emulated record carriers or networked record carriers
- G06F3/0601—Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems
- G06F3/0668—Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems adopting a particular infrastructure
- G06F3/0671—In-line storage system
- G06F3/0673—Single storage device
- G06F3/0679—Non-volatile semiconductor memory device, e.g. flash memory, one time programmable memory [OTP]
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- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
- Information Transfer Systems (AREA)
- Bus Control (AREA)
Abstract
A multi-interface memory card and an adapter module for the memory card are disclosed to enable convenient transfer of data between the memory card and a computer. The multi-interface memory card has a micro controller (10), a memory unit (20), a USB interface (31), an IEEE
1394 interface (32), and a product interface (40). The memory unit (20) is connected to the micro controller (10), such that external computers or electronic products can read data from or write data to said memory unit (20) under the control of the micro controller (10). The USB and IEEE
1394 interfaces (31,32) are connected to the memory unit (20) via the micro controller (10) for controlling data access. The product interface (40) is provided for connecting to a digital product to read or write data.
1394 interface (32), and a product interface (40). The memory unit (20) is connected to the micro controller (10), such that external computers or electronic products can read data from or write data to said memory unit (20) under the control of the micro controller (10). The USB and IEEE
1394 interfaces (31,32) are connected to the memory unit (20) via the micro controller (10) for controlling data access. The product interface (40) is provided for connecting to a digital product to read or write data.
Description
. . ' 1 4 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mufti-interface memory card and an 6 adapter module; more particularly, the present invention relates to a 7 memory card with multiple kinds of interfaces to communicate with an 8 electronic product and a computer, respectively, for convenient data access, 9 and an adapter module for such a mufti-interface memory card.
2. Description of Related Art 11 Digital devices, such as electronic dictionaries, electronic translators, 12 digital cameras, etc., are in widespread use today. The use of these digital 13 devices requires storing of data in storage media, and generally memory 14 cards are provided for such a purpose. As well known to those skilled in the art, various kinds of memory cards, such as the STONE card, Smart Media 16 card, MMC card, Memory Stick card and Compact Flash card, have been 17 provided with the advantages of compactness and large storage capacity, 18 typically, more than several mega-bytes. The use of such memory cards 19 enables the miniaturization of digital products. However, they do not have standard interfaces for communicating with a computer. Therefore, it is 21 inconvenient to use a computer to read data from the memory card. Some 22 of the existing methods to transfer data between a computer and a memory 23 card are as follows:
24 1. Using a card reader: A card reader is provided to connect to an , I interface port of a computer such that the computer is able to read data 2 from a memory card that is inserted in the card reader. As different memory 3 cards have different interfaces, a dedicated card reader must be provided 4 for a specific memory card.
2. Using a transform disk: A transform disk that has the same 6 physical specification as the 3.5-inch disk is provided with a slot for 7 receiving a memory card, such that a computer can write data to or read 8 data from the memory card when the transform disk is inserted into the 9 disk drive of the computer.
There are several problems encountered in using the aforementioned 1 I methods. For example, most of the card readers can not write data to the 12 memory cards, and the data access speed is slow when the transform disk 13 and disk drive are used for transferring data between a memory card and a 14 computer. Furthermore, the use of a transform disk and disk drive to read or write data is likely to result in mechanical disorders because data is 16 accessed by physical contact.
17 Moreover, the interface port provided for a computer generally 18 depends on the requirement of the computer, and may vary according to the 19 development of the computer industry. For example, the USB port and IEEE 1394 interfaces have been introduced recently to provide high speed 21 and large capacity interfacing capabilities. Clearly, if a memory card is to 22 be used with computers with respective different interfaces, different kinds 23 of card readers or transform devices are required, and thus it is obvious that 24 the use of the memory card is inconvenient.
To solve the aforemenfroned problems, a memory card is provided in US
Patent 6,385,677, entitled "Dual interface memory card and adapter module for the same". Although this patent may effectively eliminate the drawbacks in using the card reader or transform disk, it is deemed unsatisfactory as the memory card only has one kind of interface, e.g, the USB port, to communicate with the computer.
Therefore, a novel memory card that can mitigate and/or obviate the problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVI=NTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a mufti-intertace memory card and an adapter module for the memory card to conveniently transfer data between the memory card and a computer without the risk of mechanical disorder.
