(12) United States Patent
`Jones et al.
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006438638Bl
`US 6,438,638 Bl
`Aug. 20, 2002
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) FLASHTOASTER FOR READING SEVERAL
`TYPES OF FLASH-MEMORY CARDS WITH
`OR WITHOUT A PC
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Larry Lawson Jones, Palo Alto;
`Sreenath Mambakkam, San Jose;
`Arockiyaswamy Venkidu, Menlo Park,
`all of CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: OnSpec Electronic, Inc., Santa Clara,
`CA(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 267 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/610,904
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 6, 2000
`
`(51)
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Int. Cl? ............................ G06F 13/00; G06F 1/16
`U.S. Cl. ........................................ 710/301; 710/303
`Field of Search ................................. 710/300, 301,
`710/302, 303
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,296,692 A * 3/1994 Shino ......................... 235/486
`5,394,206 A * 2/1995 Cocca ......................... 354/21
`5,576,698 A * 11/1996 Card et a!. ............. 340/825.52
`5,589,719 A * 12/1996 Fiset .......................... 307/131
`5,640,541 A * 6/1997 Bartram eta!. ............. 395!500
`5,729,204 A * 3/1998 Fackler eta!. ......... 340/825.04
`5,786,769 A * 7/1998 Coteus et a!. ............... 340/687
`5,815,426 A * 9/1998 Jigour et a!. .................. 365/51
`5,828,905 A * 10/1998 Rao
`........................... 395/883
`5,877,975 A * 3/1999 Jigour et a!. .................. 365!52
`5,905,888 A * 5/1999 Jones et a!. ................. 395!652
`* 11/1999 Hirai eta!. ................ D13/147
`D416,541 S
`5,995,376 A * 11/1999 Schultz et a!. .............. 361!788
`6,006,295 A * 12/1999 Jones et a!. ................... 710/62
`
`6,026,007 A *
`6,075,706 A
`6,264,506 B1
`6,353,870 B1 *
`
`2/2000 Jigour et a!. .................. 365/51
`6/2000 Learmonth et a!. ......... 361!737
`7/2001 Yasufuku et a!.
`........... 439/638
`3/2002 Mills et a!.
`................. 710/301
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Lexar Media Weg Pages-Parallel Port, Universal Readers,
`FAQ, Jumpshot, Jun. 5, 2000. *
`Microtouch Smart Media to PCMCIA Adapter Product
`Sheet, Jun. 8, 2000.*
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Peter Wong
`Assistant Examiner-Tim Vo
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stuart T. Auvine
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A flash-memory-card reader reads and writes multiple types
`of flash-memory cards, including CompactFlash, and the
`smaller SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, and
`Memory Stick. A converter chip converts the different card
`signals for transfer to a host personal computer (PC). Serial(cid:173)
`to-parallel data conversion is performed for the smaller card
`formats with serial data interfaces, but not for CompactFlash
`with a parallel-data interface. A single slot has a 50-pin
`connector for CompactFlash cards or passive adapters. The
`passive adapters have the CompactFlash form factor and a
`smaller connector fitting smaller flash cards. Passive adapt(cid:173)
`ers have no components but simply wire the smaller con(cid:173)
`nector to the CompactFlash connector. A pin mapping
`allows card-type detection by sensing the LSB address pins
`of the CompactFlash interface. A larger CompactFlash
`reader has multiple slots for each card type. The reader is
`connected to the PC by a cable, or located within the PC
`chassis in a drive bay. A stand-alone reader copies images
`from the flash-memory card to a removable disk media.
`Pressing a button initiates image transfer.
`
`28 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`USB
`CHIP
`
`~ +-uu
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20,2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 11
`
`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`I CF TO 10
`
`PCMCIA
`
`FIG. 1A
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`FIG. 18
`
`CF
`16
`
`= I 10
`
` CFTO-
`.
`~ PCMCIA
`
`-~
`
`20
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`FIG. 1 C
`
`PCMCIA
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20,2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 11
`
`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`SMART MEDIA
`
`SM TO 10'
`
`PCMCIA 1.-[i]
`
`FIG. 2A
`
`SD 126]
`MMC 128]"
`
`MEM STICK D 18 J
`
`CF ro1Q
`PCMCIA
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`MEM STK TO PCMCIA
`
`FIG. 28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20,2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 11
`
`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`SMART MEDIA
`
`SM-TO-CF
`
`130 IH-r 241
`
`so
`
`MMC/SD-TO-CF f 261
`~ 3211~ [i] '
`
`MMC
`
`MEM STK-TO-CF
`
`f:lF._ { ~ Cl
`t..::.l5 MEM STICK
`
`/
`
`-
`
`-
`
`rcrl
`L!J
`
`FIG. 3A
`
`46
`
`42
`
`FIG. 38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 of 11
`
`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`vee
`
`vee
`
`40
`
`AO ...,._ _ __. __ ...,., __ -c:
`50
`A1 ...,._-----*---c:
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`vee
`
`vee
`
`H AO
`
`H A1
`
`40
`
`50
`
`CF
`
`16
`
`44
`
`HH=CF FIG. 48
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 11
`
`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`vee
`
`vee
`
`H A1
`
`....,__ ______ -«..
`
`--
`
`40
`
`LH = MMC/SD
`
`FIG. 4C
`
`vee
`
`vee
`
`H AO t-----~r----c
`
`SMRT
`MEDIA
`
`L A1 t----__...-----10]_ 30
`--
`HL = SMRT MEDIA FIG. 40
`vee
`vee
`
`L AO
`
`L A1
`
`50
`
`40
`
`LL = MEM STK FIG. 4E
`
`~MEM
`STK
`
`--
`OJ_ 34
`--
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 11
`
`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`Pin
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`9
`10
`11
`12
`13
`14
`15
`16
`17
`18
`19
`20
`21
`22
`23
`24
`25
`26
`27
`28
`29
`30
`31
`32
`33
`34
`35
`36
`37
`38
`39
`40
`41
`42
`43
`44
`45
`46
`47
`48
`49
`50
`
`CF
`Ground
`D3
`D4
`D5
`D6
`D7
`-CE1
`AlO
`-OE
`A9
`A8
`A7
`Power
`A6
`A5
`A4
`A3
`A2
`A1
`AO
`DO
`Dl
`D2
`---
`-CD2
`-CDl
`Dll
`Dl2
`Dl3
`D14
`Dl5
`-CE2
`---
`tie high
`tie high
`-WE
`INTRQ
`Power
`---
`---
`RESET
`---
`---
`-REG
`---
`---
`D8
`D9
`DlO
`Ground
`
`Smart Media
`Ground
`D3
`D4
`D5
`D6
`D7
`-SMCS
`---
`-OE
`---
`---
`---
`Power
`CLE
`ALE
`READY
`-WP
`LVD
`
`DO
`D1
`D2
`---
`-CD2
`-CDl
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`-WE
`---
`Power
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`Ground
`
`MMC/SD
`Ground
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`Power
`
`SCLK
`DIO
`CMD
`
`---
`-CD2
`-CDl
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`Power
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`Ground
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Memory Stick
`Ground
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`Power
`
`SCLK
`DIO
`BS
`
`---
`-CD2
`-CDl
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`Power
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`---
`Ground
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20,2002
`
`Sheet 7 of 11
`
`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`42
`
`USB
`CHIP
`
`40
`
`46
`
`FIG. 6
`
`PC
`
`20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20, 2002
`
`Sheet 8 of 11
`
`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`USB
`CHIP
`
`USB
`
`CPU
`
`21
`
`FIG. 7
`
`20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20,2002
`
`Sheet 9 of 11
`
`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`HOD
`
`FDD
`
`FLASH RDR
`
`"""'
`
`72
`
`~
`
`74
`
`.....,.....
