GB2430508A - Memory card with an integral dual interface - Google Patents

Memory card with an integral dual interface Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2430508A
GB2430508A GB0519319A GB0519319A GB2430508A GB 2430508 A GB2430508 A GB 2430508A GB 0519319 A GB0519319 A GB 0519319A GB 0519319 A GB0519319 A GB 0519319A GB 2430508 A GB2430508 A GB 2430508A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
interface
memory card
casing
storage carrier
dual
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0519319A
Other versions
GB0519319D0 (en
Inventor
Chien-Yuan Chen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Power Digital Card Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Power Digital Card Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Power Digital Card Co Ltd filed Critical Power Digital Card Co Ltd
Priority to GB0519319A priority Critical patent/GB2430508A/en
Publication of GB0519319D0 publication Critical patent/GB0519319D0/en
Priority to SG200507367-1A priority patent/SG130986A1/en
Priority to NL1031564A priority patent/NL1031564C1/en
Publication of GB2430508A publication Critical patent/GB2430508A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F13/00—Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
    • G06F13/38—Information transfer, e.g. on bus
    • G06F13/382—Information transfer, e.g. on bus using universal interface adapter
    • G06F13/385—Information transfer, e.g. on bus using universal interface adapter for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/0772—Physical layout of the record carrier
    • G06K19/07732—Physical layout of the record carrier the record carrier having a housing or construction similar to well-known portable memory devices, such as SD cards, USB or memory sticks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/0772—Physical layout of the record carrier
    • G06K19/07733—Physical layout of the record carrier the record carrier containing at least one further contact interface not conform ISO-7816
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R35/00—Flexible or turnable line connectors, i.e. the rotation angle being limited
    • H01R35/04—Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members

Abstract

A dual interface memory card comprises a memory unit, a main interface 13, a connection interface 14, located on the casing 11, and a control chip having a dual interface transmission function located inside the casing, with the control chip being connected to the memory unit, the main interface unit and the connection interface. The control chip could include at least one memory card controller, a flash controller and low voltage differential signal components. The memory card casing could have the physical form and main interface of well known memory cards such as compact flash (CF) or multimedia card (MMC). The connection interface could be either USB or an IEEE standard interface. When in use, the memory card can be put into a device. The memory card can be removed from the device and the connection interface could then either be slid out or pivoted out from the main memory card casing to allow the USB or IEEE connection to be used thus enabling a simple connection to a personal computer without the need for a card reader.

Description

* 1 2430508
DUAL INTERFACE STORAGE CARRIER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dual interface storage carrier, and more particularly to a dual interface storage carrier which does not require a card reader but can use its own connection interface to link to an electronic device such as a computer.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
As a storage carrier in a memory card style is provided with a large capacity, a small size, and a high stability, it is widely used in a portable electronic device such as a digital camera, an MP3 player, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a cellular phone. In addition, related industries are continuously developing memory cards with a larger capacity, a faster transmission speed, and a smaller size, in order to meet application requirements of a newer generation of products. The storage carriers in the memory card style available in the existing market include primarily an SD (Smart Digital) memory card, an MS (Memory Stick) memory card, a CF (Compact Flash) memory card, an SM (Smart Media) memory card, an MMC (Multi Media Card) memory card, and even an MD (IBM Micro Drive) micro drive. Their data storage methods include a silicon disk or a hard disk, and some of them have a remarkable difference in shape and size.
Accordingly, in order to link the similar storage carrier to other electronic device to facilitate internal data access, a conversiob interface so called the card reader should be used additionally, so as to construct a link of data transmission between the storage carrier in memory card style and the electronic device like computer. However, as there are so many kinds of storage carriers in memory card style available in the market, a consumer will have to possess many kinds of card readers or a multi-function card reader, which is not economic and will also cause a trouble in carrying the card readers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention consists of a connection interface located at an opposite end to a main interface on a casing of a storage carrier, and a control chip having a dual interface transmission function located inside the casing. The control chip is also connected to a memory unit, the main interface, and the connection interface. Thus, a dual interface storage carrier which can use its own connection interface to link to an electronic device such as a computer, without using a card reader, is constructed.
To enable a further understanding of the said objectives and the technological methods of the invention herein, the brief description of the drawings below is followed by the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. I shows a perspective view of a first implementation of a storage carrier of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a basic structure of a storage carrier of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a structure of a control chip of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a second implementation of a storage carrier of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of an application status of a second implementation of a storage carrier of the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a third implementation of a storage carrier of the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of an application status of a third implementation of a storage carrier of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. I and FIG. 2, the present invention uses a casing as a primary mechanical structure for constructing a memory unit 12 by an entire storage carrier 10. A shape of the casing 11 can fit with a shape of an SD (Smart Digital) memory card (as shown in the drawings), an MS (Memory Stick) memory card, a CF (Compact Flash) memory card, an SM (Smart Media) memory card, an MMC (Multi Media Card) memory card, and even an MD (IBM Micro Drive) micro drive. A main interface 13 is located at a specific location on the casing 11 for linking to an portable electronic device such as a digital camera, an MP3 player, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a cellular
phone of its respective specification.
The primary characteristics of the present invention lies in that a connection interface 14 is located at an opposite end to the main interface 11, and a control chip 15 having a dual interface transmission function is located inside the casing 11. This control chip 15 is also connected to the memory unit 12, the main interface 13, and the connection interface 14. Upon implementation, the entire storage carrier can be a form of a silicon disk memory card. Referring to FIG. 3 at the same time, the memory unit 12 can be constructed by at least one flash memory 121, and the connection interface 14 can be a USB (universal serial bus) as shown in the drawing, or a standard interface specified by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers).
The control chip 15 includes further at least one memory card controller 151, one flash controller unit 152, one low voltage differential signal transmission function interface 153, one low voltage differential signal transmission logical/physical interface 154, and one low voltage differential signal controller 155. Accordingly, the entire storage carrier can be linked to a portable electronic device such as a digital camera, an MP3 player, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a cellular phone through the main interface 13, it can be even directly linked to an electronic device like a computer through the connection interface 14, with the internal control chip 15 in charge of data conversion, in order to increase a convenience and applicability of a mutual linking between the storage carrier 10 and many kinds of electronic devices.
Referring to FIG. 4 to FIG. 7, it is worth to be mentioned that a movable mechanism 16 is located between the connection interface 14 and the casing 11 for enabling a corresponding change in position between the connection interface 14 and the casing 11, such that the connection interface 14 can be exposed out of an end of the casing 11 by a specified length, or be hidden in the interior of end surface of the casing 11, thereby enabling the shape of entire storage carrier to completely fit with the memory card of its respective specification.
In the implementation depicted in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the movable mechanism 16 consists of mutually connected pins 161 which are located on the casing 11 and the connection interface 14 respectively with a pivot 162 passing between them. In addition, a concave part 163 is located on the casing 14 for holding the connection interface 14, such that the connection interface 14 can be hidden by folding it toward the concave part 163. On the other hand, in the implementation depicted in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the movable mechanism 16 consists of mutually connected slots 164 and rails 165 which are located at a joint place between the casing 11 and the connection interface 14, respectively.
Similarly, a concave part 163 is located on the casing 11 for holding the connection interface 14, such that the connection interface 14 can be hidden by directly pushing it into the concave part 163.
It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described herein is merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims (11)

  1. What is claimed is: 1. A dual interface storage carrier comprising a
    memory unit and a main interface constructed on a casing, wherein a connection interface and a control chip having a dual interface transmission function are located additionallY Ofl the casing, with the control chip being connected to the memory unit, the main interface, and the connection interface.
  2. 2. The dual interface storage carrier according to claim i, wherein the memory unit is composed of at least one flash memory.
  3. 3. The dual interface storage carrier according to claim 1, wherein the control chip includes at least one memory card controller, one flash controller unit, one low voltage differential signal transmission function interface, one low voltage differential signal transmission logicallphYSical interface, and one low voltage differential signal controller.
  4. 4. The dual interface storage carrier according to claim 1, wherein the connection interface is located on the casing at an opposite end to the main interface.
  5. 5. The dual interface storage carrier according to claim I or 4, wherein a movable mechanism is located between the connection interface and the casing for enabling a corresponding change in position between the connection interface and the casing.
  6. 6. The dual interface storage carrier according to claim 5, wherein the movable mechanism consists of mutually connected pins which are located on the casing and the connection interface respectively, with a pivot passing between them, and a concave part is located on the casing for holding the connection interface.
  7. 7. The dual interface storage carrier according to claim 5, wherein the movable mechanism consists of mutually connected slots and rails which are located at a joint place between the casing and the connection interface respectively, and a concave part is located on the casing for holding the connection interface.
  8. 8. The dual interface storage carrier according to claim 1, wherein the casing can be in a shape of an SD memory card, an MS memory card, a CF memory card, an SM memory card, an MMC memory card, or an MD micro drive.
  9. 9. The dual interface storage carrier according to claim 1, wherein the main interface can be a transmission interface of an SD memory card, an MS memory card, a CF memory card, an SM memory card, an MMC memory card, or an MD micro drive.
  10. 10. The dual interface storage carrier according to claim 1, wherein the connection interface can be a USB or an IEEE standard interface.
  11. 11. Dual interface storage carrier substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB0519319A 2005-09-21 2005-09-21 Memory card with an integral dual interface Withdrawn GB2430508A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0519319A GB2430508A (en) 2005-09-21 2005-09-21 Memory card with an integral dual interface
SG200507367-1A SG130986A1 (en) 2005-09-21 2005-11-10 Dual interface storage carrier
NL1031564A NL1031564C1 (en) 2005-09-21 2006-04-11 Dual interface storage carrier.

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0519319A GB2430508A (en) 2005-09-21 2005-09-21 Memory card with an integral dual interface

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0519319D0 GB0519319D0 (en) 2005-11-02
GB2430508A true GB2430508A (en) 2007-03-28

Family

ID=35335250

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0519319A Withdrawn GB2430508A (en) 2005-09-21 2005-09-21 Memory card with an integral dual interface

Country Status (3)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2430508A (en)
NL (1) NL1031564C1 (en)
SG (1) SG130986A1 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2440041A (en) * 2006-07-10 2008-01-16 Hes Ltd Memory device with retractable USB connector
WO2008019258A2 (en) * 2006-08-04 2008-02-14 Sandisk Corporation Memory card with latching mechanism for hinged cover
US7822883B2 (en) 2004-04-16 2010-10-26 Sandisk Corporation Memory card with two standard sets of contacts and a hinged contact covering mechanism
EP2315323A1 (en) * 2008-02-26 2011-04-27 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. USB connector and USB device
EP2413430A1 (en) * 2010-07-29 2012-02-01 Walton Advanced Engineering Inc. A foldable data connector
US8281062B2 (en) * 2008-08-27 2012-10-02 Sandisk Il Ltd. Portable storage device supporting file segmentation and multiple transfer rates

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5565704A (en) * 1992-03-04 1996-10-15 Nec Corporation Memory card having two types of memory integrated circuits connected to two different shaped connectors
US6567273B1 (en) * 2002-02-06 2003-05-20 Carry Computer Eng. Co., Ltd. Small silicon disk card with a USB plug
US6676420B1 (en) * 2002-04-19 2004-01-13 Wen-Tsung Liu Double interface compact flash memory card
GB2399661A (en) * 2003-03-21 2004-09-22 Carry Computer Eng Co Ltd Universal Micro Memory Card
DE202004007194U1 (en) * 2004-05-06 2004-09-30 Haicom International Co., Ltd., Chung Ho Hard disk with a Bluetooth interface, e.g. for use in storing digital photographs or videos, is able to communicate via the Bluetooth protocol with different signal sources and so store data from different memory card types
US6890188B1 (en) * 2004-02-27 2005-05-10 Imation Corp. Memory card compatible with device connector and host connector standards

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5565704A (en) * 1992-03-04 1996-10-15 Nec Corporation Memory card having two types of memory integrated circuits connected to two different shaped connectors
US6567273B1 (en) * 2002-02-06 2003-05-20 Carry Computer Eng. Co., Ltd. Small silicon disk card with a USB plug
US6676420B1 (en) * 2002-04-19 2004-01-13 Wen-Tsung Liu Double interface compact flash memory card
GB2399661A (en) * 2003-03-21 2004-09-22 Carry Computer Eng Co Ltd Universal Micro Memory Card
US6890188B1 (en) * 2004-02-27 2005-05-10 Imation Corp. Memory card compatible with device connector and host connector standards
DE202004007194U1 (en) * 2004-05-06 2004-09-30 Haicom International Co., Ltd., Chung Ho Hard disk with a Bluetooth interface, e.g. for use in storing digital photographs or videos, is able to communicate via the Bluetooth protocol with different signal sources and so store data from different memory card types

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7822883B2 (en) 2004-04-16 2010-10-26 Sandisk Corporation Memory card with two standard sets of contacts and a hinged contact covering mechanism
US7710736B2 (en) 2005-08-02 2010-05-04 Sandisk Corporation Memory card with latching mechanism for hinged cover
GB2440041B (en) * 2006-07-10 2011-08-24 Hes Ltd Memory devices and security systems and apparatus for use with such memory devices
WO2008007139A3 (en) * 2006-07-10 2008-03-27 Hes Ltd Memory devices and security systems and apparatus for use with such memory devices
GB2440041A (en) * 2006-07-10 2008-01-16 Hes Ltd Memory device with retractable USB connector
WO2008019258A2 (en) * 2006-08-04 2008-02-14 Sandisk Corporation Memory card with latching mechanism for hinged cover
WO2008019258A3 (en) * 2006-08-04 2008-06-26 Sandisk Corp Memory card with latching mechanism for hinged cover
EP2315323A1 (en) * 2008-02-26 2011-04-27 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. USB connector and USB device
US8075318B2 (en) 2008-02-26 2011-12-13 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. USB connector and USB device
US8206163B2 (en) 2008-02-26 2012-06-26 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. USB connector and USB device
US8540533B2 (en) 2008-02-26 2013-09-24 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. USB connector and USB device
US8281062B2 (en) * 2008-08-27 2012-10-02 Sandisk Il Ltd. Portable storage device supporting file segmentation and multiple transfer rates
US8539174B2 (en) 2008-08-27 2013-09-17 Sandisk Il Ltd. Use by a host device having a first file system of a portable storage device having a second file system and supporting file segmentation
EP2413430A1 (en) * 2010-07-29 2012-02-01 Walton Advanced Engineering Inc. A foldable data connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SG130986A1 (en) 2007-04-26
GB0519319D0 (en) 2005-11-02
NL1031564C1 (en) 2007-03-22

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)