WO2002089453A1

WO2002089453A1 - Storage module for mobile devices

Info

Publication number: WO2002089453A1
Application number: PCT/CH2001/000274
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rudolf Ritter; Fernando Dalzotto; Jean-Luc Jaquier; Jean-François COLLET
Original assignee: Rudolf Ritter; Fernando Dalzotto; Jean-Luc Jaquier; Collet Jean-Francois
Priority date: 2001-05-02
Filing date: 2001-05-02
Publication date: 2002-11-07

Abstract

A storage module (1), which can be slid into the module shaft (22) of a mobile device (2), comprises storage cells (12) for storing digital data and has an interface (11) with contacts that establishes a removable connection to the mobile device (2). The storage module (1) is additionally equipped with a receiver (10), which is connected to the interface (11) with contacts and which is provided for receiving digital data broadcast by broadcasting transmitters. The receiver (10) is provided, for example, in the form of a GPS receiver, a DVB receiver or a DAB receiver. Inside the mobile device (2), the digital data received by the receiver (10) is accepted by a computer program via the interface (11, 21) with contacts.

Description

Memory module for mobile devices

The present invention relates to a memory module for mobile devices. In particular, the present invention relates to a memory module for mobile devices, which comprises memory cells for storing digital data and a contact-based interface for the removable connection to a mobile device.

The present invention relates in particular to memory modules for mobile devices such as personal data assistants (PDA), palmtop computers, notebook computers, mobile radio telephones or the emerging portable mobile devices which comprise a plurality of functional components of the aforementioned devices, for example a PDA with an integrated mobile radio telephone component. The memory modules are also suitable for other mobile devices, for example digital (video) cameras or music recording and / or playback devices. In order to expand the memory area for digital data, such mobile devices have been provided with contact-type interfaces for the removable connection with memory modules. The memory modules can be connected to the internal data and address bus of the mobile devices via these interfaces, so that processing units of the mobile devices, for example processors, can access the digital data stored in the memory cells of the memory modules. So that the memory modules can be connected to different mobile devices from different manufacturers, standardized contact interfaces are preferably used, for example multiple plugs for standardized USB buses or ATA interfaces, which are also used in particular for PC card modules. Known memory modules are, for example, the "CompactFlash Card" (originally developed by ScanDisk, Corp., available from numerous manufacturers), the "Memory Stick" (Sony, Corp.), the "SmartMedia" card (Toshiba, Corp.), the "SD Memory Card" (Panasonic, Corp.) or the "Handspring Backup Module" (Handspring). In order to ensure the handiness of the mobile devices with connected additional memory modules, the mobile devices are typically provided with a module slot into which the memory modules can be placed Connection with the contact interface are inserted. This existing situation has the disadvantage that the above-mentioned mobile devices have been subjected to considerable expenditure in terms of device technology only to expand the memory area of the mobile devices with removable memory modules, the memory cells of which are either preprogrammed with static data content or are written by processors of the mobile device.

It is an object of this invention to propose a new memory module which makes it possible to better utilize the contact-based interface provided in mobile devices for the removable connection of memory modules.

According to the present invention, this goal is achieved in particular by the elements of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments also emerge from the dependent claims and the description.

This aim is achieved in particular by the present invention in that the memory module for mobile devices additionally comprises a receiver for receiving digital data that is broadcast by radio transmitters, which is connected to the interface with contacts. As a result, the mobile devices can be supplied with digital data from an additional external data source on the mobile devices without any additional expenditure on equipment.

The memory module is preferably designed such that it can be inserted into a module slot of the mobile device. Such a dimensioning of the memory module, or of the receiver contained therein, enables the connection to mobile devices whose contact-based interfaces are located in a module slot integrated into the housing of the mobile device. This ensures the handiness of the mobile device even when the memory module is connected, since no annoying cables between the memory module and the mobile device are necessary. The receiver is preferably connected to the interface with contacts via a data bus, in particular via a parallel data bus. As a result, the digital data received by the receiver can be routed directly to processing units of the mobile device via the corresponding parallel data bus of the contact-based interface of the mobile device.

In one embodiment variant, the memory cells of the memory module comprise a data register and / or a data buffer which is connected between the receiver and the data bus. As a result, digital data received by the recipient can be easily read out by the mobile device and losses of the received data can be avoided at least for short periods of time if the responsible processing units of the mobile device are loaded with other functions.

