US20040118912A1 - Electronic card capable of changing communication functionality of a coupled electronic device - Google Patents
Electronic card capable of changing communication functionality of a coupled electronic device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040118912A1 US20040118912A1 US10/382,912 US38291203A US2004118912A1 US 20040118912 A1 US20040118912 A1 US 20040118912A1 US 38291203 A US38291203 A US 38291203A US 2004118912 A1 US2004118912 A1 US 2004118912A1
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- United States
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- bus
- electronic device
- state
- specific application
- signals
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 40
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/02—Terminal devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F13/00—Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
- G06F13/14—Handling requests for interconnection or transfer
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electronic card and, more particularly, to an electronic card capable of changing communication functionality of a coupled electronic device.
- the telephone, fax machine, or cellular phone can operate independently.
- the modem card or GSM/GPRS card has to couple to an independently operable device such as PDA or notebook computer prior to normally operating because it is a peripheral based device.
- the electronic card already has a communication capability. Hence, in order to fully utilize the hardware resources, how to fully utilize the electronic card for enabling it to have more functionalities derived therefrom is still constantly being sought.
- the object of the present invention is to provide an electronic card capable of changing communication functionality of a coupled electronic device so as to fully utilize the communication capability of the electronic card thereby achieving the purpose of using minimum hardware resource to provide maximum communication functionality.
- the electronic card in accordance with the present invention includes: a removable interface for being inserted into an electronic device and coupling to an interface bus, the removable interface having at least a card detection pin which is set at a first state or a second state based on the coupled electronic device; a functional module for providing a communication functionality via an access bus or a specific application bus based on whether the card detection pin is at the first state or the second state; a bridge for bridging and converting signals of the interface bus on the removable interface into signals of the access bus or the specific application bus, or bridging and converting the signals of the access bus or the specific application bus into the interface bus signals on the removable interface; and a multiplexer device for selecting signals of the access bus or signals of the specific application bus based on whether the card detection pin is at the first state or the second state for being switched to the interface bus.
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an electronic card according to the invention and its components where the electronic card is being coupled to an electronic device
- FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the multiplexer device and bridge of the electronic card
- FIG. 3A schematically illustrates that the electronic card is served as a wireless card
- FIG. 3B schematically illustrates that the electronic card changes an electronic device to a cellular phone
- FIG. 4A schematically illustrates that the electronic card is served as a modem card
- FIG. 4B schematically illustrates that the electronic card changes an electronic device to a telephone set
- FIG. 4C schematically illustrates that the electronic card changes an electronic device to a fax machine.
- an electronic card 10 constructed in accordance with the invention comprising a removable interface 11 , a bridge 12 , a multiplexer device 13 , and a functional module 14 .
- the removable interface 11 can be inserted into a jack 21 of an electronic device 20 .
- the bridge 12 is coupled to the functional module 14 via an access bus 15 or a specific application bus 16 so as to bridge and convert signals of the interface bus 17 of the removable interface 11 into signals of the access bus 15 or specific application bus 16 , or to bridge and convert signals of the access bus 15 or specific application bus 16 into signals of the interface bus 17 of the removable interface 11 .
- the card detection pin such as the Card Detection (CD) pin defined by CF (Compact Flash).
- CD Card Detection
- CF Compact Flash
- the card detection pin can be set at a first or second state based on the electronic device 20 coupled to the removable interface 11 .
- the card detection pin of the removable interface 11 is at a low level if the electronic device 20 is an independently operable device such as computer. Otherwise, the card detection pin of the removable interface 11 is at a high level.
- the functional module 14 can provide at least one communication functionality, which is supplied via the access bus 15 or the specific application bus 16 based on whether the card detection pin is at the first state or the second state.
- the multiplexer device 13 can switch signal communication from the interface bus 17 to the access bus 15 or the specific application bus 16 .
- the multiplexer device 13 comprises a plurality of multiplexers 131 , each including two selection terminals 1311 , 1312 respectively coupled to the access bus 15 and the specific application bus 16 via the bridge 12 , and a connection terminal 1313 coupled to the interface bus 17 .
- all signals from the specific application bus 16 and a portion of signals from the access bus 15 are coupled to the multiplexer device 13 .
- Each multiplexer 131 is controlled by the card detection pin. For example, the multiplexer device 13 switches signals of the access bus 15 to the interface bus 17 when the card detection pin is at the first state.
- the functional module 14 can provide a specific communication functionality through the access bus 15 .
- the multiplexer device 13 switches signals of the specific application bus 16 and a portion of the access bus 15 to the interface bus 17 when the card detection pin is at the second state.
- the functional module 14 can provide another specific communication functionality via the specific application bus 16 . Accordingly, it is able to achieve the purpose of changing communication functionality of an electronic device.
- the functional module 14 of the electronic card 10 is implemented as a GSM/GPRS module, which can provide wireless communication and Internet access functionalities.
- the card detection pin will be at the first state.
- the GSM/GPRS module can provide wireless communication and Internet access functionalities to the PDA 31 via the access bus 15 .
- the electronic card 10 is served as a GSM/GPRS card.
- the card detection pin will be at the second state.
- the GSM/GPRS module can provide wireless communication and Internet access functionalities to the LCD/keypad device 32 via the specific application bus 16 (which is a LCD/keypad bus). Therefore, the LCD/keypad device 32 inserted with the electronic card 10 is varied and served as a cellular phone.
- the functional module 14 of the electronic card 10 is implemented as a modem module, which can provide a dial-up functionality.
- the card detection pin will be at the first state.
- the modem module can provide a dial-up functionality to the PDA 41 via the access bus 15 .
- the electronic card 10 is served as a modem card.
- the card detection pin will be at the second state.
- the modem module can provide a dial-up functionality to the telephone/keypad device 42 via the specific application bus 16 (which is a telephone/keypad bus). Accordingly, the telephone/keypad device 42 inserted with the electronic card 10 is varied and served as a telephone set.
- the card detection pin will be at the second state.
- the modem module can provide a dial-up functionality to the printer 43 via the specific application bus 16 (which is a printer/keypad bus). Accordingly, the printer 43 inserted with the electronic card 10 is varied and served as a fax machine.
- the electronic card capable of changing communication functionality in accordance with the present invention can be automatically varied and served as different communication apparatuses in response to the electronic device in which the electronic card is inserted. Therefore, the communication capability of the electronic card can be fully utilized, thereby achieving the purpose of using minimum hardware resource to provide maximum communication functionality.
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to an electronic card and, more particularly, to an electronic card capable of changing communication functionality of a coupled electronic device.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- Electronics technology has known a rapid, spectacular development leading to an increasing use of communication products such as telephones, fax machines, cellular phones, etc. Recently, there is a trend of developing small communication products which are connectable to computers for adding communication functionalities thereto. Currently, there is an electronic card having communication capability (e.g., modem card or GSM/GPRS (Global System for Mobile/General Packet Radio Service) card available. The electronic card can provide a dial-up capability to a coupled PDA or enable the coupled PDA to operate as a cellular phone. As such, a portable device such as PDA coupled to the electronic card is able to possess additional communication features.
- It is understood that the telephone, fax machine, or cellular phone can operate independently. But the modem card or GSM/GPRS card has to couple to an independently operable device such as PDA or notebook computer prior to normally operating because it is a peripheral based device. However, the electronic card, as stated above, already has a communication capability. Hence, in order to fully utilize the hardware resources, how to fully utilize the electronic card for enabling it to have more functionalities derived therefrom is still constantly being sought.
- The object of the present invention is to provide an electronic card capable of changing communication functionality of a coupled electronic device so as to fully utilize the communication capability of the electronic card thereby achieving the purpose of using minimum hardware resource to provide maximum communication functionality.
- To achieve the above and other objects, the electronic card in accordance with the present invention includes: a removable interface for being inserted into an electronic device and coupling to an interface bus, the removable interface having at least a card detection pin which is set at a first state or a second state based on the coupled electronic device; a functional module for providing a communication functionality via an access bus or a specific application bus based on whether the card detection pin is at the first state or the second state; a bridge for bridging and converting signals of the interface bus on the removable interface into signals of the access bus or the specific application bus, or bridging and converting the signals of the access bus or the specific application bus into the interface bus signals on the removable interface; and a multiplexer device for selecting signals of the access bus or signals of the specific application bus based on whether the card detection pin is at the first state or the second state for being switched to the interface bus.
- Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an electronic card according to the invention and its components where the electronic card is being coupled to an electronic device;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the multiplexer device and bridge of the electronic card;
- FIG. 3A schematically illustrates that the electronic card is served as a wireless card;
- FIG. 3B schematically illustrates that the electronic card changes an electronic device to a cellular phone;
- FIG. 4A schematically illustrates that the electronic card is served as a modem card;
- FIG. 4B schematically illustrates that the electronic card changes an electronic device to a telephone set; and
- FIG. 4C schematically illustrates that the electronic card changes an electronic device to a fax machine.
- With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown an
electronic card 10 constructed in accordance with the invention comprising aremovable interface 11, abridge 12, amultiplexer device 13, and afunctional module 14. Theremovable interface 11 can be inserted into ajack 21 of anelectronic device 20. Thebridge 12 is coupled to thefunctional module 14 via anaccess bus 15 or aspecific application bus 16 so as to bridge and convert signals of theinterface bus 17 of theremovable interface 11 into signals of theaccess bus 15 orspecific application bus 16, or to bridge and convert signals of theaccess bus 15 orspecific application bus 16 into signals of theinterface bus 17 of theremovable interface 11. - In the
removable interface 11, there is provided a card detection pin, such as the Card Detection (CD) pin defined by CF (Compact Flash). As such, the card detection pin can be set at a first or second state based on theelectronic device 20 coupled to theremovable interface 11. For example, the card detection pin of theremovable interface 11 is at a low level if theelectronic device 20 is an independently operable device such as computer. Otherwise, the card detection pin of theremovable interface 11 is at a high level. - The
functional module 14 can provide at least one communication functionality, which is supplied via theaccess bus 15 or thespecific application bus 16 based on whether the card detection pin is at the first state or the second state. - The
multiplexer device 13 can switch signal communication from theinterface bus 17 to theaccess bus 15 or thespecific application bus 16. In detail, with reference to FIG. 2, themultiplexer device 13 comprises a plurality ofmultiplexers 131, each including twoselection terminals access bus 15 and thespecific application bus 16 via thebridge 12, and aconnection terminal 1313 coupled to theinterface bus 17. As shown, all signals from thespecific application bus 16 and a portion of signals from theaccess bus 15 are coupled to themultiplexer device 13. Eachmultiplexer 131 is controlled by the card detection pin. For example, themultiplexer device 13 switches signals of theaccess bus 15 to theinterface bus 17 when the card detection pin is at the first state. As a result, thefunctional module 14 can provide a specific communication functionality through theaccess bus 15. Alternatively, themultiplexer device 13 switches signals of thespecific application bus 16 and a portion of theaccess bus 15 to theinterface bus 17 when the card detection pin is at the second state. As a result, thefunctional module 14 can provide another specific communication functionality via thespecific application bus 16. Accordingly, it is able to achieve the purpose of changing communication functionality of an electronic device. - With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an example of the invention will now be described in detail below wherein the
functional module 14 of theelectronic card 10 is implemented as a GSM/GPRS module, which can provide wireless communication and Internet access functionalities. In FIG. 3A, once theelectronic card 10 is coupled to an independently operable computer device such asPDA 31, the card detection pin will be at the first state. As a result, the GSM/GPRS module can provide wireless communication and Internet access functionalities to thePDA 31 via theaccess bus 15. In other words, theelectronic card 10 is served as a GSM/GPRS card. In FIG. 3B, once theelectronic card 10 is coupled to a LCD/keypad device 32, the card detection pin will be at the second state. As a result, the GSM/GPRS module can provide wireless communication and Internet access functionalities to the LCD/keypad device 32 via the specific application bus 16 (which is a LCD/keypad bus). Therefore, the LCD/keypad device 32 inserted with theelectronic card 10 is varied and served as a cellular phone. - With reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and4C, another example of the invention will now be described in detail below wherein the
functional module 14 of theelectronic card 10 is implemented as a modem module, which can provide a dial-up functionality. In FIG. 4A, once theelectronic card 10 is coupled to an independently operable computer device such asPDA 41, the card detection pin will be at the first state. As a result, the modem module can provide a dial-up functionality to thePDA 41 via theaccess bus 15. In other words, theelectronic card 10 is served as a modem card. In FIG. 4B, once theelectronic card 10 is coupled to a telephone/keypad device 42, the card detection pin will be at the second state. As a result, the modem module can provide a dial-up functionality to the telephone/keypad device 42 via the specific application bus 16 (which is a telephone/keypad bus). Accordingly, the telephone/keypad device 42 inserted with theelectronic card 10 is varied and served as a telephone set. In FIG. 4C, once theelectronic card 10 is coupled to aprinter 43, the card detection pin will be at the second state. As a result, the modem module can provide a dial-up functionality to theprinter 43 via the specific application bus 16 (which is a printer/keypad bus). Accordingly, theprinter 43 inserted with theelectronic card 10 is varied and served as a fax machine. - In view of the forgoing, it is known that the electronic card capable of changing communication functionality in accordance with the present invention can be automatically varied and served as different communication apparatuses in response to the electronic device in which the electronic card is inserted. Therefore, the communication capability of the electronic card can be fully utilized, thereby achieving the purpose of using minimum hardware resource to provide maximum communication functionality.
- Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Claims (11)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
TW91220576U | 2002-12-18 | ||
TW91220576 | 2002-12-18 | ||
TW091220576U TW572502U (en) | 2002-12-18 | 2002-12-18 | Small electronic card capable of changing the communication device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040118912A1 true US20040118912A1 (en) | 2004-06-24 |
US6755343B1 US6755343B1 (en) | 2004-06-29 |
Family
ID=27752513
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/382,912 Expired - Fee Related US6755343B1 (en) | 2002-12-18 | 2003-03-07 | Electronic card capable of changing communication functionality of a coupled electronic device |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6755343B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE20310068U1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2396449B (en) |
TW (1) | TW572502U (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050060385A1 (en) * | 2003-09-15 | 2005-03-17 | Gupta Vivek G. | Method and apparatus for sharing a GPRS module with two computing devices |
US9058549B2 (en) | 2005-03-30 | 2015-06-16 | Nxp B.V. | Integrated circuit providing an external switching functionality |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7295859B2 (en) * | 2004-03-04 | 2007-11-13 | Victor Mims | Radio frequency (RF) protocol module system and method |
US7149836B2 (en) * | 2004-03-12 | 2006-12-12 | C-One Technology Corporation | GPRS replaceable module communication device |
KR100939067B1 (en) * | 2006-07-07 | 2010-01-28 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Smartcard including a plurality of differnt Interfaces |
ES2463993T3 (en) * | 2007-12-21 | 2014-05-29 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Technique for interconnecting functional modules of an apparatus |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5747786A (en) * | 1989-04-14 | 1998-05-05 | Norand Corporation | Communication module for a data capture system |
US6012634A (en) * | 1995-03-06 | 2000-01-11 | Motorola, Inc. | Dual card and method therefor |
US6199128B1 (en) * | 1998-03-26 | 2001-03-06 | Gemplus, S.C.A. | Smart card system for use with peripheral devices |
US6439464B1 (en) * | 2000-10-11 | 2002-08-27 | Stmicroelectronics, Inc. | Dual mode smart card and associated methods |
US6557754B2 (en) * | 1998-10-21 | 2003-05-06 | Litronic, Inc. | Apparatus and method of providing a dual mode card and reader |
US6581122B1 (en) * | 1998-03-26 | 2003-06-17 | Gemplus | Smart card which operates with the USB protocol |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6452910B1 (en) * | 2000-07-20 | 2002-09-17 | Cadence Design Systems, Inc. | Bridging apparatus for interconnecting a wireless PAN and a wireless LAN |
US7215977B2 (en) * | 2001-09-19 | 2007-05-08 | Enfora, L.P. | All-in-one modular wireless device |
-
2002
- 2002-12-18 TW TW091220576U patent/TW572502U/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2003
- 2003-03-07 US US10/382,912 patent/US6755343B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-06-30 DE DE20310068U patent/DE20310068U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-07-07 GB GB0315804A patent/GB2396449B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5747786A (en) * | 1989-04-14 | 1998-05-05 | Norand Corporation | Communication module for a data capture system |
US6012634A (en) * | 1995-03-06 | 2000-01-11 | Motorola, Inc. | Dual card and method therefor |
US6199128B1 (en) * | 1998-03-26 | 2001-03-06 | Gemplus, S.C.A. | Smart card system for use with peripheral devices |
US6581122B1 (en) * | 1998-03-26 | 2003-06-17 | Gemplus | Smart card which operates with the USB protocol |
US6557754B2 (en) * | 1998-10-21 | 2003-05-06 | Litronic, Inc. | Apparatus and method of providing a dual mode card and reader |
US6439464B1 (en) * | 2000-10-11 | 2002-08-27 | Stmicroelectronics, Inc. | Dual mode smart card and associated methods |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050060385A1 (en) * | 2003-09-15 | 2005-03-17 | Gupta Vivek G. | Method and apparatus for sharing a GPRS module with two computing devices |
US9058549B2 (en) | 2005-03-30 | 2015-06-16 | Nxp B.V. | Integrated circuit providing an external switching functionality |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6755343B1 (en) | 2004-06-29 |
TW572502U (en) | 2004-01-11 |
GB2396449A (en) | 2004-06-23 |
DE20310068U1 (en) | 2003-12-11 |
GB2396449B (en) | 2006-03-15 |
GB0315804D0 (en) | 2003-08-13 |
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Owner name: C-ONE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, TAIWAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHENG, SHIH CHIEH;CHEN, JUI CHUNG;YOUNG, SIDNEY;REEL/FRAME:013848/0711 Effective date: 20030227 Owner name: PRETEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHENG, SHIH CHIEH;CHEN, JUI CHUNG;YOUNG, SIDNEY;REEL/FRAME:013848/0711 Effective date: 20030227 |
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STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
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Effective date: 20120629 |