Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing – Processing architecture – Microprocessor or multichip or multimodule processor having...
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-03
2001-01-30
Follansbee, John A. (Department: 2783)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing
Processing architecture
Microprocessor or multichip or multimodule processor having...
C712S001000, C712S027000, C712S039000, C712S034000, C712S043000, C710S010000, C710S014000, C710S108000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182204
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a PC card, and more specifically to a multifunction-type PC card having a plurality of card information structures, or CISs, which constitute the functional attribute information of the PC card, and a CIS switching mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally speaking a PC card contains circuitry for realizing its functions and a storage area for the CIS, which provides the functional attribute information of the card. Here the term “functions” is intended to refer to local area network (LAN) access, modem, memory, PHS, PDC, terminal adapter (TA), FM tuner, AM tuner, TV tuner, and the like.
FIG. 6A
is a drawing showing the structure of a single-function PC card. The logic for realizing single function 1 and a single CIS corresponding to that function are contained within the PC card. When using this type of PC card, the user is required to change the PC card inserted into the PC card slot of a personal computer or the like in accordance with the purpose.
Alternatively, to avoid the inconvenience of changing PC cards, PC cards may be manufactured incorporating logic for the realization of a plurality of functions, as is shown in FIG.
6
B. In this case the CIS contains functional attribute information corresponding to function 1 and function 2 respectively. When using this type of PC card, the PC must be provided with a card driver having multifunction capability, by means of which the two sets of functional attribute information resident in CIS1 are read into the personal computer memory, allowing the personal computer to recognize the two functions.
CISs are defined by rules conforming to PC card standards established by PCMCIA in the United States and by JEIDA in Japan, under which the CIS of a PC card is stored starting from the leading address of the CIS storage memory area. Further, the end of the CIS is indicated by a pre-determined delimiter.
When a multifunction-type PC card is inserted into the slot of a personal computer that does not have installed therein a driver with multifunction capability, the personal computer, in accordance with the above-cited standards, reads the CIS from the leading address of the CIS storage area up to the delimiter into the personal computer memory. The CIS corresponding to function 2, which is stored after the CIS corresponding to function 1, is not transferred to the personal computer memory. As a result, even though a multifunction-type PC card is inserted into the personal computer, the computer recognizes it as a single-function PC card having function 1.
When, on the other hand, a multifunction-type PC card is inserted into the PC card slot of a personal computer in which a driver with multifunction capability is installed, the computer reads in the plurality of CISs and activates the corresponding functions. That is to say, all the functions resident in the PC card inserted in the slot are activated, irrespective of whether they are actually used or not. This results in unnecessary consumption of power. Reducing power consumption is of particular importance in the case of battery-operated information equipment.
Let us consider an example of a PC card
1
having two functions: a modem and an ATA memory. The modem draws a current of approximately 120 mA and the ATA memory draws approximately 1 mA in standby mode. In common types of cards, the frequency of use of the ATA memory is higher than that of the modem. It is sufficient if the modem is activated only during the exchange of data with external systems. Nevertheless the PC card draws 121 mA of current at all times.
A related CIS-switching mechanism for a PC card is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/984,433 now U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,029,211 and 08/984,597, filed on even date herewith.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a PC card that enables a personal computer to utilize all the functions resident in a multifunction-type PC card without the installation of a driver having multifunction capability, and that yet conforms to the specifications established by industry standards.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multifunction-type PC card in which only the desired function(s) is/are selectively activated, and power consumption is reduced.
The foregoing objects are achieved according to the present invention through the provision of a PC card provided with a plurality of functions, and a plurality of card information structures (CISs) each for a single function or a combination of functions among the plurality of functions, with common basic attribute information included, the PC card including: selection signal input means for inputting a CIS selection signal to the PC card; and a CIS switch setting element for discriminating the selection signal input by the selection signal input means, and switchably setting the CIS that was selected as the CIS to be transferred to an external computer.
The PC card may be configured such that the selection signal input means includes a switch installed on the PC card, and the turning on and off of the switch acts as the CIS selection signal.
The PC card may be configured such that the selection signal input means comprises a connector section provided on the PC card, and the connected signal and non-connected signal of a connector to the connector section acts as the CIS selection signal.
The selection signal input means may be formed of software for the external personal computer having a program that outputs the CIS selection signal.
The CIS switch setting element may switchably set the starting address for reading the CIS selected by the selection signal, thereby switchably setting the CIS to be read in by the external personal computer.
The present invention is so configured that the PC card is provided with a plurality of functions, and is provided with a plurality of CISs for those functions, either singly or in combination, the CIS to be selectively used is selectively designated by the selection signal input means from among that plurality of CISs, so that the selection signal switchably sets the designated CIS as the CIS to be read in by the personal computer, with the result that, when the personal computer is provided with a driver having multifunction capability, it is possible to use the CISs for the plurality of functions resident on the PC card at the same time, and furthermore to activate the CIS of only that single function that has been arbitrarily selected from among the plurality of functions.
Furthermore, when only a single CIS is selectively designated, the PC card is recognized as a single-function PC card in which only one CIS is resident so that only the selectively designated CIS is read in by the personal computer, with the result that when the function that is in use is active, the environment for the other functions that are not in use is not established, so that their circuitry is not energized, thereby making it possible to effect a major reduction in power consumption and realize low-energy utilization of the PC card.
Again, even when the personal computer is not provided with a driver having multifunction capability, it is possible to selectively designate by means of the selection signal input means only a single CIS, thereby switching from among the plurality of CISs resident in the PC card and switchably setting only the selectively designated CIS as the CIS to be read in by the personal computer, so that the personal computer reads in the selectively designated CIS in the same way as if the PC card were of the single-function type, containing only the selectively designated CIS, enabling the functions and operations corresponding to that CIS to be carried out, achieving an effect previously unobtainable, in that it is possible to use a multi-type PC card, even with a personal computer that does not have a driver with multifunction capability.
Further, in a PC card in which the selection signal input means is pro
Follansbee John A.
Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
Nguyen Dzung C.
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
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