KR20030066284A - Low height USB interface connecting device and a memory storage apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The low height connection includes a connector portion and a set of metal terminals. The connector portion has a height corresponding to the height of the internal space of the standard USB interface slot socket to be inserted into the standard USB interface slot socket. The set of metal terminals is disposed on the connector portion and consists of a plurality of metal sheets, each metal sheet having a first end disposed in the connector portion and a second end extending outward of the connector portion. The first end of each metal sheet of the set of metal terminals is connected to the internal electronic signal of the standard USB interface slot socket, and the second end of each metal sheet is soldered to the printed circuit board. In addition, the low height connector can be changed to an electronic connector that can be inserted into a USB slot socket so that both connectors can be used in a single dual interface memory storage device or memory storage device.

Description

Low height USB interface connecting device and a memory storage apparatus

The present invention relates to a low height USB interface connection device and a memory storage device thereof.

Recently, if various memory cards can be applied to electronic products and products of the same type are made from different designs, the memory cards in each product become different. Nevertheless, various memory cards have a common feature that digital data in the memory card can be transferred to a data processing computer.

In order to enable reading of the data in the memory cards, various card readers are provided to be applied to other types of memory cards such as compact flash cards, SD cards, MMC cards, etc. before the data is processed by the computer. However, this arrangement makes the user inconvenient. Of course, one type of card reader can support many of the specifications of memory cards, but puts a significant economic burden on the user.

Therefore, as one of the computer peripherals, a method of making a memory card compatible with a computer interface with existing system hardware that can improve and reduce the use of card readers, which is easier to use and that conforms to our general operating habits, is ours. Eagerly needed.

Since the USB interface is most widely applied for data transmission between a computer and a card reader among many computer peripheral interfaces, an object of the present invention is to insert a USB card into a memory card having a function of a USB interface card reader, that is, a USB slot socket. It is to provide a memory card that can perform signal conversion and connection with a computer without an interface card reader.

1 is a perspective view showing a conventional USB connector (left) and the insertion socket (right),

2 is a perspective view of a low USB connector according to the present invention,

3 is a block diagram of a circuit for a dual interface memory card device having a low USB connector of the present invention;

4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a dual interface memory card device having a low USB connector of the present invention;

5 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a dual interface memory card device having a low USB connector of the present invention;

6 is an assembled perspective view and an exploded perspective view of a flat electrode contact without a USB connector according to the present invention;

7 is a system block diagram of a planar electrode contact without a USB connector of a USB interface memory card according to the present invention;

8 is a perspective view of a flat electrode contact without a USB connector of the USB interface memory card according to the present invention;

9 is a system block diagram of a dual interface memory card having a flat electrode contact without a USB connector according to the present invention;

10 is a side cross-sectional view of a dual interface memory card having a flat electrode contact without a USB connector according to the present invention;

11 is an exploded perspective view of a dual interface memory card of the present invention;

12 is a plan view of a dual interface memory card of the present invention;

13 is a bottom view of the dual interface memory card of the present invention;

14 is an exploded perspective view of a dual interface memory card of the present invention showing a cover guard attached to the memory card;

15 is a schematic diagram showing a framework of an interface signal according to the present invention;

16 is a circuit diagram of a framework of interface signals.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

70: memory card 71: cover guard

72, 505: Connector 73, 202C: Read-only switch

75, 114A: Indicator 100: USB connector

101: metal terminal 102: protrusion

103 connector portion 111 gold contacts

114: casing 140: dual interface controller

150: system connector 202: printed circuit board

504 USB flat electrode contact 505 controller

In order to achieve the above object, a thin connector is disclosed first and this connector is compatible with and inserted into the USB slot socket even though it does not conform to the industry standard of the USB connector. Since the various memory cards each offer a very thin thickness, the standard USB interface connector is too thick to fit in the memory card. This is the reason for changing the standard USB connector in the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, in order to explain the principle of the present invention in detail, a general USB interface connector is first described. In Fig. 1, the plug of the connector end is on the left side, and the slot socket of the host end is on the right side. Reference numerals 104a and 104b denote casings of plugs and casings of slot sockets which block electronic signals.

Referring to FIG. 2, the low USB connector 100 according to the present invention includes a metal terminal 101, two protrusions 12, and a connector 103. The metal terminal 101 is composed of a plurality of metal sheets that are the same as the metal sheets of the standard USB interface connector, regardless of the number, distance and size. The connector portion 103 differs from the standard USB interface connector in that each of the protrusions 102 is fixedly attached to each side of the connector portion 103 or extends integrally with each of the protrusions 102. The connector portion 103 is provided to have the same thickness as the height of the inner space (“h” in FIG. 1) in the standard USB interface slot socket, and the connector portion 103 may be inserted into the slot socket to transmit a signal. Each protruding portion 102 is used to prevent the erroneous signal connection from occurring because the entire connector has a height much lower than that of the standard USB connector so that the connector portion 103 is inserted back into the slot socket. In addition, the connector portion 103 may be provided with an external concave portion (102A in FIG. 2) which strengthens the binding force while being inserted into the standard USB interface like the standard USB connector, and the connector 100 is directly soldered. The state of the closed circuit can be obtained by being attached to the printed circuit board 201.

Compared with FIG. 1, it can be seen that in FIG. 2, the connector 100 of the present invention is not provided with the casing 104A of FIG. 1, so that the thickness of the connector 100 can be significantly reduced. Originally, the casing 104A is provided to block and reduce the effects of signal delay occurring in the USB cable. Since the connector 100 is located on the memory card, a conventional USB cable is not necessary, and a casing having a function of insulating the cutoff signal can be removed from the connector portion 103 of the present invention. Therefore, the USB interface connector can be flattened and the USB interface product can be developed with the tendency to change to the card shape. This will be described in more detail below.

Referring to Fig. 3, a block diagram of the circuit of the dual interface memory card device disclosed in the present invention is shown. It can be seen that the memory card has two digital data transfer interfaces, an application system interface and a USB interface. After data is transferred from the application system to the memory card via the system connector 150, the data is stored in the internal memory 160. Once the memory card is removed from the application system, the low-profile USB connector 100 can be used for connection to the USB interface of the computer host. That is, as soon as the memory card is inserted into the USB slot socket of the computer, the data can be transferred to the computer main unit without going through the USB lead wire and the USB interface card reader. Dual interface controller 140 provides the functionality of associated application system interfaces to convert to USB interfaces.

4, one of typical examples of a dual interface memory card according to the present invention is shown. The memory card 70 to which the cover guard 71 is attached is provided with the same size as a normal memory card that can be used in an application system. In the case of the memory card 70 being separated from the system, the exposed connector 72 can be inserted into the USB interface slot socket when the cover guard 71 is removed. This is quite convenient.

Therefore, the low-profile connector can be used to guide USB signals to the memory card and to write data directly and vice versa. In this way, a memory card having two different interface connectors is completed. On the other hand, a read-only switch 73 and an indicator light 75 are disposed outside the memory card for data security. When the switch 73 is switched to the read-only mode, the memory card only performs a data read function and writing data to the memory card is impossible. Once the switch 73 is switched to the normal mode, the memory card can be used as a normal read and write function and the indicator 75 is used to indicate the working status of the USB device.

