Memory card reader
Encyclopedia
A memory card reader is a device, typically having a USB
interface, for accessing the data on a memory card
such as a CompactFlash
(CF), Secure Digital
(SD) or MultiMediaCard
(MMC). Most card readers also offer write capability, and together with the card, this can function as a pen drive.
Some printers
and personal computer
s have a built-in card reader.
A multi card reader is used for communication with more than one type of flash memory card
. Multi card readers do not have built-in memory capacity, but are able to accept multiple types and styles of memory cards.
The number of compatible memory cards varies from reader to reader and can include more than 20 different types. The number of different memory cards that a multi card reader can accept is expressed as x-in-1, with x being a figure of merit
indicating the number of memory cards accepted, such as 35-in-1. There are three categories of card readers sorted by the type and quantity of the card slots: single card reader (e.g. 1x SD-only), multi card reader (e.g. 9-in-1) and series card reader (e.g. 4x SD only).
Some kinds of memory cards with their own USB functions do not need the card reader, such as the Intelligent Stick
memory card, which can plug directly into a USB slot.
The USB device class used is 0x08.
Universal Serial Bus
USB is an industry standard developed in the mid-1990s that defines the cables, connectors and protocols used in a bus for connection, communication and power supply between computers and electronic devices....
interface, for accessing the data on a memory card
Memory card
A memory card or flash card is an electronic flash memory data storage device used for storing digital information. They are commonly used in many electronic devices, including digital cameras, mobile phones, laptop computers, MP3 players, and video game consoles...
such as a CompactFlash
CompactFlash
CompactFlash is a mass storage device format used in portable electronic devices. Most CompactFlash devices contain flash memory in a standardized enclosure. The format was first specified and produced by SanDisk in 1994...
(CF), Secure Digital
Secure Digital card
Secure Digital is a non-volatile memory card format developed by the SD Card Association for use in portable devices. The SD technology is used by more than 400 brands across dozens of product categories and more than 8,000 models, and is considered the de-facto industry standard.Secure Digital...
(SD) or MultiMediaCard
MultiMediaCard
The MultiMediaCard is a flash memory memory card standard. Unveiled in 1997 by Siemens AG and SanDisk, it is based on Toshiba's NAND-based flash memory, and is therefore much smaller than earlier systems based on Intel NOR-based memory such as CompactFlash. MMC is about the size of a postage...
(MMC). Most card readers also offer write capability, and together with the card, this can function as a pen drive.
Some printers
Computer printer
In computing, a printer is a peripheral which produces a text or graphics of documents stored in electronic form, usually on physical print media such as paper or transparencies. Many printers are primarily used as local peripherals, and are attached by a printer cable or, in most new printers, a...
and personal computer
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
s have a built-in card reader.
A multi card reader is used for communication with more than one type of flash memory card
Memory card
A memory card or flash card is an electronic flash memory data storage device used for storing digital information. They are commonly used in many electronic devices, including digital cameras, mobile phones, laptop computers, MP3 players, and video game consoles...
. Multi card readers do not have built-in memory capacity, but are able to accept multiple types and styles of memory cards.
The number of compatible memory cards varies from reader to reader and can include more than 20 different types. The number of different memory cards that a multi card reader can accept is expressed as x-in-1, with x being a figure of merit
Figure of merit
A figure of merit is a quantity used to characterize the performance of a device, system or method, relative to its alternatives. In engineering, figures of merit are often defined for particular materials or devices in order to determine their relative utility for an application...
indicating the number of memory cards accepted, such as 35-in-1. There are three categories of card readers sorted by the type and quantity of the card slots: single card reader (e.g. 1x SD-only), multi card reader (e.g. 9-in-1) and series card reader (e.g. 4x SD only).
Some kinds of memory cards with their own USB functions do not need the card reader, such as the Intelligent Stick
Intelligent Stick
"Intelligent Stick" is a brand name for a USB flash drive memory card which was developed by the Power Quotient International company in 2002. Also called "I-Stick"....
memory card, which can plug directly into a USB slot.
The USB device class used is 0x08.