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:
Jul. 24, 2007
Filed:
Feb. 18, 2004
Irene Babudri, Burago di Molgora, IT;
Stefano Ghezzi, Treviolo, IT;
Giuseppe Giannini, Milan, IT;
Ruggero Deluca, Fregona, IT;
Irene Babudri, Burago di Molgora, IT;
Stefano Ghezzi, Treviolo, IT;
Giuseppe Giannini, Milan, IT;
Ruggero DeLuca, Fregona, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., , IT;
Abstract
A memory, particularly but not limitatively a flash memory, comprises at least one data storage area comprising a plurality of data storage locations, and an access circuitry for accessing the data storage locations for either retrieving or altering a data content thereof, depending for example on a memory user request. The memory includes at least one first user-configurable flag element and a second user-configurable flag element. Both the at least one first and the second flag elements are used by a user to set a protected state of the respective data storage area against alteration of the content of the data storage locations thereof. The protected state defined by setting the first flag element is user-removable, i.e., it can be removed by request from the user, so as to enable again the alteration of the content of the data storage area. On the contrary, the protected state defined by setting the second flag element is permanent and, once set, it cannot be removed: the data storage area becomes unalterable.