Flashtoaster for reading several types of flash-memory cards, with or without a PC

• US 7,412,552 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2007
• Issued: 08/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MCM Portfolio LLC
• Original Assignee: MCM Portfolio LLC
• Inventors: Jones, Larry Lawson, Venkidu, Arockiyaswamy, Mambakkam, Sreenath
• Primary Examiner(s): Myers; Paul R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stiglic; Ryan M
• Application Number:
  US11/671,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20070283069A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 710/301
• US Class Current: 710/301
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/38 Information transfer, e.g. on bus G06F13/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• 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 13/4027 using bus bridges G06F13/4022 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0646 Horizontal data movement in storage systems, i.e. moving data in between storage devices or systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07741 comprising a first part operating as a regular record carrier and a second attachable part that changes the functional appearance of said record carrier, e.g. a contact-based smart card with an adapter part which, when attached to the contact card makes the contact card function as a non-contact card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0013 by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers connectors in general H01R13/00; connectors for SIM cards used in mobile phones or the like H04B1/3816
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0043 the plurality of cards being cards of different formats, e.g. SD card and memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0052 connectors capable of contacting cards of different formats, e.g. memory stick and SD card readers sharing at least one connector contact and the associated signal line, e.g. both using the same signal line for input or output of data
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0073 having multiple insertion slots, the respective slots suited for the same or different card form factors
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0282 Adapters for connecting cards having a first standard in receptacles having a second standard

Abstract

A flash-memory-card reader reads and writes multiple types of flash-memory cards, including CompactFlash, and the smaller SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, and Memory Stick. A converter chip converts the different card signals for transfer to a host personal computer (PC). Serial-to-parallel data conversion is performed for the smaller card formats with serial data interfaces, but not for CompactFlash with a parallel-data interface. A signal slot has a 50-pin connector for CompactFlash cards or passive adapters. The passive adapters have the CompactFlash form factor and a smaller connector fitting smaller flash cards. Passive adapters have no components but simply wire the smaller connector to the CompactFlash connector. A pin mapping allows card-type detection by sensing the LSB address pins of the CompactFlash interface. A larger CompactFlash reader has multiple slots for each card type. The reader is connected to the PC by a cable, or located within the PC chassis in a drive bay. A stand-alone reader copies images from the flash-memory card to a removable disk media. Pressing a button initiates image transfer.

Claims

1. A memory card reader comprising:

a first card slot configured to receive a memory card of a first format having a first size, and the first card slot configured to receive a memory card of a second format having a second size, wherein the second format has a smaller pin count relative to the first format;

a controller coupled to the first card slot, the controller to detect a card of a first format inserted in the first card slot and the controller to read data from the card of the first format, and the controller to detect a card of a second format inserted in the first card slot and the controller to read data from the card of the second format, wherein the controller is to detect an inserted card by reading one or more card select pins of the first card slot, and to identify a format of the card by reading a first address pin and a second address pin.

2. The memory card reader of claim 1, wherein the first card format is a CompactFlash (CF) card.

3. The memory card reader of claim 1, wherein the second card format is one of a group comprising of Multimedia Card (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), and Memory Stick.

4. The memory card reader of claim 3:

wherein the first and second address pins are high when the card format is CF;

wherein the first address pin is low and the second address pin is high when the card format is MMC or SD; and

wherein the first and second address pins are low when the card format is Memory Stick.

5. The memory card reader of claim 1, further comprising:

an adapter to physically adapt the card to interface with the first card slot, when the card is other than the first format.

6. The memory card reader of claim 5, wherein the adapter is a passive adapter.

7. The memory card reader of claim 1, further comprising:

a first pull-up resistor coupled between the first address pin and the controller;

a second pull-up resistor coupled between the second address pin and the controller;

wherein the pull-up resistors drive the address pins high when no pin from the card format is present.

8. A controller comprising:

an interface to communicate with a first card slot to receive a memory card of a first format, and the first card slot to receive a memory card of a second format having a second size, wherein the second format has a smaller pin count relative to the first format;

a unit to detect a card of a first format inserted in the first card slot and to read data from the card of the first format, and to detect a card of a second format inserted in the first card slot and to read data from the card of the second format, wherein the controller is to detect an inserted card by reading one or more card select pins of the first card slot, and to identify the format of the card by reading a first address pin and a second address pin.

9. The controller of claim 8, wherein the first card format is a CompactFlash (CF) card.

10. The controller of claim 8, wherein the second card format is one of a group comprising of Multimedia Card (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), and Memory Stick.

11. The controller of claim 10:

wherein the first and second address pins are high when the card format is CF;

wherein the first address pin is low and the second address pin is high when the card format is MMC or SD; and

wherein the first and second address pins are low when the card format is Memory Stick.

12. The controller of claim 8, wherein the interface is to communicate with an adapter to physically adapt the card to interface with the first card slot, when the card is other than the first format.

13. The controller of claim 12, wherein the adapter is a passive adapter.

14. The controller of claim 8, further comprising:

a first pull-up resistor coupled between the first address pin and the controller;

a second pull-up resistor coupled between the second address pin and the controller;

wherein the pull-up resistors drive the address pins high when no pin from the card format is present.

15. A controller comprising:

an interface to communicate with a first card slot to receive a memory card of a first format, and the first card slot to receive a memory card of a second format having a second size, wherein the second format has a smaller interface relative to the first format;

a unit to detect a card of a first format inserted in the first card slot and to read data from the card of the first format, and to detect a card of a second format inserted in the first card slot and to read data from the card of the second format, wherein the controller is to identify the format of the card by reading a first address pin and a second address pin;

wherein the first and second address pins are high when a card of the first card format is present; and

wherein when a card of the second type is present, the first and second address pins are one of a group comprising;

the first address pin is low and the second address pin is high;

the first address pin is high and the second address pin is low; and

the first and second address pins are low.

16. The controller of claim 15, wherein the first card format is a CompactFlash (CF) card.

17. The controller of claim 15, wherein the second card format is one of a group comprising of Multimedia Card (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), and Memory Stick.

18. The controller of claim 17:

wherein the first and second address pins are high when the card format is CF;

wherein the first address pin is low and the second address pin is high when the card format is MMC or SD; and

wherein the first and second address pins are low when the card format is Memory Stick.

19. A memory card reader comprising:

a first card slot configured to receive a memory card of a first format having a first sizes, and the first card slot to receive a memory card of a second format having a second size, wherein the second format has a smaller pin count relative to the first format;

a controller coupled to the first card slot, the controller to detect a card of a first format inserted in the first card slot and the controller to read data from the card of the first format, and the controller to detect a card of a second format inserted in the first card slot and the controller to read data from the card of the second format, wherein the controller is to detect an inserted card by reading one or more card select pins of the first card slot, and to identify the format of the card by reading a first address pin and a second address pin;

wherein the first and second address pins are high when a card of the first card format is present; and

wherein when a card of the second type is present, the first and second address pins are one of a group comprising;

the first address pin is low and the second address pin is high;

the first address pin is high and the second address pin is low; and

the first and second address pins are low.

20. A controller comprising:

an interface to communicate with a first card slot to receive a memory card of a first format, and the first card slot to receive a memory card of a second format having a second size, wherein the second format has a smaller interface relative to the first format;

a unit to detect a card of a first format inserted in the first card slot and to read data from the card of the first format, and to detect a card of a second format inserted in the first card slot and to read data from the card of the second format, wherein the controller is to detect an inserted card by reading one or more card select pins of the first card slot, and to identify the format of the card by reading a first address pin and a second address pin;

wherein the first and second address pins are high when a card of the first card format is present;

wherein the first address pin is low and the second address pin is high when a first type of card of the second card format is present;

wherein the first address pin is high and the second address pin is low when a second type of card of the second card format is present; and

wherein the first and second address pins are low when a third type of card of the second card format is present.

21. A memory card reader comprising:

a first card slot configured to receive a memory card of a first format having a first size, and the first card slot to receive a memory card of a second format having a second size, wherein the second format has a smaller interface relative to the first format;

a controller coupled to the first card slot, the controller to detect a card of a first format inserted in the first card slot and the controller to read data from the card of the first format, and the controller to detect a card of a second format inserted in the first card slot and the controller to read data from the card of the second format, wherein the controller is to detect an inserted card by reading one or more card select pins of the first card slot, and to identify the format of the card by reading a first address pin and a second address pin;

wherein the first and second address pins are high when a card of the first card format is present;

wherein the first address pin is low and the second address pin is high when a first type of card of the second card format is present;

wherein the first address pin is high and the second address pin is low when a second type of card of the second card format is present; and

wherein the first and second address pins are low when a third type of card of the second card format is present.