The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 08, 1988
Filed:
Feb. 24, 1986
Colin W Edwards, Chalfont St. Peter, GB;
Hughes Aircraft Company, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
A non-volatile memory device comprising a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory comprises a volatile memory circuit, such as a D-type cell, or the like, which incorporates a data input, a volatile storage circuit for storing Q and Q output signals, and Q and Q data outputs. The non-volatile memory comprises circuitry which selectively stores a predetermined one of the Q and Q output signals, and which selectively transfers the stored signal to the volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may comprise, for example, a FATMOS transistor, or the like, and control circuitry coupled thereto. The non-volatile memory also includes transistor circuitry coupled between a voltage source and the FATMOS transistor, for example, which selectively controls the storage and transfer of signals between the non-volatile memory circuit and the volatile storage circuit in conjunction with signals applied to the control circuitry. This device may be employed as a fail-safe switching device due to the nature of the failure modes of the non-volatile memory. A method of data storage and retrieval is also disclosed.