Patents by Inventor Clive Bittlestone

Clive Bittlestone 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: 12653034
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device is provided. In some examples, an integrated circuit die of the device includes a first capacitor arranged such that when the integrated circuit die is coupled to a package, the package affects a capacitance of the first capacitor, a second capacitor disposed directly underneath the first capacitor, and a capacitance measurement circuit coupled to the first capacitor and the second capacitor to determine the capacitance of the first capacitor and a capacitance of the second capacitor. The integrated circuit device may detect tampering with the die and/or the package based on the capacitances of the first capacitor and the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2026
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Abhijit Kumar Das, Suman Bellary, Clive Bittlestone
  • Publication number: 20240344862
    Abstract: A flow meter ultrasonically measures fluid velocity in a pipe and ultrasonically transmits fluid flow data along the pipe. An ultrasonic transducer used for fluid velocity measurement may optionally also be used for communication of flow data, and optionally, the ultrasonic frequency for fluid velocity measurement may be the same as the ultrasonic frequency for communication of flow data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: Anand Dabak, Clive Bittlestone
  • Patent number: 12050495
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating a physically unclonable function for SRAM are disclosed. An example method includes decreasing a supply voltage of a memory array to a first voltage level, the first voltage level being below a normal operating voltage associated with the memory array, reading a first value of a bit cell after the supply voltage has been at the first voltage level, and determining a function based on the first value of the bit cell and a second value, the second value stored in the bit cell when the memory array is operating at a voltage level above the first voltage level, the function to represent an identification of a circuit including the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Clive Bittlestone, Joyce Kwong, Manish Goel
  • Patent number: 12050119
    Abstract: A flow meter ultrasonically measures fluid velocity in a pipe and ultrasonically transmits fluid flow data along the pipe. An ultrasonic transducer used for fluid velocity measurement may optionally also be used for communication of flow data, and optionally, the ultrasonic frequency for fluid velocity measurement may be the same as the ultrasonic frequency for communication of flow data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Anand Dabak, Clive Bittlestone
  • Publication number: 20210109579
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating a physically unclonable function for SRAM are disclosed. An example method includes decreasing a supply voltage of a memory array to a first voltage level, the first voltage level being below a normal operating voltage associated with the memory array, reading a first value of a bit cell after the supply voltage has been at the first voltage level, and determining a function based on the first value of the bit cell and a second value, the second value stored in the bit cell when the memory array is operating at a voltage level above the first voltage level, the function to represent an identification of a circuit including the memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Clive Bittlestone, Joyce Kwong, Manish Goel
  • Publication number: 20210066214
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device is provided. In some examples, an integrated circuit die of the device includes a first capacitor arranged such that when the integrated circuit die is coupled to a package, the package affects a capacitance of the first capacitor, a second capacitor disposed directly underneath the first capacitor, and a capacitance measurement circuit coupled to the first capacitor and the second capacitor to determine the capacitance of the first capacitor and a capacitance of the second capacitor. The integrated circuit device may detect tampering with the die and/or the package based on the capacitances of the first capacitor and the second capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Abhijit Kumar DAS, Suman BELLARY, Clive BITTLESTONE
  • Patent number: 10877531
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating a physically unclonable function for SRAM are disclosed. An example method includes decreasing a supply voltage of a memory array to a first voltage level, the first voltage level being below a normal operating voltage associated with the memory array, reading a first value of a bit cell after the supply voltage has been at the first voltage level, and determining a function based on the first value of the bit cell and a second value, the second value stored in the bit cell when the memory array is operating at a voltage level above the first voltage level, the function to represent an identification of a circuit including the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Clive Bittlestone, Joyce Kwong, Manish Goel
  • Publication number: 20200116536
    Abstract: A flow meter ultrasonically measures fluid velocity in a pipe and ultrasonically transmits fluid flow data along the pipe. An ultrasonic transducer used for fluid velocity measurement may optionally also be used for communication of flow data, and optionally, the ultrasonic frequency for fluid velocity measurement may be the same as the ultrasonic frequency for communication of flow data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Anand Dabak, Clive Bittlestone
  • Patent number: 10592333
    Abstract: A system for error correction code (ECC) management of write-once memory (WOM) codes includes, for example, a controller for selecting between one of a WOM (Write-Once Memory) mode and an ECC (error correction code) mode. A codec is arranged to operate in the selected mode. The codec while operating in the ECC mode is arranged to identify a bit position of at least one bit error in response to ECC parity bits of a first received data word. The codec while operating in the WOM mode is arranged to receive a WOM-encoded word from an addressed location in a WOM device, to receive a second received data word to be encoded and written to the addressed location, and to generate WOM-encoded word for writing to the addressed location in the WOM device. The WOM-encoded word for writing to the addressed location is optionally ECC encoded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sai Zhang, Yuming Zhu, Clive Bittlestone, Srinath Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 10541016
    Abstract: Read-only (“RO”) data consisting of a physically unclonable function (“PUF”) pattern is written to a ferroelectric random-access memory (“FRAM”) memory array. The FRAM array is baked to imprint the PUF pattern with a selected average depth of imprint and a corresponding average read reliability. The average depth of imprint and corresponding average read reliability are determined during testing after baking. The PUF pattern as read after baking is compared to the PUF pattern as written prior to baking. Additional PUF pattern writing and baking cycles may be performed until the average depth of imprint and associated read reliability reach a first selected level. Integrated circuits determined to be over-imprinted by exceeding a second selected level may be rejected. The first and second levels of PUF pattern imprint are selected such as to produce FRAM arrays with a unique fingerprint for each individual FRAM array-containing integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Chiraag Juvekar, Joyce Kwong, Clive Bittlestone, Srinath Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 10508937
    Abstract: A flow meter ultrasonically measures fluid velocity in a pipe and ultrasonically transmits fluid flow data along the pipe. An ultrasonic transducer used for fluid velocity measurement may optionally also be used for communication of flow data, and optionally, the ultrasonic frequency for fluid velocity measurement may be the same as the ultrasonic frequency for communication of flow data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Anand Dabak, Clive Bittlestone
  • Patent number: 10191801
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include an electronic device having a write-once memory (WOM) and a memory controller. The memory controller includes a host interface receiving a data word including first and second symbols, each having at least two bits, a WOM controller that encodes the first and second symbols and outputs a WOM-encoded word including first and second WOM codes corresponding to the first and second symbols, respectively, an error correction code (ECC) controller that encodes the WOM-encoded word and outputs an ECC-encoded word including the first and second WOM codes and a first set of ECC bits corresponding to a first write operation, and a memory device interface that writes the ECC-encoded word the WOM device in the first write operation. Each of the first and second WOM codes include at least three bits with at least two of the at least three bits having the same logic value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sai Zhang, Yuming Zhu, Clive Bittlestone, Srinath Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20190019545
    Abstract: Read-only (“RO”) data consisting of a physically unclonable function (“PUF”) pattern is written to a ferroelectric random-access memory (“FRAM”) memory array. The FRAM array is baked to imprint the PUF pattern with a selected average depth of imprint and a corresponding average read reliability. The average depth of imprint and corresponding average read reliability are determined during testing after baking. The PUF pattern as read after baking is compared to the PUF pattern as written prior to baking. Additional PUF pattern writing and baking cycles may be performed until the average depth of imprint and associated read reliability reach a first selected level. Integrated circuits determined to be over-imprinted by exceeding a second selected level may be rejected. The first and second levels of PUF pattern imprint are selected such as to produce FRAM arrays with a unique fingerprint for each individual FRAM array-containing integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Chiraag Juvekar, Joyce Kwong, Clive Bittlestone, Srinath Ramswamy
  • Patent number: 10152613
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating a physically unclonable function for SRAM are disclosed. An example method includes after applying a voltage to a memory array: determining a first duration between the applying of the voltage and a first output of a first bit cell, the first output corresponding to a first value stored in the first bit cell, and determining a second duration between the applying of the voltage and a second output of a second bit cell, the second output corresponding to a second value stored in the second bit cell. The example method further includes determining a function based on a comparison of the first duration and the second duration, the function to establish an identification of a circuit that includes the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Joyce Kwong, Clive Bittlestone, Manish Goel
  • Patent number: 10068631
    Abstract: Read-only (“RO”) data consisting of a physically unclonable function (“PUF”) pattern is written to a ferroelectric random-access memory (“FRAM”) memory array. The FRAM array is baked to imprint the PUF pattern with a selected average depth of imprint and a corresponding average read reliability. The average depth of imprint and corresponding average read reliability are determined during testing after baking. The PUF pattern as read after baking is compared to the PUF pattern as written prior to baking. Additional PUF pattern writing and baking cycles may be performed until the average depth of imprint and associated read reliability reach a first selected level. Integrated circuits determined to be over-imprinted by exceeding a second selected level may be rejected. The first and second levels of PUF pattern imprint are selected such as to produce FRAM arrays with a unique fingerprint for each individual FRAM array-containing integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Chiraag Juvekar, Joyce Kwong, Clive Bittlestone, Srinath Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20180173900
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating a physically unclonable function for SRAM are disclosed. An example method includes after applying a voltage to a memory array: determining a first duration between the applying of the voltage and a first output of a first bit cell, the first output corresponding to a first value stored in the first bit cell, and determining a second duration between the applying of the voltage and a second output of a second bit cell, the second output corresponding to a second value stored in the second bit cell. The example method further includes determining a function based on a comparison of the first duration and the second duration, the function to establish an identification of a circuit that includes the memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Joyce Kwong, Clive Bittlestone, Manish Goel
  • Patent number: 9934411
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating a physically unclonable function for SRAM are disclosed. An example method includes after applying a voltage to a memory array: determining a first duration between the applying of the voltage and a first output of a first bit cell, the first output corresponding to a first value stored in the first bit cell, and determining a second duration between the applying of the voltage and a second output of a second bit cell, the second output corresponding to a second value stored in the second bit cell. The example method further includes determining a function based on a comparison of the first duration and the second duration, the function to establish an identification of a circuit that includes the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Joyce Kwong, Clive Bittlestone, Manish Goel
  • Publication number: 20180011757
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include an electronic device having a write-once memory (WOM) and a memory controller. The memory controller includes a host interface receiving a data word including first and second symbols, each having at least two bits, a WOM controller that encodes the first and second symbols and outputs a WOM-encoded word including first and second WOM codes corresponding to the first and second symbols, respectively, an error correction code (ECC) controller that encodes the WOM-encoded word and outputs an ECC-encoded word including the first and second WOM codes and a first set of ECC bits corresponding to a first write operation, and a memory device interface that writes the ECC-encoded word the WOM device in the first write operation. Each of the first and second WOM codes include at least three bits with at least two of the at least three bits having the same logic value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Sai ZHANG, Yumin ZHU, Clive BITTLESTONE, Srinath RAMASWAMY
  • Publication number: 20170293526
    Abstract: A system for error correction code (ECC) management of write-once memory (WOM) codes includes, for example, a controller for selecting between one of a WOM (Write-Once Memory) mode and an ECC (error correction code) mode. A codec is arranged to operate in the selected mode. The codec while operating in the ECC mode is arranged to identify a bit position of at least one bit error in response to ECC parity bits of a first received data word. The codec while operating in the WOM mode is arranged to receive a WOM-encoded word from an addressed location in a WOM device, to receive a second received data word to be encoded and written to the addressed location, and to generate WOM-encoded word for writing to the addressed location in the WOM device. The WOM-encoded word for writing to the addressed location is optionally ECC encoded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Sai Zhang, Yuming Zhu, Clive Bittlestone, Srinath Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 9772899
    Abstract: A system for error correction code (ECC) management of write-once memory (WOM) codes includes, for example, a host processor is arranged to send a data word that is to be stored in a WOM (Write-Once Memory) device. A host interface is arranged to receive the first data word for processing by a WOM controller and an ECC controller. The WOM controller is for generating a first WOM-encoded word in response to an original symbol of the first data word, while the ECC controller is for generating a first set of ECC bits in response to the original symbol of the first data word. A memory device interface is for writing the first WOM-encoded word and the first set of ECC bits to the WOM device in accordance with the memory address associated with the first data word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sai Zhang, Yuming Zhu, Clive Bittlestone, Srinath Ramaswamy