Electrical pulse counters – pulse dividers – or shift registers: c – Applications – Including memory
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-23
2004-02-03
Wambach, Margaret R. (Department: 2186)
Electrical pulse counters, pulse dividers, or shift registers: c
Applications
Including memory
C377S028000, C377S033000, C377S034000, C365S236000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06687325
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to electronic counters, and more specifically to a non-volatile counter with a non-uniform digit base.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Non-volatile counters are used in various electronic applications. One important application for non-volatile counters is in the field of electronic commerce where it is important to order financial transactions in a definite sequence. In such applications it is important that the counting function be robust enough to withstand hardware and/or software failures, including unexpected power loss. It is also important for the counting function to be secure against unauthorized access and tampering.
One technique for providing a counting function that can withstand power loss is to use a battery or similar power supply in conjunction with a binary counter circuit. Unfortunately, battery-backed counters tend to occupy a relatively large amount of circuit or device space and impose high battery costs. Also, batteries are prone to failure and discharge and so must be monitored and periodically replaced to prevent loss of the count data. Further, many binary counters do not allow for easy recovery of count data in the event of count interruption due to power loss.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A counter is disclosed. The counter includes a nonvolatile storage organized in digits having non-uniform bases and circuitry to increment a count value represented by the digits in response to an increment command.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4562306 (1985-12-01), Chou et al.
patent: 4947410 (1990-08-01), Lippmann et al.
patent: 5450460 (1995-09-01), Stodieck
patent: 6084935 (2000-07-01), Mather
patent: 6249562 (2001-06-01), Wells
U.S. patent application No. 09/477,034, filed Dec. 31, 1999, entitled, Non-Volatile Memory Based Monotonic Counter, by Lance W. Dover and Andrew H. Gafken.
U.S. patent application No. 09/447,034, filed Dec. 31, 1999, entitled Non-Volatile Memory Based Monotonic Counter, by Lance W. Dover and Andrew H. Gafken.
U.S. Patent Application No.: 09/379,175, filed Aug. 23, 1999, entitled Method and System for Implementing a Digit Counter Optimized for Flash Memory, by Steven E. Wells. Now P.N. 6249562.
Blakely , Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Intel Corporation
Wambach Margaret R.
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