`
`42
`
`0
`0
`0
`
`20 -
`
`FIG. 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20, 2002
`
`Sheet 10 of 11
`
`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`~ ~
`~ ETI
`~ m
`
`46
`
`PC
`
`USB
`
`20
`
`80
`
`r
`
`~
`79
`
`~
`
`78
`
`USB
`CHIP
`
`40
`
`REMOVABLE
`MASS
`STORAGE 70
`
`T
`
`DISK
`76
`
`FIG. 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 20, 2002
`
`Sheet 11 of 11
`
`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`CLK
`
`DATA
`
`16-BIT
`
`CPU
`
`92
`
`RAM
`ROM
`94
`
`TIMERS
`
`96
`
`hi' go
`
`SHIFT
`CRC
`
`98
`
`GP-10
`
`99
`
`40
`
`USB
`I FACE
`
`100
`
`FIG. 10
`
`

`

`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`1
`FLASHTOASTER FOR READING SEVERAL
`TYPES OF FLASH-MEMORY CARDS WITH
`OR WITHOUT A PC
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to flash-memory readers, and more
`particularly for interfacing several different types of flash(cid:173)
`memory cards to a personal computer.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`merely has to copy the image files from CompactFlash card
`16 to the hard disk of PC 20. Since high-speed parallel buses
`are used, transfer is rapid, about the same speed as accessing
`the hard disk. Thus a half-hour serial-cable transfer can be
`reduced to less than a minute with the $5 CF-to-PCMCIA
`adapter.
`Desktop PC's usually do not have PCMCIA slots. Then
`PCMCIAreader 12 can be used. PCMCIAreader 12 accepts
`CF-to-PCMCIA adapter 10 and connects to PC 20 through
`10 a parallel or high-speed Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable.
`Multiple Flash-Card Formats
`Although the CompactFlash card format is relatively
`small, being not much more than an inch square, other
`smaller cards have recently emerged. FIG. 2A illustrates
`various formats of flash-memory cards used with digital
`cameras. Many digital cameras still use CompactFlash card
`16, which can be inserted into CF-to-PCMCIA adapter 10
`for transfer to a PC. Other smaller, thinner formats have
`emerged and are used with some manufacturer's digital
`20 cameras. For example, SmartMedia card 24 is less than half
`an inch long, yet has enough flash memory capacity for
`dozens of images. SmartMedia-to-PCMCIA adapter 10' is
`available commercially for about $60. The higher cost is
`believed to be due to a converter chip within adapter 10'.
`25 Also, different adapters 10' are required for different
`memory capacities of SmartMedia card 24. SmartMedia is a
`trademark of the SSFDC Forum of Tokyo, Japan.
`Other kinds of flash-memory cards that are being cham-
`30 pioned by different manufacturers include MultiMediaCard
`(MMC) 28 and the related Secure Digital Card (SD) 26.
`MMC is a trademark of SanDisk Corp. of Sunnyvale, Calif.
`while SD is controlled by the SD Group that includes
`Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., SanDisk Corporation,
`35 Toshiba Corp. Another emerging form factor from SONY is
`Memory Stick 18. Memory Stick has a PCMCIA/Floppy
`adapter while MMC has a floppy adapter.
`The different physical shapes and pin arrangements of
`cards 24, 26, 28 and Memory Stick 18 prevent their use in
`40 CF-to-PCMCIA adapter 10. Indeed, most of these cards 24,
`26, 28 have less than a dozen pins, while CompactFlash card
`16 has a larger 50-pin interface. Furthermore, serial data
`interfaces are used in the smaller cards 24, 26, 28 while a
`parallel data bus is used with CompactFlash card 16.
`FIG. 2B shows a Memory Stick-to-PCMCIA adapter
`using an active converter chip. Memory Stick 18 fits into an
`opening in Memory Stick-to-PCMCIA adapter 15, allowing
`adapter 15 and the Memory Stick to be plugged into a
`standard PCMCIAslot on a PC. However, adapter 15 has an
`50 integrated circuit (I C) converter chip 11 within it. Converter
`chip 11 may be needed to convert the serial data format of
`Memory Stick 18 to the parallel data format of a 68-pin
`PCMCIA slot. Inclusion of converter chip 11 in adapter 15
`significantly increases the cost and complexity of adapter 15
`55 compared to CF-to-PCMCIA adapter 10 which is a passive
`adapter without a converter chip.
`While the advances in flash-memory card technology are
`useful, the many different card formats present a confusing
`array of interface requirements to a PC. Different adapters
`60 are needed for each of the card formats. PCMCIA card
`reader 12 can be replaced with other format readers, such as
`a SmartMedia Card reader, and even some multi-standard
`readers are available, such as a universal reader from Lexar
`Media that reads CompactFlash or SmartMedia in addition
`65 to PCM CIA
`What is desired is a universal adapter for flash-memory
`cards of several different formats. An adapter that accepts
`
`Digital cameras have become one of the most popular of
`electronic devices. In a recent year, more digital cameras
`were sold than traditional film cameras. Images from digital
`cameras can be downloaded and stored on personal com- 15
`puters. Digital pictures can be converted to common formats
`such as JPEG and sent as e-mail attachments or posted to
`virtual photo albums on the Internet. Video as well as still
`images can be captured, depending on the kind of digital
`camera.
`Digital cameras typically capture images electronically
`and ultimately store the images as bits (ones and zeros) on
`a solid-state memory. Flash memory is the most common
`storage for digital cameras. Flash memory contains one or
`more electrically-erasable read-only-memory (EEPROM)
`integrated circuit chips that allow reading, writing, and
`block erasing.
`Early digital cameras required the user to download or
`transfer the images from the flash memory within the digital
`camera to a personal computer (PC). A standard serial cable
`was most widely used. However, the limited transfer rate of
`the serial cable and the large size of the digital images made
`such serial downloads a patience-building experience. Serial
`downloads could easily take half an hour for only a few
`dozen images.
`Digital camera manufacturers solved this problem by
`placing the flash memory chips on a small removable card.
`The flash-memory card could then be removed from the
`digital camera, much as film is removed from a standard
`camera. The flash-memory card could then be inserted into
`an appropriate slot in a PC, and the image files directly
`copied to the PC.
`FIG. 1A shows a flash memory card and adapter for
`transferring images from a digital camera to a PC. A user
`takes pictures with digital camera 14 that are stored in image
`files on flash memory chip(s). The flash memory chip is
`contained, in CompactFlash card 16, which can be removed
`from digital camera 14 by pressing a card-eject button. Thus
`CompactFlash card 16 contains the image files.
`While some smaller hand-held computers or personal(cid:173)
`digital-assistants (PDA) have slots that receive Compact(cid:173)
`Flash cards, most PC's do not. Laptop or notebook PC's
`have PC-card (earlier known as PCMCIA, Personal Com(cid:173)
`puter Memory Card International Association) slots that can
`receive PCMCIA cards. Many functions have been placed
`on PCMCIA cards, such as modems, Ethernet, flash
`memory, encryption keys, and even miniature hard drives.
`CF-to-PCMCIA adapter 10 is a passive adapter that
`contains an opening that receives CompactFlash card 16.
`FIG. 1B shows CF-to-PCMCIA adapter 10 with Compact(cid:173)
`Flash card 16 inserted. Such CF-to-PCMCIA adapters 10
`sell for as little as $5-10. CompactFlash is a trademark of
`SanDisk Corp. of Sunnyvale, Calif.
`FIG. 1C shows a PC connected to a PCMCIAreader. Most
`laptop and notebook PC's contain one or two PCMCIAslots
`22 that CF-to-PCMCIAadapter 10 can fit into. Then the user
`
`45
`
`

`

`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`3
`SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, and Memory
`Stick cards is desired. A flash-card reader with a single slot
`that accepts any format card using the adapter is desired.
`Special detection logic on the flash reader is desired to
`distinguish between the many flash-card formats is desir-
`able. A low-cost passive adapter is desired that does not need
`an expensive converter chip. A multi-format reader is
`desired for a PC. A stand-alone flash reader is desired that
`can copy image files from flash cards without a PC is also
`desired.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`10
`
`4
`FIGS. 4A-E show card-type detection using the A1, AO
`pins of the CompactFlash reader interface.
`FIG. 5 is a table of pin mappings for the SmartMedia,
`MMC/SD, and Memory Stick to CompactFlash adapters.
`FIG. 6 is a diagram of a multi-slot embodiment of the
`flash-card reader.
`FIG. 7 shows a flash-memory reader within a PC.
`FIG. 8 shows a PC chassis with a flash-card reader in one
`of the drive bays.
`FIG. 9 is a diagram of a stand-alone FlashToaster that
`accepts several formats of flash-memory cards and can copy
`images to a removable disk without being connected to a
`host PC.
`FIG. 10 is a diagram of the converter chip for the
`15 flash-memory reader.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`The present invention relates to an improvement in flash(cid:173)
`memory card readers. The following description is presented
`to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the
`20 invention as provided in the context of a particular applica(cid:173)
`tion and its requirements. Various modifications to the
`preferred embodiment will be apparent to those with skill in
`the art, and the general principles defined herein may be
`applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the present inven-
`25 tion is not intended to be limited to the particular embodi(cid:173)
`ments shown and described, but is to be accorded the widest
`scope consistent with the principles and novel features
`herein disclosed.
`The inventors have realized that a universal adapter can
`be constructed using the CompactFlash card form factor. A
`reader that reads CompactFlash cards can then read any of
`the other flash-memory cards that plug into the Compact(cid:173)
`Flash adapter. The adapters are simple, inexpensive passive
`adapters without a conversion chip.
`The inventors have found a pin mapping from the smaller
`flash-card formats to CompactFlash that allows for easy
`detection of the type of flash-memory card inserted into the
`adapter. Detection of the type of flash-memory card is thus
`performed automatically by electronic detection by the
`40 CompactFlash reader. The CompactFlash reader is modified
`to perform this card-type detection. Signal conversion such
`as serial-to-parallel is performed by the CompactFlash
`reader rather than by the adapter. Adapter costs are reduced
`while,CompactFlash reader cost is increased only slightly.
`45 The CompactFlash reader can use a single CompactFlash
`slot to read multiple flash-card types, including SmartMedia,
`MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, and Com(cid:173)
`pactFlash.
`In another embodiment, the CompactFlash reader is
`50 somewhat larger, and has multiple slots. The adapter is not
`needed in this embodiment. Instead, a slot is provided for
`each of the flash-memory card formats-SmartMedia,
`MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, and Com(cid:173)
`pactFlash. A PCMCIA can also be added. This Compact-
`55 Flash reader can be connected to the PC by a USB cable, or
`it can be located within the PC chassis.
`In a third embodiment, the CompactFlash reader is a
`stand-alone device that can operate without a PC. A remov(cid:173)
`able disk media such as a R/W CD-ROM is included. Images
`60 from the flash-memory card are copied to the removable
`disk media by the CompactFlash reader. A simple interface
`is used, such as having the user presses a button to initiate
`image transfer.
`Universal, Passive Adapters-FIGS. 3A-B
`FIG. 3A shows a universal CompactFlash adapter that
`accepts SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, and
`
`A single-slot multi-flash-card reader has a personal com(cid:173)
`puter interface for transferring data to a personal computer.
`A converter means is coupled to the personal computer
`interface. It converts multiple flash-card interfaces to a
`format used by the personal computer interface. The mul(cid:173)
`tiple flash-card interfaces include a CompactFlash interface
`and smaller interfaces having fewer pins that the Compact(cid:173)
`Flash interface.
`A CompactFlash connector is coupled to the converter
`means. It receives a CompactFlash card through a single slot
`in the single-slot multi-flash-card reader. The CompactFlash
`connector makes electrical connection with the Compact(cid:173)
`Flash card for signals in the CompactFlash interface.
`An adapter has a physical shape to removably insert into
`the CompactFlash connector. The adapter has a mating
`CompactFlash connector that fits the CompactFlash connec(cid:173)
`tor. The adapter also has a smaller connector. The smaller 30
`connector fits to other flash-memory cards having the
`smaller interfaces.
`A wiring means in the adapter connects between the
`smaller connector and the mating CompactFlash connector.
`It directly connects signals from the smaller connector in the 35
`smaller interface with signals in the mating CompactFlash
`connector. Thus the adapter allows the other flash-memory
`cards having the smaller interfaces to fit into the Compact(cid:173)
`Flash connector through the single slot to be read by the
`converter means.
`In further aspects the wiring means connects card select
`signals from all of the smaller interfaces to card select
`signals in the CompactFlash connector. The converter means
`includes a card-detect means that is coupled to sense the card
`select signals. It detects presence of a flash-memory card
`inserted into the CompactFlash connector. Thus the con(cid:173)
`verter means detects presence of CompactFlash and the
`other flash-memory cards having the smaller interfaces.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1A shows a flash memory card and adapter for
`transferring images from a digital camera to a PC.
`FIG. 1B shows CF-to-PCMCIA adapter 10 with Com(cid:173)
`pactFlash card 16 inserted.
`FIG. 1C shows a PC connected to a PCMCIA reader.
`FIG. 2A illustrates various formats of flash-memory cards
`used with digital cameras.
`FIG. 2B shows a Memory Stick-to-PCMCIA adapter
`using an active converter chip.
`FIG. 3A shows a universal CompactFlash adapter that
`accepts SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, and
`Memory Stick flash-memory cards.
`FIG. 3B shows a CompactFlash reader that reads
`SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, and Memory 65
`Stick flash-memory cards through passive adapters to the
`CompactFlash form factor.
`
`

`

`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`5
`Memory Stick flash-memory cards. Digital camera 14 stores
`images on flash memory that is in one of several card types.
`CompactFlash card 16 uses a 50-pin connector and transfers
`image data in a 16-bit parallel format.
`SmartMedia card 24 is smaller flash-memory card with a
`22-pin interface and transfers data in an 8-bit parallel format.
`SmartMedia adapter 30 converts the 22-pin SmartMedia
`interface to fit within the 50-pin CompactFlash interface.
`When SmartMedia card 24 is plugged into SmartMedia
`adapter 30, both can be plugged into a CompactFlash slot on
`a CompactFlash reader. Of course, ordinary CompactFlash
`readers will not be able to read SmartMedia card 24 since
`special signal conversion is required by the CompactFlash
`reader.
`MultiMediaCard 28 and Secure Digital card 26 are flash(cid:173)
`memory cards with similar 9-pin interfaces. Serial data
`transfer is used through a single Data 1!0 pin. MMC/SD
`adapter 32 has an opening with a 9-pin connector to receive
`either MultiMediaCard 28 or Secure Digital card 26. Once
`MultiMedia Card 28 or Secure Digital card 26 is inserted into
`MMC/SD adapter 32, then MMC/SD adapter 32 can be
`inserted into a CompactFlash slot on a special CompactFlash
`reader. The CompactFlash reader then detects the card type
`and performs serial-to-parallel conversion.
`Memory Stick 18 is also a flash-memory card with a
`9-pin, serial-data interface, but is narrower and longer than
`MultiMediaCard 28 or Secure Digital card 26. Memory
`Stick adapter 34 has an opening with a 10-pin connector to
`receive Memory Stick 18. Once Memory Stick 18 is
`inserted, Memory Stick adapter 32 can itself be inserted into
`a CompactFlash slot on a special CompactFlash reader. The
`CompactFlash reader then detects the card type and per(cid:173)
`forms serial-to-parallel conversion.
`FIG. 3B shows a CompactFlash reader that reads
`SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, and Memory
`Stick flash-memory cards through passive adapters to the
`CompactFlash form factor. CompactFlash reader 42 has an
`opening or slot with 50-pin connector 44 that accepts
`CompactFlash card 16. Controller chip 40 performs hand(cid:173)
`shaking with CompactFlash card 16 and performs data
`transfer. CompactFlash reader 42 also connects to a PC over
`USB connector 46. Controller chip 40 also controls the USB
`interface to the host PC, allowing image files to be trans(cid:173)
`ferred to the PC from CompactFlash card 16.
`Other kinds of flash-memory cards can also be read by
`CompactFlash reader 42. For example, adapter 34 allows
`Memory Stick 18 to be read. Memory Stick adapter 34 has
`an opening that Memory Stick 18 fits into, while Memory
`Stick adapter 34 itself fits into 50-pin connector 44, since
`adapter 34 has the same form factor as a CompactFlash card.
`SmartMedia card 24 can also be read by CompactFlash
`reader 42, using SmartMedia adapter 30. Likewise, Multi(cid:173)
`MediaCard 28 or Secure Digital card 28 can be read using
`MMC/SD adapter 32.
`Adapters 30, 32, 34 are passive adapters that only connect
`pins from the smaller flash-memory cards to the 50-pin
`CompactFlash connector. An active converter chip is not
`required, greatly reducing cost and complexity.
`
`Detection of Card Type-FIGS. 4A-E.
`FIGS. 4A-E detail detection of the type of flash-memory
`card by the CompactFlash reader. Since the same Compact(cid:173)
`Flash slot is used for many kinds of flash-memory cards, a
`detection method is useful so that the user doesn't have to
`explicitly indicate what type of flash-memory card is
`inserted into the CompactFlash reader.
`
`5
`
`6
`The inventors have carefully examined the pins of the
`interfaces to the various flash-memory cards and have
`discovered that type-detection can be performed by exam(cid:173)
`ining two address pins. Address pins AO and A1 are the
`least-significant-bits (LSB) of the address of the 50-pin
`CompactFlash interface. These pins are normally inputs to
`the CompactFlash card and thus are driven by the Compact(cid:173)
`Flash reader. When the reader does not drive AO, A1 to the
`inserted CompactFlash card, the AO, A1 pins float or are
`10 pulled high by pullup resistors.
`Address pins are not present on the other kinds of flash(cid:173)
`memory cards. Instead, the address and data are multiplexed.
`For MMC/SD and Memory Stick, the address is sent seri(cid:173)
`ally. Using the adapters, pins from the other flash-memory
`15 cards can be connected to the CompactFlash pins. Pins AO
`and A1 are used to detect the type of card. For SmartMedia,
`the addresses are sent by using a special control- sequence
`followed by 3 or 4 bytes of starting address.
`In FIG. 4A, the A1, AO pins of the CompactFlash reader
`20 interface are highlighted. Converter chip 40 in the Com(cid:173)
`pactFlash reader normally drives all 11 address pins in the
`CompactFlash interface when reading a CompactFlash card
`plugged into connector 44. The AO pin from the Compact(cid:173)
`Flash card plugs into connector cup 56, while the A1 pin
`25 from the CompactFlash card plugs into connector cup 58 of
`50-pin connector 44.
`Card-type detector 50 has two pullup resistors added to
`lines AO, Al. Resistor 52 pulls line AO high to power (Vee)
`when neither converter chip 40 nor a card plugged into
`30 connector 44 drives line AO. Likewise, resistor 54 pulls line
`A1 high when line A1 is not being actively driven. During
`detection mode, converter chip 40 is programmed to not
`drive lines AO, A1 and instead use then as inputs to the
`detector logic.
`In FIG. 4B, a CompactFlash card is inserted into the
`connector for card-type detection. CompactFlash card 16 is
`plugged into connector 44. Since AO and A1 are inputs to
`CompactFlash card 16, they are not driven by CompactFlash
`40 card 16. During detection mode, converter chip 40 also does
`not drive pins AO, Al. Thus lines AO, A1 are left floating and
`are each pulled high by resistors 52, 54.
`Detection logic in converter chip 40 reads card-select pins
`CDO, CD1 to detect the presence of a flash-memory card.
`45 When a new card is present, detection logic then reads pins
`AO, A1 as inputs. Both inputs are high. The detection logic
`in converter chip 40 recognizes the HH state of AO, A1 as
`indicating that a CompactFlash card is plugged into con(cid:173)
`nector 44. Converter chip 40 then exits detection mode and
`50 configures its interface to connector 44 for the 50-pin
`CompactFlash interface as shown later in FIG. 5.
`In FIG. 4C, a MultiMediaCard or Secure Digital card is
`inserted into the connector for card-type detection. MMC/
`SD card 28 (not shown) is plugged into MMC/SD adapter 32
`55 which is plugged into connector 44.
`Converter chip 40 does not drive pins A1, AO during
`detection mode. Thus pin A1 floats and is pulled high by
`resistor 54. The AO pin is driven low by the MMC card.
`Detection logic in converter chip 40 reads card-select pins
`60 CDO, CD1 to detect the presence of a flash-memory card.
`When a new card is present, detection logic then reads pins
`AO, A1 as inputs. While AO is low, A1 is high. The detection
`logic in converter chip 40 recognizes the LH state of AO, A1
`as indicating that a MMC or SD card is plugged into
`65 connector 44. Converter chip 40 then exits detection mode
`and configures its interface to connector 44 for the 9-pin
`MMC/SD interface as shown later in FIG. 5.
`
`35
`
`

`

`US 6,438,638 Bl
`
`8
`handshake are among the control signals. Output enable(cid:173)
`OE and write enable-WE are mapped to the same function
`pins 9, 36 of the CompactFlash interface. The total number
`of pins in the SmartMedia interface is 22.
`The Memory Stick and MMC/SD flash-memory-card
`interfaces are smaller still, since parallel data or address
`busses are not present. Instead, serial data transfers occur
`through serial data pin DIO, which is mapped to pin 19 (A1).
`Data is clocked in synchronization to clock SCLK on pin 18.
`10 A command signal CMD or BS occupies pin 20 (AO). The
`MMC/SD and Memory Stick interfaces require only 6 pins
`plus power and ground.
`Detection logic in converter chip 40 reads card-select pins
`CDO, CD1 to detect the presence of a flash-memory card.
`15 When a new card is present, detection logic then reads pins
`AO, A1 as inputs to determine the card type. The pullup
`resistors of FIG. 4A together with wiring inside the adapter
`and the card's behavior determines whether AO, A1 are
`pulled low by the adapter or pulled high by the pullup
`20 resistors.
`
`Multi-Slot Multi-Flash-Card Reader-FIG. 6
`
`7
`In FIG. 4D, a SmartMedia card is inserted into the
`connector for card-type detection. SmartMedia card 24 (not
`shown) is plugged into SmartMedia adapter 30 which is
`plugged into connector 44. The adapter 30 does not connect
`pins AO, A1 from the, CompactFlash interface to any pins on 5
`the SmartMedia card. Adapter 30 internally connects pin A1
`from the CompactFlash interface to the ground pin on the
`CompactFlash interface.
`The SmartMedia card does not drive either pin A1, AO,
`although adapter 30 drives pin A1 low. Likewise, converter
`chip 40 does not drive pins A1, AO during detection mode.
`Pin AO floats and is pulled high by resistor 52.
`Detection logic in converter chip 40 reads card-select pins
`CDO, CD1 to detect the presence of a flash-memory card.
`When a new card is present, detection logic then reads pins
`AO, A1 as inputs. While AO is high, A1 is low. The detection
`logic in converter chip 40 recognizes the HL state of AO, A1
`as indicating that a SmartMedia card is plugged into con(cid:173)
`nector 44. Converter chip 40 then exits detection mode and
`configures its interface to connector 44 for the 22-pin
`SmartMedia interface as shown later in FIG. 5.
`In FIG. 4E, a Memory Stick card is inserted into the
`connector for card-type detection. Memory Stick card 18
`(not shown) is plugged into Memory Stick adapter 34 which
`is plugged into connector 44.
`Detection logic in converter chip 40 reads card-select pins
`CDO, CD1 to detect the presence of a flash-memory card.
`When a new card is present, detection logic then reads pins
`AO, A1 as inputs. Both pins AO, A1 are low. The detection 30
`logic in converter chip 40 recognizes the LL state of AO, A1
`as indicating that a Memory Stick card is plugged into
`connector 44.
`
`25
`
`FIG. 6 is a diagram of a multi-slot embodiment of the
`flash-card reader. While the single-slot embodiment of FIG.
`3B results in the smallest physical design, somewhat larger
`flash-card readers can be made that have separate slots for
`each type of flash-memory card, rather than a single slot.
`This negates the need for the adapters.
`Four connectors are provided in flash reader 42: a 50-pin
`CompactFlash connector 62 that fits CompactFlash card 16,
`a 9 pin MMC/SD connector 64 that fits MultiMedia Card 28
`or a Secure Digital card, a 22-pin SmartMedia connector 66
`that fits SmartMedia card 24, and a 10-pin Memory Stick
`35 connector 68 that fits Memory Stick 18.
`Each of the four connectors 62, 64, 66, 68 route their
`signals to converter chip 40.
`Converter chip 40 detects when a flash-memory card has
`been inserted into one of the connectors 62, 64, 66, 68 and
`configures itself to read files from the inserted card using the
`pin interface of FIG. 5 corresponding to the card type.
`Converter chip 40 executes various routines to perform
`handshaking with the flash-memory cards and accept data,
`either serially or in parallel. The data is buffered and then
`sent to the host PC 20 through USB connector 46. Converter
`chip 40 generates the appropriate USB-interface signals to
`transfer the data to host PC 20.
`Having separate connectors 62, 64, 66, 68 with separate
`50 slots in flash reader 42 allows for card-to-card transfers. For
`example, images or other files from Memory Stick 18 could
`be transferred to CompactFlash card 16 by converter chip 40
`reading serial data from Memory Stick inserted into con(cid:173)
`nector 68, converting to parallel, and writing to connec