According to the invention, there is provided a mufti-intertace memory card (50) in combination with an adapter module (60), wherein the mufti-interface memory card (50) comprises:
a micro controller (10);
a memory unit (20) connected to the micro controller (10) to store data;
multiple connection interfaces (31, 32) connected to the memory unit (20) via the micro controller (10) for data access in the memory unit (20); and a product tntertace (40) for connection with a digital product;
wherein the adapter module (60) comprises;
a housing alternatively and slidably receiving the mufti-interface memory card (50) therein;
multiple interface connectors (64, 65) formed on the housing and adapted for connection to interface ports of a computer; and a terminal seat (63) formed in the housing, the terminal seat (63) being composed of a plurality of connection terminals (631 ), wherein each connection terminal (631 ) has a first end and a second end, the first end to electrically connect to the connection interfaces (31 )(32) and the product interface (40) of the memory card (50), and the second end is connected to the multiple interface connectors (64, 65) of the adapter module (60);
-3a-whereby when the multi-interface memory card (50) is installed in the digital product via the product interface (40), data output from the digital product is transferred to the memory cans (50) through the product interface (40) and processed by the micro controller (10) to be stored in the memory unit (20);
after the multi-interface memory card (50) is combined with the adapter module (60), the adapter module (60) Is adapted to plug Into the Interface port of the computer via one of the multiple interface connectors (ti4, 65) so that the computer is able to read data stored in the memory card.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a multi-interface memory card is provided, which includes: a micro controller; a memory unit connected to the miuo controller, such that external computers or electronic products can read data from or write data to said memory unit under the control of the micro controller;
multiple connection interfaces connected to the mert~ory unit via the micro controller for controlling data access, the connection interfaces conforming to different interface specifications; and a product interface for connecting to a digital product to read or write data.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an adapter module is provided for a multi-interface memory card having a front end 1 formed thereon with an interface port for providing multiple connection 2 interfaces and a product interface. The adapter module includes: a housing 3 defining a slot for receiving the memory card; multiple interface 4 connectors held in the housing and adapted for connecting to corresponding interface ports of a computer; and a terminal seat held in the 6 housing, the terminal seat having a plurality of connection terminals, each 7 having one end for facing to the interface port of the memory card, and 8 another end connected to the multiple interface connectors.
9 In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a multi-interface memory card is provided, which includes: a micro controller; a 11 memory unit connected to the micro controller, such that external 12 computers or electronic products can read data from or write data to said 13 memory unit under the control of the micro controller; a connection 14 interface connected to the memory unit via the micro controller for controlling data access, the connection interface conforming to an IEEE
16 1394 interface specification; and a product interface for connecting to a 17 digital product to read or write data.
18 , In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, an 19 adapter module is provided for a mufti-interface memory card having a front end formed thereon with an interface port for providing an IEEE 1394 21 interface and a host interface. The adapter module includes: a housing 22 defining a slot for receiving the memory card; an IEEE 1394 interface 23 connector held in the housing and adapted for connecting to a 24 corresponding interface port of a computer; and a terminal seat held in the ' CA 02303565 2000-04-14 . . , ' 1 housing, the terminal seat having a plurality of connection terminals, each 2 having one end for facing to the interface port of the memory card, and 3 another end connected to the IEEE 1394 interface connector.
4 Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken 6 in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
7 B 1EF D .S . TPTION OF T F D AW1NC'T~
8 FIG. 1 is the circuit diagram of a mufti-interface memory card in 9 accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the micro controller shown in FIG. 1;
I1 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the memory card and an adapter 12 module in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present 13 invention;
14 FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the adapter module being inserted with the mufti-interface memory card in accordance with the first preferred 16 embodiment of the present invention;
17 FIG. 5 is a plane view of the adapter module being inserted with the 18 mufti-interface memory card in accordance with the first preferred 19 embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is the circuit diagram of a mufti-interface memory card in 21 accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
22 FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the micro controller shown in FIG. 6; and 23 FIG. 8 is a plane view of the adapter module being inserted with the 24 mufti-interface memory card in accordance with the second preferred 1 embodiment of the present invention.
2 D TAI . .D D .~ 1PTION OF T . P FF . RRI~ RMR(~I~TMFNT
3 FIG. 1 shows a circuit structure of a mufti-interface memory card in 4 accordance with the present invention, which includes a micro controller (10), a memory unit (20), one or more connection interfaces (31, 32), and a 6 product interface (40). The memory unit (20) is connected to the micro 7 controller ( 10) via an address bus and a data bus, such that external 8 computers or electronic products can read data from or write data to the 9 memory unit (20) under the control of the micro controller ( 10). The connection interfaces (31, 32) are provided to connect to the memory unit 11 (20) via the micro controller ( 10) for data access. The product interface (40) 12 is provided to connect to a digital product, such as a digital camera, to read 13 or write data. The micro controller ( 10) executes software to perform a data 14 conversion operation to convert data read from an external product and store the converted data in desired memory locations in the memory unit 16 (20). Furthermore, when the memory card is connected to a computer, the 17 micro controller ( 10) can read data from the memory (20) and convert the 18 data for transfer to the computer via a corresponding interface.
19 FIG. 2 shows the structure of the micro controller ( 10), which includes a microprocessor ( 13), a memory interface ( 15), multiple connection 21 interface controllers ( 1 l, 12), and a host interface controller ( 14).
The 22 connection interface controllers ( 11, 12) are connected to the 23 microprocessor (13) and the external connection interfaces (31, 32). The 24 host interface controller ( 14) is connected to the microprocessor ( 13) and 1 the external product interface (40). The memory interface ( 12) is 2 connected to the microprocessor ( 13 ), the connection interface controllers 3 ( 11, 12), and the host interface controller ( 14).
4 In this preferred embodiment, the micro controller ( 10) is provided with two connection interface controllers (11, 12); one is a USB interface 6 controller and the other one is an IEEE 1394 interface controller.
7 The host interface controller ( 14) is preferred to conform to the 8 specification of a STONE card for connecting to the external product 9 interface (40).
With reference to FIG. 1, the memory unit (20) is composed of flash 11 memory, random access memory or read only memory chips. In this 12 preferred embodiment, the memory unit (20) is composed of four flash 13 memory chips (2124) connected together via the bus and also connected 14 to the micro controller ( 10).
1 S In this preferred embodiment, there are two connection interfaces (31, 16 32); one is a USB interface and the other is an IEEE1394 interface for 17 connecting to the two connection interface controllers (11, 12), 18 respectively.
19 The product interface (40) is preferred to conform to the specification of the STONE card for connecting to the host interface controller ( 14).
21 When the memory card is installed in a product and electrically 22 connected to the product via the product interface (40), the data output of 23 the product is transferred to the memory card via the product interface (40), 24 and processed by the micro controller ( 10) for being stored in the memory _ g unit (20).
With such a design, the memory card can be placed in a product for recording data and writing the stored data to a computer via different interfaces or read data from a computer.
A practical Implementation of the memory card in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 3 for illustrative purpose. It is shown that a memory card (50) is in use with an adapter module (60), wherein the memory card (50) has the aforementioned micro controller (10), memory unit (20), and multiple interfaces.
Furthermore, a front end of the memory card (50) is provided with an intertace port (51 ) having a plurality of terminal holes. Four of the terminal holes are provided as the USB interface, while the others are provided as the IEEE 1394 interface and the product interface. In order to connect the memory card {50) to different intertace ports of a computer, the adapter module {60) fs employed, the internal structure of which is shown in FIG. 4.
With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the adapter module (60) has an upper shell (61 ) and a lower shell (62) for combining with the upper shell (61 ) to form a housing, in which a terminal seat (63) is provided at one end of the housing, and a USB connector (64) and an IEEE 1394 connector {65) are provided at an opposite end of the housing.
The upper shell (61 ) and the lower shell (62) can be secured together by screw means or other appropriate securing means. Each of the upper shell (61 ) and lower shell (62) defines an opening at a first end thereof, 1 thereby forming a slot (66) for receiving the memory card (50). A second 2 end of each of the upper shell (61 ) and lower shell (62) has a Y-shape and 3 defines two openings, thereby forming two slots for receiving the USB
4 connector (64) and IEEE 1394 connector (65).
The terminal seat (63) is substantially an H-shaped body which has 6 two parallel rims and a rib extending between the two rims. Each of the 7 rims defines a sliding slot (not shown) in an inner side thereof, such that the 8 memory card (50) can smoothly slide into the terminal seat (63). A
9 plurality of connection terminals (631 ) is extended through the rib. Each connection terminal (631 ) has one end for facing to the interface port (51 ) 11 of the memory card (50), and another end connected to the USB connector 12 (64) and IEEE 1394 connector (65). Therefore, when the memory card (50) 13 is inserted into the adapter module (60), the interface port (51) of the 14 memory card (50) receives the connection terminals (631 ) of the terminal seat (63 ), such that the interface port (51 ) is electrically connected to the 16 USB connector (64) and the IEEE 1394 connector (65) via the plurality of 17 connection terminals (631 ).
18 After the memory card (50) is combined with the adapter module (60), 19 as shown in FIG. 5, it can be plugged to the interface port of a computer via the USB connector (64) or the IEEE 1394 connector (65). The memory 21 card (50) in the adapter module (60) is thus electrically connected to the 22 computer. Because the memory card (50) is directly connected to the 23 computer via a high speed interface, the data transfer between the memory 24 card (50) and the computer is fast. Accordingly, the computer can read data 1 from or write data to the memory card (50) in a fast and convenient 2 manner.
3 In addition to directly inserting the adapter module (60) into the 4 interface port of a computer, the adapter module (60) can be inserted into 5 the slot of a hub that is further connected to the computer.
