Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory – Storage accessing and control – Specific memory composition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-20
2002-06-11
Kim, Matthew (Department: 2186)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory
Storage accessing and control
Specific memory composition
C710S108000, C710S120000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06405278
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Flash memory is used in many devices (referred to herein as “host devices”) in the prior art, including video cameras, digital cameras, laptop computers, portable digital assistance devices (e.g., palm pilots), portable video games, portable language translators, portable digital voice recorders, handheld scanners, and other devices. With some host devices the flash memory is embedded within the device. When the flash memory reaches capacity, a user must free memory (e.g., remove data from memory) before saving additional data to it. To free memory a user may either erase data from the flash memory or somehow connect the host device to an external storage medium and download data from the flash memory to the external storage medium.
With other host devices the flash memory is provided on a separate card (i.e., a flash card) that may be removably connected to the host device and may be referred to herein as “portable flash memory.” With such portable flash memory, a user may erase data from a flash card or somehow connect the flash card to an external storage medium and download data from the flash card to the external storage medium to free flash memory. Such portable flash memory may be replaced with a different flash card. Thus, when one flash card reaches capacity, a user may replace the full card with a different flash card in the host device and begin saving data to the new card.
For example, consider a prior art camera that utilizes flash cards for storing image data (i.e., photographs). Suppose a user is out in the field taking many high-resolution pictures. The flash card in the user's camera will eventually reach capacity. Typically, a 32 megabyte flash card will reach capacity after approximately 30 high-resolution photographs (i.e., image quality approaching standard film) have been stored. At that point, the user may remove the full flash card from the camera, put it into a computer (or other storage medium), dump the contents from the flash memory to the computer (or other storage medium), and then erase the flash card. Thereafter, the user may reuse the flash card in the camera. Alternatively, the user may have another flash card, and may swap this flash card for the full flash card in the camera. In the prior art, a user would typically obtain many flash cards and replace one card with another one as each card reaches capacity.
Several problems exist with the prior art methods for utilizing flash memory for storing data for host devices. First, flash cards are typically expensive. Thus, it is generally very costly for the user to have many flash cards at his disposal. For example, a 32 megabyte flash card may cost approximately $100. Other forms of memory are much less expensive. For example, a user may obtain a 1 gigabyte hard drive for approximately $100. Thus, it is costly for a user to obtain multiple flash cards to be used in a host device.
Another problem is that there are many different types of flash memory existing in the prior art and each type is not compatible with every other type of flash memory. Thus, a user is required to either utilize the type of flash memory required for his particular host device (e.g., camera) or utilize special adaptors and/or special software to allow a different type of flash memory to interface with the host device. More specifically, different types of flash memory may organize data differently within the flash memory and/or operate at different voltage levels. Continuing with the above camera example, the way images are stored in a particular type of flash memory may not be compatible with a particular reader. Also, different types of flash memory may be physically different. For example, different types of flash memory may provide different connector schemes. As a result special adaptors and/or special software may be required to interface a device with a particular type of flash memory. Such adapters and special software adds to the cost of utilizing prior art flash cards.
Yet another problem with the prior art method of utilizing portable flash memory for storing data for a host device is that a user is required to remove a flash card from the host device and replace it with another flash card. Through swapping and otherwise handling the flash cards, the flash memory of a card may be damaged. Additionally, if the flash cards are not stored safely, data encoded on the cards may be lost (e.g., by the card coming in contact with static electricity). Moreover, swapping flash cards in and out of a host device repeatedly exposes the internal portion of the host device to the environment and contributes to interconnection wear and tear, which increases the potential for damage to the host device. That is, the host device may be damaged through repeated flash connect/disconnect cycles, and exposure to dust, dirt, moisture, as well as other elements in the environment.
As a result, a need exists in the art for a method and apparatus that provide flash memory for a host device that utilizes flash memory for storing data. A further need exists in the art for a method and apparatus that provide flash memory capable of being refreshed without requiring that many separate flash cards be obtained and interchanged. Thus, a need exists for a method and apparatus that allow a single flash card to be utilized in a host device with increased storage capacity. There is a further need for a method and apparatus that provide flash memory capable of being refreshed without being required to be swapped with another flash card or otherwise removed from the host device. A still further need exists for a method and apparatus that provide flash memory for a host device and is capable of transmitting data to an extended storage device, which may allow an increased amount of storage economically.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects, features and technical advantages are achieved by a method and apparatus which utilize a flash card to provide flash memory for a host device, wherein the flash card is capable of transmitting data from the flash card to an extended storage device via wireless communication.
In a preferred embodiment, a flash card is provided that comprises a radio frequency (“RF”) interface. In a preferred embodiment, such RF interface is incorporated within a flash card that can be connected to a host device, such as a video camera, digital camera, laptop computer, portable digital assistance device, portable video game, portable language translator, portable digital voice recorder, handheld scanner, or other device that utilizes flash memory. When a compatible interface is provided on an extended storage device, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a hard drive, removable hard disk, ZIP drive, Jaz drive, tape drive, CD-ReWritable Disk (CD-RW), rewritable DVD (DVD+RW), or other type of storage device, the two devices can communicate electronically via radio waves. As a result, data can be transferred from the flash card to an extended storage device, and a user is not required to repeatedly swap flash cards in and out of the host device. Additionally, a user is not required to obtain multiple flash cards to use within a particular host device. Rather, a single flash card may be utilized along with an extended storage device for storing data from a host device.
In one embodiment, the flash card comprises a mechanism, such as a micro-switch, that allows a user to initiate a wireless data transmission to an extended storage device. In a preferred embodiment, such mechanism is located on the outer edge of the flash card to allow the data transmission to be initiated without requiring the card to be removed from the host device. Additionally, a mechanism can be provided on the host device for initiating a data transmission, in addition to or in place of the mechanism provided on the flash card for initiating a data transmission. In alternative embodiments, a wireless data transmission may be initiated in a variety of ways, some of which are discussed in greater detail herein.
Additionally, in
Kim Matthew
Peugh Brian R.
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