Flash toaster 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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Under 35 U.S.C. §120, this application is a continuation application of U.S. Application Ser. No. 10 / 167,925, which was filed on Jun. 11, 2002, which is a continuation application of U.S. Application Ser. No. 09 / 610,904 which was filed Jul. 6, 2000 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,638 on Aug. 20, 2002, and is titled “Flashtoaster for Reading Several Types of Flash Memory Cards With or Without a PC”, the priority of which is hereby claimed, and the entirety of which are incorporated herein by reference, and all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to flash-memory readers, and more particularly for interfacing several different types of flash-memory cards to a personal computer. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Digital cameras have become one of the most popular of electronic devices. In a recent year, more digital cameras were sold than traditional film c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0092] The disclosed pin mapping from the smaller flash-card formats to CompactFlash allows for easy detection of the type of flash-memory card inserted into the adapter. Detection of the type of flash-memory card is thus performed automatically by electronic detection by the CompactFlash reader. The CompactFlash reader is modified to perform this card-type detection. Signal conversion such as serial-to-parallel is performed by the CompactFlash reader rather than by the adapter. Adapter costs are reduced while CompactFlash reader cost is increased only slightly. The CompactFlash reader can use a single CompactFlash slot to read multiple flash-card types, including SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, and CompactFlash.

Problems solved by technology

However, the limited transfer rate of the serial cable and the large size of the digital images made such serial downloads a patience-building experience.

While the advances in flash-memory card technology are useful, the many different cards formats present a confusing array of interface requirements to a PC.

Images