2. Description of Related Art 11 Digital devices, such as electronic dictionaries, electronic translators, 12 digital cameras, etc., are in widespread use today. The use of these digital 13 devices requires storing of data in storage media, and generally memory 14 cards are provided for such a purpose. As well known to those skilled in the art, various kinds of memory cards, such as the STONE card, Smart Media 16 card, MMC card, Memory Stick card and Compact Flash card, have been 17 provided with the advantages of compactness and large storage capacity, 18 typically, more than several mega-bytes. The use of such memory cards 19 enables the miniaturization of digital products. However, they do not have standard interfaces for communicating with a computer. Therefore, it is 21 inconvenient to use a computer to read data from the memory card. Some 22 of the existing methods to transfer data between a computer and a memory 23 card are as follows:
24 1. Using a card reader: A card reader is provided to connect to an , I interface port of a computer such that the computer is able to read data 2 from a memory card that is inserted in the card reader. As different memory 3 cards have different interfaces, a dedicated card reader must be provided 4 for a specific memory card.
2. Using a transform disk: A transform disk that has the same 6 physical specification as the 3.5-inch disk is provided with a slot for 7 receiving a memory card, such that a computer can write data to or read 8 data from the memory card when the transform disk is inserted into the 9 disk drive of the computer.
There are several problems encountered in using the aforementioned 1 I methods. For example, most of the card readers can not write data to the 12 memory cards, and the data access speed is slow when the transform disk 13 and disk drive are used for transferring data between a memory card and a 14 computer. Furthermore, the use of a transform disk and disk drive to read or write data is likely to result in mechanical disorders because data is 16 accessed by physical contact.
17 Moreover, the interface port provided for a computer generally 18 depends on the requirement of the computer, and may vary according to the 19 development of the computer industry. For example, the USB port and IEEE 1394 interfaces have been introduced recently to provide high speed 21 and large capacity interfacing capabilities. Clearly, if a memory card is to 22 be used with computers with respective different interfaces, different kinds 23 of card readers or transform devices are required, and thus it is obvious that 24 the use of the memory card is inconvenient.
To solve the aforemenfroned problems, a memory card is provided in US
Patent 6,385,677, entitled "Dual interface memory card and adapter module for the same". Although this patent may effectively eliminate the drawbacks in using the card reader or transform disk, it is deemed unsatisfactory as the memory card only has one kind of interface, e.g, the USB port, to communicate with the computer.
Therefore, a novel memory card that can mitigate and/or obviate the problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVI=NTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a mufti-intertace memory card and an adapter module for the memory card to conveniently transfer data between the memory card and a computer without the risk of mechanical disorder.
According to the invention, there is provided a mufti-intertace memory card (50) in combination with an adapter module (60), wherein the mufti-interface memory card (50) comprises:
a micro controller (10);
a memory unit (20) connected to the micro controller (10) to store data;
multiple connection interfaces (31, 32) connected to the memory unit (20) via the micro controller (10) for data access in the memory unit (20); and a product tntertace (40) for connection with a digital product;
wherein the adapter module (60) comprises;
a housing alternatively and slidably receiving the mufti-interface memory card (50) therein;
multiple interface connectors (64, 65) formed on the housing and adapted for connection to interface ports of a computer; and a terminal seat (63) formed in the housing, the terminal seat (63) being composed of a plurality of connection terminals (631 ), wherein each connection terminal (631 ) has a first end and a second end, the first end to electrically connect to the connection interfaces (31 )(32) and the product interface (40) of the memory card (50), and the second end is connected to the multiple interface connectors (64, 65) of the adapter module (60);
-3a-whereby when the multi-interface memory card (50) is installed in the digital product via the product interface (40), data output from the digital product is transferred to the memory cans (50) through the product interface (40) and processed by the micro controller (10) to be stored in the memory unit (20);
after the multi-interface memory card (50) is combined with the adapter module (60), the adapter module (60) Is adapted to plug Into the Interface port of the computer via one of the multiple interface connectors (ti4, 65) so that the computer is able to read data stored in the memory card.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a multi-interface memory card is provided, which includes: a micro controller; a memory unit connected to the miuo controller, such that external computers or electronic products can read data from or write data to said memory unit under the control of the micro controller;
multiple connection interfaces connected to the mert~ory unit via the micro controller for controlling data access, the connection interfaces conforming to different interface specifications; and a product interface for connecting to a digital product to read or write data.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an adapter module is provided for a multi-interface memory card having a front end 1 formed thereon with an interface port for providing multiple connection 2 interfaces and a product interface. The adapter module includes: a housing 3 defining a slot for receiving the memory card; multiple interface 4 connectors held in the housing and adapted for connecting to corresponding interface ports of a computer; and a terminal seat held in the 6 housing, the terminal seat having a plurality of connection terminals, each 7 having one end for facing to the interface port of the memory card, and 8 another end connected to the multiple interface connectors.
9 In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a multi-interface memory card is provided, which includes: a micro controller; a 11 memory unit connected to the micro controller, such that external 12 computers or electronic products can read data from or write data to said 13 memory unit under the control of the micro controller; a connection 14 interface connected to the memory unit via the micro controller for controlling data access, the connection interface conforming to an IEEE
16 1394 interface specification; and a product interface for connecting to a 17 digital product to read or write data.
18 , In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, an 19 adapter module is provided for a mufti-interface memory card having a front end formed thereon with an interface port for providing an IEEE 1394 21 interface and a host interface. The adapter module includes: a housing 22 defining a slot for receiving the memory card; an IEEE 1394 interface 23 connector held in the housing and adapted for connecting to a 24 corresponding interface port of a computer; and a terminal seat held in the ' CA 02303565 2000-04-14 . . , ' 1 housing, the terminal seat having a plurality of connection terminals, each 2 having one end for facing to the interface port of the memory card, and 3 another end connected to the IEEE 1394 interface connector.
4 Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken 6 in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
7 B 1EF D .S . TPTION OF T F D AW1NC'T~
8 FIG. 1 is the circuit diagram of a mufti-interface memory card in 9 accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the micro controller shown in FIG. 1;
I1 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the memory card and an adapter 12 module in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present 13 invention;
14 FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the adapter module being inserted with the mufti-interface memory card in accordance with the first preferred 16 embodiment of the present invention;
17 FIG. 5 is a plane view of the adapter module being inserted with the 18 mufti-interface memory card in accordance with the first preferred 19 embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is the circuit diagram of a mufti-interface memory card in 21 accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
22 FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the micro controller shown in FIG. 6; and 23 FIG. 8 is a plane view of the adapter module being inserted with the 24 mufti-interface memory card in accordance with the second preferred 1 embodiment of the present invention.
2 D TAI . .D D .~ 1PTION OF T . P FF . RRI~ RMR(~I~TMFNT
3 FIG. 1 shows a circuit structure of a mufti-interface memory card in 4 accordance with the present invention, which includes a micro controller (10), a memory unit (20), one or more connection interfaces (31, 32), and a 6 product interface (40). The memory unit (20) is connected to the micro 7 controller ( 10) via an address bus and a data bus, such that external 8 computers or electronic products can read data from or write data to the 9 memory unit (20) under the control of the micro controller ( 10). The connection interfaces (31, 32) are provided to connect to the memory unit 11 (20) via the micro controller ( 10) for data access. The product interface (40) 12 is provided to connect to a digital product, such as a digital camera, to read 13 or write data. The micro controller ( 10) executes software to perform a data 14 conversion operation to convert data read from an external product and store the converted data in desired memory locations in the memory unit 16 (20). Furthermore, when the memory card is connected to a computer, the 17 micro controller ( 10) can read data from the memory (20) and convert the 18 data for transfer to the computer via a corresponding interface.
19 FIG. 2 shows the structure of the micro controller ( 10), which includes a microprocessor ( 13), a memory interface ( 15), multiple connection 21 interface controllers ( 1 l, 12), and a host interface controller ( 14).
The 22 connection interface controllers ( 11, 12) are connected to the 23 microprocessor (13) and the external connection interfaces (31, 32). The 24 host interface controller ( 14) is connected to the microprocessor ( 13) and 1 the external product interface (40). The memory interface ( 12) is 2 connected to the microprocessor ( 13 ), the connection interface controllers 3 ( 11, 12), and the host interface controller ( 14).
4 In this preferred embodiment, the micro controller ( 10) is provided with two connection interface controllers (11, 12); one is a USB interface 6 controller and the other one is an IEEE 1394 interface controller.
7 The host interface controller ( 14) is preferred to conform to the 8 specification of a STONE card for connecting to the external product 9 interface (40).
With reference to FIG. 1, the memory unit (20) is composed of flash 11 memory, random access memory or read only memory chips. In this 12 preferred embodiment, the memory unit (20) is composed of four flash 13 memory chips (2124) connected together via the bus and also connected 14 to the micro controller ( 10).
1 S In this preferred embodiment, there are two connection interfaces (31, 16 32); one is a USB interface and the other is an IEEE1394 interface for 17 connecting to the two connection interface controllers (11, 12), 18 respectively.
19 The product interface (40) is preferred to conform to the specification of the STONE card for connecting to the host interface controller ( 14).
21 When the memory card is installed in a product and electrically 22 connected to the product via the product interface (40), the data output of 23 the product is transferred to the memory card via the product interface (40), 24 and processed by the micro controller ( 10) for being stored in the memory _ g unit (20).
With such a design, the memory card can be placed in a product for recording data and writing the stored data to a computer via different interfaces or read data from a computer.
A practical Implementation of the memory card in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 3 for illustrative purpose. It is shown that a memory card (50) is in use with an adapter module (60), wherein the memory card (50) has the aforementioned micro controller (10), memory unit (20), and multiple interfaces.
Furthermore, a front end of the memory card (50) is provided with an intertace port (51 ) having a plurality of terminal holes. Four of the terminal holes are provided as the USB interface, while the others are provided as the IEEE 1394 interface and the product interface. In order to connect the memory card {50) to different intertace ports of a computer, the adapter module {60) fs employed, the internal structure of which is shown in FIG. 4.
With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the adapter module (60) has an upper shell (61 ) and a lower shell (62) for combining with the upper shell (61 ) to form a housing, in which a terminal seat (63) is provided at one end of the housing, and a USB connector (64) and an IEEE 1394 connector {65) are provided at an opposite end of the housing.
The upper shell (61 ) and the lower shell (62) can be secured together by screw means or other appropriate securing means. Each of the upper shell (61 ) and lower shell (62) defines an opening at a first end thereof, 1 thereby forming a slot (66) for receiving the memory card (50). A second 2 end of each of the upper shell (61 ) and lower shell (62) has a Y-shape and 3 defines two openings, thereby forming two slots for receiving the USB
4 connector (64) and IEEE 1394 connector (65).
The terminal seat (63) is substantially an H-shaped body which has 6 two parallel rims and a rib extending between the two rims. Each of the 7 rims defines a sliding slot (not shown) in an inner side thereof, such that the 8 memory card (50) can smoothly slide into the terminal seat (63). A
9 plurality of connection terminals (631 ) is extended through the rib. Each connection terminal (631 ) has one end for facing to the interface port (51 ) 11 of the memory card (50), and another end connected to the USB connector 12 (64) and IEEE 1394 connector (65). Therefore, when the memory card (50) 13 is inserted into the adapter module (60), the interface port (51) of the 14 memory card (50) receives the connection terminals (631 ) of the terminal seat (63 ), such that the interface port (51 ) is electrically connected to the 16 USB connector (64) and the IEEE 1394 connector (65) via the plurality of 17 connection terminals (631 ).
18 After the memory card (50) is combined with the adapter module (60), 19 as shown in FIG. 5, it can be plugged to the interface port of a computer via the USB connector (64) or the IEEE 1394 connector (65). The memory 21 card (50) in the adapter module (60) is thus electrically connected to the 22 computer. Because the memory card (50) is directly connected to the 23 computer via a high speed interface, the data transfer between the memory 24 card (50) and the computer is fast. Accordingly, the computer can read data 1 from or write data to the memory card (50) in a fast and convenient 2 manner.
3 In addition to directly inserting the adapter module (60) into the 4 interface port of a computer, the adapter module (60) can be inserted into 5 the slot of a hub that is further connected to the computer.
6 FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of another preferred embodiment in 7 accordance with the present. invention, which differs from the previous 8 embodiment in that the memory card is provided with only a connection 9 interface (30) and a product interface (40). The connection interface (30) 10 and product interface (40) are connected to the memory unit (20) via the 1 I micro controller ( 10).
12 FIG. 7 shows the structure of the micro controller (10), which includes 13 a microprocessor ( 13), a memory interface ( 15), an IEEE 1394 interface 14 controller ( 12), and a host interface controller ( 14). The IEEE 1394 interface controller (12) is connected to the connection interface (30). The 16 host interface controller ( 14) is connected to the product interface (40).
17 As a result, the memory card can be placed in a product for recording 18 data, or connected to the IEEE 1394 interface port of a computer via an 19 adapter module. As shown in FIG. 8, the adapter module (70) is the same as that of the previous embodiment except that only one IEEE 1394 21 connector (71 ) is provided for connecting the memory card (50) in the 22 adapter module (70) to the IEEE 1394 interface port of the computer.
23 The above description depicts the multi-interface memory card and the 24 adapter module in accordance with the present invention. It is appreciated I that such a design can be applied to the existing STONE card, Smart Media 2 card, MMC card, Memory Stick card, Compact Flash card, and the like.
3 Consequently, it is convenient to use a computer to read data from or write 4 data to different kinds of memory cards.
Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its 6 preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible 7 modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit 8 and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
12 FIG. 7 shows the structure of the micro controller (10), which includes 13 a microprocessor ( 13), a memory interface ( 15), an IEEE 1394 interface 14 controller ( 12), and a host interface controller ( 14). The IEEE 1394 interface controller (12) is connected to the connection interface (30). The 16 host interface controller ( 14) is connected to the product interface (40).
17 As a result, the memory card can be placed in a product for recording 18 data, or connected to the IEEE 1394 interface port of a computer via an 19 adapter module. As shown in FIG. 8, the adapter module (70) is the same as that of the previous embodiment except that only one IEEE 1394 21 connector (71 ) is provided for connecting the memory card (50) in the 22 adapter module (70) to the IEEE 1394 interface port of the computer.
23 The above description depicts the multi-interface memory card and the 24 adapter module in accordance with the present invention. It is appreciated I that such a design can be applied to the existing STONE card, Smart Media 2 card, MMC card, Memory Stick card, Compact Flash card, and the like.
