KR100391489B1 - Multi-interface memory card and adapter module for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plurality of interface memory cards and their switching modules. The memory card includes a microcontroller, a memory device, and a plurality of interfaces, and the interface includes a connection interface and a product interface of a certain standard type such as USB and IEEE 1394. Among them, USB, IEEE 1394, etc. interface to the computer through the conversion module, the computer to read / write to the storage device through the microcontroller, HOST interface is used to connect the product. When a memory card is used in a digital product through such a design, various types of interfaces can be connected to a computer, thereby making it easier to read and manage data.

Description

MULTI-INTERFACE MEMORY CARD AND ADAPTER MODULE FOR THE SAME}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plurality of interface memory cards and a switching module thereof, and more particularly to a memory card and a switching module including a plurality of interfaces, each of which is connected to a product or a computer to facilitate recording and reading of data.

With the advent of digital products, small memory cards of various specifications have appeared on the market. For example, STONE card, Smart Media card, MMC card, Memory Stick card, Compact Flash card, etc. are all widely available in the market, and these memory cards are small and light to meet the data storage requirements of digital products. However, since the capacity reaches more than Mbyte, it is very conveniently used in digital products such as digital cameras.

However, when using a memory card, it must be used in combination with a peripheral device, and to read the data stored in the memory card, the computer must also be processed. However, these memory cards do not meet the standard of the computer, so you must use other method to connect the memory card and computer. For example,

1. Use a card reader. Each of these card readers targets a certain type of memory card. For example, Smart Media card, MMC card, Memory Stick card, Compact Flash card, etc. are all specially designed card readers. After connecting to the interface of the memory card can be inserted into the card reader to read the data in the memory card through the card reader.

2. Use a conversion disk. The size of such a converting disk is the same as that of a 3.5-inch disk, and a conversion slot for inserting a memory card is installed thereon, and when the memory card is inserted, the converting disk is read by the 3.5-inch disk driver of the computer.

However, the two methods have the following problems, respectively. For example, many card readers can only read, not read in data, and read data from the disc drive through the disc can significantly slow down the execution speed, resulting in multiple discs in the disc and profile discs. The probability of failure will also be relatively high.

In addition, new specification computer interface ports are needed over time. For example, some recently released Universal Serial Bus (USB), IEEE 1394, etc., dual USB can connect up to 127 peripheral devices to solve the lack of expansion slots on the computer. Transmission speed is also an emphasis on the user. The USB transfer rate is 12Mbits / sec, while other types of IEEE 1394 transfer rates are surprisingly 100Mbits / sec, 200Mbits / sec and 400Mbits / sec. Used for externally connected disk drives of displays.

Therefore, a computer user can select an interface of a certain standard at a certain time, but since any interface memory card must be connected to the computer through an interface port of a certain standard, a predetermined card reader or switching device must be used, which is a memory card. It is very inconvenient from the user side of using.

As can be seen from above, the current connection technology between the memory card and the computer still has many problems, and therefore, a more advanced review and solution is required.

Accordingly, a main object of the present invention is to provide a memory card and a conversion module that improves execution speed and reduces mechanical failure by connecting to a computer using interfaces of various standards.

1 is an internal circuit diagram of a memory card of a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an electric circuit block diagram of a microcontroller in the memory card.

Figure 3 is an external view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a reference diagram of the use situation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is an internal circuit diagram of a memory card of another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is an electric circuit block diagram of a microcontroller in the memory card.

Figure 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the present invention.

The main technical methods developed to achieve the above object are installed in the memory card as follows.

Microcontroller,

Storage device that reads and writes data to a computer or product connected to the outside through a microcontroller,

A microcontroller that connects to the storage device and controls the flow of data, and each connection interface connects one or more trillion connection interfaces to a computer conforming to a specification of an interface port of a standard; and

It includes a product interface that connects to digital products such as digital cameras to record data.

The memory card having the above structural characteristics not only allows the digitized product to read / write the data through the interface of the product, but also connects to a computer through the interface port of the prescribed standard to read / write the data. This design makes the use of the memory card more practical and convenient.

The connection interface may be USB or IEEE 1394.

The switching module is configured by combining the upper case and the lower case, the terminal base is installed therein, one end is formed with a slot for inserting the memory card, the other end of the prescribed standard More than one set of connectors are installed to allow connection with computer interface ports.

In order to help the examiner understand the above-mentioned objects and the structural characteristics of the present invention, the drawings are attached and the detailed description thereof is as follows.

1 is a circuit diagram showing an electric circuit structure of a memory card, that is, an embodiment of the present invention;

Microcontroller (10),

A storage device 20 that connects to the microcontroller 10 via a data bus and reads / writes data of a computer or a peripheral device connected to the outside through the microcontroller 10;

One or more sets of connection interfaces 31 and 32 connected to the memory device 20 through the microcontroller 10 and controlling the entry of data.

A product interface 40 connected to a digital product (eg, a digital camera) to read / write and store data,

The microcontroller 10 performs data conversion in combination with a suitable medium, converts the data read by the peripheral device and stores the data in a specific location of the storage device 20, and when connected to a computer, 20) Detects, converts and saves the stored data from the corresponding interface to the computer. The internal structure is as in Figure 2,

Microprocessor (13),

A plurality of connection interface controllers 11, 12 connected to the microprocessor 13 and external connection interfaces 31, 32, respectively, via I / O stages;

A HOST interface controller 14 connected to the microprocessor 13 and the interface 40 of an external product through an I / O stage, respectively, and

Each of which includes a memory interface coupled with the microprocessor 13, a plurality of connection interface controllers 11, 12 and a HOST interface controller 14. In this embodiment, two connection interface controllers 11 and 12 are installed inside the microcontroller 10, one of which is a USB interface controller and the other is an IEEE 1394 interface controller.

In addition, the HOST interface controller 14 corresponds to the STONE card, and is used for connection with the external product interface 40. It should be noted that the HOST interface controller 14 is not only compliant with the STONE card standard, but may also be configured as an interface controller compliant with other memory card standards.

Also in FIG. 1, the storage device 20 is composed of a flash memory, a read / write memory or a read-only memory. In the present embodiment, the storage device 20 includes four flash memories 21 to 24. Each of the flash memories 21 to 24 is connected to each other via a bus and to the microcontroller 10.

The connection interfaces 31 and 32 may be one or more than one set, and in this embodiment, two sets of prescribed I / O interfaces are defined as the connection interfaces 31 and 32, respectively, USB and IEEE 1394. Are connected to the internal two connection interface controllers 11, 12 of the microcontroller 10, respectively.

In this embodiment, the product interface 40 is composed of an I / O interface conforming to the STONE card standard, and is connected to the internal HOST interface controller 14 of the microcontroller 10. In addition to the STONE card, it can be configured with an I / O interface that conforms to other memory card standards. (For example, Smart Media card, MMC card, Memory Stick card, Compact Flash card, etc.)

When the memory card is installed inside the product and connected to the product interface 40, the data output interface of the peripheral device is input through the product interface 40, and stored after processing by the microprocessor in the microcontroller 10. Stored at a specific location on the device 20.

Through the above design, the memory card may be installed inside the related product to store data as well as to store the stored data in a computer or read data into the computer through different interfaces.

Hereinafter, the detailed structure and method of use of the present invention through the preferred embodiment. However, this embodiment is only to prove the possibility of the present invention is not limited to the application target or product type.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the memory card 50 and the switching module 60 are displayed, and the microcontroller 10, the memory device 20, and the set of the microcontroller 10 are stored inside the memory card 50. Interfaces are provided respectively, and an interface port 51 is provided at the front of the memory card. Among them, four terminals are USB interface and the other terminals are IEEE 1394 type connection interface and STONE card standard. In order to connect with different I / O interface ports of the computer, the memory card 50 has a switching module 60 disposed thereon, and the interface port of the computer using a corresponding connector installed in the switching module 60. Connect to to complete the connection.

As shown in Figure 3 and 4, the switching module 60 is composed of a symmetrical upper case 61 and lower case 62, the terminal base 63 is installed therein, and the other One end is provided with a USB connector 64 and an IEEE 1394 connector 65, respectively.

The upper case 61 and the lower case 62 may be coupled through suitable coupling means, and openings are formed at both ends of the upper case 61 and the lower case 62, respectively. One end of the opening forms a memory card slot 66, and the other end of the opening forms two openings so as to install the USB connector 64 and the IEEE 1394 connector 65, respectively. In addition, the memory card slot 66 corresponds to the outside of the terminal base 63.

In addition, since the terminal base 63 is a U-shaped frame, the terminal base 63 includes two corresponding side frames and a connecting portion connecting the two side frames. Among them, tracks (not shown) are formed on the inner walls of the two side frames to insert the memory card 50 (FIG. 4 shows the memory card 50 inserted therein). Status). In addition, a plurality of terminals 631 are provided in the horizontal connection portion of the terminal base 63, one end of each terminal 631 corresponds to the interface port 51 on the memory card 50, and the other end is respectively It connects with the USB connector 64 and the IEEE 1394 connector 65 so that the memory card 50 is inserted into the switching module 60, and the interface port 51 is connected with each terminal 631 in the terminal base 63. The interface port 51 is connected to the USB connector 64 and the IEEE 1394 connector 65 through each terminal 631.

After the memory card 50 is coupled, as shown in FIG. 5, the memory card 50 is connected to a corresponding expansion slot on the computer through a USB connector 64 or an IEEE 1394 connector 65, and the memory in the conversion module 60. The card 50 is connected to a computer via a USB interface or an IEEE 1394 interface. Since the memory card 50 is directly connected to the computer through the high speed interface port, the reading and writing of the memory card 50 of the computer can be performed by improving the speed of reading and writing data using the characteristics of the high speed transmission. It becomes faster and more convenient.

The conversion module 60 may not only be directly connected to an expansion slot of a computer, but also may be connected to a slot of a hub and connected to a computer through the hub.

6 is an electronic circuit diagram of still another embodiment of the present invention, the structure of which is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the following. The memory card provides only one connection interface 30 and a product interface 40, and the connection interface 30 and the product interface 40 are connected to the memory device 20 through the microcontroller 10. Among them, the structure of the microcontroller 10 includes a microprocessor 13, an IEEE 1394 interface controller 12, a HOST interface controller 14, and a memory interface 15. The IEEE 1394 interface controller 12 is connected to the connection interface 30, the HOST interface controller 14 is also connected to the product interface 40.

The memory card is provided to the product to record and store data, and can also be connected to an IEEE 1394 interface port on a computer through a conversion module. As shown in FIG. 8, this switching module 70 is the same as the above embodiment except as follows. The switching module 70 provides only one IEEE 1394 connector 70 for easily connecting the memory card 50 connected to the switching module 70 to the IEEE 1394 interface port on the computer.

As can be seen from the specific structural form and operation principle of the present invention described above, the present invention can be applied to the present STONE card, Smart Media card, MMC card, Memory Stick card and Compact Flash card and each memory card of the computer. Can be easily read or written.

As described above, the present invention provides a memory card having a plurality of computer connection interface and a product interface, and through this design to install the memory card in the relevant product, not only to record and store data using the product interface, It is also connected to a non-specific interface port on the computer, making the computer's reading or writing speed faster. In addition, memory card users can eliminate the hassle of using a specific card reader or converter for a certain interface port on a computer, and can be used for multi-purpose purposes using a single conversion module. Therefore, a card reader having a single standard function can be used. Or it is easier to use than the switching device. Therefore, such a design has the progressiveness and practicality, and is filed by law as it meets the requirements of patent acquisition.

