ELECTRONIC DATA FLASH CARD WITH VARIOUS FLASH MEMORY CELLS

• US 20080313388A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Abraham C Ma, Charles C. Lee, David Q. Chow, Frank I. Yu, Ming-Shiang Shen
• Original Assignee: Abraham C Ma, Charles C. Lee, David Q. Chow, Frank I. Yu, Ming-Shiang Shen
• Inventors: Shen, Ming-Shiang, Ma, Abraham C., Lee, Charles C., Chow, David Q., Yu, Frank I.
• Application Number:
  US11/929,776
• Publication Number:
  US 20080313388A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/103
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/00 Accessing, addressing or allocating within memory systems or architectures digital input from, or digital output to record carriers, e.g. to disk storage units, G06F3/06
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0246 in block erasable memory, e.g. flash memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1416 by checking the object accessibility, e.g. type of access defined by the memory independently of subject rights G06F12/1458 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/78 to assure secure storage of data address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2212/7202 Allocation control and policies
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2212/7208 Multiple device management, e.g. distributing data over multiple flash devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07354 by biometrically sensitive means, e.g. fingerprint sensitive fingerprint sensors in general G06V40/12; biometrically activated access control G07C9/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1365 Matching; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

An electronic data flash card is accessible by a host computer, and includes a processing unit connected to a flash memory device that stores a data file, and an input-output interface circuit activated so as to establish a communication with the host computer. In an embodiment, the electronic data flash card uses a USB input/output interface circuit for communication with the host computer. A flash memory controller includes an index for converting logical addresses sent by the host computer into physical addresses associated with sectors of the flash memory device. The index is controlled by arbitration logic referencing to values from various look up tables and valid data stored in the flash memory device. The flash memory controller further includes a first-in-first-out unit (FIFO) for recycling obsolete sectors of the flash memory device in the background process so that they are available for reprogramming.

Claims

1. An electronic data flash card adapted to be accessed by a host computer that is capable of establishing a communication link, the electronic data flash card comprising:

a flash memory device including a plurality of Multi Level Cell type non volatile memory cells for storing a data file;

an input/output interface circuit for establishing Universal Serial Bus communication with the host computer;

a flash memory controller electrically connected to the flash memory device and the input/output interface circuit, wherein the flash memory controller comprises;

(a) means for determining whether the flash memory device is supported by the flash memory controller in accordance with a flash detection algorithm code,

(b) an index for storing a plurality of logical block addresses and a plurality of physical block addresses such that each the physical block address is assigned to an associated the logical block address, where each the physical block address corresponds to an associated plurality of memory cells of the flash memory device,

(c) means for selectively operating in one of;

a programming mode in which the flash memory controller activates the input/output interface circuit to receive the data file from the host computer, and to store the data file in a first physical block address of the flash memory device associated with a first logical block address received with a write command issued from the host computer to the flash memory controller,

a data retrieving mode in which the flash memory controller receives a read command issued from host computer including the first logical block address, and activates the input/output interface circuit to transmit the data file read from the first physical address to the host computer,

a data resetting mode in which the data file is erased from the flash memory device;

a function key set for initiating operation of the flash memory controller in a selected one of the programming, data retrieving and data resetting modes;

a display unit for displaying the data file and operating status of the electronic data storage medium; and

a card body as a substrate on which the non-volatile memory device, the input/output interface circuit, the flash memory controller, the function key set and the display unit are mounted.