Non-volatile memory with embedded programmable controller
First Claim
1. Apparatus for providing non-volatile data storage and additional processing to a host computer system, said apparatus comprising:
- a non-volatile memory system including at least one non-volatile memory device, said non-volatile memory system responding to hierarchical memory structure control commands received from said host computer system by storing and retrieving information from said host computer system; and
a programmable controller, said programmable controller receiving a first control program from said host computer system, and responding to a first command from said host computer system to invoke said first control program, said first control program operating on said information stored in said non-volatile memory system, wherein said non-volatile memory system and said programmable controller together implement a hierarchical memory structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Computer systems may be provided with additional performance for demanding applications while adding little additional hardware. For example, a slave device for a host computer system combines an embedded programmable controller with non-volatile memory, local RAM, and interface logic. The host computer system treats the slave device as if it would be a hierarchical memory system such as a conventional disk drive on which it may store and retrieve files. Additionally, the host computer system may program the controller to perform operations on stored information, including image processing and/or data compression. The non-volatile memory may include a disk drive, writable CD-ROM, optical drive, or non-volatile solid state memory.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. Apparatus for providing non-volatile data storage and additional processing to a host computer system, said apparatus comprising:
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a non-volatile memory system including at least one non-volatile memory device, said non-volatile memory system responding to hierarchical memory structure control commands received from said host computer system by storing and retrieving information from said host computer system; and a programmable controller, said programmable controller receiving a first control program from said host computer system, and responding to a first command from said host computer system to invoke said first control program, said first control program operating on said information stored in said non-volatile memory system, wherein said non-volatile memory system and said programmable controller together implement a hierarchical memory structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. Apparatus for non-volatile data storage and high-speed data processing in a host computer system, said apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of units, each said unit comprising; a non-volatile memory system including at least one non-volatile memory device, said non-volatile memory system responding to hierarchical memory structure control commands by storing and retrieving information; a programmable controller, said programmable controller operating an externally configurable control program, and responding to a command from said host computer system to invoke said control program, said control program operating on said information stored in said non-volatile memory system, wherein said programmable controller and said non-volatile memory system together implement a hierarchical memory structure; and an interface system for exchanging information with others of said plurality of units; and
whereinsaid plurality of units being programmable by said host computer system to operate concurrently on stored information. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A host computer system comprising:
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a host CPU; a host bus; and apparatus for providing non-volatile data storage and additional processing to said host computer system, said apparatus comprising; a non-volatile memory system including at least one non-volatile memory device, said non-volatile memory system and responding to hierarchical memory structure control commands received from said host computer system by storing and retrieving information from said host computer system; and a programmable controller, said programmable controller operating a first control program received from said host computer system via said host bus, and responding to a command from said host CPU to invoke said first control program, said first control program operating on said information stored in said non-volatile memory system, wherein said non-volatile memory system and said programmable controller together implement a hierarchical memory system. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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41. A wireless telephone unit comprising:
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an RF transceiver for transmitting and receiving data via a wireless network; a microphone for capturing input audio signals; a speaker for outputting audio responsive to an output audio signal; wireless telephone control circuitry that receives said input audio signals and provides said output audio signals and provides a modulated output signal to said RF transceiver and receives a modulated input signal from said RF transceiver to implement telephone operation via said microphone and said speaker; a non-volatile memory system including at least one non-volatile memory device, said non-volatile memory system responding to hierarchical memory structure control commands received from said wireless telephone control circuitry by storing and retrieving information from said wireless telephone control circuitry; and a programmable controller, said programmable controller operating a first control program received from said wireless telephone control circuitry, and responding to a command from said wireless telephone control circuitry to invoke said first control program, said first control program operating on said information stored in said non-volatile memory system, wherein said non-volatile memory system and said programmable controller together implement a hierarchical memory system. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43)
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44. A digital motion camera unit comprising:
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a CCD array for capturing moving image data; a camera control circuit that accepts said moving image data and relays said moving image data to a bus interface; a storage system coupled to said camera control circuit via said bus interface and comprising a plurality of units, each said unit comprising; a non-volatile memory system including at least one non-volatile memory device, said non-volatile memory system responding to hierarchical memory structure control commands by storing and retrieving information; a programmable component, said programmable component operating an externally configurable control program, and responding to a command from said camera control circuit to invoke said control program, said control program operating on said information stored in said non-volatile memory system, wherein said programmable controller and said non-volatile memory system together implement a hierarchical memory structure; and an interface system for exchanging information with others of said plurality of units; and said plurality of units operating concurrently on stored information. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification