Lucent Technologies Inc.

Syred S Ali

Richard M Ubowski

Steven C Szep

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for programming installed memory integrated circuits. A temporary connection is made between an external processor and a printed circuit board containing one or more installed memory integrated circuits and an on-board processor. At a suitable time, e.g., when the on-board processor is idle, the external processor takes control of the on-board processor and accesses the memory integrated circuits via temporary connections. In the disclosed embodiment, the control is caused by a held reset signal from the external processor to the on-board processor, which causes control signals from the on-board processor to the memory integrated circuit to enter a tri-state condition. Data is downloaded from the external processor to the memory integrated circuit while the external processor maintains control of the on-board processor. The invention allows downloading of data (or programming) to a memory device while it remains installed in an application printed circuit board.

Growing community of inventors

Allentown, PA, United States of America

Syred S Ali