OTP Memory Block Status Tracking via Internal Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for accessing one-time programmable (OTP) memory devices require additional record units to track the usage status of memory blocks, which complicates the manufacturing process and increases costs, whereas a simpler method is needed to simulate multi-time programmable (MTP) memory performance without additional erase circuits.

Innovation Solution

Dividing each OTP memory block into a first and second memory section, where the first section stores a predetermined value to indicate the block's status, allowing the control circuit to select and program OTP memory blocks without additional record units, enabling efficient reading, writing, and erasing operations by managing the logic values in the second memory section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional record units are used to track usage status of OTP memory blocks, then the usage status can be accurately monitored, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage status tracking accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the usage status tracking function into the OTP memory block structure itself by dividing each block into first and second memory sections. The first memory section stores status information (indicating whether the block has been programmed) while the second memory section stores user data. This integration eliminates the need for separate external record units, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining accurate usage status tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The first memory section of each OTP memory block serves multiple functions: it acts as both a status indicator (recording whether the block has been programmed) and as part of the overall memory storage structure. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware structure to perform both tracking and storage roles, eliminating the need for dedicated separate record units and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional record units are used to track usage status of OTP memory blocks, then the usage status can be accurately monitored, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage status tracking accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the usage status tracking function into the OTP memory block structure itself by dividing each block into first and second memory sections. The first memory section stores status information (indicating whether the block has been programmed) while the second memory section stores user data. This integration eliminates the need for separate external record units, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining accurate usage status tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The first memory section of each OTP memory block serves multiple functions: it acts as both a status indicator (recording whether the block has been programmed) and as part of the overall memory storage structure. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware structure to perform both tracking and storage roles, eliminating the need for dedicated separate record units and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple OTP memory blocks are used to simulate MTP memory, then MTP performance can be achieved, but the device complexity increases due to need for additional record units

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMTP memory simulation capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the usage status tracking function into the OTP memory block structure itself by dividing each block into first and second memory sections. The first memory section stores status information (indicating whether the block has been programmed) while the second memory section stores user data. This integration eliminates the need for separate external record units, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining accurate usage status tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments each OTP memory block into two distinct sections: a first memory section for storing status information and a second memory section for storing user data. This segmentation allows the memory system to track usage status internally within each block, enabling multiple OTP blocks to be used for MTP simulation without requiring external record units, thus reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7254086B2Method for accessing memory

Publication Date: 2007.08.07 EMEMORY TECH INC

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for accessing a memory. The memory contains M one-time programmable memory blocks, and each has a first memory sector and a second memory sector. The method includes: selecting a first target memory block and reading the first target memory block. The step of selecting a first target memory block is performed by comparing the second memory sectors of N one-time programmable memory blocks from M one-time programmable memory blocks by following a search rule to select the first target memory block.