Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Computer power control
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-04
2001-08-21
Lefkowitz, Sumati (Department: 2181)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Computer power control
C713S001000, C710S008000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279114
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a low cost data storage and communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an universal and detachable low cost data storage and communication system.
There have been continuous development in the universal and detachable storage and communication system having detachable cards such as memory cards or I/O interfaces. These systems usually comprise a host and at least one detachable card connected to the host for providing different functions to the system. Based on different system requirements, each card may provide different functions such as being as storage device, or as a modem. Due to the capability of supporting multiple cards in a same system, the combinations provided by these cards are unlimited.
In general, these multicard systems are designed for use in a wide area of applications such as electronic toys, organizers, PDAs, cameras, smart phones, digital recorders, pagers, etc. Targeted features are high mobility and high performance at low cost price. For example, extra storage can be added to any application systems (i.e. the host), or I/O interfaces can be provided for the host to communicate with other systems.
In some circumstances, the cards of the multicard systems can be pre-loaded with application software and/or data and then sold to consumers to be used with the multicard system. In addition, the card can also comprise EEPROM or FLASH memory so that software and data can be preloaded and changed by the multicard host. The use of the multicard system as a storage device is versatile that any prestored database (e.g. dictionary, phone books, etc.) can be connected to the multicard system when needed.
However, the designers have been facing continuous obstacles in allowing the multicard systems to accept cards made from different vendors. The problems, for example, are incompatibility of operating voltages, and error correction protocols, etc.
Therefore, this invention is designed to solve the abovementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A MultiMediaCard system is disclosed including apparatus and methods for communicating between a host and at least one card connected to the host. In the preferred embodiment, depending on the system requirements, the card can be a storage device or an I/O interfaces.
In one aspect of the present invention, at least one card is connected to the host. Each of the cards may have its own independent operating voltage range. Therefore, a novel method is disclosed to negotiate and determine a common operation voltage range for the MultiMediaCard system in order to maintain compatibility to every card in the system.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of erasing any combination of memory groups and sectors in a memory system.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of providing write protection to any combinations of memory groups and sectors in the MultiMediaCard system.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a novel way to prevent unauthorized usage of the content of a memory card.
These and other objects and features of the invention will be better understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken together with the drawings in which like elements are referred to by like designations throughout the several views.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4730251 (1988-03-01), Aakre et al.
patent: 4910655 (1990-03-01), Ashkin et al.
patent: 4912627 (1990-03-01), Ashkin et al.
patent: 4918598 (1990-04-01), Ashkin et al.
patent: 4985920 (1991-01-01), Seki
patent: 4992970 (1991-02-01), Igarashi
patent: 4999787 (1991-03-01), McNally et al.
patent: 5016223 (1991-05-01), Kimura et al.
patent: 5068894 (1991-11-01), Hoppe
patent: 5131091 (1992-07-01), Mizuta
patent: 5226006 (1993-07-01), Wang et al.
patent: 5237609 (1993-08-01), Kimura
patent: 5293424 (1994-03-01), Holtey et al.
patent: 5319705 (1994-06-01), Halter et al.
patent: 5361005 (1994-11-01), Slattery et al.
patent: 5367149 (1994-11-01), Takahira
patent: 5418752 (1995-05-01), Harari et al.
patent: 5426432 (1995-06-01), Sanemitsu
patent: 5428685 (1995-06-01), Kadooka et al.
patent: 5450365 (1995-09-01), Adachi
patent: 5490117 (1996-02-01), Oda et al.
patent: 5499242 (1996-03-01), Lee et al.
patent: 5534801 (1996-07-01), Wu et al.
patent: 5559965 (1996-09-01), Oztaskin et al.
patent: 5592641 (1997-01-01), Fandrich et al.
patent: 5594686 (1997-01-01), Hazen et al.
patent: 5613130 (1997-03-01), Teng et al.
patent: 5613135 (1997-03-01), Sakai et al.
patent: 5613159 (1997-03-01), Colnot
patent: 5623637 (1997-04-01), Jones et al.
patent: 5627416 (1997-05-01), Kantner
patent: 5634132 (1997-05-01), Pearce et al.
patent: 5644750 (1997-07-01), Iijima
patent: 5666412 (1997-09-01), Handelman et al.
patent: 5668760 (1997-09-01), Hazen
patent: 5673316 (1997-09-01), Auerbach et al.
patent: 5678021 (1997-10-01), Pawate et al.
patent: 5708715 (1998-01-01), Vicard
patent: 5708799 (1998-01-01), Gafken et al.
patent: 5757171 (1998-05-01), Babcock
patent: 5758171 (1998-05-01), Ramamurthy et al.
patent: 5764761 (1998-06-01), Vicard
patent: 5773901 (1998-06-01), Kantner
patent: 5774546 (1998-06-01), Handelman et al.
patent: 5930496 (1999-07-01), MacLaren et al.
patent: 5958056 (1999-09-01), Lehmann
patent: 296 13 771 U (1996-08-01), None
patent: 844628 (1996-02-01), None
patent: WO9701825 (1997-01-01), None
patent: WO9729454 (1997-08-01), None
patent: WO9738370 (1997-10-01), None
patent: WO9738371 (1997-10-01), None
“The MultiMediaCard System Specification,”MMCA Technical Committee, Version 1.4,(Official Release Feb. 1988) pp. 1-106.
Holtzman Micky
Toombs Thomas N.
Lefkowitz Sumati
SanDisk Corporation
Skjerven Morrill & MacPherson LLP
LandOfFree
Voltage negotiation in a single host multiple cards system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Voltage negotiation in a single host multiple cards system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Voltage negotiation in a single host multiple cards system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2460922