Multi-function module incorporating flash memory and enhanced I/O interface that can translate data from one format into another format for subsequent transmission to an external device

• US 6,728,794 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2002
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Western Digital Technologies Incorporated (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Simple Tech Company Limited
• Inventors: Moshayedi, Mark, Robinson, Brian H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): DU, THUAN N
• Application Number:
  US10/211,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20030046455A1
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 710/8, 710/10, 710/11, 710/129, 710/65, 711/115, 713/100, 712/29, 112/29
• US Class Current: 710/8
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3805 with built-in auxiliary receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0034 Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface

Abstract

A module incorporating a flash memory and a flash memory controller. The flash memory controller receives data via a first interface which can be a PCMCIA type interface. The data is then stored in the flash memory. The controller is adapted to be able to selectively recall the data from the flash memory and transmit the data to one or more recipient devices via the PCMCIA type interface or by an alternate interface. The module incorporates a user input device that, when manipulated by the user, induces the controller to send the data via the alternate interface. In one embodiment, the alternate interface is comprised of a GSM interface which allows data stored in the flash memory to be transmitted via a cellular telephone to a pre-selected telephone number by the user manipulating the user input device.

Claims

1. A method to store and retrieve data from a flash memory module comprising the acts of:

providing data to a flash memory via a data bus;

storing data in the flash memory;

retrieving data stored in the flash memory;

storing alternative configuration information within a flash memory module that is used to configure the data stored in the flash memory into an alternative interface configuration;

formatting the data within the flash memory module, wherein the data is formatted into a first interface configuration for subsequent transmission to an external device and wherein, in response to an external input, the data is formatted into the alternative interface configuration using the alternative configuration information for subsequent transmission to the external device; and

transmitting formatted data to the external device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising selectively downloading data stored in the flash memory in a first interface format via a first interface device to the external device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first interface device comprises a PCMCIA/ATA device and the first interface format comprises a PCMCIA/ATA interface format.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising selectively downloading data stored in the flash memory in a second interface format via a second interface device to the external device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second interface device comprises a UART.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the second interface format comprises a GSM interface protocol.

7. A method of storing and retrieving data from a flash memory module comprising the steps of:

storing data in a flash memory from a flash memory I/O port;

storing alternative configuration information within a flash memory module;

receiving an external input;

retrieving data from flash memory;

formatting data within the flash memory module into an alternative configuration using the alternative configuration information; and

transmitting data in the alternative configuration in response to the external input.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein transmitting the data in the alternative configuration comprises transmitting the data via an alternative interface.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising selectively downloading data stored in the flash memory in a first interface format via a first interface device to an external device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first interface device comprises a PCMCIA/ATA device and the first interface format comprises a PCMCIA/ATA interface format.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising selectively downloading data stored in the flash memory in an alternative interface format via an alternative interface device to the external device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the alternative interface device comprises a UART.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the alternative interface format comprises a GSM interface protocol.

14. A method of storing and retrieving data from a flash memory module comprising the steps of:

receiving data via a first interface device, wherein the data can be downloaded to an external device in a first interface format via the first interface device;

storing data in a flash memory;

storing alternative configuration information within a flash memory module;

receiving an external input;

retrieving data from the flash memory;

configuring data into an alternative configuration within the flash memory module in response to the external input; and

selectively downloading data to the external device in a second interface format.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein selectively downloading to the external device in the second interface format comprises downloading the data via a second interface.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first interface device comprises a PCMCIA/ATA device and the first interface format comprises a PCMCIA/ATA interface format.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second interface device comprises a UART, and wherein the second interface format comprises a GSM interface protocol.