EMBEDDED PROTOCOL SELECTION TECHNIQUE, RELATED INTERFACE AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT

A protocol-based communication between a host device (e.g., MP3 player, digital camera, palmtop, etc.) and an interface (e.g., flash mass storage card) is established automatically by providing protocol-supporting facilities in the interface, each facility supporting communication with the host device based on a respective protocol, by sending a query message from the host device to the interface specifying at least one protocol for use in protocol-based communication, by searching, within the plurality of protocol-supporting facilities provided in the interface one protocol-supporting facility supporting the protocol proposed in the query message, and if such protocol-supporting facility is found within the plurality of protocol-supporting facilities provided in the interface, by setting up the protocol-based communication between the host device and the interface based on the protocol proposed in the query message issued from the host device.