The memory module preferably comprises the receiving antenna for the receiver. This makes it possible to avoid technical changes to the mobile device or additional plug-in antennas.

In one embodiment variant, the memory module comprises a coupling connected to the receiver for the removable connection to a receiving antenna. As a result, the memory module can be dimensioned smaller.

The receiver can preferably be fed electrically via the contact interface. This means that additional device-related measures on the memory module for accommodating batteries can be avoided and the memory module can be made smaller.

The receiver is preferably for receiving digital DAB

(Digital Audio Broadcasting) and / or DVB radio programs (Digital Video Broadcasting). This means that both audio and / or video programs and digital data which can be associated with the relevant audio or video program (PAD, program-associated data) or non-associated (NPAD, non-program-associated data) can be received and by the mobile device is reproduced, respectively evaluated and processed.

In one embodiment variant, the receiver is designed as a GPS receiver. As a result, current geographical position information can be supplied to the mobile device without changes to the mobile device. The GPS receiver can also be present in the memory module in addition to the DAB and / or DVB receiver.

In one embodiment variant, the memory module comprises identification elements, for example a user identification and / or a service identification, which are stored in the memory cells in a write-protected manner. The identification elements that can be used to uniquely identify a user and / or a service can be used, for example, for user-specific access control and / or billing of access-controlled digital data that are received by the receiver.

The present invention also relates to a computer-readable data carrier, or a computer program element, with computer program code means for controlling a processor in the mobile device in such a way that it receives digital data which are broadcast by radio transmitters and which are connected to the mobile device by the receiver via the contact-based interface Memory module are received, accepted via the contact interface.

An embodiment of the present invention is described below using an example. The example of the execution is illustrated by the following enclosed figures:

Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional block diagram with a schematic representation of a memory module with a receiver for receiving digital data and a mobile device with a module slot for receiving the memory module. FIGS. 2a to 2d each show side views of the mobile device and of the memory module inserted into the module slot of the mobile device, in which different versions of the memory module are illustrated schematically.

Figure 3 shows a block diagram with a schematic representation of the memory module with a receiver, memory cells, a parallel data bus and a contact interface.

In FIG. 1, the reference number 2 relates to a schematically illustrated mobile device which has a contact interface 21 for the removable connection of memory modules 1. The mobile device 2 shown in FIG. 1 has a module slot 22 in which the contact interface 21, for example a plug connector, is arranged in such a way that it is connected to the contact interface 11 of the memory module 1, for example a socket connector, when the memory module 1 is inserted into the module shaft 22. For example, a memory module 1 of the "CompactFlash Card" type has a 50-pin connector, a memory module 1 of the "Memory Stick" type has a 10-pin connector. It is also possible to connect the memory module 1 to a contact interface via an adapter module, for example a PC card adapter module.

The memory module 1 shown schematically in FIG. 1 comprises a receiver 10 for receiving digital data which are broadcast by radio transmitters. The digital data are, for example, GPS position information (Global Positioning System) which are emitted by satellites and on the basis of which the current geographic position can be determined in the receiver 10. The digital data are preferably data from DAB and / or DVB radio programs which are broadcast by terrestrial or satellite-based radio transmitters. In addition to the audio data or the video data, the digital data of the DAB or DVB radio programs also include digital data which are associated with the audio or video program in question, so-called program-associated data (PAD) or which are not associated with the Audio data, respectively the Video data that are associated, so-called non-program-associated data (NPAD). In particular in the DAB radio programs there is also digital data that is transmitted in the context of pure data services via a so-called Fast Information Channel (FIC). Standards for DAB were developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), F-06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France (ETS 300 401).

Corresponding to the digital data to be received, the receiver 10 is designed as a GPS, DAB and / or DVB receiver, the integration of the receiver 10 into the memory module 1 being made possible only by miniaturization of the receiver 10 by integrated circuits. Integrated circuits for GPS receivers (GPS chip) and chipsets for DAB receivers are already available today.

In FIGS. 2a to 2d, depending on the degree of miniaturization of the receiver 1, various embodiments of the memory module 1 are illustrated schematically, the memory module 1 being shown inserted into the module slot 22 of the mobile device 2. FIG. 2a shows an embodiment variant of the memory module 1, in which the receiver 10 is miniaturized to such an extent that it can be fully integrated into a memory module 1 of standard size. For example, the dimensions of a "CompactFlash Card Type I" memory module 1 are 36.4 mm (L) x 42.8 mm (W) x 3.3 mm (D), those of a "CompactFlash Card Type IP 36.4 mm ( L) x 42.8 mm (W) x 5.0 mm (D), that of a memory module 1 of the "Memory Stick" type 50 mm (L) x 21.5 mm (W) x 2.8 mm (D) and that of a memory module 1 of the " Handspring backup module "52.1 mm (L) x 54.0 mm (W) x 8.4 mm (D). FIG. 2b shows an embodiment variant of the memory module 1 in which the receiving antenna 101 of the receiver 10 protrudes from the memory module 1. In the 2c shows an embodiment variant of the memory module 1 in which certain components of the receiver 10, for example the receive antenna 101 shown in FIG. 3 and / or the receive filter 102, are accommodated in a spatial extension 1c of the memory module 1. As in FIG Figure 1c is indicated, the spatial expansion 1c by mere V increase the length L of the memory module 1 or by additional increase in the thickness D of the part of the memory module 1 protruding beyond the module shaft 22 (bulge). Advantageously, the spatial extension 1c is designed in such a way that an electrical connection of the memory module 1 inserted into the module shaft 22 is made possible at least with the most common mobile devices 2. FIG. 2d shows an embodiment variant of the memory module 1 in which the spatial expansion 1d of the memory module 1 is adapted to the outer shape of the mobile device 2. There is a risk that the memory module 1 cannot be electrically connected to all common mobile devices 2 and that different embodiments of the memory module 1 have to be manufactured and sold for differently shaped mobile devices 2.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the memory module 1 with the receiver 10 integrated therein. As is indicated in FIG. 3, the storage capacity of the memory module 1, that is to say the number of memory cells 12 of the memory module 1, is reduced by the space which is occupied by the receiver 10 in the memory module 1.

The receiver 10 comprises a receiving antenna 101 designed according to the prior art, which is connected to the receiving circuit 103 via the receiving filter 102. In an alternative embodiment variant, the receiver 10, or the reception filter 102, can use a

Coupling be connected, which is used for the removable connection to a separate receiving antenna that can be attached or integrated into the mobile device 2. The reception filter 102 is designed, for example, by means of miniaturized mechanical resonant circuits. The receiving circuit 103 is designed as an integrated circuit with a chip or a set of chips connected to one another. The received digital data processed by the receiving circuit 103 are fed to the parallel data bus 13 via a data register and / or a data buffer 122. The parallel data bus 13 is connected to the interface 11 with contacts. Depending on the design, the interface 11 with contacts also comprises address lines and feed lines in addition to data lines. It would also be possible to connect the receiver 10 to the contact interface 11 via a serial data bus (data line). As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment variant the memory module 1 also includes a memory expansion 123 with memory cells that can be read and written by the mobile device 2 via the interface 11 with contact.

Identification elements 121, for example a user identification and / or a service identification, are stored in a read-only manner in a specific area of the memory cells 12. The area of the memory cells 12 in which the identification elements 121 are stored is arranged, for example, such that the identification elements 121 cannot be overwritten by the mobile device 2 via the interface 11 with contact. However, the memory module 1 can also be equipped with a security module that allows the identification elements 121 to be programmed via the contact-based interface 11 if a security lock has been overcome beforehand, for example by means of a secret code or a secret password. The identification elements 121, in particular the user identification, and the security module can also be implemented as an integrated subscriber identification module (SIM), as is the case, for example, in mobile radio telephony, in particular in the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) GPRS and UMTS networks, is used. The user identification is, for example, a standardized identification, for example an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) that can be used in mobile telephony, or a proprietary identification of a service provider. The identification elements 121 are programmed, for example, by the manufacturer of the memory module 1 or in an authorized sales point in the area of the memory cells 12 provided for this purpose.

The receiver 10 includes, for example, an access control module that controls access to received access-controlled digital data, so-called conditional access (CA) data. The access control module can use the identification elements 121 for the user-specific access control and / or the billing of received access-controlled digital data. The access control module can also be implemented in the mobile device 2, for example as a programmed software module. The digital data received by the receiver 10 can be received and processed by these mobile devices 2 without additional technical changes to the existing mobile devices 2, for example by playback via electroacoustic transducers and / or display on a display. The known WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) and / or MEXE (Mobile Execution Environment) functions can also be used in the memory module 1.

The mobile devices 2 typically have processing means, in particular one or more processors, data and program memory and an operating system, for example Windows CE (Microsoft, Corp.), PalmOS (Palm, Inc.), EPOC (Symbian) or LINUX. On this platform or on an overlying virtual platform, for example a Java Virtual Machine (Sun Microsystems, Inc.), a receiving module can be executed which, as a computer program, for example in Java (Sun Microsystems, Inc.), consists of one or several programmed software modules. The reception module controls a processor of the mobile device 2 in such a way that it accepts the digital data received by the receiver 10 via the contact-based interface 11 or 21. The received digital data are read, for example, directly in the data register and / or data buffer 122 by the reception module. The reception module can be loaded into the mobile device 2, for example, from a computer-readable data carrier or, for example for update purposes, via an air interface.

The receiver module can also be equipped with other functions. The received digital data read in the data register and / or data buffer 122, which are provided there by the receiver 10, for example as a pure data stream, can for example be completely evaluated in the reception module. For example, the data types, such as GPS position information, audio data, video data, PAD data, NPAD data, FIC data or CA data, can be identified and processed further according to the type. Audio data is prepared for playback and is played back using electroacoustic transducers. Video data and other displayable data are prepared for playback and shown on a display. provides. The functions of the access control module mentioned above can also be implemented in the receiving module. The receiving module can also include functions to recognize executable programs contained in the received digital data, for example so-called applets, to store them (fixed or temporary) in the mobile device 2 and to execute them on a processor of the mobile device 2.

List of reference numbers

1 memory module

1c, 1d Spatial expansion of the memory module

2 mobile device

10 recipients

11 Contact interface (socket strip)

12 memory cells

13 Parallel data bus

21 Contact interface (connector strip)

22 modular shaft

101 receiving antenna

102 receive filter

103 receiving circuit

121 identification elements (user identification and / or service identification)

122 data registers and / or data buffers

123 memory expansion

Claims

claims

1. A memory module (1) for mobile devices (2), comprising:

- memory cells (12) for storing digital data,

- a contact interface (11) for the removable connection to one of the mobile devices (2),

characterized,

that the memory module (1) additionally comprises a receiver (10) for receiving digital data that is broadcast by radio transmitters, which is connected to the contact-based interface (11).

2. Memory module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it can be inserted into a module slot (22) of the mobile device (2).

3. Memory module (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the receiver (10) is connected via a data bus (13) to the contact interface (11).

4. Memory module (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the memory cells (12) comprise a data register and / or a data buffer (122) which is connected between the receiver (10) and the data bus (13).

5. Memory module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a receiving antenna (101).

6. Memory module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a coupling connected to the receiver (10) for the removable connection to a receiving antenna.

7. Memory module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the receiver (10) via the contact interface (11) can be fed electrically.

8. Memory module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the receiver (10) is designed to receive digital DAB and / or DVB radio programs.

9. Memory module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the receiver (10) is designed as a GPS receiver.

10. Memory module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises identification elements (121) which are stored in the memory cells (12) in a write-protected manner.

11. Computer-readable data carrier, which contains encoded data representing a computer program, which enables a computer program, a processor in a mobile device (2), which has a contact interface (21) for removable connection to a memory module (1) comprises to control such that it receives digital data that are broadcast by radio transmitters and that are received by the receiver (10) of a memory module (1) connected to the mobile device (2) via the contact interface (21) according to one of claims 1 to 10 are received via the contact interface (21).

12. Computer program element comprising: computer program code means for controlling a processor in a mobile device (2), which comprises a contact interface (21) for the removable connection to a memory module (1), in such a way that it transmits digital data emitted by radio broadcasters are received by the receiver (10) of a memory module (1) connected to the mobile device (2) via the contact interface (21) according to one of claims 1 to 10, is received via the contact interface (21).