Patent ID: 6157559
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A self-powered, portable, hand-held, in situ updater device for read-only memory (ROM) attached to a printed circuit board, said updater device comprising:a portable body having a substantially cylindrical shape, adapted to be held in a user's hand, said body containing a controller and, connected to said controller, a battery for powering said controller;coupled to said controller, a first port located in said body, adapted for engaging a source ROM, said first port adapted for reading data from said source ROM when engaged therewith, and said first port adapted for maintaining engagement with said source ROM;coupled to said controller, a second port located in said body, adapted for engaging a target ROM that remains attached to a printed circuit board, said second port adapted for reading data from and writing data to said target ROM when engaged therewith, and said second port adapted for maintaining engagement with said target ROM; andsaid controller adapted for:generating and transmitting to said second port erasure signals for erasing an old datum from said target ROM;receiving and reading a new datum from said first port; andgenerating and transmitting to said second port re-write signals for writing said new datum into said target ROM.