Flash media reading devices with integrated storage compartments

• US 7,508,659 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2005
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• 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): Duong; Hung V
• Application Number:
  US11/059,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20050168931A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,497 Days
• Field of Search: 361/692, 361/752, 361679-687, 361724-727, 348/231.99, 439/638, 3122231-2232, 349/60, 349/65
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• 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 7/0073 having multiple insertion slots, the respective slots suited for the same or different card form factors

Abstract

A memory card interface apparatus including a bay to receive a memory card for accessing data stored on the card, and a separate storage cavity configured to store a memory card. In one embodiment, the cavity includes an aperture providing access to remove a card from the storage cavity. In one embodiment, the cavity includes an element protruding out a side of the storage cavity to retain a card within the storage cavity. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes at least a second separate storage cavity configured to store a memory card. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes at least a third separate storage cavity configured to store a memory card. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a tower configuration. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to attach to a separate add-on configuration, the separate add-on configuration providing storage for additional memory cards. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes at least a third separate storage area configured to store a memory card.

Claims

1. A memory card reader, comprising:

a housing having a slot to receive a first memory card;

an electronic component to read the first memory card;

a connector to connect the memory card reader to a computer system;

a memory card storage mechanism comprising a storage cavity to store a separate second memory card;

means for ejecting the second memory card from the storage cavity; and

means for locking the memory card storage mechanism.

2. The memory card reader of claim 1, wherein means for locking includes means for electrically, mechanically, electro-mechanically, magnetically or electro-magnetically locking the storage mechanism.

3. The memory card reader of claim 1, further comprising means for receiving a signal to control the means for locking.

4. The memory card reader of claim 3, wherein the signal is from a remote device.

5. The memory card reader of claim 3, wherein the signal is a wireless signal.

6. The memory card reader of claim 1, further comprising a wireless transmitter to transmit a status of the first memory card, wherein the wireless transmitter is to transmit in accordance with a protocol, the protocol to be based on one of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, 802.16, Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) or Bluetooth.

7. The memory card reader of claim 6, further comprising a switching component to switch, in response to the status of the first memory card, from reading the first memory card to reading the second memory card.

8. The memory card reader of claim 6, wherein the status is to indicate one of a full memory card full, a completed download, a completed upload, a completed read or a completed write.

9. The memory card reader of claim 6, further comprising:

an ejection mechanism for ejecting the first memory card in response to an event; and

a loading mechanism for loading the second memory card into the slot in response to the ejection.

10. A memory card reader comprising:

a housing defining a slot to receive a first memory card therein, and a memory card storage mechanism to store at least one second memory card therein, the storage mechanism comprising a second slot to receive the second memory card therein, the storage mechanism comprising a card ejector mechanism to facilitate removal of the second memory card from the second slot; and

an electronic component to read the first memory card.

11. The memory card reader of claim 10, wherein the storage mechanism is defined by a recess formed in the housing, the recess being shaped and dimensioned to receive the second memory card therein.

12. The memory card reader of claim 10, wherein a part of the housing adjacent the recess is cut-away to define a gap into which a finger can be inserted to facilitate removal of the second memory card from the recess.

13. The memory card reader of claim 10, wherein the storage mechanism further comprises a memory card retaining mechanism to retain the second memory card in the slot therefor.

14. The memory card reader of claim 10, wherein the memory card storage mechanism stores at least two second memory cards.

15. A housing for a memory card reader, the housing comprising:

a first slot to receive a first memory card therein while said memory card is being read by an electronic component; and

at least one storage mechanism to store at least one second memory card therein, the storage mechanism to receive the second memory card therein, the storage mechanism further comprising a card ejector mechanism to facilitate removal of the second memory card from the second slot.

16. The housing of claim 15, wherein the storage mechanism is defined by a recess formed in the housing, the recess being shaped and dimensioned to receive the second memory card therein.

17. The housing of claim 15, wherein a part of the housing adjacent the recess is cut-away to define a gap within which at least a portion of a finger can be inserted to facilitate removal of the second memory card from the recess.

18. The housing of claim 15, wherein the storage mechanism further comprises a memory card retaining mechanism to retain the second memory card in the second slot.

19. The housing of claim 15, wherein the memory card storage mechanism stores at least two second memory cards.