Multi-function interface module

• US 6,981,071 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Western Digital Technologies Incorporated (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Simpletech, Inc. (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Moshayedi, Mark, Robinson, Brian H.
• Primary Examiner(s): DU, THUAN N
• Application Number:
  US10/793,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20040199675A1
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 710/8, 710/10, 710/11, 710/65, 710/129, 710/62, 713/100, 711/115, 712/29
• 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 multi-function interface module having at least one interface and a controller for manipulating input and output data.

Claims

1. A flash memory module comprising:

a controller;

a flash memory;

a first interface, coupled to the controller, for receiving and sending data from and to a first device, wherein the controller can upload data received from the first device via the first interface to the flash memory;

a second interface, coupled to the controller, for receiving and sending data from and to a second device, wherein the controller can selectively download data to the second device via the second interface, and wherein the second interface sends and receives data in a serial fashion; and

a memory device for storing configuration information that is used byte controller to translate the data into a first configuration prior to being downloaded to the second device via the second interface.

2. The flash memory module according to claim 1, wherein the second interface is a serial bus interface.

3. The flash memory module according to claim 1, further comprising a user input device that is coupled to the controller, wherein manipulation of the user input device results in the controller downloading data stored in the flash memory via the second interface.

4. The flash memory module according to claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to receive configuration information via the first interface and store the configuration information in the memory device for use by the controller in translating data.

5. The flash memory module according to claim 1, wherein the first interface is a CompactFlash interface.

6. The flash memory module according to claim 1, wherein the first interface is a PCMCIA interface.

7. The flash memory module according to claim 1, wherein the first interface is an ATA interface.

8. The flash memory module according to claim 1, wherein the second interface is a serial Input/Output (I/O) interface.

9. The flash memory module according to claim 1, wherein the second interface includes a twisted pair interface.

10. The flash memory module according to claim 1, wherein the second interface is an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) interface.

11. The flash memory module according to claim 1, wherein the second interface is an Infrared Data Association (IRDA) interface.

12. The flash memory module according to claim 1, wherein the second interface is a cellular interface.

13. The flash memory module according to claim 1, wherein the second device is at a remote location.

14. The flash memory module according to claim 1, further comprising an interface controller coupled to the controller, wherein the interface controller is used by the controller to download data to the second device via the second interface.