Patents by Inventor Dean K. Nobunaga
Dean K. Nobunaga 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).
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Patent number: 11610616Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nonvolatile memory device including a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns, a plurality of word lines with each connected to a respective row of the memory cells along a row direction, a plurality of bit lines with each connected to a respective column of the memory cells along a column direction; a column decoder connected to the bit lines; a plurality of sense amplifiers connected to the column decoder; and a plurality of sense amplifier control circuits. Each of the sense amplifiers is connected to a unique one of the sense amplifier control circuits. Each of the sense amplifier control circuits includes a current detector circuit for detecting a sensing current, a current booster circuit for boosting the sensing current, and a timer circuit for providing a delayed trigger for a respective one of the sense amplifiers connected thereto.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Avalanche Technology, Inc.Inventor: Dean K. Nobunaga
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Publication number: 20210390995Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nonvolatile memory device including a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns, a plurality of word lines with each connected to a respective row of the memory cells along a row direction, a plurality of bit lines with each connected to a respective column of the memory cells along a column direction; a column decoder connected to the bit lines; a plurality of sense amplifiers connected to the column decoder; and a plurality of sense amplifier control circuits. Each of the sense amplifiers is connected to a unique one of the sense amplifier control circuits. Each of the sense amplifier control circuits includes a current detector circuit for detecting a sensing current, a current booster circuit for boosting the sensing current, and a timer circuit for providing a delayed trigger for a respective one of the sense amplifiers connected thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2020Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventor: Dean K. Nobunaga
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Patent number: 10861509Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
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Patent number: 10832751Abstract: The present invention is directed to a memory circuitry that includes a magnetic memory element and a selector coupled in series between a first conductive line and a second conductive line; a current detector coupled to the second conductive line; and a means for supplying a sufficiently high voltage to the first conductive line for turning on the selector. When the selector turns on, the current detector detects a current flowing across the selector and effectuates a current limiter to reduce the current while maintaining the selector on. The memory circuitry may be operated by applying a sufficiently high voltage to the first conductive line for turning on the selector; reducing a current flowing through the selector while maintaining the sufficiently high voltage on the first conductive line; and determining a resistance state of the magnetic memory element.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Avalanche Technology, Inc.Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, Ebrahim Abedifard
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Publication number: 20200135250Abstract: The present invention is directed to a memory circuitry that includes a magnetic memory element and a selector coupled in series between a first conductive line and a second conductive line; a current detector coupled to the second conductive line; and a means for supplying a sufficiently high voltage to the first conductive line for turning on the selector. When the selector turns on, the current detector detects a current flowing across the selector and effectuates a current limiter to reduce the current while maintaining the selector on. The memory circuitry may be operated by applying a sufficiently high voltage to the first conductive line for turning on the selector; reducing a current flowing through the selector while maintaining the sufficiently high voltage on the first conductive line; and determining a resistance state of the magnetic memory element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, Ebrahim Abedifard
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Publication number: 20200126601Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
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Patent number: 10460775Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
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Publication number: 20190013056Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for sensing the resistance state of a memory cell, which includes a memory element and a selection transistor coupled in series between first and second conductive lines. The method includes the steps of precharging the first conductive line; allowing the voltage of the first conductive line to decay toward zero by discharging through the second conductive line; measuring the voltage of the first conductive line after a discharge period to determine the resistance state of the memory cell; concluding that the memory cell is in the high resistance state if the measured voltage is greater than a reference level; and concluding that the memory cell is in the low resistance state if the measured voltage is less than the reference level. The discharge period is shorter than a time period required for the voltage of the first conductive line to reach zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2018Publication date: January 10, 2019Inventor: Dean K. Nobunaga
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Publication number: 20180366166Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
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Publication number: 20180330770Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for sensing the resistance state of a memory cell, which includes a memory element and a two-terminal selector coupled in series between first and second conductive lines. The method includes the steps of precharging at least the first conductive line to attain a potential drop across the memory cell that is sufficiently large to turn on the two-terminal selector; allowing the voltage of the first conductive line to decay by discharging through the second conductive line; measuring the voltage of the first conductive line after a discharge period to determine the resistance state of the memory cell; concluding that the memory cell is in the high resistance state if the measured voltage is greater than a reference level; and concluding that the memory cell is in the low resistance state if the measured voltage is less than the reference level.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventor: Dean K. Nobunaga
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Patent number: 10127960Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for sensing the resistance state of a memory cell, which includes a memory element and a two-terminal selector coupled in series between first and second conductive lines. The method includes the steps of precharging at least the first conductive line to attain a potential drop across the memory cell that is sufficiently large to turn on the two-terminal selector; allowing the voltage of the first conductive line to decay by discharging through the second conductive line; measuring the voltage of the first conductive line after a discharge period to determine the resistance state of the memory cell; concluding that the memory cell is in the high resistance state if the measured voltage is greater than a reference level; and concluding that the memory cell is in the low resistance state if the measured voltage is less than the reference level.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Avalanche Technology, Inc.Inventor: Dean K. Nobunaga
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Patent number: 10083725Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2017Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
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Patent number: 9921782Abstract: The present invention is directed to a magnetic memory device that emulates DRAM and provides a plug-in or drop-in replacement for DRAM. The memory device includes one or more magnetic memory banks for storing data; a controller configured to issue a dormant write command upon receiving a refresh command for recharging DRAM capacitors; and a memory cache for storing temporary data and configured to save the temporary data to the one or more magnetic memory banks upon receiving the dormant write command from the controller. The memory device may be compliant with at least one version of low power DDR (LPDDR) Specification or at least one version of DDR SDRAM Specification.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Avalanche Technology, Inc.Inventor: Dean K. Nobunaga
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Publication number: 20170345468Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
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Patent number: 9754643Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
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Publication number: 20170220301Abstract: The present invention is directed to a magnetic memory device that emulates DRAM and provides a plug-in or drop-in replacement for DRAM. The memory device includes one or more magnetic memory banks for storing data; a controller configured to issue a dormant write command upon receiving a refresh command for recharging DRAM capacitors; and a memory cache for storing temporary data and configured to save the temporary data to the one or more magnetic memory banks upon receiving the dormant write command from the controller. The memory device may be compliant with at least one version of low power DDR (LPDDR) Specification or at least one version of DDR SDRAM Specification.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventor: Dean K. Nobunaga
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Patent number: 9710182Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for reducing capacitance on a data bus are disclosed herein. In accordance with one or more described embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a plurality of memories coupled to an internal data bus and a command and address bus, each of the memories configured to receive a command on the command and address bus. One of the plurality of memories may be coupled to an external data bus. The one of the plurality of memories may be configured to provide program data to the internal data bus when the command comprises a program command and another of the plurality of memories is a target memory of the program command and may be configured to provide read data to the external data bus when the command comprises a read command and the another of the plurality of memories is a target memory of the read command.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, Ali Feiz Zarrin Ghalam, Xiaojiang Guo, Eric N. Lee
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Publication number: 20160070504Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for reducing capacitance on a data bus are disclosed herein. In accordance with one or more described embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a plurality of memories coupled to an internal data bus and a command and address bus, each of the memories configured to receive a command on the command and address bus. One of the plurality of memories may be coupled to an external data bus, The one of the plurality of memories may be configured to provide program data to the internal data bus when the command comprises a program command and another of the plurality of memories is a target memory of the program command and may be configured to provide read data to the external data bus when the command comprises a read command and the another of the plurality of memories is a target memory of the read command.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, Ali Feiz Zarrin Ghalam, Xiaojiang Guo, Eric N. Lee
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Publication number: 20160064048Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
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Patent number: 9190153Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen