PC card capable multiple functions and corresponding card information structures (CIS) where switch setting element selects CIS to read out based on selection signal

• US 6,029,211 A
• Filed: 12/03/1997
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Original Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Inventors: Nakashima, Tatsuya
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YUAN, CHIEN H
• Application Number:
  US08/984,433
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 365/185.33, 710/44, 710/102, 710/113, 710/129, 710/8, 710/14, 710/131
• US Class Current: 710/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0653 with centralised address assignment
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A plurality of CIS1 through CISM are installed in memory of a PC card. Each CIS is provided with basic attribute information and functional attribute information, which are mutually independent, A selection signal for the CIS to be used is input from selection signal input means. A selection signal discriminator determines the CIS selected by means of the signal input from the selection signal input means. A CIS switch setting element sets the designated CIS as the CIS to be read in by a personal computer, and causes the CIS that has been set to be read in by the personal computer.

Claims

1. A PC card, comprising:

a plurality of functions;

a plurality of card information structures (CISs) including functional attribute information for a single one of, or for a combination of, said functions and, basic attribute information for said card, each CIS being stored at a different address;

a selection signal input device which inputs a CIS selection signal into said PC card; and

a CIS switch setting element having data corresponding with the respective addresses of each CIS, the CIS switch setting element selection one of said addresses as a function of the CIS selection signal and, on the basis of the address, switchably setting the selected CIS as the CIS to be read into a personal computer.

4. A PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein said selection signal input device is a switch installed in said PC card, and the turning on and off of the signal of said switch acts as said CIS selection signal.

5. A PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein said selection signal input device is a connector section provided on said PC card, and the connect signal and non-connect signal of a connector connected to said connector section act as said CIS selection signal.

6. A PC card as recited in claim 1, wherein said selection signal input device includes personal computer software having a program that outputs said CIS selection signal.

2. A PC card, comprising:

a plurality of functions;

a plurality of card information structures (CISs) including functional attribute information for a single one of, or for a combination of, said functions and, basic attribute information for said card, the CISs being plurally installed and connected to a respective read-out signal line;

a selection signal input device which inputs a CIS selection signal into said PC card;

a CIS switch to switchably connect a read-in signal line of a personal computer to one of the read-out signal lines of the CISs; and

a CIS switch setting element which discriminates said CIS selection signal and controls said CIS switch so as to switchably connect the read-out signal line of a selected CIS to the read-in signal line of said personal computer.

7. A PC card as recited in claim 2, wherein said selection signal input device is a switch installed in said PC card, and the turning on and off of the signal of said switch acts as said CIS selection signal.

9. A PC card as recited in claim 2, wherein said selection signal input device is a connector section provided on said PC card, and the connect signal and non-connect signal of a connector connected to said connector section act as said CIS selection signal.

11. A PC card as recited in claim 2, wherein said selection signal input device includes personal computer software having a program that outputs said CIS selection signal.

3. A PC card, comprising:

a plurality of functions;

a plurality of card information structures (CISs) including functional attribute information for a single one of, or for a combination of, said functions and, basic attribute information for said card, the CISs being plurally installed

a selection signal input device which inputs a CIS selection signal into said PC card;

a CIS read-in memory communicating with the installed CISs and storing the CIS to be read into a personal computer; and

a CIS switch setting element which discriminates said CIS selection signal and causes data of the selected CIS to be stored in the CIS read-in memory for transfer into a personal computer.

8. A PC card as recited in claim 3, wherein said selection signal input device is a switch installed in said PC card, and the turning on and off of the signal of said switch acts as said CIS selection signal.

10. A PC card as recited in claim 3, wherein said selection signal input device is a connector section provided on said PC card, and the connect signal and non-connect signal of a connector connected to said connector section act as said CIS selection signal.

12. A PC card as recited in claim 3, wherein said selection signal input device includes personal computer software having a program that outputs said CIS selection signal.