U.S. patent application number 12/228961 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-07 for method for field-programming a solid-state memory device with a digital media file.
Invention is credited to Manish Bhatia, David R. Friedman, Melissa H. Selcher.
Application Number | 20100005223 12/228961 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25238908 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100005223 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friedman; David R. ; et
al. |
January 7, 2010 |
Method for field-programming a solid-state memory device with a
digital media file
Abstract
The preferred embodiments described herein provide a method for
field-programming a solid-state memory device with a digital media
file. In one preferred embodiment, a solid-state memory device is
provided that comprises a memory array comprising a plurality of
field-programmable memory cells. A digital media file is selected
for storage in the memory device, and a digital media source
field-programs the memory cells of the memory device with the
selected digital media file. After the digital media file is stored
in the memory device, the stored digital media file can be played
using a digital playback device. In some embodiments, the memory
array is a three-dimensional memory array, and the memory cells are
write-once memory cells. Other preferred embodiments are provided,
and each of the preferred embodiments described herein can be used
alone or in combination with one another.
Inventors: |
Friedman; David R.; (Menlo
Park, CA) ; Selcher; Melissa H.; (Menlo Park, CA)
; Bhatia; Manish; (Sunnyvale, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE/SanDisk
P.O. BOX 10395
CHICAGO
IL
60610
US
|
Family ID: |
25238908 |
Appl. No.: |
12/228961 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09823489 |
Mar 30, 2001 |
7424201 |
|
|
12228961 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
711/102 ;
711/E12.001 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/816 20130101;
H04N 7/17318 20130101; G11C 2207/16 20130101; H04N 5/907 20130101;
H04N 21/2223 20130101; G11C 7/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
711/102 ;
711/E12.001 |
International
Class: |
G06F 12/00 20060101
G06F012/00 |
Claims
1. A method for field-programming a solid-state memory device with
a digital media file, the method comprising: (a) providing a
solid-state memory device comprising a three-dimensional memory
array of vertically-stacked field-programmable memory cells, the
memory device further comprising an electrical connector coupled
with the memory array; (b) connecting the electrical connector of
the memory device with an electrical connector of a digital media
source; (c) selecting a digital media file for storage in the
memory device; (d) field-programming the field-programmable memory
cells of the three-dimensional memory array of the memory device
with the selected digital media file; and (e) disconnecting the
memory device from the digital media source.
2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the digital media source
comprises a kiosk.
3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the digital media source is
located in a retail store.
4. The invention of claim 1, wherein the digital media source is
located on an end-user's premises.
5. The invention of claim 1, wherein the digital media source
comprises a digital media playback device.
6. The invention of claim 1, wherein the digital media file
comprises a digital media file selected from the group consisting
of digital music, digital audio, digital video, at least one
digital still image, a sequence of digital images, digital books,
digital text, a digital map, digital data, games, software, or any
combination thereof.
7. The invention of claim 1, wherein the digital media file is
manually selected.
8. The invention of claim 1, wherein the digital media file is
automatically selected.
9. The invention of claim 1 further comprising retrieving the
selected digital media file from a storage device internal to the
digital media source.
10. The invention of claim 1 further comprising retrieving the
selected digital media file from a storage device external to the
digital media source.
11. The invention of claim 10, wherein the digital media source is
coupled to the external storage device via a network.
12. The invention of claim 11, wherein the network comprises the
Internet.
13. The invention of claim 1, wherein the selected digital media
file is generated by the digital media source.
14. The invention of claim 1 further comprising charging a user of
the memory device for the digital media file field-programmed in
the memory device.
15. The invention of claim 1 further comprising: (f) connecting the
electrical connector of the memory device with an electrical
connector of a digital media playback device; and (g) with the
digital media playback device, playing the digital media file
field-programmed in the memory device.
16. The invention of claim 15, wherein the digital media playback
device comprises a device selected from the group consisting of a
digital audio player, a digital audio book, an electronic book, a
digital camera, a game player, a general-purpose computer, a
personal digital assistant, a portable telephone, a printer, and a
projector.
17. The invention of claim 1, wherein the digital media file will
only play if played from the memory device.
18. The invention of claim 1, wherein the memory cells comprise
write-once memory cells.
19. The invention of claim 1, wherein the memory cells comprise
write-many memory cells.
