Patents by Inventor Daniel R. Elmhurst

Daniel R. Elmhurst 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: 7327605
    Abstract: An apparatus and technique for testing of multi-level cells (MLC) in a memory storage device using a high bandwidth data path architecture. The technique includes hardware for obtaining a first data and a second data from a multilevel cell memory. The first data is different from the second data. The first data and second data are compared and, based at least in part on this comparison, the multilevel cell memory is programmed. Programming the multilevel cell memory includes accessing memory cells in the multilevel cell memory and determining the number of bits per memory cell of the first data that need programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Elmhurst, Karthikeyan Ramamurthi, Quan H. Ngo, Robert L. Melcher
  • Patent number: 7177186
    Abstract: An apparatus and technique for testing of multi-level cells (MLC) in a memory storage device using a high bandwidth data path architecture. The technique includes hardware for obtaining a first data and a second data from a multilevel cell memory. The first data is different from the second data. The first data and second data are compared and, based at least in part on this comparison, the multilevel cell memory is programmed. Programming the multilevel cell memory includes accessing memory cells in the multilevel cell memory and determining the number of bits per memory cell of the first data that need programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Elmhurst, Karthikeyan Ramamurthi, Quan H. Ngo, Robert L. Melcher
  • Patent number: 7075822
    Abstract: An apparatus and technique for testing of multi-level cells (MLC) in a memory storage device using a high bandwidth data path architecture. The technique includes hardware for obtaining a first data and a second data from a multilevel cell memory. The first data is different from the second data. The first data and second data are compared and, based at least in part on this comparison, the multilevel cell memory is programmed. Programming the multilevel cell memory includes accessing memory cells in the multilevel cell memory and determining the number of bits per memory cell of the first data that need programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Elmhurst, Karthikeyan Ramamurthi, Quan H. Ngo, Robert L. Melcher
  • Patent number: 6809962
    Abstract: Cells in a non-volatile memory are programmed in parallel using a variable program bandwidth. The variable program bandwidth is an automatic variation in the number of cells pulsed in parallel based upon a predefined electrical current provisioning capability. The variation in programming number may be based upon whether a program pulse represents an initial pulse or a re-pulse. Additionally, or alternatively, the variation in programming number may be based upon a cell level to be programmed by a pulse in a MLC device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastian T. Uribe, Daniel R. Elmhurst
  • Publication number: 20040130946
    Abstract: Cells in a non-volatile memory are programmed in parallel using a variable program bandwidth. The variable program bandwidth is an automatic variation in the number of cells pulsed in parallel based upon a predefined electrical current provisioning capability. The variation in programming number may be based upon whether a program pulse represents an initial pulse or a re-pulse. Additionally, or alternatively, the variation in programming number may be based upon a cell level to be programmed by a pulse in a MLC device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Intel Corporation, a Delaware corporation
    Inventors: Sebastian T. Uribe, Daniel R. Elmhurst
  • Publication number: 20040128594
    Abstract: An apparatus and technique for testing of multi-level cells (MLC) in a memory storage device using a high bandwidth data path architecture. The technique includes hardware for obtaining a first data and a second data from a multilevel cell memory. The first data is different from the second data. The first data and second data are compared and, based at least in part on this comparison, the multilevel cell memory is programmed. Programming the multilevel cell memory includes accessing memory cells in the multilevel cell memory and determining the number of bits per memory cell of the first data that need programming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel R. Elmhurst, Karthikeyan Ramamurthi, Quan H. Ngo, Robert L. Melcher
  • Patent number: 6747893
    Abstract: Cells in a non-volatile memory are programmed in parallel using a variable program bandwidth. The variable program bandwidth is an automatic variation in the number of cells pulsed in parallel based upon a predefined electrical current provisioning capability. The variation in programming number may be based upon whether a program pulse represents an initial pulse or a re-pulse. Additionally, or alternatively, the variation in programming number may be based upon a cell level to be programmed by a pulse in a MLC device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastian T. Uribe, Daniel R. Elmhurst
  • Patent number: 6700820
    Abstract: Programming non-volatile memory devices includes identifying addresses in a data buffer for storing a particular one of a plurality of threshold voltage levels, then pulsing the array memory cells to program the array memory cells to the particular threshold voltage level. The identifying and pulsing is repeated for each of the threshold voltage levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Elmhurst, Kerry D. Tedrow, Paul D. Ruby
  • Publication number: 20030174538
