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:
Jun. 08, 2004
Filed:
Jun. 21, 2002
Koichi Seki, Hino, JP;
Takeshi Wada, Akishima, JP;
Tadashi Muto, Iruma, JP;
Kazuyoshi Shoji, Akishima, JP;
Yasurou Kubota, Akishima, JP;
Hitoshi Kume, Musashino, JP;
Other;
Abstract
A nonvolatile memory apparatus contains plural memories, at least one of which is a nonvolatile memory, and a processing unit. Data input/output (I/O) terminals of the memories and processing unit are mutually coupled by a bus. When the nonvolatile memory is brought into an erasing mode by the processing unit, it becomes electrically isolated as a result of freeing the connection of the I/O terminal thereof during the erase operation. Accordingly, the processing unit is capable of accessing other memories via the bus where information can then be transferred/received between other memory devices and, otherwise, with the input/output port of the system. Control by the processing unit requires a relatively short time during which the erasing commencement is instructed so as to minimize interruption of the throughput capability of the system. Following the designation of an erasing mode, a data polling mode is designated.