Methods and apparatus for adding an autonomous controller to an existing architecture
Methods and apparatus for adding an autonomous controller to an existing architecture such as by way of example, portable devices such as cell phones, MP3 players, and digital cameras. A circuit interposed between the memory card and the system controller of the device is controllable to couple the memory card to the system controller, or to couple the memory card to a high speed I/O controller on the circuit. When the memory card is coupled to the high speed I/O controller on the circuit, the circuit provides signals to the system controller indicative of a memory card removal event. In systems having an I/O connection such as a USB connection, the circuit also disconnects that connection from the system controller, provides signals to the system control indicative of a USB disconnect and connects the I/O connection to the memory card through a high speed data transfer unit to provide a higher speed I/O capability. Various features and capabilities are disclosed.
1. A method of adding an autonomous controller to an existing device architecture having a system controller, a memory card and a USB connection coupled to the system controller comprising:
coupling the system controller to the memory card and to the USB connection when the system controller provides a first control signal; and,
when the system controller provides a second control signal, and without removing the memory card from the existing device,
decoupling the system controller from the memory card and providing signals to the system controller indicative of a memory card removal event; and,
coupling the memory card to a USB controller USB controller having a higher speed output than the system controller, and coupling the USB controller to the USB connection without interconnection through the system controller.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second control signals are digital control signals of opposite states coupled from the system controller on a single control line.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second control signals are digital control signals coupled from the system controller on a multiple line bus.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the multiple line bus is an I2C bus.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the method is practiced by adding a single integrated circuit to the existing device.
6. A method of adding an autonomous controller to an existing device architecture having a system controller, a memory card and a USB connection comprising:
coupling the system controller to the memory card and the USB connection when the system controller provides a first control signal; and,
when the system controller provides a second control signal, and without removing the memory card from the existing device,
decoupling the system controller from the memory card and the USB connection;
providing signals to the system controller indicative of a memory card removal event;
providing signals to the system controller indicative of a USB disconnect;
coupling the memory card to a USB controller without interconnection through the system controller; and,
coupling the USB controller to the USB connection;
the USB controller when connected to the USB connection providing higher speed USB communication than when the USB connection is coupled to the system controller.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the first and second control signals are digital control signals of opposite states coupled from the system controller on a single control line.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the first and second control signals are digital control signals coupled from the system controller on a multiple line bus.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the multiple line bus is an I2C bus.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein the method is practiced by adding a single integrated circuit to the existing device.
11. Apparatus for adding an autonomous controller to an existing device architecture having a system controller, a USB connection and a memory card comprising an integrated circuit having:
a memory controller, a high speed data transfer unit, a USB controller, a microcontroller and first and second switches;
the first and second switches each having first and second switch positions;
the first switch being adapted for coupling the memory card while in the device, to the system controller when in the first position and for coupling the memory card to the memory controller when in the second position;
the second switch being adapted for coupling the USB connection to the system controller when in the first position and for coupling the USB connection to the USB controller when in the second position;
the memory controller being coupled to the high speed data transfer unit and the high speed data transfer unit being coupled to the USB controller;
the microcontroller being adapted to be responsive to at least one control signal to control the first and second switches to switch both switches from the first position to the second position, or from the second position to the first position, and to control the memory controller, the high speed data transfer unit and the USB controller;
the USB controller when connected to the USB connection providing higher speed USB communication than when the USB connection is coupled to the system controller.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the microcontroller is adapted to be responsive to the at least one control signal from the system controller on a single control line.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the microcontroller is adapted to be responsive to and to respond to control signals from the system controller on a multiple line bus.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the multiple line bus is an I2C bus.