Method for using a memory device with a built-in memory array and a ...

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Prior Publication Data

EP

6,711,043 B2 3/2004 Friedman et al. 6,765,813 B2 7/2004 Scheuerlein et al.

(Continued) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 0 273 665 7/1988

(Continued)

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2008/ 003112, dated Jun. 4, 2008, 10 pages.

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Primary Examiner—Ilwoo Park

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

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ABSTRACT

A method for using a memory device with a built-in memory array and a connector for a removable memory device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a determination is made regarding whether a removable memory device comprises a memory controller. If the removable memory device does not comprise a memory controller, circuitry in a memory device connected to the removable memory device is used to control read/write operations to a memory array in the removable memory device. In another embodiment, data stored in a built-in memory of a memory device is read, and the read data is stored in a memory array of a removable memory device. In yet another embodiment, a connection of a removable memory device to a memory device is detected. Pre-loaded content is read from a memory array in the removable memory device and stored in the built-in memory array of the memory device.

17 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets

U.S. Appl. No. 11/496,985; "Multi-Use Memory Cell and Memory Array;" inventors: Roy Scheuelein and Tanmay Kumar; filed Jul. 31, 2006.

U.S. Appl. No. 11/496,984; "Method for Using a Multi-Use Memory Cell and Memory Array;" inventors: Roy Scheuelein and Tanmay Kumar; filed Jul. 31, 2006.

U.S. Appl. No. 11/496,874; "Mixed-Use Memory Array;" inventors: Roy Scheuelein; filed Jul. 31, 2006.

U.S. Appl. No. 11/496,983; "Method for Using a Mixed-Use Memory Array;" inventors: Roy Scheuelein; filed Jul. 31, 2006. U.S. Appl. No. 11/496,870; "Mixed-Use Memory Array with Different Data States;" inventors: Roy Scheuelein and Christopher Petti; filed Jul. 31, 2006.

U.S. Appl. No. 11/497,021; "Method for Using a Mixed-Use Memory Array with Different Data States;" inventors: Roy Scheuelein and Christopher Petti; filed Jul. 31, 2006. U.S. Appl. No. 11/529,555; "Apparatus Combining Once-Writable and Rewritable Information Storage to Support Data Processing;" inventors: Neil Dunlop and Kevin Kealy; filed Sep. 29, 2006. U.S. Appl. No. 11/529,582; "Method Combining Once-Writable and Rewritable Information Storage to Support Data Processing;" inventors: Neil Dunlop and Kevin Kealy; filed Sep. 29, 2006. "SanDisk microSDTM Cards," 1 page, 2007. "SanDisk Sansa® ConnectTM MP3 Player," 1 page, 2007. Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 11/529,582, dated Dec. 19, 2008, 8 pages.

Office ActionforU.S.Appl.No. 11/731,511,dated Mar. 17,2009,14 pages.

Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 11/529,555, dated May 6, 2009, 10 pages.

Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 11/731,531, dated Oct. 29,2008, 11 pages.

* cited by examiner