Flash memory card with enhanced operating mode detection and user-friendly interfacing system

• US 7,111,085 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2003
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lexar Media Incorporated (Micron Technology, Inc.)
• Inventors: Estakhri, Petro, Assar, Mahmud
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Kim
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sorrell, Eron J.
• Application Number:
  US10/647,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20040039854A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 710 2- 11, 710 62- 74
• US Class Current: 710/15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/387 for adaptation of different data processing systems to different peripheral devices, e.g. protocol converters for incompatible systems, open system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4081 Live connection to bus, e.g. hot-plugging current or voltage limitation during live insertion H02H9/004
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2213/0042 Universal serial bus [USB]
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/1045 Read-write mode select circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/20 Memory cell initialisation circuits, e.g. when powering up or down, memory clear, latent image memory

Abstract

An interfacing system facilitating user-friendly connectivity in a selected operating mode between a host computer system and a flash memory card. The interfacing system includes an interface device and a flash memory card. The interfacing system features significantly expanded operating mode detection capability within the flash memory card and marked reduction in the incorrect detection of the operating mode. The interface device includes a first end for coupling to the host computer and a second end for coupling to the flash memory card, while supporting communication in the selected operating mode which is also supported by the host computer system. The flash memory card utilizes a fifty pin connection to interface with the host computer system through the interface device. The fifty pin connection of the flash memory card can be used with different interface devices in a variety of configurations such as a universal serial mode, PCMCIA mode, and ATA IDE mode. Each of these modes of operation require different protocols.

Claims

1. A flash memory card interfacing system for coupling a flash memory card to a USB bus, the flash memory card interfacing system comprising:

a. a flash memory module for executing a write operation, a read operation, and an erase operation;

b. an interface device for coupling the flash memory card to a USB port;

c. a USB connector for connecting to the USB bus, sending and receiving signals, and coupling the interface device to the flash memory card;

d. a flash controller coupled to the flash memory module and the USB connector, the flash controller controlling the USB connector and configuring the flash memory card to a selected operating mode of the interface device; and

e. flash interface circuitry coupled to the controller, the flash interface circuitry identifying the selected operating mode of the interface device.

2. The flash memory card interfacing system of claim 1, wherein the selected operating mode is a universal serial bus mode.

3. The flash memory card interfacing system of claim 1, further comprising a fifty pin connector end configured to couple to an interface device.

4. The flash memory card interfacing system of claim 1, further comprising a sixty-eight pin connector end configured to couple to an interface device.

5. The flash memory card interfacing system of claim 1, wherein the flash interface circuitry is mounted on the flash memory card.

6. The flash memory card interfacing system of claim 1, wherein the flash memory card interfacing system further comprises an adapter module coupled to the flash memory card and the interface device.

7. The flash memory card interfacing system of claim 6, wherein the flash interface circuitry is mounted within the adapter module.

8. A flash memory card interfacing system for coupling a flash memory card to a USB bus, the flash memory card interfacing system comprising:

a. the flash memory for executing a wire operation, a read operation, and an erase operation and comprising;

an interface device for coupling the flash memory card to a USB port;

a flash controller coupled to the flash memory card and a USB connector, the flash controller controlling the USB connector and configuring the flash memory card to a universal serial bus mode of the interface device; and

flash interface circuitry coupled to the flash controller, the flash interface circuitry identifying the universal serial bus mode of the interface device; and

b. the USB connector for connecting to the USB bus, sending and receiving signals, and coupling the interface device to the flash memory card.

9. The flash memory card interfacing system of claim 8, further comprising a fifty pin connector end configured to the interface device.

10. The flash memory card interfacing system of claim 8, further comprising a sixty-eight pin connector end configured to the interface device.