Abstract:
A memory card is disclosed and includes an adaptor comprising a card controller controlling operations of the memory card, and a memory package capable of being electrically/mechanically connected to and separated from the adaptor via a connection structure. A method of using a memory card is also disclosed and includes connecting the adaptor to the memory package via the connection structure, identifying a memory card type in relation to the functional nature of the card controller upon connection of the memory package with the adaptor, and communicating data between the card controller and memory package.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0107942, filed on Nov. 2, 2006, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a memory card and a method of using a memory card. More particularly, the invention relates to a memory card having an adapter capable of having a memory package inserted therein and a method of using the memory card. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Memory cards for storing and reproducing data in digital appliances such as MP3 players and digital cameras are commonly referred to as smart media cards. Smart media cards, and memory cards of all other types, are small, light-weight devices capable of storing an impressive quantity of data. Contemporary memory cards are implemented with non-volatile memory devices, such as flash memory, and associated control circuitry. 
         [0006]    The performance demands placed on memory cards have increased of late due to the expanding capabilities of digital mobile devices and their incorporation into new applications. In response, the functionality of memory cards has expanded to meet these demands. Figure (FIG.)  1  is a schematic view of a conventional memory card  10 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the conventional memory card  10  has a wholly integral structure including a main body  12  on which a card controller (Card CTL)  20  and associated memory chip (M)  30  are mounted. 
         [0007]    However, referring to  FIG. 2 , when a plurality of “n” conventional memory cards are used (e.g., memory chips M 1 , . . . , Mn), typically a corresponding plurality of “n” card controllers are also required. That is, in a case where a plurality of memory cards is associated with a digital appliance, a large number of card controllers are provided—one card controller per memory card. This arrangement is not only inefficient but also wasteful because in a case where a certain memory card is not used amongst the plurality of memory cards, its card controller and its memory chip resources cannot be used. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Embodiments of the invention provide a memory card capable of independently utilizing alternate card controller and memory chip resources. Embodiments of the invention also provide a method of using memory card(s). 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the invention provides a memory card comprising; an adaptor comprising a card controller controlling operations of the memory card, and a memory package capable of being electrically/mechanically connected to and separated from the adaptor via a connection structure. 
         [0010]    The connection structure may be a full insertion recess or a partial insertion recess disposed on the adaptor, or at least one pair of connection contacts disposed respectively on the adaptor and the memory package. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of using a memory card, the method comprising; electrically and mechanically connecting an adaptor including a card controller to a memory package via a connection structure, identifying a memory card type in relation to the functional nature of the card controller upon connection of the memory package with the adaptor, and communicating data between the card controller and memory package. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a conventional memory card; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a plurality of conventional memory cards; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a memory card according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are schematic views of memory cards according to other embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0017]      FIGS. 6 through 8  are diagrams illustrating a method of using the memory card according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to only the illustrated embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are presented as teaching examples. Throughout the drawings and written description, like reference numerals denote like or similar elements. 
         [0019]    In one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a memory card having a structure which allows separation of a card controller from a memory chip. When separated, the controller and memory chip may be independently operated. Several exemplary structures for a memory card having separable components and related methods of use will be described with reference selected embodiments of the invention. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to only the disclosed types of packages and adapters. Other shapes and/or configurations may be used. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a memory card  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , memory card  100  includes an adaptor  150  including having a card controller (CTL)  110 , and a memory package  130  capable of being operatively inserted into adaptor  150 . In the illustrated example of  FIG. 3 , the overall form of adaptor  150  has the same basic shape as a conventional memory card. However, this need not be the case. Memory package  130  includes a memory chip “M” of competent form and function, such as a conventional flash memory. 
         [0022]    The card controller  110  may be conventional in its design and operation and may be variously embodied. In general, however, card controller  110  will control the operations (e.g., data read/write operations) of memory card  100 . Indeed, it is expected that functionality and structure of card controller  110  will follow its associated with one or more digital devices or its use within a particular application. For example, card controller  110  may be implemented as a single IC logic device or a chip set. 
         [0023]    In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3 , adaptor  150  has a structure that allows memory package  130  to be substantially inserted (or coupled) within its physical form, i.e., a full insertion recess  120 . The shape of full insertion recess  120  will be determined by the shape of memory package  130 , but as shown in the illustrated example, it provides for the substantial or complete insertion of memory package  130  into adapted  150 . 
         [0024]    Adaptor  150 , and more particularly first insertion recess  120 , includes one or more electrical contacts capable of forming electrical connection(s) between an inserted memory package  130  and card controller  110 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate alternate embodiments for memory card  100 . In these embodiments, the physical forms of adaptor  150  and memory package  130  are varied from the example shown in  FIG. 3 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , memory package  130  may be partially inserted within the physical form of adaptor  150 . Thus, adapted  150  includes a partial insertion recess  122  adapted to receive a connection protrusion  132  from memory package  130 . Connection protrusion  132  is inserted into partial insertion recess  122  to connection memory package  130  with card controller  110 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , adaptor  150  includes one or more first connection contacts  124   a  designed to mate with second connection contacts  124   b  on memory package  130 . Thus, adaptor  150  need not contain a physical recess capable of receiving (wholly or partially) memory package  130 . Rather, paired connection contacts on memory package  130  and adaptor  150  may be used to mechanically and electrically connect these components. Such connection contacts may take one of many different forms. 
         [0027]    Each one of the foregoing “connection structures” allow memory package  130  to be connected to and separated from adaptor  150 . However, in the illustrated examples of  FIGS. 4 and 5  the connected memory package  130  remains significantly exposed outside of the adaptor  150 . In contrast, the memory card  130  inserted into the full insertion recess of the illustrated example of  FIG. 3  is largely if not entirely captured within the structure of adaptor  150 . 
         [0028]    However, in each of the foregoing embodiments, a memory card  100  provides an adaptor  150  including a card controller  110  that may be separated from a compatible memory package  130 . This capability allows a more flexible and efficient use of resources in the context of a memory card  100 .  FIGS. 6 through 8  are diagrams illustrating some exemplary capabilities and/or use methods for selected embodiments of the invention. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , different memory cards A, B, and C respectively include a different type of card controller  110   a,    110   b,  and  110   c.  The card controllers may differ in manufacture, design, operation, or corresponding protocol definitions. However, a common memory package  130  may be used between each of these different card controllers. 
         [0030]    In the illustrated example, memory card  130  includes a plurality of recognition patterns  142   a,    142   b,  and  142   c  respectively associated with corresponding plurality of designation patterns  140   a,    140   b,  and  140   c  found on memory cards A, B, and C. For example, physically positioned recess/protrusion pairs may be used in conjunction with detection switches to identify a particular card controller  110   a,    110   b,  and  110   c  to memory package  130 . That is, memory card A includes card controller  110   a  and the first designation pattern  140   a,  memory card B includes card controller  110   b  and the second designation pattern  140   b,  and memory card C includes the card controller  110   c  and the third designation pattern  140   c.    
         [0031]    The respective designation patterns  140   a,    140   b,  or  140   c  are physically disposed within respective adaptors  150  to mate with one of the plurality of recognition patterns  142   a,    142   c,  or  142   c  disposed on memory package  130 . In the illustrated example, similarly shaped recognition patterns  140  and designation patterns  142  are used. However, different shaped patterns might also be used. Regardless of the shape or physical disposition, the unique plurality of designation patterns  140  identifies the nature of a corresponding card controller, protocol, etc., to the common memory package  130 . In this manner, a single type of generic memory package may be used in conjunction with different types of memory cards, where such difference is largely defined by the nature and operation of a corresponding card controller. This operative flexibility may be used in relation to any type of memory card connection (i.e., full insertion recess, partial insertion recess, or connection contacts). 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a commonly useable memory package  130  includes a recognition program called by a constituent card controller upon connection with a memory card  100 . By operation of this recognition program, memory package  130  is able to identify different kinds of memory cards, (e.g., memory cards A, B, and C), as characterized by different card controllers  110   a,    110   b,  and  110   c.  The memory space provided by memory package  130  is partitioned to provide this capability. That is, a first memory region A of memory package  130  is used to store the recognition program. The recognition program may be conventionally implemented to identify the type or operating nature of card controllers  110   a,    110   b,  or  110   c  respectively included in adaptor  150  of memory cards A, B, and C, and may be set to run upon connection of memory  130  to a memory card  100  A second memory region B may be used to store drivers, application programming interfaces (APIs), and other software routines enabling the communication of data between memory package  130  and each one of the variously compatible card controllers  110   a,    110   b,  and  110   c.  A third memory region C is used to store data. 
         [0033]    The recognition program stored in memory region A and the driver programs stored in memory region B may be patched, updated or expanded, as needed, upon connection to a card controller. 
         [0034]    The memory card  100  of  FIG. 8  has the capability of simultaneously connecting multiple memory packages in order to expand its storage capacity. For example between 1 and “n” memory packages may be connected with card controller  110  and mechanically coupled to adaptor  150 . Thus, a common card controller  110  may be used in conjunction with memory card of variable data storage capacity. Where a customer requires only 1 GB of memory a single 1 GB memory package  130  is inserted into full insertion recess  120  of adaptor  150 . However, where the customer requires 10 GB of memory, ten 1 GB memory packages may be inserted into full insertion recess  120 . This example assumes 1 GB memory packages, but any size may serve. The structure of the mechanical/electrical connection (e.g., full insertion recess  120 , partial insertion recess  122 , or connection contacts  124 ) may be altered, as needed, to accommodate multiple memory packages  130  into a single memory card  100  to run in relation to a single card controller  110 . 
         [0035]    While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.