Apparatuses and methods for transferring data

A method comprising:

• loading a computer-executable universal driver associated with a first operation mode and compatible with each of a plurality of types of storage medium, wherein a socket is capable, of interfacing with said types of storage medium;
• loading a computer-executable dedicated driver associated with a second operation mode and compatible with only a subset of said types of storage medium;
• selecting a selected driver from said universal driver and said dedicated driver is said storage medium is inserted into said socket;
• operating in a corresponding operation mode to exchange said data information with said storage medium according to said selected driver, wherein said selected driver comprises said dedicated driver if said storage medium is a member of said subset and wherein otherwise said selected driver comprises said universal driver;
• selecting said universal driver to transfer said data information in said first operation mode if said dedicated driver is unavailable;
• setting need-driver-control data to a first value indicating that said universal driver is selected;
• checking said need-driver-control data if said dedicated driver becomes available;
• and
• selecting said universal driver if said need-driver-control data has said first value although said dedicated driver is available.

A controller coupled to a socket and for transferring data information between a host and said socket, said socket capable of interfacing with a plurality of types of storage medium, said controller comprising:

• a universal core capable of operating in a first operation mode to transfer said data information according to control commands from a computer-executable universal driver, said first operation mode compatible with each of said types of storage medium;
• a dedicated core capable of operating in a second operation mode to transfer said data information according to control commands from a computer-executable dedicated driver, said second operation mode compatible with only a subset of said types of storage medium;
• a multiplexer coupled to said universal core and said dedicated core and operable for selecting a selected core from said universal core and said dedicated, core to transfer said data information, wherein said selected core comprises said dedicated core if said storage medium is a member of said subset and wherein otherwise said selected core comprises said universal core;
• and
• a register that stores a data set, wherein said multiplexer selects said selected core according to said data set, and wherein said data set comprises need-driver-control data having either a first value indicating that said universal core is selected or a second value indicating that said dedicated core is selected, wherein said multiplexer selects said universal core to transfer said data information in said first operation mode and sets said need-driver-control data to said first value if said dedicated driver associated with said first operation mode is unavailable, wherein said multiplexer continues to select said universal core according to said need-driver-control data when said dedicated driver becomes available.