JP2019057228A - Card device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a card device capable of preventing a small memory card from performing unintended operation even when a second interface is disposed.SOLUTION: A card device 200 is a card device comprises: a first interface connectable to a host device; a second interface different from the first interface, which is connectable to another host device; a nonvolatile memory capable of writing, reading and deleting data; a card controller configured to give an instruction of writing, reading and deleting of the data to the nonvolatile memory on the basis of an instruction from the host device; and a switch capable of connecting and disconnecting of a signal line between the card controller and the second interface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a card device and a host device that can be connected to each other.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, card devices such as card-shaped SD (Secure Digital) cards and memory sticks, which have a large-capacity nonvolatile memory element such as a flash memory and can process data at high speed, have become popular in the market. Such a card device is used by being mounted on a host device such as a personal computer, a smartphone, a digital camera, an audio player, and a car navigation system.

  In a dual SIM-compatible smartphone, a small memory card device and a SIM card connector are shared to save space. On the other hand, in a small memory card device, a new interface may be added in addition to the conventional interface in order to realize high-speed data transfer. The conventional interface is arranged on the end face of the card (1st Row), but a new interface is arranged on the inner side of the card (2nd Row) due to the empty space.

JP 2001-307801 A

  However, the position of the 1st Row interface does not compete with the SIM card, but the position of the 2nd Row interface competes with some terminals of the SIM card. Depending on the shape of the connector mounted on the host device, the SIM connector terminal comes into contact with the 2nd Row terminal of the small memory card device, and signals that are not expected to pass through the 2nd Row terminal of the small memory card device are small memory card devices. There is a risk that the small memory card will be operated unintentionally when applied inside.

  The card device according to the present disclosure prevents an unintended operation of the small memory card while arranging the 2nd Row terminal.

  The card device according to the present disclosure is different from the first interface and the first interface that can be connected to the host device, and the second interface that can be connected to the host device and the nonvolatile memory and the host device that can write, read, and erase data separately Is provided with a card controller for instructing data writing, reading, and erasing, and a switch capable of disconnecting and connecting a signal line between the card controller and the second interface.

  The card device according to the present disclosure can disconnect and connect the 2nd Row terminal and the inside of the card, and reduces the possibility that an unexpected signal is applied to the inside of the card.

The figure which shows the terminal position of the small memory card device Diagram showing the internal structure of a small memory card device Flow chart of 2nd Row interface connection of small memory card device Flow chart of 2nd Row interface disconnection of small memory card device Diagram showing 2nd Row connection command and response The figure which shows the example of a 2nd Row connection flag in case there exist several choices

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of already well-known matters and repeated descriptions for substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following description from becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

  The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

(Embodiment 1)
[1-1. Constitution]
FIG. 1 shows a small memory card device 100 according to the present embodiment. The small memory card device shown in FIG. 1 has a 3.3V / 1.8V single-ended interface (hereinafter abbreviated as a legacy I / F) and a new I / F that have been mounted on a small memory card device. A small memory card. The 1st Row interface 101 of the small memory card device is a legacy I / F. The 2nd Row interface 102 of the small memory card device is a new interface.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the small memory card device 200.

  The 1st Row interface 201 is the same as the 1st Row interface 101 of the small memory card device shown in FIG. The 2nd Row interface 202 is the same as the 2nd Row interface 102 of the small memory card device shown in FIG. The card controller 203 is connected to the 1st Row interface 201 and receives commands and data input from the host device via the 1st Row interface 201. The card controller 203 transmits a response and data corresponding to the received command to the host device via the 1st Row interface. The card controller 203 controls the nonvolatile memory 204 to write, read, and erase data. The nonvolatile memory 204 writes, reads, and erases data according to instructions from the card controller. Specifically, the nonvolatile memory 204 is a NAND FLASH memory. The switch 205 is located between the 2nd Row interface 202 and the card controller 203 and disconnects and connects the signal line. The signal line is disconnected and connected by a control line 206 connected from the card controller 203 to the switch 205. When power is supplied to the small memory card device 200, the control line 206 controls the signal line between the 2nd Row interface 202 and the card controller 203 to be disconnected.

  The switch 205 may be built in the card controller 203.

  Note that the signal line connected from the 2nd Row interface 202 to the card controller 203 via the switch 205 may be a part of the 2nd Row interface 202. The remaining part may be connected to GND inside the card. The remaining part may be connected to the nonvolatile memory 204.

[1-2. Operation]
The operation of the small-sized memory card device configured as described above will be described below.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart at the time of 2nd Row connection of the small memory card device by the host device. The host device detects that a card has been inserted from the mechanism of the card connector mounted on the host device (S001). When using the small memory card device 200, the host device transmits a command to the small memory card device using the 1st Row interface (S002). The small memory card device receives a command from the host (S003). The card controller 203 built in the small memory card device analyzes the received command in order to determine whether to connect the 2nd Row interface inside the card (S004). If it is determined that the 2nd Row interface is connected, the card controller 203 operates the switch 205 using the control line 206 to connect the card controller 203 and the 2nd Row interface 202.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart when the 2nd Row interface of the small memory card device is not connected. The host device detects that a card has been inserted from the mechanism of the card connector mounted on the host device (S001). When using the SIM card, the host device starts initialization using the SIM terminal. At this time, a signal is applied to the SIM terminal whose position competes with the 2nd Row interface 202 of the small memory card device 200 (S002). Since the small memory card device 200 has not received the command from the 1st Row interface 201, the 2nd Row interface is not internally connected (S003). Even if a signal is applied from the SIM terminal, the small memory card device does not react, so that the use of the SIM card fails (S004). Thereafter, when the small memory card device is used, the host device performs the procedure shown in FIG.

  Note that the card controller 203 may determine connection based on the signal level of the 1st Row terminal.

[1-3. command]
A command transmitted from the host device will be described.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a command transmitted from the host device and its response format. The 2nd Row connection command format 500 includes a 2nd Row connection command index 501 and a 2nd Row connection command argument 502.

  The 2nd Row connection command index 501 is used by the small memory card device to identify that the command issued by the host device is a 2nd Row connection command.

  The 2nd Row connection command argument 502 includes a 2nd Row connection flag 503. The 2nd Row connection flag indicates whether the host device instructs the small memory card device to perform 2nd Row connection. If the connection is instructed, “1” is set. Otherwise, “0” is set.

  The 2nd Row connection response format 510 includes a 2nd Row connection response command index 511 and a 2nd Row connection response command argument 512.

  To confirm that the response command index 511 for 2nd Row connection is the same value as the command index 501 included in the command for 2nd Row connection, is returned from the small memory card device, and the host device is a response for 2nd Row connection. use.

  The 2nd Row connection response command argument 512 includes a connection completion flag 513. The connection completion flag 513 indicates “1” when the connection of the 2nd Row interface is completed within the small memory card device, and indicates “0” when the connection is not completed.

  FIG. 6 is an example of a 2nd Row connection flag when there are a plurality of options. The 0th bit indicates a connection instruction between PCIe and 2nd Row in the small card. Similarly, the first bit indicates UHS-II, the second bit indicates USB, and the third bit indicates a connection instruction with M-PHY. When the 2nd Row connection flag is “0_0_0_1”, it indicates a connection instruction between PCIe and 2nd Row. The small memory card device determines whether it is a connection instruction for an interface mounted on itself, and if it is mounted, 2nd Row is connected to the internal card controller. If not installed, a response is returned with the connection completion flag set to “0”.

  Note that it may be determined that a 2nd Row connection instruction has been received by receiving the command.

[1-4. Effect]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the small memory card device disconnects the 2nd Row interface until a connection instruction is received from the host device. Thereby, an unexpected signal is not applied to the inside of the small memory card device through the 2nd Row interface, and the small memory card device can be used safely.

  The above-described embodiments are for illustrating the technique in the present disclosure, and various modifications, replacements, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

  The present disclosure can be applied to a small memory card device having a plurality of interfaces.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Small memory card apparatus 101 1st Row interface of small memory card apparatus 102 2nd Row interface of small memory card apparatus 200 Small memory card apparatus 201 1st Row interface 202 2nd Row interface 203 Card controller 204 Non-volatile memory 205 Switch 206 Control line 500 2nd Row Command format for connection 501 2nd Row connection command index 502 2nd Row connection command argument 503 2nd Row connection flag 510 2nd Row connection response format 511 2nd Row connection response command index 512 2nd Row connection response command argument 513 connection Successful completion flag

Claims (5)

A first interface that can be connected to a host device, unlike the first interface, a second interface that can be connected to the host device separately, a nonvolatile memory that can write, read, and erase data, and an instruction from the host device A card device comprising: a card controller that instructs writing, reading, and erasing of data in the nonvolatile memory; and a switch that can disconnect and connect a signal line between the card controller and the second interface. The card device according to claim 1, wherein the card controller has a function of controlling disconnection and connection of a signal line between the card controller and the second interface. The card device according to claim 2, wherein the switch is in a disconnected state when power is supplied from the host. The card device according to claim 3, wherein the card device has a function of receiving a command from the host device and causing the card controller to connect the switch. The card device according to claim 4, wherein a response including a flag indicating that the switch is connected is transmitted.

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