Patent · US Expired

Memory system with write protection

US4665506A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
2References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 3, 1983
Grant dateMay 12, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 3, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C8/20
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A memory apparatus including an array of storage elements connected to a plurality of addressing lines for selectively connecting a group of the storage elements to a plurality of data lines. Protection circuitry is provided that is connected to the address lines for storing flags corresponding to selected groups of the storage elements to be protected. Write circuitry is provided that is connected to the address lines and to the array of storage elements for preventing the writing into the storage elements addressed by the address lines when the address is within the address of the protected groups. Control circuitry is provided that is connected to the protect circuit and the write circuit for controlling the input of the protect group addresses and for enabling the write circuit means during a write operation. The memory apparatus further includes the capability to provide protection from writing from a direct memory access source or from a central processing unit source. The control circuit in the memory system is provided with an override capability to override the write protection circuits.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.