US 6,438,638 B1 · Flashtoaster for reading several types of flash-memory cards with or without a PC

Abstract

A flash-memory-card reader reads and writes multiple types of flash-memory cards, including CompactFlash, and the smaller SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, and Memory Stick. A converter chip converts the different card signals for transfer to a host personal computer (PC). Serial-to-parallel data conversion is performed for the smaller card formats with serial data interfaces, but not for CompactFlash with a parallel-data interface. A single slot has a 50-pin connector for CompactFlash cards or passive adapters. The passive adapters have the CompactFlash form factor and a smaller connector fitting smaller flash cards. Passive adapters have no components but simply wire the smaller connector to the CompactFlash connector. A pin mapping allows card-type detection by sensing the LSB address pins of the CompactFlash interface. A larger CompactFlash reader has multiple slots for each card type. The reader is connected to the PC by a cable, or located within the PC chassis in a drive bay. A stand-alone reader copies images from the flash-memory card to a removable disk media. Pressing a button initiates image transfer.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A single-slot multi-flash-card reader comprising:

a personal computer interface for transferring data to a personal computer;
a converter means, coupled to the personal computer interface, for converting multiple flash-card interfaces to a format used by the personal computer interface;
wherein the multiple flash-card interfaces include a CompactFlash interface and smaller interfaces having fewer pins that the CompactFlash interface;
a CompactFlash connector, coupled to the converter means, for receiving a CompactFlash card through a single slot in the single-slot multi-flash-card reader, the CompactFlash connector making electrical connection with the CompactFlash card for signals in the CompactFlash interface;
an adapter, having a physical shape to removably insert into the CompactFlash connector, the adapter having a mating CompactFlash connector that fits the CompactFlash connector, the adapter also having a smaller connector, the smaller connector for fitting to other flash-memory cards having the smaller interfaces;
and
wiring means, in the adapter, connected between the smaller connector and the mating CompactFlash connector, for directly connecting signals from the smaller connector in the smaller interface with signals in the mating CompactFlash connector;
whereby the adapter allows the other flash-memory cards having the smaller interfaces to fit into the CompactFlash connector through the single slot to be read by the converter means.

5 more elements

A multi-flash-card reader comprising:

a host connection for transferring data to a host computer;
a converter chip, coupled to the host connection, for converting signals from flash-memory cards to read data from the flash-memory cards for transfer to the host computer;
a first connector, coupled to the converter chip, for accepting a CompactFlash card inserted into a first slot for the first connector, the first connector having a parallel-data bus and an address bus and control signals for controlling parallel data transfer from the CompactFlash card to the converter chip;
a second connector, coupled to the converter chip, for accepting a SmartMedia card inserted into a second slot for the second connector, the second connector having a parallel-data bus and control signals for controlling parallel data transfer from the SmartMedia card to the converter chip;
and
a third connector, coupled to the converter chip, for accepting a MultiMediaCard MMC card inserted into a third slot for the third connector, the third connector having a serial-data pin and a clock pin for controlling serial data transfer from the MMC card to the converter chip;
wherein the converter chip controls parallel data and address transfer for the CompactFlash card, parallel data transfer for the SmartMedia card, and serial data transfer for the MMC card,
whereby multiple flash-memory cards can be read by the multi-flash-card reader using the converter chip.

5 more elements

A multi-flash-card reader comprising:

a host connection for transferring data to and from a host computer;
a converter chip, coupled to the host connection, for converting signals from flash-memory cards to read data from the flash-memory cards for transfer to and from the host computer;
a first connector, coupled to the converter chip, for accepting a CompactFlash card inserted into the first connector, the first connector having a data bus and an address bus and control signals for controlling parallel data transfer from the CompactFlash card to the converter chip;
a second connector, coupled to the convener chip, for accepting a SmartMedia card insured into the second connector, the second connector having a data bus and control signals for controlling parallel data transfer to and from the SmartMedia card to and from the converter chip;
and
a third connector, coupled to the converter chip, for accepting a MultiMediaCard (MMC) or Secure Digital (SD) card inserted into the third connector, the third connector having at least one serial pin and a clock pin for controlling serial data transfer to and from the MMC/SD card to and from the converter chip;
wherein the converter chip controls data and address transfer for the CompactFlash card, data transfer for the SmartMedia card, and serial data transfer for the MMC/SD card,
whereby multiple flash-memory cards can be read by the multi-flash-card reader using the converter chip.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flashtoaster for reading several types of flash-memory cards with or without a PC

Life of this patent

Flashtoaster for reading several types of flash-memory cards with or without a PC

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28