Patents by Inventor Sean B. Mulholland

Sean B. Mulholland 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: 8908438
    Abstract: Flash memory devices and systems are provided. One flash memory device includes an n-channel metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (nMOSFET), a silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide silicon (SONOS) transistor coupled to the nMOSFET, and an isolated p-well coupled to the nMOSFET and the SONOS transistor. A flash memory system includes an array of memory devices divided into a plurality of paired sectors, a global bit line (GBL) configured to provide high voltage to each respective sector during erase and program operations coupled to each of the plurality of sectors, and a plurality of sense amplifiers coupled between a respective pair of sectors. Methods for operating a flash memory are also provided. One method includes providing high voltage, via the GBL, to the paired sectors during erase and program operations and providing low voltage, via a local bit line, to each memory device during read operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Tasuo Hirose, Bogdan I. Georgescu, Ashish Ashok Amonkar, Vijay Raghavan, Cristinel Zonte, Sean B. Mulholland
  • Patent number: 6674682
    Abstract: A method for providing at least 2 Meg of SRAM cells having a maximum average operating current of approximately 9.43 mA comprising the steps of (A) providing an address path configured to consume a maximum average operating current of approximately 2.38 mA, (B) providing one or more sense amplifiers configured to consume a maximum average operating current of approximately 0.91 mA, (C) providing one or more bitlines configured to consume a maximum average operating current of approximately 0.94 mA and (D) providing a Q path configured to consume a maximum average operating current of approximately 0.61 mA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Keith A. Ford, Iulian C. Gradinariu, Bogdan I. Georgescu, Sean B. Mulholland, John J. Silver, Danny L. Rose
  • Patent number: 6662315
    Abstract: An asynchronous memory device includes parallel test circuitry configured to interface with a single-ended output data path of the memory device and, in some cases, to provide a measure of a slowest cell access time for the memory device. The parallel test circuitry may include first circuitry configured to receive logic signals from a plurality of cells of the memory device and to provide first output signals indicative of logic states of the plurality of cells; and second circuitry configured to receive the first output signals and to produce a second output signal indicative of the logic states of the first output signals therefrom. For example, the first circuitry and the second circuitry may be configured as a wired NAND and wired NOR combination. In some cases, one or more of the cells may be included within a redundant row or column of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Iulian C. Gradinariu, John J. Silver, Keith A. Ford, Sean B. Mulholland
  • Patent number: 6535437
    Abstract: A circuit comprising a memory array and a logic circuit. The memory array may be configured to read or write data in response to (i) one or more enable signals and (ii) one or more control signals. The logic circuit may be configured to generate the enable signals in response to one or more address signals. De-assertion of one or more of the enable signals generally reduces current consumption in the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: John J. Silver, Iulian C. Gradinariu, Bogdan I. Georgescu, Keith A. Ford, Sean B. Mulholland, Danny L. Rose
  • Patent number: 6530040
    Abstract: An asynchronous memory device includes parallel test circuitry configured to interface with a single-ended output data path of the memory device and, in some cases, to provide a measure of a slowest cell access time for the memory device. The parallel test circuitry may include first circuitry configured to receive logic signals from a plurality of cells of the memory device and to provide first output signals indicative of logic states of the plurality of cells; and second circuitry configured to receive the first output signals and to produce a second output signal indicative of the logic states of the first output signals therefrom. For example, the first circuitry and the second circuitry may be configured as a wired NAND and wired NOR combination. In some cases, one or more of the cells may be included within a redundant row or column of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Iulian C. Gradinariu, John J. Silver, Keith A. Ford, Sean B. Mulholland
  • Publication number: 20020191470
    Abstract: A method for providing at least 2 Meg of SRAM cells having a maximum average operating current of approximately 9.43 mA comprising the steps of (A) providing an address path configured to consume a maximum average operating current of approximately 2.38 mA, (B) providing one or more sense amplifiers configured to consume a maximum average operating current of approximately 0.91 mA, (C) providing one or more bitlines configured to consume a maximum average operating current of approximately 0.94 mA and (D) providing a Q path configured to consume a maximum average operating current of approximately 0.61 mA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Keith A. Ford, Iulian C. Gradinariu, Bogdan I. Georgescu, Sean B. Mulholland, John J. Silver, Danny L. Rose
  • Patent number: 6493283
    Abstract: A circuit comprising a plurality of groups of memory cells and a control circuit. The plurality of groups of memory cells may each (i) have a first and a second bitline and (ii) configured to read and write data to one or more of the plurality of groups of memory cells. The control circuit may be configured to select an active group of the plurality of groups in response to one or more control signals. The control circuit may be implemented within the groups of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Keith A. Ford, Iulian C. Gradinariu, Bogdan I. Georgescu, Sean B. Mulholland, John J. Silver, Danny L. Rose
  • Patent number: 6249464
    Abstract: A circuit comprising a memory array and a logic circuit. The memory array may be configured to read or write data in response to (i) one or more enable signals and (ii) a global signal. The logic circuit may be configured to generate the enable signals in response to one or more address signals. De-assertion of the enable signals generally reduces current consumption in the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: John J. Silver, Julian C. Gradinariu, Bogdan I. Georgescu, Keith A. Ford, Sean B. Mulholland, Danny L. Rose
  • Patent number: 6163495
    Abstract: A circuit comprising a first and second bitline, a plurality of groups of memory cells and a control circuit. The first and second bitlines may each be configured to read and write to one or more of the plurality of groups of memory cells. Each of the plurality of bitline pairs may be interdigitated. The control circuit may be configured to select an active group of said plurality of groups in response to one or more control signals. The control circuit may be implemented within the groups of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Keith A. Ford, Iulian C. Gradinariu, Bogdan I. Georgescu, Sean B. Mulholland, John J. Silver, Danny L. Rose
  • Patent number: 6005814
    Abstract: A robust system for entering a test mode in an integrated circuit, for example, a memory device, greatly eliminates the probability of unintentionally entering the test mode, yet provides a system of access through a precise address and control pin sequence. By using an existing control pin present on the integrated circuit as a clock signal input for a series of latches, the present scheme sets up a number of address with predetermined values in order to create a key that is correct only if all the addresses are at the correct values. The key, combined with the clock signal input, allows a test mode enable signal to pass through each latch in a series. By further requiring that the address sequence for the key be input during an otherwise "illegal" operation for the integrated circuit, the present scheme further ensures that unintentional entry to the test mode is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Sean B. Mulholland, James D. Allan