Patents by Inventor James M. Daughton

James M. Daughton 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: 8884606
    Abstract: A current determiner comprising a first input conductor and a first current sensor, formed of a plurality of magnetoresistive, anisotropic, ferromagnetic thin-film layers at least two of which are separated from one another by a nonmagnetic layer positioned therebetween, and both supported on a first side of a substrate adjacent to but electrically isolated from one another with the first current sensor positioned in those magnetic fields arising from any input currents. A first shield/concentrator of a material exhibiting a substantial magnetic permeability is positioned on a second side of the substrate opposite the first side of the substrate. The substrate can include a monolithic integrated circuit structure containing electronic circuit components of which at least one is electrically connected to the first input conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Myers, James M. Daughton
  • Publication number: 20110199073
    Abstract: A current determiner comprising a first input conductor and a first current sensor, formed of a plurality of magnetoresistive, anisotropic, ferromagnetic thin-film layers at least two of which are separated from one another by a nonmagnetic layer positioned therebetween, and both supported on a substrate adjacent to but electrically isolated from one another with the first current sensor positioned in those magnetic fields arising from any input currents. A first shield/concentrator of a material exhibiting a substantial magnetic permeability is positioned between the substrate and the first input conductor. The substrate can include a monolithic integrated circuit structure containing electronic circuit components of which at least one is electrically connected to the first input conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: NVE CORPORATION
    Inventors: John K. Myers, James M. Daughton
  • Patent number: 7952345
    Abstract: A current determiner comprising a first input conductor and a first current sensor, formed of a p.lurality of magnetoresistive, anisotropic, ferromagnetic thin-film layers at least two of which are separated from one another by a nonmagnetic layer positioned therebetween, and both supported on a substrate adjacent to but electrically isolated from one another with the first current sensor positioned in those magnetic fields arising from any input currents. A first shield/concentrator of a material exhibiting a substantial magnetic permeability is positioned between the substrate and the first input conductor. The substrate can include a monolithic integrated circuit structure containing electronic circuit components of which at least one is electrically connected to the first input conductor. Magnetically permeable material can be provided in supporting structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Myers, James M. Daughton
  • Patent number: 7813165
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based digital memory having bit structures therein with a magnetic material film in which a magnetic property thereof is maintained below a critical temperature above which such magnetic property is not maintained, and may also have a plurality of word line structures each with heating sections located across from the magnetic material film in a corresponding one of the bit structures. These bit structures are sufficiently thermally isolated to allow selected currents in the adjacent word lines or in the bit structure, or both, to selectively heat the bit structure to approach the critical temperature. Such bit structures may have three magnetic material layers each with its own critical temperature for maintaining versus not maintaining a magnetic property thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Daughton, Arthur V. Pohm
  • Patent number: 7660081
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based magnetic field sensor having an electrically insulative intermediate layer with two major surfaces on opposite sides thereof with an initial film of an anisotropic ferromagnetic material on one of those intermediate layer major surfaces and thin-film platelets on the remaining one of the intermediate layer major surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Daughton, Dexin Wang
  • Publication number: 20090251131
    Abstract: A current determiner comprising a first input conductor and a first current sensor, formed of a plurality of magnetoresistive, anisotropic, ferromagnetic thin-film layers at least two of which are separated from one another by a nonmagnetic layer positioned therebetween, and both supported on a substrate adjacent to but electrically isolated from one another with the first current sensor positioned in those magnetic fields arising from any input currents. A first shield/concentrator of a material exhibiting a substantial magnetic permeability is positioned between the substrate and the first input conductor. The substrate can include a monolithic integrated circuit structure containing electronic circuit components of which at least one is electrically connected to the first input conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Myers, James M. Daughton
  • Patent number: 7557562
    Abstract: A current determiner comprising a first input conductor and a first current sensor, formed of a plurality of magnetoresistive, anisotropic, ferromagnetic thin-film layers at least two of which are separated from one another by a nonmagnetic layer positioned therebetween, and both supported on a substrate adjacent to and spaced apart from one another so they are electrically isolated with the first current sensor positioned in those magnetic fields arising from any input currents. A first shield/concentrator of a material exhibiting a substantial magnetic permeability is positioned between the substrate and the first input conductor. A similar second current sensor can be individually formed, but can also be in the current determiner structure that is supported on the substrate along with a second input conductor supported on the substrate suited for conducting input currents therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Myers, James M. Daughton
  • Patent number: 7468664
    Abstract: A tamper detecting enclosure arrangement for enclosures containing an interior space in which a protected item is positioned having a magnetoresistive sensing memory storage cell positioned in or near the protected item in the enclosure having a two state offset magnetoresistance versus externally applied magnetic field. A magnet is positioned at a selected separation distance from the magnetoresistive sensing memory storage cell to thereby provide a magnetic field about the magnetoresistive sensing memory storage cell if said enclosure has not been opened in such a manner as to result in substantially increasing said separation distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Daughton, James G. Deak
  • Patent number: 7390584
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based magnetic device with internal film coupling compensation including a nonmagnetic material intermediate layer with an initial thin-film of an anisotropic ferromagnetic material on one side. A compensation thin-film of an anisotropic ferromagnetic material is provided on the opposite side with an antiparallel coupling layer thereon and a subsequent thin-film of an anisotropic ferromagnetic material on the antiparallel coupling layer with the compensation thin-film being less thick than the subsequent thin-film. A antiferromagnetic layer can be supported by the layers on either side of the intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Daughton, Dexin Wang
  • Publication number: 20080123222
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based magnetic field sensor having an electrically insulative intermediate layer with two major surfaces on opposite sides thereof with an initial film of an anisotropic ferromagnetic material on one of those intermediate layer major surfaces and a superparamagnetic thin-film on the remaining one of said intermediate layer major surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Daughton, Dexin Wang
  • Patent number: 7355822
