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US5081375A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for operating a multiple page programmable logic device

Assignee: National Semiconductor Corp
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Filing: 1991-01-02
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Granted: 1992-01-14
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Expires: 2011-01-02
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Abstract

Abstract A PLA is formed using configurable logic elements. A plurality of pages are used to store information defining logic configuration patterns required to perform desired logical functions. The configurable logic elements are configured by downloading information from a desired one or more of said pages. If desired, page control is achieved in response to input signals to the configurable logic array.

Inventors

  • 👤 Scott K. Pickett
  • 👤 Thomas M. Luich
  • 👤 Arthur L. Swift, IV

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 08:38
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/02; H03K19/173; H03K19/177; H03K19/17704; H03K19/17708; H03K19/17716; H03K19/1772; H03K19/17712

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim 311 words
A method for operating a logic array circuit comprising: a plurality of L input leads for receiving a plurality of input signals, where L is a first positive integer; a set of N first logic arrays, where N is a second positive integer greater than or equal to one, each of said N first logic arrays including means for receiving signals related to selected ones of said input signals, a plurality of P intermediate output signal leads, a plurality of logic gates for providing P intermediate output signals on said P intermediate signal leads as a function of said signals related to selected ones of said input signals, where P is a third positive integer associated with that one of said N first logic arrays; and a set of M second logic arrays, where M is a fifth positive integer greater than or equal to one, each of said second logic arrays including one or more input leads for receiving input signals related to said intermediate output signals of said selected ones of said first logic arrays, a plurality of S output leads, where S is a positive integer, one or more logic gates for providing output signals on said S output leads as a function of said input signals of said second logic array, said method comprising the steps of: selecting a subset of D of said first logic arrays, where D is a fourth positive integer greater than or equal to one; and selecting a subset of G of said M second logic arrays for receiving said input signals to related said intermediate output signals of said set of D of said first logic arrays and providing a set of output signals, where G is a sixth positive integer; wherein at least one of said steps of selecting performs in response to one or more of said input signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 311 words
A method for operating a logic array circuit comprising: a plurality of L input leads for receiving a plurality of input signals, where L is a first positive integer; a set of N first logic arrays, where N is a second positive integer greater than or equal to one, each of said N first logic arrays including means for receiving signals related to selected ones of said input signals, a plurality of P intermediate output signal leads, a plurality of logic gates for providing P intermediate output signals on said P intermediate signal leads as a function of said signals related to selected ones of said input signals, where P is a third positive integer associated with that one of said N first logic arrays; and a set of M second logic arrays, where M is a fifth positive integer greater than or equal to one, each of said second logic arrays including one or more input leads for receiving input signals related to said intermediate output signals of said selected ones of said first logic arrays, a plurality of S output leads, where S is a positive integer, one or more logic gates for providing output signals on said S output leads as a function of said input signals of said second logic array, said method comprising the steps of: selecting a subset of D of said first logic arrays, where D is a fourth positive integer greater than or equal to one; and selecting a subset of G of said M second logic arrays for receiving said input signals to related said intermediate output signals of said set of D of said first logic arrays and providing a set of output signals, where G is a sixth positive integer; wherein at least one of said steps of selecting performs in response to one or more of said input signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 44 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein set of first logic arrays and said set of logic arrays are formed by any combination of logic arrays selected from the group of logic arrays consisting of AND, NAND, OR, NOR, XOR, XNOR, and combinations thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein all of said first and second logic arrays are user programmable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 30 words
A method as in claim 1 which further comprises the step of causing said first logic arrays to each simultaneously receive signals related to each of said L input leads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method as in claim 1 which further comprises the step of causing said first logic arrays to each simultaneously receive signals related to a unique subset of said L input signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 52 words
A method as in claim 1 which further comprises the steps of: causing said first logic arrays to each simultaneously receive signals related to a subset of said L input signals; and causing said first logic arrays to each simultaneously receive signals related to a unique subset of said L input signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 30 words
A method as in claim 1 which further comprises the step of selecting a subset of said input signals for application to a selected one of said first logic arrays.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 33 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein one or more of said steps of selecting a subset comprises the step of selecting a subset in response to selected ones of said input signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 41 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said step of selecting a subset comprises the step of selecting a subset of D of said first logic arrays independently from the selection of said subset of G of said second logic arrays.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 41 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said step of selecting said subset comprises the step of selecting a subset of D of said first logic arrays dependently with the selection of said subset of G of said second logic arrays.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 12 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein N is equal to one.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 12 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein M is equal to one.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 47 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein said step of selecting a subset of said input signals comprises the step of selecting a subset of said input signals independently from one or both of said steps of selecting a subset of said first and second logic arrays.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 47 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein said step of selecting a subset of said input signals comprises the step of selecting a subset of said input signals dependently with one or both of said steps of selecting a subset of said first and second logic arrays.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein one or both of said steps of selecting comprise the step of using one or more multiplexers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 29 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein one or both of said steps of selecting is performed utilizing a dedicated array of similar construction as said first logic arrays.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 29 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein one or both of said steps of selecting is performed utilizing a dedicated array of similar construction as said second logic arrays.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 75 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein one or both of said steps of selecting comprises utilizing a set of H logic arrays of similar construction as said first logic arrays, where H is a seventh positive integer, in order to select a desired one of said H logic arrays for providing output signals defining which of said N first logic arrays and/or a desired of said M second logic arrays are to be selected.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 46 words
A method as in claim 18 wherein said step of selecting a desired one of said H logic arrays comprises the step of selecting a desired one of said H logic arrays independently from said selection of a desired one of said N first logic arrays.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 46 words
A method as in claim 18 wherein said step of selecting a desired one of said H logic arrays comprises the step of selecting a desired one of said H logic arrays independently with the selection of a desired one of said N first logic arrays.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 79 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein one or both of said steps of selecting comprise the step of utilizing a set of H logic arrays of similar construction as said second logic arrays, where H is a seventh positive integer in order to select a desired one of said H logic arrays for providing output signals defining which of said N first logic arrays and/or a desired one of said M second logic arrays are to be selected.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 47 words
A method as in claim 21 wherein said step of selecting a desired one of said H logic arrays comprises the step of selecting a desired one of said H logic arrays independently from said step of selecting a desired one of said M second logic arrays.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 46 words
A method as in claim 21 wherein said step of selecting a desired one of said H logic arrays comprises the step of selecting a desired one of said H logic arrays independently with the selection of a desired one of said M second logic arrays.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 27 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein one or both of said steps of selecting performs in response to encodes signals provided during said step of controlling.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 30 words
A method as in claim 1 which further comprises the step of causing said second logic arrays to each simultaneously provide signals related to each of said S output leads.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method as in claim 1 which further comprises the step of causing said second logic arrays to each simultaneously provide signals related to a unique subset of said S output signals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method as in claim 1 which further comprises the step of causing said second logic arrays to each simultaneously provide signals related to a subset of said S output signals.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 25 words
A method as in claim 1 which further comprises the step of selecting a subset of said second logic arrays for providing S output signals.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 38 words
A method as in claim 28 wherein said step of selecting a subset of said second logic arrays comprises the step of selecting a subset of second logic arrays in response to selected ones of said input signals.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 49 words
A method as in claim 28 wherein said step of selecting a subset of said second logic arrays comprises the step of selecting a subset of said second logic arrays independently from one or both of said steps of selecting a subset of said first and second logic arrays.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 47 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein said step of selecting a subset of said second arrays comprises the step of selecting a subset of said second arrays dependently with one or both of said steps of selecting a subset of said first and second logic arrays.
Claim 33
Independent Claim 181 words
A method for operating a logic array circuit comprising: a plurality of L input leads for receiving a plurality of input signals, where L is a first positive integer; and a set of N first logic arrays, where N is a second positive integer greater than or equal to one, each of said N first logic arrays including means for receiving signals related to selected ones of said input signals, a plurality of P output signal leads, a plurality of logic gates for providing P output signals on said P signal leads as a function of said signals related to selected ones of said input signals, where P is a third positive integer associated with that one of said N first logic arrays, said method comprising the steps of: storing a first plurality of pages of information defining desired logic configuration patterns; and downloading said information from a selected one or more of said first plurality of pages to said set of N logic arrays, thereby configuring said set of N first logic arrays to perform one or more logical functions.
Claim 34
Independent Claim 181 words
A method for operating a logic array circuit comprising: a plurality of L input leads for receiving a plurality of input signals, where L is a first positive integer; and a set of N first logic arrays, where N is a second positive integer greater than or equal to one, each of said N first logic arrays including means for receiving signals related to selected ones of said input signals, a plurality of P output signal leads, a plurality of logic gates for providing P output signals on said P signal leads as a function of said signals related to selected ones of said input signals, where P is a third positive integer associated with that one of said N first logic arrays, said method comprising the steps of: storing a first plurality of pages of information defining desired logic configuration patterns; and downloading said information from a selected one or more of said first plurality of pages to said set of N logic arrays, thereby configuring said set of N first logic arrays to perform one or more logical functions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 163 words
A method for operating a logic array as in claim 32, wherein said logic array further comprises: a set of M second logic arrays, where M is a second positive integer greater than or equal to one, each of said second logic arrays including one or more input leads for receiving input signals related to said output signals of said first logic arrays, a plurality of S output leads, where S is a positive integer, one or more logic gates for providing output signals on said S output leads as a function of said input signals of said second logic arrays, and wherein said method further comprises the steps of: storing a second plurality of pages of information defining desired logic configuration patterns; and downloading said information from a selected one or more of said second plurality of pages to said set of M second logic arrays, thereby configuring said set of M second logic arrays to perform one or more logical functions.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 21 words
A method as in claim 32 wherein said step of downloading performs in response to selected ones of said input signals.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 25 words
A method as in claim 33 wherein one or both of said steps of downloading operate in response to selected ones of said input signals.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 40 words
A method as in claim 33 wherein said steps of downloading operate independently, such that said selected ones of said first plurality of pages are selected independently from the selection of said selected ones of said second plurality of pages.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 40 words
A method as in claim 33 wherein said steps of downloading operate dependently, such that said selected ones of said first plurality of pages are selected dependently from the selection of said selected ones of said second plurality of pages.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 12 words
A method as in claim 32 wherein N is equal to one.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 12 words
A method as in claim 33 wherein M is equal to one.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 18 words
A method as in claim 33 wherein N is equal to one and N is equal to one.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method as in claim 32 wherein said step of downloading comprises the step of utilizing an array which serves to select said selected ones of said first plurality of pages.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 35 words
A method as in claim 33 wherein one or both of said steps of downloading comprise the step of utilizing an array which serves to select said selected ones of said second plurality of pages.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-01-13 1995-07-15 1996-01-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-01-13 1999-07-15 2000-01-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-01-13 2003-07-15 2004-01-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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