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

• US 20050226023A1
• Filed: 06/20/2005
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1991
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Eliyahou Harari, Robert D. Norman, Robert F. Wallace
• Inventors: Harari, Eliyahou, Wallace, Robert F., Norman, Robert D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,106,609 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 circuit board with a plurality of sub-boards attached thereto on both sides, each sub-board carrying several integrated circuit chips.

Claims

1-13. -13. (canceled)

14. A computer memory card, comprising:

a plurality of memory sub-boards each carrying a plurality of flash EEPROM integrated circuit chips and including electrical conductors attached thereto which interconnect said chips to a plurality of electrical contacts along an edge of said sub-board, said contacts having a predetermined pattern therealong,

a controller sub-board carrying at least one integrated circuit chip and characterized by providing an electronic interface between a host computer system bus and said memory chips,

a main circuit board including electrical conductors attached thereto and extending between a plurality of electrical contacts at an edge thereof to said controller sub-board and to a plurality of rows of electrical contacts on a surface of said main circuit board that are each arranged in said pattern, said controller sub-board being attached to said main circuit board,

said memory sub-boards being attached to said main board with their edge contacts being electrically connected to respective ones of said plurality of rows of contacts on the main board, and

a cover enclosing said main printed circuit board and attached sub-boards in a manner that electrical contact may be made with said plurality of contacts at the edge of the main printed circuit board.

15. The computer memory card according to claim 14 wherein said main circuit board includes said plurality of rows of contacts in the predetermined pattern carried on both of opposite surfaces thereof.

16. The computer memory card according to claim 14 wherein said memory sub-boards are attached to said main board only through the connection of their edge contacts to respective ones of said plurality of rows of conductors on the main board.

17. The computer memory card according to claim 14 wherein said memory sub-boards are rectangular in shape and said edge contacts are located along only one of the edges thereof that is of a longest length.

18. In an enclosed rectangularly shaped computer memory card that is less than 5.5 centimeters in width, less than 9.0 centimeters in length and less than 6.0 millimeters in thickness, and having an electrical connector along a narrow side thereof, a combination within said card, comprising:

a main circuit board including electrical conductors carried thereby that interconnect said connector and a plurality of groups of substantially parallel rows of electrical contacts provided on opposite surfaces of said board, each of said rows having substantially the same number and spacing of contacts, and

a plurality of rectangularly shaped sub-boards each carrying a plurality of flash EEPROM integrated circuit chips electrical interconnected to a line of a plurality of electrical contacts along only one edge of said sub-board, said line having substantially the same number and spacing of contacts as does said main circuit board rows of contacts, said sub-boards being attached to said main board with their edge contacts being electrically connected to respective ones of said plurality of rows of contacts on the main board.

19. The memory card combination according to claim 18 wherein the circuit chips have contact pads provided along only one edge thereof, each of the circuit chips on a given sub-board being arranged with its contact pad edge facing the sub-board edge having the line of contacts, and wherein said sub-boards have conductors formed thereon which electrically interconnect said line of contacts to said circuit chip pads.

20. The memory card combination according to either of claims 18 and 19 wherein said sub-boards are attached to said main board only through their edge contacts being attached to said main board rows of contacts.

21. The memory card combination according to claim 18 which additionally comprises at least one integrated circuit chip carried by said main board and forming a controller to interface between a computer system bus and said memory chips, said controller chip being electrically connected in a path between said conductor and said main board rows of contacts.

22. The memory card combination according to claim 21 wherein said at least one controller chip is attached to another sub-board which in turn is mechanically and electrically attached to said main board.

23-34. -34. (canceled)