Method for determining transmitting mode of a memory card with multiple interface functions

• US 20050251593A1
• Filed: 07/07/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Prolific Technology Inc.
• Original Assignee: Prolific Technology Inc.
• Inventors: Lee, Chung-Liang, Lin, Chanson, Tai, Jui-Jung
• Granted Patent: US 7,254,650 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/62
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07732 the record carrier having a housing or construction similar to well-known portable memory devices, such as SD cards, USB or memory sticks housings for electrical equipment in general, see H05K5/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07733 the record carrier containing at least one further contact interface not conform ISO-7816
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00

Abstract

A memory card with multiple interface functions is provided. The memory card comprises a multiple interface controller, comprising at least a USB processor, MMC/HS MMC processor and SD processor, and each processor individually connected to a data r/w controller and a shared interface bus, the data r/w controller connected to at least a data-storage medium, and shared interface bus connected to a computer system or IA product. The function of a mode detector/switch is used for detecting the compatible transmitting mode of the connected computer system or IA products, and to switch shared interface bus to match USB processor, MMC/HS MMC processor or SD processor for application. Thus, selecting transmitting mode between data r/w controller and the computer system or IA products connected thereto, the present invention does not only economize on the usage of card reader but also could be applied to various transmitting interface devices and enhancing on its user-friendly performance.

Claims

1. A memory card with multiple interface functions, comprising:

a data storage medium;

a multiple interface controller comprising a memory card protocol processor connected to said data storage medium through a data r/w controller; and

a shared interface bus connected to said a memory card protocol processor and a host system respectively, said shared interface bus comprising a plurality of transmission interface protocols, selectively executing one of a USB transmitting mode, HS MMC transmitting mode, MMC transmitting mode and SD transmitting mode;

between said multiple interface controller and said host system through a mode detector/switch.

2. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said memory card protocol processor is selected from the group consisting of a USB processor, MMC/HS MMC processor, SD processor, and the combination thereof.

3. The memory card of claim 2, wherein said memory card protocol processor further selectively comprises the group consisting of a MS processor, SM processor and the combination thereof, selectively executing one of a MS transmitting mode or SM transmitting mode between said multiple interface controller and said host system.

4. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said mode detector/switch is provided within said multiple interface controller, and connected to said memory card protocol processor and said shared interface bus respectively.

5. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said mode detector/switch is provided within said host system, and connected to said shared interface bus.

6. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said host system is selected the group consisting of a computer system, IA product and the combination thereof.

7. A method for selecting transmitting mode of the memory card of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

waiting to receive a shared flag for a MMC/SD transmitting mode;

detecting whether the waiting time is over a predetermined time threshold;

if not, keeping waiting to receive a shared flag for said MMC/SD transmitting mode;

if yes, executing said USB transmitting mode;

determining whether waiting to receive a response flag for a SD transmitting mode;

if yes, executing said SD transmitting mode; and

determining whether waiting to receive a response flag for a HS MMC transmitting mode;

if yes, executing said HS MMC transmitting mode;

if not, executing MMC transmitting mode.

8. A memory card bus with multiple interface functions is characterized by a shared interface bus connected to a memory card and a host system, said memory card bus comprising a plurality of transmission interface protocols and detecting said memory card and host system through a mode detector/switch for switching to one of USB transmitting mode, HS MMC transmitting mode, MMC transmitting mode, and SD transmitting mode by said memory card, host system and shared interface bus.

9. The memory card bus of claim 8, wherein said mode detector/switch is selectively provided at one of said host system, said memory card, and the combination thereof.

10. The memory card bus of claim 8, wherein said host system, memory card and shared interface bus is selected from one of a MS transmitting mode and SM transmitting mode.

11. A method for selecting transmitting mode of the memory card bus of claim 8, comprising the steps of:

determining whether said connected memory card supports USB interface;

if yes, setting shared interface bus and host system to be a USB transmitting mode;

detecting whether said memory card is connected to one of MMC card, HS MMC card and SD card;

if yes, resetting system and initializing HS MMC/MMC;

detecting whether said memory card has a correct response for initializing HS MMC/MMC;

if not, resetting system and initializing SD;

detecting whether said memory card has a correct response for a HS MMC supportive protocol;

if not, resetting system and initializing SD;

if yes, setting shared interface bus and host system to be a HS MMC transmitting mode; and

detecting whether said memory card has a correct response for initializing SD;

if not, initializing MMC and setting said shared interface bus and said host system to be a MMC transmitting mode;

if yes, setting said shared interface bus and said host system to be a SD transmitting mode.