Abstract: A focusing mechanism or module is designed to reduce the size of an optical lens-based focusing system that would be otherwise used in a portable device. According to one aspect of the present invention, the focusing mechanism includes a light guide with first and second sides. The light guide includes a plurality of light passages slanted inwardly formed evenly from the first side towards a center of the second side, wherein the light guide, disposed on top of the image sensor, collects a reflected light from a human body part and focuses the reflected light onto the image sensor, each of photosensors generates an proportional charge from the reflected light.

Abstract: A focusing mechanism or module is designed to reduce the size of an optical lens-based focusing system that would be otherwise used in a portable device. According to one aspect of the present invention, the focusing mechanism includes a light guide with first and second sides. The light guide includes a plurality of light passages slanted inwardly formed evenly from the first side towards a center of the second side, wherein the light guide, disposed on top of the image sensor, collects a reflected light from a human body part and focuses the reflected light onto the image sensor, each of photosensors generates an proportional charge from the reflected light.

Abstract: A PCI Express-compatible flash device can include one or more flash memory modules, a controller, and an ExpressCard interface. The controller can advantageously provide PCI Express functionality as well as flash memory operations, e.g. writing, reading, or erasing, using the ExpressCard interface. A PIO interface includes sending first and second memory request packets to the flash device. The first memory request packet includes a command word setting that prepares the flash device for the desired operation. The second memory request packet triggers the operation and includes a data payload, if needed. A DMA interface includes sending the second memory request from the flash device to the host, thereby triggering the host to release the system bus for the DMA operation.

Abstract: An electronic data flash card with fingerprint capability is accessible by an host computer, and includes a processing unit connected to a flash memory device that stores a data file and reference fingerprint data of a person authorized to access the data file, a fingerprint sensor for scanning the fingerprint of a user and for generating input fingerprint data that can be compared with the stored reference fingerprint data, 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.

Abstract: A PCI Express-compatible flash device can include one or more flash memory modules, a controller, and an ExpressCard interface. The controller can advantageously provide PCI Express functionality as well as flash memory operations, e.g. writing, reading, or erasing, using the ExpressCard interface. A PIO interface includes sending first and second memory request packets to the flash device. The first memory request packet includes a command word setting that prepares the flash device for the desired operation. The second memory request packet triggers the operation and includes a data payload, if needed. A DMA interface includes sending the second memory request from the flash device to the host, thereby triggering the host to release the system bus for the DMA operation.

Abstract: A PCI Express-compatible flash device can include one or more flash memory modules, a controller, and an ExpressCard interface. The controller can advantageously provide PCI Express functionality as well as flash memory operations, e.g. writing, reading, or erasing, using the ExpressCard interface. A PIO interface includes sending first and second memory request packets to the flash device. The first memory request packet includes a command word setting that prepares the flash device for the desired operation. The second memory request packet triggers the operation and includes a data payload, if needed. A DMA interface includes sending the second memory request from the flash device to the host, thereby triggering the host to release the system bus for the DMA operation.

Abstract: A removable Flash integrated memory module card has a plastic shell and an integral Flash memory module. On the backside of the card, there are exposed contact pads. When the card is inserted into a card-hosting device, the card can communicate with the device through the exposed pads. The manufacturing method includes manufacturing of the memory module and utilizing plastic molding techniques for making the card outer body. The method involves preparing the substrate, mounting the components, testing the module, preparing the molding device, and molding the card body.

Abstract: A multi media card (MMC) is disclosed. The MMC includes a flash controller and at least one flash memory device. The flash controller increases the throughput of the at least one flash memory device to match the speed of a host bus coupled to the MMC. The flash controller increases the throughput by performing one or more of performing a read-ahead memory read operation, performing a write-ahead memory write operation, increasing the size of a page register of the at least one flash memory device, increasing the width of a memory data bus, performing a dual-channel concurrent memory read operation, performing a dual-channel concurrent memory write operation, performing a write-cache memory write operation, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: A multi-light-emitting diode (LED) display for a USB flash drive produces a visually dazzling display. When accessed, a USB flash controller drives pulses onto an activity signal that increments a counter on a pattern-decoding generator. The pattern-decoding generator decodes the count and drives signals to data outputs. The data outputs connect to LED's, turning LED's on and off according to a display pattern. The pattern can be programmed by the USB flash controller into the pattern-decoding generator, or can be a hardwired pattern. Marquee patterns having a lit LED appearing to move down a line of LED's have more visual appeal than single LED indicators. Each data line can drive two LED's in different parts of a dual display, reducing costs. Multi-color LED's can be used to improve variety. The multiple LED's and the pattern-decoding generator can be mounted on a flexible PCB.

Abstract: Through the use of an allocation logic unit with a Flash controller, a single primary chip enable is de-multiplexed into a multiple secondary chip enables for multiple Flash memory dies or chips. In so doing, Flash storage device capacity is greatly expanded. In a first aspect, a memory package includes a plurality of memories; and an allocation logic unit coupled to the plurality of memories for receiving a single chip enable signal. The allocation logic unit de-multiplexes the single chip enable signal to a plurality of chip enable signals. Each of the plurality of chip enable signals access to one of the plurality of memories. In a second aspect, a printed circuit board (PCB) includes a Flash controller for providing at least one primary chip enable signal. The PCB also includes a plurality of Flash memory chips and at least one allocation logic unit coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of Flash memory chips and the Flash controller.

Abstract: A Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) single-chip flash device contains a USB flash microcontroller and flash mass storage blocks containing flash memory arrays that are block-addressable rather than randomly-addressable. USB packets from a host USB bus are read by a serial engine on the USB flash microcontroller. Various routines that execute on a CPU in the USB flash microcontroller are activated in response to commands in the USB packets. A flash-memory controller in the USB flash microcontroller transfers data from the serial engine 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: A dual-mode Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) switch can operate in a normal hub mode to buffer transactions from a host to multiple USB flash storage blocks that are USB endpoints. When operating in a single-endpoint mode, the dual-mode USB switch intercepts packets from the host and responds to the host as a single USB endpoint. The USB switch aggregates all downstream USB flash storage blocks and reports a single pool of memory to the host as a single virtual USB memory. Adjacent transactions can be overlapped by packet re-ordering. A token packet that starts a following transaction is re-ordered to be sent to the USB flash storage blocks before the data and handshake packets that end a first transaction, allowing the second transaction to begin accessing the flash memory earlier. Data can be mirrored or striped across several USB flash storage blocks and parity can be added for error recovery.

Abstract: A memory card including a PCB assembly that is consistent with existing 13-pad MMC mechanical form factors, and a housing that is consistent with the SD mechanical form factor, thereby providing a single PCBA and housing arrangement that can be used to produce both MMC and SD memory cards. The thirteen contact pads support all MMC and SD contact pad patterns, but are modified to facilitate a write protect switch. The housing includes an enlarged window (or windows) that exposes two or more contact pads in each of the multiple rows, thereby facilitating slidable insertion of the memory card into a socket of a host system. Alignment notches are formed in the side edges of the PCB, and/or alignment pins are utilized for properly aligning the PCBA within the housing.

Abstract: A removable Flash integrated memory module card has a plastic shell and an integral Flash memory module. On the backside of the card, there are exposed contact pads. When the card is inserted into a card-hosting device, the card can communicate with the device through the exposed pads. The manufacturing method includes manufacturing of the memory module and utilizing plastic molding techniques for making the card outer body. The method involves preparing the substrate, mounting the components, testing the module, preparing the molding device, and molding the card body.

Abstract: A flash-card exchanger has two modes of operation. When a host personal computer (PC) is connected to a Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector, the flash-card exchanger operates in a card reader mode, allowing the host to read data from removable flash-memory cards inserted into connector slots of the flash-card exchanger. When the host PC is not connected, a USB flash-memory thumb or key-chain drive can be inserted into a second USB connector. A USB dual-mode microcontroller acts as a USB host, reading data from the removable flash-memory card and writing the data to the USB-memory key drive using USB packets. Since the USB-memory key drive is small and removable, the user can upgrade to larger storage capacities by plugging in a larger-capacity USB-memory key drive. A flash-exchanger program executing on the USB dual-mode microcontroller copies data from an input-output bus and generates USB packets to the USB-memory key drive.

Abstract: Through the use of an allocation logic unit with a Flash controller, a single primary chip enable is de-multiplexed into a multiple secondary chip enables for multiple Flash memory dies or chips. In so doing, Flash storage device capacity is greatly expanded. In a first aspect, a memory package includes a plurality of memories; and an allocation logic unit coupled to the plurality of memories for receiving a single chip enable signal. The allocation logic unit de-multiplexes the single chip enable signal to a plurality of chip enable signals. Each of the plurality of chip enable signals access to one of the plurality of memories. In a second aspect, a printed circuit board (PCB) includes a Flash controller for providing at least one primary chip enable signal. The PCB also includes a plurality of Flash memory chips and at least one allocation logic unit coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of Flash memory chips and the Flash controller.

Abstract: A memory package and a chip architecture which includes stacked multiple memory chips is described. In a first aspect, a memory package comprises a substrate and a plurality of memory dies mounted on the substrate. Each die has a separate chip enable. In a second aspect, a chip architecture comprises a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB includes a footprint. The footprint includes at least one no connect (NC) pad. The chip architecture includes a plurality of stacked memory chips mounted on the printed circuit board. Each of the plurality of stacked memory has a chip enable signal pin and also has at least one NC pin. At least one of the plurality of stacked memory chips utilizes an NC pin of another of the stacked memory chips to route the chip enable pin to at least one NC pad of the footprint.

Abstract: A Flash storage device is disclosed. The Flash storage device comprises a plurality of memories and a printed circuit board coupled to the plurality of memories. The PCB is extended beyond a predetermined dimension to accommodate the plurality of memories. By extending the length and/or the width of the PCB, additional memories can be added to the PCB, thereby adding to the memory capacity of the device.

Abstract: A memory card having thirteen contact pads arranged on a PCB in a manner that supports an integrated SD/MMC system. Eight contact pads form a front row, four contact pads form a second row behind the front row, and a thirteenth contact pad is located between the front and back rows adjacent to a chamfer formed on the PCB. An L-shaped gap region is provided between the first and second rows, and between the second row and side edge of the PCB. An optional alignment notch is defined along the side edge adjacent the second row. An optional alignment hole is defined between adjacent contact pads of the second row that receives an alignment pin passing between two covers of a two-part housing. The memory card electronics are compatible with either the MMC or SD protocols, and the housing is consistent with either the MMC or SD mechanical form factors.

Abstract: A memory card including a PCB assembly that is consistent with existing 13-pad MMC mechanical form factors, and a housing that is consistent with the SD mechanical form factor, thereby providing a single PCBA and housing arrangement that can be used to produce both MMC and SD memory cards. The thirteen contact pads support all MMC and SD contact pad patterns, but are modified to facilitate a write protect switch. The housing includes an enlarged window (or windows) that exposes two or more contact pads in each of the multiple rows, thereby facilitating slidable insertion of the memory card into a socket of a host system. Alignment notches are formed in the side edges of the PCB, and/or alignment pins are utilized for properly aligning the PCBA within the housing.