KR20020057360A - Memory card system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A memory card system is provided to enable a user to easily increase the storage capacity of a memory card system by providing an empty memory integrated circuit fixing unit to the memory card system. CONSTITUTION: A memory card system(100) includes a wire/wireless interface(110), a memory controller(120), a liquid crystal display(130), a battery(140) and a plurality of memory integrated circuit fixing unit(150_1-150_n). The wire/wireless interface(110) enables the memory controller(120) to communicate with an external device. The liquid crystal display(130) displays an operation of the system(100) under the control of the memory controller(120). The battery(140) supplies power to the system(100). Memory integrated circuits respectively mounted to the fixing units(150_1-150_n) are respectively selected by chip selection signals generated from the memory controller(120).

Description

Memory card system {MEMORY CARD SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to storage devices, and more particularly to a memory card system capable of increasing storage capacity and replacing defective integrated circuits.

Among memory devices for storing data, a memory device used to be movable has been manufactured in the form of a card. The card-type storage device stores music data, document data, or photo data converted into digital data. Semiconductor memory integrated circuits are used for such data storage. Problems of such a storage device are as follows.

It is impossible for the average user to increase the storage capacity in the card. In other words, if one wants to increase the storage capacity in a card, the general user must purchase a new card having a desired storage capacity. In addition, several cards are required to store large amounts of data. If at least one of the plurality of integrated circuits provided in the card fails, it is impossible to use normal integrated circuits. In this case, it is also impossible for the end user to exchange only the defective integrated circuit.

In conclusion, there is a need for a new concept of storage that allows an average user to increase data capacity and replace a defective integrated circuit.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a memory card system capable of increasing data capacity and replacing defective integrated circuits.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing a memory card system and portable systems applied thereto according to the present invention;

2 is a block diagram showing a memory card system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; And

3 is a flowchart showing an algorithm for detecting the size of a memory chip or a smart media card.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

100: memory card system 110: wired / wireless interface

120: memory controller 130: liquid crystal display

140: battery 150: memory integrated circuit fixing unit

(Configuration)

According to the present invention to achieve the above-mentioned various objects, a memory card system includes a memory controller and a plurality of memory integrated circuit fixing parts formed on a printed circuit board to be opened and closed. A storage device is attached to the memory integrated circuit fixing parts by a force contact method, and the storage device so attached is easily removed from the openable memory integrated circuit fixing part. Storage devices attached to the memory integrated circuit fixtures are coupled to the memory controller to be individually selected and to share data, address and control signals. The memory card system includes a wired / wireless interface, a battery, and a liquid crystal display, and the memory controller communicates with an external device through either the wired or wireless interface with either a wired or wireless interface, and the battery is internal to the memory card system. The liquid crystal display is used to inform the outside of the operation inside the system. The memory controller includes an algorithm for automatically detecting a capacity of a storage device attached to a corresponding memory integrated circuit fixture, the detecting algorithm generating an address for designating an initial data storage location at power-on or initialization. Wow; Writing data to the storage device in response to the address; Reading the written data; Comparing the written data with the read data; Increasing the address to designate a next data storage location when the written data and the read data match; Repeatedly performing the write, read, compare and increment steps until the written data is not read.

(Action)

With such a system, not only the storage capacity of the memory card system can be easily increased by the user, but also the bad memory integrated circuit can be easily replaced.

(Example)

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments according to the present invention are described in detail below on the basis of reference drawings.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing a memory card system and portable systems applied thereto according to the present invention. The storage capacity provided in the memory card system of the present invention is not only expandable, but also the semiconductor memory integrated circuit provided therein is replaceable. This will be explained in detail later. As can be seen from Figure 1, the memory card system according to the present invention can be used as a device for storing backup data or temporary data of a digital camera or a digital video camera. In addition, the memory card system according to the present invention may be used in place of a hard disk of a notebook system or a PDA system, or in the case of a smart phone or an MP3 system, may be used as an expansion system such as backup data storage. Therefore, the memory card system of the present invention can be used in a wired or wireless connection to a portable system as described above.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a memory card system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 2, the memory card system 100 of the present invention includes a wired / wireless interface 110, a memory controller 120, a liquid crystal display 130, a battery 140, and a plurality of memory integrated circuit fixing units ( 150_1 to 150_n). The memory integrated circuit mounted in each of the memory integrated circuit fixing units 150_1 to 150_n is a unit for storing data and has a form of a plastic package or a CSP package. Alternatively, the memory integrated circuit mounted in each of the memory integrated circuit fixing units 150_1 to 150_n may have a package of a small card or a memory chip incorporating only a unit integrated circuit of a micro smart media card.

Memory integrated circuits respectively mounted in the fixing parts 150_1 to 150_n are individually selected by corresponding chip select signals / CE0 to / CEn generated from the memory controller 120. In addition, memory integrated circuits respectively mounted to the fixing units 150_1 to 150_n may control the signals (/ OE, / WE), data signals, and address signals through a single bus connected to the memory controller 120. Configured to share. The memory integrated circuits corresponding to the fixing parts 150_1 to 150_n are mounted using a connection method instead of soldering. When a bad integrated circuit is generated among the memory integrated circuits thus mounted, the memory controller 120 detects a location of the bad memory integrated circuit and informs the outside through the liquid crystal display 130.

The memory controller 120 basically performs an overall control operation of the plurality of memory integrated circuits 150_1 to 150_n, detects a data state in the added memory integrated circuit, and corrects an error of a bad bit. Functions, and functions necessary for improving the reliability of stored data and file management. In addition, the memory controller 120 has a function of protecting previously stored data in response to unwanted data access and writing from the outside. The memory controller 120 may receive / transmit data from / from the outside by wire or wirelessly using the wire / wireless interface 110.

The memory card system according to the present invention is also provided with a function of generating warning signals such as sound and vibration upon access from the outside, which access is possible when authenticated by a user of the memory card system. As an authentication method of external access, in order to protect the data of the original user, a method using a switch or a password using a main body can be used. These authentication methods are obvious to those who have acquired common knowledge in this field.

The memory controller 120 according to the present invention has a built-in algorithm that can automatically detect the capacity of the mounted memory integrated circuit. According to such an algorithm, when power is supplied to the system or when the system is initialized, as shown in FIG. 3, the memory controller 120 is connected to a memory integrated circuit mounted using an address for specifying a storage location. Write the data. The memory controller 120 then reads the written data and compares the read data with the written data. If the write data and the read data match, the memory controller increments the address to specify the next storage location, and writes the data to the mounted memory integrated circuit using the incremented address. This process is performed repeatedly until the written data is not read. By calculating the finally generated address, the capacity of the mounted memory integrated circuit can be determined.

As described above, by providing an empty memory integrated circuit fixing part in the memory card system, not only the storage capacity of the memory card system can be easily increased by the user, but also the bad memory integrated circuit can be easily replaced.

Claims (4)

In a memory card system having a memory controller 120: A wired / wireless interface (110) for allowing the memory controller (120) to communicate with an external device by either wired or wireless; A liquid crystal display (130) for notifying the operation of the inside of the system to the outside under the control of the memory controller (120); A battery (140) internally supplying power to the memory card system; And a plurality of memory integrated circuit fixing parts 150_0 to 150_n formed on the printed circuit board so as to be openable and closeable. Storage devices are attached / removed to / from the memory integrated circuit fixing units 150_0 to 150_n; Storage devices attached to the memory integrated circuit fixing portions (150_0 to 150_n) are connected to the memory controller (120) so as to be individually selected and share data, address and control signals. The method of claim 1, And the storage devices are attached to corresponding memory integrated circuit fixing portions (150_0 to 150_n) by a forced contact method. The method of claim 1, And the memory controller (120) comprises an algorithm for automatically detecting the capacity of a storage device attached to a corresponding memory integrated circuit fixture. The method of claim 3, wherein The detection algorithm of the memory controller 120 includes generating an address for designating an initial data storage location at power-on or initialization; Writing data to the storage device in response to the address; Reading the written data; Comparing the written data with the read data; Increasing the address to designate a next data storage location when the written data and the read data match; And repeatedly performing the write, read, compare and increment steps until the written data is not read.