Patents by Inventor Charles L. Ingalls

Charles L. Ingalls 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: 9076501
    Abstract: Apparatuses, sense amplifier circuits, and methods for operating a sense amplifier circuit in a memory are described. An example apparatus includes a sense amplifier circuit configured to be coupled to a digit line and configured to, during a memory access operation, drive the digit line to a voltage that indicates the logical value of the charge stored by a memory cell coupled to the digit line. During an initial time period of the memory access operation, the sense amplifier circuit is configured to drive the digit line to a first voltage that indicates the logical value of the charge stored by the memory cell. After the initial time period, the sense amplifier circuit is configured to drive the digit line to a second voltage different than the first voltage that indicates the logical value of the charge stored by the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong-yi Xia, Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls, Howard C. Kirsch
  • Patent number: 9070425
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a first data line, a second data line, a first transistor, a sense amplifier, and a circuit. The first transistor can operate to couple the first data line to a first node during a first stage of an operation of obtaining information from a memory cell associated with the first data line. The second transistor can operate to couple the second data line to a second node during the first stage. The circuit can operate to apply a first signal to a gate of the first transistor during the operation and to apply a second signal to a gate of the second transistor during the operation. The sense amplifier can operate to perform a sense function on the first and second data lines during a second stage of the operation. Additional apparatus and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls, Howard Kirsch, Tae H. Kim
  • Publication number: 20150117124
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a first data line, a second data line, a first transistor, a sense amplifier, and a circuit. The first transistor can operate to couple the first data line to a first node during a first stage of an operation of obtaining information from a memory cell associated with the first data line. The second transistor can operate to couple the second data line to a second node during the first stage. The circuit can operate to apply a first signal to a gate of the first transistor during the operation and to apply a second signal to a gate of the second transistor during the operation. The sense amplifier can operate to perform a sense function on the first and second data lines during a second stage of the operation. Additional apparatus and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls, Howard Kirsch, Tae H. Kim
  • Publication number: 20150049565
    Abstract: Apparatuses, sense amplifier circuits, and methods for operating a sense amplifier circuit in a memory are described. An example apparatus includes a sense amplifier circuit configured to be coupled to a digit line and configured to, during a memory access operation, drive the digit line to a voltage that indicates the logical value of the charge stored by a memory cell coupled to the digit line. During an initial time period of the memory access operation, the sense amplifier circuit is configured to drive the digit line to a first voltage that indicates the logical value of the charge stored by the memory cell. After the initial time period, the sense amplifier circuit is configured to drive the digit line to a second voltage different than the first voltage that indicates the logical value of the charge stored by the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong-yi Xia, Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls, Howard C. Kirsch
  • Publication number: 20140226427
    Abstract: Memory subsystems and methods, such as those involving a memory cell array formed over a semiconductor material of a first type, such as p-type substrate. In at least one such subsystem, all of the transistors used to selectively access cells within the array are transistors of a second type, such as n-type transistors. Local word line drivers are coupled to respective word lines extending through the array. Each local word line drivers includes at least one transistor. However, all of the transistors in the local word line drivers are of the second type. A well of semiconductor material of the second type, is also formed in the material of the first type, and a plurality of global word line drivers are formed using the well. Other subsystems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Kim, Howard C. Kirsch, Charles L. Ingalls, Shigeki Tomishima, K. Shawn Smith
  • Patent number: 8737157
    Abstract: Memory subsystems and methods, such as those involving a memory cell array formed over a semiconductor material of a first type, such as p-type substrate. In at least one such subsystem, all of the transistors used to selectively access cells within the array are transistors of a second type, such as n-type transistors. Local word line drivers are coupled to respective word lines extending through the array. Each local word line drivers includes at least one transistor. However, all of the transistors in the local word line drivers are of the second type. A well of semiconductor material of the second type, is also formed in the material of the first type, and a plurality of global word line drivers are formed using the well. Other subsystems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Kim, Howard C. Kirsch, Charles L. Ingalls, Shigeki Tomishima, K. Shawn Smith
  • Publication number: 20140085992
    Abstract: Sense amplifiers and methods for precharging are disclosed, including a sense amplifier having a pair of cross-coupled complementary transistor inverters, and a pair of transistors, each one of the pair of transistors coupled to a respective one of the complementary transistor inverters and a voltage. The sense amplifier further includes a capacitance coupled between the pair of transistors. One method for precharging includes coupling input nodes of the sense amplifier to a precharge voltage, coupling the input nodes of the sense amplifier together, and coupling a resistance to each transistor of a cross-coupled pair to set a voltage threshold (VT) mismatch compensation voltage for each transistor. The voltage difference between the VT mismatch compensation voltage of each transistor is stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: J. Wayne Thompson, Howard C. Kirsch, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 8598912
    Abstract: Sense amplifiers and methods for precharging are disclosed, including a sense amplifier having a pair of cross-coupled complementary transistor inverters, and a pair of transistors, each one of the pair of transistors coupled to a respective one of the complementary transistor inverters and a voltage. The sense amplifier further includes a capacitance coupled between the pair of transistors. One method for precharging includes coupling input nodes of the sense amplifier to a precharge voltage, coupling the input nodes of the sense amplifier together, and coupling a resistance to each transistor of a cross-coupled pair to set a voltage threshold (VT) mismatch compensation voltage for each transistor. The voltage difference between the VT mismatch compensation voltage of each transistor is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Wayne Thompson, Howard C. Kirsch, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Publication number: 20120063256
    Abstract: Memory subsystems and methods, such as those involving a memory cell array formed over a semiconductor material of a first type, such as p-type substrate. In at least one such subsystem, all of the transistors used to selectively access cells within the array are transistors of a second type, such as n-type transistors. Local word line drivers are coupled to respective word lines extending through the array. Each local word line drivers includes at least one transistor. However, all of the transistors in the local word line drivers are of the second type. A well of semiconductor material of the second type, is also formed in the material of the first type, and a plurality of global word line drivers are formed using the well. Other subsystems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Kim, Howard C. Kirsch, Charles L. Ingalls, Shigeki Tomishima, K. Shawn Smith
  • Publication number: 20110317509
    Abstract: Memory subsystems and methods, such as those involving a memory cell array formed over a semiconductor material of a first type, such as p-type substrate. In at least one such subsystem, all of the transistors used to selectively access cells within the array are transistors of a second type, such as n-type transistors. Local word line drivers are coupled to respective word lines extending through the array. Each local word line drivers includes at least one transistor. However, all of the transistors in the local word line drivers are of the second type. A well of semiconductor material of the second type, is also formed in the material of the first type, and a plurality of global word line drivers are formed using the well. Each global word line driver includes at least one transistor of the first type. Other subsystems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: TAE KIM, Howard C. Kirsch, Charles L. Ingalls, Shigeki Tomishima
  • Publication number: 20110304358
    Abstract: Sense amplifiers and methods for precharging are disclosed, including a sense amplifier having a pair of cross-coupled complementary transistor inverters, and a pair of transistors, each one of the pair of transistors coupled to a respective one of the complementary transistor inverters and a voltage. The sense amplifier further includes a capacitance coupled between the pair of transistors. One method for precharging includes coupling input nodes of the sense amplifier to a precharge voltage, coupling the input nodes of the sense amplifier together, and coupling a resistance to each transistor of a cross-coupled pair to set a voltage threshold (VT) mismatch compensation voltage for each transistor. The voltage difference between the VT mismatch compensation voltage of each transistor is stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Wayne Thompson, Howard C. Kirsch, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 7986578
    Abstract: Systems and methods of sensing a data state coupled to a digit line and for coupling a digit line to a sense amplifier. In sensing the data state coupled to the digit line, the digit line is coupled to a sense node and driving voltages provided to the sense amplifier. The data state is latched in response to the driving voltages. In coupling the digit line to a sense amplifier, the digit line is coupled to the sense amplifier for a first time period and decoupled from the sense amplifier for a second time period. The digit line is coupled to the sense amplifier at a controlled rate following the second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Kim, Charles L. Ingalls, David Pinney, Howard Kirsch
  • Publication number: 20100061158
    Abstract: Systems and methods of sensing a data state coupled to a digit line and for coupling a digit line to a sense amplifier. In sensing the data state coupled to the digit line, the digit line is coupled to a sense node and driving voltages provided to the sense amplifier. The data state is latched in response to the driving voltages. In coupling the digit line to a sense amplifier, the digit line is coupled to the sense amplifier for a first time period and decoupled from the sense amplifier for a second time period. The digit line is coupled to the sense amplifier at a controlled rate following the second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Tae Kim, Charles L. Ingalls, David Pinney, Howard Kirsch
  • Patent number: 7626877
    Abstract: Systems and methods of sensing a data state coupled to a digit line and for coupling a digit line to a sense amplifier. In sensing the data state coupled to the digit line, the digit line is coupled to a sense node and driving voltages provided to the sense amplifier. The data state is latched in response to the driving voltages. In coupling the digit line to a sense amplifier, the digit line is coupled to the sense amplifier for a first time period and decoupled from the sense amplifier for a second time period. The digit line is coupled to the sense amplifier at a controlled rate following the second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Kim, Charles L. Ingalls, David Pinney, Howard Kirsch
  • Publication number: 20090168551
    Abstract: Systems and methods of sensing a data state coupled to a digit line and for coupling a digit line to a sense amplifier. In sensing the data state coupled to the digit line, the digit line is coupled to a sense node and driving voltages provided to the sense amplifier. The data state is latched in response to the driving voltages. In coupling the digit line to a sense amplifier, the digit line is coupled to the sense amplifier for a first time period and decoupled from the sense amplifier for a second time period. The digit line is coupled to the sense amplifier at a controlled rate following the second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Tae Kim, Charles L. Ingalls, David Pinney, Howard Kirsch
  • Patent number: 7512025
    Abstract: A system and method for sensing a data state stored by a memory cell that includes coupling a first digit line and a second digit line to a precharge voltage and further coupling a memory cell to the first digit line. At least one digit line other than the first and second digit lines is driven to a reference voltage level and the at least one digit line is coupled to the second digit line to establish a reference voltage in the second digit line. A voltage differential is sensed between the first digit line and the second digit line, and a data state based on the voltage differential is latched in response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sei Seung Yoon, Charles L. Ingalls, David Pinney, Howard C. Kirsch
  • Patent number: 7505341
    Abstract: Systems and methods of sensing a data state coupled to a digit line and for coupling a digit line to a sense amplifier. In sensing the data state coupled to the digit line, the digit line is coupled to a sense node and driving voltages provided to the sense amplifier. The data state is latched in response to the driving voltages. In coupling the digit line to a sense amplifier, the digit line is coupled to the sense amplifier for a first time period and decoupled from the sense amplifier for a second time period. The digit line is coupled to the sense amplifier at a controlled rate following the second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tae Kim, Charles L. Ingalls, David Pinney, Howard Kirsch
  • Patent number: 7460430
    Abstract: Memory devices configured to reduce coupling noise between adjacent wordlines in a memory array. More specifically, wordline drivers are interleaved such that adjacent wordlines are driven by wordline drivers enabled by different row decoders. Each wordline driver includes a weak transistor to ground and a strong transistor to ground. By disabling the wordline driver on the wordlines directly adjacent to the active wordlines, a path is provided to drive the coupling noise from the active wordline to ground through the strong transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tae H. Kim, Charles L. Ingalls, Howard C. Kirsch, Jeremy J. Gum
  • Patent number: 7417916
    Abstract: Memory devices configured to reduce coupling noise between adjacent wordlines in a memory array. More specifically, wordline drivers are interleaved such that adjacent wordlines are driven by wordline drivers enabled by different row decoders. Each wordline driver includes a weak transistor to ground and a strong transistor to ground. By disabling the wordline driver on the wordlines directly adjacent to the active wordlines, a path is provided to drive the coupling noise from the active wordline to ground through the strong transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tae H. Kim, Charles L. Ingalls, Howard C. Kirsch, Jeremy J. Gum
  • Publication number: 20080137458
    Abstract: A system and method for sensing a data state stored by a memory cell that includes coupling a first digit line and a second digit line to a precharge voltage and further coupling a memory cell to the first digit line. At least one digit line other than the first and second digit lines is driven to a reference voltage level and the at least one digit line is coupled to the second digit line to establish a reference voltage in the second digit line. A voltage differential is sensed between the first digit line and the second digit line, and a data state based on the voltage differential is latched in response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Sei Seung Yoon, Charles L. Ingalls, David Pinney, Howard C. Kirsch