Patents by Inventor Brendan N. Protzman

Brendan N. Protzman 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).

  • Patent number: 7339839
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan N Protzman, Timothy B Cowles
  • Patent number: 6877064
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan N. Protzman, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 6693835
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan N. Protzman, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 6687176
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan N. Protzman, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 6574164
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan N. Protzman, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20030079095
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Brendan N. Protzman, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20030076720
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Brendan N. Protzman, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 6501688
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan N. Protzman, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 6493286
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan N. Protzman, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20020181293
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Brendan N. Protzman, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20020181294
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Brendan N. Protzman, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20020181317
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Brendan N. Protzman, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20020181295
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Brendan N. Protzman, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20020181305
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Brendan N. Protzman, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 6483762
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving time between row address latching and column address latching (tRCD) by allowing the pull-up of the IO lines during a READ burst to end upon the firing of a column access signal rather than waiting for the next clock signal of the READ operation. A latch is set during the active command in order to set a node voltage which allows the IO pull-up signal to end upon the firing of the column access signal. The invention allows improvement in tRCD parameter, and allows digit line pairs to separate without unwanted line sharing with the IO lines prior to reading of the first bit of a data burst. The result is a more accurate and error-free read of a first bit of data during a READ sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan N. Protzman, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 6330196
    Abstract: An output driver includes multiple boot circuits to drive a pull-up signal of a data driver. A control circuit selects a fully precharged boot circuit when the data output by the output driver is a high signal. The remaining boot circuits not selected are allowed to fully precharge during this time in preparation for a subsequent data high signal. Consequently, any precharge delay time can be masked by selecting a fully precharged boot circuit when driving a subsequent pull-up signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brendan N. Protzman
  • Patent number: 6141266
    Abstract: A delay circuit that generates an output signal responsive to an input signal after a delay corresponding to a reference voltage that is insensitive to the power supply voltage. The output signal switches between ground and the power supply voltage (V.sub.CC). The delay circuit is formed by a timer circuit and a level translator circuit. The delay circuit provides an output signal having a delay of a fixed time period regardless of fluctuations or changes in the supply voltage. The level translator circuit provides an output signal with the aforementioned delay that has a magnitude of either the power supply voltage or ground. The timer circuit includes a capacitor that is charged and discharged through respective transistors to provide the delay. The level translator circuit includes transistors that switch the output signal between the supply voltage and ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Mecier, Brendan N. Protzman
  • Patent number: 6141263
    Abstract: An output driver includes multiple boot circuits to drive a pull-up signal of a data driver. A control circuit selects a fully precharged boot circuit when the data output by the output driver is a high signal. The remaining boot circuits not selected are allowed to fully precharge during this time in preparation for a subsequent data high signal. Consequently, any precharge delay time can be masked by selecting a fully precharged boot circuit when driving a subsequent pull-up signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brendan N. Protzman
  • Patent number: 6023429
    Abstract: A delay circuit that generates an output signal responsive to an input signal after a delay corresponding to a reference voltage that is insensitive to the power supply voltage. The output signal switches between ground and the power supply voltage (V.sub.CC). The delay circuit is formed by a timer circuit and a level translator circuit. The delay circuit provides an output signal having a delay of a fixed time period regardless of fluctuations or changes in the supply voltage. The level translator circuit provides an output signal with the aforementioned delay that has a magnitude of either the power supply voltage or ground. The timer circuit includes a capacitor that is charged and discharged through respective transistors to provide the delay. The level translator circuit includes transistors that switch the output signal between the supply voltage and ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Mecier, Brendan N. Protzman