Memory module and card with integrated RFID tag

• US 20070257802A1
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kingston Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kingston Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Ho, John, Koh, Wei
• Granted Patent: US 7,564,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.800
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07732 the record carrier having a housing or construction similar to well-known portable memory devices, such as SD cards, USB or memory sticks housings for electrical equipment in general, see H05K5/02
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 5/04 Supports for storage elements , e.g. memory modules; Mounting or fixing of storage elements on such supports
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/49855 for flat-cards, e.g. credit cards cards per se G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0266 Marks, test patterns or identification means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/16 incorporating printed electric components, e.g. printed resistor, capacitor, inductor
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/185 Components encapsulated in the insulating substrate of the printed circuit or incorporated in internal layers of a multilayer circuit semiconductor chips encapsulated by interconnect and support structures H01L23/5389, H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10098 Components for radio transmission, e.g. radio frequency identification [RFID] tag, printed or non-printed antennas

Abstract

A dual in-line memory module (DIMM) and a digital flash card are disclosed including an internal, built-in RFID tag in which identification and product information is contained. The RFID tag has an RF integrated circuit chip and antenna traces spreading outwardly therefrom to permit access to the information contained by the RF chip. In the case of a DIMM, the RF integrated circuit chip and its antenna traces are located on top of or between the layers of a multi-layer laminated printed wiring board substrate. In the case of a digital flash card, the RF integrated circuit chip and its antenna traces are preferably located on top of a multi-layer printed wiring board substrate and then encapsulated within a molded cover. In the alternative, the RF chip and its antenna traces are attached to the inside of a cover that extends over and is spaced above the printed wiring board substrate.

Claims

1. A digital memory module having an internal RFID tag, and comprising:

a printed wiring board substrate including DRAM contact patterns to which DRAM memory devices are to be interconnected to receive ground, power and data signals;

an RF integrated circuit chip carried by said printed wiring board substrate and containing information concerning the identity and manufacture of the digital memory module; and

an antenna coupled to and extending outwardly from said RF integrated circuit chip by which to enable access to the information contained thereby.

2. The digital memory module recited in claim 1, wherein said RF integrated circuit chip and said antenna are mounted on top of said printed wiring board substrate.

3. The digital memory module recited in claim 1, wherein said printed wiring board substrate is a laminate having a plurality of layers, and said RF integrated circuit chip and said antenna are located between said layers.

4. A digital flash card having an internal RFID tag, and comprising:

a printed wiring board assembly substrate including a flash memory and a controller;

an RF integrated circuit chip carried by said printed wiring board assembly substrate and containing information concerning the identity and manufacture of said digital flash card; and

an antenna coupled to and extending outwardly from said RF integrated circuit chip by which to enable access to the information contained thereby.

5. The digital flash card recited in claim 4, wherein said RF integrated circuit chip and said antenna are mounted on top of said printed wiring board assembly substrate.

6. The digital flash card recited in claim 5, further comprising a cover attached to said printed wiring board assembly substrate and enclosing therewithin said RF integrated circuit chip and said antenna.

7. The digital flash card recited in claim 6, wherein said cover is filled with a molding material, such that said RF integrated circuit chip and said antenna are encapsulated within said molding material.

8. The digital flash card recited in claim 4, wherein said printed wiring board assembly substrate is a laminate having a plurality of layers, and said RF integrated circuit chip and said antenna are located between said layers.

9. The digital flash card recited in claim 4, further comprising a cover attached to said printed wiring board assembly substrate so as to be spaced above said flash memory and said controller, said RF integrated circuit chip and said antenna being enclosed by said cover and attached to the inside thereof.

10. The digital flash card recited in claim 9, wherein said flash card has one of a MMC, SD, CF, or PC form factor.