PNY Technologies, Inc.
`
`
`EXHIBIT 1003
`
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`PNY Exhibit 1003
`Inter Partes Review of
`US Patent No. 7,518,879
`
`

`
`(12) United States Patent
`Minneman et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,352,601 B1
`.Apr.1,2008
`
`US007352601B1
`
`USB FLASH MEMORY DEVICE
`
`6,148,354 A
`
`11/2000 Ban et a1.
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Toshiba Preliminary SD-Mxxx Series, SD - Mxxx Series, SD
`Memory Card, Jul. 25, 2002, pp. 1-13, (description and features).
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner—J. H. Hur
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Renner, Otto, Boisselle &
`Sklar, LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A memory device for interconnection with a Universal
`Serial Bus (USB) Series A type receptacle of an electronic
`device includes a housing wherein the housing is largely
`rectangular, with the width and height of a USB Series A
`plug standard housing; a connector within the housing,
`electrical terminals in the housing; the housing and terminals
`of a form to connect with a USB Series A receptacle of an
`electronic device; and a data memory and a controller within
`the housing. The memory device may be used in combina-
`tion with a portable computing device or peripheral or with
`a cell phone, gps or other electrical or electronic device that
`includes a receptacle to house the memory device of the type
`disclosed herein, wherein the memory device is largely
`within the electrical or electronic device. A method of
`
`transporting data between a peripheral and a computer (or
`processor) includes storing data in a portable memory device
`directly using a computer or a peripheral; transporting the
`portable memory device to the other of such a computer or
`a peripheral; and delivering data from the portable memory
`device directly to such other computer or peripheral, said
`delivering being while the portable memory device is largely
`within the peripheral during use of the peripheral.
`
`68 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`(54)
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Michael Paul Minneman, 1275 W. 13”‘
`St., Broomfield, CO (US) 80020;
`Michael Crawford, 5670 W. 115d’ Ct.,
`Westminister, CO (US) 80020
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 169 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 10/997,515
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 24, 2004
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Provisional application No. 60/525,046, filed on Nov.
`24, 2003.
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(2006.01)
`H01R 13/66
`(2006.01)
`H01R 24/00
`(2006.01)
`H01R 33/00
`U.S. Cl.
`................. .. 365/51; 439/620.01; 439/660;
`439/638; 365/185.05; 365/63
`Field of Classification Search ................ .. 365/51,
`365/63,185.05; 710/305, 311; 439/660,
`439/638, 518, 620.01
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,323,979 A *
`5,129,143 A *
`5,319,591 A *
`5,422,855 A
`5,650,969 A *
`5,928,347 A
`
`4/1982 Johnston ................... .. 361/684
`7/1992 Wei et al.
`................... .. 29/885
`6/1994 Takeda et al.
`.............. .. 365/63
`6/1995 Eslick et al.
`7/1997 Niijima et al.
`7/1999 Jones
`
`............ .. 365/200
`
`10
`
`25 \
`
`
`
`30
`
`\ U I.1
`
`‘.r.::‘_::".1._:.T:.,
`:1
`._r---L-.'.'.'g..-.1}-71"‘
`
`PNY EXHIBIT 1003
`
`

`
`US 7,352,601 B1
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`7/2001 Chang ...................... .. 710/100
`6,260,087 B1*
`6/2002 Chen et a1,
`6,398,587 B1
`7/2003 Hu
`6,588,662 B1
`5/2004 Yang ........................ .. 439/518
`6,733,329 B2 *
`6,829,672 B1* 12/2004 Deng et al.
`............... .. 711/103
`6,854,984 B1*
`2/2005 Lee et al.
`................... .. 439/79
`7 069 370 B2 *
`6/2006 Sukegawa et al
`710/305
`2001/0021965 A1*
`9/2001 Yokota et al.
`............ .. 711/163
`2005/0105346 A1*
`5/2005 Shih ......................... .. 365/200
`
`Toshiba TC58NS512ADC Tentative Toshiba MOS Digital Inte-
`grated Circuit Silicon Gate CMOS, Mar. 5, 2003, pp. 1-43 (descrip-
`tion and features).
