Patents Examined by Alexander G Sofocleous
  • Patent number: 7414917
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory modules and semiconductor memory systems using the same are described herein. The modules divide a conventional DIMM into a series of separate, smaller memory modules. Each memory module includes at least one semiconductor memory chip arranged on a substrate; CAwD signal input lines arranged on the substrate in a first predetermined line number and connecting one of the semiconductor memory chips to CAwD input signal pins on the substrate; and rD signal output lines arranged on the substrate in a second predetermined line number and connecting the one or a last semiconductor memory to a second number of rD output signal pins of the substrate. In a semiconductor memory system including the semiconductor memory modules, each memory module is separately connected to a memory controller by the CAwD signal input lines and the rD signal output lines in a respective point-to-point fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies
    Inventors: Hermann Ruckerbauer, Simon Muff, Christian Weiss, Peter Gregorius
  • Patent number: 7411843
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory arrangement for operation in a data memory system with at least one semiconductor memory chip for the storage of user data includes a memory controller for control of the at least one semiconductor memory chip, and at least one unidirectional signal line bus for control and address signals connected with the memory controller and branching at least once. The at least once branching bus directly connecting at least one semiconductor memory chip with the memory controller and connecting the semiconductor memory chips among each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Hermann Ruckerbauer, Christian Weiss, Ralf Schledz, Johannes Stecker
  • Patent number: 7391642
    Abstract: A method for programming a phase change memory cell is discussed. A phase change memory cell includes a memory element of a phase change material having a first state, in which the phase change material is crystalline and has a minimum resistance level, a second state in which the phase change material is amorphous and has a maximum resistance level, and a plurality of intermediate states, in which the phase change material includes both crystalline regions and amorphous regions and has intermediate resistance levels. According to the method, a plurality of programming pulses are provided to the phase change memory cell; programming energies respectively associated to the programming pulses are lower than a threshold energy which is required to bring the phase change material to the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: George Gordon, Stephen Hudgens, Fabio Pellizzer, Agostino Pirovano
  • Patent number: 7382648
    Abstract: A nanomechanical device includes a nanostructure, such as a MWNT, located between two electrodes. The device switches from an OFF state to an ON state by extension of at least one inner shell of the nanostructure relative to at least one outer shell of the nanostructure upon an application of a voltage between the electrodes. If desired, the device may also switch from the ON state to the OFF state upon an application of a gate voltage to a gate electrode located adjacent to the nanostructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Marc William Bockrath