TWI243995B - Multimode controller for intelligent and ""dumb"" flash cards - Google Patents

Abstract

A controller chip for coupling a computer system with a flash storage system is disclosed. The controller chip comprises an interface mechanism for determining whether the flash storage system includes a controller and an adapter for providing the appropriate interface to the computer system to allow the computer system to communicate with the flash storage system. In a preferred embodiment, the flash storage system comprising at least a portion of a medium ID section; and a flash section, wherein the medium ID section contains specifications of the medium ID. Through the use of this system a plurality of different adapters and a flash storage system can be managed while utilizing the same hardware components.

Description

1243995 & Description of invention [Technical field to which the invention belongs] More particularly, it relates to a flash memory. The present invention relates to a controller of a controller card. [Previous Technology] Digital cameras have become the most popular electronic devices. In recent years, sales of digital cameras have reached eighty-two. delicate. Image storage can be downloaded from a digital camera. The image is stored in a personal computer. Films can be converted into virtual film formats such as jPEG and transmitted in e-mail format or posted on the Internet, which can capture movies and still images. Digital cameras have captured images electronically and ^^^ can be read. Electronically erasable read-only (eePROM) integrated circuit chips containing one or more r PPO writes and block deletions can be read. The hidden camera requires the user to change the image from the flash in the digital camera 2: The second image is changed to the personal computer (pc). Standard tandem and number 11 applications. However, the limited transmission rate of tandem cables is such that the large volume of the headphone makes such tandem T ^ θ ^ jealous. Electricity H Jia Xi j download becomes a time when patience is cultivated. For the download of only a few dozen images, it takes half the time. The manufacturer of the door machine replaced this type of fast with a small removable memory card. η-day film to solve this problem. Just as you can remove the soft (revised version) 92447 1243995 from a conventional camera. This flash will be flashed, and the image will be directly removed. 1 Remove the flash memory card from the digital camera. The memory card is inserted into the appropriate slot of the personal computer and copied to the personal computer. The 1A picture shows the flash memory card and the adapter 1 1 in «: β 1 User ~ Yi Dan :; transfer the digital camera to the personal computer. The user takes pictures with a digital camera M and stores them in the form of an image coffin on a flash memory card chip. The flash chip is contained in the CompactFlash card 16, which can be ejected by pressing: the button can remove this card from the digital camera. CQmpactFiash card M package: There are image files. 3 Although some smaller handhelds or personal digital assistants (PDAs) have slots for receiving ComPactFlaSh (CF) cards, most personal computers do not. A desktop or portable personal computer has a personal computer card (early known as PCMCIA, Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) slot that can accept a PCMCIA card. PCMCIA cards have many functions such as modems, Ethernet, flash memory, encryption keys, and even small hard drives. The CF to PCMCIA adapter 10 is a passive adapter that includes an opening to receive a Compact Flash card 16. Figure 1B shows a CF-to-PCMCIA adapter 10 with the Compact Flash card 16 inserted therein. Among them, the cheapest price of CF to PCMCIA adapter 10 is about 5 to 5 dollars. CompactFlash is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation of Sunnyvale, California. Figure 1 C shows a personal computer connected to a PCMCIA card reader. Most laptop and portable personal computers include one or two 7 (revised) 92447 1243995 PCMCIA slots 22, which are slots for cf to PCMCIA adapters 10. Then the user only needs to copy the image file from the CompactFlash card 16 (not shown) to the hard disk of the personal computer 20. Because it uses a high-speed parallel bus, it can transfer quickly, and its speed is about the same as the speed of accessing the hard disk. Therefore, with this $ 5 CF to PCMCIA adapter 10, half-hour serial cable transmission can be reduced by less than one minute. Desktop personal computers usually do not have a PCMCIA slot. Therefore, a PCMCIA card reader 12 can be used. The PCMCIA card reader receives a CF to PCMCIA adapter 10 and connects to a personal computer 20 via a parallel or high-speed universal serial bus (USB) cable (not shown). Multi-mode flash card format Although the format of CompactFlash card is quite small, it will not be larger than one inch square, and other small cards have appeared recently. Figure 2A shows the various formats of flash memory cards used in digital cameras. Many digital cameras still use CompactFlash 16 which can be inserted into the CF to PCMCIA adapter °° 10 to transfer files to a personal computer. Other smaller and thinner formats have appeared and are used by some manufacturers' digital cameras. For example, the length of = 24 is less than 0.5 inches, but still has enough flash memory. The workshop can store several dozen images. SmartMedia to pCMCIA adapters are available on the market for approximately $ 60. The higher price may be due to the converter chip within the adapter. At the same time, smaitMed] a cards 24 with different memory capacities require different adapters 10. It is a trademark of Japan Tobu S S F D C F ο 1. u m. Other flash memory cards made by different manufacturers include (revised) 92447 1243995

Mult] MediaCard (MMC) card 28 and associated Secure Digital (SD) card 26. MMC is controlled by the MultiMediaCard Association, which includes SanDisk., Infineon Technologies, and other units, and SD, which is controlled by SD Group, which includes Matsushita Electric Industrial, SanDisk, Toshiba, and others. And 'a kind of 疋 made by Sony Corporation] VIemory Stick

Card 1 8. The Memory Stick has a PCM Cl A / floppy adapter, while the MMC has a floppy adapter. The different appearances and pin configurations of the cards 24, 26, 28 and the Memory Stick card 18 make it impossible to use the CF to PCMCIA adapter 10. Most of the Shihuo ’s cards 2, 4, 2, 6 and 8 have fewer than 12 pins, while the CompactFlash card 16 has more than 50 pins. Furthermore, the serial data interface is used for mini cards 24, 26, 28, and the parallel data bus is used for CompactFlash card 16. Figure 2B shows Memory using active converter chip n.

Stick to PCMCIA adapter. The Memory Stick card 1 8 (not shown) can be inserted into the opening of the PCMCIA adapter 15 of the Memory Suck, so that the adapter 15 and the Memory Stick can be inserted into the standard PCMCIA slot of a personal computer. However, the adapter 15 includes an integrated circuit (IC) converter chip 11 therein. The converter chip may need to convert the serial data format of the Memory Stick card 18 to the parallel data format of the 68-pin slot. Compared to the CF to PCMCIA adapter 10 with a passive adapter without a converter chip, the converter chip 11 included in the adapter 15 obviously increases the cost and complexity of the adapter. 5 . (Revised) 92447 9 1243995 ^ Advanced flash memory card technology has been used, but the format of many different cards and their interface configuration requirements with personal computers are very confusing. Different card formats require different adapters. The card reader 12 of the pcmcia card can be replaced by other card readers such as Sigma SmartMedla card readers, and it can even squat some multi-standard card readers on the market. Or SmartMedia's Lexar Media card reader. The PCMCIA card interface (68 pins) has been around for several years and has been used as an external expansion slot for laptops and other removable computer devices. I want to use this popular interface to connect various devices such as SmartMedia, Me · "SUCk, MultlMediaCard, SecureDighal card, and V2 (also known as Duo), USB expansion slot, etc. to a computer system with 68 pin connectors , Printer, pDA, or other systems. When using this adapter (68 pins or any adapter with other pins / interfaces) to connect to a computer system 'hope there is a way to connect 1§_ These adapters are contained close to the slot (refer to the figure). Figure 2C shows the traditional bay 100 (front view) that is not used to accommodate these adapters. Compartment 100 contains interface port 1 〇2 and sockets 103, 104, and 106 for receiving adapters. Interface port ι〇2 is a port through which different interfaces are connected via adapters. For example, the CQmpaetFiash (or PCMCIA) interface can be connected to a computer The system is used as an interface port so that other interfaces such as SmartMedia, Memory SHck, Du〇, USB, USB 394 can be used with this adapter. The storage compartment will house all these adapters together 0K) (revised version 92447 1243995 in this type of In the meantime, the upper slot is installed on the upper right side and the lower slot requires the user to turn the basin before inserting the media. Because these slots are installed on both sides of the printed circuit (pcB), the lower slot The slot on the side is very difficult to insert or remove. A new adapter for the upcoming f00tprint Memory Stick (also known as Du〇) is needed, which must be able to fit the 68-pin pcmcia media Or 50-pin comboFiash ", or any other similar interface. Therefore, the desired architecture includes: 1. Design all the slots so that the flash media can be inserted face up into each slot. 2. There is a wide separation space between the upper column and the lower column. What the μ wants is a universal converter that can be used for many different formats of flash memory cards. '妾 = 希' ^ One adapter is available for SmartMedia, MuluMecHaCard, Secure Dighal cards, and Memory stick cards. Requires a flash card reader that has a single slot to insert any format card using this adapter. Special detection logic is required on the card reader to distinguish the mode of many flash cards that wish to use the card reader. Low price ^ Passive adapters are necessary because they do not require expensive converter chips. Multi-format card readers are available for PCs. You need a separate flash card reader that can copy image files from a flash card without a pc. What is needed is an active adapter that can be used to alternately connect different & features to the device. For example, such a device may be a printer, PDA device, or other device. The device includes a slot (revised) 92447 11 1243995 for receiving connectors for compactFiash disks with T. For example, many printers are known to have a connector for COMmpaciFash. Therefore, what is needed is an active adapter that can solve the problems identified above. It is also known that flash media has been used in various environments. Until now: The provided flash media was used as an additional farming facility for the device. This: To do this, you must provide an array of modules in different forms to connect with M, /, such as digital cameras, MP3 plug-in, or flash card readers. So this memory module can be used in various devices. ’Existing standards are compatible and can be used as a modular group. Therefore, what is more needed is a system and method that provides multiple memories without the need for devices or controllers in such devices. This system should be: Setting multiple connections within :: = is cost-effective, g% port modification can be applied to existing devices. What is more needed is a control two: used for multiple forms of flash memory cards with a controller, and gray flash memory cards without a controller. In addition, the controller 1C, the system, and the party are required to report, crying, crying, y j & /, can be used to present a k system. . Evening heavy-duty flash memory card, also-the controller's flash memory card D A has no control [Summary of the Invention] The invention discloses a chip for lightly connecting a computer system and a controller. The controller chip contains a flash memory system including a controller and a surface controller for determining whether a computer system is available so that the computer system can provide an appropriate interface to the two in the preferred embodiment , Flash storage system communication. ~, The system contains at least-part (revised) 92447 12 1243995 media ID area; and flash area specifications. By using this system, management is performed by several different transfers [Embodiment], where the media ID area contains the media iD, which can be used with the same hardware components and the flash storage system at the same time. The present invention relates to improvements in flash memory card readers, and more particularly, to a device for interfacing a variety of different forms of flash memory cards to processors. I tp ^ Investigate the memory module and especially the memory module that can be coupled through a single, Yugu _ Wu Shi Tian Zao. The application characteristics and straightforward ^ 4 provided in the following; > / A line of f and its detailed explanation is to enable any person with this aspect to make and use. Various modifications of the preferred embodiment will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the four-inch-per-month embodiment of the column name shown and described, but includes all the embodiments to the greatest extent based on the principles and new features proposed herein. _Explanation for a flash card reader that can read multiple types of flash memory cards with or without a pc form fact〇r). Read here C_P⑽Hash card reader can read any other inserted into this

CompactFlash adapter's flash memory card. This adapter is a simple, convenient, and passive adapter that does not require a converter chip. The inventors have found that the pin comparison from the small flash card format to cmfactash makes it easy to test the type of flash memory card inserted into the adapter. Therefore, the CQmpaetnash card reader can be used to automatically perform flash memory card type detection by electronic pre-test (revised version) 92447 13 1243995. C⑽pactF】 ash δ Beka machine can be modified to perform detection of this card type. For example, the signal conversion from parallel to parallel is performed by the CompactFlash card reader instead of the adapter. Therefore, the cost of the adapterFiash 6 Beka machine can be increased slightly while reducing the cost of the adapter. The CompactFlash card reader can use a single CompactFlash slot to read multiple flash card types, including SmartMedia ^ MuldMecHaCard ^ Secure Dlgltal ^ Memory Stick and CompactFlash. In another embodiment, the CompactFlash card reader has a greater chance and has multiple slots. An adapter is not needed in this embodiment. Instead, for each flash memory card format—SmartMedia,

MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, and

CompactFlash set a slot D can also add pCMCIA slot. This CompactFlash card reader can be connected to a pc using a USB cable, or it can reside in a PC case. In the second embodiment, CmpactF] ash card reader is an independent device 'and can be operated independently without a PC. It can also have removable media such as R / w CD-ROM. Images from flash memory cards are copied to removable media using a CompactFlash card reader. With a simple interface, for example, the user can start the image transmission by pressing a button. Universal type, passive adapter, Figures 3 A to 3B Figure 3A shows that it can receive SmartMedia,

Universal adapter for flash memory cards such as MuHiMediaCard, Secure Digital, and Memory Stick. Om p a c t F1 a s h adapter. The digital camera 14 stores 14 (revised) 92447 1243995 images in flash memory, which can be one of many types of cards. The CompactFlash card 16 uses a 50-pin connector and transmits image data in a 6-bit parallel format.

SmartMedia card 24 is a small flash memory card with a 22-pin interface and transfers data in 8-bit parallel format. SmartMedia Adapter 30 converts the 22-pin SmartMedia interface into a 50-pin CompactFlash interface. When the SmartMedia card 24 is inserted into the SmartMedia adapter 30, it can be inserted into the CompactFlash slot on the cmcomp reader at the same time. Of course, in general

CompactFlash card readers cannot read SmartMedia cards 24 because CompactFlash card readers require special signal conversion.

MultiMediaCard 28 and Secure Digital Card 26 are flash memory cards with similar 9-pin interfaces. It uses serial data conversion via single data ι / 〇 pin. The MMC / SD converter 32 has a 9-pin connector opening that can accept MultiMediaCard 28 or Secure Digital card 26. Once the MuhiMediaCard 28 or Secure Digital card 26 is inserted into the MMC / SD converter 32, the MMC / SD converter 32 can be inserted into a CompactFlash slot on a special CompactFlash card reader. The CompactFlash card reader then detects the card type and performs a serial-to-parallel conversion.

The Memory Stick card 18 is also a flash memory card with 10 pins and a serial data interface, but it is narrower and longer than the Mu Iti Media Card 28 or Secure D i g t a] card 26. ] \ ^ 111〇1-), 5 to 1 < The adapter 34 has a 10-pin connector opening to receive a Memory Stick card 18. Once the 15 (revision) 92Φ47 1243995 is inserted into the Memory Stick card 1 8, the Memory Stick adapter 34 itself can be inserted into the CompactFlash slot on a special CompactFlash card reader. The CompactFlash card reader then detects the card type and performs a serial-to-parallel conversion. Figure 3B shows a CompactFlash card reader 42, which can read SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, and Memoiry Stick flash memory cards via a passive adapter and switch to

CompactFlash form factor. CompactFlash card reader 42 has an opening or slot 44 with 50 pin connectors for receiving CompactFlash cards. The conversion chip 40 exchanges signals with the Compa ctF1 ash card 16 and performs data conversion. The CompactFlash card reader 42 is also connected to the PC via a USB connection. The converter chip 40 also controls the USB interface connected to the host PC, so that the image file can be transferred from the CompactFlash card 16 to the PC.

The CompactFlash card reader 42 can also read other types of flash memory cards. For example, Memory Stick adapter 34 allows reading

Memory Stick card 18. The Memory Stick adapter 34 has an opening suitable for M em ο 1 y S tick card 1 8, and at the same time] VI em 〇ry S tick adapter 3 4 itself can also be inserted into the 50-pin connector 44, Because the memory stick adapter 34 has the same size and shape as the CompactFlash card.

CompactFlash card reader 42 The SmartMedia adapter 30 can also be used to grab the SmartMedia card 24. Similarly, CompactFlash card reader 42 can also be read using MMC / SD adapter 32

MultiMediaCard 28 or Secure Digita] card 26. Adapters 3 0, 3 2, 3 4 are passive adapters, which only connect the pins from the small (revised) 92447 16 1243995 flash memory card to the 50-branch, C, c connector. No active converter chip is required, which greatly reduces its cost and complexity. Card types must be tested-Figures 4A to 4E _ Figures 4A to 4E describe in detail the flash memory card type detection performed by cmfact ash card reader. Because the same Compaq-slot can be used for many types of flash memory cards, the detection and test methods are useful, which eliminates the need for users to clearly indicate which type of CompactFlash card reader is inserted. Flash memory card. The inventors carefully checked the interface pins of various flash memory cards, and found that the card type detection can be performed by checking the two address pins. Addresses (3) and (3) are the least significant bit (LSB) of the address of the 50-pin Compactnash interface. These pins are usually input to c_pactF] ash cards, and are therefore driven by CompactFlash card readers. When the card reader does not. Zone action. When E1 and CE2 reach the inserted FlashFlash card, the CE1 and CE2 pins are floating or raised to a high level by a lifting resistor. The address pins do not appear on other types of flash memory cards. Instead, addresses and data are multiplexed. For MMC / SD and mOry Stick cards, the address is serial transmission. Use the adapter from the other fast 3. The pins of the L limb card can be connected to the c〇rnpactjqash pins. Pin ce 1 E2 is used; the type of debt test card. For smartMe (jja cards), the eight-way transmission uses a special control sequence of 3 or 4 bytes immediately after the start address. In Figure 4A, the CE1 and CE2 pins of the CompactFlash card reader interface are highlighted. When reading the nipnipF] ash card inserted into the connector 44] 7 (revised version) 92447 1243995, the converter chip 4 in the CompactFlash card reader generally drives all U addresses in the CompactFlash interface. Pins. The CE1 pin from the CompactFlash card will be inserted into the connection slot 56 of the 50-pin connector 44 and the CE2 pin from the CompactFlash card will be inserted into the connection slot 5 8. The card type debt detector 50 has a line CE Two boost resistors added to CE2. When there is no converter chip 40 and the connector 44 drives the line CE1 card, the resistor 52 will increase the voltage of line CE1 to the power supply voltage (Vcc). Similarly, when When there is no driving line CE2, the resistor 54 will raise CE2. During the detection mode, the converter chip training is planned to not drive the lines CE1, CE2, and use CE1 and cE2 as the rotation of the detection logic. 4B picture, CompactFlash card Insert the connector for card type detection. The CompactFlash card 16 is inserted into the connector material. Because CE1 and cm are the inputs of the compactFlash card, it is not driven by the CompactFlash card 16. During the detection mode The converter chip 40 also does not drive pins CE] and CE2. Therefore, the wires c will be floating and each will be lifted by the resistors 52 and 54. The detection logic reading card in the converter chip 40 selects the pin CD 〇CD 1 in order to detect whether a flash memory card appears. When a new card appears, the detection logic will read the CE CE and [M as rotation. If this is the case, the entry is high. Standard, the detection logic in the converter chip 40 and the hh status of CE2 are regarded as commpF] The ash card has been inserted into the connector 44. Then the converter chip 40 leaves the monk test mode and connects it with 18 ( (Amended) 92447 1243995 The interface of the 44 is structured as shown in Figure 5.

CompactFlash interface. Using a gray pin with 50 pins In Figure 4C, insert a Mu] UMedlaCa card into the connector for card ^ ecureDlgltal-, a ”martial arts test. MMC / SD card 2S f go say s no) 疋 Insert MMC / sd adapter 32 (unselected 44. ~ Jie Jie inserts the connector during the detection mode, the converter gate 4 u has no driver technology CE . Therefore, the pin CE2 is a moving pin CE1, 疋 ′ is connected and is raised by the resistor 54. The C card will drive the CE1 pin to a low level. The test in the converter chip 40 @ M & CDD rn ,, 彳 Bei calls the card selection pin ⑶1 in order to test whether there is a flash memory card out ... When a new card appears, then the test logic will read the pin CE1 as input: ㈤. In When CE1 is at a low level, cE2 is at a high level _ ^ ^ ^ The gate is early ^, within the converter chip 40 ~ The shoulder test series will punch the rq of CE1 and CE2, and reach the target

A 0 status is considered as if the MMC or SD card has been inserted into the connector 44. Hou Han ... Silently converted to the chip 40 leaving detection mode. The interface between it and the connector 44 is constructed as shown in Figure 5 for the MMC / SD interface with 9 pins. First, in Figure 4D, Memory Stlck + is inserted into the connector for credit card type debt testing. Memory stick + 18 (not shown) is a plug-in port adapter 30 'which is re-inserted into the connector 44. Adapter ⑽ does not connect the pins CE] and CE2 from the cmcFlashFlash interface to any pins on the Smart Card. The adapter 30 connects the pin CE2 internally from the CompactFlash interface to the ground pin on the upper cmopaciFlash interface. (Amended) 92447] 9 1243995

The Memory Stick card connector 34 will CE2 "quote CE1 or C £ 2 pin, although it is turned 4n, the lame drive is at a low level. Similarly, the transfer cry film 40 is in the detection mode. During the period, there is no ^ one piece is the pin pile mushroom mountain + moving CE1, CE2 pins. The pin CE1 is incorrectly raised to the high level by resistor 52. CD0 ZO * Phase logic read card selection pin: ㈣ Test whether a flash memory card appears. When a new card appears, detect the logical end '" as the turn-in pins CE1, CE2. In the field CE1 is the South level, and the evening y occupies, , Ro. Are at the low level, the Y 测 迦 辑 series in the converter chip 40 will p 1 pp. ::, CE2's HL status is regarded as Memory Stlck ', inserted into the connector 44. Iron junction 4 Read σσ... The transponder chip 40 leaves the detection mode and constructs the interface of the Baxing connector 44 as a Memory Stick interface as shown in Figure 5 later. SmartMedia card is inserted into the connector for card dust detection. SmartMedia + 24 "Go to% -θ 4 jobs η '4 (, not _ no) is inserted into SmartMedi a Card adapter 34 ', which is re-inserted into the connector material. The test logic reads the card selection pin CD0CD in the converter crystal moon 40] in order to detect whether there is a flash memory card. When there is a new When the card appears, the test logic will read ⑶ and 作为 as inputs. If the pins ⑶ and ㈤ are both low level, the detection logic in the converter chip 4q will treat the LL status of ⑶ and CE2 as The s_Media card has been inserted into connector 44. Pin Mapping ... Figure 5 Figure 5 shows the pin comparison table for SmartMed] a, mmc / sd, and St] ck to CompactFiash adapters. In the table (Revision) 92447 20 1243995 is not shown for small 2-sided pin numbers such as SmartMecHa, MMC / SD and Memory stick, but it can be in any order or label. The adapter will be on the small interface The appropriate pins are connected to the CompactFlash pins shown in Figure 5. You can use simple wiring such as single wire, flat cable, printed circuit board (PCB), or wire. Grounding on a small interface The pins are Ί7 1 and 50 which are connected to cmFlash. 接 Source pin 疋 connection To 匸 〇nipa ctf 1 ash pins 1 3 and 38. Pins 25 and 26 are card detection signals for CompactFlash, and this adapter is connected to card detection signals on all small interfaces.

The CompactFlash connector uses pins 2 to 6, 21 to 23, 27 to 31, and 47 to 49 as the 16-bit parallel data bus to the CompactFlash card. Pins 8, 10 to 12, and 14 to 20 form separate "bit address buses. Separating the data and address buses allows fast and random addressing of the CompactFlash card. Other control signal packagesb Chip enable with pins 6, 32, output enable for pin 9, write enable for pin%, interrupt pin 3 7, reset pin 4 丨, and register pin 44. REG Pin 44 is a memory attribute selection, which is defined according to the # operation mode of cF. The CF mode can be PCMCIA 1 / 〇 mode, ide or PCMCIA δ memory mode. There are several on the interface of 50 pins. The pins are not connected. The small SmartMedia interface also has an 8-bit parallel data bus. It corresponds to pins 2 to 6, and 21 to 23 of the CompactFlash interface to match the D0 ·· 7 signal of the compactFlash interface. .Although a separate address bus is not provided, its address and data are multiplexed. Control message (Amendment) 92447 1243995? Tiger includes latch enable, write enable and protection, output enable and enable Exchange enablement. Output enablement-0E and write enablement-WE corresponds to C㈣pactnash Have the same functions at the surface pins 9,36. The total number of pins in the interface s · ia ed to 22.

Memory Stlck and MMC / SD flash memory card interfaces are also small interfaces, because there is no parallel data or address bus. Conversely, the serial data is executed via the serial data pin D10, and the pot is paired with pin 19 (CE2). The timing of the data is the same as that of the sequence 8 and the 18. The command signal CMD or BS occupies pin 20 (CE1). The mmc / sd and Memory Stick interface only requires 6 pins plus power and ground pins. The detection logic reading card in the converter chip 40 selects the pins CD0, cm to #, to test whether a flash memory card appears. When a new card appears, the detection logic will read as an input The type of card will be determined .... The lifting resistors are used; the wiring in the adapter and the behavior of the card determine whether CE1 and CE2 are lifted by the adapter or by the lifting resistor to a high level. Multi-slots are fast Flash Card Reader-Figure 6 Figure 6 is a diagram showing a multi-slot embodiment of a flash card reader. Although the single-slot embodiment of Figure 3B results in a smaller physical design, sometimes Larger flash card readers are required to have different slots for each type of flash memory card, rather than having a single slot. This eliminates the need for an adapter or some plugs with multiple connectors There are 4 connectors in the flash card reader 42: applicable On (revised) 92447 1243995

CompactFlash card 16-50 pin C0mpactFlash connector 62, MMC / SD connector 64 for MultiMediaCard 28 or Secure Digital card 26, 22-pin SmartMedia connector for SmartMedla card 24 66, and applies to

Stick Card 1 to 8] Memory Stick connector 68 with 0 pins. Each of these four connectors 62, 64, 66, 68 transmits a signal to the converter chip 40. The converter chip 40 detects when a flash memory card is inserted into one of the connectors 62, 64, 66, and 68, and constructs itself from the inserted interface using the pin interface corresponding to the card type in FIG. 5 Card to read files. The converter chip 40 executes various routines to perform signal exchange with the flash memory card and receive data in a serial or parallel manner. The data is buffered and then transmitted to the host p (: 20 through the USB connector 46. Conversion to the chip 40 generates an appropriate USB interface signal to transmit the data to the host PC or any computer system 2). On the flash card The machine 42 has different slots for different connectors 62, 64, 66, and 68 for card-to-card conversion. For example, the converter chip 40 is used to read the howling from the connector 68 For example, the serial data of the card is converted into parallel data and written into the connector 62 and the ComFlashFlash card 16, and the image or other files from Mem〇ry such as the card u can be transferred to the ComFactF ] As] card 16. The operating system can specify different drive letter designations for various flash memory cards in connected states 62, 64, 66, and 68, such as e :, f ·, g :, and]]] :. In this embodiment, the flash card reader 42 is contained in an external casing, which is connected to the host 2 via a USB cable. Of course, it can also be (amended) 92447 23 1243995 others such as IEEE 1 394 FireWire and other cables and interfaces replaced. Fast flash card purchase machine in PC-7th to Figure 8 * Figure 7 shows the flash memory card reader in the PC. There are four slots and four connectors in the flash cough card reader 42. 50-pin CmpactFlash connection Connector 62 for 16, 9-pin MMC / SD connector 64 for MultiMediaCard 28 or uie Digital card 26 '22-pin smartMedia connector 66 for SmartMecHa card 24, and Mem for 10-pin 〇ry is suitable for Memory Stick card 18 if the connection is 68. Each of the four connectors 62, 64, 66, 68 transmits its signal to the switching state, said chip 40. The converter chip 4 detects when it is fast The flash memory card is inserted into one of the connectors 62, 64, 66, and M, and it is constructed to read files from the inserted card using the pin interface corresponding to the card type in Fig. 5. Operating system Different drive letter designations can be specified for various flash memory cards in connectors 62, "," and 68, such as e :, f :, g ^ h :. The converter chip 40 performs various routines Program to perform signal exchange with flash memory card and receive data serially or in parallel. Data is first The buffer is then buffered and then transmitted via the internal USB bus to the CPU 2 and converter chip 40 in pc 200, which generates the appropriate USB interface signal to transfer data to CPU 21. Figure 8 shows the PC case in it A drive compartment has a flash memory card reader. The PC 20 is surrounded by a base or case, and it has several drive compartments so that users or manufacturers can plug in peripheral equipment, (revised) 92447 24 1243995 These devices can be hard disk drive, USB flash drive, optical disk or digital viewport driver, motor drive, and magnetic σσ drive. The HDD compartment 72 drives, while the FDD F has a hard disk uu. The compartment 74 contains an electrical connector connected to the plug-in ... Motion ... Some drives are inserted into the motherboard, ΑΑΑ, or And he expanded the card of the bus connector. /, Sample :: The card machine 42 is inserted into one of the drive compartments. Four plugs: upward, so that the user can insert the flash memory card into the 42, such as inserting a floppy disk into the floppy disk drive in the door video card compartment 74. The user can easily #_ M t, the flash card 4 2 purchased from Aiyou Store, or this card reader can be plugged into the spring 4 + business ... Π The device manufacturer (_) or its easy to use digital camera to convert digital images, does not & the flash used in digital cameras, ^] What is the card format, because the flash card reader 42 can read many冋 ^ 斗 or just as an example, phase back 6W # 枝 勹 牛 I use only the concept of eye questions can be applied to the transfer of data. Flash card reader 1 Figure 9 Figure 9 shows the icon of a stand-alone flash card reader. There are many types of flash memory in the heart: + Right * Ding A * You can also use this card in the Copy images to a mobile disc without connecting to the host pc. There isn't always a monthly brother P C by the digital photographers. Although it is possible to buy additional flash memory cards and replace them in digital cameras, these flashes are still inadequate. 4] Uji card is very expensive, especially it needs to capture many high resolution Dan Fu Xu Shitian's shirt is like a Japanese one. Especially when traveling without a pc for a long time, I am worried that I will be limited to the capacity of the flash memory card after reading this session. Arrived 1. There are four slots and four connectors. $ 〇 (revised version) 92447 25 1243995 pin-cmpactFlash connector 62 for cmpactF] MMC / SD connector for 16'9-pin ash card 64 for Mu] tiMediaCa] d 28 or Secure Dlgital card 26, 22-pin connector 66 for SmartMedia + 24 'and 10-pin connectors

Stick connector 68 For] viemory Stick card 1 8. ▲ Each of these four connectors 62, 64, 66, 68 sends a signal to the converter crystal 4 40. The converter chip 40 uses the sensor card selection lines cd0 and CDi to measure when the flash memory card is inserted into the connector 62, ",", 68-'I to construct itself using Figure 5 The pin interface corresponding to the card type reads files from the inserted card. The converter chip 40 performs various routines to perform signal exchange with the flash memory and receive data in a serial or parallel manner. The data is advanced and buffered and then transferred to the host PC 20 via the USB connection 46 via ITO, serial, and communication, or transferred to a large-capacity storage device i7. The converter chip does not generate appropriate interface signals to transfer data to the host PC20. The converter chip 40 also generates a control signal to the removable mass storage device so that the image data read from the flash memory card can be written to the removable disk 76. The removable disk 76 may be a standard or high-density floppy disk, magnetic tape, a writable optical disk, or other

Τ ς ^ ^ LS] provided by Oakdale Corporation 20 Temple Private Media, or by Utah

ZIP driver provided by Iomega of Roy. The intestinal system can assign different drive disk identification letters to each flash in the connectors 62, 64, 66, and 68. For example, e :, f :, g ..., and b can be removable. The large-capacity storage device 70 is designated to drive; it is marked (revised) 92447 26 1243995 letters. When the flash card reader 80 is not connected to the host PC 20, the image file can also be copied to a removable mass storage device 70. The user can personally carry the flash card reader 8 0 ′ during the limp return, so that the user can download the dad image file to the mobile disc 76. Because the mobile disk 76 usually has a higher density of flash memory / card, when the user cannot access the host PC 20, it can capture many photos. The flash card reader 80 can be set with battery power or with a dedicated AC converter. The flash card reader 80 is provided with a simple user interface, which includes a light emitting diode LED 78 and a button 79. When the user inserts the flash memory card into one of the connectors 62, 64, 66, and 68—and inserts the material% into the removable mass storage split 70, the user can press the button But. This will actuate a large-capacity storage device 70 for determining which of the connectors 62, 66, and 68 has a converter chip 40 with a memory card inserted therein, and copying and moving image files. The coffee 78 can be programmed to blink ' while copying is in progress and will continue to light up when copying is completed, and vice versa. This can provide the user with a simple visual intervention during the copying process. An additional coffee indicator light or other flashing configuration or a warning can be used to indicate that an error has occurred. Converting to a chip—Picture 10 Figure 10 shows the converter crystal g 40 used for flash memory. A commercially available U control chip can be used to implement the converter chip 40, and this chip can be planned as a 1/0 pin for reading and loading with a flash memory card connector or a USB interface connection. J writes and compiles many different controls and (revised) 924 * 47 27 1243995 conversion routines in face / ROM 94. Then c P U 9 2 executes this example of the ancient, second, and private ordering. § A flash memory card can be inserted to scan the π level scanning program. After cpu 9 :, how to do it, "Know-how", a kind of flash memory, self-specific routine. Subroutines can then be called for conversion and exchange. 、 = Type round man / output coffee 99 set temporary storage port. Port is used to drive: external 1/0 pin of chip 40, or read for input chip P of converter chip 40 on the input socket. Edit level or voltage. Cpu% GPI0 99 Jin Zuo Ru ^ "The seal is taken at —Jie Cunjie, which consists of I / O connections from connectors 62, 64, 66, and 68 ':), coupled to the converter chip 40 The control signal of the foot *, and the control signal of the flash memory card are switched between high and low by using _ 1 or 0 to write the register for the control signal in 99. Shishi, only °° 9 6 can be used to explicitly calculate the control signal that lasts for the required ^ car case and δ, the control signal needs to specify a specific number of microseconds. CPU 92 Z = ^ Writer is in the register of GPI099 and starts in timer 96. Timer. When a specific time has elapsed, the timer% may transmit ΓΡΤΤ〇, °, or the CPU 92 may continuously or periodically query the timer 96 to decide when the specific time has elapsed. Then, the CPU 92 may transfer. 〇 Registered in GPI〇99 ’and thus cause the control signal to be transmitted ... widely? 98 is connected to data and clock signals from connectors 64 and 68. When reading data from the flash memory card, the clock generates pulses to synchronize the data transfer. The shifter 98 is data for each clock pulse— (revised) 92447 28 1243995 bit (serial) or character (parallel) timing. Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) can be performed on the data to detect errors. When an error is detected, the CPU M may need to resend data from the flash memory card. The data read by the shifter 98 can be transferred to a buffer in the RAM / ROM 94 for storage via an internal bus. Later, the CPU 92 may execute a routine to transfer this data from the RAM / ROM to the USB interface 101. Then the USB interface 101 transmits data to the host PC via an external USB connection. When a removable mass storage device appears, some I / O pins from GPIO 99 will be connected to the removable mass storage device, or a separate disk brake can be set in the converter chip 4Q. Two can = the advantages of a flash card reader that can read multiple types of flash memory cards with a PC or without a PC, and a universal adapter for flash memory cards that can accept a variety of different types of cards . This adapter can receive Smart] V [edia, MultlMediaCai.d, = Ure D] glta], and Stlck cards. Flash card with single slot: The card reader can accept any format card by using the adapter.的 The special detection logic on flash card j can distinguish the differences between many flash card formats. Low-pass passive switching is a converter chip that does not require blame. Multi-chamber type: The machine is not suitable for Pc. However, a stand-alone flash card reader can restore image files from a flash card without using a pc. In addition, you can also use this card reader to prepare (format and delete falls) the media to be used in the device. The universal adapter is constructed by using CompactFlash card form factor 29 (revised) 92447 1243995. Then the card reader that reads Comp a ctF1 a s h card can read any other flash memory card inserted into this CompactFlash adapter. This adapter is a simple and inexpensive passive adapter that does not require a converter chip. The proposed comparison of pins from the compact flash card format to CompactFlash makes it easy to detect the type of flash memory card inserted into the adapter. Therefore, the electronic detection of the CompactFlash card reader can automatically detect the type of the flash memory card. The cmFlashFlash card reader can be modified to perform the detection of this card type. Signal conversions such as serial to parallel are performed by the CompactFlash card reader rather than by the adapter. So while reducing the cost of the adapter, it can only increase the cost of the compactFlash card reader slightly. CompactFlash card reader can use a single CompactFlash slot to read multiple types of flash cards, including SmartMedia ^ MultiMediaCard ^ Secure Digltal & Memory Stick and CompactFlash 〇 Can use PC or can read multiple types of flash Another embodiment of a flash memory card reader for flash memory cards The present invention proposes many other embodiments. It can support different flash card formats such as Sm card, etc. I can include more slots in the multi-card flash card reader than the four slots shown. There are other adapters available for the newer flash format of the single-slot CFlashpactFlash card reader. Any device that needs to control the bus, clock, data bus, and address bus can be designed to be inserted into this slot. Examples of such devices include, but are not limited to, DSL modems, fingerprint security devices, micro hard drives, and the like. Although in the description of the present invention is connected to a personal computer pc host, (revised.) 92447 30 1243995, this host can also be an Apple computer such as iMAC or G3. This host can also be a SUN computer, or any host computer using a USB or IDE interface. The present invention can also be applied to a personal digital assistant (PDA) such as a palmtop computer or other palmtop devices such as a wireless telephone with a USB function. The term '' CompactFlash card reader is used for brevity, because digital images are usually read from a flash memory card and then written to a pc. However, the CompactFlash card reader can read files from a PC or other flash memory cards and write files to the flash memory card. Therefore, the flashFlash card reader is actually a reader / writer. In another embodiment, the CompactFlash card reader is slightly larger and has multiple slots. No adapter is needed in this embodiment. Conversely, for SmartMedla, MuHlMediaCard, Secu]: e

One slot is provided for each flash memory card format, such as Memory St1Ck and Compactnash. You can also add PCMCIA slots. This CompactFlash card reader can be connected to a PC via a USB cable, or it can be installed in a PC case. In the third embodiment, the CompactFlash card reader is a stand-alone device 'which does not require a PC to operate. It contains mobile media such as r / wcd_rom. The images from the flash memory card were copied to the mobile media using a C_paCtFlaSh card reader. It uses a simple interface ', such as the user pressing a button to start image transmission. It can also be displayed on a display device such as an LCD screen that the file copy is complete. The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration. It is not intended to limit this issue (amended) 92447 31 1243995 to the specific form proposed. Any modifications and changes based on the principles of the present invention are possible. The scope of the present invention is not elaborated by this: “Limitations” are limited by the scope of patents attached below. pc Modification of multiple types of flash memory cards that can be read using a PC or without PC. Description of a good flash card reader 丄 The proposed universal adapter is constructed using a compactFiash card form ^. Then read the # compaetFlash card reader to read any other flash memory card that is inserted into this cmoFlashFlash adapter. This adapter is a simple, cheap, passive adapter that does not require a converter chip. Uh ..., the above-mentioned small flash card reader can effectively perform its stated purpose, but it cannot be effective in some cases =). There are several reasons why I want C01 _: = read to use the IDE interface. First, the IDE interface is a proven interface that is easy to use as an interface for devices such as digital cameras and printers, so this chip is used in its devices. The speed of the first e-interface: ^ and can accelerate the transmission rate of the device. Many systems have ιμ 璋 f, only 2 or at most 3 of the 4 1M ports have been used). In terms of ministry, etc., Ansang was in front of the coffee interface, but this was possible. However, in many newer systems, an internal expansion slot for USB is used. The system and method according to the present invention makes it possible to replace the second interface 1 with a wrist interface, which will allow the constructed flash card reader to be placed on the front side of a PC, similar to putting a coffee card into the front panel. In order to further explain the characteristics of the present invention, the following description will now be referred to. (Revised) 92447 32 1243995 Universal Passive Adapter Figure 11 shows a CompactFlash card reader, which can read SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digitabu, and Memory SUck flash cards through a passive IDE adapter to Compact Flash form factor. The CompactFlash card reader 42 has a 50-pin opening or slot 44 for receiving CompactFlash cards 16. The IDE converter chip 140 performs signal exchange with the CompactFlash card 16 and performs data transmission. The CompactFlash card reader 42 is also connected to the PC via an IDE connector 146. The IDE converter chip 140 also controls the connection between the IDE interface and the host PC, so that the images can be transferred from the compactFiash card 16 to the PC. Other types of flash memory cards can also be obtained from CompactFlash card reader 42. By way of example, the Memory Stick adapter 34 makes it possible to read a Memory Stick card 18. The Memory Stick adapter 34 has an opening suitable for a Mem ο 1 y S tick card 18. At the same time, the Mem ry S tick adapter 34 itself can also be inserted into a 50-pin connector 44 because the adapter The reader 34 has the same form factor as a CompactFlash card. The SmartMedia adapter 30 can also be used with CompactFiasll. The Beka machine 42 grabs the SmartMedia card 24. Similarly, MMC / SD adapter 32 can read MultiMediaCard 28 or Secure Dighal card 26. Adapters 30, 32, and 34 are passive adapters, which only connect pins from small flash memory cards. C0mpactnash connection to 50 pins instead of an active converter chip, which greatly reduces cost and complexity. 0 (Revised) 92447 1243995 Card type detection Figures 12A to 12E are detailed by CompactF ] The flash S-memory card type debt test performed by the ash card reader. Because the same CompactFlash slot is used for many different types of flash memory cards, a detection method is needed so that users do not have to specify the type of flash memory card inserted into the CompactFlash card reader. The present inventors have carefully checked the pins of the interface to which various flash memory cards are connected, and have found that the type detection can be performed by checking the two pins. The pins CE1 and CE2 are chip enable pins for addressing the 50cm pin of the FlashFlash interface. These pins are usually rounded to the compactFlash card and can therefore be driven by a CompactFlash card reader. When the card reader does not drive CE1 and CE2 to the inserted CompactFlash card, the CE1 and CE2 pins will float or be raised to a high level by a lifting resistor. No address pins appear in other types of flash memory cards. Instead, the address and data are multiplexed. For m.MC/Sd and Memory Stick, the address is serial transmission. Using the adapter, the pins from other flash 〇1 limb cards can be connected to the CMOSmp pins. Pins CE 1 and CE2 use the type of user detection card. For sllnartMedia, the address is transmitted by using a special control sequence 3 or 4 bytes immediately after the start address. In Figure 12A, the CE1 and CE2 pins of the cmocactFlash card reader interface are highlighted. When the CompactFlash card inserted into the connector 44 is removed, the [D] E converter chip 14 in the CompactFlash card reader usually drives all 1] address pins in the CompactFlash interface. When inserting 34 (revised) 92447 1243995 into socket 1 5 6, the foot will be inserted into the 50-pin connector

The CE1 pin of the CompactFlash card is a connector socket 158 from the CE2 of the CompactFlash card. The card type detector 150 has two lifting resistors connected to the lines CE1 and CE2. When there is no IDE converter chip 14 or the card connected to Cry 44 is moved, the line CE1, the resistor 152 will raise the line ⑶ to the power supply voltage vcce. Similarly, when the line CE2 is not driven, the resistance cry will turn the line CE2 is elevated to a high level. During the ㈣ mode, the 转换 μ conversion chip 140 is planned not to drive the line CU, ㈤, but to use it as an input to the detector logic. In Figure 12B, the CompactFlash card is inserted into the connector and the card type is tested. CompactFlash + 16 is a plug-in connector 44. Because ㈤ 和 啦 is input to cmpactFlash + 16, they are not driven by c⑽pactnash card] 6. During the detection mode, the iM converter chip 140 also does not drive the line CE. Therefore, the lines ⑶ and ㈤ become floating and are raised to the high level by the resistors 152 and 154, respectively. The logic read card selection pins cdo, cm in the coffee converter chip 140 are used to detect whether a flash memory card appears. When there is a new card, +, the detection logic will read the pin cEl2 αΕ2 as an input. If both inputs are at a high level, the debt test logic in the converter chip will treat the HH status of CEi and CE2 as if the card has been inserted into the connector 44 and then the IDE converter crystal # i4G leaves the detection W and configures its interface with the connector 44 as the application shown in Figure 5; a commp F1 ash interface with 50 pins. (Revision) 92447 35 1243995 In Figure 12C, the MulUMecHaCard or Secure Dlgltal card is inserted into the connector for card type detection. MultlMediaCai.d 28 (not shown) and Secure Dlgltal card 26 (not shown) are inserted into MMC / SD adapter 32, which is then inserted into connector 44 (not shown). IDE converter crystal # 140 does not drive pins CE1 * CE2 during detection mode. Therefore, the pin CE2 is floating and is raised to the high level by the resistor 154. The CE1 pin is driven low by the MMC card. The detection logic read card selection pins CDO and CD1 in the IDE converter chip 140 are used to detect whether a flash memory card appears. When a new card appears, the detection logic will read CE1 and CE2 as inputs. When is the low level% CE2 is the high level. The integrated test logic in the IDE converter and crystal # i4〇 will treat the status of CE1 and CE2 as if the SD card has been inserted into the connector 44. The IDE converter chip 14 then leaves the test mode and configures its interface with the connector 44 as shown in Figure 5 for a 9-pin MMC / SD interface. Eight — In the second picture, ‘Memory Si] ck + is inserted into the connector for card type detection. Memory Stlck + 18 (not shown) is a plug-in adapter 34, which is then connected to connector 44 (not shown). The adapter 34 does not connect the call CE1, C £ 2 from the command interface to any pin on the stick card. The adapter M will connect the ICE2 from the inside of the C interface to the ground pin on the ⑽pactFIash " surface.

Memory Stick cards are not right. Wide σσ and Wei Xun CE1 or CE2, although iron transfer 34 drives pin CE2 to Ά to low level. Similarly, the IDE converter chip (revised version) 92447 36 1243995 1 40 does not drive the connection during the detection mode, and the resistance should be raised to a high level. ECU. Talking (3) The detection logic of pin 3 will read the card and select 1 to detect if there is a flash memory card. ΪΡ 0 士 ai L L, month and card appear. When there is a new card = ... "The chastity logic will read cEi, cE2 as the turn. * = High level and ㈤ low level. The detection logic in _ converter chip 2 will treat CEbCE2 as evil memory The Stlck 2 is inserted into the connector 44. 'Then the converter w 14〇_ the test board type and the interface between it and the connector 44 is configured as the connector 44 for the Memory St1Ck interface shown in FIG. 5. In the 12E picture, the SmartMedia card is inserted into the connector for card type debt testing. The SmartMecHa card 24 (not shown *) is inserted into the adapter 30 and then connected to the connector 44. In the IDE converter chip! The test logic read card selects pins CD0 and CDi to detect whether a flash memory card appears. When a new card appears, the detection logic reads the pins cE〗 and cE2 as inputs. When CE1 and CE2 is low on time. The detection logic in the IDE converter chip 14 will treat the LL status of CE1 and CE2 as if the card has been inserted into the connector 44. Moreover, this comparison is for example only, and many are not Changes that deviate from the spirit of the invention can be replaced. Pin Mappmg again Figure 5 of Lingkao. The picture shows the pin comparison table for SmartMedia, MMC / SD, and Memory Stick to CompactFlash adapters. The table does not show the table for SmartMedia, MMC / SD and 37 (revised version) 92447 1243995

The pin number of the small interface of the Memory Stick, but it can be in any order or label. The adapter connects the appropriate pins on the small interface to the ComPactFlash pin numbers shown in Figure 5. Simple wiring such as single wire, flat cable, printed circuit board (pGB), or wire can be used. The ground pins on the i-plane are pins 1 and 50 connected to ConipactFiash. The power pins are the pins connected to ^, '' Pins 25 and 26 are card detection signals for cmFlash, and this adapter is connected to all Kappa measurement signals of small interfaces.

The CompactFlash connector uses pins 2 to 6, 21 to 23, 27 to 31, and 47 to 49 as the 16-bit parallel data bus to connect to the CompactF] ash card. Pins 8, 10 to 12, and 14 to 20 form separate Π-bit address buses. Separating the data and address buses enables fast random addressing of CompactFlash cards. Other control signals include chip enable of pins 6, 32, output enable of pin 9, write enable of pin 36, interrupt pin 37, reset pin 4 and register pin 44. The REG pin 44 is a memory attribute selection, which is defined according to the operating mode of the cF. The CF mode can be a PCMCIA ί / 〇 mode, ι〇ε, or a PCMCIA memory mode. There are several pins on the 50-pin interface that are not connected. The small SmartMedia interface also has an 8-bit parallel data bus. They correspond to pins 2 to 6, and 2] to 23 of the CompactFlash interface, respectively, so as to match the D0 ·· 7 signal of the CompactFiash. Although no separate address bus is provided, its address and data are multiplexed. The control number includes latch enable, write enable and protection, rotation enable, and exchangeable (revised) 92447 38 1243995 enable. Output enable-0E and write enable-WE corresponds to pin 9 and pin% of the CompactFlash interface which have the same function. The total number of pins in the SmartMedia interface is 22.

The Memory St] ck and MMC / SD flash memory card interfaces are also small interfaces, so there is no parallel data or address bus. In contrast, the serial data is executed via the serial data pin DATAI0, which corresponds to pin 19 (A1 data is timed by the timing synchronized with the timing serclk on pin 18). The command signal CMD or BITSET occupies pin 20 (A0). The MMC / SD and Memory interface requires only 6 pins plus power and ground pins. The other pins are unused. In the 1M converter chip 140, the pick-up logic read card selects the pins (CD0, CD!) In order to test whether a flash memory card appears. When it appears, the predicate logic will continue, and the branch will be taken as the input pins CE 丨 and CE2 to determine the card type. The connection between the lifting resistor and the adapter in Figure 12A. The characteristics of the 2 cards determine whether CE1 and CE2 are driven by the adapter to a low level or raised by the lifting resistor to a high level. The multi-slot multi-flash card reader chip of the single-slot implementation of the flash card reader will result in different types of flash card readers than the single slot. Figure 13 shows the use of the IDE adapter crystal Illustration of a multi-slot embodiment. Although 帛 11 is the smallest physical material, sometimes it can be used as a larger machine, which has slots for various types of flash memory cards. 々 Makes no need for an adapter. There are 4 connectors in the flash card reader 42 CompactFlash card 16: CompactFlash connector (revision) for 50 pins 92447 39 1243995, MultlMediaCard 28 or ⑶] .e my card% 9-pin MMC / SD connector [64], 22-pin SmartMedia connector 166 for μ, and Memory St] ck connector i68 for Stick 10 18-pin . Each of the four connected states 1 6 2, 1 6 4, 1, 6 6, 1 6 8 transmits it. Hole 娆 to IDE converter chip 14o. The IDE converter chip 14 detects when a flash memory card is inserted into one of the connectors 162, 164, 166, and 168, and constructs itself using the pin interface corresponding to the card type in Figure 5 to Inserted card read right case. The IDE converter chip 140 executes various routines for execution and flashing. I have changed the name of the sports card and received the data in series or in parallel. The data is buffered and then transmitted to the host 20 via the IDE connector 146. The IDE converter chip 140 generates an appropriate mE interface signal to transfer data to the host PC 20. The flash card reader 42 is provided with different slots for different connectors 1 62, 64, 1 66, and 168 for card-to-card conversion. For example, the IDE converter chip 14 is used to read the serial data from the Memory Stick card inserted into the connector 168, convert it into parallel data, and write it into the connector 162 and CompactFiash card 16. ⑴y Stick card 1 8 images or other files can be transferred to cmFlashFlash card] 6. The operating system can specify different drive letter designations for various flash memory cards in connectors ι62,] 64,] 66,] 68, such as e :, f :, §., And h :. i In this embodiment, the 'flash card reader 4 2 is contained in an external case (revised version) 92447 40 1243995', which is connected to the host computer 2 through an ID E electronic browser. Of course, other cables and interfaces such as IEEE 1 3 94 FireWire can also be used instead. Flash Card Reader in PC Figure 14 shows a flash memory card reader using an IDE adapter chip in a PC. The flash card reader 42 is provided with four slots and four connections. 50-pin CompactFlash connector 162 for

CompactFlash card 16, 9-pin MMC / SD connector 164 for MultiMediaCard 28 or Secure Digital card 26, 22-pin SmartMedia connector 166 for SmartMedia card 24, and 10-pin Memory Stlck connection The device 68 is suitable for Memory card 18. Each of the four connectors 162, 164, 166, 168 sends its signal to the IDE converter chip 140. 11) £ the converter chip 14 detects when a flash memory card is inserted into the connectors 162, 164, 166 One of 168 and 168, and constructs itself to read the file from the inserted card using the pin interface corresponding to the card type in FIG. 5. The operating system can assign different drive letter designations to the flash memory cards in connectors 162, 164, 166, 168, such as e: 5 f :, g :, and h :. The IDE converter chip 140 performs various routine flash memory card signal exchanges and receives data in a serial or parallel procedure in order to execute and. The fast data is buffered and then passed to the CPU 2 in the internal PC 20]. IDE converter crystal interface signal to transfer data to CPU 2 1 flash card reader

The IDE bus is transmitted to the on-chip] 40 to generate the appropriate m] E (revised version) 92 is called 7 4] 1243995 2 u has the icon of the ide adapter chip card machine, 苴 i not only lists the connection between the master and the host PC The master also has a private Shaanxi 6 memory card at noon and can be next to the shadow master. There is not always 1 = copy the image = movable disc. Capture the card digitally and count at i h. Although flash memory can be replaced in digital cameras, these are very expensive, especially B A + u cards. Sometimes don't ... son-in-law when you need to capture many high-resolution images. Special pp .. When traveling for long periods of time, users may suffer from being limited to the capacity of flash memory cards. Month ..., there are four slots and four connections in the door card '80.

Con.pactFlash ^^, ^ ^ C〇mpac; F ^ card mmc / Sd connector 164 for pin 9, 9 is suitable for ^ ulUMechaCard 28 or Secure Dighal card 26, 22 pin

SmartMecHa connector 166 is for SmartMedia card 24, and ^ pin Memory Stlck connector 168 is for card 18. 1C. Each of the four connectors 162, I64, 166, and 168 transmits its A number to the ID E converter chip 140. The ID E converter chip J 4 〇 sound by the sensor card selection signal CD0, CD 1 to detect when the flash memory card is inserted into the connector 162 ,! One of 64, 166, and 168, and builds itself to retrieve files from the inserted card & using the pin interface corresponding to the card type in FIG. 5. The IDE converter Jingyue 140 executes various routines to perform signal exchange with the flash memory card and receive data in a serial or parallel manner. The data is buffered and then transferred to the host (revision) 92447 42 1243995 20 via the IDE connector 146 or to a removable mass storage device m. The μm converter chip 1 40 generates an appropriate signal to transfer data to the host pc20. The Qiuqiu converter said "140 also generates control to the removable mass storage device 170 'so that the image data read from the flash memory card can be written to the mobile disk 17" The mobile disk m can be standard or high Density floppy disks, magnetic tapes, writable discs, or other private media such as Lsl20 provided by the White Company of Minnesota, USA, or ZIp drives provided by Iomega of Roy, Utah . The operating system can specify different drive letter designations for various flash memory cards in the connectors 162, 164, 166, 168, such as e heart and h_ :. You can also designate the drive letter for the removable mass storage device 17. When the flash card reader 180 is not connected to the host PC 20 Risi, you can also copy the image file to the removable mass storage device. 17〇. Users can: carry a flash card reader 18 with them on the go, so that users can download TI files to mobiles 76. Because the mobile disc] 76 is usually a faster flash memory card with a higher density capacity, so when the host cannot be accessed% μ: Many photos can also be captured. The flash card reader 1δ〇 can be provided with a battery pack source or with its dedicated AC converter. The optional LCD display can be used to preview file names or images. " Flash card reader 180 is provided with a simple user interface, including a light emitting diode LED 178 and a press # 179. When the user inserts the flash memory into one of the connectors] 62, 164, 166, and 168, and inserts the mobile disk] 76 into a removable mass storage device] 70, the user can press Ben) 92447 43 1243995 Press 4 Ugly 1 79. This will cause the IDE to switch the cry chip and the mouth. Day, day and month 140 in order to determine which connector 6-, 1 64, 166, 1 68 has a memory slot + 4 no, — 1U, ° U card inserted, and the video file is stored in a removable large-capacity storage装置 170。 Device 170. The led 178 can be cut during the copying process, 4 will continue to light up when copying is completed, and vice versa. This provides a simple visual indication for the user during the copying process. An additional LED indicator, or other flashing configuration or color can be used to indicate an error. The IDE converter chip 14o FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a ιεε adapter chip 140 for a flash memory card reader. A commercially available micro controller chip can be used to implement the IDE converter chip 14o. This chip can be programmed to read and write the 1/0 pins connected to the flash memory card connector and the IDE interface. Many different control and conversion routines can be written and programmed in raM / rom] 94. These routines are then executed by the CPU 192. When inserted fast flash. Hidden body card Rishou can sense high-level scanning procedures. C p u 1 9 2 will then start another specific routine for this type of flash memory card. Subroutines for conversion and exchange can then be called. General-purpose input / output GPIO 199 sets register or 1 / 〇 port for driving ID E conversion chip 1 4 〇 external I / 〇 pin, or for I d E converter chip] 40 read in the input interface Logic level or voltage on the pin. cpu} 92 can read the register in GPI0199, which is written by the control signal coupled from the connectors 162, 164, 166, and 68 to the 1/0 pin of the IDE converter chip 140. The control signal transmitted to the flash memory card is at the high 44 (revised) 924 * 47 1243995 standard and low by using 1 or 0 into the register of the control signal in GP] 〇] 9 9 Switch between standards. The timer m can explicitly calculate the duration of the control signal. For example, control signals need to specify a specific number of microseconds. cpu 192 can be! The register in GPI0 199 is written and the timer is started in timer 196. When a specific time has elapsed, the timer 196 may transmit a number to the CPU 192 'or the CPUm may continuously or periodically inquire when 1 i 96 1 乂 to determine when the specific time has elapsed. Then, ⑽i% can save the G writer in the register of GPI0 199, | because the signal changes from 1 to 0. The shifter 198 is connected to the connector 164 (not shown), 168 = data and clock signals. When reading data from the flash memory card, the clock generates pulses to allow the data to be transmitted synchronously. The shifter 198 clocks one bit (in series) or one character (in parallel) of each clock pulse as data. A cyclic redundancy check (CRC) can be performed on the data so that when an error K is detected, the CPU 192 may need to re-transfer the data from the flash memory card. The data read by the shifter] 98 can be transferred to the buffer in RAM / ROM 1 94 through the internal bus 19 and stored. Later, the CPU M2 can execute a routine to transfer this data from ram / r0m% to the IDE interface 200. Then the IDE interface 200 transmits the data to the host PC through an external connection. When a removable mass storage device appears, some 1/0 pins from GPI〇199 will be connected to the removable mass storage device, or it can be converted in the IDE. Η 1/1 λ '_ person aj 隹A separate magnetic disk controller is set up in the film 14b. (Revision) 92447 45 1243995 As we all know, the IDE interface supports only one driver for each connector. Therefore, in the system and method according to the present invention, special IDE commands must be provided so that the interface can be expanded. Generally speaking, there are two slots in a pc, a primary slot and a secondary slot. Therefore, in the best embodiment, two new instructions from the CPU 192 are required. The first instruction is to wake up the device using a converter chip, and the second instruction is to identify the device. ^ The first instruction to wake up the device may be as follows:

