Microcontroller having a non-volatile memory and a method for selecting an operational mode
US6009012A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C29/52
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for automatically detecting a programmed status of a non-volatile memory and selecting one of multiple operational modes based on that status. In one embodiment a non-volatile memory (102) has a normal and an access restricted operational mode. The memory is placed in the access restricted operational mode once it is programmed in order to prevent unauthorized access to the programmed data. A detection logic (226) determines whether the non-volatile memory is in a non-programmed state. Based on this detection it is determined whether the non-volatile memory is to be placed in a normal or an access restricted operational mode. The invention relates also to determining an operational mode of the microcontroller which can advantageously be incorporated into an assembled electronic device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.