Patents by Inventor Andrea Martinelli

Andrea Martinelli 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: 20140143484
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device and method of programming same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Barkley, Sunil Shetty, Andrea Martinelli
  • Publication number: 20140095774
    Abstract: Example embodiments described herein may comprise a transfer of firmware execution within a non-volatile memory device to one or more replacement instructions at least in part in response to a match between a code fetch address and an address stored in a trap address register.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Mollichelli, Andrea Martinelli, Stefan Schippers
  • Patent number: 8639903
    Abstract: A memory device and method of programming the same comprising partitioning memory into two or more chunks of information. At least a first portion of a first of the information chunks can be programmed while concurrently determining whether a first portion of a second of the information chunks should be set or reset. Further, the first portion of the second information chunk can be sequential programmed following the programming of the first portion of the first information chunk. The memory device can include different types of memory, such as PCM memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Barkley, Sunil Shetty, Andrea Martinelli
  • Patent number: 8607210
    Abstract: Example embodiments described herein may comprise a transfer of firmware execution within a non-volatile memory device to one or more replacement instructions at least in part in response to a match between a code fetch address and an address stored in a trap address register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Mollichelli, Andrea Martinelli, Stefan Schippers
  • Patent number: 8539141
    Abstract: A method for accessing a non volatile memory device including at least one group or sector of memory cells divided into regions programmable with two different data storage densities and accessible with at least two reading modes, for example a two-level mode and a multilevel mode. The memory regions are being organized into pages including a sub-group of memory cells for storing error correction codes of the data stored in the multilevel mode. The method includes providing at the beginning of each page at least one first cell wherein the information concerning the ECC protection or not of the whole page is to be stored. In the sub-group of cells at least one second cell intended for the storage of information concerning the programmed or erased state of the same page is provided. The content of the first and of the second cell is read before accessing, in programming, the corresponding page of the memory region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe Laurent, Andrea Martinelli, Stefan Schippers, Graziano Mirichigni
  • Patent number: 8284623
    Abstract: A device with non volatile memory cells, with optimized programming, of the type comprising a sector of matrix memory cells organized in rows and columns, with the columns organized in a plurality of global bit-lines associated with at least one plurality of local bit-lines and respectively enabled by a first select signal and by at least one second select signal generated by a decoder, these columns being associated with at least one program load PL controlled by a logic circuit and suitable for applying a programming pulse to a plurality of cells belonging to the enabled bit-lines, comprising a plurality of discharge transistors, each associated with a corresponding column controlled by a control signal complementary to the control signal of the adjacent discharge transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Martinelli, Pierguido Garofalo, Graziano Mirichigni
  • Publication number: 20120137049
    Abstract: Example embodiments described herein may comprise a transfer of firmware execution within a non-volatile memory device to one or more replacement instructions at least in part in response to a match between a code fetch address and an address stored n a trap address register.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Mollichelli, Andrea Martinelli, Stefan Schippers
  • Publication number: 20110289389
    Abstract: A method for accessing a non volatile memory device including at least one group or sector of memory cells divided into regions programmable with two different data storage densities and accessible with at least two reading modes, for example a two-level mode and a multilevel mode. The memory regions are being organized into pages including a sub-group of memory cells for storing error correction codes of the data stored in the multilevel mode. The method includes providing at the beginning of each page at least one first cell wherein the information concerning the ECC protection or not of the whole page is to be stored. In the sub-group of cells at least one second cell intended for the storage of information concerning the programmed or erased state of the same page is provided. The content of the first and of the second cell is read before accessing, in programming, the corresponding page of the memory region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Christophe Laurent, Andrea Martinelli, Stefan Schippers, Graziano Mirichigni
  • Publication number: 20110283081
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device and method of programming same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Gerald Barkley, Sunil Shetty, Andrea Martinelli
  • Patent number: 8015345
    Abstract: A method for accessing a non volatile memory device including at least one group or sector of memory cells divided into regions programmable with two different data storage densities and accessible with at least two reading modes, for example a two-level mode and a multilevel mode. The memory regions are being organized into pages including a sub-group of memory cells for storing error correction codes of the data stored in the multilevel mode. The method includes providing at the beginning of each page at least one first cell wherein the information concerning the ECC protection or not of the whole page is to be stored. In the sub-group of cells at least one second cell intended for the storage of information concerning the programmed or erased state of the same page is provided. The content of the first and of the second cell is read before accessing, in programming, the corresponding page of the memory region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventors: Christophe Laurent, Andrea Martinelli, Stefan Schippers, Graziano Mirichigni
  • Publication number: 20110170361
    Abstract: A device with non volatile memory cells, with optimized programming, of the type comprising a sector of matrix memory cells organized in rows and columns, with the columns organized in a plurality of global bit-lines associated with at least one plurality of local bit-lines and respectively enabled by a first select signal and by at least one second select signal generated by a decoder, these columns being associated with at least one program load PL controlled by a logic circuit and suitable for applying a programming pulse to a plurality of cells belonging to the enabled bit-lines, comprising a plurality of discharge transistors, each associated with a corresponding column controlled by a control signal complementary to the control signal of the adjacent discharge transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Andrea Martinelli, Pierguido Garofalo, Graziano Mirichigni
  • Patent number: 7940590
    Abstract: A device with non volatile memory cells, with optimized programming, of the type comprising a sector of matrix memory cells organized in rows and columns, with the columns organized in a plurality of global bit-lines associated with at least one plurality of local bit-lines and respectively enabled by a first select signal and by at least one second select signal generated by a decoder, these columns being associated with at least one program load PL controlled by a logic circuit and suitable for applying a programming pulse to a plurality of cells belonging to the enabled bit-lines, comprising a plurality of discharge transistors, each associated with a corresponding column controlled by a control signal complementary to the control signal of the adjacent discharge transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventors: Andrea Martinelli, Pierguido Garofalo, Graziano Mirichigni
  • Patent number: 7688633
    Abstract: Embodiment of a method for programming a memory device of the type comprising a matrix of memory cells divided in buffers of cells capacitively uncoupled from each other, the method comprising: first programming of said cells belonging to a buffer; second programming of said cells belonging to said buffer; said step of first programming occurs with a ramp gate voltage having first pitch and programs said cells of said buffer with higher threshold distribution and said step of second programming occurs with a ramp gate voltage having pitch lower than the pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventors: Andrea Martinelli, Stefan Schippers, Marco Onorato
  • Patent number: 7649791
    Abstract: A non volatile memory device architecture, suitable for speeding up and synchronize the programming steps of the cells in particular of the Flash-Nor type, of the type comprising a matrix of memory cells organized into rows and columns, at least one group of these columns being selected by at least one first enable signal by a second enable signal generated by a first decoder; the group of columns being associated with at least one Program Load PL controlled by a logic circuit comprising a first centralized portion and plural second portions associated with a respective program load sequentially updated and driven in a synchronous way to the first centralized portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventors: Andrea Martinelli, Pierguido Garofalo, Graziano Mirichigni
  • Publication number: 20090213657
    Abstract: A device with non volatile memory cells, with optimized programming, of the type comprising a sector of matrix memory cells organized in rows and columns, with the columns organized in a plurality of global bit-lines associated with at least one plurality of local bit-lines and respectively enabled by a first select signal and by at least one second select signal generated by a decoder, these columns being associated with at least one program load PL controlled by a logic circuit and suitable for applying a programming pulse to a plurality of cells belonging to the enabled bit-lines, comprising a plurality of discharge transistors, each associated with a corresponding column controlled by a control signal complementary to the control signal of the adjacent discharge transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Andrea Martinelli, Pierguido Garofalo, Graziano Mirichigni
  • Patent number: 7515464
    Abstract: A method is for reducing possible errors in execution of simultaneous read and verify operations of data being modified in first and second different partitions of a memory device caused by turning on or off of a first partition's bank of sense amplifiers while a critical discrimination phase is being carried out by the second partition's bank of sense amplifiers. The method may include establishing an augmented duration of one of the read and verify operations exceeding a duration of the first partition's critical discrimination phase. The method may conditionally delay generation of a turn on or turn off signal of the first partition by a time determined by a command of termination, or by a beginning of the critical discrimination phase of the second partition when the other of the read and verify operations is in progress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventors: Daniele Vimercati, Andrea Martinelli, Efrem Bolandrina
  • Patent number: 7512032
    Abstract: A device with non volatile memory cells, with optimized programming, of the type comprising a sector of matrix memory cells organized in rows and columns, with the columns organized in a plurality of global bit-lines associated with at least one plurality of local bit-lines and respectively enabled by a first select signal and by at least one second select signal generated by a decoder, these columns being associated with at least one Program Load PL controlled by a logic circuit and suitable for applying a programming pulse to a plurality of cells belonging to the enabled bit lines, comprising a plurality of discharge transistors, each associated with a corresponding column controlled by a control signal complementary to the control signal of the adjacent discharge transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventors: Andrea Martinelli, Pierguido Garofalo, Graziano Mirichigni
  • Publication number: 20080008002
    Abstract: A device with non volatile memory cells, with optimized programming, of the type comprising a sector of matrix memory cells organized in rows and columns, with the columns organized in a plurality of global bit-lines associated with at least one plurality of local bit-lines and respectively enabled by a first select signal and by at least one second select signal generated by a decoder, these columns being associated with at least one Program Load PL controlled by a logic circuit and suitable for applying a programming pulse to a plurality of cells belonging to the enabled bit lines, comprising a plurality of discharge transistors, each associated with a corresponding column controlled by a control signal complementary to the control signal of the adjacent discharge transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Andrea Martinelli, Pierguido Garofalo, Graziano Mirichigni
  • Publication number: 20070283082
    Abstract: A method for accessing a non volatile memory device including at least one group or sector of memory cells divided into regions programmable with two different data storage densities and accessible with at least two reading modes, for example a two-level mode and a multilevel mode. The memory regions are being organized into pages including a sub-group of memory cells for storing error correction codes of the data stored in the multilevel mode. The method includes providing at the beginning of each page at least one first cell wherein the information concerning the ECC protection or not of the whole page is to be stored. In the sub-group of cells at least one second cell intended for the storage of information concerning the programmed or erased state of the same page is provided. The content of the first and of the second cell is read before accessing, in programming, the corresponding page of the memory region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Christophe Laurent, Andrea Martinelli, Stefan Schippers, Graziano Mirichigni
  • Publication number: 20070274141
    Abstract: A non volatile memory device architecture, suitable for speeding up and synchronize the programming steps of the cells in particular of the Flash-Nor type, of the type comprising a matrix of memory cells organized into rows and columns, at least one group of these columns being selected by at least one first enable signal by a second enable signal generated by a first decoder; the group of columns being associated with at least one Program Load PL controlled by a logic circuit comprising a first centralized portion and plural second portions associated with a respective program load sequentially updated and driven in a synchronous way to the first centralized portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Andrea Martinelli, Pierguido Garofalo, Graziano Mirichigni