To simplify the entire system and remove the application interface, the USB interface system may remain unchanged and the low height connector may be made as a fairly thin USB interface memory card as shown in FIG. The USB interface memory card of FIG. 5 is provided in a lighter, thinner, shorter and smaller size as compared to memory devices having current standard USB interface connectors. This allows a typical USB interface memory device to be flattened in shape by the technique disclosed in the present invention, resulting in an innovative product design.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the terminal 101 is soldered to the metal conductive pads of the printed circuit board 201 so that the signal enters the memory storage device after passing through the metal terminal 101 of the connector 100. Soldered seams on the circuit change the impedance of the transmission line, which affects the high-speed transfer of data. Therefore, a method for removing solder joints is another object of the present invention. The method of removing the solder joints may be performed by bringing a signal to the metal conductive part of the printed circuit board of the memory storage device via the USB terminal of the main device instead of using the connector. This is the so-called golden finger design concept recognized by the manufacturer, that is, direct contact is used instead of the circuit connection connector to improve the electrical characteristics of the memory storage device during high speed transfer.

Referring to Figure 6, the principle of a connectorless design is shown in more detail. A planar electrode contact without a USB connector 110 having a USB contact end is shown in FIG. 6, and a simple protrusion 112 in which a printed circuit board 202 is coupled with a base 113 and integrated with a casing 114 is provided. After being placed between two opposite sides of the printed circuit board 202, the entire height of the connector 110 is received in the USB slot socket of the host device. The metal conductive parts 111 on the printed circuit board 202 are used instead of the metal terminal 101 of FIG. 2. Therefore, once the connector is assembled, it provides the same function as the connector shown in Fig. 2 so that the planar electrode contact 110 can be used in place of the conventional USB connector and the defects generated from the solder joints of the circuit can be completely eliminated. Can be. In addition, the process of setting up a product during a manufacturing operation can be substantially simple. In addition, the base 113 is provided with an external recess (112A in FIG. 13) to reinforce the binding force while being inserted into the standard USB interface like the standard USB connector.

Referring to Fig. 7, a system block diagram of a USB memory card system according to the present invention is shown. System 500 includes a printed circuit board having USB gold contacts 501, a USB controller 502 and a memory element array 503. As before, the signal from the storage device connects to the USB metal terminal of the host connector without passing through both the connector and the solder joint to form a closed circuit.

Referring to Fig. 8, a USB interface data storage device having a USB interface planar electrode contact disclosed in the present invention is shown. The thickness of the memory storage device of FIG. 8 is significantly reduced and portability is improved more conveniently and effectively. The planar electrode contact without the USB connector 300A is formed in the same design principle as in FIG. Indicator light 114A is arranged on the memory card to indicate the working status of the storage device. The read-only switch 202C is provided to prevent the data from being overwritten or deleted by mistake, so that data protection can be effectively improved.

From the foregoing method, a new USB storage device is disclosed and the new USB memory device is not only lower than that used in the conventional USB connector, but also does not require a connector, thereby reducing extra solder joints.

In addition, the USB interface plane electrode contact disclosed in the present invention can be mounted on various memory storage devices currently used to lower the height of the standard USB connector, so that a novel storage device having two different interface connectors can be developed. The novel storage device having two different connectors is described in detail below. 9, a system block diagram of a memory storage device having the above USB interface connector and application system such as a memory stick card, an SD card, and the like is shown. The system 500A includes a group of controllers 506 having the USB flat electrode contact 504, a connector for a conventional application system 505, a dual interface signal switch for converting data into USB signals and application interface signals, and a group of Memory array 507.

In order to explain the actual design of the block diagram shown in Fig. 9, a memory stick card is used as an example of system design and the design method to be described below may be implemented in another memory storage device as long as the framework can be preferably arranged. Can be applied. Referring to FIG. 10, there is a USB signal contact terminal 300 provided for reading and writing a USB signal, and an interface stage 400 of a memory stick card (application system) provided with different specifications according to different memory cards. It can be seen from the cross-sectional view of the memory stick card. That is, the memory storage device may have two different interface stages, that is, a USB interface stage and an application interface stage, and the USB interface stage serves as an interface for connecting to a host-side signal, and an application interface stage such as MMC or SD. Acts as an interface for connecting signals between the device and the application system.

