← Back to Patent Explorer
US4763302A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Alternatively addressed semiconductor memory array

Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1986-04-22
•
Granted: 1988-08-09
•
Expires: 2006-04-22
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A memory array and associated control circuitry in which the cells of the array can be accessed according to at least two addressing configurations. A multiple-bit bit address can be applied directly to an address decoder or, responsive to control signals, the bits of the address can be rearranged before being applied to the decoder. Additionally, the width of the accessed word can be increased by optionally ignoring some of the address bits but then increasing the number of bits accessed in parallel.

Inventors

  • 👤 Tatsuo Yamada

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 21:42
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C8/00; G11C8/16

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 149 words
A semiconductor memory device, comprising: first address signal generating means for generating a first address signal determining an address of a memory cell to which a data read/write operation is to be performed; at least one second address signal generating means responsive to said first address signal for performing a predetermined operation on said first address signal to produce a second address signal; address selection signal generating means for producing an address selection signal indicative of whether said first or second address signal is selected; address selection means responsive to said address selection signal for selectively passing either said first or said second address signal therethrough; memory cell selection means responsive to said first and second address signals passed through said address selection means for selecting a corresponding memory cell; and data read/write means for reading/writing said data from/to said memory cell selected by said memory cell selection means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 149 words
A semiconductor memory device, comprising: first address signal generating means for generating a first address signal determining an address of a memory cell to which a data read/write operation is to be performed; at least one second address signal generating means responsive to said first address signal for performing a predetermined operation on said first address signal to produce a second address signal; address selection signal generating means for producing an address selection signal indicative of whether said first or second address signal is selected; address selection means responsive to said address selection signal for selectively passing either said first or said second address signal therethrough; memory cell selection means responsive to said first and second address signals passed through said address selection means for selecting a corresponding memory cell; and data read/write means for reading/writing said data from/to said memory cell selected by said memory cell selection means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 30 words
The semiconductor memory device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first address signal generating means comprises an address and buffer circuit for passing an address signal supplied externally thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
The semiconductor memory device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said address selection signal generating means is responsive to a signal supplied externally of said semiconductor memory device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 28 words
The semiconductor memory device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said address selection signal generating means is responsive only to a signal provided within said semiconductor memory device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 56 words
The semiconductor memory device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said second address signal generating means and said address selection means operate upon a multiple-bit address and said address selection means is responsive to said address selection signal to shift the bits of said multiple-bit address by a predetermined number of places.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 26 words
The semiconductor memory cell as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said address selection means comprises multiplexer circuits each constituted with logical gates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
The semiconductor memory cell as claimed in claim 6, wherein said address selection means comprises multiplexer circuits each constituted with logical gates.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 89 words
The semiconductor memory cell as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said second address signal causes a selection of a plurality of memory cells simultaneously, wherein said data read/write means responds to said address selection signal for reading/writing said plurality of said memory cells in parallel when said address selection signal selectively passes said second address signal and reading/writing one bit of data to one of said memory cells selected by said first address signal when said address selection signal selectively passes said first address signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 85 words
The semiconductor memory cell as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second address signal causes a selection of a plurality of memory cells simultaneously, wherein said data read/write means responds to said address selection signal for reading/writing said plurality of said memory cells in parallel when said address selection signal selectively passes said second address signal and reading/writing one bit of data to one of said memory cells selected by said first address signal when said address selection signal selectively passes said first address signal.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3800289A Cited
US4056819A Cited
US4494222A Cited
EP0156316A2 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-08-09 1992-02-08 1992-08-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-08-09 1996-02-08 1996-08-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-08-09 2000-02-08 2000-08-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag