Combination non-volatile memory and input-output card with direct memory access
First Claim
1. An electronic circuit card connectable to a host system, the card comprising:
- a memory module including a memory controller and a non-volatile mass data storage portion;
an input-output module including an input-output controller to communicate data between the card and an external device, wherein, in response to a command from a host to which the card is connected, the card performs a data transfer between the external device and the non-volatile mass data storage memory using a direct memory access type transfer of the data between the input-output module and the mass data storage portion; and
a bus structure through which the memory controller and input-output controller each communicate autonomously with the host;
wherein the direct memory access type transfer is performed using the bus structure, and wherein the host supplies a clock signal to the card over the bus structure during the direct memory access type transfer.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A removable electronic circuit card having both a memory module with a non-volatile mass storage memory and a separate input-output module so that data transfers may be made through the input-output module directly to and from the mass storage memory in a direct memory access (DMA) type transfer when the card is inserted into the host system but without having to pass the data through the host system. Once the host gives a DMA command, the data transfer is accomplished independently of the host system, except for the host supplying power and possibly a clock signal and other like support, during such a data transfer directly with card. The data for the transfer can be communicated between the input-output module and the exterior device through either wireless or an electrical connection means.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An electronic circuit card connectable to a host system, the card comprising:
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a memory module including a memory controller and a non-volatile mass data storage portion; an input-output module including an input-output controller to communicate data between the card and an external device, wherein, in response to a command from a host to which the card is connected, the card performs a data transfer between the external device and the non-volatile mass data storage memory using a direct memory access type transfer of the data between the input-output module and the mass data storage portion; and a bus structure through which the memory controller and input-output controller each communicate autonomously with the host; wherein the direct memory access type transfer is performed using the bus structure, and wherein the host supplies a clock signal to the card over the bus structure during the direct memory access type transfer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system, comprising:
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a host; an external communication device; and an electronic circuit card connectable to a host system, the card comprising; a memory module including a memory controller and a non-volatile mass data storage portion; an input-output module including an input-output controller to communicate data between the card and the external device, wherein, in response to a command from the host, the card performs a data transfer between the external device and the non-volatile mass data storage memory using a direct memory access type transfer of the data between the input-output module and the mass data storage portion; and a bus structure through which the memory controller and input-output controller each communicate autonomously with the host; wherein the direct memory access type transfer is performed using the bus structure, and wherein the host supplies a clock signal to the card over the bus structure during the direct memory access type transfer. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of communicating data between a non-volatile memory module including a memory controller and a non-volatile mass data storage portion of an electronic circuit card connected with a host system and an external device, comprising:
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receiving a command from the host; communicating the data between the mass data storage portion of the memory module and the external device through an input-output module of the card using a direct memory access transfer between the non-volatile memory and the input-output module rather than through the host system, wherein the input-output module includes an input-output controller; wherein the card includes a bus structure through which the memory controller and input-output controller each communicate autonomously with the host, wherein the direct memory access type transfer is performed using the bus structure, and wherein the host supplies a clock signal to the card over the bus structure during the direct memory access type transfer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An electronic circuit card connectable to a host system, the card comprising:
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a memory module including a memory controller and a non-volatile mass data storage portion; an input-output module including an input-output controller to perform an external data transfer including receiving data from and/or transmitting data to externally to the host-card system, wherein, in response to a command from a host to which the card is connected, the card performs the external data transfer to/from the non-volatile mass data storage portion using a direct memory access type transfer of the data between the input-output module and the mass data storage portion; and a bus structure through which the memory controller and input-output controller each communicate autonomously with the host; wherein the direct memory access type transfer is performed using the bus structure, and wherein the host supplies a clock signal to the card over the bus structure during the direct memory access type transfer. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A system, comprising:
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a host; and an electronic circuit card connectable to a host system, the card comprising; a memory module including a memory controller and a non-volatile mass data storage portion; an input-output module including an input-output controller to perform an external data transfer including receiving data from and/or transmitting data to externally to the system, wherein, in response to a command from the host, the card performs the external data transfer to/from the non-volatile mass data storage portion using a direct memory access type transfer of the data between the input-output module and the mass data storage portion; and a bus structure through which the memory controller and input-output controller each communicate autonomously with the host; wherein the direct memory access type transfer is performed using the bus structure, and wherein the host supplies a clock signal to the card over the bus structure during the direct memory access type transfer. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification