US6385667B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for configuring a flash memory card with enhanced operating mode detection and user-friendly interfacing system
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1999-01-20
•
Granted: 2002-05-07
•
Expires: 2019-01-20
Abstract
Abstract An interfacing system facilitating user-friendly connectivity in a selected operating mode between a host computer system and a flash memory card. The interfacing system includes an interface device and a flash memory card. The interfacing system features significantly expanded operating mode detection capability within the flash memory card and marked reduction in the incorrect detection of the operating mode. The interface device includes a first end for coupling to the host computer and a second end for coupling to the flash memory card, while supporting communication in the selected operating mode which is also supported by the host computer system. The flash memory card utilizes a fifty pin connection to interface with the host computer system through the 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 mode, PCMCIA mode, and ATA IDE mode. Each of these modes of operation require different protocols. Upon initialization with the interface device, the flash memory card automatically detects the selected operating mode of the interface device and configures itself to operate with the selected operating mode. The operating mode detection is accomplished by sensing unencoded signals and encoded signals. The encoded signals are encoded with a finite set of predetermined codes. Each predetermined code uniquely identifies a particular operating mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Petro Estakhri
- 👤 Mahmud Assar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:51
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: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A flash memory card for coupling to a host computer system and performing data storage operations in plurality of selected operating modes without requiring configuration instructions from an external source, the flash memory card comprising: a. a flash memory module for executing a write operation, a read operation, and an erase operation; b. a controller coupled to the flash memory module, the controller processing an unencoded signal originating from the host computer system and an encoded signal in the flash memory card and configuring the flash memory card to the selected operating mode in response to the unencoded signal and the encoded signal; c. encoding means for applying to a preencoded signal originating from the host computer system a finite set of predetermined codes, each predetermined code uniquely identifying an operating mode, thereby transforming the preencoded signal into the encoded signal, the encoding means being coupled to the controller; and d. sensing means for monitoring the unencoded signal and the encoded signal, the sensing means being coupled to the controller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A flash memory card for coupling to a host computer system and performing data storage operations in plurality of selected operating modes without requiring configuration instructions from an external source, the flash memory card comprising: a. a flash memory module for executing a write operation, a read operation, and an erase operation; b. a controller coupled to the flash memory module, the controller processing an unencoded signal originating from the host computer system and an encoded signal in the flash memory card and configuring the flash memory card to the selected operating mode in response to the unencoded signal and the encoded signal; c. encoding means for applying to a preencoded signal originating from the host computer system a finite set of predetermined codes, each predetermined code uniquely identifying an operating mode, thereby transforming the preencoded signal into the encoded signal, the encoding means being coupled to the controller; and d. sensing means for monitoring the unencoded signal and the encoded signal, the sensing means being coupled to the controller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The flash memory card according to claim 1 wherein the finite set of predetermined codes is programmed into the controller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The flash memory card according to claim 1 wherein the encoded signal is an ATA IDE operating mode signal pin selected from HA 3 , HA 4 , HA 5 , HA 6 , HA 7 , HA 8 , HA 9 , and HA 10 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The flash memory card according to claim 1 further comprising a fifty pin connector end configured to couple to an interface device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The flash memory card according to claim 1 further comprising a sixty-eight pin connector end configured to couple to an interface device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
205 words
An interfacing system for coupling a peripheral device to a host computer system supporting communication in a selected operating mode with the peripheral device and for allowing the peripheral device to automatically detect and configure the peripheral device to utilize the selected operating mode, the interfacing system comprising: a. an interface device having a first end configured for coupling to the host computer system and a second end configured for coupling to the peripheral device, wherein the first end and the second end support communication in the selected operating mode; b. a controller integrated into the peripheral device, the controller processing an unencoded signal originating from the host computer system and an encoded signal in the peripheral device and configuring the peripheral device to the selected operating mode in response to the unencoded signal and the encoded signal; c. encoding means for applying to a preencoded signal originating from the host computer system a finite set of predetermined codes, each predetermined code uniquely identifying an operating mode, thereby transforming the preencoded signal into the encoded signal, the encoding means being coupled to the controller; and d. sensing means for monitoring the unencoded signal and the encoded signal, the sensing means being coupled to the controller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
205 words
An interfacing system for coupling a peripheral device to a host computer system supporting communication in a selected operating mode with the peripheral device and for allowing the peripheral device to automatically detect and configure the peripheral device to utilize the selected operating mode, the interfacing system comprising: a. an interface device having a first end configured for coupling to the host computer system and a second end configured for coupling to the peripheral device, wherein the first end and the second end support communication in the selected operating mode; b. a controller integrated into the peripheral device, the controller processing an unencoded signal originating from the host computer system and an encoded signal in the peripheral device and configuring the peripheral device to the selected operating mode in response to the unencoded signal and the encoded signal; c. encoding means for applying to a preencoded signal originating from the host computer system a finite set of predetermined codes, each predetermined code uniquely identifying an operating mode, thereby transforming the preencoded signal into the encoded signal, the encoding means being coupled to the controller; and d. sensing means for monitoring the unencoded signal and the encoded signal, the sensing means being coupled to the controller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The interfacing system according to claim 6 wherein the finite set of predetermined codes is programmed into the controller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The interfacing system according to claim 6 wherein the peripheral device is a flash memory card.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The interfacing system according to claim 8 wherein the encoded signal is an ATA IDE operating mode signal pin selected from HA 3 , HA 4 , HA 5 , HA 6 , HA 7 , HA 8 , HA 9 , and HA 10 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The interfacing system according to claim 6 wherein the second end of the interface device supports a fifty pin connection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The interfacing system according to claim 6 wherein the second end of the interface device supports a sixty-eight pin connection.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The interfacing system according to claim 6 wherein the interface device is implemented as a PCMCIA interface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The interfacing system according to claim 6 wherein the interface device is implemented as an ATA IDE interface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The interfacing system according to claim 6 wherein the interface device is implemented as a universal serial bus interface.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of performing data storage operations in a plurality of selected operating modes between a flash memory card and a host computer system without requiring configuration instructions from an external source, the method comprising: a. monitoring an unencoded signal originating from the host computer system and an encoded signal in the flash memory card; b. processing the unencoded signal and the encoded signal, thereby configuring the flash memory card to the selected operating mode based on the unencoded signal and the encoded signal; and c. applying a finite set of predetermined codes to a preencoded signal originating from the host computer system, wherein each predetermined code uniquely identifies an operating mode, thereby transforming the preencoded signal into the encoded signal.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of performing data storage operations in a plurality of selected operating modes between a flash memory card and a host computer system without requiring configuration instructions from an external source, the method comprising: a. monitoring an unencoded signal originating from the host computer system and an encoded signal in the flash memory card; b. processing the unencoded signal and the encoded signal, thereby configuring the flash memory card to the selected operating mode based on the unencoded signal and the encoded signal; and c. applying a finite set of predetermined codes to a preencoded signal originating from the host computer system, wherein each predetermined code uniquely identifies an operating mode, thereby transforming the preencoded signal into the encoded signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 15 further comprising the step of configuring the flash memory card into a preliminary operating mode before applying the finite set of predetermined codes to the preencoded signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 15 wherein the preliminary operating mode is an ATA IDE mode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 15 wherein the encoded signal is an ATA IDE operating mode signal pin selected from HA 3 , HA 4 , HA 5 , HA 6 , HA 7 , HA 8 , HA 9 , and HA 10 .
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 15 wherein the selected operating mode is a PCMCIA mode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 15 wherein the selected operating mode is a universal serial bus mode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5361005A
Cited
US5495422A
Cited
US5881252A
Cited
US5920197A
Cited
US6038400A
Cited
US5909596A
Cited
US5815426A
Cited
US5920731A
Cited
US5933026A
Cited
US6138180A
Cited
US6266720B1
Cited
US6145037A
Cited
US6175770B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-05-06 | 2005-11-05 | 2006-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-05-06 | 2009-11-05 | 2010-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-05-06 | 2013-11-05 | 2014-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |