US6182162B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Externally coupled compact flash memory card that configures itself one of a plurality of appropriate operating protocol modes of a host computer
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
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Filing: 1998-03-02
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Granted: 2001-01-30
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Expires: 2018-03-02
Abstract
Abstract An improved compact flash memory card system includes an improved compact flash memory card desktop adapter and an improved compact flash memory card. The improved compact flash memory card desktop adapter utilizes a fifty pin socket to interface with the compact flash memory card. The desktop adapter also utilizes a plug adapter to interface with a computer. For more efficient communication between the improved compact flash memory card and the computer, the improved desktop adapter adopts the universal serial bus architecture. The improved compact flash memory card utilizes a fifty pin connection to interface with a computer through an interface device. The fifty pin connection of the flash memory card can be used with different interface devices in a variety of configurations such as a universal serial bus mode, PCMCIA mode, and ATA IDE mode. Each of these modes of operation require different protocols. Upon initialization with an interface device, this improved compact flash memory card automatically detects which operation mode is used by this interface device and configures the memory card to be compatible with the present operation mode. Because all fifty pins of the flash memory card are occupied to either transfer data or provide control signals to and from the flash memory card, this improved flash memory card merely senses selected pins to determine the present mode of operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Petro Estakhri
- 👤 Mahmud Assar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:22
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C7/00; G11C7/10; G11C7/1015; G11C7/1045; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4063; G06F13/4068; G06F13/4081; G11C7/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
Means for interfacing a compact peripheral device with a host computer in an appropriate operating protocol mode selected from among a plurality of operating protocol modes, comprising a compact flash memory card external to the host computer, the compact flash memory card having a controller and a sensing means, the controller being operatively coupled to the sensing means, wherein the sensing means is capable of monitoring a plurality of signals distributed among a plurality of terminals, the plurality of signals originating from the host computer; and the controller is capable of automatically selecting the appropriate operating protocol mode in response to the plurality of signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
Means for interfacing a compact peripheral device with a host computer in an appropriate operating protocol mode selected from among a plurality of operating protocol modes, comprising a compact flash memory card external to the host computer, the compact flash memory card having a controller and a sensing means, the controller being operatively coupled to the sensing means, wherein the sensing means is capable of monitoring a plurality of signals distributed among a plurality of terminals, the plurality of signals originating from the host computer; and the controller is capable of automatically selecting the appropriate operating protocol mode in response to the plurality of signals.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for allowing an external peripheral device to automatically detect and configure the external peripheral device to utilize a correct operating protocol mode of a host computer selected from among a plurality of operating protocol modes, the system comprising: a. a flash memory card; b. a connector with a first end configured to couple to the host computer and a second end configured for coupling with the flash memory card; c. a controller embedded within the flash memory card capable of sensing and responding to a plurality of signals distributed among a plurality of terminals, the plurality of signals from the host computer and to operate the flash memory card in the correct operating protocol mode in response to the plurality of signals.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for allowing an external peripheral device to automatically detect and configure the external peripheral device to utilize a correct operating protocol mode of a host computer selected from among a plurality of operating protocol modes, the system comprising: a. a flash memory card; b. a connector with a first end configured to couple to the host computer and a second end configured for coupling with the flash memory card; c. a controller embedded within the flash memory card capable of sensing and responding to a plurality of signals distributed among a plurality of terminals, the plurality of signals from the host computer and to operate the flash memory card in the correct operating protocol mode in response to the plurality of signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 2 wherein the connector is a PCMCIA connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 2 wherein the connector is a universal serial bus connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 2 wherein the connector is an ATA IDE connector.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of automatically configuring a peripheral device to operate with a host computer, comprising the following steps: a. externally coupling a flash memory card to the host computer such that the host computer communicates with the flash memory card; b. powering up the flash memory card; c. sensing a plurality of signals within the flash memory card wherein the plurality of signals are distributed among a plurality of terminals, and the plurality of signals originate from the host computer to determine an operating protocol mode of the host computer; and d. automatically configuring a correct operating protocol mode for the flash memory card in response to the plurality of signals.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of automatically configuring a peripheral device to operate with a host computer, comprising the following steps: a. externally coupling a flash memory card to the host computer such that the host computer communicates with the flash memory card; b. powering up the flash memory card; c. sensing a plurality of signals within the flash memory card wherein the plurality of signals are distributed among a plurality of terminals, and the plurality of signals originate from the host computer to determine an operating protocol mode of the host computer; and d. automatically configuring a correct operating protocol mode for the flash memory card in response to the plurality of signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the correct operating mode is a PCMCIA mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the correct operating mode is a universal serial bus mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the correct operating mode is a ATA IDE mode.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for attaching a peripheral device to a computer and configuring the peripheral device to a correct operating protocol mode selected from among a plurality of operating protocol modes, the system comprising: a. a flash memory card external to a computer; b. a connector with a first end configured to couple to the computer and a second end with a fifty pin connection configured to couple to the flash memory card; and b. a controller contained within the flash memory card capable of sensing a plurality of signals from the computer distributed among a plurality of terminals of the fifty pin connection, and to configure the flash memory card in the correct operating protocol mode in response to the plurality of signals.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for attaching a peripheral device to a computer and configuring the peripheral device to a correct operating protocol mode selected from among a plurality of operating protocol modes, the system comprising: a. a flash memory card external to a computer; b. a connector with a first end configured to couple to the computer and a second end with a fifty pin connection configured to couple to the flash memory card; and b. a controller contained within the flash memory card capable of sensing a plurality of signals from the computer distributed among a plurality of terminals of the fifty pin connection, and to configure the flash memory card in the correct operating protocol mode in response to the plurality of signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
110 words
An interface device comprising: a. a compact flash memory card external to a host computer which is capable of interfacing with the host computer in an appropriate protocol mode selected from among a plurality of protocol modes; b. sensing means within the compact flash memory card capable of monitoring a plurality of signals distributed among a plurality of terminals, the plurality of signals originating from the host computer; and c. a controller within the flash memory card, the controller coupled to the sensing means for automatically selecting an appropriate communication protocol mode from among a plurality of protocol modes in response to at least one signal originating from host computer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
110 words
An interface device comprising: a. a compact flash memory card external to a host computer which is capable of interfacing with the host computer in an appropriate protocol mode selected from among a plurality of protocol modes; b. sensing means within the compact flash memory card capable of monitoring a plurality of signals distributed among a plurality of terminals, the plurality of signals originating from the host computer; and c. a controller within the flash memory card, the controller coupled to the sensing means for automatically selecting an appropriate communication protocol mode from among a plurality of protocol modes in response to at least one signal originating from host computer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the appropriate operating protocol mode is a serial protocol.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method in claim 6 wherein the step of coupling the peripheral device to the host computer is accomplished through use of a serial cable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The interface device of claim 11 further comprising a serial cable for interfacing the flash memory card with the computer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-30 | 2004-07-31 | 2005-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-30 | 2008-07-31 | 2009-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-30 | 2012-07-31 | 2013-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |