Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating using various protocols through the Secured Digital (SD) physical interface are disclosed. The invention covers, among others, single-mode and multi-mode hosts, single-mode and multi-mode devices, as well as techniques for initializing these hosts and devices in order to facilitate the aforementioned communication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating using various protocols through the Secured Digital (SD) physical interface are disclosed. The invention covers, among others, single-mode and multi-mode hosts, single-mode and multi-mode devices, as well as techniques for initializing these hosts and devices in order to facilitate the aforementioned communication.

Abstract: A flash memory card includes a differential datapath that enables communications between the flash memory card and a host device to be performed using differential signals. The differential datapath can translate between the differential signals and card-specific signals that control read/write operations to the memory array of the flash memory card. The card-specific signals can be standard MultimediaCard, Secure-Digital card, Memory Stick, or CompactFlash card signals, among others. A host device that provides differential data transfer capability can include a similar differential datapath. By using differential data transfer rather than conventional clocked data transfer, overall data bandwidth between a flash memory card and a host device can be significantly increased, while simultaneously decreasing power consumption and pin requirements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating using various protocols through the Secured Digital (SD) physical interface are disclosed. The invention covers, among others, single-mode and multi-mode hosts, single-mode and multi-mode devices, as well as techniques for initializing these hosts and devices in order to facilitate the aforementioned communication.

Abstract: A flash memory card includes a differential datapath that enables communications between the flash memory card and a host device to be performed using differential signals. The differential datapath can translate between the differential signals and card-specific signals that control read/write operations to the memory array of the flash memory card. The card-specific signals can be standard MultiMediaCard, Secure-Digital card, Memory Stick, or CompactFlash card signals, among others. A host device that provides differential data transfer capability can include a similar differential datapath. By using differential data transfer rather than conventional clocked data transfer, overall data bandwidth between a flash memory card and a host device can be significantly increased, while simultaneously decreasing power consumption and pin requirements.

Abstract: A flash memory card includes a differential datapath that enables communications between the flash memory card and a host device to be performed using differential signals. The differential datapath can translate between the differential signals and card-specific signals that control read/write operations to the memory array of the flash memory card. The card-specific signals can be standard MultimediaCard, Secure-Digital card, Memory Stick, or CompactFlash card signals, among others. A host device that provides differential data transfer capability can include a similar differential datapath. By using differential data transfer rather than conventional clocked data transfer, overall data bandwidth between a flash memory card and a host device can be significantly increased, while simultaneously decreasing power consumption and pin requirements.

Abstract: Extended Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) plugs and sockets are disclosed. The extended USB plug includes an extended pin substrate having an extended substrate length longer than a length of a pin substrate of an industry-standard USB connector plug. There is further included a plurality of USB connector contacts configured to carry USB signals and a plurality of non-USB connector contacts configured to carry non-USB signals. The extended Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) plug, which includes an extended pin substrate having an extended substrate length longer than a length of a pin substrate of an industry-standard USB connector plug. There is included a plurality of USB connector contacts configured to carry USB signals and a plurality of non-USB connector contacts configured to carry non-USB signals.

Abstract: Host computers and peripheral devices communicating through extended USB connectors and plugs are disclosed. The host computer and peripheral device are capable of communicating via multiple communication modes, using the extended capability of the extended USB connectors and plugs. Software and hardware to facilitate such communication are also disclosed.

Abstract: Extended Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) plugs and sockets are disclosed. The extended USB plug includes an extended pin substrate having an extended substrate length longer than a length of a pin substrate of an industry-standard USB connector plug. There is further included a plurality of USB connector contacts configured to carry USB signals and a plurality of non-USB connector contacts configured to carry non-USB signals. The extended Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) plug, which includes an extended pin substrate having an extended substrate length longer than a length of a pin substrate of an industry-standard USB connector plug. There is included a plurality of USB connector contacts configured to carry USB signals and a plurality of non-USB connector contacts configured to carry non-USB signals.

Abstract: Extended Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) plugs and sockets are disclosed. The extended USB plug includes an extended pin substrate having an extended substrate length longer than a length of a pin substrate of an industry-standard USB connector plug. There is further included a plurality of USB connector contacts configured to carry USB signals and a plurality of non-USB connector contacts configured to carry non-USB signals. The extended Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) plug, which includes an extended pin substrate having an extended substrate length longer than a length of a pin substrate of an industry-standard USB connector plug. There is included a plurality of USB connector contacts configured to carry USB signals and a plurality of non-USB connector contacts configured to carry non-USB signals.

Abstract: Host computers and peripheral devices communicating through extended USB connectors and plugs are disclosed. The host computer and peripheral device communicate via a non-USB communication mode, using the extended capability of the extended USB connectors and plugs. Software and hardware to facilitate such communication are also disclosed.

Abstract: Host computers and peripheral devices communicating through extended USB connectors and plugs are disclosed. The host computer and peripheral device are capable of communicating via multiple communication modes, using the extended capability of the extended USB connectors and plugs. Software and hardware to facilitate such communication are also disclosed.

Abstract: An extended Secure-Digital (SD) card has a second interface that uses some of the SD-interface lines. The SD card's mechanical and electrical card-interface is used, but 2 or 4 signals in the SD interface are multiplexed for use by the second interface. The second interface can have a single differential pair of serial-data lines to perform Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) transfers, or two pairs of differential data lines for Serial-Advanced-Technology-Attachment (SATA), Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE), or IEEE 1394 transfers. A card-detection routine on a host can initially use the SD interface to detect extended capabilities and command the card to switch to using the second interface. The extended SD card can communicate with legacy SD hosts using just the SD interface, and extended SD hosts can read legacy SD cards using just the SD interface, or extended SD cards using the second interface. MultiMediaCard and Memory Stick are alternatives.

Abstract: A flash memory controller is disclosed. The flash memory controller includes a processor for executing at least one operation and arbitration logic coupled to the processor. Data from the arbitration logic allows the processor to perform the at least one operation for a flash memory device. In one aspect of the present invention, the processor utilizes data from the arbitration logic to direct a search for available blocks to the particular flash memory device. In another aspect of the present invention, the processor utilizes an internal buffer within the flash memory device to store valid data during the search before the valid data is relocated. As a result, the search time for available blocks is greatly shortened and the need for an external buffer is eliminated. Consequently, the speed at which block management operations are performed is significantly increased.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating using various protocols through the Secured Digital (SD) physical interface are disclosed. The invention covers, among others, single-mode and multi-mode hosts, single-mode and multi-mode devices, as well as techniques for initializing these hosts and devices in order to facilitate the aforementioned communication.

Abstract: An extended Secure-Digital (SD) card has a second interface that uses some of the SD-interface lines. The SD card's mechanical and electrical card-interface is used, but 2 or 4 signals in the SD interface are multiplexed for use by the second interface. The second interface can have a single differential pair of serial-data lines to perform Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) transfers, or two pairs of differential data lines for Serial-Advanced-Technology-Attachment (SATA), Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIE), or IEEE 1394 transfers. A card-detection routine on a host can initially use the SD interface to detect extended capabilities and command the card to switch to using the second interface. The extended SD card can communicate with legacy SD hosts using just the SD interface, and extended SD hosts can read legacy SD cards using just the SD interface, or extended SD cards using the second interface. MultiMediaCard and Memory Stick are alternatives.

Abstract: A FLASH controller is disclosed. The controller comprises a USB interface unit. The USB interface unit implements a USB standard that has a bus speed equal or greater than 12 Mb/s. The controller includes an internal bus coupled to the USB interface unit; and a FLASH interface unit coupled to the internal bus. The FLASH interface unit includes FLASH controller logic that allows the throughput for access to the FLASH memory to match the speed of the USB standard. Advantages of the FLASH controller in accordance with the present invention include (1) utilizing the higher speed USB interface such as the USB 2.