US6021447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-intrusive in-system programming using in-system programming circuitry coupled to oscillation circuitry for entering, exiting, and performing in-system programming responsive to oscillation circuitry signals
Assignee: UBICOM (ASSIGNMENT FOR BENEFIT OF CREDITORS) LLC
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Filing: 1997-12-12
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Granted: 2000-02-01
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Expires: 2017-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for In-System Programming which overcomes the above-described disadvantages. The method and apparatus of the ISP system interfaces with the two oscillator (instead of I/O) pins on the microcontroller. By interfacing with the two oscillator pins, the need for extra isolation circuitry to isolate other circuits from the ISP circuits is avoided in most circumstances, without incurring the expense of an expensive JTAG tester or extra dedicated pins. The amount of isolation circuitry necessary is reduced because the two oscillator pins are usually connected to passive components (registers, capacitors, or crystals) which cannot be damaged by the relatively high programming voltages and which do not produce signals that would interfere with the ISP programming signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Kinyue Szeto
- 👤 Charles M. Gracey
- 👤 Chuck C.W. Cheng
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:04
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C16/00; G11C16/02; G11C16/06; G11C16/10; G11C16/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for programming a memory on an integrated circuit including entering a programming mode of the integrated circuit, wherein entering the programming mode comprises: turning-off a first oscillation signal of a first frequency within the integrated circuit; and turning-on a second oscillation signal of a second frequency within the integrated circuit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for programming a memory on an integrated circuit including entering a programming mode of the integrated circuit, wherein entering the programming mode comprises: turning-off a first oscillation signal of a first frequency within the integrated circuit; and turning-on a second oscillation signal of a second frequency within the integrated circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1, wherein turning-off the first oscillation signal comprises: driving a first voltage to a first level on a first pin; driving a second voltage to a second level on a second pin; and toggling the first voltage between two levels a plurality of times.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the first level is equal to the second level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 2, wherein entering the programming mode further comprises: releasing the second voltage on the second pin; and driving the first voltage on the first pin to a higher level to enable the programming.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the programming mode comprises: sending a synchronization signal to the integrated circuit; sending/receiving a data signal to/from the memory on the integrated circuit; and repeating sending the synchronization signal, sending the command signal, and sending/receiving the data signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: exiting the programming mode, wherein exiting the programming mode comprises: lowering a relatively high voltage level applied to the integrated circuit to signal the exiting; and resetting the integrated circuit.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for programming a memory on an integrated circuit comprising: sending a periodic carrier signal with a frequency equal to a frequency of a clock internal to the integrated circuit; modulating a plurality of cycles of the periodic carrier signal to send a command to the integrated circuit; and modulating a plurality of cycles of the periodic carrier signal to send/receive data to/from the memory on the integrated circuit.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for programming a memory on an integrated circuit comprising: sending a periodic carrier signal with a frequency equal to a frequency of a clock internal to the integrated circuit; modulating a plurality of cycles of the periodic carrier signal to send a command to the integrated circuit; and modulating a plurality of cycles of the periodic carrier signal to send/receive data to/from the memory on the integrated circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7, further comprising: modulating a cycle of the periodic carrier signal to send a synchronization signal to the integrated circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the synchronization signal, the command, and the data form a frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
An integrated circuit device comprising: a processing unit; an EEPROM for providing instructions to the processing unit; an oscillator for providing a clock to the processing unit; programming circuitry for programming the EEPROM; a first pin for providing timing to the oscillation circuitry during an operating mode and for providing a relatively high voltage to the EEPROM during a programming mode; and a second pin for communicating with the EEPROM.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
An integrated circuit device comprising: a processing unit; an EEPROM for providing instructions to the processing unit; an oscillator for providing a clock to the processing unit; programming circuitry for programming the EEPROM; a first pin for providing timing to the oscillation circuitry during an operating mode and for providing a relatively high voltage to the EEPROM during a programming mode; and a second pin for communicating with the EEPROM.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The integrated circuit device of claim 10, wherein the device comprises a microcontroller.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
An integrated circuit comprising: a processing unit; an EEPROM for providing instructions to the processing unit; an oscillator for providing a clock to the processing unit; oscillation circuitry for coupling the oscillator to the processing unit; and in-system programming circuitry coupled to the oscillation circuitry for entering, exiting, and performing in-system programming responsive to signals received from the oscillation circuitry.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
60 words
An integrated circuit comprising: a processing unit; an EEPROM for providing instructions to the processing unit; an oscillator for providing a clock to the processing unit; oscillation circuitry for coupling the oscillator to the processing unit; and in-system programming circuitry coupled to the oscillation circuitry for entering, exiting, and performing in-system programming responsive to signals received from the oscillation circuitry.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising: at least one oscillation pin, coupled to the oscillation circuitry, for receiving externally generated oscillation signals and programming signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-31 | 2003-08-02 | 2004-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-31 | 2007-08-02 | 2008-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-31 | 2011-08-02 | 2012-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |