Non-volatile latch circuit
First Claim
1. A non-volatile latch circuit, comprising:
- a first, volatile information-storage element;
a second, non-volatile information-storage element electrically programmable, associated with the first information-storage element;
first circuit means activatable for operatively coupling the second information-storage element to the first information-storage element, the first circuit means being activated for loading into the first information-storage element an information stored in the second information-storage element, characterized by comprising;
second circuit means associated with the first information-storage element for programming the first information-storage element in a select state;
third circuit means associated with the second information-storage element and driven by the first information-storage element for selectively enabling the programming of the second information-storage element depending on the state of the first information-storage element.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A non-volatile latch circuit includes a first, volatile information-storage element; a second, non-volatile information-storage element electrically programmable and associated with the first element; first circuit means activatable for operatively coupling the second element to the first element, the first circuit means being activated for loading into the first element an information stored in the second element. The circuit additionally includes second circuit means associated with the first element for setting the first element in a select state; third circuit means associated with the second element and driven by the first element for selectively enabling the programming of the second element depending on the state of the first element.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A non-volatile latch circuit, comprising:
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a first, volatile information-storage element;
a second, non-volatile information-storage element electrically programmable, associated with the first information-storage element;
first circuit means activatable for operatively coupling the second information-storage element to the first information-storage element, the first circuit means being activated for loading into the first information-storage element an information stored in the second information-storage element, characterized by comprising;
second circuit means associated with the first information-storage element for programming the first information-storage element in a select state;
third circuit means associated with the second information-storage element and driven by the first information-storage element for selectively enabling the programming of the second information-storage element depending on the state of the first information-storage element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A memory cell, comprising:
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a volatile circuit operable to store first data;
a non-volatile circuit coupled to the volatile circuit and operable to store second data;
wherein the volatile circuit is operable to program the nonvolatile circuit with the first data; and
wherein the nonvolatile circuit is operable to program the volatile circuit with the second data. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An integrated circuit, comprising:
a memory cell, comprising, a volatile circuit operable to store first data, a nonvolatile circuit coupled to the volatile circuit and operable to store second data, wherein the volatile circuit is operable to program the nonvolatile circuit with the first data, and wherein the nonvolatile circuit is operable to program the volatile circuit with the second data.
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21. An electronic system, comprising:
an integrated circuit, comprising, a memory cell, comprising, a volatile circuit operable to store first data, a nonvolatile circuit coupled to the volatile circuit and operable to store second data, wherein the volatile circuit is operable to program the nonvolatile circuit with the first data, and wherein the nonvolatile circuit is operable to program the volatile circuit with the second data.
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22. A method, comprising:
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storing data in a volatile circuit of a memory cell; and
programming a nonvolatile circuit of the memory cell to store the data. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method, comprising:
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resetting a volatile circuit of a memory cell; and
storing in the volatile circuit data from a nonvolatile circuit of the memory cell.
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25. A method, comprising:
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programming a nonvolatile element of a memory cell by coupling a first terminal of the element to a first programming voltage and by, coupling a second terminal of the element to a second programming voltage if a volatile circuit of the memory cell stores a value that is different than a value stored by the nonvolatile element, the second programming voltage less than the first programming voltage, and floating the second terminal if the volatile circuit stores a value that is the same as the value stored by the nonvolatile element; and
reading the nonvolatile element by coupling the first terminal to a read voltage and coupling the second terminal to an output terminal of the volatile circuit. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification