Abstract:
The voice message managing method for a voice data recording/playing/editing electronic device (1), said electronic device (1) including a memory device (2) having a first memory area (3) and a second memory area (4), comprises the steps of memorizing, in the first memory area (3), a plurality of voice messages, and of memorizing, in the second memory area (4), information regarding the plurality of voice messages. The method also includes the steps of organizing the first memory area (3) as a sequence of blocks (3a), and of memorizing in each block (3a) a portion of voice message. The method moreover comprises the steps of defining a list (FBL) containing information on the status of the blocks (3a) and memorizing the list (FBL) in a first memory sub-area (5) of the second memory area (4), and of defining a table (MAT) containing a plurality of first vectors (HEAD_MSG) associated to respective voice messages and memorizing this table (MAT) in a second memory sub-area (6) of the second memory area (4).
Abstract:
The electronic device (1) is integrated in a chip (50) of semiconductor material, and comprises a control unit (3), a signal-conversion unit (4), and a non-volatile memory unit (5), which are connected together via a main transmission line (6). The signal-conversion unit (4) is designed to receive at input an analog signal correlated to a voice signal, and to generate at output a stream of appropriately compressed digital signals. The stream of compressed digital signals is then stored in pre-set memory locations of the non-volatile memory unit (5) according to the control signals generated by the control unit (3). During reproduction, the compressed digital signals stored in the non-volatile memory unit (5) are supplied to the signal-conversion unit (4), which decompresses them and sends them to a loudspeaker (43).
Abstract:
The controlled erase method includes supplying (40) at least one erase pulse to cells (3) of a memory array (2); comparing (53) the threshold voltage of the erased cells with a low threshold value; selectively soft-programming (62) the erased cells which have a threshold voltage lower than the low threshold value; and verifying (42) whether the erased cells have a threshold voltage lower than a high threshold value, which is higher than the low threshold value. If at least one predetermined number of erased cells has a threshold voltage which is higher than the high threshold value, an erase pulse is applied (44) to all the cells and the steps of comparing, selectively soft-programming and verifying are repeated.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of expanding the functional capabilities of portable electronic devices (1) with user friendly modes, wherein a host device (1) is associated a quick-connect function-expanding module (8). In this method:
at each installation of a given module (8), the functional expansion module and the host device (1) recognize each other; on first installation of a given module (8) in the host device (1), a series of checking operations are carried out automatically; the user can select to activate the available expansion; and once a given application is selected, the configuration and functions required for each application are stored up.
Abstract:
For each cell (1) to be programmed, the present threshold value (V o ) of the cell is determined; the desired threshold value (V TAR ) is acquired; the analog distance between the present threshold value and the desired threshold value is calculated; and a programming pulse (S) is then generated, the duration of which is proportional to the analog distance calculated. The programming and reading cycle is repeated until the desired threshold is reached. By this means a time saving is obtained, owing to the reduction of the number of intermediate reading steps. The method permits programming in parallel and simultaneously of a plurality of cells (1) of a memory array (2) which is connected to a single word line (5 1 ) and to different bit lines (4 1 - 4 N ), each with a programming pulse (S 1 - S N ) the duration of which is proportional to the analog distance calculated for the same cell. The programming process is thus very fast, owing to parallel application of the programming and the saving in the intermediate reading cycles.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an electronic system with modular expansion of its functions, which is of a type comprising a portable host electronic device (1) associated with an expansion module (8) adapted for quick-connect engagement and disengagement in/from the portable device (1), characterized in that the module (8) comprises the following components:
a series of peripheral devices (16) adapted to serve different classes of functions; a non-volatile memory (17) storing information that pertains to configuring the different functions in the module (8); a re-configurable device (18) adapted to establish connections, implement functional portions, and control all the system components; a control device (19) adapted to cooperate with the host device (1) in guiding the steps for re-configuring the whole system; and a software algorithm adapted to instruct the system to reconfigure itself on which function and with which characteristics.