System and method of utilizing off-chip memory
View Patent ↗One or more methods and/or systems of utilizing a memory external to an integrated circuit chip are presented. In one embodiment, the system comprises an integrated circuit containing a logic circuitry, a one time programmable memory, a control processor, and a data interface. In one embodiment, a method of storing data into a memory comprises programming one or more bits of a one time programmable memory, generating an identifier from the integrated circuit chip, and using the identifier to store data within the memory.
1. An integrated circuit chip for utilizing an off-chip memory, comprising:
a one time programmable memory for storing one or more bits;
a data interface for communicatively coupling said integrated circuit chip and said off-chip memory, said data interface capable of transmitting one or more identifiable data blocks between said off-chip memory and said integrated circuit chip; and
a logic circuitry configured for using said one or more bits to generate one or more data block identifiers, each of said one or more block identifiers appended to a corresponding block of one or more data blocks to create said one or more identifiable data blocks, wherein each of said one or more data block identifiers is used to uniquely locate its corresponding data block among said one or more data blocks.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said off-chip memory comprises a non-volatile memory.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said off-chip memory comprises a flash memory.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said data interface comprises a low pin count interface.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said one or more data blocks comprise one or more keys used for encrypting or decrypting data.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein said logic circuitry may be used for comparing a particular identifier with one or more identifiers in said off-chip memory such that a data block corresponding to said particular identifier may be read from said off-chip memory.
7. A method performed by an integrated circuit chip for utilizing an off-chip memory comprising:
programming one or more bits into a one time programmable memory contained in said integrated circuit chip;
transmitting one or more identifiable data blocks between said off-chip memory and said integrated circuit chip by way of communicatively coupling said integrated circuit chip and said off-chip memory using a data interface;
generating one or more data block identifiers by way of a logic circuitry that uses said one or more bits; and
appending each of said one or more block identifiers to a corresponding block of one or more data blocks to create said one or more identifiable data blocks, wherein each of said one or more data block identifiers is used to uniquely locate its corresponding data block among said one or more data blocks.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said off-chip memory comprises a non-volatile memory.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein said off-chip memory comprises a flash memory.
10. The method of claim 7 wherein said data interface comprises a low pin count interface.
11. The method of claim 7 wherein said one or more data blocks comprise one or more keys used for encrypting or decrypting data.
12. The method of claim 7 wherein said logic circuitry may be used for comparing a particular identifier with one or more identifiers in said off-chip memory such that a data block corresponding to said particular identifier may be read from said off-chip memory.