Patents by Inventor Bertrand F. Cambou

Bertrand F. Cambou 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: 20180052782
    Abstract: A memory circuit using dynamic random access memory (DRAM) arrays. The DRAM arrays can be configured as CAMs or RAMs on the same die, with the control circuitry for performing comparisons located outside of the DRAM arrays. In addition, DRAM arrays can be configured for secure authentication where, after the first authentication performed with a non-volatile secure element, subsequent authentications can be performed by the DRAM array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventor: Bertrand F. Cambou
  • Patent number: 9841266
    Abstract: A device has a flexible substrate supporting an array of magnetic sensors exposed to a uniform external magnetic field. One or more controllers receive magnetic sensor signals from the magnetic sensors. The one or more controllers collect reference magnetic sensor signals when the flexible substrate is aligned with the uniform external magnetic field. The one or more controllers collect first polarity magnetic sensor signals in response to deformation of the flexible substrate in a first direction. The one or more controllers collect second polarity magnetic sensor signals in response to deformation of the flexible substrate in a second direction. The magnetic sensor signals establish a profile of the orientation of the flexible substrate with respect to the uniform external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Crocus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Lucien Lombard, Bertrand F. Cambou, Ken Mackay
  • Patent number: 9804974
    Abstract: A memory circuit using dynamic random access memory (DRAM) arrays. The DRAM arrays can be configured as CAMs or RAMs on the same die, with the control circuitry for performing comparisons located outside of the DRAM arrays. In addition, DRAM arrays can be configured for secure authentication where, after the first authentication performed with a non-volatile secure element, subsequent authentications can be performed by the DRAM array. Input patterns can be loaded into a DRAM array by loading logic state ones (“1”) into each of the plurality of input data bit lines in each of the columns in the DRAM array and shunting one or more of the plurality of input data bit lines in the DRAM array corresponding to logic state zeroes (“0”) in the input pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Bertrand F. Cambou
  • Patent number: 9766305
    Abstract: An apparatus includes groups of magnetic tunnel junctions, where the magnetic tunnel junctions in each group are arranged in rows, the magnetic tunnel junctions in each row are connected in series, and the rows are connected in parallel. The apparatus further includes a first conductive layer including conductive interconnects, a second conductive layer including straps, and a third conductive layer including field lines, each field line configured to generate a magnetic field for configuring an operating point of a corresponding subset of the magnetic tunnel junctions in each group based on a current flow through each field line. The magnetic tunnel junctions in each group are disposed between and connected to a corresponding one of the conductive interconnects and a corresponding one of the straps. The second conductive layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the third conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Crocus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Reuven Yehoshua, Bertrand F. Cambou, Yaron Oren-Pines, Douglas Lee
  • Patent number: 9720057
    Abstract: An apparatus includes circuits including a first circuit and a second circuit, each circuit including subarrays of magnetic tunnel junctions, where: (1) the magnetic tunnel junctions in each subarray are arranged in rows, the magnetic tunnel junctions in each row are connected in series, and the rows are connected in parallel; and (2) the subarrays are connected in series. The apparatus further comprises a field line configured to generate a first magnetic field for configuring an operating point of the first circuit based on a current flow through the field line, where the impedance of a subset of the plurality of rows in each subarray of magnetic tunnel junctions included in the first circuit is configured based on the first magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Crocus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bertrand F. Cambou, Reuven Yehoshua, Douglas Lee, Yaron Oren-Pines
  • Patent number: 9702944
    Abstract: An apparatus includes circuits and a module configured to determine an external magnetic field based on a parameter of each circuit. Each circuit includes an array of magnetic tunnel junctions partitioned into subarrays. The magnetic tunnel junctions in each subarray are arranged in rows, the magnetic tunnel junctions in each row are connected in series, and the rows are connected in parallel. The subarrays are connected in series. Each magnetic tunnel junction includes a storage layer having a storage magnetization and a sense layer having a sense magnetization. Each magnetic tunnel junction is configured such that the sense magnetization and impedance of each magnetic tunnel junction vary in response to an external magnetic field. The parameter of each circuit varies based on a combined impedance of the multiple magnetic tunnel junctions. The module is implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Crocus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bertrand F. Cambou, Reuven Yehoshua, Yaron Oren-Pines, Douglas Lee
  • Patent number: 9689936
