Patents Assigned to Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8035416
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electronic driver circuits, and more particularly, to low power electronic driver circuits having low manufacturing costs. The present invention is a circuit design that utilizes two transistor types that can be manufactured together thereby reducing the number of processing steps and masks and resulting in lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Shepard
  • Patent number: 8000129
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for three-terminal field-emitter triode devices, and memory arrays utilizing the same. In other embodiments, the field-emitter devices include a volume-change material, capable of changing a measurable electrical property of the devices, and/or three-dimensional memory arrays of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Shepard
  • Patent number: 7933133
    Abstract: A high-density memory device is fabricated three-dimensionally in layers. To keep points of failure low, address decoding circuits are included within each layer so that, in addition to power and data lines, only the address signal lines need be interconnected between the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Shepard, Thomas A. Langdo, Arthur J. Pitera
  • Patent number: 7916530
    Abstract: In various embodiments, an addressable storage matrix includes a first plurality of intersection points, at least some of which are bridged by two-terminal non-linear elements that exhibit a threshold below which current flow is significantly lower than if the threshold is exceeded, as well as, disposed at each intersection point bridged by a non-linear element, a programmable material in series with the non-linear element and determining a bit state for the corresponding intersection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Shepard
  • Publication number: 20110019455
    Abstract: A high density memory device is fabricated three dimensionally in layers. To keep points of failure low, address decoding circuits are included within each layer so that, in addition to power and data lines, only the address signal lines need be interconnected between the layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Shepard
  • Patent number: 7826244
    Abstract: A high density memory device is fabricated three dimensionally in layers. To keep points of failure low, address decoding circuits are included within each layer so that, in addition to power and data lines, only the address signal lines need be interconnected between the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Shepard
  • Patent number: 7813157
    Abstract: A high-speed, low-power memory device comprises an array of non-linear conductors wherein the storage, address decoding, and output detection are all accomplished with diodes or other non-linear conductors. In various embodiments, the row and column resistors are switchable between a high resistance when connected to a row or column that is non-selected, and a low resistance when connected to the selected row and column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Shepard
  • Publication number: 20100149865
    Abstract: One of the simplest forms of data storage devices is the diode array storage device. However, a problem with diode array storage devices is that as the size of the array increases, the number of non-addressed diodes connected between a given selected row or column of the array and the non-addressed columns or rows of the array, respectively, also becomes very large. While the leakage current through any one non-addressed diode on the selected row or column will have little impact on the operation of the device, the cumulative leakage through multiple thousands of non-addressed diodes can become significant. This aggregate leakage current can become great enough that the output voltage can be shifted such that the threshold for distinguishing between a one state and a zero state of the addressed diode location can become obscured and can result in a misreading of the addressed diode location. The present invention is a means to manage the leakage currents in a diode array storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Shepard
  • Patent number: 7682981
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of applying a topographical surface to a part such as a substrate without the need for low temperature softening of that part while retaining high aspect ratios and densely packed features in that topography. A substrate, selected for its ability to be processed at a given desired temperature, has a layer of material applied to its surface. This layer is selected, among other reasons, for its ability to be molded. Typically, it is expected that the substrate will be able to withstand the higher temperatures of semiconductor post-processing whereas the applied layer will be moldable at low temperatures. This combination enables low cost embossing of a topography into this surface layer. The present invention comprises means to transfer this topography from the low temperature material into the higher temperature substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
  • Patent number: 7667996
    Abstract: The scale of the devices in a diode array storage device, and their cost, are reduced by changing the semiconductor based diodes in the storage array to cold cathode, field emitter based devices. The field emitters and a field emitter array may be fabricated utilizing a topography-based lithographic technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Shepard
  • Patent number: 7652916
    Abstract: One of the simplest forms of data storage devices is the diode array storage device. However, a problem with diode array storage devices is that as the size of the array increases, the number of non-addressed diodes connected between a given selected row or column of the array and the non-addressed columns or rows of the array, respectively, also becomes very large. While the leakage current through any one non-addressed diode on the selected row or column will have little impact on the operation of the device, the cumulative leakage through multiple thousands of non-addressed diodes can become significant. This aggregate leakage current can become great enough that the output voltage can be shifted such that the threshold for distinguishing between a one state and a zero state of the addressed diode location can become obscured and can result in a misreading of the addressed diode location. The present invention is a means to manage the leakage currents in a diode array storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Shepard
  • Patent number: 7593246
    Abstract: A high density memory device is fabricated three dimensionally in layers. To keep points of failure low, address decoding circuits are included within each layer so that, in addition to power and data lines, only the address signal lines need be interconnected between the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Shepard
  • Patent number: 7593256
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for differentially measuring the bit state of a particular element in an array of passive nonlinear elements against the output of a reference generator. The reference generator may be, for example, a dummy row circuit, a dummy column circuit, or both a dummy row circuit and a dummy column circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Nestler
  • Patent number: 7548453
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing an array of passive nonlinear elements having an interface circuit that isolates the array from loading effects from external connections to the array. In one embodiment, a capacitive switching circuit is used to electrically isolate the elements in the array from the external load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Nestler
  • Patent number: 7548454
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring the bit state of a particular element in an array of passive nonlinear elements that are insensitive to loading effects from external connections to the array. In one embodiment, a switching element is used to electrically isolate the elements in the array from the external load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Nestler
  • Patent number: 7507663
    Abstract: Fabrication of microelectronic devices is accomplished using a substrate having a recessed pattern. In one approach, a master form is used to replicate a substrate having a pit pattern. In another approach, the substrate is produced by etching. A series of stacked layers having desired electrical characteristics is applied to the substrate and planarized in a manner that creates electrical devices and connections therebetween. The microelectronic devices can include a series of row and columns and are used to store data at their intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Shepard
  • Patent number: 7460384
    Abstract: A high density memory device is fabricated three dimensionally in layers. To keep points of failure low, address decoding circuits are included within each layer so that, in addition to power and data lines, only the address signal lines need be interconnected between the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Robert Shepard
  • Publication number: 20080016414
    Abstract: A high density memory device is fabricated three dimensionally in layers. To keep points of failure low, address decoding circuits are included within each layer so that, in addition to power and data lines, only the address signal lines need be interconnected between the layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Shepard
  • Patent number: RE41733
    Abstract: A read-only data storage and retrieval device is presented having no moving parts and requiring very low power. Addressing can be accomplished sequentially where the address increments automatically or can be accomplished randomly. High density storage is achieved through the use of a highly symmetric diode matrix that is addressed in both coordinate directions; its symmetry makes the Dual-addressed Rectifier Storage (DRS) Array very scaleable scalable, particularly when made as an integrated circuit. For even greater storage flexibility, multiple digital rectifier storage arrays can be incorporated into the device, one or more of which can be made removable and interchangeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Shepard
  • Patent number: RE42310
    Abstract: A read-only data storage and retrieval device is presented having no moving parts and requiring very low power. Addressing can be accomplished sequentially where the address increments automatically or can be accomplished randomly. High density storage is achieved through the use of a highly symmetric diode matrix that is addressed in both coordinate directions; its symmetry makes the Dual-addressed Rectifier Storage (DRS) Array very scaleable, particularly when made as an integrated circuit. For even greater storage flexibility, multiple digital rectifier storage arrays can be incorporated into the device, one or more of which can be made removable and interchangeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Contour Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Shepard