JPH10326485A - Memory card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a memory card that mounts a memory and a logic circuit usable by using a general purpose driver. SOLUTION: This card is composed of a connector 1 of the memory card, a logic circuit 2, slash memory 3, a control signal 4 from the connector 1 to the logic circuit 2, a control signal 5 from the control signal 4 to the flash memory 3, a data signal 3 which connects the connector 1 with the logic circuit 2, and a data signal 7 which connects the logic circuit 2 with the flash memory 3. In this case, the control command inputted from the main body which uses this card is converted to a control command peculiar to the flash memory 3 by the logic circuit 2 in this card. By this, it becomes unnecessary to provide an exclusive driver for each kind of flash memory 3 and a general-purpose driver can operate the flash card.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a memory card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, information devices such as personal computers have been miniaturized.

[0003] Many small information devices are driven by batteries. In these devices, a storage device such as a hard disk or a floppy disk with a large external shape and large current consumption is not suitable. Memory cards have been developed as external storage devices for these small information devices. The memory used for the memory card is mainly a FLASH memory or an OTP memory. Many semiconductor manufacturers develop and manufacture these memories taking advantage of their characteristics. Therefore, a large number of small- and medium-sized manufacturers as well as those of major manufacturers that are de facto industry standards are shipped to the market.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION However, FLASH
Regarding memories and OTP memories, standards are not unified among manufacturers, and access methods differ depending on models. For this reason, a dedicated driver must be prepared for each type of memory to be used. It is uneconomical to prepare a memory card and to use a memory card to individually prepare a dedicated driver corresponding to each memory. Therefore, in fact, OTP memory and FLAS of a major semiconductor maker with a widespread driver
H memory had to be used. Since the memory of a major semiconductor maker has become a de facto industry standard, it is often installed in advance in a main body of a personal computer or the like as a general-purpose driver. Therefore, a memory card incorporating these memories has the merit that both the manufacturing side and the using side can use it without worrying about compatibility problems. On the other hand, memories manufactured by small and medium-sized semiconductor manufacturers are not regarded as industry standards, and are not incorporated as standard drivers in a main body of a personal computer or the like. To sell a memory card using this memory,
There was a disadvantage in developing a dedicated driver and selling it attached to a memory card. However, memories manufactured by small and medium-sized semiconductor manufacturers are often superior to major semiconductor manufacturers in terms of price and delivery date. Therefore,
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has as its object to operate a FLASH card or an OTP card using a general-purpose driver.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to achieve the above object, and its contents will be described below.

[0006] The memory card according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises:
At least in a memory card on which a FLASH memory and a logic circuit are mounted, a control command input from a main body using the memory card is converted into a control command unique to the FLASH memory by a logic circuit in the memory card. And According to the present invention, FL
Regardless of the type of ASH memory, a certain control command is input from the main unit, and the logic circuit in the memory card
Since the command is converted into a control command unique to the FLASH memory, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated driver for each type of the FLASH memory, and there is an effect that the FLASH card can be operated by a general-purpose driver.

[0007] A memory card according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises:
At least in a memory card on which a FLASH memory and a logic circuit are mounted, product information output from the FLASH memory when a main body using the memory card reads out product information of the FLASH memory mounted on the memory card Is not directly output, but is converted and output in a logic circuit. According to the present invention, when the main unit using the memory card reads out the product information of the FLASH memory mounted on the memory card, the memory card stores a certain product information regardless of the actual type of the FLASH memory. Output to the side. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated driver for each type of FLASH memory, and the FLASH card can be operated by a general-purpose driver.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a memory card comprising:
At least in a memory card mounted with an OTP memory and a logic circuit, a main body using the memory card is:
When the product information of the OTP memory mounted on the memory card is read, the data is converted and output in a logic circuit without directly outputting the product information output from the OTP memory. . According to the present invention, when the main unit using the memory card reads out the product information of the OTP memory mounted on the memory card, the memory card stores a certain amount of product information regardless of the actual type of the OTP memory. Output to the side. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated driver for each type of the OTP memory, and there is an effect that the OTP card can be operated by the general-purpose driver.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a memory card according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a connector of a memory card, 2 is a logic circuit, 3 is a FLASH memory, 4 is a control signal from the connector to the logic circuit, and 5 is a control signal from the control signal to the FLASH memory. Signal, 6 is a data signal connecting the connector and the logic circuit, and 7 is a data signal connecting the logic circuit and the FLASH memory.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an internal circuit of the logic circuit 2 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, 100 is a data line input from the connector, 101 is a control signal input from the connector, 102 is an expected value of a command input from the main body, and 103 is input from the connector. A comparator for comparing an expected value of a command input from the main unit side with the data line; 104, an output signal of a result of the comparator 103;
105 is a command output circuit to the FLASH memory,
Reference numeral 06 denotes a data circuit for outputting data from the main unit to the flash memory. Generally, the control command of the FLASH memory differs depending on the manufacturer of the FLASH memory and the type of the memory. Therefore, the command output circuit 105 is provided by the FL mounted in the memory card.
A command suitable for the ASH memory can be output. 107 is a data line to the flash memory. When data is input from the main unit, the comparator 103 compares the data with the expected value 102 of the command. If the result of the comparison indicates that the command is correct from the main unit, the output signal 104 of the comparator is made valid. As a result, FL
The command output circuit 105 to the ASH memory becomes valid and is output to the data line 107 to the FLASH memory. Also, as a result of the comparison, if there is no command from the main body, the output signal 104 of the comparator becomes invalid.
As a result, the data circuit 106 for outputting data from the main body to the FLASH memory becomes effective, and the FLASH
Output to data line 107 to the memory.