3 Consequently, it is convenient to use a computer to read data from or write 4 data to different kinds of memory cards.
Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its 6 preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible 7 modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit 8 and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Claims (9)
1. A multi-interface memory card (50) in combination with an adapter module (60), wherein the multi-interface memory card (50) comprises:
a micro controller (10);
a memory unit (20) connected to the micro controller (10) to store data;
multiple connection interfaces (31, 32) connected to the memory unit (20) via the micro controller (10) for data access in the memory unit (20); and a product interface (40) for connection with a digital product;
wherein the adapter module (60) comprises:
a housing alternatively and slidably receiving the multi-interface memory card (50) therein;
multiple interface connectors (64, 65) formed on the housing and adapted for connection to interface ports of a computer; and a terminal seat (63) formed in the housing, the terminal seat (63) being composed of a plurality of connection terminals (631), wherein each connection terminal (631) has a first end and a second end, the first end to electrically connect to the connection interfaces (31)(32) and the product interface (40) of the memory card (50), and the second end is connected to the multiple interface connectors (64, 65) of the adapter module (60);
whereby when the multi-interface memory card (50) is installed in the digital product via the product interface (40), data output from the digital product is transferred to the memory card (50) through the product interface (40) and processed by the micro controller (10) to be stored in the memory unit (20);
after the multi-interface memory card (50) is combined with the adapter module (60), the adapter module (60) is adapted to plug into the interface port of the computer via one of the multiple interface connectors (64, 65) so that the computer is able to read data stored in the memory card.
a micro controller (10);
a memory unit (20) connected to the micro controller (10) to store data;
multiple connection interfaces (31, 32) connected to the memory unit (20) via the micro controller (10) for data access in the memory unit (20); and a product interface (40) for connection with a digital product;
wherein the adapter module (60) comprises:
a housing alternatively and slidably receiving the multi-interface memory card (50) therein;
multiple interface connectors (64, 65) formed on the housing and adapted for connection to interface ports of a computer; and a terminal seat (63) formed in the housing, the terminal seat (63) being composed of a plurality of connection terminals (631), wherein each connection terminal (631) has a first end and a second end, the first end to electrically connect to the connection interfaces (31)(32) and the product interface (40) of the memory card (50), and the second end is connected to the multiple interface connectors (64, 65) of the adapter module (60);
whereby when the multi-interface memory card (50) is installed in the digital product via the product interface (40), data output from the digital product is transferred to the memory card (50) through the product interface (40) and processed by the micro controller (10) to be stored in the memory unit (20);
after the multi-interface memory card (50) is combined with the adapter module (60), the adapter module (60) is adapted to plug into the interface port of the computer via one of the multiple interface connectors (64, 65) so that the computer is able to read data stored in the memory card.
2. The multi-interface memory card (50) in combination with the adapter module (60) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the micro controller (10) of the multi interface memory card (50) comprises:
a microprocessor (13);
multiple connection interface controllers (11, 12) connected to the microprocessor (13) and correspondingly connected to the multiple connection interfaces (31, 32);
a host interface controller (14) connected between the product interface (40) and the microprocessor (13); and a memory interface (15) connected to the microprocessor (13), the multiple connection interface controllers (11, 12), the host interface controller (14) and the memory unit (20).
a microprocessor (13);
multiple connection interface controllers (11, 12) connected to the microprocessor (13) and correspondingly connected to the multiple connection interfaces (31, 32);
a host interface controller (14) connected between the product interface (40) and the microprocessor (13); and a memory interface (15) connected to the microprocessor (13), the multiple connection interface controllers (11, 12), the host interface controller (14) and the memory unit (20).
3. The multi-interface memory card (50) in combination with the adapter module (60) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the housing of the adapter module (60) is composed of an upper shell (61) and a lower shell (62), wherein each of the upper shell (61) and lower shell (62) has a first end defined with an opening, so that a first slot (66) to receive the memory card (50) is defined by the two openings when the upper shell (61) and the lower shell (62) are combined;
wherein second slots are defined via second ends of the upper shell (61) and lower shell (62) after the upper shell (61) and the lower shell (62) are combined so that the multiple interface connectors (64, 65) are able to be received in the second slots.
wherein second slots are defined via second ends of the upper shell (61) and lower shell (62) after the upper shell (61) and the lower shell (62) are combined so that the multiple interface connectors (64, 65) are able to be received in the second slots.
4. The multi-interface memory card (50) in combination with the adapter module (60) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the terminal seat (63) is an H-shaped body that has two parallel rims and a rib extending between the two rims, each rim defines a sliding slot in an inner side of the rim to alternatively and slidably receive therein the memory card, and the plurality of connection terminals (631) is extended through the rib to connect to the multiple interface connectors (64, 65).
5. The multi-interface memory card (50) in combination with the adapter module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the terminal seat (63) is an H-shaped body that has two parallel rims and a rib extending between the two rims, each rim defines a sliding slot in an inner side of the rim, and the plurality of connection terminals (631) is extended through the rib to connect to the multiple interface connectors (64, 65).
6. The multi-interface memory card (50) in combination with the adapter module (60) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the multiple connection interfaces (31)(32) of the multi-interface memory card (50) Include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface (31) and an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers 1394 (IEEE 1394) interface (32).