`Toshiba Preliminary THNCFXXXMBNBA1 Series, Tentative
`Toshiba Sm311F°m1F3°i°TCaTdsM3Y25s2002sPP~ 1-47, (descrip-
`“On and fe‘*““eS)~
`Envoy Data Corporation, PC Cards, p. 1, Sep. 9, 2003, http://WWW.
`e“V°yd"”"°°"Vp°°”dpag°1'htm'
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 1,2008
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 7,352,601 B1
`
`10
`\
`
`11
`
`18
`
`\
`
`MEMORY
`DEVICE
`
`1
`
`II
`
`' COMPUTER
`
`u CAMERA
`
`F113.1
`
`PERIPHERAL
`17
`.
`,7
`PHONEI
`
`12
`
`,3
`
`14
`
`'5
`
`16
`
`17
`
`I
`
`MUSIC/VIDEO
`STORAGE/PLAYBACK
`
`102
`
`99
`
`
`
`/
`
`
`
`
`CONNECT MEMORY
`DEVICE TO ANOTHER
`DEVICE. E.G., TO A
`COMPUTER. DIGITAL
`CAMERA OR THE LIKE
`
`
`
`STORE RETRIEVE
`DA A WITH
`RESPECT TO THE
`
`MEMORY DEVICE
`
`
`
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`
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`100
`
`USE MEMORY
`DEVICE TO STORE
`
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`°R §§¥;'E"E
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`DISCONNECT
`
`MEMORY DEVICE
`FROM 1111:
`‘ANOTHER DEVICE’
`
`NO
`
`F'IG.'I 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 1,2008
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 7,352,601 B1
`
`1\2
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`R
`
`4
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`
`ADAPTER FROM
`
`
`
`STANDARD I0 PORT
`
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`F|G.2A
`PRIOR ART
`
` .
`
`1
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`.—-.——.—.— ———.—
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`c _
`
`MEMORY CARD ‘ MEMORY CARD TO
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 1,2008
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
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`US 7,352,601 B1
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`Apr. 1,2008
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`Apr. 1,2008
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`Apr. 1,2008
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`US 7,352,601 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 1,2008
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`
`1
`USB FLASH MEMORY DEVICE
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This patent application claims priority to United States
`Provisional patent application entitled “USB FLASH
`MEMORY DEVICE” filed on Nov. 24, 2003 and assigned
`Ser. No. 60/525,046 which is incorporated herein by refer-
`ence.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates generally, as indicated, to
`memory devices and methods, and more particularly, to a
`miniaturized USB type universal memory system and
`method.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`transportable memory is an increasingly
`Removable,
`popular way to store data such as text, images, program code
`and the like on peripheral devices, such as those used in
`connection with computers, other electrical and electronic
`apparatus, and the like, and to transport data from one device
`to another. Exemplary devices that can use transportable
`memory include a variety of portable electronic devices,
`such as digital still cameras, digital movie cameras, personal
`digital assistant
`(PDAs), printers, portable digital audio
`players (e.g., mpeg and mp3 player), electronic devices to
`play movies, cell phones, home phones, car audio devices,
`home audio devices, game devices such as video game
`players, and less portable devices such as computers, print-
`ers, telephones, household appliances, and so forth. As but
`one example, in the field of digital photography, a digital
`camera is used to take a picture, and the data representing the
`image is stored in a memory device. The data stored in such
`a camera memory device usually is transferred to a computer
`or to a printer for viewing, editing and/or printing of the
`picture that had been taken by the digital camera. Data
`transfer is typically accomplished by creating a data con-
`nection between devices, or by physical transportation of a
`removable memory from one device to another device.
`Many different types of removable memory devices are
`available currently, many of which are incompatible with
`each other. Removable memory is referred to by a variety of
`names such as “digital media”, “digital media cards”, “flash
`memory cards”, as well as others. Several exemplary
`memory devices currently existing are those referred to as
`Smart Media Card, MultiMedia Card, Memory Stick, D-pic-
`ture Card (sometimes referred to as xD-picture Card) and
`Compact Flash.
`In general,
`these devices implement a
`quantity of non-volatile memory such as Flash EEPROM
`memory as well as the circuitry, logic, and physical inter-
`connections necessary to read and write data. Even though
`these various memory cards perform essentially the same
`function, because of the variety of implementations, a
`memory card that operates in one device is often physically
`and/or electrically incompatible with another device.
`The physical dimensions of the aforementioned respec-
`tive memory devices are different. Removable media is
`generally card-shaped in that it is notably thinner in one
`dimension as compared to the other two dimensions. Typi-
`cally these cards have at least one dimension that is several
`times, e.g.,
`ten times, smaller than either of the other
`dimensions which creates a distinct, card like appearance.
`However, this arrangement is difficult to manufacture and
`
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`US 7,352,601 B1
`
`2
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`leads to breakage due to bending. Also, the variation in
`physical dimensions prevents exchange of digital memory
`between devices. For example, the Smart Media Card is
`wider and thinner than the MultiMedia Card. As a result, a
`device with a port that accepts a specific type of memory
`device is unable to accept any other type of memory device
`in that port. For example, a device that has a port that accepts
`a Memory Stick is unable to accept a Smart Media Card. In
`addition, the electrical interfaces to these different cards
`usually are different.
`Personal computers usually do not come with any built in
`ports for directly receiving a memory device such as those
`mentioned above. Therefore, such memory devices usually
`carmot be plugged directly into the majority of personal
`computers. Hence, to interface a computer with the memory
`device (e.g., to store data in or to retrieve data from the
`memory device), a special adapter that is designed to accept
`a particular memory device is used. Such an adapter usually
`includes an electrical cable and an electrical connector that
`
`may be plugged into (connected to) a standard port on the
`computer. These adapters are sold separately from the per-
`sonal computer and usually plug into a USB port or a serial
`port on the personal computer. An adapter may support
`multiple types of memory devices, but it usually does not
`support all types of memory devices that are available, and
`new memory devices will generally not be compatible with
`previously built adapters. Thus, one problem with the need
`to use these adapters is that the user may not have the correct
`adapter readily available in order to access his own specific
`memory device. For example, a user may want to access a
`Smart Media Card, but he may have an adapter that only
`accepts a Memory Stick.
`The connector arrangement used in such adapters some-
`times is referred to as a termination or as an electrical
`termination or similar nomenclature;
`the combination of
`connector and cable sometimes is referred to as a cable
`
`termination assembly or similar nomenclature. The form
`factor for such connectors and/or of the housing thereof
`typically is a standard shape or at
`least the shapes are
`reasonably standardized to allow the connector to plug into
`a standard socket or port of a computer or of a peripheral
`device, such as a printer, external disc drive, etc., and, for
`example, to provide for connections to the cable to which it
`is attached or to a circuit board on which it is mounted.
`
`Although the shape of such connectors for connection to a
`computer and, thus, the form factor of such connectors at the
`computer connection end and/or peripheral device connec-
`tion end may have been somewhat standardized, the con-
`nections made by the mentioned adapters to memory devices
`clearly have not been standardized, as different sizes, shapes
`and electrical and mechanical connection arrangements are
`specially designed to accommodate the respective memory
`devices, such as those mentioned above.
`Data as used herein is defined as anything such as
`program code, information, or signals that may be stored or
`retrieved from a memory device. The data may be in digital
`form or in some other form. Examples of data are pictures
`taken from digital still cameras, movies from digital video
`cameras, songs downloaded from CDs, from mp3 players, or
`from the intemet, spreadsheets from an Excel spreadsheet or
`a Quattro spreadsheet, databases, computer games, docu-
`ments from a word processing software, and saved emails
`from Outlook software, as well as any other information able
`to be stored in a memory device.
`The physical size of the actual storage medium of the
`previously mentioned memory devices usually is small, but
`in order effectively to use the storage medium, the packaging
`
`

`
`US 7,352,601 B1
`
`3
`of the memory device is relatively large and bulky compared
`to the size of the storage medium. In addition, the adapters
`necessary to connect
`the memory device to a personal
`computer are relatively large and bulky and are a hassle to
`carry if the user is frequently mobile. For example, a tourist
`taking pictures of scenic places with a digital camera and
`carrying his laptop in order to view those pictures would also
`have to carry the adapter in order to view those pictures on
`the laptop. Forgetting to bring the adapter or bringing the
`wrong adapter clearly is a problem. There are USB memory
`devices, which are intended to be an external memory for
`transporting data between two computing devices, but they
`are large enough that they carmot reasonably be contained
`largely within the peripheral.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY
`
`One aspect of the invention relates to a memory device for
`interconnection with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Series A
`type receptacle of an electronic device, including a housing
`wherein the housing is largely rectangular, with the width
`and height of a USB Series A plug standard housing; a
`connector within the housing, electrical terminals in the
`housing; the housing and terminals of a form to connect with
`a USB Series Areceptacle of an electronic device; and a data
`memory and a controller within the housing.
`Another aspect relates to a memory device, including a
`circuit board; an I/O controller; a data memory; a memory
`controller; and an electrical connector having terminals for
`electrical connection to another device, wherein the termi-
`nals of the electrical connector are on the circuit board, and
`wherein the electrical connector includes a standard shape
`housing and at
`least part of each of the circuit board,
`controller, data memory, memory controller and terminals is
`in the housing.
`Another aspect relates to a memory device able to connect
`directly to a peripheral and connect directly to a computer,
`including a data memory; a controller; and an electrical
`connector having terminals to connect to another device,
`wherein the electrical connector includes a standard shape
`housing.
`Another aspect relates to a method of transporting data
`between a peripheral and a computer (or processor), includ-
`ing storing data in a portable memory device directly using
`a computer or a peripheral;
`transporting the portable
`memory device to the other of such a computer or a
`peripheral; and delivering data from the portable memory
`device directly to such other computer or peripheral, said
`delivering being while the portable memory device is largely
`within the peripheral during use of the peripheral.
`
`Another aspect relates to a system of transporting data
`between a peripheral and a computer (or processor) includ-
`ing storing data in a portable memory device directly using
`a computer or a peripheral;
`transporting the portable
`memory device to the other of such a computer or a
`peripheral; and delivering data from the portable memory
`device directly to such other computer or peripheral,
`wherein the portable memory device utilizes a nearly um-
`versally available standard communication protocol and can
`fit fully within or nearly fully within the peripheral during
`use of the peripheral.
`Another aspect relates to a method of transporting data
`between at least two peripherals that do not accept the same
`flash memory card type, including storing data in a portable
`memory device directly using a peripheral, while the por-
`table memory is fully or nearly fully within the peripheral;
`
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`transporting the portable memory device to another periph-
`eral; and delivering the data from the portable memory
`device directly to such other peripheral.
`Another aspect relates to a storage apparatus, including a
`memory unit for preserving data received from an electronic
`device; a connector (e.g. a Universal Serial Bus connector)
`for connecting the apparatus to an electronic device (e.g. a
`computer or digital camera); a communication control sys-
`tem between the connector and the memory unit for arrang-
`ing data received from a connected electronic device
`through the connector and the memory unit to the desired
`format for transmission to the memory unit and a connected
`electronic device, respectively; and a casing retaining the
`memory unit, the communication control system, and the
`connector as an integral unit, the casing having a form factor
`in at least two directions comparable to the form factor in the
`same two directions of a standard electrical connector cas-
`
`ing.
