Abstract: A serial flash memory is provided with multiple configurable pins, at least one of which is selectively configurable for use in either single-bit serial data transfers or multiple-bit serial data transfers. In single-bit serial mode, data transfer is bit-by-bit through a pin. In multiple-bit serial mode, a number of sequential bits are transferred at a time through respective pins. The serial flash memory may have 16 or fewer pins, and even 8 or fewer pins, so that low pin count packaging such as the 8-pin or 16-pin SOIC package and the 8-contact MLP/QFN/SON package may be used. The availability of the single-bit serial type protocol enables compatibility with a number of existing systems, while the availability of the multiple-bit serial type protocol enables the serial flash memory to provide data transfer rates, in systems that can support them, that are significantly faster than available with standard serial flash memories.

Abstract: A serial flash memory is provided with multiple configurable pins, at least one of which is selectively configurable for use in either single-bit serial data transfers or multiple-bit serial data transfers. In single-bit serial mode, data transfer is bit-by-bit through a pin. In multiple-bit serial mode, a number of sequential bits are transferred at a time through respective pins. The serial flash memory may have 16 or fewer pins, and even 8 or fewer pins, so that low pin count packaging such as the 8-pin or 16-pin SOIC package and the 8-contact MLP/QFN/SON package may be used. The availability of the single-bit serial type protocol enables compatibility with a number of existing systems, while the availability of the multiple-bit serial type protocol enables the serial flash memory to provide data transfer rates, in systems that can support them, that are significantly faster than available with standard serial flash memories.

Abstract: Each device of a family of removable digital media devices may be plugged into a host to permits the host to store data in it or to retrieve data from it. The form factors of the digital media devices and the connector system used by them are compact for minimizing the volume of space occupied in portable devices and for easy storage. Preferably, the digital media devices of the family use serial memory requiring few power and signal lines, so that few electrical contacts are required. For example, a small number of durable contact pads form the contact arrays on the digital media devices, which in conjunction with corresponding contact pads mounted into a suitable socket provide for easy and convenient insertion and removal and for robust and reliable electrical contact over a long insertion lifetime. The digital media devices interface to the host either directly or through adapters.

Abstract: Each device of a family of removable digital media devices (310, 320, 330, 340, 350 and 360) may be plugged into a host to permits the host to store data in it or to retrieve data from it. The form factors of the digital media devices in the family and the connector system used by the digital media devices are compact for minimizing the volume of space occupied in portable devices and for easy storage. Some embodiments (310, 320, 330, 350 and 360) provide an elongated compact form factor that provides easy and firm grasping for insertion and removal. The digital media devices of the family have respective body portions (312, 322, 332, 342, 352 and 362) preferably of a rigid or semi-rigid material. Preferably, the digital media devices of the family use serial memory requiring few power and signal lines, so that few electrical contacts are required.

Abstract: Each device of a family of removable digital media devices (310, 320, 330, 340, 350 and 360) may be plugged into a host to permits the host to store data in it or to retrieve data from it. The form factors of the digital media devices in the family and the connector system used by the digital media devices are compact for minimizing the volume of space occupied in portable devices and for easy storage. Some embodiments (310, 320, 330, 350 and 360) provide an elongated compact form factor that provides easy and firm grasping for insertion and removal. The digital media devices of the family have respective body portions (312, 322, 332, 342, 352 and 362) preferably of a rigid or semi-rigid material. Preferably, the digital media devices of the family use serial memory requiring few power and signal lines, so that few electrical contacts are required.

Abstract: A memory device (100) includes a user device information sector (122) in addition to normal sectors (124) of a memory array. The user device information sector includes a product identification field (240) and a restricted address list field (250), and optionally includes a customer identification number field (220) and a serial number field (230). The product identification field includes such information as the manufacturer ID, a part number ID, package/speed identification, temperature/voltage identification, and byte locations for special options. The device identification field is factory programmed using a high voltage enabling signal applied to a write control logic circuit (102) in the memory device in conjunction with a "Device Information Sector Program" instruction is applied to the SPI command and control logic (110). The device information sector is read from the application using a "Read Device Information" instruction.

Abstract: Each device of a family of removable digital media devices (310, 320, 330, 340, 350 and 360) may be plugged into a host to permits the host to store data in it or to retrieve data from it. The form factors of the digital media devices in the family and the connector system used by the digital media devices are compact for minimizing the volume of space occupied in portable devices and for easy storage. Some embodiments (310, 320, 330, 350 and 360) provide an elongated compact form factor that provides easy and firm grasping for insertion and removal. The digital media devices of the family have respective body portions (312, 322, 332, 342, 352 and 362) preferably of a rigid or semi-rigid material. Preferably, the digital media devices of the family use serial memory requiring few power and signal lines, so that few electrical contacts are required.

Abstract: Each device of a family of removable digital media devices (310, 320, 330, 340, 350 and 360) may be plugged into a host to permits the host to store data in it or to retrieve data from it. The form factors of the digital media devices in the family and the connector system used by the digital media devices are compact for minimizing the volume of space occupied in portable devices and for easy storage. Some embodiments (310, 320, 330, 350 and 360) provide an elongated compact form factor that provides easy and firm grasping for insertion and removal. The digital media devices of the family have respective body portions (312, 322, 332, 342, 352 and 362) preferably of a rigid or semi-rigid material. Preferably, the digital media devices of the family use serial memory requiring few power and signal lines, so that few electrical contacts are required.

Abstract: A programmable logic device having greater design flexibility through use of a plurality of programmable macrocells in conjunction with programmable gate arrays. Each macrocell includes a programmable reconfigurable register for receiving sum terms from the array, and an I/O terminal connected to receive an output from the programmable reconfigurable register. Two separate feedbacks from the macrocell to the gate array are provided. The first feedback has multiple inputs including the register output, and the second feedback has multiple inputs including the I/O terminal. Accordingly, the I/O terminal and the register can function independently.

Abstract: A programmable logic device having greater design flexibility through use of a plurality of programmable macrocells in conjunction with programmable gate arrays. Each macrocell includes a programmable reconfigurable register for receiving sum terms from the array, and an input/output (I/O) terminal connected to receive an output from the programmable reconfigurable register. Two separate feedbacks from the macrocell to the gate array are provided. The first feedback has multiple inputs including the register output, and the second feedback has multiple inputs including the I/O terminal. Accordingly, the I/O terminal and the register can function independently.