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. 18, 2008
Filed:
Sep. 17, 2004
Andrew K. Chan, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Thomas M. Chan, Saratoga, CA (US);
Po Weng Chiu, Campbell, CA (US);
Andrew K. Chan, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Thomas M. Chan, Saratoga, CA (US);
Po Weng Chiu, Campbell, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method is disclosed whereby an inexpensive integrated circuit is provided for use in high volume electronic consumer devices of different makes, wherein each different make must perform a different special function. A common function required in all the different makes is realized in a substantially non-customizable portion. A dense mask-programmable portion is provided for realizing a special function. Interface circuitry is provided that enables an external FPGA to perform the special function at system operating speeds during system development. After system development, the circuitry implemented in the external FPGA is technology-mapped to the mask-programmable portion. A single mask is fashioned such that versions of the integrated circuit are produced with their mask-programmable portions customized to perform the special function. I/O terminals that were used to couple to the external FPGA during system development are usable during normal operation to provide system board access to circuitry within the mask-programmable portion.