Data access apparatus supporting various memory cards

Abstract

A data access apparatus supporting various memory cards. The data access apparatus comprises a first connector, a controller, a network bridge and a second connector. The network bridge is configured to bridge the first connector to the controller. When one end of an external transmission line is connected to an external data use apparatus and the other end of the external transmission line is inserted into a slot to be connected to the first connector, the external data use apparatus is indirectly connected to the controller. In addition, the second connector is configured to connect any memory card inserted into the slot of a housing to the controller.

Description

Data access device supporting various memory cards Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a data access device, in particular to a data access device supporting various memory cards. Background Art

[0002] Currently, a variety of memory cards are available on the market, each with varying data transfer speeds. Data access devices with a single card slot currently available on the market can only support memory cards with a certain transfer speed and data transfer cables with a certain connector type. For example, a single card slot currently available on the market can only support memory cards with a low transfer speed, not those with a high transfer speed. Therefore, users must purchase multiple data access devices supporting different memory cards, or a single data access device with multiple card slots, resulting in a larger size, to meet their needs.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] In response to the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a data access device that supports various memory cards. The data access device that supports various memory cards includes a housing, a first connector, a controller, a bridge, and a second connector. The housing has a storage space. A slot and a card slot extending outward through the housing are provided on both sides of the storage space. The first connector is disposed in the slot of the housing. The controller is disposed in the storage space of the housing. The bridge is disposed in the storage space of the housing. The bridge is configured to bridge the first connector to the controller, so that when one end of an external transmission line is connected to an external data usage device and the other end of the external transmission line is inserted into the slot of the housing and connected to the first connector, the external data usage device is indirectly connected to the controller. The second connector is disposed in the storage space of the housing. The second connector is configured to connect a device of any transmission speed inserted into the card slot of the housing to the controller.

[0005] As described above, the present invention provides a data access device supporting various memory cards, which has the following advantages:

[0006] The controller can determine the interface mode supported by the inserted memory card and is backward compatible with all memory cards at the highest transmission speed;

[0007] Only simple circuit component configuration is required to support access to multiple memory cards;

[0008] Provide a memory card that can support multiple different transmission speeds simultaneously and is backward compatible;

[0009] The bridge supports various transmission cables (such as those with Type-C connectors) to connect to external data consumption devices (such as hosts), and achieves high-speed transmission rates by connecting to the external data consumption devices (such as hosts) in a specified mode.

[0010] To further understand the features and technical contents of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the present invention. However, the drawings provided are only for reference and illustration and are not intended to limit the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG3 is a block diagram of a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] 5 is a schematic diagram of a memory card with a single row of pins supported by a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] 6 is a schematic diagram of a memory card with two rows of pins supported by a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] 7 is a schematic diagram of a memory card with three rows of pins supported by a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating steps of operations performed by a data access device supporting various memory cards according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating steps of operations performed by a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following is an explanation of the embodiments of the present invention through specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. The present invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of the present invention. In addition, the drawings of the present invention are only simple schematic illustrations and are not depicted according to actual dimensions. It is stated in advance. The following embodiments will further explain the relevant technical content of the present invention in detail, but the disclosed contents are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, the term "or" used herein may include any one or more combinations of the associated listed items depending on the actual situation.

[0021] Please refer to FIG. 1 , which is a schematic diagram illustrating the appearance of a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The data access device of the first embodiment of the present invention includes a housing BE, and in particular includes a first connector, a second connector, a controller, a bridge, and a second connector (such as the first connector CTE1, the second connector CTE2, the controller CTR, the bridge BRG, and the second connector CTE2 described below).

[0023] The data access device of the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing BE containing a housing. A slot and a card slot HL are provided on either side of the housing BE, extending outward through the housing BE. A first connector is mounted in the slot of the housing BE. A controller, a network bridge, and a second connector are mounted in the housing BE. The second connector can be mounted in the card slot HL of the housing BE.

[0024] The memory card CRD1 can be inserted into the card slot HL of the housing BE.

[0025] It should be understood that the structure and appearance of the data access device of the present invention are merely illustrated in FIG. 2 and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0026] Please refer to FIG. 2 , which is a block diagram of a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The data access device RDR according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a first connector CTE1 , a second connector CTE2 , a controller CTR, a bridge BRG, and a second connector CTE2 .

[0028] One end of the external transmission line WR can be inserted into the slot of the external data usage device EL and electrically connected to the external data usage device EL. At the same time, the other end of the external transmission line WR can be inserted into the slot of the housing of the data access device RDR of the second embodiment of the present invention and electrically connected to the first connector CTE1 (for example, but not limited to a Type C connector).

[0029] In the data access device RDR of the second embodiment of the present invention, the bridge BRG bridges the first connector CTE1 to the controller CTR, and the controller CTR is connected to the second connector CTE2.

[0030] Therefore, when one end of the external transmission line WR is inserted into the slot of the external data usage device EL and connected to the external data usage device EL and the other end of the external transmission line WR is inserted into the slot of the housing and connected to the first connector CTE1, the external data usage device can be indirectly connected to the controller CTR.

[0031] The data access device RDR of the second embodiment of the present invention supports external transmission cables WR including TBT4 cables, USB4 cables, TBT3 cables, USB3 cables, and other cables with connectors of varying specifications. These examples are merely illustrative and the present invention is not limited thereto. The external data consuming device EL herein may be any suitable electronic device, depending on actual needs, such as, but not limited to, a host.

[0032] When the format of the data (packet) transmitted by the external data user EL through the external transmission line WR conforms to the data format readable by the controller CTR, the bridge BRG can directly transmit the data (packet) received from the external data user EL to the controller CTR.

[0033] However, when the format of the data (packet) transmitted by the external data usage device EL through the external transmission line WR does not conform to the data format readable by the controller CTR, the bridge BRG converts the format of the data (packet) received from the external data usage device EL, and then outputs the converted data (packet) to the controller CTR.

[0034] Then, when the controller CTR receives data (packets) from the external data user device EL from the bridge BRG, the controller CTR can access (and use) the data (packets) of the external data user device EL. For example, the controller CTR may have a buffer for temporarily storing the data (packets) of the external data user device EL (such as a host), and can even operate according to the control instructions in the data provided by the external data user device EL (such as a host) (such as a control instruction indicating a certain data transmission speed or a control instruction indicating entering a specific mode).

[0035] Additionally or alternatively, when the controller CTR receives data (packets) from the external data-using device EL through the bridge BRG, the controller CTR may transmit the data (packets) from the external data-using device EL through the second connector CTE2 to a card slot HL inserted in the housing and stored in a memory card (e.g., memory card CRD1, CRD2, or CRD3) connected to the second connector CTE2.

[0036] The data transmitted from the external data consuming device EL to the memory card (eg, memory card CRD1, CRD2, or CRD3) via the data access device RDR of the second embodiment of the present invention may include operating status data of the external data consuming device EL itself or other data that needs to be backed up.

[0037] The data access device RDR of the second embodiment of the present invention can support multiple memory cards of different forms, which can be inserted into the card slots HL of the housing at different time points and connected to the controller CTR through the second connector CTE2, so that the controller CTR can read data stored in the memory cards, write data from the external data user device EL or data stored in the controller CTR into the memory cards, or perform other operations on the memory cards.

[0038] The data access device RDR of the second embodiment of the present invention can support memory cards with different transmission speeds (including different data / data / signal data transmission speeds, such as different read speeds and different write speeds).

[0039] The data access device RDR of the second embodiment of the present invention can support multiple memory cards whose transmission speeds fall within multiple transmission speed reference ranges, and all or part of the multiple transmission speed reference ranges can be different.

[0040] The data access device of the second embodiment of the present invention supports a transmission speed of one or more of the multiple memory cards that can reach a maximum transmission speed. The maximum transmission speed can be the maximum transmission speed of various memory cards currently available on the market.

[0041] For example, the data access device RDR of the second embodiment of the present invention may support multiple memory cards including general memory cards and high-speed memory cards, such as but not limited to SD 8.0express memory cards with a transmission speed of 1700MB / s, UHS-II memory cards with a transmission speed of 300MB / s, and UHS-I memory cards with a transmission speed of 100MB / s. The above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0042] Please refer to FIG. 3 , which is a block diagram of a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] When the controller CTR detects that a memory card is inserted into the card slot HL of the housing and electrically connected to the second connector CTE2, the controller CTR can access the data stored in the memory card (e.g., memory card CRD1, CRD2, or CRD3) through the second connector CTE2. For example, the controller CTR has a buffer for temporarily accessing the data of the memory card (e.g., memory card CRD1, CRD2, or CRD3).

[0044] When the controller CTR receives a memory card data request signal from the external data usage device EL through the bridge BRG, the controller CTR can obtain the data of the specified memory card (for example, memory card CRD1, CRD2 or CRD3) through the second connector CTE2 based on this memory card data request signal, and transmit the obtained data of the specified memory card to the external data usage device EL through the bridge BRG, the first connector CTE1 and the external transmission line WR in sequence.

[0045] After the external data-using device EL obtains data stored on the memory card, it can store the obtained data or perform operations based on the obtained data. For example, the external data-using device EL obtains data packets stored on a memory card (e.g., memory card CRD1, CRD2, or CRD3) through the data access device RDR according to the third embodiment of the present invention, including operation control command data for controlling the external data-using device EL.

[0046] Please refer to FIG. 4 , which is a block diagram of a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2 , in the second embodiment, the data access device RDR of the present invention can support one-way data transmission: transmitting data from the external data using device EL to the memory card for storage / backup.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3 , in the third embodiment, the data access device RDR of the present invention can support unidirectional data transmission: transmitting data stored in the memory card to the external data using device EL for storage or use.

[0049] As shown in FIG4 , in the fourth embodiment, the data access device RDR of the present invention can also support bidirectional transmission, that is, data from the external data using device EL can be transmitted to the memory card for storage / backup, and data stored in the memory card can be transmitted to the external data using device EL for storage or use.

[0050] The same contents of the fourth embodiment of the present invention as those of the second and third embodiments are not described in detail here.

[0051] Please refer to FIG. 5 , which is a schematic diagram of a memory card with a single row of pins supported by a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] The memory card supported by the data access device of the present invention (eg, the data access device RDR shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 ) may include a memory card having only a single row of pins as shown in FIG. 5 .

[0053] The memory card with a single row of pins as shown in FIG. 5 can be inserted into the card slot of the housing of the data access device of the present invention to connect with the second connector of the data access device of the present invention.

[0054] The controller of the data access device of the present invention can access data stored in the memory card with a single-row pin, and can even transfer the accessed data stored in the memory card with a single-row pin to an external data-consuming device for storage in the aforementioned manner. Additionally or alternatively, the controller of the data access device of the present invention can write data from an external data-consuming device (e.g., a host) to the memory card with a single-row pin in the aforementioned manner.

[0055] Please refer to FIG. 6 , which is a schematic diagram of a memory card with two rows of pins supported by a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] The memory card supported by the data access device of the present invention (eg, the data access device RDR shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 ) includes a memory card with two rows of pins as shown in FIG. 6 .

[0057] The controller of the data access device of the present invention can access data stored in the memory card with two rows of pins and can even transfer the accessed data stored in the memory card with two rows of pins to an external data-consuming device for storage in the manner described above. Additionally or alternatively, the controller of the data access device of the present invention can write data from an external data-consuming device (e.g., a host) to the memory card with two rows of pins in the manner described above.

[0058] Please refer to FIG. 7 , which is a schematic diagram of a memory card with three rows of pins supported by a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] The memory card supported by the data access device of the present invention (eg, the data access device RDR shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 ) includes a memory card having at least three rows of pins as shown in FIG. 7 .

[0060] The controller of the data access device of the present invention can access data stored in the memory card having at least three rows of pins, and can even transfer the accessed data stored in the memory card having at least three rows of pins to an external data-consuming device for storage in the aforementioned manner. Additionally or alternatively, the controller of the data access device of the present invention can write data from an external data-consuming device (e.g., a host) to the memory card having at least three rows of pins in the aforementioned manner.

[0061] Please refer to FIG. 8 , which is a flowchart illustrating the steps of operations performed by a data access device supporting various memory cards according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] In the eighth embodiment, the data access device of the present invention, such as the data access device RDR shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , may execute steps S101 to S107 as shown in FIG. 8 .

[0063] In step S101 , the controller CTR detects the second connector CTE2 .

[0064] In step S102, the controller CTR determines whether the second connector CTE2 is connected to a memory card (e.g., memory card CRD1, CRD2, or CRD3) inserted into the card slot HL of the housing of the data access device RDR, thereby determining whether the data access device RDR of the present invention is connected to an external memory card.

[0065] If the data access device RDR of the present invention is not currently connected to an external memory card, the process returns to step S101 to allow the controller CTR to continuously detect the connection status of the second connector CTE2. Conversely, if the data access device RDR is currently connected to an external memory card, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0066] In step S103, the controller CTR identifies the characteristics of the external memory card, including the shape of the memory card, the unique identifier of the memory card, the transmission speed of the memory card, the data content of the memory card, and the amount of data currently stored in the memory card. The information about the characteristics of the memory card can be obtained from the data stored in the memory card or from the information sensed by the sensor (for example, sensing a symbol on the memory card representing the speed grade of the memory card).

[0067] In step S104, the controller CTR may determine whether the data stored in the memory card is the data required by the external data usage device EL based on the characteristics of the external memory card, and decide whether to provide the data stored in the memory card to the external data usage device EL.

[0068] If the controller CTR decides not to provide the data stored in the external memory card to the external data usage device EL, the process returns to step S101 to detect whether the memory card connected to the second connector CTE2 is replaced.

[0069] On the contrary, if the controller CTR decides to provide the data stored in the external memory card to the external data usage device EL, step S105 is executed.

[0070] In step S105 , the bridge BRG bridges the controller CTR to the first connector CTE1 .

[0071] In step S106 , the first connector CTE1 is connected to one end of the external transmission line WR.

[0072] In step S107, the other end of the external transmission line WR is connected to the external data user EL. The controller CTR obtains data from the external memory card through the second connector CTE2 and then transmits the obtained data to the external data user EL through the bridge BRG, the first connector CTE1, and the external transmission line WR.

[0073] Please refer to FIG. 9 , which is a flowchart illustrating the steps of operations performed by a data access device supporting various memory cards according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] In a ninth embodiment, the data access device of the present invention, such as the data access device RDR shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 , may execute steps S201 to S207 as shown in FIG. 9 .

[0075] In step S201, one end of the external transmission line WR is connected to the external data using device EL, and the other end of the external transmission line WR is connected to the bridge BRG through the first connector CTE1.

[0076] In step S202 , the bridge BRG bridges the first connector CTE1 to the controller CTR.

[0077] In step S203 , the controller CTR detects whether the bridge BRG receives data transmitted from the external data user EL to the first connector CTE1 through the external transmission line WR, thereby determining whether the external data user EL provides data.

[0078] If the external data usage device EL does not provide data, the process returns to step S201. On the contrary, if the external data usage device EL does provide data, the process proceeds to step S204.

[0079] In step S204 , the controller CTR analyzes the data of the external data user device EL, including analyzing the data content, data volume, and even the capacity occupied by the data of the external data user device EL.

[0080] In step S205, the controller CTR determines whether to transfer the data of the external data using device EL to the memory card.

[0081] If the controller CTR determines not to transfer the data from the external data usage device EL to the memory card, the process returns to step S201. On the contrary, if the controller CTR determines to transfer the data from the external data usage device EL to the memory card, the process goes to step S206.

[0082] In step S206 , the controller CTR is connected to the memory card through the second connector CTE2 .

[0083] In step S207 , the controller CTR transmits the data of the external data-using device EL to the memory card through the second connector CTE2 for backup.

[0084] In summary, the present invention provides a data access device supporting various memory cards, which has the following advantages:

[0085] The controller can determine the interface mode supported by the inserted memory card and is backward compatible with all memory cards at the highest transmission speed;

[0086] Only simple circuit component configuration is required to support access to multiple memory cards;

[0087] Provide a memory card that can support multiple different transmission speeds simultaneously and is backward compatible;

[0088] The bridge supports various transmission cables (such as those with Type-C connectors) to connect to external data consumption devices (such as hosts), and achieves high-speed transmission rates by connecting to the external data consumption devices (such as hosts) in a specified mode.

[0089] The contents disclosed above are only preferred feasible embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the claims of the present invention. Therefore, any equivalent technical changes made using the contents of the present invention's description and drawings are included in the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A data access device that supports various memory cards, characterized in that, the data access device that supports various memory cards includes: a housing having an accommodation space therein, and on both sides of the accommodation space, there are respectively provided a slot and a card slot that penetrate the housing outward; a first connector disposed in the slot of the housing; a controller disposed in the accommodation space of the housing; a bridge disposed in the accommodation space of the housing, configured to bridge the first connector to the controller, so that when one end of an external transmission line is connected to an external data usage device and the other end of the external transmission line is inserted into the slot of the housing and connected to the first connector, the external data usage device is indirectly connected to the controller; and a second connector disposed in the accommodation space of the housing, configured to connect a memory card with any transmission speed inserted into the card slot of the housing to the controller.

2. The data access device that supports various memory cards according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the format of the data transmitted by the external data usage device through the external transmission line conforms to the data format readable by the controller, the bridge directly transmits the data of the external data usage device received from the external transmission line through the first connector to the controller.

3. The data access device that supports various memory cards according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the format of the data transmitted by the external data usage device through the external transmission line does not conform to the data format readable by the controller, the bridge converts the format of the data of the external data usage device received from the external transmission line through the first connector, and then outputs the converted data of the external data usage device to the controller.

4. The data access device that supports various memory cards according to claim 3, characterized in that, when the controller receives the data of the external data usage device from the bridge, the controller accesses the data of the external data usage device.

5. The data access device that supports various memory cards according to claim 3, characterized in that, when the controller receives the data of the external data usage device through the bridge, the controller transmits the data of the external data usage device to the memory card for storage through the second connector.

6. The data access device that supports various memory cards according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the controller detects that a memory card is connected to the second connector, the controller accesses the data stored in the memory card through the second connector.

7. The data access device that supports various memory cards according to claim 1, characterized in that, the controller, based on a memory card data request signal of the external data usage device received through the bridge, obtains the data of the memory card through the second connector, and sequentially transmits the obtained data of the memory card to the external data usage device through the bridge, the first connector, and the external transmission line.

8. The data access device for supporting data access of various memory cards according to claim 7, characterized in that, after the external data using device obtains the data of the memory card, the external data using device stores the data of the memory card or operates according to the data of the memory card.

9. The data access device for supporting data access of various memory cards according to claim 1, characterized in that, the data access device supports different memory cards with different transmission speeds.

10. The data access device for supporting data access of various memory cards according to claim 1, characterized in that, the data access device supports different memory cards whose transmission speeds respectively fall within multiple transmission speed reference ranges.

11. The data access device for supporting data access of various memory cards according to claim 1, characterized in that, the data access device supports a memory card whose transmission speed reaches a maximum transmission speed.

12. The data access device for supporting data access of various memory cards according to claim 1, characterized in that, the transmission speed of the memory card includes the data reading speed of the memory card, the data writing speed of the memory card or a combination thereof.

13. The data access device for supporting data access of various memory cards according to claim 1, characterized in that, the memory cards supported by the data access device include an SD 8.0 express memory card with a transmission speed of up to 1700 MB / s, a UHS-II memory card with a transmission speed of up to 300 MB / s, a UHS-I memory card with a transmission speed of 100 MB / s or any combination thereof.

14. The data access device for supporting data access of various memory cards according to claim 1, characterized in that, the memory card inserted in the card slot has two rows or fewer rows of pins.

15. The data access device for supporting data access of various memory cards according to claim 1, characterized in that, the memory card inserted in the card slot has at least three rows of pins.

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