Multi-interface memory card and adapter module for the same

• US 6,658,516 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2000
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ADATA Technology Co., Ltd., Atech Totalsolution Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Li-Ho Yao
• Inventors: Yao, Li-Ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Sumati
• Application Number:
  US09/546,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20030172219A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 710/62-74, 710/2, 710/100, 710/300-304, 710/305, 711/115, 439/638-655, 439/76.1, 439/945, 439/946, 361/679-686
• US Class Current: 710/301
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/945 Adapter for pcb or cartridge

Abstract

A multi-interface memory card and an adapter module for the memory card are described to enable convenient transfer of data between the memory card and a computer. The multi-interface memory card has a micro controller, a memory unit, a USB interface, an IEEE 1394 interface, and a product interface. The memory unit is connected to the micro 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. The USB and IEEE 1394 interfaces are connected to the memory unit via the micro controller for controlling data access. The product interface is provided for connecting to a digital product to read or write data. The adapter module is provided to conveniently connect the multi-interface memory card to the computer.

Claims

1. A memory card in combination with an adapter module, wherein the memory card comprises:

a micro controller;

a memory unit connected to the micro controller to store data;

multiple connection interfaces connected to the memory unit via the micro controller for data access in the memory unit; and

a product interface for connection with a digital product;

wherein the adapter module comprises;

a housing alternatively and slidably receiving the memory card therein;

multiple interface connectors formed on the housing and adapted for connection to interface ports of a computer; and

a terminal seat formed in the housing, the terminal seat being composed of a plurality of connection terminals, wherein each connection terminal has a first and a second end, the first end to electrically connect to the connection interfaces and the product interface of the memory card, and the second end connected to the multiple interface connectors of the adapter module;

whereby when the memory card is installed in the digital product via the product interface, data output from the digital product is transferred to the memory card through the product interface and processed by the micro controller to be stored in the memory unit; and

after the memory card is combined with the adapter module, the adapter module is adapted to plug into an interface port of the computer via one of the multiple interface connectors so that the computer is able to read data stored in the memory card.

2. The memory card in combination with the adapter module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the micro controller of the multi interface memory card comprises:

a microprocessor;

multiple connection interface controllers connected to the microprocessor and correspondingly connected to the multiple connection interfaces;

a host interface controller connected between the product interface and the microprocessor; and

a memory interface connected to the microprocessor, the multiple connection interface controllers, the host interface controller, and the memory unit.

3. The memory card in combination with the adapter module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the housing of the adapter module is comprises an upper shell and a lower shell, wherein each of the upper shell and lower shell has a first end defined with an opening, so that a first slot to receive the memory card is defined by the two openings when the upper shell and the lower shell are combined;

and

wherein second slots are defined via second ends of the upper shell and lower shell after the upper and the lower shell are combined so that the multiple interface connectors are able to be received in the second slots.

4. The memory card in combination with the adapter module as claimed in claim 2, wherein the terminal seat includes an H-shaped body that has two parallel rims and a rib extending between the two rims, each rim defining 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 is extended through the rib to connect to the multiple interface connectors.

5. The memory card in combination with the adapter module as claimed in claim 3, wherein the terminal seat includes an H-shaped body that has two parallel rims and a rib extending between the two rims, each rim defining a sliding slot in an inner side of the rim, and the plurality of connection terminals extends through the rib to connect to the multiple interface connectors.

6. The memory card in combination with the adapter module as claimed in claim 4, wherein the multiple connection interfaces of the memory card include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface and an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers 1394 (IEEE 1394) interface.

7. The memory card in combination with the adapter module as claimed in claim 5, wherein the multiple connection interfaces of the memory card include a USB interface and an IEEE 1394 interface.

8. The memory card in combination with the adapter module as claimed in claim 6, wherein a front end of the memory card is provided with an interface port to electrically connect to the terminal seat of the adapter module, and the interface port 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.

9. The memory card in combination with the adapter module as claimed in claim 7, wherein a front end of the memory card is provided with an interface port to electrically connect to the terminal seat of the adapter module, and the interface port 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.