Patents by Inventor Donald R. Mullen
Donald R. Mullen 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).
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Patent number: 9841791Abstract: A rack unit configuration is described that includes a first printed circuit board (PCB) assembly interleaved with a second PCB assembly that is inverted with respect to the first PCB assembly. The configuration of the first PCB assembly and the second PCB assembly allow for increased component and power densities within computing systems, memory systems, etc. The increased density may be achieved while allowing sufficient mechanical clearance to allow easy component replacement and servicing (e.g., and hot pluggability). Power density may also be increased with PCB assemblies including nested and interleaved power modules.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Mullen, Chi-Ming Yeung, David A. Secker
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Patent number: 9298228Abstract: A computing system having a memory riser sub-system. The computing system includes a motherboard with a memory module connector and a riser card inserted into the first memory module connector. A first mezzanine card is connected to the riser card. The first mezzanine card includes a first mezzanine memory module connector for a first memory module and a second mezzanine memory module connector for a second memory module. A memory channel electrically connects the memory controller to the first mezzanine memory module connector and the second mezzanine module connector via the motherboard, the first riser card and the first mezzanine card. The memory channel may be divided into a first data sub-channel connected to the first mezzanine memory module connector and a second data sub-channel connected to the second mezzanine memory module connector.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Abhijit M. Abhyankar, Ravindranath Kollipara, Thomas J. Giovannini, Ming Li, David A. Secker, Arun Vaidyanath, Donald R. Mullen, Adrian F. Torres
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Publication number: 20150181746Abstract: A rack unit configuration is described that includes a first printed circuit board (PCB) assembly interleaved with a second PCB assembly that is inverted with respect to the first PCB assembly. The configuration of the first PCB assembly and the second PCB assembly allow for increased component and power densities within computing systems, memory systems, etc. The increased density may be achieved while allowing sufficient mechanical clearance to allow easy component replacement and servicing (e.g., and hot pluggability). Power density may also be increased with PCB assemblies including nested and interleaved power modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Donald R. MULLEN, Chi-Ming YEUNG, David A. SECKER
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Patent number: 8497544Abstract: A memory module includes multiple memory devices mounted to a substrate and one or more discrete heating elements disposed in thermal contact with the memory devices. Each of the memory devices includes charge-storing memory cells subject to operation-induced defects that degrade ability of the memory cells to store data. The discrete heating elements, or single discrete heating element, heats the memory devices to a temperature that anneals the defects.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Gary B. Bronner, Ming Li, Donald R. Mullen, Frederick Ware, Kevin S. Donnelly
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Patent number: 8415788Abstract: A system includes a circuit board, a multi-die package, and a heat dissipator. The circuit board has substantially planar opposing first and second sides. The multi-die package includes a substrate and a first set of one or more semiconductor devices on a first substrate side and a second set of one or more semiconductor devices on a second substrate side. The multi-die package is located at the first circuit board side. The heat dissipator is located at the second circuit board side, and thermally coupled to the second set of semiconductor devices. One or more portions of the circuit board are removed between the first circuit board side and the second circuit board side so as to define one or more holes through the circuit board and to facilitate thermal coupling between the second set of semiconductor devices and the heat dissipator through the one or more holes.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Ming Li, Donald R. Mullen
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Publication number: 20130037620Abstract: In a system that employs multiple air movers (e.g., fans) within an enclosure, the air movers are controlled in an attempt to optimize cooling efficiency of the system. In some aspects, current cooling efficiency is indicated based on one or more characteristics of an acoustic signature in the enclosure. In particular, a reduction in cooling efficiency may be indicated by spreading of an acoustic peak of the acoustic signature. Accordingly, improved cooling efficiency may be achieved by controlling the air movers in a manner that reduces spreading of such an acoustic peak.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Farshid Aryanfar, Donald R. Mullen
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Publication number: 20120236668Abstract: A memory module includes multiple memory devices mounted to a substrate and one or more discrete heating elements disposed in thermal contact with the memory devices. Each of the memory devices includes charge-storing memory cells subject to operation-induced defects that degrade ability of the memory cells to store data. The discrete heating elements, or single discrete heating element, heats the memory devices to a temperature that anneals the defects.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventors: Gary B. Bronner, Ming Li, Donald R. Mullen, Frederick Ware, Kevin S. Donnelly
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Patent number: 8193573Abstract: A method of repairing a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device to eliminate defects includes monitoring a memory endurance indicator for a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device contained in a semiconductor package. It is determined whether that the memory endurance indicator exceeds a predefined limit. Finally, in response to determining that the memory endurance indicator exceeds the predefined limit, the device is annealed.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Gary B. Bronner, Ming Li, Donald R. Mullen, Frederick Ware, Kevin S. Donnelly
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Patent number: 8039952Abstract: The system includes a circuit board, a semiconductor module, a heat dissipator, and at least one thermal via. The circuit board has substantially flat opposing first and second sides. The semiconductor module includes multiple semiconductor devices. The semiconductor module is oriented substantially parallel to the circuit board near the first side, while the heat dissipator is disposed near the second side. The thermal via extends through the circuit board to thermally couple the semiconductor module to the heat dissipator, which may be a heat spreader, heat sink, cooling fan, or heat pipe.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2009Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Mullen, Ming Li
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Publication number: 20100315787Abstract: A system includes a circuit board, a multi-die package, and a heat dissipator. The circuit board has substantially planar opposing first and second sides. The multi-die package includes a substrate and a first set of one or more semiconductor devices on a first substrate side and a second set of one or more semiconductor devices on a second substrate side. The multi-die package is located at the first circuit board side. The heat dissipator is located at the second circuit board side, and thermally coupled to the second set of semiconductor devices. One or more portions of the circuit board are removed between the first circuit board side and the second circuit board side so as to define one or more holes through the circuit board and to facilitate thermal coupling between the second set of semiconductor devices and the heat dissipator through the one or more holes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: Ming Li, Donald R. Mullen
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Publication number: 20100230807Abstract: A method of repairing a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device to eliminate defects includes monitoring a memory endurance indicator for a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device contained in a semiconductor package. It is determined whether that the memory endurance indicator exceeds a predefined limit. Finally, in response to determining that the memory endurance indicator exceeds the predefined limit, the device is annealed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2008Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Gary B. Bronner, Ming Li, Donald R. Mullen, Frederick Ware, Kevin S. Donnelly
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Patent number: 7705445Abstract: The semiconductor package includes two electrical contacts and a semiconductor device coupled to opposing sides of a substrate. The substrate defines at least one via extending at least partially there through. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor low-speed interface electrically coupled to one of the electrical contacts through the via, and a semiconductor high-speed interface electrically coupled to flexible tape. The flexible tape is also electrically coupled to the other one of the electrical contacts.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2005Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Ming Li, Sayeh Khalili, Donald R. Mullen
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Publication number: 20090316366Abstract: The system includes a circuit board, a semiconductor module, a heat dissipator, and at least one thermal via. The circuit board has substantially flat opposing first and second sides. The semiconductor module includes multiple semiconductor devices. The semiconductor module is oriented substantially parallel to the circuit board near the first side, while the heat dissipator is disposed near the second side. The thermal via extends through the circuit board to thermally couple the semiconductor module to the heat dissipator, which may be a heat spreader, heat sink, cooling fan, or heat pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Inventors: Donald R. Mullen, Ming Li
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Patent number: 7538424Abstract: The system includes a circuit board, a semiconductor module, a heat dissipator, and at least one thermal via. The circuit board has substantially flat opposing first and second sides. The semiconductor module includes multiple semiconductor devices. The semiconductor module is oriented substantially parallel to the circuit board near the first side, while the heat dissipator is disposed near the second side. The thermal via extends through the circuit board to thermally couple the semiconductor module to the heat dissipator, which may be a heat spreader, heat sink, cooling fan, or heat pipe.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2004Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Mullen, Ming Li
