IP Library Granted Patent US 7,555,580
Granted Patent B2
US 7,555,580 · App. 10/929,476 · Granted Jun 30, 2009

Multi-function PC card

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,555,580
App. No.
10/929,476
Granted
Jun 30, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A multi-function PC card includes: a first PC card interface that is capable to be coupled to a host device; a functional block that provides a first function to the host device; a second PC card interface that is capable to be coupled to an additional PC card; and an interface controller that allows one of the functional block and the additional PC card to be accessed by the host device through the first PC card interface.

Claims (28)

1. A multifunction PC card, comprising:

a first PC card interface that is capable to be coupled to a host device;

a functional block that provides a first function to the host device;

a second PC card interface that is capable to be coupled to an LSI providing a second function to the host device;

an interface controller that allows either the functional block or the LSI to be accessed by the host device through the first PC card interface, and

a third interface that is capable to be coupled to an external micro-computer,

wherein the interface controller comprises an access block that controls the second PC card interface in accordance with a signal from the external micro-computer, and

wherein the access block comprises a register having a local access enable portion, which is accessible through the third interface; and an interface-accessing circuit, which accesses the second PC card interface in accordance with a signal from the external micro-computer.

2. A multi-function PC card according to claim 1 , wherein the LSI is a first LSI, and wherein the functional block and the interface controller are included in a second LSI.

3. A multifunction PC card, according to claim 1 , wherein,

the local access enable portion comprises a data terminal for the third interface; a write terminal for the third interface; and a flip-flop circuit having a data input terminal, coupled to the data terminal, a clock terminal, coupled to the write terminal and an output terminal coupled to the interface-accessing circuit.

4. A multifunction PC card, according to claim 1 , wherein,

the interface-accessing circuit comprises a select circuit that selects a signal to be coupled to the second PC card interface from between the third interface and the second PC card interface.

5. A multi-function card according to claim 1 , wherein the first function is selected from the group consisting of a UART function and a wireless communication function.

6. A multi-function PC card comprising:

a first PC card interface that is capable of being coupled to a host device;

a second PC card interface that is capable of being coupled to a first LSI providing a function to the host device,

a second LSI which includes:

a functional block that provides another function to the host device, and

an interface controller that allows either the functional block or the first LSI to be accessed by the host device through the first PC card interface, and

a third interface that is capable of coupling the second LSI to an external micro-computer,

wherein the interface controller comprises an access block that controls the second PC card interface in accordance with a signal from the external micro-computer, and

wherein the access block comprises a register having a local access enable portion, which is accessible through the third interface; and an interface-accessing circuit, which accesses the second PC card interface in accordance with a signal from the external micro-computer.

7. A multi-function PC card according to claim 6 , wherein,

the access enable portion comprises a data terminal for the third interface; a write terminal for the third interface; and a flip-flop circuit having a data input terminal, coupled to the data terminal, a clock terminal, coupled to the write terminal and an output terminal coupled to the interface-accessing circuit.

8. A multi-function PC card according to claim 6 , wherein,

the interface-accessing circuit comprises a select circuit that selects a signal to be coupled to the second PC interface from between the third interface and the second PC card interface.

9. A multi-function card according to claim 6 , wherein the function provided by the functional block included in the second LSI is selected from the group consisting of a UART function and a wireless communication function.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 24, 2008
From: OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
To: OKI SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 022052/0797 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2004
From: OHKUBO, MASAHIKO; SHINAGWA, NORIAKI
To: OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 015755/0582 →