Cooperative interconnection and operation of a non-volatile memory card and an input-output card
View Patent ↗Very small non-volatile memory cards are modified to include a connector to which a connector on a separate data input-output card electrically and mechanically mates when pushed together. The input-output card transfers data directly between an external device and the non-volatile memory, without having to go through the host to which the memory card is connected. The input-output card communicates with the external device through a wired or a wireless communication channel.
1. A data storage and transfer system including an enclosed rectangularly shaped memory card and an enclosed input-output card, wherein:
(A) the memory card comprises:
first and second sets of externally accessible electrical contacts positioned along respective first and second edges thereof,
a re-programmable non-volatile flash memory contained therein for the storage of data,
a controller contained therein, said controller being connected to the memory and to the first and second sets of electrical contacts, the controller managing operation of the memory and causing data to be transferred (a) between the memory and through the first set of contacts to a host system connected therewith, and (b) between the memory and through the second set of contacts to the input-output card connected therewith without passing through the first set of contacts, and
a mechanism provided on an outside of the memory card along the second edge thereof for connection to the input-output card, and
(B) the input-output card comprises:
a third set of externally accessible electrical contacts along one edge thereof with a pattern complementary to that of the second set of contacts,
a mechanism provided on an outside of the input-output card along said one edge thereof that mates with the mechanism on the memory card in order to allow removable connection together of the memory and input-output cards along their respective second and one edges such that their respective second and third set of electrical contacts mate when the cards are connected together,
communication circuits contained therein and connected with the third set of contacts for transferring data therethrough, and
a data transmission and reception device connected to the communications circuit for transferring data between the communications circuit and an object external to the input-output card,
whereby data are transferable between the object via the data transmission and reception device of the input-output card and the flash memory of the memory card through the second and third sets of contacts without passing through the first set of contacts.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the data transmission and reception device includes an antenna mounted within the input-output card.
3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the data transmission and reception device includes a wire connector accessible from outside of the input-output card.
4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first set of contacts of the memory card physically and electrically follows a Multi-Media Card (MMC) standard.
5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first set of contacts of the memory card physically and electrically follows a Secure Digital (SD) standard.
6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein first and second edges of the memory card are opposite each other.