Method for completely reprogramming an erasable, non-volatile memory
US5712969A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 30, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C16/102
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for completely reprogramming an erasable, non-volatile memory (12) in a control device (10) is presented. The control device (10) has at least one central unit (11), a volatile memory (13), an erasable, non-volatile memory (12) and also input/output circuits (15). The data to be programmed are transferred from an external electronic device (18), such as a personal computer for example, to the control device (10). The control device then programs the received data itself into the erasable, non-volatile memory. With the method, the erasable, non-volatile memory (12) is divided into two areas (20, 21) that can be erased and programmed separately. Before the actual programming operation a programming module is written in each case into each area (20, 21). To reprogram the erasable, non-volatile memory (12), the programming module is written into at least one of the areas (20, 21) that can be erased and programmed separately. The programming of one of the two areas (20, 21) takes place only if the programming module is written in the other of the two areas (20, 21) that can be erased and programmed separately.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.