Non-volatile memory capable of autonomously executing a program
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics S.r.l.
InventorGiovanni Campardo
Life of this patent
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AssigneeSTMicroelectronics S.r.l.
InventorGiovanni Campardo
Estimating the term…
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device that includes an address buffer block, a matrix of memory cells, and an output buffer block. The address buffer block receives input signals external to the memory device, that in a first operating mode are controlled by devices outside to the memory device, and transmit signals to the matrix of memory cells, which are adapted to decode the received signals and to transmit in turn output decoded signals through the output buffer block. A command block is provided that is activatable through an external control signal and once activated, it puts the memory device in a second operating mode in which the command block receives at least a part of the signals in output of said matrix of memory cells and, after having processed them, transmits internal address signals to the address buffer block. This provides a feedback inside the memory device capable of making the same able to autonomously execute a succession of instructions stored in the matrix of memory cells.
A non-volatile semiconductor memory device comprising an address buffer block, a matrix of non-volatile memory cells, and an output buffer block, said address buffer block configured to receive input signals external to the memory device, that in a first operating mode are controlled by devices external to the memory device, and to transmit signals to said matrix of memory cells that are adapted to decode said received signals and to transmit in turn output decoded signals through said output buffer block, and further comprising a command block formed with the matrix of non-volatile memory cells, the command block comprising a command interpreter and an internal counter and no CPU and activatable through an external control signal that, once activated, puts the memory device in a second operating mode as a sequential machine to perform a predefined set of instructions stored in the matrix of memory cells in which said command block receives at least a part of said signals in output of said matrix of memory cells and, after having processed them, transmits internal address signals to said address buffer block, so to have a feedback inside said memory device to enable execution by the command block of a succession of limited only non-computational instructions stored in said matrix of memory cells autonomous of any CPU.
A non-volatile memory device, comprising a matrix of non-volatile memory cells coupled to a command circuit formed with the matrix of non-volatile memory cells, the command circuit comprising an internal counter and a command interpreter, and no CPU, that is configured to receive and process output signals from the matrix of non-volatile memory cells and to transmit address signals to the matrix of non-volatile memory cells in response to an external control signal, the matrix of non-volatile memory cells and the command circuit configured to operate only as a sequential machine to decode the address signals transmitted from the command circuit and execute a succession of only non-computational, predefined instructions stored therein autonomous of any CPU.
A method for operation of a memory device as a sequential circuit, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.