Smartconnect flash card adapter

• US 7,719,847 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2008
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MCM Portfolio LLC
• Original Assignee: MCM Portfolio LLC
• Inventors: Arockiyaswamy, Venkidu, Jones, Larry Lawson, Mambakkam, Sreenath
• Primary Examiner(s): Levi; Dameon E
• Application Number:
  US12/189,725
• Publication Number:
  US 20080299809A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 361/737, 361/730, 361/752, 439/945, 439/946, 439/638, 439/76.1, 235/492
• US Class Current: 361/737
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 29/00 Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/945 Adapter for pcb or cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/946 Memory card cartridge

Abstract

A multi-memory media adapter having a port, a surface, and a set of contact pins adapted to connect to different types of flash cards. Signals are mapped to the contact pins depending upon the type of flash card. In one embodiment, a controller has signal lines connected to an interconnection means which connects wires, cables or traces to the sets of contact pins. Signals are mapped on the signal lines depending upon the type of flash card inserted.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a housing having a port and a surface;

a plurality of sets of contact pins mounted on said surface at locations adapted to interface with the electrical contacts of a plurality of different type memory media cards when inserted into said port;

a set of signal lines connected to a controller, the number of signal lines being fewer than the number of contact pins;

the signal lines located between the controller and an interconnection means;

said interconnection means being located between the signal lines and the plurality of sets of contact connecting said signal lines to said one or more contact pins; and

means for mapping power, ground or data signals between said signal lines and said contact pins depending upon the identification of the type of memory card inserted into said port;

wherein the means for mapping comprises a controller.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 where said controller comprises means for determining the type of memory card inserted into said port.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said interconnection means is selected from a group consisting of simple wires, flat cables, printed circuit board interconnections, or wiring traces.