7. The multi-interface memory card (50) in combination with the adapter module (60) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the multiple connection interfaces (31)(32) of the multi-interface memory card (50) include a USB interface (31) and an IEEE
1394 interface (32).
1394 interface (32).
8. The multi-interface memory card (50) in combination with the adapter module (60) as claimed in claim 6, wherein a front end of the multi-interface memory card (50) is provided with an interface port (51) to electrically connect to the terminal seat (63) of the adapter module (60), and the interface port (51) has a plurality of terminal holes, wherein four of the terminal holes are provided as the USB
interface and the others are provided as the IEEE 1394 and the product interface (40).
interface and the others are provided as the IEEE 1394 and the product interface (40).
9. The multi-interface memory card (50) in combination with the adapter module (60) as claimed in claim 7, wherein a front end of the multi-interface memory card (50) is provided with an interface port (51) to electrically connect to the terminal seat (63) of the adapter module (60), the interface port (51) has a plurality of terminal holes, wherein four of the terminal holes are provided as the USB interface, while the others are provided as the IEEE 1394 and the product interface (40).
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNB001064932A CN100381979C (en) | 2000-04-11 | 2000-04-11 | Multi-interface memory card and conversion module thereof |
| CA002303565A CA2303565C (en) | 2000-04-11 | 2000-04-14 | Multi-interface memory card and adapter module for the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNB001064932A CN100381979C (en) | 2000-04-11 | 2000-04-11 | Multi-interface memory card and conversion module thereof |
| CA002303565A CA2303565C (en) | 2000-04-11 | 2000-04-14 | Multi-interface memory card and adapter module for the same |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2303565A1 CA2303565A1 (en) | 2001-10-14 |
| CA2303565C true CA2303565C (en) | 2005-06-28 |
Family
ID=25681685
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002303565A Expired - Lifetime CA2303565C (en) | 2000-04-11 | 2000-04-14 | Multi-interface memory card and adapter module for the same |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN100381979C (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2303565C (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2003044732A1 (en) * | 2001-11-23 | 2003-05-30 | Netac Technology Co., Ltd. | Semiconductor storage method and device supporting multi-interfaces |
| CN1367438B (en) * | 2002-02-09 | 2012-02-08 | 深圳市朗科科技股份有限公司 | Semiconductor storage method for supporting several interfaces and device |
| US20040199777A1 (en) * | 2003-02-28 | 2004-10-07 | Tanita Corporation | Storage device for biological data acquiring apparatus, biological data acquiring apparatus using storage device, data transmitter, storage device having data transmitter, and biological data acquiring apparatus using storage device having data transmitter |
| CN1322437C (en) * | 2003-10-24 | 2007-06-20 | 旺玖科技股份有限公司 | Multi-host access device for multi-host access to storage media |
| FR2875087A1 (en) * | 2004-09-03 | 2006-03-10 | St Microelectronics Sa | COMMUNICATION INTERFACE |
| CN100547514C (en) * | 2005-06-06 | 2009-10-07 | 仁宝电脑工业股份有限公司 | Portable storage device with multiple connection interfaces |
| US20080098380A1 (en) * | 2006-10-18 | 2008-04-24 | Toby Klusmeyer | System, method, and device for updating programmable electronic equipment with a transport device from a deployment server via the internet or other communication medium |
| CN101916253A (en) * | 2010-06-23 | 2010-12-15 | 任勇 | A method and device for adding additional information to a file on a storage device |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN2261646Y (en) * | 1996-07-16 | 1997-09-03 | 支超有 | IEEE-488/CAN interface converter |
| CN2335186Y (en) * | 1997-02-28 | 1999-08-25 | 昆盈企业股份有限公司 | Computer input device with mode switching function |
| US6102715A (en) * | 1998-02-10 | 2000-08-15 | The Great American Gumball Corporation | Personal computer peripheral device adapter |
| US6044428A (en) * | 1998-03-17 | 2000-03-28 | Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation | Configurable universal serial bus node |
| JPH11316628A (en) * | 1998-05-01 | 1999-11-16 | Nec Yonezawa Ltd | Data exchange device |
| CN2365768Y (en) * | 1998-07-02 | 2000-02-23 | 姚立和 | Card memory adapter |
| CN2361009Y (en) * | 1998-12-22 | 2000-01-26 | 谢荣原 | Compact Flash Memory Card Adapter |
| CN2371688Y (en) * | 1999-04-13 | 2000-03-29 | 陈秋生 | Improved USB plug |
-
2000
- 2000-04-11 CN CNB001064932A patent/CN100381979C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-04-14 CA CA002303565A patent/CA2303565C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2303565A1 (en) | 2001-10-14 |
| CN1317766A (en) | 2001-10-17 |
| CN100381979C (en) | 2008-04-16 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20200414 |