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Publication number: 20080150123Abstract: The semiconductor package includes a rigid circuit board substrate having a substrate first side and an opposing substrate second side. The package also includes multiple electrical contacts coupled to the substrate at the substrate first side. An adhesive directly contacts the substrate second side. A semiconductor device directly contacts the adhesive. At least one flexible conductor is electrically connected to the semiconductor device and to at least one of the electrical contacts. The flexible conductor extends from the first side to the second side of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2008Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Ming Li, Sayeh Khalili, Donald R. Mullen
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Patent number: 6870246Abstract: An integrated circuit cover incorporating a spring portion is described. The spring portion may include any structure that allows displacement between a plate portion of the integrated circuit cover and an attachment portion of the integrated circuit cover and that provides a substantially equalizing effect of pressure on the plate portion. The spring portion is preferably more flexible than the plate portion. The integrated circuit cover accommodates variations in the mounted height of integrated circuits over which the integrated circuit cover is installed The integrated circuit cover may be formed as a unitary structure or may be constructed as an assembly of multiple components.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Mullen, Belgacem Haba, Ming Li
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Patent number: 6853557Abstract: A memory architecture includes a first substrate containing multiple memory devices and a first channel portion extending across the first substrate. The architecture further includes a second substrate containing multiple memory devices and a second channel portion extending across the second substrate. A connector couples the first channel portion to the second channel portion to form a single channel. The connector includes a first slot that receives an edge of the first substrate and a second slot that receives an edge of the second substrate. Another connector has a pair of slots that receive opposite edges of the first and second substrates. The channel portions extend across the substrates in a substantially linear path. Each channel portion includes multiple conductors having lengths that are approximately equal.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2000Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Rambus, Inc.Inventors: Belgacem Haba, Sayeh Khalili, Donald R. Mullen, Nader Gamini
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Patent number: 6621373Abstract: An electronic device includes a standard dielectric material and a lossy material integrated with the standard dielectric material to selectively control the distributed resistance of the standard dielectric material. The lossy material may be inserted into the standard dielectric material. The inserted material may be resistive particles, carbon particles, open cell conductive foam, carbon impregnated open cell conductive foam, and the like. The lossy material may also be a loss inducing physical structure attached to the standard dielectric material. The loss inducing physical structure may be a planar resistive layer attached to the standard dielectric material. The planar resistive layer may have an extended surface to attenuate high frequency signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2000Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Mullen, Donald V. Perino, Haw-Jyh Liaw
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Patent number: 5865650Abstract: An ultrasound adapter assembly includes a rectangular zero-insertion-force receptacle, such as the ITT Cannon.RTM. DL-series Zero Insertion Force ("DL-ZIF") receptacle, and a high-density micro-coaxial ("HDMC") connector plug interconnected by micro-coaxial conductors. The adapter assembly includes a frame for supporting the two connectors and a locking mechanism for use in semi-permanently attaching the adapter assembly to an ultrasound imaging system receptacle. The adapter assembly permits old-style ultrasound transducer assemblies having the rectangular zero-insertion-force plug to be used with newer ultrasound imaging systems using the newer HDMC interfacing system. In an alternative embodiment, the two connectors are electrically interconnected using flex-circuit. The HDMC connector plug is formed using a multi-layer printed wiring board having a high density array of electrical contact pads on one surface arranged for compatible mating with the newer system HDMC interfacing receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1996Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Acuson CorporationInventors: Vaughn R. Marian, Jr., Donald R. Mullen
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Patent number: 5560362Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly having a housing, a transducer array mounted in the housing, and active cooling mechanism positioned adjacent to the transducer array for actively removing heat generated by the array by transport of heat energy from the affected site. The active cooling mechanism may comprise a heat exchanger including a closed loop circulating coolant system circulating coolant, or a single-pass flowed coolant, passing through the heat exchanger, a heat pipe, a thermoelectric cooler, an evaporative/condenser system, and/or a phase change material. One or more heat exchangers may be used having gas or liquid coolants flowing therethrough. The heat exchangers and coolant pumps may be located in various components of the transducer assembly, including the array housing, the connector assemblies or the ultrasound console.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1994Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Assignee: Acuson CorporationInventors: John W. Sliwa, Jr., Michael G. Curley, Donald R. Mullen, Jay S. Plugge, Richard A. Lyon