When the memory storage device of FIG. 10 plays its role in the memory stick card as an application system and is detached from the system, the USB interface connector 300 at the other end of the memory stick card sends data to the computer via the USB interface. . The USB interface connector 300 may be inserted into a host USB slot socket, so that data transmission through the card reader does not have to be performed. Circuit elements 202A are mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board 202 and casings 114 and 113A surround the printed circuit board 202. The gold contacts 111 and 111A are disposed on the printed circuit board 202 and are formed as the contact conductors of the USB contact conductor and the memory stick card.

In summary, the present invention discloses a method of reducing the height of the USB connector of FIG. 2 to be applied to an existing memory card, and to reduce the number of solder joints on a circuit and to provide a suitable magnetoresistance under high speed signal transmission. Disclosed is a method of removing a connector to improve the performance of a circuit.

Referring to Fig. 11, instead of a memory stick card, an exploded perspective view of a memory storage device providing a printed circuit board 202 and two casings 114 and 113A is shown. The USB interface connector is no longer included in the memory storage device of the present invention, and the indicator 114A is fixedly attached to the casing 114 to inform the working state of the memory storage device as in the previous embodiment. From the block diagram and the exploded perspective view of. In addition, a read-only switch 202B is disposed on the memory storage device that prevents data from being written, covered, or erased when the read-only switch 202B is moved to an appropriate mode. 12 and 13, two different interface contacts 300, 400 are provided and the interface contact 300 is a USB interface contact disposed on the memory card according to the design method disclosed in the present invention, whereby the memory card is It can be seen from the top and bottom views of the memory storage device to maintain the low height feature. In addition, a cover guard may be added to protect the USB contact parts. 14 shows a movable coverguard 301 that can be detached from the connector or fixedly attached.

As before, if the interface of the application system is removed and the USB interface remains unchanged, a memory storage device having only the USB interface can be formed. Compared with a memory storage device having a conventional USB interface, the memory storage device according to the present invention is much thinner, lighter, shorter and smaller in size, so that it is easy to carry. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the present invention is novel and not progressive.

The planar electrode contact USB connection device disclosed in the present invention does not provide a connector, and in particular, must practically satisfy portability, so it is necessary to consider the time difference between the working state of the interface controller and the working state indicated by the system. That is, it is possible to generate a time difference between the working state displayed by the system and the working state of the actual apparatus. This must be rigorously checked in the design of the detachable portable device, otherwise the device will be inadvertently disconnected and corrupt the data on the device before misleading the user and completing the task due to different system designs.

However, since the standard USB interface signal is not sufficient to address the solution, a new interface signal is designed in the present invention to solve the problem as a whole. Referring to FIG. 15, an interface signal framework 508 (corresponding to a circuit board in FIG. 6) includes a signal group including a power supply (V _bus ) for supplying a working voltage, D + and D-signals, and a ground signal (power supply). GND), which form the standard USB interface signal group. The difference between the conventional USB interface signal and the present invention is that a device working signal group is additionally provided. The work signal group provides a work signal indicating the work status of the device and the D + and D- signals are data signals according to the specifications of the standard USB interface. The device work signal group is supplied by the device end and connected to the controller through the necessary circuit.

The power supply (V _bus ) supports 5, 3.3, 2.5 and 1.5 volts, allowing the power supply to provide working voltages of different specifications. The device work signal group includes a work signal W / R and a power supply signal P. In the case of a device designed as a memory storage device such as a USB memory card, the work signal W / R indicates whether there is data (read / write) transmitted from the interface. In the case of an input / output device such as a USB network card, the work signal W / R indicates whether there is data (upload / download) transmitted from the interface.

Referring to FIG. 16, a circuit diagram of an interface signal framework is shown. When the W / R operation signal is supplied by the interface controller 509 and data is transmitted to the USB interface, an indicator light such as an LED disposed outside the device may emit light through the W / R signal. Therefore, the user can confirm the actual working state of the interface controller through the external indicator 114C, thereby preventing the device from being erroneously removed from the system.

