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Sony patents memory that skips checks for some data to save time

Sony has been granted a patent for an electronic device that uses a special type of memory called magnetoresistive effect memory. The system divides data into two groups: critical data that is written slowly and checked for errors, and less critical data that is written quickly without verification. A control unit manages a shared area in the memory, switching between these two types of data based on specific instructions to optimize how information is stored and accessed.

Why it mattersThis design could make certain electronic devices run more efficiently by speeding up the storage of non-critical data, though it remains a technical improvement to internal hardware management.

In the filing’s own words

A configuration of an electronic device is to be simplified. The electronic device includes a magnetoresistive effect memory, a memory control unit, and a processing unit. The magnetoresistive effect memory holds first data to be written with verification and second data to be written without verification. The memory control unit writes the first data and the second data into the magnetoresistive effect memory and verifies the first data. The processing unit performs processing based on the first data and the second data.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An electronic device, comprising: a magnetoresistive effect memory configured to hold first data and second data, wherein the magnetoresistive effect memory includes a common region to hold one of the first data or the second data; and circuitry configured to: write the first data and the second data into the magnetoresistive effect memory, wherein the first data is written for a first time period and the second data is written for a second time period, and the first time period is longer than the second time period; verify the written first data; read switching information from the magnetoresistive effect memory; control a switching operation between the first data and the second data for the common region based on the switching information; write the one of the first data or the second data in the common region based on the switching operation; select the one of the first data or the second data from the common region; and execute a processing operation based on the selected one of the first data or the second data.

Facts

Company
Sony (SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION)
Official title
Electronic device with memory to write with and without verification
Patent number
US12744069B2
Application number
18710758
Filed
Nov 15, 2022
Granted
Sep 22, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
13

Classified under

G11C 11/1675 Physics & computingG11C 11/1653 Physics & computingG11C 11/1673 Physics & computingG11C 11/1677 Physics & computingG11C 29/52 Physics & computingG11C 11/161 Physics & computing

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.