JP2001306182A - Memory card adaptor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the complicatedness in transferring data. SOLUTION: A lurality of memory cards MC1, MC2 are connected with a 2nd input/output terminal group 6. Under such connection state, an adaptor main body 1 is attached to a memory card fitting part B of an equipment A with which the memory card is connected, and a 1st input/output terminal 3 is connected with the equipment A. Thereafter, one or two terminals 6a, 6b which comprises the 2nd input/output terminal group 6 that is to be connected with the 1st input/output terminal 3 is selected by a connection switching part 7, thereby performs mutual transfer between the equipment A and the memory cards MC1, MC2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a memory card adapter for mutually transferring data between a memory card connected device and a memory card not supported by the memory card connected device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an information processing device such as a personal computer is provided with a memory card mounting portion conforming to various memory card connection standards (for example, PCMCIA) so that a memory card mounted in the memory card mounting portion is provided. 2. Description of the Related Art Various types of data are mutually transferred between a computer and an information processing device.

[0003] Because memory cards are easy to handle and have a relatively large storage capacity, they are promising as portable recording media in the future. Therefore, each manufacturer has developed a memory card, and as a result, At present, a plurality of types of memory cards are distributed and widely used.

[0004] In view of the current situation in which a plurality of types of memory cards are distributed and used, conventionally, information processing apparatuses do not conform to the device-side memory card connection standard (therefore, they cannot be loaded into the memory card mounting portion). A) A memory card adapter that enables data transfer to and from a memory card has been devised and used.

[0005]

There is no particular problem when a single data is mutually transferred between the information processing device and the memory card, but there are a plurality of types of data.
In addition, if it is desired to transfer data to different memory cards, it is necessary to replace the memory card loaded in the memory card mounting part, which is very time-consuming and requires improvement. I was

[0006] On the other hand, in the conventional memory card adapter, only one memory card can be attached to one memory card adapter. Therefore, even if a memory card adapter is used, if it is desired to transfer data to different memory cards for each data, it is necessary to replace the memory card adapter with the memory card mounting portion, and the above-described data transfer complexity is reduced. It was not resolved.

Further, in the information processing apparatus, in addition to the memory card conforming to the device side memory card connection standard,
If there are multiple types of memory cards for which data transfer is desired, it is necessary to prepare memory card adapters corresponding to each type of memory card. There is a problem that handling of a plurality of memory card adapters including securing a place becomes complicated.

