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. 07, 2009
Filed:
Mar. 11, 2005
Robin J. Jigour, San Jose, CA (US);
Eungjoon Park, Fremont, CA (US);
Joo Weon Park, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Jong Seuk Lee, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Robin J. Jigour, San Jose, CA (US);
Eungjoon Park, Fremont, CA (US);
Joo Weon Park, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Jong Seuk Lee, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Winbound Electronics Corporation, Hisn Chu, TW;
Abstract
A serial flash memory is provided with multiple configurable pins, at least one of which is selectively configurable for use in either single-bit serial data transfers or multiple-bit serial data transfers. In single-bit serial mode, data transfer is bit-by-bit through a pin. In multiple-bit serial mode, a number of sequential bits are transferred at a time through respective pins. The serial flash memory may have 16 or fewer pins, and even 8 or fewer pins, so that low pin count packaging such as the 8-pin or 16-pin SOIC package and the 8-contact MLP/QFN/SON package may be used. The availability of the single-bit serial type protocol enables compatibility with a number of existing systems, while the availability of the multiple-bit serial type protocol enables the serial flash memory to provide data transfer rates, in systems that can support them, that are significantly faster than available with standard serial flash memories.