If the device is used for a standard USB interface slot socket, the standard USB interface does not support W / R signals and the device itself must have a data indicator. On the other hand, the W / R signal can cause the indicator light 114C disposed in the device to emit light. Equally, the power supply signal P provides the same principle as it is operated. Again in FIG. 16, when the USB interface is inserted, the interface controller 509 can supply the power supply signal P to light up the indicator 114D disposed in the host. Indicator light 114D is used to indicate whether the device is in an electrical or standby state. Similarly, the supply signal P can also emit the power indicator 114B disposed in the apparatus.

While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it is, of course, easy to change or change without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The low height interface can be changed to an electronic interface that can be inserted into a USB slot socket so that both interfaces can be used for a single dual interface memory storage device or memory storage device.

Claims (34)

A connector portion having a height corresponding to a height of an internal space of the standard USB interface slot socket to be inserted into the standard USB interface slot socket; And Including a set of metal terminals disposed on the connector portion, each comprising a plurality of metal sheets each having a first end disposed in the connector portion and a second end extending outward of the connector portion, The first end of each metal sheet of the set of metal terminals is connected to an internal electronic signal of a standard USB interface slot socket, and the second end is soldered to a printed circuit board or signal connection lines to form a circuit loop. Low height splice. The low height connector of claim 1, wherein a set of protrusions are fixedly attached to both sides of the connector portion to prevent the connector from being inserted into the slot socket in the wrong direction. The low height connector of claim 1, wherein the set of metal terminals provide four independent and unconnected gold contacts for connecting to an electronic signal. The low height connecting device of claim 1, wherein the connector unit provides an external recess to reinforce a binding force while inserted into a standard USB interface. A casing having and receiving the following components; A printed circuit board disposed in the casing, the printed circuit board providing an arrangement of lead wire circuitry; A memory array including at least a memory element as a data storage device; A controller disposed in the casing, provided with an arrangement of a desired circuit for completing transmission and conversion between the USB interface signal and the data signal, and performing data storage to the memory array; And A low height USB interface memory storage device comprising an interface connector that is different from a standard USB interface connector but can be inserted into a USB slot socket and exposed to the exterior of the casing and provided with a solder joint for connection to a printed circuit board. 6. The USB interface memory storage device of claim 5, wherein the interface connector is the same as the low height connection device defined in claim 1. 6. The USB interface memory storage device of claim 5, wherein the memory device is provided with a read-only switch or device exposed to the outside. 6. The USB interface memory storage device of claim 5, wherein the indicator light is externally mounted. 6. The low-profile USB interface memory storage device of claim 5, wherein the detachable cover is fitted to protect the connector. A casing having and receiving the following components; A printed circuit board disposed in the casing and having a circuit arrangement of lead wires; A memory array that acts as a data storage device and includes at least a memory element; A dual interface controller for converting data stored in an internal memory disposed in the casing and for completing interface signal conversion, and transferring data between the interface and the memory element; A system interface connecting device exposed to the outside of the casing, having wirings connected to the printed circuit board, and having external pin holes or connecting pins for engaging with a slot socket of an application system; And A memory having dual interface connecting devices exposed outside of the casing, provided with solder joints connected to the printed circuit board, and including other system interface connecting devices having external pin holes or connecting pins for engaging with other slot sockets. Storage. 11. The memory storage device of claim 10, wherein the other interface is a USB interface having an interface connection device fixed to a USB signal end, the interface connector being the same as the low height connection device defined in claim 1. The memory storage device of claim 10, wherein the read-only switch or device is provided to be exposed to the outside. The memory storage device of claim 10, wherein an indicator light is mounted externally. 