Multiple removable non-volatile memory cards serially communicating with a host

In a system including a host and a plurality of sockets in which electronic circuit cards are mechanically inserted and electrically connected, a method of operating the system comprising:

• transferring data between the host and a card addressed over a command circuit connected between the host and the plurality of sockets said data being transferred through a data circuit also connected between the host and the plurality of sockets,
• normally transferring commands that control operation of the electronic circuit cards from the host to an individual card over the command circuit connected between the host and the plurality of sockets except when unique addresses of the individual cards are being defined by communication between the host and the cards one at a time over the command circuit that is alternately connected to one of the plurality of sockets at a time,
• storing within at least some of the electronic circuit cards a characteristic of a number of data contacts thereof through which data are transferable in parallel,
• causing the host to read the stored characteristic from the cards inserted into the plurality of sockets, and
• wherein transferring data between the host and an addressed card includes transferring data over one or more of a plurality of data lines connecting the host with the plurality of sockets according to the characteristic stored in the addressed card.

A memory system, comprising:

• (A) a plurality of encapsulated memory cards that individually include:
• a programmable non-volatile memory and a controller of the memory,
• a plurality of electrical contacts on an outer surface of the card, at least one of the contacts carrying data to and from the memory, only one of the contacts receiving commands to control operation of the controller and memory and sending a response, and a contact to receive a clock signal that operates the controller and memory, and
• a plurality of registers that are programmable by command signals received through the command/response contact and readable by response signals sent through the command/response contact, including a programmable address register,
• (B) a plurality of sockets which individually receive one of the plurality of cards, said sockets individually including:
• at least a first pin positioned to connect with said at least one data contact of a card inserted therein, the first pins of the individual plurality of sockets being connected together into a common at least one data line,
• a second pin positioned to connect with said only one command/response contact of a card inserted therein, the second pins of the individual sockets being connected into individual command/response lines,
• a third pin positioned to connect with said clock signal contact of a card inserted therein, the third pins of the plurality of sockets being connected together into a common clock signal line, and
• (C) a host device connected to send and receive data on said at least one common data line, to send a clock signal on the common clock signal line, and to normally simultaneously send operating commands to and receive response signals from an individual one of the cards over all of the individual command/response lines simultaneously by including an address of said individual card, except when distinct addresses in the address registers of the plurality of cards are being confirmed through one of the individual command/response lines at a time.

A memory system, comprising:

• a plurality of cards individually having a plurality of external contacts including at least one contact through which data are transferred into and out of a re-writeable non-volatile memory within the card, only one contact through which commands are received to operate the memory and response signals sent from the memory, and a contact to receive a clock signal to operate the memory,
• a plurality of sockets into which said cards are individually insertable with their contacts electrically contacting a plurality of corresponding pins including at least one data pin, only one pin for command and response signals and a clock signal pin,
• a host system having a single line carrying command and response signals that is selectively connectable by the host to the command and response signal pin of any one or all of the individual card sockets, said host system additionally having at least one line that is connected with said at least one data pin of each of the plurality of sockets to carry data to and from cards inserted therein, said host system also including a clock signal line connected with said clock signal pin of each of the plurality of sockets,
• said plurality of cards individually including an address register into which an address of the card is confirmed to be unique by the host through the command and response line connected to a single card at a time through the command and response pin of the card socket in which the single card is inserted, and
• said host sending additional commands to and receiving additional response signals from an individual one of the cards through said command and response line when connected to the command and response pins of all of the plurality of sockets by sending on the command and response line the address stored in the address register of said individual one of the cards.

A memory system, comprising:

• a plurality of cards individually having a plurality of external contacts including one or more contacts through which data are transferred into and out of a re-writeable non-volatile memory within the card, a contact through which commands are received to operate the memory and response signals sent from the memory, and a contact to receive a clock signal to operate the memory,
• a plurality of sockets into which said cards are individually insertable with their contacts electrically contacting a plurality of corresponding pins including two or more data pins, a pin for command and response signals and a pin for the clock signal,
• a host system having a line carrying card command and response signals between it and the command and response pin of the plurality of sockets, a line carrying a clock signal of constant frequency over a line connected with said clock signal pin of each of the plurality of sockets, and two or more data carrying lines being connected with the two or more data pins of each of the plurality of sockets,
• said plurality of cards individually having stored an indication of the number of contacts through which data are simultaneously transferrable, said stored indication being readable by the host over the command and response line, and
• said host transferring data with the individual cards inserted into the plurality of sockets according to the indication stored in the individual cards.

A memory card, comprising:

• an enclosure,
• a re-writeable non-volatile memory within the enclosure,
• a plurality of electrical contacts on an outside of the enclosure that are electrically connected with said memory therein, including a group of one or more contacts through which data are simultaneously transferable to and from said memory, at least one contact through which commands are transferable to said memory, and at least another contact through which a clock signal is received from which said memory operates, and
• means including electronic circuitry within the enclosure for providing an indication through at least one of the group of data contacts of the number of data contacts within said group through which data are simultaneously transferable to and from said memory.