Memory apparatus connectable to a host system having a USB connector

• US 7,337,261 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2006
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Kamei, Hiroyuki, Kanayama, Azusa, Sukegawa, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Ray; Gopal C.
• Application Number:
  US11/402,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20060184709A1
• Time in Patent Office: 684 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: 710/313
• 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. A memory apparatus connectable to a host system having a USB connector, comprising:

a USB connector shield case which is insertable to the USB connector;

a plurality of connector terminals disposed in the USB connector shield case, in case of the USB connector being inserted in the USB connector, the terminals being electrically connected to the host system;

a controller in communication with the connector terminals; and

a nonvolatile memory in communication with the controller,

wherein at least one of the controller and the nonvolatile memory is disposed in the USB connector shield case.

2. The memory apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the USB connector shield case is a plug housing from a USB series A plug.

3. The memory apparatus according to claim 2, wherein physical dimensions of the plug housing are substantially 12 millimeters wide by 4.5 millimeters tall by at least 11.75 millimeters deep.

4. The memory apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a synthesized clock source within the USB connector shield case.

5. The memory apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a block within the USB connector shield case for preventing over-insertion of the connector.

6. The memory apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light operatively coupled to the controller, the light providing a visual indication of access to the nonvolatile memory.

7. A memory apparatus connectable to a host system having a USB connector, comprising:

a USB connector shield case which is insertable to the USB connector;

a circuit board disposed in the USB connector shield case;

a plurality of connector terminals disposed on the circuit board, in case of the USB connector being inserted in the USB connector, the terminals being electrically connected to the host system;

a controller in communication with the connector terminals; and

a nonvolatile memory in communication with the controller,

wherein at least one of the controller and the nonvolatile memory, is disposed on the circuit board.

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

9. The memory apparatus according to claim 8, wherein 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 memory apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a synthesized clock source within the USB connector shield case.

11. The memory apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a block within the USB connector shield case for preventing over-insertion of the connector.

12. The memory apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a light operatively coupled to the controller, the light providing a visual indication of access to the nonvolatile memory.