IP Library Granted Patent US 7,385,869
Granted Patent B2
US 7,385,869 · App. 11/797,579 · Granted Jun 10, 2008

Microcomputer and microprocessor having flash memory operable from single external power supply

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,385,869
App. No.
11/797,579
Granted
Jun 10, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A data processing apparatus supplied a first voltage from outside, includes a CPU, a first voltage generating circuit, a second voltage generating circuit, a clock generating circuit, and, a nonvolatile memory which can be accessed by the CPU. The first voltage generating circuit generates a second voltage, a voltage level of which is lower than that of the first voltage. The clock generating circuit is supplied the second voltage from the first voltage generating circuit and generates a clock signal, and the second voltage generating circuit is supplied the second voltage from the first voltage generating circuit and the clock signal from the clock generating circuit, and generates a second voltage, a voltage level of which is higher than that of the first voltage, for supplying to the nonvolatile memory.

Claims (35)

1. A data processing apparatus being supplied a first voltage from outside, comprising:

a central processing unit;

a first voltage generating circuit;

a second voltage generating circuit;

a clock generating circuit; and

a nonvolatile memory,

wherein the central processing unit is capable of accessing the nonvolatile memory,

wherein the first voltage generating circuit is adapted to generate a second voltage, a voltage level of which is lower than that of the first voltage,

wherein the clock generating circuit is supplied with the second voltage from the first voltage generating circuit and is adapted to generate a clock signal, and

wherein the second voltage generating circuit is supplied with the second voltage from the first voltage generating circuit and the clock signal from the clock generating circuit, and is adapted to generate a third voltage, a voltage level of which is higher than that of the first voltage, to be supplied to the nonvolatile memory.

2. A data processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the nonvolatile memory is adapted to store programs being executed by the central processing unit.

3. A data processing apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a random access memory,

wherein the random access memory is adapted to be used for a work area for the central processing unit.

4. A data processing apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a bus,

wherein the bus is coupled to the central processing unit, the random access memory and the nonvolatile memory.

5. A data processing apparatus according to claim 4 ,

wherein the central processing unit is capable of fetching the program from the nonvolatile memory via the bus.

6. A data processor being supplied a first voltage from outside thereof, comprising:

a central processing unit;

a random access memory;

a first voltage circuit;

a second voltage circuit;

a clock circuit; and

a nonvolatile memory,

wherein the first voltage circuit is supplied the first voltage and is adapted to generate a second voltage, a voltage level of which is lower than that of the first voltage,

wherein the clock circuit is supplied the second voltage and is adapted to generate a clock signal,

wherein the second voltage circuit is supplied the second voltage and the clock signal, and adapted to generate a third voltage, a voltage level of which is higher than that of the first voltage,

wherein the central processing unit is capable of fetching a program stored in the nonvolatile memory and executing the program by using the random access memory as a work area, and

wherein the nonvolatile memory is capable of performing a data writing operation using the third voltage in response to receiving a data writing instruction from the central processing unit.

7. A data processor according to claim 6 , further comprising a first terminal and a second terminal,

wherein the first terminal is adapted to be used for receiving the first voltage, and

wherein the second terminal is adapted to be used for outputting the third voltage.

8. A data processor according to claim 6 ,

wherein the clock circuit is adapted to start outputting the clock signal to the second voltage circuit in response to receiving the data writing instruction from the central processing unit.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 053654 FRAME: 0254. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jun 10, 2021
From: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP
To: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC
Reel/Frame 057454/0045 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNOR NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 052853 FRAME 0153. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Mar 2, 2021
From: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC
To: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056775/0066 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jul 8, 2020
From: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP
To: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC; AMERICAN VEHICULAR SCIENCES LLC; BONUTTI SKELETAL INNOVATIONS LLC; CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT LLC; INNOVATIVE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; LIFEPORT SCIENCES LLC; LIMESTONE MEMORY SYSTEMS LLC; MOBILE ENHANCEMENT SOLUTIONS LLC; MONARCH NETWORKING SOLUTIONS LLC; NEXUS DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; PARTHENON UNIFIED MEMORY ARCHITECTURE LLC; R2 SOLUTIONS LLC; SAINT LAWRENCE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; STINGRAY IP SOLUTIONS LLC; SUPER INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGIES LLC; TELECONFERENCE SYSTEMS LLC; UNIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 053654/0254 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC; AMERICAN VEHICULAR SCIENCES LLC; BONUTTI SKELETAL INNOVATIONS LLC; CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT LLC; INNOVATIVE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; LIFEPORT SCIENCES LLC; LIMESTONE MEMORY SYSTEMS LLC; MERTON ACQUISITION HOLDCO LLC; MOBILE ENHANCEMENT SOLUTIONS LLC; MONARCH NETWORKING SOLUTIONS LLC; NEXUS DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; PARTHENON UNIFIED MEMORY ARCHITECTURE LLC; R2 SOLUTIONS LLC; SAINT LAWRENCE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; STINGRAY IP SOLUTIONS LLC; SUPER INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGIES LLC; TELECONFERENCE SYSTEMS LLC; UNIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
To: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 052853/0153 →
MERGER Recorded Jul 30, 2010
From: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025204/0512 →