Flash medium reading devices with integrated storage compartments

• US 20050168931A1
• Filed: 02/16/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MCM Portfolio LLC
• Original Assignee: Technology Properties Limited LLC
• Inventors: Jones, Larry Lawson, Venkidu, Arockiyaswamy, Mambakkam, Sreenath
• Granted Patent: US 7,508,659 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.320
• 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:

an electronic component to read a first memory card;

a housing component to have a slot to receive the first memory card and a storage mechanism to store a second memory card, wherein the storage mechanism comprises;

means for receiving the second card,

means for ejecting the second card from the cavity; and

means for locking the 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, wherein the housing further comprises a 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 wireless signal.

6. A system, comprising:

a electronic component for reading a first memory card;

a housing component having a first slot for receiving the first memory card; and

a wireless transmitter to transmit a status of the first memory card.

7. The system of claim 6, 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.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the housing component is to have a second slot for receiving a second memory card.

9. The system of claim 8, 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.

10. The system of claim 8, 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.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

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

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

12. A surveillance system, comprising:

a video capture device;

means for writing video to a first storage medium;

means for determining when a capacity of the first storage medium is reached; and

means for wirelessly transmitting the determination.

13. The surveillance system of claim 12, wherein the capacity is full capacity.

14. The surveillance system of claim 12, further comprising means for automatically writing to a second storage medium when the capacity is reached.

15. The surveillance system of claim 14, wherein the first and second storage medium are to be housed in the video capture device.

16. The surveillance system of claim 12, further comprising means for receiving a command to write to a second storage medium in response to the transmission.

17. The surveillance system of claim 16, wherein the means for receiving includes means for wirelessly receiving the command.

18. The surveillance system of claim 12, wherein the video capture device is one of a motion video camera, still video camera, or video card.

19. The surveillance system of claim 12, wherein the means for writing includes means for writing to a memory card.

20. The surveillance system of claim 12, wherein the first storage medium is to be housed in the video capture device.