Patent US2458256A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3609711A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Memory planes connected in series to a power supply,with opto-electronic access
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1969-12-30
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-12-30
Abstract
Abstract The memory is formed of semiconductor current steering bistable circuits. These circuits are arranged in groups on circuit boards with each group including the storage circuits for 1 bit position in each word. The groups of circuits are connected in series across the computer voltage supply so that essentially the same current flows through each group of circuits. With this series arrangement, the voltage level is different for each group of circuits and read/write and control signals are coupled to and from the circuits with opto-electronic coupling means which transmit signals independently of voltage level.
Inventors
- 👤 John B Gunn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:07
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/0175; H03K19/018; H03K19/01825; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G11; G11C; G11C5/00; G11C7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
In a computer including a memory which in turn includes a plurality of storage circuits arranged to store a plurality of multibit words, each of said storage circuits being a circuit of the type in which a substantially constant current flows in one or the other of two different current paths to store binary information and is shifted between the paths to change the value of binary information stored, the improvement comprising: a. the storage circuits for the same order bit for each word being grouped together so that there are a number of groups of storage circuits equal to the number of bits per word and the number of storage circuits in each group being equal to the number of words in the memory; b. said groups of storage circuits being connected in series between a pair of voltage supply terminals for the memory, the voltage supply between said terminals being equal to the voltage drop across each group of circuits multiplied by the number of groups, each group of circuits operating at a different voltage level and the current passing through each of said groups connected in series; c. and means for applying inputs and deriving output signals from said storage circuits iN said memory, said means being coupled to said circuits by opto-electronic means which allows signals to be transmitted between said means and each of said groups of circuits independently of the voltage level at which the group is operated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
In a computer including a memory which in turn includes a plurality of storage circuits arranged to store a plurality of multibit words, each of said storage circuits being a circuit of the type in which a substantially constant current flows in one or the other of two different current paths to store binary information and is shifted between the paths to change the value of binary information stored, the improvement comprising: a. the storage circuits for the same order bit for each word being grouped together so that there are a number of groups of storage circuits equal to the number of bits per word and the number of storage circuits in each group being equal to the number of words in the memory; b. said groups of storage circuits being connected in series between a pair of voltage supply terminals for the memory, the voltage supply between said terminals being equal to the voltage drop across each group of circuits multiplied by the number of groups, each group of circuits operating at a different voltage level and the current passing through each of said groups connected in series; c. and means for applying inputs and deriving output signals from said storage circuits iN said memory, said means being coupled to said circuits by opto-electronic means which allows signals to be transmitted between said means and each of said groups of circuits independently of the voltage level at which the group is operated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer of claim 1 in which each of said groups of storage circuits is arranged on a single circuit plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer of claim 1 in which there is connected in parallel across each said group of storage circuits a shunt regulator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The computer of claim 1 in which the current drawn by each of said groups of storage circuits when information is being stored therein is essentially the same regardless of the information stored and in which when information is being changed therein is less than 10 percent greater than the current required when the information is stored.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
A computer comprising an integrated circuit memory; a. said memory comprising a plurality of groups of substantially equal numbers of storage circuits; b. said groups of storage circuits being connected in series between voltage supply terminals for the memory whereby each group of storage circuits is operated at a different voltage level; c. and means for applying signals to and receiving signals from said groups of storage circuits which signals are independent of the voltage level at which the particular group is operated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
A computer comprising an integrated circuit memory; a. said memory comprising a plurality of groups of substantially equal numbers of storage circuits; b. said groups of storage circuits being connected in series between voltage supply terminals for the memory whereby each group of storage circuits is operated at a different voltage level; c. and means for applying signals to and receiving signals from said groups of storage circuits which signals are independent of the voltage level at which the particular group is operated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer of claim 5 wherein said means for applying signals to and receiving signals from said group of storage circuits comprises optically coupled semiconductor diodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer of claim 5 wherein each group of circuits includes one storage circuit for each word in the memory and only one circuit in each group is addressed for reading or writing at a time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a computer; a. a plurality of groups of circuits; b. voltage supply means; c. means connecting said groups of circuits in series across said voltage supply means; d. there being substantially the same number of circuits in each said group and the current required by each group of circuits being essentially the same; e. and means for applying signals to and receiving signals from said groups of circuits which signals are independent of the voltage level at which the particular group is operated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
In a computer; a. a plurality of groups of circuits; b. voltage supply means; c. means connecting said groups of circuits in series across said voltage supply means; d. there being substantially the same number of circuits in each said group and the current required by each group of circuits being essentially the same; e. and means for applying signals to and receiving signals from said groups of circuits which signals are independent of the voltage level at which the particular group is operated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The computer of claim 8 wherein said circuits are bistable circuits.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer of claim 8 wherein said means for applying signals to and receiving signals from said group of circuits comprises optically coupled semiconductor diodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The computer of claim 10 wherein said plurality of groups of bistable circuits form a memory, and the number of bistable circuits in each group equals the number of words in the memory, and the number of groups equals the number of bits per word in the memory.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |