US6434648B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
PCMCIA compatible memory card with serial communication interface
Assignee: Centennial Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1998-12-10
•
Granted: 2002-08-13
•
Expires: 2018-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A PCMCIA compatible memory card having a serial communication interface is provided. The serial communication interface includes a controller, a serial transceiver, and a serial communication port. Coupled between the controller and the serial communication port, the transceiver enables the controller to send or receive data through the serial communication port. Nonvolatile memory on the card is accessible by the controller. A cable connects the serial communication port of the memory card to a serial communication port of an external host computer. The controller operates in accordance with commands received from the host computer through the serial communication port of the card for sending data read from memory of the card to the computer, writing data to memory of the card received from the computer, loading a file into memory of the card received from the computer, erasing data from memory of the card, or verifying data in memory on the card. The memory card may be part of a system including the computer and the cable connecting the computer to the serial communication port of the card. The nonvolative memory of the memory card can also be accessed by a digital system having a PCMCIA interface slot via a PCMCIA parallel interface on the memory card. In one embodiment, the computer is connected through the memory card to an external memory card by connecting the PCMCIA parallel interface of the memory card to the parallel interface of the external memory card. This couples the controller of the card to the memory of the external memory card and enables commands received by the controller from the computer to affect the memory of the external memory card.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques Assour
- 👤 David E. Merry, Jr.
- 👤 Grady David Lambert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/42; G06F13/4282; G06F13/382; G06F13/387; G06F13/40; G06F13/4004; G06F13/4009; G06F13/4018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A system for enabling serial communication of data between a memory card and a computer comprising: a PCMCIA compatible memory card having a data storage memory than can be written to and read from via a PCMCIA compatible parallel interface and a serial communication port through which data stored in the data storage memory can be transmitted in a serial format; a computer having at least one serial communication port; and means for connecting the serial communication port of said memory card to the serial communication port of said computer through which serial data is transmitted between said memory card and said computer, wherein said memory card includes (a) one or more memory components, (b) a controller coupled to said memory components, and (c) a transceiver coupled between said controller and said serial communication port of the memory card which enables said controller to send and receive signals representing data through said serial communication port of the memory card, and wherein said controller comprises means for receiving a file from said computer through said serial communication port of said memory card and storing said received file in said memory.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
189 words
A system for enabling serial communication of data between a memory card and a computer comprising: a PCMCIA compatible memory card having a data storage memory than can be written to and read from via a PCMCIA compatible parallel interface and a serial communication port through which data stored in the data storage memory can be transmitted in a serial format; a computer having at least one serial communication port; and means for connecting the serial communication port of said memory card to the serial communication port of said computer through which serial data is transmitted between said memory card and said computer, wherein said memory card includes (a) one or more memory components, (b) a controller coupled to said memory components, and (c) a transceiver coupled between said controller and said serial communication port of the memory card which enables said controller to send and receive signals representing data through said serial communication port of the memory card, and wherein said controller comprises means for receiving a file from said computer through said serial communication port of said memory card and storing said received file in said memory.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said memory card further comprises: one or more memory components; and a parallel interface for connecting said memory card into a PCMCIA compatible slot of a computer-based system to enable said computer-based system to access the memory components of said memory card.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said memory components represents one or more FLASH memory components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said memory components represents a memory array representing FLASH memory components and an ATA controller for accessing the FLASH memory components.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said controller operates in accordance with commands received from said computer through the serial communication port of said memory card.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said controller comprises means for writing data received from said computer through said serial communication port of said memory card to said memory.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said controller comprises means for reading data from said memory and transmitting read data through said serial communication port of said memory card to said computer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said controller comprises means for erasing data from said memory in response to a command from said computer sent through said serial communication port of said memory card.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said computer comprises means for sending said file to said memory card in which said file is provided from one of a memory storage associated with said computer or a network coupled to said computer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according claim 1 wherein said controller comprises means for performing a self test in response to a command from said computer sent through said serial communication port of said memory card.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said transceiver provides for decoding signals received from said serial communication port of the memory card into signals appropriate for said controller, and for encoding signals received from said controller into signals appropriate for transmission through said serial communication port of said memory card to said serial communication port of said computer via said connecting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means is a cable having one end capable of connecting to said serial communication port of the memory card and having another end capable of connecting to the serial communication port of the computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 12 wherein said cable supplies power to said memory card from said computer, said power being provided to said cable from said computer through another cable from another port of the computer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises means for supplying power to said memory card.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 14 wherein said memory card further comprises a parallel interface and means for receiving power from one of said parallel interface and said connecting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said serial communication between said memory card and said computer operates in accordance with one of the communication protocols selected from the group of RS-212, RS-422, RS-485, USB, or IrDA.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for enabling serial communication of data between a memory card and a computer comprising: a PCMCIA compatible memory card having a data storage memory than can be written to and read from via a PCMCIA compatible parallel interface and a serial communication port through which data stored in the data storage memory can be transmitted in a serial format; a computer having at least one serial communication port; and means for connecting the serial communication port of said memory card to the serial communication port of said computer through which serial data is transmitted between said memory card and said computer, wherein said memory card represents a first memory card and said memory card further comprises a PCMCIA compatible interface, and said system further comprises means for connecting said first memory card at said PCMCIA compatible interface to an interface of a second memory card to enable communication of data between said computer and said second memory card through said first memory card.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for enabling serial communication of data between a memory card and a computer comprising: a PCMCIA compatible memory card having a data storage memory than can be written to and read from via a PCMCIA compatible parallel interface and a serial communication port through which data stored in the data storage memory can be transmitted in a serial format; a computer having at least one serial communication port; and means for connecting the serial communication port of said memory card to the serial communication port of said computer through which serial data is transmitted between said memory card and said computer, wherein said memory card represents a first memory card and said memory card further comprises a PCMCIA compatible interface, and said system further comprises means for connecting said first memory card at said PCMCIA compatible interface to an interface of a second memory card to enable communication of data between said computer and said second memory card through said first memory card.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system according to claim 17 wherein said second memory card has memory and said first memory card has a controller which operates in accordance with commands received from said computer through said serial communication port to operate upon the memory of said second memory card through said means from connecting said first memory card to said second memory card.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
201 words
A system for enabling serial communication of data between a memory card and a computer comprising: a PCMCIA compatible memory card having a data storage memory than can be written to and read from via a PCMCIA compatible parallel interface and a serial communication port through which data stored in the data storage memory can be transmitted in a serial format; a computer having at least one serial communication port; and means for connecting the serial communication port of said memory card to the serial communication port of said computer through which serial data is transmitted between said memory card and said computer, wherein said memory card includes (a) one or more memory components, (b) a controller coupled to said memory components, and (c) a transceiver coupled between said controller and said serial communication port of the memory card which enables said controller to send and receive signals representing data through said serial communication port of the memory card, and wherein said controller includes means for encrypting data to be sent through said serial communication port of the memory card to said computer, and means for decrypting data received from said serial communication port of the memory card from said computer.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
201 words
A system for enabling serial communication of data between a memory card and a computer comprising: a PCMCIA compatible memory card having a data storage memory than can be written to and read from via a PCMCIA compatible parallel interface and a serial communication port through which data stored in the data storage memory can be transmitted in a serial format; a computer having at least one serial communication port; and means for connecting the serial communication port of said memory card to the serial communication port of said computer through which serial data is transmitted between said memory card and said computer, wherein said memory card includes (a) one or more memory components, (b) a controller coupled to said memory components, and (c) a transceiver coupled between said controller and said serial communication port of the memory card which enables said controller to send and receive signals representing data through said serial communication port of the memory card, and wherein said controller includes means for encrypting data to be sent through said serial communication port of the memory card to said computer, and means for decrypting data received from said serial communication port of the memory card from said computer.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
175 words
A system for enabling serial communication of data between a memory card and a computer comprising: a PCMCIA compatible memory card having a data storage memory than can be written to and read from via a PCMCIA compatible parallel interface and a serial communication port through which data stored in the data storage memory can be transmitted in a serial format; a computer having at least one serial communication port; and means for connecting the serial communication port of said memory card to the serial communication port of said computer through which serial data is transmitted between said memory card and said computer, wherein said memory card includes (a) one or more memory components, (b) a controller coupled to said memory components, and (c) a transceiver coupled between said controller and said serial communication port of the memory card which enables said controller to send and receive signals representing data through said serial communication port of the memory card, and wherein said controller comprises means for detecting an expiration date associated with said memory card.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
175 words
A system for enabling serial communication of data between a memory card and a computer comprising: a PCMCIA compatible memory card having a data storage memory than can be written to and read from via a PCMCIA compatible parallel interface and a serial communication port through which data stored in the data storage memory can be transmitted in a serial format; a computer having at least one serial communication port; and means for connecting the serial communication port of said memory card to the serial communication port of said computer through which serial data is transmitted between said memory card and said computer, wherein said memory card includes (a) one or more memory components, (b) a controller coupled to said memory components, and (c) a transceiver coupled between said controller and said serial communication port of the memory card which enables said controller to send and receive signals representing data through said serial communication port of the memory card, and wherein said controller comprises means for detecting an expiration date associated with said memory card.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
185 words
A system for enabling serial communication of data between a memory card and a computer comprising: a PCMCIA compatible memory card having a data storage memory than can be written to and read from via a PCMCIA compatible parallel interface and a serial communication port through which data stored in the data storage memory can be transmitted in a serial format; a computer having at least one serial communication port; and means for connecting the serial communication port of said memory card to the serial communication port of said computer through which serial data is transmitted between said memory card and said computer, wherein said memory card includes (a) one or more memory components, (b) a controller coupled to said memory components, and (c) a transceiver coupled between said controller and said serial communication port of the memory card which enables said controller to send and receive signals representing data through said serial communication port of the memory card, and wherein said controller comprises means for operating said memory card in accordance with said memory card receiving a valid pin number received from said computer.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
185 words
A system for enabling serial communication of data between a memory card and a computer comprising: a PCMCIA compatible memory card having a data storage memory than can be written to and read from via a PCMCIA compatible parallel interface and a serial communication port through which data stored in the data storage memory can be transmitted in a serial format; a computer having at least one serial communication port; and means for connecting the serial communication port of said memory card to the serial communication port of said computer through which serial data is transmitted between said memory card and said computer, wherein said memory card includes (a) one or more memory components, (b) a controller coupled to said memory components, and (c) a transceiver coupled between said controller and said serial communication port of the memory card which enables said controller to send and receive signals representing data through said serial communication port of the memory card, and wherein said controller comprises means for operating said memory card in accordance with said memory card receiving a valid pin number received from said computer.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of transferring data from a first device into a second device, the method comprising the steps of: plugging a memory card into the first device so that the memory card interfaces with the first device using a parallel interface; writing data from the first device into a data storage element in the memory card via the parallel interface; linking, via a serial interface, the memory card to the second device; and sending the data written in the writing step from the data storage element in the memory card to the second device via the serial interface, wherein the memory card interfaces with the second device using a USB interface.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of transferring data from a first device into a second device, the method comprising the steps of: plugging a memory card into the first device so that the memory card interfaces with the first device using a parallel interface; writing data from the first device into a data storage element in the memory card via the parallel interface; linking, via a serial interface, the memory card to the second device; and sending the data written in the writing step from the data storage element in the memory card to the second device via the serial interface, wherein the memory card interfaces with the second device using a USB interface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the memory card interfaces with the first device using a parallel interface that conforms with the PCMCIA standard.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
240 words
A system for enabling serial communication of data between a memory card and a computer comprising: a memory card having (a) a card-shaped form factor adapted for insertion into a connectorized slot in an electronic device, (b) a data storage memory than can be written to and read from via a parallel interface, (c) a connector located on one edge of the memory card through which parallel interface signals are received by the card from the electronic device and through which parallel interface signals are transmitted by the card to the electronic device, and (d) a serial communication port through which data stored in the data storage memory can be transmitted in a serial format; a computer having at least one serial communication port; and means for connecting the serial communication port of said memory card to the serial communication port of said computer through which serial data is transmitted between said memory card and said computer, wherein said memory card comprises one or more memory components, a controller coupled to said memory components, and a transceiver coupled between said controller and said serial communication port of the memory card which enables said controller to send and receive signals representing data through said serial communication port of the memory card, and wherein said controller comprises means for receiving a file from said computer through said serial communication port of said memory card and storing said received file in said memory.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
240 words
A system for enabling serial communication of data between a memory card and a computer comprising: a memory card having (a) a card-shaped form factor adapted for insertion into a connectorized slot in an electronic device, (b) a data storage memory than can be written to and read from via a parallel interface, (c) a connector located on one edge of the memory card through which parallel interface signals are received by the card from the electronic device and through which parallel interface signals are transmitted by the card to the electronic device, and (d) a serial communication port through which data stored in the data storage memory can be transmitted in a serial format; a computer having at least one serial communication port; and means for connecting the serial communication port of said memory card to the serial communication port of said computer through which serial data is transmitted between said memory card and said computer, wherein said memory card comprises one or more memory components, a controller coupled to said memory components, and a transceiver coupled between said controller and said serial communication port of the memory card which enables said controller to send and receive signals representing data through said serial communication port of the memory card, and wherein said controller comprises means for receiving a file from said computer through said serial communication port of said memory card and storing said received file in said memory.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said memory card further comprises: one or more memory components; and a parallel interface for connecting said memory card into a compatible slot of a computer-based system to enable said computer-based system to access the memory components of said memory card.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said memory components represents one or more FLASH memory components.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said memory components represents a memory array representing FLASH memory components and an ATA controller for accessing the FLASH memory components.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said controller operates in accordance with commands received from said computer through the serial communication port of said memory card.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said controller comprises means for writing data received from said computer through said serial communication port of said memory card to said memory.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said controller comprises means for reading data from said memory and transmitting read data through said serial communication port of said memory card to said computer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said controller comprises means for erasing data from said memory in response to a command from said computer sent through said serial communication port of said memory card.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said computer comprises means for sending said file to said memory card in which said file is provided from one of a memory storage associated with said computer or a network coupled to said computer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according claim 24 wherein said controller comprises means for performing a self test in response to a command from said computer sent through said serial communication port of said memory card.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said connecting means is a cable having one end capable of connecting to said serial communication port of the memory card and having another end capable of connecting to the serial communication port of the computer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 34 wherein said cable supplies power to said memory card from said computer, said power being provided to said cable from said computer through another cable from another port of the computer.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said connecting means comprises means for supplying power to said memory card.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 36 wherein said memory card further comprises a parallel interface and means for receiving power from one of said parallel interface and said connecting means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said serial communication between said memory card and said computer operates in accordance with one of the communication protocols selected from the group of RS-212, RS-422, RS-485, USB, or IrDA.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said memory card represents a first memory card and said memory card further comprises a PCMCIA compatible interface, and said system further comprises means for connecting said first memory card at said PCMCIA compatible interface to an interface of a second memory card to enable communication of data between said computer and said second memory card through said first memory card.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said controller comprises: means for encrypting data to be sent through said serial communication port of the memory card to said computer; and means for decrypting data received from said serial communication port of the memory card from said computer.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said controller comprises means for detecting an expiration date associated with said memory card.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 24 wherein said controller comprises means for operating said memory card in accordance with said memory card receiving a valid pin number received from said computer.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system according to claim 39 wherein said second memory card has memory and said first memory card has a controller which operates in accordance with commands received from said computer through said serial communication port to operate upon the memory of said second memory card through said means from connecting said first memory card to said second memory card.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
214 words
A system for enabling serial communication of data between a memory card and a computer comprising: a memory card having (a) a card-shaped form factor adapted for insertion into a connectorized slot in an electronic device, (b) a data storage memory than can be written to and read from via a parallel interface, (c) a connector located on one edge of the memory card through which parallel interface signals are received by the card from the electronic device and through which parallel interface signals are transmitted by the card to the electronic device, and (d) a serial communication port through which data stored in the data storage memory can be transmitted in a serial format; a computer having at least one serial communication port; and means for connecting the serial communication port of said memory card to the serial communication port of said computer through which serial data is transmitted between said memory card and said computer, wherein said transceiver provides for decoding signals received from said serial communication port of the memory card into signals appropriate for said controller, and for encoding signals received from said controller into signals appropriate for transmission through said serial communication port of said memory card to said serial communication port of said computer via said connecting means.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
214 words
A system for enabling serial communication of data between a memory card and a computer comprising: a memory card having (a) a card-shaped form factor adapted for insertion into a connectorized slot in an electronic device, (b) a data storage memory than can be written to and read from via a parallel interface, (c) a connector located on one edge of the memory card through which parallel interface signals are received by the card from the electronic device and through which parallel interface signals are transmitted by the card to the electronic device, and (d) a serial communication port through which data stored in the data storage memory can be transmitted in a serial format; a computer having at least one serial communication port; and means for connecting the serial communication port of said memory card to the serial communication port of said computer through which serial data is transmitted between said memory card and said computer, wherein said transceiver provides for decoding signals received from said serial communication port of the memory card into signals appropriate for said controller, and for encoding signals received from said controller into signals appropriate for transmission through said serial communication port of said memory card to said serial communication port of said computer via said connecting means.
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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) | 2005-08-12 | 2006-02-11 | 2006-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-12 | 2010-02-11 | 2010-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-12 | 2014-02-11 | 2014-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |