US5513138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Memory card having a plurality of EEPROM chips
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1994-04-07
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Granted: 1996-04-30
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Expires: 2014-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A data writing operation of a memory card is performed from a first EEPROM chip. Writing commands are given every time data in a memory block unit are completely transferred. Each of four EEPROM chips is performing the writing operation when data of the four EEPROM chips are completely written to the memory card. A systematic side waits for the next data transfer in view of an RDY/BSY signal of the memory card. The data writing operation from the systematic side to each of the four EEPROM chips is sequentially changed by monitoring an RDY/BSY1 signal of the first EEPROM chip. In this construction of the memory card, data can be preferably written and read from the memory card at a high speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsuhiko Manabe
- 👤 Hiroki Fukuoka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:38
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C16/00; G11C16/02; G11C16/06; G11C16/10; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/067; G06K19/07; G11C16/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A memory card having a plurality of EEPROM chips each capable of reading and writing data in a memory block unit; the memory card comprising: means for controlling plural parallel writing operations in the block unit to perform data writing operations at a sufficient speed to write compressed moving pictures in real time; means for selecting each of the plurality of EEPROM chips so that the plurality of EEPROM chips are automatically switched at data writing and reading times so as to reduce a load on a systematic side; and means for receiving an output signal from each of the plurality of EEPROM chips, configured to provide at least one signal indicative of the data writing operations to an exterior portion of the memory card to permit external monitoring as to whether the data writing operations are performed for each of the EEPROM chips.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A memory card having a plurality of EEPROM chips each capable of reading and writing data in a memory block unit; the memory card comprising: means for controlling plural parallel writing operations in the block unit to perform data writing operations at a sufficient speed to write compressed moving pictures in real time; means for selecting each of the plurality of EEPROM chips so that the plurality of EEPROM chips are automatically switched at data writing and reading times so as to reduce a load on a systematic side; and means for receiving an output signal from each of the plurality of EEPROM chips, configured to provide at least one signal indicative of the data writing operations to an exterior portion of the memory card to permit external monitoring as to whether the data writing operations are performed for each of the EEPROM chips.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 1, wherein a writing state of each of the EEPROM chips can be monitored from a data bus of the memory card.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 1, wherein address setting means for setting a memory address to each of the EEPROM chips is commonly arranged with respect to each of the EEPROM chips.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 1, wherein command setting means for setting specified commands to each of the EEPROM chips is commonly arranged with respect to each of the EEPROM chips.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory card further comprises means for setting commands for checking an operating status of each of the EEPROM chips independently with respect to each of the EEPROM chips.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 1, wherein a writing state of a firstly written EEPROM chip is output to the memory card exterior as a signal indicative of the writing operation so as to be monitored.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 6, wherein a card terminal for monitoring a reading state signal can be commonly used with respect to the EEPROM chips and the memory card further comprises means for switching monitor signals at reading and writing times of data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory card further comprises means for independently setting writing commands to each of the EEPROM chips.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 8, wherein the memory card further comprises means for switching an enable operation of each of the EEPROM chips based on a counting value of said writing commands to continuously perform the writing operation in a unit of plural memory blocks at a data writing time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 9, wherein the switching means for switching the chip enable operation can be switched at writing and reading times of data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
96 words
A memory card having a plurality of EEPROM chips each capable of reading and writing data in a memory block unit; the memory card comprising: means for controlling plural parallel writing operations in the block unit to automatically switch between EEPROM chips to enable data writing operations at data writing times sufficient to write compressed moving pictures in real time; and means for controlling continuous block reading operations, configured to automatically switch between the EEPROM chips at data reading times sufficient to read compressed moving pictures in real time, to enable the continuous block reading operations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
96 words
A memory card having a plurality of EEPROM chips each capable of reading and writing data in a memory block unit; the memory card comprising: means for controlling plural parallel writing operations in the block unit to automatically switch between EEPROM chips to enable data writing operations at data writing times sufficient to write compressed moving pictures in real time; and means for controlling continuous block reading operations, configured to automatically switch between the EEPROM chips at data reading times sufficient to read compressed moving pictures in real time, to enable the continuous block reading operations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 11, wherein address setting means for setting a memory address to each of the EEPROM chips is commonly arranged with respect to each of the EEPROM chips.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 11, wherein command setting means for setting specified commands to each of the EEPROM chips is commonly arranged with respect to each of the EEPROM chips.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 11, wherein the memory card further comprises means for setting commands for checking an operating status of each of the EEPROM chips independently with respect to each of the EEPROM chips.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 11, wherein a signal provided by carrying out a logic product of a reading state signal of each of the EEPROM chips is outputted to an external portion of the memory card as a signal indicative of the reading operation of the memory card so that the reading operation can be monitored.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 15, wherein a card terminal for monitoring the reading state signal can be commonly used with respect to the EEPROM chips and the memory card further comprises means for switching monitor signals at reading and writing times of data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 11, wherein the memory card further comprises means for switching an enable operation of each of the EEPROM chips to continuously perform the reading operation at a data reading time every time the number of memory blocks each setting a data reading signal inputted to the memory card is counted.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 17, wherein the switching means for switching the chip enable operation can be switched at writing and reading times of data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
140 words
A memory card having a plurality of EEPROM chips each capable of reading and writing data in a memory block unit; the memory card comprising: means for controlling plural parallel writing operations in the block unit to automatically switch between EEPROM chips to enable data writing operations at data writing times sufficient to write compressed moving pictures in real time; means for controlling continuous block reading operations, configured to automatically switch between the EEPROM chips at data reading times sufficient to read compressed moving pictures in real time, to enable the continuous block reading operations; and means for allocating a memory address to each of the EEPROM chips such that a change in memory address from an access side is continuously provided when the memory card is accessed between a plurality of EEPROM chips for the reading and writing operations.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
140 words
A memory card having a plurality of EEPROM chips each capable of reading and writing data in a memory block unit; the memory card comprising: means for controlling plural parallel writing operations in the block unit to automatically switch between EEPROM chips to enable data writing operations at data writing times sufficient to write compressed moving pictures in real time; means for controlling continuous block reading operations, configured to automatically switch between the EEPROM chips at data reading times sufficient to read compressed moving pictures in real time, to enable the continuous block reading operations; and means for allocating a memory address to each of the EEPROM chips such that a change in memory address from an access side is continuously provided when the memory card is accessed between a plurality of EEPROM chips for the reading and writing operations.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 19, wherein the number of EEPROM chips mounted on the memory card is set to an even number.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 19, wherein a minimum data erasing unit number is set to a product of the number of EEPROM chips within the memory card, the number of data within a memory block, and an arbitrary number.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 21, wherein, when a defective bit is caused in any one of the EEPROM chips, said entire minimum data erasing unit including this defective bit is set to a defective area.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
A memory card as claimed in claim 22, wherein the memory card further comprises a memory area capable of storing data in said defective area.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-30 | 1999-10-30 | 2000-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-30 | 2003-10-30 | 2004-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-30 | 2007-10-30 | 2008-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |