Sandisk Corporation

Sandisk Technologies Inc.

Matt Peterson

Joel Bernard Jacobs

Robert C Miller

Robert Andrew Howard

Eli Harari

Hem P Takiar

Robert F Wallace

Edwin J Cuellar

Motohide Hatanaka

Kevin M Conley

Jeff Salazar

Wesley G Brewer

Michael Alan Morganstern

Sanjay Dave

Suresh Kumar Upadhyayula

Yishai Kagan

Daniel Francis Kennedy

Jean-Christophe Klein

A portable memory storage device is disclosed where access to information on the device is granted only upon proper biometric authentication of a user. The device includes a controller, a non-volatile memory which may be a flash memory, and a biometric scanner system for controlling access to the information within the non-volatile memory. Each of the controller, non-volatile memory and biometric scanner system may be mounted in a base of the portable device, with the biometric system having an exposed surface on a top portion of the base for accepting biometric data such as a fingerprint. A cover is provided which includes a USB connector capable of mating within a USB port of the host device to establish communications between the portable and host devices. The cover also covers the exposed portion of the biometric scanner to protect the sensor when the portable memory storage device is not in use.

Portable memory storage device with biometric identification security

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.

Memory card with two standard sets of contacts and a contact covering mechanism

Memory card with contacts, device connector, and a connector covering mechanism

Memory card with integral covered second device connector for use with computing devices without a memory card slot

Portable memory storage device

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Matt Peterson