Patents by Inventor Colin Bill

Colin Bill 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).

  • Publication number: 20140104957
    Abstract: A memory system is programmed with minimal program disturb and reduced junction and channel leakage during self-boosting. Pre-charging bias signals are applied to word lines adjacent to a selected word line before a program signal is applied to the selected word line and a pass signal is applied to the remaining word lines. The pre-charging bias signals apply a pre-charge to the memory cells. The pre-charging bias signals are chosen to improve the isolation of the memory cells on word lines adjacent to the selected word line, improve self boost efficiency and reduce current leakage to prevent or reduce program disturb and/or programming errors especially in the inhibited memory cells on the selected word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: SPANSION LLC
    Inventors: Ya-Fen LIN, Colin BILL, Takao AKAOGI, Youseok SUH
  • Patent number: 8638609
    Abstract: A memory system is programmed with minimal program disturb and reduced junction and channel leakage during self-boosting. Pre-charging bias signals are applied to word lines adjacent to a selected word line before a program signal is applied to the selected word line and a pass signal is applied to the remaining word lines. The pre-charging bias signals apply a pre-charge to the memory cells. The pre-charging bias signals are chosen to improve the isolation of the memory cells on word lines adjacent to the selected word line, improve self boost efficiency and reduce current leakage to prevent or reduce program disturb and/or programming errors especially in the inhibited memory cells on the selected word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Ya-Fen Lin, Colin Bill, Takao Akaogi, Youseok Suh
  • Publication number: 20110286276
    Abstract: A memory system is programmed with minimal program disturb and reduced junction and channel leakage during self-boosting. Pre-charging bias signals are applied to word lines adjacent to a selected word line before a program signal is applied to the selected word line and a pass signal is applied to the remaining word lines. The pre-charging bias signals apply a pre-charge to the memory cells. The pre-charging bias signals are chosen to improve the isolation of the memory cells on word lines adjacent to the selected word line, improve self boost efficiency and reduce current leakage to prevent or reduce program disturb and/or programming errors especially in the inhibited memory cells on the selected word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Ya-Fen LIN, Colin BILL, Takao AKAOGI, Youseok SUH
  • Patent number: 7499309
    Abstract: A metal sulfide based non-volatile memory device is provided herein. The device is comprised of a substrate, a backplane, a planar memory media including a dense array of metal sulfide based memory cells, and a MEMS probe based actuator. The cells of the memory device are operative to be of two or more states corresponding to various levels of impedance. The MEMS actuator is operable to position micro/nano probes over the appropriate cells to enable reading, writing, and erasing the memory cells by applying a bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Colin Bill, Michael A. VanBuskirk, Tzu-Ning Fang
  • Patent number: 7443712
    Abstract: A memory erase management system is provided, including providing a resistive change memory cell, coupling a first line to the resistive change memory cell, coupling a line buffer to the first line, providing a charge storage device coupled to the line buffer, and performing a single pulse erase of the resistive change memory cell by discharging a current from the charge storage device through the resistive change memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Colin Bill, Mark McClain, Michael VanBuskirk
  • Publication number: 20080062739
    Abstract: A memory erase management system is provided, including providing a resistive change memory cell, coupling a first line to the resistive change memory cell, coupling a line buffer to the first line, providing a charge storage device coupled to the line buffer, and performing a single pulse erase of the resistive change memory cell by discharging a current from the charge storage device through the resistive change memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: SPANSION LLC
    Inventors: Colin Bill, Mark McClain, Michael VanBuskirk
  • Patent number: 7273766
    Abstract: An organic memory device comprising two electrodes having a selectively conductive decay media between the two electrodes provides a capability to control a persistence level for information stored in an organic memory cell. A resistive state of the cell controls a conductive decay rate of the cell. A high and/or low resistive state can provide a fast and/or slow rate of conductive decay. One aspect of the present invention can have a high resistive state equating to an exponential conductive decay rate. Another aspect of the present invention can have a low resistive state equating to a logarithmic conductive decay rate. Yet another aspect relates to control of an organic memory device by determining a power state and setting a resistive state of an organic memory cell based upon a current power state and/or an imminent power state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Zhida Lan, Michael A. Van Buskirk, Tzu-Ning Fang, Colin Bill, John S. Ennals
  • Patent number: 7259039
    Abstract: A memory cell made of two electrodes with a controllably conductive media between the two electrodes is disclosed. The controllably conductive media contains an active low conductive layer and passive layer. The controllably conductive media changes its impedance when an external stimuli such as an applied electric field is imposed thereon. Methods of making the memory devices/cells, methods of using the memory devices/cells, and devices such as computers containing the memory devices/cells are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Zhida Lan, Michael A. Van Buskirk, Colin Bill
  • Publication number: 20070025166
    Abstract: System(s) and method(s) of improving and controlling memory cell data retention are disclosed. A particular pulse width and magnitude is generated and applied to a memory cell made of at least two electrodes with a controllably conductive media between the at least two electrodes. The current across the memory cell is detected and a lower input pulse is sent to the memory cell. Application of the lower pulse controls the data retention of the memory cell without disturbing the final programming state of the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: SPANSION LLC
    Inventors: Tzu-Ning Fang, Colin Bill, Wei Cai, David Gaun, Eugen Gershon
  • Publication number: 20060268595
    Abstract: In the present method of programming and erasing the resistive memory devices of an array thereof, upon a single command, high current is provided in both the program and erase functions to program and erase only those memory devices whose state is to be changed from the previous state thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Colin Bill, Wei Cai
  • Publication number: 20060221713
    Abstract: A write-once read-many times memory device is made up of first and second electrodes, a passive layer between the first and second electrodes, and an active layer between the first and second electrode. The memory device is programmed by providing a charged species from the passive layer into the active layer. The memory device may be programmed to have for the programmed memory device a first erase activation energy. The present method provides for the programmed memory device a second erase activation energy greater than the first erase activation energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Michael VanBuskirk, Colin Bill, Zhida Lan, Tzu-Ning Fang
  • Publication number: 20060215439
    Abstract: Systems and methodologies are provided for temperature compensation of thin film diode voltage levels in memory sensing circuits. The subject invention includes a temperature sensitive bias circuit and an array core with a temperature variable select device. The array core can consist of a thin film diode in series with a nanoscale resistive memory cell. The temperature sensitive bias circuit can include a thin film diode in series with two resistors, and provides a temperature compensating bias voltage to the array core. The thin film diode of the temperature sensitive bias circuit tracks the diode of the array core, while the two resistors create a resistive ratio to mimic the effect of temperature and/or process variation(s) on the array core. The compensating bias reference voltage is generated by the temperature sensitive bias circuit, duplicated by a differential amplifier, and utilized to maintain a constant operation voltage level on the nanoscale resistive memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Colin Bill, Wei Cai
  • Publication number: 20060214183
    Abstract: A memory cell made of at least two electrodes with a controllably conductive media between the at least two electrodes is disclosed. The controllably conductive media includes a passive layer made of super ionic material and an active layer. When an external stimuli, such as an applied electric field, is imposed upon the first and second electrode, ions move and dope and/or de-dope the polymer. The applied external stimuli used to dope the polymer is larger than an applied external stimuli to operate the memory cell. The polymer functions as a variable breakdown characteristic diode with electrical characteristics which are a consequence of the doping degree. The memory element may have a current limited read signal. Methods of making the memory devices/cells, methods of using the memory devices/cells, and devices such as computers, hand-held electronic devices and memory devices containing the memory cell(s) are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: David Gaun, Colin Bill, Swaroop Kaza
  • Publication number: 20060139994
    Abstract: A memory array includes first and second sets of conductors and a plurality of memory-diodes, each connecting in a forward direction a conductor of the first set with a conductor of the second set. An electrical potential is applied across a selected memory-diode, from higher to lower potential in the forward direction, intended to program the selected memory-diode. During this intended programming, each other memory-diode in the array has provided thereacross in the forward direction thereof an electrical potential lower than its threshold voltage. The threshold voltage of each memory-diode can be established by applying an electrical potential across that memory-diode from higher to lower potential in the reverse direction. By so establishing a sufficient threshold voltage, and by selecting appropriate electrical potentials applied to conductors of the array, problems related to current leakage and disturb are avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Colin Bill, Swaroop Kaza, Tzu-Ning Fang, Stuart Spitzer
  • Publication number: 20060113524
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a semiconductor transistor device with an annular gate surrounding, at least in part, a channel that conducts current between a first and second source/drain. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a semiconductor transistor device having an annular gate and containing a channel composed of a polymer material. Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to fabrication of a device utilizing a polymer channel surrounded, at least in part, by an annular gate. Still yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a system with a means to control (and/or amplify) current via an annular gate surrounding a channel which conducts current between a first and second source/drain. Still other aspects of the present invention include devices incorporating the present invention's devices, systems and methods such as computers, memory, handhelds and electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Colin Bill, Michael Van Buskirk, Zhida Lan, John Ennals, Tzu-Ning Fang
  • Publication number: 20060104111
    Abstract: The present memory structure includes thereof a first conductor, a second conductor, a resistive memory cell connected to the second conductor, a first diode connected to the resistive memory cell and the first conductor, and oriented in the forward direction from the resistive memory cell to the first conductor, and a second diode connected to the resistive memory cell and the first conductor, in parallel with the first diode, and oriented in the reverse direction from the resistive memory cell to the first conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Nicholas Tripsas, Colin Bill, Michael VanBuskirk, Matthew Buynoski, Tzu-Ning Fang, Wei Cai, Suzette Pangrle, Steven Avanzino
  • Patent number: 7028240
    Abstract: In a method and system for diagnosing a back-end state machine used for testing flash memory cells fabricated on a semiconductor substrate, a signal selector and a diagnostic matching logic are fabricated on the semiconductor substrate. The diagnostic matching logic sets a generated match output to a pass or fail state depending on control variables from the back-end state machine. The signal selector selects the generated match output to be used in a verify step of a BIST (built-in-self-test) mode, if a diagnostic mode is invoked. The back-end state machine performs a plurality of BIST modes with the generated match output, for testing the functionality of the back-end state machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward V. Bautista, Jr., Ken Cheong Cheah, Colin Bill
  • Publication number: 20060067105
    Abstract: Systems and methods employing at least one constant current source to facilitate programming of an organic memory cell and/or employing at least one constant voltage source to facilitate erasing of a memory device. The present invention is utilized in single memory cell devices and memory cell arrays. Employing a constant current source prevents current spikes during programming and allows accurate control of a memory cell's state during write cycles, independent of the cell's resistance. Employing a constant voltage source provides a stable load for memory cells during erase cycles and allows for accurate voltage control across the memory cell despite large dynamic changes in cell resistance during the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Applicant: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc
    Inventors: Tzu-Ning Fang, Michael Van Buskirk, Colin Bill
  • Publication number: 20060049435
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate providing a selective functionality to a polymer memory cell in a memory array while increasing device density in the memory cell array. A vertical JFET is described to which voltages can be selectively applied to control internal current flow there through, which in turn can be employed to manipulate the state of a polymer memory cell coupled to the vertical JFET. By mitigating gaps between gates, or wordlines, and drains of the vertical JFETs, feature size can be reduced to permit increased device density. Furthermore, vertical JFETs in the array can be coupled to gates on only two opposite sides, permitting the JFETs to be arranged without gate crossbars between them, further increasing device density. In this manner, the present invention provides switching characteristics to a memory cell and overcomes problematic bulkiness associated with conventional MOS devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Applicant: SPANSION, LLC
    Inventors: Colin Bill, Michael Van Buskirk
  • Patent number: 7010736
    Abstract: An address sequencer is fabricated on a semiconductor substrate having flash memory cells fabricated thereon for sequencing through the flash memory cells during BIST (built-in-self-test) of the flash memory cells. The address sequencer includes an address sequencer control logic and address sequencer buffers fabricated on the semiconductor substrate. The address sequencer buffers generate a plurality of bits indicating an address of the flash memory cells. The address sequencer control logic controls the buffers to sequence through a respective sequence of bit patterns for each of a plurality of BIST modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Boon Tang Teh, Edward V. Bautista, Jr., Ken Cheong Cheah, Colin Bill, Joseph Kucera, Weng Fook Lee, Darlene G. Hamilton