Accordingly, a main object of the present invention is to eliminate the complexity of mutual data transfer to and from a memory card.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an adapter body having a shape attachable to a memory card attaching portion of a memory card connected device, and a plurality of memory cards. A first input / output terminal electrically connected to the memory card connected device when the adapter body is mounted on the memory card mounting portion; A second input / output terminal group that is electrically connected to an output terminal and electrically connected to each of the memory cards when the memory card is mounted on the mounting portion; And a connection switching unit for connecting one or more of the terminals constituting the second input / output terminal group with respect to the input / output terminals.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to the first aspect of the present invention, an adapter main body having a shape attachable to a memory card attaching portion of a memory card connected device, and a plurality of memory cards are attached. When a mounting portion, a first input / output terminal electrically connected to the memory card connected device when the adapter main body is mounted on the memory card mounting portion, and a first input / output terminal, A second input / output terminal group electrically connected to each of the memory cards when the memory card is mounted on the mounting portion and the first input / output terminal; And a connection switching unit for connecting one or more of the terminals constituting the second input / output terminal group to constitute a memory card adapter. Having. That is, a plurality of memory cards can be electrically connected to the memory card connected device via the memory card adapter. Therefore, data can be transferred between the plurality of memory cards and the device connected to the memory card without replacing the adapter.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention is the memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the first input / output terminal is connected to the memory card connected device with respect to the memory card connected device. The mounting portion is compliant with another memory card connection standard different from the device-side memory card connection standard. A plurality of memory cards to be inserted,
The input / output terminal group is electrically connected to each of the memory cards in a state in which the memory card is mounted on the mounting portion in a connection mode conforming to the other memory card connection standard. And converts data fetched from the memory card connected device via the first input / output terminal into data compliant with the other memory card connection standard, and converts the data to the second input / output terminal group. A function of outputting, and / or converting data fetched from the memory card via the second input / output terminal group into data compliant with the device side memory card connection standard, and converting the data to the first input / output terminal. It is characterized in that it further has a data conversion means having an output function, and thereby has the following operation. That is, a memory card conforming to another memory card connection standard different from the device side memory card connection standard is connected to the memory card connected device via the memory card adapter, and these memory cards and the memory card connected device are connected to each other. , The mutual transfer of data can be performed. That is, in the present invention, mutual transfer of data between a plurality of memory cards conforming to another memory card connection standard different from the device side memory card connection standard and the memory card connected device is performed by one memory card adapter. be able to.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the memory card adapter according to the second aspect, wherein the second input / output terminal group comprises a plurality of memory cards having different memory card connection standards. Is characterized by having the following effects. In other words, the mutual transfer of data between a plurality of memory cards having different memory card connection standards that conform to the memory card connection standards that are different from the device side memory card connection standards and the memory card connection standards that are different from each other, and the memory card connected device. , One memory card adapter.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the memory card adapter according to the third aspect, wherein data taken in from one of the memory cards via one terminal of the second input / output terminal group is transferred. Another data conversion for converting the data into data corresponding to a memory card connection standard to which another memory card connected to another terminal of the second input / output terminal group is based and outputting the converted data to the other terminal. It is characterized by having means, and thereby has the following operation. That is, between memory cards that are connected to the second input / output terminal and have different memory card connection standards without passing through the memory card connected device,
Data can be transferred mutually.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the memory card adapter according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the mounting portion is provided on one surface of the adapter main body, and Is provided, and the depth of the recess is set to be equal to or greater than the thickness of the memory card, thereby having the following effects. That is, since the mounting portion is provided in the adapter main body, the shape of the memory card adapter can be reduced in size. Here, since the depth of the recess is equal to or greater than the thickness of the memory card, the memory card stored in the recess does not protrude from the surface of the adapter body. Therefore, even when the memory card is stored in the recess, the adapter main body can be attached to the memory card connected device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the memory card adapter according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the adapter main body is attached to the memory card connected device and the memory card is connected to the memory card connected device. It further has a protruding portion that protrudes from the card connected device, and is characterized in that the mounting portion is provided on this protruding portion, thereby having the following operation. That is, when the adapter main body is attached to the memory card connected device, the protruding portion protrudes from the memory card connected device, so that the protruding portion can be formed to an arbitrary size. Therefore, if a mounting portion is provided on this protruding portion, a mounting portion on which an arbitrary number of memory cards can be mounted can be formed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the memory card adapter according to the sixth aspect, further comprising a connecting portion for connecting the projecting portion to the adapter body so as to be freely bent. This has the following effects. That is, since the protruding portion protrudes from the connected device of the memory card, it is conceivable that the protruding portion becomes an obstacle during use of the memory card adapter. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the connecting portion is provided and the protruding portion is supported so as to be freely bent, the bent portion can be bent to a position where it is not obstructed by the connecting portion.

The device-side memory card connection standard is PCMCIA (Personal Computer) which is widely used.
It is preferable to conform to Memory Card International Association).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a memory card adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration thereof.

This memory card adapter is to be mounted on a memory card connected device A comprising an information processing device such as a personal computer and an image processing device. The memory card connected device A applied in the present embodiment is:
The connection standard of a memory card generally used in a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a general-purpose connection standard; here, a PCMCIA connection standard is used as an example, but it goes without saying that other memory card connection standards may be used). It is equipped with a function that allows data to be transferred to and from a compliant memory card.Therefore, a memory card compliant with the general-purpose connection standard is detachably mounted on the side of the device and electrically connected. Memory card mounting portion B is provided. The memory card mounting portion B includes a recessed slot B1 provided on a side surface of the device or the like, and a connection terminal B2 provided at the back of the slot.

However, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied not only to a memory card adapter applicable to such a memory card connected device A but also to various memory card adapters.

This memory card adapter includes an adapter main body 1 and a mounting section 2. Adapter body 1
Has the same outer shape as a memory card (specifically, a PCMICA card) that can be inserted into and attached to the memory card attaching portion B of the memory card connected device A.
A first input / output terminal 3 is provided at the end of the adapter body 1 on the distal end side in the device insertion direction. The first input / output terminal 3 is connected to the connection terminal B of the memory card mounting portion B when the adapter body 1 is mounted on the memory card mounting portion B.
2 and a terminal arrangement (terminal arrangement based on the general-purpose connection standard [PCMICA]) that is electrically connected to the terminal 2.

