Patents by Inventor Christopher S. Norris

Christopher S. Norris 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: 5831926
    Abstract: The burst mode memory architecture using interleaved memory arrays provides even and odd EPROM arrays with data having even addresses stored in the even array and data having odd addresses stored in the odd array. A control circuit receives an initial address from a memory system controller and then accesses all data from the even and odd arrays within a burst address space containing the initial address. A pair of out-of-phase counters generate even and odd addresses, respectively, for accessing the even and odd arrays. Each counter increments addresses sequentially until a burst address space boundary is reached, then the counters wrap around to a beginning of a burst address space to generate any remaining addresses within a burst address space. The burst mode control circuitry is capable of processing a variety of burst sequencing modes. The burst address space size and the burst sequencing mode are selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Norris, Timothy M. Lacey
  • Patent number: 5787047
    Abstract: The burst mode memory architecture using interleaved memory arrays provides even and odd EPROM arrays with data having even addresses stored in the even array and data having odd addresses stored in the odd array. A control circuit receives an initial address from a memory system controller and then accesses all data from the even and odd arrays within a burst address space containing the initial address. A pair of out-of-phase counters generate even and odd addresses, respectively, for accessing the even and odd arrays. Each counter increments addresses sequentially until a burst address space boundary is reached, then the counters wrap around to a beginning of a burst address space to generate any remaining addresses within a burst address space. The burst mode control circuitry is capable of processing a variety of burst sequencing modes. The burst address space size and the burst sequencing mode are selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Norris, Timothy M. Lacey
  • Patent number: 5760438
    Abstract: A fast, fieldless flash memory cell includes an erase node having a control gate and a floating gate, both formed of polycrystalline silicon, a program transistor sharing the floating gate and control gate with the erase node, and a read transistor sharing the floating gate and control gate with the erase node and program transistor. The inventive memory cell is suitable for use in fast Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs) in the sub 5 nS range (2-5 nS), and other logic and memory parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Rakesh Balraj Sethi, Christopher S. Norris, Genda J. Hu
  • Patent number: 5710778
    Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit for supplying a verifying reference and measurement voltage for use in verifying the programming of a programmable cell. The present invention provides the verifying reference and measurement voltage through internal circuitry on the cell and eliminate any requirement for an externally provided reference voltage. The verifying voltage is provided by modifying the programming voltage. The programming voltage is stepped down or stepped up through the use of internal circuitry to provide the reference and measurement voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Cyrpress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Roger J. Bettman, S. Babar Raza, Donald Yu, Donald A. Krall, Anita X. Meng, Christopher S. Norris
  • Patent number: 5648669
    Abstract: A fast, fieldless flash memory cell includes an erase node having a control gate and a floating gate, both formed of polycrystalline silicon, a program transistor sharing the floating gate and control gate with the erase node, and a read transistor sharing the floating gate and control gate with the erase node and program transistor. The inventive memory cell is suitable for use in fast Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs) in the sub 5 nS range (2-5 nS), and other logic and memory parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor
    Inventors: Rakesh Balraj Sethi, Christopher S. Norris, Genda J. Hu
  • Patent number: 5453957
    Abstract: The burst mode memory architecture using interleaved memory arrays provides even and odd EPROM arrays with data having even addresses stored in the even array and data having odd addresses stored in the odd array. A control circuit receives an initial address from a memory system controller and then accesses all data from the even and odd arrays within a burst address space containing the initial address. A pair of out-of-phase counters generate even and odd addresses, respectively, for accessing the even and odd arrays. Each counter increments addresses sequentially until a burst address space boundary is reached, then the counters wrap around to a beginning of a burst address space to generate any remaining addresses within a burst address space. The burst mode control circuitry is capable of processing a variety of burst sequencing modes. The burst address space size and the burst sequencing mode are selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Norris, Timothy M. Lacey
  • Patent number: 5381370
    Abstract: A memory is described that includes a main memory array having a plurality of main memory locations and a redundant memory array having a plurality of redundant memory locations. A main decoding circuit is coupled to the main memory array for decoding an address received from an external circuit to access a selected one of the plurality of main memory locations. A storage circuit is provided for pre-storing the address of the selected one of the plurality of main memory locations when the selected one of the plurality of main memory locations is defective. A redundant comparison circuit is coupled to the redundant memory array and the storage circuit for comparing the external address with the address stored in the storage circuit in order to access a selected one of the plurality of redundant memory locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy M. Lacey, Christopher S. Norris