Claims (26)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete As the memory card 50 coupled to the switching module 60, The memory card 50 is Microcontroller (10), A memory device 20 connected to the microcontroller 10 to store data; A plurality of connection interfaces 31 and 32 connected to the memory device 20 through the microcontroller 10 to access data in the memory device 20, and Product interface for connection with digital products (40) Including; The conversion module 60 is The housing accommodates the memory card 50 in a sliding manner, and includes a housing in which a plurality of interface connectors 64 and 65 and a terminal base 63 suitable for connection with an interface port of a computer are formed. The terminal base 63 may include a first end electrically connected to the connection interfaces 31 and 32 and the product interface 40 of the memory card 50, and a plurality of interface connectors of the switching module 60. It consists of a plurality of connecting terminals 631 each having a second end connected to (64, 65), When the memory card 50 is mounted to the digital product via the product interface 40, data output from the digital product is transmitted to the memory card 50 through the product interface 40, and the micro Is processed to be stored in the storage device 20 by the controller 10, After the memory card 50 is coupled to the changeover module 60, the changeover module 60 is plugged into the interface port of the computer through one of the plurality of interface connectors 64, 65 so that the computer To read the data stored in the memory card 50 Memory card. In claim 13, The microcontroller 10 of the memory card 10 having the plurality of interfaces Microprocessor (13), A plurality of connection interface controllers 11 and 12 connected to the microprocessor 13 and correspondingly connected to the plurality of connection interfaces 31 and 32; A host interface controller 14 connected between the product interface 40 and the microprocessor 13, and A memory interface 15 connected to the microprocessor 13, the plurality of connection interface controllers 11 and 12, the host interface controller 14, and the storage device 20. Memory card comprising a. The method of claim 14, The housing of the conversion module 60 is composed of an upper case 61 and a lower case 62, The upper case 61 and the lower case 62 each have a first end with an opening defined therein, and the upper case 61 and the lower case 62 are coupled to each other by the two openings when the upper case 61 and the lower case 62 are coupled to each other. A first slot 66 for receiving the card 50 is defined, After the upper case 61 and the lower case 62 are coupled, second slots are defined by the second ends of the upper case 61 and the lower case 62 so that the plurality of interface connectors 64 65 can be accommodated in the second slots Memory card. The method of claim 14, The terminal base 63 is a U-shaped frame having two parallel rims and ribs extending between the two rims, each rim being slidably inward. Defines a sliding slot for receiving a memory card, The plurality of connection terminals 631 extend through the rib to be connected to the plurality of interface connectors 64 and 65. Memory card. The method of claim 15, The terminal base 63 is a U-shaped frame having two parallel rims and ribs extending between the two rims, each rim defining a sliding slot therein, The plurality of connection terminals 631 extend through the rib to be connected to the plurality of interface connectors 64 and 65. Memory card. The method of claim 16, The plurality of connection interfaces (31, 32) of the memory card (50) is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface (31) and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engieers) 1394 interface (32). In paragraph 17 And a plurality of connection interfaces (31, 32) of the memory card (50) are USB interface (31) and IEEE 1394 interface (32). The method of claim 18, The front end of the memory card 50 has an interface port 51 for electrically connecting to the terminal base 63 of the switching module 60. The interface port 51 includes a plurality of terminal holes, four of the plurality of terminal holes are provided to the USB interface and the remaining terminal holes are to the IEEE 1394 interface and the product interface 40. Provided Memory card. The method of claim 19, The front end of the memory card 50 has an interface port 51 for electrically connecting to the terminal base 63 of the switching module 60, The interface port 51 includes a plurality of terminal holes, four of the plurality of terminal holes are provided to the USB interface and the remaining terminal holes are to the IEEE 1394 interface and the product interface 40. Provided Memory card. As the memory card 50 coupled to the switching module 60, The memory card 50 is Microcontroller (10), A memory device 20 connected to the microcontroller 10 to store data; A connection interface 30 connected to the memory device 20 through the microcontroller 10 to access data in the memory device 20, and Product interface for connection with digital products (40) Including; The conversion module 60 is The housing accommodates the memory card 50 in a sliding manner, and includes a housing formed with an IEEE 1394 interface connector 71 and a terminal base 63 suitable for connection to the interface port of the computer, The terminal base 63 may include a first end electrically connected to the connection interface 30 and the product interface 40 of the memory card 50, and the IEEE 1394 interface connector of the switching module 60. It consists of a plurality of connecting terminals 631 each having a second end connected to 71, When the memory card 50 is mounted to the digital product via the product interface 40, data output from the digital product is transmitted to the memory card 50 through the product interface 40, and the micro Is processed to be stored in the storage device 20 by the controller 10, After the memory card 50 is coupled to the switching module 60, the switching module 60 is plugged into the interface port of the computer through the IEEE 1394 interface connector 71 so that the computer can connect the memory card. The data stored in 50 can be read Memory card. The method of claim 22, The microcontroller 10 of the memory card 10 Microprocessor (13), A connection interface controller 12 connected to the microprocessor 13 and correspondingly connected to the connection interface 30; A host interface controller 14 connected between the product interface 40 and the microprocessor 13, and Memory interface 15 connected to the microprocessor 13, the connection interface controller 12, the host interface controller 14, and the storage device 20. Memory card comprising a. The method of claim 23, The housing of the conversion module 60 is composed of an upper case 61 and a lower case 62, The upper case 61 and the lower case 62 each have a first end whose opening is defined. When the upper case 61 and the lower case 62 are coupled to each other, the memory card 50 is opened by the two openings. To define a first slot 66 for receiving After the upper case 61 and the lower case 62 are coupled, a second slot is defined by the second ends of the upper case 61 and the lower case 62, so that the second slot Allow multiple interface connectors 64, 65 to be accommodated Memory card. The method of claim 23, The terminal base 63 is a U-shaped frame having two parallel rims and ribs extending between the two rims, each rim defining a sliding slot for receiving the memory card slidably therein. , The plurality of connection terminals 631 may extend through the rib to be connected to the IEEE 1394 interface connector 71. Memory card. The method of claim 24, The terminal base 63 is a U-shaped frame having two parallel rims and ribs extending between the two rims, each rim defining a sliding slot therein, The plurality of connection terminals 631 may extend through the rib to be connected to the IEEE 1394 interface connector 71. Memory card.