Wireless enabled memory module

• US 8,023,998 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2004
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Socket Mobile, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Socket Mobile, Inc.
• Inventors: Croome, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Ajibade Akonai; Olumide T
• Application Number:
  US10/939,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20050033848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,563 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/550.1, 455/557, 455/558, 455/420, 455/3.06, 711/115, 709/247, 358/1.15, 358/1.16, 358/1.17, 370/480, 370/352, 370/355, 370/356, 370/389, 370/392
• US Class Current: 455/558
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0601 Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/061 Improving I/O performance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0655 Vertical data movement, i.e. input-output transfer; data movement between one or more hosts and one or more storage devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0673 Single storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0679 Non-volatile semiconductor memory device, e.g. flash memory, one time programmable memory [OTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72439 for image or video messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/64 file transfer between terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A wireless-enabled memory module provides host devices access to a memory via a standard memory expansion interface and further incorporates embedded processing capability and a wireless network capability. The wireless-enabled memory module can be used in any host device providing a compatible memory card controller and interface. Host devices so equipped become wireless-memory enabled devices and can provide memory access to any other remote device enabled for compatible wireless communications. It is thereby possible for a remote device to access the memory content of the memory module, and cause transfers of either full-size or scaled versions of the content to the remote device through a first network, and optionally further transfer the content from the remote device through a second network to the Internet in the form of an e-mail message or MMS attachment.

Claims

1. A removable module for coupling to a digital host and a wireless network, the coupling to the host being via an expansion port of the host, the wireless network having at least one remote wireless device, the module comprising:

a host-to-module interconnect enabled to removably couple with the host;

a host-to-module interface controller coupled to the host-to-module interconnect;

wireless transceiver circuitry to couple with the wireless network;

media scaling circuitry;

a memory controller;

an embedded non-volatile memory coupled to the memory controller;

a control sub-system coupled to the host-to-module interface controller, the wireless transceiver circuitry, and the memory controller, the control sub-system at least in part managing data transfers between the embedded non-volatile memory and the wireless network without requiring any action by the host; and

wherein the host-to-module interface controller, the wireless transceiver circuitry, the memory controller, the embedded non-volatile memory, and the control sub-system are enabled to operate completely inside the host.

2. The removable module of claim 1, wherein the host-to-module interconnect and the host-to-module interface controller are implemented in accordance with at least one version of a CompactFlash standard.

3. The removable module of claim 2, further including an embedded power source.

4. The removable module of claim 1, wherein the host-to-module interconnect and the host-to-module interface controller are implemented in accordance with at least one version of a Secure Digital (SD) standard.

5. The removable module of claim 4, further including an embedded power source.

6. The removable module of claim 1, wherein the host-to-module interface controller, the memory controller, and the control sub-system are all on a single ASIC.

7. The removable module of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver circuitry is implemented in accordance with at least one version of a BlueTooth standard.

8. The removable module of claim 1, wherein the media scaling circuitry selectively produces a version of a requested portion of the embedded non-volatile memory content that is scaled to a selected one of a plurality of available scaling factors.

9. The removable module of claim 8, wherein the plurality of scaling factors includes a thumbnail scaling factor.

10. The removable module of claim 8, wherein the plurality of scaling factors includes at least a small and a large scaling factor.

11. The removable module of claim 1, further including an embedded power source.

12. The removable module of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory includes a flash memory.

13. The removable module of claim 1, wherein the control sub-system includes a processor, a working RAM, and firmware.

14. The removable module of claim 1, wherein the control sub-system includes web-server functionality.

15. The removable module of claim 1, wherein the host-to-module interface controller, the memory controller, and the control sub-system are implemented as a single integrated circuit.

16. The removable module of claim 15, wherein the single integrated circuit is an ASIC.

17. The removable module of claim 1, wherein the host-to-module interconnect and the host-to-module interface controller are implemented in accordance with at least one version of a Universal Serial Bus standard.

18. A removable module for operative coupling to a digital host, a removable memory, and a wireless network, the coupling to the host being via an expansion port of the host, the wireless network having at least one remote wireless device, the module comprising:

a host-to-module interconnect enabled to removably couple with the host;

a host-to-module interface controller coupled to the host-to-module interconnect;

wireless transceiver circuitry to couple with the wireless network;

media scaling circuitry;

a memory controller enabled to operate with the removable memory;

a slot to receive and couple the removable memory to the memory controller;

a control sub-system coupled to the host-to-module interface controller, the wireless transceiver circuitry, and the memory controller, the control sub-system at least in part managing data transfers between the removable memory and the wireless network without requiring any action by the host; and

wherein the host-to-module interface controller, the wireless transceiver circuitry, the memory controller, the embedded non-volatile memory, and the control sub-system are enabled to operate completely inside the host.

