On board non-volatile memory programming

A digital system for on board programming of a non-volatile memory comprising:

• (a) A read/write memory included within said system for storing data therein,
• (b) a non-volatile memory, said non-volatile memory comprised of means for programming said memory and means for writing data therein,
• (c) circuit means for transferring data into and out of each of said memories, said circuit means including means for generating enabling/disabling signals to said non-volatile memory and to said read/write memory during programming of said non-volatile memory,
• (d) timing means coupled to said non-volatile memory for generating a program pulse of predetermined duration to said non-volatile memory,
• (e) means for generating a program voltage signal of predetermined magnitude and applying said voltage signal to said non-volatile memory, said enabling/disabling signals, program pulse and program voltage signals being generated within said system and effecting transfer of data from said read/write memory to said non-volatile memory without removing said non-volatile memory from said system,
• (f) means for verifying proper programming of said non-volatile memory by the read/write memory comprising:
• data circuit means coupled to said memories for transmitting the data outputs from each of said memories,
• electrically energizable visual means coupled to said data circuit means,
• comparator means coupled to said data circuit means for comparing the outputs for differences between the data in the non-volatile memory and the read/write memory and energizing said visual means upon detecting any of said differences, and
• latching means coupled to said visual means and adapted to latch the visual means in the energized state when energized as a result of detecting any of said differences,
• and means to vary when said program pulse signal starts within a scan of memory whereby different portions of the memory contents can be scanned to determine the exact location of any error,
• and means for changing the read/write memory storage input to said comparator to a constant voltage level and comparing said non-volatile memory output to said constant voltage level to determine whether said non-volatile memory has been completely erased.