CompactFlash + SmartMedia + MemoryStick +

Secure Dlgltal Card, the card reader should be described as follows: -〇nn 0 0 0 〇mm 〇xFE Where: -nn is set to 丨 to wake up the device, and set to 0 to make the device inactive (the default is to make the device inactive Not fairy). This is achieved by confirming that the pins on the chip are at a low level when the power is turned on to ensure that the device is inactive until it receives, wakes up, and commands. -mm is 0xEO when the device is connected to the primary slot, and 0xF0 when it is connected to the secondary slot. The second instruction used to read / write RAM / ROM i% loads a plurality of registers. It is shown below-0 nil y Q 〇0 mm 〇xFD Where: n 11 is the write / read The number of bytes -y is 1 for reading, 0 for writing when the device is connected to the primary slot, and 0xEO when it is connected to the secondary slot. 46 (Revised) 92447 1243995 Therefore, ‘via the present invention, the processor handles multiple devices and can expand the primary and secondary slots to

IDE H: PC or the advantages of an improved flash card reader that can read multiple types of flash memory cards without a PC. "Universal adapter for mr memory cards can accept a variety of different formats / special" Can receive S_tMed] a, MultiMediaCard, / 1, and regular "StlCk cards. Flash cards with a single slot. Beka machine can accept any N ^』 丨 ° eighth by using the adapter. In the fast Flash Warfare + special read and test logic on the machine can distinguish the difference between many flash card formats. Passive adapters do not require expensive converter crystals. The = card machine is very suitable for PCs. However, stand-alone The flash card reader can copy video from the flash card without using a PC. In addition, this card reader can also be used to complete the preparation of the media to be used in the device (formatting and deleting = universal conversion The connector is constructed by the form factor of the 〇mpactnash card. Then the reader of the CompactFIash card can read any other flash memory card inserted into the 2 f _pactFIash adapter. This adapter is simple Passive adapter that is cheap, and does not require a converter chip. The pin comparison from the small flash card format to cmoactnash makes it easy to report the type of the flash memory card inserted into the adapter. Therefore, the CompaciFlash card reader can be used to automatically perform fast tests using electronic testing. Flash memory card type guessing. The c_paetFiash card reader can be modified to execute this card type. Signals such as serial to side by side ^ change (revised) 92447 47 1243995 is performed by the CompactFlash card reader instead of conversion The connector is implemented. So you can reduce the cost of the adapter while only slightly increasing the cost of ConipactFlash card readers. CompactFlash card readers can use a single CompactFlash slot to read multiple types of flash cards, including

SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, Memory

Stick and CompactFlash. Another embodiment of a modified flash card reader that can read multiple types of flash memory cards using a PC or without a PC. The present inventors have proposed many other embodiments. It supports different flash card formats, such as cards, and the number of slots included in a multi-card flash card reader can be more or less than the four slots shown. There are other adapters available for the newer flash format of the single-slot C0mpactFlash card reader. Any device that needs to control the bus, timing, data bus, and address bus can be designed to be inserted into this slot. Examples of such devices include (but are not local) DSL modems, fingerprint security devices, data punishment devices, digital cameras, video cameras, etc. Although in the description of the present invention is connected to a personal computer pc host, this host may also be an Apple computer such as iMAC or G3. This main name can also be a SUN computer, or any computer host using the IM interface. The present invention can also be applied to a personal digital assistant such as a palmtop computer or other palmtop devices such as a wireless telephone with an IDE function. The term 'cGmpaxtF] ash card reader is used for brevity, because digital images are usually read from flash memory cards and written by person M. But β C_pactnash card reader can request or read the card from other flash memory (revised version) 92447 48 1243995 and take the case and write the case to the card reader is actually a reader / write flash A '丨 Think Body card. So conipactFiash is read into the machine. In the second embodiment φ Γ, the CompactFlash card reader is a stand-alone device, and not only PC gp is operable. It contains mobile media such as ⑽. Images from flash memory cards are copied to removable media using a CompactFlash card reader. It uses a simple interface, such as the user pressing the button to start the image transmission. In another embodiment, a CompactFlash card reader / multi-flash card reader is installed in the autonomous device. These autonomous devices include an MP3 player or a keyboard or a monitor or a stereo device. In addition, a CompactFlash card reader / multiple flash card reader can be added to the palm data collection and scanning device. You can also install this CompactFlash card reader / multiple flash card reader in personal digital assistants and pocket personal computers that use Microsoft's handheld operating system. The CompactFlash card reader / multiple flash card reader can also be installed in handheld terminal devices, personal communication devices, and advanced two-way call recording and playback devices. In addition, CompactFlash / multi-flash can be installed in various monitoring devices. These devices include, but are not limited to, 'any device that requires a PC or article reading, a projection device, an industrial computer device, a printer device, a human input device, a medical device, and a digital image stop device. These monitoring devices can be, for example, pacemaker, fetal monitor, insulin monitor, chemical monitor, earthquake monitor, and the like. 49 (Revised) 92447 1243995 Description of the active converter chip used in flash card readers Although the above CompactFlash card readers can effectively perform their stated purposes, they cannot be effectively used in some cases. This flash card reader can only be connected to USB on its output side and therefore cannot be used as a translator with other interfaces such as IDE, CompactFlash or PCMCIA. In addition, the traditional method for storing the required memory means that some slots are reversed. The system and method according to the present invention provides an active converter chip to overcome the above problems. Universal Active Adapter Figure 17 shows the CompactFlash card reader system 242, which can read SmartMedia 245, MultiMediaCard 241 at the input.

Secure Digital 243, and] viemory are connected to CompactFlash 249, IDE 251, and PCMCIA 253 at the output. In the best sound, the embodiment, the Compact F1 ash card reader 2 4 9 has a 50 connection The socket or opening of the foot connector can be used to receive the CompactFlash card 249. The active adapter 240 performs the exchange procedure with the Compactnash card 249 and performs data transfer. The active adapter 240 also controls the connection with the host PC, so that The image slot can be transferred from CompaCtFlaSh, 1DE interface to the PC. Therefore, the active adapter 240 according to the present invention can read various flash memory cards. ⑸—⑸ Card reader system, system 242 can also read Other types of flash memory cards. For example, the 'active adapter M. makes it possible to grab Me and rySt] ck card 247. The active adapter 24 has a plug-in M_rySt] ck card 247 Opening, and the active adapter "0 itself (repair JL version) 92447 50 1243995 is inserted into the 50-pin connector, because the active adapter 2 4 0 has the same form factor as the CompactFlash card. With the active adapter 240, the CompactFlash card reader system 2 42 can also read SmartMedia cards. Similarly, using the active adapter 240 can also be selected] y [ultiMediaCard or Secure Digital card. The active adapter 240 can be used as a translator between flash media and multiple interfaces. The table in Figure 18 shows the translator between flash media and multiple interfaces. In order to describe the characteristics of the active adapter chip 24A, please refer to the following description.

Active adapter chip 240A FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an active adapter chip according to this embodiment. As mentioned earlier, the active adapter 24 is designed to

A Memory Stick, SmartMedia, MMC or SD card is connected to the CF slot. On the input side, the active adapter chip 240A includes a test port 250, an EEPROM interface 252, a flash interface 254, a Memory Stick interface 256, and a clock generator 258. Processor 26〇 is via bus 261

Connect to all interfaces 252, 254, and 256. Hood ROM 2 64 and RAM

266 is also coupled to the bus 261. On the output side, the timer 268, UART 270, IRQ272, GPIO 274 and CF, IDE, PCMCIA interface 276 are connected to the bus 261. The characteristics of the active adapter chip 240A will be described below. Input MMC / SD Memory Stick interface 256 This "face" is for support of MMC / SD and] viemory Stick card. 51 (revised version) 92Φ47 1243995

MultiMediaCard (MMC) ^ Secure Digital (SD card) and Memory Stick cards are serial access devices. These devices usually require input / output data with CRC § information. The processor provides support for generating [Re and converting serial to parallel and parallel to serial bit streams in hardware. Provides a programmable clock speed to set the clock speed based on media performance. EEPROM interface 252 This is used to read serial EEPROM containing programs for internal processor.

CompactFlash / SmartMedia Interface 254 This port is used to connect parallel devices such as CompactFlash or SmartMedia cards. Provides ECC generation and detection for SmartMedia. Clock generator 2 5 8 This is the oscillator for the clock inside the chip. URAT port 270 The URAT port supports the recommended full rate of 115.2K. Can be used as a debug port and can also be used to access EEPR0M for reading / writing people ^ " car. Output Timer 2 6 8 The time is a variable. This timer is a function of GPIO 274 and IRQ 2 72 when the card is powered on. For example, when there must be some delay. Yu Huozhao asked Lu to ask this ## to prepare a pin. The functions of various flash cards, such as turning off the power on the upper λ segment, detecting the insertion of the Ko card, and detecting whether the card is write-protected, or τ inch. For example, when (Amendment) 92447 52 1243995 one of these pins changes state, GPI0 {11:10} can be used to generate an interrupt to the internal processor. This is used to detect if a flash card has been removed. CF / PCMCIA / IDE interface 276

This interface is used to connect to CompactFlash, PCMCIA or IDE ports. CompactFlash is a subset of PCMCIA. The real difference is that the connectors used by CompactFlash are smaller than pcMCIA. The IDE is a standard disk connector inside the PC. Need to select when reset crystal #

CompactFlash / PCMCIA or IDE mode. If during the reset period _〇e selects the IDE mode for the low order criterion. Processing system (processor 260, and ROM 264 and RAM 266) processor 260 processor (preferably 16-bit processor) and ram and ROM control interface 276. The processor 260 detects the form of the flash card inserted into the CF / SmartMedia or MMC / SD Memory Stick port, thereby constructing itself, and then interprets the command received in the CF / PCMCIA / IDE interface 260, and finally transmits it to The inserted flash card. Pin comparison Figure 20 shows the pin comparison table for SmartMedia, Mmc / sd and Stick to CompactFlash adapters. Pin numbers for small interfaces such as S media, MMC / SD, and Me]】 St] ck do not show i ′ but they can be in any order or label. The adapter will connect the appropriate pins on the small interface to the (revised) 92247 53 1243995 CPamptFlash pin number shown in Figure 2. Simple wiring such as single wire, flat cable, printed circuit board (PCB), or winding can be used. The ground pins on the j 1) ι face are pins 1 and 50 connected to Compactp] ash. The power pins are pins η connected to cmfactFiash, and pins 25 and 26 are card detection signals for cmFlash, which are converted to card detection signals connected to all small interfaces.

The CompactFlash connector uses pins 2 to 6, 21 to 23, 27 to j 1 and 47 to 49 as the 16-bit parallel data bus of the CompactFlash card. Pins 8, 10 to 12, and 14 to 20 form address buses separated by ^ bits. Separating the data and address buses enables fast random addressing of the PaCtF] as ^ card. Other control signal packets include the byte enable of pins 7, 32, the output enable of pin 9, the write enable of pin 36, interrupt pin 3 7, and reset pin 41. There are several pins on the $ 0 pin interface that are not connected. The small SmartMedia interface also has an 8-bit parallel data bus. They correspond to pins 2 to 6 and 21 to 23 of the CompactFlash interface to match the D0: 7 signal of Compactnash. Because no separate address bus is provided, its address and data are multiplexed. Control signals include latch enable, write enable and protection, output enable, and exchangeable enable. Output enable-〇E and write enable-WE are corresponding to

The CompactFlash interface has pins 9 and 36 with the same function. The total number of pins in the SmartMedia interface is 2 2.

The interface of Memory Stick and MMC / SD flash memory card is also a small interface ’because there is no parallel data or address bus. Conversely, (Amended) 92447 54 1243995 The serial data is converted via the serial data pin DATAIO, which corresponds to pin 17 (A3). The timing of the data is synchronized with the clock SERCLK on pin 18. The command signal CMD or BITSE occupies pin 20 (A0). MMC / SD and Memory Stick interfaces require only 6 pins plus power and ground pins. The detection logic read card selection in the active converter chip 240A. Pins CD0 and CD 1 are used to detect whether a flash memory card is present. When a new card appears, the detection logic will read the pins CEi, = E2 as turns to determine the card type. The behavior of the wiring and card in the adapter determines whether CE and CE2 are raised from the active adapter 24A to a high level or lowered to a low level. Advantages of an active converter chip used in a flash card reader The active converter chip for a flash memory card according to the present invention can accept many different forms of cards. This active converter chip can receive S) and tMedia, MuItlMediaCard, Secure Dighai, and ^ ⑽ 心

Stick card. Active converters are built with the form factor of a Compactmp card. Then the reader that reads the CompactFlash card can read any other flash memory card inserted into this CompactFlash adapter. The proposed comparison of pins from the compact flash card format to C0mpactFlash makes it easy to detect the type of flash memory card inserted into the adapter. Therefore, using CompactFlash card readers can automatically perform flash memory card type detection using electronic predicate measurement ... Signal conversion from parallel to parallel is performed by the Compactnash reader instead of the adapter. So ^ (revised) 92447 55 1243995 can reduce the cost of the adapter while only slightly increasing c0mcπ]-the cost of the card reader. CompactF] ash card reader can use a single CompactFIash slot to read multiple flash card types, including SmanMedia, MultlMediaCard, SUck, and CompactFIash, and can be connected to a number of standard interfaces at its round end. These The bread includes but is not limited to the CF, MMC / SD, IDE, and PCMCIA standards. Another embodiment of an active converter chip used in a flash card reader The present inventors have proposed many other embodiments. It supports different flash card formats, such as Smart cards, and the number of slots included in a multi-card flash card reader can be more or less than the four slots shown. Any device that needs to control the bus, clock, data bus, and address bus can be designed to be inserted into this slot. Examples of such devices include, but are not limited to, digital cameras, fingerprint security devices, micro hard drives, digital cameras, video cameras, printers, and the like. Although in the description of the present invention is connected to a personal computer PC host, this host may also be an Apple computer such as lMAC or G3. This host can also be a SUN computer, or any host computer using a changing interface. The present invention can also be applied to a personal digital assistant (pD A) such as a palmtop computer, a list machine, or other palmtop devices such as a wireless telephone with a variable interface function. The term ‘’ CompactFlash card reader is used for brevity, because digital images are often read from a flash memory card and then written to a PC. However, the CompactFlash card reader can read (revise) 92447 56 1243995 from a PC or from another flash memory card and write the file to the flash memory card. So conipactF] asli card reader is actually a reader / writer. In other embodiments, a CompactFiash card reader / multi-flash card reader may be installed in an autonomous device, such as an MP3 player, a list machine or a keyboard or a monitor or a stereo device. In addition, it is also possible to install a CompactFlash card reader / multiple flash card reader on a palm data collection and scanning device. This CompactFlash card reader / multiple flash card reader can also be installed in personal digital assistant devices and pocket personal computer devices that use the Microsoft handheld operating system, for example. It can also be installed in palm-type terminal devices, personal communication devices, advanced two-way calling devices, and voice recording and playback devices. Description of a memory module including a form factor connector A plurality of flash media are coupled to the single-form factor connector to provide a branch set, in other words, a SmartStack module for short, which can be directly coupled to a device. The smartstack module does not include a controller and is controlled internally by the host. Form factor connectors are typically compactFlash (CF) form factors or other form factors that can be used in various devices. In the preferred embodiment, the Smartstack memory module includes a write-protect switch that allows certain parts of the memory in the SmartStack module to not be written. In addition, a portion of the flash memory will be allocated to a security area for storing information to implement various security measures. The other part of the flash memory will be configured to store selective biometric information, which can be user's fingerprints or retinal scan information. (Revised) 92447 57 1243995 In order to describe the present invention in more detail, please refer to the following description P accompanying the illustration. Figure 21 shows the SmartStack module 3100. s view. ⑸ 心 模 and 3] 〇〇 including a plurality of memory devices coupled to the connector 3 104 (ie, flash chips 31203, 3202 to 3202). In the preferred embodiment, the flash chips are coupled together, so each area is redundant. . In the preferred embodiment, the SmartStack module has the same form factor as the (CF) card. This module can then be inserted into any CF slot. Figure 22 shows an example of applications that can use the s delete card module 3, such as flash card reader 3202, digital camera 3204, or Mp3 player M%. In the preferred embodiment, the S-resistant tStack module 3100, which is based on a CF card reader, can read / write people ___ media, and inserting the SmartStack module into a standard CF card reader does not Harm SmartStack. As shown in the figure, the SmartSUck module does not include a controller and is controlled by the host side. Because the module itself does not have any controller, it can easily be expanded to add additional memory. Card Detection The table in Figure 23 shows how the device detects special cards. In this embodiment, when a SmartStack module (that is, Smartstack ναν〇 or SmartStack NOR) is inserted into a slot, the card detection pins (⑽ and ㈤) become low level. To be compatible with devices that can read Smartstaek module cards, the card enable pins (CE1 and CE2) will also become low level. In the figure, you can also see that other memory modules have different pin structures for detection. 0 Addressing (Revised) 92447 58 1243995 The 4th table is the addressing of the SmartStack module. In the best-practices case, the SmartStaek module is planned in a manner similar to the traditional memory module. The only difference is in chip selection. Figure 24A shows the relationship between the address line (SO ··· S3) and its corresponding pins in the heart of the ash card. Security and Biometric Messages Figure 25 shows the Smartstack module 3300, which contains the write sigh mechanism 3302, the security zone 3304, and the biometric zone. Pick-up locks or unlocking locks protect the mechanism when deciding when the module can be written. The nest protection mechanism in the preferred embodiment can be read and written away from the user's area. It may be necessary to configure spaces for security and biometrics on a variety of personal flash media, and in this case the name π can use the same table to generate this message. As can be seen from this embodiment, King Wen [he 3304 and biometric area 33 06 'are arranged in 3102a'. Anyone skilled in this field thinks that the areas 3302 and 3304 should be arranged in any or all of the flash chips & jobs, and still be included in the spirit and purpose of the present invention. . The table in the second figure shows the settings of the data security zone for a core module. In order to provide ^ w $ a in the SmartStack module — and provide the entire women ’s area, the following methods will be followed in the best embodiment: the previous L Λ port 1IL group, bit group 0 and bit Wu ', and 1' will be set to C 3 B 6. The next 彳 ☆-4 is a bit group, byte 2, which defines its function. In addition, the bit size $ ^ Bit group 5 (block status flag) will be set to OxFO (or 〇x〇F) in order to mark the loss ° and T times Xi Yai (h £ block, so what to do? Or the firmware will not overwrite it accidentally. / T ',' Add random access to the heap. (RAM) can improve the performance (revised) 92447 59 1243995. Figure 27 The system is shown as adding 3340 RAM to the SmartStack module 3400 to improve its performance. By adding 3402 'to the module 3400', data can be stored here and therefore the data can be quickly accessed within the module. The SmartStack module can be designed to have the function of a daughter board on the motherboard, so its capacity can be increased accordingly. The SmartStack module can also be designed to insert a card at the end of the previous card. Form a string chain (or daisy chain). Figs. 28 and 8 show a plurality of SmartStack modules 500 and 502 connected by a daisy chain according to the present invention. Therefore, in this embodiment, one SmartStack module 500 is in it. One female connector 506 on one end and one male connector on the other end Device (expansion slot) 508 so that more + can be inserted. In another embodiment, the expansion card itself can be designed with many expansion ports (female connectors), so that users can insert SmartStack modules. The SmartStack module can optionally enable users to review the image before transferring (saving) the image to the flash media itself. Figure 29 shows the SmartStack module 600 as an expansion compartment. , You can insert the extra “batch module” into the male connector slot 6 0 2 and the female remote technology $ 604 will be connected to the SmartStack enabled CompactFlash host. For smart f and “fool” "Multi-mode controller for flash cards" The controller of the flash card system can only work with one type of flash media at the same time. Figure 30 shows the system applicable to the single media type (revision) 92447 60 1243995 System C can be r 丄 In the example ^ as the inventor knows and said in the foregoing, in some also: Some controllers can work with multiple media types at the same time: The host 4000 can be a PC, a surface Connect Gadget Self-, PDA, etc. 4001 can be connected to any type of computer of the plug-in & U j U of various types of computers, such as earlier, clear, clear and clear 'The detailed diagram of the connector is not shown in the figure. Note that the interface connector can be any of the various types of interfaces such as the way (Go to-, a, or Ethernet ?, in the above), and so on. The system connector (PCI, etc.) The network interface is + any other suitable interface ^ or 的 the network connection provided by the computer side. The aforementioned face 2 ==: ° is converted into a fast flash ^ (shown here). For the sake of brevity, the concept of the end of the evening has not been explained in detail in the previous section. :: Computer side usually also has driver software4. . 2 ^ 片 _ 有 ㈣ 体面。 2 side of the body. Flash Media Side Pass: :: = :. 21 and flash one in most examples two:. The knife is up to >, two different ICs, although in some examples — a 1C is synthesized. However, in the example on the right, τ 疋 can be adjusted. In all examples, the controller's part + i has a lot of extra costs, regardless of whether it and the flash area are to be combined into a single Ic. The film is composed or integrated, usually the purpose of the 'controller area 4021' is to provide the system with perfect media in a format, so the computer 4000 has a storage medium 髀 409Π. Save ',:, instead of flashing 4202 with specific defects that must be ruled out. Figure 31 shows that the improved flash media still has a flash area or one but the controller part 4 ^^ (revised) 92447 6] 1243995 division. The figure shows the media ID 4030 in detail. Among them, there is a detailed information in the previous chapter. ^ A cutting heart, two, out, and in some examples, the media and media transfer +, 4 Π So, Dao Xin decided to accept the card as Xianli explained. The media ID403 () in some examples contains specific basic specifications of the media, such as format, total capacity, etc. Generally speaking, it is used to provide this kind of information (brother 30). It is the dog Bei Xunxin, understand, as mentioned above, the main eyebrows of the controller part * the main reason for refining the inner mouth is to Error detection. This task is currently being transferred to the host computer's firmware 40. // Said that it is located at the top of the software part that is being read, and it is also used to manage the correction of errors: the bad block comparison of 4022, meanwhile 4020b itself. Or / y This number is stored in the flash media a ^ m 4000 Erliezi, and this work is transferred to the driver software 40002b in the main engine 4000. = This error control and other functions can be handled by either of the two software components (carcass 4012 and driver software 002b) or in some examples, Α 可 and 通, can be transferred to the The body hole, the driver software 4002b can still be a standard enabler without the need to include a special implementation. Control two: body: moving side makes the use of flash transparent, just like the original ::: 了 体 ( The third is the function performed by the coffee. Therefore, the operating system ::: area 4.21 two kinds of software, and the user will not want to rain ", the method of distinguishing edge type, etc. ^ U special device, patch identification 4030 is used in the previous article (for example, those pins in the test, and in the above 5), the connector can be used for different electromechanical connection interface and other electromechanical media conversion 1 stream 40] 1. (Amendment This) 92447 62 1243995 Figure 32 shows the various applications of ID 4030. For example, Shan 403 0a uses simple lifting and lowering as previously described. M 4〇3p uses a voltage divider instead of simple lifting and lowering In this example, the voltage divider is composed of R2 / R3 and R4 / R5. By using a voltage divider, a limited number of :: pins, for example, two pins can be extended to provide 6 or more different forms of cards or IDs, based on this fact instead of one pin per Bit (high or / low), the current voltage divider can support multiple electric dust 1 level (and therefore multiple bits) per pin, and therefore can be identified by a limited number of pins More card combinations. In the controller section, a comparator can be used to generate a digital signal again (so it is not shown for simplicity). ID 403C can be obtained by making the small E2 programmable ROM as the digital m. The same result. It can be a mask plan or e2 type tandem memory, and it is very cheap to get. It can be through the firmware at the factory or in various places ~ ^^ E This is known to those who are skilled in this field There are many types of serial buses (such as S] ngle Wl 'provided by Dallas Semiconductor, & etc.), which have very few pins. In some examples, they include power pins of about 1 to 4 pins. For example, the advantage of using E2 is that it can be used quickly Flash chip 4022, even if it has a bad start-up area, this is because the new start-up area address is integrated in 4030c instead of the main storage is 4022. There is no error. Because the industry has a higher order The development trend of the chip capacity, so in the start and end of the dynamic zone: Bai Li R, Xi /, + ^ 4 7 knife will increase the possibility. By making the start location ^ private to auxiliary devices such as 1D4 03C will As a result, the use of the chip 4022 can be reduced and the cost can be further reduced. 63 (Revised) 92447 1243995 2 The exemption of the H controller 401 2 can further reduce the media '. By combining these two types of media cards 4022, it is possible to handle 40m and all the forest types that have been discussed above and others that have not been discussed before: Controls: devices: and 4020, etc. have 10 403. No controller media. In fact, it is guaranteed to be upward compatible in the market. Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, anyone skilled in the art will readily understand that these embodiments can be improved; a variety of changes are reported, and these changes are intended to cover the spirit and purpose of the present invention. Inside. Therefore, any person skilled in this field can perform many amendments without departing from the scope of the attached patent application. [Brief Description of the Drawings] Figure 1A shows a flash memory card and adapter for transferring images from a digital camera. Figure 1B shows the q-to-PCMCIA adapter with a cmFlash card inserted into it. Figure 1C shows the [pC] connected to a PCMCIA card reader. Figure 2A shows the various flash memory card formats used by digital cameras. 1 苐 2B picture shows M using active converter chip 丨

Stick to PCMCIA adapter. Figure 2C shows the traditional compartment for receiving the adapter (front view> Figure 3A shows that it can receive SmartMedia,

Universal CompactFlash adapter for flash memory cards such as MuldMedwCard, Secure Digital, and Memory Stlck. (Revised) 92447 64 1243995 Picture 3B shows a CompactFlash card reader, which can read SmartMedia, MultiMediaCwd, and Secure via a passive adapter.

Flash memory cards such as Digital, and Memory Stick are converted to CompactFlash format. Figures 4A to 4E illustrate the flash memory card form detection performed by the CompactFlash card reader in detail. Figure 4A shows the interface of the CompactFlash card reader. The CE1 and CE2 pins will be highlighted here. Figure 4B shows a CompactFlash card inserted into a connector for card format detection. Figure 4C shows the connector inserted for card format detection.

MultiMediaCard or Secure Digital card. Figure 4D shows a Memory Stick card inserted into the connector for card format detection. Figure 4E shows the SmartMedia card inserted into the connector for card format detection. Figure 5 shows the pin comparison table for SmartMedia, MMC / SD and Mem0ry stick to CompactFlash adapters. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a multi-slot embodiment of a flash card reader. Figure 7 shows the flash memory card reader in the PC. Figure 8 shows a PC case that does not have a flash memory card reader in one of the drive compartments of the PC. Figure 9 shows an illustration of a non-independent flash card reader, which can accept flash memory cards in many formats and can copy images of 65 (revised) 92447 1243995 to action without being connected to a pc. dish. Figure 10 is a diagram showing _ for flash memory card readers. Figure 11 shows the CompactFlash card reader. JL can read the SmartMedia, MultiMediaCud, ^ through the passive IDE adapter.

Flash memory cards such as Digital, and Memory Stick are converted to CompactFlash format. Figures 12A to 12E illustrate in detail the flash memory card type pretest performed by the CompactFlash card reader. Figure 12A shows the CompactFlash card reader interface, where CE1 and CE2 pins are highlighted. "Figure 1 2B shows a CompactFlash card inserted into a connector for card type detection. Brother 1 2 C Figure ### Inserting a connector for card type detection

MultiMediaCard or Secure Digital card. Figure 1 2D shows a Memory Stick card inserted into the connector for card type detection. Figure 1 2E shows the SmartMedia card inserted into the connector for card type detection. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a multi-slot embodiment of a flash card reader using an IDE converter chip. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a flash memory card reader using an IDE converter chip in a PC. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a standalone flash read (revised) 92447 66 1243995 card reader with an IDE converter chip, which can accept flash memory cards in many formats and can be used without a host PC connection. In the case of copying images to a mobile disc. Figure 16 shows the iD] E converter chip for flash memory card readers. Figure 17 shows the CompactFlash card reader system, which can read flash memory cards such as SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, and Memory Stick on the input side, and

CompactFlash, IDE and PCMCIA interfaces. The table in Figure 18 shows the translator between flash media and multiple interfaces. FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a member showing an active adapter chip according to this embodiment. Figure 20 shows a pin comparison table for SmartMedia, MMC / SD and Memory Stick to CompactFlash adapters. Figure 21 shows the Smarts tack module. Figure 22 shows examples of applications that can use the Srnartstack module such as flash card readers, digital cameras, or MP3 players. The table in Figure 23 shows how the device can detect special cards. The table in Figure 24 shows the addressing of the smartStack module. Figure 24A shows the relationship between the address line (s 0 · · · S 3) of the SmartStack module in the CompactFlash card and its related pins. The Le 25 picture shows that the SmartStack module includes a write protection mechanism, a security zone, and a biometric zone. The table in Figure 26 shows the data security for the SmartStack module (revision) 92447 67 1243995 zone settings. Figure 27 shows adding RAM to the SmartStack module to improve its performance. Fig. 28 is a diagram showing a plurality of SmartStack modules connected by a daisy chain according to the present invention. Fig. 29 is an 8_ru module as an expansion compartment. Figure 30 shows a system suitable for a single media type. Figure 31 is a flash media showing cost improvement. Figure 32 shows the various applications of ID 4030. [Description of main component symbols] 10 CF to PCMCIA adapter 10 'SmartMedia to PCMCIA adapter 11 Active converter chip 12 PCMCIA card reader 14 Digital camera 15 Memory Stick to PCMCIA adapter 16 CompactFlash card 18 Memory Stick card 20 Personal computer (PC) 21 Central processing unit (CPU) 22 PCMCIA slot 24 SmartMedia card 26 Secure Digital (SD) card 28 MultiMediaCard (MMC) card 30 SmartMedia adapter 32 MMC / SD converter 34 Memory Stick adapter 68 (Revision) 92447 1243995 40 Converter chip 42 CompactFlash card reader 44 connector 46 USB connector 50 card type detector 52, 54 resistor 56 > 58 connection slot 62 CompactFlash connector 64 MMC / SD Connector 66 SmartMedia Connector 68 Memory Stick Connector 70 Mass Storage Device 72 HDD Compartment 74 FDD Compartment 76 Mobile Disk 78 Light Emitting Diode 79 Press: ugly 80 Flash Card Reader 90 Bus 92 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 94 RAM / ROM 96 Timer 98 Shifter 99 General Purpose Input / Output (GPIO) 100 Compartment (Bay) 101 USB interface 1 02 Interface ports 103, 104, 106 Slots 140 IDE converter chip 146 IDE connector 150 Card type detector 152, 154 Resistor 156 Connector socket 162 CompactFlash connector 164 MMC / SD connection 166 SmartMedia connector 168 Memory Stick connector (revision) 92447 69 1243995 170 Mass storage device 176 Mobile disk 178 Diode LED 179 Button 180 Flash card reader 190 Bus 192 Central processing unit (CPU) 194 RAM / ROM 198 Shifter 199 General-purpose input / output (GP10) 200 IDE interface 240 Active adapter 240A Active adapter chip 241 MultiMediaCard (MMC) 242 CompactFlash card reader system 243 Secure Digital (SD) card 245 SmartMedia card 247 Memory Stick connection; 249 CompactFlash connector. 250 test port 251 IDE interface 252 EEPROM interface 253 PCMCIA card 254 flash interface 256 Memory Stick interface 258 clock generator 260 processor 261 bus 264 ROM 266 RAM 268 timing 270 Universal Asynchronous Receiver (UART) 272 Interrupt Required (IRQ) 2 74 General-purpose input / round-out (GPIO) 276 CF, IDE 'PCMCIA interface 500, 502 SmartStack module 506 Female connector (revised) 92447 70 1243995 (revised) 92447

508 male connector 602 male connector slot 604 female connector 3 100 SmartStack module 3102 [i, 3102b to 3l02n memory device 3104 connector 3202 flash card reader 3204 digital camera 3206 Mp3 player 3300 SmartStack module 3302 Protection mechanism 3304 Security area 3306 Biometric area 3400 Module 3402 RAM 4000 Host computer 4001 Interface connector 4002, 4002b Driver software 4010 Integrated circuit (1C) (converter chip) 4011 Interface 4012, 4012b Firmware 4020, 4020b Flash (Storage) Media 4021 Controller 4022 Flash Chip (1C) 4030, 4030a, 4030b, 4030c Media ID 71

Claims (1)

1243995 Scope of patent application: 1. A controller chip for connecting computer systems and flash storage systems, including: an interface mechanism for determining whether the flash storage system includes a controller; and: a connector It is used to provide appropriate according to the decision made by the interface organization-the computer system so that the computer system can communicate with the flash storage system first, and if the flash storage system ^ ^ ⑷ 叩 ⑷ 叩 T? The working system is' the computer system, *, g, flash memory system's error correction control error correction. ^ If there is a “right”, the controller 2_ If the patent application scope of the first item m a Qi Lishi daily film, wherein the flash storage has a controller part and a flash area. 3 · If the scope of patent application is the first! The item is silk white eight $, profit. σ day and day film, in which the flash storage ', S to Xi Xi part of the media ί E) area and | MF ID area Chenggu & ^ and final flash area' where the media C /, with flash storage system specification. 4 ’As for the controller chip of the third patent application, part of the media sculpture, medium, at least another, and limb ID area are included in the adapter. • σ patent application scope: 4 items of control and management, etc. ρ ρ Japanese-Japanese film, in which the computer system Lu Buhai flash zone error correction. 6. If the patent application scope of the system blade. Japanese film, Among them, the computer 1 < the first official management of the error correction. 7. If the patent application scope of the 5th control system Neixi Mining City, "Japanese film, of which the driver software of the computer 8 manages the Wrong correction. .ϋThe scope of application of the patent No. 5 City "Japanese film, in which the combination of the ### body and the driver software in the computer (revised version) 92447 72 1243995 system manages this error correction. 9. For a controller chip as claimed in claim 6, wherein the media area contains any combination of raising and lowering resistors m, e2pr0m, and auxiliary devices. 10. If the controller chip in the scope of patent application] contains an active adapter. 11. If the controller chip of patent application item 丨 contains a passive adapter. I2. A flash storage system, comprising: at least part of a media ID area; and a flash area, where the flash media system is regulated. 2 £ Includes flash storage system 13 · If the scope of the patent application is No. 2 ①The area contains ... The flash storage system has 3 rise and lower resistors. For example, the flash storage ID area of the item No. 12 of the scope of patent application contains a voltage divider. ',,,, I5 · If the patent application scope is No.12, the flash storage ID area contains E, R0Me storage " System 1 6 · If the application patent scope area includes auxiliary / flash storage System Dagger 3 has auxiliary devices. Where the adapter package where the adapter package where the media where the media where the media where the media trend (revised version) 92447 73