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US5680567A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Efficient addressing of large memories

Assignee: Ericsson Inc
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Filing: 1995-06-05
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Granted: 1997-10-21
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Expires: 2015-06-05
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Abstract

Abstract A computer memory device has a predetermined number of individually addressable storage cells and an internal addressing mechanism for storing a full address that determines which of the predetermined number of individually addressable storage cells will be accessed during a next memory access operation. The internal addressing mechanism includes a number of address segment registers whose concatenated outputs represent the full address. The width of each of the address segment registers is equal to the size of the address bus that couples the memory device to a processor. Mode control signals, sent by the processor, instruct the memory device to load a particular one of the address segment registers, thereby eliminating the need to include a number of address pins equal to the number of bits in the full address. The mode control signals may also be encoded to instruct the memory device to increment the full address for use during a next memory operation, or to use one or more previously read data bytes to either replace or modify existing values stored in the address segment registers, thereby reducing the number of address bits which must be communicated from the processor to the memory device. Additional pin and energy savings may be achieved by multiplexing the data and address lines. The mode control signals may be encoded to indicate how the multiplexed interface is being used during any particular memory cycle. A compatible processor includes logic for generating the various mode control signals during memory operations.

Inventors

  • 👤 Paul W. Dent

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 05:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F12/00; G06F12/02; G06F12/0215; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D10/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 113 words
A processor comprising: means for outputting, to a memory device during a first memory operation, address segment signals alternatively representing one of at least two address segments which, when concatenated together, represent a full address for addressing said memory device; means for outputting, to said memory device during said first memory operation, a first mode control signal indicating which one of said at least two address segments, said address segment signals represent; and means for outputting, to said memory device during a second memory operation, a second mode control signal indicating that a previously output address segment shall be modified without outputting said address segment signals from said address segment signal output means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 113 words
A processor comprising: means for outputting, to a memory device during a first memory operation, address segment signals alternatively representing one of at least two address segments which, when concatenated together, represent a full address for addressing said memory device; means for outputting, to said memory device during said first memory operation, a first mode control signal indicating which one of said at least two address segments, said address segment signals represent; and means for outputting, to said memory device during a second memory operation, a second mode control signal indicating that a previously output address segment shall be modified without outputting said address segment signals from said address segment signal output means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
The processor of claim 1, wherein the second mode control signal indicates that a previously output address segment shall be incremented by a predetermined amount.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 66 words
A processor comprising: means for outputting, to a memory device, signals causing a read operation of said memory device during a first memory operation; and means for outputting, to said memory device during a second memory operation, a mode control signal indicating that said memory device is to use, as at least part of a full address, data that was read during said first memory operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 66 words
A processor comprising: means for outputting, to a memory device, signals causing a read operation of said memory device during a first memory operation; and means for outputting, to said memory device during a second memory operation, a mode control signal indicating that said memory device is to use, as at least part of a full address, data that was read during said first memory operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 72 words
A processor comprising: means for outputting, to a memory device, signals causing a read operation of said memory device during first and second memory operations; and means for outputting, to said memory device during a third memory operation, a mode control signal indicating that said memory device is to use, as at least part of a full address, a concatenation of data that was read during said first and second memory operations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 72 words
A processor comprising: means for outputting, to a memory device, signals causing a read operation of said memory device during first and second memory operations; and means for outputting, to said memory device during a third memory operation, a mode control signal indicating that said memory device is to use, as at least part of a full address, a concatenation of data that was read during said first and second memory operations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 93 words
A processor comprising: means for outputting, to a first memory device during a first memory operation, address segment signals alternatively representing one of at least two address segments which, when concatenated together, represent a full address for addressing said first memory device; means for outputting, to said first memory device during said first memory operation, a first mode control signal indicating which one of said at least two address segments, said address segment signals represent; and means for outputting, to a second memory device, a full address for addressing said second memory device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 93 words
A processor comprising: means for outputting, to a first memory device during a first memory operation, address segment signals alternatively representing one of at least two address segments which, when concatenated together, represent a full address for addressing said first memory device; means for outputting, to said first memory device during said first memory operation, a first mode control signal indicating which one of said at least two address segments, said address segment signals represent; and means for outputting, to a second memory device, a full address for addressing said second memory device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 19 words
The processor of claim 5, wherein the first memory device is for storing instructions for execution by said processor.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2000-10-20 2001-04-21 2001-10-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2004-10-20 2005-04-21 2005-10-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2008-10-20 2009-04-21 2009-10-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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