`Another aspect relates to a storage apparatus, including a
`connector (e.g. a Universal Serial Bus connector) for con-
`necting the apparatus to an electronic device (e.g. a com-
`puter or digital camera) and for being a medium for data sent
`between the apparatus and the electronic device; and at least
`one memory unit for preserving data received from the
`connected electronic device and for later retrieval of the data
`
`by the electronic device or another electronic device; and a
`communication control system between the connector and
`the memory unit for arranging data received from the
`connected electronic device through the connector and the
`memory unit to the desired format for transmission to the
`memory unit and the connected electronic device respec-
`tively; and wherein the connector includes a housing con-
`taining at least part of the memory unit and at least part of
`the communication control system, and wherein the storage
`apparatus is small enough to fit fully or nearly fully within
`at
`least one of the electronic devices, and wherein the
`dimensions of the storage apparatus housing are the same in
`at least two dimensions as a standard connector.
`
`Another aspect relates to an electronic memory device,
`including a relatively non-volatile memory, and a housing
`having electrical conductivity for at least one of grounding,
`guarding and static discharge, the memory being at least
`partly in the housing, the housing having a form factor to
`plug directly into a connector port of an electronic device,
`and the housing fitting either completely or nearly com-
`pletely into some electronic devices.
`Another aspect relates to a portable computing device or
`peripheral including a receptacle to house a memory device
`of the type disclosed herein, wherein the memory device is
`largely within the portable computing device.
`To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends,
`the invention comprises
`the features hereinafter
`fully
`described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The
`following description and the annexed drawings set forth in
`detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention.
`
`These embodiments, however, are merely indicative of a few
`of the various ways in which the principles of the invention
`may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel
`features of the invention will become apparent from the
`following detailed description of the invention when con-
`sidered in conjunction with the drawings.
`Also, although various
`features
`are illustrated and
`described with respect to embodiments and arrangements in
`the several figures, it will be appreciated that features shown
`and/or described with respect
`to a given embodiment,
`
`

`
`US 7,352,601 B1
`
`5
`arrangement or illustration may be used in other(s) of the
`embodiments or arrangements disclosed herein and equiva-
`lents thereof.
`
`Although the invention is shown and described with
`respect to one or more preferred embodiments, it is obvious
`that equivalents and modifications will occur to others
`skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the
`specification. The present
`invention includes all
`such
`equivalents and modifications, and is limited only by the
`scope of the claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the annexed drawings:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a memory device in
`accordance with the invention for use with a number of other
`
`electrical or electronic devices, systems, computer, periph-
`eral device, camera, etc.;
`FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a conventional electronic
`
`device, such as a digital camera, having a standard IO port,
`an adapter, and a memory card, the adapter being needed to
`couple the memory card to the IO port;
`FIG. 2B is a schematic view of the present invention
`wherein a memory card may be coupled directly to a
`standard IO port of a device, one example of which is a
`digital camera, without the need for an adapter;
`FIG. 2C is a schematic isometric view in vertical orien-
`
`tation of a memory device in accordance with the invention;
`FIG. 3 is a side view, partly broken away in section of the
`memory of FIG. 2C device showing the portions of the
`memory device inside the housing thereof;
`FIG. 4 is a side isometric view of the memory device of
`FIGS. 2C and 3;
`FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a the memory device of FIGS.
`2C-4 showing the printed circuit card and other components
`of the memory device, looking inside its housing, the top of
`the housing having been effectively removed;
`FIG. 6 is a side elevation view, partly broken away, of a
`memory device having components mounted on both sur-
`faces of the printed circuit board;
`FIG. 7 is a side elevation view, partly broken away in
`section of a memory device with a circuit board and com-
`ponents on both sides of a stepped or angled circuit board;
`FIG. 8 is a side isometric view of the memory device of
`FIG. 7;
`FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a the memory device of FIGS.
`7 and 8 showing the printed circuit card and other compo-
`nents of the memory device, looking inside its housing, the
`top of the housing having been effectively removed;
`FIG. 10 is a schematic side view, partly broken away, of
`a device, such as a computer, camera, etc., having a recess
`and a connector port for a memory device;
`FIG. 11 is a fragmentary isometric view of the device of
`FIG. 10 with a memory device installed therein;
`FIG. 12 is a fragmentary isometric view of the device of
`FIGS. 10 and 11 with a memory device aligned with a recess
`and connector port thereof;
`FIG. 13 is a flow chart
`invention;
`FIG. 14 is a schematic top view of the circuit board and
`components subassembly of a memory device in accordance
`with the present invention;
`FIG. 15 is a schematic bottom view of the circuit board
`
`illustrating a method of the
`
`and components subassembly;
`FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the circuit board and
`
`components subassembly;
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`FIG. 17 is a side section view of the circuit board and
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`components subassembly;
`FIG. 18 is a section view of the front portion of the circuit
`board and components subassembly with terminals therein;
`FIG. 19 is a schematic isometric view of a terminal;
`FIG. 20 is a top view of the circuit board and components
`subassembly;
`FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the circuit board;
`FIGS. 22-24 are schematic illustrations of a radio, cellular
`telephone and laptop computer, respectively, with a memory
`device operatively positioned largely within such devices;
`and
`
`FIGS. 25 and 26 are fragmentary schematic top plan view
`and side elevation view of a memory device with a removal
`strap.
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`In general, the present invention relates to a universal,
`transportable memory system that may leverage a wide
`installed base of standardized communication ports such as
`USB ports found on many computing devices (or other parts
`currently existing or developed in the future). Unlike prior
`approaches which provided specialized and proprietary
`memory interfaces for internal memory, the present inven-
`tion provides a memory device that uses a generally avail-
`able I/O interface implemented in a form factor that meets
`the needs of portable electronic devices. In this manner, a
`memory device in accordance with the present invention
`benefits from the rapid development and cost benefits
`achieved by the general purpose memory markets, while
`providing the benefits of portability and compactness that
`are advantageous for portable electronic devices.
`Referring, now, in detail to the drawings, wherein like
`reference numerals designate like parts, and initially to FIG.
`1, a memory device 10 is illustrated schematically. The
`memory device 10 may be used to receive data, to store data,
`and/or to transfer or output data. The memory device 10 may
`be used with any one or more of a number of electrical or
`electronic devices or systems 11, which may provide data to
`the memory device and/or may receive data from the
`memory device. Examples of such systems or devices with
`which the memory device 10 may be used are illustrated
`schematically in FIG. 1, such as a computer 12, camera 13,
`other peripheral device or peripheral 14, phone 15, and
`music/video storage/playback device 16. The computer 12
`may be a personal computer or some other type of computer,
`a personal digital assistant (PDA), or virtually any other
`electrical or electronic device of that character. The camera
`
`13 may be, for example, a digital camera, a still digital
`camera, a video digital camera, or virtually any other type of
`camera that may be used to obtain images, for example, and
`from which it may be desired to transfer data representing
`images to another device, such as to a computer for manipu-
`lation,
`image enhancement, etc., printing, and/or long or
`short term storage. The peripheral 14 (note that peripheral
`and peripheral device are used interchangeably herein) may
`be, for example, a portable electronic device, such as, a gps,
`mpeg player, etc. The peripheral may be a hard drive, tape
`drive, input system that may use and/or store data, display
`system, printer, etc. The phone 15 may be a cell phone,
`wired phone, cordless phone, satellite phone, picture phone,
`walkie talkie, or other communication device, etc. The
`music/video storage/playback device 16 is another example
`of a device or system with which the memory device 10 may
`be used and could be either fixed, e.g., as in a home stereo
`system, or mobile, e.g., as in a car stereo system or mpeg
`
`

`
`US 7,352,601 B1
`
`7
`player. In the above examples, the memory device 10 may
`be used to receive data from one of the systems or devices
`11 and/or to transfer data to such system or device.
`A common aspect or feature of each of the exemplary
`systems or devices 11 is that each has a connector receptacle
`17. An arrow 18 represents the possibilities of use, connec-
`tion, insertion in, etc. of the memory device 10 with the
`respective devices 12-16. The terms connector receptacle or
`connection receptacle may be used interchangeably and
`equivalently herein; similarly, the terms connector plug and
`connection plug may be used interchangeably and equiva-
`lently. The connector receptacle 17 of each electronic device
`or system 11 has the same form factor (size and shape).
