Memory card access module and memory card access method

A memory card access method applied to an electronic device, wherein a processing unit of the electronic device can access a memory card via a memory card slot, the method comprising:

• detecting whether the memory card supports a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) interface;
• controlling the processing unit to access the memory card through a first data transmission path, and using a memory card access unit disposed on the first data transmission path to conduct data format conversion between the PCIe interface and a transmission interface when the memory card does not support the PCIe interface;
• controlling the processing unit to access the memory card through a second data transmission path that allows the processing unit and the memory card to transmit data through the PCIe interface when the memory card supports the PCIe interface;
• detecting whether any memory card is inserted in the memory card slot;
• and
• selecting the first data transmission path or the second data transmission path when no memory card is inserted in the memory card slot;
• wherein the memory card access unit comprises a terminal resistor, and when no memory card is inserted in the memory card slot, the first data transmission path is selected, and the method further comprises a step of controlling the memory card access unit to load the terminal resistor.

A device, coupled between a processing unit and a slot, selectively accessing a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) device directly, the device comprising:

• a detection unit detecting whether a device connected to the slot is the PCIe device;
• a selection unit selecting a first data transmission path or a second data transmission path, wherein the second data transmission path allows the processing unit and the PCIe device to transmit data through a PCIe interface;
• a memory card access unit, coupled to the selection unit and disposed on the first data transmission path, accessing a memory card and providing data format conversion between a transmission interface and the PCIe interface;
• and
• a control unit, coupled to the detection unit, the memory card access unit and the selection unit, controlling the selection unit to select the second data transmission path when the detection unit indicates that the device is the PCIe device, and controlling the selection unit to select the first data transmission path when the detection unit indicates that the device is not the PCIe device;
• wherein the detection unit further detects whether any device is inserted in the slot, and the control unit controls the selection unit to select the first data transmission path or the second data transmission path when the detection unit indicates that no device is inserted in the slot;
• wherein the memory card access unit comprises a terminal resistor, and when the detection unit indicates that no device is inserted in the slot, the control unit controls the selection unit to select the first data transmission path and controls the memory card access unit to load the terminal resistor.