DE20304824U1 - Built-in multipurpose flash card reader has circuit board mounted in housing with several standardized ports, carrying integrating circuit and other circuit modules - Google Patents

Abstract

The circuit board (12) carries an integrating circuit (131) and a main signal connection terminal (132). There are several auxiliary signal connection terminals (155-158) and a net connection terminal (121). The housing (11) has a number of openings for various standard ports. It can include an IEEE 1394 port (154), a CF/MD card port (141), an MS card port (142) an SM card port (143), and an SD card port (144).

Description

ZEITLER." DIDKEL -.KANDLBINDER PATENT ATTORNEYS · EUROPEAN PATENT AND TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS

PO BOX 26 02 51 TELEPHONE: +49-89-22 18 06 HERRNSTRASSE 15

D-80059 MUNICH FAX: +49-89-22 26 27 D-80539 MUNICH

EMAIL: masterpat@t-online.de

9563 os

WEN TECHNOLOGY INC.

8f-2, No. 356, lake. 5, Nanjing East Rd.

Taipei, Taiwan

R.O.C.

Built-in multi-purpose flash card reader

The invention relates to the field of flash card readers and, more particularly, to a built-in multi-purpose flash card reader which can supply the operating voltage of a flash memory card of a flash card reader separately from the power source of the circuit of an external device so that the output voltage of a power supply device can be directly supplied to the flash memory card circuit to ensure the normal operation of a flash card reader.

A conventional flash card reader (A), as shown in Fig. 8, essentially consists of a circuit board (A2) (as a main part) mounted in a housing (Al), wherein the power terminals (A21) are formed on this circuit board (A2) so that these power terminals (A21) can be connected to the circuit of the motherboard (not shown in the drawing) so that the signals between the flash card reader (A) and the motherboard can be conveniently transmitted and the voltage required to operate the flash card reader (A) can be supplied by the motherboard.

Furthermore, the front side opposite the housing (Al) is provided with at least one insertion port (A22) for inserting a flash memory card and additionally with at least one insertion port for an external device (A24) for connection to an external device, wherein an integrating circuit (A23) is connected in parallel between the insertion port (A22) and the power connection terminals (A21) in order to be able to control normal operation of a flash card reader (A) and to enable signal transmissions to be carried out between the flash memory cards and the motherboard.

Since a conventional flash card reader performs the functions of data processing of flash memory cards and driving an external device simultaneously when in use, the power supply of the circuit board (A2) is distributed in a split manner. Due to a low power supply of the motherboard compared with that of a power supply device, when the motherboard performs driving an external device and data processing of a flash memory card simultaneously, the output voltage is insufficiently supplied under this condition, thus normal operation of a flash card reader cannot be ensured.

The invention is therefore based on the important task of creating a flash card reader which does not have the disadvantages mentioned above.

This object was achieved according to the invention by a flash card reader according to claim 1. Further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become clear from reading the following description of preferred embodiments, which refers to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a construction diagram of a flash card reader according to the present
Invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective construction view of a flash card reader according to the
present invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a flash card reader according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a circuit diagram of a flash card reader according to the present invention, wherein the
Shows control circuit arrangements for an external device;

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram of a flash card reader according to the present invention, wherein the
shows arrangements of the integrating circuits;

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a flash card reader according to the present invention,

wherein the circuit arrangements for the CF/MD memory card slot port and
for the MS memory card slot port;

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of a flash card reader according to the present invention, showing the circuit arrangements for the SM memory card insertion port and for the SD memory card insertion port;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional flash card reader.

The embodiment of a built-in flash card reader according to the invention shown in Fig. 1 and 2 essentially consists of a circuit board (12) built into a housing (11) and a control circuit connected in parallel by a circuit for an external device, an integrating circuit and a flash memory card circuit, wherein a plurality of openings (111) are provided on the front side of this housing (11) so that the plug-in devices of the flash memory cards and external devices can be carried out therethrough.

As can be seen in Fig. 3 and 4, the circuit for an external device (15) has a sound signal output slot (151), a sound signal input slot (152), a USB port and an IEEE 1394 port.

As can be seen from Figs. 3, 6 and 7, a flash memory card circuit (14) can be arranged with a CF/MD memory card insertion port (141), an MS memory card insertion port (142), an SM memory card insertion port (143), and an SD memory card insertion port (144).

From Figs. 3 and 5 it can be seen that the integrating circuit (13) has an integrating circuit (131) in order to be able to connect the flash memory card circuit and the motherboard side by side and to be able to control the power circuit of the entire circuit board (12).

As can be seen in particular from Fig. 3 and 4, the circuit board (12) has the mains connection terminals (121) for connection to a mains connection device (not shown in the drawing) so that the mains connection device can be supplied with the voltage required to operate a flash card reader directly from the mains connection device.

As can be seen from the illustrations in Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7, a main signal connection terminal (132) can be additionally arranged on the circuit board (12) so that the integration circuit (13), the flash memory card circuit (14) and the motherboard can be connected side by side.

From Fig. 3 and 4 it is also apparent that a plurality of auxiliary signal connection terminals (155,156,157,158) can be arranged in the circuit for an external device (15) so that a plurality of external devices can be connected to the motherboard. The auxiliary signal connection terminals shown in the preferred embodiment include, for example, a first auxiliary signal connection terminal (155) for connection to a USB port (153), a second auxiliary signal connection terminal (156), a third auxiliary signal connection terminal

(157) for connection to an IEEE 1394 port (154) and a fourth auxiliary signal terminal

(158) for connection to a sound signal output slot (151) and to a sound signal input slot (152).

In view of the above, the inventive built-in multi-purpose flash card reader provides the possibility of isolating the operating voltage of the flash memory card power circuit from the mains voltage of the power circuit for an external device (15) so that the voltage required to operate the flash memory card power can be supplied directly from the output voltage of the power supply device in order to enable normal operation of the flash card reader and to avoid any risk of EMI interference.

The names of the individual parts of the embodiment according to the present invention as well as the drawings serve only to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the embodiment described above can be implemented in various

manner without thereby departing from the spirit and purpose of the present invention. Accordingly, the following claims, which form part of this invention, also apply to all modifications of the embodiment.

A built-in multi-purpose flash card reader is described, which essentially consists of a circuit board formed in a housing (main part) and a control circuit arranged on this circuit board consisting of a circuit for an external device, an integrating circuit circuit and a flash memory card circuit, wherein a mains connection terminal for connection to a mains connection device can be arranged on the circuit board so that the voltage required to operate a flash card reader can be supplied directly from the mains connection device; wherein a main signal terminal is arranged for connection with an integrating circuit, a flash memory card circuit and the motherboard, and a plurality of auxiliary signal terminals are arranged in the external device circuit so that the external devices can be connected to the motherboard, so that the operating voltage of the flash memory cards of a flash card reader can be split from the external device circuit to ensure the normal operation of a flash card reader and to avoid the risk of EMI interference.

Claims (5)

1. A built-in multi-purpose flash card reader, which essentially consists of a circuit board formed in a housing (main part) and a control circuit arranged on this circuit board consisting of a circuit for an external device, an integrating circuit circuit and a flash memory card circuit, characterized in that a mains connection terminal for connection to a mains connection device can be arranged on the circuit board so that the voltage required for operating a flash card reader can be supplied directly from the mains connection device; that a main signal terminal can be arranged for connection with an integrating circuit, a flash memory card circuit and the motherboard, and a plurality of auxiliary signal terminals can be arranged in the external device circuit so that the external devices can be connected to the motherboard, so that the operating voltage of the flash memory cards of a flash card reader can be split from the external device circuit to ensure the normal operation of a flash card reader. 2. A built-in multi-purpose flash card reader according to claim 1, characterized in that the flash memory card circuit is provided with a CF/MD memory card insertion port, an MS memory card insertion port, an SM memory card insertion port and an SD memory card insertion port. 3. A built-in multi-purpose flash card reader according to claim 1, characterized in that the external device circuit is provided with a sound signal output slot, a sound signal input slot, a USB port and an IEEE 1394 port. 4. A multi-purpose built-in flash card reader according to claim 2, characterized in that the external device circuit is provided with a sound signal output slot, a sound signal input slot, a USB port and an IEEE 1394 port. 5. A built-in multi-purpose flash card reader according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of openings are provided on the front side of the housing to allow the connectors of the flash memory cards and external devices to be passed through.