20. The invention of claim 1, wherein the memory cells comprise a
semiconductor material.
21. A method for field-programming a solid-state, write-once memory
device with a digital media file, the method comprising: (a)
providing a solid-state memory device comprising a memory array
comprising a plurality of write-once, field-programmable memory
cells, the memory device further comprising an electrical connector
coupled with the memory array; (b) connecting the electrical
connector of the memory device with an electrical connector of a
digital media source; (c) selecting a digital media file for
storage in the memory device; (d) field-programming the write-once,
field-programmable memory cells of the memory array of the memory
device with the selected digital media file; and (e) disconnecting
the memory device from the digital media source.
22. The invention of claim 21, wherein the digital media source
comprises a kiosk.
23. The invention of claim 21, wherein the digital media source is
located in a retail store.
24. The invention of claim 21, wherein the digital media source is
located on an end-user's premises.
25. The invention of claim 21, wherein the digital media source
comprises a digital media playback device.
26. The invention of claim 21, wherein the digital media file
comprises a digital media file selected from the group consisting
of digital music, digital audio, digital video, at least one
digital still image, a sequence of digital images, digital books,
digital text, a digital map, digital data, games, software, or any
combination thereof.
27. The invention of claim 21, wherein the digital media file is
manually selected.
28. The invention of claim 21, wherein the digital media file is
automatically selected.
29. The invention of claim 21 further comprising retrieving the
selected digital media file from a storage device internal to the
digital media source.
30. The invention of claim 21 further comprising retrieving the
selected digital media file from a storage device external to the
digital media source.
31. The invention of claim 30, wherein the digital media source is
coupled to the external storage device via a network.
32. The invention of claim 31, wherein the network comprises the
Internet.
33. The invention of claim 21, wherein the selected digital media
file is generated by the digital media source.
34. The invention of claim 21 further comprising charging a user of
the memory device for the digital media file field-programmed in
the write-once, field-programmable memory cells of the memory array
of the memory device.
35. The invention of claim 21 further comprising: (f) connecting
the electrical connector of the memory device with an electrical
connector of a digital media playback device; and (g) with the
digital media playback device, playing the digital media file
field-programmed in the write-once, field-programmable memory cells
of the memory array of the memory device.
36. The invention of claim 35, wherein the digital media playback
device comprises a device selected from the group consisting of a
digital audio player, a digital audio book, an electronic book, a
digital camera, a game player, a general-purpose computer, a
personal digital assistant, a portable telephone, a printer, and a
projector.
37. The invention of claim 21, wherein the digital media file will
only play if played from the memory device.
38. The invention of claim 21, wherein the memory array comprises a
three-dimensional memory array.
39. The invention of claim 21, wherein the memory array comprises a
two-dimensional memory array.
40. The invention of claim 21, wherein the memory cells comprise a
semiconductor material.
41. A method for field-programming a solid-state memory device with
a digital media file, the method comprising: (a) providing a
solid-state memory device comprising a three-dimensional memory
array of vertically-stacked field-programmable memory cells; (b)
selecting a digital media file for storage in the memory device;
and (c) field-programming the three-dimensional memory array of
vertically-stacked field-programmable memory cells with the
selected digital media file.
42. The invention of claim 41 further comprising connecting an
electrical connector of the memory device with an electrical
connector of a digital media source, and wherein the digital media
file is transferred from the digital media source to the memory
device via the electrical connectors.
43. The invention of claim 41, wherein the digital media file is
transferred from a digital media source to the memory device via a
wireless connection.
44. A method for field-programming a solid-state, write-once memory
device with a digital media file, the method comprising: (a)
providing a solid-state memory device comprising a memory array
comprising a plurality of write-once, field-programmable memory
cells; (b) selecting a digital media file for storage in the memory
device; and (c) field-programming the write-once,
field-programmable memory cells of the memory array of the memory
device with the selected digital media file.
45. The invention of claim 44 further comprising connecting an
electrical connector of the memory device with an electrical
connector of a digital media source, and wherein the digital media
file is transferred from the digital media source to the memory
device via the electrical connectors.
46. The invention of claim 44, wherein the digital media file is
transferred from a digital media source to the memory device via a
wireless connection.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] A variety of portable consumer products, such as digital
cameras, digital audio players, and personal digital assistants
(PDAs), have been introduced that read and store digital data on
hand-held, modular solid-state memory devices. These solid-state
memory devices typically contain a two-dimensional array of
write-many memory cells. Because this memory design assumes that
high-speed read access is an important goal, the basic memory cell
is designed to provide a relatively large read current, ensuring a
relatively fast read access. To produce these relatively large read
currents, relatively large switching devices are needed, and the
large devices give rise to relatively large memory cells. Large
memory cells cause the memory chip area to be large, which means
the memory chip cost will be high (since the cost increases as the
area grows). For example, the actual sales price per megabyte in
June 2000 for a write-many flash memory card, such as a
CompactFlash card, was between $2-4 at the forty megabyte
level.
[0002] Because these devices are relatively expensive, they are
unlikely to be used to permanently store digital media files.
Instead, these devices are more likely to be used as vehicles to
move digital media files onto less-expensive storage media. For
example, a user can copy a digital audio file stored on a
CompactFlash card onto a hard drive of a personal computer and
later burn the digital audio file onto a compact disc, which is a
much less expensive portable storage device. Additionally, because
typical solid-state memory devices contain write-many memory cells,
copy protection systems are needed that allow a user to copy
digital media files onto less expensive media while preventing
further copying. Further, because the data stored in a write-many
memory device can be altered, it can be difficult to ensure the
integrity of copyrighted material stored therein.
[0003] There is a need, therefore, for a method for
field-programming a solid-state memory device with a digital media
file that will overcome the difficulties discussed above.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention is defined by the following claims,
and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on
those claims.
[0005] By way of introduction, the preferred embodiments described
below provide a method for field-programming a solid-state memory
device with a digital media file. In one preferred embodiment, a
solid-state memory device is provided that comprises a memory array
comprising a plurality of field-programmable memory cells. A
digital media file is selected for storage in the memory device,
and a digital media source field-programs the memory cells of the
memory device with the selected digital media file. After the
digital media file is stored in the memory device, the stored
digital media file can be played using a digital playback device.
In some embodiments, the memory array is a three-dimensional memory
array, and the memory cells are write-once memory cells. Other
preferred embodiments are provided, and each of the preferred
embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination
with one another.
[0006] The preferred embodiments will now be described with
reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment in which
a solid-state memory device comprising a field-programmable memory
array is coupled with a digital media source.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment in which
the memory device of FIG. 1 is coupled with a digital media
playback device.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of a preferred embodiment
for field-programming a solid-state memory device with a digital
media file.
[0010] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment in which
a digital media source takes the form of a kiosk.
[0011] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment in which
a digital media playback device takes the form of a digital audio
player.
[0012] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment in which
a digital media source takes the form of a personal computer.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a three-dimensional memory
array of a preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY
Preferred Embodiments
[0014] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is an illustration of a
solid-state memory device 10 of a preferred embodiment. The term
"solid-state memory device" refers to a memory device that responds
to electrical read and write signals to cause digital information
to be read from and stored in a memory array of the device. The
term does not encompass optical memory devices such as CD ROMs. The
memory device 10 comprises a memory array 15 comprising a plurality
of field-programmable memory cells. A field-programmable memory
cell is a memory cell that is fabricated in an initial,
un-programmed digital state that can be switched to an alternative,
programmed digital state at a time after fabrication of the memory
cell. For example, the original, un-programmed digital state can be
identified as the Logic 0 state, and the programmed digital state
can be identified as the Logic 1 state (or the Logic 2 state in a
three-state digital system).
[0015] The memory device 10 of FIG. 1 is a compact, handheld unit
that is easily transported and can take the form of a memory card
or stick comprising a housing to protect the internal components of
the device 10. In this embodiment, the memory device 10 further
comprises an external electrical connector (not shown) coupled with
the memory array 15. The memory device 10 is modular in the sense
that it can be easily connected to and disconnected from a device
having a mating electrical connector. As used herein, the terms
"connected to" and "coupled with" are intended broadly to cover
elements that are connected to or coupled with one another either
directly or indirectly through one or more intervening components.
As described below, some embodiments do not require the use of an
external electrical connector.
[0016] In FIG. 1, the modular memory device 10 is shown releasably
coupled with a digital media source 20. The term "digital media
source" is intended to broadly refer to any device that can
field-program a digital media file into a plurality of
field-programmable memory cells of a solid-state memory device. The
digital media source can itself contain the digital media file or
can be used to retrieve the digital media file from another
location (such as a local storage device or a remote storage device
accessible via a network such as the Internet) via a wire or
wireless connection. The term "digital media file" is intended
broadly to encompass a file of copyrightable subject matter such as
digital music, digital audio (e.g., voice/speech), digital video,
at least one digital still image, a sequence of digital images,
digital books, digital text (e.g., news or driving directions), a
digital map, digital data (e.g. games or software), or any
combination thereof. Further, the term "file" is intended broadly
to cover all or part of a digital file. For example, a file can
include data defining all or part of a song, image, or the like.
Because the memory device 10 contains a field-programmable memory
array 15, the digital media source 20 can write a digital media
file into the memory device 10 at a time after the memory device's
fabrication. For example, the memory device 10 can be written into
at the command of a consumer when it is desired to load a new
digital media file into the memory device 10.
[0017] After a digital media file is stored in the memory array 15,
the memory device 10 can be disconnected from the digital media
source 20 (e.g., by pulling the memory device 10 out of a port in
the digital media source 20) and connected to a digital media
playback device 30 (e.g., by plugging the memory device 10 into a
port in the digital playback device 30), as shown in FIG. 2. Like
the digital media source 20, the digital media playback device 30
has an electrical connector configured to mate with the electrical
connector of the memory device 10. As described below, a digital
media file stored in the memory device 10 can be transferred to the
digital media playback device 30 without the use of mating
electrical connectors. Examples of digital media playback devices
include, but are not limited to, consumer devices such as a digital
audio player, a digital audio book, an electronic book, a digital
camera, a game player, a general-purpose computer, a personal
digital assistant, a portable telephone, a printer, and a
projector.
[0018] After the memory device 10 and digital media playback device
30 are connected, the digital media playback device 30 can play the
digital media file stored in the memory device 10. The term "play"
broadly encompasses visual playback via a suitable display (e.g.,
showing still or moving images or displaying pages of an electronic
book) and/or audio playback via a suitable speaker (e.g., playing
audio files through a pair of headphones), as well as other forms
of sensory presentation (e.g., tactile or olfactory). A digital
media file can also be played without providing a sensory
presentation. For example, a digital media file that stores a
software application, such as a driver for an existing application,
can be played by executing the application. The application is
"played" even though no visual or audible indication of its
execution is provided. In addition to playing digital media files,
a digital media playback device can be used to acquire digital
information and field-program a memory device with the acquired
information. For example, a digital camera can be used to both view
images stored in a memory device (using the camera's liquid crystal
display) and store images acquired by the camera onto the same or
different memory device.
[0019] The following paragraphs present examples of how a digital
media source 20 can field-program the memory device 10 with a
digital media file. These examples will be discussed in conjunction
with the flow chart of FIG. 3. It should be noted that the acts
shown in the flow chart can be performed in any suitable order and
need not follow the order used in the below illustrations. For
example, the act of selecting (act 60) can be performed before the
act of connecting (act 50).
[0020] In one example, which is shown in FIG. 4, the digital media
source takes the form of a kiosk 100 in a retail store or a
shopping center that is publicly accessible. In this illustration,
the kiosk 100 is in a record store and allows customers to store
one or more songs or albums onto a modular memory device 120. The
kiosk 100 comprises a modular memory device port 105, which accepts
a modular memory device 120 and leads to an electrical connector,
and a display device 110. The kiosk 100 also comprises a user
interface, which, in this example, takes the form of a touch screen
integrated with the display device 110. The kiosk 100 can also
comprise other user interface elements, such as a keyboard or a
voice recognition unit.
[0021] Turning now to the flow chart of FIG. 3, a solid-state
memory device 120 is provided (act 40). A user can, for example,
bring the memory device 120 with him to the kiosk 100, can purchase
the memory device 120 from the retail store that houses the kiosk
100, or can purchase the memory device 120 directly from the kiosk
100. Next, the electrical connector of the memory device 120 is
connected with the electrical connector of the kiosk 100 (act 50).
A user can, for example, push the memory device 120 through the
port 105 of the kiosk 100 to mate the electrical connectors.
Alternatively, if the user purchases the memory device 120 from the
kiosk 100, the kiosk 100 can automatically make the connection to
the memory device 120. For example, a mechanical arm in the kiosk
100 can grab a memory device 120 from a storage bin and connect it
with the electrical connector of the kiosk 100.
[0022] Next, a digital media file is selected for storage in the
memory device 120 (act 60). In this illustration, a user manually
selects one or more songs to be stored in the memory device 120.
The display device 110 of the kiosk 100 presents choices to the
user, such as a list of artists, album titles, and song titles. The
user selects the content to be stored in the memory array of the
memory device 120 by touching the desired displayed choice. Any
other technique of providing the user with an indication of the
digital media files available for selection can be used.
Additionally, the kiosk 100 can also include a speaker or a pair of
headphones to allow the user to preview the selection before
storage. Further, the selection can be made automatically instead
of manually, such as when the kiosk 100 automatically selects a
song for storage in the user's memory device 120. For example,
based on the user's past selections, the kiosk 100 (or a processor
coupled with the kiosk 100) can determine which new artists the
user may enjoy and can automatically select a song from one of
those artists to store on the memory device 120 as a "free sample"
to entice the user to purchase additional songs by that particular
artist.
[0023] After the digital media file has been selected, the kiosk
100 field-programs the field-programmable memory cells of the
memory array of the memory device 120 with the selected digital
media file (act 70). The digital media file stored in the memory
device 120 can be retrieved from a storage location internal to the
kiosk 100, such as a local mass storage device 130 (e.g., a
hard-disk drive or a CD-ROM drive), or from a storage location (or
server) external to the kiosk 100. For example, the kiosk 100 can
be in wired or wireless communication with a storage device located
elsewhere in the record store or with storage devices 140, 141
external to the record store and accessible via a network 150, such
as the Internet. By using both local and external storage devices,
a record store can store popular songs or albums on the local mass
storage device 130 for fast access, while storing less-frequently
requested titles in external storage devices. Additionally, the
storage devices can be controlled by parties other than the owners
of the record store and kiosk 100. For example, the storage devices
140, 141 can be owned by different record labels and store songs by
their respective recording artists. Further, instead of retrieving
digital media files from a storage device, the kiosk 100 itself can
generate some or all of the selected digital media files
on-the-fly. For example, if the kiosk 100 has karaoke
functionality, the kiosk 100 can generate a digital media file that
is the combination of a selected instrumental track, which is
retrieved by the kiosk 100, and a recording of the user's voice,
which is created on-the-fly by the kiosk 100 using a microphone. As
these examples illustrate, the kiosk 100 can reduce a record
store's inventory of conventional, pre-recorded records or song
titles by dispensing music on-the-fly.
[0024] While the kiosk 100 can be used to freely distribute digital
media files, the kiosk 100 can also be used to charge a user for
the digital media files stored in the memory device 120. Any
suitable accounting system can be used, preferably one that
provides a secure transaction for the consumer. For example, the
user can insert a credit card into the kiosk 100 to purchase the
selected songs or can establish an account with the record store
that is debited in the amount appropriate for the downloaded songs.
The accounting system can also keep track of the songs selected by
a plurality of users to determine which songs should be stored
locally and which songs should be stored in remote storage devices.
This information can also be used to distribute royalties to the
appropriate record labels or artists.
[0025] After the digital media file is stored in the memory device
120, the memory device 120 is disconnected from the kiosk 100 (act
80). A user can, for example, pull the memory device 120 out of the
kiosk 100 to decouple the electrical connectors. Alternatively, the
kiosk 100 can automatically disconnect the memory device 120 and
present it to the user. After the memory device 120 is removed from
the kiosk 100, it can be inserted into a port 145 in a digital
audio player 150 (see FIG. 5) or other digital media playback
device to play the stored music.
[0026] In the example described above, the user of the kiosk 100
was the end user of the memory device 120. In another example, the
user of the kiosk 100 is an employee of a retail store housing the
kiosk 100. Consider an example where the kiosk 100 is located in a
video store. When a customer requests a movie, the employee of the
video store inserts a memory device 120 into the kiosk 100 and
stores the requested movie onto the memory array. The employee then
gives the modular memory device 120 to the customer, who can
purchase or rent the stored movie. Because the movie is stored in
the memory array on demand, the movie is never out-of-stock,
eliminating the customer's need to race to the video store. In this
example, a digital media file was stored in the memory array at the
request of an end user. In another example, digital media files are
stored in the memory array in advance of a request. For example, a
book store can "mass customize" a book on several modular memory
devices for on-sight distribution to customers. In this way, the
book store stocks its shelves with the memory devices, and a
customer purchases the customized memory device off the shelf
without having to wait for the book to be stored in the device. As
noted above, the selection of a digital media file can be
automatic. For example, a kiosk in a book store can automatically
select a book for mass storage when the book store's tracking
system determines that there are no more memory devices storing the
book on-shelf.
[0027] In the examples given above, the digital media source took
the form of a kiosk. Other devices can be used in addition to a
kiosk, such as an ATM machine or a digital phone in an airport or
shopping center. Additionally, instead of being located in a retail
store such as a record, video, or book store, the digital media
source can be located at an end-user's premises, such as his home
or office. For example, in FIG. 6, the digital media source takes
the form of a personal computer 200, which is essentially a home-
or office-based equivalent of the public kiosk 100 of FIG. 4. The
computer 200 has a port 205 for a modular memory device 220. The
port can be integrated with the personal computer 200 (as shown in
FIG. 2) or can take the form of a separate, stand-alone peripheral.
As with the kiosk 100 in FIG. 4, the user can interact with the
computer 200 to download digital media files from an external
storage device 240 connected with the computer 200 via a network
250, such as the Internet. For example, a user can visit a
recording artist's web page and download a song or album from that
artist onto the memory device 220. It should be noted that the
digital media source can take forms other than a kiosk or a
personal computer. For example, the digital media source can take
the form of a digital media playback device (e.g., a digital audio
player, an electronic book, etc.). Digital media files can be
downloaded by the digital media playback device from an external
source, such as the Internet, and stored in the write-once memory
array. Additionally, the digital media playback device can be
connected to yet another digital media source. For example, instead
of connecting a memory device with a kiosk, the memory device can
be connected with a digital audio player, which is then connected
to the kiosk.
[0028] While the solid-state memory device can use a
two-dimensional memory array of memory cells (write-once or
write-many), it is preferred that the solid-state memory device use
a three-dimensional memory array of memory cells (write-once or
write-many). Turning again to the drawings, FIG. 7 is an
illustration of a three-dimensional memory array of a preferred
embodiment. The memory array of FIG. 7 is three-dimensional in the
sense that the memory cells are arranged in a plurality of
vertically-stacked layers to form a three-dimensional lattice above
a substrate. The three dimensions are called "rows," "columns," and
"layers." Typically, the rows and columns are generally parallel to
the upper surface of an underlying substrate, and the layers are
separated from one another along a direction perpendicular to the
upper surface of the underlying substrate. Some prior memory cells
contain an element that protrudes either upwardly or downwardly and
have in the past been referred to as a "three dimensional memory
cell." However, these memory cells are arrayed in a conventional
two-dimensional array. This is quite different from the
three-dimensional embodiments described herein, which include a
three-dimensional array of memory cells, with several layers of
memory cells stacked vertically above one another.
