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

• US 7,174,445 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2002
• Issued: 02/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lexar Media Incorporated (Micron Technology, Inc.)
• Inventors: Estakhri, Petro, Assar, Mahmud
• Primary Examiner(s): Elamin; A.
• Application Number:
  US10/115,117
• Publication Number:
  US 20020112101A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,772 Days
• Field of Search: 710/22, 710/305, 711/115, 713/1, 713/2
• US Class Current: 713/1
• 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. Upon initialization with the interface device, the flash memory card automatically detects the selected operating mode of the interface device and configures itself to operate with the selected operating mode. The operating mode detection is accomplished by sensing unencoded signals and encoded signals. The encoded signals are encoded with a finite set of predetermined codes. Each predetermined code uniquely identifies a particular operating mode.

Claims

1. An interfacing system for detachably coupling a flash memory card to a host computer via a USB port, comprising:

a. a flash memory system, including a flash memory module and a flash controller; and

b. a USB interface device with a first connector for coupling to the flash memory card and a USB connector for connecting to the host computer,

wherein the flash memory system routes signals between the flash memory card and the USB connector, such that the flash memory card readily operates as a removable data storage for the host computer and the USB interface device is configured to apply an unencoded signal originating from the host computer system to the first connector uniquely identifying the flash memory card operation mode.

2. The interfacing system of claim 1, wherein the flash memory card is configured to cooperatively operate in a universal serial bus mode through the USB interface device.

3. The interfacing system of claim 1, wherein the flash memory card is powered by the host computer.

4. The interfacing system of claim 1, wherein the flash memory card further comprises a fifty pin connector end configured to couple to the first connector of the USB interface device.

5. The interfacing system of claim 1, wherein the flash memory card further comprises a sixty-eight pin connector end configured to couple to the first connector of the USB interface device.

6. An interfacing system for detachably coupling a flash memory card to a host computer via a USB port, comprising:

a. a flash memory system, including a flash memory module and a flash controller; and

b. a USB interface device with a first connector for coupling to the flash memory card and a USB connector for connecting to the host computer,

wherein the flash memory card is configured to cooperatively operate in a universal serial bus mode through the USB interface device and the USB interface device is configured to apply an unencoded signal originating from the host computer system to the first connector uniquely identifying the flash memory card operation mode and further comprises a fifty pin connector end configured to couple to the first connector of the USB interface device, and further wherein the flash memory system routes signals between the flash memory card to the USB connector, such that the flash memory card readily operates as a removable data storage for the host computer.

7. An interfacing system for detachably coupling a flash memory card to a host computer via a USB port, comprising:

a. a flash memory system, including a flash memory card and a flash controller; and

b. a USB interface device with a first connector for coupling to the flash memory card and a USB connector for connecting to the host computer,

wherein the flash memory card is configured to cooperatively operate in a universal serial bus mode through the USB interface device and the USB interface device is configured to apply an unencoded signal originating from the host computer system to the first connector uniquely identifying the flash memory card operation mode and further comprises a sixty-eight pin connector end configured to couple to the first connector of the USB interface device, and further wherein the flash memory system routes signals between the flash memory card to the USB connector, such that the flash memory card readily operates as a removable data storage for the host computer.