Abstract: A method for fabricating MicroSD devices includes forming a PCB panel having multiple PCBs arranged in parallel rows, with each PCB connected to its neighboring PCBs in each row by relatively narrow connecting bridge pieces, and separated from PCBs of adjacent rows by elongated stamped out blank slots. Passive components are attached by conventional surface mount technology (SMT) techniques. IC chips, including a MicroSD controller chip and a flash memory chip, are attached to the PCB by wire bonding or other chip-on-board (COB) technique. A molded housing is then formed over the IC chips and passive components using a mold that prevents formation of plastic on the upper surface of each PCB. The connecting bridge pieces are then cut using a used to connect each PCB to a PCB panel are then cut using a rotary saw. A front edge chamfer process is then performed.

Abstract: A Multi-Media Card/Secure Digital (MMC/SD) single-chip flash device contains a MMC/SD flash microcontroller and flash mass storage blocks containing flash memory arrays that are block-addressable rather than randomly-addressable. MMC/SD transactions from a host MMC/SD bus are read by a bus transceiver on the MMC/SD flash microcontroller. Various routines that execute on a CPU in the MMC/SD flash microcontroller are activated in response to commands in the MMC/SD transactions. A flash-memory controller in the MMC/SD flash microcontroller transfers data from the bus transceiver to the flash mass storage blocks for storage. Rather than boot from an internal ROM coupled to the CPU, a boot loader is transferred by DMA from the first page of the flash mass storage block to an internal RAM. The flash memory is automatically read from the first page at power-on. The CPU then executes the boot loader from the internal RAM to load the control program.

Abstract: An electronic data flash card is accessible by a host computer, and includes a processing unit connected to a flash memory device that stores a data file, and an input-output interface circuit activated so as to establish a communication with the host computer. In an embodiment, the electronic data flash card uses a USB input/output interface circuit for communication with the host computer. A flash memory controller includes an index for converting logical addresses sent by the host computer into physical addresses associated with sectors of the flash memory device. The index is controlled by arbitration logic referencing to values from various look up tables and valid data stored in the flash memory device. The flash memory controller further includes a first-in-first-out unit (FIFO) for recycling obsolete sectors of the flash memory device in the background process so that they are available for reprogramming.

Abstract: An electronic data flash card is accessible by a host computer, and includes a processing unit connected to a flash memory device that stores a data file, and an input-output interface circuit activated so as to establish a communication with the host computer. In an embodiment, the electronic data flash card uses a USB input/output interface circuit for communication with the host computer. A flash memory controller includes an index for converting logical addresses sent by the host computer into physical addresses associated with sectors of the flash memory device. The index is controlled by arbitration logic referencing to values from various look up tables and valid data stored in the flash memory device. The flash memory controller further includes a first-in-first-out unit (FIFO) for recycling obsolete sectors of the flash memory device in the background process so that they are available for reprogramming.

Abstract: An electronic data flash card is accessible by a host computer, and includes a processing unit connected to a flash memory device that stores a data file, and an input-output interface circuit activated so as to establish a communication with the host computer. In an embodiment, the electronic data flash card uses a USB input/output interface circuit for communication with the host computer. A flash memory controller includes an index for converting logical addresses sent by the host computer into physical addresses associated with sectors of the flash memory device. The index is controlled by arbitration logic referencing to values from various look up tables and valid data stored in the flash memory device. The flash memory controller further includes a first-in-first-out unit (FIFO) for recycling obsolete sectors of the flash memory device in the background process so that they are available for reprogramming.

Abstract: An electronic data flash card is accessible by a host computer, and includes a processing unit connected to a flash memory device that stores a data file, and an input-output interface circuit activated so as to establish a communication with the host computer. In an embodiment, the electronic data flash card uses a USB input/output interface circuit for communication with the host computer. A flash memory controller includes an index for converting logical addresses sent by the host computer into physical addresses associated with sectors of the flash memory device. The index is controlled by arbitration logic referencing to values from various look up tables and valid data stored in the flash memory device. The flash memory controller further includes a first-in-first-out unit (FIFO) for recycling obsolete sectors of the flash memory device in the background process so that they are available for reprogramming.

Abstract: An electronic data flash card is accessible by a host computer, and includes a processing unit connected to a flash memory device that stores a data file, and an input-output interface circuit activated so as to establish a communication with the host computer. In an embodiment, the electronic data flash card uses a USB input/output interface circuit for communication with the host computer. A flash memory controller includes an index for converting logical addresses sent by the host computer into physical addresses associated with sectors of the flash memory device. The index is controlled by arbitration logic referencing to values from various look up tables and valid data stored in the flash memory device. The flash memory controller further includes a first-in-first-out unit (FIFO) for recycling obsolete sectors of the flash memory device in the background process so that they are available for reprogramming.

Abstract: An electronic data flash card is accessible by a host computer, and includes a processing unit connected to a flash memory device that stores a data file, and an input-output interface circuit activated so as to establish a communication with the host computer. In an embodiment, the electronic data flash card uses a USB input/output interface circuit for communication with the host computer. A flash memory controller includes an index for converting logical addresses sent by the host computer into physical addresses associated with sectors of the flash memory device. The index is controlled by arbitration logic referencing to values from various look up tables and valid data stored in the flash memory device. The flash memory controller further includes a first-in-first-out unit (FIFO) for recycling obsolete sectors of the flash memory device in the background process so that they are available for reprogramming.

Abstract: An electronic data flash card is accessible by a host computer, and includes a processing unit connected to a flash memory device that stores a data file, and an input-output interface circuit activated so as to establish a communication with the host computer. In an embodiment, the electronic data flash card uses a USB input/output interface circuit for communication with the host computer. A flash memory controller includes an index for converting logical addresses sent by the host computer into physical addresses associated with sectors of the flash memory device. The index is controlled by arbitration logic referencing to values from various look up tables and valid data stored in the flash memory device. The flash memory controller further includes a first-in-first-out unit (FIFO) for recycling obsolete sectors of the flash memory device in the background process so that they are available for reprogramming.

Abstract: A flash memory has multi-level cells (MLC) that can each store multiple bits per cell. Blocks of cells can be downgraded to fewer bits/cell when errors occur, or for storing critical data such as boot code. The bits from a single MLC are partitioned among multiple pages to improve error correctability using Error Correction Code (ECC). An upper reference voltage is generated by a voltage reference generator in response to calibration registers that can be programmed to alter the upper reference voltage. A series of decreasing references are generated from the upper reference voltage and are compared to a bit-line voltage. Compare results are translated by translation logic that generates read data and over- and under-programming signals. Downgraded cells use the same truth table but generate fewer read data bits. Noise margins are asymmetrically improved by using the same sub-states for reading downgraded and full-density MLC cells.

Abstract: An electronic data flash card is accessible by a host computer, and includes a processing unit connected to a flash memory device that stores a data file, and an input-output interface circuit activated so as to establish a communication with the host computer. In an embodiment, the electronic data flash card uses a USB input/output interface circuit for communication with the host computer. A flash memory controller includes an index for converting logical addresses sent by the host computer into physical addresses associated with sectors of the flash memory device. The index is controlled by arbitration logic referencing to values from various look up tables and valid data stored in the flash memory device. The flash memory controller further includes a first-in-first-out unit (FIFO) for recycling obsolete sectors of the flash memory device in the background process so that they are available for reprogramming.

Abstract: An electronic data flash card accessible by a host computer, includes a flash memory controller connected to a flash memory device, and an input-output interface circuit activated to establish a communication with the host. In an embodiment, the flash card uses a USB interface circuit for communication with the host. A flash memory controller includes an arbitrator for mapping logical addresses with physical block addresses, and for performing block management operations including: storing reassigned data to available blocks, relocating valid data in obsolete blocks to said available blocks and reassigning logical block addresses to physical block addresses of said available blocks, finding bad blocks of the flash memory device and replacing with reserve blocks, erasing obsolete blocks for recycling after relocating valid data to available blocks, and erase count wear leveling of blocks, etc. Furthermore, each flash memory device includes an internal buffer for accelerating the block management operations.

Abstract: An optical system and associated method are provided. Included is a first branch capable of allowing light to pass therethrough in a forward direction and a reverse direction. The first branch includes a first medium with a first refractive index (n1), and a first end and a second end. Also included is a second branch capable of allowing light to pass therethrough in the forward direction. The second branch includes a second medium with a second refractive index (n2, with n2<n1), and a first end and a second end. The second end of the second branch is further coupled to the first branch to form an angle (?2). In use, ?1?sin?1(n2/n1) in order to prevent the light passing through the first branch in the reverse direction from passing into the second branch, where ?1 is the incident angle of the light passing in the reverse direction from the first branch to the second branch.

Abstract: A method utilizes a keyword based rule set to crawl through the web pages and fetch the related product prices. There are many algorithms involved for accurately matching and selecting the required items. The data is then sorted by the price and brand and compared with the database of a group of known products. The prices of the known products are then adjusted via a set of built-in rules to put them in a very competitive position, such as number 1 or 2 among the same product category. The new prices make the seller's products very competitive online. The new price list will then automatically be posted to the web server to replace the old prices. The whole process is automated by simply placing the program on a computer operating system scheduler and let it run periodically according to the specified date and time.

Abstract: A vacuum chamber deposits thin films on a substrate by sputtering a target. The beam of atoms or ions from the target is partially blocked by a shadow or adjustable uniformity mask, reducing the deposition rate onto the substrate. The adjustable uniformity mask has several adjustable fingers. The fingers extend or retract to enlarge or reduce the size of the mask. Each finger covers a different annular region or radius of the substrate. The deposition rate at different substrate radii is thus adjustable by the fingers. Several optical beams monitor the film transmittance at different substrate radii. A transmittance profile is continually generated during deposition. As deposition proceeds, radii with a thicker film have their fingers extended to reduce their deposition rate, producing a more uniform film thickness across all radii. Motors extend or retract the individual fingers.

Abstract: An integrated optical device has two waveguide layers that are patterned to provide 2-dimensional interconnected networks of waveguides. A filter layer between the two waveguide layers is made by sputter deposition of thin films with alternating indexes of refraction. Light traveling vertically through the filter layer experiences an interferometric effect. A deflecting bump is formed in the plane of the lower waveguide layer. The bump is isotropicly etched, undercutting a photo-mask over the bump, producing a rounded, concave profile to the bump. High-index material is deposited over the bump and patterned to form a waveguide that has light deflected by the bump upward. The filter is formed over the bump to receive the deflected light. The filter reflects some light back down to the bump to another waveguide in the first layer. Light transmitted vertically up through the filter is bent to the horizontal plane of the upper waveguide layer.

Abstract: Optical logic gates are constructed from Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) optical circuits. A multi-mode interference (MMI) splitter divides a continuous-wave input into two branches of the interferometer. Each branch has a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). When a logic input having a logic-high power level is applied to one of the SOA's, cross-phase modulation occurs in the SOA. The phase shift increases through the SOA. The branch coupled to the logic input has a relative phase shift of &pgr; compared with the other branch. When two branches with the &pgr; phase difference are combined, destructive interference occurs, producing a logic low. An MMI combiner or an equivalent phase shifter is used to combine the two branches. The MMI splitter adds a phase shift of &pgr;/2 to the upper branch but not to the lower branch, while the MMI combiner also adds &pgr;/2 shifts.

Abstract: Optical logic gates are constructed from Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) optical circuits. A multi-mode interference (MMI) splitter divides a continuous-wave input into two branches of the interferometer. Each branch has a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). When a logic input having a logic-high power level is applied to one of the SOA's, cross-phase modulation occurs in the SOA. The phase shift increases through the SOA. The branch coupled to the logic input has a relative phase shift of &pgr; compared with the other branch. When two branches with the &pgr; phase difference are combined, destructive interference occurs, producing a logic low. An MMI combiner or an equivalent phase shifter is used to combine the two branches. The MMI splitter adds a phase shift of &pgr;/2 to the upper branch but not to the lower branch, while the MMI combiner also adds &pgr;/2 shifts.

Abstract: A novel semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) can operate as an optical inverter as well as a power-restoring device. Together, an optical-OR and the optical inverter can provide a wide variety of high speed optical logic gates and functions. The optical inverter uses cross-gain modulation (XGM) to invert a modulated signal on a first input, to produce an inverted output. The inverse of the modulation is transferred from a first wavelength of the modulated first input to a second wavelength of a continuous-wave second input. A filter can then block the first wavelength, allowing the inversely-modulated second wavelength to be output as the inverted output. The first and second wavelengths are swapped in alternate inverters in a logic path. The Y-junction can be implemented as a Multi-Mode Interference (MMI) device.

Abstract: A vacuum chamber deposits thin films on a substrate by sputtering a target. The beam of atoms or ions from the target is partially blocked by a shadow or adjustable uniformity mask, reducing the deposition rate onto the substrate. The adjustable uniformity mask has several adjustable fingers. The fingers extend or retract to enlarge or reduce the size of the mask. Each finger covers a different annular region or radius of the substrate. The deposition rate at different substrate radii is thus adjustable by the fingers. Several optical beams monitor the film transmittance at different substrate radii. A transmittance profile is continually generated during deposition. As deposition proceeds, radii with a thicker film have their fingers extended to reduce their deposition rate, producing a more uniform film thickness across all radii. Motors extend or retract the individual fingers.