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  Command user interface with programmable decoderUSPTO Application #: 20060077078Title: Command user interface with programmable decoder Abstract: A command user interface with via mask programmability includes a decoder with transistors selectively coupleable to one of an input or its complement. This is accomplished in one way by making vias in an appropriate location to allow interconnection of the appropriate contact and the gate of the transistor. (end of abstract)
Agent: Leffert Jay & Polglaze, P.A. - Minneapolis, MN, US Inventors: Pasquale Pistilli, Elio D'Ambrosio USPTO Applicaton #: 20060077078 - Class: 341050000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060077078. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This Application is a Contination of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/703,322, filed Nov. 7, 2003 (allowed), and titled COMMAND USER INTERFACE WITH PROGRAMMABLE DECODER, which is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/050,475 filed Jan. 15, 2002 and titled, "COMMAND USER INTERFACE WITH PROGRAMMABLE DECODER" (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,757,872, issued Jun. 29, 2004), which is incorporated herein by reference, which claims priority to Italian Application No. RM001A000298 filed May 31, 2001 (now Italian Patent No. 0001323331, issued Aug. 16, 2004), all of which are commonly assigned. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to ROM operation, and more specifically to a programmable via mask for ROM encoding. BACKGROUND [0003] Decoders are used in read only memories to decode input data for presentation to the ROM to allow the ROM to execute an operation programmed into the ROM if the proper input sequence of data is presented. [0004] There are several problems with making a decoders. In some decoders, a microcontroller gives a sequence or coding to enter a specific operation which is encoded into a read only memory (ROM) and the enabling circuitry for the ROM. Such specific operations include by way of example read array, read configuration register, program, erase, suspend, and the like. [0005] A command user interface (CUI) is a state machine that recognizes multi-cycle microprocessor commands. The commands are entered using multi-clock cycle operations. For each cycle, the CUI changes state depending upon the current inputs and the decoding of the previous state of the system. A typical CUI implementation is one which is based in logic gate network syntheses starting from circuit equations and automated layout generation. While this method provides fast solutions for layout generation, it is very inflexible. If even one command equation changes, the entire circuit layout and subsequent generation flow must also be re-executed. This results in significant delays in production. When delays in production occur, money is lost. [0006] Common state machines used for decoding include Mealy and Moore Model state machines. SUMMARY [0007] In one embodiment, a command user interface includes a decoder having a series of transistors whose gates are selectively coupled to receive either an input or its complement using vias, a read only memory, and a number of latches to latch input and output data for the command user interface. [0008] In another embodiment, a programmable decoder includes a first decoder section having a number of transistors connected in series. The gates of the transistors are selectively coupled to receive either an input or its complement from one of a pair of contacts. Each contact is coupled to the input or to the complement of the input. [0009] In another embodiment, a method of changing a command definition of a decoder includes changing only via locations in an insulating layer, wherein a via location defines a contact to which a gate of a transistor is coupled. [0010] In yet another embodiment, a method of programming a decoder includes fabricating a number of series connected transistors, and fabricating a pair of contacts for each transistor. Each contact is hard wired to either an input or a complement of the input, and the gate of each transistor is selectively coupled to one of its pair of contacts. [0011] Other embodiments are described and claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a portion of another embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 2A is a circuit diagram of another embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 3 is a timing diagram of a timing sequence of an embodiment of the present invention; and [0016] FIG. 4 is a flow chart diagram of a method according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a command user interface (CUI) 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. CUI 100 comprises in one embodiment a series of latches 102, a read only memory (ROM) 104, and a decoder 106. The latches 102 comprise in one embodiment synch latches 108 and status latches 110. The decoder 106 in one embodiment comprises three sections, a status section 112, a DQ command section 114, and a feedback section 116. The input synch latches 108a receive incoming signals comprising clock signals, incoming data inputs, and feedback from a write state machine (WSM). The input synch latches 108a output outgoing signals including a latched DQ command code and latched feedback output control, to the decoder 106 and external chip circuitry, respectively. Output synch latches 108b receive output from ROM 104, and output commands externally. Status latch 110 receives status information from ROM 104 and latches it to decoder 106. Continue reading... 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