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).
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Publication number: 20100205360Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Eliyahou Harari, Daniel C. Guterman, Robert F. Wallace
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Publication number: 20100169561Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2010Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventors: Eliyahou Harari, Daniel C. Guterman, Robert F. Wallace
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Publication number: 20100169559Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2010Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventors: Eliyahou Harari, Daniel C. Guterman, Robert F. Wallace
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Patent number: 7680974Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: SanDisk CorporationInventors: Wesley G. Brewer, Michael L. Gifford, Yoram Cedar, Leonard L. Ott, Robert F. Wallace, Kevin J. Mills, Robert C. Miller
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Publication number: 20090321530Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: SanDisk CorporationInventors: Eliyahou Harari, Bo Eric Ericsson, Robert F. Wallace
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Publication number: 20090239340Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2009Publication date: September 24, 2009Inventor: Robert F. Wallace
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Patent number: 7554813Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Sandisk CorporationInventors: Robert C. Miller, Hem P. Takiar, Joel Jacobs, Robert Howard, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert F. Wallace, Edwin J. Cuellar, Eliyahou Harari, Matt Peterson
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Patent number: 7547234Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 11, 2003Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: SanDisk CorporationInventor: Robert F. Wallace
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Publication number: 20090134228Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2009Publication date: May 28, 2009Inventors: Robert C. Miller, Hem P. Takiar, Joel Jacobs, Robert Howard, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert F. Wallace, Edwin J. Cuellar, Eliyahou Harari
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Publication number: 20090132763Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2009Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventors: Robert C. Miller, Hem P. Takiar, Joel Jacobs, Robert Howard, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert F. Wallace, Edwin J. Cuellar, Eliyahou Harari
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Patent number: 7514297Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: SanDisk CorporationInventor: Robert F. Wallace
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Patent number: 7487265Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Sandisk CorporationInventors: Robert C. Miller, Hem P. Takiar, Joel Jacobs, Robert Howard, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert F. Wallace, Edwin J. Cuellar, Eliyahou Harari
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Publication number: 20080315382Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: SANDISK CORPORATIONInventor: Robert F. Wallace
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Patent number: 7429781Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: SanDisk CorporationInventor: Robert F. Wallace
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Publication number: 20080191033Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2008Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventors: Edwin J. Cuellar, Eliyahou Harari, Robert C. Miller, Hem P. Takiar, Robert F. Wallace
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Patent number: 7367503Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2002Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: SanDisk CorporationInventors: Eliyahou Harai, Bo Eric Ericsson, Robert F. Wallace
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Patent number: 7364090Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: SanDisk CorporationInventors: Edwin J. Cuellar, Eliyahou Harari, Robert C. Miller, Hem P. Takiar, Robert F. Wallace
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Patent number: 7355860Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 1, 2006Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: SanDisk CorporationInventors: Robert C. Miller, Hem P. Takiar, Joel Jacobs, Robert Howard, Motohide Hatanaka, Robert F. Wallace, Edwin J. Cuellar, Eliyahou Harari
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Patent number: 7355874Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2006Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: SanDisk CorporationInventors: Robert F. Wallace, Robert D. Norman, Eliyahou Harari
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Patent number: 7350714Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 17, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: SanDisk CorporationInventors: Robert F. Wallace, Wesley G. Brewer, Yosi Pinto