External connection device, host device, and data communication system

• US 20040133717A1
• Filed: 10/16/2003
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Tashiro, Jun
• Granted Patent: US 7,124,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/72
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0607 by facilitating the process of upgrading existing storage systems, e.g. for improving compatibility between host and storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0634 by changing the state or mode of one or more devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0659 Command handling arrangements, e.g. command buffers, queues, command scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0679 Non-volatile semiconductor memory device, e.g. flash memory, one time programmable memory [OTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/08 from or to individual record carriers, e.g. punched card , memory card, integrated circuit [IC] card or smart card

Abstract

This invention is a memory card as an external connection device to be connected to an information processing device such as a computer as a host device. A memory card (1) has a register circuit (13), a data buffer circuit (14), a memory I/F controller (16), and a flash memory (17). The register circuit (13) and the data buffer circuit (14) are accessed from the host device using a command (TPC) defined by a transfer protocol. As a TPC, extension command is set which is adapted for simultaneously transferring a parameter to be stored into the register circuit (13) and a control command to be provided to the memory I/F controller (16).

Claims

1. An external connection device to be connected to a host device, the external connection device comprising:

a parameter register for storing a parameter;

a command register for storing an operation control command provided from the host device; and

a controller for referring to the operation control command stored in the command register and performing operation control specified by the operation control command;

wherein the parameter register and the command register are accessed from the host device on the basis of a transfer protocol command (TPC) issued from the host device; and

a command set of the TPC includes a register write command for transmitting an arbitrary operation control command and an arbitrary parameter from the host device to this device, storing the transmitted operation control command into the command register, and storing the transmitted parameter into the parameter register.

2. The external connection device as claimed in claim 1, having a card-like appearance.

3. An external connection device to be connected to a host device, the external connection device comprising:

a parameter register for storing a parameter;

a command register for storing an operation control command provided from the host device; and

a controller for referring to the operation control command stored in the command register and performing operation control specified by the operation control command;

wherein the parameter register and the command register are accessed from the host device on the basis of a transfer protocol command (TPC) issued from the host device; and

a command set of the TPC includes

a first register write command for transmitting an arbitrary parameter from the host device to this device and storing the transmitted parameter into the parameter register,

a second register write command for transmitting an arbitrary operation control command from the host device to this device and storing the transmitted operation control command into the command register, and

a third register write command for transmitting an arbitrary operation control command and an arbitrary parameter from the host device to this device, storing the transmitted operation control command into the command register, and storing the transmitted parameter into the parameter register.

4. The external connection device as claimed in claim 3, having a card-like appearance.

5. A host device to which an external connection device is connected,

the host device comprising transmission means for transmitting a parameter and an operation control command indicating a command for performing operation control of the external connection device, to the external connection device,

the external connection device comprising a parameter register for storing the parameter, a command register for storing the operation control command provided from this device, and a controller for referring to the operation control command stored in the command register and performing operation control specified by the operation control command,

wherein the transmission means issues a transfer protocol command (TPC) to the external connection device, thereby accessing the parameter register and the command register of the external connection device, and

a command set of the TPC includes a register write command for transmitting an arbitrary operation control command and an arbitrary parameter from this device to the external connection device, storing the transmitted operation control command into the command register, and storing the transmitted parameter into the parameter register.

6. The host device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the external connection device has a card-like appearance.

7. A host device to which an external connection device is connected,

the host device comprising transmission means for transmitting a parameter and an operation control command indicating a command for performing operation control of the external connection device, to the external connection device,

the external connection device comprising a parameter register for storing the parameter, a command register for storing the operation control command provided from this device, and a controller for referring to the operation control command stored in the command register and performing operation control specified by the operation control command,

wherein the transmission means issues a transfer protocol command (TPC) to the external connection device, thereby accessing the parameter register and the command register of the external connection device, and

a command set of the TPC includes

a first register write command for transmitting an arbitrary parameter from this device to the external connection device and storing the transmitted parameter into the parameter register of the external connection device,

a second register write command for transmitting an arbitrary operation control command from this device to the external connection device and storing the transmitted operation control command into the command register of the external connection device, and

a third register write command for transmitting an arbitrary operation control command and an arbitrary parameter from this device to the external connection device, storing the transmitted operation control command into the command register of the external connection device, and storing the transmitted parameter into the parameter register of the external connection device.

8. The host device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the external connection device has a card-like appearance.

9. A data communication system comprising a host device and an external connection device to be connected to the host device,

the host device comprising transmission means for transmitting a parameter and an operation control command indicating a command for performing operation control of the external connection device, to the external connection device,

the external connection device comprising a parameter register for storing the parameter, a command register for storing the operation control command provided from the host device, and a controller for referring to the operation control command stored in the command register and performing operation control specified by the operation control command,

wherein the parameter register and the command register of the external connection device are accessed from the host device on the basis of a transfer protocol command (TPC) issued from the host device,

a command set of the TPC includes a register write command for transmitting an arbitrary operation control command and an arbitrary parameter from the host device to the external connection device, storing the transmitted operation control command into the command register, and storing the transmitted parameter into the parameter register.

10. The data communication system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the external connection device has a card-like appearance.

11. A data communication system comprising a host device and an external connection device to be connected to the host device,

the host device comprising transmission means for transmitting a parameter and an operation control command indicating a command for performing operation control of the external connection device, to the external connection device,

the external connection device comprising a parameter register for storing the parameter, a command register for storing the operation control command provided from the host device, and a controller for referring to the operation control command stored in the command register and performing operation control specified by the operation control command,

wherein the parameter register and the command register of the external connection device are accessed from the host device on the basis of a transfer protocol command (TPC) issued from the host device,

a command set of the TPC includes

a first register write command for transmitting an arbitrary parameter from the host device to the external connection device and storing the transmitted parameter into the parameter register,

a second register write command for transmitting an arbitrary operation control command from the host device to the external connection device and storing the transmitted operation control command into the command register, and

a third register write command for transmitting an arbitrary operation control command and an arbitrary parameter from the host device to the external connection device, storing the transmitted operation control command into the command register, and storing the transmitted parameter into the parameter register.

12. The data communication system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the external connection device has a card-like appearance.