Memory cards including a standard security function

A method of operating a memory system that is operable according to a first protocol and a second protocol, the memory system having an external set of electrical contacts, a re-writable non-volatile memory, and a controller including host interface circuitry, the method comprising:

• receiving a command through the external set of electrical contacts at the host interface circuitry;
• and
• in response to the command received through the external set of electrical contacts, making anyone of a plurality of connections, including:
• connecting said at least some of a first plurality of lines to specified ones of the external contacts while maintaining a second plurality of lines disconnected therefrom;
• and connecting said at least some of the second plurality of lines to said specified ones of the external contacts while maintaining the first plurality of lines disconnected therefrom,
• wherein the first plurality of lines are connected to the host interface circuitry for use when the memory system is operating according to the first protocol and the second plurality of lines connected to the host interface circuitry for use when the memory system is operating according to the second protocol.

A memory system, comprising:

• a re-writable non-volatile memory;
• an external set of electrical contacts;
• and
• a controller connected to the re-writable non-volatile memory and the external contacts, the controller including:
• a switching circuit;
• a first plurality of lines for use when the memory system is operating according to a first protocol;
• and
• a second plurality of lines for use when the memory system is operating according to a second protocol,
• wherein the switching circuit is connected with at least some of the first and second plurality of lines to make anyone of a plurality of connections in response to a command received through the external set of electrical contacts, the plurality of connections including connecting said at least some of the first plurality of lines to specified ones of the external contacts while maintaining the second plurality of lines disconnected therefrom and connecting said at least some of the second plurality of lines to said specified ones of the external contacts while maintaining the first plurality of lines disconnected therefrom.

A method of operating a memory system that is operable according to a first protocol and a second protocol, the memory system having an external set of electrical contacts, a re-writable non-volatile memory, and a controller including a switching circuit, the method comprising:

• receiving a command through the external set of electrical contacts;
• and
• in response to the command received through the external set of electrical contacts, making anyone of a plurality of connections, including:
• connecting said at least some of a first plurality of lines to specified ones of the external contacts while maintaining a second plurality of lines disconnected therefrom;
• and connecting said at least some of the second plurality of lines to said specified ones of the external contacts while maintaining the first plurality of lines disconnected therefrom,
• wherein the first plurality of lines are for use when the memory system is operating according to the first protocol and the second plurality of lines are for use when the memory system is operating according to the second protocol.