Integrated multi-function storing means

#The present invention relates to means for storing data or information, and more specifically, to a multi-function storing means for computer system.

#In recent years, the computer and Internet technique are dramatically developed with a brisk step due to the improvement of the semiconductor industry, the computer and the communication techniques. The various of cards are popular in these years, such as credit card, bank card, ID card and so on. The memory card is also widely used due to the improvement of the semiconductor technology. Card reader is one of the means for reading the information stored in the card. The card reader has a connector that is connected to the ICs. Based on the report, the memory card user population is dramatically increasing all of the world. More recently, a memory card or a smart card having an integrated circuit (IC) memory chip has been developed with increased capability of storing data, which can hold much more information than a magnetic strip type card. Use of the memory cards is rapidly increasing in the banking industry and for the purpose of storing personal data, such as electronic identification cards, driver's licenses, social security cards, financial cards and others.

#Pluralities of storage medium types have been developed to fit each kind of storage medium. Thus, in order to fetch the information of the storage medium, the user has to prepare each individual card reader to read the different format data. Apparently, the cost is high and it is unlikely for the user to carry all of the card readers with oneself. To access the information stored on the memory card, the card reader should be equipped with a connector making an electrical connection with the contact elements of the semiconductor device, e.g. the IC chip.

#The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of the present invention.

#Some sample embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the present invention can be practiced in a wide range of other embodiments besides those explicitly described, and the scope of the present invention is expressly not limited except as specified in the accompanying claims.

#The present invention discloses storing means having pluralities of storage medium integrated therein. The present invention integrates at least two different card readers and/or storage medium. With reference to the figure, FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram for the present invention. The apparatus includes a multi-storage connecting interface 110. The interface may connect each kind of the storage medium device. The user may alter each storage medium device. The compatible storage medium device includes, but not limited to, CD-RW, DVD-RW, MO, hard driver, ZIP, SVCD, MP3, CD-R, VCD, FLASH memory.

#A multi-function card reader 120 is constructed by pluralities of card reader unit. The detailed description of the multi-function card reader 120 may refer to the co-pending application filed by the identical assignee. The Application number is ______. Each of the card reader units contains a plurality of connectors, the plurality of card reader units electrical connects with the personal computer by using a transmission interface. After the inserting of the memory cards into the connectors, the memory cards data is read. The card reader unit may be stacked by at least two connectors. This type may scale the size of the apparatus and enable pluralities memory card to be operated for achieving the function of reading pluralities of memory cards. The card reader unit includes connectors and connected to the computer by using interface. The other connector in the card reader unit may connect to the computer peripheral device. The compatible card reader unit in the multi-function card reader 120 includes, but not limited to, C.F., S.D/MMC, memory card, smart card and digital camera memory card.