Patents by Inventor Robert F. Wallace

Robert F. Wallace has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100205360
    Abstract: A peripheral card having a Personal Computer (“PC”) card form factor and removably coupled externally to a host system is further partitioned into a mother card portion and a daughter card portion. The daughter card is removably coupled to the mother card. In the preferred embodiment, a low cost flash “floppy” is accomplished with the daughter card containing only flash EEPROM chips and being controlled by a memory controller residing on the mother card. Other aspects of the invention includes a comprehensive controller on the mother card able to control a predefined set of peripherals on daughter cards connectable to the mother card; relocation of some host resident hardware to the mother card to allow for a minimal host system; a mother card that can accommodate multiple daughter cards; daughter cards that also operates directly with hosts having embedded controllers; daughter cards carrying encoded data and information for decoding it; and daughter cards with security features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Eliyahou Harari, Daniel C. Guterman, Robert F. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20100169561
    Abstract: A peripheral card having a Personal Computer (“PC”) card form factor and removably coupled externally to a host system is further partitioned into a mother card portion and a daughter card portion. The daughter card is removably coupled to the mother card. In the preferred embodiment, a low cost flash “floppy” is accomplished with the daughter card containing only flash EEPROM chips and being controlled by a memory controller residing on the mother card. Other aspects of the invention includes a comprehensive controller on the mother card able to control a predefined set of peripherals on daughter cards connectable to the mother card; relocation of some host resident hardware to the mother card to allow for a minimal host system; a mother card that can accommodate multiple daughter cards; daughter cards that also operates directly with hosts having embedded controllers; daughter cards carrying encoded data and information for decoding it; and daughter cards with security features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Eliyahou Harari, Daniel C. Guterman, Robert F. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20100169559
    Abstract: A peripheral card having a Personal Computer (“PC”) card form factor and removably coupled externally to a host system is further partitioned into a mother card portion and a daughter card portion. The daughter card is removably coupled to the mother card. In the preferred embodiment, a low cost flash “floppy” is accomplished with the daughter card containing only flash EEPROM chips and being controlled by a memory controller residing on the mother card. Other aspects of the invention includes a comprehensive controller on the mother card able to control a predefined set of peripherals on daughter cards connectable to the mother card; relocation of some host resident hardware to the mother card to allow for a minimal host system; a mother card that can accommodate multiple daughter cards; daughter cards that also operates directly with hosts having embedded controllers; daughter cards carrying encoded data and information for decoding it; and daughter cards with security features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Eliyahou Harari, Daniel C. Guterman, Robert F. Wallace
  • Patent number: 7680974
    Abstract: Very small non-volatile memory cards are modified to include a connector to which a connector on a separate data input-output card electrically and mechanically mates when pushed together. The input-output card transfers data directly between an external device and the non-volatile memory, without having to go through the host to which the memory card is connected. The input-output card communicates with the external device through a wired or a wireless communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Wesley G. Brewer, Michael L. Gifford, Yoram Cedar, Leonard L. Ott, Robert F. Wallace, Kevin J. Mills, Robert C. Miller
  • Publication number: 20090321530
    Abstract: A mother/daughter card non-volatile memory system includes a daughter card containing the memory and a mother card containing the memory controller and host interface circuits. The daughter memory card contains as little more than the memory cell array as is practical, in order to minimize its cost, and has an interface for connecting with a variety of mother controller cards having physical attributes and host interfaces according to a number of different published or proprietary memory card standards. Different types of memory cards may be used when the operating parameters of the memory are stored within it in a protected location, the mother card controller then reading these parameters and adapting its operation accordingly. A radio frequency antenna may be included on a surface of the card along with its electrical contacts, in order to provide a radio frequency identification function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Eliyahou Harari, Bo Eric Ericsson, Robert F. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20090239340
    Abstract: Methods for a multiple die package for integrated circuits are disclosed. An insulator layer is provided and one or more vias are formed within it. The insulator may be provided without vias, and vias formed later. At least one integrated circuit is provided and electrically coupled to at least one lead of a first leadframe overlying one surface of the insulator. At least one second integrated circuit is provided and electrically coupled to a second leadframe overlying a second surface of the insulator. Electrical connections between the two leadframes and the first and second integrated circuits are made through the insulator at selected locations, by coupling at least one lead of the first and second leadframes one to another. The leads of the first and second leadframe may be physically coupled by a welding process within vias in the insulator. A method for a removable storage card is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Robert F. Wallace
  • Patent number: 7554813
    Abstract: Enclosed re-programmable non-volatile memory cards include at least two sets of electrical contacts to which the internal memory is connected. The two sets of contacts have different patterns, preferably in accordance with two different contact standards such as a memory card standard and that of the Universal Serial Bus (USB). One memory card standard that can be followed is that of the Secure Digital (SD) card. The cards can thus be used with different hosts that are compatible with one set of contacts but not the other. A cover that is hinged to the card to normally cover one set of contacts can be rotated out of the way by hand when that set of contacts is being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Sandisk Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Miller, Hem P. Takiar, Joel Jacobs, Robert Howard, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert F. Wallace, Edwin J. Cuellar, Eliyahou Harari, Matt Peterson
  • Patent number: 7547234
    Abstract: A small, flat rectangularly shaped electronic circuit card, such as one containing non-volatile memory, has a row of contacts mounted on bottom surfaces of a row of recesses extending along a short edge and an adjacent angled corner. At least one of the recesses opens to the angled corner and the remaining recesses open to the short edge. Two surface contacts are included in at least one of the recesses, while the remaining recesses each contain a single contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventor: Robert F. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20090134228
    Abstract: Enclosed re-programmable non-volatile memory cards include at least two sets of electrical contacts to which the internal memory is connected. The two sets of contacts have different patterns, preferably in accordance with two different contact standards such as a memory card standard and that of the Universal Serial Bus (USB). One memory card standard that can be followed is that of the Secure Digital (SD) card. The cards can thus be used with different hosts that are compatible with one set of contacts but not the other. A cover that is hinged to the card to normally cover one set of contacts can be manually rotated out of the way when that set of contacts is being used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Robert C. Miller, Hem P. Takiar, Joel Jacobs, Robert Howard, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert F. Wallace, Edwin J. Cuellar, Eliyahou Harari
  • Publication number: 20090132763
    Abstract: Enclosed re-programmable non-volatile memory cards include at least two sets of electrical contacts to which the internal memory is connected. The two sets of contacts have different patterns, preferably in accordance with two different contact standards such as a memory card standard and that of the Universal Serial Bus (USB). One memory card standard that can be followed is that of the Secure Digital (SD) card. The cards can thus be used with different hosts that are compatible with one set of contacts but not the other. A cover that is hinged to the card to normally cover one set of contacts can be manually rotated out of the way when that set of contacts is being used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Robert C. Miller, Hem P. Takiar, Joel Jacobs, Robert Howard, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert F. Wallace, Edwin J. Cuellar, Eliyahou Harari
  • Patent number: 7514297
    Abstract: Methods for a multiple die package for integrated circuits are disclosed. An insulator layer is provided and one or more vias are formed within it. The insulator may be provided without vias, and vias formed later. At least one integrated circuit is provided and electrically coupled to at least one lead of a first leadframe overlying one surface of the insulator. At least one second integrated circuit is provided and electrically coupled to a second leadframe overlying a second surface of the insulator. Electrical connections between the two leadframes and the first and second integrated circuits are made through the insulator at selected locations, by coupling at least one lead of the first and second leadframes one to another. The leads of the first and second leadframe may be physically coupled by a welding process within vias in the insulator. A method for a removable storage card is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventor: Robert F. Wallace
  • Patent number: 7487265
    Abstract: Enclosed re-programmable non-volatile memory cards include at least two sets of electrical contacts to which the internal memory is connected. The two sets of contacts have different patterns, preferably in accordance with two different contact standards such as a memory card standard and that of the Universal Serial Bus (USB). One memory card standard that can be followed is that of the Secure Digital (SD) card. The cards can thus be used with different hosts that are compatible with one set of contacts but not the other. A cover that is hinged to the card to normally cover one set of contacts can be rotated out of the way by hand when that set of contacts is being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Sandisk Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Miller, Hem P. Takiar, Joel Jacobs, Robert Howard, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert F. Wallace, Edwin J. Cuellar, Eliyahou Harari
  • Publication number: 20080315382
    Abstract: A multiple die package and removable storage card is disclosed. An insulator layer is provided and one or more vias are formed within it. The insulator may be provided without vias, and vias formed later. At least one integrated circuit is provided and electrically coupled to at least one lead of a first leadframe overlying one surface of the insulator layer. At least one second integrated circuit is provided and electrically coupled to a second leadframe overlying a second surface of the insulator layer. Electrical connections between the two leadframes and the first and second integrated circuits are made through the insulator, at selected locations, by coupling at least one lead of the first and second leadframes one to another. The leads of the first and second leadframe may be electrically coupled via anisotropically conductive areas of the leadframes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: SANDISK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert F. Wallace
  • Patent number: 7429781
    Abstract: A memory chip package with a controller die on a first side of a printed circuit board and a memory die on a second side of the same printed circuit board. The memory chip package is integrated into a microprocessor controlled device or alternatively is integrated into a portable memory card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventor: Robert F. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20080191033
    Abstract: Enclosed re-programmable non-volatile memory cards include at least two sets of electrical contacts to which the internal memory is connected. The two sets of contacts have different patterns, preferably in accordance with two different contact standards such as a memory card standard and that of the Universal Serial Bus (USB). One memory card standard that can be followed is that of the Secure Digital (SD) card. The cards can thus be used with different hosts that are compatible with one set of contacts but not the other. A sleeve that is moveable by hand may be included to expose the set of contacts being used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Edwin J. Cuellar, Eliyahou Harari, Robert C. Miller, Hem P. Takiar, Robert F. Wallace
  • Patent number: 7367503
    Abstract: A mother/daughter card non-volatile memory system includes a daughter card containing the memory and a mother card containing the memory controller and host interface circuits. The daughter memory card contains as little more than the memory cell array as is practical, in order to minimize its cost, and has an interface for connecting with a variety of mother controller cards having physical attributes and host interfaces according to a number of different published or proprietary memory card standards. Different types of memory cards may be used when the operating parameters of the memory are stored within it in a protected location, the mother card controller then reading these parameters and adapting its operation accordingly. A radio frequency antenna may be included on a surface of the card along with its electrical contacts, in order to provide a radio frequency identification function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Eliyahou Harai, Bo Eric Ericsson, Robert F. Wallace
  • Patent number: 7364090
    Abstract: Enclosed re-programmable non-volatile memory cards include at least two sets of electrical contacts to which the internal memory is connected. The two sets of contacts have different patterns, preferably in accordance with two different contact standards such as a memory card standard and that of the Universal Serial Bus (USB). One memory card standard that can be followed is that of the Secure Digital (SD) card. The cards can thus be used with different hosts that are compatible with one set of contacts but not the other. A sleeve that is moveable by hand may be included to expose the set of contacts being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin J. Cuellar, Eliyahou Harari, Robert C. Miller, Hem P. Takiar, Robert F. Wallace
  • Patent number: 7355860
    Abstract: Enclosed re-programmable non-volatile memory cards include at least two sets of electrical contacts to which the internal memory is connected. The two sets of contacts have different patterns, preferably in accordance with two different contact standards such as a memory card standard and that of the Universal Serial Bus (USB). One memory card standard that can be followed is that of the Secure Digital (SD) card. The cards can thus be used with different hosts that are compatible with one set of contacts but not the other. A cover that is hinged to the card to normally cover one set of contacts can be rotated out of the way by hand when that set of contacts is being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Miller, Hem P. Takiar, Joel Jacobs, Robert Howard, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert F. Wallace, Edwin J. Cuellar, Eliyahou Harari
  • Patent number: 7355874
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Wallace, Robert D. Norman, Eliyahou Harari
  • Patent number: 7350714
    Abstract: Electronic systems, such as automobile radios, portable and other computing devices, and global positioning system receivers, often require that a correct security code be inputted from a small memory card that is removably inserted into a card slot of the system before the system is rendered operable in total or in part, or before certain data can be retrieved. The same type of memory card is also used to store digital data that is utilized by the system in conjunction with its function that is enabled by the security code, such data cards being removably inserted into the same card slot as the card containing the security code. Alternately, both the utilization data and the security code are included on a single card. An example application is an automobile radio wherein data supplied by the second card are of music that is reproduced through the radio's audio system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Wallace, Wesley G. Brewer, Yosi Pinto