`Moreover, each of the connector receptacles 17 has the same
`type of electrical connection mechanism in it or those
`electrical connection mechanisms are similar enough to be
`able to connect with the memory device 10; and those
`electrical connection mechanisms may be relatively stan-
`dard. One example of an electrical connection mechanism is
`that known as a universal serial bus (USB) electrical con-
`nection or connector receptacle, etc. There are several types
`of USB ports, one of which is referred to as a USB series A
`connector receptacle. In the current USB specification, for
`example, the memory device is similar to or has a similar
`form factor to a USB series A plug.
`The memory device 10 has a form factor and electrical
`connection mechanism or arrangement to mate properly
`with the connection ports 17 of the several systems/devices
`11. The memory device 10 also has control and memory
`features to interact in a standardized way or uniform way
`with the respective systems/devices 11 when plugged into a
`respective connector port 17 to provide data to the systen1/
`device and/or to receive data from such systen1/device.
`The size and shape of the memory device 10 is such that
`it is about the same cross-sectional area along its entire
`length and that when it is plugged into a connector recep-
`tacle 17 it is largely within the connector receptacle. There-
`fore, it will be appreciated that the memory device 10 is
`relatively small and compact while being able to carry out
`the data storage and retrieval functions described below. In
`other embodiments the size and shape may vary consistent
`with the relatively small and robust character of the memory
`device.
`
`The term “largely within” means that the memory device
`10 in such an embodiment is entirely within the connector
`receptacle to which it is connected or at least is sufficiently
`within the connector receptacle that any part of the memory
`device that is not within the connector receptacle does not
`extend so far outside the connector receptacle that
`the
`memory device would be prone to be engaged by something
`that could relatively easily break the memory device or the
`connector receptacle. One or more portions of the memory
`device 10 may be exposed outside the connector receptacle
`17, e.g., to house part of the memory component or other
`component in the memory device, to facilitate manual or
`mechanical grasping of the memory device for placement in
`or withdrawal from the connector receptacle, etc.
`The memory device 10 is an integral unit that not only
`connects to a connector receptacle 17 but also includes
`suitable control and memory functions to provide the desired
`functions of data storage, data transfer or outputting, and/or
`receiving of data. As is described further below, the form
`factor, e.g., the physical size and shape, of the memory
`device 10 is relatively small and the memory device is
`mechanically and electrically relatively robust inasmuch as
`it is an integral unit, e.g. one part.
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`Briefly referring to FIG. 2A, a conventional system 1
`using a memory card 2, adapter 3 and electronic or electrical
`device 4 to which the memory card is to be coupled is
`illustrated. The memory card 2 cannot be used without the
`adapter; and different types of memory cards and/or elec-
`tronic or electrical devices may dictate a different adapter.
`FIG. 2B illustrates concepts of the present invention,
`wherein a memory card (e.g. memory device 10) can be
`connected directly to an electronic or electrical device 5
`without the need for an adapter. Moreover, according to an
`embodiment of the invention, the memory card can fit in or
`be installed in the device 5 so as to be largely in such device,
`as is described further below.
`
`Turning, now, to FIG. 2C, a memory device 10 according
`to an embodiment of the invention has a connector portion
`20 and a memory and control portion 21. In the illustrated
`embodiment the connector portion 20 has a number of
`electrical terminals 22, sometimes referred to as electrical
`contacts,
`for connecting electrically with corresponding
`electrical
`terminals
`in a connector
`receptacle 17,
`for
`example. In an exemplary embodiment the connector por-
`tion 20 and electrical terminals 22 have a form factor, shape,
`configuration, and/or arrangement corresponding to that of a
`USB series A connector plug that is able to plug into a
`connector receptacle 17, which is intended to receive and to
`connect both electrically and mechanically with a USB
`series A plug.
`The memory and control portion 21 of the memory device
`10 includes a relatively non-volatile