Patent · US Active

Method for refreshing a non-volatile memory

US7447096B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
54References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 4, 2007
Grant dateNov 4, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 29, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C11/40611
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A non-volatile memory and a method of refreshing a memory are described. The method includes allowing an external system to control refreshing operations within the memory. The memory may generate a refresh request signal and transmit the refresh request signal to the external system. When the external system finds an available time to process the refresh request, the external system acknowledges the refresh request and transmits a refresh acknowledge signal to the memory. The memory may also comprise a page register for reading and rewriting a data state back to the memory. The page register may comprise latches in lieu of supplemental non-volatile storage elements, thereby conserving real estate within the memory.

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