Patent Application
20080007924
A converter card 1 that is a memory module enabling access to data stored therein, and which is structured to comprise a number of passive components, including read-only memory 11, random access memory 12, a controller 13 and a processor 14, which form a circuit link with a connector interface 15. Direct Memory Access (DMA) technology within the controller 13 enables the device to directly read-write to the memory without passing through a processor, thereby reducing load on the processor and increasing data transmission speed.
The major characteristic of the present invention is its integration of two memory cards having completely different specifications, more particularly integrating the interface specifications of the Memory Stick series released by the major Japanese home electrical appliance manufacturer SONY and the interface card of the jointly supported SD/MMC series released by Panasonic/Toshiba, thereby providing the memory card of the present invention with the two aforementioned interfaces for use thereof. The present invention primarily separates a memory card of prior art into the converter card 1 and the adapter device, thereby enabling it to use the converter card 1 with data access functionality and form a memory card that uses the MS Pro Duo adapter device 2 or the Mini SD adapter device 3 capable of containing the converter card 1. Hence, different specifications and sizes of the adapter device classify the type of memory card assembled from the converter card 1 and the adapter device 2, 3. If it is desired to assemble a memory card having MS Pro Duo memory card specifications and dimensions, then the adaptor device 2 having MS Pro Duo specifications, dimensions and exterior form is electrically connected to the converter card 1 by means of the connector interface 15 (see
Because cost of the memory in the memory card accounts for more than 90% of the total cost of the entire memory card, thus, using the aforementioned configuration whereby the high cost converter card 1 is separated from the low cost adaptor device, interchangeability of the adaptor device transforms the memory card into the required memory card specifications suitable for use in a variety of digital products having different specifications. In other words, specifications of the adaptor device need only be changed and assembled with the converter card 1 to assemble memory cards having a variety of specifications and sizes.
If it is found that there is insufficient memory or capacity is not consistent with requirements, then the converter card 1 need only be replaced with one having a larger memory capacity and connected to existing adaptor device having a variety of sizes, specifications and exterior forms, thereby assembling a memory card having high capacity. Such a configuration not only enables the assembled memory card of the present invention to achieve versatility, but also educes purchasing expenditure of the consume, as well as increasing use ratio of the memory card and reducing the problem of resource wastage due to incompatible specifications or insufficient capacity.
In conclusion, the card adaptor device of the present invention clearly remedies the inconvenience caused by the multitude of memory cards presently available using the single converter card 1 connected to an adaptor device having a variety of interfaces and different dimensions to form different types of memory cards suitable for use in corresponding digital products. The present invention provides commercial competitiveness, and contents as disclosed have not been publicly disclosed prior to this application. The present invention clearly complies with essential elements as required for a new patent application. Accordingly, a new patent application is proposed herein.
It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