The mounting section 2 is provided on the adapter main body 1. The first and second mounting portions 2 conform to another memory card connection standard different from the memory card conforming to the general-purpose connection standard, and are smaller (the planar shape is smaller and the thickness is smaller) than the memory card of the general-purpose connection standard. 2 memory card M
C1 and MC2 are mounted. In the present embodiment, the first and second memory cards MC1 and MC2 are based on mutually different memory card connection standards.

The mounting section 2 has concave portions 5a and 5b and second input / output terminals 6a and 6b. Recesses 5a, 5b
Has a shape capable of storing the corresponding memory cards MC1 and MC2. Specifically, the memory card MC1,
Planar shape similar to MC2, memory cards MC1, MC
The thickness of the recess 5 is equal to or greater than the thickness of the recess 2.
a and 5b are provided.

One terminal 6a of the second input / output terminals 6a and 6b is exposed in the recess 5a, and when the first memory card MC1 is mounted in the recess 5a,
The terminal array has a terminal arrangement that is in contact with and electrically connected to the connection terminal T1 of the first memory card MC1. Similarly, the second
The other terminal 6b of the input / output terminals 6a and 6b is exposed in the recess 5b, and the connection terminal of the second memory card MC2 in a state where the second memory card MC2 is mounted in the recess 5b. It has a terminal arrangement that contacts and is electrically connected to T2. These second input / output terminals 6a,
A second input / output terminal group 6 is constituted by 6b.

Next, the circuit configuration of the memory card adapter will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The memory card adapter further includes a connection switching unit 7, a first data conversion unit 8a, a second data conversion unit 8b, and a third data conversion unit 8c. Connection switching unit 7
Is a switch composed of a mechanical switch or a semiconductor switch, and a second switch electrically connected to the first input / output terminal 3.
Of the input / output terminals 6a and 6b.
Specifically, either one of the second input / output terminals 6a, 6b or both of the second input / output terminals 6a, 6b are connected to the first input / output terminals 6a, 6b.
To connect to the input / output terminal 3.

The first data conversion means 8a includes a connection switching unit 7
And the first input / output terminal 6a. Second
The data conversion means 8b is interposed between the connection switching unit 7 and the second input / output terminal 6b. The third data conversion means 8c includes a second input / output terminal 6a and a second input / output terminal 6c.
b. These data conversion means 8
a, 8b, and 8c exhibit the following conversion functions.

The first data converter 8a converts the data (general connection standard data) taken into the memory card adapter from the first input / output terminal 3 into the first memory card MC.
1 converts the data into data of a memory card connection standard that is compliant with the first input / output terminal 6a and outputs the data to the memory card adapter from the second input / output terminal 6a (the first memory card). The function of converting the data of the memory card connection standard compliant with the MC1) into the data of the general connection standard and outputting the converted data to the first input / output terminal 3 is exhibited.

The second data converter 8b converts the data (general connection standard data) taken into the memory card adapter from the first input / output terminal 3 into the second memory card MC.
A function of converting the data into data of a memory card connection standard compliant with the second input / output terminal 6b and outputting the data to the second input / output terminal 6b; The function of converting the data of the memory card connection standard compliant with the MC2 into the data of the general connection standard and outputting the converted data to the first input / output terminal 3 is exhibited.

The third data converter 8c converts the data (data of the memory card connection standard with which the first memory card MC1 complies) from the second input / output terminal 6a into the second memory card adapter. Memory card MC
A function of converting the data into data of a memory card connection standard compliant with the second input / output terminal 6b and outputting the data to the second input / output terminal 6b; The data of the memory card connection standard compliant with MC2) is transferred to the first memory card M
The function of converting the data into data of a memory card connection standard compliant with C1 and outputting the data to the first input / output terminal 6a is exhibited.

Next, the operation of the memory card adapter will be described.

First, the first and second memory cards MC1, MC1,
When the MC2 is housed in the recesses 5a and 5b and mounted, the connection terminals T1 and T2 of the first and second memory cards MC1 and MC2 are changed to the first and second input / output terminals 6a and 6b.
Electrically connected to

First and second memory cards MC1, MC2
Is inserted into the slot B1 of the memory card mounting portion B of the memory card connection device A, and the first input / output terminal 3 of the memory card adapter is electrically connected to the connection terminal B2 of the memory card connection device A. Connect to

In this state, a general-purpose connection standard (PCM) is transmitted from the memory card connected device A to the memory card adapter.
ICA standard) is output. At this time,
The memory card selection information is attached to the output data. Then, the connection switching unit 7 supplied with the data from the memory card connected device A selects an output destination of the data based on the selection information attached to the data. That is, the connection switching unit 7 is configured to switch between the second input / output terminal 6a and the second input / output terminal 6b or both of the second input / output terminals 6a and 6b.
a and 6b are selected as data output destinations.

The data output from the connection switching section 7 is adapted by the first data conversion means 8a and / or the second data conversion means 8b to the memory card connection standards to which the memory cards MC1 and MC2 conform. After the data is converted to the corresponding data, the data is supplied from the second input / output terminals 6a and 6b to the corresponding memory cards MC1 and MC2 and stored there.

On the other hand, from the memory card connected device A to the memory card adapter, the memory cards MC1, MC
2 to output a request to capture data. Then, the connection switching unit 7 supplied with the data fetch request from the connected device A of the memory card selects a data fetch destination based on the fetch information. That is, the connection switching unit 7 selects the second input / output terminal 6a to the second input / output terminal 6b, or both of the second input / output terminals 6a and 6b as the data fetch destination.

Then, the connection switching unit 7, the second switching unit 7, and the second switching unit 7
A data capture request is output via the input / output terminals 6a and 6b. The memory card MC1 or MC2, or both memory cards MC1 and MC2, which have received the data fetch request, transfers the requested data to the first and second data via the second input / output terminals 6a and 6b. Output to the conversion means 8a, 8b. The first and second data converters 8a and 8b convert the input data into data conforming to the general-purpose connection standard (PCMICA standard), and then convert the data through the connection switching unit 7 and the first input / output terminal 3. hand,
Output to the connected device A of the memory card.

Further, a request for data transfer between memory cards is output from the connected device A of the memory card to the memory card adapter. Here, as an example, the first memory card MC1 to the second memory card MC2
The case where data is transferred from the second memory card MC2 to the first memory card MC1 is, of course, the same.

The data transfer request between the memory cards is supplied to the third data conversion means 8c together with the memory cards MC1 and MC2. Then, the first memory card MC1, to which the data transfer request has been supplied, transmits the requested data to the third data conversion means 8 via the first input / output terminal 6a.
output to c. The third data converter 8c converts the supplied data into data that conforms to the memory card connection standard with which the second memory card MC2 conforms, and then converts the data from the second input / output terminal 6b to the second data. Memory card MC
2 and store it here.

Although the data transfer operation between the memory cards described above is executed based on the data transfer request between the memory cards from the memory card connected device A, the memory card adapter is provided with a dedicated power supply. Then, the data transfer operation between the memory cards can be performed even when the device is separated from the memory card connected device A.

Further, in the memory card adapter of the embodiment described above, the two second input / output terminals 6a, 6a
b, the mounting unit 2 is configured. However, it goes without saying that the mounting unit may be configured to have three or more input / output terminals.

Furthermore, in the memory card adapter of the embodiment described above, the first and second memory cards MC conforming to different memory card connection standards, respectively.
1, a memory card adapter that enables mutual data transfer between the MC2 and the memory card connected device A conforming to the general-purpose connection standard. As shown in FIG. 3, the present invention also includes a third memory card conforming to the same memory card connection standard.
May be possible to transfer data between the memory cards MC3, MC3 and the device A connected to the memory card compliant with the general-purpose connection standard. In this case, the first and second input / output terminals 6a 'and 6b' have the same configuration. Similarly, the first and second data conversion means 8a 'and 8b' have the same configuration. Further, the third data conversion means 8c becomes unnecessary.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the present invention may be configured to transfer data between memory cards MC4 conforming to a general-purpose connection standard or the like. In this case, the first and second input / output terminals 6a ″ and 6b ″ also have a terminal configuration conforming to the general-purpose connection standard. Further, the first and second data conversion means 8a and 8b become unnecessary.

Further, as shown in FIG.
0, and the mounting portion 2 ′ may be provided on the protruding portion 10. That is, the protruding portion 10 protrudes from the memory card connected device A in a state where the adapter body 1 is attached to the memory card connected device A.
0 is provided with a mounting portion 2 '. Since the projection 10 provided in this manner projects from the memory card connected device A, the projection 10 can be formed in any size. Therefore, by providing the mounting portion 2 'on the protruding portion 10, the mounting portion 2' on which an arbitrary number of memory cards (three memory cards MC5 to MC7 in the figure) can be mounted can be formed.

It is conceivable that the projecting portion 10 which has been enlarged to form the large mounting portion 2 may be an obstacle during use. In this case, the projecting portion 10 and the adapter body 1
A connecting portion 11 may be provided between the two to bend freely. Since the protruding portion 10 can be folded along the surface of the memory card connected device A by the connecting portion 11, even if the protruding portion 10 is large in size, it does not easily interfere with use.

In the above description of the embodiment, the first
Although the data transfer is performed between the input / output terminal 3 and the second input / output terminal group 6 in any direction (the first input / output terminal 3 → the second input / output terminal group 6). Alternatively, it is needless to say that data may be transferred only from the second input / output terminal group 6 to the first input / output terminal 3).

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Data can be mutually transferred between a plurality of memory cards and a device connected to the memory card without replacing the adapter, and the complexity of data transfer can be eliminated.

Further, the mutual transfer of data between a plurality of memory cards conforming to another memory card connection standard different from the device side memory card connection standard and the memory card connected device is performed by one memory card adapter. And the complexity of data transfer can be reduced by that much.

Further, data transfer between a plurality of memory cards and a memory card connected device which conforms to a memory card connection standard different from the device side memory card connection standard and which also conforms to each other and which are different from each other. Mutual transfer can also be performed by one memory card adapter, and the complexity of data transfer can be reduced by that much.

Also, without going through the memory card connected device, between memory cards connected to the second input / output terminal and having different memory card connection standards,
Since the data can be mutually transferred, the complexity of the data transfer can be reduced by that much.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external shape of a memory card adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the memory card adapter according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a first modified example of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a second modified example of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an external shape of a third modified example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

A Memory Card Device B Memory Card Attachment B1 Slot B2 Connection Terminal T1 Connection Terminal T2 Connection Terminal MC1 First Memory Card MC2 Second
Memory card 1 adapter main body 2 mounting section 3 first input / output terminal 5a, 5b recess 6 second input / output terminal group 6a, 6b second
Input / output terminal 7 connection switching unit 8a first
Data conversion means 8b Second data conversion means 10 Projecting part 11 Connecting part

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Katsuhiko Yamamoto 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5B058 CA13 KA02 KA04 KA08 KA21 YA20 5B065 BA09 CA19 CA40

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An adapter body having a shape attachable to a memory card mounting portion of a memory card connected device, a mounting portion to which a plurality of memory cards are mounted, and the adapter body being mounted on the memory card mounting portion. A first input / output terminal that is electrically connected to the memory card connected device in a state where the memory card is connected, and individually connected to each of the memory cards in a state where the memory card is mounted in the mounting portion. A second input / output terminal group that is electrically connected; and a connection switching unit that connects one or more of the terminals constituting the second input / output terminal group to the first input / output terminal. A memory card adapter comprising: 2. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the first input / output terminal is connected to the device connected to the memory card by a device-side memory card connected to the device connected to the memory card. The connection unit is electrically connected in a connection form conforming to a standard, and the mounting unit is mounted with a plurality of memory cards conforming to another memory card connection standard different from the device side memory card connection standard. The second input / output terminal group is configured to electrically connect to each of the memory cards in a state in which the memory card is mounted on the mounting portion in a connection mode conforming to the other memory card connection standard. And the data fetched from the memory card connected device via the first input / output terminal is connected to the other memory card connection standard. A function of converting the data into compliant data and outputting the data to the second input / output terminal group, and / or converting the data fetched from the memory card via the second input / output terminal group into the device-side memory card connection standard. A data conversion means having a function of converting the data into data conforming to the standard and outputting the data to the first input / output terminal. 3. The memory card adapter according to claim 2, wherein the second input / output terminal group is configured to electrically connect a plurality of memory cards having different memory card connection standards. Characteristic memory card adapter. 4. The memory card adapter according to claim 3, wherein the data input from one of the memory cards via a terminal constituting the second input / output terminal group is transferred to the second input / output terminal group. A memory having another data conversion means for converting the data into data corresponding to a memory card connection standard to which another memory card connected to another terminal conforms and outputting the converted data to the other terminal. Card adapter. 5. The memory card adapter according to claim 2, wherein the mounting portion includes a concave portion provided on one surface of the adapter main body and configured to store the memory card. A memory card adapter, wherein the depth of the recess is equal to or greater than the thickness of the memory card. 6. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the adapter main body is attached to the memory card connected device, and the protrusion protrudes from the memory card connected device. And the mounting portion is provided on the protruding portion. 7. The memory card adapter according to claim 6, further comprising a connecting portion that connects the protruding portion to the adapter main body in a bendable manner. 8. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the device-side memory card connection standard is PCMCIA (Pe
rsonal Computer Memory Card International Associat
A memory card adapter conforming to (ion).