Alcor Micro Corp.

Hüng-Chou Tsai

Chi-Tung Chang

Ching-Wen Wang

Kuan Chia Huang

Shih-Hsieng Yang

A portable data storage device includes a control unit coupled via a predetermined interface with a computer having an operating system with user authority limits, and a memory divided into a segment I for storing related applications, a public segment II for temporarily storing instructions and data, and a hidden segment III for saving client data. In a method of accessing data via the portable data storage device, when the computer is to write data into or read data from the segment III, the data to be written or read is first temporarily stored in the segment II, and specific read or write instructions for a read/write level application interface are written into the segment II by the applications in the segment I and executed, so as to complete data exchange and access between the portable data storage device and the computer.

Portable data storage device and method of accessing data thereof

A method of overcurrent protection for multi-slot flash memory card reader mainly includes integrating overcurrent protection circuit and power-supply circuit for the multiple slots of the card reader into one single control chip; and, when the overcurrent protection circuit detects an overcurrent at a particular slot, cutting off power supply to that particular slot of the card reader and enabling an overcurrent state register, so that a signal is provided to firmware in the control chip to display an icon of the card reader on a computer as a state indicating an abnormal condition. Whereby, the card reader and a flash memory card inserted therein, or other apparatus connected thereto would not be damaged when an overcurrent occurs, and a user may clearly know the exact point on the card reader where the overcurrent occurs.

Growing community of inventors

Nantou County, Taiwan

Hüng-Chou Tsai