Patents Assigned to Estancia Limited
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Patent number: 7463058Abstract: A programmable array logic circuit whose temporary memory circuitry employs single bit non-volatile ferromagnetic memory cells. The ferromagnetic memory cells or bits store data even when there is no power provided to the circuitry, thus saving power during operation of the programmable logic circuitry, and ensuring that there is no loss of the data should there be a temporary power shut down. Additionally, the ferromagnetic cells provide for indefinite number of switching actions on the data without degradation to the capacity to store data therein. The invention provides an integrated circuit, comprising a programmable logic circuit array having product lines and input lines therein, and a storage register circuit. The storage register circuit has a ferromagnetic bit and sensor coupled to store a remnant control signal and an output transistor, coupled to be responsive to the remnant control signal on its gate, and coupled between an input and product line.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2007Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignees: Estancia Limited, Pageant Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Richard M. Lienau
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Patent number: 7285983Abstract: A programmable array logic circuit whose temporary memory circuitry employs single bit non-volatile ferromagnetic memory cells. The ferromagnetic memory cells or bits store data even when there is no power provided to the circuitry, thus saving power during operation of the programmable logic circuitry, and ensuring that there is no loss of the data should there be a temporary power shut down. Additionally, the ferromagnetic cells provide for indefinite number of switching actions on the data without degradation to the capacity to store data therein. The invention provides an integrated circuit, comprising a programmable logic circuit array having product lines and input lines therein, and a storage register circuit. The storage register circuit has a ferromagnetic bit and sensor coupled to store a remnant control signal and an output transistor, coupled to be responsive to the remnant control signal on its gate, and coupled between an input and product line.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignees: Estancia Limited, Pageant Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Richard M. Lienau
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Patent number: 7257021Abstract: A ferromagnetic memory cell is disclosed having a base (21), oriented in a horizontal plane, a bit (19), made of a ferromagnetic material, and a sense/write line (20), positioned proximate the bit (19) sufficient to detect the directed polarity of the bit when a first current is applied thereto, and to direct the polarity of the bit when a second larger current is applied thereto in a given direction. The bit (19) has a height that is oriented perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the base, and a polarity that can be directed along the height.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignees: Pageant Technologies, Inc., Estancia LimitedInventors: Richard M. Lienau, James Craig Stephenson
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Patent number: 7187579Abstract: A ferromagnetic memory cell is disclosed having a base (21), oriented in a horizontal plane, a bit (19), made of a ferromagnetic material, and a sense/write line (20), positioned proximate the bit (19) sufficient to detect the directed polarity of the bit when a first current is applied thereto, and to direct the polarity of the bit when a second larger current is applied thereto in a given direction. The bit (19) has a height that is oriented perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the base, and a polarity that can be directed along the height.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignees: Pageant Technologies, Inc., Estancia LimitedInventors: Richard M. Lienau, James Craig Stephenson
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Patent number: 7177180Abstract: A ferromagnetic memory cell is disclosed. The cell includes a bit (10), made of a ferromagnetic material, having a remnant polarity. The cell also includes a read drive line (20) coupled to a first portion of the bit (10), to feed a current into the bit (10). A sense conductor (30) is coupled to a second portion of the bit (10), to receive the current from the bit (10). The current conducted through the bit (10) is responsive to the polarity of the bit (10). A method is also disclosed for determining the magnetic polarity of a ferromagnetic bit (10). In this method, a bit (10) is provided that is made of ferromagnetic material and has a remnant polarity. An input current (50) is fed into the bit (10) through a read drive line (20) coupled to a first portion of the bit (10). An output current (60) is received from the bit (10) through a sense conductor (30) coupled to a second portion of the bit (10). The current conducted through the bit (10) is responsive to the polarity of the bit (10).Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignees: Pageant Technologies, Inc., Estancia LimitedInventor: Richard M. Lienau
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Patent number: 7023727Abstract: A ferromagnetic memory cell is disclosed having a base (21), oriented in a horizontal plane, a bit (19), made of a ferromagnetic material, and a sense/write line (20), positioned proximate the bit (19) sufficient to detect the directed polarity of the bit when a first current is applied thereto, and to direct the polarity of the bit when a second larger current is applied thereto in a given direction. The bit (19) has a height that is oriented perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the base, and a polarity that can be directed along the height.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignees: Pageant Technologies, Inc., Estancia LimitedInventors: Richard M. Lienau, James Craig Stephenson
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Patent number: 6545908Abstract: A nonvolatile ferromagnetic RAM device which is capable of reading the data stored in each magnet quickly and efficiently utilizing a minimal number of components. Specifically there is a nonvolatile ferromagnetic RAM which is capable of reading the data stored in each magnetic bit. The ferromagnetic memory cell, comprising of a base (19) that is oriented in a horizontal plane. There is also a bit (3), made of a ferromagnetic material, having: a height that is oriented perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the base, and a polarity that can be directed along the height. Additionally, there is a sense line (1), positioned proximate the bit (3) sufficient to detect the directed polarity of the bit; and a write line (2), positioned proximate the bit sufficient to direct the polarity of the bit.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignees: Pageant Technologies, Inc., Estancia LimitedInventor: Richard M. Lienau
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Patent number: 6140139Abstract: A Hall effect ferromagnetic non-volatile random access memory cell comprising a Hall effect sensor adjacent to a ferromagnetic bit which is surrounded by a drive coil. The coil is electrically connected to a drive circuit, and when provided with an appropriate current creates a residual magnetic field in the ferromagnetic bit, the polarity of which determines the memory status of the cell. The Hall effect sensor is electrically connected via four conductors to a voltage source, ground, and two read sense comparator lines for comparing the voltage output to determine the memory status of the cell. The read and write circuits are arranged in a matrix of bit columns and byte rows. A method for manufacturing said Hall effect ferromagnetic non-volatile random access memory cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignees: Pageant Technologies, Inc., Estancia Limited ProvidencialsInventors: Richard Lienau, Laurence Sadwick