Patent ID: 6102963
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
A configuration restoring device for providing configuration instructions to an external to-be-configured device, said restoring device comprising an integrated circuit chin incorporating:(a) an electrically erasable and reprogrammable, nonvolatile integrated storage array (EE-NVIS array) for storing configuration instructions; and(b) a serial interface circuit, wherein the serial interface circuit includes:(b.1) a first, bidirectional coupling to the EE-NVIS array by way of which configuration instructions can be bidirectionally transferred between the EE-NVIS array and the serial interface circuit;(b.2) a first serial output by way of which configuration instructions can be serially output to the to-be-configured device; and(b.3) a serial input by way of which configuration instructions can be input to the serial interface circuit for subsequent transfer by way of the first, bidirectional coupling from the serial interface circuit to the EE-NVIS array for storage in said EE-NVIS array, whereafter the stored configuration instructions can be transferred by way of the first bidirectional coupling from the EE-NVIS array and serially through the first serial output to said external, to-be-configured device.