19. The removable module of claim 18, wherein the host-to-module interconnect and the host-to-module interface controller are implemented in accordance with at least one version of a CompactFlash standard.

20. The removable module of claim 19, further including an embedded power source.

21. The removable module of claim 18, wherein the host-to-module interconnect and the host-to-module interface controller are implemented in accordance with at least one version of a Secure Digital (SD) standard.

22. The removable module of claim 21, further including an embedded power source.

23. The removable module of claim 18, wherein the host-to-module interface controller, the memory controller, and the control sub-system are all on a single ASIC.

24. The removable module of claim 18, wherein the wireless transceiver circuitry is implemented in accordance with at least one version of a BlueTooth standard.

25. The removable module of claim 18, wherein the media scaling circuitry selectively produces a version of a requested portion of the removable memory content that is scaled to a selected one of a plurality of available scaling factors.

26. The removable module of claim 25, wherein the plurality of scaling factors includes a thumbnail scaling factor.

27. The removable module of claim 25, wherein the plurality of scaling factors includes at least a small and a large scaling factor.

28. The removable module of claim 18, further including an embedded power source.

29. The removable module of claim 18, wherein the removable memory includes a flash memory.

30. The removable module of claim 18, wherein the control sub-system includes a processor, a working RAM, and firmware.

31. The removable module of claim 18, wherein the control sub-system includes web-server functionality.

32. The removable module of claim 18, wherein the host-to-module interface controller, the memory controller, and the control sub-system are implemented as a single integrated circuit.

33. The removable module of claim 32, wherein the single integrated circuit is an ASIC.

34. The removable module of claim 18, wherein the host-to-module interconnect and the host-to-module interface controller are implemented in accordance with at least one version of a Universal Serial Bus standard.

35. The removable module of claim 34, wherein the slot, the memory controller, and the removable memory are implemented in accordance with a removable memory standard, and wherein the removable memory standard is selected from the group consisting of a PC Card standard, a CompactFlash standard, a SmartCard standard, a Memory Stick standard, a MMC standard, an xD-Picture Card standard, and a Secure Digital (SD) standard.

36. A method of transferring data, the method comprising:

coupling a removable module to an expansion port of a host, the removable module having a host-to-module interconnect to removably couple with the host, a host-to-module interface controller coupled to the host-to-module interconnect, a control sub-system coupled to the host-to-module interface controller, wireless transceiver circuitry coupled to the control sub-system, and a memory controller coupled to a non-volatile memory and coupled to the control sub-system;

completely inside the host, operating the host-to-module interface controller, the control sub-system, the wireless transceiver circuitry, the memory controller, and the non-volatile memory;

accessing the non-volatile memory through a user interface of a remote wireless-enabled device, the remote device being capable of communicating over a first wireless network to the removable module, the remote device being further capable of communicating over a second wireless network;

transferring selected data between the remote device and the non-volatile memory without requiring any action by the host;

coupling the remote device to the second wireless network;

transferring the selected data between the remote device and a gateway and between the gateway and at least one location accessible via the Internet; and

wherein the gateway is coupled to the second wireless network and further coupled to the Internet.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the host includes a digital camera.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the host includes an MP3 player.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the wireless transceiver circuitry is implemented in accordance with at least one version of a BlueTooth standard.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein the remote wireless-enabled device is a personal computer (PC).

41. The method of claim 36, wherein the remote wireless-enabled device is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

42. The method of claim 36, wherein the selected data is transferred from the non-volatile memory to the remote device.

43. The method of claim 36, wherein the selected data is transferred to the non-volatile memory from the remote device.

44. The method of claim 36, wherein the selected data is transferred from the non-volatile memory to the location accessible via the Internet.

45. The method of claim 36, wherein the selected data is transferred to the non-volatile memory from the location accessible via the Internet.

46. The method of claim 36, wherein the non-volatile memory is embedded within the removable module.

47. The method of claim 36, wherein the non-volatile memory is removable via a slot provided in the removable module.

48. The method of claim 36, wherein the non-volatile memory is embedded within the removable module.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the non-volatile memory is a flash memory.

50. The method of claim 36, wherein the non-volatile memory is removable via a slot provided in the removable module.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the non-volatile memory is a flash memory.

52. The method of claim 36, wherein the second wireless network is implemented in accordance with at least one version of a GSM standard.

53. The method of claim 36, wherein the host provides power to the removable module via the host-to-module interconnect but otherwise does not communicate with the removable module.

54. The method of claim 36, wherein the non-volatile memory includes a flash memory.

55. The method of claim 36, wherein the host-to-module interconnect and the host-to-module interface controller are implemented in accordance with at least one version of a CompactFlash standard.

56. The method of claim 36, wherein the host-to-module interconnect and the host-to-module interface controller are implemented in accordance with at least one version of a Secure Digital (SD) standard.

57. The method of claim 36, wherein the control sub-system includes a processor, a working RAM, and firmware.

58. The method of claim 36, wherein the control sub-system includes web-server functionality.

59. The method of claim 36, wherein the host-to-module interface controller, the memory controller, and the control sub-system are implemented as a single integrated circuit.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the single integrated circuit is an ASIC.

61. The method of claim 36, wherein the host-to-module interconnect and the host-to-module interface controller are implemented in accordance with at least one version of a Universal Serial Bus standard.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the non-volatile memory is removable via a slot provided in the removable module.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the non-volatile memory and the slot are implemented in accordance with a removable memory standard, and wherein the removable memory standard is selected from the group consisting of a PC Card standard, a CompactFlash standard, a SmartCard standard, a Memory Stick standard, a MMC standard, an xD-Picture Card standard, and a Secure Digital (SD) standard.

64. A system for transferring data, comprising:

a host with an expansion port;

a removable module coupled to the expansion port, the removable module having a host-to-module interconnect to removably couple with the host, a host-to-module interface controller coupled to the host-to-module interconnect, a control sub-system coupled to the host-to-module interface controller, wireless transceiver circuitry coupled to the control sub-system, and a memory controller coupled to the control sub-system;

a non-volatile memory coupled to the memory controller;

a remote wireless-enabled device capable of communicating over a first wireless network to the removable module, capable of communicating over a second wireless network, and capable of transferring data between the first and the second wireless networks;

a gateway coupled to the second wireless network and to the Internet; and

wherein the control sub-system is enabled to operate completely inside the host and to manage data transfers between the non-volatile memory and the remote wireless-enabled device via the first wireless network without requiring any action by the host.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein the host includes a digital camera.

66. The system of claim 64, wherein the host includes an MP3 player.

67. The system of claim 64, wherein the wireless transceiver circuitry is implemented in accordance with at least one version of a BlueTooth standard.

68. The system of claim 64, wherein the remote wireless-enabled device is a personal computer (PC).

69. The system of claim 64, wherein the remote wireless-enabled device is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

70. The system of claim 64, wherein the gateway is capable of transferring the data between the gateway and at least one location accessible via the Internet.

71. The system of claim 70, wherein the remote wireless-enabled device is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and the first wireless network is a BlueTooth network.

72. The system of claim 70, wherein the non-volatile memory includes a flash memory, the remote wireless-enabled device includes a mobile phone, the first wireless network is a BlueTooth network, and the second wireless network is a mobile phone network.

73. The system of claim 70, wherein the host provides power to the removable module via the host-to-module interconnect but otherwise does not communicate with the removable module.

74. The system of claim 70, wherein the non-volatile memory includes a flash memory.

75. The system of claim 70, wherein the host-to-module interconnect and the host-to-module interface controller are implemented in accordance with at least one version of a CompactFlash standard.

76. The system of claim 70, wherein the host-to-module interconnect and the host-to-module interface controller are implemented in accordance with at least one version of a Secure Digital (SD) standard.

77. The system of claim 70, wherein the control sub-system includes a processor, a working RAM, and firmware.

78. The system of claim 70, wherein the control sub-system includes web-server functionality.

79. The system of claim 64, wherein the host provides power to the removable module via the host-to-module interconnect but otherwise does not communicate with the removable module.

80. The system of claim 64, wherein the non-volatile memory includes a flash memory.

81. The system of claim 64, wherein the host-to-module interconnect and the host-to-module interface controller are implemented in accordance with at least one version of a CompactFlash standard.

82. The system of claim 64, wherein the host-to-module interconnect and the host-to-module interface controller are implemented in accordance with at least one version of a Secure Digital (SD) standard.

83. The system of claim 64, wherein the control sub-system includes a processor, a working RAM, and firmware.

84. The system of claim 64, wherein the control sub-system includes web-server functionality.

85. The system of claim 64, wherein the host-to-module interconnect and the host-to-module interface controller are implemented in accordance with at least one version of a Universal Serial Bus standard.

86. A method comprising the steps of:

accessing memory content of a memory through a user interface of a remote wireless-enabled device, the remote device being capable of communicating over a wireless network to an accessory module communicating with the memory, the accessory module comprising a host-to-module interconnect to removably couple with a host, a host-to-module interface controller coupled to the host-to-module interconnect, a control sub-system coupled to the host-to-module interface controller, wireless transceiver circuitry coupled to the control sub-system, a memory controller coupled to the memory and coupled to the control sub-system, and media scaling circuitry;

selectively coupling the accessory module with an expansion port of the host;

selectively operating at least a portion of the accessory module completely inside the host;

without requiring any action by the host, transferring data between the remote device and the memory; and

without requiring any action by the host, controlling the transferring at least in part by the portion of the accessory module selectively operating completely inside the host.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the host-to-module interface controller, the control sub-system, and the memory controller are implemented as a single integrated circuit.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein the single integrated circuit is an ASIC.

89. The method of claim 86, wherein the media scaling circuitry produces a scaled version of a portion of the memory content according to a selected one of a plurality of scaling factors.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the plurality of scaling factors includes a thumbnail scaling factor.

91. The method of claim 89, wherein the scaling factors include small and large scaling factors.

92. The method of claim 86, wherein the wireless transceiver circuitry is implemented in accordance with at least one version of a BlueTooth standard.

93. The method of claim 86, wherein the control sub-system includes a processor, a working RAM, and firmware.

94. The method of claim 86, wherein the control sub-system includes web-server functionality.

95. The method of claim 86, wherein the memory includes any combination of embedded memory included in the accessory module and removable memory.

96. The method of claim 86, wherein the memory includes removable memory and further comprising coupling the removable memory to the accessory module.

97. The method of claim 86, wherein the memory includes non-volatile memory.

98. The method of claim 97, wherein the non-volatile memory includes flash memory.

99. The method of claim 86, wherein the accessory module and the expansion port are implemented in accordance with a miniature-form-factor.

100. The method of claim 99, wherein the miniature-form-factor is in accordance with an expansion port standard, and wherein the expansion port standard is selected from the group consisting of a PC Card standard, a CompactFlash standard, a SmartCard standard, a Memory Stick standard, a MMC standard, an xD-Picture Card standard, a Secure Digital (SD) standard, a FireWire standard, and a Universal Serial Bus standard.

101. The method of claim 99, wherein the miniature-form-factor is a first miniature-form-factor, and the memory includes removable memory compatible with a second miniature-form-factor.

102. The method of claim 101, wherein the first miniature-form-factor is in accordance with an expansion port standard, and wherein the expansion port standard is selected from the group consisting of a CompactFlash standard and a Universal Serial Bus standard.

103. The method of claim 101, wherein the second miniature-form-factor is in accordance with at least one version of a Secure Digital (SD) standard.

104. The method of claim 86, wherein the host is configured to access the memory content of the memory.

105. The method of claim 104, wherein the host is selected from the group consisting of a digital camera, an MP3 player, an audio device, and a home entertainment system.

106. The method of claim 105, wherein host communication with the accessory module is limited to the providing of power.

107. The method of claim 86, wherein the accessory module includes an embedded power source.

108. The method of claim 86, wherein the remote wireless-enabled device is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a mobile phone.

109. The method of claim 86, wherein the wireless network is a first wireless network and the remote wireless-enabled device is further capable of communicating over a second wireless network.

110. The method of claim 109, wherein the second wireless network is implemented in accordance with at least one version of a GSM standard.

111. The method of claim 86, wherein the data is transferred from the memory to the remote wireless-enabled device.

112. The method of claim 86, wherein the data is transferred to the memory from the remote wireless-enabled device.

113. A method comprising the steps of:

accessing memory content of a memory through a user interface of a remote wireless-enabled device, the remote device being capable of communicating over a first wireless network to an accessory module communicating with the memory, the remote device being further capable of communicating over a second wireless network;

selectively coupling the accessory module with an expansion port of the host;

selectively operating at least a portion of the accessory module completely inside the host;

without requiring any action by the host, transferring data between the remote device and the memory; and

without requiring any action by the host, controlling the transferring at least in part by the portion of the accessory module selectively operating completely inside the host;

coupling the remote wireless-enabled device to the second wireless network;

transferring the data between the remote device and a gateway coupled to the second wireless network and further coupled to the Internet; and

transferring the data between the gateway and at least one location accessible via the Internet.

114. The method of claim 113, wherein the data is transferred from the memory to the location accessible via the Internet.

115. The method of claim 113, wherein the data is transferred to the memory from the location accessible via the Internet.

116. A system including:

a removable module having

a host connector enabled to couple to a host in a removable manner,

an interface controller coupled to the host connector and enabled to exchange data with the host,

a wireless transceiver enabled to communicate via a wireless network,

media scaling circuitry;

a memory controller enabled to load data from and store data into a memory, and

a control sub-system coupled to the interface controller, the wireless transceiver, and the memory controller; and

wherein the control sub-system is enabled to manage data transfers between the memory and the wireless network without requiring any action by the host and is further enabled to operate completely inside the host.

117. The system of claim 116, wherein the control sub-system is further adapted to manage data transfers between the memory and the host via the interface controller and the host connector.

118. The system of claim 116, wherein the memory is a non-volatile memory embedded in the removable module.

119. The system of claim 116, wherein the memory is a removable non-volatile memory.

120. The system of claim 116, wherein the host connector and the interface controller are compatible with at least one version of a plurality of standard expansion interfaces, the standard expansion interfaces including CompactFlash, SecureDigital (SD), and Universal Serial Bus compatible expansion interfaces.

121. The system of claim 120, wherein the memory is a removable non-volatile memory.

122. The system of claim 121, wherein the memory controller and the removable non-volatile memory are compatible with at least one version of a plurality of standard removable memory interfaces, the standard removable memory interfaces including CompactFlash and Secure Digital (SD) standard removable memory interfaces.

123. The system of claim 116, wherein the interface controller, the memory controller, and the control sub-system are implemented on a single integrated circuit.

124. The system of claim 116, wherein the media scaling circuitry implements a plurality of scaling factors.

125. The system of claim 124, wherein the plurality of scaling factors includes at any combination of a thumbnail scaling factor, a small scaling factor, and a large scaling factor.

126. The system of claim 116, wherein the wireless transceiver is compatible with at least one version of a BlueTooth standard.

127. The system of claim 116, further including the host.

128. The system of claim 127, wherein the host is selected from the group consisting of a digital video system and a digital audio system.

129. The system of claim 128, wherein the digital video system includes a digital camera.

130. The system of claim 128, wherein the digital audio system includes an MP3 system.

131. The system of claim 116, wherein the control sub-system includes a processor, a working RAM, and firmware.

132. The system of claim 116, wherein the control sub-system includes a web-server.

133. The system of claim 116, further including a remote wireless device enabled to communicate via the wireless network.

134. The system of claim 133, wherein the remote wireless device is selected from the group consisting of a Personal Computer (PC), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and a mobile phone.

135. The system of claim 133, wherein the remote wireless device is enabled to provide data transfers between the wireless network and the Internet.

136. The system of claim 133, wherein the control sub-system manages data transfers between the memory and the remote wireless device.

137. A method comprising the steps of:

in a removable module coupled to a host via an expansion port, accessing memory content of a non-volatile memory in response to commands received from the host;

scaling a selected portion of the memory content;

operating completely inside the host a wireless transceiver included in the removable module; and

further in the removable module, without requiring any action by the host, accessing the memory content in response to commands received via the wireless transceiver.

138. The method of claim 137, further comprising the step of coupling the removable module to the host.

139. The method of claim 137, further comprising the step of accessing the memory content via a remote wireless device communicating with the wireless transceiver via a wireless link.

140. The method of claim 139, wherein the remote wireless device is selected from the group consisting of a Personal Computer (PC), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and a mobile phone.

141. The method of claim 139, further comprising the step of communicating a portion of the memory content via the remote wireless device with an Internet accessible location.

142. The method of claim 137, wherein the expansion port is compatible with at least one version of a plurality of standard expansion interfaces, the standard expansion interfaces including CompactFlash, SecureDigital (SD), and Universal Serial Bus compatible expansion interfaces.

143. The method of claim 137, wherein the non-volatile memory is embedded in the removable module.

144. The method of claim 137, wherein the non-volatile memory is coupled with the removable module via a user operable connecting mechanism.

145. The method of claim 144, wherein the user operable connecting mechanism is compatible with at least one version of a plurality of standard user operable connecting mechanisms, the standard user operable connecting mechanisms including CompactFlash and SecureDigital (SD) compatible user operable connecting mechanisms.

146. The method of claim 137, wherein the scaling is according to at least one scaling factor selected from a group of scaling factors, the group of scaling factors including a thumbnail scaling factor, a small scaling factor, and a large scaling factor.

147. The method of claim 137, wherein the wireless transceiver is compatible with at least one version of a BlueTooth standard.

148. The method of claim 137, wherein the host is a portable device.

149. The method of claim 148, wherein the portable device is selected from the group consisting of a digital camera and an MP3 player.

150. The method of claim 137, wherein the commands received from the host include any combination of read memory commands and write memory commands.

151. The method of claim 137, wherein the commands received from the wireless transceiver include any combination of read memory commands and write memory commands.