Patents by Inventor William K. Waller

William K. Waller 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).

  • Publication number: 20230393978
    Abstract: A memory device may include a level shifter circuit that drives multiples half latch circuits. The half latch circuits may each include a p-channel transistor whose source is connected to a first voltage and whose gate is to receive addressing signals, a first inverter circuit connected between the drain of the p-channel transistor and a second voltage and whose input is connected to an output of the level shifter circuit, a second inverter circuit connected between the second voltage and a third voltage to receive an output of the first inverter circuit as input, a third inverter circuit connected between the second and third voltages to receive an output of the second inverter circuit as input, and an n-channel transistor connected between the output of the third inverter circuit and the input of the second inverter circuit, wherein a gate of the n-channel transistor is connected to a bias voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Waller, Sarang Agrawal
  • Publication number: 20230282259
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-volatile memory apparatus includes a plurality of memory tiles that each include a set of main memory tiles arranged in rows and columns and a set of row termination tiles at the ends of the rows and a set of column termination tiles at the ends of the columns. Each main memory tile includes a set of address lines orthogonal to one another, memory cells between the overlapping areas of the orthogonal address lines, address line driver circuitry, and circuitry to selectively couple the address line driver circuitry to an address line decoder circuit of an adjacent memory tile to activate address lines in the main memory tile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: William K. Waller
  • Publication number: 20230092848
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-volatile memory apparatus includes memory tiles comprising a set of main memory tiles in rows and columns, a set of row termination tiles at the ends of the rows, and a set of column termination tiles at the ends of the columns. Each memory tile includes a plurality of decks, with each deck comprising bitlines, wordlines orthogonal to the bitlines, and memory cells between overlapping areas of the bitlines and the wordlines. The bitlines/wordlines include a set of bitlines/wordlines of a first layer that traverse row/column termination tiles and main memory tiles adjacent the row/column termination tiles, with each bitline/wordline of the set of bitlines/wordlines connected to another bitline of a second layer in the termination tile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: William K. Waller
  • Publication number: 20230033277
    Abstract: Techniques for repair of a memory die are disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, a faulty wordline (or bitline) can be remapped to a redundant wordline on the same layer by entering the address of the faulty wordline in a repair table for the layer. If there are more faulty wordlines on a layer than redundant wordlines available on the layer, the faulty wordlines can be remapped to redundant wordlines on a different layer, and the address of the faulty wordline can be placed in a repair table for the different layer. When a memory operation is received, the wordline address for the memory operation is checked against the repair tables to check if it remapped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: William K. Waller, Dhruval J. Patel, Xiannan Di
  • Publication number: 20210407564
    Abstract: A memory accessed by rows and/or by columns in which an array of bits can be physically stored in multi-bit wide columns in physically contiguous rows is provided. A multi-bit wide logical column is arranged diagonally across (M/multi-bits) physical rows and (M/multi-bits) physical columns with each of the plurality of multi-bit wide logical columns in the logical row stored in a different physical row and physical multi-bit column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Sourabh DONGAONKAR, Chetan CHAUHAN, Jawad B. KHAN, Sandeep K. GULIANI, William K. WALLER
  • Publication number: 20090273360
    Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
  • Patent number: 7567091
    Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
  • Patent number: 7323896
    Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
  • Patent number: 7315179
    Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
  • Patent number: 7276927
    Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
  • Patent number: 7276926
    Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
  • Patent number: 7212020
    Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugen H. Cloud
  • Patent number: 7034561
    Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
  • Patent number: 6831475
    Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
  • Publication number: 20040130345
    Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
  • Patent number: 6693833
    Abstract: A redundancy architecture for repairing a DRAM includes fuse banks for storing the row addresses of defective rows in sub-arrays of the DRAM. Row decoders activate a redundant row in one of the sub-arrays in response to receiving a row address matching one of the stored defective row addresses and, at the same time, disable a redundant row in the other of the sub-arrays that is arranged in an order complementary to that of the activated redundant row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William K. Waller, Huy T. Vo
  • Publication number: 20030229824
    Abstract: The current invention discloses a circuit design to detect whether an address on an address bus matches the state of a group of fuses which may have been blown in the process of permanently programming redundant circuitry used for integrated circuit repair. The fuse detection circuit provides a new combination of optimized speed, improved soft error immunity, reduced address line loading, and smaller device size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: William K. Waller
  • Publication number: 20030206477
    Abstract: A redundancy architecture for repairing a DRAM includes fuse banks for storing the row addresses of defective rows in sub-arrays of the DRAM. Row decoders activate a redundant row in one of the sub-arrays in response to receiving a row address matching one of the stored defective row addresses and, at the same time, disable a redundant row in the other of the sub-arrays that is arranged in an order complementary to that of the activated redundant row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: William K. Waller, Huy T. Vo
  • Patent number: 6636068
    Abstract: A circuit for isolating a short-circuited integrated circuit (IC) formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer from other ICs formed on the wafer that are interconnected with the short-circuited IC includes control circuitry within the short-circuited IC for sensing the short circuit. The control circuitry may sense the short circuit in a variety of ways, including sensing excessive current drawn by the short-circuited IC, and sensing an abnormally low or high voltage within the short-circuited IC. Switching circuitry also within the short-circuited IC selectively isolates the short-circuited IC from the other ICs on the wafer in response to the control circuitry sensing the short circuit. As a result, if the wafer is under probe test, for example, testing can continue uninterrupted on the other ICs while the short-circuited IC is isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventors: Warren M. Farnworth, William K. Waller, Leland R. Nevill, Raymond J. Beffa, Eugene H. Cloud
  • Patent number: 6621759
    Abstract: A wordline decoder circuit for a semiconductor memory device is disclosed, providing a new combination of optimized speed, power, and device area with self-latching wordline output and prevention of process parasitic latch-up. A method for high-speed copying of data from row to row within a memory section is disclosed for reducing time required to stress and to test the device. The wordline decoder circuit as disclosed can implement the row-copy method as disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: William K. Waller