11. The memory storage device according to claim 10, wherein a detachable cover guard is fitted to protect the connector. In the electrical signal connection device inserted into the USB slot socket, A printed circuit board providing a circuit arrangement thereon; A casing having a size coupled to the printed circuit board; And A set of metal lead wires formed on the circuit board and exposing a connection device to the outside after the printed circuit board is coupled to the casing; And the size and height of the connection device coincides with the inner portion of the USB slot socket to be inserted into the USB slot socket. 16. A connecting device according to claim 15, wherein a set of projections are fixedly attached to both sides of the connector portion to prevent the connecting device from being inserted into the slot socket in the wrong direction. 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the metal leadwire portion is comprised of a set of parallel metal leadwires, wherein the width of each leadwire and the spacing between any two adjacent ones of the leadwires is determined by a USB interface terminal. Connection according to the specification. The connecting device according to claim 15, wherein the external recess is provided to reinforce the binding force while inserted into the standard USB interface. A memory storage device that can be inserted into a USB slot socket without an interface connector, A casing for receiving the following electronic components and having an opening; A printed circuit board providing a circuit arrangement with the necessary lead wires and having a set of metal lead wire portions exposed outside the casing; A memory array including at least a memory element for storing data; And A memory storage including a USB controller for converting data in the memory device into a signal according to a USB interface specification, converting the USB signal into data for storage in the memory device, and connecting the memory array to form a circuit loop Device. 20. The memory storage device according to claim 19, wherein when the casing is coupled to the printed circuit board, the same connection device as the connection device defined in claim 15 can be formed of a metal lead wire portion. 20. The memory storage device of claim 19, wherein the read-only switch or device is provided to be exposed to the outside to prevent data from being written to the storage device. 20. The memory storage device of claim 19, wherein an indicator light indicating an operation state of a reading or writing is externally mounted. 20. The memory storage device of claim 19, wherein a detachable coverguard is fitted to protect the connector. In a dual interface memory storage device that can be inserted into a USB slot socket without an interface connector, A casing for accommodating the following electronic elements and having an opening; A printed circuit board providing a circuit arrangement with the necessary lead wires and having a set of metal lead wire portions exposed outside the casing; A memory array including at least a memory element for storing data; And A dual interface controller for converting data in the memory device into a signal according to a USB interface specification, converting the USB signal into data for storage in the memory device, and connecting the memory array to form a circuit loop; And A dual interface memory storage device that includes a conventional interface connector or connection device that is fixedly attached to a printed circuit board but does not match a USB interface. 25. The dual interface memory storage device according to claim 24, wherein, when the casing is coupled to the printed circuit board, the same connection device as the connection device defined in claim 15 can be formed by the metal lead wire portion. 25. The dual interface memory storage device according to claim 24, wherein when the casing is coupled to the printed circuit board, the same connector or connecting device as the conventional memory card interface connector or connecting device can be formed by the metal lead wire portion. 25. The dual interface memory storage device of claim 24, wherein the conventional memory card interface connector or connection device is secured to a printed circuit board and exposes the storage device. 25. The dual interface memory storage device of claim 24, wherein a read-only switch or device is provided to be exposed externally to prevent data from being written to the storage device. 25. The dual interface memory storage device according to claim 24, wherein a light indicating an operation state of a read or write is externally mounted. 25. The storage device of claim 24, wherein a removable coverguard is fitted to protect the connector. A power supply (V _bus ) for supplying a working voltage; A signal group further comprising D + and D- signals; Ground signal (power supply GND); And A device work signal group for providing a work signal for indicating a work status of the device, The D + and D-signals are data signals in accordance with standard USB interface specifications, and the device task signal group is provided by a device end and connected to a controller via a necessary circuit. _{32. The} interface signal framework of claim 31, wherein the power supply provides a working voltage (V _bus ) supporting 5 volts, 3.3 volts, 2.5 volts and 1.8 volts. 32. The interface signal framework of claim 31, wherein the device task signal further comprises a transmission task signal or a read / write signal indicative of a task status of the apparatus. 32. The interface signal framework of claim 31, wherein the device task signal group further comprises a power supply signal indicative of a power consumption state.