Patents by Inventor Christopher K. Morzano

Christopher K. Morzano 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: 11967362
    Abstract: A memory device includes multiple memory cells configured to store data. The memory device also includes multiple digit lines each configured to carry data to and from a respective memory cell. The memory device further includes multiple sense amplifiers each selectively coupled to respective digit lines and including first and second NMOS transistors and first and second gut nodes coupled to the first and second NMOS transistors, respectively. Each sense amplifier is configured to perform threshold compensation for the first and second NMOS transistors by storing respective voltages at the first and second gut nodes that are proportional to the respective threshold voltages of the first and second NMOS transistors. The sense amplifier also amplifies a differential voltage between the first and second gut nodes by charging the first gut node and discharging the second gut node based at least in part on respective charges of the digit lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Huy T. Vo, Christopher K. Morzano, Christopher J. Kawamura, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Publication number: 20230395130
    Abstract: A memory device includes multiple memory cells configured to store data. The memory device also includes multiple digit lines each configured to carry data to and from a respective memory cell. The memory device further includes multiple sense amplifiers each selectively coupled to respective digit lines and including first and second NMOS transistors and first and second gut nodes coupled to the first and second NMOS transistors, respectively. Each sense amplifier is configured to perform threshold compensation for the first and second NMOS transistors by storing respective voltages at the first and second gut nodes that are proportional to the respective threshold voltages of the first and second NMOS transistors. The sense amplifier also amplifies a differential voltage between the first and second gut nodes by charging the first gut node and discharging the second gut node based at least in part on respective charges of the digit lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Huy T. Vo, Christopher K. Morzano, Christopher J. Kawamura, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 9484326
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses having stacked devices and methods of forming dice stacks on an interface die. In one such apparatus, a dice stack includes at least a first die and a second die, and conductive paths coupling the first die and the second die to the common control die. In some embodiments, the conductive paths may be arranged to connect with circuitry on alternating dice of the stack. In other embodiments, a plurality of dice stacks may be arranged on a single interface die, and some or all of the dice may have interleaving conductive paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Christopher K. Morzano
  • Patent number: 9123552
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses, stacked devices and methods of forming dice stacks on an interface die. In one such apparatus, a dice stack includes at least a first die and a second die, and conductive paths coupling the first die and the second die to the common control die. In some embodiments, the conductive paths may be arranged to connect with circuitry on alternating dice of the stack. In other embodiments, a plurality of dice stacks may be arranged on a single interface die, and some or all of the dice may have interleaving conductive paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Christopher K. Morzano
  • Publication number: 20150091189
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses having stacked devices and methods of forming dice stacks on an interface die. In one such apparatus, a dice stack includes at least a first die and a second die, and conductive paths coupling the first die and the second die to the common control die. In some embodiments, the conductive paths may be arranged to connect with circuitry on alternating dice of the stack. In other embodiments, a plurality of dice stacks may be arranged on a single interface die, and some or all of the dice may have interleaving conductive paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Christopher K. Morzano
  • Patent number: 8687459
    Abstract: Methods of operating a memory device and memory devices are provided. For example, a method of operating a memory array is provided that includes a synchronous path and an asynchronous path. A Write-with-Autoprecharge signal is provided to the synchronous path, and various bank address signals are provided to the asynchronous path. In another embodiment, the initiation of the bank address signals may be provided asynchronously to the assertion of the Write-with-Autoprecharge signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Wong, Alan Wilson, Christopher K. Morzano
  • Publication number: 20110246746
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses, stacked devices and methods of forming dice stacks on an interface die. In one such apparatus, a dice stack includes at least a first die and a second die, and conductive paths coupling the first die and the second die to the common control die. In some embodiments, the conductive paths may be arranged to connect with circuitry on alternating dice of the stack. In other embodiments, a plurality of dice stacks may be arranged on a single interface die, and some or all of the dice may have interleaving conductive paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Christopher K. Morzano
  • Publication number: 20110216621
    Abstract: Methods of operating a memory device and memory devices are provided. For example, a method of operating a memory array is provided that includes a synchronous path and an asynchronous path. A Write-with-Autoprecharge signal is provided to the synchronous path, and various bank address signals are provided to the asynchronous path. In another embodiment, the initiation of the bank address signals may be provided asynchronously to the assertion of the Write-with-Autoprecharge signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Wong, Alan Wilson, Christopher K. Morzano
  • Patent number: 7944773
    Abstract: Methods of operating a memory device and memory devices are provided. For example, a method of operating a memory array is provided that includes a synchronous path and an asynchronous path. A Write-with-Autoprecharge signal is provided to the synchronous path, and various bank address signals are provided to the asynchronous path. In another embodiment, the initiation of the bank address signals may be provided asynchronously to the assertion of the Write-with-Autoprecharge signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Wong, Alan Wilson, Christopher K. Morzano
  • Patent number: 7936181
    Abstract: An off chip driver impedance adjustment circuit includes a storage circuit adapted to receive and store a drive strength adjustment word. A counter circuit is coupled to the storage circuit to receive the drive strength adjustment word and develops a drive strength count responsive to the drive strength adjustment word. A programmable fuse code to preset the counter. An output driver circuit is coupled to the counter circuit to receive the drive strength count and is adapted to receive a data signal. The output driver circuit develops an output signal on an output responsive to the data signal and adjusts a drive strength as a function of the drive strength count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Greg A. Blodgett, Christopher K. Morzano
  • Publication number: 20100289678
    Abstract: A data sort device for converting parallel data to serial data is disclosed and provided. The data sort device may include a plurality of switches for receiving parallel data, each of which are controlled by a respective control signal and configured to alternatingly transmit data bits received via first and second input terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher K Morzano, Wen Li
  • Patent number: 7764206
    Abstract: A data sort device for converting parallel data to serial data is disclosed and provided. The data sort device may include a plurality of switches for receiving parallel data, each of which are controlled by a respective control signal and configured to alternatingly transmit data bits received via first and second input terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher K. Morzano, Wen Li
  • Publication number: 20090273989
    Abstract: Methods of operating a memory device and memory devices are provided. For example, a method of operating a memory array is provided that includes a synchronous path and an asynchronous path. A Write-with-Autoprecharge signal is provided to the synchronous path, and various bank address signals are provided to the asynchronous path. In another embodiment, the initiation of the bank address signals may be provided asynchronously to the assertion of the Write-with-Autoprecharge signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Micron Technology Inc
    Inventors: Victor Wong, Alan Wilson, Christopher K. Morzano
  • Publication number: 20090201746
    Abstract: A data sort device for converting parallel data to serial data is disclosed and provided. The data sort device may include a plurality of switches for receiving parallel data, each of which are controlled by a respective control signal and configured to alternatingly transmit data bits received via first and second input terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher K. Morzano, Wen Li
  • Patent number: 7561477
    Abstract: A data strobe synchronization circuit includes first and second logic circuits receiving global data strobe pulses and respective enable signal. A control circuit initially applies an enable signal to the first logic circuit so that the first logic circuit generates a first data strobe pulse responsive to each global data strobe pulse. The control circuit receives a write control signal. When the write control signal becomes active, the control circuit terminates the enable signal applied to the first logic circuit and applies an enable signal to the second logic circuit. The second logic circuit then generates a second data strobe pulse responsive to the next global data strobe pulse. The first and second data strobe pulses are used to latch a data signal in respective flip-flops. The data strobe pulses may latch the data signal in pairs of flip-flops on the leading and trailing edges of the data strobe pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology , Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher K. Morzano, Wen Li
  • Patent number: 7525458
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to convert parallel data to serial data is provided. More specifically, there is provided a parallel-to-serial converter comprising a data pipeline configured to receive parallel data, and binary sort logic comprising a plurality of switches arranged to receive the parallel data from the data pipeline, and configured to output the parallel data serially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher K. Morzano, Wen Li
  • Publication number: 20090091350
    Abstract: An off chip driver impedance adjustment circuit includes a storage circuit adapted to receive and store a drive strength adjustment word. A counter circuit is coupled to the storage circuit to receive the drive strength adjustment word and develops a drive strength count responsive to the drive strength adjustment word. A programmable fuse code to preset the counter. An output driver circuit is coupled to the counter circuit to receive the drive strength count and is adapted to receive a data signal. The output driver circuit develops an output signal on an output responsive to the data signal and adjusts a drive strength as a function of the drive strength count.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: GREG A. BLODGETT, Christopher K. Morzano
  • Patent number: 7463052
    Abstract: An off chip driver impedance adjustment circuit includes a storage circuit adapted to receive and store a drive strength adjustment word. A counter circuit is coupled to the storage circuit to receive the drive strength adjustment word and develops a drive strength count responsive to the drive strength adjustment word. A programmable fuse code to preset the counter. An output driver circuit is coupled to the counter circuit to receive the drive strength count and is adapted to receive a data signal. The output driver circuit develops an output signal on an output responsive to the data signal and adjusts a drive strength as a function of the drive strength count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg A. Blodgett, Christopher K. Morzano
  • Publication number: 20080181031
    Abstract: A data strobe synchronization circuit includes first and second logic circuits receiving global data strobe pulses and respective enable signal. A control circuit initially applies an enable signal to the first logic circuit so that the first logic circuit generates a first data strobe pulse responsive to each global data strobe pulse. The control circuit receives a write control signal. When the write control signal becomes active, the control circuit terminates the enable signal applied to the first logic circuit and applies an enable signal to the second logic circuit. The second logic circuit then generates a second data strobe pulse responsive to the next global data strobe pulse. The first and second data strobe pulses are used to latch a data signal in respective flip-flops. The data strobe pulses may latch the data signal in pairs of flip-flops on the leading and trailing edges of the data strobe pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Micron technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher K. Morzano, Wen Li
  • Publication number: 20080136690
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to convert parallel data to serial data is provided. More specifically, there is provided a parallel-to-serial converter comprising a data pipeline configured to receive parallel data, and binary sort logic comprising a plurality of switches arranged to receive the parallel data from the data pipeline, and configured to output the parallel data serially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher K. Morzano, Li Wen