Non-volatile counting method and apparatus
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorsHarsh B. Parikh, Robert M. Crosby
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Abstract
A non-volatile counter memory is provided by using a gray code scale to store counter values in a plurality of counter memories (34) comprising a counter memory group (38). Each counter memory comprises a plurality of units which store a gray coded value. The weighting of the units is changed after a predetermined number of write operations such that the number of bit transitions is spread out among the units.
Claims27
A method of storing a count in a non-volatile memory comprising the steps of:
- storing a number in a non-volatile memory section comprising a plurality of predefined memory units each operable to store a portion of said number;
- and
- varying the order in which said portions are stored in said memory units;
- and
- translating each of said portions prior to said storing step such that the number of bits stressed by each storing step is minimized.
A method of storing a count in a non-volatile memory comprising the steps of:
- receiving a sequence of numbers;
- rotatably storing each number in a group of non-volatile memory sections each comprising a plurality of predefined memory units, each memory unit operable to store a portion of said number;
- and
- varying the order in which said portions are stored in said memory units, such that the number of bit transitions associated with said storing step are evenly distributed over a plurality of said units.
Non-volatile counter circuitry comprising:
- counting circuitry for generating a sequence of numbers;
- a non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of memory sections comprised of a plurality of predefined memory units each operable to store a portion of a generated number from said counting circuitry;
- and
- control circuitry operable to;
- receive said generated sequence of numbers;
- store each number in said non-volatile memory such that portions of said number are stored in associated memory units;
- vary the order in which said portions are stored in said memory units;
- and
- translate each of said portions prior to said storing step such that the number of bits stressed by each storing step is minimized.
Circuitry for providing non-volatile storage of a count, comprising:
- counting circuitry for generating a sequence of numbers;
- a group of non-volatile memories each comprising a plurality of predefined memory units each operable to store a portion of a generated number;
- and
- control circuitry operable to:
- receive said generated sequence of numbers;
- rotatably store each number in said non-volatile memories;
- vary the order in which portions of each number are stored in said memory units of said non-volatile memories;
- and
- translate each of said portions prior to said storing step such that the number of bits stressed by each storing step is minimized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.