FIG. 3 shows FLA of company A and company B as an example.
The command example of SH memory is shown.

It is assumed that the FLASH memory used in the present memory card is manufactured by Company B, and a control command corresponding to the FLASH memory manufactured by Company A is sent from the main body. In this case, the command output circuit 105 enables the command made by the company B to be output to the flash memory. For example, when a command to erase the FLASH memory made by Company A, 20h, is input from the main body side, the command output circuit 105 outputs an erase command of FLASH memory made by Company B, 30h, to the FLASH memory. As a result, even if the main unit only supports the FLASH memory manufactured by Company A, a memory card using the FLASH memory manufactured by Company B can be used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a memory card according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, 1 is a memory card connector, 2 is a logic circuit, 3 is a FLASH memory, 4 is a control signal from the connector to the logic circuit, and 5 is a control signal from the control signal to the FLASH memory. Signal, 6 is a data signal connecting the connector and the logic circuit, and 7 is a data signal connecting the logic circuit and the FLASH memory.

FIG. 5 is an example of the internal circuit of the logic circuit 2 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, 100 is a data line input from the connector, 101 is a control signal input from the connector, 202 is an expected value of a command for reading product information, and 203 is a data line input from the connector. And a comparator for comparing the expected value of the command for reading the product information with an output signal of the result of the comparator 203;
Reference numeral 5 denotes a command output circuit for outputting product information to the connector of the memory card, and reference numeral 206 denotes a data circuit for outputting data from the flash memory to the connector of the memory card. Generally, product information of FLASH memory is FL
It depends on the manufacturer of the ASH memory and the type of the memory. Therefore, the command output circuit 205 can output the product information of the general-purpose FLASH memory. 207 is a data line to the connector of the memory card. When a command to read product information of the FLASH memory is input from the main body, the comparator 203 compares the command with the expected value 202 of the command to read product information. As a result of the comparison, when the command is a correct command from the main body, the output signal 204 of the comparator is made valid. As a result, the command output circuit 205 to the FLASH memory becomes valid and is output to the data line 207 to the connector. Also, as a result of the comparison, if there is no command from the main body, the output signal 204 of the comparator becomes invalid. As a result, the data circuit 20 for outputting data from the flash memory to the connector of the memory card
6 becomes valid and output to the data line 207 to the connector.

FIG. 6 shows FLA of company A and company B as an example.
4 shows an example of product information of an SH memory.

It is assumed that the FLASH memory used in the present memory card is manufactured by Company B, and that product information corresponding to the FLASH memory manufactured by Company A is sent to the main body. In this case, the command output circuit 205 enables product information for company A to be output to the connector. For example, when the product information is read from the main unit, the product information C0h of Company B is not output to the connector, but the command output circuit 2 is output.
05, the product information 89h made by Company A is output to the connector. As a result, even if the main unit only supports the FLASH memory manufactured by Company A, the FLASH memory manufactured by Company B can be used.
A memory card using a memory can be used.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a memory card according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 7, 1 is a connector of a memory card, 2 is a logic circuit, 73 is an OTP memory, 4 is a control signal from the connector to the logic circuit, and 75 is a control from the control signal to the OTP memory. A signal, 6 is a data signal connecting the connector and the logic circuit, and 77 is a data signal connecting the logic circuit and the OTP memory.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the internal circuit of the logic circuit 2 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 100 denotes a data line input from the connector, 101 denotes a control signal input from the connector, 302 denotes an expected value of a command for reading product information, and 303 denotes a data line input from the connector. And a comparator for comparing the expected value of the command for reading the product information with an output signal of a result of the comparator 303;
Reference numeral 5 denotes a command output circuit for outputting product information to the connector of the memory card, and reference numeral 306 denotes a data circuit for outputting data from the OTP memory to the connector of the memory card. Generally, the product information of the OTP memory differs depending on the manufacturer of the OTP memory and the type of the memory. Therefore, the command output circuit 305 can output product information of a general-purpose OTP memory. 307 is a data line to the connector of the memory card. When a command to read product information from the OTP memory is input from the main body, the comparator 303 compares the command with the expected value 202 of the command to read product information. As a result of the comparison, if the command is a correct command from the main body, the output signal 304 of the comparator is made valid. As a result, OT
The command output circuit 305 to the P memory is enabled,
Output to the data line 307 to the connector. Also, as a result of the comparison, if there is no command from the main body, the output signal 304 of the comparator becomes invalid. As a result, OT
The data circuit 306 for outputting data from the P memory to the connector of the memory card is enabled, and is output to the data line 307 to the connector.

FIG. 9 shows an example of OTPs of companies A and B.
4 shows an example of product information of a memory.

It is assumed that the OTP memory used in the present memory card is manufactured by Company B, and product information corresponding to the OTP memory manufactured by Company A is sent to the main unit. In this case, the command output circuit 305 enables product information for company A to be output to the connector. For example, when the product information is read from the main unit, the product information AAh made by Company A is output to the connector by the command output circuit 205 instead of outputting the product information 55h of Company B to the connector.
As a result, a memory card using an OTP memory manufactured by Company B can be used even if the main body only supports an OTP memory manufactured by Company A.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, the FL
Regardless of the type of ASH memory, a certain control command is input from the main unit, and the logic circuit in the memory card
Since the command is converted into a control command unique to the FLASH memory, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated driver for each type of the FLASH memory, and there is an effect that the FLASH card can be operated by a general-purpose driver.

When the main body using the memory card reads out the product information of the FLASH memory mounted on the memory card, the memory card reads the actual FLASH memory.
Regardless of the type of memory, it outputs certain product information to the main unit. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated driver for each type of FLASH memory.
There is an effect that the ASH card can be operated.

When the main unit using the memory card reads out the product information of the OTP memory mounted on the memory card, the memory card stores a certain amount of product information regardless of the actual type of the OTP memory. Output to Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated driver for each type of the OTP memory, and there is an effect that the OTP card can be operated by the general-purpose driver.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a memory card according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an internal circuit diagram of the memory card according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a command diagram of a flash memory according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a memory card according to the invention described in claim 2;

FIG. 5 is an internal circuit diagram of the memory card according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a product information diagram of a FLASH memory according to the invention of claim 2;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a memory card according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an internal circuit diagram of a memory card according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a product information diagram of an OTP memory according to the invention of claim 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Memory card connector 2 Logic circuit 3 FLASH memory 4 Control signal from connector to logic circuit 5 Control signal from control signal to FLASH memory 6 Data signal connecting connector and logic circuit 7 Data signal connecting logic circuit and FLASH memory 73 OTP memory 75 Control signal from control signal to OTP memory 77 Data signal connecting logic circuit and OTP memory 100 Data line input from connector 101 Control signal input from connector 102 Expected value of command input from main body 103 A comparator for comparing the data line input from the connector with an expected value of a command input from the main body 104 An output signal of a result of the comparator 105 A circuit for outputting a command to the FLASH memory 106 Outputting data from the main body to the FLASH memory Data to do Path 107 Data line to FLASH memory 202 Expected value of command to read product information 203 Comparator for comparing data line input from connector with expected value of command to read product information 204 Output signal of result of comparator 205 Product information Circuit for outputting data from the FLASH memory to the connector of the memory card 207 Data circuit for outputting data from the FLASH memory to the connector of the memory card 207 Data line to the connector of the memory card 302 Expected value of a command for reading product information 203 Connector Comparator 304 that compares the data line input from it with an expected value of a command for reading product information 304 An output signal of the result of the comparator 305 A command output circuit that outputs product information to the connector of the memory card 306 Data from the OTP memory Memory card Data line to the connector of the data circuit 307 memory card for outputting to Kuta

Claims (3)

[Claims] At least a memory card in which a FLASH memory and a logic circuit are mounted, a control command input from a main body using the memory card is converted into a control command unique to the FLASH memory by a logic circuit in the memory card. A memory card characterized by conversion. 2. A memory card on which at least a FLASH memory and a logic circuit are mounted, wherein a main body using the memory card is mounted on the F card mounted on the memory card.
When product information of LASH memory is read, FLA
Without directly outputting product information output from SH memory,
A memory card characterized in that data is converted and output in a logic circuit. 3. A memory card having at least an OTP memory and a logic circuit, wherein a main body using the memory card is an OTP memory mounted on the memory card.
A memory card wherein when product information of a memory is read, data is converted and output in a logic circuit without directly outputting product information output from the OTP memory.