Computer memory cards using flash EEPROM integrated circuit chips and memory-controller systems

• US 6,252,791 B1
• Filed: 12/28/1999
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: SanDisk Corporation (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Harari, Eliyahou, Wallace, Robert F., Norman, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, SON LUU
• Application Number:
  US09/473,848
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 365/52, 365/63, 365/185.33, 711/2, 711/5, 711/103
• US Class Current: 365/52
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0601 Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0664 at device level, e.g. emulation of a storage device or system
• 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: G06K 19/07741 comprising a first part operating as a regular record carrier and a second attachable part that changes the functional appearance of said record carrier, e.g. a contact-based smart card with an adapter part which, when attached to the contact card makes the contact card function as a non-contact card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07743 External electrical contacts
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0047 for reading/sensing record carriers having edge contacts
• 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 2224/32225 the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48227 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/73265 Layer and wire connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/83385 Shape, e.g. interlocking features
• 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 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/141 One or more single auxiliary printed circuits mounted on a main printed circuit, e.g. modules, adapters H05K1/142 and H05K1/147 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10159 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10462 Flat component oriented parallel to the PCB surface
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10484 Obliquely mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/1572 Processing both sides of a PCB by the same process; Providing a similar arrangement of components on both sides; Making interlayer connections from two sides
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/3421 : Leaded components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1431 : Retention mechanisms for CPU modules

Abstract

A very small computer memory card is densely packed with a large number of flash EEPROM integrated circuit chips. A computer memory system provides for the ability to removably connect one or more of such cards with a common controller circuit that interfaces between the memory cards and a standard computer system bus. Alternately, each card can be provided with the necessary controller circuitry and thus is connectable directly to the computer system bus. An electronic system is described for a memory system and its controller within a single memory card. In a preferred physical arrangement, the cards utilize a main circuitry board with a plurality of sub-boards attached thereto on both sides, each sub-board carrying several integrated circuit chips.

Claims

1. A memory system, comprising:

a controller card including a host connector adapted to establish a removable electrical connection between electrical contacts thereof and a host system, and at least one memory card connector adapted to receive a memory card,

a plurality of memory cards individually including a non-volatile memory to store user data and a connector adapted to mate with said at least one memory card connector to provide a removable mechanical and electrical connection between electrical contacts of the mating connectors, and

a microprocessor and a buffer memory included as part of the controller card, the microprocessor being operable in response to commands received through the host connector to cause user data to move between a host and the buffer memory through the host connector and operable to cause user data to move between the non-volatile memory of a memory card and the buffer memory through the memory card connector.

2. The memory system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is additionally operable to cause all of user data, address signals and command signals to be received and transmitted through the host connector according to a disk drive protocol.

3. The memory system of claim 2, wherein the disk drive protocol includes address signals that designate head, cylinder and sector identifications.

5. The memory system of claim 1, wherein the buffer memory is formed of a volatile random-access-memory.

6. The memory system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the memory cards individually include flash EEPROM memory cells organized in groups of cells that are individually addressable for simultaneous erasure.

7. The memory system of claim 6, wherein the individual groups of memory cells store 512 bytes of user data plus overhead data.

8. The memory system of claim 6, where the flash memory cells include storage elements that are individually programmable into more than two states in order to store more than one bit of data per storage element.

9. The memory system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the memory cards are individually fully enclosed in a package having a width less than 5.5 centimeters, a length less than 9.0 centimeters, and a thickness less than 6.0 millimeters, with the connector of the memory card being positioned along one edge thereof.

10. The memory system of claim 9, wherein the memory cards individually include flash EEPROM memory cells organized in groups of cells that are individually addressable for simultaneous erasure.

11. The memory system of claim 10, wherein the flash memory cells include storage elements that are individually programmable into more than two states in order to store more than one bit of data per storage element.

12. The memory cartridge of claim 1, wherein said memory cards individually include a main circuit board having conductive traces connected with the electrical contacts of the connector on the memory card, and a plurality of flash EEPROM integrated circuit chips attached to at least one sub-board having contacts along one edge thereof that mate with the main board conductive traces and are attached thereto.

4. The memory system of claim 4, wherein the host connector provides an industry standard IDE interface.