Patent · US Expired

Method and circuitry for usage of partially functional nonvolatile memory

US5822256A · kind A · utility

165Cited by
16References
52Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 5, 1997
Grant dateOct 13, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 5, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C2211/5641
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method and circuitry are described that permit one to utilize a partially functional integrated circuit memory. A memory array is segregated into separate blocks that can each be isolated to minimize the amount of the memory array rendered unusable by a defect. Circuitry is also provided to program memory cells within the array to one of at least three amounts of charge and thereby increase the amount of storage provided by the remaining functional blocks.

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