Universal Memory Card Socket with Type Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing host devices are limited to using memory cards of a single standard, making it necessary to develop a solution that can accommodate and identify different types of memory cards through a single card slot, ensuring compatibility and functionality across various card standards.
Innovation Solution
A memory card identification device with a card socket and a card type detector that utilizes a target port with an electrical switch and power supply voltage to differentiate between memory card types based on external characteristics, allowing for the determination of card type through signal states and initialization processes, enabling the use of multiple memory card standards in a single host device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a host device uses a single card slot for memory cards, then the device structure is simplified, but the device cannot accommodate different standards of memory cards
Solution Approach 1:
The card socket is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple types of memory cards (SD card, microSD card, CF card) through a single card slot. The socket includes multiple contact ports that can establish electrical connections with different card types, enabling one structure to serve multiple functions and support various memory card standards simultaneously
2Adaptability or versatility
If a host device supports multiple memory card standards through a single card slot, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional detection and identification mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The memory card type identification is achieved through self-service detection mechanisms. The card socket automatically detects the inserted card type by monitoring the contact state of specific ports (such as port 9 for SD cards, port 10 for microSD cards). The host controller autonomously determines card type based on electrical connection states without requiring external intervention or complex manual identification processes
3Measurement precision
If different contact ports are used to identify different memory card types, then card type detection accuracy is improved, but the card socket structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent solves the detection accuracy problem by adding a dimensional aspect to the contact port arrangement. Instead of using a single contact point, the system uses multiple contact ports arranged in different positions and configurations. Each card type has a unique contact pattern across these ports, allowing the system to distinguish between card types by detecting which specific ports establish electrical connections, thereby achieving high detection accuracy through spatial differentiation
Data Source
AI summary
A memory card identification device, a host device using the memory card, and a memory card are provided. The memory card identification device includes: a card socket comprising a single card slot through which at least two kinds of memory cards can be inserted and a target port disposed to be in contact with any one kind of a target memory card based on an external characteristic difference between different kinds of memory cards; and a card type detector configured to determine a type of a memory card inserted in the card socket by using a contact state signal of the target port.