JPH0370172A - Storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To see that only the erosion and writing of information can be done on a board by providing a package for covering a memory and a light source and shielding it from outside, and terminals for controlling them from outside the package, being connected to the memory and the light source, respectively. CONSTITUTION:A light source 14 is provided inside package 10, in opposition to an EPROM 12, and generates ultraviolet rays of the light quantity which can ease the storage contents of the EPROM 12. When erasing the storage contents and initializing it, voltage is applied to the light source 14 through a terminal 18 for light source so as to generate ultraviolet rays. Those ultravio let rays are applied on the EPROM 12, and erase the storage contents of the EPROM 12 and initialize it. Moreover, when performing the writing to the EPROM 12, the writing signal is inputted into the EPROM 12 through a terminal 16 so as to do writing. After that, the EPROM 12 continues to maintain the storage contents, even if energy is not supplied. At the time of reading, it is read out from the terminal 16.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a memory device suitable for application to a semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory in which programming data can be written and erased. [Conventional technology]

Conventionally, non-volatile memories include EPROMs, which can erase their memory contents by irradiating the chip surface with light such as ultraviolet light.
(erasable PROM) and E that enables memory contents to be erased and written by electrical signals from an external pin.
E p ROM (electrically era
sable PROM). Since the EFROM has a simple memory cell structure, it is suitable for high integration and has high reliability. On the other hand, EEPROM has the advantage of being able to erase the stored contents on-board, but has the problem of being inferior in terms of integration and reliability compared to EPROM. This is because EEPROM requires an erase transistor in addition to a write transistor, and because the number of transistors is doubled, the area of the memory cell is four times that of EPROM, and the structure This is because it becomes complicated.

[Problem to be achieved by the invention]

However, conventional EPROMs require a light source for erasing and cannot be erased on-board, so there is a problem in that it takes time and effort to rewrite stored data. The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a storage device that can erase and write information on-board while maintaining a high degree of integration and high reliability. .

[Means to achieve the task]

The present invention provides a nonvolatile memory whose storage contents can be erased by irradiation with light, a light source for generating the irradiated light,
A package for containing the memory and the light source and shielding it from the outside; a terminal connected to each of the memory and the light source for controlling them from outside the package; and applying an electrical signal through the terminal. By this, the memory contents can be written and erased, and the memory contents can be retained without supplying energy.
The above-mentioned problem has been achieved.

[Effect]

In the present invention, a nonvolatile memory and a light source are included in a package, and the stored contents of the nonvolatile memory can be erased by irradiation with light from the light source, and signals are transmitted to the memory and light source via a terminal. It is possible to write and erase memory contents by applying energy, and to retain the memory contents without supplying energy. Therefore, since a memory such as an EPROM whose stored contents can be erased with light is used, the degree of integration and reliability are high. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide an external light source, information can be written and erased on-board. Therefore, the handling and mounting properties of the storage device can be improved.

【Example】

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is a semiconductor memory device in which an EPROM 12 and a light source 14 that generates ultraviolet rays are housed in a windowless package 10 as shown in FIG. 1 and shielded from the outside, as shown in FIG. . Each of the EPROM 12 and the light 114 is connected to terminals 16 and 18 for controlling them from outside the package. It is preferable to use an EPROM 12 whose stored contents can be erased in a short period of time. The light source 14 is connected to the EPROM 12 as shown in FIG.
It is provided in the package 10 opposite to the EPROM 12, and generates ultraviolet rays in an amount capable of erasing the stored contents of the EPROM 12. For example, a light source that turns on and off in several hundred milliseconds, such as a strobe, can be used as the ultraviolet light source 14 by changing the gas in the lamp to one that generates ultraviolet light. In the memory device of this real brain example, the memory contents are erased,
When initializing, a voltage is applied to the light source 14 via the light source terminal 18 to generate ultraviolet light. This ultraviolet light is E
The light is irradiated onto the PROMI 2, erasing the memory contents of the EPROM 12 and initializing it. Also, when writing to the EPROM 12, terminal 1
A write signal is input to the EPROM 12 via 6 and captured. Thereafter, the HEPROM 12 continues to hold its stored contents even if no energy is supplied. When reading, data is read from the terminal 16. In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, light if! is applied to the package 10 having a rectangular cross section. 14 and EPROM1
Although the storage device containing the storage bag 2 and the storage bag 9 has been exemplified, the storage bag 9 that constitutes the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the package may have other cross sections. Furthermore, the light generated by the light source is not limited to ultraviolet light as long as it can erase the stored contents of the EPROM.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to erase and write information on-board while maintaining high degree of integration and high reliability. Therefore, excellent effects such as improved handling and packaging of the storage device can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external structure of a storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the storage device. ○...Package, 2...EPROM. 4... Ultraviolet light generation light source, 6... EPROM terminal, 8... Light source terminal.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A nonvolatile memory whose memory contents can be erased by irradiation with light, a light source for generating the irradiated light, a package for containing the memory and the light source and shielding it from the outside, and the memory and the light source. A terminal is connected to each of the memory to control them from outside the package, and by applying an electric signal through the terminal, the contents of the memory can be written and erased, and the energy can be reduced. A storage device characterized in that it is capable of retaining its storage contents without supply.