Patents Assigned to Estancia Limited
  • Patent number: 7463058
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignees: Estancia Limited, Pageant Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Lienau
  • Patent number: 7285983
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignees: Estancia Limited, Pageant Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Lienau
  • Patent number: 7257021
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignees: Pageant Technologies, Inc., Estancia Limited
    Inventors: Richard M. Lienau, James Craig Stephenson
  • Patent number: 7187579
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignees: Pageant Technologies, Inc., Estancia Limited
    Inventors: Richard M. Lienau, James Craig Stephenson
  • Patent number: 7177180
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignees: Pageant Technologies, Inc., Estancia Limited
    Inventor: Richard M. Lienau
  • Patent number: 7023727
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignees: Pageant Technologies, Inc., Estancia Limited
    Inventors: Richard M. Lienau, James Craig Stephenson
  • Patent number: 6545908
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignees: Pageant Technologies, Inc., Estancia Limited
    Inventor: Richard M. Lienau
  • Patent number: 6140139
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignees: Pageant Technologies, Inc., Estancia Limited Providencials
    Inventors: Richard Lienau, Laurence Sadwick