Memory Card with Integrated USB Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory cards require multiple protocols and translation mechanisms to communicate with external hosts, increasing complexity, cost, and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
Memory cards with integrated USB or IEEE 1394 interfaces, where the electrical connector is attached within the edge connector portion, allowing direct communication with hosts without protocol translation, maintaining a shape and size form factor compatible with existing memory card specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple protocols and translation mechanisms are implemented in memory cards, then communication compatibility with various hosts is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The memory card integrates a USB interface directly into the card body, enabling the card to function both as a traditional memory card and as a USB storage device. This multi-functionality allows the single component to communicate with both traditional hosts via card readers and USB hosts directly, eliminating the need for separate protocol translation mechanisms while maintaining broad compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the USB interface functionality with the memory card structure into a single integrated unit. The USB connector is embedded within the memory card assembly, merging two previously separate functions (memory storage and USB communication) into one device, thereby reducing overall system complexity while expanding adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple protocols and translation mechanisms are implemented in memory cards, then communication compatibility with various hosts is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By making the memory card itself USB-compatible through direct integration, the product serves multiple market segments simultaneously - traditional memory card users and USB storage users - thereby justifying the added manufacturing cost through expanded market appeal and reduced need for separate product lines
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the protocol translation function from the host device and relocates it directly into the memory card. This extraction eliminates the need for expensive translation hardware in host devices and simplifies the host's role to that of a standard USB host, while the memory card assumes full responsibility for protocol handling
3Adaptability or versatility
If protocol translation is implemented in the device, then communication between host and memory card is enabled, but processing resources and physical space are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protocol translation functionality from the host device and embeds it directly within the memory card. This relocation eliminates the need for the host device to allocate processing resources or physical space for translation mechanisms, as the memory card now handles all protocol conversion independently
Solution Approach 2:
The memory card becomes self-sufficient by integrating the USB interface and associated control logic directly into its structure. The card independently manages protocol translation and communication protocols without requiring external assistance from the host device, thereby freeing up the host's processing resources and physical space
Data Source
AI summary
A memory card structure includes a memory card body dimensioned to house a memory and a controller, and the memory card body has an edge connector portion having a thickness that complies with a memory card specification. The memory card body includes a recessed portion dimensioned to receive an external plug. The memory card structure also includes an electrical connector that is coupleable to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug and that is electrically coupled to at least one of the memory and the controller. The electrical connector extends from the recessed portion of the memory card body.