Patents by Inventor Francis Hii

Francis Hii 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: 6546510
    Abstract: A synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) is disclosed that includes an operational mode in which the functionality of the SDRAM can be tested under burn-in conditions. The SDRAM can be placed in a burn-in monitor mode in which burn-in information is provided at data outputs, in lieu of memory cell information. The burn-in monitor mode helps to ensure that the SDRAM functions are properly exercised during burn-in. The preferred embodiment includes a data buffer coupled to a data bus and a mode register. The mode register stores burn-in mode data. In a standard mode of operation, the data buffer couples the data bus to data outputs (D0-Dz). In a burn-in monitor mode of operation, the data buffer couples the burn-in mode data to the data outputs (D0-Dz).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kallol Mazumder, Scott E. Smith, Francis Hii
  • Patent number: 6002286
    Abstract: Programmable time delay apparatus includes a plurality of similar components (10) which determine the total time delay of the apparatus. These components have gate units (31.sub.0 -31.sub.n, 32.sub.0 -32.sub.n, 33.sub.0 -33.sub.n, 34.sub.0 -34.sub.n) coupled thereto which, in response to a control signal (b.sub.0 -b.sub.n) applied to each component, either electrically couples the component to the apparatus or electrically removes of the component from the apparatus. In a first embodiment, the control signals (b.sub.0 -b.sub.n) place time delay components (10) in a series configuration, the total time delay being the sum of the time delays of each series-coupled component (10). In the second and third embodiment, the resistors (47.sub.0 -47.sub.n) and the capacitors (53.sub.0 -53.sub.n), respectively, are coupled in a capacitance charging circuit (47.sub.0 -47.sub.n, 43; 52, 53.sub.0 -53.sub.n), the coupled elements controlling the charging rate and, consequently, the time delay of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Danny R. Cline, Francis Hii
  • Patent number: 5841707
    Abstract: Programmable time delay apparatus includes a plurality of similar components (10) which determine the total time delay of the apparatus. These components have gate units (31.sub.0 -31.sub.n,32.sub.0 -=.sub.n, 33.sub.0 -33.sub.n, 34.sub.0 -34.sub.n) coupled thereto which, in response to a control signal (b.sub.0 -b.sub.n) applied to each component, either electrically couples the component to the apparatus or electrically removes of the component from the apparatus. In a fist embodiment, the control signals (b.sub.0 -b.sub.n) place time delay components (10) in a series configuration, the total time delay being the sum of the time delays of each series-coupled component (10). In the second and third embodiment, the resistors (47.sub.0 -47.sub.n) and the capacitors (53.sub.0 -53.sub.n), respectively, are coupled in a capacitance charging circuit (47.sub.0 -47.sub.n, 43; 52, 53.sub.0 -53.sub.n), the coupled elements controlling the charging rate and, consequently, the time delay of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Danny R. Cline, Francis Hii
  • Patent number: 5576633
    Abstract: A circuit for selecting a block spare in a semiconductor device is designed with a programmable circuit (14), storing an internal address and producing an address match signal AM and a block select signal BS in response to first (A) and second (B) address signals and the internal address. A global spare circuit (28) produces a global spare select signal (GSS), in response to the address match signal. A block spare circuit (34) produces a block spare select signal (BSS), in response to the global spare select signal and the block select signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert N. Rountree, Dan Cline, Darryl G. Walker, Francis Hii, David W. Bergman
  • Patent number: 5548225
    Abstract: A circuit for selecting a block spare in a semiconductor device is designed with a programmable circuit (14), storing an internal address and producing an address match signal AM and a block select signal BS in response to first (A) and second (B) address signals and the internal address. A global spare circuit (28) produces a global spare select signal (GSS), in response to the address match signal. A block spare circuit (34) produces a block spare select signal (BSS), in response to the global spare select signal and the block select signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorportated
    Inventors: Robert N. Rountree, Dan Cline, Darryl G. Walker, Francis Hii, David W. Bergman
  • Patent number: 5422892
    Abstract: A device tester provides signals to a device under test. A parallel compare circuit then receives all the outputs of the device and compares each of the outputs with one another simultaneously. Next the parallel compare circuit will produce an output pattern which is compared to the expected test pattern stored in the tester. If the output pattern from the parallel compare circuit is the same as the expected test pattern the device will be considered a properly working device; conversely, if the patterns do not match the device will be considered an improperly working device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Francis Hii, Inderjit Singh, James E. Rousey