Multi-protocol memory card

Abstract

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a multiprotocol non-volatile memory (“NVM”) card may include a NVM array, at least two protocol units, and a controller adapted to provide an external application access to the NVM array with the use of one of the protocol units. The controller or control logic may select which protocol unit to use based on a signal or other indicator of the protocol used by the external application. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a method of operating a multi-protocol memory card may include switching between a first and second protocol or mode of the card based on a signal from an application attempting to access to the NVM card.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multi protocol non-volatile memory (“NVM”) card comprising: 
 an NVM unit;  
 at least two protocol units, wherein at least one of said protocol units having access to said NVM unit; and  
 a logic unit to select one of said at least two protocol units.  
 
     
     
         2 . The memory card according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least two protocol units comprise: 
 a first protocol unit; and    a second protocol unit, wherein said second protocol unit substantially conforms to the ISO 7816 standard.    
     
     
         3 . The memory card according to  claim 2 , wherein said second protocol unit comprises an integrated non-volatile memory array.  
     
     
         4 . The memory card according to  claim 2 , wherein said first protocol unit is selected from the group consisting of a MultiMediaCard protocol unit, a SecureDigital protocol unit, a CompactFlash protocol unit, a Memory Stick protocol unit, and a non-volatile mass memory card protocol unit.  
     
     
         5 . The memory card according to  claim 1 , wherein said NVM unit, said at least two protocol units, and said logic unit are on a single substrate.  
     
     
         6 . The memory card according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second protocol units are on separate substrates.  
     
     
         7 . The memory card according to  claim 1 , wherein said logic unit selects a protocol unit based on an external signal indicating a protocol used by a host application.  
     
     
         8 . The memory card according to  claim 7 , wherein said second protocol unit is selected if the host application substantially conforms to the ISO 7816 standard.  
     
     
         9 . The memory card according to  claim 8 , wherein said second protocol unit grants the host application access to said integrated non-volatile memory array.  
     
     
         10 . The memory card according to  claim 7 , wherein said first protocol unit is selected if the host application does not substantially conform to the ISO 7816 standard, and said first protocol unit grants the host application access to the NVM unit.  
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a multi protocol NVM card, the method comprising: 
 switching a between a first and a second protocol mode based on a signal from an application seeking access to the NVM card.    
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said switching from the first to the second protocol modes comprises: 
 commanding the NVM memory card to switch to the second protocol mode; and    setting up the second protocol mode.    
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said commanding comprises activating a physical switch.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said commanding comprises sending a firmware command.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said commanding comprises activating a second protocol unit.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said setting up comprises performing an initialization sequence.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said setting up comprises restoring a previous card state.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 12  further comprising saving the current card state.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein switching from the second protocol mode to the first protocol mode comprises: 
 commanding the NVM memory card command to switch to the first protocol mode; and    setting up the first protocol mode.    
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said commanding comprises activating a physical switch.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said commanding comprises sending a firmware command.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said second protocol mode substantially conforms to the ISO 7816 standard and before the NVM card switches from the second protocol mode to the first protocol mode, a determination is made whether such a switch is possible.  
     
     
         23 . An interface between an application substantially compliant with the ISO 7816 standard and a multi protocol memory card, said interface comprising: 
 a first connector to said application and a second connector to said multi-protocol memory card; and    a signaling structure to indicate to said multi protocol memory card to operate in a mode substantially compliant with the ISO 7816 standard.    
     
     
         24 . The interface according to  claim 23 , wherein said second connector is selected form the group consisting of a MultiMediaCard connector, a SecureDigital card connector, a CompactFlash card connector, a Memory Stick connector, and a non-volatile mass memory card connector.  
     
     
         25 . The interface according to  claim 23 , wherein said signaling structure is a conducting jumper connected to two or more pins on said second connector.  
     
     
         26 . The interface according to  claim 23 , wherein said signaling structure is a signal source.