JPH06274411A - Semiconductor memory with storage capacity extending function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the semiconductor memory with a storage capacity extending function, which can extend easily the storage capacity. CONSTITUTION:This memory is provided with plural memory units 1-3 which are attached to a substrate through connectors 5-7 so as to be freely attachable and detachable, and have a means for storing the data, an arithmetic processing unit 4 attached to the substrate 9 through a connector 8 so as to be freely attachable and detachable, and a storage means 10 which is attached to the unit 4 so as to be freely attachable and detachable, and in which software data for controlling a storage processing of each memory unit 1-3 is stored. This device is constituted so that the arithmetic processing unit 4 and each memory unit 1-3 are connected through the connectors 5-8, and in the case of extending the storage capacity, the memory units 1-3 are changed with those of a large capacity, and simultaneously therewith, the storage means 10 of the arithmetic processing unit 4 is changed with that which can control the storage processing of the memory units 1-3 of the storage capacity after the change, and stores the software data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device having a memory capacity expanding function. With the development of information processing devices, software tends to be large in scale in order to perform more sophisticated processing, and a large-capacity storage device is required to store a large amount of data which is the basis for this. Is coming.

From this fact, the capacity is increased by the high integration technology of the memory element, which is attributed to the development of the information processing apparatus. However, the further development of the software and the like requires the storage apparatus having a larger capacity. In particular, there is a demand for a semiconductor memory device whose storage capacity can be easily expanded according to its need.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art A memory device such as an LSI package in a semiconductor memory device as described in the field of industrial use is mounted in a required number, for example, on a printed circuit board based on a storage capacity determined at the time of design.

[0004]

By the way, in order to expand the storage capacity as necessary, it is necessary to replace the mounted memory element with a large capacity one or add another memory element.

However, it takes man-hours to replace a fixed memory element, and the expansion cannot be realized unless there is a place to newly install the memory element. In any case, the expansion of the memory involves an arithmetic processing system. Since it is also necessary to change the hardware such as the addition of addresses, there is a problem that it cannot be easily performed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor memory device with a memory capacity expanding function that can easily expand the memory capacity.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A semiconductor memory device with a storage capacity expanding function of the present invention includes a plurality of memory units detachably attached to a substrate via a connector and having means for storing data, and a connector on the substrate. An arithmetic processing unit that is detachably attached via a storage unit, and a storage unit that is detachably attached to the arithmetic processing unit and stores software data for controlling storage processing of a plurality of memory units. The arithmetic processing unit and a plurality of memory units are connected via a connector.

[0008]

According to the present invention described above, when the storage capacity is expanded, the memory unit is replaced with a large capacity one, and at the same time, the storage means of the arithmetic processing unit is replaced with the memory unit having the replaced storage capacity. It may be exchanged with the one in which the software data capable of controlling the storage process is stored.

Since the replacement of each unit can be performed by inserting and removing the unit, the storage capacity can be easily expanded.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a semiconductor memory device with a memory capacity expanding function according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In this figure, reference numerals 1, 2 and 3 are memory units, 4 is a CPU unit, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are connectors, and 9 is a back panel. Each memory unit 1-3
The CPU unit 4 is detachably attached to the connectors 5 to 8 fixed on the back panel 9.

The connectors 5 to 7 to which the memory units 1 to 3 are attached and the connector 8 to which the CPU unit 4 is attached are connected by the wiring shown by the broken line provided on the back panel 9.

Each of the memory units 1 to 3 has a storage capacity of 1 Mbyte. The CPU unit 4 is equipped with software capable of processing 3 Mbytes, which is the total storage capacity of the memory units 1 to 3.

The software is C through the IC socket.
It is realized by the ROM 10 that is detachably attached to the PU unit 4, and each of the memory units 1 to 3 is provided in the ROM 10.
The data for implementing the software for accessing the server is stored.