    Abstract: An apparatus includes circuits including a first circuit and a second circuit, each circuit including subarrays of magnetic tunnel junctions, where: (1) the magnetic tunnel junctions in each subarray are arranged in rows, the magnetic tunnel junctions in each row are connected in series, and the rows are connected in parallel; and the subarrays are connected in series. The apparatus further comprises a field line configured to generate a first magnetic field for configuring an operating point of the first circuit based on a current flow through the field line, wherein impedance of one or more of the magnetic tunnel junctions in each of the plurality of rows of each subarray of magnetic tunnel junctions included in the first circuit is configured based on the first magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Crocus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bertrand F. Cambou, Douglas Lee, Yaron Oren-Pines, Stuart Rumley
  • Patent number: 9588908
    Abstract: A memory circuit using resistive random access memory (ReRAM) arrays in a secure element. The ReRAM arrays can be configured as content addressable memories (CAMs) or random access memories (RAMs) on the same die, with the control circuitry for performing comparisons of reference patterns and input patterns located outside of the ReRAM arrays. By having ReRAM arrays configured as CAMs and RAMs on the same die, certain reference patterns can be stored in CAMs and others in RAMs depending on security needs. For additional security, a heater can be used to erase reference patterns in the ReRAM arrays when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Bertrand F. Cambou
  • Publication number: 20170010981
    Abstract: A memory circuit using resistive random access memory (ReRAM) arrays in a secure element. The ReRAM arrays can be configured as content addressable memories (CAMs) or random access memories (RAMs) on the same die, with the control circuitry for performing comparisons of reference patterns and input patterns located outside of the ReRAM arrays. By having ReRAM arrays configured as CAMs and RAMs on the same die, certain reference patterns can be stored in CAMs and others in RAMs depending on security needs. For additional security, a heater can be used to erase reference patterns in the ReRAM arrays when desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Bertrand F. Cambou
  • Patent number: 9543014
    Abstract: A memory circuit with blocking states. In one embodiment, the memory circuit includes a two non-volatile transistors connected in series. The input state of the memory cell and the stored state of the memory cell are configured to be a plurality of states including a zero state, a one state, a no care state, and an input blocking state. When the input state of the memory cell is the blocking state, the memory cell is configured to be in a blocking mode unless the stored state of the memory cell is the no care state. When the stored state of the memory cell is the blocking state, the memory cell is configured to be in the blocking mode unless the input state of the memory cell is the no care state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventor: Bertrand F. Cambou
  • Patent number: 9514292
    Abstract: A method and system for multi-factor authentication. The method involves combining a plurality of authentication patterns into a combined secure pattern by inserting one or more spacing states into the one authentication pattern at locations based on the values of the another authentication pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Bertrand F. Cambou
  • Patent number: 9503097
    Abstract: A circuit includes a magnetic logic unit including input terminals, output terminals, a field line, and magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). The field line electrically connects a first and a second input terminal, and is configured to generate a magnetic field based on an input to at least one of the first and the second input terminal. The input is based on a first analog input to the circuit. Each MTJ is electrically connected to a first and a second output terminal, and is configured such that an output of at least one of the first and the second output terminal varies in response to a combined resistance of the MTJs. The resistance of the MTJs varies based on the magnetic field. The circuit is configured to mix the first analog input and a second analog input to generate an analog output based on the output of the second output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Crocus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Lee, Yaron Oren-Pines, Stuart Desmond Rumley, Seyed A. Tabatabaei, Bertrand F. Cambou
  • Publication number: 20160335200
    Abstract: A memory circuit using dynamic random access memory (DRAM) arrays. The DRAM arrays can be configured as CAMs or RAMs on the same die, with the control circuitry for performing comparisons located outside of the DRAM arrays. In addition, DRAM arrays can be configured for secure authentication where, after the first authentication performed with a non-volatile secure element, subsequent authentications can be performed by the DRAM array. Input patterns can be loaded into a DRAM array by loading logic state ones (“1”) into each of the plurality of input data bit lines in each of the columns in the DRAM array and shunting one or more of the plurality of input data bit lines in the DRAM array corresponding to logic state zeroes (“0”) in the input pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventor: Bertrand F. Cambou
  • Publication number: 20160307628
    Abstract: A memory circuit with blocking states. In one embodiment, the memory circuit includes a two non-volatile transistors connected in series. The input state of the memory cell and the stored state of the memory cell are configured to be a plurality of states including a zero state, a one state, a no care state, and an input blocking state. When the input state of the memory cell is the blocking state, the memory cell is configured to be in a blocking mode unless the stored state of the memory cell is the no care state. When the stored state of the memory cell is the blocking state, the memory cell is configured to be in the blocking mode unless the input state of the memory cell is the no care state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Bertrand F. Cambou
  • Publication number: 20160306953
    Abstract: A method and system for multi-factor authentication. The method involves combining a plurality of authentication patterns into a combined secure pattern by inserting one or more spacing states into the one authentication pattern at locations based on the values of the another authentication pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Bertrand F. Cambou
  • Patent number: 9395209
    Abstract: An apparatus includes circuits, a field line configured to generate a magnetic field based on an input, a sensing module configured to determine a parameter of each circuit, and a magnetic field direction determination module configured to determine an angular orientation of the apparatus relative to an external magnetic field based on the parameter. Each circuit includes multiple magnetic tunnel junctions. Each magnetic tunnel junction includes a storage layer having a storage magnetization direction and a sense layer having a sense magnetization direction configured based on the magnetic field. Each magnetic tunnel junction is configured such that the sense magnetization direction and a resistance of the magnetic tunnel junction vary based on the external magnetic field. The parameter varies based on the resistances of the multiple magnetic tunnel junctions. The magnetic field direction determination module is implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Crocus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bertrand F. Cambou, Douglas J. Lee, Ken Mackay, Barry Hoberman
  • Patent number: 9395210
    Abstract: An apparatus includes circuits, a field line configured to generate a magnetic field based on an input, a sensing module configured to determine a parameter of each circuit, and a magnetic field direction determination module configured to determine an angular orientation of the apparatus relative to an external magnetic field based on the parameter. Each circuit includes multiple magnetic tunnel junctions. Each magnetic tunnel junction includes a storage layer having a storage magnetization direction and a sense layer having a sense magnetization direction configured based on the magnetic field. Each magnetic tunnel junction is configured such that the sense magnetization direction and a resistance of the magnetic tunnel junction vary based on the external magnetic field. The parameter varies based on the resistances of the multiple magnetic tunnel junctions. The magnetic field direction determination module is implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Crocus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bertrand F. Cambou, Douglas J. Lee, Ken Mackay, Barry Hoberman
  • Patent number: 9350359
    Abstract: A circuit includes a magnetic logic unit including input terminals, output terminals, a field line, and magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). The field line electrically connects a first and a second input terminal, and is configured to generate a magnetic field based on an input to at least one of the first and the second input terminal. The input is based on an analog input to the circuit. Each MTJ is electrically connected to a first output terminal and a second output terminal, and is configured such that an output of at least one of the first and the second output terminal varies in response to a combined resistance of the MTJs. The resistance of each of the MTJs varies based on the magnetic field. The circuit is configured to generate an analog output based on the output of at least one of the first and the second output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Crocus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Lee, Yaron Oren-Pines, Seyed A. Tabatabaei, Stuart Desmond Rumley, Bertrand F. Cambou
  • Patent number: 9310223
    Abstract: An apparatus includes circuits, a field line configured to generate a magnetic field based on an input, a sensing module configured to determine a parameter of each circuit, and a magnetic field direction determination module configured to determine an angular orientation of the apparatus relative to an external magnetic field based on the parameter. Each circuit includes multiple magnetic tunnel junctions. Each magnetic tunnel junction includes a storage layer having a storage magnetization direction and a sense layer having a sense magnetization direction configured based on the magnetic field. Each magnetic tunnel junction is configured such that the sense magnetization direction and a resistance of the magnetic tunnel junction vary based on the external magnetic field. The parameter varies based on the resistances of the multiple magnetic tunnel junctions. The magnetic field direction determination module is implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Crocus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bertrand F. Cambou, Douglas J. Lee, Ken Mackay, Barry Hoberman
  • Publication number: 20160097630
    Abstract: A device has a flexible substrate supporting an array of magnetic sensors exposed to a uniform external magnetic field. One or more controllers receive magnetic sensor signals from the magnetic sensors. The one or more controllers collect reference magnetic sensor signals when the flexible substrate is aligned with the uniform external magnetic field. The one or more controllers collect first polarity magnetic sensor signals in response to deformation of the flexible substrate in a first direction. The one or more controllers collect second polarity magnetic sensor signals in response to deformation of the flexible substrate in a second direction. The magnetic sensor signals establish a profile of the orientation of the flexible substrate with respect to the uniform external magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: CROCUS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Lucien Lombard, Bertrand F. Cambou, Ken Mackay