    Abstract: Cells in a non-volatile memory are programmed in parallel using a variable program bandwidth. The variable program bandwidth is an automatic variation in the number of cells pulsed in parallel based upon a predefined electrical current provisioning capability. The variation in programming number may be based upon whether a program pulse represents an initial pulse or a re-pulse. Additionally, or alternatively, the variation in programming number may be based upon a cell level to be programmed by a pulse in a MLC device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Sebastian T. Uribe, Daniel R. Elmhurst
  • Patent number: 6618287
    Abstract: A memory cell selection scheme that permits simultaneous reading and writing of cells in different memory blocks by using separate routing for bias voltages to the cells. A read path and a program path are used to separately route the read and program voltages to a memory block. Separate read and program transistors are used to selectively route one of those two voltages to a regional voltage line, where individual local voltage transistors can selectively route voltage from the regional voltage line to local voltage lines. By placing a separate set of read and program transistors in each block, each block can be configured to conduct either read or program operations without regard to which of those functions is being performed in other blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel R. Elmhurst
  • Publication number: 20030123295
    Abstract: Programming non-volatile memory devices includes identifying addresses in a data buffer for storing a particular one of a plurality of threshold voltage levels, each of which is represented by a unique pattern of signals and then pulsing the array memory cells associated with the identified addresses to program the array memory cells to the particular threshold voltage level. The identifying and pulsing is repeated for each of the threshold voltage levels. Subsequently, each array memory cell is verified as to whether the cell is programmed with a threshold voltage level that correctly represents the corresponding pattern of signals for that cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel R. Elmhurst, Kerry D. Tedrow, Paul D. Ruby
  • Publication number: 20030002339
    Abstract: A memory cell selection scheme that permits simultaneous reading and writing of cells in different memory blocks by using separate routing for bias voltages to the cells. A read path and a program path are used to separately route the read and program voltages to a memory block. Separate read and program transistors are used to selectively route one of those two voltages to a regional voltage line, where individual local voltage transistors can selectively route voltage from the regional voltage line to local voltage lines. By placing a separate set of read and program transistors in each block, each block can be configured to conduct either read or program operations without regard to which of those functions is being performed in other blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel R. Elmhurst
  • Patent number: 6480417
    Abstract: A memory cell selection scheme that permits simultaneous reading and writing of cells in different memory blocks by using separate routing for bias voltages to the cells. A read path and a program path are used to separately route the read and program voltages to a memory block. Separate read and program transistors are used to selectively route one of those two voltages to a regional voltage line, where individual local voltage transistors can selectively route voltage from the regional voltage line to local voltage lines. By placing a separate set of read and program transistors in each block, each block can be configured to conduct either read or program operations without regard to which of those functions is being performed in other blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel R. Elmhurst
  • Publication number: 20020131301
    Abstract: A memory cell selection scheme that permits simultaneous reading and writing of cells in different memory blocks by using separate routing for bias voltages to the cells. A read path and a program path are used to separately route the read and program voltages to a memory block. Separate read and program transistors are used to selectively route one of those two voltages to a regional voltage line, where individual local voltage transistors can selectively route voltage from the regional voltage line to local voltage lines. By placing a separate set of read and program transistors in each block, each block can be configured to conduct either read or program operations without regard to which of those functions is being performed in other blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel R. Elmhurst
  • Patent number: 6356062
    Abstract: A regulator circuit to control the output of a charge pump circuit, to reduce the effects of operating temperature and process variations on available output current from the charge pump circuit. A predetermined fraction of the output voltage of the charge pump circuit is fed back to the input of a differential amplifier, which compares it to a reference voltage. The output of the differential amplifier feeds a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), which in turn generates a clock signal that is used to drive the charge pump circuit. The normal temperature characteristics of this configuration cause the output of the charge pump circuit to degrade with temperature changes. The regulator circuit can be placed between the differential amplifier and the VCO to adjust the voltage driving the VCO. In one embodiment, a biasing resistor with a negative temperature coefficient can be used in the regulator circuit to offset the normal effects of temperature on the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Elmhurst, Binh N. Ngo, Rupinder K. Bains