Patent ID: 6832281
Filing Date: 2004-12-14
Classification: G06F,G06K

Abstract:
A single-slot multi-flash-card reader comprising:an Integrated Device Electronics (IDE) interface for transferring data to a personal computer; an IDE converter, coupled to the IDE interface, for converting multiple flash-card interfaces to a format used by the pet IDE interface; wherein the multiple flash-card interfaces include a CompactFlash interface and smaller interfaces having fewer pins that the CompactFlash interface; a CompactFlash connector, coupled to the IDE converter, for receiving a CompactFlash card through a single slot in the single-slot multi-flash-card reader, the CompactFlash connector making electrical connection with the CompactFlash card for signals in the CompactFlash interface; an adapter, having a physical shape to removably insert into the CompactFlash connector, the adapter having a mating CompactFlash connector that fits the CompactFlash connector, the adapter also having a smaller connector, the smaller connector for fitting to other flash-memory cards having the smaller interfaces; and wiring means, in the adapter, connected between the smaller connector and the mating CompactFlash connector, for directly connecting signals from the smaller connector in the smaller interface with signals in the mating CompactFlash connectors wherein the wiring means connects card select signals from all of the smaller interfaces to card select signals in the CompactFlash connector, the IDE converter includes card-detect means, coupled to sense the card select signals, for detecting presence of a flash-memory card inserted into the CompactFlash connector, the IDE converter detects presence of CompactFlash and the other flash-memory cards having the smaller interfaces, the wiring means connects signals from the smaller interfaces to signals CE1, CE2 in the CompactFlash connector, the IDE converter includes card-type-detect means, coupled to sense the signals, for detecting a type of a flash-memory card inserted into the ComPactFlash connector, the IDE converter includes card-type-detect means, coupled to sense the signals, for detecting a type of a flash-memory card inserted into the CompactFlash connector, the type of flash-memory card detected includes CompactFlash cards and smaller flash-memory cards having the smaller interface, and the IDE converter detects the type of flash-memory card inserted including CompactFlash and the other flash-memory cards having the smaller interfaces; whereby the adapter allows the other flash-memory cards having the smaller interfaces to fit into the CompactFlash connector through the single slot to be read by the IDE converter.