USB memory storage apparatus with integrated circuit in a connector

• US 7,069,370 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2003
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Corporation
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Corporation
• Inventors: Sukegawa, Hiroshi, Kamei, Hiroyuki, Kanayama, Azusa
• Primary Examiner(s): Ray, Gopal C.
• Application Number:
  US10/355,214
• Publication Number:
  US 20040153595A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• Field of Search: 710/13, 710300-304, 710/72, 710/305, 710/38, 710/36, 710/313, 710/105, 710/63, 710/74, 439/518, 439/638, 439/884, 711/103, 711/115, 365/63, 365/129, 713/600, 361/686, 361/724, 361/726, 361/685, 361/737
• US Class Current: 710/305
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• 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: H01L 2224/32145 the bodies being stacked
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48227 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• 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 2924/01079 Gold [Au]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/10253 Silicon [Si]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/14 Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/19041 being a capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3025 Electromagnetic shielding

Abstract

An integrated semiconductor memory device for use within an integrated USB memory apparatus has a controller, a flash memory in communication with the controller, a USB interface circuit in communication with the memory controller, and an integrated circuit package for maintaining at least one of the controller, the flash memory, and the USB interface within the physical dimensions of a USB connector of the USB memory apparatus.

Claims

1. An integrated semiconductor memory device for use within a USB memory apparatus, the device comprising:

a controller;

a flash memory in communication with the controller;

a USB interface circuit in communication with the controller;

an integrated circuit package for maintaining the controller, the flash memory, and the USB interface together within physical dimensions of a connector of the USB memory apparatus; and

a synthesized clock source within the integrated circuit package.

2. The integrated semiconductor memory device of claim 1, wherein the connector is a USB connector shield case.

3. The integrated semiconductor memory device of claim 2, wherein the connector is a USB series A plug and the USB connector shield case is a plug housing from the USB series A plug.

4. The integrated semiconductor memory device of claim 3, wherein the physical dimensions of the plug housing are substantially 12 millimeters wide by 4.5 millimeters tall by at least 11.75 millimeters deep.

5. The integrated semiconductor memory device of claim 1 further comprising:

a first chip implementing a first portion of the group consisting of the controller, the flash memory, and the USB interface circuit; and

a second chip implementing a second portion of the group consisting of the controller, the flash memory, and the USB interface circuit, wherein the first chip is stacked on and attached to the second chip within the integrated circuit package.

6. The integrated semiconductor memory device of claim 5, wherein the integrated circuit package includes a molding compound for holding the first chip and second chip in place within the integrated circuit package.

7. An integrated USB memory apparatus comprising:

a USB connector shield case;

a first circuit board disposed within the USB connector shield case;

a set of contact terminals on a top side of the first circuit board; and

a semiconductor device disposed within the USB connector shield case and in electrical communication with the set of contact terminals, the semiconductor device comprising,

a memory controller in communication with the set of contact terminals,

a NAND flash memory in communication with the memory controller, and

a USB interface circuit in communication with the memory controller.

8. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 7, wherein the USB connector shield case is a plug housing from a USB series A plug.

9. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 8, wherein the physical dimensions of the plug housing are substantially 12 millimeters wide by 4.5 millimeters tall by at least 11.75 millimeters deep.

10. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 7, wherein the semiconductor device is mounted on a bottom side of the first circuit board.

11. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a block disposed on the first circuit board within the USB connector shield case for preventing over-insertion of a mating USB connector;

and

wherein the semiconductor device is mounted within the block.

12. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a second circuit board for mounting the semiconductor device;

and

wherein the set of contact terminals is operatively connected from the first circuit board to the second circuit board for further provision to the semiconductor device.

13. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 7 further comprising

a block disposed on the first circuit board within the USB connector shield case for preventing over-insertion of a mating USB connector,

wherein the semiconductor device further comprises a first module and a second module, and

wherein the first module is embedded within the block while the second module is mounted on a bottom side of the first circuit board.

14. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 7, wherein the semiconductor device further comprises a first module and a second module, the first module being mounted on a second circuit board connected to the first circuit board while the second module is mounted on a bottom side of the first circuit board.

15. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 7 further comprising

a block disposed on the first circuit board within the USB connector shield case for preventing over-insertion of a mating USB connector;

and

wherein the semiconductor device further comprises a first module and a second module, the first module being mounted on a second circuit board connected to the first circuit board while the second module is mounted within the block.

16. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

a block disposed on the first circuit board within the USB connector shield case for preventing over-insertion of a mating USB connector; and

wherein the semiconductor device further comprises a first module, a second module, and a third module, wherein the first module is mounted on a second circuit board connected to the first circuit board, the second module is mounted on a bottom side of the first circuit board, and the third module is embedded within the block.

17. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a light operatively coupled to the memory controller within the semiconductor device, the light providing a visual indication of access to the NAND flash memory.

18. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 7, wherein the set of contact terminals on the first circuit board are metal tabs on a substantially flat portion of the top side of the first circuit board.

19. An integrated USB memory apparatus comprising:

a USB connector shield case;

a first circuit board disposed within the USB connector shield case;

a set of contact terminals on a substantially flat portion of a top side of the first circuit board;

a block disposed on the first circuit board within the USB connector shield case for preventing over-insertion of a mating USB connector;

a semiconductor device disposed within the USB connector shield case and in electrical communication with the set of contact terminals, the semiconductor device comprising,

a memory controller in communication with the set of contact terminals,

a NAND flash memory in communication with the memory controller, and

a USB interface circuit in communication with the memory controller; and

a light operatively coupled to the semiconductor device to provide a visual indication of access to the NAND flash memory.

20. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 19, wherein the USB connector shield case is a plug housing from a USB series A plug.

21. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 20, wherein the physical dimensions of the plug housing are substantially 12 millimeters wide by 4.5 millimeters tall by at least 11.75 millimeters deep.

22. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 19, wherein the semiconductor device is embedded within the block and connected to the set of contact terminals.

23. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 19, wherein the semiconductor device is mounted on a bottom side of the first circuit board and connected to the set of contact terminals.

24. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 19, wherein the semiconductor device is mounted on a second circuit board positioned adjacent the first circuit board and within the USB connector shield case.

25. An integrated USB memory apparatus comprising:

a USB connector shield case;

a first circuit board disposed within the USB connector shield case;

a set of contact terminals on a substantially flat portion of a top side of the first circuit board;

a block disposed on the first circuit board within the USB connector shield case for preventing over-insertion of a mating USB connector; and

a memory storage device comprising a plurality of modules, at least one of the modules being mounted within the USB connector shield case, the modules comprising,

a memory controller in communication with the set of contact terminals,

a NAND flash memory in communication with the memory controller, and

a USB interface circuit in communication with the memory controller.

26. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 25, wherein the USB connector shield case is a plug housing from a USB series A plug.

27. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 26, wherein the physical dimensions of the plug housing are substantially 12 millimeters wide by 4.5 millimeters tall by at least 11.75 millimeters deep.

28. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 25, wherein the at least one of the modules is embedded within the block.

29. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 25, wherein the at least one of the modules is mounted on a bottom side of the first circuit board.

30. The integrated USB memory apparatus of claim 25, wherein another of the modules is mounted outside of the USB connector shield case on a second circuit board.