Latch circuit and method for writing and reading volatile and non-volatile data to and from the latch
US7149114B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 12, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C7/20
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A latching circuit is provided that includes a latch, a storage element, and a selection circuit coupled between the latch and the storage element. The latch can receive true and complementary voltage values from, for example, a data bus and, if called upon, forward the latched value to the non-volatile storage element via the selection circuit. Control signals sent to the selection circuit allow the latched data to be written to or read from the storage element. Once programmed, the voltage values will remain in the latching circuit even after power is removed. If the latched data is not sent to the non-volatile storage element, the latching circuit essentially functions as a volatile latch, and the data will be lost if power is removed. The switching circuit thereby operates as a dual-purpose volatile and non-volatile latching circuit that can be embodied as an array of latching circuits that temporarily and/or permanently store true and complementary data signals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.