Patents by Inventor Michael Duc

Michael Duc 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: 6242936
    Abstract: A circuit (100) that drives word lines and tests a word line (102) in a semiconductor device is disclosed. A charge circuit (108) couples a supply voltage (VPP) to a charge node (106) according to a potential at a boot node (110). The charge node (106) supplies a charge voltage for the word line (102). In a standard cycle, the boot node (110) is charged to a high voltage, and maintained at the high potential, to keep the word line (102) charged. In a test cycle, the boot node (110) is charged to a high voltage, and then discharged to a low voltage, thereby isolating the charge node (106) and the word line (102). In the event the word line (102) suffers from current leakage, a drop in potential will be detected at the charge rode (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Duc Ho, Duy-Loan T. Le, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6088293
    Abstract: A memory circuit is designed with a memory array (113, 115, 117, 119) having a plurality of banks. Each bank is addressable in response to a bank address signal (102), and each bank arranged in rows and columns of memory cells. Each of plural data leads (122) corresponds to a bank. Each data lead is selectively connected to a column of memory cells by a respective select transistor. A first decode circuit (501) has at least one input and one output terminal. The output terminal (525) is coupled to a control gate of at least one of the select transistors. Each of a plurality of second decode circuits (231) corresponds to a respective bank. Each second decode circuit has a memory element (423, 425, 428)), a plurality of input terminals and at least one output terminal. One second decode circuit input terminal (227) is coupled to receive a first address signal. Another second decode circuit input terminal (229) is coupled to receive the bank address signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael Duc Ho
  • Patent number: 4983278
    Abstract: A two step retorting process for pyrolyzing a solid feed selected from the group consisting of oil shale, tar sand, waste motor oil, and scrap tires to recover valuable products therefrom comprising retorting a mixture of the solid feed in heavy oil at a relatively low temperature, recycling the oil formed back to the first step, and completing the pyrolysis of the residue formed at a higher temperature in the absence of product oil recycling. Apparatus is provided including a means for feeding and soaking the solid feed, a HSPR, an IFBC, and means for handling product liquid and gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Western Research Institute & ILR Services Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Y. Cha, Michael Duc, Curtis J. Hogan