IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,971,791
Granted Patent B2
US 7,971,791 · App. 10/562,727 · Granted Jul 5, 2011

Multi-function card device

Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,971,791
App. No.
10/562,727
Granted
Jul 5, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A multifunction card device has an external connection terminal, an interface controller, a memory, and the security controller connected to the interface controller and the external connection terminal. The interface controller has a plurality of interface control modes, and controls an external-interface action and a memory interface action by the control mode according to the instruction from the outside. The external connection terminals have an individual terminal individualized for every interface control mode, and a communalized common terminal. A clock input terminal, a power supply terminal, and an earthing terminal are included in the common terminals. A data terminal, and a dedicated terminal of the security controller are included in the individual terminals. Partial communalization and individualization of an external connection terminal attain a guarantee of the reliability of an interface, and increase control of physical magnitude to some kinds of interface control modes. The security process by a security controller independent interface can also be guaranteed.

Claims (54)

1. A multifunction card device comprising:

a wiring substrate on which external connection terminals are formed; and

a plurality of semiconductor chips mounted over the wiring substrate, the plurality of semiconductor chips including:

a first semiconductor chip having an interface controller and coupled to the external connection terminals, and

a second semiconductor chip having a memory and coupled to the interface controller,

wherein the interface controller has a plurality of interface control modes for controlling an external interface action to an outside of the multifunction card device and a memory interface action to the memory, the interface controller being adapted to control the external interface action and the memory interface action by one of the interface control modes according to an instruction from outside of the multifunction card device,

wherein the interface control modes include a first interface control mode, a second interface control mode and a third interface control mode,

wherein the external connection terminals include first, second and third groups of terminals corresponding to the first, second and third interface control modes, respectively, and common terminals,

wherein the common terminals include a clock input terminal, a power supply terminal and a ground terminal,

wherein the first group of terminals includes four data terminals and a command input terminal,

wherein the second group of terminals includes eight data terminals and a command input terminal, and

wherein the third group of terminals includes four data terminals, an insertion/removal detection terminal and a bus status terminal.

2. A multifunction card device according to claim 1 ,

wherein a third semiconductor chip of the plurality of semiconductor chips or the first semiconductor chip has a security controller,

wherein the security controller is coupled to the interface controller and to the external connection terminals, and

wherein the multifunction card device further includes a fourth group of terminals for the security controller.

3. A multifunction card device according to claim 2 ,

wherein the fourth group of terminals includes a clock terminal, a data input/output terminal, a reset terminal, and a power supply terminal.

4. A multifunction card device according to claim 2 ,

wherein the security controller performs a security process according to a signal state of the external connection terminals or an action command given from the interface controller.

5. A multifunction card device according to claim 4 ,

wherein the multifunction card device has an internal antenna, and

wherein a non-contact interface for the security controller is provided by the internal antenna.

6. A multifunction card device according to claim 5 , further comprising:

external antenna connection terminals coupled to an external antenna, and

a switching circuit adapted to selectively couple the external antenna connection terminals to the security controller or the internal antenna.

7. A multifunction card device comprising:

a wiring substrate;

external connection terminals disposed on the wiring substrate;

an interface controller disposed on the wiring substrate and coupled to the external connection terminals; and

a memory disposed on the wiring substrate and coupled to the interface controller,

wherein the interface controller has a plurality of interface control modes for controlling an external interface action to an outside of the multifunction card device and a memory interface action to the memory, the interface controller being adapted to control the external interface action and the memory interface action by one of the interface control modes according to an instruction from outside of the multifunction card device,

wherein the interface control modes include a first interface control mode, a second interface control mode and a third interface control mode,

wherein the external connection terminals include first, second and third groups of terminals corresponding to the first, second and third interface control modes, respectively, and common terminals,

wherein the common terminals include a clock input terminal, a power supply terminal and a ground terminal,

wherein the first group of terminals includes four data terminals and a command input terminal,

wherein the second group of terminals includes eight data terminals and a command input terminal, and

wherein the third group of terminals includes four data terminals, an insertion/removal detection terminal and a bus status terminal.

8. A multifunction card device comprising:

a wiring substrate;

external connection terminals on the wiring substrate;

an interface controller disposed over the wiring substrate and coupled to the external connection terminals;

a memory disposed over the wiring substrate and coupled to the interface controller; and

a security controller disposed over the wiring substrate and coupled to the interface controller,

wherein the interface controller has a plurality of interface control modes for controlling an external interface action to an outside of the multifunction card device and a memory interface action to the memory, and the interface controller is adapted to control the external interface action and the memory interface action by one of the interface control modes according to an instruction from outside of the multifunction card device,

wherein the interface control modes include a first interface control mode, a second interface control mode, a third interface control mode and a fourth interface control mode,

wherein the external connection terminals include:

first, second, third and fourth groups of terminals corresponding to the first, second, third and fourth interface control modes, respectively,

first common terminals for the first, second and third interface control modes, the first common terminals including a clock input terminal and a power supply terminal,

a second common terminal for the first, second, third and fourth interface control modes, the second common terminal being a ground terminal,

wherein the first group of terminals includes four data terminals and a command input terminal,

wherein the second group of terminals includes eight data terminals and a command input terminal,

wherein the third group of terminals includes four data terminals, an insertion/removal detection terminal and a bus status terminal, and

wherein the fourth group of terminals includes a clock terminal, a data input/output terminal, a reset terminal and a power supply terminal.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Nov 29, 2017
From: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044928/0001 →
MERGER Recorded Aug 13, 2010
From: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
To: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024879/0190 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 13, 2010
From: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024864/0635 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 30, 2005
From: NISHIZAWA, HIROTAKA; HIGUCHI, AKIRA; OSAWA, KENJI; OSAKO, JUNICHIRO; WADA, TAMAKI; SUGIYAMA, MICHIAKI
To: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
Reel/Frame 017431/0316 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20060151614A1 · Jul 13, 2006