| Removable memory cards including usb and other controllers, connectors, and methods of operating same -> Monitor Keywords |
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Removable memory cards including usb and other controllers, connectors, and methods of operating sameRelated Patent Categories: Registers, Records, ConductiveRemovable memory cards including usb and other controllers, connectors, and methods of operating same description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070108300, Removable memory cards including usb and other controllers, connectors, and methods of operating same. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority to application Ser. No. 10/895,666, filed Jul. 21, 2004 which claimed priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2003-50500, filed on Jul. 23, 2003, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to a memory card, and more particularly, to a memory card and connector for a Universal Serial Bus (USB) and a connection system thereof. BACKGROUND [0003] It is known to use NAND flash memory in many types of read/write memory cards such as: a Multi Media Card (MMC), a Secure Digital (SD) card, a Compact Flash (CF) card, and a memory stick, etc. A conventional MMC typically communicates only with an MMC type host, and therefore, may require a separate Universal Serial Bus (USB) reader to communicate with a USB host. However, many problems arise when trying to add a USB function to a conventional MMC controller, such as how to provide the needed clocks for the USB interface. SUMMARY [0004] Embodiments according to the invention can provide removable memory card storage devices including usb and other controllers, connectors, and methods of operating same. Pursuant to these embodiments, a removable memory card can include a plurality of connector contacts including a Universal Serial Bus (USB) controller module power contact and a separate controller module power contact configured to provide separate mutually exclusively applied voltage to the removable memory card. [0005] In some embodiments according to the invention, a Multi-Media Card (MMC)/Secure Digital (SD) form-factor compliant memory card can include a plurality of connector contacts including a Universal Serial Bus (USB) power contact and a separate MMC/SD power contact configured to provide separate voltage supplies to the MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card. In some embodiments according to the invention, the MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card is included in an MMC/SD form-factor compliant singular housing. [0006] In some embodiments according to the invention, the MMC/SD form-factor singular housing can have dimensions of about 32 mm.times.about 24 mm.times.about 1.4 mm. In some embodiments according to the invention, the USB power contact can be a connector contact on a beveled edge of the MMC/SD form-factor compliant singular housing. In some embodiments according to the invention, the MMC/SD power contact can be a connector contact at a center position on a straight edge of the MMC/SD form-factor compliant singular housing. [0007] In some embodiments according to the invention, the plurality of contacts are arranged for USB or MMC/SD use on the straight edge from adjacent to the beveled edge as: a first USB clock output/a NC, first USB data input/CMD input, first ground input, MMC/SD power input, USB clock input/MMC clock input, second ground, second USB data input/MMC data input. [0008] In some embodiments according to the invention, the MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card operates according to a USB interface protocol via the plurality of connector contacts responsive to a USB voltage applied to the USB power contact and the MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card operates according to an MMC/SD interface protocol via the plurality of connector contacts responsive to an MMC/SD voltage applied to the MMC/SD power contact. [0009] In some embodiments according to the invention, the device can further include a non-volatile memory configured to store data for access. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface controller can be coupled to the plurality of connector contacts and to the non-volatile memory, configured to interface the MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card to a USB host device according to a USB interface protocol responsive to a USB voltage applied to the USB power contact. An MMC interface controller can be coupled to the plurality of connector contacts and to the non-volatile memory, configured to interface the MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card to an MMC/SD host device according to an MMC/SD interface protocol responsive to an MMC/SD voltage applied to the MMC/SD power contact. In some embodiments according to the invention, the USB voltage and the MMC/SD voltage are applied mutually exclusive of one another. [0010] In some embodiments according to the invention, a connector can include a Multi-Media Card (MMC)/Secure Digital (SD) form-factor compliant memory card connector interface including a plurality of first contacts configured to interface to an MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card. A standard Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector interface including a plurality of second contacts can be coupled to the plurality of first contacts and configured to interface to a USB compliant host device. [0011] In some embodiments according to the invention, the plurality of first contacts are arranged for USB or MMC/SD use as: USB power input, a USB clock output/a NC, first USB data input/CMD input, first ground input, MMC/SD power input, USB clock input/MMC clock input, second ground input, second USB data input/MMC data input. [0012] In some embodiments according to the invention, the connector can further include a voltage regulator coupled to the USB power input. A capacitor can be coupled between the USB power input and the first and second ground inputs. An oscillator circuit can be coupled between the first and second USB clock inputs. A first impedance matching resistor can be coupled to the first USB data input and a second impedance matching resistor can be coupled to the second USB data input. [0013] In some embodiments according to the invention, the MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card connector interface is configured to removeably couple to a MMC/SD compliant singular housing. In some embodiments according to the invention, the removable MMC/SD compliant singular housing can have dimensions of about 32 mm.times.about 24 mm.times.about 1.4 mm. [0014] In some embodiments according to the invention, a removable memory system can include an MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card including a plurality of connector contacts including a Universal Serial Bus (USB) power contact and a separate MMC/SD power contact configured to provide separate voltage supplies to the MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card and a connector. The connector can include an MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card connector interface including a plurality of first contacts configured to interface to the MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card. A standard Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector interface including a plurality of second contacts can be coupled to the plurality of first contacts and configured to interface to a USB compliant host device. [0015] In some embodiments according to the invention, a method of interfacing an MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card to a standard USB host device can include applying a USB voltage from the USB host to the MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card. Applying an MMC/SD voltage to the MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card can be avoided while the USB voltage is applied. An access to a memory included in the MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card can be received from the a USB host. Signals received from the USB host included in the access to the MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card can be mapped to provide access to the memory. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card according to some embodiments of the invention. [0017] FIG. 2 is a table illustrating exemplary pin configuration of the memory card of FIG. 1. [0018] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card connector according to some embodiments of the invention. [0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a connector, a MMC/SD form-factor compliant memory card, and a USB host according to some embodiments of the invention. Continue reading about Removable memory cards including usb and other controllers, connectors, and methods of operating same... 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