Registers – Coded record sensors – Particular sensor structure
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-25
2004-01-27
St. Cyr, Daniel (Department: 2876)
Registers
Coded record sensors
Particular sensor structure
C235S441000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06681991
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a card reading device and more particularly to an improved card reading device having a multi-functional connector with a number of advantageous characteristics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, electronic and information technologies have known a rapid, spectacular development leading to a continuous performance improvement of computers and computer peripherals. Further, a variety of low price yet advanced software products are commercially available. This in turn further increases applications of such computers and computer peripherals among our daily life, learning, and work. As a result, the growth of computer products in the consumer market is very fast. For coping with this trend, many manufacturers of computers and computer peripherals have endeavored to develop new products to meet the needs of the vast developing market.
It is understood that a portable electronic device (e.g., personal digital assistant (PDA)) must have an acceptable degree of fall-proof since a frequent carrying is inevitable. In this regard, a storage device of such portable electronic device is implemented as an electronic-based static memory card rather than a hard disk having a mechanical support. A variety of memory cards such as CF card, SD card, and SM card are commercially available. Hence, a card reading device capable of connecting to one or more of such memory cards for simultaneously reading data therefrom is developed. Once a computer is connected to the card reading device which is already connected to a plurality of memory cards, the computer is capable of reading data from the memory cards simultaneously. However, applications of the well known card reading device are limited since it is only allowed to couple to the computer. For reading data from the memory cards, any of other electronic devices is required to couple to the computer which is in turn connected to the memory cards. In view of the above, it is very inconvenient.
Thus, it is desirable among the manufacturers to provide a card reading device having a multi-functional connector capable of connecting to one of a variety of portable electronic devices for reading data therefrom in order to overcome the above drawback of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a card reading device having a multi-functional connector for eliminating the above drawback of the prior art, i.e., the applications of the well known card reading device are limited since it is only allowed to couple to the computer.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a card reading device having a multi-functional connector comprising a multi-functional connector on the card reading device, the multi-functional connector being capable of connecting to one of a variety of portable electronic devices and a control circuit of the card reading device respectively, the control circuit having a detection circuit. Once the user connects a portable electronic device to the card reading device, the detection circuit is automatically activated to detect an identification (ID) of the electronic device. In response, one of second drivers is activated to drive the electronic device for electrically connecting the electronic device and for reading data from the memory cards connected to the card reading device. By utilizing the multi-functional card reading device, one of the variety of portable electronic devices can be connected to the card reading device for reading data from the memory cards connected to the card reading device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a universal serial bus (USB) connector on the card reading device. The card reading device further comprises a first driver connected to the corresponding USB connector and the control circuit respectively. Thus, a computer is capable of communicating with the card reading device by connecting to the USB connector and data read by the CPU is capable of being sent to the computer. As a result, the computer can read data from the memory cards connected to the card reading device.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5691525 (1997-11-01), Aoki et al.
patent: 6145046 (2000-11-01), Jones
patent: 6230970 (2001-05-01), Walsh et al.
patent: 6282407 (2001-08-01), Vega et al.
patent: 6327575 (2001-12-01), Katz
patent: 6438638 (2002-08-01), Jones et al.
patent: 1168137 (2002-02-01), None
Bacon & Thomas PLLC
Cyr Daniel St.
e Fly Solutions Company
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