Patent ID: 7769916
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor storage device capable of operating in a plurality of operation modes including different maximum current consumptions and a plurality of communication modes including at least two different data-width paths selected from the group consisting of serial and n-bit parallel modes (where n>=2), the device comprising: a data communication section configured to be capable of performing data communication with an external electronic device in a plurality of communication modes and in a plurality of operation modes; an attribute information storage section configured to store attribute information that indicates the plurality of operation modes and the plurality of communication modes supported by the semiconductor storage device; and a mode setting section configured to set the semiconductor storage device to one of the plurality of operation modes and one of the plurality of communication modes, wherein said data communication section transmits, to the external electronic device to which the semiconductor storage device is attached, attribute information read from said attribute information storage section while operating in the initial operation mode and communication mode, and receives from the external electronic device a mode setting command for directing that the semiconductor storage device operate in a selected operation mode and communication mode selected from among the plurality of operation modes and the plurality of communication modes indicated as supported by the attribute information, and wherein, in accordance with the mode setting command received by said data communication section, said mode setting section sets the semiconductor storage device to the respective operation mode and the communication mode selected by the external electronic device; and wherein a number of active memory portions is chanced depending upon the operation mode to which the semiconductor storage device is set and the semiconductor storage device is capable of operating in an arbitrary combination of an operating mode and communication mode.