JP2001075745A - Information processor and adaptor for fitting semiconductor memory - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively and simply use a semiconductor memory. SOLUTION: A personal computer(PC) card controller part 22a for using a PC card 12 and a smart medium controller 22b for controlling a smart medium 14 are packaged in a PC 10. The PC 10 is also provided with interface structure, i.e., a PC card connector 24 and a smart medium interface 28, for fitting the smart medium 14. The medium 14 fitted to the connector 24 through a receiving type smart medium adaptor 16 is connected to the controller 22b through the interface 28 and controlled by the controller 22b. Thus an active function for controlling the medium 14 is made unnecessary for the adaptor 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus using a portable semiconductor memory such as a smart media,
And a semiconductor memory mounting adapter for using the semiconductor memory in the information processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An information processing apparatus such as a personal computer is configured such that a PC card can be used, particularly when the information processing apparatus is portable. More recently, non-volatile semiconductor memories such as SSFDs have been used as small and lightweight portable readable and writable storage media.
Smart media based on the C standard has been used in information processing apparatuses.

Conventionally, when a smart media is used in a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a PC), a PC card adapter 3 for a smart media 2 is inserted into a PC card slot 6 provided in the PC 1 as shown in FIG. It was used by mounting. The PC card interface is a PC card controller (PCIC) 5
Is connected to the ISA bus and the PCI bus of the MPU 4 via.

In the conventional PC 1, such connection allows the MPU 4 to recognize the smart media 2 as a recording device similar to a hard disk device or the like, thereby enabling reading and writing to the smart media 2. For this purpose, the smart media PC card adapter 3 is provided with an active function such as a control controller for causing the MPU 4 to recognize the smart media 2 as a recording device.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration of the smart media PC card adapter 3. As shown in FIG. 7, the PC card adapter 3 for smart media has P
For example, a 68-pole P for connecting to the C card slot 6
A C card connector 3a and, for example, a 22-pole smart media connector 3b for connecting to the smart media 2.
Is provided. The PC card connector 3a and the smart media connector 3b are connected via an interface controller 3c. The interface controller 3c performs control according to the memory type and capacity, control algorithm according to the format of the smart media 2, and ECC (Error Coding) for correcting and detecting a data error.
rrecting Code) function.

The smart media PC card adapter 3 has a ROM 3d for storing card attribute information as an accessory to the interface controller 3c.
Also, a RAM 3e used as temporary storage for temporarily storing write data to the smart media 2 or converting memory addresses is provided.

[0007] PC card adapter 3 for smart media
Are provided with some passive components in addition to these components. Specifically, there are a capacitor, a resistor, a circuit related to a crystal oscillator for generating an operation clock, and the like.

[0008]

As described above, in a conventional information processing apparatus, when a semiconductor memory such as a smart media 2 is used, a smart media PC card adapter 3 is required. Are provided with components such as an interface controller 3c, ROM 3d, and RAM 3e for executing active functions, and other passive components. That is, since the smart media PC card adapter 3 needs to have complicated hardware, it becomes expensive, and it has become a burden in using the semiconductor memory such as the smart media 2 in the PC 1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an information processing apparatus and an adapter for mounting a semiconductor memory which can use a semiconductor memory at low cost and easily. I do.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus having a recording medium controller for using a recording medium, comprising: an interface means for mounting a semiconductor memory different from the recording medium; A semiconductor memory controller having a function of controlling a semiconductor memory mounted by a memory interface includes a controller mounted together with a recording medium controller for using the recording medium.

According to such a configuration, a semiconductor memory (such as a smart media) is used together with a controller for using a recording medium such as a PC card in the information processing apparatus.
By incorporating and configuring a controller that controls
It is not necessary to provide a controller for an adapter for mounting the semiconductor memory to the information processing device.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal computer according to the first embodiment. A personal computer (hereinafter, abbreviated as PC) 10 in the first embodiment has a configuration in which an interface structure for mounting a smart media 14 in addition to a PC card 12 as a semiconductor memory and a controller for controlling the smart media 14 are mounted. It has become. The smart media 14 is connected to the PC 10 via a passive type smart media adapter 16 (to be described in detail later), which is a semiconductor memory mounting adapter.

As shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer according to the first embodiment includes an MPU 20, a controller 22, a PC card connector 24, a PC card slot 26, and a smart media interface 28 (semiconductor memory interface). An interface structure for mounting the smart media 14 is constituted by the PC card connector 24 and the smart media interface 28, and the smart media 14 is connected to the interface structure using the passive type smart media adapter 16.

The MPU 20 controls the operation of the PC 10, and controls the controller 2 via a bus such as ISA or PCI.
2 is connected.

The controller 22 controls a recording medium connected via a PC card connector 24. A smart media controller 22b (semiconductor memory controller) is mounted in addition to the PC card controller 22a. The PC card controller 22a has a function for controlling the PC card 12, and is connected to the PC card slot 26.
The smart media controller 22b has a function for controlling the smart media 14, and is connected to the smart media interface 28. The PC card controller unit 22a and the smart media controller 22b are connected to the passive type smart media adapter 1
6 is attached to the PC card connector 24,
That is, one of them is switched and used so as to operate according to the detection signal of the passive adapter.

The PC card connector 24 is connected to the PC card 1
2, for example, a 68-pole general connector. The PC card slot 26 has 68 signal lines, and signals correspond one-to-one with the 68-pole connector of the PC card connector 24. When the PC card 12 is connected to the PC card connector 24, the MPU is connected via the PC card slot 26 and the PC card controller 22a.
20.

The smart media interface 28
The 68-pole PC card connector 24 configured for the PC card 12 and the smart media controller 22b are connected with consistency. Since the maximum number of smart media interface signals is 22 and the maximum number of PC card interface signals is 68, by selectively connecting predetermined signal lines input / output by the PC card connector 24, the smart media controller 22
The consistency can be ensured without providing a new I / O terminal for b.

For example, since lines such as GND and Vcc are common to all interfaces, the smart media interface 28 is also connected to the same line as the PC card interface of the PC card connector 24. In addition, the input signal, output signal, and bidirectional signal of the smart media 14 are respectively allocated to and connected to signals of the same type of PC card.

A circuit for realizing the smart media interface 28 is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 (in FIG. 2, the passive type smart media adapter 16 is omitted). That is, the smart media interface 28 can be easily configured by mounting about two registers such as the address selector 28a and the data buffer 28b. Even if the smart media interface 28 is added to the PC 10, the PC card controller unit 22a and other peripheral chips of the MPU 20 (for example,
There is no cost increase for circuits such as a PCI controller and LPC.

Also, a smart media interface 2
8 has a passive smart media adapter 16
A mechanism is provided for detecting that the smart media 14 is used, that is, that the smart media 14 is used. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, surplus pins in the 68 poles of the PC card connector 24 (those that do not correspond to any of the 22 SmartMedia interface signals)
Is assigned to the passive adapter detection signal, and the corresponding pin of the passive type smart media adapter 16 is set to GND. Thereby, when the passive type smart media adapter 16 is connected to the smart media interface 28 via the PC card connector 24, the detection signal of the passive adapter is detected by the controller 22.

The means for detecting that the passive type smart media adapter 16 is attached to the PC card connector 24 and outputting a detection signal to the smart media controller 22b is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the configuration is provided in the smart media interface 28,
The configuration may be provided separately from the smart media interface 28, or the configuration may be such that the attachment is mechanically detected instead of being detected by electrical connection.

Next, the passive type smart media adapter 16 will be described. The passive type smart media adapter 16 has a configuration for converting a signal assigned to the 68-pole PC card connector 24 into a 22-pole signal for the smart media 14. The passive type smart media adapter 16 does not require the active components such as the interface controller 3c and the ROM and the RAM shown in FIG.
Connect each of the pole lines to PC card connector 24
A conversion board that connects to the corresponding pins of the eight poles is implemented. In the conversion platform, in addition to GND and Vcc, each of the input signal, the output signal, and the bidirectional signal is transmitted to the smart media 1
4 and the PC card connector 24.
The passive type smart media adapter 16 includes a conversion board, a smart media connector (22 poles), a PC card connector (68 poles), a frame, a sheet metal, and the like.

Next, the operation and effect when the smart media 14 is used in the PC 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In a normal state, the controller 22 is switched so that the PC card controller 22a functions. When using the PC card 12, the PC card 12 is attached to the PC card connector 24. Thus, the PC card 12 is connected to the PC card connector 24,
The PC card controller 22a is connected to the PC card controller 22a via the card slot 26.
Used under the control of 2a.

On the other hand, when the smart media 14 is used, the smart media 14 is mounted on the passive type smart media adapter 16, and the passive type smart media adapter 16 is mounted on the PC card connector 24.

Passive type smart media adapter 16
Is attached to the PC card connector 24, the detection signal of the passive adapter is detected by the controller 22. The controller 22 causes the smart media controller 22b to function instead of the PC card controller 22a in response to the detection signal.

As a result, the smart media 14 is connected to the smart media controller 22b via the passive type smart media adapter 16, the PC card connector 24, and the smart media interface 28, and is hereinafter used under the smart media controller 22b. Is done.

In this way, the smart media controller 22b for using the smart media 14
Is incorporated as a controller 22 in advance together with the PC card controller 22a, so that it is not necessary to provide active components in the passive type smart media adapter 16, and the smart media 14
Can be used on the PC 10. That is, the configuration in which the smart media controller 22b is incorporated in the controller 22 can be realized at a lower cost than in the case where the smart media controller 22b is incorporated in the smart media PC card adapter as an interface controller.
M, RAM, etc.) are unnecessary, so that the adapter itself can be configured at a lower cost than a smart media PC card adapter (see FIG. 6), which was conventionally required to use smart media. Also, with the configuration shown in FIG. 1, if the PC card connector 24 can be mounted, the PC card 12 and the smart media 14 can be used, so that the mounting space where the PC 10 is small is limited. It is also effective when there is.

Next, a personal computer according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, the PC card 12 and the smart media 1
4 (passive type smart media adapter 16), the PC card connector 24 is used together. In the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, the slot for the PC card 12 and the slot for the smart media 14 are independent. This is the configuration provided. The configuration of the second embodiment is applicable when there is ample mounting space, such as a desktop PC, and this configuration eliminates the need to use the passive smart media adapter 16 of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, also in the PC 10 in the second embodiment, a controller 29 for controlling a recording medium is provided with a PC card controller section 22a having a function for controlling the PC card 12, and a smart media. And a smart media controller 22b having a function of controlling the P.14.

In addition to the PC card connector 24,
A smart media connector 30 is provided. The smart media connector 30 is connected to the smart media controller 22b via the smart media interface 31. The smart media interface 31 can be easily configured by mounting about two registers in the same manner as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 2).
To the PC card controller unit 22a or MP
There is no cost increase for other peripheral chips of U20 (for example, circuits such as a PCI controller and LPC).

In the configuration of the second embodiment, the PC card 12
And the smart media 14 can be simultaneously attached to the PC card connector 24 and the smart media connector 30, respectively, so that the controller 29 does not need to switch between the PC card controller 22a and the smart media controller 22b.

As described above, P in the second embodiment is
Also in the C10, the smart media controller 22b for using the smart media 14 is incorporated together with the PC card controller 22a as the controller 22 in advance, so that the smart media P
It can be realized at a lower cost than when it is incorporated as an interface controller in a C card adapter. Further, by providing the smart media connector 30 separately from the PC card connector 24, the passive type smart media adapter 16 is not required, and the controller 29 is provided.
It is not necessary to switch the functions of the PC card controller unit 22a and the smart media controller 22b in the first embodiment, so that the means for notifying the controller 29 of the detection signal of the passive adapter for switching the functions in the first embodiment is also unnecessary. it can. Therefore, the PC
10 can be constructed inexpensively.

Next, a personal computer according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment is a peripheral device of the PC 10, in the example shown in FIG.
33 that implements the smart media controller 22b for controlling the smart media 14 together with the FDD controller unit 22c for controlling the
Is provided. The controller 33 controls the MP via an ISA bus or a USB (Universal Serial Bus).
Connected to U20.

FDD slot 3 into which FDD 32 is inserted
4 is provided with an FDD interface 36, and the FDD interface 36 is connected to the FDD controller unit 22c. In addition, a smart media connector 30 is provided separately from the FDD slot 34. The smart media connector 30 is connected to the smart media controller 22b via the smart media interface 31. The smart media interface 31
As in the first embodiment, the configuration can be simplified by mounting about two registers (see FIG. 2). Even if the smart media interface 31 is added to the PC 10, the PC card controller unit 22a and the MPU 20 There is no cost increase for other peripheral chips (for example, circuits such as a PCI controller and LPC).

In the configuration of the third embodiment, when accessing the FDD 32 inserted into the FDD slot 34, the FDD controller 22c of the controller 33
Of the smart media 1 attached to the smart media connector 30 is switched.
When using No. 4, the operation is switched to the function of the smart media controller 22b.

As described above, P in the third embodiment is
In the C10, the smart media controller 22b for using the smart media 14 is built in advance as the controller 33 together with the FDD controller unit 22c, so that the smart media controller 22b can be realized at a lower cost than when the smart media PC card adapter is installed as an interface controller. be able to. Further, by providing the smart media connector 30 separately from the PC card connector 24, the passive type smart media adapter 16 can be omitted.

In the third embodiment, the FDD 32 is targeted as another recording medium of the smart media 14, but other recording media (hard disk,
Smart media controller 2 with a controller for its recording media
It is of course possible to configure 2b.

In each of the above embodiments, the PC 10
However, the present invention can be applied to other semiconductor memories, such as a compact flash and a miniature card.

[0039]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the controller for controlling the use of the semiconductor memory is installed in advance in the main unit of the information processing apparatus (personal computer) together with the controllers of other recording media. This eliminates the need for an active function for mounting the semiconductor memory in the information processing apparatus, and thus allows the semiconductor memory to be used at low cost and in a simple manner.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal computer according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit for realizing a smart media interface 28.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a unit that detects attachment of a passive adapter.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal computer according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal computer according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration for using smart media in a conventional personal computer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a smart media PC card adapter 3.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Personal computer 12 ... PC card 14 ... Smart media 16 ... Passive type smart media adapter 20 ... MPU 22, 29, 30 ... Controller 22a ... PC card controller 22b ... Smart media controller 22c ... FDD controller 24 ... PC card connector 26 PC card slot 28 Smart media interface 34 FDD slot 36 FDD interface

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus having a recording medium controller for using a recording medium, wherein: an interface means for mounting a semiconductor memory different from the recording medium; and a semiconductor memory mounted by the semiconductor memory interface. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a semiconductor memory controller having a function of controlling the recording medium; and a controller mounted together with a recording medium controller for using the recording medium. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a detecting unit configured to detect that the semiconductor memory is mounted on the interface unit, wherein the controller is configured to control the semiconductor memory controller when the detecting unit detects the mounting of the semiconductor memory. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is operable. 3. The interface means includes a connector for mounting a recording medium, and a semiconductor memory interface for selectively connecting a predetermined signal line with consistency between the connector and the semiconductor memory controller. Characteristic information processing device. 4. A semiconductor memory mounting adapter for mounting a semiconductor memory different from the recording medium via a connector for mounting a recording medium provided in the information processing apparatus, the adapter comprising: An adapter for mounting a semiconductor memory, having a passive configuration in which each of the lines is connected to a corresponding pin of a connector corresponding to the recording medium. 5. The semiconductor memory mounting adapter according to claim 4, wherein a GND and a power supply of said connector are shared with a GND and a power supply of said semiconductor memory, respectively.