[0029] In FIG. 7, each of the memory cells MC1, MC2 is a
two-terminal cell that includes a state storage element. In this
embodiment, the memory cells MC1 are arranged at a first level, and
the memory cells MC2 are arranged at a second level that is
vertically stacked with respect to the first level. The terminals
of the memory cells MC1, MC2 are disposed at the respective ends of
the cell. In this connection, the term "terminal" is intended
broadly, and a terminal may be embodied simply as a terminal
portion of the cell, or as a separate layer of the cell. Each of
the terminals of each of the memory cells MC1, MC2 is in electrical
contact with a respective conductor or wire. The conductors W1, W2
at the bottom of the memory cells MC1 in the view of FIG. 7 are
configured as wordlines, and the conductors B1, B2 connected to the
upper terminals of the memory cells MC1 are configured as bitlines,
which in this embodiment run substantially perpendicularly to the
wordlines W1, W2. Thus, each of the memory cells MC1 bridges a
selected one of the wordlines W1, W2 and a selected one of the
bitlines B1, B2. Similarly, the memory cells MC2 of the second
layer are connected between selected bitlines B1, B2 and selected
wordlines W3, W4. The wordlines W3, W4 in this embodiment are
disposed on another level, vertically stacked above the level of
the bitlines B1, B2. In addition to referring to a physically
discrete element as in FIG. 7, a memory cell can also be defined by
rail-stacks and intermediate layers, as described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/638,428, which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0030] Three-dimensional, vertically-stacked memory arrays provide
important economies in terms of reduced size of the memory array
and associated reductions in manufacturing cost. In particular,
these memory arrays use very small switching devices, giving a
small memory cell and a small total chip area. In this way,
manufacturing costs are minimized, resulting in a dramatic cost
reduction compared to conventional memory arrays. The small
switching devices of the preferred three-dimensional memory array
give a small read current, which makes the read access time
relatively slow. However, for many digital media files such as
digital audio and digital images, the relatively slow speed is not
a drawback, and the dramatically lower cost of the memory device is
a strong benefit. Additionally, because they can be made relatively
inexpensively, memory devices with a three-dimensional memory array
can be used as the final storage location for digital media files
rather than merely as a vehicle to move the files to a less
expensive storage device, as is done with relatively more expensive
two-dimensional solid-state memory devices. This provides the added
advantage of eliminating a redundant copying step. In short, a
solid-state memory device with a three-dimensional memory array
provides a relatively low-cost, simple way of distributing digital
media files to enable mass customization and on-sight sale or
distribution at, for example, record and video stores.
[0031] While write-many memory cells can be used, it is preferred
that the field-programmable memory cells of the memory array (e.g.,
a two-dimensional or three-dimensional memory array) are write-once
memory cells. In a write-once, field-programmable memory cell, an
original, un-programmed digital state of the memory cell (e.g., the
Logic 0 state) cannot be restored once switched to a programmed
digital state (e.g., the Logic 1 state). There are several
advantages to using write-once memory cells instead of write-many
memory cells. First, write-once memory cells are especially
suitable for digital media storage applications used to fix
copyrightable material in a tangible medium of expression. Because
write-once memory cells permanently store data, they provide an
unambiguous and immutable record of the expressed material, thereby
protecting the integrity of the copyrighted material. Additionally,
since write-once memory cells cannot be re-used to store new
digital media files, there is no need for a copy protection system
that allows a user to copy digital media files onto less expensive
media while preventing further copying, as is needed with the
write-many devices discussed in the background section above. In
this way, a write-once memory device provides a way of permanently
and securely distributing copyrightable data. Further, because a
digital media file is permanently stored in a write-once memory
device, the file can be "tied" to the memory device so that it will
only play if played from that memory device. This form of copy
protection and other alternatives that can be used with these
preferred embodiments are described in U.S. patent application Ser.
Nos. 09/775,745 and 09/775,939, both of which are assigned to the
assignee of the present invention and are hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0032] As discussed above, in some embodiments, electrical
connectors are not needed to store a digital media file onto a
solid-state memory device and/or to play data stored on a
solid-state memory device with a digital media playback device. For
example, a digital media source can wirelessly transmit a digital
media file for storage directly to a solid-state memory device, and
a solid-state memory device can wirelessly transmit a digital media
file for playback to a digital media playback device. Accordingly,
the claims should not be read as requiring an electrical connector
unless explicitly recited therein. Further, because a solid-state
memory device can have a two-dimensional or three-dimensional
memory array of write-once or write-many memory cells, the claims
should not be read as requiring a specific type of array (e.g., a
three-dimensional memory array) or a specific type of memory cell
(e.g., a write-once memory cell) unless explicitly recited
therein.
[0033] Lastly, it should be noted that the memory cells can be made
from any suitable material. The memory cells are preferably made
from a semiconductor material; however, other materials such as
phase-change materials and amorphous solids as well as those used
with MRAM and organic passive element arrays can be used.
Three-dimensional memory arrays and additional features that can be
used in combination with these preferred embodiments are described
in the following patent documents, each of which is hereby
incorporated by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,034,882 and 5,835,396
and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/638,428; 09/638,334;
09/727,229; 09/638,439; 09/638,427; 09/638,334; 09/560,626; and
09/662,953.
[0034] It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be
understood as an illustration of selected forms that the invention
can take and not as a definition of the invention. It is only the
following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to
define the scope of this invention. Finally, it should be noted
that any aspect of any of the preferred embodiments described
herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.
* * * * *