In such a configuration, in order to increase the storage capacity, for example, from 3 Mbytes to 6 Mbytes, each of the memory units 1 to 3 is changed to 2 Mbytes. In addition, the ROM 10 of the CPU unit 4
Also, the data is changed to one in which software data capable of processing 6 MB is stored.

That is, the storage capacity is increased by the units 1 to 3.
It can be easily realized by inserting and removing the ROM and replacing the ROM 10. Therefore, as in the prior art, it takes a lot of time to replace a fixed memory element, it cannot be realized because there is no place to newly install the memory element, and the arithmetic processing system (C
It is possible to solve the problem that it takes time to change the hardware such as the address increase of the PU unit).

Next, a semiconductor memory device with a memory capacity expanding function of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, 11, 12, and 13 are memory units, and 14 is a CPU.
Units, 15, 16, 17, and 18 are connectors, and 19 is a back panel.

The memory units 11 to 13 and the CPU unit 14 are detachably attached to the connectors 15 to 18 fixed on the back panel 19. To each of the memory units 11 to 13, switches 20, 21, 22 for expressing the storage capacity by a data value, and the capacity data value sent from another unit and the capacity data value of the self unit are added and output. Adder circuits 23, 24, and 25 are provided.

Further, the CPU unit 14 is provided with a recognition circuit 26. The recognition circuit 26 determines the back panel 1 from the capacity data value sent from the memory unit.
This is to recognize the total value of the storage capacities of all the memory units 11 to 13 attached to 9. After this recognition, the CPU selects and uses the software corresponding to the storage capacity from the software prepared in advance.

Further, the memory units 11 to 13 and the CPU
As for the connection with the unit 14, as shown by the broken line, the output side and the input side of the adder circuits 23 to 25 of each of the units 11 to 13 are connected, and the adder circuit 2 of the memory unit 13 at the final stage is connected.
The output side of 5 is connected to the input side of the recognition circuit 26 of the CPU unit 14.

In such a configuration, first, by pressing each of the switches 20 to 22, the storage capacity of 1M is reached.
A byte is represented as a capacity data value of "1". In the memory unit 11, since the capacitance data value input to the adding circuit 23 is “0”, the capacitance data value “1” is output to the adding circuit 24 in the subsequent stage. The addition circuit 24 adds the "1" and its own "1", and the addition result "2" is output to the addition circuit 25 in the subsequent stage. Adder circuit 2
In 5, the “2” and its own “1” are added, and the addition result “3” is output to the recognition circuit 26 of the CPU unit 14.

As a result, the recognition circuit 26 recognizes that the total storage capacity of the memory units 11 to 13 is 3 Mbytes. Then, the CPU selects and uses software that can process the 3 Mbytes.

When the storage capacity is increased, for example, from 3 Mbytes to 4 Mbytes, it is assumed that the middle memory unit 12 is changed to a 2 Mbyte memory unit 12 'as shown in FIG.

In this case, the addition circuit 24 'of the memory unit 12' adds its own capacitance data value "2" and the capacitance data value "1" sent from the unit 11.

"3" of this addition result is the unit 1 in the subsequent stage.
The addition circuit 25 of 3 adds "1". Then, from the finally obtained capacity data value “4”, the recognition circuit 26
Recognizes that the total storage capacity of the memory units 11, 12 ', 13 is 4 Mbytes.

Then, software capable of processing 4 Mbytes of the recognized storage capacity is selected by the CPU and used in the subsequent processing. According to the second embodiment described above, it is possible to increase the storage capacity by using the memory units 11 to 11.
It can be easily realized by exchanging 13 by inserting and removing.

Next, a semiconductor memory device with a memory capacity expanding function of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. However, FIG.
In FIG. 2, parts corresponding to the respective parts of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are assigned the same reference numerals and explanations thereof are omitted.

The feature of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is that the capacity data value output circuits 34, 35, 3 which output the storage capacity of the memory unit 31, 32, 33 by expressing the memory capacity thereof as a data value.
6, and the addition circuit 37 that adds the capacitance data values sent from the capacitance data value output circuits 34 to 36 to the back panel 19 and outputs the added value to the recognition circuit 26 of the CPU unit 14. is there.

According to this structure, the capacity data value "1" sent from the memory units 31 to 33 mounted on the back panel 19 by the adding circuit 37,
“2” and “1” are added, and the addition result “4” is output to the recognition circuit 26.

As a result, the recognition circuit 26 recognizes that the total storage capacity of the memory units 31 to 33 is 4 Mbytes. Then, the CPU selects and uses software that can process the 4 Mbytes.

In the third embodiment as described above, similarly to the second embodiment, the storage capacity increase can be easily realized by replacing the memory units 31 to 33.

[0032]

As described above, according to the semiconductor memory device with the memory capacity expanding function of the present invention, the memory capacity can be easily expanded.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a semiconductor memory device with a memory capacity expanding function according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a semiconductor memory device with a memory capacity expanding function according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram when the storage capacity is expanded in the configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a semiconductor memory device with a memory capacity expanding function according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 and 3 memory unit 4 CPU unit (arithmetic processing unit) 5, 6, 7 and 8 connector 9 back panel (board) 10 ROM (storage means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of memory units (1, 2, 3) removably attached to a board (9) through connectors (5, 6, 7) and having means for storing data, and the board (9). 9) An arithmetic processing unit (4) detachably attached to the arithmetic processing unit (4) via a connector (8), and a plurality of memory units (5, 6, 7) detachably attached to the arithmetic processing unit (4). Storage means (10) in which software data for controlling storage processing of the storage unit is stored, and the arithmetic processing unit (4) and the plurality of memory units are provided.
A semiconductor memory device with a memory capacity expanding function, which is configured by connecting (1,2,3) through a connector (8). 2. A plurality of memory units (11, 12, 13), which are detachably attached to a substrate (19) through connectors (15, 16, 17) and have means for storing data, and the plurality of memory units (11, 12, 13). Setting means (20, 21, 22) provided in each of the memory units (11, 12, 13) and expressing the storage capacity by a capacity data value
And an addition means provided in each of the plurality of memory units (11, 12, 13) and adding and outputting the capacity data value sent from another memory unit and the capacity data value of its own memory unit. (23, 24, 25) and an arithmetic processing unit (14) that is detachably attached to the board (19) via a connector (8) and has a plurality of software for controlling the storage processing of storage means of different capacities. ), And a recognition means (26) provided in the arithmetic processing unit (14) for recognizing the storage capacity from the capacity data value, the input end and the output end of the addition means (23, 24, 25). And is a connector
(15,16,17) are cascade-connected, and the output end of the last-stage addition means (25) is connected to the input end of the recognition means (26) via the connector (17,18), When the recognizing means (26) recognizes the storage capacity of the memory unit from the capacity data value, software capable of controlling the storage processing of the recognized storage capacity is selected by the arithmetic processing means of the arithmetic processing unit (14). A semiconductor memory device with a storage capacity expanding function, which is configured to be used. 3. A plurality of memory units (31, 32, 33) removably attached to a board (19) via connectors (15, 16, 17) and having means for storing data, and the plurality of memory units (31, 32, 33). Capacity data value output means (34, 35, 36) provided in each of the memory units (31, 32, 33) and for converting the storage capacity into a capacity data value and outputting the capacity data value, and the capacity data value output means (34, 35, 36) 35, 36) and an adding means (37) for adding and outputting the capacity data values, and a storage means of different capacity, which is detachably attached to the board (19) through a connector (18). An arithmetic processing unit (14) having a plurality of software for controlling processing, and a recognition means provided in the arithmetic processing unit (14) for recognizing a storage capacity from a capacity data value output from the adding means.
(26), and when the recognition means (26) recognizes the storage capacity of the memory unit from the capacity data value, the software capable of controlling the storage processing of the recognized storage capacity is the arithmetic processing unit (14 ) The semiconductor memory device with a storage capacity expanding function, which is configured to be selected and used by the arithmetic processing means in (1).