Patents Represented by Attorney Brooks, Cameron and Huebsch, PLLC
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Patent number: 8320185Abstract: The present disclosure includes lifetime markers for memory devices. One or more embodiments include determining a read disturb value, a quantity of erase pulses, and/or a quantity of soft program pulses associated with a number of memory cells, and providing an indicator of an advance and/or retreat of the read disturb value, the quantity of erase pulses, and/or the quantity of soft program pulses relative to a lifetime marker associated with the memory cells.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Todd Marquart
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Patent number: 8313996Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems associated with oxide based memory can include a method of forming an oxide based memory cell. Forming an oxide based memory cell can include forming a first conductive element, forming an oxide over the first conductive element, implanting a reactive metal into the oxide, and forming a second conductive element over the oxide.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Gurtej Sandhu
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Patent number: 8312349Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for error detection/correction based memory management. One embodiment includes performing a read operation with respect to a particular group of memory cells of a memory device and, if the read operation results in an uncorrectable error, determining whether to retire the particular group of memory cells in response to a status of an indicator corresponding to the particular group of memory cells, wherein the status of the indicator indicates whether the particular group of memory cells has a previous uncorrectable error associated therewith.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Cory Reche, Lee Nevill, Tim Martin
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Patent number: 8308018Abstract: Structures, methods, and systems associated with a stackable and collapsible container are provided. One structure includes a stackable and collapsible container having at least four non-collapsible, load bearing vertical support members attached to vertical walls of the container and capable of supporting the weight of other containers. A top surface is included having a number of sections which include a pivotal connection to one another and which are collapsible about the pivotal connection to an interior of the container. A bottom surface is included having a number of sections which include a pivotal connection to one another and which are collapsible about the pivotal connection to an interior of the container. The top and the bottom surfaces of the container can be fixedly positioned in a number of collapsed states.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Inventor: George E. Kochanowski
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Patent number: 8310868Abstract: Spin Torque Transfer (STT) memory cell structures and methods are described herein. One or more STT memory cell structures comprise a STT stack including: a pinned ferromagnetic material in contact with an antiferromagnetic material; a tunneling barrier material positioned between a ferromagnetic storage material and the pinned ferromagnetic material; a multiferroic material in contact with the ferromagnetic storage material; and a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the antiferromagnetic material, the pinned ferromagnetic material, and the ferromagnetic storage material are located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The STT memory cell structure can include a third electrode and a fourth electrode, wherein at least a first portion of the multiferroic material is located between the third and the fourth electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Kramer, Gurtej S. Sandhu
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Patent number: 8312245Abstract: One or more embodiments comprise control circuitry coupled to one or more memory devices having a number of planes of physical blocks organized into super blocks. The control circuitry can be configured to: determine defective physical blocks among the number of planes; responsive to none of the physical blocks at a particular block position being determined to be defective, assign the physical blocks at the particular block position to a super block; and responsive to one or more of the physical blocks at a particular block position being determined to be defective, assign non-defective physical blocks at the particular block position to a super block and assign a replacement physical block to the super block for the respective defective physical blocks at the particular block position, the replacement physical block selected from a number of physical blocks within a respective plane that includes a respective defective physical block.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mehdi Asnaashari, Alan Chen, Siamack Nemazie
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Patent number: 8305809Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for dealing with threshold voltage change in memory devices. A number of embodiments include an array of memory cells and control circuitry having sense circuitry coupled to the array. The control circuitry is configured to determine changes in threshold voltages (Vts) associated with the memory cells without using a reference cell, and adjust the sense circuitry based on the determined changes and without using a reference cell.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Zhenlei Shen, William H. Radke, Peter Feeley
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Patent number: 8305810Abstract: Multiple select gates in association with non-volatile memory cells are described. Various embodiments include multiple select gate structure, process, and operation and their applicability for memory devices, modules, and systems. In one embodiment a memory array is described. The memory array includes a number of select gates coupled in series to a number of non-volatile memory cells. A first select gate includes a control gate and a floating gate electrically connected together and a second select gate includes a control gate and a floating gate which are electrically separated by a dielectric layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Seiichi Aritome
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Patent number: 8307427Abstract: System and method for keeping inventories of sensitive data that has been shared with external entities. The system and method may be used particularly for identifying a source of an unauthorized release of sensitive data.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: United Services (USAA) Automobile AssociationInventors: Ignatious Stanley Wisilosky, Greg Alan Harpel, Joseph Paul Griffin
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Patent number: 8298049Abstract: The present disclosure includes various method, device, and system embodiments for meat processing. One such method embodiment includes obtaining animal data for an animal selected to have a solution introduced into its circulatory system in a rinsing process and determining an insertion location based on the animal data. This method embodiment also includes establishing a fluid conduit from a reservoir through the insertion location into the circulatory system of the selected animal by inserting a cannula in fluid communication with the reservoir through the insertion location. The method further includes activating flow of a solution from the reservoir through the fluid conduit to introduce the solution into the circulatory system of the animal.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: MPSC, Inc.Inventor: Casimir E. Lawler, Jr.
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Patent number: 8300454Abstract: Spin Torque Transfer (STT) memory cell structures and methods are described herein. One or more STT memory cell structures include a tunneling barrier material positioned between a ferromagnetic storage material and a pinned ferromagnetic material in contact with an antiferromagnetic material. The tunneling barrier material is a multiferroic material and the antiferromagnetic material, the ferromagnetic storage material, and the pinned ferromagnetic material are positioned between a first electrode and a second electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Kramer, Gurtej S. Sandhu
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Patent number: 8298938Abstract: Phase change memory cell structures and methods are described herein. A number of methods of forming a phase change memory cell structure include forming a dielectric stack structure on a first electrode, wherein forming the dielectric stack structure includes creating a second region between a first region and a third region of the dielectric stack structure, the second region having a thermal conductivity different than a thermal conductivity of the first region and different than a thermal conductivity of the third region of the dielectric stack. One or more embodiments include forming a via through the first, second, and third regions of the dielectric stack structure, depositing a phase change material in the via, and forming a second electrode on the phase change material.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2012Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Quick, Eugene P. Marsh, Joseph N. Greeley
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Patent number: 8301391Abstract: A computer system (2) is provided which is arranged to receive network data (1) identifying nodes and links between nodes. The computer system (2) processes the input network data (1) to utilize the network topology to identify nodes and links having high importance for network integrity. A report (4) identify the critical components can then be output.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: E-Therapeutics PLCInventors: Malcolm P. Young, Peter E. Andras, Mark A. O'Neill
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Patent number: 8292170Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a transaction with a headless point-of-sale or automated teller machine (ATM) device are disclosed. A card having a display and radio frequency (RF) communications module may be authenticated with a headless point-of-sale device using a short-range RF communications link. Transaction information may be provided to the display of the card from the headless point-of-sale device. A customer may confirm the transaction at the card using a touch-sensitive input area. The headless point-of-sale device may then provide the transaction information to a transaction processor for processing and verification. Where the headless device is a headless ATM, the card may be authenticated to the ATM and transaction information may be entered and displayed on the card. A cardholder may authenticate with the ATM by entering, e.g., a PIN number and funds may be dispensed to the cardholder upon verification of the PIN.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2011Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)Inventor: Christopher P. Courtright
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Patent number: 8292617Abstract: Methods and devices utilizing a dental appliance for dental retainer wire attachment are disclosed. One such wire attachment appliance includes a shell having one or more cavities formed therein and shaped to receive one or more teeth, at least two wire attachment members provided on the shell, and at least one attachment material reservoir provided on the shell, wherein the attachment material is provided to attach a wire to a tooth adjacent to a particular reservoir of the at least one attachment material reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Brandt, Rick M. Matty
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Patent number: 8296262Abstract: Computing devices, such as workstations, associated with an institution system may each run a real-time online (RTO) software application. Each RTO application may comprise a software object that executes on the computing device to recognize events pertaining to the computing device, such as startup, shutdown, user logon, and user logoff. Upon occurrence of one of the events, data pertaining to the event is forwarded to the institution system, where it may be processed and stored in an RTO repository for future querying. The institution system may generate a plurality of reports based on an analysis of event data it has received from each computing device.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)Inventor: Lake E. Ellis, III
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Patent number: 8294551Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media deliver a variety of personalized information to a member of an association. In embodiments, information intended for delivery to a member, with or without request by the member, may be delivered via a television transmission, a telematic transmission to a vehicle, or a read-only memory. A password or biometric may be used to authenticate the intended viewer of the delivered information prior to displaying it.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)Inventor: Charles L. Oakes, III
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Patent number: 8293617Abstract: Among various methods, devices, and apparatuses, a number of methods are provided for forming a gap between circuitry. One such method includes depositing a first oxide precursor material on at least two conductive lines having at least one gap between the at least two conductive lines, and forming a breadloaf configuration with the first oxide precursor material on a top of each of the at least two conductive lines that leaves a space between a closest approach of at least two adjacent breadloaf configurations. The method also includes depositing a second oxide precursor material over the first oxide precursor material, where depositing the second oxide precursor material results in closing the space between the closest approach of the at least two adjacent breadloaf configurations.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2011Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Arthur J. McGinnis, Sachin Joshi, Chan Lim
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Patent number: 8291181Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and devices for operating a solid state drive. One method embodiment includes mirroring programming operations such that data associated with a programming operation is programmed to two or more locations in memory of the solid state drive. The method also includes ceasing to mirror programming operations upon an occurrence of a particular event.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Troy A. Manning
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Patent number: 8286859Abstract: To expedite electronic delivery and return of a document, the document is sent to an electronic mail system and stored in an electronic form thereat. The recipient is informed that the document is available thereto at any of a plurality of merchants where the document may be retrieved. The recipient visits one of the plurality of merchants and at the visited merchant retrieves the document in the electronic form from the mail system to a computing device at the visited merchant. The recipient then reviews and executes the document at the visited merchant, and sends the executed document in an electronic form to the organization by way of the visited merchant and the computing device thereat.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)Inventor: Miguel A. Arguello