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based magnetic field sensor having an electrically insulative intermediate layer with two major surfaces on opposite sides thereof with an initial film of an anisotropic ferromagnetic material on one of those intermediate layer major surfaces and a superparamagnetic thin-film on the remaining one of said intermediate layer major surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Daughton, Dexin Wang
  • Patent number: 7266013
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based digital memory having a bit structures therein a magnetic material film in which a magnetic property thereof is maintained below a critical temperature above which such magnetic property is not maintained, and may also have a plurality of word line structures each with heating sections located across from the magnetic material film in a corresponding one of the bit structures. These bit structures are sufficiently thermally isolated to allow selected currents in the adjacent word lines or in the bit structure, or both, to selectively heat the bit structure to approach the critical temperature. Such bit structures may have three magnetic material layers each with its own critical temperature for maintaining versus not maintaining a magnetic property thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Daughton, Arthur V. Pohm
  • Patent number: 7177178
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based digital memory having a bit structures therein a magnetic material film in which a magnetic property thereof is maintained below a critical temperature above which such magnetic property is not maintained, and may also have a plurality of word line structures each with heating sections located across from the magnetic material film in a corresponding one of the bit structures. These bit structures are sufficiently thermally isolated to allow selected currents in the adjacent word lines or in the bit structure, or both, to selectively heat the bit structure to approach the critical temperature. Such bit structures may have three magnetic material layers each with its own critical temperature for maintaining versus not maintaining a magnetic property thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Daughton, Arthur V. Pohm
  • Patent number: 7148531
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based digital memory having a substrate formed of a base supporting an electrically insulating material primary substrate layer in turn supporting a plurality of current control devices each having an interconnection arrangement with each of said plurality of current control devices being separated from one another by spacer material therebetween and being electrically interconnected with information storage and retrieval circuitry. A plurality of bit structures are each supported on and electrically connected to a said interconnection arrangement of a corresponding one of said plurality of current control devices and have magnetic material films in which a characteristic magnetic property is substantially maintained below an associated critical temperature above which such magnetic property is not maintained of which two are separated by at least one intermediate layer of a nonmagnetic material having two major surfaces on opposite sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Daughton, James G. Deak, Arthur V. Pohm
  • Patent number: 7054118
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based magnetic field sensor having an electrically insulative intermediate layer with two major surfaces on opposite sides thereof with an initial film of an anisotropic ferromagnetic material on one of those intermediate layer major surfaces and a superparamagnetic thin-film on the remaining one of said intermediate layer major surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Daughton, Dexin Wang
  • Patent number: 7023723
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based digital memory having a bit structures therein a magnetic material film in which a magnetic property thereof is maintained below a critical temperature above which such magnetic property is not maintained, and may also have a plurality of word line structures each with heating sections located across from the magnetic material film in a corresponding one of the bit structures. These bit structures are sufficiently thermally isolated to allow selected currents in the adjacent word lines or in the bit structure, or both, to selectively heat the bit structure to approach the critical temperature. Such bit structures may have three magnetic material layers each with its own critical temperature for maintaining versus not maintaining a magnetic property thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Daughton, Arthur V. Pohm
  • Patent number: 6963098
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based digital memory having a substrate supporting bit structures that are electrically interconnected with information storage and retrieval circuitry and having magnetic material films in which a characteristic magnetic property is substantially maintained below an associated critical temperature above which such magnetic property is not maintained separated by at least one layer of a nonmagnetic material with each bit structure having an interconnection structure providing electrical contact thereto at a contact surface thereof substantially parallel to the intermediate layer positioned between the first contact surface and the substrate. A plurality of word line structures located across from a corresponding one of the bit structures on an opposite side of the intermediate layer of a corresponding one of said bit structures from its interconnection structure provides electrical contact thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Daughton, Arthur V. Pohm
  • Patent number: 6872467
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based magnetic field sensor having a nonmagnetic intermediate layer with two major surfaces on opposite sides thereof upon one of which a magnetization reference layer is provided and upon the other there being provided a sensing layer. A spacer layer is provided on the sensing film to separate this sensing film from an augmenting film with the spacer layer being sufficiently thick so as to significantly reduce or eliminate topological coupling between the sensing and augmenting films, and to significantly randomize spin states of emerging electrons traversing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: Zhenghong Qian, James M. Daughton, Dexin Wang, Mark C. Tondra
  • Patent number: RE44878
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based digital memory cell with a memory film of an anisotropic ferromagnetic material and with a source layer positioned on one side thereof so that a majority of conduction electrons passing therefrom have a selected spin orientation to be capable of reorienting the magnetization of the film. A disruption layer is positioned on the other side of the memory film so that conduction electrons spins passing therefrom are substantially random in orientation. The magnitude of currents needed to operate the cell can be reduced using coincident thermal pulses to raise the cell temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Daughton, Arthur V. Pohm, Mark C. Tondra
  • Patent number: RE47583
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based digital memory having a plurality of bit structures interconnected with manipulation circuitry having a plurality of transistors so that each bit structure has transistors electrically coupled thereto that selectively substantially prevents current in at least one direction along a current path through that bit structure and permits selecting a direction of current flow through the bit structure if current is permitted to be established therein. A bit structure has a nonmagnetic intermediate layer with two major surfaces on opposite sides thereof and a memory film of an anisotropic ferromagnetic material on each of the intermediate layer major surfaces with an electrically insulative intermediate layer is provided on the memory film on which a magnetization reference layer is provided having a fixed magnetization direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: NVE Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Daughton, Arthur V. Pohm, Brenda A. Everitt