HARDWARE ANTI-PIRACY VIA NONVOLATILE MEMORY DEVICES
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A nonvolatile memory device comprising:
- an array of memory cells divided into a plurality of sectors including a first sector and a second sector, the first sector being protected to prevent access to data stored in the first sector until a password is received, the second sector storing data that is not protected via the password such that the data stored in the second sector may be accessed when requested.
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present disclosure may take the form of protected or safeguard memory, such as a nonvolatile memory device. In operation, the nonvolatile memory device may not perform a command operation, such as a read operation, on locked password-protected sectors of a primary memory array. Once a password is provided to the nonvolatile memory device (for example, from or via an associated electronic device), the nonvolatile memory device may unlock the password-protected sectors.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A nonvolatile memory device comprising:
an array of memory cells divided into a plurality of sectors including a first sector and a second sector, the first sector being protected to prevent access to data stored in the first sector until a password is received, the second sector storing data that is not protected via the password such that the data stored in the second sector may be accessed when requested. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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2. The nonvolatile memory device of claim 2, further comprising:
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an address decoder operatively coupled to the array, the address decoder is configured to receive an address from an external input and select a specific sector based on the address; and an interface control unit operatively coupled to the array and the address decoder, the interface control unit is configured to prevent a command operation on the first sector unless the password is provided. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A nonvolatile memory device comprising:
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an array of memory cells divided into a plurality of sectors including a first sector and a second sector, the first sector being locked to prevent access to data stored in the first sector until a correct password is received, the second sector storing data that is unlocked to allow access to the data stored within the second sector; an address decoder operatively coupled to the array, the address decoder is configured to receive an address from an external input and select a specific sector based on the address; and an interface control unit operatively coupled to the array and the address decoder, the interface control unit is configured to unlock the first sector to allow access of an operation when the password, external to the nonvolatile memory device, is received, and, thereafter, outputs data stored in the first sector upon receipt of an external request. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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16. A method of using a nonvolatile memory device comprising:
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receiving a first command request from an external source to access data in a first sector of a memory array of the nonvolatile memory device; receiving an address for the first sector; and preventing the first command request from being performed on the first sector unless a unique password, equal to a previously stored password located within the nonvolatile memory device, is received. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A nonvolatile memory device comprising:
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an array of memory cells divided into a plurality of sectors including a first sector and a second sector, the first sector being protected to prevent access to data stored in the first sector until a password is received, the second sector storing data that is not protected via the password such that the data stored in the second sector may be accessed when requested; an address decoder operatively coupled to the array, the address decoder is configured to receive an address from an external input and select a specific sector based on the address; an interface control unit operatively coupled to the array and the address decoder, the interface control unit is configured to prevent a command operation on the first sector unless the password is provided; wherein the second sector stores boot data that allows an external electronic device to proceed with boot up operations; and wherein the interface control unit compares an internally stored password to the received password.
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21. An apparatus for use in receiving an audio signal, video signal, data signal, or any combination thereof, comprising:
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a receiving device, wherein the receiving device receives at least one of an audio signal, a video signal, a data signal or a combination audio, video and/or data signal; and a memory device, coupled to the receiving device, further comprising; an array of memory cells divided into a plurality of sectors including a first sector and a second sector, the first sector being protected to prevent access to data stored in the first sector until a password is received, the second sector stores data that is not protected via the password such that the data stored in the second sector may be accessed when requested.
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Specification