Abstract: A card reader with power-saving function is used for being inserted with a memory card so that a computer can access the memory card through the card reader. When the memory card is inserted in the card reader, the card reader is enabled to operate. On the other hand, when the memory card is not inserted in the card reader, the card reader enters to a power-down mode for saving power.

Abstract: The prevent invention provides a host system and an operating method thereof. The host system comprises: a peripheral device control circuit, for controlling operation of at least a peripheral device, the peripheral device comprising an embedded micro processor; and a host control circuit, coupled to the peripheral device control circuit via a transmission interface, the host control circuit comprising: a storage module, at least storing a firmware of the embedded micro processor; and a control module, coupled to the storage module, for controlling operation of the host control circuit, and the control module transmitting the firmware to the peripheral device control circuit via the transmission interface. The embedded micro processor executes the firmware provided by the host control circuit to control operation of the peripheral device control circuit.

Abstract: A mastering method of a bus includes the following steps: receiving a command; determining if the command is a bus master command to generate a determined result; outputting at least one break event to switch a processor from a non-snoop state into a snoop state according to the determined result; and outputting at least one bus master request to access the bus; wherein the break event is ahead of the bus master request that corresponds to the break event.

Abstract: A computer system includes a host, a PCI Express bus and a multi-function card reader module. The PCI Express bus is coupled to the host. The multi-function card reader module includes a plurality of card readers, a PCI Express interface and a PCI Express host controller. The plurality of card readers correspond to a plurality of memory card formats, respectively. The PCI Express interface is coupled to the PCI Express bus. The PCI Express host controller is coupled to the PCI Express interface and the plurality of card readers for controlling data transmission between the PCI Express interface and the plurality of card readers.

Abstract: A card reader with power-saving function is used for being inserted with a memory card so that a computer can access the memory card through the card reader. When the memory card is inserted in the card reader, the card reader is enabled to operate. On the other hand, when the memory card is not inserted in the card reader, the card reader enters to a power-down mode for saving power.

Abstract: A host controller disposed in a multi-function card reader includes: a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) interface configured for coupling to a host computer; and a port multiplier having a control port and a plurality of peripheral device ports. The control port is coupled to the SATA interface, and the peripheral device ports are coupled to a plurality of peripheral device interfaces, respectively. The peripheral device interfaces are disposed in the multi-function card reader, and include at least one flash memory card interface.

Abstract: A plug-and-play device is disposed for installing onto a computer. The plug-and-play device includes an ATA controller, a storage device, and a predetermined-function device. The ATA controller emulates a storage drive inserted in the computer to the OS of the computer. The OS continuously examines if the emulated storage drive is ready and when the emulated storage is drive ready, the OS reads the image of the emulated storage drive. The storage device stores the image of the emulated storage drive. The image includes a setup file and an auto-run file. The auto-run file includes an index indexing to the setup file. When the OS reads the auto-run file, the OS installs the setup file according to the index of the auto-run file.

Abstract: A method of accessing a MAC address or a 1394 GUID serial number for a NIC removes the serial ROM of the processing system and utilizes a BIOS or a CMOS register to store the MAC address or the 1394 GUID serial number. The method includes storing the MAC address or the 1394 GUID serial number into a BIOS and loading the MAC address or the 1394 GUID serial number from the BIOS into an operational register of the NIC.