Patents by Inventor Alexander E. Runas

Alexander E. Runas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8837226
    Abstract: A memory includes a wordline driver having reduced leakage. The memory includes a storage array coupled to a first voltage supply, and a number of wordline driver units each including a driver inverter. During a low power mode, the voltage of the voltage supply coupled to the wordline circuit is reduced or removed, while the voltage of the voltage supply coupled to the storage array is kept at least at a retention voltage. In addition a p-type transistor is coupled between the array voltage supply and an input to the wordline driver inverter, thereby keeping the output of the wordline driver inverter at a low logic level to prevent inadvertent wordline firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. McCombs, Stephen C. Horne, Alexander E. Runas, Daniel C. Chow
  • Publication number: 20140201547
    Abstract: Embodiments of a memory device are disclosed that may allow for detecting the opportunity for energy savings and implementing the energy savings for each access to the memory device. The memory device may include a plurality of columns, an address comparator, and a timing and control circuit. Each of the plurality of columns may include a plurality of data storage cells coupled to a common data line, and a pre-charge circuit that may be configured to charge the common data line to a pre-determined voltage. The address comparator may be configured to compare an address value to a previous address value, and generate an output dependent upon the comparison. The timing and control circuit may then selectively disable pre-charge circuits in the plurality of columns dependent upon the generated output of the address comparator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijeet R. Tanpure, Alexander E. Runas
  • Patent number: 8767495
    Abstract: A memory includes an I/O unit that is shared between multiple storage arrays. The shared I/O unit provides output data from the arrays. The memory includes an isolation unit connected between each storage array and the shared I/O unit. In addition, each of the storage arrays and the shared I/O unit may be connected to a separate switched voltage domain through for example, power gating circuits. If one or more of the storage arrays is placed in retention or low-voltage mode, the isolation units that are coupled to the affected storage arrays may be configured to isolate the bitlines of those storage arrays from the shared I/O data paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. McCombs, Daniel C. Chow, Kenneth W. Jones, Alexander E. Runas
  • Publication number: 20140032201
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method are disclosed that may allow for the optimization of a memory circuit design parameter. The method may include the statistical simulation of one or more operational parameters of the memory circuit. Probabilities of the operational parameters achieving pre-defined probability goals may be used to optimize the memory circuit design parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Edward M. McCombs, Alexander E. Runas, Michael E. Runas
  • Publication number: 20140016392
    Abstract: A memory includes an I/O unit that is shared between multiple storage arrays. The shared I/O unit provides output data from the arrays. The memory includes an isolation unit connected between each storage array and the shared I/O unit. In addition, each of the storage arrays and the shared I/O unit may be connected to a separate switched voltage domain through for example, power gating circuits. If one or more of the storage arrays is placed in retention or low-voltage mode, the isolation units that are coupled to the affected storage arrays may be configured to isolate the bitlines of those storage arrays from the shared I/O data paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. McCombs, Daniel C. Chow, Kenneth W. Jones, Alexander E. Runas
  • Patent number: 8570824
    Abstract: A memory includes an I/O unit that is shared between multiple storage arrays. The shared I/O unit provides output data from the arrays. The memory includes an isolation unit connected between each storage array and the shared I/O unit. In addition, each of the storage arrays and the shared I/O unit may be connected to a separate switched voltage domain through for example, power gating circuits. If one or more of the storage arrays is placed in retention or low-voltage mode, the isolation units that are coupled to the affected storage arrays may be configured to isolate the bitlines of those storage arrays from the shared I/O data paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. McCombs, Daniel C. Chow, Kenneth W. Jones, Alexander E. Runas
  • Patent number: 8553472
    Abstract: A memory includes a shared I/O unit that is shared between multiple storage arrays provides output data from the arrays. The shared I/O includes an output latch with an integrated output clamp. The I/O unit may be configured to provide output data from the storage arrays via data output signal paths. The I/O unit includes an output latch configured to force a valid logic level on the data output signal paths in response to a power down condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. McCombs, Daniel C. Chow, Kenneth W. Jones, Alexander E. Runas
  • Publication number: 20130188435
    Abstract: A memory includes an I/O unit that is shared between multiple storage arrays. The shared I/O unit provides output data from the arrays. The memory includes an isolation unit connected between each storage array and the shared I/O unit. In addition, each of the storage arrays and the shared I/O unit may be connected to a separate switched voltage domain through for example, power gating circuits. If one or more of the storage arrays is placed in retention or low-voltage mode, the isolation units that are coupled to the affected storage arrays may be configured to isolate the bitlines of those storage arrays from the shared I/O data paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Edward M. McCombs, Daniel C. Chow, Kenneth W. Jones, Alexander E. Runas
  • Publication number: 20130141988
    Abstract: A memory includes a shared I/O unit that is shared between multiple storage arrays provides output data from the arrays. The shared I/O includes an output latch with an integrated output clamp. The I/O unit may be configured to provide output data from the storage arrays via data output signal paths. The I/O unit includes an output latch configured to force a valid logic level on the data output signal paths in response to a power down condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Edward M. McCombs, Daniel C. Chow, Kenneth W. Jones, Alexander E. Runas
  • Publication number: 20130111130
    Abstract: A memory includes a wordline driver having reduced leakage. The memory includes a storage array coupled to a first voltage supply, and a number of wordline driver units each including a driver inverter. During a low power mode, the voltage of the voltage supply coupled to the wordline circuit is reduced or removed, while the voltage of the voltage supply coupled to the storage array is kept at least at a retention voltage. In addition a p-type transistor is coupled between the array voltage supply and an input to the wordline driver inverter, thereby keeping the output of the wordline driver inverter at a low logic level to prevent inadvertent wordline firing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Edward M. McCombs, Stephen C. Horne, Alexander E. Runas, Daniel C. Chow